Investigation into the growth and electromechanical properties of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 thin films

Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) has been used to fabricate relaxor thin films and thin film capacitors based on the Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ system. Best capacitor structures show dielectric constants (_r) of 1000 and losses (tan ) 0.02 at 1 kHz at 300 K. Electromechanical investigations show that tensile longitudinal strains of up to 0.2% can be achieved in these films.     

Non-ohmic behaviour of the binary ZnO-Nb2O5 system

Studies have been made of the non-ohmic behaviour of the system ZnO-Nb₂O₅, as a function of composition, in the range 0.1 to 0.5 wt % of Nb₂O₅ and sintering temperature varying from 900 to 1300° C. It is found that the non-linearity coefficient varies with composition and sintering temperature. The maximum value of ( 8) is achieved for the samples containing 0.2 wt% Nb₂O₅, sintered at 1100°C. These results are interpreted in terms of the variation of barrier height with composition.     

On the analysis of tunneling data for A15 superconductors

We examine the applicability of the standard McMillan inversion of Eliashberg's equations for superconductors with a nonconstant electronic density of statesN(). We do this usign simple models forN() and a realistically shapedN() taken from recent band structure work for Nb₃Sn. It turns out that peak structure inN() near _F may lead to gross errors in the derived Eliashberg function ²F() when the energy dependence ofN() is omitted in the inversion procedure. For Nb₃Sn, this leads to a 40% overestimate of when ²F() is evaluated via the standard McMillan program.     

Grain orientation and anisotropy in the physical properties of SrBi2(Nb1 − x V x )2O9 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) ceramics

SrBi₂(Nb_{1 – x} V _x )₂O₉ (0 x 0.3 in molar ratio) ceramics have been fabricated via conventional sintering at elevated temperatures. Interestingly sintering the pellets in the 1320–1470 K temperature range yielded partially grain oriented ceramics. The orientation factor (f) monitored via X-ray powder diffraction studies was found to increase with increasing V₂O₅ content and reached 83% for x = 0.3. The increment in (f) was not that significant with increase in sintering temperature and its duration. The microstructural studies suggest that V₂O₅ has a truncating effect on the abnormal platy growth of SBN grains. The dielectric constant (_r) and loss (D) measurements as functions of both temperature and V₂O₅ content have been carried out along the directions parallel (_rp) and perpendicular (_rn) to the cold pressing axis of the pellet. The anisotropy (_rn/_rp) associated with _r was found to be 1.11 at 300 K and 2.1 at the Curie temperature, (T _c) respectively. Different dielectric mixture formulae that were employed to analyze the effective dielectric constants of these samples with varying porosity confirmed that the experimental value of _r was comparable with that obtained using Wiener's formula. Impedance spectroscopy was employed to rationalize the electrical behavior of these ceramics. The pyroelectric coefficients along the directions parallel and perpendicular to the pressing axis of the grain oriented (83%) SBN ceramic at 300 K were 0.13145 mC/m²K and 0.26291 mC/m²K respectively. The ferroelectric properties of these grain-oriented ceramics were better in the direction perpendicular to the pressing axis than those in the parallel direction.     

Low-fired microwave dielectrics in ZnO-TiO2 ceramics doped with CuO and B2O3

The microwave dielectric properties and the microstructure of low-firing zinc titanate ceramics have been investigated. The microstructure of these ceramics have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and it was found that CuO addition has the important effect of stabilizing the Zn₂TiO₄ phase. When the sintering temperatures are in the range of 870–950 °C, dielectric constant values ( _r ) saturate at 21–25, the Q×f value is 20 000 GHz (at 10 GHz). The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency ( _f ) was 10 ppm °C^–1. Therefore, the 0.5 wt %-CuO and 1.0 wt %-B₂O₃ doped ZnO-TiO₂ ceramics can be used in multi-layer microwave devices requiring low sintering temperature.     

The dielectric behaviour of single-crystal MgO,Fe/MgO and Cr/MgO

The dielectric constants and loss factors,, for pure single-crystal MgO and for Fe-and Cr-doped crystals have been measured at frequencies, , from 500 Hz to 500 kHz at room temperature. For pure MgO at 1 kHz the values of and the loss tangent, tan , (9.62 and 2.16×10^–3, respectively) agree well with the data of Von Hippel; the conductivity, , varies as ⁿ withn=0.98±0.02. In Fe-doped crystals increases with Fe-concentration (at any given frequency); for a crystal doped with 12800 ppm Fe, was about four times the value for pure MgO. At all concentrations the variation of log with log was linear andn=0.98±0.02. A decrease in with increasing Fe-concentration was also observed. A similar, although less pronounced, behaviour was found in Cr-doped crystals. The effects are discussed in terms of hopping mechanisms.     

