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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Distinguishing attosecond electron–electron scattering and screening in transition metals

Electron–electron interactions are the fastest processes in materials, occurring on femtosecond to attosecond timescales, depending on the electronic band structure of the material and the excitation energy. Such interactions can play a dominant role in light-induced processes such as nano-enhanced plasmonics and catalysis, light harvesting, or phase transitions. However, to date it has not been possible to experimentally distinguish fundamental electron interactions such as scattering and screening. Here, we use sequences of attosecond pulses to directly measure electron–electron interactions in different bands of different materials with both simple and complex Fermi surfaces. By extracting the time delays associated with photoemission we show that the lifetime of photoelectrons from the d band of Cu are longer by ∼100 as compared with those from the same band of Ni. We attribute this to the enhanced electron–electron scattering in the unfilled d band of Ni. Using theoretical modeling, we can extract the contributions of electron–electron scattering and screening in different bands of different materials with both simple and complex Fermi surfaces. Our results also show that screening influences high-energy photoelectrons (≈20 eV) significantly less than low-energy photoelectrons. As a result, high-energy photoelectrons can serve as a direct probe of spin-dependent electron–electron scattering by neglecting screening. This can then be applied to quantifying the contribution of electron interactions and screening to low-energy excitations near the Fermi level. The information derived here provides valuable and unique information for a host of quantum materials.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Sb-Doped TiFe{sub 2}Sn Heusler Compounds

Ternary Heusler compounds form a numerous class of intermetallics, which include two families with general compositions ABC and AB{sub 2}C, usually referred to as half- and full-Heusler compounds, respectively. Given their tunable electronic properties, made possible by adjusting the chemical composition, these materials are currently considered for the possible use in sustainable technologies such as solar energy and thermoelectric conversion. According to theoretical predictions, Sb substitution in the TiFe{sub 2}Sn full-Heusler compound is thought to yield band structure modifications that should enhance the thermoelectric power factor. In this work, we tested the phase stability and the structural and microstructural properties of such heavily doped compounds. We synthesized polycrystalline TiFe{sub 2}Sn{sub 1−x}Sb{sub x} samples, with x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 1.0 by arc melting, followed by an annealing treatment. The structural characterization, performed by x-ray powder diffraction and microscopy analyses, confirmed the formation of the pseudo-ternary Heusler structure (cF16, Fm-3m, prototype: MnCu{sub 2}Al) in all samples, with only few percent amounts of secondary phases and only slight deviations from nominal stoichiometry. With increasing Sb substitution, we found a steady decrease in the lattice parameter, confirming that the replacement takes place at the Sn site. Quite unusually, the as-cast samples exhibited a higher lattice contraction than the annealed ones. The fully substituted x = 1.0 compound, again adopting the MnCu{sub 2}Al structure, does not form as stoichiometric phase and turned out to be strongly Fe deficient. The physical behavior at room temperature indicated that annealing with increasing temperature is beneficial for electrical and thermoelectrical transport. Moreover, we measured a slight improvement in electrical and thermoelectrical properties in the x = 0.1 sample and a suppression in the x = 0.2 sample, as compared to the undoped x = 0 sample.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Environmental Screening Effects in 2D Materials: Renormalization of the Bandgap, Electronic Structure, and Optical Spectra of Few-Layer Black Phosphorus

Few-layer black phosphorus has recently emerged as a potential 2D semiconductor, notable for its widely tunable bandgap, highly anisotropic properties, and theoretically predicted large exciton binding energies. To avoid degradation, it has become common practice to encapsulate black phosphorus devices. It is generally assumed that this encapsulation does not qualitatively affect their optical properties. In this work, we show that the contrary is true. We have performed ab initio GW and GW plus Bethe–Salpeter equation (GW-BSE) calculations to determine the quasiparticle (QP) band structure and optical spectrum of one-layer (1L) through four-layer (4L) black phosphorus, with and without encapsulation between hexagonal boron nitride and sapphire. We show that black phosphorus is exceptionally sensitive to environmental screening. Encapsulation reduces the exciton binding energy in 1L by as much as 70% and completely eliminates the presence of a bound exciton in the 4L structure. The reduction in the exciton binding energies is offset by a similarly large renormalization of the QP bandgap so that the optical gap remains nearly unchanged, yet the nature of the excited states and the qualitative features of the absorption spectrum change dramatically.

