“Strain mapping for the silicon-on-insulator generation of semiconductor devices by high-angle annular dark field scanning electron transmission microscopy”. Cooper D, Le Royer C, Béché, A, Rouvière J-L, Applied Physics Letters 100, 233121 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4723572
Abstract: The strain in pMOS p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor devicesgrown on silicon-on-insulator substrates has been measured by using the geometrical phase analysis of high angle annular dark field scanning electron microscopy. We show that by using the latest generations of electron microscopes, the strain can now be quantitatively measured with a large field of view, a spatial resolution as low as 1 nm with a sensitivity as good as 0.15%. This technique is extremely flexible, provides both structural and strain information, and can be applied to all types of nanoscale materials both quickly and easily.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.411
DOI: 10.1063/1.4723572
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“Partially unzipped carbon nanotubes as magnetic field sensors”. Costamagna S, Schulz A, Covaci L, Peeters F, Applied physics letters 100, 232104 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4726039
Abstract: The conductance through graphene nanoribbons (GNR) connected to a partially unzipped carbon nanotube (CNT) is studied in the presence of an external magnetic field applied parallel to the long axis of the tube by means of non-equilibrium Green's function technique. We consider CNTs that are partially unzipped to form armchair-GNR/zigzag-CNT/armchair-GNR or zigzag-GNR/armchair-CNT/zigzag-GNR junctions. We find that the inclusion of a longitudinal magnetic field affects the electronic states only in the CNT region, leading to the suppression of the conductance at low energies. We demonstrate that both types of junctions can be used as magnetic field sensors. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4726039]
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.411
Times cited: 10
DOI: 10.1063/1.4726039
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“Quantum cascades in nano-engineered superconductors : geometrical, thermal and paramagnetic effects”. Chen Y, Shanenko AA, Croitoru MD, Peeters FM, Journal of physics : condensed matter 24, 265702 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/24/26/265702
Abstract: The effect of a parallel magnetic field on the orbital motion of electrons in high-quality superconducting nanowires resulting in a superconductor-to-normal transition which occurs through a cascade of jumps in the order parameter as a function of the magnetic field. Such cascades originate from the transverse size quantization that splits the conduction band into a series of subbands. Here, based on a numerical solution of the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations for a hollow nanocylinder, we investigate how the quantum-size cascades depend on the confining geometry, i.e., by changing the cylinder radius R and its thickness d we cover the range from the nanowire-like to the nanofilm-like regime. The cascades are shown to become much less pronounced when increasing R/d, i.e., when the nanofilm-like regime is approached. When the temperature is non-zero they are thermally smoothed. This includes the spin-magnetic-field interaction which reduces the critical (depairing) parallel magnetic field H-c,H-parallel to but does not have any qualitative effect on the quantum cascades. From our calculations it is seen that the paramagnetic limiting field H-par significantly exceeds H-c,H-parallel to even in extremely narrow nanocylinders, i.e., when R, d are down to a few nanometers, and H-c,H-parallel to is only about 10% larger when switching-off the spin-magnetic-field interaction in this case. Both characteristic fields, H-c,H-parallel to and H-par, exhibit pronounced quantum-size oscillations. We demonstrate that the quantum cascades and the quantum-size oscillations survive in the presence of surface roughness.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.649
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/24/26/265702
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“Vortex quantum tunneling versus thermal activation in ultrathin superconducting nanoislands”. Pogosov WV, Misko VR, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 224508 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.224508
Abstract: We consider two possible mechanisms for single-vortex fluctuative entry/exit through the surface barrier in ultrathin superconducting disk-shaped nanoislands made of Pb and consisting of just a few monoatomic layers, which can be fabricated using modern techniques. We estimate tunneling probabilities and establish criteria for the crossover between these two mechanisms depending on magnetic field and system sizes. For the case of vortex entry, quantum tunneling dominates on the major part of the temperature/flux phase diagram. For the case of vortex exit, thermal activation turns out to be more probable. This nontrivial result is due to the subtle balance between the barrier height and width, which determine rates of the thermal activation and quantum tunneling, respectively.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.224508
