X-ray study of structural features of GaSb(Si) single crystals grown using a set of diffraction methods under various heat and mass transfer conditions

Structural features of GaSb(Si) single crystals grown under various heat and mass transfer conditions were studied by x-ray topography and by double- and triple-crystal diffractometry. It was shown that a decrease in the convective flow intensity during crystal growth by the vertical Bridgman method with axisymmetric upper heat supply in comparison with the Czochralski method eliminates growth striations (caused by microsegregation) and improves the uniformity of electrical parameters of materials. According to triple-crystal x-ray diffractometry data, the increased density of structural defects observed in some crystal regions causes significant lattice distortions, which makes an additional contribution to crystal inhomogeneity. Some specific features in x-ray topography images of growth striations, caused by a high silicon concentration and a dopant state deviation from an ideal substitutional solid solution, were revealed.     

The influence of defects in the crystal structure on helium diffusion in quartz

The solubility and diffusion of helium in quartz crystals are investigated as functions of the distribution and density of structural defects. The types of defects in the crystals are identified and their distribution over growth sectors is determined by x-ray diffraction topography and phase radiography with a synchrotron radiation source. The effective solubility and effective diffusion coefficients for helium in quartz are estimated from the experimental data on the amount of helium extracted from samples with different contents of defects. It is revealed that the effective diffusion coefficient of helium depends on the number of dislocations.     

Phase sensitive x-ray diffraction imaging of defects in biological macromolecular crystals

Conventional x-ray diffraction topography is currently used to map defects in the bulk of protein crystals, but the lack of sufficient contrast is frequently a limiting factor. We experimentally demonstrate that this barrier can be circumvented using a method that combines phase sensitive and diffraction imaging principles. Details of defects revealed in tetragonal lysozyme and cubic ferritin crystals are presented and discussed. The approach enabling the detection of the phase changes of diffracted x rays should prove to be useful in the study of defect structures in a broad range of biological macromolecular crystals.     

X-ray studies of Si<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ge<Subscript>x</Subscript> single crystals

Structural imperfections were studied in Si_1?xGe_x (1–9 at. % Ge) solid-solution single crystals grown using the Czochralski method. The studies were performed using x-ray diffraction topography with laboratory and synchrotron radiation sources, x-ray diffractometry, and synchrotron radiation phase radiography. In all crystals studied, irrespective of the Ge concentration, impurity bands (growth bands) were observed. An increase in the Ge concentration in the range 7–9 at. % was shown to bring about the nucleation and motion of dislocations on a few slip systems and the formation of slip bands. Local block structures were observed in the places where slip bands intersected. The most likely reason for the formation of slip bands is the inhomogeneous distribution of Ge atoms over the ingot diameter and along the growth axis. Therefore, the structure of Si_1?xGe_x solid-solution single crystals can be improved by making them more uniform in composition.     

Stroboscopic X-ray imaging of vibrating dislocations excited by 0.58 GHz phonons

We report on direct imaging, by means of stroboscopic x-ray topography, of phonon-induced dislocation vibrations. X-ray images taken from LiNbO3 crystals excited by 0.58 GHz surface acoustic waves, showed individual acoustic wave fronts as well as their distortions when crossing the dislocation line. The observed contrast is well explained by considering the dynamic deformation field of vibrating dislocation. Comparing simulated deformation maps and x-ray images permitted determination of the local velocities of vibrating dislocations and their viscosity coefficients. We found unexpectedly high velocity values (not far from the speed of sound) and extremely low viscosity coefficients, 2-3 orders of magnitude lower than previously measured in ductile materials.     

Structural investigations on YbRh2Si2: from the atomic to the macroscopic length scale

YbRh2Si2 has advanced to a prototype material for investigating physics related to the Kondo effect. An optimization of the synthesis resulted in single crystals of extraordinary crystalline quality. At the atomic scale, we utilize scanning tunneling microscopy to study the topography of cleaved single crystals. A structural and chemical analysis was conducted by highly accurate x-ray diffraction and wavelength dispersive x-ray spectroscopy measurements. The latter indicate a homogeneity range of the YbRh2Si2 phase between approximately 40.0–40.2 at.% Rh. For our high-quality samples the number of defects found on the atomic scale (of the order of 0.3% of the visible lattice sites) is in quantitative agreement with a very small off-stoichiometry within this homogeneity range. Comparing our results for these samples allows an assignment of the structural defects observed at the cleaved surfaces to Rh occupying Si sites and, even less numerous Si in Rh sites. Such an analysis is hampered for samples of lesser quality, but there seem to be numerous empty Si-sites. Based on these observations the results of scanning tunneling spectroscopy can be analyzed in further detail and provide insight into the Kondo physics.     

