Hydrogen gas sensing properties of Pt/Ta2O5 Schottky diodes based on Si and SiC substrates

We developed Pt/tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) Schottky diodes for hydrogen sensing applications. Thin layer (4 nm) of Ta2O5 was deposited on silicon (Si) and silicon carbide (SiC) substrates using the radio frequency sputtering technique. We compared the performance of these sensors at different temperatures of 100 °C and 150 °C. At these operating temperatures, the sensor based on SiC exhibited a larger sensitivity, whilst the sensor based on Si exhibited a faster response toward hydrogen gas. We discussed herein, the experimental results obtained for these Pt/Ta2O5 based Schottky diodes exhibited that they are promising candidates for hydrogen sensing applications.

Effect of elemental composition and size on electron confinement in self-assembled SiC quantum dots : a combinatorial approach

A high level of control over quantum dot (QD) properties such as size and composition during fabrication is required to precisely tune the eventual electronic properties of the QD. Nanoscale synthesis efforts and theoretical studies of electronic properties are traditionally treated quite separately. In this paper, a combinatorial approach has been taken to relate the process synthesis parameters and the electron confinement properties of the QDs. First, hybrid numerical calculations with different influx parameters for Si1-x Cx QDs were carried out to simulate the changes in carbon content x and size. Second, the ionization energy theory was applied to understand the electronic properties of Si1-x Cx QDs. Third, stoichiometric (x=0.5) silicon carbide QDs were grown by means of inductively coupled plasma-assisted rf magnetron sputtering. Finally, the effect of QD size and elemental composition were then incorporated in the ionization energy theory to explain the evolution of the Si1-x Cx photoluminescence spectra. These results are important for the development of deterministic synthesis approaches of self-assembled nanoscale quantum confinement structures.

Low-temperature PECVD of nanodevice-Grade nc-3C-SiC

In this work, we report a plasma-based synthesis of nanodevice-grade nc-3C-SiC films, with very high growth rates (7-9 nm min-1) at low and ULSI technology-compatible process temperatures (400-550 °C), featuring: (i) high nanocrystalline fraction (67% at 550 °C); (ii) good chemical purity; (iii) excellent stoichiometry throughout the entire film; (iv) wide optical band gap (3.22-3.71 eV); (v) refractive index close to that of single-crystalline 3C-SiC, and; (vi) clear, uniform, and defect-free Si-SiC interface. The counter-intuitive low SiC hydrogenation in a H2-rich plasma process is explained by hydrogen atom desorption-mediated crystallization.

Epitaxial graphene growth on 3C SiC by Si sublimation in UHV

This thesis is a step forward in understanding the growth of graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms, by annealing Silicon Carbide (SiC) thin films in Ultra High Vacuum. The research lead to the discovery that the details of the transition from SiC to graphene, providing, for the first time, atomic resolution images of the different stages of the transformation and a model of the growth. The epitaxial growth of graphene developed by this study is a cost effective procedure to obtain this material directly on Si chips, a breakthrough for the future electronic industry.

Growth of tin oxide single crystals in porcelain tunnel kilns

Single crystals of tin oxide have been grown under conditions obtained in oil fired porcelain tunnel kilns. It was noted that the reducing conditions in the kilns help in the growth of SnO2 crystals at much lower temperatures (1300°C). The growth seems to more pronounced in presence of silicon carbide. The crystals grow as long fibres of 0.1 to 0.5 mm dia. and 10 to 50 mm length. The crystals exhibit rutile structure and the direction of growth seems to be favoured in any one of the major axes a and c.

A simple triggered vacuum gap

A simple triggered vacuum gap has previously been described by the authors in this journal (see ibid., vol.5, 415, 1972). Further studies have resulted in improvement of the performance with regard to sensitivity and consistency of the trigger characteristics and immunity from bridging due to metal particles eroded from the arc. The earlier design suffered from rather frequent bridging of the auxiliary gap and showed rather wide scatter in its trigger characteristics. In the present design thermally stable materials like fused quartz, machinable ceramic 'Supramica 500' (Mycalex Corporation of America), lead titanate, barium titanate (LCC HTD) and silicon carbide have been used to insulate the trigger electrode from the cathode. Consistent triggerings free from bridging, at relatively low voltages of 200-400 V have been obtained.

