Papers by Keyword: Sedimentation of Atoms

Abstract: A strong gravitational field causes the changes in composition and structure through sedimentation or displacement of atoms in multi-component condensed matter. We have developed a high-temperature ultracentrifuge to generate a strong acceleration field of even over 1 million (1x10⁶) G, and, for the first time succeeded in realizing the sedimentation of the constitutive solute atoms and aeven isotope atoms in solids or liquids. The changes in composition and crystalline state of various alloys, polymers, and other substances have been investigated. Recently, we started the experiments on compounds and semiconductors with the aims of new materials synthesis and semiconductor control. The chemical reaction, crystal structure change have been found for metallic compound (Bi₃Pb₇), or covalent compounds (Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7-x, TiO₂, etc.). The impurity control was also examined in semiconductor. In this article, the recent progress and the future prospects for materials processing are described.

Abstract: A visible four-layers structure with anomalous nano-sturucture was formed from a homogeneous -phase Bi3Pb7 intermetallic compound under a strong gravitational field (1.02x106 G, 130°C, 100 hours). In the 4th layer (lowest-gravity region), pure Bi particles precipitate. In the 2nd 3rd layers, composition graded structures, where Pb content increased along the gravity direction, were formed. It was found that the very broad XRD peak appeared in the 2nd layer, which indicated that an amorphous structure was contained.

Abstract: An atomic-scale graded structure has been formed by sedimentation of substitutional atoms under an ultra-strong gravitational field of 1 million G level in alloys and compounds. In this study, we investigate the sedimentation of impurity atoms in semiconductor materials under a strong gravitational field. High-temperature ultracentrifuge experiments (0.59×106 G, 400°C, 60 hours) have been performed on an InSb single crystal wafer which surface was coated with Ge by means of Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD). It was observed that the penetration depth of diffused Ge atoms under the gravitational field was several times larger than under terrestrial field at the same temperatures.

Abstract: Ultra-strong gravitational field (Mega-gravity field) causes the sedimentation of even atoms (diffusion), and is expected to create a nonequilibrium crystal-chemical state in multi-component condensed matter. However, the materials science research under mega-gravity field has now remained as an unexploited field, while the sedimentation of molecules or polymer had been used in biochemistory. We presented a self-consistent diffusion equation for sedimentation of atoms in condensed matter. Next, we developed an ultracentrifuge apparatus to generate strong acceleration field of over 1 million (1x106) g at temperature range up to 〜300 °C, and, recently, succeeded in realization of the sedimentation of substitutional solute atoms in some alloys of Bi-Sb, In-Pb, Bi-Pb systems, etc. The diffusion coefficients in sedimentation on Bi-Sb alloy were estimated to be much greater than those at normal conditions by a factor of >20. It is suggested that the sedimentation of substitutional atoms in solids or liquids can be explained in a new type of diffusion, where the diffusion mechanism for substitutional solute atoms was yet unknown. In this article, the recent progress in the investigation of sedimentation of atoms under mega-gravity field is reviewed, and the diffusion mechanism is discussed. The application of the mega-gravity field is also discussed.