Instability of nanostructures patterned in polystyrene under high electric field gradients

A nanolithography technique based on the lateral displacement of electrically biased AFM tip was developed for nanostructures formation of 30-100 nm in width and 1-10 nm in height in the polystyrene (PS) films. It was demonstrated that the nanostructures patterned in annealed PS films (90K Mw) show slow exponential relaxation between 55 and 265 h depending on their size. Relaxation of the nanostructures in non-annealed films usually occurred in minutes. It was observed that in the annealed samples a negative electric charge accumulated in the areas where the nanostructures formed while in the non-annealed samples only the positive charge in exposed areas was detected using the electric force microscopy. After 320 h of monitoring under the humidity maintained between 25 and 27% it was suggested that slow dynamical changes of the nanostructures can be attributed to the negative electric charge dissipation in the annealed samples.     

Exchange bias in thin-film (Co/Pt)3/Cr2O3 multilayers

We have fabricated exchange-biased Co/Pt layers ((0.3 nm/1.5 nm)×3) on (0 0 1)-oriented Cr₂O₃ thin films. The multilayered films showed extremely smooth surfaces and interfaces with root mean square roughness of ≈0.3 nm for 10 μm×10 μm area. The Cr₂O₃ films display sufficient insulation with a relative low leakage current (1.17×10⁻² A/cm² at 380 MV/m) at room temperature which allowed us to apply electric field as high as 77 MV/m. We find that the sign of the exchange bias and the shape of the hysteresis loops of the out-of-plane magnetized Co/Pt layers can be delicately controlled by adjusting the magnetic field cooling process through the Néel temperature of Cr₂O₃. No clear evidence of the effect of electric field and the electric field cooling was detected on the exchange bias for fields as high as 77 MV/m. We place the upper bound of the shift in exchange bias field due to electric field cooling to be 5 Oe at 250 K.     

Spatial separation of the traveling and evanescent parts of dipole radiation

Electric dipole radiation consists of traveling and evanescent plane waves. When radiation is detected in the far field, only the traveling waves will contribute to the intensity distribution, as the evanescent waves decay exponentially. We propose a method to spatially separate the traveling and evanescent waves before detection. It is shown that when the radiation passes through an interface, evanescent waves can be converted into traveling waves and can subsequently be observed in the far field. Let the radiation be observed under angle theta(t) with the normal. Then there exists an angle theta(ac) such that for 0 < or = theta(t) < theta(ac) all intensity originates in traveling waves, whereas for theta(ac) < theta(t) < pi/2 only evanescent waves contribute. It is shown that with this technique and under the appropriate conditions almost all far-field power can be provided by evanescent waves.     

Fabrication of complex nanostructures on ZnO crystals by the interference of three femtosecond laser beams

By adjusting the laser polarization combinations, fluences and pulse numbers, we fabricated several types of two-dimensional (2D) complex nanostructures on the surface of c-cut ZnO single crystal by the interference of three femtosecond laser beams with central wavelength of 800 nm, pulse duration of 50 fs and pulse repetition frequency of 1 kHz. The hexagonal 2D nanostructures with a period of 600 nm are very regular and uniform, in which nanoparticles, nanorings and nanoripples with sizes of 200 nm are embedded. Excited by 800 nm femtosecond laser pulses, the photoluminescence (PL) micrographs reveal that the 2D nanostructures can emit purer and brighter blue light compared with the plane surface. These nanostructures have potential applications in blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs), high density optical storage and other optoelectronic devices.     

