Article
Chemistry, Physical
K. D. Gibson, S. J. Sibener
Summary: This paper introduces a new method based on isotope-dependent embedding for isotope separation by embedding atoms and molecules into ice. The efficacy of the method is demonstrated by comparing the capture of Xe-134 and Xe-136 to the reference isotope Xe-129, showing enrichment of heavier isotopes. The method shows significant promise for general applicability and high levels of purification.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Microscopy
Xiangli Zhong, C. Austin Wade, Philip J. Withers, Xiaorong Zhou, Changrun Cai, Sarah J. Haigh, M. Grace Burke
Summary: The dual beam Xe+ plasma focused ion beam (Xe(+)pFIB) instrument has shown potential benefits over conventional Ga+FIB for site-specific TEM sample preparation. The study demonstrates that Xe(+)pFIB milling produces improved STEM/TEM samples compared to Ga+ milling, making it the preferred specimen preparation route. Strategies for minimizing FIB-induced artefacts are also proposed.
JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
Yuan Lu, Hao Wang, Yi Chen, Akriti, Xiangchen Hu, Letian Dou, Qixi Mi, Zhijun Ning, Yi Yu
Summary: This study investigates the influence factors of ion beam damage on ion beam-sensitive materials and successfully obtains high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images. Theoretical investigations reveal a rapid temperature rise during ion beam milling, while experimental investigations suggest that choosing appropriate FIB parameters and reducing milling time can alleviate structure damage.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michal Macha, Sanjin Marion, Mukesh Tripathi, Mukeshchand Thakur, Martina Lihter, Andras Kis, Alex Smolyanitsky, Aleksandra Radenovic
Summary: This study investigates the use of xenon ion focused ion beam for scalable fabrication of large-area nanopores on atomically thin molybdenum disulfide membranes. The fabrication protocol allows for the creation of ultrathin membranes with tunable porosity and pore dimensions, while maintaining spatial uniformity across large areas. The structural and statistical data obtained from the fabricated membranes can be used to predict permeation properties at both individual pore and membrane-wide scales. This approach has the potential to enable a function-by-design approach to fabrication for applications such as osmotic power generation and desalination/filtration.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mingcai Zhao, Juan Zhang, Wei Wang, Qi Zhang
Summary: This study successfully prepared silicon nanoparticles with nanocrystal-embedded amorphous structure using a combination of spark erosion and bead milling. This method saves time and energy, allows control over crystallite size and amorphous phase content, and is suitable for mass production of products with higher purity.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Radim Skoupy, Daan B. B. Boltje, Miroslav Slouf, Katerina Mrazova, Tomas Laznicka, Clemence M. Taisne, Vladislav Krzyzanek, Jacob P. P. Hoogenboom, Arjen J. J. Jakobi
Summary: This study presents a quantitative four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) imaging technique (q4STEM) for local thickness estimation across amorphous specimens. The method measures spatially resolved diffraction patterns and evaluates the angular distribution of electron scattering or the ratio of integrated virtual dark and bright field STEM signals using Monte Carlo simulations. The method is independent of signal intensity calibrations and only requires knowledge of the detector geometry. The results demonstrate that the method yields robust thickness estimates for sub-micrometer amorphous specimens in different detectors and instruments.
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Ming Li, Xiaoguang Guo, Renke Kang, Dongming Guo, Ping Zhou
Summary: To address the debate on stress criterion for a-Si transformation caused by a particular grain, atomic-scale single grain scratching MD models considering grain shapes are developed. Simulation results show that the critical octahedral shear stress (10.5 GPa) for a-Si transformation remains stable across different grains, while the critical hydrostatic pressure (-5.5 --- -7.5 GPa) fluctuates greatly. Furthermore, the a-Si transformation is mainly due to the extrusion effect and supplemented by the shear effect of grain. Finally, conical grains are not recommended due to larger SSD depth compared to spherical and truncated octahedral grains. This study provides a theoretical basis for reducing amorphous damage during the ultra-precision grinding processing of monocrystalline silicon.
TRIBOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Suzy M. Vitale, Joshua D. Sugar
Summary: This study compared TEM samples prepared with gallium and xenon focused ion beams to determine if both ion species can produce equivalent quality samples. The results showed that despite the different preparation techniques, high-quality TEM samples can be obtained using xenon focused ion beam. The study also provided best practices for TEM sample preparation using xenon focused ion beam.
MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Microscopy
Katja Eder, Vijay Bhatia, Jiangtao Qu, Brandon Van Leer, Mikhail Dutka, Julie M. Cairney
Summary: The study found that lowering the beam energy reduces the implantation depth of plasma FIB ion species, and significant implantation was still observed at low beam energies for N, O and Ar. Nitrides and oxides were formed when using N and O, and Xe had the lowest implantation depth compared to Ar, N and O.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miguel Ricardo Leung, Marc C. Roelofs, Ravi Teja Ravi, Paula Maitan, Heiko Henning, Min Zhang, Elizabeth G. Bromfield, Stuart C. Howes, Bart M. Gadella, Hermes Bloomfield-Gadelha, Tzviya Zeev-Ben-Mordehai
Summary: This study utilized advanced cryo-imaging techniques to analyze the internal structures of sperm flagella from three mammalian species, revealing novel ways in which microtubule inner proteins are connected. The importance of the base structure for flagellar beating, as well as the coupling of outer dense fibers to microtubules, was demonstrated. Mammalian sperm flagella are decorated at multiple scales, with key structures at the nano- and micrometer levels.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Romeo Malik, Qianye Huang, Laura Silvestri, Danqing Liu, Vittorio Pellegrini, Luigi Marasco, Eleonora Venezia, Sara Abouali, Francesco Bonaccorso, Michael J. Lain, David Greenwood, Geoff West, Paul R. Shearing, Melanie J. Loveridge
Summary: The development of a scalable wet-jet milling method for preparing silicon-graphene hybrid material has significantly improved the energy storage performance and stability of lithium-ion batteries, with higher rate capability and capacity retention. This superior electrochemical performance is attributed to the layered silicon-graphene porous structure, enabling faster transportation of electrons and ions with significant electrolyte permeation, making it a promising step towards high capacity/energy density LIBs for multiple device applications.
Article
Physics, Applied
D. R. Shibanov, D. V. Lopaev, S. M. Zyryanov, A. I. Zotovich, K. I. Maslakov, A. T. Rakhimov
Summary: Atomic layer plasma technologies require localizing ions' impact within nanometers up to an atomic layer. The possible way to achieve this is the decrease in the ion energy up to surface binding energy. In this study, the sputtering of amorphous silicon films by Ar+, Kr+, and Xe+ ions at energies of 20-200 eV under low-pressure inductively coupled plasma discharge in pure argon, krypton, and xenon was investigated. The sputtering yields were determined and the results were discussed in relation to surface modification.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
S. Fintova, I Kubena, A. Chlupova, M. Jambor, I Sulak, Z. Chlup, J. Polak
Summary: The study found that as the loading frequency increases, the fatigue cycles to fracture of pure polycrystalline copper also increase. The surface relief and internal structure were found to be related to cyclic straining, with microcavities forming the initiation points of fatigue cracks within slip bands.
Article
Physics, Applied
G. Favaro, M. Bazzan, A. Amato, F. Arciprete, E. Cesarini, A. J. Corso, F. De Matteis, T. H. Dao, M. Granata, C. Honrado-Benitez, N. Gutierrez-Luna, J. Larruquert, G. Lorenzin, D. Lumaca, G. Maggioni, M. Magnozzi, M. G. Pelizzo, E. Placidi, P. Prosposito, F. Puosi
Summary: This work extensively characterizes amorphous silicon carbide coatings prepared by physical deposition methods. The aim is to explore the potential application of alpha-SiC as an optical material in high-precision optical experiments and gravitational wave interferometry. The study compares the results obtained from different sputtering systems to assess their repeatability. After thorough characterization, the focus is on studying the optical and mechanical losses in the materials, with a particular emphasis on the microscopic analysis using molecular dynamic simulations.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Jiabao Zhang, Xudong Yang, Zhipeng Li, Jixiang Cai, Jianfei Zhang, Xiaodong Han
Summary: The use of ion beam in TEM sample preparation is limited by the damage caused during transfer and mounting. To address this issue, a FIB shield has been designed to reduce the damage and contamination during transfer and mounting. Experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the shield.
