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Results for “PHASE STABILITY”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Strategies to improve phase-stability of ultrafast swept source optical coherence tomography for single shot imaging of transient mechanical waves at 16 kHz frame rate

We present single-shot phase-sensitive imaging of propagating mechanical waves within tissue, enabled by an ultrafast optical coherence tomography (OCT) system powered by a 1.628 MHz Fourier domain mode-locked (FDML) swept laser source. We propose a practical strategy for phase-sensitive measurement by comparing the phases between adjacent OCT B-scans, where the B-scan contains a number of A-scans equaling an integer number of FDML buffers. With this approach, we show that micro-strain fields can be mapped with ∼3.0 nm sensitivity at ∼16 000 fps. The system's capabilities are demonstrated on porcine cornea by imaging mechanical wave propagation launched by a pulsed UV laser beam, promising non-contact, real-time, and high-resolution optical coherence elastography.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2019

Carrier-envelope phase stabilization of an Er:Yb:glass laser via a feed-forward technique

Few-cycle pulsed laser technology highlights the need for control and stabilization of the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) for applications requiring shot-to-shot timing and phase consistency. This general requirement has been achieved successfully in a number of free–space and fiber lasers via feedback and feed-forward (FF) methods. Here, expanding on existing results, we demonstrate CEP stabilization through the FF method applied to a SESAM mode-locked Er:Yb:glass laser at 1.55 μm with a measured ultralow timing jitter of 2.9 as (1–3 MHz) and long-term stabilization over a duration of 8 h. Single-digit attosecond stabilization at telecom wavelengths opens a new direction in applications requiring ultra-stable frequency and time precision such as high-resolution spectroscopy and fiber timing networks.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Effect of chemical substitution and external strain on phase stability and ferroelectricity in two dimensional M 2 CT 2 MXenes

Two dimensional ferroelectric materials are gaining increasing attention for use in ultrathin electronic devices owing to the presence of a spontaneous polarization down to one or two monolayers. However, such materials are difficult to identify, especially those with out-of-plane electric polarizations. Previous work predicted that a metastable ferroelectric phase exists in the 2D MXene Sc 2 CO 2 , while further studies have predicted that this phase exists in other MXene chemistries. However, questions remain about the origin of ferroelectricity, the stability of this phase relative to other competing phases, and the effect of external stimuli in these materials. In this work, we use density functional theory calculations to investigate 12 M 2 CT 2 MXenes (M = transition metal, T = surface terminating group) and determine which have the ferroelectric phase as their ground state. We compute these materials’ polarizations, densities of states, phonon band structures, Bader charges, and Born effective charges in the ferroelectric phase to elucidate the reasons for its stabilization. We demonstrate that this ferroelectric phase can be preferentially stabilized in non-ferroelectric MXenes through full chemical substitution of Sc or O, alloying of the Sc sites, or application of epitaxial strain. Finally, we show that these materials have excellent piezoelectric properties as well. This work provides a detailed understanding of ferroelectric MXenes and show how the number of 2D ferroelectric materials can be increased through chemical substitution or application of external stimuli.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Vibrations and Phase Stability in Mixed Valence Antimony Oxide

α-Sb 2 O 4 (cervantite) and β-Sb 2 O 4 (clinocervantite) are mixed valence compounds with equal proportions of Sb III and Sb V as represented in the formula Sb III Sb V O 4 . Their structure and properties can be difficult to calculate owing to the Sb III lone-pair electrons. Here, we present a study of the lattice dynamics and vibrational properties using a combination of inelastic neutron scattering, Mössbauer spectroscopy, nuclear inelastic scattering, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. DFT calculations that account for lone-pair electrons match the experimental densities of phonon states. Mössbauer spectroscopy reveals the β phase to be significantly harder than the α phase. Calculations with O vacancies reveal the possibility for nonstoichiometric proportions of Sb III and Sb V in both phases. An open question is what drives the stability of the α phase over the β phase, as the latter shows pronounced kinetic stability and lower symmetry despite being in the high-temperature phase. Since the vibrational entropy difference is small, it is unlikely to stabilize the α phase. In conclusion, our results suggest that the α phase is more stable only because the material is not fully stoichiometric.