Delay characteristics of a simple triggered vacuum gap

Firing delays of a simple triggered vacuum gap are reported in this paper. The effects of insulating materials in the auxiliary gap, auxiliary gap current, main gap current and electrode separation on the delay have been investigated. The presence of insulating material in the auxiliary gap having low auxiliary gap resistance appears to exhibit large delay. Delay decreases considerably with increase of current in the auxiliary and the main gaps, but it increases with increase of electrode separation. The scatter in the delay is less than 25 ps and 500 ps with supramica (Mycalex Corporation of America) and silicon carbide respectively at lower values of auxiliary gap current and it becomes negligible for supramica at auxiliary gap currents greater than 6A. This investigation appears to indicate that the simple device can be used as a fast switch.

Low-voltage and high-current delay characteristics of a simple triggered vacuum gap

Low-voltage and high-current switching delay characteristics of a simple triggered vacuum gap (TVG) are described using lead zirconate titanate as the dielectric material in the auxiliary gap. This TVG has superior performance at high currents (up to 14 kA was studied) with regard to delay, reliable firing and extended life as compared to the one using either supramica or silicon carbide. The total delay consists of three intervals: to break down the auxiliary gap, to propagate the trigger plasma and to break down the main gap. The data on the influence of the various parameters like the trigger voltage, current, energy and the main circuit energy are given. It has been found that the delay due to the first two intervals is small compared to the third.

Thermal properties and thermal shock resistance of γ-Y 2Si2O7

Thermal properties, namely, Debye temperature, thermal expansion coefficient, heat capacity, and thermal conductivity of γ-Y 2Si2O7, a high-temperature polymorph of yttrium disilicate, were investigated. The anisotropic thermal expansions of γ-Y2Si2O7 powders were examined using high-temperature X-ray diffractometer from 300 to 1373 K and the volumetric thermal expansion coefficient is (6.68±0.35) × 10-6 K-1. The linear thermal expansion coefficient of polycrystalline γ-Y2Si2O7 determined by push-rod dilatometer is (3.90±0.4) × 10-6 K-1, being very close to that of silicon nitride and silicon carbide. Besides, γ-Y2Si2O7 displays a low-thermal conductivity, with a κ value measured below 3.0 W·(m·K) -1 at the temperatures above 600 K. The calculated minimum thermal conductivity, κmin, was 1.35 W·(m·K) -1. The unique combination of low thermal expansion coefficient and low-thermal conductivity of γ-Y2Si2O7 renders it a very competitive candidate material for high temperature structural components and environmental/thermal-barrier coatings. The thermal shock resistance of γ-Y2Si2O7 was estimated by quenching dense materials in water from various temperatures and the critical temperature difference, ΔTc, was determined to be 300 K.

Investigations on the influence of graphite filler on dry sliding wear and abrasive wear behaviour of carbon fabric reinforced epoxy composites

In this experimental study, the dry sliding wear and two-body abrasive wear behaviour of graphite filled carbon fabric reinforced epoxy composites were investigated. Carbon fabric reinforced epoxy composite was used as a reference material. Sliding wear experiments were conducted using a pin-on-disc wear tester under dry contact condition. Mass loss was determined as a function of sliding velocity for loads of 25, 50, 75, and 100 N at a constant sliding distance of 6000 m. Two-body abrasive wear experiments were performed under multi-pass condition using silicon carbide (SiC) of 150 and 320 grit abrasive papers. The effects of abrading distance and different loads have been studied. Abrasive wear volume and specific wear rate as a function of applied normal load and abrading distance were also determined. The results show that in dry sliding wear situations, for increased load and sliding velocity, higher wear loss was recorded. The excellent wear characteristics were obtained with carbon-epoxy containing graphite as filler. Especially, 10 wt.% of graphite in carbon-epoxy gave a low wear rate. A graphite surface film formed on the counterface was confirmed to be effective in improving the wear characteristics of graphite filled carbon-epoxy composites. In case of two-body abrasive wear, the wear volume increases with increasing load/abrading distance. Experimental results showed the type of counterface (hardened steel disc and SiC paper) material greatly influences the wear behaviour of the composites. Wear mechanisms of the composites were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Wear of carbon-epoxy composite was found to be mainly due to a microcracking and fiber fracture mechanisms. It was found that the microcracking mechanism had been caused by progressive surface damage. Further, it was also noticed that carbon-epoxy composite wear is reduced to a greater extent by addition of the graphite filler, in which wear was dominated by microplowing/microcutting mechanisms instead of microcracking.

