Drift Surface Research Articles

Thickness dependence and crystallization properties of amorphous GeTe thin films on silicon dioxide

Radio frequency magnetron sputtering was used to prepare the amorphous GeTe thin films on silicon dioxide and the thickness effects on the crystallization behavior were investigated. With the film thickness reducing, the crystallization temperature, crystallization activation energy, amorphous and crystalline resistance increase remarkably, indicating the great improvement in thermal stability and power consumption. Ozawa’s model was used to estimate the crystallization kinetics of GeTe thin films, it shows that nucleation and grain growth occur simultaneously, and grain growth dominates ultimately. XRD analysis demonstrated that the grain size can be reduced and the crystallization process of GeTe thin film can be inhibited with the film thickness decreasing. Furthermore, the thinner film has smaller resistance drift index and surface roughness, which are beneficial to improve the reliability of storage device. T-type phase change memory devices based on 25 nm GeTe thin film were fabricated by 0.13 μm CMOS technology, and the current–voltage and resistance-voltage characteristics demonstrate the excellent electrical performance, including the fast resistance switching between SET and RESET processes, low threshold current and voltage. All the results proved the strong dependency relationships between the crystallization properties and film thickness of GeTe thin film, which paves the way for developing high-density phase change memory in the fields of big data and artificial intelligence.

Symmetry of the left and right tibial plafond; a comparison of 75 distal tibia pairs.

Tibia plafond or pilon fractures present a high level of complexity, making their surgical management challenging. Three-Dimensional Virtual Planning (3DVP) can assist in preoperative planning to achieve optimal fracture reduction. This study aimed to assess the symmetry of the left and right tibial plafond and whether left-right mirroring can reliably be used. Bilateral CT scans of the lower limbs of 75 patients without ankle problems or prior fractures of the lower limb were included. The CT images were segmented to create 3D surface models of the tibia. Subsequently, the left tibial models were mirrored and superimposed onto the right tibia models using a Coherent Point Drift surface matching algorithm. The tibias were then cut to create bone models of the distal tibia with a height of 30mm, and correspondence points were established. The Euclidean distance was calculated between correspondence points and visualized in a boxplot and heatmaps. The articulating surface was selected as a region of interest. The median left-right difference was 0.57mm (IQR, 0.38 - 0.85mm) of the entire tibial plafond and 0.53mm (IQR, 0.37 - 0.76mm) of the articulating surface. The area with the greatest left-right differences were the medial malleoli and the anterior tubercle of the tibial plafond. The tibial plafond exhibits a high degree of bilateral symmetry. Therefore, the mirrored unfractured tibial plafond may be used as a template to optimize preoperative surgical reduction using 3DVP techniques in patients with pilon fractures.

Drift surface solver for runaway electron current dominant equilibria during the current quench

Runaway electron current generated during the current quench phase of tokamak disruptions could result in severe damage to future high performance devices. To control and mitigate such runaway electron current, it is important to accurately describe the runaway electron current dominated equilibrium, based on which further stability analysis could be carried out. In this paper, we derive a Grad–Shafranov-like equation solving for the axisymmetric drift surfaces of the runaway electrons instead of the magnetic flux surfaces for the simple case that all runaway electrons share the same parallel momentum. This new equilibrium equation is then numerically solved with simple rectangular wall with ITER-like and MAST-like geometry parameters. The deviation between the drift surfaces and the flux surfaces is readily obtained, and runaway electrons are found to be well confined even in regions with open field lines. The change of the runaway electron parallel momentum is found to result in a horizontal current center displacement without any changes in the total current or the external field. The runaway current density profile is found to affect the susceptibility of such displacement, with flatter profiles result in more displacement by the same momentum change. With up–down asymmetry in the external poloidal field, such displacement is accompanied by a vertical displacement of runaway electron current. It is found that this effect is more pronounced in smaller, compact device and weaker poloidal field cases. The above results demonstrate the dynamics of current center displacement caused by the momentum space change in the runaway electrons, and pave a way for more sophisticated runaway current equilibrium theory in the future with more realistic consideration on the runaway electron momentum distribution. This new equilibrium theory also provides foundation for future stability analysis of the runaway electron current.

