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At least 163 records · Page 9

Femtosecond pure-rotational coherent anti-stokes raman scattering gas phase diagnostics.

We discuss recent experiments for the characterization of our femtosecond pure rotational CARS facility for observation of Raman transients in N{sub 2} and atmospheric air. The construction of a simplified femtosecond four-wave mixing system with only a single laser source is presented. Pure-rotational Raman transients reveal well-ordered time-domain recurrence peaks associated with the near-uniform spacing of rotational Raman peaks in the spectral domain. Long-time, 100-ps duration observations of the transient Raman polarization are presented, and the observed transients are compared to simulated results. Fourier transformation of the transients reveals two distinct sets of beat frequencies. Simulation results for temperatures from 300-700 K are used to illustrate the temperature sensitivity of the time-domain transients and their Fourier-transform counterparts. And strategies for diagnostics are briefly discussed. These results are being utilized to develop gas-phase measurement strategies for temperature and species concentration.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Recognizing Patterns In Log-Polar Coordinates

Log-Hough transform is basis of improved method for recognition of patterns - particularly, straight lines - in noisy images. Takes advantage of rotational and scale invariance of mapping from Cartesian to log-polar coordinates, and offers economy of representation and computation. Unification of iconic and Hough domains simplifies computations in recognition and eliminates erroneous quantization of slopes attributable to finite spacing of Cartesian coordinate grid of classical Hough transform. Equally efficient recognizing curves. Log-Hough transform more amenable to massively parallel computing architectures than traditional Cartesian Hough transform. "In-place" nature makes it possible to apply local pixel-neighborhood processing.

Weiman, Carl F. R.↗

Nucleation and growth of polar clusters with in-phase tilts into a long-range ferroelectric matrix in a sodium niobate based complex relaxor

In this study, we have investigated the temperature dependence of atomic ordering at multiple length scales in a lead-free sodium niobate-based relaxor, i.e., 0.75 NaNbO 3 -0.25 Ba 0.9⁢ Ca 0.1⁢ TiO 3 (NN-25BCT) via synchrotron x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and pair distribution function analysis. High-resolution synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction (SXRD) measurements reveal a ferroelectric phase transition in the relaxor ferroelectric NN-25BCT below the Vogel-Fulcher freezing temperature (𝑇 VF ≈ 270 K). In addition, SXRD analysis demonstrates the competition between in-phase octahedral tilting and ferroelectric order at the long-range scale using mode crystallography. On the other hand, Raman spectroscopic analysis provides evidence of polar ordering for 𝑇 > 𝑇 VF (with tetragonal symmetry) persisting up to the Burns temperature (𝑇 B ). Furthermore, pair distribution function (PDF) analysis reveals the presence of a polar antiferrodistortive tetragonal phase with 𝑃⁢4⁢𝑏𝑚 space group at short ranges throughout the studied temperatures (i.e., 110 K ≤ 𝑇 ≤500 K), irrespective of nonpolar long-range ordering above 𝑇 VF . Therefore, our measurements provide direct evidence for the presence of polar ordering at short ranges and their gradual transformation into long-range polar ordering using an integrated multiscale structural analysis. In conclusion, as a result of a transition from relaxor to a ferroelectric phase in the vicinity of room temperature, NN-25BCT can be exploited for applications in pyroelectric detectors, electrocaloric devices, and multilayered ceramic capacitors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

TPSAS-NF1676L-34417-DND

A boron nitride nanotube (BNNT), an electrically-insulating counterpart of a carbon nanotube (CNT), is a great nanofiller candidate for ferroelectric polymeric nanocomposites due to BNNT?s exceptional properties in piezoelectricity, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and radiation shielding capability. Fast and high-yield polar crystallization of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was accomplished by incorporating BNNTs as a nucleating agent. As-fabricated BNNT-PVDF nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to identify and quantify chain conformations. Besides, piezoelectric constants, d33 of BNNT-PVDF nanocomposites were measured and compared with that of a mechanically drawn beta phase polar PVDF. The polar transformation due to BNNT incorporation has a great advantage over conventional beta or gamma transformation methods that require (1) mechanical drawing often resulting in defects or (2) high-temperature annealing for an extended time. In addition to the fast polar crystallization, BNNTs had a role of reinforcement of the polymer matrix. The improved Young?s modulus and electromechanical coupling coefficient of BNNT-PVDF nanocomposites indicated potential applications in energy harvesting under harsh environments such as large deformation, wide temperature cycles, and high radiation.

