Formation of silver nanoparticles with dielectric shell on the silver-containing glass during laser evaporation and ablation

We demonstrate a new method of silver nanoparticles formation on a silver-containing glass surface due to its irradiation by a pulsed CO₂ and YAG:Nd lasers. The particles are formed as a result of reduction of silver ions from the glass at the edges of a laser torch emerging during evaporation and ablation. The settled particles are then fixed on sample surface by a shell of glass dielectric components. The method allows creating plasmonic nanostructures on the glass surface for sensing applications.     

强流脉冲离子束辐照靶材烧蚀效应二维数值研究

对强流脉冲离子束(IPIB)辐照Ti靶的烧蚀效应进行了二维数值研究.得到了表面烧蚀物质随脉冲时间的变化关系.得出TEMP Ⅱ 型加速器产生的脉冲束流辐照靶材时引起的汽、液化均是从表面开始、并且汽化过程中表面物质被层层烧蚀的结论.同时，得到中心区的平均烧蚀速度为10m/s 数量级，它远小于产生的烧蚀等离子体的喷发速度.得到脉冲期间靶材内部不同位置烧蚀斑痕形状的时间演化过程，以及束流中含有的离子种类分额不同时IPIB辐照过程产生的不同效果. 关键词： 强流脉冲离子束 靶 烧蚀过程 二维数值模拟     

Numerical analysis of nitrogen-mixed argon plasma characteristicsand injected particle behavior in an ICP torch for ultrafine powdersynthesis

A numerical model is presented for the analysis of plasma characteristics of an ICP torch and gas mixing effects on the plasma when a nitrogen gas is added into the argon plasma as a carrier or sheath gas at the torch inlet, The fluid equations describing the plasma flow and temperature fields and the diffusions between two different gases are solved along with a magnetic vector potential equation for electromagnetic fields. The trajectory and the temperature change with time for a particle injected into the plasma are also investigated by a plasma-particle interaction model to find out optimum injection conditions for the synthesis of ultrafine nitride ceramic powders, It is found from the calculations that the nitrogen-mixed argon plasma with a nitrogen sheath gas is more favorable than the plasma with a nitrogen carrier gas for the reaction kinetics of nitride synthesis. It is also found that the radial injection through the holes of the tube wall Is preferable to the axial injection at the torch inlet for the complete evaporation of injected particle and the effective chemical reaction of reactant vapor with nitrogen. For the radial injection in an ICP torch of 20 cm in axial length, the optimum injection locations and initial velocities of 50 μm aluminum particles are found for synthesizing aluminum nitride are in the range of 6~12 cm apart from the torch inlet and over 15 m/s, respectively     

Radiation-assisted formation of microprobes for scanning tunnel microscopes

The formation of tipped tungsten microprobes by ion bombardment in high electric fields with subsequent low-temperature field evaporation is reported. During irradiation, the current density was shown to rise nonmonotonically because of heavy particles present in the bombarding beam due to emitter erosion. It was found that the initially hemispheric working part of the probes turns into the axially symmetric complex-shaped surface. A correlation of these effects with inert gas ionization and tungsten sputtering under the action of super-high-density electron beams is discussed. The atomically smooth microprobes obtained by ion bombardment and field evaporation offer high stability and an atomic-level resolution.     

Targeting EGFR-overexpressed A431 cells with EGF-labeled silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles

Electrode catalysts composed of carbon-supported PtRu nanoparticles (PtRu/C) for use as a direct methanol fuel cell anode were synthesized by the reduction of precursor ions in an aqueous solution via irradiation with a high-energy electron beam. The effect of pH control in the precursor solution on the PtRu mixing state and the methanol oxidation activity was studied in order to enhance the catalytic activity for methanol oxidation. The PtRu/C structures were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption fine structure techniques. The methanol oxidation activity was evaluated by linear sweep voltammetry. The initial pH of the precursor solution has little influence on the average grain size for the metal particles (approximately 3.5 nm) on the carbon particle supports, but the dispersibility of the metal particles, PtRu mixing state, and methanol oxidation activity differed. The maintenance of a low pH in the precursor solution gave the best dispersibility of the PtRu nanoparticles supported on the surface of the carbon particles, whereas, a high pH gave the best PtRu mixing state and the highest oxidation current although a low dispersibility of the PtRu nanoparticles supported on the surface of the carbon particles was obtained. The PtRu mixing state strongly correlated with the methanol oxidation current. In addition, a high pH was more effective for PtRu mixing when using an electron beam irradiation reduction method, because the complexation reaction of the chelating agents was improved, which resulted in an enhancement of the catalytic activity for methanol oxidation.     

