Structural transitions in ice samples at low temperatures and pressures

The structure of ice samples formed in the decay of a water impurity gel at temperatures above 4 K and atmospheric pressure has been examined. The X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that three phases coexist in the initial sample at temperatures of 85–110 K. These phases are amorphous ice occupying up to 30% of the sample volume, cubic-phase ice I _c metastable at low pressures (∼60%), and normal hexagonal ice I _h (≤6%). The characteristic sizes of crystals of the cubic and hexagonal phases are about 6 and 30 nm, respectively. The amorphous phase at annealing above 110 K is gradually transformed to the crystalline phase both cubic and hexagonal. This transition is accompanied by two processes, including a fast increase in the sizes of cubicphase nanocrystals and the partial transition of the cubic phase I _c to the hexagonal one I _h. Hexagonal ice I _h prevails in the bulk of the sample above 200 K.     

Thermoluminescence study of the amorphisation of hexagonal ice by irradiation at 77 K

This paper reports on a thermoluminescence study of D₂O ice I_h. A sample of hexagonal (I_h) ice is irradiated by a 100 MeV X-ray source at 77 K. The emission spectrum that is measured immediately after the end of the irradiation process has the thermoluminescent behaviour of amorphous ice. The kinetic transition is followed to the stable form, taking place at 85 K. The relaxation time of the transition is of the order of 5 minutes. It is concluded that, due to irradiation, a few outer layers of ice I_h are converted to the low-density amorphous form of ice, which then converts to cubic ice. Although complex to quantify, thermoluminescence appears to be, in the present study, particularly sensitive to the time evolution of irradiated samples.     

Novel neon-hydrate of cubic ice structure

The stability of ice I cubic (ice I_c) whose voids are occupied by neon particles is investigated using a hybrid type of isobaric grand-canonical Monte Carlo simulation. We show that the resulting neon hydrate is stable under high pressure and temperature where ice I_c alone is unstable, suggesting the existence of a novel neon hydrate of ice I_c. We also show through chemical potential calculation that the neon hydrate of the ice I_c structure is more favorable than the neon hydrate of the ice II structure, whose existence was proven from experiment under high pressure condition.     

Anomalies of the baric and temperature dependences of the elastic characteristics of ice during solid-phase amorphization and the phase transition in the amorphous state

The elastic characteristics of ice up to pressures of 1.7 GPa are determined for the first time at a temperature of 77 K, along with features of their variation associated with the phase transformation of hexagonal ice Ih into high-density amorphous ice hda. The elastic instability of the ice lattice before solid-phase amorphization is experimentally confirmed. Elastic instability during a transition from one amorphous state to another amorphous state was also observed for the first time; this took place when hda ice was warmed at p=0.05 GPa from T=77 K. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 112, 200–208 (July 1997)     

Off‐resonance Raman analysis of wurtzite CdS ground to the nanoscale: structural and size‐related effects

Different techniques were used to follow the transformation of CdS platelets during grinding and under hydrostatic pressure. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the platelets included zinc blende (cubic) CdS nanodomains dispersed in a wurtzite (hexagonal) single‐crystalline matrix. Extended grinding led to a decrease of the grain size and to a progressive transformation of the hexagonal stacking into a cubic one. The same phase transition was observed up to 9 GPa under hydrostatic pressure. Off‐resonance Raman spectra collected at different stages of the transition led us to connect band groups that were usually overlooked (in resonance conditions) or considered separately. They all probe the stacking disorder and their intensity can be related to the density of stacking faults. Off‐resonance Raman spectroscopy offers a way of probing the optical properties of CdS (and, more generally, layered semiconductors) as a function of the structure and of the confinement of vibrations by structural defects. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Terahertz studies of carrier localization in spontaneously forming polar lateral heterostructures