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

Phase stabilities of pyrite-related MTCh compounds (M=Ni, Pd, Pt; T=Si, Ge, Sn, Pb; Ch=S, Se, Te): A systematic DFT study

Pyrite-type and related systems appear for a wide range of binary and ternary combinations of transition metals and main group elements that form Zintl type dumbbell anion units. Those representatives with 20 valence electrons exhibit an extraordinary structural flexibility and interesting properties as low-gap semiconductors or thermoelectric and electrode materials. This work is devoted to the systematic exploration of novel compounds within the class of MTCh compounds (M=Ni, Pd, Pt; T=Si, Ge, Sn, Pb; Ch=S, Se, Te) by means of density functional calculations. Their preferred structures are predicted from an extended scheme of colored pyrites and marcasites. To determine their stabilities, competing binary MT{sub 2} and MCh{sub 2} boundary phases are taken into account as well as ternary M{sub 3}T{sub 2}Ch{sub 2} and M{sub 2}T{sub 3}Ch{sub 3} systems. Recently established stability diagrams are presented to account for MTCh ordering phenomena with a focus on a not-yet-reported ordering variant of the NiAs{sub 2} type. Due to the good agreement with experimental data available for several PtTCh systems, the predictions for the residual systems are considered sufficiently accurate. - Graphical abstract: Compositional and structural stability of MTCh compounds is investigated from first principle calculations. A conceptional approach is presented to study and predict novel stable and metastable compounds and structures of low gap semiconductors with TCh dumbbell units that are isoelectronic and structurally related to pyrite (FeS{sub 2}). - Highlights: • Study of compositional stability of MTCh vs. M{sub 3}T{sub 2}Ch{sub 2} and M{sub 2}T{sub 3}Ch{sub 3} compounds. • Study of structural stability of known and novel MTCh compounds. • Prediction of novel stable and metastable structures and compounds isoelectronic to pyrite, FeS{sub 2}.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Automated path planning for functionally graded materials considering phase stability and solidification behavior: Application to the Mo-Nb-Ta-Ti system

Functionally graded materials have the potential to improve upon monolithic parts by locally tailoring compositions to surrounding environmental conditions. Difficulties arise when designing composition gradients as incompatible materials can result in detrimental phase formation and failure of the gradient joint. As many alloys are multi-component, designing a composition gradient free of detrimental phases is difficult due to the large composition space available to explore. A framework was developed that improves the path planning algorithm and surrogate models with adaptive sampling schemes specific to their problem definition. A cost function was created to minimize a property (such as cracking susceptibility) along a path. This framework was applied to the Mo-Nb-Ta-Ti system as a case study to showcase the efficiency in building the surrogate models and in iterating different optimal compositionally graded paths.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Ab initio study of phase stability of NaZr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} under pressure

The elastic constants of NaZr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} were computed as a function of pressure through Density Functional Theory calculations. The behavior of elastic constants show that the rhombohedral (R-3c) NaZr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} becomes unstable above 8 GPa and is driven by softening of C{sub 44} through one of the Born stability criteria. High pressure equation of state and enthalpy show further that the ambient rhombohedral (R-3c)) NaZr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} transforms first to another rhombohedral (R3) phase and subsequently to LiZr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}-type orthorhombic phase at pressures above 6 and 8 GPa respectively which are in agreement with recent X-ray diffraction study.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Phase stabilization by electronic entropy in plutonium

Abstract Plutonium metal undergoes an anomalously large 25% collapse in volume from its largest volume δ phase ( δ -Pu) to its low temperature α phase, yet the underlying thermodynamic mechanism has largely remained a mystery. Here we use magnetostriction measurements to isolate a previously hidden yet substantial electronic contribution to the entropy of δ -Pu, which we show to be crucial for the stabilization of this phase. The entropy originates from two competing instabilities of the 5 f -electron shell, which we show to drive the volume of Pu in opposing directions, depending on the temperature and volume. Using calorimetry measurements, we establish a robust thermodynamic connection between the two excitation energies, the atomic volume, and the previously reported excess entropy of δ -Pu at elevated temperatures.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2023

α-Quartz Phase Stabilization, Surface Texturing, and Tunable Optical Properties of Nanocrystalline GeO 2 Films Made by Pulsed-Laser Deposition: Implications for Optical and Optoelectronic Applications

