Determination of the inelastic mean-free-path and mean inner potential for AlAs and GaAs using off-axis electron holography and convergent beam electron diffraction.

The mean-free-paths for inelastic scattering of high-energy electrons (200 keV) for AlAs and GaAs have been determined based on a comparison of thicknesses as measured by electron holography and convergent-beam electron diffraction. The measured values are 77 +/- 4 nm and 67 +/- 4 nm for AlAs and GaAs, respectively. Using these values, the mean inner potentials of AlAs and GaAs were then determined, from a total of 15 separate experimental measurements, to be 12.1 +/- 0.7 V and 14.0 +/- 0.6 V, respectively. These latter measurements show good agreement with recent theoretical calculations within experimental error.     

Observation of magnetic multilayers by electron holography.

Magnetic structures of Co/Cu multilayers in cross section are observed by two kinds of electron holography: a Fourier method and a phase-shifting method, which is introduced briefly. The Fourier method can easily reconstruct wave functions and is applied to many specimens, whereas the phase-shifting method requires longer time for processing, but has a higher spatial resolution that permits us to discuss fine structures. Magnetization vectors in Co layers aligning parallel and separating into two blocks with antiparallel alignment are observed. Magnetic blurring on the boundary between Co and Cu in the reconstructed phase images is larger than the estimated atomic roughness.     

Mapping of process-induced dopant redistributions by electron holography.

We present and review dopant mapping examples in semiconductor device structures by electron holography and outline their potential applications for experimental investigation of two-dimensional (2D) dopant diffusion on the nanometer scale. We address the technical challenges of the method when applied to transistor structures with respect to quantification of the results in terms of the 2D p-n junction potential and critically review experimental boundary conditions, accuracy, and potential pitfalls. By obtaining maps of the inner electrostatic potential before and after anneals typically used in device processing, we demonstrate how the "vertical" and "lateral" redistribution of boron during device fabrication can directly be revealed. Such data can be compared with the results of process simulation to extract the fundamental parameters for dopant diffusion in complex device structures.     

Electron holography with a Cs-corrected transmission electron microscope.

Cs correctors have revolutionized transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in that they substantially improve point resolution and information limit. The object information is found sharply localized within 0.1 nm, and the intensity image can therefore be interpreted reliably on an atomic scale. However, for a conventional intensity image, the object exit wave can still not be detected completely in that the phase, and hence indispensable object information is missing. Therefore, for example, atomic electric-field distributions or magnetic domain structures cannot be accessed. Off-axis electron holography offers unique possibilities to recover completely the aberration-corrected object wave with uncorrected microscopes and hence we would not need a Cs-corrected microscope for improved lateral resolution. However, the performance of holography is affected by aberrations of the recording TEM in that the signal/noise properties ("phase detection limit") of the reconstructed wave are degraded. Therefore, we have realized off-axis electron holography with a Cs-corrected TEM. The phase detection limit improves by a factor of four. A further advantage is the possibility of fine-tuning the residual aberrations by a posteriori correction. Therefore, a combination of both methods, that is, Cs correction and off-axis electron holography, opens new perspectives for complete TEM analysis on an atomic scale.     

Ultrasoft magnetic films investigated with Lorentz tranmission electron microscopy and electron holography.

As a tribute to the scientific work of Professor Gareth Thomas in the field of structure-property relationships this paper delineates a new possibility of Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM) to study the magnetic properties of soft magnetic films. We show that in contrast to the traditional point of view, not only does the direction of the magnetization vector in nano-crystalline films make a correlated small-angle wiggling, but also the magnitude of the magnetization modulus fluctuates. This fluctuation produces a rapid modulation in the LTEM image. A novel analysis of the ripple structure in nano-crystalline Fe-Zr-N film corresponds to an amplitude of the transversal component of the magnetization deltaMy of 23 mT and a longitudinal fluctuation of the magnetization of the order of deltaMx = 30 mT. The nano-crystalline (Fe99Zr1)1-xNx films have been prepared by DC magnetron reactive sputtering with a thickness between 50 and 1000 nm. The grain size decreased monotonically with N content from typically 100 nm in the case of N-free films to less than 10 nm for films containing 8 at%. The specimens were examined with a JEOL 2010F 200 kV transmission electron microscope equipped with a post column energy filter (GIF 2000 Gatan Imaging Filter). For holography, the microscope is mounted with a biprism (JEOL biprism with a 0.6 microm diameter platinum wire).     

