Deposition of bimetallic Au/Ag clusters by the method of laser deposition of nanoparticles from colloidal systems

A method of formation of bimetallic clusters on the surface of optically transparent media is proposed. Nanoparticles of noble metals were obtained by laser ablation into a liquid. Clusters were formed by means of colloidal deposition of nanoparticles. Cluster morphology after deposition was studied by means of atomic force and scanning electron microscopy. We demonstrate transformation of the transmission spectrum of obtained structures before and after laser-induced aggregation.     

利用激光烧蚀法制备表面等离子体可调谐的金核银壳层纳米颗粒胶体

利用激光烧蚀方法在水中制备了金核银壳层纳米颗粒胶体,发现这种复合胶体的等离子体振动吸收峰频率会随着激光烧蚀时间的不同而发生改变。利用等离子杂化理论定性解释了共振吸收峰可调谐的物理机制.     

Formation of an extended nanostructured metal surface by ultra-short laser pulses: single-pulse ablation in the high-fluence limit

The threshold character of ultra-short-pulse laser ablation allows the formation of sub-diffraction-limited structures. In order to achieve nanostructuring of an extended area in reasonable production times, parallel production is highly desirable. In this paper we analyze the results obtained by nanostructuring using a self-assembled microlens array formed by deposition of quartz spheres directly on a noble-metal surface or on a quartz spacer layer. The quartz spheres are removed by a single laser pulse, so the structures formed are the result of single-shot ablation. The size of the holes formed depends on the laser fluence and the thickness of the transparent spacer layer. The hole depths are significantly larger than the optical penetration depth, indicating that heat diffusion plays an important role. The results are analyzed by solving the two-temperature diffusion model numerically in one dimension. The results from the numerical simulation lead to the formulation of a simple analytical model for the ablation at high fluence, which reproduces the results of the simulation quite well and is in qualitative agreement with the experimental data. PACS 61.80.Ba; 78.47.+p; 81.16.Rf; 81.65.Cf     

Stimulation of the local growth of aligned carbon nanotubes by pulse laser exposure of the substrate

The local stimulation of carbon nanotubes (CNT) growth at the laser-modified sites that have been obtained by excimer laser irradiation at 248 nm causing a local surface modification has been investigated by two different processing methods. The influence of the laser processing parameters on the CNT growth is compared for the irradiation of thin spin-coated iron nitrate films on silicon substrates and the backside irradiation of a fused silica substrate being in contact with an iron nitrate solution. Both techniques cause the formation of catalytic surface sites either by decomposition of the film or by deposition from the solution. For both laser modification approaches the local growth of vertical aligned nanotubes has been observed. In the case of spin-coated film the laser irradiation conditions have only a small influence on the CNT growth whereas at backside modification by means of a solution a strong dependence on the laser processing parameters has been found.     

Evaporation of saline colloidal droplet and deposition pattern

The dynamic process of the evaporation and the desiccation of sessile saline colloidal droplets, and their final deposition are investigated. During the evaporation, the movement of the colloidal particles shows a strong dependence on the salt concentration and the droplet shape. The final deposition pattern indicates a weakened coffee-ring effect in this mixed droplet system. The microscopic observation reveals that as evaporation proceeds, the particle motion trail is affected by the salt concentration of the droplet boundary. The Marangoni flow, which is induced by surface tension gradient originating from the local evaporative peripheral salt enrichment, suppresses the compensation flow towards the contact line of the droplet. The inhomogeneous density and concentration field induced by evaporation or crystallization can be the major reason for various micro-flows. At last stage, the distribution and crystallization of Na Cl are affected by the colloidal particles during the drying of the residual liquid film.     

