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NASA NTRS1983

Method of increasing minority carrier lifetime in silicon web or the like

A silicon dendrite is grown as a ribbon forming two silicon crystal layers which are separated by an interface layer which contains a large number of defects. Significant increase of minority carrier lifetime with homogeneous distribution at the outer surfaces of the two silicon crystal layers is achieved by processing the web in an atmosphere of a selected gas, e.g., oxygen, nitrogen or an inert gas, for about 30 minutes to several hours at a temperature preferably on the order of 900 to 1200 C.

Liu, J. K.↗

NASA NTRS2024

Dual-Resonator Kinetic-Inductance Detector for Distinction between Signal and 1/ƒ Frequency Noise

Astronomical kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs), similar to quantum information devices, experience performance-limiting noise from materials. In particular, 1/ƒ (frequency) noise arises from two-level system defects (TLSs) in the circuit dielectrics and material interfaces and can be a dominant noise mechanism. Here, we present a dual-resonator KID (DuRKID), which is designed for improved noise-equivalent power relative to standard 1/ƒ -noise-limited KIDs. In this study we present the DuRKID schematic, a fabricated example, our first measurement results, a theoretical model including 1/ƒ noise, and a system-noise model containing additional noise sources. The circuit consists of two superconducting resonators sharing an electrical capacitance bridge of four capacitors, each of which hosts TLSs. The device is intended to operate using hybridization of the modes, which causes TLSs to either couple to one mode or the other, depending upon which capacitor they reside in. In contrast, the signal will affect a resonator inductance and, due to mode hybridization, this causes correlated frequency changes in both modes. Therefore, one can better distinguish the photon signal from the TLS frequency noise. To achieve hybridization, a TiN inductor is current biased to allow tuning of one bare-resonator mode into degeneracy with the other. Measurements show that the resonator modes hybridize as expected. The inter-resonator coupling and unintentional coupling of the two resonators to transmission lines are also characterized in measurements. A quantum information-science model allows device-parameter extraction from experimental data and a 1/ƒ noise analysis with uncorrelated noise. A system-noise analysis of the DuRKID, with comparisons to standard KIDs, is performed with generation-recombination noise and amplifier noise. The study reveals that the DuRKID can exhibit a large performance advantage over TLS-limited KID detectors.

N Forouzani↗

NASA NTRS1976

The metal to metal interface and its effect on adhesion and friction

The paper considers the interface between two bulk metals and the effect of this interface on adhesive bonding, resistance to tangential displacements, friction and the interfacial transport from one surface to another. Using Auger emission spectroscopy, field ion microscopy, and low energy electron diffraction techniques, the influence of surface orientation, lattice registry, crystal lattice structure and defects, metal surface chemistry and alloying on the characteristics of the interface was studied for noble, platinum, transition, and Group 4B metals. With dissimilar metals in contact, epitaxial transfer of the cohesively weaker to the cohesively stronger metal has been observed. Surface chemical activity of the noble and platinum metals is shown to affect interfacial behavior as does a valence bonding in the transition metals, and the degree of metallic nature in the Group 4B elements. Alloying elements, e.g., Si and Fe, can alter interfacial behavior by segregation to the surface of metals or by altering bulk properties such as crystal transformation kinetics.

Buckley, D. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Study of the Effects of Impurities on the Properties of Silicon Materials and Performance of Silicon Solar Cell

Numerical solutions were obtained from the exact one dimensional transmission line circuit model to study the following effects on the terrestrial performance of silicon solar cells: interband Auger recombination; surface recombination at the contact interfaces; enhanced metallic impurity solubility; diffusion profiles; and defect-impurity recombination centers. Thermal recombination parameters of titanium impurity in silicon were estimated from recent experimental data. Based on those parameters, computer model calculations showed that titanium concentration must be kept below 6x10 to the 12th power Ti/cu cm in order to achieve 16% AM1 efficiency in a silicon solar cell of 250 micrometers thick and 1.5 ohm-cm resistivity.

