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Full-Text Articles in Physics

Giant Transport Anisotropy In Res2 Revealed Via Nanoscale Conducting-Path Control, Dawei Li, Shuo Sun, Jingfeng Song, Ding-Fu Shao, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal, Stephen Ducharme, Xia Hong Sep 2021

Giant Transport Anisotropy In Res2 Revealed Via Nanoscale Conducting-Path Control, Dawei Li, Shuo Sun, Jingfeng Song, Ding-Fu Shao, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal, Stephen Ducharme, Xia Hong

Stephen Ducharme Publications

The low in-plane symmetry in layered 1T’-ReS2 results in strong band anisotropy, while its manifestation in the electronic properties is challenging to resolve due to the lack of effective approaches for controlling the local current path. In this work, we reveal the giant transport anisotropy in monolayer to four-layer ReS2 by creating directional conducting paths via nanoscale ferroelectric control. By reversing the polarization of a ferroelectric polymer top layer, we induce a conductivity switching ratio of >1.5 × 108 in the ReS2 channel at 300 K. Characterizing the domain-defined conducting nanowires in an insulating background shows that the …


Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Coated Spiral Coils For Loss Reduction In Wireless Power Transfer Systems, Kamran Keramatnejad, Dawei Li, Hossein Rabiee Golgir, Loic Constantin, Xi Huang, Qiming Zou, Jean-Francois Silvain, Stephen Ducharme, Yongfeng Lu Jan 2018

Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Coated Spiral Coils For Loss Reduction In Wireless Power Transfer Systems, Kamran Keramatnejad, Dawei Li, Hossein Rabiee Golgir, Loic Constantin, Xi Huang, Qiming Zou, Jean-Francois Silvain, Stephen Ducharme, Yongfeng Lu

Stephen Ducharme Publications

Realization of high efficiency and long transmission range in high-frequency wireless power transfer (WPT) systems has always been hindered by the increased resistance due to the eddy current loss occurring in the inductive coils. In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotube-coated copper (MWCNT-Cu) coils are successfully introduced to address this limitation by implementing the frequency-inert MWCNT channels along with using their high-surface areas to realize the electromagnetic shielding of the Cu substrate through multiple reflection mechanisms. At a frequency of 15 MHz, the resistance of the individual MWCNT-Cu coil was reduced to less than 40% of its original value for primitive …


Focused Electron-Beam-Induced Deposition For Fabrication Of Highly Durable And Sensitive Metallic Afm-Ir Probes, Wen Qian, Shuo Sun, Jingfeng Song, Charles Nguyen, Stephen Ducharme, Joesph A. Turner Jan 2018

Focused Electron-Beam-Induced Deposition For Fabrication Of Highly Durable And Sensitive Metallic Afm-Ir Probes, Wen Qian, Shuo Sun, Jingfeng Song, Charles Nguyen, Stephen Ducharme, Joesph A. Turner

Stephen Ducharme Publications

We report on the fabrication of metallic, ultra-sharp atomic force microscope tips for localized nanoscale infrared (IR) spectrum measurements by using focused electron-beam-induced deposition of platinum or tungsten. The tip length can be controlled by changing the duration time of the electron beam. Probes of 12.0 ± 5.0 nm radius-of-curvature can be routinely produced with high repeatability and near-100% yield. The near-field-enhancement appears stronger at the extremity of the metallic tip, compared with commercial pristine silicon-nitride probe tip. Finally, the performance of the modified metallic tips is demonstrated by imaging PVDF and PMMA thin films, which shows that spatial resolution …


The Promise Of Piezoelectric Polymers, Timothy D. Usher, Kimberley R. Cousins, Renwu Zhang, Stephen Ducharme Jan 2018

The Promise Of Piezoelectric Polymers, Timothy D. Usher, Kimberley R. Cousins, Renwu Zhang, Stephen Ducharme