Role of ambient gas in heating of metal samples by femtosecond pulses of laser radiation

In this work we consider an experimentally observed effect of significant increasing of the residual heat in metal targets at their irradiation with femtosecond laser pulses in an ambient gas in respect to the vacuum conditions. Numerical modelling of heating of a platinum target by femtosecond laser pulses in argon under normal conditions has been performed taking into account gas breakdown in the focussing region of the laser beam in front of the target. The applied model is based on a combination of a thermal model describing heating and phase transitions in irradiated samples and a hydrodynamic model to describe motion of the ambient gas perturbed by laser irradiation as a result of multiphoton ionization. The hot ambient gas is shown to heat efficiently the irradiated sample. The hydrodynamic processes in the ambient gas play an important role in heating. This work was financially supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project 08-01-00264-a) and the INTAS/SB RAS Program (Project 06-1000013-8949).     

Neutron yield when fast deuterium ions collide with strongly charged tritium-saturated dust particles

The ultrahigh charging of dust particles in a plasma under exposure to an electron beam with an energy up to 25 keV and the formation of a flux of fast ions coming from the plasma and accelerating in the strong field of negatively charged particles are considered. Particles containing tritium or deuterium atoms are considered as targets. The calculated rates of thermonuclear fusion reactions in strongly charged particles under exposure to accelerated plasma ions are presented. The neutron generation rate in reactions with accelerated deuterium and tritium ions has been calculated for these targets. The neutron yield has been calculated when varying the plasma-forming gas pressure, the plasma density, the target diameter, and the beam electron current density. Deuterium and tritium-containing particles are shown to be the most promising plasmaforming gas–target material pair for the creation of a compact gas-discharge neutron source based on the ultrahigh charging of dust particles by beam electrons with an energy up to 25 keV.     

Behavior of metal nanoparticles in the electron beam

Fabrication and structural observation of In, Pd and Mo nanoparticles deposited on Si(110) substrates were performed in an ultrahigh vacuum field emission transmission electron microscope. In situ and/or dynamic observation of In nanoparticles showed fluctuation of their structures. The smaller particles of size of 3-5 nm showed frequent fluctuation, while the nanoparticles of more than 10 nm in size showed relatively slower fluctuation. The bigger nanoparticles showed coalescence with a weaker beam. Pd nanoparticles of size of 3-5 nm showed structural fluctuation after 10-30 s of electron beam irradiation. Stronger beam irradiation resulted in the dissipation of the nanoparticles probably due to diffusion. Mo nanoparticles of size of 3-5 nm never showed structural fluctuation. Intensive electron beam irradiation resulted in the dissipation of the particles. The difference in structural fluctuation depending on the metal and the beam intensity, and the peculiar coalescence of In nanoparticles are discussed qualitatively.     

超音速等离子体炬的数值模拟

介绍了描述大气压下超音速等离子体炬内等离子体特性的磁流体力学模型，在二维近似下，对会聚-扩展型喷口等离子体炬进行了数值模拟，获得了等离子体炬内等离子体速度、温度、压力以及马赫数的分布.结果表明超音速等离子体炬内的流场特性可以分为亚音速、跨音速和超音速三个明显的区域. 关键词： 等离子体炬 磁流体力学 数值模拟     

Pulse regime in formation of fractal fibers

The pulse regime of vaporization of a bulk metal located in a buffer gas is analyzed as a method of generation of metal atoms under the action of a plasma torch or a laser beam. Subsequently these atoms are transformed into solid nanoclusters, fractal aggregates and then into fractal fibers if the growth process proceeds in an external electric field. We are guided by metals in which transitions between s and d-electrons of their atoms are possible, since these metals are used as catalysts and filters in interaction with gas flows. The resistance of metal fractal structures to a gas flow is evaluated that allows one to find optimal parameters of a fractal structure for gas flow propagation through it. The thermal regime of interaction between a plasma pulse or a laser beam and a metal surface is analyzed. It is shown that the basic energy from an external source is consumed on a bulk metal heating, and the efficiency of atom evaporation from the metal surface, that is the ratio of energy fluxes for vaporization and heating, is 10^–3–10^–4 for transient metals under consideration. A typical energy flux (~10⁶ W/cm²), a typical surface temperature (~3000 K), and a typical pulse duration (~1 μs) provide a sufficient amount of evaporated atoms to generate fractal fibers such that each molecule of a gas flow collides with the skeleton of fractal fibers many times.     

