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At least 1,423 records · Page 79
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DOE OSTI2015

Alkali halide microstructured optical fiber for X-ray detection

Microstructured optical fibers containing alkali halide scintillation materials of CsI(Na), CsI(Tl), and NaI(Tl) are presented. The scintillation materials are grown inside the microstructured fibers using a modified Bridgman-Stockbarger technique. The x-ray photon counts of these fibers, with and without an aluminum film coating are compared to the output of a collimated CdTe solid state detector over an energy range from 10 to 40 keV. The photon count results show significant variations in the fiber output based on the materials. The alkali halide fiber output can exceed that of the CdTe detector, dependent upon photon counter efficiency and fiber configuration. The results and associated materials difference are discussed.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Assessment of retrogression and re-aging treatment on microstructural and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu P/M alloy

In order to understand the importance of the retrogression and re-aging as a heat treatment for improving microstructural and mechanical properties of the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu powder metallurgy alloys, Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Fe-Cr alloys were fabricated from the elemental powders. Green compacts are compressed under compaction pressure about 370 MPa. The sintering process carried out for the samples of aluminum alloys at temperature was 650°C under argon atmosphere for two hours. The sintered compacts were subjected into homogenizing condition at 470°C for 1.5 hours and then aged at 120°C for 24 hours (T6 temper) after that it carried out the retrogressed at 180°C for 30 min., and then re-aged at 120°C for 24 hours (RRA). Observations microstructures were examined using optical, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Density and porosity content was conducted for the samples of alloys. The result showing that the highest Vickers hardness exhibited for an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy after underwent the retrogression and reaging treatment. Increasing in hardness was because of the precipitation hardening through precipitate the (Mg Zn) and (Mg{sub 2}Zn{sub 11}) phases during matrix of aluminum-alloy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effect of Ar{sup +} ion irradiation on the microstructure of pyrolytic carbon

Pyrolytic carbon (PyC) coatings prepared by chemical vapor deposition were irradiated by 300 keV Ar{sup +} ions. Then, atomic force microscopy, synchrotron-based grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were employed to study how Ar{sup +} irradiation affects the microstructure of PyC, including the microstructural damage mechanisms and physics driving these phenomena. The 300 keV Ar{sup +} ion irradiation deteriorated the structure along the c-axis, which increased the interlayer spacing between graphene layers. With increasing irradiation dose, the density of defect states on the surface of PyC coating increases, and the basal planes gradually loses their initial ordering resulting in breaks in the lattice and turbulence at the peak damage dose reaches 1.58 displacement per atom (dpa). Surprisingly, the PyC becomes more textured as it becomes richer in structural defects with increasing irradiation dose.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Microstructure evolution of Al-doped zinc oxide and Sn-doped indium oxide deposited by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering: A comparison

The microstructure and morphology evolution of Al-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and Sn-doped indium oxide (ITO) thin films on borosilicate glass substrates deposited by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering at room temperature (RT) and 300 °C were investigated by X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy (AFM). One-dimensional power spectral density (1DPSD) functions derived from the AFM profiles, which can be used to distinguish different growth mechanisms, were used to compare the microstructure scaling behavior of the thin films. The rms roughness R{sub q} evolves with film thickness as a power law, R{sub q} ∼ d{sub f}{sup β}, and different growth exponents β were found for AZO and ITO films. For AZO films, β of 1.47 and 0.56 are obtained for RT and 300 °C depositions, respectively, which are caused by the high compressive stress in the film at RT and relaxation of the stress at 300 °C. While for ITO films, β{sub 1} = 0.14 and β{sub 2} = 0.64 for RT, and β{sub 1} = 0.89 and β{sub 2} = 0.3 for 300 °C deposition are obtained, respectively, which is related to the strong competition between the surface diffusion and shadowing effect and/or grain growth. Electrical properties of both materials as a function of film thickness were also compared. By the modified Fuchs-Sondheimer model fitting of the electrical transport in both materials, different nucleation states are pointed out for both types of films.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Origin of the visible emission of black silicon microstructures

Silicon, the mainstay semiconductor in microelectronics, is considered unsuitable for optoelectronic applications due to its indirect electronic band gap that limits its efficiency as light emitter. Here, we univocally determine at the nanoscale the origin of visible emission in microstructured black silicon by cathodoluminescence spectroscopy and imaging. We demonstrate the formation of amorphous silicon oxide microstructures with a white emission. The white emission is composed by four features peaking at 1.98 eV, 2.24 eV, 2.77 eV, and 3.05 eV. The origin of such emissions is related to SiO{sub x} intrinsic point defects and to the sulfur doping due to the laser processing. Similar results go in the direction of developing optoelectronic devices suitable for silicon-based circuitry.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Microstructure of a-C:H films prepared on a microtrench and analysis of ions and radicals behavior

