Optical behavior of self-assembled high-density Ge nanoislands embedded in SiO2

The radio frequency magnetron sputtering method is used to prepare well-dispersed pyramidal-shaped Ge nanoislands embedded in amorphous SiO2 sublayers of various thicknesses. The estimated size and number density of Ge nanoislands in SiO2 sublayer thicknesses beyond 30 nm are approximately 15 nm and 1011 cm-2, respectively. Atomic force microscopy （AFM） reveals root mean square （RMS） roughness sensitivity as the SiO2 sublayer thickness varies from 30 to 40 nm. The formation of nanoislands with high aspect ratios is attributed to the higher rate of surface reactions between Ge adatoms and nucleated Ge islands than reactions associated with SiO2 and Ge. The Ge nanoisland polyorientation on SiO2 （50-nm thickness） is revealed by X-ray diffraction （XRD） patterns. Photoluminescence （PL） peaks of 2.9 and 1.65 eV observed at room temperature （RT） are attributed to the radiative recombination of electrons and holes from the Ge nanoislands/SiO2 and Si02/Si interfaces, respectively. The mean island sizes are determined by fitting the experimental Raman profile to two models, namely, the phonon confinement model and the size distribution combined with phonon confinement model. The latter model yields the best fit to the experimental data. We confirm that SiO2 matrix thickness variations play a significant role in the formation of Ge nanoislands mediated via the minimization of interfacial and strain energies. OCIS codes： 250.5230, 170.5660.     

Shape-dependent plasmon resonances of Ag nanostructures

Different silver nanostructures have been rapidly synthesized under microwave irradiation from a solution of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and β$\beta$-D glucose; neither additional reducing nor capping agent were required in this soft green solution approach. Not only spherical nanoparticles, but also necklace and wires have been synthesized. The plasmon resonances of the synthesized silver nanostructures were tuned by varying the irradiation time and hence by changing size and morphology of nanostructures. The obtained nanostructures were characterized by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Uv–Vis spectroscopy (Uv–Vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The change of peak position and the shape of the absorption spectra were clearly observed during the whole reaction process; in fact, it was evidenced that initially Ag nanoparticles were formed, which, as reaction time elapsed, self-assembled and fused with each other to yield nanowires.     

Abnormal switching behavior of nanoparticle composite systems

We have investigated the properties of liquid crystals (LCs) doped with ZnO (8% Cu doped) nanoparticles. The electro-optic properties of LCs have changed with varying concentration of ZnO nanoparticles. The dielectric anisotropy obtained from the values of dielectric permittivity at 5 kHz in the nematic and smectic phases was found to increase with increasing concentration of nanoparticles in LCs. It has been established that the effect of nanoparticles on the dielectric anisotropy depends on the physical properties of LCs; the nanoparticle disturbs the orientation ordering of LC molecules. The nanoparticle also influences the switching behavior, splay elastic constant, rotational viscosity and threshold voltage of pure LCs. A small quantity of nanoparticles causes slight reduction of the splay elastic constant and rotational viscosity of LC cells.     

Magnetization reversal of individual Co nanoislands

We investigate the magnetization reversal of individual Co islands on Cu(111) in the size range of N=700 to 18,000 atoms by spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy at 8 K. The switching field H(sw) changes with island size in a nonmonotonic manner: it increases with island size and reaches a maximum value of 2.4 T at N=5500 atoms, and it decreases for larger islands. We extract the energy barrier for magnetization reversal as a function of island size. The maximum H(sw) corresponds to an energy barrier of 1 eV. Our results elucidate a crossover of the magnetization reversal from an exchange-spring behavior to domain wall formation with increasing size at around 7500 atoms.     

High coercivity and superparamagnetic behavior of nanocrystalline iron particles in alumina matrix

Single-domain nanoscale magnetic iron particles have been embedded uniformly in an amorphous matrix of alumina using a pulsed laser deposition technique. Structural characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals the presence of a crystalline iron and an amorphous alumina phase. Fine particle magnetism have been investigated by carrying out field and temperature dependence of magnetization measurements using superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer. The particle size of Fe in Al₂O₃ matrices prepared by changing the deposition time of Fe, have been found to be 9, 7 and 5 nm from TEM studies. At 10 K, the coercivities of these samples are found be 450, 350 and 150 Oe, respectively. At 300 K, the coercivity of Fe–Al₂O₃ sample decreases from 100 to 50 Oe as the particle size decreases from 9 to 7 nm and finally the sample turns superparamagnetic when the Fe particle size becomes around 5 nm. Based on the calculated value of blocking temperature, T_B, (481 K), magnetic anisotropy K (4.8×10⁵ erg/cm³) for Fe, and the Boltzmann constant k_B (1.38×10⁻¹⁶ erg/K) from T_B=KV/25k_B, the mean radius of Fe particles is found to be 9.3 nm. in one of the samples. This is in good agreement with the particle size measured using TEM studies.     

