Reconstruction of Laser-Induced Surface Topography from Electron Backscatter Diffraction Patterns.

PubMed

Callahan, Patrick G; Echlin, McLean P; Pollock, Tresa M; De Graef, Marc

2017-08-01

We demonstrate that the surface topography of a sample can be reconstructed from electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns collected with a commercial EBSD system. This technique combines the location of the maximum background intensity with a correction from Monte Carlo simulations to determine the local surface normals at each point in an EBSD scan. A surface height map is then reconstructed from the local surface normals. In this study, a Ni sample was machined with a femtosecond laser, which causes the formation of a laser-induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS). The topography of the LIPSS was analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and reconstructions from EBSD patterns collected at 5 and 20 kV. The LIPSS consisted of a combination of low frequency waviness due to curtaining and high frequency ridges. The morphology of the reconstructed low frequency waviness and high frequency ridges matched the AFM data. The reconstruction technique does not require any modification to existing EBSD systems and so can be particularly useful for measuring topography and its evolution during in situ experiments.

Comments on the paper "Bragg's law diffraction simulations for electron backscatter diffraction analysis" by Josh Kacher, Colin Landon, Brent L. Adams & David Fullwood.

PubMed

Maurice, Claire; Fortunier, Roland; Driver, Julian; Day, Austin; Mingard, Ken; Meaden, Graham

2010-06-01

This comment on the paper "Bragg's Law diffraction simulations for electron backscatter diffraction analysis" by Kacher et al. explains the limitations in determining elastic strains using synthetic EBSD patterns. Of particular importance are those due to the accuracy of determination of the EBSD geometry projection parameters. Additional references and supporting information are provided. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Application of Electron Backscatter Diffraction to evaluate the ASR risk of concrete aggregates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rößler, C., E-mail: christiane.roessler@uni-weimar.de; Möser, B.; Giebson, C.

Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) is a frequent cause of reduced concrete durability. Eliminating the application of alkali reactive aggregates would reduce the quantity of ASR concrete deterioration in the field. This study introduces an Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) technique to distinguish the ASR risk of slow-late reacting aggregates by measuring microstructural properties of quartz. Quantifying the amount of quartz grain boundaries and the associated misorientation of grains can thereby be used to differentiate microstructures bearing an ASR risk. It is also shown that dissolution of quartz in high pH environments occurs along quartz grain and subgrain boundaries. Results of EBSD analysismore » are compared with ASR performance testing on concrete prisms and optical light microscopy characterization of quartz microstructure. EBSD opens new possibilities to quantitatively characterize microstructure of quartz in concrete aggregates with respect to ASR. This leads to a better understanding on the actual cause of ASR.« less

In-Depth View of the Structure and Growth of SnO2 Nanowires and Nanobrushes.

PubMed

Stuckert, Erin P; Geiss, Roy H; Miller, Christopher J; Fisher, Ellen R

2016-08-31

Strategic application of an array of complementary imaging and diffraction techniques is critical to determine accurate structural information on nanomaterials, especially when also seeking to elucidate structure-property relationships and their effects on gas sensors. In this work, SnO2 nanowires and nanobrushes grown via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) displayed the same tetragonal SnO2 structure as revealed via powder X-ray diffraction bulk crystallinity data. Additional characterization using a range of electron microscopy imaging and diffraction techniques, however, revealed important structure and morphology distinctions between the nanomaterials. Tailoring scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) modes combined with transmission electron backscatter diffraction (t-EBSD) techniques afforded a more detailed view of the SnO2 nanostructures. Indeed, upon deeper analysis of individual wires and brushes, we discovered that, despite a similar bulk structure, wires and brushes grew with different crystal faces and lattice spacings. Had we not utilized multiple STEM diffraction modes in conjunction with t-EBSD, differences in orientation related to bristle density would have been overlooked. Thus, it is only through a methodical combination of several structural analysis techniques that precise structural information can be reliably obtained.

Interference phenomena at backscattering by ice crystals of cirrus clouds.

PubMed

Borovoi, Anatoli; Kustova, Natalia; Konoshonkin, Alexander

2015-09-21

It is shown that light backscattering by hexagonal ice crystals of cirrus clouds is formed within the physical-optics approximation by both diffraction and interference phenomena. Diffraction determines the angular width of the backscattering peak and interference produces the interference rings inside the peak. By use of a simple model for distortion of the pristine hexagonal shape, we show that the shape distortion leads to both oscillations of the scattering (Mueller) matrix within the backscattering peak and to a strong increase of the depolarization, color, and lidar ratios needed for interpretation of lidar signals.

Diffraction effects and inelastic electron transport in angle-resolved microscopic imaging applications.

PubMed

Winkelmann, A; Nolze, G; Vespucci, S; Naresh-Kumar, G; Trager-Cowan, C; Vilalta-Clemente, A; Wilkinson, A J; Vos, M

2017-09-01

We analyse the signal formation process for scanning electron microscopic imaging applications on crystalline specimens. In accordance with previous investigations, we find nontrivial effects of incident beam diffraction on the backscattered electron distribution in energy and momentum. Specifically, incident beam diffraction causes angular changes of the backscattered electron distribution which we identify as the dominant mechanism underlying pseudocolour orientation imaging using multiple, angle-resolving detectors. Consequently, diffraction effects of the incident beam and their impact on the subsequent coherent and incoherent electron transport need to be taken into account for an in-depth theoretical modelling of the energy- and momentum distribution of electrons backscattered from crystalline sample regions. Our findings have implications for the level of theoretical detail that can be necessary for the interpretation of complex imaging modalities such as electron channelling contrast imaging (ECCI) of defects in crystals. If the solid angle of detection is limited to specific regions of the backscattered electron momentum distribution, the image contrast that is observed in ECCI and similar applications can be strongly affected by incident beam diffraction and topographic effects from the sample surface. As an application, we demonstrate characteristic changes in the resulting images if different properties of the backscattered electron distribution are used for the analysis of a GaN thin film sample containing dislocations. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Microscopy published by JohnWiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Royal Microscopical Society.

Analysis of nanoparticles using photonic nanojet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xu; Chen, Zhigang; Siegel, Michael P.; Taflove, Allen; Backman, Vadim

2005-04-01

A photonic nanojet is a local field enhancement generated in the vicinity of a properly chosen microsphere or microcylinder illuminated by a collimated light beam. These photonic nanojets have waists smaller than the diffraction limit and propagate over several optical wavelengths without significant diffraction. We investigate the properties of photonic nanojets using rigorous solutions of Maxwell"s equations. A remarkable property we have found is that they can significantly enhance the backscattering of light by nanometer-scale particles (as small as ~1 nm) located within the jets. The enhancement factor for the backscattering intensity can be as high as five to six orders of magnitude. As a result, the observed intensity of the backscattered light from the dielectric microsphere can be substantially altered due to the presence of a nanoparticle within the light jet. Furthermore, the intensity and angular distribution of the backscattered signal is extremely sensitive to the size of the nanoparticle, which may enable differentiating particles with accuracy up to 1 nm. These properties of photonic nanojets make them an ideal tool for detecting, differentiating and sorting nanoparticles, which is of immense necessity for the field of nano-biotechnology. For example, they could yield potential novel ultramicroscopy techniques using visible light for detecting proteins, viral particles, and even single molecules; and monitoring molecular synthesis and aggregation processes of importance in many areas of biology, chemistry, material sciences, and tissue engineering.

Modeling 3-D objects with planar surfaces for prediction of electromagnetic scattering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koch, M. B.; Beck, F. B.; Cockrell, C. R.

1992-01-01

Electromagnetic scattering analysis of objects at resonance is difficult because low frequency techniques are slow and computer intensive, and high frequency techniques may not be reliable. A new technique for predicting the electromagnetic backscatter from electrically conducting objects at resonance is studied. This technique is based on modeling three dimensional objects as a combination of flat plates where some of the plates are blocking the scattering from others. A cube is analyzed as a simple example. The preliminary results compare well with the Geometrical Theory of Diffraction and with measured data.

Electromagnetic backscattering by corner reflectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balanis, C. A.; Griesser, T.

1986-01-01

The Geometrical Theory of Diffraction (GTD), which supplements Geometric Optics (GO), and the Physical Theory of Diffraction (PTD), which supplements Physical Optics (PO), are used to predict the backscatter cross sections of dihedral corner reflectors which have right, obtuse, or acute included angles. These theories allow individual backscattering mechanisms of the dihedral corner reflectors to be identified and provide good agreement with experimental results in the azimuthal plane. The advantages and disadvantages of the geometrical and physical theories are discussed in terms of their accuracy, usefulness, and complexity. Numerous comparisons of analytical results with experimental data are presented. While physical optics alone is more accurate and more useful than geometrical optics alone, the combination of geometrical optics and geometrical diffraction seems to out perform physical optics and physical diffraction when compared with experimental data, especially for acute angle dihedral corner reflectors.

Photoelectron diffraction and holography: Some new directions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fadley, C.S.

1993-08-01

Photoelectron diffraction has by now become a versatile and powerful technique for studying surface structures, with special capabilities for resolving chemical and magnetic states of atoms and deriving direct structural information from both forward scattering along bond directions and back-scattering path length differences. Further fitting experiment to theory can lead to structural accuracies in the {plus_minus}0.03 ){Angstrom} range. Holographic inversions of such diffraction data also show considerable promise for deriving local three-dimensional structures around a given emitter with accuracies of {plus_minus}0.2--0.3 {Angstrom}. Resolving the photoelectron spin in some way and using circularly polarized radiation for excitation provide added dimensions formore » the study of magnetic systems and chiral experimental geometries. Synchrotron radiation with the highest brightness and energy resolution, as well as variable polarization, is crucial to the full exploitation of these techniques.« less

Measurements and Diagnostics of Diamond Films and Coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa; Wu, Richard L. C.

1999-01-01

The commercial potential of chemical-vapor-deposited (CVD) diamond films has been established and a number of applications have been identified through university, industry, and government research studies. This paper discusses the methodologies used for property measurement and diagnostic of CVD diamond films and coatings. Measurement and diagnostic techniques studied include scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, stylus profilometry, x-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering, elastic recoil spectroscopy, and friction examination. Each measurement and diagnostic technique provides unique information. A combination of techniques can provide the technical information required to understand the quality and properties of CVD diamond films, which are important to their application in specific component systems and environments. In this study the combination of measurement and diagnostic techniques was successfully applied to correlate deposition parameters and resultant diamond film composition, crystallinity, grain size, surface roughness, and coefficient of friction.

Self-accelerating self-trapped nonlinear beams of Maxwell's equations.

PubMed

Kaminer, Ido; Nemirovsky, Jonathan; Segev, Mordechai

2012-08-13

We present shape-preserving self-accelerating beams of Maxwell's equations with optical nonlinearities. Such beams are exact solutions to Maxwell's equations with Kerr or saturable nonlinearity. The nonlinearity contributes to self-trapping and causes backscattering. Those effects, together with diffraction effects, work to maintain shape-preserving acceleration of the beam on a circular trajectory. The backscattered beam is found to be a key issue in the dynamics of such highly non-paraxial nonlinear beams. To study that, we develop two new techniques: projection operator separating the forward and backward waves, and reverse simulation. Finally, we discuss the possibility that such beams would reflect themselves through the nonlinear effect, to complete a 'U' shaped trajectory.

Overview of selected surrogate technologies for continuous suspended-sediment monitoring

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gray, J.R.; Gartner, J.W.

2006-01-01

Surrogate technologies for inferring selected characteristics of suspended sediments in surface waters are being tested by the U.S. Geological Survey and several partners with the ultimate goal of augmenting or replacing traditional monitoring methods. Optical properties of water such as turbidity and optical backscatter are the most commonly used surrogates for suspended-sediment concentration, but use of other techniques such as those based on acoustic backscatter, laser diffraction, digital photo-optic, and pressure-difference principles is increasing for concentration and, in some cases, particle-size distribution and flux determinations. The potential benefits of these technologies include acquisition of automated, continuous, quantifiably accurate data obtained with increased safety and at less expense. When suspended-sediment surrogate data meet consensus accuracy criteria and appropriate sediment-record computation techniques are applied, these technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way fluvial-sediment data are collected, analyzed, and disseminated.

Backscattered electron simulations to evaluate sensitivity against electron dosage of buried semiconductor features

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukhtar, Maseeh; Thiel, Bradley

2018-03-01

In fabrication, overlay measurements of semiconductor device patterns have conventionally been performed using optical methods. Beginning with image-based techniques using box-in-box to the more recent diffraction-based overlay (DBO). Alternatively, use of SEM overlay is under consideration for in-device overlay. Two main application spaces are measurement features from multiple mask levels on the same surface and buried features. Modern CD-SEMs are adept at measuring overlay for cases where all features are on the surface. In order to measure overlay of buried features, HV-SEM is needed. Gate-to-fin and BEOL overlay are important use cases for this technique. A JMONSEL simulation exercise was performed for these two cases using 10 nm line/space gratings of graduated increase in depth of burial. Backscattered energy loss results of these simulations were used to calculate the sensitivity measurements of buried features versus electron dosage for an array of electron beam voltages.

Optical detection of ultrasound using an apertureless near-field scanning optical microscopy system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahn, Phillip; Zhang, Zhen; Sun, Cheng; Balogun, Oluwaseyi

2013-01-01

Laser ultrasonics techniques are power approaches for non-contact generation and detection of high frequency ultrasound on a local scale. In these techniques, optical diffraction limits the spatial information that can be accessed from a measurement. In order to improve the lateral spatial resolution, we incorporate an apertureless near-field scanning optical microscope (aNSOM) into laser ultrasonics setup for local detection of laser generated ultrasound. The aNSOM technique relies on the measurement of a weak backscattered near-field light intensity resulting from the oblique illumination of a nanoscale probe-tip positioned close to a sample surface. We enhance the optical near-field intensity by coupling light to surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) on the shaft of an atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilever. The SPPs propagate down the AFM shaft, localize at the tip apex, and are backscattered to the far-field when the separation distance between the probe tip and the sample surface is comparable to the probe-tip radius. The backscattered near-field intensity is dynamically modulated when an ultrasonic wave arrives at the sample surface leading to a transient change in the tip-sample separation distance. We present experimental results detailing measurement of broadband and narrowband laser generated ultrasound in solids with frequencies reaching up to 180 MHz range.

Search for life on Mars: Evaluation of techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwartz, D. E.; Mancinelli, R. L.; White, M. R.

1995-01-01

An important question for exobiology is, did life evolve on Mars? To answer this question, experiments must be conducted on the martian surface. Given current mission constraints on mass, power, and volume, these experiments can only be performed using proposed analytical techniques such as: electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, a-proton backscatter, g-ray spectrometry, differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, pyrolysis gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and specific element detectors. Using prepared test samples consisting of 1% organic matter (bovine serum albumin) in palagonite and a mixture of palagonite, clays, iron oxides, and evaporites, it was determined that a combination of X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis coupled with gas chromatography provides the best insight into the chemistry, mineralogy, and geological history of the samples.

Search for life on Mars: evaluation of techniques.

PubMed

Schwartz, D E; Mancinelli, R L; White, M R

1995-03-01

An important question for exobiology is, did life evolve on Mars? To answer this question, experiments must be conducted on the martian surface. Given current mission constraints on mass, power, and volume, these experiments can only be performed using proposed analytical techniques such as: electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, alpha-proton backscatter, gamma-ray spectrometry, differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, pyrolysis gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and specific element detectors. Using prepared test samples consisting of 1% organic matter (bovine serum albumin) in palagonite and a mixture of palagonite, clays, iron oxides, and evaporites, it was determined that a combination of X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis coupled with gas chromatography provides the best insight into the chemistry, mineralogy, and geological history of the samples.

A pseudo-3D approach based on electron backscatter diffraction and backscatter electron imaging to study the character of phase boundaries between Mg and long period stacking ordered phase in a Mg–2Y–Zn alloy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Afshar, Mehran, E-mail: m.afshar@mpie.de; Zaefferer, Stefan, E-mail: s.zaefferer@mpie.de

2015-03-15

In Mg–2 at.% Y–1 at.% Zn alloys, the LPSO (Long Period Stacking Ordered) phase is important to improve mechanical properties of the material. The aim of this paper is to present a study on the phase boundary character in these two-phase alloys. Using EBSD pattern analysis it was found that the 24R structure is the dominant LPSO phase structure in the current alloy. The phase boundary character between the Mg matrix and the LPSO phase was investigated using an improved pseudo-3D EBSD (electron backscatter diffraction) technique in combination with BSE or SE (backscatter or secondary electron) imaging. A large amountmore » of very low-angle phase boundaries was detected. The (0 0 0 2) plane in the Mg matrix which is parallel to the (0 0 0 24) plane in the LPSO phase was found to be the most frequent plane for these phase boundaries. This plane is supposed to be the habit plane of the eutectic co-solidification of the Mg matrix and the LPSO phase. - Highlights: • It is shown that for the investigated alloy the LPSO phase has mainly 24R crystal structure. • A new method is presented which allows accurate determination of the 5-parameter grain or phase boundary character. • It is found that the low-angle phase boundaries appearing in the alloy all have basal phase boundary planes.« less

Combined application of electron backscatter diffraction and stereo-photogrammetry in fractography studies.

PubMed

Davies, P A; Randle, V

2001-10-01

The main aim of this paper is to report on recent experimental developments that have succeeded in combining electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) with stereo-photogrammetry, compared with two other methods for study of fracture surfaces, namely visual fractography analysis in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and EBSD directly from facets. These approaches will be illustrated with data relating to the cleavage plane orientation analysis in a ferritic and C-Mn steel. It is demonstrated that the combined use of EBSD and stereo-photogrammetry represents a significant advance in the methodology for facet crystallography analysis. The results of point counting from fractograph characterization determined that the proportions of intergranular fracture in C-Mn and ferritic steels were 10.4% and 9.4%, respectively. The crystallographic orientation was determined directly from the fracture surface of a ferritic steel sample and produced an orientation distribution with a clear trend towards the [001] plane. A stereo-photogrammetry technique was validated using the known geometry of a Vickers hardness indent. The technique was then successfully employed to measure the macroscopic orientation of individual cleavage facets in the same reference frame as the EBSD measurements. Correlating the results of these measurements indicated that the actual crystallographic orientation of every cleavage facet identified in the steel specimens is [001].

Stress Corrosion Cracking Facet Crystallography of Ti-8Al-1Mo-1V (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-05-01

fractography and electron backscatter diffraction. The results indicate that most facets are formed nearly perpendicular to the loading direction on...of Ti-8Al- 1Mo-1V have been characterized using quantitative fractography and electron backscatter diffraction. The results indicate that most facets...EBSD and quantitative tilt fractography [27;29] allow for determination of the crystallographic fracture plane to an accuracy between 1o [29] and

A method to correct coordinate distortion in EBSD maps

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Y.B., E-mail: yubz@dtu.dk; Elbrønd, A.; Lin, F.X.

2014-10-15

Drift during electron backscatter diffraction mapping leads to coordinate distortions in resulting orientation maps, which affects, in some cases significantly, the accuracy of analysis. A method, thin plate spline, is introduced and tested to correct such coordinate distortions in the maps after the electron backscatter diffraction measurements. The accuracy of the correction as well as theoretical and practical aspects of using the thin plate spline method is discussed in detail. By comparing with other correction methods, it is shown that the thin plate spline method is most efficient to correct different local distortions in the electron backscatter diffraction maps. -more » Highlights: • A new method is suggested to correct nonlinear spatial distortion in EBSD maps. • The method corrects EBSD maps more precisely than presently available methods. • Errors less than 1–2 pixels are typically obtained. • Direct quantitative analysis of dynamic data are available after this correction.« less

Relationships Between the Phase Transformation Kinetics, Texture Evolution, and Microstructure Development in a 304L Stainless Steel Under Biaxial Loading Conditions: Synchrotron X-ray and Electron Backscatter Diffraction Studies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cakmak, Ercan; Choo, Hahn; Kang, Jun-Yun

2015-02-11

The relationships between the martensitic phase transformation kinetics, texture evolution, and the microstructure development in the parent austenite phase were studied for a 304L stainless steel that exhibits the transformation-induced plasticity effect under biaxial loading conditions at ambient temperature. The applied loading paths included: pure torsion, simultaneous biaxial torsion/tension, simultaneous biaxial torsion/compression, and stepwise loading of tension followed by torsion (i.e., first loading by uniaxial tension and then by pure torsion in sequence). Synchrotron X-ray and electron backscatter diffraction techniques were used to measure the evolution of the phase fractions, textures, and microstructures as a function of the applied strains.more » The influence of loading character and path on the changes in martensitic phase transformation kinetics is discussed in the context of (1) texture-transformation relationship and the preferred transformation of grains belonging to certain texture components over the others, (2) effects of axial strains on shear band evolutions, and (3) volume changes associated with martensitic transformation.« less

Characterisation of the incident beam and current diffraction capabilities on the VESUVIO spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romanelli, G.; Krzystyniak, M.; Senesi, R.; Raspino, D.; Boxall, J.; Pooley, D.; Moorby, S.; Schooneveld, E.; Rhodes, N. J.; Andreani, C.; Fernandez-Alonso, F.

2017-09-01

The VESUVIO spectrometer at the ISIS pulsed neutron and muon source is a unique instrument amongst those available at neutron facilities. This is the only inverted-geometry neutron spectrometer accessing values of energy and wavevector transfer above tens of eV and {\\mathringA}-1 , respectively, and where deep inelastic neutron scattering experiments are routinely performed. As such, the procedure at the base of the technique has been previously described in an article published by this journal (Mayers and Reiter 2012 Meas. Sci. Technol. 23 045902). The instrument has recently witnessed an upsurge of interest due to a new trend to accommodate, within a single experiment, neutron diffraction and transmission measurements in addition to deep inelastic neutron scattering. This work presents a broader description of the instrument following these recent developments. In particular, we assess the absolute intensity and two-dimensional profile of the incident neutron beam and the capabilities of the backscattering diffraction banks. All results are discussed in the light of recent changes to the moderator viewed by the instrument. We find that VESUVIO has to be considered a high-resolution diffractometer as much as other diffractometers at ISIS, with a resolution as high as 2× 10-3 in backscattering. Also, we describe the extension of the wavelength range of the instrument to include lower neutron energies for diffraction measurements, an upgrade that could be readily applied to other neutron instruments as well.

Characterization of the carbides and the martensite phase in powder-metallurgy high-speed steel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Godec, Matjaz, E-mail: matjaz.godec@imt.si; Batic, Barbara Setina; Mandrino, Djordje

2010-04-15

A microstructural characterization of the powder-metallurgy high-speed-steel S390 Microclean was performed based on an elemental distribution of the carbide phase as well as crystallographic analyses. The results showed that there were two types of carbides present: vanadium-rich carbides, which were not chemically homogeneous and exhibited a tungsten-enriched or tungsten-depleted central area; and chemically homogeneous tungsten-rich M{sub 6}C-type carbides. Despite the possibility of chemical inhomogenities, the crystallographic orientation of each of the carbides was shown to be uniform. Using electron backscatter diffraction the vanadium-rich carbides were determined to be either cubic VC or hexagonal V{sub 6}C{sub 5}, while the tungsten-rich carbidesmore » were M{sub 6}C. The electron backscatter diffraction results were also verified using X-ray diffraction. Several electron backscatter diffraction pattern maps were acquired in order to define the fraction of each carbide phase as well as the amount of martensite phase. The fraction of martensite was estimated using band-contrast images, while the fraction of carbides was calculated using the crystallographic data.« less

Plasma cleaning and analysis of archeological artefacts from Sipán

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saettone, E. A. O.; da Matta, J. A. S.; Alva, W.; Chubaci, J. F. O.; Fantini, M. C. A.; Galvão, R. M. O.; Kiyohara, P.; Tabacniks, M. H.

2003-04-01

A novel procedure using plasma sputtering in an electron-cyclotron-resonance device has been applied to clean archeological MOCHE artefacts, unearthed at the Royal Tombs of Sipán. After successful cleaning, the pieces were analysed by a variety of complementary techniques, namely proton-induced x-ray emission, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. With these techniques, it has been possible to not only determine the profiles of the gold and silver surface layers, but also to detect elements that may be relevant to explain the gilding techniques skillfully developed by the metal smiths of the MOCHE culture.

Characterization of Ultra-fine Grained and Nanocrystalline Materials Using Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction

PubMed Central

Proust, Gwénaëlle; Trimby, Patrick; Piazolo, Sandra; Retraint, Delphine

2017-01-01

One of the challenges in microstructure analysis nowadays resides in the reliable and accurate characterization of ultra-fine grained (UFG) and nanocrystalline materials. The traditional techniques associated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), such as electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), do not possess the required spatial resolution due to the large interaction volume between the electrons from the beam and the atoms of the material. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has the required spatial resolution. However, due to a lack of automation in the analysis system, the rate of data acquisition is slow which limits the area of the specimen that can be characterized. This paper presents a new characterization technique, Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction (TKD), which enables the analysis of the microstructure of UFG and nanocrystalline materials using an SEM equipped with a standard EBSD system. The spatial resolution of this technique can reach 2 nm. This technique can be applied to a large range of materials that would be difficult to analyze using traditional EBSD. After presenting the experimental set up and describing the different steps necessary to realize a TKD analysis, examples of its use on metal alloys and minerals are shown to illustrate the resolution of the technique and its flexibility in term of material to be characterized. PMID:28447998

Characterization of Ultra-fine Grained and Nanocrystalline Materials Using Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction.

PubMed

Proust, Gwénaëlle; Trimby, Patrick; Piazolo, Sandra; Retraint, Delphine

2017-04-01

One of the challenges in microstructure analysis nowadays resides in the reliable and accurate characterization of ultra-fine grained (UFG) and nanocrystalline materials. The traditional techniques associated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), such as electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), do not possess the required spatial resolution due to the large interaction volume between the electrons from the beam and the atoms of the material. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has the required spatial resolution. However, due to a lack of automation in the analysis system, the rate of data acquisition is slow which limits the area of the specimen that can be characterized. This paper presents a new characterization technique, Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction (TKD), which enables the analysis of the microstructure of UFG and nanocrystalline materials using an SEM equipped with a standard EBSD system. The spatial resolution of this technique can reach 2 nm. This technique can be applied to a large range of materials that would be difficult to analyze using traditional EBSD. After presenting the experimental set up and describing the different steps necessary to realize a TKD analysis, examples of its use on metal alloys and minerals are shown to illustrate the resolution of the technique and its flexibility in term of material to be characterized.

Modulated Electron Emission by Scattering-Interference of Primary Electrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valeri, Sergio; di Bona, Alessandro

We review the effects of scattering-interference of the primary, exciting beam on the electron emission from ordered atomic arrays. The yield of elastically and inelastically backscattered electrons, Auger electrons and secondary electrons shows a marked dependence on the incidence angle of primary electrons. Both the similarity and the relative importance of processes experienced by incident and excident electrons are discussed. We also present recent studies of electron focusing and defocusing along atomic chains. The interplay between these two processes determines the in-depth profile of the primary electron intensity anisotropy. Finally, the potential for surface-structural studies and limits for quantitative analysis are discussed, in comparison with the Auger electron diffraction (AED) and photoelectron diffraction (PD) techniques.

A comparison of deformation and failure behaviors of AZ31 and E-form Mg alloys under V-bending test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Shi-Hoon; Singh, Jaiveer; Kim, Min-Seong; Yoon, Jeong-Whan

2016-08-01

Deformation and failure behaviors of magnesium (Mg) alloys (AZ31 and E-form) were investigated using V-bending test. Formability of these Mg alloys was discussed in terms of minimum bending radius. Microtexture evolution in the deformed Mg alloys was examined via electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) technique. Two level simulation technique which combined continuum finite element method (FEM) and crystal plasticity FEM successfully simulated the microtexture evolution in Mg alloys during V-bending test. The effect of deformation twinning on the failure in Mg alloys was also examined.

Coherent optical determination of the leaf angle distribution of corn

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ulaby, F. T. (Principal Investigator); Pihlman, M.

1981-01-01

A coherent optical technique for the diffraction analysis of an image is presented. Developments in radar remote sensing shows a need to understand plant geometry and its relationship to plant moisture, soil moisture, and the radar backscattering coefficient. A corn plant changes its leaf angle distribution, as a function of time, from a uniform distribution to one that is strongly vertical. It is shown that plant and soil moisture may have an effect on plant geometry.

Crystallographic orientation mapping with an electron backscattered diffraction technique in (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 superconductor tapes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, T. T.; Li, S.; Oh, J. T.; Gao, W.; Liu, H. K.; Dou, S. X.

2001-02-01

It is believed that grain boundaries act as weak links in limiting the critical current density (Jc) of bulk high-Tc superconductors. The weak-link problem can be greatly reduced by elimination or minimization of large-angle grain boundaries. It has been reported that the distribution of the Jc in (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+x (Bi2223) superconductor tapes presents a parabolic relationship in the transverse cross section of the tapes, with the lowest currents occurring at the centre of the tapes. It was proposed that the Jc distribution is strongly dependent on the local crystallographic orientation distribution of the Bi2223 oxides. However, the local three-dimensional crystallographic orientation distribution of Bi2223 crystals in (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+x superconductor tapes has not yet been experimentally determined. In this work, the electron backscattered diffraction technique was employed to map the crystallographic orientation distribution, determine the misorientation of grain boundaries and also map the misorientation distribution in Bi2223 superconductor tapes. Through crystallographic orientation mapping, the relationship between the crystallographic orientation distribution, the boundary misorientation distribution and the fabrication parameters may be understood. This can be used to optimize the fabrication processes thus increasing the critical current density in Bi2223 superconductor tapes.

Robust diffraction correction method for high-frequency ultrasonic tissue characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raju, Balasundar

2004-05-01

The computation of quantitative ultrasonic parameters such as the attenuation or backscatter coefficient requires compensation for diffraction effects. In this work a simple and accurate diffraction correction method for skin characterization requiring only a single focal zone is developed. The advantage of this method is that the transducer need not be mechanically repositioned to collect data from several focal zones, thereby reducing the time of imaging and preventing motion artifacts. Data were first collected under controlled conditions from skin of volunteers using a high-frequency system (center frequency=33 MHz, BW=28 MHz) at 19 focal zones through axial translation. Using these data, mean backscatter power spectra were computed as a function of the distance between the transducer and the tissue, which then served as empirical diffraction correction curves for subsequent data. The method was demonstrated on patients patch-tested for contact dermatitis. The computed attenuation coefficient slope was significantly (p<0.05) lower at the affected site (0.13+/-0.02 dB/mm/MHz) compared to nearby normal skin (0.2+/-0.05 dB/mm/MHz). The mean backscatter level was also significantly lower at the affected site (6.7+/-2.1 in arbitrary units) compared to normal skin (11.3+/-3.2). These results show diffraction corrected ultrasonic parameters can differentiate normal from affected skin tissues.

In situ investigation of deformation mechanisms in magnesium-based metal matrix composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farkas, Gergely; Choe, Heeman; Máthis, Kristián; Száraz, Zoltán; Noh, Yoonsook; Trojanová, Zuzanka; Minárik, Peter

2015-07-01

We studied the effect of short fibers on the mechanical properties of a magnesium alloy. In particular, deformation mechanisms in a Mg-Al-Sr alloy reinforced with short alumina fibers were studied in situ using neutron diffraction and acoustic emission methods. The fibers' plane orientation with respect to the loading axis was found to be a key parameter, which influences the acting deformation processes, such as twinning or dislocation slip. Furthermore, the twinning activity was much more significant in samples with parallel fiber plane orientation, which was confirmed by both acoustic emission and electron backscattering diffraction results. Neutron diffraction was also used to assist in analyzing the acoustic emission and electron backscattering diffraction results. The simultaneous application of the two in situ methods, neutron diffraction and acoustic emission, was found to be beneficial for obtaining complementary datasets about the twinning and dislocation slip in the magnesium alloys and composites used in this study.

Infiltration of CdTe nano crystals into a ZnO wire vertical matrix by using the isothermal closed space technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larramendi, S.; Vaillant Roca, Lidice; Saint-Gregoire, Pierre; Ferraz Dias, Johnny; Behar, Moni

2017-10-01

A ZnO nanorod structure was grown by the hydrothermal method and interpenetrated with CdTe using the isothermal closed space sublimation technique. The obtained structure was studied by using the Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) technique confirmed the presence of CdTe nanocrystals (NCs) of very small size formed on the surface and in the interspaces between the ZnO nanorods. The RBS observations together with the SEM observations give information on the obtained structure. Finally the photoluminescence studies show a strong energy confinement effect on the grown CdTe NCs.

Applications of Real Space Crystallography in Characterization of Dislocations in Geological Materials in a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaboli, S.; Burnley, P. C.

2017-12-01

Imaging and characterization of defects in crystalline materials is of significant importance in various disciplines including geoscience, materials science, and applied physics. Linear defects such as dislocations and planar defects such as twins and stacking faults, strongly influence many of the properties of crystalline materials and also reflect the conditions and degree of deformation. Dislocations have been conventionally imaged in thin foils in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Since the development of field emission scanning electron microscopes (FE-SEM) with high gun brightness and small spot size, extensive efforts have been dedicated to the imaging and characterization of dislocations in semi-conductors using electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) in the SEM. The obvious advantages of using SEM over TEM include easier and non-destructive sample preparation and a large field of view enabling statistical examination of the density and distribution of dislocations and other defects. In this contribution, we extend this technique to geological materials and introduce the Real Space Crystallography methodology for imaging and complete characterization of dislocations based on bend contour contrast obtained by ECCI in FE-SEM. Bend contours map out the distortion in the crystal lattice across a deformed grain. The contrast of dislocations is maximum in the vicinity of bend contours where crystal planes diffract at small and positive deviations from the Bragg positions (as defined by Bragg's law of electron diffraction). Imaging is performed in a commercial FE-SEM equipped with a standard silicon photodiode backscattered (BSE) detector and an electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) system for crystal orientation measurements. We demonstrate the practice of this technique in characterization of a number of geological materials in particular quartz, forsterite olivine and corundum, experimentally deformed at high pressure-temperature conditions. This new approach in microstructure characterization of deformed geologic materials in FE-SEM, without the use of etching or decoration techniques, has valuable applications to both experimentally deformed and naturally deformed specimens.

Relationships Between the Phase Transformation Kinetics, Texture Evolution, and Microstructure Development in a 304L Stainless Steel Under Biaxial Loading Conditions: Synchrotron X-ray and Electron Backscatter Diffraction Studies

DOE PAGES

Cakmak, Ercan; Choo, Hahn; Kang, Jun-Yun; ...

2015-02-11

Here we report that the relationships between the martensitic phase transformation kinetics, texture evolution, and the microstructure development in the parent austenite phase were studied for a 304L stainless steel that exhibits the transformation-induced plasticity effect under biaxial loading conditions at ambient temperature. The applied loading paths included: pure torsion, simultaneous biaxial torsion/tension, simultaneous biaxial torsion/compression, and stepwise loading of tension followed by torsion (i.e., first loading by uniaxial tension and then by pure torsion in sequence). Synchrotron X-ray and electron backscatter diffraction techniques were used to measure the evolution of the phase fractions, textures, and microstructures as a functionmore » of the applied strains. The influence of loading character and path on the changes in martensitic phase transformation kinetics is discussed in the context of (1) texture-transformation relationship and the preferred transformation of grains belonging to certain texture components over the others, (2) effects of axial strains on shear band evolutions, and (3) volume changes associated with martensitic transformation.« less

Energy-weighted dynamical scattering simulations of electron diffraction modalities in the scanning electron microscope.

PubMed

Pascal, Elena; Singh, Saransh; Callahan, Patrick G; Hourahine, Ben; Trager-Cowan, Carol; Graef, Marc De

2018-04-01

Transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD) has been gaining momentum as a high resolution alternative to electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD), adding to the existing electron diffraction modalities in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The image simulation of any of these measurement techniques requires an energy dependent diffraction model for which, in turn, knowledge of electron energies and diffraction distances distributions is required. We identify the sample-detector geometry and the effect of inelastic events on the diffracting electron beam as the important factors to be considered when predicting these distributions. However, tractable models taking into account inelastic scattering explicitly are lacking. In this study, we expand the Monte Carlo (MC) energy-weighting dynamical simulations models used for EBSD [1] and ECP [2] to the TKD case. We show that the foil thickness in TKD can be used as a means of energy filtering and compare band sharpness in the different modalities. The current model is shown to correctly predict TKD patterns and, through the dictionary indexing approach, to produce higher quality indexed TKD maps than conventional Hough transform approach, especially close to grain boundaries. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The detection of objects in a turbid underwater medium using orbital angular momentum (OAM)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cochenour, Brandon; Rodgers, Lila; Laux, Alan; Mullen, Linda; Morgan, Kaitlyn; Miller, Jerome K.; Johnson, Eric G.

2017-05-01

We present an investigation of the optical property of orbital angular momentum (OAM) for use in the detection of objects obscured by a turbid underwater channel. In our experiment, a target is illuminated by a Gaussian beam. An optical vortex is formed by passing the object-reflected and backscattered light through a diffractive spiral phase plate at the receiver, which allows for the spatial separation of coherent and non-coherent light. This provides a method for discriminating target from environment. Initial laboratory results show that the ballistic target return can be detected 2-3 orders of magnitude below the backscatter clutter level. Furthermore, the detection of this coherent component is accomplished with the use of a complicated optical heterodyning scheme. The results suggest new optical sensing techniques for underwater imaging or LIDAR.

Three dimensional X-ray Diffraction Contrast Tomography Reconstruction of Polycrystalline Strontium Titanate during Sintering and Electron Backscatter Diffraction Validation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syha, M.; Rheinheimer, W.; Loedermann, B.; Graff, A.; Trenkle, A.; Baeurer, M.; Weygand, D.; Ludwig, W.; Gumbsch, P.

The microstructural evolution of polycrystalline strontium titanate was investigated in three dimensions (3D) using X-ray diffraction contrast tomography (DCT) before and after ex-situ annealing at 1600°C. Post-annealing, the specimen was additionally subjected to phase contrast tomography (PCT) in order to finely resolve the porosities. The resulting microstructure reconstructions were studied with special emphasis on morphology and interface orientation during microstructure evolution. Subsequently, cross-sections of the specimen were studied using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Corresponding cross-sections through the 3D reconstruction were identified and the quality of the reconstruction is validated with special emphasis on the spatial resolution at the grain boundaries, the size and location of pores contained in the material and the accuracy of the orientation determination.

Nanometres-resolution Kikuchi patterns from materials science specimens with transmission electron forward scatter diffraction in the scanning electron microscope.

PubMed

Brodusch, N; Demers, H; Gauvin, R

2013-04-01

A charge-coupled device camera of an electron backscattered diffraction system in a scanning electron microscope was positioned below a thin specimen and transmission Kikuchi patterns were collected. Contrary to electron backscattered diffraction, transmission electron forward scatter diffraction provides phase identification and orientation mapping at the nanoscale. The minimum Pd particle size for which a Kikuchi diffraction pattern was detected and indexed reliably was 5.6 nm. An orientation mapping resolution of 5 nm was measured at 30 kV. The resolution obtained with transmission electron forward scatter diffraction was of the same order of magnitude than that reported in electron nanodiffraction in the transmission electron microscope. An energy dispersive spectrometer X-ray map and a transmission electron forward scatter diffraction orientation map were acquired simultaneously. The high-resolution chemical, phase and orientation maps provided at once information on the chemical form, orientation and coherency of precipitates in an aluminium-lithium 2099 alloy. © 2013 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2013 Royal Microscopical Society.

Ionic liquid-based observation technique for nonconductive materials in the scanning electron microscope: Application to the characterization of a rare earth ore.

PubMed

Brodusch, Nicolas; Waters, Kristian; Demers, Hendrix; Gauvin, Raynald

2014-03-01

A new approach for preparing geological materials is proposed to reduce charging during their characterization in a scanning electron microscope. This technique was applied to a sample of the Nechalacho rare earth deposit, which contains a significant amount of the minerals fergusonite and zircon. Instead of covering the specimen surface with a conductive coating, the sample was immersed in a dilute solution of ionic liquid and then air dried prior to SEM analysis. Imaging at a wide range of accelerating voltages was then possible without evidence of charging when using the in-chamber secondary and backscattered electrons detectors, even at 1 kV. High resolution x-ray and electron backscatter diffraction mapping were successfully obtained at 20 and 5 kV with negligible image drifting and permitted the characterization of the microstructure of the zircon/fergusonite-Y aggregates encased in the matrix minerals. Because of the absence of a conductive layer at the surface of the specimen, the Kikuchi band contrast was improved and the backscatter electron signal increased at both 5 and 20 kV as confirmed by Monte Carlo modeling. These major developments led to an improvement of the spatial resolution and efficiency of the above characterization techniques applied to the rare earth ore and it is expected that they can be applied to other types of ores and minerals. Copyright © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Texture analysis of Napoleonic War Era copper bolts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malamud, Florencia; Northover, Shirley; James, Jon; Northover, Peter; Kelleher, Joe

2016-04-01

Neutron diffraction techniques are suitable for volume texture analyses due to high penetration of thermal neutrons in most materials. We have implemented a new data analysis methodology that employed the spatial resolution achievable by a time-of-flight neutron strain scanner to non-destructively determine the crystallographic texture at selected locations within a macroscopic sample. The method is based on defining the orientation distribution function of the crystallites from several incomplete pole figures, and it has been implemented on ENGIN-X, a neutron strain scanner at the Isis Facility in the UK. Here, we demonstrate the application of this new texture analysis methodology in determining the crystallographic texture at selected locations within museum quality archaeological objects up to 1 m in length. The results were verified using samples of similar, but less valuable, objects by comparing the results of applying this method with those obtained using both electron backscatter diffraction and X-ray diffraction on their cross sections.

Microscopic stress characterisation of functional iron-based alloys by white X-ray microbeam diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, E. P.; Sato, S.; Fujieda, S.; Shinoda, K.; Kajiwara, K.; Sato, M.; Suzuki, S.

2018-01-01

Microscopic residual stress evolution in an austenite (γ) grain during a shape-memory process in an Fe-Mn-Si-Cr alloy was investigated using the white X-ray microbeam diffraction technique. The stresses were measured on a coarse grain, which had an orientation near <144>, parallel to the tensile loading direction with a high Schmid factor for a martensitic transformation. The magnitude of the residual stresses in a grain of the sample, which was subjected to a 23 % tensile strain and subsequent shape-recovery heating, was found to be very small and comparable to that prior to tensile deformation. Measurements of the recovery strain and microstructural analyses using electron backscatter diffraction suggested that the low residual stresses could be attributed to the significant shape recovery caused by a highly reversible martensitic transformation in the grain with a particular orientation.

Advances in 6d diffraction contrast tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viganò, N.; Ludwig, W.

2018-04-01

The ability to measure 3D orientation fields and to determine grain boundary character plays a key role in understanding many material science processes, including: crack formation and propagation, grain coarsening, and corrosion processes. X-ray diffraction imaging techniques offer the ability to retrieve such information in a non-destructive manner. Among them, Diffraction Contrast Tomography (DCT) is a monochromatic beam, near-field technique, that uses an extended beam and offers fast mapping of 3D sample volumes. It was previously shown that the six-dimensional extension of DCT can be applied to moderately deformed samples (<= 5% total strain), made from materials that exhibit low levels of elastic deformation of the unit cell (<= 1%). In this article, we improved over the previously proposed 6D-DCT reconstruction method, through the introduction of both a more advanced forward model and reconstruction algorithm. The results obtained with the proposed improvements are compared against the reconstructions previously published in [1], using Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) measurements as a reference. The result was a noticeably higher quality reconstruction of the grain boundary positions and local orientation fields. The achieved reconstruction quality, together with the low acquisition times, render DCT a valuable tool for the stop-motion study of polycrystalline microstructures, evolving as a function of applied strain or thermal annealing treatments, for selected materials.

Energy dependence of the spatial distribution of inelastically scattered electrons in backscatter electron diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ram, Farangis; De Graef, Marc

2018-04-01

In an electron backscatter diffraction pattern (EBSP), the angular distribution of backscattered electrons (BSEs) depends on their energy. Monte Carlo modeling of their depth and energy distributions suggests that the highest energy BSEs are more likely to hit the bottom of the detector than the top. In this paper, we examine experimental EBSPs to validate the modeled angular BSE distribution. To that end, the Kikuchi bandlet method is employed to measure the width of Kikuchi bands in both modeled and measured EBSPs. The results show that in an EBSP obtained with a 15 keV primary probe, the width of a Kikuchi band varies by about 0 .4∘ from the bottom of the EBSD detector to its top. The same is true for a simulated pattern that is composed of BSEs with 5 keV to 15 keV energies, which validates the Monte Carlo simulations.

On the shock response of the magnesium alloy Elektron 675

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hazell, Paul; Appleby-Thomas, Gareth; Siviour, Clive; Wielewski, Euan

2011-06-01

Alloying elements such as aluminium, zinc or rare-earths allow precipitation hardening of magnesium (Mg). The low densities of such strengthened Mg alloys have led to their adoption as aerospace materials and (more recently) they are being considered as armour materials. Consequently, understanding their response to high-strain rate loading is becoming increasingly important. Here, the plate-impact technique was employed to measure longitudinal stress evolution in armour-grade wrought Mg-alloy Elektron 675 under 1D shock loading. The strength and spall behaviour was interrogated, with an estimate made of the material's Hugoniot elastic limit. Finally, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) techniques were employed to investigate post-shock microstructural changes.

Comparison between different techniques applied to quartz CPO determination in granitoid mylonites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fazio, Eugenio; Punturo, Rosalda; Cirrincione, Rosolino; Kern, Hartmut; Wenk, Hans-Rudolph; Pezzino, Antonino; Goswami, Shalini; Mamtani, Manish

2016-04-01

Since the second half of the last century, several techniques have been adopted to resolve the crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of major minerals constituting crustal and mantle rocks. To this aim, many efforts have been made to increase the accuracy of such analytical devices as well as to progressively reduce the time needed to perform microstructural analysis. It is worth noting that many of these microstructural studies deal with quartz CPO because of the wide occurrence of this mineral phase in crustal rocks as well as its quite simple chemical composition. In the present work, four different techniques were applied to define CPOs of dynamically recrystallized quartz domains from naturally deformed rocks collected from a ductile crustal scale shear zone in order to compare their advantages and limitation. The selected Alpine shear zone is located in the Aspromonte Massif (Calabrian Peloritani Orogen, southern Italy) representing granitoid lithotypes. The adopted methods span from "classical" universal stage (US), to image analysis technique (CIP), electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD), and time of flight neutron diffraction (TOF). When compared, bulk texture pole figures obtained by means of these different techniques show a good correlation. Advances in analytical techniques used for microstructural investigations are outlined by discussing results of quartz CPO that are presented in this study.

Determination of dislocation density by electron backscatter diffraction and X-ray line profile analysis in ferrous lath martensite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Berecz, Tibor, E-mail: berecz@eik.bme.hu; Jenei, Péter, E-mail: jenei@metal.elte.hu; Csóré, András, E-mail: csorean@gmail.com

2016-03-15

The microstructure and the dislocation density in as-quenched ferrous lath martensite were studied by different methods. The blocks, packets and variants formed due to martensitic transformation were identified and their sizes were determined by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Concomitant transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation revealed that the laths contain subgrains with the size between 50 and 100 nm. A novel evaluation procedure of EBSD images was elaborated for the determination of the density and the space distribution of geometrically necessary dislocations from the misorientation distribution. The total dislocation density obtained by X-ray diffraction line profile analysis was in good agreementmore » with the value determined by EBSD, indicating that the majority of dislocations formed due to martensitic transformation during quenching are geometrically necessary dislocations.« less

Exploring transmission Kikuchi diffraction using a Timepix detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vespucci, S.; Winkelmann, A.; Mingard, K.; Maneuski, D.; O'Shea, V.; Trager-Cowan, C.

2017-02-01

Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is a well-established scanning electron microscope (SEM)-based technique [1]. It allows the non-destructive mapping of the crystal structure, texture, crystal phase and strain with a spatial resolution of tens of nanometers. Conventionally this is performed by placing an electron sensitive screen, typically consisting of a phosphor screen combined with a charge coupled device (CCD) camera, in front of a specimen, usually tilted 70° to the normal of the exciting electron beam. Recently, a number of authors have shown that a significant increase in spatial resolution is achievable when Kikuchi diffraction patterns are acquired in transmission geometry; that is when diffraction patterns are generated by electrons transmitted through an electron-transparent, usually thinned, specimen. The resolution of this technique, called transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD), has been demonstrated to be better than 10 nm [2,3]. We have recently demonstrated the advantages of a direct electron detector, Timepix [4,5], for the acquisition of standard EBSD patterns [5]. In this article we will discuss the advantages of Timepix to perform TKD and for acquiring spot diffraction patterns and more generally for acquiring scanning transmission electron microscopy micrographs in the SEM. Particularly relevant for TKD, is its very compact size, which allows much more flexibility in the positioning of the detector in the SEM chamber. We will furthermore show recent results using Timepix as a virtual forward scatter detector, and will illustrate the information derivable on producing images through processing of data acquired from different areas of the detector. We will show results from samples ranging from gold nanoparticles to nitride semiconductor nanorods.

Anisotropy of the apparent frequency dependence of backscatter in formalin fixed human myocardium.

PubMed

Hall, C S; Verdonk, E D; Wickline, S A; Perez, J E; Miller, J G

1997-01-01

Measurements of the frequency dependence of ultrasonic backscatter are presented for specific angles of insonification for regions of infarcted and noninfarcted human myocardium. A 5-MHz transducer was used to insonify cylindrical cores taken from 7 noninfarcted regions and 12 infarcted regions of the left ventricular free wall of 6 formalin-fixed human hearts explanted because of ischemic cardiomyopathy. The dependence of apparent (uncompensated for diffraction effects and attenuation) backscatter on frequency was approximated by a power-law dependence, magnitude of B(f)2 = afn. Under ideal conditions in a lossless medium, the effect of not compensating for the effects of diffraction and attenuation leads to the value of n to be 2.0 for Rayleigh scatterers while the frequency dependence of the fully compensated backscatter coefficient would be f4. The value of n was determined over the frequency range, 3-7 MHz. Both nonifarcted and infarcted myocardium exhibited anisotropy of the frequency dependence of backscatter, with maxima occurring at angles that were perpendicular to the predominant myofiber direction and minima when parallel to the fibers. Perpendicular insonification yielded results for n of 1.8 +/- 0.1 for noninfarcted myocardium and 1.2 +/- 0.1 for infarcted myocardium while parallel insonification yielded results of 0.4 +/- 0.1 for noninfarcted and 0.0 +/- 0.1 for infarcted myocardium. The functional form of the angle-dependent backscatter is similar for both noninfarcted and infarcted myocardium, although the frequency dependence is clearly different for both tissue states for all angles of insonification. The results of this study indicate that the anisotropy of the frequency dependence of backscatter may play a significant role in ultrasonic imaging and is an important consideration for ultrasonic tissue characterization in myocardium.

Coarsening behaviour of M23C6 carbides in creep-resistant steel exposed to high temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Godec, M.; Skobir Balantič, D. A.

2016-07-01

High operating temperatures can have very deleterious effects on the long-term performance of high-Cr, creep-resistant steels used, for example, in the structural components of power plants. For the popular creep-resistant steel X20CrMoV12.1 we analysed the processes of carbide growth using a variety of analytical techniques: transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and diffraction (TED), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The evolution of the microstructure after different aging times was the basis for a much better understanding of the boundary-migration processes and the growth of the carbides. We present an explanation as to why some locations are preferential for this growth, and using EBSD we were able to define the proper orientational relationship between the carbides and the matrix.

RBS/C, HRTEM and HRXRD study of damage accumulation in irradiated SrTiO3

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jagielski, Jacek; Jozwik, Przemyslaw A.; Jozwik Biala, Iwona

2013-05-14

Damage accumulation in argon-irradiated SrTiO3 single crystals has been studied by using combination of Rutherford Backscattering/Channeling (RBS/C), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and High Resolution X-Ray Diffraction (HRXRD) techniques. The RBS/C spectra were fitted using McChasy, a Monte Carlo simulation code allowing the quantitative analysis of amorphous-like and dislocation-like types of defects. The results were interpreted by using a Multi-Step Damage Accumulation model which assumes, that the damage accumulation occurs in a series of structural transformations, the defect transformations are triggered by a stress caused by formation of a free volume in the irradiated crystal. This assumption has beenmore » confirmed by High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy and High Resolution X-Ray Diffraction analysis.« less

Investigating the Effects of Pin Tool Design on Friction Stir Welded Ti-6Al-4V

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rubisoff, H. A.; Querin, J. A.; Schneider, Judy A.; Magee, D.

2009-01-01

Friction stir welding (FSWing), a solid state joining technique, uses a non-consumable rotating pin tool to thermomechanically join materials. Heating of the weldment caused by friction and deformation is a function of the interaction between the pin tool and the work piece. Therefore, the geometry of the pin tool is in part responsible for the resulting microstructure and mechanical properties. In this study microwave sintered tungsten carbide (WC) pin tools with tapers and flats were used to FSW Ti-6Al-4V. Transverse sections of welds were mechanically tested, and the microstructure was characterized using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning election microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) were used to characterize the texture within the welds produced from the different pin tool designs.

A correlative approach to segmenting phases and ferrite morphologies in transformation-induced plasticity steel using electron back-scattering diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

PubMed

Gazder, Azdiar A; Al-Harbi, Fayez; Spanke, Hendrik Th; Mitchell, David R G; Pereloma, Elena V

2014-12-01

Using a combination of electron back-scattering diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy data, a segmentation procedure was developed to comprehensively distinguish austenite, martensite, polygonal ferrite, ferrite in granular bainite and bainitic ferrite laths in a thermo-mechanically processed low-Si, high-Al transformation-induced plasticity steel. The efficacy of the ferrite morphologies segmentation procedure was verified by transmission electron microscopy. The variation in carbon content between the ferrite in granular bainite and bainitic ferrite laths was explained on the basis of carbon partitioning during their growth. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Microstructural evolution associated with martensitic transformation in Ni-Mn-Ga alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Z.; Zhang, Y.; Esling, C.; Zhao, X.; Zuo, L.

2015-04-01

Based on the spatially resolved electron backscatter diffraction technique, the microstructural evolution accompanying the martensitic transformation (austenite to 7M martensite) and the intermartensitic transformation (7M martensite to NM martensite) was studied on a polycrystalline Ni53Mn22Ga25 alloy. Results show that the 7M martensite plate groups transformed from initial austenite have a diamond-shape with four twin-related variants. The 7M to NM intermartensitic transformation was accompanied by the thickening of martensite plates. With the experimental results, the characteristics of microstructural evolution during the phase transformations were further analyzed.

Physical characterization of uranium oxide pellets and powder applied in the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group Collaborative Materials Exercise 4

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Griffiths, Grant; Keegan, E.; Young, E.

Physical characterization is one of the most broad and important categories of techniques to apply in a nuclear forensic examination. Physical characterization techniques vary from simple weighing and dimensional measurements to complex sample preparation and scanning electron microscopy-electron backscatter diffraction analysis. This paper reports on the physical characterization conducted by several international laboratories participating in the fourth Collaborative Materials Exercise, organized by the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group. Methods include a range of physical measurements, microscopy-based observations, and profilometry. In conclusion, the value of these results for addressing key investigative questions concerning two uranium dioxide pellets and a uraniummore » dioxide powder is discussed.« less

Physical characterization of uranium oxide pellets and powder applied in the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group Collaborative Materials Exercise 4

DOE PAGES

Griffiths, Grant; Keegan, E.; Young, E.; ...

2018-01-06

Physical characterization is one of the most broad and important categories of techniques to apply in a nuclear forensic examination. Physical characterization techniques vary from simple weighing and dimensional measurements to complex sample preparation and scanning electron microscopy-electron backscatter diffraction analysis. This paper reports on the physical characterization conducted by several international laboratories participating in the fourth Collaborative Materials Exercise, organized by the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group. Methods include a range of physical measurements, microscopy-based observations, and profilometry. In conclusion, the value of these results for addressing key investigative questions concerning two uranium dioxide pellets and a uraniummore » dioxide powder is discussed.« less

Correlative Raman spectroscopy and focused ion beam for targeted phase boundary analysis of titania polymorphs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mangum, John S.; Chan, Lisa H.; Schmidt, Ute

Site-specific preparation of specimens using focused ion beam instruments for transmission electron microscopy is at the forefront of targeting regions of interest for nanoscale characterization. Typical methods of pinpointing desired features include electron backscatter diffraction for differentiating crystal structures and energy-dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy for probing compositional variations. Yet there are situations, notably in the titanium dioxide system, where these techniques can fail. Differentiating between the brookite and anatase polymorphs of titania is either excessively laborious or impossible with the aforementioned techniques. However, due to differences in bonding structure, Raman spectroscopy serves as an ideal candidate for polymorph differentiation. In thismore » work, a correlative approach utilizing Raman spectroscopy for targeted focused ion beam specimen preparation was employed. Dark field imaging and diffraction in the transmission electron microscope confirmed the region of interest located via Raman spectroscopy and demonstrated the validity of this new method. Correlative Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and focused ion beam is shown to be a promising new technique for identifying site-specific preparation of nanoscale specimens in cases where conventional approaches do not suffice.« less

Correlative Raman spectroscopy and focused ion beam for targeted phase boundary analysis of titania polymorphs.

PubMed

Mangum, John S; Chan, Lisa H; Schmidt, Ute; Garten, Lauren M; Ginley, David S; Gorman, Brian P

2018-05-01

Site-specific preparation of specimens using focused ion beam instruments for transmission electron microscopy is at the forefront of targeting regions of interest for nanoscale characterization. Typical methods of pinpointing desired features include electron backscatter diffraction for differentiating crystal structures and energy-dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy for probing compositional variations. Yet there are situations, notably in the titanium dioxide system, where these techniques can fail. Differentiating between the brookite and anatase polymorphs of titania is either excessively laborious or impossible with the aforementioned techniques. However, due to differences in bonding structure, Raman spectroscopy serves as an ideal candidate for polymorph differentiation. In this work, a correlative approach utilizing Raman spectroscopy for targeted focused ion beam specimen preparation was employed. Dark field imaging and diffraction in the transmission electron microscope confirmed the region of interest located via Raman spectroscopy and demonstrated the validity of this new method. Correlative Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and focused ion beam is shown to be a promising new technique for identifying site-specific preparation of nanoscale specimens in cases where conventional approaches do not suffice. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Correlative Raman spectroscopy and focused ion beam for targeted phase boundary analysis of titania polymorphs

DOE PAGES

Mangum, John S.; Chan, Lisa H.; Schmidt, Ute; ...

2018-02-23

Site-specific preparation of specimens using focused ion beam instruments for transmission electron microscopy is at the forefront of targeting regions of interest for nanoscale characterization. Typical methods of pinpointing desired features include electron backscatter diffraction for differentiating crystal structures and energy-dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy for probing compositional variations. Yet there are situations, notably in the titanium dioxide system, where these techniques can fail. Differentiating between the brookite and anatase polymorphs of titania is either excessively laborious or impossible with the aforementioned techniques. However, due to differences in bonding structure, Raman spectroscopy serves as an ideal candidate for polymorph differentiation. In thismore » work, a correlative approach utilizing Raman spectroscopy for targeted focused ion beam specimen preparation was employed. Dark field imaging and diffraction in the transmission electron microscope confirmed the region of interest located via Raman spectroscopy and demonstrated the validity of this new method. Correlative Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and focused ion beam is shown to be a promising new technique for identifying site-specific preparation of nanoscale specimens in cases where conventional approaches do not suffice.« less

Crack nucleation using combined crystal plasticity modelling, high-resolution digital image correlation and high-resolution electron backscatter diffraction in a superalloy containing non-metallic inclusions under fatigue

PubMed Central

Zhang, Tiantian; Britton, Ben; Shollock, Barbara; Dunne, Fionn

2016-01-01

A crystal plasticity finite-element model, which explicitly and directly represents the complex microstructures of a non-metallic agglomerate inclusion within polycrystal nickel alloy, has been developed to study the mechanistic basis of fatigue crack nucleation. The methodology is to use the crystal plasticity model in conjunction with direct measurement at the microscale using high (angular) resolution-electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD) and high (spatial) resolution-digital image correlation (HR-DIC) strain measurement techniques. Experimentally, this sample has been subjected to heat treatment leading to the establishment of residual (elastic) strains local to the agglomerate and subsequently loaded under conditions of low cyclic fatigue. The full thermal and mechanical loading history was reproduced within the model. HR-EBSD and HR-DIC elastic and total strain measurements demonstrate qualitative and quantitative agreement with crystal plasticity results. Crack nucleation by interfacial decohesion at the nickel matrix/agglomerate inclusion boundaries is observed experimentally, and systematic modelling studies enable the mechanistic basis of the nucleation to be established. A number of fatigue crack nucleation indicators are also assessed against the experimental results. Decohesion was found to be driven by interface tensile normal stress alone, and the interfacial strength was determined to be in the range of 1270–1480 MPa. PMID:27279765

Crack nucleation using combined crystal plasticity modelling, high-resolution digital image correlation and high-resolution electron backscatter diffraction in a superalloy containing non-metallic inclusions under fatigue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Tiantian; Jiang, Jun; Britton, Ben; Shollock, Barbara; Dunne, Fionn

2016-05-01

A crystal plasticity finite-element model, which explicitly and directly represents the complex microstructures of a non-metallic agglomerate inclusion within polycrystal nickel alloy, has been developed to study the mechanistic basis of fatigue crack nucleation. The methodology is to use the crystal plasticity model in conjunction with direct measurement at the microscale using high (angular) resolution-electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD) and high (spatial) resolution-digital image correlation (HR-DIC) strain measurement techniques. Experimentally, this sample has been subjected to heat treatment leading to the establishment of residual (elastic) strains local to the agglomerate and subsequently loaded under conditions of low cyclic fatigue. The full thermal and mechanical loading history was reproduced within the model. HR-EBSD and HR-DIC elastic and total strain measurements demonstrate qualitative and quantitative agreement with crystal plasticity results. Crack nucleation by interfacial decohesion at the nickel matrix/agglomerate inclusion boundaries is observed experimentally, and systematic modelling studies enable the mechanistic basis of the nucleation to be established. A number of fatigue crack nucleation indicators are also assessed against the experimental results. Decohesion was found to be driven by interface tensile normal stress alone, and the interfacial strength was determined to be in the range of 1270-1480 MPa.

Non-destructive mapping of grain orientations in 3D by laboratory X-ray microscopy

PubMed Central

McDonald, S. A.; Reischig, P.; Holzner, C.; Lauridsen, E. M.; Withers, P. J.; Merkle, A. P.; Feser, M.

2015-01-01

The ability to characterise crystallographic microstructure, non-destructively and in three-dimensions, is a powerful tool for understanding many aspects related to damage and deformation mechanisms in polycrystalline materials. To this end, the technique of X-ray diffraction contrast tomography (DCT) using monochromatic synchrotron and polychromatic laboratory X-ray sources has been shown to be capable of mapping crystal grains and their orientations non-destructively in 3D. Here we describe a novel laboratory-based X-ray DCT modality (LabDCT), enabling the wider accessibility of the DCT technique for routine use and in-depth studies of, for example, temporal changes in crystallographic grain structure non-destructively over time through ‘4D’ in situ time-lapse studies. The capability of the technique is demonstrated by studying a titanium alloy (Ti-β21S) sample. In the current implementation the smallest grains that can be reliably detected are around 40 μm. The individual grain locations and orientations are reconstructed using the LabDCT method and the results are validated against independent measurements from phase contrast tomography and electron backscatter diffraction respectively. Application of the technique promises to provide important insights related to the roles of recrystallization and grain growth on materials properties as well as supporting 3D polycrystalline modelling of materials performance. PMID:26494523

Non-destructive mapping of grain orientations in 3D by laboratory X-ray microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McDonald, S. A.; Reischig, P.; Holzner, C.; Lauridsen, E. M.; Withers, P. J.; Merkle, A. P.; Feser, M.

2015-10-01

The ability to characterise crystallographic microstructure, non-destructively and in three-dimensions, is a powerful tool for understanding many aspects related to damage and deformation mechanisms in polycrystalline materials. To this end, the technique of X-ray diffraction contrast tomography (DCT) using monochromatic synchrotron and polychromatic laboratory X-ray sources has been shown to be capable of mapping crystal grains and their orientations non-destructively in 3D. Here we describe a novel laboratory-based X-ray DCT modality (LabDCT), enabling the wider accessibility of the DCT technique for routine use and in-depth studies of, for example, temporal changes in crystallographic grain structure non-destructively over time through ‘4D’ in situ time-lapse studies. The capability of the technique is demonstrated by studying a titanium alloy (Ti-β21S) sample. In the current implementation the smallest grains that can be reliably detected are around 40 μm. The individual grain locations and orientations are reconstructed using the LabDCT method and the results are validated against independent measurements from phase contrast tomography and electron backscatter diffraction respectively. Application of the technique promises to provide important insights related to the roles of recrystallization and grain growth on materials properties as well as supporting 3D polycrystalline modelling of materials performance.