We employ near‐bandgap terahertz emission spectroscopy to study lateral heterostructures resulting from basal plane stacking faults in m ‐plane GaN. The predominant stacking faults have I₁ character and behave as an array of spontaneously forming layers comprised of a single cubic stacking sequence within the wurtzite matrix that terminate the spontaneous polarization along the in‐plane c‐axis, leading to strong lateral electric fields. Spectral tuning of femtosecond excitation pulses enables observation of the transition from carrier transport in the continuum to formation of instantaneous dipoles and nonlinear susceptibility associated with both the quantum‐well‐like regions of the cubic layers and polarization‐induced triangular‐like potentials. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

An experimental approach to the improvement of critical current density in high-TC YBa2Cu3O x ceramics

A “grain coating” technique was developed to improve the intergranular links in YBa₂Cu₃O _x ceramics. Thin layers of additives such as Ag, SnO₂, Bi₂O₃ were introduced into the grain boundaries by vacuum evaporation. Notable J_c increments due to grain coating were observed. TEM investigation revealed that dislocations accompanied by stacking faults existed in these samples.     

Crossover between the thermodynamic and nonequilibrium scenarios of structural transformations of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O I<Emphasis Type="Italic">h</Emphasis> ice during compression

A detailed investigation of different scenarios of structural transformations of H₂O Ih ice during compression to a pressure of 2 GPa in the temperature range from 77 to 200 K is performed. In the range of temperatures and pressures being treated, detailed data are obtained for the density and the shear modulus for different phases of ice including the hda, IX, and XII phases. The experimentally obtained correlations for the density and ultrasonic velocities, with due regard for the available data of structural investigations, are used to identify the transformation sequences Ih→hda (below 135 K), Ih→II→VI (above 165 K), and Ih→IX→VI (from 155 to 180 K). In the vicinity of the crystallization temperature of amorphous ice, i.e., at about 140 K, an anomalous transformation pattern is observed, which is interpreted as predominantly the Ih→XII phase transition. The temperature crossover is discussed between the mode of solid-phase amorphization (Ih→hda) and crystal-crystal transitions, as well as the metastable nature of IX ice and the mechanism of solid-phase amorphization.     

硅蹼中位错和层错的X射线貌相研究

利用X射线投影貌相术观察和分析了硅蹼中的位错和层错。在生长态硅蹼中,除观察到柏氏矢量为1/2<110>的刃型、螺型与60°全位错以及柏氏矢量为1/6<112>的Shockley刃型半位错外,还观察到平行于硅蹼表面的大面积层错和蹼中的60°,30°Shockley半位错。位错在热处理过程中运动并发生位错反应形成近六角形的位错网络。热处理改变生长态硅蹼中层错的组态和衬度,并由于杂质聚集破坏了Shockley半位错的消象法则。还观察到层错象中的位错。对所观察的结果都分别作了分析和简要的讨论。 关键词：     

Dislocation formation and twinning from the crack tip in Ni3Al: molecular dynamics simulations

The mechanism of low-temperature deformation in a fracture process of L12 Ni3Al is studied by molecular dynamic simulations.Owing to the unstable stacking energy,the [01ˉ1] superdislocation is dissociated into partial dislocations separated by a stacking fault.The simulation results show that when the crack speed is larger than a critical speed,the Shockley partial dislocations will break forth from both the crack tip and the vicinity of the crack tip;subsequently the super intrinsic stacking faults are formed in adjacent {111} planes,meanwhile the super extrinsic stacking faults and twinning also occur.Our simulation results suggest that at low temperatures the ductile fracture in L12 Ni3Al is accompanied by twinning,which is produced by super-intrinsic stacking faults formed in adjacent {111} planes.     

