Showing papers in "MRS Proceedings in 1994"

Conductivity Anisotropy in Epitaxial 6H and 4H Sic

Abstract: A measure of the electron mobility anisotropy in n-type 4H and 6H-SiC has been obtained using the Hall effect over the temperature range 80K

Gamma Titanium Aluminide Alloys

Abstract: Extensive progress and improvements have been made in the science and technology of gamma titanium aluminide alloys within the last decade. In particular, our understanding of their microstructural characteristics and property/microstructurc relationships has been substantially deepened. Based on these achievements, various engineering two-phase gamma alloys have been developed and their mechanical and chemical properties have been assessed. Aircraft and automotive industries arc pursuing their introduction for various structural components. At the same time, recent basic studies on the mechanical properties of two-phase gamma alloys, in particular with a controlled lamellar structure have provided a considerable amount of fundamental information on the deformation and fracture mechanisms of the two-phase gamma alloys. The results of such basic studies are incorporated in the recent alloy and microstructure design of two-phase gamma alloys. In this paper, such recent advances in the research and development of the two-phase gamma alloys and industrial involvement are summarized.

Cracking During Nanoindentation and its Use in the Measurement of Fracture Toughness

Abstract: Results of an investigation aimed at developing a technique by which the fracture toughness of a thin film or small volume can be determined in nanoindentation experiments are reported. The method is based on the radial cracking which occurs when brittle materials are deformed by a sharp indenter such as a Vickers or Berkovich diamond. In microindentation experiments, the lengths of radial cracks have been found to correlate reasonably well with fracture toughness, and a simple semi-empirical method has been developed to compute the toughness from the crack lengths. However, a problem is encountered in extending this method into the nanoindentation regime with the standard Berkovich indenter in that there are well defined loads, called cracking thresholds, below which indentation cracking does not occur in most brittle materials. We have recently found that the problems imposed by the cracking threshold can be largely overcome by using an indenter with the geometry of the corner of a cube. For the cube-corner indenter, cracking thresholds in most brittle materials are as small as 1 mN (∼ 0.1 grams). In addition, the simple, well-developed relationship between toughness and crack length used for the Vickers indenter in the microindentation regime can be used for the cube-corner indenter in the nanoindentation regime provided a different empirical constant is used.

New Inorganic/Organic Copolymers (Ormocer ® s) for Dental Applications

Abstract: Urethane- and thioether (meth)acrylate alkoxysilanes have been used, as sol-gel precursors, for the preparation of a special family of inorganic/organic copolymers (ORMOCER®s). The basic silane type offers the following structural and synthetic possibilities for modifying the properties of the resulting copolymers: variation of the number of alkoxy groups, combination with other, different, sol-gel precursors, variation of the number of attached (meth)acrylate groups (1 - 5), and variation within the molecular segment (kind, structure and length) connecting the inorganic with the organic polymer structure. To achieve the additional organic polymer structure in the cured copolymer the use of different radically induced polymerization approaches (UV-, visible light-, thermal-and redox induced) is possible. Taking the incorporation of fillers into account, the Young’s modulus of these copolymers is adjustable in a range of 1-17000 MPa, and the thermal expansion coefficient in a range of 17-250·10-6·K-1 (5 - 50 °C). Other advantages are the low shrinkage (1 - 2,8 vol.-%), the high flexural strength (up to 160 MPa), and the high abrasion resistance. This new copolymer type seems to have significant potential for medical applications, especially as dental filling material to replace the currently used controversial amalgam fillings.

