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At least 127 records · Page 7

Tracking oxygen vacancy migration in memristor devices using operando hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Fabrication of ultrathin (sub-2 nm) oxide semiconductor memristors poses the fundamental challenge of achieving oxide growth with atomic precision in terms of electronic structure and defect formation. Recently, ultrathin memristors consisting of bilayers of mixed Al 2 O 3 and MgO atomic layers were fabricated using an in vacuo atomic layer deposition process. This approach offers a unique platform for precise atomic control of oxygen vacancies in the device in which the vacancies are introduced by placing MgO atomic layers between pristine Al 2 O 3 layers. In this work, we present a systematic operando Hard X-ray PhotoElectron Spectroscopy (HAXPES) study of the switching of such memristors, combined with complementary current-voltage and capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements. We used a memristor stack of Al 2 O 3 /MgO atomic layers, with the MgO-containing oxide deposited on the bottom Al metal electrode and a pure Al 2 O 3 layer below the top Pd electrode. HAXPES analysis shows a substantial change in the chemical shift of the Aluminum oxide when switching between the ”OFF” and ”ON” states indicative of a redistribution of oxygen vacancies in the device active layer. Interestingly, subsequent switching to the OFF state shows hysteretic behavior indicating the retention of some oxygen vacancies in the top Al 2 O 3 layer. This vacancy retention can be correlated with the stochastic behavior of the switching voltage observed in these devices. C–V measurements show a clear frequency-dependent response in the OFF state, consistent with enhanced polarization and vacancy trapping at low frequencies.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Anodized Aluminum Oxide Membrane Ionic Memristors

Memory effect in ion transport (IT) at the solid–solution interface is uniquely attractive in that the conductance depends on or “memorizes” the previous states. Hysteretic and rectified transport properties offer exciting potential to developing advanced iontronics and neuromorphic functions, improving the efficiency of energy conversion and electrochemical processes, and overcoming the selectivity-throughput bottleneck in the enrichment of low abundant species for environment- and energy-friendly separations, among others. Herein, memory effects are discovered in the rectified electrokinetic IT through anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes containing densely packed highly ordered nanochannels (10 10 per cm 2 ). Characteristic memristor responses of pinched current–potential loops are resolved in voltammetric experiments and successfully reproduced through finite element simulation. Excitatory and inhibitory conductance states are shown to arise from the enrichment and depletion of mobile charge carriers. Structurewise, the transport symmetry is broken by the barrier oxide layer (BOL) on the one end of the cylindrical nanochannels across the AAO membranes. Charge selectivity is attributed to the gradient(s) of the space charge density across the BOL characterized by depth profiling via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The space charge gradient(s) overcomes the fundamental limitation of widely exploited surface charge effects to enable intense rectification and hysteresis prevailing at very high ionic concentrations up to 1–2 M. A new strategy is developed for controlling the preferential IT direction and selectivity via counterion intercalation and extraction/exchange. Mechanistic understanding is further confirmed through parameter variations such as potential scan rate and ionic strength, which also demonstrates convenient controls of the related functions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Tracking Spatiotemporal Electric Potential in Batteries Using High-Resolution Operando X‑ray Transmission Imaging

The formation of significant concentration gradients across electrolytes in batteries affects the rate at which electrochemical reactions occur. In this work, we use high-resolution operando X-ray transmission imaging to capture spatiotemporal salt concentration profiles c(x,t) in a symmetric cell comprising a polymer electrolyte sandwiched between two lithium–indium alloy electrodes during a constant-current experiment followed by open-circuit relaxation. The decay of open-circuit potential is related to the concentration dependence of the potential across concentration cells, U. We show how operando c(x,t) data can be used to calculate the spatiotemporal electric potential “inside” the polarized electrolyte. We track the spatial- and time-dependent cell potential during the constant-current step and distinguish its two contributions: a concentration overpotential governed by U. and an ohmic contribution governed by ionic conductivity. Over most of the time window, the concentration overpotential dominates. At steady state, it is a factor of 7 larger than the ohmic contribution. Such findings indicate that efforts to design new polymer electrolytes should focus on minimizing concentration gradients.

