Magnetoelasticity and magnetoresistance in Cu-Al-Mn shape-memory alloys

We study the effect of a magnetic field on the martensitic transition of a Cu-Al-Mn shape-memory alloy. The martensitic transition has been studied through resistance measurements under applied magnetic fields ranging from 0 to 50 kOe. Negative magnetoresistance showing an almost linear dependence with the square of the magnetization has been observed. This magnetoresistive effect is associated with the existence of small ferromagnetic Mn-clusters. Its strength and thermal dependence is different in both phases. The martensitic transition temperature is slightly increased and its spread in temperature significantly reduced upon increasing the field. These results show the existence of magnetoelastic coupling, which favors the nucleation of those martensitic variants with the easy magnetization axis aligned with the field.

Selection, shape and relaxation of fronts: A numerical study of the effects of inertia.

We study the problem of front propagation in the presence of inertia. We extend the analytical approach for the overdamped problem to this case, and present numerical results to support our theoretical predictions. Specifically, we conclude that the velocity and shape selection problem can still be described in terms of the metastable, nonlinear, and linear overdamped regimes. We study the characteristic relaxation dynamics of these three regimes, and the existence of degenerate (¿quenched¿) solutions.

Time-dependent couplings and crossover length scales in nonequilibrium surface roughening

We show that time-dependent couplings may lead to nontrivial scaling properties of the surface fluctuations of the asymptotic regime in nonequilibrium kinetic roughening models. Three typical situations are studied. In the case of a crossover between two different rough regimes, the time-dependent coupling may result in anomalous scaling for scales above the crossover length. In a different setting, for a crossover from a rough to either a flat or damping regime, the time-dependent crossover length may conspire to produce a rough surface, although the most relevant term tends to flatten the surface. In addition, our analysis sheds light into an existing debate in the problem of spontaneous imbibition, where time-dependent couplings naturally arise in theoretical models and experiments.

Modelization of surface diffusion of a molecular dimer

A simple model for a dimer molecular diffusion on a crystalline surface, as a function of temperature, is presented. The dimer is formed by two particles coupled by a quadratic potential. The dimer diffusion is modeled by an overdamped Langevin equation in the presence of a two-dimensional periodic potential. Numerical simulation¿s results exhibit some dynamical properties observed, for example, in Si2 diffusion on a silicon [100] surface. They can be used to predict the value of the effective friction parameter. Comparison between our model and experimental measurements is presented.

Surface tension and dynamics of fingering patterns

We study the minimal class of exact solutions of the Saffman-Taylor problem with zero surface tension, which contains the physical fixed points of the regularized (nonzero surface tension) problem. New fixed points are found and the basin of attraction of the Saffman-Taylor finger is determined within that class. Specific features of the physics of finger competition are identified and quantitatively defined, which are absent in the zero surface tension case. This has dramatic consequences for the long-time asymptotics, revealing a fundamental role of surface tension in the dynamics of the problem. A multifinger extension of microscopic solvability theory is proposed to elucidate the interplay between finger widths, screening and surface tension.

State equation for shape-memory alloys. Aplication to Cu-Zn-Al

We deal with the hysteretic behavior of partial cycles in the two¿phase region associated with the martensitic transformation of shape¿memory alloys. We consider the problem from a thermodynamic point of view and adopt a local equilibrium formalism, based on the idea of thermoelastic balance, from which a formal writing follows a state equation for the material in terms of its temperature T, external applied stress ¿, and transformed volume fraction x. To describe the striking memory properties exhibited by partial transformation cycles, state variables (x,¿,T) corresponding to the current state of the system have to be supplemented with variables (x,¿,T) corresponding to points where the transformation control parameter (¿¿ and/or T) had reached a maximum or a minimum in the previous thermodynamic history of the system. We restrict our study to simple partial cycles resulting from a single maximum or minimum of the control parameter. Several common features displayed by such partial cycles and repeatedly observed in experiments lead to a set of analytic restrictions, listed explicitly in the paper, to be verified by the dissipative term of the state equation, responsible for hysteresis. Finally, using calorimetric data of thermally induced partial cycles through the martensitic transformation in a Cu¿Zn¿Al alloy, we have fitted a given functional form of the dissipative term consistent with the analytic restrictions mentioned above.

Aging behavior in Cu-Al-Be shape memory alloy

This article reports positron annihilation spectroscopy and calorimetric measurements of the aging behavior in a Cu¿Al¿Be shape memory alloy. An excess of single vacancies is retained in the alloy as a result of a quench. All vacancies in excess disappear after long aging time, and a migration energy EM = 1.0±0.1 eV for this process has been found to be larger than in other Cu-based shape memory alloys. The good correlation found for the concentration of vacancies and the shift in the martensitic transition temperature demonstrates that, in Cu¿Al¿Be, changes in the transition after a quench are deeply related to the excess of vacancies.

