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At least 1,657 records · Page 92

Studies on the compositional dependent structural and electrical properties of CaTiO3-modified K0.5Na0.5NbO3 piezoelectric system

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics of (1 − x)K0.5Na0.5NbO3-xCaTiO3 were fabricated, and their crystal structure, microstructure, and electrical properties were systematically studied. Rietveld refinement of the x-ray diffraction data and Raman spectroscopic analyses revealed a composition-dependent structural phase transition: three phase transitions, namely, from a pure orthorhombic phase for x ≤ 0.02 to a mixed phase of orthorhombic and tetragonal phases (0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.08) and finally another mixed phase of tetragonal + cubic for x = 0.10 and 0.15 at room temperature (RT). The morphological study reveals a decrease in grain size along with a more uniform distribution of grains as the concentration of CaTiO3 (CT) increases; notably, a homogeneous distribution of grains is observed for x = 0.05. The temperature-dependent dielectric properties show two phase transitions, from orthorhombic to tetragonal (TO-T) and tetragonal to cubic (TC), for unmodified K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNN). However, both the phase transition temperatures (TO-T and TC) decrease, and the transition peaks broaden with an increase in CT substitution, and for x > 0.06, the TO-T shifted below RT. The broadening of the transition peak at TO-T may be due to the relaxation behavior. Among the prepared samples, the 5 mol. % CT-modified KNN shows the optimum electrical properties (d33 = 114 pC/N, ɛr = 412, and 2Pr = 15.25 μC/cm2) at RT. The enhanced electrical properties for x = 0.05 are due to the coexistence of orthorhombic and tetragonal phases, facilitating easy polarization rotation and flattening of the free energy profile. A phase diagram has been constructed based on the information gathered from the temperature-dependent dielectric measurements, RT x-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy data and is discussed in detail.

Physics↗

An upper bound for extreme temperatures over midlatitude land

Heatwaves damage societies worldwide and are intensifying with global warming. Several mechanistic drivers of heatwaves, such as atmospheric blocking and soil moisture-atmosphere feedback, are well-known for their ability to raise surface air temperature. However, what limits the maximum surface air temperature in heatwaves remains unclear; this became evident during recent Northern Hemisphere heatwaves which achieved temperatures far beyond the upper tail of the observed statistical distribution. Here, we present evidence for the hypothesis that convective instability limits annual maximum surface air temperatures (TXx) over midlatitude land. We provide a theory for the corresponding upper bound of midlatitude temperatures, which accurately describes the observed relationship between temperatures at the surface and in the midtroposphere. We show that known heatwave drivers shift the position of the atmospheric state in the phase space described by the theory, changing its proximity to the upper bound. This theory suggests that the upper bound for midlatitude TXx should increase 1.9 times as fast as 500-hPa temperatures at the time and location of TXx occurrences. Using empirical 500-hPa warming, we project that the upper bound of TXx over Northern Hemisphere midlatitude land (40°N to 65°N) will increase about twice as fast as global mean surface air temperature, and TXx will increase faster than this bound over regions that dry on the hottest days.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Disordered Route to the Coulomb Quantum Spin Liquid: Random Transverse Fields on Spin Ice in Pr 2 Zr 2 O 7

Inelastic neutron scattering reveals a broad continuum of excitations in Pr 2 Zr 2 O 7 , the temperature and magnetic field dependence of which indicate a continuous distribution of quenched transverse fields ( Δ ) acting on the non-Kramers Pr 3 + crystal field ground state doublets. Spin-ice correlations are apparent within 0.2 meV of the Zeeman energy. In a random phase approximation an excellent account of the data is provided and contains a transverse field distribution ρ ( Δ ) ∝ ( Δ 2 + Γ 2 ) - 1 , where Γ = 0.27 ( 1 ) meV . Established during high temperature synthesis due to an underlying structural instability, it appears disorder in Pr 2 Zr 2 O 7 actually induces a quantum spin liquid.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Study on spatial distribution of plasma parameters in a magnetized inductively coupled plasma

