Annealing Effect on Microstructure and Superconductivity of K_{x}Fe_{y}Se_{2} Synthesized by an Easy One-step Method

High-quality superconducting K $_{x}$ Fe $_{y}$ Se $_{2}$ single crystals were synthesized using an easy one-step method. Detailed annealing studies were performed to make clear the phase formation process in K $_{x}$ Fe $_{y}$ Se $_{2}$ . Compatible observations were found in temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction patterns, back-scattered electron images and corresponding electromagnetic properties, which proved that good superconductivity performance was closely related to the microstructure of superconducting component. Analysis based on the scaling behavior of flux pinning force indicated that the dominant pinning mechanism was $\Delta T_\mathrm{c}$ pinning and independent of connectivity. The annealing dynamics studies were also performed, which manifested that the humps in temperature-dependent resistance curves were induced by competition between the metallic/superconducting and the semiconducting/insulating phases.     

Computer simulation of vortex pinning in type II superconductors. II. Random point pins

Pinning of vortices in a type II superconductor by randomly positioned identical point pins is simulated using the two-dimensional method described in a previous paper (Part I). The system is characterized by the vortex and pin numbers (N _v ,N _p ), the vortex and pin interaction ranges (R _v ,R _p ), and the amplitude of the pin potentialA _p . The computation is performed for many cases: dilute or dense, sharp or soft, attractive or repulsive, weak or strong pins, and ideal or amorphous vortex lattice. The total pinning forceF as a function of the mean vortex displacementX increases first linearly (over a distance usually much smaller than the vortex spacing and thanR _p ) and then saturates, fluctuating about its average \(\bar F\) . We interpret \(\bar F\) as the maximum pinning forcej _c B of a large specimen. For weak pins the prediction of Larkin and Ovchinnikov for two-dimensional collective pinning is confirmed: \(\bar F\) =const· \(\bar W\) /R _p c ₆₆, where \(\bar W\) is the mean square pinning force andc ₆₆ is the shear modulus of the vortex lattice. If the initial vortex lattice is chosen highly defective (“amorphous”) the constant is 1.3–3 times larger than for the ideal triangular lattice. This finding may explain the often observed “history effect”. The function \(\bar F\) (A _p ) exhibits a jump, which for dilute, sharp, attractive pins occurs close to the “threshold value” predicted for isolated pins by Labusch. This jump reflects the onset of plastic deformation of the vortex lattice, and in some cases of vortex trapping, but isnot a genuine threshold. For strong pins \(\bar F\) ～(N _p \(\bar W\) )^1/2 approaches the direct summation limit. For both weak and strong pinningj _c B is related to the mean squareactual (not maximum) force of each pin. This mean square in general is not proportional toA _p ² but, due to relaxation of the vortex lattice, may be smaller or larger than its rigid-lattice limit. Therefore, simple power lawsj _c ～n _p A _p ² orj _c ～n _p A _p in general donot hold except for very weak or unphysically strong pinning.     

Development of 4-Pixel-Array TES Microcalorimeters with Mushroom-Shaped Absorbers with Insulating Layers Supporting Overhang Regions

A four-pixel-array superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter with a mushroom-shaped absorber was developed for energy dispersive spectroscopy performed on a transmission electron microscope. The TES consists of a bilayer of Au/Ti with either a 120- or 50-nm thickness. The absorber is made from a Au layer and its stem is deposited in the center of the TES surface. A Ta \({_{2}}\) O \({_{5}}\) insulating layer of 100-nm thickness is inserted between the overhang region of the absorber and the TES surface. Two types of microcalorimeter were fabricated with differing absorber thicknesses of 0.5 and 5.0 \({\upmu }\) m. An energy resolution of 15 eV FWHM with 5.9-keV X-rays was obtained using the 0.5- \({\upmu }\) m-type microcalorimeter.     

