APL Nameplate
  • Volume/Page
  • Keyword
  • DOI
  • Citation
  • Advanced
   
 
 
 

Flickr Twitter iResearch App Facebook

BROWSE VOLUMES

Year Range: 
Search Issue | RSS Feeds RSS
Previous Issue Next Issue

4 Feb 2013

Volume 102, Issue 5, Articles (05xxxx)

Issue Cover Spotlight Figure

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 053102 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4789442 (5 pages)

P. H. Kim, C. Doolin, B. D. Hauer, A. J. R. MacDonald, M. R. Freeman, P. E. Barclay, and J. P. Davis
Enlarge Image | Read More
Return to All Sections
back to top
RSS Feeds

Direct and quantitative broadband absorptance spectroscopy on small objects using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and bilayer cantilever probes

Wei-Chun Hsu, Jonathan K. Tong, Bolin Liao, Brian R. Burg, and Gang Chen

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051901 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4790184 (5 pages)

Online Publication Date: 4 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
A measurement platform is introduced that combines a bilayer cantilever probe with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer to measure absolute spectral absorptance between wavelengths of 3 μm and 18 μm directly and quantitatively. The enhanced sensitivity provided by the cantilever probe enables the quantitative characterization of micro- and nanometer-sized samples. Validation of the technique is carried out by measuring the absorptance spectrum of a doped silicon thin film with a backside aluminum layer and found to agree well with the theoretical predictions. The presented technique is especially attractive for samples such as individual nanowires or nanoparticles, isolated molecules, powders, and photonic structures.
Show PACS
07.57.Ty Infrared spectrometers, auxiliary equipment, and techniques

Cu out-diffusion in kesterites—A transmission electron microscopy specimen preparation artifact

J. Timo Wätjen, Jonathan J. Scragg, Marika Edoff, Stefano Rubino, and Charlotte Platzer-Björkman

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051902 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4790282 (4 pages)

Online Publication Date: 4 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
Solar cells based on Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 absorber layers have received a growing amount of interest. Typically a Mo(S,Se)2 layer is formed at the Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4/Mo interface during processing. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses showed the presence of Cu in the Mo(S,Se)2 which was thought to cause secondary phase formation at the back contact. However, preparing TEM samples can induce artifacts leading to false conclusions. It is therefore of great importance to identify such artifacts. In this work, we show that the Cu presence in the Mo(S,Se)2 stems solely from TEM sample preparation and does not occur as part of the synthesis process.
Show PACS
66.30.-h Diffusion in solids
68.35.Fx Diffusion; interface formation
68.37.Lp Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

Flexible, compressible, hydrophobic, floatable, and conductive carbon nanotube-polymer sponge

Jin-Woo Han, Beomseok Kim, Jing Li, and M. Meyyappan

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051903 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4790437 (4 pages)

Online Publication Date: 4 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
A flexible, compressible, hydrophobic, ice-repelling, floatable, and conductive carbon nanotube (CNT)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sponge is presented. The microporous sponge-like PDMS scaffold fabricated with a sugar cube template is capable of CNT uptake. The CNT-PDMS sponge (CPS) is deformable and compressible up to 90%. The Young's modulus varies from 22 KPa to 200 KPa depending on the applied strain. The conductive pathways via the CNT network increase with compressive strain similar to a variable resistor or pressure sensor. The softness of the CPS can be utilized for artificial skin to grip sensitive objects. In addition, the contact angle of water droplets on CPS shows 141°, and thus the hydrophobic nature of the CPS can be exploited as a floating electrode. Furthermore, the hydrophobicity is maintained below freezing temperature, allowing an ice-repelling electrode.
Show PACS
81.40.Lm Deformation, plasticity, and creep
62.20.de Elastic moduli
62.20.F- Deformation and plasticity
68.03.Cd Surface tension and related phenomena
81.40.Jj Elasticity and anelasticity, stress-strain relations

Enhancement of the performance of InAs quantum dots solar cell by surface modification using Poly-L-Lysine homopolymers

Y. F. Makableh, R. Vasan, S. Lee, and O. M. Manasreh

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051904 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4789908 (3 pages)

