Investigation of Focused Ion and Electron Beam Platinum Carbon Nano-Tips with Transmission Electron Microscopy for Quantum Tunneling Vacuum Gap Applications

To realize quantum tunneling applications with movable electrodes, sharp tips with radii down to several tens of nanometers are necessary. The use of a focused ion beam (FIB) and focused electron beam (FEB) with a gas injection system (GIS) allows the integration of geometries in the nanoscale directly into micro and nano systems. However, the implementation of the tunneling effect clearly depends on the material. In this work, a metal-organic precursor is used. The investigation of the prepared tunneling electrodes enables an insight into FIB/FEB parameters for the realization of quantum tunneling applications. For this purpose, a high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis is performed. The results show a dependence of the material nanostructure regarding platinum (Pt) grain size and distribution in an amorphous carbon matrix from the used beam and the FIB currents. The integration of the tips into a polysilicon (PolySi) beam and measuring the current signal by approaching the tips show significant differences in the results. Moreover, the approach of FEB tips shows a non-contact behavior even when the tips are squeezed together. The contact behavior depends on the grain size, proportion of platinum, and the amount of amorphous carbon in the microstructure, especially at the edge area of the tips. This study shows significant differences in the nanostructure between FIB and FEB tips, particularly for the FIB tips: The higher the ion current, the greater the platinum content, the finer the grain size, and the higher the probability of a tunneling current by approaching the tips.

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Techniques for Transmission Electron Microscopy of Fiber-Matrix Interfaces in Aluminum Alloy-Boron Composites by Ion Erosio

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100065079 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

pp. 204-205

Author(s):

G. G. Shaw

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽

Aluminum Alloy ◽

Electron Beam ◽

Pure Aluminum ◽

Ion Milling ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Fiber Matrix ◽

Ion Erosion ◽

Row Of Fibers

The morphology and composition of the fiber-matrix interface can best be studied by transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction. For some composites satisfactory samples can be prepared by electropolishing. For others such as aluminum alloy-boron composites ion erosion is necessary.When one wishes to examine a specimen with the electron beam perpendicular to the fiber, preparation is as follows: A 1/8 in. disk is cut from the sample with a cylindrical tool by spark machining. Thin slices, 5 mils thick, containing one row of fibers, are then, spark-machined from the disk. After spark machining, the slice is carefully polished with diamond paste until the row of fibers is exposed on each side, as shown in Figure 1.In the case where examination is desired with the electron beam parallel to the fiber, preparation is as follows: Experimental composites are usually 50 mils or less in thickness so an auxiliary holder is necessary during ion milling and for easy transfer to the electron microscope. This holder is pure aluminum sheet, 3 mils thick.

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Effects of High-Energy Ions on Synthetic Quartz

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100095972 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 30 ◽

pp. 544-545

Author(s):

Joseph J. Comer ◽

Charles Bergeron ◽

Lester F. Lowe

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽

Electron Beam ◽

High Energy ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Kikuchi Lines ◽

High Energy Ions ◽

Diffraction Patterns ◽

Dauphiné Twinning ◽

Beam Damage

Using a Van De Graaff Accelerator thinned specimens were subjected to bombardment by 3 MeV N+ ions to fluences ranging from 4x1013 to 2x1016 ions/cm2. They were then examined by transmission electron microscopy and reflection electron diffraction using a 100 KV electron beam.At the lowest fluence of 4x1013 ions/cm2 diffraction patterns of the specimens contained Kikuchi lines which appeared somewhat broader and more diffuse than those obtained on unirradiated material. No damage could be detected by transmission electron microscopy in unannealed specimens. However, Dauphiné twinning was particularly pronounced after heating to 665°C for one hour and cooling to room temperature. The twins, seen in Fig. 1, were often less than .25 μm in size, smaller than those formed in unirradiated material and present in greater number. The results are in agreement with earlier observations on the effect of electron beam damage on Dauphiné twinning.

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The use of an energy-filtering electron microscope to reduce chromatic aberration in images of thick biological specimens

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100142116 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 44 ◽

pp. 88-91

Author(s):

L. D. Peachey ◽

J. P. Heath ◽

G. Lamprecht

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽

Electron Beam ◽

Cross Section ◽

Electron Scattering ◽

Chromatic Aberration ◽

Image Resolution ◽

Incident Electron Energy ◽

Energy Filtering ◽

Transmission Electron

Biological specimens of cells and tissues generally are considerably thicker than ideal for high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Actual image resolution achieved is limited by chromatic aberration in the image forming electron lenses combined with significant energy loss in the electron beam due to inelastic scattering in the specimen. Increased accelerating voltages (HVEM, IVEM) have been used to reduce the adverse effects of chromatic aberration by decreasing the electron scattering cross-section of the elements in the specimen and by increasing the incident electron energy.

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The Domain and Microstructure of Resin-Bonded Magnets

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14112849 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (11) ◽

pp. 2849

Author(s):

Marcin Jan Dośpiał

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽

Grain Size ◽

Size Distribution ◽

Domain Structure ◽

Grain Size Distribution ◽

Exchange Interactions ◽

Force Microscopy ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Scanning Electron

This paper presents domain and structure studies of bonded magnets made from nanocrystalline Nd-(Fe, Co)-B powder. The structure studies were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. On the basis of performed qualitative and quantitative phase composition studies, it was found that investigated alloy was mainly composed of Nd2(Fe-Co)14B hard magnetic phase (98 vol%) and a small amount of Nd1.1Fe4B4 paramagnetic phase (2 vol%). The best fit of grain size distribution was achieved for the lognormal function. The mean grain size determined from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images on the basis of grain size distribution and diffraction pattern using the Bragg equation was about ≈130 nm. HRTEM images showed that over-stoichiometric Nd was mainly distributed on the grain boundaries as a thin amorphous border of 2 nm in width. The domain structure was investigated using a scanning electron microscope and metallographic light microscope, respectively, by Bitter and Kerr methods, and by magnetic force microscopy. Domain structure studies revealed that the observed domain structure had a labyrinth shape, which is typically observed in magnets, where strong exchange interactions between grains are present. The analysis of the domain structure in different states of magnetization revealed the dynamics of the reversal magnetization process.

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