Evolution of magnetic domain structure of martensite in Ni–Mn–Ga films under the interplay of the temperature and magnetic field

Ferromagnetic shape memory Ni-Mn-Ga films with 7M modulated structure were prepared on MgO （001） substrates by magnetron sputtering. Magnetization process with a typical two-hysteresis loop indicates the occurrence of the reversible magnetic field-induced reorientation. Magnetic domain structure and twin structure of the film were controlled by the in- terplay of the magnetic and temperature field. With cooling under an out-of-plane magnetic field, the evolution of magnetic domain structure reveals that martensitic transformation could be divided into two periods： nucleation and growth. With an in-plane magnetic field applied to a thermomagnetic-treated film, the evolution of magnetic domain structure gives evidence of a reorientation of twin variants of martensite. A microstructural model is described to define the twin structure and to produce the magnetic domain structure at the beginning of martensitic transformation; based on this model, the relationship between the twin structure and the magnetic domain structure for the treated film under an in-plane field is also described.

Shape-induced phase transition of vortex domain structures in ferroelectric nanodots and their controllability by electrical and mechanical loads

Shape-induced phase transition of vortex domain structures （VDSs） in BaTiO3 （BT） nanodots under open circuit boundary condition have been investigated using an effective Hamiltonian method. Our calculation indicates the tetragonal VDS missing in cubic BT nanodots can be induced by varying the shape of a nanodot from cube to platelet. Interestingly, a novel VDS is found in BT nanoplatelets in our simulations. Further investigation shows that it is a result of compromise between the ground state and the symmetry of the shape of the nanodot. Furthermore, based on the novel VDS, routes of controlling VDSs governed by homogeneous electric field and uniform stress are discussed. In particular, our results show the possibility of designing multi-states devices based on a single VDS. ~ 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.

Evolution of Magnetic Domain Structure in a YIG Thin Film

The evolution of a magnetic domain structure induced by temperature and magnetic field is reported in silicon- doped yttrium iron garnet （YIG） films with perpendicular anisotropy. During a cooling-down procedure from 300K to 7K, a 20% change in the domain width is observed, with the long tails of the stripes being shortened and the twisting stripes being straightened. Under the influence of the stray field of a barium ferrite, the garnet presents an interesting domain structure, which shows an appearance of branching protrusions. The intrinsic mechanisms in these two processes are also discussed.

Domain Structure in Calcium Cerium Fluorocarbonate Minerals, Mianning County, Sichuan Province, China

The domain structures in calcium-cerium fluorocarbonate mineral series from a rare earth mineral deposit within an aegirine alkali granite massif in Mianning County, Sichuan Province, China, were studied by means of transmission electron microscopy. Many categories of domain structures in this mineral series were observed and investigated, including the microtwin domains of parisite-6R(2) and B2S-6R, the antiphase domains of B2S-2H. The results show that the antiphase domains which are faults along crystal plane (0001) are formed by the displacement of crystal lattice in c * direction and the displacement is 0.471 nm. A new polytype (B4S2-3R) of regular mixed-layer structure with B4S2 type is found in the domain region of mixed-layer structure.

Domain Structure of Iron Thin Films Prepared by Sputtering

Microstructure and magnetic domain structure of thin iron film prepared by sputtering were studied by magnetic force microscopy (MFM). Owing to the high lateral resolution of MFM magnetic structure of a single domain is able to be studied. Two series of iron thin films were grown on microcrystalline glass substrate by DC magnetron sputtering. They were prepared at different Ar pressure and annealing time. The results by magnetic force microscopy show both surface topography of the films and their local magnetic domain structure. It is suggested that the pin effect by single domain wall influence magnetic properties of the iron thin films.

