Physical properties of single-crystalline fibers of the colossal-magnetoresistance manganite La0.7Ca0.3MnO3

We have grown high-quality single crystals of the colossal-magnetoresistance (CMR) material La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 by using the laser heated pedestal growth (LHPG) method. Samples were grown as fibers of different diameters, and with lengths of the order of centimeters. Their composition and structure were verified through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microcopy with EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis) and by Rietveld analysis. The quality of the crystalline fibers was confirmed by Laue and EBSD (Electron Backscatter Diffraction) patterns. Rocking curves performed along the fiber axis revealed a half-height width of 0.073 degrees. The CMR behavior was confirmed by electrical resistivity and magnetization measurements as a function of temperature.Comment: 11 pages (including 3 figures); to appear in Appl. Phys. Let

Bidimensional codes recorded on an oxide glass surface using a continuous wave CO(2) laser

Surface heat treatment in glasses and ceramics, using CO(2) lasers, has attracted the attention of several researchers around the world due to its impact in technological applications, such as lab-on-a-chip devices, diffraction gratings and microlenses. Microlens fabrication on a glass surface has been studied mainly due to its importance in optical devices (fiber coupling, CCD signal enhancement, etc). The goal of this work is to present a systematic study of the conditions for microlens fabrications, along with the viability of using microlens arrays, recorded on the glass surface, as bidimensional codes for product identification. This would allow the production of codes without any residues (like the fine powder generated by laser ablation) and resistance to an aggressive environment, such as sterilization processes. The microlens arrays were fabricated using a continuous wave CO(2) laser, focused on the surface of flat commercial soda-lime silicate glass substrates. The fabrication conditions were studied based on laser power, heating time and microlens profiles. A He-Ne laser was used as a light source in a qualitative experiment to test the viability of using the microlenses as bidimensional codes.FAPESPCNP

Microstructural, structural and optical properties of nanoparticles of PbO-CrO3 pigment synthesized by a soft route

PbCrO4 and Pb2CrO5 particles were synthesized by the polymeric precursor method. Structural and microstructural properties of the particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy with field emission gun, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The diffuse reflectance technique was employed to study the optical properties in the 400-700 nm range. The optical bandgap of the samples was obtained indirectly. Colorimetric coordinates L*, a*, b* were calculated for the pigment powders as a function of the heat treatment (400-700 ºC). The powders displayed colors ranging from green to red. X-ray diffraction patterns showed the presence of monoclinic PbCrO4 phase in green samples, while red powders had a monoclinic Pb2CrO5 phase structure. The Raman spectra of the PbCrO4 and Pb2CrO5 powders were in good agreement with those reported in the literature. The synthesized compounds can be used as green and red pigments with high thermal stability

Microwave dielectric relaxation process in doped-incipient ferroelectrics

Abstract The electrical permittivity properties in the microwave frequency range were investigated in the incipient and relaxor compositions of Sr 1-x Ca x TiO 3 ceramics from 60 K to 440 K. The results revealed that the origin of microwave dielectric relaxation process lies in the appearance of nanometric polar regions rather than any other ferroelectric or piezoelectric mechanism. The experimental data also showed that the relaxation frequency of such process may be associated with the presence and vibration of the boundaries of nano-sized polar regions, which persist up to the Burns temperature. The influence of frozen dipole moment connected with the grain boundaries on the formation of nano-sized polar regions and its relationship with the microwave dielectric relaxation process is also discussed

Brittle and ductile removal modes observed during diamond turning of carbon nanotube composites

Ultraprecision diamond turning was used to evaluate the surface integrity of a carbon nanotube (CNT) composite as a function of the cutting conditions and the percentage of CNT in the epoxy matrix. The effects of cutting conditions on the chip morphology and surface roughness were analysed. The results showed that an increase in the percentage of CNT may influence the mechanism of material removal and consequently improve the quality of the machined surface. When smaller quantities of CNT (0.02 and 0.07 wt %) are present in the matrix, microcracks form within the cutting grooves (perpendicular to the cutting direction). This indicates that the amount of CNT on the epoxy matrix may have a direct influence on the mechanical properties of these materials. Chips removed from the CNT composite samples were analysed by scanning electron microscopy in order to correlate the material removal mechanism and the surface generation process. The area average surface roughness Sa was influenced by the material removal mechanism (Sa ranging from 0.28 to 1.1 mu m)

Sinterização ultra-rápida de materiais cerâmicos usando radiação laser Ultra-fast laser sintering of ceramic materials

Nessa comunicação apresentamos nossos primeiros resultados de sinterização ultra-rápida em materiais cerâmicos óxidos usando a radiação de um laser de CO2 como fonte de aquecimento. Os compostos Bi4Ti3O12 (BIT) e Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) foram sintetizados via reação do estado sólido, conformados em corpos cerâmicos cilíndricos de 12 mm de diâmetro e 2 mm de espessura e, posteriormente, levados ao laser para o processo de sinterização. A análise dos pós reagidos, efetuada por difratometria de raios X, confirmou a presença de fase cristalina única em cada um dos sistemas investigados. A potência máxima do laser necessária para a sinterização apresentou forte dependência com a estratégia usada na irradiação. A análise da microestrutura, realizada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), revelou um alto grau de eficiência do processo desenvolvido. Em alguns casos, pudemos verificar que a sinterização ocorreu a uma profundidade de até 1 mm, apontando para a viabilidade de obtenção de corpos cerâmicos sinterizados como um todo.<br>In this communication we present our first results on ultra-fast laser sintering of oxide ceramics employing a CO2 laser as the heating source. The Bi4Ti3O12 (BIT) and Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) compounds were synthesized following a solid state route in air atmosphere. Cylindrical ceramic bodies with 12 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness were shaped and sintered under laser irradiation. The X-ray diffraction of the calcined powders confirmed the presence of single phase in each of the investigated systems. The maximum laser power required to the sintering process showed to have a strong dependency on the strategy used for irradiation. The microstructure analysis of the samples, performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealed the high efficiency of the process. In some cases we could verify that the sintering occurred until a depth of 1mm, indicating the feasibility of obtaining the ceramic bodies sintered as a whole