Effects of quench rates on the short- and medium-range orders of amorphous silicon carbide: A molecular-dynamics study

Kun Xue, Li Sha Niu*, Hui Ji Shi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)
Plum Print visual indicator of research metrics
  • Citations
    • Citation Indexes: 18
    • Policy Citations: 1
  • Captures
    • Readers: 22
see details

Abstract

Amorphous silicon carbide (a -SiC) networks generated from melted SiC at various quench rates (from 1014 to 5× 1011 K/s) are studied with Tersoff potential based molecular-dynamics simulations. With the decreasing quench rates, dramatic changes are observed in chemical order, as well as in its topological orders over both short and medium ranges. The corresponding modification of topological short-range order is manifested not only by improvement of the characteristic tetrahedral configuration, but also by variation in the spatial distributions of the homonuclear bonds. On the other hand, the corresponding development over medium range gives rise to a more compact and more homogeneous structure. The essential mechanisms determining the atomic arrangements on both length scales are further explored. It is reasonable to argue that chemical order, as a function of the quench rate, should be mainly responsible for the topological features of a -SiC.

Original languageEnglish
Article number053518
JournalJournal of Applied Physics
Volume104
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of quench rates on the short- and medium-range orders of amorphous silicon carbide: A molecular-dynamics study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this

Xue, K., Niu, L. S., & Shi, H. J. (2008). Effects of quench rates on the short- and medium-range orders of amorphous silicon carbide: A molecular-dynamics study. Journal of Applied Physics, 104(5), Article 053518. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2974095