Temperature and randomness dependence of the pair-breaking parameter in superconducting aluminum films

Magnetoconductance and excess conductance due to superconducting fluctuations in aluminum films are measured in order to study the temperature dependence of the pair-breaking parameter at temperatures nearT _c . The parameter _M is estimated from the relation =/8k _B T_in, where _in is the inelastic scattering time deduced from the analysis of the magnetoconductance. The parameter _F is determined by fitting theories to data on the excess conductance at zero magnetic field. It is shown that: (1) For films with a wide range of the sheet resistanceR , 12R 200 /, the temperature dependence of _M nearT _c agrees well with the theory of Brenig et al. (2) For clean films withR 100 /, the value of _F analyzed with theories including the correction term to the Maki-Thompson contribution shows almost the same temperature dependence as _M . In a film withR 200 /, however, a discrepancy between _M and _F remains.On leave from College of General Education, Kyushu University, Ropponmatsu, Fukuoka, Japan.     

First principles study of effect of lattice misfit on the bonding strength of Ni/Ni3Al interface

By using a discrete variational X (DV-X) method, the electronic structures and bonding strengths of Ni/Ni₃Al (or /) interface with different lattice misfits () were calculated in the framework of the nonrelativistic first-principles theory. In order to describe the effect of on the interfacial binding strength and the structural stability of coherent / interface, we calculated the interfacial binding covalent bond density (CBD) and the local environmental total bond overlap population (LTBOP). Very obvious effects of lattice misfits on the electronic structures of coherent / interface were found. On one hand, less than –0.6% negative lattice misfit can increase the binding strength of the /' interface. On the other hand, the local environmental total bonding strength of the /' interface decreases with increasing magnitude of . Therefore, the magnitude and sign of lattice misfit must be carefully controlled to balance the high-temperature creep strength of Ni-base single crystal superalloy and the structural stability of the /' interface when one designs new alloys.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of rapidly quenched L20 and L20+L12 alloys in Ni-Al-Fe and Ni-Al-Co systems

Ductile L2₀-type wires and+L1₂-type duplex wires with high strengths and large elongation in the Ni-Al-Fe and Ni-Al-Co ternary systems have been manufactured directly from the liquid state by an in-rotating-water spinning method. The wire diameter was in the range 80 to 180m and the average grain size was 2 to 4m for the wires and 0.2 to 1.0m for the+ wires. _y, _f and _p of the wires were found to be about 360 to 760 MPa, 560 to 960 MPa, and 0.2 to 5.5%, respectively, for the Ni-Al-Fe system, those of the+ wires were about 395 to 660 MPa, 670 to 1285 MPa, and 3.5 to 17%, respectively, for the Ni-Al-Fe system, and about 260 to 365 MPa, 600 to 870 MPa, and 4.0 to 7.0%, respectively, for the Ni-Al-Co system. Cold-drawing caused a significant increase in _y and _f and the values attained were about 1850 and 2500 MPa, respectively, for Ni-20Al-30Fe and Ni-25Al-30Co wires drawn to about 90% reduction in area. The high strengths, large elongation and good cold-workability of the melt-quenched and+ compound wires have been inferred to be due to the structural change into a low-degree ordered state containing a high density of phase boundaries, suppression of grain-boundary segregation and refinement of grain size.     

Structure and decomposition behaviour of rapidly solidified AI-Cu-Li-Mg-Zr alloys

The microstructural characteristics of AI-Cu-Li-Mg-Zr alloys have been studied after rapid solidification by melt spinning and after subsequent annealing at temperatures in the range 160 to 500°C, by using a combination of optical microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and microhardness measurements. The as-melt-spun alloys consist of a cellular microstructure with fine scale precipitates and icosahedral particles distributed within the cells and at cell boundaries. The icosahedral structure is equivalent to the T₂ phase reported by Hardy and Silcock. Annealing the melt-spun alloys leads to a complex precipitation sequence: + I + + I + S + + I + + T₁ + T₂ (bcc) + two other phases. The icosahedral particles coarsen progressively during annealing, especially at higher annealing temperatures. Fine-scale precipitates grow during annealing at low temperature, dissolve at higher annealing temperatures below 500°C, and then reprecipitate during cooling after annealing at 500°C. During annealing at low temperature, plates of and S precipitate and then dissolve, providing solute atoms for icosahedral particle growth. Stable T₁, T₂ (bcc) and two other phases precipitate after decomposition of the icosahedral particles during annealing at 500°C.     