Stephen Ducharme Publications

Recent advances provide new opportunities in the field of polymer piezoelectric materials. Piezoelectric materials provide unique insights to the fundamental understanding of the solid state. In addition, piezoelectric materials have a wide range of applications, representing billions of dollars of commercial applications. However, inorganic piezoelectric materials have limitations that polymer ferroelectric materials can overcome, if certain challenges can be addressed. This mini-review is a practical summary of the current research and future directions in the investigation and application of piezoelectric materials with an emphasis on polymeric piezoelectric materials. We will assume that the reader is well versed in the subject …


Ferroelectric-Domain-Patterning-Controlled Schottky Junction State In Monolayer Mos2, Zhiyong Xiao, Jingfeng Song, David K. Ferry, Stephen Ducharme, Xia Hong Jun 2017

Ferroelectric-Domain-Patterning-Controlled Schottky Junction State In Monolayer Mos2, Zhiyong Xiao, Jingfeng Song, David K. Ferry, Stephen Ducharme, Xia Hong

Stephen Ducharme Publications

We exploit scanning-probe-controlled domain patterning in a ferroelectric top layer to induce nonvolatile modulation of the conduction characteristic of monolayer MoS2 between a transistor and a junction state. In the presence of a domain wall, MoS2 exhibits rectified I-V characteristics that are well described by the thermionic emission model. The induced Schottky barrier height ΦeffB varies from 0.38 to 0.57 eV and is tunable by a SiO2 global back gate, while the tuning range of ΦeffB depends sensitively on the conduction-band-tail trapping states. Our work points to a new route to achieving programmable …


Laser-Assisted Nanowelding Of Graphene To Metals: An Optical Approach Toward Ultralow Contact Resistance, K. Keramatnejad, Yunshen Zhou, Da Wei Li, Hossein Rabiee Golgir, Xi Huang, Qi Ming Zhou, Jingfeng Song, Stephen Ducharme, Yongfeng Lu Jan 2017

Laser-Assisted Nanowelding Of Graphene To Metals: An Optical Approach Toward Ultralow Contact Resistance, K. Keramatnejad, Yunshen Zhou, Da Wei Li, Hossein Rabiee Golgir, Xi Huang, Qi Ming Zhou, Jingfeng Song, Stephen Ducharme, Yongfeng Lu

Stephen Ducharme Publications

The electrical performance of graphene-based devices is largely limited by substantial contact resistance at the heterodimensional graphene-metal junctions. A laserassisted nanowelding technique was developed to reduce graphene-metal (G-M) contact resistance and improve carrier injection in suspended graphene devices. Selective breakdown of C-C bonds and formation of structural defects were realized through laser irradiation at the edges of graphene within the G-M contact regions in order to increase the chemical reactivity of graphene, facilitate G-M bonding and, therefore, maximize interfacial carrier transportation. Through this method, significantly reduced G-M contact resistances, as low as 2.57 Ω-μm were obtained. In addition, it was …


Hydrogel Microphones For Stealthy Underwater Listening, Yang Gao, Jingfeng Song, Shumin Li, Christian Elowsky, You Zhou, Stephen Ducharme, Yong Mei Chen, Qin Zhou, Li Tan Aug 2016

Hydrogel Microphones For Stealthy Underwater Listening, Yang Gao, Jingfeng Song, Shumin Li, Christian Elowsky, You Zhou, Stephen Ducharme, Yong Mei Chen, Qin Zhou, Li Tan

Stephen Ducharme Publications

Exploring the abundant resources in the ocean requires underwater acoustic detectors with a high-sensitivity reception of low-frequency sound from greater distances and zero reflections. Here we address both challenges by integrating an easily deformable network of metal nanoparticles in a hydrogel matrix for use as a cavity-free microphone. Since metal nanoparticles can be densely implanted as inclusions, and can even be arranged in coherent arrays, this microphone can detect static loads and air breezes from different angles, as well as underwater acoustic signals from 20 Hz to 3 kHz at amplitudes as low as 4 Pa. Unlike dielectric capacitors or …