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“Groundwater remediation and the cost effectiveness of phytoremediation”. Compernolle T, Van Passel S, Weyens N, Vangronsveld J, Lebbe L, Thewys T, International Journal Of Phytoremediation 14, 861 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1080/15226514.2011.628879
Abstract: In 1999, phytoremediation was applied at the site of a Belgian car factory to contain two BTEX plumes. This case study evaluates the cost effectiveness of phytoremediation compared to other remediation options, applying a tailored approach for economic evaluation. Generally, when phytoremediation is addressed as being cost effective, the cost effectiveness is only determined on an average basis. This study however, demonstrates that an incremental analysis may provide a more nuanced conclusion. When the cost effectiveness is calculated on an average basis, in this particular case, the no containment strategy (natural attenuation) has the lowest cost per unit mass removed and hence, should be preferred. However, when the cost effectiveness is determined incrementally, no containment should only be preferred if the value of removing an extra gram of contaminant mass is lower than 320. Otherwise, a permeable reactive barrier should be adopted. A similar analysis is provided for the effect determined on the basis of remediation time. Phytoremediation is preferred compared to no containment if reaching the objective one year earlier is worth 7 000.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)
Impact Factor: 1.77
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2011.628879
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“Copper benzene tricarboxylate metal-organic framework with wide permanent mesopores stabilized by keggin polyoxometallate ions”. Wee LH, Wiktor C, Turner S, Vanderlinden W, Janssens N, Bajpe SR, Houthoofd K, Van Tendeloo G, De Feyter S, Kirschhock CEA, Martens JA;, Journal of the American Chemical Society 134, 10911 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1021/ja302089w
Abstract: Porous solids with organized multiple porosity are of scientific and technological importance for broadening the application range from traditional areas of catalysis and adsorption/separation to drug release and biomedical imaging. Synthesis of crystalline porous materials offering a network of uniform micro- and mesopores remains a major scientific challenge. One strategy is based on variation of synthesis parameters of microporous networks, such as, for example, zeolites or metal organic frameworks (MOFs). Here, we show the rational development of an hierarchical variant of the microporous cubic Cu-3(BTC)(2) (BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) HKUST-1 MOF having strictly repetitive S inn wide mesopores separated by uniform microporous walls in a single crystal structure. This new material coined COK-15 (COK = Centrum voor Oppervlaktechemie en Katalyse) was synthesized via a dual-templating approach. Stability was enhanced by Keggin type phosphotungstate (HPW) systematically occluded in the cavities constituting the walls between the mesopores.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 13.858
Times cited: 83
DOI: 10.1021/ja302089w
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“Exit wave reconstruction from focal series of HRTEM images, single crystal XRD and total energy studies on SbxWO3+y (x\sim0.11)”. Klingstedt M, Sundberg M, Eriksson L, Haigh S, Kirkland A, Grüner D, de Backer A, Van Aert S, Tarasaki O, Zeitschrift für Kristallographie 227, 341 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1524/zkri.2012.1517
Abstract: A new tungsten bronze in the SbWO system has been prepared in a solid state reaction from Sb2O3, WO3 and W metal powder. The average structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. SbxWO3+y (x ∼ 0.11) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pm21n (no. 31), a = 27.8135(9) Å, b = 7.3659(2) Å and c = 3.8672(1) Å. The structure belongs to the (n)-ITB class of intergrowth tungsten bronzes. It contains slabs of hexagonal channels formed by six WO6 octahedra. These slabs are separated by three layers of WO6 octahedra that are arranged in a WO3-type fashion. The WO6 octahedra share all vertices to build up a three-dimensional framework. The hexagonal channels are filled with Sb atoms to ∼80% and additional O atoms. The atoms are shifted out of the center of the channels. Exit-wave reconstruction of focal series of high resolution-transmission-electron-microscope (HRTEM) images combined with statistical paramäeter estimation techniques allowed to study local ordering in the channels. Sb atoms in neighbouring channels tend to be displaced in the same direction, which is in agreement with total energy calculations on ordered structure models, but the ratio of the occupation of the two possible Sb sites varies from channel to channel. The structure of SbxWO3+y exhibits pronounced local modulations.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.179
Times cited: 4
DOI: 10.1524/zkri.2012.1517
