Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Commons^™

Strain Effects On The Phonon Thermal Properties Of Ultra-Scaled Si Nanowires, Abhijeet Paul, Gerhard Klimeck

Birck and NCN Publications

The impact of uniaxial and hydrostatic stress on the ballistic thermal conductance (jl) and the specific heat (Cv) of [100] and [110] Si nanowires are explored using a Modified Valence Force Field phonon model. An anisotropic behavior of jl and isotropic nature of Cv under strain are predicted for the two wire orientations. Compressive (tensile) strain decreases (increases) Cv. The Cv trend with strain is controlled by the high energy phonon sub-bands. Dominant contribution of the low/mid (low/high) energy bands in [100] ([110]) wire and their variation under strain governs thebehaviorofjl.VC 2011AmericanInstituteofPhysics.

Mechanism Of Thermal Conductivity Reduction In Few-Layer Graphene, Druv Singh, Jayathi Y. Murthy, Timothy S. Fisher

Birck and NCN Publications

Using the linearized Boltzmann transport equation and perturbation theory, we analyze the reduction in the intrinsic thermal conductivity of few-layer graphene sheets accounting for all possible three-phonon scattering events. Even with weak coupling between layers, a significant reduction in the thermal conductivity of the out-of-plane acoustic modes is apparent. The main effect of this weak coupling is to open many new three-phonon scattering channels that are otherwise absent in graphene. However, reflection symmetry is only weakly broken with the addition of multiple layers, and out-of-plane acoustic phonons still dominate thermal conductivity. We also find that reduction in thermal conductivity is …

Relaxation Of Optically Excited Carriers In Graphene, Raseong Kim, Vasili Perebeinos, Phaedon Avouris

Birck and NCN Publications

We explore the relaxation of photoexcited graphene by solving a transient Boltzmann transport equation with electron-phonon (e-ph) and electron-electron (e-e) scattering. Simulations show that when the excited carriers are relaxed by e-ph scattering only, a population inversion can be achieved at energies determined by the photon energy. However, e-e scattering quickly thermalizes the carrier energy distributions washing out the negative optical conductivity peaks. The relaxation rates and carrier multiplication effects are presented as a function of photon energy, graphene doping, and dielectric constant.

Entanglement Dynamics Of One-Dimensional Driven Spin Systems In Time-Varying Magnetic Fields, Bedoor Alkurtass, Gehad Sadiek, Sabre Kais

Birck and NCN Publications

We study the dynamics of nearest-neighbor entanglement for a one-dimensional spin chain with a nearest-neighbor time-dependent Heisenberg coupling J(t) between the spins in the presence of a time-dependent external magnetic field h(t) at zero and finite temperatures. We consider different forms of time dependence for the coupling and magnetic field: exponential, hyperbolic, and periodic. Solving the system numerically, we examined the system-size effect on the entanglement asymptotic value. It was found that, for a small system size, the entanglement starts to fluctuate within a short period of time after applying the time-dependent coupling. The period of time increases as the …

Electrochemical Synthesis Of Single Crystal Metal Nanowires, Nan Li

Master's Theses

Electrodeposition is an efficient and economical approach for template synthesis of one-dimensional (1D) nanostructured materials. Based on the porous membranes as templates during electrodeposition, metallic nanowires, nanorods, and nanotubes can overcome the geometrical restrictions to be inserted into the nanometric recesses with both diameter and length well controlled by tuning the size and thickness of the templates.

In this work, the morphology, growth rate and texture of copper nanowires prepared with templates were investigated by the controlled parameters in various experiments. Cu nanowire arrays with preferential orientations can be successfully synthesized into the Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) templates with optimized …

Anti-Stokes Fluorescence Imaging Of Microscale Thermal Fields In Thin Films, A. N. Kuzmin, A. Baev, A. V. Kachynski, Timothy S. Fisher, Ali Shakouri, P. N. Prasad

Birck and NCN Publications

We demonstrate that the in-plane thin film heat transport can be accurately mapped via confocal anti-Stokes fluorescence imaging using fluorescent dye probes and nanoheaters. We employ 3D finite elements analysis to evaluate the thermal conductivity of a control sample and to assess the validity of a point heat source approximation. We have found that this approximation is adequate with use of a tightly focused laser beam, providing a robust means for determining the thermal conductivity of a sample under investigation. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3606429]

Computational Study Of The Seebeck Coefficient Of One-Dimensional Composite Nano-Structures, Raseong Kim, Mark S. Lundstrom

Birck and NCN Publications

The Seebeck coefficient (S) of composite nano-structures is theoretically explored within a self-consistent electro-thermal transport simulation framework using the non-equilibrium Green's function method and a heat diffusion equation. Seebeck coefficients are determined using numerical techniques that mimic experimental measurements. Simulation results show that, without energy relaxing scattering, the overall S of a composite structure is determined by the highest barrier within the device. For a diffusive, composite structure with energy relaxation due to electron-phonon scattering, however, the measured S is an average of the position-dependent values with the weighting factor being the lattice temperature gradient. The results stress the importance …