Influence of pulsed laser radiation on the real structure of CdTe single crystals

Back-reflection x-ray diffraction topography is used the measure the real structure of the surface layer of CdTe single crystals. It is found that the structural changes depend mainly on the laser power, on the presence of a doping impurity, and on the orientation and profile of the sample surface. Three distinct and conspicuous phenomena are discussed: overall improvement of the real structure of the surface layer, the periodic relief of the crystal surface, and twin mosaic structure. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 68–72 (January 1998)     

静电场作用下α一LiIO3单晶中子衍射增强现象的理论解释

本文根据(1)在偏振锥光下,用显微镜观察到α-LiIO₃单晶中层状缺陷在静电场作用下的变化;(2)静电场对a-LiIO₃单晶的X射线形貌象的影响;(3)用X射线双晶衍射测得α-LiIO₃单晶晶格参数的不均匀性,指出α-LiIO₃单晶在静电场作用下中子衍射增强现象是由于晶体中的空间电荷(载流子、杂质离子和空位)在宏观尺度缺陷处富集,造成晶格参数有一定梯度。我们对通常计算中子布喇格散射截面的玻恩近似,引入消光修正,得到畸变晶格中子衍射强度公式,可以解释文献[4—6]中观察到的各种现象。 关键词：     

Features of X-ray diffraction at elastic deformations near the dislocation axis in section topography techniques

Features of the formation of an x-ray diffraction image by x-ray section topography are considered for a strongly distorted region near the dislocation axis in silicon single crystals. The results of experimental investigations and numerical calculations of the diffraction contrast and section topographs of rectilinear dislocations are presented for their different orientations and positions in the scattering triangle in silicon single crystals. A comparison and an analysis of the experimental topographs and the simulated images lead to the conclusion that the structure of the image of a dislocation strongly depends on its position and orientation in the scattering triangle. It has been found that each point of the strongly distorted region of the elastic field of a dislocation becomes a source of a new wave field propagating under the dislocation in a new scattering triangle. This new field interferes with the primary wave field forming the observed diffraction image of a dislocation. The addition of these waves with regard to their amplitudes and phases results in a large variety of images of defects. A comparison of different dislocation orientations in the Borrmann triangle allowed us to evaluate the role of different effects determined by the interference of the initial and newly formed wave fields, to determine on this basis the main dislocation parameters, and to optimize the diffraction conditions of the topographic measurement for the investigation of elastic-field characteristics.     

Growth and characterization of ferroelectric SrBi2Ta2O9 single crystals via high-temperature self-flux solution method

SrBi₂Ta₂O₉ (SBT) single crystals were produced by the high-temperature self-flux solution method using a Bi₂O₃ flux modified with B₂O₃. The processing conditions were optimized to obtain large and translucent SBT crystals with a layered habit and typical dimensions of approximately 7 × 5 × 0.2 mm. X-ray diffraction and x-ray topography measurements revealed that the major faces of the crystals with natural rectangular platelet morphology are perfectly (001)-oriented with edges directed along the [110] directions. The high quality of the crystals was confirmed by rocking curves (half-width of 0.04° for the (0018) reflection) and by ferroelectric measurements. The anisotropy in the dielectric and ferroelectric properties was investigated both along the [110] (ab plane) and the [001] (c axis) directions. The growth mechanism, morphology, and dielectric anisotropy of the SBT crystal platelets are discussed based on its crystallographic structure. This article was submitted by the authors in English     

Analysis of dislocation images in X-ray topography of protein crystals: tetragonal hen egg-white lysozyme crystals

Dislocation images in X-ray topography of protein crystals such as tetragonal hen egg-white lysozyme crystals were analyzed. Not only extinction but also double contrast of dislocation images are clearly observed on the X-ray topographs. It should be noted that the observed image widths of the dislocation contrasts are much less than those calculated on the basis of the kinematical theory in X-ray topography, which has been successfully applied for inorganic crystals and organic crystals of small molecules so far. Moreover, in tetragonal HEW lysozyme crystals, the rocking curve widths of the perfect crystal related to the kinematical theory are less than the measured ones by two orders of magnitude. This discrepancy is consistent with that in the image width of the dislocation contrast. From this correlation, it is suggested that the larger rocking curve width, or higher mosaicity, is mainly responsible for the observed image width in the grown crystals.     

Method of phase-dispersion introscopy

A method is described for studying the internal structure of noncrystalline objects which are weak x-ray absorbers. The method uses the conventional arrangement of plane-wave topography. The object to be investigated is immersed in a monochromatic pseudoplane wave formed by a highly asymmetric reflection off a perfect crystal or several crystals and introduces phase disruptions at the wave front. A perfect single crystal mounted behind the object in a Laue arrangement reveals these disturbances, forming a contrast image of the boundaries of the structural components of the object. The possibilities of the method are illustrated by photographs of objects of various natures. The features of the image contrasts are discussed and confirmed by experiments on test objects. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 67, 68–77 (January 1997)     

Nanoscale imaging of mineral crystals inside biological composite materials using X-ray diffraction microscopy

We for the first time applied x-ray diffraction microscopy to the imaging of mineral crystals inside biological composite materials--intramuscular fish bone--at the nanometer scale resolution. We identified mineral crystals in collagen fibrils at different stages of mineralization. Based on the experimental results and biomineralization analyses, we suggested a dynamic model to account for the nucleation and growth of mineral crystals in the collagen matrix. The results obtained from this study not only further our understanding of the complex structure of bone, but also demonstrate that x-ray diffraction microscopy will become an important tool to study biological materials.     

