Energy spectra of electrons reflected from layered targets

Here we consider backscattering of electrons with an initial energy from 10 keV to several MeV by plane-parallel sandwich targets. Using invariance principles, we obtain a formula describing the changes in the energy spectra of electrons reflected into a given solid angle. These changes occur with increasing thickness of films of different materials on substrates of finite and infinite thickness. We present methods for calculating the reflection and transmission function used in the above calculation. Repeating this method for each layer gives the spectra of electrons backscattered by multilayer targets. Comparison with experimental data shows that the theory developed adequately describes the process of electron backscattering. Our results indicate that the spectroscopy of nonelastically reflected electrons could be very useful forin situ nondestructive express analysis of depth profiles of multicomponent materials.     

Perturbation calculation of the distribution functions of mixtures of hard spheres

The distribution functions for a mixture of additive hard spheres of diameter σ_ii are calculated by means of an expansion in powers of σ _ij ⁿ - dⁿ , using an unperturbed single-component hard-sphere fluid of diameter d. Although the expansion converges only when the hard spheres in the mixture are nearly equal in size, it is useful because it is the only practical scheme available for obtaining the distribution functions of multicomponent hard-sphere mixtures.     

Generalized surface thermodynamics with application to nucleation

Gibbs formulated a complete and general thermodynamics for surfaces in multicomponent fluid systems. When considering solid–fluid surfaces, he restricted attention to single-component solids in contact with fluids that could contain multiple components. Attempts that have been offered to generalize Gibbs’ results for surfaces between multicomponent solids and fluid are problematic owing to the difficulty that the surface chemical potentials for components that also reside on substitutional lattice sites in the solids are not well defined. Therefore any expressions involving these surface chemical potentials, such as the conventional definition of the surface energy, will also not be well defined. In order to formulate a general thermodynamics of equilibrium that takes into account capillary effects in systems containing surfaces between a multicomponent solids and fluids, it is shown that the concept of thermodynamic availability (exergy) can be employed that, when applied to surfaces, depends on the extensive but not the intensive variables (such as the chemical potentials) of the surfaces. Using this approach, Gibbs–Thomson–Freundlich effects for finite-size solids, an adsorption equation for solid–fluid surfaces and the thermodynamics of nucleation during solidification can be treated in a straightforward manner without referring to the ill-defined surface chemical potentials. A derivation is given that appears to be the first one that properly generalizes Gibbs’ analysis for the reversible work to form a critical nucleus to the case of solidification.     

Quantum Treatment of Intermolecular Multiple-Quantum Coherences with IntramolecularJCoupling in Solution NMR

A recently introduced density matrix picture for dipolar effects in solution NMR (1996,J. Chem. Phys.105,874) gave complete solutions for intermolecular multiple-quantum coherences for single-component samples without scalar couplings. This paper, for the first time, shows that this quantum picture can lead to explicit signal expressions for multicomponent samples of molecules with internal scalar couplings (here assumed to generate a first-order spectrum) and long-range dipolar couplings. Experimental observation of a triplet in the indirectly detected dimension for a heteronuclear CRAZED sequence (¹³CHCl₃sample, ZQ or 2Q coherences) gives clear evidence that the coupling is due to the intermolecular dipolar coupling. We also make comparisons with classical pictures which introduce the dipolar demagnetization field in multicomponent spin systems.     

Theoretical estimation of discontinuity flaw of adhesive contacts between multilayer elements of the liquid metal blanket in a fusion reactor

A technique developed for calculating the discontinuity flaw of an adhesive contact and the adhesion energy for two bodies makes it possible to take into account these effects in designing a multilayer cermet wall (insulating barrier) of the liquid-metal blanket in a fusion-type reactor. The technique is based on a model of a linearly elastic medium, in which strains are proportional to external forces, and on the assumption that any body in equilibrium possesses minimum internal potential energy. Expressions are derived for calculating the area of an adhesive contact between two bodies and their adhesion energy. Calculation data illustrate the dependence of these two parameters on the values of the Young modulus and Poisson’s ratio for various pairs of materials, including the most suitable materials for insulating barriers of liquid-metal blankets.     