Influence of yttrium element on the crystallization performance of ZnSb alloy for phase change memory application

The crystallization behavior and electrical performance of Y-doped Zn15Sb85 phase change material were proposed and experimental examined. The relationship between the resistance and temperature reveals that the Y dopant is able to enhancing the thermal stability (Tc ~ 237°C, T10 ~ 169 °C) and resistivity (Ra ~ 105 Ω, Rc ~ 102 Ω) of Zn15Sb85 films, which are suitable for automobile design and surface mount technology. XRD results indicate that the Y dopant could effectively inhibit grain growth and reduce grain size. Meanwhile, XPS illustrates that Y is more likely to form bonds with Sb. Further, the resistance drift index and surface roughness become small after doping Y element, which is of great benefit to improving the reliability and electrical performance of the device. Moreover, T-shaped phase change memory cells based on Y0.36(Zn15Sb85)0.64 film were also built and analyzed. The characteristic of current − voltage (I-V) and resistance − voltage (R-V) prove that the SET and RESET operations can be achieved by electric induction, implying the excellent candidate of Y-doped Zn15Sb85 material for high thermal and high reliability application.

Contourite systems around the northern exit from the Vema Channel

Several drifts of different types and sizes are identified near the northern exit of the Vema Channel, within the projects Neogene-Quaternary contourites of the Central and South Atlantic and Lateral sedimentation in the deep ocean (on the examples from the Central and South-Western Atlantic). Herein, we discuss new results of a multidisciplinary study of sixteen sediment cores and high-resolution sub-bottom (seismoacoustic) profiles, to address the impact of Lower Circumpolar Deep Water (LCDW) and Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) passing through the Vema gateway on contourite accumulation and erosion. To the west of the northern exit from the Vema Channel, an anticyclonic gyre of LCDW is instrumental in the development of contourite drifts and sediment waves. The contourite origin of generally silty terrigenous sediments in the Santa Catarina Plateau – São Paulo Plateau area is ascertained by both morpho-seismic and sedimentary characteristics. Sedimentary features include: a lack of primary sedimentary structures and pervasive bioturbation; sharp erosional contacts, local hiatuses and stiff mud horizons; some sandy/silty layers and indistinct bedding; mostly fine grain-size, very poor sorting and distinctive bi-gradational sequences; a high degree of correlation between the content of sortable silt (SS) in the total < 63 μm size fraction and SS mean sizes in all eight cores studied. Biostratigraphy, oxygen isotope records and ten new accelerator mass-spectrometry (AMS) 14C dates reveal the mid to late Quaternary age of this mainly terrigenous contourite depositional system (CDS).By contrast, the dominantly calcareous Ioffe Drift, overlying the Florianopolis Fracture Zone (FFZ) ridge to the northeast of the Vema Channel, is far from any source of terrigenous material, and accumulated in an area of low biological productivity. The overall asymmetric geometry, mainly lenticular, upward-convex seismic units separated by erosional unconformities, reflection truncation, small-scale moats dissecting the drift surface collectively indicate its contourite origin. The interpretation of the drift as the CDS is supported by sediment characteristics including common hiatuses corresponding in some cases to erosional contacts, pervasive bioturbation, generally poor sediment sorting, and more or less well-developed bi-gradational sequences. The erosion and deposition in the drift area are mostly controlled by the main LCDW branch following northeastward along the FFZ. Extensive erosion by bottom currents has created numerous hiatuses and markedly reduced the thickness of drift's sediments. The stratigraphic record from the Ioffe Drift sediment cores reveals an Upper Pliocene – Quaternary succession. The results of detailed analyses of six cores from the Ioffe Drift area, compared with two cores and the upper part of DSDP Site 516 from the Rio Grande Rise, notably the use of a SS analogue, provide new information on calcareous biogenic contourites deposited in the pelagic realm of the South Atlantic.

Slice Thickness Optimization for the Focused Ion Beam-Scanning Electron Microscopy 3D Tomography of Hierarchical Nanoporous Gold

