Publications

The effects of total-dose irradiation on PbO-ZrO{sub 2}-TiO{sub 2} ferroelectric capacitors have been studied in detail. It is shown that significant total-dose degradation of ferroelectrics can occur at dose levels greater than 1 Mrad(Si). 6 refs., 5 figs.

PIC's (Power Integrated Circuits) are becoming increasingly important because they allow integration of high-voltage and high-current power transistors, precision linear control circuitry, and low-voltage logic gates on the same monolithic chip. Integration of power and control functions provide benefits in reduced weight and size, enhanced reliability, and lower costs over conventional designs using these same components packaged separately. However, commercial PIC technologies, including AT T's commercial BCDMOS technology, are susceptible to failure in radiation environments. The relative lack of radiation hardness of the AT T BCDMOS technology was previously reported at this conference. Radiation hardening of PIC technologies is significantly more difficult than for other IC technologies, primarily because of the integration of many different types of devices into the technology. To facilitate integration, different devices share processing sequences. Thus, no one device can be optimized independently of the remaining devices. Since each device has its own distinct radiation response, this adds another set of constraints on the optimization of the overall technology from the point of view of device performance and radiation response. The high-voltage requirements further complicates efforts to harden a PIC technology. Modifying one device to optimize one aspect of its performance can severely impact all the other devices in the technology. 4 refs., 5 figs.

The objective of this work is the development of numerical models of rock fragmentation by blasting that can be applied to oil shale recovery. Specifically, these models should be used to improve mining efficiency, evaluate alternative mining strategies and provide a basis for evaluating the blast design for in situ retort construction. 11 refs., 7 figs.

Studies of falling-ball rheometry in concentrated suspensions, embodying a combination of analysis experiment, and numerical simulation, are discussed. Experiments involve tracking small balls falling slowly through otherwise quiescent suspensions of neutrally buoyant particles. A theory has been developed relating the average ball velocity to the macroscopic suspension viscosity, and, for dilute suspensions, agreement is obtained with Einstein's sheared suspension viscosity. Detailed trajectories of the balls, obtained either with new experimental techniques or by numerical simulation, are statistically interpreted in terms of the mean settling velocity and the dispersion about that mean. We show that falling-ball rheometry, using small balls relative to the suspended particles, can be a means of measuring the macroscopic zero-shear viscosity without disturbing the original microstructure significantly; therefore, falling-ball rheometry can be a powerful tool to study the effects of microstructure on the macroscopic properties of suspensions. 25 refs.

Joining ceramics to metals requires solutions to both scientific and practical engineering problems. Scientific issues include understanding the fundamental nature of adhesion at metal-ceramic interfaces, predicting interfacial reactions, and understanding the relation between chemical bonding and mechanical stresses at the interface on the atomic level. Engineering a specific ceramic-metal joint requires finding the optimum among what may be inherently incompatible properties. The following review briefly outlines some of the different methods for joining ceramics. Following that, some fundamental aspects of ceramic joining are presented. The paper concludes with examples of ceramic bonding in several engineering ceramic systems.

The assumptions, approximations, and uncertainty in the 1-MeV equivalent silicon damage methodology are reviewed. A new silicon displacement kerma function, based on ENDF/B-VI cross sections, is presented and its shape is experimentally confirmed. The issue of an associated 1-MeV equivalent reference kerma value is discussed. 19 refs., 4 figs.

By recirculating a relativistic electron beam (REB) in phase with a repeating accelerating voltage, it is possible to construct compact, efficient, high voltage gradient, linear induction accelerators (LIA). Concerns about energy spreads due to degradation of our 1.1-MV, 34-ns duration accelerating activity repeating pulse shapes have resulted in our improving the 24-switch trigger system for the ET-2 cavity, and identifying critical factors in the cavity design that affect the pulse shape. We summarize the improvements (completed and proposed) for the existing ET-2 cavity pulsed power and the status of our design analysis and modelling for the new four-pass accelerating cavities that could produce a 20-MeV REB for RLA. 14 refs., 24 figs.

