Pierre Bastie

In situ determination of γ′ phase volume fraction and of relations between lattice parameters and precipitate morphology in Ni-based single crystal superalloy

Diffraction profiles of single crystal Ni-based superalloy samples with different microstructures were measured in situ up to the complete solutionizing of the {gamma}{prime} phase, using a high resolution triple crystal diffactometer and high energy synchrotron radiation (150 keV, {lambda} = 0.08 {angstrom}). A comparison between an undeformed sample and creep-deformed specimens with various resultant microstructures evidenced a relation between the lattice parameter distribution, the {gamma}{prime} precipitate microstructure and the sign of the connectivity. It was shown that a deformation induces a change in the relative volume cell of {gamma} and {gamma}{prime} phases. Moreover, the high resolution of the experimental set-up allows in many cases the {gamma}{prime} phase volume fraction to be measured with a good accuracy.

High diffraction efficiency at hard X-ray energy in a silicon crystal bent by indentation

The diffraction properties of a crystalline silicon plate of which one face was mechanically indented have been studied. This treatment induced a permanent curvature in the sample, which allowed a diffraction efficiency of 88% for 150u2005keV photons, i.e. a reflectivity of 64% including the absorption. This efficiency is constant over 14 arcseconds and is very close to the theoretical expectation, meaning that the curvature is highly homogeneous. The technique enables the fabrication, in a very reproducible fashion, of crystals for the realization of an astronomical hard X-ray concentrator (Laue lens).

MAX: a gamma-ray lens for nuclear astrophysics

The mission concept MAX is a space borne crystal diffraction telescope, featuring a broad-band Laue lens optimized for the observation of compact sources in two wide energy bands of high astrophysical relevance. For the first time in this domain, gamma-rays will be focused from the large collecting area of a crystal diffraction lens onto a very small detector volume. As a consequence, the background noise is extremely low, making possible unprecedented sensitivities. The primary scientific objective of MAX is the study of type Ia supernovae by measuring intensities, shifts and shapes of their nuclear gamma-ray lines. When finally understood and calibrated, these profoundly radioactive events will be crucial in measuring the size, shape, and age of the Universe. Observing the radioactivities from a substantial sample of supernovae and novae will significantly improve our understanding of explosive nucleosynthesis. Moreover, the sensitive gamma-ray line spectroscopy performed with MAX is expected to clarify the nature of galactic microquasars (e+e- annihilation radiation from the jets), neutrons stars and pulsars, X-ray Binaries, AGN, solar flares and, last but not least, gamma-ray afterglow from gamma-burst counterparts.

Temperature dependence of the structural order in the γ' phase of nickel base superalloy

Single crystal nickel base superalloys are used for the high-temperature parts of aircraft engines like turbine blades. Their good mechanical properties at high temperature are related to the precipitation of an ordered {gamma}{prime} phase which induces a structural hardening of the material. The {gamma}{prime} phase has an ordered L1{sub 2} structure while the {gamma} matrix is disordered and has a FCC structure. The volume fraction of f{gamma}{prime} of the {gamma}{prime} phase evolves with the temperature and a complete solutionizing occurs above 1,280 C in the AM1 superalloy. The {gamma}{prime} phase of Ni based superalloys is usually analyzed through its prototype Ni{sub 3}Al. As the Ni{sub 3}Al structure remains totally ordered up to temperature very close to the melting point, it is commonly assumed in superalloys that the {gamma}{prime} phase precipitates are fully ordered up to their solutionizing and that the volume fraction of the precipitates is equivalent to the volume fraction of the ordered phase. However, in superalloys, it is difficult to separate experimentally the effects related to the solutionizing of the precipitates from those due to a possible partial disordering of the {gamma}{prime} phase and this assumption has not been verified yet. The aim of this paper is tomorexa0» study the structural order in the {gamma}{prime} phase of a superalloy.«xa0less

CLAIRE gamma-ray lens: flight and long-distance test results

CLAIRE is a balloon-borne experiment dedicated to validating the concept of a diffraction gamma-ray lens. This new concept for high energy telescopes is very promising and could significantly increase sensitivity and angular resolution in nuclear astrophysics. CLAIREs lens consists of 556 Ge-Si crystals, focusing 170 keV gamma-ray photons onto a 3x3 matrix of HPGe detectors, each detector element being only 1.4x1.4x4 cm3. On June 14 2001, CLAIRE was launched by the French Space Agency (CNES)from its balloon base at Gap in the French Alps and was recovered near the Atlantic ocean (500 km to the west) after about 5 hours at float altitude. Pointing accuracy and gondola stabilization allowed us to select 1h12 of good time intervals for the data analysis. During this time, 33 diffracted photons have been detected leading to a 3σ detection of the source. Additional measurements made on a ground based 205 meters long test range are also presented. The results of this latter experiment confirm those of the stratospheric flight.

