Search results for "ta221"
showing 10 items of 115 documents
Atomically Precise Nanocluster Assemblies Encapsulating Plasmonic Gold Nanorods.
2018
The self-assembled structures of atomically precise, ligand-protected noble metal nanoclusters leading to encapsulation of plasmonic gold nanorods (GNRs) is presented. Unlike highly sophisticated DNA nanotechnology, this strategically simple hydrogen bonding-directed self-assembly of nanoclusters leads to octahedral nanocrystals encapsulating GNRs. Specifically, the p-mercaptobenzoic acid (pMBA)-protected atomically precise silver nanocluster, Na4 [Ag44 (pMBA)30 ], and pMBA-functionalized GNRs were used. High-resolution transmission and scanning transmission electron tomographic reconstructions suggest that the geometry of the GNR surface is responsible for directing the assembly of silver …
Advanced time-stamped total data acquisition control front-end for MeV ion beam microscopy and proton beam writing
2013
Many ion-matter interactions exhibit [email protected] time dependences such as, fluorophore emission quenching and ion beam induced charge (IBIC). Conventional event-mode MeV ion microbeam data acquisition systems discard the time information. Here we describe a fast time-stamping data acquisition front-end based on the concurrent processing capabilities of a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The system is intended for MeV ion microscopy and MeV ion beam lithography. The speed of the system (>240,000 events s^-^1 for four analogue to digital converters (ADC)) is limited by the ADC throughput and data handling speed of the host computer.
Squeezing of Quantum Noise of Motion in a Micromechanical Resonator
2015
A pair of conjugate observables, such as the quadrature amplitudes of harmonic motion, have fundamental fluctuations which are bound by the Heisenberg uncertainty relation. However, in a squeezed quantum state, fluctuations of a quantity can be reduced below the standard quantum limit, at the cost of increased fluctuations of the conjugate variable. Here we prepare a nearly macroscopic moving body, realized as a micromechanical resonator, in a squeezed quantum state. We obtain squeezing of one quadrature amplitude $1.1 \pm 0.4$ dB below the standard quantum limit, thus achieving a long-standing goal of obtaining motional squeezing in a macroscopic object.
Self-assembly concepts for multicompartment nanostructures.
2015
Compartmentalization is ubiquitous to many biological and artificial systems, be it for the separate storage of incompatible matter or to isolate transport processes. Advancements in the synthesis of sequential block copolymers offer a variety of tools to replicate natural design principles with tailor-made soft matter for the precise spatial separation of functionalities on multiple length scales. Here, we review recent trends in the self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers to multicompartment nanostructures (MCNs) under (semi-)dilute conditions, with special emphasis on ABC triblock terpolymers. The intrinsic immiscibility of connected blocks induces short-range repulsion into discre…
N-Alkyl Ammonium Resorcinarene Salts as High-Affinity Tetravalent Chloride Receptors.
2016
N-Alkyl ammonium resorcinarene salts (NARYs, Y=triflate, picrate, nitrate, trifluoroacetates and NARBr) as tetravalent receptors, are shown to have a strong affinity for chlorides. The high affinity for chlorides was confirmed from a multitude of exchange experiments in solution (NMR and UV/Vis), gas phase (mass spectrometry), and solid-state (X-ray crystallography). A new tetra-iodide resorcinarene salt (NARI) was isolated and fully characterized from exchange experiments in the solid-state. Competition experiments with a known monovalent bis-urea receptor (5) with strong affinity for chloride, reveals these receptors to have a much higher affinity for the first two chlorides, a similar af…
Patterning of supported gold monolayers via chemical lift-off lithography
2017
The supported monolayer of Au that accompanies alkanethiolate molecules removed by polymer stamps during chemical lift-off lithography is a scarcely studied hybrid material. We show that these Au–alkanethiolate layers on poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) are transparent, functional, hybrid interfaces that can be patterned over nanometer, micrometer, and millimeter length scales. Unlike other ultrathin Au films and nanoparticles, lifted-off Au–alkanethiolate thin films lack a measurable optical signature. We therefore devised fabrication, characterization, and simulation strategies by which to interrogate the nanoscale structure, chemical functionality, stoichiometry, and spectral signature of t…
Transition to Reinforced State by Percolating Domains of Intercalated Brush-Modified Cellulose Nanocrystals and Poly(butadiene) in Cross-Linked Compo…
2013
The classic nanocomposite approach aims at percolation of low fraction of exfoliated individual reinforcing nanoscale elements within a polymeric matrix. By contrast, many of the mechanically excellent biological nanocomposites involve self-assembled and space-filled structures of hard reinforcing and soft toughening domains, with high weight fraction of reinforcements. Here we inspect a new concept toward mimicking such structures by studying whether percolation of intercalated domains consisting of alternating rigid and reinforcing, and soft rubbery domains could allow a transition to a reinforced state. Toward that, we present the functionalization of rigid native cellulose nanocrystals …
Spatially resolved measurement of nonequilibrium quasiparticle relaxation in superconducting Al
2011
Spatially resolved relaxation of nonequilibrium quasiparticles in a superconductor at ultralow temperatures was experimentally studied. It was found that the quasiparticle injection through a tunnel junction results in the modification of the shape of the I-V characteristic of a remote ``detector'' junction. The effect depends on the temperature, injection current, and proximity to the injector. The phenomena can be understood in terms of the creation of quasiparticle charge and energy disequilibrium characterized by two different length scales ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}_{{Q}^{*}}~5$ and ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}_{{T}^{*}}~40$ $\ensuremath{\mu}$m. The findings are in good agreement with existing…
Enhancing Optomechanical Coupling via the Josephson Effect
2013
Cavity optomechanics is showing promise for studying quantum mechanics in large systems. However, smallness of the radiation-pressure coupling is a serious hindrance. Here we show how the charge tuning of the Josephson inductance in a single-Cooper-pair transistor (SCPT) can be exploited to arrange a strong radiation pressure -type coupling $g_0$ between mechanical and microwave resonators. In a certain limit of parameters, such a coupling can also be seen as a qubit-mediated coupling of two resonators. We show that this scheme allows reaching extremely high $g_0$. Contrary to the recent proposals for exploiting the non-linearity of a large radiation pressure coupling, the main non-linearit…
Nanoscale etching of III-V semiconductors in acidic hydrogen peroxide solution: GaAs and InP, a striking contrast in surface chemistry
2019
In this study of nanoscale etching for state-of-the-art device technology, the importance of surface chemistry, in particular the nature of the surface oxide, is demonstrated for two III-V materials. Striking differences in etching kinetics were found for GaAs and InP in sulphuric and hydrochloric acidic solutions containing hydrogen peroxide. Under similar conditions, etching of GaAs was much faster, while the dependence of the etch rate on pH, and on H2O2 and acid concentrations also differed markedly for the two semiconductors. Surface analysis techniques provided information on the product layer present after etching: strongly non-stoichiometric porous (hydr)oxides on GaAs and a thin st…