Abstract: We compare the magnetic properties of pure and oxidized Co nanoparticles embedded in an amorphous Al2O3 matrix. Nanoparticles with diameters of 2 or 3 nm were prepared by alternate pulsed laser deposition in high vacuum conditions, and some of them were exposed to O-2 after production and before being embedded. The nanoparticles are organized in layers, the effective edge-to-edge in-depth separation being 5 or 10 nm. The lower saturation magnetizations per Co atom for the samples containing oxidized nanoparticles provide evidence for the formation of antiferromagnetic CoO shells in the nanoparticles. None of the samples with Co/CoO nanoparticles show exchange bias, while vertical hysteresis loop shifts and enhanced coercivities (as compared to samples with pure Co nanoparticles) are observed. This constitutes evidence for the nanoparticles size being in all cases smaller than the critical size for exchange bias. The difference in coercivity versus temperature dependences for the samples with pure and oxidized Co nanoparticles shows that the exchange anisotropy in Co/CoO nanoparticles appears at temperatures lower than 50 K. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.

Abstract: Ptychography provides high dose efficiency images that can reveal light elements next to heavy atoms. However, despite ptychography having an otherwise single signed contrast transfer function, contrast reversals can occur when the projected potential becomes strong for both direct and iterative inversion ptychography methods. It has recently been shown that these reversals can often be counteracted in direct ptychography methods by adapting the focus. Here we provide an explanation of why the best contrast is often found with the probe focused to the middle of the sample. The phase contribution due to defocus at each sample slice above and below the central plane in this configuration effectively cancels out, which can prevent contrast reversals when dynamical scattering effects are not overly strong. In addition we show that the convergence angle can be an important consideration for removal of contrast reversals in relatively thin samples.

Abstract: By using density functional theory-based first-principles calculations, we investigate the structural, electronic, optical, and transport properties of pristine single-layer BC6N. Under different external actions and functionalization. Increasing the thickness of the structure results in a decrease of the band gap. Applying a perpendicular electric field decreases the band gap and a semiconductor-to-topological insulator transition is revealed. Uniaxial and biaxial strains of +8% result in a semiconductor-to-metal transition. Nanoribbons of BC6N having zigzag edge with even (odd) values of widths, become metal (semiconductor), while the armchair edge nanoribbons exhibit robust semiconducting behavior. In addition, we systematically investigate the effect of surface adatom and molecule, substitutional impurity and defect engineering on the electronic properties of single-layer BC6N and found transitions from metal to half-metal, to ferromagnetic metal, to dilute magnetic semiconductor, and even to spin-glass semiconductor. Furthermore we found that, topological defects including vacancies and Stone–Wales type, induce magnetism in single-layer BC6N.

Abstract: Electron ptychography provides highly sensitive, dose efficient phase images which can be corrected for aberrations after the data has been acquired. This is crucial when very precise quantification is required, such as with sensitivity to charge transfer due to bonding. Drift can now be essentially eliminated as a major impediment to focused probe ptychography, which benefits from the availability of easily interpretable simultaneous Z-contrast imaging. However challenges have remained when quantifying the ptychographic phases of atomic sites. The phase response of a single atom has a negative halo which can cause atoms to reduce in phase when brought closer together. When unaccounted for, as in integrating methods of quantification, this effect can completely obscure the effects of charge transfer. Here we provide a new method of quantification that overcomes this challenge, at least for 2D materials, and is robust to experimental parameters such as noise, sample tilt.

Abstract: Quantification of annular dark field (ADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images in terms
of composition or thickness often relies on probe-position integrated scattering cross sections (PPISCS). In
order to compare experimental PPISCS with theoretically predicted ones, expensive simulations are needed for
a given specimen, zone axis orientation, and a variety of microscope settings. The computation time of such
simulations can be in the order of hours using a single GPU card. ADF STEM simulations can be efficiently
parallelized using multiple GPUs, as the calculation of each pixel is independent of other pixels. However, most
research groups do not have the necessary hardware, and, in the best-case scenario, the simulation time will
only be reduced proportionally to the number of GPUs used. In this manuscript, we use a learning approach and
present a densely connected neural network that is able to perform real-time ADF STEM PPISCS predictions as
a function of atomic column thickness for most common face-centered cubic (fcc) crystals (i.e., Al, Cu, Pd, Ag,
Pt, Au and Pb) along [100] and [111] zone axis orientations, root-mean-square displacements, and microscope
parameters. The proposed architecture is parameter efficient and yields accurate predictions for the PPISCS
values for a wide range of input parameters that are commonly used for aberration-corrected transmission
electron microscopes.

