Measurements of electron density and plasma current distributions in Tokamak plasma

A submillimeter-wave, phase-modulated polarimeter/interferometer is used for simultaneous time-dependent measurement of line-averaged electron density and poloidal field-induced Faraday rotation along chords of the plasma column in ISX-B tokamak. Heterodyne detection and hollow dielectric waveguide are utilized to achieve the high sensitivity required for the multichord experiment. A data analysis code has been developed to reconstruct the asymmetric distributions of plasma density. The validity of the code is examined, and the result shows good agreement with density profiles measured by Thomson scattering.Work sponsored by the Division of Magnetic Fusion Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, under contract W-7405-eng-26 with the Union Carbide Corporation.     

Temperature fields control in the process of spark plasma sintering of thermoelectrics

The process of creating thermoelectrics by spark plasma sintering of nanostructured powders in order to obtain materials with improved thermoelectric properties has been modeled. The factors that influence the distribution of thermal field in the sintering process have been analyzed. The influence of geometric parameters of tooling on the formation of temperature gradient field required for effective sintering of functionally gradient materials and segmented branches of thermo-elements has been considered. The results can be used to determine the conditions and modes of sintering of functionally gradient materials in installations of spark plasma sintering and hot pressing.     

放电等离子固相烧结制备高密度LaB6阴极性能

采用放电等离子烧结（SPS）技术,以碳化硼还原法制备的LaB6粉末为原料,制备了高致密LaB6多晶块体阴极,并系统研究了烧结温度、压力对LaB6烧结样品的物相、结构和性能的影响。确定了SPS烧结LaB6的最佳工艺为：压力50 MPa,烧结温度1 650 ℃,保温时间10 min。实验结果表明：与其它LaB6多晶制备方法相比,SPS制备得到的LaB6烧结块体的力学及发射性能均有大幅提高,样品相对密度达到96.2％,维氏硬度达到1 720 kg/mm2,抗弯强度达到203.2 MPa。样品在1 520 ℃温度下发射电流密度达到17.41 A/cm2,功函数为2.40 eV。SPS制备法显著降低了LaB6的烧结温度,缩短了烧结时间。     

放电等离子固相烧结制备高密度LaB_6阴极性能

采用放电等离子烧结(SPS)技术,以碳化硼还原法制备的LaB6粉末为原料,制备了高致密LaB6多晶块体阴极,并系统研究了烧结温度、压力对LaB6烧结样品的物相、结构和性能的影响。确定了SPS烧结LaB6的最佳工艺为:压力50MPa,烧结温度1650℃,保温时间10min。实验结果表明:与其它LaB6多晶制备方法相比,SPS制备得到的LaB6烧结块体的力学及发射性能均有大幅提高,样品相对密度达到96.2%,维氏硬度达到1720kg/mm2,抗弯强度达到203.2MPa。样品在1520℃温度下发射电流密度达到17.41A/cm2,功函数为2.40eV。SPS制备法显著降低了LaB的烧结温度,缩短了烧结时间。     

放电等离子烧结制备纳米Ni块体材料

采用自悬浮定向流法制备纳米Ni粉体,利用放电等离子烧结技术制备出了直径10 mm、厚2 mm,致密度为96.8 %,显微硬度为4.17 GPa的纳米块体材料。用X射线衍射仪、扫描电子显微镜和显微硬度计分析了烧结块体样品的相组成、晶粒尺寸、微观形貌和显微硬度。研究表明：随烧结温度的升高,块体样品的致密度和晶粒尺寸增大,当烧结温度为650 ℃时,致密度最高,晶粒尺寸为44.8 nm;显微硬度随烧结温度的增高先增大后减小,当烧结温度为550 ℃时,显微硬度最大为4.33 GPa;较高烧结温度下,断口微观形貌的纳米级韧窝出现,显示了韧性断裂的特征。     

Densification mechanisms during reactive spark plasma sintering of Titanium diboride and Zirconium diboride

Abstract

In this study, dense fine-grained ZrB₂ and TiB₂ were fabricated using reactive spark plasma sintering (RSPS) of ball-milled Zr/B and Ti/B mixtures. Systematic investigations were carried out to understand the mechanisms of reactive sintering. Two densification mechanisms were found to be operating during RSPS. The first stage of densification was due to self-propagating high temperature synthesis reaction leading to formation of ZrB₂ and TiB₂ compacts having relative density of ~48 and ~65%, respectively. The second stage of densification occurred at temperatures more than 1100 °C and resulted in final relative density of more than 98%. Electron backscatter diffraction and electron microscopy studies on interrupted RSPS samples as well as dense samples showed deformed grains and presence of slip steps while grain orientation spread map and pole figure analysis confirmed plastic flow. Plastic flow-aided pore closure is shown as major mechanism during reactive sintering.     

