The surface morphology of B2-structured FeAl single crystals was modified on a nano-scale by the absorption process of supersaturated thermal vacancies. A high density of nano to mesoscale surface pores was successfully produced by the vacancy absorption process through water quenching, surface treatments, and aging heat treatment. Their shape, size, and density could be controlled by varying the surface orientation of single crystals, quenching temperature, aging temperature, and aging time. These results suggested that surface self-patterning by the vacancy absorption process was a useful bottom-up technique for obtaining nano-scale surface patterns in metallic materials.

Nanoscale Surface Self-Patterning of FeAl Single Crystals by Vacancy Absorption Process. K.Yoshimi, M.Tsunekane, R.Nakamura, A.Yamauchi, S.Hanada: Applied Physics Letters, 2006, 89[7], 073110 (3pp)