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“Energy-momentum dispersion relation of plasmarons in graphene”. Krstajić, PM, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 205454 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.205454
Abstract: The many-body correction to the band structure of a quasi-free-standing graphene layer is obtained within the Overhauser approach, where the electron-plasmon interaction is described as a field theoretical problem. We find that the Dirac-like spectrum is shifted by Delta E(k = 0), which is on the order of 50-150 meV, depending on the electron concentration n(e), and is in semiquantitative agreement with experimental data. The value of the Fermi velocity is renormalized by several percents and decreases with increasing electron concentration as found experimentally.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.205454
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“A holographic method to measure the source size broadening in STEM”. Verbeeck J, Béché, A, van den Broek W, Ultramicroscopy 120, 35 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultramic.2012.05.007
Abstract: Source size broadening is an important resolution limiting effect in modern STEM experiments. Here, we propose an alternative method to measure the source size broadening making use of a holographic biprism to create interference patterns in an empty Ronchigram. This allows us to measure the exact shape of the source size broadening with a much better sampling than previously possible. We find that the shape of the demagnified source deviates considerably from a Gaussian profile that is often assumed. We fit the profile with a linear combination of a Gaussian and a bivariate Cauchy distribution showing that even though the full width at half maximum is similar to previously reported measurements, the tails of the profile are considerable wider. This is of fundamental importance for quantitative comparison of STEM simulations with experiments as these tails make the image contrast dependent on the interatomic distance, an effect that cannot be reproduced by a single Gaussian profile of fixed width alone.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.843
Times cited: 29
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2012.05.007
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“Bilayer crystals of charged magnetic dipoles : structure and phonon spectrum”. Ramos IRO, Ferreira WP, Munarin FF, Farias GA, Peeters FM, Physical review : E : statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics 85, 051404 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.85.051404
Abstract: We study the structure and phonon spectrum of a two-dimensional bilayer system of classical charged dipoles oriented perpendicular to the plane of the layers for equal density in each layer. This system can be tuned through six different crystalline phases by changing the interlayer separation or the charge and/or dipole moment of the particle. The presence of the charge on the dipole particles is responsible for the nucleation of five staggered phases and a disordered phase which are not found in the magnetic dipole bilayer system. These extra phases are a consequence of the competition between the repulsive Coulomb and the attractive dipole interlayer interaction. We present the phase diagram and determine the order of the phase transitions. The phonon spectrum of the system was calculated within the harmonic approximation, and a nonmonotonic behavior of the phonon spectrum is found as a function of the effective strength of the interparticle interaction. The stability of the different phases is determined.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.366
Times cited: 8
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.85.051404
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“Electron-phonon bound state in graphene”. Badalyan SM, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 205453 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.205453
Abstract: The fine structure of the Dirac energy spectrum in graphene induced by electron-optical phonon coupling is investigated in the portion of the spectrum near the phonon emission threshold. The derived new dispersion equation in the immediate neighborhood below the threshold corresponds to an electron-phonon bound state. We find that the singular vertex corrections beyond perturbation theory strongly increase the electron-phonon binding energy scale. The predicted enhancement of the effective electron-phonon coupling can be measured using angle-resolved spectroscopy.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.205453
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“Laser microprobe mass spectrometry : 1 : basic principles and performance characteristics”. Denoyer E, Van Grieken R, Adams F, Ntausch DFS, Analytical chemistry 54, 26a (1982). http://doi.org/10.1021/AC00238A722
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1021/AC00238A722
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“Enhanced landfill mining in view of multiple resource recovery : a critical review”. Jones PT, Geysen D, Tielemans Y, Van Passel S, Pontikes Y, Blanpain B, Quaghebeur M, Hoekstra N, Journal Of Cleaner Production 55, 45 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2012.05.021
