Multiferroic thin-film heterostructures have attracted a great deal of attention due to the increasing demand for novel energy-efficient micro/nano-electronic devices. Both single phase multiferroic materials like BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films, and strain-mediated magnetoelectric (ME) nanocomposites, have the potential to fulfill a number of functional requirements in actual applications—principally, direct control of magnetization by the application of an electric field (E) and vice-versa. From the perspective of material science, however, it is essential to develop a fuller understanding of the complex fabrication-structure-property triangle relationship for these multiferroic thin films. Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) was used in this study to fabricate diverse epitaxial thin film heterostructures on top of single crystal substrates. The crystal structure, phase transition processes (amongst nanodomain distributions, dielectric phases, magnetic spin states, etc.), and various ME-related properties were characterized under different E or temperature environments. Resulting data enabled us to determine the structure-property relationships for a range of multiferroic systems. First, BFO-based heterostructures were studied. Epitaxial BFO thin films were deposited on top of (001)-oriented Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-30PbTiO3 (PMN-30PT) single crystal substrates. The strain states of BFO and crystal structural phases were tunable by E applied on the PMN-30PT via both the in-plane and out-of-plane modes. The strain-mediated antiferromagnetic state changes of BFO were also studied using neutron diffraction spectroscopy under E. Then, CoFe2O4(CFO)/tetragonal BFO nanocomposites were successfully fabricated on top of (001)-oriented LaAlO3 single crystal substrates. The surface morphology, crystal structure, magnetic properties, and ME effects were evaluated and compared with CFO/rhombohedral BFO nanocomposites. To enhance the performance of ME heterostructures with PMN-PT substrates, PMN-30PT single crystals with nanograted electrodes were also studied, which evidenced an enhancement in piezoelectric properties and dielectric constant by 36.7% and 38.3%, respectively. X-ray diffraction reciprocal space mapping (RSM) was used to monitor E-induced changes in the apparent symmetry and domain distribution of near-surface regions for the nanograted PMN-30PT crystals. Finally, in order to add antiferroelectric thin films to the family of strain-mediated multiferroic nanocomposites, epitaxial antiferroelectric thin films were prepared. Epitaxial (Pb0.98La0.02)(Zr0.95Ti0.05)O3 (PLZT) thin films were deposited on differently oriented SrTiO3 single crystal substrates. A thickness dependent incommensurate/commensurate antiferroelectric-to-ferroelectric phase transition was identified. The crystal structure, phase transition characteristics and pathways, and energy storage behaviors from room temperature to 250 ℃ were studied, enabling a more systematic understanding of PLZT-based AFE epitaxial thin films. To summarize, a range of epitaxial thin films were prepared using PLD, whose crystal structures and multiferroic properties were related through the strain. Accordingly, properties such as dielectricity, antiferroelectricity, and antiferromagnetism could be adjusted by E. This study sheds further light on the potential for designing desirable strain-mediated multiferroic nano-/micro-devices in the future. / Doctor of Philosophy / As a general definition, the class of materials known as multiferroics possess more than one ferroic order parameter. Multiferroic thin-film heterostructures have attracted a great deal of attention due to the increasing demand for novel energy-efficient micro/nano-electronic devices. Both single phase multiferroic materials like BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films and strain-mediated magnetoelectric (ME) nanocomposites show significant potential for use in next-generation devices due to the fact that one can control magnetic properties via the application of an electric field (E) and vice-versa. From the perspective of material science, however, it is essential to develop a fuller understanding of the complex fabrication-structure-property triangle relationship for these multiferroic thin films. In this study, diverse epitaxial thin film heterostructures were fabricated on top of single crystal substrates. The crystal structure, phase transition processes (amongst nanodomain distributions, dielectric phases, magnetic spin states, etc.), and various ME-related properties were characterized under different E or temperature environments. Resulting data enabled us to determine the structure-property relationships for a range of multiferroic systems. First, BFO-based heterostructures were studied. Epitaxial BFO thin films were deposited on top of (001)-oriented Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-30PbTiO3 (PMN-30PT) single crystal substrates. The strain states of BFO and crystal structural phases were tunable by E applied on the PMN-30PT via both the in-plane and out-of-plane modes. The strain-mediated antiferromagnetic state changes of BFO were studied using powerful neutron diffraction spectroscopy under E. Then, CoFe2O4(CFO)/tetragonal BFO nanocomposites were successfully fabricated on top of (001)-oriented LaAlO3 single crystal substrates. The surface morphology, crystal structure, magnetic