Quantitative X-Ray Diffraction From Superlattices

MRS Bulletin ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 33-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric E. Fullerton ◽  
Ivan K. Schuller ◽  
Y. Bruynseraede

The physical properties of superlattices have been the subject of considerable interest because a wide range of phenomena associated with very thin films, interfaces, and coupling effects can be studied. Recent areas of activity in metallic superlattices include antiferromagnetic coupling of ferromagnetic layers across nonmagnetic spacer layers, giant magnetoresistance, magnetic surface anisotropy, low-dimensional superconductivity, and anomalous mechanical properties. All of these phenomena are strongly affected by the chemical and physical properties of the individual layers and by the superlattice structure. Therefore, a detailed understanding of the properties of superlattices requires a nondestructive, quantitative determination of the superlattice structure.Because superlattices are not in thermodynamic equilibrium, their structure is sensitive to preparation methods and growth conditions. A dramatic example of superlattice structural dependence on growth conditions is shown in Figure 1, for sputtered Nb/Si superlattices. Increasing the Ar pressure during sputtering decreases the kinetic energy of the deposited atoms, thereby changing their surface mobility, and thus altering growth dynamics. Figure 1 shows the low-angle x-ray diffraction and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of [Nb(35 Å)/Si(25 Å)]40, superlattices sputtered in, respectively, 3 and 15 mTorr of Ar. The TEM image of the 3 mTorr superlattice clearly shows the smooth and continuous layering across the entire cross section of the image (≈5 μm). This is characteristic of sputtered metal/semiconductor superlattices used for x-ray optics.

1993 ◽  
Vol 313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noa More Rensing ◽  
Bruce M. Clemens

ABSTRACTThe giant magnetoresistance effect in antiferromagnetically coupled Fe/Cr Multilayers has been attributed to spin dependent scattering at the interfaces between the constituents. One possible source of this spin dependent scattering is chromium impurities in the iron layers due to intermixing at the interfaces. Annealing the films can promote the diffusion of the components, increasing the impurity concentration and therefore the Magnetoresistance. For this study Fe/Cr Multilayers were annealed at several temperatures and for several durations. Annealing at moderate temperatures (∼ 350°C) increases the Magnetoresistance, while higher temperature anneals (∼ 600°C) cause the magnetoresistance to disappear completely. Long anneals at 330°C (> 100 hours) also reduce the Magnetoresistance. VSM Measurements indicate that the antiferromagnetic coupling is reduced in the annealed samples but show no evidence of Magnetically “dead” alloy layers. Low angle X-ray diffraction indicates that the structural effect of annealing is very subtle in comparison to the significant magnetic effect.


1991 ◽  
Vol 229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan K. Schuller ◽  
Eric E. Fullerton ◽  
H. Vanderstraeten ◽  
Y. Bruynseraede

AbstractWe present a general procedure for quantitative structural refinement of superlattice structures. To analyze a wide range of superlattices, we have derived a general kinematical diffraction formula that includes random, continuous and discrete fluctuations from the average structure. By implementing a non-linear fitting algorithm to fit the entire x-ray diffraction profile, refined parameters that describe the average superlattice structure, and deviations from this average are obtained. The structural refinement procedure is applied to a crystalline/crystalline Mo/Ni superlattices and crystalline/amorphous Pb/Ge superlattices. Roughness introduced artificially during growth in Mo/Ni superlattices is shown to be accurately reproduced by the refinement.


2011 ◽  
Vol 695 ◽  
pp. 441-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaiyasit Banjongprasert ◽  
Piyaporn Jaimeewong ◽  
Sukanda Jiansirisomboon

The thermal spray coatings of stainless steel with nano-sized particles as reinforcement have been studied. Stainless steel powder mixed with 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 wt% WC-12wt%Co nano-sized powder was flame sprayed. The presence of WC-12wt%Co nano-particles in mixed powders as feedstock was confirmed. The microstructure of the coatings has been investigated using a wide range of characterization techniques: optical microscopy with image analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to understand the microstructure evolution. Chemical composition and microstructure of the coatings showed that the coatings contained stainless steel, WC, Co, and oxide layers. The addition of WC-12wt%Co increased cross-sectional hardness, reduced porosity and friction coefficient. The improved wear properties demonstrate a high potential for industrial applications of stainless steel/WC-12wt%Co coatings.


1996 ◽  
Vol 436 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Jarratt ◽  
V. R. Inturi ◽  
J. L. Weston ◽  
J. A. Barnard

AbstractStress, giant magnetoresistance (GMR), structure, and magnetic properties of sputtered (Co90Fe10X Å/Ag Y Å)×20 multilayer films have been investigated at room temperature where X ranges from 7.5 to 25 Å and Y from 10 to 60 Å. These films exhibit distinct GMR behaviors dependent on individual layer thicknesses, including layered granular-type GMR in CoFe 7.5 Å samples and ‘discontinuous’ GMR (DGMR) in CoFe 15 and 25 Å samples with Ag thicknesses over 30 Å. No antiferromagnetic coupling was observed. CoFe 10 Å samples act as a transition between GMR behaviors. Compressive stress decreases with increasing Ag thickness in the CoFe 7.5 Å samples. In the CoFe 15 and 25 Å samples the stress fluctuates similarly depending on Ag thickness. The difference in stress and MR behavior between the CoFe 7.5 Å and the 15 and 25 Å samples is thought to be due to incomplete CoFe layering in the CoFe 7.5 Å samples. In the CoFe 15 Å DGMR samples, high temperature annealing resulted in tensile stresses large enough to cause film detachment. X-ray diffraction reveals a strong (111) growth texture as well as satellite peaks from coherent layering. This (111) texture is also evidenced by patterns with hexagonal symmetry formed by the detached films.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1494 ◽  
pp. 147-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kentaro Kaneko ◽  
Kazuaki Akaiwa ◽  
Shizuo Fujita