Observation Of Nonclassical Scaling Laws In The Quality Factors Of Cantilevered Carbon Nanotube Resonators, Ajit Vallabhaneni, Jeff Rhoads, Jayathi Y. Murthy, Xiulin Ruan

Birck and NCN Publications

This work examines the quality factors (Q factors) of resonance associated with the axial and transverse vibrations of single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) resonators through the use of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Specifically, the work investigates the effect of device length, diameter, and chirality, as well as temperature, on the resonant frequency and quality factor of these devices and benchmarks the results of MD simulations against classical theories of energy dissipation. The quality factor (Q) associated with transverse vibration is found to increase with increasing device length (Q similar to L(theta), where 0.8 < theta < 1.4) and decrease with increasing device diameter (Q similar to D(-mu), where 1.4 < mu < 1.6), while the Q associated with axial vibration is almost independent of length and diameter. We show that to accurately predict temperature dependence of Q, the external and internal energies need to be properly decomposed, and temperature quantum correction should be performed. For both vibrational modes, Q shows a temperature dependence Q similar to T(-alpha), where alpha > 1 when below Debye temperature due to quantum …

Effects Of Mass Layer Dimension On A Finite Quartz Crystal Microbalance, Y. P. Kong, Jinxi Liu, Huijing He, Jiashi Yang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

In this paper, we investigate free thickness-shear and thickness-twist vibrations of a finite crystal resonator of AT-cut quartz carrying a thin mass layer at the central portion of its top surface operating as a quartz crystal microbalance. The equations of anisotropic elasticity are used with the omission of the small elastic constant c56. An analytical solution is obtained using Fourier series from which the resonant frequencies, mode shapes and vibration confinement by the mass layer are calculated and examined.

Domain Size And Structure In Exchange Coupled [Co/Pt]/Nio/[Co/Pt] Multilayers, Andrew G. Baruth, Shireen Adenwalla

Shireen Adenwalla Papers

We investigate the competing effects of interlayer exchange coupling and magnetostatic coupling in the magnetic heterostructure ([Co/Pt]/NiO/[Co/Pt]) with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). This particular heterostructure is unique among coupled materials with PMA in directly exhibiting both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic coupling, oscillating between the two as a function of spacer layer thickness. By systematically tuning the coupling interactions via a wedge-shaped NiO spacer layer, we explore the energetics that dictate magnetic domain formation using high resolution magnetic force microscopy coupled with the magneto-optical Kerr effect. This technique probes the microscopic and macroscopic magnetic behavior as a continuous function of thickness and …

Modeling Of Strain Effect On Thermal And Electrical Transport Properties Of Si/Ge Nanocomposites And Its Applications, Yaoyao Xu

All Dissertations

Nanocomposites are composite materials which incorporate nanosized particles, platelets or fibers. The addition of nanosized phases into the bulk matrix can lead to significantly different material properties compared to their macrocomposite counterparts. Due to their extraordinary properties, nanocomposites promise new applications in many fields such as ultra-high strength and ultra-light automotive parts, non-linear optics, biomedical applications, sensors and actuators, and thermoelectric devices. The design and fabrication of nanocomposite structures, devices and systems can be accelerated by developing accurate and efficient computational tools that can describe the properties and behavior of the nanocomposites. However, the development of such tools is challenging …

Atomic-Layer-Deposited Al2o3 On Bi2te3 For Topological Insulator Field-Effect Transistors, Han Liu, Peide D. Ye

Birck and NCN Publications

We report dual-gate modulation of topological insulator field-effect transistors (TI FETs) made on Bi2Te3 thin flakes with integration of atomic-layer-deposited (ALD) Al2O3 high-k dielectric. Atomic force microscopy study shows that ALD Al2O3 is uniformly grown on this layer-structured channel material. Electrical characterization reveals that the right selection of ALD precursors and the related surface chemistry play a critical role in device performance of Bi2Te3 based TI FETs. We realize both top-gate and bottom-gate control on these devices, and the highest modulation rate of 76.1% is achieved by using simultaneous dual gate control. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3622306]

Seismic Characterization Of Select Engineered Nanoparticles In Essentially Saturated Glass Beads, Mohamed Nihad Rajabdeen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A laboratory testing apparatus was developed for the study of seismic body wave propagation through nanoparticles dispersed in pore fluid that is essentially saturating glass beads. First, the responses of water-saturated glass bead specimens were studied to establish baseline signatures. Then the seismic responses in the presence of engineered nanoparticles of various concentrations dispersed in the pore fluid of the specimen chamber were studied to observe variances from baseline.