properties, and ME effects were discussed and compared with CFO/rhombohedral BFO nanocomposites. To enhance the performance of ME heterostructures with PMN-PT substrates, PMN-PT single crystals with nanograted electrodes were also studied, which evidenced an enhancement in piezoelectric properties and dielectric constant by 36.7% and 38.3%, respectively. X-ray diffraction reciprocal space mapping (RSM) technique was used to monitor E-induced changes in the apparent symmetry and domain distribution of near-surface regions for nanograted PMN-PT crystals. Finally, in order to add antiferroelectric thin films to the family of strain-mediated multiferroic nanocomposites, epitaxial antiferroelectric thin films were prepared. Epitaxial (Pb0.98La0.02)(Zr0.95Ti0.05)O3 (PLZT) thin films were deposited on differently oriented SrTiO3 substrates. A thickness dependent incommensurate antiferroelectric-to-ferroelectric phase transition was identified. The crystal structure, phase transition characteristics and pathways, and energy storage behaviors from room temperature to 250 ℃ were studied, enabling a more systematic understanding of PLZT-based AFE epitaxial thin films. To summarize, a range of epitaxial perovskite thin films were prepared, whose crystal structures and multiferroic properties were related through the strain. Accordingly, the properties such as dielectricity, antiferroelectricity, and antiferromagnetism could be adjusted by E. This study sheds further light on the potential for designing desirable strain-mediated multiferroic nano-/micro-devices in the future.

In this thesis, a new Poly Phase Motor (rotary actuator) based on the Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) is presented. Details of Design, Modeling, Characterization, Realization and Control of Poly Phase SMA Motor are presented. Motor with 3 and 6 Phases, with appropriate Control circuit have been realized in laboratory and simulated results have been verified experimentally. In literature, broadly two types of Shape Memory Alloy based motors namely limited rotation motor and unlimited rotation motor are found. In the unlimited rotation type SMA based motor the SMA element is in the spring form. Hence, an attempt has been made in this research to develop an Unlimited Rotating type Balanced Poly Phase Motor based on SMA wire in series with a spring in each phase. By isolating SMA actuation and spring action a constant force by the SMA wire through out its range of operation is achieved. While designing the motor, similarity in function between Poly Phase SMA Motor and Stepper Motor was found. Hence, the Poly Phase Motor is characterized similar to that of a Stepper Motor. Functionally, the Poly Phase Motor can be used in stepping mode for generating incremental motion and servo mode for generating continuous motion. Various parameters of the motor have been defined. The motor can be actuated in either direction with different Phase sequencing methods, which are presented in this work. While explaining sequencing methods, effect of the thermal time constants has also been presented. The lumped thermal model is used for dynamic simulation of motor. The motor has been modeled with a new approach to the SMA wire Hysteresis model. This model is simple and useful for real time control applications. Model is implemented using Simulink and used for the simulation of the motor. Generalization of the motor concept is done and motor up to 16 Phases are studied and the simulation results done using MATLAB are discussed. It could be observed that the torque generated by the motor increases with increased number of phases while the torque ripple reduces. The motor torque ripple is better for motor with odd number of phases due to its construction. Two methods of achieving servo motion are presented. The first method is Micro Stepping, consisting of controlling single phase temperature with a position feedback. The second method is Antagonistic Control of temperatures of phases with position feedback. Both the above methods use PID Controller with optical encoder feedback for position sensing. Performance of the actuator with step, ramp and triangle inputs has been simulated using Simulink and verified experimentally for various loads and disturbances. Positional accuracy of 0.07% for the Step input and for the full rotation of 3600 is achieved. Vector Control of SMA Motor is presented. By this method Speed and the torque of the motor will be effectively controlled. Since the temperatures of the wires are controlled in this research, this method is named as Thermal Space Phasor or Vector Based Control. This method of rotation of motor is simulated using Simulink and verified experimentally. Here the current through the SMA is controlled so as to get near sinusoidal variation in temperature. This leads to a near Sinusoidal variation of force. It is shown that by controlling the temperature of phases Sinusoidally with a phase shift of 1200, the Resultant Force will be a constant over the Spatial angle of 3600 and its Velocity of rotation will be Constant. Open loop and closed loop control of the speed and torque is presented. While the motor rotates at fixed Speed and Torque in Open Loop Control, motor adopts to change in torque and velocity in Closed Loop control with reduced ripple. PID Controller is used for closed loop control. The presented rotary actuator and their experimental results set a new standard for SMA based new generation rotary actuators and control.

