Solid-solution strengthening of intermetallic compounds in the region of anomalous thermal behavior of the deforming stress

Strong solid-solution strengthening of intermetallic materials in the region where the deforming stress increases anomalously with temperature is shown to be caused by the stimulating influence of solution atoms on dislocation locking via the Kear-Wilsdorf mechanism. The dependence of the deforming stress on temperature, solution concentration, strain rate, and other parameters is described in terms of a simple model in which the thermally activated kinetics of cross slip of dislocations is modified by solution atoms. The proposed theory is compared with available experimental data for a (Ni_{1 ? c} Fe_c)₃Ge solid solution.     

Dislocation dynamics in solid solutions of covalent crystals

The dislocation mechanism of solid solution strengthening of covalent semiconductor crystals has been studied. The change in the regularities of dislocation dynamics in solid solutions from those in the components of the solution is connected with the manifestation of the nonlinear drift of dislocation kinks. The theory developed suggests an explanation of specificities of the dislocation mobility in a Ge_1–cSi_c solid solution.     

Dielectric studies of phase transitions in the ferroelectric CdTiO3 and the Sr1−x CdxTiO3 solid solution

Temperature dependences of the permittivity and of the dielectric hysteresis loops in ceramic samples of nominally pure CdTiO₃ and a Sr_1?x Cd_xTiO₃ solid solution were studied. At 76.5±0.5 K, CdTiO₃ was established to undergo a ferroelectric phase transition close to the tricritical point. The temperature dependence of spontaneous polarization of CdTiO₃ is described within the Landau theory of phase transitions with the critical order parameter exponent ≈0.25. The phase diagram of the Sr_1?x Cd_xTiO₃ solid solution was drawn in (T, x) coordinates, and the critical concentration x _c =0.002, above which an induced polar state sets in the solid solution, was determined.     

Lithium-ion conductivity in the novel La1/3−xLi3xNbO3 solid solution with perovskite-related structure

The stoichiometric range, crystal chemistry, ionic conductivity and electrochemical window of the La_1/3−xLi_3xNbO₃ solid solution with a perovskite-related structure have been studied. The range of existence of the solid solution appears to be 0≤x≤0.06. These niobates have a basic diagonal unit cell a≈√2a_p b√2a_p c≈2a_p. Ionic conductivity of the materials and its dependence with the composition and temperature have been examined. We have found that the highest conductivity value is 4.3×1O⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at 300 K for x=0.04. The electrochemical window of the compounds has been investigated by potentiostatic discharge and charge. Electrochemical experiments show that the use of the materials as solid electrolytes in secondary batteries is limited down to 1.75 V using Li metal as anode.     

Description of ferroelectric phase transitions in solid solutions of relaxors in the framework of the random-field theory

A model based on the random-field theory is proposed for calculating the properties of solid solutions of ferroelectric relaxors. The electric dipoles randomly distributed in the system are treated as sources of random fields. The random field distribution function is calculated taking into account the contribution of nonlinear and correlation effects and the differences in the dipole orientations for different solid solution components. The dependence of the phase transition temperature T _c on the concentration of solid solution components is analyzed. Numerical calculations are performed for the lead scandoniobate and lead scandotantalate solid solutions (PbSc_1/2Nb_1/2O₃)_1?x (PbSc_1/2Ta_1/2O₃)_x with different degrees of ordering and the lead magnoniobate and lead titanate solid solution (PbMg_1/3Nb_2/3O₃)_1?x (PbTiO₃)_x. It is shown that the higher transition temperature for more disordered solid solutions of the composition (PbSc_1/2Nb_1/2O₃)_1?x (PbSc_1/2Ta_1/2O₃)_x in the range 0≤x<0.5 is associated with the larger nonlinearity coefficient for PbSc_1/2Nb_1/2O₃ as compared to that for PbSc_1/2Ta_1/2O₃. The theory provides a means for calculating the region of the coexistence of the phases with different symmetry groups in the temperature-composition phase diagram of the (PbMg_1/3Nb_2/3O₃)_1?x (PbTiO₃) solid solution. Numerical calculations with the use of the fitting parameters obtained from the known transition temperatures T _c for the solid solution components adequately describe the experimental phase diagrams for the aforementioned solid solutions of ferroelectric relaxors.     

Spin dependence of inclusive reactions from proton-proton collisions at 7.9 GeV/c

The spin dependence of inclusive proton and pion production by 7.9 GeV/c protons has been measured using a polarized proton target, for nominal values of x = p_L^cm/p_max^cm = 0.7 in the transverse momentum range 0.4 GeV/c <pp_t < 1.2 GeV/c, and for p_t = 0.4 GeV/c in the range 0.1 < x < 0.96. The results indicate a positive asymmetry of +5% over this kinematic region, which corresponds to fragmentation of the unpolarized proton.     

