Field Electron Energy Research Articles

Hysteresis in radio frequency capacitively coupled CF4 plasmas

Based on experiments and simulations, various plasma parameters are found to undergo a hysteresis as a function of the driving voltage amplitude in capacitively coupled CF4 discharges. Phase Resolved Optical Emission Spectroscopy reveals that the discharge operates in a hybrid combination of the drift-ambipolar and α-mode at low voltage. In this mode, the electric field and mean electron energy are high in the electronegative plasma bulk region. As the cross section for electron attachment is appreciable only at high electron energies, this mode results in strong negative ion production and keeps the electron density low as well as the mode of plasma operation stable, when the voltage is increased moderately. Increasing the driving voltage amplitude further ultimately induces a mode transition into a pure α-mode, once the electron density increases strongly. Decreasing the voltage again results in a reverse mode transition at a lower voltage compared to the previous mode transition, because the electron density is now initially high in the bulk and, thus, the bulk electric field and mean electron energy are low resulting in inefficient generation of negative ions via electron attachment. This keeps the electron density high even at lower driving voltages. This effect leads to the emergence of two steady states of plasma operation within a certain voltage range. The different electron energy distribution functions in these two states result in markedly different generation and density profiles of F atoms, with higher values occurring in the increasing voltage branch of the hysteresis. The ion flux and mean energy at the electrodes also differ. The voltage range, where the hysteresis occurs, is affected by the ion induced secondary electron coefficient (γ). A larger value of γ results in a shift of the hysteresis voltage range towards lower values.

Phase coexistence induced surface roughness in V2O3/Ni magnetic heterostructures

We present an investigation of the microstructure changes in V2O3 as it goes through its inherent structural phase transition. Using V2O3 films with a well-defined crystal structure deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering on r-plane Al2O3 substrates, we study the phase coexistence region and its impact on the surface roughness of the films and the magnetic properties of overlying Ni magnetic layers in V2O3/Ni hybrid magnetic heterostructures. The simultaneous presence of two phases in V2O3 during its structural phase transition was identified with high resolution x-ray diffraction and led to an increase in surface roughness observed using x-ray reflectivity. The roughness reaches its maximum at the midpoint of the transition. In V2O3/Ni hybrid heterostructures, we find a concomitant increase in the coercivity of the magnetic layer correlated with the increased roughness of the V2O3 surface. The chemical homogeneity of the V2O3 is confirmed through transmission electron microscopy analysis. High-angle annular dark field imaging and electron energy loss spectroscopy reveal an atomically flat interface between Al2O3 and V2O3, as well as a sharp interface between V2O3 and Ni.

Experimental observation and characterization of amorphous carbon generated in graphene on gold nanoparticles.

The interaction of graphene with gold nanoparticles is investigated using transmission electron microscopy. We observe gold-nanoparticle-mediated etching of graphene flakes, often leading to hole formation. Further, using a combination of high-angle annular dark field imaging and electron energy loss spectroscopy, we highlight that the catalytic effects of gold nanoparticles on graphene lead to the formation of amorphous carbon layers. From the extracted diffractograms, we observe regions with diffraction halos as well as some regions with a weak tetrahedral motif. Using independently performed Raman measurements, we confirm the presence of tetrahedral amorphous carbon as well as mixed graphitic-amorphous regions. For the amorphous carbon regions with mixed sp2-sp3 states, the Raman G peak is red-shifted to 1564 cm-1 and an I D/I G ratio of 0.63 indicates less than 20% sp3 content. For the tetrahedral amorphous carbon regions, we observe that the Raman G peak is at 1580 cm-1, close to that of monolayer graphene. However, there is no Raman D peak, i.e., I D/I G = 0, which indicates close to 100% sp3 content. The translation of the Raman G peak location and the I D/I G ratios is on par with the amorphization trajectory analysis of Ferrari and Robertson (Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter Mater. Phys., 2000, 61, 14095) and validates the conversion route of graphite to amorphous carbon to tetrahedral amorphous carbon. The presented method provides a promising pathway for creating defect-induced amorphous carbon at room temperature, which has a broader impact on the electronics and semiconductor industries.

