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At least 55 records · Page 3

Revisiting the structures and phase transitions of Ba 2 NaNb 5 O 15

The room-temperature and low-temperature structure(s) of Ba 2 NaNb 5 O 15 (BNN) have been debated since the structure was proposed in the 1960s. This work revisits the structures and phase transitions of BNN, combining high-resolution X-ray and neutron powder diffraction with density functional theory calculations. Temperature-dependent high-resolution X-ray powder diffraction patterns are collected from 4 to 918 K, and sequential batch Rietveld refinement using a symmetry mode approach to describe the structure is used to extract the main structural changes as a function of temperature. The data show that the average structure of BNN is best described by the Ama2 space group, and no other structural phase transitions were observed below the ferroelastic transition. The symmetry mode analysis, combining results from diffraction and density functional theory, shows significant octahedral tilting and corrugations of both the A1 and A2 sites along the c direction. A strong correlation between the spontaneous strain and the octahedral tilting was observed, and a potential connection with emerging microstructure at low temperatures is proposed, all enabled by the symmetry mode approach used in this work.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The radiation from slots in truncated dielectric-covered surfaces

A theoretical approach based on the geometrical theory of diffraction is used to study the electromagnetic radiation from a narrow slot in a dielectric-covered perfectly-conducting surface terminated at an edge. The total far-zone field is composed of a geometrical optics field and a diffracted field. The geometrical optics field is the direct radiation from the slot to the field point. The slot also generates surface waves which are incident at the termination of the dielectric cover, where singly-diffracted rays and reflected surface waves are excited. The diffraction and reflection coefficients are obtained from the canonical problem of the diffraction of a surface wave by a right-angle wedge where the dielectric-covered surface is approximated by an impedance surface. This approximation is satisfactory for a very thin cover; however, the radiation from its vertical and faces cannot be neglected in treating the thicker dielectric cover. This is taken into account by using a Kirchhoff-type approximation, which contributes a second term to the diffraction coefficient previously obtained. The contributions from the geometrical optics field, the singly-diffracted rays and all significant multiply-diffracted rays are summed to give the total radiation. Calculated and measured patterns are found to be in good agreement.

Hwang, Y. M.↗

Planar Defect Layers Template a High-Pressure InBi Polymorph

The short- and long-range order of III–V materials under high pressure has long been the subject of debate, with advancements in structural characterization leading to significant revisions to the accepted structural models. Despite these revisions, previous high-pressure structural assignments in the In–Bi system include the site-disordered β-Sn structure type, a structure type demonstrated to be nonexistent in analogous III–V systems. While X-ray diffraction is consistent with site disordering in InBi at high pressure, cluster expansion calculations indicate that disordering requires temperatures above 3000 K. Here, we propose InBi as a model material for studying unique high-pressure planar defects due to its highly anisotropic stress-dependent properties and structure. Specifically, we identify two sets of planar defects that mimic the diffraction pattern of a site disordered β-Sn structure type and are compatible with the calculated disorder barrier. We derive these defects by symmetry relations over crystallographic transitions. Density functional theory calculations of the proposed defects suggest that these defects are stabilized by diminishing interlayer separations with pressure. Further, we find that one of the proposed defects closely resembles a bulk high-pressure phase of InBi, InBi-ϵ, and we assert that the proposed defects order upon heating, acting as a template for InBi-ϵ growth. The proposed defects and their electronic structure provide a basis for the trend of superconducting critical temperature with increasing pressure. These methods for identifying defects are generalizable to other materials with reports of site disorder at high pressure, prompting a broader search for related high-pressure defects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Predictions for partial and monolayer coverages of O2 on graphite

Monolayer properties of O2 on graphite are calculated using a pattern recognition, optimization scheme. Equilibrium monolayers are predicted at two different densities with properties in agreement with recent X-ray diffraction, specific heat, and neutron scattering data. Properties of the extremely low density regime are calculated using a model based upon a distribution of two-dimensional O2 clusters. The results are consistent with experimental evidence.

