Formation of zinc oxide quasibicrystal structures

Quasibicrystal structures with interblock boundaries of epitaxial zinc oxide layers on a sapphire substrate along a given direction have been obtained for producing submicron electronic devices. It is shown that the use of the buffer technique allows one to grow on one (10 $\bar 1$ 2) α-Al₂O₃ substrate ZnO layers oriented in the (11 $\bar 2$ 0)and (0001) planes with clearly pronounced interlayer boundaries. The morphology and structural characteristics of these layers are studied.     

Reaction of 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)maleic acid-thioanhydride (bmata) with PhCCo3(CO)9. X-ray diffraction structure of {\text{Co}}_{\text{3}} ({\text{CO)}}_{\text{6}} [\mu _2 ,\eta ^2 ,\eta ^1 {\text{ - C(Ph)}}{\text{(O)](}}\mu _2 {\text{ - PPh}}_{\text{2}} )

The benzylidyne-capped cluster PhCCo₃(CO)₉ (1) reacts with the diphosphine ligand 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)maleic acid-thioanhydride (bmata) to afford ultimately the new cluster ${\text{Co}}_{\text{3}} ({\text{CO)}}_{\text{6}} [\mu _2 ,\eta ^2 ,\eta ^1 {\text{ - C(Ph)}}{\text{(O)](}}\mu _2 {\text{ - PPh}}_{\text{2}} )$ (3) in low yield under thermolysis conditions or by Me₃NO activation of PhCCo₃(CO)₉. The intermediate cluster compound PhCCo₃(CO)₇(bmata) (2) has been confirmed by IR spectroscopy and is shown to give ${\text{Co}}_{\text{3}} ({\text{CO)}}_{\text{6}} [\mu _2 ,\eta ^2 ,\eta ^1 {\text{ - C(Ph)}}{\text{(O)](}}\mu _2 {\text{ - PPh}}_{\text{2}} )$ upon heating. Cluster 3 has been isolated and characterized in solution by IR and ³¹P NMR spectroscopies, and the solid-state structure of 3 was established by X-ray diffraction analysis. ${\text{Co}}_{\text{3}} ({\text{CO)}}_{\text{6}} [\mu _2 ,\eta ^2 ,\eta ^1 {\text{ - C(Ph)}}{\text{(O)](}}\mu _2 {\text{ - PPh}}_{\text{2}} )$ crystallizes in the triclinic space group P ${\bar 1}$ , a = 11.6053(8) Å, b = 11.8438(8) Å, c = 15.099(1) Å, α = 105.169(5)^○, β = 90.530(5)^○, γ = 104.976(6)^○, V = 1928.5(2) ų, Z = 2, and d _calc = 1.578; R = 0.0442, R _w = 0.481 for 2591 observed reflections with I > 3σ (I). The cyclic voltammetric properties of 3 have been investigated and are contrasted with the related bma-derived cluster ${\text{Co}}_{\text{3}} ({\text{CO)}}_{\text{6}} [\mu _2 ,\eta ^2 ,\eta ^1 {\text{ - }}{\text{(O)OC(O)](}}\mu _2 {\text{ - PPh}}_{\text{2}} )$ .     

Anisotropy of microhardness of β-BaB2O4 single crystals

The anisotropy of microhardness of β-barium borate single crystals β-BaB₂O₄ (BBO) is studied by the sclerometry method on the (0001) basal plane, the $(10\bar 10)$ plane of the hexagonal prism, and the $(11\bar 20)$ plane of the trigonal prism. It is shown that the anisotropy observed in the crystal is determined by the directions of covalent B-O bonds. It is established that the anisotropy of microhardness correlates with the system of cleavage planes.     

Peculiar reflections in diffraction patterns as indicators of structural type and quality

Reflections serving as indicators of the types of packets forming crystal structures of many layered semiconductors have been revealed in diffraction patterns. It is found that the values l for the strongest reflection in series 000l and 00l, as well as the next to the strongest reflection in series \(hh\bar 2\bar hl\) (h = const) and 0kl (k = const) for hexagonal and monoclinic structures, respectively, determine the number of polyhedral (Tand O) cation-filled layers per cell and indicate the types of packets TOT \(TO\bar TE\) , \(TO\bar T\bar TE\) , \(TOO\bar TE\) , \(TTO\bar T\bar TE\) , \(OOE_1 TO\bar TE_1 \) and OOE \(OOE_1 TO\bar TE_2 TO\bar TE_1 \) , where T and \(\bar T\) are inversely oriented tetrahedra, O is an octahedron, E is an empty interpacket layer, and E₁ and E₂ are partially filled (to less than 1/3) interpacket layers.     

