Article
Chemistry, Physical
Deying Xia, Ying-Bing Jiang, John Notte, Doug Runt
Summary: This study compares the usage of a neon focused ion beam with the traditional gallium focused ion beam for milling GaAs material, finding that neon FIB produces less undesired artifacts and subsurface damage at lower energies. Additionally, neon FIB can create trenches as small as 20 nm wide with high fidelity and minimal damage.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhen-Xuan He, Qiang Li, Xiao-Lei Wen, Ji-Yang Zhou, Wu-Xi Lin, Zhi-He Hao, Jin-Shi Xu, Chuan-Feng Li, Guang-Can Guo
Summary: Precise generation of single silicon vacancy defect arrays in silicon carbide was achieved using a helium-ion microscope. The generated silicon vacancies were identified through optical detection and photoluminescence spectra. By optimizing the ion dose, high conversion yield and generation rate were realized. This work paves the way for integrating and engineering color centers in photonic structures and utilizing spin defects in silicon carbide for quantum sensing applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hanjun Tu, Cong Li, Liqun Shi
Summary: In this study, alpha-WC films were prepared using reactive magnetron sputtering and thermal annealing, and their erosion and deuterium retention behaviors were investigated through D ion irradiation. It was found that WC has a lower sputtering yield than pure W, mainly due to physical sputtering. After irradiation, the crystalline structure of WC improved and the surface showed a dominant metallic W phase. The concentration of D in WC was found to be 5 times higher than in W, and their D profiles were similar, with a single peak desorption temperature for D2 on WC.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mitchell Semple, Aaron C. Hryciw, Peng Li, Eric Flaim, Ashwin K. Iyer
Summary: This study systematically investigates the use of helium focused ion beam milling of gold for nanoplasmonic metasurface applications, demonstrating the reliable patterning of 10 nm features into gold with complex geometries over a wide area. The results provide strong support for the application of nanoplasmonic metasurfaces in modern research areas.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lucas Backmeister, Bernd Aichner, Max Karrer, Katja Wurster, Reinhold Kleiner, Edward Goldobin, Dieter Koelle, Wolfgang Lang
Summary: The defect-rich morphology of YBCO thin films leads to the formation of a vortex glass, which consists of entangled vortex lines. Stratification of the vortex lines through specific defects results in the formation of an ordered glass structure.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Frances I. Allen
Summary: Helium ion beam induced deposition using gaseous precursor pentamethylcyclopentasiloxane is employed to fabricate high aspect ratio insulator nanostructures that exhibit charge induced branching. By increasing the precursor flow rate, the vertical growth rate and branching phenomenon can be significantly enhanced, with fractalesque branching patterns observed. This direct-write ion beam nanofabrication technique offers a fast single-step method for growing high aspect ratio branched nanostructures with site-selective placement on the nanometer scale.
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
T. Glechner, C. Tomastik, E. Badisch, P. Polcik, H. Riedl
Summary: This study investigated the influence of additional carbon and bias potential on the structure and mechanical properties of non-reactively sputtered WC coatings. Adding additional carbon promoted the formation of nanocrystalline morphologies, while increasing bias potential led to a transition from nanocrystalline to columnar-crystalline morphology with a mixed state in between. The change in morphology significantly modified the mechanical properties of the coatings, with hardness values ranging from 27 to 39 GPa. Additionally, high bias potential caused a phase formation change in the crystalline WC coatings.
SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Saleh Asnaashari, Mohammad Ghambari
Summary: The study utilized the rapid omnidirectional compaction method to produce tungsten carbide-cobalt alloy, achieving high density and hardness of components by controlling pressure, temperature, and pressing time, thus demonstrating high production efficiency.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minho Choi, Seongmoon Jun, Kie Young Woo, Hyun Gyu Song, Hwan-Seop Yeo, Sunghan Choi, Doyoun Park, Chung-Hyun Park, Yong-Hoon Cho
Summary: This paper introduces a nanoscale focus pinspot (NFP) technique to improve the single-photon purity of QDs, enabling QDs to exhibit better single-photon properties at higher temperatures. The NFP technique is nondestructive, preserving the physical structure and photonic functions of QDs, showing promising potential for various high-purity quantum emitters.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xiao-Chun Deng, Xiao-Dong Kang, Jian Cui, Guo-Hua Zhang
Summary: WC nano-powder was prepared using the carbothermal pre-reduction method with different sizes of carbon black particles. The reduction kinetics, particle size, and morphology evolution of the products were investigated. It was found that smaller carbon black particles can accelerate the reduction and carbonization reactions, resulting in smaller particle size of the carbonized products.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Samuel A. Humphry-Baker, Luc J. M. Vandeperre