Long term reliability of solder joints in thick film Au hybrid microcircuits require either minimization of the solid state growth of intermetallics or verification that if present, they do not compromise component performance. Intermetallic compounds such as AuIn{sub 2} or AuSn{sub 4} arise from the solid state reaction between Au thick films and 50Pb--50In or 63Sn--37Pb solder alloys, respectively; they are undesirable due to their brittle mechanical behavior caused by lack of a sufficient number of independent slip systems for plastic deformation. In addition, they may alter the resistivity of a circuit and thereby alter electronic performance. This paper will present a brief overview of the Au thick film inks/solder alloy systems whose intermetallic growth kinetics have been characterized at SNL, Albuquerque for hybrid microcircuit electronic applications. 6 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.

Examination of the durability of zirconia-coated rigid disks in various environments reveals a sensitivity to the presence of water vapor during sliding. Vacuum and dry air yield contact durabilities of 300 to 400 m, while in 50% relative humidity air the contact life increases to about 20 km. The durability of amorphous carbon-coated disks was also found to be more sensitive to the presence of moisture than to oxygen. The dominant factors affecting wear are believed to be oxidation of metallic debris and interaction of the overcoat layer with water vapor. Tests with ferrite read/write sliders on carbon-coated disks suggest that the pin-on-disc test is a valid simulation of the tribological behavior of this system. Carbon film thickness measurements indicate that the carbon film remains intact without appreciable thinning until the point of failure. 25 refs., 12 figs., 1 tab.

A method is presented for smoothing and differentiating noisy data given on a rectangular grid. The method makes use of a one-dimensional smoothing algorithm to construct the solution to an associated two-dimensional problem. Smoothing parameter selection is automated using a technique that does not require prior knowledge of the amount of noise in the data. Numerical examples are provided demonstrating the application of the method. 4 refs., 8 figs., 2 tabs.

Drillhole H-12 was drilled where hydraulic data were needed to better establish flow characteristics existing south-southeast of the WIPP site. The fluid-bearing zones of interest are the Magenta and Culebra dolomite units of the Rustler Formation. Dissolution of halite in the Rustler Formation has occurred in the uppermost member, but has not yet begun in the lower halite-bearing members. Cuttings and cores were taken at selected intervals and geophysical logs were run over the entire depth of the hole. 3 refs., 2 figs., 3 tabs.

Research has shown that long-term hourly insolation data are necessary to properly size stand-alone photovoltaic systems. Even if these data are available, their direct use requires extensive computing capabilities and is not practical on a routine basis. This paper describes a three-step model that generates realistic long-term hourly insolations from average monthly insolations. The model executes rapidly on a personal computer and generates the hourly data needed to properly size stand-alone systems. The approach used to develop this model was unique in that system performance predictions rather than statistical properties were used to verify that the synthetic data were representative of actual data. Results of verification tests show that array sizes resulting from the synthetic data are within 6% of the array sizes resulting from actual hourly data for any system with at least two days of energy storage. 5 figs., 4 tabs.

Sandia designed, built, and tested prototypes of a new photovoltaic concentrator module, the Sandia Baseline Module 3 (SBM3). The SBM3 is intended to be a high-efficiency module that can be readily adapted for commercial production. It consists of a 2 by 12 parquet of lenses arranged with 24 cells in an aluminum housing. The geometric concentration ratio is 185. The cells were made at the University of New South Wales and employ prismatic covers designed by ENTECH. The module features a new concept in cell assemblies in that the cells are soldered directly to a copper heat spreader, eliminating the expensive ceramic wafer and heat sink that have been used in previous designs. Electrical isolation was accomplished by anodizing the electrophoretically coating the aluminum housing. Lessons learned during construction and testing of the SBM3 are presented, along with the outdoor performance characteristics of prototype modules and results from qualification testing. 7 refs., 11 figs.

The Sandia Sorption Data Management System (SSDMS II) stores and retrieves trace element sorption data. The data management system has potential applications in performance assessment studies of transuranic high- and low-level, and toxic waste sites. The current version stores information describing the degree of sorption, the compositions of rocks and solutions used in the sorption experiment, and the experimental procedures. This User's Manual describes SSDMS II data searches, creation of new data files, and the merging of new with existing data base files. These extended data bases can be used to examine relationships among experimental variables, mineralogy of the substrate, water composition, and sorption ratios. Examples of using SSDMS II with a data base of radionuclide sorption data are given. 3 figs., 13 tabs.