Recent developments in the area of microfabrication technologies, has enabled the fabrication of many radio frequency/microwave components with better performance and lower cost than possible with semiconductor based fabrication technology. Many of these microfabricated RF components such as switches and phase shifters, popularly known as RF MEMS, are aimed at reducing the insertion loss and improving other performance parameters such as linearity. For these devices size miniaturization is not necessarily important, as in practical subsystems, these components are integrated with RF front-ends on a laminate. This thesis deals with concepts of a low cost passive phase shifter fabricated in-situ on a microwave laminate. The operation of this Mesoscale Electrostatically actuated Phase shifter on microwave Laminate (MEPL) is similar to that of a micromachined distributed MEMS transmission line (DMTL) phase shifter. In spite of advantages of low losses, wide bandwidth, low DC power consumption and high linearity over semiconductor/MMIC technology, microfabricated phase shifters are often not used in field because of issues related to fabrication reliability, packaging and integration. On the other hand, the proposed MEPL will have all the advantages of conventional MEMS phase shifters with additional benefit of lower cost. Furthermore, these are integrable to form a monolithic phased array. A MEPL phase shifter of 50-bridges periodically distributed on the co-planar waveguide (CPW) transmission line is demonstrated in this thesis. MEMS air bridges are electrostatically actuated to vary the capacitance of the transmission line, which changes the phase velocity of the propagation RF signal, consequently phase at the output port. The realized MEPL is characterized for electromagnetic as well as electromechanical performance. The electromechanical characterization of this device is performed using a Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV). The measured data showed good agreement with the analytical data.. Major application of a phase shifter is in a phased array antenna system. MEPL is particularly suited for a monolithic phase array antenna. The proposed monolithic phased array antenna system fabrication approach utilizes extremely simple and economical modern printed circuit board technology to pattern the conventional microwave laminate and copper foil. A complete monolithic phased array antenna system is fabricated on a microwave laminate using an embedded phase shifter operating with electrostatic principles. Other components such as DC block and bias tee are integrated into the CPW-microstrip transitions to optimize the space and performance. Integrated phased array antenna is fabricated and tested to demonstrate the beam steering capability. Measured S11 is better than -15dB at the operating frequency of 9.8GHz. The beam steering capability is shown as proof of concept by showing the beam scan angle of 10deg with bias voltage of 125V. The mesoscale phase shifter demonstrated in this thesis has several advantages compared to micromachined phase shifters. The proposed fabrication approach does not use metal deposition/patterning process, which removes the need of high cost clean room and sophisticated films deposition equipments. Secondly, as there are no thin films used, stiction is not expected on phase shifters fabricated with this approach. Since this approach uses thicker metal films, the power handling capability is expected to be significantly higher than micromachined phase shifters. Since conventional phased array antenna system components are fabricated on a microwave laminate, micro machined phase shifters realized on semiconductor substrates are required to be packaged separately before integrating with such phased array circuits. Packaging of the micro-machined RF-MEMS/MEMS devices is still a major issue and contributes to a substantial part of the total cost. Unlike micromachined phase shifters which are required to be packaged and then embedded in phased array applications, device presented in this thesis is packaged in-situ. Compared to similar monolithic phased array antenna reported on silicon substrate which are limited by wafer size, these arrays can be easily extended for larger arrays on microwave laminate as these are available in large size. To summarize, the proposed fabrication approach for phase shifters overcomes many limitations of micromachined components for microwave applications while retaining most of their advantages compared to other existing approaches based on ferrites or semiconductor technologies.

