S. Dregia - Profile on Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by S. Dregia

Research paper thumbnail of Stability of f.c.c. titanium in titanium/aluminum multilayers

Acta Materialia, 1999

ÐCrystal structures of as-sputtered Ti/Al multilayers are studied with special emphasis on the fo... more ÐCrystal structures of as-sputtered Ti/Al multilayers are studied with special emphasis on the formation of f.c.c.-Ti and the eect of coherency strains on phase stability. The results are rationalized on the basis of a recently proposed thermodynamic model for phase stability in multilayers. In this paper, the thermodynamic model is modi®ed to account for the eect of coherency strains on the phase stability. A new phase stability diagram is proposed for Ti/Al multilayers.

Research paper thumbnail of Form of critical nuclei at homo-phase boundaries

Scripta Materialia, 2018

Even though more than six decades have passed since the first theory on heterogeneous nucleation ... more Even though more than six decades have passed since the first theory on heterogeneous nucleation at grain boundaries (GBs) was established in the 1950s, the concurrent shape variation (co-deformation) of both the nucleus and the GB was still not captured by existing models. By using a fully variational approach, we demonstrate for the first time that a nucleus with low-energy facet(s) is highly deformable in response to its interaction with the GB along the triple junction line and, consequently, its energy of formation can be reduced by orders of magnitude relative to predictions by previous methods.

Research paper thumbnail of Computer Simulation of the Elastic and Fracture Behavior of Sodium Chloride Crystal

Computer Simulation of the Elastic and Fracture Behavior of Sodium Chloride Crystal

Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 1993

Molecular statics calculations of mechanical properties have been carried out for NaCI using the ... more Molecular statics calculations of mechanical properties have been carried out for NaCI using the Born–Mayer–Huggins pair potential and periodic boundary conditions. Three truncation techniques are utilized. For each, calculations have been performed as a function of the truncation distance. The stress–strain curve, the fracture strength, and the fracture strain are found to be much more sensitive to the truncation technique and to variations in the truncation distance than other properties such as the elastic constants, the cohesive energy, or the lattice parameter.

Research paper thumbnail of Kinetic mechanism of TiO2 nanocarving via reaction with hydrogen gas

Kinetic mechanism of TiO2 nanocarving via reaction with hydrogen gas

Journal of Materials Research, 2006

Dense polycrystalline titania (TiO2, rutile) was converted into oriented arrays of single-crystal... more Dense polycrystalline titania (TiO2, rutile) was converted into oriented arrays of single-crystal titania nanofibers by reaction with a noncombustible, hydrogen-bearing gas mixture at only 680–780 °C. Such nanofiber formation resulted from anisotropic etching (“nanocarving”) of the titania grains. The fibers possessed diameters of 20–50 nm and lengths of up to several microns, with the long fiber axes oriented parallel to the [001] crystallographic direction of rutile. Mass spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy indicated that oxygen, but not titanium, was removed from the specimen during the reaction with hydrogen. The removal of substantial oxygen and solid volume from the reacting surfaces, without an appreciable change in the Ti:O ratio at such surfaces, was consistent with the solid-state diffusion of titanium cations from the surface into the bulk of the specimen. The reaction-induced weight loss followed a parabolic rate law, which was also consistent with a...

Research paper thumbnail of Superconducting Properties of SiC Doped <formula formulatype="inline"><tex>${\rm MgB}_{2}$</tex></formula> Formed Below and Above Mg's Melting Point

IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of Epitaxial pore-free gadolinia-doped ceria thin films on yttria-stabilized zirconia by RF magnetron sputtering

Epitaxial pore-free gadolinia-doped ceria thin films on yttria-stabilized zirconia by RF magnetron sputtering

Ceramics International, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Equilibrium segregation and interfacial energy in multicomponent systems