Non-destructive mapping of grain orientations in 3D by laboratory X-ray microscopy.

PubMed

McDonald, S A; Reischig, P; Holzner, C; Lauridsen, E M; Withers, P J; Merkle, A P; Feser, M

2015-10-23

The ability to characterise crystallographic microstructure, non-destructively and in three-dimensions, is a powerful tool for understanding many aspects related to damage and deformation mechanisms in polycrystalline materials. To this end, the technique of X-ray diffraction contrast tomography (DCT) using monochromatic synchrotron and polychromatic laboratory X-ray sources has been shown to be capable of mapping crystal grains and their orientations non-destructively in 3D. Here we describe a novel laboratory-based X-ray DCT modality (LabDCT), enabling the wider accessibility of the DCT technique for routine use and in-depth studies of, for example, temporal changes in crystallographic grain structure non-destructively over time through '4D' in situ time-lapse studies. The capability of the technique is demonstrated by studying a titanium alloy (Ti-β21S) sample. In the current implementation the smallest grains that can be reliably detected are around 40 μm. The individual grain locations and orientations are reconstructed using the LabDCT method and the results are validated against independent measurements from phase contrast tomography and electron backscatter diffraction respectively. Application of the technique promises to provide important insights related to the roles of recrystallization and grain growth on materials properties as well as supporting 3D polycrystalline modelling of materials performance.

Optical analysis of nanoparticles via enhanced backscattering facilitated by 3-D photonic nanojets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xu; Chen, Zhigang; Taflove, Allen; Backman, Vadim

2005-01-01

We report the phenomenon of ultra-enhanced backscattering of visible light by nanoparticles facilitated by the 3-D photonic nanojet a sub-diffraction light beam appearing at the shadow side of a plane-waveilluminated dielectric microsphere. Our rigorous numerical simulations show that backscattering intensity of nanoparticles can be enhanced up to eight orders of magnitude when locating in the nanojet. As a result, the enhanced backscattering from a nanoparticle with diameter on the order of 10 nm is well above the background signal generated by the dielectric microsphere itself. We also report that nanojet-enhanced backscattering is extremely sensitive to the size of the nanoparticle, permitting in principle resolving sub-nanometer size differences using visible light. Finally, we show how the position of a nanoparticle could be determined with subdiffractional accuracy by recording the angular distribution of the backscattered light. These properties of photonic nanojets promise to make this phenomenon a useful tool for optically detecting, differentiating, and sorting nanoparticles.

Microstructural and micromechanical characterization of IN718 theta shaped specimens built with electron beam melting

DOE PAGES

Cakmak, Ercan; Kirka, Michael M.; Watkins, Thomas R.; ...

2016-02-23

Theta-shaped specimens were additively manufactured out of Inconel 718 powders using an electron beam melting technique, as a model complex load bearing structure. We employed two different build strategies; producing two sets of specimens. Microstructural and micro-mechanical characterizations were performed using electron back-scatter, synchrotron x-ray and in-situ neutron diffraction techniques. In particular, the cross-members of the specimens were the focus of the synchrotron x-ray and in-situ neutron diffraction measurements. The build strategies employed resulted in the formation of distinct microstructures and crystallographic textures, signifying the importance of build-parameter manipulation for microstructural optimization. Large strain anisotropy of the different lattice planesmore » was observed during in-situ loading. Texture was concluded to have a distinct effect upon both the axial and transverse strain responses of the cross-members. In particular, the (200), (220) and (420) transverse lattice strains all showed unexpected overlapping trends in both builds. This was related to the strong {200} textures along the build/loading direction, providing agreement between the experimental and calculated results.« less

Post Deformation Annealing Behaviour of Mg-Al-Sn Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kabir, Abu Syed Humaun; Su, Jing; Sanjari, Mehdi; Jung, In-Ho; Yue, Stephen

In this study, effects of dynamically formed precipitates on the microstructure and texture evolutions were investigated after the post deformation annealing for various times. Two ternary alloys of Mg, Al and Sn were designed, produced and deformed at 300°C at a strain rate of 0.01s-1 to form different amounts of strain induced precipitates during deformation. Subsequent annealing at deformation temperature was performed for up to 4 hours. Microstructures and precipitation were investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopes and macro and micro-texture were measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Electron Back-Scattered Diffraction (EBSD) techniques, respectively. It was found that certain amount of strain induced precipitates was necessary to prevent grain growth for a certain time during annealing by grain boundary pinning effect. Also, texture randomization was possible with the presence of precipitates after certain time of annealing.

Characterization of ultrafine grained Cu-Ni-Si alloys by electron backscatter diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Altenberger, I.; Kuhn, H. A.; Gholami, M.; Mhaede, M.; Wagner, L.

2014-08-01

A combination of rotary swaging and optimized precipitation hardening was applied to generate ultra fine grained (UFG) microstructures in low alloyed high performance Cu-based alloy CuNi3Si1Mg. As a result, ultrafine grained (UFG) microstructures with nanoscopically small Ni2Si-precipitates exhibiting high strength, ductility and electrical conductivity can be obtained. Grain boundary pinning by nano-precipitates enhances the thermal stability. Electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) and especially electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) are predestined to characterize the evolving microstructures due to excellent resolution and vast crystallographic information. The following study summarizes the microstructure after different processing steps and points out the consequences for the most important mechanical and physical properties such as strength, ductility and conductivity.

Backscatter analysis of dihedral corner reflectors using physical optics and the physical theory of diffraction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Griesser, Timothy; Balanis, Constantine A.

1987-01-01

The backscatter cross-sections of dihedral corner reflectors in the azimuthal plane are presently determined by both physical optics (PO) and the physical theory of diffraction (PTD), yielding results for the vertical and horizontal polarizations. In the first analysis method used, geometrical optics is used in place of PO at initial reflections in order to maintain the planar character of the reflected wave and reduce the complexity of the analysis. In the second method, PO is used at almost every reflection in order to maximize the accuracy of the PTD solution at the expense of a rapid increase in complexity. Induced surface current densities and resulting cross section patterns are illustrated for the two methods.

Calculation of the effects of ice on the backscatter of a ground plane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lambert, K. M.; Peters, L., Jr.

1988-01-01

Described is a technique for examining the effect of a rough ice layer on the backscatter of a ground plane. The technique is applied to the special case of a rough ice layer that is periodic in space. By assuming that the roughness is periodic, the backscatter of the ground plane can be found from the backscatter of a single period. Backscatter calculations are presented for a single period in which the thickness of the ice layer has a Gaussian shape.

A multimodal microcharacterisation of trace-element zonation and crystallographic orientation in natural cassiterite by combining cathodoluminescence, EBSD, EPMA and contribution of confocal Raman-in-SEM imaging.

PubMed

Wille, G; Lerouge, C; Schmidt, U

2018-01-16

In cassiterite, tin is associated with metals (titanium, niobium, tantalum, indium, tungsten, iron, manganese, mercury). Knowledge of mineral chemistry and trace-element distribution is essential for: the understanding of ore formation, the exploration phase, the feasibility of ore treatment, and disposal/treatment of tailings after the exploitation phase. However, the availability of analytical methods make these characterisations difficult. We present a multitechnical approach to chemical and structural data that includes scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-based imaging and microanalysis techniques such as: secondary and backscattered electrons, cathodoluminescence (CL), electron probe microanalyser (EPMA), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and confocal Raman-imaging integrated in a SEM (RISE). The presented results show the complementarity of the used analytical techniques. SEM, CL, EBSD, EPMA provide information from the interaction of an electron beam with minerals, leading to atomistic information about their composition, whereas RISE, Raman spectroscopy and imaging completes the studies with information about molecular vibrations, which are sensitive to structural modifications of the minerals. The correlation of Raman bands with the presence/absence of Nb, Ta, Fe (heterovalent substitution) and Ti (homovalent substitution) is established at a submicrometric scale. Combination of the different techniques makes it possible to establish a direct link between chemical and crystallographic data of cassiterite. © 2018 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2018 Royal Microscopical Society.

Backscattered Diffraction | Materials Science | NREL

Science.gov Websites

crystalline orientation (left) and grain distribution (right). EBSD images showing properties of crystalline investigate misorientation between grain boundaries, texture, grain distribution, deformation, strain, and

Influence of orbital symmetry on diffraction imaging with rescattering electron wave packets

DOE PAGES

Pullen, M. G.; Wolter, B.; Le, A. -T.; ...

2016-06-22

The ability to directly follow and time-resolve the rearrangement of the nuclei within molecules is a frontier of science that requires atomic spatial and few-femtosecond temporal resolutions. While laser-induced electron diffraction can meet these requirements, it was recently concluded that molecules with particular orbital symmetries (such as pg) cannot be imaged using purely backscattering electron wave packets without molecular alignment. Here, we demonstrate, in direct contradiction to these findings, that the orientation and shape of molecular orbitals presents no impediment for retrieving molecular structure with adequate sampling of the momentum transfer space. We overcome previous issues by showcasing retrieval ofmore » the structure of randomly oriented O 2 and C 2H 2 molecules, with π g and π u symmetries, respectively, and where their ionization probabilities do not maximize along their molecular axes. As a result, while this removes a serious bottleneck for laser-induced diffraction imaging, we find unexpectedly strong backscattering contributions from low-Z atoms.« less

EBSD and Nanoindentation-Correlated Study of Delamination Fracture in Al-Li Alloy 2090

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tayon, Wesley A.; Crooks, Roy E.; Domack, Marcia S.; Wagner, John A.; Elmustafa, A. A.

2008-01-01

Al-Li alloys offer attractive combinations of high strength and low density. However, a tendency for delamination fracture has limited their use. A better understanding of the delamination mechanisms may identify methods to control delaminations through processing modifications. A combination of new techniques has been used to evaluate delamination fracture in Al-Li alloys. Both high quality electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) information and valid nanoindentation measurements were obtained from fractured test specimens. Correlations were drawn between nano-scale hardness variations and local texture along delaminating boundaries. Intriguing findings were observed for delamination fracture through the combined analysis of grain orientation, Taylor factor, and kernel average misorientation.

Use of surrogate technologies to estimate suspended sediment in the Clearwater River, Idaho, and Snake River, Washington, 2008-10

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wood, Molly S.; Teasdale, Gregg N.

2013-01-01

Elevated levels of fluvial sediment can reduce the biological productivity of aquatic systems, impair freshwater quality, decrease reservoir storage capacity, and decrease the capacity of hydraulic structures. The need to measure fluvial sediment has led to the development of sediment surrogate technologies, particularly in locations where streamflow alone is not a good estimator of sediment load because of regulated flow, load hysteresis, episodic sediment sources, and non-equilibrium sediment transport. An effective surrogate technology is low maintenance and sturdy over a range of hydrologic conditions, and measured variables can be modeled to estimate suspended-sediment concentration (SSC), load, and duration of elevated levels on a real-time basis. Among the most promising techniques is the measurement of acoustic backscatter strength using acoustic Doppler velocity meters (ADVMs) deployed in rivers. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, evaluated the use of acoustic backscatter, turbidity, laser diffraction, and streamflow as surrogates for estimating real-time SSC and loads in the Clearwater and Snake Rivers, which adjoin in Lewiston, Idaho, and flow into Lower Granite Reservoir. The study was conducted from May 2008 to September 2010 and is part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lower Snake River Programmatic Sediment Management Plan to identify and manage sediment sources in basins draining into lower Snake River reservoirs. Commercially available acoustic instruments have shown great promise in sediment surrogate studies because they require little maintenance and measure profiles of the surrogate parameter across a sampling volume rather than at a single point. The strength of acoustic backscatter theoretically increases as more particles are suspended in the water to reflect the acoustic pulse emitted by the ADVM. ADVMs of different frequencies (0.5, 1.5, and 3 Megahertz) were tested to target various sediment grain sizes. Laser diffraction and turbidity also were tested as surrogate technologies. Models between SSC and surrogate variables were developed using ordinary least-squares regression. Acoustic backscatter using the high frequency ADVM at each site was the best predictor of sediment, explaining 93 and 92 percent of the variability in SSC and matching sediment sample data within +8.6 and +10 percent, on average, at the Clearwater River and Snake River study sites, respectively. Additional surrogate models were developed to estimate sand and fines fractions of suspended sediment based on acoustic backscatter. Acoustic backscatter generally appears to be a better estimator of suspended sediment concentration and load over short (storm event and monthly) and long (annual) time scales than transport curves derived solely from the regression of conventional sediment measurements and streamflow. Changing grain sizes, the presence of organic matter, and aggregation of sediments in the river likely introduce some variability in the model between acoustic backscatter and SSC.

Atom Probe Tomography Studies on the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Grain Boundaries

PubMed Central

Cojocaru-Mirédin, Oana; Schwarz, Torsten; Choi, Pyuck-Pa; Herbig, Michael; Wuerz, Roland; Raabe, Dierk

2013-01-01

Compared with the existent techniques, atom probe tomography is a unique technique able to chemically characterize the internal interfaces at the nanoscale and in three dimensions. Indeed, APT possesses high sensitivity (in the order of ppm) and high spatial resolution (sub nm). Considerable efforts were done here to prepare an APT tip which contains the desired grain boundary with a known structure. Indeed, site-specific sample preparation using combined focused-ion-beam, electron backscatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy is presented in this work. This method allows selected grain boundaries with a known structure and location in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-films to be studied by atom probe tomography. Finally, we discuss the advantages and drawbacks of using the atom probe tomography technique to study the grain boundaries in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-film solar cells. PMID:23629452

Correlative Tomography

PubMed Central

Burnett, T. L.; McDonald, S. A.; Gholinia, A.; Geurts, R.; Janus, M.; Slater, T.; Haigh, S. J.; Ornek, C.; Almuaili, F.; Engelberg, D. L.; Thompson, G. E.; Withers, P. J.

2014-01-01

Increasingly researchers are looking to bring together perspectives across multiple scales, or to combine insights from different techniques, for the same region of interest. To this end, correlative microscopy has already yielded substantial new insights in two dimensions (2D). Here we develop correlative tomography where the correlative task is somewhat more challenging because the volume of interest is typically hidden beneath the sample surface. We have threaded together x-ray computed tomography, serial section FIB-SEM tomography, electron backscatter diffraction and finally TEM elemental analysis all for the same 3D region. This has allowed observation of the competition between pitting corrosion and intergranular corrosion at multiple scales revealing the structural hierarchy, crystallography and chemistry of veiled corrosion pits in stainless steel. With automated correlative workflows and co-visualization of the multi-scale or multi-modal datasets the technique promises to provide insights across biological, geological and materials science that are impossible using either individual or multiple uncorrelated techniques. PMID:24736640

Analysis of FIB-induced damage by electron channelling contrast imaging in the SEM.

PubMed

Gutierrez-Urrutia, Ivan

2017-01-01

We have investigated the Ga + ion-damage effect induced by focused ion beam (FIB) milling in a [001] single crystal of a 316 L stainless steel by the electron channelling contrast imaging (ECCI) technique. The influence of FIB milling on the characteristic electron channelling contrast of surface dislocations was analysed. The ECCI approach provides sound estimation of the damage depth produced by FIB milling. For comparison purposes, we have also studied the same milled surface by a conventional electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) approach. We observe that the ECCI approach provides further insight into the Ga + ion-damage phenomenon than the EBSD technique by direct imaging of FIB artefacts in the scanning electron microscope. We envisage that the ECCI technique may be a convenient tool to optimize the FIB milling settings in applications where the surface crystal defect content is relevant. © 2016 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2016 Royal Microscopical Society.

Identifying Planar Deformation Features Using EBSD and FIB

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pickersgill, A. E.; Lee, M. R.

2015-09-01

Planar deformation features in quartz grains from the Gow Lake impact structure have been successfully identified and indexed using electron backscatter diffraction in combination with focused ion beam milling.

Improved detection and mapping of deepwater hydrocarbon seeps: optimizing multibeam echosounder seafloor backscatter acquisition and processing techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitchell, Garrett A.; Orange, Daniel L.; Gharib, Jamshid J.; Kennedy, Paul

2018-06-01

Marine seep hunting surveys are a current focus of hydrocarbon exploration surveys due to recent advances in offshore geophysical surveying, geochemical sampling, and analytical technologies. Hydrocarbon seeps are ephemeral, small, discrete, and therefore difficult to sample on the deep seafloor. Multibeam echosounders are an efficient seafloor exploration tool to remotely locate and map seep features. Geophysical signatures from hydrocarbon seeps are acoustically-evident in bathymetric, seafloor backscatter, midwater backscatter datasets. Interpretation of these signatures in backscatter datasets is a fundamental component of commercial seep hunting campaigns. Degradation of backscatter datasets resulting from environmental, geometric, and system noise can interfere with the detection and delineation of seeps. We present a relative backscatter intensity normalization method and an oversampling acquisition technique that can improve the geological resolvability of hydrocarbon seeps. We use Green Canyon (GC) Block 600 in the Northern Gulf of Mexico as a seep calibration site for a Kongsberg EM302 30 kHz MBES prior to the start of the Gigante seep hunting program to analyze these techniques. At GC600, we evaluate the results of a backscatter intensity normalization, assess the effectiveness of 2X seafloor coverage in resolving seep-related features in backscatter data, and determine the off-nadir detection limits of bubble plumes using the EM302. Incorporating these techniques into seep hunting surveys can improve the detectability and sampling of seafloor seeps.

Self-pumped Gaussian beam-coupling and stimulated backscatter due to reflection gratings in a photorefractive material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saleh, Mohammad Abu

2007-05-01

When overlapping monochromatic light beams interfere in a photorefractive material, the resulting intensity fringes create a spatially modulated charge distribution. The resulting refractive index grating may cause power transfer from one beam (the pump) to the other beam (the signal). In a special case of the reflection grating geometry, the Fresnel reflection of the pump beam from the rear surface of the crystal is used as the signal beam. It has been noted that for this self-pumped, contra-directional two-beam coupling (SPCD-TBC) geometry, the coupling efficiency seems to be strongly dependent on the focal position and spot size, which is attributed to diffraction and the resulting change in the spatial overlaps between the pump and signal. In this work a full diffraction based simulation of SPCD-TBC for a Gaussian beam is developed with a novel algorithm. In a related context involving reflection gratings, a particular phenomenon named six-wave mixing has received some interest in the photorefractive research. The generation of multiple waves during near-oblique incidence of a 532 nm weakly focused laser light on photorefractive iron doped lithium niobate in a typical reflection geometry configuration is studied. It is shown that these waves are produced through two-wave coupling (self-diffraction) and four-wave mixing (parametric diffraction). One of these waves, the stimulated photorefractive backscatter produced from parametric diffraction, contains the self-phase conjugate. The dynamics of six-wave mixing, and their dependence on crystal parameters, angle of incidence, and pump power are analyzed. A novel order analysis of the interaction equations provides further insight into experimental observations in the steady state. The quality of the backscatter is evaluated through image restoration, interference experiments, and visibility measurement. Reduction of two-wave coupling may significantly improve the quality of the self-phase conjugate.

Backscattering from a Gaussian distributed, perfectly conducting, rough surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, G. S.

1977-01-01

The problem of scattering by random surfaces possessing many scales of roughness is analyzed. The approach is applicable to bistatic scattering from dielectric surfaces, however, this specific analysis is restricted to backscattering from a perfectly conducting surface in order to more clearly illustrate the method. The surface is assumed to be Gaussian distributed so that the surface height can be split into large and small scale components, relative to the electromagnetic wavelength. A first order perturbation approach is employed wherein the scattering solution for the large scale structure is perturbed by the small scale diffraction effects. The scattering from the large scale structure is treated via geometrical optics techniques. The effect of the large scale surface structure is shown to be equivalent to a convolution in k-space of the height spectrum with the following: the shadowing function, a polarization and surface slope dependent function, and a Gaussian factor resulting from the unperturbed geometrical optics solution. This solution provides a continuous transition between the near normal incidence geometrical optics and wide angle Bragg scattering results.

Light scattering by marine algae: two-layer spherical and nonspherical models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quirantes, Arturo; Bernard, Stewart

2004-11-01

Light scattering properties of algae-like particles are modeled using the T-matrix for coated scatterers. Two basic geometries have been considered: off-centered coated spheres and centered spheroids. Extinction, scattering and absorption efficiencies, plus scattering in the backward plane, are compared to simpler models like homogeneous (Mie) and coated (Aden-Kerker) models. The anomalous diffraction approximation (ADA), of widespread use in the oceanographic light-scattering community, has also been used as a first approximation, for both homogeneous and coated spheres. T-matrix calculations show that some light scattering values, such as extinction and scattering efficiencies, have little dependence on particle shape, thus reinforcing the view that simpler (Mie, Aden-Kerker) models can be applied to infer refractive index (RI) data from absorption curves. The backscattering efficiency, on the other hand, is quite sensitive to shape. This calls into question the use of light scattering techniques where the phase function plays a pivotal role, and can help explain the observed discrepancy between theoretical and experimental values of the backscattering coefficient in observed in oceanic studies.

Electron microscopy characterization of Ni-Cr-B-Si-C laser deposited coatings.

PubMed

Hemmati, I; Rao, J C; Ocelík, V; De Hosson, J Th M

2013-02-01

During laser deposition of Ni-Cr-B-Si-C alloys with high amounts of Cr and B, various microstructures and phases can be generated from the same chemical composition that results in heterogeneous properties in the clad layer. In this study, the microstructure and phase constitution of a high-alloy Ni-Cr-B-Si-C coating deposited by laser cladding were analyzed by a combination of several microscopy characterization techniques including scanning electron microscopy in secondary and backscatter imaging modes, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The combination of EDS and EBSD allowed unequivocal identification of micron-sized precipitates as polycrystalline orthorhombic CrB, single crystal tetragonal Cr5B3, and single crystal hexagonal Cr7C3. In addition, TEM characterization showed various equilibrium and metastable Ni-B, Ni-Si, and Ni-Si-B eutectic products in the alloy matrix. The findings of this study can be used to explain the phase formation reactions and to tune the microstructure of Ni-Cr-B-Si-C coatings to obtain the desired properties.

Three Dimensional Characterization of Tin Crystallography and Cu6Sn5 Intermetallics in Solder Joints by Multiscale Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirubanandham, A.; Lujan-Regalado, I.; Vallabhaneni, R.; Chawla, N.

2016-11-01

Decreasing pitch size in electronic packaging has resulted in a drastic decrease in solder volumes. The Sn grain crystallography and fraction of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) in small-scale solder joints evolve much differently at the smaller length scales. A cross-sectional study limits the morphological analysis of microstructural features to two dimensions. This study utilizes serial sectioning technique in conjunction with electron backscatter diffraction to investigate the crystallographic orientation of both Sn grains and Cu6Sn5 IMCs in Cu/Pure Sn/Cu solder joints in three dimensional (3D). Quantification of grain aspect ratio is affected by local cooling rate differences within the solder volume. Backscatter electron imaging and focused ion beam serial sectioning enabled the visualization of morphology of both nanosized Cu6Sn5 IMCs and the hollow hexagonal morphology type Cu6Sn5 IMCs in 3D. Quantification and visualization of microstructural features in 3D thus enable us to better understand the microstructure and deformation mechanics within these small scale solder joints.

Advanced 3D Characterization and Reconstruction of Reactor Materials FY16 Final Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fromm, Bradley; Hauch, Benjamin; Sridharan, Kumar

2016-12-01

A coordinated effort to link advanced materials characterization methods and computational modeling approaches is critical to future success for understanding and predicting the behavior of reactor materials that operate at extreme conditions. The difficulty and expense of working with nuclear materials have inhibited the use of modern characterization techniques on this class of materials. Likewise, mesoscale simulation efforts have been impeded due to insufficient experimental data necessary for initialization and validation of the computer models. The objective of this research is to develop methods to integrate advanced materials characterization techniques developed for reactor materials with state-of-the-art mesoscale modeling and simulationmore » tools. Research to develop broad-ion beam sample preparation, high-resolution electron backscatter diffraction, and digital microstructure reconstruction techniques; and methods for integration of these techniques into mesoscale modeling tools are detailed. Results for both irradiated and un-irradiated reactor materials are presented for FY14 - FY16 and final remarks are provided.« less

Application of ASTAR(TM)/Precession Electron Diffraction Technique to Quantitatively Study Defects in Nanocrystalline Metallic Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghamarian, Iman

Nanocrystalline metallic materials have the potential to exhibit outstanding performance which leads to their usage in challenging applications such as coatings and biomedical implant devices. To optimize the performance of nanocrystalline metallic materials according to the desired applications, it is important to have a decent understanding of the structure, processing and properties of these materials. Various efforts have been made to correlate microstructure and properties of nanocrystalline metallic materials. Based on these research activities, it is noticed that microstructure and defects (e.g., dislocations and grain boundaries) play a key role in the behavior of these materials. Therefore, it is of great importance to establish methods to quantitatively study microstructures, defects and their interactions in nanocrystalline metallic materials. Since the mechanisms controlling the properties of nanocrystalline metallic materials occur at a very small length scale, it is fairly difficult to study them. Unfortunately, most of the characterization techniques used to explore these materials do not have the high enough spatial resolution required for the characterization of these materials. For instance, by applying complex profile-fitting algorithms to X-ray diffraction patterns, it is possible to get an estimation of the average grain size and the average dislocation density within a relatively large area. However, these average values are not enough for developing meticulous phenomenological models which are able to correlate microstructure and properties of nanocrystalline metallic materials. As another example, electron backscatter diffraction technique also cannot be used widely in the characterization of these materials due to problems such as relative poor spatial resolution (which is 90 nm) and the degradation of Kikuchi diffraction patterns in severely deformed nano-size grain metallic materials. In this study, ASTAR(TM)/precession electron diffraction is introduced as a relatively new orientation microscopy technique to characterize defects (e.g., geometrically necessary dislocations and grain boundaries) in challenging nanocrystalline metallic materials. The capability of this characterization technique to quantitatively determine the dislocation density distributions of geometrically necessary dislocations in severely deformed metallic materials is assessed. Based on the developed method, it is possible to determine the distributions and accumulations of dislocations with respect to the nearest grain boundaries and triple junctions. Also, the competency of this technique to study the grain boundary character distributions of nanocrystalline metallic materials is presented.

Large Area Stress Distribution in Crystalline Materials Calculated from Lattice Deformation Identified by Electron Backscatter Diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Yongliang; Zhang, Lei; Hao, Xiaopeng; Wu, Yongzhong; Dai, Yuanbin; Tian, Yuan; Huo, Qin

2014-08-01

We report a method to obtain the stress of crystalline materials directly from lattice deformation by Hooke's law. The lattice deformation was calculated using the crystallographic orientations obtained from electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technology. The stress distribution over a large area was obtained efficiently and accurately using this method. Wurtzite structure gallium nitride (GaN) crystal was used as the example of a hexagonal crystal system. With this method, the stress distribution of a GaN crystal was obtained. Raman spectroscopy was used to verify the stress distribution. The cause of the stress distribution found in the GaN crystal was discussed from theoretical analysis and EBSD data. Other properties related to lattice deformation, such as piezoelectricity, can also be analyzed by this novel approach based on EBSD data.

Large area stress distribution in crystalline materials calculated from lattice deformation identified by electron backscatter diffraction.

PubMed

Shao, Yongliang; Zhang, Lei; Hao, Xiaopeng; Wu, Yongzhong; Dai, Yuanbin; Tian, Yuan; Huo, Qin

2014-08-05

We report a method to obtain the stress of crystalline materials directly from lattice deformation by Hooke's law. The lattice deformation was calculated using the crystallographic orientations obtained from electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technology. The stress distribution over a large area was obtained efficiently and accurately using this method. Wurtzite structure gallium nitride (GaN) crystal was used as the example of a hexagonal crystal system. With this method, the stress distribution of a GaN crystal was obtained. Raman spectroscopy was used to verify the stress distribution. The cause of the stress distribution found in the GaN crystal was discussed from theoretical analysis and EBSD data. Other properties related to lattice deformation, such as piezoelectricity, can also be analyzed by this novel approach based on EBSD data.

Large Area Stress Distribution in Crystalline Materials Calculated from Lattice Deformation Identified by Electron Backscatter Diffraction

PubMed Central

Shao, Yongliang; Zhang, Lei; Hao, Xiaopeng; Wu, Yongzhong; Dai, Yuanbin; Tian, Yuan; Huo, Qin

2014-01-01

We report a method to obtain the stress of crystalline materials directly from lattice deformation by Hooke's law. The lattice deformation was calculated using the crystallographic orientations obtained from electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technology. The stress distribution over a large area was obtained efficiently and accurately using this method. Wurtzite structure gallium nitride (GaN) crystal was used as the example of a hexagonal crystal system. With this method, the stress distribution of a GaN crystal was obtained. Raman spectroscopy was used to verify the stress distribution. The cause of the stress distribution found in the GaN crystal was discussed from theoretical analysis and EBSD data. Other properties related to lattice deformation, such as piezoelectricity, can also be analyzed by this novel approach based on EBSD data. PMID:25091314

An analytical model for light backscattering by coccoliths and coccospheres of Emiliania huxleyi.

PubMed

Fournier, Georges; Neukermans, Griet

2017-06-26

We present an analytical model for light backscattering by coccoliths and coccolithophores of the marine calcifying phytoplankter Emiliania huxleyi. The model is based on the separation of the effects of diffraction, refraction, and reflection on scattering, a valid assumption for particle sizes typical of coccoliths and coccolithophores. Our model results match closely with results from an exact scattering code that uses complex particle geometry and our model also mimics well abrupt transitions in scattering magnitude. Finally, we apply our model to predict changes in the spectral backscattering coefficient during an Emiliania huxleyi bloom with results that closely match in situ measurements. Because our model captures the key features that control the light backscattering process, it can be generalized to coccoliths and coccolithophores of different morphologies which can be obtained from size-calibrated electron microphotographs. Matlab codes of this model are provided as supplementary material.

Amorphous silicon carbide coatings for extreme ultraviolet optics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kortright, J. B.; Windt, David L.

1988-01-01

Amorphous silicon carbide films formed by sputtering techniques are shown to have high reflectance in the extreme ultraviolet spectral region. X-ray scattering verifies that the atomic arrangements in these films are amorphous, while Auger electron spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy show that the films have composition close to stoichiometric SiC, although slightly C-rich, with low impurity levels. Reflectance vs incidence angle measurements from 24 to 1216 A were used to derive optical constants of this material, which are presented here. Additionally, the measured extreme ultraviolet efficiency of a diffraction grating overcoated with sputtered amorphous silicon carbide is presented, demonstrating the feasibility of using these films as coatings for EUV optics.

Atmospheric Backscatter Model Development for CO Sub 2 Wavelengths

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deepak, A.; Kent, G.; Yue, G. K.

1982-01-01

The results of investigations into the problems of modeling atmospheric backscatter from aerosols, in the lowest 20 km of the atmosphere, at CO2 wavelengths are presented, along with a summary of the relevant aerosol characteristics and their variability, and a discussion of the measurement techniques and errors involved. The different methods of calculating the aerosol backscattering function, both from measured aerosol characteristics and from optical measurements made at other wavelengths, are discussed in detail, and limits are placed on the accuracy of these methods. The effects of changing atmospheric humidity and temperature on the backscatter are analyzed and related to the actual atmosphere. Finally, the results of modeling CO2 backscatter in the atmosphere are presented and the variation with height and geographic location discussed, and limits placed on the magnitude of the backscattering function. Conclusions regarding modeling techniques and modeled atmospheric backscatter values are presented in tabular form.

Dependence of Crystallographic Orientation on Pitting Corrosion Behavior of Ni-Fe-Cr Alloy 028

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, LiNa; Szpunar, Jerzy A.; Dong, JianXin; Ojo, Olanrewaju A.; Wang, Xu

2018-06-01

The influence of crystallographic orientation on the pitting corrosion behavior of Ni-Fe-Cr alloy 028 was studied using a combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), potentiodynamic polarization technique, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results show that there is anisotropy of pitting corrosion that strongly depends on crystallographic orientation of the surface plane. The distribution of pit density in a standard stereographic triangle indicates that the crystallographic planes close to {100} are more prone to pitting corrosion compared to planes {110} and {111}. The surface energy calculation of (001) and (111) shows that the plane with a high atomic packing density has a low surface energy with concomitant strong resistance to pitting corrosion. A correlation function between crystallographic orientation and pitting corrosion susceptibility suggests a method that not only predicts the pitting resistance of known textured materials, but also could help to improve corrosion resistance by controlling material texture.

X-ray backscatter imaging for radiography by selective detection and snapshot: Evolution, development, and optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shedlock, Daniel

Compton backscatter imaging (CBI) is a single-sided imaging technique that uses the penetrating power of radiation and unique interaction properties of radiation with matter to image subsurface features. CBI has a variety of applications that include non-destructive interrogation, medical imaging, security and military applications. Radiography by selective detection (RSD), lateral migration radiography (LMR) and shadow aperture backscatter radiography (SABR) are different CBI techniques that are being optimized and developed. Radiography by selective detection (RSD) is a pencil beam Compton backscatter imaging technique that falls between highly collimated and uncollimated techniques. Radiography by selective detection uses a combination of single- and multiple-scatter photons from a projected area below a collimation plane to generate an image. As a result, the image has a combination of first- and multiple-scatter components. RSD techniques offer greater subsurface resolution than uncollimated techniques, at speeds at least an order of magnitude faster than highly collimated techniques. RSD scanning systems have evolved from a prototype into near market-ready scanning devices for use in a variety of single-sided imaging applications. The design has changed to incorporate state-of-the-art detectors and electronics optimized for backscatter imaging with an emphasis on versatility, efficiency and speed. The RSD system has become more stable, about 4 times faster, and 60% lighter while maintaining or improving image quality and contrast over the past 3 years. A new snapshot backscatter radiography (SBR) CBI technique, shadow aperture backscatter radiography (SABR), has been developed from concept and proof-of-principle to a functional laboratory prototype. SABR radiography uses digital detection media and shaded aperture configurations to generate near-surface Compton backscatter images without scanning, similar to how transmission radiographs are taken. Finally, a more inclusive theory of the factors affecting CBI contrast generation has tied together the past work of LMR with the more recent research in RSD. A variety of factors that induce changes in the backscatter photon field intensity (resulting in contrast changes in images) include: changes in the electron density field, attenuation changes along the entrance and exit paths, changes in the relative geometric positioning of the target, feature, illumination beam, and detectors. Understanding the interplay of how changes in each of these factors affects image contrast becomes essential to utilizing and optimizing RSD for different applications.

Boundary Layer Aerosol Composition over Sierra Nevada Mountains using 9.11- and 10.59-micron CW Lidars and Modeled Backscatter from Size Distribution Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cutten, D. R.; Jarzembski, M. A.; Srivastava, V.; Pueschel, R. F.; Howard, S. D.; McCaul, E. W., Jr.

2003-01-01

An inversion technique has been developed to determine volume fractions of an atmospheric aerosol composed primarily of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate and water combined with fixed concentration of elemental and organic carbon. It is based on measured aerosol backscatter obtained with 9.11 - and 10.59-micron wavelength continuous wave CO2 lidars and modeled backscatter from aerosol size distribution data. The technique is demonstrated during a flight of the NASA DC-8 aircraft over the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, California on 19 September, 1995. Volume fraction of each component and effective complex refractive index of the composite particle were determined assuming an internally mixed composite aerosol model. The volume fractions were also used to re-compute aerosol backscatter, providing good agreement with the lidar-measured data. The robustness of the technique for determining volume fractions was extended with a comparison of calculated 2.1,-micron backscatter from size distribution data with the measured lidar data converted to 2.1,-micron backscatter using an earlier derived algorithm, verifying the algorithm as well as the backscatter calculations.

Adaptive characterization of recrystallization kinetics in IF steel by electron backscatter diffraction.

PubMed

Kim, Dong-Kyu; Park, Won-Woong; Lee, Ho Won; Kang, Seong-Hoon; Im, Yong-Taek

2013-12-01

In this study, a rigorous methodology for quantifying recrystallization kinetics by electron backscatter diffraction is proposed in order to reduce errors associated with the operator's skill. An adaptive criterion to determine adjustable grain orientation spread depending on the recrystallization stage is proposed to better identify the recrystallized grains in the partially recrystallized microstructure. The proposed method was applied in characterizing the microstructure evolution during annealing of interstitial-free steel cold rolled to low and high true strain levels of 0.7 and 1.6, respectively. The recrystallization kinetics determined by the proposed method was found to be consistent with the standard method of Vickers microhardness. The application of the proposed method to the overall recrystallization stages showed that it can be used for the rigorous characterization of progressive microstructure evolution, especially for the severely deformed material. © 2013 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2013 Royal Microscopical Society.

Spall Response of Additive Manufactured Ti-6Al-4V

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, Andrew; Gregg, Adam; Escobedo, Jp; Hazell, Paul; East, Daniel; Quadir, Zakaria

2017-06-01

Additive manufactured (AM) Ti-6Al-4V was produced via electron beam melting (EBM) and laser melting deposition (LMD) techniques. The dynamic response of AM varieties of common aerospace and infrastructure metals are yet to be fully characterized and compared to their traditionally processed counterparts. Spall damage is one of the primary failure modes in metals subjected to shock loading from high velocity impact. Both EBM and LMD Ti-6Al-4V were shock loaded via flyer-target plate impact using a single-stage light gas gun. Target plates were subjected to pressures just above the spall strength of the material (3-5 GPa) to investigate the early onset of damage nucleation as a function of processing technique and shock orientation with respect to the AM-build direction. Post-mortem characterization of the spall damage and surrounding microstructure was performed using a combination of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction.

Artist concept of Solar Backscatter UV (SBUV) measurement technique on TIROS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

Artist concept titled OZONE MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE shows how the Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet (UV) 2 (SBUV-2) on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) TIROS satellites (NOAA-9 and NOAA-11) works. Ozone is derived from the 'SBUV' instrument from the ratio of the observed backscattered radiance to the solar irradiance in the ultraviolet. This is called the ultraviolet albedo. During STS-34 Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet (SSBUV) instruments in Atlantis', Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104's, payload bay (PLB) will calibrate the instruments onboard the TIROS satellites. SSBUV is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).

Technique to separate lidar signal and sunlight.

PubMed

Sun, Wenbo; Hu, Yongxiang; MacDonnell, David G; Weimer, Carl; Baize, Rosemary R

2016-06-13

Sunlight contamination dominates the backscatter noise in space-based lidar measurements during daytime. The background scattered sunlight is highly variable and dependent upon the surface and atmospheric albedo. The scattered sunlight contribution to noise increases over land and snow surfaces where surface albedos are high and thus overwhelm lidar backscatter from optically thin atmospheric constituents like aerosols and thin clouds. In this work, we developed a novel lidar remote sensing concept that potentially can eliminate sunlight induced noise. The new lidar concept requires: (1) a transmitted laser light that carries orbital angular momentum (OAM); and (2) a photon sieve (PS) diffractive filter that separates scattered sunlight from laser light backscattered from the atmosphere, ocean and solid surfaces. The method is based on numerical modeling of the focusing of Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) laser beam and plane-wave light by a PS. The model results show that after passing through a PS, laser light that carries the OAM is focused on a ring (called "focal ring" here) on the focal plane of the PS filter, very little energy arrives at the center of the focal plane. However, scattered sunlight, as a plane wave without the OAM, focuses at the center of the focal plane and thus can be effectively blocked or ducted out. We also find that the radius of the "focal ring" increases with the increase of azimuthal mode (L) of LG laser light, thus increasing L can more effectively separate the lidar signal away from the sunlight noise.

Evaluation of the increase in threading dislocation during the initial stage of physical vapor transport growth of 4H-SiC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suo, Hiromasa; Tsukimoto, Susumu; Eto, Kazuma; Osawa, Hiroshi; Kato, Tomohisa; Okumura, Hajime

2018-06-01

The increase in threading dislocation during the initial stage of physical vapor transport growth of n-type 4H-SiC crystals was evaluated by cross-sectional X-ray topography. Crystals were grown under two different temperature conditions. A significant increase in threading dislocation was observed in crystals grown at a high, not low, temperature. The local strain distribution in the vicinity of the grown/seed crystal interface was evaluated using the electron backscatter diffraction technique. The local nitrogen concentration distribution was also evaluated by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. We discuss the relationship between the increase in threading dislocation and the local strain due to thermal stress and nitrogen concentration.

Investigation of plastic deformation heterogeneities in duplex steel by EBSD

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wronski, S., E-mail: wronski@ftj.agh.edu.pl; Tarasiuk, J., E-mail: tarasiuk@ftj.agh.edu.pl; Bacroix, B., E-mail: brigitte.bacroix@univ-paris13.fr

2012-11-15

An EBSD analysis of a duplex steel (austeno-ferritic) deformed in tension up to fracture is presented. The main purpose of the paper is to describe, qualitatively and quantitatively, the differences in the behavior of the two phases during plastic deformation. In order to do so, several topological maps are measured on the deformed state using the electron backscatter diffraction technique. Distributions of grain size, misorientation, image quality factor and texture are then analyzed in detail. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Heterogeneities in duplex steel is studied. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The behavior of the two phases during plastic deformation is studied. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer IQ factor distributionmore » and misorientation characteristics are examined using EBSD.« less

Skin dose mapping for non-uniform x-ray fields using a backscatter point spread function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vijayan, Sarath; Xiong, Zhenyu; Shankar, Alok; Rudin, Stephen; Bednarek, Daniel R.

2017-03-01

Beam shaping devices like ROI attenuators and compensation filters modulate the intensity distribution of the xray beam incident on the patient. This results in a spatial variation of skin dose due to the variation of primary radiation and also a variation in backscattered radiation from the patient. To determine the backscatter component, backscatter point spread functions (PSF) are generated using EGS Monte-Carlo software. For this study, PSF's were determined by simulating a 1 mm beam incident on the lateral surface of an anthropomorphic head phantom and a 20 cm thick PMMA block phantom. The backscatter PSF's for the head phantom and PMMA phantom are curve fit with a Lorentzian function after being normalized to the primary dose intensity (PSFn). PSFn is convolved with the primary dose distribution to generate the scatter dose distribution, which is added to the primary to obtain the total dose distribution. The backscatter convolution technique is incorporated in the dose tracking system (DTS), which tracks skin dose during fluoroscopic procedures and provides a color map of the dose distribution on a 3D patient graphic model. A convolution technique is developed for the backscatter dose determination for the nonuniformly spaced graphic-model surface vertices. A Gafchromic film validation was performed for shaped x-ray beams generated with an ROI attenuator and with two compensation filters inserted into the field. The total dose distribution calculated by the backscatter convolution technique closely agreed with that measured with the film.

Advanced techniques for characterization of ion beam modified materials

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Yanwen; Debelle, Aurélien; Boulle, Alexandre; ...

2014-10-30

Understanding the mechanisms of damage formation in materials irradiated with energetic ions is essential for the field of ion-beam materials modification and engineering. Utilizing incident ions, electrons, photons, and positrons, various analysis techniques, including Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), electron RBS, Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution X-ray diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering, and positron annihilation spectroscopy, are routinely used or gaining increasing attention in characterizing ion beam modified materials. The distinctive information, recent developments, and some perspectives in these techniques are reviewed in this paper. Applications of these techniques are discussed to demonstrate their unique ability for studying ion-solid interactions and the corresponding radiationmore » effects in modified depths ranging from a few nm to a few tens of μm, and to provide information on electronic and atomic structure of the materials, defect configuration and concentration, as well as phase stability, amorphization and recrystallization processes. Finally, such knowledge contributes to our fundamental understanding over a wide range of extreme conditions essential for enhancing material performance and also for design and synthesis of new materials to address a broad variety of future energy applications.« less

Acquisition parameters optimization of a transmission electron forward scatter diffraction system in a cold-field emission scanning electron microscope for nanomaterials characterization.

PubMed

Brodusch, Nicolas; Demers, Hendrix; Trudeau, Michel; Gauvin, Raynald

2013-01-01

Transmission electron forward scatter diffraction (t-EFSD) is a new technique providing crystallographic information with high resolution on thin specimens by using a conventional electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) system in a scanning electron microscope. In this study, the impact of tilt angle, working distance, and detector distance on the Kikuchi pattern quality were investigated in a cold-field emission scanning electron microscope (CFE-SEM). We demonstrated that t-EFSD is applicable for tilt angles ranging from -20° to -40°. Working distance (WD) should be optimized for each material by choosing the WD for which the EBSD camera screen illumination is the highest, as the number of detected electrons on the screen is directly dependent on the scattering angle. To take advantage of the best performances of the CFE-SEM, the EBSD camera should be close to the sample and oriented towards the bottom to increase forward scattered electron collection efficiency. However, specimen chamber cluttering and beam/mechanical drift are important limitations in the CFE-SEM used in this work. Finally, the importance of t-EFSD in materials science characterization was illustrated through three examples of phase identification and orientation mapping. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A Novel Microcharacterization Technique in the Measurement of Strain and Orientation Gradient in Advanced Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garmestai, H.; Harris, K.; Lourenco, L.

1997-01-01

Representation of morphology and evolution of the microstructure during processing and their relation to properties requires proper experimental techniques. Residual strains, lattice distortion, and texture (micro-texture) at the interface and the matrix of a layered structure or a functionally gradient material and their variation are among parameters important in materials characterization but hard to measure with present experimental techniques. Current techniques available to measure changes in interred material parameters (residual stress, micro-texture, microplasticity) produce results which are either qualitative or unreliable. This problem becomes even more complicated in the case of a temperature variation. These parameters affect many of the mechanical properties of advanced materials including stress-strain relation, ductility, creep, and fatigue. A review of some novel experimental techniques using recent advances in electron microscopy is presented here to measure internal stress, (micro)texture, interracial strength and (sub)grain formation and realignment. Two of these techniques are combined in the chamber of an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope to measure strain and orientation gradients in advanced materials. These techniques which include Backscattered Kikuchi Diffractometry (BKD) and Microscopic Strain Field Analysis are used to characterize metallic and intermetallic matrix composites and superplastic materials. These techniques are compared with the more conventional x-ray diffraction and indentation techniques.

Measurements of stress fields near a grain boundary: Exploring blocked arrays of dislocations in 3D

DOE PAGES

Guo, Y.; Collins, D. M.; Tarleton, E.; ...

2015-06-24

The interaction between dislocation pile-ups and grain boundaries gives rise to heterogeneous stress distributions when a structural metal is subjected to mechanical loading. Such stress heterogeneity leads to preferential sites for damage nucleation and therefore is intrinsically linked to the strength and ductility of polycrystalline metals. To date the majority of conclusions have been drawn from 2D experimental investigations at the sample surface, allowing only incomplete observations. Our purpose here is to significantly advance the understanding of such problems by providing quantitative measurements of the effects of dislocation pile up and grain boundary interactions in 3D. This is accomplished throughmore » the application of differential aperture X-ray Laue micro-diffraction (DAXM) and high angular resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD) techniques. Our analysis demonstrates a similar strain characterization capability between DAXM and HR-EBSD and the variation of stress intensity in 3D reveals that different parts of the same grain boundary may have different strengths in resisting slip transfer, likely due to the local grain boundary curvature.« less

Twinning and martensite in a 304 austenitic stainless steel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shen, Yongfeng; Li, Xi; Sun, Xin

2012-08-30

The microstructure characteristics and deformation behavior of 304L stainless steel during tensile deformation at two different strain rates have been investigated by means of interrupted tensile tests, electron-backscatter-diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The volume fractions of transformed martensite and deformation twins at different stages of the deformation process were measured using X-ray diffraction method and TEM observations. It is found that the volume fraction of martensite monotonically increases with increasing strain but decreases with increasing strain rate. On the other hand, the volume fraction of twins increases with increasing strain for strain level less than 57%. Beyondmore » that, the volume fraction of twins decreases with increasing strain. Careful TEM observations show that stacking faults (SFs) and twins preferentially occur before the nucleation of martensite. Meanwhile, both {var_epsilon}-martensite and {alpha}{prime}-martensite are observed in the deformation microstructures, indicating the co-existence of stress induced- transformation and strain-induced-transformation. We also discussed the effects of twinning and martensite transformation on work-hardening as well as the relationship between stacking faults, twinning and martensite transformation.« less

Elucidating the Wavelength Dependence of Phonon Scattering in Nanoparticle-Matrix Composites using Phonon Spectroscopy

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-11

composites with x - ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy...RBS), particle-induced x - ray emission (PIXE), and energy dispersive x - ray spectroscopy (EDX). This work complements earlier works on CdSe...sample shows only In2Se3 and CdIn2Se4 XRD peaks (Figure 1.4e), it is stoichiometrically   Figure 1.4. X - ray diffraction patterns of (a) γ-In2Se3

Analysis of soft magnetic materials by electron backscatter diffraction as a powerful tool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schuller, David; Hohs, Dominic; Loeffler, Ralf; Bernthaler, Timo; Goll, Dagmar; Schneider, Gerhard

2018-04-01

The current work demonstrates that electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is a powerful and versatile characterization technique for investigating soft magnetic materials. The properties of soft magnets, e.g., magnetic losses strongly depend on the materials chemical composition and microstructure, including grain size and shape, texture, degree of plastic deformation and elastic strain. In electrical sheet stacks for e-motor applications, the quality of the machined edges/surfaces of each individual sheet is of special interest. Using EBSD, the influence of the punching process on the microstructure at the cutting edge is quantitatively assessed by evaluating the crystallographic misorientation distribution of the deformed grains. Using an industrial punching process, the maximum affected deformation depth is determined to be 200 - 300 μm. In the case of laser cutting, the affected deformation depth is determined to be approximately zero. Reliability and detection limits of the developed EBSD approach are evaluated on non-affected sample regions and model samples containing different indentation test bodies. A second application case is the investigation of the recrystallization process during the annealing step of soft magnetic composites (SMC) toroids produced by powder metallurgy as a function of compaction pressure, annealing parameters and powder particle size. With increasing pressure and temperature, the recrystallized area fraction (e.g., grains with crystallographic misorientations < 3°) increases from 71 % (200 MPa, 800°C) to 90% (800 MPa, 800°C). Recrystallization of the compacted powder material starts at the particle boundaries or areas with existing plastic deformation. The progress of recrystallization is visualized as a function of time and of different particle to grain size distributions. Here, large particles with coarse internal grain structures show a favorable recrystallization behavior which results in large bulk permeability of up to 600 - 700 and lower amount of residual misorientations (>3°).

Ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation of graphite epoxy composite laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, James G.

1990-01-01

Quantitative ultrasonic techniques are summarized with applications to the measurement of frequency-dependent attenuation and backscatter and to the NDE of composite laminates. Results are listed for the ultrasonic NDE of graphite-epoxy composite laminates including impact and fatigue damage as well as porosity. The methods reviewed include transmission measurements of attenuation, reconstructive tomography based on attenuation, estimating attenuation from backscattered ultrasound, and backscatter approaches. Phase-sensitive and -insensitive detection techniques are mentioned such as phase cancellation at piezoelectric receiving transducers and acoustoelectric effects. The techniques permit the NDE of the parameters listed in inhomogeneous media and provide both images from the transmission mode and in the reflection mode.

An Efficient Image Recovery Algorithm for Diffraction Tomography Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jin, Michael Y.

1993-01-01

A diffraction tomography system has potential application in ultrasonic medical imaging area. It is capable of achieving imagery with the ultimate resolution of one quarter the wavelength by collecting ultrasonic backscattering data from a circular array of sensors and reconstructing the object reflectivity using a digital image recovery algorithm performed by a computer. One advantage of such a system is that is allows a relatively lower frequency wave to penetrate more deeply into the object and still achieve imagery with a reasonable resolution. An efficient image recovery algorithm for the diffraction tomography system was originally developed for processing a wide beam spaceborne SAR data...

Electron backscatter diffraction analysis of gold nanoparticles on Y{sub 1}Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bochmann, A.; Teichert, S., E-mail: steffen.teichert@fh-jena.de; Katzer, C.

2015-06-07

It has been shown recently that the incorporation of gold nanoparticles into Y{sub 1}Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ} enhances the superconducting properties of this material in a significant way. Previous XRD and TEM investigations suggest different crystallographic relations of the gold nanoparticles with respect to the epitaxial Y{sub 1}Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ}. Here, detailed investigations of the crystal orientations for a large ensemble of gold nanoparticles with electron backscatter diffraction are reported. The average size of the gold nanoparticles is in the range of 60 nm–80 nm. We identified five different types of heteroepitaxial relationships between the gold nanoparticles and the superconductor film,more » resulting in complex pole figures. The observed different types of crystallographic orientations are discussed based on good lattice matching and the formation of low energy interfaces.« less

Field-aligned electric currents and their measurement by the incoherent backscatter technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bauer, P.; Cole, K. D.; Lejeume, G.

1975-01-01

Field aligned electric currents flow in the magnetosphere in many situations of fundamental geophysical interest. It is shown here that the incoherent backscatter technique can be used to measure these currents when the plasma line can be observed. The technique provides a ground based means of measuring these currents which complements the rocket and satellite ones.

Time-resolved two-window measurement of Wigner functions for coherent backscatter from a turbid medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reil, Frank; Thomas, John E.

2002-05-01

For the first time we are able to observe the time-resolved Wigner function of enhanced backscatter from a random medium using a novel two-window technique. This technique enables us to directly verify the phase-conjugating properties of random media. An incident divergent beam displays a convergent enhanced backscatter cone. We measure the joint position and momentum (x, p) distributions of the light field as a function of propagation time in the medium. The two-window technique allows us to independently control the resolutions for position and momentum, thereby surpassing the uncertainty limit associated with Fourier transform pairs. By using a low-coherence light source in a heterodyne detection scheme, we observe enhanced backscattering resolved by path length in the random medium, providing information about the evolution of optical coherence as a function of penetration depth in the random medium.

The measurement of ultrasound scattering from individual micron-sized objects and its application in single cell scattering.

PubMed

Falou, Omar; Rui, Min; El Kaffas, Ahmed; Kumaradas, J Carl; Kolios, Michael C

2010-08-01

The measurement of the ultrasound backscatter from individual micron-sized objects such as cells is required for various applications such as tissue characterization. However, performing such a measurement remains a challenge. For example, the presence of air bubbles in a suspension of cells during the measurements may lead to the incorrect interpretation of the acoustic signals. This work introduces a technique for measuring the ultrasound backscatter from individual micron-sized objects by combining a microinjection system with a co-registered optical microscope and an ultrasound imaging device. This allowed the measurement of the ultrasound backscatter response from a single object under optical microscope guidance. The optical and ultrasonic data were used to determine the size of the object and to deduce its backscatter responses, respectively. In order to calibrate the system, the backscatter frequency responses from polystyrene microspheres were measured and compared to theoretical predictions. A very good agreement was found between the measured backscatter responses of individual microspheres and theoretical predictions of an elastic sphere. The backscatter responses from single OCI-AML-5 cells were also investigated. It was found that the backscatter responses from AML cells are best modeled using the fluid sphere model. The advantages, limitations, and future applications of the developed technique are discussed.

The Propagation and Scattering of EM Waves in Electrically Large Ducts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, Saeed Mahmood

The electromagnetic scattering from large arbitrarily shaped ducts with complex termination is studied here by a hybrid technique. The propagation of electromagnetic waves in the duct is analyzed in terms of an approximate modal solution. A finite difference technique is employed for computing the reflection characteristics of the complex terminations. Both solutions are combined using the unimoment method. The analysis here is carried out for monostatic RCS and considers only fields backscattered from inside the cavity. Rim-diffraction has been left out. The procedure offers such advantages as in that it is not necessary to find complicated Green's functions, which may not be readily available, when compared with the integral equation method. Hybridization performed by combining an approximate modal technique with a finite difference one makes the scheme numerically efficient. From a computational EM point of view, it brings together a whole spectrum of techniques associated with high frequency modal analysis, Fourier Methods, Radar Cross Section and Scattering, finite difference solution and the Unimoment Method. The practical application of this technique may range from the study of RCS scattered from jet inlets of radar evasive aircraft to submarine communication waveguides.

A laboratory investigation into microwave backscattering from sea ice. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bredow, Jonathan W.

1989-01-01

The sources of scattering of artificial sea ice were determined, backscatter measurements semi-quantitatively were compared with theoretical predictions, and inexpensive polarimetric radars were developed for sea ice backscatter studies. A brief review of the dielectric properties of sea ice and of commonly used surface and volume scattering theories is presented. A description is provided of the backscatter measurements performed and experimental techniques used. The development of inexpensive short-range polarimetric radars is discussed. The steps taken to add polarimetric capability to a simple FM-W radar are considered as are sample polarimetric phase measurements of the radar. Ice surface characterization data and techniques are discussed, including computation of surface rms height and correlation length and air bubble distribution statistics. A method is also presented of estimating the standard deviation of rms height and correlation length for cases of few data points. Comparisons were made of backscatter measurements and theory. It was determined that backscatter from an extremely smooth saline ice surface at C band cannot be attributed only to surface scatter. It was found that snow cover had a significant influence on backscatter from extremely smooth saline ice at C band.

Effect of Grain Orientation and Boundary Distributions on Hydrogen-Induced Cracking in Low-Carbon-Content Steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masoumi, Mohammad; Coelho, Hana Livia Frota; Tavares, Sérgio Souto Maior; Silva, Cleiton Carvalho; de Abreu, Hamilton Ferreira Gomes

2017-08-01

Hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) causes considerable economic losses in a wide range of steels exposed to corrosive environments. The effect of crystallographic texture and grain boundary distributions tailored by rolling at 850 °C in three different steels with a body-centered cube structure was investigated on HIC resistance. The x-ray and electron backscattered diffraction techniques were used to characterize texture evolutions during the rolling process. The findings revealed a significant improvement against HIC based on texture engineering. In addition, increasing the number of {111} and {110} grains, associated with minimizing the number of {001} grains in warm-rolled samples, reduced HIC susceptibility. Moreover, the results showed that boundaries associated with low {hkl} indexing and denser packing planes had more resistance against crack propagation.

Effect of growth rate on crystallization of HfO{sub 2} thin films deposited by RF magnetron sputtering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dhanunjaya, M.; Manikanthababu, N.; Pathak, A. P.

2016-05-23

Hafnium oxide (HfO{sub 2}) is the potentially useful dielectric material in both; electronics to replace the conventional SiO{sub 2} as gate dielectric and in Optics as anti-reflection coating material. In this present work we have synthesized polycrystalline HfO{sub 2} thin films by RF magnetron sputtering deposition technique with varying target to substrate distance. The deposited films were characterized by X-ray Diffraction, Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) and transmission and Reflection (T&R) measurements to study the growth behavior, microstructure and optical properties. XRD measurement shows that the samples having mixed phase of monoclinic, cubic and tetragonal crystal structure. RBS measurements suggest themore » formation of Inter Layer (IL) in between Substrate and film.« less

Kinetics of Ni2Si growth from pure Ni and Ni(V) films on (111) and (100) Si

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harith, M. A.; Zhang, J. P.; Campisano, S. U.; Klaar, H.-J.

1987-01-01

The kinetics of Ni2Si growth from pure Ni and from Ni0.93V0.07 films on (111) and (100) silicon has been studied by the combination of He+ backscattering, x-ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The activation energies are 1.5 and 1.0 eV for pure Ni and Ni(V) films, respectively while the pre-exponential factors in Ni(V) are 4 5 orders of magnitude smaller than in the pure Ni case. The variations in the measured rates are related to the different grain size of the growing suicide layers. The vanadium is rejected from the silicide layer and piles up at the metalsilicide interface.

X-Ray Backscatter Imaging for Aerospace Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shedlock, Daniel; Edwards, Talion; Toh, Chin

2011-06-01

Scatter x-ray imaging (SXI) is a real time, digital, x-ray backscatter imaging technique that allows radiographs to be taken from one side of an object. This x-ray backscatter imaging technique offers many advantages over conventional transmission radiography that include single-sided access and extremely low radiation fields compared to conventional open source industrial radiography. Examples of some applications include the detection of corrosion, foreign object debris, water intrusion, cracking, impact damage and leak detection in a variety of material such as aluminum, composites, honeycomb structures, and titanium.

Triangular Graphene Grain Growth on Cube-Textured Cu Substrates

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

rate of CuOx decreases with decreasing H 2 partial pressure. [ 32 ] According to the Cu-O phase diagram, [ 33 ] the eutectic temperature of Cu-CuO and...accelerating voltage of 2 KeV. The electron backscatter diffraction patterns (EBSP) were used to examine recrystallization and grain orientation of

Deformation compatibility in a single crystalline Ni superalloy

PubMed Central

Zhang, Tiantian; Dunne, Fionn P. E.

2016-01-01

Deformation in materials is often complex and requires rigorous understanding to predict engineering component lifetime. Experimental understanding of deformation requires utilization of advanced characterization techniques, such as high spatial resolution digital image correlation (HR-DIC) and high angular resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD), combined with clear interpretation of their results to understand how a material has deformed. In this study, we use HR-DIC and HR-EBSD to explore the mechanical behaviour of a single-crystal nickel alloy and to highlight opportunities to understand the complete deformations state in materials. Coupling of HR-DIC and HR-EBSD enables us to precisely focus on the extent which we can access the deformation gradient, F, in its entirety and uncouple contributions from elastic deformation gradients, slip and rigid body rotations. Our results show a clear demonstration of the capabilities of these techniques, found within our experimental toolbox, to underpin fundamental mechanistic studies of deformation in polycrystalline materials and the role of microstructure. PMID:26997901

Novel X-ray backscatter technique for detection of dangerous materials: application to aviation and port security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolkoori, S.; Wrobel, N.; Osterloh, K.; Zscherpel, U.; Ewert, U.

2013-09-01

Radiological inspections, in general, are the nondestructive testing (NDT) methods to detect the bulk of explosives in large objects. In contrast to personal luggage, cargo or building components constitute a complexity that may significantly hinder the detection of a threat by conventional X-ray transmission radiography. In this article, a novel X-ray backscatter technique is presented for detecting suspicious objects in a densely packed large object with only a single sided access. It consists of an X-ray backscatter camera with a special twisted slit collimator for imaging backscattering objects. The new X-ray backscatter camera is not only imaging the objects based on their densities but also by including the influences of surrounding objects. This unique feature of the X-ray backscatter camera provides new insights in identifying the internal features of the inspected object. Experimental mock-ups were designed imitating containers with threats among a complex packing as they may be encountered in reality. We investigated the dependence of the quality of the X-ray backscatter image on (a) the exposure time, (b) multiple exposures, (c) the distance between object and slit camera, and (d) the width of the slit. At the end, the significant advantages of the presented X-ray backscatter camera in the context of aviation and port security are discussed.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chang, Y.L.; Chen, P.Y.; Tsai, Y.T.

The crystallography of lenticular martensite, which formed in coarse austenite grains (size about 80 μm) after subzero treatment at − 196 °C (liquid nitrogen) for different holding times, was investigated using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). For the sample treated with 15 min of isothermal holding, more than 50 martensite plates (with a thickness of larger than 1 μm) that formed within a coarse austenite grain were employed to obtain the pole figures. The pole figures clearly indicated that the individual plate of lenticular martensite approximately adopted the Kurdjumov–Sachs (K–S) orientation relationship with respect to the austenite matrix. For the samplemore » treated with 30 s of isothermal holding, a few martensite plates that formed in variant pairings in a coarse austenite grain were analyzed. The results showed that zigzag couplings (including spear couplings), the major product of plate martensite, had an absolute dominance of a specific variant pair (V1/V17). The orientation gradient within a lenticular martensite plate was also measured using convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED). The evidence strongly suggests that the spread in diffracted intensity within pole figures is related to the misorientation gradient within the lenticular martensite plate. - Highlights: • The orientation relationship between lenticular martensite and austenite was investigated by pole figures via Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). • The initial stage of lenticular martensite formation was investigated, excluding interference from hard impingement. • In addition to EBSD, convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) was used to measure the misorientation angle from the midrib to the untwinned region in lenticular martensite plate. • Zigzag couplings (including spear couplings), the major product of plate martensite, had an absolute dominance of a specific variant pair (V1/V17).« less

HR-EBSD as a new tool for quantifying geometrically necessary dislocations in quartz: Application to chessboard subgrain boundaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wallis, D.; Parsons, A. J.; Hansen, L. N.

2017-12-01

Chessboard subgrains in quartz, with boundaries composed of {m}[c] edge dislocations, are widely used as evidence for high-temperature deformation and have been suggested to form only in β-quartz. However, the origins and dislocation structure of chessboard subgrains remain poorly constrained and, without precise constraints on axes of misorientations across subgrain boundaries, other subgrain types formed at lower temperatures can be misidentified as chessboard subgrains. The technique most commonly employed to investigate subgrain structures, electron backscatter diffraction, can only resolve misorientation angles and axes for a portion of the substructure. This limitation hinders detailed interpretation of the dislocation types, densities, and processes that generate characteristic subgrain structures. We overcome these limitations by employing high-angular resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD), which employs cross-correlation of diffraction patterns to achieve angular resolution on the order of 0.01° with well-constrained misorientation axes. We analyse chessboard subgrains in samples from the Greater Himalayan Sequence, Nepal, which were deformed along well constrained pressure-temperature paths confined to the stability field of α-quartz. HR-EBSD analysis demonstrates that the subgrain boundaries consist of two sets. One set consists primarily of {m}[c] edge dislocations and the other consists of dislocations primarily with Burgers vectors. Apparent densities of geometrically necessary dislocations vary from > 1013 m-2 within some subgrain boundaries to < 1012 m-2 within subgrain interiors. This analysis provides new insight into the structure of chessboard subgrain boundaries, and a new tool to distinguish them from superficially similar deformation microstructures formed by other dislocation types at lower temperatures. Application of HR-EBSD to quartz from the Greater Himalayan Sequence confirms the activity of {m}[c] slip in the α-quartz stability field and demonstrates that formation of chessboard subgrains is not restricted to the stability field of β-quartz. Most importantly, this study demonstrates the potential of HR-EBSD as an improved method for analysis of quartz microstructures used as indicators of deformation conditions.

