Abstract: We present a method for area selective deposition of 2D WS2 nanoribbons with tunable thickness on a dielectric substrate. The process is based on a complete conversion of a prepatterned, H-terminated Si layer to metallic W by WF6, followed by in situ sulfidation by H2S. The reaction process, performed at 450 degrees C, yields nanoribbons with lateral dimension down to 20 nm and with random basal plane orientation. The thickness of the nanoribbons is accurately controlled by the thickness of the pre-deposited Si layer. Upon rapid thermal annealing at 900 degrees C under inert gas, the WS2 basal planes align parallel to the substrate.

Abstract: Recently, black phosphorus quantum dots were fabricated experimentally. Motivated by these experiments, we theoretically investigate the electronic and optical properties of rectangular phosphorene quantum dots (RPQDs) in the presence of an in-plane electric field and a perpendicular magnetic field. The energy spectra and wave functions of RPQDs are obtained numerically using the tight-binding approach. We find edge states within the band gap of the RPQD which are well separated from the bulk states. In an undoped RPQD and for in-plane polarized light, due to the presence of well-defined edge states, we find three types of optical transitions which are between the bulk states, between the edge and bulk states, and between the edge states. The electric and magnetic fields influence the bulk-to-bulk, edge-to-bulk, and edge-to- edge transitions differently due to the different responses of bulk and edge states to these fields.

Abstract: Self-organized striated structure has been observed experimentally and numerically in CF4 plasmas in radio-frequency capacitively coupled plasmas recently (Liu et al 2016 Phys. Rev. Lett. 116 255002). In this work, the striated structure is investigated in a capacitively coupled oxygen discharge with the introduction of the effect from the secondary electron emission, based on a particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision model. As we know, the transport of positive and negative ions plays a key role in the formation of striations in electronegative gases, for which, the electronegativity needs to be large enough. As the secondary electron emission increases, electrons in the sheaths gradually contribute more ionization to the discharge. Meanwhile, the increase of the electron density, especially in the plasma bulk, leads to an increased electrical conductivity and a reduced bulk electric field, which would shield the ions' mobility. These changes result in enlarged striation gaps. And then, with more emitted electrons, obvious disruption of the striations is observed accompanied with a transition of electron heating mode. Due to the weakened field, the impact ionization in the plasma bulk is attenuated, compared with the enhanced ionization caused by secondary electrons. This would lead to the electron heating mode transition from striated (STR) mode to gamma-mode. Besides, our investigation further reveals that gamma-mode is more likely to dominate the discharge under high gas pressures or driving voltages.

Abstract: The cubic phase of HfO2 was stabilized by addition of yttrium in thin films grown on Si/SiO2 by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. The cubic phase was obtained for contents of 6.5 at. % Y or higher at a temperature as low as 470 °C. The complete compositional range (from 1.5 to 99.5 at. % Y) was investigated. The crystalline structure of HfO2 was determined from x-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, and attenuated total-reflection infrared spectroscopy. For cubic films, the continuous increase in the lattice parameter indicates the formation of a solid-solution HfO2Y2O3. As shown by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, yttrium silicate is formed at the interface with silicon; the interfacial layer thickness increases with increasing yttrium content and increasing film thickness. The dependence of the intrinsic relative permittivity r as a function of Y content was determined. It exhibits a maximum of ~30 for ~8.8 at. % Y. The cubic phase is stable upon postdeposition high-temperature annealing at 900 °C under NH3.

Abstract: We have investigated the superconducting properties of Pb nanoparticles with a diameter ranging from 8 to 20 nm, synthesized by Pb+ ion implantation in a crystalline Al matrix. A detailed structural characterization of the nanocomposites reveals the highly epitaxial relation between the Al crystalline matrix and the Pb nanoparticles. The Al/Pb nanocomposites display a single superconducting transition, with the critical temperature T-c increasing with the Pb content. The dependence of T-c on the Pb/Al volume ratio was compared with theoretical models of the superconducting proximity effect based on the bulk properties of Al and Pb. A very good correspondence with the strong-coupling proximity effect model was found, with an electron-phonon coupling constant in the Pb nanoparticles slightly reduced compared to bulk Pb. Our result differs from other studies on Pb nanoparticle based proximity systems where weak-coupling models were found to better describe the T-c dependence. We infer that the high interface quality resulting from the ion implantation synthesis method is a determining factor for the superconducting properties. Critical field and critical current measurements support the high quality of the nanocomposite superconducting films.

Abstract: The effect of an electron-hole puddle on the electrical transport when governed by snake states in a bipolar graphene structure is investigated. Using numerical simulations we show that information on the size and position of the electron-hole puddle can be obtained using the dependence of the conductance on magnetic field and electron density of the gated region. The presence of the scatterer disrupts snake state transport which alters the conduction pattern. We obtain a simple analytical formula that connects the position of the electron-hole puddle with features observed in the conductance. The size of the electron-hole puddle is estimated from the magnetic field and gate potential that maximizes the effect of the puddle on the electrical transport.