Domain Structure of the Selenocysteine-specific Translation Factor SelB in Prokaryotes

Translation factor SelB is the key component for the specific decoding of UGA codons with selenocysteine at the ribosome. SelB binds selenocysteyl-tRNASec, guanine nucleotides and a secondary structure of the selenoprotein mRNA following the UGA at the 3' side. A comparison of the amino acid sequences of SelB species from E. coli,Desulfomicrobium baculatum, Clostridium thermoaceticum and Haemophilus influenzae showed that the proteins consist of at least four structural domains from which the Nterminal three are well conserved and share homology with elongation factor Tu whereas the C-terminal one is more variable and displays no similarity to any protein known. With the aid of the coordinates of EF-Tu the N-terminal part has been modelled into a 3D structure which exhibits intriguing features concerning its interaction with guanine nucleotides and other components of the translational apparatus. Cloning and expression of fragments of SelB and biochemical analysis of the purified truncated proteins showed that the C-terminal 19 kDa protein fragment is able to specifically bind to the selenoprotein mRNA. SelB, thus, is a translation factor functionally homologous to EF-Tu hooked up to the mRNA with its C-terminal end. The formation by SelB of a quaternary complex in vivo has been proven by overexpression of truncated genes of SelB and by demonstration that fragments comprising the mRNA or the tRNA binding domain inhibit selenocysteine insertion

MAGNETIC DOMAIN STRUCTURE AND RELATED MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF(NdPr)_(16)Fe_(76)B_8 PERMANENT MAGNET

The magnetic domain structure and related magnetic properties of (NdPr)_(16)Fe_(76)B_8 permanent magnet have been studied by colloid-SEM method.In thermally demagnetized state,the ma- trix grains in the magnet generally exhibit multidomain structure,i.e.,180° plate-like indi- vidual domain and a few spike-like or maze-like domains.The average width of the domain measured was 1.5μm.Grain size of single-domain was observed to be generally about 1μm and only a few up to 3μm.The results calculated are:the domain wall energy γ=36 MJ/m^2,the exchange constant A=4.5×10^(-11)J/m,the domain wall width δ=15.7nm, and the critical grain diameter of single-domain D_c=0.5μm.The dependence of high magnet- ic field gradient at grain boundaries in different magnetization directions in the adjacent mag- netic domains located on both sides of grain boundaries and the effect of microstructure on the values of K,A and δ were discussed.

Elastocaloric Effect in PbTiO3 Thin Films with 180°Domain Structure:A Phase Field Study

The elastocalorie effect of PbTiO3 thin films with 180° domain structure is studied using the phase field method. The influence of external stress σ33, misfit strain μm and domain wall energy on the adiabatic temperature change （ △ Tσ） at room temperature are carried out. The calculation results indicate that ｜△Tσ｜ increases as ｜σ33｜ or ｜μm｜ increases. The largest △ Tσ wlue of--7.81（ is obtained at σ33 = 2 GPa and Um =-0.02. Furthermore, the domain switching behaviors under different gradient coeffcients are different, and finally affect the elastocaloric effect in PTO thin films. These results could provide a guide to choose the substrate and the preparation process in experiments.

Evolution of domain structure in Fe_(3)GeTe_(2)

Two-dimensional(2D)magnets provide an ideal platform to explore new physical phenomena in fundamental magnetism and to realize the miniaturization of magnetic devices.The study on its domain structure evolution with thickness is of great significance for better understanding the 2D magnetism.Here,we investigate the magnetization reversal and domain structure evolution in 2D ferromagnet Fe_(3)GeTe_(2)(FGT)with a thickness range of 11.2-112 nm.Three types of domain structures and their corresponding hysteresis loops can be obtained.The magnetic domain varies from a circular domain via a dendritic domain to a labyrinthian domain with increasing FGT thickness,which is accompanied by a transition from squared to slanted hysteresis loops with reduced coercive fields.These features can be ascribed to the total energy changes from exchange interaction-dominated to dipolar interaction-dominated with increasing FGT thickness.Our finding not only enriches the fundamental magnetism,but also paves a way towards spintronics based on 2D magnet.

