Particulate Intermetallic Matrix Composite Made by One-Step Pulsed Laser Deposition

Abstract

ABSTRACTA novel way of producing particulate intermetallic matrix composites based on Nb-Al in one step using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) has been investigated. One unique characteristic, inherent to laser ablation, is the generation of particulates. These particulates condense on the substrate and become part of the film. In some cases, such as in high Tc superconducting or optical films applications, it is believed that the presence of particulates diminishes the quality of the films. In this work, we demonstrate that it can be advantageous in some applications to incorporate these particulates into the films.Nb-Al films were prepared by laser ablation from a Nb3Al target using a 248nm KrF excimer laser at various fluences and substrate temperatures. Transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) were used to characterize the samples. The resultant films consist of a homogeneous matrix with uniformly distributed inclusions. The size of the particles generated by PLD is in the range of a few tens of nanometers to a few microns. EDX shows that the matrix has a composition of Nb7A13 and the particulates contain barely detectable Al. The mechanism of the depletion of Al in the particulates will be discussed. The merit of having a ductile Nb phase embedded in the intermetallic matrix is evident as the cracks generated during TEM sample thinning process propagate in the brittle matrix and finally are arrested at the ductile inclusions.