Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
L. Torrisi, V. Havranek, L. Silipigni, A. Torrisi, M. Cutroneo
Summary: Conductive tracks based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were induced by MeV energy helium ion microbeams in graphene oxide (GO) sheets. The conductive track can be formed on an insulating matrix and maintains good electrical properties even under bending stress.
DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
R. J. Jimenez-Rioboo, N. Gordillo, A. de Andres, A. Redondo-Cubero, M. Moratalla, M. A. Ramos, M. D. Ynsa
Summary: Diamond properties can be controlled by doping and ion-beam irradiation, which can also cause damage and other aftereffects. Boron doping is of particular interest as it can turn diamond into a p-type semiconductor at suitable concentrations and a superconductor at higher concentrations. However, the creation of superconducting boron-doped diamond is hindered by amorphization and graphitization after annealing. This study analyzed the damage and recovery of diamond irradiated with 9 MeV B ions at different fluences, using various techniques. The results showed that higher fluences led to carbon migration and increased amorphous fraction, while low fluences could fully recover the diamond structure without graphitization. However, annealing at 1200 degrees C for high fluences caused incomplete healing and the presence of graphite traces.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Naseem S. Abdel, Hanaa Ihsan, Farah T. M. Noori, Jan Pallon
Summary: The study investigated the effects of low-energy proton irradiation on CdO thin films, revealing an increase in grain size and surface roughness with ion fluence, and an increase in absorbance and optical band gaps with proton fluence and film thickness.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Xiaocheng Lv, Yuquan Wei, Guiling Liu, Zhengren Huang, Yong Yang
Summary: Hafnium oxide is widely used in optical coating materials due to its high refractive index, broad band gap, high laser damage threshold, and high transparency in the wavelength range from ultraviolet to middle infrared. However, it has some defects such as strong crystallinity and poor surface quality, which limit its application in the optical field. The doping of niobium pentoxide can effectively improve the surface quality and optical properties of hafnium oxide films, broadening their application in the field of optical films.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
R. Rathika, M. Kovendhan, D. Paul Joseph, Rekha Pachaiappan, Jean Maria Fernandes, Reddivari Muniramaiah, K. Vijayarangamuthu, C. Venkateswaran, K. Asokan
Summary: This work investigates the influence of high energy swift heavy ion beams on the properties of spray-deposited thin niobium pentoxide films, revealing changes in crystallite size, optical band gap, surface roughness, and recrystallization effects. The generation of additional defect levels due to irradiation leads to lower optical band gaps and significant modifications in transport parameters, with recrystallization observed at critical fluence levels. The results are discussed in detail by correlating calculated parameters with observed optical and electrical data obtained from various techniques.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING B-ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL SOLID-STATE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bertrand Lacroix, Fabien Paumier, Antonio J. Santos, Florian Maudet, Thierry Girardeau, Cyril Dupeyrat, Rafael Garcia, Francisco M. Morales
Summary: In this study, nanostructured ITO thin films were prepared using ion beam sputtering and oblique angle deposition techniques, and the effects of different experimental conditions on the surface texture of the films were investigated. The results demonstrate that the texture engineering of the films can be achieved by controlling the atomic mobility and deposition angle under specific experimental conditions.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shaobo Fang, Chong Ma, Weiming Liu, Junbo He, Cheng Wang, Gang Chen, Dingquan Liu, Rongjun Zhang
Summary: This study systematically investigated the optical, structural, and compositional properties of HfO2 films prepared by dual ion beam sputtering deposition. The oxygen flow rates of the assist ion source and vacuum chamber significantly affect the properties of the film, leading to different refractive index and roughness. This research is important for choosing proper oxygen flow parameters for the fabrication of hafnium oxide films for various applications.
