The development of multilayer structures has been driven by a wide range of commercial applications requiring enhanced material behaviors. Innovations in physical vapor deposition technologies, in particular magnetron sputtering, have enabled the synthesis of metallic-based structures with nanoscaled layer dimensions as small as one-to-two monolayers. Parameters used in the deposition process are paramount to the Formation of these small layer dimensions and the stability of the structure. Therefore, optimization of the desired material properties must be related to assessment of the actual microstructure. Characterization techniques as x-ray diffraction and high resolution microscopy are useful to reveal the interface and layer structure-whether ordered or disordered crystalline, amorphous, compositionally abrupt or graded, and/or lattice strained Techniques for the synthesis of metallic multilayers with subnanometric layers will be reviewed with applications based on enhancing material behaviors as reflectivity and magnetic anisotropy but with emphasis on experimental studies of mechanical properties.

Layered composites of Cu/Nb with incoherent interfaces achieve very high strength levels. Interfaces play a crucial role in materials strength by acting as barriers to slip. Atomistic models of Cu/Nb bilayers are used to explore the origins of this resistance. The models clearly show that dislocations near an interface experience an attraction toward the interface. This attraction is caused by shear of the interface induced by the stress field of the dislocation. More importantly, atomistic simulations also reveal that interfacial dislocations easily move in interfaces by both glide and climb. Integrating these findings into a micro-scale model, we develop a three-dimensional crystal elastic-plastic model to describe the mechanical behavior of nanoscale metallic multi layers.

This book contains a series of lectures given in a Summer School held in Aussois (France) in September 1989. It offers a global perspective on the current state-of-the-art in the rapidly emerging field of metallic multilayered structures.

In complex loading conditions (e.g. sliding contact), mechanical properties, such as strain hardening and initial hardness, will dictate the long-term performance of materials systems. With this in mind, the strain hardening behaviors of Cu/Nb nanoscale metallic multilayer systems were examined by performing nanoindentation tests within nanoscratch wear boxes and undeformed, as-deposited regions. Both the architecture and substrate influence were examined by utilizing three different individual layer thicknesses (2, 20, and 100 nm) and two total film thicknesses (1 and 10 [mu]m). After nano-wear deformation, multilayer systems with thinner layers showed less volume loss as measured by laser scanning microscopy. Additionally, the hardness of the deformed regions significantly rose with respect to the as-deposited measurements, which further increased with greater wear loads. Strain hardening exponents for multilayers with thinner layers (2 and 20 nm, n ≈ 0.018 and n ≈ 0.022 respectively) were less than was determined for 100 nm systems (n ≈ 0.041). These results suggest that singledislocation based deformation mechanisms observed for the thinner systems limit the extent of achievable strain hardening. This conclusion indicates that impacts of both architecture strengthening and strain hardening must be considered to accurately predict multilayer performance during sliding contact across varying length scales.

The goal of this thesis is to understand the interaction between dislocations and various metallic interfaces in nanoscale metallic multilayers (NMM). At lower strain rates, this mean understanding the effect of interfaces to the strain hardening of the NMMs; at higher strain rates, this means the effect of the interfaces on the spallation strengths of the NMMs. NMMs possess ultra-high strength level which is owing to the interactions between single dislocations (i.e. no pile-up) and interfaces. In this thesis, aiming at the goal, using atomistic simulations several nanoscale metallic multilayers subjected to different loading conditions and strain rates are being considered.

Projected applications for nanoscale metallic multilayers will include wide temperature ranges. Since film residual stress has been known to alter system reliability, stress development within new film structures with high interfacial densities should be characterized to identify potential long-term performance barriers. To understand factors contributing to thermal stress evolution within nanoscale metallic multilayers, stress in Cu/Nb systems adhered to Si substrates was calculated from curvature measurements collected during cycling between 25 °C and 400 °C. Additionally, stress within each type of component layers was calculated from shifts in the primary peak position from in-situ heated X-ray diffraction. The effects of both film architecture (layer thickness) and layer order in metallic multilayers were tracked and compared with monolithic Cu and Nb films. Analysis indicated that the thermoelastic slope of nanoscale metallic multilayer films depends on thermal expansion mismatch, elastic modulus of the components, and also interfacial density. The layer thickness (i.e. interfacial density) affected thermoelastic slope magnitude while layer order had minimal impact on stress responses after the initial thermal cycle. When comparing stress responses of monolithic Cu and Nb films to those of the Cu/Nb systems, the nanoscale metallic multilayers show a similar increase in stress above 200 °C to the Nb monolithic films, indicating that Nb components play a larger role in stress development than Cu. Local stress calculations from X-ray diffraction peak shifts collected during heating reveal that the component layers within a multilayer film respond similarly to their monolithic counterparts.

This book presents the findings of experimental and theoretical (including first-principles molecular dynamics simulation) studies of nanostructured and nanocomposite metal-based materials, and nanoscale multilayer coatings fabricated by physical or chemical vapor deposition, magnetron sputtering, electrospark alloying, ionic layer absorption, contact melting, and high-current electron beam irradiation. It also discusses novel methods of nanocomposite formation, as well as the structure of the deposited films, coatings and other nanoscale materials, their elemental and phase composition, and their physical–mechanical, tribological, magnetic and electrical properties. Lastly, it explores the influence of a various surface modification methods, such as thermal annealing, pulsed laser modification, and thermomechanical and ultrasonic treatment, as well as different properties of nanostructured films.

Introducing the fields of nanomaterials and devices, and their applications across a wide range of academic disciplines and industry sectors, Donglu Shi bridges knowledge acquisition and practical work, providing a starting point for the research and development of applications. The book describes characterization of nanomaterials, their preparation methods and performance testing techniques; the design and development of nano-scale devices; and the applications of nanomaterials, with examples taken from different industry sectors, such as lighting, energy, bioengineering and medicine / medical devices. Key nanomaterial types are covered, such as carbon nanotubes, nanobiomaterials, nano-magnetic materials, semiconductor materials and nanocomposites. Shi also provides detailed coverage of key emerging technologies such as DNA nanotechnology and spintronics. The resulting text is equally relevant for advanced students (senior and graduate) and for engineers and scientists from a variety of different academic backgrounds working in the multi-disciplinary field of nanotechnology. - Provides detailed guidance for the characterization of nanomaterials, their preparation, and performance testing - Explains the principles and challenges of the design and development of nano-scale devices - Explores applications through cases taken from a range of different sectors, including electronics, energy and medicine.

Nanomaterials attract tremendous attention in recent researches. Although extensive research has been done in this field it still lacks a comprehensive reference work that presents data on properties of different Nanomaterials. This Handbook of Nanomaterials Properties will be the first single reference work that brings together the various properties with wide breadth and scope.