The influence of ageing on the stability of β-γ/γ′ derived microstructures in Ni-Al-Cr-(Co) alloys

Multiphase Ni-Al-(Fe)-(Cr)-(Co)-based intermetallics with (B2)- (A1)/(L1₂), - or - microstructures can exhibit significant room-temperature tensile ductility. In the case of Ni-Al-Cr-based alloys, microstructural development is complicated by the precipitation of -Cr, which can supplant the -phase during ageing of three-phase -/ microstructures. An investigation of the stability, during ageing, of cast Ni-Al-Cr-(Co) alloys with microstructures derived from -/ is reported. In the as-cast condition, the materials investigated consisted of a dendritic matrix containing L1₀ type martensite and interdendritic /. Extensive intra- and interdendritic -Cr precipitation was also observed. The stability during ageing of the interdendritic / microstructure is also considered and transformation of the L1₀ martensite is examined.     

Dielectric Dispersion in Yttrium and Erbium Formate Dihydrate Crystals

The dielectric properties of Y(HCOO)₃ · 2H₂O and Er(HCOO)₃ · 2H₂O are studied. The frequency dependences (0.01 Hz to 20 kHz) of the real () and imaginary () parts of dielectric permittivity ( = – i) are shown to follow a fractal scaling law for the dielectric response of solids. In the tan versus temperature curves, a number of maxima are revealed in a narrow temperature range. The experimental data are used to evaluate the activation energies of relaxation processes. The observed anomalies are assumed to be associated with changes in the dynamics of protons in hydrogen bonds.     

Low-frequency dielectric spectroscopy and electrical properties of Ca[B<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]·H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O single crystals near the phase transition

The dielectric properties and polarization of ferroelectric Ca[B₃O₄(OH)₃]·H₂O (colemanite) crystals are studied near the Curie temperature. The real part of dielectric permittivity (), dielectric losses (tan), pyroelectric coefficient (), and thermally stimulated depolarization currents are measured from -50 to 50°C. To assess the detailed nature of the phase transition (Curie temperature t_C~-7°C), the temperature dependences of and tan and are measured at frequencies f = 0.8-20 kHz. The results are used to determine () (where =f ) and (T) and evaluate the activation energy. The (t) data indicate that colemanite undergoes a diffuse phase transition.Translated from Neorganicheskie Materialy, Vol. 40, No. 12, 2004, pp. 1489–1494.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Slabkaya, Lotonov, Gavrilova.     

Dielectric properties of chemically vapour-deposited Si3N4

The dielectric properties of chemically vapour-deposited (CVD) amorphous and crystalline Si₃N₄ were measured in the temperature range from room temperature to 800° C. The a.c. conductivity ( _a.c.) of the amorphous CVD-Si₃N₄ was found to be less than that of the crystalline CVD-Si₃N₄ below 500° C, but became greater than that of the crystalline CVD-Si₃N₄ over 500° C due to the contribution of d.c. conductivity ( _d.c.). The measured loss factor () and dielectric constant () of the amorphous CVD-Si₃N₄ are smaller than those of the crystalline CVD-Si₃N₄ in all of the temperature and frequency ranges examined. The relationships of ^n-1, (- ) ^n-1 and/(- ) = cot (n/2) (were observed for the amorphous and crystalline specimens, where is angular frequency andn is a constant. The values ofn of amorphous and crystalline CVD-Si₃N₄ were 0.8 to 0.9 and 0.6 to 0.8, respectively. These results may indicate that the a.c. conduction observed for both of the above specimens is caused by hopping carriers. The values of loss tangent (tan) increased with increasing temperature. The relationship of log (tan) T was observed. The value of tan for the amorphous CVD-Si₃N₄ was smaller than that of the crystalline CVD-Si₃N₄.     

