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At least 361 records · Page 20

Electron microscopy of irradiation effects in space

The paper discusses several discoveries made in the study of lunar material. In the examination of the effects of solar wind implantations the topics covered include (1) solar wind radiation damage parameters and their aging characteristics, (2) the theory of the ancient solar wind, (3) the solar wind sputtering erosion rate, (4) the physicochemical properties of amorphous coatings, (5) maturity indexes and the macroscopic properties of the lunar regolith, (6) solar wind gas bubbles, (7) the composition of very heavy nuclei in the contemporary solar wind, and (8) track aging processes. Conclusions are drawn from the results about other extraterrestrial features such as the parent bodies of the meteorites, early solar nebulas, and interstellar clouds.

Maurette, M.↗

Scanning electron microscopy of a pink inclusion from the Allende meteorite

A scanning electron microscope study of a fine-grained, pin, Ca-rich inclusion from the Allende meteorite has revealed strong evidence for direct condensation of its constituent minerals from a vapor. This observation extends to the alkali-bearing phases in addition to the Ca-, Al-silicates and suggests that the feldspathoids as well as the refractory silicates are solar nebular condensates.

Grossman, L.↗

Dynamics of solid lubrication as observed by optical microscopy

A bench metallograph was converted into a micro contact imager by the addition of a tribometer employing a steel ball in sliding contact with a glass disk. The sliding contact was viewed in real time by means of projection microscope optics. The dynamics of abrasive particles and of solid lubricant particles within the contact were observed in detail. The contact was characterized by a constantly changing pattern of elastic strain with the passage of surface discontinuities and solid particles. Abrasive particles fragmented upon entering the contact, embedded in one surface and scratched the other; in contrast, the solid lubricant particles flowed plastically into thin films. The rheological behavior of the lubricating solids gave every appearance of a paste-like consistency within the Hertzian contact.

Sliney, H. E.↗

Oxidation of metals and alloys in controlled atmospheres using in situ transmission electron microscopy and Auger spectrography

Single-crystalline thin films of copper were oxidized at an isothermal temperature of 425 C and at an oxygen partial pressure of .005 Torr in situ in a high-resolution electron microscope. The specimens were prepared by epitaxial vapor deposition onto polished 100 and 110 faces of rocksalt and mounted in a hot stage inside an ultra-high-vacuum specimen chamber of the microscope. Large amounts of sulfur, carbon, and oxygen were detected by Auger electron spectroscopy on the surface of the as-received films and were removed in situ by ion-sputter etching immediately prior to the oxidation. The nucleation and growth characteristics of Cu2O on Cu were studied. Results show that neither stacking faults nor dislocations are associated with the Cu2O nucleation sites. The growth of Cu2O nuclei is linear with time. The experimental findings, including results from oxygen dissolution experiments and from repetitive oxidation-reduction-oxidation sequences, fit well into the framework of an oxidation process involving (a) the formation of a surface-charge layer, (b) oxygen saturation in the metal and (c) nucleation, followed by surface diffusion of oxygen and bulk diffusion of copper for lateral and vertical oxide growth, respectively.

Rao, D. B.↗

Dynamics of solid lubrication as observed by optical microscopy

A bench metallograph was converted into a 'micro contact imager' by the addition of a tribometer employing a steel ball in sliding contact with a glass disk. The sliding contact was viewed in real time by means of projection microscope optics. The dynamics of abrasive particles and of solid lubricant particles within the contact were observed in detail. The contact was characterized by a constantly changing pattern of elastic strain with the passage of surface discontinuities and solid particles. Abrasive particles fragmented upon entering the contact, embedded in one surface and scratched the other; in contrast, the solid lubricant particles flowed plastically into thin films. The rheological behavior of the lubricating solids gave every appearance of a paste-like consistency within the Hertzian contact.

Sliney, H. E.↗

Size effects and electron microscopy of thin metal films

All films were deposited by resistive heated evaporation in an oil diffusion pumped vacuum system (ultimate approx. equal to 0.0000001 torr). The growth from nuclei to a continuous film is highly dependent on the deposition parameters, evaporation rate as well as substrate material and substrate temperature. The growth stages of a film and the dependence of grain size on various deposition and annealing parameters are shown. Resistivity measurements were taken on thin films to observe size effects.

Hernandez, J. D.↗

Effects of radiation upon the light-sensing elements of the retina as characterized by scanning electron microscopy

A model system using Necturus maculosus, the common mudpuppy, was established for evaluating effects of radiation upon the light-sensing elements of the retina. Accelerated heavy ions of helium and neon from the Berkeley Bevalac were used. A number of criteria were chosen to characterize radiation damage by observing morphological changes with the scanning electron microscope. The studies indicated retina sensitivity to high-LET (neon) particles at radiation levels below 10 rads (7 particles per visual element) whereas no significant effects were seen from fast helium ions below 50 rads.

Malachowski, M. J.↗

Nondestructive determination of the depth of planar p-n junctions by scanning electron microscopy

A method was developed for measuring nondestructively the depth of planar p-n junctions in simple devices as well as in integrated-circuit structures with the electron-beam induced current (EBIC) by scanning parallel to the junction in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results were found to be in good agreement with those obtained by the commonly used destructive method of lapping at an angle to the junction and staining to reveal the junction.

Chi, J.-Y.↗

Scanning Electron Microscopy and Petrography of Glassy Particles Produced by Lava Fountain Eruptions

A conceptual model of a lava fountain consists of a vent, spatter ramparts, fountain column, downwind plume and associated pumice deposits. Glassy particles produced by lava fountain eruptions consist primarily of sideromelane glass and minor to moderate amounts of vesicles and crystals. Particles are classified on the basis of morphology as: (1) spherical, (2) elongate, (3) glass-coated mineral grain, (4) shard, (5) reticulite, (6) composite particle, and (7) lithic fragment.

Ladle, G. H.↗

Characterization of defect growth structures in ion plated films by scanning electron microscopy

Gold and copper films (0.2-2 micron thick) are ion plated on very smooth stainless steel 304 and mica surfaces. The deposited films are examined by SEM to identify the morphological growth of defects. Three types of coating defects are distinguished: nodular growth, abnormal or runaway growth, and spits. The potential nucleation sites for defect growth are analyzed to determine the cause of defect formation. It is found that nuclear growth is due to inherent surface microdefects, abnormal or runaway growth is due to external surface inclusions, and spits are due to nonuniform evaporation and ejection of droplets. All these defects have adverse effects on the coatings.

Spalvins, T.↗

In situ oxygen conditioning of /001/ MgO thin film substrates for film growth studies by electron microscopy

It was found that the in situ treatment of 001-plane single-crystal films of MgO (prepared by epitaxial growth from the vapor phase) at high temperatures with a jet of oxygen will produce a surface that is almost equivalent, for epitaxial studies, to surfaces with the same orientation prepared by vacuum cleavage of bulk single crystals. The effectiveness of the process is demonstrated by its impact on the epitaxy of silver.

Moorhead, R. D.↗