Papers by Keyword: TEM

Abstract: Fe/Si multi-layer films were fabricated on Si (100) substrates utilizing radio frequency magnetron sputtering system. Si/β-FeSi2 structure was found in the films after the deposition. Structural characterization of Fe-silicide sample was performed by transmission electron microscopy, to explore the dependence of the microstructure of β-FeSi2 film on the preparation parameters. It was found that β-FeSi2 particles were formed after the deposition without annealing, whose size is less than 20nm ,with a direct band-gap of 0.94eV in room temperature. After annealing at 850°C, particles grow lager, however the stability of thin films was still good.

Abstract: Microstructure of the anisotropic Nd-Fe-B thick-film magnets has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Specimens of the thick-film magnets were prepared by the high-speed pulsed laser deposition method with a substrate heating system. It was revealed that the film deposited on a Ta substrate has a three-layer structure of Nd2Fe14B: The lower layer is composed of isotropic grains about 50-300 nm in diameter, the middle one has a columnar structure of 1 3m in height, and the upper one is again composed of small isotropic grains about several ten nm in diameter. The three-layer-structure is explained to result from a partial recrystallization of micro-crystalline Nd2Fe14B that are formed at the moment of deposition. In the middle layer, the c-axis of columnar grains is fairly aligned in the direction perpendicular to the substrate surface. The preferred orientation of c-axis produces the magnetic anisotropy of the thick-films.

Abstract: Recently the present authors’ group found that porous silicon showed strong and stable white/white-blue light emission after successive thermal carbonization and oxidation by water vapor. This material can be considered as a price-competitive solid-state white-light source. We examined these layers by electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM). The EEL spectra indicated that the silicon skeleton in the porous layer was completely oxidized by the thermal treatment in wet argon ambient and multi-types of carbon phases were present in the 1073 K oxidized sample of stronger emission, while carbon complexes including Si and/or O were formed in the 1223 K oxidized sample of weaker light emission. EF-TEM images showed that carbon/oxygen were more uniformly distributed in the 1223 K oxidized sample. It is assumed that the strong light-emitting properties are controlled by the size and internal chemical bonding states of carbon clusters incorporated.

Abstract: Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been synthesized on silicon nanowires (SiNWs) by ethanol chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using Co catalysts nanoparticles. The surface SiOx layers assist the formation of catalyst nanoparticles on SiNWs by inhibiting the diffusion of Co to Si. Co-Si compounds have formed in SiNWs readily when the surface SiOx layers are very thin. Therefore, the yield of SWNTs is strongly influenced by the thickness of the surface SiOx layers of SiNWs.

Abstract: Interfacial microstructure of TiN-TiB2 composite, which was synthesized by hot shock compaction combined explosively shock condolidation and self-propagating high-temperature synthesis, was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In the TiN-TiB2 composite included 60mol% TiN, an experimentally measured average grain size of the both TiN and TiB2 was approximately 500nm, and it decreased rather than those of the raw powders. By the conventional TEM observations, we clarified that there was a specific orientation relationship between cubic TiN and hexagonal TiB2. The high resolution electron microscopy (HREM) observations revealed that the TiN/TiB2 interphase boudnaries were atomically flat. We also observed grain boundaries of the composite and found that no secondary phases such as amorphous phase and precipitates were observed at the grain boundaries in the composite.

Abstract: Dislocation structure of {1120}/<1100> 2º tilt grain boundary in alumina was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The grain boundary consisted of periodical array of basal dislocations, which were dissociated into pairs of 1/3<1010> and 1/3<0110> partials with {1120} stacking-fault in between. The relationship between the separation distance of partials and the stacking-fault was modeled by considering the force balances of periodical dislocations. The estimated stacking-fault energy for 2o tilt grain boundary was consistent with the previous reports.

Abstract: Phase-separation of D03 precipitates in A2 matrix of Fe-Si-V alloys was investigated with TEM. When Fe-14.5at%Si-12.9at%V alloy is aged at 873 K, the phase-separation of cuboidal D03 precipitates occurs and A2 particles newly appear in each D03 cuboid. The A2 particles grow to become plates, then the A2 plates elongate along {100} to reach the A2 matrix, and finally the split of D03 cuboid is realized to form smaller cuboids. When Fe-15.5at%Si-5.0at%V alloy is aged at 873 K, the phase-separation of rod-shaped D03 precipitates occurs and A2 particles newly appear in each D03 rod. The A2 particles elongate along the long axis of D03 rod to reach the A2 matrix, and the split of D03 rod is realized to form thinner rods. The split in each alloy brings the refinement of two-phase microstructure, which is a result of not only the elastic energies but also the chemical free energy.

Abstract: It is well known that Ag additional Al-1.0mass%Mg2Si-excess0.4mass%Si alloy (ex. Si-Ag alloy) has higher hardness and elongation than those of Al-1.0mass%Mg2Si-excess 0.4mass%Si alloy (ex. Si alloy). However, precipitation sequence of ex. Si-Ag alloy is not clear yet. In this work, precipitation sequence of ex. Si-Ag alloy has been investigated using high resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. Precipitates were classified into several kinds by HRTEM images and SAED patterns, and relative frequencies of precipitates were also investigated. Its precipitation sequence was compared with that of ex. Si alloy. Type-A, Type-B and Type-C precipitates as special metastable phase in excess Si type Al-Mg-Si alloy, has been observed in ex. Si-Ag alloy, but β’ phase increased and Type-A and Type-B precipitate decreased in this study. Type-A precipitate was found at only grain boundary.

Abstract: The structure of intermetallic phases and planar defects in the as-cast and the solutiontreated microstructures of a Mg-8Y-2Zn-0.6Zr (wt%) alloy are characterized using transmission electron microscopy. The alloy was produced by permanent mould casting and solution treated at 500 °C. It is found that the intermetallic particles in the as-cast microstructure have a monoclinic structure. An appreciable amount of intermetallic particles is still retained along grain boundaries after solution treatments for up to 60 hrs. However, the structure of the retained intermetallic particles changes gradually from monoclinic to hexagonal during the solution treatments. Some planar defects are also detected in the as-cast and the solution-treated (1 hr) microstructures. These defects have characteristic features of stacking faults.