Dislocation behaviour in annealed and aged LiF crystals

Parallel investigation of the magnitude of the critical strear stress τ₀ and dynamic characteristics of individual screw dislocations at temperatures 4.2, 77, and 300 K has been carried out in LiF crystals after annealing and after long aging at room temperature. It has been established that in impure LiF crystals, even at such low temperatures as room temperature (0.25T_melt), diffusion processes take place which lead to quantitative and qualitative changes of the structure of obstacles determining macroscopic and microscopic mechanical properties.     

Strength of Crystals of Small Dimensions and their Triboluminescence

Stress-dependence of triboluminescence (TBL) in uranyl nitrate, tartaric acid and other nine crystals has been studied with the help of a new technique of crushing the crystals. As the appearance of TBL needs the creation of new surfaces in a crystal, the minimum stress at which TBL appears has been taken to be the fracture-strength of the crystal. The value of the fracture-strength and stress coefficient of binding energy determined from TBL measurements are found to be of correct order. It has been found that the rate of rise of TBL intensity with stress is higher for those crystals which have less value of the fracture-strength. The fracture strength (σ_f) is found to be higher for those crystals which have less value of stress coefficient of binding energy (β) and the product of σ_f and β is higher for those crystals which have higher melting point. It has been shown that the rate of rise of TBL intensity with stress decreases at higher values of stress due to strain hardening in the crystals.     

A new equation for the temperature dependence of density of saturated aqueous solutions of electrolytes

A new empirical three-parameter equation d = d₀ exp[β′(T – T₀)²] (where β′, d₀, and T₀ are constants for a salt) has been proposed to describe the dependence of density d (g/ml³) of saturated aqueous solutions of electrolytes on temperature T (K) in the whole range of temperature in which solubility increases or decreases with an increase in temperature.     

On the Structural and Electronic Characteristics of Titanium Sulphide (Tis1.7) Crystals

TiS_1.7 crystals have been grown by vapour transport technique employing a two-zone furnace with the temperatures of reaction and growth zone maintained at 1073 K and 973 K, respectively. We have measured the variation of electrical conductivity (s̀) with temperature (T) of TiS_1.7 single crystals. It has been found that the conductivity increases at temperatures T > 433 K, which provides convincing evidence that the TiS_1.7 crystal is a semiconductor. Another electronic characteristic of TiS_1.7 crystals observed in the present investigation is the occurrence of voltage controlled negative resistance (VCNR) at a field of 32.1 V cm^-1 to 35.7 V cm^-1. All the polytypes of TiS_1.7 were found to exhibit VCNR nearly at the same field which indicates that the VCNR is polytype independent property. The occurrence of VCNR has been explained on the intervally transfer of electrons in the conduction band.     

The Influence of High Temperature Predeformation on Ductility of LiF and BaF2 Single Crystals

The effect of high temperature predeformation on deformation characteristics of ductile LiF and brittle BaF₂ crystals was investigated. The same predeformation, as has been shown previously, leads to the increasing of the limited plastic deformation of MgO crystals by one order of magnitude. It was found that in both investigated crystals, as in the case of MgO crystals, at the test temperature T₂ ≅ 0.1 T_m limited plastic deformation before fracture obviously increases if the specimen was prestrained up to ε_p ≦ 1% at T₁ = 0.5 T_m. This increase is as higher as the plasticity of crystal is lower. In BaF₂ crystals it reaches a factor of 20 and more. The effect is connected with the creation of mobile dislocations during the high temperature predeformation and dislocaton sources for subsequent deformation at lower temperatures and with the homogeneity of the process of plastic deformation. These conditions prevent the appearance of dangerous places in which the fracture can begin.     