Carbon nano-onions: Individualization and enhanced water dispersibility

Carbon nano-onions (CNOs) are a unique class of carbon nanomaterials, with a concentric fullerene-like structure and sp2-hybridized carbon atoms. Onions present high mechanical strength, good conductivity, the capability to intercalate alkali metals, showing promising applications in diverse fields, such as tribology, energy storage, and nanomedicine. Their production has been developed by several techniques, with the most interesting being the thermal annealing of carbon nanodiamonds because of the easy scalability (gram-scale) and morphologic control (size and shape form perfectly spherical to polygonal). However, this synthesis is commonly affected by the formation of strong aggregates larger than 100 nm, attributed to carbon soot formation or strong van der Waals interactions, hindering the work with small and individual particles, leading to an altered yield of functionalization. In this study we propose a method for CNO individualization based on strong acid treatment, yielding highly water dispersible nanoparticles. Analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) analysis is employed as a technique to investigate the particle dimensions directly in dispersion, permitting an ensemble analysis free from further sample preparation bias. Moreover, we also provide a comprehensive evaluation of the common post-synthetic treatment methods, and their effects. By means of scanning transmission electron microscopy with medium angle annular dark field detector and electron energy loss spectroscopy (STEM-MAADF and EELS) we have shown images of individual CNOs. Their successful separation achieved in this study is significant for future research and applications in nanomedicine, electrochemistry, and materials composites, where sample homogeneity is critical.

A novel design of a retarding field electron energy analyzer with a cavity electrode providing extremely high energy resolution

An electron energy analyzer based on the retarding electrostatic field generated by a cavity electrode was prototyped, where the designed energy resolution is smaller than 10 meV at acceleration voltages Vo less than 5 kV and a half angle spread θo less than 20 mrad for the incident electron beams with the scanning voltage range of 3 V. Precise energy resolution, however, has not been recognized experimentally because of the difficulties of equipping such a narrow energy spread electron source. This paper describes the principle of the newly developed energy analyzer and shows the obtained energy spectra from a Schottky emitter ZrO/W(100) with a tip of the curvature radius of 1.5 μm, which could highly reproduce the theoretically expected spectra at various emitter temperatures because of its predominantly thermal emission.

Effects of rod radius and voltage on streamer discharge in a short air gap

Streamer discharge is the inaugural stage of gas discharge, and the average electron energy directly determines the electron collision reaction rate, which is a key parameter for studying streamer discharge. Therefore, taking into account the average electron energy, this work establishes a fluid chemical reaction model to simulate and study the course of evolution of a streamer discharge in a 5 mm rod–plate gap, considering 12 particles and 27 chemical reactions. It introduces the electron energy drift diffusion equation into the control equation, and analyzes the temporal and spatial changes of average electron energy, electric field intensity and electron density with change in rod radius and voltage. The effects of voltage and rod radius on the course of streamer discharge can be reflected more comprehensively by combining the average electron energies. Three different values of 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm are set for the rod radius, and three different values of 5 kV, 6 kV and 7 kV are set for the voltage. The influence of an excitation reaction on the streamer discharge is studied. The findings indicate that, as voltage raises, the streamer head’s electron density, electric field and average electron energy all rise, and the streamer develops more quickly. When the rod radius increases, the electron density, electric field and average electron energy of the streamer head all decrease, and the streamer’s evolution slows down. When an excitation reaction is added to the model, the average electron energy, the magnitude of the electric field and the density of electrons decrease, and the evolution of the streamer slows down. An increase in average electron energy will lead to an increase in electric field strength and electron density, and the development of the streamer will be faster.