Modulation of phase boundary and domain structures to engineer strain properties in BNT-based ferroelectrics

Bismuth sodium titanate(BNT)ceramics exhibit outstanding strain responses but are unfavorable for application in high-sensitivity displacement actuators due to the large negative strain resulting from irreversible changes in their phase transition and domain structure.Here,(1−x)Bi_(0.50)Na_(0.41)K_(0.09)TiO_(3)-xNaNbO_(3)(BNKT−xNN)solid solutions were prepared to improve the strain properties through the strategy of modulating the phase boundary and domain structures.The introduction of sodium niobate could effectively regulate the relative content of the tetragonal(P4bm)and rhombohedral(R3c)phases in the phase boundary region.The ferroelectric-to-relaxor phase transition(T_(F−R))was reduced,and the ergodic relaxor(ER)state was nurtured at room temperature.Excellent zero-negative strain properties of S=0.41%and d_(33)^(*)=742 pm/V were achieved from the reversible transition between the ER and ferroelectric states under an applied electric field(x=0.04).Additionally,understanding the domain states via piezoelectric force microscopy(PFM)and firstorder reversal curve(FORC)revealed that the superior strain responses originated from the reversible inter-transformation of substable macrodomains and polar nanoregions(PNRs)in the phase boundary.This study provides new insight into the interplay between the evolution of phase boundaries and domain structures and the strain properties of BNT-based ceramics.

Effect of annealing conditions on surface morphology and ferroelectric domain structures of BiFeO_(3)thin films

Ferroelectric materials are widely used in the applications of electronic devices due to their robust spontaneous polarization.The surface roughness of ferroelectric thin films,which is closely related to the morphology,can play an important role in determining the ferroelectric domain structures.In this work,we have investigated the influence of annealing conditions on the surface morphology of epitaxial BiFeO_(3)and SrRuO_(3)thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition on SrTiO_(3)(001)substrates.It is found that the morphology of the thin films is sensitive to the annealing time and cooling rate,and the corresponding surface roughness decreases with increasing annealing time and decreasing cooling rate.In addition,the ferroelectric domain structures of BiFeO_(3)films have been investigated by piezoelectric force microscopy,which shows a significant improvement in domain size and reverse piezoelectric response in the thin films with decreasing surface roughness.This work provides a simple way to predict and improve the ferroelectric domain structures by in situ annealing.

Delineating complex ferroelectric domain structures via second harmonic generation spectral imaging

Understanding the mechanisms and spatial correlations of crystallographic symmetry breaking in ferroelectric materials is essential to tuning their functional properties.While optical second harmonic generation(SHG)has long been utilized in ferroelectric studies,its capability for probing complex polar materials has yet to be fully realized.Here,we develop a SHG spectral imaging method implemented on a home-designed laser-scanning SHG microscope,and demonstrate its application for a model system of(K,Na)NbO3 single crystals.Supervised model fitting analysis produces comprehensive information about the polarization vector orientations and relative fractions of constituent domain variants as well as their thermal evolution across the polymorphic phase transitions.Multiple domains and phases are clearly delineated at different temperatures,suggesting the phase competitions in(K,Na)NbO3.Besides,we show that unsupervised matrix decomposition analysis can quickly and faithfully reveal domain configurations without a priori knowledge about specific material systems.The SHG spectral imaging method can be readily extended to other ferroelectric materials with potentials to be further enhanced.

Microstructure, domain structure, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of textured bismuth-containing ceramics