ψ1 of FexNi80−xB18Si2 alloys near the percolation threshold

Accurate measurements of the static magnetic susceptibility of amorphous Fe_xNi_80?xB₁₈Si₂ alloys with a concentration just above the critical one for the onset of ferromagnetism are reported. The effective critical exponent ψ¹ is found to vary non-monotonically with temperature. Shallow maxima in ψ¹ occur at increasing reduced temperatures (t=(T?T_c)/T_c) for decreasing Fe content (x). At elevated temperatures ψ¹ decreases with t but it does not reach the mean field value even for t=13. The results are consistent with the predictions of recent theoretical models.     

Stability for the Korteweg-de Vries equation by inverse scattering theory

The stability problems for the Korteweg-de Vries equation, where linear stability fails, are investigated by the inverse scattering method. A rather general solution u(t, x) of the K-dV equation is shown to depend, for fixed time t, continuously on the initial condition u(0, x). For a continuum solution u_c(t, x), this continuity holds uniformly in t (stability), but for a soliton solution this is not true. A soliton solution can be uniquely decomposed into a continuum and discrete (soliton) part: u(t, x) = u_e(t, x) + u_d(t, x). Then the perturbed solution u is close to u after a suitable t-dependent “shift” of the soliton part (form stability).     

Normal state resistivity and Tç studies of superconducting Ti1−xSbx system

The superconducting transition temperature (T_c) and the temperature dependence of the normal state resistivity of the Ti_1?xSb_x system between T_c and 300 K have been studied. The T_c values are found to depend on the heat treatment of the samples. Below 40 K, all alloys show a T² dependence of the resistivity. However, the sample with x = 0.53 is not superconducting and shows a different behaviour of the resistivity.     

Magnetic properties of (Mn1 − x Fe x )1.68Sn solid solutions

Solid solutions in the (Mn_{1 ? x} Fe _x )_1.68Sn system (x ≤ 0.5) with a Ni₂In-type structure are synthesized by the solid-phase reaction method in a stepwise temperature regime. The unit cell parameters a and c decrease with an increase in the iron concentration in the alloys and become equal to a = 0.430 nm and c = 0.538 nm for the (Mn_0.5Fe_0.5)_1.68Sn alloy. A superstructure with the unit cell parameters a _ss = 3a and c _ss = c is revealed in alloys of the system under investigation. The specific magnetization of the alloys increases nonlinearly from 53 G cm³ g^?1 in the Mn_1.68Sn alloy to 72 G cm³ g^?1 in the (Mn_0.5Fe_0.5)_1.68Sn solid solution. The Curie temperature changes from 270 K in the initial alloy of the composition Mn_1.68Sn to 365 K in the alloy of the composition (Mn_0.5Fe_0.5)_1.68Sn. All solid solutions in the (Mn_{1 ? x} Fe _x )_1.68Sn (x ≤ 0.5) system exhibit metallic conductivity in the temperature range from 77 to 450 K.     

Phase transition in V1+xTe2 (0.04⩽x⩽0.11)

1T-V_1+xTe₂ was synthesized in a composition range of 0.04?x?0.11. The reversible first order transition was observed by DTA (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility (χ), and d.c. electrical resistivity (?) measurements. Transition temperature (T_t is 474 K for V_1.04Te₂, and decreases with increasing x. Heat of transition, ΔH was estimated to be as high as 500 cal mol^?1 from the endothermical peak in DSC. The expansion of the c-axis is observed at T_t. χ exhibits a jump at T_t, showing the paramagnetic temperature dependence both below and above T_t. ? measurements show the metallic-like behavior with a slight decrease at T_t. Preliminary electron diffraction examination suggests the formation of a super-structure below T_t.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new series of BiOI1−x−yBrxCly pigments

New bismuth oxyhalides of the type BiOI_1?xBr_x, form a complete solid solution series and crystallize in a layered tetragonal matlockite structure Color varies from yellow to red as x decreases from 0 75 to 0 and layer separation, c, increases from 8 45 to 9 16 Å The compounds have large intrinsic optical absorption coefficients (α > 10⁵ cm^-1). Used as pigments, they are light-fast but show less color saturation than PbCrO₄ of the same hue.     

Upper critical fields of superconducting Gd and Tm doped LaSn3: Effects of crystalline electric fields

The temperature dependence of the upper critical fields, H_c²(T), are presented for (La_1-xGd_x)Sn₃ and (La_1-xTm_x)Sn₃. For samples with nearly the same T_c, H_c²(T) of the Tm-doped LaSn₃ samples are always larger than those for the Gd-doped samples. The results are interpreted in terms of crystalline electric field splitting of magnetic levels of the Tm³⁺. Pure LaSn₃ is found to be a Type I superconductor.     