Asymmetrical ignition of radio frequency discharge in atmospheric pressure cascade glow discharges

A two-dimensional self-consistent fluid model was developed to investigate the ignition of radio frequency (RF) discharge in an atmospheric helium cascade glow discharge. In particular, the model considers the case where a pulsed discharge is excited ahead of the RF discharge by applying pulsed DC voltage and RF voltage to two parallel plate electrodes separately. The spatio-temporal distribution of electron, ion, electric field, and mean electron energy demonstrate that the electron and ion localize in the vicinity of RF electrode with the extinguishment of pulsed discharge, whereas a sheath region formed above the pulsed electrode due to the space charge. It explains the experimental findings of asymmetric ignition of RF discharge in the interelectrode gap. With the migration of ion towards the pulsed electrode, the RF discharge achieves the stable operation. Furthermore, the migration time of ion from the RF electrode to pulsed electrode is estimated to be 3.0 μs, which is consistent with the calculated migration time of ions across the discharge gap.

Broadband X-Ray Spectroscopy of the Pulsar Wind Nebula in HESS J1640-465

We present updated measurements of the X-ray properties of the pulsar wind nebula associated with the TeV γ-ray source HESS J1640-465 derived from Chandra and Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array data. We report a high N H value along the line of sight, consistent with previous work, which led us to incorporate the effects of dust scattering in our spectral analysis. Due to uncertainties in the dust scattering, we report a range of values for the PWN properties (photon index and unabsorbed flux). In addition, we fit the broadband spectrum of this source and found evidence for spectral softening and decreasing unasborbed flux as we go to higher photon energies. We then used a one-zone time-dependent evolutionary model to reproduce the dynamical and multiwavelength spectral properties of our source. Our model suggests a short spin-down timescale, a relatively higher than average magnetized pulsar wind, a strong pulsar wind nebula magnetic field and maximum electron energy up to PeV, suggesting HESS J1640-465 could be a PeVatron candidate.

Analysis of notch-δ-doped GaAs-based Gunn diodes

The performances of GaAs-based Gunn diodes with notch-δ-doped structures are studied in this work. The δ-doped effect is analysed using Monte Carlo modelling in terms of temporal evolution of current density, electric field profile, electron energy, mean velocity and occupancy in the Γ and higher valleys. The presence of a δ-doped layer after the notch causes a significant increase in the harmonic current amplitude of the device, where the growth of the high field domain can be attributed to a slow electron track due to the well-known Gunn effect and an additional fast electron track which appears over a short time window when the domain is reaching the anode. An optimised GaAs notch-δ-doped structure with a 700 nm device length including a 100 nm notch and a 5 nm δ-doped layer can generate signals at a fundamental frequency of 262 GHz with a current harmonic amplitude of 29.4 × 107 A m−2, which is almost twice of that without a δ-doped layer. Its second and third harmonic signals are found to be substantial, reaching into the terahertz range of 512 GHz and 769 GHz.

The Influence of O2 on Positive Streamer Initiation in Supercritical CO2 With Field Ionization Using a 3-D Particle Model

In this work, the influence of varying mixing ratios of O2 on positive streamer initiation in supercritical (SC) CO2 at different applied voltages was investigated using a 3-D particle model. Zener’s model was included in the 3-D particle model to calculate the field ionization rate during streamer formation and propagation. The evolution of positive streamer was classified into three main stages namely inception cloud, primary streamer channels, and successive streamer branching. The effect of O2 with different mixing ratios (2%, 10%, and 20%) on the morphology, average electron density, electric field distribution, streamer length, and electron energy distribution function (EEDF) for positive streamer in SC-CO2 at four different voltages (12, 12.5, 13, and 13.5 kV) is then investigated. The 2-D cross sections of the initial stage of the streamer and the electric field distribution are presented in detail. At the same applied voltage, the size of inception cloud, average electron density, electric field, and streamer length with the maximum electric field decreased with increasing oxygen concentration in SC-CO2. With increasing applied voltage, the apparent size of inception cloud, primary streamer channels, successive streamer branching, average electron density, electric field, and streamer length increased. The simulation results showed that adding O2 to SC-CO2 can significantly affect the streamer initiation and propagation.