Adhesion-diffusion formation of a multilayer wall for the liquid metal flow channel of a fusion reactor blanket

A technique for calculating the adhesion-diffusion formation of a multilayer metal-ceramic structure is presented. The development of this technique is dictated by requirements imposed on the wall of the liquid metal flow channel of a fusion reactor blanket. The parameters of the adhesion-diffusion process (pressure, temperature, hold-up time, and the physical properties of materials) are related to the strength characteristics of the resulting composite (incompleteness of the adhesion contact, adhesion energy, and energy and strength of cohesion). Results are illustrated by calculating the formation parameters of the multilayer metal-ceramic structure and its strength as applied to the fusion reactor liquid-metal blanket.     

Investigation on preparation and physical properties of nanocrystalline Si/SiO2 superlattices for Si-based light-emitting devices

Structures containing silicon nanocrystals (nc-Si) are very promising for Si-based light-emitting devices. Using a technology compatible with that of silicon, a broader wavelength range of the emitted photoluminescence (PL) was obtained with nc-Si/SiO₂ multilayer structures. The main characteristic of these structures is that both layers are light emitters. In this study we report results on a series of nc-Si/SiO₂ multilayer periods deposited on 200 nm thermal oxide SiO₂/Si substrate. Each period contains around 10 nm silicon thin films obtained by low-pressure chemical vapour deposition at T=625°C and 100 nmSiO₂ obtained by atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition T=400°C. Optical and microstructural properties of the multilayer structures have been studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry (using the Bruggemann effective medium approximation model for multilayer and multicomponent films), FTIR and UV–visible reflectance spectroscopy. IR spectroscopy revealed the presence of SiO_x structural entities in each nc-Si/SiO₂ interface. Investigation of the PL spectra (using continuous wave-CW 325 nm and pulsed 266 nm laser excitation) has shown several peaks at 1.7, 2, 2.3, 2.7, 3.2 and 3.7 eV, associated with the PL centres in SiO₂, nc-Si and Si–SiO₂ interface. Their contribution to the PL spectra depends on the number of layers in the stack.     

Dependence of the Compton to Rayleigh intensity ratio on the scatterer atomic number in the range of 4(Be) to 31(Ga)

Compton to Rayleigh scattering intensity ratios (I_C/I_R) have been measured using X-rays with energy 17.44 keV for single-component materials with atomic number Z from 4 (Be) to 31 (Ga) and binary compounds of stoichiometric composition. The measurements have been performed using two optical schemes: an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence scheme with a molybdenum secondary target and wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence one. The processing of the spectra was carried out by fitting with Pearson VII functions. For single-component and binary standards, the experimental dependence of the scattering intensity ratio on the atomic number was found to be the same. This confirms the additivity of the contribution of different atoms to the scattering. The dependence has a complex shape but is well described by the theoretical relationship for I_C/I_R with correction on the difference between Compton and Rayleigh radiation absorption coefficients. Two ranges of atomic number values are defined, in which the effective atomic number Z_eff can be determined by the calibration method using this dependence: for Z from 4 to 7 with low error of ΔZ_eff =±0.15 and for Z_eff from 10 to 18 with low error of ΔZ_eff =±0.69. A change in the shape of the Compton peak and an overestimated value of the of the Compton and Rayleigh peak intensity ratio when passing from a single-component scatterer (Al or Si) to their oxides Al₂O₃ or SiO₂, respectively, have been revealed.     

Transient thermal gratings at surfaces for thermal characterization of bulk materials and thin films

Transient Thermal Gratings (TTGs) at surfaces of absorbing materials have been utilized for investigating heat diffusion in bulk materials and thin films. In this report, we describe the theoretical background of the technique and present experimental data. TTGs were excited in the surface plane by interference of two pulsed laser beams and monitored by a cw probe beam, either via temperature dependence of the reflectivity or by deflection from the displacement pattern. A theoretical model describing the thermal and thermoelastic surface response was developed, both for a homogeneous material and a multilayer structure. The potential of the technique will be demonstrated by experimental results on (i) thermal diffusivities of bulk materials, (ii) anisotropic lateral heat transport, and (iii) thermal diffusivities of metal and diamond films. Furthermore, we will show that TTGs allow thermal depth profiling of inhomogeneous materials whenever there is a vertical gradient in thermal conductivity.     