Radiation Induced Microstructural Evolution in Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels

Abstract: The evolution of the fine scale microstructural features leading to irradiation embrittlement of reactor pressure vessel steels is described. Copper rich phases undergo accelerated precipitation from supersaturated solution due to radiation enhanced diffusion. In steels with significant trace quantities of copper the precipitates, characterized by high concentrations and small sizes, are the dominant embrittling feature. Precipitate concentrations, sizes, volume fractions and compositions are consistent with thermodynamic and kinetic models that rationalize the effects of a number of irradiation and metallurgical variables. Phosphide and carbonitride phases may also develop along with new manganese nickel rich precipitates, promoted by high nickel contents. These features may lead to severe embrittlement at high fluence even in low copper steels. While their detailed identity and characteristics are not known, defect cluster-solute complexes with a range of thermal stability are important both directly and indirectly; for example, in mediating flux and temperature effects. In conjunction with the application of state-of-the-art characterization methods, development of advanced modeling tools will be needed to address a number of outstanding issues.

Pore Size Distributions in Hardened Cement Paste by Sem Image Analysis

Abstract: Technical requirements for determining the size distribution of capillary pores in hardened cement paste by SEM image analysis are discussed. Results of such measurements are reported for a set of hardened cement pastes of w:c ratio 0.40 and 0.25, and of ages ranging from 1 to 28 days. Pore size distributions based on conventional mercury intrusion porisimetry are presented for the same pastes. Estimates of pore diameters by mercury intrusion are two orders of magnitude smaller than the sizes revealed by the image analysis. Diameters of air voids are even more drastically underestimated by mercury intrusion. Typical micrographs are provided to illustrate the physical reality of the image analysis results, and the technical reasons underlying the conventional misinterpretation of MIP results for hydrated cements are reviewed.

Biodegradable foams for cell transplantation

Abstract: A structurally rigid biodegradable foam scaffold useful for cell transplantation is provided. The foam can be loaded with nutrients and/or drugs that elute from the foam during transplant to promote growth of the cells. The foam, which features a continuous network of pores, is fabricated using a novel method involving phase separation and consequent expansion upon sublimation of a liquid solvent, preferably naphthalene.

Stability Studies of Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Alloy Solar Cells Prepared with Hydrogen Dilution

Abstract: We have fabricated hydrogenated amorphous silicon alloy solar cells using hydrogen dilutions at 175 °C and 300 °C, and obtained improved photovoltaic characteristics in both the initial and degraded states for the highly diluted cells; both the fill factor and the open-circuit voltage exhibit higher values before and after light soaking. Infrared analyses reveal that for a given deposition temperature the amount of bonded hydrogen has similar concentrations between the high and low hydrogen diluted samples. Optical Modelling shows a 20 MeV difference in their optical bandgap. Defect densities obtained from constant photocurrent measurements give similar values for a given deposition temperature both before and after light soaking, inconsistent with solar cell performance.

Effect of Polishing Pad Material Properties on Chemical Mechanical Polishing (Cmp) Processes

Abstract: Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) technology has successfully met the stringent requirements of ultraplanarized surfaces in semiconductor manufacture. Commonly, polyurethane based pads have been used to achieve this level of planarization. Recent studies have shown that the material properties of polishing pads used in the CMP process strongly influence the ability to reduce topography. In addition, past work has shown that in the absence of pad regeneration, polishing rate drops dramatically with polishing time. This decrease in material removal rate is believed to coincide with deterioration of the pad surface due to “cold flow” and/or “caking” of the pad material. This study attempts to correlate the intrinsic polymer properties and cellular structure of the pad material to CMP process indices like polishing rate and planarity. For example, the drop off in removal rate as a function of time can be attributed to the mechanical response of polyurethanes under conditions of critical shear. Moreover, planarity achieved is a function of pad stiffness - which itself is dependant upon intrinsic polymer stiffness and cell density.

The Thermal Conductivity of Porous Silicon

Abstract: The thermal conductivity of porous silicon is measured as prepared and after oxidation. The measurement method uses thermal wave propagation in the porous film. We investigate three types of porous silicon: Nanoporous p-type silicon, nanoporous n-type silicon and mesoporous p+-type silicon. The nanoporous material shows a thermal conductivity in the region of 1.2 W/mK to 1.8 W/mK as prepared and after oxidation. This value is close to silicon oxide. The mesoporous material shows a high thermal conductivity of 80 W/mK as prepared which drops to 2.7 W/mK after oxidation.