Sah, C. T.↗

NASA NTRS1987

TEM investigation of beta-SiC grown epitaxially on Si substrate by CVD

A transmission electron microscopy study is being conducted on the microstructure of beta-SiC films grown epitaxially on 001-plane silicon by chemical vapor deposition. Observations have been made in plain view and in cross-section. A high density of stacking faults has been found in the bulk of the epilayer which are bounded by partials of the Shockley type with Burgers vectors 1/6 211-line. Cross-sectional high resolution electron microscopy of the interface has shown it to be semicoherent with misfit dislocations to accommodate the lattice parameter difference between the substrate and the epilayer. In addition to misfit dislocations, a high density of twins and some stacking faults are present in the SiC near the interface. Mechanisms for the nucleation and growth of these defects are discussed.

Chorey, C. M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

A comparison of locally adaptive multigrid methods: LDC, FAC and FIC

This study is devoted to a comparative analysis of three 'Adaptive ZOOM' (ZOom Overlapping Multi-level) methods based on similar concepts of hierarchical multigrid local refinement: LDC (Local Defect Correction), FAC (Fast Adaptive Composite), and FIC (Flux Interface Correction)--which we proposed recently. These methods are tested on two examples of a bidimensional elliptic problem. We compare, for V-cycle procedures, the asymptotic evolution of the global error evaluated by discrete norms, the corresponding local errors, and the convergence rates of these algorithms.

Khadra, Khodor↗

NASA NTRS1986

Spatial resolution and nature of defects produced by low-energy proton irradiation of GaAs solar cells

AlGaAs/GaAs solar cells with about 0.5-micron-thick Al(0.85)Ga(0.15)As window layers were irradiated using isotropic and normal incidence protons having energies between 50 and 500 keV with fluences up to 1 x 10 to the 12th protons/sq cm. Although the projected range for these protons varies from 0 to more than 4.5 microns, the recombination losses due to the irradiation-induced defects were observed to be maximum in the vicinity of the AlGaAs/GaAs interface and the space-charge region irrespective of the proton energy. This was found by analyzing spectral response measurements. The results are explained by using a model in which the interaction of as-grown dislocations with irradiation-induced point defects is considered.

Kachare, R.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Interfacial analysis of tribological systems containing molybdenum disulfide and iron using XPS and CEMS

In the present evaluation of results from studies of the interfacial chemistry and morphology of a buried lubricant-substrate interface, specimens of increasing complexity that culminated with the effects of excess sulfur and defects were characterized by XPS and SEM, as well as conversion-electron Moessbauer spectroscopy (CEMS). In order to simulate sputtered systems, single crystals of MoS2 were damaged with Ar(+) bombardment and coated with Fe. Fe is found to react differently with MoS2 depending on surface treatments, surface defects, annealing treatments, and the presence of excess sulfur. The annealing temperature determines which compounds are formed, as well as the crystal habit and plane at the Fe-MoS2 interface.

Zabinski, J. S.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Microstructure and fracture in SiC whisker reinforced 2124 aluminum composite

The microstructures of extruded and hot-rolled 2124 Al-15 percent (by weight) SiC whisker composites have been investigated, experimentally. Among the specific factors studied were: the strength of the whisker-matrix interfaces; (2) the presence of oxides; (3) the presence of defective whiskers; (4) and the presence of distribution of intermetallic compounds, impurities in the SiC(w) powder, and microstructural inhomogeneities. Modifications in the microstructure of the SiC/AL composites due to hot rolling and extrusion are illustrated in a series of microphotographs. It was found that hot rolling along the axis of extrusion was associated with some types of whisker damage, while the whiskers still retain their original orientation. Hot-rolling perpendicular to the axis of extrusion, however, tended to rotate the whiskers and produced a nearly isotropic material. Whisker free zones were virtually eliminated or reduced in size by hot rolling. In situ Auger fractography of the composite showed that the interfacial bonding between the SiC and the Al matrix was good and that Al2O2 had no significant influence on the fracture mechanics of the composite.

