Interface and contact structures for nanoelectronic devices using assemblies of metallic nanoclusters,conjugated organic molecules and chemically stable semiconductor layers

Self-assembly (‘building’) approaches can provide well-controlled structures and assemblies at the nanometer scale, but typically do not provide the specific structures or functionalities required for robust nanoelectronic circuits. One approach to realize high-density nanoelectronic circuits is to combine self-assembly techniques with more conventional semiconductor device and circuit approaches (‘chiseling`) in order to provide suitable functionality and arbitrary circuit functions. An interesting challenge is to find approaches where these techniques can be combined to realize suitable device structures. This paper describes recent work which combines self-assembly techniques involving metal nanoclusters and conjugated organic molecules with semiconductor interface and device structures to form structures of interest for nanoelectronics. One key requirement for this approach is the availability of a chemically stable semiconductor surface layer, which can provide a low-resistance interface between the metallic nanostructure and the semiconductor device layers following room-temperature, ex situ processing. As an illustration of the structures which can be realized, we describe a nanometer-scale ohmic contact to n-type GaAs which utilizes low-temperature-grown GaAs as the chemically stable interface layer. Contact structures have been realized using both isolated (sparse) clusters and using close-packed arrays of clusters on the surface. The low-resistance contacts between the nanoclusters and the semiconductor device layers indicates that relatively low surface barriers and high doping densities have been achieved in these ex situ structures. The general conduction model for this contact structure is described in terms of the interface electrical properties and the contributions from the various components are discussed.     

Phosphine-free synthesis of FeTe_2 nanoparticles and self-assembly into tree-like nanoarchitectures

Manipulating the self-assembly of transition metal telluride nanocrystals(NCs) creates opportunities for exploring new properties and device applications. Iron ditelluride(FeTe_2) has recently emerged as a new class of magnetic semiconductor with three-dimensional(3D) magnetic ordering and narrow band gap structure, yet the self-assembly of FeTe_2 NCs has not been achieved. Herein, the tree-like FeTe_2 nanoarchitectures with orthorhombic crystal structure have been successfully synthesized by hot-injection solvent thermal approach using phosphine-free Te precursor. The morphology, size, and crystal structure have been investigated using transmission electron microscopy(TEM), high-resolution TEM(HRTEM),and powder x-ray diffraction(XRD). We study the formation process of tree-like FeTe_2 NCs according to trace the change of the sample morphology with the reaction time. It was found that the FeTe_2 nanoparticles show oriented aggregation and self-assembly behavior with the increase of reaction time, which is attributed to size-dependent magnetism properties of the samples. The magnetic interaction is thought to be the driving force of nanoparticle self-organization.     

Electron microscopy and in situ testing of mechanical deformation of carbon nanotubes

In this paper, the electron diffraction technique to determine the helicity and atomic structure of carbon nanotubes is reviewed, as well as different mechanical test methods, tensile test, bending test, compression test and vibration test of carbon nanotubes by in situ electron microscopy are summarized while the relationship between mechanical properties and structures revealed by experiments is addressed. Except for these, the electric current and electron beam irradiation effect and some other novel electron microscopy experiments are also incorporated.     

One single-step synthesis of multifunctional methylene blue-coated magnetite nanoparticles

This work reports the preparation of hybrid nanoparticles with magnetic and fluorescent properties. The material is based on magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) coated with fluorophore methylene blue (MB). The synthesis of a multifunctional material with magnetic and fluorescent features is carried out in a single step by electrooxidation. The effect of the presence of methylene blue in the synthetic medium is discussed. The presence of MB polymer at the NP surface is demonstrated with visible UV, infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The NPs morphology, structure and size are determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties are measured with a vibrating sample magnetometer (VMS). In overall, the results show that magnetite NPs generated electrochemically in the presence of MB present a core/shell structure, being the NP at the core surrounded by methylene blue polymer, leading to a nanocomposite or hybrid material.     

