Coexistence of two aggregation modes in exotic liquid-crystalline superstructure: systematic maximum entropy analysis for cubic mesogen, 1,2-bis(4'-n-alkoxybenzoyl)hydrazine [BABH(n)].

Structure of a complex superstructure self-organized by thermotropic mesogen, 1,2-bis(4'- n-alkoxybenzoyl)hydrazine [BABH(n), where n is the number of carbon atoms in an alkoxy chain] was studied while paying special attention to the structure at the molecular level. Maximum entropy (MEM) analysis revealed that the molecular cores form two kinds of aggregates: Jungle gym with 3-fold junctions roughly on P minimal surface and spherical shells.

Application of FIB with micro pick-up to microstructural study of irradiated SiC/SiC composites.

The combination of focused ion beam (FIB) micro-processing and the lift-out technique using the micro pick-up system was applied to the preparation of TEM specimens of irradiated SiC/SiC composites. The deformation caused by microstructural evolution was observed in the pyrolitic carbon interphase, and several helium bubbles and cavities were detected in the CVI matrix.

Microstructural analysis of the deformation range under nano-indentation in beta-SiC.

As a powerful tool to analyse microstructural evolution under irradiation and the interaction of moving dislocations with radiation-induced defects, a focused ion beam (FIB) method was applied to ion-irradiated SiC followed by the nano-indentation test. An FIB method has excellent capability to prepare thin foils from the area of interest with a high accuracy of location and wide flexibility in the sampling direction. These advantages are demonstrated in the application to Si ion-irradiated SiC by transmission electron microscope observation.