Nieh, T. G.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Catalytic crystallization of ices by small silicate smokes at temperatures less than 20K

Samples of methanol and water ices condensed from the vapor onto aluminum substrates at low temperatures (below approximately 80 K) form amorphous ices; annealing at temperatures in excess of 140-155 K is usually required to convert such amorphous samples to crystalline ices. However, we have found that when either methanol or water vapor is deposited on to aluminum substrates that have been coated with a thin (0.1-0.5 mm) layer of amorphous silicate smoke, the ices condense in crystalline form. We believe that crystalline ice forms as the result of energy liberated at the ice/silicate interface perhaps due to weak bonding of the ice at defect sites on the grains and the very high surface to volume ratio and defect density of these smokes. Annealing of amorphous water ice mixed with more volatile components such as methane, carbon monoxide, etc., has been suggested as an efficient way to produce clatherates in the outer solar nebula and thus explain the volatile content of comets and icy satellites of the outer planets. This hypothesis may need to be re-examined if amorphous ice does not form on cold silicate grains.

Moore, M.↗

NASA NTRS2021

Development and Characterization of Lightweight Durable Composite Conductor for Cables

Sustainable aviation in the form of electrified propulsion is likely to lead to an increase in the electrical assets contained within a single aircraft. As a result, it is desirable to design light weight conductor materials, thus reducing the payload of components like motor windings, low voltage signal cables, and transmission cables for data and power. One approach involves replacing pure Cu wiring with metalized CNT composites. This paper evaluates a framework for modeling overall conductivity and current sharing within such composites. Processing methods and parameters were refined. Select electroplated samples outperformed pure Cu in conductivity and had comparable ultimate tensile strengths. Tensile strengths are expected to improve with an additional densification step during processing. Acoustic emission data was used to predict the failure mechanism of the composite. Theories explaining improved intrinsic conductivity are discussed, with a focus on chemical and mechanical interactions at the Cu-CNT interface. These include Cu infiltration of CNT crevices, CNT oxidation, activity at defects in CNT walls, and the release of carbide-forming metals from CNT walls. Validating any or all these theories will require further work replicating data, collecting electron micrographs and conducting chemical analyses.

Metalized CNT↗

NASA NTRS1985

Inexpensive Eddy-Current Standard

Radial crack replicas serve as evaluation standards. Technique entails intimately joining two pieces of appropriate aluminum alloy stock and centering drilled hole through and along interface. Bore surface of hole presents two vertical stock interface lines 180 degrees apart. These lines serve as radial crack defect replicas during eddy-current technique setup and verification.

Berry, Robert F., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1984

A method for interface shape control during Bridgman type crystal growth of HgCdTe alloys

A method is described for interface shape control of Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Te alloys during Bridgman-type crystal growth. The authors have used this method for several years to obtain the flat or convex interface shapes required for simultaneously reducing radial compositional variations and crystal defects. The method turns to advantage the thick-walled, fused-silica ampules required for growing these alloys. A proper combination of furnace geometry (two isothermal zones separated by a thin barrier), upper- and lower-zone temperatures, and growth rate is required. Examples of results are reported.

Szofran, F. R.↗

NASA NTRS2018

A Dual Spring Modeling Approach for Static and Fatigue Failure Assessments of Carbon/Epoxy Composite Sub-Elements

A dual spring model is developed for the static and fatigue damage predictions of laminates interface in composite structures. Stress concentrations can be induced by the defects formed in the fabrication or service process. A conventional S-N based fatigue damage model may not be accurate to predict the fatigue life of a structure with high stress concentration. With the dual spring model, static delamination failure can be simulated using springs of cohesive type material model while fatigue delamination development can be predicted using linear springs, where the crack driving force is computed based on virtual crack closure technique (VCCT). A Paris law type fatigue growth law with its mode mixity is applied for fatigue crack growth prediction. After verified using benchmark examples, including Double Cantilever Beam (DCB), End-Notched Flexure (ENF) and Mix-Mode Bending (MMB), the proposed dual spring model is applied in the static and fatigue damage prediction of NASA/Boeing sub-elements and UTC sub-elements.