Effect of the magnetic flux trapping upon the temperature dependence of the flow stress change at the superconducting transition

The effect of the superconducting transition on the flow stress in single and polycrystals of Pb-In and Pb-Sn alloys has been studied in the temperature range 1.8 K to T_e. Unlike earlier efforts, these experiments involved investigation of the magnetic flux trapping. Two types of temperature dependences of the magnetic flux trapping, B₀(T), were revealed. In Pb-1.9 at.% In and Pb-6 at.% Sn alloys (subjected to various thermal treatment), B₀ monotonically rises with lowering temperature. In Pb-1.8, 3 at.% Sn single crystals the flux trapping arises at high strains (> 50%) and low temperatures (<2.5 K). In this case B₀ magnitude depends on the strain rate. The difference in the B₀(T) behaviour is associated with dissimilar flux pinnig by pinning centres. The date on B₀(T) obtained give an insight into the two types of the Δσ(T) dependences; taking into account of the flux trapping allowed the Δσ values to be corrected, so that as a result, a single Δσ_SN(T) curve was obtained for all the alloys and structures studied.     

Pyroelectric Properties of Potassium and Rubidium Titanyl—Arsenate Single Crystals in the Temperature Range of 4.2–300 K

The temperature dependences of the pyroelectric coefficients of KTiOAsO₄ and RbTiOAsO₄ single crystals grown by flux crystallization have been investigated in the temperature range of 4.2–300 K. With an increase in temperature, superionic conductivity first arises in KTiOAsO4 (at T > 200 K) and then (at T > 270 K) in RbTiOAsO₄. This conductivity is much higher in the samples polarized at T = 4.2 K. An exponential change in the crystal resistivity along the polar direction is simultaneously observed. The results of measurements in the range of 4.2–200 K indicate larger values of pyroelectric coefficients when compared with potassium and rubidium titanyl-phosphate crystals. A correlation between the pyroelectric coefficients and a change in the lattice constants at isomorphic substitutions of K atoms for Rb and P atoms for As has been revealed within the symmetry approach.     

Liquid Crystals: A Bibliography for 1975

Abstract

The static dielectric constants of biphenyl-4-p-n-alkoxybenzoates have been measured as functions of temperature. The dielectric anisotropy (δ?) for the successive homologues (hexyl to undecyl) shows an alternation similar to that exhibited by the nematic-isotropic transition temperature (T _NI). The dispersion of ?_∥ in the frequency range of 0.1-15 MHz has been studied for four successive members of biphenyl-4-p-n-alkoxybenzoates (heptyl to decyl derivatives) as well as of trans-p-n-alkoxy-α-methyl-p'-cyanophenyl cinnamates (eighth to eleventh members). For both series the relaxation frequency (f _R) and the frequency of dielectric isotropy (f _o) evaluated at a common relative temperature show an alternation similar to T _NI. For any given compound the Arrhenius plots for f _R and f _o give the same value of the activation energy (W). In the case of the biphenyl esters the vaue of W is the same for the seventh and eighth members, but increases for the higher members which exhibit a smectic phase at lower temperatures. On the contrary for cinnamic acid esters W is found to be the same for all homologues irrespective of whether the nematic phase is preceded by a smectic phase or not.     

The growth and mechanical properties of paratellurite single crystals at high temperatures

α-TeO₂ single crystals have been grown by the Czochralski method on specially developed systems with automatic growth control. The mechanical properties of crystals under compression in the [100], [110], and [221] directions at a constant strain rate of about 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ in the temperature range T = 733−993 K have been investigated. The distribution of plastic shear strain in deformed samples is has been experimentally studied. Manifestations of localized strain in covalent paratellurite crystals at T > 900 K are revealed for the first time. The active slip systems along which localized shear band are oriented are determined. The temperature dependence of the critical stress of transition to localized flow is investigated.     

Growth of Na2EuCl4 particles studied by means of their effect upon the yield strength of NaCl:Eu2+ crystals

The hardening of NaCl crystals induced by the presence of europium ions has been systematically investigated in two regions of temperatures (below 343 K and above 473 K) as function of the aggregation and/or precipitation stage of the dopant. The kinetics of Eu²⁺ — clustering was followed by taking the δσ₀(t_an) — data at various annealing temperatures T_an. The results have been discussed in frames of the available theoretical models and compared with those obtained previously from OA- and ITC-data.     