High frequency dielectric properties of MgO,Fe/MgO and Cr/MgO

The study of the dielectric constant and loss in pure single-crystal MgO and in Fe- and Cr-doped crystals, the low frequency results of which have been reported [1], has now been extended to cover frequencies from 500 Hz to 9 GHz. Measurements were made on the same specimens, at room temperature, using bridge, cavity, slotted-line and cavity-resonator techniques. Over the whole frequency range, a good fit is obtained to the Universal Laws of dielectric response: _ac ⁿ and (–) ^n–1 with n=0.98±0.02 for both pure and doped MgO. At any point in this frequency range the addition of iron or chromium increases and decreases , the changes being more pronounced with iron. These effects are discussed in terms of hopping mechanisms.     

Tunability of YBa2Cu3O7/SrTiO3 hetero-structures for microwave filters : growth parameter optimisation of the titanate layer

Heterostructures have been grown of YBa ₂ Cu ₃ O ₇ /SrTiO ₃ deposited on LaAlO ₃ substrates by PLD. RHEED observations were made during deposition of the ferroelectric layer and the parameters were optimised to produce near 2D growth. After XRD and surface resistance measurements, these samples were then patterned into tunable resonators comprising of interdigital combs. In these structures the tunability is achieved as a result of the change in the dielectric constant of the ferroelectric material between the combs when a DC voltage is applied. In excess of 500 MHz of tuning in the resonant frequency of the device has been observed, and from these data it has been possible to derive values of _r and tan for the ferroelectric layer which can then be used to design and model tunable microwave devices.     

Microstructure and topological analysis of Co : Al2O3 nanocermets in new FCC and BCC metastable Co-structures

Co : Al₂O₃nanocermets are synthesized by co-reducing Co²⁺-cations dispersed in a mesoporous AlO(OH) · H₂O matrix (amorphous) in a pure H₂atmosphere at 850–1150 K. The dispersed Co²⁺-cations in pores co-reduce to separated Co-particles of controlled size, as small as 50 nm, encapsulated in thin Al₂O₃films, which are formed in-situ by molecular decomposition of the matrix, 2AlO(OH) · H₂O Al₂O₃+ (2 + 1)H₂O. The Al₂O₃film which coats Co-particles has an amorphous structure. This is possible only if it is extremely thin limited to a thickness of t< 2r _c, with r _c 1.9 nm the critical size of its nucleation and growth into a stable crystallite. The thin Al₂O₃surface film supports the formation and existence of Co-particles in a modified FCC or BCC crystal structure. As a result, unusually, large crystallites of an average 100 nm diameter could be observed. Normally, such large particles of pure Co-metal exist in an HCP structure which undergoes a reversible martensitic transformation to FCC structure at 695 K. The results are analyzed and discussed in terms of microstructure, x-ray diffraction and XPS studies of nanocermets prepared under selected conditions.     

Investigation of the crystal structure and electrical properties of La3+-doped SrBi2Ta2O9 ceramics

The layered-perovskite ferroelectric ceramics of La³⁺-doped SrBi₂Ta₂O₂ (SBT), with the chemical formula of SrBi_{(2 - x)}La _x Ta₂O₉ (SBLT), have been prepared by the conventional mixed-oxide method. The effect of substitution of La³⁺ for Bi³⁺ in the crystal structure and electrical properties of SBT ceramics was explored with the aid of X-ray diffraction, (T) curve and ferroelectric hysteresis loop measurements. The electrical properties such as dielectric constant () and remanent polarization (P _r) showed a dependence on the crystal structure, and both reached maxima of 243 and 25 C cm^–2, respectively, with 6 at % La³⁺ substitution, accompanying the greatest structure change. Theoretical considerations were presented to suggest that the atomic displacements and the crystal deformation implied by the crystal structure change are responsible for the improvement of electrical properties. On the other hand, degradation of fatigue resistance was observed in SBLT ceramics, which is believed to be caused by the chemical environment change of the perovskite layers arising from La³⁺ substitution on Bi³⁺ sites.     

