Long range effect of ion irradiation on diffusion

Argon ion irradiation enhanced diffusion between Cu and Ni was found beyond the radiation effect zone in classical theory. The enhanced diffusion effect attenuates along with the distance between the diffusion zone and the radiated surface. An interpretation based on irradiation induced discrete breathers was employed as a possible mechanism.     

Misfit-dislocation-mediated heteroepitaxial island diffusion

Scanning tunneling microscopy combined with molecular dynamics simulations reveals a dislocation-mediated island diffusion mechanism for Cu on Ag(111), a highly mismatched system. Cluster motion is tracked with atomic precision at multiple temperatures and diffusion barriers and prefactors are determined from direct measurements of hop rates. The barrier to nucleate a dislocation is sensitive to island size and shape, resulting in a non-monotonic size dependence of the diffusion barrier.     

A transfer matrix analysis of quaternary diffusion

A transfer matrix method (TMM), developed recently by Ram-Mohan and Dayananda, has been employed for the first time to generate error function solutions for quaternary diffusion in solid–solid metallic diffusion couples. The method was validated with the aid of a hypothetical couple with known quaternary interdiffusion coefficients and applied to two experimental Cu–Ni–Zn–Mn quaternary couples annealed at 775°C. Quaternary interdiffusion coefficients were determined by the Dayananda analysis from the concentration profiles of the couples over selected composition ranges in the diffusion zone and employed for the subsequent TMM calculation of error function solutions. For the hypothetical test couple, identical sets of constant interdiffusion coefficients were determined on either side of the Matano plane and utilized for the calculation of concentration profiles by TMM. For the experimental Cu–Ni–Zn–Mn couples, interdiffusion coefficients determined over selected regions in the diffusion zone were employed for the TMM generation of the concentration profiles.     

The effect of preferential diffusion on soot formation in a laminar ethylene/air diffusion flame

The influence of preferential diffusion on soot formation in a laminar ethylene/air diffusion flame was investigated by numerical simulation using three different transport property calculation methods. One simulation included preferential diffusion and the other two neglected preferential diffusion. The results show that the neglect of preferential diffusion or the use of unity Lewis number for all species results in a significant underprediction of soot volume fraction. The peak soot volume fraction is reduced from 8.0 to 2.0 ppm for the studied flame when preferential diffusion is neglected in the simulation. Detailed examination of numerical results reveals that the underprediction of soot volume fraction in the simulation neglecting preferential diffusion is due to the slower diffusion of some species from main reaction zone to PAH and soot formation layer. The slower diffusion of these species causes lower PAH formation rate and thus results in lower soot inception rate and smaller particle surface area. The smaller surface area further leads to smaller surface growth rate. In addition, the neglect of preferential diffusion also leads to higher OH concentration in the flame, which causes the higher specific soot oxidation rate. The lower inception rate, smaller surface growth rate and higher specific oxidation rate results in the lower soot volume fraction when preferential diffusion is neglected. The finding of the paper implies the importance of preferential diffusion for the modeling of not only laminar but maybe also some turbulent flames.     

On drift,diffusion and geometry

We present some reflections on the links between drift, diffusion and geometry. For this purpose, we examine different sources of “diffusion models”, in physics and in mathematics. We observe that diffusion processes may arise from original models either deterministic, or random but where dynamics and noise are clearly delineated. In the end, we get a diffusion process where noise and dynamics (“drift”) are generally intimately entangled in a second-order partial differential operator. We focus on the following questions. Are there implicit geometric structures to properly define a diffusion? How are drift/dynamics and diffusion mixed? Are there geometric structures needed to separate drift and diffusion? We stress the importance of recurrent differential geometric structures – connections and Riemannian metrics – needed to properly define a “diffusion term” and also to separate drift from diffusion.     

Acceleration of nickel diffusion by high tensile stress in cold-worked type 316 stainless steel at 450°C

The effect of tensile stress on diffusion was studied by the diffusion couple method. A diffusion couple was prepared by electroless plating a nickel thin layer on the round notch surface of a compact tension-type specimen of 20% cold-worked Type 316 stainless steel. The couple was diffused at 450°C for 4003?h under the maximum tensile stress of 553?MPa in the load direction. A rapid diffusion coefficient of nickel in the Type 316 stainless steel was observed at the high tensile stress zone that was 6.5 times faster than that at the low-stress zone.     

Real-time view of mesoscopic surface diffusion

Photoemission electron microscopy is used to study the thermal decay of Ag islands grown epitaxially on Si(001) surfaces. (2 x 3) Ag reconstructed zones, due to migrating Ag atoms supplied to the surface by the decaying islands, surround each of the islands. The shape of these reconstructed zones depends on the degree of diffusion isotropy in the system. We demonstrate that the imaging of these reconstructed "isocoverage zones" constitutes a unique experimental method for directly observing diffusion fields in epitaxial systems. We describe the dynamics of the thermal decay of the islands and the isozones in the context of a continuum diffusion model.     

