Stress reduction during phase change in Ge<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Te<Subscript>5</Subscript> by capping TiN film

It has been one of the most important issues to minimize the stress reduction during phase change in GST (Ge₂Sb₂Te₅) alloy for PRAM (Phase-change Random Access Memory) applications, because the alloy has been reported to face the significant stress during the phase change. We fabricated GST/oxide/substrate as a basic structure, and then added two more structures by capping an adhesion layer (Ti) or a barrier metal (TiN) on GST layer, respectively. We report that TiN-capped structure shows about 40% stress reduction during the phase change compared with that of the basic structure. The stress reduction is considered to be due to the intrinsic compressive stress in TiN film itself.     

The velocity of streamer propagation toward anode and cathode in He,Xe, N<Subscript>2</Subscript>, and SF<Subscript>6</Subscript>

A simple mechanism of ionization spreading in a dense gas, based on the background electron multiplication wave in an inhomogeneous electric field, is considered. This process is independent of the sign of the field projection onto the direction of propagation. An analytical expression for the velocity of the ionization front propagation is obtained, which agrees well with the results of numerical calculations performed using both the simple background electron multiplication model and a detailed diffusion-drift theory. The ionization wave front velocity as a function of the field strength at the streamer boundary has been tabulated for He, Xe, N₂, and SF₆. Some peculiarities observed in the motion of streamers, such as the velocity jerks, can be related to the recently discovered nonmonotonic dependence of the ionization rate on the field strength.     

Bingham viscosity and yield stress of molten (TeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.78</Subscript>(WO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.22</Subscript> glass

The flow of molten (TeO₂)_0.78(WO₂)_0.22 glass in a circular-cylindrical channel has been studied at temperatures from 390 to 430°C. The variation of the measured volumetric flow rate with the gas pressure over the melt attests to non-Newtonian flow behavior. The flow rates calculated in the pseudoplastic model were used to determine the yield stress and plastic (Bingham) viscosity of the melt.     

Fabrication of conductive SrRuO<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin film and Ba<Subscript>0.60</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.40</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/SrRuO<Subscript>3</Subscript> bilayer films on MgO substrate

Conductive SrRuO₃ (SRO) thin films have been grown on (100) MgO substrates by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. Effects of oxygen pressure and deposition temperature on the orientation of SRO thin film were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) θ/2θ patterns and the temperature dependent resistivity measurements indicated that oxygen pressure of 30 Pa and deposition temperature of 700 °C were the optimized deposition parameters. A parallel-plate capacitor structure was prepared with the SRO films deposited under optimized condition as an electrode layer and Ba_0.60Sr_0.40TiO₃ (BST) thin film as the dielectric layer. XRD Φ scans indicated a epitaxial relationship between BST and SRO on MgO substrate. The dielectric constant and loss tangent measured at 10 kHz and 300 K was 427 and 0.099 under 0 V bias, and 215 and 0.062 under 8 V bias, respectively. A tunability of 49.6% has been achieved with DC bias as low as 8 V. The C–V hysteresis curve and the P–E hysteresis loop suggested that the BST films epitaxially grown on SRO/MgO have ferroelectricity at room temperature. The induced ferroelectricity was believed to originate from the compressive strain between the epitaxial BST and SRO thin films. These results show the potential application of the BST/SRO heterostructures in microelectronic devices.     

Optical band gap of Sn<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Bi<Subscript>1.8</Subscript>Te<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films

Sn_0.2Bi_1.8Te₃ thin films were grown using the thermal evaporation technique on a (001) face of NaCl crystal as a substrate at room temperature. The optical absorption was measured in the wave number range 500–4000 cm⁻¹. From the optical absorption data the band gap was evaluated and studied as a function of film thickness and deposition temperature. The data indicate absorption through direct interband transition with a band gap of around 0.216 eV. The detailed results are reported here.     