Abstract: In a circular economy material loops are closed by recycling of pre-consumer manufacturing scrap/residues, urban mining of End-of-Life products and landfill mining of historic (and future) urban waste streams. However, in the past landfill mining was not performed with a focus on resource recovery. This paper addresses this gap by introducing the concept of Enhanced Landfill Mining, defined as the safe conditioning, excavation and integrated valorization of landfilled waste streams as both materials and energy, using innovative transformation technologies and respecting the most stringent social and ecological criteria. The feasibility of ELFM is studied by synthesizing the research on the Closing the Circle project, the first ELFM project targeting the 18 million metric ton landfill in Houthalen-Helchteren in the East of Belgium. It is argued that Environmental Impact Assessments of ELFM projects should be wide in scope and time. Embedded in a broad resource management perspective, the worldwide potential of ELFM is highlighted, in terms of climate gains, materials and energy utilization, job creation and land reclamation. The potential is quantified for the EU-27 with its 150,000-500,000 landfills. However, for ELFM to reach its full potential, strategic policy decisions and tailored support systems, including combined incentives for material recycling, energy utilization and nature restoration, are required. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)
Impact Factor: 5.715
Times cited: 144
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2012.05.021
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“A high-order model for accurately simulating the size distribution of ultrafine particles in a traffic tunnel”. Vos PEJ, Nikolova I, Janssen S, Atmospheric environment : an international journal 59, 415 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.ATMOSENV.2012.05.011
Abstract: We present a computational model for simulating the dispersion of traffic emitted particulate matter inside a road tunnel, with an emphasis on the number concentration of ultrafine particles (UFP). The model primarily calculates the size distribution of the particle number concentration at each location inside the tunnel. The proposed model differs from existing models in the sense that it uses a continuous representation of the size distribution based upon the high-order finite element method and that it solves the governing equations using the state-of-the-art discontinuous Galerkin method. Next to the traditional transport processes, the model also implements the most important aerosol transformation processes such as coagulation, condensation and dry deposition. It is shown that based upon parametrisations found in literature, the process of condensation in a traffic tunnel cannot properly be modelled. Therefore, we present a correction factor that allows for a better parametrisation. The adequate performance of the model is demonstrated by both a verification study and a validation study. For the verification we show that the discretisation error converges consistently while for the validation we compare the modelled results with a suitable set of data from a UFP measurement campaign in a Taiwanese traffic tunnel. The model is shown to correctly simulate the observed behaviour and by applying a statistical model evaluation we demonstrate that the proposed model meets widely accepted air quality model acceptance criteria. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
DOI: 10.1016/J.ATMOSENV.2012.05.011
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“Effect of nonhomogenous dielectric background on the plasmon modes in graphene double-layer structures at finite temperatures”. Badalyan SM, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 195444 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.195444
Abstract: We have calculated the plasmon modes in graphene double layer structures at finite temperatures, taking into account the inhomogeneity of the dielectric background of the system. The effective dielectric function is obtained from the solution of the Poisson equation of a three-layer dielectric medium with graphene sheets located at the interfaces, separating the different materials. Due to the momentum dispersion of the effective dielectric function, the intra- and interlayer bare Coulomb interactions in the graphene double layer system acquires an additional momentum dependence-an effect that is of the order of the interlayer interaction itself. We show that the energies of the in-phase and out-of-phase plasmon modes are determined largely by different values of the spatially dependent effective dielectric function. The effect of the dielectric inhomogeneity increases with temperature, and even at high temperatures the energy shift induced by the dielectric inhomogeneity and temperature itself remains larger than the broadening of the plasmon energy dispersions due to the Landau damping. The obtained new features of the plasmon dispersions can be observed in frictional drag measurements and in inelastic light scattering and electron energy-loss spectroscopies.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 67
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.195444
