Stress corrosion cracking behavior of Nd:YAG laser-treated aluminum alloy 7075

Nd-YAG laser surface treatment was conducted on 7075-T651 aluminum alloy with the aim of improving the stress corrosion cracking resistance of the alloy. Laser surface treatment was performed under two different gas environments, air and nitrogen. After the laser treatment, coarse constituent particles were removed and fine cellular/dendritic structures had formed. In addition, for the N₂-treated specimen, an AlN phase was detected. The results of the stress corrosion test showed that after 30 days of immersion, the untreated specimen had been severely attacked by corrosion, with intergranular cracks having formed along the planar grain boundaries of the specimen. For the air-treated specimen, some relatively long stress corrosion cracks and a small number of relatively large corrosion pits were found. The cracks mainly followed the interdendritic boundaries; the fusion boundary was found to be acting as an arrestor to corrosion attacks. In contrast, only few short stress corrosion cracks appeared in the N₂-treated specimen, indicating an improvement in corrosion initiation resistance. The superior corrosion resistance was attributed to the formation of the AlN phase in the surface of the laser-melted layer, which is an electrical insulator. The electrochemical impedance measurements taken during the stress corrosion test showed that the film resistance of the laser-treated specimens was always higher than that of the untreated specimen, with the N₂-treated specimen showing the highest resistance.     

Effect of Si-substrate heating during laser-induced B-doping

Substrate temperature has been studied as an experimental parameter, which inflences the outcome of Gas-Immersion Excimer-Laser Doping (GILD). By means of SPR, SEM and DCD, the difference of the doped samples kept at different initial temperature are discussed. It is found that substrate heating can reduce the defects induced by laser doping and improve the electrical properties of devices.     

Phase explosion induced by high-repetition rate pulsed laser

The characteristics and mechanisms of the damage to absorbing glass with high-repetition laser pulses (several kHz) are discussed. The results show that: (1) in the range of comparatively low-repetition rate, the damage is characterized by material melting and a small crater on the surface of substrate; (2) with the increase in repetition rate, a bigger and deeper crater is surrounded by re-deposition and crystalline granules originating from the cooling of vapor; and (3) the crater, surrounded by evaporation and an large number of solid particulates which is obviously the characters of phase explosion, becomes even bigger and deeper when the repetition rate is further increased. We modeled the temperature distribution in different repetition rate regime and found that heat accumulation plays a significant role in damage process. Because of the temperature dependence of damage mechanism, the temperature of the area irradiated by laser beam will ramp up with increasing the repetition rate, which triggers the melting and evaporation of dielectrics and phase explosion successively. Our results may benefit the understanding of laser-induced damage in optical materials.     

Production and characterization of polymer nanocomposite with aligned single wall carbon nanotubes

We reported a simple method to fabricate polymer nanocomposites with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) having exceptional alignment and improved mechanical properties. The composite films were fabricated by casting a suspension of single walled carbon nanotubes in a solution of thermoplastic polyurethane and tetrahydrofuran. The orientation as well as dispersion of nanotubes was determined by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and polarized Raman spectroscopy. The macroscopic alignment probably results from solvent-polymer interaction induced orientation of soft segment chain during swelling and moisture curing. The tensile behavior of the aligned nanotube composite film was also studied. At a 0.5 wt.% nanotube loading, a 1.9-fold increase in Young's modulus was achieved.     

Effect of Al content on the properties of Cr1−xAlxC films prepared by RF reactive magnetron sputtering

Cr_1−xAl_xC films were deposited on high-speed steel by RF reactive magnetron sputtering. In this study, we aimed to identify the effect of the Al content on the properties of Cr_1−xAl_xC films. We found that Cr_1−xAl_xC films exhibited a fine columnar grain microstructure with some special characteristics, such as high hardness of Hv 1426, a low friction coefficient of 0.29, and a large contact angle of 90° for x = 0.18. Furthermore, an increase in Al content resulted in a decrease in film hardness and an increase in contact angle. Moreover, on annealing at 923 K, the mechanical properties of the films improved and a dense protective film of complex Cr₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ oxides was formed on the surface for better wear resistance, which will ultimately increase the lifetime of the high-speed steel substrate.     

Effective biaxial modulus and strain energy density of ideally (h k l)-fiber-textured cubic polycrystalline films

The effective biaxial modulus (M_eff) and strain energy density (W) of cubic polycrystalline films with ideally (h k l) fiber textures are estimated using Vook-Witt (VW) grain interaction model and the data are compared with those derived from Voigt, Reuss and Voigt-Reuss-Hill (VRH) models. Numerical results show that the VW average of M_eff for ideally (1 0 0)- or (1 1 1)-fiber-textured films is identical to the VRH average of M_eff. For (1 1 0) and (1 1 2) planes, however, the VW average of M_eff for (1 1 0)-fiber-textured film is larger than that of (1 1 2)-fiber-textured film when the Zener anisotropic factor (A_R) is not equal to 1. Furthermore, M_eff and W exhibit incremental tendencies with the increase of the orientation factor (Γ_h k l) for the [h k l] axis when A_R > 1, implying that M_eff and W have the minimums on the (1 0 0) plane. Reversely, M_eff and W decrease with the increasing Γ_h k l when A_R < 1. This means that M_eff and W on (1 1 1) plane have the minimums.     

