Distinct nonequilibrium plasma chemistry of C2 affecting the synthesis of nanodiamond thin films from C2H2 (1%)/H2/Ar-rich plasmas

6 pages, 5 figures, 6 tables.We show that the concentrations of the species C2 (X 1Σg+), C2 (a 3Πu), and C2H exhibit a significant increase when the argon content grows up to 95% in medium pressure (0.75 Torr) radio frequency (rf) (13.56 MHz) produced C2H2 (1%)/H2/Ar plasmas of interest for the synthesis of nanodiamond thin films within plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition devices. In contrast, the concentrations of CH3 and C2H2 remain practically constant. The latter results have been obtained with an improved quasianalytic space–time-averaged kinetic model that, in addition, has allowed us to identify and quantify the relative importance of the different underlying mechanisms driving the nonequilibrium plasma chemistry of C2. The results presented here are in agreement with recent experimental results from rf CH4/H2/Ar-rich plasmas and suggest that the growth of nanodiamond thin films from hydrocarbon/Ar-rich plasmas is very sensitive to the contribution of C2 and C2H species from the plasma.This work was partially funded by CICYT (Spain) under a Ramón y Cajal project and under Project No. TIC2002- 03235. One of the authors (F.J.G.V.) acknowledges a Ramón y Cajal contract from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology (MCYT). One of the authors (J.M.A.) acknowledges partial support from CICYT (Spain) under Project No. MAT 2002-04085-C02-02.Peer reviewe

A comparison of methods to assess the resistance of reinforcing steel against chloride-induced corrosion in concrete-Particular consideration of 12% chromium steel

The critical chloride content C-crit is an indicator of the corrosion resistance of reinforcing steels in concrete. In this article, several experimental methods for determining the critical chloride content C-crit of mild and alloyed (12% Cr) steel in cementitious materials are compared. The methods used include accelerated polarization tests and tests employing more natural (unpolarized) conditions in which chloride ingress occurs by diffusion and capillary uptake. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods are discussed, in particular, against the objective of reaching a compromise between applicability to practice and feasibility in laboratory testing.ISSN:0947-5117ISSN:0043-2822ISSN:1521-417