Piezoelectric and mechanical properties of ceria-doped lead zirconate titanate ceramics

Phases, microstructures and properties of lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) ceramics with the compositions Pb(Zr_0.535– Ce Ti_0.465) O₃ where =0.0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.05 were studied. Rhombohedral and tetragonal phases were present at =0.0. The amount of the rhombohedral phase increased with increasing , and only the tetragonal phase was present for >0.001. Thec/a ratio of the tetragonal phase also increases with increasing . Particles of CeO₂ were found to be present in compositions with >0.01, indicating that the solubility of CeO₂ is less than 1a/o on the metals basis. The piezoelectric and electromechanical constants achieved maximum values for =0.001. The hardness increased monotonically with increasing . The modulus of rupture and the fracture toughness, however, went through a minimum and both stayed lower than their values for =0.     

Influence of stabilizers on Na-β′′-Al2O3 phase formation in Li2O(MgO)-Na2O-Al2O3 ternary systems

The influences of stabilizers on - and -Al2O3 phase formations in Li2O(MgO)-Na2O-Al2O3 systems were investigated. When stabilized with 4MgCO3Mg(OH)25H2O, most of the -Al2O3 phase formed below 1200°C and further - to -Al2O3 transformation with an increase of temperature was not observed. On the other hand, when stabilized with Li2CO3,-Al2O3 formation occurred by two steps. First, -Al2O3 was partly formed below 1200°C, and, second, noticeable transformation from -Al2O3 to -Al2O3 occurred at higher temperature ranges. It was shown that transient eutectic liquid in the Li2O-Na2O-Al2O3 system promoted the - to -Al2O3 transformation at higher temperatures. Uniform distribution of both Mg2+ and Li+ stabilizing ions enhanced -Al2O3 formation at low temperatures. In the Li-stabilized systems, however, homogeneous distribution of Li+ ions hindered both the formation of transient eutectic liquid and the second - to -Al2O3 phase transformation at high temperatures.     

Chebyshev approximation for the roots of the equation BiWГ(μ)=μVГ(μ)

A minimax approximation, uniform for Bi [0, ), is developed for the roots of the equation BiW()=V(), by means of Chebyshev polynomials.Translated from Inzhenero-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 28, No. 4, pp. 710–715, April, 1975.     

Some expectation on the mechanism of cross-flow instability in a swept wing flow

Summary Three-dimensional boundary layer transition on axisymmetric rotating bodies is the subject of a comprehensive experimental study. Based on this study, hypotheses are made on the mechanism of cross-flow instability for swept wing flow. These new results are combined with past explanations to provide a rough sketch for the entire flow field over the swept wing. From this new viewpoint there appears the mechanism of traveling waves, being induced by a stationary disturbance. Some uncertainties appearing in recent papers concerning this flow field are discussed. Among these uncertainties for which an explanation is provided, is the discrepancy of frequencies between the hot wire signal and the visualized flow pattern.Nomenclature x direction along a potential flow stream line - y direction normal to a potential flow stream line - z direction normal to bothx andy directions - U mean velocity inx-direction - V mean velocity iny-direction - x direction along a disturbance - y direction normal tox direction - u, v, w fluctuating velocity components inx, y, z directions - U velocity inx-direction with wall fixed coordinate - U _e velocity of outer edge of boundary-layer - U uniform flow velocity normal to leading edge - V uniform flow velocity parallel to leading edge - Q upstream velocity - N rotation speed of an axisymmetric body - P arbitrary point on a disk surface - r radius to a pointP - R ₀ radius of a disk or a cylinder - U _p phase velocity of ring like vortices - T position where wall streaks appear in the case of oil flow visualization - Re _c,t critical and transitional Reynolds numbers - angle of the spiral disturbance - boundary-layer thickness - angular velocity - sweep angle of a body - wave length of disturbance - kinematic viscosity of a fluid With 11 Figures     

