Thermomechanical properties of amorphous hydrogenated carbon–germanium alloys

Thermomechanical properties of amorphous hydrogenated carbon-germanium alloys prepared by the rf sputtering technique were determined for films in the 0 at. % to 100 at. % carbon content range. The stress, thermal expansion coefficient, and elastic modulus were obtained using the thermally induced bending technique. The stress was related to the concentration of hydrogen and argon, to the difference in the Ge-Ge and Ge-C bond length, and to the carbon hybridization. The thermal expansion coefficients of pure amorphous germanium and amorphous carbon are higher than that of their corresponding crystalline counterparts, which was attributed to the compressive stress of the films. The biaxial modulus, on the other hand, are always smaller than that of their crystalline counterparts, but increases as the concentration of carbon increases due to the substitution of Ge-Ge bonds by energetically stronger Ge-C and C-C bonds. Received: 9 May 2000 / Accepted: 10 May 2000 / Published online: 13 July 2000     

Magnetic properties of amorphous MnxPd82−xGe18 alloys

Magnetoresistivity, magnetic, susceptibility and high field magnetization measurements were performed on the amorphous Mn _x Pd_82–x Ge₁₈ alloys for 1x7. These amorphous alloys were prepared by radio frequency (R. F.) sputtering using argon, depositing onto fused quartz substrates to a thickness of about 20 microns. The negative magnetoresistivity is approximately proportional to the square of the magnetization and the susceptibility obeying the Curie-Weiss law between 18 and 293 K. These results lead to the conclusion that a Kondo-type s-d exchange interaction exists in the amorphous Mn-Pd-Ge alloys and the d-d, spin correlation between magnetic atoms is, in general, weaker in the amorphous alloys than in the corresponding crystalline alloys.     

Role of the chemical ordering on the magnetic properties of Fe–Ni cluster alloys

The spin and orbital moments of fcc Fe-Ni cluster alloys are determined within the framework of a d-band Hamiltonian including the spin-orbit coupling non perturbatively. Different sizes (up to 321 atoms), compositions, and chemical configurations (random alloys as well as core-shell arrays of iron and nickel atoms) are considered in order to reveal the crucial role played by local order and stoichiometry on the magnetic moments of the clusters. Interestingly, we have found considerably reduced average magnetizations for Fe-Ni clusters with Fe cores compared to that of the bulk alloy with the same composition. Indeed, in these configurations not only antiparallel arrangements between the local moments of some Fe atoms within the iron core are found, but also the total magnetization of the surface Ni atoms is significantly quenched. On the opposite, the disordered and Ni-core cluster alloys are characterized by high magnetizations resulting from saturated-like contributions from both Ni and Fe atoms, in agreement with recent ab-initio calculations. In general, the local orbital magnetic moments are strongly enhanced with respect to their bulk values. Finally, the variation of the orbital-to-spin moment ratio with the chemical order is discussed.     

Magnetic properties of amorphous Mn x B100−x alloys

Magnetic properties of amorphous Mn _x B_100–x alloys ranging fromx = 30 to 70 under high magnetic fields and low ac magnetic fields in the temperature range from 4.2 K to room temperature have been investigated. Samples which have Mn concentrations of aboutx = 40–60 show spin-glass-like properties in the low-temperature region. This spin-glass characteristics result from a frustration in the spin system which is caused by the competition of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions between randomly distributed Mn atoms. Both magnetization at 4.2 K and paramagnetic momentP _eff as a function of Mn concentration show a peak aroundx 44 which drops rapidly towards both sides of the Mn content.     

XPS study of the chemical bonding in hydrogenated amorphous germanium–carbon alloys

A systematic study of the chemical bonding in hydrogenated amorphous germanium–carbon (a-Ge_1-xC_x:H)alloys using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is presented. The films, with carbon content ranging from 0 at. % to 100 at. %, were prepared by the rf co-sputtering technique. Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the carbon hybridization. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) and XPS were used to determine the film stoichiometry. The Ge 3d and C 1s core levels were used for investigating the bonding properties of germanium and carbon atoms, respectively. The relative concentrations of C–Ge, C–C, and C–H bonds were calculated using the intensities of the chemically shifted C 1s components. It was observed that the carbon atoms enter the germanium network with different hybridization, which depends on the carbon concentration. For concentrations lower than 20 at. %, the carbon atoms are preferentially sp³ hybridized, and approximately randomly distributed. As the carbon content increases the concentration of sp² sites also increases and the films are more graphitic-like. Received: 4 May 1999 / Accepted: 24 November 1999 / Published online: 24 March 2000     

Toxicity and cellular uptake of gold nanoparticles: what we have learned so far?