Flexoelectric effect and statistical properties in polar liquid crystals

The structural properties and flexoelectric coefficients e ₁ and e ₃ of polar liquid crystals (LCs) such as 4-n-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (5CB) are studied in the nematic phase by the molecular-dynamics and statistical-mechanics methods. A number of order parameters, $\bar P_{2L} (L = 1,2,3)$ and $\bar P_2 (r)$ , and orientational correlations ξ_λ for the nearest and next-nearest neighbors were investigated. The calculations show the absence of spontaneous polarization $(\bar P_1 \simeq 0)$ in the nondeformed polar 5CB liquid crystal over the entire range of temperatures corresponding to the nematic phase. The origination of spontaneous polarization (characterized by two independent flexoelectric coefficients e ₁ and e ₃) in response to an external deformation of a 5CB sample is studied. The calculated e ₁ and e ₃ coefficients agree well with the experimental data for 5CB obtained by the pyroelectric method.     

Crystal structure of tisinalite Na2(Mn,Ca)1 − x (Ti,Zr,Nb,Fe3+)[Si6O8(O,OH)10]

Crystal structure of tisinalite from the Lovozero alkaline massif (the Kola Peninsula) was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (SYNTEX $\bar P1$ diffractometer, λMoK_α radiation, 2θ/θ scanning mode). The structure solution (SHELX97 program package, R _hkl = 0.0565, 951 independent reflections, anisotropic refinement of thermal atomic displacements) confirmed that tisinalite belongs to the lovozerite structure type (sp. gr., $\bar P1$ , a = 10.036(5) Å, c = 12.876(9) Å, Z = 3). The difference between the structure of tisinalite and the structures of the minerals of the lovozerite group established earlier consists in the nature of the occupancy of both cation and anion positions.     

Regular domain structure in a lithium niobate crystal—Period stabilization

High stability of the period and homogeneity of a regular domain structure was attained in Nd: Mg: LiNbO₃ crystals grown from melt with an excess of lithium oxide by the Czochralski method along the normal to the close-packed $\{ 01\bar 12\} $ face.     

On the problem of transient hydrodynamic instability of nematics in magnetic field: I. Instability at splay deformation

A dependence of the square of dimensionless magnetic-field (MF) strength on the square of dimensionless wave vector of the domain structure, $h^2 \left( {\tilde q^2 } \right)$ , is analytically derived for the transient hydrodynamic instability arising at splay deformation under a MF. The domain formation is related to the fold catastrophe; the square of the critical field of domain formation, h _D ² , is determined from the condition ${{\partial \left[ {h^2 \left( {\tilde q^2 } \right)} \right]} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\partial \left[ {h^2 \left( {\tilde q^2 } \right)} \right]} \partial }} \right. \kern-0em} \partial }\left( {\tilde q^2 } \right) = 0$ . In the general case, the function $h^2 \left( {\tilde q^2 } \right)$ is a ratio of two polynomials whose coefficients for calamitics are determined by combinations of four dimensionless viscosities ν₂/ν₁, ν₆/ν₁, ν₇/ν₁, and ν₈/ν₁. Under some assumptions, the quotient of the polynomials at large $\tilde q^2$ is a quadratic function which allows one to experimentally determine the dimensionless viscosities ν₂/ν₁, ν₆/ν₁, ν₇/ν₁, and α₂/ν₁.     

Polytypism and superstructure in CoInGaS4

It is established that a one-layer polytype 1T with the unit-cell parameters a = 3.758, c = 12.135 Å, sp. gr. P3m1 and the structure module _hT_hO_hT_hE is mixed with the three-layer polytype 3R with the unit-cell parameters a = 3.758, c = 36.405 Å, sp. gr. R3m and the structure module _hT_cO_cT_hE, where T and O are two-dimensional nets of tetrahedra and octahedra, respectively, E is the empty intermediate layer, and h and c indicate the hexagonal and cubic packings of atomic planes S. The microdiffraction pattern in the hexagonal basis shows a monoclinic superlattice with the parameters $A = \sqrt {19} a, B = \sqrt {13} a, \gamma = 110.485^\circ$ related to the main hexagonal lattice as A = [520] and $B = [\bar 130]$ .     