Electrical properties of some Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and/or Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-containing lithium silicate glasses and glass-ceramics

The ac electrical properties of some lithium silicate glasses and glass-ceramics containing varying proportions of Y₂O₃ and/or Fe₂O₃ were measured to investigate their electronic hopping mechanism. There is a clear variation of these properties with composition. The obtained results were related to the concentration and role of Y₂O₃ and/or Fe₂O₃ in the lithium silicate glass structure. In crystalline solids the electrical properties data obtained were correlated to the type and content of the mineral phases formed as indicated by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The conductivity, dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the studied glasses were studied using the frequency response in the interval 30 Hz–100 KHz and the effect of compositional changes on the measured properties was investigated. The measurements revealed that the electrical responses of the samples were different and complex. The addition of Y₂O₃ generally, decreased the ac conductivity, dielectric constant and dielectric losses of the lithium silicate glasses. The addition of Fe₂O₃ in Y₂O₃-containing glasses increases the conductivity, while, the dielectric constant and dielectric losses were found to be decreased. However, the addition of Fe₂O₃ instead of Y₂O₃ led to decrease the ac conductivity and increased their dielectric constant and dielectric losses. The obtained data were argued to the internal structure of the lithium silicate glass and the nature or role-played by weakness or rigidity of the structure of the sample. Lithium disilicate-Li₂Si₂O₅, lithium metasilicate-Li₂SiO₃, two forms of yttrium silicate Y₂Si₂O₇ & Y₂SiO₅, iron yttrium oxide-YFeO₃, lithium iron silicate-LiFeSi₂O₆ and α-quartz phases were mostly developed in the crystallized glasses. The conductivity of the crystalline materials was found to be relatively lower than those of the glass. At low frequency, as the Y₂O₃ content increased the ac conductivity, dielectric constant and dielectric loss data of the glass-ceramics decreased. However, the addition of Fe₂O₃ to the Y₂O₃ containing glass-ceramic led to increase the conductivity. The addition of high content of Fe₂O₃ instead of Y₂O₃ in the glass ceramic led to increase the ac conductivity.     

Strain localization in compressed ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>) ceramics

Spatiotemporal distributions of local components of the distortion tensor of a nonplastic material—yttria partially stabilized tetragonal zirconia (YTZ) ceramics—have been studied under active compressive straining conditions using double-exposure speckle photography techniques. The strain localization patterns are presented and the features of macroscopic strain inhomogeneity in the elastic state of YTZ ceramics are considered.     

Synthesis and characterization of magnetic and microwave absorbing properties in polycrystalline cobalt zinc ferrite (Co<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>) composite

In this research work, magnetic and microwave absorption loss and other response characteristics in cobalt zinc ferrite composite has been studied. Cobalt zinc ferrite with the composition of Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ was prepared via high energy ball milling followed by sintering. Phase characteristics of the as-prepared sample by using XRD analysis shows evidently that a high crystalline ferrite has been formed with the assists of thermal energy by sintering at 1250 °C which subsequently changes the magnetic properties of the ferrite. A high magnetic permeability and losses was obtained from ferrite with zinc content. Zn substitution into cobalt ferrite has altered the cation distribution between A and B sites in spinel ferrite which contributed to higher magnetic properties. Specifically, Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ provides electromagnetic wave absorption characteristics. It was found that cobalt zinc ferrite sample is highly potential for microwave absorber which showed the highest reflection loss (RL) value of ??24.5 dB at 8.6 GHz. This material can potentially minimize EMI interferences in the measured frequency range, and was therefore used as fillers in the prepared composite that is applied for microwave absorbing material.     

Elastic properties of Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> single crystals

The complete elastic modulus matrix of Li₂Zn₂(MoO₄)₃ single crystals has been measured for the first time. The sound velocity has been measured in different directions of the crystals by a pulse-phase method. The measurement results have been used to calculate elastic moduli. The sound velocity has been calculated in the three main crystallographic planes of the crystals.     

Lateral stress measurements in a shock loaded alumina: Shear strength and delayed failure

Manganin gauges have been embedded in AD975 alumina in such orientation that renders them sensitive to the lateral component of stress during shock loading. A secondary increase in lateral stress, which indicates a decrease in overall shear strength has been observed. It has generally been assumed that such features are damage fronts. Gauges placed at increasing distances from the impact face show that the damage front penetrates less than 5 mm. It is believed that interactions with grain boundaries impede the fronts progress. With increasing impact stress, results show that the velocity of the damage front increases until failure occurs in the main shock itself. Such behaviour has been observed in other brittle materials such as silicon carbide and glasses.     

