Alexander Zakharov

Optical studies of plasma inhomogeneities in a high-current pulsed magnetron discharge

Results are presented for experimental studies of the plasma glow in a high-current pulsed magnetron discharge by using a high-speed optical frame camera. It is found that the discharge plasma is inhomogeneous in the azimuthal direction. The plasma bunches rotate with a linear velocity of ∼1 cm/μs in the direction of electron Hall drift, and their number is proportional to the discharge current. Plasma inhomogeneities in the form of plasma jets propagate in the form of plasma jets from the cathode region toward the anode. It is shown analytically that the formation of inhomogeneities is caused by the necessity to transfer high-density electron current across the magnetic field.

Amorphous hydrogenated carbon films deposited by a closed-drift ion source

The general possibility of the extended (∼30 cm) closed-drift ion source application for deposition of wear-resistant amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H) films on large-area dielectric substrates, in particular, on carbon-fiber plastic, is shown. Parameters of the “ion” and the “plasma” regimes of the ion source operation in argon and methane are defined. It is shown that the ion current nonuniformity is in the range of ±5–15% depending on the operation mode. Optimum conditions for the substrate precleaning in argon and hard, well-adhered a-C:H films deposition from methane are determined. The films are characterized by high hardness (∼11 GPa) and low surface roughness (∼0.13 nm) that leads to a several times lower friction coefficient (0.05) and wear rate (0.001 μm 3 m −1 N −1 ) compared to glass and carbon-fiber plastic substrates.

Improvement of coating deposition and target erosion uniformity in rotating cylindrical magnetrons

Cylindrical magnetrons with rotating cathodes have found wide application in the thin-film coating deposition technologies owing to a higher degree of the target utilization and used power level as compared with planar magnetrons. The aim of this work was to increase the efficiency of cylindrical magnetrons. It is known that the region of uniform coatings deposition with extended magnetrons is essentially lower than the sputtered cathode length. The actual achievable cathode utilization degree is limited, with the regions at cathode ends having a higher wear rate than the central part. To eliminate these shortcomings, experiments were carried out on the creation of a magnetic system to allow an increase of the coating deposition uniformity and target utilization. Resulting from the investigations that were carried out, a magnetic system design with an increased magnetic field at its ends (by 5–15%) and modified turn-around parts has been developed. This magnetic system design allows extending the coating deposition region with the uniformity of ±1% by 12.5 cm and completely eliminating accelerated erosion of the end cathode parts. The obtained results are promising for use in technologies of deposition of thin-film coatings with a high degree of uniformity (no worse than ±1%) onto large-area substrates.

Structural model of oil field limestone reservoir in Denisov depression based on ALOS PALSAR images and seismic exploration data

The paper discusses modern dynamics of earth crusts blocks mobility within the area of large oil field under development. Tectonic fractures network mapped by means of remote sensing data may be used to explain and predict wells productivity at oil fields. To check the suggestion proposed the reserve at oil field in Denisov depression, Siberia, was selected. The results obtained show that proposed structural model of the reservoir is largely confirmed by field data and can serve as a basis for further drilling of the operating field.

Properties of WS 2 films prepared by magnetron sputtering from a nanostructured target

Tungsten disulfide films were prepared by magnetron sputtering from a laboratory and a nanostructured targets. The nanostructured target was produced from WS2 nanolamellar particles prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis in argon. The main phase in the films was 2H-WS2. According to the X-ray analysis, the films sputtered from the laboratory target and from the nanostructured one reveal different planes of film growth orientation.

X-band SAR interferometry for forest dynamics detection

The study aims at the interferometric phase measurements in order to estimate the effective phase center shift for the forested area during short time intervals (11-22 days) in X-band. Regular repeated-pass TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X observations in winter, spring and summer allow interferometric measurements under different weather conditions. Low values of phase difference variations are typical for dry weather. Larger values were observed under the wet conditions and probably during the active vegetation period.

Oil platforms in Caspian Sea as stable distributed radar scatterers for palsar calibration

An analysis of oil platforms long-term stability in Caspian Sea seen on the Japanese synthetic aperture radar PALSAR and PALSAR-2 images is made. It is shown that typical radar cross section stability of oil platforms is about 0.5 dB, what is close to the parameters of specially designed calibration targets. Possibility of PALSAR and PALSAR-2 intercalibration using the oil platforms under study is demonstrated.

The early detection of semi-permeable filtration barriers by using SAR interferometry

The faults are universal in the petroleum reservoirs. Some of them are Semi-Permeable Filtration Barriers (SPFBs) such that a SPFB becomes fluid/gas permeable if a pressure threshold is exceeded. This may cause sudden changes in reservoir structures and, eventually result in negative impacts on production. This paper deals with early SPFB detection and characterization. We consider some case studies of reservoirs with SPFBs, and present a new methodology for SPFB detection. This includes the following groups of methods: mapping of surface responses to deep geodynamic and fluid-dynamic events (incl. SAR interferometry), 3D-mapping of faults in the reservoir and adjacent formations, separation of SPFBs from other dislocations. The methodology implementation is demonstrated with the case study of underground gas storage.

Study of PALSAR radiometric stability with passive calibration targets

The goal of the paper is to demonstrate radiometric stability of PALSAR instrument on 4 years time interval using new type of calibration targets - strong passive scatterers of both artificial and natural origin. Artificial targets used in our study were parabolic antennas located at Special Design Bureau of Moscow Power Engineering Institute (SDB MPEI) calibration site. Natural calibration targets we selected for calibration were bright scattering objects identified in urban and industrial areas near SDB MPEI calibration site in Moscow region, Russia.

Rotating Cylindrical Magnetrons and Accelerators with Anode Layer for Large — Area Film Deposition Technologies

DC magnetrons with a rotating cylindrical cathode and length up to 2.5 m were designed. Results of the experiments for the sputtered film uniformity and target utilization degree increasing are presented. Depending on technological requirements, a magnet system of the magnetron forms either one sputtered particle flow or two flows in diametrically opposite directions. Linear accelerators with an anode layer designed for cleaning the substrate surfaces prior to the coating deposition and for hard carbon films deposition are described as well.