Abstract: We consider a classical system of two-dimensional (2D) charged particles, interacting through a repulsive Yukawa potential exp(-r/λ)/r, and confined in a parabolic channel that limits the motion of the particles in the y direction. Along the x direction, the particles are subject to a periodic potential. The ground-state configurations and the normal-mode spectra of the system are obtained as a function of the periodicity and strength of the periodic potential (V0) and density. An interesting set of tunable ground-state configurations are found, with first- or second-order structural transitions between them. A configuration with particles aligned, perpendicular to the x direction, in each minimum of the periodic potential is obtained for V0 larger than some critical value that has a power-law dependence on the density. The phonon spectrum of different configurations was also calculated. A localization of the modes into a small frequency interval is observed for sufficiently large strength of the periodic potential, and a tunable gap in the phonon spectrum is found as a function of V0.

Abstract: Zeogrids and Zeotiles are hierarchical materials built from assembled MFI zeolite precursor units. Permanent secondary porosity in these materials is obtained through self assembly of nanoparticles encountered in MFI zeolite synthesis in the presence of supramolecular templates. Hereon, the aggregated species are termed nanoslabs. Zeogrids are layered materials with lateral spacings between nanoslabs creating galleries qualifying as supermicropores. Zeotiles present a diversity of tridimensional nanoslab assemblies with mesopores. Zeotile-1, -4 and -6 are hexagonal mesostructures. Zeotile-1 has triangular and hexagonal channels; Zeotile-4 has hexagonal channels interconnected via slits. Zeotile-2 has a cubic structure with gyroid type mesoporosity. The behavior of Zeogrids and Zeotiles in adsorption, membrane and chromatographic separation and catalysis has been characterized and compared with zeolites and mesoporous materials derived from unstructured silica sources. Shape selectivity was detected via adsorption of n- and iso-alkanes. The mesoporosity of Zeotiles can be exploited in chromatographic separation of biomolecules. Zeotiles present attractive separation properties relevant to CO2 sequestration. Because of its facile synthesis procedure without hydrothermal steps Zeogrid is convenient for membrane synthesis. The performance of Zeogrid membrane in gas separation, nanofiltration and pervaporation is reported. In the Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime Zeogrids and Zeotiles display a catalytic activity characteristic of silicalite-1 zeolites. Introduction of acidity and redox catalytic activity can be achieved via incorporation of Al and Ti atoms in the nanoslabs during synthesis. Zeogrids are active in hydrocracking, catalytic cracking, alkylation and epoxidation reactions. Zeogrids and Zeotiles often behave differently from ordered mesoporous materials as well as from zeolites and present a valuable extension of the family of hierarchical silicate based materials.

Abstract: Relying on combined electron-beam lithography and lift-off methods Au/Ti bilayer electrical contacts were attached to individual ZnO nanowires (NWs) that were grown by a vapor phase deposition method. Reliable Schottky-type as well as ohmic contacts were obtained depending on whether or not an ion milling process was used. The response of the ZnO NWs to ultraviolet light was found to be sensitive to the type of contacts. The intrinsic electronic properties of the ZnO NWs were studied in a field-effect transistor configuration. The transfer characteristics, including gate threshold voltage, hysteresis and operational mode, were demonstrated to unexpectedly respond to visible light. The origin of this effect could be accounted for by the presence of point defects in the ZnO NWs.

Abstract: The large (bi)polaron is investigated for the case where the electron interacts with multiple LO-phonon branches. Explicit expressions for the groundstate energy and the effective mass are obtained within the Feynman polaron model approximation and they are applied to the material SrTiO3. The results of an effective LO-phonon branch approximation are compared with the results in which all LO-phonon branches are explicitly included. We show how the stability region for large bipolaron formation is enlarged when the electrons interact with multiple LO-phonon branches. The possible relevance of this result for the high-T(c) superconductors is pointed out.

Abstract: Elemental distribution maps are of great interest in the study of historical paintings, as they allow to investigate the pigment use of the artist, to image changes made in the painting during or after its creation and in some cases to reveal discarded paintings that were later over painted. Yet a method that allows to record such maps of a broad range of elements in a fast, non-destructive and in situ manner is not yet commonly available; a dedicated mobile scanning XRF instrument might fill this gap. In this paper we present three self-built scanning macro-XRF instruments, each based on the experience gained with its precursor. These instruments are compared in terms of sensitivity and limits of detection, which includes a discussion of the use of polycapillary optics and pinhole collimators as beam defining devices. Furthermore, the imaging capabilities of the instruments are demonstrated in three exemplary cases: (parts of) historical paintings from the 15th to the 19th century are examined. These cases illustrate the value of element specific distribution maps in the study of historical paintings and allow in the case of Vincent van Gogh's Patch of Grass a direct comparison between in situ and synchrotron based scanning macro-XRF.

Abstract: By applying an electric field perpendicular to a semiconductor quantum ring we show that it is possible to modify the single particle wave function between quantum dot (QD)-like and ring-like. The constraints on the geometrical parameters of the quantum ring to realize such a transition are derived. With such a perpendicular electric field we are able to tune the Aharanov-Bohm (AB) effect for both the single particle and for excitons. The tunability is in both the strength of the AB effect as well as in its periodicity. We also investigate the strain induce potential inside the self-assembled quantum ring and the effect of the strain on the AB effect.

