Group-theoretical description of domain and phase boundaries in crystalline solids

The theory is reviewed of domains and domain boundaries arising in phase transitions accompanied by symmetry breaking. Conclusions concerning the number, the crystallographic type and the spatial orientation of coherent interfaces between crystals of the same structure (domain boundaries) and between different structures of the same material (interphase boundaries) are presented in terms of the space group theory and of the Landau theory of phase transitions. The application of the two-dimensional space groups and the diperiodic groups in three dimensions to the discussed objects is described. The conditions for the coexistence of domains and phases without macroscopic stress are given. An example of the group-theoretical analysis of domain structure is given for a real material: NaO₂.     

Diffusion in crystalline solids

A review of Diflusion in Crystalline Solids, edited by G. E. Murch and A. S. Nowick. (New York: Academic Press Inc.) [Pp. xv + 484.] $73.00; £51.50.     

Evolution of gas-filled nanocracks in crystalline solids

In this work, the evolution of gas-filled cracks under gas implantation and subsequent annealing is studied on the basis of an elastic continuum approach. The observed growth limitation of He-filled nanocracks in SiC is attributed to their stabilization by the formation of circular dislocation dipoles. The formation and Ostwald ripening of bubble-loop complexes at elevated temperatures is modeled in terms of gas atom exchange between such complexes coupled with local matrix atom exchange between bubbles and loops of the same complex. The scaling laws derived for the time dependence of bubble and loop sizes are found to be in good agreement with experimental data.     

Scale invariance in plastic flow of crystalline solids

From the traditional viewpoint of continuum plasticity, plastic deformation of crystalline solids is, at least in the absence of so-called plastic instabilities, envisaged as a smooth and quasi-laminar flow process. Recent theoretical and experimental investigations, however, demonstrate that crystal plasticity is characterized by large intrinsic spatio-temporal fluctuations with scale-invariant characteristics: In time, deformation proceeds through intermittent bursts with power-law size distributions; in space, deformation patterns and deformation-induced surface morphology are characterized by long-range correlations, self-similarity and/or self-affine roughness. We discuss this scale-invariant behaviour in terms of robust scaling associated with a non-equilibrium critical point (‘yielding transition’).

Scale invariance in plastic flow of crystalline solids

All authors

Michael Zaiser

https://doi.org/10.1080/00018730600583514

Published online:

01 February 2007

Table     

Non-linear effects of high-power ultrasonics in crystalline solids

The aspects of non-linear elastic wave propagation in real crystalline solids pertinent to the field of high-power ultrasonics are presented. Particular emphasis is placed on the role non-linear elastic wave propagation may play in the ultrasonic softening process called the ‘Blaha effect’.     

Investigation of phase separation in multiblock copolymers consisting of polysulfone and a liquid crystalline polymer

Multiblock copolymers (MBCPs) consisting of polysulfone (PSU) segments and segments of the liquid crystalline poly(ethyleneterephthalate-co-oxybenzoate) (PET/HBA) form rather complex morphologies. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigations of two block copolymers with significantly different block molecular weights proved the existence of both macro-and microphase separation. These morphologies, existing on different length scales, were found to be superimposed in the samples. A suitable fractionation procedure was used to suppress macrophase separation. Then, it was found that microphase separation is controlled by the segment molecular weights.     

Theory of photoinduced charge separation in solids

We discuss photoinduced ionization and charge separation kinetics in solutions as a way to conserve and utilize light energy. Our interest is in the secret of the high efficiency of reaction centers and the fast and irreversible separation of ions involved in reduction and oxidation reactions in the macromolecule. We present a new theory of reversible charge transfer, which shows high efficiency of charge separation: the charge's recombination has a weak influence on the donor cation-state probability's maximum value but a large effect on its long-time behavior. We give the comparison of new results with recently published ones on charge separation kinetics in condensed media. We use the methods of independent reaction “vessels” and “conditional concentrations”. The influence of back charge transfer is essential for long-time tail of the cation-state probability; its action on the cation-state probability's maximum value grows weak with an increase of forward rate constants and acceptor's concentration.     

Isostructural phase transitions in solids

A model of electrons interacting with lattice vibrations is shown to exhibit an isostructural phase transition as a function of applied force by relating the Hamiltonian to that of an Ising model in magnetic field.     

Dynamic scaling behaviour of late-stage phase separation in Ni75AlxV25-x alloys

The dynamic scaling behaviour of late-stage phase separation and coarsening mechanisms of L12 and D022 in Ni75AlxV25-x （3 ≤ x ≤ 10, at.%） alloys are studied using the microscopic phase-field dynamic model. The microelaso ticity field is incorporated into the diffusion dynamic model. The results show the morphology and coarsening dynamics being greatly changed by the elastic interactions among different precipitates, the particles aligning along the dominant directions, the average domain size （ADS） of L12 and D022 deviating from the exponent of temporal power-law, and the growth slowing down due to the increasing of elastic interactions. The dynamic scaling regime of late-stage coarsening of the precipitates is attained. Thus the scaling behaviour of structure function is also applicable for elastic interaction systems. It is also found that the variations of ADS and scaling function depend on the volume fraction of precipitates.     

Vibrationally assisted transitions and phonon spectra in crystalline solids

The vibrationally assisted electronic (vibronic) transitions of localized centers in crystalline solids provide relevant information regarding the phonon spectra of the host materials. We present the vibronic spectra of some compounds with particular attention to the case of the transition metal ions V²⁺ and Cr³⁺ embedded in simple ionic crystals such as MgO or more complex systems such as YAG. The vibronic spectra are interpreted in light of the radiative selection rules and are compared with phonon data obtained with other techniques such as neutron scattering, infrared and Raman spectroscopies. Conclusions regarding the effectiveness of vibronic spectra in uncovering the phonon spectral distributions are presented.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance of vanadyl ion impurities in crystalline solids

The electron paramagnetic resonance of VO²⁺ ion impurities has been studied in certain crystalline solids at ~ 9.45 GHz. VO²⁺ shows an isotropic spectra in Mg(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O, RbBr, RbI, CsCl, thiourea, NH₄HC₂O₄·$\text{1}\text{2}$H₂O and urea oxalate at room temperature, and has preferential orientation in MgSeO₄·6H₂O, KHC₂O₄, Rb₂SO₄ and (NH₄)₂M″(SeO₄)₂·6H₂O (M″ = Zn, Co) single crystals. The line broadening of the EPR spectra of VO²⁺ in (NH₄)₂Co(SeO₄)₂·6H₂O observed on cooling the crystal is explained on the basis of host spin lattice relaxation narrowing. The EPR spectra have been analysed and the spin-Hamiltonian parameters evaluated.