Charge Collection Kinetics On Ferroelectric Polymer Surface Using Charge Gradient Microscopy, Yoon-Young Choi, Sheng Tong, Stephen Ducharme, Andreas Roelofs, Seungbum Hong May 2016

Charge Collection Kinetics On Ferroelectric Polymer Surface Using Charge Gradient Microscopy, Yoon-Young Choi, Sheng Tong, Stephen Ducharme, Andreas Roelofs, Seungbum Hong

Stephen Ducharme Publications

A charge gradient microscopy (CGM) probe was used to collect surface screening charges on poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] thin films. These charges are naturally formed on unscreened ferroelectric domains in ambient condition. The CGM data were used to map the local electric current originating from the collected surface charges on the poled ferroelectric domains in the P(VDF-TrFE) thin films. Both the direction and amount of the collected current were controlled by changing the polarity and area of the poled domains. The endurance of charge collection by rubbing the CGM tip on the polymer film was limited to 20 scan cycles, after …


Finite-Size Scaling Of Flexoelectricity In Langmuir-Blodgett Polymer Thin Films, Shashi Poddar, Keith Foreman, Shireen Adenwalla, Stephen Ducharme Jan 2016

Finite-Size Scaling Of Flexoelectricity In Langmuir-Blodgett Polymer Thin Films, Shashi Poddar, Keith Foreman, Shireen Adenwalla, Stephen Ducharme

Stephen Ducharme Publications

The flexoelectric effect, which is a linear coupling between a strain gradient and electrical polarization, is a fundamental electromechanical property of all materials with potential for use in nanoscale devices, where strain gradients can be quite large. We report a study of the dependence of the flexoelectric response on thickness in ultrathin films of polar and non-polar polymers. The measurements of the flexoelectric response in non-polar polyethylene and the polar relaxor polymer polyvinylidene-co-trifluoroethylene-co-chlorofluoroethylene were made using a bent cantilever method and corrected for the contribution from the electrode oxide. The results show that the value of …


Ferroelectric Polymer Nanopillar Arrays On Flexible Substrates By Reverse Nanoimprint Lithography, Jingfeng Song, Haidong Lu, Keith Foreman, Shumin Li, Li Tan, Shireen Adenwalla, Alexei Gruverman, Stephen Ducharme Jan 2016

Ferroelectric Polymer Nanopillar Arrays On Flexible Substrates By Reverse Nanoimprint Lithography, Jingfeng Song, Haidong Lu, Keith Foreman, Shumin Li, Li Tan, Shireen Adenwalla, Alexei Gruverman, Stephen Ducharme

Stephen Ducharme Publications

With the increasing interest in deploying ferroelectric polymer in flexible electronics and electromechanics, high-throughput and low-cost fabrication of 3D ferroelectric polymer nanostructures on flexible substrates can be a significant basis for future research and applications. Here, we report that large arrays of ferroelectric polymer nanopillars can be prepared directly on soft, flexible substrates by using low-cost polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) soft-mold reverse nanoimprint lithography at 135 °C and at pressures as low as 3 bar. The nanopillar arrays were highly uniform over large areas of at least 200 × 200 μm and had good crystallinity with nearly optimum (110) orientation. Furthermore, the …


2d Cocrystallization From H‑Bonded Organic Ferroelectrics, Donna A. Kunkel, James Hooper, Benjamin Bradley, Lisa Schlueter, Tom Rasmussen, Paulo Costa, Sunit Beniwal, Stephen Ducharme, Eva Zurek, Axel Enders Jan 2016

2d Cocrystallization From H‑Bonded Organic Ferroelectrics, Donna A. Kunkel, James Hooper, Benjamin Bradley, Lisa Schlueter, Tom Rasmussen, Paulo Costa, Sunit Beniwal, Stephen Ducharme, Eva Zurek, Axel Enders

