Spectroscopy EELS Research Articles

SURFACE MODIFICATION OF CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION (CVD) DIAMOND FILM/SI(111) BY IMPLANTATION WITH Fe + B IONS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES

Surface Modification of Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Diamond Film/Si(111) by Implantation with Fe+B ions In Conjunction with their Magnetic Properties. Surfcace modification of CVD manufactured diamond films on Si(111) substrate has been performed by means of Fe+B ion implantation followed by Argon ion gas sputtering with acceleration energy 20 keV and ion dose 1x1015 and 1x1016 ions cm-2. Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM) imaging shows the formation of amorphous carbon layer on top of the diamond film with thickness ca. 100 nm on the implanted sample and ca. 20 nm on the sample without implantion. The morphology and magnetic property of the films surface were characterized by Atomic and Magnetic Force Microscopy (AFM/MFM). The Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy EELS analysis has revealed amount of Boron atoms distributed homogenously inside the carbon amorphous layer on both samples which is in close agreement to the result of Raman Spectroscopy showing the changes of the Raman spectrum due to implantation. The magnetic properties of the samples after Fe+B ion implantion were additionally investigated by means of Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). By increasing ion doses at constant energy 20 keV, the magnetoresistance property decreased from +45% on the sample implanted with dose 1x1015 to +8% on the sample implanted with dose 1x1016 ions cm-2.

Core level electron energy-loss spectra of minerals: pre-edge fine structures at the oxygen K -edge

In a recent paper entitled “Water in minerals detectable by electron energy-loss spectroscopy EELS” by R. Wirth, it has been claimed that OH–- and H2O-bearing minerals exhibit a characteristic peak in the ELNES spectra at about 528 eV prior to the onset of the O K-edge at 532 eV, which could be used for (semi-)quantitative determination of water- or OH-contents on a nanometer scale. It is shown here by parallel electron energy-loss spectroscopy (PEELS) recorded in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) that O K-pre-edge peaks with very high intensities may also exist in water-free compounds and minerals, in particular when they contain transition metals. These spectral features arise from covalent mixing of the metal and oxygen states, which introduces oxygen p character in unoccupied states of mainly metal character. The point is illustrated by the comparison of hematite (α-Fe2O3) and lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) O K-edge PEELS spectra which exhibit similar intensities of the pre-edge peak, despite of their grossly different OH– contents. As a consequence, the general validity of the method proposed by Wirth is questioned.

Water in minerals detectable by electron energy-loss spectroscopy EELS

Water in minerals detectable by electron energy-loss spectroscopy EELS

Water in minerals detectable by electron energy-loss spectroscopy EELS

Electron energy-loss spectroscopy EELS of the oxygen K edge of OH– containing minerals and minerals with molecular water reveals a peak at about 528 eV prior to the onset of the O-K edge at 532 eV. This peak is never observed in minerals without water or OH– groups. The intensity of the signal at 528 eV increases with increasing water content of the minerals. The peak at 528 eV is attributed to OH groups or water molecules. From the observations it is concluded that EELS provides a new method to determine the OH– or water content of minerals with a spatial resolution far beyond that of optical spectroscopy.