Ga-induced superstructures on the Si(1 1 1) 7 × 7 surface

Monolayer Ga adsorption on Si surfaces has been studied with the aim of forming p-delta doped nanostructures. Ga surface phases on Si can be nitrided by N₂⁺ ion bombardment to form GaN nanostructures with exotic electron confinement properties for novel optoelectronic devices. In this study, we report the adsorption of Ga in the submonolayer regime on 7 × 7 reconstructed Si(1 1 1) surface at room temperature, under controlled ultrahigh vacuum conditions. We use in-situ Auger electron spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy and low energy electron diffraction to monitor the growth and determine the properties. We observe that Ga grows in the Stranski-Krastanov growth mode, where islands begin to form on two flat monolayers. The variation in the dangling bond density is observed during the interface evolution by monitoring the Si (LVV) line shape. The Ga adsorbed system is subjected to thermal annealing and the residual thermal desorption studied. The difference in the adsorption kinetics and desorption dynamics on the surface morphology is explained in terms of strain relaxation routes and bonding configurations. Due to the presence of an energetic hierarchy of residence sites of adatoms, site we also plot a 2D phase diagram consisting of several surface phases. Our EELS results show that the electronic properties of the surface phases are unique to their respective structural arrangement.     

Silicidation in Ni/Si thin film system investigated by X-ray diffraction and Auger electron spectroscopy

Silicide formation induced by thermal annealing in Ni/Si thin film system has been investigated using glancing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Silicide formation takes place at 870 K with Ni₂Si, NiSi and NiSi₂ phases co-existing with Ni. Complete conversion of intermediate silicide phases to the final NiSi₂ phase takes place at 1170 K. Atomic force microscopy measurements have revealed the coalescence of pillar-like structures to ridge-like structures upon silicidation. A comparison of the experimental results in terms of the evolution of various silicide phases is presented.     

Low-temperature phase transition in α′-(BEDT-TTF)2IBr2 single crystals detected by the ESR method

A hysteresis of electron spin resonance spectra, which indicates a first-order phase transition, has been revealed in α′-(BEDT-TTF)₂IBr₂ single crystals in the temperature range 15–30 K. Two lines corresponding to the high-temperature and low-temperature phases have been observed in the ESR spectra.     

Resonance phenomena of π-mode forming in multi-element gratings

An analysis of resonances of scattering from multi-element grating formed by a finite number of resonant elements is presented. It has been shown that gratings with three and more elements on its period can support the π-mode. The π-mode of a grating is characterized by the existence of the regions in the vicinity of the grating and along its period where the electromagnetic field has opposite phases. The existence and excitation of the π-mode in finite gratings with resonant cells formed by several scatterers having open cavities have been studied. The particular case of the grating with cells formed by three identical slotted cylinders has been considered in detail. An application of gratings which support the π-mode in electron-vacuum oscillators of millimeter waves for efficient deceleration of electrons and extracting energy from electron beam is discussed.     

Two superconducting phases in the d=3 Hubbard model

The phase diagram of the d=3 Hubbard model is calculated as a function of temperature and electron density 〈n_i〉, in the full range of densities between 0 and 2 electrons per site, using renormalization-group theory. An antiferromagnetic phase occurs at lower temperatures, at and near the half-filling density of 〈n_i〉= 1. The antiferromagnetic phase is unstable to hole or electron doping of at most 15%, yielding to two distinct“τ" phases: for large coupling U/t, one such phase occurs between 30–35% hole or electron doping, and for small to intermediate coupling U/t another such phase occurs between 10–18% doping. Both τ phases are distinguished by non-zero hole or electron hopping expectation values at all length scales. Under further doping, the τ phases yield to hole- or electron-rich disordered phases. We have calculated the specific heat over the entire phase diagram. The low-temperature specific heat of the weak-coupling τ phase shows an exponential decay, indicating a gap in the excitation spectrum, and a cusp singularity at the phase boundary. The strong-coupling τ phase, on the other hand, has a critical exponent α≈-1, and an additional peak in the specific heat above the transition temperature possibly indicating pair formation. In the limit of large Coulomb repulsion, the phase diagram of the tJ model is recovered.     

Variety of iron silicides grown on Si(0 0 1) surfaces by solid phase epitaxy: Schematic phase diagram

We systematically studied the formation of various iron-silicide phases, grown on Si(0 0 1) surfaces by solid phase epitaxy, with scanning tunneling microscopy, low-energy electron diffraction and reflection high-energy electron diffraction. We found and studied the phases of c(2 × 2) islands, rectangle-like islands, elongated islands, layered islands, dome-like islands, eddy and cracked structures, and small clusters. A schematic phase diagram of these phases is successfully summarized against iron coverage at room temperature and subsequent annealing temperature.     