2D materials↗
DOE OSTI2018

First-principles calculations and experimental studies of: XYZ 2 thermoelectric compounds: Detailed analysis of van der Waals interactions

First-principles calculations can accelerate the search for novel high-performance thermoelectric materials. However, the prediction of the thermoelectric properties is strongly dependent on the approximations used for the calculations. Here, thermoelectric properties were calculated with different computational approximations ( i.e. , PBE-GGA, HSE06, spin–orbit coupling and DFT-D3) for three layered XYZ 2 compounds (TmAgTe 2 , YAgTe 2 , and YCuTe 2 ). In addition to the computations, the structural, electrical and thermal properties of these compounds were measured experimentally and compared to the computations. Furthermore, an enhanced prediction of the crystal structure and heat capacity was achieved with the inclusion of van der Waals interactions due to more accurate modeling of the interatomic forces. In particular, a large shift of the acoustic phonons and low-frequency optical phonons to lower frequencies was observed from the dispersion-optimized structure. From the phonon dispersion curves of these compounds, the ultralow thermal conductivity in the investigated XYZ 2 compounds could be described by a recent developed minimum thermal conductivity model. Additionally, for the prediction of the electrical conductivity, a temperature-dependent relaxation time was used, and it was limited by acoustic phonons. While HSE06 has only a small influence on the electrical properties due to a computed band gap energy of >0.25 eV, the inclusion of both van der Waals interactions and spin–orbit coupling leads to a more accurate band structure, resulting in better prediction of electrical properties. Furthermore, the experimental thermoelectric properties of YAgTe 2 , TmAg 0.95 Zn 0.05 Te 2 and TmAg 0.95 Mg 0.05 Te 2 were measured, showing an increase in zT of TmAg 0.95 Zn 0.05 Te 2 by more than 35% ( zT = 0.47 ± 0.12) compared to TmAgTe 2 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Spin scattering and noncollinear spin structure-induced intrinsic anomalous Hall effect in antiferromagnetic topological insulator MnB i 2 T e 4

MnB i 2 T e 4 has recently been established as an intrinsic antiferromagnetic (AFM) topological insulator—an ideal platform to create quantum anomalous Hall insulator and axion insulator states. We performed comprehensive studies on the structure, nontrivial surface state, and magnetotransport properties of this material. Our results reveal an intrinsic anomalous Hall effect arising from a noncollinear spin structure for the magnetic field parallel to the c axis. We observed negative magnetoresistance under arbitrary field orientation below and above the Néel temperature (T N ) , providing clear evidence for strong spin fluctuation-driven spin scattering in both the AFM and paramagnetic states. Furthermore, we found that the nontrivial surface state opens a large gap (~85 meV) even far above TN. Our findings demonstrate that the bulk band structure of MnB i 2 T e 4 is strongly coupled with the magnetic property and that a net Berry curvature in momentum space can be created in the canted AFM state. In addition, our results imply that the gap opening in the surface states is intrinsic, likely caused by the strong spin fluctuations in this material.

Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy↗
DOE OSTI2018

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Ba7Li11Bi10 and AE4(Li,Tr)7Pn6 (AE = Sr, Ba, Eu; Tr = Ga, In; Pn = Sb, Bi)

Reported are the synthesis and crystal structure of Ba7Li11Bi10, a new ternary compound crystallizing in its own type with the monoclinic space group C2/m (a = 18.407(3) Å, b = 5.0258(9) Å, and c = 18.353(3) Å; β = 104.43(1)°; Pearson symbol mS56), and those of the structurally related quaternary phases Ba4(Li1−xGax)7Sb6, Ba4(Li1−xInx)7Sb6, Ba4(Li1−xInx)7Bi6, and Eu4(Li1−xInx)7Bi6 (crystallizing in the Eu4Li7Bi6 structure type with the same monoclinic space group C2/m (a = 18.4045(13)–17.642(4) Å, b = 5.012(4)–4.8297(10) Å, and c = 13.2792(10)–12.850(3) Å, β = 126.80(1)–125.85(1)°; Pearson symbol mS34). All studied compounds are identified among the products of the high-temperature reactions of the corresponding elements. Both types of crystal structures are based on corner- and edge-linked Li-centered Sb4 (or Bi4) tetrahedra, Sb6 (or Bi6) octahedra, and Sb2 or Bi2 dumbbells. Given the similarities between the two structures, it might be proposed that they represent the simplest members of a potentially large homologous series described with the general formulae (BaLi3Sb2)n(Ba3Li4Sb4)m or (BaLi3Bi2)n(Ba3Li4Bi4)m, where the more complicated “7-11-10” phase is the member with n = 2 and m = 1, while the “4-7-6” one is the intergrowth of the two components in an equal ratio. The computed electronic band structures of Ba7Li11Bi10 and idealized Ba4Li7Bi6 (a model for Ba4(Li1−xInx)7Bi6) are also discussed.