Summary: The study identified three different creep behavior stages in WC-FeCr hardmetals, with one previously unreported. By combining electron microscopy with X-ray diffraction technology, it was found that the low stress regime is related to the viscous flow of the binder and diffusional creep in the WC skeleton.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REFRACTORY METALS & HARD MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Nectarios Vidakis, Amalia Moutsopoulou, Markos Petousis, Nikolaos Michailidis, Chrysa Charou, Vassilis Papadakis, Nikolaos Mountakis, Evgenia Dimitriou, Apostolos Argyros
Summary: This study investigates the potential of tungsten carbide as a reinforcement and stabilizing agent in material extrusion (MEX) 3D printing. The experiments demonstrate that WC nanoparticles significantly enhance the mechanical performance of nanocomposites, with good thermal stability and processability, making them suitable for applications requiring high wear resistance.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pengfei Zhou, Yong Pan, Beilei Yuan, Jiyuan Zhou, Juncheng Jiang
Summary: This study systematically evaluated the in vivo pulmonary toxic effects of nano-tungsten carbide in rats and found that the lung was the target organ for nano-WC toxicity. The abnormal increases in tungsten ion concentrations in the liver and kidney may be related to immune damage. These findings provide a theoretical basis and data support for the assessment of health hazards associated with nano-WC and guidance for the safe use of nanomaterials.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alessio Pacini, Francesco Lupi, Andrea Rossi, Maurizia Seggiani, Michele Lanzetta
Summary: This paper proposes an oil-free dry grinding process that produces high-quality chips without oil and with few contaminants, smaller than 60 mesh particle size, which can be directly recycled. Experimental validation shows that the contaminant level, granulometry, and morphology of the recycled chips' powder are comparable to commercial powders, proving the research and industrial potential of direct recycling.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shi Xingwang, Cheng Jianyi, Ye Nan, Tang Jiancheng, Chen Weicong
Summary: Nickel matrix composite coatings reinforced by nano WC were prepared by pulse current electrodeposition. The effects of surfactant SDS concentration and wet-milling treatment of WC particles on the coatings were investigated, and compact coatings with high contents of embedded WC particles and improved microhardness were obtained under certain conditions. The optimal coating was achieved with 0.15 g/L SDS added under wet-milling for 10 hours.
RARE METAL MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Alba Salvador-Porroche, Lucia Herrer, Soraya Sangiao, Jose Maria de Teresa, Pilar Cea
Summary: A method for fabricating highly conducting palladium-based nanopatterned structures without the need for subsequent curing processes has been developed. The influence of different electron doses on the features of PdNDs was investigated, including deposit thickness, palladium content, oxidation state, morphology, grain size, and resistivity.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Minoru Soda, Nao Kagamida, Emma Campillo, Edward M. Forgan, Elizabeth Blackburn, Sebastian Muehlbauer, Robert Cubitt, Hermann Suderow, Isabel Guillamon, Edwin Herrera, Hideki Yoshizawa, Hazuki Kawano-Furukawa
Summary: Small angle neutron scattering experiments were conducted in the mixed state to determine the values and anisotropy of the penetration depth and coherence length in the superconductor beta-PdBi2. The observed distortion of the vortex lattice suggests a small a-c anisotropy of the penetration depth in beta-PdBi2. The magnitudes of the penetration depth and coherence length were estimated by analyzing the magnetic field dependence of the neutron scattering intensity from the vortex lattice with the magnetic field applied along the c-axis. The estimated superconductor parameters are consistent with the upper critical field obtained from the magnetization measurement.
JOURNAL OF THE PHYSICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Avia Noah, Hen Alpern, Sourabh Singh, Alon Gutfreund, Gilad Zisman, Tomer D. Feld, Atzmon Vakahi, Sergei Remennik, Yossi Paltiel, Martin Emile Huber, Victor Barrena, Hermann Suderow, Hadar Steinberg, Oded Millo, Yonathan Anahory
Summary: In this study, the magnetic properties of CrGeTe3 (CGT) material were investigated using scanning SQUID-on-tip microscopy, and a thickness dependent magnetization state diagram of CGT films was provided based on the combination with transport measurements.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pablo Orus, Fabian Sigloch, Soraya Sangiao, Jose Maria De Teresa
Summary: Superconductivity has been a fascinating and important field of study in physics and materials science since its discovery in 1911. Nanofabrication techniques using focused ion/electron beam induced deposition can downsize superconducting materials to the nanoscale, allowing for targeted and highly-flexible nanopatterning. Tungsten, niobium, molybdenum, carbon, and lead have been identified as the most notable superconducting materials used in functional devices.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Alba Salvador-Porroche, Lucia Herrer, Soraya Sangiao, Patrick Philipp, Pilar Cea, Jose Maria De Teresa