Gold nanoparticles have attracted enormous scientific and technological interest due to their ease of synthesis, chemical stability, and unique optical properties. Proof-of-concept studies demonstrate their biomedical applications in chemical sensing, biological imaging, drug delivery, and cancer treatment. Knowledge about their potential toxicity and health impact is essential before these nanomaterials can be used in real clinical settings. Furthermore, the underlying interactions of these nanomaterials with physiological fluids is a key feature of understanding their biological impact, and these interactions can perhaps be exploited to mitigate unwanted toxic effects. In this Perspective we discuss recent results that address the toxicity of gold nanoparticles both in vitro and in vivo, and we provide some experimental recommendations for future research at the interface of nanotechnology and biological systems.     

Influence of γ radiation on the structure-sensitive properties of CuTi amorphous alloy

The influence of small doses of radiation on the structure-sensitive properties of CuTi amorphous metallic alloy (AMA) is investigated. The AMA exhibit brittle behavior. It is found that, in samples exposed to radiation, the nonlinear behavior of the load-elongation curve is more pronounced and begins sooner. A small change in the fracture morphology in these samples is observed by raster electron microscopy. The additional broadening of the first amorphous maximum and its shift on the x-ray diffraction patterns correlates with increase in the dose. The modification of the structural-relaxation processes on heating the initial and irradiated samples is traced by the acoustic-emission method. The activation energy of these processes is determined.Tomsk State Architectural and Building Academy. Translated from Izestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 8, pp. 55–59, August, 1994.     

What do we learn from the local geometry of glass-forming liquids?

We examine the local geometry of a simulated glass-forming polymer melt. Using the Voronoi construction, we find that the distributions of Voronoi volume P(v(V)) and asphericity P(a) appear to be universal properties of dense liquids, supporting the use of packing approaches to understand liquid properties. We also calculate the average free volume along a path of constant density and find that extrapolates to zero at the same temperature T0 that the extrapolated relaxation time diverges. We relate to the Debye-Waller factor, which is measurable by neutron scattering.     

What do we learn from the CMB observations?

We give an account, at nonexpert and quantitative level, of physics behind the CMB temperature anisotropy and polarization and their peculiar features. We discuss, in particular, how cosmological parameters are determined from the CMB measurements and their combinations with other observations. We emphasize that CMB is the major source of information on the primordial density perturbations and, possibly, gravitational waves, and discuss the implication for our understanding of the extremely early Universe.     

Magnetostriction of amorphous GdxAg1−x alloys

Magnetostriction measurements above 4.2 K and up to 2.2 T have been performed in the amorphous alloys Gd_xAg_1−x (0.30 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.40). Magnetostriction is purely of volume character. It shows with composition a maximum at x = 0.35, and this behaviour can be explained if forced volume magnetostriction derives form the strain dependence of the two-ion longitudinal spin correlation. The isotropic spin exchange correlation seems irrelevant in these series, as also put forward by thermal expansion measurements.     

What can we learn from the total width of the Higgs boson?

As one of the key properties of the Higgs boson, the Higgs total width is sensitive to the global profile of the Higgs boson couplings, and thus new physics would modify the Higgs width. We investigate the total width in various new physics models, including various scalar extensions, composite Higgs models, and the fraternal twin Higgs model. Typically, the Higgs width is smaller than the standard model value due to mixture with other scalars if the Higgs is elementary, or curved Higgs field space for the composite Higgs. On the other hand, except for the possible invisible decay mode, the enhanced Yukawa coupling in the two Higgs doublet model or the exotic fermion embeddings in the composite Higgs could enhance the Higgs width greatly. The precision measurement of the Higgs total width at the high-luminosity LHC can be used to discriminate certain new physics models.     

Effect of Sn and Al additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of amorphous Ti–Cu–Zr–Ni alloys

Amorphous Ti–Cu–Zr–Ni alloys with minor addition of Sn and Al were prepared by melt spinning technique.The effects of Sn and Al additions on the microstructures and mechanical properties of glassy ribbons were investigated.The amorphous state of ribbons was confirmed by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy,where those ribbons with Sn addition exhibited a fully amorphous state.The characteristic temperature indicates that Ti_(45)Cu_(35)Zr_(10)Ni_5Sn_5 alloy has a stronger glass-forming ability,as proven by differential scanning calorimetry.Ti_(45)Cu_(35)Zr_(10)Ni_5Al_5 alloy showed a better hardness of 9.23 GPa and elastic modulus of 127.15 GPa and good wear resistance.Ti_(45)Cu_(35)Zr_(10)Ni_5Sn_5 alloy displayed a pop-in event related to discrete plasticity according to nanoindentation.When the temperature is below 560 K,Ti_(45)Cu_(35)Zr_(10)Ni_5Sn_5 alloy mainly exhibits elasticity.When the temperature rises between 717 K and 743 K,it shows a significant increase in elasticity but decrease in viscoelasticity after the ribbon experiences the main relaxation at 717 K.When the temperature is above 743 K,the ribbon shows viscoplasticity.     

