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Metal Films (metal + film)
Selected AbstractsSurface Electromigration Patterns in a Confined Adsorbed Metal Film: Ga on GaNCHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 12 2002Alexei Barinov Dr. Abstract The mass transport of gallium adatoms in a confined gallium bilayer on GaN(0001) is studied with photoelectron spectromicroscopy with the goal to identify the diffusing species and their lateral distribution during directional surface electromigration and/or "random" thermal diffusion. It has been found that only the gallium atoms from the second layer undergo biased diffusion involving formation of three-dimensional islands. The development of different gallium concentration patterns is described by means of a general model, considering the presence of vacancies and trapping centres for the diffusing atoms. [source] IR spectroscopy of adsorbates on ultrathin metal filmsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 13 2005Annemarie Pucci Abstract Metal films with thickness in the nanometer range are optically transparent. With IR transmittance spectroscopy the in-plane film conductivity with its correlation to the film-growth process can be studied without electrical contacts and, on metal-island films, adsorbate vibrations can be observed because of surface enhanced IR absorption (SEIRA). Their analysis enables insight into the adsorbate-metal bonding and therefore gives information on the available adsorption sites and the crystalline facets correlated to. As in IR reflection absorption spectra dipole,dipole interaction of molecules on different sites modifies the vibration lines according to the degree of disorder ("atomic roughness"). Depending on that roughness IR spectra of adsorbate vibrations may be further modified because of their interaction with electronic excitations of the film. So, the limited facet size on cold-condensed metal films leads to additional IR activity: Raman lines of certain centrosymmetric adsorbate molecules (C2H4) are observed. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Direct electrochemical detection of glucose in human plasma on capillary electrophoresis microchipsELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 21-22 2004Yan Du Abstract We developed an electrochemical detector on a hybrid chip for the determination of glucose in human plasma. The microchip system described in this paper consists of a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) layer containing separation and injection channels and an electrode plate. The copper microelectrode is fabricated by selective electroless deposition. The fabrication of the decoupler is performed by platinum electrochemical deposition on the metal film formed by electroless deposition. Factors influencing the performance, including detection potential, separation field strength, and buffer concentration, were studied. The electrodes exhibited good stability and durability in the analytical procedures. Under optimized detection conditions, glucose responded linearly from 10 ,M to 1 mM. Finally, glucose in human plasma from three healthy individuals and two diabetics was successfully determined, giving a good prospect for a new clinical diagnostic instrument. [source] Fabrication of Sub-10,nm Metallic Lines of Low Line-Width Roughness by Hydrogen Reduction of Patterned Metal,Organic Materials,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 14 2010Mihaela Nedelcu Abstract The fabrication of very narrow metal lines by the lift-off technique, especially below sub-10,nm, is challenging due to thinner resist requirements in order to achieve the lithographic resolution. At such small length scales, when the grain size becomes comparable with the line-width, the built-in stress in the metal film can cause a break to occur at a grain boundary. Moreover, the line-width roughness (LWR) from the patterned resist can result in deposited metal lines with a very high LWR, leading to an adverse change in device characteristics. Here a new approach that is not based on the lift-off technique but rather on low temperature hydrogen reduction of electron-beam patterned metal naphthenates is demonstrated. This not only enables the fabrication of sub-10,nm metal lines of good integrity, but also of low LWR, below the limit of 3.2,nm discussed in the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors. Using this method, sub-10,nm nickel wires are obtained by reducing patterned nickel naphthenate lines in a hydrogen-rich atmosphere at 500,°C for 1,h. The LWR (i.e., 3 ,LWR) of these nickel nanolines was found to be 2.9,nm. The technique is general and is likely to be suitable for fabrication of nanostructures of most commonly used metals (and their alloys), such as iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, tungsten, molybdenum, and so on, from their respective metal,organic compounds. [source] Highly Stable Au Nanoparticles with Tunable Spacing and Their Potential Application in Surface Plasmon Resonance BiosensorsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 1 2010Shuyan Gao Abstract Colloidal Au-amplified surface plasmon resonance (SPR), like traditional SPR, is typically used to detect binding events on a thin noble metal film. The two major concerns in developing colloidal Au-amplified SPR lie in 1) the instability, manifested as a change in morphology following immersion in organic solvents and aqueous solutions, and 2) the uncontrollable interparticle distance, determining probe spacing and inducing steric hindrance between neighboring probe molecules. This may introduce uncertainties into such detecting techniques, degrade the sensitivity, and