ABSTRACTCorundum structured α-(GaFe)2O3 alloy thin films were obtained on c-plane sapphire substrates by the mist chemical vapor deposition method. Wide range of X-ray diffraction 2θ/θ scanning measurements indicated that these crystals were epitaxially grown on c-plane sapphire substrates and these are no other crystal oriented phase. The cross-sectional and plane-view transmission electron microscope images showed the growth along the c-axis of α-(GaFe)2O3 thin films on sapphire substrates, forming joint of columnar structure. The non-doped α-(GaFe)2O3 thin films showed ferromagnetic properties at 300 K, though the origin of ferromagnetism still remained unresolved. In order to enhance the spin-carrier interaction, Sn doped α-(GaFe)2O3 alloy thin films were fabricated on c-plane sapphire substrates. X-ray diffraction 2θ/θ and ω scanning measurement results indicated that the highly-crystalline films were epitaxially grown on substrates in spite of the Sn-doping.


Author(s):  
Y. H. Liu

Ordered Ni3Fe crystals possess a LI2 type superlattice similar to the Cu3Au structure. The difference in slip behavior of the superlattice as compared with that of a disordered phase has been well established. Cottrell first postulated that the increase in resistance for slip in the superlattice structure is attributed to the presence of antiphase domain boundaries. Following Cottrell's domain hardening mechanism, numerous workers have proposed other refined models also involving the presence of domain boundaries. Using the anomalous X-ray diffraction technique, Davies and Stoloff have shown that the hardness of the Ni3Fe superlattice varies with the domain size. So far, no direct observation of antiphase domain boundaries in Ni3Fe has been reported. Because the atomic scattering factors of the elements in NijFe are so close, the superlattice reflections are not easily detected. Furthermore, the domain configurations in NioFe are thought to be independent of the crystallographic orientations.


2000 ◽  
Vol 628 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.N. Blanton ◽  
D. Majumdar ◽  
S.M. Melpolder

ABSTRACTClay-polymer nanoparticulate composite materials are evaluated by the X-ray diffraction technique. The basal plane spacing provided information about the degree of intercalation and exfoliation of the 2: 1 layered clay structure. Both intercalation and exfoliation are controlled by the identity of the polymer and the clay:polymer ratio.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1786
Author(s):  
Carla Queirós ◽  
Chen Sun ◽  
Ana M. G. Silva ◽  
Baltazar de Castro ◽  
Juan Cabanillas-Gonzalez ◽  
...  

The development of straightforward reproducible methods for the preparation of new photoluminescent coordination polymers (CPs) is an important goal in luminescence and chemical sensing fields. Isophthalic acid derivatives have been reported for a wide range of applications, and in addition to their relatively low cost, have encouraged its use in the preparation of novel lanthanide-based coordination polymers (LnCPs). Considering that the photoluminescent properties of these CPs are highly dependent on the existence of water molecules in the crystal structure, our research efforts are now focused on the preparation of CP with the lowest water content possible, while considering a green chemistry approach. One- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D) LnCPs were prepared from 5-aminoisophthalic acid and Sm3+/Tb3+ using hydrothermal and/or microwave-assisted synthesis. The unprecedented LnCPs were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCRXD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their photoluminescence (PL) properties were studied in the solid state, at room temperature, using the CPs as powders and encapsulated in poly(methyl methacrylate (PMMA) films, envisaging the potential preparation of devices for sensing. The materials revealed interesting PL properties that depend on the dimensionality, metal ion, co-ligand used and water content.


Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 290
Author(s):  
Tim Karsten ◽  
Vesna Middelkoop ◽  
Dorota Matras ◽  
Antonis Vamvakeros ◽  
Stephen Poulston ◽  
...  

This work presents multi-scale approaches to investigate 3D printed structured Mn–Na–W/SiO2 catalysts used for the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) reaction. The performance of the 3D printed catalysts has been compared to their conventional analogues, packed beds of pellets and powder. The physicochemical properties of the 3D printed catalysts were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Performance and durability tests of the 3D printed catalysts were conducted in the laboratory and in a miniplant under real reaction conditions. In addition, synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction computed tomography technique (XRD-CT) was employed to obtain cross sectional maps at three different positions selected within the 3D printed catalyst body during the OCM reaction. The maps revealed the evolution of catalyst active phases and silica support on spatial and temporal scales within the interiors of the 3D printed catalyst under operating conditions. These results were accompanied with SEM-EDS analysis that indicated a homogeneous distribution of the active catalyst particles across the silica support.


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