The aim of my project is to develop methods to produce single crystals, doped crystals and peritectic structures using an optical floating zone furnace, with a view to studying plasticity in structurally complex phases. Of interest are simple Laves Phases and a range of complex metallic alloys. Techniques to achieve controlled doping will be developed with a particular interest in aluminides. Samples prepared by these techniques will be subjected to a range of tests, particularly midi scale mechanical testing, which can be compared with micropillar compression and larger scale conventional mechanical testing.