APPLIED PHYSICS A-MATERIALS SCIENCE & PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
M. Stachowicz, J. M. Sajkowski, M. A. Pietrzyk, D. Nd. Faye, S. Magalhaes, E. Alves, A. Reszka, A. Pieniazek, A. Kozanecki
Summary: Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) was used to analyze the composition, uniformity, impurity, and elemental depth profiles of ZnCdO/ZnO thin film deposited on different oriented Al2O3 substrates. The results showed that the Zn/Cd/O ratios varied depending on substrate orientation and growth parameters. The study also revealed that ZnCdO films deposited on r-oriented ZnO buffers had less surface roughness and intermixing after rapid thermal processing annealing.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
V. G. Kostishin, Mironovich A. Yu, A. V. Timofeev, R. I. Shakirzyanov, I. M. Isaev, G. A. Skorlupin, A. I. Ril
Summary: Textured c-oriented BaFe12O19 films were synthesized using ion-beam deposition on Al2O3 substrates. The introduction of periodic interruptions during the deposition process promoted the formation of (00l) nuclei, resulting in textured films after crystallization annealing. The microstructure of the hexaferrite was influenced by the duration of pauses in deposition, and an optimal time interval was proposed. Pre-annealing was suggested to further enhance the texture degree, with maximum saturation magnetization, residual magnetization, and coercive force observed at a pre-annealing temperature of 500°C. The effects were explained by the formation of an alpha-Fe2O3 interlayer and the diffusion of aluminum from the substrate to the film. The obtained films displayed the {00l} set of hexaferrite reflexes in X-ray diffraction patterns.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Hailong Liang, Bo Zhang, Yuanyuan Guo, Xintao Guo, Shiqiang Ren, Yan Li, Yanqing Lu, Runlong Lang
Summary: In this work, Y-doped HfO2 thin films with ferroelectric properties were successfully prepared by ion beam assisted RF magnetron sputtering, achieving a high coercive field and remanent polarization. The structural and electrical properties of the films were found to be strongly dependent on the energy of the applied ion beam, with a model of phase transition kinetics introduced to explain the variations. The bombardment of the Ar ion beam provided extra energy to facilitate atomic diffusion and overcome potential barriers, showing great potential for ferroelectric device applications.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Simon Hurand, Alan Corvisier, Bertrand Lacroix, Antonio Jesus Santos, Florian Maudet, Cyril Dupeyrat, Rafael Garcia Roja, Francisco Miguel Morales, Thierry Girardeau, Fabien Paumier
Summary: This paper investigates the anisotropic optical properties of nanometer-scale structured thin films by combining Mueller matrix spectroscopic ellipsometry and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The study finds that, in the visible-near infrared range, the films exhibit a ripple-like structure with higher optical index perpendicular to the slanting plane. In the infrared range, the films deposited with xenon show strong optical anisotropy due to the anisotropic free-carrier scattering within the nanoscopic sub-columnar structure.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Fei Yu, Yan Xue, Chaowei Zhong, Jiayi Song, Qiong Nie, Xin Hou, Baolei Wang
Summary: Ion beam-assisted deposition (IBAD) is a promising texturing technology for obtaining biaxial texture on a non-textured metal or compound substrate. In this study, the solution deposition planarization (SDP) method and electron-beam evaporation were used to deposit amorphous Y2O3 films and epitaxial MgO (epi-MgO) layer on the IBAD-MgO layer, respectively, to improve the texture. The results showed that the epi-MgO films had good texture quality.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chang Gao, Yujing Ran, Qian Guo, Tianrun Wang, Huiping Lu, Zhaotan Jiang, Zhi Wang
Summary: NbNx films were prepared by dual ion beam sputter deposition to modulate their structural and dielectric properties. Assisting ions can improve crystallinity, reduce energy loss, and lead to tunable dual epsilon-near-zero behavior in the films. Tailoring plasmonic properties with assisting ions allows NbNx films to be applied in various fields.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Aerospace
Garry P. Nolan, Jacques F. Vallee, Sizun Jiang, Larry G. Lemke
Summary: This paper discusses the application of modern mass spectrometry techniques in the precise characterization, analysis, and identification of unknown materials, showing specific cases and sharing experiences that reflect the complexity and interdisciplinary nature of the field.
PROGRESS IN AEROSPACE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
R. Wirecka, D. Lachowicz, K. Berent, M. M. Marzec, A. Bernasik
Summary: This work thoroughly investigates the influence of X-ray irradiation and two types of surface sputtering methods. Monoatomic sputtering reduces iron oxide to metallic iron in a short time, while argon cluster sputtering minimizes structural modifications. The Fe 2p spectra fitting procedure for nanoparticles is established based on XPS characterization of Fe3O4 single crystal. The combination of X-rays and cluster sputtering alters the morphology and solidifies the surface of samples. The Spot-by-Spot Cluster Procedure is proposed to characterize the layer-by-layer structure of nanoparticles without altering it. The structure of zinc, manganese, and zinc-manganese ferrite nanoparticles is determined using this procedure. Depending on the dopant, its incorporation and the state of iron are changed.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2022)