Ojwang, Dickson O. (ORCID:0000000193048975)↗
NASA NTRS1988

The fluorescence of cometary OH

A new solar spectral atlas, improved oscillator strengths, and additional transitions have been incorporated in calculations of the fluorescent equilibrium of the OH molecule in comets as a function of heliocentric distance and radial velocity. Comparisons of detailed, ultraviolet band profiles have been made with the observed, high-resolution spectra of eight comets. While a purely fluorescent equilibrium calculation is sufficient to reproduce the major variations seen in the band structure from one comet to another, some collisional quenching of the inversion of the X2II3/2 Lambda-doublet ground state is required to match the detailed features. The relative population inversion of the upper and lower levels of the ground state is also calculated as a function of both distance and velocity, with the results being consistent with 18 cm radio observations. Predictions of the infrared OH vibrational bands are made; the 1-0 band should be observable if a sufficiently high spectral resolution is employed.

Schleicher, David G.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Observation of moiré excitons in WSe 2 /WS 2 heterostructure superlattices

Moiré superlattices enable the generation of new quantum phenomena in two-dimensional heterostructures, in which the interactions between the atomically thin layers qualitatively change the electronic band structure of the superlattice. For example, mini-Dirac points, tunable Mott insulator states and the Hofstadter butterfly pattern can emerge in different types of graphene/boron nitride moiré superlattices, whereas correlated insulating states and superconductivity have been reported in twisted bilayer graphene moiré superlattices. In addition to their pronounced effects on single-particle states, moiré superlattices have recently been predicted to host excited states such as moiré exciton bands. Here we report the observation of moiré superlattice exciton states in tungsten diselenide/tungsten disulfide (WSe 2 /WS 2 ) heterostructures in which the layers are closely aligned. These moiré exciton states manifest as multiple emergent peaks around the original WSe 2 A exciton resonance in the absorption spectra, and they exhibit gate dependences that are distinct from that of the A exciton in WSe 2 monolayers and in WSe 2 /WS 2 heterostructures with large twist angles. These phenomena can be described by a theoretical model in which the periodic moiré potential is much stronger than the exciton kinetic energy and generates multiple flat exciton minibands. The moiré exciton bands provide an attractive platform from which to explore and control excited states of matter, such as topological excitons and a correlated exciton Hubbard model, in transition-metal dichalcogenides.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Mirror symmetry breaking and lateral stacking shifts in twisted trilayer graphene

Here, we construct a continuum model of twisted trilayer graphene using ab initio density-functional-theory calculations, and we apply it to address twisted trilayer electronic structure. Our model accounts for moiré variation in site energies, hopping between outside layers, and hopping within layers. We focus on the role of a mirror symmetry present in ABA graphene trilayers with a middle layer twist. The mirror symmetry is lost intentionally when a displacement field is applied between layers, and unintentionally when the top layer is shifted laterally relative to the bottom layer. We calculate two band-structure characteristics that are directly relevant to transport measurements, namely the Drude weight and the weak-field Hall conductivity. We relate them via the Hall density to assess the influence of the accidental lateral stacking shifts currently present in all experimental devices on electronic properties. Finally, we comment on the role of the possible importance of accidental lateral stacking shifts for superconductivity in twisted trilayers.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Zintl Phases NaSrSb, NaBaSb and NaEuSb

This work details the synthesis and the crystal structures of the ternary compounds NaSrSb, NaBaSb and NaEuSb. They are isostructural and adopt the hexagonal ZrNiAl-type structure (space group P6¯2m; Pearson code hP9). The structure determination in all three cases was performed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The structure features isolated Sb3– anions arranged in layers stacked along the crystallographic c-axis. In the interstices, alkali and alkaline-earth metal cations are found in tetrahedral and square pyramidal coordination environments, respectively. The formal partitioning of the valence electrons adheres to the valence rules, i.e., Na+Sr2+Sb3–, Na+Ba2+Sb3– and Na+Eu2+Sb3– can be considered as Zintl phases with intrinsic semiconductor behavior. Electronic band structure calculations conducted for NaBaSb are consistent with this notion and show a direct gap of approx. 0.9 eV. Additionally, the calculations hint at possible inverted Dirac cones, a feature that is reminiscent of topological quantum materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Synthesis, structure and chemical bonding of CaFe{sub 2−x}Rh{sub x}Si{sub 2} (x=0, 1.32, and 2) and SrCo{sub 2}Si{sub 2}