Amorphous carbon films (a-C:H) were prepared on a microtrench (4-μm pitch and 4-μm depth), and the uniformity of film thickness and microstructure of the films on the top, sidewall, and bottom surfaces of the microtrench were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The a-C:H films were prepared by bipolar-type plasma based ion implantation and deposition (bipolar PBII&D), and the negative pulse voltage, which is the main parameter dominating the film structure, was changed from −1.0 to −15 kV. Moreover, the behavior of ions and radicals was analyzed simultaneously by combining the calculation methods of Particle-In-Cell/Monte Carlo Collision (PIC-MCC) and Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) to investigate the coating mechanism for the microtrench. The results reveal that the thickness uniformity of a-C:H films improves with decreasing negative pulse voltage due to the decreasing inertia of incoming ions from the trench mouth, although the film thickness on the sidewall tends to be much smaller than that on the top and bottom surfaces of the trench. The normalized flux and the film thickness show similar behavior, i.e., the normalized flux or thickness at the bottom surface increases at low negative pulse voltages and then saturates at a certain value, whereas at the sidewall it monotonically decreases with increasing negative voltage. The microstructure of a-C:H films on the sidewall surface is very different from that on the top and bottom surfaces. The film structure at a low negative pulse voltage shifts to more of a polymer-like carbon (PLC) structure due to the lower incident energy of ions. Although the radical flux on the sidewall increases slightly, the overall film structure is not significantly changed because this film formation at a low negative voltage is originally dominated by radicals. On the other hand, the flux of radicals is dominant on the sidewall in the case of high negative pulse voltage, resulting in a deviation from the Raman behavior of a-C:H films deposited by bipolar PBII&D. This tendency intensifies as the negative voltage becomes greater. Also, the energy of incident ions on the sidewall of the trench increases with increasing negative voltage, which causes a shift in the Raman data of the sidewall to the bottom right corner on the figure depicting the relationship of the FWHM(G) and the G-peak position, indicating increased graphitization of a-C:H film.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Thickness and microstructure effects in the optical and electrical properties of silver thin films

The optical and electrical response of metal thin films approaching thicknesses in the range of the electron mean free path is highly affected by electronic scattering with the interfaces and defects. Here, we present a theoretical and experimental study on how thickness and microstructure affect the properties of Ag thin films. We are able to successfully model the electrical resistivity and IR optical response using a thickness dependent electronic scattering time. Remarkably, the product of electronic scattering time and resistivity remains constant regardless of the thickness (τx ρ = C), with a value of 59 ± 2 μΩ cm ⋅ fs for Ag films in the investigated range from 3 to 74 nm. Our findings enable us to develop a theoretically framework that allows calculating the optical response of metal thin films in the IR by using their measured thickness and resistivity. An excellent agreement is found between experimental measurements and predicted values. This study also shows the theoretical lower limit for emissivity in Ag thin films according to their microstructure and thickness. Application of the model presented here will allow rapid characterization of the IR optical response of metal thin films, with important application in a broad spectrum of fundamental and industrial applications, including optical coatings, low-emissivity windows and semiconductor industry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Role of bromine doping on the photovoltaic properties and microstructures of CH{sub 3}NH{sub 3}PbI{sub 3} perovskite solar cells

Organic-inorganic hybrid heterojunction solar cells containing CH{sub 3}NH{sub 3}PbI{sub 3} perovskite compound were fabricated using mesoporous TiO{sub 2} as the electronic transporting layer and spirobifluorence as the hole-transporting layer. The purpose of the present study is to investigate role of bromine (Br) doping on the photovoltaic properties and microstructure of CH{sub 3}NH{sub 3}PbI{sub 3} perovskite solar cells. Photovoltaic, optical properties and microstructures of perovskite-based solar cells were investigated. The X-ray diffraction identified crystal structure of the perovskite layer doped with Br in the solar cell. Scanning electron microscopy observation showed a different behavior of surface morphology and the perovskite crystal structure on the TiO{sub 2} mesoporous structure depending on extent amount of hydrogen doping of Br. The role of bromide halogen doping on the perovskite crystal structure and photovoltaic properties was due to improvement of carrier mobility, optimization of electron structure, band gap related with the photovoltaic parameters of V{sub oc}, J{sub sc} and η. Energy diagram and photovoltaic mechanism of the perovskite solar cells varied with halogen doping was discussed by experimental results.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Improvement microstructural and damage characterization of ceramic composites Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} – V{sub 2}O{sub 5} with MgO nano particles