Electrical conductivity↗

Impact of Hydroxyl Functionalization and Unsaturation on Linear Poly(ethylene- co -vinyl alcohol)

Functionalization of C═C in unsaturated polyolefins by hydroboration/oxidation successfully generates linear poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (LEVOH) polymers. This postpolymerization modification expands upon previously reported chemistry to control the extent of functionalization through reagent stoichiometry. Partial functionalization (24–92% of C═C) of polycyclooctene produces materials with both C═C in the backbone and pendant OH and subsequent hydrogenation generate a LEVOH. We explore the thermal, structural, surface, and adhesive properties of these LEVOH and the partially unsaturated intermediate and find they are impacted by both the extent of OH incorporation and saturation. The presence of C═C significantly reduces the melting temperature and crystallinity while increasing surface polarity and adhesive strength compared with saturated polymers at equivalent functionalization. Furthermore, this investigation demonstrates linear analogs of EVOH with a wide range of properties tuned by extent of hydroxylation and presence of unsaturation.

Crystal structure↗

Fluoropolymer Composites from Partially Perfluoroalkylated Waste Polyethylene

Chemically modified plastics have emerged as practical solutions to plastic waste increases. Here, the inherent novelty of decorating polymer chains with chemical functionality results in distinct properties that expand the available application space. Nevertheless, developing designer materials for specific applications beyond compatibilization or mild property enhancement is difficult due to the synergistic effects of both the polar functionality imparted and the parent materials' intrinsic properties. By incorporating perfluoro-alkyl side-chains onto the backbone of dehydrogenated waste HDPE, unique surface properties intermediate between polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, the model fluoropolymer) and HDPE become apparent, while the overall material mechanical and thermal properties result in more LLDPE-like materials. This is demonstrated through moderate decreases in the surface free energy of the perfluoroalkylated polyolefin surface (increase in H 2 O contact angle of ~ 6°) and increased ordering under shear when blended with PTFE nanoparticles where the crossover point occurred at higher strains. Critically, perfluoroalkylated HDPE possesses improved rheological modification properties at elevated temperatures with PTFE nanoparticles, resulting in more thermally robust and stable composite materials.

fluoropolymer↗

Sputtered ferroelectric aluminum scandium boron nitride (Al 1−x−y B x Sc y N)/ n -GaN heterostructures

This work demonstrates ferroelectric switching in magnetron sputtered Al 1−x−y B x Sc y N/ n -GaN heterostructures. Using high power impulse magnetron sputtering, a silicon doped n -GaN bottom electrode with an electron concentration of 6.0 × 10 19 cm −3 is grown on c-plane sapphire. Al 1−x−y B x Sc y N films are prepared on the GaN surface with Al:B:Sc ratios that produce tensile, lattice matched, or compressive epitaxial strains. X-ray diffraction shows that lattice matched and compressively strained Al 1−x−y B x Sc y N compositions are pseudomorphic, while partial relaxation is observed for tensilely strained Al 1−x−y B x Sc y N/ n -GaN heterostructures. Electrically, the Al 1−x−y B x Sc y N/ n -GaN stacks show robust hysteresis; the P–E loops are fully saturated with both lattice matched and compressively strained Al 1−x−y B x Sc y N compositions exhibiting remanent polarization values of 135 μC/cm 2 . For comparison, Al 1−x−y B x Sc y N films are also prepared on metal organic chemical vapor deposition and single crystal GaN substrates to extend strain and morphology trends to more common substrate types. This report validates that sputter deposition is a feasible technique for fabricating strain-tunable ferroelectric III–N heterostructures with high crystalline fidelity and smooth surface morphologies.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Phosphate Textural Diversity in CI Chondrites and C-Type Asteroids

