Anisotropic Peak Research Articles

Confirmation of the presence of edge dislocations in the prepared FCC ZnTe nanocrystals from the study of structural analysis through the MWH method with added Fourier analysis (W-A method) of diffraction peaks

Nanocrystalline ZnTe with cubic mono-phase has been synthesized by a wet-chemical synthesis process for the study of the presence of dislocations through X-ray diffraction peak profile analysis. The average size of the ZnTe nanocrystals has been determined from the High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopic (HRTEM) analysis as 21.9 nm. In the XRD pattern, (111), (200), (220), (311), and (400) diffraction planes have been observed, which confirms the formation of cubic mono-phase of ZnTe. For the extraction of microstructural details, the Rietveld refinement has been performed using Fullprof software and from this refinement, the lattice constant has been obtained as 6.17 Å under the space group of f-43. Here, X-ray diffraction peak has been analyzed through the Williamson-Hall (W–H) analysis method and the Warren-Averbach (W-A) analysis method. Williamson-Hall approach is based on the full-width at half-maxima analysis, whereas the Warren-Averbach method is related to the analysis of the Fourier transform of the broadened X-ray diffraction peaks. For considering and analyzing the anisotropic broadening of the peak, modified Williamson-Hall and modified Warren-Averbach methods have been used for the calculation of size, strain, and dislocation density. The presence of prominent edge dislocation of about 71 % has been confirmed from the anisotropic peak broadening study. In addition, the HRTEM image directly verifies the presence of edge dislocations in both the lattice planes of (111) and (220).

Novel 3D reciprocal space visualization of strain relaxation in InSb on GaAs substrates

This study introduces the reciprocal space polar visualization (RSPV) method, a novel approach for visualizing x-ray diffraction-based reciprocal space data. RSPV allows for the precise separation of tilt and strain, facilitating their individual analysis. InSb was grown by molecular beam epitaxy on two (001) GaAs substrates—one with no misorientation (sample A) and one with 2° surface misorientation from the (001) planes (sample B). There is a substantial lattice mismatch with the substrate, and this results in the generation of defects within the InSb layer during growth. To demonstrate RSPV’s effectiveness, a comprehensive comparison of surface morphology, dislocation density, strain, and tilt was conducted. RSPV revealed previously unobserved features of the 004 InSb Bragg peak, partially explained by the presence of threading dislocations and oriented abrupt steps. Surface morphologies examined by an atomic force microscope revealed that sample B had significantly lower root mean square roughness. Independent estimates of threading dislocation density (TDD) using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron channelling contrast imaging confirmed that sample B exhibited a significantly lower TDD than sample A. XRD methods further revealed unequal amounts of α- and β-type threading dislocations in both samples, contributing to an anisotropic Bragg peak. RSPV is shown to be a robust method for exploring 3D reciprocal space in any crystal, demonstrating that growing InSb on misoriented GaAs produced a higher-quality crystal compared to an on-orientation substrate.

Revisit of the anisotropic vortex states of 2H-NbSe2 towards the zero-field limit

We revisited the vortex states of 2H-NbSe2 towards zero fields by a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope. Fine structures of the anisotropic vortex states were distinguished, one is a spatially non-splitting zero bias peak, and the other is an in-gap conductance anomaly resembling evolved crossing features around the center of the three nearest vortices. Both of them distribute solely along the next nearest neighboring direction of the vortex lattice and become unresolved in much higher magnetic fields, implying an important role played by the vortex–vortex interactions. To clarify these issues, we have studied the intrinsic vortex states of the isolated trapped vortex in zero fields at 0.45 K. It is concluded that the anisotropic zero bias peak is attributed to the superconducting gap anisotropy, and the spatially evolved crossing features are related to the vortex–vortex interaction. The vortex core size under the zero-field limit is determined. These results provide a paradigm for studying the inherent vortex states of type-II superconductors especially based on an isolated vortex.

