Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tae Gun Kim, Hyunung Yu, Seung Mi Lee, Gyea Young Kwak, Jiyoung Shin, Kyung Joong Kim
Summary: In this study, the effect of surface contamination on thickness measurement of HfO2 films by MEIS and XPS was compared. It was found that the offset value variation due to surface carbon layer was negligibly small in MEIS (0.020 nm) but large in XPS (0.131 nm). MEIS was concluded to be a reliable ZOM for calibrating offset values in thickness measurement of ultra-thin oxide films with minimal effect of surface contamination.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Seung Mi Lee, Jin Chun Woo, Tae Gun Kim, Kyung Joong Kim
Summary: The mutual calibration method was investigated in this study to evaluate the thickness and uncertainty of ultra-thin oxide films. The algorithm of the linear regression equation in the mutual calibration method was studied and an uncertainty calculation program for thickness measurement was developed. The relative expanded uncertainty in thickness measurement by mutual calibration ranged from 8.6% to 9.3%.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
E. Antonsson, F. Gerke, B. Langer, C. Goroncy, T. Dresch, T. Leisner, C. Graf, E. Ruehl
Summary: We report the photoelectron spectra of SiO2 nanoparticles and analyze the relationship between the photoelectron yield and photon energy. The inelastic mean-free path and mean escape depth of photoelectrons in the nanoparticle samples are quantified using Monte-Carlo simulations on electron transport. The influence of nanoparticle geometry and electron elastic scattering on photoelectron yields is discussed.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Jiawei Sun, Jiachen Wu, Song Wu, Ruchi Goswami, Salvatore Girardo, Liangcai Cao, Jochen Guck, Nektarios Koukourakis, Juergen W. Czarske
Summary: Quantitative phase imaging is a label-free technique that provides morphology and quantitative biophysical information in biomedicine. We have developed a computational lensless microendoscope using an ultra-thin bare multi-core fiber which enables high resolution and sensitivity quantitative phase imaging, offering potential clinical applications for in vivo pathological diagnosis.
LIGHT-SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sophie L. Pain, Edris Khorani, Tim Niewelt, Ailish Wratten, Galo J. Paez Fajardo, Ben P. Winfield, Ruy S. Bonilla, Marc Walker, Louis F. J. Piper, Nicholas E. Grant, John D. Murphy
Summary: Ultra-thin passivating films of SiO2, Al2O3, and HfO2 were created through plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition and annealing. It was found that thin negatively charged HfO2 layers exhibited excellent passivation properties, making them a promising candidate for future passivating contacts in high-efficiency silicon solar cells.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Y. Jiang, E. Parsonnet, A. Qualls, W. Zhao, S. Susarla, D. Pesquera, A. Dasgupta, M. Acharya, H. Zhang, T. Gosavi, C-C Lin, D. E. Nikonov, H. Li, I. A. Young, R. Ramesh, L. W. Martin
Summary: This article demonstrates high-quality BaTiO3 thin films with nearly bulk-like properties. The scaling of film thickness allows for the access of required coercive voltages and fields for future applications, as well as fast switching speeds and a pathway to subnanosecond switching. Integration of BaTiO3 thin films onto silicon substrates is also shown, with further work discussed.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dameng Cheng, Yufei Gao
Summary: In order to improve the performance and reduce the manufacturing costs of solar cells, the size of monocrystalline silicon wafers used for manufacturing solar cells is increasing and their thickness is becoming ultra-thin. At the same time, the diameter of diamond saw wires used to cut the wafers is decreasing. These changes result in uneven thickness and thickness variation during the slicing process. This study analyzes the reason for uneven thickness from the perspective of liquid bridge with capillary force between the saw wires. A theoretical model is derived for the as-cut wafer thickness during the sawing process. The research findings provide important insights into the mechanism of thickness variation during the slicing process, which is significant for the production of ultra-thin photovoltaic silicon wafers with fine saw wires in the future.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dameng Cheng, Yufei Gao
Summary: In order to improve solar cell performance and reduce manufacturing costs, monocrystalline silicon wafers used for manufacturing solar cells are being developed to larger sizes and ultra-thin thickness. The diameter of diamond saw wires used to cut silicon wafers is also continuously decreasing. However, these developments result in uneven thickness and large thickness variation of the as-cut wafer during the slicing process. This study analyzes the reasons for uneven thickness and presents a theoretical model to analyze the effect of various factors on the thickness variation of the as-cut wafer.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shikun Hou, Ying Wang, Feng Gao, Fei Jin, Benfeng Zhu, Qiong Wu, Hongliang Ge, Zhihai Cao, Hua Yang
Summary: This study introduces an innovative design strategy for ultra-thin electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbers. The biomimetic leaf SnO2 structures show exceptional EMW absorption performance, making it a promising candidate for practical applications.
