Nanoscale Characterization of Structure-Sensitive Properties Area (Araki Laboratory)　　

The constituent atoms and their arrangement determine the function of a material. Our educational and research program unravels the mechanisms responsible for the expression of enhanced functions of materials on the atomic and single-electron scales. That is, we design, develop, and manufacture materials with superior functions. With an emphasis on metal materials, particularly hydrogen-absorbing alloys and nanomaterials, and semiconductors and ceramic materials such as Si and MgO, we use positrons or antielectrons (subatomic particle with the same mass as an electron but has a positive charge) to elucidate the relation between the behavior of lattice defects and the functions of materials. We are also developing novel evaluation techniques and devices using positrons as probes.

Professor :
Hideki Araki

Associate Professor :
Masataka Mizuno

Assistant Professor :
Kazuki Sugita

Investigation of hydrogen-absorbing alloys, semiconductor materials, high-density wiring materials, amorphous alloys, heat-resistant materials, aging (age-hardening) alloys, shape-memory alloys, superplastic alloys, thin/multilayer film materials
Development of nanoprecipitates, nanocrystalline materials, nanoparticles
Positron annihilation spectroscopy
Studies on transport mechanism of atoms in solids and phase transformations
Computer simulations of defect structures
Computer simulations of atomic transport
First-principles calculations of positron lifetimes

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