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“Strain-engineered graphene through a nanostructured substrate : 1 : deformations”. Neek-Amal M, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 195445 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.195445
Abstract: Using atomistic simulations we investigate the morphological properties of graphene deposited on top of a nanostructured substrate. Sinusoidally corrugated surfaces, steps, elongated trenches, one-dimensional and cubic barriers, spherical bubbles, Gaussian bumps, and Gaussian depressions are considered as support structures for graphene. The graphene-substrate interaction is governed by van der Waals forces and the profile of the graphene layer is determined by minimizing the energy using molecular dynamics simulations. Based on the obtained optimum configurations, we found that (i) for graphene placed over sinusoidally corrugated substrates with corrugation wavelengths longer than 2 nm, the graphene sheet follows the substrate pattern while for supported graphene it is always suspended across the peaks of the substrate, (ii) the conformation of graphene to the substrate topography is enhanced when increasing the energy parameter in the van der Waals model, (iii) the adhesion of graphene into the trenches depends on the width of the trench and on the graphene's orientation, i. e., in contrast to a small-width (3 nm) nanoribbon with armchair edges, the one with zigzag edges follows the substrate profile, (iv) atomic-scale graphene follows a Gaussian bump substrate but not the substrate with a Gaussian depression, and (v) the adhesion energy due to van der Waals interaction varies in the range [0.1-0.4] J/m(2).
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 62
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.195445
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“Strain-engineered graphene through a nanostructured substrate : 2 : pseudomagnetic fields”. Neek-Amal M, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 195446 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.195446
Abstract: The strain-induced pseudomagnetic field in supported graphene deposited on top of a nanostructured substrate is investigated by using atomistic simulations. A step, an elongated trench, a one-dimensional barrier, a spherical bubble, a Gaussian bump, and a Gaussian depression are considered as support structures for graphene. From the obtained optimum configurations we found very strong induced pseudomagnetic fields which can reach up to similar to 1000 T due to the strain-induced deformations in the supported graphene. Different magnetic confinements with controllable geometries are found by tuning the pattern of the substrate. The resulting induced magnetic fields for graphene on top of a step, barrier, and trench are calculated. In contrast to the step and trench the middle part of graphene on top of a barrier has zero pseudomagnetic field. This study provides a theoretical background for designing magnetic structures in graphene by nanostructuring substrates. We found that altering the radial symmetry of the deformation changes the sixfold symmetry of the induced pseudomagnetic field.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 31
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.195446
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“The role of phase compatibility in martensite”. Salman OU, Finel A, Delville R, Schryvers D, Journal of applied physics
T2 –, 22nd International Symposium on Integrated Functionalities (ISIF), JUN 13-16, 2010, San Juan, PR 111, 103517 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4712629
Abstract: Shape memory alloys inherit their macroscopic properties from their mesoscale microstructure originated from the martensitic phase transformation. In a cubic to orthorhombic transition, a single variant of martensite can have a compatible (exact) interface with the austenite for some special lattice parameters in contrast to conventional austenite/twinned martensite interface with a transition layer. Experimentally, the phase compatibility results in a dramatic drop in thermal hysteresis and gives rise to very stable functional properties over cycling. Here, we investigate the microstructures observed in Ti50Ni50-xPdx alloys that undergo a cubic to orthorhombic martensitic transformation using a three-dimensional phase field approach. We will show that the simulation results are in very good agreement with transmission electron microscopy observations. However, the understanding of the drop in thermal hysteresis requires the coupling of phase transformation with plastic activity. We will discuss this point within the framework of thermoelasticity, which is a generic feature of the martensitic transformation. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4712629]
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.068
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1063/1.4712629
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“Mineral dust variability in central West Antarctica associated with ozone depletion”. Cataldo, Evangelista H, Simões JC, Godoi RHM, Simmonds I, Hollanda MH, Wainer I, Aquino FE, Van Grieken R, Atmospheric chemistry and physics discussions 12, 12685 (2012). http://doi.org/10.5194/ACPD-12-12685-2012
