Tantalo-Niobate from the Apollo-17 Regolith

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mokhov, A. V.; Kartashov, P. M.; Rybchuk, A. P.; Gornostaeva, T. A.; Bogatikov, O. A.

2018-01-01

Particles of tantalo-niobate of the ferrotantalite-manganotantalite series are discovered for the first time in two lunar regolith fragments delivered by the Apollo-17 mission. Allochtonous and autochtonous mineralization that accompanies tantalo-niobate in the regolith is described. An attempt is made to explain the formation of tantalite in anorthosites of the continental region of the Moon.

Interfacial bonding stabilizes rhodium and rhodium oxide nanoparticles on layered Nb oxide and Ta oxide supports.

PubMed

Strayer, Megan E; Binz, Jason M; Tanase, Mihaela; Shahri, Seyed Mehdi Kamali; Sharma, Renu; Rioux, Robert M; Mallouk, Thomas E

2014-04-16

Metal nanoparticles are commonly supported on metal oxides, but their utility as catalysts is limited by coarsening at high temperatures. Rhodium oxide and rhodium metal nanoparticles on niobate and tantalate supports are anomalously stable. To understand this, the nanoparticle-support interaction was studied by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM), and synchrotron X-ray absorption and scattering techniques. Nanosheets derived from the layered oxides KCa2Nb3O10, K4Nb6O17, and RbTaO3 were compared as supports to nanosheets of Na-TSM, a synthetic fluoromica (Na0.66Mg2.68(Si3.98Al0.02)O10.02F1.96), and α-Zr(HPO4)2·H2O. High surface area SiO2 and γ-Al2O3 supports were also used for comparison in the ITC experiments. A Born-Haber cycle analysis of ITC data revealed an exothermic interaction between Rh(OH)3 nanoparticles and the layered niobate and tantalate supports, with ΔH values in the range -32 kJ·mol(-1) Rh to -37 kJ·mol(-1) Rh. In contrast, the interaction enthalpy was positive with SiO2 and γ-Al2O3 supports. The strong interfacial bonding in the former case led to "reverse" ripening of micrometer-size Rh(OH)3, which dispersed as 0.5 to 2 nm particles on the niobate and tantalate supports. In contrast, particles grown on Na-TSM and α-Zr(HPO4)2·H2O nanosheets were larger and had a broad size distribution. ETEM, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and pair distribution function analyses were used to study the growth of supported nanoparticles under oxidizing and reducing conditions, as well as the transformation from Rh(OH)3 to Rh nanoparticles. Interfacial covalent bonding, possibly strengthened by d-electron acid/base interactions, appear to stabilize Rh(OH)3, Rh2O3, and Rh nanoparticles on niobate and tantalate supports.

Molecular Beam Epitaxy Growth of High Crystalline Quality LiNbO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tellekamp, M. Brooks; Shank, Joshua C.; Goorsky, Mark S.; Doolittle, W. Alan

2016-12-01

Lithium niobate is a multi-functional material with wide reaching applications in acoustics, optics, and electronics. Commercial applications for lithium niobate require high crystalline quality currently limited to bulk and ion sliced material. Thin film lithium niobate is an attractive option for a variety of integrated devices, but the research effort has been stagnant due to poor material quality. Both lattice matched and mismatched lithium niobate are grown by molecular beam epitaxy and studied to understand the role of substrate and temperature on nucleation conditions and material quality. Growth on sapphire produces partially coalesced columnar grains with atomically flat plateaus and no twin planes. A symmetric rocking curve shows a narrow linewidth with a full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 8.6 arcsec (0.0024°), which is comparable to the 5.8 arcsec rocking curve FWHM of the substrate, while the film asymmetric rocking curve is 510 arcsec FWHM. These values indicate that the individual grains are relatively free of long-range disorder detectable by x-ray diffraction with minimal measurable tilt and twist and represents the highest structural quality epitaxial material grown on lattice mismatched sapphire without twin planes. Lithium niobate is also grown on lithium tantalate producing high quality coalesced material without twin planes and with a symmetric rocking curve of 193 arcsec, which is nearly equal to the substrate rocking curve of 194 arcsec. The surface morphology of lithium niobate on lithium tantalate is shown to be atomically flat by atomic force microscopy.

Shape of isolated domains in lithium tantalate single crystals at elevated temperatures

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

Shur, V. Ya., E-mail: vladimir.shur@usu.ru; Akhmatkhanov, A. R.; Baturin, I. S.

2013-12-09

The shape of isolated domains has been investigated in congruent lithium tantalate (CLT) single crystals at elevated temperatures and analyzed in terms of kinetic approach. The obtained temperature dependence of the growing domain shape in CLT including circular shape at temperatures above 190 °C has been attributed to increase of relative input of isotropic ionic conductivity. The observed nonstop wall motion and independent domain growth after merging in CLT as opposed to stoichiometric lithium tantalate have been attributed to difference in wall orientation. The computer simulation has confirmed applicability of the kinetic approach to the domain shape explanation.

Shape of isolated domains in lithium tantalate single crystals at elevated temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shur, V. Ya.; Akhmatkhanov, A. R.; Chezganov, D. S.; Lobov, A. I.; Baturin, I. S.; Smirnov, M. M.

2013-12-01

The shape of isolated domains has been investigated in congruent lithium tantalate (CLT) single crystals at elevated temperatures and analyzed in terms of kinetic approach. The obtained temperature dependence of the growing domain shape in CLT including circular shape at temperatures above 190 °C has been attributed to increase of relative input of isotropic ionic conductivity. The observed nonstop wall motion and independent domain growth after merging in CLT as opposed to stoichiometric lithium tantalate have been attributed to difference in wall orientation. The computer simulation has confirmed applicability of the kinetic approach to the domain shape explanation.

Method for producing dense lithium lanthanum tantalate lithium-ion conducting ceramics

DOEpatents

Brown-Shaklee, Harlan James; Ihlefeld, Jon; Spoerke, Erik David; Blea-Kirby, Mia Angelica

2018-05-08

A method to produce high density, uniform lithium lanthanum tantalate lithium-ion conducting ceramics uses small particles that are sintered in a pressureless crucible that limits loss of Li₂O.

Study of multiple hologram recording in lithium niobate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaylord, T. K.; Callen, W. R.

1976-01-01

The results of a number of theoretical and experimental studies relating to multiple hologram recording in lithium niobate are reported. The analysis of holographic gratings stored in lithium niobate has been extended to cover a more realistic range of physical situations. A new successful dynamic (feedback) theory for describing recording, nondestructive reading, erasure, enhancement, and angular sensitivity has been developed. In addition, the possible architectures of mass data storage systems have been studied.

A Novel Inter Core-Cladding Lithium Niobate Thin Film Coated Fiber Modulator/Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jamison, Tracee L.; Komriech, Phillip; Yu, Chung

2004-01-01

A fiber modulator/sensor has been fabricated by depositing a lithium niobate sol-gel thin film between the core and cladding of a fiber preform. The preform is then drawn into 125 micron fiber. The proposed design of lithium niobate cylinder fibers can enhance the existing methodology for detecting sound waves under water utilizing the acoustooptic properties of lithium niobate. Upon application of a stress or strain, light propagating inside the core, according to the principle of total internal reflection, escapes, into the cladding because of the photoelastic boundary layer of lithium niobate. Test results of the lithium niobate fiber reveal a reduction in the 1550 nm, 4mW source with applied tension. The source power from an ordinary quartz fiber under the same stress condition remained invariant to applied tension.

Discovery of high-gain stimulated polariton scattering near 4  THz from lithium niobate.

PubMed

Chiu, Yu-Chung; Wang, Tsong-Dong; Zhao, Gang; Huang, Yen-Chieh

2017-12-01

Lithium niobate is the most popular material for terahertz wave generation via stimulated polariton scattering (SPS), previously known to have a gain peak near 2 THz. Here we report the discovery of another phase-matched gain peak near 4 THz in lithium niobate, which greatly extends the useful gain spectrum of lithium niobate. Despite the relatively high 4 THz absorption in lithium niobate, the 4 THz SPS becomes dominant over the 2 THz one in an intensely pumped short lithium niobate crystal due to less diffraction-induced absorption and mode-area mismatch. We also demonstrate a signal-seeded OTPO that generates 1.4 nJ at 4.2 THz from lithium niobate with 17.5 mJ pump energy.

Highly linear ring modulator from hybrid silicon and lithium niobate.

PubMed

Chen, Li; Chen, Jiahong; Nagy, Jonathan; Reano, Ronald M

2015-05-18

We present a highly linear ring modulator from the bonding of ion-sliced x-cut lithium niobate onto a silicon ring resonator. The third order intermodulation distortion spurious free dynamic range is measured to be 98.1 dB Hz(2/3) and 87.6 dB Hz(2/3) at 1 GHz and 10 GHz, respectively. The linearity is comparable to a reference lithium niobate Mach-Zehnder interferometer modulator operating at quadrature and over an order of magnitude greater than silicon ring modulators based on plasma dispersion effect. Compact modulators for analog optical links that exploit the second order susceptibility of lithium niobate on the silicon platform are envisioned.

Stoichiometric Lithium Niobate (SLN) Based Linearized Electro-Optic (EO) Modulator

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-01-01

AFRL-SN-RS-TR-2006-15 Final Technical Report January 2006 STOICHIOMETRIC LITHIUM NIOBATE (SLN) BASED LINEARIZED ELECTRO - OPTIC (EO...LITHIUM NIOBATE (SLN) BASED LINEARIZED ELECTRO - OPTIC (EO) MODULATOR 6. AUTHOR(S) Dr Stuart Kingsley, Dr Sri Sriram 5. FUNDING NUMBERS C...SUBJECT TERMS electro - optic modulator, linearization, directional coupler, variable coupling, optical waveguide, Mach-Zehnder, photonic link, lithium

Tunable ultraviolet radiation by second-harmonic generation in periodically poled lithium tantalate.

PubMed

Meyn, J P; Fejer, M M

1997-08-15

We describe electric-field poling of fine-pitch ferroelectric domain gratings in lithium tantalate and characterization of nonlinear-optical properties by single-pass quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation (QPM SHG). With a 7.5-microm-period grating, the observed effective nonlinear coefficient for first-order QPM SHG of 532-nm radiation is 9 pm/V, whereas for a grating with a 2.625-microm period, 2.6 pm/V was observed for second-order QPM SHG of 325-nm radiation. These values are 100% and 55% of the theoretically expected values, respectively. We derive a temperature-dependent Sellmeier equation for lithium tantalate that is valid deeper into the UV than currently available results, based on temperature-tuning experiments at different QPM grating periods combined with refractive-index data in the literature.

Programming scale-free optics in disordered ferroelectrics.

PubMed

Parravicini, Jacopo; Conti, Claudio; Agranat, Aharon J; DelRe, Eugenio

2012-06-15

Using the history dependence of a dipolar glass hosted in a compositionally disordered lithium-enriched potassium tantalate niobate (KTN:Li) crystal, we demonstrate scale-free optical propagation at tunable temperatures. The operating equilibration temperature is determined by previous crystal spiralling in the temperature/cooling-rate phase space.

Lithium niobate ultrasonic transducer design for Enhanced Oil Recovery.

PubMed

Wang, Zhenjun; Xu, Yuanming; Gu, Yuting

2015-11-01

Due to the strong piezoelectric effect possessed by lithium niobate, a new idea that uses lithium niobate to design high-power ultrasonic transducer for Enhanced Oil Recovery technology is proposed. The purpose of this paper is to lay the foundation for the further research and development of high-power ultrasonic oil production technique. The main contents of this paper are as follows: firstly, structure design technique and application of a new high-power ultrasonic transducer are introduced; secondly, the experiment for reducing the viscosity of super heavy oil by this transducer is done, the optimum ultrasonic parameters for reducing the viscosity of super heavy oil are given. Experimental results show that heavy large molecules in super heavy oil can be cracked into light hydrocarbon substances under strong cavitation effect caused by high-intensity ultrasonic wave. Experiment proves that it is indeed feasible to design high-power ultrasonic transducer for ultrasonic oil production technology using lithium niobate. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Lead magnesium niobate actuator for micropositioning

DOEpatents

Swift, Charles D.; Bergum, John W.

1994-01-01

An improved lead magnesium niobate actuator is disclosed comprising a cylindrical lead magnesium niobate crystal stack mounted in a cylindrical casing wherein a bias means, such as one or more belleville washers, is located between one end of the crystal stack and a partially closed end of the casing; and adjustment means are provided which bear against the opposite end of the crystal stack, whereby an adjustable compressive force is constantly applied against the crystal stack, whether the crystal stack is actuated in an extended position, or is in an unactuated contracted position. In a preferred embodiment, cooling ports are provided for the circulation of coolant in the actuator to cool the crystal stack, and provision is made for removal and replacement of the crystal stack without disconnecting the actuator from the external device being actuated.

Lead magnesium niobate actuator for micropositioning

DOEpatents

Swift, C.D.; Bergum, J.W.

1994-10-25

An improved lead magnesium niobate actuator is disclosed comprising a cylindrical lead magnesium niobate crystal stack mounted in a cylindrical casing wherein a bias means, such as one or more belleville washers, is located between one end of the crystal stack and a partially closed end of the casing; and adjustment means are provided which bear against the opposite end of the crystal stack, whereby an adjustable compressive force is constantly applied against the crystal stack, whether the crystal stack is actuated in an extended position, or is in an unactuated contracted position. In a preferred embodiment, cooling ports are provided for the circulation of coolant in the actuator to cool the crystal stack, and provision is made for removal and replacement of the crystal stack without disconnecting the actuator from the external device being actuated. 3 figs.

Novel intercore-cladding lithium niobate thin film coated MOEMS fiber sensor/modulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jamlson, Tracee L.; Konreich, Phillip; Yu, Chung

2005-01-01

A MOEMS fiber modulator/sensor is fabricated by depositing a lithium niobate sol-gel thin film between the core and cladding of a fiber preform. The preform is then drawn into 125-micron fibers. Such a MOEMS modulator design is expected to enhance existing lithium niobate undersea acousto-optic sound wave detectors. In our proposed version, the lithium niobate thin film alters the ordinary silica core/cladding boundary conditions such that, when a stress or strain is applied to the fiber, the core light confinement factor changes, leading to modulation of fiber light transmission. Test results of the lithium niobate embedded fiber with a 1550-nm, 4-mW laser source revealed a reduction in light transmission with applied tension. As a comparison, using the same laser source, an ordinary silica core/cladding fiber did not exhibit any reduction in transmitted light when the same strain was applied. Further experimental work and theoretical analysis is ongoing.

Triboelectric Nanogenerator Using Lithium Niobate Thin Film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geng, Juan; Zhang, Xinzheng; Kong, Yongfa; Xu, Jingjun

2017-06-01

We present a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) using a lithium niobate thin film, as one of the triboelectric pairs which was grown on a silicon substrate by laser molecule beam epitaxy (LMBE). The designed TENG has the advantages of simple structure, easy fabrication, small size (1.1*1.0*0.15 cm3). An open-circuit voltage of 136 V and a short-circuit current of 8.40 μA have been achieved. The maximum output power is 307.5μW under the load resistance of 10MΩ. This is the first time to use lithium niobate thin film as one of the friction pair, which may make it possible to expand the application of triboelectric nanogenerator to optical field.

Preparation of catalysts via ion-exchangeable coatings on supports

DOEpatents

Dosch, R.G.; Stephens, H.P.

1986-04-09

Disclosed are: new catalytic compositions which comprise an inert support coated with a hydrous alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, or quaternary ammonium titanate, niobate, zirconate, or tantalate, in which the alkali or alkaline earth metal or quaternary ammonium cations have been exchanged for a catalytically effective quantity of a catalytically effective metal.

Bismuth pyrochlore-based thin films for dielectric energy storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michael, Elizabeth K.

The drive towards the miniaturization of electronic devices has created a need for dielectric materials with large energy storage densities. These materials, which are used in capacitors, are a critical component in many electrical systems. Here, the development of dielectric energy storage materials for pulsed power applications, which require materials with the ability to accumulate a large amount of energy and then deliver it to the system rapidly, is explored. The amount of electrostatic energy that can be stored by a material is a function of the induced polarization and the dielectric breakdown strength of the material. An ideal energy storage dielectric would possess a high relative permittivity, high dielectric breakdown strength, and low loss tangent under high applied electric fields. The bismuth pyrochlores are a compositionally tunable family of materials that meet these requirements. Thin films of cubic pyrochlore bismuth zinc niobate, bismuth zinc tantalate, and bismuth zinc niobate tantalate, were fabricated using a novel solution chemistry based upon the Pechini method. This solution preparation is advantageous because it avoids the use of teratogenic solvents, such as 2-methoxyethanol. Crystalline films fabricated using this solution chemistry had very small grains that were approximately 27 nm in lateral size and 35 nm through the film thickness. Impedance measurements found that the resistivity of the grain boundaries was two orders of magnitude higher than the resistivity of the grain interior. The presence of many resistive grain boundaries impeded conduction through the films, resulting in high breakdown strengths for these materials. In addition to high breakdown strengths, this family of materials exhibited moderate relative permittivities of between 55 +/- 2 and 145 +/- 5, for bismuth zinc tantalate and bismuth zinc niobate, respectively, and low loss tangents on the order of 0.0008 +/- 0.0001. Increases in the concentration of the tantalum

Changes in the reflectivity of a lithium niobate crystal decorated with a graphene layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salas, O.; Garcés, E.; Castillo, F. L.; Magaña, L. F.

2017-01-01

Density functional theory and molecular dynamics were used to study the interaction of a graphene layer with the surface of lithium niobate. The simulations were performed at atmospheric pressure and 300K. We found that the graphene layer is physisorbed with an adsorption energy of -0.8205 eV/C-atom. Subsequently, the optical absorption of the graphene-(lithium niobate) system was calculated and compared with that of graphene solo and lithium niobate alone, respectively. The calculations were performed using the Quantum Espresso code with the GGA approximation and Vdw-DF2 (which includes long-range correlation effects as Van der Waals interactions).

Improved hydrous oxide ion-exchange compound catalysts

DOEpatents

Dosch, R.G.; Stephens, H.P.

1986-04-09

Disclosed is a catalytic material of improved activity which comprises a hydrous, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or quaternary ammonium titanate, zirconate, niobate, or tantalate, in which the metal or ammonium cations have been exchanged with a catalytically effective quantity of a catalyst metal, and which has been subsequently treated with a solution of a Bronsted acid.

Hydrous oxide ion-exchange compound catalysts

DOEpatents

Dosch, Robert G.; Stephens, Howard P.

1990-01-01

A catalytic material of improved activity which comprises a hydrous, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or quaternary ammonium titanate, zirconate, niobate, or tantalate, in which the metal or ammonium cations have been exchange with a catalytically effective quantity of a catalyst metal, and which has been subsequently treated with a solution of a Bronsted acid.

Single crystal micromechanical resonator and fabrication methods thereof

DOEpatents

Olsson, Roy H.; Friedmann, Thomas A.; Homeijer, Sara Jensen; Wiwi, Michael; Hattar, Khalid Mikhiel; Clark, Blythe; Bauer, Todd; Van Deusen, Stuart B.

2016-12-20

The present invention relates to a single crystal micromechanical resonator. In particular, the resonator includes a lithium niobate or lithium tantalate suspended plate. Also provided are improved microfabrication methods of making resonators, which does not rely on complicated wafer bonding, layer fracturing, and mechanical polishing steps. Rather, the methods allow the resonator and its components to be formed from a single crystal.

New Metal Niobate and Silicotitanate Ion Exchangers: Development and Characterization

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

Alexandra Navrotsky; Mary Lou Balmer; Tina M. Nenoff

2003-12-05

This renewal proposal outlines our current progress and future research plans for ion exchangers: novel metal niobate and silicotitanate ion exchangers and their ultimate deployment in the DOE complex. In our original study several forms (including Cs exchanged) of the heat treated Crystalline Silicotitanates (CSTs) were fully characterized by a combination of high temperature synthesis and phase identification, low temperature synthesis and phase identification, and thermodynamics. This renewal proposal is predicated on work completed in our current EMSP program: we have shown preliminary data of a novel class of niobate-based molecular sieves (Na/Nb/M/O, M = transition metals), which show exceptionallymore » high selectivity for divalent cations under extreme conditions (acid solutions, competing cations), in addition to novel silicotitanate phases which are also selective for divalent cations. Furthermore, these materials are easily converted by a high temperature in-situ heat treatment into a refractory ceramic waste form with low cation leachability. The new waste form is a perovskite phase, which is also a major component of Synroc, a titanate ceramic waste form used for sequestration of HLW wastes from reprocessed, spent nuclear fuel. These new niobate ion exchangers also shown orders of magnitude better selectivity for Sr2+ under acid conditions than any other material. The goal of the program is to reduce the costs associated with divalent cation waste removal and disposal, to minimize the risk of contamination to the environment during ion exchanger processing, and to provide DOE with materials for near-term lab-bench stimulant testing, and eventual deployment. The proposed work will provide information on the structure/property relationship between ion exchanger frameworks and selectivity for specific ions, allowing for the eventual ''tuning'' of framework for specific ion exchange needs. To date, DOE sites have become interested in on-site testing of

Efficient generation of far-infrared radiation in the vicinity of polariton resonance of lithium niobate.

PubMed

Lin, Xiaomu; Wang, Lei; Ding, Yujie J

2012-09-01

We efficiently generated far-infrared radiation at the wavelengths centered at 20.8 μm in the vicinity of one of the polariton resonances of lithium niobate. Such an efficient nonlinear conversion is made possible by exploiting phase matching for difference-frequency generation in lithium niobate. The highest peak power reached 233 W.

Lithium niobate explosion monitor

DOEpatents

Bundy, Charles H.; Graham, Robert A.; Kuehn, Stephen F.; Precit, Richard R.; Rogers, Michael S.

1990-01-01

Monitoring explosive devices is accomplished with a substantially z-cut lithium niobate crystal in abutment with the explosive device. Upon impact by a shock wave from detonation of the explosive device, the crystal emits a current pulse prior to destruction of the crystal. The current pulse is detected by a current viewing transformer and recorded as a function of time in nanoseconds. In order to self-check the crystal, the crystal has a chromium film resistor deposited thereon which may be heated by a current pulse prior to detonation. This generates a charge which is detected by a charge amplifier.

Lithium niobate explosion monitor

DOEpatents

Bundy, C.H.; Graham, R.A.; Kuehn, S.F.; Precit, R.R.; Rogers, M.S.

1990-01-09

Monitoring explosive devices is accomplished with a substantially z-cut lithium niobate crystal in abutment with the explosive device. Upon impact by a shock wave from detonation of the explosive device, the crystal emits a current pulse prior to destruction of the crystal. The current pulse is detected by a current viewing transformer and recorded as a function of time in nanoseconds. In order to self-check the crystal, the crystal has a chromium film resistor deposited thereon which may be heated by a current pulse prior to detonation. This generates a charge which is detected by a charge amplifier. 8 figs.

III-nitride integration on ferroelectric materials of lithium niobate by molecular beam epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Namkoong, Gon; Lee, Kyoung-Keun; Madison, Shannon M.; Henderson, Walter; Ralph, Stephen E.; Doolittle, W. Alan

2005-10-01

Integration of III-nitride electrical devices on the ferroelectric material lithium niobate (LiNbO3) has been demonstrated. As a ferroelectric material, lithium niobate has a polarization which may provide excellent control of the polarity of III-nitrides. However, while high temperature, 1000°C, thermal treatments produce atomically smooth surfaces, improving adhesion of GaN epitaxial layers on lithium niobate, repolarization of the substrate in local domains occurs. These effects result in multi domains of mixed polarization in LiNbO3, producing inversion domains in subsequent GaN epilayers. However, it is found that AlN buffer layers suppress inversion domains of III-nitrides. Therefore, two-dimensional electron gases in AlGaN /GaN heterojunction structures are obtained. Herein, the demonstration of the monolithic integration of high power devices with ferroelectric materials presents possibilities to control LiNbO3 modulators on compact optoelectronic/electronic chips.

Catalysis using hydrous metal oxide ion exchanges

DOEpatents

Dosch, Robert G.; Stephens, Howard P.; Stohl, Frances V.

1985-01-01

In a process which is catalyzed by a catalyst comprising an active metal on a carrier, said metal being active as a catalyst for the process, an improvement is provided wherein the catalyst is a hydrous, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal titanate, zirconate, niobate or tantalate wherein alkali or alkaline earth metal cations have been exchanged with a catalytically effective amount of cations of said metal.

Catalysis using hydrous metal oxide ion exchangers

DOEpatents

Dosch, R.G.; Stephens, H.P.; Stohl, F.V.

1983-07-21

In a process which is catalyzed by a catalyst comprising an active metal on a carrier, said metal being active as a catalyst for the process, an improvement is provided wherein the catalyst is a hydrous, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal titanate, zirconate, niobate or tantalate wherein alkali or alkaline earth metal cations have been exchanged with a catalytically effective amount of cations of said metal.

Assembly of potassium niobate nanosheets/silver oxide composite films with good SERS performance towards crystal violet detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Kun; Hong, Zhen; Kang, Shi-Zhao; Qin, Lixia; Li, Guodong; Li, Xiangqing

2018-04-01

The orderly potassium niobate nanosheets/silver oxide (Ag2O) composite films with uniform morphology were achieved by layer-by-layer self-assembly combined with ultraviolet light irradiation. The composition, structure and morphology of the potassium niobate nanosheets/Ag2O composite films were studied by XPS, XRD and SEM. Furthermore, the films were used as a SERS probe to detect crystal violet molecules. The results showed that the potassium niobate nanosheets/Ag2O composite films were an active substrate for fast and sensitive detection of crystal violet with low concentration. The limit of detection by the films can reach 1 × 10-6 mol L-1. Both electromagnetic enhancement and chemical enhancement contributed to the enhanced SERS in the (potassium niobate nanosheets/Ag2O)4 films. Moreover, it was found that the films were relatively stable under light irradiation or heat treatment in a certain range.

Optical waveguides in lithium niobate: Recent developments and applications

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

Bazzan, Marco, E-mail: marco.bazzan@unipd.it; Sada, Cinzia, E-mail: cinzia.sada@unipd.it

The state of the art of optical waveguide fabrication in lithium niobate is reviewed, with particular emphasis on new technologies and recent applications. The attention is mainly devoted to recently developed fabrication methods, such as femtosecond laser writing, ion implantation, and smart cut waveguides as well as to the realization of waveguides with tailored functionalities, such as photorefractive or domain engineered structures. More exotic systems, such as reconfigurable and photorefractive soliton waveguides, are also considered. Classical techniques, such as Ti in-diffusion and proton exchange, are cited and briefly reviewed as a reference standpoint to highlight the recent developments. In allmore » cases, the application-oriented point of view is preferred, in order to provide the reader with an up-to date panorama of the vast possibilities offered by lithium niobate to integrated photonics.« less

Graphene Based Surface Plasmon Polariton Modulator Controlled by Ferroelectric Domains in Lithium Niobate

PubMed Central

Wang, Hao; Zhao, Hua; Hu, Guangwei; Li, Siren; Su, Hang; Zhang, Jingwen

2015-01-01

We proposed a ferroelectric domain controlled graphene based surface plasmon polariton modulator. Ferroelectricity-induced electronic and optical property tuning of graphene by domain in lithium niobate was theoretically investigated considering both interband and intraband contributions of surface conductivity. With the corrected Sellmeier equation of lithium niobate, the propagation of transverse magnetic mode surface plasmon polaritons in an air/graphene/lithium niobate structure was studied when monolayer graphene was tuned by down polarization direction ferroelectric domain with different polarization levels. The length of the ferroelectric domain was optimized to be 90 nm for a wavelength of 5.0 μm with signal extinction per unit 14.7 dB/μm, modulation depth 474.1 dB/μm and figure of merit 32.5. This work may promote the study of highly efficient modulators and other ultra-compact nonvolatile electronic and photonic devices in which two-dimensional materials and ferroelectric materials are combined. PMID:26657622

Electromechanical properties of engineered lead free potassium sodium niobate based materials =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rafiq, Muhammad Asif

K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNN), is the most promising lead free material for substituting lead zirconate titanate (PZT) which is still the market leader used for sensors and actuators. To make KNN a real competitor, it is necessary to understand and to improve its properties. This goal is pursued in the present work via different approaches aiming to study KNN intrinsic properties and then to identify appropriate strategies like doping and texturing for designing better KNN materials for an intended application. Hence, polycrystalline KNN ceramics (undoped, non-stoichiometric; NST and doped), high-quality KNN single crystals and textured KNN based ceramics were successfully synthesized and characterized in this work. Polycrystalline undoped, non-stoichiometric (NST) and Mn doped KNN ceramics were prepared by conventional ceramic processing. Structure, microstructure and electrical properties were measured. It was observed that the window for mono-phasic compositions was very narrow for both NST ceramics and Mn doped ceramics. For NST ceramics the variation of A/B ratio influenced the polarization (P-E) hysteresis loop and better piezoelectric and dielectric responses could be found for small stoichiometry deviations (A/B = 0.97). Regarding Mn doping, as compared to undoped KNN which showed leaky polarization (P-E) hysteresis loops, B-site Mn doped ceramics showed a well saturated, less-leaky hysteresis loop and a significant properties improvement. Impedance spectroscopy was used to assess the role of Mn and a relation between charge transport - defects and ferroelectric response in K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNN) and Mn doped KNN ceramics could be established. At room temperature the conduction in KNN which is associated with holes transport is suppressed by Mn doping. Hence Mn addition increases the resistivity of the ceramic, which proved to be very helpful for improving the saturation of the P-E loop. At high temperatures the conduction is dominated by the motion of ionized oxygen

Introduction to Piezoelectric Actuators and Transducers

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-06-17

a piezo-device and a metal fork. A piezoelectric buzzer is shown in Fig. 12, which has merits such as high electric power efficiency, compact size...coefficient for surface acoustic wave and so is used for SAW devices with high -stabilized frequencies. The another distinguished characteristic of...quartz is an extremely high mechanical quality factor Qm > 10 5. Lithium niobate and lithium tantalate belong to an isomorphous crystal system and

Optical birefringence imaging of x-ray excited lithium tantalate

DOE PAGES

Durbin, S. M.; Landcastle, A.; DiChiara, A.; ...

2017-08-04

X-ray absorption in lithium tantalate induces large, long-lived (~10 -5 s) optical birefringence, visualized via scanning optical polarimetry, likely arising from electrooptic coupling to x-ray induced electric fields. Similar birefringence measured from glass, sapphire, and quartz was two orders of magnitude weaker. This suggests that x-ray excited charges preferentially create ordered, aligned dipoles within the noncentrosymmetric unit cell of ferroelectric LiTaO 3, enhancing the electric field compared to more isotropic charge distributions in the other materials. In conclusion, time-resolved measurements show a prompt response on a picosecond time scale, which along with the long decay time suggest novel approaches tomore » optical detection of x-rays using ferroelectric materials.« less

One-dimensional spatial dark soliton-induced channel waveguides in lithium niobate crystal.

PubMed

Zhang, Peng; Ma, Yanghua; Zhao, Jianlin; Yang, Dexing; Xu, Honglai

2006-04-01

The anisotropic dependence of the formation of one-dimensional (1-D) spatial dark solitons on the orientation of intensity gradients in lithium niobate crystal is numerically specified. Based on this, we propose an approach to fabricate channel waveguides by employing 1-D spatial dark solitons. By exposure of two 1-D dark solitons with different orientations, channel waveguides can be created. The structures of the channel waveguides can be tuned by adjustment of the widths of the solitons and/or the angles between the two exposures. A square channel waveguide is experimentally demonstrated in an iron-doped lithium niobate crystal by exposure of two orthogonal 1-D dark solitons in sequence.

Study of multiple hologram recording in lithium niobate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaylord, T. K.; Callen, W. R.

1974-01-01

The results of detailed experimental and theoretical considerations relating to multiple hologram recording in lithium niobate are reported. The following problem areas are identified and discussed: (1) the angular selectivity of the stored holograms, (2) interference effects due to the crystal surfaces, (3) beam divergence effects, (4) material recording sensitivity, and (5) scattered light from material inhomogeneities.

Design of multi-wavelength tunable filter based on Lithium Niobate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Ailing; Yao, Yuan; Zhang, Yue; Song, Hongyun

2018-05-01

A multi-wavelength tunable filter is designed. It consists of multiple waveguides among multiple waveguide gratings. A pair of electrodes were placed on both sides of each waveguide. The tunable filter uses the electro-optic effect of Lithium Niobate to tune the phase caused by each waveguide. Consequently, the wavelength and wavelength spacing of the filter are tuned by changing external voltages added on the electrode pairs. The tunable property of the filter is analyzed by phase matching condition and transfer-matrix method. Numerical results show that not only multiple wavelengths with narrow bandwidth are tuned with nearly equal spacing by synchronously changing the voltages added on all electrode pairs, but also the number of wavelengths is determined by the number of phase shifts caused by electrode pairs. Furthermore, due to the electro-optic effect of Lithium Niobate, the tuning speed of the filter can reach the order of ns.

Structuring of material parameters in lithium niobate crystals with low-mass, high-energy ion radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peithmann, K.; Eversheim, P.-D.; Goetze, J.; Haaks, M.; Hattermann, H.; Haubrich, S.; Hinterberger, F.; Jentjens, L.; Mader, W.; Raeth, N. L.; Schmid, H.; Zamani-Meymian, M.-R.; Maier, K.

2011-10-01

Ferroelectric lithium niobate crystals offer a great potential for applications in modern optics. To provide powerful optical components, tailoring of key material parameters, especially of the refractive index n and the ferroelectric domain landscape, is required. Irradiation of lithium niobate crystals with accelerated ions causes strong structured modifications in the material. The effects induced by low-mass, high-energy ions (such as 3He with 41 MeV, which are not implanted, but transmit through the entire crystal volume) are reviewed. Irradiation yields large changes of the refractive index Δn, improved domain engineering capability within the material along the ion track, and waveguiding structures. The periodic modification of Δn as well as the formation of periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) (supported by radiation damage) is described. Two-step knock-on displacement processes, 3He→Nb and 3He→O causing thermal spikes, are identified as origin for the material modifications.

Optimal design of DC-based polarization beam splitter in lithium niobate on insulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, Zisu; Yin, Rui; Ji, Wei; Wang, Junbao; Wu, Chonghao; Li, Xiao; Zhang, Shicheng

2017-08-01

We propose a DC-based polarization beam splitter (PBS) in lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI). Utilizing the high birefringence property of Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3, LN), the device is achieved by simple structure in a short length. With the use of beam propagation method (BPM), the simulation results show that the device has a good performance for the separation of TE and TM polarizations with a high extinction ratio (about 35 dB). The simulated fabrication tolerance for the variation of the waveguide width is about 100 nm and the bandwidth is about 65 nm when the extinction ratio is higher than 10 dB.

Whispering gallery mode lithium niobate microresonators for photonics applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maleki, Lute; Savchenkov, Anatoliy A.; Ilchenko, Vladimir S.; Matsko, Andrey B.

2003-07-01

We review various photonics applications of whispering gallery mode (WGM) dielectric resonators and focus on the capability of generating trains of short optical pulses using WGM lithium niobate cavities. We introduce schemes of optical frequency comb generators, actively mode-locked lasers, and coupled opto-electronic oscillators where WGM cavities are utilized for the light amplification and modulation.

Safe disposal of radioactive iodide ions from solutions by Ag2O grafted sodium niobate nanofibers.

PubMed

Mu, Wanjun; Li, Xingliang; Liu, Guoping; Yu, Qianhong; Xie, Xiang; Wei, Hongyuan; Jian, Yuan

2016-01-14

Radioactive iodine isotopes are released into the environment by the nuclear industry and medical research institutions using radioactive materials, and have negative effects on organisms living within the ecosystem. Thus, safe disposal of radioactive iodine is necessary and crucial. For this reason, the uptake of iodide ions was investigated in Ag2O nanocrystal grafted sodium niobate nanofibers, which were prepared by forming a well-matched phase coherent interface between them. The resulting composite was applied as an efficient adsorbent for I(-) anions by forming an AgI precipitate, which also remained firmly attached to the substrates. Due to their one-dimensional morphology, the new adsorbents can be easily dispersed in liquids and readily separated after purification. This significantly enhances the adsorption efficiency and reduces the separation costs. The change in structure from the pristine sodium niobate to Ag2O anchored sodium niobate and to the used adsorbent was examined by using various characterization techniques. The effects of Ag(+) concentration, pH, equilibration time, ionic strength and competing ions on the iodide ion removal ability of the composite were studied. The Ag2O nanocrystal grafted sodium niobate adsorbent showed a high adsorption capacity and excellent selectivity for I(-) anions in basic solutions. Our results are useful for the further development of improved adsorbents for removing I(-) anions from basic wastewater.

Photoluminescence of Copper-Doped Lithium Niobate Crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorelik, V. S.; Pyatyshev, A. Yu.; Sidorov, N. V.

2018-05-01

The photoluminescence (PL) of copper-doped lithium niobate single crystals is studied using different UV-Vis light-emitting diodes and a pulse-periodic laser with a wavelength of 266 nm as excitation radiation sources. With the resonance excitation from a 527-nm light-emitting diode, the intensity of PL increases sharply (by two orders of magnitude). When using a 467-nm light-emitting diode for excitation, the PL spectrum is characterized by the presence of multiphonon lines in the range of 520-620 nm.

Monolithic acoustic graphene transistors based on lithium niobate thin film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, J.; Liu, B.-H.; Zhang, H.-X.; Zhang, H.; Zhang, M.-L.; Zhang, D.-H.; Pang, W.

2018-05-01

This paper introduces an on-chip acoustic graphene transistor based on lithium niobate thin film. The graphene transistor is embedded in a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) acoustic wave device, and surface acoustic waves generated by the resonator induce a macroscopic current in the graphene due to the acousto-electric (AE) effect. The acoustic resonator and the graphene share the lithium niobate film, and a gate voltage is applied through the back side of the silicon substrate. The AE current induced by the Rayleigh and Sezawa modes was investigated, and the transistor outputs a larger current in the Rayleigh mode because of a larger coupling to velocity ratio. The output current increases linearly with the input radiofrequency power and can be effectively modulated by the gate voltage. The acoustic graphene transistor realized a five-fold enhancement in the output current at an optimum gate voltage, outperforming its counterpart with a DC input. The acoustic graphene transistor demonstrates a paradigm for more-than-Moore technology. By combining the benefits of MEMS and graphene circuits, it opens an avenue for various system-on-chip applications.

Terahertz birefringence of potassium niobate crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antsygin, V. D.; Mamrashev, A. A.; Nikolaev, N. A.

2018-03-01

We present terahertz optical properties (refractive indices and absorption coefficients) of potassium niobate crystals measured by time-domain spectroscopy in the range of 0.2-2.0 THz. We observe average refractive indices nx = 5.25, ny = 4.8, nz = 5.9 for corresponding optical axes X, Y, Z with the large birefringence of Δn = nz - ny = 1.1. We report rising absorption coefficient at higher frequencies (α ∼ 50 cm-1 at 1 THz for all three axes) while the dichroism is not pronounced. Somewhat higher absorption compared to the previous results could be attributed to some polydomain structure remaining in the crystal.

Le niobate de lithium a haute temperature pour les applications ultrasons =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Castilla, Hector

L'objectif de ce travail de maitrise en sciences appliquees est de trouver puis etudier un materiau piezoelectrique qui est potentiellement utilisable dans les transducteurs ultrasons a haute temperature. En effet, ces derniers sont actuellement limites a des temperatures de fonctionnement en dessous de 300°C a cause de l'element piezoelectrique qui les compose. Palier a cette limitation permettrait des controles non destructifs par ultrasons a haute temperature. Avec de bonnes proprietes electromecaniques et une temperature de Curie elevee (1200°C), le niobate de lithium (LiNbO 3) est un bon candidat. Mais certaines etudes affirment que des processus chimiques tels que l'apparition de conductivite ionique ou l'emergence d'une nouvelle phase ne permettent pas son utilisation dans les transducteurs ultrasons au-dessus de 600°C. Cependant, d'autres etudes plus recentes ont montre qu'il pouvait generer des ultrasons jusqu'a 1000°C et qu'aucune conductivite n'etait visible. Une hypothese a donc emerge : une conductivite ionique est presente dans le niobate de lithium a haute temperature (>500°C) mais elle n'affecte que faiblement ses proprietes a hautes frequences (>100 kHz). Une caracterisation du niobate de lithium a haute temperature est donc necessaire afin de verifier cette hypothese. Pour cela, la methode par resonance a ete employee. Elle permet une caracterisation de la plupart des coefficients electromecaniques avec une simple spectroscopie d'impedance electrochimique et un modele reliant de facon explicite les proprietes au spectre d'impedance. Il s'agit de trouver les coefficients du modele permettant de superposer au mieux le modele avec les mesures experimentales. Un banc experimental a ete realise permettant de controler la temperature des echantillons et de mesurer leur impedance electrochimique. Malheureusement, les modeles actuellement utilises pour la methode par resonance sont imprecis en presence de couplages entre les modes de vibration. Cela

Quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation of 532 nm radiation in 25 degrees -rotated, x-cut, near-stoichiometric, lithium tantalate fabricated by vapor transport equilibration.

PubMed

Hum, D S; Route, R K; Fejer, M M

2007-04-15

Quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation of 532 nm radiation in 25 degrees -rotated, x-cut, near-stoichiometric lithium tantalate has been performed. Using a face-normal topology for frequency conversion applications allows scalable surface area to avoid surface and volume damage in high-power interactions. First-order, quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation was achieved using near-stoichiometric lithium tantalate fabricated by vapor transport equilibration. These crystals supported 1 J of 1064 nm radiation and generated 21 mJ of 532 nm radiation from a 7 ns, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser within a factor of 4.2 of expectation.

Lead-Free Antiferroelectric Silver Niobate Tantalate with High Energy Storage Performance.

PubMed

Zhao, Lei; Liu, Qing; Gao, Jing; Zhang, Shujun; Li, Jing-Feng

2017-08-01

Antiferroelectric materials that display double ferroelectric hysteresis loops are receiving increasing attention for their superior energy storage density compared to their ferroelectric counterparts. Despite the good properties obtained in antiferroelectric La-doped Pb(Zr,Ti)O 3 -based ceramics, lead-free alternatives are highly desired due to the environmental concerns, and AgNbO 3 has been highlighted as a ferrielectric/antiferroelectric perovskite for energy storage applications. Enhanced energy storage performance, with recoverable energy density of 4.2 J cm -3 and high thermal stability of the energy storage density (with minimal variation of ≤±5%) over 20-120 °C, can be achieved in Ta-modified AgNbO 3 ceramics. It is revealed that the incorporation of Ta to the Nb site can enhance the antiferroelectricity because of the reduced polarizability of B-site cations, which is confirmed by the polarization hysteresis, dielectric tunability, and selected-area electron diffraction measurements. Additionally, Ta addition in AgNbO 3 leads to decreased grain size and increased bulk density, increasing the dielectric breakdown strength, up to 240 kV cm -1 versus 175 kV cm -1 for the pure counterpart, together with the enhanced antiferroelectricity, accounting for the high energy storage density. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Phase equilibria and crystal chemistry of rubidium niobates and rubidium tantalates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minor, D. B.; Roth, R. S.; Parker, H. S.; Brower, W. S.

1977-01-01

The phase equilibria relations and crystal chemistry of portions of the Rb2O-Nb2O5 and Rb2O-Ta2O5 systems were investigated for structures potentially useful as ionic conductors. A hexagonal tungsten bronze-type (HTB) structure was found in both systems as well as three hexagonal phases with mixed HTB-pyrochlore type structures. Ion exchange experiments between various alkali ions are described for several phases. Unit cell dimensions and X-ray diffraction powder patterns are reported.

Micro- and nanodomain imaging in uniaxial ferroelectrics: Joint application of optical, confocal Raman, and piezoelectric force microscopy

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

Shur, V. Ya., E-mail: vladimir.shur@urfu.ru; Zelenovskiy, P. S.

2014-08-14

The application of the most effective methods of the domain visualization in model uniaxial ferroelectrics of lithium niobate (LN) and lithium tantalate (LT) family, and relaxor strontium-barium niobate (SBN) have been reviewed in this paper. We have demonstrated the synergetic effect of joint usage of optical, confocal Raman, and piezoelectric force microscopies which provide extracting of the unique information about formation of the micro- and nanodomain structures. The methods have been applied for investigation of various types of domain structures with increasing complexity: (1) periodical domain structure in LN and LT, (2) nanodomain structures in LN, LT, and SBN, (3)more » nanodomain structures in LN with modified surface layer, (4) dendrite domain structure in LN. The self-assembled appearance of quasi-regular nanodomain structures in highly non-equilibrium switching conditions has been considered.« less

Process Research On Polycrystalline Silicon Material (PROPSM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Culik, J. S.; Wohlgemuth, J. H.

1982-01-01

Performance limiting mechanisms in polycrystalline silicon are investigated by fabricating a matrix of solar cells of various thicknesses from polycrystalline silicon wafers of several bulk resistivities. The analysis of the results for the entire matrix indicates that bulk recombination is the dominant factor limiting the short circuit current in large grain (greater than 1 to 2 mm diameter) polycrystalline silicon, the same mechanism that limits the short circuit current in single crystal silicon. An experiment to investigate the limiting mechanisms of open circuit voltage and fill factor for large grain polycrystalline silicon is designed. Two process sequences to fabricate small cells are investigated.

Thermal effects in high-power CW second harmonic generation in Mg-doped stoichiometric lithium tantalate.

PubMed

Tovstonog, Sergey V; Kurimura, Sunao; Suzuki, Ikue; Takeno, Kohei; Moriwaki, Shigenori; Ohmae, Noriaki; Mio, Norikatsu; Katagai, Toshio

2008-07-21

We investigated thermal behaviors of single-pass second-harmonic generation of continuous wave green radiation with high efficiency by quasi-phase matching in periodically poled Mg-doped stoichiometric lithium tantalate (PPMgSLT). Heat generation turned out to be directly related to the green light absorption in the material. Strong relation between an upper limit of the second harmonic power and confocal parameter was found. Single-pass second-harmonic generation of 16.1 W green power was achieved with 17.6% efficiency in Mg:SLT at room temperature.

Lithium niobate single-crystal and photo-functional device

DOEpatents

Gopalan, Venkatraman; Mitchell, Terrence E.; Kitamura, Kenji; Furukawa, Yasunori

2001-01-01

Provided are lithium niobate single-crystal that requires a low voltage of not larger than 10 kV/nm for its ferroelectric polarization inversion and of which the polarization can be periodically inverted with accuracy even at such a low voltage, and a photo-functional device comprising the crystal. The crystal has a molar fraction of Li.sub.2 O/(Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5 +Li.sub.2 O) of falling between 0.49 and 0.52. The photo-functional device can convert a laser ray being incident thereon.

Alignment nature of ZnO nanowires grown on polished and nanoscale etched lithium niobate surface through self-seeding thermal evaporation method

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

Mohanan, Ajay Achath; Parthiban, R.; Ramakrishnan, N., E-mail: ramakrishnan@monash.edu

Highlights: • ZnO nanowires were grown directly on LiNbO{sub 3} surface for the first time by thermal evaporation. • Self-alignment of the nanowires due to step bunching of LiNbO{sub 3} surface is observed. • Increased roughness in surface defects promoted well-aligned growth of nanowires. • Well-aligned growth was then replicated in 50 nm deep trenches on the surface. • Study opens novel pathway for patterned growth of ZnO nanowires on LiNbO{sub 3} surface. - Abstract: High aspect ratio catalyst-free ZnO nanowires were directly synthesized on lithium niobate substrate for the first time through thermal evaporation method without the use ofmore » a buffer layer or the conventional pre-deposited ZnO seed layer. As-grown ZnO nanowires exhibited a crisscross aligned growth pattern due to step bunching of the polished lithium niobate surface during the nanowire growth process. On the contrary, scratches on the surface and edges of the substrate produced well-aligned ZnO nanowires in these defect regions due to high surface roughness. Thus, the crisscross aligned nature of high aspect ratio nanowire growth on the lithium niobate surface can be changed to well-aligned growth through controlled etching of the surface, which is further verified through reactive-ion etching of lithium niobate. The investigations and discussion in the present work will provide novel pathway for self-seeded patterned growth of well-aligned ZnO nanowires on lithium niobate based micro devices.« less

Recrystallization of polycrystalline silicon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lall, C.; Kulkarni, S. B.; Graham, C. D., Jr.; Pope, D. P.

1981-01-01

Optical metallography is used to investigate the recrystallization properties of polycrystalline semiconductor-grade silicon. It is found that polycrystalline silicon recrystallizes at 1380 C in relatively short times, provided that the prior deformation is greater than 30%. For a prior deformation of about 40%, the recrystallization process is essentially complete in about 30 minutes. Silicon recrystallizes at a substantially slower rate than metals at equivalent homologous temperatures. The recrystallized grain size is insensitive to the amount of prestrain for strains in the range of 10-50%.

Bridgman growth of lead potassium niobate crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Shiji; Sun, Renying; Lin, Yafang; Wu, Jindi

1999-03-01

Lead potassium niobate Pb 2KNb 5O 15 (PKN) crystals with tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) structure have been grown by the modified Bridgman (BR) method. Nearly sealed Pt crucibles and small temperature gradients in the Bridgman furnace can limit volatilization of PbO and cracking of as-grown PKN crystals. Transparent PKN crystals of 1 inch diameter by ˜2 inch length with brownish color have been grown successfully at a crucible lowering rate <0.5 mm/h and a temperature gradient of 10-15°C/cm across the solid-liquid interface. Coupling between twins and growth directions of the crystal is also discussed.

Electric field tuning of magnetism in heterostructure of yttrium iron garnet film/lead magnesium niobate-lead zirconate titanate ceramic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lian, Jianyun; Ponchel, Freddy; Tiercelin, Nicolas; Chen, Ying; Rémiens, Denis; Lasri, Tuami; Wang, Genshui; Pernod, Philippe; Zhang, Wenbin; Dong, Xianlin

2018-04-01

In this paper, the converse magnetoelectric (CME) effect by electric field tuning of magnetization in an original heterostructure composed of a polycrystalline yttrium iron garnet (YIG) film and a lead magnesium niobate-lead zirconate titanate (PMN-PZT) ceramic is presented. The magnetic performances of the YIG films with different thicknesses under a DC electric field applied to the PMN-PZT ceramics and a bias magnetic field are investigated. All the magnetization-electric field curves are found to be in good agreement with the butterfly like strain curve of the PMN-PZT ceramic. Both the sharp deformation of about 2.5‰ of PMN-PZT and the easy magnetization switching of YIG are proposed to be the reasons for the strongest CME interaction in the composite at the small electric coercive field of PMN-PZT (4.1 kV/cm) and the small magnetic coercive field of YIG (20 Oe) where the magnetic susceptibility reaches its maximum value. A remarkable CME coefficient of 3.1 × 10-7 s/m is obtained in the system with a 600 nm-thick YIG film. This heterostructure combining multiferroics and partially magnetized ferrite concepts is able to operate under a small or even in the absence of an external bias magnetic field and is more compact and power efficient than the traditional magnetoelectric devices.

Semiconductor neutron detector

DOEpatents

Ianakiev, Kiril D [Los Alamos, NM; Littlewood, Peter B [Cambridge, GB; Blagoev, Krastan B [Arlington, VA; Swinhoe, Martyn T [Los Alamos, NM; Smith, James L [Los Alamos, NM; Sullivan, Clair J [Los Alamos, NM; Alexandrov, Boian S [Los Alamos, NM; Lashley, Jason Charles [Santa Fe, NM

2011-03-08

A neutron detector has a compound of lithium in a single crystal form as a neutron sensor element. The lithium compound, containing improved charge transport properties, is either lithium niobate or lithium tantalate. The sensor element is in direct contact with a monitor that detects an electric current. A signal proportional to the electric current is produced and is calibrated to indicate the neutrons sensed. The neutron detector is particularly useful for detecting neutrons in a radiation environment. Such radiation environment may, e.g. include gamma radiation and noise.

Periodic domain inversion in x-cut single-crystal lithium niobate thin film

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

Mackwitz, P., E-mail: peterm@mail.upb.de; Rüsing, M.; Berth, G.

2016-04-11

We report the fabrication of periodically poled domain patterns in x-cut lithium niobate thin-film. Here, thin films on insulator have drawn particular attention due to their intrinsic waveguiding properties offering high mode confinement and smaller devices compared to in-diffused waveguides in bulk material. In contrast to z-cut thin film lithium niobate, the x-cut geometry does not require back electrodes for poling. Further, the x-cut geometry grants direct access to the largest nonlinear and electro-optical tensor element, which overall promises smaller devices. The domain inversion was realized via electric field poling utilizing deposited aluminum top electrodes on a stack of LNmore » thin film/SiO{sub 2} layer/Bulk LN, which were patterned by optical lithography. The periodic domain inversion was verified by non-invasive confocal second harmonic microscopy. Our results show domain patterns in accordance to the electrode mask layout. The second harmonic signatures can be interpreted in terms of spatially, overlapping domain filaments which start their growth on the +z side.« less

Effect of the structure and mechanical properties of the near-surface layer of lithium niobate single crystals on the manufacture of integrated optic circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sosunov, A. V.; Ponomarev, R. S.; Yur'ev, V. A.; Volyntsev, A. B.

2017-01-01

This paper shows that the near-surface layer of a lithium niobate single layer 15 μm in depth is essentially different from the rest of the volume of the material from the standpoint of composition, structure, and mechanical properties. The pointed out differences are due to the effect of cutting, polishing, and smoothing of the lithium niobate plates, which increase the density of point defects and dislocations. The increasing density of the structural defects leads to uncontrollable changes in the conditions of the formations of waveguides and the drifting of characteristics of integrated optical circuits. The results obtained are very important for the manufacture of lithium niobate based integrated optical circuits.

Reduced Dimensionality Lithium Niobate Microsystems

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

Eichenfield, Matt

2017-01-01

The following report describes work performed under the LDRD program at Sandia National Laboratories October 2014 and September 2016. The work presented demonstrates the ability of Sandia Labs to develop state-of-the-art photonic devices based on thin film lithium niobate (LiNbO 3 ). Section 1 provides an introduction to integrated LiNbO 3 devices and motivation for developing thin film nonlinear optical systems. Section 2 describes the design, fabrication, and photonic performance of thin film optical microdisks fabricated from bulk LiNbO 3 using a bulk implantation method developed at Sandia. Sections 3 and 4 describe the development of similar thin film LiNbOmore » 3 structures fabricated from LiNbO 3 on insulator (LNOI) substrates and our demonstration of optical frequency conversion with state-of-the-art efficiency. Finally, Section 5 describes similar microdisk resonators fabricated from LNOI wafers with a buried metal layer, in which we demonstrate electro-optic modulation.« less

Analysis of the defect clusters in congruent lithium tantalate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vyalikh, Anastasia; Zschornak, Matthias; Köhler, Thomas; Nentwich, Melanie; Weigel, Tina; Hanzig, Juliane; Zaripov, Ruslan; Vavilova, Evgenia; Gemming, Sibylle; Brendler, Erica; Meyer, Dirk C.

2018-01-01

A wide range of technological applications of lithium tantalate (LT) is closely related to the defect chemistry. In literature, several intrinsic defect models have been proposed. Here, using a combinational approach based on DFT and solid-state NMR, we demonstrate that distribution of electric field gradients (EFGs) can be employed as a fingerprint of a specific defect configuration. Analyzing the distribution of 7Li EFGs, the FT-IR and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra, and the 7Li spin-lattice relaxation behavior, we have found that the congruent LT samples provided by two manufacturers show rather different defect concentrations and distributions although both were grown by the Czochralski method. After thermal treatment hydrogen out-diffusion and homogeneous distribution of other defects have been observed by ESR, NMR, and FT-IR. The defect structure in one of two congruent LT crystals after annealing has been identified and proved by defect formation energy considerations, whereas the more complex defect configuration, including the presence of extrinsic defects, has been suggested for the other LT sample. The approach of searching the EFG fingerprints from DFT calculations in NMR spectra can be applied for identifying the defect clusters in other complex oxides.

Modelling heat conduction in polycrystalline hexagonal boron-nitride films

PubMed Central

Mortazavi, Bohayra; Pereira, Luiz Felipe C.; Jiang, Jin-Wu; Rabczuk, Timon

2015-01-01

We conducted extensive molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the thermal conductivity of polycrystalline hexagonal boron-nitride (h-BN) films. To this aim, we constructed large atomistic models of polycrystalline h-BN sheets with random and uniform grain configuration. By performing equilibrium molecular dynamics (EMD) simulations, we investigated the influence of the average grain size on the thermal conductivity of polycrystalline h-BN films at various temperatures. Using the EMD results, we constructed finite element models of polycrystalline h-BN sheets to probe the thermal conductivity of samples with larger grain sizes. Our multiscale investigations not only provide a general viewpoint regarding the heat conduction in h-BN films but also propose that polycrystalline h-BN sheets present high thermal conductivity comparable to monocrystalline sheets. PMID:26286820

Process Research on Polycrystalline Silicon Material (PROPSM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Culik, J. S.

1983-01-01

The performance limiting mechanisms in large grain (greater than 1-2 mm in diameter) polycrystalline silicon was investigated by measuring the illuminated current voltage (I-V) characteristics of the minicell wafer set. The average short circuit current on different wafers is 3 to 14 percent lower than that of single crystal Czochralski silicon. The scatter was typically less than 3 percent. The average open circuit voltage is 20 to 60 mV less than that of single crystal silicon. The scatter in the open circuit voltage of most of the polycrystalline silicon wafers was 15 to 20 mV, although two wafers had significantly greater scatter than this value. The fill factor of both polycrystalline and single crystal silicon cells was typically in the range of 60 to 70 percent; however several polycrystalline silicon wafers have fill factor averages which are somewhat lower and have a significantly larger degree of scatter.

Photovoltaic Cell Having A P-Type Polycrystalline Layer With Large Crystals

DOEpatents

Albright, Scot P.; Chamberlin, Rhodes R.

1996-03-26

A photovoltaic cell has an n-type polycrystalline layer and a p-type polycrystalline layer adjoining the n-type polycrystalline layer to form a photovoltaic junction. The p-type polycrystalline layer comprises a substantially planar layer portion having relatively large crystals adjoining the n-type polycrystalline layer. The planar layer portion includes oxidized impurities which contribute to obtainment of p-type electrical properties in the planar layer portion.

Graphene electrodes for lithium-niobate electro-optic devices.

PubMed

Chang, Zeshan; Jin, Wei; Chiang, Kin Seng

2018-04-15

We propose and demonstrate the use of graphene electrodes for lithium-niobate electro-optic (EO) devices to exempt the need of incorporating a buffer layer between the waveguide and the electrodes. Using graphene electrodes, our experimental mode converter, based on an EO-generated long-period grating in a LiNbO 3 waveguide, shows a reduction in the half-π voltage by almost three times, compared with the conventional electrode design using metal. With the buffer layer exempted, the device fabrication process is also significantly simplified. The use of graphene electrodes is an effective approach to enhancing the efficiency of EO devices and, at the same time, reducing their fabrication cost.

Surface acoustic waves in acoustic superlattice lithium niobate coated with a waveguide layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, G. Y.; Du, J. K.; Huang, B.; Jin, Y. A.; Xu, M. H.

2017-04-01

The effects of the waveguide layer on the band structure of Rayleigh waves are studied in this work based on a one-dimensional acoustic superlattice lithium niobate substrate coated with a waveguide layer. The present phononic structure is formed by the periodic domain-inverted single crystal that is the Z-cut lithium niobate substrate with a waveguide layer on the upper surface. The plane wave expansion method (PWE) is adopted to determine the band gap behavior of the phononic structure and validated by the finite element method (FEM). The FEM is also used to investigate the transmission of Rayleigh waves in the phononic structure with the interdigital transducers by means of the commercial package COMSOL. The results show that, although there is a homogeneous waveguide layer on the surface, the band gap of Rayleigh waves still exist. It is also found that increasing the thickness of the waveguide layer, the band width narrows and the band structure shifts to lower frequency. The present approach can be taken as an efficient tool in designing of phononic structures with waveguide layer.