Direct laser printing for high efficiency silicon solar cells fabrication

Silicon solar cells still require cost reduction and improved efficiency to become more competitive. New architectures can provide a significant increase in efficiency, but today most of the approaches need additional fabrication steps. In this context, laser processing offers a unique way to replace technological steps like photolithography that is not compatible with the requirements of the photovoltaic industry. In particular laser induced thermal effects can be used to activate or re-organise dopants at the silicon surface to design new emitter geometries. In this paper dopant diffusion using a nanosecond UV laser on phosphorous-doped silicon emitters is studied. The presence of a phosphosilicate glass underneath a silicon nitride layer leads to a local decrease of the emitter sheet resistance from 100 Ω/sq to 20 Ω/sq. Laser induced damage, phosphorus diffusion profile and electrical shunt are assessed in the perspective of selective emitter silicon solar cells fabrication compatible with electrochemical metal contacts deposition.     

Admetal-induced substrate surface restructuring during metal-on-metal electrochemical deposition studied by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy

Based on time-dependent in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) studies, we demonstrate that for Ni on Ag(111) and Ru on Au(111), electrochemical metal-on-metal deposition can result in pronounced substrate surface restructuring. For Ni/Ag(111), we observe that at low deposition flux and low coverage, Ni submonolayer islands at steps are partly embedded in the Ag terraces, whereas at higher deposition flux and higher coverage, substrate restructuring results in the formation of monolayer bays in the Ag terraces. We suggest that this restructuring process proceeds predominantly via step edge diffusion of Ag atoms. For Ru/Au(111), the formation of fjords and monolayer holes in the Au terraces is observed at low and high Ru coverage, respectively. The importance of the Au surface mobility for the restructuring process is demonstrated by comparing experiments in H₂SO₄ and HCl solutions, in which Au exhibits strongly different surface mobilities. For this system, restructuring involves Au diffusion along Au steps, Au atom detachment from the Au steps, and upward exchange diffusion. According to these observations and their comparison with similar findings for vacuum deposition, we conclude that this restructuring requires (i) a high substrate surface mobility and (ii) a stronger bonding of substrate atoms to deposit islands than to the substrate.     

Diffusion of a chemically active colloidal particle in composite channels

Diffusion of colloidal particles in microchannels has been extensively investigated, where the channel wall is either a no-slip or a slip-passive boundary. However, in the context of active fluids, driving boundary walls are ubiquitous and are expected to have a substantial effect on the particle dynamics. By mesoscale simulations, we study the diffusion of a chemically active colloidal particle in composite channels, which are constructed by alternately arranging the no-slip and diffusio-osmotic boundary walls. In this case, the chemical reaction catalyzed by the active colloidal particle creates a local chemical gradient along the channel wall, which drives a diffusio-osmotic flow parallel to the wall. We show that the diffusio-osmotic flow can significantly change the spatial distribution and diffusion dynamics of the colloidal particle in the composite channels. By modulating the surface properties of the channel wall, we can achieve different patterns of colloidal position distribution. The findings thus propose a novel possibility to manipulate colloidal diffusion in microfluidics, and highlight the importance of driving boundary walls in dynamics of colloidal particles in microchannels.     

Nanogaps in 2D Ag‐nanocap arrays for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering

The surface‐enhanced Raman scattering substrate of Ag–Ag nanocap arrays are prepared by depositing Ag film onto two‐dimensional (2D) polystyrene colloidal nanosphere templates. When the original colloidal arrays are used as the substrate for Ag deposition, surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancements show the strong size‐dependence behaviours. When O₂‐plasma etched 2D polystyrene templates are used as the substrate for Ag deposition to form nanogaps, the gap sizes between adjacent Ag nanocaps from 5 to 20 nm generate even greater SERS enhancements. When SiO₂ coverage is deposited to isolate the Ag nanocaps from the neighbours, the SERS signals are enhanced more. The significant SERS effects are due to the coupling between Ag nanocaps controlled by the distance, which enhances the local electric‐field intensity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Laser-induced generation of surface periodic structures in media with nonlinear diffusion

A model of fast formation of high-contrast periodic structure appearing on a semiconductor surface under action of laser radiation is proposed. The process of growing a surface structure due to the interaction surface plasmon- polaritons excited on nonequilibrium electrons with incident laser radiation are considered in the framework of a medium with nonlinear diffusion of nonequilibrium carriers (defects). A resonance effect of superfast pico- and subpicosecond amplification of the plasmon-polariton structure generated on the surface, the realization of which can result in a high-contrast defect lattice.     

