Direct visualization of structural defects in 2D semiconductors

Direct visualization of the structural defects in two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors at a large scale plays a significant role in understanding their electrical/optical/magnetic properties, but is challenging. Although traditional atomic resolution imaging techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy, can directly image the structural defects, they provide only local-scale information and require complex setups. Here, we develop a simple, non-invasive wet etching method to directly visualize the structural defects in 2D semiconductors at a large scale, including both point defects and grain boundaries. Utilizing this method, we extract successfully the defects density in several different types of monolayer molybdenum disulfide samples, providing key insights into the device functions. Furthermore, the etching method we developed is anisotropic and tunable, opening up opportunities to obtain exotic edge states on demand.     

Harmonically pump a femtosecond optical parametric oscillator to 1.13 GHz by a femtosecond 515 nm laser

We demonstrate a harmonically pumped femtosecond optical parametric oscillator(OPO)laser using a frequency-doubled mode-locked Yb:KGW laser at a repetition rate of 75.5 MHz as the pump laser.Based on a bismuth borate nonlinear crystal,repetition rates up to 1.13 GHz are realized,which is 15 times that of the pump laser.The signal wavelength is tunable from 700 nm to 887 nm.The maximum power of the signal is 207 m W at the central wavelength of 750 nm and the shortest pulse duration is 117 fs at 780 nm.The beam quality(M^2 factor)in the horizontal and vertical directions of the output beam are 1.077 and 1.141,respectively.     

Multicaloric and coupled-caloric effects

The multicaloric effect refers to the thermal response of a solid material driven by simultaneous or sequential application of more than one type of external field.For practical applications,the multicaloric effect is a potentially interesting strategy to improve the efficiency of refrigeration devices.Here,the state of the art in multi-field driven multicaloric effect is reviewed.The phenomenology and fundamental thermodynamics of the multicaloric effect are well established.A number of theoretical and experimental research approaches are covered.At present,the theoretical understanding of the multicaloric effect is thorough.However,due to the limitation of the current experimental technology,the experimental approach is still in progress.All these researches indicated that the thermal response and effective reversibility of multiferroic materials can be improved through multicaloric cycles to overcome the inherent limitations of the physical mechanisms behind single-field-induced caloric effects.Finally,the viewpoint of further developments is presented.     

Magnetoelectric effects in multiferroic Y-type hexaferrites Ba(0.3)Sr(1.7)CoxMg(2-x)Fe(12)O(22)

Y-type hexaferrites with tunable conical magnetic structures are promising single-phase multiferroics that exhibit large magnetoelectric effects. We have investigated the influence of Co substitution on the magnetoelectric properties in the Y-type hexaferrites Ba(0.3)Sr(1.7)CoxMg(2-x)Fe(12)O(22)(x = 0.0, 0.4, 1.0, 1.6). The spin-induced electric polarization can be reversed by applying a low magnetic field for all the samples. The magnetoelectric phase diagrams of BaBa(0.3)Sr(1.7)CoxMg(2-x)Fe(12)O(22) are obtained based on the measurements of magnetic field dependence of dielectric constant at selected temperatures. It is found that the substitution of Co ions can preserve the ferroelectric phase up to a higher temperature, and thus is beneficial for achieving single-phase multiferroics at room temperature.     

二维胶体玻璃中玻色峰与结构无序度的关联

本文从实验上研究了胶体玻璃在相同面密度下随着体系结构无序程度的增加, 振动态密度和玻色峰的变化规律. 通过调制两种不同粒径的温敏性水凝胶的数量比来改变体系的无序程度. 通过分析无序体系的声子模式得到体系的振动特性. 研究发现, 随着无序度的增加, 态密度在低频区域增强、玻色峰增高、玻色峰的峰值向低频区域移动. 不同无序程度的样品引起玻色峰的低频声子模式都表现出准局域的特点, 且低频准局域声子模式与样品中无序结构存在关联.     

Identifying anomalous Floquet edge modes via bulk-edge correspondence

Floquet engineering appears as a new protocol for designing topological states of matter,and features anomalous edge modes pinned at quasi-energy π/T with vanished topological index.We propose how to predict the anomalous edge modes via the bulk Hamiltonian in frequency space,and use Zak phase to quantitatively index the topological properties.The above methods are clarified by the example of time periodic Kitaev chain with chemical potential of harmonic driving and pulse driving,and topological phase transitions are manifested at different driving frequencies.     

Failure analysis with a focus on thermal aspect towards developing safer Na-ion batteries

Safety requirements stimulate Na-based batteries to evolve from high-temperature Na–S batteries to room-temperature Na-ion batteries(NIBs).Even so,NIBs may still cause thermal runaway due to the external unexpected accidents and internal high activity of electrodes or electrolytes,which has not been comprehensively summarized yet.In this review,we summarize the significant advances about the failure mechanisms and related strategies to build safer NIBs from the selection of electrodes,electrolytes and the construction of electrode/electrolyte interfaces.Considering the safety risk,the thermal behaviors are emphasized which will deepen the understanding of thermal stability of different NIBs and accelerate the exploitation of safe NIBs.     

A Photoactivated Cu–CeO2 Catalyst with Cu-[O]-Ce Active Species Designed through MOF Crystal Engineering

Fully utilizing solar energy for catalysis requires the integration of conversion mechanisms and therefore delicate design of catalyst structures and active species. Herein, a MOF crystal engineering method was developed to controllably synthesize a copper–ceria catalyst with well-dispersed photoactive Cu-[O]-Ce species. Using the preferential oxidation of CO as a model reaction, the catalyst showed remarkably efficient and stable photoactivated catalysis, which found practical application in feed gas treatment for fuel cell gas supply. The coexistence of photochemistry and thermochemistry effects contributes to the high efficiency. Our results demonstrate a catalyst design approach with atomic or molecular precision and a combinatorial photoactivation strategy for solar energy conversion.