Retardation of diffusion in porous media with stagnation zones

The problem of diffusion in a porous medium with stagnation zones, which reduce the rate of transport of particles, is considered. A method based on the concept of entropy barriers associated with the small size of inlets into the stagnation zone is used to solve the diffusion problem. This method made it possible to reduce the diffusion problem in 3D structures to a set of one-dimensional equations that can be solved analytically. The calculations yielded an exact value of the effective diffusion coefficient, which is reduced due to random delays in the stagnation zones, and the transition time required to attain this reduction.     

Dynamic behavior of diffusion flame interacting with a large-scale vortex by laser imaging techniques

Instantaneous and simultaneous measurements of two-dimensional temperature and OH-LIF profiles by combining Rayleigh scattering with laser induced fluorescence (LIF) were demonstrated in a nitrogen-diluted hydrogen (H₂ 30% + N₂ 70%) laminar normal diffusion flame interacting with a large-scale vortex by oscillating central fuel flow or in an inverse diffusion flame by oscillating central airflow. The dynamic behavior of the diffusion flame extinction and reignition during the flame–vortex interaction processes was investigated. The results obtained are described as follows. (1) The width of the reaction zone decreases remarkably, and a decrease in flame temperature and OH-LIF is seen with increasing central airflow in an inverse diffusion flame. OH-LIF increases, and temperature does not change with increasing central fuel flow in a normal diffusion flame. The computations predict the experimental results well, and it is revealed that flame temperature characteristics result from the preferential diffusion of heat and species, which induces excess enthalpy or on enthalpy deficit, and an increase or decrease in H₂ mole fraction in the flame. (2) When a large velocity fluctuation is given to the central flow, the temperature and the OH-LIF at the reaction zone become thin at the convex and circumferential part of the vortex where a high temperature layer exists, and the temperature at the reaction zone is lowered in the inverse flame and the normal flame. (3) The width and temperature of the reaction zone interacting with the vortex recover quickly to that of the laminar steady flame after the vortex passing in the normal flame, but the recovery to that of the steady flame after the vortex passing is delayed in the inverse flame. (4) When a remarkably large velocity fluctuation is given to the central airflow in the inverse flame, thinning of temperature and reaction zone starts at the convex and circumferential part of the vortex, resulting in a and flame extinction completely occurs at the tail part of the vortex and makes the pair of edge flames. The outside edge flame reignites and connects with the upstream reaction zone. The inside edge flame finally extinguishes as the supply of fuel is interrupted by the outside edge flame.     

Sulphur diffusion in GaAs-AlAs superlattices

Diffusion and heat treatment experiments in closed ampoules were carried out on two different molecular beam epitaxy-grown GaAs-AlAs superlattice wafers. All of the diffusion experiments were undertaken at 1000° C. The effects of varying the As and S vapour pressures as well as the diffusion time were investigated. Angle-lapping, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and secondary-ion mass spectroscopy were the techniques employed to analyse the samples. It was demonstrated that the diffusion of S enhances the group III interdiffusion or intermixing compared with the effect of plain heat treatment. It was also shown that S-induced intermixing has two origins, one being the diffusion of S and its effects on the concentration of native defects and the other being a mechanism related to the formation of a coating on the semiconductor surface during the diffusion.     

Investigation of the perfection of diffusion layers obtained in the diffusion of zinc in gallium arsenide

The degree of perfection of diffusion layers in gallium arsenide was investigated experimentally in relation to the surface concentration of zinc, the arsenic vapor pressure, the diffusion temperature, and the cooling conditions of the specimens after diffusion. By optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction it was shown that diffusion layers of gallium arsenide can be very strongly disrupted during the diffusion of zinc, and their structure may frequently approach that of mosaic crystals. This disruption is caused mainly by dislocations, which may exceed 10⁷/cm² in density. The disruptions are lower with lower surface concentration of zinc, with high arsenic vapor pressures (1.5 atm) compared with the normal, and with lower diffusion temperatures.The authors wish to convey their gratitude to V. A. Presnov and M. P. Yakubene for discussing the results and taking an interest in the work     

力和扩散机理下外延形貌的演化分析

本文提出了一个新的基于扩散界面的相场模型来描述外延生长中岛的形核、生长及熟化过程. 该模型同时考虑了弹性场、表面能、沉积、扩散、解吸和能量势垒等热力学及动力学过程对表面纳米形貌的影响. 采用经典的BCF模型来描述生长中的扩散形核过程, 而采用一个新的包含弹性应变能的自由能函数, 通过变分得到一个描述多层岛生长的相场方程, 该方法可以有效地描述外延生长中复杂的外延形貌. 采用有限差分格式对非线性耦合方程组进行求解. 数值结果显示, 该模型可以真实地再现外延生长中多层岛结构(即山丘状形貌)的演化过程, 模拟结果与已有实验结果一致. 同时模拟了生长过程中随外延形貌演化而形成的复杂生长应力, 研究表明, 在生长过程中, 岛中存在着复杂的应力分布, 且在岛边界处应力达到局部最大, 这与实验结果定性一致. 此外, 本文的重要发现是, 外延生长中的应力演化明显地影响原子的扩散过程, 当应力存在时, 外延结构变化较无弹性场时变快. 该项研究对理解外延生长中各物理机理的协同作用有重要的指导意义.     