EPR study of Cu2+ in Na2O-NaF-B2O3-Bi2O3 glasses

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies have been performed on the glass system (30–x) NaF-xNa₂O-50B₂O₃-20Bi₂O₃ doped with CuO as a paramagnetic probe. The calculated g values indicate that Cu²⁺ is in a tetragonally elongated octahedral co-ordination, and the Jahn-Teller character gives rise to anisotropic hyperfine structure. The spin-Hamiltonian parameters and -bonding parameter, ², are calculated. Varying the fluoride ion concentration and its effect on these parameters is also discussed.     

Microdeformation in partially compatible blends of poly(styrene-acrylonitrile) and polycarbonate

Dilute 3-component 1-phase solutions in methylene chloride of poly(styrene-acrylonitrile) PSAN and polycarbonate PC are used to cast phase separated thin films. Films of pure PSAN, pure PC and five intermediate compositions are examined. The films are bonded to copper grids and strained at a constant rate of 4.1 × 10^–6sec^–1. The median tensile strain _v for void formation is determined using an optical microscope and the regions surrounding the voids are examined by TEM. At room temperature and slow strain rates both PSAN and PC plastically deform by shear yielding. For pure PSAN _v was found to be 0.13 whereas for PC _v exceeds 0.23. The addition of the more ductile polymer PC to PSAN at weight fractionsx forx 0.4 decreases _v. In this case voids form in crazes at the boundaries between the PC-rich inclusion and the PSAN-rich matrix. When the PC content is increased tox = 0.8, _v approaches 0.23. The effect of physical ageing (annealing belowT _g the glass transition temperature) on the mode of plastic deformation was also examined over the same compositional range. Physical ageing was found to suppress shear deformation and favour crazing in PSAN and PSAN-rich phases. Because crazes are more susceptible to breakdown than DZ's (shear deformation zones), physical ageing results in a marked decrease in _v. The breakdown statistics of these phase separated partially compatible blends was found to follow a Weibull distribution in strain from which two parameters may be extracted: the Weibull modulus and _w the Weibull scale parameter. is a measure of the breadth of distribution of void initiation and _w is a measure of the median strain to void formation in the films. The behaviour of _w was found to approximately mirror _v. The Weibull modulus appears to be primarily controlled by the matrix phase.     

Study of the paramagnetic-antiferromagnetic transition and the γ → ε martensitic transformation in Fe-Mn alloys

The paramagnetic-antiferromagnetic transition and the martensitic transformation of Fe-Mn (Mn 15–32 wt%) alloys have been investigated by resistivity, dilatometry and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that paramagnetic-antiferromagnetic transition increases the resistivity and the volume of alloys, whereas the martensitic transformation reduces the resistivity and volume of alloys. The A _f that was determined by the dilatometric method is not the temperature that martensites in the Fe-Mn alloys have reverse transformed to austenites completely. Mn additions reduce M _s, increase T _N and the lattice parameter of austenite in the Fe-Mn alloys. Both the antiferromagnetic transition and the martensitic transformation lead to an increase in the lattice parameter of austenite. The lattice parameters both above T _N and below T _N decrease linearly with temperature. The lattice parameter below M _s increases first and then decreases. Moreover, the (110) and (002) atomic planes in the Fe-15Mn-0.15C alloy are separated into two peaks: 2 for (002) is 44.16°, 2 for (110) is 44.47°.     

Optical thermophysical characteristics of the condensed phase of combustion products and heatproof materials

An unconventional unit for experimentally studying the optical thermophysical properties of materials over a wide temperature range is described. Results are presented of studying the temperature function and dispersion of the absorption index for the condensed phase of the combustion products of a metalbearing fuel and of the emittance of fiber fireproof materials.Notation K spectral absorption coefficient - D spectral transmission coefficient - spectral absorption index - wavelength - d sample thickness - d_s surface layer thickness - I spectral intensity of radiation - , spectral and total emittances Kirov Polytechnical Institute. Kazan Chemical Engineering Institute, Russia. Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 64, No. 3, pp. 330–336. March, 1993     

Creep of CoO single crystals

Cobalt monoxide single crystals having a [100] orientation were creep tested in compression over ranges of temperature, stress and oxygen pressure. The creep curves were S-shaped and only the inflection creep rate, ₂, was analysed. In the range of 1000 to 1200° C, 850 to 1700 psi and 10^–3 to 1 atm oxygen, ₂ was given by ₂=A po ₂ ^{0.45 7.1}exp(– Q _c /RT) where Q _c =87±6 kcal/mol at 0.01 atm O ₂ and 100±16 kcal/mol at 1 atm O ₂. Slip occurred on two orthogonal {011} 0¯11 slip systems. The presence of subboundaries was observed by optical and transmission electron microscopy. It is suggested that the creep rate is controlled by oxygen diffusion.     