Dislocation structure at a \{ {\overline{1} 2\overline{1} 0} \}/ {\langle} 10\overline{1} 0 {\rangle} low-angle tilt grain boundary in LiNbO3

LiNbO₃ is a ferroelectric material with a rhombohedral R3c structure at room temperature. A LiNbO₃ bicrystal with a $ \{ {\overline{1} 2\overline{1} 0} \}/ {\langle}10\overline{1} 0{\rangle}$ 1° low-angle tilt grain boundary was successfully fabricated by diffusion bonding. The resultant boundary was then investigated using high-resolution TEM. The boundary composed a periodic array of dislocations with $ b = { 1}/ 3{\langle} \overline{1} 2\overline{1} 0{\rangle} $ . They dissociated into two partial dislocations by climb. A crystallographic consideration suggests that the Burgers vectors of the partial dislocations should be $ 1/ 3{\langle}01\overline{1} 0{\rangle} $ and $ 1/ 3{\langle}\overline{1} 100{\rangle} $ , and a stacking fault on $ \{ {\overline{1} 2\overline{1} 0} \} $ is formed between the two partial dislocations. From the separation distance of a partial dislocation pair, a stacking fault energy on $ \{ {\overline{1} 2\overline{1} 0} \} $ was estimated to be 0.25?J/m² on the basis of isotropic elasticity theory.     

On optimal binary codes with unbalanced coordinates

A coordinate of a binary code of size M is said to be balanced if the number of zero and ones in the coordinate is either $\lfloor M/2\rfloor $ ? M / 2 ? or $\lceil M/2 \rceil $ ? M / 2 ? (that is, exactly $M/2$ M / 2 for even M). Since good codes (of various types) tend to be balanced in all coordinates, various conjectures have been made regarding the existence of such codes. It is here shown that there are parameters for which there are no optimal binary error-correcting codes with a balanced coordinate. This is proved by the code attaining $A(17,8) = 36$ A ( 17 , 8 ) = 36 , which is shown to be unique here; $A(n,d)$ A ( n , d ) denotes the maximum size of a binary code of length n and minimum distance d. It is further shown that $A(18,8) \le 68$ A ( 18 , 8 ) ≤ 68 .     

Cross-slip on the first order pyramidal plane (10\bar 11) of a-type dislocations [1\bar 210] in the plastic deformation of α-titanium single crystals

The nature of the cross-slip plane was determined by electron microscopy observations of α-titanium single crystal specimens, oriented for single prismatic slip (10 \(\bar 1\) 0) [1 \(\bar 2\) 10]. The occurrence of cross slip on the first order pyramidal plane (10 \(\bar 1\) 1) was proved for a-type dislocations [1 \(\bar 2\) 10]. Furthermore, two types of dislocation configuration due to the double cross-slip were observed: edge dislocation dipoles and loops elongated along the Burger's vector.     

Dislocation structures in a { \bar{1} 104}/��11 \bar{2} 0�� low-angle tilt grain boundary of alumina (��-Al2O3)

An alumina (??-Al₂O₃) bicrystal with a ( $ \bar{1} $ 104)/[11 $ \bar{2} $ 0] 2^o low-angle tilt grain boundary was fabricated by diffusion bonding at 1500 °C in air, and the grain boundary was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). High-resolution TEM observations revealed that the grain boundary consists of at least two kinds of dislocations. One is a perfect dislocation which has a Burgers vector of 1/3[ $ \bar{1} $ 2 $ \bar{1} $ 0]. The other is dissociated into two partial dislocations with a stacking fault on the (0001) plane, and each partial dislocation has a 1/6[ $ \bar{1} $ 101] edge component. It is suggested from structural considerations that the dissociated-dislocation pair originates from a b = 1/3[02 $ \bar{2} $ 1] perfect dislocation (i.e., 1/3[02 $ \bar{2} $ 1] ?? 1/6[02 $ \bar{2} $ 1] + 1/6[02 $ \bar{2} $ 1]). This dissociation produces a stacking fault in the anion sublattice. The stacking fault energy is estimated to be roughly 1.3 Jm^?2 based on the elastic theory. The authors discuss the dislocation structures and the stacking fault formed on the (0001) plane in detail.     

