The focus of this project was the characterization and growth of 3C-silicon carbide (b-SiC) nanowires using the vapor-liquid-solid method. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) occurred at temperatures ranging from 1050oC to 1100oC using silane and propane as precursor gases. Experimentation with various surface preparations, including metal catalysts such as nickel (Ni) and aluminum (Al) deposited b...

Metal-semiconductor Janus-like nanoparticles with the composition tantalum silicide-silicon (TaSi₂/Si) were synthesized for the first time by means of an evaporation method utilizing a high-power electron beam. The composition of the synthesized particles were characterized using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), selective area electron diffracti...

We describe our investigations of a plasma-cathode electron source designed for the deposition oxide coatings by electron-beam evaporation dielectric materials. Tests carried out using oxygen as working gas showed that is operable without change in parameters at least ten hours continuous operation. The current–voltage characteristics hollow-cathode plasma displayed monotonically increasing cha...

We elucidated the distance-dependent plasmonic effects on radiative transitions from an Eu(3+) ion-doped phosphor by varying the thickness of the dielectric spacer. Magnesium oxide prepared by electron-beam evaporation was chosen for the dielectric spacer. Spectral overlap between emission from Eu(3+) ions and the plasmon band of Ag nanoparticles led to improved luminescence intensity. This lum...

We discuss the pinning properties of MgB2 thin films grown by pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) and by electron-beam (EB) evaporation. Two mechanisms are identified that contribute most effectively to the pinning of vortices in randomly oriented films. The EB process produces low defected crystallites with a small grain size providing enhanced pinning at grain boundaries without any degradation of ...

Superlattices consisting of As monolayers ~MLs! in ~In,Ga,Al!Sb and Sb MLs in ~In,Ga,Al!As were grown by molecular beam epitaxy and characterized by x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. In all cases, well-defined superlattices were formed when the growth temperature was sufficiently low. As temperature increases for the As MLs in antimonid...

The structure of core-shell Cu@silica and Ag@Si nanoparticles obtained in one-step through evaporation of elemental precursors by a high-powered electron beam are investigated. The structure of the core and shell of the particles are investigated in order to elucidate their mechanisms of formation and factors affecting the synthesis. It is proposed that the formation of Cu@silica particles is m...

Electromechanical properties of the cellular polypropylene ferroelectret films (EMFIT) evidence their high potential for the air-coupled ultrasonic applications. The disadvantage with respect to their low coupling factor could be compensated by the extremely low acoustic impedance. A figure of merit is proposed to compare and estimate piezoelectric materials intended for the air-coupled ultraso...

Deep-ultraviolet surface-enhanced Raman scattering (UV-SERS) is a promising technique for bioimaging and detection because many biological molecules possess UV absorption lines leading to strongly resonant Raman scattering. Here, Al nanovoid substrates are developed by combining nanoimprint lithography of etched polymer/silica opal films with electron beam evaporation, to give a high-performanc...