Optical properties and electronic transitions of SnO2 thin films by reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy

Optical properties of SnO₂ thin films in the 4–60 eV energy range are determined by reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy. Bulk and surface electron loss functions, real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function, refraction index, extinction and absorption coefficients are obtained from the analysis of the electron energy loss spectra. Electronic transitions are identified through the interpretation of the optical data. The samples (250–500 nm thick) were produced by ion beam-induced chemical vapor deposition. It is found that the compacity of the SnO₂ thin films affects their optical properties and therefore the relative intensity of the observed electronic transitions. The advantages of this method to determine optical properties of thin films are discussed. Inelastic mean free paths (6.2, 17 and 41 Å for electrons traveling in SnO₂ with kinetic energies of 300, 800 and 2000 eV, respectively) are obtained from the corresponding inelastic electron scattering cross-sections.     

Frenkel exciton model of electron energy loss spectroscopy in -PTCDA

Recent experimental findings concerning electron energy loss spectroscopy in -Perylene-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride are analysed in terms of a Frenkel exciton model. Taking into account the energy dispersion of excitations with finite momentum transfer, the k-dependence of the dielectric tensor and the corresponding electron energy loss functions can be calculated. The exciton dispersion with a minimum at k≠0 yields a red shift of the lineshape of loss functions at large k, as observed experimentally.     

Determination of Ce/Ce in electron-beam-damaged CeO2 by electron energy-loss spectroscopy

We followed the reduction of Ce⁴⁺ in CeO₂ by observing changes in the shape of the Ce M_4,5 edge by parallel electron energy-loss spectroscopy with a transmission electron microscope. The energy-loss near-edge structure of the beam-damaged CeO₂ exhibits Ce M_4,5 and O K-edge shapes that are consistent with reduction to a Ce³⁺ oxide. During the damage process the spectrum of CeO₂ changes as follows: (a) decreases in energies of the M₅ and M₄ maxima; (b) changes in shape of the near-edge structure; (c) inversion of the M₅ to M₄ branching ratio; and (d) increase in the M₅ to M₄ area ratio. We simulated M_4,5 edges of damaged CeO₂ with a linear combination of Ce⁴⁺ and Ce³⁺ spectra and observed no intermediate oxidation states.     

Experimental and theoretical investigations into the electronic structure of CF2Br2 by electron momentum spectroscopy

The binding energy spectra and electron momentum density distributions for the valence orbitals of CF₂Br₂ have been obtained by using electron momentum spectroscopy (EMS) at an impact energy of 1200 eV plus binding energy. The measured electron momentum profiles are compared with Hartree–Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations with different-sized basis sets. In general, the DFT-B3LYP calculation using the large basis sets of 6-311++G** and aug-cc-pVTZ fairly describe the experimental results. Moreover, the controversial orderings of the outer valence orbitals have been reassigned. The pole strength of the main ionization transition from the inner valence orbital of 1b₂ is determined.     

Interaction of H2O with the RuO2(1 1 0) surface studied by HREELS and TDS

The adsorption of water on a RuO₂(1 1 0) surface was studied by using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). The first thermal desorption peak observed between 350 and 425 K is attributed to molecular water adsorbed on fivefold coordinated Ru_cus sites. Higher coverages of water give rise to TDS peaks between 190 and 160 K, which we attribute to water in the second layer bound to bridge oxygen, and multilayers, respectively. HREELS shows that H₂O chemisorbs on Ru_cus sites through oxygen inducing a slight red shift of the vibrational frequency of O_bridge atoms. Molecular adsorption is also confirmed by the presence of both the scissor and the libration modes showing the expected isotopic shift for D₂O. The water adsorbed on the Ru_cus sites also forms hydrogen bonds with the bridge oxygen indicated by the broad intensity at the lower frequency side of the O-H stretch mode. HREELS and TDS results suggest that on the perfect RuO₂(1 1 0) surface water dissociation is almost negligible.     

Co on thin Al2O3 films grown on Ni3Al(1 0 0)

The growth of Co on thin Al₂O₃ layers on Ni₃Al(1 0 0) was investigated by Auger electron spectroscopy, high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), and scanning tunneling microscopy. At 300 K, Co grows in three-dimensional clusters on top of the Al₂O₃ layer. A defect structure of the alumina layer plays a crucial role during the early stage of Co growth. After deposition of 10 Å of Co, a complete screening of the dipoles of the Al₂O₃ layer due to the Co film is found in the EELS measurements. Annealing the Co film reveals a process of coalescence of Co clusters and, above 700 K, diffusion of the Co atoms through the oxide film into the substrate takes place.     