Introduction: Apatite, Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 (CL/F/OH-), is a ubiquitous phosphate found throughout the solar system, including the most primitive solids, CI-chondrites [1,2] and related samples of carbonaceous asteroids Ryugu [3] and Bennu [4], returned by JAXA’s Hayabusa2 and NASA’s OSIRIS-REx missions, respectively. Apatite in these primitive solids is found as individual grains or mineral clusters and has been inferred to form from the hydrothermal sequence during cooling of their respective parent body or bodies. To better understand the formation history and reworking of these early phosphates we have undertaken a highly coordinated study of phosphate microstructures, geochemistry and U/Pb geochronology from a suite of CI meteorites and carbonaceous asteroid samples. These data have identified novel phosphate microstructures and complex relationships across a suite of apatite grains from the early solar system, indicating multiple episodes of growth and modification on the CI parent body(ies). Methods: Samples of CI chondrites, Alais, Ivuna, Orgueil, Oued Chebeika 002, Yamato (Y) 82162, Y980115, Y980134, and two chips of Hayabusa2 Ryugu particles (A0262 and C0263) have been acquired for analysis. The bulk texture of the samples were first scanned by X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) using the Nikon XT H 320 within the XFACT facility at NASA JSC or the Xradia 620 Versa at the UTCT facility. Based on the identification of petrofabrics or features of interest from the XCT data, samples were chipped, oriented, potted in epoxy and thick sections were prepared. After anhydrously polishing the samples with silicon carbide and dry diamond powder down to 1 µm, the samples were ion polished using a Hitachi ArBlade. Energy dispersive Xray spectrometry (EDS) maps were collected to ID phosphates of interest using a JEOL 7900F SEM. The internal microstructures of identified phosphates were then mapped by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) using the JEOL 7900F. Based on the EDS and EBSD data, domains of interest were targeted for quantitative chemical analyses using a JEOL 8530 EPMA. Subsequently, in situ U-Pb and 207 Pb/ 206 Pb ages will be collected using a Cameca ims1290 secondary ion mass spectrometer at UCLA across a range of microstructures. Results: Apatite grains are ubiquitous throughout the CI chondrites and carbonaceous asteroid materials, found as individual grains, disseminated clusters or grain aggregates. Apatite grains are associated with serpentine, magnet-ite, and/or carbonate. Of particular interest, we have identified individual and aggregate polycrystalline grains ex-hibiting an internal ‘honeycomb’ texture (Fig. 1). Some of these grains appear overprinted by subsequent alteration while others remain unaltered. Apatite halogen sites are dominated by the missing component, assumed to be OH, and F, comparable to published values from Bennu, Ryugu and CM-chondrites [3-5]. However, the Yamato CI-like meteorites show a broader range of Cl values, and one grain from Alais is dominated by CL. Summary: Apatite growth features indicate a protracted and complex growth history, consistent with precipitation from an evolving fluid system. The ‘honeycomb’ texture identified in some CI meteorites is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of such a microstructure in meteoritic phosphate. The microtextures and zoning will guide subsequent age analyses, to better constrain the formation and reworking of phosphate in CI(-like) materials. Acknowledgments: We thank the National Institute of Polar Research, Japan for samples of Y82162, 980115 and 980134 meteorites, ASU’s Buseck Center for Meteorite Studies for samples of Ivuna and Alais meteorites, and JAXA curation for chips of Ryugu material. This work was funded by NASA ROSES LARS grant 24-LARS24-0014. References: [1] Morlok et al., 2016, GCA 70:5371-5394. [2] Alfin g et al., 2019, Geochemistry 79:125532. [3] Nakamura et al. (2022) Science 379:1-15. [4] Seifert et al. (2026) MAPS 61:504-521. [5] Piralla et al. (2021) MAPS 56:809-828.