Formation of periodic surface nanostructures on Ti:Al2O3 crystals using femtosecond laser pulses

Periodic surface nanostructures are observed on Ti³⁺:Al₂O₃ single crystals that have been irradiated by a single focused beam from a femtosecond pulsed laser (wavelength: 800 nm; pulse duration: 130 and 152 fs). Atomic force microscopy images of single-ablated zones and modified structures created by fixing and translating samples through the focal region of a linearly polarized laser beam reveal self-organized periodic surface nanostructures (ripples) with a subwavelength spacing, which are oriented perpendicular to the electric-field vector of the laser beam. The period of the subwavelength ripples obtained by linearly polarized laser irradiation varies from ∼λ/5 to 2λ/5 (λ: incident laser wavelength) depending on the laser pulse energy. This phenomenon can be explained by assuming that the incident light field interferes with the electric field of electron plasma waves propagating inside the material; this interference periodically modulates the electron plasma density and modifies the surface ablation. In addition, for the first time, we observe screw-shaped nanostructures in the focal spot of circularly polarized beam irradiation. The morphology of these nanostructures appears to reflect the circular polarization of the laser light.     

Nanostructures on SiC surface created by laser microablation

Silicon carbide (SiC), as it is well-known, is inaccessible to usual methods of technological processing. Consequently, it is important to search for alternative technologies of processing SiC, including laser processing, and to study the accompanying physical processes. The work deals with the investigation of pulsed laser radiation influence on the surface of 6H-SiC crystal. The calculated temperature profile of SiC under laser irradiation is shown. Structural changes in surface and near-surface layers of SiC were studied by atomic force microscopy images, photoluminescence, Raman spectra and field emission current-voltage characteristics of initial and irradiated surfaces. It is shown that the cone-shaped nanostructures with typical dimension of 100-200 nm height and 5-10 nm width at the edge are formed on SiC surface under nitrogen laser exposure (λ = 0.337 μm, t_p = 7 ns, E_p = 1.5 mJ). The average values of threshold energy density 〈W_thn〉 at which formation of nanostructures starts on the 0 0 0 1 and surfaces of n-type 6H-SiC(N), nitrogen concentration n_N ≅ 2 × 10¹⁸ cm⁻³, are determined to be 3.5 J/cm² and 3.0 J/cm², respectively. The field emission appeared only after laser irradiation of the surface at threshold voltage of 1000 V at currents from 0.7 μA to 0.7 mA. The main role of the thermogradient effect in the processes of mass transfer in prior to ablation stages of nanostructure formation under UV laser irradiation (LI) was determined. We ascertained that the residual tensile stresses appear on SiC surface as a result of laser microablation. The nanostructures obtained could be applied in the field of sensor and emitting extreme electronic devices.     

Numerical study on scanning radiation acoustic field in formations generated from a borehole

The directivity of acoustic transducers used in conventional acoustic logging tools is uncontrollable[1,2], which inevitably affects investigation depth and resolution. At present, deep and wide range of investigation in petroleum exploration is urgently re- quired. It is important to improve the exploration capability to find more complex and fine reservoirs[3], for which the direction of the radiated acoustic energy is a direct factor. Acoustic field in the formations generated by the source…     

The almost perfect lens and focusing of evanescent waves

We propose a general method for evaluating the field in the focal region of nearly perfect one-dimensional lenses, and study how evanescent waves contribute to the electric field behind subwavelength apertures. The approach presented here may give a better insight into how to shape and focus evanescent waves.     

Excitonic optical absorption in wurtzite InGaN/GaN quantum wells

Within the framework of the effective-mass and envelope function theory, exciton states and optical properties in wurtzite (WZ) InGaN/GaN quantum wells (QWs) are investigated theoretically considering the built-in electric field effects. Numerical results show that the built-in electric field, well width and in composition have obvious influences on exciton states and optical properties in WZ InGaN/GaN QWs. The built-in electric field caused by polarizations leads to a remarkable reduction of the ground-state exciton binding energy, the interband transition energy and the integrated absorption probability in WZ InGaN/GaN QWs with any well width and In composition. In particular, the integrated absorption probability is zero in WZ InGaN/GaN QWs with any In composition and well width L > 4 nm. In addition, the competition effects between quantum confinement and the built-in electric field (between quantum size and the built-in electric field) on exciton states and optical properties have also been investigated.     