Les serpentinites sont les roches produites par l’hydratation de la péridotite au niveau du plancher océanique. L’antigorite est la phase de haute température et haute pression appartenant au groupe minéral des serpentines, pouvant contenir dans sa structure jusqu’à 13 wt% H2O, et permet ainsi le transfert de quantités considérables d’eau dans le manteau, à travers les processus de subduction. Sa déstabilisation est fonction du chemin thermique emprunté par la plaque plongeante. Durant cette thèse nous avons étudié deux cas de figure pour la déshydratation de l’antigorite menant soit à la libération des fluides dans le coin mantellique et à la production des magmas d’arc, soit au transfert de l’eau à plus grandes profondeurs).Dans un premier temps, des expériences de déshydratation d’antigorite naturelle ont été conduites sur la presse multi-enclumes à 3 GPa et entre 600 et 900°C. Les conditions oxydantes ou bien réductrices ont été contrôlées par le dispositif expérimental (four en graphite ou en chromite de lanthane). Cette étude a permis de caractériser les produits de déshydratation de l’antigorite dans un système chimique représentatif des systèmes naturels ainsi que de contraindre l’état redox des réactions associées. En effet, les résultats mis en avant par cette étude montrent une fO2 équivalente au tampon Quartz-Magnétite-Fayalite (QFM) +5. Un tel potentiel oxydant des fluides issus de la déshydratation de l’antigorite soutient l’hypothèse de l’oxydation de la source mantellique des magmas d’arcs, présentant des rapports Fe3+/Fetotal plus élevés que les basaltes de ride médio-océanique par exemple.Dans un second temps, nous nous sommes intéressés aux modalités de transfert de l’eau dans le manteau profond. L’antigorite naturelle a cette fois été déstabilisée à de plus fortes pressions allant de 6.5 à 10 GPa pour des températures comprises entre 500 et 850°C. Ces résultats expérimentaux, ainsi qu’une analyse géométrique des relations de phases dans le system FMASH selon la méthode de Shreinemaker, ont mis en avant des modifications dans le diagramme de phase pour un système ultramafique hydraté en comparaison des études précédentes. En effet, la phase A est communément décrite comme le produit de déstabilisation de l’antigorite à haute pression, tandis que la phase E n’apparait qu’à des profondeurs plus importantes. Nos résultats suggèrent, dans le système naturel enrichi en aluminium et en fer, une stabilité continue des phases hydratées, suivant la transition antigorite > phase E > phase A pour des températures inférieures à 750°C. Cette étude a également permis d’affiner les estimations des quantités d’eau pouvant être stockées dans les assemblages de minéraux hydratés stables dans la lithosphère plongeante (slab). Dans le cas des plaques plongeantes relativement froides (<750°C à 8-10 GPa) le transport de l’eau par le biais des « Dense Hydrous Magnesium Silicates » (DHMS) phase A et phase E soutient l’hypothèse de l’hydratation de la zone de transition dans le manteau. / From the Mid-Oceanic-Ridge to the subduction trench, hydration of peridotite minerals in the upper part of the oceanic lithosphere produces hydrous phases such as serpentine. Because of its high-water content (13 wt% H2O) this mineral family is of particular interest for water fluxes. Depending on the thermal path followed by the lithosphere while sinking into the mantle, antigorite destabilization can either lead to fluid release in the mantle wedge or water transfer to deeper levels. During this thesis we conducted experimental investigations of antigorite dehydration in the framework of these two scenarios.First, we investigated antigorite dehydration under conditions relevant to slab water release, known to trigger partial melting and to generate arc magmatism. Multi-anvil experiments were conducted on a natural serpentinite sample, at 3 GPa and between 600 and 900°C under different redox conditions. We were able to constrain phase assemblages produced by antigorite dehydration as well as the fO2 of such reactions to 5 units above the FMQ (Fayalite-Magnetite-Quartz buffer). These results support the oxidizing character of slab released fluids, that could explain the oxidized character of arc magmas compared to Mid-Oceanic-Ridge basalts or Oceanic-Island basalts.The second experimental work conducted during this thesis allowed to refine phase equilibria involving antigorite and the Dense Hydrous Magnesium Silicates (DHMS) phase A and phase E, in a realistic chemical composition for hydrated