Synthesis of (Ca,Ce,Ce)2Ti2O7: a pyrochlore with mixed-valence cerium

Pyrochlore with mixed-valence Ce was synthesized by firing and annealing Ce(NO₃)₄, TiO₂, and Ca(OH)₂ with a stoichiometry of CaCeTi₂O₇ at 1300 °C. The product contains Ce-pyrochlore, Ce-rich perovskite, CeO₂ (cerianite), and minor CaO. Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) revealed both Ce⁴⁺ and Ce³⁺ in the Ce-pyrochlore with a Ce⁴⁺ to total Ce (Ce⁴⁺/ΣCe) of 0.80 giving . Cerium in the perovskite and cerianite is dominated by Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺, respectively. High-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) images show that the boundary between Ce-pyrochlore and Ce-rich perovskite is semi-coherently bonded. The orientational relationship between the neighboring Ce-pyrochlore and Ce-rich perovskite is not random. Ce-pyrochlore (CaCeTi₂O₇) is a chemical analogue for CaPuTi₂O₇, which is a proposed ceramic waste form for deposition of excess weapons-usable Pu in geological repositories. It is postulated, based on the presence of Ce³⁺ in the Ce-pyrochlore, that neutron poisons such as Gd can be incorporated into the CaPuTi₂O₇ phase.     

High-resolution Raman spectroscopy of the ν1 region and Raman-Raman double resonance spectroscopy of the 2ν1−ν1 band of SF6 and SF6. Determination of the equilibrium bond length of sulfur hexafluoride

The ν₁ region of ³²SF₆ and ³⁴SF₆ has been studied by stimulated Raman spectroscopy. For both isotopomers, a detailed analysis has been performed. Several hot bands (ν₁+ν₆−ν₆, ν₁+2ν₆−2ν₆, ν₁+ν₅−ν₅) have been taken into account to calculate synthetic spectra that satisfactorily reproduce the experimental data. These results, together with the previous studies of the other fundamental bands have allowed us to determine the equilibrium bond length of sulfur hexafluoride as r_e=1.5560(1) Å, in very good agreement with recent ab initio calculations. The 2ν₁−ν₁ band has also been studied for both isotopomers by Raman-Raman double resonance spectroscopy and the resulting spectra have been analyzed. In this case, a striking difference is observed between the two isotopomers, since the 2ν₁−ν₁ band of ³⁴SF₆ appears to have a very narrow structure that could not be rotationally resolved under the present experimental conditions. All analyses have been performed thanks to the HTDS program suite (http://www.u-bourgogne.fr/LPUB/hTDS.html) dedicated to octahedral XY₆ molecules.     

Elemental steps in the growth of thin β-Ga2O3 films on CoGa(1 0 0)

The oxidation of CoGa(1 0 0) at 700 K was studied by means of high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), scanning tunneling microscopy, low energy electron diffraction and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). At 700 K, thin well-ordered β-Ga₂O₃ films grow on CoGa(1 0 0). The EEL spectrum of the Ga-oxide films exhibit Fuchs–Kliewer phonons at 305, 455, 645, and 785 cm⁻¹. For low oxygen exposure (<0.2 L), the growth of oxide-islands starts at step edges and on defects. The oxide films have the shape of long, rectangular islands and are oriented in the [1 0 0] and [0 1 0] directions of the substrate. For higher oxygen exposure, islands of β-Ga₂O₃ are found also on the terraces. After an exposure of 200 L O₂ at 700 K, the CoGa(1 0 0) surface is homogeneously covered with a thin film of β-Ga₂O₃.     

Electronic excitation in phosphorus-containing molecules. II. Inner shell electron energy loss spectra of PF5, OPF3 AND OPCl3

Electron energy loss Spectroscopy has been used to obtain the inner shell excitation spectra of PF₅, OPF₃ and OPCl₃ in the P 2p,2s (L-shell) region as well as in the respective ligand K shell (F 1s, O 1s) and L shell (Cl 2p and 2s) regions. The spectra are compared and contrasted with earlier reported spectra obtained on the trivalent phosphorus compounds (PH₃, PCl₃, PF₃ and P(CH₃)₃). The spectra were obtained using an impact energy of 2.5keV and a scattering angle of about 1°. The spectra reported here are typical of molecules with electronegative ligands in that the discrete portions of the spectra show strong transitions to virtual molecular orbitais. In addition, intense features are observed at or just beyond the ionization edge attributable to transitions to trapped inner well states, while broad features further into the continuum can be ascribed to σ^*(P—L) shape-resonances (L = ligand). This resonance assignment was supported by a comparison with the corresponding spectra for PF₃ and PCl₃.     

