Electron energy-loss spectroscopy studies of nanometre-scale structures in alumina produced by intense electron-beam irradiation

Berger, S. D.; Salisbury, I. G.; Milne, Richard; Imeson, D.; Humphreys, C. J.

doi:10.1080/13642818708208619

Cited by 107 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Although radiation-induced redox effects have been observed in previous studies 14,[17][18][19]44 , this comparative investigation of both valence state changes and structural damage caused by irradiation, in a range of materials, represents the first demonstration of systematic coupling between the two modifications. Reducible materials, with multivalent cations, show structural radiation responses that are fundamentally different from that of non-redox active ThO 2 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…14) and UO 2 (ref. 43), while Al 2 O 3 has been shown to undergo both reduction 44 and anion-selective defect accumulation 45 . Anion segregation, accompanied by chemical reduction, has also been observed in Al 2 O 3 irradiated with an ultrafast laser 46 , which, similar to high-energy heavy ions, deposits energy in a material via electronic excitation.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Redox response of actinide materials to highly ionizing radiation

et al. 2015

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Energetic radiation can cause dramatic changes in the physical and chemical properties of actinide materials, degrading their performance in fission-based energy systems. As advanced nuclear fuels and wasteforms are developed, fundamental understanding of the processes controlling radiation damage accumulation is necessary. Here we report oxidation state reduction of actinide and analogue elements caused by high-energy, heavy ion irradiation and demonstrate coupling of this redox behaviour with structural modifications. ThO 2 , in which thorium is stable only in a tetravalent state, exhibits damage accumulation processes distinct from those of multivalent cation compounds CeO 2 (Ce 3 þ and Ce 4 þ ) and UO 3 (U 4 þ , U 5 þ and U 6 þ ). The radiation tolerance of these materials depends on the efficiency of this redox reaction, such that damage can be inhibited by altering grain size and cation valence variability. Thus, the redox behaviour of actinide materials is important for the design of nuclear fuels and the prediction of their performance.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Redox response of actinide materials to highly ionizing radiation

et al. 2015

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“…A comparison of the post-edge to references shows that the EELS spectrum after pore formation is a linear combination of spectra acquired from metallic Al and γ-Al 2 O 3 . [133,140] Berger et al and Na-β Al 2 O 3 systems. [133] The O K edge located at 537 eV did not change significantly after sputtering the pore as seen in figure 23c.…”

Section: Electron Diffractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[133,140] Berger et al and Na-β Al 2 O 3 systems. [133] The O K edge located at 537 eV did not change significantly after sputtering the pore as seen in figure 23c. Compositional variations were calculated by the kfactor [142] method and revealed that the O to Al ratio in the local nanopore region decreased from 1.5 before pore formation to ~0.6 after pore formation.…”

Section: Electron Diffractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The damage mechanism in alumina during pore formation is attributed to the Knotek-Feibelman oxygen ion desorption mechanism. [133,134] Oxygen is preferentially desorbed from the surface by core-level ionization processes during electron irradiation, forming high Al content regions and facetted metal Al clusters in the vicinity of the pore. [135] In ultra-high vacuum environments, the reoxidation of these facets is quenched allowing reactive aluminum to remain in its metallic state, thereby forming stable Al crystals.…”

Section: Sio 2 Nanopore Fabricationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Solid-State Nanopore Sensors for Nucleic Acid Analysis

Venkatesan

Bashir

2011

Nanopores

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Nanopore DNA analysis is an emerging technique that involves electrophoretically driving DNA molecules through a nano-scale pore in solution and monitoring the corresponding change in ionic pore current. This versatile approach permits the label-free, amplification-free analysis of charged polymers (single stranded DNA, double stranded DNA and RNA) ranging in length from single nucleotides to kilobase long genomic DNA fragments with subnanometer resolution.Recent advances in nanopores suggest that this low-cost, highly scalable technology could lend itself to the development of third generation DNA sequencing technologies, promising rapid and reliable sequencing of the human diploid genome for under $1000.Here, we report the development of versatile, nano-manufactured Al 2 O 3 solid-state nanopores and nanopore arrays for rapid, label-free, single-molecule detection and analysis of DNA and protein. This nano-scale technology has proven to be reliable, affordable, and mass producible, and allows for integration with VLSI processes. A detailed characterization of nanopore performance in terms of electrical noise, mechanical robustness and materials analysis is provided, and the functionality of this technology in experimental DNA biophysics is explored.A framework for the application of this technology to medical diagnostics and sequencing is also presented. Specifically, studies involved the detection of DNA-protein complexes, a viable strategy in screening methylation patterns in panels of genes for early cancer detection, and the creation of lipid bilayer coated nanopore sensors, useful in creating hybrid biological/solid-state nanopores for DNA sequencing applications.The concept of a gated nanopore is also presented with preliminary results. The fabrication of this novel system has been enabled by the recent discovery of graphene, a highly versatile material with remarkable electrical and mechanical properties. Direct modulation of the nanopore conductance was observed through the application of potentials to the graphene gate.These exciting results suggest this technology could potentially be useful in slowing down or trapping a DNA molecule in the pore, thereby enabling solid-state nanopore sequencing.iii

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Unraveling the Highly Plastic Behavior of ALD‐Aluminum Oxide Encapsulations by Small‐Scale Tensile Testing

Vogl,

Schweizer,

Minor

et al. 2024

Adv Eng Mater

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We present a study directly measuring the electron beam induced plasticity of amorphous Al2O3 coatings. Core‐shell nanostructures were employed as small‐scale model systems for 2D coatings made by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Copper nanowires (NWs) are used as substrates for ALD deposition, representing a model system for interconnects commonly found in integrated circuits. Experiments were performed in situ in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and further analyzed with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Our in situ TEM tensile experiments reveal the highly plastic behavior of the ALD shell, which withstands a maximum strain of 188%. Comparable samples under beam‐off conditions show brittle fracture, which underlines the effect of electron irradiation. The electron‐beam activated bond switching within the amorphous network enables compensation of the applied tensile strain, leading to viscous flow. By incorporating an intermediate nanocrystalline layer within the Al2O3 shell, the plasticity is suppressed and brittle fracture occurs. This work directly demonstrates the tuning of mechanical properties in amorphous ALD structures through electron irradiation.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Electron energy-loss spectroscopy studies of nanometre-scale structures in alumina produced by intense electron-beam irradiation

Cited by 107 publications

References 18 publications

Redox response of actinide materials to highly ionizing radiation

Redox response of actinide materials to highly ionizing radiation

Solid-State Nanopore Sensors for Nucleic Acid Analysis

Unraveling the Highly Plastic Behavior of ALD‐Aluminum Oxide Encapsulations by Small‐Scale Tensile Testing

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