CI chondrites↗

Epitaxial strain tuning of Er 3+ in ferroelectric thin films

Er 3+ color centers are promising candidates for quantum science and technology due to their long electron and nuclear spin coherence times, as well as their desirable emission wavelength. By selecting host materials with suitable, controllable properties, we introduce new parameters that can be used to tailor the Er 3+ emission spectrum. PbTiO 3 is a well-studied ferroelectric material with known methods of engineering different domain configurations through epitaxial strain. By distorting the structure of Er 3+ -doped PbTiO 3 thin films, we can manipulate the crystal fields around the Er 3+ dopant. This is resolved through changes in the Er 3+ resonant fluorescence spectra, tying the optical properties of the defect directly to the domain configurations of the ferroelectic matrix. Additionally, we are able to resolve a second set of peaks for films with in-plane ferroelectric polarization. We hypothesize these results to be due to either the Er 3+ substituting different sites of the PbTiO 3 crystal, differences in charges between the Er 3+ dopant and the original substituent ion, or selection rules. Systematically studying the relationship between the Er 3+ emission and the epitaxial strain of the ferroelectric matrix lays the pathway for future optical studies of spin manipulation by altering ferroelectric order parameters.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electrode chemistry impact on retention performance of ferroelectric hafnium zirconium oxide (Hf 0.5 Zr 0.5 O 2−x ) capacitors

Polarization retention of 10 nm thick ferroelectric hafnium zirconium oxide (Hf 0.5 Zr 0.5 O 2−x , HZO) capacitors with W and TaN electrodes is investigated over temperatures ranging from 85 to 150 °C. Same state and opposite state polarization margins for devices with W electrodes show minimal retention loss after 10 5 at 150 °C. The devices capped with TaN electrodes show excellent same state retention, but the opposite state polarization margin in the TaN-electrode devices displays 40% retention loss at 150 °C after 10 5 s. The TaN-capped devices exhibit a more pronounced imprint, which is attributed to an increased oxygen vacancy content (compared to W-capped devices). The increased oxygen vacancy content in the TaN-capped devices is supported by photoluminescence and leakage current measurements. In addition, TaN-capped devices have chemically diffuse electrode–HZO interfaces; more abrupt interfaces are present in the W-capped devices. The presence of interfacial phases in the TaN-capped devices may lead to larger depolarization fields due to reduced charge screening. The results from this study provide further evidence that for HZO ferroelectric devices the electrode can significantly impact polarization retention behavior due to differences in oxygen vacancy concentration and formation of non-ferroelectric interfacial layers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Kinetic Understanding of Field-Induced Phase Transition from Tetragonal to Ferroelectric Orthorhombic Phase in Ferroelectric CeO 2 –HfO 2 –ZrO 2 Films

The ferroelectric properties and structural phase transition behaviors of fluorite-type CeO 2 −HfO 2 −ZrO 2 films were investigated. The epitaxial films on indium tin oxide (ITO) (111)/yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) (111) substrates were grown through pulsed laser deposition at room temperature and subsequently heat-treated at 1000 °C under a N 2 gas flow. The crystalline phases and Curie temperatures of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction. An increase in the Ce or Zr content in the films led to a higher crystallographic symmetry, such as orthorhombic or tetragonal. In addition, electrical characterization revealed that the orthorhombic films and some of the tetragonal films displayed ferroelectricity. This was due to the field-induced phase transition from the tetragonal to ferroelectric orthorhombic phase in the films, where the Curie temperatures were relatively low. The tetragonal metastable phase was kinetically frozen and could not change into the stable orthorhombic phase at such a low temperature. The critical electric field where the field-induced phase transition occurred was below 0.8 MV/cm, which was sufficiently small compared to the coercive field. These results evidence the kinetic driving force that causes a field-induced phase transition from the paraelectric tetragonal phase to the ferroelectric orthorhombic phase in HfO 2 -based ferroelectrics. They also enhance our understanding of the thermodynamic phase stabilities of HfO 2 -based material polymorphs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Site-Selective Polar Compensation of Mott Electrons in a Double-Perovskite Heterointerface