In this report,the processes of texture formation in grain-oriented ferroelectric ceramics based on layer-structured ferroelectric Bi_(4)Ti_(3)O_(12)(LSBT)prepared by hot forging method are considered.The microstructural and X-ray methods revealed the axial textured formation in ferroelectric ceramic that are used to estimate the orientation factor of ceramics.For the first time,the domain structure changes when poling the anisotropic ferroelectric ceramics are investigated.The anisotropy of electromechanical,piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of ferroelectric ceramics due to the crystal texture existence in it is studied.The aim of this study is to study the processes of crystalline texture formation in polycrystalline BLSF and to establish the dependence of the electrophysical properties of ceramics on the degree of texturing.Ceramics were textured using the hot stamping(HS)method developed at the Research Institute of Physics.The mechanism of the method is that the workpiece is subjected to uniaxial pressure and free radial deformation occurs due to the plastic flow of the material until the workpiece fills the free volume of the mold,which is created by placing the workpiece in the mold with a gap.The study of the microstructure of ceramics showed that an increase in the firing temperature in the range 950-1050℃ causes a sharp decrease in porosity and increases the density to 7.95 g/cm^(3),which is 98%of theoretical.An X-ray analysis was performed and microstructural studies were carried out,which revealed the formation of an axial texture in ceramics.The features of the switching processes of textured ceramics are revealed.The characteristics of the polarization switching of ceramics in the directions parallel and perpendicular(⊥)of the pressure axis during hot processing were obtained from the dielectric hysteresis P(E)loops,i.e.,axis axial texture.The⊥-cut ceramics are characterized by a more complete polarization switching,which is associated with the additional orientation of the(001)crystallographic planes in the textured material,as well as the presence of a threshold switching field.In the temperature range from-196 to+600℃,the anisotropy of the electro physical properties of ceramics due to the presence of a crystalline texture in it was studied.The dielectric constant,electrical conductivity,piezoelectric and elastic coefficients were measured for sections of ceramics of different orientations relative to the axis of the texture.The anisotropy of the dielectric constant and electrical conductivity manifests itself weakly at room temperature and increases sharply when approaching the Curie temperature.In the temperature range+20-400℃,the high thermal stability of the piezoelectric module d_(33),measured by the quasistatic method,was established.

Delineating homogeneous domains of fractured rocks using topological manifolds and deep learning

Determining homogeneous domains statistically is helpful for engineering geological modeling and rock mass stability evaluation.In this text,a technique that can integrate lithology,geotechnical and structural information is proposed to delineate homogeneous domains.This technique is then applied to a high and steep slope along a road.First,geological and geotechnical domains were described based on lithology,faults,and shear zones.Next,topological manifolds were used to eliminate the incompatibility between orientations and other parameters(i.e.trace length and roughness)so that the data concerning various properties of each discontinuity can be matched and characterized in the same Euclidean space.Thus,the influence of implicit combined effect in between parameter sequences on the homogeneous domains could be considered.Deep learning technique was employed to quantify abstract features of the characterization images of discontinuity properties,and to assess the similarity of rock mass structures.The results show that the technique can effectively distinguish structural variations and outperform conventional methods.It can handle multisource engineering geological information and multiple discontinuity parameters.This technique can also minimize the interference of human factors and delineate homogeneous domains based on orientations or multi-parameter with arbitrary distributions to satisfy different engineering requirements.

Electrical Properties and Local Domain Structure of LiNbO_3 Thin Film Grown by Ion Beam Sputtering Method

The nanocrystalline ferroelectric LiNbO3 films on（001） Si substrates with the random orientation of polycrystalline grains and the predominance of the grains with lateral orientation of the polar axis were grown using the ion beam sputtering method. The remanent polarization and the coercive field are 12 μC/cm2and 29 kV/cm, respectively. The thermal annealing leads to the coarsening of the grains. The appearance of the ＂local texture,＂ which gives rise to the unipolarity of the heterostructures caused by the predominance of the one direction in the vertical component of the spontaneous polarization, is investigated.

Domain structure and dielectric diffusion-relaxation characteristics of ternary Pb(In_(1/2)Nb_(1/2))O_(3)-Pb(Mg_(1/3)Nb_(2/3))O_(3)-PbTiO_(3)ceramics