Refinement of the crystal structure of sanidine-like feldspar

The crystal structure of sanidine-like feldspar of the composition KAlSi₃O₈ from the Khibiny alkaline massif (the Kola Peninsula) has been refined (X-ray diffraction analysis; automated Syntex $P\bar 1$ diffractometer; 2θ: θ scanning technique; 2320 reflections; R _(hkl) = 0.0409; anisotropic refinement; AREN program package). The data obtained for KAlSi₃O₈ are: a = 8.615(9), b = 13.030(7), c = 7.200(5) Å, α = 89.99(5)°, β = 116.01(6)°, γ = 89.98(7)°, Z = 4, sp. gr. $C\bar 1$ . Microtwinning revealed in the crystal structure of the mineral explains the simultaneous existence of two structural-optical types in one sample—“high” and “low” sanidines.     

Kinetics of hydrothermal crystallization of quartz in Na2CO3 solutions

The kinetics of crystallization of the {0001}c, {01 $\bar 1$ 1}r, and {10 $\bar 1$ 1}R faces of quartz in 0.5 M Na₂CO₃ (M is molarity) aqueous solutions has been studied in the temperature range 200–450°C. It is established that the dependence of the crystal growth rate on temperature in the logV-1/T, K coordinates is of a parabolic nature. It is most probable that the nonlinearity of this dependence is associated with a deficiency in the solution of silica monomers, taking part in the elementary event of quartz crystallization. The causes of a jumpwise decrease in the activation energy of the growth of the c, r, and R faces at t > 280–325°C are considered.     

Refined crystal structure of iron-rich triclinic astrophyllite

Crystal structure of Fe-rich triclinic astrophyllite K₂NaFe₇ [Ti₂Si₈O₂₆F](OH)₄ is refined (a Syntex P $\bar 1$ automatic diffractometer, 3809 reflections, 2θ/θ scan, R = 0.041): a = 5.365(2), b = 11.88(1), c = 21.03(2) Å, α = 84.87(6)°, β = 92.25(5)°, γ = 103.01(4)°, sp. gr. A $\bar 1$ , Z = 2, d _calcd = 3.29 g/cm³. The refined structure is identical to that reported earlier. The structure is built by three-layer TOT sheets in which an O layer of Fe-octahedra is sandwiched between the T layers consisting of Si-tetrahedra and Ti-octahedra. It is established that differently chosen unit cells of the mineral are interrelated.     

Ba1−x R x F2 + x Phases (R = Gd-Lu) with distorted fluorite-type structures—products of crystallization of incongruent melts in the BaF2-RF3 Systems (R = Gd-Lu). III. Defect Ba0.75Lu0.25F2.25 structure. A new {Lu8[Ba6F71]} supercluster of defects

The structure of Ba_0.75Lu_0.25F_2.25 crystals grown from melt has been studied by X-ray diffraction analysis (4729 measured reflections, 269 independent reflections with I > σ (I), R = 1.1%, R _w = 0.7%). The crystals are crystallized in the cubic system, sp. gr. Pm $\bar 3$ m, with the lattice parameter a = 5.9870(9) Å. A new complex of defects is singled out—a supercluster of the composition {R ₈[Ba₆F₇₁]}. This supercluster differs from the well-known rare earth octahedral supercluster of the composition {Ba₈[R ₆F_68-69]} because its nucleus is formed not by RE cations but by an alkali earth cation, Ba. The {R ₈[Ba₆F₇₁]} supercluster has a configuration close to that of the [B₁₄F₆₄] fragment of the fluorite structure and can replace the latter isomorphously. The model of the Ba_0.75Lu_0.25F_2.25 crystals consisting of coherently intergrown isostructural microphases having different chemical compositions is characterized by the good agreement of the calculated and experimentally determined occupancies of the F^1? positions. The comparison of the Ba_0.8Yb_0.2F_2.2 (phase studied earlier) and Ba_0.75Lu_0.25F_2.25 structures demonstrates the evolution of the defect structure along the series of rare earths with the corresponding change of the sp. gr. Fm $\bar 3$ m by the sp. gr. Pm $\bar 3$ m.     