Article
Optics
The Anh Nguyen, Ming-Chang M. Lee
Summary: An ultra-thin Si-padded Si3N4 waveguide was proposed, with a very thin Si slab and a Si3N4 strip separated by a SiO2 layer. The measured waveguide propagation loss is low at 0.055 dB/cm, and the bending loss is within an acceptable range. Part of the waveguide mode is distributed in the Si slab, showing potential for low-loss and high-speed photonic integrated circuits.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Hee Jung Park, Jeong Min Lee, Mohammad Nasir, Seung Jo Yoo, Chel-Jong Choi, Kimoon Lee
Summary: In this study, ultra-thin vanadium-oxide nanobelts were fabricated by chemical exfoliation method and their structure, electrical, and optical properties were investigated. The nanobelts exhibited excellent structural and morphological stability even at high temperatures. Surprisingly, there was no metal-insulator transition in vanadium oxide nanobelts unlike in 3-dimensional vanadium dioxide structures, and their electrical behavior was well described by thermally activated transport phenomena. The optical band gap was estimated to be -2.1 eV. The unique nanobelt-like morphology and unusual electrical-optical properties make this material a promising candidate for applications in the electronic industry.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Optics
Jian Wang, Lihua Peng, Fuqi Zhai, Dawei Tang, Feng Gao, Xiangchao Zhang, Rong Chen, Liping Zhou, Xiangqian Jane Jiang
Summary: We propose a polarized, angle-resolved spectral (PARS) reflectometry for simultaneous thickness and refractive-index measurement of ultra-thin films in real time. This technology acquires a two-dimensional, angle-resolved spectrum through a dual-angle analyzer in a single shot by radially filtering the back-focal-plane image of a high-NA objective for dispersion analysis. Thus, film parameters, including thickness and refractive indices, are precisely fitted from the hyper-spectrum in angular and wavelength domains. Through a high-accuracy spectral calibration, a primary PARS system was built. Its accuracy was carefully verified by testing a set of SiO2 thin films of thicknesses within two mu m grown on monocrystalline-Si substrates against a commercial spectroscopic ellipsometer. Results show that the single-shot PARS reflectometry results in a root-mean-square absolute accuracy error of similar to 1 nm in film thickness measurement without knowing its refractive indices.
Article
Optics
Junghyun Sung, Dongjin Shin, HyunHee Cho, Seong Won Lee, Seungmin Park, Young Duck Kim, Jong Sung Moon, Je-Hyung Kim, Su-Hyun Gong
Summary: In this study, indirect-bandgap transition lasing under continuous-wave excitation at room temperature is demonstrated in an ultra-thin WS2 disk. It is shown that a 50-nm-thick WS2 disk provides sufficient optical gain and whispering gallery modes for lasing action. These results offer a new direction for van-der-Waals-material-based nanophotonics and introduce the possibility for optical devices based on indirect-bandgap materials.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yifeng Zhao, Luana Mazzarella, Paul Procel, Can Han, Frans D. Tichelaar, Guangtao Yang, Arthur Weeber, Miro Zeman, Olindo Isabella
Summary: This study investigates the application of (n)-type hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon as a window layer in solar cells, achieving a certified efficiency of 22.20% with a 3-nanometer thick ultra-thin layer. By optimizing the (n)nc-Si:H layer, absorption losses were reduced and the detrimental effects of oxygen incorporation were avoided.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Seon-Chil Kim, Hongsik Byun
Summary: In medical institutions, the development of lightweight radiation shielding materials is of great significance. A nanofiber shielding paper with a multi-layer thin film structure, fabricated by electrospinning, can significantly reduce the weight of shields worn by medical personnel and provide high shielding efficiency. The material can be used to manufacture various flexible products and improve the productivity and mobility of medical personnel.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
David P. Hoogerheide, Joseph A. Dura, Brian B. Maranville, Charles F. Majkrzak
