Fork stamping of pristine carbon nanotubes onto ferromagnetic contacts for spin-valve devices

We present a fabrication scheme called 'fork stamping' optimized for the dry transfer of individual pristine carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto ferromagnetic contact electrodes fabricated by standard lithography. We demonstrate the detailed recipes for a residue-free device fabrication and in-situ current annealing on suspended CNT spin-valve devices with ferromagnetic Permalloy (Py) contacts and report preliminary transport characterization and magnetoresistance experiments at cryogenic temperatures. This scheme can directly be used to implement more complex device structures, including multiple gates or superconducting contacts.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, submitted to IWEPNM 2015 conference proceedings (physica status solidi (b)

Spatially Resolved Raman Spectroscopy of Single- and Few-Layer Graphene

We present Raman spectroscopy measurements on single- and few-layer graphene flakes. Using a scanning confocal approach we collect spectral data with spatial resolution, which allows us to directly compare Raman images with scanning force micrographs. Single-layer graphene can be distinguished from double- and few-layer by the width of the D' line: the single peak for single-layer graphene splits into different peaks for the double-layer. These findings are explained using the double-resonant Raman model based on ab-initio calculations of the electronic structure and of the phonon dispersion. We investigate the D line intensity and find no defects within the flake. A finite D line response originating from the edges can be attributed either to defects or to the breakdown of translational symmetry

Raman imaging of doping domains in graphene on SiO2

We present spatially resolved Raman images of the G and 2D lines of single-layer graphene flakes. The spatial fluctuations of G and 2D lines are correlated and are thus shown to be affiliated with local doping domains. We investigate the position of the 2D line -- the most significant Raman peak to identify single-layer graphene -- as a function of charging up to |n|~4 10^12 cm^-2. Contrary to the G line which exhibits a strong and symmetric stiffening with respect to electron and hole-doping, the 2D line shows a weak and slightly asymmetric stiffening for low doping. Additionally, the line width of the 2D line is, in contrast to the G line, doping-independent making this quantity a reliable measure for identifying single-layer graphene

Stacked Micro Heat Exchange System for Optimized Thermal Coupling of MicroTEGs

This study presents modeling and experimental results of micro thermoelectric generators (μTEGs) integrated into a multilayer micro heat exchange system. The multilayer configuration benefits from low heat transfer resistances at small fluid flow rates and at the same time from low required pumping powers. The compact stacked power device allows for high net output power per volume, and therefore a reduction in size, weight, and cost compared with conventional large-scale heat exchangers. The influence of the boundary conditions and the system design parameters on the net output power of the micro heat exchange system was investigated by simulation. The theoretical results showed a major impact of the microchannel dimensions and the μTEG thickness on the overall output performance of the system. By adapting the applied fluid flow rate, the system's net power output can be maximized for varying operating temperatures. Experimental measurements of the cross-flow micro heat exchange system were in good agreement with the performed simulations. A net μTEG output power of 62.9mW/cm2 was measured for a double-layer system at an applied water inlet temperature difference of 60K with a Bi2Te3 μTEG (ZT of 0.12), resulting in a net volumetric efficiency factor of 37.2W/m3/K

Computational Design of Chemical Nanosensors: Metal Doped Carbon Nanotubes

We use computational screening to systematically investigate the use of transition metal doped carbon nanotubes for chemical gas sensing. For a set of relevant target molecules (CO, NH3, H2S) and the main components of air (N2, O2, H2O), we calculate the binding energy and change in conductance upon adsorption on a metal atom occupying a vacancy of a (6,6) carbon nanotube. Based on these descriptors, we identify the most promising dopant candidates for detection of a given target molecule. From the fractional coverage of the metal sites in thermal equilibrium with air, we estimate the change in the nanotube resistance per doping site as a function of the target molecule concentration assuming charge transport in the diffusive regime. Our analysis points to Ni-doped nanotubes as candidates for CO sensors working under typical atmospheric conditions

Raman mapping of a single-layer to double-layer graphene transition

Abstract.: We report on confocal Raman spectroscopy on a few-layer graphene flake. Adjacent single- and double-layer graphene sections allow mapping the transition in vibrational and electronic properties to a second stacked graphene sheet and with it a weak interlayer coupling. Most prominently the width of the D' peak doubles upon going from a single to a double layer, which can be explained within the double-resonant Raman model. The intensities of the G and G' lines decrease at the crossover to a single layer. Contrary to the G' line the G peak position shifts to higher wave numbers, however, not uniformly over the entire section: its frequency fluctuates spatially. The Raman map of the D line intensity shows a non-zero contribution at the boundaries of the flake and the individual sections, which can be attributed either to defects and disorder or to the breakdown of translational symmetry, whereas within the flake no D line signal is detecte

Clean carbon nanotubes coupled to superconducting impedance-matching circuits.

Coupling carbon nanotube devices to microwave circuits offers a significant increase in bandwidth (BW) and signal-to-noise ratio. These facilitate fast non-invasive readouts important for quantum information processing, shot noise and correlation measurements. However, creation of a device that unites a low-disorder nanotube with a low-loss microwave resonator has so far remained a challenge, due to fabrication incompatibility of one with the other. Employing a mechanical transfer method, we successfully couple a nanotube to a gigahertz superconducting matching circuit and thereby retain pristine transport characteristics such as the control over formation of, and coupling strengths between, the quantum dots. Resonance response to changes in conductance and susceptance further enables quantitative parameter extraction. The achieved near matching is a step forward promising high-BW noise correlation measurements on high impedance devices such as quantum dot circuits.We acknowledge financial support by the ERC project QUEST, the EC project SE2ND, the NCCR QSIT and the Swiss National Science Foundation.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from NPG via http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms816

Neutralization of B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF) by Belimumab Reinforces Small Molecule Inhibitor Treatment in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

The introduction of idelalisib, ibrutinib and venetoclax for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has greatly improved long term survival of patients. However, many patients do not achieve complete remission and suffer from development of resistance upon treatment with these small molecule inhibitors. Here we report that the TNF family member B-cell activating factor (BAFF) mediates resistance of CLL cells to idelalisib, ibrutinib and venetoclax by sustaining survival and preventing apoptosis of the malignant B cells as revealed by analysis of cellular ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane integrity as well as caspase activation, respectively. As BAFF also plays a prominent role in autoimmune diseases, the BAFF-neutralizing antibody belimumab was developed and approved for treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). When we employed belimumab in the context of CLL treatment with idelalisib, ibrutinib and venetoclax, BAFF neutralization was found to significantly increase the sensitivity of the leukemic cells to all three small molecule inhibitors. Notably, BAFF neutralization proved to be beneficial independently of clinical stage according to Binet and Rai or IgVH mutational status. Our results identify drug repurposing of belimumab for neutralization of BAFF to complement small molecule inhibitor treatment as a promising therapeutic approach in CLL that is presently undergoing clinical evaluation

Capacitive Spring Softening in Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanoelectromechanical Resonators

We report the capacitive spring softening effect observed in single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) nanoelectromechanical (NEM) resonators. The nanotube resonators adopt dual-gate configuration with both bottom-gate and side-gate capable of tuning the resonance frequency through capacitive coupling. Interestingly, downward resonance frequency shifting is observed with increasing side-gate voltage, which can be attributed to the capacitive softening of spring constant. Furthermore, in-plane vibrational modes exhibit much stronger spring softening effect than out-of-plan modes. Our dual-gate design should enable the differentiation between these two types of vibrational modes, and open up new possibility for nonlinear operation of nanotube resonators.Comment: 12 pages/ 3 figure