Magnetic Force Microscopy: Recent Advances and Applications

Abstract: We review the principles of magnetic force microscopy and describe recent advances in imaging methods and probes. Some current applications of MFM in experimental micromag-netism and materials development are also discussed, as well as challenges in image interpretation and in using MFM for quantitative work.

Microsphere Fabrication and Applications: an Overview

Abstract: The diversity of applications for spherical materials, often referred to as hollow or solid microspheres, microballoons, shells and microcapsules, span a wide range of technologies and attracts the talents of individuals from a broad set of disciplines. Consequently, this knowledge and capability is widely dispersed. A prime objective of this symposium was to bring that diverse community together to share, for mutual benefit, that knowledge and capability. This article highlights some of these diverse technologies and applications and identifies some of the many important literature sources encountered.

Open-Framework Solids with Diamond-Like Structures Prepared from Clusters and Metal-Organic Building Blocks

Abstract: The tetrahedral cluster Ge4S10 4- and the rodlike ligand 4,4′-bipyridine are utilized in addition copolymerization reactions with the metal (II) ions of Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn in the preparation of 3-D open-framework solids, MxCol-xGe4S10-2(CH3)4N (x = 0.86, M = Mn; x = 1, M = Mn, Fe, Co, and Zn), 1, and Cu(4,4′-bpy)2. PF6, 2, having diamond-like structures. These structures are viewed in terms of the cubic diamond structure, where the carbon atoms have been replaced by either a cluster or a metal ion and the C-C bond by a sulfide or the 4,4′-bpy. These compounds have been fully characterized by single crystal x-ray crystallography and their composition was confirmed by elemental analysis; they contain 3-D channel systems where cations or anions reside to balance the charge on the framework.

Zirconolite-Rich Ceramics for Actinide Wastes

Abstract: New X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy data are given for the incorporation of Np and Pu in zirconolite, at levels of tens of percent. The actinide valences and the cations they replace are deduced from the microanalysis of the zirconolite compositions, and X-ray absorption data are used to obtain more direct information on the valences of Ce and Nd, which are used as simulants of Pu and trivalent actinides respectively. Trivalent rare earths and actinides have extensive solid solubility in zirconolite, mainly but not exclusively in the Ca site. Tetravalent rare earths and actinides have considerable solid solubility in the Zr site of zirconolite, and some solubility in the Ca site, but the strong tendency of zirconolite with ions substituted in the Zr site to undergo phase separation complicates structural interpretation. In zirconolite-rich Synroc-type ceramics designed to immobilise waste actinides, the target actinide waste loading has been set at 20 wt% and early leach results indicate the durability is at least as good as that of Synroc-C.

High Yield Polycarbosilane Precursors to Stoichiometric SiC. Synthesis, Pyrolysis and Application

Abstract: The synthesis and properties of two polycarbosilanes that have essentially a “SiH2CH2” composition is described. One of these polymers is a highly branched hydridopolycarbosilane (HPCS) derived from Grignard coupling of CI3SiCH2CI followed by LiAIH4 reduction. This synthesis is amenable to large scale production and we are exploring applications of HPCS as a source of SiC coatings and its allyl-derivative, AHPCS, as a matrix source for SiC- and C-fiber-reinforced composites. These polymers thermoset on heating at 200–400 °C (or at 100 °C with a catalyst) and give near stoichiometric SiC with low O content in ca. 80% yield on pyrolysis to 1000 °C. The second method involves ring-opening polymerization of 1,1,3,3-tetrachlorodisilacyclobutane and yields a high molecular weight, linear polymer that can be reduced to [SiH2CH2]n (PSE), the monosilicon analog of polyethylene. In contrast to high density polyethylene which melts at 135 °C, PSE is a liquid at room temperature which crystallizes at ca. 5 °C. On pyrolysis to 1000 °C, PSE gives stoichiometric, nanocrystalline, SiC in virtually quantitative yield. The polymer-to-ceramic conversion was examined for PSE by using TGA, mass spec, solid state NMR, and IR methods yielding information regarding the cross-linking and structural evolution processes. The results of these studies of the polymer-to-ceramic conversion process and our efforts to employ the AHPCS polymer as a source of SiC matrices are described.

Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Thin Metal Films by Means of Bulge Testing of Micromachined Windows

Abstract: Free-standing films of gold and aluminum have been fabricated using standard micro-machining techniques. LPCVD silicon nitride films are deposited onto (100) silicon wafers. Square and rectangular silicon nitride membranes are made by anisotropic etching of the silicon substrates. Then, metal films are deposited onto the silicon nitride membranes by means of evaporation. Finally, the sacrificial silicon nitride film is etched away by means of reactive plasma etching, resulting in well-defined, square and rectangular metal membranes. Bulge testing of square windows allows one to determine the biaxial modulus of the film as well as the residual stress in it. Testing rectangular windows yields the plane-strain elastic modulus and the residual stress. Since deformation in rectangular membranes approaches plane-strain deformation, this geometry is ideal for studying the plastic properties of the metal films. Stress-strain curves can be readily determined from the load-deflection curves of rectangular membranes. The gold films have a biaxial modulus of 161±3 GPa and a plane-strain modulus of 105±5 GPa, slightly lower than the literature values for a (111) textured film. The yield stress of these films is approximately 231±17 MPa at 10−4% plastic strain. The elastic moduli of the aluminum films are 105±3 GPa and 76.4±0.7 GPa, respectively; the yield stress of these films is 187±30MPa.

Sonochemically produced hemoglobin microbubbles

Abstract: Using high-intensity ultrasound, we have developed a method for the synthesis of airfilled hemoglobin (Hb) microbubbles (≈2.5 μm in diameter). Transmission electron, scanning electron, and optical microscopy show spherical particles with a shell thickness of approximately 35 nm, or roughly six protein molecules thick. The mechanism of microbubbles formation has been determined to involve both the dispersion of gas into micron-sized bubbles and the chemical cross-linking of cysteine residues between protein molecules. The primary oxidizing agent is superoxide (HO2), which is sonochemically produced from oxygen and water during acoustic cavitation. The Hb microbubbles possess many of the desired characteristics of a blood substitute. The microbubbles are smaller than red blood cells and will not block capillaries. The microbubbles are air-filled and provide a large O2 carrying capacity. The hemoglobins of the microbubbles retain their ability to bind oxygen reversibly. In addition, the oxygen affinities are similar to those of native Hb. Even more surprisingly, microbubbles show extensive cooperativity, as indicated by Hill coefficients as high as 18, which means that in the microbubble shell, there is communication between several of the crosslinked Hb tetramers upon binding oxygen. The Hb microbubbles show minimal degradation (>25%) after storage for six months at 4 °C.

Consumables for the Chemical Mechanical Polishing (Cmp) of Dielectrics and Conductors

Abstract: Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is rapidly becoming the process of choice for planarizing dielectrics in very large scale integrated circuits. In addition, it is being used at an increasing rate in the removal of metals in order to define conducting levels. In the case of dielectric CMP, planarization ability is dictated by the mechanical aspects of polishing such as pad rigidity, polishing pressure and speed of the polishing platen, while inherent removal rate of the dielectric material is generally a function of the polishing chemistry. Polishing rate of both, dielectric and metallic films can be significantly increased by changing the nature of the dispersed abrasive in the slurry and that of the dispersing agent. However, such changes have profound implications to the surface quality, planarity, and cleaning of the polished surface. In addition, the polishing pad plays an important role in manufacturability of metal CMP processes. This work reviews the chemistry of polishing slurries containing silica, ceria and alumina abrasives for dielectric and metal CMP. Also, the contribution of the polishing pad to CMP processes is explained. The need for balancing the chemical and mechanical aspects of polishing in order to achieve overall planarization and pattern definition is demonstrated.

