Global symmetry breaking in the nonconserved order parameter system during phase ordering

We study global symmetry breaking in the 2D system of scalar nonconserved order parameter following a quench to zero temperature. We show that the instant of time when the symmetry is broken and the final morphology is chosen corresponds to the saturation of the order parameter inside the domains. There are three possible final morphologies: the positive and negative order parameter final morphology, and the state of the coexisting positive and negative order parameter subsystems with a flat interface between them. We find also that each type of the final morphology constitutes about 1/3 of all cases, what agrees with the results obtained recently by Spirin et al. [Phys. Rev. E 65, 016119 (2001)]. Our results are pertinent for the two dimensional systems, but we suspect that there is also a way to apply similar arguments for the three dimensional ones.     

Perturbation approach to elastic constitutive relations of polycrystals

Herein we obtain a formula for the effective elastic stiffness tensor C^eff of an orthorhombic aggregate of cubic crystallites by the perturbation method. The effective elastic stiffness tensor of the polycrystal gives the relationship between volume average stress and volume average strain. Under Voigt's model, Reuss’ model and Man's theory, the elastic constitutive relation accounts for the effect of the orientation distribution function (ODF) up to terms linear in the texture coefficients. However, the formula derived in this paper delineates the effect of crystallographic texture on elastic response and shows quadratic texture dependence. The formula is very simple. We also consider the influence of grain shape to elastic constitutive relations of polycrystals. Some examples are given to compare computational results of the formula with those given by Voigt's model, Reuss's model, the finite element method, and the self-consistent method. In Section 3, we also present an expression of the perturbation displacement field, in which Green's function for an orthorhombic aggregate of cubic crystallites is included.     

Scaling and self-similarity in Pb<Subscript>1-x</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>x</Subscript>S nanoparticle films

This paper addresses the issues of scaling and self-similarity in typical nanoparticle films. The role played by microscopic processes contributing to growth on these issues is probed. While we perform this investigation for a specific system viz., Pb_1-xFe_xS nanoparticle films for clarity of the procedures, the analysis is general and can be applied to a variety of systems obtained using different deposition techniques.     

Modeling texture evolution in equal channel angular extrusion using crystal plasticity finite element models

A new approach to modeling crystallographic texture evolution in Equal Channel Angular Extrusion (ECAE) is presented in this paper. The proposed approach utilizes an elastic–viscoplastic single crystal constitutive model implemented in a finite element framework. A representative volume element of the polycrystal is subjected to boundary conditions that simulate the approximate deformation history experienced by different regions of the sample (at different through-thickness depths) in both Route A and Route C processing. The proposed approach aims to capture the influence of the complex interactions that ensue among the constituent individual crystals of a polycrystal in controlling the texture evolution in the sample, while capturing the boundary conditions inherent to ECAE deformation. The predictions from the proposed approach are compared against previously reported experimental measurements in ECAE of copper. It is observed that the proposed approach provides significantly better agreement with the measurements when compared against previously reported model predictions.     

Synthesis and Characterization of A Novel Cholesteric Liquid Crystalline Containing Carboxyl Group

A novel liquid crystal compound with a carboxyl group at one end, cholest-5-en-3-ol-(3β) hydrogen decanedioate (1) was successfuly prepared by the reaction of cholesterol with sebacoxl chloride. Its chemical structure and liquid crystalline properties were characterized by FTIR.CNMR,HNMR,POM and DSC. The compound with an active carboxyl group shows themortropic liquid crystalline behaviour.     

Microstructure of nickel nanoparticles embedded in carbon films: case study on annealing effect by micromorphology analysis

The presented study is aimed at analyzing the surface texture of amorphous hydrogenated carbon layers containing nickel nanoparticles (Ni‐NPs@a‐C:H) within their structure, which were deposited by Radio Frequency (RF) sputtering and RF‐Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (RF‐PECVD) methods on glass substrates. Prepared films were then used as research material following their annealing at two different temperatures of 250 °C and 350 °C in an inert argon atmosphere. Series of height samples were taken with the help of atomic force microscopy (AFM) operating in a non‐contact mode and examined in order to determine their fractal characteristics. Raw AFM data were first plane‐fitted to remove the surface bow exhibiting the so‐called residual surface, and then numerically processed to calculate the Areal Autocorrelation Function (AACF), which was later used to compute the Structure Function (SF). The log–log plots of the latter served for calculation of fractal properties of surfaces under investigation, including fractal dimension D, and pseudo‐topothesy K. The analysis of 3‐D surface texture helps to understand their essential characteristics and their implications as well as graphical models and their implementation in computer simulation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterisation and effect of polymer network deformation in reverse-mode polymer-stabilised cholesteric texture

In reverse-mode polymer-stabilised cholesteric texture (PSCT), the dynamic response is derived from local director reorientation governed by dielectric coupling effect/self-assembly and polymer network deformation. A double exponential rise/decay model is proposed to investigate the underlying physical mechanisms. Through simulation of the transient rise and decay processes, the polymer network deformation in PSCT can be quantitatively evaluated. Less deformation and faster restoration speed of the polymer network can suppress hysteresis. These results provide useful guidelines for future PSCT fabrication and performance optimisation.     

Director configurations in nematic droplets with tilted surface anchoring

The polymer dispersed nematic liquid crystal (LC) with the tilted surface anchoring has been studied. The droplet orientational structures with two point surface defects – boojums and the surface ring defect – are formed within the films. The director tilt angle α = 40° ± 4° at the droplet interface and LC surface anchoring strength W_s ~ 10^–6 (J m^?2) have been estimated. The bipolar axes within the studied droplets of oblate ellipsoidal form can be randomly oriented are oriented randomly relatively to the ellipsoid axes as opposed to the droplets with homeotropic and tangential anchoring.     

Geometry dependence of the viscosity of a thermotropic LC-polymer measured by slit dies

This paper reports on geometry dependent viscosity curves of the biaxial thermotropic LC-Polymer Vectra B 950 measured with rectangular slit dies. The geometry dependence of the flow behaviour originates from the flow of two layers. The layer near the wall is highly flow oriented and free from defects. The layer in the bulk has an ordered texture. The thickness of the wall layer decreases with wall shear stress. Based on the Frank theory and the assumption that the core of a moving disclination is the smallest radius of distortion, the wall layer thickness is predicted and compared with experimental data.     

Residual stress analysis near a cold expanded hole in a textured alclad sheet using X-ray diffraction

In this paper we present the methods of determination and the stress obtained at the periphery of a cold expanded hole in a 2024-T3 Alclad aluminum alloy sheet. The measurements in the aluminum clad were performed by the sin²Ψ method, taking experimental precautions to deal with the texture effects. In the core aluminum a special method had to be implemented to determine the stress values in a direction not accessible to the X-ray diffraction. The strains were measured in sample orientations selected according to the texture characteristics and stress factorsF _ij were used to calculate the stress tensor. TheF _ij values were determined assuming a quasi-isotropic material behavior, after concluding that the stress results were not significantly affected by factors calculated for textured material. The residual stress profile, both in the clad and in the sheet, shows a nearly axisymmetric stress state. Compressive stresses were observed near the periphery of the hole, with values that are higher on the exit than on the entrance face. Residual stresses were also higher in the hoop direction than in the radial direction. They decreased with the radial distance to the hole and affected the previous stress state over a distance of 6 mm. The plastic deformation induced by the cold expansion is well evidenced by the FWHM values, which in the affected zone decrease with increasing distance from the hole edge.