Stephen Ducharme Publications

The synthesis of 2D H-bonded cocrystals from the room-temperature ferroelectric organics croconic acid (CA) and 3-hydroxyphenalenone (3-HPLN) is demonstrated through self-assembly on a substrate under ultrahigh vacuum. 2D cocrystal polymorphs of varied stoichiometry were identified with scanning tunneling microscopy, and one of the observed structural building blocks consists of two CA and two 3-HPLN molecules. Computational analysis with density functional theory confirmed that the experimental (CA)2(3-HPLN)2 tetramers are lower in energy than single-component structures due to the ability of the tetramers to pack efficiently in two dimensions, the promotion of favorable electrostatic interactions between tetramers, and the …


Fabrication Of Diisopropylammonium Bromide Aligned Microcrystals With In-Plane Uniaxial Polarization, Shashi Poddar, Haidong Lu, Jingfeng Song, Om Goit, Shah Valloppilly, Alexei Gruverman, Stephen Ducharme Jan 2016

Fabrication Of Diisopropylammonium Bromide Aligned Microcrystals With In-Plane Uniaxial Polarization, Shashi Poddar, Haidong Lu, Jingfeng Song, Om Goit, Shah Valloppilly, Alexei Gruverman, Stephen Ducharme

Stephen Ducharme Publications

Textured arrays of ferroelectric microcrystals of diisopropylammonium bromide were grown from solution at room temperature onto silicon substrates and studied by means of x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, electron microscopy, and piezoresponse force microscopy. The needle-shaped crystals had dimensions of approximately 50 μm × 5 μm in the plane and were approximately 200 nm thick, where the dimensions and arrangement were influenced by growth conditions. The observations suggest an Ostwald ripening mechanism of the microcrystal growth. The crystals had the structure of the ferroelectric phase, where the polarization axis was in-plane and parallel to the long axis of …


Enhancement Of Local Piezoresponse In Polymer Ferroelectrics Via Nanoscale Control Of Microstructure, Yoon-Young Choi, Pankaj Sharma, Charudatta Phatak, David J. Gosztola, Yunya Liu, Joonseok Lee, Byeongdu Lee, Jiangyu Li, Alexei Gruverman, Stephen Ducharme, Seungbum Hong Feb 2015

Enhancement Of Local Piezoresponse In Polymer Ferroelectrics Via Nanoscale Control Of Microstructure, Yoon-Young Choi, Pankaj Sharma, Charudatta Phatak, David J. Gosztola, Yunya Liu, Joonseok Lee, Byeongdu Lee, Jiangyu Li, Alexei Gruverman, Stephen Ducharme, Seungbum Hong

Stephen Ducharme Publications

Polymer ferroelectrics are flexible and lightweight electromechanical materials that are widely studied due to their potential application as sensors, actuators, and energy harvesters. However, one of the biggest challenges is their low piezoelectric coefficient. Here, we report a mechanical annealing effect based on local pressure induced by a nanoscale tip that enhances the local piezoresponse. This process can control the nanoscale material properties over a microscale area at room temperature. We attribute this improvement to the formation and growth of β-phase extended chain crystals via sliding diffusion and crystal alignment along the scan axis under high mechanical stress. We believe …


Polarization Imaging In Ferroelectric Polymer Thin Film Capacitors By Pyroelectric Scanning Microscopy, Jingfeng Song, Haidong Lu, Alexei Gruverman, Stephen Ducharme May 2014

Polarization Imaging In Ferroelectric Polymer Thin Film Capacitors By Pyroelectric Scanning Microscopy, Jingfeng Song, Haidong Lu, Alexei Gruverman, Stephen Ducharme

Stephen Ducharme Publications

A Pyroelectric Scanning Microscopy system, which uses laser-induced thermal modulation for mapping the pyroelectric response, has been used to image a bipolar domain pattern in a ferroelectric polymer thin film capacitor. This system has achieved a resolution of 660±28 nm by using a violet laser and high f-number microscope objective to reduce the optical spot size, and by operating at high modulation frequencies to reduce the thermal diffusion length. The results agree well with a thermal model implemented numerically using finite element analysis.