Molar momentum and heat transfer

Universal relations governing the molar transfer of momentum and heat are derived on the basis of a hypothesis about the dependence of the boundaries of the molar transfer region on the flow structure and with the use of a special mathematical transformation.Notation u average longitudinal velocity, m/sec - T average temperature, °K - T_w wall temperature, °K - kinematic viscosity coefficient, m²/sec - density, kg/m³ - c_p specific heat, J/kg·K - tangential stress, N/m² - t_w tangential stress at wall, N/m² - q_w specific heat flux at wall, W/m² - u_*=_w/ dynamic velocity, m/sec - *=q_w/c_pu_* characteristic temperature, °K - thickness of boundary layer, m - ₀ thickness of laminar sublayer, m - l = /u transverse space scale of average mole at wall, m - y⁺ = y/l _22C6; dimensionless coordinate - u⁺=u/u* dimensionless velocity - ⁺=(T_w – T)/* dimensionless temperature - ⁺=/_w dimensionless tangential stress - R=In (y⁺/ _o ⁺ )/In (⁺/ _o ⁺ ) generalized dimensionless co-ordinate - U = (u⁺ - u _o ⁺ )/(u _o ⁺ - u _o ⁺ ) generalized dimensionless velocity - Pr Prandtl number Indices * flow parameters evaluated at y⁺=1 - parameters at y⁺=⁺ - 0 parameters at y⁺= _o ⁺ - w parameters at wall Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 441–448, September, 1981.     

Landau laminar intermediate state structures: Surface energy between normal and superconducting domains in type I superconductors with small κ values

An expression for the surface energy at the normal-superconducting boundaries of a laminar intermediate state structure is derived as a function of a _s /, where a _s is the width of superconducting domains and the surface energy parameter. Numerical calculations show that the ratio / ( is the coherence length) is almost constant for a _s/ larger than the limit of about 4. This value corresponds to the critical film thickness that separates the regions of type I and type II superconducting behavior.On leave from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.     

Phase decomposition in extruded Zn-Al based alloy

Ageing characteristics of an extruded eutectoid Zn-Al based alloy were investigated using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The extruded alloy consisted of Al rich phase and Zn rich _E and phases. The original cast eutectoid Zn-Al alloy was extruded at 250 °C. Both supersaturated _s and _s phase decomposed during extrusion and appeared as fine and coarse lamellar structures. The _E and phases particles formed in the original interdendritic region. It was found that two Zn rich phases _E and decomposed sequentially during ageing at 170, 140 °C. The decomposition of the _E phase occurred as a discontinuous precipitation in the early stage of ageing and the decomposition of the phase took place in a four phase transformation: + T + in the prolonged ageing. Two typical morphologies of the decomposition of the Zn rich phases _E and were distinctive in back-scattered scanning electron microscopy.     

Microstructural study of ε-iron-carbonitrides formed by a glow discharge technique

The microstructure and phase transformations occurring in-iron-carbonitrides have been studied by means of X-ray and electron diffraction, electron microscopy and Mössbauer spectrometry. Ordering of the interstitial atoms, N or C, results in a hexagonal unit cell for Fe₃(C, N) with parametersa=a3 andc=c wherea andc are the lattice parameters of the hexagonal close-packed (h c p) iron unit cell. Stacking faults on (0001) planes and partial dislocations with Burgers vector b=1/31 0 ¯1 0 are observed in quenched-Fe₄ (C, N). After quench-aging, the carbonitrides show a structural hardening due to the precipitation of a metastable phase. Slow cooling of-carbonitrides with less than 25 at% interstitials leads to the precipitation of-carbonitride and ferrite in-phase grains which allows the orientation relationships between the-,- and-phases to be defined and a model of the-phase--phase transformation to be proposed.     