Under the sponsorship of the US Department of Energy Office of Defense Programs, Sandia National Laboratories' Transportation Technology Center has developed computerized software to assist state and local governments in determining highway routing alternatives for radioactive materials. The techniques have a still wider application in analyzing route alternatives for all hazardous materials transport activities. The specific techniques discussed in this presentation are the latest update of the StateGEN/StateNET model structure and routing algorithm which contains the codified US Department of Transportation (DOT) Guidelines for Highway Route Controlled Quantity shipments of radioactive materials. 6 refs.

The 1/f noise of MOS transistors has been measured as a function of total ionizing dose and postirradiation biased annealing time. Comparison to oxide and interface trapped-charge buildup and annealing is discussed. 13 refs., 3 figs.

Significant improvements in CMOSIC quality, reliability, and fabrication yield can be readily achieved in the 1990s by appropriate implementation of tests for quiescent power supply current (I{sub DDQ}). As part of an overall quality management program, I{sub DDQ} testing incorporated with design for testability and modified conventional logic response testing enables 100% stuck-at fault coverage, quality improvement goals of defective levels less than 100 PPM, and reliability greater than 0.999 for 30 years. 9 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.

Gravitational forces have been found to be an important factor in defining the particle collection efficiency curve of inertial impactors for large particles. In general it was found that if the parameter {cflx G} = gW/V{sub 0}{sup 2} (g is the gravitational acceleration, W is the nozzle diameter and V{sub 0} is the average fluid velocity at the nozzle throat) in greater than 10{sup {minus}3}, the efficiency curve would shift to lower particle sizes. No effect could be seen for lower values of {cflx G}. 1 ref., 1 fig., 1 tab.

X-ray microanalysis by analytical electron microscopy (AEM) has proven to be a powerful tool for characterizing the spatial distribution of solute elements in materials. True compositional variations over spatial scales smaller than the actual resolution for microanalysis can be determined if the measured composition profile is deconvoluted. Explicit deconvolutions of such data, via conventional techniques such as Fourier transforms, are not possible due to statistical noise in AEM microanalytical data. Hence, the method of choice is to accomplish the deconvolution via iterative convolutions. In this method, a function describing the assumed true composition profile, calculated by physically permissible thermodynamic and kinetic modeling is convoluted with the x-ray generation function and the result compared to the measured composition profile. If the measured and calculated profiles agree within experimental error, it is assumed that the true compositional profile has been determined. If the measured and calculated composition profiles are in disagreement, the assumptions in the physical model are adjusted and the convolution process repeated. To employ this procedure it is necessary to calculate the x-ray generation function explicitly. While a variety of procedures are available for calculating this function, the most accurate procedure is to use Monte Carlo modeling of electron scattering. 9 refs., 1 fig.

TNF-doped Mylar is a new radiation-hard dielectric that has recently been qualified as a viable substitute for Mylar in capacitors. The advantage of TNF-doped Mylar is that it satisfies both the nuclear safety and radiation hardness requirements of weapons. Mylar is not radiation-hard. Aging and compatibility studies were carried out to insure that (1) TNF does not diffuse from the film during fabrication of the capacitor or during storage; and (2) there are no compatibility problems with aluminum foil (the conductor) or Fluorinert (the secondary dielectric). Losses of TNF were barely detectable during the vacuum bakes used in fabricating capacitors or during accelerated aging tests carried out below T{sub g} (70C) over a two year period in air. In other accelerated tests, no compatibility problems were detected with aluminum or Fluorinert. TNF-doped Mylar is now being used in the MC-4109 capacitor that was called out for use in SRAM II. We anticipate no age-related or compatibility-related problems with TNF-doped Mylar.

The equilibrium swelling of a number of elastomeric seals, commonly used in weapon components, was determined after they were exposed to a saturated solvent environment. The dimensional stability of these elastomers in the solvents varied considerably. Reasons for this are discussed and a method by which one may estimate the degree of swelling that these elastomers will undergo in a solvent environment is presented. 5 refs.