Abstract: Epitaxial thin film heterostructures of high dielectric PbZr_1-xTi_xO₃ (PZT) and La_1-xA_xMnO₃ (A-divalent alkaline earth metals such as Sr (LSMO) and Ca (LCMO)) were grown on SrTiO₃ substrates and their structure, temperature dependence of electrical resistivity, and magnetization were investigated as a function of the thickness of the LSMO(LCMO) layer. The microstructures of the samples were analyzed by TEM. By applying an electric field across the PZT layer, we applied a ferrodistortive pressure on the manganite layer and studied the correlations between lattice distortion and electric transport and magnetic properties of the CMR materials.

Abstract: Quantitative structure determination is needed in order to study and understand nanomaterials at the atomic scale. Materials characterisation resulting in precise structural information is a crucial point to understand the structure–property relation of materials. Counting the number of atoms and retrieving the 3D atomic structure of nanoparticles plays an important role here. In this paper, an overview will be given of the atom-counting methodology and its applications over the past decade. The procedure to count the number of atoms will be discussed in detail and it will be shown how the performance of the method can be further improved. Furthermore, advances toward mixed element nanostructures, 3D atomic modelling based on the atom-counting results, and quantifying the nanoparticle dynamics will be highlighted.

Abstract: The current work, designed for the photoelectrochemical detection of DNA, evaluates light-responsive DNA probes carrying molecular photosensitizers generating singlet oxygen (1O2). We take advantage of their chromophore’s ability to produce 1O2 upon photoexcitation and subsequent photocurrent response. Type I, fluorescent and type II photosensitizers were studied using diode lasers at 406 nm blue, 532 nm green and 659 nm red lasers in the presensce and absence of a redox reporter, hydroquinone (HQ). Only type II photosensitizers (producing 1O2) resulted in a noticeable photocurrent in 1–4 nA range upon illumination, in particular, dissolved DNA probes labeled with chlorin e6 and erythrosine were found to give a well-detectable photocurrent response in the presence of HQ. Whereas, Type I photosensitizers and fluorescent chromophores generate negligible photocurrents (<0.15 nA). The analytical performance of the sensing system was evaluated using a magnetic beads-based DNA assay on disposable electrode platforms, with a focus to enhance the sensitivity and robustness of the technique in detecting complementary DNA targets. Amplified photocurrent responses in the range of 70–100 nA were obtained and detection limits of 17 pM and 10 pM were achieved using magnetic beads-captured chlorin e6 and erythrosine labeled DNA probes respectively. The presented novel photoelectrochemical detection can further be optimized and employed in applications for which enzymatic amplification such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is not applicable owing to their limitations and as an effective alternative to colorimetric detection when rapid detection of specific nucleic acid targets is required.

Abstract: We investigate the effect of opening and closing pathways on the dynamics of electron wave packets in semiconductor quantum rings with different geometries. Our analysis is based on the time evolution of an electron wave packet, within the effective-mass approximation. We demonstrate that opening an extra channel in the quantum ring does not necessarily improve the electron transmission and, depending on the extra channel width, may even reduce it, either due to enhancement of quantum scattering or due to interference. In the latter case, transmission reduction can be controlled through the Aharonov-Bohm phase of the wave function, via an applied magnetic field. It is also shown that, closing one of the channels of the quantum ring, system improves the transmission probability under specific conditions, an effect which is a quantum analog of the Braess paradox.

Abstract: In this letter, CMOS-compatible Ni/HfO2/TiN resistive random access memory stacks demonstrated attractive unipolar switching properties, showing >10(3) endurance and long retention at 150 degrees C. The Ni bottom electrode (BE) improved the switching yield over the NiSiPt BE. To better understand the unipolar forming mechanism, ab initio simulation and time of flight-secondary ion mass spectroscopy were utilized. Compared to the NiSiPt BE, Ni BE gives larger Ni diffusion in the HfO2 and lower formation enthalpy of Ni2+ species during electrical forming. Both the electrical and physical results supported a Ni-injection mechanism for the filament formation. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3695078]

Abstract: Superimposition of dual frequencies (DFs) is one of the methods used for controlling plasma distribution in an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source. The effects of a superimposed DF on the argon plasma characteristics have been investigated using a two-dimensional self-consistent fluid model. When both currents are fixed at 6A, the plasma density drops with decrease in one of the source frequencies due to less efficient heating and the plasma uniformity improves significantly. Moreover, for ICP operated with superimposed DFs (i.e., 4.52MHz/13.56MHz and 2.26MHz/13.56MHz), the current source exhibits the same period as the low frequency (LF) component, and the plasma density is higher than that obtained at a single frequency (i.e., 4.52 and 2.26MHz) with the same total current of 12A. However, at superimposed current frequencies of 6.78MHz/13.56MHz, the plasma density is lower than that obtained at a single frequency of 6.78MHz due to the weaker negative azimuthal electric field between two positive maxima during one period of 6.78MHz. When the superimposed DF ICP operates at 2.26 and 13.56MHz, the rapid oscillations of the induced electric field become weaker during one period of 2.26MHz as the current ratio of 2.26MHz/13.56MHz rises from 24A/7 A to 30A/1 A, and the plasma density drops with the current ratio due to weakened electron heating. The uniformity of plasma increases due to sufficient diffusion under the low-density condition.