become the barricade hampering colloidal Au-based transducers from applications in sensing. In this paper, colloidal Au-amplified SPR transducers are produced by using ultrathin Au/Al2O3 nanocomposite films via a radio frequency magnetron co-sputtering method. Deposited Au/Al2O3 nanocomposite films exhibit superior stability, and average interparticle distances between Au nanoparticles with similar average sizes can be tuned by changing surface coverage. These characteristics are ascribed to the spacer function and rim confinement of dielectric Al2O3 and highlight their advantages for application in optimal nanoparticle-amplified SPR, especially when the probe size is smaller than the target molecule size. This importance is demonstrated here for the binding of protein (streptavidin) targets to the probe (biotin) surface. In this case, the dielectric matrix Al2O3 is a main contributor, behaving as a spacer, tuning the concentration of Au nanoparticles, and manipulating the average interparticle distance, and thus guaranteeing an appropriate number of biotin molecules and expected near-field coupling to obtain optimal sensing performance. [source] Shrink-Induced Nanowrinkles: Tunable Nanowrinkles on Shape Memory Polymer Sheets (Adv. Mater.ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 44 200944/2009) By leveraging the mismatch in stiffness between a stiff thin metal film and heat-induced shrinkage of prestressed polystyrene sheets, Michelle Khine and co-workers can rapidly and controllably create tunable nanowrinkles of various sizes and shapes for surface-enhanced sensing applications, as reported on p. 4472. Because the wrinkles are robustly embedded into the plastic, nanostructures can be integrated into microfluidic channels within minutes. Cover design by Libre Design. [source] Peculiarities of Electrochemical Bismuth Film Formation in the Presence of Bromide and Heavy Metal IonsELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 15 2009Giedr, Grincien Abstract Bi films were deposited on glassy carbon electrode from solutions with and without KBr. The morphology of both types of the films was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their electrochemical behavior was studied by square wave (SWV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Bi films were also co-deposited with common analyte-heavy-metals in the presence of KBr and these films also were characterized by SEM, SWV and CV in order to understand the formation of the mixed metal films. All films studied had a different morphology. Bromide addition made the Bi films more compact and uniform, whereas Pb catalyzed Bi film deposition. [source] Tuning the Composition and Nanostructure of Pt/Ir Films via Anodized Aluminum Oxide Templated Atomic Layer DepositionADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2010David J. Comstock Abstract Nanostructured metal films have been widely studied for their roles in sensing, catalysis, and energy storage. In this work, the synthesis of compositionally controlled and nanostructured Pt/Ir films by atomic layer deposition (ALD) into porous anodized aluminum oxide templates is demonstrated. Templated ALD provides advantages over alternative synthesis techniques, including improved film uniformity and conformality as well as atomic-scale control over morphology and composition. Nanostructured Pt ALD films are demonstrated with morphological control provided by the Pt precursor exposure time and the number of ALD cycles. With these approaches, Pt films with enhanced surface areas, as characterized by roughness factors as large as 310, are reproducibly synthesized. Additionally, nanostructured PtIr alloy films of controlled composition and morphology are demonstrated by templated ALD, with compositions varying systematically from pure Pt to pure Ir. Lastly, the application of nanostructured Pt films to electrochemical sensing applications is demonstrated by the non-enzymatic sensing of glucose. [source] Tuning the Composition and Nanostructure of Pt/Ir Films via Anodized Aluminum Oxide Templated Atomic Layer DepositionADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2010David J. Comstock Abstract Nanostructured metal films have been widely studied for their roles in sensing, catalysis, and energy storage. In this work, the synthesis of compositionally controlled and nanostructured Pt/Ir films by atomic layer deposition (ALD) into porous anodized aluminum oxide templates is demonstrated. Templated ALD provides advantages over alternative synthesis techniques, including improved film uniformity and conformality as well as atomic-scale control over morphology and composition. Nanostructured Pt ALD films are demonstrated with morphological control provided by the Pt precursor exposure time and the number of ALD cycles. With these approaches, Pt films with enhanced surface areas, as characterized by roughness factors as large as 310, are reproducibly synthesized. Additionally, nanostructured PtIr alloy films of controlled composition and morphology are demonstrated by templated ALD, with compositions varying systematically from pure Pt to pure Ir. Lastly, the application of nanostructured Pt films to electrochemical sensing applications is demonstrated by the non-enzymatic sensing of glucose. [source] Nanosized Glass Frit as an Adhesion Promoter for Ink-Jet Printed Conductive Patterns on Glass Substrates Annealed at High Temperatures,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 19 2008Daehwan Jang Abstract Ink-jet printed metal nanoparticle films have been shown to anneal at high temperatures (above 500,°C) to highly conductive metal films on glass or ceramic substrates, but they suffer from