Summary: Liquid cells are commonly used in neutron reflectometry experiments to measure the properties of materials at solid/liquid interfaces. This study focuses on characterizing and mitigating the background scattering sources in liquid cells, particularly from silicon and fluids. The use of energy-analyzed detection significantly improves the measurement quality by reducing the scattering background from silicon and fluids. The combination of thin liquid reservoirs, energy-analyzed detection, and a high-flux reflectometer allows for a background-subtracted neutron reflectivity smaller than 10(-8) from a liquid cell sample.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
C. F. Majkrzak, N. F. Berk, B. B. Maranville, J. A. Dura, T. Jach
Summary: In the analysis of neutron scattering measurements, it is typically sufficient to treat the incident and scattered neutron beams as incoherent distributions of plane waves. However, for some cases, such as specular neutron reflectometry, a localized wave packet is required to describe the individual neutron's wavefunction. This study demonstrates how neutron diffraction patterns can be accurately described by associating an individual neutron with a wave packet in these cases, and illustrates the importance of considering the transverse spatial extent of the neutron wavefront.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jerome Deumer, Brian R. Pauw, Sylvie Marguet, Dieter Skroblin, Olivier Tache, Michael Krumrey, Christian Gollwitzer
Summary: This article presents a versatile software package called CDEF, which is a Python extension used to calculate approximate scattering profiles of arbitrarily shaped nanoparticles. The software generates a quasi-randomly distributed point cloud and utilizes the open-source software DEBYER to efficiently evaluate Debye's scattering formula for small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The study demonstrates that the quasi-random distribution provides faster convergence compared to a true-random distribution, especially at higher momentum transfer. The software's usability is shown through the evaluation of scattering data of Au nanocubes with rounded edges, and its accuracy is validated through comparison with analytically known form factors.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Eric D. Rus, Joseph A. Dura
Summary: In this study, the interface between a tungsten oxide electrode and an electrolyte solution was characterized using in situ neutron reflectometry. The results revealed the formation and lithiation process of the conversion electrode, as well as the composition of different layers in the solid electrolyte interface. The findings contribute to the understanding and optimization of tungsten electrodes and lithium-ion batteries.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Changmin Shi, Tanner Hamann, Saya Takeuchi, George V. Alexander, Adelaide M. Nolan, Matthew Limpert, Zhezhen Fu, Jonathan O'Neill, Griffin Godbey, Joseph A. Dura, Eric D. Wachsman
Summary: Lithium garnet Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) is a promising solid electrolyte for lithium-sulfur batteries due to its high ionic conductivity and chemical stability. However, using Ta-doped LLZO as a solid electrolyte has resulted in infinite charge time and low capacity in Li-S cells. By physically separating the sulfur cathode and LLZO with a PEO-based interlayer, high initial discharge capacity and energy density can be achieved without polysulfide shuttle.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
S. Sheffels, P. P. Balakrishnan, M. Huang, S. Muramoto, J. A. Borchers, J. A. Dura, A. J. Grutter, G. S. D. Beach
Summary: Ionic and redox control of magnetism using a small voltage can significantly change magnetic properties. In this study, the effects of hydration and electrical gating on the Pt/Co/GdOxHy/Au structure were observed using polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR). The transformation from oxide to hydroxide was confirmed, and complex chemistry at the Co/GdOxHy interface was found. Proton dynamics in the system were analyzed using PNR and secondary ion mass spectrometry.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chongyin Yang, Jiale Xia, Chunyu Cui, Travis P. Pollard, Jenel Vatamanu, Antonio Faraone, Joseph A. Dura, Madhusudan Tyagi, Alex Kattan, Elijah Thimsen, Jijian Xu, Wentao Song, Enyuan Hu, Xiao Ji, Singyuk Hou, Xiyue Zhang, Michael S. S. Ding, Sooyeon Hwang, Dong Su, Yang Ren, Xiao-Qing Yang, Howard Wang, Oleg Borodin, Chunsheng Wang
