43,539 research outputs found
Tuning and Switching a Plasmonic Quantum Dot Sandwich in a Nematic Line Defect
We study the quantum-mechanical effects arising in a single semiconductor
core/shell quantum dot controllably sandwiched between two plasmonic nanorods.
Control over the position and the sandwich confinement structure is achieved by
the use of a linear-trap, liquid-crystal line defect and laser tweezers that
push the sandwich together. This arrangement allows for the study of exciton
plasmon interactions in a single structure, unaltered by ensemble effects or
the complexity of dielectric interfaces. We demonstrate the effect of plasmonic
confinement on the photon-antibunching behavior of the quantum dot and its
luminescence lifetime. The quantum dot behaves as a single emitter when
nanorods are far away from the quantum dot but shows possible multiexciton
emission and a significantly decreased lifetime when tightly confined in a
plasmonic sandwich. These findings demonstrate that liquid crystal defects,
combined with laser tweezers, enable a versatile platform to study plasmonic
coupling phenomena in a nanoscale laboratory, where all elements can be
arranged almost at will.Comment: Supporting information at the en
3D Simulation of the Effects of Surface Defects on Field Emitted Electrons
The ever-growing demand for higher beam energies has dramatically increased the risk of RF breakdown, limiting the maximum achievable accelerating gradient. Field emission is the most frequently encountered RF breakdown where it occurs at regions of locally enhanced electric field. Electrons accelerated across the cavity as they tunnel through the surface in the presence of microscopic defects. Upon Impact, most of the kinetic energy is converted into heat and stress. This can inflict irreversible damage to the surface, creating additional field emission sites. This work aims to investigate, through simulation, the physics involved during both emission and impact of electrons. A newly developed 3D field model of an 805 MHz cavity is generated by COMSOL Multiphysics. Electron tracking is performed using a Matlab based code, calculating the relevant parameters needed by employing fourth Order Runge Kutta integration. By studying such behaviours in 3D, it is possible to identify how the cavity surface can alter the local RF field and lead to breakdown and subsequent damages. The ultimate aim is to introduce new surface standards to ensure better cavity performance
Effect of annealing on the depth profile of hole concentration in (Ga,Mn)As
The effect of annealing at 250 C on the carrier depth profile, Mn
distribution, electrical conductivity, and Curie temperature of (Ga,Mn)As
layers with thicknesses > 200 nm, grown by molecular-beam epitaxy at low
temperatures, is studied by a variety of analytical methods. The vertical
gradient in hole concentration, revealed by electrochemical capacitance-voltage
profiling, is shown to play a key role in the understanding of conductivity and
magnetization data. The gradient, basically already present in as-grown
samples, is strongly influenced by post-growth annealing. From secondary ion
mass spectroscopy it can be concluded that, at least in thick layers, the
change in carrier depth profile and thus in conductivity is not primarily due
to out-diffusion of Mn interstitials during annealing. Two alternative possible
models are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.
Enhanced Optical 13C Hyperpolarization in Diamond Treated by High-Temperature Rapid Thermal Annealing
Methods of optical dynamic nuclear polarization open the door to the replenishable hyperpolarization of nuclear spins, boosting their nuclear magnetic resonance/imaging signatures by orders of magnitude. Nanodiamond powder rich in negatively charged nitrogen vacancy defect centers has recently emerged as one such promising platform, wherein 13C nuclei can be hyperpolarized through the optically pumped defects completely at room temperature. Given the compelling possibility of relaying this 13C polarization to nuclei in external liquids, there is an urgent need for the engineered production of highly “hyperpolarizable” diamond particles. Here, a systematic study of various material dimensions affecting optical 13C hyperpolarization in diamond particles is reported on. It is discovered surprisingly that diamond annealing at elevated temperatures ∼1720 °C has remarkable effects on the hyperpolarization levels enhancing them by above an order of magnitude over materials annealed through conventional means. It is demonstrated these gains arise from a simultaneous improvement in NV− electron relaxation/coherence times, as well as the reduction of paramagnetic content, and an increase in 13C relaxation lifetimes. This work suggests methods for the guided materials production of fluorescent, 13C hyperpolarized, nanodiamonds and pathways for their use as multimodal (optical and magnetic resonance) imaging and hyperpolarization agents
Preparation and biological investigation of luminescent water soluble CdTe nanoparticles
In this study CdTe quantum dots have been successfully prepared in aqueous medium using several different thiol stabilizers. The resulting nanocrystals were purified and the photoluminescence efficiency was subsequently enhanced through post preparative procedures such as photochemical etching and ageing. An optical study was carried out on the resulting CdTe nanocrystals as proof as their improvement. Preliminary tests of the thiol stabilised QDs as potential biolabels have been performed. It has been shown that L-cysteine stabilised QDs localising to the outer cell membrane in living cells. TGA stabilised CdTe QDs can potentially serve as live cell imaging tools as they exhibit strong luminescence and excellent photostability. In addition, the ability of TGA stabilised CdTe QDs to traverse the cell membrane of macrophages is a formidable quality that may potentially be harnessed for imaging and therapeutics. Modulating the delivery of QDs to subcellular locations in living cells opens a myriad of potential applications ranging from drug delivery to examination of intracellular processes
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