Field emission and electron energy distributions from point-type triangular-shaped emitters made of thin graphene films

We report on fabrication and detailed characterization of point-type graphene emitters, which can be further used as electron sources in modern vacuum devices. Two-dimensional free-standing and triangular-shaped field emitters with the tip angles of 30°, 60°, and 90° and a height of ∼1 mm were made of thin graphene films of varying thicknesses (2.5-μm and 8-μm). The field emission properties of these emitters were systematically investigated by different measurement techniques. Wider and thicker graphene film emitters exhibited better stability and provided higher emission currents (up to ∼100–420 μA). The short-term current fluctuations stayed within 8%–14%. The graphene film emitter with a tip angle of 90° and 8-μm thick yielded a high field emission current of up to 2.2 mA at 9 V/μm. All emitters reproducible showed a non-linear Fowler–Nordheim behavior, which was correlated with the electron energy spectroscopy results. High-resolved energy spectra showed that up to three discrete peaks can be observed from the graphene edges at currents of <1 μA. The integral energy distributions of electrons at higher currents showed single broad emission spectra with a width of up to 1–2 eV. Additionally, graphene point emitters were characterized in various vacuum environments (Xe, Ar, N2, H2, O2, and air), different pressure levels (2 × 10−4 Pa, 2 × 10−3 Pa, and 2 × 10−2 Pa), and at various distances between the anode and the graphene emitter tip. The results showed that graphene emitters can operate in non-ultrahigh vacuum conditions, and further optimization of the vacuum gap could result in a lower turn-on voltage.

Interstitial Boron Atoms in the Palladium Lattice of an Industrial Type of Nanocatalyst: Properties and Structural Modifications.

It is well-established that the inclusion of small atomic species such as boron (B) in powder metal catalysts can subtly modify catalytic properties, and the associated changes in the metal lattice imply that the B atoms are located in the interstitial sites. However, there is no compelling evidence for the occurrence of interstitial B atoms, and there is a concomitant lack of detailed structural information describing the nature of this occupancy and its effects on the metal host. In this work, we use an innovative combination of high-resolution 11B magic-angle-spinning (MAS) and 105Pd static solid-state NMR nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD), in situ X-ray pair distribution function (XPDF), scanning transmission electron microscopy-annular dark field imaging (STEM-ADF), electron ptychography, and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) to investigate the B atom positions, properties, and structural modifications to the palladium lattice of an industrial type interstitial boron doped palladium nanoparticle catalyst system (Pd-intB/C NPs). In this study, we report that upon B incorporation into the Pd lattice, the overall face centered cubic (FCC) lattice is maintained; however, short-range disorder is introduced. The 105Pd static solid-state NMR illustrates how different types (and levels) of structural strain and disorder are introduced in the nanoparticle history. These structural distortions can lead to the appearance of small amounts of local hexagonal close packed (HCP) structured material in localized regions. The short-range lattice tailoring of the Pd framework to accommodate interstitial B dopants in the octahedral sites of the distorted FCC structure can be imaged by electron ptychography. This study describes new toolsets that enable the characterization of industrial metal nanocatalysts across length scales from macro- to microanalysis, which gives important guidance to the structure-activity relationship of the system.

The structure and thermoelectric properties of tungsten bronze Ba6Ti2Nb8O30

Tungsten bronze (TB) structured materials have attracted attention as possible thermoelectrics because of their complex crystal structure. In this work, a new thermoelectric ceramic with a tetragonal tungsten bronze (TB) structure, Ba6Ti2Nb8O30 (BTN), was prepared by the conventional mixed oxide route with some samples processed by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). The addition of MnO enabled the fabrication of high density BTN ceramics at a low sintering temperature of 1580 K in air and by SPS. All samples were annealed in a reducing atmosphere after sintering. X-ray diffraction showed that Ba6Ti2Nb8O30 crystallizes with tetragonal symmetry (P4bm space group). High angle annular dark field-electron energy loss spectroscopy analysis confirmed the proposed crystal structure and provided exact elemental distributions in the lattice, showing higher concentrations of Ti in the 2b lattice sites compared to the 8d lattice sites. XPS showed the presence of two spin-orbit double peaks at 207.7 eV in the reduced BTN samples, confirming the presence of Nb4+ ions. By the use of a sintering aid and optimization of the processing parameters, the ceramics achieved a high power factor of 280 μW/m K2 at 873 K. The BTN ceramics showed phonon-glass-type thermal conduction behavior with a low thermal conductivity of 1.7–1.65 W/m K at 300–873 K. A thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of 0.14 was achieved at 873 K. This ZT value is comparable with results for many TB thermoelectrics. However, BTN has the advantage of much easier processing.