Summary: The global electrification of transportation and the increasing demand for grid energy storage are driving the growth of batteries worldwide. However, the supply chain of Li-ion batteries is facing challenges in sourcing essential and scarce materials. Therefore, there is a growing incentive to develop more sustainable battery chemistries.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yuanchao Li, Natalie L. L. Schwab, Robert M. M. Briber, Joseph A. A. Dura, Trung Van Nguyen
Summary: The structure of the ionomer layer in a fuel cell is modified during the hot-pressing process, resulting in improved performance. Exposing the cell to hot dry gas above the glass transition temperature causes the aggregation of ionic groups and retention of water molecules, leading to lower water content and higher oxygen solubility in the ionomer. The hydrophobic surface of the ionomer layer enhances the kinetic-controlled and concentration-polarized regions of the fuel cell.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Changmin Shi, Saya Takeuchi, George V. Alexander, Tanner Hamann, Jonathan O'Neill, Joseph A. Dura, Eric D. Wachsman
Summary: The cubic-garnet lithium-sulfur battery holds great potential for high energy densities. However, instabilities in the sulfur cathode/LLZO interface have hindered the development of these batteries. In this study, a gel polymer buffer layer is introduced to stabilize the interface, resulting in stable cycling with high sulfur loading and providing a foundation for commercial garnet lithium-sulfur batteries.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Aerospace
S. Svendsen, S. Massahi, D. D. M. Ferreira, N. C. Gellert, A. S. Jegers, F. E. Christensen, A. Thete, B. Landgraf, M. J. Collon, E. Handick, D. Skroblin, L. Cibik, C. Gollwitzer, M. Krumrey, I Ferreira, B. Shortt, M. Bavdaz
Summary: This article introduces the future Athena observatory, which will use Silicon Pore Optics technology to achieve unprecedented collecting area. To meet the area requirements, thin film coatings of iridium are applied onto the mirror substrates. The study investigates several candidate materials and evaluates the effects of post-coating treatment to recommend the most suitable overcoat material for the telescope.
SPACE TELESCOPES AND INSTRUMENTATION 2022: ULTRAVIOLET TO GAMMA RAY
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Aerospace
Ugo Lo Cicero, Marco Barbera, Nicola Montinaro, Fabio D'Anca, Michela Todaro, Elena Puccio, Luisa Sciortino, Filippo Ambrosino, Riccardo Campana, Tianxiang Chen, Yong Chen, Yuri Evangelista, Marco Feroci, Na Gao, Fangjun Lu, Yupeng Xu, Levent Cibik, Michael Krumrey
Summary: The researchers described the design and modeling activity of the filters for the LAD instrument and reported the characterization tests performed so far, including X-ray transmission, pinhole and defects, thermo-vacuum cycling endurance, and bright Earth optical load shielding properties.
SPACE TELESCOPES AND INSTRUMENTATION 2022: ULTRAVIOLET TO GAMMA RAY
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Aerospace
S. Massahi, D. D. M. Ferreira, F. E. Christensen, S. Svendsen, N. Gellert, A. S. Jegers, M. Collon, B. Landgraf, A. Thete, I Ferreira, M. Bavdaz, B. Shortt, W. Schoenberger, A. Langer, M. Krumrey, C. Gollwitzer, E. Handick
Summary: This article describes the research on thin film deposition technology for the flight optics of ATHENA, focusing on the influence of micro roughness, deposition rate, and residual film stress under different process conditions.
SPACE TELESCOPES AND INSTRUMENTATION 2022: ULTRAVIOLET TO GAMMA RAY
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Aerospace
Maximilien J. Collon, Luis Abalo, Nicolas M. Barriere, Alex Bayerle, Luigi Castiglione, Noe Eenkhoorn, David Girou, Ramses Gunther, Enrico Hauser, Roy van der Hoeven, Jasper den Hollander, Yvette Jenkins, Boris Landgraf, Laurens Keek, Ben Okma, Paulo da Silva Ribeiro, Chris Rizzos, Aniket Thete, Giuseppe Vacanti, Sjoerd Verhoeckx, Mark Vervest, Roel Visser, Luc Voruz, Marcos Bavdaz, Eric Wille, Ivo Ferreira, Mark Olde Riekerink, Jeroen Haneveld, Arenda Koelewijn, Maurice Wijnperle, Jan-Joost Lankwarden, Bart Schurink, Ronald Start, Coen van Baren, Jan-Willem den Herder, Evelyn Handick, Michael Krumrey, Vadim Burwitz, Sonny Massahi, Desiree della Monica Ferreira, Sara Svendsen, Finn E. Christensen, William Mundon, Gavin Phillips
Summary: Athena is a flagship X-ray telescope planned to be launched by the European Space Agency in the 2030s. It utilizes Silicon Pore Optics (SPO) technology to create mirror modules, enabling the production of cost-effective, high-resolution, large-area X-ray optics using mono-crystalline silicon and mass production processes of the semiconductor industry.