Acta Metallurgica et Materialia, 1991

A model is developed in the framework of gradient thermodynamics to study the equilibrium composi... more A model is developed in the framework of gradient thermodynamics to study the equilibrium composition and energy of interphase boundaries in multicomponent systems. The parameters of the model are related to bulk properties for a nearest-neighbor, ternary regular solution. The model is applied to study the segregation of Au at interphase boundaries in the Cu-Ag-Au system, as a function of temperature, bulk composition, and interface orientation. Interfaeial segregation is predicted and found to reduce interfacial energy in a manner consistent with the Gibbs adsorption equation. Rtsumt-On d6veloppe un mod61e b~iti sur la thermodynamique des gradients pour 6tudier la composition ~. l'6quilibre et l'6nergie des joints interphases dans des syst6mes/~ plusieurs composantes. Les param6tres de ce mod61e sont li6s aux propri6t6s du solide massif pour une solution r6guli6re ternaire de plus proches voisins. On applique ce mod61e pour &udier la s6gr6gation de ror clans les joints interphases du syst6me Cu-Ag-Au, en fonction de la temp6rature, de la composition globale et de l'orientation de l'interface. On pr6voit la s6gr6gation interfaciale d'une fafon qui correspond bien ~i l'6quation de Gibbs pour l'adsorption. Zusammenfasmmg-Im Rahmen der Gradienten-Thermodynamik wird ein Modell zur Untersuchung der Gleichgewichtslagen und der Energie der Phasengrenzen in vielkomponentigen Systemen entwickelt. Die Parameter des Modelles werden mit den Volumeigenschaften eines tern~'~n regelraiBigen Mischkristalles verbunden. Mit diesem MOdeU wird die Segregation yon Au an Phasengrenzen im Cu-Ag-Au-System in Abh/ingigkeit yon Temperatur, Gesamtzusammensetzung und Grenzfl/ichenorientierung untersucht. Grenzflfichensegregation wird vorausgesagt; sie vermindert die Grenzflgchenenergie auf eine Weise, dab sie mit der Absorptionsgleichung yon Gibbs vertr~glich ist.

Research paper thumbnail of Self-Assembly of Pseudoperiodic Arrays of Nanoislands on YSZ-(001)

Research paper thumbnail of Crystallography of surface nucleation and epitaxial growth of lithium triniobate on congruent lithium niobate

Crystallography of surface nucleation and epitaxial growth of lithium triniobate on congruent lithium niobate

Journal of Materials Research, 1994

The decomposition of congruent lithium niobate (LN) crystals proceeds by surface nucleation and g... more The decomposition of congruent lithium niobate (LN) crystals proceeds by surface nucleation and growth of LiNb3O8 precipitates which exhibit an epitaxial orientation relationship. The same orientation relationship is observed on x-, y-, and z-cut LN substrates. The epitaxy arises from similarities between the two crystal structures and provides for an essentially continuous oxygen-ion framework from parent to product. On y-cut LN, the precipitates have a well-defined habit plane, and the interfacial misfit between the two structures is accommodated by a rectangular grid of misfit dislocations. The density, geometry, and imaging behavior of the misfit dislocations suggest that their Burgers vectors serve to accommodate the disregistry in the oxygen-ion framework. Based on these observations, it is concluded that the mechanism of formation of LiNb3O8 consists of preferential nucleation on the surface and subsequent growth, possibly by counterdiffusion of cations in a closed system whe...

Research paper thumbnail of Thermal Analysis of Formation

Thermal Analysis of Formation

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to study the formation of from amorphous boron p... more Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to study the formation of from amorphous boron powder and powder. The B and powder mixture demon- strated that forms near 600 with an estimated activation energy of 239 kJ/mole. The B and Mg powder mixture has an ad- ditional low temperature reaction near 425 that is initiated by decomposition. Similar effects can be duplicated with the hydride powder via moisture contamination. Index Terms—Magnesium diboride, superconductor, thermal analysis.