Two series of triple- and single-domain reconstructions induced by europium on vicinal Si(1 1 1) [ ]-miscut surface

The growth and properties of Eu-induced one-dimensional reconstructions on vicinal Si(1 1 1) surface miscut in the [ ] direction have been studied by low energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscope in the submonolayer range. The focus has been attended to the formation of single-domain structures and the influence of preparation parameters on the domain orientation. We have found the critical conditions for the preparation of a variety of Eu-induced single-domain (n×2) and (n×1) structures. In addition, a new intermediate phase showing the 9×1 periodicity between 3×2 and 2×1 phases is detected.     

Crystallization process of Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O glass

A crystallization study has been carried out for rapidly solidified Bi₂Pb_0.5Sr₂Ca₄Cu₅O_x glass. Glass transition temperature T _g, crystallized superconducting phases and microstructural changes were measured and analysed by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The crystallization mechanism of the three superconducting phases — (2201) 20 K phase, (2212) 80 K phase, and (2223) 110 K phase — has been discussed, and a time-temperature-transformation diagram for the glass has been constructed.     

Development of copper coatings on ceramic powder by electroless technique

Electroless (EL) coating technique is one of the elegant ways of coating by controlling the temperature and pH of the coating bath in which there is no usage of electric current. EL nano-copper coating on ceramic particles of micron size is not reported. In this investigation, ceramic powders of ∼100 μm size have been coated with copper by EL technique in the pH and temperature ranges of 12-13.5 and 60-85 °C, respectively. The optimization of EL copper bath has been evaluated through the combination of process parameters like pH and temperature. The optimized value of pH is found to be 12.5 and temperature as 75 °C. The coated and uncoated powders have been subjected to microstructural studies by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the phases present have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction. An attempt has been made to understand the bonding mechanism of coating. The adherence with the substrate is attributed to the chemical and mechanical bonding at the interface. A model has been suggested for the mechanical bonding effect at the interface.     

A spectro-microscopic study of the reactive phase separation of Au + Pd and O on Rh(1 1 0)

Reorganization of Au + Pd submonolayers on a Rh(1 1 0) surface occurring during the water formation reaction has been observed and characterized by low energy electron microscopy (LEEM) and X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (XPEEM). The results demonstrate segregation of Au + Pd and oxygen into separate surface phases, the morphology and size of the O and Au + Pd patterns being governed by the reaction parameters and adsorbate coverage. At moderate Au + Pd coverages and temperatures in the range 760-860 K, lamellar periodic Au + Pd/O micro-structures are generated. The results are interpreted in terms of kinetic and thermodynamic considerations.     

Orientation dependence of the surface segregation kinetics in Cu-6 at % Ge alloy

The surface segregation kinetics of germanium on the (110), (111), and (100) faces of Cu-6 at % Ge alloy has been investigated in the temperature range of 525–700 K by electron spectroscopy. In the initial annealing stage, Ge is accumulated on the surface, forming a phase similar to a supersaturated solid solution. When the Ge concentration reaches 25–40 at % (depending on the face), it forms well-ordered 2D phases, whose structure is determined by the face orientation. In the surface region the bulk diffusion parameters exhibit anisotropy; the Ge diffusion activation energy is minimum near the (110) face.     

Convergent-beam electron diffraction analysis of GaSe crystals grown from the melt by different doping elements

Summary A systematic investigation of the structural modifications of GaSe crystals, grown from the melt by different doping elements, has been performed by convergent-beam electron diffraction technique, in order to analyse the dependence of the structure on the doping atoms. Iodine-doped crystals have shown the ɛ-2H hexagonal and γ-3R rhombohedral polytypes. The structure of crystals doped either by silver, or copper, or cadmium, or zinc, or arsenic has been proved a mixture of the ɛ-2H hexagonal and of γ, 9 R, 12 R, 15 R rhombohedral phases. Ingots doped either by zinc or arsenic have shown the ɛ polytype prevailing in some zones and the γ structure in the other ones. The ɛ modification is dominant in ingots doped by the remaining atoms.     

Iron chloride-graphite intercalated compounds: Structure and selectivity measurements under Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction conditions

The structure and selectivity of the I- and V-stage FeCl₃-graphite compounds under reduction (at 400°C) and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction (at 300°C) conditions have been studied by high-resolution electron microscopy, electron diffraction, mass spectrometric and Mossbauer spectroscopic techniques. The two compounds have been found to possess almost similar selectivities. The electron microscopic and electron diffraction techniques reveal that in the I-stage compound, the intercalation occurs in (11̄0) plane, whereas in the V-stage compound it occurs in (11̄0) and (01̄0) planes. The analyses of the electron diffraction pictures of the small particles provided a means of identification of the phases present in the catalysts. Various phases observed by electron microscopy were also confirmed by in situ Mossbauer spectroscopy. No evidence of the formation of any kind of iron carbides was found either by electron microscopy or Mossbauer spectroscopy.     