Fast magnetic peak switching for thermal ionization mass spectrometers

Common practice in thermal ionization mass spectrometry is to make repeated and rapid comparisons between isotopes of interest by switching the magnetic deflection field sequentially between the values required to deflect each isotope through the collector slit. After each step in the field value (peak switch) it is necessary to pause before logging data, in order to allow the system response to settle to the point where it does not affect the precision of the isotopic ratio determination. The dynamics of the field stabilization system are the principle contributors to this delay period.The system characteristics applicable to a field-controlled magnet system are analyzed in this paper. Possible areas where the step response may be improved by the application of modern control theory are outlined. It is shown that any field-stabilized magnet system can be optimized for step response by the synthesis of a discrete control system. Discrete digital control, i.e. a software implementation, allows system optimization without the necessity for hardware modification, which would be difficult, expensive and possibly in some cases impractical.     

Rijke管热声振荡的稳定性切换行为研究

采用数值方法模拟了强弱两种阻尼条件下传热迟滞时间对一维Rijke管热声系统稳定性的影响,发现Rijke管系统存在稳定性切换现象.在推导了无量纲形式的管内声波动量方程和能量方程之后,利用Galerkin方法对控制方程进行展开并在时间域内数值求解.分析了强阻尼和弱阻尼条件下,给定热源的Rijke管热声振荡的稳定性与传热迟滞时间的关系.结果显示:在两类阻尼条件下,持续增大传热与速度的迟滞时间,系统均呈现出稳定性切换现象,即系统在稳定和不稳定两个状态间持续转变;但弱阻尼系统的不稳定区域宽于强阻尼系统的不稳定区域,系统最大振幅相对增大,且系统热声振荡的主模态在不同模态之间发生转换.最后,通过求解系统各阶模态极限环幅值随传热迟滞时间的变化,发现Rijke管热声振荡稳定性切换现象与迟滞时间存在近似周期性关系.     

Equilibrium shape and size of supported heteroepitaxial nanoislands

We study the equilibrium shape, shape transitions and optimal size of strained heteroepitaxial nanoislands with a two-dimensional atomistic model using simply adjustable interatomic pair potentials. We map out the global phase diagram as a function of substrate-adsorbate misfit and interaction. This phase diagram reveals all the phases corresponding to different well-known growth modes. In particular, for large enough misfits and attractive substrate there is a Stranski-Krastanow regime, where nano-sized islands grow on top of wetting films. We analyze the various terms contributing to the total island energy in detail, and show how the competition between them leads to the optimal shape and size of the islands. Finally, we also develop an analytic interpolation formula for the various contributions to the total energy of strained nanoislands.     

Studies on electrical switching behavior of As-Te-Tl glasses – effect of local structure on switching type and composition dependence of switching voltages

Bulk As-Te-Tl glasses belonging to the As₃₀Te_70-xTl_x (4≤x≤22) and As₄₀Te_60-xTl_x (5≤x≤20) composition tie lines are studied for their I–V characteristics. Unlike other As-Te-III glasses such as As-Te-Al and As-Te-In, which exhibit threshold behavior, the present samples show memory switching. The composition dependence of switching voltages (V_t) of As-Te-Tl glasses is also different from that of As-Te-Al and As-Te-In glasses, and it is found that V_t decreases with the addition of Tl. Both the type of switching exhibited by As-Te-Tl glasses and the composition dependence of V_t, seems to be intimately connected with the nature of bonding of Tl atoms and the resultant structural network. Furthermore, the temperature and thickness dependence of switching voltages of As-Te-Tl glasses suggest an electro thermal mechanism for switching in these samples. PACS 71.55.Jv; 61.43Fs; 61.43.-j; 72.80.Ey; 73.61.Jc     

Enhanced Raman scattering of graphene on Ag nanoislands

The effect of Ag nanoislands on the Raman of graphene was investigated in this work. Compared with that on the bare silicon wafer, Raman enhancement was observed in the graphene film that covered on Ag/Si surface with nanoscale Ag islands, which would be induced by the localized plasmon resonance in Ag nanostructures. The interaction between the graphene sheet and Ag/Si substrate was further studied. The peak shift and line shape of Raman spectroscopy indicated a nonuniform strain distribution in the Ag/Si supported graphene film.     

Surface states of cobalt nanoislands on Cu111

The electronic structure of thin Co nanoislands on Cu(111) has been investigated below and above the Fermi level (E(F)) by scanning tunneling spectroscopy at low temperature. Two surface related electronic states are found: a strong localized peak 0.31 eV below E(F) and a mainly unoccupied dispersive state, giving rise to quantum interference patterns of standing electron waves on the Co surface. Ab initio calculations reveal that the electronic states are spin polarized, originating from d3(z(2)-r(2))-minority and sp-majority bands, respectively.     