Online Publication Date: 4 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
The enhancement of InAs quantum dots solar cell was reported for surface modification by implementing Poly-L-Lysine (PLL) homopolymers as an anti-reflection coating. Dip coating method was used to coat the solar cell surface with PLL. The current-voltage, spectral response, and external quantum efficiency measurements were performed to characterize the solar cell. Furthermore, the transmission spectra of GaAs were obtained before and after PLL coating. At least 25% increase in the performance of the InAs quantum dots solar cell was achieved as depicted in the current voltage, external quantum efficiency, and spectral response measurements.
Show PACS
88.40.jm Thin film III-V and II-VI based solar cells
42.79.Wc Optical coatings
88.40.hj Efficiency and performance of solar cells

Differential scanning calorimetric determination of the thermal properties of amorphous Co60Fe20B20 and Co40Fe40B20 thin films

Yuan-Tsung Chen, S. H. Lin, and W. H. Hsieh

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051905 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4775375 (5 pages)

Online Publication Date: 4 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
The thermal stability of Co60Fe20B20 and Co40Fe40B20 thin films are investigated by non-isothermal and isothermal thermal analysis. The differential scanning calorimetry results of amorphous Co60Fe20B20 and Co40Fe40B20 thin films showed the crucial glass forming ability index, γ and γm. The Kissinger formula was applied to calculate the activation energy (Q) of crystallization to measure its resistance of crystallization; 3000 Å was a critical thickness. Based on the non-isothermal and isothermal thermal analysis, it reveals that the thermal stability and incubation time of Co60Fe20B20 films are better than Co40Fe40B20 films.
Show PACS
61.43.Dq Amorphous semiconductors, metals, and alloys
68.60.Dv Thermal stability; thermal effects
64.70.P- Glass transitions of specific systems

The growth of microcrystalline silicon oxide thin films studied by in situ plasma diagnostics

S. Kirner, O. Gabriel, B. Stannowski, B. Rech, and R. Schlatmann

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051906 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4790279 (4 pages)

Online Publication Date: 5 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
The crystallinity and refractive index of microcrystalline silicon oxide (μc-SiOx:H) n-layers and their dependence on the pressure and radio frequency power during the deposition process is correlated with plasma properties derived from in situ diagnostics. From process gas depletion measurements, the oxygen content of the layers was calculated. High crystallinities were observed for increased pressures and decreased powers, indicating clear differences to trends previously shown for microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si:H) material, which are explained by the varying oxygen incorporation. Amorphous/microcrystalline silicon (a-Si:H/μc-Si:H) tandem solar cells with μc-SiOx:H intermediate reflector layers deposited at optimized pressures showed greatly improved series resistances.
Show PACS
68.55.at Other materials
52.77.Dq Plasma-based ion implantation and deposition
78.20.Ci Optical constants (including refractive index, complex dielectric constant, absorption, reflection and transmission coefficients, emissivity)
81.15.Jj Ion and electron beam-assisted deposition; ion plating

Submicron-diameter phase-separated scintillator fibers for high-resolution X-ray imaging

Yoshihiro Ohashi, Nobuhiro Yasui, Yuui Yokota, Akira Yoshikawa, and Toru Den

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051907 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4790295 (4 pages)

Online Publication Date: 5 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
We demonstrated micrometer-scale resolution X-ray imaging by using phase-separated scintillator fibers. Hexagonally well-aligned 680-nm-diameter GdAlO3(GAP):Ce3+ scintillator fibers surrounded with α-Al2O3 were fabricated from directionally solidified eutectics. The GAP:Ce3+ fibers convert X-rays to lights and emitted lights are confined and transported along the fiber direction by a total reflection mode. High-resolution X-ray image of a gold grating phantom with a 4 μm aperture, corresponding to a bundle of 12 fibers, was achieved even with a 150 -μm-thick scintillator. These scintillator fibers overcome resolution reduction caused by light scattering and almost reach the resolution limit of the material nature itself.
Show PACS
07.85.-m X- and γ-ray instruments
42.81.Wg Other fiber-optical devices
07.60.Vg Fiber-optic instruments

Microstructural defects in GaN thin films grown on chemically vapor-deposited graphene layers

Hyobin Yoo, Kunook Chung, Suk In Park, Miyoung Kim, and Gyu-Chul Yi

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051908 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4790385 (4 pages)

