Size effect on the optical and paramagnetic absorption of silver particles in a glass matrix

The electron irradiation of silicate glasses containing metal cations produces various types of phase separation and decomposition which includes oxygen bubble formation at intermediate temperatures figure I. The kinetics of bubble formation are too rapid to be accounted for by oxygen diffusion but the behavior is consistent with a cation diffusion mechanism if the amount of oxygen in the bubble is not significantly different from that in the same volume of silicate glass. The formation of oxygen bubbles is often accompanied by precipitation of crystalline phases and/or amorphous phase decomposition in the regions between the bubbles and the detection of differences in oxygen concentration between the bubble and matrix by electron energy loss spectroscopy cannot be discerned (figure 2) even when the bubble occupies the majority of the foil depth.The oxygen bubbles are stable, even in the thin foils, months after irradiation and if van der Waals behavior of the interior gas is assumed an oxygen pressure of about 4000 atmospheres must be sustained for a 100 bubble if the surface tension with the glass matrix is to balance against it at intermediate temperatures.

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The Application of Ultra-Thin Sectioning Techniques to Non-Biological Samples

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100101402 ◽

1968 ◽

Vol 26 ◽

pp. 332-333

Author(s):

C. F. Oster

Keyword(s):

Biological Sciences ◽

Epoxy Resin ◽

Cross Sections ◽

Biological Samples ◽

Industrial Applications ◽

Photographic Film ◽

Silver Particles ◽

Thin Sectioning ◽

Embedding Medium

Although ultra-thin sectioning techniques are widely used in the biological sciences, their applications are somewhat less popular but very useful in industrial applications. This presentation will review several specific applications where ultra-thin sectioning techniques have proven invaluable.The preparation of samples for sectioning usually involves embedding in an epoxy resin. Araldite 6005 Resin and Hardener are mixed so that the hardness of the embedding medium matches that of the sample to reduce any distortion of the sample during the sectioning process. No dehydration series are needed to prepare our usual samples for embedding, but some types require hardening and staining steps. The embedded samples are sectioned with either a prototype of a Porter-Blum Microtome or an LKB Ultrotome III. Both instruments are equipped with diamond knives.In the study of photographic film, the distribution of the developed silver particles through the layer is important to the image tone and/or scattering power. Also, the morphology of the developed silver is an important factor, and cross sections will show this structure.

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Microstructural and Microchemical Characterization of Nickel Sulfide Inclusions in Plate Glass

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100089123 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 49 ◽

pp. 962-963

Author(s):

J. Cooper ◽

O. Popoola ◽

W. M. Kriven

Keyword(s):

Thermal Expansion ◽

Phase Transformation ◽

Glass Matrix ◽

Nickel Sulfide ◽

Plate Glass ◽

Thermal Expansion Mismatch ◽

Volume Increase ◽

Β Phase ◽

Microchemical Characterization

Nickel sulfide inclusions have been implicated in the spontaneous fracture of large windows of tempered plate glass. Two alternative explanations for the fracture-initiating behaviour of these inclusions have been proposed: (1) the volume increase which accompanies the α to β phase transformation in stoichiometric NiS, and (2) the thermal expansion mismatch between the nickel sulfide phases and the glass matrix. The microstructure and microchemistry of the small inclusions (80 to 250 μm spheres), needed to determine the cause of fracture, have not been well characterized hitherto. The aim of this communication is to report a detailed TEM and EDS study of the inclusions.

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Investigation of cluster layers of small netal particles by TEM, SEM, EELS and by photoacoustic spectroscopy

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100174382 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 250-251

Author(s):

H. Seiler ◽

U. Haas ◽

K.H. Körtje

Keyword(s):

Bulk Material ◽

High Vacuum ◽

Optical Methods ◽

Metal Particles ◽

Silver Particles ◽

Low Loss ◽

Plasmon Excitation ◽

First Results ◽

Diffraction Patterns ◽

Small Metal Particles

The physical properties of small metal particles reveal an intermediate position between atomic and bulk material. Especially Ag has shown pronounced size effects. We compared silver layers evaporated in high vacuum with cluster layers of small silver particles, evaporated in N2 at a pressure of about 102 Pa. The investigations were performed by electron optical methods (TEM, SEM, EELS) and by Photoacoustic (PA) Spectroscopy (gas-microphone detection).The observation of cluster layers with TEM and high resolution SEM show small silver particles with diameters of about 50 nm (Fig. 1 and Figure 2, respectively). The electron diffraction patterns of homogeneous Ag layers and of cluster layers are similar, whereas the low loss EELS spectra due to plasmon excitation are quite different. Fig. 3 and Figure 4 show first results of EELS spectra of a cluster layer of small silver particles on carbon foil and of a homogeneous Ag layer, respectively.

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Nanostructure of semiconductor quantum dots in a borosilicate glass matrix by complementary use of HREM and AEM

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100176770 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 728-729

Author(s):

M.J. Kim ◽

L.C. Liu ◽

S.H. Risbud ◽

R.W. Carpenter

Keyword(s):

Quantum Dots ◽

Borosilicate Glass ◽

Glass Matrix ◽

Optical Switching ◽

Response Times ◽

Fast Response ◽

Processing Technique ◽

Internal Stresses ◽

Electron Hole ◽

Spatial Dimensions

When the size of a semiconductor is reduced by an appropriate materials processing technique to a dimension less than about twice the radius of an exciton in the bulk crystal, the band like structure of the semiconductor gives way to discrete molecular orbital electronic states. Clusters of semiconductors in a size regime lower than 2R {where R is the exciton Bohr radius; e.g. 3 nm for CdS and 7.3 nm for CdTe) are called Quantum Dots (QD) because they confine optically excited electron- hole pairs (excitons) in all three spatial dimensions. Structures based on QD are of great interest because of fast response times and non-linearity in optical switching applications.In this paper we report the first HREM analysis of the size and structure of CdTe and CdS QD formed by precipitation from a modified borosilicate glass matrix. The glass melts were quenched by pouring on brass plates, and then annealed to relieve internal stresses. QD precipitate particles were formed during subsequent "striking" heat treatments above the glass crystallization temperature, which was determined by differential thermal analysis.

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