The combination of focused ion beam (FIB) with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), also known as FIB-SEM tomography, has become a powerful 3D imaging technique at the nanometer scale. This method uses an ion beam to mill away a thin slice of material, which is then block-face imaged using an electron beam. With consecutive slicing along the z-axis and subsequent imaging, a volume of interest can be reconstructed from the images and further analyzed. Hierarchical nanoporous gold (HNPG) exhibits unique structural properties and has a ligament size of 15–110 nm and pore size of 5–20 nm. Accurate reconstruction of its image is crucial in determining its mechanical and other properties. Slice thickness is one of the most critical and uncertain parameters in FIB-SEM tomography. For HNPG, the slice thickness should be at least half as thin as the pore size and, in our approach, should not exceed 10 nm. Variations in slice thickness are caused by various microscope and sample parameters, e.g., converged ion milling beam shape, charging effects, beam drift, or sample surface roughness. Determining and optimizing the actual slice thickness variation appear challenging. In this work, we examine the influence of ion beam scan resolution and the dwell time on the mean and standard deviation of slice thickness. After optimizing the resolution and dwell time to achieve the target slice thickness and lowest possible standard deviation, we apply these parameters to analyze an actual HNPG sample. Our approach can determine the thickness of each slice along the z-axis and estimate the deviation of the milling process along the y-axis (slow imaging axis). For this function, we create a multi-ruler structure integrated with the HNPG sample.

Performance-based analysis of Transit tunnels in the Chilean subduction zone

In this article, we study the seismic response of a shallow metro tunnel in a subduction zone environment and the use of a performance-based approach to develop seismic demand hazard curves (SDHC) of key engineering demand parameters, such as drift ratio, surface settlement, bending moment, and axial loads. The tunnel consists of a 6-m diameter sprayed concrete lining in medium dense soil and is located in Santiago, Chile. To simulate its seismic response, a finite element model of the soil–tunnel system was implemented in OpenSees and validated against centrifuge test results, linear-equivalent solutions for a 1D soil column, and single elements in cyclic simple shear. The tunnel response was computed for 112 ground motions, selected and scaled using the conditional scenario approach. This approach assigns a rate of occurrence to each ground motion and therefore, allows for a direct computation of annual exceedance rates of the tunnel response parameters. For instance, at this specific location, the 2500-yr return period drift ratio in the lining is approximately 0.25% as a result of large deformations imposed by the surrounding soil. Likewise, axial loads between 0.3 and 1.0 MN/m and bending moments of ±0.2 MN∙m/m are apparent from the axial load-moment interaction diagrams; these results are of great value for the design and verification of the tunnel based on the collapse or life-safety limit states. Notably, the current formulation relaxes the assumption of scaling ground motions to a particular intensity measure and can be a computationally efficient alternative to standard incremental dynamic analyses.

Advanced Remote Data Acquisition Using a Pop-Up Data Shuttle (PDS) to Report Data From Current- and Pressure-Recording Inverted Echo Sounders (CPIES)

A current- and pressure-recording inverted echo sounder (CPIES) placed on the sea floor monitors aspects of the physical ocean environment for periods of months to years. Until recently, acoustic telemetry of daily-processed data was the existing method for data acquisition from CPIES without full instrument recovery. However, this approach, which requires positioning a ship at the mooring site and operator time, is expensive and time-consuming. Here, we introduce a new method of obtaining data remotely from CPIES using a popup-data-shuttle (PDS), which enables straightforward data acquisition without a ship. The PDS data subsampled from CPIES has 30–60 min temporal resolution. The PDS has a scheduled pop-up-type release system, so each data pod floats to the sea surface at a user-specified date and relays the recorded data via the Iridium satellite system. We demonstrated the capability of an array of PDS-CPIES via two successful field experiments in the Arctic Ocean. The data acquired through the PDS were in agreement with the fully recovered datasets. An example of the data retrieved from the PDS shows that time-varying signals of tides and high-frequency internal waves were well captured. GPS-tracked trajectories of the PDS floating free at the sea surface can provide insights into ice drift or ocean surface currents. This PDS technology provides an alternative method for remote deep-ocean mooring data acquisition.

M-SiSSR: Regional Endocardial Function Using Multilabel Simultaneous Subdivision Surface Registration.

Quantification of regional cardiac function is a central goal of cardiology. Multiple methods, such as Coherent Point Drift (CPD) and Simultaneous Subdivision Surface Registration (SiSSR), have been used to register meshes to the endocardial surface. However, these methods do not distinguish between cardiac chambers during registration, and consequently the mesh may "slip" across the interface between two structures during contraction, resulting in inaccurate regional functional measurements. Here, we present Multilabel-SiSSR (M-SiSSR), a novel method for registering a "labeled" cardiac mesh (with each triangle assigned to a cardiac structure). We compare our results to the original, label-agnostic version of SiSSR and find both a visual and quantitative improvement in tracking of the mitral valve plane.