Online Publication Date: 5 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
Microstructural defects in GaN thin films grown on graphene produced via chemical vapor deposition have been investigated using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). EBSD analysis reveals the preferred orientations of the GaN films. We further examined the microstructural defects such as grain boundaries and threading dislocations present in the films using TEM. Plan-view TEM analysis showed presence of both high- and low-angle grain boundaries and the threading dislocations mostly bound to those grain boundaries. Moreover, the characteristics and behavior of the threading dislocations were also investigated using cross-section TEM analysis.
Show PACS
81.05.Ea III-V semiconductors
81.15.Gh Chemical vapor deposition (including plasma-enhanced CVD, MOCVD, ALD, etc.)
68.55.ag Semiconductors
61.72.Ff Direct observation of dislocations and other defects (etch pits, decoration, electron microscopy, x-ray topography, etc.)
61.72.Mm Grain and twin boundaries
79.20.Kz Other electron-impact emission phenomena

Structural evolution in bulk metallic glass under high-temperature tension

X. D. Wang, H. B. Lou, J. Bednarcik, H. Franz, H. W. Sheng, Q. P. Cao, and J. Z. Jiang

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051909 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4790393 (4 pages)

Online Publication Date: 5 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
The tensile behavior of a Cu46Zr46Al8 bulk metallic glass (BMG) at elevated temperatures has been studied using in situ x-ray diffraction and molecular dynamics simulation. It is demonstrated that excess open volume is generated during elastic deformation and accumulated enough before plastic flow starts. The open volume almost keeps constant during homogeneous deformation, suggesting that a high content of open volume is a key point for developing BMGs with pronounced tensile plasticity.
Show PACS
81.40.Lm Deformation, plasticity, and creep
62.20.D- Elasticity
62.20.fq Plasticity and superplasticity
81.40.Jj Elasticity and anelasticity, stress-strain relations

Optical contrast and laser-induced phase transition in GeCu2Te3 thin film

Yuta Saito, Yuji Sutou, and Junichi Koike

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051910 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4791567 (5 pages)

Online Publication Date: 6 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
Fast crystallization and low power amorphization are essential to achieve rapid data recording and low power consumption in phase-change memory. This work investigated the laser-induced phase transition behaviors of GeCu2Te3 film based on the reflectance of amorphous and crystalline states. The GeCu2Te3 film showed a reflectance decrease upon crystallization, which was the opposite behavior in Ge2Sb2Te5 film. The crystallization starting time of the as-deposited GeCu2Te3 film was as fast as that of the as-deposited Ge2Sb2Te5 film. Furthermore, the GeCu2Te3 crystalline film was found to be reamorphized by laser irradiation at lower power and shorter pulse width than the Ge2Sb2Te5.
Show PACS
78.66.Nk Insulators
64.70.K- Solid-solid transitions
61.82.Ms Insulators
78.30.Hv Other nonmetallic inorganics
78.35.+c Brillouin and Rayleigh scattering; other light scattering
78.40.Ha Other nonmetallic inorganics
78.40.Pg Disordered solids

A method to determine the Young's modulus of thin-film elements assisted by dark-field electron holography

S. Reboh, P. Benzo, P. Morin, R. Cours, M. J. Hÿtch, and A. Claverie

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051911 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4790617 (4 pages)

Online Publication Date: 6 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
We present a method to determine the isotropic elastic modulus of nanometer-thick films of unknown or imprecise microstructure and composition. First, the mesoscopic stress of the film is determined using Stoney's method. Then, after fabricating film-stripes by lithography, dark-field electron holography is used to image the strain fields (3 nm spatial resolution, ∼2 × 10−4 precision) resulting from the local interactions between the stripes and an underlying silicon crystal. By comparing the experimental results with finite element method modeling, we deduce Young's modulus of the film. Silicon nitride films on Si substrates are presented as a model system.
Show PACS
81.40.Jj Elasticity and anelasticity, stress-strain relations
62.20.de Elastic moduli
68.60.Bs Mechanical and acoustical properties