({p, \rho,T, x}) Properties of \text{ CO}_{2}/Propane Binary Mixtures at 280 K to 440 K and 3 MPa to 200 MPa

The (p, \(\rho \) , T, x) properties of binary mixtures of CO \(_{2}\) (volume fraction purity 0.99999) and propane (mole fraction purity 0.9999) ( \(x_{1}\) CO \(_{2}+x_{2}\) propane; \(x_{1} = 0.1744\) , 0.3863, 0.5837, and 0.7732) were measured in the compressed liquid phase using a metal-bellows variable volumometer. Measurements were conducted from 280 K to 440 K and 3 MPa to 200 MPa. The expanded uncertainties ( \(k = 2\) ) were estimated to be temperature, \(<\) 3 mK; pressure, 1.5 kPa ( \(p\le 7\)  MPa), 0.06 % (7 MPa \(< p\le 50\)  MPa), 0.1 % (50 MPa \(< p\le 150\)  MPa), 0.2 % ( \(p> 150\)  MPa); density, 0.10 %; and composition, \(4.4\times 10^{-4}\) . At \(p >100\)  MPa and 280 K or 440 K, the uncertainties in density measurements increase to 0.14 % and 0.22 %, respectively. The data were compared with available equations of state. The excess molar volumes, \(v_\mathrm{m}^\mathrm{E}\) , of the mixtures were calculated and plotted as a function of temperature and pressure.     

Electrical behaviour of doped-yttria stabilized zirconia ceramic materials

Single-phase sintered ceramic materials (ZrO₂)_1?x {(Y₂O₃) _y (RE₂O₃)_{1-y x} }_x (RE=Nd, Ce, Dy, Er), were synthesized and electrical conductivity and transport number measurements were made as a function of temperature between 500 and 1200° C. The activation energies of conduction were determined, and it was found that the charge carriers in these solid solutions are oxygen ions. The fabricated electrolyte discs were used in cells of the type \(P_{O_2 }\) , Pt/zirconia solid solution/ \(P_{\mathop O\limits^{'} _2 }\) , platinum where \(P_{O_2 }\) =air (0.21 atm) and \(P_{\mathop O\limits^{'} _2 }\) =1 atm or argon-O₂ mixtures. Below 700° C, the e.m.f. deviated from the theoretical values for completely ionic conduction; good agreement was observed above this temperature.     

Homogenization of a reaction�Cdiffusion system modeling sulfate corrosion of concrete in locally periodic perforated domains

A reaction?Cdiffusion system modeling concrete corrosion in sewer pipes is discussed. The system is coupled, semi-linear, and partially dissipative. It is defined on a locally periodic perforated domain with nonlinear Robin-type boundary conditions at water?Cair and solid?Cwater interfaces. Asymptotic homogenization techniques are applied to obtain upscaled reaction?Cdiffusion models together with explicit formulae for the effective transport and reaction coefficients. It is shown that the averaged system contains additional terms appearing due to the deviation of the assumed geometry from a purely periodic distribution of perforations for two relevant parameter regimes: (a) all diffusion coefficients are of order of ${\mathcal{O}(1)}$ and (b) all diffusion coefficients are of order of ${\mathcal{O}(\varepsilon^2)}$ except the one for H₂S(g) which is of order of ${\mathcal{O}(1)}$ . In case (a) a set of macroscopic equations is obtained, while in case (b) a two-scale reaction?Cdiffusion system is derived that captures the interplay between microstructural reaction effects and the macroscopic transport.     

Effect of variation of precursor concentration on structural,microstructural, optical and gas sensing properties of nanocrystalline TiO2 thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis techniques

The objective of the present paper is to investigate the effect of variation of precursor concentration (0·01, 0·02 and 0·03 M) on the structural, microstructural, optical and gas sensing properties of TiO $_{2}$ thin films. Titanium dioxide (TiO $_{2}$ ) films were prepared from aqueous solution of titanium chloride (TiCl $_{3}\cdot $ 6H $_{2}$ O, 99·9% pure, Merck made, Germany) onto the glass substrates heated at a temperature of 350 °C by the spray pyrolysis technique. Bandgap energy of the films vary from 3.28 to 3.29 eV. X-ray diffraction shows that films to be nanocrystalline with anatase phase having tetragonal crystal structure. The d values calculated from electron diffraction patterns (TEM) were observed to be matching with d values calculated from XRD. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveled that grain sizes were observed to increase (10–29 nm) with an increase in the concentration of precursor solution. The gas sensing performance of the films was tested.     

