Abstract: The crystal structure of the newly discovered double-Hg-layer copper oxide superconductor (Hg, Pr)(2)Ba-2(Y, Ca)Cu2O8-delta was studied as a function of chemical doping using neutron and electron diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM). Rietveld refinements of the structural parameters from neutron powder diffraction data indicate that the oxygen site O3 on the mercury plane is highly defective, being both partially occupied and displaced from the high-symmetry position. The variable concentration of oxygen vacancies partially compensates for the cation doping and, together with the O3 displacement field, makes some of the Hg atoms acquire an unusual pyramidal coordination. HREM images confirm that the structure is of the '2212' type, with very few defects. In some grains, faint superstructure reflections were evidenced by electron diffraction, suggesting that both the oxygen vacancies and the O3 displacement field may order at least on a local scale.

Abstract: The superstructure of the RE(2)(Sr0.85-xBaxNd0.15)(2)GaCU2O9 compound is found to change significantly with increasing substitution of Ba for Sr. Most of the changes take place in the (Sr0.85-xBaxNd0.15)O-GaO-(Sr0.85-xBaxNd0.15)O lamella, the rest of the basic structure being hardly affected. The structural changes for O less than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.65 are studied by electron diffraction. The arrangement of the chains of GaO4 tetrahedra in the Ba-free compound becomes disordered at x > 0.25. At x similar to 0.65 a rearrangement of the chains in the GaO layers takes place; they form a meandering arrangement, which can be described on a 4a(p) x 2a(p) x c(p) superlattice. This rearrangement is accompanied by ordering of Ba and Sr atoms in the adjacent (ST0.85-xBaxNd0.15)O layers. A simple scheme is proposed to explain the influence of the substitution of Ba for Sr on the linking of the GaO4 tetrahedra and on the geometry of the ''chains'' in the GaO layer.

Abstract: Homogenised and quenched Ni65Al35 samples were heated and studied in situ in a CM20 electron microscope up to 900 degrees C. The Ni5Al3 phase first forming around 550 degrees C in the quenched L1(0) microtwinned martensite starts to decompose around 800 degrees C yielding B2 precipitates in a twinned L1(2) matrix. The latter twinning is a remainder of the microtwinning in the original room temperature martensite. Also the crystallographic relations between precipitates and matrix can be traced back to the original formation of twinned martensite plates within the austenite. Some aspects of the dynamics of the process are discussed on the basis of snap shots and video recordings.

Abstract: The present paper gives a review of results of recent studies investigating the fundamentals of the martensitic and related phase transformations in Ni-Al. For the former case, the emphasis will be on the microstructure of martensite plates. The latter include the metastable Ni2Al omega-like and stable Ni5Al3 bainitic phases. These phases will be discussed in view of their atomic structure, nucleation, growth and effect on the martensitic transformation. A separate chapter will deal with precursor effects.

Abstract: A ''2222'' cuprate with mercury bilayers (Hg1.5Cu0.2Pr0.3)Ba2Pr2Cu2O10-delta, has been synthesized for the first time. It crystallizes in the P4/nmm space group with a = 3.9072(1) Angstrom and c = 17.219(1) Angstrom. The powder XRD and HREM studies of this new cuprate show that its structure consists of an intergrowth of double pyramidal (oxygen-deficient perovskite) copper layers, with double fluorite-type layers and distorted triple rock salt layers (mercury bilayers). The structure of this phase can be deduced from that of the ''2212'' mercury cuprate (Hg1.5Cu0.2Pr0.3)Ba2PrCu2O8-delta by the introduction of one additional [PrO2]infinity fluorite layer. The regular stacking of the metallic layer and the uniform cationic distribution in the mercury bilayers are remarkable features of this cuprate. The stabilization of the mercury bilayers by praseodymium and the absence of superconductivity are discussed. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.

Abstract: The nucleation and growth mechanisms of Ni5Al3 precipitates and microtwinned plates in B2 austenite and 2M (3R) martensite phases are described on the basis of conventional and high resolution electron microscopy. In the Ni62.5Al37.5 B2 austenite matrix short annealings at 550 degrees C introduce three-pointed star shaped precipitates consisting of twin related parts of different variants of the Ni5Al3 structure. Longer annealings result in plates growing separately from these wings and developing microtwinning in order to accommodate stress built-up at the interfaces with the surrounding matrix. Annealing of Ni65Al35 2M martensite plates induces simple reordering into the Ni5Al3 phase, increasing the fct c/a ratio by about 1%. As a result stracking faults are introduced in the smallest twin variants.