cracking and inadequate substrate adhesion. Here, we report printable conductive materials, with added nanosized glass frit that can be annealed at 500,°C to form a crack-free dense microstructure that adheres well to glass substrates. This overcomes the previous challenges while still retaining the desired high film conductivity. Controlling the particle characteristics and dispersion behavior plays an important role in successfully incorporating the glass frit into the conductive inks. [source] Selective Patterned Growth of Single-Crystal Ag,TCNQ Nanowires for Devices by Vapor,Solid Chemical Reaction,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 19 2008Kai Xiao Abstract We report the deterministic growth of individual single-crystal organic semiconductor nanowires of silver,tetracyanoquinodimethane (Ag,TCNQ) with high yield (>90%) by a vapor,solid chemical reaction process. Ag,metal films or patterned dots deposited onto substrates serve as chemical reaction centers and are completely consumed during the growth of the individual or multiple nanowires. Selective-area electron diffraction (SAED) revealed that the Ag,TCNQ nanowires grow preferentially along the strong ,,, stacking direction of Ag,TCNQ molecules. The vapor,solid chemical reaction process described here permits the growth of organic nanowires at lower temperatures than chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of inorganic nanowires. The single-crystal Ag,TCNQ nanowires are shown to act as memory switches with high on/off ratios, making them potentially useful in optical storage, ultrahigh-density nanoscale memory, and logic devices. [source] High Definition Digital Fabrication of Active Organic Devices by Molecular Jet Printing,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 15 2007J. Chen Abstract We introduce a high resolution molecular jet (MoJet) printing technique for vacuum deposition of evaporated thin films and apply it to fabrication of 30,,m pixelated (800,ppi) molecular organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) based on aluminum tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) (Alq3) and fabrication of narrow channel (15,,m) organic field effect transistors (OFETs) with pentacene channel and silver contacts. Patterned printing of both organic and metal films is demonstrated, with the operating properties of MoJet-printed OLEDs and OFETs shown to be comparable to the performance of devices fabricated by conventional evaporative deposition through a metal stencil. We show that the MoJet printing technique is reconfigurable for digital fabrication of arbitrary patterns with multiple material sets and high print accuracy (of better than 5,,m), and scalable to fabrication on large area substrates. Analogous to the concept of "drop-on-demand" in Inkjet printing technology, MoJet printing is a "flux-on-demand" process and we show it capable of fabricating multi-layer stacked film structures, as needed for engineered organic devices. [source] Freestanding Three-Dimensional Copper Foils Prepared by Electroless Deposition on Micropatterned Gels,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 6 2005K. Smoukov Metal foils of complex, three-dimensional topographies are prepared by electroless deposition on surfaces of micropatterned hydrogel supports (see Figure). The foils can either be freestanding or supported by a photocurable polymer. It is possible to selectively metallize different portions of the micropattern embossed on the gel surface, and thus to prepare either continuous or membrane-like metal films. [source] How light gets through periodically nanostructured metal films: a role of surface polaritonic crystalsJOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY, Issue 3 2003A. V. Zayats Summary The physical origin of the enhanced optical transmission of periodically structured films related to surface plasmon polaritons is discussed from first principles. The enhancement of transmission through smooth, randomly rough and periodically nanostructured films is considered. Analysis shows that any metal (or dielectric) nanostructured film can exhibit enhanced transmission in certain spectral ranges corresponding to surface plasmon (or phonon) polariton Bloch mode states on a periodic structure. Resonant tunnelling via these states is responsible for the transmission enhancement. The properties of surface polaritonic crystals are analogous to those of photonic crystals and can find numerous applications for scaling down optical devices to nanometric dimensions as well as for designing novel nanostructured materials whose optical properties are determined by surface polariton interaction in a periodic structure. [source] Femtosecond electron diffraction: Direct probe of ultrafast structural dynamics in metal filmsMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 3 2009Shouhua Nie Abstract Femtosecond electron diffraction is a rapidly advancing technique that holds a great promise for studying ultrafast structural dynamics in phase transitions, chemical reactions, and function of biological molecules at the atomic time and length scales. In this paper, we summarize our development of a tabletop femtosecond electron diffractometer. Using a delicate instrument design and careful experimental configurations, we demonstrate the unprecedented capability of detecting submilli-ångström lattice spacing change on a subpicosecond timescale with this new technique. We have conducted an in-depth investigation of ultrafast coherent phonon dynamics induced by an impulsive optical excitation in thin-film metals. By probing both coherent acoustic and random thermal lattice motions simultaneously in real time, we have provided the first and unambiguous experimental evidence that the pressure of hot electrons contributes significantly to the generation of coherent acoustic phonons under nonequilibrium conditions when electrons and phonons are not thermalized. Based on these observations, we also propose an innovative approach to measure the electronic Grüneisen parameter in magnetic materials at and above room temperature, which provides a way to gain new insights into electronic thermal expansion in ferromagnetic transition metals. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Plasmonic modes of gold nano-particle arrays on thin gold filmsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI - RAPID RESEARCH LETTERS, Issue 10 2010A. Hohenau Abstract Regular arrays of metal nanoparticles on metal films have tuneable optical resonances that can be applied for surface enhanced Raman scattering or biosensing. With the aim of developing more surface selective geometries we investigate regular gold nanoparticle arrays on 25 nm thick gold films, which allow to excite asymmetric surface plasmon modes featuring a much better field confinement compared to the symmetric modes used in conventional surface plasmon resonance setups. By optical extinction spectroscopy we identify the plasmonic modes sustained by our structures. Furthermore, the role of thermal treatment of the metal structures is investigated, revealing the role of modifications in the crystalline structure of gold on the optical properties. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Second harmonic generation spectroscopy on Si surfaces and interfacesPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 8 2010Kjeld Pedersen Abstract Optical second harmonic generation (SHG) spectroscopy studies of Si(111) surfaces and interfaces are reviewed for two types of systems: (1) clean 7,×,7 and -Ag reconstructed surfaces prepared under ultra-high vacuum conditions where surface states are excited and (2) interfaces in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structures and thin metal films on Si surfaces where several interfaces contribute to the SHG. In all the systems resonances are seen at interband transitions near the bulk critical points E1 and E2. On the clean surfaces a number of resonances appear below the onset of bulk-like interband transitions that can be referred to excitations of dangling bond surface states. Adsorption of oxygen leads to formation of a new surface resonance. Such resonances appearing in the region between the bulk critical points E1 and E2 are also shown to be important for Si/oxide interfaces in SOI structures. Finally, examples of spectroscopy on layers buried below thin Ag and Au films are given. [source] IR spectroscopy of adsorbates on ultrathin metal filmsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 13 2005Annemarie Pucci Abstract Metal films with thickness in the nanometer range are optically transparent. With IR transmittance spectroscopy the in-plane film conductivity with its correlation to the film-growth process can be studied without electrical contacts and, on metal-island films, adsorbate vibrations can be observed because of surface enhanced IR absorption (SEIRA). Their analysis enables insight into the adsorbate-metal bonding and therefore gives information on the available adsorption sites and the crystalline facets correlated to. As in IR reflection absorption spectra dipole,dipole interaction of molecules on different sites modifies the vibration lines according to the degree of disorder ("atomic roughness"). Depending on that roughness IR spectra of adsorbate vibrations may be further modified because of their interaction with electronic excitations of the film. So, the limited facet size on cold-condensed metal films leads to additional IR activity: Raman lines of certain centrosymmetric adsorbate molecules (C2H4) are observed. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Metal Ion Implantation for the Fabrication of Stretchable Electrodes on ElastomersADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 3 2009Samuel Rosset Abstract Here, the use of low-energy metal ion implantation by filtered cathodic vacuum arc to create highly deformable electrodes on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes is reported. Implantation leads to the creation of nanometer-size clusters in the first 50,nm below the surface. When the elastomer is stretched, these small clusters can move relative to one another, maintaining electrical conduction at strains of up to 175%. Sheet resistance versus ion dose, resistance versus strain, time stability of the resistance, and the impact of implantation on the elastomer's Young's modulus are investigated for gold, palladium, and titanium implantations. Of the three tested metals, gold has the best performance, combining low and stable surface resistance, very high strain capabilities before loss of electrical conduction, and low impact on the Young's modulus of the PDMS membrane. These electrodes are cyclically strained to 30% for more than 105 cycles and remain conductive. In contrast, sputtered or evaporate metals films cease to conduct at strains of order 3%. Additionally, metal ion implantation allows for creating semi-transparent electrodes. The optical transmission through 25-µm-thick PDMS membranes decreases from 90% to 60% for Pd implantations at doses used to make stretchable electrodes. The implantation technique presented here allows the rapid production of reliable stretchable electrodes for a number of applications, including dielectric elastomer actuators and foldable or rollable electronics. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||