Modification of birefringence properties of nanostructured silicon with a change in the level of substrate doping with boron

Birefringence of porous-silicon films prepared by electrochemical etching of boron-doped Si(110) wafers with a resistivity of 25–45 mΘ cm has been studied. The samples are found to exhibit the properties of a negative uniaxial crystal with the optical axis oriented along the [1 $\bar 1$ 0] crystallographic direction. The possibility of using porous-silicon films as phase plates for light-polarization control in the near and mid-IR ranges is demonstrated.     

New icosahedral nanoclusters in crystal structures of intermetallic compounds: Topological types of 50-atom deltahedra D50 in samson phases β-Mg2Al3 and ?-Mg23Al30

A database of intermetallic compounds has been compiled using the TOPOS program package. This database includes 514 topological types, containing 12- and 13-atom icosahedral i clusters. An isolated group of 1649 i clusters is described by 14 point groups and their maximum symmetry D _3d ( $\bar 3$ m) and T _h (m $\bar 3$ ) is established, respectively, in 47 and 25 types of crystal structures. A structural analysis of the outer quasispherical shells showed that local 63-atom i configurations 1@12@50, which contain 50 atoms in the second layer, are implemented in 8 out of 19 cases. Examples of new topologically different types of 50-atom D50 deltahedra in the Samson phases ?-Mg₂₃Al₃₀ and ??-Mg₂Al₃ are presented. Four topologically different sites with coordination numbers of 5, 6, 6, or 7 are established in the ? shell and seven sites with coordination numbers of 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6, or 7 are found in the ?? shell. The inner i clusters for the ??-Mg₂Al₃ structure (with the symmetry $\bar 3$ m) and the ?-Mg₂₃Al₃₀ structure (with the symmetry $\bar 3$ ) have a similar chemical composition, i.e., Mg₇Al₆ and Mg₆Al₇, and their 50-atom shells are chemically identical to 18Mg + 32Al. The configurations found supplement the series of known two-layer icosahedral Bergman and Mackay clusters in the form of deltahedra with 32- and 42-atom shells.     

Atomic structure of boron suboxycarbide B(C,O)0.155

The structure of a high-pressure boron suboxycarbide B(C,O)_0.1555 single crystal has been studied for the first time. The unit-cell parameters are a _h = 5.618(1), c _h = 12.122(1) Å, V = 331.38(1) ų, sp. gr. R $\bar 3$ m, R _hkl = 0.0479. The established common structural features of the interstitial rhombohedral α-boron-based B(C,O) phases and the data on the known carbides and boron suboxides allowed the characterization of the new phase.     

New phosphate Fe0.5Nb1.5(PO4)3 with an electrically neutral framework. Synthesis and crystal structure

A new iron-niobium phosphate, Fe_0.5Nb_1.5(PO₄)₃, has been prepared and studied by X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe analysis, IR spectroscopy, and neutron powder diffraction. On the basis of X-ray powder data, it was found that the synthesized phosphate crystallizes into the sp. gr. R $\bar 3$ c and corresponds to the structural type of sodium-zirconium phosphate NaZr₂(PO₄)₃. The structure was refined by the Rietveld method based on a powder neutron diffraction experiment. The obtained phosphate belongs to complex niobium orthophosphates and has a framework structure with a zero framework charge.     

Crystallographic investigations of 1,4-benzothiazin-2(1H)one and 3-methyl-1,4-benzothiazin-2(1H)one

The crystal structures of 1,4-benzothiazin-2(1H)one (C₈H₇SNO) (I) and 3-methyl-1,4-benzothiazin-2(1H)one (C₉H₉SNO) (II) have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. I crystallizes in the monoclinic system with space group P2₁/n, while II crystallizes in triclinic with space group P $\bar 1$ . The molecular features in both the structures are almost similar; however, there exists an intermolecular interaction in (II) that could be due to the methyl group.     

Three-layer monoclinic 3M 2 polytype of muscovite revealed from oblique-texture electron diffraction patterns

The inhomogeneous (complex) polytype 3M ₂ of finely dispersed muscovite with the structure formed by layers with different parity of azimuthal orientations (561) or relative rotations $[11\bar 2]$ was identified for the first time using the oblique-texture electron diffraction patterns. The specimen had no rigorous order in layer alternation, which is reflected in the distortion of the reflection positions and intensities. It is shown that the most probable defects reduce to the replacement of the layer orientations characteristic of the 3M ₂ polytype by layer orientation characteristic of the 2M ₂ polytype. This fact indicates that, under certain conditions, the prismatic coordination of interlayer cations in micas is preferable.