Abstract

The morphology of metallic nano particles fluctuates and rapidly changes under the influence of electron beam irradiation. Structural transformations of small Au particles and disordering of small Pt clusters have been reported. Although the existence of a quasimolten state in nano particles has been experimentally observed there are still many unanswered questions concerning the onset of this unstable state. The previous experiments were carried out in non-UHV microscopes and the particles were prepared ex situ. We report preliminary observations of the evolution of clean Ag nano particles in a UHV scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM).The experiments were performed on a UHV STEM (VG HB-501S), known by the acronym MIDAS (Microscope for Imaging, Diffraction and Analysis of Surfaces). The probe size used for nanodiffraction was approximately 1 nm in diameter with a beam current density of 104 A/cm2. Silver nano particles were formed by evaporating Ag onto a pre-cleaned thin (< 5 nm in thickness) carbon film inside the UHV specimen preparation chamber attached to the MIDAS column.x

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.