Dongwon Lee↗

Characterization of process-induced damage in Cu/low-k interconnect structure by microscopic infrared spectroscopy with polarized infrared light

Microscopic Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra are measured for a Cu/low-k interconnect structure using polarized IR light for different widths of low-k spaces and Cu lines, and for different heights of Cu lines, on Si substrates. Although the widths of the Cu line and the low-k space are 70 nm each, considerably smaller than the wavelength of the IR light, the FT-IR spectra of the low-k film were obtained for the Cu/low-k interconnect structure. A suitable method was established for measuring the process-induced damage in a low-k film that was not detected by the TEM-EELS (Transmission Electron Microscope-Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy) using microscopic IR polarized light. Based on the IR results, it was presumed that the FT-IR spectra mainly reflect the structural changes in the sidewalls of the low-k films for Cu/low-k interconnect structures, and the mechanism of generating process-induced damage involves the generation of Si-OH groups in the low-k film when the Si-CH{sub 3} bonds break during the fabrication processes. The Si-OH groups attract moisture and the OH peak intensity increases. It was concluded that the increase in the OH groups in the low-k film is a sensitive indicator of low-k damage. We achieved the characterization of the process-induced damage that was not detected by the TEM-EELS and speculated that the proposed method is applicable to interconnects with line and space widths of 70 nm/70 nm and on shorter scales of leading edge devices. The location of process-induced damage and its mechanism for the Cu/low-k interconnect structure were revealed via the measurement method.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Low-noise microwave polarimeter

Two quarterwave-plate polarizers inserted between rotary waveguide joints transform received signals from arbitrary linear to circular polarizations and then from circular to fixed linear polarizations. Fixed linear polarizations are applied to amplifiers and filters in usual fashion.

Levy, G. S.↗

Synthesis and characterization of Mn-Bi alloy

High purity MnBi low temperature phase has been prepared and analyzed using X-ray diffraction, Lorentz-Polarization Factor and Fourier transforms infrared measurement. After synthesis of samples structural characterization has done on samples by X-ray diffraction, which shows that after making the bulk sample is in no single phase MnBi has been prepared by sintering Mn and Bi powders. By Lorentz-Polarization Factor is affecting the relative intensity of diffraction lines on a powder form. And by FTIR which shows absorption peaks of MnBi alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Symmetry properties in polarimetric remote sensing

This paper presents the relations among polarimetric backscattering coefficients from the viewpoint of symmetry groups. Symmetry of geophysical media encountered in remote sensing due to reflection, rotation, azimuthal, and centrical symmetry groups is considered for both reciprocal and nonreciprocal cases. On the basis of the invariance under symmetry transformations in the linear polarization basis, the scattering coefficients are related by a set of equations which restrict the number of independent parameters in the polarimetric covariance matrix. The properties derived under these transformations are general and apply to all scattering mechanisms in a given symmetrical configuration. The scattering coefficients calculated from theoretical models for layer random media and rough surfaces are shown to obey the derived symmetry relations. Use of symmetry properties in remote sensing of structural and environmental responses of scattering media is discussed. As a practical application, the results from this paper provide new methods for the external calibration of polarimetric radars without the deployment of man-made calibration targets.

Nghiem, S. V.↗

Facile fabrication of highly ordered poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) nanodot arrays for organic ferroelectric memory

Nano-patterned ferroelectric materials have attracted significant attention as the presence of two or more thermodynamically equivalent switchable polarization states can be employed in many applications such as non-volatile memory. In this work, a simple and effective approach for fabrication of highly ordered poly(vinylidene fluoride–trifluoroethylene) P(VDF-TrFE) nanodot arrays is demonstrated. By using a soft polydimethylsiloxane mold, we successfully transferred the 2D array pattern from the initial monolayer of colloidal polystyrene nanospheres to the imprinted P(VDF-TrFE) films via nanoimprinting. The existence of a preferred orientation of the copolymer chain after nanoimprinting was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectra. Local polarization switching behavior was measured by piezoresponse force microscopy, and each nanodot showed well-formed hysteresis curve and butterfly loop with a coercive field of ∼62.5 MV/m. To illustrate the potential application of these ordered P(VDF-TrFE) nanodot arrays, the writing and reading process as non-volatile memory was demonstrated at a relatively low voltage. As such, our results offer a facile and promising route to produce arrays of ferroelectric polymer nanodots with improved piezoelectric functionality.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of the out-of-plane stress on the properties of epitaxial SrTiO{sub 3} films with nano-pillar array on Si-substrate