Compacted samples of Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}-V{sub 2}O{sub 5} – MgO Nano – particles wt. % sintered at different sintering temperature (700, 900, 1100, 1300) ) C° for 2 hours under static air were investigated by x-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis(DTA), to identify the phase present .Microstructure examination achieved by scanning electron microscopy .Sintered density and porosity were measured for all sintered samples .Compression was tested too and the Brake down voltage and dielectric strength were measure for all sintered samples .The clear improvement were noticed in both microstructure and damage characterization respectively after existing the MgO Nano-particles, by increasing in about 30% in sintered density and 25% for the compressive strength .The improvement also noticed on both brake down voltage and dielectric strength.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Optimization of laser energy deposition for single-shot high aspect-ratio microstructuring of thick BK7 glass

We investigate the generation of high aspect ratio microstructures across 0.7 mm thick glass by means of single shot Bessel beam laser direct writing. We study the effect on the photoinscription of the cone angle, as well as of the energy and duration of the ultrashort laser pulse. The aim of the study is to optimize the parameters for the writing of a regular microstructure due to index modification along the whole sample thickness. By using a spectrally resolved single pulse transmission diagnostics at the output surface of the glass, we correlate the single shot material modification with observations of the absorption in different portions of the retrieved spectra, and with the absence or presence of spectral modulation. Numerical simulations of the evolution of the Bessel pulse intensity and of the energy deposition inside the sample help us interpret the experimental results that suggest to use picosecond pulses for an efficient and more regular energy deposition. Picosecond pulses take advantage of nonlinear plasma absorption and avoid temporal dynamics effects which can compromise the stationarity of the Bessel beam propagation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Microstructural analysis and thermoelectric properties of Sn-Al co-doped ZnO ceramics

Sn-Al co-doped polycrystalline ZnO ceramics were prepared by sintering in air. Phase and microstructure analysis was performed by X-ray diffraction and SEM-EDS and thermoelectric properties were measured. XRD analysis showed a ZnO primary phase as well as secondary phase peaks due to the formation of a Zn{sub 2}SnO{sub 4} spinel phase or SnO{sub 2}(ZnO:Sn-Al){sub m} intergrowth phase. SEM analysis revealed a dense microstructure with a small number of nanometric pores, consistent with the measured density of 5.48 g/cm{sup 3}. An activated electrical conductivity characteristic of a semiconducting material was observed as well as a negative Seebeck coefficient with both values increasing in absolute value from RT to 730 °C. The power factor had a maximum value of 3.73×10{sup −4} W m{sup −1} K{sup −2} at 730 °C. Thermal conductivity measurements showed a significant reduction over the measured temperature range compared to undoped ZnO. This could be attributed to grain size reduction, the formation of a nanoscale secondary phase or a reduction in crystallinity caused by Sn-Al co-doping. A maximum ZT of 0.06 was obtained at 750 °C for the Sn-Al co-doped ZnO ceramics.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Strong emission of THz radiation from GaAs microstructures on Si

Remarkably strong emission of terahertz radiation from illuminated GaAs microstructures on a Si substrate is reported. The peak-to-peak amplitude of terahertz radiation from the sample is 9 times larger than that of THz radiation from a semi-insulating GaAs wafer. The spectral width of the sample is larger than that of a semi-insulating GaAs wafer; in particular, the spectral amplitude increases at higher frequencies. As a result, the presented GaAs microstructures on a Si substrate can be suitable for practical and efficient THz sources required in various THz applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effect of microstructural features on the laser efficiency of Nd{sup 3+}:Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12} ceramics

The optical properties and microstructure of transparent Nd{sup 3+}:Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12} ceramics synthesised by different reactive sintering routes are studied. It is found that the residual porosity of optical ceramics is directly related to the homogeneity of the microstructure of initial compacts, which can be estimated by the existence of particle agglomerates larger than 1 mm in initial nanopowders. A qualitative correlation is established between the residual porosity, the optical losses and the lasing slope efficiency of Nd{sup 3+}:Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12} ceramics. The maximum laser efficiency (η = 49%) was observed in the samples with the lowest porosity (2.3 × 10{sup -3} vol %). (lasers)

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Specific features of direct formation of graphite-like microstructures in polycarbonate samples by single femtosecond laser pulses