Characterization of a Co-CoO obliquely evaporated magnetic tape by analytical electron microscopy and electron holography.

The microstructure and magnetic domain structure of a Co-CoO obliquely evaporated tape for magnetic recording are studied by analytical electron microscopy and electron holography, respectively. While the existence of Co and CoO crystallites is confirmed by energy-filtered electron diffraction, columnar structure of the Co crystallites surrounded by the densely packed CoO crystallites is visualized by an elemental mapping method with electron energy loss spectroscopy, and the crystal orientation relation among the Co crystallites is clarified by high-resolution electron microscopy. It is found that the neighboring Co crystallites have close crystal orientations. On the other hand, electron holography reveals the magnetic flux distribution in a thin section of the tape. Although there exists the background resulting from the effect of inner potential with thickness variation, the distribution of lines of magnetic flux is found to correspond well to the recorded pattern.     

LaSeTe2-temperature dependent structure investigation and electron holography on a charge-density-wave-hosting compound

Single crystals of LaSeTe(2) have been prepared by reaction of the elements in a LiCl/RbCl flux at 970 K for seven days. Satellite reflections observed in diffraction experiments indicate the presence of an incommensurate lattice distortion, which is of the charge-density-wave (CDW) type. The modulated structure has been solved from X-ray data at 173, 293, and 373 K. LaSeTe(2) crystallizes in the 3+1-dimensional orthorhombic superspace group Cmcm(00gamma)s00 (No. 63.2) with lattice parameters of a=4.295(1), b=25.371(4), c=4.306(1) A (173 K), a=4.297(1), b=25.408(4), c=4.309(1) A (293 K), and a=4.309(1), b=25.481(6), c=4.321(1) A (373 K). The modulation vector q=(0, 0, 0.288) does not change over the temperature interval. Electron holographic investigations confirm the existence of the modulation and help to visualize the charge-density wave.     

Off-axis electron holography of unbiased and reverse-biased focused ion beam milled Si p-n junctions.

Off-axis electron holography is used to measure electrostatic potential profiles across a silicon p-n junction, which has been prepared for examination in the transmission electron microscope (TEM) in two different specimen geometries using focused ion beam (FIB) milling. Results are obtained both from a conventional unbiased FIB-milled sample and using a novel sample geometry that allows a reverse bias to be applied to an FIB-milled sample in situ in the TEM. Computer simulations are fitted to the results to assess the effect of TEM specimen preparation on the charge density and the electrostatic potential in the thin sample.     

A Tutorial on Fiber-Optic Chemical Sensors

This experiment illustrates the value of using NMR spectroscopy to study geometric isomers, and the synthetic utility of the trans effect in inorganic reaction mechanisms. The syntheses of cis- and trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) are carried out on a small scale, using both ¹⁴N and ¹⁵N ammine ligands. Students use ¹⁹⁵Pt and ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopies to study the coordination complexes prepared. The ¹⁹⁵Pt chemical shift is indicative of the metals coordination environment. Furthermore, the ¹⁹⁵Pt-¹⁵N coupling constant is sensitive to the nature and geometry of the ligands bound to the metal, and this is also explored.     

Radial particle distributions in a d.c. arc—maximum off-axis

It is shown that for some elements evaporated from the anode of a d.c. arc the position of the maximum concentration of atomic particles (i.e. atoms + ions) occurs not on the axis of the arc column but some distance away from the centre, this distance being largely determined by the inside diameter of the electrode crater. It is shown that the magnitude of the off-axis peak increases with increasing volatility of the element concerned, but decreases with increasing electrical power generated in the plasma as well as with decreasing ionisation potential of the buffer metal. The proposed mechanism for this phenomenon is based on the fact that, due to thermal repulsion, cool vapours do not readily mix with hot gases. Thus volatile sample components evaporating from regions not immediately beneath the anode spot would tend to diffuse laterally around the arc rather than vertically into the hot plasma.     