Abstract: Quasi-two-dimensional gallium chalcogenide heterostructures are created by transferring exfoliated few-layer GaSe onto bulk GaTe sheets. Luminescence spectroscopy measurements reveal that the light emission from underlying GaTe layers drastically increases on heterojunction regions where GaSe layers make contact with the GaTe. Density functional theory (DFT) and band offset calculations show that conduction band minimum (CBM) (valance band maximum (VBM)) values of GaSe are higher (lower) in energy compared to GaTe, forming type-I band alignment at the interface. Consequently, GaSe layers provide photo-excited electrons and holes to GaTe sheets through relatively large built-in potential at the interface, increasing overall exciton population and light emission from GaTe. Observed results are not specific to the GaSe/GaTe system but observed on GaS/GaSe heterolayers with type-I band alignment. Observed experimental findings and theoretical studies provide unique insights into interface effects across dissimilar gallium chalcogenides and offer new ways to boost optical performance by simple epitaxial coating.

Abstract: We report the controlled self-organization and switching of newly designed Schiff base (E)-4-((4-(phenylethynyl) benzylidene) amino) benzenethiol (EPBB) molecules on a Au (111) surface at room temperature. Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/STS) were used to image and analyze the conformational changes of the EPBB molecules. The conformational change of the molecules was induced by using the STM tip while increasing the tunneling current. The switching of a domain or island of molecules was shown to be induced by the STM tip during scanning. Unambiguous fingerprints of the switching mechanism were observed via STM/STS measurements. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering was employed, to control and identify quantitatively the switching mechanism of molecules in a monolayer. Density functional theory calculations were also performed in order to understand the microscopic details of the switching mechanism. These calculations revealed that the molecular switching behavior stemmed from the strong interaction of the EPBB molecules with the STM tip. Our approach to controlling intermolecular mechanics provides a path towards the bottom-up assembly of more sophisticated molecular machines.

Abstract: Understanding the nature and effect of the multitude of plasma–surface interactions in plasma catalysis is a crucial requirement for further process development and improvement. A particularly intriguing and rather unique property of a plasma-catalytic setup is the ability of the plasma to modify the electronic structure, and hence chemical properties, of the catalyst through charging, i.e. the absorption of excess electrons. In this work, we develop a quantum chemical model based on density functional theory to study excess negative surface charges in a heterogeneous catalyst exposed to a plasma. This method is specifically applied to investigate plasma-catalytic CO2 activation on supported M/Al2O3 (M=Ti, Ni, Cu) single atom catalysts. We find that (1) the presence of a negative surface charge dramatically improves the reductive power of the catalyst, strongly promoting the splitting of CO2 to CO and oxygen, and (2) the relative activity of the investigated transition metals is also changed upon charging, suggesting that controlled surface charging is a powerful additional parameter to tune catalyst activity and selectivity. These results strongly point to plasma-induced surface charging of the catalyst as an important factor contributing to the plasma-catalyst synergistic effects frequently reported for plasma catalysis.

Abstract: Plasma catalysis is gaining increasing interest, but the underlying mechanisms are far from understood. Different catalyst materials will have different chemical effects, but in addition, they might also have different dielectric constants, which will affect surface charging, and thus the plasma behavior. In this work, we demonstrate that surface charging plays an important role in the streamer propagation and discharge enhancement inside catalyst pores, and in the plasma distribution along the dielectric surface, and this role greatly depends on the dielectric constant of the material. For εr50, surface charging causes the plasma to spread along the dielectric surface and inside the pores, leading to deeper plasma streamer penetration, while for εr>50 or for metallic coatings, the discharge is more localized, due to very weak surface charging. In addition, at εr=50, the significant surface charge density near the pore entrance causes a large potential drop at the sharp pore edges, which induces a strong electric field and results in most pronounced plasma enhancement near the pore entrance.

Abstract: In this work we study energy transport in a gliding arc discharge with two diverging flat
electrodes in argon gas at atmospheric pressure. The discharge is ignited at the shortest electrode
gap and it is pushed downstream by a forced gas flow. The current values considered are
relatively low and therefore a non-equilibrium plasma is produced. We consider two cases, i.e.
with high and low discharge current (28 mA and 2.8mA), and a constant gas flow of 10 lmin −1 ,
with a significant turbulent component to the velocity. The study presents an analysis of the
various energy transport mechanisms responsible for the redistribution of Joule heating to the
plasma species and the moving background gas. The objective of this work is to provide a
general understanding of the role of the different energy transport mechanisms in arc formation
and sustainment, which can be used to improve existing or new discharge designs. The work is
based on a three-dimensional numerical model, combining a fluid plasma model, the shear stress
transport Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes turbulent gas flow model, and a model for gas
thermal balance. The obtained results show that at higher current the discharge is constricted
within a thin plasma column several hundred kelvin above room temperature, while in the low-
current discharge the combination of intense convective cooling and low Joule heating prevents
discharge contraction and the plasma column evolves to a static non-moving diffusive plasma,
continuously cooled by the flowing gas. As a result, the energy transport in the two cases is
determined by different mechanisms. At higher current and a constricted plasma column, the
plasma column is cooled mainly by turbulent transport, while at low current and an unconstricted
plasma, the major cooling mechanism is energy transport due to non-turbulent gas convection. In
general, the study also demonstrates the importance of turbulent energy transport in
redistributing the Joule heating in the arc and its significant role in arc cooling and the formation
of the gas temperature profile. In general, the turbulent energy transport lowers the average gas
temperature in the arc, thus allowing additional control of thermal non-equilibrium in the
discharge.