Multi-scale invertigation of the relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties in dual phase steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Fan

Dual phase steel alloys belong to the first generation of advanced high strength steels that are widely used in the automotive industry to form body structure and closure panels of vehicles. A deeper understanding of the microstructural features, such as phase orientation and morphology are needed in order to establish their effect on the mechanical performance and to design a material with optimized attributes. In this work, our goal is to establish what kind of relationship exist between the mechanical properties and the microstructural representation of dual phase steels obtained from experimental observations. Microstructure in different specimens are characterized with advanced experimental techniques as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction pattern, scanning probe microscopy, and nanoindentation. Nanoindentation, Vickers hardness and tensile testing are conducted to reveal a multi-scale mechanical performance on original material and also specimens under a variety combinations of temperatures, cooling rates, and rolling conditions. To quantify the single phase properties in each sample, an inverse method is adopted using experimental nanoindentation load-depth curves to obtain tensile stress-strain curves for each phase, and the inverse results were verified with the true stress-strain curves from tensile tests. This work also provides the insight on spatial phase distribution of different phases through a 2-point correlation statistical methodology and relate to material strength and formability. The microstructure information is correlated with the results of mechanical tests. The broken surfaces from tensile testing are analyzed to discover the fracture mechanism in relation to martensite morphology and distribuion. Viscoplastic self-consistent fast Fourier Transformation simulations is also used to compute efficiently the local and the homogenized viscoplastic response of the polycrystalline microstructure. The specific objectives of this work are 1) the development of etching techniques and electron backscatter diffraction strategies to characterize ferrite and martensite phases in steel; 2) the uncovering of a relationship between strength/ductility and material microstructure, 3) a statistical description to quantify the spatial distributions of these phases; and finally 4) the simulation of the microstructural evolution using parameters obtained from the experiments.

Microstructural Analysis of Ti-6Al-4V Components Made by Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coleman, Rashadd L.

Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing (EBAM) is a relatively new additive manufacturing (AM) technology that uses a high-energy electron beam to melt and fuse powders to build full-density parts in a layer by layer fashion. EBAM can fabricate metallic components, particularly, of complex shapes, in an efficient and cost-effective manner compared to conventional manufacturing means. EBAM is an enabling technology for rapid manufacturing (RM) of metallic components, and thus, can efficiently integrate the design and manufacturing of aerospace components. However, EBAM for aerospace-related applications remain limited because the effect of the EBAM process on part characteristics is not fully understood. In this study, various techniques including microhardness, optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) were used to characterize Ti-6Al-4V components processed using EBAM. The results were compared to Ti-6Al-4V components processed using conventional techniques. In this study it is shown that EBAM built Ti-64 components have increased hardness, elastic modulus, and yield strength compared to wrought Ti-6Al-4V. Further, it is also shown in this study that the horizontal build EBAM Ti-6Al-4V has increased hardness, elastic modulus, and yield strength compared to vertical build EBAM due to a preferential growth of the beta phase.

Phase structures and morphologies of tempered CA6NM stainless steel welded by hybrid laser-arc process

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mirakhorli, F., E-mail: Fatemeh.mirakhorli.1@ens.e

The post-weld tempered microstructure of hybrid laser-arc welded CA6NM, a cast low carbon martensitic stainless steel, was investigated. The microstructural evolutions from the fusion zone to the base metal were characterized in detail using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microhardness techniques. The fusion zone, in its post-weld tempered condition, consisted of tempered lath martensite, residual delta-ferrite with various morphologies, reversed austenite and chromium carbides. The reversed austenite, which can be detected through both EBSD and XRD techniques, was found to be finely dispersed along the martensite lath boundaries, particularly at triplemore » junctions. Based on the EBSD analysis, the orientation relationship between the reversed austenite and the adjacent martensite laths seemed to follow the Kurdjumov-Sachs (K-S) model. The results also revealed the presence of the reversed austenite in the different regions of the heat affected zone after post-weld tempering. The microindentation hardness distribution was measured, and correlated to the evolution of the corresponding microstructure across the welds. - Highlights: •The EBSD analysis was performed on hybrid laser-arc welded CA6NM. •The FZ consisted of tempered lath martensite, reversed austenite, carbides and δ ferrite after tempering. •The reversed γ was formed along the α′ lath boundaries, particularly at triple junctions.« less

SEM and TEM characterization of microstructure of stainless steel composites reinforced with TiB{sub 2}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sulima, Iwona, E-mail: isulima@up.krakow.pl

Steel-8TiB{sub 2} composites were produced by two new sintering techniques, i.e. Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) and High Pressure-High Temperature (HP-HT) sintering. This study discusses the impact of these sintering methods on the microstructure of steel composites reinforced with TiB{sub 2} particles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS), X-ray diffraction, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to analyze the microstructure evolution in steel matrix composites. The results of microscopic examinations revealed a close relationship between the composite microstructure and the methods and conditions of sintering. Substantial differences were observed in the grain size ofmore » materials sintered by HP-HT and SPS. It has been demonstrated that the composites sintered by HP-HT tend to form a chromium-iron-nickel phase in the steel matrix. In contrast, the microstructure of the composites sintered by SPS is characterized by the presence of complex borides and chromium-iron phase. - Highlights: •The steel-8TiB{sub 2} composites were fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) and High Pressure-High Temperature (HP-HT). •Sintering techniques has an important effect on changes in the microstructure of steel-8TiB{sub 2} composites. •New phases of different size and morphology were identified.« less

Effect of crystallographic orientation on structural and mechanical behaviors of Ni-Ti thin films irradiated by Ag7+ ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Veeresh; Singhal, Rahul

2018-04-01

In the present study, thin films of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy have been grown on Si substrate by dc magnetron co-sputtering technique using separate sputter targets Ni and Ti. The prepared thin films have been irradiated by 100 MeV Ag7+ ions at three different fluences, which are 1 × 1012, 5 × 1012, and 1 × 1013 ions/cm2. The elemental composition and depth profile of pristine film have been investigated by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. The changes in crystal orientation, surface morphology, and mechanical properties of Ni-Ti thin films before and after irradiation have been studied by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and nanoindentation techniques, respectively. X-ray diffraction measurement has revealed the existence of both austenite and martensite phases in pristine film and the formation of precipitate on the surface of the film after irradiation at an optimized fluence of 1 × 1013 ions/cm2. Nanoindentation measurement has revealed improvement in mechanical properties of Ni-Ti thin films after ion irradiation via increasing hardness and Young modulus due to the formation of precipitate and ductile phase. The improvement in mechanical behavior could be explained in terms of precipitation hardening and structural change of Ni-Ti thin film after irradiation by Swift heavy ion irradiation.

Structure Evolution and Distributions of Grain-Boundary Misorientainons in Submicrocrystalline Molybdenum Irradiated with a Pulsed Electron Beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stepanova, E. N.; Grabovetskaya, G. P.; Teresov, A. D.; Mishin, I. P.

2018-05-01

Using the methods of electron backscatter diffraction, electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis, it is demonstrated that irradiation of the surface of a submicrocrystalline molybdenum specimen with a pulsed electron beam in a non-melt regime results in the formation of a gradient structure in its bulk. The irradiation temperature is shown to affect the density of defects, the value of stress, and the distributions of grain-boundary misorientations in the surface and bulk of the submicrocrystalline molybdenum specimens.

Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Co-Cr Dental Alloys Fabricated by Three CAD/CAM-Based Processing Techniques

PubMed Central

Kim, Hae Ri; Jang, Seong-Ho; Kim, Young Kyung; Son, Jun Sik; Min, Bong Ki; Kim, Kyo-Han; Kwon, Tae-Yub

2016-01-01

The microstructures and mechanical properties of cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloys produced by three CAD/CAM-based processing techniques were investigated in comparison with those produced by the traditional casting technique. Four groups of disc- (microstructures) or dumbbell- (mechanical properties) specimens made of Co-Cr alloys were prepared using casting (CS), milling (ML), selective laser melting (SLM), and milling/post-sintering (ML/PS). For each technique, the corresponding commercial alloy material was used. The microstructures of the specimens were evaluated via X-ray diffractometry, optical and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and electron backscattered diffraction pattern analysis. The mechanical properties were evaluated using a tensile test according to ISO 22674 (n = 6). The microstructure of the alloys was strongly influenced by the manufacturing processes. Overall, the SLM group showed superior mechanical properties, the ML/PS group being nearly comparable. The mechanical properties of the ML group were inferior to those of the CS group. The microstructures and mechanical properties of Co-Cr alloys were greatly dependent on the manufacturing technique as well as the chemical composition. The SLM and ML/PS techniques may be considered promising alternatives to the Co-Cr alloy casting process. PMID:28773718

Three-Dimensional Characterization of Microstructure by Electron Back-Scatter Diffraction

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-03-28

Costa LDF, Cesar RM, Cesar J. 2000. Shape Analysis and Classification: Theory and Practice. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. 660 pp. 7. Williams RE. 1968...The distribution of grain boundaries in magnesia as a function of five macroscopic parameters. Acta Mater. 51:3663–74 27. Schaeben H, Apel M, Frank T

Effect of Welding Heat Input on Microstructure and Texture of Inconel 625 Weld Overlay Studied Using the Electron Backscatter Diffraction Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Joon-Suk; Lee, Hae-Woo

2016-12-01

The grain size and the texture of three specimens prepared at different heat inputs were determined using optical microscopy and the electron backscatter diffraction method of scanning electron microscopy. Each specimen was equally divided into fusion line zone (FLZ), columnar dendrite zone (CDZ), and surface zone (SZ), according to the location of the weld. Fine dendrites were observed in the FLZ, coarse dendrites in the CDZ, and dendrites grew perpendicular to the FLZ and CDZ. As the heat input increased, the melted zone in the vicinity of the FLZ widened due to the higher Fe content. A lower image quality value was observed for the FLZ compared to the other zones. The results of grain size measurement in each zone showed that the grain size of the SZ became larger as the heat input increased. From the inverse pole figure (IPF) map in the normal direction (ND) and the rolling direction (RD), as the heat input increased, a specific orientation was formed. However, a dominant [001] direction was observed in the RD IPF map.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mbamara, U. S.; Olofinjana, B.; Ajayi, O. O.

Most researches on doped ZnO thin films are tilted toward their applications in optoelectronics and semiconductor devices. Research on their tribological properties is still unfolding. In this work, nitrogen-doped ZnO thin films were deposited on 304 L stainless steel substrate from a combination of zinc acetate and ammonium acetate precursor by MOCVD technique. Compositional and structural studies of the films were done using Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The frictional behavior of the thin film coatings was evaluated using a ball-on-flat configuration in reciprocating sliding under dry contact condition. After friction test, the flat and ball counter-facemore » surfaces were examined to assess the wear dimension and failure mechanism. In conclusion, both friction behavior and wear (in the ball counter-face) were observed to be dependent on the crystallinity and thickness of the thin film coatings.« less

Microtexture Analysis and Modeling of Ambient Fatigue and Creep-Fatigue Damages in Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Jalaj; Singh, A. K.; Raman, S. Ganesh Sundara; Kumar, Vikas

2017-02-01

In the present investigation, microtexture analysis using electron back-scattered diffraction technique has been performed to study fatigue- and creep-fatigue damages and associated deformation structures in Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Special emphasis has been given to low-angle grain boundary configuration and its possible application as a damage indicator. Damage is mostly present in the form of voids as investigated through scanning electron microscopy. Stored deformation energies have been evaluated for the strain-controlled fatigue-, the stress-controlled fatigue-, and the creep-fatigue-tested samples. Stored deformation energies have also been analyzed vis-à-vis total damage energies to quantify the contribution of damages to various samples. A relation between the stored deformation energy and the applied strain amplitude has been proposed in this study.

Microstructure and mechanical behavior of pulsed laser surface melted AISI D2 cold work tool steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yasavol, N.; Abdollah-zadeh, A.; Ganjali, M.; Alidokht, S. A.

2013-01-01

D2 cold work tool steel (CWTS) was subjected to pulse laser surface melting (PLSM) at constant frequency of 20 Hz Nd: YAG laser with different energies, scanning rate and pulse durations radiated to the surface. Characterizing the PLSM, with optical and field emission scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction and surface hardness mapping technique was used to evaluate the microhardness and mechanical behavior of different regions of melting pool. Increasing laser energy and reducing the laser scanning rate results in deeper melt pool formation. Moreover, PLSM has led to entirely dissolution of the carbides and re-solidification of cellular/dendritic structure of a fine scale surrounded by a continuous interdendritic network. This caused an increase in surface microhardness, 2-4 times over that of the base metal.

Crystallography and Morphology of Niobium Carbide in As-Cast HP-Niobium Reformer Tubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buchanan, Karl G.; Kral, Milo V.

2012-06-01

The microstructures of two as-cast heats of niobium-modified HP stainless steels were characterized. Particular attention was paid to the interdendritic niobium-rich carbides formed during solidification of these alloys. At low magnifications, these precipitates are grouped in colonies of similar lamellae. Higher magnifications revealed that the lamellae actually obtain two distinct morphologies. The type I morphology exhibits broad planar interfaces with a smooth platelike shape. Type II lamellae have undulating interfaces and an overall reticulated shape. To provide further insight into the origin of these two different morphologies, the microstructure and crystallography of each have been studied in detail using high resolution scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, various electron diffraction methods (electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), selected area diffraction (SAD), and convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED)), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

A streak camera based fiber optic pulsed polarimetry technique for magnetic sensing to sub-mm resolution.

PubMed

Smith, R J; Weber, T E

2016-11-01

The technique of fiber optic pulsed polarimetry, which provides a distributed (local) measurement of the magnetic field along an optical fiber, has been improved to the point where, for the first time, photocathode based optical detection of backscatter is possible with sub-mm spatial resolutions. This has been realized through the writing of an array of deterministic fiber Bragg gratings along the fiber, a so-called backscatter-tailored optical fiber, producing a 34 000-fold increase in backscatter levels over Rayleigh. With such high backscatter levels, high repetition rate lasers are now sufficiently bright to allow near continuous field sensing in both space and time with field resolutions as low as 0.005 T and as high as 170 T over a ∼mm interval given available fiber materials.

Advancements in Electromagnetic Wave Backscattering Simulations: Applications in Active Lidar Remote Sensing Involving Aerosols

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bi, L.

2016-12-01

Atmospheric remote sensing based on the Lidar technique fundamentally relies on knowledge of the backscattering of light by particulate matters in the atmosphere. This talk starts with a review of the current capabilities of electromagnetic wave scattering simulations to determine the backscattering optical properties of irregular particles, such as the backscatterer and depolarization ratio. This will be followed by a discussion of possible pitfalls in the relevant simulations. The talk will then be concluded with reports on the latest advancements in computational techniques. In addition, we summarize the laws of the backscattering optical properties of aerosols with respect to particle geometries, particle sizes, and mixing rules. These advancements will be applied to the analysis of the Lidar observation data to reveal the state and possible microphysical processes of various aerosols.

Spectral dependence of backscattering coefficient of mixed phase clouds over West Africa measured with two-wavelength Raman polarization lidar: Features attributed to ice-crystals corner reflection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veselovskii, I.; Goloub, P.; Podvin, T.; Tanre, D.; Ansmann, A.; Korenskiy, M.; Borovoi, A.; Hu, Q.; Whiteman, D. N.

2017-11-01

The existing models predict that corner reflection (CR) of laser radiation by simple ice crystals of perfect shape, such as hexagonal columns or plates, can provide a significant contribution to the ice cloud backscattering. However in real clouds the CR effect may be suppressed due to crystal deformation and surface roughness. In contrast to the extinction coefficient, which is spectrally independent, consideration of diffraction associated with CR results in a spectral dependence of the backscattering coefficient. Thus measuring the spectral dependence of the cloud backscattering coefficient, the contribution of CR can be identified. The paper presents the results of profiling of backscattering coefficient (β) and particle depolarization ratio (δ) of ice and mixed-phase clouds over West Africa by means of a two-wavelength polarization Mie-Raman lidar operated at 355 nm and 532 nm during the SHADOW field campaign. The lidar observations were performed at a slant angle of 43 degree off zenith, thus CR from both randomly oriented crystals and oriented plates could be analyzed. For the most of the observations the cloud backscatter color ratio β355/β532 was close to 1.0, and no spectral features that might indicate the presence of CR of randomly oriented crystals were revealed. Still, in two measurement sessions we observed an increase of backscatter color ratio to a value of nearly 1.3 simultaneously with a decrease of the spectral depolarization ratio δ355/δ532 ratio from 1.0 to 0.8 inside the layers containing precipitating ice crystals. We attribute these changes in optical properties to corner reflections by horizontally oriented ice plates.

Growth and Surface Modification of LaFeO3 Thin Films Induced By Reductive Annealing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Flynn, Brendan T.; Zhang, Hongliang; Shutthanandan, V.

2015-03-01

The electronic and ionic conductivity of perovskite oxides has enabled their use in diverse applications such as automotive exhaust catalysts, solid oxide fuel cell cathodes, and visible light photocatalysts. The redox chemistry at the surface of perovskite oxides is largely dependent on the oxidation state of the metal cations as well as the oxide surface stoichiometry. In this study, LaFeO3 (LFO) thin films grown on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was characterized using both bulk and surface sensitive techniques. A combination of in situ reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED), x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS)more » demonstrated that the film is highly oriented and stoichiometric. The film was annealed in an ultra-high vacuum chamber to simulate reducing conditions and studied by angle-resolved x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Iron was found to exist as Fe(0), Fe(II), and Fe(III) depending on the annealing conditions and the depth within the film. A decrease in the concentration of surface oxygen species was correlated with iron reduction. These results should help guide and enhance the design of perovskite materials for catalysts.« less

Oriented Nucleation of both Ge-Fresnoite and Benitoite/BaGe4O9 during the Surface Crystallisation of Glass Studied by Electron Backscatter Diffraction

PubMed Central

Wisniewski, Wolfgang; Patschger, Marek; Murdzheva, Steliana; Thieme, Christian; Rüssel, Christian

2016-01-01

Two glasses of the compositions 2 BaO - TiO2 - 2.75 GeO2 and 2 BaO – TiO2 –3.67 GeO2 (also known as BTG55) are annealed at temperatures from 680 to 970 °C to induce surface crystallization. The resulting samples are analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) including electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Ge-Fresnoite (Ba2TiGe2O8, BTG) is observed at the immediate surface of all samples and oriented nucleation is proven in both compositions. After a very fast kinetic selection, the crystal growth of BTG into the bulk occurs via highly oriented dendrites where the c-axes are oriented perpendicular to the surface. The growth of this oriented layer is finally blocked by dendritc BTG originating from bulk nucleation. The secondary phases BaTiGe3O9 (benitoite) and BaGe4O9 are also identified near the surface by XRD and localized by EBSD which additionally indicates orientation preferences for these phases. This behaviour is in contrast with previous reports from the Ba2TiSi2O8 as well as the Sr2TiSi2O8 systems. PMID:26853738

Airborne Polarized Lidar Detection of Scattering Layers in the Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasilkov, Alexander P.; Goldin, Yury A.; Gureev, Boris A.; Hoge, Frank E.; Swift, Robert N.; Wright, C. Wayne

2001-08-01

A polarized lidar technique based on measurements of waveforms of the two orthogonal-polarized components of the backscattered light pulse is proposed to retrieve vertical profiles of the seawater scattering coefficient. The physical rationale for the polarized technique is that depolarization of backscattered light originating from a linearly polarized laser beam is caused largely by multiple small-angle scattering from particulate matter in seawater. The magnitude of the small-angle scattering is determined by the scattering coefficient. Therefore information on the vertical distribution of the scattering coefficient can be derived potentially from measurements of the timedepth dependence of depolarization in the backscattered laser pulse. The polarized technique was verified by field measurements conducted in the Middle Atlantic Bight of the western North Atlantic Ocean that were supported by in situ measurements of the beam attenuation coefficient. The airborne polarized lidar measured the timedepth dependence of the backscattered laser pulse in two orthogonal-polarized components. Vertical profiles of the scattering coefficient retrieved from the timedepth depolarization of the backscattered laser pulse were compared with measured profiles of the beam attenuation coefficient. The comparison showed that retrieved profiles of the scattering coefficient clearly reproduce the main features of the measured profiles of the beam attenuation coefficient. Underwater scattering layers were detected at depths of 2025 m in turbid coastal waters. The improvement in dynamic range afforded by the polarized lidar technique offers a strong potential benefit for airborne lidar bathymetric applications.

Crystallographic Characterization on Polycrystalline Ni-Mn-Ga Alloys with Strong Preferred Orientation.

PubMed

Li, Zongbin; Yang, Bo; Zou, Naifu; Zhang, Yudong; Esling, Claude; Gan, Weimin; Zhao, Xiang; Zuo, Liang

2017-04-27

Heusler type Ni-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys can demonstrate excellent magnetic shape memory effect in single crystals. However, such effect in polycrystalline alloys is greatly weakened due to the random distribution of crystallographic orientation. Microstructure optimization and texture control are of great significance and challenge to improve the functional behaviors of polycrystalline alloys. In this paper, we summarize our recent progress on the microstructure control in polycrystalline Ni-Mn-Ga alloys in the form of bulk alloys, melt-spun ribbons and thin films, based on the detailed crystallographic characterizations through neutron diffraction, X-ray diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction. The presented results are expected to offer some guidelines for the microstructure modification and functional performance control of ferromagnetic shape memory alloys.

CO2 lidar backscatter profiles over Hawaii during fall 1988

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Post, Madison J.; Cupp, Richard E.

1992-01-01

Aerosol and cloud backscatter data, obtained over a 24-day period in fall 1988 with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Doppler lidar at 10.59-micron wavelength, are analyzed by using a new technique to lessen biases that are due to dropouts. Typical backscatter cross sections were significantly lower than those routinely observed over the continental United States, although episodic backscatter enhancements caused by cirrus and mineral dust also occurred. Implications of these data on the proposed Laser Atmospheric Wind Sounder wind profiling satellite sensor are discussed.

Local texture and strongly linked conduction in spray-pyrolyzed TlBa2Ca2Cu3O(8+x) deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kroeger, D. M.; Goyal, A.; Specht, E. D.; Wang, Z. L.; Tkaczyk, J. E.; Sutliff, J. A.; Deluca, J. A.

Local texture in polycrystalline TlBa2Ca2 Cu3O(8+x) deposits has been determined from transmission electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction patterns and x-ray diffraction. The small-grained deposits had excellent c-axis alignment and contained colonies of grains with similar but not identical a-axis orientations. Most grain boundaries within a colony have small misorientation angles and should not be weak links. It is proposed that long range conduction utilizes a percolative network of small angle grain boundaries at colony intersections.

High-resolution neutron-diffraction measurements to 8 kbar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bull, C. L.; Fortes, A. D.; Ridley, C. J.; Wood, I. G.; Dobson, D. P.; Funnell, N. P.; Gibbs, A. S.; Goodway, C. M.; Sadykov, R.; Knight, K. S.

2017-10-01

We describe the capability to measure high-resolution neutron powder diffraction data to a pressure of at least 8 kbar. We have used the HRPD instrument at the ISIS neutron source and a piston-cylinder design of pressure cell machined from a null-scattering titanium zirconium alloy. Data were collected under hydrostatic conditions from an elpasolite perovskite La?NiMnO?; by virtue of a thinner cell wall on the incident-beam side of the cell, it was possible to obtain data in the instrument's highest resolution back-scattering detector banks up to a maximum pressure of 8.5 kbar.

Applications of surface analytical techniques in Earth Sciences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, Gujie; Li, Yubiao; Gerson, Andrea R.

2015-03-01

This review covers a wide range of surface analytical techniques: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning photoelectron microscopy (SPEM), photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM), dynamic and static secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), atomic force microscopy (AFM). Others that are relatively less widely used but are also important to the Earth Sciences are also included: Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). All these techniques probe only the very top sample surface layers (sub-nm to several tens of nm). In addition, we also present several other techniques i.e. Raman microspectroscopy, reflection infrared (IR) microspectroscopy and quantitative evaluation of minerals by scanning electron microscopy (QEMSCAN) that penetrate deeper into the sample, up to several μm, as all of them are fundamental analytical tools for the Earth Sciences. Grazing incidence synchrotron techniques, sensitive to surface measurements, are also briefly introduced at the end of this review. (Scanning) transmission electron microscopy (TEM/STEM) is a special case that can be applied to characterisation of mineralogical and geological sample surfaces. Since TEM/STEM is such an important technique for Earth Scientists, we have also included it to draw attention to the capability of TEM/STEM applied as a surface-equivalent tool. While this review presents most of the important techniques for the Earth Sciences, it is not an all-inclusive bibliography of those analytical techniques. Instead, for each technique that is discussed, we first give a very brief introduction about its principle and background, followed by a short section on approaches to sample preparation that are important for researchers to appreciate prior to the actual sample analysis. We then use examples from publications (and also some of our known unpublished results) within the Earth Sciences to show how each technique is applied and used to obtain specific information and to resolve real problems, which forms the central theme of this review. Although this review focuses on applications of these techniques to study mineralogical and geological samples, we also anticipate that researchers from other research areas such as Material and Environmental Sciences may benefit from this review.

Directional spectra of ocean waves from microwave backscatter: A physical optics solution with application to the short-pulse and two-frequency measurement techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, F. C.

1979-01-01

Two simple microwave radar techniques that are potentially capable of providing routine satellite measurements of the directional spectrum of ocean waves were developed. One technique, the short pulse technique, makes use of very short pulses to resolve ocean surface wave contrast features in the range direction; the other technique, the two frequency correlation technique makes use of coherency in the transmitted waveform to detect the large ocean wave contrast modulation as a beat or mixing frequency in the power backscattered at two closely separated microwave frequencies. A frequency domain analysis of the short pulse and two frequency systems shows that the two measurement systems are essentially duals; they each operate on the generalized (three frequency) fourth-order statistical moment of the surface transfer function in different, but symmetrical ways, and they both measure the same directional contrast modulation spectrum. A three dimensional physical optics solution for the fourth-order moment was obtained for backscatter in the near vertical, specular regime, assuming Gaussian surface statistics.

In-situ determination of energy species yields of intense particle beams

DOEpatents

Kugel, Henry W.; Kaita, Robert

1987-03-03

An arrangement is provided for the in-situ determination of energy species yields of intense particle beams. The beam is directed onto a target surface of known composition, such that Rutherford backscattering of the beam occurs. The yield-energy characteristic response of the beam to backscattering from the target is analyzed using Rutherford backscattering techniques to determine the yields of energy species components of the beam.

In-situ determination of energy species yields of intense particle beams

DOEpatents

Kugel, Henry W.; Kaita, Robert

1987-01-01

An arrangement is provided for the in-situ determination of energy species yields of intense particle beams. The beam is directed onto a target surface of known composition, such that Rutherford backscattering of the beam occurs. The yield-energy characteristic response of the beam to backscattering from the target is analyzed using Rutherford backscattering techniques to determine the yields of energy species components of the beam.

Electron Microscopy and Analytical X-ray Characterization of Compositional and Nanoscale Structural Changes in Fossil Bone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boatman, Elizabeth Marie

The nanoscale structure of compact bone contains several features that are direct indicators of bulk tissue mechanical properties. Fossil bone tissues represent unique opportunities to understand the compact bone structure/property relationships from a deep time perspective, offering a possible array of new insights into bone diseases, biomimicry of composite materials, and basic knowledge of bioapatite composition and nanoscale bone structure. To date, most work with fossil bone has employed microscale techniques and has counter-indicated the survival of bioapatite and other nanoscale structural features. The obvious disconnect between the use of microscale techniques and the discernment of nanoscale structure has prompted this work. The goal of this study was to characterize the nanoscale constituents of fossil compact bone by applying a suite of diffraction, microscopy, and spectrometry techniques, representing the highest levels of spatial and energy resolution available today, and capable of complementary structural and compositional characterization from the micro- to the nanoscale. Fossil dinosaur and crocodile long bone specimens, as well as modern ratite and crocodile femurs, were acquired from the UC Museum of Paleontology. Preserved physiological features of significance were documented with scanning electron microscopy back-scattered imaging. Electron microprobe wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDS) revealed fossil bone compositions enriched in fluorine with a complementary loss of oxygen. X-ray diffraction analyses demonstrated that all specimens were composed of apatite. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging revealed preserved nanocrystallinity in the fossil bones and electron diffraction studies further identified these nanocrystallites as apatite. Tomographic analyses of nanoscale elements imaged by TEM and small angle X-ray scattering were performed, with the results of each analysis further indicating that nanoscale structure is highly conserved in these four fossil specimens. Finally, the results of this study indicate that bioapatite can be preserved in even the most ancient vertebrate specimens, further supporting the idea that fossilization is a preservational process. This work also underlines the importance of using appropriately selected characterization and analytical techniques for the study of fossil bone, especially from the perspective of spatial resolution and the scale of the bone structural features in question.

Diffractive paths for weak localization in quantum billiards

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Březinová, Iva; Stampfer, Christoph; Wirtz, Ludger; Rotter, Stefan; Burgdörfer, Joachim

2008-04-01

We study the weak-localization effect in quantum transport through a clean ballistic cavity with regular classical dynamics. We address the question which paths account for the suppression of conductance through a system where disorder and chaos are absent. By exploiting both quantum and semiclassical methods, we unambiguously identify paths that are diffractively backscattered into the cavity (when approaching the lead mouths from the cavity interior) to play a key role. Diffractive scattering couples transmitted and reflected paths and is thus essential to reproduce the weak-localization peak in reflection and the corresponding antipeak in transmission. A comparison of semiclassical calculations featuring these diffractive paths yields good agreement with full quantum calculations and experimental data. Our theory provides system-specific predictions for the quantum regime of few open lead modes and can be expected to be relevant also for mixed as well as chaotic systems.

Characterization of X80 and X100 Microalloyed Pipeline Steel Using Quantitative X-ray Diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiskel, J. B.; Li, X.; Ivey, D. G.; Henein, H.

2018-06-01

Quantitative X-ray diffraction characterization of four (4) X80 and three (3) X100 microalloyed steels was undertaken. The effect of through-thickness position, processing parameters, and composition on the measured crystallite size, microstrain, and J index (relative magnitude of crystallographic texture) was determined. Microstructure analysis using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electron-backscattered diffraction was also undertaken. The measured value of microstrain increased with increasing alloy content and decreasing cooling interrupt temperature. Microstructural features corresponding to crystallite size in the X80 steels were both above and below the detection limit for quantitative X-ray diffraction. The X100 steels consistently exhibited microstructure features below the crystallite size detection limit. The yield stress of each steel increased with increasing microstrain. The increase in microstrain from X80 to X100 is also associated with a change in microstructure from predominantly polygonal ferrite to bainitic ferrite.

Anisotropic deformation of extruded magnesium alloy AZ31 under uniaxial compression: A study with simultaneous in situ synchrotron x-ray imaging and diffraction

DOE PAGES

Lu, L.; Huang, J. W.; Fan, D.; ...

2016-08-29

In situ synchrotron x-ray imaging and diffraction are used to investigate anisotropic deformation of an extruded magnesium alloy AZ31 under uniaxial compression along two different directions, with the loading axis (LA) either parallel or perpendicular to the extrusion direction (ED), referred to as LA∥ED and LAED, respectively. Multiscale measurements including stress–strain curves (macroscale), x-ray digital image correlation (mesoscale), and diffraction (microscale) are obtained simultaneously. Electron backscatter diffraction is performed on samples collected at various strains to characterize deformation twins. The rapid increase in strain hardening rate for the LA∥ED loading is attributed to marked {101¯2} extension twinning and subsequent homogenizationmore » of deformation, while dislocation motion leads to inhomogeneous deformation and a decrease in strain hardening rate.« less

Semi-Automated Classification of Seafloor Data Collected on the Delmarva Inner Shelf

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sweeney, E. M.; Pendleton, E. A.; Brothers, L. L.; Mahmud, A.; Thieler, E. R.

2017-12-01

We tested automated classification methods on acoustic bathymetry and backscatter data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on the Delmarva inner continental shelf to efficiently and objectively identify sediment texture and geomorphology. Automated classification techniques are generally less subjective and take significantly less time than manual classification methods. We used a semi-automated process combining unsupervised and supervised classification techniques to characterize seafloor based on bathymetric slope and relative backscatter intensity. Statistical comparison of our automated classification results with those of a manual classification conducted on a subset of the acoustic imagery indicates that our automated method was highly accurate (95% total accuracy and 93% Kappa). Our methods resolve sediment ridges, zones of flat seafloor and areas of high and low backscatter. We compared our classification scheme with mean grain size statistics of samples collected in the study area and found that strong correlations between backscatter intensity and sediment texture exist. High backscatter zones are associated with the presence of gravel and shells mixed with sand, and low backscatter areas are primarily clean sand or sand mixed with mud. Slope classes further elucidate textural and geomorphologic differences in the seafloor, such that steep slopes (>0.35°) with high backscatter are most often associated with the updrift side of sand ridges and bedforms, whereas low slope with high backscatter correspond to coarse lag or shell deposits. Low backscatter and high slopes are most often found on the downdrift side of ridges and bedforms, and low backscatter and low slopes identify swale areas and sand sheets. We found that poor acoustic data quality was the most significant cause of inaccurate classification results, which required additional user input to mitigate. Our method worked well along the primarily sandy Delmarva inner continental shelf, and outlines a method that can be used to efficiently and consistently produce surficial geologic interpretations of the seafloor from ground-truthed geophysical or hydrographic data.

Femtosecond laser direct writing of monocrystalline hexagonal silver prisms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vora, Kevin; Kang, SeungYeon; Moebius, Michael

Bottom-up growth methods and top-down patterning techniques are both used to fabricate metal nanostructures, each with a distinct advantage: One creates crystalline structures and the other offers precise positioning. Here, we present a technique that localizes the growth of metal crystals to the focal volume of a laser beam, combining advantages from both approaches. We report the fabrication of silver nanoprisms—hexagonal nanoscale silver crystals—through irradiation with focused femtosecond laser pulses. The growth of these nanoprisms is due to a nonlinear optical interaction between femtosecond laser pulses and a polyvinylpyrrolidone film doped with silver nitrate. The hexagonal nanoprisms have bases hundredsmore » of nanometers in size and the crystal growth occurs over exposure times of less than 1 ms (8 orders of magnitude faster than traditional chemical techniques). Electron backscatter diffraction analysis shows that the hexagonal nanoprisms are monocrystalline. The fabrication method combines advantages from both wet chemistry and femtosecond laser direct-writing to grow silver crystals in targeted locations. The results presented in this letter offer an approach to directly positioning and growing silver crystals on a substrate, which can be used for plasmonic devices.« less

Backscattering analysis of high frequency ultrasonic imaging for ultrasound-guided breast biopsy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cummins, Thomas; Akiyama, Takahiro; Lee, Changyang; Martin, Sue E.; Shung, K. Kirk

2017-03-01

A new ultrasound-guided breast biopsy technique is proposed. The technique utilizes conventional ultrasound guidance coupled with a high frequency embedded ultrasound array located within the biopsy needle to improve the accuracy in breast cancer diagnosis.1 The array within the needle is intended to be used to detect micro- calcifications indicative of early breast cancers such as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Backscattering analysis has the potential to characterize tissues to improve localization of lesions. This paper describes initial results of the application of backscattering analysis of breast biopsy tissue specimens and shows the usefulness of high frequency ultrasound for the new biopsy related technique. Ultrasound echoes of ex-vivo breast biopsy tissue specimens were acquired by using a single-element transducer with a bandwidth from 41 MHz to 88 MHz utilizing a UBM methodology, and the backscattering coefficients were calculated. These values as well as B-mode image data were mapped in 2D and matched with each pathology image for the identification of tissue type for the comparison to the pathology images corresponding to each plane. Microcalcifications were significantly distinguished from normal tissue. Adenocarcinoma was also successfully differentiated from adipose tissue. These results indicate that backscattering analysis is able to quantitatively distinguish tissues into normal and abnormal, which should help radiologists locate abnormal areas during the proposed ultrasound-guided breast biopsy with high frequency ultrasound.

Technical Note: Detection of gas bubble leakage via correlation of water column multibeam images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider von Deimling, J.; Papenberg, C.

2011-07-01

Hydroacoustic detection of natural gas release from the seafloor has been conducted in the past by using singlebeam echosounders. In contrast modern multibeam swath mapping systems allow much wider coverage, higher resolution, and offer 3-D spatial correlation. However, up to the present, the extremely high data rate hampers water column backscatter investigations. More sophisticated visualization and processing techniques for water column backscatter analysis are still under development. We here present such water column backscattering data gathered with a 50 kHz prototype multibeam system. Water column backscattering data is presented in videoframes grabbed over 75 s and a "re-sorted" singlebeam presentation. Thus individual gas bubbles rising from the 24 m deep seafloor clearly emerge in the acoustic images and rise velocities can be determined. A sophisticated processing scheme is introduced to identify those rising gas bubbles in the hydroacoustic data. It applies a cross-correlation technique similar to that used in Particle Imaging Velocimetry (PIV) to the acoustic backscatter images. Tempo-spatial drift patterns of the bubbles are assessed and match very well measured and theoretical rise patterns. The application of this processing scheme to our field data gives impressive results with respect to unambiguous bubble detection and remote bubble rise velocimetry. The method can identify and exclude the main driver for misinterpretations, i.e. fish-mediated echoes. Even though image-based cross-correlation techniques are well known in the field of fluid mechanics for high resolution and non-inversive current flow field analysis, this technique was never applied in the proposed sense for an acoustic bubble detector.

Determination of grain boundary mobility during recrystallization by statistical evaluation of electron backscatter diffraction measurements

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Basu, I., E-mail: basu@imm.rwth-aachen.de; Chen, M.; Loeck, M.

One of the key aspects influencing microstructural design pathways in metallic systems is grain boundary motion. The present work introduces a method by means of which direct measurement of grain boundary mobility vs. misorientation dependence is made possible. The technique utilizes datasets acquired by means of serial electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) measurements. The experimental EBSD measurements are collectively analyzed, whereby datasets were used to obtain grain boundary mobility and grain aspect ratio with respect to grain boundary misorientation. The proposed method is further validated using cellular automata (CA) simulations. Single crystal aluminium was cold rolled and scratched in order tomore » nucleate random orientations. Subsequent annealing at 300 °C resulted in grains growing, in the direction normal to the scratch, into a single deformed orientation. Growth selection was observed, wherein the boundaries with misorientations close to Σ7 CSL orientation relationship (38° 〈111〉) migrated considerably faster. The obtained boundary mobility distribution exhibited a non-monotonic behavior with a maximum corresponding to misorientation of 38° ± 2° about 〈111〉 axes ± 4°, which was 10–100 times higher than the mobility values of random high angle boundaries. Correlation with the grain aspect ratio values indicated a strong growth anisotropy displayed by the fast growing grains. The observations have been discussed in terms of the influence of grain boundary character on grain boundary motion during recrystallization. - Highlights: • Statistical microstructure method to measure grain boundary mobility during recrystallization • Method implementation independent of material or crystal structure • Mobility of the Σ7 boundaries in 5N Al was calculated as 4.7 × 10{sup –8} m{sup 4}/J ⋅ s. • Pronounced growth selection in the recrystallizing nuclei in Al • Boundary mobility values during recrystallization 2–3 orders of magnitude larger vis-à-vis curvature driven motion.« less

Three-dimensional characterization of ODS ferritic steel using by FIB-SEM serial sectioning method.

PubMed

Endo, T; Sugino, Y; Ohono, N; Ukai, S; Miyazaki, N; Wang, Y; Ohnuki, S

2014-11-01

Considerable attention has been paid to the research of the electron tomography due to determine the three-dimensional (3D) structure of materials [1]. One of the electron tomography techniques, focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) imaging has advantages of high resolutions (10 nm), large area observation (μm order) and simultaneous energy dispersive x- ray microanalysis (EDS)/ electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis. The purpose of this study, three-dimensional EBSD analysis of ODS ferritic steel which carried out cold work using FIB-SEM equipment was conducted, and it aimed at analyzing the microstructure obtained there. The zone annealing tests were conducted for ferritic steel [2,3], which were produced through mechanical alloying and hot-extrusion. After zone annealing, specimens were mechanically polished with #400∼4000 emery paper, 1 µm diamond paste and alumina colloidal silica. The serial sectioning and the 3D-electron backscattering diffraction (3D-EBSD) analysis were carried out. We made the micro pillar (30 x 30 x 15 µm). The EBSD measurements were carried out in each layer after serial sectioning at a step size and milling depth was 80 nm with 30 slices. After EBSD analysis, the series of cross-sectional images were aligned according to arbitrarily specified areas and then stacked up to form a volume. Consequently, we obtained the 3D-IPF maps for ODS ferritic steel. In this specimen, the {111} and {001} grains are layered by turns. In addition, the volume fraction value of both plane are similar. The aspect ratio increases with specimen depth. The 3D-EBSD mapping is useful to analysis of the bulk material since this method obtain many microstructure information, such a shape, volume and orientation of the crystal, grain boundary. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japanese Society of Microscopy. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Numerical Simulation and Experimental Casting of Nickel-Based Single-Crystal Superalloys by HRS and LMC Directional Solidification Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Xuewei; Wang, Run'nan; Xu, Qingyan; Liu, Baicheng

2017-04-01

Mathematical models for dynamic heat radiation and convection boundary in directional solidification processes are established to simulate the temperature fields. Cellular automaton (CA) method and Kurz-Giovanola-Trivedi (KGT) growth model are used to describe nucleation and growth. Primary dendritic arm spacing (PDAS) and secondary dendritic arm spacing (SDAS) are calculated by the Ma-Sham (MS) and Furer-Wunderlin (FW) models respectively. The mushy zone shape is investigated based on the temperature fields, for both high-rate solidification (HRS) and liquid metal cooling (LMC) processes. The evolution of the microstructure and crystallographic orientation are analyzed by simulation and electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) technique, respectively. Comparison of the simulation results from PDAS and SDAS with experimental results reveals a good agreement with each other. The results show that LMC process can provide both dendritic refinement and superior performance for castings due to the increased cooling rate and thermal gradient.

Overview of selected surrogate technologies for high-temporal resolution suspended-sediment monitoring

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gray, John R.; Gartner, Jeffrey W.

2010-01-01

Traditional methods for characterizing selected properties of suspended sediments in rivers are being augmented and in some cases replaced by cost-effective surrogate instruments and methods that produce a temporally dense time series of quantifiably accurate data for use primarily in sediment-flux computations. Turbidity is the most common such surrogate technology, and the first to be sanctioned by the U.S. Geological Survey for use in producing data used in concert with water-discharge data to compute sediment concentrations and fluxes for storage in the National Water Information System. Other technologies, including laser-diffraction, digital photo-optic, acoustic-attenuation and backscatter, and pressure-difference techniques are being evaluated for producing reliable sediment concentration and, in some cases, particle-size distribution data. Each technology addresses a niche for sediment monitoring. Their performances range from compelling to disappointing. Some of these technologies have the potential to revolutionize fluvial-sediment data collection, analysis, and availability.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Clark, Samuel, E-mail: S.J.Clark@warwick.ac.uk; Janik, Vit, E-mail: V.Janik@warwick.ac.uk; Rijkenberg, Arjan, E-mail: arjan.rijkenberg@tatasteel.com

In-situ characterization techniques have been applied to elucidate the influence of γ/α transformation upon the extent of interphase precipitation in a low-carbon, vanadium-HSLA steel. Electron Back-scattered diffraction analyses of the γ/α orientation relationship with continuous cooling at 2 and 10 K/s suggest that the proportion of ferrite likely to hold interphase precipitation varies little with cooling rate. However, TEM analyses show that the interphase precipitation refines with increasing cooling rate in this cooling range. With cooling rates in excess of 20 K/s, interphase precipitation is increasingly suppressed due to the increasingly diffusional-displacive nature of the Widmanstätten γ/α transformation that ismore » activated. The present study illustrates that the extent and dimensions of interphase precipitation can be controlled through controlled cooling. - Highlights: • In-situ characterization of γ/α transformation • EBSD characterization of γ/α transformation orientation relationship • Extent of interphase precipitation can be controlled through controlled cooling.« less

Friction and wear behavior of nitrogen-doped ZnO thin films deposited via MOCVD under dry contact

DOE PAGES

Mbamara, U. S.; Olofinjana, B.; Ajayi, O. O.; ...

2016-02-01

Most researches on doped ZnO thin films are tilted toward their applications in optoelectronics and semiconductor devices. Research on their tribological properties is still unfolding. In this work, nitrogen-doped ZnO thin films were deposited on 304 L stainless steel substrate from a combination of zinc acetate and ammonium acetate precursor by MOCVD technique. Compositional and structural studies of the films were done using Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The frictional behavior of the thin film coatings was evaluated using a ball-on-flat configuration in reciprocating sliding under dry contact condition. After friction test, the flat and ball counter-facemore » surfaces were examined to assess the wear dimension and failure mechanism. In conclusion, both friction behavior and wear (in the ball counter-face) were observed to be dependent on the crystallinity and thickness of the thin film coatings.« less

Crystallographic Characterization on Polycrystalline Ni-Mn-Ga Alloys with Strong Preferred Orientation

PubMed Central

Li, Zongbin; Yang, Bo; Zou, Naifu; Zhang, Yudong; Esling, Claude; Gan, Weimin; Zhao, Xiang; Zuo, Liang

2017-01-01

Heusler type Ni-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys can demonstrate excellent magnetic shape memory effect in single crystals. However, such effect in polycrystalline alloys is greatly weakened due to the random distribution of crystallographic orientation. Microstructure optimization and texture control are of great significance and challenge to improve the functional behaviors of polycrystalline alloys. In this paper, we summarize our recent progress on the microstructure control in polycrystalline Ni-Mn-Ga alloys in the form of bulk alloys, melt-spun ribbons and thin films, based on the detailed crystallographic characterizations through neutron diffraction, X-ray diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction. The presented results are expected to offer some guidelines for the microstructure modification and functional performance control of ferromagnetic shape memory alloys. PMID:28772826

In-situ laser ultrasonic measurement of the hcp to bcc transformation in commercially pure titanium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shinbine, A., E-mail: alyssa.shinbine@gmail.com; Garcin, T.; Sinclair, C.

2016-07-15

Using a novel in-situ laser ultrasonic technique, the evolution of longitudinal velocity was used to measure the α − β transformation during cyclic heating and cooling in commercially pure titanium. In order to quantify the transformation kinetics, it is shown that changes in texture can not be ignored. This is particularly important in the case of titanium where significant grain growth occurs in the β-phase leading to the ultrasonic wave sampling a decreasing number of grains on each thermal treatment cycle. Electron backscatter diffraction measurements made postmortem in the region where the ultrasonic pulse traveled were used to obtain anmore » estimate of such local texture and grain size changes. An analysis technique for including the anisotropy of wave velocity depending on local texture is presented and shown to give self consistent results for the transformation kinetics. - Highlights: • Laser ultrasound and EBSD interpret the hcp/bcc phase transformation in cp-Ti. • Grain growth and texture produced variation in velocity during similar treatments. • Texture was deconvoluted from phase addition to obtain transformation kinetics.« less

Emerging surface characterization techniques for carbon steel corrosion: a critical brief review.

PubMed

Dwivedi, D; Lepkova, K; Becker, T

2017-03-01

Carbon steel is a preferred construction material in many industrial and domestic applications, including oil and gas pipelines, where corrosion mitigation using film-forming corrosion inhibitor formulations is a widely accepted method. This review identifies surface analytical techniques that are considered suitable for analysis of thin films at metallic substrates, but are yet to be applied to analysis of carbon steel surfaces in corrosive media or treated with corrosion inhibitors. The reviewed methods include time of flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry, X-ray absorption spectroscopy methods, particle-induced X-ray emission, Rutherford backscatter spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis, near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission electron microscopy, low-energy electron diffraction, small-angle neutron scattering and neutron reflectometry, and conversion electron Moessbauer spectrometry. Advantages and limitations of the analytical methods in thin-film surface investigations are discussed. Technical parameters of nominated analytical methods are provided to assist in the selection of suitable methods for analysis of metallic substrates deposited with surface films. The challenges associated with the applications of the emerging analytical methods in corrosion science are also addressed.

Emerging surface characterization techniques for carbon steel corrosion: a critical brief review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dwivedi, D.; Lepkova, K.; Becker, T.

2017-03-01

Carbon steel is a preferred construction material in many industrial and domestic applications, including oil and gas pipelines, where corrosion mitigation using film-forming corrosion inhibitor formulations is a widely accepted method. This review identifies surface analytical techniques that are considered suitable for analysis of thin films at metallic substrates, but are yet to be applied to analysis of carbon steel surfaces in corrosive media or treated with corrosion inhibitors. The reviewed methods include time of flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry, X-ray absorption spectroscopy methods, particle-induced X-ray emission, Rutherford backscatter spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis, near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission electron microscopy, low-energy electron diffraction, small-angle neutron scattering and neutron reflectometry, and conversion electron Moessbauer spectrometry. Advantages and limitations of the analytical methods in thin-film surface investigations are discussed. Technical parameters of nominated analytical methods are provided to assist in the selection of suitable methods for analysis of metallic substrates deposited with surface films. The challenges associated with the applications of the emerging analytical methods in corrosion science are also addressed.

Mechanical properties and thermal shock performance of W-Y2O3 composite prepared by high-energy-rate forging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lian, Youyun; Liu, Xiang; Feng, Fan; Song, Jiupeng; Yan, Binyou; Wang, Yingmin; Wang, Jianbao; Chen, Jiming

2017-12-01

The effects of the addition of Y2O3 and hot-deformation on the mechanical properties of tungsten (W) have been studied. The processing route comprises a doping technique for the distribution of Y2O3 particles in a tungsten matrix, conventional sintering in a hydrogen environment, and high-energy-rate forging (HERF). The microstructure of the composite was characterized by using transmission electron microscopy and electron backscattering diffraction imaging technique, and its mechanical properties were studied by means of tensile testing. The thermal shock response of the HERF processed W-Y2O3 was evaluated by applying edge-localized mode-like loads (100 pulses) with a pulse duration of 1 ms and an absorbed power density of up to 1 GW m-2 at various temperatures between room temperature and 200 °C. HERF processing has produced elongated W grains with preferred orientations and a high density of structure defects in the composite. The composite material exhibits high tensile strength and good ductility, and a thermal shock cracking threshold lower than 100 °C.

Composition and luminescence studies of InGaN epilayers grown at different hydrogen flow rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, E.; Fang, F.; Oehler, F.; Edwards, P. R.; Kappers, M. J.; Lorenz, K.; Alves, E.; McAleese, C.; Humphreys, C. J.; Martin, R. W.

2013-06-01

Indium gallium nitride (InxGa1 - xN) is a technologically important material for many optoelectronic devices, including LEDs and solar cells, but it remains a challenge to incorporate high levels of InN into the alloy while maintaining sample quality. A series of InGaN epilayers was grown with different hydrogen flow rates (0-200 sccm) and growth temperatures (680-750 °C) to obtain various InN fractions and bright emission in the range 390-480 nm. These 160-nm thick epilayers were characterized through several compositional techniques (wavelength dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry) and cathodoluminescence hyperspectral imaging. The compositional analysis with the different techniques shows good agreement when taking into account compositional gradients evidenced in these layers. The addition of small amounts of hydrogen to the gas flow at lower growth temperatures is shown to maintain a high surface quality and luminescence homogeneity. This allowed InN fractions of up to ˜16% to be incorporated with minimal peak energy variations over a mapped area while keeping a high material quality.

Emerging surface characterization techniques for carbon steel corrosion: a critical brief review

PubMed Central

Dwivedi, D.; Becker, T.

2017-01-01

Carbon steel is a preferred construction material in many industrial and domestic applications, including oil and gas pipelines, where corrosion mitigation using film-forming corrosion inhibitor formulations is a widely accepted method. This review identifies surface analytical techniques that are considered suitable for analysis of thin films at metallic substrates, but are yet to be applied to analysis of carbon steel surfaces in corrosive media or treated with corrosion inhibitors. The reviewed methods include time of flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry, X-ray absorption spectroscopy methods, particle-induced X-ray emission, Rutherford backscatter spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis, near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission electron microscopy, low-energy electron diffraction, small-angle neutron scattering and neutron reflectometry, and conversion electron Moessbauer spectrometry. Advantages and limitations of the analytical methods in thin-film surface investigations are discussed. Technical parameters of nominated analytical methods are provided to assist in the selection of suitable methods for analysis of metallic substrates deposited with surface films. The challenges associated with the applications of the emerging analytical methods in corrosion science are also addressed. PMID:28413351

Electron Microscope Studies of Cadmium Mercury Telluride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyster, Martin

Available from UMI in association with The British Library. Requires signed TDF. Epitaxial layers of Cd_{x }Hg_{(1-x)}Te grown on various substrates by liquid phase epitaxy and metallo-organic vapour phase epitaxy have been studied using transmission and scanning electron microscopy, in a variety of contrast modes. Wavelength-dispersive X-ray microanalysis has been used to study interfaces in epitaxial specimens, and the results are used to derive diffusion coefficients for a range of values of x in Cd_ {x}Hg_{(1-x)} Te. Extensive use has been made of back-scattered electron contrast in the SEM as a means of compositional mapping, and defect structures are imaged by this technique. The back-scattered electron contrast at interfaces has been studied in detail and is modelled using the Monte Carlo approach. The modelling is combined with calculations and practical measurements of the probe size in the SEM instrument used in the work, to arrive at a quantitative explanation of this contrast. The SEM and scintillator detector used allow a spatial resolution of better than 1000A, but it is shown that improvements in this are possible with present technology. Scanning infra-red microscopy (SIRM) and high -resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM) have been applied to the study of CdTe. SIRM images reveal information about Te precipitation, including particle size and density. HREM images provide results concerning dislocation structures in CdTe. Selected-area diffraction contrast TEM results are presented which illustrate the microstructure of LPE and MOVPE material; and TEM foil preparation techniques are discussed, including the choice of ion species for milling cross-sectional specimens. In view of the results obtained, suggestions are made for future work in this field.

Influence of Temperature on Fatigue-Induced Martensitic Phase Transformation in a Metastable CrMnNi-Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biermann, Horst; Glage, Alexander; Droste, Matthias

2016-01-01

Metastable austenitic steels can exhibit a fatigue-induced martensitic phase transformation during cyclic loading. It is generally agreed that a certain strain amplitude and a threshold of the cumulated plastic strain must be exceeded to trigger martensitic phase transformation under cyclic loading. With respect to monotonic loading, the martensitic phase transformation takes place up to a critical temperature—the so-called M d temperature. The goal of the present investigation is to determine an M d,c temperature which would be the highest temperature at which a fatigue-induced martensitic phase transformation can take place. For this purpose, fatigue tests controlled by the total strain were performed at different temperatures. The material investigated was a high-alloy metastable austenitic steel X3CrMnNi16.7.7 (16.3Cr-7.2Mn-6.6Ni-0.03C-0.09N-1.0Si) produced using the hot pressing technique. The temperatures were set in the range of 283 K (10 °C) ≤ T ≤ 473 K (200 °C). Depending on the temperature and strain amplitude, the onset of the martensitic phase transformation shifted to different values of the cumulated plastic strain, or was inhibited completely. Moreover, it is known that metastable austenitic CrMnNi steels with higher nickel contents can exhibit the deformation-induced twinning effect. Thus, at higher temperatures and strain amplitudes, a transition from the deformation-induced martensitic transformation to deformation-induced twinning takes place. The fatigue-induced martensitic phase transformation was monitored during cyclic loading using a ferrite sensor. The microstructure after the fatigue tests was examined using the back-scattered electrons, the electron channeling contrast imaging and the electron backscatter diffraction techniques to study the temperature-dependent dislocation structures and phase transformations.

Method and Apparatus for Computed Imaging Backscatter Radiography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shedlock, Daniel (Inventor); Sabri, Nissia (Inventor); Dugan, Edward T. (Inventor); Jacobs, Alan M. (Inventor); Meng, Christopher (Inventor)

2013-01-01

Systems and methods of x-ray backscatter radiography are provided. A single-sided, non-destructive imaging technique utilizing x-ray radiation to image subsurface features is disclosed, capable of scanning a region using a fan beam aperture and gathering data using rotational motion.

Estimation of Soil Moisture with L-band Multi-polarization Radar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shi, J.; Chen, K. S.; Kim, Chung-Li Y.; Van Zyl, J. J.; Njoku, E.; Sun, G.; O'Neill, P.; Jackson, T.; Entekhabi, D.

2004-01-01

Through analyses of the model simulated data-base, we developed a technique to estimate surface soil moisture under HYDROS radar sensor (L-band multi-polarizations and 40deg incidence) configuration. This technique includes two steps. First, it decomposes the total backscattering signals into two components - the surface scattering components (the bare surface backscattering signals attenuated by the overlaying vegetation layer) and the sum of the direct volume scattering components and surface-volume interaction components at different polarizations. From the model simulated data-base, our decomposition technique works quit well in estimation of the surface scattering components with RMSEs of 0.12,0.25, and 0.55 dB for VV, HH, and VH polarizations, respectively. Then, we use the decomposed surface backscattering signals to estimate the soil moisture and the combined surface roughness and vegetation attenuation correction factors with all three polarizations.

Electron backscatter diffraction applied to lithium sheets prepared by broad ion beam milling.

PubMed

Brodusch, Nicolas; Zaghib, Karim; Gauvin, Raynald

2015-01-01

Due to its very low hardness and atomic number, pure lithium cannot be prepared by conventional methods prior to scanning electron microscopy analysis. Here, we report on the characterization of pure lithium metallic sheets used as base electrodes in the lithium-ion battery technology using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and X-ray microanalysis using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) after the sheet surface was polished by broad argon ion milling (IM). No grinding and polishing were necessary to achieve the sufficiently damage free necessary for surface analysis. Based on EDS results the impurities could be characterized and EBSD revealed the microsctructure and microtexture of this material with accuracy. The beam damage and oxidation/hydration resulting from the intensive use of IM and the transfer of the sample into the microscope chamber was estimated to be <50 nm. Despite the fact that the IM process generates an increase of temperature at the specimen surface, it was assumed that the milling parameters were sufficient to minimize the heating effect on the surface temperature. However, a cryo-stage should be used if available during milling to guaranty a heating artefact free surface after the milling process. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Deviations from Vegard's law in semiconductor thin films measured with X-ray diffraction and Rutherford backscattering: The Ge1-ySny and Ge1-xSix cases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Chi; Senaratne, Charutha L.; Culbertson, Robert J.; Kouvetakis, John; Menéndez, José

2017-09-01

The compositional dependence of the lattice parameter in Ge1-ySny alloys has been determined from combined X-ray diffraction and Rutherford Backscattering (RBS) measurements of a large set of epitaxial films with compositions in the 0 < y < 0.14 range. In view of contradictory prior results, a critical analysis of this method has been carried out, with emphasis on nonlinear elasticity corrections and systematic errors in popular RBS simulation codes. The approach followed is validated by showing that measurements of Ge1-xSix films yield a bowing parameter θGeSi =-0.0253(30) Å, in excellent agreement with the classic work by Dismukes. When the same methodology is applied to Ge1-ySny alloy films, it is found that the bowing parameter θGeSn is zero within experimental error, so that the system follows Vegard's law. This is in qualitative agreement with ab initio theory, but the value of the experimental bowing parameter is significantly smaller than the theoretical prediction. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed in detail.

In situ electron backscatter diffraction investigation of recrystallization in a copper wire.

PubMed

Brisset, François; Helbert, Anne-Laure; Baudin, Thierry

2013-08-01

The microstructural evolution of a cold drawn copper wire (reduction area of 38%) during primary recrystallization and grain growth was observed in situ by electron backscatter diffraction. Two thermal treatments were performed, and successive scans were acquired on samples undergoing heating from ambient temperature to a steady state of 200°C or 215°C. During a third in situ annealing, the temperature was continuously increased up to 600°C. Nuclei were observed to grow at the expense of the deformed microstructure. This growth was enhanced by the high stored energy difference between the nuclei and their neighbors (driving energy in recrystallization) and by the presence of high-angle grain boundaries of high mobility. In the early stages of growth, the nuclei twin and the newly created orientations continue to grow to the detriment of the strained copper. At high temperatures, the disappearance of some twins was evidenced by the migration of the incoherent twin boundaries. Thermal grooving of grain boundaries is observed at these high temperatures and affects the high mobile boundaries but tends to preserve the twin boundaries of lower energy. Thus, grooving may contribute to the twin vanishing.

On capturing the grain-scale elastic and plastic anisotropy of alpha-Ti with spherical nanoindentation and electron back-scattered diffraction

DOE PAGES

Weaver, Jordan S.; Priddy, Matthew W.; McDowell, David L.; ...

2016-09-01

Here, spherical nanoindentation combined with electron back-scattered diffraction has been employed to characterize the grain-scale elastic and plastic anisotropy of single crystal alpha-Ti of two different compositions (in two different titanium alloys). Data analyses protocols needed to reliably extract the desired properties of interest are extended and demonstrated in this paper. Specifically, the grain-scale mechanical response is extracted in the form of indentation stress-strain curves for commercially pure (CP-Ti) alpha-Ti and alloyed (Ti-64) titanium from measurements on polycrystalline samples. The results are compared with responses of single crystals and nanoindentation tests (hardness and modulus) from the literature, and the measuredmore » indentation moduli are validated using crystal-elastic finite element simulations. The results obtained in this study show that (i) it is possible to characterize reliably the elastic and plastic anisotropy of alpha-Ti (hcp) of varying alloying contents with spherical nanoindentation stress-strain curves, (ii) the indentation modulus of alpha-Ti-64 is 5–10% less than CP-Ti, and (iii) the indentation yield strength of alpha-Ti-64 is 50–80% higher than CP-Ti.« less

A Dictionary Approach to Electron Backscatter Diffraction Indexing.

PubMed

Chen, Yu H; Park, Se Un; Wei, Dennis; Newstadt, Greg; Jackson, Michael A; Simmons, Jeff P; De Graef, Marc; Hero, Alfred O

2015-06-01

We propose a framework for indexing of grain and subgrain structures in electron backscatter diffraction patterns of polycrystalline materials. We discretize the domain of a dynamical forward model onto a dense grid of orientations, producing a dictionary of patterns. For each measured pattern, we identify the most similar patterns in the dictionary, and identify boundaries, detect anomalies, and index crystal orientations. The statistical distribution of these closest matches is used in an unsupervised binary decision tree (DT) classifier to identify grain boundaries and anomalous regions. The DT classifies a pattern as an anomaly if it has an abnormally low similarity to any pattern in the dictionary. It classifies a pixel as being near a grain boundary if the highly ranked patterns in the dictionary differ significantly over the pixel's neighborhood. Indexing is accomplished by computing the mean orientation of the closest matches to each pattern. The mean orientation is estimated using a maximum likelihood approach that models the orientation distribution as a mixture of Von Mises-Fisher distributions over the quaternionic three sphere. The proposed dictionary matching approach permits segmentation, anomaly detection, and indexing to be performed in a unified manner with the additional benefit of uncertainty quantification.

An electron back-scattered diffraction study on the microstructure evolution of severely deformed aluminum AI6061 alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vaseghi, M.; Karimi Taheri, A.; Kim, H. S.

2014-08-01

In this paper dynamic strain ageing behavior in an Al-Mg-Si alloy related to equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) was investigated. In order to examine the combined plastic deformation and ageing effects on microstructure evolutions and strengthening characteristics, the Al6061 alloy were subjected to phi=90° ECAP die for up to 4 passes via route Bc at high temperatures. For investigating the effects of ageing temperature and strain rate in ECAP, Vickers hardness tests were performed. The combination of the ECAP process with dynamic ageing at higher temperatures resulted in a significant increase in hardness. The microstructural evolution of the samples was studied using electron back-scattering diffraction (EBSD). The grains of Al6061 aluminum alloy were refined significantly at 100 and 150 °C with greater pass numbers and the distributions of grain size tended to be more uniform with pass number increasing. Frequency of sub-boundaries and low angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) increased at initial stage of deformation, and sub-boundaries and LAGBs evolved into highangle grain boundaries (HAGBs) with further deformation, which resulted in the high frequency of HAGBs in the alloy after ECAP 4 passes.

Electron back-scattered diffraction and nanoindentation analysis of nanostructured Al tubes processed by multipass tubular-channel angular pressing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mesbah, Mohsen; Faraji, Ghader; Bushroa, A. R.