Properties of B_4C-TiB_2 ceramics prepared by spark plasma sintering

By doping titanium hydride(TiH2) into boron carbide(B4C), a series of B4C + x wt% TiH2(x = 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20)composite ceramics were obtained through spark plasma sintering(SPS). The effects of the sintering temperature and the amount of TiH2 additive on the microstructure, mechanical and electrical properties of the sintered B4C-TiB2 composite ceramics were investigated. Powder mixtures of B4C with 0–20 wt% TiH2 were heated from 1400℃ to 1800℃ for 20 min under 50 MPa. The results indicated that higher sintering temperatures contributed to greater ceramic density. With increasing TiH2 content, titanium diboride(TiB2) formed between the TiH2 and B4C matrix. This effectively improved Young’s modulus and fracture toughness of the composite ceramics, significantly improving their electrical properties: the electrical conductivity reached 114.9 S·cm-1 at 1800℃ when x = 20. Optimum mechanical properties were obtained for the B4C ceramics sintered with 20 wt% TiH2, which had a relative density of 99.9±0.1%, Vickers hardness of 31.8 GPa,and fracture toughness of 8.5 MPa·m1/2. The results indicated that the doping of fine Ti particles into the B4C matrix increased the conductivity and the fracture toughness of B4C.     

High coercivity FePt-C bulk magnet processed by spark plasma sintering and hot deformation

A high coercivity of 11 kOe has been obtained in spark plasma sintered and hot-deformed Fe₅₃Pt₄₄C₃ bulk magnets. The origin for the high coercivity has been investigated using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The average grain size of the ordered phase was ∼100 nm, which is less than the single domain size of the L1₀-FePt phase. Fe₃C particles were found surrounding the L1₀-FePt grains, which suppress the grain growth. The L1₀ ordering is also found to increase in hot-deformed sample by annealing in a magnetic field of 10 T at 600 °C.     

Preparation and properties of nanocrystalline BNT-BTx piezoelectric ceramics by sol-gel and spark plasma sintering

(Bi_0.5Na_0.5)TiO₃ was doped in situ with 5, 8, and 11 mol% BaTiO₃ (BNT-BT_x; x = 0.05, 0.08 and 0.11) using a sol-gel technique. The resulting powders from gel precursors showed microstructures consisting of nano-sized grains and crystalline perovskite structure. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique was used to prepare high densified (98–99%ρ_theor) BNT-BT_x ceramics from these nanopowders. The results confirm the spark plasma sintering method applied to nano-scale powders, obtained by sol-gel, as a viable route in producing nanostructured ceramics. The evolution of the structure and electrical properties of the ceramics with BaTiO₃ concentration (x) was investigated. The permittivity of BNT-BT_0.08 ceramic is higher (ε_r = 2090, at 100 kHz) than that for x = 0.05 (ε_r = 1350) and x = 0.11 (ε_r = 1800). BNT-BT_0.08 ceramic shows maximum values for the frequency constants (N_p, N_t), piezoelectric charge coefficient (d₃₁) and piezoelectric voltage coefficient (g₃₁), and minimum values for the electromechanical coupling factor (k_p) and piezoelectric charge coefficient (d₃₃). The electrical properties of these ceramics are influenced by grains size, oxygen deficiency and non-uniform internal stresses due to these oxygen deficiencies. BNT-BT_x ceramics sintered by SPS seem to be good ceramic resonators with high mechanical quality factor (Q_m).     

Enhanced magnetization and suppressed current leakage in BiFeO3 ceramics prepared by spark plasma sintering of sol-gel derived nanoparticles

BiFeO₃ (BFO) ceramics of different grain size have been synthesized by spark plasma sintering of sol-gel derived nanoparticles. It was found that with decreasing grain size there occurs an enhancement in magnetization and a simultaneous suppression in current leakage. According to systematic materials characterization, the enhanced magnetization is attributed to the enriched grain boundaries where the missing structural order perturbs the spin helix structure of BFO and thus generates uncompensated spins, while the reduced current leakage is ascribed to fewer conduction paths provided by the compacted grain structure.     

