Search results for "Nanoscopic scale"

Photocatalytic printing of inorganic nanopatterns via poly(styrene-block-carbosilane) copolymer thin films on titania substrates.

2009

Well-defined, ordered arrays of nanoscale depressions were obtained in linear-brush-type polystyrene-block-polycarbosilane (PS-b-PCS) diblock copolymer thin films by acetone vapor annealing and silica nanodot arrays were directly obtained from such thin films deposited on a titania substrate by one-step exposure to UV light as a result of transformation of the PCS units to silica, driven by the photocatalytic activity of titania concurrent with removal of the organic matrix.

Inorganic Janus particles for biomedical applications.

2014

Based on recent developments regarding the synthesis and design of Janus nanoparticles, they have attracted increased scientific interest due to their outstanding properties. There are several combinations of multicomponent hetero-nanostructures including either purely organic or inorganic, as well as composite organic–inorganic compounds. Janus particles are interconnected by solid state interfaces and, therefore, are distinguished by two physically or chemically distinct surfaces. They may be, for instance, hydrophilic on one side and hydrophobic on the other, thus, creating giant amphiphiles revealing the endeavor of self-assembly. Novel optical, electronic, magnetic, and superficial pro…

Optical Forging of Graphene into Three-Dimensional Shapes

2017

Atomically thin materials, such as graphene, are the ultimate building blocks for nanoscale devices. But although their synthesis and handling today are routine, all efforts thus far have been restricted to flat natural geometries, since the means to control their three-dimensional (3D) morphology has remained elusive. Here we show that, just as a blacksmith uses a hammer to forge a metal sheet into 3D shapes, a pulsed laser beam can forge a graphene sheet into controlled 3D shapes in the nanoscale. The forging mechanism is based on laser-induced local expansion of graphene, as confirmed by computer simulations using thin sheet elasticity theory. peerReviewed

CMOS-compatible field effect nanoscale gas-sensor: Operation and annealing models

2008

Complete modelling of electrically controlled nanoscale gas sensors with Poisson, Wolkenstein, Fokker-Planck and continuity is presented. Based on a plausible Drift explanation we developed suitable models for sensitivity control and operational modes. An onset for CMOS-complying annealing procedures is given.

Large Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and room-temperature nanoscale skyrmions in CoFeB/MgO heterostructures

2021

Summary Magnetic skyrmions in heavy metal (HM)/CoFeB/MgO structures are of particular interest for skyrmion-based magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices because of their reliable generation, stability, and readout through purely electrical methods. To optimize the properties, such as stability, a strong Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) is required at room temperature. Here, using first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that huge DMI can be obtained in Ir/CoFe structures with an Fe-terminated configuration. Moreover, Brillouin light-scattering measurements show that indeed Ta/Ir/Co20Fe60B20/MgO thin films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy exhibit a large DMI value (1.13 mJ/…

Evidence for Graphene Edges Beyond Zigzag and Armchair

2009

The edges of nanoscopic objects determine most of their properties. For this reason the edges of honeycomb carbon--always considered either zigzag- or armchair-like--need special attention. In this report we provide experimental evidence confirming a previous unexpected prediction: zigzag is a metastable edge, as its planar reconstruction lowers energy and forms the most stable graphene edge. Our evidence is based on re-analyzing a recent experiment. Since the reconstructed edge, along with other unconventional edges we discuss, has distinct chemical properties, this discovery urges for care in experiments and theory--we must enter the realm beyond zigzag and armchair.

Interaction of Lamb modes with two-level systems in amorphous nanoscopic membranes

2007

Using a generalized model of interaction between a two-level system (TLS) and an arbitrary deformation of the material, we calculate the interaction of Lamb modes with TLSs in amorphous nanoscopic membranes. We compare the mean free paths of the Lamb modes with different symmetries and calculate the heat conductivity $\kappa$. In the limit of an infinitely wide membrane, the heat conductivity is divergent. Nevertheless, the finite size of the membrane imposes a lower cut-off for the phonons frequencies, which leads to the temperature dependence $\kappa\propto T(a+b\ln T)$. This temperature dependence is a hallmark of the TLS-limited heat conductance at low temperature.

2021

Controlling thermal transport at the nanoscale is vital for many applications. Previously, it has been shown that this control can be achieved with periodically nanostructured two-dimensional phononic crystals for the case of suspended devices. Here, we show that thermal conductance can also be controlled with three-dimensional phononic crystals, allowing the engineering of the thermal contact of more varied devices without the need for suspension in the future. We show the experimental results obtained at sub-Kelvin temperatures for two different period three-dimensional crystals and for a bulk control structure. The results show that the conductance can be enhanced with the phononic cryst…

Bright Beaches of Nanoscale Potassium Islands on Graphite in STM Imaging

2008

We demonstrate, via scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements performed at 48 K, the existence of "bright beaches" at the edges of K islands (diameter approximately 5-500 nm) on the graphite surface. The enhanced tunneling current is only observed in monolayer-high islands on graphite, and not in islands of similar geometry on top of a K monolayer film. First-principles density functional calculations and STM simulations suggest that this is an STM field effect, which appears as the positive tip attracts donated electrons back to the metallic K islands. The restored charge accumulates preferentially at the island edges.

Nanoscale Domain Structure in Relaxor PLZT x/65/35 Ceramics

2006

We present the experimental study of the geometry of the nanoscale domain structure in classical lead zirconate-titanate relaxor ceramics (Pb1 − x La x )(Zr0.65Ti0.35)O3 (PLZT) with La concentration from 5 to 10%. The analysis of the switching current data measured in rectangular pulses indicates the existence of random three-dimensional maze-type domain structure. High-resolution domain visualization performed using Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM) reveals nanoscale domain patterns. The domain structures existing in PLZT ceramics after zero-field-cooling represent the nanoscale quasi-regular maze (“finger-print”). Statistical and fractal analysis of PFM images was performed for quantit…