Strain and correlation of self-organized Ge_(1-x)Mn_x nanocolumns embedded in Ge (001)

We report on the structural properties of Ge_(1-x)Mn_x layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy. In these layers, nanocolumns with a high Mn content are embedded in an almost-pure Ge matrix. We have used grazing-incidence X-ray scattering, atomic force and transmission electron microscopy to study the structural properties of the columns. We demonstrate how the elastic deformation of the matrix (as calculated using atomistic simulations) around the columns, as well as the average inter-column distance can account for the shape of the diffusion around Bragg peaks.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure

Step by step capping and strain state of GaN/AlN quantum dots studied by grazing incidence diffraction anomalous fine structure

The investigation of small size embedded nanostructures, by a combination of complementary anomalous diffraction techniques, is reported. GaN Quantum Dots (QDs), grown by molecular beam epitaxy in a modified Stranski-Krastanow mode, are studied in terms of strain and local environment, as a function of the AlN cap layer thickness, by means of grazing incidence anomalous diffraction. That is, the X-ray photons energy is tuned across the Ga absorption K-edge which makes diffraction chemically selective. Measurement of \textit{hkl}-scans, close to the AlN (30-30) Bragg reflection, at several energies across the Ga K-edge, allows the extraction of the Ga partial structure factor, from which the in-plane strain of GaN QDs is deduced. From the fixed-Q energy-dependent diffracted intensity spectra, measured for diffraction-selected iso-strain regions corresponding to the average in-plane strain state of the QDs, quantitative information regarding composition and the out-of-plane strain has been obtained. We recover the in-plane and out-of-plane strains in the dots. The comparison to the biaxial elastic strain in a pseudomorphic layer indicates a tendency to an over-strained regime.Comment: submitted to PR

Strain, size and composition of InAs Quantum Sticks, embedded in InP, by means of Grazing Incidence X-ray Anomalous Diffraction

We have used x-ray anomalous diffraction to extract the x-ray structure factor of InAs quantum stick-like islands, embedded in InP. The average height of the quantum sticks (QSs), as deduced from the width of the structure factor profile is 2.54nm. The InAs out of plane deformation, relative to InP, is equal to 6.1%. Diffraction Anomalous Fine Structure provides a clear evidence of pure InAs QSs. Finite Difference Method calculations reproduce well the diffraction data, and give the strain along the growth direction. Chemical mixing at interfaces is at most of 1MLComment: 9 pages, 7 figures, submitte

Structural properties of Ge/Si(001) nano-islands by diffraction anomalous fine structure and multiwavelength anomalous diffraction

8 pags, 6 figs, 2 tabsIn the present paper, we aim to show the interest of combining Multiwavelength Anomalous Diffraction (MAD) and Diffraction Anomalous Fine Structure (DAFS) spectroscopy, in grazing incidence, to obtain structural properties (composition, strain and atomic ordering) of semiconductor heterostructures and nanostructures. As an example we report on preliminary results obtained on a series of Ge/Si(001) nano-island samples: pyramides and domes on nominal and prepatterned surfaces. For free standing domes, it is shown that the Ge content strongly depends on the growth condition with a tendency to increase from the bottom to the top of the nano-islands. There is also some indication of atomic ordering in the upper part of the islands. For small, capped pyramids, we show that the Diffraction Anomalous Fine Structure spectroscopy is the unique non destructive method that allows to recover the actual Ge content, the in-plane and out-of-plane strain and to detect atomic ordering. © EDP Sciences and Springer 2009

Analysis of strain and stacking faults in single nanowires using Bragg coherent diffraction imaging

Coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) on Bragg reflections is a promising technique for the study of three-dimensional (3D) composition and strain fields in nanostructures, which can be recovered directly from the coherent diffraction data recorded on single objects. In this article we report results obtained for single homogeneous and heterogeneous nanowires with a diameter smaller than 100 nm, for which we used CDI to retrieve information about deformation and faults existing in these wires. The article also discusses the influence of stacking faults, which can create artefacts during the reconstruction of the nanowire shape and deformation.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures Submitted to New Journal of Physic

Redox-controlled potassium intercalation into two polyaromatic hydrocarbon solids

Alkali metal intercalation into polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been studied intensely after reports of superconductivity in a number of potassium- and rubidium-intercalated materials. There are, however, no reported crystal structures to inform our understanding of the chemistry and physics because of the complex reactivity of PAHs with strong reducing agents at high temperature. Here we present the synthesis of crystalline K2Pentacene and K2Picene by a solid–solid insertion protocol that uses potassium hydride as a redox-controlled reducing agent to access the PAH dianions, and so enables the determination of their crystal structures. In both cases, the inserted cations expand the parent herringbone packings by reorienting the molecular anions to create multiple potassium sites within initially dense molecular layers, and thus interact with the PAH anion π systems. The synthetic and crystal chemistry of alkali metal intercalation into PAHs differs from that into fullerenes and graphite, in which the cation sites are pre-defined by the host structure