SPACE TELESCOPES AND INSTRUMENTATION 2022: ULTRAVIOLET TO GAMMA RAY
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Aerospace
Vincenzo Cotroneo, Giacomo Rivolta, Marcos Bavdaz, Ricardo Bruni, Marta M. Civitani, Thorsten Doehring, Ivo Ferreira, Eugenio Gibertini, Angelo Giglia, Christian Gollwitzer, Simone Iovenitti, Michael Krumney, Luca Magagnin, Nicola Mahne, Stefano Nannarone, Giovanni Pareschi, Suzanne Romaine, Leandra Sethares, Brian Shortt, Dieter Skroblin, Giorgia Sironi, Daniele Spiga, Gianpiero Tagliaferri, Giuseppe Valsecchi
Summary: This study investigates the use of dip-liquid deposition to enhance the reflectivity of X-ray mirrors at different energy levels in combination with chromium overcoatings. The experimental results demonstrate that this method can improve the soft X-ray response, making it suitable for future telescopes.
SPACE TELESCOPES AND INSTRUMENTATION 2022: ULTRAVIOLET TO GAMMA RAY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Caterina Minelli, Magdalena Wywijas, Dorota Bartczak, Susana Cuello-Nunez, Heidi Goenaga Infante, Jerome Deumer, Christian Gollwitzer, Michael Krumrey, Karen E. Murphy, Monique E. Johnson, Antonio R. Montoro Bustos, Ingo H. Strenge, Bertrand Faure, Peter Hoghoj, Vivian Tong, Loic Burr, Karin Norling, Fredrik Hook, Matthias Roesslein, Jovana Kocic, Lyndsey Hendriks, Vikram Kestens, Yannic Ramaye, Maria C. Contreras Lopez, Guy Auclair, Dora Mehn, Douglas Gilliland, Annegret Potthoff, Kathrin Oelschlagel, Jutta Tentschert, Harald Jungnickel, Benjamin C. Krause, Yves U. Hachenberger, Philipp Reichardt, Andreas Luch, Thomas E. Whittaker, Molly M. Stevens, Shalini Gupta, Akash Singh, Fang-hsin Lin, Yi-Hung Liu, Anna Luisa Costa, Carlo Baldisserri, Rid Jawad, Samir E. L. Andaloussi, Margaret N. Holme, Tae Geol Lee, Minjeong Kwak, Jaeseok Kim, Johanna Ziebel, Cedric Guignard, Sebastien Cambier, Servane Contal, Arno C. Gutleb, Jan Kuba Tatarkiewicz, Bartlomiej J. Jankiewicz, Bartosz Bartosewicz, Xiaochun Wu, Jeffrey A. Fagan, Elisabeth Elje, Elise Runden-Pran, Maria Dusinska, Inder Preet Kaur, David Price, Ian Nesbitt, Sarah O'Reilly, Ruud J. B. Peters, Guillaume Bucher, Dennis Coleman, Angela J. Harrison, Antoine Ghanem, Anne Gering, Eileen McCarron, Niamh Fitzgerald, Geert Cornelis, Jani Tuoriniemi, Midori Sakai, Hidehisa Tsuchida, Ciaran Maguire, Adriele Prina-Mello, Alan J. Lawlor, Jessica Adams, Carolin L. Schultz, Doru Constantin, Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh, Le Duc Tung, Luca Panariello, Spyridon Damilos, Asterios Gavriilidis, Iseult Lynch, Benjamin Fryer, Ana Carrazco Quevedo, Emily Guggenheim, Sophie Briffa, Eugenia Valsami-Jones, Yuxiong Huang, Arturo A. Keller, Virva-Tuuli Kinnunen, Siiri Peramaki, Zeljka Krpetic, Michael Greenwood, Alexander G. Shard
Summary: This study evaluates the repeatability and reproducibility of different measurement methods for the particle number concentration of colloidal nanoparticles. The results show that population-averaging methods have higher repeatability and reproducibility than particle-counting methods.