Photoluminescence from heterogeneous SiGe/Si nanostructures prepared via a two-step approach strategy

A two-step approach of preparation for SiGe/Si heterogeneous nanostructures, which combined with ultra-high vacuum chemical deposition and electrochemical anodization techniques, is demonstrated. Uniformly distributed nanostructures with a quite uniform distribution of size and morphology are obtained. A strong room-temperature photoluminescence from the nanostructures was observed with a narrow full-width at half-maximum of around 110 meV. The possible origins of the two main peaks at around 1.6 and 1.8 eV have been discussed in detail. The two-step approach is proved to be a promising method to fabricate new Si-based optoelectronic materials.     

Faceting of nanoscale fingers on the (1 1 1) surface of gold

Gold fingers, one atomic layer (0.25 nm) high, 4-5 nm wide, and several hundred nm long are formed on the (1 1 1) surface of gold at room temperature by a combination of atomic manipulation and surface self-organisation. Each finger has two parallel edges (type A and type B, respectively) running along its length. The type A step is found to have higher step energy and become nanofaceted when disturbed by either thermal energy or the electric field under the STM tip, leading to the transformation of fingers to “nano-knives”. Our findings reveal the important role of step energy in the process of nanostructure fabrication on surfaces. The gold fingers also provide an ideal system for the investigation of meta-stable nanostructures.     

Fabrication and characterization of solid-core photonic crystal fiber with steering-wheel air-cladding for strong evanescent field overlap

We report the fabrication and characterization of a photonic crystal fiber with solid-core and steering-wheel pattern air-cladding (SW-PCF). Specifically, SW-PCF is fabricated using sol-gel casting technique. Attenuation spectrum shows the fiber losses of 0.14 dB/m, 0.087 dB/m, and 0.0 32 dB/m at wavelengths of 850 nm, 1000 nm, and 1500 nm, respectively, while the cut-off wavelength for single-mode operation is 1360 nm. Near-field imaging is used for the determination of mode-field diameter. The fiber presents the anomalous dispersion expending to short wavelength range with high non-linearity. Tapered SW-PCFs in the transverse geometries are numerically calculated, which suggests that the tapering of fiber holds a significant promise for the enhancement of power overlap in air holes. Properly designed and fabricated SW-PCF can thus be utilized as attractive platform for evanescent field sensing and detection.     

Photoluminescence and Raman analysis of novel ZnO tetrapod and multipod nanostructures

Novel ZnO tetrapod and multipod nanostructures were successfully synthesized in bulk quantity through thermal evaporation method. The morphologies and structures of the ZnO nanostructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that the ZnO nanostructures consisted of tetrapods and multipods with tower-like legs. The ZnO nanostructures were of high purity and were well crystallized with wurtzite structure. The preferred growth direction of legs was found to be the [0 0 0 1] direction. Possible growth mechanisms were proposed for the formation of the ZnO nanostructures. Room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed that the as-synthesized ZnO nanostructures had a strong green emission centered at 495 nm and a weak ultraviolet emission at 383 nm. Raman spectroscopy was also adopted to explore the structural quality of the ZnO nanostructures.     

Tunable double-clad ytterbium-doped fiber laser based on a double-pass Mach-Zehnder interferometer

We have demonstrated an adjustable double-clad Yb³⁺-doped fiber laser using a double-pass Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The laser is adjustable over a range of 40 nm from 1064 nm to 1104 nm. By adjusting the state of the polarization controller, which is placed in the double-pass Mach-Zehnder interferometer, we obtained central lasing wavelengths that can be accurately tuned with controllable spacing between different tunable wavelengths. The laser has a side mode suppression ratio of 42 dB, the 3 dB spectral width is less than 0.2 nm, and the slope efficiencies at 1068 nm, 1082 nm and 1098 nm are 23%, 32% and 26%, respectively. In addition, we have experimentally observed tunable multi-wavelengths lasing output.     