A nonlinear thermodynamic formalism has been proposed to calculate the physical properties of the epitaxial SrTiO{sub 3} films containing vertical nano-pillar array on Si-substrate. The out-of-plane stress induced by the mismatch between film and nano-pillars provides an effective way to tune the physical properties of ferroelectric SrTiO{sub 3} films. Tensile out-of-plane stress raises the phase transition temperature and increases the out-of-plane polarization, but decreases the out-of-plane dielectric constant below Curie temperature, pyroelectric coefficient, and piezoelectric coefficient. These results showed that by properly controlling the out-of-plane stress, the out-of-plane stress induced paraelectric-ferroelectric phase transformation will appear near room temperature. Excellent dielectric, pyroelectric, piezoelectric properties of these SrTiO{sub 3} films similar to PZT and other lead-based ferroelectrics can be expected.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Phase transition sequence in Pb-free 0.96(K{sub 0.5}Na{sub 0.5}){sub 0.95}Li{sub 0.05}Nb{sub 0.93} Sb{sub 0.07}O{sub 3}−0.04BaZrO{sub 3} ceramic with large piezoelectric response

The piezoceramic 0.96(K{sub 0.5}Na{sub 0.5}){sub 0.95}Li{sub 0.05}Nb{sub 0.93}Sb{sub 0.07}O{sub 3}−0.04BaZrO{sub 3} (KNLNS{sub 0.07}-BZ), which shows large piezoelectric response (d{sub 33} ≈ 425 pC/N), has been considered as one of the promising Pb-free substitutions for Pb(Zr,Ti)O{sub 3}. In this paper, we investigate the phase transition sequence for KNLNS{sub 0.07}-BZ by employing the dielectric measurement, mechanical spectroscopy, as well as Raman spectroscopy. Two ferroelectric-ferroelectric transitions have been detected by inspecting anomalies in the spectra, indicating the existence of three ferroelectric phases. Moreover, in-situ X-ray diffraction study has been further performed on KNLNS{sub 0.07}-BZ to identify the crystal structure for each phase. The result reveals that the phase sequence for KNLNS{sub 0.07}-BZ evolves from tetragonal (T) to rhombohedral (R) via an intermediate orthorhombic (O) phase. And the piezoelectric-optimal region for KNLNS{sub 0.07}-BZ locates on a T-O boundary rather than the previously reported T-R boundary. Strong piezoelectricity may stem from the easier polarization rotation on the T-O boundary with reduced polarization anisotropy.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Two- and three-color two-quark states in warm, dense quark matter

We study the Gaussian fluctuations of the two-flavor, meson-diquark bosonized NJL model for two and three colors at the color superconducting phase transition. The analysis is based on analytical properties of the polarization matrix. Pionic fluctuations are shown to be stabilised in the 2SC phase compared to the two-color result where they are right on threshold.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Phase transitions and the piezoelectricity around morphotropic phase boundary in Ba(Zr{sub 0.2}Ti{sub 0.8})O{sub 3}-x(Ba{sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3})TiO{sub 3} lead-free solid solution

In this paper, two displacive phase transitions around the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) in Ba(Zr{sub 0.2}Ti{sub 0.8})O{sub 3}-x(Ba{sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3})TiO{sub 3} (BZT-xBCT) ceramics were detected by inspecting two anomalies of the Raman Ti{sup 4+}-O{sup 2−} longitudinal optical mode (∼725 cm{sup −1}). Further, permittivity and X-ray diffraction results demonstrated these two phase transitions originate from tetragonal (T) to rhombohedral (R) through an intermediate orthorhombic (O) phase. Importantly, we found that the maximum piezoelectric response (d{sub 33} = 545pC/N) was achieved at the boundary between the T and O phase, indicating that the giant piezoelectricity of BZT-xBCT may mainly stem from the T-O phase boundary due to easier polarization rotation and larger lattice softening.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Strong electron emission from antiferroelectric PLZT(2/95/5) films