Research paper thumbnail of Epitaxy and diffusion-induced recrystallization in gold/copper films

Epitaxy and diffusion-induced recrystallization in gold/copper films

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America

Most previous studies of epitaxy have shown that growth of fee thin films on fee substrates leads... more Most previous studies of epitaxy have shown that growth of fee thin films on fee substrates leads to parallel, cube-on-cube orientation relationships. However, recent studies of Ag/Ni interfaces indicated that non-parallel orientation relationships may be preferred in fcc/fcc systems of large misfit. One objective of this study is to investigate the orientation relationships produced by epitaxy in Au/Cu bilayers. The Au/Cu system is especially interesting because it has complete mutual solid solubility despite the large lattice parameter misfit (∼ 12%). Hence, the second objective of this study is to investigate low-temperature interfacial diffusion phenomena in the special microstructures produced by multivariant epitaxy.

Research paper thumbnail of Misfit dislocations in multivariant epitaxy of silver on copper

Misfit dislocations in multivariant epitaxy of silver on copper

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America

Misfit dislocations are known to accommodate disregistry at interfaces which separate crystals of... more Misfit dislocations are known to accommodate disregistry at interfaces which separate crystals of different orientation and/or lattice parameter. Most studies of misfit dislocations have addressed epitaxial bicrystals in ‘parallel’ orientation relationships (OR), e.g, cube-on-cube in fee systems. Recent work, though, has demonstrated that non-parallel epitaxial ORs are energetically favored in some systems, e.g, (111)/(001) in fee systems of large misfit (∼12%). In these systems coexistence of equivalent variants of the same OR gives rise to ‘multivariant epitaxy’ wherein a film grows in a special polycrystalline form on a monocrystalline substrate. In this study we examine the accommodation of misfit in the special structures produced by multivariant epitaxy of (111)Ag on (001)Cu.

Research paper thumbnail of Step faceting and the self-assembly of nanoislands on miscut YSZ(001) surfaces

Step faceting and the self-assembly of nanoislands on miscut YSZ(001) surfaces

Applied Surface Science, 2017

Abstract Ordered surface step arrays were successfully prepared on two different types of miscut ... more Abstract Ordered surface step arrays were successfully prepared on two different types of miscut yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrates via one-step pre-annealing. These steps were subsequently used as templates for the self-assembly of the nanoislands, which results in significantly improved alignment of the islands along the step direction. Additionally, a unique step faceting phenomenon at island growth front was observed only on the (001)–[100] miscut YSZ substrates. Preliminary investigation indicates that this faceting is induced by doping via surface diffusion, while the elastic interaction between the faceted steps also plays an important role.

Research paper thumbnail of A universal symmetry criterion for the design of high performance ferroic materials

Acta Materialia, 2017

The symmetry of a crystal has profound effects on its physical properties and so does symmetry-br... more The symmetry of a crystal has profound effects on its physical properties and so does symmetry-breaking on the characteristics of a phase transition from one crystal structure to another. For an important class of smart materials, the ferroics, their functionality and performance are associated with cycles of transitions from multiple structural states of one phase to those of the other. Using group and graph theories we construct phase transition graph (PTG) and show that both the functionality and performance of ferroics are dictated by the topology of their PTGs. In particular, we demonstrate how the giant piezoelectricity in ferroelectrics and the functional fatigue in shape memory alloys (SMAs) are related to their unique PTG topological features. Using PTG topology as a guide, we evaluate systematically new systems potentially having giant piezoelectricities and giant electro-and magneto-strictions and discuss the design strategies for high performance SMAs with much improved functional fatigue resistance.