Self-organized nanogratings in glass irradiated by ultrashort light pulses

Periodic nanostructures are observed inside silica glass after irradiation by a focused beam of a femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser. Backscattering electron images of the irradiated spot reveal a periodic structure of stripelike regions of approximately 20 nm width with a low oxygen concentration, which are aligned perpendicular to the laser polarization direction. These are the smallest embedded structures ever created by light. The period of self-organized grating structures can be controlled from approximately 140 to 320 nm by the pulse energy and the number of irradiated pulses. The phenomenon is interpreted in terms of interference between the incident light field and the electric field of the bulk electron plasma wave, resulting in the periodic modulation of electron plasma concentration and the structural changes in glass.     

Self-organized Fe nanostructures on W(1 1 0)

The magnetic domain structure of Fe wires, ribbons and islands with different shapes that have been prepared under ultra high vacuum conditions on W(1 1 0) are studied with spin polarized low energy electron microscopy. The dimensions of the nanostructures, which are of the order of tens and hundreds of nm, can be controlled by the temperature at which they are produced, by the average Fe coverage and by the substrate morphology. The domain structure of the nanostructures depends on their shape and is determined by the competition between magnetoelastic, shape and magnetocrystalline anisotropies.     

Fabrication of polyindene and polyindole nanostructures

One-dimensional (1D) nanostructures of fused ring polymeric systems: polyindene (PIn) and polyindole (PInd) were fabricated onto glass substrates using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Morphology of fabricated PIn and PInd structures studied using Olympus microscope reveals formation of 1D straight tubular, smooth and fluorescent nanostructures. The results obtained were further correlated with scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies of PIn and PInd nanostructures, indicating appearance of fine nanothread entangled network (having diameter ∼ 50 nm) for PIn, and well-defined, straight and aligned nanotubes (having diameter ∼ 60 nm) for PInd. A comparative study on the morphology/dimensions of fabricated PIn and PInd nanostructures with the nanosized PIn and PInd structures obtained by oxidative synthetic routes is also discussed. The structural composition of fabricated PIn and PInd nanostructures is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thereby indicating existence of all infrared markers corresponding to the characteristic bands present in PIn and PInd. The study suggests that the fabricated PIn and PInd nanodimensional structures may find potential applications in the field of nanotechnology.     

Surface modification of silicate glasses by nanoimprint using nanostriped NiO thin film molds

Nanoscale surface modification of silicate glasses was examined by applying nanoimprint technique using a nanostriped NiO thin film mold. The mold had the pattern composed of regularly arranged straight nanogrooves, which was formed by high-temperature annealing of the Li-doped NiO epitaxial thin film deposited on the atomically stepped sapphire (α-Al₂O₃ single crystal) substrate. The glass imprint was proceeded through the simple steps of heating (∼600 °C), pressing (∼1 kPa) and then cooling in air. The nanoimprinted glass surface transferred reversely from the mold exhibited the multi nanowire array having an interval of ∼80 nm, wire width of ∼70 nm, and wire height of ∼20 nm.     

To analyse the performance of tapered and MMI assisted splitter on the basis of geographical parameters

A literal model using geometric examination was formulated to calculate the optimum width and length of multimode interference structure used in the 1 × 2 power splitter and plot electric field intensity for input and each output signal. Designing and simulation of the wavelength response of 1 × 2 splitter using Tapered and MMI assisted structure. Mechanism on the critical geographical parameters like length and width of MMI structure, separation distance between output ports ‘S’, arm angle ‘α’ which give the optimum power and electric field intensity for the considered necessary wavelength. Finite difference beam propagation methods have been used to simulate the conventional and tapered MMI device behaviour.     

Near-field properties of diffraction through a circular subwavelength-size aperture

Analytical nonparaxial vectorial electric field expressions for both Gaussian beams and plane waves diffracted through a circular aperture are derived by using the vector plane angular spectrum method for the first time,which is suitable for the subwavelength aperture and the near-field region.The transverse properties of intensity distributions and their evolutions with the propagating distance,and the power transmission functions for diffracted fields containing the whole field,the evanescent field and the propagating field are investigated in detail,which is helpful for understanding the relationship between evanescent and propagating components in the near-field region and can be applied to apertured near-field scanning optical microscopy.