Periodic nanovoid structures via femtosecond laser irradiation

We have observed periodically aligned nanovoid structures inside a conventional borosilicate glass induced by a single femtosecond (fs) laser beam for the first time, to our knowledge. The spherical voids of nanosized diameter were aligned spontaneously with a period along the propagation direction of the laser beam. The period, the number of voids, and the whole length of the aligned void structure were controlled by changing the laser power, the pulse number, and the position of the focal point.

Three-dimensional micro- and nano-fabrication in transparent materials by femtosecond laser

Femtosecond pulsed lasers have been widely used for materials microprocessing. Due to their ultrashort pulse width and ultrahigh light intensity, the process is generally characterized by the nonthermal diffusion process. We observed various induced microstructures such as refractive-index-changed structures, color center defects, microvoids and microcracks in transparent materials (e.g., glasses after the femtosecond laser irradiation), and discussed the possible applications of the microstructures in the fabrication of various micro optical devices [e.g., optical waveguides, microgratings, microlenses, fiber attenuators, and three-dimensional (3D) optical memory]. In this paper, we review our recent research developments on single femtosecond-laser-induced nanostructures. We introduce the space-selective valence state manipulation of active ions, precipitation and control of metal nanoparticles and light polarization-dependent permanent nanostructures, and discuss the mechanisms and possible applications of the observed phenomena.

飞秒激光脉冲照射诱导含芴结构树脂共聚物结构变化及机理的研究

在室温下用聚焦的飞秒激光照射高折射率、低双折射的透明含芴结构树脂-对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯(PET)共聚物，探索飞秒激光制备高分子光学功能微结构的可能性。通过紫外-可见吸收光谱、红外光谱、电子自旋共振谱、光学显微镜、扫描电镜及透射电镜等分析手段，对该材料在飞秒激光照射后的结构变化及机理进行研究。结果发现：含芴结构树脂共聚物在飞秒激光照射后产生化学键断裂，生成未成对电子，并形成无定形碳；照射区在可见光区域的吸收增强；随激光能量密度的减少在激光会聚点附近诱导结构由慧尾状向单一细丝转变。演示了三维着色内雕。

飞秒激光相干场诱导材料功能微结构

飞秒激光在整个脉冲宽度内具有极好的相干性，因而当从同一光束分出的两束或两束以上的光束时间与空间上实现相互叠加时将会形成强度周期性调制的电磁场．这种周期调制的电磁场与材料产生相互作用，能诱导出相应的周期微结构．最近通过两束或两束以上飞秒激光干涉诱导功能微结构得到了广泛研究．文章综合了国内外飞秒激光研究小组在干涉诱导微结构方面的一些最新成果以及作者在这方面开展的工作，对飞秒激光干涉技术的原理及其在诱导微结构方面的应用进行了介绍．

光波在具有柱状结构的双折射薄膜中的传输特性

根据电磁场理论的矩阵分析方法推导了光波在具有柱状结构的双轴薄膜中的反射系数、透射系数和相位关系等光学特性。这些关系包含了界面处的多点反射，可以推广到一般的各向异性的多层膜系统。给出了各向同性入射媒质一双轴各向异性膜层一各向同性基底薄膜系统的计算结果，验证了该计算方法的可行性，为双折射多层膜结构及其器件的理论分析和设计提供了理论参考。

退火对电子束热蒸发Al2O3薄膜性能影响的实验研究

用电子束热蒸发方法镀制了Al2O3材料的单层膜，对它们在空气中进行了250～400℃的高温退火。对样品的透射率光谱曲线进行了测量，计算了样品的消光系数、折射率和截止波长。通过X射线衍射仪(XRD)测量分析了薄膜的微观结构，采用表面轮廓仪测量了样品的表面均方根粗糙度。结果发现随着退火温度的提高光学损耗下降，薄膜结构在退火温度为400℃时仍然为无定形态，样品的表面粗糙度随退火温度的升高而增加。引起光学损耗下降起主导作用的是吸收而不是散射，吸收损耗的下降主要是由于退火使材料吸收空气中的氧而进一步氧化，从而使薄膜

Influence of deposition conditions on the microstructure of oxides thin films

Thin films of ZrO2, HfO2 and TiO2 were deposited on kinds of substrates by electron beam evaporation (EB), ion assisted deposition (IAD) and dual ion beam sputtering (DIBS). Then some of them were annealed at different temperatures. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was applied to determine the crystalline phase and the grain size of these films, and the results revealed that their microstructures strongly depended on the deposition conditions such as substrate, deposition temperature, deposition method and annealing temperature. Theory of crystal growth and migratory diffusion were applied to explain the difference of crystalline structures between these thin films deposited and treated under various conditions. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hot-pressed translucent aluminum oxynitride (AlON) ceramics

AlON with a composition of Al23O27N5 was prepared by hot pressing at temperatures lower than 1900°C. The microstructures and final properties, including both mechanical properties and optical properties, of the sintered specimens were studied. The results showed that sintering temperature had a great influence on the densification of specimens and could lead to very different properties, especially the optical transmittance and the maximum infrared transmission.

