transparent silicon nitride tagged posts

This is a sample of transparent polycrystalline cubic silicon nitride with a diameter of approximately two millimeters, synthesized at DESY. Credit: Norimasa Nishiyama, DESY/Tokyo Tech

Scientists synthesize 1st sample of transparent silicon nitride, ie popular industrial ceramic DESY.The result is a super-hard window made of cubic silicon nitride that can potentially be used under extreme conditions like in engines. Cubic silicon nitride (c-Si3N4) forms under high pressure and is the 2nd hardest transparent nanoceramic after diamond but can withstand substantially higher temperatures.

“Silicon nitride is a very popular ceramic in industry,” explains lead author Dr. Norimasa Nishiyama from DESY, now is an associate professor at Tokyo Institute of Technology...