Spatial distributions of various plasma parameters such as plasma density, electron temperature, and radical density in an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and a magnetized inductively coupled plasma (M-ICP) were investigated and compared. Electron temperature in between the rf window and the substrate holder of M-ICP was higher than that of ICP, whereas the one just above the substrate holder of M-ICP was similar to that of ICP when a weak (<8 G) magnetic field was employed. As a result, radical densities in M-ICP were higher than those in ICP and the etch rate of oxide in M-ICP was faster than that in ICP without severe electron charging in 90 nm high aspect ratio contact hole etch.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

One-dimensional temperature measurement of supersonic jet flow by resonantly ionized photoemission thermometry of molecular nitrogen

As the field of fluid dynamics progresses, the demand for sophisticated diagnostic methods to accurately assess flow conditions rises. In this work, resonantly ionized photoemission thermometry (RIPT) has been used to directly target and ionize diatomic nitrogen (N 2 ) to measure one-dimensional (1D) temperature profiles in a supersonic jet flow. This technique can be considered non-intrusive as the premise uses resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) to target molecular nitrogen. This resonance excites N 2 into absorption bands of the P, Q, and R rotational branches of N 2 ( b 1 Π u ). The ideal (3 + 1) REMPI scheme excites from the ground state and ionizes N 2 ( b 1 Π u ← X 1 Σ g + ) where de-excitation results in photoemission from the first negative band of ionized N 2 + ( B 2 Σ u + → X 2 Σ g + ) as nitrogen returns to the ground state. The resulting emission can be observed using an intensified camera, thus permitting inference of the rotational temperature of ground-state molecular nitrogen. A linearly regressive Boltzmann distribution is applied based on previous calibration data for this technique to quantify the temperature along the ionized line. This work applies this technique to a pure N 2 supersonic jet in cross-flow and counter-flow orientations to demonstrate N 2 RIPT’s applications in a supersonic flow. Temperature variations are observed at different locations downstream of the exit in cross-flow, and axisymmetric in counter-flow, to generate profiles characterizing the flow dynamics. Due to the collisional effects resulting from the number density of N 2 at higher pressures, a (3 + 2) REMPI scheme is observed throughout this text.

Clark, Aleksander (ORCID:0009000855600042)↗

Elevated temperature microstructure evolution of a medium-entropy CrCoNi superalloy containing Al,Ti

A new medium-entropy superalloy was produced based on the compositions of equiatomic CrCoNi and Ni-base superalloy Inconel 740H. Initial alloy design was performed using Thermo-Calc. The aging response and microstructural stability were assessed following heat treatment at temperatures between 600 and 900 °C and durations up to 100 h. Aging from a fully recrystallized state resulted in negligible grain growth and produced γ’ and σ phases. The same phases were present after aging from a cold-rolled state, but partially recrystallized microstructures resulted in multi-modal size distributions and heterogeneous spatial arrangements. Finally, room temperature hardness measurements were used to correlate aging conditions with quantitative precipitate measurements and mechanical properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Characterisation of two-stage ignition in diesel engine-relevant thermochemical conditions using direct numerical simulation

With the goal of providing a more detailed fundamental understanding of ignition processes in diesel engines, this study reports analysis of a direct numerical simulation (DNS) database. In the DNS, a pseudo turbulent mixing layer of dimethyl ether (DME) at 400 K and air at 900 K is simulated at a pressure of 40 atmospheres. At these conditions, DME exhibits a two-stage ignition and resides within the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) regime of ignition delay times, similar to diesel fuel. The analysis reveals a complex ignition process with several novel features. Autoignition occurs as a distributed, two-stage event. The high-temperature stage of ignition establishes edge flames that have a hybrid premixed/autoignition flame structure similar to that previously observed for lifted laminar flames at similar thermochemical conditions. In conclusion, a combustion mode analysis based on key radical species illustrates the multi-stage and multi-mode nature of the ignition process and highlights the substantial modelling challenge presented by diesel combustion.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Solar wind magnetic fluctuations and electron non-thermal temperature anisotropy: survey of Wind-SWE-VEIS observations

