R. C. Kurchin | Searcharxiv

arXiv2026

Report on reproducibility in condensed matter physics

We present recommendations to improve reproducibility and replicability in condensed matter physics. This area of physics has consistently produced both fundamental insights into the workings of matter and transformative inventions. Our recommendations result from a collaboration that includes researchers from academia and government laboratories, scientific journalists, legal professionals, representatives of publishers, professional societies, and other experts. The group met in person in May 2024 at a conference at the University of Pittsburgh to discuss the growing challenges related to research reproducibility and replicability in condensed matter physics. In this report, we discuss best practices and policies at all stages of the scientific process to safeguard the value of condensed matter. We hope this report will lay the groundwork for a broader conversation to develop subfield-specific recommendations.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2024

Thermal stability and phase transformation of $α$-, $κ(ε)$-, and $γ$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ thin films to $β$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ under various ambient conditions

Phase transitions in metastable $α$-, $κ(ε)$-, and $γ$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ films to thermodynamically stable $β$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ during annealing in air, N$_2$, and vacuum have been systematically investigated via in-situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. These respective polymorphs exhibited thermal stability to around 471-525$^\circ$C, 773-825$^\circ$C, and 490-575$^\circ$C before transforming into $β$-Ga$_2$O$_3$, across all tested ambient conditions. Particular crystallographic orientation relationships were observed before and after the phase transitions, i.e., (0006) $α$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ $\parallel$ $(\overline{4}02)$ $β$-Ga$_2$O$_3$, (004) $κ(ε)$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ $\parallel$ (310) and $(\overline{4}02)$ $β$-Ga$_2$O$_3$, and (400) $γ$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ $\parallel$ (400) $β$-Ga$_2$O$_3$. The phase transition of $α$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ to $β$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ resulted in catastrophic damage to the film and upheaval of the surface. The respective primary and possibly secondary causes of this damage are the +8.6% volume expansion and the dual displacive and reconstructive transformations that occur during this transition. The $κ(ε)$- and $γ$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ films converted to $β$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ via singular reconstructive transformations with small changes in volume and unchanged surface microstructures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