Influence of Ball-Milling Treatment of B Original Powder on the Phase Formation and Critical Current Density of Graphite Doped MgB_{2}

In present work, the sintering process and superconducting properties of graphite doped MgB \(_{2}\) prepared with milled B original powder were investigated. It is found that ball milling treatment of B original powder obviously suppresses the solid–solid reaction between Mg and B, whereas it enhances their liquid–solid reaction during the subsequent sintering process of these graphite doped MgB \(_{2}\) bulks. Ball milling treatment of B original powder can also promote C substitution for B sites in MgB \(_{2}\) crystal lattice in the graphite-doped samples, and thus obviously increase their values of \(J_{c}\) at high fields. Moreover, ball milling also refines MgB \(_{2}\) grains, enhancing grain boundary pinning and \(J_{c}\) at high fields.     

Finite strain viscoelasticity: how to consistently couple discretizations in time and space on quadrature-point level for full order p \ge 2 and a considerable speed-up

In computational viscoelasticity, the spatial finite element discretization for the global solution of the weak form of the balance of momentum is coupled to the temporal discretization for solving local initial value problems (IVP) of viscoelastic flow. In this contribution we show that this global-local or space-time coupling is consistent, if the total strain tensor as the coupling quantity exhibits the same approximation order $p$ in time as the Runge–Kutta (RK) integration algorithm. To this end we construct interpolation polynomials, based on data at $t_{n+1}$ , $t_{n}$ , $\ldots $ , $t_{n+2-p}$ , $p\ge 2$ , which provide consistent strain data at RK stages. This is a generalization of the idea proposed in (Eidel and Kuhn, Int J Numer Methods Eng 87(11):1046–1073, 2011). For lower-order strain interpolation, time integration exhibits order reduction and therefore low efficiency. For consistent strain interpolation, the adapted RK methods up to $p=4$ obtain full convergence order and thus approve the novel concept of consistency. High speed-up factors substantiate the improved efficiency compared with Backward-Euler.     

Development of Multilayer Readout Wiring TES Calorimeter for Future X-ray Missions

We have fabricated multilayer readout wiring transition edge sensors (TES), which enable us to realize both large effective area and high-energy resolution for future X-ray astrophysical missions, such as diffuse intergalactic oxygen surveyor. By sandwiching a SiO \(_2\) insulation layer between Al superconducting signal and return lines, self/mutual inductances and self fielding of bias leads are expected to be reduced. We fabricated \(4\times 4\) and \(20\times 20\) TES array on the multilayer wiring and tested their performance. Under the low temperature condition, several pixels in the TES array showed sharp superconducting transitions at around \(\sim \) 300 mK. We also succeeded in detecting X-ray signals from the \(4\times 4\) TES, contrary to the previous results of \(20\times 20\) TES. We further investigated the reasons for the differences between the \(4\times 4\) TES and the \(20\times 20\) TES, and present future plans for improving the multilayer TES array fabrication.     

Measurement of the (p, \rho,T) Properties for Pure Hydrocarbons at Temperatures up to 600 K and Pressures up to 200 MPa