The solar wind electron velocity distribution function (eVDF) exhibits a variety of non-thermal features that deviate from thermal equilibrium. These deviations from equilibrium provide a local source for electromagnetic fluctuation emissions, including the commonly observed electron whistler-cyclotron and firehose instabilities. We present a systematic analysis of Wind-SWE-VEIS observations of solar wind electron plasma and associated Wind-MFI observed magnetic fluctuations. For the first time using the full solar wind electron distribution and its moments, without separation of the various electron components, we show clear evidence that the temperature anisotropy threshold of the parallel electron cyclotron anisotropic instability bounds solar wind electrons during slow solar wind periods. We also demonstrate that during periods of slow solar wind, collisions—while infrequent—are the dominant mechanism by which solar wind electrons are constrained, leading to isotropization. During fast solar wind periods, magnetic fluctuations and solar wind anisotropies are enhanced above the parallel whistler anisotropic threshold boundary and collisional effects are significantly reduced. Preliminary calculations further show that the oblique electron whistler mirror anisotropic instability bounds both the slow and fast solar wind. Regardless of speed, the solar wind electron thermal anisotropy appears globally bounded by the parallel electron firehose instability for anisotropies T{sub e⊥}/T{sub e||}<1. Our results indicate that collisions, while infrequent, play a necessary role in regulating the solar wind eVDFs. In striking contrast to solar wind ions, solar wind electron plasma, when considered globally as a single eVDF, is only marginally stable with respect to parallel propagating instabilities.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Short-Range Disorder in TeO 2 Melt and Glass

High-resolution X-ray pair distribution functions for molten and glassy TeO 2 reveal coordination numbers n TeO ≈ 4. However, distinct from the known α-, β-, and γ-TeO 2 polymorphs, there is considerable short-range disorder such that no clear cutoff distance between bonded and nonbonded interactions exists. We suggest that this is similar to disorder in δ-TeO 2 and arises from a broad distribution of asymmetric Te–O–Te bridges, something that we observe becomes increasingly asymmetric with increasing liquid temperature. Such behavior is qualitatively consistent with existing interpretations of Raman scattering spectra, and equivalent to temperature-induced coordination number reduction, for sufficiently large cutoff radii. Therefore, TeO 2 contains a distribution of local environments that are, furthermore, temperature dependent, making it distinct from the canonical single-oxide glass formers. Furthermore, our results are in good agreement with high-level ab initio cluster calculations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The effect of substrate temperature on the critical velocity in microparticle impact bonding

A number of nascent coating and micromanufacturing processes involve particles sprayed at a high velocity, which impact a substrate, deform, and adhere. Successful bonding between the particles and the substrate requires impact velocities higher than the so-called critical adhesion velocity. This critical velocity is influenced by the temperature of the substrate, a variable that we isolate in this work by conducting single-particle impacts on a variable-temperature substrate for three systems (Al–Al, Sn–Sn, and Ti–Ti) with particles individually selected within a narrow size distribution. Our results quantitatively connect the increase in substrate temperature to a significant lowering of the critical velocity, which we attribute to the lower dynamic strength of the thermally softened substrate. The data are generally consistent with expectations for bonding being controlled by a hydrodynamic process of jetting upon impact.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Cloud response to co-condensation of water and organic vapors over the boreal forest