We present the result of the experiments on producing graphite-like cylindrical microstructures by focusing single femtosecond laser pulses into the bulk of a transparent polymer (polycarbonate). The microstructures are embedded in a cladding with a modified refractive index, possessing waveguide properties. In the experiments with nontransparent screens and diaphragms, placed in the laser beam in front of the entrance pupil of the objective with a large numerical aperture, we have found that the paraxial rays are blocked by the peripheral ones, which reduces the length of the destruction region in the pre-focal zone. In the experiments with transparent screens and diaphragms, introducing optical delays τ{sub d} between the paraxial and peripheral rays, the quantitative dependence of the destruction region length in the pre-focal zone on the value of τ{sub d} is determined. (interaction of laser radiation with matter. laser plasma)

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Microstructures and mechanical properties of a welded CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy

The response of the CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy to weld thermal cycles was investigated to determine its applicability as an engineering structural material. Two processes were used: high-energy-density, low-heat-input electron beam (EB) welding and low-energy-density, high-heat-input gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding. Weldability was determined through comprehensive microstructural and mechanical property characterisation of the welds. The welds did not develop solidification cracking or heat-affected zone cracks. The microstructures in weld fusion zones are similar to that in the as-cast materials, consisting of large columnar grains with dendrite. The dendrite arm spacing and the extent of elemental segregation were less in the welds than in the cast ingot, and also were less pronounced in the EB weld than in the GTA weld. Compositional microsegregation between dendritic cores and interdendritic regions of the welds was insignificant. Both welds exhibited slightly higher yield strengths than the base metal. The EB weld possessed comparable tensile strength and ductility to that of the base metal. In comparison, the GTA weld maintained ∼80% of the base metal's tensile strength and 50% of the ductility.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Microstructures and properties of high-entropy alloy films and coatings: a review

In the past 14 years, as a branch of high-entropy alloy (HEA) materials, HEA films and coatings have exhibited the attractive and unique properties, relative to the conventional film and coating materials. The recent research and development of HEA films and coatings are reviewed in this paper. At first, the basic concept of HEAs films and coatings are introduced. Then, their preparation technologies, microstructures and appealing properties are summarized. Moreover, the possible reasons and design criteria for achieving the excellent properties are discussed. Finally, the suggested future research work for the HEA films and coatings are outlined. Preparation technologies, microstructures, and properties of HEA films and coatings are reviewed in this paper. The design criteria and suggested research directions are further discussed and proposed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Inferring low-dimensional microstructure representations using convolutional neural networks

We apply here recent advances in machine learning and computer vision to a central problem in materials informatics: the statistical representation of microstructural images. We use activations in a pretrained convolutional neural network to provide a high-dimensional characterization of a set of synthetic microstructural images. Next, we use manifold learning to obtain a low-dimensional embedding of this statistical characterization. We show that the low-dimensional embedding extracts the parameters used to generate the images. Finally, according to a variety of metrics, the convolutional neural network method yields dramatically better embeddings than the analogous method derived from two-point correlations alone.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2023

(U)SAXS characterization of porous microstructure of chert: insights into organic matter preservation

This study characterizes the microstructure and mineralogy of 132 (ODP sample), 1000 and 1880 million-year-old chert samples. By using ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS), wide-angle X-ray scattering and other techniques, the preservation of organic matter (OM) in these samples is studied. The scarce microstructural data reported on chert contrast with many studies addressing porosity evolution in other sedimentary rocks. The aim of this work is to solve the distribution of OM and silica in chert by characterizing samples before and after combustion to pinpoint the OM distribution inside the porous silica matrix. The samples are predominantly composed of alpha quartz and show increasing crystallite sizes up to 33 ± 5 nm (1σ standard deviation or SD). In older samples, low water abundances (~0.03%) suggest progressive dehydration. (U)SAXS data reveal a porous matrix that evolves over geological time, including, from younger to older samples, (1) a decreasing pore volume down to 1%, (2) greater pore sizes hosting OM, (3) decreasing specific surface area values from younger (9.3 ± 0.1 m 2 g -1 ) to older samples (0.63 ± 0.07 m 2 g -1 , 1σ SD) and (4) a lower background intensity correlated to decreasing hydrogen abundances. The pore-volume distributions (PVDs) show that pores ranging from 4 to 100 nm accumulate the greater volume fraction of OM. Raman data show aromatic organic clusters up to 20 nm in older samples. Raman and PVD data suggest that OM is located mostly in mesopores. Observed structural changes, silica–OM interactions and the hydro­phobicity of the OM could explain the OM preservation in chert.

(U)SAXS↗