Cryptomelane nanocrystals: Pseudosymmetry causes anisotropic peak broadening in Rietveld refinement

Cryptomelane (□2-xKx)[Mn8O16] is an octahedral molecular sieve with the hollandite framework, a strongly correlated electron system with tunnel structure. Rietveld refinement using powder X-ray diffraction patterns of a nanocrystalline sample was undertaken to assess both structural and morphological details which might be tuned for specific applications. The distribution of peak widths was highly anisotropic but successful refinement of the tetragonal structure could be achieved assuming both grain shape and microstrain anisotropy. The microstrain hypothesis appeared flawed from high uncertainties and correlations and was in conflict with the negative slope of a Williamson-Hall plot. As an alternative, lattice desymmetrization from tetragonal to monoclinic was considered. Comparison of calculated and observed hkl dependence of line broadening confirmed that the pseudosymmetry hypothesis was more appropriate, improving results for both structure and particle shape. This is the first time that lattice desymmetrization was used to explain anisotropic diffraction line broadening, a major issue in nanomaterials where peaks are intrinsically broad and the new model helps to abate correlations which afflict Rietveld refinement in these systems.

The influence of calcium formate on the hydration of calcium sulfate hemihydrate

In this study, the influence of calcium formate (CF) on the hydration of a synthesized calcium sulfate hemihydrate (HH) powder was investigated. Isothermal calorimetry measurements showed that CF retards the hydration reaction of HH. This was confirmed by XRD of stored samples and pore solution analysis. Two retardation mechanisms were identified. The combination of pore solution and laser granulometric experiments revealed that firstly, the initial dissolution of hemihydrate decelerates because of high Ca2+ ion concentrations, donated by the faster dissolving CF. Secondly, the HCOO− species of CF adsorb on surfaces of the gypsum crystals, as further pore solution measurements showed. This impedes their formation kinetic. The gypsum crystals exhibited anisotropic peak narrowing in XRD measurements when CF was added. This was caused by a morphology change, which could be verified using the anisotropic domain size morphology approach during Rietveld refinement analysis and SEM images. Gypsum crystals exhibit a blockier shape with CF addition compared to the usual acicular shape in pure water.

Two-dimensional coherent spectrum of interacting spinons from matrix product states

We compute numerically the second- and third-order nonlinear magnetic susceptibilities of an Ising ladder model in the context of two-dimensional coherent spectroscopy by using the infinite time-evolving block decimation method. The Ising ladder model couples a quantum Ising chain to a bath of polarized spins, thereby effecting the decay of spinon excitations. We show that its third-order susceptibility contains a robust spinon echo signal in the weak-coupling regime, which appears in the two-dimensional coherent spectrum as a highly anisotropic peak on the frequency plane. The spinon echo peak reveals the dynamical properties of the spinons. In particular, the spectral peak corresponding to the high-energy spinons, which couple to the bath, is suppressed with increasing coupling, whereas those corresponding to low-energy spinons do not show any significant changes.

Conditions for Embeddings of Sobolev Spaces on a Domain with Anisotropic Peak

Conditions for Embeddings of Sobolev Spaces on a Domain with Anisotropic Peak

Pressure-Induced Intermetallic Charge Transfer and Semiconductor-Metal Transition in Two-Dimensional AgRuO 3

Pressure-Induced Intermetallic Charge Transfer and Semiconductor-Metal Transition in Two-Dimensional AgRuO ₃

Structural Details of BaTiO3 Nano-Powders Deduced from the Anisotropic XRD Peak Broadening.