2016-03-01

Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of nanostructured 1060 aluminum alloy tubes processed by tubular-channel angular pressing (TCAP) process were investigated using electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nanoindentation analyzes. EBSD scans revealed a homogeneous ultrafine grained microstructure after the third passes of the TCAP process. Apart from that the mean grain sizes of the TCAP processed tubes were refined to 566 nm, 500 nm and 480 nm respectively after the first, second and third passes. The results showed that after the three TCAP passes, the grain boundaries with a high angle comprised 78% of all the boundaries. This is in comparison to the first pass processed sample that includes approximately 20% HAGBs. The TEM inspection afforded an appreciation of the role of very low-angle misorientation boundaries in the process of refining microstructure. Nanoindentation results showed that hardness was the smallest form of an unprocessed sample while the largest form of the processed sample after the three passes of TCAP indicated the highest resistant of the material. In addition, the module of elasticity of the TCAP processed samples was greater from that of the unprocessed sample.

Atmospheric correlation-time measurements and effects on coherent Doppler lidar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ancellet, Gerard M.; Menzies, Robert T.

1987-01-01

The time for which the backscatter from an ensemble of atmospheric aerosol particles remains coherent was studied by using a pulsed TEA CO2 lidar with coherent detection. Experimental results are compared with predictions by using model pulse shapes appropriate for TEA CO2 laser transmitters. The correlation time of the backscatter return signal is important in studies of atmospheric turbulence and its effects on optical propagation and backscatter. Techniques for its measurement are discussed and evaluated.

Microplastic Deformation of Submicrocrystalline Copper at Room and Elevated Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dudarev, E. F.; Pochivalova, G. P.; Tabachenko, A. N.; Maletkina, T. Yu.; Skosyrskii, A. B.; Osipov, D. A.

2017-02-01

of investigations of submicrocrystalline copper subjected to cold rolling after abc pressing by methods of backscatter electron diffraction and x-ray diffraction analysis are presented. It is demonstrated that after such combined intensive plastic deformation, the submicrocrystalline structure with average grain-subgrain structure elements having sizes of 0.63 μm is formed with relative fraction of high-angle grain boundaries of 70% with texture typical for rolled copper. Results of investigation of microplastic deformation of copper with such structure at temperatures in the interval 295-473 K and with submicrocrystalline structure formed by cold rolling of coarse-grained copper are presented.

Aerosol properties from spectral extinction and backscatter estimated by an inverse Monte Carlo method.

PubMed

Ligon, D A; Gillespie, J B; Pellegrino, P

2000-08-20

The feasibility of using a generalized stochastic inversion methodology to estimate aerosol size distributions accurately by use of spectral extinction, backscatter data, or both is examined. The stochastic method used, inverse Monte Carlo (IMC), is verified with both simulated and experimental data from aerosols composed of spherical dielectrics with a known refractive index. Various levels of noise are superimposed on the data such that the effect of noise on the stability and results of inversion can be determined. Computational results show that the application of the IMC technique to inversion of spectral extinction or backscatter data or both can produce good estimates of aerosol size distributions. Specifically, for inversions for which both spectral extinction and backscatter data are used, the IMC technique was extremely accurate in determining particle size distributions well outside the wavelength range. Also, the IMC inversion results proved to be stable and accurate even when the data had significant noise, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3.

Effects of skylight polarization, cloudiness, and view angle on the detection of oil on water.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Millard, J. P.; Arvesen, J. C.

1971-01-01

Three passive radiometric techniques, which use the contrast of sunlight reflected and backscattered from oil and water in specific wavelength regions, have potential application for remote sensing of oil spills. These techniques consist of measuring (1) total radiance, (2) the polarization components (normal and parallel) of radiance, and (3) the difference between the normal and parallel components. In this paper, the best view directions for these techniques are evaluated, conclusions are drawn as to the most promising technique, and explanations are developed to describe why previous total-radiance measurements yielded highest contrast between oil and water under overcast skies. The technique based on measurement of only the normal polorization component appears to be the most promising. The differential technique should be further investigated because of its potential to reduce the component of backscattered light from below the surface of the water. Measurements should be made about 45 deg nadir view angle in the direction opposite the sun. Overcast sky conditions provide a higher intensity of skylight relative to clear sky conditions and a lower intensity of backscatter within the water relative to surface reflectance. These factors result in higher contrast between oil and water under overcast skies.

Quantitative broadband ultrasonic backscatter - An approach to nondestructive evaluation in acoustically inhomogeneous materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Odonnell, M.; Miller, J. G.

1981-01-01

The use of a broadband backscatter technique to obtain the frequency dependence of the longitudinal-wave ultrasonic backscatter coefficient from a collection of scatterers in a solid is investigated. Measurements of the backscatter coefficient were obtained over the range of ultrasonic wave vector magnitude-glass sphere radius product between 0.1 and 3.0 from model systems consisting of dilute suspensions of randomly distributed crown glass spheres in hardened polyester resin. The results of these measurements were in good agreement with theoretical prediction. Consequently, broadband measurements of the ultrasonic backscatter coefficient may represent a useful approach toward characterizing the physical properties of scatterers in intrinsically inhomogeneous materials such as composites, metals, and ceramics, and may represent an approach toward nondestructive evaluation of these materials.

Improved Detection and Mapping of Deepwater Hydrocarbon Seeps: Optimizing Acquisition and Processing Parameters for Marine Seep Hunting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitchell, G. A.; Orange, D.; Gharib, J. J.; Saade, E. J.; Joye, S. B.

2016-12-01

Marine seep hunting surveys are a current focus of hydrocarbon exploration due to recent advances in offshore geophysical and geochemical technologies. Hydrocarbon seeps are ephemeral, small, discrete, and often difficult to sample on the deep seafloor. Low to mid-frequency multibeam echosounders (MBES) are an ideal exploration tool to remotely locate and map seafloor features associated with seepage. Geophysical signatures from hydrocarbon seeps are evident in bathymetric datasets (fluid expulsion features), seafloor backscatter datasets (carbonate outcrops, gassy sediments, methane hydrate deposits), and midwater backscatter datasets (gas bubble and oil droplet plumes). Interpretation of these geophysical seep signatures in backscatter datasets is a fundamental component in seep hunting. Degradation of backscatter datasets resulting from environmental, geometric, and system noise can interfere with the detection and delineation of seeps. We present a backscatter intensity normalization method and a 2X acquisition technique that can enhance the geologic resolvability within backscatter datasets and assist in interpretation and characterization of seeps. We use GC600 in the Northern Gulf of Mexico as a seep calibration site for a Kongsberg EM302 30 kHz MBES prior to the start of the Gigante seep hunting survey. We analyze the results of a backscatter intensity normalization, assess the effectiveness of 2X seafloor coverage in resolving geologic features in backscatter data, and determine off-nadir detection limits of bubble plumes. GC600's location and robust venting make it a natural laboratory in which to study natural hydrocarbon seepage. The site has been the focus of several near-seafloor surveys as well as in-situ studies using advanced deepwater technologies analyzing fluid flux and composition. These datasets allow for ground-truthing of our remote backscatter measurements prior to commencing exploration within the frontier regions of the Southern Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Our study shows that a comprehensive multibeam calibration involving bathymetric difference grids, a seafloor backscatter intensity normalization, a 2X acquisition survey technique, and processing with multiple processing packages can improve resolvability of seep features and interpretation.

A hybrid asymptotic-modal analysis of the EM scattering by an open-ended S-shaped rectangular waveguide cavity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Law, P. H.; Burkholder, R. J.; Pathak, P. H.

1988-01-01

The electromagnetic fields (EM) backscatter from a 3-dimensional perfectly conducting S-shaped open-ended cavity with a planar interior termination is analyzed when it is illuminated by an external plane wave. The analysis is based on a self-consistent multiple scattering method which accounts for the multiple wave interactions between the open end and the interior termination. The scattering matrices which described the reflection and transmission coefficients of the waveguide modes reflected and transmitted at each junction between the different waveguide sections, as well at the scattering from the edges at the open end are found via asymptotic high frequency methods such as the geometrical and physical theories of diffraction used in conjunction with the equivalent current method. The numerical results for an S-shaped inlet cavity are compared with the backscatter from a straight inlet cavity; the backscattered patterns are different because the curvature of an S-shaped inlet cavity redistributes the energy reflected from the interior termination in a way that is different from a straight inlet cavity.

Element-resolved Kikuchi pattern measurements of non-centrosymmetric materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vos, Maarten, E-mail: maarten.vos@anu.edu.au

2017-01-15

Angle-resolved electron Rutherford backscattering (ERBS) measurements using an electrostatic electron energy analyser can provide unique access to element-resolved crystallographic information. We present Kikuchi pattern measurements of the non-centrosymmetric crystal GaP, separately resolving the contributions of electrons backscattered from Ga and P. In comparison to element-integrated measurements like in the method of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), the effect of the absence of a proper 4-fold rotation axis in the point group of GaP can be sensed with a much higher visibility via the element-resolved Ga to P intensity ratio. These element-resolved measurements make it possible to experimentally attribute the previously observedmore » point-group dependent effect in element-integrated EBSD measurements to the larger contribution of electrons scattered from Ga compared to P. - Highlights: •Element specific Kikuchi patterns are presented for GaP. •Absence of a proper four-fold rotation axis is demonstrated. •Ga and P intensity variations after 90 degree rotation have opposite phase. •The asymmetry in the total intensity distribution resembles that of Ga.« less

Mossbauer spectrometer radiation detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, J. J. (Inventor)

1973-01-01

A Mossbauer spectrometer with high efficiencies in both transmission and backscattering techniques is described. The device contains a sodium iodide crystal for detecting radiation caused by the Mossbauer effect, and two photomultipliers to collect the radiation detected by the crystal. When used in the transmission technique, the sample or scatterer is placed between the incident radiation source and the detector. When used in a backscattering technique, the detector is placed between the incident radiation source and the sample of scatterer such that the incident radiation will pass through a hole in the crystal and strike the sample. Diagrams of the instrument are provided.

Short communication on Kinetics of grain growth and particle pinning in U-10 wt.% Mo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frazier, William E.; Hu, Shenyang; Overman, Nicole; Lavender, Curt; Joshi, Vineet V.

2018-01-01

The alloy U-10 wt% Mo was annealed at temperatures ranging from 700 °C to 900 °C for periods lasting up to 24 h. Annealed microstructures were examined using Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD) to obtain average grain sizes and grain size distributions. From the temporal evolution of the average grain size, the activation energy of grain growth was determined to be 172.4 ± 0.961 kJ/mol. Grain growth over the annealing period stagnated after a period of 1-4 h. This stagnation is apparently caused by the pinning effect of second-phase particles in the materials. Back-scattered electron imaging (BSE) was used to confirm that these particles do not appreciably coarsen or dissolve during annealing at the aforementioned temperatures.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sicupira, Felipe Lucas; Sandim, Maria José R.; Sandim, Hugo R.Z.

The good performance of supermartensitic stainless steels is strongly dependent on the volume fraction of retained austenite at room temperature. The present work investigates the effect of secondary tempering temperatures on this phase transformation and quantifies the amount of retained austenite by X-ray diffraction and saturation magnetization. The steel samples were tempered for 1 h within a temperature range of 600–800 °C. The microstructure was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction. Results show that the amount of retained austenite decreased with increasing secondary tempering temperature in both quantification methods. - Highlights: • The phase transformation during secondarymore » tempering temperatures was observed. • Phases were quantified by X-ray diffraction and DC-saturation magnetization. • More retained austenite forms with increasing secondary tempering temperature. • The retained austenite is mainly located at the grain and lath boundaries.« less

Nano-Scale Structure of Twin Boundaries in Shocked Zircon from the Vredefort Impact Structure.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharp, T. G.; Cavosie, A. J.

2017-12-01

Shock deformation of zircon produces distinct microstructures that can be used as evidence of shock in natural samples. These deformation features include {112} twins that have been observed in naturally shocked samples from Vredefort and elsewhere [1-3]. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) has shown that these twins are polysynthetic, generally < 1µm wide and have a 65°/<110> crystallographic relation to the host zircon [2]. The structure and composition of these twin boundaries, and their effects on element mobility have not been explored previously. Here we use high-resolution TEM to investigate the nano-structure of a {112} twin in a shocked zircon crystal from the 2.0 Ga Vredefort impact structure [3]. Focused-ion-beam lift-out techniques were used to prepare a TEM foil with a 1 µm wide {112}-twin lamella. The foil was characterized by TEM imaging and electron diffraction using a FEI CM200-FEG transmission electron microscope. Selected area diffraction from the {112}-twin boundary, along a <111> zone, showed no apparent evidence of twining. However, the domain boundaries displayed weak diffraction contrast in this orientation. High-resolution images show a 50-nm wide zone of heterogeneous structural disorder and locally amorphous domains along the twin boundaries that is inferred to be a localized metamict zone. The detailed lattice structure of the interface was not discernable because of this structural disorder. Diffraction and imaging along <021> confirms that the {112}-twin composition plane is a mirror plane. The crystallographic relations observed along <110> and <021> are consistent with the 65°/<110> twin structure previously determined from EBSD [2]. Enhanced metamict disorder suggests a higher concentration of actinides along the twin boundaries and implies actinide mobility near twin boundaries. [1] Moser et al, 2011 Can J Earth Sci. [2] Erickson et al. 2013 Am Min. [3] Cavosie et al. 2015 Geol.

Australian aerosol backscatter survey

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gras, John L.; Jones, William D.

1989-01-01

This paper describes measurements of the atmospheric backscatter coefficient in and around Australia during May and June 1986. One set of backscatter measurements was made with a CO2 lidar operating at 10.6 microns; the other set was obtained from calculations using measured aerosol parameters. Despite the two quite different data collection techniques, there is quite good agreement between the two methods. Backscatter values range from near 1 x 10 to the -8th/m per sr near the surface to 4 - 5 x 10 to the -11th/m per sr in the free troposphere at 5-7-km altitude. The values in the free troposphere are somewhat lower than those typically measured at the same height in the Northern Hemisphere.

Assessment of refractive index of pigments by Gaussian fitting of light backscattering data in context of the liquid immersion method.

PubMed

Niskanen, Ilpo; Peiponen, Kai-Erik; Räty, Jukka

2010-05-01

Using a multifunction spectrophotometer, the refractive index of a pigment can be estimated by measuring the backscattering of light from the pigment in immersion liquids having slightly different refractive indices. A simple theoretical Gaussian function model related to the optical path distribution is introduced that makes it possible to describe quantitatively the backscattering signal from transparent pigments using a set of only a few immersion liquids. With the aid of the data fitting by a Gaussian function, the measurement time of the refractive index of the pigment can be reduced. The backscattering measurement technique is suggested to be useful in industrial measurement environments of pigments.

Quantitative Analysis of Venus Radar Backscatter Data in ArcGIS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Long, S. M.; Grosfils, E. B.

2005-01-01

Ongoing mapping of the Ganiki Planitia (V14) quadrangle of Venus and definition of material units has involved an integrated but qualitative analysis of Magellan radar backscatter images and topography using standard geomorphological mapping techniques. However, such analyses do not take full advantage of the quantitative information contained within the images. Analysis of the backscatter coefficient allows a much more rigorous statistical comparison between mapped units, permitting first order selfsimilarity tests of geographically separated materials assigned identical geomorphological labels. Such analyses cannot be performed directly on pixel (DN) values from Magellan backscatter images, because the pixels are scaled to the Muhleman law for radar echoes on Venus and are not corrected for latitudinal variations in incidence angle. Therefore, DN values must be converted based on pixel latitude back to their backscatter coefficient values before accurate statistical analysis can occur. Here we present a method for performing the conversions and analysis of Magellan backscatter data using commonly available ArcGIS software and illustrate the advantages of the process for geological mapping.

On the bulk degradation of yttria-stabilized nanocrystalline zirconia dental implant abutments: an electron backscatter diffraction study.

PubMed

Ocelík, V; Schepke, U; Rasoul, H Haji; Cune, M S; De Hosson, J Th M

2017-08-01

Degradation of yttria-stabilized zirconia dental implants abutments due to the tetragonal to monoclinic phase transformation was studied in detail by microstructural characterization using Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD). The amount and distribution of the monoclinic phase, the grain-size distribution and crystallographic orientations between tetragonal and monoclinic crystals in 3 mol.% yttria-stabilized polycrystalline zirconia (3Y-TZP) were determined in two different types of nano-crystalline dental abutments, even for grains smaller than 400 nm. An important and novel conclusion is that no substantial bulk degradation of 3Y-TZP dental implant abutments was detected after 1 year of clinical use.

Dislocation density evolution in the process of high-temperature treatment and creep of EK-181 steel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vershinina, Tatyana, E-mail: vershinina@bsu.edu.ru

2017-03-15

X-ray diffraction has been used to study the dislocation structure in ferrite-martensite high-chromium steel EK-181 in the states after heat treatment and high-temperature creep. The influence of heat treatment and stress on evolution of lath martensite structure was investigated by and electron back-scattered diffraction. The effect of nitrogen content on the total dislocation density, fraction of edge and screw dislocation segments are analyzed. - Highlights: •Fraction of edge dislocation in quenched state depends on nitrogen concentration. •Nitrogen affects the character of dislocation structure evolution during annealing. •Edge dislocations fraction influences on dislocation density after aging and creep.

Preferred orientations of laterally grown silicon films over amorphous substrates using the vapor-liquid-solid technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

LeBoeuf, J. L.; Brodusch, N.; Gauvin, R.; Quitoriano, N. J.

2014-12-01

A novel method has been optimized so that adhesion layers are no longer needed to reliably deposit patterned gold structures on amorphous substrates. Using this technique allows for the fabrication of amorphous oxide templates known as micro-crucibles, which confine a vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) catalyst of nominally pure gold to a specific geometry. Within these confined templates of amorphous materials, faceted silicon crystals have been grown laterally. The novel deposition technique, which enables the nominally pure gold catalyst, involves the undercutting of an initial chromium adhesion layer. Using electron backscatter diffraction it was found that silicon nucleated in these micro-crucibles were 30% single crystals, 45% potentially twinned crystals and 25% polycrystals for the experimental conditions used. Single, potentially twinned, and polycrystals all had an aversion to growth with the {1 0 0} surface parallel to the amorphous substrate. Closer analysis of grain boundaries of potentially twinned and polycrystalline samples revealed that the overwhelming majority of them were of the 60° Σ3 coherent twin boundary type. The large amount of coherent twin boundaries present in the grown, two-dimensional silicon crystals suggest that lateral VLS growth occurs very close to thermodynamic equilibrium. It is suggested that free energy fluctuations during growth or cooling, and impurities were the causes for this twinning.

Resonant optical scattering in nanoparticle-doped polymer photonic crystals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Baumberg, J. J.; Pursiainen, O. L.; Spahn, P.

2009-11-15

A broadband hyperspectral technique is used to measure the coherent optical backscatter across a wide spectral bandwidth, showing the resonant suppression of the photon transport mean free path around the photonic bandgap of a shear-assembled polymer photonic crystal. By doping with carbon nanoscale scatterers that reside at specific points within the photonic crystal lattice, the ratio between photon mean free path and optical penetration is tuned from 10 to 1, enhancing forward scatter at the expense of back-scatter. The back-scattering strength of different polarisations is not explained by any current theory.

Determination of effective atomic number of biomedical samples using Gamma ray back-scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Inderjeet; Singh, Bhajan; Sandhu, B. S.; Sabharwal, Arvind D.

2018-05-01

The study of effective atomic number of biomedical sample has been carried out by using a non-destructive multiple back-scattering technique. Also radiation characterization method is used to compare the tissue equivalent material as human tissue. Response function of 3″ × 3″ NaI(Tl) scintillation detector is implemented on recorded pulse-height distribution to boost the counts under the photo-peak and help to reduce the uncertainty in the experimental result. Monte Carlo calculation for multiple back-scattered events supports the reported experimental work.

Development and Characterization of a 16.3 keV X-Ray Source at the National Ignition Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fournier, K. B.; Barrios, M. A.; Schneider, M. B.; Khan, S.; Chen, H.; Coppari, F.; Rygg, R.; Hohenberger, M.; Albert, F.; Moody, J.; Ralph, J.; Kemp, G. E.; Regan, S. P.

2014-10-01

X-ray sources at the National Ignition Facility are needed for radiography of in-flight capsules in inertial confinement fusion experiments and for diffraction studies of materials at high pressures. In the former case, we want to optimize signal to noise and signal over background ratios for the radiograph, in the latter case, we want to minimize high-energy emission from the backlighter that creates background on the diffraction data. Four interleaved shots at NIF were taken in one day, with laser irradiances on a Zr backlighter target ranging from 5 to 14 × 1015 W/cm2. Two shots were for source optimization as a function of laser irradiance. X-ray fluxes were measured with the time-resolved NIF X-ray Spectrometer (NXS) and the DANTE array of calibrated, filtered diodes. Two shots were optimized to make backscatter measurements with the FABS and NBI optical power systems. The backscatter levels are investigated to look for correlation with hot electron populations inferred from high-energy x rays measured with the FFLEX broadband spectrometer. Results from all shots are presented and compared with models. Work performed under the auspices of the U.S. DOE by LLNL under Contract No. DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Investigation of Synthetic Mg(1.3)V(1.7)O4 Spinel with MgO Inclusions: Case Study of a Spinel with an Apparently occupied Interstitial Site

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Uchida, Hinako; Righter, Kevin; Lavina, Barbara; Nowell, Matthew M.; Wright, Stuart I.; Downs, Robert T.; Yang, Hexiong

2007-01-01

A magnesium vanadate spinel crystal, ideally MgV2O4, synthesized at 1 bar, 1200 C and equilibrated under FMQ + 1.3 log f(sub o2) condition, was investigated using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe, and electron backscatter (EBSD). The initial X-ray structure refinements gave tetrahedral and octahedral site occupancies, along with the presence of 0.053 apfu Mg at an interstitial octahedral site . Back-scattered electron (BSE) images and electron microprobe analyses revealed the existence of an Mg-rich phase in the spinel matrix, which was too small (less than or equal to 3microns) for an accurate chemical determination. The EBSD analysis combined with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscop[y (XEDS) suggested that the Mg-rich inclusions are periclase oriented coherently with the spinel matrix. The final structure refinements were optimized by subtracting the X-ray intensity contributions (approx. 9%) of periclase reflections, which eliminated the interstitial Mg. This study provides insight into possible origins of refined interstitial cations reported in the the literature for spinel, and points to the difficulty of using only X-ray diffraction data to distinguish a spinel with interstitial cations from one with coherently oriented MgO inclusions.

Assessing Strain Mapping by Electron Backscatter Diffraction and Confocal Raman Microscopy Using Wedge-indented Si

PubMed Central

Friedman, Lawrence H.; Vaudin, Mark D.; Stranick, Stephan J.; Stan, Gheorghe; Gerbig, Yvonne B.; Osborn, William; Cook, Robert F.

2016-01-01

The accuracy of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and confocal Raman microscopy (CRM) for small-scale strain mapping are assessed using the multi-axial strain field surrounding a wedge indentation in Si as a test vehicle. The strain field is modeled using finite element analysis (FEA) that is adapted to the near-indentation surface profile measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The assessment consists of (1) direct experimental comparisons of strain and deformation and (2) comparisons in which the modeled strain field is used as an intermediate step. Direct experimental methods (1) consist of comparisons of surface elevation and gradient measured by AFM and EBSD and of Raman shifts measured and predicted by CRM and EBSD, respectively. Comparisons that utilize the combined FEA-AFM model (2) consist of predictions of distortion, strain, and rotation for comparison with EBSD measurements and predictions of Raman shift for comparison with CRM measurements. For both EBSD and CRM, convolution of measurements in depth-varying strain fields is considered. The interconnected comparisons suggest that EBSD was able to provide an accurate assessment of the wedge indentation deformation field to within the precision of the measurements, approximately 2 × 10−4 in strain. CRM was similarly precise, but was limited in accuracy to several times this value. PMID:26939030

Seismic anisotropy of the crust: electron-backscatter diffraction measurements from the Basin and Range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erdman, Monica E.; Hacker, Bradley R.; Zandt, George; Seward, Gareth

2013-11-01

Crystal preferred orientations were measured in a suite of rocks from three locations in the Basin and Range using electron-backscatter diffraction. Anisotropic velocities were calculated for all rocks using single-crystal stiffnesses, the Christoffel equation and Voigt-Reuss-Hill averaging. Anisotropic velocities were calculated for all three crustal sections using these values combined with rock proportions as exposed in the field. One suite of rocks previously measured in the laboratory was used as a benchmark to evaluate the accuracy of the calculated velocities. Differences in the seismic anisotropy of the Funeral Mountains, Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt Range sections arise because of differences in mineralogy and strain, with the calc-silicate dominated Ruby Mountains section having higher P-wave speeds and VP/VS ratios because of the reduced quartz content. In all cases, the velocities show either transverse isotropy or nearly so, with a unique slow axis normal to the foliation. Velocity anisotropy can thus be used to infer the flow plane, but not the flow direction in typical crustal rocks. Areas with a subhorizontal foliation have minimal shear wave splitting for vertically propagating waves and are thus good places to measure mantle anisotropy using SKS-splitting.

Effect of cold deformation on the recrystallization behavior of FePd alloy at the ordering temperature using electron backscatter diffraction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lin, Hung-Pin; Chen, Yen-Chun; Chen, Delphic

2014-08-15

In this study, the evolution of the recrystallization texture and microstructure was investigated after annealing of 50% and 90% cold-rolled FePd alloy at 530 °C. The FePd alloy was produced by vacuum arc melting in an atmosphere of 97% Ar and 3% H{sub 2}. The specimens were cold rolled to achieve 50% and 90% reduction in thickness. Electron backscatter diffraction measurements were performed on the rolling direction–normal direction section. With increased deformation from 50% to 90%, recrystallized texture transition occurs. For the 50% cold-rolled alloy, the preferred orientation is (0 1 0) [11 0 1], which is close to themore » cubic orientation after 400 h of annealing. For the 90% cold-rolled alloy, the orientation changes to (0 5 4) [22–4 5] after 16 h of annealing. - Highlights: • Texture and microstructure in cold-rolled FePd alloy was investigated during annealing using EBSD. • The recrystallized texture of 50% cold-rolled FePd is (0 1 0) [11 0 1] at 530 °C for 400 hours. • The recrystallized texture of 90% cold-rolled FePd is changed to (0 5 4) [22–4 5] at 530 °C after 16 hours.« less

Backscattered helium spectroscopy in the helium ion microscope: Principles, resolution and applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Gastel, R.; Hlawacek, G.; Dutta, S.; Poelsema, B.

2015-02-01

We demonstrate the possibilities and limitations for microstructure characterization using backscattered particles from a sharply focused helium ion beam. The interaction of helium ions with matter enables the imaging, spectroscopic characterization, as well as the nanometer scale modification of samples. The contrast that is seen in helium ion microscopy (HIM) images differs from that in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and is generally a result of the higher surface sensitivity of the method. It allows, for instance, a much better visualization of low-Z materials as a result of the small secondary electron escape depth. However, the same differences in beam interaction that give HIM an edge over other imaging techniques, also impose limitations for spectroscopic applications using backscattered particles. Here we quantify those limitations and discuss opportunities to further improve the technique.

Uncovering the true nature of deformation microstructures using 3D analysis methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferry, M.; Quadir, M. Z.; Afrin, N.; Xu, W.; Loeb, A.; Soe, B.; McMahon, C.; George, C.; Bassman, L.

2015-08-01

Three-dimensional electron backscatter diffraction (3D EBSD) has emerged as a powerful technique for generating 3D crystallographic information in reasonably large volumes of a microstructure. The technique uses a focused ion beam (FIB) as a high precision serial sectioning device for generating consecutive ion milled surfaces of a material, with each milled surface subsequently mapped by EBSD. The successive EBSD maps are combined using a suitable post-processing method to generate a crystallographic volume of the microstructure. The first part of this paper shows the usefulness of 3D EBSD for understanding the origin of various structural features associated with the plastic deformation of metals. The second part describes a new method for automatically identifying the various types of low and high angle boundaries found in deformed and annealed metals, particularly those associated with grains exhibiting subtle and gradual variations in orientation. We have adapted a 2D image segmentation technique, fast multiscale clustering, to 3D EBSD data using a novel variance function to accommodate quaternion data. This adaptation is capable of segmenting based on subtle and gradual variation as well as on sharp boundaries within the data. We demonstrate the excellent capabilities of this technique with application to 3D EBSD data sets generated from a range of cold rolled and annealed metals described in the paper.

Electromagnetic scattering by impedance structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balanis, Constantine A.; Griesser, Timothy

1987-01-01

The scattering of electromagnetic waves from impedance structures is investigated, and current work on antenna pattern calculation is presented. A general algorithm for determining radiation patterns from antennas mounted near or on polygonal plates is presented. These plates are assumed to be of a material which satisfies the Leontovich (or surface impedance) boundary condition. Calculated patterns including reflection and diffraction terms are presented for numerious geometries, and refinements are included for antennas mounted directly on impedance surfaces. For the case of a monopole mounted on a surface impedance ground plane, computed patterns are compared with experimental measurements. This work in antenna pattern prediction forms the basis of understanding of the complex scattering mechanisms from impedance surfaces. It provides the foundation for the analysis of backscattering patterns which, in general, are more problematic than calculation of antenna patterns. Further proposed study of related topics, including surface waves, corner diffractions, and multiple diffractions, is outlined.

Airborne detection of oceanic turbidity cell structure using depth-resolved laser-induced water Raman backscatter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoge, F. E.; Swift, R. N.

1983-01-01

Airborne laser-induced, depth-resolved water Raman backscatter is useful in the detection and mapping of water optical transmission variations. This test, together with other field experiments, has identified the need for additional field experiments to resolve the degree of the contribution to the depth-resolved, Raman-backscattered signal waveform that is due to (1) sea surface height or elevation probability density; (2) off-nadir laser beam angle relative to the mean sea surface; and (3) the Gelbstoff fluorescence background, and the analytical techniques required to remove it. When converted to along-track profiles, the waveforms obtained reveal cells of a decreased Raman backscatter superimposed on an overall trend of monotonically decreasing water column optical transmission.

Lead foil in dental X-ray film: Backscattering rejection or image intensifier?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hönnicke, M. G.; Delben, G. J.; Godoi, W. C.; Swinka-Filho, V.

2014-11-01

Dental X-ray films are still largely used due to sterilization issues, simplicity and, mainly, economic reasons. These films almost always are double coated (double emulsion) and have a lead foil in contact with the film for X-ray backscattering rejection. Herein we explore the use of the lead foil as an image intensifier. In these studies, spatial resolution was investigated when images were acquired on the dental X-ray films with and without the lead foil. Also, the lead foil was subjected to atomic analysis (fluorescent measurements) and structure analysis (X-ray diffraction). We determined that the use of the lead foil reduces the exposure time, however, does not affect the spatial resolution on the acquired images. This suggests that the fluorescent radiation spread is smaller than the grain sizes of the dental X-ray films.

The hidden life of pyrite: how low can it go?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boyle, Alan; Barrie, Craig; Salter, Michael

2010-05-01

Pyrite is the most abundant sulphide mineral in the Earth's crust, being present in most rock units but only volumetrically important in sulphide ore deposits. Thus, rheological behaviour of pyrite does not have significant implications for crustal deformation as a whole, but it does for deformation of ore deposits. Therefore, understanding pyrite behaviour in ore deposits may help understanding of deformation in rocks where it is of low abundance. Pyrite is a difficult mineral to study because it is both opaque and cubic, two properties that hide most of its microstructure when studied using optical microscopy as well as standard SEM back-scattered electron imaging. Etching can reveal some of the internal secrets of pyrite, but the technique is not universally applicable. The generally accepted view from such studies, coupled with experimental deformation and some TEM studies, is that pyrite is a robust mineral, which, under typical geological strain-rates, deforms by plastic deformation mechanisms above ~425 °C and by brittle or pressure-solution diffusive mechanisms below. Over the last decade or so, the advent of reliable and fast SEM-based electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) systems, coupled with orientation contrast (OC) imaging techniques, has revolutionised study of microstructure in cubic minerals. Plastic deformation can now be readily identified in pyrite; it is no longer hidden. Freitag et al (2004) documented relatively low temperature (~350 °C) plastic deformation of pyrite from Green's Creek, Alaska, raising the possibility that pyrite deforms plastically at lower temperatures than is generally accepted. In this presentation we describe pyrite microstructures from a series of pyrite-rich polymetallic ore deposits (Parys Mountain, Anglesey; Løkken, Norway; Baia Borsa, Romania), deformed at low temperature metamorphic conditions (~200-420 °C). Our results (Barrie et al. 2009) indicate that pyrite grains in all of the ore deposits studied preserve internal lattice ‘distortion' or ‘bending' indicating plastic deformation mechanisms operated. Many pyrite grains in the ore deposits also contain low-angle (~2°) sub-grain boundaries or ‘dislocation walls', indicating that both dislocation glide and creep deformation mechanisms have operated within the pyrite grains. These results indicate that plastic deformation of pyrite, under geological strain-rates, can go down to as low as ~200 °C suggesting the brittle-ductile transition in pyrite occurs at temperatures potentially as low as ~200 °C; much lower than the generally accepted temperature of ~425 °C. Many pyrite grains in sulphide ore deposits preserve internal chemical zonation of trace elements (e.g. Large et al. 2009). The potential relationship between plastic deformation and trace element distribution in pyrite will be discussed. Barrie, C. D., Boyle, A. P. & Salter, M., 2009. How low can you go? - Extending downwards the limits of plastic deformation in pyrite. Mineralogical Magazine, 73(6), 895-913. Freitag, K., Boyle, A. P., Nelson, E., Hitzman, M., Churchill, J. & Lopez-Pedrosa, M., 2004. The use of electron backscatter diffraction and orientation contrast imaging as tools for sulphide textural studies: example from the Greens Creek deposit (Alaska). Mineralium Deposita, 39, 103-113. Large, R. R., Danyushevsky, L., Hollit, C., Maslennikov, V., Meffre, S., Gilbert, S., Bull, S., Scott, R., Emsbo, P., Thomas, H., Singh, B. & Foster, J., 2009. Gold and Trace Element Zonation in Pyrite Using a Laser Imaging Technique: Implications for the Timing of Gold in Orogenic and Carlin-Style Sediment-Hosted Deposits. Economic Geology, 104(5), 635-668.

Biaxial deformation in high purity aluminum

DOE PAGES

Livescu, V.; Bingert, J. F.; Liu, C.; ...

2015-09-25

The convergence of multiple characterization tools has been applied to investigate the relationship of microstructure on damage evolution in high purity aluminum. The extremely coarse grain size of the disc-shaped sample provided a quasi-two dimensional structure from which the location of surface-measured features could be inferred. In particular, the role of pre-existing defects on damage growth was accessible due to the presence of casting porosity in the aluminum. Micro tomography, electron backscatter diffraction, and digital image correlation were applied to interrogate the sample in three dimensions. Recently micro-bulge testing apparatus was used to deform the pre-characterized disc of aluminum inmore » biaxial tension, and related analysis techniques were applied to map local strain fields. Subsequent post-mortem characterization of the failed sample was performed to correlate structure to damaged regions. We determined that strain localization and associated damage was most strongly correlated with grain boundary intersections and plastic anisotropy gradients between grains. Pre-existing voids played less of an apparent role than was perhaps initially expected. Finally, these combined techniques provide insight to the mechanism of damage initiation, propagation, and failure, along with a test bed for predictive damage models incorporating anisotropic microstructural effects.« less

Fabrication of flexible Ir and Ir-Rh wires and application for thermocouple

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murakami, Rikito; Kamada, Kei; Shoji, Yasuhiro; Yokota, Yuui; Yoshino, Masao; Kurosawa, Shunsuke; Ohashi, Yuji; Yamaji, Akihiro; Yoshikawa, Akira

2018-04-01

The fabrication and thermal electromotive force characteristics of Ir/Ir-Rh thermocouples capable of repeated bending deformation are described. Ir and Ir-Rh wires with a diameter of 0.5 mm were fabricated using the alloy-micro-pulling-down method. Scanning electron microscopy and electron backscattering diffraction of the radial cross section of the grown wires were performed to investigate the microstructure and orientation of the crystal grains. At the start of growth, the microstructure was polycrystalline with diameters of several hundred micrometers, while at the 8-m growth point it was found to be monocrystalline. The observed single crystals of pure Ir and Ir-Rh alloy were oriented in the 〈1 1 3〉 and 〈1 1 2〉 directions, respectively, whereas the polycrystalline Ir-Rh samples showed preferential growth in the 〈1 0 0〉 direction. The thermal electromotive force of the fabricated Ir/Ir-Rh thermocouple was measured by the comparison technique and the fixed-point technique, and the thermoelectric power was estimated to be 5.9 μV/°C in the range from 600°C to 1100°C.

Application of Terahertz Imaging and Backscatter Radiography to Space Shuttle Foam Inspection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ussery, Warren

2008-01-01

Two state of the art technologies have been developed for External Fuel Tank foam inspections. Results of POD tests have shown Backscatter Radiography and Terahertz imaging detect critical defects with no false positive issue. These techniques are currently in use on the External Tank program as one component in the foam quality assurance program.

The 27-28 October 1986 FIRE IFO Cirrus Case Study: Cloud Optical Properties Determined by High Spectral Resolution Lidar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grund, C. J.; Eloranta, E. W.

1996-01-01

During the First ISCCP Region Experiment (FIRE) cirrus intensive field observation (IFO) the High Spectral Resolution Lidar was operated from a roof top site on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Because the HSRL technique separately measures the molecular and cloud particle backscatter components of the lidar return, the optical thickness is determined independent of particle backscatter. This is accomplished by comparing the known molecular density distribution to the observed decrease in molecular backscatter signal with altitude. The particle to molecular backscatter ratio yields calibrated measurements of backscatter cross sections that can be plotted ro reveal cloud morphology without distortion due to attenuation. Changes in cloud particle size, shape, and phase affect the backscatter to extinction ratio (backscatter-phase function). The HSRL independently measures cloud particle backscatter phase function. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of the HSRL cirrus cloud data acquired over an approximate 33 hour period of continuous near zenith observations. Correlations between small scale wind structure and cirrus cloud morphology have been observed. These correlations can bias the range averaging inherent in wind profiling lidars of modest vertical resolution, leading to increased measurement errors at cirrus altitudes. Extended periods of low intensity backscatter were noted between more strongly organized cirrus cloud activity. Optical thicknesses ranging from 0.01-1.4, backscatter phase functions between 0.02-0.065 sr (exp -1) and backscatter cross sections spanning 4 orders of magnitude were observed. the altitude relationship between cloud top and bottom boundaries and the cloud optical center altitude was dependent on the type of formation observed Cirrus features were observed with characteristic wind drift estimated horizontal sizes of 5-400 km. The clouds frequently exhibited cellular structure with vertical to horizontal dimension ratios of 1:5-1:1.

Validation of automated supervised segmentation of multibeam backscatter data from the Chatham Rise, New Zealand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hillman, Jess I. T.; Lamarche, Geoffroy; Pallentin, Arne; Pecher, Ingo A.; Gorman, Andrew R.; Schneider von Deimling, Jens

2018-06-01

Using automated supervised segmentation of multibeam backscatter data to delineate seafloor substrates is a relatively novel technique. Low-frequency multibeam echosounders (MBES), such as the 12-kHz EM120, present particular difficulties since the signal can penetrate several metres into the seafloor, depending on substrate type. We present a case study illustrating how a non-targeted dataset may be used to derive information from multibeam backscatter data regarding distribution of substrate types. The results allow us to assess limitations associated with low frequency MBES where sub-bottom layering is present, and test the accuracy of automated supervised segmentation performed using SonarScope® software. This is done through comparison of predicted and observed substrate from backscatter facies-derived classes and substrate data, reinforced using quantitative statistical analysis based on a confusion matrix. We use sediment samples, video transects and sub-bottom profiles acquired on the Chatham Rise, east of New Zealand. Inferences on the substrate types are made using the Generic Seafloor Acoustic Backscatter (GSAB) model, and the extents of the backscatter classes are delineated by automated supervised segmentation. Correlating substrate data to backscatter classes revealed that backscatter amplitude may correspond to lithologies up to 4 m below the seafloor. Our results emphasise several issues related to substrate characterisation using backscatter classification, primarily because the GSAB model does not only relate to grain size and roughness properties of substrate, but also accounts for other parameters that influence backscatter. Better understanding these limitations allows us to derive first-order interpretations of sediment properties from automated supervised segmentation.

Retrieval of ice thickness from polarimetric SAR data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kwok, R.; Yueh, S. H.; Nghiem, S. V.; Huynh, D. D.

1993-01-01

We describe a potential procedure for retrieving ice thickness from multi-frequency polarimetric SAR data for thin ice. This procedure includes first masking out the thicker ice types with a simple classifier and then deriving the thickness of the remaining pixels using a model-inversion technique. The technique used to derive ice thickness from polarimetric observations is provided by a numerical estimator or neural network. A three-layer perceptron implemented with the backpropagation algorithm is used in this investigation with several improved aspects for a faster convergence rate and a better accuracy of the neural network. These improvements include weight initialization, normalization of the output range, the selection of offset constant, and a heuristic learning algorithm. The performance of the neural network is demonstrated by using training data generated by a theoretical scattering model for sea ice matched to the database of interest. The training data are comprised of the polarimetric backscattering coefficients of thin ice and the corresponding input ice parameters to the scattering model. The retrieved ice thickness from the theoretical backscattering coefficients is compare with the input ice thickness to the scattering model to illustrate the accuracy of the inversion method. Results indicate that the network convergence rate and accuracy are higher when multi-frequency training sets are presented. In addition, the dominant backscattering coefficients in retrieving ice thickness are found by comparing the behavior of the network trained backscattering data at various incidence angels. After the neural network is trained with the theoretical backscattering data at various incidence anges, the interconnection weights between nodes are saved and applied to the experimental data to be investigated. In this paper, we illustrate the effectiveness of this technique using polarimetric SAR data collected by the JPL DC-8 radar over a sea ice scene.

Anisotropic physical properties of myocardium characterized by ultrasonic measurements of backscatter, attenuation, and velocity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baldwin, Steven L.

The goal of elucidating the physical mechanisms underlying the propagation of ultrasonic waves in anisotropic soft tissue such as myocardium has posed an interesting and largely unsolved problem in the field of physics for the past 30 years. In part because of the vast complexity of the system being studied, progress towards understanding and modeling the mechanisms that underlie observed acoustic parameters may first require the guidance of careful experiment. Knowledge of the causes of observed ultrasonic properties in soft tissue including attenuation, speed of sound, and backscatter, and how those properties are altered with specific pathophysiologies, may lead to new noninvasive approaches to the diagnosis of disease. The primary aim of this Dissertation is to contribute to an understanding of the physics that underlies the mechanisms responsible for the observed interaction of ultrasound with myocardium. To this end, through-transmission and backscatter measurements were performed by varying acoustic properties as a function of angle of insonification relative to the predominant myofiber direction and by altering the material properties of myocardium by increased protein cross-linking induced by chemical fixation as an extreme form of changes that may occur in certain pathologies such as diabetes. Techniques to estimate acoustic parameters from backscatter were broadened and challenges to implementing these techniques in vivo were addressed. Provided that specific challenges identified in this Dissertation can be overcome, techniques to estimate attenuation from ultrasonic backscatter show promise as a means to investigate the physical interaction of ultrasound with anisotropic biological media in vivo. This Dissertation represents a step towards understanding the physics of the interaction of ultrasonic waves with anisotropic biological media.

MoS2 thin films prepared by sulfurization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sojková, M.; Chromik, Å.; Rosová, A.; Dobročka, E.; Hutár, P.; Machajdík, D.; Kobzev, A. P.; Hulman, M.

2017-08-01

Sulfurization of a Mo layer is one of the most used methods for preparation of thin MoS2 films. In the method, a sulfur powder and Mo covered substrate are placed in different positions within a furnace, and heated separately. This requires a furnace having at least two zones. Here, we present a simplified version of the method where a one-zone tube furnace was used. A molybdenum film on a substrate and a sulfur powder were placed in the center of the furnace and heated at temperatures above 800°C. Mo films transform into MoS2 in vapors of sulphur at high temperatures. As-prepared films were characterized by number of techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman, Rutherford backscattering (RBS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It appears that one-zone sulfurization, with just one annealing temperature used, is a suitable method for fabrication of MoS2 thin films. This method is fast, cheap and easy to scale up.

Modern Focused-Ion-Beam-Based Site-Specific Specimen Preparation for Atom Probe Tomography.

PubMed

Prosa, Ty J; Larson, David J

2017-04-01

Approximately 30 years after the first use of focused ion beam (FIB) instruments to prepare atom probe tomography specimens, this technique has grown to be used by hundreds of researchers around the world. This past decade has seen tremendous advances in atom probe applications, enabled by the continued development of FIB-based specimen preparation methodologies. In this work, we provide a short review of the origin of the FIB method and the standard methods used today for lift-out and sharpening, using the annular milling method as applied to atom probe tomography specimens. Key steps for enabling correlative analysis with transmission electron-beam backscatter diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and atom probe tomography are presented, and strategies for preparing specimens for modern microelectronic device structures are reviewed and discussed in detail. Examples are used for discussion of the steps for each of these methods. We conclude with examples of the challenges presented by complex topologies such as nanowires, nanoparticles, and organic materials.

Anisotropy of diamagnetic susceptibility in Thassos marble: A comparison between measured and modeled data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Wall, Helga; Bestmann, Michel; Ullemeyer, Klaus

2000-11-01

A study of shear zones within the calcite marble complex of the island of Thassos (Greece) shows that the low field anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS)-technique can be successfully applied to diamagnetic rocks for characterizing rock fabrics. The strain path involves both an early pure shear stage and a simple shear overprint that is documented by a transition from triaxial (neutral) to uniaxial (prolate) shapes of AMS ellipsoids. The maximum susceptibility is oriented perpendicular to the rock foliation, reflecting the preferred orientation of calcite c-axes in the protolith as well as in the mylonites. For three samples that represent different types of calcite fabrics, the AMS was recalculated from neutron and electron backscatter diffraction textural data. A comparison of the measured and modeled data shows a good coincidence for the orientation of the principal AMS axes and for the recalculated anisotropy data. Both measured and modeled data sets reflect the change from neutral to distinct prolate ellipsoids during progressive deformation.

A New Cellular Automaton Method Coupled with a Rate-dependent (CARD) Model for Predicting Dynamic Recrystallization Behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azarbarmas, M.; Aghaie-Khafri, M.

2018-03-01

A comprehensive cellular automaton (CA) model should be coupled with a rate-dependent (RD) model for analyzing the RD deformation of alloys at high temperatures. In the present study, a new CA technique coupled with an RD model—namely, CARD—was developed. The proposed CARD model was used to simulate the dynamic recrystallization phenomenon during the hot deformation of the Inconel 718 superalloy. This model is capable of calculating the mean grain size and volume fraction of dynamic recrystallized grains, and estimating the phenomenological flow behavior of the material. In the presented model, an actual orientation definition comprising three Euler angles was used by implementing the electron backscatter diffraction data. For calculating the lattice rotation of grains, it was assumed that all slip systems of grains are active during the high-temperature deformation because of the intrinsic rate dependency of the procedure. Moreover, the morphological changes in grains were obtained using a topological module.

Epitaxial Ferroelectric Ba(0.5)Sr(0.5)TiO3 Thin Films for Room-Temperature High-Frequency Tunable Element Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, C. L.; Feng, H. H.; Zhang, Z.; Brazdeikis, A.; Miranda, F. A.; VanKeuls, F. W.; Romanofsky, R. R.; Huang, Z. J.; Liou, Y.; Chu, W. K.;

3D Microstructural Characterization of Uranium Oxide as a Surrogate Nuclear Fuel: Effect of Oxygen Stoichiometry on Grain Boundary Distributions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rudman, K.; Dickerson, P.; Byler, Darrin David

The initial microstructure of an oxide fuel can play a key role in its performance. At low burn-ups, the diffusion of fission products can depend strongly on grain size and grain boundary (GB) characteristics, which in turn depend on processing conditions and oxygen stoichiometry. Serial sectioning techniques using Focused Ion Beam were developed to obtain Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) data for depleted UO2 pellets that were processed to obtain 3 different oxygen stoichiometries. The EBSD data were used to create 3D microstructure reconstructions and to gather statistical information on the grain and GB crystallography, with emphasis on identifying the charactermore » (twist, tilt, mixed) for GBs that meet the Coincident Site Lattice (CSL) criterion as well as GBs with the most common misorientation angles. Data on dihedral angles at triple points were also collected. The results were compared across different samples to understand effects of oxygen content on microstructure evolution.« less

THz conductivities of indium-tin-oxide nanowhiskers as a graded-refractive-index structure.

PubMed

Yang, Chan-Shan; Chang, Chia-Hua; Lin, Mao-Hsiang; Yu, Peichen; Wada, Osamu; Pan, Ci-Ling

2012-07-02

Indium-tin-oxide (ITO) nanowhiskers with attractive electrical and anti-reflection properties were prepared by the glancing-angle electron-beam evaporation technique. Structural and crystalline properties of such nanostructures were examined by scanning transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Their frequency-dependent complex conductivities, refractive indices and absorption coefficients have been characterized with terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS), in which the nanowhiskers were considered as a graded-refractive-index (GRIN) structure instead of the usual thin film model. The electrical properties of ITO GRIN structures are analyzed and fitted well with Drude-Smith model in the 0.2~2.0 THz band. Our results indicate that the ITO nanowhiskers and its bottom layer atop the substrate exhibit longer carrier scattering times than ITO thin films. This signifies that ITO nanowhiskers have an excellent crystallinity with large grain size, consistent with X-ray data. Besides, we show a strong backscattering effect and fully carrier localization in the ITO nanowhiskers.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jones, David R.; Morrow, Benjamin M.; Trujillo, Carl P.

Here, we present a series of experiments probing the martensitic α–ω (hexagonal close-packed to simple hexagonal) transition in titanium under shock-loading to peak stresses around 15 GPa. Gas-gun plate impact techniques were used to locate the α–ω transition stress with a laser-based velocimetry diagnostic. A change in the shock-wave profile at 10.1 GPa suggests the transition begins at this stress. A second experiment shock-loaded and then soft-recovered a similar titanium sample. We then analyzed this recovered material with electron-backscatter diffraction methods, revealing on average approximately 65% retained ω phase. Furthermore, based on careful analysis of the microstructure, we propose thatmore » the titanium never reached a full ω state, and that there was no observed phase-reversion from ω to α. Texture analysis suggests that any α titanium found in the recovered sample is the original α. The data show that both the α and ω phases are stable and can coexist even though the shock-wave presents as steady-state, at these stresses.« less

Cobalt and sulfur co-doped nano-size TiO2 for photodegradation of various dyes and phenol.

PubMed

Siddiqa, Asima; Masih, Dilshad; Anjum, Dalaver; Siddiq, Muhammad

2015-11-01

Various compositions of cobalt and sulfur co-doped titania nano-photocatalyst are synthesized via sol-gel method. A number of techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman, N2 sorption, electron microscopy are used to examine composition, crystalline phase, morphology, distribution of dopants, surface area and optical properties of synthesized materials. The synthesized materials consisted of quasispherical nanoparticles of anatase phase exhibiting a high surface area and homogeneous distribution of dopants. Cobalt and sulfur co-doped titania demonstrated remarkable structural and optical properties leading to an efficient photocatalytic activity for degradation of dyes and phenol under visible light irradiations. Moreover, the effect of dye concentration, catalyst dose and pH on photodegradation behavior of environmental pollutants and recyclability of the catalyst is also examined to optimize the activity of nano-photocatalyst and gain a better understanding of the process. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Precipitation and Phase Transformations in 2101 Lean Duplex Stainless Steel During Isothermal Aging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maetz, Jean-Yves; Cazottes, Sophie; Verdu, Catherine; Kleber, Xavier

2016-01-01

The effect of isothermal aging at 963 K (690 °C) on the microstructure of a 2101 lean duplex stainless steel, with the composition Fe-21.5Cr-5Mn-1.6Ni-0.22N-0.3Mo, was investigated using a multi-technique and multi-scale approach. The kinetics of phase transformation and precipitation was followed from a few minutes to thousands of hours using thermoelectric power measurements; based on these results, certain aging states were selected for electron microscopy characterization. Scanning electron microscopy, electron back-scattered diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy were used to quantitatively describe the microstructural evolution through crystallographic analysis, chemical analysis, and volume fraction measurements from the macroscopic scale down to the nanometric scale. During aging, the precipitation of M23C6 carbides, Cr2N nitrides, and σ phase as well as the transformation of ferrite into austenite and austenite into martensite was observed. These complex microstructural changes are controlled by Cr volume diffusion. The precipitation and phase transformation mechanisms are described.

A Study of Submicron Grain Boundary Precipitates in Ultralow Carbon 316LN Steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Downey, S.; Han, K.; Kalu, P. N.; Yang, K.; Du, Z. M.

2010-04-01

This article reports our efforts in characterization of an ultralow carbon 316LN-type stainless steel. The carbon content in the material is one-third that in a conventional 316LN, which further inhibits the formation of grain boundary carbides and therefore sensitizations. Our primary effort is focused on characterization of submicron size precipitates in the materials with the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique complemented by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Thermodynamic calculations suggested that several precipitates, such as M23C6, Chi, Sigma, and Cr2N, can form in a low carbon 316LN. In the steels heat treated at 973 K (700 °C) for 100 hours, a combination of EBSD and AES conclusively identified the grain boundary precipitates (≥100 nm) as Cr2N, which has a hexagonal closed-packed crystallographic structure. Increases of the nitrogen content promote formation of large size Cr2N precipitates. Therefore, prolonged heat treatment at relatively high temperatures of ultralow carbon 316LN steels may result in a sensitization.

Influence of Solution Treatment Duration on Microstructural Features of an Industrial Forged UNS S32750/1.4410/F53 Super Duplex Stainless Steel (SDSS) Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cojocaru, Vasile Dănuţ; Răducanu, Doina; Angelescu, Mariana Lucia; Vintilă, Adrian Nicolae; Şerban, Nicolae; Dan, Ioan; Cojocaru, Elisabeta Mirela; Cinca, Ion

2017-08-01

The microstructural changes induced by solution treatment of an industrial forged F53 Super Duplex Stainless Steel alloy were studied, in order to emphasize how component phases are influenced by heat treatment temperature and duration. The solution treatment was done at a temperature of 1100°C, with variable holding times: 0.6 ks (10 min), 3.6 ks (60 min) and 10.8 ks (180 min). Scanning electron microscopy-electron backscattered diffraction was used as main characterization technique, to obtain and analyse data referring to microstructural features, such as: nature and morphology of constituent phases, average grain-size and grain misorientation. It was shown that in all studied cases the microstructure consisted of a mixture of about 45% δ-Fe (ferrite) and 55% γ-Fe (austenite). Besides δ-Fe and γ-Fe phases, other phases were also identified, such as τ-phase (chromium-iron carbide), σ-phase (chromium-iron) and δ-(Cr-Fe) (ferrite).

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Tingguang; Xia, Shuang, E-mail: xs@shu.edu.cn; Li, Hui

Grain boundary engineering was carried out on an aging-treated nickel based Alloy 690, which has precipitated carbides at grain boundaries. Electron backscatter diffraction technique was used to investigate the grain boundary networks. Results show that, compared with the solution-annealed samples, the aging-treated samples with pre-existing carbides at grain boundaries need longer duration or higher temperature during annealing after low-strain tensile deformation for forming high proportion of low-Σ coincidence site lattice grain boundaries (more than 75%). The reason is that the primary recrystallization is inhibited or retarded owing to that the pre-existing carbides are barriers to grain boundaries migration. - Highlights:more » • Study of GBE as function of pre-existing GB carbides, tensile strain and annealing • Recrystallization of GBE is inhibited or retarded by the pre-existing carbides. • Retained carbides after annealing show the original GB positions. • More than 80% of special GBs were formed after the modification of GBE processing. • Multiple twinning during recrystallization is the key process of GBE.« less

P-type ZnO:N Films Prepared by Thermal Oxidation of Zn3N2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Bin; Li, Min; Wang, Jian-Zhong; Shi, Li-Qun

2013-02-01

We prepare p-type ZnO:N films by annealing Zn3N2 films in oxygen over a range of temperatures. The prepared films are characterized by various techniques, such as Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoemission spectroscopy, the Hall effect and photoluminescence spectra. The results show that the Zn3N2 films start to transform to ZnO at 300°C and the N content decreases with an increase in annealing temperature. N has two local chemical states: zinc oxynitride (ZnO1-xNx) and substitutional NO in O-rich local environments (α -NO). The conduction type changes from n-type to p-type upon oxidation at 400-600°C, indicating that N is an effective acceptor in the ZnO film. The photoluminescence spectra show the UV emission and defect-related emissions of ZnO:N films. The mechanism and efficiency of p-type doping are briefly discussed.

Shallow water acoustic backscatter and reverberation measurements using a 68-kHz cylindrical array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gallaudet, Timothy Cole

2001-10-01

The characterization of high frequency, shallow water acoustic backscatter and reverberation is important because acoustic systems are used in many scientific, commercial, and military applications. The approach taken is to use data collected by the Toroidal Volume Search Sonar (TVSS), a 68 kHz multibeam sonar capable of 360° imaging in a vertical plane perpendicular to its direction of travel. With this unique capability, acoustic backscatter imagery of the seafloor, sea surface, and horizontal and vertical planes in the volume are constructed from data obtained in 200m deep waters in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico when the TVSS was towed 78m below the surface, 735m astern of a towship. The processed imagery provide a quasi-synoptic characterization of the spatial and temporal structure of boundary and volume acoustic backscatter and reverberation. Diffraction, element patterns, and high sidelobe levels are shown to be the most serious problems affecting cylindrical arrays such as the TVSS, and an amplitude shading method is presented for reducing the peak sidelobe levels of irregular-line and non-coplanar arrays. Errors in the towfish's attitude and motion sensor, and irregularities in the TVSS's transmitted beampattern produce artifacts in the TVSS-derived bathymetry and seafloor acoustic backscatter imagery. Correction strategies for these problems are described, which are unique in that they use environmental information extracted from both ocean boundaries. Sea surface and volume acoustic backscatter imagery are used to explore and characterize the structure of near-surface bubble clouds, schooling fish, and zooplankton. The simultaneous horizontal and vertical coverage provided by the TVSS is shown to be a primary advantage, motivating further use of multibeam sonars in these applications. Whereas boundary backscatter fluctuations are well described by Weibull, K, and Rayleigh mixture probability distributions, those corresponding to volume backscatter are multi-modal, with the log-normal distribution providing the best fits to the centers of the distributions, and the Rayleigh mixture models providing the best fits to the tails of the distributions. The largest distribution tails result from resonant microbubbles and patchy aggregations of zooplankton. The Office of Naval Research funded this work under ONR-NRL Contract No. N00014-96-1-G9I3.

A simple backscattering microscope for fast tracking of biological molecules

PubMed Central

Sowa, Yoshiyuki; Steel, Bradley C.; Berry, Richard M.

2010-01-01

Recent developments in techniques for observing single molecules under light microscopes have helped reveal the mechanisms by which molecular machines work. A wide range of markers can be used to detect molecules, from single fluorophores to micron sized markers, depending on the research interest. Here, we present a new and simple objective-type backscattering microscope to track gold nanoparticles with nanometer and microsecond resolution. The total noise of our system in a 55 kHz bandwidth is ∼0.6 nm per axis, sufficient to measure molecular movement. We found our backscattering microscopy to be useful not only for in vitro but also for in vivo experiments because of lower background scattering from cells than in conventional dark-field microscopy. We demonstrate the application of this technique to measuring the motion of a biological rotary molecular motor, the bacterial flagellar motor, in live Escherichia coli cells. PMID:21133475

Backscatter particle image velocimetry via optical time-of-flight sectioning

DOE PAGES

Paciaroni, Megan E.; Chen, Yi; Lynch, Kyle Patrick; ...

2018-01-11

Conventional particle image velocimetry (PIV) configurations require a minimum of two optical access ports, inherently restricting the technique to a limited class of flows. Here, the development and application of a novel method of backscattered time-gated PIV requiring a single-optical-access port is described along with preliminary results. The light backscattered from a seeded flow is imaged over a narrow optical depth selected by an optical Kerr effect (OKE) time gate. The picosecond duration of the OKE time gate essentially replicates the width of the laser sheet of conventional PIV by limiting detected photons to a narrow time-of-flight within the flow.more » Thus, scattering noise from outside the measurement volume is eliminated. In conclusion, this PIV via the optical time-of-flight sectioning technique can be useful in systems with limited optical access and in flows near walls or other scattering surfaces.« less

Backscatter particle image velocimetry via optical time-of-flight sectioning

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Paciaroni, Megan E.; Chen, Yi; Lynch, Kyle Patrick

Conventional particle image velocimetry (PIV) configurations require a minimum of two optical access ports, inherently restricting the technique to a limited class of flows. Here, the development and application of a novel method of backscattered time-gated PIV requiring a single-optical-access port is described along with preliminary results. The light backscattered from a seeded flow is imaged over a narrow optical depth selected by an optical Kerr effect (OKE) time gate. The picosecond duration of the OKE time gate essentially replicates the width of the laser sheet of conventional PIV by limiting detected photons to a narrow time-of-flight within the flow.more » Thus, scattering noise from outside the measurement volume is eliminated. In conclusion, this PIV via the optical time-of-flight sectioning technique can be useful in systems with limited optical access and in flows near walls or other scattering surfaces.« less

Simultaneous detection of rotational and translational motion in optical tweezers by measurement of backscattered intensity.

PubMed

Roy, Basudev; Bera, Sudipta K; Banerjee, Ayan

2014-06-01

We describe a simple yet powerful technique of simultaneously measuring both translational and rotational motion of mesoscopic particles in optical tweezers by measuring the backscattered intensity on a quadrant photodiode (QPD). While the measurement of translational motion by taking the difference of the backscattered intensity incident on adjacent quadrants of a QPD is well known, we demonstrate that rotational motion can be measured very precisely by taking the difference between the diagonal quadrants. The latter measurement eliminates the translational component entirely and leads to a detection sensitivity of around 50 mdeg at S/N of 2 for angular motion of a driven microrod. The technique is also able to resolve the translational and rotational Brownian motion components of the microrod in an unperturbed trap and can be very useful in measuring translation-rotation coupling of micro-objects induced by hydrodynamic interactions.

Hot Corrosion Degradation of Metals and Alloys - A Unified Theory

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-06-01

microscope, electron beam microprobe and X-ray diffraction. REULTS AND DMCtESION Hot Corrosion Degradation Sectuence In attempting to develop a unified...Figure 40a. Such ghost images, which can be called corrosion front ghosts , appear as sequential dark and light zones in electron backscatter images... Electronic and Solid State Sciences AUG Ill 1979I Bolling AFB, D.C. 20332 ID PRATT &WHITNEY ARCRAFT GROUP P.O . Box 2861 /Government Products Division wi

Atmospheric correlation time measurements using coherent CO2 lidar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ancellet, G. M.; Menzies, R. T.

1986-01-01

A pulsed TEA-CO2 lidar with coherent detection was used to measure the correlation time of backscatter from an ensemble of atmospheric aerosol particles which are illuminated by the pulsed radiation. The correlation time of the backscatter return signal is important in studies of atmospheric turbulence and its effects on optical propagation and backscatter. If the temporal coherence of the pulse is large enough, then the temporal coherence of the return signal is dominated by the turbulence and shear for a variety of interesting atmospheric conditions. Various techniques for correlation time measurement are discussed and evaluated.

Chaos, Consternation and CALIPSO Calibration: New Strategies for Calibrating the CALIOP 1064 nm Channel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vaughan, Mark; Garnier, Anne; Liu, Zhaoyan; Josset, Damien; Hu, Yongxiang; Lee, Kam-Pui; Hunt, William; Vernier, Jean-Paul; Rodier, Sharon; Pelon, Jaques;

New methods of generation of ultrashort laser pulses for ranging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jelinkova, Helena; Hamal, Karel; Kubecek, V.; Prochazka, Ivan

1993-01-01

To reach the millimeter satellite laser ranging accuracy, the goal for nineties, new laser ranging techniques have to be applied. To increase the laser ranging precision, the application of the ultrashort laser pulses in connection with the new signal detection and processing techniques, is inevitable. The two wavelength laser ranging is one of the ways to measure the atmospheric dispersion to improve the existing atmospheric correction models and hence, to increase the overall system ranging accuracy to the desired value. We are presenting a review of several nonstandard techniques of ultrashort laser pulses generation, which may be utilized for laser ranging: compression of the nanosecond pulses using stimulated Brillouin and Raman backscattering; compression of the mode-locked pulses using Raman backscattering; passive mode-locking technique with nonlinear mirror; and passive mode-locking technique with the negative feedback.

Cirrus Cloud Optical and Morphological Variations within a Mesoscale Volume

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wolf, Walter W.