Abstract: Within the Ginzburg-Landau theory, we study the vortex structures in three-dimensional anisotropic mesoscopic superconductors in the presence of a uniform magnetic field. Anisotropy is included through varied Tc in different layers of the sample and leads to distinct differences in the vortex states and their free energy. Several unconventional states are found, some comprising vortex clusters or exhibiting asymmetry. In a tilted magnetic field, we found second-order transitions between different vortex states, although vortex entry is generally a first-order transition in mesoscopic samples. In multilayered samples the kinked vortex strings are formed owing to the competing interactions of vortices with Meissner currents and the weak-link boundaries. The length and deformation of vortex fragments are determined solely by the inclination and strength of applied magnetic field, and this lock-in does not depend on the degree of anisotropy between the superconducting layers.

Abstract: Nanocrystalline Pd thin films containing coherent growth twin boundaries are deformed using on-chip nanomechanical testing. A large work-hardening capacity is measured. The origin of the observed behavior is unraveled using transmission electron microscopy and shows specific dislocations and twin boundaries interactions. The results indicate the potential for large strength and ductility balance enhancement in Pd films, as needed in membranes for H technologies.

Abstract: Being the working principle of a tunnel field-effect transistor, band-to-band tunneling is given a rigorous quantum mechanical treatment to incorporate confinement effects, multiple electron and hole valleys, and interactions with phonons. The model reveals that the strong band bending near the gate dielectric, required to create short tunnel paths, results in quantization of the energy bands. Comparison with semiclassical models reveals a big shift in the onset of tunneling. The effective mass difference of the distinct valleys is found to reduce the subthreshold swing steepness.

Abstract: In this review paper, an overview is given of different modelling efforts for plasmas used for the formation and growth of nanostructured materials. This includes both the plasma chemistry, providing information on the precursors for nanostructure formation, as well as the growth processes itself. We limit ourselves to carbon (and silicon) nanostructures. Examples of the plasma modelling comprise nanoparticle formation in silane and hydrocarbon plasmas, as well as the plasma chemistry giving rise to carbon nanostructure formation, such as (ultra)nanocrystalline diamond ((U)NCD) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The second part of the paper deals with the simulation of the (plasma-based) growth mechanisms of the same carbon nanostructures, i.e. (U)NCD and CNTs, both by mechanistic modelling and detailed atomistic simulations.

Abstract: Chemisorption of hydrogen on graphene is studied using atomistic simulations with the second generation of reactive empirical bond order Brenner inter-atomic potential. The lowest energy adsorption sites and the most important metastable sites are determined. The H concentration is varied from a single H atom, to clusters of H atoms up to full coverage. We found that when two or more H atoms are present, the most stable configurations of H chemisorption on a single graphene layer are ortho hydrogen pairs adsorbed on one side or on both sides of the graphene sheet. The latter has the highest hydrogen binding energy. The next stable configuration is the orthopara pair combination, and then para hydrogen pairs. The structural changes of graphene caused by chemisorbed hydrogen are discussed and are compared with existing experimental data and other theoretical calculations. The obtained results will be useful for nanoengineering of graphene by hydrogenation and for hydrogen storage.

Abstract: We investigate theoretically the transport properties of Dirac fermions on the surface of a three-dimensional topological insulator. Dirac electrons can be totally reflected in front of a magnetic/electric p-n junction. For a p-n-p structure, multiple total internal reflections at the interfaces result in the bound states in the channel, which behaves like an electronic waveguide. This p-n-p like structure exhibits spin and momentum filtering features and could be used as a spin and/or charge diode.

Abstract: The properties of hetero-nanocrystals (HNCs) depend strongly on the mutual arrangement of the nanoscale components. In this work we have investigated the structural and morphological evolution of colloidal PbSe/CdSe core/shell quantum dots upon annealing under vacuum. Prior to annealing the PbSe core has an approximately octahedral morphology with eight {111} facets, and the CdSe shell has zinc-blende crystal structure. Thermal annealing under vacuum at temperatures between 150 °C and 200 °C induces a structural and morphological reconstruction of the HNCs whereby the PbSe core and the CdSe shell are reorganized into two hemispheres joined by a common {111} Se plane. This thermally induced reconstruction leads to considerable changes in the optical properties of the colloidal PbSe/CdSe HNCs.

Abstract: The Pb2Fe2O5 compound with a layered intergrowth structure has been prepared by a solid-state reaction at 700 °C. The incommensurate compound crystallizes in a tetragonal system with a = 3.9037(2) Å, c = 3.9996(4) Å, and q = 0.1186(4)c*, or when treated as a commensurate approximant, a = 3.9047(2) Å, c = 36.000(3) Å, space group I4/mmm. The crystal structure of Pb2Fe2O5 was resolved from transmission electron microscopy data. Atomic coordinates and occupancies of the cation positions were estimated from high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy data. Direct visualization of the positions of the oxygen atoms was possible using annular bright-field scanning transmission electron microscopy. The structure can be represented as an intergrowth of perovskite blocks and partially disordered blocks with a structure similar to that of the Bi2O2 blocks in Aurivillius-type phases. The A-cation positions at the border of the perovskite block and the cation positions in the Aurivillius-type blocks are jointly occupied by Pb2+ and Fe3+ cations, resulting in a layer sequence along the c axis: PbOFeO2PbOFeO2Pb7/8Fe1/8O1xFe5/8Pb3/8O2Fe5/8Pb3/8. Upon heating, the layered Pb2Fe2O5 structure transforms into an anion-deficient perovskite modulated by periodically spaced crystallographic shear (CS) planes. Considering the layered Pb2Fe2O5 structure as a parent matrix for the nucleation and growth of CS planes allows an explanation of the specific microstructure observed for the CS structures in the PbFeO system.