Abstract. Accounting for the condensation of organic vapors along with water vapor (co-condensation) has been shown in adiabatic cloud parcel model (CPM) simulations to enhance the number of aerosol particles that activate to form cloud droplets. The boreal forest is an important source of biogenic organic vapors, but the role of these vapors in co-condensation has not been systematically investigated. In this work, the environmental conditions under which strong co-condensation-driven cloud droplet number enhancements would be expected over the boreal biome are identified. Recent measurement technology, specifically the Filter Inlet for Gases and AEROsols (FIGAERO) coupled to an iodide-adduct chemical ionization mass spectrometer (I-CIMS), is utilized to construct volatility distributions of the boreal atmospheric organics. Then, a suite of CPM simulations initialized with a comprehensive set of concurrent aerosol observations collected in the boreal forest of Finland during spring 2014 is performed. The degree to which co-condensation impacts droplet formation in the model is shown to be dependent on the initialization of temperature, relative humidity, updraft velocity, aerosol size distribution, organic vapor concentration, and the volatility distribution. The predicted median enhancements in cloud droplet number concentration (CDNC) due to accounting for the co-condensation of water and organics fall on average between 16 % and 22 %. This corresponds to activating particles 10–16 nm smaller in dry diameter that would otherwise remain as interstitial aerosol. The highest CDNC enhancements (ΔCDNC) are predicted in the presence of a nascent ultrafine aerosol mode with a geometric mean diameter of ∼ 40 nm and no clear Hoppel minimum, indicative of pristine environments with a source of ultrafine particles (e.g., via new particle formation processes). Such aerosol size distributions are observed 30 %–40 % of the time in the studied boreal forest environment in spring and fall when new particle formation frequency is the highest. To evaluate the frequencies with which such distributions are experienced by an Earth system model over the whole boreal biome, 5 years of UK Earth System Model (UKESM1) simulations are further used. The frequencies are substantially lower than those observed at the boreal forest measurement site (< 6 % of the time), and the positive values, peaking in spring, are modeled only over Fennoscandia and the western parts of Siberia. Overall, the similarities in the size distributions between observed and modeled (UKESM1) are limited, which would limit the ability of this model, or any model with a similar aerosol representation, to project the climate relevance of co-condensation over the boreal forest. For the critical aerosol size distribution regime, ΔCDNC is shown to be sensitive to the concentrations of semi-volatile and some intermediate-volatility organic compounds (SVOCs and IVOCs), especially when the overall particle surface area is low. The magnitudes of ΔCDNC remain less affected by the more volatile vapors such as formic acid and extremely low- and low-volatility organic compounds (ELVOCs and LVOCs). The reasons for this are that most volatile organic vapors condense inefficiently due to their high volatility below the cloud base, and the concentrations of LVOCs and ELVOCs are too low to gain significant concentrations of soluble mass to reduce the critical supersaturations enough for droplet activation to occur. A reduction in the critical supersaturation caused by organic condensation emerges as the main driver of the modeled ΔCDNC. The results highlight the potential significance of co-condensation in pristine boreal environments close to sources of fresh ultrafine particles. For accurate predictions of co-condensation effects on CDNC, also in larger-scale models, an accurate representation of the aerosol size distribution is critical. Further studies targeted at finding observational evidence and constraints for co-condensation in the field are encouraged.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Polycrystalline Mg{sub 2}Si thin films: A theoretical investigation of their electronic transport properties

The electronic structures and thermoelectric properties of a polycrystalline Mg{sub 2}Si thin film have been investigated by first-principle density-functional theory (DFT) and Boltzmann transport theory calculations within the constant-relaxation time approximation. The polycrystalline thin film has been simulated by assembling three types of slabs each having the orientation (001), (110) or (111) with a thickness of about 18 Å. The effect of applying the relaxation procedure to the thin film induces disorder in the structure that has been ascertained by calculating radial distribution functions. For the calculations of the thermoelectric properties, the energy gap has been fixed at the experimental value of 0.74 eV. The thermoelectric properties, namely the Seebeck coefficient, the electrical conductivity and the power factor, have been determined at three temperatures of 350 K, 600 K and 900 K with respect to both the energy levels and the p-type and n-type doping levels. The best Seebeck coefficient is obtained at 350 K: the S{sub yy} component of the tensor amounts to about ±1000 μV K{sup −1}, depending on the type of charge carriers. However, the electrical conductivity is much too small which results in low values of the figure of merit ZT. Structure–property relationship correlations based on directional radial distribution functions allow us to tentatively draw some explanations regarding the anisotropy of the electrical conductivity. Finally, the low ZT values obtained for the polycrystalline Mg{sub 2}Si thin film are paralleled with those recently reported in the literature for bulk chalcogenide glasses. - Graphical abstract: Structure of the polycrystalline thin film of Mg{sub 2}Si. - Author-Highlights: • Polycrystalline Mg{sub 2}Si film has been modelled by DFT approach. • Thermoelectric properties have been evaluated by semi-classical Boltzmann theory. • The structure was found to be slightly disordered after relaxation. • The highest value of Seebeck coefficient reaches −1000 μV/K at 350 K. • The ZT value is estimated between 0.0175 at 350 K and 0.2 at 900 K.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