ultramafic system. Antigorite destabilization was performed between 6.5 and 10 GPa, for temperatures in the range <500-850°C. Our experimental results, together with a Shreinemaker’s analysis in the FMASH system led to establish a modified phase diagram compared to those presented in previous studies. While phase A has been described as the high-pressure product of antigorite breakdown in the literature, followed by phase E stability at higher pressure, we propose the transitionantigorite>phase E>phase A for the aluminous and iron-rich hydrated peridotite system. This study allowed the refinement of water budgets that can be stored in relatively cold slabs (<750°C at 8-10 GPa), supporting the hypothesis of water survival down to the transition zone.

The functional and mechanical properties of a material are often determined by the defects in them. A thorough understanding of the relationship between the defects and the properties allows for tailoring a material’s properties into the desired combinations. Amongst the different classes of defects, experimental identification of point defects is typically difficult and indirect, usually requiring an ingenious combination of different techniques. In this context, first-principles calculations, complemented with experiments, offer insights into the formation of defects and their role in properties. This was demonstrated in this thesis through investigations on the effect of calcium vacancies on structure, vibrational and elastic properties hydroxyapatite (HAp), and oxygen vacancies on elastic properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). Our results confirm a considerable reduction in the elastic constants of HAp—the inorganic constituent of bone—due to Ca-deficiency, which was experimentally reported earlier. Elastic anisotropic behavior of stoichiometric and Ca-deficient HAp is analyzed, which will be useful in understanding the effects of crystal orientation in designing synthetic bone. Local structural stability of HAp and Ca-deficient HAp structures is assessed with full phonon dispersion studies and the specific signatures in the computed vibrational spectra for Ca deficiency in HAp can be utilized in experimental characterization of different types of defected HAp. In ZnO, formation energies of oxygen vacancies in different types of oxygen deficient structures are analyzed to ascertain their stability. Our results show considerable degradation of some of the elastic moduli due to the presence of such vacancies. Further, the charge state of the defect structure is found to influence the shear elastic constants. Evaluation of elastic anisotropy of stoichiometric and oxygen deficient ZnO indicates the significant anisotropy in elastic properties and stiff c-axis orientation. The second part of the thesis deals with developing some understanding of the pressure-induced phase transformations (PIPT) in an inorganic material, titanium nitride (TiN), and in a metal-organic framework (MOF), erbium formate crystal. PIPT, which is a common phenomenon in many materials, is of great interest in materials science as the properties of the transformation product can diverge significantly from those of the parent phase. Hence, it is important to understand the pressure induced changes so to improve the component reliability and to enhance service life of materials used in high pressure applications. TiN undergoes PIPT from NaCl to CsCl structure. On the basis of our DFT calculations, we propose a new transformation path, which shows that the stress required for this transformation is substantially lower when it is deviatoric in nature than that under hydrostatic pressure. Local stability of the structure is assessed with phonon dispersion determined at different pressures, and we find that CsCl structure of TiN is expected to distort after the transformation. Further, we provide a quantitative comparison of electronic structure of TiN in NaCl structure with that of high pressure phase with implication to electrical conduction properties. Next, we investigate the PIPT associated with bond rearrangement in erbium formate framework. Phase transition pressure is estimated and the corresponding changes in bonding characteristics are analyzed. Estimated lattice constants for both the phases agree well with the earlier experimental results. While the transformation pressure of the framework is overestimated with respect to experiment, our calculations confirm PIPT, and thus provide a theoretical evidence for the experimental finding.