Abstract: Here we show that mineral dust retrieved from an ice core in the central West Antarctic sector, spanning the last five decades, provides evidence that northerly air mass incursions into Antarctica, tracked by dust microparticles, have slightly declined. This result contrasts with dust in ice core records reported in West/coastal Antarctica, which show significant increases to the present day. We attribute that difference, in part, to changes in the regional climate regime triggered by the ozone depletion and its consequences for the polar vortex intensity. The vortex maintains the Antarctic central region relatively isolated from mid-latitude air mass incursions with implications to the intensification of the Westerlies and to a persistent positive phase of the Southern Annular Mode. We also show that variability of the diameter of insoluble microparticles in central West Antarctica can be modeled by linear/quadratic functions of both cyclone depth (energy) and wind intensity around Antarctica.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.5194/ACPD-12-12685-2012
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“Self-limiting oxidation in small-diameter Si nanowires”. Khalilov U, Pourtois G, van Duin ACT, Neyts EC, Chemistry of materials 24, 2141 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm300707x
Abstract: Recently, core shell silicon nanowires (Si-NWs) have been envisaged to be used for field-effect transistors and photovoltaic applications. In spite of the constant downsizing of such devices, the formation of ultrasmall diameter core shell Si-NWs currently remains entirely unexplored. We report here on the modeling of the formation of such core shell Si-NWs using a dry thermal oxidation of 2 nm diameter (100) Si nanowires at 300 and 1273 K, by means of reactive molecular dynamics simulations using the ReaxFF potential. Two different oxidation mechanisms are discussed, namely a self-limiting process that occurs at low temperature (300 K), resulting in a Si core I ultrathin SiO2 silica shell nanowire, and a complete oxidation process that takes place at a higher temperature (1273 K), resulting in the formation of an ultrathin SiO2 silica nanowire. The oxidation kinetics of both cases and the resulting structures are analyzed in detail. Our results demonstrate that precise control over the Si-core radius of such NWs and the SiOx (x <= 2.0) oxide shell is possible by controlling the growth temperature used during the oxidation process.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 45
DOI: 10.1021/cm300707x
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“Advanced TEM investigation of the plasticity mechanisms in nanocrystalline freestanding palladium films with nanoscale twins”. Wang B, Idrissi H, Galceran M, Colla MS, Turner S, Hui S, Raskin JP, Pardoen T, Godet S, Schryvers D, International journal of plasticity 37, 140 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijplas.2012.04.003
Abstract: Nanocrystalline palladium thin films deposited by electron-beam evaporation and deformed by on-chip tensile testing reveal a surprisingly large strain hardening capacity when considering the small similar to 25 nm grain size. The as-grown films contain several coherent single and multifold twin boundaries. The coherency of the twin boundaries considerably decreases with deformation due to dislocation/twin boundary interactions. These reactions are described based on a detailed analysis of the number and the type of dislocations located at the twin boundaries using high-resolution TEM, including aberration corrected microscopy. Sessile Frank dislocations were observed at the twin/matrix interfaces, explaining the loss of the TB coherency due to the Burgers vector pointing out of the twinning plane. Grain boundary mediated processes were excluded as a mechanism dominating the plastic deformation based on the investigation of the grain size distribution as well as the crystallographic texture using Automated Crystallographic Orientation Indexation TEM. Other factors influencing the plastic deformation such as impurities and the presence of a native passivation oxide layer at the surface of the films were investigated using analytical TEM. The twin boundaries observed in the present work partly explain the high strain hardening capacity by providing both increasing resistance to dislocation motion with deformation and a source for dislocation multiplication. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 5.702
Times cited: 44
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijplas.2012.04.003
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“Establishing uniform acceptance in force biased Monte Carlo simulations”. Neyts EC, Thijsse BJ, Mees MJ, Bal KM, Pourtois G, Journal of chemical theory and computation 8, 1865 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1021/ct2008268