Biopolymer-assisted self-assembly of ZnO nanoarchitectures from nanorods

We have investigated three-dimensional (3-D) architectures–microspheres and radial structures–based on biopolymer-assisted self-assembly from one-dimensional ZnO nanorods. The developed method is simple, rapid and cost-effective and can be used for self-assembly of different complex superstructures. A possible model of 3-D architectures self-assembled with biopolymer assistance is presented using minimum energy considerations. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, micro–Raman spectroscopy and cathode luminescence investigations show that the novel 3-D architectures are built from high-purity ZnO nanorods with a wurtzite structure. The resulting radial structures show an intense ultraviolet (UV) cathode luminescence emission suggesting applications as UV light emitting diodes or lasers. Their structural characteristics endow them with a broad area of applications and offer a possibility to be used as fundamental low-dimensional building units. These building units open opportunities for the self-assembly of multifunctional nanostructured systems with applications in bioscience and nanomedicine, electronics and photonics.     

Micromechanics of polymers

Polymers possess a very large inherent capacity for property modifications. The bridge between structure or morphology and mechanical properties is created by the micromechanical processes of deformation and fracture, the “micromechanics.” Developments mainly in electron microscopy (EM) (scanning, transmission, and high-voltage electron microscopy) and scanning force microscopy (SFM) opened up a wide range of experiments previously impossible, including the in situ study of micromechanical processes. These new techniques are reviewed and used to study micromechanical properties of amorphous and semi-crystalline polymers and several toughened polymers. On the basis of the detailed knowledge of micromechanical mechanisms, a new method of polymer modification becomes a realistic possibility, a method of micromechanical construction of new polymeric systems.     

X-ray studies of the structure and electronic behavior of alkanethiolate-capped gold nanoparticles: the interplay of size and surface effects

We report a study of the structure and electronic properties of a series of thiol-capped Au nanoparticles (NP) of nominal sizes of 1.6, 2.4, and 4.0 nm. Transmission electron microscopy, x-ray powder diffraction, x-ray absorption fine structure, and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy have been used to investigate the size-dependent systematics of lattice contraction and charge redistribution of these NPs. It is found that the lattice contracts and the d charge at the Au atom site depletes relative to bulk Au as the size of the NP decreases. The implication of these observations is discussed in terms of the interplay of quantum-size and surface effect.     

原子尺度金属纳米线的结构和性质

当物质尺度减少到几层原子时,形成超细的纳米结、纳米线、或者纳米团簇,原有凝聚态物质的结构和物理性质将不再保持,而呈现出许多令人惊奇的奇异特性。本文重点讨论直径大约3 nm以下,具有足够长度的、原子结构往往不同于体材料的准一维金属纳米结构,我们称之为原子尺度金属纳米线或超细金属纳米线(也称为金属原子线)。近年来实验上已经制备和表征出在超高真空中悬挂在两个顶针尖端的Au、Pt、Cu等金属纳米线和纳米管,金属线直径达到1 nm以下而长度为6 nm以上。通过高分辩电子显微镜观察,它们是同轴圆管(或壳)组成的、类似纳米碳管的单壳或多壳结构,管由绕着线轴的螺旋原子绳构成。理论工作围绕这种新奇结构形态的形成机制、奇异的物理性质和可能的应用前景而同时展开。这是一个崭新的纳米世界,无论是对基础的低维物理还是未来分子电子设备的应用,都将产生深远的影响,有许多奇妙的现象正等待人们去发现。本文将对最近几年原子尺度金属纳米线研究工作的主要进展和发展趋势作一个概述,并重点介绍本组有关的具有螺旋结构的纳米线的各类新奇结构和物理性质。     