1996-01-01

Cirrus cloud optical and structural properties were measured above southern Wisconsin in two time segments between 18:07 and 21:20 GMT on December 1, 1989 by the volume imaging lidar (VIL) and the High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) and the visible infrared spin scan radiometer (VISSR) atmospheric sounder (VAS) on GOES. A new technique was used to calculate the cirrus cloud visible aerosol backscatter cross sections for a single channel elastic backscatter lidar. Cirrus clouds were viewed simultaneously by the VIL and the HSRL. This allowed the HSRL aerosol backscatter cross sections to be directly compared to the VIL single channel backscattered signal. This first attempt resulted in an adequate calibration. The calibration was extended to all the cirrus clouds in the mesoscale volume imaged by the VIL.

Two-color short-pulse laser altimeter measurements of ocean surface backscatter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abshire, James B.; Mcgarry, Jan F.

1987-01-01

The timing and correlation properties of pulsed laser backscatter from the ocean surface have been measured with a two-color short-pulse laser altimeter. The Nd:YAG laser transmitted 70- and 35-ps wide pulses simultaneously at 532 and 355 nm at nadir, and the time-resolved returns were recorded by a receiver with 800-ps response time. The time-resolved backscatter measured at both 330-m and 1291-m altitudes showed little pulse broadening due to the submeter laser spot size. The differential delay of the 355-nm and 532-nm backscattered waveforms were measured with a rms error of about 75 ps. The change in aircraft altitudes also permitted the change in atmospheric pressure to be estimated by using the two-color technique.

Lidar Measurements of Tropospheric Wind Profiles with the Double Edge Technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gentry, Bruce M.; Li, Steven X.; Korb, C. Laurence; Mathur, Savyasachee; Chen, Huailin

1998-01-01

Research has established the importance of global tropospheric wind measurements for large scale improvements in numerical weather prediction. In addition, global wind measurements provide data that are fundamental to the understanding and prediction of global climate change. These tasks are closely linked with the goals of the NASA Earth Science Enterprise and Global Climate Change programs. NASA Goddard has been actively involved in the development of direct detection Doppler lidar methods and technologies to meet the wind observing needs of the atmospheric science community. A variety of direct detection Doppler wind lidar measurements have recently been reported indicating the growing interest in this area. Our program at Goddard has concentrated on the development of the edge technique for lidar wind measurements. Implementations of the edge technique using either the aerosol or molecular backscatter for the Doppler wind measurement have been described. The basic principles have been verified in lab and atmospheric lidar wind experiments. The lidar measurements were obtained with an aerosol edge technique lidar operating at 1064 nm. These measurements demonstrated high spatial resolution (22 m) and high velocity sensitivity (rms variances of 0.1 m/s) in the planetary boundary layer (PBL). The aerosol backscatter is typically high in the PBL and the effects of the molecular backscatter can often be neglected. However, as was discussed in the original edge technique paper, the molecular contribution to the signal is significant above the boundary layer and a correction for the effects of molecular backscatter is required to make wind measurements. In addition, the molecular signal is a dominant source of noise in regions where the molecular to aerosol ratio is large since the energy monitor channel used in the single edge technique measures the sum of the aerosol and molecular signals. To extend the operation of the edge technique into the free troposphere we have developed a variation of the edge technique called the double edge technique. In this paper a ground based aerosol double edge lidar is described and the first measurements of wind profiles in the free troposphere obtained with this lidar will be presented.

Texture and structure contribution to low-temperature plasticity enhancement of Mg-Al-Zn-Mn Alloy MA2-1hp after ECAP and annealing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serebryany, V. N.; D'yakonov, G. S.; Kopylov, V. I.; Salishchev, G. A.; Dobatkin, S. V.

2013-05-01

Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) in magnesium alloys due to severe plastic shear deformations provides both grain refinement and the slope of the initial basal texture at 40°-50° to the pressing direction. These changes in microstructure and texture contribute to the improvement of low-temperature plasticity of the alloys. Quantitative texture X-ray diffraction analysis and diffraction of backscattered electrons are used to study the main textural and structural factors responsible for enhanced low-temperature plasticity based on the example of magnesium alloy MA2-1hp of the Mg-Al-Zn-Mn system. The possible mechanisms of deformation that lead to this positive effect are discussed.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tumurugoti, P.; Clark, B.M.; Edwards, D.J.

Hollandite-rich multiphase waste form compositions processed by melt-solidification and spark plasma sintering (SPS) were characterized, compared, and validated for nuclear waste incorporation. Phase identification by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) confirmed hollandite as the major phase present in these samples along with perovskite, pyrochlore and zirconolite. Distribution of selected elements observed by wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS) maps indicated that Cs formed a secondary phase during SPS processing, which was considered undesirable. On the other hand, Cs partitioned into the hollandite phase in melt-processed samples. Further analysis of hollandite structure in melt-processed composition by selected area electron diffractionmore » (SAED) revealed ordered arrangement of tunnel ions (Ba/Cs) and vacancies, suggesting efficient Cs incorporation into the lattice.« less

Comparison Study on Additive Manufacturing (AM) and Powder Metallurgy (PM) AlSi10Mg Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, B.; Moon, S. K.; Yao, X.; Bi, G.; Shen, J.; Umeda, J.; Kondoh, K.

2018-02-01

The microstructural and mechanical properties of AlSi10Mg alloys fabricated by additive manufacturing (AM) and powder metallurgy (PM) routes were investigated and compared. The microstructures were examined by scanning electron microscopy assisted with electron-dispersive spectroscopy. The crystalline features were studied by x-ray diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction. Room-temperature tensile tests and Vickers hardness measurements were performed to characterize the mechanical properties. It was found that the AM alloy had coarser Al grains but much finer Si precipitates compared with the PM alloy. Consequently, the AM alloy showed more than 100% increment in strength and hardness compared with the PM alloy due to the presence of ultrafine forms of Si, while exhibiting moderate ductility.

The path for long range conduction in high J(sub c) TlBa2Ca2Cu3O(8+x) spray-pyrolyzed deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kroeger, D. M.; Goyal, A.; Specht, E. D.; Wang, Z. L.; Tkaczyk, J. E.; Sutliff, J. A.; Deluca, J. A.

Grain boundary misorientations and local texture in polycrystalline TlBa2Ca2Cu3O(8+x) deposits prepared by thallination of spray-pyrolyzed precursor deposits on yttria-stabilized zirconia have been determined from transmission electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction patterns, and x ray diffraction. The deposits were polycrystalline, had small grains, and excellent c-axis alignment. The deposits contained colonies of grains with similar but not identical a-axis orientations. Most grain boundaries within a colony have small misorientation angles and should not be weak links. It is proposed that long range current flow occurs through a percolative network of small angle grain boundaries at colony intersections.

Evolution of the substructure of a novel 12% Cr steel under creep conditions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yadav, Surya Deo, E-mail: surya.yadav@tugraz.at; Kalácska, Szilvia, E-mail: kalacska@metal.elte.hu; Dománková, Mária, E-mail: maria.domankova@stuba.sk

2016-05-15

In this work we study the microstruture evolution of a newly developed 12% Cr martensitic/ferritic steel in as-received condition and after creep at 650 °C under 130 MPa and 80 MPa. The microstructure is described as consisting of mobile dislocations, dipole dislocations, boundary dislocations, precipitates, lath boundaries, block boundaries, packet boundaries and prior austenitic grain boundaries. The material is characterized employing light optical microscopy (LOM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). TEM is used to characterize the dislocations (mobile + dipole) inside the subgrains and XRD measurements are used tomore » the characterize mobile dislocations. Based on the subgrain boundary misorientations obtained from EBSD measurements, the boundary dislocation density is estimated. The total dislocation density is estimated for the as-received and crept conditions adding the mobile, boundary and dipole dislocation densities. Additionally, the subgrain size is estimated from the EBSD measurements. In this publication we propose the use of three characterization techniques TEM, XRD and EBSD as necessary to characterize all type of dislocations and quantify the total dislocation densty in martensitic/ferritic steels. - Highlights: • Creep properties of a novel 12% Cr steel alloyed with Ta • Experimental characterization of different types of dislocations: mobile, dipole and boundary • Characterization and interpretation of the substructure evolution using unique combination of TEM, XRD and EBSD.« less

Lidar monitoring of regions of intense backscatter with poorly defined boundaries

Treesearch

Vladimir A. Kovalev; Alexander Petkov; Cyle Wold; WeiMin Hao

2011-01-01

The upper height of a region of intense backscatter with a poorly defined boundary between this region and a region of clear air above it is found as the maximal height where aerosol heterogeneity is detectable, that is, where it can be discriminated from noise. The theoretical basis behind the retrieval technique and the corresponding lidar-data-processing procedures...

Window flaw detection by backscatter lighting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crockett, L. K.; Minton, F. R.

1978-01-01

Portable fiber-optic probe detects tiny flaws in transparent materials. Probe transmits light through surface to illuminate interior of material by backscattering off its edges. Light-sensitive contact paper records scratch pattern. Technique can be used for rapid visual checks. Flexible fiber optics are safely used in explosive or flammable areas; they present no hazard of breakage or contamination in controlled environments.

Growth of Ca{sub 2}MnO{sub 4} Ruddlesden-Popper structured thin films using combinatorial substrate epitaxy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lacotte, M.; David, A.; Pravarthana, D.

2014-12-28

The local epitaxial growth of pulsed laser deposited Ca{sub 2}MnO{sub 4} films on polycrystalline spark plasma sintered Sr{sub 2}TiO{sub 4} substrates was investigated to determine phase formation and preferred epitaxial orientation relationships (ORs) for isostructural Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) heteroepitaxy, further developing the high-throughput synthetic approach called Combinatorial Substrate Epitaxy (CSE). Both grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction patterns of the film and substrate were indexable as single-phase RP-structured compounds. The optimal growth temperature (between 650 °C and 800 °C) was found to be 750 °C using the maximum value of the average image quality of the backscattered diffraction patterns. Films grew inmore » a grain-over-grain pattern such that each Ca{sub 2}MnO{sub 4} grain had a single OR with the Sr{sub 2}TiO{sub 4} grain on which it grew. Three primary ORs described 47 out of 49 grain pairs that covered nearly all of RP orientation space. The first OR, found for 20 of the 49, was the expected RP unit-cell over RP unit-cell OR, expressed as [100][001]{sub film}||[100][001]{sub sub}. The other two ORs were essentially rotated from the first by 90°, with one (observed for 17 of 49 pairs) being rotated about the [100] and the other (observed for 10 of 49 pairs) being rotated about the [110] (and not exactly by 90°). These results indicate that only a small number of ORs are needed to describe isostructural RP heteroepitaxy and further demonstrate the potential of CSE in the design and growth of a wide range of complex functional oxides.« less

Experimental evaluation of effective atomic number of composite materials using back-scattering of gamma photons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Inderjeet; Singh, Bhajan; Sandhu, B. S.; Sabharwal, Arvind D.

2017-04-01

A method has been presented for calculation of effective atomic number (Zeff) of composite materials, by using back-scattering of 662 keV gamma photons obtained from a 137Cs mono-energetic radioactive source. The present technique is a non-destructive approach, and is employed to evaluate Zeff of different composite materials, by interacting gamma photons with semi-infinite material in a back-scattering geometry, using a 3″ × 3″ NaI(Tl) scintillation detector. The present work is undertaken to study the effect of target thickness on intensity distribution of gamma photons which are multiply back-scattered from targets (pure elements) and composites (mixtures of different elements). The intensity of multiply back-scattered events increases with increasing target thickness and finally saturates. The saturation thickness for multiply back-scattered events is used to assign a number (Zeff) for multi-element materials. Response function of the 3″ × 3″ NaI(Tl) scintillation detector is applied on observed pulse-height distribution to include the contribution of partially absorbed photons. The reduced value of signal-to-noise ratio interprets the increase in multiply back-scattered data of a response corrected spectrum. Data obtained from Monte Carlo simulations and literature also support the present experimental results.

A Pilot Comparative Study of Quantitative Ultrasound, Conventional Ultrasound, and MRI for Predicting Histology-Determined Steatosis Grade in Adult Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

PubMed Central

Paige, Jeremy S.; Bernstein, Gregory S.; Heba, Elhamy; Costa, Eduardo A. C.; Fereirra, Marilia; Wolfson, Tanya; Gamst, Anthony C.; Valasek, Mark A.; Lin, Grace Y.; Han, Aiguo; Erdman, John W.; O’Brien, William D.; Andre, Michael P.; Loomba, Rohit; Sirlin, Claude B.

2017-01-01

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to explore the diagnostic performance of two investigational quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters, attenuation coefficient and backscatter coefficient, in comparison with conventional ultrasound (CUS) and MRI-estimated proton density fat fraction (PDFF) for predicting histology-confirmed steatosis grade in adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS In this prospectively designed pilot study, 61 adults with histology-confirmed NAFLD were enrolled from September 2012 to February 2014. Subjects underwent QUS, CUS, and MRI examinations within 100 days of clinical-care liver biopsy. QUS parameters (attenuation coefficient and backscatter coefficient) were estimated using a reference phantom technique by two analysts independently. Three-point ordinal CUS scores intended to predict steatosis grade (1, 2, or 3) were generated independently by two radiologists on the basis of QUS features. PDFF was estimated using an advanced chemical shift–based MRI technique. Using histologic examination as the reference standard, ROC analysis was performed. Optimal attenuation coefficient, backscatter coefficient, and PDFF cutoff thresholds were identified, and the accuracy of attenuation coefficient, backscatter coefficient, PDFF, and CUS to predict steatosis grade was determined. Interobserver agreement for attenuation coefficient, backscatter coefficient, and CUS was analyzed. RESULTS CUS had 51.7% grading accuracy. The raw and cross-validated steatosis grading accuracies were 61.7% and 55.0%, respectively, for attenuation coefficient, 68.3% and 68.3% for backscatter coefficient, and 76.7% and 71.3% for MRI-estimated PDFF. Interobserver agreements were 53.3% for CUS (κ = 0.61), 90.0% for attenuation coefficient (κ = 0.87), and 71.7% for backscatter coefficient (κ = 0.82) (p < 0.0001 for all). CONCLUSION Preliminary observations suggest that QUS parameters may be more accurate and provide higher interobserver agreement than CUS for predicting hepatic steatosis grade in patients with NAFLD. PMID:28267360

A Pilot Comparative Study of Quantitative Ultrasound, Conventional Ultrasound, and MRI for Predicting Histology-Determined Steatosis Grade in Adult Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

PubMed

Paige, Jeremy S; Bernstein, Gregory S; Heba, Elhamy; Costa, Eduardo A C; Fereirra, Marilia; Wolfson, Tanya; Gamst, Anthony C; Valasek, Mark A; Lin, Grace Y; Han, Aiguo; Erdman, John W; O'Brien, William D; Andre, Michael P; Loomba, Rohit; Sirlin, Claude B

2017-05-01

The purpose of this study is to explore the diagnostic performance of two investigational quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters, attenuation coefficient and backscatter coefficient, in comparison with conventional ultrasound (CUS) and MRI-estimated proton density fat fraction (PDFF) for predicting histology-confirmed steatosis grade in adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this prospectively designed pilot study, 61 adults with histology-confirmed NAFLD were enrolled from September 2012 to February 2014. Subjects underwent QUS, CUS, and MRI examinations within 100 days of clinical-care liver biopsy. QUS parameters (attenuation coefficient and backscatter coefficient) were estimated using a reference phantom technique by two analysts independently. Three-point ordinal CUS scores intended to predict steatosis grade (1, 2, or 3) were generated independently by two radiologists on the basis of QUS features. PDFF was estimated using an advanced chemical shift-based MRI technique. Using histologic examination as the reference standard, ROC analysis was performed. Optimal attenuation coefficient, backscatter coefficient, and PDFF cutoff thresholds were identified, and the accuracy of attenuation coefficient, backscatter coefficient, PDFF, and CUS to predict steatosis grade was determined. Interobserver agreement for attenuation coefficient, backscatter coefficient, and CUS was analyzed. CUS had 51.7% grading accuracy. The raw and cross-validated steatosis grading accuracies were 61.7% and 55.0%, respectively, for attenuation coefficient, 68.3% and 68.3% for backscatter coefficient, and 76.7% and 71.3% for MRI-estimated PDFF. Interobserver agreements were 53.3% for CUS (κ = 0.61), 90.0% for attenuation coefficient (κ = 0.87), and 71.7% for backscatter coefficient (κ = 0.82) (p < 0.0001 for all). Preliminary observations suggest that QUS parameters may be more accurate and provide higher interobserver agreement than CUS for predicting hepatic steatosis grade in patients with NAFLD.

Effect of prior deformation on microstructural development and Laves phase precipitation in high-chromium stainless steel.

PubMed

Hsiao, Z-W; Chen, D; Kuo, J-C; Lin, D-Y

2017-04-01

This study investigated the influence of deformation on precipitation behaviour and microstructure change during annealing. Here, the prior deformation of high-chromium stainless steel was tensile deformation of 3%, 6% and 10%, and the specimens were then annealed at 700˚C for 10 h. The specimens were subsequently analyzed using backscattered electron image and electron backscattering diffraction measurements with SEM. Compared with the deformation microstructure, the grains revealed no preferred orientation. The precipitates of TiN and NbC were formed homogenously in the grain interior and at grain boundaries after annealing. Fine Laves phase precipitates were observed in grains and along subgrain boundaries as the deformation increased. Furthermore, the volume fraction of Laves phase increased, but the average particle diameter of precipitate was reduced as the deformation increased. © 2017 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2017 Royal Microscopical Society.

Extinction-to-Backscatter Ratios of Lofted Aerosol Layers Observed During the First Three Months of CALIPSO Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Omar, Ali H.; Vaughan, Mark A.; Liu, Zhaoyan; Hu, Yongxiang; Reagan, John A.; Winker, David M.

2007-01-01

Case studies from the first three months of the Cloud and Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Spaceborne Observations (CALIPSO) measurements of lofted aerosol layers are analyzed using transmittance [Young, 1995] and two-wavelength algorithms [Vaughan et al., 2004] to determine the aerosol extinction-to-backscatter ratios at 532 and 1064 nm. The transmittance method requires clear air below the layer so that the transmittance through the layer can be determined. Suitable scenes are selected from the browse images and clear air below features is identified by low 532 nm backscatter signal and confirmed by low depolarization and color ratios. The transmittance and two-wavelength techniques are applied to a number of lofted layers and the extinction-to-backscatter ratios are compared with values obtained from the CALIPSO aerosol models [Omar et al., 2004]. The results obtained from these studies are used to adjust the aerosol models and develop observations based extinction-to-backscatter ratio look-up tables and phase functions. Values obtained by these techniques are compared to Sa determinations using other independent methods with a goal of developing probability distribution functions of aerosol type-specific extinction to backscatter ratios. In particular, the results are compared to values determined directly by the High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) during the CALIPSO CloudSat Validation Experiments (CCVEX) and Sa determined by the application of the two-wavelength lidar Constrained Ratio Aerosol Model-fit (CRAM) retrieval approach [Cattrall et al., 2005; Reagan et al., 2004] to the HSRL data. The results are also compared to values derived using the empirical relationship between the multiple-scattering fraction and the linear depolarization ratio by using Monte Carlo simulations of water clouds [Hu et al., 2006].

Tackling pseudosymmetry problems in electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analyses of perovskite structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mariani, Elisabetta; Kaercher, Pamela; Mecklenburgh, Julian; Wheeler, John

2016-04-01

Perovskite minerals form an important mineral group that has applications in Earth science and emerging alternative energy technologies, however crystallographic quantification of these minerals with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is not accurate due to pseudosymmetry problems. The silicate perovskite Bridgmanite, (Mg,Fe)SiO3, is understood to be the dominant phase in the Earth's lower mantle. Gaining insight into its physical and rheological properties is therefore vital to understand the dynamics of the Earth's deep interior. Rock deformation experiments on analogue perovskite phases, for example (Ca,Sr)TiO3, combined with quantitative microstructural analyses of the recovered samples by EBSD, yield datasets that can reveal what deformation mechanisms may dominate the flow of perovskite in the lower mantle. Additionally, perovskite structures have important technological applications as new, suitable cathodes for the operation of more efficient and environmentally-friendly solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). In recent years they have also been recognised as a potential substitute for silicon in the next generation of photovoltaic cells for the construction of economic and energy efficient solar panels. EBSD has the potential to be a valuable tool for the study of crystal orientations achieved in perovskite substrates as crystal alignment has a direct control on the properties of these materials. However, perovskite structures currently present us with challenges during the automated indexing of Kikuchi bands in electron backscatter diffraction patterns (EBSPs). Such challenges are represented by the pseudosymmetric character of perovskites, where atoms are subtly displaced (0.005 nm to 0.05 nm) from their higher symmetry positions. In orthorhombic Pbnm perovskites, for example, pseudosymmetry may be evaluated from the c/a unit cell parameter ratio, which is very close to 1. Two main types of distortions from the higher symmetry structure are recognised: a tilt and a deformation of the anion octahedron. These distortions may occur together. Common misidentifications observed in EBSD data are [100] and [001] seen as equivalent solutions, whereby these dyad symmetry axes are misidentified as tetrad axes of the cubic symmetry. In this study we investigate methods that could be applied to the EBSP automated indexing algorithm to solve the pseudosymmetry problem in perovskite structures. Attention is given to subtle angular deviations between bands and to differences in pseudosymmetric Kikuchi patterns.

Comprehensive Characterization of Extended Defects in Semiconductor Materials by a Scanning Electron Microscope.

PubMed

Hieckmann, Ellen; Nacke, Markus; Allardt, Matthias; Bodrov, Yury; Chekhonin, Paul; Skrotzki, Werner; Weber, Jörg

2016-05-28

Extended defects such as dislocations and grain boundaries have a strong influence on the performance of microelectronic devices and on other applications of semiconductor materials. However, it is still under debate how the defect structure determines the band structure, and therefore, the recombination behavior of electron-hole pairs responsible for the optical and electrical properties of the extended defects. The present paper is a survey of procedures for the spatially resolved investigation of structural and of physical properties of extended defects in semiconductor materials with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Representative examples are given for crystalline silicon. The luminescence behavior of extended defects can be investigated by cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements. They are particularly valuable because spectrally and spatially resolved information can be obtained simultaneously. For silicon, with an indirect electronic band structure, CL measurements should be carried out at low temperatures down to 5 K due to the low fraction of radiative recombination processes in comparison to non-radiative transitions at room temperature. For the study of the electrical properties of extended defects, the electron beam induced current (EBIC) technique can be applied. The EBIC image reflects the local distribution of defects due to the increased charge-carrier recombination in their vicinity. The procedure for EBIC investigations is described for measurements at room temperature and at low temperatures. Internal strain fields arising from extended defects can be determined quantitatively by cross-correlation electron backscatter diffraction (ccEBSD). This method is challenging because of the necessary preparation of the sample surface and because of the quality of the diffraction patterns which are recorded during the mapping of the sample. The spatial resolution of the three experimental techniques is compared.

Comprehensive Characterization of Extended Defects in Semiconductor Materials by a Scanning Electron Microscope

PubMed Central

Hieckmann, Ellen; Nacke, Markus; Allardt, Matthias; Bodrov, Yury; Chekhonin, Paul; Skrotzki, Werner; Weber, Jörg

2016-01-01

Extended defects such as dislocations and grain boundaries have a strong influence on the performance of microelectronic devices and on other applications of semiconductor materials. However, it is still under debate how the defect structure determines the band structure, and therefore, the recombination behavior of electron-hole pairs responsible for the optical and electrical properties of the extended defects. The present paper is a survey of procedures for the spatially resolved investigation of structural and of physical properties of extended defects in semiconductor materials with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Representative examples are given for crystalline silicon. The luminescence behavior of extended defects can be investigated by cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements. They are particularly valuable because spectrally and spatially resolved information can be obtained simultaneously. For silicon, with an indirect electronic band structure, CL measurements should be carried out at low temperatures down to 5 K due to the low fraction of radiative recombination processes in comparison to non-radiative transitions at room temperature. For the study of the electrical properties of extended defects, the electron beam induced current (EBIC) technique can be applied. The EBIC image reflects the local distribution of defects due to the increased charge-carrier recombination in their vicinity. The procedure for EBIC investigations is described for measurements at room temperature and at low temperatures. Internal strain fields arising from extended defects can be determined quantitatively by cross-correlation electron backscatter diffraction (ccEBSD). This method is challenging because of the necessary preparation of the sample surface and because of the quality of the diffraction patterns which are recorded during the mapping of the sample. The spatial resolution of the three experimental techniques is compared. PMID:27285177

Quantitative Ultrasound Imaging Using Acoustic Backscatter Coefficients.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boote, Evan Jeffery

Current clinical ultrasound scanners render images which have brightness levels related to the degree of backscattered energy from the tissue being imaged. These images offer the interpreter a qualitative impression of the scattering characteristics of the tissue being examined, but due to the complex factors which affect the amplitude and character of the echoed acoustic energy, it is difficult to make quantitative assessments of scattering nature of the tissue, and thus, difficult to make precise diagnosis when subtle disease effects are present. In this dissertation, a method of data reduction for determining acoustic backscatter coefficients is adapted for use in forming quantitative ultrasound images of this parameter. In these images, the brightness level of an individual pixel corresponds to the backscatter coefficient determined for the spatial position represented by that pixel. The data reduction method utilized rigorously accounts for extraneous factors which affect the scattered echo waveform and has been demonstrated to accurately determine backscatter coefficients under a wide range of conditions. The algorithms and procedures used to form backscatter coefficient images are described. These were tested using tissue-mimicking phantoms which have regions of varying scattering levels. Another phantom has a fat-mimicking layer for testing these techniques under more clinically relevant conditions. Backscatter coefficient images were also formed of in vitro human liver tissue. A clinical ultrasound scanner has been adapted for use as a backscatter coefficient imaging platform. The digital interface between the scanner and the computer used for data reduction are described. Initial tests, using phantoms are presented. A study of backscatter coefficient imaging of in vivo liver was performed using several normal, healthy human subjects.

A Backscattering Enhanced Microwave Canopy Scattering Model Based On MIMICS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, X.; Hong, Y.; Qin, Q.; Chen, S.; Grout, T.

2010-12-01

For modeling microwave scattering of vegetated areas, several microwave canopy scattering models, based on the vectorized radiative transfer equation (VRT) that use different solving techniques, have been proposed in the past three decades. As an iterative solution of VRT at low orders, the Michigan Microwave Canopy Scattering Model (MIMICS) gives an analytical expression for calculating scattering as long as the volume scattering is not too strong. The most important usage of such models is to predict scattering in the backscattering direction. Unfortunately, the simplified assumption of MIMICS is that the scattering between the ground and trunk layers only includes the specular reflection. As a result, MIMICS includes a dominant coherent term which vanishes in the backscattering direction because this term contains a delta function factor of zero in this direction. This assumption needs reconsideration for accurately calculating the backscattering. In the framework of MIMICS, any incoherent terms that involve surface scattering factors must at least undergo surface scattering twice and volume scattering once. Therefore, these incoherent terms are usually very weak. On the other hand, due to the phenomenon of backscattering enhancement, the surface scattering in the backscattering direction is very strong compared to most other directions. Considering the facts discussed above, it is reasonable to add a surface backscattering term to the last equation of the boundary conditions of MIMICS. More terms appear in the final result including a backscattering coherent term which enhances the backscattering. The modified model is compared with the original MIMICS (version 1.0) using JPL/AIRSAR data from NASA Campaign Soil Moisture Experimental 2003 (SMEX03) and Washita92. Significant improvement is observed.

Tutorial: Crystal orientations and EBSD — Or which way is up?

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Britton, T.B., E-mail: b.britton@imperial.ac.uk; Jiang, J.; Guo, Y.

2016-07-15

Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is an automated technique that can measure the orientation of crystals in a sample very rapidly. There are many sophisticated software packages that present measured data. Unfortunately, due to crystal symmetry and differences in the set-up of microscope and EBSD software, there may be accuracy issues when linking the crystal orientation to a particular microstructural feature. In this paper we outline a series of conventions used to describe crystal orientations and coordinate systems. These conventions have been used to successfully demonstrate that a consistent frame of reference is used in the sample, unit cell, pole figuremore » and diffraction pattern frames of reference. We establish a coordinate system rooted in measurement of the diffraction pattern and subsequently link this to all other coordinate systems. A fundamental outcome of this analysis is to note that the beamshift coordinate system needs to be precisely defined for consistent 3D microstructure analysis. This is supported through a series of case studies examining particular features of the microscope settings and/or unambiguous crystallographic features. These case studies can be generated easily in most laboratories and represent an opportunity to demonstrate confidence in use of recorded orientation data. Finally, we include a simple software tool, written in both MATLAB® and Python, which the reader can use to compare consistency with their own microscope set-up and which may act as a springboard for further offline analysis. - Highlights: • Presentation of conventions used to describe crystal orientations • Three case studies that outline how conventions are consistent • Demonstrates a pathway for calibration and validation of EBSD based orientation measurements • EBSD computer code supplied for validation by the reader.« less

Investigation of light scattering characteristics of individual leukocytes using three-dimensional refractive index maps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sung, Kung-Bin; Lin, Yang-Hsien; Lin, Fong-jheng; Hsieh, Chao-Mao; Wu, Shang-Ju

2017-04-01

Three-dimensional (3D) refractive-index (RI) microscopy is an emerging technique suitable for live-cell imaging due to its label-free and fast 3D imaging capabilities. We have developed a common-path system to acquire 3D RI microscopic images of cells with excellent speed and stability. After obtaining 3D RI distributions of individual leukocytes, we used a 3D finite-difference time-domain tool to study light scattering properties. Backscattering spectra of lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils are different from each other. Backscattering spectra of lymphocytes matched well with those of homogeneous spheres as predicted by Mie theory while backscattering spectra of neutrophils are significantly more intense than those of the other two types. This suggests the possibility of classifying the three types of leukocytes based on backscattering.

Improving the detection of wind fields from LIDAR aerosol backscatter using feature extraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bickel, Brady R.; Rotthoff, Eric R.; Walters, Gage S.; Kane, Timothy J.; Mayor, Shane D.

2016-04-01

The tracking of winds and atmospheric features has many applications, from predicting and analyzing weather patterns in the upper and lower atmosphere to monitoring air movement from pig and chicken farms. Doppler LIDAR systems exist to quantify the underlying wind speeds, but cost of these systems can sometimes be relatively high, and processing limitations exist. The alternative is using an incoherent LIDAR system to analyze aerosol backscatter. Improving the detection and analysis of wind information from aerosol backscatter LIDAR systems will allow for the adoption of these relatively low cost instruments in environments where the size, complexity, and cost of other options are prohibitive. Using data from a simple aerosol backscatter LIDAR system, we attempt to extend the processing capabilities by calculating wind vectors through image correlation techniques to improve the detection of wind features.

Fiber vs Rolling Texture: Stress State Dependence for Cold-Drawn Wire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zorina, M. A.; Karabanalov, M. S.; Stepanov, S. I.; Demakov, S. L.; Loginov, Yu. N.; Lobanov, M. L.

2018-02-01

The texture of the cold-drawn copper wire was investigated along the radius using electron backscatter diffraction. The complex fiber texture of the central region of the wire was considered as the rolling texture consisting of a set of preferred orientations. The texture of the periphery region was revealed to be similar to the shear texture. The orientation-dependent properties of the wire were proven to be determined by the texture of the near-surface layers.

Symposium U: Thermoelectric Power Generation. Held in Boston, Massachusetts on November 26-29, 2007

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-04-01

including X - ray /electron diffraction, TGA analysis, Raman / Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, electron microscopy, Rutherford back-scattering and...Energy dispersive X - ray analysis were performed on the treated sample. The results revealed that a surface layer (from 10 nm to up to micron in...nanoparticles into a matrix of bulk Bi2Te 3 material via a hot pressing process. These nanocomposites have been examined by SEM and X - ray powder

Electron backscatter diffraction studies of focused ion beam induced phase transformation in cobalt

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jones, H.G., E-mail: helen.jones@npl.co.uk

A focused ion beam microscope was used to induce cubic to hexagonal phase transformation in a cobalt alloy, of similar composition to that of the binder phase in a hardmetal, in a controlled manner at 0°, 45° and 80° ion incident angles. The cobalt had an average grain size of ~ 20 μm, allowing multiple orientations to be studied, exposed to a range of doses between 6 × 10{sup 7} and 2 × 10{sup 10} ions/μm{sup 2}. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was used to determine the original and induced phase orientations, and area fractions, before and after the ion beammore » exposure. On average, less phase transformation was observed at higher incident angles and after lower ion doses. However there was an orientation effect where grains with an orientation close to (111) planes were most susceptible to phase transformation, and (101) the least, where grains partially and fully transformed at varying ion doses. - Highlights: •Ion-induced phase change in FCC cobalt was observed at multiple incidence angles. •EBSD was used to study the relationship between grain orientation and transformation. •Custom software analysed ion dose and phase change with respect to grain orientation. •A predictive capability of ion-induced phase change in cobalt was enabled.« less

Modeling of direct detection Doppler wind lidar. I. The edge technique.

PubMed

McKay, J A

1998-09-20

Analytic models, based on a convolution of a Fabry-Perot etalon transfer function with a Gaussian spectral source, are developed for the shot-noise-limited measurement precision of Doppler wind lidars based on the edge filter technique by use of either molecular or aerosol atmospheric backscatter. The Rayleigh backscatter formulation yields a map of theoretical sensitivity versus etalon parameters, permitting design optimization and showing that the optimal system will have a Doppler measurement uncertainty no better than approximately 2.4 times that of a perfect, lossless receiver. An extension of the models to include the effect of limited etalon aperture leads to a condition for the minimum aperture required to match light collection optics. It is shown that, depending on the choice of operating point, the etalon aperture finesse must be 4-15 to avoid degradation of measurement precision. A convenient, closed-form expression for the measurement precision is obtained for spectrally narrow backscatter and is shown to be useful for backscatter that is spectrally broad as well. The models are extended to include extrinsic noise, such as solar background or the Rayleigh background on an aerosol Doppler lidar. A comparison of the model predictions with experiment has not yet been possible, but a comparison with detailed instrument modeling by McGill and Spinhirne shows satisfactory agreement. The models derived here will be more conveniently implemented than McGill and Spinhirne's and more readily permit physical insights to the optimization and limitations of the double-edge technique.

Backscattered Electron Microscopy as an Advanced Technique in Petrography.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Krinsley, David Henry; Manley, Curtis Robert

1989-01-01

Three uses of this method with sandstone, desert varnish, and granite weathering are described. Background information on this technique is provided. Advantages of this type of microscopy are stressed. (CW)

Preferred orientations of laterally grown silicon films over amorphous substrates using the vapor–liquid–solid technique

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

LeBoeuf, J. L., E-mail: jerome.leboeuf@mail.mcgill.ca; Brodusch, N.; Gauvin, R.

2014-12-28

A novel method has been optimized so that adhesion layers are no longer needed to reliably deposit patterned gold structures on amorphous substrates. Using this technique allows for the fabrication of amorphous oxide templates known as micro-crucibles, which confine a vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) catalyst of nominally pure gold to a specific geometry. Within these confined templates of amorphous materials, faceted silicon crystals have been grown laterally. The novel deposition technique, which enables the nominally pure gold catalyst, involves the undercutting of an initial chromium adhesion layer. Using electron backscatter diffraction it was found that silicon nucleated in these micro-crucibles were 30%more » single crystals, 45% potentially twinned crystals and 25% polycrystals for the experimental conditions used. Single, potentially twinned, and polycrystals all had an aversion to growth with the (1 0 0) surface parallel to the amorphous substrate. Closer analysis of grain boundaries of potentially twinned and polycrystalline samples revealed that the overwhelming majority of them were of the 60° Σ3 coherent twin boundary type. The large amount of coherent twin boundaries present in the grown, two-dimensional silicon crystals suggest that lateral VLS growth occurs very close to thermodynamic equilibrium. It is suggested that free energy fluctuations during growth or cooling, and impurities were the causes for this twinning.« less

Multibeam Sonar Backscatter Data Acquisition and Processing: Guidelines and Recommendations from the GEOHAB Backscatter Working Group

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heffron, E.; Lurton, X.; Lamarche, G.; Brown, C.; Lucieer, V.; Rice, G.; Schimel, A.; Weber, T.

2015-12-01

Backscatter data acquired with multibeam sonars are now commonly used for the remote geological interpretation of the seabed. The systems hardware, software, and processing methods and tools have grown in numbers and improved over the years, yet many issues linger: there are no standard procedures for acquisition, poor or absent calibration, limited understanding and documentation of processing methods, etc. A workshop organized at the GeoHab (a community of geoscientists and biologists around the topic of marine habitat mapping) annual meeting in 2013 was dedicated to seafloor backscatter data from multibeam sonars and concluded that there was an overwhelming need for better coherence and agreement on the topics of acquisition, processing and interpretation of data. The GeoHab Backscatter Working Group (BSWG) was subsequently created with the purpose of documenting and synthetizing the state-of-the-art in sensors and techniques available today and proposing methods for best practice in the acquisition and processing of backscatter data. Two years later, the resulting document "Backscatter measurements by seafloor-mapping sonars: Guidelines and Recommendations" was completed1. The document provides: An introduction to backscatter measurements by seafloor-mapping sonars; A background on the physical principles of sonar backscatter; A discussion on users' needs from a wide spectrum of community end-users; A review on backscatter measurement; An analysis of best practices in data acquisition; A review of data processing principles with details on present software implementation; and finally A synthesis and key recommendations. This presentation reviews the BSWG mandate, structure, and development of this document. It details the various chapter contents, its recommendations to sonar manufacturers, operators, data processing software developers and end-users and its implication for the marine geology community. 1: Downloadable at https://www.niwa.co.nz/coasts-and-oceans/research-projects/backscatter-measurement-guidelines

Recommendations for improved and coherent acquisition and processing of backscatter data from seafloor-mapping sonars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamarche, Geoffroy; Lurton, Xavier

2018-06-01

Multibeam echosounders are becoming widespread for the purposes of seafloor bathymetry mapping, but the acquisition and the use of seafloor backscatter measurements, acquired simultaneously with the bathymetric data, are still insufficiently understood, controlled and standardized. This presents an obstacle to well-accepted, standardized analysis and application by end users. The Marine Geological and Biological Habitat Mapping group (Geohab.org) has long recognized the need for better coherence and common agreement on acquisition, processing and interpretation of seafloor backscatter data, and established the Backscatter Working Group (BSWG) in May 2013. This paper presents an overview of this initiative, the mandate, structure and program of the working group, and a synopsis of the BSWG Guidelines and Recommendations to date. The paper includes (1) an overview of the current status in sensors and techniques available in seafloor backscatter data from multibeam sonars; (2) the presentation of the BSWG structure and results; (3) recommendations to operators, end-users, sonar manufacturers, and software developers using sonar backscatter for seafloor-mapping applications, for best practice methods and approaches for data acquisition and processing; and (4) a discussion on the development needs for future systems and data processing. We propose for the first time a nomenclature of backscatter processing levels that affords a means to accurately and efficiently describe the data processing status, and to facilitate comparisons of final products from various origins.

Film transfer enabled by nanosheet seed layers on arbitrary sacrificial substrates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dral, A. P.; Nijland, M.; Koster, G.

An approach for film transfer is demonstrated that makes use of seed layers of nanosheets on arbitrary sacrificial substrates. Epitaxial SrTiO{sub 3}, SrRuO{sub 3}, and BiFeO{sub 3} films were grown on Ca{sub 2}Nb{sub 3}O{sub 10} nanosheet seed layers on phlogopite mica substrates. Cleavage of the mica substrates enabled film transfer to flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrates. Electron backscatter diffraction, X-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy confirmed that crystal orientation and film morphology remained intact during transfer. The generic nature of this approach is illustrated by growing films on zinc oxide substrates with a nanosheet seed layer. Film transfer to a flexiblemore » substrate was accomplished via acid etching.« less

Beyond the random phase approximation: Stimulated Brillouin backscatter for finite laser coherence times

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Korotkevich, Alexander O.; Lushnikov, Pavel M., E-mail: plushnik@math.unm.edu; Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics, 2 Kosygin Str., Moscow 119334

2015-01-15

We developed a linear theory of backward stimulated Brillouin scatter (BSBS) of a spatially and temporally random laser beam relevant for laser fusion. Our analysis reveals a new collective regime of BSBS (CBSBS). Its intensity threshold is controlled by diffraction, once cT{sub c} exceeds a laser speckle length, with T{sub c} the laser coherence time. The BSBS spatial gain rate is approximately the sum of that due to CBSBS, and a part which is independent of diffraction and varies linearly with T{sub c}. The CBSBS spatial gain rate may be reduced significantly by the temporal bandwidth of KrF-based laser systemsmore » compared to the bandwidth currently available to temporally smoothed glass-based laser systems.« less

The Influence of Pulsed Electroplating Frequency and Duty Cycle on Copper Film Microstructure and Stress State

PubMed Central

Marro, James B.; Darroudi, Taghi; Okoro, Chukwudi A.; Obeng, Yaw S.; Richardson, Kathleen C.

2017-01-01

In this work we studied the impact of pulse electroplating parameters on the cross-sectional and surface microstructures of blanket copper films using electron backscattering diffraction and x-ray diffraction. The films evaluated were highly (111) textured in the direction perpendicular to the film surface. The degree of preferential orientation was found to decrease with longer pulse on-times, due to strain energy driven growth of other grain orientations. Residual biaxial stresses were also measured in the films and higher pulse frequencies during deposition led to smaller biaxial stresses in the films. Film stress was also found to correlate with the amount of twinning in the copper film cross-sections. This has been attributed to the twins’ thermal stability and mechanical properties. PMID:28239200

Application of artificial neural networks for the prediction of volume fraction using spectra of gamma rays backscattered by three-phase flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gholipour Peyvandi, R.; Islami Rad, S. Z.

2017-12-01

The determination of the volume fraction percentage of the different phases flowing in vessels using transmission gamma rays is a conventional method in petroleum and oil industries. In some cases, with access only to the one side of the vessels, attention was drawn toward backscattered gamma rays as a desirable choice. In this research, the volume fraction percentage was measured precisely in water-gasoil-air three-phase flows by using the backscatter gamma ray technique andthe multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network. The volume fraction determination in three-phase flows requires two gamma radioactive sources or a dual-energy source (with different energies) while in this study, we used just a 137Cs source (with the single energy) and a NaI detector to analyze backscattered gamma rays. The experimental set-up provides the required data for training and testing the network. Using the presented method, the volume fraction was predicted with a mean relative error percentage less than 6.47%. Also, the root mean square error was calculated as 1.60. The presented set-up is applicable in some industries with limited access. Also, using this technique, the cost, radiation safety and shielding requirements are minimized toward the other proposed methods.

Suspended sediment assessment by combining sound attenuation and backscatter measurements - analytical method and experimental validation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guerrero, Massimo; Di Federico, Vittorio

2018-03-01

The use of acoustic techniques has become common for estimating suspended sediment in water environments. An emitted beam propagates into water producing backscatter and attenuation, which depend on scattering particles concentration and size distribution. Unfortunately, the actual particles size distribution (PSD) may largely affect the accuracy of concentration quantification through the unknown coefficients of backscattering strength, ks2, and normalized attenuation, ζs. This issue was partially solved by applying the multi-frequency approach. Despite this possibility, a relevant scientific and practical question remains regarding the possibility of using acoustic methods to investigate poorly sorted sediment in the spectrum ranging from clay to fine sand. The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of combining the measurement of sound attenuation and backscatter to determine ζs for the suspended particles and the corresponding concentration. The proposed method is moderately dependent from actual PSD, thus relaxing the need of frequent calibrations to account for changes in ks2 and ζs coefficients. Laboratory tests were conducted under controlled conditions to validate this measurement technique. With respect to existing approaches, the developed method more accurately estimates the concentration of suspended particles ranging from clay to fine sand and, at the same time, gives an indication on their actual PSD.

Monitoring evolution of HIFU-induced lesions with backscattered ultrasound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anand, Ajay; Kaczkowski, Peter J.

2003-04-01

Backscattered radio frequency (rf) data from a modified commercial ultrasound scanner were collected in a series of in vitro experiments in which high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) was used to create lesions in freshly excised bovine liver tissue. Two signal processing approaches were used to visualize the temporal evolution of lesion formation. First, apparent tissue motion due to temperature rise was detected using cross-correlation techniques. Results indicate that differential processing of travel time can provide temperature change information throughout the therapy delivery phase and after HIFU has been turned off, over a relatively large spatial region. Second, changes in the frequency spectrum of rf echoes due to changes in the scattering properties of the heated region were observed well before the appearance of hyper-echogenic spots in the focal zone. Furthermore, the increase in attenuation in the lesion zone changes the measured backscatter spectrum from regions distal to it along the imaging beam. Both effects were visualized using spectral processing and display techniques that provide a color spatial map of these features for the clinician. Our results demonstrate potential for these ultrasound-based techniques in targeting and monitoring of HIFU therapy, and perhaps post-treatment visualization of HIFU-induced lesions.

Slow neutron mapping technique for level interface measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zain, R. M.; Ithnin, H.; Razali, A. M.; Yusof, N. H. M.; Mustapha, I.; Yahya, R.; Othman, N.; Rahman, M. F. A.

2017-01-01

Modern industrial plant operations often require accurate level measurement of process liquids in production and storage vessels. A variety of advanced level indicators are commercially available to meet the demand, but these may not suit specific need of situations. The neutron backscatter technique is exceptionally useful for occasional and routine determination, particularly in situations such as pressure vessel with wall thickness up to 10 cm, toxic and corrosive chemical in sealed containers, liquid petroleum gas storage vessels. In level measurement, high energy neutrons from 241Am-Be radioactive source are beamed onto a vessel. Fast neutrons are slowed down mostly by collision with hydrogen atoms of material inside the vessel. Parts of thermal neutron are bounced back towards the source. By placing a thermal detector next to the source, these backscatter neutrons can be measured. The number of backscattered neutrons is directly proportional to the concentration of the hydrogen atoms in front of the neutron detector. As the source and detector moved by the matrix around the side of the vessel, interfaces can be determined as long as it involves a change in hydrogen atom concentration. This paper presents the slow neutron mapping technique to indicate level interface of a test vessel.

NONLINEAR-APPROXIMATION TECHNIQUE FOR DETERMINING VERTICAL OZONE-CONCENTRATION PROFILES WITH A DIFFERENTIAL-ABSORPTION LIDAR

EPA Science Inventory

A new technique is presented for the retrieval of ozone concentration profiles from backscattered signals obtained by a multi-wavelength differential-absorption lidar (DIAL). The technique makes it possible to reduce erroneous local fluctuations induced in the ozone-concentration...

Distributed Humidity Sensing in PMMA Optical Fibers at 500 nm and 650 nm Wavelengths.

PubMed

Liehr, Sascha; Breithaupt, Mathias; Krebber, Katerina

2017-03-31

Distributed measurement of humidity is a sought-after capability for various fields of application, especially in the civil engineering and structural health monitoring sectors. This article presents a method for distributed humidity sensing along polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer optical fibers (POFs) by analyzing wavelength-dependent Rayleigh backscattering and attenuation characteristics at 500 nm and 650 nm wavelengths. Spatially resolved humidity sensing is obtained from backscatter traces of a dual-wavelength optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR). Backscatter dependence, attenuation dependence as well as the fiber length change are characterized as functions of relative humidity. Cross-sensitivity effects are discussed and quantified. The evaluation of the humidity-dependent backscatter effects at the two wavelength measurements allows for distributed and unambiguous measurement of relative humidity. The technique can be readily employed with low-cost standard polymer optical fibers and commercial OTDR devices.

Monitoring Everglades freshwater marsh water level using L-band synthetic aperture radar backscatter

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kim, Jin-Woo; Lu, Zhong; Jones, John W.; Shum, C.K.; Lee, Hyongki; Jia, Yuanyuan

2014-01-01

The Florida Everglades plays a significant role in controlling floods, improving water quality, supporting ecosystems, and maintaining biodiversity in south Florida. Adaptive restoration and management of the Everglades requires the best information possible regarding wetland hydrology. We developed a new and innovative approach to quantify spatial and temporal variations in wetland water levels within the Everglades, Florida. We observed high correlations between water level measured at in situ gages and L-band SAR backscatter coefficients in the freshwater marsh, though C-band SAR backscatter has no close relationship with water level. Here we illustrate the complementarity of SAR backscatter coefficient differencing and interferometry (InSAR) for improved estimation of high spatial resolution water level variations in the Everglades. This technique has a certain limitation in applying to swamp forests with dense vegetation cover, but we conclude that this new method is promising in future applications to wetland hydrology research.

New Examination of the Traditional Raman Lidar Technique II: Evaluating the Ratios for Water Vapor and Aerosols

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whiteman, David N.

2003-01-01

In a companion paper, the temperature dependence of Raman scattering and its influence on the Raman and Rayleigh-Mie lidar equations was examined. New forms of the lidar equation were developed to account for this temperature sensitivity. Here those results are used to derive the temperature dependent forms of the equations for the water vapor mixing ratio, aerosol scattering ratio, aerosol backscatter coefficient, and extinction to backscatter ratio (Sa). The error equations are developed, the influence of differential transmission is studied and different laser sources are considered in the analysis. The results indicate that the temperature functions become significant when using narrowband detection. Errors of 5% and more can be introduced in the water vapor mixing ratio calculation at high altitudes and errors larger than 10% are possible for calculations of aerosol scattering ratio and thus aerosol backscatter coefficient and extinction to backscatter ratio.

Diffraction-controlled backscattering threshold and application to Raman gap

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rose, Harvey A.; Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544; Mounaix, Philippe

2011-04-15

In most classic analytical models of linear stimulated scatter, light diffraction is omitted, a priori. However, modern laser optic typically includes a variant of the random phase plate [Y. Kato et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 53, 1057 (1984)], resulting in diffraction limited laser intensity fluctuations - or localized speckles - which may result in explosive reflectivity growth as the average laser intensity approaches a critical value [H. A. Rose and D. F. DuBois, Phys. Rev. Lett. 72, 2883 (1994)]. Among the differences between stimulated Raman scatter (SRS) and stimulated Brillouin scatter is that the SRS scattered light diffracts more stronglymore » than the laser light with increase of electron density. This weakens the tendency of the SRS light to closely follow the most amplified paths, diminishing gain. Let G{sub 0} be the one-dimensional power gain exponent of the stimulated scatter. In this paper we show that differential diffraction gives rise to an increase of G{sub 0} at the SRS physical threshold with increase of electron density up to a drastic disruption of SRS as electron density approaches one fourth of its critical value from below. For three wave interaction lengths not small compared to a speckle length, this is a physically robust Raman gap mechanism.« less

Crystallography of refractory metal nuggets in carbonaceous chondrites: A transmission Kikuchi diffraction approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daly, Luke; Bland, Phil A.; Dyl, Kathryn A.; Forman, Lucy V.; Saxey, David W.; Reddy, Steven M.; Fougerouse, Denis; Rickard, William D. A.; Trimby, Patrick W.; Moody, Steve; Yang, Limei; Liu, Hongwei; Ringer, Simon P.; Saunders, Martin; Piazolo, Sandra

2017-11-01

Transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD) is a relatively new technique that is currently being developed for geological sample analysis. This technique utilises the transmission capabilities of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to rapidly and accurately map the crystallographic and geochemical features of an electron transparent sample. TKD uses a similar methodology to traditional electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), but is capable of achieving a much higher spatial resolution (5-10 nm) (Trimby, 2012; Trimby et al., 2014). Here we apply TKD to refractory metal nuggets (RMNs) which are micrometre to sub-micrometre metal alloys composed of highly siderophile elements (HSEs) found in primitive carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. TKD allows us to analyse RMNs in situ, enabling the characterisation of nanometre-scale variations in chemistry and crystallography, whilst preserving their spatial and crystallographic context. This provides a complete representation of each RMN, permitting detailed interpretation of their formation history. We present TKD analysis of five transmission electron microscopy (TEM) lamellae containing RMNs coupled with EBSD and TEM analyses. These analyses revealed textures and relationships not previously observed in RMNs. These textures indicate some RMNs experienced annealing, forming twins. Some RMNs also acted as nucleation centres, and formed immiscible metal-silicate fluids. In fact, each RMN analysed in this study had different crystallographic textures. These RMNs also had heterogeneous compositions, even between RMNs contained within the same inclusion, host phase and even separated by only a few nanometres. Some RMNs are also affected by secondary processes at low temperature causing exsolution of molybdenite. However, most RMNs had crystallographic textures indicating that the RMN formed prior to their host inclusion. TKD analyses reveal most RMNs have been affected by processing in the protoplanetary disk. Despite this alteration, RMNs still preserve primary crystallographic textures and heterogeneous chemical signatures. This heterogeneity in crystallographic relationships, which mostly suggest that RMNs pre-date their host, is consistent with the idea that there is not a dominant RMN forming process. Each RMN has experienced a complex history, supporting the suggestion of Daly et al. (2017), that RMNs may preserve a diverse pre-solar chemical signature inherited from the Giant Molecular Cloud.

High- and Low-Temperature Deformation Behavior of Different Orientation Hot-Rolled Annealed Zircaloy-4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zong, Yingying; Gen, Qingfeng; Jiang, Hongwei; Shan, Debin; Guo, Bin

2018-03-01

In this paper, the hot-rolled annealed Zircaloy-4 samples with different orientation were subjected to uniaxial compression with a strain rate of 0.001 s-1 to obtain the stress-strain curves of different initial orientation samples at different temperatures. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique and transmission electron microscope (TEM) technique were used to analyze the microstructures and textures of compressed samples. The mechanical properties and microstructural evolution of rolling directions (RD), transverse directions (TD) and normal directions (ND) were investigated under the conditions of - 150 °C low temperature, room temperature and 200 °C high temperature (simulated lunar temperature environment). The results show that the strength of Zircaloy-4 decreases with the increase in deformation temperature, and the strength in three orientations is ND > TD > RD. The deformation mechanism of hot-rolled annealed Zircaloy-4 with different orientation is different. In RD, { 10\\bar{1}0} < {a} > prismatic slip has the highest Schmid factor (SF), so it is most easy to activate the slip, followed by TD orientation, and ND orientation is the most difficult to activate. The deformed grains abide slip→twinning→slip rule, and the different orientation Zircaloy-4 deformation mechanisms mainly are the twinning coordinated with the slip.

Effects of gamma-ray irradiation on the optical properties of amorphous Se100-xHgx thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmad, Shabir; Islam, Shama; Nasir, Mohd.; Asokan, K.; Zulfequar, M.

2018-06-01

In this study, the thermal quenching technique was employed to prepare bulk samples of Se100-xHgx (x = 0, 5, 10, 15). Thin films with a thickness of ∼250 nm were deposited on glass substrates using the thermal evaporation technique. These films were irradiated with gamma rays at doses of 25-100 kGy. The elemental compositions of the as-deposited thin films were confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of these thin films upto the dose of 75 kGy. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy showed that the concentration of defects decreased after gamma irradiation. Microstructural analysis by field emission scanning electron microscopy indicated that the grain size increases after irradiation. Optical study based on spectrophotometry showed that the optical band gap values of these films increase after the addition of Hg whereas they decrease after gamma irradiation. We found that the absorption coefficient increases with doses up to 75 kGy but decreases at higher doses. These remarkable shifts in the optical band gap and absorption coefficient values are interpreted in terms of the creation and annihilation of defects, which are the main effects produced by gamma irradiation.

Oil film thickness using airborne laser-induced oil fluorescence backscatter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoge, F. E.

1983-01-01

Remote airborne measurement of oil film thickness on ocean surface using laser-induced water Raman backscatter is discussed. It is pointed out that the theoretical model of oil fluorescence by Horvath et al. (1971) contains the necessary constituents to provide for the natural background fluorescence that is also induced by the laser during the course of an oil thickness experiment. How the various parameters of the model are obtained from typical airborne profile data is discussed, and it is shown that the water Raman backscatter may be used to assist further in the application of the data. The regions or water types over which the technique might be most useful or applicable are discussed.

Quartz preferred orientation in naturally deformed mylonitic rocks (Montalto shear zone-Italy): a comparison of results by different techniques, their advantages and limitations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fazio, Eugenio; Punturo, Rosalda; Cirrincione, Rosolino; Kern, Hartmut; Pezzino, Antonino; Wenk, Hans-Rudolf; Goswami, Shalini; Mamtani, Manish A.

2017-10-01

In the geologic record, the quartz c-axis patterns are widely adopted in the investigation of crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) of naturally deformed rocks. To this aim, in the present work, four different methods for measuring quartz c-axis orientations in naturally sheared rocks were applied and compared: the classical universal stage technique, the computer-integrated polarization microscopy method (CIP), the time-of-flight (TOF) neutron diffraction analysis , and the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Microstructural analysis and CPO patterns of quartz, together with the ones obtained for feldspars and micas in mylonitic granitoid rocks, have been then considered to solve structural and geological questions related to the Montalto crustal scale shear zone (Calabria, southern Italy). Results obtained by applying the different techniques are discussed, and the advantages as well as limitations of each method are highlighted. Importantly, our findings suggest that patterns obtained by means of different techniques are quite similar. In particular, for such mylonites, a subsimple shear (40% simple shear vs 60% pure shear) by shape analysis of porphyroclasts was inferred. A general tendency of an asymmetric c-maximum near to the Z direction (normal to foliation) suggesting dominant basal slip, consistent with fabric patterns related to dynamically recrystallization under greenschist facies, is recognized. Rhombohedral slip was likely active as documented by pole figures of positive and negative rhombs (TOF), which reveal also potential mechanical Dauphiné twinning. Results showed that the most complete CPO characterization on deformed rocks is given by the TOF (from which also other quartz crystallographic axes can be obtained as well as various mineral phases may be investigated). However, this use is restricted by the fact that (a) there are very few TOF facilities around the world and (b) there is loss of any domainal reference, since TOF is a bulk type analysis. EBSD is a widely used technique, which allows an excellent microstructural control of the user covering a good amount of investigated grains. CIP and US are not expensive techniques with respect the other kind of investigations and even if they might be considered obsolete and/or time-consuming, they have the advantage to provide a fine and grain by grain "first round" inspection on the investigated rock fabric.

TU-D-209-02: A Backscatter Point Spread Function for Entrance Skin Dose Determination

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vijayan, S; Xiong, Z; Shankar, A

Purpose: To determine the distribution of backscattered radiation to the skin resulting from a non-uniform distribution of primary radiation through convolution with a backscatter point spread function (PSF). Methods: A backscatter PSF is determined using Monte Carlo simulation of a 1 mm primary beam incident on a 30 × 30 cm × 20 cm thick PMMA phantom using EGSnrc software. A primary profile is similarly obtained without the phantom and the difference from the total provides the backscatter profile. This scatter PSF characterizes the backscatter spread for a “point” primary interaction and can be convolved with the entrance primary dosemore » distribution to obtain the total entrance skin dose. The backscatter PSF was integrated into the skin dose tracking system (DTS), a graphical utility for displaying the color-coded skin dose distribution on a 3D graphic of the patient during interventional fluoroscopic procedures. The backscatter convolution method was validated for the non-uniform beam resulting from the use of an ROI attenuator. The ROI attenuator is a copper sheet with about 20% primary transmission (0.7 mm thick) containing a circular aperture; this attenuator is placed in the beam to reduce dose in the periphery while maintaining full dose in the region of interest. The DTS calculated primary plus backscatter distribution is compared to that measured with GafChromic film and that calculated using EGSnrc Monte-Carlo software. Results: The PSF convolution method used in the DTS software was able to account for the spread of backscatter from the ROI region to the region under the attenuator. The skin dose distribution determined using DTS with the ROI attenuator was in good agreement with the distributions measured with Gafchromic film and determined by Monte Carlo simulation Conclusion: The PSF convolution technique provides an accurate alternative for entrance skin dose determination with non-uniform primary x-ray beams. Partial support from NIH Grant R01-EB002873 and Toshiba Medical Systems Corp.« less

Non-destructive evaluation of composite materials using ultrasound

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, J. G.

1984-01-01

Investigation of the nondestructive evaluation of advanced composite-laminates is summarized. Indices derived from the measurement of fundamental acoustic parameters are used in order to quantitatively estimate the local material properties of the laminate. The following sections describe ongoing studies of phase insensitive attenuation measurements, and discuss several phenomena which influences the previously reported technique of polar backscatter. A simple and effective programmable gate circuit designed for use in estimating attenuation from backscatter is described.

Comparison of streamflow and water-quality data collection techniques for the Saginaw River, Michigan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hoard, C.J.; Holtschlag, D.J.; Duris, J.W.; James, D.A.; Obenauer, D.J.

2012-01-01

In 2009, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Geological Survey developed a plan to compare the effect of various streamgaging and water-quality collection techniques on streamflow and stream water-quality data for the Saginaw River, Michigan. The Saginaw River is the primary contributor of surface runoff to Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, draining approximately 70 percent of the Saginaw Bay watershed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has listed the Saginaw Bay system as an "Area of Concern" due to many factors, including excessive sediment and nutrient concentrations in the water. Current efforts to estimate loading of sediment and nutrients to Saginaw Bay utilize water-quality samples collected using a surface-grab technique and flow data that are uncertain during specific conditions. Comparisons of current flow and water-quality sampling techniques to alternative techniques were assessed between April 2009 and September 2009 at two locations in the Saginaw River. Streamflow estimated using acoustic Doppler current profiling technology was compared to a traditional stage-discharge technique. Complex conditions resulting from the influence of Saginaw Bay on the Saginaw River were able to be captured using the acoustic technology, while the traditional stage-discharge technique failed to quantify these effects. Water-quality samples were collected at two locations and on eight different dates, utilizing both surface-grab and depth-integrating multiple-vertical techniques. Sixteen paired samples were collected and analyzed for suspended sediment, turbidity, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, orthophosphate, nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia. Results indicate that concentrations of constituents associated with suspended material, such as suspended sediment, turbidity, and total phosphorus, are underestimated when samples are collected using the surface-grab technique. The median magnitude of the relative percent difference in concentration based on sampling technique was 37 percent for suspended sediment, 26 percent for turbidity, and 9.7 percent for total phosphorus samples collected at both. Acoustic techniques were also used to assist in the determination of the effectiveness of using acoustic-backscatter information for estimating the suspended-sediment concentration of the river water. Backscatter data was collected by use of an acoustic Doppler current profiler, and a Van Dorn manual sampler was simultaneously used to collect discrete water samples at 10 depths (3.5, 7.5, 11, 14, 15.5, 17.5, 19.5, 20.5, 22, and 24.5 ft below the water surface) along two vertical profiles near the center of the Saginaw River near Bay City. The Van Dorn samples were analyzed for suspended-sediment concentrations, and these data were then used to develop a relationship between acoustic-backscatter data. Acoustic-backscatter data was strongly correlated to sediment concentrations and, by using a linear regression, was able to explain 89 percent of the variability. Although this regression technique showed promise for using acoustic backscatter to estimate suspended-sediment concentration, attempts to compare suspended-sediment concentrations to the acoustic signal-to-noise ratio estimates, recorded at the fixed acoustic streamflow-gaging station near Bay City (04157061), resulted in a poor correlation.

Effect of high-pressure torsion on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of an Fe-10Ni-7Mn (wt. %) lath martensitic steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalahroudi, Faezeh Javadzadeh; Koohdar, Hamidreza; Jafarian, Hamidreza; Nili-Ahmadabadi, Mahmoud; Huang, Yi; Langdon, Terence. G.

2018-01-01

The high-pressure torsion (HPT) process is a severe plastic deformation (SPD) technique which imposes exceptionally high strains to produce extremely small grain sizes in bulk materials. In this paper, the HPT process was carried out on an Fe-10Ni-7Mn (wt.%) martensitic steel up to 20 revolutions at a rotation speed of 1 rpm under a pressure of 6.0 GPa at room temperature. The effects of the HPT process on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the alloy were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), micro-hardness measurement and conventional tensile testing. The XRD analysis revealed no changes in the detected phases after deformation. A significant refinement in grain size from 200 µm in the initial microstructure to around 230 nm after HPT was observed by EBSD. Although based on a rigid body assumption the imposed strain is linearly proportional to the distance from the center in HPT-processed disks, after 20 revolutions a uniform micro-hardness increment up to 650 Hv was achieved. Moreover, the tensile strength of the alloy increased from ˜800 MPa in the solution annealed condition to about 2300 MPa after the HPT process with a total tensile strain of 4%. Experimental results indicated that the HPT process leads to improvement of the tensile strength with a reasonable ductility due to the significant refinement of the microstructure.

Growth and surface modification of LaFeO3 thin films induced by reductive annealing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flynn, Brendan T.; Zhang, Kelvin H. L.; Shutthanandan, Vaithiyalingam; Varga, Tamas; Colby, Robert J.; Oleksak, Richard P.; Manandhar, Sandeep; Engelhard, Mark H.; Chambers, Scott A.; Henderson, Michael A.; Herman, Gregory S.; Thevuthasan, Suntharampillai

2015-03-01

The mixed electronic and ionic conductivity of perovskite oxides has enabled their use in diverse applications such as automotive exhaust catalysts, solid oxide fuel cell cathodes, and visible light photocatalysts. The redox chemistry at the surface of perovskite oxides is largely dependent on the oxidation state of the metal cations as well as the oxide surface stoichiometry. In this study, LaFeO3 (LFO) thin films grown on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was characterized using both bulk and surface sensitive techniques. A combination of in situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) demonstrated that the film is primarily textured in the [1 0 0] direction and is stoichiometric. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy measurements show regions that are dominated by [1 0 0] oriented LFO grains that are oriented with respect to the substrates lattice. However, selected regions of the film show multiple domains of grains that are not [1 0 0] oriented. The film was annealed in an ultra-high vacuum chamber to simulate reducing conditions and studied by angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Iron was found to exist as Fe(0), Fe(II), and Fe(III) depending on the annealing conditions and the depth within the film. A decrease in the concentration of surface oxygen species was correlated with iron reduction. These results should help guide and enhance the design of LFO materials for catalytic applications.

