Curvature effect on the interaction between folded graphitic surface and silver clusters

Evidence of curvature effects on the interaction and binding of silver clusters on folded graphitic surfaces has been shown from both experiment and theory. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations within the local density and generalized gradient approximations have been performed for the structural relaxation of both Ag and Ag$_2$ on curved surfaces, showing a cross-over from quantum to classical behaviour. Using Lennard-Jones potential to model the interaction between a single cluster and the graphene surface, evidence is found for the curvature effect on the binding of silver nano-particles to folding graphitic surfaces. The theoretical results are compared to SEM and AFM images of samples obtained from pre-formed silver cluster deposition on carboneous substrates exhibiting anisotropic pleat structures

Diffusion of silver nanoparticles on carbonaceous materials. Cluster mobility as a probe for surface characterization

The effect of support geometry and structure on nanoparticles diffusion, nucleation and coalescence was already shown. In this paper, we focus on an alternative use of the interaction between deposited clusters and the substrate for the characterization of surface properties. The use of clusters deposition as probe for surface states characterization appears as an attractive and remarkable tool

Fluorescence imaging of submicrometric lattices of colour centres in LiF by an apertureless scanning near-field optical microscope

We report fluorescence imaging of colour centres in Lithium Fluoride (LiF) using an apertureless Scanning Near Field Optical Microscope (SNOM). The sample consists of periodically spaced submicrometric coloured areas F-2 laser-active colour centres produced by low-energy electron beam lithography on the surface of a LiF thin film. A silicon Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) tip is used as an apertureless optical probe. AFM images show a uniform surface roughness with a RMS of 7.2 nm. The SNOM images of the red fluorescence of colour centres excited at lambda =458 nm with an argon ion laser show that the local photon emission is unambiguously related to the coloured areas and that topographic artefacts can be excluded. (C)2001 Optical Society of America

Fluorescence measurements of F2 color center nanostructures by an apertureless SNOM

International audienc

Fluorescence measurements of F2 color center nanostructures by an apertureless SNOM

International audienc