Propagation of phonons in nanocrystalline ZrO2: Y2O3 ceramics

Abstract

Phonon transfer in yttrium-oxide (Y2O3) stabilized ZrO2 ceramics is studied experimentally in the range of helium temperatures (1.7–3.8 K). A model of the structure of the intergranular layer in the ceramic is considered, which explains the temperature dependence of the phonon diffusion coefficient, makes it possible to determine the intergranular layer parameters (density, velocity of sound, and thickness), and gives an idea about its structure. Scattering of injected phonons from resonance vibrations of nanoceramic grains is discussed.