Interfacial Zone Percolation in Concrete: Effects of Interfacial Zone Thickness and Aggregate Shape

Abstract: Previously, a hard core/soft shell computer model was developed to simulate the overlap and percolation of the interfacial transition zones surrounding each aggregate in a mortar or concrete. The aggregate particles were modelled as spheres with a size distribution representative of a real mortar or concrete specimen. Here, the model has been extended to investigate the effects of aggregate shape on interfacial transition zone percolation, by modelling the aggregates as hard ellipsoids, which gives a dynamic range of shapes from plates to spheres, to fibers. For high performance concretes, the interfacial transition zone thickness will generally be reduced, which will also affect their percolation properties. This paper presents results from a study of the effects of interfacial transition zone thickness and aggregate shape on these percolation characteristics.

The Effect of H2 Dilution on the Stability of a-Si:H based Solar Cells

Abstract: We have systematically investigated the effect of H2 dilution on the stability of a-Si:H based solar cells. The results clearly show that the device stability against light soaking improves substantially with increasing H2 dilution until a threshold is reached. Beyond this threshold which depends on the substrate temperature, the stability no longer changes with further increase in H2 dilution. On the other hand, at a given ratio of H2 to the reactant gases, the device stability generally improves with increasing substrate temperature. Multi-step light soaking experiments have shown that devices made with H2 dilution saturate much faster (~100 hours) under one-sun illumination and exhibit little overshoot effect in the recovery process, in sharp contrast to devices made without H2 dilution. Based on the simple two-component model for defect kinetics, these observations and the fact that the apparent saturation time coincides with the time constant of the “fast” defects strongly suggest that negligible amount of “slow” defects exist in materials made with H2 dilution. While H2 dilution generally suppresses the formation of microstructure giving rise to dihydride bonding and microvoids, the differences in the kinetics of light induced degradation cannot always be traced to obvious differences in these structural properties.

Process Integration and Manufacturasility Issues for High Performance Multilevel Interconnect

Abstract: Interconnect delay is shown to be a performance-limiting factor for ULSI circuits when feature size is scaled into the deep submicron region, due to a rapid increase in interconnect resistivity and capacitance. Dielectric materials with lower values of permittivity are needed to reduce the line-to-line capacitance as metal spacing decreases. However, the challenge is to successfully integrate these materials into on-chip interconnects. A new multilevel interconnect scheme has been developed that gives improved performance through insertion of a low-dielectric-constant material between metal leads. A novel polymer/Si02 composite dielectric structure provides lower line-to-line capacitance while alleviating many of the integration and reliability problems associated with polymers in standard interconnect processing.

Grain Boundary Location-Controlled Polt-Si Films for Tft Devices Obtained Via Novel Excimer Laser Process

Abstract: Based on a previously acquired physical understanding of the excimer-laser-induced crystallization process, we have developed a new crystallization technique that produces controlled microstructures and possesses a wide processing window. A patterned oxide capping layer was used as an antireflective coating to induce complete melting of an Si film under an SiO2 pattern, and partial melting of the Si film in the areas not under the capping layer—allowing controlled super lateral growth to proceed from the incompletely melted portion of the film to the completely melted portion. For the simple stripes used in this investigation, when the width of the completely molten region is less than a critical distance (above which nucleation of solids occurs in the middle of the completely melted regions), the resulting microstructure has large and elongated grains with one precisely located grain boundary running parallel to the stripe In the middle of the oxide capped region. Arrangement of TFT devices on the resulting Grain boundary Location-Controlled (GLC) Si films with one (or zero) grain boundaries located perpendicular to the flow of electrons within the active channel portion of the TFT devices is illustrated. Such devices are expected to possess performance and uniformity characteristics that are superior to currently available poly-Si TFT devices.