Ferroelectricity At The Nanoscale, Vladimir M. Fridkin, Stephen Ducharme Jan 2014

Ferroelectricity At The Nanoscale, Vladimir M. Fridkin, Stephen Ducharme

Stephen Ducharme Publications

The properties of ferroelectrics at the nanoscale are reviewed. The term nanoscale is here related to the ferroelectric film thickness (which is by an order of magnitude the size of the critical domain nucleus). The three aspects considered are ferroelectric switching, the scaling of the coercive field, and the bulk photovoltaic effect. While ferroelectricity at the nanoscale has a twenty-year history of study, it is only in the last few years that perovskite ferroelectric films have become a focus of interest.


The Ferroelectricity At The Nanoscale, Vladimir M. Fridkin, Stephen Ducharme Jan 2014

The Ferroelectricity At The Nanoscale, Vladimir M. Fridkin, Stephen Ducharme

Stephen Ducharme Publications

The review of ferroelectric properties at the nanoscale is presented. Determining the nanoscale, authors bear in mind the film thickness equal by the order of value to the size of critical domain nucleus. Three phenomena are considered: ferroelectric switching, scaling of coercive field and bulk photovoltaic effect. The investigation of ferroelectricity at the nanoscale started 20 years ago. The nanoscaled ferroelectricics with perovskite structure came to be considered only the last few years.


Laboratory Manual For Physics Of Lasers And Modern Optics, 13th Ed, Stephen Ducharme Jan 2014

Laboratory Manual For Physics Of Lasers And Modern Optics, 13th Ed, Stephen Ducharme

Stephen Ducharme Publications

You will encounter challenging puzzles and explore new and exciting physical phenomena. You will be provided with sufficient tools, guidance and other resources, but what you learn depends on your inquisitiveness and creativity. This laboratory course is designed to serve two purposes: 1) To explore a variety of physical principles using the fascinating and diverse behavior of light. 2) To learn some of the principles behind the pervasive and expanding area of optical and laser technology. This course is suitable for students of science, life sciences, and engineering, or any student who is curious about light. The prerequisites are the …


Coplanar Switching Of Polarization In Thin Films Of Vinylidene Fluoride Oligomers, Pankaj Sharma, Alexandra Fursina, Shashi Poddar, Stephen Ducharme, Alexei Gruverman Jan 2014

Coplanar Switching Of Polarization In Thin Films Of Vinylidene Fluoride Oligomers, Pankaj Sharma, Alexandra Fursina, Shashi Poddar, Stephen Ducharme, Alexei Gruverman

Stephen Ducharme Publications

Switching characteristics of vinylidene fluoride oligomer thin films with molecular chains aligned normal to the substrate and exhibiting a preferential in-plane polarization have been investigated using coplanar geometry of inter-digital electrodes via high-resolution piezoresponse force microscopy. It has been shown that in-plane switching proceeds via non-180 rotation of dipoles mediated by non-stochastic nucleation, expansion, and coalescence of domains. Asgrown multidomain configuration is found to be strongly pinned aided by charged domain walls, and the electrically induced (in-plane) mono-domain states relax to the as-grown state. The observed coercive field (approximately 0.6 MV/m) is two to three orders of magnitude smaller than …


Proton Transfer In Surface-Stabilized Chiral Motifs Of Croconic Acid, Donna A. Kunkel, James Hooper, Scott Simpson, Geoffrey Rojas, Stephen Ducharme, Timothy Usher, Eva Zurek, Axel Enders Jan 2013

Proton Transfer In Surface-Stabilized Chiral Motifs Of Croconic Acid, Donna A. Kunkel, James Hooper, Scott Simpson, Geoffrey Rojas, Stephen Ducharme, Timothy Usher, Eva Zurek, Axel Enders