The data available for the thermodynamic properties of propane, \(n\) -butane, and isobutane at temperatures above 440 K are outdated and show significant discrepancies with each other. The ambiguity associated with these data could be limiting to the development of any understanding related to the effects of mixing of these substances with other materials such as \(\text{ CO}_{2}\) , ammonia, and non-flammable or lower-flammable HFC refrigerants. In this study, the (p, \(\rho \) , T) properties of propane, \(n\) -butane, and isobutane were measured at temperatures ranging from (360 to 600) K and pressures ranging from (50 to 200) MPa. Precise measurements were carried out using a metal-bellows variable volumometer with a thermostatted air bath. The expanded uncertainties \((k = 2)\) in the temperature, pressure, and density measurements were estimated to be \(<\) 5 mK, 0.02 MPa, and 0.88 kg  \(\cdot \)  m \(^{-3}\) ( \(T\le 423\)  K, \(p<100\)  MPa), 0.76 kg  \(\cdot \)   \(\text{ m}^{-3}\) ( \(T\le 423\)  K, \(p\ge 100\)  MPa), 0.76 kg  \(\cdot \)   \(\text{ m}^{-3}\) ( \(T>423\)  K, \(p < 100\)  MPa), and 2.94 kg  \(\cdot \)   \(\text{ m}^{-3}\) ( \(T>423\)  K, \(p \ge 100\)  MPa), respectively. The data obtained throughout this study were systematically compared with the calculated values derived from the available equations of state. These models agree well with the measured data at higher temperatures up to 600 K, demonstrating their suitability for an effective and precise examination of the mixing effects of potential alternative mixtures.     

Hydroxyapatite, a biomaterial: Its chemical synthesis, characterization and study of biocompatibility prepared from shell of garden snail, Helix aspersa

The shell of garden snail (Helix aspersa) is basically made of calcium carbonate. An attempt is made to convert calcium carbonate of garden snail shell to hydroxyapatite. The snail shell was found to decompose within 850 $^{\circ}$ C to all the carbonate phases. The calcined snail shells were then treated with acids followed by different chemicals in ammoniacal media maintaining proper stoichiometry to produce fine hydroxyapatite (HAP) as filter cake with a Ca $/$ P molar ratio of 1 ${\cdot }$ 67. The dried HAP powder was extremely pure with a specific surface area of 15 m $^{\bf 2}/$ g. The different characterization techniques were adopted both for calcined snail shell and HAP synthesized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (DTA $/$ TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface area and particle size of HAP powder prepared by chemical precipitation route, were also determined by BET and Malvern particle size analyser, respectively. The synthesized powder was soaked in stimulated body fluid (SBF) medium for various periods of time in order to evaluate its bioactivity. The changes of pH of SBF medium were measured. High bioactivity of prepared HAP powder due to the formation of apatite on its surface was observed.     

Influence of Magnetic Field and LO Phonon Effects on the Spin Polarization State Energy of Strong-Coupling Bipolaron in a Quantum Dot

On the basis of Lee–Low–Pines unitary transformation, the influence of magnetic field and LO phonon effects on the energy of spin polarization states of strong-coupling bipolarons in a quantum dot (QD) is studied by using the variational method of Pekar type. The variations of the ground state energy $E_0$ and the first excited state the energy $E_1$ of bipolarons in a two-dimensional QD with the confinement strength of QDs $\omega _0$ , dielectric constant ratio $\eta $ , electron–phonon coupling strength $\alpha $ and cyclotron resonance frequency of the magnetic field $\omega _{c}$ are derived when the influence of the spin and external magnetic field is taken into account. The results show that both energies of the ground and first excited states ( $E_0$ and $E_1)$ consist of four parts: the single-particle energy of electrons $E_\mathrm{e}$ , Coulomb interaction energy between two electrons $E_\mathrm{c}$ , interaction energy between the electron spin and magnetic field $E_\mathrm{S}$ and interaction energy between the electron and phonon $E_{\mathrm{e-ph}}$ ; the energy level of the first excited state $E_1$ splits into two lines as $E_1^{(1+1)}$ and $E_1^{(1-1)}$ due to the interaction between the single-particle “orbital” motion and magnetic field, and each energy level of the ground and first excited states splits into three “fine structures” caused by the interaction between the electron spin and magnetic field; the value of $E_{\mathrm{e-ph}}$ is always less than zero and its absolute value increases with increasing $\omega _0$ , $\alpha $ and $\omega _c$ ; the effect of the interaction between the electron and phonon is favorable to forming the binding bipolaron, but the existence of the confinement potential and Coulomb repulsive energy between electrons goes against that; the bipolaron with energy $E_1^{(1-1)}$ is easier and more stable in the binding state than that with $E_1^{(1+1)}$ .     