Biomimicking of natural cellular materials

The role that microstructure plays in the mechanical efficiency of natural cellular materials is examined here. The focus of this study is on elastic behaviour. Two natural materials with microstructures resistant to local bucking: plant stems and animal quills have also been examined.

A revision of growth parameters of some commercially exploited fishes from Mozambique

Data on age and growth of the following species were reviewed and von Bertalanffy's growth curves were fitted: Hilsa kelee, Decapterus russellii, D. macrosoma, Rastrelliger kanagurta, Pellona ditchela, Thryssa vitrirostris and Leiognathus equulus. For the five first species, microstructures in the otoliths were used for ageing. For most species growth curves based on size-frequency distributions are also presented. The reliability of the data presented is discussed.

Laser micromachining of sputtered DLC films

DLC films with different thicknesses (from 100 nm to 1.9 μm) were deposited using sputtering of graphite target in pure argon atmosphere without substrate heating. Film microstructures (sp2/sp3 ratio) and mechanical properties (modulus, hardness, stress) were characterized as a function of film thickness. A thin layer of aluminum about 60 nm was deposited on the DLC film surface. Laser micromachining of Al/DLC layer was performed to form microcantilever structures, which were released using a reactive ion etching system with SF6 plasma. Due to the intrinsic stress in DLC films and bimorph Al/DLC structure, the microcantilevers bent up with different curvatures. For DLC film of 100 nm thick, the cantilever even formed microtubes. The relationship between the bimorph beam bending and DLC film properties (such as stress, modulus, etc.) were discussed in details. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Superconducting properties of Gd-Ba-Cu-O single grains processed from a new, Ba-rich precursor compound

Gd-Ba-Cu-O (GdBCO) single grains have been previously melt-processed successfully in air using a generic Mg-Nd-Ba-Cu-O (Mg-NdBCO) seed crystal. Previous research has revealed that the addition of a small amount of BaO 2 to the precursor powders prior to melt processing can suppress the formation of Gd/Ba solid solution, and lead to a significant improvement in superconducting properties of the single grains. Research into the effects of a higher Ba content on single grain growth, however, has been limited by the relatively small grain size in the earlier studies. This has been addressed by developing Ba-rich precursor compounds Gd-163 and Gd-143, fabricated specifically to enable the presence of greater concentrations of Ba during the melt process. In this study, we propose a new processing route for the fabrication of high performance GdBCO single grain bulk superconductors in air by enriching the precursor powder with these new Ba rich compounds. The influence of the addition of the new compounds on the microstructures and superconducting properties of GdBCO single grains is reported. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Durability study of eleven years old cement-bentonite cut-off wall material

Comprehensive understanding of the long-term performance of cement-bentonite slurry trench cut-off walls is essential as these mixes may degrade when exposed to aggressive environments or when subjected to prolonged drying. A series of wetting-drying and immersion experiments was carried out to evaluate the durability characteristics of laboratory mixed samples and block field samples from 40 days to 11 years of age. For the wetting-drying tests, the samples buried in medium graded sand were subjected to periodical flooding and drying cycles. They were then used for permeability testing and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) testing. For the immersion tests, the samples confined in perforated molds were submerged in magnesium sulfate solution for 16 weeks and their microstructures were then analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. This paper identifies the effects of contaminant exposure on durability of cement-bentonite and the effects of aging by comparing 11 years old samples to younger samples. Test results showed that young or previously contaminated cement-bentonite mixes are more susceptible to sulfate attack than old or less contaminated mixes. Copyright ASCE 2008.

Microstructure and superconducting properties of single grains of Y-Ba-Cu-O containing Y-2411(M) and Y2O3

Y-Ba-Cu-O (YBCO) single grains have the potential to generate large trapped magnetic fields for engineering applications, and research on the processing and properties of this material has attracted interest world-wide over the past 20 years. In particular, the introduction of flux pinning centers to the large grain microstructure to improve its current density Jc, and hence trapped field, has been investigated extensively. Y2Ba 4CuMO2 [Y-2411(M)], where M = Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Ru, Zr, Bi and Ag, has been discovered recently to form very effective flux pinning centers due primarily to its ability to form nano-size inclusions in the superconducting phase matrix. However, the addition of the Y-2411(M) phase to the precursor composition complicates the melt-processing of single grains. The addition of Y2O3 to the precursor composition, however, broadens the growth window of single YBCO grains containing Y-2411 (M). We report an investigation of the microstructures and superconducting properties of single grains of this composition grown by top seeded melt growth (TSMG). © 2010 IEEE.