Research paper thumbnail of Group theory description of transformation pathway degeneracy in structural phase transformations

Acta Materialia, 2016

Pathway degeneracy of structure transformations with symmetry breaking underpins the functionalit... more Pathway degeneracy of structure transformations with symmetry breaking underpins the functionalities of a broad class of smart materialsthe ferroics. Despite of its significance, there has been a lack of rigorous theoretical description of pathway degeneracy, leading to several case-dependent treatments which are not generally correct. In this work, we incorporate lattice correspondence into group theory to define and determine pathway degeneracy during structural transformations. In particular we show that a stabilizer can be determined by taking into account either the deformation relationship (under a given lattice correspondence) or the orientation relationship, through which deformation variant is defined rigorously and distinguished clearly from the orientation variant. Such a definition provides a theoretical foundation for investigating the formation of domain and defect structures arising from symmetry breaking during structural phase transformations.

Research paper thumbnail of The Structure and Composition of Interphase Boundaries in Ni/Ag-(001) Thin Films Doped with Au

The Structure and Composition of Interphase Boundaries in Ni/Ag-(001) Thin Films Doped with Au

MRS Proceedings, 1985

Computer simulations of the Ni/Ag-(001) interphase boundary have been performed with the Embedded... more Computer simulations of the Ni/Ag-(001) interphase boundary have been performed with the Embedded Atom Method. The relaxed atomic configurations, the periodic interaction potential, the shear modulus of the interface, and the interaction of an Au impurity with the interface have been evaluated. In addition, experimental studies have been conducted on the same system; and the structure and composition of the interface have been simultaneously examined.

Research paper thumbnail of Coincidence interphase boundaries in MgO/Ni system

Coincidence interphase boundaries in MgO/Ni system

Analyse, avant et apres recuit a 600 C pendant 9 heures, par microscopie electronique en transmis... more Analyse, avant et apres recuit a 600 C pendant 9 heures, par microscopie electronique en transmission des joints d'interphase dans le systeme MgO/Ni. Le nickel est une couche monocristalline de surface (100) dans laquelle sont deposees des particules cubiques de MgO (0,02 a 0,2 μm) de surfaces {100}. Les joints correspondent a des joints d'interphase de coincidence

Research paper thumbnail of Investigation of low energy interphase boundaries in by computer simulation and crystallite rotation

Investigation of low energy interphase boundaries in by computer simulation and crystallite rotation

Research paper thumbnail of Determination of Energy Minima for Dissimilar Metal Interfaces

Determination of Energy Minima for Dissimilar Metal Interfaces

MRS Proceedings, 1991

Relative orientations which correspond to minimum energy can be found by particle rotation method... more Relative orientations which correspond to minimum energy can be found by particle rotation methods, both for particles on free surface and particles inside a solid. For common fcc metals (Ni,Ag,Cu,Ag) the minimum energy orientations predicted by Embedded Atom Method calculations correspond well with experimental observations. Epitaxial studies of growth on (001)Cu and (111)Cu show the observed orientation relationships of vapor deposited Ag and Au are consistent with EAM calculations and the limited particle rotation experiments available.

Research paper thumbnail of Experimental determination of the peritectic transition temperature of MgB2 in the Mg–B phase diagram

Experimental determination of the peritectic transition temperature of MgB2 in the Mg–B phase diagram

Thermochimica Acta, 2014

ABSTRACT We have studied thermodynamic phase stability in the Mg–B system through use of a high-p... more ABSTRACT We have studied thermodynamic phase stability in the Mg–B system through use of a high-pressure, high-temperature apparatus consisting of a large pressure vessel and an RF induction heater. The incongruent melting temperature for MgB2 was found to be ∼1450 °C at 10 MPa using thermal analysis data applied to both MgB2 powder samples and Mg/B mixtures. The experimental temperature is ∼300 °C lower than temperatures shown in calculated phase diagrams of the Mg–B system at the same pressure and the discrepancy demonstrates the need for further experimental investigations of phase stability in binary Mg–B and ternary Mg–B–X systems. In this study C (as an impurity in boron) was found to have a large effect on the peritectic temperature, with a relatively small (0.7 wt% C) impurity concentration resulting in a ∼40 °C elevation of the peritectic temperature. Along with morphological characterization, XRD and EPMA analyses were used to identify phases and confirm the peritectic transformation in the Mg–B phase diagram.

