No abstract

High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Auger spectroscopy have revealed the formation of nanometer-thick, Ni-enriched, disordered, grain boundary layers in Ni-doped W specimens at 95°C below the bulk eutectic temperature. The stabilization of subeutectic liquid-like grain boundary cores in this model two-component metallic alloy is phenomenologically analogous to the long-sought phenomenon of grain boundary premelting. The existence of such disordered nanostructures at metallic grain boundaries provides insights to resolve several long-standing controversies in interpreting the unique grain boundary diffusion/migration kinetics and mechanical properties for this system, and can have technological importance for a broader range of materials.

The recording and retrieval of signals below 100 nm mark length were attempted with elliptical bubble-type super-resolution technology with platinum oxide (PtOx) and ductile AgInSbTe layers, using the same optical system as that of a digital versatile disk (a 635 nm wavelength red laser system). The carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) of over 47 dB for 100 nm mark length signals (over 43 dB for 80 nm mark length signals) was obtained, which can be considered as a commercially acceptable level of CNR. The recording mechanism of the sample disk was shown through the transmission electron microscopy cross-section image observation to be by rigid elliptical bubble formation at the PtOx layer located between the AgInSbTe layers. The results of this report represent the potential for a much higher-density storage using the red laser system and a subterabyte optical storage using the blue laser system.

No abstract

No abstract