Photo-induced morphological winding and unwinding motion of nanoscrolls composed of niobate nanosheets with a polyfluoroalkyl azobenzene derivative

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nabetani, Yu; Takamura, Hazuki; Uchikoshi, Akino; Hassan, Syed Zahid; Shimada, Tetsuya; Takagi, Shinsuke; Tachibana, Hiroshi; Masui, Dai; Tong, Zhiwei; Inoue, Haruo

2016-06-01

Photo-responsive nanoscrolls can be successfully fabricated by mixing a polyfluoroalkyl azobenzene derivative and a niobate nanosheet, which is exfoliated from potassium hexaniobate. In this study, we have found that the photo-responsive nanoscroll shows a morphological motion of winding and unwinding, which is basically due to the nanosheet sliding within the nanoscroll, by efficient photo-isomerization reactions of the intercalated azobenzene in addition to the interlayer distance change of the nanoscrolls. The relative nanosheet sliding of the nanoscroll is estimated to be ca. 280 nm from the AFM morphology analysis. The distance of the sliding motion is over 20 times that of the averaged nanosheet sliding in the azobenzene/niobate hybrid film reported previously. Photo-responsive nanoscrolls can be expected to be novel photo-activated actuators and artificial muscle model materials.Photo-responsive nanoscrolls can be successfully fabricated by mixing a polyfluoroalkyl azobenzene derivative and a niobate nanosheet, which is exfoliated from potassium hexaniobate. In this study, we have found that the photo-responsive nanoscroll shows a morphological motion of winding and unwinding, which is basically due to the nanosheet sliding within the nanoscroll, by efficient photo-isomerization reactions of the intercalated azobenzene in addition to the interlayer distance change of the nanoscrolls. The relative nanosheet sliding of the nanoscroll is estimated to be ca. 280 nm from the AFM morphology analysis. The distance of the sliding motion is over 20 times that of the averaged nanosheet sliding in the azobenzene/niobate hybrid film reported previously. Photo-responsive nanoscrolls can be expected to be novel photo-activated actuators and artificial muscle model materials. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Fig. S1. Photo-isomerization reaction of nanoscrolls. See DOI: 10.1039/c6nr02177h

Potassium Sodium Niobate-Based Lead-Free Piezoelectric Multilayer Ceramics Co-Fired with Nickel Electrodes.

PubMed

Kawada, Shinichiro; Hayashi, Hiroyuki; Ishii, Hideki; Kimura, Masahiko; Ando, Akira; Omiya, Suetake; Kubodera, Noriyuki

2015-11-03

Although lead-free piezoelectric ceramics have been extensively studied, many problems must still be overcome before they are suitable for practical use. One of the main problems is fabricating a multilayer structure, and one solution attracting growing interest is the use of lead-free multilayer piezoelectric ceramics. The paper reviews work that has been done by the authors on lead-free alkali niobate-based multilayer piezoelectric ceramics co-fired with nickel inner electrodes. Nickel inner electrodes have many advantages, such as high electromigration resistance, high interfacial strength with ceramics, and greater cost effectiveness than silver palladium inner electrodes. However, widely used lead zirconate titanate-based ceramics cannot be co-fired with nickel inner electrodes, and silver palladium inner electrodes are usually used for lead zirconate titanate-based piezoelectric ceramics. A possible alternative is lead-free ceramics co-fired with nickel inner electrodes. We have thus been developing lead-free alkali niobate-based multilayer ceramics co-fired with nickel inner electrodes. The normalized electric-field-induced thickness strain ( S max / E max ) of a representative alkali niobate-based multilayer ceramic structure with nickel inner electrodes was 360 pm/V, where S max denotes the maximum strain and E max denotes the maximum electric field. This value is about half that for the lead zirconate titanate-based ceramics that are widely used. However, a comparable value can be obtained by stacking more ceramic layers with smaller thicknesses. In the paper, the compositional design and process used to co-fire lead-free ceramics with nickel inner electrodes are introduced, and their piezoelectric properties and reliabilities are shown. Recent advances are introduced, and future development is discussed.

Potassium Sodium Niobate-Based Lead-Free Piezoelectric Multilayer Ceramics Co-Fired with Nickel Electrodes

PubMed Central

Kawada, Shinichiro; Hayashi, Hiroyuki; Ishii, Hideki; Kimura, Masahiko; Ando, Akira; Omiya, Suetake; Kubodera, Noriyuki

2015-01-01

Although lead-free piezoelectric ceramics have been extensively studied, many problems must still be overcome before they are suitable for practical use. One of the main problems is fabricating a multilayer structure, and one solution attracting growing interest is the use of lead-free multilayer piezoelectric ceramics. The paper reviews work that has been done by the authors on lead-free alkali niobate-based multilayer piezoelectric ceramics co-fired with nickel inner electrodes. Nickel inner electrodes have many advantages, such as high electromigration resistance, high interfacial strength with ceramics, and greater cost effectiveness than silver palladium inner electrodes. However, widely used lead zirconate titanate-based ceramics cannot be co-fired with nickel inner electrodes, and silver palladium inner electrodes are usually used for lead zirconate titanate-based piezoelectric ceramics. A possible alternative is lead-free ceramics co-fired with nickel inner electrodes. We have thus been developing lead-free alkali niobate-based multilayer ceramics co-fired with nickel inner electrodes. The normalized electric-field-induced thickness strain (Smax/Emax) of a representative alkali niobate-based multilayer ceramic structure with nickel inner electrodes was 360 pm/V, where Smax denotes the maximum strain and Emax denotes the maximum electric field. This value is about half that for the lead zirconate titanate-based ceramics that are widely used. However, a comparable value can be obtained by stacking more ceramic layers with smaller thicknesses. In the paper, the compositional design and process used to co-fire lead-free ceramics with nickel inner electrodes are introduced, and their piezoelectric properties and reliabilities are shown. Recent advances are introduced, and future development is discussed. PMID:28793646

Heterogeneous microring and Mach-Zehnder modulators based on lithium niobate and chalcogenide glasses on silicon

DOE PAGES

Rao, Ashutosh; Patil, Aniket; Chiles, Jeff; ...

2015-08-20

In this study, thin films of lithium niobate are wafer bonded onto silicon substrates and rib-loaded with a chalcogenide glass, Ge 23Sb 7S 70, to demonstrate strongly confined single-mode submicron waveguides, microring modulators, and Mach-Zehnder modulators in the telecom C band. The 200 μm radii microring modulators present 1.2 dB/cm waveguide propagation loss, 1.2 × 10 5 quality factor, 0.4 GHz/V tuning rate, and 13 dB extinction ratio. The 6 mm long Mach-Zehnder modulators have a half-wave voltage-length product of 3.8 V.cm and an extinction ratio of 15 dB. The demonstrated work is a key step towards enabling wafer scalemore » dense on-chip integration of high performance lithium niobate electro-optical devices on silicon for short reach optical interconnects and higher order advanced modulation schemes.« less

Heterogeneous microring and Mach-Zehnder modulators based on lithium niobate and chalcogenide glasses on silicon

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

Rao, Ashutosh; Patil, Aniket; Chiles, Jeff

In this study, thin films of lithium niobate are wafer bonded onto silicon substrates and rib-loaded with a chalcogenide glass, Ge 23Sb 7S 70, to demonstrate strongly confined single-mode submicron waveguides, microring modulators, and Mach-Zehnder modulators in the telecom C band. The 200 μm radii microring modulators present 1.2 dB/cm waveguide propagation loss, 1.2 × 10 5 quality factor, 0.4 GHz/V tuning rate, and 13 dB extinction ratio. The 6 mm long Mach-Zehnder modulators have a half-wave voltage-length product of 3.8 V.cm and an extinction ratio of 15 dB. The demonstrated work is a key step towards enabling wafer scalemore » dense on-chip integration of high performance lithium niobate electro-optical devices on silicon for short reach optical interconnects and higher order advanced modulation schemes.« less

Steering Charge Kinetics of Tin Niobate Photocatalysts: Key Roles of Phase Structure and Electronic Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Shushu; Wang, Chunyan; Sun, Hao; Wang, Xiaojing; Su, Yiguo

2018-05-01

Tin niobate photocatalysts with the phase structures of froodite (SnNb2O6) and pyrochlore (Sn2Nb2O7) were obtained by a facile solvothermal method in order to explore the impact of phase structure and electronic structure on the charge kinetics and photocatalytic performance. By employing tin niobate as a model compound, the effects of phase structure over electronic structure, photocatalytic activity toward methyl orange solution and hydrogen evolution were systematically investigated. It is found that the variation of phase structure from SnNb2O6 to Sn2Nb2O7 accompanied with modulation of particle size and band edge potentials that has great consequences on photocatalytic performance. In combination with the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), transient photocurrent responses, transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS), and the analysis of the charge-carrier dynamics suggested that variation of electronic structure has great impacts on the charge separation and transfer rate of tin niobate photocatalysts and the subsequent photocatalytic performance. Moreover, the results of the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the existent of Sn4+ species in Sn2Nb2O7 could result in a decrease in photocatalytic activity. Photocatalytic test demonstrated that the SnNb2O6 (froodite) catalyst possesses a higher photocatalytic activity toward MO degradation and H2 evolution compared with the sample of Sn2Nb2O7 (pyrochlore). On the basis of spin resonance measurement and trapping experiment, it is expected that photogenerated holes, O2 -•, and OH• active species dominate the photodegradation of methyl orange.

Steering Charge Kinetics of Tin Niobate Photocatalysts: Key Roles of Phase Structure and Electronic Structure.

PubMed

Huang, Shushu; Wang, Chunyan; Sun, Hao; Wang, Xiaojing; Su, Yiguo

2018-05-23

Tin niobate photocatalysts with the phase structures of froodite (SnNb 2 O 6 ) and pyrochlore (Sn 2 Nb 2 O 7 ) were obtained by a facile solvothermal method in order to explore the impact of phase structure and electronic structure on the charge kinetics and photocatalytic performance. By employing tin niobate as a model compound, the effects of phase structure over electronic structure, photocatalytic activity toward methyl orange solution and hydrogen evolution were systematically investigated. It is found that the variation of phase structure from SnNb 2 O 6 to Sn 2 Nb 2 O 7 accompanied with modulation of particle size and band edge potentials that has great consequences on photocatalytic performance. In combination with the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), transient photocurrent responses, transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS), and the analysis of the charge-carrier dynamics suggested that variation of electronic structure has great impacts on the charge separation and transfer rate of tin niobate photocatalysts and the subsequent photocatalytic performance. Moreover, the results of the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the existent of Sn 4+ species in Sn 2 Nb 2 O 7 could result in a decrease in photocatalytic activity. Photocatalytic test demonstrated that the SnNb 2 O 6 (froodite) catalyst possesses a higher photocatalytic activity toward MO degradation and H 2 evolution compared with the sample of Sn 2 Nb 2 O 7 (pyrochlore). On the basis of spin resonance measurement and trapping experiment, it is expected that photogenerated holes, O 2 -• , and OH • active species dominate the photodegradation of methyl orange.

Li Storage of Calcium Niobates for Lithium Ion Batteries.

PubMed

Yim, Haena; Yu, Seung-Ho; Yoo, So Yeon; Sung, Yung-Eun; Choi, Ji-Won

2015-10-01

New types of niobates negative electrode were studied for using in lithium-ion batteries in order to alternate metallic lithium anodes. The potassium intercalated compound KCa2Nb3O10 and proton intercalated compound HCa2Nb3O10 were studied, and the electrochemical results showed a reversible cyclic voltammetry profile with acceptable discharge capacity. The as-prepared KCa2Nb3O10 negative electrode had a low discharge capacity caused by high overpotential, but the reversible intercalation and deintercalation reaction of lithium ions was activated after exchanging H+ ions for intercalated K+ ions. The initial discharge capacity of HCa2Nb3O10 was 54.2 mAh/g with 92.1% of coulombic efficiency, compared with 10.4 mAh/g with 70.2% of coulombic efficiency for KCa2Nb3O10 at 1 C rate. The improved electrochemical performance of the HCa2Nb3O10 was related to the lower bonding energy between proton cation and perovskite layer, which facilitate Li+ ions intercalating into the cation site, unlike potassium cation and perovskite layer. Also, this negative material can be easily exfoliated to Ca2Nb3O10 layer by using cation exchange process. Then, obtained two-dimensional nanosheets layer, which recently expected to be an advanced electrode material because of its flexibility, chemical stable, and thin film fabricable, can allow Li+ ions to diffuse between the each perovskite layer. Therefore, this new type layered perovskite niobates can be used not only bulk-type lithium ion batteries but also thin film batteries as a negative material.

Process for utilizing low-cost graphite substrates for polycrystalline solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chu, T. L. (Inventor)

1978-01-01

Low cost polycrystalline silicon solar cells supported on substrates were prepared by depositing successive layers of polycrystalline silicon containing appropriate dopants over supporting substrates of a member selected from the group consisting of metallurgical grade polycrystalline silicon, graphite and steel coated with a diffusion barrier of silica, borosilicate, phosphosilicate, or mixtures thereof such that p-n junction devices were formed which effectively convert solar energy to electrical energy. To improve the conversion efficiency of the polycrystalline silicon solar cells, the crystallite size in the silicon was substantially increased by melting and solidifying a base layer of polycrystalline silicon before depositing the layers which form the p-n junction.

Synthesis of N-doped potassium tantalate perovskite material for environmental applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rao, Martha Purnachander; Nandhini, Vellangattupalayam Ponnusamy; Wu, Jerry J.; Syed, Asad; Ameen, Fuad; Anandan, Sambandam

2018-02-01

Nitrogen containing potassium tantalate perovskite material has been synthesized by the solvothermal method using urea (CH4N2O) as a nitrogen source. The as-prepared sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The particle size of nitrogen containing KTaO3 observed from SEM images was found to be 100-150 nm. Doping KTaO3 with nitrogen causes reduction of band gap from 3.5 to 2.54 eV. The incorporation of Nitrogen into the crystal lattice of KTaO3 not only extended the absorption of light from UV (ultraviolet) region to visible region and also enhanced the photocatalytic activity. As prepared nitrogen containing KTaO3 samples exhibit cubic-like morphology and noticed efficient photocatalytic activity towards methylene blue dye degradation under visible light illumination. The intermediates formed during photodegradation were identified by mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and proposed suitable degradation pathway.

Investigation of enhanced forward and backward anti-stokes Raman signals in lithium niobate waveguides

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

Li, Da; Hong, Pengda; Ding, Yujie J., E-mail: yding300@gmail.com

2015-07-07

We have observed enhancements of the anti-Stokes Raman signals generated in lithium niobate waveguides in the forward and backward configurations by at least one order of magnitude under the pump power of the microwatt level. These output signals were measured using a single photon detector. The forward and backward propagating anti-Stokes signals exhibited different spectral features.

Process Research of Polycrystalline Silicon Material (PROPSM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Culik, J. S.

1984-01-01

A passivation process (hydrogenation) that will improve the power generation of solar cells fabricated from presently produced, large grain, cast polycrystalline silicon (Semix), a potentially low cost material are developed. The first objective is to verify the operation of a DC plasma hydrogenation system and to investigate the effect of hydrogen on the electrical performance of a variety of polycrystalline silicon solar cells. The second objective is to parameterize and optimize a hydrogenation process for cast polycrystalline silicon, and will include a process sensitivity analysis. The sample preparation for the first phase is outlined. The hydrogenation system is described, and some early results that were obtained using the hydrogenation system without a plasma are summarized. Light beam induced current (LBIC) measurements of minicell samples, and their correlation to dark current voltage characteristics, are discussed.

Atomistic modeling of mechanical properties of polycrystalline graphene.

PubMed

Mortazavi, Bohayra; Cuniberti, Gianaurelio

2014-05-30

We performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the mechanical properties of polycrystalline graphene. By constructing molecular models of ultra-fine-grained graphene structures, we studied the effect of different grain sizes of 1-10 nm on the mechanical response of graphene. We found that the elastic modulus and tensile strength of polycrystalline graphene decrease with decreasing grain size. The calculated mechanical proprieties for pristine and polycrystalline graphene sheets are found to be in agreement with experimental results in the literature. Our MD results suggest that the ultra-fine-grained graphene structures can show ultrahigh tensile strength and elastic modulus values that are very close to those of pristine graphene sheets.

First-principles study on phase transition and ferroelectricity in lithium niobate and tantalate

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

Toyoura, Kazuaki, E-mail: toyoura@numse.nagoya-u.ac.jp; Ohta, Masataka; Nakamura, Atsutomo

2015-08-14

The phase transitions and ferroelectricity of LiNbO{sub 3} and LiTaO{sub 3} have been investigated theoretically from first principles. The phonon analyses and the molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the ferroelectric phase transition is not conventional displacive type but order-disorder type with strong correlation between cation displacements. According to the evaluated potential energy surfaces around the paraelectric structures, the large difference in ferroelectricity between the two oxides results from the little difference in short-range interionic interaction between Nb-O and Ta-O. As the results of the crystal orbital overlap population analyses, the different short-range interaction originates from the difference in covalency betweenmore » Nb4d-O2p and Ta5d-O2p orbitals, particularly d{sub xz}-p{sub x}/d{sub yz}-p{sub y} orbitals (π orbitals), from the electronic point of view.« less

First-principles study on phase transition and ferroelectricity in lithium niobate and tantalate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toyoura, Kazuaki; Ohta, Masataka; Nakamura, Atsutomo; Matsunaga, Katsuyuki

2015-08-01

The phase transitions and ferroelectricity of LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 have been investigated theoretically from first principles. The phonon analyses and the molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the ferroelectric phase transition is not conventional displacive type but order-disorder type with strong correlation between cation displacements. According to the evaluated potential energy surfaces around the paraelectric structures, the large difference in ferroelectricity between the two oxides results from the little difference in short-range interionic interaction between Nb-O and Ta-O. As the results of the crystal orbital overlap population analyses, the different short-range interaction originates from the difference in covalency between Nb4d-O2p and Ta5d-O2p orbitals, particularly dxz-px/dyz-py orbitals (π orbitals), from the electronic point of view.

Glass-Like Thermal Conductivity of (010)-Textured Lanthanum-Doped Strontium Niobate Synthesized with Wet Chemical Deposition

DOE PAGES

Foley, Brian M.; Brown-Shaklee, Harlan J.; Campion, Michael J.; ...

2014-11-08

We have measured the cross-plane thermal conductivity (κ) of (010)-textured, undoped, and lanthanum-doped strontium niobate (Sr 2-xLa xNb 2O 7-δ) thin films via time-domain thermoreflectance. Then the thin films were deposited on (001)-oriented SrTiO 3 substrates via the highly-scalable technique of chemical solution deposition. We find that both film thickness and lanthanum doping have little effect on κ, suggesting that there is a more dominant phonon scattering mechanism present in the system; namely the weak interlayer-bonding along the b-axis in the Sr 2Nb 2O 7 parent structure. We also compare our experimental results with two variations of the minimum-limit modelmore » for κ and discuss the nature of transport in material systems with weakly-bonded layers. The low cross-plane κ of these scalably-fabricated films is comparable to that of similarly layered niobate structures grown epitaxially.« less

Cavity-dumped femtosecond optical parametric oscillator based on periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, E.; Joo, T.

2016-03-01

A synchronously pumped cavity-dumped femtosecond optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on a periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate (PPSLT) crystal is reported. The OPO runs in positive group velocity dispersion (GVD) mode to deliver high pulse energy at high repetition rate. It delivers pulse energy over 130 nJ up to 500 kHz and 70 nJ at 1 MHz of repetition rate at 1100 nm. Pulse duration is as short as 42 fs, and the OPO is tunable in the near infrared region from 1050 to 1200 nm. Dispersion property of the OPO was also explored. The cavity-dumped output carries a positive GVD, which can be compensated easily by an external prism pair, and large negative third order dispersion (TOD), which results in a pedestal in the pulse shape. Approaches to obtain clean pulse shape by reducing the large TOD are proposed.

Mono or polycrystalline alumina-modified hybrid ceramics.

PubMed

Kaizer, Marina R; Gonçalves, Ana Paula R; Soares, Priscilla B F; Zhang, Yu; Cesar, Paulo F; Cava, Sergio S; Moraes, Rafael R

2016-03-01

This study evaluated the effect of addition of alumina particles (polycrystalline or monocrystalline), with or without silica coating, on the optical and mechanical properties of a porcelain. Groups tested were: control (C), polycrystalline alumina (PA), polycrystalline alumina-silica (PAS), monocrystalline alumina (MA), monocrystalline alumina-silica (MAS). Polycrystalline alumina powder was synthesized using a polymeric precursor method; a commercially available monocrystalline alumina powder (sapphire) was acquired. Silica coating was obtained by immersing alumina powders in a tetraethylorthosilicate solution, followed by heat-treatment. Electrostatic stable suspension method was used to ensure homogenous dispersion of the alumina particles within the porcelain powder. The ceramic specimens were obtained by heat-pressing. Microstructure, translucency parameter, contrast ratio, opalescence index, porosity, biaxial flexural strength, roughness, and elastic constants were characterized. A better interaction between glass matrix and silica coated crystalline particles is suggested in some analyses, yet further investigation is needed to confirm it. The materials did not present significant differences in biaxial flexural strength, due to the presence of higher porosity in the groups with alumina addition. Elastic modulus was higher for MA and MAS groups. Also, these were the groups with optical qualities and roughness closer to control. The PA and PAS groups were considerably more opaque as well as rougher. Porcelains with addition of monocrystalline particles presented superior esthetic qualities compared to those with polycrystalline particles. In order to eliminate the porosity in the ceramic materials investigated herein, processing parameters need to be optimized as well as different glass frites should be tested. Copyright © 2015 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Surface properties of atomically flat poly-crystalline SrTiO3

PubMed Central

Woo, Sungmin; Jeong, Hoidong; Lee, Sang A.; Seo, Hosung; Lacotte, Morgane; David, Adrian; Kim, Hyun You; Prellier, Wilfrid; Kim, Yunseok; Choi, Woo Seok

2015-01-01

Comparison between single- and the poly-crystalline structures provides essential information on the role of long-range translational symmetry and grain boundaries. In particular, by comparing single- and poly-crystalline transition metal oxides (TMOs), one can study intriguing physical phenomena such as electronic and ionic conduction at the grain boundaries, phonon propagation, and various domain properties. In order to make an accurate comparison, however, both single- and poly-crystalline samples should have the same quality, e.g., stoichiometry, crystallinity, thickness, etc. Here, by studying the surface properties of atomically flat poly-crystalline SrTiO3 (STO), we propose an approach to simultaneously fabricate both single- and poly-crystalline epitaxial TMO thin films on STO substrates. In order to grow TMOs epitaxially with atomic precision, an atomically flat, single-terminated surface of the substrate is a prerequisite. We first examined (100), (110), and (111) oriented single-crystalline STO surfaces, which required different annealing conditions to achieve atomically flat surfaces, depending on the surface energy. A poly-crystalline STO surface was then prepared at the optimum condition for which all the domains with different crystallographic orientations could be successfully flattened. Based on our atomically flat poly-crystalline STO substrates, we envision expansion of the studies regarding the TMO domains and grain boundaries. PMID:25744275

Radiation-damage-assisted ferroelectric domain structuring in magnesium-doped lithium niobate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jentjens, L.; Peithmann, K.; Maier, K.; Steigerwald, H.; Jungk, T.

2009-06-01

Irradiation of 5% magnesium-doped lithium niobate crystals (LiNbO3:Mg) with high-energy, low-mass 3He ions, which are transmitted through the crystal, changes the domain reversal properties of the material. This enables easier domain engineering compared to non-irradiated material and assists the formation of small-sized periodically poled domains in LiNbO3:Mg. Periodic domain structures exhibiting a width of ≈520 nm are obtained in radiation-damaged sections of the crystals. The ferroelectric poling behavior between irradiated and non-treated material is compared.

Pulsed laser deposition of lithium niobate thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Canale, L.; Girault-Di Bin, C.; Cosset, F.; Bessaudou, A.; Celerier, A.; Decossas, J.-Louis; Vareille, J.-C.

2000-12-01

Pulsed laser deposition of Lithium Niobate thin films onto sapphire (0001) substrates is reported. Thin films composition and structure have been determined using Rutherford Backscattermg Spectroscopy (RBS) and X-ray diffraction ( XRD) experiments. The influe:nce of deposition parameters such as substrate temperature, oxygen pressure and target to substrate distance on the composition and the structure of the films has been studied. Deposition temperature is found to be an important parameter which enables us to grow LiNbO3 films without the Li deficient phase LiNb3O8. Nearly stoichiometric thin fihns have been obtained for an oxygen pressure of 0. 1 Ton and a substrate temperature of 800°C. Under optimized conditions the (001) preferential orientation of growth, suitable for most optical applications, has been obtained.

Ferroelasticity in the LnNbO/sub 4/-type rare earth niobates

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

Brixner, L.H.; Whitney, J.F.; Zumsteg, F.C.

1977-01-01

The previously reported phase transitions for the isostructural rare earth niobates between 500/sup 0/C and 850/sup 0/C correspond to a point group transformation 4/mF2/m, which is purely ferroelastic. The correct room temperature point group for all LnNbO/sub 4/ compounds is 2/m. Crystal growth and domain wall behavior is discussed for LaNbO/sub 4/. The high temperature phase transition is described for YbNbO/sub 4/.

Mechanisms limiting the performance of large grain polycrystalline silicon solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Culik, J. S.; Alexander, P.; Dumas, K. A.; Wohlgemuth, J. W.

1984-01-01

The open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current of large-grain (1 to 10 mm grain diameter) polycrystalline silicon solar cells is determined by the minority-carrier diffusion length within the bulk of the grains. This was demonstrated by irradiating polycrystalline and single-crystal (Czochralski) silicon solar cells with 1 MeV electrons to reduce their bulk lifetime. The variation of short-circuit current with minority-carrier diffusion length for the polycrystalline solar cells is identical to that of the single-crystal solar cells. The open-circuit voltage versus short-circuit current characteristic of the polycrystalline solar cells for reduced diffusion lengths is also identical to that of the single-crystal solar cells. The open-circuit voltage of the polycrystalline solar cells is a strong function of quasi-neutral (bulk) recombination, and is reduced only slightly, if at all, by grain-boundary recombination.

Design of pseudorandom binary sequence generator using lithium-niobate-based Mach-Zehnder interferometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choudhary, Kuldeep; Kumar, Santosh

2017-05-01

The application of electro-optic effect in lithium-niobate-based Mach-Zehnder interferometer to design a 3-bit optical pseudorandom binary sequence (PRBS) generator has been proposed, which is characterized by its simplicity of generation and stability. The proposed device is optoelectronic in nature. The PBRS generator is immensely applicable for pattern generation, encryption, and coding applications in optical networks. The study is carried out by simulating the proposed device with beam propagation method.

Compact high-power red-green-blue laser light source generation from a single lithium tantalate with cascaded domain modulation.

PubMed

Xu, P; Zhao, L N; Lv, X J; Lu, J; Yuan, Y; Zhao, G; Zhu, S N

2009-06-08

1W quasi-white-light source has been generated from a single lithium tantalate with cascaded domain modulation. The quasi-white-light is combined by proper proportion of the red, green and blue laser light. The red and the blue result from a compact self-sum frequency optical parametric oscillation when pumped by a single green laser. The efficiency of quasi-white-light from the green pump reaches 27%. This compact design can be employed not only as a stable and powerful RGB light source but also an effective blue laser generator.

Investigation of Ferroelectric Domain Walls by Raman Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stone, Gregory A.

Ferroelectric materials are characterized by an intrinsic spontaneous electric dipole moment that can be manipulated by the application of an electric field. Regions inside the crystal, known as domains, can have the spontaneous dipole moments oriented in a different direction than the surrounding crystal. Due to favorable piezoelectric, pyroelectric, electro-optic, and nonlinear optical properties, ferroelectric materials are attractive for commercial applications. Many devices, such as nonlinear frequency converters, require precisely engineered domain patterns. The properties of domains and their boundaries, known as domain walls, are vital to the performance and limitations of these devices. As a result, ferroelectric domains and the domain walls have been the focus of many scientific studies. Despite all this work, questions remain regarding their properties. This work is aimed at developing a better understanding of the properties of the domain wall using confocal Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra taken from domain walls in Lithium Niobate and Lithium Tantalate reveal two distinct changes in the Raman spectra: (1) Shifts in frequency of the bulk Raman modes, which persists over a range of 0.2-0.5 mu m from the domain wall. The absence of this effect in defect free stoichiometric Lithium Tantalate indicates that the shifts are related to defects inside the crystal. (2) The presence of Raman modes corresponding to phonons propagating orthogonal to the laser beam axis, which are not collected in the bulk crystal. The phonons also preferential propagate normal to the domain wall. These modes are detected up to 0.35 mum from the domain wall. The observation and separation of these effects was made possible by the optimized spatial resolution (0.23 mum) of a home-built scanning confocal microscope and the fact that degeneracy of the transverse and longitudinal phonon polarization is lifted by polar phonons in Lithium Niobate and Lithium Tantalate. Raman

Polycrystalline semiconductor processing

DOEpatents

Glaeser, Andreas M.; Haggerty, John S.; Danforth, Stephen C.

1983-01-01

A process for forming large-grain polycrystalline films from amorphous films for use as photovoltaic devices. The process operates on the amorphous film and uses the driving force inherent to the transition from the amorphous state to the crystalline state as the force which drives the grain growth process. The resultant polycrystalline film is characterized by a grain size that is greater than the thickness of the film. A thin amorphous film is deposited on a substrate. The formation of a plurality of crystalline embryos is induced in the amorphous film at predetermined spaced apart locations and nucleation is inhibited elsewhere in the film. The crystalline embryos are caused to grow in the amorphous film, without further nucleation occurring in the film, until the growth of the embryos is halted by imgingement on adjacently growing embryos. The process is applicable to both batch and continuous processing techniques. In either type of process, the thin amorphous film is sequentially doped with p and n type dopants. Doping is effected either before or after the formation and growth of the crystalline embryos in the amorphous film, or during a continuously proceeding crystallization step.

Polycrystalline semiconductor processing

DOEpatents

Glaeser, A.M.; Haggerty, J.S.; Danforth, S.C.

1983-04-05

A process is described for forming large-grain polycrystalline films from amorphous films for use as photovoltaic devices. The process operates on the amorphous film and uses the driving force inherent to the transition from the amorphous state to the crystalline state as the force which drives the grain growth process. The resultant polycrystalline film is characterized by a grain size that is greater than the thickness of the film. A thin amorphous film is deposited on a substrate. The formation of a plurality of crystalline embryos is induced in the amorphous film at predetermined spaced apart locations and nucleation is inhibited elsewhere in the film. The crystalline embryos are caused to grow in the amorphous film, without further nucleation occurring in the film, until the growth of the embryos is halted by impingement on adjacently growing embryos. The process is applicable to both batch and continuous processing techniques. In either type of process, the thin amorphous film is sequentially doped with p and n type dopants. Doping is effected either before or after the formation and growth of the crystalline embryos in the amorphous film, or during a continuously proceeding crystallization step. 10 figs.

Noiseless optical amplification in quasi-phase-matched bulk lithium niobate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lovering, D. J.; Levenson, J. A.; Vidakovic, P.; Webjörn, J.; Russell, P. St. J.

1996-09-01

An optical parametric amplifier (OPA) has been demonstrated in bulk, periodically poled lithium niobate and is shown to operate with a noise figure well below the classical limit. In contrast to conventional OPA's, this device uses quasi-phase matching to provide the coupling between the pump and the signal. Comparison of the measured performance with that of a theoretical model reveals that the main intrinsic contribution to the output noise is due to spatial and temporal mode mixing, which arises as a consequence of tight focusing of the incident beams. Factors that affect the performance of this amplifier are identified theoretically and their relative importance investigated for both amplification and squeezing.

Design of nano-groove photonic crystal cavities in lithium niobate.

PubMed

Li, Yihang; Wang, Cheng; Loncar, Marko

2015-06-15

We propose a novel design of photonic-crystal nanobeam cavities in lithium niobate (LN) for both TE and TM modes, addressing problems associated with tilted sidewalls, which commonly result from dry etching. Using optimized periodical nano-groove structures, the proposed devices could achieve quality factors as high as 3.9×10(6) with a modal volume of 5.0 (λ/n)3. We also show that such a design is promising for applications in nonlinear optics by theoretically predicting the efficiencies for electro-optic modulation and second-harmonic generation. The proposed nano-groove structures and design rules could also be applied for other material platforms that possess tilted sidewalls.

Shock induced spall fracture in polycrystalline copper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukherjee, D.; Rav, Amit; Sur, Amit; Joshi, K. D.; Gupta, Satish C.

2014-04-01

The plate impact experiments have been conducted on commercially available 99.99% pure polycrystalline samples of copper using single stage gas gun facility. The free surface velocity history of the sample plate measured using VISAR instrument is utilized to determine the dynamic yield strength and spall strength of copper. The dynamic yield strength and spall strength of polycrystalline copper sample has been determined to be 0.14 GPa and 1.32 GPa, respectively with corresponding strain rates of the order of 104/s.

INTEGRATED AND FIBER OPTICS: Threshold of photoinduced conversion of the polarization of radiation in lithium niobate optical waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kazanskiĭ, P. G.

1989-02-01

A threshold of photoinduced conversion of an ordinary wave into an extraordinary one was discovered for lithium niobate optical waveguides. The threshold intensity of the radiation was determined for waveguides prepared under different conditions. The experimental results were compared with theoretical estimates.

Generation of tunable narrow-band surface-emitted terahertz radiation in periodically poled lithium niobate.

PubMed

Weiss, C; Torosyan, G; Avetisyan, Y; Beigang, R

2001-04-15

Generation of tunable narrow-band terahertz (THz) radiation perpendicular to the surface of periodically poled lithium niobate by optical rectification of femtosecond pulses is reported. The generated THz radiation can be tuned by use of different poling periods and different observation angles, limited only by the available bandwidth of the pump pulse. Typical bandwidths were 50-100 GHz, depending on the collection angle and the number of periods involved.

Porosity Dependence of Piezoelectric Properties for Porous Potassium Niobate System Ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wada, S.; Mase, Y.; Shimizu, S.; Maeda, K.; Fujii, I.; Nakashima, K.; Pulpan, P.; Miyajima, N.

2011-10-01

Porous potassium niobate (KNbO3, KN) system ceramics were prepared by a conventional sintering method using carbon black (CB) nanoparticles. First, KN nanoparticles with a size of 100 nm was mixed with CB nanoparticles and binder using ball milling with ethanol. The mixture was dried, and pressed into pellets using uniaxial pressing. After binder burnout, these ceramics was sintered in air. Their piezoelectric properties were measured and discussed a relationship between porosity and piezoelectric properties. As the results, with increasing porosity, piezoelectric g33 constant increased significantly, which suggested that porous ceramics were effective for stress sensor application.

Laser scattering induced holograms in lithium niobate. [observation of diffraction cones

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Magnusson, R.; Gaylord, T. K.

1974-01-01

A 3.0-mm thick poled single crystal of lithium niobate doped with 0.1 mole% iron was exposed to a single beam and then to two intersecting beams of an argon ion laser operating at 515-nm wavelength. Laser scattering induced holograms were thus written and analyzed. The presence of diffraction cones was observed and is shown to result from the internally recorded interference pattern resulting from the interference of the original incident laser beam with light scattered from material inhomogeneities. This phenomenon is analyzed using Ewald sphere construction techniques which reveal the geometrical relationships existing for the diffraction cones.

Polycrystalline silicon study: Low-cost silicon refining technology prospects and semiconductor-grade polycrystalline silicon availability through 1988

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Costogue, E. N.; Ferber, R.; Lutwack, R.; Lorenz, J. H.; Pellin, R.

1984-01-01

Photovoltaic arrays that convert solar energy into electrical energy can become a cost effective bulk energy generation alternative, provided that an adequate supply of low cost materials is available. One of the key requirements for economic photovoltaic cells is reasonably priced silicon. At present, the photovoltaic industry is dependent upon polycrystalline silicon refined by the Siemens process primarily for integrated circuits, power devices, and discrete semiconductor devices. This dependency is expected to continue until the DOE sponsored low cost silicon refining technology developments have matured to the point where they are in commercial use. The photovoltaic industry can then develop its own source of supply. Silicon material availability and market pricing projections through 1988 are updated based on data collected early in 1984. The silicon refining industry plans to meet the increasing demands of the semiconductor device and photovoltaic product industries are overviewed. In addition, the DOE sponsored technology research for producing low cost polycrystalline silicon, probabilistic cost analysis for the two most promising production processes for achieving the DOE cost goals, and the impacts of the DOE photovoltaics program silicon refining research upon the commercial polycrystalline silicon refining industry are addressed.

Reflection second harmonic generation on a z -cut congruent lithium niobate crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sono, T. J.; Scott, J. G.; Sones, C. L.; Valdivia, C. E.; Mailis, S.; Eason, R. W.; Frey, J. G.; Danos, L.

2006-11-01

Reflection second harmonic generation experiments were performed on z -cut congruent lithium niobate crystals (LiNbO3) to reveal the interfacial layer symmetry as the crystal is rotated around the z axis. To suppress the bulk contribution, the fundamental wavelength was selected to be 532nm , resulting in second harmonic generation at a wavelength within the absorption region of the crystal. The polarity of the direction of the y -axis was determined from second harmonic generation data and used to show that this direction also inverts during domain inversion.

Fabrication and performance of porous lithium sodium potassium niobate ceramic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Caifeng; Zhu, Yuan; Ji, Jun; Cai, Feixiang; Zhang, Youming; Zhang, Ningyi; Wang, Andong

2018-02-01

Porous lithium sodium potassium niobate (LNK) ceramic has excellent piezoelectric properties, chemical stability and great chemical compatibility. It has a good application potential in the field of biological bone substitute. In the paper, porous LNK ceramic was fabricated with egg albumen foaming agent by foaming method. Effects of preparation process of the porous LNK ceramic on density, phase structure, hole size and piezoelectric properties were researched and characterized. The results show that the influence factors of LNK solid content and foaming agent addition are closely relevant to properties of the porous LNK ceramic. When solid content is 65% and foaming agent addition is 30%, the porous LNK ceramic has uniform holes and the best piezoelectric properties.

Bond energy prediction of Curie temperature of lithium niobate crystals.

PubMed

Zhang, Xu; Xue, Dongfeng

2007-03-15

A general expression of the Curie temperature (Tc) and spontaneous polarization (Ps) of lithium niobate (LN) crystals is energetically proposed by employing the viewpoint of the bond energy of constituent chemical bonds within the LN crystallographic frame. The calculated Tc values of various pure and doped LN crystals are in a good agreement with those reported data. Ps values of these LN crystals can also be quantitatively estimated in this work. It is found that the Li site is a sensitive lattice position to dominate the ferroelectricity of LN crystals. This novel method provides us a good understanding of ferroelectric behaviors of LN crystals, which may be applicable to the estimation of ferroelectric behaviors of LN-type solids.

On the failure load and mechanism of polycrystalline graphene by nanoindentation

PubMed Central

Sha, Z. D.; Wan, Q.; Pei, Q. X.; Quek, S. S.; Liu, Z. S.; Zhang, Y. W.; Shenoy, V. B.

2014-01-01

Nanoindentation has been recently used to measure the mechanical properties of polycrystalline graphene. However, the measured failure loads are found to be scattered widely and vary from lab to lab. We perform molecular dynamics simulations of nanoindentation on polycrystalline graphene at different sites including grain center, grain boundary (GB), GB triple junction, and holes. Depending on the relative position between the indenter tip and defects, significant scattering in failure load is observed. This scattering is found to arise from a combination of the non-uniform stress state, varied and weakened strengths of different defects, and the relative location between the indenter tip and the defects in polycrystalline graphene. Consequently, the failure behavior of polycrystalline graphene by nanoindentation is critically dependent on the indentation site, and is thus distinct from uniaxial tensile loading. Our work highlights the importance of the interaction between the indentation tip and defects, and the need to explicitly consider the defect characteristics at and near the indentation site in polycrystalline graphene during nanoindentation. PMID:25500732

Macroscopic damping model for structural dynamics with random polycrystalline configurations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yantao; Cui, Junzhi; Yu, Yifan; Xiang, Meizhen

2018-06-01

In this paper the macroscopic damping model for dynamical behavior of the structures with random polycrystalline configurations at micro-nano scales is established. First, the global motion equation of a crystal is decomposed into a set of motion equations with independent single degree of freedom (SDOF) along normal discrete modes, and then damping behavior is introduced into each SDOF motion. Through the interpolation of discrete modes, the continuous representation of damping effects for the crystal is obtained. Second, from energy conservation law the expression of the damping coefficient is derived, and the approximate formula of damping coefficient is given. Next, the continuous damping coefficient for polycrystalline cluster is expressed, the continuous dynamical equation with damping term is obtained, and then the concrete damping coefficients for a polycrystalline Cu sample are shown. Finally, by using statistical two-scale homogenization method, the macroscopic homogenized dynamical equation containing damping term for the structures with random polycrystalline configurations at micro-nano scales is set up.

Highly Doped Polycrystalline Silicon Microelectrodes Reduce Noise in Neuronal Recordings In Vivo

PubMed Central

Saha, Rajarshi; Jackson, Nathan; Patel, Chetan; Muthuswamy, Jit

2013-01-01

The aims of this study are to 1) experimentally validate for the first time the nonlinear current-potential characteristics of bulk doped polycrystalline silicon in the small amplitude voltage regimes (0–200 μV) and 2) test if noise amplitudes (0–15 μV) from single neuronal electrical recordings get selectively attenuated in doped polycrystalline silicon microelectrodes due to the above property. In highly doped polycrystalline silicon, bulk resistances of several hundred kilo-ohms were experimentally measured for voltages typical of noise amplitudes and 9–10 kΩ for voltages typical of neural signal amplitudes (>150–200 μV). Acute multiunit measurements and noise measurements were made in n = 6 and n = 8 anesthetized adult rats, respectively, using polycrystalline silicon and tungsten microelectrodes. There was no significant difference in the peak-to-peak amplitudes of action potentials recorded from either microelectrode (p > 0.10). However, noise power in the recordings from tungsten microelectrodes (26.36 ± 10.13 pW) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the corresponding value in polycrystalline silicon microelectrodes (7.49 ± 2.66 pW). We conclude that polycrystalline silicon microelectrodes result in selective attenuation of noise power in electrical recordings compared to tungsten microelectrodes. This reduction in noise compared to tungsten microelectrodes is likely due to the exponentially higher bulk resistances offered by highly doped bulk polycrystalline silicon in the range of voltages corresponding to noise in multiunit measurements. PMID:20667815

Structural control of In2Se3 polycrystalline thin films by molecular beam epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okamoto, T.; Nakada, Y.; Aoki, T.; Takaba, Y.; Yamada, A.; Konagai, M.

2006-09-01

Structural control of In2Se3 polycrystalline thin films was attempted by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) technique. In2Se3 polycrystalline films were obtained on glass substrates at substrate temperatures above 400 °C. VI/III ratio greatly affected crystal structure of In2Se3 polycrystalline films. Mixtures of -In2Se3 and γ-In2Se3 were obtained at VI/III ratios greater than 20, and layered InSe polycrystalline films were formed at VI/III ratios below 1. γ-In2Se3 polycrystalline thin films without α-phase were successfully deposited with VI/III ratios in a range of 2 to 4. Photocurrent spectra of the γ-In2Se3 polycrystalline films showed an abrupt increase at approximately 1.9 eV, which almost corresponds with the reported bandgap of γ-In2Se3. Dark conductivity and photoconductivity measured under solar simulator light (AM 1.5, 100 mW/cm2) were approximately 10-9 and 10-5 S/cm in the γ-In2Se3 polycrystalline thin films, respectively.

Process Research On Polycrystalline Silicon Material (PROPSM). [flat plate solar array project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Culik, J. S.

1983-01-01

The performance-limiting mechanisms in large-grain (greater than 1 to 2 mm in diameter) polycrystalline silicon solar cells were investigated by fabricating a matrix of 4 sq cm solar cells of various thickness from 10 cm x 10 cm polycrystalline silicon wafers of several bulk resistivities. Analysis of the illuminated I-V characteristics of these cells suggests that bulk recombination is the dominant factor limiting the short-circuit current. The average open-circuit voltage of the polycrystalline solar cells is 30 to 70 mV lower than that of co-processed single-crystal cells; the fill-factor is comparable. Both open-circuit voltage and fill-factor of the polycrystalline cells have substantial scatter that is not related to either thickness or resistivity. This implies that these characteristics are sensitive to an additional mechanism that is probably spatial in nature. A damage-gettering heat-treatment improved the minority-carrier diffusion length in low lifetime polycrystalline silicon, however, extended high temperature heat-treatment degraded the lifetime.

Effect of grain size on optical transmittance of birefringent polycrystalline ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Tzu-Chien

Polycrystalline ceramics are increasingly used for fabricating windows and domes for the mid infra-red regime (3-5 mum) due to their superior durability as compared to glass and the lower cost of their fabrication and finishing relative to single crystals without significant compromise in optical properties. Due to the noncubic structure, MgF2 and Al2O3 are birefringent ceramics. Birefringence causes scatter of light at the grain boundaries and diminishes in-line transmittance and optical performance. This dissertation presents experimental results and analyses of the grain-size and wavelength dependence of the in-line transmittance of polycrystalline MgF2 and Al2O3. Chapter 2 presents experimental results and analyses of light transmission in polycrystalline MgF2 as a function of the mean grain size at different wavelengths. The scattering coefficient of polycrystalline MgF 2 increased linearly with the mean grain size and inversely with the square of the wavelength of light. These trends are consistent with theoretical models based on both a limiting form of the Raleigh-Gans-Debye theory of particle scattering and light retardation theories that take refractive-index variations along the light path. Chapter 3 investigates the applicability of particle light scattering theories to light attenuation in birefringent polycrystalline ceramics by measuring light transmittance in a model two-phase system. The system consisted of microspheres of silica dispersed in a solution of glycerol in water. It was found that RGD theory showed the systematic deviation for higher particle volume fraction (φ > 0.2) and larger particle size (d p > 1 mum). This result suggested that light scattering models based on single particle scattering are unlikely to provide viable physical explanation for the effect of grain size on light transmittance in birefringent polycrystalline ceramics due to the high volume fraction in dense polycrystalline ceramics. Chapter 4 analyses light

Field induced polarization and magnetization behaviour of Gd-doped lead magnesium niobate ceramics

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

Pandey, Adityanarayan, E-mail: apandey@rrcat.gov.in, E-mail: padityanarayan5@gmail.com; Laser Materials Development and Devices Division, Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore – 452013; Gupta, Surya Mohan

2016-05-23

Both superparaelectric and superparamagnetic behaviour has been observed in rare earth magnetic ion Gd{sup 3+} doped Lead Magnesium Niobate (Gd-PMN). Field induced polarization and magnetization studies reveal hystresis loss free P-E and M-H loop at 300 K and 5 K, respectively. Temperature dependence of inverse susceptibility plot shows deviation at a temperature “t{sub d}” when fitted with the Curie-Weiss law. This deviation has been attributed to transition from paramagnetic to superparamagnetic behaviour as reported in amorphous Pd-Ni-Fe-P alloys.

A lithium niobate electro-optic tunable Bragg filter fabricated by electron beam lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pierno, L.; Dispenza, M.; Secchi, A.; Fiorello, A.; Foglietti, V.

2008-06-01

We have designed and fabricated a lithium niobate tunable Bragg filter patterned by electron beam lithography and etched by reactive ion etching. Devices with 1 mm, 2 mm and 4 mm length and 360 and 1080 nm Bragg period, with 5 pm V-1 tuning efficiency, have been characterized. Some applications were identified. Optical simulation based on finite element model (FEM) software showing the optical filtering curve and the coupling factor dependence on the manufacturing parameter is reported. The tuning of the filter window position is electro-optically controlled.

Coulometric Study of Rates of Oxalic Acid Adsorption at a Polycrystalline Platinum Electrode

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

Coulometric Study of Rates of Oxalic Acid Adsorption at a Polycrystalline Platinum Electrode by Sol Gilman ARL-TR-6165 September 2012...6165 September 2012 Coulometric Study of Rates of Oxalic Acid Adsorption at a Polycrystalline Platinum Electrode Sol Gilman Sensors and...3. DATES COVERED (From - To) 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Coulometric Study of Rates of Oxalic Acid Adsorption at a Polycrystalline Platinum Electrode

Enhanced magnetic and thermoelectric properties in epitaxial polycrystalline SrRuO3 thin films.

PubMed

Woo, Sungmin; Lee, Sang A; Mun, Hyeona; Choi, Young Gwan; Zhung, Chan June; Shin, Soohyeon; Lacotte, Morgane; David, Adrian; Prellier, Wilfrid; Park, Tuson; Kang, Won Nam; Lee, Jong Seok; Kim, Sung Wng; Choi, Woo Seok

2018-03-01

Transition metal oxide thin films show versatile electric, magnetic, and thermal properties which can be tailored by deliberately introducing macroscopic grain boundaries via polycrystalline solids. In this study, we focus on the modification of magnetic and thermal transport properties by fabricating single- and polycrystalline epitaxial SrRuO 3 thin films using pulsed laser epitaxy. Using the epitaxial stabilization technique with an atomically flat polycrystalline SrTiO 3 substrate, an epitaxial polycrystalline SrRuO 3 thin film with the crystalline quality of each grain comparable to that of its single-crystalline counterpart is realized. In particular, alleviated compressive strain near the grain boundaries due to coalescence is evidenced structurally, which induced the enhancement of ferromagnetic ordering of the polycrystalline epitaxial thin film. The structural variations associated with the grain boundaries further reduce the thermal conductivity without deteriorating the electronic transport, and lead to an enhanced thermoelectric efficiency in the epitaxial polycrystalline thin films, compared with their single-crystalline counterpart.

A new computer-aided simulation model for polycrystalline silicon film resistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ching-Yuan Wu; Weng-Dah Ken

1983-07-01

A general transport theory for the I-V characteristics of a polycrystalline film resistor has been derived by including the effects of carrier degeneracy, majority-carrier thermionic-diffusion across the space charge regions produced by carrier trapping in the grain boundaries, and quantum mechanical tunneling through the grain boundaries. Based on the derived transport theory, a new conduction model for the electrical resistivity of polycrystalline film resitors has been developed by incorporating the effects of carrier trapping and dopant segregation in the grain boundaries. Moreover, an empirical formula for the coefficient of the dopant-segregation effects has been proposed, which enables us to predict the dependence of the electrical resistivity of phosphorus-and arsenic-doped polycrystalline silicon films on thermal annealing temperature. Phosphorus-doped polycrystalline silicon resistors have been fabricated by using ion-implantation with doses ranged from 1.6 × 10 11 to 5 × 10 15/cm 2. The dependence of the electrical resistivity on doping concentration and temperature have been measured and shown to be in good agreement with the results of computer simulations. In addition, computer simulations for boron-and arsenic-doped polycrystalline silicon resistors have also been performed and shown to be consistent with the experimental results published by previous authors.

Periodically poled potassium niobate for second-harmonic generation at 463 nm.

PubMed

Meyn, J P; Klein, M E; Woll, D; Wallenstein, R; Rytz, D

1999-08-15

We report on the fabrication and characterization of quasi-phase-matched potassium niobate crystals for second-harmonic generation. Periodic 30-mum -pitch antiparallel ferroelectric domains are fabricated by means of poling in an electrical field. Both birefrigence and periodic phase shift of the generated second harmonic contribute to phase matching when the d(31) nonlinear optical tensor element is used. 3.8 mW of second-harmonic radiation at 463 nm is generated by frequency doubling of the output of master-oscillator power-amplifier diode laser in a 5-mm-long crystal. The measured effective nonlinear coefficient is 3.7pm/V. The measured spectral acceptance bandwidth of 0.25 nm corresponds to the theoretical value.

Polycrystalline silicon availability for photovoltaic and semiconductor industries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferber, R. R.; Costogue, E. N.; Pellin, R.

1982-01-01

Markets, applications, and production techniques for Siemens process-produced polycrystalline silicon are surveyed. It is noted that as of 1982 a total of six Si materials suppliers were servicing a worldwide total of over 1000 manufacturers of Si-based devices. Besides solar cells, the Si wafers are employed for thyristors, rectifiers, bipolar power transistors, and discrete components for control systems. An estimated 3890 metric tons of semiconductor-grade polycrystalline Si will be used in 1982, and 6200 metric tons by 1985. Although the amount is expected to nearly triple between 1982-89, research is being carried out on the formation of thin films and ribbons for solar cells, thereby eliminating the waste produced in slicing Czolchralski-grown crystals. The free-world Si production in 1982 is estimated to be 3050 metric tons. Various new technologies for the formation of polycrystalline Si at lower costs and with less waste are considered. New entries into the industrial Si formation field are projected to produce a 2000 metric ton excess by 1988.

Ultrashort pulse chirp measurement via transverse second-harmonic generation in strontium barium niobate crystal

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

Trull, J.; Wang, B.; Parra, A.

2015-06-01

Pulse compression in dispersive strontium barium niobate crystal with a random size and distribution of the anti-parallel orientated nonlinear domains is observed via transverse second harmonic generation. The dependence of the transverse width of the second harmonic trace along the propagation direction allows for the determination of the initial chirp and duration of pulses in the femtosecond regime. This technique permits a real-time analysis of the pulse evolution and facilitates fast in-situ correction of pulse chirp acquired in the propagation through an optical system.

Nondestructive method and apparatus for imaging grains in curved surfaces of polycrystalline articles

DOEpatents

Carpenter, Donald A.

1995-01-01

A nondestructive method, and associated apparatus, are provided for determining the grain flow of the grains in a convex curved, textured polycrystalline surface. The convex, curved surface of a polycrystalline article is aligned in a horizontal x-ray diffractometer and a monochromatic, converging x-ray beam is directed onto the curved surface of the polycrystalline article so that the converging x-ray beam is diffracted by crystallographic planes of the grains in the polycrystalline article. The diffracted x-ray beam is caused to pass through a set of horizontal, parallel slits to limit the height of the beam and thereafter. The linear intensity of the diffracted x-ray is measured, using a linear position sensitive proportional counter, as a function of position in a direction orthogonal to the counter so as to generate two dimensional data. An image of the grains in the curved surface of the polycrystalline article is provided based on the two-dimensional data.

Nondestructive method and apparatus for imaging grains in curved surfaces of polycrystalline articles

DOEpatents

Carpenter, D.A.

1995-05-23

A nondestructive method, and associated apparatus, are provided for determining the grain flow of the grains in a convex curved, textured polycrystalline surface. The convex, curved surface of a polycrystalline article is aligned in a horizontal x-ray diffractometer and a monochromatic, converging x-ray beam is directed onto the curved surface of the polycrystalline article so that the converging x-ray beam is diffracted by crystallographic planes of the grains in the polycrystalline article. The diffracted x-ray beam is caused to pass through a set of horizontal, parallel slits to limit the height of the beam and thereafter. The linear intensity of the diffracted x-ray is measured, using a linear position sensitive proportional counter, as a function of position in a direction orthogonal to the counter so as to generate two dimensional data. An image of the grains in the curved surface of the polycrystalline article is provided based on the two-dimensional data. 7 Figs.

Tailoring entanglement through domain engineering in a lithium niobate waveguide

PubMed Central

Ming, Yang; Tan, Ai-Hong; Wu, Zi-Jian; Chen, Zhao-Xian; Xu, Fei; Lu, Yan-Qing

2014-01-01

We propose to integrate the electro-optic (EO) tuning function into on-chip domain engineered lithium niobate (LN) waveguide. Due to the versatility of LN, both the spontaneously parametric down conversion (SPDC) and EO interaction could be realized simultaneously. Photon pairs are generated through SPDC, and the formation of entangled state is modulated by EO processes. An EO tunable polarization-entangled photon state is proposed. Orthogonally-polarized and parallel-polarized entanglements of photon pairs are instantly switchable by tuning the applied field. The characteristics of the source are theoretically investigated showing adjustable bandwidths and high entanglement degrees. Moreover, other kinds of reconfigurable entanglement are also achievable based on suitable domain-design. We believe tailoring entanglement based on domain engineering is a very promising solution for next generation function-integrated quantum circuits. PMID:24770555

Nanopores creation in boron and nitrogen doped polycrystalline graphene: A molecular dynamics study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izadifar, Mohammadreza; Abadi, Rouzbeh; Nezhad Shirazi, Ali Hossein; Alajlan, Naif; Rabczuk, Timon

2018-05-01

In the present paper, molecular dynamic simulations have been conducted to investigate the nanopores creation on 10% of boron and nitrogen doped polycrystalline graphene by silicon and diamond nanoclusters. Two types of nanoclusters based on silicon and diamond are used to investigate their effect for the fabrication of nanopores. Therefore, three different diameter sizes of the clusters with five kinetic energies of 10, 50, 100, 300 and 500 eV/atom at four different locations in boron or nitrogen doped polycrystalline graphene nanosheets have been perused. We also study the effect of 3% and 6% of boron doped polycrystalline graphene with the best outcome from 10% of doping. Our results reveal that the diamond cluster with diameter of 2 and 2.5 nm fabricates the largest nanopore areas on boron and nitrogen doped polycrystalline graphene, respectively. Furthermore, the kinetic energies of 10 and 50 eV/atom can not fabricate nanopores in some cases for silicon and diamond clusters on boron doped polycrystalline graphene nanosheets. On the other hand, silicon and diamond clusters fabricate nanopores for all locations and all tested energies on nitrogen doped polycrystalline graphene. The area sizes of nanopores fabricated by silicon and diamond clusters with diameter of 2 and 2.5 nm are close to the actual area size of the related clusters for the kinetic energy of 300 eV/atom in all locations on boron doped polycrystalline graphene. The maximum area and the average maximum area of nanopores are fabricated by the kinetic energy of 500 eV/atom inside the grain boundary at the center of the nanosheet and in the corner of nanosheet with diameters of 2 and 3 nm for silicon and diamond clusters on boron and nitrogen doped polycrystalline graphene.

Properties of barium strontium titanate and niobate nanoparticles produced in gas discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plyaka, Pavel; Kazaryan, Mishik; Pavlenko, Anatoly

2018-03-01

Dust particles produced in the gas-discharge plasma by barium-strontium titanate and niobate targets sputtering have been investigated in the paper. Particles shape, size and chemical composition were identified. It have been established by Raman scattering investigation and X-ray structure analysis that a part of the collected dust particles retained original crystal structure of the sputtering target. For electro-physical investigations two discs were formed by pressuring from produced particles, and electrodes were deposited on disc flat surface. Capacitance and dielectric loss temperature dependences measurement resulted in the frequency range proving the ferroelectric properties of assembled nanoparticles, similar to the sputtered material.

Read-write holographic memory with iron-doped lithium niobate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alphonse, G. A.; Phillips, W.

1975-01-01

The response of iron doped lithium niobate under conditions corresponding to hologram storage and retrieval is described, and the material's characteristics are discussed. The optical sensitivity can be improved by heavy chemical reduction of lightly doped crystals such that most of the iron is in the divalent state, the remaining part being trivalent. The best reduction process found to be reproducible so far is the anneal of the doped crystal in the presence of a salt such as lithium carbonate. It is shown by analysis and simulation that a page-oriented read-write holographic memory with 1,000 bits per page would have a cycle time of about 60 ms and a signal-to-noise ratio of 27 db. This cycle time, although still too long for a practical system, represents an improvement of two orders of magnitude over that of previous laboratory prototypes using different storage media.

Enantiomerically enriched, polycrystalline molecular sieves

DOE PAGES

Brand, Stephen K.; Schmidt, Joel E.; Deem, Michael W.; ...

2017-05-01

Zeolite and zeolite-like molecular sieves are being used in a large number of applications such as adsorption and catalysis. Achievement of the long-standing goal of creating a chiral, polycrystalline molecular sieve with bulk enantioenrichment would enable these materials to perform enantioselective functions. Here, we report the synthesis of enantiomerically enriched samples of a molecular sieve. For this study, enantiopure organic structure directing agents are designed with the assistance of computational methods and used to synthesize enantioenriched, polycrystalline molecular sieve samples of either enantiomer. Computational results correctly predicted which enantiomer is obtained, and enantiomeric enrichment is proven by high-resolution transmission electronmore » microscopy. The enantioenriched and racemic samples of the molecular sieves are tested as adsorbents and heterogeneous catalysts. The enantioenriched molecular sieves show enantioselectivity for the ring opening reaction of epoxides and enantioselective adsorption of 2-butanol (the R enantiomer of the molecular sieve shows opposite and approximately equal enantioselectivity compared with the S enantiomer of the molecular sieve, whereas the racemic sample of the molecular sieve shows no enantioselectivity).« less

Enantiomerically enriched, polycrystalline molecular sieves

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

Brand, Stephen K.; Schmidt, Joel E.; Deem, Michael W.