No description available.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 26-29, 1998 / Town & Country Resort Hotel and Convention Center, San Diego, California / Presentation of Alcatel Espace last studies and developments regarding TT&C receiver Products for satellite. This document lays on 3 parts: · a technical point of view showing digital demodulation principles used (base band recovery, analytical head, PM or FM demodulation) and their related offered possibilities(digital controlling loop, lock status detection, jammer detection,....) · a technology/design description · a synthesis showing performance and results

The objective of this dissertation is to propose circuit architectures and techniques for built-in test and calibration of phase-locked loops. The design of phase-locked loops is first investigated to achieve a robust performance over process, temperature, voltage corners with minimum overhead. Different design techniques including adding loop programmability, increasing area efficiency, reducing noise immunity, and increasing frequency coverage are discussed. Secondly, built-in testing of phase-lock loops using sensors are proposed for loop dynamic parameters and reference spur. An integrator is designed to extract the subtle response from the system so that target parameters can be predicted. Different testing methodologies are applied different specification testing as well. Finally, an on chip phase-locked loop design is implemented for reference spur calibration. The phase-locked loop is designed with a programmable reference spur range. A static phase offset detector is included to identify the optimal setting of reference spur in the feedback system. The integrated jitter performance is improved by the calibration mechanism. The results of this thesis serve as an on-chip built-in self-test and self-calibration solution for embedded phase-locked loops in a high integration system.

In this work phase transformations in metastable β Ti-15Mo alloy were studied using electrical resistivity measurements. The alloy was subjected to a solution treatment at a temperature higher than β- transus and quenched in water. In this condition, the microstructure of Ti-15Mo alloy consists of a metastable β - matrix and ω-phase particles. During in-situ electrical resistivity measurement in a specially designed furnace, significant temperature points which indicate phase transformations in the material were detected. The dependence of electrical resistivity on the temperature changes during heating between increasing and decreasing according to the ongoing phase transformation. The changes were observed at temperatures 225, 356 and 560 řC. A further study of these phase transformations using electrical resistivity measurements was performed on various heat treated specimens. In order to control the microstructure evolution in the material, scanning and transmission electron microscopy was used. Mechanical properties were studied using Vickers microhardness testing. The obtained results serve to identify the type and sequence of phase transformations which take place in the Ti-15Mo alloy. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Dans les alliages multiphasés, la cohérence des interfaces entre des phases en désaccord paramétrique génère des champs élastiques internes à longue distance et généralement anisotropes. L'interaction de ces champs affecte fortement la cinétique des transformations de phase diffusives, et influence la forme et l'arrangement spatial des précipités. Dans la microstructure des superalliages monocristallins à base de nickel, obtenue par précipitation de la phase γ’ ordonnée L12 dans la matrice CFC γ, l'élasticité conduit à la formation d'alignements quasi-périodiques des précipités γ’ cuboïdaux. La microstructure γ/ γ’ possède cependant des défauts systématiques d'alignement des précipités: des branches, des macro-dislocations et des motifs en chevrons. Nous nous intéressons à l'origine de ces défauts d'alignement. Nous conduisons des analyses de stabilité de l'arrangement périodique de précipités en interactions élastiques. Contrairement à la stabilité attendue, les calculs semi-analytiques ont révélé l'instabilité de la distribution périodique de précipités γ’ cubiques, vis-à-vis de certains modes de perturbation. Les principales instabilités sont le mode longitudinal [100] et le mode transverse [110], et leur domaine d'instabilité est analysé vis-à-vis de l'anisotropie élastique. Le développement de ces modes instables est étudié par une méthode de champ de phase classique, en simulant l'évolution de microstructures périodiques soumises à des légères perturbations initiales. Nous montrons que l'expression des instabilités d'arrangement procède essentiellement par l'évolution de la forme des précipités, et conduit à la formation