Generation and evolution of partial misfit dislocations and stacking faults in thin-film heterostructures

An analysis is made of the specific features in the generation and evolution of partial misfit dislocations at the vertices of V-shaped configurations of stacking fault bands, which terminate in the bulk of the growing film at 90° partial Shockley dislocations. The critical thicknesses h _c of an epitaxial film, at which generation of such defect configurations becomes energetically favorable, are calculated. It is shown that at small misfits, the first to be generated are perfect misfit dislocations and at large misfits, partial ones, which are located at the vertices of V-shaped stacking-fault band configurations emerging onto the film surface. Possible further evolution of stacking-fault band configurations with increasing film thickness are studied.     

镍铬合金中不全位错的透射电子显微镜观察

对镍铬合金(20％Cr,1％Al,2.5％Ti)中层错边界处及共格孪晶界面上的不全位错进行了观察和分析,结果是:1.用g·b_p=±2/3或±1/3作为不全位错是否显示衍衬是可行的,但不够严格。为此,应尽量选择{220}或{311}类型衍射成像,这时g·b_p或者等于零,或者等于整数,比较容易确定不全位错的柏氏矢量。2.共格孪晶界面上有不全位错,大多数是全位错分解的产物,成对出现。3.平行滑移面上的层错在运动中可以相互重迭。重迭层错中内禀层错与外禀层错之间的不全位错,在g·b_p=±2/3时无衍衬(在层错条纹的较强背景下是亮线),而在g·b_p=±1/3时显示衍衬(暗线)。 关键词：     

Ultrasonic study of solid-phase amorphization and polyamorphism in an H2O-D2O (1: 1) solid solution

The elastic moduli and volume of H₂O-D₂O (1: 1) isotopically mixed ice (solid solution) have been studied at the solid-phase amorphization of normal 1h ice under compression at a temperature of 77 K and at the transition from high-density amorphous ice to low-density amorphous ice with subsequent successive crystallization to cubic (1c) and hexagonal (1h) ice at isobaric (0.05 GPa) heating. Comparison of the results with the respective data for H₂O and D₂O ices indicates that the observed concentration (in the isotopic composition) dependences of the elastic moduli and their derivatives for different phases of ice at isotopic hydrogen substitution in the H₂O, H₂O-D₂O (1: 1), and D₂O chain can be both monotonic and significantly nonmonotonic.     

Phase transition of ice precipitated in an aqueous ionic glassy matrix

In an easily forming glass aqueous electrolyte, an ice precipitation appears, that is variable with water to salt mole-ratio R. We here describe the 1 _c → 1 _h phase transition. The initial conditions of these transitions are small crystallites, a condensed form of water, with size varying from clusters to 250 Å. The transition to 1 _h can be considered as healing of the 1_h faults, which is accompanied by an apparent weakening of the cubic structure due to symmetry loss. Order parameter and specific effects, such as branching, are postulated in this growth which appears as a random walk in an ultrametric space.     

Elastic properties of D<Subscript>2</Subscript>O ices in solid-state amorphization and transformations between amorphous phases

Nonequilibrium phase transformations in D₂O ices, including the solid-state amorphization of ice 1h (1h-hda) and the heating-induced transition cascade hda-lda-1c-1h from high-density amorphous (hda) ice to low-density amorphous (lda) ice followed by crystallization in cubic ice 1c and phase transition to ordinary hexagonal ice 1h, were studied using an ultrasonic technique. It has been shown that, as in H₂O ice, the softening of a crystal lattice or an amorphous network precedes nonequilibrium transformations. However, noticeable isotopic differences in the behavior of the elastic properties of H₂O and D₂O, in particular, their 1h and hda modifications, call for a more detailed study of the structural features of these H₂O and D₂O phases.     