Research paper thumbnail of Stability of f.c.c. titanium in titanium/aluminum multilayers

Acta Materialia, 1999

ÐCrystal structures of as-sputtered Ti/Al multilayers are studied with special emphasis on the fo... more ÐCrystal structures of as-sputtered Ti/Al multilayers are studied with special emphasis on the formation of f.c.c.-Ti and the eect of coherency strains on phase stability. The results are rationalized on the basis of a recently proposed thermodynamic model for phase stability in multilayers. In this paper, the thermodynamic model is modi®ed to account for the eect of coherency strains on the phase stability. A new phase stability diagram is proposed for Ti/Al multilayers.

Research paper thumbnail of Form of critical nuclei at homo-phase boundaries

Scripta Materialia, 2018

Even though more than six decades have passed since the first theory on heterogeneous nucleation ... more Even though more than six decades have passed since the first theory on heterogeneous nucleation at grain boundaries (GBs) was established in the 1950s, the concurrent shape variation (co-deformation) of both the nucleus and the GB was still not captured by existing models. By using a fully variational approach, we demonstrate for the first time that a nucleus with low-energy facet(s) is highly deformable in response to its interaction with the GB along the triple junction line and, consequently, its energy of formation can be reduced by orders of magnitude relative to predictions by previous methods.

Research paper thumbnail of Computer Simulation of the Elastic and Fracture Behavior of Sodium Chloride Crystal

Computer Simulation of the Elastic and Fracture Behavior of Sodium Chloride Crystal

Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 1993

Molecular statics calculations of mechanical properties have been carried out for NaCI using the ... more Molecular statics calculations of mechanical properties have been carried out for NaCI using the Born–Mayer–Huggins pair potential and periodic boundary conditions. Three truncation techniques are utilized. For each, calculations have been performed as a function of the truncation distance. The stress–strain curve, the fracture strength, and the fracture strain are found to be much more sensitive to the truncation technique and to variations in the truncation distance than other properties such as the elastic constants, the cohesive energy, or the lattice parameter.

Research paper thumbnail of Kinetic mechanism of TiO2 nanocarving via reaction with hydrogen gas

Kinetic mechanism of TiO2 nanocarving via reaction with hydrogen gas

Journal of Materials Research, 2006

Dense polycrystalline titania (TiO2, rutile) was converted into oriented arrays of single-crystal... more Dense polycrystalline titania (TiO2, rutile) was converted into oriented arrays of single-crystal titania nanofibers by reaction with a noncombustible, hydrogen-bearing gas mixture at only 680–780 °C. Such nanofiber formation resulted from anisotropic etching (“nanocarving”) of the titania grains. The fibers possessed diameters of 20–50 nm and lengths of up to several microns, with the long fiber axes oriented parallel to the [001] crystallographic direction of rutile. Mass spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy indicated that oxygen, but not titanium, was removed from the specimen during the reaction with hydrogen. The removal of substantial oxygen and solid volume from the reacting surfaces, without an appreciable change in the Ti:O ratio at such surfaces, was consistent with the solid-state diffusion of titanium cations from the surface into the bulk of the specimen. The reaction-induced weight loss followed a parabolic rate law, which was also consistent with a...

Research paper thumbnail of Superconducting Properties of SiC Doped <formula formulatype="inline"><tex>${\rm MgB}_{2}$</tex></formula> Formed Below and Above Mg's Melting Point

IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of Epitaxial pore-free gadolinia-doped ceria thin films on yttria-stabilized zirconia by RF magnetron sputtering

Epitaxial pore-free gadolinia-doped ceria thin films on yttria-stabilized zirconia by RF magnetron sputtering

Ceramics International, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Equilibrium segregation and interfacial energy in multicomponent systems