Zeolite and zeolite-like molecular sieves are being used in a large number of applications such as adsorption and catalysis. Achievement of the long-standing goal of creating a chiral, polycrystalline molecular sieve with bulk enantioenrichment would enable these materials to perform enantioselective functions. Here, we report the synthesis of enantiomerically enriched samples of a molecular sieve. For this study, enantiopure organic structure directing agents are designed with the assistance of computational methods and used to synthesize enantioenriched, polycrystalline molecular sieve samples of either enantiomer. Computational results correctly predicted which enantiomer is obtained, and enantiomeric enrichment is proven by high-resolution transmission electronmore » microscopy. The enantioenriched and racemic samples of the molecular sieves are tested as adsorbents and heterogeneous catalysts. The enantioenriched molecular sieves show enantioselectivity for the ring opening reaction of epoxides and enantioselective adsorption of 2-butanol (the R enantiomer of the molecular sieve shows opposite and approximately equal enantioselectivity compared with the S enantiomer of the molecular sieve, whereas the racemic sample of the molecular sieve shows no enantioselectivity).« less

Solid sampling determination of magnesium in lithium niobate crystals by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dravecz, Gabriella; Laczai, Nikoletta; Hajdara, Ivett; Bencs, László

2016-12-01

The vaporization/atomization processes of Mg in high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFAAS) were investigated by evaporating solid (powder) samples of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) optical single crystals doped with various amounts of Mg in a transversally heated graphite atomizer (THGA). Optimal analytical conditions were attained by using the Mg I 215.4353 nm secondary spectral line. An optimal pyrolysis temperature of 1500 °C was found for Mg, while the compromise atomization temperature in THGAs (2400 °C) was applied for analyte vaporization. The calibration was performed against solid (powered) lithium niobate crystal standards. The standards were prepared with exactly known Mg content via solid state fusion of the oxide components of the matrix and analyte. The correlation coefficient (R value) of the linear calibration was not worse than 0.9992. The calibration curves were linear in the dopant concentration range of interest (0.74-7.25 mg/g Mg), when dosing 3-10 mg of the powder samples into the graphite sample insertion boats. The Mg content of the studied 19 samples was in the range of 1.69-4.13 mg/g. The precision of the method was better than 6.3%. The accuracy of the results was verified by means of flame atomic absorption spectrometry with solution sample introduction after digestion of several crystal samples.

Ion irradiation effects on lithium niobate etalons for tunable spectral filters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garranzo, D.; Ibarmia, S.; Alvarez-Herrero, A.; Olivares, J.; Crespillo, M.; Díaz, M.

2017-11-01

, coupled with the HV field, could trigger a dielectric breakdown in the Lithium Niobate. In this paper we present the electro-optical results obtained when exposing a set of LN samples and a lowquality full size etalon to different radiation conditions. In a first irradiation campaign, performed at the Centre for Micro Analysis of Materials (CMAM-Madrid) facilities, we were mainly focused on the long-term degradation effects with a series of high flux (109 cm-2 s-1) proton tests at an energy of 10 MeV. In order to study the possibility of a single ion breakdown, a second campaign was carried out, at the Texas A&M University (TAMU), exposing Lithium Niobate to high LET ion species (78Kr, 40Ar, 129Xe, 197Au) accelerated to the GeV energy range to penetrate or even pass through the entire Lithium Niobate thickness.

Investigation of the cluster formation in lithium niobate crystals by computer modeling method

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

Voskresenskii, V. M.; Starodub, O. R., E-mail: ol-star@mail.ru; Sidorov, N. V.

The processes occurring upon the formation of energetically equilibrium oxygen-octahedral clusters in the ferroelectric phase of a stoichiometric lithium niobate (LiNbO{sub 3}) crystal have been investigated by the computer modeling method within the semiclassical atomistic model. An energetically favorable cluster size (at which a structure similar to that of a congruent crystal is organized) is shown to exist. A stoichiometric cluster cannot exist because of the electroneutrality loss. The most energetically favorable cluster is that with a Li/Nb ratio of about 0.945, a value close to the lithium-to-niobium ratio for a congruent crystal.

New ceramics containing dispersants for improved fracture toughness

DOEpatents

Nevitt, M.V.; Aldred, A.T.; Chan, Sai-Kit

1985-07-01

The invention is a ceramic composition containing a new class of dispersant for hindering crack propagation by means of one or more energy-dissipative mechanisms. The composition is composed of a ceramic matrix with dispersed particles of a transformation-prone rare-earth niobate, tantalate or mixtures of these with each other and/or with a rare-earth vanadate. The dispersants, having a generic composition tRBO/sub 4/, where R is a rare-earth element, B if Nb or Ta and O is oxygen, are mixed in powder form with a powder of the matrix ceramic and sintered to produce a ceramic form or body. The crack-hindering mechanisms operates to provide improved performance over a wide range of temperature and operating conditions.

Ceramics containing dispersants for improved fracture toughness

DOEpatents

Nevitt, Michael V.; Aldred, Anthony T.; Chan, Sai-Kit

1987-07-07

The invention is a ceramic composition containing a new class of dispersant for hindering crack propagation by means of one or more energy-dissipative mechanisms. The composition is composed of a ceramic matrix with dispersed particles of a transformation-prone rare-earth niobate, tantalate or mixtures of these with each other and/or with a rare-earth vanadate. The dispersants, having a generic composition tRMO.sub.4, where R is a rare-earth element, B is Nb or Ta and O is oxygen, are mixed in powder form with a powder of the matrix ceramic and sintered to produce a ceramic form or body. The crack-hindering mechanisms operates to provide improved performance over a wide range of temperature and operating conditions.

Ceramics containing dispersants for improved fracture toughness

DOEpatents

Nevitt, Michael V.; Aldred, Anthony T.; Chan, Sai-Kit

1987-01-01

The invention is a ceramic composition containing a new class of dispersant for hindering crack propagation by means of one or more energy-dissipative mechanisms. The composition is composed of a ceramic matrix with dispersed particles of a transformation-prone rare-earth niobate, tantalate or mixtures of these with each other and/or with a rare-earth vanadate. The dispersants, having a generic composition tRMO.sub.4, where R is a rare-earth element, B is Nb or Ta and O is oxygen, are mixed in powder form with a powder of the matrix ceramic and sintered to produce a ceramic form or body. The crack-hindering mechanisms operates to provide improved performance over a wide range of temperature and operating conditions.

Material electronic quality specifications for polycrystalline silicon wafers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalejs, J. P.

1994-06-01

As the use of polycrystalline silicon wafers has expanded in the photovoltaic industry, the need grows for monitoring and qualification techniques for as-grown material that can be used to optimize crystal growth and help predict solar cell performance. Particular needs are for obtaining quantitative measures over full wafer areas of the effects of lifetime limiting defects and of the lifetime upgrading taking place during solar cell processing. We review here the approaches being pursued in programs under way to develop material quality specifications for thin Edge-defined Film-fed Growth (EFG) polycrystalline silicon as-grown wafers. These studies involve collaborations between Mobil Solar, and NREL and university-based laboratories.

Lithium Niobate Whispering Gallery Resonators: Applications and Fundamental Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maleki, L.; Matsko, A. B.

Optical whispering gallery modes (WGMs) are closed circulating electromagnetic waves undergoing total internal reflection inside an axio-symmetric body of a transparent dielectric that forms a resonator. Radiative losses are negligible in these modes if the radius of the resonator exceeds several tens of wavelengths, and surface scattering losses can be made small with surface conditioning techniques. Thus, the quality factor (Q) in crystalline WGM resonators is limited by material losses that are, nevertheless, extremely small in optical materials. WGM resonators made of LiNbO3 have been successfully used in optics and microwave photonics. The resonators are characterized by narrow bandwidth, in the hundred kilohertz to gigahertz range. A proper choice of highly transparent and/or nonlinear resonator material, like lithium niobate, allows for realization of a number of high performance devices: tunable and multi-pole filters, resonant electro-optic modulators, photonic microwave receivers, opto-electronic microwave oscillators, and parametric frequency converters, among others.

Characterization of polycrystalline materials using synchrotron X-ray imaging and diffraction techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ludwig, W.; King, A.; Herbig, M.; Reischig, P.; Marrow, J.; Babout, L.; Lauridsen, E. M.; Proudhon, H.; Buffière, J. Y.

2010-12-01

The combination of synchrotron radiation x-ray imaging and diffraction techniques offers new possibilities for in-situ observation of deformation and damage mechanisms in the bulk of polycrystalline materials. Minute changes in electron density (i.e., cracks, porosities) can be detected using propagation based phase contrast imaging, a 3-D imaging mode exploiting the coherence properties of third generation synchrotron beams. Furthermore, for some classes of polycrystalline materials, one may use a 3-D variant of x-ray diffraction imaging, termed x-ray diffraction contrast tomography. X-ray diffraction contrast tomography provides access to the 3-D shape, orientation, and elastic strain state of the individual grains from polycrystalline sample volumes containing up to thousand grains. Combining both imaging modalities, one obtains a comprehensive description of the materials microstructure at the micrometer length scale. Repeated observation during (interrupted) mechanical tests provide unprecedented insight into crystallographic and grain microstructure related aspects of polycrystalline deformation and degradation mechanisms.

Mixed conduction and grain boundary effect in lithium niobate under high pressure

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

Wang, Qinglin; Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research, Changchun 130012; Liu, Cailong

2015-03-30

The charge transport behavior of lithium niobate has been investigated by in situ impedance measurement up to 40.6 GPa. The Li{sup +} ionic conduction plays a dominant role in the transport process. The relaxation process is described by the Maxwell-Wagner relaxation arising at the interfaces between grains and grain boundaries. The grain boundary microstructure rearranges after the phase transition, which improves the bulk dielectric performance. The theoretical calculations show that the decrease of bulk permittivity with increasing pressure in the Pnma phase is caused by the pressure-induced enhancement of electron localization around O atoms, which limits the polarization of Nb-O electricmore » dipoles.« less

Process Research on Polycrystalline Silicon Material (PROPSM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Culik, J. S.

1982-01-01

The investigation of the performance limiting mechanisms in large grain (greater than 1-2 mm in diameter) polycrystalline silicon was continued by fabricating a set of minicell wafers on a selection of 10 cm x 10 cm wafers. A minicell wafer consists of an array of small (approximately 0.2 sq cm in area) photodiodes which are isolated from one another by a mesa structure. The junction capacitance of each minicell was used to obtain the dopant concentration, and therefore the resistivity, as a function of position across each wafer. The results indicate that there is no significant variation in resistivity with position for any of the polycrystalline wafers, whether Semix or Wacker. However, the resistivity of Semix brick 71-01E did decrease slightly from bottom to top.

Strongly enhanced Rashba splittings in an oxide heterostructure: A tantalate monolayer on BaHfO 3

DOE PAGES

Kim, Minsung; Ihm, Jisoon; Chung, Suk Bum

2016-09-22

In the two-dimensional electron gas emerging at the transition metal oxide surface and interface, various exotic electronic ordering and topological phases can become experimentally more accessible with the stronger Rashba spin-orbit interaction. Here, we present a promising route to realize significant Rashba-type band splitting using a thin film heterostructure. Based on first-principles methods and analytic model analyses, a tantalate monolayer on BaHfO 3 is shown to host two-dimensional bands originating from Ta t 2g states with strong Rashba spin splittings, nearly 10% of the bandwidth, at both the band minima and saddle points. An important factor in this enhanced splittingmore » is the significant t 2g–e g interband coupling, which can generically arise when the inversion symmetry is maximally broken due to the strong confinement of the 2DEG on a transition metal oxide surface. Here, our results could be useful in realizing topological superconductivity at oxide surfaces.« less

Method for production of free-standing polycrystalline boron phosphide film

DOEpatents

Baughman, Richard J.; Ginley, David S.

1985-01-01

A process for producing a free-standing polycrystalline boron phosphide film comprises growing a film of boron phosphide in a vertical growth apparatus on a metal substrate. The metal substrate has a coefficient of thermal expansion sufficiently different from that of boron phosphide that the film separates cleanly from the substrate upon cooling thereof, and the substrate is preferably titanium. The invention also comprises a free-standing polycrystalline boron phosphide film for use in electronic device fabrication.

Optical 1's and 2's complement devices using lithium-niobate-based waveguide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pal, Amrindra; Kumar, Santosh; Sharma, Sandeep

2016-12-01

Optical 1's and 2's complement devices are proposed with the help of lithium-niobate-based Mach-Zehnder interferometers. It has a powerful capability of switching an optical signal from one port to the other port with the help of an electrical control signal. The paper includes the optical conversion scheme using sets of optical switches. 2's complement is common in computer systems and is used in binary subtraction and logical manipulation. The operation of the circuits is studied theoretically and analyzed through numerical simulations. The truth table of these complement methods is verified with the beam propagation method and MATLAB® simulation results.

A Novel Coupled Resonator Photonic Crystal Design in Lithium Niobate for Electrooptic Applications

DOE PAGES

Ozturk, Birol; Yavuzcetin, Ozgur; Sridhar, Srinivas

2015-01-01

High-aspect-ratio photonic crystal air-hole fabrication on bulk Lithium Niobate (LN) substrates is extremely difficult due to its inherent resistance to etching, resulting in conical structures and high insertion losses. Here, we propose a novel coupled resonator photonic crystal (CRPC) design, combining a coupled resonator approach with that of Bragg gratings. CRPC design parameters were optimized by analytical calculations and FDTD simulations. CRPC structures with optimized parameters were fabricated and electrooptically tested on bulk LN annealed proton exchange waveguides. Low insertion loss and large electrooptic effect were observed with the fabricated devices, making the CRPC design a promising structure for electroopticmore » device applications.« less

Complex dielectric properties of anhydrous polycrystalline glucose in the terahertz region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, P.; Liu, W.; Zou, Y.; Jia, Qiong Z.; Li, Jia Y.

2015-03-01

We utilized terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) to investigate the complex dielectric properties of solid polycrystalline material of anhydrous glucose (D-(+)-glucose with purity >99.9%). THz transmission spectra of samples were measured from 0.2 to 2.2 THz. The samples were prepared into tablets with thicknesses of 0.362, 0.447, 0.504, 0.522 and 0.626 mm, respectively. The imaginary part of the complex dielectric function of polycrystalline glucose showed that there were multiple characteristic absorption peaks at 1.232, 1.445, 1.522, 1.608, 1.811 and 1.987 THz, respectively. Moreover, for a given characteristic absorption peak, the real part of the complex dielectric function showed anomalous dispersion within the full width half maximum (FWHM) of the absorption peak. Both finite difference time-domain (FDTD) numerical simulations and experimental results showed that the complex dielectric function of anhydrous polycrystalline glucose fits well with the Lorentz dielectric mode. The plasma oscillation frequency was below the frequency of the light waves suggesting that the light waves passed through the polycrystalline glucose tablets. Calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) showed that the characteristic absorption peaks of polycrystalline glucose originated mainly from collective intermolecular vibrations such as hydrogen bonds and crystal phonon modes. The THz radiation can excite the vibrational or rotational energy levels of the biological macromolecules. This leads to changes in their spatial configuration or interactions. This study showed that THz-TDS has potential applications in biological and pharmaceutical research and food industry.

Lightwave Circuits in Lithium Niobate through Hybrid Waveguides with Silicon Photonics.

PubMed

Weigel, Peter O; Savanier, Marc; DeRose, Christopher T; Pomerene, Andrew T; Starbuck, Andrew L; Lentine, Anthony L; Stenger, Vincent; Mookherjea, Shayan

2016-03-01

We demonstrate a photonic waveguide technology based on a two-material core, in which light is controllably and repeatedly transferred back and forth between sub-micron thickness crystalline layers of Si and LN bonded to one another, where the former is patterned and the latter is not. In this way, the foundry-based wafer-scale fabrication technology for silicon photonics can be leveraged to form lithium-niobate based integrated optical devices. Using two different guided modes and an adiabatic mode transition between them, we demonstrate a set of building blocks such as waveguides, bends, and couplers which can be used to route light underneath an unpatterned slab of LN, as well as outside the LN-bonded region, thus enabling complex and compact lightwave circuits in LN alongside Si photonics with fabrication ease and low cost.

Multiwatt-level continuous-wave midwave infrared generation using difference frequency mixing in periodically poled MgO-doped lithium niobate.

PubMed

Guha, Shekhar; Barnes, Jacob O; Gonzalez, Leonel P

2014-09-01

Over 3.5 W of continuous-wave power at 3.4 μm was obtained by single-pass difference frequency mixing of 1.064 and 1.55 μm fiber lasers in a 5 cm long periodically poled lithium niobate crystal. Good agreement was obtained between the observed temperature dependence of the generated power and the prediction from focused Gaussian beam theory.

Design of optical seven-segment decoder using Pockel's effect inside lithium niobate-based waveguide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pal, Amrindra; Kumar, Santosh; Sharma, Sandeep

2017-01-01

Seven-segment decoder is a device that allows placing digital information from many inputs to many outputs optically, having 11 Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs) for their implementation. The layout of the circuit is implemented to fit the electrical method on an optical logic circuit based on the beam propagation method (BPM). Seven-segment decoder is proposed using electro-optic effect inside lithium niobate-based MZIs. MZI structures are able to switch an optical signal to a desired output port. It consists of a mathematical explanation about the proposed device. The BPM is also used to analyze the study.

Aperture scaling effects with monolithic periodically poled lithium niobate optical parametric oscillators and generators.

PubMed

Missey, M; Dominic, V; Powers, P; Schepler, K L

2000-02-15

We used elliptical beams to demonstrate aperture scaling effects in nanosecond single-grating and multigrating periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) monolithic optical parametric oscillators and generators. Increasing the cavity Fresnel number in single-grating crystals broadened both the beam divergence and the spectral bandwidth. Both effects are explained in terms of the phase-matching geometry. These effects are suppressed when a multigrating PPLN crystal is used because the individual gratings provide small effective subapertures. A flood-pumped multigrating optical parametric generator displayed a low output beam divergence and contained 19 pairs of signal and idler frequencies.

ATE-TM mode splitter on lithium niobate using Ti, Ni, and MgO diffusions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Pei-Kuen; Wang, Way-Seen

1994-02-01

A new TE-TM mode splitter with an asymmetric Y-junction structure fabricated by diffusing different materials into y-cut lithium niobate is presented. Randomly polarized light launched into a titanium indiffused waveguide is split into TE and TM modes by two different single-polarization waveguides. The ordinary-polarized waveguide is made by nickel indiffusion and the extraordinary-polarized waveguide by magnesium-oxide induced lithium outdiffusion. The measured extinction ratios are greater than 20 dB for both TE and TM modes. The devices operate over a wide wavelength range and have a large fabrication tolerance.

Structural, topographical and electrical properties of cerium doped strontium barium niobate (Ce:SBN60) ceramics

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

Raj, S. Gokul; Mathivanan, V.; Mohan, R.

2016-05-06

Tungsten bronze type cerium doped strontium barium niobate (Ce:SBN - Sr{sub 0.6}B{sub 0.4}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 6}) ceramics were synthesized by solid state process. Cerium was used as dopant to improve its electrical properties. Influence of Ce{sup +} ions on the photoluminescence properties was investigated in detail. The grain size topographical behavior of SBN powders and their associated abnormal grain growth (AGG) were completely analyzed through SEM studies. Finally dielectric, measurement discusses about the broad phase transition observed due to cerium dopant The results were discussed in detail.

Tuning characteristics of narrowband THz radiation generated via optical rectification in periodically poled lithium niobate.

PubMed

Weiss, C; Torosyan, G; Meyn, J P; Wallenstein, R; Beigang, R; Avetisyan, Y

2001-04-23

The tuning properties of pulsed narrowband THz radiation generated via optical rectification in periodically poled lithium niobate have been investigated. Using a disk-shaped periodically poled crystal tuning was easily accomplished by rotating the crystal around its axis and observing the generated THz radiation in forward direction. In this way no beam deflection during tuning was observed. The total tuning range extended from 180 GHz up to 830 GHz and was limited by the poling period of 127 microm which determines the maximum THz frequency in forward direction.

Polarization entangled cluster state generation in a lithium niobate chip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szep, Attila; Kim, Richard; Shin, Eunsung; Fanto, Michael L.; Osman, Joseph; Alsing, Paul M.

2016-10-01

We present a design of a quantum information processing C-phase (Controlled-phase) gate applicable for generating cluster states that has a form of integrated photonic circuits assembled with cascaded directional couplers on a Ti in-diffused Lithium Niobate (Ti-LN) platform where directional couplers as the integrated optical analogue of bulk beam splitters are used as fundamental building blocks. Based on experimentally optimized fabrication parameters of Ti-LN optical waveguides operating at an 810nm wavelength, an integrated Ti-LN quantum C-phase gate is designed and simulated. Our proposed C-phase gate consists of three tunable directional couplers cascaded together with having different weighted switching ratios for providing a tool of routing vertically- and horizontally-polarized photons independently. Its operation mechanism relies on selectively controlling the optical coupling of orthogonally polarized modes via the change in the index of refraction, and its operation is confirmed by the BPM simulation.

Oxygen-aided synthesis of polycrystalline graphene on silicon dioxide substrates.

PubMed

Chen, Jianyi; Wen, Yugeng; Guo, Yunlong; Wu, Bin; Huang, Liping; Xue, Yunzhou; Geng, Dechao; Wang, Dong; Yu, Gui; Liu, Yunqi

2011-11-09

We report the metal-catalyst-free synthesis of high-quality polycrystalline graphene on dielectric substrates [silicon dioxide (SiO(2)) or quartz] using an oxygen-aided chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The growth was carried out using a CVD system at atmospheric pressure. After high-temperature activation of the growth substrates in air, high-quality polycrystalline graphene is subsequently grown on SiO(2) by utilizing the oxygen-based nucleation sites. The growth mechanism is analogous to that of growth for single-walled carbon nanotubes. Graphene-modified SiO(2) substrates can be directly used in transparent conducting films and field-effect devices. The carrier mobilities are about 531 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) in air and 472 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) in N(2), which are close to that of metal-catalyzed polycrystalline graphene. The method avoids the need for either a metal catalyst or a complicated and skilled postgrowth transfer process and is compatible with current silicon processing techniques.

Nanoscale Surface Modification of Polycrystalline Tin Sulphide Films during Plasma Treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zimin, S. P.; Gorlachev, E. S.; Dubov, G. A.; Amirov, I. I.; Naumov, V. V.; Gremenok, V. F.; Ivanov, V. A.; Seidi, H. G.

2013-05-01

In this paper, we present a comparative research of the nanoscale modification of the surface morphology of polycrystalline SnS films on glass substrates with two different preferred growth orientations processed in inductively coupled argon plasma. We report a new effect of polycrystalline SnS film surface smoothing during plasma treatment, which can be advantageous for the fabrication of multilayer solar cell devices with SnS absorption layers.

Thick optical waveguides in lithium niobate induced by swift heavy ions (approximately 10 MeV/amu) at ultralow fluences.

PubMed

Olivares, José; Crespillo, Miguel L; Caballero-Calero, Olga; Ynsa, María D; García-Cabañes, Angel; Toulemonde, Marcel; Trautmann, Christina; Agulló-López, Fernando

2009-12-21

Heavy mass ions, Kr and Xe, having energies in the approximately 10 MeV/amu range have been used to produce thick planar optical waveguides at the surface of lithium niobate (LiNbO3). The waveguides have a thickness of 40-50 micrometers, depending on ion energy and fluence, smooth profiles and refractive index jumps up to 0.04 (lambda = 633 nm). They propagate ordinary and extraordinary modes with low losses keeping a high nonlinear optical response (SHG) that makes them useful for many applications. Complementary RBS/C data provide consistent values for the partial amorphization and refractive index change at the surface. The proposed method is based on ion-induced damage caused by electronic excitation and essentially differs from the usual implantation technique using light ions (H and He) of MeV energies. It implies the generation of a buried low-index layer (acting as optical barrier), made up of amorphous nanotracks embedded into the crystalline lithium niobate crystal. An effective dielectric medium approach is developed to describe the index profiles of the waveguides. This first test demonstration could be extended to other crystalline materials and could be of great usefulness for mid-infrared applications.

Cascading second-order nonlinear processes in a lithium niobate-on-insulator microdisk.

PubMed

Liu, Shijie; Zheng, Yuanlin; Chen, Xianfeng

2017-09-15

Whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) microcavities are very important in both fundamental science and practical applications, among which on-chip second-order nonlinear microresonators play an important role in integrated photonic functionalities. Here we demonstrate resonant second-harmonic generation (SHG) and cascaded third-harmonic generation (THG) in a lithium niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) microdisk resonator. Efficient SHG in the visible range was obtained with only several mW input powers at telecom wavelengths. THG was also observed through a cascading process, which reveals simultaneous phase matching and strong mode coupling in the resonator. Cascading of second-order nonlinear processes gives rise to an effectively large third-order nonlinearity, which makes on-chip second-order nonlinear microresonators a promising frequency converter for integrated nonlinear photonics.

Polycrystalline silicon semiconducting material by nuclear transmutation doping

DOEpatents

Cleland, John W.; Westbrook, Russell D.; Wood, Richard F.; Young, Rosa T.

1978-01-01

A NTD semiconductor material comprising polycrystalline silicon having a mean grain size less than 1000 microns and containing phosphorus dispersed uniformly throughout the silicon rather than at the grain boundaries.

Electrical properties of polycrystalline methane hydrate

USGS Publications Warehouse

Du Frane, W. L.; Stern, L.A.; Weitemeyer, K.A.; Constable, S.; Pinkston, J.C.; Roberts, J.J.

2011-01-01

Electromagnetic (EM) remote-sensing techniques are demonstrated to be sensitive to gas hydrate concentration and distribution and complement other resource assessment techniques, particularly seismic methods. To fully utilize EM results requires knowledge of the electrical properties of individual phases and mixing relations, yet little is known about the electrical properties of gas hydrates. We developed a pressure cell to synthesize gas hydrate while simultaneously measuring in situ frequency-dependent electrical conductivity (σ). Synthesis of methane (CH4) hydrate was verified by thermal monitoring and by post run cryogenic scanning electron microscope imaging. Impedance spectra (20 Hz to 2 MHz) were collected before and after synthesis of polycrystalline CH4 hydrate from polycrystalline ice and used to calculate σ. We determined the σ of CH4 hydrate to be 5 × 10−5 S/m at 0°C with activation energy (Ea) of 30.6 kJ/mol (−15 to 15°C). After dissociation back into ice, σ measurements of samples increased by a factor of ~4 and Ea increased by ~50%, similar to the starting ice samples.

In Situ Graphene Growth Dynamics on Polycrystalline Catalyst Foils

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

The dynamics of graphene growth on polycrystalline Pt foils during chemical vapor deposition (CVD) are investigated using in situ scanning electron microscopy and complementary structural characterization of the catalyst with electron backscatter diffraction. A general growth model is outlined that considers precursor dissociation, mass transport, and attachment to the edge of a growing domain. We thereby analyze graphene growth dynamics at different length scales and reveal that the rate-limiting step varies throughout the process and across different regions of the catalyst surface, including different facets of an individual graphene domain. The facets that define the domain shapes lie normal to slow growth directions, which are determined by the interfacial mobility when attachment to domain edges is rate-limiting, as well as anisotropy in surface diffusion as diffusion becomes rate-limiting. Our observations and analysis thus reveal that the structure of CVD graphene films is intimately linked to that of the underlying polycrystalline catalyst, with both interfacial mobility and diffusional anisotropy depending on the presence of step edges and grain boundaries. The growth model developed serves as a general framework for understanding and optimizing the growth of 2D materials on polycrystalline catalysts. PMID:27576749

Electro-optical tunable waveguide embedded multiscan Bragg gratings in lithium niobate by direct femtosecond laser writing.

PubMed

Kroesen, Sebastian; Horn, Wolfgang; Imbrock, Jörg; Denz, Cornelia

2014-09-22

optical tunable Bragg gratings in lithium niobate fabricated by direct femtosecond laser writing. The hybrid design that consists of a circular type-II waveguide and a multiscan type-I Bragg grating exhibits low loss ordinary and extraordinary polarized guiding as well as narrowband reflections in the c-band of optical communications. High bandwidth tunability of more than a peak width and nearly preserved electro-optic coefficients of r(13) = 7.59 pm V(-1) and r(33) = 23.21 pm V(-1) are demonstrated.

Evaluation of domain randomness in periodically poled lithium niobate by diffraction noise measurement.

PubMed

Dwivedi, Prashant Povel; Choi, Hee Joo; Kim, Byoung Joo; Cha, Myoungsik

2013-12-16

Random duty-cycle errors (RDE) in ferroelectric quasi-phase-matching (QPM) devices not only affect the frequency conversion efficiency, but also generate non-phase-matched parasitic noise that can be detrimental to some applications. We demonstrate an accurate but simple method for measuring the RDE in periodically poled lithium niobate. Due to the equivalence between the undepleted harmonic generation spectrum and the diffraction pattern from the QPM grating, we employed linear diffraction measurement which is much simpler than tunable harmonic generation experiments [J. S. Pelc, et al., Opt. Lett.36, 864-866 (2011)]. As a result, we could relate the RDE for the QPM device to the relative noise intensity between the diffraction orders.

Lightwave Circuits in Lithium Niobate through Hybrid Waveguides with Silicon Photonics

DOE PAGES

Weigel, Peter O.; Savanier, Marc; DeRose, Christopher T.; ...

2016-03-01

Here, we demonstrate a photonic waveguide technology based on a two-material core, in which light is controllably and repeatedly transferred back and forth between sub-micron thickness crystalline layers of Si and LN bonded to one another, where the former is patterned and the latter is not. In this way, the foundry-based wafer-scale fabrication technology for silicon photonics can be leveraged to form lithium-niobate based integrated optical devices. Using two different guided modes and an adiabatic mode transition between them, we demonstrate a set of building blocks such as waveguides, bends, and couplers which can be used to route light underneathmore » an unpatterned slab of LN, as well as outside the LN-bonded region, thus enabling complex and compact lightwave circuits in LN alongside Si photonics with fabrication ease and low cost.« less

Lightwave Circuits in Lithium Niobate through Hybrid Waveguides with Silicon Photonics

PubMed Central

Weigel, Peter O.; Savanier, Marc; DeRose, Christopher T.; Pomerene, Andrew T.; Starbuck, Andrew L.; Lentine, Anthony L.; Stenger, Vincent; Mookherjea, Shayan

2016-01-01

We demonstrate a photonic waveguide technology based on a two-material core, in which light is controllably and repeatedly transferred back and forth between sub-micron thickness crystalline layers of Si and LN bonded to one another, where the former is patterned and the latter is not. In this way, the foundry-based wafer-scale fabrication technology for silicon photonics can be leveraged to form lithium-niobate based integrated optical devices. Using two different guided modes and an adiabatic mode transition between them, we demonstrate a set of building blocks such as waveguides, bends, and couplers which can be used to route light underneath an unpatterned slab of LN, as well as outside the LN-bonded region, thus enabling complex and compact lightwave circuits in LN alongside Si photonics with fabrication ease and low cost. PMID:26927022

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

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.

Physics of grain boundaries in polycrystalline photovoltaic semiconductors

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

Yan, Yanfa, E-mail: yanfa.yan@utoledo.edu; Yin, Wan-Jian; Wu, Yelong

2015-03-21

Thin-film solar cells based on polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} (CIGS) and CdTe photovoltaic semiconductors have reached remarkable laboratory efficiencies. It is surprising that these thin-film polycrystalline solar cells can reach such high efficiencies despite containing a high density of grain boundaries (GBs), which would seem likely to be nonradiative recombination centers for photo-generated carriers. In this paper, we review our atomistic theoretical understanding of the physics of grain boundaries in CIGS and CdTe absorbers. We show that intrinsic GBs with dislocation cores exhibit deep gap states in both CIGS and CdTe. However, in each solar cell device, the GBs can bemore » chemically modified to improve their photovoltaic properties. In CIGS cells, GBs are found to be Cu-rich and contain O impurities. Density-functional theory calculations reveal that such chemical changes within GBs can remove most of the unwanted gap states. In CdTe cells, GBs are found to contain a high concentration of Cl atoms. Cl atoms donate electrons, creating n-type GBs between p-type CdTe grains, forming local p-n-p junctions along GBs. This leads to enhanced current collections. Therefore, chemical modification of GBs allows for high efficiency polycrystalline CIGS and CdTe thin-film solar cells.« less

Physics of grain boundaries in polycrystalline photovoltaic semiconductors

DOE PAGES

Yan, Yanfa; Yin, Wan-Jian; Wu, Yelong; ...

2015-03-16

Thin-film solar cells based on polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 (CIGS) and CdTe photovoltaic semiconductors have reached remarkable laboratory efficiencies. It is surprising that these thin-film polycrystalline solar cells can reach such high efficiencies despite containing a high density of grain boundaries (GBs), which would seem likely to be nonradiative recombination centers for photo-generated carriers. In this study, we review our atomistic theoretical understanding of the physics of grain boundaries in CIGS and CdTe absorbers. We show that intrinsic GBs with dislocation cores exhibit deep gap states in both CIGS and CdTe. Although, in each solar cell device, the GBs can bemore » chemically modified to improve their photovoltaic properties. In CIGS cells, GBs are found to be Cu-rich and contain O impurities. Density-functional theory calculations reveal that such chemical changes within GBs can remove most of the unwanted gap states. In CdTe cells, GBs are found to contain a high concentration of Cl atoms. Cl atoms donate electrons, creating n-type GBs between p-type CdTe grains, forming local p-n-p junctions along GBs. This leads to enhanced current collections. In conclusion, chemical modification of GBs allows for high efficiency polycrystalline CIGS and CdTe thin-film solar cells.« less

Coupling of lithium niobate disk resonators to integrated waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berneschi, S.; Cosi, F.; Nunzi Conti, G.; Pelli, S.; Soria, S.; Righini, G. C.; Dispenza, M.; Secchi, A.

2011-01-01

Whispering gallery mode (WGM) disk resonators fabricated in single crystals can have high Q factors within their transparency bandwidth and may have application both in fundamental and applied optics. Lithium niobate (LN) resonators thanks to their electro-optical properties may be used in particular as tunable filters, modulators, and delay lines. A critical step toward the actual application of these devices is the implementation of a robust and efficient coupling system. High index prisms are typically used for this purpose. In this work we demonstrate coupling to high-Q WGM LN disks from an integrated optical LN waveguide. The waveguides are made by proton exchange in X-cut LN. The disks with diameters of about 5 mm and thickness of 1 mm are made from commercial Z-cut LN wafers by core drilling a cylinder and thereafter polishing the edges into a spheroidal profile. Both resonance linewidth and cavity photon lifetime measurements were performed to calculate the Q factor of the resonator, which is in excess of 108.

Acoustic wave filter based on periodically poled lithium niobate.

PubMed

Courjon, Emilie; Bassignot, Florent; Ulliac, Gwenn; Benchabane, Sarah; Ballandras, Sylvain

2012-09-01

Solutions for the development of compact RF passive transducers as an alternative to standard surface or bulk acoustic wave devices are receiving increasing interest. This article presents results on the development of an acoustic band-pass filter based on periodically poled ferroelectric domains in lithium niobate. The fabrication of periodically poled transducers (PPTs) operating in the range of 20 to 650 MHz has been achieved on 3-in (76.2-mm) 500-μm-thick wafers. This kind of transducer is able to excite elliptical as well as longitudinal modes, yielding phase velocities of about 3800 and 6500 ms(-1), respectively. A new type of acoustic band-pass filter is proposed, based on the use of PPTs instead of the SAWs excited by classical interdigital transducers. The design and the fabrication of such a filter are presented, as well as experimental measurements of its electrical response and transfer function. The feasibility of such a PPT-based filter is thereby demonstrated and the limitations of this method are discussed.

Anisotropic surface acoustic waves in tungsten/lithium niobate phononic crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Jia-Hong; Yu, Yuan-Hai

2018-02-01

Phononic crystals (PnC) were known for acoustic band gaps for different acoustic waves. PnCs were already applied in surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices as reflective gratings based on the band gaps. In this paper, another important property of PnCs, the anisotropic propagation, was studied. PnCs made of circular tungsten films on a lithium niobate substrate were analyzed by finite element method. Dispersion curves and equal frequency contours of surface acoustic waves in PnCs of various dimensions were calculated to study the anisotropy. The non-circular equal frequency contours and negative refraction of group velocity were observed. Then PnC was applied as an acoustic lens based on the anisotropic propagation. Trajectory of SAW passing PnC lens was calculated and transmission of SAW was optimized by selecting proper layers of lens and applying tapered PnC. The result showed that PnC lens can suppress diffraction of surface waves effectively and improve the performance of SAW devices.

Elimination of a Photovoltaic Induced Fast Instability in Photorefractive Iron-doped Lithium Niobate Crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evans, D. R.; Saleh, M. A.; Allen, A. S.; Pottenger, T. P.; Bunning, T. J.; Guha, S.; Basun, S. A.; Cook, G.

2002-03-01

An instability on the order of 10 ns is observed while writing volume gratings in bulk crystals of iron-doped lithium niobate using contra-directional two-beam coupling along the c-axis. This instability is attributed to the quasi-breakdown of the uniform component of the photovoltaic field [1], which affects the uniform electric field formed inside the crystal causing a change in the refractive index through the electro-optic effect. A method to eliminate this instability by coating the z-surfaces of the crystal with a transparent conductive coating will be presented. [1] A. Krumins, Z. Chen, and T. Shiosaki, Opt. Comm. 117 (1995) 147-150.

Free-standing polycrystalline boron phosphide film and method for production thereof

DOEpatents

Baughman, R.J.; Ginley, D.S.

1982-09-09

A process for producing a free-standing polycrystalline boron phosphide film comprises growing a film of boron phosphide in a vertical growth apparatus on a metal substrate. The metal substrate has a coefficient of thermal expansion sufficiently different from that of boron phosphide that the film separates cleanly from the substrate upon cooling thereof, and the substrate is preferably titanium. The invention also comprises a free-standing polycrystalline boron phosphide film for use in electronic device fabrication.

Further development and application of polycrystalline metal whiskers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schladitz, H. J.

1979-01-01

High strength metal whiskers have a larger versatile field of application than monocrystalline whiskers. Although polycrystalline metal whiskers can be used for composites, preferably by extrusion in thermoplastics or by infiltration of resins or metals into whisker networks, the chief application at present may be the production and various use of whisker networks. Such networks can be produced up to high degrees of porosity and besides high mechanical strength, they have high inside surfaces and high electric conductivity. There are for instance, applications concerning construction of electrodes for batteries and fuel cells, catalysts and also new heat-exchanger material, capable of preparing fuel oil and gasoline in order to assist a high-efficiency combustion. The technical application of polycrystalline metal whiskers require their modification as well as the construction of a pilot production unit.

Laser-induced amorphization of silicon during pulsed-laser irradiation of TiN/Ti/polycrystalline silicon/SiO2/silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chong, Y. F.; Pey, K. L.; Wee, A. T. S.; Thompson, M. O.; Tung, C. H.; See, A.

2002-11-01

In this letter, we report on the complex solidification structures formed during laser irradiation of a titanium nitride/titanium/polycrystalline silicon/silicon dioxide/silicon film stack. Due to enhanced optical coupling, the titanium nitride/titanium capping layer increases the melt depth of polycrystalline silicon by more than a factor of 2. It is found that the titanium atoms diffuse through the entire polycrystalline silicon layer during irradiation. Contrary to the expected polycrystalline silicon growth, distinct regions of polycrystalline and amorphous silicon are formed instead. Possible mechanisms for the formation of these microstructures are proposed.

Process Research On Polycrystalline Silicon Material (PROPSM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wohlgemuth, J. H.; Culik, J. S.

1982-01-01

The mechanisms limiting performance in polycrystalline silicon was determined. The initial set of experiments in this task entails the fabrication of cells of various thicknesses for four different bulk resistivities between 0.1 and 10 omega-cm. The results for the first two lots are presented.

Bragg coherent diffractive imaging of single-grain defect dynamics in polycrystalline films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yau, Allison; Cha, Wonsuk; Kanan, Matthew W.; Stephenson, G. Brian; Ulvestad, Andrew

2017-05-01

Polycrystalline material properties depend on the distribution and interactions of their crystalline grains. In particular, grain boundaries and defects are crucial in determining their response to external stimuli. A long-standing challenge is thus to observe individual grains, defects, and strain dynamics inside functional materials. Here we report a technique capable of revealing grain heterogeneity, including strain fields and individual dislocations, that can be used under operando conditions in reactive environments: grain Bragg coherent diffractive imaging (gBCDI). Using a polycrystalline gold thin film subjected to heating, we show how gBCDI resolves grain boundary and dislocation dynamics in individual grains in three-dimensional detail with 10-nanometer spatial and subangstrom displacement field resolution. These results pave the way for understanding polycrystalline material response under external stimuli and, ideally, engineering particular functions.

Multilevel model of polycrystalline materials: grain boundary sliding description

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharifullina, E.; Shveykin, A.; Trusov, P.

2017-12-01

Material behavior description in a wide range of thermomechanical effects is one of the topical areas in mathematical modeling. Inclusion of grain boundary sliding as an important mechanism of polycrystalline material deformation at elevated temperatures and predominant deformation mechanism of metals and alloys in structural superplasticity allows to simulate various deformation regimes and their transitions (including superplasticity regime with switch-on and switch-off regimes). The paper is devoted to description of grain boundary sliding in structure of two-level model, based on crystal plasticity, and relations for determination the contribution of this mechanism to inelastic deformation. Some results are presented concerning computational experiments of polycrystalline representative volume deformation using developed model.

Solar cells utilizing pulsed-energy crystallized microcrystalline/polycrystalline silicon

DOEpatents

Kaschmitter, J.L.; Sigmon, T.W.

1995-10-10

A process for producing multi-terminal devices such as solar cells wherein a pulsed high energy source is used to melt and crystallize amorphous silicon deposited on a substrate which is intolerant to high processing temperatures, whereby the amorphous silicon is converted into a microcrystalline/polycrystalline phase. Dopant and hydrogenation can be added during the fabrication process which provides for fabrication of extremely planar, ultra shallow contacts which results in reduction of non-current collecting contact volume. The use of the pulsed energy beams results in the ability to fabricate high efficiency microcrystalline/polycrystalline solar cells on the so-called low-temperature, inexpensive plastic substrates which are intolerant to high processing temperatures.

Solar cells utilizing pulsed-energy crystallized microcrystalline/polycrystalline silicon

DOEpatents

Kaschmitter, James L.; Sigmon, Thomas W.

1995-01-01

A process for producing multi-terminal devices such as solar cells wherein a pulsed high energy source is used to melt and crystallize amorphous silicon deposited on a substrate which is intolerant to high processing temperatures, whereby to amorphous silicon is converted into a microcrystalline/polycrystalline phase. Dopant and hydrogenization can be added during the fabrication process which provides for fabrication of extremely planar, ultra shallow contacts which results in reduction of non-current collecting contact volume. The use of the pulsed energy beams results in the ability to fabricate high efficiency microcrystalline/polycrystalline solar cells on the so-called low-temperature, inexpensive plastic substrates which are intolerant to high processing temperatures.

Anisotropic magnetocaloric effect in HoAlGa polycrystalline compound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Zhang; Xinqi, Zheng; JieFu, Xiong; Shulan, Zuo; Qiaoyan, Dong; Tongyun, Zhao; Baogen, Shen

2018-05-01

In this work, a nonnegligible anisotropic magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in HoAlGa polycrystalline compounds has been observed. With temperature increasing, the HoAlGa compound undergoes two kinds of magnetic transitions at 19 K and 31 K, respectively, the later has been recognized as an ordinary antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic (AFM-PM) transition. The -ΔS peak of HoAGa reaches 5.4 J/kg K and 1.5 J/kg K at 35 K along parallel and perpendicular texture directions respectively, for a field change of 0-5 T. The result indicates that the HoAlGa polycrystalline compounds with excellent anisotropic MCE can be expected to have effective magnetic refrigeration applications in low temperature range.

Ultrafast lattice dynamics of single crystal and polycrystalline gold nanofilms☆

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Jianbo; Karam, Tony E.; Blake, Geoffrey A.; Zewail, Ahmed H.

2017-09-01

Ultrafast electron diffraction is employed to spatiotemporally visualize the lattice dynamics of 11 nm-thick single-crystal and 2 nm-thick polycrystalline gold nanofilms. Surprisingly, the electron-phonon coupling rates derived from two temperature simulations of the data reveal a faster interaction between electrons and the lattice in the case of the single-crystal sample. We interpret this unexpected behavior as arising from quantum confinement of the electrons in the 2 nm-thick gold nanofilm, as supported by absorption spectra, an effect that counteracts the expected increase in the electron scattering off surfaces and grain boundaries in the polycrystalline materials.

The effect of heat treatment on the resistivity of polycrystalline silicon films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fripp, A. L., Jr.

1975-01-01

The resistivity of doped polycrystalline silicon films has been studied as a function of post deposition heat treatments in an oxidizing atmosphere. It was found that a short oxidation cycle may produce a resistivity increase as large as three orders of magnitude in the polycrystalline films. The extent of change was dependent on the initial resistivity and the films' doping level and was independent of the total oxidation time.

Electrical and Thermal Transport in Coplanar Polycrystalline Graphene-hBN Heterostructures.

PubMed

Barrios-Vargas, José Eduardo; Mortazavi, Bohayra; Cummings, Aron W; Martinez-Gordillo, Rafael; Pruneda, Miguel; Colombo, Luciano; Rabczuk, Timon; Roche, Stephan

2017-03-08

We present a theoretical study of electronic and thermal transport in polycrystalline heterostructures combining graphene (G) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) grains of varying size and distribution. By increasing the hBN grain density from a few percent to 100%, the system evolves from a good conductor to an insulator, with the mobility dropping by orders of magnitude and the sheet resistance reaching the MΩ regime. The Seebeck coefficient is suppressed above 40% mixing, while the thermal conductivity of polycrystalline hBN is found to be on the order of 30-120 Wm -1 K -1 . These results, agreeing with available experimental data, provide guidelines for tuning G-hBN properties in the context of two-dimensional materials engineering. In particular, while we proved that both electrical and thermal properties are largely affected by morphological features (e.g., by the grain size and composition), we find in all cases that nanometer-sized polycrystalline G-hBN heterostructures are not good thermoelectric materials.

Conversion of broadband IR radiation and structural disorder in lithium niobate single crystals with low photorefractive effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Litvinova, Man Nen; Syuy, Alexander V.; Krishtop, Victor V.; Pogodina, Veronika A.; Ponomarchuk, Yulia V.; Sidorov, Nikolay V.; Gabain, Aleksei A.; Palatnikov, Mikhail N.; Litvinov, Vladimir A.

2016-11-01

The conversion of broadband IR radiation when the noncritical phase matching condition is fulfilled in lithium niobate (LiNbO3) single crystals with stoichiometric (R = Li/Nb = 1) and congruent (R = 0.946) compositions, as well as in congruent single crystals doped with zinc has been investigated. It is shown that the spectrum parameters of converted radiation, such as the conversion efficiency, spectral width and position of maximum, depend on the ordering degree of structural units of the cation sublattice along the polar axis of crystal.

Optical, electrical and elastic properties of ferroelectric domain walls in lithium niobate and lithium titanate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Sungwon

Ferroelectric LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 crystals have developed, over the last 50 years as key materials for integrated and nonlinear optics due to their large electro-optic and nonlinear optical coefficients and a broad transparency range from 0.4 mum-4.5 mum wavelengths. Applications include high speed optical modulation and switching in 40GHz range, second harmonic generation, optical parametric amplification, pulse compression and so on. Ferroelectric domain microengineering has led to electro-optic scanners, dynamic focusing lenses, total internal reflection switches, and quasi-phase matched (QPM) frequency doublers. Most of these applications have so far been on non-stoichiometric compositions of these crystals. Recent breakthroughs in crystal growth have however opened up an entirely new window of opportunity from both scientific and technological viewpoint. The growth of stoichiometric composition crystals has led to the discovery of many fascinating effects arising from the presence or absence of atomic defects, such as an order of magnitude changes in coercive fields, internal fields, domain backswitching and stabilization phenomenon. On the nanoscale, unexpected features such as the presence of wide regions of optical contrast and strain have been discovered at 180° domain walls. Such strong influence of small amounts of nonstoichiometric defects on material properties has led to new device applications, particularly those involving domain patterning and shaping such as QPM devices in thick bulk crystals and improved photorefractive damage compositions. The central focus of this dissertation is to explore the role of nonstoichiometry and its precise influence on macroscale and nanoscale properties in lithium niobate and tantalate. Macroscale properties are studied using a combination of in-situ and high-speed electro-optic imaging microscopy and electrical switching experiments. Local static and dynamic strain properties at individual domain walls is studied

Influence of ammonia flow rate for improving properties of polycrystalline GaN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ariff, A.; Ahmad, M. A.; Hassan, Z.; Zainal, N.

2018-06-01

Post-annealing treatment in ammonia ambient is widely accepted for GaN material, but less works have been done to investigate the influence of the ammonia (NH3) flow rate for reducing the N-deficiency as well as improving the quality of the material. In this work, we investigated the influence of NH3 flow rate at 1, 2, 3, and 4 slm in improving properties of a ∼1 μm thick polycrystalline GaN layer. Our simulation work suggested that the uniformity of temperature and pressure gradient of the NH3 gas did not lead to the reduction of N-deficiency of the polycrystalline GaN layer. Instead, it was found that the mitigation of the N-deficiency was strongly influenced by the fluid velocity of the NH3 gas, which had passed over the layer. Either at lower or higher fluid velocity, the chance for the active N atoms to incorporate into the GaN lattice structure was low. Therefore, the N-deficiency on the polycrystalline GaN layer could not be minimized under these conditions. As measured by EDX, the N atoms incorporation was the most effective when the NH3 flow rate at 3 slm, suggesting the flow rate significantly improved the N-deficiency of the polycrystalline GaN layer. Furthermore, it favored the formation of larger hexagonal faceted grains, with the smallest FWHM of XRD peaks from the GaN diffractions in (10 1 bar 0), (0002) and (10 1 bar 1) orientations, while allowing the polycrystalline GaN layer to show sharp and intense emissions peak of NBE in a PL spectrum.

Single crystal and polycrystalline GaAs solar cells using AMOS technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stirn, R. J.; Yeh, Y. C. M.

1976-01-01

A description is given of current technology for fabricating single AMOS (antireflection-coated metal oxide semiconductor) solar cells, with attention given to thermal, plasma, and anodic oxidation, native oxide stripping, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results. Some preliminary results are presented on the chemistry and electrical characterization of such cells, and the characteristics of cells fabricated on sliced polycrystalline GaAs wafers are examined. Consideration is also given to the recrystallization of evaporated Ge films for use as low-cost substrates for polycrystalline GaAs solar cells.

Bragg coherent diffractive imaging of single-grain defect dynamics in polycrystalline films

DOE PAGES

Yau, Allison; Cha, Wonsuk; Kanan, Matthew W.; ...

2017-05-19

Polycrystalline material properties depend on the distribution and interactions of their crystalline grains. In particular, grain boundaries and defects are crucial in determining their response to external stimuli. A long-standing challenge is thus to observe individual grains, defects, and strain dynamics inside functional materials. Here we report a technique capable of revealing grain heterogeneity, including strain fields and individual dislocations, that can be used under operando conditions in reactive environments: grain Bragg coherent diffractive imaging (gBCDI). Using a polycrystalline gold thin film subjected to heating, we show how gBCDI resolves grain boundary and dislocation dynamics in individual grains in three-dimensionalmore » detail with 10-nanometer spatial and subangstrom displacement field resolution. Finally, these results pave the way for understanding polycrystalline material response under external stimuli and, ideally, engineering particular functions.« less

Polycrystalline indium phosphide on silicon by indium assisted growth in hydride vapor phase epitaxy

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

Metaferia, Wondwosen; Sun, Yan-Ting, E-mail: yasun@kth.se; Lourdudoss, Sebastian

2014-07-21

Polycrystalline InP was grown on Si(001) and Si(111) substrates by using indium (In) metal as a starting material in hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) reactor. In metal was deposited on silicon substrates by thermal evaporation technique. The deposited In resulted in islands of different size and was found to be polycrystalline in nature. Different growth experiments of growing InP were performed, and the growth mechanism was investigated. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy for morphological investigation, Scanning Auger microscopy for surface and compositional analyses, powder X-ray diffraction for crystallinity, and micro photoluminescence for optical quality assessment were conducted. Itmore » is shown that the growth starts first by phosphidisation of the In islands to InP followed by subsequent selective deposition of InP in HVPE regardless of the Si substrate orientation. Polycrystalline InP of large grain size is achieved and the growth rate as high as 21 μm/h is obtained on both substrates. Sulfur doping of the polycrystalline InP was investigated by growing alternating layers of sulfur doped and unintentionally doped InP for equal interval of time. These layers could be delineated by stain etching showing that enough amount of sulfur can be incorporated. Grains of large lateral dimension up to 3 μm polycrystalline InP on Si with good morphological and optical quality is obtained. The process is generic and it can also be applied for the growth of other polycrystalline III–V semiconductor layers on low cost and flexible substrates for solar cell applications.« less

Polycrystalline Thin-Film Photovoltaics | Photovoltaic Research | NREL

Science.gov Websites

(CdTe) We develop processes and a range of materials for CdTe photovoltaic (PV) devices. Our work partners. Our objectives are to improve CdTe PV performance, reduce costs, and advance fundamental processes and materials related to thin-film polycrystalline PV devices, and our measurements and

Polycrystalline-thin-film thermophotovoltaic cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhere, Neelkanth G.

1996-02-01

Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells convert thermal energy to electricity. Modularity, portability, silent operation, absence of moving parts, reduced air pollution, rapid start-up, high power densities, potentially high conversion efficiencies, choice of a wide range of heat sources employing fossil fuels, biomass, and even solar radiation are key advantages of TPV cells in comparison with fuel cells, thermionic and thermoelectric convertors, and heat engines. The potential applications of TPV systems include: remote electricity supplies, transportation, co-generation, electric-grid independent appliances, and space, aerospace, and military power applications. The range of bandgaps for achieving high conversion efficiencies using low temperature (1000-2000 K) black-body or selective radiators is in the 0.5-0.75 eV range. Present high efficiency convertors are based on single crystalline materials such as In1-xGaxAs, GaSb, and Ga1-xInxSb. Several polycrystalline thin films such as Hg1-xCdxTe, Sn1-xCd2xTe2, and Pb1-xCdxTe, etc., have great potential for economic large-scale applications. A small fraction of the high concentration of charge carriers generated at high fluences effectively saturates the large density of defects in polycrystalline thin films. Photovoltaic conversion efficiencies of polycrystalline thin films and PV solar cells are comparable to single crystalline Si solar cells, e.g., 17.1% for CuIn1-xGaxSe2 and 15.8% for CdTe. The best recombination-state density Nt is in the range of 10-15-10-16 cm-3 acceptable for TPV applications. Higher efficiencies may be achieved because of the higher fluences, possibility of bandgap tailoring, and use of selective emitters such as rare earth oxides (erbia, holmia, yttria) and rare earth-yttrium aluminium garnets. As compared to higher bandgap semiconductors such as CdTe, it is easier to dope the lower bandgap semiconductors. TPV cell development can benefit from the more mature PV solar cell and opto

Microscopic studies of polycrystalline nanoparticle growth in free space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohan, A.; Kaiser, M.; Verheijen, M. A.; Schropp, R. E. I.; Rath, J. K.

2017-06-01

We have extensively studied by multiple microscopic techniques the growth and crystallization of silicon nanoparticles in pulsed SiH4/Ar plasmas. We observe that the crystallinity of the particles can be tuned from amorphous to crystalline by altering the plasma ON time, tON. Three phases can be identified as a function of tON. Microscopic studies reveal that, in the initial gas phase (phase I) single particles of polycrystalline nature are formed which according to our hypothesis grow out of a single nucleus. The individual crystallites of the polycrystalline particles become bigger crystalline regions which marks the onset of cauliflower shaped particles (phase II). At longer tON (phase III) distinct cauliflower particles are formed by the growth of these crystalline regions by local epitaxy.

PDC bits: What`s needed to meet tomorrow`s challenge

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

Warren, T.M.; Sinor, L.A.

1994-12-31

When polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits were introduced in the mid-1970s they showed tantalizingly high penetration rates in laboratory drilling tests. Single cutter tests indicated that they had the potential to drill very hard rocks. Unfortunately, 20 years later we`re still striving to reach the potential that these bits seem to have. Many problems have been overcome, and PDC bits have offered capabilities not possible with roller cone bits. PDC bits provide the most economical bit choice in many areas, but their limited durability has hampered their application in many other areas.

Lasing of surface-polished polycrystalline Ho: YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) fiber.

PubMed

Kim, Hyunjun; Hay, Randall S; McDaniel, Sean A; Cook, Gary; Usechak, Nicholas G; Urbas, Augustine M; Shugart, Kathleen N; Lee, HeeDong; Kadhim, Ali H; Brown, Dean P; Griffin, Benjamin; Fair, Geoff E; Corns, Randall G; Potticary, Santeri A; Hopkins, Frank K; Averett, Kent L; Zelmon, David E; Parthasarathy, Triplicane A; Keller, Kristin A

2017-03-20

A polycrystalline 1.5% Ho: YAG fiber with a diameter of 31 µm was prepared. Surface roughness from grain boundary grooving was reduced by polishing, which decreased the fiber scattering coefficient from 76 m^-1 to 35 m^-1. Lasing tests were done on this fiber with a SF57 Schott glass cladding. Lasing was confirmed by spectrum narrowing with threshold pump power lower than 500 mW and a slope efficiency of 7%. To our knowledge, this is the first lasing demonstration from a small diameter polycrystalline ceramic fiber.

Bridgman growth and luminescence properties of dysprosium doped lead potassium niobate crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Wenbin; Tian, Tian; Yang, Bobo; Xu, Jiayue; Liu, Hongde

2017-06-01

Dy-doped lead potassium niobate (Pb2KNb5O15, PKN) single crystal was grown by the modified vertical Bridgman method through spontaneous nucleation. The crystal was brownish, transparent and inclusion free. Five excitation peaks of Dy3+ ions were clearly seen from near ultraviolet region to blue range. It was unique that the excitation peaks in blue range were more intense, especially the one centered at 455 nm. The emission bands consisted of blue, yellow and red emissions, which were at about 487 nm, 573 nm and 662 nm respectively. The CIE chromaticity diagram of PKN:Dy indicated that white light and yellow light could be emitted when the crystal was excited under near ultraviolet light and blue light, respectively. Thus PKN:Dy crystal is a candidate material whose emitting light could be tunable through changing the excited light wavelength.

EFFECTS OF LASER RADIATION ON MATTER. LASER PLASMA: Thermally induced optical damage to barium-sodium niobate crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baryshev, S. A.; Goncharova, I. F.; Konvisar, P. G.; Kuznetsov, V. A.

1990-06-01

Thermally induced optical damage (TIOD) was observed in undoped barium-sodium niobate (BSN) crystals as a result of changes in their temperature. This damage was deduced from the behavior of YAG:Nd3+ laser radiation when a BSN crystal was inserted in the resonator and also using a helium-neon laser probe beam. The experimental results were satisfactorily explained by the familiar pyroelectric model of TIOD and, in the crystals studied, an inhomogeneity of the conductivity rather than an inhomogeneity of the pyroelectric constant played the main role.

The importance of stress percolation patterns in rocks and other polycrystalline materials.

PubMed

Burnley, P C

2013-01-01

A new framework for thinking about the deformation behavior of rocks and other heterogeneous polycrystalline materials is proposed, based on understanding the patterns of stress transmission through these materials. Here, using finite element models, I show that stress percolates through polycrystalline materials that have heterogeneous elastic and plastic properties of the same order as those found in rocks. The pattern of stress percolation is related to the degree of heterogeneity in and statistical distribution of the elastic and plastic properties of the constituent grains in the aggregate. The development of these stress patterns leads directly to shear localization, and their existence provides insight into the formation of rhythmic features such as compositional banding and foliation in rocks that are reacting or dissolving while being deformed. In addition, this framework provides a foundation for understanding and predicting the macroscopic rheology of polycrystalline materials based on single-crystal elastic and plastic mechanical properties.

Picosecond cubic and quintic nonlinearity of lithium niobate at 532 nm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hongzhen; Boudebs, Georges; de Araújo, Cid B.

2017-08-01

The nonlinear (NL) optical response of bulk lithium niobate (LiNbO3) was investigated at 532 nm using the second harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser delivering pulses of 12 ps. The experiments were performed using the D4σ method combined with the conventional Z-scan technique. Two- and three-photon absorption coefficients equal to 0.27 c m /G W and 2.5 ×10-26 m3/W2, respectively, were determined. The NL absorption processes were due to transitions from the valence to the conduction band and to free-carrier absorption. The third- and fifth-order NL refractive indices were n2=(2.5 ±0.6 )×10-19 m2/W and n4<5.5 ×10-36 m4/W2. The present results give the support for previous experiments that indicate possible fifth-order processes in bulk samples and channel waveguides fabricated with LiNbO3.

Growth and preparation of lead-potassium-niobate (PKN) single crystals specimens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandey, R. K.