Double-perovskite oxides (DPOs) with two transition metal ions ($A_{2}BB'O_{6}$) offer a fascinating platform for exploring exotic physics and practical applications. Studying these DPOs as ultrathin epitaxial films on single crystalline substrates can add another dimension to engineering electronic, magnetic, and topological phenomena. Understanding the consequence of polarity mismatch between the substrate and the DPO would be the first step toward this broad goal. Here, we investigate this by studying the interface between a prototypical insulating DPO $Nd_{2}NiMnO_{6}$ and a wide band gap insulator $SrTiO_{3}$. The interface is found to be insulating in nature. By combining several experimental techniques and density functional theory, we establish a site-selective charge compensation process that occurs explicitly at the Mn site of the film, leaving the Ni sites inert. We further demonstrate that such surprising selectivity, which cannot be explained by existing mechanisms of polarity compensation, is directly associated with their electronic correlation energy scales. This study establishes the crucial role of Mott physics in polar compensation process and paves the way for designer doping strategies in complex oxides.

density functional theory↗

Mapping the three-dimensional fermiology of the triangular lattice magnet EuAg 4 Sb 2

In this paper, we report the temperature-field phase diagram as well as present a comprehensive study of the electronic structure and three-dimensional fermiology of the triangular-lattice magnet EuAg 4 ⁢Sb 2 , utilizing quantum oscillation measurements, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, and first-principles calculations. The complex magnetic phase diagram of EuAg 4 ⁢Sb 2 highlights many transitions through nontrivial AFM states. Shubnikov-de Haas and de Haas-van Alphen oscillations were observed in the polarized ferromagnetic state of EuAg 4 ⁢Sb 2 , revealing three pairs of distinct spin-split frequency branches with small effective masses. A comparison of the angle-dependent oscillation data with first-principles calculations in the ferromagnetic state and angle-resolved photoemission spectra shows good agreement, identifying tubular hole pockets and hourglass-shaped hole pockets at the Brillouin zone center, as well as diamond-shaped electron pockets at the zone boundary. As the temperature increases, the frequency branches of the tiny hourglass pockets evolve into a more cylindrical shape, while the larger pockets remain unchanged. This highlights that variations in exchange splitting, driven by changes in the magnetic moment, primarily impact the small Fermi pockets without significantly altering the overall band structure. As a result, this is consistent with first-principles calculations, which show minimal changes near the Fermi level across ferromagnetic and simple antiferromagnetic states or under varying on-site Coulomb repulsion.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Enhanced Ion Transport and Molecular Packing Stability in Asymmetric 2D Nanostructured π‐Conjugated Thieno[3,2‐b]Thiophene‐Based Liquid Crystal

Organic semiconductors based on liquid crystal (LC) molecules have attracted increasing interest. Here, in this work, two linear LCs based on 2,5‐bis(thien‐2‐yl)thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (BTTT) mesogen are designed and synthesized, including BTTT/dEO3 with two symmetrically attached tri(ethylene oxide) groups and BTTT/mEO6 with one asymmetrically attached hexa(ethylene oxide) group. These two molecules have comparable functional‐group compositions but different molecular geometries, leading to their moderately different material performances. Both LCs show smectic mesophases with relatively low transition temperatures as confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy. A combination of experimental grazing incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reveals a herringbone packing motif of BTTT segments in both LCs while a smaller molecular tilt angle in BTTT/mEO6. Ionic conductivities are measured by doping LCs with different amounts of ionic dopants, lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI). BTTT/mEO6 shows better smectic phase stability to higher LiTFSI doping ratios. Both LCs exhibit similar ionic conductivities in the smectic phases, but BTTT/mEO6 outperforms BTTT/dEO3 by a factor of three in the amorphous phase at higher temperatures. MD simulations, performed to examine the ion solvation environment, reveal that BTTT/mEO6 is more efficient in coordinating Li‐ions and screening their interactions with TFSI‐ions which further promote ionic transport.

grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering↗

Supramolecular Metal‐Organic Framework Electrocatalysts With Hydration‐Adaptive Gallery Expansion and Linker‐Mediated Distal Ni‐Co Cooperation Enable Framework‐Retentive Oxygen Evolution