Acta Metallurgica et Materialia, 1991

A model is developed in the framework of gradient thermodynamics to study the equilibrium composi... more A model is developed in the framework of gradient thermodynamics to study the equilibrium composition and energy of interphase boundaries in multicomponent systems. The parameters of the model are related to bulk properties for a nearest-neighbor, ternary regular solution. The model is applied to study the segregation of Au at interphase boundaries in the Cu-Ag-Au system, as a function of temperature, bulk composition, and interface orientation. Interfaeial segregation is predicted and found to reduce interfacial energy in a manner consistent with the Gibbs adsorption equation. Rtsumt-On d6veloppe un mod61e b~iti sur la thermodynamique des gradients pour 6tudier la composition ~. l'6quilibre et l'6nergie des joints interphases dans des syst6mes/~ plusieurs composantes. Les param6tres de ce mod61e sont li6s aux propri6t6s du solide massif pour une solution r6guli6re ternaire de plus proches voisins. On applique ce mod61e pour &udier la s6gr6gation de ror clans les joints interphases du syst6me Cu-Ag-Au, en fonction de la temp6rature, de la composition globale et de l'orientation de l'interface. On pr6voit la s6gr6gation interfaciale d'une fafon qui correspond bien ~i l'6quation de Gibbs pour l'adsorption. Zusammenfasmmg-Im Rahmen der Gradienten-Thermodynamik wird ein Modell zur Untersuchung der Gleichgewichtslagen und der Energie der Phasengrenzen in vielkomponentigen Systemen entwickelt. Die Parameter des Modelles werden mit den Volumeigenschaften eines tern~'~n regelraiBigen Mischkristalles verbunden. Mit diesem MOdeU wird die Segregation yon Au an Phasengrenzen im Cu-Ag-Au-System in Abh/ingigkeit yon Temperatur, Gesamtzusammensetzung und Grenzfl/ichenorientierung untersucht. Grenzflfichensegregation wird vorausgesagt; sie vermindert die Grenzflgchenenergie auf eine Weise, dab sie mit der Absorptionsgleichung yon Gibbs vertr~glich ist.

Research paper thumbnail of Self-Assembly of Pseudoperiodic Arrays of Nanoislands on YSZ-(001)

Research paper thumbnail of Crystallography of surface nucleation and epitaxial growth of lithium triniobate on congruent lithium niobate

Crystallography of surface nucleation and epitaxial growth of lithium triniobate on congruent lithium niobate

Journal of Materials Research, 1994

The decomposition of congruent lithium niobate (LN) crystals proceeds by surface nucleation and g... more The decomposition of congruent lithium niobate (LN) crystals proceeds by surface nucleation and growth of LiNb3O8 precipitates which exhibit an epitaxial orientation relationship. The same orientation relationship is observed on x-, y-, and z-cut LN substrates. The epitaxy arises from similarities between the two crystal structures and provides for an essentially continuous oxygen-ion framework from parent to product. On y-cut LN, the precipitates have a well-defined habit plane, and the interfacial misfit between the two structures is accommodated by a rectangular grid of misfit dislocations. The density, geometry, and imaging behavior of the misfit dislocations suggest that their Burgers vectors serve to accommodate the disregistry in the oxygen-ion framework. Based on these observations, it is concluded that the mechanism of formation of LiNb3O8 consists of preferential nucleation on the surface and subsequent growth, possibly by counterdiffusion of cations in a closed system whe...

Research paper thumbnail of Thermal Analysis of Formation

Thermal Analysis of Formation

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to study the formation of from amorphous boron p... more Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to study the formation of from amorphous boron powder and powder. The B and powder mixture demon- strated that forms near 600 with an estimated activation energy of 239 kJ/mole. The B and Mg powder mixture has an ad- ditional low temperature reaction near 425 that is initiated by decomposition. Similar effects can be duplicated with the hydride powder via moisture contamination. Index Terms—Magnesium diboride, superconductor, thermal analysis.