1982-12-01

Lead-potassium-niobate, Pb2KNb5O15 (PKN) is a member of the family of tungsten-bronze materials of the type A6B10O30. It is both ferroelastic and ferroelectric and it can be considered as a pseudo-binary compound represented by 2PbNb2O6.KNbO3. Its piezoelectric and electromechanical properties make it the leading substrate material for the fabrication of temperature compensated surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) devices. However, it is very difficult to synthesize PKN as a large, crack-free and chemically homogeneous single crystal. This report deals primarily with the problems encountered in crystal growth of PKN and suggests means to circumvent them. Furthermore, it describes two new methods - top seeded and solution growth - to synthesize crack-free, stoichiometrically uniform large single crystals of the compound. Also the results of PKN characterization by means of X-ray diffraction and dielectric, optical and electrical conductivity measurements are presented and discussed here.

Calculation of Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns from highly stressed polycrystalline materials

DOE PAGES

MacDonald, M. J.; Vorberger, J.; Gamboa, E. J.; ...

2016-06-07

Calculations of Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns from polycrystalline materials have typically been done in the limit of small deviatoric stresses. Although these methods are well suited for experiments conducted near hydrostatic conditions, more robust models are required to diagnose the large strain anisotropies present in dynamic compression experiments. A method to predict Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns for arbitrary strains has been presented in the Voigt (iso-strain) limit. Here, we present a method to calculate Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns from highly stressed polycrystalline samples in the Reuss (iso-stress) limit. This analysis uses elastic constants to calculate lattice strains for all initial crystallite orientations, enablingmore » elastic anisotropy and sample texture effects to be modeled directly. Furthermore, the effects of probing geometry, deviatoric stresses, and sample texture are demonstrated and compared to Voigt limit predictions. An example of shock-compressed polycrystalline diamond is presented to illustrate how this model can be applied and demonstrates the importance of including material strength when interpreting diffraction in dynamic compression experiments.« less

Calculation of Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns from highly stressed polycrystalline materials

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

MacDonald, M. J., E-mail: macdonm@umich.edu; SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025; Vorberger, J.

2016-06-07

Calculations of Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns from polycrystalline materials have typically been done in the limit of small deviatoric stresses. Although these methods are well suited for experiments conducted near hydrostatic conditions, more robust models are required to diagnose the large strain anisotropies present in dynamic compression experiments. A method to predict Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns for arbitrary strains has been presented in the Voigt (iso-strain) limit [Higginbotham, J. Appl. Phys. 115, 174906 (2014)]. Here, we present a method to calculate Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns from highly stressed polycrystalline samples in the Reuss (iso-stress) limit. This analysis uses elastic constants to calculate latticemore » strains for all initial crystallite orientations, enabling elastic anisotropy and sample texture effects to be modeled directly. The effects of probing geometry, deviatoric stresses, and sample texture are demonstrated and compared to Voigt limit predictions. An example of shock-compressed polycrystalline diamond is presented to illustrate how this model can be applied and demonstrates the importance of including material strength when interpreting diffraction in dynamic compression experiments.« less

Synthesis and optical properties of polycrystalline Li2Al2B2O7 (LABO)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dagdale, S. R.; Muley, G. G.

2016-05-01

A polycrystalline lithium aluminum borate (Li2Al2B2O7, LABO) has been synthesized by using simple solid-state technique. The obtained LABO polycrystalline was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction; Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency measurement. The functional groups were identified using the FT-IR spectroscopic data. The SHG efficiency of the polycrystalline material was obtained by the classic Kurtz powder technique using a fundamental wavelength 1064 nm of Nd:YAG laser and it is found to be 1.4 times that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP).

Charge carrier transport in polycrystalline organic thin film based field effect transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rani, Varsha; Sharma, Akanksha; Ghosh, Subhasis

2016-05-01

The charge carrier transport mechanism in polycrystalline thin film based organic field effect transistors (OFETs) has been explained using two competing models, multiple trapping and releases (MTR) model and percolation model. It has been shown that MTR model is most suitable for explaining charge carrier transport in grainy polycrystalline organic thin films. The energetic distribution of traps determined independently using Mayer-Neldel rule (MNR) is in excellent agreement with the values obtained by MTR model for copper phthalocyanine and pentacene based OFETs.

Handbook of the optical, thermal and mechanical properties of six polycrystalline dielectric materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dewitt, D. P.

1972-01-01

The design data for six polycrystalline dielectric materials are presented to describe the optical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The materials are aluminum oxide, calcium fluoride, magnesium fluoride, magnesium oxide, silicon dioxide, and titanium dioxide. The primary interest is in the polycrystalline state, although single crystal data are included when appropriate. The temperature range is room temperature to melting point. The wavelength range is from near ultraviolet to near infrared.

Fabrication of vanadium dioxide polycrystalline films with higher temperature coefficient of resistance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jinhua; Yuan, Ningyi; Jiang, Meiping; Kun, Li

2011-08-01

Vanadium Dioxide Polycrystalline Films with High Temperature Coefficient of Resistance(TCR) were fabricated by modified Ion Beam Enhanced Deposition(IBED) method. The TCR of the Un-doping VO2 was about -4%/K at room temperature after appropriate thermal annealing. The XRD results clearly showed that IBED polycrystalline VO2 films had a single [002] orientation of VO2(M). The TCR of 5at.%W and 7at.% Ta doped Vanadium Dioxide Polycrystalline Films were high up to -18%/K and -12%/K at room temperature, respectively. Using 7at.% Ta and 2at.% Ti co-doping, the TCR of the co-doped vanadium oxide film was -7%/K and without hysteresis during temperature increasing and decresing from 0-80°C. It should indicate that the W-doped vanadium dioxide films colud be used for high sensing IR detect and the Ta/Ti co-doped film without hysteresis is suitable for infrarid imaging application.

The importance of stress percolation patterns in rocks and other polycrystalline materials

PubMed Central

Burnley, P.C.

2013-01-01

A new framework for thinking about the deformation behavior of rocks and other heterogeneous polycrystalline materials is proposed, based on understanding the patterns of stress transmission through these materials. Here, using finite element models, I show that stress percolates through polycrystalline materials that have heterogeneous elastic and plastic properties of the same order as those found in rocks. The pattern of stress percolation is related to the degree of heterogeneity in and statistical distribution of the elastic and plastic properties of the constituent grains in the aggregate. The development of these stress patterns leads directly to shear localization, and their existence provides insight into the formation of rhythmic features such as compositional banding and foliation in rocks that are reacting or dissolving while being deformed. In addition, this framework provides a foundation for understanding and predicting the macroscopic rheology of polycrystalline materials based on single-crystal elastic and plastic mechanical properties. PMID:23823992

Mechanical instability of monocrystalline and polycrystalline methane hydrates

PubMed Central

Wu, Jianyang; Ning, Fulong; Trinh, Thuat T.; Kjelstrup, Signe; Vlugt, Thijs J. H.; He, Jianying; Skallerud, Bjørn H.; Zhang, Zhiliang

2015-01-01

Despite observations of massive methane release and geohazards associated with gas hydrate instability in nature, as well as ductile flow accompanying hydrate dissociation in artificial polycrystalline methane hydrates in the laboratory, the destabilising mechanisms of gas hydrates under deformation and their grain-boundary structures have not yet been elucidated at the molecular level. Here we report direct molecular dynamics simulations of the material instability of monocrystalline and polycrystalline methane hydrates under mechanical loading. The results show dislocation-free brittle failure in monocrystalline hydrates and an unexpected crossover from strengthening to weakening in polycrystals. Upon uniaxial depressurisation, strain-induced hydrate dissociation accompanied by grain-boundary decohesion and sliding destabilises the polycrystals. In contrast, upon compression, appreciable solid-state structural transformation dominates the response. These findings provide molecular insight not only into the metastable structures of grain boundaries, but also into unusual ductile flow with hydrate dissociation as observed during macroscopic compression experiments. PMID:26522051

Recharging processes, radiation induced strain and changes of OH - bands under H + ion implantation in Ti doped lithium niobate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, P.; Moorthy Babu, S.; Bhaumik, I.; Ganesamoorthy, S.; Karnal, A. K.; Kumar, Praveen; Rodrigues, G. O.; Sulania, I.; Kanjilal, D.; Pandey, A. K.; Raman, R.

2010-01-01

A systematic analysis of variations in structural and optical characteristics of Z-cut plates of titanium doped congruent lithium niobate single crystals implanted with 120 keV proton beam at various fluences of 10 15, 10 16 and 10 17 protons/cm 2 is presented. Through, high resolution X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and UV-visible-NIR analysis of congruent lithium niobate, the correlation of properties before and after implantation are discussed. HRXRD (0 0 6) reflection by Triple Crystal Mode shows that both tensile and compressive strain peak are produced by the high fluence implantation. A distinct tensile peak was observed from implanted region for a fluence of 10 16 protons/cm 2. AFM micrographs indicate mountain ridges, bumps and protrusions on target surface on implantation. UV-visible-NIR spectra reveal an increase in charge transfer between Ti 3+/Ti 4+ and ligand oxygen for implantation with 10 15 protons/cm 2, while spectra for higher fluence implanted samples show complex absorption band in the region from 380-1100 nm. Variations of OH - stretching vibration mode were observed for cLN Pure, cLNT2% virgin, and implanted samples with FTIR spectra. The concentration of OH - ion before and after implantation was calculated from integral absorption intensity. The effect of 120 keV proton implantation induced structural, surface and optical studies were correlated.

Influence of electrical boundary conditions on profiles of acoustic field and electric potential of shear-horizontal acoustic waves in potassium niobate plates.

PubMed

Kuznetsova, I E; Nedospasov, I A; Kolesov, V V; Qian, Z; Wang, B; Zhu, F

2018-05-01

The profiles of an acoustic field and electric potential of the forward and backward shear-horizontal (SH) acoustic waves of a higher order propagating in X-Y potassium niobate plate have been theoretically investigated. It has been shown that by changing electrical boundary conditions on a surface of piezoelectric plates, it is possible to change the distributions of an acoustic field and electric potential of the forward and backward acoustic waves. The dependencies of the distribution of a mechanical displacement and electrical potential over the plate thickness for electrically open and electrically shorted plates have been plotted. The influence of a layer with arbitrary conductivity placed on a one or on the both plate surfaces on the profiles under study, phase and group velocities of the forward and backward acoustic waves in X-Y potassium niobate has been also investigated. The obtained results can be useful for development of the method for control of a particle or electrical charge movement inside the piezoelectric plates, as well a sensor for definition of the thin film conductivity. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Conversion of broadband thermal radiation in lithium niobate crystals of various compositions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syuy, A. V.; Litvinova, M. N.; Goncharova, P. S.; Sidorov, N. V.; Palatnikov, M. N.; Krishtop, V. V.; Likhtin, V. V.

2013-05-01

The conversion of the broadband thermal radiation in stoichiometric ( R = 1) lithium niobate single crystals that are grown from melt with 58.6 mol % of LiO2, congruent ( R = Li/Nb = 0.946) melt with the K2O flux admixture (4.5 and 6.0 wt %), and congruent melt and in congruent single crystals doped with the Zn2+, Gd3+, and Er3+ cations is studied. It is demonstrated that the conversion efficiency of the stoichiometric crystal that is grown from the melt with 58.6 mol % of LiO2 is less than the conversion efficiency of congruent crystal. In addition, the stoichiometric and almost stoichiometric crystals and the doped congruent crystals exhibit the blue shift of the peak conversion intensity in comparison with a nominally pure congruent crystal. For the congruent crystals, the conversion intensities peak at 520 and 495 nm, respectively.

The effects of intragrain defects on the local photoresponse of polycrystalline silicon solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inoue, N.; Wilmsen, C. W.; Jones, K. A.

1981-02-01

Intragrain defects in Wacker cast and Monsanto zone-refined polycrystalline silicon materials were investigated using the electron-beam-induced current (EBIC) technique. The EBIC response maps were compared with etch pit, local diffusion length and local photoresponse measurements. It was determined that the Wacker polycrystalline silicon has a much lower density of defects than does the Monsanto polycrystalline silicon and that most of the defects in the Wacker material are not active recombination sites. A correlation was found between the recombination site density, as determined by EBIC, and the local diffusion length. It is shown that a large density of intragrain recombination sites greatly reduces the minority carrier diffusion length and thus can significantly reduce the photoresponse of solar cells.

Quantitative analysis of domain texture in polycrystalline barium titanate by polarized Raman microprobe spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakashita, Tatsuo; Chazono, Hirokazu; Pezzotti, Giuseppe

2007-12-01

A quantitative determination of domain distribution in polycrystalline barium titanate (BaTiO3, henceforth BT) ceramics has been pursued with the aid of a microprobe polarized Raman spectrometer. The crystallographic texture and domain orientation distribution of BT ceramics, which switched upon applying stress according to ferroelasticity principles, were determined from the relative intensity of selected phonon modes, taking into consideration a theoretical analysis of the angular dependence of phonon mode intensity for the tetragonal BT phase. Furthermore, the angular dependence of Raman intensity measured in polycrystalline BT depended on the statistical distribution of domain angles in the laser microprobe, which was explicitly taken into account in this work for obtaining a quantitative analysis of domain orientation for in-plane textured BT polycrystalline materials.

Generation of ionizing radiation from lithium niobate crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orlikov, L. N.; Orlikov, N. L.; Arestov, S. I.; Mambetova, K. M.; Shandarov, S. M.

2017-01-01

The work done experimentally explores generation of electron and x-ray radiation in the process of heating and cooling monolithic and iron-doped crystals of lithium niobate. Iron doping to the concentrations in the range of 1023 m3 was carried out by adding ferric oxide into the melt during the process of crystal growth. The research into radiation generation was performed at 1-10 Pa. The speed of heating from -10 to 1070 C was 10-20 degrees a minute. Current pulses appeared at 17, 38, 56, 94, 98, 100, 105, 106, 1070 C with the interval of 1-3 minutes. The obtained electron current increased in direct proportion to the crystal surface area. The maximum current was 3mA at the design voltage 11 kV on the crystal with 14,5x10,5x10 mm3 surface area. The article describes the possibility to control the start of generation by introducing priming pulse. The results achieved are explained by the domain repolarization while heating the crystal and the appearance of electric field local strength. Bias and overcharge currents contribute to the appearance of electric strength, which stimulates breakdown and plasma formation. X-ray radiation appears both at the stage of discharge formation and during electron deceleration on gas and target material.

Structural differences between single crystal and polycrystalline UBe 13

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

Volz, Heather Michelle; Vogel, Sven C.; Smith, Alice Iulia

Here, we report on observations of structural and chemical differences between samples of UBe 13 that were synthesised using two different methods. Unexplained discrepancies in properties between samples with differing synthesis had previously been found in this heavy fermion superconductor. A polycrystalline UBe13 sample was made by arc-melting the constituents. Single crystals were grown using an aluminium flux and had a consistently slightly larger lattice parameter than the polycrystals, which merited further study. Neutron diffraction data were collected at the Lujan Center at LANSCE on the HIPPO diffractometer. Aluminium was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in themore » flux-grown single crystal (0.803 wt%), and small amounts (~0.2 wt%) of thorium were detected in the UBe 13 polycrystalline sample. In order to probe the implications of the presence of Al, calculations by spin-polarised DFT-GGA+U show that the incorporation of Al onto the 96i site (the lowest symmetry site in the structure) is energetically more favourable than on other sites. In general, the trends calculated by DFT for bond lengths and lattice parameter increases are consistent with bond lengths experimentally observed by neutron diffraction, but specific percentage changes with aluminium incorporation may be obscured by the unexpected thorium in the polycrystalline sample. The aggregate of our initial observations suggests that incorporation of aluminium from the flux into single crystal UBe 13 is significant.« less

Structural differences between single crystal and polycrystalline UBe 13

DOE PAGES

Volz, Heather Michelle; Vogel, Sven C.; Smith, Alice Iulia; ...

2018-05-16

Here, we report on observations of structural and chemical differences between samples of UBe 13 that were synthesised using two different methods. Unexplained discrepancies in properties between samples with differing synthesis had previously been found in this heavy fermion superconductor. A polycrystalline UBe13 sample was made by arc-melting the constituents. Single crystals were grown using an aluminium flux and had a consistently slightly larger lattice parameter than the polycrystals, which merited further study. Neutron diffraction data were collected at the Lujan Center at LANSCE on the HIPPO diffractometer. Aluminium was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in themore » flux-grown single crystal (0.803 wt%), and small amounts (~0.2 wt%) of thorium were detected in the UBe 13 polycrystalline sample. In order to probe the implications of the presence of Al, calculations by spin-polarised DFT-GGA+U show that the incorporation of Al onto the 96i site (the lowest symmetry site in the structure) is energetically more favourable than on other sites. In general, the trends calculated by DFT for bond lengths and lattice parameter increases are consistent with bond lengths experimentally observed by neutron diffraction, but specific percentage changes with aluminium incorporation may be obscured by the unexpected thorium in the polycrystalline sample. The aggregate of our initial observations suggests that incorporation of aluminium from the flux into single crystal UBe 13 is significant.« less

Design of 4 to 2 line encoder using lithium niobate based Mach Zehnder Interferometers for high speed communication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pal, Amrindra; Kumar, Santosh; Sharma, Sandeep; Raghuwanshi, Sanjeev K.

2016-04-01

Encoder is a device that allows placing digital information from many inputs to many outputs. Any application of combinational logic circuit can be implemented by using encoder and external gates. In this paper, 4 to 2 line encoder is proposed using electro-optic effect inside lithium-niobate based Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs). The MZI structures have powerful capability to switching an optical input signal to a desired output port. The paper constitutes a mathematical description of the proposed device and thereafter simulation using MATLAB. The study is verified using beam propagation method (BPM).

Direct-laser metal writing of surface acoustic wave transducers for integrated-optic spatial light modulators in lithium niobate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Datta, Bianca C.; Savidis, Nickolaos; Moebius, Michael; Jolly, Sundeep; Mazur, Eric; Bove, V. Michael

2017-02-01

Recently, the fabrication of high-resolution silver nanostructures using a femtosecond laser-based direct write process in a gelatin matrix was reported. The application of direct metal writing towards feature development has also been explored with direct metal fusion, in which metal is fused onto the surface of the substrate via a femtosecond laser process. In this paper, we present a comparative study of gelatin matrix and metal fusion approaches for directly laser-written fabrication of surface acoustic wave transducers on a lithium niobate substrate for application in integrated optic spatial light modulators.

GaAs Photovoltaics on Polycrystalline Ge Substrates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilt, David M.; Pal, AnnaMaria T.; McNatt, Jeremiah S.; Wolford, David S.; Landis, Geoffrey A.; Smith, Mark A.; Scheiman, David; Jenkins, Phillip P.; McElroy Bruce

2007-01-01

High efficiency III-V multijunction solar cells deposited on metal foil or even polymer substrates can provide tremendous advantages in mass and stowage, particularly for planetary missions. As a first step towards that goal, poly-crystalline p/i/n GaAs solar cells are under development on polycrystalline Ge substrates. Organo Metallic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (OMVPE) parameters for pre-growth bake, nucleation and deposition have been examined. Single junction p/i/n GaAs photovoltaic devices, incorporating InGaP front and back window layers, have been grown and processed. Device performance has shown a dependence upon the thickness of a GaAs buffer layer deposited between the Ge substrate and the active device structure. A thick (2 m) GaAs buffer provides for both increased average device performance as well as reduced sensitivity to variations in grain size and orientation. Illumination under IR light (lambda > 1 micron), the cells showed a Voc, demonstrating the presence of an unintended photoactive junction at the GaAs/Ge interface. The presence of this junction limited the efficiency to approx.13% (estimated with an anti-refection coating) due to the current mismatch and lack of tunnel junction interconnect.

Acidic magnetorheological finishing of infrared polycrystalline materials.

PubMed

Salzman, S; Romanofsky, H J; West, G; Marshall, K L; Jacobs, S D; Lambropoulos, J C

2016-10-20

Chemical-vapor-deposited (CVD) ZnS is an example of a polycrystalline material that is difficult to polish smoothly via the magnetorheological finishing (MRF) technique. When MRF-polished, the internal infrastructure of the material tends to manifest on the surface as millimeter-sized "pebbles," and the surface roughness observed is considerably high. The fluid's parameters important to developing a magnetorheological (MR) fluid that is capable of polishing CVD ZnS smoothly were previously discussed and presented. These parameters were acidic pH (∼4.5) and low viscosity (∼47  cP). MRF with such a unique MR fluid was shown to reduce surface artifacts in the form of pebbles; however, surface microroughness was still relatively high because of the absence of a polishing abrasive in the formulation. In this study, we examine the effect of two polishing abrasives-alumina and nanodiamond-on the surface finish of several CVD ZnS substrates, and on other important IR polycrystalline materials that were finished with acidic MR fluids containing these two polishing abrasives. Surface microroughness results obtained were as low as ∼28  nm peak-to-valley and ∼6-nm root mean square.

Acidic magnetorheological finishing of infrared polycrystalline materials

DOE PAGES

Salzman, S.; Romanofsky, H. J.; West, G.; ...

2016-10-12

Here, chemical-vapor–deposited (CVD) ZnS is an example of a polycrystalline material that is difficult to polish smoothly via the magnetorheological–finishing (MRF) technique. When MRF-polished, the internal infrastructure of the material tends to manifest on the surface as millimeter-sized “pebbles,” and the surface roughness observed is considerably high. The fluid’s parameters important to developing a magnetorheological (MR) fluid that is capable of polishing CVD ZnS smoothly were previously discussed and presented. These parameters were acidic pH (~4.5) and low viscosity (~47 cP). MRF with such a unique MR fluid was shown to reduce surface artifacts in the form of pebbles; however,more » surface microroughness was still relatively high because of the absence of a polishing abrasive in the formulation. In this study, we examine the effect of two polishing abrasives—alumina and nanodiamond—on the surface finish of several CVD ZnS substrates, and on other important IR polycrystalline materials that were finished with acidic MR fluids containing these two polishing abrasives. Surface microroughness results obtained were as low as ~28 nm peak-to-valley and ~6-nm root mean square.« less

Unexpected pressure induced ductileness tuning in sulfur doped polycrystalline nickel metal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Cheng; Yang, Yan; Tan, Liuxi; Lei, Jialin; Guo, Shengmin; Chen, Bin; Yan, Jinyuan; Yang, Shizhong

2018-02-01

The sulfur induced embrittlement of polycrystalline nickel (Ni) metal has been a long-standing mystery. It is suggested that sulfur impurity makes ductile Ni metal brittle in many industry applications due to various mechanisms, such as impurity segregation and disorder-induced melting etc. Here we report an observation that the most ductile measurement occurs at a critical sulfur doping concentration, 14 at.% at pressure from 14 GPa up to 29 GPa through texture evolution analysis. The synchrotron-based high pressure texturing measurements using radial diamond anvil cell (rDAC) X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques reveal that the activities of slip systems in the polycrystalline nickel metal are affected by sulfur impurities and external pressures, giving rise to the changes in the plastic deformation of the nickel metal. Dislocation dynamics (DD) simulation on dislocation density and velocity further confirms the pressure induced ductilization changes in S doped Ni metal. This observation and simulation suggests that the ductilization of the doped polycrystalline nickel metal can be optimized by engineering the sulfur concentration under pressure, shedding a light on tuning the mechanical properties of this material for better high pressure applications.

High fidelity polycrystalline CdTe/CdS heterostructures via molecular dynamics

DOE PAGES

Aguirre, Rodolfo; Chavez, Jose Juan; Zhou, Xiaowang; ...

2017-06-20

Molecular dynamics simulations of polycrystalline growth of CdTe/CdS heterostructures have been performed. First, CdS was deposited on an amorphous CdS substrate, forming a polycrystalline film. Subsequently, CdTe was deposited on top of the polycrystalline CdS film. Cross-sectional images show grain formation at early stages of the CdS growth. During CdTe deposition, the CdS structure remains almost unchanged. Concurrently, CdTe grain boundary motion was detected after the first 24.4 nanoseconds of CdTe deposition. With the elapse of time, this grain boundary pins along the CdS/CdTe interface, leaving only a small region of epitaxial growth. CdTe grains are larger than CdS grainsmore » in agreement with experimental observations in the literature. Crystal phase analysis shows that zinc blende structure dominates over the wurtzite structure inside both CdS and CdTe grains. Composition analysis shows Te and S diffusion to the CdS and CdTe films, respectively. Lastly, these simulated results may stimulate new ideas for studying and improving CdTe solar cell efficiency.« less

Nanofrictional behavior of amorphous, polycrystalline and textured Y-Cr-O films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gervacio-Arciniega, J. J.; Flores-Ruiz, F. J.; Diliegros-Godines, C. J.; Broitman, E.; Enriquez-Flores, C. I.; Espinoza-Beltrán, F. J.; Siqueiros, J.; Cruz, M. P.

2016-08-01

Differences in friction coefficients (μ) of ferroelectric YCrO3, textured and polycrystalline films, and non-ferroelectric Y-Cr-O films are analyzed. The friction coefficient was evaluated by atomic force microscopy using a simple quantitative procedure where the dependence of friction force with the applied load is obtained in only one topographical image. A simple code was developed with the MATLAB® software to analyze the experimental data. The code includes a correction of the hysteresis in the forward and backward scanning directions. The quantification of load exerted on the sample surface was obtained by finite element analysis of the AFM cantilever starting from its experimental dynamic information. The results show that the ferroelectric YCrO3 film deposited on a Pt(150 nm)/TiO2(30 nm)/SiO2/Si (100) substrate is polycrystalline and has a lower friction coefficient than the deposited on SrTiO3 (110), which is highly textured. From a viewpoint of industrial application in ferroelectric memories, where the writing process is electrical or mechanically achieved by sliding AFM tips on the sample, polycrystalline YCrO3 films seem to be the best candidates due to their lower μ.

Sintering polycrystalline olivine and polycrystalline clinopyroxene containing trace amount of graphite from natural crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsubokawa, Yumiko; Ishikawa, Masahiro

2017-09-01

Graphite-bearing polycrystalline olivine and polycrystalline clinopyroxene with submicron to micron grain size were successfully sintered from a single crystal of naturally occurring olivine (Fo88-92Fa12-8: Mg1.76-1.84Fe0.16-0.24SiO4) and a single crystal of naturally occurring clinopyroxene (Di99Hed1: Ca0.92Na0.07Mn0.01Mg0.93Fe0.01Al0.06Si2O6). The milled powders of both these crystals were sintered under argon gas flow at temperatures ranging from 1130 to 1350 °C for 2 h. As the sintering temperature increased, the average grain size of olivine increased from 0.2 to 1.4 µm and that of clinopyroxene increased from 0.1 to 2.4 µm. The porosity of sintered samples remained at an almost-constant volume of 2-5% for olivine and 3-4% for clinopyroxene. The samples sintered from powders milled with ethanol exhibited trace amount of graphite, identified via Raman spectroscopy analysis. As the sintering temperature increased, the intensity of the graphite Raman peak decreased, compared with both olivine and clinopyroxene peaks. The carbon content of the sintered samples was estimated to be a few hundred ppm. The in-plane size ( L a ) of graphite in the sintered olivine was estimated to be <15 nm. Our experiments demonstrate new possibilities for preparing graphite-bearing silicate-mantle mineral rocks, and this method might be useful in understanding the influence of the physical properties of graphite on grain-size-sensitive rheology or the seismic velocity of the Earth's mantle.[Figure not available: see fulltext.

Critical experiments of the self-consistent model for polycrystalline Hastelloy-X

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shi, Shixiang; Walker, Kevin P.; Jordan, Eric H.

1991-01-01

A viscoplastic constitutive model is presented for the estimation of the overall mechanical response of Hastelloy-X polycrystalline metals from a knowledge of single crystal behavior. The behavior of polycrystal is derived from that of single crystals using a self-consistent formulation. The single crystal behavior which has been used was developed by summing postulated slip on crystallographic slip systems. The plasticity and creep are treated coupledly using unified viscoplastic model which includes the interaction effects between rapid and slow deformation at elevated temperature. The validity of the model is directly tested by experiments on Hastelloy-X in both single crystal and polycrystalline versions.

Polycrystalline ferroelectric or multiferroic oxide articles on biaxially textured substrates and methods for making same

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

Goyal, Amit; Shin, Junsoo

A polycrystalline ferroelectric and/or multiferroic oxide article includes a substrate having a biaxially textured surface; at least one biaxially textured buffer layer supported by the substrate; and a biaxially textured ferroelectric or multiferroic oxide layer supported by the buffer layer. Methods for making polycrystalline ferroelectric and/or multiferroic oxide articles are also disclosed.

Potassium Niobate Nanolamina: A Promising Adsorbent for Entrapment of Radioactive Cations from Water

PubMed Central

Sun, Jin; Yang, Dongjiang; Sun, Cuihua; Liu, Long; Yang, Shuanglei; (Alec) Jia, Yi; Cai, Rongsheng; Yao, Xiangdong

2014-01-01

Processing and managing radioactive waste is a great challenge worldwide as it is extremely difficult and costly; the radioactive species, cations or anions, leaked into the environment are a serious threat to the health of present and future generations. We report layered potassium niobate (K4Nb6O17) nanolamina as adsorbent to remove toxic Sr2+, Ba2+ and Cs+ cations from wastewater. The results show that K4Nb6O17 nanolamina can permanently confine the toxic cations within the interlayer spacing via a considerable deformation of the metastable layered structure during the ion exchange process. At the same time, the nanolaminar adsorbent exhibits prompt adsorption kinetics, high adsorption capacity and selectivity, and superior acid resistance. These merits make it be a promising material as ion exchanger for the removal of radioactive cations from wastewater. PMID:25472721

Potassium niobate nanolamina: a promising adsorbent for entrapment of radioactive cations from water.

PubMed

Sun, Jin; Yang, Dongjiang; Sun, Cuihua; Liu, Long; Yang, Shuanglei; Alec Jia, Yi; Cai, Rongsheng; Yao, Xiangdong

2014-12-04

Processing and managing radioactive waste is a great challenge worldwide as it is extremely difficult and costly; the radioactive species, cations or anions, leaked into the environment are a serious threat to the health of present and future generations. We report layered potassium niobate (K4Nb6O17) nanolamina as adsorbent to remove toxic Sr(2+), Ba(2+) and Cs(+) cations from wastewater. The results show that K4Nb6O17 nanolamina can permanently confine the toxic cations within the interlayer spacing via a considerable deformation of the metastable layered structure during the ion exchange process. At the same time, the nanolaminar adsorbent exhibits prompt adsorption kinetics, high adsorption capacity and selectivity, and superior acid resistance. These merits make it be a promising material as ion exchanger for the removal of radioactive cations from wastewater.

Gold particle formation via photoenhanced deposition on lithium niobate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaniewski, A. M.; Meeks, V.; Nemanich, R. J.

2017-05-01

In this work, we report on a technique to reduce gold chloride into sub-micron particles and nanoparticles. We use photoelectron transfer from periodically polarized lithium niobate (PPLN) illuminated with above band gap light to drive the surface reactions required for the reduction and particle formation. The particle sizes and distributions on the PPLN surface are sensitive to the solution concentration, with inhibited nucleation and large particles (>150 nm) for both low (2E-8M to 9E-7M) and high (1E-5M to 1E-3M) concentrations of gold chloride. At midrange values of the concentration, nucleation is more frequent, resulting in smaller sized particles (<150 nm). We compare the deposition process to that for silver, which has been previously studied. We find that the reduction of gold chloride into nanoparticles is inhibited compared to silver ion reduction, due to the multi-step reaction required for gold particle formation. This also has consequences for the resulting deposition patterns: while silver deposits into nanowires along boundaries between areas with opposite signed polarizations, such patterning of the deposition is not observed for gold, for a wide range of concentrations studied (2E-8 to 1E-3M).

Electrical Transport Properties of Polycrystalline Monolayer Molybdenum Disulfide

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-14

Lou, Sina Najmaei, Matin Amani, Matthew L. Chin, Zheng Se. TASK NUMBER Liu Sf. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAMES AND ADDRESSES 8...Transport Properties of Polycrystalline Monolayer Molybdenum Disulfide Sina Najmaei,t.§ Matin Ama ni,M Matthew L. Chin,* Zhe ng liu/ ·"·v: A. Gle n

Processing and characterization of polycrystalline YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) core-clad fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Hyun Jun; Fair, Geoff E.; Potticary, Santeri A.; O'Malley, Matthew J.; Usechak, Nicholas G.

2014-06-01

Polycrystalline YAG fiber has recently attracted considerable attention for the role it could play as a fiber-laser gain media. This primarily due to its large surface-to-volume ratio, high stimulated Brillouin scattering threshold, and its high thermal conductivity; all of which are superior to that of silica-glass fibers. As a consequence, techniques which enable the fabrication of poly- and single-crystalline YAG fibers have recently been the focus of a number of efforts. In this work we have endeavored to reduce the scattering loss of polycrystalline-YAG-core fibers while simultaneously demonstrating optical gain by enhancing our processing techniques using feedback from mechanical testing and through the development of a technique to encase doped YAG-core fibers with un-doped YAG claddings. To this end we have recently fabricated fibers with both core and claddings made up of polycrystalline YAG and subsequently confirmed that they indeed guide light. In this paper, the processes leading to the fabrication of these fibers will be discussed along with their characterization.

Tracking performance of a single-crystal and a polycrystalline diamond pixel-detector

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

Menasce, D.; et al.

2013-06-01

We present a comparative characterization of the performance of a single-crystal and a polycrystalline diamond pixel-detector employing the standard CMS pixel readout chips. Measurements were carried out at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility, FTBF, using protons of momentum 120 GeV/c tracked by a high-resolution pixel telescope. Particular attention was directed to the study of the charge-collection, the charge-sharing among adjacent pixels and the achievable position resolution. The performance of the single-crystal detector was excellent and comparable to the best available silicon pixel-detectors. The measured average detection-efficiency was near unity, ε = 0.99860±0.00006, and the position-resolution for shared hits was aboutmore » 6 μm. On the other hand, the performance of the polycrystalline detector was hampered by its lower charge collection distance and the readout chip threshold. A new readout chip, capable of operating at much lower threshold (around 1 ke $-$), would be required to fully exploit the potential performance of the polycrystalline diamond pixel-detector.« less

Tribological properties of sintered polycrystalline and single crystal silicon carbide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miyoshi, K.; Buckley, D. H.; Srinivasan, M.

1982-01-01

Tribological studies and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses were conducted with sintered polycrystalline and single crystal silicon carbide surfaces in sliding contact with iron at various temperatures to 1500 C in a vacuum of 30 nPa. The results indicate that there is a significant temperature influence on both the friction properties and the surface chemistry of silicon carbide. The main contaminants on the as received sintered polycrystalline silicon carbide surfaces are adsorbed carbon, oxygen, graphite, and silicon dioxide. The surface revealed a low coefficient of friction. This is due to the presence of the graphite on the surface. At temperatures of 400 to 600 C graphite and copious amount of silicon dioxide were observed on the polycrystalline silicon carbide surface in addition to silicon carbide. At 800 C, the amount of the silicon dioxide decreased rapidly and the silicon carbide type silicon and carbon peaks were at a maximum intensity in the XPS spectra. The coefficients of friction were high in the temperature range 400 to 800 C. Small amounts of carbon and oxygen contaminants were observed on the as received single crystal silicon carbide surface below 250 C. Silicon carbide type silicon and carbon peaks were seen on the silicon carbide in addition to very small amount of graphite and silicon dioxide at temperatures of 450 to 800 C.

Effective thermal and mechanical properties of polycrystalline diamond films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Hao-Yu; Yang, Chi-Yuan; Yang, Li-Chueh; Peng, Kun-Cheng; Chia, Chih-Ta; Liu, Shiu-Jen; Lin, I.-Nan; Lin, Kung-Hsuan

2018-04-01

Polycrystalline diamond films were demonstrated as good candidates for electron field emitters, and their mechanical/thermal properties should thus be considered for real devices. We utilized ultrafast optical techniques to investigate the phonon dynamics of several polycrystalline diamond films, prepared by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The mechanical properties (longitudinal acoustic velocity) and thermal conductivities of diamond films were evaluated from the coherent and incoherent phonon dynamics, respectively. Ultrananocrystalline diamond films were grown using a CH4 (2%)/Ar plasma, while microcrystalline diamond films were grown using a CH4 (2%)/H2 plasma. The ultrananocrystalline diamond film (with a grain size of several nanometers) possesses low acoustic velocity (14.5 nm/ps) and low thermal conductivity (3.17 W/m K) compared with other kinds of diamond films. The acoustic velocity of diamond films increased abruptly to nearly the same as that of natural diamond and remained there when the rod-shaped diamond grains were induced due to the incorporation of H2 in the growth plasma (CH4/Ar). The thermal conductivities of the materials increased monotonously with increasing incorporation of H2 in the growth plasma (CH4/Ar). The thermal conductivity of 25.6 W/m K was attained for nanocrystalline diamond films containing spherical diamond grains (with a size of several tens of nanometers). Compared with single crystalline diamond, the low thermal conductivity of polycrystalline films results from phonon scattering at the interfaces of grains and amorphous carbon in the boundary phases.

Electrostrain in excess of 1% in polycrystalline piezoelectrics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Narayan, Bastola; Malhotra, Jaskaran Singh; Pandey, Rishikesh; Yaddanapudi, Krishna; Nukala, Pavan; Dkhil, Brahim; Senyshyn, Anatoliy; Ranjan, Rajeev

2018-05-01

Piezoelectric actuators transform electrical energy into mechanical energy, and because of their compactness, quick response time and accurate displacement, they are sought after in many applications. Polycrystalline piezoelectric ceramics are technologically more appealing than single crystals due to their simpler and less expensive processing, but have yet to display electrostrain values that exceed 1%. Here we report a material design strategy wherein the efficient switching of ferroelectric-ferroelastic domains by an electric field is exploited to achieve a high electrostrain value of 1.3% in a pseudo-ternary ferroelectric alloy system, BiFeO3-PbTiO3-LaFeO3. Detailed structural investigations reveal that this electrostrain is associated with a combination of several factors: a large spontaneous lattice strain of the piezoelectric phase, domain miniaturization, a low-symmetry ferroelectric phase and a very large reverse switching of the non-180° domains. This insight for the design of a new class of polycrystalline piezoceramics with high electrostrains may be useful to develop alternatives to costly single-crystal actuators.

Grain-boundary unzipping by oxidation in polycrystalline graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandre, Simone; Lucio, Aline; Nunes, Ricardo

2011-03-01

The need for large-scale production of graphene will inevitably lead to synthesis of the polycrystalline material [1,2]. Understanding the chemical, mechanical, and electronic properties of grain boundaries in graphene polycrystals will be crucial for the development of graphene-based electronics. Oxidation of this material has been suggested to lead to graphene ribbons, by the oxygen-driven unzipping mechanism. A cooperative-strain mechanism, based on the formation of epoxy groups along lines of parallel bonds in the hexagons of graphene's honeycomb lattice, was proposed to explain the unzipping effect in bulk graphene In this work we employ ab initio calculations to study the oxidation of polycrystalline graphene by chemisorption of oxygen at the grain boundaries. Our results indicate that oxygen tends to segregate at the boundaries, and that the unzipping mechanism is also operative along the grain boundaries, despite the lack of the parallel bonds due to the presence of fivefold and sevenfold carbon rings along the boundary core. We acknowledge support from the Brazilian agencies: CNPq, Fapemig, and INCT-Materiais de Carbono.

Origins of Folding Instabilities on Polycrystalline Metal Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beckmann, N.; Romero, P. A.; Linsler, D.; Dienwiebel, M.; Stolz, U.; Moseler, M.; Gumbsch, P.

2014-12-01

Wear and removal of material from polycrystalline metal surfaces is inherently connected to plastic flow. Here, plowing-induced unconstrained surface plastic flow on a nanocrystalline copper surface has been studied by massive molecular dynamics simulations and atomic force microscopy scratch experiments. In agreement with experimental findings, bulges in front of a model asperity develop into vortexlike fold patterns that mark the disruption of laminar flow. We identify dislocation-mediated plastic flow in grains with suitably oriented slip systems as the basic mechanism of bulging and fold formation. The observed folding can be fundamentally explained by the inhomogeneity of plasticity on polycrystalline surfaces which favors bulge formation on grains with suitably oriented slip system. This process is clearly distinct from Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities in fluids, which have been previously suggested to resemble the formed surface fold patterns. The generated prow grows into a rough chip with stratified lamellae that are identified as the precursors of wear debris. Our findings demonstrate the importance of surface texture and grain structure engineering to achieve ultralow wear in metals.

Oscillateur paramétrique optique intégré : revue des réalisations sur niobate de lithium polarisé périodiquement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Micheli, Marc P.

2000-07-01

To realize an IOPO, one need a good nonlinear substrate in which it is possible to realize low-loss waveguides and fulfill the phase-matching conditions. In this paper, I will present the problems researchers have faced, the techniques they have used and the results they have obtained by using either proton exchange or titanium indiffusion to create waveguides in periodically poled lithium niobate.

Microscopy and microRaman study of periodically poled domains in deeply thinned lithium niobate wafers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bullen, P. S.; Huang, H.-C.; Yang, H.; Dadap, J. I.; Kymissis, I.; Osgood, R. M.

2016-07-01

The domain structure of poled deeply thinned lithium niobate is investigated as a function of sample thickness. Free-standing samples of thickness from 25 to 500 μm are prepared by a multiple-cycle polish and annealing procedure and then periodically poled. Using these samples and employing micro-Raman scattering and scanning electron, atomic force, and optical microscopy together, the domain broadening and poling voltage are found to vary in a regular and significant manner. The poled domains show a reduction in width spreading of 38% as the sample thickness is reduced from 500 to 25 μm. Micro-Raman probe measurements verify the quality and the uniformity of the poled domains and provide insight into their thickness-dependent poling contrast.

Observations of Dynamic Strain Aging in Polycrystalline NiAl

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weaver, M. L.; Noebe, R. D.; Kaufman, M. J.

1996-01-01

Dynamic strain aging has been investigated at temperatures between 77 and 1100 K in eight polycrystalline NiAl alloys. The 0.2% offset yield stress and work hardening rates for these alloys generally decreased with increasing temperature. However, local plateaus or maxima were observed in conventional purity and carbon doped alloys at intermediate temperatures (600-900 K). This anomalous behavior was not observed in low interstitial high-purity, nitrogen doped, or in titanium doped materials. Low or negative strain rate sensitivities (SRS) were also observed in all eight alloys in this intermediate temperature range. Coincident with the occurrence of negative SRS was the occurrence of serrated flow in conventional purity alloys containing high concentrations of Si in addition to C. These phenomena have been attributed to dynamic strain aging (DSA). Chemical analysis of the alloys used in this study suggests that the main species causing strain aging in polycrystalline NiAl is C but indicate that residual Si impurities can enhance the strain aging effect.

Few-cycle solitons and supercontinuum generation with cascaded quadratic nonlinearities in unpoled lithium niobate ridge waveguides.

PubMed

Guo, Hairun; Zeng, Xianglong; Zhou, Binbin; Bache, Morten

2014-03-01

Formation and interaction of few-cycle solitons in a lithium niobate ridge waveguide are numerically investigated. The solitons are created through a cascaded phase-mismatched second-harmonic generation process, which induces a dominant self-defocusing Kerr-like nonlinearity on the pump pulse. The inherent material self-focusing Kerr nonlinearity is overcome over a wide wavelength range, and self-defocusing solitons are supported from 1100 to 1900 nm, covering the whole communication band. Single cycle self-compressed solitons and supercontinuum generation spanning 1.3 octaves are observed when pumped with femtosecond nanojoule pulses at 1550 nm. The waveguide is not periodically poled, as quasi-phase-matching would lead to detrimental nonlinear effects impeding few-cycle soliton formation.

Microscopic gate-modulation imaging of charge and field distribution in polycrystalline organic transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsuoka, Satoshi; Tsutsumi, Jun'ya; Kamata, Toshihide; Hasegawa, Tatsuo

2018-04-01

In this work, a high-resolution microscopic gate-modulation imaging (μ-GMI) technique is successfully developed to visualize inhomogeneous charge and electric field distributions in operating organic thin-film transistors (TFTs). We conduct highly sensitive and diffraction-limit gate-modulation sensing for acquiring difference images of semiconducting channels between at gate-on and gate-off states that are biased at an alternate frequency of 15 Hz. As a result, we observe unexpectedly inhomogeneous distribution of positive and negative local gate-modulation (GM) signals at a probe photon energy of 1.85 eV in polycrystalline pentacene TFTs. Spectroscopic analyses based on a series of μ-GMI at various photon energies reveal that two distinct effects appear, simultaneously, within the polycrystalline pentacene channel layers: Negative GM signals at 1.85 eV originate from the second-derivative-like GM spectrum which is caused by the effect of charge accumulation, whereas positive GM signals originate from the first-derivative-like GM spectrum caused by the effect of leaked gate fields. Comparisons with polycrystalline morphologies indicate that grain centers are predominated by areas with high leaked gate fields due to the low charge density, whereas grain edges are predominantly high-charge-density areas with a certain spatial extension as associated with the concentrated carrier traps. Consequently, it is reasonably understood that larger grains lead to higher device mobility, but with greater inhomogeneity in charge distribution. These findings provide a clue to understand and improve device characteristics of polycrystalline TFTs.

Hybrid microfiber-lithium-niobate nanowaveguide structures as high-purity heralded single-photon sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Main, Philip; Mosley, Peter J.; Ding, Wei; Zhang, Lijian; Gorbach, Andrey V.

2016-12-01

We propose a compact, fiber-integrated architecture for photon-pair generation by parametric downconversion with unprecedented flexibility in the properties of the photons produced. Our approach is based on a thin-film lithium niobate nanowaveguide, evanescently coupled to a tapered silica microfiber. We demonstrate how controllable mode hybridization between the fiber and waveguide yields control over the joint spectrum of the photon pairs. We also investigate how independent engineering of the linear and nonlinear properties of the structure can be achieved through the addition of a tapered, proton-exchanged layer to the waveguide. This allows further refinement of the joint spectrum through custom profiling of the effective nonlinearity, drastically improving the purity of the heralded photons. We give details of a source design capable of generating heralded single photons in the telecom wavelength range with purity of at least 0.95, and we provide a feasible fabrication methodology.

Alkali oxide-tantalum oxide and alkali oxide-niobium oxide ionic conductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roth, R. S.; Parker, H. S.; Brower, W. S.; Minor, D.

1974-01-01

A search was made for new cationic conducting phases in alkali-tantalate and niobate systems. The phase equilibrium diagrams were constructed for the six binary systems Nb2O5-LiNbO3, Nb2O5-NaNbO3, Nb2O5-KNbO3, Ta2O5-NaTaO3, Ta2O5-LiTaO3, and Ta2O5-KTaO3. Various other binary and ternary systems were also examined. Pellets of nineteen phases were evaluated (by the sponsoring agency) by dielectric loss measurements. Attempts were made to grow large crystals of eight different phases. The system Ta2O5-KTaO3 contains at least three phases which showed peaks in dielectric loss vs. temperature. All three contain structures related to the tungsten bronzes with alkali ions in non-stoichiometric crystallographic positions.

Percolation Magnetism in Ferroelectric Nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golovina, Iryna S.; Lemishko, Serhii V.; Morozovska, Anna N.

2017-06-01

Nanoparticles of potassium tantalate (KTaO3) and potassium niobate (KNbO3) were synthesized by oxidation of metallic tantalum in molten potassium nitrate with the addition of potassium hydroxide. Magnetization curves obtained on these ferroelectric nanoparticles exhibit a weak ferromagnetism, while these compounds are nonmagnetic in a bulk. The experimental data are used as a start point for theoretical calculations. We consider a microscopic mechanism that leads to the emerging of a ferromagnetic ordering in ferroelectric nanoparticles. Our approach is based on the percolation of magnetic polarons assuming the dominant role of the oxygen vacancies. It describes the formation of surface magnetic polarons, in which an exchange interaction between electrons trapped in oxygen vacancies is mediated by magnetic impurity Fe3+ ions. The dependences of percolation radius on concentration of the oxygen vacancies and magnetic defects are determined in the framework of percolation theory.

Impedance study of undoped, polycrystalline diamond layers obtained by HF CVD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paprocki, Kazimierz; Fabisiak, Kazimerz; Dychalska, Anna; Szybowicz, Mirosław; Dudkowiak, Alina; Iskaliyeva, Aizhan

2017-04-01

In this paper, we report results of impedance measurements in polycrystalline diamond films deposited on n-Si using HF CVD method. The temperature was changed from 170 K up to RT and the scan frequency from 42 Hz to 5 MHz. The results of impedance measurement of the real and imaginary parts were presented in the form of a Cole-Cole plot in the complex plane. In the temperatures below RT, the observed impedance response of polycrystalline diamond was in the form of a single semicircular form. In order to interpret the observed response, a double resistor-capacitor parallel circuit model was used which allow for interpretation physical mechanisms responsible for such behavior. The impedance results were correlated with Raman spectroscopy measurements.

Advances in polycrystalline thin-film photovoltaics for space applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lanning, Bruce R.; Armstrong, Joseph H.; Misra, Mohan S.

1994-01-01

Polycrystalline, thin-film photovoltaics represent one of the few (if not the only) renewable power sources which has the potential to satisfy the demanding technical requirements for future space applications. The demand in space is for deployable, flexible arrays with high power-to-weight ratios and long-term stability (15-20 years). In addition, there is also the demand that these arrays be produced by scalable, low-cost, high yield, processes. An approach to significantly reduce costs and increase reliability is to interconnect individual cells series via monolithic integration. Both CIS and CdTe semiconductor films are optimum absorber materials for thin-film n-p heterojunction solar cells, having band gaps between 0.9-1.5 ev and demonstrated small area efficiencies, with cadmium sulfide window layers, above 16.5 percent. Both CIS and CdTe polycrystalline thin-film cells have been produced on a laboratory scale by a variety of physical and chemical deposition methods, including evaporation, sputtering, and electrodeposition. Translating laboratory processes which yield these high efficiency, small area cells into the design of a manufacturing process capable of producing 1-sq ft modules, however, requires a quantitative understanding of each individual step in the process and its (each step) effect on overall module performance. With a proper quantification and understanding of material transport and reactivity for each individual step, manufacturing process can be designed that is not 'reactor-specific' and can be controlled intelligently with the design parameters of the process. The objective of this paper is to present an overview of the current efforts at MMC to develop large-scale manufacturing processes for both CIS and CdTe thin-film polycrystalline modules. CIS cells/modules are fabricated in a 'substrate configuration' by physical vapor deposition techniques and CdTe cells/modules are fabricated in a 'superstrate configuration' by wet chemical

Polycrystalline nanowires of gadolinium-doped ceria via random alignment mediated by supercritical carbon dioxide

PubMed Central

Kim, Sang Woo; Ahn, Jae-Pyoung

2013-01-01

This study proposes a seed/template-free method that affords high-purity semiconducting nanowires from nanoclusters, which act as basic building blocks for nanomaterials, under supercritical CO2 fluid. Polycrystalline nanowires of Gd-doped ceria (Gd-CeO2) were formed by CO2-mediated non-oriented attachment of the nanoclusters resulting from the dissociation of single-crystalline aggregates. The unique formation mechanism underlying this morphological transition may be exploited for the facile growth of high-purity polycrystalline nanowires. PMID:23572061

Deformation and fracture of single-crystal and sintered polycrystalline silicon carbide produced by cavitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa; Hattori, Shuji; Okada, Tsunenori; Buckley, Donald H.

1987-01-01

An investigation was conducted to examine the deformation and fracture behavior of single-crystal and sintered polycrystalline SiC surfaces exposed to cavitation. Cavitation erosion experiments were conducted in distilled water at 25 C by using a magnetostrictive oscillator in close proximity (1 mm) to the surface of SiC. The horn frequency was 20 kHz, and the double amplitude of the vibrating disk was 50 microns. The results of the investigation indicate that the SiC (0001) surface could be deformed in a plastic manner during cavitation. Dislocation etch pits were formed when the surface was chemically etched. The number of defects, including dislocations in the SiC (0001) surface, increased with increasing exposure time to cavitation. The presence of intrinsic defects such as voids in the surficial layers of the sintered polycrystalline SiC determined the zones at which fractured grains and fracture pits (pores) were generated. Single-crystal SiC had superior erosion resistance to that of sintered polycrystalline SiC.

Deformation and fracture of single-crystal and sintered polycrystalline silicon carbide produced by cavitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa; Hattori, Shuji; Okada, Tsunenori; Buckley, Donald H.

1989-01-01

An investigation was conducted to examine the deformation and fracture behavior of single-crystal and sintered polycrystalline SiC surfaces exposed to cavitation. Cavitation erosion experiments were conducted in distilled water at 25 C by using a magnetostrictive oscillator in close proximity (1 mm) to the surface of SiC. The horn frequency was 20 kHz, and the double amplitude of the vibrating disk was 50 microns. The results of the investigation indicate that the SiC (0001) surface could be deformed in a plastic manner during cavitation. Dislocation etch pits were formed when the surface was chemically etched. The number of defects, including dislocations in SiC (0001) surface, increased with increasing exposure time to cavitation. The presence of intrinsic defects such as voids in the surficial layers of the sintered polycrystalline SiC determined the zones at which fractured grains and fracture pits (pores) were generated. Single-crystal SiC had superior erosion resistance to that of sintered polycrystalline SiC.

Measuring long-range carrier diffusion across multiple grains in polycrystalline semiconductors by photoluminescence imaging

PubMed Central

Alberi, K.; Fluegel, B.; Moutinho, H.; Dhere, R. G.; Li, J. V.; Mascarenhas, A.

2013-01-01

Thin-film polycrystalline semiconductors are currently at the forefront of inexpensive large-area solar cell and integrated circuit technologies because of their reduced processing and substrate selection constraints. Understanding the extent to which structural and electronic defects influence carrier transport in these materials is critical to controlling the optoelectronic properties, yet many measurement techniques are only capable of indirectly probing their effects. Here we apply a novel photoluminescence imaging technique to directly observe the low temperature diffusion of photocarriers through and across defect states in polycrystalline CdTe thin films. Our measurements show that an inhomogeneous distribution of localized defect states mediates long-range hole transport across multiple grain boundaries to locations exceeding 10 μm from the point of photogeneration. These results provide new insight into the key role deep trap states have in low temperature carrier transport in polycrystalline CdTe by revealing their propensity to act as networks for hopping conduction. PMID:24158163

Polycrystalline Silicon: a Biocompatibility Assay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pecheva, E.; Laquerriere, P.; Bouthors, Sylvie; Fingarova, D.; Pramatarova, L.; Hikov, T.; Dimova-Malinovska, D.; Montgomery, P.

2010-01-01

Polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) layers were functionalized through the growth of biomimetic hydroxyapatite (HA) on their surface. HA is the mineral component of bones and teeth and thus possesses excellent bioactivity and biocompatibility. MG-63 osteoblast-like cells were cultured on both HA-coated and un-coated poly-Si surfaces for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days and toxicity, proliferation and cell morphology were investigated. The results revealed that the poly-Si layers were bioactive and compatible with the osteoblast-like cells. Nevertheless, the HA coating improved the cell interactions with the poly-Si surfaces based on the cell affinity to the specific chemical composition of the bone-like HA and/or to the higher HA roughness.

Integrated source of tunable nonmaximally mode-entangled photons in a domain-engineered lithium niobate waveguide

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

Ming, Yang; Wu, Zi-jian; Xu, Fei, E-mail: feixu@nju.edu.cn

The nonmaximally entangled state is a special kind of entangled state, which has important applications in quantum information processing. It has been generated in quantum circuits based on bulk optical elements. However, corresponding schemes in integrated quantum circuits have been rarely considered. In this Letter, we propose an effective solution for this problem. An electro-optically tunable nonmaximally mode-entangled photon state is generated in an on-chip domain-engineered lithium niobate (LN) waveguide. Spontaneous parametric down-conversion and electro-optic interaction are effectively combined through suitable domain design to transform the entangled state into our desired formation. Moreover, this is a flexible approach to entanglementmore » architectures. Other kinds of reconfigurable entanglements are also achievable through this method. LN provides a very promising platform for future quantum circuit integration.« less

High-Q photonic resonators and electro-optic coupling using silicon-on-lithium-niobate

PubMed Central

Witmer, Jeremy D.; Valery, Joseph A.; Arrangoiz-Arriola, Patricio; Sarabalis, Christopher J.; Hill, Jeff T.; Safavi-Naeini, Amir H.

2017-01-01

Future quantum networks, in which superconducting quantum processors are connected via optical links, will require microwave-to-optical photon converters that preserve entanglement. A doubly-resonant electro-optic modulator (EOM) is a promising platform to realize this conversion. Here, we present our progress towards building such a modulator by demonstrating the optically-resonant half of the device. We demonstrate high quality (Q) factor ring, disk and photonic crystal resonators using a hybrid silicon-on-lithium-niobate material system. Optical Q factors up to 730,000 are achieved, corresponding to propagation loss of 0.8 dB/cm. We also use the electro-optic effect to modulate the resonance frequency of a photonic crystal cavity, achieving a electro-optic modulation coefficient between 1 and 2 pm/V. In addition to quantum technology, we expect that our results will be useful both in traditional silicon photonics applications and in high-sensitivity acousto-optic devices. PMID:28406177

High-Q photonic resonators and electro-optic coupling using silicon-on-lithium-niobate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Witmer, Jeremy D.; Valery, Joseph A.; Arrangoiz-Arriola, Patricio; Sarabalis, Christopher J.; Hill, Jeff T.; Safavi-Naeini, Amir H.

2017-04-01

Future quantum networks, in which superconducting quantum processors are connected via optical links, will require microwave-to-optical photon converters that preserve entanglement. A doubly-resonant electro-optic modulator (EOM) is a promising platform to realize this conversion. Here, we present our progress towards building such a modulator by demonstrating the optically-resonant half of the device. We demonstrate high quality (Q) factor ring, disk and photonic crystal resonators using a hybrid silicon-on-lithium-niobate material system. Optical Q factors up to 730,000 are achieved, corresponding to propagation loss of 0.8 dB/cm. We also use the electro-optic effect to modulate the resonance frequency of a photonic crystal cavity, achieving a electro-optic modulation coefficient between 1 and 2 pm/V. In addition to quantum technology, we expect that our results will be useful both in traditional silicon photonics applications and in high-sensitivity acousto-optic devices.

Coercivity and Exchange Bias Study of Polycrystalline Hollow Nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bah, Mohamed Alpha

hollow morphology are also of interest to the scientific community. For such cases, surface spin glass transition enhancements have been reported due to the presence of the additional inner surface. CoFe2O4, NiFe 2O4 and gamma-Fe2O3 hollow nanoparticles exhibit strikingly contrasting magnetic behavior compared to bulk and conventional solid particles; similar behavior was also observed in core/shell nanoparticles. Structurally, hollow polycrystalline nanoparticles are composed of multiple crystallographic domains. This random orientation of the crystallographic domains also causes randomization of the local anisotropy axes. Hence the overall effect of this morphology on the magnetic properties is exhibited through the high coercivity, relatively high temperature magnetic irreversibility, lack of magnetic saturation, high blocking temperature, etc. Over the years, extensive work on core/shell nanoparticles have been carried out to understand their exchange bias phenomenon and the effect on coercivity. Recently, focus has been given to hollow polycrystalline nanoparticles for the reason mentioned above. This thesis investigates the root cause for the above-mentioned effects on the coercivity and exchange bias. Since hollow nanoparticles with polycrystalline structure have shown to exhibit different and improved magnetic behavior compared to bulk and other conventional solid particles, they will be the focus of our investigation. First, extensive field and temperature dependent magnetic study on polycrystalline hollow nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) have revealed the effect of the presence of inner surface in a single oxide nanoparticle. Second, the effect of having multiple oxides with different magnetic properties (i.e. FM and AFM) in a single nanoparticle, while maintaining a hollow morphology was investigated by studying polycrystalline hollow gamma-Mn2O3 and MnO nanoparticles. Studies on various conventional solid manganese oxide nanoparticles have already been reported

Periodic disruptions induced by high repetition rate femtosecond pulses on magnesium-oxide-doped lithium niobate surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Shuanggen; Kan, Hongli; Zhai, Kaili; Ma, Xiurong; Luo, Yiming; Hu, Minglie; Wang, Qingyue

2017-02-01

In this paper, we demonstrate the periodic disruption formation on magnesium-oxide-doped lithium niobate surfaces by a femtosecond fiber laser system with wavelength and repetition rate of 1040 nm and 52 MHz, respectively. Three main experimental conditions, laser average power, scanning speed, and orientation of sample were systematically studied. In particular, the ablation morphologies of periodic disruptions under different crystal orientations were specifically researched. The result shows that such disruptions consisting of a bamboo-like inner structure appears periodically for focusing on the surface of X-, Y- and Z-cut wafers, which are formed by a rapid quenching of the material. Meanwhile, due to the anisotropic property, the bamboo-like inner structures consist of a cavity only arise from X- and Z-cut orientation.