The crack tip strain field of AISI 4340 Part II Experimental measurements

Crack tip strain maps have been measured for AISI 4340 high strength steel. No significant creep was observed. The measured values of CTOD were greater than expected from the HRR model. Crack tip branching was observed in every experiment. The direction of crack branching was in the same direction as a major ridge#x201D; of _yy strain, which in turn was in the same direction as predicted by the HRR model. Furthermore, the measured magnitudes of the _yy strain in this same direction were in general greater than the values predicted by the HRR model. This indicates more plasticity in the crack tip region than expected from the HRR model. This greater plasticity could be related to the larger than expected CTOD values. The following discrepancies between the measured strain fields for AISI 4340 and the HRR predictions are noteworthy: (1) The crack branching. (2) Values of CTOD significantly higher than predicted by HRR. (3) The major ridge of _yy strain an angle of about 60° with the direction of overall propagation of the fatigue precrack, in which the measured magnitudes of the _yy strain were greater than the values predicted by the HRR model. (4) Asymmetric shape of the plastic zone as measured by the _yy strain. (5) Values of shear strain _xy significantly higher than predicted by the HRR model.     

A Monte Carlo Study of Disorder in the High Pressure Mixed Crystal N2-Ar

In order to obtain a better notion of the experimental results in our laboratory, Monte Carlo calculations have been performed of the N ₂-Ar crystal on the N ₂-rich side, in the p-T region where the and phases exist in pure N ₂. Considering the enthalpy, the system prefers the Ar atoms to be located on the sphere positions. The * phase is present for mixtures down to but is most likely metastable. The *-* transition shifts to lower temperatures with decreasing . The 2 ^nd order transition within the phase continues to exist to even smaller . In contrast to the * -* transition, the transition temperature for the 2 ^nd order transition does not shift to lower temperatures. For a mixture of it is within 5 K from the pure 2 ^nd order transition at a pressure of 7.0 GPa.     

An Improved Transient Calorimetric Technique for Measuring the Total Hemispherical Emittance of Nonconducting Materials (Emittance Evaluation of Glass Sheets)

For measurements of the total hemispherical emittance _h of nonconducting materials, a problem of the thermal gradient produced in a sample specimen arises. An improved transient calorimetric technique to reduce the thermal gradient is proposed in this study. Glass sheets (borosilicate), semi-transparent for radiation, are selected as the nonconducting test material. The _h values of the glass sheets for various thicknesses are measured, and their results are presented as functions of thickness and temperature. The thermal gradients in the specimens are calculated by a three-dimensional analysis, and the corner effect due to them on the measured _h is estimated. It is shown that the proposed technique is useful for measuring the emittance _h of nonconducting materials.     

Structural and dielectric properties of Pb0.91(La,K)0.09(Zr0.65Ti0.35)0.9775O3 ceramics

Potassium-modified polycrystalline samples of PLZT, Pb_0.91(La_{1 – z/3}K_z)_0.09(Zr_0.65Ti_0.35)_0.9775O₃ [z = 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7], were prepared using sol-gel technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) of these compounds show that they can be formed in single phase at 800 °C. Pellets prepared from the above powders were sintered at 1100 °C. Detailed studies of the dielectric constant () and loss tangent (tan ) of the compounds at different frequencies (400 Hz to 10 kHz) at room temperature (RT) and temperature (RT to 350 °C) suggest that the compounds undergo ferroelectric phase transition of diffuse-type on increasing K-concentration. Analysis of diffuseness of these compounds gives a value close to 2, which indicates the presence of higher degree of disorder in PLZT substituted by K. The dielectric constant () is found to increase initially and then to decrease with increasing K concentration.     

Densification and anisotropic grain growth in Sr2Nb2O7

Sr : Nb stoichiometry and donor-doping with La were found to affect densification behavior and anisotropic grain growth in Sr₂Nb₂O₇ ceramics. La-doping improved the high temperature a.c. resistivity, but inhibits grain growth by grain boundary pinning. The presence of excess Nb was found to promote anisotropic grain growth by forming a liquid at the grain boundaries in both undoped and doped Sr₂Nb₂O₇. Anisotropic grain growth in La-doped Sr₂Nb₂O₇ can be controlled by incorporating large template particles in a Nb-rich matrix. High sintered densities (98% of theoretical) were achieved in both undoped and La-doped samples.