On the merging cluster Abell 578 and its central radio galaxy 4C+67.13

Here we analyze radio, optical, and X-ray data for the peculiar cluster Abell 578. This cluster is not fully relaxed and consists of two merging sub-systems. The brightest cluster galaxy (BCG), CGPG 0719.8+6704, is a pair of interacting ellipticals with projected separation ∼10 kpc, the brighter of which hosts the radio source 4C+67.13. The Fanaroff–Riley type-II radio morphology of 4C+67.13 is unusual for central radio galaxies in local Abell clusters. Our new optical spectroscopy revealed that both nuclei of the CGPG 0719.8+6704 pair are active, albeit at low accretion rates corresponding to the Eddington ratio ∼10{sup −4} (for the estimated black hole masses of ∼3×10{sup 8} M{sub ⊙} and ∼10{sup 9} M{sub ⊙}). The gathered X-ray (Chandra) data allowed us to confirm and to quantify robustly the previously noted elongation of the gaseous atmosphere in the dominant sub-cluster, as well as a large spatial offset (∼60 kpc projected) between the position of the BCG and the cluster center inferred from the modeling of the X-ray surface brightness distribution. Detailed analysis of the brightness profiles and temperature revealed also that the cluster gas in the vicinity of 4C+67.13 is compressed (by a factor of about ∼1.4) and heated (from ≃2.0 keV up to 2.7 keV), consistent with the presence of a weak shock (Mach number ∼1.3) driven by the expanding jet cocoon. This would then require the jet kinetic power of the order of ∼10{sup 45} erg s{sup −1}, implying either a very high efficiency of the jet production for the current accretion rate, or a highly modulated jet/accretion activity in the system.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Dehydration of gas-phase benzyl amine alcohols studied at atmospheric pressure

Gas-phase ion chemistry is a useful approach for the investigation of physical organic chemistry and the study of reactivity, structure, and thermochemical properties of ionic and neutral organic substrates. Herein, one-step dehydration of gas-phase benzyl amine alcohols to give benzazetidines was discovered without the use of catalysts. Mechanistic investigations of the gas-phase dehydration reactions were explored to study the possible influence of charged microdroplet acceleration during electrospray ionization (ESI) and collisions occurring during ion transfer through the atmospheric pressure interface (API) of the mass spectrometer. The product ion distribution was observed to be less sensitive to droplet effects (spray distance and voltage), and temperature of transfer capillary in the API. However, the product ion distribution exhibit high sensitivity to different S-lens radio frequency (RF) voltage of the API, providing evidence that the dehydration reaction is driven by collisions during ion transfer in the API. With this insight, we developed atmospheric pressure thermal dissociation platform that allowed thermal-induced collisions outside of the mass spectrometer when the benzyl amine alcohols are carried through a heated coiled tube. Up to 98% dissociation efficiency was achieved with the coiled tube heated to a temperature of 200 °C, yielding only the desired benzazetidine product. Finally, by performing the atmospheric pressure thermal dissociation experiment outside of the mass spectrometer, we believe it will be straightforward to collect the dehydration product.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Embedded metallized optical fibers for high temperature applications