In this study, nano-BaTiO3 (BTO) powders were obtained via the solvothermal method at different reaction times and were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The results were compared with those obtained for a larger crystallite size BTO powder (BTO-m). The sizes of the cuboid crystallites (as determined by XRD and TEM) ranged from about 18 to 24 nm, depending on the reaction time. The evolution with temperature of the structure parameters of nano-BTO was monitored by means of X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy and no signs of phase transition were found up to 170 °C. Careful monitoring of the dependence of the XRD peak widths on the hkl indices showed that the effect of the cubic crystallite shape upon the XRD peak widths was buried by the effect of hidden tetragonal line splits and by anisotropic microstrain. The good correlation of the line widths with the tetragonal split amplitudes, observed especially for BTO-m above the transition temperature, indicates tetragonal deformations, as also revealed by Raman spectroscopy. The large anisotropic microstrain shown by the nano-powders, which had a maximum value in the <100> directions, was considered evidence of the phenomenon of surface relaxation of cubic crystallites edged by {100} faces. The observed behavior of the nano-BTO structures with increasing temperature may suggest a correlation between the surface relaxation and tetragonal deformation in the nano-cubes. The experimental results for both nano-BTO and mezoscale-BTO are in agreement with the core-shell model.

Pseudospin versus magnetic dipole moment ordering in the isosceles triangular lattice material K3Er(VO4)2

Spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic triangular lattice models are paradigms of geometrical frustration, revealing very different ground states and quantum effects depending on the nature of anisotropies in the model. Due to strong spin orbit coupling and crystal field effects, rare-earth ions can form pseudo-spin-1/2 magnetic moments with anisotropic single-ion and exchange properties. Thus, rare-earth based triangular lattices enable the exploration of this interplay between frustration and anisotropy. Here we study one such case, the rare-earth double vanadate glaserite material K$_3$Er(VO$_4$)$_2$, which is a quasi-2D isosceles triangular antiferromagnet. Our specific heat and neutron powder diffraction data from K$_3$Er(VO$_4$)$_2$ reveal a transition to long range magnetic order at 155 $\pm$ 5 mK which accounts for all R$\ln$2 entropy. The quasi-2D magnetic order leads to anisotropic Warren-like Bragg peak profiles, and is best described by alternating layers of b-axis aligned antiferromagnetism and zero moment layers. Our magnetic susceptibility data reveal that Er$^{3+}$ takes on a strong XY single-ion anisotropy in K$_3$Er(VO$_4$)$_2$, leading to vanishing moments when pseudo-spins are oriented along c. Thus, the magnetic structure, when considered from the pseudo-spin point of view comprises alternating layers of b-axis and c-axis aligned antiferromagnetism.

Investigation of structural, microstructural and magnetic properties of YbxY1-xF3 solid solutions

In this investigation, we have synthesized YbxY1-xF3 solid solutions by fluorination of yttrium and ytterbium sesquioxides with ammonium hydrogen difluoride. According to the XRD analysis, all synthesized YbxY1-xF3 samples have an orthorhombic crystal structure belonging to the β-YF3 structural type. The refinement of crystal structure was done by the Rietveld method within the Pnma space group using the TCH pseudo-Voigt function. The anisotropic peak broadening was analyzed, and the average apparent crystallite size is about 50 nm with a small anisotropy of shape, while the significant microstrain that is highly anisotropic is present in all samples. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility was analyzed by applying the model of a free ion perturbed by the crystal field. We have obtained the effective magnetic quantum numbers Mieff of four Kramer's doublets of Yb3+ ion along with the entire crystal field splitting of the 2F7/2 manifold of Yb3+ in YF3. The acquired maximum energy splitting of the ground level is about 150 K in our most diluted samples. The field-dependent isothermal magnetization measurements were carried out at various temperatures and analyzed by classical Langevin function. Results obtained from magnetic measurements show that all YbxY1-xF3 (x ≠ 0) solid solutions exhibit pure paramagnetic behavior in the whole temperature range from 2 to 300 K, with a predominant antiferromagnetic exchange interactions.