Amorphous Silicon Alloy Photovoltaic Technology - From R&D to Production

Abstract: The key requirements for photovoltaic modules to be accepted for large-scale terrestrial applications are (i) low material cost, (ii) high efficiency with good stability, (iii) low manufacturing cost with good yield and (iv) environmental safety. Thin films of amorphous silicon alloy are inexpensive; the products are also environmentally benign. The challenge has been to improve the stable efficiency of these modules and transfer the R&D results into production. Using a Multijunction, Multi-bandgap approach to capture the solar spectrum more efficiently, we have developed one-square-foot modules with initial efficiency of 11.8%. After 1000 h of one-sun light soaking, a stable efficiency of 10.2% was obtained. Both the efficiency values were confirmed by National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The technology has been transferred to production using an automated roll-to-roll process in which different layers of the cell structure are deposited in a continuous manner onto stainless steel rolls, 14” wide and half a mile long. The rolls are next processed into modules of different sizes. This inexpensive manufacturing process produces high efficiency modules with subcell yields greater than 99%. The key features of the technology transfer and future scope for improvement are discussed.

Density of Deep Bandgap States in Amorphous Silicon From the Temperature Dependence of Thin Film Transistor Current

Abstract: We have measured the current-voltage characteristics of amorphous silicon thin film transistors (a-Si TFTs) over a wide range of temperatures (20 to 160°C) and determined the activation energy of the channel current as a function of gate bias with emphasis on the leakage current and subthreshold regimes. We propose a new method for estimating the density of localized states (DOS) from the dependence of the derivative of activation energy with respect to gate bias. This differential technique does not require knowledge of the flat-band voltage (V FB) and does not incorporate integration over gate bias. Using this Method, we have characterized the density of localized states with energies in the range 0.15–1.2 eV from the bottom of the conduction band and have found a wide peak in the DOS in the range of 0.8–0.95 eV below the conduction band. We have also observed that the DOS peak in the lower half of the bandgap increases in magnitude and shifts towards the conduction band as a result of thermal and bias stress. We also measured an overall increase in the DOS in the upper half of the energy gap and an additional peak, centered at 0.2 eV below the conduction band, which appear due to the applied stress. These results are in qualitative agreement with the defect pool Model [1,2].

Diffusion behavior for Se and Zr in sodium-bentonite

Abstract: Apparent diffusion coefficients for Se and Zr in bentonite were measured by in-diffusion method at room temperature using water-saturated sodium-bentonite, Kunigel V1{reg_sign} containing 50wt% Na-smectite as a major mineral was used as the bentonite material. The experiments were carried out in the dry density range of 400--1,800 kg/m{sup 3}. Bentonite samples were immersed with distilled water and saturated before the experiments. The experiments for Se were carried out under N{sub 2} atmospheric condition (O{sub 2}: 2.5ppm). Those for Zr were carried out under aerobic condition. The apparent diffusion coefficients decrease with increasing density of the bentonite. Since dominant species of Se in the pore water is predicted to be SeO{sub 3}{sup 2{minus}}, Se may be retarded by anion-exclusion because of negative charge on the surface of the bentonite and little sorption. The dominant species of Zr in the porewater is predicted to be Zr(OH){sub 5}{sup {minus}} or HZrO{sub 3}{sup {minus}}. Distribution coefficient measured for Zr on the bentonite was about 1.0 m{sup 3}/kg from batch experiments. Therefore, the retardation may be caused by combination of the sorption and the anion-exclusion. A modeling for the diffusion mechanisms in the bentonite were discussed based on an electric double layer theory. Comparison betweenmore » the apparent diffusion coefficients predicted by the model and the measured ones shows a good agreement.« less