Embedding fiber optics in metal components could enable new capabilities such as active monitoring of spatially distributed strain. Ultrasonic additive manufacturing is a suitable technique for embedding fiber optics because it allows fibers to be embedded in metals without melting and without the use of epoxy. However, for harsh environments that could have high temperatures or high radiation doses, traditional polymer-coated fibers cannot survive for extended periods of time. This work demonstrates successful embedding of commercially available copper-, nickel-, and aluminum-coated fibers into aluminum without any observable damage to the fiber. Copper-coated fibers embedded in copper show adequate light transmission, although residual strain could not be resolved. With further processing improvements, fibers embedded in copper or other high-temperature materials could enable even higher temperature operation. Optical transmission and spatially distributed strain were measured in the fibers embedded in aluminum. Measurements were taken after embedding and during heating to temperatures greater than 500 °C. Within the embedded region, both the copper- and aluminum-coated fibers showed strain that matched the expected strain in the surrounding aluminum matrix during heating. This suggests a strong interfacial bond strength that exceeds the maximum estimated fiber strain of 1.2% (871 MPa tensile stress). Furthermore this demonstration of embedded fibers that can survive high temperatures and remain bonded to the metal matrix is the first step toward embedded fiber optic sensors for harsh environment applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

X-ray-diffraction and electrical-transport imaging of superconducting superhydride (La,Y)H 10

Understanding how microscopic structural domains govern macroscopic electronic properties is central to advancing hydride superconductors, yet such correlations remain poorly resolved under pressure. We report the synthesis and characterization of (La 0.9 Y 0.1 )H 10 superhydrides exhibiting coexisting cubic $Fm\bar{3}m$ and $P6_3/mmc$ hexagonal clathrate phases observed over the pressure range from 168 GPa down to 136 GPa. Using synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction imaging at the upgraded Advanced Photon Source, we spatially resolved μm-scale distributions of these phases, revealing structural inhomogeneity across the sample. Four-probe resistance measurements confirmed superconductivity with two distinct transitions: an onset at 244 K associated with the cubic phase and a second near 220 K linked to the hexagonal phase. Notably, resistance profiles collected from multiple current and voltage permutations showed variations in transition width and onset temperature that correlated with the spatial phase distribution. These findings demonstrate a direct connection between local structural domains and superconducting behavior.

Materials science↗

Stationary Solutions of the Vlasov Equations for a High-Temperature Two-Component Plasma

We consider the first mixed problem for the Vlasov–Poisson equations in infinite cylinder. This problem describes evolution of the distribution density for ions and electrons in a high-temperature plasma in the presence of an outer magnetic field. We construct stationary solutions of the Vlasov–Poisson system of equations with the trivial potential of the self-consistent electric field describing a two-component plasma in an infinite cylinder such that their supports are located at a distance from the boundary of the domain.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Non-Maxwellian Analysis of the Transition-region Line Profiles Observed by the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph

We investigate the nature of the spectral line profiles for transition-region (TR) ions observed with the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) . In this context, we analyzed an active-region observation performed by IRIS in its 1400 Å spectral window. The TR lines are found to exhibit significant wings in their spectral profiles, which can be well fitted with a non-Maxwellian κ distribution. The fit with a κ distribution can perform better than a double-Gaussian fit, especially for the strongest line, Si iv 1402.8 Å. Typical values of κ found are about 2, occurring in a majority of spatial pixels where the TR lines are symmetric, i.e., the fit can be performed. Furthermore, all five spectral lines studied (from Si iv, O iv, and S iv) appear to have the same full-width at half-maximum irrespective of whether the line is an allowed or an intercombination transition. A similar value of κ is obtained for the electron distribution by the fitting of the line intensities relative to Si iv 1402.8 Å, if photospheric abundances are assumed. The κ distributions, however, do not remove the presence of non-thermal broadening. Instead, they actually increase the non-thermal width. This is because, for κ distributions, TR ions are formed at lower temperatures. The large observed non-thermal width lowers the opacity of the Si iv line sufficiently enough for this line to become optically thin.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