原子尺度金属纳米线的结构和性质

当物质尺度减少到几层原子时，形成超细的纳米结、纳米线、或者纳米团簇，原有凝聚态物质的结构和物理性质将不再保持，而呈现出许多令人惊奇的奇异特性。本文重点讨论直径大约3nm以下，具有足够长度的、原子结构往往不同于体材料的准一维金属纳米结构，我们称之为原子尺度金属纳米线或超细金属纳米线（也称为金属原子线）。近年来实验上已经制备和表征出在超高真空中悬挂在两个顶针尖端的Au、Pt、Cu等金属纳米线和纳米管，金属线直径达到1nm以下而长度为6nm以上。通过高分辩电子显微镜观察，它们是同轴圆管（或壳）组成的、类似纳米碳管的单壳或多壳结构，管由绕着线轴的螺旋原子绳构成。理论工作围绕这种新奇结构形态的形成机制、奇异的物理性质和可能的应用前景而同时展开。这是一个崭新的纳米世界，无论是对基础的低维物理还是未来分子电子设备的应用，都将产生深远的影响，有许多奇妙的现象正等待人们去发现。本文将对最近几年原子尺度金属纳米线研究工作的主要进展和发展趋势作一个概述，并重点介绍本组有关的具有螺旋结构的纳米线的各类新奇结构和物理性质。     

氧化锌纳米结构的制备及发光性质研究

采用化学气相沉积方法,在氩气和氧气混合气氛下制备了两种四角结构的纳米氧化锌。初始反应物为纯锌粉,反应过程中没有采用任何触媒。采用X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜、光致发光光谱研究了纳米产物的结构和光学性质。获得的纳米产物为高纯的纤锌矿结构氧化锌。两种氧化锌纳米产物具有三维立体的四角结构,分别为四角锥-片状结构和四角锥-线状结构,具有较大的长径比,呈典型的微/纳结构。通过对两种氧化锌纳米结构的紫外发射峰和可见发射带的对比研究,探讨了氧化锌纳米产物可见发射带的起源,以及影响其发光性质的主要因素。     

The characters of self-assembly core/shell nanoparticles of amphiphilic hyperbranched polyethers as drug carriers

The characters of self-assembly core/shell nanoparticles of amphiphilic hyperbranched polyethers (HP-g-PEO) as drug carriers were investigated. The HP-g-PEO consisting of hydrophobic HP-g-PEO core and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) arms was prepared by the cation ring-opening polymerization. A series of HP-g-PEO samples with different degree of branching (DB) were synthesized under various reaction temperatures. Nanoparticles (NP) were obtained by self-assembly of HP-g-PEO in aqueous media. The structure of resulting HP-g-PEO was characterized by IR, ¹³CNMR and GPC. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy were applied to characterize the sizes and size distributions of NP. The results demonstrated that the mean diameters of NP were less than 100 nm, which exhibited uniform spherical formations and narrow size distributions. Using hydrophobic drug Probucol (PRO) as model drug, the particle sizes of drug loaded NP were larger than relative blank NP. The drug loading efficiency (LE) and incorporation efficiency (IE) of these NP were achieved to 35 and 89%, respectively. The in vitro release of PRO from the NP exhibited a sustained release and the cumulative drugs released for more than 600 h. The most important factor to affect drug release was the value of DB of HP-g-PEO. With the DB of HP-g-PEO increasing, the size and size distribution of NP decreased as well as the release rate. However, the small DB was beneficial to the LE of NP. Nanoparticle size and size distribution, LE, IE, and drug release rate were slightly affected by the initial solution concentration of polyethers. The co-incorporated hydrophilic drug had influence slightly on the release of drug from drug loaded NP. The results of in vitro drug release suggested that the core/shell NP performed good controlled release behaviors with potential practice as novelty drug delivery vehicles.     

Organization of chromatin in the interphase mammalian cell

The use of imaging techniques has become an essential tool in cell biology. In particular, advances in fluorescence microscopy and conventional transmission electron microscopy have had a major impact on our understanding of chromatin structure and function. In this review we attempt to chart the conceptual evolution of models describing the organization and function of chromatin in higher eukaryotic cells, in parallel with the advances in light and electron microscopy over the past 50 years. In the last decade alone, the application of energy filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM), also referred to as electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI), has provided many new insights into the organization of chromatin in the interphase nucleus. Based on ESI imaging of chromatin in situ, we propose a 'lattice' model for the organization of chromatin in interphase cells. In this model, the chromatin fibers of 10 and 30nm diameter observed by ESI, produce a meshwork that accommodates an extensive and distributed interchromosomal (IC) space devoid of chromatin. The functional implications of this model for nuclear activity are discussed.     