Energetics of Carbon deposition on Fe(100) and Fe(110) surfaces and subsurfaces

Spin-polarized density functional theory calculations have been performed to investigate carbon deposition and carbide formation on Fe(100) and Fe(110) at different carbon coverage. On Fe(100) with increasing carbon coverage, the most stable carbon adsorption configuration changes from surface carbon adsorption to surface carbon diffusion into subsurface, and surface carbon clustering is not favored thermodynamically. However, surface carbon clustering is more favored kinetically than carbon diffusion; and carbon diffusion into subsurface and surface carbon clustering become competitive. On Fe(110) with increasing surface carbon coverage, the most stable adsorption configuration changes from surface carbon adsorption to surface carbon diffusion into subsurface, and this process is favored both kinetically and thermodynamically, and surface carbon clustering is neither favored nor competitive. Surface carbon deposition might form on Fe(100), while carbide formation might be found on Fe(110).     

Broadening of Cr nanostructures in laser-focused atomic deposition

This paper presents the experimental progress of laser-focused Cr atomic deposition and the experimental condition.The result is an accurate array of lines with a periodicity of 212.8±0.2 nm and mean full-width at half maximum as approximately 95 nm.Surface growth in laser-focused Cr atomic deposition is modeled and studied by kinetic Monte Carlo simulation including two events:the one is that atom trajectories in laser standing wave are simulated with the semiclassical equations of motion to obtain the deposition position;the other is that adatom diffuses by considering two major diffusion processes,namely,terrace diffusion and step-edge descending.Comparing with experimental results(Anderson W R,Bradley C C,McClelland J J and Celotta R J 1999 Phys.Rev.A 59 2476),it finds that the simulated trend of dependence on feature width is in agreement with the power of standing wave,the other two simulated trends are the same in the initial stage.These results demonstrate that some surface diffusion processes play important role in feature width broadening.Numerical result also shows that high incoming beam flux of atoms deposited redounds to decrease the distance between adatoms which can diffuse to minimize the feature width and enhance the contrast.     

Analysis of oxide formation induced by UV laser coloration of stainless steel

Laser-induced coloration on metal surfaces has important applications in product identification, enhancing styles and aesthetics. The color generation is the result of controlled surface oxidation during laser beam interaction with the metal surfaces. In this study, we aim to obtain in-depth understanding of the oxide formation process when an UV laser beam interacts with stainless steel in air. The oxide layer is analysed by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometer (TOF-SIMS). TOF-SIMS results clearly show the formation of duplex oxide structures. The duplex structure includes an inner layer of Cr oxide solution and an outer layer of Fe oxide solution. The oxide layer thickness increased as the results of Fe diffusion to surface during multiple laser scanning passes.     

Initial structure and growth dynamics of YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7-delta) during pulsed laser deposition

The initial heteroepitaxial growth of YBa{2}Cu{3}O{7-delta} films on SrTiO3(001) substrates during pulsed laser deposition shows a growth-mode transition and a change of growth unit. The growth starts with two blocks, each two-thirds the size of the complete unit cell. The first of these blocks grows in a step-flow fashion, whereas the second grows in the layer-by-layer mode. Subsequent deposition occurs layer-by-layer of complete unit cells. These results suggest that the surface diffusion in the heteroepitaxial case is strongly influenced by the competition with formation energies, which is important for the fabrication of heteroepitaxial devices on the unit cell scale.     