de motifs qui ont pu être reliés à des microstructures expérimentales. En particulier, le mode transverse [110] conduit à la formation de motifs en chevrons. Nous étudions l'influence du taux de phase γ’ et de l'inhomogénéité du module élastique C’, et nous montrons le rôle qu'ils jouent dans la stabilisation de l'arrangement périodique. Dans des simulations réalisées dans des études antérieures, la dynamique des défauts est analysée au moyen de paramètres topologiques issus de la phénoménologie des structures hors-équilibre. Au cours d'un recuit isotherme, nous observons que les branches et les macro-dislocations migrent dans la microstructure selon des mécanismes de montée et de glissement. Nous utilisons ensuite une nouvelle formulation des modèles de champ de phase, intrinsèquement discrète, dans laquelle les interfaces sont résolues essentiellement avec un pas de grille sans friction de réseau et avec une invariance par rotation précise. Cette approche, appelée Sharp Phase Field Method (S-PFM), est implémentée sur une grille CFC, et avec une description des quatre variants de translation des précipités γ’. Nous montrons que la S-PFM permet la modélisation de microstructures à grande échelle, avec plusieurs milliers de précipités à deux et trois dimensions, et donne ainsi accès à des informations statistiques sur l'évolution de la microstructure et sur la dynamique des défauts d'alignement. Nous discutons finalement la perspective de modéliser l'évolution de la microstructure γ/γ’ à une échelle supérieure par une description de la dynamique des défauts d'alignement des précipités. / In multiphase alloys, internal elastic fields often arise as a result of a coherently adjusted misfit between the lattices of coexisting phases. Given their long-range and usually anisotropic nature, the interaction of these fields is known to significantly alter the kinetics of diffusion-controlled phase transformations, as well as influence the shapes and spatial arrangement of the misfitting precipitates. In the microstructure of single-crystal nickel-base superalloys, obtained by precipitation of the L12-ordered γ’ phase in the FCC γ matrix, elasticity leads to the formation of nearly periodic alignments of the cuboidal γ’ precipitates. However, the γ/γ’ microstructure systematically displays defects in the precipitate alignment: branches, macro-dislocations and chevron patterns. We first address the question of the origin of these alignment defects. Stability analyses of the periodic arrangement of elastically interacting precipitates are carried out. Contrary to the expected stability, the semi-analytical calculations revealed the periodic distribution of cubic γ‘ precipitates to be unstable against specific perturbation modes. The main instabilities are the [100] longitudinal mode and the [110] transverse mode, and their instability range is analyzed with respect to the elastic anisotropy. The consequences of these unstable modes are investigated using a classic phase field method, by modeling the evolution of periodic microstructures undergoing small initial perturbations. We show the expression of the instabilities mainly proceeds by the evolution of the precipitate shapes, and leads to the formation of patterns which were related to experimental microstructures. Specifically, the [110] transverse instability is responsible for the formation of chevron patterns. The effects of the volume fraction and of an inhomogeneity on the C’ shear modulus on the stability of the arrangement are studied, and we show the role they play in the partial stabilization of the periodic distribution, though the [100] longitudinal mode always remains unstable. In phase field calculations carried out in previous studies, the dynamics of alignment defects are analyzed by means of topological parameters derived from pattern formation theory. During annealing, branches and macro-dislocations were observed to migrate in the microstructure according to climbing and gliding mechanisms. We then use a new formulation of phase field models, intrinsically discrete, in which the interfaces are resolved with essentially one grid point with no pinning on the grid and an accurate rotational invariance. This approach, known as the Sharp Phase Field Method (S-PFM), is implemented on a FCC grid and accounts for the four translational variants of the γ’ precipitates. We show that the S-PFM allows for the modeling of large-scale microstructures, with several thousand precipitates both in two and three dimensions, and provides access to statistical information on the microstructure evolution and on the the dynamics of alignment defects. We finally discuss the perspective of modeling the evolution of the γ/γ’ microstructure at the macroscale by means of a description of the defect dynamics in the precipitate alignments.