A novel self‐consistent Nývlt‐like equation for metastable zone width determined by the polythermal method

Using a power‐law relation between three‐dimensional nucleation rate J and dimensionless supersaturation ratio S, and the theory of regular solutions to describe the temperature dependence of solubility, a novel Nývlt‐like equation of metastable zone width of solution relating maximum supercooling ΔT_max with cooling rate R is proposed in the form: ln(ΔT_max/T₀) = Φ + β lnR, with intercept Φ = {(1–m)/m }ln(ΔH_s/R_GT_lim) + (1/m)ln(f/KT₀) and slope β = 1/m. Here T₀ is the initial saturation temperature of solution in a cooling experiment, ΔH_s is the heat of dissolution, R_G is the gas constant, T_lim is the temperature of appearance of first nuclei, m is the nucleation order, and K is a new nucleation constant connected with the factor f defined as the number of particles per unit volume. It was found that the value of the term Φ for a system at saturation temperature T₀ is essentially determined by the constant m and the factor f. The value of the factor f for a solute–solvent system at initial saturation temperature T₀ is determined by solute concentration c₀. Analysis of the experiment data for four different solute‐water systems according to the above equation revealed that: (1) the values of Φ and m for a system at a given temperature depend on the method of detection of metstable zone width, and (2) the value of slope β = 1/m for a system is practically a temperature‐independent constant characteristic of the system, but the value of Φ increases with an increase in saturation temperature T₀, following an Arrhenius‐type equation with an activation energy E_sat. The results showed, among others, that solubility of a solute is an important factor that determines the value of the nucleation order m and the activation energy E_sat for diffusion. In general, the lower the solubility of a solute in a given solvent, the higher is the value of m and lower is the value of E_sat. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The Crystallisation of Calcium Molybdate and Tungstate from Lithium Chloride Melts by Continuous Cooling. The Kinetics of Crystal Growth in Alumina Crucibles

The kinetics of crystallisation of calcium molybdate and tungstate from unstirred supersaturated solutions in lithium chloride melts — in alumina crucibles — was studied by continuous cooling from initial temperature T₀ = 800°C down to room temperature at cooling rates R_T = 20° to 200°C hr⁻¹. The solutions were analysed chemically and the crystals were examined by optical microscopy. Crystal growth started practically immediately after the onset of cooling: at first, the amount of material deposited onto crystals was far less than the amount of excess solute developed within the supersaturated solutions but crystallisation rates then increased as the crystal sizes increased. Then, after some time t* (at about seventy percent crystallisation), all excess solute was deposited onto growing crystals.     

Proton Spin Relaxation in the Rod Micelles of Type I CM Mesophases

The dynamics of the hydrocarbon chains in lyotropic nematic type I cylindrical micellar liquid crystals prepared with D₂O has been selectively studied by Zeeman and rotating frame nuclear spin-lattice relaxation. The measurements of the proton spin-lattice relaxation time T ₁ as a function of frequency and temperature demonstrate that relatively fast local fluctuations of individual amphiphilic chains relax the proton spins at high magnetic fields. This process is facilitated also by the rapid diffusive motion of the chains within the micellar units. The rotating frame Zeeman relaxation time T _1x, is associated at room temperature with a long correlation time of ~11 μs. Slow micellar orientational fluctuations have been assigned to this characteristic time.     

Kinetic vs. thermodynamic control of crystal nucleation and growth in molten silicates

A series of calcium aluminosilicate liquids have been experimentally heat-treated at high but variable states of undercooling, from just above the glass transition to the vicinity of the solidus. The mineralogy and chemistry of crystalline phases which appear in these experiments have been quantified using a combination of Transmission Electron Microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The results show that mineral compositions are highly variable as a function of temperature, but that changes are governed by the contrasting and strongly temperature-dependent mobilities of network-modifying and network-forming cations. Whereas equilibrium crystals form near the liquidus, disordered and non-stoichiometric phases precipitate near the glass transition. Despite this apparently complex situation, the relative importance of thermodynamic and kinetic factors is found to be a single function of T − T_g (where T is temperature and T_g the glass transition temperature), regardless of the silicate composition. The existence of this mastercurve may be used to control the composition of novel composite materials such as glass ceramics.     

Influence of synthesis and postgrowth treatment conditions on the structural homogeneity of YBa2Cu3Ox single crystals

The effect of synthesis and postgrowth treatment (by annealing at various temperatures and partial oxygen pressures) conditions on structural homogeneity of YBa₂Cu₃O_x single crystals has been studied. The obtaining of single crystals with both high oxygen content and high critical temperatures T_c has been optimized. The wide range of postgrowth treatment conditions proposed allows to receive single crystals with given oxygen content from 6.2 to 7.0.     