A variable electron beam and its irradiation effect on optical and electrical properties of CdS thin films

A low energy electron accelerator has been constructed and tested. The electron beam can operate in low energy mode (100 eV to 10 keV) having a beam diameter of 8–10 mm. Thin films of CdS having thickness of 100 nm deposited on ITO-coated glass substrate by thermal evaporation method have been irradiated by electron beam in the above instrument. The I–V characteristic is found to be nonlinear before electron irradiation and linear after electron irradiation. The TEP measurement confirms the n-type nature of the material. The TEP and I–V measurements also confirm the modification of ITO/CdS interface with electron irradiation.      

热阻塞效应对激光辐照靶材烧蚀过程的影响分析

研究了百兆瓦级激光烧蚀碳/碳复合材料靶材产生的等离子体吸收激光束能量引起的热阻塞效应。首先,基于逆轫致吸收理论,建立了激光在烧蚀靶材产生的等离子体中的传播模型;然后,基于磁流体理论,得到了等离子体在百兆瓦级激光形成的电磁场中的波动方程,建立了等离子体吸收激光能量引起热阻塞效应的模型。最后,对烧蚀过程中粒子的总密度、吸收系数、靶材表面等效热流随激光持续时间的变化规律以及是否考虑热阻塞效应时,靶面垂直方向的温度场进行了数值模拟。结果表明:等离子体的形成,对激光形成了明显的热阻塞效应,削弱了激光对靶材的烧蚀作用,使粒子总密度、吸收系数、靶材表面等效热流以及靶面垂直方向温度场的变化均呈现为非线性。     

脉冲驱动磁化等离子体内爆升温点火的数值模拟北大核心CSCD

通过建立物理模型,用一维三温拉氏磁流体力学程序分析了由强电流(MA)脉冲驱动的金属套筒内爆压缩磁化等离子体的升温点火及能量增益过程。分析了脉冲驱动的金属套筒内爆、不同驱动源对金属套筒内爆升温的影响、Z箍缩过程中内嵌磁场和预加热温度对磁化等离子体升温的影响,以及点火需要的初态参数和点火后的能量输出。此外,对该过程中磁场增加α粒子能量沉积、降低电子离子热传导能量损失的物理机制做了介绍和分析。磁流体数值模拟结果显示:当初始的内嵌磁场和燃料的预加热温度分别取5T和250eV时,即可获得超过4keV的升温,初始参数包括内嵌磁场、预加热温度、燃料密度、套筒尺度、驱动脉冲幅值、加载时间等。在一定的条件下,点火成功,可产生kT量级的强磁场,并获得百kJ/mm量级的能量输出。     

Structural Characteristics of Metal Nanoparticles in Glass Upon Irradiation-Assisted Processing

Irradiation-assisted processing, i.e. ion, electron and laser irradiation, have been applied to fabricate metal/glass nanocomposites. The particle configurations are studied by transmission electron microscopy to get some insight into the rather complex formation mechanisms. Special attention is given to spheroidally shaped particles surrounded by smaller secondary particles observed upon ion beam mixing of silica/silver/silica layer compounds as well as irradiating femtosecond laser pulses on sodium silicate glass containing spherical silver particles. Another unique type of structure are cavities observed in silver particles formed by high fluence ion implantation into silica as well as upon laser pulse irradiation of silver particles in glass. The experimental findings are discussed in terms of irradiation-induced defect formation and radiation-enhanced diffusion.     

Beam-plasma discharge in the propagation of a long-pulse relativistic electron beam in a medium-pressure rarefied gas

A theoretical model is given, along with a numerical analysis of the evolution of beam-plasma discharge in the propagation of a long-pulse relativistic electron beam in a rarefied gas at medium pressure. It is shown that the self-stabilization of beam-plasma discharge as a result of longitudinal inhomogeneity of the density of the discharge plasma makes it possible for the beam to traverse the beam chamber with relatively low total energy losses, including ionization losses and energy losses in the generation of oscillations. During the dissociative recombination of electrons and ions of the discharge-driven plasma, heat is released and spent in raising the temperature of the gas. The investigated collective-discharge mechanism underlying heating of the gas for a relativistic beam can be more efficient than the classical heating mechanism due to ionization losses of the beam in pair collisions of its electrons with gas particles. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 67, 94–98 (May 1997)     