Research paper thumbnail of Epitaxy and diffusion-induced recrystallization in gold/copper films

Epitaxy and diffusion-induced recrystallization in gold/copper films

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America

Most previous studies of epitaxy have shown that growth of fee thin films on fee substrates leads... more Most previous studies of epitaxy have shown that growth of fee thin films on fee substrates leads to parallel, cube-on-cube orientation relationships. However, recent studies of Ag/Ni interfaces indicated that non-parallel orientation relationships may be preferred in fcc/fcc systems of large misfit. One objective of this study is to investigate the orientation relationships produced by epitaxy in Au/Cu bilayers. The Au/Cu system is especially interesting because it has complete mutual solid solubility despite the large lattice parameter misfit (∼ 12%). Hence, the second objective of this study is to investigate low-temperature interfacial diffusion phenomena in the special microstructures produced by multivariant epitaxy.

Research paper thumbnail of Misfit dislocations in multivariant epitaxy of silver on copper

Misfit dislocations in multivariant epitaxy of silver on copper

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America

Misfit dislocations are known to accommodate disregistry at interfaces which separate crystals of... more Misfit dislocations are known to accommodate disregistry at interfaces which separate crystals of different orientation and/or lattice parameter. Most studies of misfit dislocations have addressed epitaxial bicrystals in ‘parallel’ orientation relationships (OR), e.g, cube-on-cube in fee systems. Recent work, though, has demonstrated that non-parallel epitaxial ORs are energetically favored in some systems, e.g, (111)/(001) in fee systems of large misfit (∼12%). In these systems coexistence of equivalent variants of the same OR gives rise to ‘multivariant epitaxy’ wherein a film grows in a special polycrystalline form on a monocrystalline substrate. In this study we examine the accommodation of misfit in the special structures produced by multivariant epitaxy of (111)Ag on (001)Cu.

Research paper thumbnail of Step faceting and the self-assembly of nanoislands on miscut YSZ(001) surfaces

Step faceting and the self-assembly of nanoislands on miscut YSZ(001) surfaces

Applied Surface Science, 2017

Abstract Ordered surface step arrays were successfully prepared on two different types of miscut ... more Abstract Ordered surface step arrays were successfully prepared on two different types of miscut yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrates via one-step pre-annealing. These steps were subsequently used as templates for the self-assembly of the nanoislands, which results in significantly improved alignment of the islands along the step direction. Additionally, a unique step faceting phenomenon at island growth front was observed only on the (001)–[100] miscut YSZ substrates. Preliminary investigation indicates that this faceting is induced by doping via surface diffusion, while the elastic interaction between the faceted steps also plays an important role.

Research paper thumbnail of A universal symmetry criterion for the design of high performance ferroic materials

Acta Materialia, 2017

The symmetry of a crystal has profound effects on its physical properties and so does symmetry-br... more The symmetry of a crystal has profound effects on its physical properties and so does symmetry-breaking on the characteristics of a phase transition from one crystal structure to another. For an important class of smart materials, the ferroics, their functionality and performance are associated with cycles of transitions from multiple structural states of one phase to those of the other. Using group and graph theories we construct phase transition graph (PTG) and show that both the functionality and performance of ferroics are dictated by the topology of their PTGs. In particular, we demonstrate how the giant piezoelectricity in ferroelectrics and the functional fatigue in shape memory alloys (SMAs) are related to their unique PTG topological features. Using PTG topology as a guide, we evaluate systematically new systems potentially having giant piezoelectricities and giant electro-and magneto-strictions and discuss the design strategies for high performance SMAs with much improved functional fatigue resistance.

Research paper thumbnail of Group theory description of transformation pathway degeneracy in structural phase transformations

Acta Materialia, 2016

Pathway degeneracy of structure transformations with symmetry breaking underpins the functionalit... more Pathway degeneracy of structure transformations with symmetry breaking underpins the functionalities of a broad class of smart materialsthe ferroics. Despite of its significance, there has been a lack of rigorous theoretical description of pathway degeneracy, leading to several case-dependent treatments which are not generally correct. In this work, we incorporate lattice correspondence into group theory to define and determine pathway degeneracy during structural transformations. In particular we show that a stabilizer can be determined by taking into account either the deformation relationship (under a given lattice correspondence) or the orientation relationship, through which deformation variant is defined rigorously and distinguished clearly from the orientation variant. Such a definition provides a theoretical foundation for investigating the formation of domain and defect structures arising from symmetry breaking during structural phase transformations.