The testing apparatus incorporates piezoceramic bender elements to actuate and receive seismic body waves through a cylindrical column filled with glass beads and back-saturated at ambient pressure with liquid. The system …

Dislocation Pinning Effects Induced By Nano-Precipitates During Warm Laser Shock Peening: Dislocation Dynamic Simulation And Experiments, Yiliang Liao, Chang Ye, Huang Gao, Bong-Joong Kim, Sergey Suslov, Eric A. Stach, Gary J. Cheng

Birck and NCN Publications

Warm laser shock peening (WLSP) is a new high strain rate surface strengthening process that has been demonstrated to significantly improve the fatigue performance of metallic components. This improvement is mainly due to the interaction of dislocations with highly dense nanoscale precipitates, which are generated by dynamic precipitation during the WLSP process. In this paper, the dislocation pinning effects induced by the nanoscale precipitates during WLSP are systematically studied. Aluminum alloy 6061 and AISI 4140 steel are selected as the materials with which to conduct WLSP experiments. Multiscale discrete dislocation dynamics (MDDD) simulation is conducted in order to investigate the …

Vertical Track Modulus Trending, Shane Michael Farritor, Sheng Lu

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Systems and methods for determining a trend in Vertical track modulus are disclosed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Vertical deflection data is collected along a particular section of railroad track. A first set of Vertical track modulus is determined, based in part, on the collected vertical deflection data. At a second time, vertical deflection data is again collected along the particular section of railroad track to be used in determining a second set of vertical track modulus. At least the first and second sets of Vertical track modulus are analyzed to determine a math ematical algorithm that …

Periodically Changing Morphology Of The Growth Interface In Si, Ge, And Gap Nanowires, C-Y Wen, J. Tersoff, K. Hillerich, M.C. Reuter, J. H. Park, S. Kodambaka, Eric Stach, F.M. Ross

Birck and NCN Publications

Nanowire growth in the standard < 111 > direction is assumed to occur at a planar catalyst-nanowire interface, but recent reports contradict this picture. Here we show that a nonplanar growth interface is, in fact, a general phenomenon. Both III-V and group IV nanowires show a distinct region at the trijunction with a different orientation whose size oscillates during growth, synchronized with step flow. We develop an explicit model for this structure that agrees well with experiment and shows that the oscillations provide a direct visualization of catalyst supersaturation. We discuss the implications for wire growth and structure.

Synthesis And Characterization Of Cdse-Zns Core-Shell Quantum Dots For Increased Quantum Yield, Joshua James Angell

Master's Theses

Quantum dots are semiconductor nanocrystals that have tunable emission through changes in their size. Producing bright, efficient quantum dots with stable fluorescence is important for using them in applications in lighting, photovoltaics, and biological imaging. This study aimed to optimize the process for coating CdSe quantum dots (which are colloidally suspended in octadecene) with a ZnS shell through the pyrolysis of organometallic precursors to increase their fluorescence and stability. This process was optimized by determining the ZnS shell thickness between 0.53 and 5.47 monolayers and the Zn:S ratio in the precursor solution between 0.23:1 and 1.6:1 that maximized the relative …

Nanofabrication Of Halloysite-Pcl Composite Scaffolds And Functionalization Of Titanium For Tissue Regeneration, Shraddha Parshottambhai Patel

Doctoral Dissertations

Major medical needs may be achieved through regenerative medicine. Nanotechnology has triggered a research revolution in many important areas such as the biomedical sciences and bioengineering at the molecular level which has grown significantly due to the availability of new analytical applications and tools based on nanotechnology. Clinical conditions and diseases being targeted by nanotechnology research include burns, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, implant failure, improved wound healing, birth defects, osteoporosis and congestive heart defects. Therapeutic use of growth factors and drugs to stimulate the production and/or function of endogenous cells represents a key area of regenerative medicine. The development of …

Direct Simulation Monte Carlo Study Of Effects Of Thermal Nonuniformities In Electron-Beam Physical Vapor Deposition, A. Venkattraman, Alina A. Alexeenko

Birck and NCN Publications

In a typical electron-beam physical vapor deposition system, there is limited control over how the high-power electron beam heats the metal surface. This leads to thermal nonuniformities at the melt. Three-dimensional direct simulation Monte Carlo simulations were performed with the aim of quantifying the effect of such spatial variations of source temperature in thin film depositions using an electron-beam physical vapor deposition system. The source temperature distribution from a typical deposition process was used in the direct simulation Monte Carlo simulations performed for various mass flow rates. The use of an area-averaged temperature is insufficient for all mass flow rates …

Schottky-Barrier Height Modulation Of Metal/In0.53ga0.47as Interfaces By Insertion Of Atomic-Layer Deposited Ultrathin Al2o3, Runsheng Wang, Min Xu, Peide D. Ye, Ru Huang

Birck and NCN Publications

The improvement of the metal/InGaAs interface is essential for the future application of InGaAs metal source/drain Schottky-barrier metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistors. In this article, on In0.53Ga0.47As, the authors examine the recently proposed method of inserting an ultrathin insulator to modulate the effective Schottky-barrier height (SBH) at the metal/semiconductor interface. Both n-type and p-type In0.53Ga0.47As are investigated by inserting an atomic-layer deposited Al2O3 interlayer. The results indicate that SBH modulation is more effective at the n-InGaAs interface than the p-InGaAs interface for the same Al2O3 thickness. However, the Fermi level at the metal/InGaAs interface is still weakly pinned even after inserting 2 nm …