Relaxor-based ternary Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O_(3)-Pb(Mg_(1/3)Nb_(2/3))O_(3)-PbTiO_(3)(PIN-PMN-PT)single crystals and ceramics are promis­ing candidates for high-performance electromechanical conversion devices.It is known that the domain structure and dielectric diffusion-relaxation characteristics are crucial to the excellent performances of relaxor ferroelectrics.In this work,we prepared the PIN-PMN-PT ceramics with various PIN/PMN proportions and systematically investigated their domain structure and dielec­tric diffusion-relaxation properties.The effect of PIN/PMN proportion on the domain size and dielectric diffusion-relaxation characteristics was also studied.The investigations showed that PIN-PMN-PT ceramics presented multi-type domain patterns comprising irregular island domains and regular lamellar domains.Moreover,the dependent relations of PIN/PMN proportions on the dielectric diffusion and domain size indicated that the PIN composition has a stronger lattice distortion than PMN composi­tion;increasing the PIN proportion can enhance the dielectric diffusion and decrease the domain size.Our results could deepen the understanding of structure-property relationships of multicomponent relaxor ferroelectrics and guide the design and exploration of new high-performance ferroelectric materials.

Evolution of domain structure in 0.96(K_(0.48)Na_(0.52))(Nb_(0.96)Sb_(0.04))O_(3)0.04(Bi_(0.50)Na_(0.50))ZrO_(3) ceramics with poling and temperature

Domain structure often has significant influences on both piezoelectric properties and piezoelectric temperature stability of a ferroelectric ceramic.In-depth studies on the characters of domain structure should be helpful for the better understanding of piezoelectric performance.In this work,the evolution of domain structure in large-d_(33)0.96(K_(0.48)Na_(0.52))(Nb_(0.96)Sb_(0.04))O_(3)-0.04(Bi_(0.50)Na_(0.50))ZrO_(3) ceramics with poling and temperature was systematically investigated via comparing the various domain patterns that are obtained by acid-etching.It was found that domain structure changes greatly upon poling and varies largely with temperature.Complex domain patterns consisting of long narrow parallel stripes or herringbone structure separated by 180°domain boundaries are observed in the unpoled ceramics at room temperature.Domain patterns become less complicated upon poling,due to the collective polarization reversals of parallel-stripe domain clusters and banded fine-stripe domain segments.Parallel stripes and herringbone bands become much wider upon poling,as some narrow stripes and herringbone bands coalesce into broad ones,respectively.Hierarchical domain structure is commonly seen in the domain patterns acid-etched at room temperature,but is less frequently recognized at elevated temperatures.Schematic models of domain configurations were proposed to explain the domain structure and its evolution with poling.

A Molecular Dynamics Study on the (1120) Domain Boundary Structures in Epitaxial Wurtzite GaN

A computer program has been developed for the moIlcular dynamics calculation of ionic orstrong-ionic covalent systems. Ewald summation algorithm and Keating potentiaI model areadopted to calculate the long-range Coulomb interaction and the short-range bonding forces,respectively. A theoretical study on the domain boundary structures in epitaxial wurtzite GaN film is accomplished with the program. The calculation result is used in the structure formationexplanation of an interesting defect observed by HREM experiment.

Characterization of Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of NdFeB Magnet with Dy, Al and Cu Additions

A new alloy of Nd33.5Dy0.99Febal.Al0.52Cu0.1B1.15 (%, mass fraction) was fabricated by powder metallurgy. The effects of Dy, Al and Cu additions on the microstructure and magnetic properties of sintered NdFeB magnet were investigated. The additions of Dy, Al and Cu are effective to refine grains and improve coercivity. Moreover, suitable amounts of Dy, Al and Cu lead to a demagnetization curve with good rectangularity. It is found that the sintered NdFeB magnet has relatively high magnetic performance of Br=12.17 kGs, jHc=13.52 kOe and (BH)max=34.71 MGOe. The sintered NdFeB sample was examined by magnetic force microscope which revealed the domain structures at the surface. It is revealed that the mean Nd2Fe14B grain size is significantly larger than the average scale of the magnetic contrast. An explanation about this is that most Nd2Fe14B grains in sintered NdFeB alloy are dominated with the multidomain structures when the magnet is in thermally demagnetization state.

THERMAL DEMAGNETIZATION AND RANDOMNESS OF DOMAIN NUCLEATION OF SINGLE PHASE Nd_2 Fe_(14) B

Based on the observation of temperature variation of both domain structure and magnetic con- trast.the thermal demagnetization and randomness of domain nucleation was discussed.