Summary: This study introduces a simple method for efficient decomposition of Pd-3(OAc)(6) spin-coated thin films using a focused Ga+ beam, resulting in metallic-enriched Pd nanostructures. The structures fabricated exhibit a metallic Pd content above 50% with low electrical resistivity. Proof-of-concept applications include creation of electrical contacts to nanowires, fabrication of small gaps between large metallic contact pads, and fabrication of large-area metallic meshes.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Miguel Gavara-Edo, Rosa Cordoba, Francisco Javier Valverde-Munoz, Javier Herrero-Martin, Jose Antonio Real, Eugenio Coronado
Summary: Hybrid devices based on spin-crossover/2D heterostructures provide a sensitive platform to detect spin transitions and tune the properties of 2D materials. However, the fragility of spin-crossover materials and the limitations of processing methods have restricted their applicability. This study presents an easily processable and robust hybrid device, where sublimable spin-crossover [Fe(Pyrz)(2)] molecules are deposited on chemical vapor deposition graphene. By growing an elusive polymorph of [Fe(Pyrz)(2)] on graphene, a fast and effective light-induced spin transition in the devices can be electrically detected.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Miguel Gavara-Edo, Francisco Javier Valverde-Munoz, Rosa Cordoba, M. Carmen Munoz, Javier Herrero-Martin, Jose Antonio Real, Eugenio Coronado
Summary: In this study, three new neutral Fe(II) SCO molecules belonging to the {Fe[H2B(pz)(2)](2)(L)} family were synthesized, and their crystallographic structure and magnetic properties were investigated. These compounds exhibited thermal- and light-induced SCO transitions with different degrees of cooperativity and effectiveness. Furthermore, two of the compounds were demonstrated to be sublimable, forming homogeneous thin films that retained the chemical integrity of the original molecules. SCO/2D horizontal hybrid devices based on CVD-graphene were successfully produced using these films, enabling the detection of the thermal SCO transition through the electric properties of CVD-graphene.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Edwin Herrera, Isabel Guillamon, Victor Barrena, William J. Herrera, Jose Augusto Galvis, Alfredo Levy Yeyati, Jan Rusz, Peter M. Oppeneer, Georg Knebel, Jean Pascal Brison, Jacques Flouquet, Dai Aoki, Hermann Suderow
Summary: Two-dimensional electronic states are often observed at surfaces of wide-band metals, resulting from confinement by nanoscale closed geometries. In this study, we used scanning tunnelling microscopy to investigate atomically flat terraces on the surfaces of a heavy-fermion superconductor, URu2Si2. We observed two-dimensional heavy fermions with quantized energy levels separated by a fraction of a millielectronvolt, suggesting a new route to studying quantum-well states in strongly correlated quantum materials.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Alix Tatiana Escalante-Quiceno, Ondrej Novotny, Jan Neuman, Cesar Magen, Jose Maria De Teresa
Summary: High-resolution micro- and nanostructures can be grown using Focused Electron Beam Induced Deposition (FEBID), and it has been used to grow magnetic tips for Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM). This study examines the durability of FEBID magnetic tips for MFM measurements and finds that they remain effective over a long period of time, with a maximum reduction of 60% in magnetic signal after 21 weeks of recurrent use and no significant contrast degradation after 30 weeks in storage.
Article
Physics, Applied
V Rollano, M. C. de Ory, A. Gomez, E. M. Gonzalez, Z. Pribulova, M. Marcin, P. Samuely, G. Sanchez-Santolino, A. Torres-Pardo, F. Mompean, M. Garcia-Hernandez, I Guillamon, H. Suderow, M. Menghini, J. L. Vicent
Summary: We investigate the vortex phase diagram of needle shaped high quality NiBi3 single crystals by transport measurements. The single crystals show a Ginzburg-Levanyuk (G (i)) parameter of about 10(-7), larger by two orders of magnitude than G (i) in elemental low T (c) BCS superconductors. We observe (i) an enhancement of the vortex liquid phase, (ii) a reentrance of the liquid phase at low fields and (iii) an unusual magnetic field dependence of the pinning force.
SUPERCONDUCTOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jose Maria De Teresa
Summary: This Perspective article evaluates the current state of research on the fabrication of nanoscale superconducting devices using focused electron and ion beams, and discusses their potential applications in quantum technologies.
MATERIALS FOR QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fabian Sigloch, Soraya Sangiao, Pablo Orus, Jose M. de Teresa
Summary: NanoSQUIDs are quantum sensors with high sensitivity and spatial resolution in detecting small changes in magnetic flux. W-C nanoSQUIDs grown using FIBID techniques exhibit comparable output voltage to magnetic flux change with other SQUIDs, showing potential for spatial resolution improvement and scanning-SQUID applications.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Francisco Martin-Vega, Edwin Herrera, Beilun Wu, Victor Barrena, Federico Mompean, Mar Garcia-Hernandez, Paul C. Canfield, Annica M. Black-Schaffer, Jose J. Baldovi, Isabel Guillamon, Hermann Suderow
Summary: The electronic band structure of Au2Pb features a Dirac cone which closes when it transitions into a low temperature superconducting phase, indicating possible topological properties at the surface. Scanning Tunneling Microscopy experiments on the superconducting surface reveal a sizable superconducting density of states at the Fermi level, possibly induced by surface states.
PHYSICAL REVIEW RESEARCH
(2022)