Advanced Rietveld refinement and SEM analysis of tobermorite in chemically diverse autoclaved aerated concrete

Changes of structural properties of tobermorite in autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) for various compositions were characterized and the disadvantages of SEM analysis in this context are discussed. The influence of variations in the chemical composition of raw materials on lattice parameters, morphology and domain sizes of tobermorite was investigated by XRD and for comparison by SEM analysis. Particularly the effect of substitution by Al3+ and (SO4)2− in tobermorite structure was examined. The dimensions of coherently scattering domains were calculated based on the refinement of anisotropic peak broadening of tobermorite in XRD diffractograms using a Rietveld compatible approach. No effect of (SO4)2− on the domain sizes and lattice parameters of tobermorite could be observed. The amount of anhydrite detected by quantitative XRD analysis indicates that all of the available (SO4)2− is present as anhydrite. Lath-like shapes of domains and a larger c parameter are calculated whenever Al3+ is incorporated in a considerable amount. Formation of katoite can be observed very clearly in SEM micrographs whenever the amount of available Al3+ exceeds a distinct value in the dry mix. The effect of Al3+ and (SO4)2− on tobermorite morphology could not be observed clearly by SEM analysis in AAC samples.

Skyrmions in anisotropic magnetic fields: strain and defect driven dynamics

ABSTRACTMagnetic skyrmions are particle-like, topologically protected magnetization entities that are promising candidates for information carriers in racetrack-memory schemes. The transport of skyrmions in a shift-register-like fashion is crucial for their embodiment in practical devices. Recently, we demonstrated experimentally that chiral skyrmions in Cu2OSeO3 can be effectively manipulated by a magnetic field gradient, leading to a collective rotation of the skyrmion lattice with well-defined dynamics in a radial field gradient. Here, we employ a skyrmion particle model to numerically study the effects of resultant shear forces on the structure of the skyrmion lattice. We demonstrate that anisotropic peak broadening in experimentally observed diffraction patterns can be attributed to extended linear regions in the magnetic field profile. We show that topological (5-7) defects emerge to protect the six-fold symmetry of the lattice under the application of local shear forces, further enhancing the stability of proposed magnetic field driven devices.

Crystal structure and stacking faults in the layered honeycomb, delafossite-type materials Ag3LiIr2O6 and Ag3LiRu2O6.

Powder samples of Ag3LiIr2O6 and Ag3LiRu2O6 were synthesized from α-Li2IrO3 and Li2RuO3 respectively by ion exchange in an AgNO3 melt. The crystal structures of the title compounds were solved from high resolution laboratory X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) patterns and from pair distribution function (PDF) analysis using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data. In both crystal structures edge sharing LiO6/3- and (Ir/Ru)O6/3-octahedra form honeycomb like layers that are stacked in a staggered fashion. Silver cations, situated in-between the layers mediate the interlayer interactions by linear O-Ag-O bonds. Anisotropic peak broadening in the XRPD patterns and diffuse scattering occurring as streaks in the precession electron diffraction (PED) patterns indicate the presence of stacking faults, which could be also visualized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Possible alternative stacking sequences were derived from the ideal crystal and incorporated into a microstructure model. By applying a supercell approach that randomly generates and averages stacking sequences based on transition probabilities and combining it with a grid search algorithm, the microstructures, i.e. the degrees of faulting in the structures of the title compounds were refined to the measured XRPD data. In result the crystal structures of Ag3LiIr2O6 and Ag3LiRu2O6 were found to be vastly faulted with almost no coherence of the stacked layers.

Positive and negative monoclinic deformation of corundum-type trigonal crystal structures of M 2O3 metal oxides

The crystal structures of several transition metal oxides, Ti2O3, V2O3, Cr2O3, Al2O3 and α-Fe2O3, are studied using synchrotron radiation X-ray powder diffraction. The observed angular dependence of the integral breadths is described by two models: (i) the distorted corundum-type structure model described by the space group C2/c and (ii) the Stephens model of anisotropic Bragg peak broadening. These two models are shown to be equivalent. Ti2O3, V2O3 and Cr2O3 show a `positive' distortion which is related to the possible metal–metal bond suggested by Goodenough in the literature (the deformation leads to shorter metal–metal distances) whereas Al2O3 and α-Fe2O3 show a `negative' distortion which leads to relatively longer metal–metal distances.