Evaluation of macrozone dimensions by ultrasound and EBSD techniques

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moreau, Andre, E-mail: Andre.Moreau@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca; Toubal, Lotfi; Ecole de technologie superieure, 1100, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, QC, Canada H3C 1K3

2013-01-15

Titanium alloys are known to have texture heterogeneities, i.e. regions much larger than the grain dimensions, where the local orientation distribution of the grains differs from one region to the next. The electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) technique is the method of choice to characterize these macro regions, which are called macrozones. Qualitatively, the images obtained by EBSD show that these macrozones may be larger or smaller, elongated or equiaxed. However, often no well-defined boundaries are observed between the macrozones and it is very hard to obtain objective and quantitative estimates of the macrozone dimensions from these data. In the presentmore » work, we present a novel, non-destructive ultrasonic technique that provides objective and quantitative characteristic dimensions of the macrozones. The obtained dimensions are based on the spatial autocorrelation function of fluctuations in the sound velocity. Thus, a pragmatic definition of macrozone dimensions naturally arises from the ultrasonic measurement. This paper has three objectives: 1) to disclose the novel, non-destructive ultrasonic technique to measure macrozone dimensions, 2) to propose a quantitative and objective definition of macrozone dimensions adapted to and arising from the ultrasonic measurement, and which is also applicable to the orientation data obtained by EBSD, and 3) to compare the macrozone dimensions obtained using the two techniques on two samples of the near-alpha titanium alloy IMI834. In addition, it was observed that macrozones may present a semi-periodical arrangement. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Discloses a novel, ultrasonic NDT technique to measure macrozone dimensions Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Proposes a quantitative and objective definition of macrozone dimensions Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Compares macrozone dimensions obtained using EBSD and ultrasonics on 2 Ti samples Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Observes that macrozones may have a semi-periodical arrangement.« less

Effects of processing history on the evolution of surface damage layer and dislocation substructure in large grain niobium cavities

DOE PAGES

Kang, D.; Bieler, T. R.; Compton, C.

2015-12-16

Large grain niobium (Nb) is being investigated for fabricating superconducting radiofrequency cavities as an alternative to the traditional approach using fine grain polycrystalline Nb sheets. Past studies have identified a surface damage layer on fine grain cavities due to deep drawing and demonstrated the necessity for chemical etching on the surface. However, the origin of and depth of the damage layer are not well understood, and similar exploration on large grain cavities is lacking. In this work, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was used to examine the cross sections at the equator and iris of a half cell deep drawn frommore » a large grain Nb ingot slice. The results indicate that the damage (identified by a high density of geometrically necessary dislocations) depends on crystal orientations, is different at the equator and iris, and is present through the full thickness of a half cell in some places. After electron backscatter diffraction, the specimens were heat treated at 800 °C or 1000 °C for two hours, and the same areas were reexamined. A more dramatic decrease in dislocation content was observed at the iris than the equator, where some regions exhibited no change. The specimens were then etched and examined again, to determine if the subsurface region behaved differently than the surface. As a result, little change in the dislocation substructure was observed, suggesting that the large grain microstructure is retained with a normal furnace anneal.« less

Characterization of Discontinuous Coarsening Reaction Products in INCONEL® Alloy 740H® Fusion Welds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bechetti, Daniel H.; Dupont, John N.; Watanabe, Masashi; de Barbadillo, John J.

2017-04-01

Characterization of γ' coarsened zones (CZs) in alloy 740H fusion welds via a variety of electron microscopy techniques was conducted. The effects of solute partitioning during nonequilibrium solidification on the amount of strengthening precipitates along the grain boundaries were evaluated via electron-probe microanalysis and scanning electron microscopy. Electron backscatter diffraction was used to present evidence for the preferential growth of CZs toward regions of lower γ' content, even if growth in that direction increases grain boundary area. Scanning electron microscopy and image analysis were used to quantify the propensity for CZs to develop along certain segments of the grain boundaries, as governed by the local variations in γ' content. Scanning transmission electron microscopy with X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometry (XEDS) was used to assess the compositions of the matrix and precipitate phases within the CZs and to quantify the segregation of alloying components to the reaction front. Thermodynamic and kinetic modeling were used to compare calculated and experimental compositions. The work presented here provides new insight into the progression of the discontinuous coarsening (DC) reaction in a complex engineering alloy.

Kinetics of Sub-Micron Grain Size Refinement in 9310 Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kozmel, Thomas; Chen, Edward Y.; Chen, Charlie C.; Tin, Sammy

2014-05-01

Recent efforts have focused on the development of novel manufacturing processes capable of producing microstructures dominated by sub-micron grains. For structural applications, grain refinement has been shown to enhance mechanical properties such as strength, fatigue resistance, and fracture toughness. Through control of the thermo-mechanical processing parameters, dynamic recrystallization mechanisms were used to produce microstructures consisting of sub-micron grains in 9310 steel. Starting with initial bainitic grain sizes of 40 to 50 μm, various levels of grain refinement were observed following hot deformation of 9310 steel samples at temperatures and strain rates ranging from 755 K to 922 K (482 °C and 649 °C) and 1 to 0.001/s, respectively. The resulting deformation microstructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction techniques to quantify the extent of carbide coarsening and grain refinement occurring during deformation. Microstructural models based on the Zener-Holloman parameter were developed and modified to include the effect of the ferrite/carbide interactions within the system. These models were shown to effectively correlate microstructural attributes to the thermal mechanical processing parameters.

Nanoscale Electrostructural Characterization of Compositionally Graded Al(x)Ga(1-x)N Heterostructures on GaN/Sapphire (0001) Substrate.

PubMed

Kuchuk, Andrian V; Lytvyn, Petro M; Li, Chen; Stanchu, Hryhorii V; Mazur, Yuriy I; Ware, Morgan E; Benamara, Mourad; Ratajczak, Renata; Dorogan, Vitaliy; Kladko, Vasyl P; Belyaev, Alexander E; Salamo, Gregory G

2015-10-21

We report on AlxGa1-xN heterostructures resulting from the coherent growth of a positive then a negative gradient of the Al concentration on a [0001]-oriented GaN substrate. These polarization-doped p-n junction structures were characterized at the nanoscale by a combination of averaging as well as depth-resolved experimental techniques including: cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution X-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and scanning probe microscopy. We observed that a small miscut in the substrate orientation along with the accumulated strain during growth led to a change in the mosaic structure of the AlxGa1-xN film, resulting in the formation of macrosteps on the surface. Moreover, we found a lateral modulation of charge carriers on the surface which were directly correlated with these steps. Finally, using nanoscale probes of the charge density in cross sections of the samples, we have directly measured, semiquantitatively, both n- and p-type polarization doping resulting from the gradient concentration of the AlxGa1-xN layers.

Grain Cluster Microstructure and Grain Boundary Character Distribution in Alloy 690

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Shuang; Zhou, Bangxin; Chen, Wenjue

2009-12-01

The effects of thermal-mechanical processing (TMP) on microstructure evolution during recrystallization and grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) in aged Alloy 690 were investigated by the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique and optical microscopy. The original grain boundaries of the deformed microstructure did not play an important role in the manipulation of the proportion of the Σ3 n ( n = 1, 2, 3…) type boundaries. Instead, the grain cluster formed by multiple twinning starting from a single nucleus during recrystallization was the key microstructural feature affecting the GBCD. All of the grains in this kind of cluster had Σ3 n mutual misorientations regardless of whether they were adjacent. A large grain cluster containing 91 grains was found in the sample after a small-strain (5 pct) and a high-temperature (1100 °C) recrystallization anneal, and twin relationships up to the ninth generation (Σ39) were found in this cluster. The ratio of cluster size over grain size (including all types of boundaries as defining individual grains) dictated the proportion of Σ3 n boundaries.

EBSD characterization of twinning in cold-rolled CP-Ti

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, X., E-mail: csulixu@hotmail.com; Duan, Y.L., E-mail: 876270744@qq.com; Xu, G.F., E-mail: csuxgf66@csu.edu.cn

2013-10-15

This work presents the use of a mechanical testing system and the electron backscatter diffraction technique to study the mechanical properties and twinning systems of cold-rolled commercial purity titanium, respectively. The dependence of twinning on the matrix orientation is analyzed by the distribution map of Schmid factor. The results showed that the commercial purity titanium experienced strong strain hardening and had excellent formability during rolling. Both the (112{sup ¯}2)<112{sup ¯}3{sup ¯}> compressive twins and (101{sup ¯}2)<101{sup ¯}1{sup ¯}> tensile twins were dependent on the matrix orientation. The Schmid factor of a grain influenced the activation of a particular twinning system.more » The specific rolling deformation of commercial purity titanium controlled the number and species of twinning systems and further changed the mechanical properties. - Highlights: • CP-Ti experienced strain hardening and had excellent formability. • Twins were dependent on the matrix orientation. • Schmid factor of a grain influenced the activation of a twinning system. • Rolling deformation controlled twinning systems and mechanical properties.« less

Assessment of the microstructure evolution of an austempered ductile iron during austempering process through strain hardening analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Donnini, Riccardo; Fabrizi, Alberto; Bonollo, Franco; Zanardi, Franco; Angella, Giuliano

2017-09-01

The aim of this investigation was to determine a procedure based on tensile testing to assess the critical range of austempering times for having the best ausferrite produced through austempering. The austempered ductile iron (ADI) 1050 was quenched at different times during austempering and the quenched samples were tested in tension. The dislocation-density-related constitutive equation proposed by Estrin for materials having high density of geometrical obstacles to dislocation motion, was used to model the flow curves of the tensile tested samples. On the basis of strain hardening theory, the equation parameters were related to the microstructure of the quenched samples and were used to assess the ADI microstructure evolution during austempering. The microstructure evolution was also analysed through conventional optical microscopy, electron back-scattered diffraction technique and transmission electron microscopy. The microstructure observations resulted to be consistent with the assessment based on tensile testing, so the dislocation-density-related constitutive equation was found to be a powerful tool to characterise the evolution of the solid state transformations of austempering.

Large area sub-micron chemical imaging of magnesium in sea urchin teeth.

PubMed

Masic, Admir; Weaver, James C

2015-03-01

The heterogeneous and site-specific incorporation of inorganic ions can profoundly influence the local mechanical properties of damage tolerant biological composites. Using the sea urchin tooth as a research model, we describe a multi-technique approach to spatially map the distribution of magnesium in this complex multiphase system. Through the combined use of 16-bit backscattered scanning electron microscopy, multi-channel energy dispersive spectroscopy elemental mapping, and diffraction-limited confocal Raman spectroscopy, we demonstrate a new set of high throughput, multi-spectral, high resolution methods for the large scale characterization of mineralized biological materials. In addition, instrument hardware and data collection protocols can be modified such that several of these measurements can be performed on irregularly shaped samples with complex surface geometries and without the need for extensive sample preparation. Using these approaches, in conjunction with whole animal micro-computed tomography studies, we have been able to spatially resolve micron and sub-micron structural features across macroscopic length scales on entire urchin tooth cross-sections and correlate these complex morphological features with local variability in elemental composition. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Microstructural and Textural Differences Induced by Water and Furnace Cooling in Commercially Pure Zr Annealed in the α + β Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chai, Linjiang; Wang, Tingting; Ren, Yi; Song, Bo; Guo, Ning; Chen, Liangyu

2018-07-01

In this work, a commercially pure Zr sheet with a typical bimodal basal texture was annealed in an α + β region and then subjected to different coolings (in water and furnace). Microstructures and textures of both the as-received and the heat-treated specimens were investigated by electron channeling contrast imaging and electron backscatter diffraction techniques. Results show that a duplex microstructure consisting of untransformed bulk α grains and twinned martensitic plates is produced in the water-cooled specimen, which possesses a weakened texture compared to the initial one. For the specimen cooled in furnace, however, a uniform microstructure fully comprised of coarser equiaxed grains with a strengthened texture is obtained. Analyses reveal that the rapid cooling in water could suppress variant selection behaviors during β → α transformation and allow α plates with scattered orientations to be nucleated inside β phases, contributing to the weakened texture. In contrast, during slow cooling in furnace, β boundaries would act as preferred nucleation sites of α embryos, resulting in a strong variant selection that accounts for the intensified texture.

Influence of CdTe Deposition Temperature and Window Thickness on CdTe Grain Size and Lifetime After CdCl 2 Recrystallization

DOE PAGES

Amarasinghe, Mahisha; Colegrove, Eric; Moutinho, Helio; ...

2018-01-23

Grain structure influences both transport and recombination in CdTe solar cells. Larger grains generally are obtained with higher deposition temperatures, but commercially it is important to avoid softening soda-lime glass. Furthermore, depositing at lower temperatures can enable different substrates and reduced cost in the future. We examine how initial deposition temperatures and morphology influence grain size and lifetime after CdCl 2 recrystallization. Techniques are developed to estimate grain distribution quickly with low-cost optical microscopy, which compares well with electron backscatter diffraction data providing corroborative assessments of exposed CdTe grain structures. Average grain size increases as a function of CdCl 2more » temperature. For lower temperature close-spaced sublimation CdTe depositions, there can be more stress and grain segregation during recrystallization. However, the resulting lifetimes and grain sizes are similar to high-temperature CdTe depositions. The grain structures and lifetimes are largely independent of the presence and/or interdiffusion of Se at the interface, before and after the CdCl 2 treatment.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Overman, Nicole R.; Toloczko, Mychailo B.; Olszta, Matthew J.

High chromium, nickel-base Alloy 690 exhibits an increased resistance to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in pressurized water reactor (PWR) primary water environments over lower chromium alloy 600. As a result, Alloy 690 has been used to replace Alloy 600 for steam generator tubing, reactor pressure vessel nozzles and other pressure boundary components. However, recent laboratory crack-growth testing has revealed that heavily cold-worked Alloy 690 materials can become susceptible to SCC. To evaluate reasons for this increased SCC susceptibility, detailed characterizations have been performed on as-received and cold-worked Alloy 690 materials using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and Vickers hardness measurements. Examinationsmore » were performed on cross sections of compact tension specimens that were used for SCC crack growth rate testing in simulated PWR primary water. Hardness and the EBSD integrated misorientation density could both be related to the degree of cold work for materials of similar grain size. However, a microstructural dependence was observed for strain correlations using EBSD and hardness which should be considered if this technique is to be used for gaining insight on SCC growth rates« less

Correlation of Fracture Behavior With Microstructure in Friction Stir Welded, and Spin Formed AI-Li 2195 Domes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tayon, Wesley A.; Domack, Marcia S.; Hales, Stephen J.

2012-01-01

Single-piece, spin-formed domes manufactured from friction stir welded (FSW) plates of Al-Li alloy 2195 have the potential to reduce the cost of fabricating cryogenic propellant tanks. Mechanical properties in the completed domes can be related directly to the final material condition and the microstructures developed. However, these new fabrication techniques have resulted in unexpected material challenges, such as abnormal grain growth in the weld nugget and the propensity for fracture in the adjacent thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ). In this study, the microstructure and texture transformations within the TMAZ are related to fracture location in the vicinity of the weldment. The texture variations in the TMAZ are caused primarily by the varying amounts of shear deformation introduced during the FSW process. Grain morphology and microtexture characteristics are examined as a function of location in the TMAZ via electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). A strong correlation between fracture location and the presence of texture banding in the TMAZ is observed. The fracture path tends to follow a distinct region of low Taylor Factor (TF) grains.

Microstructural and Textural Differences Induced by Water and Furnace Cooling in Commercially Pure Zr Annealed in the α + β Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chai, Linjiang; Wang, Tingting; Ren, Yi; Song, Bo; Guo, Ning; Chen, Liangyu

2018-03-01

In this work, a commercially pure Zr sheet with a typical bimodal basal texture was annealed in an α + β region and then subjected to different coolings (in water and furnace). Microstructures and textures of both the as-received and the heat-treated specimens were investigated by electron channeling contrast imaging and electron backscatter diffraction techniques. Results show that a duplex microstructure consisting of untransformed bulk α grains and twinned martensitic plates is produced in the water-cooled specimen, which possesses a weakened texture compared to the initial one. For the specimen cooled in furnace, however, a uniform microstructure fully comprised of coarser equiaxed grains with a strengthened texture is obtained. Analyses reveal that the rapid cooling in water could suppress variant selection behaviors during β → α transformation and allow α plates with scattered orientations to be nucleated inside β phases, contributing to the weakened texture. In contrast, during slow cooling in furnace, β boundaries would act as preferred nucleation sites of α embryos, resulting in a strong variant selection that accounts for the intensified texture.

A Microstructure Study on an AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Tube after Hot Metal Gas Forming Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yi; Wu, Xin

2007-06-01

An AZ31 magnesium alloy tube has been deformed by the hot metal gas forming (HMGF) technique. Microstructures before and after deformation have been investigated by using Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD) and Electron Microscopy. Due to the inhomogeneous distribution by induction heating, there is a temperature gradient distribution along the tube axis. Accordingly, the deformation mechanism is also different. In the middle area of deformation zone where the temperature is ˜410 °C, almost no twinning has been found, whereas at the edge areas of deformation zone where the temperature is ˜200 °C, a high density of twins has been found. EBSD experiments show a weak (0001) fiber texture along the radial direction of the tube before and after deformation in the high-temperature zone. EBSD experiments on the low temperature deformation region were not successful due to the high stored energy. Schmid factor analysis on the EBSD data shows that, despite the (0001) fiber texture, there are still many grains favoring basal slip along both the axis direction and hoop direction.

The α–ω phase transition in shock-loaded titanium

DOE PAGES

Jones, David R.; Morrow, Benjamin M.; Trujillo, Carl P.; ...

2017-07-28

Here, we present a series of experiments probing the martensitic α–ω (hexagonal close-packed to simple hexagonal) transition in titanium under shock-loading to peak stresses around 15 GPa. Gas-gun plate impact techniques were used to locate the α–ω transition stress with a laser-based velocimetry diagnostic. A change in the shock-wave profile at 10.1 GPa suggests the transition begins at this stress. A second experiment shock-loaded and then soft-recovered a similar titanium sample. We then analyzed this recovered material with electron-backscatter diffraction methods, revealing on average approximately 65% retained ω phase. Furthermore, based on careful analysis of the microstructure, we propose thatmore » the titanium never reached a full ω state, and that there was no observed phase-reversion from ω to α. Texture analysis suggests that any α titanium found in the recovered sample is the original α. The data show that both the α and ω phases are stable and can coexist even though the shock-wave presents as steady-state, at these stresses.« less

Influence of CdTe Deposition Temperature and Window Thickness on CdTe Grain Size and Lifetime After CdCl 2 Recrystallization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Amarasinghe, Mahisha; Colegrove, Eric; Moutinho, Helio

Grain structure influences both transport and recombination in CdTe solar cells. Larger grains generally are obtained with higher deposition temperatures, but commercially it is important to avoid softening soda-lime glass. Furthermore, depositing at lower temperatures can enable different substrates and reduced cost in the future. We examine how initial deposition temperatures and morphology influence grain size and lifetime after CdCl 2 recrystallization. Techniques are developed to estimate grain distribution quickly with low-cost optical microscopy, which compares well with electron backscatter diffraction data providing corroborative assessments of exposed CdTe grain structures. Average grain size increases as a function of CdCl 2more » temperature. For lower temperature close-spaced sublimation CdTe depositions, there can be more stress and grain segregation during recrystallization. However, the resulting lifetimes and grain sizes are similar to high-temperature CdTe depositions. The grain structures and lifetimes are largely independent of the presence and/or interdiffusion of Se at the interface, before and after the CdCl 2 treatment.« less

The Recrystallization Behavior of Unalloyed Mg and a Mg-Al Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murphy, Aeriel D.; Allison, John E.

2018-02-01

The static recrystallization behavior of pure Mg and Mg-4Al was characterized over a range of annealing temperatures. The electron backscatter diffraction grain orientation spread technique was used to quantify the level of recrystallization at various annealing times. Recrystallization kinetics were characterized using the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK) relationship and it was found that two sequential annealing stages exist. Stage 1 involves heterogeneous nucleation of recrystallization in regions with a high stored energy, including twins and grain boundaries, and can be represented by an Avrami exponent of n 1 ranging from 0.35 to 0.6. During Stage 2, recrystallization occurred predominately in the interior of deformed grains with incomplete recrystallization generally observed even at annealing times in excess of two weeks. The second recrystallization stage exhibited a much lower Avrami exponent, n 2, ranging from 0.02 to 0.2. Increasing the starting grain size in the pure Mg condition led to a significant delay in recrystallization. The addition of Al had a minimal effect on the recrystallization kinetics of Mg.

Correlation of Fracture Behavior with Microstructure in Friction Stir Welded, and Spin-Formed Al-Li 2195 Domes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tayon, Wesley A.; Domack, Marcia S.; Hales, Stephen J.

Single-piece, spin-formed domes manufactured from friction stir welded (FSW) plates of Al-Li alloy 2195 have the potential to reduce the cost of fabricating cryogenic propellant tanks. Mechanical properties in the completed domes can be related directly to the final material condition and the microstructures developed. However, these new fabrication techniques have resulted in unexpected material challenges, such as abnormal grain growth in the weld nugget and the propensity for fracture in the adjacent thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ). In this study, the microstructure and texture transformations within the TMAZ are related to fracture location in the vicinity of the weldment. The texture variations in the TMAZ are caused primarily by the varying amounts of shear deformation introduced during the FSW process. Grain morphology and microtexture characteristics are examined as a function of location in the TMAZ via electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). A strong correlation between fracture location and the presence of texture banding in the TMAZ is observed. The fracture path tends to follow a distinct region of low Taylor Factor (TF) grains.

Acquisition of a High Resolution Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope for the Analysis of Returned Samples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nittler, Larry R.

2003-01-01

This grant furnished funds to purchase a state-of-the-art scanning electron microscope (SEM) to support our analytical facilities for extraterrestrial samples. After evaluating several instruments, we purchased a JEOL 6500F thermal field emission SEM with the following analytical accessories: EDAX energy-dispersive x-ray analysis system with fully automated control of instrument and sample stage; EDAX LEXS wavelength-dispersive x-ray spectrometer for high sensitivity light-element analysis; EDAX/TSL electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) system with software for phase identification and crystal orientation mapping; Robinson backscatter electron detector; and an in situ micro-manipulator (Kleindiek). The total price was $550,000 (with $150,000 of the purchase supported by Carnegie institution matching funds). The microscope was delivered in October 2002, and most of the analytical accessories were installed by January 2003. With the exception of the wavelength spectrometer (which has been undergoing design changes) everything is working well and the SEM is in routine use in our laboratory.

The construction of a high resolution crystal backscattering spectrometer HERMES I

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Larese, J.Z.

There is a need in the United States for a state-of-the-art, cold-neutron, crystal backscattering spectrometer (CBS) designed to investigate the structure and dynamics of condensed matter systems by the simultaneous utilization of long wavelength elastic diffraction and high-energy-resolution inelastic scattering. Cold neutron spectroscopy with CBS-type instruments has already made many important contributions to the study of atomic and molecular diffusion in biomaterials, polymers, semiconductors, liquid crystals, superionic conductors and the like. Such instruments have also been invaluable for ultra high resolution investigations of the low-lying quantum tunneling processes that provide direct insight into the dynamical response of solids at themore » lowest energies. Until relatively recently, however, all such instruments were located at steady-state reactors. This proposal describes HERMES I (High Energy Resolution Machines I) a CBS intended for installation at the LANSCE pulsed neutron facility of Los Alamos National Laboratory. As explained in detail in the main text, the authors propose to construct an updated, high-performance CBS which incorporates neutron techniques developed during the decade since IRIS was built, i.e., improved supermirror technology, a larger area crystal analyzer and high efficiency wire gas detectors. The instrument is designed in such a way as to be readily adaptable to future upgrades. HERMES I, they believe, will substantially expand the range and flexibility of neutron investigations in the United States and open new and potentially fruitful directions for condensed matter exploration. This document describes a implementation plan with a direct cost range between $4.5 to 5.6 M and scheduled duration of 39--45 months for identified alternatives.« less

Synthesis of Large-grain, Single-crystalline Monolayer and AB-stacking Bilayer Graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Luyao; Lin, Yung-Chen; Zhang, Yi; Chang, Han-Wen; Yeh, Wen-Cheng; Zhou, Chongwu; USC Nanotechnology Research Laboratory Team

2013-03-01

We report the growth of large-grain, single-crystalline monolayer and AB-stacking bilayer graphene by the combination of ambient pressure chemical vapor deposition and low pressure chemical vapor deposition. The shape of the monolayer graphene was modified to be either hexagons or flowers under different growth conditions. The size of the bilayer graphene region was enlarged under ambient pressure growth conditions with low methane concentration. Raman spectra and selected area electron diffraction of individual graphene grain indicated that the each graphene grain is single-crystalline. With electron beam lithography patterned PMMA seeds, graphene nucleation can be controlled and graphene monolayer and bilayer arrays were synthesized on copper foil. Electron backscatter diffraction study revealed that the graphene morphology had little correlation with the crystalline orientation of underlying copper substrate. Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

Twinning-mediated work hardening and texture evolution in CrCoFeMnNi high entropy alloys at cryogenic temperature

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, T. K.; Wu, Z.; Stoica, A. D.

The cryogenic plastic deformation of CrCoFeMnNi high entropy alloy is characterized by three distinct stages based on the change of the work hardening rate. Microstructure and bulk texture at different strain levels were studied by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and neutron diffraction. Our findings indicate that the deformation twins led to the constant work hardening rate at Stage II and resulted in the appearance of <115 >//TA texture component, while the dislocation slip was involved all though the entire plastic deformation. As a result, the twinning-mediated tensile plastic deformation at cryogenic temperature finally induced the strong {111}- < 112 >more » texture component and minor {001} < 110 > texture component accompanied with twinning-induced {115}< 552 > texture component.« less

Twinning-mediated work hardening and texture evolution in CrCoFeMnNi high entropy alloys at cryogenic temperature

DOE PAGES

Liu, T. K.; Wu, Z.; Stoica, A. D.; ...

2017-06-17

The cryogenic plastic deformation of CrCoFeMnNi high entropy alloy is characterized by three distinct stages based on the change of the work hardening rate. Microstructure and bulk texture at different strain levels were studied by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and neutron diffraction. Our findings indicate that the deformation twins led to the constant work hardening rate at Stage II and resulted in the appearance of <115 >//TA texture component, while the dislocation slip was involved all though the entire plastic deformation. As a result, the twinning-mediated tensile plastic deformation at cryogenic temperature finally induced the strong {111}- < 112 >more » texture component and minor {001} < 110 > texture component accompanied with twinning-induced {115}< 552 > texture component.« less

A Shear Strain Route Dependency of Martensite Formation in 316L Stainless Steel.

PubMed

Kang, Suk Hoon; Kim, Tae Kyu; Jang, Jinsung; Oh, Kyu Hwan

2015-06-01

In this study, the effect of simple shearing on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of 316L austenitic stainless steel were investigated. Two different shear strain routes were obtained by twisting cylindrical specimens in the forward and backward directions. The strain-induced martensite phase was effectively obtained by alteration of the routes. Formation of the martensite phase clearly resulted in significant hardening of the steel. Grain-size reduction and strain-induced martensitic transformation within the deformed structures of the strained specimens were characterized by scanning electron microscopy - electron back-scattered diffraction, X-ray diffraction, and the TEM-ASTAR (transmission electron microscopy - analytical scanning transmission atomic resolution, automatic crystal orientation/phase mapping for TEM) system. Significant numbers of twin networks were formed by alteration of the shear strain routes, and the martensite phases were nucleated at the twin interfaces.

MeV ion-beam analysis of optical data storage films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leavitt, J. A.; Mcintyre, L. C., Jr.; Lin, Z.

1993-01-01

Our objectives are threefold: (1) to accurately characterize optical data storage films by MeV ion-beam analysis (IBA) for ODSC collaborators; (2) to develop new and/or improved analysis techniques; and (3) to expand the capabilities of the IBA facility itself. Using H-1(+), He-4(+), and N-15(++) ion beams in the 1.5 MeV to 10 MeV energy range from a 5.5 MV Van de Graaff accelerator, film thickness (in atoms/sq cm), stoichiometry, impurity concentration profiles, and crystalline structure were determined by Rutherford backscattering (RBS), high-energy backscattering, channeling, nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) and proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Most of these techniques are discussed in detail in the ODSC Annual Report (February 17, 1987), p. 74. The PIXE technique is briefly discussed in the ODSC Annual Report (March 15, 1991), p. 23.

Monte Carlo investigation of backscatter point spread function for x-ray imaging examinations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiong, Zhenyu; Vijayan, Sarath; Rudin, Stephen; Bednarek, Daniel R.

2017-03-01

X-ray imaging examinations, especially complex interventions, may result in relatively high doses to the patient's skin inducing skin injuries. A method was developed to determine the skin-dose distribution for non-uniform x-ray beams by convolving the backscatter point-spread-function (PSF) with the primary-dose distribution to generate the backscatter distribution that, when added to the primary dose, gives the total-dose distribution. This technique was incorporated in the dose-tracking system (DTS), which provides a real-time color-coded 3D-mapping of skin dose during fluoroscopic procedures. The aim of this work is to investigate the variation of the backscatter PSF with different parameters. A backscatter PSF of a 1-mm x-ray beam was generated by EGSnrc Monte-Carlo code for different x-ray beam energies, different soft-tissue thickness above bone, different bone thickness and different entrance-beam angles, as well as for different locations on the SK-150 anthropomorphic head phantom. The results show a reduction of the peak scatter to primary dose ratio of 48% when X-ray beam voltage is increased from 40 keV to 120 keV. The backscatter dose was reduced when bone was beneath the soft tissue layer and this reduction increased with thinner soft tissue and thicker bone layers. The backscatter factor increased about 21% as the angle of incidence of the beam with the entrance surface decreased from 90° (perpendicular) to 30°. The backscatter PSF differed for different locations on the SK-150 phantom by up to 15%. The results of this study can be used to improve the accuracy of dose calculation when using PSF convolution in the DTS.

Three-Signal Method for Accurate Measurements of Depolarization Ratio with Lidar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reichardt, Jens; Baumgart, Rudolf; McGee, Thomsa J.

2003-01-01

A method is presented that permits the determination of atmospheric depolarization-ratio profiles from three elastic-backscatter lidar signals with different sensitivity to the state of polarization of the backscattered light. The three-signal method is insensitive to experimental errors and does not require calibration of the measurement, which could cause large systematic uncertainties of the results, as is the case in the lidar technique conventionally used for the observation of depolarization ratios.

Metrology applied to ultrasound characterization of trabecular bones using the AIB parameter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braz, D. S.; Silva, C. E.; Alvarenga, A. V.; Junior, D. S.; Costa-Félix, R. P. B.

2016-07-01

Apparent Integrated Backscattering (AIB) presents correlation between Apparent Backscatter Transfer Function and the transducer bandwidth. Replicas of trabecular bones (cubes of 20 mm side length) created by 3D printing technique were characterized using AIB with a 2.25 MHz center frequency transducer. A mechanical scanning system was used to acquire multiple backscatter signals. An uncertainty model in measurement was proposed based on the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement. Initial AIB results are not metrologically reliable, presenting high measurement uncertainties (sample: 5_0.2032/AIB: -15.1 dB ± 13.9 dB). It is noteworthy that the uncertainty model proposed contributes as unprecedented way for metrological assessment of trabecular bone characterization using AIB.

In-situ determination of energy species yields of intense particle beams

DOEpatents

Kugel, H.W.; Kaita, R.

1983-09-26

Objects of the present invention are provided for a particle beam having a full energy component at least as great as 25 keV, which is directed onto a beamstop target, such that Rutherford backscattering, preferably near-surface backscattering occurs. The geometry, material composition and impurity concentration of the beam stop are predetermined, using any suitable conventional technique. The energy-yield characteristic response of backscattered particles is measured over a range of angles using a fast ion electrostatic analyzer having a microchannel plate array at its focal plane. The knee of the resulting yield curve, on a plot of yield versus energy, is analyzed to determine the energy species components of various beam particles having the same mass.

Detection of Objects Hidden in Highly Scattering Media Using Time-Gated Imaging Methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Galland, Pierre A.; Wang, L.; Liang, X.; Ho, P. P.; Alfano, R. R.

2000-01-01

Non-intrusive and non-invasive optical imaging techniques has generated great interest among researchers for their potential applications to biological study, device characterization, surface defect detection, and jet fuel dynamics. Non-linear optical parametric amplification gate (NLOPG) has been used to detect back-scattered images of objects hidden in diluted Intralipid solutions. To directly detect objects hidden in highly scattering media, the diffusive component of light needs to be sorted out from early arrived ballistic and snake photons. In an optical imaging system, images are collected in transmission or back-scattered geometry. The early arrival photons in the transmission approach, always carry the direct information of the hidden object embedded in the turbid medium. In the back-scattered approach, the result is not so forth coming. In the presence of a scattering host, the first arrival photons in back-scattered approach will be directly photons from the host material. In the presentation, NLOPG was applied to acquire time resolved back-scattered images under the phase matching condition. A time-gated amplified signal was obtained through this NLOPG process. The system's gain was approximately 100 times. The time-gate was achieved through phase matching condition where only coherent photons retain their phase. As a result, the diffusive photons, which were the primary contributor to the background, were removed. With a large dynamic range and high resolution, time-gated early light imaging has the potential for improving rocket/aircraft design by determining jets shape and particle sizes. Refinements to these techniques may enable drop size measurements in the highly scattering, optically dense region of multi-element rocket injectors. These types of measurements should greatly enhance the design of stable, and higher performing rocket engines.

Ground Based Operational Testing Of Holographic Scanning Lidars : The HOLO Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwemmer, Geary K.; Wilkerson, Thomas D.; Sanders, Jason A.; Guerra, David V.; Miller, David O.; Moody, Stephen E.

2000-01-01

Two aerosol backscatter lidar measurement campaigns were conducted using two holographic scanning lidars and one zenith staring lidar for the purposes of reliability testing under field conditions three new lidar systems and to develop new scanning measurement techniques and applications. The first campaign took place near the campus of Utah State University in Logan Utah in March of 1999 and is called HOLO-1. HOLO-2 was conducted in June of 1999 on the campus of Saint Anselm College, near the city of Manchester, New Hampshire. Each campaign covered a period of approximately one week of nearly continuous observation of cloud and aerosol backscatter in the visible and near infrared by lidar, and wide field visible sky images by video camera in the daytime. The scanning capability coupled with a high rep-rate, high average power laser enables both high spatial and high temporal resolution observations that Particularly intriguing is the possibility of deriving atmospheric wind profiles from temporal analysis of aerosol backscatter spatial structure obtained by conical scan without the use of Doppler techniques.

Detection of Explosive Devices using X-ray Backscatter Radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faust, Anthony A.

2002-09-01

It is our goal to develop a coded aperture based X-ray backscatter imaging detector that will provide sufficient speed, contrast and spatial resolution to detect Antipersonnel Landmines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). While our final objective is to field a hand-held detector, we have currently constrained ourselves to a design that can be fielded on a small robotic platform. Coded aperture imaging has been used by the observational gamma astronomy community for a number of years. However, it has been the recent advances in the field of medical nuclear imaging which has allowed for the application of the technique to a backscatter scenario. In addition, driven by requirements in medical applications, advances in X-ray detection are continually being made, and detectors are now being produced that are faster, cheaper and lighter than those only a decade ago. With these advances, a coded aperture hand-held imaging system has only recently become a possibility. This paper will begin with an introduction to the technique, identify recent advances which have made this approach possible, present a simulated example case, and conclude with a discussion on future work.

Ultrasound backscatter tensor imaging (BTI): analysis of the spatial coherence of ultrasonic speckle in anisotropic soft tissues.

PubMed

Papadacci, Clement; Tanter, Mickael; Pernot, Mathieu; Fink, Mathias

2014-06-01

The assessment of fiber architecture is of major interest in the progression of myocardial disease. Recent techniques such as magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MR-DTI) or ultrasound elastic tensor imaging (ETI) can derive the fiber directions by measuring the anisotropy of water diffusion or tissue elasticity, but these techniques present severe limitations in a clinical setting. In this study, we propose a new technique, backscatter tensor imaging (BTI), which enables determination of the fiber directions in skeletal muscles and myocardial tissues, by measuring the spatial coherence of ultrasonic speckle. We compare the results to ultrasound ETI. Acquisitions were performed using a linear transducer array connected to an ultrasonic scanner mounted on a motorized rotation device with angles from 0° to 355° by 5° increments to image ex vivo bovine skeletal muscle and porcine left ventricular myocardial samples. At each angle, multiple plane waves were transmitted and the backscattered echoes recorded. The coherence factor was measured as the ratio of coherent intensity over incoherent intensity of backscattered echoes. In skeletal muscle, maximal/minimal coherence factor was found for the probe parallel/perpendicular to the fibers. In myocardium, the coherence was assessed across the entire myocardial thickness, and the position of maxima and minima varied transmurally because of the complex fibers distribution. In ETI, the shear wave speed variation with the probe angle was found to follow the coherence variation. Spatial coherence can thus reveal the anisotropy of the ultrasonic speckle in skeletal muscle and myocardium. BTI could be used on any type of ultrasonic scanner with rotating phased-array probes or 2-D matrix probes for noninvasive evaluation of myocardial fibers.

Ultrasound Backscatter Tensor Imaging (BTI): Analysis of the spatial coherence of ultrasonic speckle in anisotropic soft tissues

PubMed Central

Papadacci, Clement; Tanter, Mickael; Pernot, Mathieu; Fink, Mathias

2014-01-01

The assessment of fiber architecture is of major interest in the progression of myocardial disease. Recent techniques such as Magnetic Resonance (MR) Diffusion Tensor Imaging or Ultrasound Elastic Tensor Imaging (ETI) can derive the fiber directions by measuring the anisotropy of water diffusion or tissue elasticity, but these techniques present severe limitations in clinical setting. In this study, we propose a new technique, the Backscatter Tensor Imaging (BTI) which enables determining the fibers directions in skeletal muscles and myocardial tissues, by measuring the spatial coherence of ultrasonic speckle. We compare the results to ultrasound ETI. Acquisitions were performed using a linear transducer array connected to an ultrasonic scanner mounted on a motorized rotation device with angles from 0° to 355° by 5° increments to image ex vivo bovine skeletal muscle and porcine left ventricular myocardial samples. At each angle, multiple plane waves were transmitted and the backscattered echoes recorded. The coherence factor was measured as the ratio of coherent intensity over incoherent intensity of backscattered echoes. In skeletal muscle, maximal/minimal coherence factor was found for the probe parallel/perpendicular to the fibers. In myocardium, the coherence was assessed across the entire myocardial thickness, and the position of maxima and minima varied transmurally due to the complex fibers distribution. In ETI, the shear wave speed variation with the probe angle was found to follow the coherence variation. Spatial coherence can thus reveal the anisotropy of the ultrasonic speckle in skeletal muscle and myocardium. BTI could be used on any type of ultrasonic scanner with rotative phased-array probes or 2-D matrix probes for non-invasive evaluation of myocardial fibers. PMID:24859662

Phase transformations and residual stresses in environmental barrier coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harder, Bryan J.

Silicon-based ceramics (SiC, Si3N4) are promising materials for high-temperature structural applications in turbine engines. However, the silica layer that forms on these materials is susceptible to attack from water vapor present in combustion environments. To protect against this degradation, environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) were developed to protect the underlying substrate. In the case of silicon carbide (SiC), multilayer coating systems consist of a Ba1-xSrxAl2Si 2O8 (BSAS) topcoat, a mullite or mullite + SrAl2Si 2O8 (SAS) interlayer, and a silicon bond coat. In this work, biaxial strains were measured on as-sprayed and heat-treated samples to analyze the stress and phase evolution in the coating system as a function of depth and temperature. Models were used to compare the results with an ideal coating system. In the assprayed state, tensile stresses as high as 175 MPa were measured, and cracking was observed. After thermally cycling the samples, stresses were significantly reduced and cracks in the topcoat had closed. The addition of SAS to the interlayer increased the compressive stress in the BSAS topcoat in thermally-cycled samples, which was desirable for EBC applications. The BSAS topcoat transformed from the as-deposited hexacelsian state to the stable celsian above 1200°C. This phase transformation is accompanied by a CTE reduction. The kinetics of the hexacelsian-to-celsian transformation were quantified for freestanding plasma-sprayed BSAS. Activation energies for bulk bars and crushed powder were determined to be ˜340 kJ/mol and ˜500 kJ/mol, respectively. X-ray diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction were used to establish how microstructural constraints reduce the transformation energy. Barrier coating lifetime and stability are also influenced by exposure to reactive, low-melting point calcium-magnesium-aluminosilicate (CMAS) deposits formed from dust and sand. Multilayer doped aluminosilicate coatings and bulk BSAS material were exposed to CMAS glass at 1300°C for up to 48 hours. Stresses were measured as a function of depth in the multilayer coatings, and a compressive stress on the surface increased with exposure time from -50 MPa to a maximum of -160 MPa. Backscatter electron imaging and energy dispersive X-ray techniques demonstrated that infiltration depth of the glass increased with exposure time.

Integrating Multibeam Backscatter Angular Response, Mosaic and Bathymetry Data for Benthic Habitat Mapping

PubMed Central

Che Hasan, Rozaimi; Ierodiaconou, Daniel; Laurenson, Laurie; Schimel, Alexandre

2014-01-01

Multibeam echosounders (MBES) are increasingly becoming the tool of choice for marine habitat mapping applications. In turn, the rapid expansion of habitat mapping studies has resulted in a need for automated classification techniques to efficiently map benthic habitats, assess confidence in model outputs, and evaluate the importance of variables driving the patterns observed. The benthic habitat characterisation process often involves the analysis of MBES bathymetry, backscatter mosaic or angular response with observation data providing ground truth. However, studies that make use of the full range of MBES outputs within a single classification process are limited. We present an approach that integrates backscatter angular response with MBES bathymetry, backscatter mosaic and their derivatives in a classification process using a Random Forests (RF) machine-learning algorithm to predict the distribution of benthic biological habitats. This approach includes a method of deriving statistical features from backscatter angular response curves created from MBES data collated within homogeneous regions of a backscatter mosaic. Using the RF algorithm we assess the relative importance of each variable in order to optimise the classification process and simplify models applied. The results showed that the inclusion of the angular response features in the classification process improved the accuracy of the final habitat maps from 88.5% to 93.6%. The RF algorithm identified bathymetry and the angular response mean as the two most important predictors. However, the highest classification rates were only obtained after incorporating additional features derived from bathymetry and the backscatter mosaic. The angular response features were found to be more important to the classification process compared to the backscatter mosaic features. This analysis indicates that integrating angular response information with bathymetry and the backscatter mosaic, along with their derivatives, constitutes an important improvement for studying the distribution of benthic habitats, which is necessary for effective marine spatial planning and resource management. PMID:24824155

Anelasticity of olivine single crystals investigated by stress-reduction tests and high-angular resolution electron backscatter diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wallis, D.; Hansen, L. N.; Kempton, I.; Wilkinson, A. J.

2017-12-01

Geodynamic phenomena, including glacial isostatic adjustment and postseismic deformation, can involve transient deformation in response to changes in differential stress acting on mantle rocks. As such, rheological models of transient deformation are incorporated in predictions of associated processes, including sea-level rise and stress redistribution after earthquakes. However, experimental constraints on rheological models for transient deformation of mantle materials are sparse. In particular, experiments involving stress reductions have been lacking. Moreover, a material's response to a reduction in stress can provide clues to the microphysical processes controlling deformation. To constrain models of transient deformation of mantle rocks we performed stress-reduction tests on single crystals of olivine at 1250-1300°C. Mechanical and piezoelectric actuators controlled constant initial stress during creep. At various strain intervals stress was reduced near-instantaneously using the piezoelectric actuator, inducing both elastic and anelastic (time-dependent) lengthening of the samples. A range of magnitudes of stress reduction were applied, typically unloading 10-90% of the initial stress. High-angular resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD), based on cross-correlation of diffraction patterns, was used to map dislocation density and elastic strain distributions in the recovered samples. Magnitudes of anelastic back-strain increase with increasing magnitudes of stress reduction and show a marked increase when stress reductions exceed 50% of the initial stress, consistent with previous observations in metals and alloys. This observation is inconsistent with the Burgers rheological model commonly used to describe transient behaviour and suggests that the style of rheological behaviour depends on the magnitude of stress change. HR-EBSD maps reveal that the crystal lattices are smoothly curved and generally lack subgrain boundaries and elastic strain heterogeneities. The dependence of the anelastic behaviour on the initial stress, combined with the lack of subgrain boundaries, suggest that the anelastic behaviour is controlled by local interactions between dislocations, rather than resistance imposed by the lattice or subgrain boundaries.

Signal Processing and Calibration of Continuous-Wave Focused CO2 Doppler Lidars for Atmospheric Backscatter Measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rothermel, Jeffry; Chambers, Diana M.; Jarzembski, Maurice A.; Srivastava, Vandana; Bowdle, David A.; Jones, William D.

1996-01-01

Two continuous-wave(CW)focused C02 Doppler lidars (9.1 and 10.6 micrometers) were developed for airborne in situ aerosol backscatter measurements. The complex path of reliably calibrating these systems, with different signal processors, for accurate derivation of atmospheric backscatter coefficients is documented. Lidar calibration for absolute backscatter measurement for both lidars is based on range response over the lidar sample volume, not solely at focus. Both lidars were calibrated with a new technique using well-characterized aerosols as radiometric standard targets and related to conventional hard-target calibration. A digital signal processor (DSP), a surface acoustic and spectrum analyzer and manually tuned spectrum analyzer signal analyzers were used. The DSP signals were analyzed with an innovative method of correcting for systematic noise fluctuation; the noise statistics exhibit the chi-square distribution predicted by theory. System parametric studies and detailed calibration improved the accuracy of conversion from the measured signal-to-noise ratio to absolute backscatter. The minimum backscatter sensitivity is approximately 3 x 10(exp -12)/m/sr at 9.1 micrometers and approximately 9 x 10(exp -12)/m/sr at 10.6 micrometers. Sample measurements are shown for a flight over the remote Pacific Ocean in 1990 as part of the NASA Global Backscatter Experiment (GLOBE) survey missions, the first time to our knowledge that 9.1-10.6 micrometer lidar intercomparisons were made. Measurements at 9.1 micrometers, a potential wavelength for space-based lidar remote-sensing applications, are to our knowledge the first based on the rare isotope C-12 O(2)-18 gas.

Flat ion milling: a powerful tool for preparation of cross-sections of lead-silver alloys.

PubMed

Brodusch, Nicolas; Boisvert, Sophie; Gauvin, Raynald

2013-06-01

While conventional mechanical and chemical polishing results in stress, deformation and polishing particles embedded on the surface, flat milling with Ar+ ions erodes the material with no mechanical artefacts. This flat milling process is presented as an alternative method to prepare a Pb-Ag alloy cross-section for scanning electron microscopy. The resulting surface is free of scratches with very little to no stress induced, so that electron diffraction and channelling contrast are possible. The results have shown that energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) mapping, electron channelling contrast imaging and electron backscatter diffraction can be conducted with only one sample preparation step. Electron diffraction patterns acquired at 5 keV possessed very good pattern quality, highlighting an excellent surface condition. An orientation map was acquired at 20 keV with an indexing rate of 90.1%. An EDS map was performed at 5 keV, and Pb-Ag precipitates of sizes lower than 100 nm were observed. However, the drawback of the method is the generation of a noticeable surface topography resulting from the interaction of the ion beam with a polycrystalline and biphasic sample.

Hierarchical microstructures in CZT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sundaram, S. K.; Henager, C. H.; Edwards, D. J.; Schemer-Kohrn, A. L.; Bliss, M.; Riley, B. R.; Toloczko, M. B.; Lynn, K. G.

2011-10-01

Advanced characterization tools, such as electron backscatter diffraction and transmitted IR microscopy, are being applied to study critical microstructural features and orientation relations in as-grown CZT crystals to aid in understanding the relation between structure and properties in radiation detectors. Even carefully prepared single crystals of CZT contain regions of slight misorientation, Te-particles, and dislocation networks that must be understood for more accurate models of detector response. This paper describes initial research at PNNL into the hierarchy of microstructures observed in CZT grown via the vertical gradient freeze or vertical Bridgman method at PNNL and WSU.

Crystallography of Magnetite Plaquettes and their Significance as Asymmetric Catalysts for the Synthesis of Chiral Organics in Carbonaceous Chondrites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chan, Q. H. S.; Zolensky, M. E.

2015-01-01

We have previously observed the magnetite plaquettes in carbonaceous chondrites using scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging, examined the crystal orientation of the polished surfaces of magnetite plaquettes in CI Orgueil using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis, and concluded that these magnetite plaquettes are likely naturally asymmetric materials. In this study, we expanded our EBSD observation to other magnetite plaquettes in Orgueil, and further examined the internal structure of these remarkable crystals with the use of X-ray computed microtomography.

Nanoscale interfacial mixing of Au/Bi layers using MeV ion beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prusty, Sudakshina; Siva, V.; Ojha, S.; Kabiraj, D.; Sahoo, P. K.

2017-05-01

We have studied nanoscale mixing of thermally deposited double bilayer films of Au/Bi after irradiating them by 1.5 MeV Au2+ ions. Post irradiation effects on the morphology and elemental identification in these films are studied by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Glancing angle X-ray diffraction (GAXRD) of the samples indicate marginal changes in the irradiated samples due to combined effect of nuclear and electronic energy loss. The interfacial mixing is studied by Rutherford backscattering (RBS).

Microstructural investigations of 0.2% carbon content steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tollabimazraehno, Sajjad; Hingerl, Kurt

2011-10-01

The effect of thermal annealing to get different phases on low carbon steel was investigated. Steel sheets (0.2 wt. % C) of 900 μm thickness were heat treated to produce different structures. All the samples have the same starting point, transformation to coarse austenite at 900 degree Celsius. The nano indentation results revealed that samples have different hadness. By making conventional SEM micrographs, focus ion beam maps, and Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) the microstructural development and grain boundary variation of transformed phases martensite, biainte, tempered martensite and different combination of these phases were studied.

Monte Carlo Simulation of Soil Moisture Effects on Anti-Tank Landmines Detection by Neutron Backscattering Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mowlawi, Ali Asghar; Yazdani, Majed

The detection of landmines using available technologies is a time consuming, expensive, and extremely dangerous job, so that there is a need for technological breakthroughs in this field. One of the safest and most effective technologies to landmine and explosive detection is the neutron backscattering technique. The slowing-down of fast neutrons to the thermal energy is a direct measure of the concentration of hydrogen, one of the main elements present in explosive materials. The elastic scattering of fast neutrons is affected by the strong resonances in the cross-section of the three other elements of explosives: nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon. In this work, Monte Carlo estimations of the soil moisture effects on landmine detection are presented.

Classification of biological micro-objects using optical coherence tomography: in silico study

PubMed Central

Ossowski, Paweł; Wojtkowski, Maciej; Munro, Peter RT

2017-01-01

We report on the development of a technique for differentiating between biological micro-objects using a rigorous, full-wave model of OCT image formation. We model an existing experimental prototype which uses OCT to interrogate a microfluidic chip containing the blood cells. A full-wave model is required since the technique uses light back-scattered by a scattering substrate, rather than by the cells directly. The light back-scattered by the substrate is perturbed upon propagation through the cells, which flow between the substrate and imaging system’s objective lens. We present the key elements of the 3D, Maxwell equation-based computational model, the key findings of the computational study and a comparison with experimental results. PMID:28856039

Classification of biological micro-objects using optical coherence tomography: in silico study.

PubMed

Ossowski, Paweł; Wojtkowski, Maciej; Munro, Peter Rt

2017-08-01

We report on the development of a technique for differentiating between biological micro-objects using a rigorous, full-wave model of OCT image formation. We model an existing experimental prototype which uses OCT to interrogate a microfluidic chip containing the blood cells. A full-wave model is required since the technique uses light back-scattered by a scattering substrate, rather than by the cells directly. The light back-scattered by the substrate is perturbed upon propagation through the cells, which flow between the substrate and imaging system's objective lens. We present the key elements of the 3D, Maxwell equation-based computational model, the key findings of the computational study and a comparison with experimental results.

Application of the Langley plot method to the calibration of the solar backscattered ultraviolet instrument on the Nimbus 7 satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhartia, P. K.; Taylor, S.; Mcpeters, R. D.; Wellemeyer, C.

1995-01-01

The concept of the well-known Langley plot technique, used for the calibration of ground-based instruments, has been generalized for application to satellite instruments. In polar regions, near summer solstice, the solar backscattered ultraviolet (SBUV) instrument on the Nimbus 7 satellite samples the same ozone field at widely different solar zenith angles. These measurements are compared to assess the long-term drift in the instrument calibration. Although the technique provides only a relative wavelength-to-wavelength calibration, it can be combined with existing techniques to determine the drift of the instrument at any wavelength. Using this technique, we have generated a 12-year data set of ozone vertical profiles from SBUV with an estimated accuracy of +/- 5% at 1 mbar and +/- 2% at 10 mbar (95% confidence) over 12 years. Since the method is insensitive to true changes in the atmospheric ozone profile, it can also be used to compare the calibrations of similar SBUV instruments launched without temporal overlap.

Scattering from a random layer of leaves in the physical optics limit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lang, R. H.; Seker, S. S.; Le Vine, D. M.

1982-01-01

Backscatter of electromagnetic radiation from a layer of vegetation over flat lossy ground has been studied in collaborative research at the George Washingnton University and the Goddard Space Flight Center. In this work the vegetation is composed of leaves which are modeled by a random collection of lossy dielectric disks. Backscattering coefficients for the vegetation layer have been calculated in the case of disks whose diameter is large compared to wavelength. These backscattering coefficients are obtained in terms of the scattering amplitude of an individual disk by employing the distorted Born procedure. The scattering amplitude for a disk which is large compared to wavelength is then found by physical optic techniques. Computed results are interpreted in terms of dominant reflected and transmitted contributions from the disks and ground.

Analysis of the influence of backscattered optical power over bidirectional PON links

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martínez, J. J.; Garcés, I.; López, A.; Villafranca, A.; Losada, M. A.

2010-05-01

Our aim is to describe the behavior of non-linear scattering effects that arise in standard single mode fiber (SMF), specifically scattering effects that propagate optical power in the reverse direction of the source signal such as Rayleigh Scattering (RS) and Brillouin Scattering (BS). For this purpose, the effects of backscattering phenomena over a bidirectional data transmission in a passive optical network (PON) scheme have been assessed. The impact of these high optical power components over reception at the optical line terminal (OLT) side has been determined when both links use the same wavelength. Bit Error Rate (BER) measurements have been performed with different transmission rates, using several techniques to mitigate the influence of backscattering over the received signal and considering cases with filtered and unfiltered BS.

Retrieval method of aerosol extinction coefficient profile by an integral lidar system and case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shan, Huihui; Zhang, Hui; Liu, Junjian; Wang, Shenhao; Ma, Xiaomin; Zhang, Lianqing; Liu, Dong; Xie, Chenbo; Tao, Zongming

2018-02-01

Aerosol extinction coefficient profile is an essential parameter for atmospheric radiation model. But it is difficult to get the full aerosol extinction profile from the ground to the tropopause especially in near ground precisely using backscattering lidar. A combined measurement of side-scattering, backscattering and Raman-scattering lidar is proposed to retrieve the aerosol extinction coefficient profile from the surface to the tropopause which covered a dynamic range of 5 orders. The side-scattering technique solves the dead zone and the overlap problem caused by the traditional lidar in the near range. Using the Raman-scattering the aerosol lidar ratio (extinction to backscatter ratio) can be obtained. The cases studies in this paper show the proposed method is reasonable and feasible.

Detail Extraction from Electron Backscatter Diffraction Patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basinger, Jay

Cross-correlation based analysis of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns and the use of simulated reference patterns has opened up entirely new avenues of insight into local lattice properties within EBSD scans. The benefits of accessing new levels of orientation resolution and multiple types of previously inaccessible data measures are accompanied with new challenges in characterizing microscope geometry and other error previously ignored in EBSD systems. The foremost of these challenges, when using simulated patterns in high resolution EBSD (HR-EBSD), is the determination of pattern center (the location on the sample from which the EBSD pattern originated) with sufficient accuracy to avoid the introduction of phantom lattice rotations and elastic strain into these highly sensitive measures. This dissertation demonstrates how to greatly improve pattern center determination. It also presents a method for the extraction of grain boundary plane information from single two-dimensional surface scans. These are accomplished through the use of previously un-accessed detail within EBSD images, coupled with physical models of the backscattering phenomena. A software algorithm is detailed and applied for the determination of pattern center with an accuracy of ˜0.03% of the phosphor screen width, or ˜10μm. This resolution makes it possible to apply a simulated pattern method (developed at BYU) in HR-EBSD, with several important benefits over the original HR-EBSD approach developed by Angus Wilkinson. Experimental work is done on epitaxially-grown silicon and germanium in order to gauge the precision of HR-EBSD with simulated reference patterns using the new pattern center calibration approach. It is found that strain resolution with a calibrated pattern center and simulated reference patterns can be as low as 7x10-4. Finally, Monte Carlo-based models of the electron interaction volume are used in conjunction with pattern-mixing-strength curves of line scans crossing grain boundaries in order to recover 3D grain boundary plane information. Validation of the approach is done using 3D serial scan data and coherent twin boundaries in tantalum and copper. The proposed method for recovery of grain boundary plane orientation exhibits an average error of 3 degrees.

Lattice modification in KTiOPO4 by hydrogen and helium sequentially implantation in submicrometer depth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Changdong; Lu, Fei; Xu, Bo; Fan, Ranran

2016-05-01

We investigated lattice modification and its physical mechanism in H and He co-implanted, z-cut potassium titanyl phosphate (KTiOPO4). The samples were implanted with 110 keV H and 190 keV He, both to a fluence of 4 × 1016 cm-2, at room temperature. Rutherford backscattering/channeling, high-resolution x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the implantation-induced structural changes and strain. Experimental and simulated x-ray diffraction results show that the strain in the implanted KTiOPO4 crystal is caused by interstitial atoms. The strain and stress are anisotropic and depend on the crystal's orientation. Transmission electron microscopy studies indicate that ion implantation produces many dislocations in the as-implanted samples. Annealing can induce ion aggregation to form nanobubbles, but plastic deformation and ion out-diffusion prevent the KTiOPO4 surface from blistering.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ma, Changdong; Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012; Lu, Fei, E-mail: lufei@sdu.edu.cn

We investigated lattice modification and its physical mechanism in H and He co-implanted, z-cut potassium titanyl phosphate (KTiOPO{sub 4}). The samples were implanted with 110 keV H and 190 keV He, both to a fluence of 4 × 10{sup 16 }cm{sup −2}, at room temperature. Rutherford backscattering/channeling, high-resolution x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the implantation-induced structural changes and strain. Experimental and simulated x-ray diffraction results show that the strain in the implanted KTiOPO{sub 4} crystal is caused by interstitial atoms. The strain and stress are anisotropic and depend on the crystal's orientation. Transmission electron microscopy studies indicate that ion implantationmore » produces many dislocations in the as-implanted samples. Annealing can induce ion aggregation to form nanobubbles, but plastic deformation and ion out-diffusion prevent the KTiOPO{sub 4} surface from blistering.« less

High Zn Content Single-phase RS-MgZnO Suitable for Solar-blind Frequency Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, H. L.; Mei, Z. X.; Liu, Z. L.; Guo, Y.; Azarov, A. Yu.; Kuznetsov, A. Yu.; Hallen, A.; Du, X. L.

2010-11-01

Single-phase rock-salt MgZnO films with high Zn content were successfully fabricated on the templates of MgO (111)/α-sapphire (0001) by radio-frequency plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The influence of growth temperature on epitaxy of MgZnO alloy films was investigated by the combined studies of crystal structures, compositions, and optical properties. It is found that the incorporation of Zn atoms into the rock-salt MgZnO films is greatly enhanced at low temperature, confirmed by in-situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction observations and ex-situ X-ray diffraction characterization. Zn fraction in the single-phase rock-salt Mg0.53Zn0.47O film was determined by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Optical properties of the films were investigated by transmittance spectroscopy and reflectance spectroscopy, both of which demonstrate the solar-blind band gap and its dependence on Zn content.

Electrochemical Liquid Phase Epitaxy (ec-LPE): A New Methodology for the Synthesis of Crystalline Group IV Semiconductor Epifilms.

PubMed

Demuth, Joshua; Fahrenkrug, Eli; Ma, Luyao; Shodiya, Titilayo; Deitz, Julia I; Grassman, Tyler J; Maldonado, Stephen

2017-05-24

Deposition of epitaxial germanium (Ge) thin films on silicon (Si) wafers has been achieved over large areas with aqueous feedstock solutions using electrochemical liquid phase epitaxy (ec-LPE) at low temperatures (T ≤ 90 °C). The ec-LPE method uniquely blends the simplicity and control of traditional electrodeposition with the material quality of melt growth. A new electrochemical cell design based on the compression of a liquid metal electrode into a thin cavity that enables ec-LPE is described. The epitaxial nature, low strain character, and crystallographic defect content of the resultant solid Ge films were analyzed by electron backscatter diffraction, scanning transmission electron microscopy, high resolution X-ray diffraction, and electron channeling contrast imaging. The results here show the first step toward a manufacturing infrastructure for traditional crystalline inorganic semiconductor epifilms that does not require high temperature, gaseous precursors, or complex apparatus.

Electrochemical Corrosion Properties of Commercial Ultra-Thin Copper Foils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yen, Ming-Hsuan; Liu, Jen-Hsiang; Song, Jenn-Ming; Lin, Shih-Ching

2017-08-01

Ultra-thin electrodeposited Cu foils have been developed for substrate thinning for mobile devices. Considering the corrosion by residual etchants from the lithography process for high-density circuit wiring, this study investigates the microstructural features of ultra-thin electrodeposited Cu foils with a thickness of 3 μm and their electrochemical corrosion performance in CuCl2-based etching solution. X-ray diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction analyses verify that ultra-thin Cu foils exhibit a random texture and equi-axed grains. Polarization curves show that ultra-thin foils exhibit a higher corrosion potential and a lower corrosion current density compared with conventional (220)-oriented foils with fan-like distributed fine-elongated columnar grains. Chronoamperometric results also suggest that ultra-thin foils possess superior corrosion resistance. The passive layer, mainly composed of CuCl and Cu2O, forms and dissolves in sequence during polarization.

Characterization of the α phase nucleation in a two-phase metastable β titanium alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lenain, A.; Clément, N.; Jacques, P. J.; Véron, M.

2005-12-01

Beta titanium alloys are increasingly the best choice for automotive and aerospace applications due to their high performance-to-density ratio. Among these alloys, the TIMETAL Ti-LCB is already used in the automotive industry because it presents excellent mechanical properties and a lower cost compared with other Ti alloys. The current study deals with the characterization of the nucleation and growth of the α phase in several thermomechanical processes, because the distribution and size of the α phase strongly influence the mechanical properties of the resulting microstructures. Several heat treatments were conducted after either cold rolling or annealing. The resulting microstructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, or electron backscatter diffraction. It was observed that the morphology and the volume fraction of the α phase are strongly dependent on the holding temperature, on the heating or cooling rate, and on the β grain size.

Composition measurement of epitaxial Sc x Ga1-x N films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsui, H. C. L.; Goff, L. E.; Barradas, N. P.; Alves, E.; Pereira, S.; Palgrave, R. G.; Davies, R. J.; Beere, H. E.; Farrer, I.; Ritchie, D. A.; Moram, M. A.

2016-06-01

Four different methods for measuring the compositions of epitaxial Sc x Ga1-x N films were assessed and compared to determine which was the most reliable and accurate. The compositions of epitaxial Sc x Ga1-x N films with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.26 were measured directly using Rutherford backscattering (RBS) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and indirectly using c lattice parameter measurements from x-ray diffraction and c/a ratio measurements from electron diffraction patterns. RBS measurements were taken as a standard reference. XPS was found to underestimate the Sc content, whereas c lattice parameter and c/a ratio were not reliable for composition determination due to the unknown degree of strain relaxation in the film. However, the Sc flux used during growth was found to relate linearly with x and could be used to estimate the Sc content.

Copper Refinement from Anode to Cathode and then to Wire Rod: Effects of Impurities on Recrystallization Kinetics and Wire Ductility.