This paper surveys a few of the current issues in sol-gel reaction kinetics. Many times seemingly modest changes in reactants or reaction conditions can lead to substantial differences in the overall reaction rates and pathways. For example, qualitative features of the reaction kinetics can depend on catalyst concentration. At very high acid-catalyst concentrations, reverse are significant for TMOS sol-gels, while for moderate acid-catalyst concentrations, reverse reactions are substantially reduced. The reaction kinetics are substantially reduced. The reaction kinetics of two similar tetraalkoxysilanes: tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), can be markedly different under identical reaction conditions. Under acid-catalyzed reaction conditions, a TMOS sol-gel undergoes both water-and alcohol-producing condensation reactions while a TEOS sol-gel undergoes only water-producing condensation. The early time hydrolysis and condensation reactions of a TMOS sol-gel are statistical in nature and can be quantitatively described by a few simple reaction rate constants while the reaction behavior of a TEOS sol-gel is markedly nonstatistical. A comprehensive theory of sol-gel kinetics must address diverse experimental findings. 9 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.

The performance of battery charge controllers and their effects on the system are a critical concern for stand-alone photovoltaic systems with battery storage. Many types of charge controllers are being marketed today, and designers need to understand more about their performance and compatibility with different kinds of batteries and systems. This paper describes the evaluations and selected interim test results from eight different models of small (approx. 10 amps) charge controllers. They are being subjected to a comprehensive test program including thorough electrical characterizations at selected temperatures, photovoltaic inputs and load levels. After electrical characterizations, the charge controllers are divided into concurrent evaluation paths. One path consists of side-by-side operational systems tests in which the charge controllers are installed in identical stand-alone PV systems. The other path consists of continuous environmental and electrical cycling in which the controllers are subjected to programmed electrical inputs, temperatures, and relative humidities. Recharacterizations of all controllers are addition, selected custom tests are performed on identical models to determine response to transients, installation issues and system compatibilities. The data presented here include measured electrical characteristics of the controllers, temperature effects, operational performance, and interface measurements at the array, battery and load. 8 refs., 9 figs., 4 tabs.

In the testing of active microwave components, a common test procedure is to evaluate a device's performance when subjected to an all-phase, constant-standing-wave-ratio (APCS) load pull. Such a test specification is useful in verifying a device's stability and mismatch performance. Typically, APCS pulls are tediously performed by hand, with manually operated tuners. However, with the advent of mechanical, computer-controlled tuners, it is how possible to automate this procedure. At Sandia, the goal was to integrate an APCS pull capability into a multi-test, single-connection tester. (The single-connection concept implies that many test, such as network analysis, spectral analysis, and noise figure measurements can be made from a one-time, device-to-tester connection). Consequently, the slide-screw tuner was the obvious choice due to its removable probe capability. Hence, it became necessary to develop a custom algorithm capable of utilizing the tuner in an impedance-finding mode. The general concept used in implementing this capability was to empirically characterize the tuner over and acceptable range of tuner positions, and then use this characterization to intelligently predict the tuner positions needed to present the desired impedance. 4 figs.

Conductor development is one of the major long term goals in high temperature superconductor research. In this paper we report on two promising processing technologies that have been utilized to produce superconducting HTS conductors. First, melt spun YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} fibers rapid thermal processed for 1--8 sec at 950 to 1075{degree}C have {Tc}'s to 92 K, J{sub c}'s to 1100 A/cm{sup 2} and the orthorhombic twinned morphology typical for high quality YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7}. A processing matrix of time, temperature and composition for these fibers shows that slightly CuO-rich starting compositions give the best results. Second, silver tube encapsulated wires of Bi{sub 1.7}Pb{sub 0.3}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 10} have been made by extrusion, wire drawing and cold rolling. The resulting tapes show orientation of the crystallites, zero resistance up to 100K and improved magnetic hysteresis above 50 K. The combination of mechanical reprocessing and extended thermal anneals near 850{degree}C appears to significantly improve these materials. 13 refs., 7 figs.