半壳结构金纳米膜的局域表面等离子体共振效应

采用纳米模版印刷术和化学自组装技术制备了半壳结构的金粒子膜.利用场发射扫描电子显微镜和光谱仪等测试手段对样品的结构和光学性质进行了分析.研究发现，该结构的金膜所具有独特的局域表面等离子体共振效应取决于样品的粒子大小、间距等微观结构，且其峰值吸收波长对其周围环境介质的介电常数变化十分敏感.实验结果表明，粒子排列均匀的亚单层膜结构是控制光学性质稳定的关键. 关键词： 局域表面等离子体共振 半壳结构 纳米模版印刷术     

二氧化硅胶体球自组装光子晶体的研究

光子晶体由于具有光子带隙和光子局域等一系列优异的光学特性而受到了人们广泛的关注。由于采用胶体颗粒自组装法制备光子晶体制备工艺简单,所需要的费用也较低,因此已成为制备可见光至红外波段三维光子晶体的一种简便有效的方法。采用垂直沉积法制得了三维光子晶体薄膜,并用扫描电子显微镜和紫外-可见光-近红外分光光度计对其显微结构和光学特性进行了详细的研究。结果表明,自组装薄膜在三维方向上都具有有序结构,其密排面平行于载波片的表面。制备的光子晶体薄膜具有明显的光子带隙特性,带隙中心波长为956nm。研究了带隙中心波长同入射线与密排面法线夹角之间的变化关系,其结果与理论值吻合得很好。     

Magnetic Coupling Induced Self-Assembly at Atomic Level

Developing accurate self-assembly is the key for constructing functional materials from a bottom-up approach.At present, it is mainly hindered by building blocks and driving modes. We design a new self-assembly method based on the magnetic coupling between spin-polarized electrons. First-principles calculations show that spinpolarized electrons from different endohedral metallofullerene(EMF) superatoms can pair each other to ensure a one-dimensional extending morphology. Furthermore, without ligand passivation, the EMF superatoms maintain their electronic structures robustly in self-assembly owing to the core-shell structure and the atomic-like electron arrangement rule. Therefore, it should noted that the magnetic coupling of monomeric electron spin polarization can be an important driving mechanism for high-precision self-assembly. These results represent a new paradigm for self-assembly and offer fresh opportunities for functional material construction at the atomic level.     

Lorentz transmission electron microscopy studies on topological magnetic domains

Lorentz transmission electron microscopy(TEM) is a powerful tool to study the crystal structures and magnetic domain structures in correlation with novel physical properties. Nanometric topological magnetic configurations such as vortices, bubbles, and skyrmions have received enormous attention from the viewpoint of both fundamental science and potential applications in magnetic logic and memory devices, in which understanding the physical properties of magnetic nanodomains is essential. In this review article, several magnetic imaging methods in Lorentz TEM including the Fresnel and Foucault modes, electron holography, and differential phase contrast(DPC) techniques are discussed, where the novel properties of topological magnetic domains are well addressed. In addition, in situ Lorentz TEM demonstrates that the topological domains can be efficiently manipulated by electric currents, magnetic fields, and temperatures, exhibiting novel phenomena under external fields, which advances the development of topological nanodomain-based spintronics.     

Damage and fracture: Review of experimental studies

This paper is a part of a review of recent (last 15 years) publications on experimental and theoretical methods and approaches for studying damage accumulation and fracture in crystalline solids. The first part of the review is devoted to the experimental studies that examine the physical mechanisms of microdamage nucleation and growth under various thermomechanical loads, physical and mechanical properties of materials, and the issues concerning the formation and growth of main cracks and transition to macrofracture. Particular attention is given to the studies of fatigue failure of various metals and alloys, particularly the features of micro- and macrodamage nucleation and growth in structures and specimens at different loading cycle parameters, and the effect of grain size, solid phase inclusions, grain boundaries, twins, etc. on damage evolution. A whole variety of modern approaches to the experimental study (including in situ studies) of specimen structure and stress-strain state is shown. Disadvantages of current experimental studies on damage and fracture are discussed, such as insufficient attention to the scale factor and determination of the representative volume for fracture analysis.     