Strong emission current of 500 mA/cm{sup 2} was observed in sol-gel derived antiferroelectric (AFE) PLZT (2/95/5) thick films at a trigger voltage of 150 V and a dc extraction voltage of 50 V. The PLZT emitters were found to be fatigue-free up to 10{sup 6} emission cycles. Electron emission from our samples is believed to originate from the antiferroelectric-ferroelectric phase transition in the PLZT film emitters. Our results therefore indicate that PLZT could be a promising candidate for flat panel applications because of its higher saturated polarization and fatigue-free properties as compared to its ferroelectric counterparts.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Dipole ordering and ionic conductivity in NASICON-Type Na{sub 3}Cr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} structures

The aspects of structure, dipole ordering, and ionic conductivity of the Na{sub 3}Cr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} crystal with the four polymorphic phases (α, α', β, and γ) have been investigated. The features of the α-Na{sub 3}Cr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} crystal structure and its dipole ordering and relaxation polarization in the low-temperature α and α' phases have been refined. The occurrence of Na{sub 3}Cr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} dipole ordering in the α and α' phases and high ionic conductivity in the β and γ phases is attributed to the structural changes in the rhombohedral [Me{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}]{sup –3}{sub 3∞} crystal frame upon phase transformations α → α', α' → β, and β → γ. A model for explaining the dipole ordering and ionic conductivity phenomena in Na{sub 3}Cr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} is proposed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Controllable light diffraction in woodpile photonic crystals filled with liquid crystal

An approach to switching between different patterns of light beams transmitted through the woodpile photonic crystals filled with liquid crystals is proposed. The phase transition between the nematic and isotropic liquid crystal states leads to an observable variation of the spatial pattern transmitted through the photonic structure. The transmission profiles in the nematic phase also show polarization sensibility due to refractive index dependence on the field polarization. The experimental results are consistent with a numerical calculation by Finite Difference Time Domain method.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of lead-free niobium-rich potassium lithium tantalate niobate single crystals

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Lead-free K{sub 0.95}Li{sub 0.05}Ta{sub 1−x}Nb{sub x}O{sub 3} single crystals were grown using the top-seeded melt growth method. • The piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of as-grown crystals were systematically investigated. • The piezoelectric properties are very attractive, e.g. for x = 0.60 composition, k{sub t} ≈ 70%, k{sub 31} ≈ 70%, k{sub 33} ≈ 77%, d{sub 31} ≈ 230 pC/N, d{sub 33} ≈ 600 pC/N. • The coercive fields of P–E hysteresis loops are quite small, about or less than 1 kV/mm. - Abstract: Lead-free potassium lithium tantalate niobate single crystals with the composition of K{sub 0.95}Li{sub 0.05}Ta{sub 1−x}Nb{sub x}O{sub 3} (abbreviated as KLTN, x = 0.51, 0.60, 0.69, 0.78) were grown using the top-seeded melt growth method. Their piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties in as-grown crystals have been systematically investigated. The phase transitions and Curie temperatures were determined from dielectric and pyroelectric measurements. Piezoelectric coefficients and electromechanical coupling factors in thickness mode, length-extensional mode and longitudinal mode were obtained. The piezoelectric properties are very attractive, e.g. for x = 0.60 composition, k{sub t} ≈ 70%, k{sub 31} ≈ 70%, k{sub 33} ≈ 77%, d{sub 31} ≈ 230 pC/N, d{sub 33} ≈ 600 pC/N are comparable to the lead-based PZT composition. The polarization versus electric field hysteresis loops show saturated shapes. In short, lead-free niobium-rich KLTN system possesses comparable properties to those in important lead-based piezoelectric material nowadays.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Enhanced flexoelectricity through residual ferroelectricity in barium strontium titanate

Residual ferroelectricity is observed in barium strontium titanate ceramics over 30 °C above the global phase transition temperature, in the same temperature range in which anomalously large flexoelectric coefficients are reported. The application of a strain gradient leads to strain gradient-induced poling or flexoelectric poling. This was observed by the development of a remanent polarization in flexoelectric measurements, an induced d{sub 33} piezoelectric response even after the strain gradient was removed, and the production of an internal bias of 9 kV m{sup −1}. It is concluded that residual ferroelectric response considerably enhances the observed flexoelectric response.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