Tutorial: Field-Flow Fractionation

A simple model of a crystalline solid that leads to an electronic band structure is presented. The development requires no quantum mechanics beyond that taught in most physical chemistry courses and can be taught in a single one-hour lecture.     

Tutorial: Capillary Electrophoresis

In recent years a number of exciting developments have emerged in the area of scientific computational tools for classroom use. Computer Algebra Systems (CASs), for example, Maple, are at the forefront of this arena. Such tools have been long sought by teachers of physical chemistry, inherently a mathematics intensive subject. With a CAS at hand, students can look forward to taking college science courses, like physical chemistry, without the usual mathematics anxiety. These tools can be used to do numerical and symbolic mathematics including calculus and linear algebra. In addition, they have wonderful graphics capabilities that include three-dimensional plots, contour plots, and animations. This paper describes the implementation of Maple in two junior-level physical chemistry courses. The materials used for beginning workshops are presented here and additional examples of Maples graphic and algebraic capabilities are described.     

Spectral hole-burning and holography

A review of recent work in which persistent spectral holes have been burnt as laser induced gratings (plane wave holograms) in the inhomogeneously broadened absorption bands of dye doped polymers is presented. The holographic detection technique is compared to the transmission technique and it is shown that a comparison of transmission and holographic hole widths leads to a direct measurement of homogeneous linewidth. Interference between spectrally adjacent gratings is dependent on the relative phase selected during burning. This consideration is important in the analysis of interference between spectrally adjacent gratings which are split through the application of an external electric field. Finally, the influence of the reconstruction symmetry is described.     

Interface charges boosted ultrafast lithiation in Li_4Ti_5O_(12) revealed by in-situ electron holography

It is still a great challenge at present to combine the high rate capability of the electrochemical capacitor with the high electrochemical capacity feature of rechargeable battery in energy storage and transport devices.By studying the lithiation mechanism of Li_4Ti_5O_(12)(LTO)using in-situ electron holography,we find that double charge layers are formed at the interface of the insulating Li_4Ti_5O_(12)(Li4)phase and the semiconducting Li_7Ti_5O_(12)(Li7)phase,and can greatly boost the lithiation kinetics.The electron wave phase of the LTO particle is found to gradually shrink with the interface movement,leaving a positive electric field from Li7 to Li4 phase.Once the capacitive interface charges are formed,the lithiation of the core/shell particle could be established within 10 s.The ultrafast kinetics is attributed to the built-in interface potential and the mixed Ti~(3+)/Ti~(4+)sites at the interface that could be maximally lowering the thermodynamic barrier for Li ion migration.     

Off-axis STEM or TEM holography combined with four-dimensional diffraction imaging.

Ultrahigh-resolution imaging may be achieved using modifications of the off-axis holography scheme in a scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) instrument equipped with one or more electrostatic biprisms in the illuminating system. The resolution is governed by the diameter of a reference beam, reduced by channeling through a line of atoms in an atomic-focuser crystal. Alternatively, the off-axis holography may be combined with the Rodenburg method in which a four-dimensional data set is obtained by recording a nanodiffraction pattern from each point of the specimen as the incident beams are scanned. An ultrahigh-resolution image is derived by computer processing to give a particular two-dimensional section of this data set. The large amount of data recording and data processing involved with this method may be avoided if the two-dimensional section is derived by recording the hologram while the four beams produced by two perpendicular biprisms are scanned in opposing directions across the specimen by varying the voltages on the biprisms. An equivalent scheme for conventional TEM is also possible. In each case, the complex transmission function of the specimen may be derived and resolutions of about 0.05 nm may be expected.     

Reaction kinetics involving electron tunneling. Dose effect on trapped electron yields

Willard et al. have observed that the concentration of radiation-produced trapped electrons increases to a maximum and then decreases to zero with increasing dose. We interpret this phenomenon by the tunneling of trapped electrons to concurrently produced radicals.