Theoretical assessment on mixing properties of liquid Tl–Na alloys

Thermodynamic and structural properties of mixing of molten Tl–Na alloys at 673 K have been investigated using quasi-chemical model. To understand the mixing behaviour in more detail, emphasis is placed on the role of interaction energy term, and viscosity and surface tension of the alloys have also been analysed under statistical considerations. Our study shows negative deviation from the Raoultian behaviour in the properties of Tl–Na alloy thereby indicating hetero-coordination in the Tl–Na melt at 673 K in the full range of concentration. Theoretically, computed thermodynamic data at 673 K agree very well with the corresponding experimental data. The viscosities of the alloys computed from Kaptay equation show small negative deviation and those computed from Singh and Sommer’s formulation show small positive deviation from ideal values while the Budai-Benko-Kaptay equation predicts noticeable negative deviation in Na-rich end and positive deviation in Tl-rich end of the composition. The calculations of surface tension reveal that results obtained from layered structure approach and compound formation model are in good agreement in the Na-rich side and in reasonable agreement in Tl-rich side of the composition, while those computed from Butler equation show noticeable deviations in the intermediate compositions. Both the viscosity and surface tension of liquid Tl–Na alloys increase with addition of Tl-component, viscosity having approximately linear variation with concentration. The study shows that there is non-linear variation in surface composition with bulk concentration and for most of the compositions the surface of the alloy is enriched with Na-atoms which segregate to the surface.     

Effect of γ-irradiation on optical and chemical properties of CR-39 polymer

CR-39 polymer samples were irradiated with γ-irradiation up to dose ranging from 500 to 2000 kGy. The virgin and γ-irradiated polymer samples were investigated using UV–visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In the present work, the Urbach energy was calculated using the Urbach edge method. Also, the direct and indirect energy band gaps in virgin and γ-irradiated CR-39 polymer samples were calculated. The values of indirect energy band gap were found to be lower than the corresponding values of direct energy band gap. The decrease in the optical energy band gap with increasing γ-irradiation dose was discussed on the basis of γ-irradiation-induced modifications in CR-39 polymer. The correlation between optical energy band gap and the number of carbon atoms in a cluster with modified Tauc's equation was also discussed. The FTIR spectra show considerable changes due to γ-irradiation, indicating that the detector is not chemically stable.     

Influence of oxidized interlayers on magnetic properties of multilayer films based on amorphous ferromagnet–dielectric nanocomposites

Films of composites (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100–x, (Co₈₄Nb₁₄Ta₂)_x(SiO₂)_100–x, (Co₄₁Fe₃₉B₂₀)_x(SiO₂)_100–x and multilayer heterogeneous composite–composite structures {[(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100–x]/[(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100–x + N₂]}_n, {[(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100–x]/[(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100–x + O₂]}_n, {[(Co₄₁Fe₃₉B₂₀)_x(SiO₂)_100–x]/[(Co₄₁Fe₃₉B₂₀)_x(SiO₂)_100–x + O₂]}_n, and {[(Co₈₄Nb₁₄Ta₂)_x(SiO₂)_100–x]/[(Co₈₄Nb₁₄Ta₂)_x(SiO₂)_100–x + O₂]}_n have been deposited using the ionbeam sputtering method with a cyclic supply of reaction gases during deposition. The structure and magnetic properties of the films have been studied. It has been shown that the introduction of an oxidized interlayer makes it possible to suppress the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in the (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100–x composite with the metallic phase concentration higher than the percolation threshold.     

A mean-field study on the thermo-magnetic properties of GdxCo1−x amorphous alloys (0.16⩽x⩽0.25)

We present a mean-field study on the thermo-magnetic properties of Gd_xCo_1−x amorphous alloys in the 0.16⩽x⩽0.25 composition range. A single set of exchange integrals and fixed values of the angular momenta of Gd and Co fairly describe the temperature dependence of magnetization. The magnetic specific heat and magnetic entropy show field and composition dependence. Both the specific heat anomaly and the saturated entropy, at the temperature of the magnetic phase transition, increase with increasing Co concentration. The two magnetic subnetworks and their cross-interactions contribute differently to the specific heat.     

Low-temperature properties of amorphous (Mo1−x Ru x )0.8P0.2 alloys

Amorphous (Mo_1–x Ru _x )_0.8P_0.2 alloys (0.3x0.7) have been investigated with measurements of the specific heatC and thermal conductivity . Also the superconducting properties (critical temperatureT _c and upper critical field) have been determined. Well belowT _c , all alloys show the familiar behavior known for glasses, i.e.CT ⁿ and T _m withn1 andm2 which is attributed to tunneling states (TLS). The largeT _c allows an unambiguous determination of the coefficients ofC and . Compairing our data with literature data, we find no correlation between the TLS density of states and the glass temperature or crystallization temperature, as opposed to insulating glasses where such a correlation appears to exist. The unusual annealing behavior found previously in amorphous Zr–Ni and Zr–Cu, which was attributed to a change in the TLS relaxation-time spectrum, is confirmed in the present work.