Formation of 2D bright spatial solitons in lithium niobate with photovoltaic response and incoherent background

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pustozerov, A.; Shandarov, V.

2017-12-01

The influence of incoherent background illumination produced by light-emitting diodes (LED's) of different average wavelengths and laser diode emitting in blue region of visible on diffraction characteristics of narrow coherent light beams of He-Ne laser due to refractive index changes of Fe-doped lithium niobate sample are studied. It has been experimentally demonstrated that nonlinear diffraction of red beams with wavelength 633 nm and diameters on full width of half maximum (FWHM) near to 15 μm may be totally compensated using background light with average wavelengths 450 - 465 nm. To provide the necessary intensity of incoherent background, the combinations of spherical and cylindrical concave lenses with blue LED and laser diode module without focusing its beam have been used.

Effect of Grain Boundaries on the Performance of Thin-Film-Based Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Cells: A Numerical Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chhetri, Nikita; Chatterjee, Somenath

2018-01-01

Solar cells/photovoltaic, a renewable energy source, is appraised to be the most effective alternative to the conventional electrical energy generator. A cost-effective alternative of crystalline wafer-based solar cell is thin-film polycrystalline-based solar cell. This paper reports the numerical analysis of dependency of the solar cell parameters (i.e., efficiency, fill factor, open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current density) on grain size for thin-film-based polycrystalline silicon (Si) solar cells. A minority carrier lifetime model is proposed to do a correlation between the grains, grain boundaries and lifetime for thin-film-based polycrystalline Si solar cells in MATLAB environment. As observed, the increment in the grain size diameter results in increase in minority carrier lifetime in polycrystalline Si thin film. A non-equivalent series resistance double-diode model is used to find the dark as well as light (AM1.5) current-voltage (I-V) characteristics for thin-film-based polycrystalline Si solar cells. To optimize the effectiveness of the proposed model, a successive approximation method is used and the corresponding fitting parameters are obtained. The model is validated with the experimentally obtained results reported elsewhere. The experimentally reported solar cell parameters can be found using the proposed model described here.

Annealing Effects on Creep and Rupture of Polycrystalline Alumina-Based Fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldsby, J. C.; Yun, H. M.; Morscher, G. N.; DiCarlo, J. A.

1998-01-01

Continuous-length polycrystalline aluminum-oxide-based fibers are being considered as reinforcements for advanced high-temperature composite materials. For these fine-grained fibers, basic issues arise concerning grain growth and microstructural instability during composite fabrication and the resulting effects on the fiber's thermo-mechanical properties. To examine these issues, commercially available Nextel 610 (alumina) and Altex (alumina-silica) fibers were annealed at 1100 and 1300 C for up to 100 hr in air. Changes in fiber microstructure, fiber tensile creep, stress rupture, and bend stress relaxation (BSR) that occurred with annealing were then determined. BSR tests were also used to compare as-received and annealed fibers to other polycrystalline oxide fibers. Annealing was shown to have a significant effect, particularly on the Altex fiber, and caused it to have increased creep resistance.

Acoustoelectric current saturation in c-axis fiber-textured polycrystalline zinc oxide films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pompe, T.; Srikant, V.; Clarke, D. R.

1996-12-01

Acoustoelectric current saturation, which until now has only been observed in piezoelectric single crystals, is observed in thin polycrystalline zinc oxide films. Epitaxial ZnO films on c-plane sapphire and textured ZnO polycrystalline films on fused silica both exhibit current saturation phenomenon. The values of the saturation current densities are in the range 105-106 A/cm2, depending on the carrier concentration in the film, with corresponding saturation electric fields of 3-5×103 V/cm. In addition to the current saturation, the electrical properties of the films degraded with the onset of the acoustoelectric effect but could be restored by annealing at 250 °C in a vacuum for 30 min.

Mapping of polycrystalline films of biological fluids utilizing the Jones-matrix formalism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushenko, Vladimir A.; Dubolazov, Alexander V.; Pidkamin, Leonid Y.; Sakchnovsky, Michael Yu; Bodnar, Anna B.; Ushenko, Yuriy A.; Ushenko, Alexander G.; Bykov, Alexander; Meglinski, Igor

2018-02-01

Utilizing a polarized light approach, we reconstruct the spatial distribution of birefringence and optical activity in polycrystalline films of biological fluids. The Jones-matrix formalism is used for an accessible quantitative description of these types of optical anisotropy. We demonstrate that differentiation of polycrystalline films of biological fluids can be performed based on a statistical analysis of the distribution of rotation angles and phase shifts associated with the optical activity and birefringence, respectively. Finally, practical operational characteristics, such as sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the Jones-matrix reconstruction of optical anisotropy, were identified with special emphasis on biomedical application, specifically for differentiation of bile films taken from healthy donors and from patients with cholelithiasis.

Bandwidth tunable THz wave generation in large-area periodically poled lithium niobate.

PubMed

Zhang, Caihong; Avetisyan, Yuri; Glosser, Andreas; Kawayama, Iwao; Murakami, Hironaru; Tonouchi, Masayoshi

2012-04-09

A new scheme of optical rectification (OR) of femtosecond laser pulses in a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal, which generates high energy and bandwidth tunable multicycle THz pulses, is proposed and demonstrated. We show that the number of the oscillation cycles of the THz electric field and therefore bandwidth of generated THz spectrum can easily and smoothly be tuned from a few tens of GHz to a few THz by changing the pump optical spot size on PPLN crystal. The minimal bandwidth is 17 GHz that is smallest ever of reported in scheme of THz generation by OR at room temperature. Similar to the case of Cherenkov-type OR in single-domain LiNbO₃, the spectrum of THz generation extends from 0.1 THz to 3 THz when laser beam is focused to a size close to half-period of PPLN structure. The energy spectral density of narrowband THz generation is almost independent of the bandwidth and is typically 220 nJ/THz for ~1 W pump power at 1 kHz repetition rate.

Fabrication of Biocompatible Potassium Sodium Niobate Piezoelectric Ceramic as an Electroactive Implant

PubMed Central

Chen, Wei; Yu, Zunxiong; Pang, Jinshan; Yu, Peng; Tan, Guoxin; Ning, Chengyun

2017-01-01

The discovery of piezoelectricity in natural bone has attracted extensive research in emulating biological electricity for various tissue regeneration. Here, we carried out experiments to build biocompatible potassium sodium niobate (KNN) ceramics. Then, influence substrate surface charges on bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein adsorption and cell proliferation on KNN ceramics surfaces was investigated. KNN ceramics with piezoelectric constant of ~93 pC/N and relative density of ~93% were fabricated. The adsorption of protein on the positive surfaces (Ps) and negative surfaces (Ns) of KNN ceramics with piezoelectric constant of ~93 pC/N showed greater protein adsorption capacity than that on non-polarized surfaces (NPs). Biocompatibility of KNN ceramics was verified through cell culturing and live/dead cell staining of MC3T3. The cells experiment showed enhanced cell growth on the positive surfaces (Ps) and negative surfaces (Ns) compared to non-polarized surfaces (NPs). These results revealed that KNN ceramics had great potential to be used to understand the effect of surface potential on cells processes and would benefit future research in designing piezoelectric materials for tissue regeneration. PMID:28772704

Fabrication of Biocompatible Potassium Sodium Niobate Piezoelectric Ceramic as an Electroactive Implant.

PubMed

Chen, Wei; Yu, Zunxiong; Pang, Jinshan; Yu, Peng; Tan, Guoxin; Ning, Chengyun

2017-03-26

The discovery of piezoelectricity in natural bone has attracted extensive research in emulating biological electricity for various tissue regeneration. Here, we carried out experiments to build biocompatible potassium sodium niobate (KNN) ceramics. Then, influence substrate surface charges on bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein adsorption and cell proliferation on KNN ceramics surfaces was investigated. KNN ceramics with piezoelectric constant of ~93 pC/N and relative density of ~93% were fabricated. The adsorption of protein on the positive surfaces (Ps) and negative surfaces (Ns) of KNN ceramics with piezoelectric constant of ~93 pC/N showed greater protein adsorption capacity than that on non-polarized surfaces (NPs). Biocompatibility of KNN ceramics was verified through cell culturing and live/dead cell staining of MC3T3. The cells experiment showed enhanced cell growth on the positive surfaces (Ps) and negative surfaces (Ns) compared to non-polarized surfaces (NPs). These results revealed that KNN ceramics had great potential to be used to understand the effect of surface potential on cells processes and would benefit future research in designing piezoelectric materials for tissue regeneration.

What is the Brillouin zone of an anisotropic photonic crystal?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sivarajah, P.; Maznev, A. A.; Ofori-Okai, B. K.; Nelson, K. A.

2016-02-01

The concept of the Brillouin zone (BZ) in relation to a photonic crystal fabricated in an optically anisotropic material is explored both experimentally and theoretically. In experiment we used femtosecond laser pulses to excite THz polaritons and image their propagation in lithium niobate and lithium tantalate photonic crystal (PhC) slabs. We directly measured the dispersion relation inside PhCs and observed that the lowest band gap expected to form at the BZ boundary forms inside the BZ in the anisotropic lithium niobate PhC. Our analysis shows that in an anisotropic material the BZ—defined as the Wigner-Seitz cell in the reciprocal lattice—is no longer bounded by Bragg planes and thus does not conform to the original definition of the BZ by Brillouin. We construct an alternative Brillouin zone defined by Bragg planes and show its utility in identifying features of the dispersion bands. We show that for an anisotropic two-dimensional PhC without dispersion, the Bragg plane BZ can be constructed by applying the Wigner-Seitz method to a stretched or compressed reciprocal lattice. We also show that in the presence of the dispersion in the underlying material or in a slab waveguide, the Bragg planes are generally represented by curved surfaces rather than planes. The concept of constructing a BZ with Bragg planes should prove useful in understanding the formation of dispersion bands in anisotropic PhCs and in selectively tailoring their optical properties.

Heterogeneous integration of lithium niobate and silicon nitride waveguides for wafer-scale photonic integrated circuits on silicon.

PubMed

Chang, Lin; Pfeiffer, Martin H P; Volet, Nicolas; Zervas, Michael; Peters, Jon D; Manganelli, Costanza L; Stanton, Eric J; Li, Yifei; Kippenberg, Tobias J; Bowers, John E

2017-02-15

An ideal photonic integrated circuit for nonlinear photonic applications requires high optical nonlinearities and low loss. This work demonstrates a heterogeneous platform by bonding lithium niobate (LN) thin films onto a silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) waveguide layer on silicon. It not only provides large second- and third-order nonlinear coefficients, but also shows low propagation loss in both the Si₃N₄ and the LN-Si₃N₄ waveguides. The tapers enable low-loss-mode transitions between these two waveguides. This platform is essential for various on-chip applications, e.g., modulators, frequency conversions, and quantum communications.

Systematic study of polycrystalline flow during tension test of sheet 304 austenitic stainless steel at room temperature

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

Muñoz-Andrade, Juan D., E-mail: jdma@correo.azc.uam.mx

2013-12-16

By systematic study the mapping of polycrystalline flow of sheet 304 austenitic stainless steel (ASS) during tension test at constant crosshead velocity at room temperature was obtained. The main results establish that the trajectory of crystals in the polycrystalline spatially extended system (PCSES), during irreversible deformation process obey a hyperbolic motion. Where, the ratio between the expansion velocity of the field and the velocity of the field source is not constant and the field lines of such trajectory of crystals become curved, this accelerated motion is called a hyperbolic motion. Such behavior is assisted by dislocations dynamics and self-accommodation processmore » between crystals in the PCSES. Furthermore, by applying the quantum mechanics and relativistic model proposed by Muñoz-Andrade, the activation energy for polycrystalline flow during the tension test of 304 ASS was calculated for each instant in a global form. In conclusion was established that the mapping of the polycrystalline flow is fundamental to describe in an integral way the phenomenology and mechanics of irreversible deformation processes.« less

Systematic study of polycrystalline flow during tension test of sheet 304 austenitic stainless steel at room temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muñoz-Andrade, Juan D.

2013-12-01

By systematic study the mapping of polycrystalline flow of sheet 304 austenitic stainless steel (ASS) during tension test at constant crosshead velocity at room temperature was obtained. The main results establish that the trajectory of crystals in the polycrystalline spatially extended system (PCSES), during irreversible deformation process obey a hyperbolic motion. Where, the ratio between the expansion velocity of the field and the velocity of the field source is not constant and the field lines of such trajectory of crystals become curved, this accelerated motion is called a hyperbolic motion. Such behavior is assisted by dislocations dynamics and self-accommodation process between crystals in the PCSES. Furthermore, by applying the quantum mechanics and relativistic model proposed by Muñoz-Andrade, the activation energy for polycrystalline flow during the tension test of 304 ASS was calculated for each instant in a global form. In conclusion was established that the mapping of the polycrystalline flow is fundamental to describe in an integral way the phenomenology and mechanics of irreversible deformation processes.

Optical parametric oscillation in a random poly-crystalline medium: ZnSe ceramic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ru, Qitian; Kawamori, Taiki; Lee, Nathaniel; Chen, Xuan; Zhong, Kai; Mirov, Mike; Vasilyev, Sergey; Mirov, Sergey B.; Vodopyanov, Konstantin L.

2018-02-01

We demonstrate an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on random phase matching in a polycrystalline χ(2) material, ZnSe. The subharmonic OPO utilized a 1.5-mm-long polished ZnSe ceramic sample placed at the Brewster's angle and was synchronously pumped by a Kerr-lens mode-locked Cr:ZnS laser with a central wavelength of 2.35 μm, a pulse duration of 62 fs, and a repetition frequency of 79 MHz. The OPO had a 90-mW pump threshold, and produced an ultrabroadband spectrum spanning 3-7.5 μm. The observed pump depletion was as high as 79%. The key to success in achieving the OPO action was choosing the average grain size of the ZnSe ceramic to be close to the coherence length ( 100 μm) for our 3-wave interaction. This is the first OPO that uses random polycrystalline material with quadratic nonlinearity and the first OPO based on ZnSe. Very likely, random phase matching in ZnSe and similar random polycrystalline materials (ZnS, CdS, CdSe, GaP) represents a viable route for generating few-cycle pulses and multi-octave frequency combs, thanks to a very broadband nonlinear response.

Optical and electrical properties of polycrystalline and amorphous Al-Ti thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Canulescu, S.; Borca, C. N.; Rechendorff, K.; Davidsdóttir, S.; Pagh Almtoft, K.; Nielsen, L. P.; Schou, J.

2016-04-01

The structural, optical, and transport properties of sputter-deposited Al-Ti thin films have been investigated as a function of Ti alloying with a concentration ranging from 2% to 46%. The optical reflectivity of Al-Ti films at visible and near-infrared wavelengths decreases with increasing Ti content. X-ray absorption fine structure measurements reveal that the atomic ordering around Ti atoms increases with increasing Ti content up to 20% and then decreases as a result of a transition from a polycrystalline to amorphous structure. The transport properties of the Al-Ti films are influenced by electron scattering at the grain boundaries in the case of polycrystalline films and static defects, such as anti-site effects and vacancies in the case of the amorphous alloys. The combination of Ti having a real refractive index (n) comparable with the extinction coefficient (k) and Al with n much smaller than k allows us to explore the parameter space for the free-electron behavior in transition metal-Al alloys. The free electron model, applied for the polycrystalline Al-Ti films with Ti content up to 20%, leads to an optical reflectance at near infrared wavelengths that scales linearly with the square root of the electrical resistivity.

Enhancement of lower critical field by reducing the thickness of epitaxial and polycrystalline MgB₂ thin films

DOE PAGES

Tan, Teng; Wolak, M. A.; Acharya, Narendra; ...

2015-04-01

For potential applications in superconducting RF cavities, we have investigated the properties of polycrystalline MgB₂ films, including the thickness dependence of the lower critical field Hc₁. MgB₂ thin films were fabricated by hybrid physical-chemical vapor deposition on (0001) SiC substrate either directly (for epitaxial films) or with a MgO buffer layer (for polycrystalline films). When the film thickness decreased from 300 nm to 100 nm, Hc₁ at 5 K increased from around 600 Oe to 1880 Oe in epitaxial films and to 1520 Oe in polycrystalline films. The result is promising for using MgB₂/MgO multilayers to enhance the vortex penetrationmore » field.« less

Development and evaluation of polycrystalline cadmium telluride dosimeters for accurate quality assurance in radiation therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, K.; Han, M.; Kim, K.; Heo, Y.; Moon, C.; Park, S.; Nam, S.

2016-02-01

For quality assurance in radiation therapy, several types of dosimeters are used such as ionization chambers, radiographic films, thermo-luminescent dosimeter (TLD), and semiconductor dosimeters. Among them, semiconductor dosimeters are particularly useful for in vivo dosimeters or high dose gradient area such as the penumbra region because they are more sensitive and smaller in size compared to typical dosimeters. In this study, we developed and evaluated Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) dosimeters, one of the most promising semiconductor dosimeters due to their high quantum efficiency and charge collection efficiency. Such CdTe dosimeters include single crystal form and polycrystalline form depending upon the fabrication process. Both types of CdTe dosimeters are commercially available, but only the polycrystalline form is suitable for radiation dosimeters, since it is less affected by volumetric effect and energy dependence. To develop and evaluate polycrystalline CdTe dosimeters, polycrystalline CdTe films were prepared by thermal evaporation. After that, CdTeO3 layer, thin oxide layer, was deposited on top of the CdTe film by RF sputtering to improve charge carrier transport properties and to reduce leakage current. Also, the CdTeO3 layer which acts as a passivation layer help the dosimeter to reduce their sensitivity changes with repeated use due to radiation damage. Finally, the top and bottom electrodes, In/Ti and Pt, were used to have Schottky contact. Subsequently, the electrical properties under high energy photon beams from linear accelerator (LINAC), such as response coincidence, dose linearity, dose rate dependence, reproducibility, and percentage depth dose, were measured to evaluate polycrystalline CdTe dosimeters. In addition, we compared the experimental data of the dosimeter fabricated in this study with those of the silicon diode dosimeter and Thimble ionization chamber which widely used in routine dosimetry system and dose measurements for radiation

Erbium ion implantation into different crystallographic cuts of lithium niobate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nekvindova, P.; Svecova, B.; Cajzl, J.; Mackova, A.; Malinsky, P.; Oswald, J.; Kolistsch, A.; Spirkova, J.

2012-02-01

Single crystals like lithium niobate are frequently doped with optically active rare-earth or transition-metal ions for a variety of applications in optical devices such as solid-state lasers, amplifiers or sensors. To exploit the potential of the Er:LiNbO 3, one must ensure high intensity of the 1.5 μm luminescence as an inevitable prerequisite. One of the important factors influencing the luminescence properties of a lasing ion is the crystal field of the surrounding, which is inevitably determined by the crystal structure of the pertinent material. From that point it is clear that it cannot be easy to affect the resulting luminescence properties - intensity or position of the luminescence band - without changing the structure of the substrate. However, there is a possibility to utilise a potential of the ion implantation of the lasing ions, optionally accompanied with a sensitising one, that can, besides the doping, also modify the structure of the treated area od the crystal. This effect can be eventually enhanced by a post-implantation annealing that may help to recover the damaged structure and hence to improve the desired luminescence. In this paper we are going to report on our experiments with ion-implantation technique followed with subsequent annealing could be a useful way to influence the crystal field of LN. Optically active Er:LiNbO 3 layers were fabricated by medium energy implantation under various experimental conditions. The Er + ions were implanted at energies of 330 and 500 keV with fluences ranging from 1.0 × 10 15 to 1.0 × 10 16 ion cm -2 into LiNbO 3 single-crystal cuts of both common and special orientations. The as-implanted samples were annealed in air and oxygen at two different temperatures (350 and 600 °C) for 5 h. The depth concentration profiles of the implanted erbium were measured by Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS) using 2 MeV He + ions. The photoluminescence spectra of the samples were measured to determine the

Current induced polycrystalline-to-crystalline transformation in vanadium dioxide nanowires

PubMed Central

Jeong, Junho; Yong, Zheng; Joushaghani, Arash; Tsukernik, Alexander; Paradis, Suzanne; Alain, David; Poon, Joyce K. S.

2016-01-01

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) exhibits a reversible insulator-metal phase transition that is of significant interest in energy-efficient nanoelectronic and nanophotonic devices. In these applications, crystalline materials are usually preferred for their superior electrical transport characteristics as well as spatial homogeneity and low surface roughness over the device area for reduced scattering. Here, we show applied electrical currents can induce a permanent reconfiguration of polycrystalline VO2 nanowires into crystalline nanowires, resulting in a dramatically reduced hysteresis across the phase transition and reduced resistivity. Low currents below 3 mA were sufficient to cause the local temperature in the VO2 to reach about 1780 K to activate the irreversible polycrystalline-to-crystalline transformation. The crystallinity was confirmed by electron microscopy and diffraction analyses. This simple yet localized post-processing of insulator-metal phase transition materials may enable new methods of studying and fabricating nanoscale structures and devices formed from these materials. PMID:27892519

Sintering of Lead-Free Piezoelectric Sodium Potassium Niobate Ceramics

PubMed Central

Malič, Barbara; Koruza, Jurij; Hreščak, Jitka; Bernard, Janez; Wang, Ke; Fisher, John G.; Benčan, Andreja

2015-01-01

The potassium sodium niobate, K0.5Na0.5NbO3, solid solution (KNN) is considered as one of the most promising, environment-friendly, lead-free candidates to replace highly efficient, lead-based piezoelectrics. Since the first reports of KNN, it has been recognized that obtaining phase-pure materials with a high density and a uniform, fine-grained microstructure is a major challenge. For this reason the present paper reviews the different methods for consolidating KNN ceramics. The difficulties involved in the solid-state synthesis of KNN powder, i.e., obtaining phase purity, the stoichiometry of the perovskite phase, and the chemical homogeneity, are discussed. The solid-state sintering of stoichiometric KNN is characterized by poor densification and an extremely narrow sintering-temperature range, which is close to the solidus temperature. A study of the initial sintering stage revealed that coarsening of the microstructure without densification contributes to a reduction of the driving force for sintering. The influences of the (K + Na)/Nb molar ratio, the presence of a liquid phase, chemical modifications (doping, complex solid solutions) and different atmospheres (i.e., defect chemistry) on the sintering are discussed. Special sintering techniques, such as pressure-assisted sintering and spark-plasma sintering, can be effective methods for enhancing the density of KNN ceramics. The sintering behavior of KNN is compared to that of a representative piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT). PMID:28793702

Proper Generalized Decomposition (PGD) for the numerical simulation of polycrystalline aggregates under cyclic loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nasri, Mohamed Aziz; Robert, Camille; Ammar, Amine; El Arem, Saber; Morel, Franck

2018-02-01

The numerical modelling of the behaviour of materials at the microstructural scale has been greatly developed over the last two decades. Unfortunately, conventional resolution methods cannot simulate polycrystalline aggregates beyond tens of loading cycles, and they do not remain quantitative due to the plasticity behaviour. This work presents the development of a numerical solver for the resolution of the Finite Element modelling of polycrystalline aggregates subjected to cyclic mechanical loading. The method is based on two concepts. The first one consists in maintaining a constant stiffness matrix. The second uses a time/space model reduction method. In order to analyse the applicability and the performance of the use of a space-time separated representation, the simulations are carried out on a three-dimensional polycrystalline aggregate under cyclic loading. Different numbers of elements per grain and two time increments per cycle are investigated. The results show a significant CPU time saving while maintaining good precision. Moreover, increasing the number of elements and the number of time increments per cycle, the model reduction method is faster than the standard solver.

Dual-wavelength green laser with a 4.5 THz frequency difference based on self-frequency- doubling in Nd3+ -doped aperiodically poled lithium niobate.

PubMed

Maestre, H; Torregrosa, A J; Fernández-Pousa, C R; Rico, M L; Capmany, J

2008-05-01

We report a dual-wavelength continuous-wave laser at 542.4 and 546.8 nm based on an Nd(3+)-doped aperiodically poled lithium niobate crystal. Two fundamental infrared (IR) wavelengths at 1084.8 and 1093.6 nm are simultaneously oscillated and self-frequency-doubled to green. The aperiodic domain distribution patterned in the crystal allows for quasi-phase matched self-frequency-doubling of both IR fundamentals while avoiding their sum-frequency mixing.

Imaging the Hydrogen Absorption Dynamics of Individual Grains in Polycrystalline Palladium Thin Films in 3D

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

Yau, Allison; Harder, Ross J.; Kanan, Matthew W.

Defects such as dislocations and grain boundaries often control the properties of polycrystalline materials. In nanocrystalline materials, investigating this structure-function relationship while preserving the sample remains challenging because of the short length scales and buried interfaces involved. Here we use Bragg coherent diffractive imaging to investigate the role of structural inhomogeneity on the hydriding phase transformation dynamics of individual Pd grains in polycrystalline films in three-dimensional detail. In contrast to previous reports on single- and polycrystalline nanoparticles, we observe no evidence of a hydrogen-rich surface layer and consequently no size dependence in the hydriding phase transformation pressure over a 125-325more » nm size range. We do observe interesting grain boundary dynamics, including reversible rotations of grain lattices while the material remains in the hydrogen-poor phase. The mobility of the grain boundaries, combined with the lack of a hydrogen-rich surface layer, suggests that the grain boundaries are acting as fast diffusion sites for the hydrogen atoms. Such hydrogen-enhanced plasticity in the hydrogen poor phase provides insight into the switch from the size-dependent behavior of single-crystal nanoparticles to the lower transformation pressures of polycrystalline materials and may play a role in hydrogen embrittlement.« less

Reversible piezomagnetoelectric switching in bulk polycrystalline ceramics

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

Stevenson, T., E-mail: t.j.stevenson@leeds.ac.uk; Bennett, J.; Brown, A. P.

2014-08-01

Magnetoelectric (ME) coupling in materials offer tremendous advantages in device functionality enabling technologies including advanced electronic memory, combining electronic speed, and efficiency with magnetic robustness. However, low cost polycrystalline ME materials are excluded from most commercial applications, operating only at cryogenic temperatures, impractically large electric/magnetic fields, or with low ME coefficients (1-100 mV/cm Oe). Despite this, the technological potential of single compound ME coupling has continued to drive research into multiferroics over the last two decades. Here we show that by manipulating the large induced atomic strain within the polycrystalline, room temperature multiferroic compound 0.7BiFeO{sub 3}–0.3PbTiO{sub 3}, we can induce amore » reversible, piezoelectric strain controlled ME effect. Employing an in situ neutron diffraction experiment, we have demonstrated that this piezomagnetoelectric effect manifests with an applied electric field >8 kV/mm at the onset of piezoelectric strain, engineered in to the compound by crystallographic phase mixing. This produces a remarkable intrinsic ME coefficient of 1276 mV/cm Oe, due to a strain driven modification to the oxygen sub-lattice, inducing an increase in magnetic moment per Fe{sup 3+} ion of +0.142 μ{sub B}. This work provides a framework for investigations into strain engineered nanostructures to realize low-cost ME devices designed from the atoms up, as well as contributing to the deeper understanding of single phase ME coupling mechanisms.« less

Raman Microscopic Characterization of Proton-Irradiated Polycrystalline Diamond Films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newton, R. L.; Davidson, J. L.; Lance, M. J.

2004-01-01

The microstructural effects of irradiating polycrystalline diamond films with proton dosages ranging from 10(exp 15) to 10(exp 17) H(+) per square centimeter was examined. Scanning Electron Microscopy and Raman microscopy were used to examine the changes in the diamond crystalline lattice as a function of depth. Results indicate that the diamond lattice is retained, even at maximum irradiation levels.

Polycrystalline Superconducting Thin Films: Texture Control and Critical Current Density

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Feng

1995-01-01

The growth processes of polycrystalline rm YBa_2CU_3O_{7-X} (YBCO) and yttria-stabilized-zirconia (YSZ) thin films have been developed. The effectiveness of YSZ buffer layers on suppression of the reaction between YBCO thin films and metallic substrates was carefully studied. Grown on the chemically inert surfaces of YSZ buffer layers, YBCO thin films possessed good quality of c-axis alignment with the c axis parallel to the substrate normal, but without any preferred in-plane orientations. This leads to the existence of a large percentage of the high-angle grain boundaries in the YBCO films. The critical current densities (rm J_{c}'s) found in these films were much lower than those in single crystal YBCO thin films, which was the consequence of the weak -link effect of the high-angle grain boundaries in these films. It became clear that the in-plane alignment is vital for achieving high rm J_{c }s in polycrystalline YBCO thin films. To induce the in-plane alignment, ion beam-assisted deposition (IBAD) technique was integrated into the conventional pulsed laser deposition process for the growth of the YSZ buffer layers. It was demonstrated that using IBAD the in-plane orientations of the YSZ grains could be controlled within a certain range of a common direction. This ion -bombardment induced in-plane texturing was explained using the anisotropic sputtering yield theory. Our observations and analyses have provided valuable information on the optimization of the IBAD process, and shed light on the texturing mechanism in YSZ. With the in-plane aligned YSZ buffer layers, YBCO thin films grown on metallic substrates showed improved rm J_{c}s. It was found that the in-plane alignment of YSZ and that of YBCO were closely related. A direct correlation was revealed between the rm J_{c} value and the degree of the in-plane alignment for the YBCO thin films. To explain this correlation, a numerical model was applied to multi-grain superconducting paths with different

Process for Polycrystalline film silicon growth

DOEpatents

Wang, Tihu; Ciszek, Theodore F.

2001-01-01

A process for depositing polycrystalline silicon on substrates, including foreign substrates, occurs in a chamber at about atmospheric pressure, wherein a temperature gradient is formed, and both the atmospheric pressure and the temperature gradient are maintained throughout the process. Formation of a vapor barrier within the chamber that precludes exit of the constituent chemicals, which include silicon, iodine, silicon diiodide, and silicon tetraiodide. The deposition occurs beneath the vapor barrier. One embodiment of the process also includes the use of a blanketing gas that precludes the entrance of oxygen or other impurities. The process is capable of repetition without the need to reset the deposition zone conditions.

Polycrystalline gamma plutonium's elastic moduli versus temperature

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

Migliori, Albert; Betts, J; Trugman, A

2009-01-01

Resonant ultrasound spectroscopy was used to measure the elastic properties of pure polycrystalline {sup 239}Pu in the {gamma} phase. Shear and longitudinal elastic moduli were measured simultaneously and the bulk modulus was computed from them. A smooth, linear, and large decrease of all elastic moduli with increasing temperature was observed. They calculated the Poisson ratio and found that it increases from 0.242 at 519 K to 0.252 at 571 K. These measurements on extremely well characterized pure Pu are in agreement with other reported results where overlap occurs.

Continuous-wave sodium D2 resonance radiation generated in single-pass sum-frequency generation with periodically poled lithium niobate.

PubMed

Yue, J; She, C-Y; Williams, B P; Vance, J D; Acott, P E; Kawahara, T D

2009-04-01

With two cw single-mode Nd:YAG lasers at 1064 and 1319 nm and a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal, 11 mW of 2 kHz/100 ms bandwidth single-mode tunable 589 nm cw radiation has been detected using single-pass sum-frequency generation. The demonstrated conversion efficiency is approximately 3.2%[W(-1) cm(-1)]. This compact solid-state light source has been used in a solid-state-dye laser hybrid sodium fluorescence lidar transmitter to measure temperatures and winds in the upper atmosphere (80-105 km); it is being implemented into the transmitter of a mobile all-solid-state sodium temperature and wind lidar under construction.

Design of a lithium niobate-on-insulator-based optical microring resonator for biosensing applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naznin, Shakila; Sher, Md. Sohel Mahmud

2016-08-01

A label-free optical microring resonator biosensor based on lithium niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) technology is designed and simulated for biosensing applications. Although silicon-on-insulator technology is quite mature over LNOI for fabricating more compact microring resonators, the latter is attractive for its excellent electro-optic, ferroelectric, piezoelectric, photoelastic, and nonlinear optic properties, which can offer a wide range of tuning facilities for sensing. To satisfy the requirement of high sensitivity in biosensing, the dual-microring resonator model is applied to design the proposed sensor. The transmission spectrum obtained from two-dimensional simulations based on finite-difference time-domain method demonstrates that the designed LNOI microring sensor consisting of a 10-μm outer ring and a 5-μm inner ring offers a sensitivity of ˜68 nm/refractive index unit (RIU) and a minimum detection limit of 10-2 RIU. Finally, the sensor's performance is simulated for glucose sensing, a biosensing application.

Design considerations for quasi-phase-matching in doubly resonant lithium niobate hexagonal micro-resonators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sono, Tleyane J.; Riziotis, Christos; Mailis, Sakellaris; Eason, Robert W.

2017-09-01

Fabrication capabilities of high optical quality hexagonal superstructures by chemical etching of inverted ferroelectric domains in lithium niobate platform suggests a route for efficient implementation of compact hexagonal microcavities. Such nonlinear optical hexagonal micro-resonators are proposed as a platform for second harmonic generation (SHG) by the combined mechanisms of total internal reflection (TIR) and quasi-phase-matching (QPM). The proposed scheme for SHG via TIR-QPM in a hexagonal microcavity can improve the efficiency and also the compactness of SHG devices compared to traditional linear-type based devices. A simple theoretical model based on six-bounce trajectory and phase matching conditions was capable for obtaining the optimal cavity size. Furthermore numerical simulation results based on finite difference time domain beam propagation method analysis confirmed the solutions obtained by demonstrating resonant operation of the microcavity for the second harmonic wave produced by TIR-QPM. Design aspects, optimization issues and characteristics of the proposed nonlinear device are presented.

Tip-induced domain growth on the non-polar cuts of lithium niobate single-crystals

DOE PAGES

Alikin, Denis O.; Ievlev, Anton; Turigin, Anton P.; ...

2015-05-05

Currently ferroelectric materials with designed domain structures are considered as a perspective material for new generation of photonic, data storage and data processing devices. Application of external electric field is the most convenient way of the domain structure formation. Lots of papers are devoted to investigation of the domain kinetics on polar surface of crystals while the forward growth remains one of the most mysterious stages due to lack of experimental methods allowing to study it. Here we performed tip-induced polarization reversal on X- and Y-non-polar cuts in single-crystal of congruent lithium niobate allows us to study the forward growthmore » with high spatial resolution. The revealed difference in the shape and length of domains induced on X- and Y-cuts is beyond previously developed theoretical approaches used for the theoretical consideration of the domains growth at non-polar ferroelectric surfaces. Lastly, to explain experimental results we used kinetic approach with anisotropy of screening efficiency along different crystallographic directions.« less

Phase-Field Modeling of Polycrystalline Solidification: From Needle Crystals to Spherulites—A Review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gránásy, László; Rátkai, László; Szállás, Attila; Korbuly, Bálint; Tóth, Gyula I.; Környei, László; Pusztai, Tamás

2014-04-01

Advances in the orientation-field-based phase-field (PF) models made in the past are reviewed. The models applied incorporate homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation of growth centers and several mechanisms to form new grains at the perimeter of growing crystals, a phenomenon termed growth front nucleation. Examples for PF modeling of such complex polycrystalline structures are shown as impinging symmetric dendrites, polycrystalline growth forms (ranging from disordered dendrites to spherulitic patterns), and various eutectic structures, including spiraling two-phase dendrites. Simulations exploring possible control of solidification patterns in thin films via external fields, confined geometry, particle additives, scratching/piercing the films, etc. are also displayed. Advantages, problems, and possible solutions associated with quantitative PF simulations are discussed briefly.

Stable powders made from photosensitive polycrystalline complexes of heterocyclic monomers and their polymers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murphy, Oliver J. (Inventor); Hitchens, G. Duncan (Inventor); Hodko, Dalibor (Inventor)

1999-01-01

The present invention relates to a low electronic conductivity polymer composition having well dispersed metal granules, a stable powder made from photosensitive polycrystalline complexes of pyrrole, or its substituted derivatives and silver cations for making the polymer composition, and methods of forming the stable powder and polymer composition, respectively. A polycrystalline complex of silver and a monomer, such as pyrrole, its substituted derivatives or combinations thereof, is precipitated in the form of a stable photosensitive powder upon addition of the monomer to a solvent solution, such as toluene containing an electron acceptor. The photosensitive powder can be stored in the dark until needed. The powder may be dissolved in a solvent, cast onto a substrate and photopolymerized.

High-pressure-assisted synthesis of high-volume ZnGeP2 polycrystalline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Changbao; Wu, Haixin; Xiao, Ruichun; Chen, Shijing; Ma, Jiaren

2018-06-01

The pnictide and chalcogenide semiconductors are promising materials for the applications in the field of photoelectric. High-purity and high-volume polycrystalline required in the real-world applications is hard to be synthesized due to the high vapor pressure of phosphorus and sulfur components at high temperature. A new high-pressure-resisted method was used to investigate the synthesis of the nonlinear-optical semiconductor ZnGeP2. The high-purity ZnGeP2 polycrystalline material of approximately 500 g was synthesized in one run, which enables the preparation of nominally stoichiometric material. Since increasing internal pressure resistance of quartz crucible and reducing the reaction space, the high-pressure-resisted method can be used to rapidly synthesize other pnictide and chalcogenide semiconductors and control the components ratio.

Symmetries and multiferroic properties of novel room-temperature magnetoelectrics: Lead iron tantalate – lead zirconate titanate (PFT/PZT)

DOE PAGES

Sanchez, Dilsom A.; Ortega, N.; Kumar, Ashok; ...

2011-12-05

Mixing 60-70% lead zirconate titanate with 40-30% lead iron tantalate produces a single-phase, low-loss, room-temperature multiferroic with magnetoelectric coupling: (PbZr 0.53Ti 0.47O 3) (1-x)- (PbFe 0.5Ta 0.5O 3) x. Our study combines x-ray scattering, magnetic and polarization hysteresis in both phases, plus a second-order dielectric divergence (to epsilon = 6000 at 475 K for 0.4 PFT; to 4000 at 520 K for 0.3 PFT) for an unambiguous assignment as a C 2v-C 4v (Pmm2-P4mm) transition. Furthermore, the material exhibits square saturated magnetic hysteresis loops with 0.1 emu/g at 295 K and saturation polarization P r = 25 μC/cm 2, whichmore » actually increases (to 40 μC/cm 2) in the high-T tetragonal phase, representing an exciting new room temperature oxide multiferroic to compete with BiFeO 3. Additional transitions at high temperatures (cubic at T>1300 K) and low temperatures (rhombohedral or monoclinic at T<250 K) are found. Finally, these are the lowest-loss room-temperature multiferroics known, which is a great advantage for magnetoelectric devices.« less

Atomistically derived cohesive zone model of intergranular fracture in polycrystalline graphene

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

Guin, Laurent; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027; Raphanel, Jean L.

2016-06-28

Pristine single crystal graphene is the strongest known two-dimensional material, and its nonlinear anisotropic mechanical properties are well understood from the atomic length scale up to a continuum description. However, experiments indicate that grain boundaries in the polycrystalline form reduce the mechanical behavior of polycrystalline graphene. Herein, we perform atomistic-scale molecular dynamics simulations of the deformation and fracture of graphene grain boundaries and express the results as continuum cohesive zone models (CZMs) that embed notions of the grain boundary ultimate strength and fracture toughness. To facilitate energy balance, we employ a new methodology that simulates a quasi-static controlled crack propagationmore » which renders the kinetic energy contribution to the total energy negligible. We verify good agreement between Griffith's critical energy release rate and the work of separation of the CZM, and we note that the energy of crack edges and fracture toughness differs by about 35%, which is attributed to the phenomenon of bond trapping. This justifies the implementation of the CZM within the context of the finite element method (FEM). To enhance computational efficiency in the FEM implementation, we discuss the use of scaled traction-separation laws (TSLs) for larger element sizes. As a final result, we have established that the failure characteristics of pristine graphene and high tilt angle bicrystals differ by less than 10%. This result suggests that one could use a unique or a few typical TSLs as a good approximation for the CZMs associated with the mechanical simulations of the polycrystalline graphene.« less

3D ductile crack propagation within a polycrystalline microstructure using XFEM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beese, Steffen; Loehnert, Stefan; Wriggers, Peter

2018-02-01

In this contribution we present a gradient enhanced damage based method to simulate discrete crack propagation in 3D polycrystalline microstructures. Discrete cracks are represented using the eXtended finite element method. The crack propagation criterion and the crack propagation direction for each point along the crack front line is based on the gradient enhanced damage variable. This approach requires the solution of a coupled problem for the balance of momentum and the additional global equation for the gradient enhanced damage field. To capture the discontinuity of the displacements as well as the gradient enhanced damage along the discrete crack, both fields are enriched using the XFEM in combination with level sets. Knowing the crack front velocity, level set methods are used to compute the updated crack geometry after each crack propagation step. The applied material model is a crystal plasticity model often used for polycrystalline microstructures of metals in combination with the gradient enhanced damage model. Due to the inelastic material behaviour after each discrete crack propagation step a projection of the internal variables from the old to the new crack configuration is required. Since for arbitrary crack geometries ill-conditioning of the equation system may occur due to (near) linear dependencies between standard and enriched degrees of freedom, an XFEM stabilisation technique based on a singular value decomposition of the element stiffness matrix is proposed. The performance of the presented methodology to capture crack propagation in polycrystalline microstructures is demonstrated with a number of numerical examples.

Fabrication of polycrystalline solar cells on low-cost substrates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chu, T. L. (Inventor)

1976-01-01

A new method of producing p-n junction semiconductors for solar cells was described; the principal objective of this investigation is to reduce production costs significantly by depositing polycrystalline silicon on a relatively cheap substrate such as metallurgical-grade silicon, graphite, or steel. The silicon layer contains appropriate dopants, and the substrates are coated with a diffusion barrier of silica, borosilicate, phosphosilicate, or mixtures of these compounds.

Influence of annealing on the photodeposition of silver on periodically poled lithium niobate

DOE PAGES

Carville, N. Craig; Neumayer, Sabine M.; Manzo, Michele; ...

2016-02-03

Here, the preferential deposition of metal nanoparticles onto periodically poled lithium niobate surfaces, whereby photogenerated electrons accumulate in accordance with local electric fields and reduce metal ions from solution, is known to depend on the intensity and wavelength of the illumination and the concentration of the solution used. Here, it is shown that for identical deposition conditions (wavelength, intensity, concentration), post-poling annealing for 10 h at 200 °C modifies the surface reactivity through the reorientation of internal defect fields. Whereas silver nanoparticles deposit preferentially on the +z domains on unannealed crystals, the deposition occurs preferentially along 180 degrees domain wallsmore » for annealed crystals. In neither case is the deposition selective; limited deposition occurs also on the unannealed -z domain surface and on both annealed domain surfaces. The observed behavior is attributed to a relaxation of the poling-induced defect frustration mediated by Li + ion mobility during annealing, which affects the accumulation of electrons, thereby changing the surface reactivity. The evolution of the defect field with temperature is corroborated using Raman spectroscopy.« less

Polycrystalline lead selenide: the resurgence of an old infrared detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vergara, G.; Montojo, M. T.; Torquemada, M. C.; Rodrigo, M. T.; Sánchez, F. J.; Gómez, L. J.; Almazán, R. M.; Verdú, M.; Rodríguez, P.; Villamayor, V.; Álvarez, M.; Diezhandino, J.; Plaza, J.; Catalán, I.

2007-06-01

The existing technology for uncooled MWIR photon detectors based on polycrystalline lead salts is stigmatized for being a 50-year-old technology. It has been traditionally relegated to single-element detectors and relatively small linear arrays due to the limitations imposed by its standard manufacture process based on a chemical bath deposition technique (CBD) developed more than 40 years ago. Recently, an innovative method for processing detectors, based on a vapour phase deposition (VPD) technique, has allowed manufacturing the first 2D array of polycrystalline PbSe with good electro optical characteristics. The new method of processing PbSe is an all silicon technology and it is compatible with standard CMOS circuitry. In addition to its affordability, VPD PbSe constitutes a perfect candidate to fill the existing gap in the photonic and uncooled IR imaging detectors sensitive to the MWIR photons. The perspectives opened are numerous and very important, converting the old PbSe detector in a serious alternative to others uncooled technologies in the low cost IR detection market. The number of potential applications is huge, some of them with high commercial impact such as personal IR imagers, enhanced vision systems for automotive applications and other not less important in the security/defence domain such as sensors for active protection systems (APS) or low cost seekers. Despite the fact, unanimously accepted, that uncooled will dominate the majority of the future IR detection applications, today, thermal detectors are the unique plausible alternative. There is plenty of room for photonic uncooled and complementary alternatives are needed. This work allocates polycrystalline PbSe in the current panorama of the uncooled IR detectors, underlining its potentiality in two areas of interest, i.e., very low cost imaging IR detectors and MWIR fast uncooled detectors for security and defence applications. The new method of processing again converts PbSe into an

Analysis of twelve-month degradation in three polycrystalline photovoltaic modules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lai, T.; Potter, B. G.; Simmons-Potter, K.

2016-09-01

Polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules have the advantage of lower manufacturing cost as compared to their monocrystalline counterparts, but generally exhibit both lower initial module efficiencies and more significant early-stage efficiency degradation than do similar monocrystalline PV modules. For both technologies, noticeable deterioration in power conversion efficiency typically occurs over the first two years of usage. Estimating PV lifetime by examining the performance degradation behavior under given environmental conditions is, therefore, one of continual goals for experimental research and economic analysis. In the present work, accelerated lifecycle testing (ALT) on three polycrystalline PV technologies was performed in a full-scale, industrial-standard environmental chamber equipped with single-sun irradiance capability, providing an illumination uniformity of 98% over a 2 x 1.6m area. In order to investigate environmental aging effects, timedependent PV performance (I-V characteristic) was evaluated over a recurring, compressed day-night cycle, which simulated local daily solar insolation for the southwestern United States, followed by dark (night) periods. During a total test time of just under 4 months that corresponded to a year equivalent exposure on a fielded module, the temperature and humidity varied in ranges from 3°C to 40°C and 5% to 85% based on annual weather profiles for Tucson, AZ. Removing the temperature de-rating effect that was clearly seen in the data enabled the computation of normalized efficiency degradation with time and environmental exposure. Results confirm the impact of environmental conditions on the module long-term performance. Overall, more than 2% efficiency degradation in the first year of usage was observed for all thee polycrystalline Si solar modules. The average 5-year degradation of each PV technology was estimated based on their determined degradation rates.

Complex capacitance in the representation of modulus of the lithium niobate crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alim, Mohammad A.; Batra, A. K.; Bhattacharjee, Sudip; Aggarwal, M. D.

2011-03-01

The lithium niobate (LiNbO 3 or LN) single crystal is grown in-house. The ac small-signal electrical characterization is conducted over a temperature range 35 ≤T≤150 °C as a function of measurement frequency (10 ≤f≤10 6 Hz). Meaningful observation is noted only in a narrow temperature range 59 ≤T≤73 °C. These electrical data when analyzed via complex plane formalisms revealed single semicircular relaxation both in the complex capacitance ( C*) and in the modulus ( M*) planes. The physical meaning of this kind of observation is obtained on identifying the relaxation type, and then incorporating respective equivalent circuit model. The simplistic non-blocking nature of the equivalent circuit model obtained via M*-plane is established as the lumped relaxation is identified in the C*-plane. The feature of the eventual equivalent circuit model allows non-blocking aspect for the LN crystal attributing to the presence of the operative dc conduction process. Identification of this leakage dc conduction via C*-plane is portrayed in the M*-plane where the blocking nature is removed. The interacting interpretation between these two complex planes is successfully presented.

Effect of flash lamp annealing on electrical activation in boron-implanted polycrystalline Si thin films

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

Do, Woori; Jin, Won-Beom; Choi, Jungwan

2014-10-15

Highlights: • Intensified visible light irradiation was generated via a high-powered Xe arc lamp. • The disordered Si atomic structure absorbs the intensified visible light. • The rapid heating activates electrically boron-implanted Si thin films. • Flash lamp heating is applicable to low temperature polycrystalline Si thin films. - Abstract: Boron-implanted polycrystalline Si thin films on glass substrates were subjected to a short duration (1 ms) of intense visible light irradiation generated via a high-powered Xe arc lamp. The disordered Si atomic structure absorbs the intense visible light resulting from flash lamp annealing. The subsequent rapid heating results in themore » electrical activation of boron-implanted Si thin films, which is empirically observed using Hall measurements. The electrical activation is verified by the observed increase in the crystalline component of the Si structures resulting in higher transmittance. The feasibility of flash lamp annealing has also been demonstrated via a theoretical thermal prediction, indicating that the flash lamp annealing is applicable to low-temperature polycrystalline Si thin films.« less

Low temperature production of large-grain polycrystalline semiconductors

DOEpatents

Naseem, Hameed A [Fayetteville, AR; Albarghouti, Marwan [Loudonville, NY

2007-04-10

An oxide or nitride layer is provided on an amorphous semiconductor layer prior to performing metal-induced crystallization of the semiconductor layer. The oxide or nitride layer facilitates conversion of the amorphous material into large grain polycrystalline material. Hence, a native silicon dioxide layer provided on hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), followed by deposited Al permits induced crystallization at temperatures far below the solid phase crystallization temperature of a-Si. Solar cells and thin film transistors can be prepared using this method.

Growth of oriented polycrystalline α-HgI 2 films by ultrasonic-wave-assisted physical vapor deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Weiguang; Nie, Lei; Li, Dongmei; Wang, Yali; Zhou, Jie; Ma, Lei; Wang, Zhenhua; Shi, Weimin

2011-06-01

Polycrystalline α-HgI 2 thick films have been grown on ITO-coated glass substrates using ultrasonic-wave-assisted vapor phase deposition (UWAVPD) with the different source temperatures and ultrasonic frequencies. The influence of the assisted ultrasonic wave and source temperature on the structural and electrical properties of the polycrystalline α-HgI 2 films is investigated. It is found that the assisted ultrasonic wave plays an important role in the improvement of the structural and electrical properties. An uniformly oriented polycrystalline α-HgI 2 film with clear facets and narrow size distribution can be obtained at the source temperature of 80 °C under the assistance of 59 KHz ultrasonic frequency with the ultrasonic power of 200 W, which has the lowest value of ρ=2.2×10 12 Ω cm for E-field parallel to c-axis, approaching to that of high quality α-HgI 2 single crystals (4.0×10 12 Ω cm).

Giant magnetic-field-induced strains in polycrystalline Ni-Mn-Ga foams.

PubMed

Chmielus, M; Zhang, X X; Witherspoon, C; Dunand, D C; Müllner, P

2009-11-01

The magnetic shape-memory alloy Ni-Mn-Ga shows, in monocrystalline form, a reversible magnetic-field-induced strain (MFIS) up to 10%. This strain, which is produced by twin boundaries moving solely by internal stresses generated by magnetic anisotropy energy, can be used in actuators, sensors and energy-harvesting devices. Compared with monocrystalline Ni-Mn-Ga, fine-grained Ni-Mn-Ga is much easier to process but shows near-zero MFIS because twin boundary motion is inhibited by constraints imposed by grain boundaries. Recently, we showed that partial removal of these constraints, by introducing pores with sizes similar to grains, resulted in MFIS values of 0.12% in polycrystalline Ni-Mn-Ga foams, close to those of the best commercial magnetostrictive materials. Here, we demonstrate that introducing pores smaller than the grain size further reduces constraints and markedly increases MFIS to 2.0-8.7%. These strains, which remain stable over >200,000 cycles, are much larger than those of any polycrystalline, active material.

In vitro study of color stability of polycrystalline and monocrystalline ceramic brackets

PubMed Central

de Oliveira, Cibele Braga; Maia, Luiz Guilherme Martins; Santos-Pinto, Ary; Gandini Júnior, Luiz Gonzaga

2014-01-01

Objective The aim of this in vitro study was to analyze color stability of monocrystalline and polycrystalline ceramic brackets after immersion in dye solutions. Methods Seven ceramic brackets of four commercial brands were tested: Two monocrystalline and two polycrystalline. The brackets were immersed in four dye solutions (coffee, red wine, Coke and black tea) and in artificial saliva for the following times: 24 hours, 7, 14 and 21 days, respectively. Color changes were measured by a spectrophotometer. Data were assessed by Multivariate Profile Analysis, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multiple Comparison Tests of means. Results There was a perceptible change of color in all ceramic brackets immersed in coffee (ΔE* Allure = 7.61, Inspire Ice = 6.09, Radiance = 6.69, Transcend = 7.44), black tea (ΔE* Allure = 6.24, Inspire Ice = 5.21, Radiance = 6.51, Transcend = 6.14) and red wine (ΔE* Allure = 6.49, Inspire Ice = 4.76, Radiance = 5.19, Transcend = 5.64), but no change was noticed in Coke and artificial saliva (ΔE < 3.7). Conclusion Ceramic brackets undergo color change when exposed to solutions of coffee, black tea and red wine. However, the same crystalline structure, either monocrystalline or polycrystalline, do not follow the same or a similar pattern in color change, varying according to the bracket fabrication, which shows a lack of standardization in the manufacturing process. Coffee dye produced the most marked color changes after 21 days of immersion for most ceramic brackets evaluated. PMID:25279530

In vitro study of color stability of polycrystalline and monocrystalline ceramic brackets.

PubMed

de Oliveira, Cibele Braga; Maia, Luiz Guilherme Martins; Santos-Pinto, Ary; Gandini Junior, Luiz Gonzaga

2014-01-01

The aim of this in vitro study was to analyze color stability of monocrystalline and polycrystalline ceramic brackets after immersion in dye solutions. Seven ceramic brackets of four commercial brands were tested: Two monocrystalline and two polycrystalline. The brackets were immersed in four dye solutions (coffee, red wine, Coke and black tea) and in artificial saliva for the following times: 24 hours, 7, 14 and 21 days, respectively. Color changes were measured by a spectrophotometer. Data were assessed by Multivariate Profile Analysis, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multiple Comparison Tests of means. There was a perceptible change of color in all ceramic brackets immersed in coffee (ΔE* Allure = 7.61, Inspire Ice = 6.09, Radiance = 6.69, Transcend = 7.44), black tea (ΔE* Allure = 6.24, Inspire Ice = 5.21, Radiance = 6.51, Transcend = 6.14) and red wine (ΔE* Allure = 6.49, Inspire Ice = 4.76, Radiance = 5.19, Transcend = 5.64), but no change was noticed in Coke and artificial saliva (ΔE < 3.7). Ceramic brackets undergo color change when exposed to solutions of coffee, black tea and red wine. However, the same crystalline structure, either monocrystalline or polycrystalline, do not follow the same or a similar pattern in color change, varying according to the bracket fabrication, which shows a lack of standardization in the manufacturing process. Coffee dye produced the most marked color changes after 21 days of immersion for most ceramic brackets evaluated.

Phase-shifted Solc-type filter based on thin periodically poled lithium niobate in a reflective geometry.

PubMed

Ding, Tingting; Zheng, Yuanlin; Chen, Xianfeng

2018-04-30

Configurable narrow bandwidth filters are indispensable components in optical communication networks. Here, we present an easily-integrated compact tunable filtering based on polarization-coupling process in a thin periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) in a reflective geometry via the transverse electro-optic (EO) effect. The structure, composed of an in-line polarizer and a thinned PPLN chip, forms a phase-shift Solc-type filter with similar mechanism to defected Bragg gratings. The filtering effect can be dynamically switched on and off by a transverse electric filed. Analogy of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) transmission spectrum and electrically controllable group delay is experimentally observed. The mechanism features tunable center wavelength in a wide range with respect to temperature and tunable optical delay to the applied voltage, which may offer another way for optical tunable filters or delay lines.

Agile multicasting based on cascaded χ(2) nonlinearities in a step-chirped periodically poled lithium niobate.

PubMed

Ahlawat, Meenu; Bostani, Ameneh; Tehranchi, Amirhossein; Kashyap, Raman

2013-08-01

We experimentally demonstrate the possibility of agile multicasting for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks, of a single-channel to two and seven channels over the C band, also extendable to S and L bands. This is based on cascaded χ(2) nonlinear mixing processes, namely, second-harmonic generation (SHG)-sum-frequency generation (SFG) and difference-frequency generation (DFG) in a 20-mm-long step-chirped periodically poled lithium niobate crystal, specially designed and fabricated for a 28-nm-wide SH-SF bandwidth centered at around 1.55 μm. The multiple idlers are simultaneously tuned by detuning the pump wavelengths within the broad SH-SF bandwidth. By selectively tuning the pump wavelengths over less than 10 and 6 nm, respectively, multicasting into two and seven idlers is successfully achieved across ~70 WDM channels within the 50 GHz International Telecommunication Union grid spacing.

Grain-boundary physics in polycrystalline CuInSe2 revisited: experiment and theory.

PubMed

Yan, Yanfa; Noufi, R; Al-Jassim, M M

2006-05-26

Current studies have attributed the remarkable performance of polycrystalline CuInSe2 (CIS) to anomalous grain-boundary (GB) physics in CIS. The recent theory predicts that GBs in CIS are hole barriers, which prevent GB electrons from recombining. We examine the atomic structure and chemical composition of (112) GBs in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) using high-resolution Z-contrast imaging and nanoprobe x-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy. We show that the theoretically predicted Cu-vacancy rows are not observed in (112) GBs in CIGS. Our first-principles modeling further reveals that the (112) GBs in CIS do not act as hole barriers. Our results suggest that the superior performance of polycrystalline CIS should not be explained solely by the GB behaviors.

Effects of high optical injection levels in polycrystalline Si wafers on carrier transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steele, Doneisha; Semichaevsky, Andrey

High levels of carrier injection in polycrystalline Si may arise, for example, in solar cells under concentrated sunlight. Mechanisms for non-radiative carrier recombination include trap-mediated SRH and higher-order processes, e.g., Auger recombination. In this paper we present our experimental results for intensity-dependent carrier lifetimes and conduction currents in polycrystalline Si wafers illuminated with pulses of up to 50 Sun intensity. We also use a computational model for carrier transport that includes both SRH and Auger recombination mechanisms, in order to explain our experiments. The model allows quantifying recombination rate dependence on carrier concentration. Our goal is to relate the recombination rates to Si microstructure and defect densities that are revealed by IR PL images. We acknowledge the NSF support through Grant 1505377.

The structural and electrical properties of polycrystalline La0.8Ca0.17Ag0.03MnO3 manganites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruli, F.; Kurniawan, B.; Imaduddin, A.

2018-04-01

In this paper, the authors report the electrical properties of polycrystalline La0.8Ca0.17Ag0.03MnO3 manganites synthesized using sol-gel method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of polycrystalline La0.8Ca0.17Ag0.03MnO3 samples reveal an orthorhombic perovskite structure with Pnma space group. Analysis using energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) confirms that the sample contains all expected chemical elements without any additional impurity. The measurement of resistivity versus temperature using cryogenic magnetometer was performed to investigate the electrical properties. The results show that the electrical resistivity of polycrystalline La0.8Ca0.17Ag0.03MnO3 exhibits metalic behavior below 244 K. The temperature dependence of electrical resistivity dominantly emanates from electron-electron scattering and the grain/domain boundary play a important role in conduction mechanism in polycrystalline La0.8Ca0.17Ag0.03MnO3.

