Surface plasmon enhanced ultraviolet emission from ZnO films deposited on Ag/Si(001) by magnetron sputtering

The ZnO films were grown on Ag/Si(001) substrates by sputtering Ag and ZnO targets successively in a pure Ar ambient. A significant enhancement of ZnO ultraviolet emission and a reduction of its full width of half maximum have been observed while introducing a 100 nm Ag interlayer between ZnO film and Si substrate. Furthermore, a complete suppression of the defect related visible emission was also found for the ZnO/Ag/Si sample. This improved optical performance of ZnO is attributed to the resonant coupling between Ag surface plasmon and ultraviolet emission of ZnO. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics

Composition deviation of arrays of FePt nanoparticles starting from poly(styrene)-poly(4-vinylpyridine) micelles

Ordered arrays of FePt nanoparticles were prepared using a diblock polymer micellar method combined with plasma treatment. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy analyses reveal that the molar ratios of Fe to Pt in metal-salt-loaded micelles deviate from those when metal precursors are added, and that the plasma treatment processes have little influence upon the compositions of the resulting FePt nanoparticles. The results from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy show that the maximum loadings of FeCl3 and H2PtCl6 inside poly( styrene)-poly(4-vinylpyridine) micelles are different. The composition deviation of FePt nanoparticles is attributed to the fact that one FeCl3 molecule coordinates with a single 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) unit, while two neighboring and uncomplexed 4VP units are required for one H2PtCl6 molecule. Additionally, we demonstrate that the center-to-center distances of the neighboring FePt nanoparticles can also be tuned by varying the drawing velocity

Recent advances in synthesis and properties of cubic boron nitride films

Cubic boron nitride (c-BN) attracts widespread interest as a promising material for many potential applications because of its unique physical and chemical properties. Since the 1980's the research in c-BN thin films has been carried out, which reached its summit in the mid of 1990's, then turned into a downward period. In the past few years, however, important progress was achieved in synthesis and properties of cubic boron nitride films, such as obtaining > 1 mu m thick c-BN films, epitaxial growth of single crystalline c-BN films, and advances in mechanics properties and microstructures of the interlayer of c-BN films. The present article reviews the current status of the synthesis and properties of c-BN thin films

Ordered FePt Nanoparticle Arrays Prepared by a Micellar Method

We prepared L1(0) phase FePt nanoparticle arrays on Si by a micellar method combined with plasma treatment, in-situ deposition of a Sio(2) overlayer, and a post-annealing. The FePt nanoparticle arrays exhibit a quasi-hexagonal order with tailored inter-particle spacing and particle size. Transformation of L1(0) FePt was achieved for the annealed samples. In addition, the ordering temperature of FePt nanoparticles was reduced by 50 similar to 100 degrees C by Au or Ag doping. The micellar method has a high potential in preparing FePt nanoparticle arrays used for ultrahigh density recording media

Improved electroluminescence from n-ZnO/AlN/p-GaN heterojunction light-emitting diodes

n-ZnO/p-GaN heterojunction light-emitting diodes with and without a sandwiched AlN layer were fabricated. The electroluminescence (EL) spectrum acquired from the n-ZnO/p-GaN displays broad emission at 650 nm originating from ZnO and weak emission at 440 nm from GaN, whereas the n-ZnO/AlN/p-GaN exhibits strong violet emission at 405 nm from ZnO without GaN emission. The EL intensity is greatly enhanced by inserting a thin AlN intermediate layer and it can be attributed to the suppressed formation of the GaOx interfacial layer and confinement effect rendered by the AlN potential barrier layer