Abstract: Uniform acceptance force biased Monte Carlo (UFMC) simulations have previously been shown to be a powerful tool to simulate atomic scale processes, enabling one to follow the dynamical path during the simulation. In this contribution, we present a simple proof to demonstrate that this uniform acceptance still complies with the condition of detailed balance, on the condition that the characteristic parameter lambda = 1/2 and that the maximum allowed step size is chosen to be sufficiently small. Furthermore, the relation to Metropolis Monte Carlo (MMC) is also established, and it is shown that UFMC reduces to MMC by choosing the characteristic parameter lambda = 0 [Rao, M. et al. Mol. Phys. 1979, 37, 1773]. Finally, a simple example compares the UFMC and MMC methods.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 5.245
Times cited: 20
DOI: 10.1021/ct2008268
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“Two-band superconductors : hidden criticality deep in the superconducting state”. Komendová, L, Chen Y, Shanenko AA, Milošević, MV, Peeters FM, Physical review letters 108, 207002 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.207002
Abstract: We show that two-band superconductors harbor hidden criticality deep in the superconducting state, stemming from the critical temperature of the weaker band taken as an independent system. For sufficiently small interband coupling gamma the coherence length of the weaker band exhibits a remarkable deviation from the conventional monotonic increase with temperature, namely, a pronounced peak close to the hidden critical point. The magnitude of the peak scales as proportional to gamma(-mu), with the Landau critical exponent mu = 1/3, the same as found for the mean-field critical behavior with respect to the source field in ferromagnets and ferroelectrics. Here reported hidden criticality of multiband superconductors can be experimentally observed by, e.g., imaging of the variations of the vortex core in a broader temperature range. Similar effects are expected for the superconducting multilayers.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 8.462
Times cited: 75
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.207002
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“Controlling flux flow dissipation by changing flux pinning in superconducting films”. Grimaldi G, Leo A, Nigro A, Silhanek AV, Verellen N, Moshchalkov VV, Milošević, MV, Casaburi A, Cristiano R, Pace S, Applied physics letters 100, 202601 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4718309
Abstract: We study the flux flow state in superconducting materials characterized by rather strong intrinsic pinning, such as Nb, NbN, and nanostructured Al thin films, in which we drag the superconducting dissipative state into the normal state by current biasing. We modify the vortex pinning strength either by ion irradiation, by tuning the measuring temperature or by including artificial pinning centers. We measure critical flux flow voltages for all materials and the same effect is observed: switching to low flux flow dissipations at low fields for an intermediate pinning regime. This mechanism offers a way to additionally promote the stability of the superconducting state. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4718309]
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.411
Times cited: 33
DOI: 10.1063/1.4718309
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“Monte Carlo studies of C60- and C70-peapods”. Verberck B, Cambedouzou J, Vliegenthart GA, Gompper G, Launois P, Fullerenes, nanotubes, and carbon nanostructures 20, 371 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1080/1536383X.2012.655190
Abstract: We present results of Monte Carlo simulations of chains of C-60 and chains of C-70 molecules encapsulated in a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). We observe the changes in the configuration of the fullerene molecules when varying tube radius and temperature. In particular, the evolution of the pair correlation functions reveal a transition from linear harmonic chain behavior to a hard-sphere liquid upon heating, demonstrating the possibility of tuning properties of C-60- and C-70@SWCNT peapods with radius and temperature.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 1.35
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1080/1536383X.2012.655190
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“Producing photoluminescent species from Sp2 carbons”. Hens SC, Shenderova O, Turner S, Fullerenes, nanotubes, and carbon nanostructures 20, 502 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1080/1536383X.2012.655667
Abstract: The treatment of sp2 carbon materials, including micrographite, nanographite, HOPG, onion-like-carbon, and single-walled carbon nanotubes, in a 3:1 sulfuric to nitric acid mixture produced photoluminescent reaction solutions. These colloidal, aqueous solutions appeared photoluminescently stable under a UV lamp and ranged in color from red to blue. The photoluminescent wavelength shifted to shorter wavelength with increasing reaction time or increasing reaction temperature. Raman spectroscopy showed evidence of defect structures in graphitic residue, and transmission electron microscopy showed unusual structures present in the supernatant including graphitic balls.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 1.35
Times cited: 4
DOI: 10.1080/1536383X.2012.655667