Oxidation induced softening in Al nanowires

Fatih G. Sen, Yue Qi, Adri C. T. van Duin, and Ahmet T. Alpas

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051912 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4790181 (5 pages) | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: 7 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
The mechanical properties of metallic nanowires depend dramatically on the atmospheric conditions. Molecular-dynamics simulations with ReaxFF were conducted to study tensile elastic deformation of oxidized Al nanowires. The thin amorphous oxide shell formed around Al nanowires had a very low Young's modulus of 26 GPa, due to its low density and low Al-O coordination. Consequently, for diameters less than 100 nm, the composite Young's modulus of oxide-covered Al nanowires showed a size dependence implying that in this case “smaller is softer.” The model developed also explained the discrepancies in the reported modulus values of nanometer-scale Al thin films.
Show PACS
62.23.Hj Nanowires
81.40.Jj Elasticity and anelasticity, stress-strain relations
81.40.Lm Deformation, plasticity, and creep
61.46.Km Structure of nanowires and nanorods (long, free or loosely attached, quantum wires and quantum rods, but not gate-isolated embedded quantum wires)
62.20.de Elastic moduli
62.20.F- Deformation and plasticity

Observation of rhombohedral nanostructures in the orthorhombic phase of KNbO3 using convergent-beam electron diffraction

Kenji Tsuda, Rikiya Sano, and Michiyoshi Tanaka

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051913 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4791679 (4 pages)

Online Publication Date: 7 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
Symmetries of nanometer-scale local structures in the rhombohedral and orthorhombic phases of potassium niobate (KNbO3) have been examined using convergent-beam electron diffraction. Nanometer-size local structures with rhombohedral symmetry have been discovered in the orthorhombic phase of KNbO3. It has been found that the structure of the orthorhombic phase of KNbO3 is formed as an average of two variants with rhombohedral symmetry. This fact indicates that the phase transformation between the orthorhombic and rhombohedral phases has an order-disorder character. The result is analogous to the case of BaTiO3, which we already reported [Tsuda et al., Phys. Rev. B 86, 214106 (2012)].
Show PACS
64.60.Cn Order-disorder transformations
64.70.Nd Structural transitions in nanoscale materials
81.30.Hd Constant-composition solid-solid phase transformations: polymorphic, massive, and order-disorder
64.70.K- Solid-solid transitions
61.46.-w Structure of nanoscale materials

Growth of highly near-c-axis oriented ferroelectric LiNbO3 thin films on Si with a ZnO buffer layer

Peng You, Chaojing Lu, Wanneng Ye, Lanzhong Hao, Jun Zhu, and Yichun Zhou

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051914 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4791680 (5 pages)

Online Publication Date: 7 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
Ferroelectric LiNbO3 thin film of high near-c-axis orientation was grown on Si by pulsed laser deposition using a thin ZnO buffer layer of high c-axis orientation. Both the LiNbO3 film and the ZnO layer consist of columnar grains with random in-plane twist relative to each other. The c axes of LiNbO3 grains tilt small angles with respect to the film growth direction and the deviation angles follow nearly Gaussian probability distribution within 5°. The out-of-plane tilt nucleation of LiNbO3 lattices on the waved surfaces of the ZnO layer leads to the near-c-axis oriented growth of the LiNbO3 film.
Show PACS
81.15.Fg Pulsed laser ablation deposition
68.55.at Other materials
77.84.Ek Niobates and tantalates
77.80.-e Ferroelectricity and antiferroelectricity

Transient lattice distortion induced by ultrashort heat pulse propagation through thin film metal/metal interface

Ali Oguz Er, Jie Chen, Jau Tang, and Peter M. Rentzepis

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051915 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4790378 (5 pages)

Online Publication Date: 7 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
Phonon propagation across the Cu/Ag(111) interface and transient structural disorder in Ag(111) crystal, after excitation of 18 nm copper layer with UV femtosecond pulses has been studied by means of picosecond time resolved X-ray diffraction. The lattice disorder was measured by the changes in peak shift and broadening of the XRD rocking curve. A blast force was formed within 2 ps after fs UV irradiation. After fast initial expansion and contraction, a sharp oscillation is observed, while the subsequent oscillations were found to be broader due to out-of phase relationship between the sound waves in the copper and silver layers.
Show PACS
68.35.Ja Surface and interface dynamics and vibrations
62.65.+k Acoustical properties of solids
68.35.Ct Interface structure and roughness