Refractive index of Al<Subscript>3</Subscript>C<Subscript>2</Subscript>B<Subscript>48</Subscript> aluminum borocarbide crystals

Aluminum borocarbide single crystals have been grown from an Al-based solution melt. The crystal lattice parameters have been determined, the dispersion of the refractive index in a 0.55–1.3 μm wavelength interval has been studied, and the temperature coefficient of the refractive index in a 300–600 K range has been measured. The crystals are characterized by a high refractive index in the visible spectral range in combination with at a high hardness, which makes them of interest for jewelry, as well as for both traditional and X-ray optics.     

Melting of Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>2</Subscript>CaCu<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>8 + <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> Ceramics under Uniform Compression

The effect of quasi-hydrostatic pressure (10 MPa) on the melting point of Bi-2212 ceramics and their phase composition after melting is studied. The results demonstrate that compressive stress increases the melting point of Bi-2212 by about 60°C. Melting at normal pressure leads to the precipitation of the Cu-poor phase (Sr,Ca)CuO₂, whereas under quasi-hydrostatic pressure the Cu-rich phase (Sr,Ca)₁₄Cu₂₄O₄₁ is formed. The likely reason for the increase in the melting point of Bi-2212 is that uniform compression prevents release of apical oxygen, thereby inhibiting the structural disordering and enhancing the thermal stability of the material.__________Translated from Neorganicheskie Materialy, Vol. 41, No. 5, 2005, pp. 623–627.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Imayev, Daminov, Popov, Kaibyshev.     

Effects of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> dopants on the compressive strength of tricalcium phosphate

Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) powders synthesised using the Ca(NO₃)₂ and Ca(OH)₂ routes were doped with TiO₂, ZrO₂ and Al₂O₃ in order to increase their compressive strength. An ultimate compressive strength (UCS) of 255 ± 6 MPa was achieved for approximately 10 vol% TiO₂ doping compared to 30 ± 3 MPa for an un-doped control processed and tested in the same manner. Higher levels of TiO₂ doping resulted in smaller increases in UCS with 30 and 50 vol% achieving 213 ± 9 and 178 ± 15 MPa, respectively. Very small amounts of Al₂O₃ doping (< 0.5 vol%) also resulted in a stronger materials. However, under the processing conditions employed, higher levels of Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂ doping resulted in no beneficial effect on the UCS. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used as binding agent to facilitate processing. As expected, higher levels of PVA were associated with smaller increases in UCS. Powders synthesised using the Ca(OH)₂ route had smaller particle size and resulted in larger increases in UCS compared to the Ca(NO₃)₂-synthesised powders. Although some powders contained α and β-TCP phases, no other calcium phosphate, CaO, CaTiO₃ or CaZrO₃ phases were detected. In conclusion, a significant increase in the UCS of TCP was achieved by doping with approximately 10 vol% TiO₂ which is expected to have little or no effect on the bioactivity or bioresorbability of the material.     

High-temperature stress-dependent piezoelectric and dielectric coefficient of soft Pb(Zr,Ti)O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The dielectric constant and the direct piezoelectric coefficient as well as the macroscopic ferroelastic behavior of co-doped Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ were characterized from 25 to 350 °C as a function of uniaxial compressive stress. Experimental results show a decrease in the small signal piezoelectric coefficient and the permittivity with stress, although there exists a uniaxial compressive stress that significantly reduces the variation of the piezoelectric coefficient with increasing temperature, making it a possible method for sensors that operate over a large temperature range. In the vicinity of the depolarization temperature, the piezoelectric response rapidly decreases. This temperature, however, was observed well below the temperature at maximum permittivity. Experimental results reveal that uniaxial compressive stress shifts the temperature at maximum permittivity, giving insight into the effect of stress on the phase transition behavior in Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃, but does not apparently influence the depolarization temperature.     

Calorimetry of matrix-isolated sodium nitrite NaNO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Differential scanning calorimetry has been used to carry out a high-precision study of sodium nitrite NaNO₂ incorporated into different silicate nanoporous matrices. Heat-capacity maxima due to smeared ferroelectric phase transitions have been discovered. Characteristics (intensity, half-width, phase-transition temperature, etc.) of the maxima have been investigated. Heat-capacity maxima related to an incommensurable phase transition have been reliably identified. The maxima can be attributed to the formation of appropriate orientation of sodium-nitrite nanocrystals in matrix pores.     