Microstructure and magnetic properties of colloidal cobalt nano-clusters

The magnetic response of nanometer sized Co nanoparticles (NP) prepared using reverse micelle solutions are presented. The use of complementary structural and morphological probes (like transmission electron microscopy, high resolution electron microscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy) allowed to relate the magnetic properties to the size, morphology, composition and atomic structure of the nanoparticles. All data agree on the presence of a core-shell structure of NPs made of a metallic Co core surrounded by a thin Co-oxide layer. The core-shell microstructure of NPs affects its magnetic response mainly raising the anisotropy constant.     

Electroless formation of silver nanoaggregates: an experimental and molecular dynamics approach

The ability to manipulate matter to create non-conventional structures is one of the key issues of material science. The understanding of assembling mechanism at the nanoscale allows us to engineer new nanomaterials, with physical properties intimately depending on their structure.

This paper describes new strategies to obtain and characterise metal nanostructures via the combination of a top-down method, such as electron beam lithography, and a bottom-up technique, such as the chemical electroless deposition. We realised silver nanoparticle aggregates within well-defined patterned holes created by electron beam lithography on silicon substrates. The quality characteristics of the nanoaggregates were verified by using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy imaging. Moreover, we compared the experimental findings to molecular dynamics simulations of nanoparticles growth. We observed a very high dependence of the structure characteristics on the pattern nanowell aspect ratio. We found that high-quality metal nanostructures may be obtained in patterns with well aspect ratio close to one, corresponding to a maximum diameter of 50 nm, a limit above which the fabricated structures become less regular and discontinuous. When regular shapes and sizes are necessary, as in nanophotonics, these results suggest the pattern characteristics to obtain isolated, uniform and reproducible metal nanospheres.     

Transformation of As-Grown Phosphorus-Related Centers in HPHT Treated Synthetic Diamonds

This communication presents new data on phosphorus-containing centers in synthetic diamonds grown in the P–C system by high-pressure high-temperature (HTHP) method and annealed in the temperature range of 2,073–2,573 K. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study has shown that as-grown at 1,873 K diamonds contain single substitutional nitrogen (P1) and single substitutional phosphorus (MA1) centers. The main part of the spin density in the MA1 center locates on the carbon atom C₁ separated from phosphorus by one carbon atom. HPHT annealing (7 GPa, 2,073–2,273 K) results in aggregating substitutional nitrogen and phosphorus atoms. On the first step of annealing (2,073 K) of as-grown diamonds nitrogen–phosphorus NIRIM8 (NP1) centers are created. It is supposed that nitrogen and phosphorus atoms in this center are separated by two carbons. Further temperature increasing shifts the nitrogen atom toward phosphorus and creates two new nitrogen–phosphorus centers NP2 and NP3 with the supposed structures C₁–N–C–P and N–P–C₁, respectively. The main part of the spin density in MA1, NIRIM8 (NP1), NP2 and NP3 is located on the carbon atom C₁. Annealing these samples in the temperature range of 2,073–2,273 K has shown vanishing of NIRIM8 and increasing of NP2 and NP3 centers. HPHT annealing of diamonds at 2,573 K significantly changes the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra: all previous nitrogen–phosphorus centers disappear and two new phosphorus centers NP4 and NP5 are created. Features of these centers are g ≈ 2.001 and high spin density located on the phosphorus atoms. The NP5 center is sensitive to X-ray irradiation and low-temperature annealing. The EPR spectra of both these centers are due to the hyperfine structure of one phosphorus atom. The structures of all phosphorus-containing centers are discussed.