Co removal and phase transformations during high power diode laser irradiation of cemented carbide

The use of a continuous wave-high power diode laser for removing surface Co-binder from Co-cemented tungsten carbide (WC-Co (5.8 wt%.)) hardmetal slabs was investigated. Combined scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses were performed in order to study the phase transformations and micro-structural modifications of the WC-Co substrates occurring during and after laser irradiation. The micro-structure of the WC-Co progressively transforms as energy density increased, exhibiting stronger removal of Co and WC grain growth. At very high energy density, local melting of the WC grains with the formation of big agglomerates of interlaced grains is observed, and the crystalline structure of the irradiated substrate shows the presence of a brittle ternary eutectic phase of W, Co and C (often referred to as the η-phase). The latter can be detrimental to the mechanical properties of WC-Co. Therefore, the proper adjustment of the laser processing parameters plays a crucial role in surface treatments of WC-Co substrates prior to post-processing like diamond deposition.     

Electric-field-assisted self-assembly of colloidal particles

A method for formation of photonic crystals has been proposed. The method is based on convective deposition of colloidal particles onto vertical substrates in the presence of a direct-current electric field directed perpendicular to the surface of the formed film and an alternating-current electric field applied parallel to the substrate plane. The structure and optical properties of the prepared colloidal crystals have been investigated using scanning electron microscopy, high resolution small-angle X-ray diffraction, and optical spectroscopy.     

Heat and mass-transfer modeling of an angled gas-jet LCVD system

Laser chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) is a new manufacturing process that holds great potential for the production of small and complex metallic, ceramic and composite parts. Since LCVD is a thermally activated process, the most important process variable is temperature. Therefore, a thermal model was developed for a gas-jet LCVD system, accounting for Gaussian-beam laser heating and gas-jet convection cooling. The forced convection cooling imposed by the gas-jet reagent delivery system was significant, accounting for a 15 to 20% change in the substrate temperature. The deposition rate for a given material is not only affected by temperature, but also by the mass transport of reagent gases. An angled gas-jet reagent supply was designed to aid mass transport, but the need and impact of such a system has been debated. Therefore, a two-dimensional mass-transport model was developed to estimate the effects of a gas jet with respect to local reagent concentration variations and reaction rates. Across all deposition regimes, the gas jet was found to be an effective tool for increasing the concentration of reagent gases at the surface of the substrate. The gas jet also generated higher deposition rates and increased deposit resolution for those processes severely limited by diffusion. PACS 05.60.-k; 44.27+g; 44.05+e     

Preparation of silver nanoparticles by laser ablation in polyvinylpyrrolidone solutions

We performed laser ablation of a silver plate in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) aqueous solutions to prepare silver nanoparticles. Secondary laser irradiation onto the prepared colloidal solutions was also carried out. It was revealed that the formation efficiency was increased by addition of PVP as well as the stability of nanoparticles. The result of shadowgraph measurements suggested that the increased ablation efficiency by PVP is attributable to increased secondary etching efficiency by the solvent-confined plasma toward the silver plate. On the other hand, the size decrease of the nanoparticles by addition of PVP was more remarkable during the secondary irradiation process than in the laser ablation (nanoparticle preparation) process. This result indicates that emitted materials interact less sufficiently with PVP molecules in the laser ablation process than in the secondary laser irradiation process.     

Effect of a laser beam reflected from a target on the formation of coatings by pulsed laser deposition

Problems associated with the effect of a reflected laser beam on the formation of multilayer nanocoatings by pulsed laser deposition on the inner surface of small-diameter tubes is discussed. The composition and structure of the coatings are investigated; the significant influence of the laser radiation reflected from the target on the mixing of atoms in the multilayer nanocoatings is determined.     

Fabrication and electrical properties of ordered two-dimensional hollow ZnO shells’ arrays

Colloidal templating and pulsed laser deposition (PLD) have been combined to fabricate arrays of ordered two-dimensional hollow ZnO cells. Based on a spin-coating method, a facile method has been developed to distribute colloidal bead in an ordered two-dimensional fashion between the fingers of inter-digital transducers. The underlying principle involved in the spin-coating method has been analyzed by obtaining Fourier transformation patterns from the arrangements of beads. The surfaces of oxide shells consist of protruding nano-crystallites, which have a würtzite structure of ZnO. Their electrical properties were measured as a function of annealing temperature. The change in the electrical properties upon grain growth has been attributed to alteration in the fraction site availability for defect formation at the grain boundaries.