Effect of nickel silicide gettering on metal-induced crystallized polycrystalline-silicon thin-film transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Hyung Yoon; Seok, Ki Hwan; Chae, Hee Jae; Lee, Sol Kyu; Lee, Yong Hee; Joo, Seung Ki

2017-06-01

Low-temperature polycrystalline-silicon (poly-Si) thin-film transistors (TFTs) fabricated via metal-induced crystallization (MIC) are attractive candidates for use in active-matrix flat-panel displays. However, these exhibit a large leakage current due to the nickel silicide being trapped at the grain boundaries of the poly-Si. We reduced the leakage current of the MIC poly-Si TFTs by developing a gettering method to remove the Ni impurities using a Si getter layer and natively-formed SiO2 as the etch stop interlayer. The Ni trap state density (Nt) in the MIC poly-Si film decreased after the Ni silicide gettering, and as a result, the leakage current of the MIC poly-Si TFTs decreased. Furthermore, the leakage current of MIC poly-Si TFTs gradually decreased with additional gettering. To explain the gettering effect on MIC poly-Si TFTs, we suggest an appropriate model. He received the B.S. degree in School of Advanced Materials Engineering from Kookmin University, Seoul, South Korea in 2012, and the M.S. degree in Department of Materials Science and Engineering from Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea in 2014. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul. He is involved in semiconductor device fabrication technology and top-gate polycrystalline-silicon thin-film transistors. He received the M.S. degree in innovation technology from Ecol Polytechnique, Palaiseau, France in 2013. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul. He is involved in semiconductor device fabrication technology and bottom-gate polycrystalline-silicon thin-film transistors. He is currently pursuing the integrated M.S and Ph.D course with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul. He is involved in semiconductor device fabrication technology and copper

Ridge Waveguide Structures in Magnesium-Doped Lithium Niobate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Himmer, Phillip; Battle, Philip; Suckow, William; Switzer, Greg

2011-01-01

This work proposes to establish the feasibility of fabricating isolated ridge waveguides in 5% MgO:LN. Ridge waveguides in MgO:LN will significantly improve power handling and conversion efficiency, increase photonic component integration, and be well suited to spacebased applications. The key innovation in this effort is to combine recently available large, high-photorefractive-damage-threshold, z-cut 5% MgO:LN with novel ridge fabrication techniques to achieve high-optical power, low-cost, high-volume manufacturing of frequency conversion structures. The proposed ridge waveguide structure should maintain the characteristics of the periodically poled bulk substrate, allowing for the efficient frequency conversion typical of waveguides and the high optical damage threshold and long lifetimes typical of the 5% doped bulk substrate. The low cost and large area of 5% MgO:LN wafers, and the improved performance of the proposed ridge waveguide structure, will enhance existing measurement capabilities as well as reduce the resources required to achieve high-performance specifications. The purpose of the ridge waveguides in MgO:LN is to provide platform technology that will improve optical power handling and conversion efficiency compared to existing waveguide technology. The proposed ridge waveguide is produced using standard microfabrication techniques. The approach is enabled by recent advances in inductively coupled plasma etchers and chemical mechanical planarization techniques. In conjunction with wafer bonding, this fabrication methodology can be used to create arbitrarily shaped waveguides allowing complex optical circuits to be engineered in nonlinear optical materials such as magnesium doped lithium niobate. Researchers here have identified NLO (nonlinear optical) ridge waveguide structures as having suitable value to be the leading frequency conversion structures. Its value is based on having the low-cost fabrication necessary to satisfy the challenging pricing

History of development of polycrystalline optical spinel in the U.S.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harris, Daniel C.

2005-05-01

Optical quality polycrystalline spinel (MgAl2O4) has been sought as a visible- and infrared-transmitting material since the 1960s because of its potential for transparent armor and durable sensor windows. Its physical properties were known from synthetic crystals available since ~1950 from Linde Air Products. In the late 1960s, methods to process powder into transparent, polycrystalline spinel were investigated at North Carolina State University, General Electric Co., AVCO, and Westinghouse, mainly with Government support. The leading figure in the development of polycrystalline spinel was Don Roy, who began work on spinel at Coors Ceramics around 1970, initially for transparent armor. In the late 1970s, both Coors Ceramics and Raytheon Research Division were funded to make spinel for the infrared dome of the Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile, an application that disappeared by 1980. In the late 1980s, there was another burst of activity when spinel was a candidate for the Stinger Missile. By 1990, Raytheon had dropped spinel and the material was spun off by Coors Ceramics to Alpha Optical Systems, whose technical effort was led by Don Roy. With low commercial sales potential for spinel, Alpha was dissolved in 1993. RCS Technologies took over a Government contract seeking 200-mm spinel domes for the Harrier aircraft, but this effort ended in 1996 and RCS was dissolved. In 1998, the Army enlisted TA&T to make spinel for transparent armor. Other potential applications appeared and TA&T received numerous Government development contracts. Demand for the still-unavailable spinel drew Surmet to begin development in 2002. In early 2005, spinel is under active development at TA&T and Surmet.

Creep and stress relaxation modeling of polycrystalline ceramic fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dicarlo, James A.; Morscher, Gregory N.

1994-01-01

A variety of high performance polycrystalline ceramic fibers are currently being considered as reinforcement for high temperature ceramic matrix composites. However, under mechanical loading about 800 C, these fibers display creep related instabilities which can result in detrimental changes in composite dimensions, strength, and internal stress distributions. As a first step toward understanding these effects, this study examines the validity of a mechanism-based empirical model which describes primary stage tensile creep and stress relaxation of polycrystalline ceramic fibers as independent functions of time, temperature, and applied stress or strain. To verify these functional dependencies, a simple bend test is used to measure stress relaxation for four types of commercial ceramic fibers for which direct tensile creep data are available. These fibers include both nonoxide (SCS-6, Nicalon) and oxide (PRD-166, FP) compositions. The results of the Bend Stress Relaxation (BSR) test not only confirm the stress, time, and temperature dependencies predicted by the model, but also allow measurement of model empirical parameters for the four fiber types. In addition, comparison of model tensile creep predictions based on the BSR test results with the literature data show good agreement, supporting both the predictive capability of the model and the use of the BSR text as a simple method for parameter determination for other fibers.

Field theory and diffusion creep predictions in polycrystalline aggregates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Villani, A.; Busso, E. P.; Forest, S.

2015-07-01

In polycrystals, stress-driven vacancy diffusion at high homologous temperatures leads to inelastic deformation. In this work, a novel continuum mechanics framework is proposed to describe the strain fields resulting from such a diffusion-driven process in a polycrystalline aggregate where grains and grain boundaries are explicitly considered. The choice of an anisotropic eigenstrain in the grain boundary region provides the driving force for the diffusive creep processes. The corresponding inelastic strain rate is shown to be related to the gradient of the vacancy flux. Dislocation driven deformation is then introduced as an additional mechanism, through standard crystal plasticity constitutive equations. The fully coupled diffusion-mechanical model is implemented into the finite element method and then used to describe the biaxial creep behaviour of FCC polycrystalline aggregates. The corresponding results revealed for the first time that such a coupled diffusion-stress approach, involving the gradient of the vacancy flux, can accurately predict the well-known macroscopic strain rate dependency on stress and grain size in the diffusion creep regime. They also predict strongly heterogeneous viscoplastic strain fields, especially close to grain boundaries triple junctions. Finally, a smooth transition from Herring and Coble to dislocation creep behaviour is predicted and compared to experimental results for copper.

Creep and stress relaxation modeling of polycrystalline ceramic fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dicarlo, James A.; Morscher, Gregory N.

1991-01-01

A variety of high performance polycrystalline ceramic fibers are currently being considered as reinforcement for high temperature ceramic matrix composites. However, under mechanical loading above 800 C, these fibers display creep-related instabilities which can result in detrimental changes in composite dimensions, strength, and internal stress distributions. As a first step toward understanding these effects, this study examines the validity of mechanistic-based empirical model which describes primary stage tensile creep and stress relaxation of polycrystalline ceramic fibers as independent functions of time, temperature, and applied stress or strain. To verify these functional dependencies, a simple bend test is used to measure stress relaxation for four types of commercial ceramic fibers for which direct tensile creep data are available. These fibers include both nonoxide (SCS-6, Nicalon) and oxide (PRD-166, FP) compositions. The results of the bend stress relaxation (BSR) test not only confirm the stress, time, and temperature dependencies predicted by the model but also allow measurement of model empirical parameters for the four fiber types. In addition, comparison of model predictions and BSR test results with the literature tensile creep data show good agreement, supporting both the predictive capability of the model and the use of the BSR test as a simple method for parameter determination for other fibers.

Electrochemical properties of polycrystalline TiO/sub 2/ electrodes prepared by anodic oxidation

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

Nogami, G.; Ogawa, V.; Nishiyama, Y.

1988-12-01

Polycrystalline TiO/sub 2/ electrodes were characterized by electroluminescence and capacitance-voltage measurements. The intensity of electroluminescence in a polycrystalline TiO/sub 2/ was about two orders of magnitude larger than that in a single crystalline TiO/sub 2/. Due to the intensive light emission which could be seen with the naked eye, a spectroscopic analysis by using a monochromator was possible. The emission spectrum showed a broad band peaked at 570 nm, which was assigned to a radiation recombination of a hole injected from the electrolyte with an electron on the surface state, the distribution of which was estimated from the C-V measurements.more » Mott-Schottky plots for a polycrystalline TiO/sub 2/ showed little frequency dispersion. Cole-Cole plots could be fitted by two semicircles. Through the analysis of relaxation times, charging and discharging process at the electrode surface could be clarified. The analysis of the impedance data have revealed that the surface state is distributed from the conduction bandage to the midgap in the forbidden gap. The surface-state density falls with energy from the conduction band. It has been concluded that the dynamic electron distribution of the surface states, which is determined by the competitive charge transfer process of electrons and holes injected from the electrolyte and from the semiconductor determines the luminescence characteristics of this material.« less

Grain Boundary Conformed Volumetric Mesh Generation from a Three-Dimensional Voxellated Polycrystalline Microstructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Myeong-Jin; Jeon, Young-Ju; Son, Ga-Eun; Sung, Sihwa; Kim, Ju-Young; Han, Heung Nam; Cho, Soo Gyeong; Jung, Sang-Hyun; Lee, Sukbin

2018-03-01

We present a new comprehensive scheme for generating grain boundary conformed, volumetric mesh elements from a three-dimensional voxellated polycrystalline microstructure. From the voxellated image of a polycrystalline microstructure obtained from the Monte Carlo Potts model in the context of isotropic normal grain growth simulation, its grain boundary network is approximated as a curvature-maintained conformal triangular surface mesh using a set of in-house codes. In order to improve the surface mesh quality and to adjust mesh resolution, various re-meshing techniques in a commercial software are applied to the approximated grain boundary mesh. It is found that the aspect ratio, the minimum angle and the Jacobian value of the re-meshed surface triangular mesh are successfully improved. Using such an enhanced surface mesh, conformal volumetric tetrahedral elements of the polycrystalline microstructure are created using a commercial software, again. The resultant mesh seamlessly retains the short- and long-range curvature of grain boundaries and junctions as well as the realistic morphology of the grains inside the polycrystal. It is noted that the proposed scheme is the first to successfully generate three-dimensional mesh elements for polycrystals with high enough quality to be used for the microstructure-based finite element analysis, while the realistic characteristics of grain boundaries and grains are maintained from the corresponding voxellated microstructure image.

Grain Boundary Conformed Volumetric Mesh Generation from a Three-Dimensional Voxellated Polycrystalline Microstructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Myeong-Jin; Jeon, Young-Ju; Son, Ga-Eun; Sung, Sihwa; Kim, Ju-Young; Han, Heung Nam; Cho, Soo Gyeong; Jung, Sang-Hyun; Lee, Sukbin

2018-07-01

We present a new comprehensive scheme for generating grain boundary conformed, volumetric mesh elements from a three-dimensional voxellated polycrystalline microstructure. From the voxellated image of a polycrystalline microstructure obtained from the Monte Carlo Potts model in the context of isotropic normal grain growth simulation, its grain boundary network is approximated as a curvature-maintained conformal triangular surface mesh using a set of in-house codes. In order to improve the surface mesh quality and to adjust mesh resolution, various re-meshing techniques in a commercial software are applied to the approximated grain boundary mesh. It is found that the aspect ratio, the minimum angle and the Jacobian value of the re-meshed surface triangular mesh are successfully improved. Using such an enhanced surface mesh, conformal volumetric tetrahedral elements of the polycrystalline microstructure are created using a commercial software, again. The resultant mesh seamlessly retains the short- and long-range curvature of grain boundaries and junctions as well as the realistic morphology of the grains inside the polycrystal. It is noted that the proposed scheme is the first to successfully generate three-dimensional mesh elements for polycrystals with high enough quality to be used for the microstructure-based finite element analysis, while the realistic characteristics of grain boundaries and grains are maintained from the corresponding voxellated microstructure image.

Polycrystalline ZrTe 5 Parametrized as a Narrow-Band-Gap Semiconductor for Thermoelectric Performance

DOE PAGES

Miller, Samuel A.; Witting, Ian; Aydemir, Umut; ...

2018-01-24

The transition-metal pentatellurides HfTe 5 and ZrTe 5 have been studied for their exotic transport properties with much debate over the transport mechanism, band gap, and cause of the resistivity behavior, including a large low-temperature resistivity peak. Single crystals grown by the chemical-vapor-transport method have shown an n-p transition of the Seebeck coefficient at the same temperature as a peak in the resistivity. We show that behavior similar to that of single crystals can be observed in iodine-doped polycrystalline samples but that undoped polycrystalline samples exhibit drastically different properties: they are p type over the entire temperature range. Additionally, themore » thermal conductivity for polycrystalline samples is much lower, 1.5 Wm -1 K -1, than previously reported for single crystals. It is found that the polycrystalline ZrTe 5 system can be modeled as a simple semiconductor with conduction and valence bands both contributing to transport, separated by a band gap of 20 meV. This model demonstrates to first order that a simple two-band model can explain the transition from n- to p-type behavior and the cause of the anomalous resistivity peak. Combined with the experimental data, the two-band model shows that carrier concentration variation is responsible for differences in behavior between samples. Using the two-band model, the thermoelectric performance at different doping levels is predicted, finding zT=0.2 and 0.1 for p and n type, respectively, at 300 K, and zT=0.23 and 0.32 for p and n type at 600 K. Given the reasonably high zT that is comparable in magnitude for both n and p type, a thermoelectric device with a single compound used for both legs is feasible.« less

Polycrystalline ZrTe5 Parametrized as a Narrow-Band-Gap Semiconductor for Thermoelectric Performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, Samuel A.; Witting, Ian; Aydemir, Umut; Peng, Lintao; Rettie, Alexander J. E.; Gorai, Prashun; Chung, Duck Young; Kanatzidis, Mercouri G.; Grayson, Matthew; Stevanović, Vladan; Toberer, Eric S.; Snyder, G. Jeffrey

2018-01-01

The transition-metal pentatellurides HfTe5 and ZrTe5 have been studied for their exotic transport properties with much debate over the transport mechanism, band gap, and cause of the resistivity behavior, including a large low-temperature resistivity peak. Single crystals grown by the chemical-vapor-transport method have shown an n -p transition of the Seebeck coefficient at the same temperature as a peak in the resistivity. We show that behavior similar to that of single crystals can be observed in iodine-doped polycrystalline samples but that undoped polycrystalline samples exhibit drastically different properties: they are p type over the entire temperature range. Additionally, the thermal conductivity for polycrystalline samples is much lower, 1.5 Wm-1 K-1 , than previously reported for single crystals. It is found that the polycrystalline ZrTe5 system can be modeled as a simple semiconductor with conduction and valence bands both contributing to transport, separated by a band gap of 20 meV. This model demonstrates to first order that a simple two-band model can explain the transition from n - to p -type behavior and the cause of the anomalous resistivity peak. Combined with the experimental data, the two-band model shows that carrier concentration variation is responsible for differences in behavior between samples. Using the two-band model, the thermoelectric performance at different doping levels is predicted, finding z T =0.2 and 0.1 for p and n type, respectively, at 300 K, and z T =0.23 and 0.32 for p and n type at 600 K. Given the reasonably high z T that is comparable in magnitude for both n and p type, a thermoelectric device with a single compound used for both legs is feasible.

Polycrystalline ZrTe 5 Parametrized as a Narrow-Band-Gap Semiconductor for Thermoelectric Performance

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

Miller, Samuel A.; Witting, Ian; Aydemir, Umut

The transition-metal pentatellurides HfTe 5 and ZrTe 5 have been studied for their exotic transport properties with much debate over the transport mechanism, band gap, and cause of the resistivity behavior, including a large low-temperature resistivity peak. Single crystals grown by the chemical-vapor-transport method have shown an n-p transition of the Seebeck coefficient at the same temperature as a peak in the resistivity. We show that behavior similar to that of single crystals can be observed in iodine-doped polycrystalline samples but that undoped polycrystalline samples exhibit drastically different properties: they are p type over the entire temperature range. Additionally, themore » thermal conductivity for polycrystalline samples is much lower, 1.5 Wm -1 K -1, than previously reported for single crystals. It is found that the polycrystalline ZrTe 5 system can be modeled as a simple semiconductor with conduction and valence bands both contributing to transport, separated by a band gap of 20 meV. This model demonstrates to first order that a simple two-band model can explain the transition from n- to p-type behavior and the cause of the anomalous resistivity peak. Combined with the experimental data, the two-band model shows that carrier concentration variation is responsible for differences in behavior between samples. Using the two-band model, the thermoelectric performance at different doping levels is predicted, finding zT=0.2 and 0.1 for p and n type, respectively, at 300 K, and zT=0.23 and 0.32 for p and n type at 600 K. Given the reasonably high zT that is comparable in magnitude for both n and p type, a thermoelectric device with a single compound used for both legs is feasible.« less

Statistical thermodynamics of strain hardening in polycrystalline solids

DOE PAGES

Langer, James S.

2015-09-18

This paper starts with a systematic rederivation of the statistical thermodynamic equations of motion for dislocation-mediated plasticity proposed in 2010 by Langer, Bouchbinder, and Lookman. The paper then uses that theory to explain the anomalous rate-hardening behavior reported in 1988 by Follansbee and Kocks and to explore the relation between hardening rate and grain size reported in 1995 by Meyers et al. A central theme is the need for physics-based, nonequilibrium analyses in developing predictive theories of the strength of polycrystalline materials.

Zeeman perturbed nuclear quadrupole spin echo envelope modulations for spin 3/2 nuclei in polycrystalline specimens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramachandran, R.; Narasimhan, P. T.

The results of theoretical and experimental studies of Zeeman-perturbed nuclear quadrupole spin echo envelope modulations (ZSEEM) for spin 3/2 nuclei in polycrystalline specimens are presented. The response of the Zeeman-perturbed spin ensemble to resonant two pulse excitations has been calculated using the density matrix formalism. The theoretical calculation assumes a parallel orientation of the external r.f. and static Zeeman fields and an arbitrary orientation of these fields to the principal axes system of the electric field gradient. A numerical powder averaging procedure has been adopted to simulate the response of the polycrystalline specimens. Using a coherent pulsed nuclear quadrupole resonance spectrometer the ZSEEM patterns of the 35Cl nuclei have been recorded in polycrystalline specimens of potassium chlorate, barium chlorate, mercuric chloride (two sites) and antimony trichloride (two sites) using the π/2-τ-π/2 sequence. The theoretical and experimental ZSEEM patterns have been compared. In the case of mercuric chloride, the experimental 35Cl ZSEEM patterns are found to be nearly identical for the two sites and correspond to a near-zero value of the asymmetry parameter, η, of the electric field gradient tensor. The difference in the η values for the two 35Cl sites (η ˜0·06 and η˜0·16) in antimony trichloride is clearly reflected in the experimental and theoretical ZSEEM patterns. The present study indicates the feasibility of evaluating η for spin 3/2 nuclei in polycrystalline specimens from ZSEEM investigations.

Polycrystalline silicon sheets for solar cells by the spinning method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maeda, Y.; Yokoyama, T.; Hide, I.

1984-03-01

A new method has been developed in which polycrystalline silicon sheets are formed directly from molten silicon on a spinning wheel. The sheet is 5 cm x 5 cm, 0.1-0.5 mm thick, and made at a rate of four sheets per 15 s; power conversion rate of a solar cell assembled with these silicon sheets is more than 10 percent.

Stress Distribution During Deformation of Polycrystalline Aluminum by Molecular-Dynamics and Finite-Element Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yamakov, V.; Saether, E.; Phillips, D.; Glaessgen, E. H.

2004-01-01

In this paper, a multiscale modelling strategy is used to study the effect of grain-boundary sliding on stress localization in a polycrystalline microstructure with an uneven distribution of grain size. The development of the molecular dynamics (MD) analysis used to interrogate idealized grain microstructures with various types of grain boundaries and the multiscale modelling strategies for modelling large systems of grains is discussed. Both molecular-dynamics and finite-element (FE) simulations for idealized polycrystalline models of identical geometry are presented with the purpose of demonstrating the effectiveness of the adapted finite-element method using cohesive zone models to reproduce grain-boundary sliding and its effect on the stress distribution in a polycrystalline metal. The yield properties of the grain-boundary interface, used in the FE simulations, are extracted from a MD simulation on a bicrystal. The models allow for the study of the load transfer between adjacent grains of very different size through grain-boundary sliding during deformation. A large-scale FE simulation of 100 grains of a typical microstructure is then presented to reveal that the stress distribution due to grain-boundary sliding during uniform tensile strain can lead to stress localization of two to three times the background stress, thus suggesting a significant effect on the failure properties of the metal.

Three dimensional grain boundary modeling in polycrystalline plasticity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yalçinkaya, Tuncay; Özdemir, Izzet; Fırat, Ali Osman

2018-05-01

At grain scale, polycrystalline materials develop heterogeneous plastic deformation fields, localizations and stress concentrations due to variation of grain orientations, geometries and defects. Development of inter-granular stresses due to misorientation are crucial for a range of grain boundary (GB) related failure mechanisms, such as stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and fatigue cracking. Local crystal plasticity finite element modelling of polycrystalline metals at micron scale results in stress jumps at the grain boundaries. Moreover, the concepts such as the transmission of dislocations between grains and strength of the grain boundaries are not included in the modelling. The higher order strain gradient crystal plasticity modelling approaches offer the possibility of defining grain boundary conditions. However, these conditions are mostly not dependent on misorientation of grains and can define only extreme cases. For a proper definition of grain boundary behavior in plasticity, a model for grain boundary behavior should be incorporated into the plasticity framework. In this context, a particular grain boundary model ([l]) is incorporated into a strain gradient crystal plasticity framework ([2]). In a 3-D setting, both bulk and grain boundary models are implemented as user-defined elements in Abaqus. The strain gradient crystal plasticity model works in the bulk elements and considers displacements and plastic slips as degree of freedoms. Interface elements model the plastic slip behavior, yet they do not possess any kind of mechanical cohesive behavior. The physical aspects of grain boundaries and the performance of the model are addressed through numerical examples.

Processing of crack-free high density polycrystalline LiTaO3 ceramics

DOE PAGES

Chen, Ching-Fong; Brennecka, Geoff L.; King, Graham; ...

2016-11-04

Our work achieved high density (99.9%) polycrystalline LiTaO 3. The keys to the high density without cracking were the use of LiF-assisted densification to maintain fine grain size as well as the presence of secondary lithium aluminate phases as grain growth inhibitors. The average grain size of the hot pressed polycrystalline LiTaO 3 is less than 5 μm, limiting residual stresses caused by the anisotropic thermal expansion. Dilatometry results clearly indicate liquid phase sintering via the added LiF sintering aid. Efficient liquid phase sintering allows densification during low temperature hot pressing. Electron microscopy confirmed the high-density microstructure. Furthermore, Rietveld analysismore » of neutron diffraction data revealed the presence of LiAlO 2 and LiAl 5O 8 minority phases and negligible substitutional defect incorporation in LiTaO 3.« less

Atomistic simulation of Al-graphene thin film growth on polycrystalline Al substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lan; Zhu, Yongchao; Li, Na; Rong, Yan; Xia, Huimin; Ma, Huizhong

2018-03-01

The growth of Al-Graphene composite coatings on polycrystalline Al substrate was investigated by using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Unlike the diffusion behaviors on single crystal surface, most of adatoms were easily bound by the steps on polycrystalline Al surface, owing to the local accelerated energy. Both Ehrlich-Schwoebel (ES) barriers and the steering effect backed up the volmer-weber growth mode, which was consistent with the dynamic growth process observed in the deposit. The morphology of composite coatings was significantly affected by graphene flakes. Enrichment of graphene flakes gave rise to an increase of the local thickness, and graphene flakes only existed in Al grain boundaries. The size of Al grains in the composite coating visibly decreased when compared with that in the pure Al coating. This grain refinement and the mechanical property can be reinforced by the increase of graphene flakes.

A multiscale coupled finite-element and phase-field framework to modeling stressed grain growth in polycrystalline thin films

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

Jamshidian, M., E-mail: jamshidian@cc.iut.ac.ir; Institute of Structural Mechanics, Bauhaus-University Weimar, Marienstrasse 15, 99423 Weimar; Thamburaja, P., E-mail: prakash.thamburaja@gmail.com

A previously-developed finite-deformation- and crystal-elasticity-based constitutive theory for stressed grain growth in cubic polycrystalline bodies has been augmented to include a description of excess surface energy and grain-growth stagnation mechanisms through the use of surface effect state variables in a thermodynamically-consistent manner. The constitutive theory was also implemented into a multiscale coupled finite-element and phase-field computational framework. With the material parameters in the constitutive theory suitably calibrated, our three-dimensional numerical simulations show that the constitutive model is able to accurately predict the experimentally-determined evolution of crystallographic texture and grain size statistics in polycrystalline copper thin films deposited on polyimide substratemore » and annealed at high-homologous temperatures. In particular, our numerical analyses show that the broad texture transition observed in the annealing experiments of polycrystalline thin films is caused by grain growth stagnation mechanisms. - Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Developing a theory for stressed grain growth in polycrystalline thin films. • Implementation into a multiscale coupled finite-element and phase-field framework. • Quantitative reproduction of the experimental grain growth data by simulations. • Revealing the cause of texture transition to be due to the stagnation mechanisms.« less

Natural occurrence of pure nano-polycrystalline diamond from impact crater

PubMed Central

Ohfuji, Hiroaki; Irifune, Tetsuo; Litasov, Konstantin D.; Yamashita, Tomoharu; Isobe, Futoshi; Afanasiev, Valentin P.; Pokhilenko, Nikolai P.

2015-01-01

Consolidated bodies of polycrystalline diamond with grain sizes less than 100 nm, nano-polycrystalline diamond (NPD), has been experimentally produced by direct conversion of graphite at high pressure and high temperature. NPD has superior hardness, toughness and wear resistance to single-crystalline diamonds because of its peculiar nano-textures, and has been successfully used for industrial and scientific applications. Such sintered nanodiamonds have, however, not been found in natural mantle diamonds. Here we identified natural pure NPD, which was produced by a large meteoritic impact about 35 Ma ago in Russia. The impact diamonds consist of well-sintered equigranular nanocrystals (5–50 nm), similar to synthetic NPD, but with distinct [111] preferred orientation. They formed through the martensitic transformation from single-crystal graphite. Stress-induced local fragmentation of the source graphite and subsequent rapid transformation to diamond in the limited time scale result in multiple diamond nucleation and suppression of the overall grain growth, producing the unique nanocrystalline texture of natural NPD. A huge amount of natural NPD is expected to be present in the Popigai crater, which is potentially important for applications as novel ultra-hard material. PMID:26424384

Natural occurrence of pure nano-polycrystalline diamond from impact crater

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohfuji, Hiroaki; Irifune, Tetsuo; Litasov, Konstantin D.; Yamashita, Tomoharu; Isobe, Futoshi; Afanasiev, Valentin P.; Pokhilenko, Nikolai P.

2015-10-01

Consolidated bodies of polycrystalline diamond with grain sizes less than 100 nm, nano-polycrystalline diamond (NPD), has been experimentally produced by direct conversion of graphite at high pressure and high temperature. NPD has superior hardness, toughness and wear resistance to single-crystalline diamonds because of its peculiar nano-textures, and has been successfully used for industrial and scientific applications. Such sintered nanodiamonds have, however, not been found in natural mantle diamonds. Here we identified natural pure NPD, which was produced by a large meteoritic impact about 35 Ma ago in Russia. The impact diamonds consist of well-sintered equigranular nanocrystals (5-50 nm), similar to synthetic NPD, but with distinct [111] preferred orientation. They formed through the martensitic transformation from single-crystal graphite. Stress-induced local fragmentation of the source graphite and subsequent rapid transformation to diamond in the limited time scale result in multiple diamond nucleation and suppression of the overall grain growth, producing the unique nanocrystalline texture of natural NPD. A huge amount of natural NPD is expected to be present in the Popigai crater, which is potentially important for applications as novel ultra-hard material.

Crystal structure and mechanical strain in polycrystalline ferrite films on polycrystalline sapphire substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bogdanovich, M. P.

1996-10-01

We have grown films of magnesium, lithium, zinc, and nickel-zinc ferrites, varying in thickness from 0.5 to 8 μm on polycrystalline sapphiresubstrates by coating the surface of the substrate with an aqueous nitric acid solution of salts of the elements which compose the ferrite. The lattice parameter of the ferrite film increases with the film thickness and becomes constant at thicknesses greater than 8 μm. We have determined the ratio of the theoretical strength limit to the macroscopic one in the film based on the change in the interplanar distance d 220 and the lattice parameter calculated from it, under the assumption that the change Δa(h)=a ∞=a(h) results from macroscopic stresses in the film. This ratio shows that when h=1 μm the microstresses in the film are an order of magnitude smaller than the theoretical strength limit. At larger film thicknesses this macroscopic stress becomes even lower, and at the external surface of thick films it goes completely to zero.

Polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistors on quartz fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugawara, Yuta; Uraoka, Yukiharu; Yano, Hiroshi; Hatayama, Tomoaki; Fuyuki, Takashi; Nakamura, Toshihiro; Toda, Sadayuki; Koaizawa, Hisashi; Mimura, Akio; Suzuki, Kenkichi

2007-11-01

We demonstrate the fabrication of polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) thin-film transistors (TFTs) on a thin quartz fiber for the first time. The poly-Si used in the active layer of the TFTs was prepared by excimer laser annealing of an amorphous Si thin film deposited on the fiber. Top-gated TFTs were fabricated on the fiber, and a field effect mobility of 10cm2/Vs was obtained. The proposed TFTs on a thin quartz fiber, named fiber TFTs, have potential application in microelectronic devices using TFTs fabricated on one-dimensional substrates.

Thickness, humidity, and polarization dependent ferroelectric switching and conductivity in Mg doped lithium niobate

DOE PAGES

Neumayer, Sabine M.; Strelcov, Evgheni; Manzo, Michele; ...

2015-12-28

Mg doped lithium niobate (Mg:LN) exhibits several advantages over undoped LN such as resistance to photorefraction, lower coercive fields, and p-type conductivity that is particularly pronounced at domain walls and opens up a range of applications, e.g., in domain wall electronics. Engineering of precise domain patterns necessitates well founded knowledge of switching kinetics, which can differ significantly from that of undoped LN. In this work, the role of humidity and sample composition in polarization reversal has been investigated under application of the same voltage waveform. Control over domain sizes has been achieved by varying the sample thickness and initial polarizationmore » as well as atmospheric conditions. Additionally, local introduction of proton exchanged phases allows for inhibition of domain nucleation or destabilization, which can be utilized to modify domain patterns. In polarization dependent current flow, attributed to charged domain walls and band bending, it the rectifying ability of Mg: LN in combination with suitable metal electrodes that allow for further tailoring of conductivity is demonstrated.« less

Thickness, humidity, and polarization dependent ferroelectric switching and conductivity in Mg doped lithium niobate

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

Neumayer, Sabine M.; Rodriguez, Brian J., E-mail: brian.rodriguez@ucd.ie; Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4

2015-12-28

Mg doped lithium niobate (Mg:LN) exhibits several advantages over undoped LN such as resistance to photorefraction, lower coercive fields, and p-type conductivity that is particularly pronounced at domain walls and opens up a range of applications, e.g., in domain wall electronics. Engineering of precise domain patterns necessitates well founded knowledge of switching kinetics, which can differ significantly from that of undoped LN. In this work, the role of humidity and sample composition in polarization reversal has been investigated under application of the same voltage waveform. Control over domain sizes has been achieved by varying the sample thickness and initial polarizationmore » as well as atmospheric conditions. In addition, local introduction of proton exchanged phases allows for inhibition of domain nucleation or destabilization, which can be utilized to modify domain patterns. Polarization dependent current flow, attributed to charged domain walls and band bending, demonstrates the rectifying ability of Mg:LN in combination with suitable metal electrodes that allow for further tailoring of conductivity.« less

Synthesis and characterization of polycrystalline CdSiP2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bereznaya, S. A.; Korotchenko, Z. V.; Sarkisov, S. Yu; Korolkov, I. V.; Kuchumov, B. M.; Saprykin, A. I.; Atuchin, V. V.

2018-05-01

A modified method is proposed for the CdSiP2 compound synthesis from elemental starting components. The developed technique allows completing the synthesis process within 30 h. The phase and chemical composition of the synthesized material were confirmed by the x-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The transparent crystal block sized 3 × 3 × 2 mm3 was cut from the polycrystalline ingot and characterized by optical methods.

Magnetic field induced enhancement of resistance in polycrystalline ZrTe5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Behera, Prakash; Bera, Sumit; Patidar, Manju Mishra; Singh, Durgesh; Mishra, A. K.; Krishnan, M.; Gangrade, M.; Deshpande, U. P.; Venkatesh, R.; Ganesan, V.

2018-04-01

Transport properties of the polycrystalline ZrTe5 showing a considerable positive Magneto-Resistance (MR) in the intermediate temperatures has been reported. Substantial shift of peak temperature by approximately 65 K with an applied magnetic field of 13.5 Tesla has been observed. Magneto resistance of this polycrystalline sample (˜100%) is comparable with its single crystalline counterpart reported in literature. The peak intensity scales with peak temperature and obeys reasonably the Dionne relationship that is a clear indication of polaron mediated conduction in this system. Magneto Resistance (MR) in this system is attributed to the two carrier polaronic conduction model similar to the Holstein's approach. The results are further complemented with the Peak shift in magnetic field expected for a system having a fraction of localized carrier density. This observation places this famous thermoelectric material that displays a topological Dirac to Weyl transition in magnetic field in to the family of materials that have potential technological applications in the liquid nitrogen temperature range viz. 85-150 K.

A model-reduction approach to the micromechanical analysis of polycrystalline materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michel, Jean-Claude; Suquet, Pierre

2016-03-01

The present study is devoted to the extension to polycrystals of a model-reduction technique introduced by the authors, called the nonuniform transformation field analysis (NTFA). This new reduced model is obtained in two steps. First the local fields of internal variables are decomposed on a reduced basis of modes as in the NTFA. Second the dissipation potential of the phases is replaced by its tangent second-order (TSO) expansion. The reduced evolution equations of the model can be entirely expressed in terms of quantities which can be pre-computed once for all. Roughly speaking, these pre-computed quantities depend only on the average and fluctuations per phase of the modes and of the associated stress fields. The accuracy of the new NTFA-TSO model is assessed by comparison with full-field simulations on two specific applications, creep of polycrystalline ice and response of polycrystalline copper to a cyclic tension-compression test. The new reduced evolution equations is faster than the full-field computations by two orders of magnitude in the two examples.

Scanning probe microscopy and field emission schemes for studying electron emission from polycrystalline diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chubenko, Oksana; Baturin, Stanislav S.; Baryshev, Sergey V.

2016-09-01

The letter introduces a diagram that rationalizes tunneling atomic force microscopy (TUNA) observations of electron emission from polycrystalline diamonds as described in the recent publications [Chatterjee et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 104, 171907 (2014); Harniman et al., Carbon 94, 386 (2015)]. The direct observations of electron emission from the grain boundary sites by TUNA could indeed be the evidence of electrons originating from grain boundaries under external electric fields. At the same time, from the diagram, it follows that TUNA and field emission schemes are complimentary rather than equivalent for results interpretation. It is further proposed that TUNA could provide better insights into emission mechanisms by measuring the detailed structure of the potential barrier on the surface of polycrystalline diamonds.

Grain boundary dominated ion migration in polycrystalline organic–inorganic halide perovskite films

DOE PAGES

Shao, Yuchuan; Fang, Yanjun; Li, Tao; ...

2016-03-21

The efficiency of perovskite solar cells is approaching that of single-crystalline silicon solar cells despite the presence of large grain boundary (GB) area in the polycrystalline thin films. Here, by using a combination of nanoscopic and macroscopic level measurements, we show that the ion migration in polycrystalline perovskites is dominated through GBs. Conducting atomic force microscopy measurements reveal much stronger hysteresis both for photocurrent and dark-current at the GBs than on the grains interiors, which can be explained by faster ion migration at the GBs. The dramatically enhanced ion migration results in a redistribution of ions along the GBs aftermore » electric poling, in contrast to the intact grain area. The perovskite single-crystal devices without GBs show negligible current hysteresis and no ion-migration signal. Furthermore, the discovery of dominating ion migration through GBs in perovskites can lead to broad applications in many types of devices including photovoltaics, memristors, and ion batteries.« less

Effect of the microstructure on the thermoelectric properties of polycrystalline lanthanum chalcogenides

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lockwood, A.; Wood, C.; Vandersande, J.; Zoltan, A.; Parker, J.; Danielson, L.; Alexander, M.; Whittenberger, D.

1987-01-01

Small amounts of second phase materials can have important effects on the thermoelectric properties of polycrystalline gamma-La(3-x)X4 (X-S, Te; X in the range of 0 to 1/3). Microscopic examination by SEM of hot pressed La(3-x)Te4 samples has revealed from 1-5 vol. pct of La2O2Te, an amount which is not detected by X-ray powder diffraction measurements. This amount of La2O2Te resulting from oxygen contamination can reduce the concentration of electrons by as much as 10 to 75 percent below the electron concentration calculated for single phase La(3-x)Te4 in the composition range of greatest interest. Small amounts of second phase materials can also lower the lattice thermal conductivity by scattering low frequency phonons. These results indicate that microstructural effects should be considered when electrical and thermal properties of polycrystalline materials are analyzed.

An initial investigation into pseudo-coloring for ultrasonic NDE of polycrystalline materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Pamel, A.; Brett, C. R.; Lowe, M. J. S.

2015-03-01

Ultrasonic imaging for NDE is limited by the challenge of detection, which relies on discriminating between objects based on their intensity. Whilst this works well in ultrasonically transparent media, in polycrystalline materials however, a host where scatterers are abundant, this is no longer the case. In such media, intensity information, as a means of interpreting an image, is compromised by the background of coherent microstructural noise. In a bid to improve this, it is suggested here to use pseudo-coloring to consider frequency information and distinguish objects based on their emitted frequency spectra. This approach exploits the frequency diversity; namely the difference in frequency dependence of the noise stemming from the material's microstructure, or backscatter, and that exhibited by the targets of interest: defects. Whereas established frequency diversity techniques exploit this additional information to reconvert it into amplitude data, color enables encoding frequency and intensity information independently. This article serves as an initial exploration of pseudo-coloring ultrasonic images for ultrasonic NDE of polycrystalline materials.

Self-assembling of 2,3-phenyl/thienyl-substituted acrylic acids over polycrystalline gold

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Csankó, K.; Kozma, G.; Valkai, L.; Kukovecz, Á.; Kónya, Z.; Sipos, P.; Pálinkó, I.

2013-07-01

Self-assembling layers were formed from sulfur-containing cinnamic acid analogues over polycrystalline Au surface. The horizontal organising forces were strong O-H⋯O and weaker C-H⋯S hydrogen bonds (the former interaction kept together the acid dimers serving as the fundamental unit, while the latter was crucial in the construction of the 2D layers), while the vertical organisation forces were provided by Au-S covalent bonds. Measurements by atomic force, scanning electron, infrared and Raman microscopies attested that the dimers were situated in a nearly perpendicular fashion to the Au surface providing a ˜30-40 nm thick organic "carpet" and out of this layer occasionally, peaks with height of ˜100-120 nm grew out. The outgrowth of these surface structures were most probably governed by the defects of the polycrystalline metal surface.

Highly efficient phosphorescent organic light-emitting diode with a nanometer-thick Ni silicide/polycrystalline p-Si composite anode.

PubMed

Li, Y Z; Wang, Z L; Luo, H; Wang, Y Z; Xu, W J; Ran, G Z; Qin, G G; Zhao, W Q; Liu, H

2010-07-19

A phosphorescent organic light-emitting diode (PhOLED) with a nanometer-thick (approximately 10 nm) Ni silicide/ polycrystalline p-Si composite anode is reported. The structure of the PhOLED is Al mirror/ glass substrate / Si isolation layer / Ni silicide / polycrystalline p-Si/ V(2)O(5)/ NPB/ CBP: (ppy)(2)Ir(acac)/ Bphen/ Bphen: Cs(2)CO(3)/ Sm/ Au/ BCP. In the composite anode, the Ni-induced polycrystalline p-Si layer injects holes into the V(2)O(5)/ NPB, and the Ni silicide layer reduces the sheet resistance of the composite anode and thus the series resistance of the PhOLED. By adopting various measures for specially optimizing the thickness of the Ni layer, which induces Si crystallization and forms a Ni silicide layer of appropriate thickness, the highest external quantum efficiency and power conversion efficiency have been raised to 26% and 11%, respectively.

Polycrystalline ZrTe{sub 5} Parameterized as a Narrow Band Gap Semiconductor for Thermoelectric Performance.

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

Miller, Samuel A.; Witting, Ian; Aydemir, Umut

The transition-metal pentatellurides HfTe5 and ZrTe5 have been studied for their exotic transport properties with much debate over the transport mechanism, band gap, and cause of the resistivity behavior, including a large low-temperature resistivity peak. Single crystals grown by the chemical-vapor-transport method have shown an n-p transition of the Seebeck coefficient at the same temperature as a peak in the resistivity. We show that behavior similar to that of single crystals can be observed in iodine-doped polycrystalline samples but that undoped polycrystalline samples exhibit drastically different properties: they are p type over the entire temperature range. Additionally, the thermal conductivitymore » for polycrystalline samples is much lower, 1.5 Wm -1 K -1, than previously reported for single crystals. It is found that the polycrystalline ZrTe 5 system can be modeled as a simple semiconductor with conduction and valence bands both contributing to transport, separated by a band gap of 20 meV. This model demonstrates to first order that a simple two-band model can explain the transition from n- to p-type behavior and the cause of the anomalous resistivity peak. Combined with the experimental data, the two-band model shows that carrier concentration variation is responsible for differences in behavior between samples. Using the twoband model, the thermoelectric performance at different doping levels is predicted, finding zT =0.2 and 0.1 for p and n type, respectively, at 300 K, and zT= 0.23 and 0.32 for p and n type at 600 K. Given the reasonably high zT that is comparable in magnitude for both n and p type, a thermoelectric device with a single compound used for both legs is feasible.« less

Dominant pinning mechanisms in YBa2Cu3O7-x films on single and polycrystalline yttria stabilized zirconia substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harshavardhan, K. S.; Rajeswari, M.; Hwang, D. M.; Chen, C. Y.; Sands, T.; Venkatesan, T.; Tkaczyk, J. E.; Lay, K. W.; Safari, A.

1992-04-01

Critical-current densities have been measured in YBa2Cu3O7-x films deposited on (100) yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and polycrystalline YSZ substrates as a function of temperature (4.5-88 K), magnetic field (0-1 T) and orientation relative to the applied field. The results indicate that in films on polycrystalline substrates, surface and interface pinning play a dominant role at high temperatures. In films on (100) YSZ, pinning is mainly due to intrinsic layer pinning as well as extrinsic pinning associated with the interaction of the fluxoids with point defects and low energy planar (2D) boundaries. The differences are attributed to the intrinsic rigidity of single fluxoids which is reduced in films on polycrystalline substrates thereby weakening the intrinsic layer pinning.

Method of making quasi-grain boundary-free polycrystalline solar cell structure and solar cell structure obtained thereby

DOEpatents

Gonzalez, Franklin N.; Neugroschel, Arnost

1984-02-14

A new solar cell structure is provided which will increase the efficiency of polycrystalline solar cells by suppressing or completely eliminating the recombination losses due to the presence of grain boundaries. This is achieved by avoiding the formation of the p-n junction (or other types of junctions) in the grain boundaries and by eliminating the grain boundaries from the active area of the cell. This basic concept can be applied to any polycrystalline material; however, it will be most beneficial for cost-effective materials having small grains, including thin film materials.

Intrinsic Compressive Stress in Polycrystalline Films is Localized at Edges of the Grain Boundaries.

PubMed

Vasco, Enrique; Polop, Celia

2017-12-22

The intrinsic compression that arises in polycrystalline thin films under high atomic mobility conditions has been attributed to the insertion or trapping of adatoms inside grain boundaries. This compression is a consequence of the stress field resulting from imperfections in the solid and causes the thermomechanical fatigue that is estimated to be responsible for 90% of mechanical failures in current devices. We directly measure the local distribution of residual intrinsic stress in polycrystalline thin films on nanometer scales, using a pioneering method based on atomic force microscopy. Our results demonstrate that, at odds with expectations, compression is not generated inside grain boundaries but at the edges of gaps where the boundaries intercept the surface. We describe a model wherein this compressive stress is caused by Mullins-type surface diffusion towards the boundaries, generating a kinetic surface profile different from the mechanical equilibrium profile by the Laplace-Young equation. Where the curvatures of both profiles differ, an intrinsic stress is generated in the form of Laplace pressure. The Srolovitz-type surface diffusion that results from the stress counters the Mullins-type diffusion and stabilizes the kinetic surface profile, giving rise to a steady compression regime. The proposed mechanism of competition between surface diffusions would explain the flux and time dependency of compressive stress in polycrystalline thin films.

Intrinsic Compressive Stress in Polycrystalline Films is Localized at Edges of the Grain Boundaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasco, Enrique; Polop, Celia

2017-12-01

The intrinsic compression that arises in polycrystalline thin films under high atomic mobility conditions has been attributed to the insertion or trapping of adatoms inside grain boundaries. This compression is a consequence of the stress field resulting from imperfections in the solid and causes the thermomechanical fatigue that is estimated to be responsible for 90% of mechanical failures in current devices. We directly measure the local distribution of residual intrinsic stress in polycrystalline thin films on nanometer scales, using a pioneering method based on atomic force microscopy. Our results demonstrate that, at odds with expectations, compression is not generated inside grain boundaries but at the edges of gaps where the boundaries intercept the surface. We describe a model wherein this compressive stress is caused by Mullins-type surface diffusion towards the boundaries, generating a kinetic surface profile different from the mechanical equilibrium profile by the Laplace-Young equation. Where the curvatures of both profiles differ, an intrinsic stress is generated in the form of Laplace pressure. The Srolovitz-type surface diffusion that results from the stress counters the Mullins-type diffusion and stabilizes the kinetic surface profile, giving rise to a steady compression regime. The proposed mechanism of competition between surface diffusions would explain the flux and time dependency of compressive stress in polycrystalline thin films.

Semantic modeling of plastic deformation of polycrystalline rock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Babaie, Hassan A.; Davarpanah, Armita

2018-02-01

We have developed the first iteration of the Plastic Rock Deformation (PRD) ontology by modeling the semantics of a selected set of deformational processes and mechanisms that produce, reconfigure, displace, and/or consume the material components of inhomogeneous polycrystalline rocks. The PRD knowledge model also classifies and formalizes the properties (relations) that hold between instances of the dynamic physical and chemical processes and the rock components, the complex physio-chemical, mathematical, and informational concepts of the plastic rock deformation system, the measured or calculated laboratory testing conditions, experimental procedures and protocols, the state and system variables, and the empirical flow laws that define the inter-relationships among the variables. The ontology reuses classes and properties from several existing ontologies that are built for physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. With its flexible design, the PRD ontology is well positioned to incrementally develop into a model that more fully represents the knowledge of plastic deformation of polycrystalline rocks in the future. The domain ontology will be used to consistently annotate varied data and information related to the microstructures and the physical and chemical processes that produce them at different spatial and temporal scales in the laboratory and in the solid Earth. The PRDKB knowledge base, when built based on the ontology, will help the community of experimental structural geologists and metamorphic petrologists to coherently and uniformly distribute, discover, access, share, and use their data through automated reasoning and integration and query of heterogeneous experimental deformation data that originate from autonomous rock testing laboratories.

Ultraviolet photorefraction at 325 nm in doped lithium niobate crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xin, Feifei; Zhang, Guoquan; Bo, Fang; Sun, Haifeng; Kong, Yongfa; Xu, Jingjun; Volk, Tatyana; Rubinina, Natalia M.

2010-02-01

We studied the photorefractive effect of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) doped with Mg, Zn, In, Hf, or codoped with Mg and Fe at an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength down to 325 nm. It is found that the UV photorefraction of LiNbO3 doped with Mg, Zn, In, or Hf was enhanced significantly as compared to that of the nominally pure LiNbO3. Our results show that the property of resistance against photorefraction in highly Mg, Zn, In, or Hf doped LiNbO3 is true only in the visible and near-infrared wavelength range. By contrast, these crystals exhibit excellent photorefractive characteristics at UV wavelength of 325 nm, even better than those at 351 nm. For example, the photorefractive two-wave coupling gain coefficient Γ and the photorefractive recording sensitivity at 325 nm were measured to be ˜38 cm-1 and 37.7 cm/J, respectively, in a LiNbO3 crystal doped with 9 mol % Zn. The photorefractive response time of a Mg:LiNbO3 with a 9 mol % Mg was measured to be 73 ms with a total recording intensity of 614 mW/cm2 at 325 nm. In highly Mg, Zn, In, or Hf doped LiNbO3 crystals, diffusion dominates over photovoltaic effect and electrons are the dominant charge carriers in UV photorefraction at 325 nm. The results are also of interest to the study on the defect structure of LiNbO3 near to the absorption edge.

Polycrystalline silicon ion sensitive field effect transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, F.; Estrela, P.; Mo, Y.; Migliorato, P.; Maeda, H.; Inoue, S.; Shimoda, T.

2005-01-01

We report the operation of polycrystalline silicon ion sensitive field effect transistors. These devices can be fabricated on inexpensive disposable substrates such as glass or plastics and are, therefore, promising candidates for low cost single-use intelligent multisensors. In this work we have developed an extended gate structure with a Si3N4 sensing layer. Nearly ideal pH sensitivity (54mV /pH) and stable operation have been achieved. Temperature effects have been characterized. A penicillin sensor has been fabricated by functionalizing the sensing area with penicillinase. The sensitivity to penicillin G is about 10mV/mM, in solutions with concentration lower than the saturation value, which is about 7 mM.

Process Research of Polycrystalline Silicon Material (PROPSM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Culik, J. S.

1984-01-01

An investigation was begun into the usefulness of molecular hydrogen annealing on polycrystalline solar cells. No improvement was realized even after twenty hours of hydrogenation. Thus, samples were chosen on the basis of: (1) low open circuit voltage; (2) low shunt conductance; and (3) high light generated current. These cells were hydrogenated in molecular hydrogen at 300 C. The differences between the before and after hydrogenation values are so slight as to be negligible. These cells have light generated current densities that indicate long minority carrier diffusion lengths. The open circuit voltage appears to be degraded, and quasi-neutral recombination current enhanced. Therefore, molecular hydrogen is not usful for passivating electrically active defects.

Modeling of Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3) and Aluminum Nitride (AlN) Nanowires Using Comsol Multiphysics Software: The Case of Pressure Sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmad, A. A.; Alsaad, A.; Al-Bataineh, Q. M.; Al-Naafa, M. A.

2018-02-01

In this study, Lithium niobate (LiNbO3) and Aluminum nitride (AlN) nanostructures were designed and investigated using the COMSOL Multiphysics software for pressure sensing applications. The Finite Element Method (FEM) was used for solving the differential equations with various parameters such as size, length, force, etc. The variation of the total maximum displacement as a function of applied force for various NWs lengths and the variation of the voltage as a function of applied force were plotted and discussed. AlN nanowires exhibit a better piezoelectric response than LiNbO3 nanowires do.

Elastic anomaly and order-disorder nature of multiferroic barium sodium niobate studied by broadband brillouin scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ota, Shiori; Matsumoto, Kazuya; Suzuki, Kohei; Kojima, Seiji

2014-03-01

The successive phase transitions of multiferroic barium sodium niobate, Ba2NaNb5O15 (BNN), were studied by Brillouin scattering. The LA, TA modes, and central peak were measured in a large temperature range from room temperature up to 750 °C. In the vicinity of a ferroelectric phase transition at about TC = 585 °C from the prototypic tetragonal 4/mmm to ferroelectric 4mm phases, elastic anomaly was observed for LA and TA modes. In addition, the order-disorder nature was observed by the temperature dependence of a central peak. For further cooling another elastic anomaly was also observed in the vicinity of a ferroelastic incommensurate phase transition at about TIC = 285 °C into orthorhombic 2mm phase with the appearance of incommensurate modulation. The large thermal hysteresis of elastic anomaly near TIC can be attributed the typical feature of the type III incommensurate phase transition predicted recently by Ishibashi and Iwata (2013 J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 82 044703).

Nanosecond electrical and optical pulses and self phase conjugation from photorefractive lithium niobate fibers and crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kukhtarev, N.; Kukhtareva, T.; Curley, M.; Jaenisch, H. M.; Edwards, M. E.; Gu, M.; Zhou, Z.; Guo, R.

2007-09-01

We have observed nanosecond electrical and optical pulsations from photorefractive lithium-niobate optical fibers using CW green and blue low-power lasers. Fourier spectra of the pulsations have a maximum at ~900 MHz with peaks separated by ~30MHz. We consider free-space and fiber supported illumination of the fiber crystal. Strong nonlinear enhanced backscattering with phase conjugation was observed from bulk crystals and crystal fibers along the C-axis. Model of transformation of CW laser irradiation of ferroelectric crystals into periodic nanosecond electrical and optical pulsations is suggested. This model includes combinations of photorefractive, pyroelectric, piezoelectric, and photogalvanic mechanisms of the holographic grating formation and crystal electrical charging. Possible applications of these short photo-induced electrical pulses for modulation of holographic beam coupling, pulsed electrolysis, electrophoresis, focused electron beams, X-ray and neutron generation, and hand-held micro X-ray devices for localized oncology imaging and treatment based on our advanced sensor work are discussed.

Ferroelectric domain inversion and its stability in lithium niobate thin film on insulator with different thicknesses

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

Shao, Guang-hao; Bai, Yu-hang; Cui, Guo-xin

2016-07-15

Ferroelectric domain inversion and its effect on the stability of lithium niobate thin films on insulator (LNOI) are experimentally characterized. Two sets of specimens with different thicknesses varying from submicron to microns are selected. For micron thick samples (∼28 μm), domain structures are achieved by pulsed electric field poling with electrodes patterned via photolithography. No domain structure deterioration has been observed for a month as inspected using polarizing optical microscopy and etching. As for submicron (540 nm) films, large-area domain inversion is realized by scanning a biased conductive tip in a piezoelectric force microscope. A graphic processing method is takenmore » to evaluate the domain retention. A domain life time of 25.0 h is obtained and possible mechanisms are discussed. Our study gives a direct reference for domain structure-related applications of LNOI, including guiding wave nonlinear frequency conversion, nonlinear wavefront tailoring, electro-optic modulation, and piezoelectric devices.« less

Numerical analysis of the effect of surface roughness on mechanical fields in polycrystalline aggregates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guilhem, Yoann; Basseville, Stéphanie; Curtit, François; Stéphan, Jean-Michel; Cailletaud, Georges

2018-06-01

This paper is dedicated to the study of the influence of surface roughness on local stress and strain fields in polycrystalline aggregates. Finite element computations are performed with a crystal plasticity model on a 316L stainless steel polycrystalline material element with different roughness states on its free surface. The subsequent analysis of the plastic strain localization patterns shows that surface roughness strongly affects the plastic strain localization induced by crystallography. Nevertheless, this effect mainly takes place at the surface and vanishes under the first layer of grains, which implies the existence of a critical perturbed depth. A statistical analysis based on the plastic strain distribution obtained for different roughness levels provides a simple rule to define the size of the affected zone depending on the rough surface parameters.

Simulation of Current Transport in Polycrystalline CdTe Solar Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Troni, F.; Menozzi, R.; Colegrove, E.; Buurma, C.

2013-11-01

Polycrystalline thin-film CdTe solar cells have demonstrated laboratory efficiency exceeding 17% and are nowadays a commercial technology (albeit with somewhat lower efficiencies). The standard process features a poorly understood recrystallization step, obtained by annealing with a source of chlorine. This study uses two-dimensional numerical modeling to investigate current transport inside the polycrystalline CdTe absorber with and without recrystallization effects [increase of grain size and donor ClTe states at grain boundaries (GBs)]. Solving the Poisson equation and the drift-diffusion model for transport with Fermi statistics, while treating the optical problem by the one-dimensional transfer matrix method and complex refractive indexes, this study shows that: (i) in a columnar absorber (i.e., one where only vertical GBs exist), the presence of ClTe donor traps at GBs results in a dip in the band profiles that effectively serves as an electron collector, significantly increasing the short-circuit current and efficiency compared with nondecorated GBs; (ii) while the same dip acts as a hole barrier and thus can be expected to block holes from flowing when horizontal GBs are present, under illuminated conditions electron collection at GBs reduces the dip enough to allow substantial hole flow, and the cell performance is only moderately affected.

An electrical conductivity inspection methodology of polycrystalline diamond cutters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bogdanov, G.; Wiggins, J.; Bertagnolli, K.; Ludwig, R.

2012-05-01

The polycrystalline diamond cutter (PDC) is widely used in oil and gas drilling operations. It is manufactured by sintering diamond powder onto a tungsten carbide substrate at 6 GPa and 1500 C. During sintering, molten cobalt from the substrate infiltrates the diamond table. The residual metal content correlates with cutter performance. We present an instrument that employs electrical impedance tomography capable of imaging the 3D metal content distribution in the diamond table. These images can be used to predict cutter performance as well as detect flaws.

Simulating Thermal Cycling and Isothermal Deformation Response of Polycrystalline NiTi

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manchiraju, Sivom; Gaydosh, Darrell J.; Noebe, Ronald D.; Anderson, Peter M.

2011-01-01

A microstructure-based FEM model that couples crystal plasticity, crystallographic descriptions of the B2-B19' martensitic phase transformation, and anisotropic elasticity is used to simulate thermal cycling and isothermal deformation in polycrystalline NiTi (49.9at% Ni). The model inputs include anisotropic elastic properties, polycrystalline texture, DSC data, and a subset of isothermal deformation and load-biased thermal cycling data. A key experimental trend is captured.namely, the transformation strain during thermal cycling is predicted to reach a peak with increasing bias stress, due to the onset of plasticity at larger bias stress. Plasticity induces internal stress that affects both thermal cycling and isothermal deformation responses. Affected thermal cycling features include hysteretic width, two-way shape memory effect, and evolution of texture with increasing bias stress. Affected isothermal deformation features include increased hardening during loading and retained martensite after unloading. These trends are not captured by microstructural models that lack plasticity, nor are they all captured in a robust manner by phenomenological approaches. Despite this advance in microstructural modeling, quantitative differences exist, such as underprediction of open loop strain during thermal cycling.

Computational modeling and simulation of spall fracture in polycrystalline solids by an atomistic-based interfacial zone model

PubMed Central

Lin, Liqiang; Zeng, Xiaowei

2015-01-01

The focus of this work is to investigate spall fracture in polycrystalline materials under high-speed impact loading by using an atomistic-based interfacial zone model. We illustrate that for polycrystalline materials, increases in the potential energy ratio between grain boundaries and grains could cause a fracture transition from intergranular to transgranular mode. We also found out that the spall strength increases when there is a fracture transition from intergranular to transgranular. In addition, analysis of grain size, crystal lattice orientation and impact speed reveals that the spall strength increases as grain size or impact speed increases. PMID:26435546

Method of low tantalum amounts determination in niobium and its compounds by ICP-OES technique.

PubMed

Smolik, Marek; Turkowska, Magdalena

2013-10-15

A method of determination of low amounts of tantalum in niobium and niobium compounds without its prior separation by means of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) has been worked out. The method involves dissolution of the analyzed samples of niobium as well as its various compounds (oxides, fluorides, chlorides, niobates(V)) in fluoride environments, precipitation of sparingly soluble niobic(tantalic) acid (Nb2O5(Ta2O5) · xH2O), converting them into soluble complex compounds by means of oxalic acid with addition of hydrogen peroxide and finally analyzing directly obtained solutions by ICP-OES. This method permits determination of Ta in niobium at the level of 10(-3)% with relatively good precision (≤ 8% RSD) and accuracy (recovery factor: 0.9-1.1). Relative differences in the results obtained by two independent methods (ICP-OES and ICP-MS) do not exceed 14%, and other elements present in niobium compounds (Ti, W, Zr, Hf, V, Mo, Fe, Cr) at the level of 10(-2)% do not affect determination. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A thermal desorption spectroscopy study of hydrogen trapping in polycrystalline α-uranium

DOE PAGES

Lillard, R. S.; Forsyth, R. T.