Pan, R. P.↗

Search for octupolar order in NpO 2 by neutron powder diffraction

The magnetic structure of neptunium dioxide (NpO 2 ) remains a mystery despite decades of research. We revisited the search for magnetic ordering in NpO 2 by performing a powder neutron diffraction experiment at low temperatures and relatively large values of Q. Diffraction data were collected for 300 MK, 15 K, and 35 K to understand the phase transition near 25 K. However, no significant changes in the neutron diffraction pattern were identified. Using the octupolar magnetic form factor j 6 , the maximum theoretical expected value of the magnetic moment (3.27 μ B ), the calculated magnetic Bragg peak intensities would not be observable in neutron powder diffraction data. This value is much larger than the previously estimated magnetic moment of ~0.1 μ B . In conclusion, supported by experimental results, these calculations suggest that unpolarized neutron powder diffraction is unsuitable for measuring octupolar ordering in NpO 2 .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Complex space monofilar approximation of diffraction currents on a conducting half plane

Simple approximation of diffraction surface currents on a conducting half plane, due to an incoming plane wave, is obtained with a line current (monofile) in complex space. When compared to an approximating current at the edge, the diffraction pattern is seen to improve by an order of magnitude for a minimal increase of computation effort. Thus, the inconvient Fresnel integral functions can be avoided for quick calculations of diffracted fields and the accuracy is good in other directions than along the half plane. The method can be applied to general problems involving planar metal edges.

Lindell, I. V.↗

Diffraction Analysis Of Reflector Antennas

POMESH is computer program capable of predicting performance of reflector antennas. Calculates both farfield patterns and gains by use of physical-optics approximation of equivalent surface currents. Intended for relatively small reflectors. Useful in situations in which surfaces described by irregular data that must be interpolated and in which surface derivatives not known. Flexible and robust. Also calculates near fields and useful for subreflector computations. Written in FORTRAN 77.

Hodges, Richard E.↗

The focal plane reception pattern calculation for a paraboloidal antenna with a nearby fence

A computer simulation program is described which is used to estimate the effects of a proximate diffraction fence on the performance of paraboloid antennas. The computer program is written in FORTRAN. The physical problem, mathematical formulation and coordinate references are described. The main control structure of the program and the function of the individual subroutines are discussed. The Job Control Language set-up and program instruction are provided in the user's instruction to help users execute the present program. A sample problem with an appropriate output listing is made available as an illustration of the usage of the program.

Schmidt, Richard F.↗

PyFaults: A Python Toolkit for Stacking Fault Screening

PyFaults is an open-source Python library designed to model stacking fault disorder in crystalline materials and qualitatively assess the characteristic selective broadening effects in powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Here, the main capabilities of PyFaults are presented, including unit cell and supercell model construction, PXRD pattern calculation, assessment against experimental PXRD, and methods for rapid screening of candidate models within a set of possible stacking vectors and fault occurrence probabilities. This program aims to serve as a computationally inexpensive tool for identifying and screening potential stacking fault models in materials with planar disorder. Three diverse case studies, involving GaN, Li2MnO3 and Li3YCl6, are presented to illustrate the program functionality across a range of structure types and stacking fault modalities.

MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Analysis of elliptically polarized cavity backed antennas using a combined FEM/MoM/GTD technique

Radiation pattern prediction analysis of elliptically polarized cavity backed aperture antennas in a finite ground plane is carried out using a combined finite element method (FEM)/method of moments (MoM)/geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD) technique. The magnetic current on the cavity-backed aperture in an infinite ground plane is calculated using the combined FEM/MoM analysis. GTD, including the slope diffraction contribution, is used to calculate the diffracted fields due to both soft and hard polarizations at the edges of the finite ground plane. Numerical results for the radiation patterns of a cavity backed circular spiral microstrip patch antenna excited by a coaxial probe in a finite rectangular ground plane are computed and compared with experimental results.

Reddy, C. J.↗

Crystal structure of alectinib hydrochloride Type I, C 30 H 35 N 4 O 2 Cl

The crystal structure of alectinib hydrochloride has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Alectinib hydrochloride crystallizes in space groupP2 1 /n(#14) with the following parameters:a= 12.67477(7),b= 10.44076(5),c= 20.38501(12) Å,β= 93.1438(7)°,V= 2693.574(18) Å 3 , andZ= 4 at 295 K. The crystal structure consists of stacks of molecules along theb-axis, and the stacks contain chains of strong N–H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds. One density functional theory calculation moved a proton from an N atom to the Cl, but another calculation yielded a more chemically reasonable result. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®)

Materials Science↗

Fluctuation cepstral scanning transmission electron microscopy of mixed-phase amorphous materials