Abstract: Plasma catalysis is gaining increasing interest for various environmental applications. Catalytic
material can be inserted in different shapes in the plasma, e.g., as pellets, (coated) beads, but also
as honeycomb monolith and 3DFD structures, also called ‘structured catalysts’, which have high
mass and heat transfer properties. In this work, we examine the streamer discharge propagation
and the interaction between plasma and catalysts, inside the channels of such structured catalysts,
by means of a two-dimensional particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision model. Our results reveal
that plasma streamers behave differently in various structured catalysts. In case of a honeycomb
structure, the streamers are limited to only one channel, with low or high plasma density when
the channels are parallel or perpendicular to the electrodes, respectively. In contrast, in case of a
3DFD structure, the streamers can distribute to different channels, causing discharge
enhancement due to surface charging on the dielectric walls of the structured catalyst, and
especially giving rise to a broader plasma distribution. The latter should be beneficial for plasma
catalysis applications, as it allows a larger catalyst surface area to be exposed to the plasma.

Abstract: The dynamics of Josephson vortices (fluxons) in artificial stacks of superconducting-normal-superconducting Josephson junctions is investigated using the anisotropic time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory in the presence of a square/rectangular array of pinning centers (holes). For small values of the applied drive, fluxons in different junctions move out of phase, forming a periodic triangular lattice. A rectangular lattice of moving fluxons is observed at larger currents, which is in agreement with previous theoretical predictions (Koshelev and Aranson 2000 Phys. Rev. Lett. 85 3938). This 'superradiant' flux-flow state is found to be stable in a wide region of applied current. The stability range of this ordered state is considerably larger than the one obtained for the pinning-free sample. Clear commensurability features are observed in the current-voltage characteristics of the system with pronounced peaks in the critical current at (fractional) matching fields. The effect of density and strength of the pinning centers on the stability of the rectangular fluxon lattice is discussed. Predicted synchronized motion of fluxons in the presence of ordered pinning can be detected experimentally using the rf response of the system, where enhancement of the Shapiro-like steps is expected due to the synchronization.

Abstract: The dynamics of the pinned vortex, antivortex and interstitial vortex have been studied in superconducting/magnetic hybrids consisting of arrays of Co/Pd multilayer nanodots embedded in Nb films. The magnetic nanodots show out-of-plane magnetization at the remanent state. This magnetic state allows for superconducting vortex lattices of different types in an applied homogeneous magnetic field. We experimentally and theoretically show three such lattices: (i) a lattice containing only antivortices; (ii) a vortex lattice entirely pinned on the dots; and (iii) a vortex lattice with pinned and interstitial vortices. Between the flux creep (low vortex velocity) and the free flux flow (high vortex velocity) regimes the interaction between the magnetic array and the vortex lattice governs the vortex dynamics, which in turn enables distinguishing experimentally the type of vortex lattice which governs the dissipation. We show that the vortex lattice with interstitial vortices has the highest onset velocity where the lattice becomes ordered, whereas the pinned vortex lattice has the smallest onset velocity. Further, for this system, we directly estimate that the external force needed to depin vortices is 60% larger than the one needed to depin antivortices; therefore we are able to decouple the antivortex-vortex motion.

Abstract: By numerically solving the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations in a type-II superconductor, characterized by a critical temperature T-c1, and the coherence length xi(1), with a channel formed by overlapping rhombuses (diamond-like channel) made of another type-II superconductor, characterized, in general, by different T-c2 and xi(2), we investigate the dynamics of driven vortex matter for varying parameters of the channel: the width of the neck connecting the diamond cells, the cell geometry, and the ratio between the coherence lengths in the bank and the channel. We analyzed samples with periodic boundary conditions (which we call 'infinite' samples) and finite-size samples (with boundaries for vortex entry/exit), and we found that by tuning the channel parameters, one can manipulate the vortex dynamics, e.g., change the transition from flux-pinned to flux-flow regime and tune the slope of the IV-curves. In addition, we analyzed the effect of interstitial vortices on these characteristics. The critical current of this device was studied as a function of the applied magnetic field, j(c)(H). The function j(c)(H) reveals a striking commensurability peak, in agreement with recent experimental observations. The obtained results suggest that the diamond channel, which combines the properties of pinning arrays and flux-guiding channels, can be a promising candidate for potential use in devices controlling magnetic flux motion.