2015-03-14

The kinetics of hydrogen desorption from polycrystalline α-uranium (α-U) was examined using thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). The goal was to identify the major trap sites for hydrogen and their associated trap energies. In polycrystalline α-U six TDS adsorption peaks were observed at temperatures of 521 K, 556 K, 607 K, 681 K, 793 K and 905 K. In addition, the desorption was determined to be second order based on peak shape. The position of the first three peaks was consistent with desorption from UH3. To identify the trap site corresponding to the high temperature peaks the data were compared tomore » a plastically deformed sample and a high purity single crystal sample. The plastically deformed sample allowed the identification of trapping at dislocations while the single crystal sample allow for the identification of high angle boundaries and impurities. Thus, with respect to the desorption energy associated with each peak, values between 12.9 and 26.5 kJ/mole were measured.« less

A continuum dislocation dynamics framework for plasticity of polycrystalline materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Askari, Hesam Aldin

The objective of this research is to investigate the mechanical response of polycrystals in different settings to identify the mechanisms that give rise to specific response observed in the deformation process. Particularly the large deformation of magnesium alloys and yield properties of copper in small scales are investigated. We develop a continuum dislocation dynamics framework based on dislocation mechanisms and interaction laws and implement this formulation in a viscoplastic self-consistent scheme to obtain the mechanical response in a polycrystalline system. The versatility of this method allows various applications in the study of problems involving large deformation, study of microstructure and its evolution, superplasticity, study of size effect in polycrystals and stochastic plasticity. The findings from the numerical solution are compared to the experimental results to validate the simulation results. We apply this framework to study the deformation mechanisms in magnesium alloys at moderate to fast strain rates and room temperature to 450 °C. Experiments for the same range of strain rates and temperatures were carried out to obtain the mechanical and material properties, and to compare with the numerical results. The numerical approach for magnesium is divided into four main steps; 1) room temperature unidirectional loading 2) high temperature deformation without grain boundary sliding 3) high temperature with grain boundary sliding mechanism 4) room temperature cyclic loading. We demonstrate the capability of our modeling approach in prediction of mechanical properties and texture evolution and discuss the improvement obtained by using the continuum dislocation dynamics method. The framework was also applied to nano-sized copper polycrystals to study the yield properties at small scales and address the observed yield scatter. By combining our developed method with a Monte Carlo simulation approach, the stochastic plasticity at small length scales

Screen-Cage Ion Plating Of Silver On Polycrystalline Alumina

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spalvins, Talivaldis; Sliney, Harold E.; Deadmore, Daniel L.

1995-01-01

Screen-cage ion plating (SCIP) cost-effective technique offering high throwing power for deposition of adherent metal films on ceramic substrates. Applies silver films to complexly shaped substrates of polycrystalline alumina. Silver adheres tenaciously and reduces friction. SCIP holds promise for applying lubricating soft metallic films to high-temperature ceramic components of advanced combustion engines. Other potential uses include coating substrates with metal for protection against corrosion, depositing electrical conductors on dielectric substrates, making optically reflective or electrically or thermally conductive surface layers, and applying decorative metal coats to ceramic trophies or sculptures.

Generation and tunable enhancement of a sum-frequency signal in lithium niobate nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sergeyev, Anton; Reig Escalé, Marc; Grange, Rachel

2017-02-01

Recent developments in the fabrication of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) structures down to the nanoscale opens up novel applications of this versatile material in nonlinear optics. Current nonlinear optical studies in sub-micron waveguides are mainly restricted to the generation of second and third harmonics. In this work, we demonstrate the generation and waveguiding of the sum-frequency generation (SFG) signal in a single LiNbO3 nanowire with a cross-section of 517 nm  ×  654 nm. Furthermore, we enhance the guided SFG signal 17.9 times by means of modal phase matching. We also display tuning of the phase-matched wavelength by varying the nanowire cross-section and changing the polarization of the incident laser. The results prove that LiNbO3 nanowires can be successfully used for nonlinear wave-mixing applications and assisting the miniaturization of optical devices. , which features invited work from the best early-career researchers working within the scope of J Phys D. This project is part of the Journal of Physics series’ 50th anniversary celebrations in 2017. Rachel Grange was selected by the Editorial Board of J Phys D as an Emerging Leader.

A characterization study of a hydroxylated polycrystalline tin oxide surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoflund, Gar B.; Grogan, Austin L., Jr.; Asbury, Douglas A.; Schryer, David R.

1989-01-01

In this study Auger electron spectroscopy, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and electron-stimulated desorption (ESD) have been used to examine a polycrystalline tin oxide surface before and after annealing in vacuum at 500 C. Features due to surface hydroxyl groups are present in both the ESCA and ESD spectra, and ESD shows that several chemical states of hydrogen are present. Annealing at 500 C causes a large reduction in the surface hydrogen concentration but not complete removal.

Comparisons of Fabric Strength and Development in Polycrystalline Ice at Atmospheric and Basal Hydrostatic Pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breton, Daniel; Baker, Ian; Cole, David

2013-04-01

Understanding and predicting the flow of polycrystalline ice is crucial to ice sheet modeling and paleoclimate reconstruction from ice cores. Ice flow rates depend strongly on the fabric (i.e. the distribution of grain sizes and crystallographic orientations) which evolves over time and enhances the flow rate in the direction of applied stress. The mechanisms for fabric evolution in ice have been extensively studied at atmospheric pressures, but little work has been done to observe these processes at the high pressures experienced deep within ice sheets where long-term changes in ice rheology are expected to have significance. We conducted compressive creep tests to ~10% strain on 917 kg m-3, initially randomly-oriented polycrystalline ice specimens at 0.1 (atmospheric) and 20 MPa (simulating ~2,000 m depth) hydrostatic pressures, performing microstructural analyses on the resulting deformed specimens to characterize the evolution and strength of crystal fabric. Our microstructural analysis technique simultaneously collects grain shape and size data from Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) micrographs and obtains crystallographic orientation data via Electron BackScatter Diffraction (EBSD). Combining these measurements allows rapid analysis of the ice fabric over large numbers of grains, yielding statistically useful numbers of grain size and orientation data. We present creep and microstructural data to demonstrate pressure-dependent effects on the mechanical and microstructural evolution of polycrystalline ice and discuss possible mechanisms for the observed differences.

The contribution of grain boundary and defects to the resistivity in the ferromagnetic state of polycrystalline manganites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sagdeo, P. R.; Anwar, Shahid; Lalla, N. P.; Patil, S. I.

2006-11-01

In the present study we report the precise resistivity measurements for the polycrystalline bulk sample as well as highly oriented thin-films of La 0.8Ca 0.2MnO 3. The poly crystalline sample was prepared by standard solid-state reaction route and the oriented thin film was prepared by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The phase purity of these samples was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and the back-scattered electron imaging using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The oxygen stoichiometry analysis was done by iodimetry titration. The resistivities of these samples were carried out with four-probe resistivity measurement setup. The observed temperature dependence of resistivity data for both the samples was fitted using the polaron model. We have found that polaronic model fits well with the experimental data of both polycrystalline and single crystal samples. A new phenomenological model is proposed and used to estimate contribution to the resistivity due to grain boundary in the ferromagnetic state of polycrystalline manganites and it has been shown that the scattering of electrons from the grain boundary (grain surface) is a function of temperature and controlled by the effective grain resistance at that temperature.

Highly coherent mid-IR supercontinuum by self-defocusing solitons in lithium niobate waveguides with all-normal dispersion.

PubMed

Guo, Hairun; Zhou, Binbin; Zeng, Xianglong; Bache, Morten

2014-05-19

We numerically investigate self-defocusing solitons in a lithium niobate (LN) waveguide designed to have a large refractive index (RI) change. The waveguide evokes strong waveguide dispersion and all-normal dispersion is found in the entire guiding band spanning the near-IR and the beginning of the mid-IR. Meanwhile, a self-defocusing nonlinearity is invoked by the cascaded (phase-mismatched) second-harmonic generation under a quasi-phase-matching pitch. Combining this with the all-normal dispersion, mid-IR solitons can form and the waveguide presents the first all-nonlinear and solitonic device where no linear dispersion (i.e. non-solitonic) regimes exist within the guiding band. Soliton compressions at 2 μm and 3 μm are investigated, with nano-joule single cycle pulse formations and highly coherent octave-spanning supercontinuum generations. With an alternative design on the waveguide dispersion, the soliton spectral tunneling effect is also investigated, with which few-cycle pico-joule pulses at 2 μm are formed by a near-IR pump.

A 93Nb solid-state NMR and density functional theory study of four- and six-coordinate niobate systems.

PubMed

Hanna, John V; Pike, Kevin J; Charpentier, Thibault; Kemp, Thomas F; Smith, Mark E; Lucier, Bryan E G; Schurko, Robert W; Cahill, Lindsay S

2010-03-08

A variable B(0) field static (broadline) NMR study of a large suite of niobate materials has enabled the elucidation of high-precision measurement of (93)Nb NMR interaction parameters such as the isotropic chemical shift (delta(iso)), quadrupole coupling constant and asymmetry parameter (C(Q) and eta(Q)), chemical shift span/anisotropy and skew/asymmetry (Omega/Deltadelta and kappa/eta(delta)) and Euler angles (alpha, beta, gamma) describing the relative orientation of the quadrupolar and chemical shift tensorial frames. These measurements have been augmented with ab initio DFT calculations by using WIEN2k and NMR-CASTEP codes, which corroborate these reported values. Unlike previous assertions made about the inability to detect CSA (chemical shift anisotropy) contributions from Nb(V) in most oxo environments, this study emphasises that a thorough variable B(0) approach coupled with the VOCS (variable offset cumulative spectroscopy) technique for the acquisition of undistorted broad (-1/2<-->+1/2) central transition resonances facilitates the unambiguous observation of both quadrupolar and CSA contributions within these (93)Nb broadline data. These measurements reveal that the (93)Nb electric field gradient tensor is a particularly sensitive measure of the immediate and extended environments of the Nb(V) positions, with C(Q) values in the 0 to >80 MHz range being measured; similarly, the delta(iso) (covering an approximately 250 ppm range) and Omega values (covering a 0 to approximately 800 ppm range) characteristic of these niobate systems are also sensitive to structural disposition. However, their systematic rationalisation in terms of the Nb-O bond angles and distances defining the immediate Nb(V) oxo environment is complicated by longer-range influences that usually involve other heavy elements comprising the structure. It has also been established in this study that the best computational method(s) of analysis for the (93)Nb NMR interaction parameters

Chemical Composition of Surfaces of Polycrystalline Silver Held in Water Vapor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashkhotov, O. G.; Khubezhov, S. A.; Aleroev, M. A.; Grigorkina, G. S.; Ashkhotova, I. B.; Magkoev, T. T.; Bliev, A. P.; Ramonova, A. G.; Kibizov, D. D.

2018-01-01

The chemical composition of surfaces and near-surface layers of massive polycrystalline silver held in water vapor for 2 h at 1073 K is studied via Auger and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is shown that the oxygen on a surface is in the molecular state. In near-surface layers at depths of up to 8 nm, it is predominantly in the atomic state typical of chemisorbed Ag2O.

The effective magnetoelectric coefficients of polycrystalline Cr2O3 annealed in perpendicular electric and magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Y. Y.; Xie, S. H.; Jin, G.; Li, J. Y.

2009-04-01

Magnetoelectric annealing is necessary to remove antiferromagnetic domains and induce macroscopic magnetoelectric effect in polycrystalline magnetoelectric materials, and in this paper, we study the effective magnetoelectric properties of perpendicularly annealed polycrystalline Cr2O3 using effective medium approximation. The effect of temperatures, grain aspect ratios, and two different types of orientation distribution function have been analyzed, and unusual material symmetry is observed when the orientation distribution function only depends on Euler angle ψ. Optimal grain aspect ratio and texture coefficient are also identified. The approach can be applied to analyze the microstructural field distribution and macroscopic properties of a wide range of magnetoelectric polycrystals.

Amorphous and Polycrystalline Photoconductors for Direct Conversion Flat Panel X-Ray Image Sensors

PubMed Central

Kasap, Safa; Frey, Joel B.; Belev, George; Tousignant, Olivier; Mani, Habib; Greenspan, Jonathan; Laperriere, Luc; Bubon, Oleksandr; Reznik, Alla; DeCrescenzo, Giovanni; Karim, Karim S.; Rowlands, John A.

2011-01-01

In the last ten to fifteen years there has been much research in using amorphous and polycrystalline semiconductors as x-ray photoconductors in various x-ray image sensor applications, most notably in flat panel x-ray imagers (FPXIs). We first outline the essential requirements for an ideal large area photoconductor for use in a FPXI, and discuss how some of the current amorphous and polycrystalline semiconductors fulfill these requirements. At present, only stabilized amorphous selenium (doped and alloyed a-Se) has been commercialized, and FPXIs based on a-Se are particularly suitable for mammography, operating at the ideal limit of high detective quantum efficiency (DQE). Further, these FPXIs can also be used in real-time, and have already been used in such applications as tomosynthesis. We discuss some of the important attributes of amorphous and polycrystalline x-ray photoconductors such as their large area deposition ability, charge collection efficiency, x-ray sensitivity, DQE, modulation transfer function (MTF) and the importance of the dark current. We show the importance of charge trapping in limiting not only the sensitivity but also the resolution of these detectors. Limitations on the maximum acceptable dark current and the corresponding charge collection efficiency jointly impose a practical constraint that many photoconductors fail to satisfy. We discuss the case of a-Se in which the dark current was brought down by three orders of magnitude by the use of special blocking layers to satisfy the dark current constraint. There are also a number of polycrystalline photoconductors, HgI2 and PbO being good examples, that show potential for commercialization in the same way that multilayer stabilized a-Se x-ray photoconductors were developed for commercial applications. We highlight the unique nature of avalanche multiplication in a-Se and how it has led to the development of the commercial HARP video-tube. An all solid state version of the HARP has been

A method for polycrystalline silicon delineation applicable to a double-diffused MOS transistor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Halsor, J. L.; Lin, H. C.

1974-01-01

Method is simple and eliminates requirement for unreliable special etchants. Structure is graded in resistivity to prevent punch-through and has very narrow channel length to increase frequency response. Contacts are on top to permit planar integrated circuit structure. Polycrystalline shield will prevent creation of inversion layer in isolated region.

Formation of polycrystalline MgB2 synthesized by powder in sealed tube method with different initial boron phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yudanto, Sigit Dwi; Imaduddin, Agung; Kurniawan, Budhy; Manaf, Azwar

2018-04-01

Magnesium diboride, MgB2 is a new high critical temperature superconductor that discovered in the beginning of the 21st century. The MgB2 has a simple crystal structure and a high critical temperature, which can be manufactured in several forms like thin films, tapes, wires including bulk in the large scale. For that reason, the MgB2 has good prospects for various applications in the field of electronic devices. In the current work, we have explored the synthesis of MgB2 polycrystalline using powder in a sealed tube method. Different initial boron phase for the synthesized of MgB2 polycrystalline were used. These were, in addition to magnesium powders, crystalline boron, amorphous boron and combination both of them were respectively fitted in the synthesis. The raw materials were mixed in a stoichiometric ratio of Mg: B=1:2, ground using agate mortar, packed into stainless steel SS304. The pack was then sintered at temperature of 800°C for 2 hours in air atmosphere. Phase formation of MgB2 polycrystalline in difference of initial boron phase was characterized using XRD and SEM. Referring to the diffraction pattern and microstructure observation, MgB2 polycrystalline was formed, and the formation was effective when using the crystalline Mg and fully amorphous B as the raw materials. The critical temperature of the specimen was evaluated by the cryogenic magnet. The transition temperature of the MgB2 specimen synthesized using crystalline magnesium and full amorphous boron is 42.678 K (ΔTc = 0.877 K).

Microstructure and nanohardness distribution in a polycrystalline Zn deformed by high strain rate impact

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

Dirras, G., E-mail: dirras@univ-paris13.fr; Ouarem, A.; Couque, H.

2011-05-15

Polycrystalline Zn with an average grain size of about 300 {mu}m was deformed by direct impact Hopkinson pressure bar at a velocity of 29 m/s. An inhomogeneous grain structure was found consisting of a center region having large average grain size of 20 {mu}m surrounded by a fine-grained rim with an average grain size of 6 {mu}m. Transmission electron microscopy investigations showed a significant dislocation density in the large-grained area while in the fine-grained rim the dislocation density was negligible. Most probably, the higher strain yielded recrystallization in the outer ring while in the center only recovery occurred. The hardeningmore » effect of dislocations overwhelms the smaller grain size strengthening in the center part resulting in higher nanohardness in this region than in the outer ring. - Graphical Abstract: (a): EBSD micrograph showing the initial microstructure of polycrystalline Zn that was subsequently submitted to high strain rate impact. (b): an inhomogeneous grain size refinement was obtained which consists of a central coarse-grained area, surrounded by a fine-grained recrystallized rim. The black arrow points to the disc center. Research Highlights: {yields} A polycrystalline Zn specimen was submitted to high strain rate impact loading. {yields} Inhomogeneous grain refinement occurred due to strain gradient in impacted sample. {yields} A fine-grained recrystallized rim surrounded the coarse-grained center of specimen. {yields} The coarse-grained center exhibited higher hardness than the fine-grained rim. {yields} The higher hardness of the center was caused by the higher dislocation density.« less

Observations of Fabric Development in Polycrystalline Ice at Basal Pressures: Methods and Initial Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breton, D. J.; Baker, I.; Cole, D. M.

2012-12-01

Understanding and predicting the flow of polycrystalline ice is crucial to ice sheet modeling and paleoclimate reconstruction from ice cores. Ice flow rates depend strongly on the fabric (i.e. the distribution of grain sizes and crystallographic orientations) which evolves over time and enhances the flow rate in the direction of applied stress. The mechanisms for fabric evolution in ice have been extensively studied at atmospheric pressures, but little work has been done to observe these processes at the high pressures experienced deep within ice sheets where long-term changes in ice rheology are expected to have significance. We conducted compressive creep tests on a 917 kg m-3 polycrystalline ice specimen at 20 MPa hydrostatic pressure, thus simulating ~2,000 m depth. Initial specimen grain orientations were random, typical grain diameters were 1.2 mm, and the applied creep stress was 0.3 MPa. Subsequent microstructural analyses on the deformed specimen and a similarly prepared, undeformed specimen allowed characterization of crystal fabric evolution under pressure. Our microstructural analysis technique simultaneously collected grain shape and size data from Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) micrographs and obtained crystallographic orientation data via Electron BackScatter Diffraction (EBSD). Combining these measurements allows rapid analysis of the ice fabric over large numbers of grains, yielding statistically useful numbers of grain size and full c- and a-axis grain orientation data. The combined creep and microstructural data demonstrate pressure-dependent effects on the mechanical and microstructural evolution of polycrystalline ice. We discuss possible mechanisms for the observed phenomena, and future directions for hydrostatic creep testing.

High temperature deformation of hot-pressed polycrystalline orthoenstatite. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dehghan-Banadaki, A.

1983-01-01

Artificial hot pressed polycrystalline samples were prepared from purified powder of Bamble, Norway, orthoenstatite, (Mg0.86Fe0.14)SiO3. The uniaxial creep behavior of the polycrystalline orthoenstatite was studied over stress ranges of 10-180 MPa and temperatures of 1500-1700 K (0.82-0.93 T sub m) under two different oxygen fugacities, namely equilibrium (Mo-MoO2 buffer) and a reducing (graphite heating element) atmosphere, respectively. An intergranular glassy phase of different compositions with a cavitational creep deformation were observed. In the Mo-MoO2 buffer atmosphere with PO2 approx. 10 to the minus 11 power - 10 to the minus 13 power atmospheres, the results of an analytical electron microscopy analysis indicate that the glassy phases are richer in Ca and Al due to the residual impurities after hot pressing. In the reducing atmosphere with an oxygen fugacity of PO2 approx. 10 to the minus 3 power - 10 to the minus 25 power atmospheres, the results of analytical electron microscopy analysis indicate that the glassy phase is almost pure silica with the presence of free iron precipitate on grain facets and at triple junctions due to the reduction of bulk materials.

Fabrication of polycrystalline thin films by pulsed laser processing

DOEpatents

Mitlitsky, Fred; Truher, Joel B.; Kaschmitter, James L.; Colella, Nicholas J.

1998-02-03

A method for fabricating polycrystalline thin films on low-temperature (or high-temperature) substrates which uses processing temperatures that are low enough to avoid damage to the substrate, and then transiently heating select layers of the thin films with at least one pulse of a laser or other homogenized beam source. The pulse length is selected so that the layers of interest are transiently heated to a temperature which allows recrystallization and/or dopant activation while maintaining the substrate at a temperature which is sufficiently low to avoid damage to the substrate. This method is particularly applicable in the fabrication of solar cells.

Advanced Micro-Polycrystalline Silicon Films Formed by Blue-Multi-Laser-Diode Annealing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noguchi, Takashi; Chen, Yi; Miyahira, Tomoyuki; de Dieu Mugiraneza, Jean; Ogino, Yoshiaki; Iida, Yasuhiro; Sahota, Eiji; Terao, Motoyasu

2010-03-01

Semiconductor blue-multi-laser-diode annealing (BLDA) for amorphous Si film was performed to obtain a film containing uniform polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) grains as a low temperature poly-Si (LTPS) process used for thin-film transistor (TFT). By adopting continuous wave (CW) mode at the 445 nm wavelength of the BLDA system, the light beam is efficiently absorbed into the thin amorphous silicon film of 50 nm thickness and can be crystallized stably. By adjusting simply the laser power below 6 W with controlled beam shape, the isotropic Si grains from uniform micro-grains to arbitral grain size of polycrystalline phase can be obtained with reproducible by fixing the scan speed at 500 mm/s. As a result of analysis using electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM), uniform distributed micro-poly-Si grains of smooth surface were observed at a power condition below 5 W and the preferred crystal orientation of (111) face was confirmed. As arbitral grain size can be obtained stably and reproducibly merely by controlling the laser power, BLDA is promising as a next-generation LTPS process for AM OLED panel including a system on glass (SoG).

Lightning arrestor connector lead magnesium niobate qualification pellet test procedures.

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

Tuohig, W.; Mahoney, Patrick A.; Tuttle, Bruce Andrew

2009-02-01

Enhanced knowledge preservation for DOE DP technical component activities has recently received much attention. As part of this recent knowledge preservation effort, improved documentation of the sample preparation and electrical testing procedures for lead magnesium niobate--lead titanate (PMN/PT) qualification pellets was completed. The qualification pellets are fabricated from the same parent powders used to produce PMN/PT lightning arrestor connector (LAC) granules at HWF&T. In our report, the procedures for fired pellet surface preparation, electrode deposition, electrical testing and data recording are described. The dielectric measurements described in our report are an information only test. Technical reasons for selecting the electrodemore » material, electrode size and geometry are presented. The electrical testing is based on measuring the dielectric constant and dissipation factor of the pellet during cooling from 280 C to 220 C. The most important data are the temperature for which the peak dielectric constant occurs (Curie Point temperature) and the peak dielectric constant magnitude. We determined that the peak dielectric constant for our procedure would be that measured at 1 kHz at the Curie Point. Both the peak dielectric constant and the Curie point parameters provide semi-quantitative information concerning the chemical and microstructural homogeneity of the parent material used for the production of PMN/PT granules for LACs. Finally, we have proposed flag limits for the dielectric data for the pellets. Specifically, if the temperature of the peak dielectric constant falls outside the range of 250 C {+-} 30 C we propose that a flag limit be imposed that will initiate communication between production agency and design agency personnel. If the peak dielectric constant measured falls outside the range 25,000 {+-} 10,000 we also propose that a flag limit be imposed.« less

Phase transitions of sodium niobate powder and ceramics, prepared by solid state synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koruza, J.; Tellier, J.; Malič, B.; Bobnar, V.; Kosec, M.

2010-12-01

Phase transitions of sodium niobate, prepared by the solid state synthesis method, were examined using dielectric measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, and high temperature x-ray diffraction, in order to contribute to the clarification of its structural behavior below 400 °C. Four phase transitions were detected in the ceramic sample using dielectric measurements and differential scanning calorimetry and the obtained temperatures were in a good agreement with previous reports for the transitions of the P polymorph. The anomaly observed by dielectric measurements in the vicinity of 150 °C was frequency dependent and could be related to the dynamics of the ferroelectric nanoregions. The phase transitions of the as-synthesized NaNbO3 powder were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and high temperature x-ray diffraction. The results show the existence of the Q polymorph at room temperature, not previously reported for the powder, which undergoes a transition to the R polymorph upon heating through a temperature region between 265 and 326.5 °C. This transition is mainly related to the displacement of Na into a more symmetric position and a minor change in the tilting system. The structures at room temperature, 250, 300, and 420 °C were refined by the Rietveld method and the evolution of the tilting system of the octahedral network and cationic displacement are reported.

Label-free investigation of the effects of lithium niobate polarization on cell adhesion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mandracchia, B.; Gennari, O.; Paturzo, M.; Grilli, S.; Ferraro, P.

2017-06-01

The determination of contact area is pivotal to understand how biomaterials properties influence cell adhesion. In particular, the influence of surface charges is well-known but still controversial, especially when new functional materials and methods are introduced. Here, we use for the first time Holographic Total Internal Reflection Microscopy (HoloTIRM) to study the influence of the spontaneous polarization of ferroelectric lithium niobate (LN) on the adhesion properties of fibroblast cells. The selective illumination of a very thin region directly above the substrate, achieved by Total Internal Reflection, provides high-contrast images of the contact regions. Holographic recording, on the other hand, allows for label-free quantitative phase imaging of the contact areas between cells and LN. Phase signal is more sensitive in the first 100nm and, thus more reliable in order to locate focal contacts. This work shows that cells adhering on negatively polarized LN present a significant increase of the contact area in comparison with cells adhering on the positively polarized LN substrate, as well as an intensification of contact vicinity. This confirms the potential of LN as a platform for investigating the role of charges on cellular processes. The similarity of cell adhesion behavior on negatively polarized LN and glass control also confirms the possibility to use LN as an active substrate without impairing cell behavior.

1000 to 1200 K time-dependent compressive deformation of single-crystalline and polycrystalline B2 Ni-40Al

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whittenberger, J. D.; Noebe, R. D.; Kumar, K. S.; Mannan, S. K.; Cullers, C. L.

1991-01-01

The 1000-K and 1200-K time-dependent deformation of 100-line-oriented and non-100-line-oriented single crystals of Ni-40Al (made by a modified Bridgman technique) was examined over a large range of strain rates (from 0.1 to 10 to the -7th per sec). The results were compared with those for polycrystalline Ni-40Al made by hot pressing XD synthesized powder. The results from measurements of slow-plastic-strain-rate properties of the two materials show that single crystals offer no strength advantage over polycrystalline material. Both forms were found to deform via a dislocation climb mechanism.

An All-Solid-State pH Sensor Employing Fluorine-Terminated Polycrystalline Boron-Doped Diamond as a pH-Insensitive Solution-Gate Field-Effect Transistor.

PubMed

Shintani, Yukihiro; Kobayashi, Mikinori; Kawarada, Hiroshi

2017-05-05

A fluorine-terminated polycrystalline boron-doped diamond surface is successfully employed as a pH-insensitive SGFET (solution-gate field-effect transistor) for an all-solid-state pH sensor. The fluorinated polycrystalline boron-doped diamond (BDD) channel possesses a pH-insensitivity of less than 3mV/pH compared with a pH-sensitive oxygenated channel. With differential FET (field-effect transistor) sensing, a sensitivity of 27 mv/pH was obtained in the pH range of 2-10; therefore, it demonstrated excellent performance for an all-solid-state pH sensor with a pH-sensitive oxygen-terminated polycrystalline BDD SGFET and a platinum quasi-reference electrode, respectively.

Interaction of metal layers with polycrystalline Si

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nakamura, K.; Olowolafe, J. O.; Lau, S. S.; Nicolet, M.-A.; Mayer, J. W.; Shima, R.

1976-01-01

Solid-phase reactions of metal films deposited on 0.5-micron-thick polycrystalline layers of Si grown by chemical vapor deposition at 640 C were investigated by MeV He-4 backscattering spectrometry, glancing angle X-ray diffraction, and SEM observations. For the metals Al, Ag, and Au, which form simple eutectics, heat treatment at temperatures below the eutectic results in erosion of the poly-Si layer and growth of Si crystallites in the metal film. Crystallite formation is observed at temperatures exceeding 550 C for Ag, at those exceeding 400 C for Al, and at those exceeding 200 C for Au films. For Pd, Ni, and Cr, heat treatment results in silicide formation. The same initial silicides (Pd2Si, Ni2Si, and CrSi2), are formed at similar temperatures on single-crystal substrates.

Morphology and electronic transport of polycrystalline pentacene thin-film transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knipp, D.; Street, R. A.; Völkel, A. R.

2003-06-01

Temperature-dependent measurements of thin-film transistors were performed to gain insight in the electronic transport of polycrystalline pentacene. Devices were fabricated with plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited silicon nitride gate dielectrics. The influence of the dielectric roughness and the deposition temperature of the thermally evaporated pentacene films were studied. Although films on rougher gate dielectrics and films prepared at low deposition temperatures exhibit similar grain size, the electronic properties are different. Increasing the dielectric roughness reduces the free carrier mobility, while low substrate temperature leads to more and deeper hole traps.

Simultaneously phase-matched second- and third-harmonic generation from 1.55 microm radiation in annealed proton-exchanged periodically poled lithium niobate waveguides.

PubMed

Marangoni, M; Lobino, M; Ramponi, R

2006-09-15

Third-harmonic generation (THG) in the cw regime from C-band radiation was achieved in annealed proton-exchanged periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguides. By suitable design of fabrication parameters and operating conditions, quasi-phase-matching (QPM) is obtained simultaneously for the second-harmonic generation process (omega-->2omega, first-order QPM) and for the sum-frequency-generation process (omega+2omega-->3omega, third-order QPM), which provides the third harmonic of the pump field. The high overlap between the field profiles of the interacting modes--TM00 at omega and TM10 at 2omega and 3omega--results in what is believed to be the highest ever reported normalized conversion efficiency for THG from telecommunication wavelengths, equal to 0.72%W(-2) cm(-4).

Gelcasting polycrystalline alumina

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

Janney, M.A.

1997-04-01

This work is being done as part of a CRADA with Osram-Sylvania, Inc. (OSI) OSI is a major U.S. manufacturer of high-intensity lighting. Among its products is the Lumalux{reg_sign} line of high-pressure sodium vapor arc lamps, which are used for industrial, highway, and street lighting. The key to the performance of these lamps is the polycrystalline alumina (PCA) tube that is used to contain the plasma that is formed in the electric arc. That plasma consists of ionized sodium, mercury, and xenon vapors. The key attributes of the PCA tubes are their transparency (95% total transmittance in the visible region),more » their refractoriness (inner wall temperature can reach 1400{degrees}C), and their chemical resistance (sodium and mercury vapor are extremely corrosive). The current efficiency of the lamps is very high, on the order of several hundred lumens / watt. (Compare - incandescent lamps -13 lumens/watt fluorescent lamps -30 lumens/watt.) Osram-Sylvania would like to explore using gelcasting to form PCA tubes for Lumalux{reg_sign} lamps, and eventually for metal halide lamps (known as quartz-halogen lamps). Osram-Sylvania, Inc. currently manufactures PCA tubes by isostatic pressing. This process works well for the shapes that they presently use. However, there are several types of tubes that are either difficult or impossible to make by isostatic pressing. It is the desire to make these new shapes and sizes of tubes that has prompted Osram-Sylvania`s interest in gelcasting. The purpose of the CRADA is to determine the feasibility of making PCA items having sufficient optical quality that they are useful in lighting applications using gelcasting.« less

Method of azimuthally stable Mueller-matrix diagnostics of blood plasma polycrystalline films in cancer diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushenko, Yu. A.; Prysyazhnyuk, V. P.; Gavrylyak, M. S.; Gorsky, M. P.; Bachinskiy, V. T.; Vanchuliak, O. Ya.

2015-02-01

A new information optical technique of diagnostics of the structure of polycrystalline films of blood plasma is proposed. The model of Mueller-matrix description of mechanisms of optical anisotropy of such objects as optical activity, birefringence, as well as linear and circular dichroism is suggested. The ensemble of informationally topical azimuthally stable Mueller-matrix invariants is determined. Within the statistical analysis of such parameters distributions the objective criteria of differentiation of films of blood plasma taken from healthy and patients with liver cirrhosis were determined. From the point of view of probative medicine the operational characteristics (sensitivity, specificity and accuracy) of the information-optical method of Mueller-matrix mapping of polycrystalline films of blood plasma were found and its efficiency in diagnostics of liver cirrhosis was demonstrated. Prospects of application of the method in experimental medicine to differentiate postmortem changes of the myocardial tissue was examined.

Creep behavior for advanced polycrystalline SiC fibers

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

Youngblood, G.E.; Jones, R.H.; Kohyama, Akira

1997-04-01

A bend stress relaxation (BSR) test has been utilized to examine irradiation enhanced creep in polycrystalline SiC fibers which are under development for use as fiber reinforcement in SiC/SiC composite. Qualitative, S-shaped 1hr BSR curves were compared for three selected advanced SiC fiber types and standard Nicalon CG fiber. The temperature corresponding to the middle of the S-curve (where the BSR parameter m = 0.5) is a measure of a fiber`s thermal stability as well as it creep resistance. In order of decreasing thermal creep resistance, the measured transition temperatures were Nicalon S (1450{degrees}C), Sylramic (1420{degrees}C), Hi-Nicalon (1230{degrees}C) and Nicalonmore » CG (1110{degrees}C).« less

Anisotropic thermal conductivity of thin polycrystalline oxide samples

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

Tiwari, A., E-mail: abhishektiwariiitr@gmail.com; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800; Boussois, K.

2013-11-15

This paper reports about the development of a modified laser-flash technique and relation to measure the in-plane thermal diffusivity of thin polycrystalline oxide samples. Thermal conductivity is then calculated with the product of diffusivity, specific heat and density. Design and operating features for evaluating in-plane thermal conductivities are described. The technique is advantageous as thin samples are not glued together to measure in-plane thermal conductivities like earlier methods reported in literature. The approach was employed to study anisotropic thermal conductivity in alumina sheet, textured kaolin ceramics and montmorillonite. Since it is rare to find in-plane thermal conductivity values for suchmore » anisotropic thin samples in literature, this technique offers a useful variant to existing techniques.« less

Fabrication of polycrystalline thin films by pulsed laser processing

DOEpatents

Mitlitsky, F.; Truher, J.B.; Kaschmitter, J.L.; Colella, N.J.

1998-02-03

A method is disclosed for fabricating polycrystalline thin films on low-temperature (or high-temperature) substrates which uses processing temperatures that are low enough to avoid damage to the substrate, and then transiently heating select layers of the thin films with at least one pulse of a laser or other homogenized beam source. The pulse length is selected so that the layers of interest are transiently heated to a temperature which allows recrystallization and/or dopant activation while maintaining the substrate at a temperature which is sufficiently low to avoid damage to the substrate. This method is particularly applicable in the fabrication of solar cells. 1 fig.

ISS and TPD study of the adsorption and interaction of CO and H2 on polycrystalline Pt

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melendez, Orlando; Hoflund, Gar B.; Schryer, David R.

1990-01-01

The adsorption and interaction of CO and H2 on polycrystalline Pt has been studied using ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). The ISS results indicate that the initial CO adsorption on Pt takes place very rapidly and saturates the Pt surface with coverage close to a monolayer. ISS also shows that the CO molecules adsorb at an angular orientation from the surface normal and perhaps parallel to the surface. A TPD spectrum obtained after coadsorbing C-12 O-16 and C-13 O-18 on Pt shows no isotopic mixing, which is indicative of molecular CO adsorption. TPD spectra obtained after coadsorbing H2 and CO on polycrystalline Pt provides evidence for the formation of a CO-H surface species.

Interface modulated currents in periodically proton exchanged Mg doped lithium niobate

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

Neumayer, Sabine M.; Rodriguez, Brian J., E-mail: brian.rodriguez@ucd.ie, E-mail: gallo@kth.se; Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4

2016-03-21

Conductivity in Mg doped lithium niobate (Mg:LN) plays a key role in the reduction of photorefraction and is therefore widely exploited in optical devices. However, charge transport through Mg:LN and across interfaces such as electrodes also yields potential electronic applications in devices with switchable conductivity states. Furthermore, the introduction of proton exchanged (PE) phases in Mg:LN enhances ionic conductivity, thus providing tailorability of conduction mechanisms and functionality dependent on sample composition. To facilitate the construction and design of such multifunctional electronic devices based on periodically PE Mg:LN or similar ferroelectric semiconductors, fundamental understanding of charge transport in these materials, asmore » well as the impact of internal and external interfaces, is essential. In order to gain insight into polarization and interface dependent conductivity due to band bending, UV illumination, and chemical reactivity, wedge shaped samples consisting of polar oriented Mg:LN and PE phases were investigated using conductive atomic force microscopy. In Mg:LN, three conductivity states (on/off/transient) were observed under UV illumination, controllable by the polarity of the sample and the externally applied electric field. Measurements of currents originating from electrochemical reactions at the metal electrode–PE phase interfaces demonstrate a memresistive and rectifying capability of the PE phase. Furthermore, internal interfaces such as domain walls and Mg:LN–PE phase boundaries were found to play a major role in the accumulation of charge carriers due to polarization gradients, which can lead to increased currents. The insight gained from these findings yield the potential for multifunctional applications such as switchable UV sensitive micro- and nanoelectronic devices and bistable memristors.« less

Positron Annihilation in Polycrystalline Silver Samples Subjected to the Stretching Force

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pajak, J.; Rudzińska, W.; Pietrzak, R.; Szymański, Cz.; Smiatek, W.

Angular distributions of the positron annihilation quanta, positron lifetime and resistivity were measured for polycrystalline silver samples deformed by uniaxial tension up to different deformation degrees. The S parameter as a function of deformation degree of the sample has been determined. The data obtained for silver samples elongated up to different elongation degrees indicate the dominant role of vacancies and larger defects type clusters created during the deformation process. The positron annihilation data are corrob-orated by results obtained by resistivity measurements.

Magnetostriction Increase of Polycrystalline Fe-Al-B Thin Sheets after Thermomechanical Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dias, M. B. S.; Fulop, G. O.; Baldan, C. A.; Bormio-Nunes, C.

2017-12-01

Magnetostrictive materials are applied in several types of sensors, actuators, and energy harvesting. In particular, for AC devices, thin materials are desired to reduce eddy current losses. It is well known that the magnetostriction of single crystals and textured materials is higher than in polycrystalline ones, however, the cost and manufacture speed are crucial to be used as parts of commercial devices. Therefore, polycrystalline samples are strong candidates for common applications. In this work, (Fe x Al100- x )98.4B1.6 ( x = 86.6, 82 and 79.4) alloys were rolled down to 0.7 mm of thickness and annealed at 1473 K (1200 °C) for 2 hours aiming to reduce the thickness of the samples without deteriorating the magnetic properties. The alloys, even with higher contents of Al, were easily deformed to the thickness of 0.7 mm and this ability is attributed to the presence of the Fe2B phase. After the thermomechanical process, new isotropic recrystallized grains emerged and the longitudinal magnetostriction increased to 75.8, 16.9, and 3.2 pct, achieving 28.3, 28.4, and 28.8 ppm, respectively, for x = 86.6, 82, and 79.4. The piezomagnetic coefficient obtained of 4 nm/A is a suitable actuating sensitivity.

Origin of colossal dielectric permittivity of rutile Ti₀.₉In₀.₀₅Nb₀.₀₅O₂: single crystal and polycrystalline.

PubMed

Song, Yongli; Wang, Xianjie; Sui, Yu; Liu, Ziyi; Zhang, Yu; Zhan, Hongsheng; Song, Bingqian; Liu, Zhiguo; Lv, Zhe; Tao, Lei; Tang, Jinke

2016-02-12

In this paper, we investigated the dielectric properties of (In + Nb) co-doped rutile TiO2 single crystal and polycrystalline ceramics. Both of them showed colossal, up to 10(4), dielectric permittivity at room temperature. The single crystal sample showed one dielectric relaxation process with a large dielectric loss. The voltage-dependence of dielectric permittivity and the impedance spectrum suggest that the high dielectric permittivity of single crystal originated from the surface barrier layer capacitor (SBLC). The impedance spectroscopy at different temperature confirmed that the (In + Nb) co-doped rutile TiO2 polycrystalline ceramic had semiconductor grains and insulating grain boundaries, and that the activation energies were calculated to be 0.052 eV and 0.35 eV for grain and grain boundary, respectively. The dielectric behavior and impedance spectrum of the polycrystalline ceramic sample indicated that the internal barrier layer capacitor (IBLC) mode made a major contribution to the high ceramic dielectric permittivity, instead of the electron-pinned defect-dipoles.

Reconstruction of the domain orientation distribution function of polycrystalline PZT ceramics using vector piezoresponse force microscopy.

PubMed

Kratzer, Markus; Lasnik, Michael; Röhrig, Sören; Teichert, Christian; Deluca, Marco

2018-01-11

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is one of the prominent materials used in polycrystalline piezoelectric devices. Since the ferroelectric domain orientation is the most important parameter affecting the electromechanical performance, analyzing the domain orientation distribution is of great importance for the development and understanding of improved piezoceramic devices. Here, vector piezoresponse force microscopy (vector-PFM) has been applied in order to reconstruct the ferroelectric domain orientation distribution function of polished sections of device-ready polycrystalline lead zirconate titanate (PZT) material. A measurement procedure and a computer program based on the software Mathematica have been developed to automatically evaluate the vector-PFM data for reconstructing the domain orientation function. The method is tested on differently in-plane and out-of-plane poled PZT samples, and the results reveal the expected domain patterns and allow determination of the polarization orientation distribution function at high accuracy.

Tensile creep behavior of polycrystalline alumina fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yun, H. M.; Goldsby, J. C.

1993-01-01

Tensile creep studies were conducted on polycrystalline Nextel 610 and Fiber FP alumina fibers with grain sizes of 100 and 300 nm, respectively. Test conditions were temperatures from 800 to 1050 C and stresses from 60 to 1000 MPa. For both fibers, only a small primary creep portion occurred followed by steady-state creep. The stress exponents for steady-state creep of Nextel 610 and Fiber FP were found to be about 3 and 1, respectively. At lower temperatures, below 1000 C, the finer grained Nextel 610 had a much higher 0.2 percent creep strength for 100 hr than the Fiber FP; while at higher temperatures, Nextel 610 had a comparable creep strength to the Fiber FP. The stress and grain size dependencies suggest Nextel 610 and Fiber FP creep rates are due to grain boundary sliding controlled by interface reaction and Nabarro-Herring mechanisms, respectively.

Ferroelectric and structural properties of stress-constrained and stress-relaxed polycrystalline BiFeO3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakashima, Seiji; Ricinschi, Dan; Park, Jung Min; Kanashima, Takeshi; Fujisawa, Hironori; Shimizu, Masaru; Okuyama, Masanori

2009-03-01

The stress influence of the structural and ferroelectric properties of polycrystalline BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films has been investigated using a membrane substrate for relaxing stress. Reciprocal space mapping (RSM) measurement has been performed to confirm the stress dependence of the crystal structure of polycrystalline BFO thin films on the Pt (200 nm)/TiO2 (50 nm)/SiO2 (600 nm)/Si (625 μm) substrate (stress-constrained BFO film) and the Pt (200 nm)/TiO2 (50 nm)/SiO2 (600 nm)/Si (15 μm) membrane substrate (stress-relaxed BFO film). The BFO thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition were polycrystalline and mainly exhibit a texture with (001) and (110) plane orientations. From the RSM results, the crystal structure of the (001)-oriented domain changes from Pm monoclinic to Cm monoclinic or to R3c rhombohedral due to stress relaxation. Moreover, at room temperature as well as at 150 K, remanent polarization (Pr) increases and double coercive field (2Ec) decreases (in the latter case from 88 to 94 μC/cm2 and from 532 to 457 kV/cm, respectively) due to relaxing stress. The enhancement of ferroelectricity is attributed to the crystal structural deformation and/or transition and angle change between the polarization direction and film plane.

Polycrystalline CVD diamond device level modeling for particle detection applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morozzi, A.; Passeri, D.; Kanxheri, K.; Servoli, L.; Lagomarsino, S.; Sciortino, S.

2016-12-01

Diamond is a promising material whose excellent physical properties foster its use for radiation detection applications, in particular in those hostile operating environments where the silicon-based detectors behavior is limited due to the high radiation fluence. Within this framework, the application of Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD) simulation tools is highly envisaged for the study, the optimization and the predictive analysis of sensing devices. Since the novelty of using diamond in electronics, this material is not included in the library of commercial, state-of-the-art TCAD software tools. In this work, we propose the development, the application and the validation of numerical models to simulate the electrical behavior of polycrystalline (pc)CVD diamond conceived for diamond sensors for particle detection. The model focuses on the characterization of a physically-based pcCVD diamond bandgap taking into account deep-level defects acting as recombination centers and/or trap states. While a definite picture of the polycrystalline diamond band-gap is still debated, the effect of the main parameters (e.g. trap densities, capture cross-sections, etc.) can be deeply investigated thanks to the simulated approach. The charge collection efficiency due to β -particle irradiation of diamond materials provided by different vendors and with different electrode configurations has been selected as figure of merit for the model validation. The good agreement between measurements and simulation findings, keeping the traps density as the only one fitting parameter, assesses the suitability of the TCAD modeling approach as a predictive tool for the design and the optimization of diamond-based radiation detectors.

Laser generation in polycrystalline Cr{sup 2+}:ZnSe with undoped faces

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

Savin, D V; Gavrishchuk, E M; Ikonnikov, V B

2015-01-31

An original method has been suggested for producing polycrystalline Cr{sup 2+}:ZnSe samples with undoped faces. Generation characteristics of a Cr{sup 2+}:ZnSe laser are studied under pulse-periodic pumping by a Tm{sup 3+}:YLF-laser. The efficiency of converting the pump radiation into laser generation at a wavelength of 2350 nm is 20%. Cr{sup 2+}:ZnSe samples exhibit high resistance to surface breakdown. (lasers)

Average intragranular misorientation trends in polycrystalline materials predicted by a viscoplastic self-consistent approach

DOE PAGES

Lebensohn, Ricardo A.; Zecevic, Miroslav; Knezevic, Marko; ...

2015-12-15

Here, this work presents estimations of average intragranular fluctuations of lattice rotation rates in polycrystalline materials, obtained by means of the viscoplastic self-consistent (VPSC) model. These fluctuations give a tensorial measure of the trend of misorientation developing inside each single crystal grain representing a polycrystalline aggregate. We first report details of the algorithm implemented in the VPSC code to estimate these fluctuations, which are then validated by comparison with corresponding full-field calculations. Next, we present predictions of average intragranular fluctuations of lattice rotation rates for cubic aggregates, which are rationalized by comparison with experimental evidence on annealing textures of fccmore » and bcc polycrystals deformed in tension and compression, respectively, as well as with measured intragranular misorientation distributions in a Cu polycrystal deformed in tension. The orientation-dependent and micromechanically-based estimations of intragranular misorientations that can be derived from the present implementation are necessary to formulate sound sub-models for the prediction of quantitatively accurate deformation textures, grain fragmentation, and recrystallization textures using the VPSC approach.« less

An acoustic emission study of plastic deformation in polycrystalline aluminium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bill, R. C.; Frederick, J. R.; Felbeck, D. K.

1979-01-01

Acoustic emission experiments were performed on polycrystalline and single crystal 99.99% aluminum while undergoing tensile deformation. It was found that acoustic emission counts as a function of grain size showed a maximum value at a particular grain size. Furthermore, the slip area associated with this particular grain size corresponded to the threshold level of detectability of single dislocation slip events. The rate of decline in acoustic emission activity as grain size is increased beyond the peak value suggests that grain boundary associated dislocation sources are giving rise to the bulk of the detected acoustic emissions.

Laser beam machining of polycrystalline diamond for cutting tool manufacturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wyszyński, Dominik; Ostrowski, Robert; Zwolak, Marek; Bryk, Witold

2017-10-01

The paper concerns application of DPSS Nd: YAG 532nm pulse laser source for machining of polycrystalline WC based diamond inserts (PCD). The goal of the research was to determine optimal laser cutting parameters for cutting tool shaping. Basic criteria to reach the goal was cutting edge quality (minimalization of finishing operations), material removal rate (time and cost efficiency), choice of laser beam characteristics (polarization, power, focused beam diameter). The research was planned and realised and analysed according to design of experiment rules (DOE). The analysis of the cutting edge was prepared with use of Alicona Infinite Focus measurement system.

Laser-induced erasable patterns in a N* liquid crystal on an iron doped lithium niobate surface.

PubMed

Habibpourmoghadam, Atefeh; Lucchetti, Liana; Evans, Dean R; Reshetnyak, Victor Y; Omairat, Faissal; Schafforz, Samuel L; Lorenz, Alexander

2017-10-16

A chiral nematic (N*) liquid crystal (LC) was hybridized with a z-cut iron doped lithium niobate (Fe:LN) substrate and exposed with a focused continuous wave diode laser beam. The N* LC layer was confined with a cover glass to provide a homogeneous LC layer thickness. Two distinct kinds of test cells were investigated, one with an uncoated glass covering slip and one with an indium tin oxide (ITO) coated cover glass. Photo generated electric fields (generated in the Fe:LN) resulted in a localized defect formation and textural transitions in the N* LC. Due to field confinement, the field induced responses were more localized in samples with ITO coated cover glasses. By scanning the laser beam on programmed trajectories, formation of persistent patterns could be achieved in the N* LC layer. Polarized optical microscopy of the exposed samples revealed that these patterns consisted of adjacent circular Frank-Pryce defects. Exposure with a slightly defocused laser beam could be applied selectively to erase these patterns. Thus, a promising method is reported to generate reconfigurable patterns, photonic motives, and touch sensitive devices in a hybridized N* LC with micron accuracy.

Carrier Transport, Recombination, and the Effects of Grain Boundaries in Polycrystalline Cadmium Telluride Thin Films for Photovoltaics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuteja, Mohit

Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), a chalcogenide semiconductor, is currently used as the absorber layer in one of the highest efficiency thin film solar cell technologies. Current efficiency records are over 22%. In 2011, CdTe solar cells accounted for 8% of all solar cells installed. This is because, in part, CdTe has a low degradation rate, high optical absorption coefficient, and high tolerance to intrinsic defects. Solar cells based on polycrystalline CdTe exhibit a higher short-circuit current, fill factor, and power conversion efficiency than their single crystal counterparts. This is despite the fact that polycrystalline CdTe devices exhibit lower open-circuit voltages. This is contrary to the observation for silicon and III-V semiconductors, where material defects cause a dramatic drop in device performance. For example, grain boundaries in covalently-bonded semiconductors (a) act as carrier recombination centers, and (b) lead to localized energy states, causing carrier trapping. Despite significant research to date, the mechanism responsible for the superior current collection properties of polycrystalline CdTe solar cells has not been conclusively answered. This dissertation focuses on the macro-scale electronic band structure, and micro scale electronic properties of grains and grain boundaries in device-grade CdTe thin films to answer this open question. My research utilized a variety of experimental techniques. Samples were obtained from leading groups fabricating the material and devices. A CdCl 2 anneal is commonly performed as part of this fabrication and its effects were also investigated. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy was employed to study the band structure and defect states in CdTe polycrystals. Cadmium vacancy- and chlorine-related states lead to carrier recombination, as in CdTe films grown by other methods. Comparing polycrystalline and single crystal CdTe, showed that the key to explaining the improved performance of polycrystalline CdTe does

Dynamic Failure Processes Under Confining Stress in AlON, a Transparent Polycrystalline Ceramic

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

axes, the dynamic loading is imposed (using MKB) along the second specimen axis and the third axis is used for the ultra-high-speed photography. The...to its optically isotropic cubic crystal structure, fully dense, polycrystalline bodies can be rendered completely transparent, making it a viable... tribological loading conditions. During indentation, the region beneath the indenter is effectively confined due to the surrounding medium, and it

Characterization of polycrystalline TlBr films for radiographic detectors

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

Bennett, P.R.; Shah, K.S.; Cirignano, L.J.

1999-06-01

Vapor deposited films of thallium bromide are evaluated as potential photoconductive layers in new large-area radiographic detectors. The attractiveness of the material lies in its inherent high effective atomic number and high density. Polycrystalline films up to 200 {micro}m in diameter. Current-voltage (IV) tests indicate a bulk resistivity of 10{sup 9}--10{sup 10} {Omega}-cm, limited by ionic conduction. Instability of current with time is also observed, but it can be minimized with cooling. The films demonstrate high gain at relatively low field strengths as compared to other photoconductive layers. Benefits and drawbacks of TlBr are compared to other materials, and possiblemore » solutions are discussed.« less

Observations of Static Strain-Aging in Polycrystalline NiAl

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weaver, M. L.; Noebe, R. D.; Lewandowski, J. J.; Oliver, B. F.; Kaufman, M. J.

1996-01-01

Static strain-aging has been investigated in eight polycrystalline NiAl alloys. After annealing at 1100 K for 7200 s followed by furnace cooling, high-purity, nitrogen-doped, and titanium-doped alloys exhibited continuous yielding, while conventional-purity and carbon-doped alloys exhibited distinct upper yield points and Luders strains. Either water quenching from 1100 K or prestraining via hydrostatic pressurization suppressed the yield points in the latter alloys, but they could be reintroduced by further annealing treatments. Yield points could be reintroduced more rapidly if the specimens were prestrained uniaxially rather than hydrostatically, owing to the arrangement of dislocations into cell structures during uniaxial deformation. Chemical analysis suggests that the species responsible for strain-aging is interstitial carbon.

Pulse sequences for efficient multi-cycle terahertz generation in periodically poled lithium niobate.

PubMed

Ravi, Koustuban; Schimpf, Damian N; Kärtner, Franz X

2016-10-31

The use of laser pulse sequences to drive the cascaded difference frequency generation of high energy, high peak-power and multi-cycle terahertz pulses in cryogenically cooled (100 K) periodically poled Lithium Niobate is proposed and studied. Detailed simulations considering the coupled nonlinear interaction of terahertz and optical waves (or pump depletion), show that unprecedented optical-to-terahertz energy conversion efficiencies > 5%, peak electric fields of hundred(s) of mega volts/meter at terahertz pulse durations of hundred(s) of picoseconds can be achieved. The proposed methods are shown to circumvent laser induced damage limitations at Joule-level pumping by 1µm lasers to enable multi-cycle terahertz sources with pulse energies > 10 milli-joules. Various pulse sequence formats are proposed and analyzed. Numerical calculations for periodically poled structures accounting for cascaded difference frequency generation, self-phase-modulation, cascaded second harmonic generation and laser induced damage are introduced. The physics governing terahertz generation using pulse sequences in this high conversion efficiency regime, limitations and practical considerations are discussed. It is shown that varying the poling period along the crystal length and further reduction of absorption can lead to even higher energy conversion efficiencies >10%. In addition to numerical calculations, an analytic formulation valid for arbitrary pulse formats and closed-form expressions for important cases are presented. Parameters optimizing conversion efficiency in the 0.1-1 THz range, the corresponding peak electric fields, crystal lengths and terahertz pulse properties are furnished.

Study on growth of large area mercuric iodide polycrystalline film and its x-ray imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Gang; Guo, Yanfei; Xi, Zengzhe; Gu, Zhi; Zhang, Lan; Yu, Wentao; Ma, Xuming; Li, Bo

2014-11-01

Tetragonal mercuric iodide, as a group of wide band gap semiconductors, has been widely investigation during most of the last half-century, applied on room-temperature X-ray and gamma-ray spectrometers. Up to the present, Mercuric iodide (HgI2) is still thought to be one of the most outstanding vitality semiconductor materials because of its wide band gap, for which the device was required to be high resistivity, high atomic number, adequate mechanical strength, long carrier lifetimes and high mobility-lifetime produces. Now, HgI2 polycrystalline films are being developed as a new detector technology for digital x-ray imaging. In this research, HgI2 polycrystalline films with different surface areas of 1 and 36 cm2 were grown by vapor sublimation method within a self-design growth furnace. XRD, SEM and J-V analysis were used to characterize the properties of these as-grown films. The results of XRD show that the ratio of (001) / (hkl) on all as-grown films is amount to be 90% for the area of 1 cm2 films. Grain size of 1 cm2 films was measured to be 120-150 μm. Their electrical resistivity were also determined to be about 1011 Ω·cm operated at the bias voltage of ~100 V by I-V characteristic measurement. Utilizing the polycrystalline film with the area of 36 cm2 deposited on TFT, we then prepared the direct image detector after capsulation for non-corrosive steel screw imaging. The results indicated that profile of screw was distinctly exhibited in digital x-ray imaging systems.

Inscription of type I and depressed cladding waveguides in lithium niobate using a femtosecond laser.

PubMed

Bhardwaj, S; Mittholiya, K; Bhatnagar, A; Bernard, R; Dharmadhikari, J A; Mathur, D; Dharmadhikari, A K

2017-07-10

We describe two types of waveguides (type I and depressed cladding) inscribed in lithium niobate using a variable repetition rate (200 kHz-25 MHz), 270 fs duration fiber laser. The type I modification-based waveguides have propagation losses in the range from 1.2 to 10 dB/cm at 1550 nm, depending on experimental parameters. These waveguides are not permanent; they deteriorate over time. Such deterioration of waveguides can be slowed down from 30 days to 100 days by pre-annealing the samples and by writing at a 720 kHz laser repetition rate. The propagation losses measured at 1550 nm show significant improvement for pre-annealed samples. The depressed cladding-inscribed waveguides are permanent, but the propagation loss depends on the number of damage tracks. A track separation of ∼1  μm between adjacent damage tracks yields the lowest propagation loss of 0.5 dB/cm at 1550 nm for a 40 μm diameter waveguide. We observe multimode guidance for sizes in the range of 20-80 μm in these waveguide structures at 1550 nm. Their crystalline nature is found to remain intact, as inferred from second-harmonic generation within the waveguide region.

Synchrotron Radial X-ray Diffraction Studies of Deformation of Polycrystalline MgO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Girard, J.; Tsujino, N.; Mohiuddin, A.; Karato, S. I.

2016-12-01

X-ray diffraction analyses have been used for decades to study mechanical properties of polycrystalline samples during in-situ high-pressure deformation. When polycrystalline materials are deformed, stresses develop in grains and lead to lattice distortion. Using X-ray diffraction we can estimate the lattice strain for each (hkl) diffraction plans and calculate the applied stress for each (hkl), using [Singh, 1993] relation. However, this method doesn't take into account plastic anisotropy. As a results of plastic anisotropy present in the material, stress estimated from this method can be largely differ depending on (hkl) diffraction planes [Karato, 2009]. Studying the stress estimate for each (hkl) plane, might help us distinguish dominant deformation mechanisms activated during deformation such as diffusion (we will observe small stress variation as a function of (hkl) diffraction planes) or dislocation creep (we will observe a stress variation as a function of (hkl) diffraction planes that could also give us clues on potential slip system activity). In this study we observed stress evolution in MgO polycrystalline samples deformed under mantle pressure and temperature for (200) and (220) diffraction planes. Using a range MgO grain sizes we were able to control the active deformation mechanism (for e.g. diffusion creep or dislocation creep). For coarse-grained specimens, we observed strong (hkl) dependence of radial strain indicating the operation of dislocation creep. The observed (hkl) dependence changes with pressure suggesting a change in the slip system: at pressures higher than 27 GPa, (200) shows larger stress estimate than (220). In contrast, at lower pressures, (220) shows larger stress estimate than (200). This might indicate a slip system transition in MgO occurring under lower mantle conditions. From {110} plane to {100} plane. This is in good agreement with theoretical predictions and numerical calculation [Amodeo et al., 2012] and has an important

Origin of colossal dielectric permittivity of rutile Ti0.9In0.05Nb0.05O2: single crystal and polycrystalline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Yongli; Wang, Xianjie; Sui, Yu; Liu, Ziyi; Zhang, Yu; Zhan, Hongsheng; Song, Bingqian; Liu, Zhiguo; Lv, Zhe; Tao, Lei; Tang, Jinke

2016-02-01

In this paper, we investigated the dielectric properties of (In + Nb) co-doped rutile TiO2 single crystal and polycrystalline ceramics. Both of them showed colossal, up to 104, dielectric permittivity at room temperature. The single crystal sample showed one dielectric relaxation process with a large dielectric loss. The voltage-dependence of dielectric permittivity and the impedance spectrum suggest that the high dielectric permittivity of single crystal originated from the surface barrier layer capacitor (SBLC). The impedance spectroscopy at different temperature confirmed that the (In + Nb) co-doped rutile TiO2 polycrystalline ceramic had semiconductor grains and insulating grain boundaries, and that the activation energies were calculated to be 0.052 eV and 0.35 eV for grain and grain boundary, respectively. The dielectric behavior and impedance spectrum of the polycrystalline ceramic sample indicated that the internal barrier layer capacitor (IBLC) mode made a major contribution to the high ceramic dielectric permittivity, instead of the electron-pinned defect-dipoles.

Spectroscopic characterization of charged defects in polycrystalline pentacene by time- and wavelength-resolved electric force microscopy.

PubMed

Luria, Justin L; Schwarz, Kathleen A; Jaquith, Michael J; Hennig, Richard G; Marohn, John A

2011-02-01

Spatial maps of topography and trapped charge are acquired for polycrystalline pentacene thin-film transistors using electric and atomic force microscopy. In regions of trapped charge, the rate of trap clearing is studied as a function of the wavelength of incident radiation.

