Chain decay of low-angle tilt boundaries in nanocrystalline materials

In terms of two-dimensional dislocation-disclination dynamics, a theoretical model is developed to describe the decay of a low-angle tilt boundary in a deformed nanocrystalline material under the action of an externally applied elastic stress and of the elastic field of a neighboring decayed boundary. The critical external stresses are calculated at which the boundary decays and the dislocations making up this boundary either are trapped by the boundary that decayed earlier or break away from both boundaries. The decay of a low-angle tilt boundary is shown to result in a substantial decrease in the critical decay stresses for the neighboring boundaries, which can cause an avalanche-like chain decay of low-angle boundaries yielding high-density ensembles of mobile dislocations capable of carrying substantial plastic deformations and of forming shear bands in deformed nanocrystalline materials.     

The conduction current in a metal-insulator-metal structure

The flow of the conduction current in a metal-insulator-metal structure under X-ray and optical excitation is considered. Accumulation of positive charge at the negative electrode in the KBr and CsI crystals is studied. The method of discharge currents after the X-ray and optical excitation is suggested for estimation of the near-surface charge. It is shown that the values of charge transported by the conduction current and those determined from the measured discharge-current signal are in satisfactory agreement. The lifetimes of near-surface charges of holes and anionic vacancies and the values of the electric-field strength at the metal-insulator interface are estimated. It is assumed that electroneutrality of the sample is established owing to the motion of electrons from the surface into the bulk over dislocations.     

Investigation of the X-ray radiation produced by a diffusive discharge in the rod-plane geometry under atmospheric pressure

Spatial parameters of the X-ray radiation produced by a high-voltage nanosecond discharge evolving in air under atmospheric pressure in the rod (cathode)-plane electrode system with a 10-cm electrode spacing are studied experimentally. A ∼170-ns voltage pulse with an amplitude of ∼200 kV and 10-ns rise time is applied to the cathode. The photoelectronic method is used to study, under the same conditions, the integrated (over the gap) characteristics of the radiation, in particular, the duration of its generation. It is found that, when the size of the X-ray source is not smaller than that of the discharge region of diffusive luminescence, radiation from the cathode region of the gap is primarily observed (i.e., from the region where the electric field distribution is sharply inhomogeneous). The X-ray generation is usually observed after the bridging of the discharge gap, the X-ray pulse having a rise time of ∼3 ns, a duration of ∼10 ns, and an effective radiation energy of ∼6 keV.     

Giant magnetoresistance of iron-chromium superlattices at microwaves

Interaction between an rf electromagnetic field and the Fe/Cr superlattice placed in a rectangular waveguide so that a high-frequency current passes in the plane of superlattice layers is considered. The transmission coefficient versus the magnetic field strength is found at centimeter waves, and a correlation between this dependence and the field dependence of the dc magnetoresistance is established. It is shown that a change in the transmission coefficient may greatly exceed the giant magnetoresistance of the superlattice. The frequency dependence of the microwave measurements has an oscillatory character. The oscillation frequencies are analyzed in terms of wavelet transformation. Two types of oscillation periods are found to exist, one of which corresponds to the resonance of waves traveling in the superlattice along the direction parallel to the narrow wall of the waveguide.     

Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in single-crystal Co<Subscript>50</Subscript>Pt<Subscript>50</Subscript>/MgO(100) films

The crystal structure and hysteretic magnetic properties of equiatomic single-crystal CoPt films applied on MgO substrates by magnetron sputtering, as well as modification of these properties by thermal annealing, are studied. Heat-treated films of thickness in the range 2<d≤16 nm exhibit perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. A correlation between the crystalline anisotropy constant of the CoPt films and the order parameter of the LI₀ superstructure in these alloys is found. The effect of a single-crystalline MgO substrate on the structure and magnetic properties of equiatomic CoPt films is revealed.     

Longitudinal DC electric discharge in a supersonic air flow

A longitudinal dc electric discharge in a submerged high-pressure supersonic air jet is described. Photographs of the discharge are provided. The experimental voltage across the discharge gap and the discharge current are given for two resistances of the resistor that limits the discharge current over a certain range of the discharge channel length along the air flow. The current-voltage discharge characteristic is provided at a constant discharge length. The main discharge characteristics are obtained from a comparison of the experimental and theoretical results calculated on the basis of the simplest model.     

Numerical simulation of the translational nonequilibrium zone behind a shock-wave front

The translational nonequilibrium zone in a shock wave is considered for a gas consisting of light particles and a small addition of heavy particles. The gas is taken to be two-dimensional, and long-range forces are assumed to be absent. In the framework of this approximation, a program for molecular dynamics simulation of the gas is developed. It is applied to calculate a particle distribution function in the shock wave, to analyze the time evolution of the distribution function, and to study its dependence on the gas composition.     

Effect of γ radiation from <Superscript>60</Superscript>Co on the formation of metal contacts to GaAs (Al<Subscript>x</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>As) structures

The properties of nonrectifying AuGe/GaAs (Al_0.4Ga_0.6As) contacts exposed to heat treatment, ⁶⁰Co γ radiation, and γ radiation combined with the application of an electrical bias are studied. A correlation between the type of interfacial interaction in the contacts and their resistance is found. Results obtained are explained in terms of a diffusion model with a movable boundary of the metal layer.     

Structure and properties of TiC-TiNi composites alloyed with iron

The structure, composition, and mechanical properties of iron-alloyed TiC-TiNi composite materials are studied. When the titanium carbide framework is sintered with iron and then impregnated with titanium nickelide, iron atoms are found to diffuse into the matrix and form the B2 structure that is inhomogeneous (gradient) in chemical composition and properties and exhibits various temperatures of martensitic transformation. The latter fact shows up in the broadening of the martensitic transformation hysteresis and its shift toward low temperatures with increasing iron content. At room temperature, the strength properties of gradient-matrix TiC-TiNi composites are shown to increase with iron concentration.     

Modulation of the phase difference between polarization modes in single-mode fibers

Mechanisms of polarization modulation in a single-mode fiber that modulate the phase difference between polarization modes without affecting their amplitudes are considered. A coefficient that characterizes the efficiency of cylindrical piezoceramic modulators and is independent of their resonant properties is introduced. Analytical expressions for this coefficient for different modulation mechanisms are derived. The lateral pressure on the fiber is shown to provide the highest efficiency. For isotropic fibers, a modulator with a squeezing covering, which increases significantly its efficiency, is studied. For anisotropic fibers, the most appropriate way of phase difference modulation is longitudinal extension, in which case the birefringence axes do not have to be matched. In most cases, the measured and predicted efficiencies are in good correspondence.