XRD analysis of phase development and peak broadening during the production of AAC

AbstractThe production process of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is driven by the transformation of mineral phases. During green cake step, strength is developed by the formation of hydrate phases such as ettringite and in larger quantity portlandite. In respective XRD plots, portlandite often shows anisotropic peak broadening due to anisotropic domain morphology. A new implementation in Rietveld refinement allows to refine the peak broadening calculating anisotropic domain sizes. An appropriate model is used to approximate the domains of portlandite. In this way, it is possible to track the mechanism of portlandite growth during hydration and the quantification of phase development during the green cake hydration is performed more precisely. In autoclaved samples, the main phase is tobermorite, which shows anisotropic peak broadening as well. The application of the described approach in a similar way to portlandite enables an advanced refinement. To approximate the domains of tobermorite a triaxial cylinder model is used, so that tobermorite is characterized more accurately. In addition, this method allows to investigate the influence of variations in the chemical composition of raw materials on domain morphology of tobermorite, as exchanged ions like Al3+ make a significant impact. Consequently, a new possibility to analyze the link between mechanical and thermal properties and phase characteristics is given.

Evidence for weak collective pinning and δl pinning in topological superconductor CuxBi2Se3

We investigated the vortex pinning behavior in the single crystal topological superconductor Cu0.10Bi2Se3 with a pronounced anisotropic peak effect. A weak collective pinning regime is clarified from the power-law behavior in and the small critical current density ratio of ~ 10−5 ( is the critical current density, is the depairing current density). The spatial variation of the charge-carrier mean free path induced pinning is evidenced and probably results from the well-defined atomic defects. Within the framework of collective pinning theory, we computed the values of the correlated length and volume at 1.8 K, which start declining prior to the onset field of the peak effect , demonstrating the vortex lattices already suffered a preferential collapse ahead of the peak effect turns up. Thus, the peak effect can be understood by elastic moduli softening near the upper critical field . We suggest CuxBi2Se3 is a prototype topological material for investigating the vortex pinning dynamics associated with the peak effect phenomenon.

Residual stress and texture control in Ti-6Al-4V wire + arc additively manufactured intersections by stress relief and rolling

Additively manufactured intersections have the theoretical risk to contain hydrostatic tensile residual stresses, which eventually cannot be thermally stress relieved. The stresses in Ti-6Al-4V wire + arc additively manufactured (WAAM) intersections are lower compared to single pass walls and stresses in continuous walls are larger compared to discontinuous walls with otherwise identical geometry. Thermal stress relief was found to virtually eliminate them.Inter-pass rolling can yield the desired grain refinement, without having any noteworthy influence on the development of residual stresses. The strain measurement itself by neutron diffraction is facilitated by the refined microstructure, because the otherwise textured microstructure produces anisotropic peak intensity, not allowing Pawley refinement. Without rolling, the 101¯1 and 101¯3 family of hcp planes are the only ones that diffract consistently in the three principal directions.

ShakingAlarm: A Nontraditional Regional Earthquake Early Warning System Based on Time‐Dependent Anisotropic Peak Ground‐Motion Attenuation Relationships