Four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) is a versatile analytical tool for characterizing materials structural properties. However, extending such analysis to disordered materials is challenging, especially in technologically important samples with mixed ordered and disordered phases. Here, in this work, we present a new 4D-STEM method, called fluctuation cepstral STEM (FC-STEM), based on the fluctuation analysis of cepstral transform of diffraction patterns. The peaks in the associated transformation relate to inter-atomic distances in a thin sample. By varying the real-space range over which fluctuations are calculated, distinct ordered and disordered phases can be mapped in a diffractive image reconstruction. We demonstrate the principles of FC-STEM by characterizing a silicon anode, harvested from a cycled lithium-ion battery. A mixture of amorphous and nanocrystalline silicon, graphitic carbon, and electrolyte by-products is identified and mapped. Comparisons with conventional electron imaging and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy show that FC-STEM is highly effective for the structure determination of mixed-phase amorphous materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Jet shielding of jet noise

An experimental and theoretical study was conducted to develop a validated first principle analysis for predicting the jet noise reduction achieved by shielding one jet exhaust flow with a second, closely spaced, identical jet flow. A generalized fuel jet noise analytical model was formulated in which the acoustic radiation from a source jet propagates through the velocity and temperature discontinuity of the adjacent shielding jet. Input variables to the prediction procedure include jet Mach number, spacing, temperature, diameter, and source frequency. Refraction, diffraction, and reflection effects, which control the dual jet directivity pattern, are incorporated in the theory. The analysis calculates the difference in sound pressure level between the dual jet configuration and the radiation field based on superimposing two independent jet noise directivity patterns. Jet shielding was found experimentally to reduce noise levels in the common plane of the dual jet system relative to the noise generated by two independent jets.

Simonich, J. C.↗

A generalized method for determining radiation patterns of aperture antennas and its application to reflector antennas

The reflector antenna may be thought of as an aperture antenna. The classical solution for the radiation pattern of such an antenna is found by the aperture integration (AI) method. Success with this method depends on how accurately the aperture currents are known beforehand. In the past, geometrical optics (GO) has been employed to find the aperture currents. This approximation is suitable for calculating the main beam and possibly the first few sidelobes. A better approximation is to use aperture currents calculated from the geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD). Integration of the GTD currents over and extended aperture yields more accurate results for the radiation pattern. This approach is useful when conventional AI and GTD solutions have no common region of validity. This problem arises in reflector antennas. Two dimensional models of parabolic reflectors are studied; however, the techniques discussed can be applied to any aperture antenna.

Paknys, J. R.↗

Quantitative order-parameter measurement in lattice-mismatched AlInP using precession electron diffraction

Precession electron diffraction (PED) was used to measure the long-range order parameter in lattice-mismatched AlInP epitaxial films under investigation for solid-state-lighting applications. Both double- and single-variant films grown at 620, 650, and 680°C were analyzed in TEM cross-section. PED patterns were acquired in selected-area-diffraction mode through external microscope control using serial acquisition, which allows inline image processing. The integrated peak intensities from experimental patterns were fit using dynamical simulations of diffraction from the ordered domain structures. Included in the structure-factor calculations were mean atomic displacements of the anions (P) due to ordering, which were found by valence-force-field calculations to have a nearly linear dependence on order parameter. A maximum order parameter of S = 0.36 was measured for a double-variant specimen grown at 650°C.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Radiation patterns of four symmetrically located sources on a perfectly conducting sphere.

The radiation field of dipoles or small apertures on a perfectly conducting sphere has been examined analytically with the aid of the dyadic Green's function technique. The patterns of four symmetrically located sources (dipoles or small apertures) on the sphere have been calculated to illustrate the diffraction phenomena due to spheres of various dimensions.

Du, L.↗

Synthesis and thermal properties of strontium and calcium peroxides

A practical synthesis and a discussion of some chemical properties of pure strontium peroxide and calcium peroxide are presented. The general synthesis of these peroxides involves precipitation of their octahydrates by addition of H2O2 to aqueous ammoniacal Sr(NO3)2 or CaCl2. The octahydrates are converted to the anhydrous peroxides by various dehydration techniques. A new x-ray diffraction powder pattern for CaO2 x 8H2O is given from which lattice parameters a=6.212830 and c=11.0090 were calculated on the basis of the tetragonal crystal system.

Philipp, Warren H.↗