The finding of superconductivity in Ba{sub 0.6}K{sub 0.4}Fe{sub 2}As{sub 2} put the attention on the investigation of compounds that crystallize with ThCr{sub 2}Si{sub 2} structure type such as AT{sub 2}X{sub 2} (A=alkali/alkaline earth/rare earth element; T=transition metal and X=element of the 13–15th group). In this context the silicides CaFe{sub 2}Si{sub 2}, CaFe{sub 0.68(6)}Rh{sub 1.32(6)}Si{sub 2}, CaRh{sub 2}Si{sub 2} and SrCo{sub 2}Si{sub 2} have been synthesized by reaction of the elements under an argon atmosphere. Single crystals were obtained by special heat treatment in welded niobium/tantalum ampoules. The compounds were investigated by means of powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction. All compounds crystallize in the ThCr{sub 2}Si{sub 2}-type structure with space group I4/mmm (No. 139): a=3.939(1) Å, c=10.185(1) Å, R{sub 1}=0.045, 85 F{sup 2} values, 8 variable parameters for CaFe{sub 2}Si{sub 2}; a=4.0590(2) Å, c=9.9390(8) Å, R{sub 1}=0.030, 90 F{sup 2} values, 10 variable parameters for CaFe{sub 0.68(6)}Rh{sub 1.32(6)}Si{sub 2}; a=4.0695(1) Å, c=9.9841(3) Å, R{sub 1}=0.031, 114 F{sup 2} values, 9 variable parameters for CaRh{sub 2}Si{sub 2}; and a=3.974(1) Å, c=10.395(1) Å, R{sub 1}=0.036, 95 F{sup 2} values, 8 variable parameters for SrCo{sub 2}Si{sub 2}. The structure of SrCo{sub 2}Si{sub 2} contains isolated [Co{sub 2}Si{sub 2}]{sup 2−} 2D-layers in the ab-plane whereas in CaFe{sub 2−x}Rh{sub x}Si{sub 2} the [T{sub 2}Si{sub 2}] layers (T=Fe and Rh) are interconnected along the c-axis via Si3Si bonds resulting in a three-dimentional (3D) [T{sub 2}Si{sub 2}]{sup 2−} polyanions and therefore belong to the so-called collapsed form of the ThCr{sub 2}Si{sub 2}-type structure. The SrCo{sub 2}Si{sub 2} and CaRh{sub 2}Si{sub 2} are isoelectronic to the parent 122 iron–pnictide superconductors AeFe{sub 2}As{sub 2} (Ae=alkaline earth elements), whereas CaFe{sub 2}Si{sub 2} is a full substituted variant (As/Si) of CaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2}. The crystal chemistry and chemical bonding in the title compounds are discussed in terms of LMTO band structure calculations and a topological analysis using the Electron Localization Function (ELF). - Graphical abstract: The SrCo{sub 2}Si{sub 2} and CaFe{sub 2−x}Rh{sub x}Si{sub 2} (x==0, 1.32, and 2) crystallize in the ThCr{sub 2}Si{sub 2}-type. The structure of SrCo{sub 2}Si{sub 2} contains isolated [Co{sub 2}Si{sub 2}]{sup 2−} layers in the ab-plane, whereas the [T{sub 2}Si{sub 2}] layers in CaFe{sub 2−x}Rh{sub x}Si{sub 2} are interconnected along the c-axis via Si3Si bonds resulting in a [T{sub 2}Si{sub 2}]{sup 2−} network. - Highlights: • Synthesis and structure of ternary silicides SrCo{sub 2}Si{sub 2} and CaFe{sub 2−x}Rh{sub x}Si{sub 2} (x=0, 1.32, and 2). • The SrCo{sub 2}Si{sub 2} and CaRh{sub 2}Si{sub 2} are isoelectronic to the parent 122 iron–pnictide superconductors AeFe{sub 2}As{sub 2}. • CaFe{sub 2}Si{sub 2} is a full substituted variant (As/Si) of superconductor CaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2}. • The title compounds demonstrate the tunable Si3Si distances.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Gold-rich R 3 Au 7 Sn 3 : Establishing the interdependence between electronic features and physical properties