Stephen Ducharme Publications

The structure and cooperative proton ordering of two-dimensional sheets of croconic acid were studied with scanning tunneling microscopy and first-principles calculations. Unlike in the crystalline form, which exhibits a pleated, densely packed polar sheet structure, the confinement of the molecules to the surface results in hydrogenbonded chiral clusters and networks. First-principles calculations suggest that the surface stabilizes networks of configurational isomers, which arise from direct hydrogen transfer between their constituent croconic acid monomers. Some of these configurations have a net polarization. It is demonstrated through constrained molecular dynamics simulations that simultaneous proton transfer between any two molecules can occur spontaneously. …


Scaling Of The Coercive Field In Ferroelectrics At The Nanoscale, R. V. Gaynutdinov, M. Minnekaev, S. Mitko, A. L. Tolstikhina, A. Zenkevich, Stephen Ducharme, Vladimir M. Fridkin Jan 2013

Scaling Of The Coercive Field In Ferroelectrics At The Nanoscale, R. V. Gaynutdinov, M. Minnekaev, S. Mitko, A. L. Tolstikhina, A. Zenkevich, Stephen Ducharme, Vladimir M. Fridkin

Stephen Ducharme Publications

The scaling of the coercive field in ferroelectric films at the nanoscale is investigated experimentally. The scaling in the films of copolymer vinylidene fluoride and BaTiO3 with thickness equal by the order of value to the critical domain nucleus size 1–10 nm reveals deviation from the well-known Kay–Dunn law. At this thickness region coercive field does not depend on thickness and coincides with Landau–Ginzburg–Devonshire value.


Domain Wall Roughness And Creep In Nanoscale Crystalline Ferroelectric Polymers, Zhengguo Xiao, Shashi Poddar, Stephen Ducharme, X. Hong Jan 2013

Domain Wall Roughness And Creep In Nanoscale Crystalline Ferroelectric Polymers, Zhengguo Xiao, Shashi Poddar, Stephen Ducharme, X. Hong

Stephen Ducharme Publications

We report piezo-response force microscopy studies of the static and dynamic properties of domain walls (DWs) in 11 to 36 nm thick films of crystalline ferroelectric poly(vinylidene-fluoride-trifluorethylene). The DW roughness exponent ζ ranges from 0.39 to 0.48 and the DW creep exponent µ varies from 0.20 to 0.28, revealing an unexpected effective dimensionality of ~1.5 that is independent of film thickness. Our results suggest predominantly 2D ferroelectricity in the layered polymer and we attribute the fractal dimensionality to DW deroughening due to the correlations between the in-plane and out-of-plane polarization, an effect that can be exploited to achieve high lateral …


Rhodizonic Acid On Noble Metals: Surface Reactivity And Coordination Chemistry, Donna A. Kunkel, James Hooper, Scott Simpson, Sumit Beniwal, Katie L. Morrow, Douglas C. Smith, Kimberly Cousins, Stephen Ducharme, Eva Zurek, Axel Enders Jan 2013

Rhodizonic Acid On Noble Metals: Surface Reactivity And Coordination Chemistry, Donna A. Kunkel, James Hooper, Scott Simpson, Sumit Beniwal, Katie L. Morrow, Douglas C. Smith, Kimberly Cousins, Stephen Ducharme, Eva Zurek, Axel Enders

Stephen Ducharme Publications

A study of the two-dimensional crystallization of rhodizonic acid on the crystalline surfaces of gold and copper is presented. Rhodizonic acid, a cyclic oxocarbon related to the ferroelectric croconic acid and the antiferroelectric squaric acid, has not been synthesized in bulk crystalline form yet. Capitalizing on surface-assisted molecular self-assembly, a two-dimensional analogue to the well-known solution-based coordination chemistry, two-dimensional structures of rhodizonic acid were stabilized under ultrahigh vacuum on Au(111) and Cu(111) surfaces. Scanning tunneling microscopy, coupled with first-principles calculations, reveals that on the less reactive Au surface, extended two-dimensional islands of rhodizonic acid are formed, in which the molecules …