Sand drift events and surface winds in south-central Sweden: From the deglaciation to the present

During the transition from the last glacial into the Holocene interglacial, the atmospheric circulation in the North Atlantic area changed from a glacial mode, influenced by the presence of large ice sheets, into a system more similar to that of the present day. This change had implications for wind, temperature and precipitation patterns that can be traced in geological archives. Here, we focus on reconstructing past wind directions over southern Scandinavia, as inferred from the net sediment transport direction of inland dunes in south-central Sweden. We analysed single dunes and dune fields along a 540-km-long S-N transect with LiDAR (Light detection and ranging) derived DEMs (digital elevation models) to determine their geomorphological type and the directional mode of the wind that led to their formation. Luminescence ages of sand drift and dune formation were compiled from previous studies, allowing us to build a chronology of sand drift after the deglaciation of south-central Sweden. The majority of the dunes appear to have been formed by westerly or northwesterly winds and stabilised ∼10.5–9.0 ka. Although this is rather close in time to the local deglaciation for the northern sites, it is long after the disappearance of ice from the more southern sites. The coeval dune stabilisation over such a large geographical area suggests that regional environmental conditions played an important role. It is likely that an unstable climate in conjunction with low groundwater tables during the early Holocene locally delayed vegetation from stabilising the dunes.

I-V model of nano nMOSFETs incorporating drift and diffusion current

The drive current of MOSFETs becomes more and more difficult to be estimated as the device size keeps scaling down. Conventionally, for a long channel device, the surface-channel drift current of MOSFET is considered only, and it is convinced that as the drain voltage increases, the inversion charge density near the drain site is going to decrease and approaches to zero forming the pinch-off point making the total current stop increasing and remain a constant. Thus, the channel current of the MOSFET becomes saturated instead of zero.Because of the drawback of device model in nano short-channel devices, a novel concept is added into this model, including the contribution of surface diffusion current with an assumption, which is the total drive current only composed of surface drift current and surface diffusion current. The mixed current model in simulation and measurement demonstrates the more impressive performance for all channel lengths until 28-nm node.

Bio‐optical properties of Arctic drift ice and surface waters north of Svalbard from winter to spring

AbstractWe have quantified absorption by CDOM, aCDOM(λ), particulate matter, ap(λ), algal pigments, aph(λ), and detrital material, aNAP(λ), coincident with chlorophyll a in sea ice and surface waters in winter and spring 2015 in the Arctic Ocean north of Svalbard. The aCDOM(λ) was low in contrast to other regions of the Arctic Ocean, while ap(λ) has the largest contribution to absorption variability in sea ice and surface waters. ap(443) was 1.4–2.8 times and 1.3–1.8 times higher than aCDOM(443) in surface water and sea ice, respectively. aph(λ) contributed 90% and 81% to ap(λ), in open leads and under‐ice waters column, and much less (53%–74%) in sea ice, respectively. Both aCDOM(λ) and ap(λ) followed closely the vertical distribution of chlorophyll a in sea ice and the water column. We observed a tenfold increase of the chlorophyll a concentration and nearly twofold increase in absorption at 443 nm in sea ice from winter to spring. The aCDOM(λ) dominated the absorption budget in the UV both in sea ice and surface waters. In the visible range, absorption was dominated by aph(λ), which contributed more than 50% and aCDOM(λ), which contributed 43% to total absorption in water column. Detrital absorption contributed significantly (33%) only in surface ice layer. Algae dynamics explained more than 90% variability in ap(λ) and aph(λ) in water column, but less than 70% in the sea ice. This study presents detailed absorption budget that is relevant for modeling of radiative transfer and primary production.

Characteristics and trends in the nighttime and daytime United States Atlantic recreational swordfish fishery based on fishery-dependent data

Over the past two decades, the United States' recreational fishery for North Atlantic swordfish, Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758, has grown along the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Successful management and high recruitment during an historical period of low biomass contributed to rebuilding the North Atlantic swordfish stock, leading to sustainable harvest opportunities. Over time, fisheries have shifted fishing gears and techniques to increase access to swordfish, a crepuscular fish that occupies deep waters during the day and ascends to shallower depths at night. Particularly among recreational anglers, a decline in drift (surface) fishing and popularization of the deep-drop technique shifted much of the fishing activity from night to day. Private angler and for-hire (charter) self-reported data on swordfish landings (retained catch) from 2003 to 2014 illustrated this shift in recreational fishing, including trip, technique, and catch characteristics. The majority of the landings occurred off southeast Florida (88%), where 70% of the swordfish were caught on private trips. The shift in technique was observed in reports from 2008 to 2014, which revealed a nearly synchronous 40% increase in deep-drop fishing and decrease in drift fishing, shifting the peak hookup (bite) times from 21:00–23:00 to 10:00–13:00 hrs. The average size of drift- and deep-drop caught swordfish increased; however, deep-drop caught swordfish were, on average, larger than those caught while drift fishing. These summaries reflect a modern characterization of this fishery and potential areas of improvement to this data collection.