Unusually high magnetic fields in the coma of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko during its high-activity phase

Aims. On July 3, 2015, an unprecedented increase in the magnetic field magnitude was measured by the Rosetta spacecraft orbiting comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P). This increase was accompanied by large variations in magnetic field and ion and electron density and energy. To our knowledge, this unusual event marks the highest magnetic field ever measured in the plasma environment of a comet. Our goal here is to examine possible physical causes for this event, and to explain this reaction of the cometary plasma and magnetic field and its trigger. Methods. We used observations from the entire Rosetta Plasma Consortium as well as energetic particle measurements from the Standard Radiation Monitor on board Rosetta to characterize the event. To provide context for the solar wind at the comet, observations at Earth were compared with simulations of the solar wind. Results. We find that the unusual behavior of the plasma around 67P is of solar wind origin and is caused by the impact of an interplanetary coronal mass ejection, combined with a corotating interaction region. This causes the magnetic field to pile up and increase by a factor of six to about 300 nT compared to normal values of the enhanced magnetic field at a comet. This increase is only partially accompanied by an increase in plasma density and energy, indicating that the magnetic field is connected to different regions of the coma.

Electronic Structure-Dependent Surface Plasmon Resonance in Single Au-Fe Nanoalloys.

The relationship between composition and plasmonic properties in noble metal nanoalloys is still largely unexplored. Yet, nanoalloys of noble metals, such as gold, with transition elements, such as iron, have unique properties and a number of potential applications, ranging from nanomedicine to magneto-plasmonics and plasmon-enhanced catalysis. Here, we investigate the localized surface plasmon resonance at the level of the single Au-Fe nanoparticle by applying a strategy that combines experimental measurements using near field electron energy loss spectroscopy with theoretical studies via a full wave numerical analysis and density functional theory calculations of electronic structure. We show that, as the iron fraction increases, the plasmon resonance is blue-shifted and significantly damped, as a consequence of the changes in the electronic band structure of the alloy. This allows the identification of three relevant phenomena to be considered in the design and realization of any plasmonic nanoalloy, specifically: the appearance of new states around the Fermi level; the change in the free electron density of the metal; and the blue shift of interband transitions. Overall, this study provides new opportunities for the control of the optical response in Au-Fe and other plasmonic nanoalloys, which are useful for the realization of magneto-plasmonic devices for molecular sensing, thermo-plasmonics, bioimaging, photocatalysis, and the amplification of spectroscopic signals by local field enhancement.

Electron emission characteristics of wet spun carbon nanotube fibers

Wet spun carbon nanotube fibers were characterized using both field emission and electron energy distribution measurements. Fowler-Nordheim analysis of the field emission results showed that the carbon fibers demonstrated a large effective emission area, 2 x 10-12 m2, which resulted in a reduced brightness of 1.84 x 1010 A/m2/sr/V. By considering the emission and number of carbon nanotube emitters it can be shown that the brightness is consistent with previous reports for single nanotube emitters. Additionally, using the effective emission area determined from the Fowler-Nordheim analysis an emittance value around 0.70 μm was found. These characteristics are useful metrics in determining the applicability of using wet spun carbon nanotube fibers for field emission devices.