KTP(001)晶体分光性能研究

根据同步辐射光源对软X射线分光晶体的性能要求,分析了软X射线能区常用分光晶体的性能优劣,指出对于晶格常数值大的分光晶体,KTP(KTiOPO₄)(011)是该能区比较理想的分光晶体. 同时提出了一种利用同步辐射光源测量晶体衍射效率的实验方法,指出光源的发散度与晶体的衍射效率密切相关. 测量了KTP(011)晶体的晶格常数,给出了KTP(011)晶体的实测衍射效率. 关键词： 同步辐射 KTP(011)晶体 衍射效率 光源发散度     

Shear modulus and plasticity of a driven charge density wave

We have probed the effects of transverse variations in pinning strength on charge-density-wave (CDW) structure in NbSe3 by x-ray micro-beam diffraction. In ribbonlike crystals having a large longitudinal step in thickness, the CDW first depins on the thick side of the step, causing rotations of the CDW wave vector. By measuring these rotations as a function of position and electric field, the corresponding shear strains are determined, allowing the CDW's shear modulus to be estimated. These results demonstrate the usefulness of x-ray microdiffraction as a tool in studying collective dynamics in electronic crystals.     

Measurement of integral diffraction coefficients of crystals on beamline 4B7 of Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility

Integral diffraction coefficients of the crystal are the essential data of a crystal spectrometer which is extensively used to measure quantitative x-ray spectra of high temperature plasmas in kilo-electron-volt region. An experimental method has been developed to measure the integral diffraction coefficients of crystals on beamline 4B7 of Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The integral diffraction coefficients of several crystals including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), thallium acid phthalate (TlAP) and rubidium acid phthalate (RAP) crystals have been measured in the x-ray energy range 2100--5600 eV and compared with the calculations of the 'Darwin Prins' and the 'Mosaic' models. It is shown that the integral diffraction coefficients of these crystals are between the calculations of the 'Darwin Prins' and the 'Mosaic' models, but more close to the `Darwin Prins' model calculations.     

Detection of parametric X-ray radiation from moderately relativistic protons in crystals

The spectral maxima of parametric x-ray radiation that are emitted by moderately relativistic protons interacting with various crystals have been detected. The spectral positions of these maxima depend on the crystal orientation angle and they are consistent with the theoretical values. The measurements were carried out with silicon and graphite crystals on the 5-GeV proton beam extracted from the Nuclotron at the Laboratory of High Energies, JINR.     

Focusing crystal mirrors for X-ray diagnostics of laser-produced plasma

The paper describes an investigation of the characteristics of spherical focusing Bragg-reflection mirrors. The integral reflectivity of bent crystals at Bragg angles 80–90°, the width of the spectrum of the reflected x-rays, and the spatial resolution of the images formed by the focusing crystals are considered. Results are presented of the calculated integral reflectivity of bent silicon and quartz crystals of different orientation and in different orders of reflection. The feasibility is demonstrated of laser-plasma diagnostics using the images obtained with the aid of a multichannel x-ray microscope based on focusing crystals. Possible schemes of active diagnostics of a dense laser plasma using a monochromatic transilluminating x-ray beam are considered.Laser Plasma Laboratory, Lebedev Physics Institute. Translated from FIAN Preprint No. 143, Lebedev Physics Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow, 1989.     

Influence of the degree of plastic deformation on the thermal photostability of F-centers in NaCl crystals

The effect of plastic deformations on the thermal stability and thermal photostability of F-centers in NaCl crystals was examined. The thermal photostability of F-centers and the thermal stability of some of these centers increases in proportion to the degree of plastic deformation. The concentration of the less stable F-centers increases due to plastic deformation. The effect was studied in crystals which were deformed before and after x-ray excitation. The results were interpreted from the viewpoint of an ionic activation mechanism in the thermal and photothermal decomposition of the color centers in alkalihalide crystals.The authors are indebted to Yu. L. Lukantsever for an evaluation of the results of this work.     

具有原子分辨率的x射线荧光全息术的数值模拟研究

根据x射线荧光全息术的成像原理，对体心立方晶系的Fe单晶进行了数值模拟（包括荧光全 息图及其重构像），在各个晶面（001，010，100）上得到Fe原子的像，与Fe的晶格模型的 原子位置一致，表明运用这种x射线荧光全息术，能够在原子水平上得到单晶或准晶体的内 部结构图像. 关键词： x射线荧光全息术 同步辐射 晶体结构 傅里叶变换