Two new polar intermetallic compounds Y 3 Au 7 Sn 3 (I) and Gd 3 Au 7 Sn 3 (II) have been synthesized and their structures have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (P6 3/m ; Z = 2, a = 8.148(1)/8.185(3), and c = 9.394(2)/9.415(3) for I/II, respectively). They can formally be assigned to the Cu 10 Sn 3 type and consist of parallel slabs of Sn centered, edge-sharing trigonal Au 6 antiprisms connected through R 3 (R = Y, Gd) triangles. Additional Au atoms reside in the centres of trigonal Au 6 prisms forming Au@Au 6 clusters with Au–Au distances of 2.906–2.960 Å, while the R–R contacts in the R 3 groups are considerably larger than the sums of their metallic radii. These exclusive structural arrangements provide alluring systems to study the synergism between strongly correlated systems, particularly, those in the structure of (II), and extensive polar intermetallic contacts, which has been inspected by measurements of the magnetic properties, heat capacities and electrical conductivities of both compounds. Gd 3 Au 7 Sn 3 shows an antiferromagnetic ordering at 13 K, while Y 3 Au 7 Sn 3 is a Pauli paramagnet and a downward curvature in its electrical resistivity at about 1.9 K points to a superconducting transition. DFT-based band structure calculations on R 3 Au 7 Sn 3 (R = Y, Gd) account for the results of the conductivity measurements and different spin ordering models of (II) provide conclusive hints about its magnetic structure. As a result, chemical bonding analyses of both compounds indicate that the vast majority of bonding originates from the heteroatomic Au–Gd and Au–Sn interactions, while homoatomic Au–Au bonding is evident within the Au@Au 6 clusters.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Coexisting spin resonance and long-range magnetic order of Eu in EuRbFe 4 As 4

Here, magnetic excitations and magnetic structure of EuRbFe 4 As 4 were investigated by inelastic neutron scattering (INS), neutron diffraction, and random phase approximation (RPA) calculations. Below the superconducting transition temperature T c =36.5 K, the INS spectra exhibit the neutron spin resonances at Q res =1.27(2) and 1.79(3)Å –1 . They correspond to the Q=(0.5,0.5,1) and (0.5,0.5,3) nesting wave vectors, showing three-dimensional nature of the band structure. The characteristic energy of the neutron spin resonance is E res =17.7(3) meV corresponding to 5.7(1)k B T c . Observation of the neutron spin resonance mode and our RPA calculations in conjunction with the recent optical conductivity measurements are indicative of the s± superconducting pairing symmetry in EuRbFe 4 As 4 . In addition to the neutron spin resonance mode, upon decreasing temperature below the magnetic transition temperature T N =15 K, the spin wave excitation originating in the long-range magnetic order of the Eu sublattice was observed in the low-energy inelastic channel. Single-crystal neutron diffraction measurements demonstrate that the magnetic propagation vector of the Eu sublattice is k=(0,0,0.25), representing the three-dimensional antiferromagnetic order. Linear spin wave calculations assuming the obtained magnetic structure with the intra- and interplane nearest neighbor exchange couplings of J 1 /k B =–1.31 K and J c /k B =0.08 K can reproduce quantitatively the observed spin wave excitation. Our findings show that superconductivity and long-range magnetic order of Eu coexist in EuRbFe 4 As 4 , whereas the coupling between them is rather weak.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Yu-Shiba-Rusinov States in a Superconductor with Topological Z 2 Bands

A Yu-Shiba-Rusinov (YSR) state is a localized in-gap state induced by a magnetic impurity in a superconductor. Recent experiments used an STM tip to manipulate the exchange coupling between an Fe adatom and the FeTe 0.55 Se 0.45 superconductor possessing a Z 2 nontrivial band structure with topological surface states. As the tip moves close to the single Fe adatom, the energy of the in-gap state modulates and exhibits a zero-energy crossing followed by an unusual return to zero energy, which cannot be understood by coupling the magnetic impurity to the superconducting topological surface Dirac cone. Here, we numerically and analytically study the YSR states in superconductors with nontrivial Z 2 bands and show the emergence of the two zero-energy crossings as a function of the exchange coupling between the magnetic impurity and the bulk states. We analyze the role of the topological surface states and compare in-gap states to systems with trivial Z 2 bands. The spin polarization of the YSR states is further studied for future experimental measurement.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Cation Dynamics in Hybrid Halide Perovskites