Transformation of monolayer MoS<Subscript>2</Subscript> into multiphasic MoTe<Subscript>2</Subscript>: Chalcogen atom-exchange synthesis route

Molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2),which is an important transition-metal dichalcogenide,has attracted considerable interest owing to its unique properties,such as its small bandgap and large Seebeck coefficient.However,the batch production of monolayer MoTe2 has been rarely reported.In this study,we demonstrate the synthesis of large-domain (edge length exceeding 30 μm),monolayer MoTe2 from chemical vapor deposition-grown monolayer MoS2 using a chalcogen atom-exchange synthesis route.An in-depth investigation of the tellurization process reveals that the substitution of S atoms by Te is prevalently initiated at the edges and grain boundaries of the monolayer MoS2,which differs from the homogeneous selenization of MoS2 flakes with the formation of alloyed Mo-S-Se hybrids.Moreover,we detect a large compressive strain (approximately-10％) in the transformed MoTe2 lattice,which possibly drives the phase transition from 2H to 1T'at the reaction temperature of 500 ℃.This phase change is substantiated by experimental facts and first-principles calculations.This work introduces a novel route for the templated synthesis of two-dimensional layered materials through atom substitutional chemistry and provides a new pathway for engineering the strain and thus the intriguing physics and chemistry.     

Dynamical Magnetoelectric Coupling in Multiferroic BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

In this study, the magnon excitations in multiferroic BiFeO₃ (BFO) have been discussed. The studies are based on the spin wave theory and Katsura’s model. The influence of the spin wave excitations on the terahertz absorption is discussed. The antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric interactions in multiferroic BFO were included using an effective fermion Hamiltonian. This Hamiltonian is bosonized and diagonalized, using Holstein–Primakoff and Bogoliubov transformations, respectively. An effective boson Hamiltonian is diagonalized to determine the excitation energy of the spin wave. The results obtained in this study are in qualitative agreement with the experimental data.     

Low-loss,high-purity (TeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.75</Subscript>(WO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.25</Subscript> glass

By melting a mixture of high-purity oxides in a platinum crucible under flowing purified oxygen, we have prepared (TeO₂)_0.75(WO₃)_0.25 glass with a total content of 3d transition metals (Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Mn, Cr, and V) within 0.4 ppm by weight, a concentration of scattering centers larger than 300 nm in size below 10² cm⁻³, and an absorption coefficient for OH groups (λ ∼ 3 μm) of 0.008 cm⁻¹. The absorption loss in the glass has been determined to be 115 dB/km at λ = 1.06 μm, 86 dB/km at λ = 1.56 μm, and 100 dB/km at λ = 1.97 μm. From reported specific absorptions of impurities in fluorozirconate glasses and the impurity composition of the glass studied here, the absorption loss at λ ∼ 2 μm has been estimated at ≤100 dB/km. The glass has been drawn into a glass-polymer fiber, and the optical loss spectrum of the fiber has been measured.     

Investigation on reliability of nanolayer-grained Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>SiC<Subscript>2</Subscript> via Weibull statistics

Weibull modulus of bending strength of nanolayer-grained ceramic Ti₃SiC₂ was estimated with over 50 specimens, using the least square method, the moment method and the maximum likelihood technique, respectively. The result demonstrated that the m-value of this layered ceramic ranged from 25 to 29, which is much higher than that of traditional brittle ceramics. The reason of high Weibull modulus was due to high damage tolerance of this material. Under stress, delamination and kinking of grains and shear slipping at interfaces give this material high capacity of local energy dissipation and easy local stress relaxation, leading to the excellent damage tolerance of Ti₃SiC₂. The effect of amounts of specimens on the reliability of the estimated m-values was also investigated. It was confirmed that the stability of the estimated m-value increased with increasing numbers of specimens. The parameter obtained using the maximum likelihood technique showed the highest reliability than other methods. The ranges of failure probability were determined using the Weibull estimates calculated from the maximum likelihood technique.     

Dynamics of radiation in a CO:N<Subscript>2</Subscript> mixture behind strong shock waves

Experiments are performed in determining the spectral composition and dynamics of radiation in a CO:N₂ mixture behind the front of incident shock wave at velocities up to 6.5 km/s and initial pressures in the mixture of 1–9 torr. Absolute values of radiation intensity are obtained. It is determined that the main source of radiation under the conditions being investigated is provided by the violet system of CN. Also considered are the fourth positive system of CO and the Swan system of C₂ molecule. Comparison is made of the radiation intensity and time dynamics of the molecular systems identified above.