Observation of the loss of pre-disruptive runaway electrons in KSTAR ohmic plasma disruptions

A newly-developed fast neutron detector revealed a close relationship between the loss of pre-disruptive runaway electrons and the plasma disruption in KSTAR ohmic plasmas. It is observed that a burst of photoneutrons is generated exactly before the start of thermal quenches, indicating a bunch of runaway electrons which had existed before the disruption impacts the first wall at the time. The loss of runaway electrons could be identified also as a decrease in the measured electron temperature, forming a typical two-stage thermal quench trace. From the MHD pattern in the neutron signal during a low-q disruption, it could be identified that pre-disruptive runaway electrons are localized in the plasma, especially on the q = 2 drift surface. These new findings suggest the pre-disruptive runaway electrons might play an important role in the plasma disruption mechanism.

Runaway electron generation as possible trigger for enhancement of magnetohydrodynamic plasma activity and fast changes in runaway beam behavior

Peculiar phenomena were observed during experiments with runaway electrons: rapid changes in the synchrotron spot and its intensity that coincided with stepwise increases in the electron cyclotron emission (ECE) signal (cyclotron radiation of suprathermal electrons). These phenomena were initially observed in TEXTOR (Tokamak Experiment for Technology Oriented Research), where these events only occurred in the current decay phase or in discharges with thin stable runaway beams at a q = 1 drift surface. These rapid changes in the synchrotron spot were interpreted by the TEXTOR team as a fast pitch angle scattering event. Recently, similar rapid changes in the synchrotron spot and its intensity that coincided with stepwise increases in the non-thermal ECE signal were observed in the EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) runaway discharge. Runaway electrons were located around the q = 2 rational magnetic surface (ring-like runaway electron beam). During the EAST runaway discharge, stepwise ECE signal increases coincided with enhanced magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) activity. This behavior was peculiar to this shot. In this paper, we show that these non-thermal ECE step-like jumps were related to the abrupt growth of suprathermal electrons induced by bursting electric fields at reconnection events during this MHD plasma activity. Enhancement of the secondary runaway electron generation also occurred simultaneously. Local changes in the current-density gradient appeared because of local enhancement of the runaway electron generation process. These current-density gradient changes are considered to be a possible trigger for enhancement of the MHD plasma activity and the rapid changes in runaway beam behavior.

Roles of Acid Sites on Pt/H-ZSM5 Catalyst in Catalytic Oxidation of Diesel soot

Pt/H-ZSM5 and Pt/Al2O3 with similar surface Pt particle sizes and chemical states were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation as catalysts for soot oxidation. Pt/H-ZSM5 exhibits obviously higher activities in both O2 and NO + O2 than Pt/Al2O3. On the basis of the results obtained with in situ DRIFT and other structural and surface property characterizations, the high catalytic activity of Pt/H-ZSM5 is currently attributed to two main factors. First, the acidic H-ZSM5 support inhibits NO2 adsorption on the catalyst, leading to a preferential adsorption of NO2 on the surface of soot and providing more chances for NO2–soot reactions. Second, the strong acid sites on the surface of Pt/H-ZSM5 can participate in the catalytic formation and decomposition of surface oxygenated complexes. Consequently, a high catalytic efficiency for soot oxidation is achieved on the Pt/H-ZSM5 catalyst.

Diffusivity Scaling on Shear Flow

Diffusivity scaling on shear flow is investigated. Radial electrical field is the drive of the flow. The turning points of the trapped particle are not on the drift surface, but modified by the radial electrical field. For the first time, an analytical expression of the banana width in presence of shear flow is accurately derived. The particle diffusivity given by Rosenbluth is reproduced but with the shear flow modification.