Optical characterization of a GaAs/AlGaAs vertical cavity surface emitting quantum well laser structure grown by MOCVD

In this work we report on the characterization and modelling of the reflectivity of a vertical cavity surface emitting quantum well laser (VCSEQWL) grown by MOCVD. The theoretical simulation of the reflectivity was developed for the purpose of designing VCSEQWL cavity multilayer reflectors. Included in the model are the effects of the n = 1 electron/heavy hole (e-hh) and electron/light hole (e-lh) exciton absorptions and the dispersion of the multilayer materials on the cavity mirror reflectivity. Using this model we analysed the influence of systematic deviations of the multilayer thicknesses on the VCSEQWL cavity reflectivity. Good agreement was achieved between the measured and simulated reflectivity if we allowed for systematic deviations in the thicknesses of the epilayers of ± 2.5%. Electroluminescence measurements from the VCSEQWL showed the n = 1 (e-hh) quantum well transition to be matched to the laser cavity resonance. Both calculated and measured results showed that when the n = 1 (e-hh) exciton transition matched the microcavity resonance the exciton absorption was strongly enhanced due to the multiple reflections of the incident light beam in the cavity.     

Peculiarities of critical light opalescence in a spatially limited multicomponent system

The light scattering by a spatially limited liquid multicomponent system near its critical state is investigated. A radially symmetric system is considered. The pair correlation functions of the density fluctuations of the components, on the basis of which the intensity of the single scattering of light is analyzed, are calculated for this system. It is shown that the light scattering in spatially limited multicomponent systems can be studied within the framework of approaches used for single-component and binary mixtures.     

池沸腾中气泡生长过程的格子Boltzmann方法模拟

在通过引入精确差分方法的单组分多相格子Boltzmann模型的基础上耦合能量方程,并考虑流体与固壁间的相互作用力来调节气泡与固壁间的接触角,从而建立了一种新的描述气液相变的格子Boltzmann理论模型. 为验证该模型的正确性,利用其对工质为水的相变过程进行了模拟,发现模拟结果与实验值符合良好;进而利用其验证Laplace定律,发现计算所得的水的表面张力与实验值甚为符合. 为考察该模型处理复杂相变问题的能力,利用其对工质为水的池沸腾中的气泡生长过程进行模拟,发现气泡脱离直径与g^{-0 关键词： 格子Boltzmann方法 池沸腾 气泡生长过程 接触角}     

The simulation of two-beam high-dose ion implantation into solid targets

A physicomathematical model and a BEAM2HD program for the dynamic simulation of one-and two-beam high-dose ion implantation into multilayer and multicomponent targets are developed. The number of target layers is no more than three, and the number of sorts of atoms in each of the layers is no more than seven. The simulation is performed by the Monte Carlo method. Numerical results for the formation of C _x→3N _y→4 superhard layers by two-beam high-dose implantation of nitrogen ions into the Si₃N₄/C/Si₃N₄/Si system are presented.     

Segregation of Aluminium at Nickel-Sapphire Interfaces

Sessile drop experiments of pure liquid Ni on the basal surface of pure sapphire were conducted under controlled atmosphere and temperature. This system has been traditionally considered as non-reactive, based on thermodynamic assessments. However, the results of this study demonstrate that a capillary driven interaction exists between the pure liquid Ni and the sapphire, which causes the dissolution of the sapphire substrate mainly at the triple junction. Oxygen and Al resulting from the dissolution process diffuse into Ni and segregate at its interfaces with the atmosphere and the sapphire (probably as Al _x O _y clusters), which reduces the interface energy. It is considered that this reduction is beneficial for the adhesion of both liquid and solid Ni on sapphire. The amount of Al introduced into the drop, and hence the segregation of Al that affects the interface energy (and adhesion), are related to the size of the sessile drop.     

