Strain-controlled correlation effects in self-assembled quantum dot stacks

We show that elastic interactions of an array of self-assembled quantum dots in a parent material matrix are markedly distinct from the elastic field created by a single point defect, and can explain the observed abrupt correlation--anticorrelation transition in semiconductor quantum dot stacks. Finite volume effects of the quantum dots are shown to lead to sharper transitions. Our analysis also predicts the inclination angle under which the alignment in successive quantum dot layers occurs in dependence on the material anisotropy

Phase field simulations of coupled phase transformations in ferroelastic-ferroelastic nanocomposites

We use phase field simulations to study composites made of two different ferroelastics (e.g., two types of martensite). The deformation of one material due to a phase transformation can elastically affect the other constituent and induce it to transform as well. We show that the phase transformation can then occur above its normal critical temperature and even higher above this temperature in nanocomposites than in bulk composites. Microstructures depend on temperature, on the thickness of the layers, and on the crystal structure of the two constituents -- certain nanocomposites exhibit a great diversity of microstructures not found in bulk composites. Also, the periodicity of the martensite twins may vary over 1 order of magnitude based on geometry. keywords: Ginzburg-Landau, martensitic transformation, multi-ferroics, nanostructure, shape-memory alloyComment: 8 pages, 15 figure

Dynamics of mesoscopic precipitate lattices in phase separating alloys under external load

We investigate, via three-dimensional atomistic computer simulations, phase separation in an alloy under external load. A regular two-dimensional array of cylindrical precipitates, forming a mesoscopic precipitate lattice, evolves in the case of applied tensile stress by the movement of mesoscopic lattice defects. A striking similarity to ordinary crystals is found in the movement of "meso-dislocations", but new mechanisms are also observed. Point defects such as "meso-vacancies" or "meso-interstitials" are created or annihilated locally by merging and splitting of precipitates. When the system is subjected to compressive stress, we observe stacking faults in the mesoscopic one-dimensional array of plate-like precipitates.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, REVTE

Mesoscale Interfacial Dynamics in Magnetoelectric Nanocomposites

Theory and modeling of chessboard-like self-assembling of vertically aligned columnar nanostructures in films has been developed. By means of modeling and three-dimensional computational simulations, we proposed a novel self-assembly process that can produce good chessboard nanostructure architectures through a pseudo-spinodal decomposition of an epitaxial film under optimal thermodynamic and crystallographic conditions (appropriate choice of the temperature, composition of the film, and crystal lattice parameters of the film and substrate). These conditions are formulated. The obtained results have been published on Nano Letters. Based on the principles of the formation of chessboard nanostructured films, we are currently trying to find good decomposing material systems that satisfy the optimal conditions to produce the chessboard nanostructure architecture. In addition we are under way doing 'computer experiments' to look for the appropriate materials with the chessboard columnar nanostructures, as a potential candidate for engineering of optical devices, high-efficiency multiferroics, and high-density magnetic perpendicular recording media. We are also currently to investigate the magnetoelectric response of multiferroic chessboard nanostructures under applied electric/magnetic fields. A unified 3-dimensional phase field theory of the strain-mediated magnetoelectric effect in magnetoelectric composites is developed. The theory is based on the established equivalency paradigm: we proved that by using a variational priciple the exact values of the electric, magnetic and strain fields in a magnetoelectric composite of arbitrary morphology and their coupled magneto-electric-mechanical response can be evaluated by considering an equivalent homogeneous system with the specially chosen effective eigenstrain, polarization and magnetization. These equivalency parameters are spatially inhomogeneous fields, which are obtained by solving the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations. The paper summarizing these results is to be submitted to JAP. We are currently using the computational model based on the unified phase field theory to predict the local and overall response of the magnetoelectric composites with arbitrary configuration under applied fields, and to find the optimal composite microstructure that produces the strongest ME coupling. We have developed modeling and simulations to support Dr. S. Pryia efforts to produce the strongest ME coupling by searching the optimal configuration of applied electric/magnetic fields, and microstructure of polycrystalline multiferroics. An analytical model demonstrates that the optimization of a magnetoelectric (ME) coupling of a laminar magnetic/piezoelectric polycrystalline composite could be obtained by a proper choice of the magnetic and electric poling directions and the directions of the applied a.c. fields. The results have been published on JAP. Our next step is to determine the domain of optimal parameters and configurations by using our optimization theory and computational modeling

Phase transition in compressible Ising systems at fixed volume

Using a Ginzburg-Landau model, we study the phase transition behavior of compressible Ising systems at constant volume by varying the temperature $T$ and the applied magnetic field $h$. We show that two phases can coexist macroscopically in equilibrium within a closed region in the $T$-$h$ plane. It occurence is favored near tricriticality. We find a field-induced critical point, where the correlation length diverges, the difference of the coexisting two phases and the surface tension vanish, but the isothermal magnetic susceptibility does not diverge in the mean field theory. We also investigate phase ordering numerically.Comment: 13 figure

Elastic domains in antiferromagnets

We consider periodic domain structures which appear due to the magnetoelastic interaction if the antiferromagnetic crystal is attached to an elastic substrate. The peculiar behavior of such structures in an external magnetic field is discussed. In particular, we find the magnetic field dependence of the equilibrium period and the concentrations of different domains

One Dimensional Oxygen Ordering in YBa2Cu3O(7-delta)

A model consisting of oxygen-occupied and -vacant chains is considered, with repulsive first and second nearest-neighbor interactions V1 and V2, respectively. The statistical mechanics and the diffraction spectrum of the model is solved exactly and analytically with the only assumption V1 >> V2. At temperatures T ~ V1 only a broad maximum at (1/2,0,0) is present, while for ABS(delta - 1/2) > 1/14 at low enough T, the peak splits into two. The simple expression for the diffraction intensity obtained for T << V1 represents in a more compact form previous results of Khachaturyan and Morris[1],extends them to all delta and T/V2 and leads to a good agreement with experiment. [1] A.G.Khachaturyan and J.W.Morris, Jr., Phys.Rev.Lett. 64,76(1990)Comment: 13 pages,Revtex,3 figures available upon request but can be plotted using simple analytical functions,CNEA-CAB 92/04

From nonlinear to linearized elasticity via Γ-convergence: the case of multiwell energies satisfying weak coercivity conditions

Linearized elasticity models are derived, via Γ-convergence, from suitably rescaled non- linear energies when the corresponding energy densities have a multiwell structure and satisfy a weak coercivity condition, in the sense that the typical quadratic bound from below is replaced by a weaker p bound, 1 < p < 2, away from the wells. This study is motivated by, and our results are applied to, energies arising in the modeling of nematic elastomers