Germanium oxide (GeO 2 ) has great potential in multifunctional devices and next-generation power electronics due to its high thermal conductivity and ambipolar doping capability. However, the complexity of synthesizing the desirable polymorph with a controlled phase, surface/interface quality, microstructure, and functional properties is the main barrier to GeO 2 utilization in advanced applications. Here, in this regard, we present a method to realize the hexagonal (h) or a-quartz type GeO 2 with nano-textured surface morphology on sapphire substrates using a hybrid synthesis strategy that comprises pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and post-deposition thermal annealing. We performed a comprehensive study to investigate the effect of annealing temperature, which was varied in a wide range (600-1100 °C), on the crystal structure, phase, surface morphology, chemical stoichiometry, defect states, and optical properties of PLD-grown GeO 2 films. As-deposited GeO 2 films at 500 °C were amorphous. Upon annealing, the GeO 2 films induced an amorphous-to-crystalline phase transformation; GeO 2 films annealed at higher annealing temperatures (≥900 °C) stabilized in the hexagonal phase and demonstrated excellent crystal quality and chemical stability. Thermally activated growth process showed increased average crystallite size, which was varied in the range of 20-130 (±2) nm, while the surface roughness followed a similar trend. The spectral transmittance and band gap also increased with increasing annealing temperature. The resulting h-GeO 2 films, particularly those obtained at annealing temperatures in the 900-1100 °C range, had a higher band gap of 6.2-6.3 eV and displayed excellent optical transmittance in the visible region. Moreover, the absence of extended valence band maxima and reduced optical defect density support the quality improvement upon annealing. When considering phase-pure bulk and nanostructured GeO 2 as a possible candidate for ultra wide band gap semiconductors in cutting-edge technological applications, the results of the current work can be beneficial to realize high structural and optical quality a-quartz structured GeO 2 films.

GeO2↗
DOE OSTI2019

Enthalpies of formation and phase stability relations of USi, U 3 Si 5 and U 3 Si 2

U–Si intermetallic compounds have drawn great attention due to their potential application as nuclear fuels. However, the thermodynamic properties and phase equilibria of this binary system from ambient to high temperature conditions are not fully understood. Via high temperature oxidative drop calorimetry and detailed characterization of the initial and final phases, we have experimentally determined the standard enthalpies of formation of USi and U 3 Si 5.07 at 298 K to be –43.2 ± 6.2 and –43.8 ± 9.0 kJ/mol·atom, respectively. The energetics of the tetragonal USi (t-USi, space group I 4/ mmm ) phase has also been calculated with Density Functional Theory (DFT) for the first time. Combining the obtained formation enthalpies with the heat capacities measured previously, we assessed the thermodynamic stability of t-USi relative to a phase assemblage of two other U–Si phases, U 3 Si 5.07 and U 3 Si 2 , from ambient temperature to 1200 K. The tetragonal USi is thermodynamically more stable than U 3 Si 5.07 + U 3 Si 2 , which supports previously published phase diagram (H. Okamoto and T. Massalski, 1990 [1]): specifically, at least one stable USi phase exists when the U content is 50 at.%. In conclusion, further thermodynamic and phase equilibrium studies are needed for a more comprehensive understanding of the U–Si system across broader compositional and temperature ranges.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Thermal transport in phase-stabilized lithium zirconate phosphates

The thermal properties of yttrium-stabilized lithium zirconate phosphate [LZP: Li 1+x+y Y x Zr 2-x (PO 4 ) 3 with x = 0.15, -0.2 ≤ y ≤ 0.4 and with x = 0.0, y = 0.0] are presented over a wide temperature range from 30 to 973 K, elucidating the interplay between structural phase transformations and thermal properties in a solid state superionic conducting material. At room temperature, the thermal conductivity decreases by more than 75% as the stoichiometry is changed from lithium deficient to excess and increases with increasing temperature, indicative of defect-mediated transport in the spark plasma sintered materials. The phase transformations and their stabilities are examined by x-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry and indicate that the Y3 + substitution of Zr 4+ is effective in stabilizing the ionically conductive rhombohedral phase over the entire temperature range measured, the mechanism of which is found through ab initio theoretical calculations. Finally, these insights into thermal transport of LZP superionic conductors are valuable as they may be generally applicable for predicting material stability and thermal management in the ceramic electrolyte of future all-solid-state-battery devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Phase stability and B-site ordering in La{sub 2}NiMnO{sub 6} thin films