Origin of the neutron skin thickness of 208Pb in nuclear mean-field models

We study whether the neutron skin thickness Δrnp of 208Pb originates from the bulk or from the surface of the nucleon density distributions, according to the mean-field models of nuclear structure, and find that it depends on the stiffness of the nuclear symmetry energy. The bulk contribution to Δrnp arises from an extended sharp radius of neutrons, whereas the surface contribution arises from different widths of the neutron and proton surfaces. Nuclear models where the symmetry energy is stiff, as typical of relativistic models, predict a bulk contribution in Δrnp of 208Pb about twice as large as the surface contribution. In contrast, models with a soft symmetry energy like common nonrelativistic models predict that Δrnp of 208Pb is divided similarly into bulk and surface parts. Indeed, if the symmetry energy is supersoft, the surface contribution becomes dominant. We note that the linear correlation of Δrnp of 208Pb with the density derivative of the nuclear symmetry energy arises from the bulk part of Δrnp. We also note that most models predict a mixed-type (between halo and skin) neutron distribution for 208Pb. Although the halo-type limit is actually found in the models with a supersoft symmetry energy, the skin-type limit is not supported by any mean-field model. Finally, we compute parity-violating electron scattering in the conditions of the 208Pb parity radius experiment (PREX) and obtain a pocket formula for the parity-violating asymmetry in terms of the parameters that characterize the shape of the 208Pb nucleon densities.

Reconfigurable beams with arbitrary polarization and shape distributions at a given plane

Methods for generating beams with arbitrary polarization based on the use of liquid crystal displays have recently attracted interest from a wide range of sources. In this paper we present a technique for generating beams with arbitrary polarization and shape distributions at a given plane using a Mach-Zehnder setup. The transverse components of the incident beam are processed independently by means of spatial light modulators placed in each path of the interferometer. The modulators display computer generated holograms designed to dynamically encode any amplitude value and polarization state for each point of the wavefront in a given plane. The steps required to design such beams are described in detail. Several beams performing different polarization and intensity landscapes have been experimentally implemented. The results obtained demonstrate the capability of the proposed technique to tailor the amplitude and polarization of the beam simultaneously.

Surface characterization techniques for determining the root-mean-square roughness and power spectral densities of optical components

Surface topography and light scattering were measured on 15 samples ranging from those having smooth surfaces to others with ground surfaces. The measurement techniques included an atomic force microscope, mechanical and optical profilers, confocal laser scanning microscope, angle-resolved scattering, and total scattering. The samples included polished and ground fused silica, silicon carbide, sapphire, electroplated gold, and diamond-turned brass. The measurement instruments and techniques had different surface spatial wavelength band limits, so the measured roughnesses were not directly comparable. Two-dimensional power spectral density (PSD) functions were calculated from the digitized measurement data, and we obtained rms roughnesses by integrating areas under the PSD curves between fixed upper and lower band limits. In this way, roughnesses measured with different instruments and techniques could be directly compared. Although smaller differences between measurement techniques remained in the calculated roughnesses, these could be explained mostly by surface topographical features such as isolated particles that affected the instruments in different ways.

In situ fast ellipsometric analysis of repetitive surface phenomena

We present an ellipsometric technique and ellipsometric analysis of repetitive phenomena, based on the experimental arrangement of conventional phase modulated ellipsometers (PME) c onceived to study fast surface phenomena in repetitive processes such as periodic and triggered experiments. Phase modulated ellipsometry is a highly sensitive surface characterization technique that is widely used in the real-time study of several processes such as thin film deposition and etching. However, fast transient phenomena cannot be analyzed with this technique because precision requirements limit the data acquisition rate to about 25 Hz. The presented new ellipsometric method allows the study of fast transient phenomena in repetitive processes with a time resolution that is mainly limited by the data acquisition system. As an example, we apply this new method to the study of surface changes during plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of amorphous silicon in a modulated radio frequency discharge of SiH4. This study has revealed the evolution of the optical parameters of the film on the millisecond scale during the plasma on and off periods. The presented ellipsometric method extends the capabilities of PME arrangements and permits the analysis of fast surface phenomena that conventional PME cannot achieve.

Design of surface forces apparatus for tribology studies combined with nonlinear optical spectroscopy

We describe the design, calibration, and performance of surface forces apparatus with the capability of illumination of the contact interface for spectroscopic investigation using optical techniques. The apparatus can be placed in the path of a Nd-YAG laser for studies of the linear response or the second harmonic and sum-frequency generation from a material confined between the two surfaces. In addition to the standard fringes of equal chromatic order technique, which we have digitized for accurate and fast analysis, the distance of separation can be measured with a fiber-optic interferometer during spectroscopic measurements (2 Å resolution and 10 ms response time). The sample approach is accomplished through application of a motor drive, piezoelectric actuator, or electromagnetic lever deflection for variable degrees of range, sensitivity, and response time. To demonstrate the operation of the instrument, the stepwise expulsion of discrete layers of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane from the contact is shown. Lateral forces may also be studied by using piezoelectric bimorphs to induce and direct the motion of one surface.

Magnetoelasticity and magnetoresistance in Cu-Al-Mn shape-memory alloys

We study the effect of a magnetic field on the martensitic transition of a Cu-Al-Mn shape-memory alloy. The martensitic transition has been studied through resistance measurements under applied magnetic fields ranging from 0 to 50 kOe. Negative magnetoresistance showing an almost linear dependence with the square of the magnetization has been observed. This magnetoresistive effect is associated with the existence of small ferromagnetic Mn-clusters. Its strength and thermal dependence is different in both phases. The martensitic transition temperature is slightly increased and its spread in temperature significantly reduced upon increasing the field. These results show the existence of magnetoelastic coupling, which favors the nucleation of those martensitic variants with the easy magnetization axis aligned with the field.