Dry sliding wear of A356-Al-SiCp composites

Aluminium alloy (A356)-SiC composites containing 15 and 25 wt.% silicon carbide particles (average size 43 μm) were tested for sliding wear at different loads using a pin on disc machine. Composites exhibited better wear resistance compared with unreinforced alloy up to a pressure of 26 MPa. Scanning electron microscopy examination of worn surfaces and subsurfaces show that the presence of dispersed SiC particles help in reducing the propensity of material flow at the surface, at the same time leading to the formation of an iron-rich layer on the surface.

Processing map for hot working of powder

The constitutive flow behavior of a metal matrix composite (MMC) with 2124 aluminum containing 20 vol pct silicon carbide particulates under hot-working conditions in the temperature range of 300 °C to 550 °C and strain-rate range of 0.001 to 1 s-1 has been studied using hot compression testing. Processing maps depicting the variation of the efficiency of power dissipation given by [2m/(m + 1)] (wherem is the strain-rate sensitivity of flow stress) with temperature and strain rate have been established for the MMC as well as for the matrix material. The maps have been interpreted on the basis of the Dynamic Materials Model (DMM). [3] The MMC exhibited a domain of superplasticity in the temperature range of 450 °C to 550 °C and at strain rates less than 0.1 s-1. At 500 °C and 1 s-1 strain rate, the MMC undergoes dynamic recrystallization (DRX), resulting in a reconstitution of microstructure. In comparison with the map for the matrix material, the DRX domain occurred at a strain rate higher by three orders of magnitude. At temperatures lower than 400 °C, the MMC exhibited dynamic recovery, while at 550 °C and 1 s-1, cracking occurred at the prior particle boundaries (representing surfaces of the initial powder particles). The optimum temperature and strain-rate combination for billet conditioning of the MMC is 500 °C and 1 s-1, while secondary metalworking may be done in the super- plasticity domain. The MMC undergoes microstructural instability at temperatures lower than 400 °C and strain rates higher than 0.1 s-1.

The role of strain rate response in plane strain abrasion of metals

Titanium flats were scribed by silicon carbide wedges over ranges of temperatures and applied strains and with lubrication. The response of the material to scribing was noted by recording the coefficient of friction, the surface morphology of track and the subsurface deformation. Additional data were obtained from (1) uniaxial compression of titanium, (2) scribing of oxygen-free high conductivity copper and (3) scribing of aluminium under dry and lubricated conditions to analyse and explain the observed variation in response of titanium to scribing with strain, temperature and lubrication.

Studies on indentation fracture toughness on ceramic and ceramic composite using acoustic emission technique

This paper is aimed at investigating the acoustic emission activities during indentation toughness tests on an alumina based wear resistant ceramic and 25 wt% silicon carbide whisker (SIC,) reinforced alumina composite. It has been shown that the emitted acoustic emission signals characterize the crack growth during loading. and unloading cycles in an indentation test. The acoustic emission results indicate that in the case of the composite the amount of crack growth during unloading is higher than that of loading, while the reverse is true in case of the wear resistant ceramics. Acoustic emission activity observed in wear resistant ceramic is less than that in the case of composite. An attempt has been made to correlate the acoustic emission signals with crack growth during indentation test.

In situ synthesis of Al2O3-ZrO2-SiCW ceramic matrix composites by carbothermal reduction of natural silicates

In situ formations of Al2O3 + ZrO2 + SiCW ternary composite powders have been obtained by carbothermal reduction of a mixture of Sillimanite. Kaolin and Zircon using two different carbon sources. Products formed were mixtures of alumina and zirconia along with silicon carbide in the form of whiskers. The effects of composition of the reactants, the role of fineness of the starting precursors and the nature of the carbon Source on the final product powder obtained are presented. XRD and SEM analyses indicate complete reaction of the precursors to yield Al2O3 + ZrO2 + SiCW as product powders, with the SiC having whisker morphology. It is also seen that zirconia could be stabilised to some extent in the tetragonal form without any stabilising agent by tailoring the starting materials and their composition. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.