Reduced threading dislocation densities in high-T/N-rich grown InN films by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy

Bernhard Loitsch, Fabian Schuster, Martin Stutzmann, and Gregor Koblmüller

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051916 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4789983 (5 pages)

Online Publication Date: 7 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
We explore the effect of growth kinetics on the structural properties of In-polar InN films on GaN templates grown near the thermal dissociation limit by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Unlike the common growth temperature limit (T ≈ 500 °C) for In-polar InN grown under In-rich conditions, slightly N-rich conditions are demonstrated to shift the available growth temperature window to much higher temperatures (by >50 °C). InN films grown in this high-T/N-rich regime show significantly reduced off-axis X-ray diffraction rocking curve peak widths and record low threading dislocation densities (TDD ∼ 4 × 109 cm−2) even for film thicknesses <1 μm, as compared to state of the art In-rich growth. The reduction of TDD is attributed to more effective TD inclination and annihilation under N-rich growth, delineating prospective routes for improved InN-based materials.
Show PACS
61.72.Ff Direct observation of dislocations and other defects (etch pits, decoration, electron microscopy, x-ray topography, etc.)
81.15.Hi Molecular, atomic, ion, and chemical beam epitaxy
81.15.Jj Ion and electron beam-assisted deposition; ion plating
82.30.Lp Decomposition reactions (pyrolysis, dissociation, and fragmentation)
68.55.ag Semiconductors
52.77.Dq Plasma-based ion implantation and deposition

Pressure-induced tetragonal-orthorhombic phase transitions in CeRuPO

S. Hirai, Y. Kamihara, A. Wakatsuki, M. Matoba, and W. L. Mao

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051917 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4791690 (4 pages)

Online Publication Date: 8 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
CeRuPO, a ferromagnetic Kondo lattice, undergoes two novel pressure-induced structural phase transitions. CeRuPO undergoes an isostructural transition to a collapsed tetragonal structure near 7.5 GPa. Since pressure suppresses the initial ferromagnetic ordering of Ce3+, our observation suggests a quantum critical point for CeRuPO near this pressure. The collapsed tetragonal phase transforms into an orthorhombic Cmma structure. This phase is isostructural with the low temperature phase of LaFeAsO, which is superconducting under high pressure. Since CeRuPO exhibits a similar relationship between the two phases of LaFeAsO, the collapsed tetragonal and orthorhombic phases of CeRuPO may adopt a novel magnetic ground state.
Show PACS
64.70.K- Solid-solid transitions
74.40.Kb Quantum critical phenomena
61.66.Fn Inorganic compounds
75.30.Kz Magnetic phase boundaries (including classical and quantum magnetic transitions, metamagnetism, etc.)
81.30.Hd Constant-composition solid-solid phase transformations: polymorphic, massive, and order-disorder
62.50.-p High-pressure effects in solids and liquids

Why specific mixed solvent composition leads to appropriate film formation of composite during spin coating?

S. S. Ghosh, A. P. Zerwal, G. G. Bisen, G. S. Lonkar, J. V. Sali, V. S. Waman, and S. R. Jadkar

Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 051918 (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4791696 (5 pages)

Online Publication Date: 8 February 2013

Full Text: Read Online (HTML) | Download PDF

Show Abstract
In this paper, we explain why specific mixed solvent composition leads to appropriate film formation of composite (polymer: inorganic nanoparticle) during spin coating. As a typical case, P3HT:TiO2 film formation has been discussed by taking chloroform as good solvent for P3HT while ethanol, methanol, and 2-propanol are used as co-solvents for dispersing TiO2. Mixed solvent evaporation dynamics during film drying has been simulated to explain the experimental results. Present study can be immensely useful for selecting proper solvents and their initial ratio for blend film formation of a particular phase separation.
Show PACS
81.05.Qk Reinforced polymers and polymer-based composites
81.07.Bc Nanocrystalline materials
81.15.-z Methods of deposition of films and coatings; film growth and epitaxy
64.70.F- Liquid-vapor transitions
64.75.Ef Mixing
68.03.Fg Evaporation and condensation of liquids
Return to All Sections
Close

Google Calendar

ADVERTISEMENT

Go to AIP Home   © AIP Publishing LLC
close