Ordered stacking of crystals with adjustable curvatures for hard X- and γ-ray broadband focusing

A stack of plate-like curved crystals is proposed as an optical element for X- and γ-ray focusing. Si mono-crystal plates have been bent by surface grooving and positioned one over the other to form a stack. The relative alignment of the curved diffracting planes in the stack has been tested by hard X-ray diffractometry using a polychromatic and divergent beam. The stack exhibited a single and well defined spot under X-ray diffraction, highlighting that the plates are sufficiently aligned to behave as a single crystal. The curvature of the plates in the stack can be precisely set by tightly controlling the experimental parameters of grooving. Once set, the curvature is self-standing, i.e. it is maintained without any need for an external bender. Thanks to the stacking, it would be possible to realize optical elements with arbitrarily large size. This achievement has important implications for the realization of satellite-borne experiments in astrophysics and instruments for nuclear medicine with superior resolution.

Temperature dependence of lattice mismatch and gamma" volume fraction of a fourth-generation monocrystalline nickel-based superalloy

Abstract The strain distribution in a new generation nickel-based single crystal superalloy has been determined in the temperature range 293K–1598K. Measurements have been performed using diffraction of high energy synchrotron radiation (150keV, λ = 0.008 nm) to determine the variations with temperature of the γ/γ′ lattice mismatch and of the γ′ volume fraction. The chemical segregation at the dendrite scale and the internal stress induce a large range of values for the lattice mismatch. The measurements of the γ′ volume fraction determined by X-ray diffraction are in agreement with those obtained by atom probe tomography, image analysis or computation.

High-efficiency focusing of hard X-rays exploiting the quasi-mosaic effect in a bent germanium crystal

A germanium crystal was bent through a grid of superficial grooves, manufactured on the sample surface. The resulting diffraction planes were bent thanks to quasi-mosaicity, which is an effect of mechanical anisotropy in crystals. High integrated diffraction efficiency was achieved in symmetric Laue geometry with a monochromatic X-ray beam set at 150 and 300u2005keV. It is demonstrated that the sample is capable of efficiently focusing X-rays. Such crystals can be used as optical components to focalize X- and γ-rays in a high-resolution Laue lens.

Phase-specific high temperature creep behaviour of a pre-rafted Ni-based superalloy studied by X-ray synchrotron diffraction

The phase-specific high temperature creep behaviours of the γ and γ′ phases of a rafted Ni-based single crystal superalloy were investigated by a combination of in situ creep experiments and diffraction of high-energy X-ray synchrotron radiation. In situ experiments were performed at constant temperatures in a 930–1125u2009°C temperature range and under variable applied stress in order to study the material’s response (plastic strain, load transfer) to stress jumps. Using three crystal diffractometry in transmission (Laue) geometry, it was possible to measure the average lattice parameters of both the matrix and the rafts in the [1u20090u20090] direction at intervals shorter than 300u2009s. The absolute precision on the measurement of the constrained transverse mismatch (in the rafts’ plane) is better than 10−5. Plastic strain occurs within the γ corridors as soon as the Von Mises stress exceeds the Orowan stress. The plasticity of the γ′ rafts apparently depends on the transverse stress (i.e. perpendicular to the tensile axis) exceeding a threshold value of 60u2009MPa.

High energy X-ray diffraction measurement of the superstructure reflection (100) for a creep deformed AM1 single crystal superalloy specimen

Due to its importance for industrial applications, the microstructural behavior of single crystal nickel base superalloys as a function of the thermo-mechanical history of the material is the subject of many studies. However, some controversies remain concerning parameters which are driving the coarsening of {gamma}{prime} precipitates. In particular the role of the lattice parameter mismatch between the {gamma} and {gamma}{prime} phases (usually defined as {Delta}d/d = (a{gamma}{prime} {minus} a{gamma})/ where a{gamma}{prime} and a{gamma} represent respectively the lattice parameter value of the {gamma}{prime} and {gamma} phases) and of the internal stresses at the interfaces has to be clarified. An experiment was performed on a creep deformed sample using high energy synchrotron radiation and a Triple Crystal Diffractometer set-up (TCD) which allow nondestructive measurements and probe the bulk of the sample. With this method the superstructure reflection (100) was measured with a good accuracy and a reasonable statistics.