Research Article| April 03, 2018 ShakingAlarm: A Nontraditional Regional Earthquake Early Warning System Based on Time‐Dependent Anisotropic Peak Ground‐Motion Attenuation Relationships Benjamin Ming Yang; Benjamin Ming Yang aDepartment of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, tingchunghuang@gmail.com, yihmin.wu@gmail.com, b98204032@gmail.com Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Ting‐Chung Huang; Ting‐Chung Huang aDepartment of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, tingchunghuang@gmail.com, yihmin.wu@gmail.com, b98204032@gmail.combAlso at Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica 128, Section 2, Academia Road, Nangang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Yih‐Min Wu Yih‐Min Wu aDepartment of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, tingchunghuang@gmail.com, yihmin.wu@gmail.com, b98204032@gmail.combAlso at Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica 128, Section 2, Academia Road, Nangang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Benjamin Ming Yang aDepartment of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, tingchunghuang@gmail.com, yihmin.wu@gmail.com, b98204032@gmail.com Ting‐Chung Huang aDepartment of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, tingchunghuang@gmail.com, yihmin.wu@gmail.com, b98204032@gmail.combAlso at Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica 128, Section 2, Academia Road, Nangang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan. Yih‐Min Wu aDepartment of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, tingchunghuang@gmail.com, yihmin.wu@gmail.com, b98204032@gmail.combAlso at Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica 128, Section 2, Academia Road, Nangang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan. Publisher: Seismological Society of America First Online: 03 Apr 2018 Online Issn: 1943-3573 Print Issn: 0037-1106 © Seismological Society of America Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America (2018) 108 (3A): 1219–1230. https://doi.org/10.1785/0120170105 Article history First Online: 03 Apr 2018 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Benjamin Ming Yang, Ting‐Chung Huang, Yih‐Min Wu; ShakingAlarm: A Nontraditional Regional Earthquake Early Warning System Based on Time‐Dependent Anisotropic Peak Ground‐Motion Attenuation Relationships. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 2018;; 108 (3A): 1219–1230. doi: https://doi.org/10.1785/0120170105 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyBulletin of the Seismological Society of America Search Advanced Search Abstract The P‐alert seismic network, an on‐site low‐cost earthquake early warning system (EEWS) located in Taiwan, has proven useful in earthquake events since 2010. This dense network can produce detailed shakemaps and identify the direction of the source rupture in near‐real time. Based on real‐time acceleration signals and the proposed time‐dependent anisotropic attenuation relationship with peak ground acceleration (PGA), ShakingAlarm, a regional early warning system add‐on to the original P‐alert network, can immediately provide (1) an accurate predicted PGA, before the arrival of the observed PGA, that will give a consistent lead time for hazard assessment and emergency response, (2) a predicted shakemap (PSM) that will converge faster to the final reported shakemap than the regional EEWS, and (3) a shake contour area‐based magnitude estimation that is robust, even in the absence of a measured shake contour area such as in the case of an offshore earthquake. Taking the 2016 Mw 6.4 Meinong earthquake as an example, the 14th second PSM from ShakingAlarm converges on the final shakemap better than the regional EEWS from the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) in Taiwan. According to our tests, ShakingAlarm provides a warning using modified Mercalli intensity (MMI) V that is consistent with the results of another on‐site EEWS (Strategies and Tools for Real Time Earthquake Risk ReducTion [REAKT]). Further performance tests were conducted with another five ML>5.5 inland earthquakes from 2013 to 2014. Compared with traditional regional EEWSs, ShakingAlarm can effectively identify possible damage regions and provide valuable early warning information (PSM, predicted PGA, and magnitude) for risk mitigation. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

A ballistic transport model for electronic excitation following particle impact

Abstract We present a ballistic model for the transport of electronic excitation energy induced by keV particle bombardment onto a solid surface. Starting from a free electron gas model, the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) is employed to follow the evolution of the temporal and spatial distribution function f ( r → , k → , t ) describing the occupation probability of an electronic state k → at position r → and time t. Three different initializations of the distribution function are considered: i) a thermal distribution function with a locally and temporally elevated electron temperature, ii) a peak excitation at a specific energy above the Fermi level with a quasi-isotropic distribution in k-space and iii) an anisotropic peak excitation with k-vectors oriented in a specific transport direction. While the first initialization resembles a distribution function which may, for instance, result from electronic friction of moving atoms within an ion induced collision cascade, the peak excitation can in principle result from an autoionization process after excitation in close binary collisions. By numerically solving the BTE, we study the electronic energy exchange along a one dimensional transport direction to obtain a time and space resolved excitation energy distribution function, which is then analyzed in view of general transport characteristics of the chosen model system.