Understanding The Effect Of Ferroelectric Polarization On Power Conversion Efficiency Of Organic Photovoltaic Devices, Yongbo Yuan, Pankaj Sharma, Zhengguo Xiao, Shashi Poddar, Alexei Gruverman, Stephen Ducharme, Jinsong Huang Jan 2012

Understanding The Effect Of Ferroelectric Polarization On Power Conversion Efficiency Of Organic Photovoltaic Devices, Yongbo Yuan, Pankaj Sharma, Zhengguo Xiao, Shashi Poddar, Alexei Gruverman, Stephen Ducharme, Jinsong Huang

Stephen Ducharme Publications

It is demonstrated that the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic photovoltaic devices can be increased by inserting an ultrathin film of a ferroelectric co-polymer, poly(vinylidenefluoridetrifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)), at the metal–organic interface, due to an enhancement of the charge extraction efficiency. Specifically, the effect of P(VDF-TrFE) crystallinity on its function in ferroelectric organic photovoltaic (FE-OPV) devices has been studied by several methods. Highly crystalline and amorphous P(VDF-TrFE) films have been prepared by the Langmuir–Blodgett method and spincoating from acetone solution, respectively. The polymer solar cell devices with a crystalline P(VDFTrFE) interfacial layer at the cathode have larger PCE than the structures …


Modeling Of Metal-Ferroelectric-Insulator-Semiconductor Structures Based On Langmuir–Blodgett Copolymer Films, Timothy J. Reece, Stephen Ducharme Dec 2009

Modeling Of Metal-Ferroelectric-Insulator-Semiconductor Structures Based On Langmuir–Blodgett Copolymer Films, Timothy J. Reece, Stephen Ducharme

Stephen Ducharme Publications

Among the ferroelectric thin films used in field-effect transistor devices; the ferroelectric copolymer of polyvinylidene fluoride PVDF –CH2–CF2–, with trifluoroethylene TrFE –CHF–CF2–, has distinct advantages, including low dielectric constant, low processing temperature, low cost, and compatibility with organic semiconductors. The operation of a metal-ferroelectric insulatorsemiconductor structure with PVDF-TrFE as the ferroelectric layer was analyzed and optimized by numerical solution of the Miller and McWhorter model. A model device consisting of 20 nm PVDF/TrFE on a 10-nm-thick high-k dielectric buffer exhibits a memory window of 5 V with an operating voltage of 15 V. The operating voltage can be reduced to …


Nanoscale Domain Patterns In Ultrathin Polymer Ferroelectric Films, Pankaj Sharma, Timothy J. Reece, Daniel W. Wu, Vladimir M. Fridkin, Stephen Ducharme, Alexei Gruverman Oct 2009

Nanoscale Domain Patterns In Ultrathin Polymer Ferroelectric Films, Pankaj Sharma, Timothy J. Reece, Daniel W. Wu, Vladimir M. Fridkin, Stephen Ducharme, Alexei Gruverman

Stephen Ducharme Publications

High-resolution studies of domain configurations in Langmuir–Blodgett films of ferroelectric polymer poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene), P(VDF-TrFE), have been carried out by means of piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). Changes in film thickness and morphology cause significant variations in polarization patterns. In continuous films and nanomesas with relatively low thickness/grain aspect ratio (<1/10), the relationship between the average domain size and thickness follows the Kittel law. Nanomesas with high aspect ratio (>1/5) exhibit significant deviations from this law, suggesting additional surface-energy-related mechanisms affecting the domain patterns. Polarization reversal within a single crystallite has been demonstrated and local switching parameters (coercive voltage and remnant piezoresponse) have been measured by monitoring the local hysteresis loops. Reliable control of polarization at the sub-grain level demonstrates …


Dielectric Nanocomposites: An Inside-Out Approach To Storing Electrostatic Energy, Stephen Ducharme Sep 2009

Dielectric Nanocomposites: An Inside-Out Approach To Storing Electrostatic Energy, Stephen Ducharme

Stephen Ducharme Publications

The ability to achieve high-energy densities is the central challenge in energy storage and recovery. A promising strategy for increasing energy storage is to use highperformance dielectric materials, such as highly polarizable nanoparticles or polymers, or nanocomposites of the two. In this issue, Kim et al. use a molecular coating and clever chemistry to combine oxide nanoparticles with a polymer matrix, thereby producing an improved nanocomposite dielectric. Some advantages and challenges of using nanocomposites as improved dielectric materials are presented in this Perspective.