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“Tubular fullerenes in carbon nanotubes”. Tarakina NV, Verberck B, Fullerenes, nanotubes, and carbon nanostructures 20, 538 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1080/1536383X.2012.656058
Abstract: We investigate the optimal orientations and positions of tubular fullerene molecules C-70, C-80 and C-90 encapsulated in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). We find that increasing the tube radius leads to the following succession of energetically stable regimes: 1) lying molecules positioned on the tube's long axis, 2) tilted molecules on the tube's long axis and 3) lying molecules shifted away from the tube's long axis. In the case of C-70 and C-80 molecules, standing on-axis configurations also occur. Our findings are relevant for the possible application of molecular-orientation-dependent electronic properties of fullerene nanopeapods.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 1.35
DOI: 10.1080/1536383X.2012.656058
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“A model determining optimal doping concentration and material's band gap of tunnel field-effect transistors”. Vandenberghe WG, Verhulst AS, Kao K-H, De Meyer K, Sorée B, Magnus W, Groeseneken G, Applied physics letters 100, 193509 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4714544
Abstract: We develop a model for the tunnel field-effect transistor (TFET) based on the Wentzel-Kramer-Brillouin approximation which improves over existing semi-classical models employing generation rates. We hereby introduce the concept of a characteristic tunneling length in direct semiconductors. Based on the model, we show that a limited density of states results in an optimal doping concentration as well as an optimal material's band gap to obtain the highest TFET on-current at a given supply voltage. The observed optimal-doping trend is confirmed by 2-dimensional quantum-mechanical simulations for silicon and germanium. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4714544]
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.411
Times cited: 25
DOI: 10.1063/1.4714544
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“Impact of Dresselhaus versus Rashba spin-orbit coupling on the Holstein polaron”. Li Z, Covaci L, Marsiglio F, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 205112 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.205112
Abstract: We utilize an exact variational numerical procedure to calculate the ground-state properties of a polaron in the presence of Rashba and linear Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling. We find that when the linear Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling approaches the Rashba spin-orbit coupling, the Van Hove singularity in the density of states will be shifted away from the bottom of the band and finally disappear when the two spin-orbit couplings are tuned to be equal. The effective mass will be suppressed; the trend will become more significant for low phonon frequency. The presence of two dominant spin-orbit couplings will make it possible to tune the effective mass with more varied observables.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 18
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.205112
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“Oxidation of the GaAs(001) surface : insights from first-principles calculations”. Scarrozza M, Pourtois G, Houssa M, Heyns M, Stesmans A, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 85, 195307 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.195307
Abstract: We performed a detailed investigation of the oxidation of the technologically relevant GaAs(001)-beta 2(2x4) surface via density functional calculations. The purpose is to gain insights on the atomistic mechanisms and local bondings that underlie the degradation of the surface properties once exposed to oxygen. The study comprises the adsorption of single O atoms, through the sampling of several adsorption sites, and the subsequent formation of the O adsorbate at increasing coverage by taking into account multiple-atom adsorption. Based on the evaluation of the energetics and the structural properties of the atomistic models generated, the results here reported delineate a consistent picture of the initial stage of the surface oxidation: (i) at low coverage, in the limit of single O insertions, oxygen is incorporated on the surface forming a twofold-bridging Ga-O-As bond; (ii) at increasing coverage, as multiple O atoms are involved, this is accompanied by the formation of a threefold-coordinated bond (with two Ga and one As atoms); (iii) the latter has important implications regarding the electronic properties of the adsorbate since this O bonding may result in the formation of As dangling bonds. Moreover, a clear trend of increased energy gain for the incorporation of neighboring O atoms compared to single O insertions indicates that the formation of oxide clusters is favored over a regime of uniform oxidation. Our findings provide a detailed description of the O bonding and stress the importance of modeling the adsorption of multiple O atoms for an accurate description of the surface oxidation.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.195307
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