Magnetoresistive measurement of switching behavior in nano-structured magnetic dot arrays

In the present study, geometrical and thermal effects in a mesoscopic magnetization reversal process have been studied on a novel nano-structure of magnetic relief dot with magnetoresistive measurements. Only the top layer of a substrate/CoPt(10 nm)/Cu(10 nm)/NiFe(6, 12 nm) film was structured into rectangular dots with various lengths (L) and widths (W) down to 0.2 μm. Coercive fields of NiFe relief dots (W=0.2 μm) systematically decrease with the decrease of L/W, as predicted from demagnetizing factors in single domain particle. About 50% reduction of H_c due to a temperature rise, from 5 to 300 K, demonstrates considerable thermal activation in the magnetization reversal of nano-structured magnetic particles.     

Reduction in switching current density for current-induced magnetization switching without loss of thermal stability: Effect of perpendicular anisotropy

Solving the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert–Slonczewski equation numerically, we show that switching current density for the current-induced magnetization switching decreases by introducing the perpendicular anisotropy smaller than the out-of-plane demagnetization energy in the switched layer as predicted by theories. Interestingly, the introduction of the perpendicular anisotropy does not decrease the thermal stability of magnetization, but rather slightly increases. The reduction in switching current density results from the decrease of demagnetization effect whereas the increase of thermal stability results from the decrease of attempt frequency.     

Synthesis and characterization of palladium nanoislands on the silicon surface

Samples representing a system of Pd nanoparticles on a Si surface is obtained. The metal is deposited onto the substrate by thermal evaporation in vacuum. The system of nanoparticles is formed using a thin screen located at an angle to the substrate and by vacuum annealing of ultrathin continuous palladium films. The chemical composition of the deposited substance is studied by Auger electron spectroscopy. The size and topology of the islands on the surface is established by scanning electron microscopy.     

Self-organization of germanium nanoislands obtained in silicon by molecular-beam epitaxy

Nanometer germanium islands in epitaxial layers of silicon are obtained by molecular-beam epitaxy. The dimensions and shapes of the islands are determined in an atomic-force microscope. The photoluminescence spectra are found to contain lines that can be interpreted as quasidirect optical transitions in the islands. It is concluded on the basis of optical and microprobe measurements and theoretical calculations of the energies of electronic states that silicon is dissolved in the germanium islands. Values of the germanium and silicon contents in the solid solution are presented. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 67, No. 1, 46–50 (10 January 1998)     

Magnetization of Gd cluster: Anomalous thermal behavior

Theoretical studies of the temperature (T) dependence of magnetization of Gd₁₃ clusters have been carried out within a classical Heisenberg model using Monte-Carlo simulations. It is shown that for a broad range of values of , defined as the ratio between competing ferro and anti-ferro magnetic couplings, the cluster magnetization increases with T in the low T region, as seen in experiment. The clusters are also shown to exhibit a wide distribution of moments at a given T, which broadens significantly with increasing T. It is suggested that this may affect the observed magnetic behavior of magnetic clusters in Stern-Gerlach experiments. Received 29 May 1999 and Received in final form 5 September 1999     

Domain wall nucleation and propagation in spin-transfer torque switching with thermal effects

We conduct micro-magnetic simulations to study spin-transfer torque induced magnetization switching in perpendicular magnetic tunneling junctions. The effects of current densities and temperatures on the switching processes are studied in details. We then proposed an approach to compute the deterministic switching time by taking thermal-effect into account. The switching time is less temperature-dependent under higher current density; however, as the current density decreases, the effect of temperature on the switching time becomes more and more significant. The switching process with micro-magnetic simulations is shown to be via domain wall nucleation and propagation. The phenomena are consistent with the recent experimental found-out. We further propose a method to compute the switching time based on domain wall nucleation and propagation theory, and compare the switching time with those from macro-spin approximation. It is found the switching times from the micro-magnetic simulations are much shorter than that from the macro-spin approximations. Macro-spin approximation over-estimates the switching times due to its coherent rotation assumptions.     

电压型双频率控制开关变换器的动力学建模与多周期行为分析

在断续导电模式下, 建立了电压型双频率控制开关变换器的动力学模型, 并推导了相应的特征值方程. 根据动力学模型, 采用分岔图研究了电路参数变化时变换器存在的边界碰撞分岔行为和周期2, 周期3,周期4等多周期行为, 结果表明: 变换器经历了周期1态、多周期态、周期1态的分岔路由; 周期态的转变均是由边界碰撞分岔引起的. 根据特征值方程, 采用Lyapunov指数研究了变换器的稳定性, 结果表明: 随着电路参数的变化, Lyapunov指数始终小于零, 变换器一直工作于稳定的周期态, 验证了电压型双频率控制开关变换器的周期3行为并不意味着变换器会必然发生混沌. 通过电路仿真, 分析了负载变化时变换器的时域波形、相轨图和频谱图, 验证了动力学模型的可行性和理论分析的正确性. 实验结果验证了文中的仿真结果. 关键词： 开关变换器 双频率控制 边界碰撞分岔 多周期行为