Halloysite nanotubes-carbon dots hybrids multifunctional nanocarrier with positive cell target ability as a potential non-viral vector for oral gene therapy

HypothesisThe use of non-viral vectors for gene therapy is hindered by their lower transfection efficiency and their lacking of self-track ability. ExperimentsThis study aims to investigate the biological properties of halloysite nanotubes-carbon dots hybrid and its potential use as non-viral vector for oral gene therapy. The morphology and the chemical composition of the halloysite hybrid were investigated by means of high angle annular dark field scanning TEM and electron energy loss spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The cytotoxicity and the antioxidant activity were investigated by standard methods (MTS, DPPH and H2O2, respectively) using human cervical cancer HeLa cells as model. Studies of cellular uptake were carried out by fluorescence microscopy. Finally, we investigated the loading and release ability of the hybrid versus calf thymus DNA by fluorescence microscopy, circular dichroism, dynamic light scattering and ζ-potential measurements. FindingsAll investigations performed confirmed the existence of strong electrostatic interactions between the DNA and the halloysite hybrid, so it shows promise as a multi-functional cationic non-viral vector that has also possesses intracellular tracking capability and promising in vitro antioxidant potential.

Direct patterned growth of intrinsic/doped vertical graphene nanosheets on stainless steel via heating solid precursor films for field emission application

Vertical graphene nanosheets (VGNs), normally consisting of one to several graphene layers vertically aligned on substrates, are promising in a variety of applications including field electron emitters, gas sensors and energy storage devices. Herein, we report a simple, green, easily scalable and cost-effective strategy of growing both intrinsic and nitrogen (N)-doped VGNs on stainless steel (SS) just by heating the solid thin layers of glucose and/or urea in a resistance-heating furnace. It is interesting that VGNs mainly grow on the roughened regions, which can be attributed to the more nucleation and catalyzing sites on such regions than smooth SS. Meanwhile, the N doping concentration can be adjusted by varying the urea addition. Field electron emission measurement indicates that the obtained N-doped VGNs exhibit excellent field emission with a relatively low turn-on electric field strength (~2.6 V μm−1 at the current density of 10 μA cm−2), large field enhancement factor (~9428) and high stability.

Effects of magnetic wiggler field and chirped laser pulse on the wakefield amplitude and electron energy gain in a wiggler-assisted laser wakefield accelerator

Wakefield generation and GeV electron acceleration in a plasma medium by an ultra-short and intense chirped laser pulse in the presence of a magnetic wiggler field are presented. To increase the wakefield amplitude and to maximize the acceleration gradient, we employ a helical magnetostatic wiggler. An analytical theory of wakefield generation and electron energy gain has been presented which includes the effects of the wiggler field. It was found that the wakefield spectrum and electron energy gain in the wiggler-assisted wakefield accelerator can be increased significantly compared to the non-wiggler situation ones. Numerical simulations reveal that for moderate wiggler magnetic field strengths, wakefield amplitude and electron energy gain have significant peaks in bubble-like structures. Besides, when the wiggler wavelength is clearly larger than the plasma wavelength, the wakefield amplitude and electron energy gain significantly enhance. In addition, it was found that the electron bunches can be enhanced by increasing the wiggler field strength or wiggler wavelength. The effect of the laser chirp parameter on wakefield and electron energy gain have also been investigated. It was concluded that in a wiggler-assisted laser wakefield accelerator, the electron energy and wakefield evolution can be tuned by the wiggler field strength, wiggler wavelength, and laser chirp parameter. This concept opens a path toward new generation of plasma accelerators based on wiggler structures.

Confinement of an Electron in an Image Potential and an External Electrostatic Field

The quasi-classical approximation is used to determine the positions of the classical turning points upon motion of an electron that is bound by an image field and a constant homogeneous electric field of the same direction. Power expansions of the coordinates of the turning points in a wide range of electron energies and field strengths are obtained. The mechanism of one-dimensional confinement of an electron, which determines a completely discrete spectrum of states, is described. The dependence of the spatial width of the confinement region on the field strength and electron energy is determined. The dependences of the electron energy in different states on the external field strength are calculated numerically. Quasi-classical quantization is performed, and the dependence of the electron energy on the width of the confinement region is determined. The energy interval of a maximum density of electron states is found, which is determined by the dependence of the width of the confinement region on the electric field strength.