Estimation of Effective Diffusivity in Compacted Ben Tonite

Abstract: Effective diffusivities of radioactive nuclides in compacted bentonite were calculated theoretically by using an electric double layer theory. Comparison between calculated diffusivities and measured ones show good agreements. The effective diffusivity is dominated by pore structure and pore diffusivity Dp. The pore structure can be characterized by effective porosity e eff, constrictivity δ, and tortuosity Γ. The δ was assumed to be unity. The e eff and the Γ were determined experimentally. The Dp was estimated by means of the electric double layer theory. In the estimation, smectite interlayer was assumed the space between parallel plane sheets of smectite crystal lattice. Diffusion experiments were carried out by using Cs+ for monovalent cation, C1- and Tc04 - for monovalent anion, and tritiated water for neutral molecule. The measured and calculated effective diffusivities in different densities showed the same tendency of cation > neutral > anion. The dry density of bentonite became higher, the discrepancy between the estimated and the measured diffusivities became larger. The calculation was limited by the applicability of the electric double layer theory in the near surface region of smectite.

Nanoindentation and nanoscratching of hard coating materials for magnetic disks

Abstract: Nanoindentation and nanoscratching experiments have been performed to assess the mechanical and tribological behavior of three thin film materials with potential application as wear resistant coatings for magnetic disk storage: (1) hydrogenated-carbon (CHx); (2) nitrogenated-carbon (CNx); and (3) boron suboxide (BOx). The hardness and elastic modulus were measured using nanoindentation. Ultra-low load nanoscratching tests were performed to assess the relative scratch resistance of the films and measure their friction coefficients. The mechanical and tribological performance of the three materials are discussed and compared.

Clay-Based Materials for Engineered Barriers : A Review

Abstract: The potential importance of backfilling and plugging in underground radioactive waste repositories has led differents research institutions around the world (SKB in Sweden, CEA in France, AECL in Canada, etc.) to carry out extensive studies of swelling clay materials for the development of engineered barriers. These materials, which have to be emplaced in underground conditions, should combine a variety of complementary properties from both the hydro-thermo-mechanical and geochemical viewpoints: impermeability, swelling ability in order to fill all void space, heat transfer and retention capacity for the most noxious radionuclides. For years, the scientific community has acknowledged the fact that smectite clays best exhibit these properties and, thus, most of the research effort has been devoted to this type of materials. The aim of such studies is to try and link the microscopic characteristics of the material (mineralogy, geochemical properties, microstructure, etc.) to its macroscopic behaviour (swelling properties, etc...).

Critical Cluster Size: Island Morphology and Size Distribution in Submonolayer Epitaxial Growth

Abstract: The island-size distribution scaling function f i (u) corresponding to submonolayer epitaxial growth with critical island size i is studied via kinetic Monte Carlo simulations for i = 0, 1, 2, and 3. An analytic form for f i (u) based on a conjecture for the small-u behavior is also presented. For i = 1, the scaled island-size distribution is found to depend on island morphology. In particular, for fractal islands with i = 1 there is excellent agreement with our analytical form as well as with experiments on low temperature Fe/Fe(100) deposition. However, for compact islands with i = 1, the scaled distribution is found to deviate slightly at small u. We also find excellent agreement between our analytical form, simulations, and experiment for i =- 2 and i = 3. Good agreement between our simulation results for i = 0 and recent experiments on Fe/Cu(100) deposition is also found. Results for the scaling of the island-density as well as crossover scaling forms for the transition from i = 1 to i = 2 and from i = 1 to i = 3 are also presented and used to determine the one-bond activation energy and critical island size transition temperature for Fe/Fe(100). The morphology of fractal islands for i = 2 is also studied and compared with experiments on Au/Ru(0001).

Microwave Sintering of Metal-Ceramic and Ceramic-Ceramic Composites

Abstract: Polyphase ceramic and metal ceramic composites with at least one high dielectric loss component are potential candidates for application of microwave sintering, because of the high effectiveness of power dissipation and short sintering times. In order to identify material parameters essential for effective microwave sintering, different mixtures of conductive, semiconductive and insulating phases were investigated. When only a limited amount of a highly dissipative component is present, a modification of the grain size and morphology of the dissipative phase has been identified as major factor leading to optimized microwave heating behavior. Surprisingly, microwave sintering is also possible in the presence of a metallic liquid phase.