Hybrid halide perovskite semiconductors exhibit complex, dynamical disorder while also harboring properties ideal for optoelectronic applications that include photovoltaics. However, these materials are structurally and compositionally distinct from traditional compound semiconductors composed of tetrahedrally coordinated elements with an average valence electron count of silicon. The additional dynamic degrees of freedom of hybrid halide perovskites underlie many of their potentially transformative physical properties. Neutron scattering and spectroscopy studies of the atomic dynamics of these materials have yielded significant insights into their functional properties. Specifically, inelastic neutron scattering has been used to elucidate the phonon band structure, and quasi-elastic neutron scattering has revealed the nature of the uncorrelated dynamics pertaining to molecular reorientations. Understanding the dynamics of these complex semiconductors has elucidated the temperature-dependent phase stability and origins of defect-tolerant electronic transport from the highly polarizable dielectric response. Furthermore, the dynamic degrees of freedom of the hybrid perovskites provide additional opportunities for application engineering and innovation.

Materials Science↗
DOE OSTI2018

STEM and APT characterization of scale formation on a La,Hf,Ti-doped NiCrAl model alloy

A thermally grown scale formed on a cast NiCrAl model alloy doped with lanthanum, hafnium, and titanium was examined after isothermal exposure at 1100 °C for 100 h in dry flowing O 2 to understand the dopant segregation along scale grain boundaries. The complex scale formed on the alloy surface was composed of two types of substrates: phase-dependent, thin (<250 nm) outer layers and a columnar-grained ~3.5 μm inner alumina layer. Two types of oxides formed between the inner and outer scale layers: small (3–15 nm) La 2 O 3 and larger (≤50 nm) HfO 2 oxide precipitates. Nonuniform distributions of the hafnium, lanthanum, and titanium dopants were observed along the inner scale grain boundaries, with hafnium dominating in most of the grain boundaries of α-Al 2 O 3 . The concentration of reactive elements (RE) seemed to strongly depend on the grain boundary structure. The level of titanium grain boundary segregation in the inner scale decreased toward the model alloy (substrate), confirming the fast outward diffusion of titanium. Hafnium was also observed at the metal–scale interface and in the γ' (Ni 3 Al) phase of the alloy. High-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) confirmed the substitution of REs for aluminum atoms at the scale grain boundaries, consistent with both the semiconducting band structure and the site-blocking models. Both STEM and atom probe tomography allowed quantification of REs along the scale grain boundaries across the scale thickness. Analysis of the scale morphology after isothermal exposure in flowing oxygen revealed a myriad of new precipitate phases, RE segregation dependence on grain boundary type, and atomic arrangement along scale grain boundaries, which is expected to influence the scale growth rate, stability, and mechanical properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

High Curie temperature of Ce-Fe-Si compounds with ThMn12 structure

We report the discovery of ternary CeFe(12-x)Si(x)compounds possessing the ThMn12 structure. The samples were prepared by melt spinning followed by annealing. In contrast to other known Ce Fe-based binary and ternary compounds, CeFe12-xSix compounds exhibit exceptionally high Curie temperatures whose values increase with added Si substitution. The highest T. = 583 K in CeFe10Si2 rivals that of the well-established Nd2Fe14B compound. We ascribe the T-c behavior to a combination of Si-induced 3d band structure changes and partial Ce3+ stabilization. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Zhou, C↗
DOE OSTI2015

Ab initio calculation of structural stability, electronic and optical properties of Ag{sub 2}Se

The structural stability, electronic and optical properties of Ag{sub 2}Se compound is studied using ab initio packages. Ag{sub 2}Se is found to crystallize in orthorhombic structure with two different space groups i.e. P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1} (No. 19) and P222{sub 1} (No. 17). For this compound in these two space groups, the total energy has been computed as a function of volume. Our calculated results suggest that the P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1}–phase is more stable than that of the P222{sub 1}–phase. The band structure calculation show that Ag{sub 2}Se is semimetallic with an overlap of about 0.014 eV in P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1}–phase whereas is metallic in nature in P222{sub 1}–phase. Moreover, the optical properties including the dielectric function, energy loss spectrum are obtained and analysed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