Critical aspects of substrate nanopatterning for the ordered growth of GaN nanocolumns.

Precise and reproducible surface nanopatterning is the key for a successful ordered growth of GaN nanocolumns. In this work, we point out the main technological issues related to the patterning process, mainly surface roughness and cleaning, and mask adhesion to the substrate. We found that each of these factors, process-related, has a dramatic impact on the subsequent selective growth of the columns inside the patterned holes. We compare the performance of e-beam lithography, colloidal lithography, and focused ion beam in the fabrication of hole-patterned masks for ordered columnar growth. These results are applicable to the ordered growth of nanocolumns of different materials.

Nanoindentation of Bridgman YBCO samples

In this study, the mechanical properties of YBa2Cu3O7−x, obtained by the Bridgman technique, were examined using a Berkovich tip indenter on the basal plane (0 0 1). Intrinsic hardness was measured by nanoindentation tests and corrected using the Nix and Gao model for this material. Furthermore, Vickers hardness tests were performed, in order to determine the possible size effect on these measurements. The results showed an underestimation of the hardness value when the tests were performed with large loads. Moreover, the elastic modulus of the Bridgman samples was 128 ± 5 GPa. Different residual imprints were visualised by atomic force microscopy and a focused ion beam, in order to observe superficial and internal fracturing. Mechanical properties presented a considerable reduction at the interface. This effect could be attributed to internal stress generated during the texturing process. In order to corroborate this hypothesis, an observation using transmission electron microscopy was performed.

High temperature nanoindentation behavior of Al/SiC multilayers

Nanoscale Al/SiC composite laminates have unique properties, such as high strength, high toughness, and damage tolerance. In this article, the high-temperature nanoindentation response of Al/SiC nanolaminates is explored from room temperature up to 300_C. Selected nanoindentations were analyzed postmortem using focused ion beam and transmission electron microscopy to ascertain the microstructural changes and the deformation mechanisms operating at high temperature.

Laser Driven Neutron Sources: Characteristics, Applications and Prospects

The basics of laser driven neutron sources, properties and possible applications are discussed. We describe the laser driven nuclear processes which trigger neutron generation, namely, nuclear reactions induced by laser driven ion beam (ion n), thermonuclear fusion by implosion and photo-induced nuclear (gamma n) reactions. Based on their main properties, i.e. point source (<100 μm) and short durations (< ns), different applications are described, such as radiography, time-resolved spectroscopy and pump-probe experiments. Prospects on the development of laser technology suggest that, as higher intensities and higher repetition rate lasers become available (for example, using DPSSL technology), laser driven methodologies may provide neutron fluxes comparable to that achieved by accelerator driven neutron sources in the near future.

Electrical, photoelectrical and morphological properties of ZnO nanowire networks grown on SiO2 and on Si

ZnO nanofibre networks (NFNs) were grown by vapour transport method on Si-based substrates. One type of substrate was SiO2 thermally grown on Si and another consisted of a Si wafer onto which Si nanowires (NWs) had been grown having Au nanoparticles catalysts. The ZnO-NFN morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy on samples grown at 600 °C and 720 °C substrate temperature, while an focused ion beam was used to study the ZnO NFN/Si NWs/Si and ZnO NFN/SiO2 interfaces. Photoluminescence, electrical conductance and photoconductance of ZnO-NFN was studied for the sample grown on SiO2. The photoluminescence spectra show strong peaks due to exciton recombination and lattice defects. The ZnO-NFN presents quasi-persistent photoconductivity effects and ohmic I-V characteristics which become nonlinear and hysteretic as the applied voltage is increased. The electrical conductance as a function of temperature can be described by a modified three dimensional variable hopping model with nanometer-ranged typical hopping distances.

The SIROCO Asteroid Deflection Demonstrator

There is evidence of past Near-Earth-Objects (NEOs) impacts on Earth and several studies indicating that even relatively small objects are capable of causing large local damage, either directly or in combination with other phenomena, e.g. tsunamis. This paper describes a space mission concept to demonstrate some of the key technologies to rendezvous with an asteroid and accurately measure its trajectory during and after a deflection maneuver. The mission, called SIROCO, makes use of the recently proposed ion beam shepherd (IBS) concept where a stream of accelerated plasma ions is directed against the surface of a small NEO resulting in a net transmitted deflection force. We show that by carefully selecting the target NEO a measurable deflection can be obtained in a few weeks of continuous thrust with a small spacecraft and state of the art electric propulsion hardware.

A new PET prototype for proton therapy: comparison of data and Monte Carlo simulations

Ion beam therapy is a valuable method for the treatment of deep-seated and radio-resistant tumors thanks to the favorable depth-dose distribution characterized by the Bragg peak. Hadrontherapy facilities take advantage of the specific ion range, resulting in a highly conformal dose in the target volume, while the dose in critical organs is reduced as compared to photon therapy. The necessity to monitor the delivery precision, i.e. the ion range, is unquestionable, thus different approaches have been investigated, such as the detection of prompt photons or annihilation photons of positron emitter nuclei created during the therapeutic treatment. Based on the measurement of the induced β+ activity, our group has developed various in-beam PET prototypes: the one under test is composed by two planar detector heads, each one consisting of four modules with a total active area of 10 × 10 cm2. A single detector module is made of a LYSO crystal matrix coupled to a position sensitive photomultiplier and is read-out by dedicated frontend electronics. A preliminary data taking was performed at the Italian National Centre for Oncological Hadron Therapy (CNAO, Pavia), using proton beams in the energy range of 93–112 MeV impinging on a plastic phantom. The measured activity profiles are presented and compared with the simulated ones based on the Monte Carlo FLUKA package.

Effect of layer thickness on the high temperature mechanical properties of Al/SiC nanolaminates

Composite laminates on the nanoscale have shown superior hardness and toughness, but little is known about their high temperature behavior. The mechanical properties (elastic modulus and hardness) were measured as a function of temperature by means of nanoindentation in Al/SiC nanolaminates, a model metal–ceramic nanolaminate fabricated by physical vapor deposition. The influence of the Al and SiC volume fraction and layer thicknesses was determined between room temperature and 150 °C and, the deformation modes were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, using a focused ion beam to prepare cross-sections through selected indents. It was found that ambient temperature deformation was controlled by the plastic flow of the Al layers, constrained by the SiC, and the elastic bending of the SiC layers. The reduction in hardness with temperature showed evidence of the development of interface-mediated deformation mechanisms, which led to a clear influence of layer thickness on the hardness.