Solidification behavior of Al-Si-Fe alloys and phase transformation of metastable intermetallic compound by heat treatment

Solidification behavior of Al-20 wt% Si-8 wt% Fe and Al-30 wt% Si-5 wt% Fe alloys during cooling with a cooling rate of 10 K/min has been studied using optical microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In Al-20Si-8Fe alloy, metastable -Al₄FeSi₂ phase with tetragonal structure formed first from melt, followed by primary Si precipitation and then remaining liquid solidified finally into ternary eutectic of -Al, Si and phases. However, in Al-30Si-5Fe alloy, primary Si formed first, followed by the phase precipitation and then eutectic solidification. During isothermal heat treatment of as-solidified alloys, phase transformation from the phase to equilibrium phase began at the interface between phase and -Al matrix and progressed toward the inside of phase with co-precipitation of Si particles due to the difference in composition between -Al₄FeSi₂ and -Al₅FeSi phases.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of metastable lath martensite wires in the Fe-Ni-Cr-Al-C system produced by melt spinning in rotating water

Metastable lath martensite ( _L ) phase wires with high strengths have been produced in the Fe-Ni-Cr-Al-C alloy system by melt spinning in rotating water. These wires have a circular cross section and a white lustre and the wire diameter is in the range of 100 to 140m. The width and length of each lath in the _L phase are as small as about 0.3 and 2m, respectively. The _y, _f and _p are about 900 and 1650 MPa and 2.0% for the _L wires. The subsequent annealing causes an increase in _p as well as _y and _f and the attained values are about 1000 and 1700 MPa and 3.0% for Fe-10Ni-10Cr-6.5 Al-1.0C wire annealed at 773 K for 1 h owing to the precipitation strengthening of a very fine unidentified carbide and to a high density of dislocations and lath boundaries in the _L phase. Further annealing causes a significant decrease in _p through decomposition of _L to+M₇C₃+M₂₃C₆. Therefore, the high strength combined with relatively good ductility for the _L wires is interpreted as due to the suppression of the phase transformation of _L to a mixed structure of+M₇C₃+M₂₃C₆ by melt quenching.     

The role of silicon in the formation of the (Al5Cu6Mg2) σ phase in Al-Cu-Mg alloys

The role of silicon in the precipitation of the phase (Al₅Cu₆Mg₂) has been investigated through comparative studies on Al-3.63Cu-1.67Mg (wt%) and Al-3.63Cu-1.67Mg-0.5Si alloys. Both alloys were extensively examined after solution treating at 525°C for 2.5 h followed by ageing at 265°C for times up to 650 h. Limited studies were also undertaken on both alloys after ageing at 200 and 305°C. Precipitation of was observed in Al-3.62%Cu-1.66%Mg-0.5%Si for all ageing conditions studied but was absent in Si-free Al-3.62%Cu-1.66%Mg. In addition, S and phases were observed in both alloys. The volume fraction of phase in the Si containing alloy was substantially reduced by a pre-age stretch followed by ageing for 24 h at 265°C with S being the dominant precipitate type. The volume fraction of phase in the Si containing alloy was lower after ageing 24 h at 200°C than after 24 h at 265 and 305°C. Peak hardness was higher for the Si free alloy on ageing at 200 and 265°C, but the Si free alloy softened more rapidly, reflecting the more rapid coarsening kinetics of S compared with .     

The effect of Ag additions on the microstructure of aluminium–lithium alloys

Minor quantities of Ag have been added to Al–Li–Cu–Mg–Zr alloys. Their microstructure has been studied by means of optical metallography, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. In the high Li, low Cu : Mg ratio alloys the main phases found were , , S and T₁, while fewer T₂ and Al₇Cu₂Fe precipitates were also observed. The addition of up to 0.5 wt% Ag diminishes the and T₁ precipitates size. This is attributed to a small increase of Li solubility in the matrix. In the low Li, high Cu : Mg ratio alloy the addition of 0.2 wt % Ag resulted in the precipitation of phase simultaneously with , , S and T₁ phases. Due to the low Li concentration an unusual growth of the / precipitates at the expense of the precipitates was also observed.