Dielectric constant,loss factor and ac conductivity of Ni2+‐doped K2ZnCl4 crystals in the ferroelectric‐commensurate,incommensurate and normal phases

The dielectric constant (ϵ), dielectric loss (tanδ) and ac conductivity (σ_ac) of virgin and thermally cycled undoped and Ni²⁺‐doped K₂ZnCl₄ (KZC) crystals in the ferroelectric‐commensurate (FC), incommensurate (IC) and normal phases (N) have been studied. Anomalous behaviour at the two‐phase transition points was observed while measuring ϵ along the polar a‐axis for the undoped sample. With increasing Ni²⁺concentration a systematic shift of the phase transition temperature towards lower values and a continuous inhibition of the peak height were detected. ϵ changed linearly with lnf up to f =10⁵ Hz. tanδ along the a‐axis declared the phase transitions by peak changes. After Ni²⁺‐doping this behaviour was preserved at the FC‐IC phase transition point while the IC‐N phase transition was manifested by a change in the slope of the straight line representing the tanδ‐T dependence. The ac conductivity changed lineally with frequency according to a relation of the form σ_ac = σ_o f ^β where 0>β>1.9. σ_ac increased monotonically with increasing temperature and doping concentration in the low‐temperature phases tending to merge in one straight‐line with high activation energy that might be due to superionic dc conduction in the high temperature N‐phase. Doping with Ni²⁺ pinned stripples, decreased the soliton‐soliton interaction, weakened discommensuration effects, shortened the IC‐phase and strongly affected the ‘chaotic' behaviour at the T_C‐IC. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Atomization Energy of the Cu,Ag, Au Crystals in Terms of the Statistical Model

The statistical atom model is used for ab initio calculations of the atom binding energy in crystals. The original calculations by the above method of atomization energy at T = 0 K of the A₁ modification crystals of I^B elements group of the Periodic System are consistent with the experimental data. The atomization energy estimates of the A₂, A₃ modifications are made.     

Growth and Characterisation of Gel-grown Lead(II)Chloride and Lead(II)Bromide Single Crystals

Single crystals of pure and doped lead(II)chloride and lead(II)bromide were grown by gel technique employing a modified two-stage chemical reaction. Methods to minimise the predomination of needle morphology during the growth of these crystals have been investigated and the results are discussed. The grown crystals were characterised by optical transmission spectrum. Undoped and monovalent cation (K⁺, Na⁺, Cu⁺, Ag⁺ and Hg⁺) doped crystals of PbCl₂ and PbBr₂ were subjected to d.c. electrical conductivity studies. Using the log σT versus T⁻¹ plot, the activation energies for the migration of anion vacancies in lead(II)halides are calculated. They are found to be less for the doped crystals than those of undoped ones.     

Growth and Properties of Trigonal Aluminium Gallium Orthophosphate Single Crystals Al1-xGaxPO4

The new piezoelectric solid solution aluminium gallium orthophosphate single crystals have been successfully developed for the first time in our laboratory by hydrothermal method. It has been demonstrated that these crystals are homogeneous, and isomorphous with AIPO₄ and GaPO₄. The solid solution crystals Al_1-xGa_xPO₄ are easy to grown and have better optical quality than those of AlPO₄ crystals under the same conditions. A phase transition temperature T_α-β is 587 ± 3 °C for x = 0.12. Cell parameters, and elastic, piezoelectric, and dielectric constants are given.     

Some Physicochemical Parameters of Saturated Ternary Solutions of Systems with Mixed Crystals in their Solid Phase

The measurements of density (ϱ), viscosity (η) and hydration number (n_h) of saturated solutions of ternary systems KCl KBr H₂O, K₂SO₄ (NH₄)₂SO₄ H₂O and KNO₃ NH₄NO₃ H₂O with mixed crystals in the solid phase have been conducted. It has been confirmed, that the occurence of the extremes on the curves of dependence of the properties (ϱ, η, n_h) on the composition of saturated solution may be the base for the supposition that beside mixed crystals the double salts have also been formed in the solid phase of a given system.