Research paper thumbnail of The Structure and Composition of Interphase Boundaries in Ni/Ag-(001) Thin Films Doped with Au

The Structure and Composition of Interphase Boundaries in Ni/Ag-(001) Thin Films Doped with Au

MRS Proceedings, 1985

Computer simulations of the Ni/Ag-(001) interphase boundary have been performed with the Embedded... more Computer simulations of the Ni/Ag-(001) interphase boundary have been performed with the Embedded Atom Method. The relaxed atomic configurations, the periodic interaction potential, the shear modulus of the interface, and the interaction of an Au impurity with the interface have been evaluated. In addition, experimental studies have been conducted on the same system; and the structure and composition of the interface have been simultaneously examined.

Research paper thumbnail of Coincidence interphase boundaries in MgO/Ni system

Coincidence interphase boundaries in MgO/Ni system

Analyse, avant et apres recuit a 600 C pendant 9 heures, par microscopie electronique en transmis... more Analyse, avant et apres recuit a 600 C pendant 9 heures, par microscopie electronique en transmission des joints d'interphase dans le systeme MgO/Ni. Le nickel est une couche monocristalline de surface (100) dans laquelle sont deposees des particules cubiques de MgO (0,02 a 0,2 μm) de surfaces {100}. Les joints correspondent a des joints d'interphase de coincidence

Research paper thumbnail of Investigation of low energy interphase boundaries in by computer simulation and crystallite rotation

Investigation of low energy interphase boundaries in by computer simulation and crystallite rotation

Research paper thumbnail of Determination of Energy Minima for Dissimilar Metal Interfaces

Determination of Energy Minima for Dissimilar Metal Interfaces

MRS Proceedings, 1991

Relative orientations which correspond to minimum energy can be found by particle rotation method... more Relative orientations which correspond to minimum energy can be found by particle rotation methods, both for particles on free surface and particles inside a solid. For common fcc metals (Ni,Ag,Cu,Ag) the minimum energy orientations predicted by Embedded Atom Method calculations correspond well with experimental observations. Epitaxial studies of growth on (001)Cu and (111)Cu show the observed orientation relationships of vapor deposited Ag and Au are consistent with EAM calculations and the limited particle rotation experiments available.

Research paper thumbnail of Experimental determination of the peritectic transition temperature of MgB2 in the Mg–B phase diagram

Experimental determination of the peritectic transition temperature of MgB2 in the Mg–B phase diagram

Thermochimica Acta, 2014

ABSTRACT We have studied thermodynamic phase stability in the Mg–B system through use of a high-p... more ABSTRACT We have studied thermodynamic phase stability in the Mg–B system through use of a high-pressure, high-temperature apparatus consisting of a large pressure vessel and an RF induction heater. The incongruent melting temperature for MgB2 was found to be ∼1450 °C at 10 MPa using thermal analysis data applied to both MgB2 powder samples and Mg/B mixtures. The experimental temperature is ∼300 °C lower than temperatures shown in calculated phase diagrams of the Mg–B system at the same pressure and the discrepancy demonstrates the need for further experimental investigations of phase stability in binary Mg–B and ternary Mg–B–X systems. In this study C (as an impurity in boron) was found to have a large effect on the peritectic temperature, with a relatively small (0.7 wt% C) impurity concentration resulting in a ∼40 °C elevation of the peritectic temperature. Along with morphological characterization, XRD and EPMA analyses were used to identify phases and confirm the peritectic transformation in the Mg–B phase diagram.