PubMed

Helbert, Anne-Laure; Moya, Alice; Jil, Tomas; Andrieux, Michel; Ignat, Michel; Brisset, François; Baudin, Thierry

2015-10-01

In this paper, the traceability of copper from the anode to the cathode and then the wire rod has been studied in terms of impurity content, microstructure, texture, recrystallization kinetics, and ductility. These characterizations were obtained based on secondary ion mass spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction, HV hardness, and electron backscattered diffraction. It is shown that the recrystallization was delayed by the total amount of impurities. From tensile tests performed on cold drawn and subsequently annealed wires for a given time, a simplified model has been developed to link tensile elongation to the chemical composition. This model allowed quantification of the contribution of some additional elements, present in small quantity, on the recrystallization kinetics. The proposed model adjusted for the cold-drawn wires was also validated on both the cathode and wire rod used for the study of traceability.

Backscatter X-Ray Development for Space Vehicle Thermal Protection Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartha, Bence B.; Hope, Dale; Vona, Paul; Born, Martin; Corak, Tony

2011-06-01

The Backscatter X-Ray (BSX) imaging technique is used for various single sided inspection purposes. Previously developed BSX techniques for spray-on-foam insulation (SOFI) have been used for detecting defects in Space Shuttle External Tank foam insulation. The developed BSX hardware and techniques are currently being enhanced to advance Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) methods for future space vehicle applications. Various Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials were inspected using the enhanced BSX imaging techniques, investigating the capability of the method to detect voids and other discontinuities at various locations within each material. Calibration standards were developed for the TPS materials in order to characterize and develop enhanced BSX inspection capabilities. The ability of the BSX technique to detect both manufactured and natural defects was also studied and compared to through-transmission x-ray techniques. The energy of the x-ray, source to object distance, angle of x-ray, focal spot size and x-ray detector configurations were parameters playing a significant role in the sensitivity of the BSX technique to image various materials and defects. The image processing of the results also showed significant increase in the sensitivity of the technique. The experimental results showed BSX to be a viable inspection technique for space vehicle TPS systems.

Large grain CBMM Nb ingot slices: An ideal test bed for exploring the microstructure-electromagnetic property relationships relevant to SRF

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sung, Zu-Hawn, E-mail: ZSung@uss.com; Now at US-Steel, Pittsburgh, US; Lee, Peter J., E-mail: lee@asc.magnet.fsu.edu

2015-12-04

High purity (RRR > 200), large grain (> 5-10 cm) niobium ingot slices have been successfully used to fabricate radio frequency (RF) cavities for particle accelerators. They offer significantly reduced fabrication cost by eliminating processing steps and furthermore they provide the opportunity to study the influence of individual grain boundaries in SRF Nb. Here we summarize our measurements of grain boundary (GB) effects on the superconducting properties of large grain high purity niobium sheet manufactured by CBMM. We show by magneto-optical (MO) imaging that GBs allow premature flux penetration, but only when they are oriented close to the direction of themore » magnetic field. However, even low angle GBs produced by minor deformations commensurate with half-cell forming produce localized flux penetration. The transport properties of grain boundaries were investigated by direct transport across them and evidence for preferential vortex flow along the GBs of SRF Nb was observed for the first time. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and micro crystallographic analysis with electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), we were able to quantitatively characterize surface substructures that can lead to localized thermal breakdown of superconductivity. Important to these studies was the development of sample preparation techniques that made the cutout single, bi-crystal and tri-crystal Nb coupons as representative as possible of the surface properties of cavities manufactured by standard techniques.« less

Studies on the surface modification of TiN coatings using MEVVA ion implantation with selected metallic species

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ward, L. P.; Purushotham, K. P.; Manory, R. R.

2016-02-01

Improvement in the performance of TiN coatings can be achieved using surface modification techniques such as ion implantation. In the present study, physical vapor deposited (PVD) TiN coatings were implanted with Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo and W using the metal evaporation vacuum arc (MEVVA) technique at a constant nominal dose of 4 × 1016 ions cm-2 for all species. The samples were characterized before and after implantation, using Rutherford backscattering (RBS), glancing incident angle X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and optical microscopy. Friction and wear studies were performed under dry sliding conditions using a pin-on-disc CSEM Tribometer at 1 N load and 450 m sliding distance. A reduction in the grain size and surface roughness was observed after implantation with all five species. Little variation was observed in the residual stress values for all implanted TiN coatings, except for W implanted TiN which showed a pronounced increase in compressive residual stress. Mo-implanted samples showed a lower coefficient of friction and higher resistance to breakdown during the initial stages of testing than as-received samples. Significant reduction in wear rate was observed after implanting with Zr and Mo ions compared with unimplanted TiN. The presence of the Ti2N phase was observed with Cr implantation.

Electron backscatter diffraction analysis of Nb3Al multifilamentary strands prepared by rapid heating, quenching and transformation annealing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeuchi, T.; Tsuchiya, K.; Saeda, M.; Banno, N.; Kikuchi, A.; Iijima, Y.

2010-12-01

To enhance the non-Cu critical current density Jc at 15 T and 4.2 K (1000 A mm - 2 at present) we have endeavoured to refine the grain size of rapid heating, quenching and transformation (RHQT)-processed Nb3Al. In the present study, the grain boundary structures of RHQT-processed Nb3Al were examined by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) because transgranular fracture prevents the observation of fractured cross sections of Nb3Al to statistically determine the grain size. The grain size distributions of body-centred-cubic supersaturated-solid-solution Nb(Al)ss and A15 Nb3Al filaments were measured for grains misoriented by more than 2°, 5° and 15°. A mixed grain structure, which consists of a few large grains (>25 µm) and many small grains (<1 µm), was observed for an Nb3Al filament that had been transformed from non-deformed Nb(Al)ss. Plastic deformation that had been made between the rapid heating and quenching steps and the transformation step apparently homogenized the grain size distribution and then reduced the average grain size. The misorientation angle distributions of Nb(Al)ss and Nb3Al were also measured and compared with each other. A clear relationship between the Jc and the inverse grain size was not confirmed for the RHQT Nb3Al conductors examined in the present study, which indicates the importance of making a filament compositionally homogeneous to obtain a high Jc.

Skeletal growth phases of the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa shown by scanning electron microscope and electron backscatter diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mouchi, Vincent; Vonlanthen, Pierre; Verrecchia, Eric P.; Crowley, Quentin G.

2016-04-01

Lophelia pertusa is a cold-water coral, which may form reefs by the association of multiple coralites within which a polyp lives. Each individual polyp builds an aragonite skeleton by an initial phase of early mineralization (traditionally referred to as centres of calcification) from which aragonite fibres grow in thickening deposits. The skeleton wall features successive optically opaque and translucent bands previously attributed to different regimes of growth as either uniform in crystal orientation (translucent bands) or with a chaotic organization (opaque bands). The processes involved in any organizational changes are still unknown. Microlayers in the coral wall, which represent separate periods of skeletal growth, have been recently identified and described. These growth patterns are readily visible under scanning electron microscope (SEM) after etching in dilute formic acid, but they do not necessarily form continuously visible structures. Here we present high quality SEM images and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) maps to study aragonite fibre orientation across the wall of L. pertusa. Both microlayers and opaque and translucent bands are compared to the crystallographic orientation of the aragonite fibres. EBSD maps and SEM images indicate that aragonite fibres do not exhibit a chaotic orientation, even in opaque bands. The absence of continuity of microlayers is partially explained by an association of multiple crystallographic preferred orientations of aragonite fibres. In the case of L. pertusa, careful textural characterisation is necessary prior to elemental or isotope analysis in order to select a skeletal transect representing a linear and continuous time period.

Damage Assessment of Heat Resistant Steels through Electron BackScatter Diffraction Strain Analysis under Creep and Creep-Fatigue Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujiyama, Kazunari; Kimachi, Hirohisa; Tsuboi, Toshiki; Hagiwara, Hiroyuki; Ogino, Shotaro; Mizutani, Yoshiki

EBSD(Electron BackScatter Diffraction) analyses were conducted for studying the quantitative microstructural metrics of creep and creep-fatigue damage for austenitic SUS304HTB boiler tube steel and ferritic Mod.9Cr piping steel. KAM(Kernel Average Misorientation) maps and GOS(Grain Orientation Spread) maps were obtained for these samples and the area averaged values KAMave and GOSave were obtained. While the increasing trends of these misorientation metrics were observed for SUS304HTB steel, the decreasing trends were observed for damaged Mod.9Cr steel with extensive recovery of subgrain structure. To establish more universal parameter representing the accumulation of damage to compensate these opposite trends, the EBSD strain parameters were introduced for converting the misorientation changes into the quantities representing accumulated permanent strains during creep and creep-fatigue damage process. As KAM values were dependent on the pixel size (inversely proportional to the observation magnification) and the permanent strain could be expressed as the shear strain which was the product of dislocation density, Burgers vector and dislocation movement distance, two KAM strain parameters MεKAMnet and MεδKAMave were introduced as the sum of product of the noise subtracted KAMnet and the absolute change from initial value δKAMave with dislocation movement distance divided by pixel size. MεδKAMave parameter showed better relationship both with creep strain in creep tests and accumulated creep strain range in creep-fatigue tests. This parameter can be used as the strain-based damage evaluation and detector of final failure.

Rapid thermal annealing of WSi x. In-situ resistance measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nobili, C.; Bosi, M.; Ottaviani, G.; Queirolo, G.; Bacci, L.

1991-11-01

In-situ sheet resistance measurements have been performed on amorphous WSi 2.5 alloy films deposited by low pressure chemical vapour deposition either on thermal oxide or on polysilicon. The heat treatments were performed in vacuum up to 1000°C at a heating rate ranging from 5 to 6000°C/min. The temperature was measured with a thermocouple placed underneath and in contact with the sample; the film sheet resistance was measured with a four-point probe in van der Pauw configuration. The in-depth elemental composition was determined by 2 MeV 4He + backscattering technique. Nuclear reaction was used to monitor the quantity of flourine present in the sample. The phases formed were identified by X-ray diffraction. The sheet resistance versus temperature curves are all similar and present, after a small initial decrease, first a sharp increase followed, after about 200°C, by a decrease. X-ray diffraction measurements indicate that the increase is due to the amorphous-hexagonal phase transformation; the decrease is due to the formation of the tetragonal WSi 2 phase. The temperature at which the two variations occur increases with the heating rate indicating thermally activated processes. The activation energies are 1.4 ±0.1 and 2.4 ±0.1 eV for the amorphous-hexagonal and hexagonal-tetragonal transformation, respectively. Silicon segregation at the inner interface occurs only on the samples where the silicide alloy was deposited on polysilicon and for heating rates lower than 200°C/min. The total flourine content is not affected by the kind of heat treatment performed.

Microstructural Changes During Plastic Deformation and Corrosion Properties of Biomedical Co-20Cr-15W-10Ni Alloy Heat-Treated at 873 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ueki, Kosuke; Ueda, Kyosuke; Nakai, Masaaki; Nakano, Takayoshi; Narushima, Takayuki

2018-04-01

Microstructural changes were observed during the plastic deformation of ASTM F90 Co-20Cr-15W-10Ni (mass pct) alloy heat-treated at 873 K (600 °C) for 14.4 ks, and analyzed by electron backscatter diffraction and in situ X-ray diffraction techniques. The obtained results revealed that the area fraction of the ɛ-phase (f ɛ ) in the as-received alloy was higher than that in the heat-treated alloy in the low-to-middle strain region (≤ 50 pct), whereas the f ɛ of the heat-treated alloy was higher than that of the as-received alloy at the fracture point. During plastic deformation, the ɛ-phase was preferentially formed at the twin boundaries of the heat-treated alloy rather than at the grain boundaries. According to the transmission electron microscopy observations, the thin ɛ-phase layer formed due to the alloy heat treatment acted as the origin of deformation twinning, which decreased the stress concentration at the grain boundaries. The results of anodic polarization testing showed that neither the heat treatment at 873 K (600 °C) nor plastic deformation affected the alloy corrosion properties. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study proving that the formation of a thin ɛ-phase layer during the low-temperature heat treatment of the studied alloy represents an effective method for the enhancement of the alloy ductility without sacrificing its strength and corrosion properties.

Microstructural Changes During Plastic Deformation and Corrosion Properties of Biomedical Co-20Cr-15W-10Ni Alloy Heat-Treated at 873 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ueki, Kosuke; Ueda, Kyosuke; Nakai, Masaaki; Nakano, Takayoshi; Narushima, Takayuki

2018-06-01

Microstructural changes were observed during the plastic deformation of ASTM F90 Co-20Cr-15W-10Ni (mass pct) alloy heat-treated at 873 K (600 °C) for 14.4 ks, and analyzed by electron backscatter diffraction and in situ X-ray diffraction techniques. The obtained results revealed that the area fraction of the ɛ-phase ( f ɛ ) in the as-received alloy was higher than that in the heat-treated alloy in the low-to-middle strain region (≤ 50 pct), whereas the f ɛ of the heat-treated alloy was higher than that of the as-received alloy at the fracture point. During plastic deformation, the ɛ-phase was preferentially formed at the twin boundaries of the heat-treated alloy rather than at the grain boundaries. According to the transmission electron microscopy observations, the thin ɛ-phase layer formed due to the alloy heat treatment acted as the origin of deformation twinning, which decreased the stress concentration at the grain boundaries. The results of anodic polarization testing showed that neither the heat treatment at 873 K (600 °C) nor plastic deformation affected the alloy corrosion properties. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study proving that the formation of a thin ɛ-phase layer during the low-temperature heat treatment of the studied alloy represents an effective method for the enhancement of the alloy ductility without sacrificing its strength and corrosion properties.

Doppler lidar wind measurement with the edge technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Korb, C. Laurence; Gentry, Bruce M.

1992-01-01

The edge technique is a new and powerful method for measuring small frequency shifts. Range resolved lidar measurements of winds can be made with high accuracy and high vertical resolution using the edge technique to measure the Doppler shift of an atmospheric backscattered signal from a pulsed laser. The edge technique can be used at near-infrared or visible wavelengths using well developed solid state lasers and detectors with various edge filters. In the edge technique, the laser frequency is located on the steep slope of the spectral response function of a high resolution optical filter. Due to the steep slope of the edge, very small frequency shifts cause large changes in measured signal. The frequency of the outgoing laser pulse is determined by measuring its location on the edge of the filter. This is accomplished by sending a small portion of the beam to the edge detection setup where the incoming light is split into two channels - an edge filter and an energy monitor channel. The energy monitor signal is used to normalize the edge filter signal for magnitude. The laser return backscattered from the atmosphere is collected by a telescope and directed through the edge detection setup to determine its frequency (location on the edge) in a similar manner for each range element. The Doppler shift, and thus the wind, is determined from a differential measurement of the frequency of the outgoing laser pulse and the frequency of the laser return backscattered from the atmosphere. We have conducted simulations of the performance of an edge lidar system using an injection seeded pulsed Nd:YAG laser at 1.06 microns. The central fringe of a Fabry-Perot etalon is used as a high resolution edge filter to measure the shift of the aerosol return.

Distributed Optical Fiber Sensors with Ultrafast Laser Enhanced Rayleigh Backscattering Profiles for Real-Time Monitoring of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Operations.

PubMed

Yan, Aidong; Huang, Sheng; Li, Shuo; Chen, Rongzhang; Ohodnicki, Paul; Buric, Michael; Lee, Shiwoo; Li, Ming-Jun; Chen, Kevin P

2017-08-24

This paper reports a technique to enhance the magnitude and high-temperature stability of Rayleigh back-scattering signals in silica fibers for distributed sensing applications. With femtosecond laser radiation, more than 40-dB enhancement of Rayleigh backscattering signal was generated in silica fibers using 300-nJ laser pulses at 250 kHz repetition rate. The laser-induced Rayleigh scattering defects were found to be stable from the room temperature to 800 °C in hydrogen gas. The Rayleigh scatter at high temperatures was correlated to the formation and modification of nanogratings in the fiber core. Using optical fibers with enhanced Rayleigh backscattering profiles as distributed temperature sensors, we demonstrated real-time monitoring of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) operations with 5-mm spatial resolution at 800 °C. Information gathered by these fiber sensor tools can be used to verify simulation results or operated in a process-control system to improve the operational efficiency and longevity of SOFC-based energy generation systems.

On diel variability of marine sediment backscattering properties caused by microphytobenthos photosynthesis: Impact of environmental factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorska, Natalia; Kowalska-Duda, Ewa; Pniewski, Filip; Latała, Adam

2018-06-01

The study has been motivated by the development of the hydroacoustic techniques for mapping and classifying the benthic habitats and for the research of the microbenthos photosynthesis in the semi-enclosed Baltic Sea, particularly sensitive to human activity. The investigation of the effect of the benthic microalgal photosynthesis on the echo signal from the Baltic sandy sediments is continuing. The study clarifies the impact of the abiotic and biotic factors on the diel variation of the backscattering caused by the benthic microalgal photosynthetic activity. Five multiday laboratory experiments, different in hydrophysical or biological conditions, were conducted. During each measurement series, the "day" (illumination) and "night" (darkness) conditions (L:D cycle) were simulated and the diel variations of the echo energy of the backscattered signal were analyzed. The hydroacoustic data were acquired along with measuring biological and biooptical parameters and oxygen concentration. The study demonstrated the impact of microphytobenthos photosynthesis on the backscattering properties of the marine sediment which is sensitive to the illumination level, benthic microalgal biomass and macrozoobenthos bioturbation.

Development of mirrors for precision laser gyros

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmitt, Dirk-Roger

1987-11-01

Substrate polishing and interference-layer deposition techniques for the preparation of laser-gyro mirrors to operate at laser wavelength 633 nm and incidence angle 30 deg are investigated experimentally. The importance of high reflectivity and low backscatter for accurate laser-gyro angular-velocity measurement is explained, and the methods used to measure these parameters are outlined. Results for uncoated quartz glass, Zerodur, and Si monocrystal; thin Ag layers; alternate layers of SiO2 and TiO2, and Ag with a thin layer of SiO2 are presented in graphs and micrographs and characterized in detail. It is predicted that further improvements in polishing, the use of ion-beam deposition techniques, and perhaps the replacement of TiO2 with Ta2O5 will give mirrors with lower backscatter values.

Domain imaging in ferroelectric thin films via channeling-contrast backscattered electron microscopy

DOE PAGES

Ihlefeld, Jon F.; Michael, Joseph R.; McKenzie, Bonnie B.; ...

2016-09-16

We report that ferroelastic domain walls provide opportunities for deterministically controlling mechanical, optical, electrical, and thermal energy. Domain wall characterization in micro- and nanoscale systems, where their spacing may be of the order of 100 nm or less is presently limited to only a few techniques, such as piezoresponse force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. These respective techniques cannot, however, independently characterize domain polarization orientation and domain wall motion in technologically relevant capacitor structures or in a non-destructive manner, thus presenting a limitation of their utility. In this work, we show how backscatter scanning electron microscopy utilizing channeling contrast yieldmore » can image the ferroelastic domain structure of ferroelectric films with domain wall spacing as narrow as 10 nm.« less

New Examination of the Traditional Raman Lidar Technique II: Temperature Dependence Aerosol Scattering Ratio and Water Vapor Mixing Ratio Equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whiteman, David N.; Abshire, James B. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

In a companion paper, the temperature dependence of Raman scattering and its influence on the Raman water vapor signal and the lidar equations was examined. New forms of the lidar equation were developed to account for this temperature sensitivity. Here we use those results to derive the temperature dependent forms of the equations for the aerosol scattering ratio, aerosol backscatter coefficient, extinction to backscatter ratio and water vapor mixing ratio. Pertinent analysis examples are presented to illustrate each calculation.

Raman backscatter measurement research on water vapor systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Workman, G. L.

1975-01-01

Raman backscatter techniques proved to be a useful remote sensing tool, whose full potential has not been realized. The types of information available from laser probes in atmospheric studies are reviewed. Detection levels for known Raman cross sections are calculated using the laser radar equation. Laboratory experiments performed for H2O, N2, SO2, O2 and HCL indicate that accurate wavelength cross sections need to be obtained, as well as more emphasis on obtaining accurate Raman cross sections of molecular species at wavelengths in the ultraviolet spectra.

A feasibility study for a remote laser water turbidity meter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hickman, G. D.; Ghovanlou, A. H.; Friedman, E. J.; Gault, C. S.; Hogg, J. E.

1974-01-01

A technique to remotely determine the attenuation coefficient (alpha) of the water was investigated. The backscatter energy (theta = 180 deg) of a pulse laser (lambda = 440 - 660 nm) was found directly related to the water turbidity. The greatest sensitivity was found to exist at 440 nm. For waters whose turbidity was adjusted using Chesapeake Bay sediment, the sensitivity in determining alpha at 440 nm was found to be approximately 5 - 10%. A correlation was also found to exist between the water depth (time) at which the peak backscatter occurs and alpha.

Hyperspectral image analysis for standoff trace detection using IR laser spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jarvis, J.; Fuchs, F.; Hugger, S.; Ostendorf, R.; Butschek, L.; Yang, Q.; Dreyhaupt, A.; Grahmann, J.; Wagner, J.

2016-05-01

In the recent past infrared laser backscattering spectroscopy using Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL) emitting in the molecular fingerprint region between 7.5 μm and 10 μm proved a highly promising approach for stand-off detection of dangerous substances. In this work we present an active illumination hyperspectral image sensor, utilizing QCLs as spectral selective illumination sources. A high performance Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT) imager is used for collection of the diffusely backscattered light. Well known target detection algorithms like the Adaptive Matched Subspace Detector and the Adaptive Coherent Estimator are used to detect pixel vectors in the recorded hyperspectral image that contain traces of explosive substances like PETN, RDX or TNT. In addition we present an extension of the backscattering spectroscopy technique towards real-time detection using a MOEMS EC-QCL.

Diffraction of three-colour radiation on an acoustic wave

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kotov, V M

We study acousto-optic Bragg diffraction of three-colour radiation having wavelengths of 488, 514 and 633 nm on a single acoustic wave propagating in a TeO{sub 2} crystal. A technique is developed that allows one to find diffraction regimes with a proportional change in the intensity of all radiations by varying the acoustic power. According to the technique, radiation with a maximum wavelength has to be in strict Bragg synchronism with the acoustic wave, while other radiations diffract during the synchronism detuning. The results obtained using this technique are experimentally confirmed. (diffraction of light)

Technical Note: Detection of gas bubble leakage via correlation of water column multibeam images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider von Deimling, J.; Papenberg, C.

2012-03-01

Hydroacoustic detection of natural gas release from the seafloor has been conducted in the past by using singlebeam echosounders. In contrast, modern multibeam swath mapping systems allow much wider coverage, higher resolution, and offer 3-D spatial correlation. Up to the present, the extremely high data rate hampers water column backscatter investigations and more sophisticated visualization and processing techniques are needed. Here, we present water column backscatter data acquired with a 50 kHz prototype multibeam system over a period of 75 seconds. Display types are of swath-images as well as of a "re-sorted" singlebeam presentation. Thus, individual and/or groups of gas bubbles rising from the 24 m deep seafloor clearly emerge in the acoustic images, making it possible to estimate rise velocities. A sophisticated processing scheme is introduced to identify those rising gas bubbles in the hydroacoustic data. We apply a cross-correlation technique adapted from particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) to the acoustic backscatter images. Temporal and spatial drift patterns of the bubbles are assessed and are shown to match very well to measured and theoretical rise patterns. The application of this processing to our field data gives clear results with respect to unambiguous bubble detection and remote bubble rise velocimetry. The method can identify and exclude the main source of misinterpretations, i.e. fish-mediated echoes. Although image-based cross-correlation techniques are well known in the field of fluid mechanics for high resolution and non-inversive current flow field analysis, we present the first application of this technique as an acoustic bubble detector.

Friction Stir Back Extrusion of Aluminium Alloys for Automotive Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Zeren

Since the invention of Friction Stir Welding in 1991 as a solid state joining technique, extensive scientific investigations have been carried out to understand fundamental aspects of material behaviors when processed by this technique, in order to optimize processing conditions as well as mechanical properties of the welds. Based on the basic principles of Friction Stir Welding, several derivatives have also been developed such as Friction Stir Processing, Friction Extrusion and Friction Stir Back Extrusion. Friction Stir Back Extrusion is a novel technique that is proposed recently and designed for fabricating tubes from lightweight alloys. Some preliminary results have been reported regarding microstructure and mechanical properties of Friction Stir Back Extrusion processed AZ31 magnesium alloy, however, systematic study and in-depth investigations are still needed to understand the materials behaviors and underlying mechanisms when subjected to Friction Stir Back Extrusion, especially for age-hardenable Al alloys. In the present study, Friction Stir Back Extrusion processed AA6063-T5 and AA7075-T6 alloys are analyzed with respect to grain structure evolution, micro-texture change, recrystallization mechanisms, precipitation sequence as well as mechanical properties. Optical Microscopy, Electron Backscatter Diffraction, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Vickers Hardness measurements and uniaxial tensile tests are carried out to characterize the microstructural change as well as micro and macro mechanical properties of the processed tubes. Special attention is paid to the micro-texture evolution across the entire tube and dynamic recrystallization mechanisms that are responsible for grain refinement. Significant grain refinement has been observed near the processing zone while the tube wall is characterized by inhomogeneous grain structure across the thickness for both alloys. Dissolution of existing precipitates is noticed under the thermal hysterias imposed by Friction Stir Back Extrusion process, resulting in decreased strength but improved elongation of the processed tubes; a post-process aging step can effectively restore the mechanical properties of the processed tubes by allowing for the reprecipitation of solute elements in the form of fine, dispersed precipitates. Texture analysis performed for AA6063 alloy suggests the dominance of simple shear type textures with clear transition from initial texture to stable B/ ?B components via intermediate types that are stable under moderate strain levels. In order to identify the texture components properly, rigid body rotations are applied to the existing coordinate system to align it to local shear reference frame. Surprisingly, for AA7075 tubes, and fibers are observed to be the dominant texture components in the transition region as well as thermomechanically affected zone while the processing zone is characterized by random texture. The underlying mechanisms responsible for the formation of random texture are discussed in Chapter 5 based on Electron Backscatter Diffraction analysis. Comparative discussions are also carried out for the recrystallization mechanisms that are responsible for grain structure evolution of both alloys. Continuous grain subdivision and reorientation is cited as the dominant mechanism for the recrystallization of AA6063 alloys, while dynamic recrystallization occurs mainly in the form of Geometric Dynamic Recrystallization and progressive subgrain rotations near grain boundaries in AA7075 alloys.

Heterogeneous multi-layered IF steel with simultaneous high strength and good ductility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Ling; Jiang, Xiaojuan; Wang, Yuhui; Chen, Qiang; Chen, Zhen; Zhang, Yonghong; Huang, Tianlin; Wu, Guilin

2017-07-01

Multi-layered IF steel samples were designed and fabricated by hot compression followed by cold forging of an alternating stack of cold-rolled and annealed IF steel sheets, with an aim to improve the strength of the material without losing much ductility. A very good combination of strength and ductility was achieved by proper annealing after deformation. Microstructural analysis by electron back-scatter diffraction revealed that the good combination of strength and ductility is related to a characteristic hierarchical structure that is characterized by layered and lamella structures with different length scales.

Cross-Correlation for Automated Stitching of Two-Dimensional Multi-Tile Electron Backscatter Diffraction Data (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-08-01

270 350x 650 (25, 26) 2 20 Ni-15Al- 5Cr+C,B,Zr 187 x 187 500x 44 ( 4 , 11) 0.5 40 A. Coarse grain, single phase α- titanium The coarse grained... titanium alloy serves as an instructive example because, as evident in Figure 4 (a), only one triple point and one grain boundary appear in the search...wpafb.af.mil Figure 4 . Crystal orientation maps for the first (left) and second (current) tiles of (a) coarse grained α- Titanium , (b) a 2x2 array of a

Radial reflection diffraction tomography

DOEpatents

Lehman, Sean K.

2012-12-18

A wave-based tomographic imaging method and apparatus based upon one or more rotating radially outward oriented transmitting and receiving elements have been developed for non-destructive evaluation. At successive angular locations at a fixed radius, a predetermined transmitting element can launch a primary field and one or more predetermined receiving elements can collect the backscattered field in a "pitch/catch" operation. A Hilbert space inverse wave (HSIW) algorithm can construct images of the received scattered energy waves using operating modes chosen for a particular application. Applications include, improved intravascular imaging, bore hole tomography, and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of parts having existing access holes.

Radial Reflection diffraction tomorgraphy

DOEpatents

Lehman, Sean K

2013-11-19

A wave-based tomographic imaging method and apparatus based upon one or more rotating radially outward oriented transmitting and receiving elements have been developed for non-destructive evaluation. At successive angular locations at a fixed radius, a predetermined transmitting element can launch a primary field and one or more predetermined receiving elements can collect the backscattered field in a "pitch/catch" operation. A Hilbert space inverse wave (HSIW) algorithm can construct images of the received scattered energy waves using operating modes chosen for a particular application. Applications include, improved intravascular imaging, bore hole tomography, and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of parts having existing access holes.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jena, Puru; Kandalam, Anil K.; Christian, Theresa M.

Gallium phosphide bismide (GaP1-xBix) epilayers with bismuth fractions from 0.9% to 3.2%, as calculated from lattice parameter measurements, were studied with Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) to directly measure bismuth incorporation. The total bismuth fractions found by RBS were higher than expected from the lattice parameter calculations. Furthermore, in one analyzed sample grown by molecular beam epitaxy at 300 degrees C, 55% of incorporated bismuth was found to occupy interstitial sites. We discuss implications of this high interstitial incorporation fraction and its possible relationship to x-ray diffraction and photoluminescence measurements of GaP0.99Bi0.01.

Spherical nanoindentation stress-strain curves of commercially pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V

DOE Data Explorer

Weaver, Jordan S. [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Priddy, Matthew W. [Georgia Inst. of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States); McDowell, David L. [Georgia Inst. of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States); Kalidindi, Surya R. [Georgia Inst. of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States)

2016-07-27

Spherical nanoindentation combined with electron back-scattered diffraction was employed to characterize the grain-scale elastic and plastic anisotropy of single crystal alpha-Ti for commercially pure (CP-Ti) and alloyed (Ti-64) titanium. In addition, alpha-beta Ti (single colony) grains were characterized. The data set includes the nanoindentation force, displacement, and contact stiffness, the nanoindentation stress-strain analysis, and the alpha-Ti crystal orientations. Details of the samples and experimental protocols can be found in Weaver et al. (2016) Acta Materialia doi:10.1016/j.actamat.2016.06.053.

Effect of surface crystallographic orientation on the oxidation behavior of Ni-based alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xu; Szpunar, J. A.; Zhang, Lina

2015-02-01

Dependence of initial oxidation behavior on crystalline orientation of Haynes 230 at 900 °C was investigated by a novel method. Analysis of oxidation rate reveals that the oxide thicknesses are different for grains having different orientations. Orientation mapping was performed on oxidized specimen and grains having near {1 1 1} were easily indexed by electron backscattered diffraction. We determined that planes with deviation angle lower than 20° were all well indexed after oxidation. Results demonstrate that substrate orientation plays an important role on oxidation rate during the initial stage.

Influence of crystal orientation on the formation of femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures and lattice defects accumulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sedao, Xxx; Garrelie, Florence, E-mail: florence.garrelie@univ-st-etienne.fr; Colombier, Jean-Philippe

2014-04-28

The influence of crystal orientation on the formation of femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) has been investigated on a polycrystalline nickel sample. Electron Backscatter Diffraction characterization has been exploited to provide structural information within the laser spot on irradiated samples to determine the dependence of LIPSS formation and lattice defects (stacking faults, twins, dislocations) upon the crystal orientation. Significant differences are observed at low-to-medium number of laser pulses, outstandingly for (111)-oriented surface which favors lattice defects formation rather than LIPSS formation.

Structural characterization of Co-Re superlattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melo, L. V.; Trindade, I.; From, M.; Freitas, P. P.; Teixeira, N.; da Silva, M. F.; Soares, J. C.

1991-12-01

Co-Re superlattices were prepared with nominal periodicities of 65-67 Å and varying bilayer composition. The structural characterization was made by x-ray diffraction and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). First, second, and third order satellites are observed in the x-ray diffractogram at 2θ values and with intensities close to those predicted by simulation. This confirms the coherence of the superlattice. RBS measurements combined with RUMP simulations give information on interface sharpness and the absolute thicknesses of the Co and Re layers. Discrepancies between the experimental and simulated diffractograms are found for Co thicknesses below 18 Å.

Effects of Retained Austenite Volume Fraction, Morphology, and Carbon Content on Strength and Ductility of Nanostructured TRIP-assisted Steels

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shen, Yongfeng; Qiu, LN; Sun, Xin

2015-06-01

With a suite of multi-modal and multi-scale characterization techniques, the present study unambiguously proves that a substantially-improved combination of ultrahigh strength and good ductility can be achieved by tailoring the volume fraction, morphology, and carbon content of the retained austenite (RA) in a transformation-induced-plasticity (TRIP) steel with the nominal chemical composition of 0.19C-0.30Si-1.76Mn-1.52Al (weight percent, wt.%). After intercritical annealing and bainitic holding, a combination ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 1,100 MPa and true strain of 50% has been obtained, as a result of the ultrafine RA lamellae, which are alternately arranged in the bainitic ferrite around junction regions of ferritemore » grains. For reference, specimens with a blocky RA, prepared without the bainitic holding, yield a low ductility (35%) and a low UTS (800 MPa). The volume fraction, morphology, and carbon content of RA have been characterized using various techniques, including magnetic probing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron-backscatter-diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Interrupted tensile tests, mapped using EBSD in conjunction with the kernel average misorientation (KAM) analysis, reveal that the lamellar RA is the governingmicrostructure component responsible for the higher mechanical stability, compared to the blocky one. By coupling these various techniques, we quantitatively demonstrate that in addition to the RA volume fraction, its morphology and carbon content are equally important in optimizing the strength and ductility of TRIP-assisted steels.« less

A technique for the correcting ERTS data for solar and atmospheric effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rogers, R. H.; Peacock, K.

1973-01-01

A technique is described by which an ERTS investigator can obtain absolute target reflectances by correcting spacecraft radiance measurements for variable target irradiance, atmospheric attenuation, and atmospheric backscatter. A simple measuring instrument and the necessary atmospheric measurements are discussed, and examples demonstrate the nature and magnitude of the atmospheric corrections.

First Look at the Upper Tropospheric Ozone Mixing Ratio from OMI Estimated using the Cloud Slicing Technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhartia, Pawan K.; Ziemke, Jerry; Chandra, Sushil; Joiner, Joanna; Vassilkov, Alexandra; Taylor, Steven; Yang, Kai; Ahn, Chang-Woo

2004-01-01

The Cloud Slicing technique has emerged as a powerful tool for the study of ozone in the upper troposphere. In this technique one looks at the variation with cloud height of the above-cloud column ozone derived from the backscattered ultraviolet instruments, such as TOMS, to determine the ozone mixing ratio. For this technique to work properly one needs an instrument with relatively good horizontal resolution with very good signal to noise in measuring above-cloud column ozone. In addition, one needs the (radiatively) effective cloud pressure rather than the cloud-top pressure, for the ultraviolet photons received by a satellite instrument are scattered from inside the cloud rather than from the top. For this study we use data from the OMI sensor, which was recently launched on the EOS Aura satellite. OMI is a W-Visible backscattering instrument with a nadir pixel size of 13 x 24 km. The effective cloud pressure is derived from a new algorithm based on Rotational Raman Scattering and O2-O2, absorption in the 340-400 nm band of OMI.

A laser driven pulsed X-ray backscatter technique for enhanced penetrative imaging.

PubMed

Deas, R M; Wilson, L A; Rusby, D; Alejo, A; Allott, R; Black, P P; Black, S E; Borghesi, M; Brenner, C M; Bryant, J; Clarke, R J; Collier, J C; Edwards, B; Foster, P; Greenhalgh, J; Hernandez-Gomez, C; Kar, S; Lockley, D; Moss, R M; Najmudin, Z; Pattathil, R; Symes, D; Whittle, M D; Wood, J C; McKenna, P; Neely, D

2015-01-01

X-ray backscatter imaging can be used for a wide range of imaging applications, in particular for industrial inspection and portal security. Currently, the application of this imaging technique to the detection of landmines is limited due to the surrounding sand or soil strongly attenuating the 10s to 100s of keV X-rays required for backscatter imaging. Here, we introduce a new approach involving a 140 MeV short-pulse (< 100 fs) electron beam generated by laser wakefield acceleration to probe the sample, which produces Bremsstrahlung X-rays within the sample enabling greater depths to be imaged. A variety of detector and scintillator configurations are examined, with the best time response seen from an absorptive coated BaF2 scintillator with a bandpass filter to remove the slow scintillation emission components. An X-ray backscatter image of an array of different density and atomic number items is demonstrated. The use of a compact laser wakefield accelerator to generate the electron source, combined with the rapid development of more compact, efficient and higher repetition rate high power laser systems will make this system feasible for applications in the field. Content includes material subject to Dstl (c) Crown copyright (2014). Licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@ nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.

Comparison of the structural properties of Zn-face and O-face single crystal homoepitaxial ZnO epilayers grown by RF-magnetron sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schifano, R.; Riise, H. N.; Domagala, J. Z.; Azarov, A. Yu.; Ratajczak, R.; Monakhov, E. V.; Venkatachalapathy, V.; Vines, L.; Chan, K. S.; Wong-Leung, J.; Svensson, B. G.

2017-01-01

Homoepitaxial ZnO growth is demonstrated from conventional RF-sputtering at 400 °C on both Zn and O polar faces of hydrothermally grown ZnO substrates. A minimum yield for the Rutherford backscattering and channeling spectrum, χmin, equal to ˜3% and ˜12% and a full width at half maximum of the 00.2 diffraction peak rocking curve of (70 ± 10) arc sec and (1400 ± 100) arc sec have been found for samples grown on the Zn and O face, respectively. The structural characteristics of the film deposited on the Zn face are comparable with those of epilayers grown by more complex techniques like molecular beam epitaxy. In contrast, the film simultaneously deposited on the O-face exhibits an inferior crystalline structure ˜0.7% strained in the c-direction and a higher atomic number contrast compared with the substrate, as revealed by high angle annular dark field imaging measurements. These differences between the Zn- and O-face films are discussed in detail and associated with the different growth mechanisms prevailing on the two surfaces.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Junfeng, E-mail: chenjunfeng@fzu.edu.cn; Zou, Linchi, E-mail: zoulinchi1201@163.com; Li, Qiang

The microstructure evolution of the 7050 Al alloy treated by age-forming was studied using a designed device which can simulate the age-forming process. The grain shape, grain boundary misorientation and grain orientation evolution of 7050 Al alloy during age-forming have been quantitatively characterized by electron backscattering diffraction technique. The results show that age-forming produced abundant low-angle boundaries and elongated grains, which attributed to stress induced dislocation movement and grain boundary migration during the age-forming process. On the other side, the stress along rolling direction caused some unstable orientation grains to rotate towards the Brass and S orientations during the age-formingmore » process. Hence, the intensity of the rolling texture orientation in age-formed samples is enhanced. But this effect decays gradually with increasing aging time, since stress decreases and precipitation hardening occurs during the age-forming process. - Highlights: • Quantitative analysis of grain evolution of 7050 Al alloys during age-forming • Stress induces some grain rotation of 7050 Al alloys during age-forming. • Creep leads to elongate grain of 7050 Al alloys during age-forming. • Obtains a trend on texture evolution during age-forming applied stress.« less

Hafnia-based resistive switching devices for non-volatile memory applications and effects of gamma irradiation on device performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arun, N.; Kumar, K. Vinod; Pathak, A. P.; Avasthi, D. K.; Nageswara Rao, S. V. S.

2018-04-01

Non-volatile memory (NVM) devices were fabricated as a Metal- Insulator-Metal (MIM) structures by sandwiching Hafnium dioxide (HfO2) thin film in between two metal electrodes. The top and bottom metal electrodes were deposited by using the thermal evaporation, and the oxide layer was deposited by using the RF magnetron sputtering technique. The Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) device structures such as Ag/HfO2/Au/Si were fabricated and I-V characteristics for the pristine and gamma-irradiated devices with a dose 24 kGy were measured. Further we have studied the thermal annealing effects, in the range of 100°-400°C in a tubular furnace for the HfO2/Au/Si samples. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis measurements were performed to determine the thickness, crystallinity and stoichiometry of these films. The electrical characteristics such as resistive switching, endurance, retention time and switching speed were measured by a semiconductor device analyser. The effects of gamma irradiation on the switching properties of these RRAM devices have been studied.

The characteristics of void distribution in spalled high purity copper cylinder under sweeping detonation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yang; Jiang, Zhi; Chen, Jixinog; Guo, Zhaoliang; Tang, Tiegang; Hu, Haibo

2018-03-01

The effects of different peak compression stresses (2-5 GPa) on the spallation behaviour of high purity copper cylinder during sweeping detonation were examined by Electron Backscatter Diffraction Microscopy, Doppler Pins System and Optical Microscopy techniques. The velocity history of inner surface and the characteristics of void distributions in spalled copper cylinder were investigated. The results indicated that the spall strength of copper in these experiments was less than that revealed in previous reports concerning plate impact loading. The geometry of cylindrical copper and the obliquity of incident shock during sweeping detonation may be the main reasons. Different loading stresses seemed to be responsible for the characteristics of the resultant damage fields, and the maximum damage degree increased with increasing shock stress. Spall planes in different cross-sections of sample loaded with the same shock stress of 3.29 GPa were found, and the distance from the initiation end has little effect on the maximum damage degree (the maximum damage range from 12 to 14%), which means that the spallation behaviour was stable along the direction parallel to the detonation propagation direction under the same shock stress.

Structural characterization of ultrathin Cr-doped ITO layers deposited by double-target pulsed laser ablation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cesaria, Maura; Caricato, Anna Paola; Leggieri, Gilberto; Luches, Armando; Martino, Maurizio; Maruccio, Giuseppe; Catalano, Massimo; Grazia Manera, Maria; Rella, Roberto; Taurino, Antonietta

2011-09-01

In this paper we report on the growth and structural characterization of very thin (20 nm) Cr-doped ITO films, deposited at room temperature by double-target pulsed laser ablation on amorphous silica substrates. The role of Cr atoms in the ITO matrix is carefully investigated with increasing doping content by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Selected-area electron diffraction, conventional bright field and dark field as well as high-resolution TEM analyses, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy demonstrate that (i) crystallization features occur despite the low growth temperature and small thickness, (ii) no chromium or chromium oxide secondary phases are detectable, regardless of the film doping levels, (iii) the films crystallize as crystalline flakes forming large-angle grain boundaries; (iv) the observed flakes consist of crystalline planes with local bending of the crystal lattice. Thickness and compositional information about the films are obtained by Rutherford back-scattering spectrometry. Results are discussed by considering the combined effects of growth temperature, smaller ionic radius of the Cr cation compared with the trivalent In ion, doping level, film thickness, the double-target doping technique and peculiarities of the pulsed laser deposition method.

Laser-deposited thin films of biocompatible ceramic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jelinek, Miroslav; Olsan, V.; Jastrabik, Lubomir; Dostalova, Tatjana; Himmlova, Lucia; Kadlec, Jaromir; Pospichal, M.; Simeckova, M.; Fotakis, Costas

1995-03-01

Thin films of biocompatible materials such as hydroxylapatite (HA) - Ca10 (PO4)6(OH)2 were deposited by laser ablation technique. The films of HA were created on Ti substrates by KrF laser. The layers were deposited in vacuum, in pure H2O vapors (pressure 2 X 10-3 mbar - 2 X 10-1 mbar), and in Ar/H2O vapor mixture. Influence of laser energy density ET (3 Jcm-2, 13 Jcm-2) and substrate temperature Tg (500 degree(s)C - 760 degree(s)C) on the film parameters was studied. Two different technological processes were used for HA target preparation. Films and targets were characterized by Rutherford backscattering analysis (RBS), particle induced x-ray emission (PIXE), x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by Knoop microhardness and scratch test. The best crystalline HA films were reached in the mixture of Ar/H2O. Higher Tg had to be used for such deposition. Higher Tg was also preferable from the point of film microhardness. Adhesion of films to the substrates in the range of tens of Newtons was measured. The preliminary results of in vitro experiments of films biotolerance and resorbability are also presented.

Military applications and examples of near-surface seismic surface wave methods (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

sloan, S.; Stevens, R.

2013-12-01

Although not always widely known or publicized, the military uses a variety of geophysical methods for a wide range of applications--some that are already common practice in the industry while others are truly novel. Some of those applications include unexploded ordnance detection, general site characterization, anomaly detection, countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and security monitoring, to name a few. Techniques used may include, but are not limited to, ground penetrating radar, seismic, electrical, gravity, and electromagnetic methods. Seismic methods employed include surface wave analysis, refraction tomography, and high-resolution reflection methods. Although the military employs geophysical methods, that does not necessarily mean that those methods enable or support combat operations--often times they are being used for humanitarian applications within the military's area of operations to support local populations. The work presented here will focus on the applied use of seismic surface wave methods, including multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) and backscattered surface waves, often in conjunction with other methods such as refraction tomography or body-wave diffraction analysis. Multiple field examples will be shown, including explosives testing, tunnel detection, pre-construction site characterization, and cavity detection.

Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance in Au Nanoparticles Embedded dc Sputtered ZnO Thin Films.

PubMed

Patra, Anuradha; Balasubrahmaniyam, M; Lahal, Ranjit; Malar, P; Osipowicz, T; Manivannan, A; Kasiviswanathan, S

2015-02-01

The plasmonic behavior of metallic nanoparticles is explicitly dependent on their shape, size and the surrounding dielectric space. This study encompasses the influence of ZnO matrix, morphology of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and their organization on the optical behavior of ZnO/AuNPs-ZnO/ZnO/GP structures (GP: glass plate). These structures have been grown by a multiple-step physical process, which includes dc sputtering, thermal evaporation and thermal annealing. Different analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, glancing angle X-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and optical absorption have been used to study the structures. In-situ rapid thermal treatment during dc sputtering of ZnO film has been found to induce subtle changes in the morphology of AuNPs, thereby altering the profile of the plasmon band in the absorption spectra. The results have been contrasted with a recent study on the spectral response of dc magnetron sputtered ZnO films embedded with AuNPs. Initial simulation results indicate that AuNPs-ZnO/Au/GP structure reflects/absorbs UV and infrared radiations, and therefore can serve as window coatings.

Growth and Characterization of Pyrite Thin Films for Photovoltaic Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wertheim, Alex

A series of pyrite thin films were synthesized using a novel sequential evaporation technique to study the effects of substrate temperature on deposition rate and micro-structure of the deposited material. Pyrite was deposited in a monolayer-by-monolayer fashion using sequential evaporation of Fe under high vacuum, followed by sulfidation at high S pressures (typically > 1 mTorr to 1 Torr). Thin films were synthesized using two different growth processes; a one-step process in which a constant growth temperature is maintained throughout growth, and a three-step process in which an initial low temperature seed layer is deposited, followed by a high temperature layer, and then finished with a low temperature capping layer. Analysis methods to analyze the properties of the films included Glancing Angle X-Ray Diffraction (GAXRD), Rutherford Back-scattering Spectroscopy (RBS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS), 2-point IV measurements, and Hall effect measurements. Our results show that crystallinity of the pyrite thin film improves and grain size increases with increasing substrate temperature. The sticking coefficient of Fe was found to increase with increasing growth temperature, indicating that the Fe incorporation into the growing film is a thermally activated process.

Modern Material Analysis Instruments Add a New Dimension to Materials Characterization and Failure Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Panda, Binayak

2009-01-01

Modern analytical tools can yield invaluable results during materials characterization and failure analysis. Scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) provide significant analytical capabilities, including angstrom-level resolution. These systems can be equipped with a silicon drift detector (SDD) for very fast yet precise analytical mapping of phases, as well as electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) units to map grain orientations, chambers that admit large samples, variable pressure for wet samples, and quantitative analysis software to examine phases. Advanced solid-state electronics have also improved surface and bulk analysis instruments: Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) can quantitatively determine and map light elements such as hydrogen, lithium, and boron - with their isotopes. Its high sensitivity detects impurities at parts per billion (ppb) levels. X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) can determine oxidation states of elements, as well as identifying polymers and measuring film thicknesses on coated composites. This technique is also known as electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). Scanning Auger electron spectroscopy (SAM) combines surface sensitivity, spatial lateral resolution (10 nm), and depth profiling capabilities to describe elemental compositions of near and below surface regions down to the chemical state of an atom.

Microstructure characterization based on the type of deformed grains in cold-rolled, Cu-added, bake-hardenable steel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, J.S.; Kim, S.I.; Choi, S.-H., E-mail: shihoon@sunchon.ac.kr

2014-06-01

The electron backscatter diffraction technique has been used to characterize the microstructure of deformed grains in cold-rolled, Cu-added, bake-hardenable steel. A new scheme based on the kind and number of average orientations, as determined from a unique grain map of the deformed grains, was developed in order to classify deformed grains by type. The α-fiber components, γ-fiber components and random orientations, those which could not be assigned to either γ-fiber or α-fiber components, were used to define the average orientation of unique grains within individual deformed grains. The microstructures of deformed grains in as-rolled specimens were analyzed based on themore » Taylor factor, stored energy, and misorientation. The relative levels and distributions of the Taylor factor, the stored energy and the misorientation were examined in terms of the types of deformed grains. - Highlights: • We characterized the microstructure of Cu-added BH steel using EBSD. • A new scheme was developed in order to classify deformed grains by type. • Stored energy and misorientation are strongly dependent on the type of deformed grains. • Microstructure was examined in terms of the types of deformed grains.« less

Strain Evolution in Cold-Warm Forged Steel Components Studied by Means of EBSD Technique

PubMed Central

Bonollo, Franco; Bassan, Fabio; Berto, Filippo

2017-01-01

Electron BackScatter Diffraction (EBSD) in conjunction with Field-Emission Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG-ESEM) has been used to evaluate the microstructural and local plastic strain evolution in different alloys (AISI 1005, AISI 304L and Duplex 2205) deformed by a single-stage cold and warm forging process. The present work is aimed to describe the different behavior of the austenite and ferrite during plastic deformation as a function of different forging temperatures. Several topological EBSD maps have been measured on the deformed and undeformed states. Then, image quality factor, distributions of the grain size and misorientation have been analyzed in detail. In the austenitic stainless steel, the γ-phase has been found to harden more easily, then α-phase and γ-phase in AISI 1005 and in duplex stainless steel, sequentially. Compared to the high fraction of continuous dynamic recrystallized austenitic zones observed in stainless steels samples forged at low temperatures, the austenitic microstructure of samples forged at higher temperatures, 600–700 °C, has been found to be mainly characterized by large and elongated grains with some colonies of fine nearly-equiaxed grains attributed to discontinuous dynamic recrystallization. PMID:29258249

Effect of Long-Term Thermal Exposures on Microstructure and Impression Creep in 304HCu Grade Austenitic Stainless Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dash, Manmath Kumar; Karthikeyan, T.; Mythili, R.; Vijayanand, V. D.; Saroja, S.

2017-10-01

This paper presents the results of microstructural evolution and mechanical properties in 304H Cu grade austenite stainless (SS 304HCu) during long-term exposure at high temperatures. The predicted phase composition as a function of temperature obtained using JMatPro® software was confirmed in conjunction with the microstructural evolution characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Microstructures revealed primary Nb(C,N), M23C6 precipitates at γ-grain boundaries, fine secondary Nb(C,N) intragranular carbides, and a uniform precipitation of <40-nm-sized spherical Cu-rich phase after thermal aging for 10,000 hours at 903 K (630 °C). The impression creep rate at 300 MPa increased by a factor of 20 between 873 K and 923 K (600 °C and 650 °C). The creep rate at 903 K (630 °C) was found to moderately reduce with aging time, signifying the role of Cu-rich phase in improving the creep resistance. The deformation zones and the recrystallization behavior of the plastic zone in creep tested specimen was assessed using Electron backscatter diffraction technique.

Optical, structural, and nuclear scientific studies of AlGaN with high Al composition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Tse Yang; Chung, Yee Ling; Li, Lin; Yao, Shude; Lee, Y. C.; Feng, Zhe Chuan; Ferguson, Ian T.; Lu, Weijie

2010-08-01

AlGaN epilayers with higher Al-compositions were grown by Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) on (0001) sapphire. Trimethylgallium (TMGa), trimethylaluminium (TMAl) and NH3 were used as the source precursors for Ga, Al, and N, respectively. A 25 nm AlN nucleation layer was first grown at low-temperature of 590 °C at 300 Torr. Followed, AlxGa1-xN layers were grown at 1080 °C on low-temperature AlN nucleation layers. The heterostructures were characterized by a series of techniques, including x-ray diffraction (XRD), Rutherford backscattering (RBS), photoluminescence (PL), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman scattering. Precise Al compositions were determined through XRD, RBS, and SEM combined measurements. Room Temperature Raman Scattering spectra shows three major bands from AlGaN alloys, which are AlN-like, A1 longitudinal optical (LO) phonon modes, and E2 transverse optical (TO) band, respectively, plus several peak comes from the substrate. Raman spectral line shape analysis lead to an optical determination of the electrical property free carrier concentration of AlGaN. The optical properties of AlGaN with high Al composition were presented here.

Lamellar boundary alignment of DS-processed TiAl-W alloys by a solidification procedure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, In-Soo; Oh, Myung-Hoon; Park, No-Jin; Kumar, K. Sharvan; Wee, Dang-Moon

2007-12-01

In this study, a β solidification procedure was used to align the lamellae in a Ti-47Al-2W (at.%) alloy parallel to the growth direction. The Bridgman technique and the floating zone process were used for directional solidification. The mechanical properties of the directionally solidified alloy were evaluated in tension at room temperature and at 800°C. At a growth rate of 30 mm/h (with the floating zone approach), the lamellae were well aligned parallel to the growth direction. The aligned lamellae yielded excellent room temperature tensile ductility. The tensile yield strength at 800°C was similar to that at room temperature. The orientation of the γ lamellar laths in the directionally solidified ingots, which were manufactured by means of a floating zone process, was identified with the aid of electron backscattered diffraction analysis. On the basis of this analysis, the preferred growth direction of the bcc-β dendrites that formed at high temperatures close to the melting point was inferred to be [001]β at a growth rate of 30 mm/h and [111]β at a growth rate of 90 mm/h.

Lidar Technique for Early Forest Fire Detection : Design and Development Aspects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Traïche, M.; Bourai, K.; Moussaoui, N.; Beggar, R.; Almabouada, F.; Louhibi, D.

2008-09-01

Many countries suffer from forest fires every summer, a phenomenon which wreaks havoc on both local and global environment. As well, it causes enormous damage to public health especially for people living in surrounding areas. For fighting against forest fires, ocular surveillance, in spite of its wide use, is not efficient owing to the costly mobilization of a great number of forest agents and to the fact that most of forest regions are not accessible. Other passive techniques such as infrared camera remote sensing are neither efficient under unfavorable weather conditions. An efficient way to early detect forest fires even under worse environmental conditions and in inaccessible mountainous regions uses the backscattering Lidar technique. This consists of the emission of monowavelength laser pulses spanning azimuthally the entire region subject to surveillance and the detection of the backscattered signal. The detection parameter is the signal to noise ration SNR. In this contribution, we will deal with approach and design aspects inherent to the development task of such a Lidar.

Comparison of spectral radiance responsivity calibration techniques used for backscatter ultraviolet satellite instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kowalewski, M. G.; Janz, S. J.

2015-02-01

Methods of absolute radiometric calibration of backscatter ultraviolet (BUV) satellite instruments are compared as part of an effort to minimize pre-launch calibration uncertainties. An internally illuminated integrating sphere source has been used for the Shuttle Solar BUV, Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer, Ozone Mapping Instrument, and Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment 2 using standardized procedures traceable to national standards. These sphere-based spectral responsivities agree to within the derived combined standard uncertainty of 1.87% relative to calibrations performed using an external diffuser illuminated by standard irradiance sources, the customary spectral radiance responsivity calibration method for BUV instruments. The combined standard uncertainty for these calibration techniques as implemented at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Radiometric Calibration and Development Laboratory is shown to less than 2% at 250 nm when using a single traceable calibration standard.

Application of Satellite SAR Imagery in Mapping the Active Layer of Arctic Permafrost

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Shu-Sun; Romanovsky, V.; Lovick, Joe; Wang, Z.; Peterson, Rorik

2003-01-01

A method of mapping the active layer of Arctic permafrost using a combination of conventional synthetic aperture radar (SAR) backscatter and more sophisticated interferometric SAR (INSAR) techniques is proposed. The proposed research is based on the sensitivity of radar backscatter to the freeze and thaw status of the surface soil, and the sensitivity of INSAR techniques to centimeter- to sub-centimeter-level surface differential deformation. The former capability of SAR is investigated for deriving the timing and duration of the thaw period for surface soil of the active layer over permafrost. The latter is investigated for the feasibility of quantitative measurement of frost heaving and thaw settlement of the active layer during the freezing and thawing processes. The resulting knowledge contributes to remote sensing mapping of the active layer dynamics and Arctic land surface hydrology.

A didactic proposal about Rutherford backscattering spectrometry with theoretic, experimental, simulation and application activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corni, Federico; Michelini, Marisa

2018-01-01

Rutherford backscattering spectrometry is a nuclear analysis technique widely used for materials science investigation. Despite the strict technical requirements to perform the data acquisition, the interpretation of a spectrum is within the reach of general physics students. The main phenomena occurring during a collision between helium ions—with energy of a few MeV—and matter are: elastic nuclear collision, elastic scattering, and, in the case of non-surface collision, ion stopping. To interpret these phenomena, we use classical physics models: material point elastic collision, unscreened Coulomb scattering, and inelastic energy loss of ions with electrons, respectively. We present the educational proposal for Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, within the framework of the model of educational reconstruction, following a rationale that links basic physics concepts with quantities for spectra analysis. This contribution offers the opportunity to design didactic specific interventions suitable for undergraduate and secondary school students.

Uncooperative target-in-the-loop performance with backscattered speckle-field effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kansky, Jan E.; Murphy, Daniel V.

2007-09-01

Systems utilizing target-in-the-loop (TIL) techniques for adaptive optics phase compensation rely on a metric sensor to perform a hill climbing algorithm that maximizes the far-field Strehl ratio. In uncooperative TIL, the metric signal is derived from the light backscattered from a target. In cases where the target is illuminated with a laser with suffciently long coherence length, the potential exists for the validity of the metric sensor to be compromised by speckle-field effects. We report experimental results from a scaled laboratory designed to evaluate TIL performance in atmospheric turbulence and thermal blooming conditions where the metric sensors are influenced by varying degrees of backscatter speckle. We compare performance of several TIL configurations and metrics for cases with static speckle, and for cases with speckle fluctuations within the frequency range that the TIL system operates. The roles of metric sensor filtering and system bandwidth are discussed.

CATS Version 2 Aerosol Feature Detection and Applications for Data Assimilation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nowottnick, Ed; Yorks, John; McGill, Matt; Scott, Stan; Palm, Stephen; Hlavka, Dennis; Hart, William; Selmer, Patrick; Kupchock, Andrew; Pauly, Rebecca

2017-01-01

Using GEOS-5, we are developing a 1D ENS approach for assimilating CATS near real time observations of total attenuated backscatter at 1064 nm: a) After performing a 1-ENS assimilation of a cloud-free profile, the GEOS-5 analysis closely followed observed total attenuated backscatter. b) Vertical localization length scales were varied for the well-mixed PBL and the free troposphere After assimilating a cloud free segment of a CATS granule, the fine detail of a dust event was obtained in the GEOS-5 analysis for both total attenuated backscatter and extinction. Future Work: a) Explore horizontal localization and test within a cloudy aerosol layer. b) Address noisy analysis increments in the free troposphere where both CATS and GEOS-5 aerosol loadings are low. c) Develop a technique to screen CATS ground return from profiles. d) "Dynamic" lidar ratio that will evolve in conjunction with simulated aerosol mixtures.

Comparisons of ionospheric electron density distributions reconstructed by GPS computerized tomography, backscatter ionograms, and vertical ionograms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Chen; Lei, Yong; Li, Bofeng; An, Jiachun; Zhu, Peng; Jiang, Chunhua; Zhao, Zhengyu; Zhang, Yuannong; Ni, Binbin; Wang, Zemin; Zhou, Xuhua

2015-12-01

Global Positioning System (GPS) computerized ionosphere tomography (CIT) and ionospheric sky wave ground backscatter radar are both capable of measuring the large-scale, two-dimensional (2-D) distributions of ionospheric electron density (IED). Here we report the spatial and temporal electron density results obtained by GPS CIT and backscatter ionogram (BSI) inversion for three individual experiments. Both the GPS CIT and BSI inversion techniques demonstrate the capability and the consistency of reconstructing large-scale IED distributions. To validate the results, electron density profiles obtained from GPS CIT and BSI inversion are quantitatively compared to the vertical ionosonde data, which clearly manifests that both methods output accurate information of ionopsheric electron density and thereby provide reliable approaches to ionospheric soundings. Our study can improve current understanding of the capability and insufficiency of these two methods on the large-scale IED reconstruction.

Excitation of phonons in medium-energy electron diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alvarez, M. A. Vicente; Ascolani, H.; Zampieri, G.

1996-03-01

The ``elastic'' backscattering of electrons from crystalline surfaces presents two regimes: a low-energy regime, in which the characteristic low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) pattern is observed, and a medium-energy regime, in which the diffraction pattern is similar to those observed in x-ray photoemission diffraction (XPD) and Auger electron diffraction (AED) experiments. We present a model for the electron scattering which, including the vibrational degrees of freedom of the crystal, contains both regimes and explains the passage from one regime to the other. Our model is based on a separation of the electron and atomic motions (adiabatic approximation) and on a cluster-type formulation of the multiple scattering of the electron. The inelastic scattering events (excitation and/or absorption of phonons) are treated as coherent processes and no break of the phase relation between the incident and the exit paths of the electron is assumed. The LEED and the medium-energy electron diffraction regimes appear naturally in this model as the limit cases of completely elastic scattering and of inelastic scattering with excitation and/or absorption of multiple phonons. Intensity patterns calculated with this model are in very good agreement with recent experiments of electron scattering on Cu(001) at low and medium energies. We show that there is a correspondence between the type of intensity pattern and the mean number of phonons excited and/or absorbed during the scattering: a LEED-like pattern is observed when this mean number is less than 2, LEED-like and XPD/AED-like features coexist when this number is 3-4, and a XPD/AED-like pattern is observed when this number is greater than 5-6.

Spatially resolved texture and microstructure evolution of additively manufactured and gas gun deformed 304L stainless steel investigated by neutron diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction

DOE PAGES

Takajo, Shigehiro; Brown, Donald William; Clausen, Bjorn; ...

2018-04-30

In this study, we report the characterization of a 304L stainless steel cylindrical projectile produced by additive manufacturing. The projectile was compressively deformed using a Taylor Anvil Gas Gun, leading to a huge strain gradient along the axis of the deformed cylinder. Spatially resolved neutron diffraction measurements on the HIgh Pressure Preferred Orientation time-of-flight diffractometer (HIPPO) and Spectrometer for Materials Research at Temperature and Stress diffractometer (SMARTS) beamlines at the Los Alamos Neutron Science CEnter (LANSCE) with Rietveld and single-peak analysis were used to quantitatively evaluate the volume fractions of the α, γ, and ε phases as well as residualmore » strain and texture. The texture of the γ phase is consistent with uniaxial compression, while the α texture can be explained by the Kurdjumov–Sachs relationship from the γ texture after deformation. This indicates that the material first deformed in the γ phase and subsequently transformed at larger strains. The ε phase was only found in volumes close to the undeformed material with a texture connected to the γ texture by the Shoji–Nishiyama orientation relationship. This allows us to conclude that the ε phase occurs as an intermediate phase at lower strain, and is superseded by the α phase when strain increases further. We found a proportionality between the root-mean-squared microstrain of the γ phase, dominated by the dislocation density, with the α volume fraction, consistent with strain-induced martensite α formation. In conclusion, knowledge of the sample volume with the ε phase from the neutron diffraction analysis allowed us to identify the ε phase by electron back scatter diffraction analysis, complementing the neutron diffraction analysis with characterization on the grain level.« less

Spatially resolved texture and microstructure evolution of additively manufactured and gas gun deformed 304L stainless steel investigated by neutron diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Takajo, Shigehiro; Brown, Donald William; Clausen, Bjorn

In this study, we report the characterization of a 304L stainless steel cylindrical projectile produced by additive manufacturing. The projectile was compressively deformed using a Taylor Anvil Gas Gun, leading to a huge strain gradient along the axis of the deformed cylinder. Spatially resolved neutron diffraction measurements on the HIgh Pressure Preferred Orientation time-of-flight diffractometer (HIPPO) and Spectrometer for Materials Research at Temperature and Stress diffractometer (SMARTS) beamlines at the Los Alamos Neutron Science CEnter (LANSCE) with Rietveld and single-peak analysis were used to quantitatively evaluate the volume fractions of the α, γ, and ε phases as well as residualmore » strain and texture. The texture of the γ phase is consistent with uniaxial compression, while the α texture can be explained by the Kurdjumov–Sachs relationship from the γ texture after deformation. This indicates that the material first deformed in the γ phase and subsequently transformed at larger strains. The ε phase was only found in volumes close to the undeformed material with a texture connected to the γ texture by the Shoji–Nishiyama orientation relationship. This allows us to conclude that the ε phase occurs as an intermediate phase at lower strain, and is superseded by the α phase when strain increases further. We found a proportionality between the root-mean-squared microstrain of the γ phase, dominated by the dislocation density, with the α volume fraction, consistent with strain-induced martensite α formation. In conclusion, knowledge of the sample volume with the ε phase from the neutron diffraction analysis allowed us to identify the ε phase by electron back scatter diffraction analysis, complementing the neutron diffraction analysis with characterization on the grain level.« less

External quantum efficiency enhancement by photon recycling with backscatter evasion.