A new photopyroelectric scheme suitable for phase-transition investigations: The front configuration with semitransparent sensor

The theory of the front configuration with semitransparent sensor for a five layer photopyroelectric cell is presented. The particular cases suitable for phase-transition investigations are derived. An application to the study of the first-order phase transition of lauric fatty acid supports the validity of the theoretical model.     

Molecular organization of phospholipid monolayers on the water surface by Maxwell displacement current measurement

The monolayer of organic molecules at the air-water interface has been studied using the Maxwell displacement current (MDC) technique. The materials used in this study were the biological materials of phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidic acids (PA). The configuration of the experimental set-up consists of the metal/air-gap/monolayer/metal coupled with the Langmuir method. This measurement enables the detection of current without destroying the monolayer. The phase transition and molecular orientation of the phospholipid monolayers were investigated using MDC measurement without mechanical contact between electrodes and the materials. Direct evidence of phase transition from gaseous to the polar ordering phase can be obtained across phospholipid monolayers even though at very low surface pressure. Relaxation process of the phospholipid monolayers was investigated by using the step compression on the MDC signals.     

Surface properties of GaTe single crystals

Surface properties of gallium telluride were studied. It was found that the surface after vacuum cleavage is partly reconstructed from monoclinic to hexagonal. Peculiarities of the surface topology are also discussed.     

Free energies of steps on (111) fcc surfaces

For a hexagonal two-dimensional lattice we derive, using a surprisingly simple route, exact expressions for the step free energies along the high symmetry directions, 〈1-10〉 and 〈11-2〉. If we consider only nearest-neighbor interactions, ε, and ignore step overhangs the step free energy vanishes at a temperature . In a more sophisticated model that incorporates step overhangs we find a reduction of T_R to about 0.87ε/k_b. The obtained step free energy expressions are also valid for the free energy of walls between two regions of opposite spins of the triangular 2D Ising system.     

Laser-induced damage in SiO2 and CaF2 with picosecond and femtosecond laser pulses

Single- and multiple-shot damage thresholds and plasma-emission thresholds for fused silica and CaF₂ are reported for 790 nm photons as a function of laser pulse width (190 fs – 4.5 ps). The results are compared with single-shot plasma-emission measurements [1] and with multiple-shot damage measurements [2]. Both the damage threshold and the plasma-emission threshold are shown to decrease with decreasing pulse width over the entire pulse-width range investigated.     

Probe-beam deflection diagnostics of shock waves generated during laser drilling

A probe-beam deflection technique was employed to investigate the evolution of shock waves generated during drilling processes of optical materials by a high repetition rate copper vapor laser. Experimental observations were analyzed by using a theoretical model of shock wave expansion which also furnished quantitative information on the main physical functions associated to laser-induced acoustic phenomena.     

Investigation of the hydrophobic recovery of various polymeric biomaterials after 172 nm UV treatment using contact angle, surface free energy and XPS measurements

Surface modification as a route to improving the performance of polymeric biomaterials is an area of much topical interest. Ultraviolet (UV) light treatment has received much attention, but polymers so treated revert to their original surface condition over a period of time—an effect known as hydrophobic recovery. It is important to develop an understanding of the underlying processes contributing to the effect, since it has an impact on the applicability of UV treatment. In this work a number of polymeric biomaterials were surface-modified using 172 nm UV light from an excimer lamp. The modified polymers were characterised using contact angle, surface free energy (SFE) measurements and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The wettability, variation in surface free energy and chemical functionality changes were analysed on the surfaces immediately after UV treatment and subsequently over a period of 28 days. It was noted that hydrophobic recovery proceeds at a different rate for each polymer, is generally a two-phase process and that surfaces are still more hydrophilic after 28 days than the original untreated state. XPS analysis reveals that particular chemical configurations move from the surface at a faster rate than others which may contribute to the two-phase nature of the process.     

