Abstract: The available synthesized silicene-like structures have been only realized on metallic substrates which are very different from the standalone buckled silicene, e. g., the Dirac cone of silicene is destroyed due to lattice distortion and the interaction with the substrate. Using graphene bilayer as a scaffold, a route is proposed to synthesize silicene with electronic properties decoupled from the substrate. The buckled hexagonal arrangement of silicene between the graphene layers is found to be very similar to the theoretically predicted standalone buckled silicene which is only very weakly van der Waals coupled to the graphene layers with a graphite-like interlayer distance of 3.42 angstrom and without any lattice distortion. We found that these stacked layers are stable well above room temperature. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.

Abstract: A Josephson phase shift can be induced in a Josephson junction by a strategically nearby pinned Abrikosov vortex (AV). For an asymmetric distribution of an imprinted phase along the junction (controlled by the position of the AV) such a simple system is capable of rectification of ac current in a broad and tunable frequency range. The resulting rectified voltage is a consequence of the directed motion of a Josephson antivortex which forms a pair with the AV when at local equilibrium. The proposed realization of the ratchet potential by an imprinted phase is more efficient than the asymmetric geometry of the junction itself, is easily realizable experimentally, and provides rectification even in the absence of an applied magnetic field.

Abstract: The time dependence of the resistance RAC of a La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 single crystal has been investigated in the vicinity of the metal-to-insulator transition temperature. We used local probe microscopy to show the existence, at room temperature, of coexisting clusters of micrometer size. Our analysis shows that relaxation effects can be described with a simple exponential contribution using a random resistor-network, based on phase separation between insulating and metallic domains. Our results clearly prove the existence of a percolation threshold over which no percolation path exists. Moreover, these results highlight the significant role of the remanent magnetization.

Abstract: We report bipolar resistive switching between the interfaces of manganite nanocolumns. La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 films were prepared on Al2O3 substrates, where the films grow in nanocolumns from the substrate to the surface. Conductive atomic force microscopy directly detects that the resistive switching is located at the boundaries of the grains. Furthermore, mesoscopic transport measurements reveal a tunnel magnetoresistance. In combination with the resistive switching, this leads to a total of four different resistive states.

Abstract: Lithium-rich oxides are a promising class of positive electrode materials for next generation lithium-ion batteries, and oxygen plays a prominent role during electrochemical cycling either by forming peroxo-like species and/or by irreversibly forming oxygen gas during first charge. Here, we present Li-Fe-Te-O materials which show a tremendous amount of oxygen gas release. This oxygen release accounts for nearly all the capacity during the first charge and results in vacancies as seen by transmission electron microscopy. There is no oxidation of either metal during charge but significant changes in their environments. These changes are particularly extreme for tellurium. XRD and neutron powder diffraction both show limited Changes during cycling and no appreciable change in lattice parameters. A density functional theory study of this material is performed and demonstrates that the holes created on some of the oxygen atoms upon oxidation are partially stabilized through the formation of shorter O-O bonds, i.e. (O-2)(n-) species which on further delithiation show a spontaneous O-2 de-coordination from the cationic network and migration to the now empty lithium layer. The rate limiting step during charge is undoubtedly the diffusion of oxygen either out along the lithium layer or via columns of oxygen atoms. (C) 2015 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The present study focuses on the role of mass removal mechanisms in ns-laser ablation. A copper sample is placed in argon, initially set at standard pressure and temperature. Calculations are performed for a 6 ns laser pulse with a wavelength of 532 nm and laser fluences up to 10 J/cm2. The transient behavior in and above the copper target is described by a hydrodynamic model. Transmission profiles and ablation depths are compared with experimental results and similar trends are found. Our calculations reveal an interesting self-inhibiting mechanism: volumetric mass removal in the supercritical region triggers plasma shielding and therefore stops proceeding. This self-limiting process indicates that volumetric mass removal does not necessarily result in large ablation depths.

Abstract: We present the design, construction, and performance of a low-temperature scanning Hall probe microscope with submicron lateral resolution and a large scanning range. The detachable microscope head is mounted on the cold flange of a commercial 3He-refrigerator (Oxford Instruments, Heliox VT-50) and operates between room temperature and 300 mK. It is fitted with a three-axis slip-stick nanopositioner that enables precise in situ adjustment of the probe location within a 6×6×7 mm3 space. The local magnetic induction at the sample surface is mapped with an easily changeable microfabricated Hall probe [typically GsAs/AlGaAs or AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs Hall sensors with integrated scanning tunnel microscopy (STM) tunneling tips] and can achieve minimum detectable fields 10 mG/Hz1/2. The Hall probe is brought into very close proximity to the sample surface by sensing and controlling tunnel currents at the integrated STM tip. The instrument is capable of simultaneous tunneling and Hall signal acquisition in surface-tracking mode. We illustrate the potential of the system with images of superconducting vortices at the surface of a Nb thin film down to 372 mK, and also of labyrinth magnetic-domain patterns of an yttrium iron garnet film captured at room temperature.

Abstract: The calculation of defect levels in semiconductors within a density functional theory approach suffers greatly from the band gap problem. We propose a band gap correction scheme that is based on the separation of energy differences in electron addition and relaxation energies. We show that it can predict defect levels with a reasonable accuracy, particularly in the case of defects with conduction band character, and yet is simple and computationally economical. We apply this method to ZnO doped with group III elements (Al, Ga, In). As expected from experiment, the results indicate that Zn substitutional doping is preferred over interstitial doping in Al, Ga, and In-doped ZnO, under both zinc-rich and oxygen-rich conditions. Further, all three dopants act as shallow donors, with the +1 charge state having the most advantageous formation energy. Also, doping effects on the electronic structure of ZnO are sufficiently mild so as to affect little the fundamental band gap and lowest conduction bands dispersion, which secures their n-type transparent conducting behavior. A comparison with the extrapolation method based on LDA+U calculations and with the HeydScuseriaErnzerhof hybrid functional (HSE) shows the reliability of the proposed scheme in predicting the thermodynamic transition levels in shallow donor systems.

Abstract: Single-chain elasticity of polyethylene at theta point up to 90% of stretching with respect to its contour length is computed by Monte Carlo simulation of an atomistic model in continuous space. The elasticity law together with the free-energy and the internal energy variations with stretching are found to be very well represented by the wormlike chain model up to 65% of the chain elongation, provided the persistence length is treated as a temperature-dependent parameter. Beyond this value of elongation simple ideal chain models are not able to describe the Monte Carlo data in a thermodynamic consistent way. This study reinforces the use of the wormlike chain model to interpret experimental data on the elasticity of synthetic polymers in the finite extensibility regime, provided the chain is not yet in its fully stretched regime. Specific solvent effects on the elasticity law and the partition between energetic and entropic contributions to single chain elasticity are investigated. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.