Studies of photoconductivity and field effect transistor behavior in examining drift mobility, surface depletion, and transient effects in Si-doped GaN nanowires in vacuum and air

Variable intensity photoconductivity (PC) performed under vacuum at 325 nm was used to estimate drift mobility (μ) and density (σs) of negative surface charge for c-axis oriented Si-doped GaN nanowires (NWs). In this approach, we assumed that σs was responsible for the equilibrium surface band bending (∅) and surface depletion in the absence of illumination. The NWs were grown by molecular beam epitaxy to a length of approximately 10 μm and exhibited negligible taper. The free carrier concentration (N) was separately measured using Raman scattering which yielded N = (2.5 ± 0.3) × 1017 cm−3 for the growth batch studied under 325 nm excitation. Saturation of the PC was interpreted as a flatband condition whereby ∅ was eliminated via the injection of photogenerated holes. Measurements of dark and saturated photocurrents, N, NW dimensions, and dimensional uncertainties, were used as input to a temperature-dependent cylindrical Poisson equation based model, yielding σs in the range of (3.5 to 7.5) × 1011 cm−2 and μ in the range of (850 to 2100) cm2/(V s) across the (75 to 194) nm span of individual NW diameters examined. Data illustrating the spectral dependence and polarization dependence of the PC are also presented. Back-gating these devices, and devices from other growth batches, as field effect transistors (FETs) was found to not be a reliable means to estimate transport parameters (e.g., μ and σs) due to long-term current drift. The current drift was ascribed to screening of the FET back gate by injected positive charge. We describe how these gate charging effects can be exploited as a means to hasten the otherwise long recovery time of NW devices used as photoconductive detectors. Additionally, we present data illustrating comparative drift effects under vacuum, room air, and dry air for both back-gated NW FETs and top-gated NW MESFETs.

Radial drift invariant in long-thin mirrors

In omnigenous systems, guiding centers are constrained to move on magnetic surfaces. Since a magnetic surface is determined by a constant radial Clebsch coordinate, omnigeneity implies that the guiding center radial coordinate (the Clebsch coordinate) is a constant of motion. Near omnigeneity is probably a requirement for high quality confinement and in such systems only small oscillatory radial banana guiding center excursions from the average drift surface occur. The guiding center radial coordinate is then the leading term for a more precise radial drift invariant I r , corrected by oscillatory “banana ripple” terms. An analytical expression for the radial invariant is derived for long-thin quadrupolar mirror equilibria. The formula for the invariant is then used in a Vlasov distribution function. Comparisons are first made with Vlasov equilibria using the adiabatic parallel invariant. To model radial density profiles, it is necessary to use the radial invariant (the parallel invariant is insufficient for this). The results are also compared with a fluid approach. In several aspects, the fluid and Vlasov system with the radial invariant give analogous predictions. One difference is that the parallel current associated with finite banana widths could be derived from the radial invariant.

A 2D Model for Characterising First‐order Variability in Sublimation of Buried Glacier Ice, Antarctica: Assessing the Influence of Polygon Troughs, Desert Pavements and Shallow Subsurface Salts

ABSTRACTTo assess the role of thermal contraction‐crack polygons (sublimation polygons) in modulating sublimation of buried glacier ice in Antarctica, we applied a 2D numerical model using COMSOL Multiphysics that calculates the rate and spatial variability of vapour diffusion through porous media. Specifically, we examined vapour transport through Granite drift, a dry supraglacial till marked with thermal contraction‐crack polygons that rests on glacier ice reportedly ≥8‐million years in age. The model results show that sublimation varies with drift texture and surface topography. Initially, the rates are highest beneath relatively coarse‐grained sand‐wedge deposits at polygon margins, creating deep, surface troughs. As troughs approach ~1‐m depth, the cooler atmospheric and soil temperatures that arise from solar shielding reduce the rates of ice sublimation to levels below that at polygon centres, preventing runaway ice loss at polygon margins. Including the effects of a salt‐cemented horizon at 10 − 15‐cm depth (porosity 20%) and a rocky surface pavement (75% ground coverage), our modelled ice loss at polygon centres, for example, is 0.022 mm a−1, an order of magnitude lower than previous estimates (0.14 mm a−1). This finding highlights the importance of including field‐based data for drift texture, topography and microclimate variation in modelling ice sublimation. The results also suggest that stable conditions (no ice loss) at polygon centres are possible with either a 1.9°C decrease in mean annual atmospheric temperature or a 12 per cent increase in mean annual relative humidity. These results indicate that the preservation of buried, multi‐million‐year‐old ice is plausible in the coldest and driest regions of Antarctica. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.