Fabrication and characterization of CuO-core/TiO2-shell one-dimensional nanostructures

We have fabricated CuO-core/TiO₂-shell one-dimensional nanostructures by coating the CuO nanowires with MOCVD-TiO₂. The structure of the core/shell nanowires has been investigated by using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis techniques. The CuO-cores and the TiO₂-shells of the as-synthesized nanowires have been found to have crystalline monoclinic CuO and crystalline tetragonal anatase TiO₂ structures, respectively. The CuO-core/TiO₂-shell nanowires are winding and has rougher surface, whereas the CuO nanowires are straight and have smoother surface.Influence of the substrate temperature and the growth time on the structure such as the morphology, size, and crystallographic orientation of CuO nanowires synthesized by thermal oxidation of Cu foils have also been investigated. All the nanowires have only the CuO phase synthesized at 600 °C, whereas those synthesized at 400 °C have both CuO and Cu₂O phases. The highest density of CuO nanowires with long thin straight morphologies can be obtained at 600 °C. In addition, the growth mechanism of the CuO nanowires has been discussed.     

A study on wear resistance and microcrack of the Ti3Al/TiAl + TiC ceramic layer deposited by laser cladding on Ti-6Al-4V alloy

Laser cladding of the Al + TiC alloy powder on Ti-6Al-4V alloy can form the Ti₃Al/TiAl + TiC ceramic layer. In this study, TiC particle-dispersed Ti₃Al/TiAl matrix ceramic layer on the Ti-6Al-4V alloy by laser cladding has been researched by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, electron probe micro-analyzer, energy dispersive spectrometer. The main difference from the earlier reports is that Ti₃Al/TiAl has been chosen as the matrix of the composite coating. The wear resistance of the Al + 30 wt.% TiC and the Al + 40 wt.% TiC cladding layer was approximately 2 times greater than that of the Ti-6Al-4V substrate due to the reinforcement of the Ti₃Al/TiAl + TiC hard phases. However, when the TiC mass percent was above 40 wt.%, the thermal stress value was greater than the materials yield strength limit in the ceramic layer, the microcrack was present and its wear resistance decreased.     

Microstructural study of Ti-Rich alloys formed by ion beam mixing of the Fe-Ti system

Abstract

An ion beam mixing experiment of the Fe-Ti system has been performed at 320 K. The Fe _x Ti_100-x phases formed as a function of composition have been studied by transmission electron microscopy within the range 0≤x≤45. The formation of β-Ti(Fe) and FeTi phases is shown for x≥20, β-Ti(Fe), crystalline FeTi and glass for 20<x<35. In every case the amount of the equilibrium FeTi compound is small. For x≥35 a single amorphous state is obtained.     

In situ electron-microscope investigation of phase formation and defects in Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy single crystals on heating

A strong nonthermal influence of electron irradiation on the formation of new phases and structural defects has been found in an in situ study of structural transformations of Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_y crystals under heating. The stability of the modulated structure and stacking faults with respect to heating by an electron beam and in the absence of irradiation was investigated. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 457–462 (February 1997)     

Nongeminate recombination in organic bulk heterojunction solar cells: Contribution of exciton–polaron interaction

A new model to explain nongeminate recombination in organic bulk heterojunction solar cells is presented. We suggest that the annihilation of excitons on charge carriers at the interface between donor and acceptor phases competes with the bimolecular recombination of Coulombically bound electron–hole pairs. The exciton–polaron interaction gives visible contribution to the reduction of Langevin recombination. An analytical formula, which describes the reduction prefactor, has been derived. We demonstrate that exciton–charge carrier interactions cause an increase of the recombination order. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Mössbauer study of a novel series of ternary rare-earth iron-rich intermetallics: ND(Fe1-xTi x )6+y(x ∼ 0.1 and 0≤y≤5)

A study of the Nd-Fe-Ti phases at the Fe-rich end of the phase diagram has been carried out using⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). In particular,⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy has been used to characterize the phases present in these samples. In addition to the two well-known 217 and 112 phases, twonovel phases have been identified, with compositions denoted by3–29 and9–94, which are closely linked to the orthorhombic ScFe₆Ga₆-type and the hexagonal TbCu₇-type structures, respectively. The possible crystal structures of these new phases will be discussed in terms of the dumbbell substitution sequence in the CaCu₅ structure.     

Structural Phase Transformations in Al/Pt Bilayer Thin Films during the Solid-State Reaction

A sequence of phases forming during the solid-phase reaction in Al/Pt bilayer thin films has been investigated by in situ electron diffraction. It is shown that the amorphous PtAl₂ phase forms first during the solid-phase reaction initiated by heating. Upon further heating, PtAl₂, Pt₂Al₃, PtAl, and Pt₃Al crystalline phases sequentially form, which is qualitatively consistent with an effective formation heat model. The content of phases forming during the reaction has been quantitatively analyzed and the structural phase transformations have been examined.