PubMed

Nagano, Koji; Perreca, Antonio; Arai, Koji; Adhikari, Rana X

2018-05-01

The nonunity quantum efficiency (QE) in photodiodes (PD) causes deterioration of signal quality in quantum optical experiments due to photocurrent loss as well as the introduction of vacuum fluctuations into the measurement. In this paper, we report that the external QE enhancement of a PD was demonstrated by recycling the reflected photons. The external QE for an InGaAs PD was increased by 0.01-0.06 from 0.86-0.92 over a wide range of incident angles. Moreover, we confirmed that this technique does not increase backscattered light when the recycled beam is properly misaligned.

Influence of grain orientation on the incipient oxidation behavior of Haynes 230 at 900 °C

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Xu, E-mail: xuw388@mail.usask.ca; Fan, Fan; Szpunar, Jerzy A.

Ni-based superalloy Haynes 230 is used in many applications such as very high temperature reactor (VHTR) or solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) where it is exposed to high temperature service environment. In order to improve the resistance for high temperature oxidation, the effect of crystallographic orientation on the early stage oxidation was investigated. It was demonstrated that different oxide thicknesses are formed on grains having different orientations. Comparison of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) orientation maps before and after oxidation at 900 °C indicates that grains near (111) orientation, especially with the deviation angle from <111> that is smaller than 20°,more » are more oxidation resistant than grains of other orientations. Correlation between the results of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to compare the oxidation rate of grains having different crystallographic orientation. The oxidation rate was found to change with the crystallographic orientation as follows (111) < (110) < (100), also it was demonstrated that the oxidation rate changes are a nearly linear function of the angle of deviation from <111> direction. The morphology of surface oxide also depends on the orientation of grains. - Highlights: • Comparison of EBSD maps before and after oxidation allows to investigate the effect of orientation on oxidation in a more direct way; • Effect of crystallographic orientation on oxidation behavior of alloy 230 is studied by combination of EBSD and AFM; • Different thickness of oxide is formed on grain with different orientation and dependence of anisotropic oxidation behavior is discussed; • The morphology of grains is also orientation dependence.« less

The structure of and origin of nodular chromite from the Troodos ophiolite, Cyprus, revealed using high-resolution X-ray computed tomography and electron backscatter diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prichard, H. M.; Barnes, S. J.; Godel, B.; Reddy, S. M.; Vukmanovic, Z.; Halfpenny, A.; Neary, C. R.; Fisher, P. C.

2015-03-01

Nodular chromite is a characteristic feature of ophiolitic podiform chromitite and there has been much debate about how it forms. Nodular chromite from the Troodos ophiolite in Cyprus is unusual in that it contains skeletal crystals enclosed within the centres of the nodules and interstitial to them. 3D imaging and electron backscatter diffraction have shown that the skeletal crystals within the nodules are single crystals that are surrounded by a rim of polycrystalline chromite. 3D analysis reveals that the skeletal crystals are partially or completely formed cage or hopper structures elongated along the < 111 > axis. The rim is composed of a patchwork of chromite grains that are truncated on the outer edge of the rim. The skeletal crystals formed first from a magma supersaturated in chromite and silicate minerals crystallised from melt trapped between the chromite skeletal crystal blades as they grew. The formation of skeletal crystals was followed by a crystallisation event which formed a silicate-poor rim of chromite grains around the skeletal crystals. These crystals show a weak preferred orientation related to the orientation of the core skeletal crystal implying that they formed by nucleation and growth on this core, and did not form by random mechanical aggregation. Patches of equilibrium adcumulate textures within the rim attest to in situ development of such textures. The nodules were subsequently exposed to chromite undersaturated magma resulting in dissolution, recorded by truncated grain boundaries in the rim and a smooth outer surface to the nodule. None of these stages of formation require a turbulent magma. Lastly the nodules impinged on each other causing local deformation at points of contact.

Investigating the spectral characteristics of backscattering from heterogeneous spherical nuclei using broadband finite-difference time-domain simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chao, Guo-Shan; Sung, Kung-Bin

2010-01-01

Reflectance spectra measured from epithelial tissue have been used to extract size distribution and refractive index of cell nuclei for noninvasive detection of precancerous changes. Despite many in vitro and in vivo experimental results, the underlying mechanism of sizing nuclei based on modeling nuclei as homogeneous spheres and fitting the measured data with Mie theory has not been fully explored. We describe the implementation of a three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation tool using a Gaussian pulse as the light source to investigate the wavelength-dependent characteristics of backscattered light from a nuclear model consisting of a nucleolus and clumps of chromatin embedded in homogeneous nucleoplasm. The results show that small-sized heterogeneities within the nuclei generate about five times higher backscattering than homogeneous spheres. More interestingly, backscattering spectra from heterogeneous spherical nuclei show periodic oscillations similar to those from homogeneous spheres, leading to high accuracy of estimating the nuclear diameter by comparison with Mie theory. In addition to the application in light scattering spectroscopy, the reported FDTD method could be adapted to study the relations between measured spectral data and nuclear structures in other optical imaging and spectroscopic techniques for in vivo diagnosis.

Absolute backscatter coefficient estimates of tissue-mimicking phantoms in the 5–50 MHz frequency range

PubMed Central

McCormick, Matthew M.; Madsen, Ernest L.; Deaner, Meagan E.; Varghese, Tomy

2011-01-01

Absolute backscatter coefficients in tissue-mimicking phantoms were experimentally determined in the 5–50 MHz frequency range using a broadband technique. A focused broadband transducer from a commercial research system, the VisualSonics Vevo 770, was used with two tissue-mimicking phantoms. The phantoms differed regarding the thin layers covering their surfaces to prevent desiccation and regarding glass bead concentrations and diameter distributions. Ultrasound scanning of these phantoms was performed through the thin layer. To avoid signal saturation, the power spectra obtained from the backscattered radio frequency signals were calibrated by using the signal from a liquid planar reflector, a water-brominated hydrocarbon interface with acoustic impedance close to that of water. Experimental values of absolute backscatter coefficients were compared with those predicted by the Faran scattering model over the frequency range 5–50 MHz. The mean percent difference and standard deviation was 54% ± 45% for the phantom with a mean glass bead diameter of 5.40 μm and was 47% ± 28% for the phantom with 5.16 μm mean diameter beads. PMID:21877789

Two candidate systems for unmanned fog bank detection

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1971-06-01

The detection of coastal fog banks by remote sensing methods is discussed. The feasibility of laser backscattering (LIDAR) and infrared radiometry is explored in detail. These techniques are analyzed theoretically and experimental data are presented ...

Evaluation of wind field statistics near and inside clouds using a coherent Doppler lidar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lottman, Brian Todd

1998-09-01

This work proposes advanced techniques for measuring the spatial wind field statistics near and inside clouds using a vertically pointing solid state coherent Doppler lidar on a fixed ground based platform. The coherent Doppler lidar is an ideal instrument for high spatial and temporal resolution velocity estimates. The basic parameters of lidar are discussed, including a complete statistical description of the Doppler lidar signal. This description is extended to cases with simple functional forms for aerosol backscatter and velocity. An estimate for the mean velocity over a sensing volume is produced by estimating the mean spectra. There are many traditional spectral estimators, which are useful for conditions with slowly varying velocity and backscatter. A new class of estimators (novel) is introduced that produces reliable velocity estimates for conditions with large variations in aerosol backscatter and velocity with range, such as cloud conditions. Performance of traditional and novel estimators is computed for a variety of deterministic atmospheric conditions using computer simulated data. Wind field statistics are produced for actual data for a cloud deck, and for multi- layer clouds. Unique results include detection of possible spectral signatures for rain, estimates for the structure function inside a cloud deck, reliable velocity estimation techniques near and inside thin clouds, and estimates for simple wind field statistics between cloud layers.

Backscattering and absorption coefficients for electrons: Solutions of invariant embedding transport equations using a method of convergence

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Figueroa, C.; Brizuela, H.; Heluani, S. P.

2014-05-21

The backscattering coefficient is a magnitude whose measurement is fundamental for the characterization of materials with techniques that make use of particle beams and particularly when performing microanalysis. In this work, we report the results of an analytic method to calculate the backscattering and absorption coefficients of electrons in similar conditions to those of electron probe microanalysis. Starting on a five level states ladder model in 3D, we deduced a set of integro-differential coupled equations of the coefficients with a method know as invariant embedding. By means of a procedure proposed by authors, called method of convergence, two types ofmore » approximate solutions for the set of equations, namely complete and simple solutions, can be obtained. Although the simple solutions were initially proposed as auxiliary forms to solve higher rank equations, they turned out to be also useful for the estimation of the aforementioned coefficients. In previous reports, we have presented results obtained with the complete solutions. In this paper, we present results obtained with the simple solutions of the coefficients, which exhibit a good degree of fit with the experimental data. Both the model and the calculation method presented here can be generalized to other techniques that make use of different sorts of particle beams.« less

Predicted seafloor facies of Central Santa Monica Bay, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dartnell, Peter; Gardner, James V.

2004-01-01

Summary -- Mapping surficial seafloor facies (sand, silt, muddy sand, rock, etc.) should be the first step in marine geological studies and is crucial when modeling sediment processes, pollution transport, deciphering tectonics, and defining benthic habitats. This report outlines an empirical technique that predicts the distribution of seafloor facies for a large area offshore Los Angeles, CA using high-resolution bathymetry and co-registered, calibrated backscatter from multibeam echosounders (MBES) correlated to ground-truth sediment samples. The technique uses a series of procedures that involve supervised classification and a hierarchical decision tree classification that are now available in advanced image-analysis software packages. Derivative variance images of both bathymetry and acoustic backscatter are calculated from the MBES data and then used in a hierarchical decision-tree framework to classify the MBES data into areas of rock, gravelly muddy sand, muddy sand, and mud. A quantitative accuracy assessment on the classification results is performed using ground-truth sediment samples. The predicted facies map is also ground-truthed using seafloor photographs and high-resolution sub-bottom seismic-reflection profiles. This Open-File Report contains the predicted seafloor facies map as a georeferenced TIFF image along with the multibeam bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data used in the study as well as an explanation of the empirical classification process.

Imaging of dental material by polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dichtl, Sabine; Baumgartner, Angela; Hitzenberger, Christoph K.; Moritz, Andreas; Wernisch, Johann; Robl, Barbara; Sattmann, Harald; Leitgeb, Rainer; Sperr, Wolfgang; Fercher, Adolf F.

1999-05-01

Partial coherence interferometry (PCI) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are noninvasive and noncontact techniques for high precision biometry and for obtaining cross- sectional images of biologic structures. OCT was initially introduced to depict the transparent tissue of the eye. It is based on interferometry employing the partial coherence properties of a light source with high spatial coherence ut short coherence length to image structures with a resolution of the order of a few microns. Recently this technique has been modified for cross section al imaging of dental and periodontal tissues. In vitro and in vivo OCT images have been recorded, which distinguish enamel, cemento and dentin structures and provide detailed structural information on clinical abnormalities. In contrast to convention OCT, where the magnitude of backscattered light as a function of depth is imaged, polarization sensitive OCT uses backscattered light to image the magnitude of the birefringence in the sample as a function of depth. First polarization sensitive OCT recordings show, that changes in the mineralization status of enamel or dentin caused by caries or non-caries lesions can result in changes of the polarization state of the light backscattered by dental material. Therefore polarization sensitive OCT might provide a new diagnostic imaging modality in clinical and research dentistry.

Electromagnetic fields backscattered from an s-shaped inlet cavity with an absorber coating on its inner walls

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burkholder, R. J.; Chuang, C. W.; Pathak, P. H.

1987-01-01

The EM backscatter from a two-dimensional S-shaped inlet cavity is analyzed using three different techniques, namely a hybrid combination of asymptotic high frequency and modal methods, an integral equation method, and the geometrical optics ray method, respectively. This inlet has a thin absorber coating on its perfectly conducting inner walls and the planar interior termination is made perfectly conducting. The effect of the absorber on the inner wall is treated via a perturbation scheme in the hybrid approach where it is assumed that the loss is sufficiently small for the method to be valid. The results are compared with the backscatter from a straight inlet cavity to evaluate the effect of offsetting the termination in the S-bend configuration such that it is not visible from the open end of the inlet. The envelope of the backscatter pattern for the straight inlet is always seen to peak around the forward axis due to the large return from the directly visible termination, and the pattern envelope tapers off away from the forward axis. Offsetting the termination causes the envelope of the backscatter pattern to flatten out, thereby reducing the return near the forward axis by several dB. The absorber coating reduces the pattern level of the straight inlet in directions away from the forward axis but has little effect on the peak near the axis; furthermore, the absorber coating is seen to consistently reduce the backscatter from the S-bend inlet for almost all incidence angles. The hybrid method gives excellent agreement with experimental data and with the integral equation solution, whereas, the geometrical optics ray tracing method is able to generally predict the average of the bachscatter pattern but not the pattern details.

Role of deformation temperature on the evolution and heterogeneity of texture during equal channel angular pressing of magnesium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Biswas, Somjeet, E-mail: somjeetbiswas@gmail.com; Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012; Laboratory of Excellence on Design of Alloy Metals for low-mAss Structures

Investigations on texture evolution and through-thickness texture heterogeneity during equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) of pure magnesium at 200 °C, 150 °C and room temperature (RT) was carried out by neutron, high energy synchrotron X-ray and electron back-scatter diffraction. Irrespective of the ECAP temperature, a distinctive basal (B) and pyramidal (C{sub 2}) II type of fibers forms. The texture differs in the bottom 1 mm portion, where the B-fiber is shifted ~ 55° due to negative shear attributed to friction. - Highlights: • ECAP of magnesium was carried out at 200 °C, 150 °C and room temperature. • Microstructure andmore » micro-texture evolution was examined using EBSD in FEG–SEM. • Bulk-texture was studied using neutron diffraction and compared with micro-texture. • Through thickness texture heterogeneity was observed by synchrotron radiation. • Changes in these parameters with respect to deformation temperature are discussed.« less

Growth process optimization of ZnO thin film using atomic layer deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weng, Binbin; Wang, Jingyu; Larson, Preston; Liu, Yingtao

2016-12-01

The work reports experimental studies of ZnO thin films grown on Si(100) wafers using a customized thermal atomic layer deposition. The impact of growth parameters including H2O/DiethylZinc (DEZn) dose ratio, background pressure, and temperature are investigated. The imaging results of scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy reveal that the dose ratio is critical to the surface morphology. To achieve high uniformity, the H2O dose amount needs to be at least twice that of DEZn per each cycle. If the background pressure drops below 400 mTorr, a large amount of nanoflower-like ZnO grains would emerge and increase surface roughness significantly. In addition, the growth temperature range between 200 °C and 250 °C is found to be the optimal growth window. And the crystal structures and orientations are also strongly correlated to the temperature as proved by electron back-scattering diffraction and x-ray diffraction results.

Large-size TlBr single crystal growth and defect study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Mingzhi; Zheng, Zhiping; Chen, Zheng; Zhang, Sen; Luo, Wei; Fu, Qiuyun

2018-04-01

Thallium bromide (TlBr) is an attractive semiconductor material for fabrication of radiation detectors due to its high photon stopping power originating from its high atomic number, wide band gap and high resistivity. In this paper the vertical Bridgman method was used for crystal growth and TlBr single crystals with diameter of 15 mm were grown. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to identify phase and orientation. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was used to investigate crystal microstructure and crystallographic orientation. The optical and electric performance of the crystal was characterized by infrared (IR) transmittance spectra and I-V measurement. The types of point defects in the crystals were investigated by thermally stimulated current (TSC) spectra and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS). Four types of defects, with ionization energy of each defect fitting as follows: 0.1308, 0.1540, 0.3822 and 0.538 eV, were confirmed from the TSC result. The PAS result showed that there were Tl vacancies in the crystal.

In Situ XRD Studies of the Process Dynamics During Annealing in Cold-Rolled Copper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dey, Santu; Gayathri, N.; Bhattacharya, M.; Mukherjee, P.

2016-12-01

The dynamics of the release of stored energy during annealing along two different crystallographic planes, i.e., {111} and {220}, in deformed copper have been investigated using in situ X-ray diffraction measurements at 458 K and 473 K (185 °C and 200 °C). The study has been carried out on 50 and 80 pct cold-rolled Cu sheets. The microstructures of the rolled samples have been characterized using optical microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction measurements. The microstructural parameters were evaluated from the X-ray diffractogram using the Scherrer equation and the modified Rietveld method. The stored energy along different planes was determined using the modified Stibitz formula from the X-ray peak broadening, and the bulk stored energy was evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry. The process dynamics of recovery and recrystallization as observed through the release of stored energy have been modeled as the second-order and first-order processes, respectively.

Measurements of Shock Effects Recorded by Hayabusa Samples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zolensky, Michael; Mikouchi, Takashi; Hagiya, Kenji; Ohsumi, Kazumasa; Martinez, James; Komatsu, Mutsumi; Chan, Queenie H-.S.

2015-01-01

We requested and have been approved for 5 Hayabusa samples in order definitively establish the degree of shock experienced by the regolith of asteroid Itokawa, and to devise a bridge between shock determinations by standard light optical petrography, crystal structures as determined by synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD), and degree of crystallinity as determined by electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) [1,2]. As of the writing of this abstract we are awaiting the approved samples. We propose measurements of astromaterial crystal structures and regolith processes. The proposed research work will improve our understanding of how small, primitive solar system bodies formed and evolved, and improve understanding of the processes that determine the history and future of habitability of environments on other solar system bodies. The results of the proposed research will directly enrich the ongoing asteroid and comet exploration missions by NASA, JAXA and ESA, and broaden our understanding of the origin and evolution of small bodies in the early solar system, and elucidate the nature of asteroid and comet regolith.

Measurements of Shock Effects Recorded by Itokawa Samples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zolensky, Michael; Mikouchi, Takashi; Hagiya, Kenji; Ohsumi, Kazumasa; Martinez, James; Komatsu, Mutsumi; Chan, Queenie H-.S.

2016-01-01

We requested and have been approved for 5 Hayabusa samples in order definitively establish the degree of shock experienced by the regolith of asteroid Itokawa, and to devise a bridge between shock determinations by standard light optical petrography, crystal structures as determined by synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD), and degree of crystallinity as determined by electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD). As of the writing of this abstract we are awaiting the approved samples. We propose measurements of astromaterial crystal structures and regolith processes. The proposed research work will improve our understanding of how small, primitive solar system bodies formed and evolved, and improve understanding of the processes that determine the history and future of habitability of environments on other solar system bodies. The results of the proposed research will directly enrich the ongoing asteroid and comet exploration missions by NASA, JAXA and ESA, and broaden our understanding of the origin and evolution of small bodies in the early solar system, and elucidate the nature of asteroid and comet regolith.

Effect Of Chromium Underlayer On The Properties Of Nano-Crystalline Diamond Films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Garratt, Elias; AlFaify, Salem; Yoshitake, T.

2013-01-11

This paper investigated the effect of chromium underlayer on the structure, microstructure and composition of the nano-crystalline diamond films. Nano-crystalline diamond thin films were deposited at high temperature in microwave-induced plasma diluted with nitrogen, on silicon substrate with a thin film of chromium as an underlayer. The composition, structure and microstructure of the deposited layers were analyzed using non-Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry, Raman Spectroscopy, Near-Edge X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure, X-ray Diffraction and Atomic Force Microscopy. Nanoindentation studies showed that the films deposited on chromium underlayer have higher hardness values compared to those deposited on silicon without an underlayer. Diamond and graphiticmore » phases of the films evaluated by x-ray and optical spectroscopic analysis determined consistency between sp2 and sp3 phases of carbon in chromium sample to that of diamond grown on silicon. Diffusion of chromium was observed using ion beam analysis which was correlated with the formation of chromium complexes by x-ray diffraction.« less

Microstructure, crystallography and diagenetic alteration in fossil ostrich eggshells from Upper Palaeolithic sites of Indian peninsular region.

PubMed

Jain, Sonal; Bajpai, Sunil; Kumar, Giriraj; Pruthi, Vikas

2016-05-01

Biominerals studies are of importance as they provide an understanding of natural evolutionary processes. In this study we have investigated the fossil ostrich eggshells using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). SEM studies demonstrated the ultrastructure of fossil eggshells and formation of calcified cuticular layer. The presence of calcified cuticle layer in eggshell is the basis for ancient DNA studies as it contains preserved biomolecules. EBSD accentuates the crystallographic structure of the ostrich eggshells with sub-micrometer resolution. It is a non-destructive tool for evaluating the extent of diagenesis in a biomineral. EBSD analysis revealed the presence of dolomite in the eggshells. This research resulted in the complete recognition of the structure of ostrich eggshells as well as the nature and extent of diagenesis in these eggshells which is vital for genetic and paleoenvironmental studies. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Texture evolution in Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) steel tubes during pilgering process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vakhitova, E.; Sornin, D.; Barcelo, F.; François, M.

2017-10-01

Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) steels are foreseen as fuel cladding material in the coming generation of Sodium Fast Reactors (SFR). Cladding tubes are manufactured by hot extrusion and subsequent cold forming steps. In this study, a 9 wt% Cr ODS steel exhibiting α-γ phase transformation at high temperature is cold formed under industrial conditions with a large section reduction in two pilgering steps. The influence of pilgering process parameters and intermediate heat treatment on the microstructure evolution is studied experimentally using Electron Backscattering Diffraction (EBSD) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) methods. Pilgered samples show elongated grains and a high texture formation with a preferential orientation along the rolling direction. During the heat treatment, grain morphology is recovered from elongated grains to almost equiaxed ones, while the well-known α-fiber texture presents an unexpected increase in intensity. The remarkable temperature stability of this fiber is attributed to a crystallographic structure memory effect during phase transformations.

Effect of chromium underlayer on the properties of nano-crystalline diamond films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garratt, E.; AlFaify, S.; Yoshitake, T.; Katamune, Y.; Bowden, M.; Nandasiri, M.; Ghantasala, M.; Mancini, D. C.; Thevuthasan, S.; Kayani, A.

2013-01-01

This paper investigated the effect of chromium underlayer on the structure, microstructure, and composition of the nano-crystalline diamond films. Nano-crystalline diamond thin films were deposited at high temperature in microwave-induced plasma diluted with nitrogen, on single crystal silicon substrate with a thin film of chromium as an underlayer. Characterization of the film was implemented using non-Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure, x-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy. Nanoindentation studies showed that the films deposited on chromium underlayer have higher hardness values compared to those deposited on silicon without an underlayer. Diamond and graphitic phases of the films evaluated by x-ray and optical spectroscopic analyses determined consistency between the sp2 and sp3 phases of carbon in chromium sample to that of diamond grown on silicon. Diffusion of chromium was observed using ion beam analysis which was correlated with the formation of chromium complexes by x-ray diffraction.

Characterization of a cold-rolled 2101 lean duplex stainless steel.

PubMed

Bassani, Paola; Breda, Marco; Brunelli, Katya; Mészáros, Istvan; Passaretti, Francesca; Zanellato, Michela; Calliari, Irene

2013-08-01

Duplex stainless steels (DSS) may be defined as a category of steels with a two-phase ferritic-austenitic microstructure, which combines good mechanical and corrosion properties. However, these steels can undergo significant microstructural modification as a consequence of either thermo-mechanical treatments (ferrite decomposition, which causes σ- and χ-phase formation and nitride precipitation) or plastic deformation at room temperature [austenite transformation into strain-induced martensite (SIM)]. These secondary phases noticeably affect the properties of DSS, and therefore are of huge industrial interest. In the present work, SIM formation was investigated in a 2101 lean DSS. The material was subjected to cold rolling at various degrees of deformation (from 10 to 80% thickness reduction) and the microstructure developed after plastic deformation was investigated by electron backscattered diffraction, X-ray diffraction measurements, and hardness and magnetic tests. It was observed that SIM formed as a consequence of deformations higher than ~20% and residual austenite was still observed at 80% of thickness reduction. Furthermore, a direct relationship was found between microstructure and magnetic properties.

Grain growth mechanism and magnetic properties in L10-FePt thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, W.; Chen, L.

2017-08-01

This paper focuses on the grain growth mechanisms and magnetic properties of FePt thin films during an annealing process. The grain size and grain orientation distribution have been quantitatively investigated by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and the grain growth kinetics of thin films were described by the phenomenological kinetic grain growth model. The results show that the grain growth exponent and activation energy of the FePt thin films were 4.26 and 136 kJ/mol respectively, indicating that the grain growth mechanism is mainly controlled by the stochastic jumping of atoms crossing the grain boundaries. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show that disorder-order transformation was concurrent with grain growth during the annealing process, slowing down the velocity of grain growth. The hysteresis loops reveal that the out-of-plane coercivity and squareness is enhanced with increasing annealing temperature and this can be attributed to the improvement of L10-ordered phase volume fraction and texture intensity.

Microstructural Characteristic of the Al-Fe-Cu Alloy During High-Speed Repetitive Continuous Extrusion Forming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Jiamin; Teng, Jie; Ji, Xiankun; Kong, Xiangxin; Jiang, Fulin; Zhang, Hui

2016-11-01

High-speed repetitive continuous extrusion forming process (R-Conform process) was performed on the Al-Fe-Cu alloy. The microstructural evolution and mechanical properties were studied by x-ray diffraction, electron backscatter diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and tensile testing. The results show that a significant improvement of tensile ductility concurs with a considerable loss of tensile strength before four passes, after that the process on mechanical properties variation tends to be steady, indicating an accelerated mechanical softening occurs when comparing to low-speed R-Conform process. Microstructure characterization indicates that the accumulated strain promotes the transformation of low angle boundaries to high angle boundaries, thus leading to the acceleration of continuous dynamic recrystallization process, and the precipitates are broken, spheroidized and homogeneously distribute in Al matrix as increasing R-Conform passes. Massive microshear bands are observed after initial passes of R-Conform process, which may promote continuous dynamic recrystallization and further grain refinement during high-speed R-Conform process.

Mapping of elasticity and damping in an α + β titanium alloy through atomic force acoustic microscopy

PubMed Central

Phani, M Kalyan; Kumar, Anish; Jayakumar, T; Samwer, Konrad

2015-01-01

Summary The distribution of elastic stiffness and damping of individual phases in an α + β titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) measured by using atomic force acoustic microscopy (AFAM) is reported in the present study. The real and imaginary parts of the contact stiffness k * are obtained from the contact-resonance spectra and by using these two quantities, the maps of local elastic stiffness and the damping factor are derived. The evaluation of the data is based on the mass distribution of the cantilever with damped flexural modes. The cantilever dynamics model considering damping, which was proposed recently, has been used for mapping of indentation modulus and damping of different phases in a metallic structural material. The study indicated that in a Ti-6Al-4V alloy the metastable β phase has the minimum modulus and the maximum damping followed by α′- and α-phases. Volume fractions of the individual phases were determined by using a commercial material property evaluation software and were validated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) studies on one of the heat-treated samples. The volume fractions of the phases and the modulus measured through AFAM are used to derive average modulus of the bulk sample which is correlated with the bulk elastic properties obtained by ultrasonic velocity measurements. The average modulus of the specimens estimated by AFAM technique is found to be within 5% of that obtained by ultrasonic velocity measurements. The effect of heat treatments on the ultrasonic attenuation in the bulk sample could also be understood based on the damping measurements on individual phases using AFAM. PMID:25977847

Comparison of the microstructure and phase stability of as-cast, CAD/CAM and powder metallurgy manufactured Co-Cr dental alloys.

PubMed

Li, Kai Chun; Prior, David J; Waddell, J Neil; Swain, Michael V

2015-12-01

The objective of this study was to identify the different microstructures produced by CC, PM and as-cast techniques for Co-Cr alloys and their phase stability following porcelain firings. Three bi-layer porcelain veneered Co-Cr specimens and one monolithic Co-Cr specimen of each alloy group [cast, powder metallurgy (PM), CAD/CAM (CC)] were manufactured and analyzed using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Specimens were treated to incremental numbers of porcelain firings (control 0, 5, 15) with crystallographic data, grain size and chemical composition subsequently obtained and analyzed. EBSD datasets of the cast alloy indicated large grains >200 μm whereas PM and CC alloy consisted of mean arithmetic grain sizes of 29.6 μm and 19.2 μm respectively. XRD and EBSD results both indicated the highest increase in hcp content (>13vol%) for cast Co-Cr alloy after treatment with porcelain firing while PM and CC indicated <2vol% hcp content. A fine grain interfacial layer developed on all surfaces of the alloy after porcelain firing. The depth of this layer increased with porcelain firings for as-cast and PM but no significant increase (p>.05) was observed in CC. EDS line scans indicated an increase in Cr content at the alloy surface after porcelain firing treatment for all three alloys. PM and CC produced alloy had superior fcc phase stability after porcelain firings compared to a traditional cast alloy. It is recommended that PM and CC alloys be used for porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations. Copyright © 2015 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Combined effect of Pt and W alloying elements on Ni-silicide formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, T.; Mangelinck, D.; Descoins, M.; Bertoglio, M.; Mouaici, N.; Hallén, A.; Girardeaux, C.

2018-03-01

A combinatorial study of the combined effect of Pt and W on Ni silicide formation is performed. Ni(Pt, W) films with thickness and composition gradients were prepared by a co-deposition composition spread technique using sputtering deposition from Pt, W, and Ni targets. The deposited Ni(Pt,W) films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray reflectivity, Rutherford backscattering, and atom probe tomography. The maximum content of alloying elements is close to 27 at. %. Simulations of the thickness and composition were carried out and compared with experimental results. In situ X-ray diffraction and atom probe tomography were used to study the phase formation. Both additive alloying elements (Pt + W) slow down the Ni consumption and the effect of W is more pronounced than the one of Pt. Regarding the effect of alloying elements on Ni silicides formation, three regions could be distinguished in the Ni(Pt,W)/Si wafer. For the region close to the Ni target, the low contents of alloying elements (Pt + W) have little impact on the phase sequence (δ-Ni2Si is the first silicide and NiSi forms when Ni is entirely consumed) but the kinetics of silicide formation slows down. The region close to the Pt target has high contents of (Pt + W) and is rich in Pt and a simultaneous phase formation of δ-Ni2Si and NiSi is observed. For the high (Pt + W) contents and W-rich region, NiSi forms unexpectedly before δ-Ni2Si and the subsequent growth of δ-Ni2Si is accompanied by the NiSi consumption. When Ni is entirely consumed, NiSi regrows at the expense of δ-Ni2Si.

Abiotic versus biotic iron mineral transformation studied by a miniaturized backscattering Mössbauer spectrometer (MIMOS II), X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Markovski, C.; Byrne, J. M.; Lalla, E.; Lozano-Gorrín, A. D.; Klingelhöfer, G.; Rull, F.; Kappler, A.; Hoffmann, T.; Schröder, C.

2017-11-01

Searching for biomarkers or signatures of microbial transformations of minerals is a critical aspect for determining how life evolved on Earth, and whether or not life may have existed in other planets, including Mars. In order to solve such questions, several missions to Mars have sought to determine the geochemistry and mineralogy on the Martian surface. This research includes the two miniaturized Mössbauer spectrometers (MIMOS II) on board the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity, which have detected a variety of iron minerals on Mars, including magnetite (Fe2+Fe3+2O4) and goethite (α-FeO(OH)). On Earth, both minerals can derive from microbiological activity (e.g. through dissimilatory iron reduction of ferrihydrite by Fe(III)-reducing bacteria). Here we used a lab based MIMOS II to characterize the mineral products of biogenic transformations of ferrihydrite to magnetite by the Fe(III)-reducing bacteria Geobacter sulfurreducens. In combination with Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD), we observed the formation of magnetite, goethite and siderite. We compared the material produced by biogenic transformations to abiotic samples in order to distinguish abiotic and biotic iron minerals by techniques that are or will be available onboard Martian based laboratories. The results showed the possibility to distinguish the abiotic and biotic origin of the minerals. Mossbauer was able to distinguish the biotic/abiotic magnetite with the interpretation of the geological context (Fe content mineral assemblages and accompanying minerals) and the estimation of the particle size in a non-destructive way. The Raman was able to confirm the biotic/abiotic principal peaks of the magnetite, as well as the organic principal vibration bands attributed to the bacteria. Finally, the XRD confirmed the particle size and mineralogy.

Mapping of elasticity and damping in an α + β titanium alloy through atomic force acoustic microscopy.

PubMed

Phani, M Kalyan; Kumar, Anish; Jayakumar, T; Arnold, Walter; Samwer, Konrad

2015-01-01

The distribution of elastic stiffness and damping of individual phases in an α + β titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) measured by using atomic force acoustic microscopy (AFAM) is reported in the present study. The real and imaginary parts of the contact stiffness k (*) are obtained from the contact-resonance spectra and by using these two quantities, the maps of local elastic stiffness and the damping factor are derived. The evaluation of the data is based on the mass distribution of the cantilever with damped flexural modes. The cantilever dynamics model considering damping, which was proposed recently, has been used for mapping of indentation modulus and damping of different phases in a metallic structural material. The study indicated that in a Ti-6Al-4V alloy the metastable β phase has the minimum modulus and the maximum damping followed by α'- and α-phases. Volume fractions of the individual phases were determined by using a commercial material property evaluation software and were validated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) studies on one of the heat-treated samples. The volume fractions of the phases and the modulus measured through AFAM are used to derive average modulus of the bulk sample which is correlated with the bulk elastic properties obtained by ultrasonic velocity measurements. The average modulus of the specimens estimated by AFAM technique is found to be within 5% of that obtained by ultrasonic velocity measurements. The effect of heat treatments on the ultrasonic attenuation in the bulk sample could also be understood based on the damping measurements on individual phases using AFAM.

X-Ray Sum Frequency Diffraction for Direct Imaging of Ultrafast Electron Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rouxel, Jérémy R.; Kowalewski, Markus; Bennett, Kochise; Mukamel, Shaul

2018-06-01

X-ray diffraction from molecules in the ground state produces an image of their charge density, and time-resolved x-ray diffraction can thus monitor the motion of the nuclei. However, the density change of excited valence electrons upon optical excitation can barely be monitored with regular diffraction techniques due to the overwhelming background contribution of the core electrons. We present a nonlinear x-ray technique made possible by novel free electron laser sources, which provides a spatial electron density image of valence electron excitations. The technique, sum frequency generation carried out with a visible pump and a broadband x-ray diffraction pulse, yields snapshots of the transition charge densities, which represent the electron density variations upon optical excitation. The technique is illustrated by ab initio simulations of transition charge density imaging for the optically induced electronic dynamics in a donor or acceptor substituted stilbene.

Diffraction analysis of customized illumination technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, Chang-Moon; Kim, Seo-Min; Eom, Tae-Seung; Moon, Seung Chan; Shin, Ki S.

2004-05-01

Various enhancement techniques such as alternating PSM, chrome-less phase lithography, double exposure, etc. have been considered as driving forces to lead the production k1 factor towards below 0.35. Among them, a layer specific optimization of illumination mode, so-called customized illumination technique receives deep attentions from lithographers recently. A new approach for illumination customization based on diffraction spectrum analysis is suggested in this paper. Illumination pupil is divided into various diffraction domains by comparing the similarity of the confined diffraction spectrum. Singular imaging property of individual diffraction domain makes it easier to build and understand the customized illumination shape. By comparing the goodness of image in each domain, it was possible to achieve the customized shape of illumination. With the help from this technique, it was found that the layout change would not gives the change in the shape of customized illumination mode.

Large grain CBMM Nb ingot slices: An ideal test bed for exploring the microstructure-electromagnetic property relationships relevant to SRF

DOE PAGES

Sung, Zu -Hawn; Lee, Peter J.; Polyanskii, Anatolii; ...

2015-12-04

High purity (RRR > 200), large grain (> 5-10 cm) niobium ingot slices have been successfully used to fabricate radio frequency (RF) cavities for particle accelerators. In addition, they offer significantly reduced fabrication cost by eliminating processing steps and furthermore they provide the opportunity to study the influence of individual grain boundaries in SRF Nb. Here we summarize our measurements of grain boundary (GB) effects on the superconducting properties of large grain high purity niobium sheet manufactured by CBMM. We show by magneto-optical (MO) imaging that GBs allow premature flux penetration, but only when they are oriented close to themore » direction of the magnetic field. However, even low angle GBs produced by minor deformations commensurate with half-cell forming produce localized flux penetration. The transport properties of grain boundaries were investigated by direct transport across them and evidence for preferential vortex flow along the GBs of SRF Nb was observed for the first time. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and micro crystallographic analysis with electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), we were able to quantitatively characterize surface substructures that can lead to localized thermal breakdown of superconductivity. Important to these studies was the development of sample preparation techniques that made the cut-out single, bi-crystal and tri-crystal Nb coupons as representative as possible of the surface properties of cavities manufactured by standard techniques.« less

Testing and Comparison of Imaging Detectors for Electrons in the Energy Range 10-20 keV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matheson, J.; Moldovan, G.; Kirkland, A.; Allinson, N.; Abrahams, J. P.

2017-11-01

Interest in direct detectors for low-energy electrons has increased markedly in recent years. Detection of electrons in the energy range up to low tens of keV is important in techniques such as photoelectron emission microscopy (PEEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) on scanning electron microscopes (SEMs). The PEEM technique is used both in the laboratory and on synchrotron light sources worldwide. The ubiquity of SEMs means that there is a very large market for EBSD detectors for materials studies. Currently, the most widely used detectors in these applications are based on indirect detection of incident electrons. Examples include scintillators or microchannel plates (MCPs), coupled to CCD cameras. Such approaches result in blurring in scintillators/phosphors, distortions in optical systems, and inefficiencies due the limited active area of MCPs. In principle, these difficulties can be overcome using direct detection in a semiconductor device. Growing out of a feasibility study into the use of a direct detector for use on an XPEEM, we have built at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory a system to illuminate detectors with an electron beam of energy up to 20 keV . We describe this system in detail. It has been used to measure the performance of a custom back-thinned monolithic active pixel sensor (MAPS), a detector based on the Medipix2 chip, and a commercial detector based on MCPs. We present a selection of the results from these measurements and compare and contrast different detector types.

Evidence of room temperature ferromagnetism in argon/oxygen annealed TiO2 thin films deposited by electron beam evaporation technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohanty, P.; Kabiraj, D.; Mandal, R. K.; Kulriya, P. K.; Sinha, A. S. K.; Rath, Chandana

2014-04-01

TiO2 thin films deposited by electron beam evaporation technique annealed in either O2 or Ar atmosphere showed ferromagnetism at room temperature. The pristine amorphous film demonstrates anatase phase after annealing under Ar/O2 atmosphere. While the pristine film shows a super-paramagnetic behavior, both O2 and Ar annealed films display hysteresis at 300 K. X-ray photo emission spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, Rutherford's backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to refute the possible role of impurities/contaminants in magnetic properties of the films. The saturation magnetization of the O2 annealed film is found to be higher than the Ar annealed one. It is revealed from shifting of O 1s and Ti 2p core level spectra as well as from the enhancement of high binding energy component of O 1s spectra that the higher magnetic moment is associated with higher oxygen vacancies. In addition, O2 annealed film demonstrates better crystallinity, uniform deposition and smoother surface than that of the Ar annealed one from glancing angle X-ray diffraction (GAXRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). We conclude that although ferromagnetism is due to oxygen vacancies, the higher magnetization in O2 annealed film could be due to crystallinity, which has been observed earlier in Co doped TiO2 film deposited by pulsed laser deposition (Mohanty et al., 2012 [10]).

Effects of strain variations on aging response and corrosion properties of third generation Al-Li alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wright, Ellen E.

Due to their high specific strength (strength/density) and specific stiffness (elastic modulus/density), Al-Li alloys are attractive alloys for structural aircraft applications. To produce contoured aircraft components from Al-Li wrought products, stretch forming prior to aging is a common manufacturing technique. The effects of different amounts of tensile straining (0-9%) on the mechanical, microstructural, and corrosion properties of two third generation Al-Li alloys (2099 and 2196) were investigated. In addition to typical characterization techniques, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), 2D micro-digital image correlation (DIC), and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) were used to examine site-specific effects of orientation, micro-strain evolution during straining, and surface potential on corrosion, respectively. Tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) was also performed to study galvanic corrosion in artificial seawater (3.5% NaCl) as it occurred in-situ. There was evidence of intergranular corrosion for 0% strain conditions, but the dominant form of corrosion was localized pitting for all specimens except Alloy 2196 strained 0%. Pitting initiated at grain boundaries and triple points. In many cases, pitting extended into particular grains and was elongated in the extrusion direction. Regions of high micro-strain preferentially corroded, and large, recrystallized grains in mostly unrecrystallized microstructures were detrimental to corrosion properties. Recommendations for improved thermomechanical processing and/or alloying to promote corrosion resistance of 2XXX series Al-Li alloys were investigated.

Use of SDWBA predictions for acoustic volume backscattering and the Self-Organizing Map to discern frequencies identifying Meganyctiphanes norvegica from mesopelagic fish species

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peña, M.; Calise, L.

2016-04-01

To acoustically assess the biomass of multiple species or taxa within a survey region, the volume backscatter data should be apportioned to the constituent sound scatterers. Typically, measured backscatter is attributed to certain species using predictions at different frequencies, mostly based on the difference in scattering at the frequencies of 38 and 120 kHz (dual frequency method). We used the full version of the stochastic distortedwave Born approximation (SDWBA) model to predict backscatter spectra for Meganyctiphanes norvegica and to explore the sensitivities of ΔMVBS to the model parameters, e.g. acoustic frequency and incidence angle, and animal density and sound speed contrast, length, and shape. The orientation is almost the unique parameter responsible for variation, with fatness affecting longer lengths. We present a summary of ΔMVBS that can serve as the basis for identification algorithms. Next, we simulate the scenario encountered in the Balearic Sea (western Mediterranean) where Northern krill are mixed with mesopelagic fish species (bristlemouths and lanternfishes), which are modeled with a prolate spheroid model. Simulated numerical data are employed to emulate the discrimination process with the most common identification techniques and typical survey frequencies. The importance of using density-independent techniques for acoustic classification is highlighted. Finally, an unsupervised neural network, the Self-Organizing Map (SOM), is used to cluster these theoretical data and identify the frequencies that provide, in this case, the most classification potential. The simulation results confirm that pairs of frequencies spanning the Rayleigh and geometric scattering regimes of the targets are the most useful for clustering; a minimum of four frequencies are necessary to separate the three species, while three frequencies are able to differentiate krill from mesopelagic fish species.

MARLI: MARs LIdar for global climate measurements from orbit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allan, G. R.; Riris, H.; Sun, X.; Yu, A. W.; Abshire, J. B.

2017-12-01

NASA-GSFC is developing a pulsed multifunction lidar instrument to remotely measure winds in the Martian atmosphere from orbit. The key capabilities of this multifunctional atmospheric pulsed lidar will include continuous measurement of the aerosol backscatter profiles, the cross polarized (ice) backscatter profiles, the Doppler (wind profiles), and the range to the scattering surface from orbit. Our approach for MARLI is to use a direct detection lidar with efficient lasers, a large area low-mass telescope, a simple and rugged Doppler discriminator and with photon-sensitive detectors. The induced Doppler shifts on laser backscattered from aerosols in the Martian atmosphere will be detected using a time-resolved change in transmission through a solid etalon from two, slightly off-axis backscattered beams and the edge technique. In this presentation we report on the current progress of the core measurement of wind. We have demonstrated in the lab Doppler measurements down to 5m/s using a spinning target a pulsed lidar and edge technique. The laser is a seeded, pulsed-YAG in a MOPA configuration, operating at 1064nm producing pulses of 20ns and at a few mJ at 4KHz. Center frequency drift is less than 10MHz per minute. The Doppler discriminator is a solid etalon of 60 mm diameter and 40 mm thick with a peak transmission of over 65% and a bandpass of 100MHz FWHM. The detector is a cooled MCT array. We will also report on the deployment of the breadboard instrument to the GGAO to directly measure surface winds using the 48" telescope. The results from our field trials, the laser, detector and instrument will be more fully described in the presentation.

Potential and range of application of elastic backscatter lidar systems using polarization selection to minimize detected skylight noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, S. A.; Hassebo, Y. Y.; Gross, B.; Oo, M.; Moshary, F.

2006-09-01

We examine the potential, range of application, and limiting factors of a polarization selection technique, recently devised by us, which takes advantage of naturally occurring polarization properties of scattered sky light to minimize the detected sky background signal and which can be used in conjunction with linearly polarized elastic backscatter lidars to maximize lidar receiver SNR. In this approach, a polarization selective lidar receiver is aligned to minimize detected skylight, while the polarization of the transmitted lidar signal is rotated to maintain maximum lidar backscatter signal throughput to the receiver detector, consequently maximizing detected signal to noise ratio. Results presented include lidar elastic backscatter measurements, at 532 nm which show as much as a factor of √10 improvement in signal-to-noise ratio over conventional un-polarized schemes. For vertically pointing lidars, the largest improvements are limited to symmetric early morning and late afternoon hours. For non-vertical scanning lidars, significant improvements are achievable over much more extended time periods, depending on the specific angle between the lidar and solar axes. A theoretical model that simulates the background skylight within the single scattering approximation showed good agreement with measured SNR improvement factors. Diurnally asymmetric improvement factors, sometimes observed, are explained by measured increases in PWV and subsequent modification of aerosol optical depth by dehydration from morning to afternoon. Finally, since the polarization axis follows the solar azimuth angle even for high aerosol loading, as demonstrated using radiative transfer simulations, it is possible to conceive automation of the technique. In addition, it is shown that while multiple scattering reduces the SNR improvement, the orientation of the minimum noise state remains the same.

Secondary signal imaging (SSI) electron tomography (SSI-ET): A new three-dimensional metrology for mesoscale specimens in transmission electron microscope.

PubMed

Han, Chang Wan; Ortalan, Volkan

2015-09-01

We have demonstrated a new electron tomography technique utilizing the secondary signals (secondary electrons and backscattered electrons) for ultra thick (a few μm) specimens. The Monte Carlo electron scattering simulations reveal that the amount of backscattered electrons generated by 200 and 300keV incident electrons is a monotonic function of the sample thickness and this causes the thickness contrast satisfying the projection requirement for the tomographic reconstruction. Additional contribution of the secondary electrons emitted from the edges of the specimens enhances the visibility of the surface features. The acquired SSI tilt series of the specimen having mesoscopic dimensions are successfully reconstructed verifying that this new technique, so called the secondary signal imaging electron tomography (SSI-ET), can directly be utilized for 3D structural analysis of mesoscale structures. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Modelling the distribution of hard seabed using calibrated multibeam acoustic backscatter data in a tropical, macrotidal embayment: Darwin Harbour, Australia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siwabessy, P. Justy W.; Tran, Maggie; Picard, Kim; Brooke, Brendan P.; Huang, Zhi; Smit, Neil; Williams, David K.; Nicholas, William A.; Nichol, Scott L.; Atkinson, Ian

2018-06-01

Spatial information on the distribution of seabed substrate types in high use coastal areas is essential to support their effective management and environmental monitoring. For Darwin Harbour, a rapidly developing port in northern Australia, the distribution of hard substrate is poorly documented but known to influence the location and composition of important benthic biological communities (corals, sponges). In this study, we use angular backscatter response curves to model the distribution of hard seabed in the subtidal areas of Darwin Harbour. The angular backscatter response curve data were extracted from multibeam sonar data and analysed against backscatter intensity for sites observed from seabed video to be representative of "hard" seabed. Data from these sites were consolidated into an "average curve", which became a reference curve that was in turn compared to all other angular backscatter response curves using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov goodness-of-fit. The output was used to generate interpolated spatial predictions of the probability of hard seabed ( p-hard) and derived hard seabed parameters for the mapped area of Darwin Harbour. The results agree well with the ground truth data with an overall classification accuracy of 75% and an area under curve measure of 0.79, and with modelled bed shear stress for the Harbour. Limitations of this technique are discussed with attention to discrepancies between the video and acoustic results, such as in areas where sediment forms a veneer over hard substrate.

Monte Carlo simulation for coherent backscattering with diverging illumination (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Wenli; Radosevich, Andrew J.; Eshein, Adam; Nguyen, The-Quyen; Backman, Vadim

2016-03-01

Diverging beam illumination is widely used in many optical techniques especially in fiber optic applications and coherence phenomenon is one of the most important properties to consider for these applications. Until now, people have used Monte Carlo simulations to study the backscattering coherence phenomenon in collimated beam illumination only. We are the first one to study the coherence phenomenon under the exact diverging beam geometry by taking into account the impossibility of the existence for the exact time-reversed path pairs of photons, which is the main contribution to the backscattering coherence pattern in collimated beam. In this work, we present a Monte Carlo simulation that considers the influence of the illumination numerical aperture. The simulation tracks the electric field for the unique paths of forward path and reverse path in time-reversed pairs of photons as well as the same path shared by them. With this approach, we can model the coherence pattern formed between the pairs by considering their phase difference at the collection plane directly. To validate this model, we use the Low-coherence Enhanced Backscattering Spectroscopy, one of the instruments looking at the coherence pattern using diverging beam illumination, as the benchmark to compare with. In the end, we show how this diverging configuration would significantly change the coherent pattern under coherent light source and incoherent light source. This Monte Carlo model we developed can be used to study the backscattering phenomenon in both coherence and non-coherence situation with both collimated beam and diverging beam setups.

Digital electron diffraction – seeing the whole picture

PubMed Central

Beanland, Richard; Thomas, Paul J.; Woodward, David I.; Thomas, Pamela A.; Roemer, Rudolf A.

2013-01-01

The advantages of convergent-beam electron diffraction for symmetry determination at the scale of a few nm are well known. In practice, the approach is often limited due to the restriction on the angular range of the electron beam imposed by the small Bragg angle for high-energy electron diffraction, i.e. a large convergence angle of the incident beam results in overlapping information in the diffraction pattern. Techniques have been generally available since the 1980s which overcome this restriction for individual diffracted beams, by making a compromise between illuminated area and beam convergence. Here a simple technique is described which overcomes all of these problems using computer control, giving electron diffraction data over a large angular range for many diffracted beams from the volume given by a focused electron beam (typically a few nm or less). The increase in the amount of information significantly improves the ease of interpretation and widens the applicability of the technique, particularly for thin materials or those with larger lattice parameters. PMID:23778099

Evolution of microstructure in stainless martensitic steel for seamless tubing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pyshmintsev, I. Yu.; Bityukov, S. M.; Pastukhov, V. I.; Danilov, S. V.; Vedernikova, L. O.; Lobanov, M. L.

2017-12-01

Scanning electron microscopy with orientation analysis by the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) method is used to study microstructures and textures formed in the 0.08C-13Cr-3Ni-Mo-V-Nb steel through seamless tube production route: after hot deformation by extrusion; after quenching from various temperatures and subsequent high tempering. It is shown that the martensitic microstructure formed both after hot deformation and after quenching is characterized by the presence of deformation crystallographic texture, which is predetermined by the texture of austenite. The effect of heat treatment on texture, packet refinement, lath width, precipitation of carbides and Charpy impact energy is analyzed.

Characterization of TiN/B-C-N multilayers by transmission electron microscopy, ion beam backscattering, and low angle x-ray diffraction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kung, H.; Fayeulle, S.; Nastasi, M.

1997-10-01

The effects of Ar ion irradiation on the structure and stability of multilayered DC sputtered thin films of TiN/B-C-N have been studied. An increase of the bilayer repeat length to a maximum of 12.8% and departure of nitrogen from the film was observed indicating the interdiffusion between TiN and B-C-N layers. For the highest dose (5 {times} 10{sup 16} ions/cm{sup 2}) the multilayered structure partly disappears. The various mechanisms are discussed in terms of stress-driven diffusion and viscous flow of atoms.

Raman spectroscopy as a tool to characterize heterogenite (CoO·OH) (Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burlet, C.; Vanbrabant, Y.; Goethals, H.; Thys, T.; Dupin, L.

2011-10-01

Natural heterogenite (CoO·OH) samples were studied by Raman microspectroscopy, electronic microprobe and Electronic BackScattered Diffraction (EBSD). Raw samples and polished sections were made from 10 mines covering the Katanga copperbelt (Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo). Four typical Raman responses have been obtained leading to investigate the laser-induced dehydroxylation of heterogenite into a Co-spinel structure. The results are also compared with EBSD patterns from oven heated heterogenite samples. A close relationship was established between the chemical substitutions of Co by mainly Cu, Ni, Mn and Al and their impact on the mineral Raman response.

Investigation of terbium scandate as an alternative gate dielectric in fully depleted transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roeckerath, M.; Lopes, J. M. J.; Özben, E. Durǧun; Urban, C.; Schubert, J.; Mantl, S.; Jia, Y.; Schlom, D. G.

2010-01-01

Terbium scandate thin films were deposited by e-gun evaporation on (100) silicon substrates. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and x-ray diffraction studies revealed homogeneous chemical compositions of the films. A dielectric constant of 26 and CV-curves with small hystereses were measured as well as low leakage current densities of <1 nA/cm2. Fully depleted n-type field-effect transistors on thin silicon-on-insulator substrates with terbium scandate gate dielectrics were fabricated with a gate-last process. The devices show inverse subthreshold slopes of 80 mV/dec and a carrier mobility for electrons of 225 cm2/V•s was extracted.

Correlation Among the Variant Group, Effective Grain Size, and Elastic Strain Energy During the Phase Transformation in 9Ni Steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Terasaki, Hidenori; Moriguchi, Koji; Tomio, Yusaku; Yamagishi, Hideki; Morito, Shigekazu

2017-12-01

The effect of carbon content on the density of variant-pair boundaries was investigated in 9Ni steel using an electron backscatter diffraction patterns method. The changes in the density of variant-pair boundaries were correlated with the nondestructive measured values of shear modulus of the austenite phase at the phase transformation point. Furthermore, the effective grain size was correlated with the shear modulus and the density of variant-pair boundaries. These relations are discussed from the viewpoint of self-accommodation of elastic strain energy and the nucleation event in the bainite and martensitic transformations.

Interface mediated enhanced mixing of multilayered Ni-Bi thin films by swift heavy ion irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siva, V.; Chettah, A.; Ojha, S.; Tripathi, A.; Kanjilal, D.; Sahoo, Pratap K.

2017-10-01

We report the effect of ion beam mixing of Ni/Bi multilayers using 100 MeV Au ions as a function of irradiation fluences. X-ray diffraction study reveals the higher magnitude of NiBi3 and NiBi phases compared to elemental Ni and Bi after ion irradiation. We observe an evolution of grainy structures to a molten-like surface with increasing ion fluences. These features were also reflected in the Rutherford Backscattering spectrometry spectra, in terms of the enhanced mixing with increasing ion fluences. The experimental findings were understood on the basis of inelastic thermal spike model calculations.

Fracture Behavior of High-Nitrogen Austenitic Stainless Steel Under Continuous Cooling: Physical Simulation of Free-Surface Cracking of Heavy Forgings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhenhua; Xue, Hongpeng; Fu, Wantang

2018-03-01

18Mn18Cr0.6N steel was tension tested at 0.001 s-1 to fracture from 1473 K to 1363 K (1200 °C to 1090 °C, fracture temperature) at a cooling rate of 0.4 Ks-1. For comparison, specimens were tension tested at temperatures of 1473 K and 1363 K (1200 °C and 1090 °C). The microstructure near the fracture surface was examined using electron backscatter diffraction analysis. The lowest hot ductility was observed under continuous cooling and was attributed to the suppression of dynamic recrystallization nucleation.

Modeling and Characterization of Near-Crack-Tip Plasticity from Micro- to Nano-Scales

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glaessgen, Edward H.; Saether, Erik; Hochhalter, Jacob; Smith, Stephen W.; Ransom, Jonathan B.; Yamakov, Vesselin; Gupta, Vipul

2010-01-01

Methodologies for understanding the plastic deformation mechanisms related to crack propagation at the nano-, meso- and micro-length scales are being developed. These efforts include the development and application of several computational methods including atomistic simulation, discrete dislocation plasticity, strain gradient plasticity and crystal plasticity; and experimental methods including electron backscattered diffraction and video image correlation. Additionally, methodologies for multi-scale modeling and characterization that can be used to bridge the relevant length scales from nanometers to millimeters are being developed. The paper focuses on the discussion of newly developed methodologies in these areas and their application to understanding damage processes in aluminum and its alloys.

Modeling and Characterization of Near-Crack-Tip Plasticity from Micro- to Nano-Scales

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glaessgen, Edward H.; Saether, Erik; Hochhalter, Jacob; Smith, Stephen W.; Ransom, Jonathan B.; Yamakov, Vesselin; Gupta, Vipul

2011-01-01

Methodologies for understanding the plastic deformation mechanisms related 10 crack propagation at the nano, meso- and micro-length scales are being developed. These efforts include the development and application of several computational methods including atomistic simulation, discrete dislocation plasticity, strain gradient plasticity and crystal plasticity; and experimental methods including electron backscattered diffraction and video image correlation. Additionally, methodologies for multi-scale modeling and characterization that can be used to bridge the relevant length scales from nanometers to millimeters are being developed. The paper focuses on the discussion of newly developed methodologies in these areas and their application to understanding damage processes in aluminum and its alloys.

Effect of Sn Grain Orientation on the Cu6Sn5 Formation in a Sn-Based Solder Under Current Stressing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Chih-Fan; Lee, Shang-Hua; Chen, Chih-Ming

2012-08-01

A SnAgCu-based solder stripe between two Cu electrodes is current stressed with a density of 5 × 104 A/cm2 at 393 K (120 °C). After current stressing for 24 hours, electromigration induces the Cu dissolution from the cathode-side Cu electrode, leading to the Cu6Sn5 formation in the solder stripe. Very interestingly, the Cu6Sn5 phase is selectively formed within a specific Sn grain. Electron backscattering diffraction analysis indicates the crystallographic orientations of Sn grains play an important role in the selective Cu6Sn5 formation.

Effect of one-step recrystallization on the grain boundary evolution of CoCrFeMnNi high entropy alloy and its subsystems.

PubMed

Chen, Bo-Ru; Yeh, An-Chou; Yeh, Jien-Wei

2016-02-29

In this study, the grain boundary evolution of equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi, CoCrFeNi, and FeCoNi alloys after one-step recrystallization were investigated. The special boundary fraction and twin density of these alloys were evaluated by electron backscatter diffraction analysis. Among the three alloys tested, FeCoNi exhibited the highest special boundary fraction and twin density after one-step recrystallization. The special boundary increment after one-step recrystallization was mainly affected by grain boundary velocity, while twin density was mainly affected by average grain boundary energy and twin boundary energy.

Near-field diffraction from amplitude diffraction gratings: theory, simulation and results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abedin, Kazi Monowar; Rahman, S. M. Mujibur

2017-08-01

We describe a computer simulation method by which the complete near-field diffract pattern of an amplitude diffraction grating can be generated. The technique uses the method of iterative Fresnel integrals to calculate and generate the diffraction images. Theoretical background as well as the techniques to perform the simulation is described. The program is written in MATLAB, and can be implemented in any ordinary PC. Examples of simulated diffraction images are presented and discussed. The generated images in the far-field where they reduce to Fraunhofer diffraction pattern are also presented for a realistic grating, and compared with the results predicted by the grating equation, which is applicable in the far-field. The method can be used as a tool to teach the complex phenomenon of diffraction in classrooms.

Optical-diffraction method for determining crystal orientation

DOEpatents

Sopori, B.L.

1982-05-07

Disclosed is an optical diffraction technique for characterizing the three-dimensional orientation of a crystal sample. An arbitrary surface of the crystal sample is texture etched so as to generate a pseudo-periodic diffraction grating on the surface. A laser light beam is then directed onto the etched surface, and the reflected light forms a farfield diffraction pattern in reflection. Parameters of the diffraction pattern, such as the geometry and angular dispersion of the diffracted beam are then related to grating shape of the etched surface which is in turn related to crystal orientation. This technique may be used for examining polycrystalline silicon for use in solar cells.

Measuring Shock Stage of ltokawa Regolith Grains by Electron Back-Scattered Diffraction and Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zolensky, Michael; Mikouchi, Takashi; Hagiya, Kenji; Ohsumi, Kazumasa; Martinez, James; Hagiya, Kenji; Sitzman, Scott; Terada, Yasuko; Yagi, Naoto; Komatsu, Mutsumi;

Coherent X-ray diffraction imaging of nanoengineered polymeric capsules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erokhina, S.; Pastorino, L.; Di Lisa, D.; Kiiamov, A. G.; Faizullina, A. R.; Tayurskii, D. A.; Iannotta, S.; Erokhin, V.

2017-10-01

For the first time, nanoengineered polymeric capsules and their architecture have been studied with coherent X-ray diffraction imaging technique. The use of coherent X-ray diffraction imaging technique allowed us to analyze the samples immersed in a liquid. We report about the significant difference between polymeric capsule architectures under dry and liquid conditions.

A new technique for high sensitive detection of rotational motion in optical tweezers by a differential measurement of backscattered intensity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Basudev; Bera, Sudipta K.; Mondal, Argha; Banerjee, Ayan

2014-09-01

Asymmetric particles, such as biological cells, often experience torque under optical tweezers due to birefringence or unbalanced scattering forces, which makes precise determination of the torque crucial for calibration and control of the particles. The estimate of torque relies on the accurate measurement of rotational motion, which has been achieved by various techniques such as measuring the intensity fluctuations of the forward scattered light, or the polarization component orthogonal to the trapping light polarization in plasmonic nanoparticles and vaterite crystals. Here we present a simple yet high sensitive technique to measure rotation of such an asymmetric trapped particle by detecting the light backscattered onto a quadrant photodiode, and subtracting the signals along the two diagonals of the quadrants. This automatically suppresses the common mode translational signal obtained by taking the difference signal of the adjacent quadrants, while amplifying the rotational signal. Using this technique, we obtain a S/N of 200 for angular displacement of a trapped micro-rod by 5 degrees, which implies a sensitivity of 50 mdeg with S/N of 2. The technique is thus independent of birefringence and polarization properties of the asymmetric particle and depends only on the scattering cross-section.

Characterizing Three-Dimensional Mixing Process in a River Confluence using Hydro-acoustical Backscatter and Flow Measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Son, Geunsoo; Kim, Dongsu; Kim, YoungDo; Lyu, Siwan; Kim, Seojun

2017-04-01

River confluences are zones where two rivers with different geomorphic and hydraulic characteristics amalgamate, resulting in rapid change in terms of flow regime, sediment entrainment and hydraulic geometry. In these confluence zones, the flow structure is basically complicated responded with concurrent mixing of physical and chemical aquatic properties, and continuous channel morphology could be changed due to erosion and sedimentation. In addition, the confluences are regions in which two rivers join and play an important role in river ecology. In order to characterize the mixing process of confluence for understanding the impacts of a river on the other river, therefore, it has been crucial to analyze the spatial mixing patterns for main streams depending on various inflow conditions of tributaries. However, most conventional studies have mostly relied upon hydraulic or water quality numerical models for understanding mixing pattern analysis of confluences, due to the difficulties to acquire a wide spatial range of in-situ data especially for characterizing this kind of mixing process. Even with intensive in-situ measurements, those researches tended to focus mainly on the hydraulic characteristics such as the flow and morphological complexity of confluence, so that very few studies comprehensively included sediment variation with flow at the same time. In this study, subsequently, flow and sediment mixing characteristics were concurrently investigated in the confluence between Nakdong and Nam river in South Korea, where it has been frequently questioned to determine how Nam river affects Nakdong river that recently have suffered various environmental problems such as green algae bloom and erosion/deposition in the confluence. We basically examined the mixing characteristics of confluence by using acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) which were used to measure hydraulic factors such as flow rate and depth, as well as measuring the suspended sediment concentration by using acoustic backscatter. Cross-sectional ADCP measurements in a confluence were collected with high spatial resolution in order to analyze the details of spatial distribution in the perspective of the three-dimensional mixing patterns of flow and sediment, where backscatters (or SNR) measured from ADCPs were used to track sediment mixing assuming that it could be a surrogate to estimate the suspended sediment concentration. Raw backscatter data were corrected by considering the beam spreading and absorption by water. Also, an optical Laser diffraction instrument (LISST) was used to verify the method of acoustic backscatter and to collect the particle size distribution of main stream and tributary. In addition, image-based spatial distributions of sediment mixture in the confluence were monitored in various flow conditions by using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which were compared with the spatial distribution of acoustic backscatter. As results, we found that when acoustic backscatter and flow measurements by ADCPs were well processed, they could be proper indicators to identify the spatial patterns of the three-dimensional mixing process between two rivers.