铝中气泡在电子束辐照下的异常放热现象

在室温下,利用离子加速器对纯铝透射样品分别注入He⁺,Ne⁺和Ar⁺三种惰性气体离子,通过透射电子显微镜原位观察分析了纯铝中三种气体气泡在电子束辐照下形貌及电子衍射花样的变化.实验表明,在200 keV电子束辐照下,三种惰性气体气泡均会合并长大,亮度逐渐增强,最终破裂,气泡内部产生许多约几个纳米的黑色斑点衬度像,选区电子衍射花样由单晶斑点衍射花样变为多晶衍射环.这一现象的原因可能是气泡在电子束辐照过程中发生了放热反应,使气泡附近铝熔化后再结晶产生多晶,从而在电子衍射花样中观察到了多晶衍射环.然而,氦气泡在80 keV电子束辐照下氦气泡形貌和选区电子衍射花样保持不变,辐照后衍射花样中无多晶衍射环产生;氦氩混合气体气泡在200 keV电子束辐照下气泡形貌和选区电子衍射花样同样保持不变;这可能与电子束能量和气泡内气体压力有关.     

Numerical modelling of a direct current non-transferred thermal plasma torch for optimal performance

A laminar steady-state 2D axisymmetric model of a direct current (DC) thermal plasma torch using a magneto-hydrodynamic approach has been developed. The model takes into account the entire torch system comprising the plasma gas injection, the inner region of the torch, and the jet exiting into the ambient environment. Numerical results are obtained for two different power inputs chosen from published experimental data. The temperature predictions at the torch exit are found in good agreement with experimental results. Velocity analysis of the plasma jet has been presented and the impact of electromagnetic force on jet velocity is analysed. The Lorentz force arising due to the coupling of fluid motion and electromagnetic forces shoots up the jet velocity to significantly high values near the cathode tip. Temperature and velocity profiles are in good agreement with the characteristics of a long laminar plasma jet. An operating value of heat transfer coefficient (h) has been suggested for optimal torch operation, thus ensuring a low anode erosion rate and acceptable thermal efficiency. The argon torch has the maximum temperature and longest jet length among the plasma gases considered.     

Laser-induced plasma-assisted ablation of fused quartz using the fourth harmonic of a Nd+:YAG laser

+ :YAG laser (266 nm) is reported. With the assistance of plasma resulting from laser irradiation on a metal target, the fused-quartz substrate is easily etched by the 266-nm laser beam in spite of the fact that the substrate is transparent to this wavelength. In contrast, no ablation takes place without the metal target, but damage is generated on the substrate surface. The ablated region is observed by optical microscopy and scanning probe microscopy (SPM), which reveal a fine grating structure (line spacing of 20 μm) without any severe damage. A series of experiments on the dependence of the ablation rate and the threshold laser fluence on ablation parameters, such as laser fluence, the number of pulses, and the distance between the fused quartz and the metal target is performed. On the basis of the results, three possible mechanisms of direct plasma interaction, plasma heating, and metal film deposition are discussed. Received: 27 February 1998/Accepted: 5 June 1998     

Pulsed ion beam parameters to ensure maximum coefficients of metal surface erosion

Erosion of metal surface under pulsed ion beams is investigated using a two-phase evaporation model. The coefficients of erosion due to evaporation are calculated for aluminum, iron and copper under irradiation by submicrosecond ion beams of carbon with the initial particle energy within the range 10–1000 keV. The ion energy and ion beam current density values of the most efficient erosive impact are determined. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 5, pp. 31–36, May, 2007.     

A determination of the rate and heat of evaporation by measuring the radius variations of a metal tip

A new material loss technique for the experimental determination of the free evaporation rate of a metal is presented. This technique is based on the study of tip profile changes. The tip radius variation is a consequence of the simultaneous action of free evaporation and surface self-diffusion. The rate of free evaporation is related to the tip radius evolution, so the vapor pressure and heat of evaporation can be determined by measuring in situ the radius changes with time. The method permits an easy control of the cleanliness of the surface by field electron microscopy, and should enable one to study the influence of adsorption on evaporation. The method is tested with molybdenum tips. The variation of the radius of the tips, heated in ultra-high vacuum, is determined by field electron and scanning microscope measurements. Vapor pressures and heat of evaporation values obtained are in agreement with values obtained by other techniques.