Artificial Pinning Centers on MgB2 Superconducting Thin Films Coated by FeO Nanoparticles

MgB₂ thin films were fabricated on MgO (100) single crystal substrates. First, deposition of boron was performed by rf magnetron sputtering on MgO substrates and followed by a post deposition annealing at 850?°C in magnesium vapor. In order to investigate the effect of FeO nanoparticles on magnetic properties of MgB₂ thin films, the films were coated with different concentrations of FeO nanoparticles by spin coating process. The magnetic field dependence of the critical current density $J_{\mathrm{c}}$ was calculated from the M?CH loops and also magnetic field dependence of the pinning force density $f_{\mathrm{p}}(b)$ was determined for the films containing different concentrations of FeO nanoparticles. The values of the critical current density $J_{\mathrm{c}}$ in zero field at 5?K was found to be around 1×10⁶?A/cm² for pure MgB₂ film, 1.4×10⁶ for MgB₂ film coated with 25?%, 7.2×10⁵ for MgB₂ film coated with 33?%, 9.1×10⁵ for MgB₂ film coated with 50?% and 1.1×10⁶?A/cm² for MgB₂ film coated with 100?%. It?was?found that the film coated with 25?% FeO nanoparticles has slightly enhanced critical current density and it can be noted that especially the film coated with 25?% FeO became stronger in the magnetic field. The films coated with FeO were successfully produced and they indicated the presence of artificial pinning centers created by FeO nanoparticles. The superconducting transition temperature of the film coated with 25?% FeO nanoparticles was determined by moment?Ctemperature (M?CT) measurement to be 34?K which is 4?K higher than that of the pure film.     

Molecular beam epitaxy of semipolar AlN(11\bar{2}2) and GaN(11\bar{2}2) on m-sapphire

We report on the plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy of semipolar $\hbox{AlN}(11\bar{2}2)$ and GaN( $11\bar{2}2$ ) films on $(1\bar{1}00)$ m-plane sapphire. AlN deposited on m-sapphire settles into two main crystalline orientation domains, $\hbox{AlN}(11\bar{2}2)$ and $\hbox{AlN}(10\bar{1}0),$ whose ratio depends on the III/V ratio. Growth under moderate nitrogen-rich conditions enables to isolate the $(11\bar{2}2)$ orientation. The in-plane epitaxial relationships of $\hbox{AlN}(11\bar{2}2)$ on m-plane sapphire are $[11\bar{2}\bar{3}]_{\rm AlN} \vert \vert [0001]_{\rm sapphire}$ and $[1\bar{1}00]_{\rm AlN} \vert \vert [11\bar{2}0]_{\rm sapphire}.$ GaN deposited directly on m-sapphire results in ( $11\bar{2}2$ )-oriented layers with ( $10\bar{1}\bar{3}$ )-oriented inclusions. A ～100 nm-thick AlN( $11\bar{2}2$ ) buffer imposes the ( $11\bar{2}2$ )-orientation for the GaN layer grown on top. By studying the Ga-desorption on GaN( $11\bar{2}2$ ), we conclude that these optimal growth conditions corresponds to a Ga excess of one monolayer on the GaN( $11\bar{2}2$ ) surface.     

Optical Efficiency and R(T,I) Measurements of ACTPol TESes Using Time Domain Multiplexing Electronics

We present new data on feedhorn-coupled transition-edge sensor devices fabricated for the second-generation receiver (ACTPol) for the Atacama cosmology telescope (ACT). First, we describe optical efficiency measurements of the latest ACTPol detector wafer, which has a \(86\,\pm 15\,\%\) average optical efficiency. Next, we discuss measurements of the TES resistance as a function of temperature and bias current ( \(R(T,I)\) ) using the ACTPol time-domain multiplexing electronics. Qualitative agreement between \(R(T,I)\) data at low bias current and the two-fluid model prediction is shown. Using the two-fluid model and low bias current \(R(T,I)\) data, \(\alpha \) and \(\beta \) at our operating bias current are calculated.