Polarization Switching Kinetics Of Ferroelectric Nanomesas Of Vinylidene Fluoride-Trifluoroethylene Copolymer, R. V. Gaynutdinov, O. A. Lysova, S. G. Yudin, A. L. Tolstikhina, A. L. Kholkin, V. M. Fridkin, Stephen Ducharme Jul 2009

Polarization Switching Kinetics Of Ferroelectric Nanomesas Of Vinylidene Fluoride-Trifluoroethylene Copolymer, R. V. Gaynutdinov, O. A. Lysova, S. G. Yudin, A. L. Tolstikhina, A. L. Kholkin, V. M. Fridkin, Stephen Ducharme

Stephen Ducharme Publications

The polarization switching kinetics of ferroelectric polymer nanomesas was investigated using piezoresponse force microscopy. The nanomesas were made by self-organization from Langmuir–Blodgett films of a 70% vinylidene fluoride and 30% trifluoroethylene copolymer. The polarization switching time exhibits an exponential dependence on reciprocal voltage that is consistent with nucleation-type switching dynamics.


Start The Presses, Stephen V. Ducharme, Alexei Gruverman Jan 2009

Start The Presses, Stephen V. Ducharme, Alexei Gruverman

Stephen Ducharme Publications

A simple nanoimprinting method creates arrays of ferroelectric polymer structures suitable for low-cost, non-volatile memories. With the development of nanoimprinted high-quality ferroelectric nanomesa arrays, it seems that we now have all the necessary ingredients to print inexpensive, disposable organic memory chips.


Regulating Self-Organizing Nanostructures Via External Mechanism, Jiangyu Li, Q. G. Du, Stephen Ducharme Nov 2008

Regulating Self-Organizing Nanostructures Via External Mechanism, Jiangyu Li, Q. G. Du, Stephen Ducharme

Stephen Ducharme Publications

Self-organizing nanostructures are ubiquitous in both natural and synthetic materials. They are not only appealing scientifically, by revealing the intrinsic atomic and molecular interactions that might be difficult to detect otherwise, but may also hold the key for the development of novel functional structures and devices. For their technological potential to be fully realized, the size, morphology, and distribution of the self-organizing nanostructures must be regulated. In this paper, we investigate the principles under which the self-organizing nanostructures can be regulated via external mechanisms. Using nanomesa and nanowell formation in polyvinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene copolymer film as an example, we demonstrate …


Oligo(Vinylidene Fluoride) Langmuir-Blodgett Films Studied By Spectroscopic, Rafal Korlacki, J. Travis Johnston, Jihee Kim, Stephen Ducharme, Daniel W. Thompson, Vladimir M. Fridkin, Zhongxin Ge, James M. Takacs Jan 2008

Oligo(Vinylidene Fluoride) Langmuir-Blodgett Films Studied By Spectroscopic, Rafal Korlacki, J. Travis Johnston, Jihee Kim, Stephen Ducharme, Daniel W. Thompson, Vladimir M. Fridkin, Zhongxin Ge, James M. Takacs

Stephen Ducharme Publications

Thin films of amphiphilic vinylidene fluoride oligomers prepared by Langmuir–Blodgett deposition on silicone substrates were investigated by comparing experimental and theoretical mid-infrared (IR) spectra. The experimental spectra were obtained using infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry. Theoretical spectra were calculated using density functional theory. Excellent correspondence of major IR bands in both data sets shows that the molecular backbone is oriented with the long axis normal to the substrate plane. This is in contrast to poly vinylidene fluoride[1] LB films, in which the polymer chains are parallel to the substrate.