Cui, Xiaodong↗

NASA NTRS1993

Growth experiment of narrow band-gap semiconductor PbSnTe single crystals in space (M-1)

An experiment on crystal growth of Pb(1-x)Sn(x)Te in microgravity is planned. This material is an alloy of the compound semiconductors PbTe and SnTe. It is a promising material for infrared diode lasers and detectors in the wavelength region between 6 and 30 micron. Since the electrical properties of Pb(1-x)Sn(x)Te depend greatly on the Pb/Sn ratio and crystalline defects as well as impurity concentration, homogeneous, defect-free, high-quality crystals are anticipated. Although many growth methods, such as the pulling method, the Bridgman method, the vapor growth method, etc., have been applied to the growth of Pb(1-x)Sn(x)Te, large, homogeneous, low-defect-density crystals have not yet been grown on Earth. The unsuccessful results were caused by buoyancy-driven convection in the fluids induced by the specific gravity difference between heated and cooled fluids on Earth. A crystal is grown by cooling the melt from one end of the ampoule. In crystal growth from the melt, about 30 percent of the SnTe in the melt is rejected at the solid-liquid interface during solidification. On Earth, the rejected SnTe is completely mixed with the remaining melt by convection in the melt. Therefore, SnTe concentration in the melt, and accordingly in the crystal, increases as the crystal grows. In the microgravity environment, buoyancy-driven convection is suppressed because the specific gravity difference is negligible. In that case, the rejected SnTe remains at the solid-liquid interface and its concentration increases only at the interface. If the growth rate is higher than the PbTe-SnTe interdiffusion rate, the amount of SnTe which diffuses from the interface into the melt increases as SnTe piles up at the interface, and finally it balances the amount of rejected SnTe during solidification, resulting in steady-state SnTe transportation at the interface. By using this principle, compositionally homogeneous crystals can be grown. Furthermore, low-defect-density crystals will be grown in microgravity, because convection causes crystalline defects by mising hot and cold fluids and generating temperature fluctuations in them.

Yamada, Tomoaki↗

NASA NTRS2019

Machine Learning Based AFP Inspection: A Tool for Characterization and Integration

Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) has become a standard manufacturing technique in the creation of large scale composite structures due to its high production rates. However, the associated rapid layup that accompanies AFP manufacturing has a tendency to induce defects. We forward an inspection system that utilizes machine learning (ML) algorithms to locate and characterize defects from profilometry scans coupled with a data storage system and a user interface (UI) that allows for informed manufacturing. A Keyence LJ-7080 blue light profilometer is used for fast 2D height profiling. After scans are collected, they are process by ML algorithms, displayed to an operator through the UI, and stored in a database. The overall goal of the inspection system is to add an additional tool for AFP manufacturing. Traditional AFP inspection is done manually adding to manufacturing time and being subject to inspector errors or fatigue. For large parts, the inspection process can be cumbersome. The proposed inspection system has the capability of accelerating this process while still keeping a human inspector integrated and in control. This allows for the rapid capability of the automated inspection software and the robustness of a human checking for defects that the system either missed or misclassified.

Sacco, Christopher↗

NASA NTRS1988

Stable, high quantum efficiency silicon photodiodes for vacuum-UV applications

Silicon photodiodes have been developed by defect-free phosphorus diffusion having practically no carrier recombination at the SiSiO2 interface or in the front diffused region. The quantum efficiency of these photodiodes was found to be around 120 percent at 100 nm. Unlike the previously tested silicon photodiodes, the developed photodiodes exhibit extremely stable quantum efficiency over extended periods of time. The possibility of using these photodiodes as vacuum ultraviolet detector standards is being currently investigated.

Korde, Raj↗

NASA NTRS1991

High resolution electrolyte for thinning InP by anodic dissolution and its applications to EC-V profiling, defect revealing and surface passivation

An extensive experimental study was conducted using various electrolytes in an effort to find an appropriate electrolyte for anodic dissolution of InP. From the analysis of electrochemical characteristics in the dark and under different illumination levels, x ray photoelectron spectroscopy and SEM/Nomarski inspection of the surfaces, it was determined that the anodic dissolution of InP front surface layers by FAP electrolyte is a very good choice for rendering smooth surfaces, free of oxides and contaminants and with good electrical characteristics. The FAP electrolyte, based on HF, CH3COOH, and H2O2 appears to be inherently superior to previously reported electrolytes for performing accurate EC-V profiling of InP at current densities of up to 0.3 mA/sq cm. It can also be used for accurate electrochemical revealing of either precipitates or dislocation density with application to EPD mapping as a function of depth, and for defect revealing of multilayer InP structures at any depth and/or at the interfaces.

Faur, Maria↗