Atomic Jump Frequencies in Intermetallic Compounds Studied Using Perturbed Angular Correlation of Gamma Rays

Atomic jump frequencies were determined in a variety of intermetallic compounds through analysis of nuclear relaxation of spectra measured using the nuclear hyperfine technique, perturbed angular correlation (PAC) of gamma rays. Observed at higher temperatures, this relaxation is attributed to fluctuations in the orientation or magnitude of electric field gradients (EFG) at nuclei of 111In/Cd probe atoms as the atoms make diffusive jumps. Jump frequencies were obtained by fitting dynamically relaxed PAC spectra using either an empirical relaxation function or using ab initio relaxation models created using the program PolyPacFit. Jump frequency activation enthalpies were determined from measurements over a range of temperatures.Diffusion was studied in the following systems:1) Pseudo-binary alloys having the L12 crystal structure such as In3(La1-xPrx). The goal was to see how jump frequencies were affected by random disorder.2) The family of layered phases, LanCoIn3n+2 (n=0,1,2,3c). The goal was to see how jump frequencies varied with the spacing of Co layers, which were found to block diffusion.3) Phases having the FeGa3 structure. The goal was to analyze dynamical relaxation for probe atoms having multiple inequivalent jump vectors.4) Phases having the tetragonal Al4Ba structure. The goal was to search for effects in the PAC spectra caused by fluctuations in magnitudes of EFGs without fluctuations in orientations.Ab initio relaxation models were developed to simulate and fit dynamical relaxation for PAC spectra of FeGa3, and several phases with the Al4Ba structure in order to determine underlying microscopic jump frequencies. In the course of this work, site preferences also were observed for 111In/Cd probe atoms in several FeGa3 and Al4Ba phases

Atom jump frequencies of probe atoms in tin compounds

National Science Foundation grant DMR 90-04096 (Metals Program) Washington State University Department of PhysicsYin, X., Newhouse, R. and Collins, G. S. (2010, March 26). Atom jump frequencies of probe atoms in tin compounds. Poster presented at the Washington State University Academic Showcase, Pullman, WA