Atomic‑level tailoring of electronic communication between spatially separated metal sites offers a route to accelerate multielectron electrocatalysis. We report Ni-TPTC, Co-TPTC, and heterobimetallic Ni-Co-TPTC supramolecular metal-organic frameworks (SMOFs) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) built from a terphenyl‑tetracarboxylate (TPTC) linker. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction of heterobimetallic Ni–Co–TPTC reveals trans-bis-aqua octahedral chains assembled into a π-stacked, hydrogen-bonded lattice and confirms retention of the parent architecture, while powder X-ray diffraction supports an isostructural Co analog. In 1.0 M KOH, Ni-Co-TPTC reaches 20 mA cm −2 at 350 mV and maintains operation at ∼60 mA cm −2 for 45 h with modest decay of the initial current. Time‑dependent ex situ diffraction shows dominant framework reflections with low‑angle shifts consistent with gallery dilation (d‑spacing ∼7.7 → ∼9.2 Å) during early operation, while Co K‑edge X‑ray absorption and microscopy reveal Co‑rich oxide/oxyhydroxide‑like domains at longer times that correlate with decay. X‑ray photoelectron spectroscopy, quantified by the Remote Binding‑Energy Differential, tracks composition‑dependent Ni-Co polarization, and DFT free‑energy analysis suggests that a model Ni-Co environment lowers the Co‑centered potential‑limiting step by ∼0.24 eV relative to the Co‑only framework. Furthermore, these results suggest that framework‑retentive expansion and distal Ni-Co coupling can drive OER activity before gradual deligation and oxide formation mark longer‑time degradation.

Supramolecular metal-organic frameworks (SMOFs)↗

Cs X Si 15 P 21 ( X = Sn or Pb): Polar Noncentrosymmetric Si–P Frameworks Stabilized by Covalent X –P Bonding

Metal silicon phosphides composed of earth-abundant Si and P tend to exhibit semiconducting properties and adopt diverse crystal structures with relatively small additions of structure-directing elements. The potential of silicon phosphide materials in nonlinear optical applications has been hindered by the inability to systematically produce noncentrosymmetric structures with such a flexible framework. Here, in this work, two isostructural compounds with a novel noncentrosymmetric structure were made possible by the inclusion of elements with stereochemically active lone pairs (Sn 2+ and Pb 2+ ). The structures were determined through single-crystal and synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. Analysis of chemical bonding in real space through the electron localization function revealed stereochemically active Pb 2+ and Sn 2+ species in a trigonal pyramidal coordination with {Pb/Sn}–P bonds. Such covalent bonding between Pb and P is quite uncommon in extended solids and has been reported in a few rare instances. Band structure calculations and linear optical measurements confirm the semiconducting nature of Cs X Si 15 P 21 ( X = Sn or Pb). The synthesis was optimized to yield high-purity polycrystalline samples. The nonlinear optical properties show promising second-harmonic generation (SHG) coefficients from the Kurtz–Perry method. First-principles calculations of the nonlinear optical properties support the experimentally determined SHG values and provide moderate values of birefringence, suggesting Cs X Si 15 P 21 could be phase-matchable and practical nonlinear optical materials in the mid-IR region.

crystal structure↗

Assessment of Blocking Contacts in Suppressing Polarization Effects in CsPbBr 3 Perovskite Detectors

The CsPbBr 3 perovskite has garnered significant attention as a room-temperature semiconductor for hard radiation detection due to straightforward synthesis, scalable crystal growth, low cost, and excellent energy resolution. However, despite these advantages, at ambient temperature, CsPbBr 3 devices may experience performance deterioration and irreversible failure due to “polarization” induced by electromigration of ions to electrical connections on the device. In this study, we tested several contact materials and their optimization deposition techniques to assess the stability of high-performance CsPbBr 3 γ-ray detectors. Metals, with low work functions (Ti, In, Sn, Sb, Pb, Bi, Al, Au, and TiC) and high-work-function (Au or Pt) contacts, were used to form different Schottky junctions using vacuum thermal evaporation, electron-beam evaporation, and sputtering methods. These detectors were tested in intermittent and continuous modes to assess their stability. Among the tested detectors, the Bi/CLB/Pt electrode configuration demonstrated superior stability, operating effectively for 11 months under periodic testing and 16 days under continuous testing. In contrast, other configurations functioned only for a few months under intermittent conditions. Upon incorporating a ~40-nm-thick TiC passivation layer on the anode side (Bi/TiC/CLB/Pt), the CLB device operated continuously for 36 days without degradation. In many cases, the failure mode of the devices was due to the degradation of the anode. Here, the chemical changes in the fresh and deteriorated anodes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy

CsPbBr3 perovskite↗

Lunar accelerometer network gravitational observatory (LANGO)

With ground-based interferometers detecting hundreds of gravitational-wave (GW) events, GW astronomy has continued to blossom. U.S. and European scientists are developing plans to construct third-generation ground-based interferometers. ESA has proceeded through the mission formulation phase of space-based interferometer in a lower-frequency band, 10 –4 –0.1 Hz. Despite all these exciting developments, there is still a missing frequency band, 0.1–10 Hz. This mid-frequency band is rich with interesting astrophysical events. Coalescence and merger of intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) will occur in this frequency band. Coalescing stellar-mass BHs will pass through this frequency band days before they reach the frequency band of LIGO and Virgo. Detection of such signals would enable a mid-frequency detector to issue an advance notice to the high-frequency GW detectors, as well as to optical, x-ray and γ-ray telescopes. We propose Lunar Accelerometer Network Gravitational Observatory (LANGO) to detect GWs in this frequency band. In the first phase (LANGO 1), we propose to deploy four ambient-temperature (250 K) accelerometers in the tetrahedral or in a square configuration on the hemisphere facing the Earth. After successful operation at 250 K, LANGO would be upgraded to a cryogenic (4 K) version with over two orders of magnitude increased sensitivity (LANGO 2), with coherent rejection of seismic noise implemented. LANGO is a full-tensor detector, capable of determining the source direction and wave polarization. Each test mass (TM) is suspended as a pendulum with resonance frequency ∼ 0.01 Hz, thus is only weakly coupled to the lunar surface horizontally. LANGO is designed to detect the relative motion of globally separated, nearly free, TMs by using the Moon as a large quiet platform. LANGO 1 and 2 accelerometers aim at sensitivities ⩽ 10 –11 m s –2 Hz –1/2 and ⩽ 10 –13 m s –2 Hz –1/2 in the horizontal axes over the frequency band of 1 mHz–10 Hz, which yield GW sensitivities 1.1 x 10 -21 Hz -1/2 and 3.8 x 10 -24 Hz -1/2 at 1 Hz, respectively. The LANGO accelerometers will be 10 3 –10 5 times more sensitive than Apollo seismometers. With such sensitivity, LANGO will also make great contribution to the advancement of lunar geophysics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Evidence of distinct nonpolar/polar ordering at long/short ranges in relaxor ferroelectrics

Distinct atomic nonpolar/polar ordering is determined at long, intermediate, and short ranges using synchrotron x-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, and pair distribution function data in K 0.5 Na 0.5 NbO 3 -doped BaTiO 3 -based relaxor ferroelectrics, viz., (1 - x) Ba 0.9 Sr 0.1 TiO 3 -x KNN 50. Two different polar phases with distinct symmetries are identified at short/intermediate ranges for x = 0.10, where a monoclinic phase at short ranges gradually transforms into a rhombohedral phase at intermediate ranges. Here, in contrast, a nonpolar phase with average cubic symmetry is found to be stable at long ranges for a wide temperature range (100 ≤ T ≤ 500 K). The polar behavior of short/intermediate-range ordering is quantified in terms of the amplitude of ferroelectric phonon mode $Γ^-_4$ (q = 0, 0, 0) (which corresponds to the zone center of the cubic Brillouin zone). The amplitude of the $Γ^-_4$ phonon mode increases with decreasing temperature, suggesting the enhancement of ferroelectric polarization at short/intermediate ranges on lowering temperatures. Enhanced ferroelectric polarization at low temperature is also visible and evident by ferroelectrostriction and is quantified by the increase in magnitude of spontaneous volume ferroelectrostriction. Consequently, Zero thermal expansion is observed at low temperatures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