Thin films of multiferroic double-perovskite La{sub 2}NiMnO{sub 6} are prepared on (001)-oriented SrTiO{sub 3}, (La{sub 0.289}Sr{sub 0.712})(Al{sub 0.633}Ta{sub 0.356})O{sub 3}, and LaSrAlO{sub 4} substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Microstructure investigation by advanced electron microscopy shows that the La{sub 2}NiMnO{sub 6} films have a monoclinic structure on the SrTiO{sub 3} substrates and a rhombohedral structure on the (La{sub 0.289}Sr{sub 0.712})(Al{sub 0.633}Ta{sub 0.356})O{sub 3} and LaSrAlO{sub 4} substrates. Atomic-scale elemental maps of the monoclinic and rhombohedral phases reveal a short-range and/or partial ordering of the B-sites. In addition, domains and columnar grains are found in the films. Our results demonstrate that the phase and microstructure of the La{sub 2}NiMnO{sub 6} films can be tuned by epitaxial strains induced by different substrates.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1986

Long-term amplitude and phase stability of the 400-kW 2.115-GHz transmitter

Results of recent measurements of the long-term phase, amplitude and group delay stability of the 400-kW S-band (2.115-GHz) transmitter are reported. Various control parameters which are responsible for many of the observed instabilities are identified. Further tests to identify the parameters responsible for the remaining instabilities are suggested.

Hoppe, D. J.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Predicting the Phase Stability of Sc{sub 1–x}Ln{sub x}PO{sub 4} (Ln = Gd–Lu, Y) Zircon-Structured Solid Solutions

The energies of mixing (interaction parameters) in the Sc{sub 1–x}Ln{sub x}PO{sub 4} (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y) systems have been calculated using Urusov’s crystal energy theory of isomorphous substitutions. The decomposition (stability) temperatures of the solid solutions have been plotted against the atomic number of the rare-earth elements at x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.50. The present results can be helpful in a search for host and activator compositions for new luminescence, laser, and other materials based on the zircon-structured rare-earth orthophosphates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Electronic structure and crystal phase stability of palladium hydrides

The results of electronic structure calculations for a variety of palladium hydrides are presented. The calculations are based on density functional theory and used different local and semilocal approximations. The thermodynamic stability of all structures as well as the electronic and chemical bonding properties are addressed. For the monohydride, taking into account the zero-point energy is important to identify the octahedral Pd-H arrangement with its larger voids and, hence, softer hydrogen vibrational modes as favorable over the tetrahedral arrangement as found in the zincblende and wurtzite structures. Stabilization of the rocksalt structure is due to strong bonding of the 4d and 1s orbitals, which form a characteristic split-off band separated from the main d-band group. Increased filling of the formerly pure d states of the metal causes strong reduction of the density of states at the Fermi energy, which undermines possible long-range ferromagnetic order otherwise favored by strong magnetovolume effects. For the dihydride, octahedral Pd-H arrangement as realized, e.g., in the pyrite structure turns out to be unstable against tetrahedral arrangement as found in the fluorite structure. Yet, from both heat of formation and chemical bonding considerations, the dihydride turns out to be less favorable than the monohydride. Finally, the vacancy ordered defect phase Pd{sub 3}H{sub 4} follows the general trend of favoring the octahedral arrangement of the rocksalt structure for Pd:H ratios less or equal to one.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

MX precipitate behavior in an irradiated advanced Fe-9Cr steel: Self-ion irradiation effects on phase stability

In an effort to optimize Fe-9Cr reduced activation ferritic/martensitic (RAFM) steels and to inform the design and operation of fusion reactors, this work represents the first in a series of cohesive studies dedicated to the evolution of MX-TiC precipitates under accelerated single and dual ion irradiations. This study investigates CNA9, a simplified Fe-9Cr RAFM steel featuring initial MX-TiC precipitate densities of (2.3±0.3)×10²¹ m⁻³. This material was subjected to single self-ion irradiation at damage levels ranging from 1 to 100 displacements per atom (dpa) over a temperature range of 300 to 600°C, with a nominal dose rate of 7×10⁻⁴ dpa/s. Irradiation-induced coarsening was observed, as evidenced by statistically significant increases in mean diameter sizes, at 15 dpa at both 500°C and 600°C, whereas no coarsening was noted at 300°C or 400°C. Further, complete dissolution of precipitates occurred at damage levels of 50 and 100 dpa across the two temperatures tested (300°C and 500°C) while no significant changes were observed at any doses below 15 dpa at 500°C. Experimentally parameterized recoil resolution modeling suggests that the observed radiation stability of MX-TiC precipitates is intricately linked to diffusional changes of solutes resulting from the co-evolution of microstructural features within the experiments. The findings align with current theoretical perspectives on radiation-induced precipitate stability in complex alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