Abstract: Water quality standards (WQS) set the legal definition for safe and desirable water. WQS impose regulatory concentration limits to act as a jurisdiction-specific legislative risk-management tool. Despite its importance in shaping a universal definition of safe, clean water, little information exists with respect to (dis)similarity of chemical WQS worldwide. Therefore, this paper compares chemical WQS for drinking and surface water matrices in eight jurisdictions representing a global geographic distribution: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, the region of Flanders in Belgium, the United States of America, and South Africa. The World Health Organization's list is used as a reference for drinking water standards. Sørensen–Dice indices (SDI) showed little qualitative similarity in the compounds that are regulated in drinking water (median SDI = 40%) and surface water (median SDI = 33%), indicating that the heterogeneity within a matrix is substantial at the level of the standard. Quantitative similarity for matching standards was higher than the qualitative per Kendall correlation (median = 0.73 and 0.58 for drinking water and surface water respectively), yet variance observed within standards remained inexplicably high for organic compounds. Variations in WQS were more pronounced for organic compounds. Most differences cannot be easily explained from a toxicological or risk-based point-of-view. Historical development, ease of measurement, and (toxicological) knowledge gaps on the risk of a vast number of organic compounds are theorized to be the drivers. Therefore, this study argues for a more tailored, risk-based approach in which standards incorporated into water safety plans are dynamically set for compounds that are persistent and could pose a risk for human health and/or aquatic ecosystems. Global variations in WQS should therefore not necessarily be avoided but rather globally harmonized with enough flexibility to ensure a global, up-to-date definition of safe and desirable water everywhere.

Abstract: Four dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D STEM) records the scattering of electrons in a material in great detail. The benefits offered by 4D STEM are substantial, with the wealth of data it provides facilitating for instance high precision, high electron dose efficiency phase imaging via centre of mass or ptychography based analysis. However the requirement for a 2D image of the scattering to be recorded at each probe position has long placed a severe bottleneck on the speed at which 4D STEM can be performed. Recent advances in camera technology have greatly reduced this bottleneck, with the detection efficiency of direct electron detectors being especially well suited to the technique. However even the fastest frame driven pixelated detectors still significantly limit the scan speed which can be used in 4D STEM, making the resulting data susceptible to drift and hampering its use for low dose beam sensitive applications. Here we report the development of the use of an event driven Timepix3 direct electron camera that allows us to overcome this bottleneck and achieve 4D STEM dwell times down to 100 ns; orders of magnitude faster than what has been possible with frame based readout. We characterize the detector for different acceleration voltages and show that the method is especially well suited for low dose imaging and promises rich datasets without compromising dwell time when compared to conventional STEM imaging.

Abstract: The highly energetic electrons in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) can alter or even completely destroy the structure of samples before sufficient information can be obtained. This is especially problematic in the case of zeolites, organic and biological materials. As this effect depends on both the electron beam and the sample and can involve multiple damage pathways, its study remained difficult and is plagued with irreproducibility issues, circumstantial evidence, rumors, and a general lack of solid data. Here we take on the experimental challenge to investigate the role of the STEM scan pattern on the damage behavior of a commercially available zeolite sample with the clear aim to make our observations as reproducible as possible. We make use of a freely programmable scan engine that gives full control over the tempospatial distribution of the electron probe on the sample and we use its flexibility to obtain multiple repeated experiments under identical conditions comparing the difference in beam damage between a conventional raster scan pattern and a newly proposed interleaved scan pattern that provides exactly the same dose and dose rate and visits exactly the same scan points. We observe a significant difference in beam damage for both patterns with up to 11 % reduction in damage (measured from mass loss). These observations demonstrate without doubt that electron dose, dose rate and acceleration voltage are not the only parameters affecting beam damage in (S)TEM experiments and invite the community to rethink beam damage as an unavoidable consequence of applied electron dose.

Abstract: A rotating cylindrical magnetron consists of a cylindrical tube, functioning as the cathode, which rotates around a stationary magnet assembly. In stationary mode, the cylindrical magnetron behaves similar to a planar magnetron with respect to the influence of reactive gas addition to the plasma. However, the transition from metallic mode to poisoned mode and vice versa depends on the rotation speed. An existing model has been modified to simulate the influence of target rotation on the well known hysteresis behavior during reactive magnetron sputtering. The model shows that the existing poisoning mechanisms, i.e., chemisorption, direct reactive ion implantation and knock on implantation, are insufficient to describe the poisoning behavior of the rotating target. A better description of the process is only possible by including the deposition of sputtered material on the target.