Adhesion of metals and semiconductors analyzed by a dielectric formalism

This paper discusses a model of the adhesive interaction of metals and semiconductors, based on a dielectric formalism and using the concepts of collective excitations — plasmons of the electron-ion system. Expressions are obtained in terms of the jellium model in the longwavelength approximation for the adhesion energy and the adhesive interaction force and are determined via the dispersion dependences of the energies of surface plasma oscillations for various materials whose surfaces are separated by a gap of arbitrary magnitude. The adhesion energies and the adhesive interaction forces are calculated for a number of simple and transition metals and semiconductors, and the adhesion characteristics are also obtained for the contact of the given materials with an insulating medium. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 964–967 (June 1997)     

Stress, microstructure and mechanical properties of graded multilayer tetrahedral amorphous carbon films

Tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) films deposited using a filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) system, have high intrinsic stress which limits their application as protective coatings. To reduce the film stress and to improve the adhesion, a multilayer structure is deposited at a gradient substrate negative bias from 1500 V to 80 V. This paper investigates the stress, microstructure and nano-mechanical properties of graded multilayer ta-C film on Si substrates. Compared with that of single-layer films deposited at optimised bias, the graded multilayer film has low stress without a decline in hardness and Young’s modulus. Microstructural evaluation of the multilayer film using visible Raman spectra shows that the average content of the sp³ bonds of the multilayer film remain at a high level. Nanoscratch testing illustrates favorable scratch resistance and good adhesion of the multilayer film. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation confirms the collapse of the film surface along the scratching trace. Finally, deposition on single crystal germanium substrates of a durable coating ∼ 1100 nm thick, and composed of three graded multilayer films is demonstrated. PACS 81.05.Uw; 81.15.Jj; 68.65.Ac; 68.55.Nq; 68.60.Bs     

Properties of bilayer contacts to porous silicon

The aim of the present work is the growth by PVD techniques and ulterior characterization of electrical contacts to columnar porous silicon (PSi) as an approach to reliable PSi sensor devices. Contacts consist of a NiCr (40:60) and Au bilayer on the PSi surface deposited by magnetron sputtering. These structures show a good adhesion to the rough surface of columnar PSi. The morphology of these electrical contacts is characterized by electron microscopy and their crystalline structure by X-ray diffraction. Compositional profiles are determined by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, which demonstrate that the infiltration of NiCr into the PSi is at the origin of the metallic thin film adhesion improvement. I–V characteristics and impedance spectroscopy measurements show that this configuration provides rectifying electrical contacts to PSi, for which a simple equivalent circuit based on one resistor and two capacitors can be modeled. These results further support the use of PSi electrical structures for sensing purposes.     

Circular dichroism in 4f photoemission from magnetically ordered rare-earth materials

4f Photoemission (PE) spectra from magnetically ordered rare-earth materials using circularly polarized X-rays exhibit strong Magnetic Circular Dichroism (MCD), i.e., the intensities of the individual multiplet lines depend on the relative orientation of sample magnetization and photon spin. On the example of the wellresolved Tb 4f PE multiplet, it is shown that in relevant cases 4f PE lines are essentially only observed for one magnetization direction, either parallel or antiparallel to the photon spin. These large MCD effects in 4f PE open new perspectives in the analysis of surface and thin-film magnetism and provide a sensor for the degree of circular polarization of soft X-rays over a wide photon-energy range. To demonstrate the potential of MCD in 4f PE as a magnetometer, we studied Gd(0001) and Tb(0001), where the magnetization of the topmost atomic (0001) layer can be easily separated from the bulk magnetization via the surface core-level shift. In multicomponent magnetic thin films containing different rare-earth elements 4f PE allows to monitor magnetization in an element-specilic way, e.g., in case of the hetero-magnetic interface 1 ML En/Gd(0001).     

Dynamics of new higher-order rational soliton solutions of the modified Korteweg–de Vries equation

By virtue of the bilinear method and the KP hierarchy reduction technique, exact explicit rational solutions of the multicomponent Mel’nikov equation and the multicomponent Schrödinger–Boussinesq equation are constructed, which contain multicomponent short waves and single-component long wave. For the multicomponent Mel’nikov equation, the fundamental rational solutions possess two different behaviours: lump and rogue wave. It is shown that the fundamental (simplest) rogue waves are line localised waves which arise from the constant background with a line profile and then disappear into the constant background again. The fundamental line rogue waves can be classified into three: bright, intermediate and dark line rogue waves. Two subclasses of non-fundamental rogue waves, i.e., multirogue waves and higher-order rogue waves are discussed. The multirogue waves describe interaction of several fundamental line rogue waves, in which interesting wave patterns appear in the intermediate time. Higher-order rogue waves exhibit dynamic behaviours that the wave structures start from lump and then retreat back to it. Moreover, by taking the parameter constraints further, general higher-order rogue wave solutions for the multicomponent Schrödinger–Boussinesq system are generated.