Amorphization of ice near the melting point

In addition to reflections of the hexagonal phase of ice I _h, the intense diffuse scattering of X-rays mainly due to the amorphization of ice is revealed on the X-ray diffraction patterns of water ice samples prepared at liquid nitrogen (studied by the authors earlier) and samples prepared at T = ?10°C (this work). The measurements are performed in the temperature range from ?25 to 0°C. The existence of reflections of the crystalline phase and intense diffuse scattering on the X-ray diffraction patterns makes it possible make a conclusion about the coexistence of crystalline and amorphous structures of ice. Splitting of the first maximum on the electron-density radial distribution function is detected on the basis of an X-ray diffraction pattern recorded at T = ?3°C. This splitting is explained by an increase in the interatomic distances between the nearest-neighbor atoms located at different levels. Similar splitting was also detected on a radial distribution function constructed using an X-ray diffraction pattern recorded at ?10°C.     

晶界对纳米多晶铝中冲击波阵面结构影响的分子动力学研究

用分子动力学方法研究了纳米多晶铝在冲击加载下的冲击波阵面结构及塑性变形机理.模拟研究结果表明:在弹性先驱波之后,是晶界间滑移和变形主导了前期的塑性变形机理;然后是不全位错在界面上成核和向晶粒内传播,然后在晶粒内形成堆垛层错、孪晶和全位错的过程主导了后期的塑性变形机理.冲击波阵面扫过之后留下的结构特征是堆垛层错和孪晶留在晶粒内,大部分全位错则湮灭于对面晶界.这个由两阶段塑性变形过程导致的时序性塑性波阵面结构是过去未见报道过的. 关键词： 晶界 塑性变形 冲击波阵面 分子动力学     

Two triple points in the H2O–H2 system

Using a volumetric technique, phase transitions in the H₂O–H₂ system were investigated in the vicinity of two points of an invariant equilibrium, L+I _h+sII and L+sII+C ₁, located at 1.07 kbar and?10 °C and at 3.6 kbar and 1 °C, respectively. Liquid water (L), low-pressure hexagonal ice (I _h) and high-pressure cubic (sII) and rhombohedral (C ₁) clathrate hydrates were in equilibrium with gaseous hydrogen taken in excess.     

Molecular dynamic studies of the interaction of a/6⟨112⟩ Shockley dislocations with stacking fault tetrahedra in copper. Part II: Intersection of stacking fault tetrahedra by moving twin boundaries

The interactions of moving twin boundaries with stacking fault tetrahedra (SFTs) have been studied by molecular dynamics. The results reveal a spectrum of processes occurring during these interactions. In general, they lead to damage of the parent SFT and formation of new defects in the twin lattice. The character of these defects depends on the nature of the twinning front, the size of the SFT and its orientation with respect to incoming dislocations. Typical structures that may be produced in the twin include product-SFTs, free vacancies, planar stacking faults bounded by partial dislocations, mutually linked stacking faults on non-coplanar {111} _T planes, small {111} _T tetrahedra and their partial forms. Dislocation mechanisms involved in the formation of these defects are being analyzed.     

Stacking faults and mechanisms strain-induced transformations of hcp metals (Ti,Mg) during mechanical activation in liquid hydrocarbons

The evolution of the structure and substructure of metals Ti and Mg with hexagonal close-packed (hcp) lattice is studied during their mechanical activation in a planetary ball mill in liquid hydrocarbons (toluene, n-heptane) and with additions of carbon materials (graphite, fullerite, nanotubes) by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and chemical analysis. The temperature behavior and hydrogen-accumulating properties of mechanocomposites are studied. During mechanical activation of Ti and Mg, liquid hydrocarbons decay, metastable nanocrystalline titanium carbohydride Ti(C,H) _x and magnesium hydride β-MgH₂ are formed, respectively. The Ti(C,H) _x and MgH₂ formation mechanisms during mechanical activation are deformation ones and are associated with stacking faults accumulation, and the formation of face-centered cubic (fcc) packing of atoms. Metastable Ti(C,H)x decays at a temperature of 550°C, the partial reverse transformation fcc → hcp occurs. The crystalline defect accumulation (nanograin boundaries, stacking faults), hydrocarbon destruction, and mechanocomposite formation leads to the enhancement of subsequent magnesium hydrogenation in the Sieverts reactor.