过电流状态下超导直流电缆温度分布与电流分布

针对处于过电流状态的单液氮流道超导直流电缆和双液氮流道超导直流电缆,在MATLAB中建立超导电缆在过电流状态下的YBCO层、金属层和铜骨架的并联电阻模型。同时在COMSOL中建立固体传热模型,通过程序调用实现COMSOL和MATLAB的联合仿真,计算出电流分布和温度分布。在COMSOL中建立流固共轭传热模型,利用联合仿真的数据计算两种结构的电缆在不同电流下的温度分布,并分析铜骨架半径和液氮流速对电缆温度分布的影响。     

Collisionless stopping of electron current in an inhomogeneous electron magnetohydrodynamics plasma

A brief review of a recent work on a novel collisionless scheme for stopping electron current pulse in plasma is presented. This scheme relies on the inhomogeneity of the plasma medium. This mechanism can be used for heating an overdense regime of plasma where lasers cannot penetrate. The method can ensure efficient localized heating at a desired location. The suitability of the scheme to the frontline fast ignition laser fusion experiment has been illustrated.     

放电等离子烧结原位合成LaxCe1-xB6化合物及性能研究

以LaH₂, CeH₂纳米粉和无定形B粉为原料, 通过放电等离子烧结原位合成法制备了单相、高致密度的La_xCe_1-xB₆稀土六硼化物. 系统研究了该系列化合物的晶体结构、表面织构、力学性能、电输运特性及热发射性能. 结果表明, 该方法制备出的样品致密度均高于96%, 维氏硬度最高值达到2310 kg/mm², 说明具有良好的力学性能. 热发射结果表明, 当阴极温度为1873 K, 外加电压为1 kV时, La_0.6Ce_0.4B₆的最大发射电流密度达到40.7 A/cm², 该值高于单纯LaB₆和CeB₆电流密度值. 因此, La_xCe_1-xB₆多元稀土六硼化物作为热阴极材料将有良好的应用前景. 关键词： 稀土六硼化物 阴极材料 热电子发射     

Understanding the current-voltage characteristics of industrial crystalline silicon solar cells by considering inhomogeneous current distributions

Solar cells made from multi- or mono-crystalline silicon wafers are the base of today’s photovoltaics industry. These devices are essentially large-area semiconductor p-n junctions. Technically, solar cells have a relatively simple structure, and the theory of p-n junctions was established already decades ago. The generally accepted model for describing them is the so-called two-diode model. However, the current-voltage characteristics of industrial solar cells, particularly of that made from multi-crystalline silicon material, show significant deviations from established diode theory. These deviations regard the forward and the reverse dark characteristics as well as the relation between the illuminated characteristics to the dark ones. In the recent years it has been found that the characteristics of industrial solar cells can only be understood by taking into account local inhomogeneities of the dark current flow. Such inhomogeneities can be investigated by applying lock-in thermography techniques. Based on these and other investigations, meanwhile the basic properties of industrial silicon solar cells are well understood. This contribution reviews the most important experimental results leading to the present state of physical understanding of the dark and illuminated characteristics of multi-crystalline industrial solar cells. This analysis should be helpful for the continuing process of optimizing such cells for further increasing their energy conversion efficiency.     

Absorption of ultrashort electromagnetic pulses in plasma with inhomogeneous distribution of density and temperature

The analysis of influence of the inhomogeneous distribution of temperature and density of atoms on the probability of absorption of ultrashort electromagnetic pulses in plasma is carried out. A specific example of divertor plasma of tokamaks and absorption in the Lyman series (at the Ly-α line) is considered. It is shown that the absorption probability may exceed relative populations of excited levels in divertor plasma by several orders of magnitude. The influence of the pulse duration on the probability of excitation of an atomic level is considered. The results suggest a possibility of a sharp increase in a fluorescence signal under the action of an ultrashort pulse.     

Reactivity between CuxV2O5 and AgyV2O5 bronzes studied by spark plasma sintering

A method based on the analysis of reaction layers that form in Cu_xV₂O₅–Ag_yV₂O₅ interdiffusion couples annealed by spark plasma sintering to quickly explore the Cu–Ag–V₂O₅ ternary system at high pressure is presented. Through use of microanalysis profiling, the phases occurring in this system have been obtained much faster than by conventional techniques of solid-state chemistry. Microdiffraction profiling has also been used to properly identify the Cu_0.5Ag_0.5V₂O₅ phase in the reaction layer between CuV₂O₅ and Ag_0.8V₂O₅. The stability domains of the phases have been approximately determined and interpreted. In most cases, reaction kinetics occurs quickly, as expected by the high diffusion coefficient of Cu and Ag in V₂O₅. Though the experiments have been carried out under high pressure (75 MPa), the same phases are obtained than with sealed quartz tubes experiments.