Purification and magnetic properties of carbon nanotubes

Received: 5 January 1998     

Computer simulation of pulsed laser processing of amorphous Si

The paper introduces a 3D computer simulation model of the melting and recrystallization process of amorphous Si induced by pulsed laser irradiation. The model takes into account the temperature dependence of thermal and optical properties of crystalline, amorphous and liquid Si. The melting process is described by introducing for each volume element of melt pool the characteristic times of beginning of melting, end of melting and nucleation of a stable nucleus. The solution of heat equations of liquid and solid phases also provides one with the nucleation rates and temperatures. These data enable one to discriminate whether amorphous or crystalline phases are really allowed to be formed. Two examples of computer simulation are carried out to show the outputs of the model. Received: 7 February 2000 / Accepted: 28 March 2000 / Published online: 9 August 2000     

Laser induced reorder in Pb implanted Ge

Ge samples implanted with 40 keV Pb at a fluence of 3×10¹⁵/cm² were irradiated with ruby laser single pulses of 15ns duration. Reordering of the damaged layer occurs for energy density irradiation above 0.6 J/cm². The Pb atoms redistribute with a large component at the sample surface which is easily etched off. The remaining part of Pb impurities is substitutionally located, and the concentration exceeds the solid solubility limit by three order of magnitude. The formation of the metastable solution is explained in terms of a transient liquid layer produced during laser irradiation.     

Surface structure and phase transition of Ge(1 1 1)-3 × 3-Pb studied by reflection high-energy positron diffraction

We studied the structures and the phase transition of Pb/Ge(1 1 1) surface by using the reflection high-energy positron diffraction. The surface structures at 60 K and 293 K have the 3 × 3 and √3 × √3 periodicities, respectively. The rocking curves measured at both temperatures are nearly the same. This indicates that the equilibrium positions of the surface atoms do not change according to the phase transition. From the analysis of the rocking curve based on the dynamical diffraction theory, we found that at both temperatures the surface structures are composed of the so-called one-up and two-down model. The 3 × 3-√3 × √3 phase transition for the Pb/Ge(1 1 1) surface is interpreted in terms of order-disorder transition.     

Melting Behaviour of Core-Shell Structured Ag-Rh Bimetallic Clusters

The melting behaviour of four typical core-shell structured 309-atom Ag-Rh bimetallic clusters, with decahedral and icosahedral geometric configurations, is investigated by using molecular dynamics simulation, based on the Sutton-Chen potential. The initial atomic configurations are obtained from semi-grand canonical ensemble Monte Carlo simulations. It is found that the melting point temperature Tm increases with the mole fraction of Rh in the bimetallic clusters, and Tm of Ag-Rh icosahedral clusters is higher than those of Ag-Rh decahedral clusters with the same Rh mole fraction. It is also found that the Ag atoms lie on the surface of Ag-Rh bimetallic clusters even after melting.     

Ablation of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) by 308, 222 and 193 nm excimer-laser radiation

Data on the ablation of Poly(Methyl MetAcylate) (PMMA) and Poly(2-Hydroxyethyl MetAcylate) (PHEMA) with 0%, 1% and 20% of Ethylene Glycol DiMethAcrylate (EGDMA) as crosslinking monomer by 193, 222 and 308 nm laser radiation are presented. Direct photoetching of PMMA at 308 nm is demonstrated for laser fluences ranging from 2 to 18 J/cm². The ablation rate of PHEMA is lower than the corresponding to PMMA and decreases when the amount of EGDMA increases. The determination of the absorbed energy density required to initiate significant ablation suggests that the photoetching mechanism is similar for all the polymers studied and is a function of the irradiation wavelength. The Beer-Lambert law, the Srinivasan, Smrtic and Babu (SSB) theory and the kinetic model of the moving interface are used to analyze the experimental results. It is shown that only the moving interface theory fits well the etch rate for all the selected polymers at the three radiation wavelengths.     

A systematic analysis of defects in ion-implanted silicon

A classification scheme for the different forms of implant-related damage which arise upon annealing consisting of five categories is presented. Category I damage is subthreshold damage or that which results prior to the formation of an amorphous layer. If the dose is increased sufficiently to result in the formation of an amorphous layer then the defects which form beyond the amorphous/crystalline (a/c) interface are classified as category II (end of range) damage. Category III defects are associated with the solid phase epitaxial growth of the amorphous layer. The most common forms of this damage are microtwins, hairpin dislocations and segregation related defects. It is possible to produce a buried amorphous layer upon implantation, If this occurs, then the defects which form when the two a/c interfaces meet are termed category IV (clamshell, zipper) defects. Finally, category V defects arise from exceeding the solid solubility of the implanted species in the substrate at the annealing temperature. These defects are most often precipitates or dislocation loops.In addition to presenting examples of this classification scheme, new results emphasizing category II, IV, and V defects will be presented. For category II defects, the source, dose and mass dependence as well as the influence of pre- and post-amorphization is discussed. The category IV defects which arise from buried amorphous layers in {100} oriented As implanted samples is presented. Half loop dislocations which arise during annealing of high dose As implants, are shown to originate in the category V defects and grow upon dissolution of As clusters and precipitates.