Effect of WO3 on EPR, structure and electrical conductivity of vanadyl doped WO3·M2O·B2O3 (M=Li, Na) glasses

Glasses with composition xWO₃·(30−x)M₂O·70B₂O₃ (M=Li, Na; 0≤x≤15) doped with 2 mol% V₂O₅ have been prepared using the melt-quench technique. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectra have been recorded in X-band (ν≈9.14 GHz) at room temperature (RT). The spin Hamiltonian parameters, dipolar hyperfine coupling parameter and Fermi contact interaction parameter have been calculated. It is observed that the resultant resonance spectra contain hyperfine structures (hfs) only due to V⁴⁺ ions, which exist as VO²⁺ ions in octahedral coordination with a tetragonal compression in the present glass system. The tetragonality increases with WO₃:M₂O ratio and also there is an expansion of 3d_xy orbit of unpaired electron in the vanadium ion. The study of IR transmission spectra over a range 400-4000 cm⁻¹ depicts the presence of WO₆ group. The DC conductivity (σ) has been measured in the temperature range 423-623 K and is found to be predominantly ionic.     

CO adsorption on the reduced RuO2(1 1 0) surface

The O-bridge atoms on a stoichiometric RuO₂(1 1 0) surface were removed by reaction with CO. The resulting reduced surface was then further exposed to CO. By means of thermal desorption spectroscopy and high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy three adsorbed CO states were identified on bridge sites and assigned to double-bonded, single-bonded, and single-bonded species in the vicinity of O-bridge residues, respectively.     

High-resolution FTIR spectroscopy of HNSO—Analysis of the highly perturbed ν4, ν6 and 2ν5 bands

We report a rovibrational analysis of the ν₄ and ν₆ fundamentals and the 2ν₅ overtone of HNSO from high-resolution Fourier transform infrared spectra. The ν₆ band (out-of-plane bend) centred at 757.5 cm⁻¹ is c-type. The ν₄ band (HNS bend) centred at 905.9 cm⁻¹ is predominantly a-type with a very weak b-type component (). Numerous global perturbations and localized avoided crossings affecting the v₄ = 1 rotational levels were successfully treated by inclusion of Fermi and c-axis Coriolis resonance terms between v₄ = 1 and v₅ = 2, and a b-axis Coriolis resonance term between v₄ = 1 and v₆ = 1. The latter term gives rise to an avoided crossing with an extraordinary ΔK_a = 5 selection rule. The Fermi resonance between v₄ = 1 and v₅ = 2 gives rise to strong mixing of their rotational wavefunctions in the vicinity of K_a = 18. The resultant borrowing of intensity made it possible for 2ν₅ transitions in the range K_a = 16–19 to be assigned and included in a global rovibrational treatment of all three band systems.     

HREELS and LEED studies on Cu deposited on 1 × 1 reconstructed α-Fe2O3(0001) surfaces

High-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy (HREELS), low-energy electron diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have been used to study clean 825 K-preannealed α-Fe₂O₃-1 × 1 (haematite) surfaces, an α-Fe₂O₃-(0001)-1 × 1 surface reconstructed with Fe₃O₄(111)-1 × 1 and to study Cu deposited on room-temperature surfaces of those. Three pronounced losses, at 47.5, 55.5 and 78.0 meV, of the surface phonons for the clean α-Fe₂O₃(0001) were observed. By deposition of copper, Cu---O vibrational features observed by HREELS indicate formation of a Cu(I) state for the very low coverages. Increased submonoloayer amounts of Cu result in clustering of the copper, leading for both the α-Fe₂O₃(0001)-1 × 1 and the reconstructed composite substrate surfaces to Cu(111) epitaxial growth.     

BiFeO3 ceramic matrix with Bi2O3 or PbO added: Mössbauer, Raman and dielectric spectroscopy studies

In this paper Mössbauer, Raman and dielectric spectroscopy studies of BiFeO₃ (BFO) ceramic matrix with 3 or 10 wt% of Bi₂O₃ or PbO added, obtained through a new procedure based on the solid-state method, are presented. Mössbauer spectroscopy shows the presence of a single magnetically ordered phase with a hyperfine magnetic field of 50 T. Raman spectra of BFO over the frequency range of 100-900 cm⁻¹ have been investigated, at room temperature, under the excitation of 632.8 nm wavelength in order to evaluate the effect of additives on the structure of the ceramic matrix. Detailed studies of the dielectric properties of BiFeO₃ ceramic matrix like capacitance (C), dielectric permittivity (ε) and dielectric loss (tan δ), were investigated in a wide frequency range (1 Hz-1 MHz), and in a temperature range (303-373 K). The complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS) technique, showed that these properties are strongly dependent on frequency, temperature and on the added level of impurity. The temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC) of the samples was also evaluated. The study of the imaginary impedance (−Z″) and imaginary electric modulus (M″) as functions of frequency and temperature leads to the measurement of the activation energy (E_ac), which is directly linked to the relaxation process associated with the interfacial polarization effect in these samples.     