Time-dependent tunneling spectroscopy for studying surface diffusion confined in nanostructures

By confining a diffusion atom in a nanometer region using surface potential heterogeneity, we have successfully employed a time-dependent tunneling spectroscopy to quantitatively study its random motion. A hopping rate in the range of 1-10(4) Hz, approximately 3 orders of magnitude faster than those accessible by the existing diffusion methods based on scanning tunneling microscopy, was demonstrated for single Cu atoms diffusing in the faulted half unit cell of Si(111)-(7 x 7). Our technique is potentially useful to detect fast diffusion processes such as H quantum diffusion at atomic scale.     

Knudsen diffusion in silicon nanochannels

Measurements on helium and argon gas flow through an array of parallel, linear channels of 12 nm diameter and 200 microm length in a single crystalline silicon membrane reveal a Knudsen diffusion type transport from 10(2) to 10(7) in Knudsen number Kn. The classic scaling prediction for the transport diffusion coefficient on temperature and mass of diffusing species, D(He) is proportional to square root T, is confirmed over a T range from 40 K to 300 K for He and for the ratio of D(He)/D(Ar) is proportional to square root (m(Ar)/m(He)). Deviations of the channels from a cylindrical form, resolved with electron microscopy down to subnanometer scales, quantitatively account for a reduced diffusivity as compared to Knudsen diffusion in ideal tubular channels. The membrane permeation experiments are described over 10 orders of magnitude in Kn, encompassing the transition flow regime, by the unified flow model of Beskok and Karniadakis.     

Anomalous diffusion in presence of twin boundaries

After implantation of the ⁷¹Ge radiotracer in the Mg-1.8 wt% Al magnesium alloy, tracer diffusion coefficients were measured using both the serial sectioning and the residual activity technique in the temperature range from 448 to 848 K. Anomalously high diffusivities were observed at high temperatures where volume diffusion usually predominates. A contribution of high diffusivity paths to the total diffusion flux can be a possible explanation of both phenomena. Based on the high fraction of twin boundaries confirmed by electron microscopy, a simple microstructure model is proposed.     

Oxygen diffusion through thin Pt films on Si(100)

We have investigated the diffusion of oxygen through evaporated platinum films on Si(100) upon exposure to air using substrates covered with Pt films of spatially and continuously varying thickness (0–500 Å). Film compositions and morphologies before and after silicidation were characterized by modified crater edge profiling using scanning Auger microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis, scanning tunneling microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. We find that oxygen diffuses through a Pt layer of up to 170 Å forming an oxide at the interface. In this thickness range, silicide formation during annealing is inhibited and is eventually stopped by the development of a continuous oxide layer. Since the platinum film consists of a continuous layer of nanometer-size crystallites, grain boundary diffusion of oxygen is the most probable way for oxygen incorporation. The diffusion constant is of the order of 10^–19 cm²/s with the precise value depending on the film morphology.     

Reactive diffusion in the Ti–Si system and the significance of the parabolic growth constant

Solid diffusion couple experiments are conducted to analyse the growth mechanism of the phases and the diffusion mechanism of the components in the Ti–Si system. The calculation of the parabolic growth constants and the integrated diffusion coefficients substantiates that the analysis is intrinsically prone to erroneous conclusions if it is based on just the parabolic growth constants determined for a multiphase interdiffusion zone. The location of the marker plane is detected based on the uniform grain morphology in the TiSi₂ phase, which indicates that this phase grows mainly because of Si diffusion. The growth mechanism of the phases and morphological evolution in the interdiffusion zone are explained with the help of imaginary diffusion couples. The activation enthalpies for the integrated diffusion coefficient of TiSi₂ and the Si tracer diffusion are calculated as 190 ± 9 and 197 ± 8?kJ/mol, respectively. The crystal structure, details on the nearest neighbours of the components, and their relative mobilities indicate that the vacancies are mainly present on the Si sublattice.     

Estimate of volume changes in the diffusion zone

We obtain an analytic solution to the coupled problem of the diffusion interaction of two media, represented as two semi-infinite solid phase materials. The mathematical model demonstrates that the reason for the appearance of stresses and deformations in the diffusion zone is not only the differing atomic volumes of the materials but also the difference in their partial diffusion coefficients. It is shown that the character and size of the stresses and deformations are determined by the elastic properties and the atomic volumes of the interacting components. Physics Institute of Strength and Materials Production. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 5, pp. 19–27, May, 1997.     

Long jumps in the surface diffusion of large molecules

We have studied the diffusion of the two organic molecules DC and HtBDC on the Cu(110) surface by scanning tunneling microscopy. Surprisingly, we find that long jumps, spanning multiple lattice spacings, play a dominating role in the diffusion of these molecules--the root-mean-square jump lengths are as large as 3.9 and 6.8 lattice spacings, respectively. The presence of long jumps is revealed by a new and simple method of analysis, which is tested by kinetic Monte Carlo simulations.