Synthesis of Polycrystalline CdSiP2 in a Gradient Temperature Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bereznaya, S. A.; Korotchenko, Z. V.; Kurasova, A. S.; Sarkisov, S. Yu.; Sarkisov, Yu. S.; Chernyshov, A. I.; Korolkov, I. V.; Kuchumov, B. M.; Saprykin, A. I.; Atuchin, V. V.

2018-05-01

A procedure for the synthesis of a CdSiP2 compound from the initial elementary components in a gradient thermal field has been developed. The phase and chemical composition of the synthesized and recrystallized material is confirmed by the data of X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy with an energy-dispersive system. The polycrystalline material obtained by the developed method will be used to grow bulk nonlinear optical CdSiP2 crystals.

Synchrotron X-ray Microdiffraction Analysis of Proton Irradiated Polycrystalline Diamond Films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newton, R. I.; Davidson, J. L.; Ice, G. E.; Liu, W.

2004-01-01

X-ray microdiffraction is a non-destructive technique that allows for depth-resolved, strain measurements with sub-micron spatial resolution. These capabilities make this technique promising for understanding the mechanical properties of MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS). This investigation examined the local strain induced by irradiating a polycrystalline diamond thin film with a dose of 2x10(exp 17) H(+)per square centimeter protons. Preliminary results indicate that a measurable strain, on the order of 10(exp -3), was introduced into the film near the End of Range (EOR) region of the protons.

Time-resolved electric force microscopy of charge trapping in polycrystalline pentacene.

PubMed

Jaquith, Michael; Muller, Erik M; Marohn, John A

2007-07-12

Here we introduce time-resolved electric force microscopy measurements to directly and locally probe the kinetics of charge trap formation in a polycrystalline pentacene thin-film transistor. We find that the trapping rate depends strongly on the initial concentration of free holes and that trapped charge is highly localized. The observed dependence of trapping rate on the hole chemical potential suggests that the trapping process should not be viewed as a filling of midgap energy levels, but instead as a process in which the very creation of trapped states requires the presence of free holes.

Diffraction Contrast Tomography: A Novel 3D Polycrystalline Grain Imaging Technique

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

Kuettner, Lindsey Ann

2017-06-06

Diffraction contrast tomography (DCT) is a non-destructive way of imaging microstructures of polycrystalline materials such as metals or crystalline organics. It is a useful technique to map 3D grain structures as well as providing crystallographic information such as crystal orientation, grain shape, and strain. Understanding the internal microstructure of a material is important in understanding the bulk material properties. This report gives a general overview of the similar techniques, DCT data acquisition, and analysis processes. Following the short literature review, potential work and research at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is discussed.

Conductive paths through polycrystalline BaTiO{sub 3}: Scanning probe microscopy study

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

Ayvazian, Talin; Bersuker, Gennadi; Lingley, Zachary R.

2016-08-15

The microstructural features determining the leakage current through polycrystalline BaTiO{sub 3} films are investigated using Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy. Grain boundaries are found to be the dominant conductive paths compared to the conduction through the grains. Grain boundary currents are observed to reversibly rise with the increase of the applied DC voltages, indicating that the current is controlled by a field-activated charge transport process.

Structural and mechanical properties of lanthanide doped La1/3Nb0.8Ta0.2O3 thin films prepared by sol-gel method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brunckova, Helena; Medvecky, Lubomir; Kovalcikova, Alexandra; Fides, Martin; Mudra, Erika; Durisin, Juraj; Skvarla, Jiri; Kanuchova, Maria

2017-04-01

Transparent Eu and Nd doped lanthanum niobate tantalate La1/3Nb0.8Ta0.2O3 (LNT) thin films (˜150 nm) were prepared by sol-gel/spin-coating process on Pt/SiO2/Si substrates and annealing at 1100 °C. The x-ray diffraction analysis of films confirmed formation of the perovskite La1/3NbO3 and La1/3TaO3 phases with traces of pyrochlore LaNbO4. Eu and Nd doped LNT films were smoother with roughness 17.1 and 25.4 nm in comparison with LNT (43.3 nm). In all films was observed heterogeneous microstructure with the perovskite spherical and pyrochlore needle-like particles. The mechanical properties of films were characterized for the first time by conventional and continuous stiffness (CSM) nanoindentation. The Eu and Nd doped LNT film modulus (E) and hardness (H) were higher than LNT (˜99.8 and 4.4 GPa) determined by conventional nanoindentation. It was measured the significant effect of substrate on properties of Eu or Nd films (H ˜ 5.9 or 4.9 GPa and E ˜ 107.3 or 104.1 GPa) by CSM nanoindentation.

Characterization of polycrystalline nickel cobaltite nanostructures prepared by DC plasma magnetron co-sputtering for gas sensing applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hammadi, Oday A.; Naji, Noor E.

2018-03-01

In this work, a gas sensor is fabricated from polycrystalline nickel cobaltite nano films deposited on transparent substrates by closed-field unbalanced dual-magnetrons (CFUBDM) co-sputtering technique. Two targets of nickel and cobalt are mounted on the cathode of discharge system and co-sputtered by direct current (DC) argon discharge plasma in presence of oxygen as a reactive gas. The total gas pressure is 0.5 mbar and the mixing ratio of Ar:O2 gases is 5:1. The characterization measurements performed on the prepared films show that their transmittance increases with the incident wavelength, the polycrystalline structure includes 5 crystallographic planes, the average particle size is about 35 nm, the electrical conductivity is linearly increasing with increasing temperature, and the activation energy is about 0.41 eV. These films show high sensitivity to ethanol vapor.

Statistical analysis of polarization interference images of biological fluids polycrystalline films in the tasks of optical anisotropy weak changes differentiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushenko, Yu. O.; Dubolazov, O. V.; Ushenko, V. O.; Zhytaryuk, V. G.; Prydiy, O. G.; Pavlyukovich, N.; Pavlyukovich, O.

2018-01-01

In this paper, we present the results of a statistical analysis of polarization-interference images of optically thin histological sections of biological tissues and polycrystalline films of biological fluids of human organs. A new analytical parameter is introduced-the local contrast of the interference pattern in the plane of a polarizationinhomogeneous microscopic image of a biological preparation. The coordinate distributions of the given parameter and the sets of statistical moments of the first-fourth order that characterize these distributions are determined. On this basis, the differentiation of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the myocardium and the polycrystalline structure of the synovial fluid of the human knee with different pathologies is realized.

Fabricating micro-instruments in surface-micromachined polycrystalline silicon

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

Comtois, J.H.; Michalicek, M.A.; Barron, C.C.

1997-04-01

Smaller, lighter instruments can be fabricated as Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), having micron scale moving parts packaged together with associated control and measurement electronics. Batch fabrication of these devices will make economical applications such as condition-based machine maintenance and remote sensing. The choice of instrumentation is limited only by the designer`s imagination. This paper presents one genre of MEMS fabrication, surface-micromachined polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon). Two currently available but slightly different polysilicon processes are presented. One is the ARPA-sponsored ``Multi-User MEMS ProcesS`` (MUMPS), available commercially through MCNC; the other is the Sandia National Laboratories ``Sandia Ultra-planar Multilevel MEMS Technology`` (SUMMiT). Example componentsmore » created in both processes will be presented, with an emphasis on actuators, actuator force testing instruments, and incorporating actuators into larger instruments.« less

Numerical simulation of magnetic interactions in polycrystalline YFeO 3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lima, E.; Martins, T. B.; Rechenberg, H. R.; Goya, G. F.; Cavelius, C.; Rapalaviciute, R.; Hao, S.; Mathur, S.

The magnetic behavior of polycrystalline yttrium orthoferrite was studied from the experimental and theoretical points of view. Magnetization measurements up to 170 kOe were carried out on a single-phase YFeO 3 sample synthesized from heterobimetallic alkoxides. The complex interplay between weak-ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions, observed in the experimental M( H) curves, was successfully simulated by locally minimizing the magnetic energy of two interacting Fe sublattices. The resulting values of exchange field ( HE=5590 kOe), anisotropy field ( HA=0.5 kOe) and Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya antisymmetric field ( HD=149 kOe) are in good agreement with previous reports on this system.

Morphological changes in polycrystalline Fe after compression and release

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gunkelmann, Nina; Tramontina, Diego R.; Bringa, Eduardo M.; Urbassek, Herbert M.

2015-02-01

Despite a number of large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of shock compressed iron, the morphological properties of simulated recovered samples are still unexplored. Key questions remain open in this area, including the role of dislocation motion and deformation twinning in shear stress release. In this study, we present simulations of homogeneous uniaxial compression and recovery of large polycrystalline iron samples. Our results reveal significant recovery of the body-centered cubic grains with some deformation twinning driven by shear stress, in agreement with experimental results by Wang et al. [Sci. Rep. 3, 1086 (2013)]. The twin fraction agrees reasonably well with a semi-analytical model which assumes a critical shear stress for twinning. On reloading, twins disappear and the material reaches a very low strength value.

Domain wall kinetics of lithium niobate single crystals near the hexagonal corner

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Ju Won; Ko, Do-Kyeong; Yu, Nan Ei; Kitamura, Kenji; Ro, Jung Hoon

2015-03-01

A mesospheric approach based on a simple microscopic 2D Ising model in a hexagonal lattice plane is proposed to explain macroscopic "asymmetric in-out domain wall motion" observation in the (0001) plane of MgO-doped stoichiometric lithium niobate. Under application of an electric field that was higher than the conventional coercive field (Ec) to the ferroelectric crystal, a natural hexagonal domain was obtained with walls that were parallel to the Y-axis of the crystal. When a fraction of the coercive field of around 0.1Ec is applied in the reverse direction, this hexagonal domain is shrunk (moved inward) from the corner site into a shape with a corner angle of around 150° and 15° wall slopes to the Y-axis. A flipped electric field of 0.15Ec is then applied to recover the natural hexagonal shape, and the 150° corner shape changes into a flat wall with 30° slope (moved outward). The differences in corner domain shapes between inward and outward domain motion were analyzed theoretically in terms of corner and wall site energies, which are described using the domain corner angle and wall slope with respect to the crystal Y-axis, respectively. In the inward domain wall motion case, the energy levels of the evolving 150° domain corner and 15° slope walls are most competitive, and could co-exist. In the outward case, the energy levels of corners with angles >180° are highly stable when compared with the possible domain walls; only a flat wall with 30° slope to the Y-axis is possible during outward motion.

Angular-dependent EDMR linewidth for spin-dependent space charge limited conduction in a polycrystalline pentacene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuda, Kunito; Asakawa, Naoki

2017-08-01

Spin-dependent space charge limited carrier conduction in a Schottky barrier diode using polycrystalline p-type π-conjugated molecular pentacene is explored using multiple-frequency electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) spectroscopy with a variable-angle configuration. The measured EDMR spectra are decomposed into two components derived respectively from mobile and trapped positive polarons. The linewidth of the EDMR signal for the trapped polarons increases with increasing resonance magnetic field for an in-plane configuration where the normal vector of the device substrate is perpendicular to the resonance magnetic field, while it is independent of the field for an out-of-plane configuration. This difference is consistent with the pentacene arrangement on the device substrate, where pentacene molecules exhibit a uniaxial orientation on the out-of-substrate plane. By contrast, the mobile polarons do not show anisotropic behavior with respect to the resonance magnetic field, indicating that the anisotropic effect is averaged out owing to carrier motion. These results suggest that the orientational arrangements of polycrystalline pentacene molecules in a nano thin film play a crucial role in spin-dependent electrical conduction.

Morphogenesis of polycrystalline dendritic patterns from evaporation of a reactive nanofluid sessile drop

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Hua; Briscoe, Wuge H.

2018-04-01

We report polycrystalline residual patterns with dendritic micromorphologies upon fast evaporation of a mixed-solvent sessile drop containing reactive ZnO nanoparticles. The molecular and particulate species generated in situ upon evaporative drying collude with and modify the Marangoni solvent flows and Bénard-Marangoni instabilities, as they undergo self-assembly and self-organization under conditions far from equilibrium, leading to the ultimate hierarchical central cellular patterns surrounded by a peripheral coffee ring upon drying.

Dynamic Failure Processes Under Confining Stress in AlON, a Transparent Polycrystalline Ceramic

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

in a prismatic specimen along one of the three specimen axes, the dynamic loading is imposed (using MKB) along the second specimen axis and the third ...AlON are generally comparable to those of α-Al2O3. Owing to its optically isotropic cubic crystal structure, fully dense, polycrystalline bodies can...illustrated in indentation experiments on Al2O3 [46]) or under tribological loading conditions. During indentation, the region beneath the indenter is

Development of Kawai-type multianvil technology using nano-polycrystalline diamond anvils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irifune, T.; Kunimoto, T.

2016-12-01

Nano-polycrystalline diamond (NPD) developed at GRC, Ehime Univ., is known to be much harder than conventional sintered polycrystalline diamond (SD), and is potentially important as material for anvils for Kawai-type (6-8 type) multianvil apparatus (KMA), as well as for diamond anvil cell. We synthesized NPD rods with about 8 mm in both diameter and length using a 6000-ton press KMA (BOTCHAN-6000), which are cut by pulsed-laser to form cubes with 6 mm edge length and tested them as anvils for KMA. In situ X-ray observations were made to evaluate the produced pressures and sample images using the "6-6-8 assembly". A combination of semi-fired pyrophyllite gaskets and alumina ceramics pressure medium optimized for the NPD anvils with a truncation (TEL) of 1.0 mm yielded pressures up to 88 GPa at a press load of only 3.4 MN, which is nearly 60% higher than the pressure (56 GPa) reached using SD anvils with the identical cell assembly at the same press load. Moreover, the high X-ray transparency of NPD has enabled us to clearly see the sample image via the anvils, allowing diffraction measurements and observations of the sample shape even if the anvil gap becomes very small under such very high pressures. The use of NPD anvils should lead to new technology for mineral physics studies under the conditions of the Earth's lowermost mantle and possibly those of the core without scarifying the advantages of KMA over DAC.

Origin of colossal dielectric permittivity of rutile Ti 0.9In 0.05Nb 0.05O 2: single crystal and polycrystalline

DOE PAGES

Song, Yongli; Wang, Xianjie; Sui, Yu; ...

2016-02-12

Here in this article, we investigated the dielectric properties of (In + Nb) co-doped rutile TiO 2 single crystal and polycrystalline ceramics. Both of them showed colossal, up to 10 4, dielectric permittivity at room temperature. The single crystal sample showed one dielectric relaxation process with a large dielectric loss. The voltage-dependence of dielectric permittivity and the impedance spectrum suggest that the high dielectric permittivity of single crystal originated from the surface barrier layer capacitor (SBLC). The impedance spectroscopy at different temperature confirmed that the (In+Nb) co-doped rutile TiO 2 polycrystalline ceramic had semiconductor grains and insulating grain boundaries, andmore » that the activation energies were calculated to be 0.052 eV and 0.35 eV for grain and grain boundary, respectively. The dielectric behavior and impedance spectrum of the polycrystalline ceramic sample indicated that the internal barrier layer capacitor (IBLC) mode made a major contribution to the high ceramic dielectric permittivity, instead of the electron-pinned defect-dipoles.« less

Origin of colossal dielectric permittivity of rutile Ti0.9In0.05Nb0.05O2: single crystal and polycrystalline

PubMed Central

Song, Yongli; Wang, Xianjie; Sui, Yu; Liu, Ziyi; Zhang, Yu; Zhan, Hongsheng; Song, Bingqian; Liu, Zhiguo; Lv, Zhe; Tao, Lei; Tang, Jinke

2016-01-01

In this paper, we investigated the dielectric properties of (In + Nb) co-doped rutile TiO2 single crystal and polycrystalline ceramics. Both of them showed colossal, up to 104, dielectric permittivity at room temperature. The single crystal sample showed one dielectric relaxation process with a large dielectric loss. The voltage-dependence of dielectric permittivity and the impedance spectrum suggest that the high dielectric permittivity of single crystal originated from the surface barrier layer capacitor (SBLC). The impedance spectroscopy at different temperature confirmed that the (In + Nb) co-doped rutile TiO2 polycrystalline ceramic had semiconductor grains and insulating grain boundaries, and that the activation energies were calculated to be 0.052 eV and 0.35 eV for grain and grain boundary, respectively. The dielectric behavior and impedance spectrum of the polycrystalline ceramic sample indicated that the internal barrier layer capacitor (IBLC) mode made a major contribution to the high ceramic dielectric permittivity, instead of the electron-pinned defect-dipoles. PMID:26869187

Mueller-matrix of laser-induced autofluorescence of polycrystalline films of dried peritoneal fluid in diagnostics of endometriosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushenko, Yuriy A.; Koval, Galina D.; Ushenko, Alexander G.; Dubolazov, Olexander V.; Ushenko, Vladimir A.; Novakovskaia, Olga Yu.

2016-07-01

This research presents investigation results of the diagnostic efficiency of an azimuthally stable Mueller-matrix method of analysis of laser autofluorescence of polycrystalline films of dried uterine cavity peritoneal fluid. A model of the generalized optical anisotropy of films of dried peritoneal fluid is proposed in order to define the processes of laser autofluorescence. The influence of complex mechanisms of both phase (linear and circular birefringence) and amplitude (linear and circular dichroism) anisotropies is taken into consideration. The interconnections between the azimuthally stable Mueller-matrix elements characterizing laser autofluorescence and different mechanisms of optical anisotropy are determined. The statistical analysis of coordinate distributions of such Mueller-matrix rotation invariants is proposed. Thereupon the quantitative criteria (statistic moments of the first to the fourth order) of differentiation of polycrystalline films of dried peritoneal fluid, group 1 (healthy donors) and group 2 (uterus endometriosis patients), are determined.

Electro-optic electrodes based on Lithium Niobate Mach Zhender Interferometer Modulators for wearable bioelectric activity recording

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernandes, Mariana S.; Correia, José H.; Mendes, Paulo M.

2011-05-01

Wearable devices are used to record several physiological signals, providing unobtrusive and continuous monitoring. A main challenge in these systems is to develop new recording sensors, specially envisioning bioelectric activity detection. Available devices are difficult to integrate, mainly due to the amount of electrical wires and components needed. This work proposes a fiber-optic based device, which basis of operation relies on the electro-optic effect. A Lithium Niobate (LiBnO3) Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) modulator is used as the core sensing component, followed by a signal conversion and processing stage. Tests were performed in order to validate the proposed acquisition system in terms of signal amplification and quality, stability and frequency response. A light source with a wavelength operation of 1530- 1565 nm was used. The modulated intensity is amplified and converted to an output voltage with a high transimpedance gain. The filtering and electric amplification included a 50Hz notch filter, a bandpass filter with a -3 dB bandwidth from 0.50 to 35 Hz. The obtained system performance on key elements such as sensitivity, frequency content, and signal quality, have shown that the proposed acquisition system allows the development of new wearable bioelectric monitoring solutions based on optical technologies.

Highly efficient flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator and femtosecond two-photon absorption properties of nonlinear lithium niobate nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Manoj Kumar; Aneesh, Janardhanakurup; Yadav, Rajesh; Adarsh, K. V.; Kim, Sang-Woo

2017-05-01

We present a high performance flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator (NG) device based on the hydrothermally grown lead-free piezoelectric lithium niobate (LiNbO3) nanowires (NWs) for scavenging mechanical energies. The non-linear optical coefficient and optical limiting properties of LiNbO3 were analyzed using femtosecond laser pulse assisted two photon absorption techniques for the first time. Further, a flexible hybrid type NG using a composite structure of the polydimethylsiloxane polymer and LiNbO3 NWs was fabricated, and their piezoelectric output signals were measured. A large output voltage of ˜4.0 V and a recordable large current density of about 1.5 μA cm-2 were obtained under the cyclic compressive force of 1 kgf. A subsequent UV-Vis analysis of the as-prepared sample provides a remarkable increase in the optical band gap (UV absorption cut-off, ˜251 nm) due to the nanoscale size effect. The high piezoelectric output voltage and current are discussed in terms of large band gap, significant nonlinear optical response, and electric dipole alignments under poling effects. Such high performance and unique optical properties of LiNbO3 show its great potential towards various next generation smart electronic applications and self-powered optoelectronic devices.

Effect of chemical pressure on competition and cooperation between polar and antiferrodistortive distortions in sodium niobate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jauhari, Mrinal; Mishra, S. K.; Mittal, R.; Sastry, P. U.; Chaplot, S. L.

2017-12-01

We present results obtained from a combination of dielectric and x-ray diffraction measurements for compositional design of (1 -x )NaNb O3-x BaTi O3(NNBT x ) , which can induce interferroelectric phase transitions. Anomalies are observed in dielectric measurements performed for various compositions at 300 K, as well as at different temperatures for NNBT03. We observed the appearance(disappearance) of the superlattice reflections along with change in the intensities of the main perovskite peaks in the powder x-ray diffraction data, which provide clear evidences for structural phase transitions with composition and temperature. We found that increasing the concentration of BaTi O3 leads to the suppression of out-of-phase rotation of octahedra and an increment in tetragonality (c /a ratio), which promotes the polar mode at room temperature. The temperature-dependent powder diffraction study shows that the ferroelectric rhombohedral phase of pure sodium niobate gets suppressed for the composition x =0.03 , and the monoclinic phase C c gets stabilized at low temperature. The monoclinic phase is believed to provide for a flexible polarization rotation and is considered to be directly linked to the high-performance piezoelectricity in materials due to presence of more easy axes for spontaneous polarizations than the rhombohedral phase.

Spherical silicon photonic microcavities: From amorphous to polycrystalline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fenollosa, R.; Garín, M.; Meseguer, F.

2016-06-01

Shaping silicon as a spherical object is not an obvious task, especially when the object size is in the micrometer range. This has the important consequence of transforming bare silicon material in a microcavity, so it is able to confine light efficiently. Here, we have explored the inside volume of such microcavities, both in their amorphous and in their polycrystalline versions. The synthesis method, which is based on chemical vapor deposition, causes amorphous microspheres to have a high content of hydrogen that produces an onionlike distributed porous core when the microspheres are crystallized by a fast annealing regime. This substantially influences the resonant modes. However, a slow crystallization regime does not yield pores, and produces higher-quality-factor resonances that could be fitted to the Mie theory. This allows the establishment of a procedure for obtaining size calibration standards with relative errors of the order of 0.1%.

Structural and Optical properties of poly-crystalline BaTiO3 and SrTiO3 prepared via solid state route

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jarabana, Kanaka M.; Mishra, Ashutosh; Bisen, Supriya

2016-10-01

Polycrystalline BaTiO3 (BTO) and SrTiO3 (STO) were synthesized by solid state route method and properties of made polycrystalline were characterized by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Raman Spectroscopy & FTIR Spectroscopy. XRD analysis shows that samples are crystalline in nature. In Raman Spectroscopy measurement, the experiment has been done with the help of JOBIN-YOVN HORIBA LABRAM HR800 single monochromator, which is coupled with a “peltier cooled” charge coupled device (CCD). Raman Spectroscopy at low temperature measurement shows the phase transition above & below the curie temperature in samples. Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy was used to determine the Ti-O bond length position.

Temperature dependent dielectric relaxation and ac-conductivity of alkali niobate ceramics studied by impedance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yadav, Abhinav; Mantry, Snigdha Paramita; Fahad, Mohd.; Sarun, P. M.

2018-05-01

Sodium niobate (NaNbO3) ceramics is prepared by conventional solid state reaction method at sintering temperature 1150 °C for 4 h. The structural information of the material has been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The XRD analysis of NaNbO3 ceramics shows an orthorhombic structure. The FE-SEM micrograph of NaNbO3 ceramics exhibit grains with grain sizes ranging between 1 μm to 5 μm. The surface coverage and average grain size of NaNbO3 ceramics are found to be 97.6 % and 2.5 μm, respectively. Frequency dependent electrical properties of NaNbO3 is investigated from room temperature to 500 °C in wide frequency range (100 Hz-5 MHz). Dielectric constant, ac-conductivity, impedance, modulus and Nyquist analysis are performed. The observed dielectric constant (1 kHz) at transition temperature (400 °C) are 975. From conductivity analysis, the estimated activation energy of NaNbO3 ceramics is 0.58 eV at 10 kHz. The result of Nyquist plot shows that the electrical behavior of NaNbO3 ceramics is contributed by grain and grain boundary responses. The impedance and modulus spectrum asserts that the negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behavior and non-Debye type relaxation in NaNbO3.

CdCl2 passivation of polycrystalline CdMgTe and CdZnTe absorbers for tandem photovoltaic cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swanson, Drew E.; Reich, Carey; Abbas, Ali; Shimpi, Tushar; Liu, Hanxiao; Ponce, Fernando A.; Walls, John M.; Zhang, Yong-Hang; Metzger, Wyatt K.; Sampath, W. S.; Holman, Zachary C.

2018-05-01

As single-junction silicon solar cells approach their theoretical limits, tandems provide the primary path to higher efficiencies. CdTe alloys can be tuned with magnesium (CdMgTe) or zinc (CdZnTe) for ideal tandem pairing with silicon. A II-VI/Si tandem holds the greatest promise for inexpensive, high-efficiency top cells that can be quickly deployed in the market using existing polycrystalline CdTe manufacturing lines combined with mature silicon production lines. Currently, all high efficiency polycrystalline CdTe cells require a chloride-based passivation process to passivate grain boundaries and bulk defects. This research examines the rich chemistry and physics that has historically limited performance when extending Cl treatments to polycrystalline 1.7-eV CdMgTe and CdZnTe absorbers. A combination of transmittance, quantum efficiency, photoluminescence, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy clearly reveals that during passivation, Mg segregates and out-diffuses, initially at the grain boundaries but eventually throughout the bulk. CdZnTe exhibits similar Zn segregation behavior; however, the onset and progression is localized to the back of the device. After passivation, CdMgTe and CdZnTe can render a layer that is reduced to predominantly CdTe electro-optical behavior. Contact instabilities caused by inter-diffusion between the layers create additional complications. The results outline critical issues and paths for these materials to be successfully implemented in Si-based tandems and other applications.

Enhanced thermoelectric properties of N-type polycrystalline In4Se3-x compounds via thermally induced Se deficiency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Ran; Shu, Yu-Tian; Guo, Fu

2014-03-01

In4Se3-x compound is considered as a potential thermoelectric material due to its comparably low thermal conductivity among all existing ones. While most studies investigated In4Se3-x thermoelectric properties by controlling selennium or other dopants concentrations, in the current study, it was found that even for a fixed initial In/Se ratio, the resulting In/Se ratio varied significantly with different thermal processing histories (i.e., melting and annealing), which also resulted in varied thermoelectric properties as well as fracture surface morphologies of In4Se3-x polycrystalline specimens. Single phase polycrystalline In4Se3-x compounds were synthesized by combining a sequence of melting, annealing, pulverizing, and spark plasma sintering. The extension of previous thermal history was observed to significantly improve the electrical conductivity (about 121%) and figure of merit (about 53%) of In4Se3-x polycrystalline compounds. The extended thermal history resulted in the increase of Se deficiency (x) from 0.39 to 0.53. This thermally induced Se deficiency was observed to associate with increasing carrier mobility but decreasing concentration, which differs from the general trend observed for the initially adjusted Se deficiency at room temperature. Unusually large dispersed grains with nanosize layers were observed in specimens with the longest thermal history. The mechanism(s) by which previous thermal processing enhances carrier mobility and affect microstructural evolution are briefly discussed.

CdCl2 Passivation of Polycrystalline CdMgTe and CdZnTe Absorbers for Tandem Photovoltaic Cells

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

Metzger, Wyatt K; Swanson, Drew; Reich, Carey

As single-junction silicon solar cells approach their theoretical limits, tandems provide the primary path to higher efficiencies. CdTe alloys can be tuned with magnesium (CdMgTe) or zinc (CdZnTe) for ideal tandem pairing with silicon. A II-VI/Si tandem holds the greatest promise for inexpensive, high-efficiency top cells that can be quickly deployed in the market using existing polycrystalline CdTe manufacturing lines combined with mature silicon production lines. Currently, all high efficiency polycrystalline CdTe cells require a chloride-based passivation process to passivate grain boundaries and bulk defects. This research examines the rich chemistry and physics that has historically limited performance when extendingmore » Cl treatments to polycrystalline 1.7-eV CdMgTe and CdZnTe absorbers. A combination of transmittance, quantum efficiency, photoluminescence, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy clearly reveals that during passivation, Mg segregates and out-diffuses, initially at the grain boundaries but eventually throughout the bulk. CdZnTe exhibits similar Zn segregation behavior; however, the onset and progression is localized to the back of the device. After passivation, CdMgTe and CdZnTe can render a layer that is reduced to predominantly CdTe electro-optical behavior. Contact instabilities caused by inter-diffusion between the layers create additional complications. The results outline critical issues and paths for these materials to be successfully implemented in Si-based tandems and other applications.« less

Surface damages of polycrystalline W and La2O3-doped W induced by high-flux He plasma irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Lu; Li, Shouzhe; Liu, Dongping; Benstetter, Günther; Zhang, Yang; Hong, Yi; Fan, Hongyu; Ni, Weiyuan; Yang, Qi; Wu, Yunfeng; Bi, Zhenhua

2018-04-01

In this study, polycrystalline tungsten (W) and three oxide dispersed strengthened W with 0.1 vol %, 1.0 vol % and 5.0 vol % lanthanum trioxide (La2O3) were irradiated with low-energy (200 eV) and high-flux (5.8 × 1021 or 1.4 × 1022 ions/m2ṡs) He+ ions at elevated temperature. After He+ irradiation at a fluence of 3.0 × 1025/m2, their surface damages were observed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy-electron backscatter diffraction, and conductive atomic force microscopy. Micron-sized holes were formed on the surface of W alloys after He+ irradiation at 1100 K. Analysis shows that the La2O3 grains doped in W were sputtered preferentially by the high-flux He+ ions when compared with the W grains. For irradiation at 1550 K, W nano-fuzz was formed at the surfaces of both polycrystalline W and La2O3-doped W. The thickness of the fuzz layers formed at the surface of La2O3-doped W is 40% lower than the one of polycrystalline W. The presence of La2O3 could suppress the diffusion and coalescence of He atoms inside W, which plays an important role in the growth of nanostructures fuzz.

Effect of small perturbations on the evolution of polycrystalline structure during plastic deformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korznikova, E. A.; Baimova, Yu. A.; Kistanov, A. A.; Dmitriev, S. V.; Korznikov, A. V.

2014-09-01

The method of molecular dynamics has been used to study the influence of initial perturbations on the evolution of grain boundaries during the shear plastic deformation of a two-dimensional polycrystalline material with nanoscale grains. It has been shown that short-term thermalization-induced small perturbations result in noticeable differences in grain boundaries configurations at the deformation of 0.05 and the polycrystal completely loses its initial grain boundary structure at the deformation of 0.4.

Mueller matrix mapping of biological polycrystalline layers using reference wave

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dubolazov, A.; Ushenko, O. G.; Ushenko, Yu. O.; Pidkamin, L. Y.; Sidor, M. I.; Grytsyuk, M.; Prysyazhnyuk, P. V.

2018-01-01

The paper consists of two parts. The first part is devoted to the short theoretical basics of the method of differential Mueller-matrix description of properties of partially depolarizing layers. It was provided the experimentally measured maps of differential matrix of the 1st order of polycrystalline structure of the histological section of brain tissue. It was defined the statistical moments of the 1st-4th orders, which characterize the distribution of matrix elements. In the second part of the paper it was provided the data of statistic analysis of birefringence and dichroism of the histological sections of mice liver tissue (normal and with diabetes). It were defined the objective criteria of differential diagnostics of diabetes.

Effects of polycrystallinity in nano patterning by ion-beam sputtering

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

Yoon, Sun Mi; Kim, J.-S., E-mail: jskim@sm.ac.kr; Yoon, D.

Employing graphites with distinctly different mean grain sizes, we study the effects of polycrystallinity on the pattern formation by ion-beam sputtering. The grains influence the growth of the ripples in a highly anisotropic fashion; both the mean uninterrupted ripple length along the ridges and the surface width depend on the mean size of the grains, which is attributed to the large sputter yield at the grain boundary compared with that on the terrace. In contrast, the ripple wavelength does not depend on the mean size of the grains, indicating that the mass transport across the grain boundaries should efficiently proceedmore » by both thermal diffusion and ion-induced processes.« less

Hydrogen passivation of polycrystalline silicon thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scheller, L.-P.; Weizman, M.; Simon, P.; Fehr, M.; Nickel, N. H.

2012-09-01

The influence of post-hydrogenation on the electrical and optical properties of solid phase crystallized polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) was examined. The passivation of grain-boundary defects was measured as a function of the passivation time. The silicon dangling-bond concentration decreases with increasing passivation time due to the formation of Si-H complexes. In addition, large H-stabilized platelet-like clusters are generated. The influence of H on the electrical properties was investigated using temperature dependent conductivity and Hall-effect measurements. For poly-Si on Corning glass, the dark conductivity decreases upon hydrogenation, while it increases when the samples are fabricated on silicon-nitride covered Borofloat glass. Hall-effect measurements reveal that for poly-Si on Corning glass the hole concentration and the mobility decrease upon post-hydrogenation, while a pronounced increase is observed for poly-Si on silicon-nitride covered Borofloat glass. This indicates the formation of localized states in the band gap, which is supported by sub band-gap absorption measurments. The results are discussed in terms of hydrogen-induced defect passivation and generation mechanisms.

Synergistic effects of water addition and step heating on the formation of solution-processed zinc tin oxide thin films: towards high-mobility polycrystalline transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Genmao; Duan, Lian; Zhao, Yunlong; Zhang, Yunge; Dong, Guifang; Zhang, Deqiang; Qiu, Yong

2016-11-01

Thin-film transistors (TFTs) with high mobility and good uniformity are attractive for next-generation flat panel displays. In this work, solution-processed polycrystalline zinc tin oxide (ZTO) thin film with well-ordered microstructure is prepared, thanks to the synergistic effect of water addition and step heating. The step heating treatment other than direct annealing induces crystallization, while adequate water added to precursor solution further facilitates alloying and densification process. The optimal polycrystalline ZTO film is free of hierarchical sublayers, and featured with an increased amount of ternary phases, as well as a decreased fraction of oxygen vacancies and hydroxides. TFT devices based on such an active layer exhibit a remarkable field-effect mobility of 52.5 cm2 V-1 s-1, a current on/off ratio of 2 × 105, a threshold voltage of 2.32 V, and a subthreshold swing of 0.36 V dec-1. Our work offers a facile method towards high-performance solution-processed polycrystalline metal oxide TFTs.

Fatigue and Fracture of Polycrystalline Silicon and Diamond MEMS at Room and Elevated Temperatures

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-12-01

amorphous diamond-like carbon (ta-C) and polycrystalline silicon ( polysilicon ) for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Polysilicon and ta-C test...toughness were obtained, many of them for the first time. Compared to polysilicon , ta-C was found to have superior mechanical properties: Its fracture...toughness and strength were 3.5 times and two times that of polysilicon , respectively. Its elastic modulus was 4.5 times that of polysilicon and its

Magneto-optical imaging of polycrystalline FeTe 1-xSe x prepared at various conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Q.; Taen, T.; Mohan, S.; Nakajima, Y.; Tamegai, T.

2011-11-01

We have prepared high-quality polycrystalline FeTe1-xSex by sintering at different temperatures and characterized their structural and magnetic properties with X-ray diffraction, magnetization measurements, and magneto-optical imaging. The intragranular Jc was estimated to be 5 × 104A/cm2, which is smaller than the single crystal, but still in the range for practical applications.

Sub-kT/q Subthreshold-Slope Using Negative Capacitance in Low-Temperature Polycrystalline-Silicon Thin-Film Transistor

PubMed Central

Park, Jae Hyo; Jang, Gil Su; Kim, Hyung Yoon; Seok, Ki Hwan; Chae, Hee Jae; Lee, Sol Kyu; Joo, Seung Ki

2016-01-01

Realizing a low-temperature polycrystalline-silicon (LTPS) thin-film transistor (TFT) with sub-kT/q subthreshold slope (SS) is significantly important to the development of next generation active-matrix organic-light emitting diode displays. This is the first time a sub-kT/q SS (31.44 mV/dec) incorporated with a LTPS-TFT with polycrystalline-Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT)/ZrTiO4 (ZTO) gate dielectrics has been demonstrated. The sub-kT/q SS was observed in the weak inversion region at −0.5 V showing ultra-low operating voltage with the highest mobility (250.5 cm2/Vsec) reported so far. In addition, the reliability of DC negative bias stress, hot carrier stress and self-heating stress in LTPS-TFT with negative capacitance was investigated for the first time. It was found that the self-heating stress showed accelerated SS degradation due to the PZT Curie temperature. PMID:27098115

Photonic guiding structures in lithium niobate crystals produced by energetic ion beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Feng

2009-10-01

A range of ion beam techniques have been used to fabricate a variety of photonic guiding structures in the well-known lithium niobate (LiNbO3 or LN) crystals that are of great importance in integrated photonics/optics. This paper reviews the up-to-date research progress of ion-beam-processed LiNbO3 photonic structures and reports on their fabrication, characterization, and applications. Ion beams are being used with this material in a wide range of techniques, as exemplified by the following examples. Ion beam milling/etching can remove the selected surface regions of LiNbO3 crystals via the sputtering effects. Ion implantation and swift ion irradiation can form optical waveguide structures by modifying the surface refractive indices of the LiNbO3 wafers. Crystal ion slicing has been used to obtain bulk-quality LiNbO3 single-crystalline thin films or membranes by exfoliating the implanted layer from the original substrate. Focused ion beams can either generate small structures of micron or submicron dimensions, to realize photonic bandgap crystals in LiNbO3, or directly write surface waveguides or other guiding devices in the crystal. Ion beam-enhanced etching has been extensively applied for micro- or nanostructuring of LiNbO3 surfaces. Methods developed to fabricate a range of photonic guiding structures in LiNbO3 are introduced. Modifications of LiNbO3 through the use of various energetic ion beams, including changes in refractive index and properties related to the photonic guiding structures as well as to the materials (i.e., electro-optic, nonlinear optic, luminescent, and photorefractive features), are overviewed in detail. The application of these LiNbO3 photonic guiding structures in both micro- and nanophotonics are briefly summarized.

Near single-crystalline, high-carrier-mobility silicon thin film on a polycrystalline/amorphous substrate

DOEpatents

Findikoglu, Alp T [Los Alamos, NM; Jia, Quanxi [Los Alamos, NM; Arendt, Paul N [Los Alamos, NM; Matias, Vladimir [Santa Fe, NM; Choi, Woong [Los Alamos, NM

2009-10-27

A template article including a base substrate including: (i) a base material selected from the group consisting of polycrystalline substrates and amorphous substrates, and (ii) at least one layer of a differing material upon the surface of the base material; and, a buffer material layer upon the base substrate, the buffer material layer characterized by: (a) low chemical reactivity with the base substrate, (b) stability at temperatures up to at least about 800.degree. C. under low vacuum conditions, and (c) a lattice crystal structure adapted for subsequent deposition of a semiconductor material; is provided, together with a semiconductor article including a base substrate including: (i) a base material selected from the group consisting of polycrystalline substrates and amorphous substrates, and (ii) at least one layer of a differing material upon the surface of the base material; and, a buffer material layer upon the base substrate, the buffer material layer characterized by: (a) low chemical reactivity with the base substrate, (b) stability at temperatures up to at least about 800.degree. C. under low vacuum conditions, and (c) a lattice crystal structure adapted for subsequent deposition of a semiconductor material, and, a top-layer of semiconductor material upon the buffer material layer.

Virtual modeling of polycrystalline structures of materials using particle packing algorithms and Laguerre cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morfa, Carlos Recarey; Farias, Márcio Muniz de; Morales, Irvin Pablo Pérez; Navarra, Eugenio Oñate Ibañez de; Valera, Roberto Roselló

2018-04-01

The influence of the microstructural heterogeneities is an important topic in the study of materials. In the context of computational mechanics, it is therefore necessary to generate virtual materials that are statistically equivalent to the microstructure under study, and to connect that geometrical description to the different numerical methods. Herein, the authors present a procedure to model continuous solid polycrystalline materials, such as rocks and metals, preserving their representative statistical grain size distribution. The first phase of the procedure consists of segmenting an image of the material into adjacent polyhedral grains representing the individual crystals. This segmentation allows estimating the grain size distribution, which is used as the input for an advancing front sphere packing algorithm. Finally, Laguerre diagrams are calculated from the obtained sphere packings. The centers of the spheres give the centers of the Laguerre cells, and their radii determine the cells' weights. The cell sizes in the obtained Laguerre diagrams have a distribution similar to that of the grains obtained from the image segmentation. That is why those diagrams are a convenient model of the original crystalline structure. The above-outlined procedure has been used to model real polycrystalline metallic materials. The main difference with previously existing methods lies in the use of a better particle packing algorithm.

Microstructural effects on fracture toughness of polycrystalline ceramics in combined mode I and mode II loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, D.; Shetty, D. K.

1988-01-01

Fracture toughness of polycrystalline alumina and ceria partially-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (CeO2-TZP) ceramics were assessed in combined mode I and mode II loading using precracked disk specimens in diametral compression. Stress states ranging from pure mode I, combined mode I and mode II, and pure mode II were obtained by aligning the center crack at specific angles relative to the loading diameter. The resulting mixed-mode fracture toughness envelope showed significant deviation to higher fracture toughness in mode II relative to the predictions of the linear elastic fracture mechanics theory. Critical comparison with corresponding results on soda-lime glass and fracture surface observations showed that crack surface resistance arising from grain interlocking and abrasion was the main source of the increased fracture toughness in mode II loading of the polycrystalline ceramics. The normalized fracture toughness for pure mode II loading, (KII/KIc), increased with increasing grain size for the CeO2-TZP ceramics. Quantitative fractography confirmed an increased percentage of transgranular fracture of the grains in mode II loading.

High-Efficiency Polycrystalline Thin Film Tandem Solar Cells.

PubMed

Kranz, Lukas; Abate, Antonio; Feurer, Thomas; Fu, Fan; Avancini, Enrico; Löckinger, Johannes; Reinhard, Patrick; Zakeeruddin, Shaik M; Grätzel, Michael; Buecheler, Stephan; Tiwari, Ayodhya N

2015-07-16

A promising way to enhance the efficiency of CIGS solar cells is by combining them with perovskite solar cells in tandem devices. However, so far, such tandem devices had limited efficiency due to challenges in developing NIR-transparent perovskite top cells, which allow photons with energy below the perovskite band gap to be transmitted to the bottom cell. Here, a process for the fabrication of NIR-transparent perovskite solar cells is presented, which enables power conversion efficiencies up to 12.1% combined with an average sub-band gap transmission of 71% for photons with wavelength between 800 and 1000 nm. The combination of a NIR-transparent perovskite top cell with a CIGS bottom cell enabled a tandem device with 19.5% efficiency, which is the highest reported efficiency for a polycrystalline thin film tandem solar cell. Future developments of perovskite/CIGS tandem devices are discussed and prospects for devices with efficiency toward and above 27% are given.

Ultrafast dynamics of exciton fission in polycrystalline pentacene.

PubMed

Wilson, Mark W B; Rao, Akshay; Clark, Jenny; Kumar, R Sai Santosh; Brida, Daniele; Cerullo, Giulio; Friend, Richard H

2011-08-10

We use ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy with sub-20 fs time resolution and broad spectral coverage to directly probe the process of exciton fission in polycrystalline thin films of pentacene. We observe that the overwhelming majority of initially photogenerated singlet excitons evolve into triplet excitons on an ∼80 fs time scale independent of the excitation wavelength. This implies that exciton fission occurs at a rate comparable to phonon-mediated exciton localization processes and may proceed directly from the initial, delocalized, state. The singlet population is identified due to the brief presence of stimulated emission, which is emitted at wavelengths which vary with the photon energy of the excitation pulse, a violation of Kasha's Rule that confirms that the lowest-lying singlet state is extremely short-lived. This direct demonstration that triplet generation is both rapid and efficient establishes multiple exciton generation by exciton fission as an attractive route to increased efficiency in organic solar cells. © 2011 American Chemical Society

Electromigration-Induced Surface Drift and Slit Propagation in Polycrystalline Interconnects: Insights from Phase-Field Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukherjee, Arnab; Ankit, Kumar; Selzer, Michael; Nestler, Britta

2018-04-01

We employ the phase-field method to assess electromigration (EM) damage in wide polycrystalline interconnects due to grain-boundary grooving. An interplay of surface and grain-boundary diffusion is shown to drastically influence the mode of progressive EM damage. Rapid atomic transport along the surface leads to shape-preserving surface drift reminiscent of Blech drift-velocity experiments. On the other hand, a comparatively faster grain-boundary transport localizes the damage, resulting in the proliferation of intergranular slits with a shape-preserving tip. At steady state, the two regimes exhibit exponents of 1 and 3 /2 , respectively, in Black's law. While surface drift obeys an inverse scaling with grain size, slits exhibit a direct relationship at small sizes, with the dependence becoming weaker at larger ones. Furthermore, we explain the influence of curvature- or EM-mediated healing fluxes running along the surface on groove replenishment. Insights derived from phase-field simulations of EM in bicrystals are extended to investigate the multiphysics of mixed-mode damage of a polycrystalline interconnect line that is characterized by a drift of small grain surfaces, slit propagation, and coarsening. The triple and quadruple junctions are identified as prominent sites of failure.

Reduction of Fermi level pinning and recombination at polycrystalline CdTe surfaces by laser irradiation

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

Simonds, Brian J.; Kheraj, Vipul; Department of Applied Physics, S. V. National Institute of Technology, Surat 395 007

2015-06-14

Laser processing of polycrystalline CdTe is a promising approach that could potentially increase module manufacturing throughput while reducing capital expenditure costs. For these benefits to be realized, the basic effects of laser irradiation on CdTe must be ascertained. In this study, we utilize surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) to investigate the changes to the electronic properties of the surface of polycrystalline CdTe solar cell stacks induced by continuous-wave laser annealing. The experimental data explained within a model consisting of two space charge regions, one at the CdTe/air interface and one at the CdTe/CdS junction, are used to interpret our SPS results.more » The frequency dependence and phase spectra of the SPS signal are also discussed. To support the SPS findings, low-temperature spectrally-resolved photoluminescence and time-resolved photoluminescence were also measured. The data show that a modest laser treatment of 250 W/cm{sup 2} with a dwell time of 20 s is sufficient to reduce the effects of Fermi level pinning at the surface due to surface defects.« less

Auger electron intensity variations in oxygen-exposed large grain polycrystalline silver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, W. S.; Outlaw, R. A.; Hoflund, G. B.; Davidson, M. R.

1989-01-01

Auger electron spectroscopic studies of the grains in oxygen-charged polycrystal-line silver show significant intensity variations as a function of crystallographic orientation. These intensity variations were observed by studies of the Auger images and line scans of the different grains (randomly selected) for each silver transition energy. The results can be attributed to the diffraction of the ejected Auger electrons and interpreted by corresponding changes in the electron mean-free path for inelastic scattering and by oxygen atom accumulation in the subsurface. The subsurface (second layer) octahedral sites increased in size because of surface relaxation and serve as a stable reservoir for the dissolved oxygen.

Aggregate linear properties of ferroelectric ceramics and polycrystalline thin films: Calculation by the method of effective piezoelectric medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pertsev, N. A.; Zembilgotov, A. G.; Waser, R.

1998-08-01

The effective dielectric, piezoelectric, and elastic constants of polycrystalline ferroelectric materials are calculated from single-crystal data by an advanced method of effective medium, which takes into account the piezoelectric interactions between grains in full measure. For bulk BaTiO3 and PbTiO3 polarized ceramics, the dependences of material constants on the remanent polarization are reported. Dielectric and elastic constants are computed also for unpolarized c- and a-textured ferroelectric thin films deposited on cubic or amorphous substrates. It is found that the dielectric properties of BaTiO3 and PbTiO3 polycrystalline thin films strongly depend on the type of crystal texture. The influence of two-dimensional clamping by the substrate on the dielectric and piezoelectric responses of polarized films is described quantitatively and shown to be especially important for the piezoelectric charge coefficient of BaTiO3 films.

Study of structure and dielectric properties of 1:2 type modified Barium Niobates in bulk and thin film forms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bishnoi, Bhagwanti Ben S.

In view of the processing and environmental issues pertaining to lead based ferroelectric materials, investigations on lead free ferroelectrics are carried intensively in recent years. These materials are interesting because, they are flexible with respect to structural changes and functional properties. These materials have potential device applications such as capacitors, sensors, actuators, and memory storage and microwave devices. This thesis is an attempt to elucidate the effect of substitution of isovalent ions (Sr, Ca) at the 'A' site of Hexagonal structured Barium Magnesium Niobate Ba(Mgl/3Nb 2/3)O3 (BMN) as well as effect of simultaneous substitution of divalent ions (Co2+ and Cu2+) on the 'B'-site' of Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (BMN) and Sr(Mg 1/3Nb2/3)O3 (SMN). Their structural, morphological, dielectric, impedance and optical properties are investigated. The XRD study on the ceramic compositions (SMN) showed single phase monoclinic hexagonal perovskite structure at room temperature. The SEM micrograph shows that the grains are uniformly distributed throughout the surface and the average grain size decreases with the substitution of divalent ion doping in Sr(Mg 1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramic. The diffusivity of ceramics increases with increase in divalent ions substitution. The dielectric study confirmed that the relaxor nature is introduced in the Barium Niobate on replacement by other divalent ions at the A- or B'-site. Among various compositions in Sr(Cu1/3Nb2/3)O3 we obtained most promising dielectric properties. The impedance and modulus spectroscopy were employed to evaluate the different electrical properties of the grain and grain boundary of the ceramics. Ac Conductivity shows the two types of hopping conduction mechanism in frequency exponent vs temperature plots after the divalent ions replacement. The optical band gaps were calculated from UV-Visible spectroscopy ceramic suggested the presence of intermediately energy levels within the band gap. The single phase

Grain boundary crystallography in polycrystalline yttria-stabilised cubic zirconia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kini, Maya K.

2018-07-01

Properties of grain boundaries such as grain boundary energy, mobility and diffusion are reported to depend strongly on their crystallography. While studies on ceramic bicrystals with low Σ misorientations have shown highly ordered structures and low energies, studies on dense polycrystalline ceramics often show the significance of grain boundary planes. In the present study, grain boundary plane distributions were studied for yttria-stabilised cubic zirconia with varying grain sizes using Electron Back Scattered Diffraction technique combined with a stereological approach. Despite nearly isotropic grain boundary plane distributions, a highly anisotropic grain boundary character distribution is observed for specific misorientations. Certain low-energy symmetric tilts such as Σ3 and Σ11 are found to occur with high frequencies across the grain size range studied, leading to an inverse correlation between GB energy and frequency of occurrence, consistent with other ceramics studied in literature.

Interface and thickness dependent domain switching and stability in Mg doped lithium niobate

DOE PAGES

Neumayer, Sabine M.; Ivanov, Ilia N.; Manzo, Michele; ...

2015-12-08

Controlling ferroelectric switching in Mg doped lithium niobate (Mg: LN) is of fundamental importance for optical device and domain wall electronics applications that require precise domain patterns. Stable ferroelectric switching has been previously observed in undoped LN layers above proton exchanged (PE) phases that exhibit reduced polarization, whereas PE layers have been found to inhibit lateral domain growth. Here, Mg doping, which is known to significantly alter ferroelectric switching properties including coercive field and switching currents, is shown to inhibit domain nucleation and stability in Mg: LN above buried PE phases that allow for precise ferroelectric patterning via domain growthmore » control. Furthermore, piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) and switching spectroscopy PFM reveal that the voltage at which polarization switches from the "up" to the "down" state increases with increasing thickness in pure Mg: LN, whereas the voltage required for stable back switching to the original "up" state does not exhibit this thickness dependence. This behavior is consistent with the presence of an internal frozen defect field. The inhibition of domain nucleation above PE interfaces, observed in this study, is a phenomenon that occurs in Mg: LN but not in undoped samples and is mainly ascribed to a remaining frozen polarization in the PE phase that opposes polarization reversal. This reduced frozen depolarization field in the PE phase also influences the depolarization field of the Mg: LN layer above due to the presence of uncompensated polarization charge at the PE-Mg: LN boundary. Furthermore, these alterations in internal electric fields within the sample cause long-range lattice distortions in Mg: LN via electromechanical coupling, which were corroborated with complimentary Raman measurements.« less

Interface and thickness dependent domain switching and stability in Mg doped lithium niobate

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

Neumayer, Sabine M.; Rodriguez, Brian J., E-mail: gallo@kth.se, E-mail: brian.rodriguez@ucd.ie; Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4

2015-12-14

Controlling ferroelectric switching in Mg doped lithium niobate (Mg:LN) is of fundamental importance for optical device and domain wall electronics applications that require precise domain patterns. Stable ferroelectric switching has been previously observed in undoped LN layers above proton exchanged (PE) phases that exhibit reduced polarization, whereas PE layers have been found to inhibit lateral domain growth. Here, Mg doping, which is known to significantly alter ferroelectric switching properties including coercive field and switching currents, is shown to inhibit domain nucleation and stability in Mg:LN above buried PE phases that allow for precise ferroelectric patterning via domain growth control. Furthermore,more » piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) and switching spectroscopy PFM reveal that the voltage at which polarization switches from the “up” to the “down” state increases with increasing thickness in pure Mg:LN, whereas the voltage required for stable back switching to the original “up” state does not exhibit this thickness dependence. This behavior is consistent with the presence of an internal frozen defect field. The inhibition of domain nucleation above PE interfaces, observed in this study, is a phenomenon that occurs in Mg:LN but not in undoped samples and is mainly ascribed to a remaining frozen polarization in the PE phase that opposes polarization reversal. This reduced frozen depolarization field in the PE phase also influences the depolarization field of the Mg:LN layer above due to the presence of uncompensated polarization charge at the PE-Mg:LN boundary. These alterations in internal electric fields within the sample cause long-range lattice distortions in Mg:LN via electromechanical coupling, which were corroborated with complimentary Raman measurements.« less

Electronic structure of polycrystalline CVD-graphene revealed by Nano-ARPES

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chaoyu; Avila, José; Asensio, Maria C.

2017-06-01

The ability to explore electronic structure and their role in determining material’s macroscopic behaviour is essential to explain and engineer functions of material and device. Since its debut in 2004, graphene has attracted global research interest due to its unique properties. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has emerged as an important method for the massive preparation and production of graphene for various applications. Here by employing angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with nanoscale spatial resolution ˜ 100 nm (Nano-ARPES), we describe the approach to measure the electronic structure of polycrystalline graphene on copper foils, demonstrating the power of Nano-ARPES to detect the electronic structure of microscopic single crystalline domains, being fully compatible with conventional ARPES. Similar analysis could be employed to other microscopic materials

Wavelet analysis of polarization maps of polycrystalline biological fluids networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushenko, Y. A.

2011-12-01

The optical model of human joints synovial fluid is proposed. The statistic (statistic moments), correlation (autocorrelation function) and self-similar (Log-Log dependencies of power spectrum) structure of polarization two-dimensional distributions (polarization maps) of synovial fluid has been analyzed. It has been shown that differentiation of polarization maps of joint synovial fluid with different physiological state samples is expected of scale-discriminative analysis. To mark out of small-scale domain structure of synovial fluid polarization maps, the wavelet analysis has been used. The set of parameters, which characterize statistic, correlation and self-similar structure of wavelet coefficients' distributions of different scales of polarization domains for diagnostics and differentiation of polycrystalline network transformation connected with the pathological processes, has been determined.

Linear Thermal Expansion Measurements of Lead Magnesium Niobate (PMN) Electroceramic Material for the Terrestrial Planet Finder Coronagraph

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karlmann, Paul B.; Halverson, Peter G.; Peters, Robert D.; Levine, Marie B.; VanBuren, David; Dudik, Matthew J.

2005-01-01

Linear thermal expansion measurements of nine samples of Lead Magnesium Niobate (PMN) electroceramic material were recently performed in support of NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder Coronagraph (TPF-C) mission. The TPF-C mission is a visible light coronagraph designed to look at roughly 50 stars pre- selected as good candidates for possessing earth-like planets. Upon detection of an earth-like planet, TPF-C will analyze the visible-light signature of the planet's atmosphere for specific spectroscopic indicators that life may exist there. With this focus, the project's primary interest in PMN material is for use as a solid-state actuator for deformable mirrors or compensating optics. The nine test samples were machined from three distinct boules of PMN ceramic manufactured by Xinetics Inc. Thermal expansion measurements were performed in 2005 at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in their Cryogenic Dilatometer Facility. All measurements were performed in vacuum with sample temperature actively controlled over the range of 270K to 3 10K. Expansion and contraction of the test samples with temperature was measured using a JPL developed interferometric system capable of sub-nanometer accuracy. Presented in this paper is a discussion of the sample configuration, test facilities, test method, data analysis, test results, and future plans.

Thermoelectric properties of n-type polycrystalline BixSb2-xTe3 alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snyder, J.; Gerovac, N.; Caillat, T.

2002-01-01

(BixSbl-x)2Te3(.5 = x = .7) polycrystalline samples were synthesized using a combination of melting and powder metallurgy techniques. The samples were hot pressed in graphite dies and cut perpendicular and parallel to the pressing direction. Samples were examined by microprobe analysis to determine their atomic composition. The thermoelectric properties were measured at room temperature in both directions. These properties include Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, electrical resistivity, and Hall effect. The thermoelectric figure-of-merit, ZT, was calculated fiom these properties.

The role of scattering and absorption on the optical properties of birefringent polycrystalline ceramics: Modeling and experiments on ruby (Cr:Al2O3)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Penilla, E. H.; Hardin, C. L.; Kodera, Y.; Basun, S. A.; Evans, D. R.; Garay, J. E.

2016-01-01

Light scattering due to birefringence has prevented the use of polycrystalline ceramics with anisotropic optical properties in applications such as laser gain media. However, continued development of processing technology has allowed for very low porosity and fine grains, significantly improving transparency and is paving the way for polycrystalline ceramics to be used in demanding optical applications. We present a method for producing highly transparent Cr3+ doped Al2O3 (ruby) using current activated pressure assisted densification. The one-step doping/densification process produces fine grained ceramics with well integrated (doped) Cr, resulting in good absorption and emission. In order to explain the light transmission properties, we extend the analytical model based on the Rayleigh-Gans-Debye approximation that has been previously used for undoped alumina to include absorption. The model presented captures reflection, scattering, and absorption phenomena in the ceramics. Comparison with measured transmission confirms that the model adequately describes the properties of polycrystalline ruby. In addition the measured emission spectra and emission lifetime are found to be similar to single crystals, confirming the high optical quality of the ceramics.

Formation of self-organized domain structures with charged domain walls in lithium niobate with surface layer modified by proton exchange

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shur, V. Ya.; Akhmatkhanov, A. R.; Chuvakova, M. A.; Dolbilov, M. A.; Zelenovskiy, P. S.; Lobov, A. I.

2017-03-01

We have studied the self-organized dendrite domain structures appeared as a result of polarization reversal in the uniform field in lithium niobate single crystals with the artificial surface layer created by proton exchange. We have revealed the self-organized sub-micron scale dendrite domain patterns consisting of domain stripes oriented along the X crystallographic directions separated by arrays of dashed residual domains at the surface by scanning probe microscopy. Raman confocal microscopy allowed visualizing the quasi-regular dendrite domain structures with similar geometry in the vicinity of both polar surfaces. The depth of the structure was about 20 μm for Z+ polar surface and 70 μm for Z- one. According to the proposed mechanism, the dendrite structure formation at the surface was related to the ineffective screening of the residual depolarization field. The computer simulation of the structure formation based on the cellular automata model with probabilistic switching rule proved the eligibility of the proposed scheme, the simulated dendrite domain patterns at various depths being similar to the experimental ones.

Helium-induced hardening effect in polycrystalline tungsten

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, Fanhang; Qu, Miao; Yan, Sha; Zhang, Ailin; Peng, Shixiang; Xue, Jianming; Wang, Yugang

2017-09-01

In this paper, helium induced hardening effect of tungsten was investigated. 50 keV He2+ ions at fluences vary from 5 × 1015 cm-2 to 5 × 1017 cm-2 were implanted into polycrystalline tungsten at RT to create helium bubble-rich layers near the surface. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the irradiated specimens were studied by TEM and nano-indentor. Helium bubble rich layers are formed in near surface region, and the layers become thicker with the rise of fluences. Helium bubbles in the area of helium concentration peak are found to grow up, while the bubble density is almost unchanged. Obvious hardening effect is induced by helium implantation in tungsten. Micro hardness increases rapidly with the fluence firstly, and more slowly when the fluence is above 5 × 1016 cm-2. The hardening effect of tungsten can be attributed to helium bubbles, which is found to be in agreement with the Bacon-Orowan stress formula. The growing diameter is the major factor rather than helium bubbles density (voids distance) in the process of helium implantation at fluences below 5 × 1017 cm-2.