CO2: Global Treatment of Vibrational–Rotational Spectra and First Observation of the 2ν1 + 5ν3 and ν1 + 2ν2 + 5ν3 Absorption Bands

The effective operator approach is applied to the calculation of both line positions and line intensities of the ¹³C¹⁶O₂ molecule. About 11 000 observed line positions of ¹³C¹⁶O₂ selected from the literature have been used to derive 84 parameters of a reduced effective Hamiltonian globally describing all known vibrational–rotational energy levels in the ground electronic state. The standard deviation of the fit is 0.0015 cm⁻¹. The eigenfunctions of this effective Hamiltonian have then been used in fittings of parameters of an effective dipole-moment operator to more than 600 observed line intensities of the cold and hot bands covering the ν₂ and 3ν₂ regions. The standard deviations of the fits are 3.2 and 12.0% for these regions, respectively. The quality of the fittings and the extrapolation properties of the fitted parameters are discussed. A comparison of calculated line parameters with those provided by the HITRAN database is given. Finally, the first observations of the 2ν₁ + 5ν₃ and ν₁ + 2ν₂ + 5ν₃ absorption bands by means of photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) is presented. The deviations of predicted line positions from observed ones is found to be less than 0.1 cm⁻¹, and most of them lie within the experimental accuracy (0.007 cm⁻¹) once the observed line positions are included in the global fit.     

Growth of Co nanoparticles on a nanostructured θ-Al2O3 film on CoAl(1 0 0)

We have investigated the growth of Co nanoparticles on θ-Al₂O₃/CoAl(1 0 0) by means of Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Due to Volmer-Weber growth, Co forms particles with a mean diameter of approximately 2.5 nm and height of 0.8 nm. Even on the entirely covered oxide, there is no Ostwald ripening and Co particles stay structurally isolated. The nanoparticles exhibit a small size distribution and tend to form chains, as predetermined by the streak structure of the oxide template. For sufficient high coverages Co-core-CoO-shell nanoparticles may be evidenced, which is explained as a result of surfactant oxygen. The nanostructured particles may open the door to numerous applications, such as in catalysis and magnetoelectronic applications, where large areas of ordered nanodots are desired.     

Infrared spectra of two isomers of OCS–C2H2 and OCS–C2D2 in the region of OCS ν1 fundamental

Infrared spectra of OCS–C₂H₂ and OCS–C₂D₂ complexes in the region of the C–O stretching fundamental of OCS (2060 cm⁻¹) are studied in a pulsed supersonic slit-jet expansion using a tunable diode laser. For each complex, two bands are observed and assigned to distinct near-parallel and the T-shaped isomers. Ground state parameters were previously determined from microwave studies, so analysis of the infrared spectra gives information on the vibrational shifts upon complex formation as well as rotational and centrifugal distortion parameters for the excited states. All four bands show a red shift with respect to the monomer band origin, with the T-shaped isomer having a much larger shift than the near-parallel isomer. Disappearance of the T-shaped isomer when argon is used as a carrier gas supports the notion that the near-parallel isomer is the lowest energy form of the complex.     

Ni ultrathin film development on SrTiO3(1 0 0) surface

The Ni ultrathin film development on the SrTiO₃(1 0 0) surface doped by Fe acceptors (0.14 wt%) has been studied by AES, LEED, TDS, EELS and relative WF measurements. Heating of the clean STO surface above 1100 K causes TiO desorption. The adsorbate grows in the simultaneous multilayers (SM) mode, approaching a rather metallic character at high coverages. The nickel adatoms in the metal–oxide interface, interact with the outmost surface oxygen atoms resulting in a two-dimensional NiO compound. The formation of this surface oxide is: (i) time dependent, (ii) temperature independent for T>300 K and (iii) promoted by the presence of surface defects. A significant amount of Ni (1.4 ML) remains on the surface, strongly chemisorbed, after high temperature annealing.