Conductivity enhancement in fluorite-structured Ba1−xLaxF2+x solid solutions

The ionic conductivity of single crystals of the fluorite-structured solid solutions Ba_1?xLa_xF_2+x(10^?3 <×<0.45) has been studied as a function of temperature and composition in the range 300–900 K. Three regions can be discerned in the concentration dependence of the ionic conductivity: a dilute concentration region (x<10^?3), where classic relations between solute content and ionic conductivity hold; an intermediate concentration region (10^?3<x?5×10^?2), where large changes occur in the conductivity activation enthalpy and the magnitude of the conductivity; and a concentrated solid solution region (x?5×10^?2) characterized by enhanced ionic motion. In the dilute region the migration enthalpy for interstitial fluoride ions is determined to be 0.714 eV, while a value of 0.39 eV is found for the (La_BaF_i)^X association enthalpy. The defect chemistry in the intermediate concentration region is shown to be controlled by a superlinear increase of the concentration of mobile defects, while in the concentrated solid solution region a composition-independent amount of ≈1 mole% of interstitial fluoride ions with enhanced mobility, carry the current.     

The concentration dependence of the ferroelectric transition temperature of the solid solution of TSCC and TSCB

The concentration dependence of the ferroelectric transition temperature T_c of single crystals of the solid solution tris-sarcosine calcium chloride_1?x bromide_x is studied experimentally by measurement of the static dielectric constant ?_b and described by the empirical relation $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{(X) = T}{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{(0) [1?(X/X}{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{)]}\text{1}\text{2}$. The Ising model with transverse field and the model of coupled anharmonic oscillators are used to explain the concentration dependence of the transition temperature T_c.     

Effect of the composition of the solid solution on the high-temperature microhardness of SiGe heteroepitaxial layers grown on Ge and Si substrates

The effect of the composition of epitaxial layers (ELs) of the Si_xGe_1?x solid solution grown on Ge and Si substrates on their microhardness and the length of dislocation rosettes forming around indentations is studied at a homologous temperature 0.5T_melt for each composition. For the Si_xGe_1?x/Ge (0≤x<0.15) and Si_xGe_1?x/Si (0.85<x≤1) ELs, the dependences of the microhardness and the length of dislocation rosettes on the solid-solution composition are nonmonotonic. The nonmonotonic change in the plasticity of the ELs is most likely caused by hardening of the solid solutions in a certain composition range due to their spinodal decomposition with the formation of clusters and disperse precipitates.     

35Cl NQR and XRD Studies on Cs2[Ag(I) x Au(I)1 − x Cl2][Au(III)Cl4]

³⁵Cl NQR and XRD have been investigated on the solid solution Cs₂[Ag(I) _x Au(I)_1???x Cl₂][Au(III)Cl₄] which yielded NQR lines by annealing. The crystal forms a tetragonal cell in the whole range of x. However, a change of the modification occurs at x?≈?0.85. The increase of c and decrease of a were observed in the range of 0.0?≤?x?≤?0.7.     

Growth of BaxSr1−xSO4 nano-steps on barite (0 0 1) face

Crystal growth has been promoted in the fluid cell of an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) by passing Ba-Sr-SO₄ aqueous solutions over barite (0 0 1) cleavage surfaces. Steps advance in structural continuity with the original barite (0 0 1) surfaces and two-dimensional nucleation occurs preferentially on the newly-formed terraces. The terraces are, on average, 7.5% lower than pure barite terraces. Since the ionic radius of Sr²⁺ is smaller that the ionic radius of Ba²⁺, the reduction of terrace height is consistent with an extensive incorporation of Sr²⁺ into the barite structure. Therefore, it can be considered that the newly-formed terraces have compositions corresponding to terms of the Ba_xSr_1−xSO₄ solid solution. A non-linear dependence of step rate on [SrSO₄] concentration in the solution (and therefore on supersaturation) has been found. The growth behaviour has been discussed by considering both the physicochemical properties of the Ba_xSr_1−xSO₄ solid solution-aqueous solution (SS-AS) system and a kinetic-based step growth model.     

Two-dimensional wave equation with degeneration on the curvilinear boundary of the domain and asymptotic solutions with localized initial data

In a two-dimensional domain Ω ? R ², we consider the wave equation with variable velocity c(x ₁, x ₂) degenerating on the boundary Γ = ?Ω as the square root of the distance to the boundary, and construct an asymptotic solution of the Cauchy problem with localized initial data. This problem is related to the so-called “run-up problem” in tsunami wave theory. One main idea (also used by the authors in earlier papers in the one-dimensional case and the two-dimensional case with c ²(x ₁, x ₂) = x ₁) is that the (singular) curve Γ is a caustic of special type. We use this idea to introduce a generalization of the Maslov canonical operator covering the problem with degeneration and obtain efficient formulas for the asymptotic solutions.     

23Na nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of the lattice distortion in α-NaxV2O5

The full temperature dependence of the electric field gradient tensor at the Na sites has been determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in the temperature range 8–330 K in α-Na_{x 2}O₅ (x = 0.996). Above the spin-Peierls transition (T _c = 34.7 K), only a single Na site is observed in agreement with the Pmmn space group proposed to describe this compound as the first example of a 1/4-filled ladder system. Below T_c, eight distinct quadrupolar²³Na sites are observed according to the distortion wave vector k_c = (1/2, 1/2, 1/4) previously reported. In addition, the opening of a spin gap is evidenced by a rapid drop of the magnetic hyperfine shift²³K at T_c. The results are discussed in the context of a charge-order-driven spin-Peierls transition.