64 research outputs found
Charge diffusion in the field-free region of charge-coupled devices
The potential well in back-illuminated charge-coupled devices (CCDs) does not reach all the way to the back surface. Hence, light that is absorbed in the field-free region generates electrons that can diffuse into neighboring pixels and thus decreases the spatial resolution of the sensor. We present data for the charge diffusion from a near point source by measuring the response of a back-illuminated CCD to light emitted from a submicron diameter glass fiber tip. The diffusion of electrons into neighboring pixels is analyzed for different wavelengths of light ranging from 430 to 780 nm. To find out how the charge spreading into other pixels depends on the location of the light spot; the fiber tip could be moved with a piezoelectric translation stage. The experimental data are compared to Monte Carlo simulations and an analytical model of electron diffusion in the field-free region. The presented analysis can be used to predict the charge diffusion in other back-illuminated sensors, and the experiment is universally applicable to measure any type of sensors
Self-Assembly and Conformation of Tetrapyridilporphyrin on the Ag(111) Surface
We present a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) study on the supramolecular ordering of tetrapyridyl-porphyrin (TPyP) molecules on Ag(111). Vapor deposition in a wide substrate temperature range reveals that TPyP molecules easily diffuse and self-assemble into large, highly ordered chiral domains. We identify two mirror-symmetric unit cells, each containing two differently oriented molecules. From an analysis of the respective arrangement it is concluded that lateral intermolecular interactions control the packing of the layer, while its orientation is induced by the coupling to the substrate. This finding is corroborated by molecular mechanics calculations. High-resolution STM images recorded at 15 K allow a direct identification of intramolecular features. This makes it possible to determine the molecular conformation of TPYP on Ag(111). The pyridyl groups are alternately rotated out of the porphyrin plane by an angle of 60°
Electrically driven photon emission from individual atomic defects in monolayer WS2.
Quantum dot-like single-photon sources in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) exhibit appealing quantum optical properties but lack a well-defined atomic structure and are subject to large spectral variability. Here, we demonstrate electrically stimulated photon emission from individual atomic defects in monolayer WS2 and directly correlate the emission with the local atomic and electronic structure. Radiative transitions are locally excited by sequential inelastic electron tunneling from a metallic tip into selected discrete defect states in the WS2 bandgap. Coupling to the optical far field is mediated by tip plasmons, which transduce the excess energy into a single photon. The applied tip-sample voltage determines the transition energy. Atomically resolved emission maps of individual point defects closely resemble electronic defect orbitals, the final states of the optical transitions. Inelastic charge carrier injection into localized defect states of two-dimensional materials provides a powerful platform for electrically driven, broadly tunable, atomic-scale single-photon sources
Molecular Nanoscience and Engineering on Surfaces
Molecular engineering of low-dimensional materials exploiting controlled self-assembly and positioning of individual atoms or molecules at surfaces opens up new pathways to control matter at the nanoscale. Our research thus focuses on the study of functional molecules and supramolecular architectures on metal substrates. As principal experimental tools we employ low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. Here we review recent studies in our lab at UBC: Controlled manipulation of single CO molecules, self-assembled biomolecular nanogratings on Ag(111) and their use for electron confinement, as well as the organisation, conformation, metalation and electronic structure of adsorbed porphyrins
Long-Range Exciton Diffusion in Two-Dimensional Assemblies of Cesium Lead Bromide Perovskite Nanocrystals
F\"orster Resonant Energy Transfer (FRET)-mediated exciton diffusion through
artificial nanoscale building block assemblies could be used as a new
optoelectronic design element to transport energy. However, so far nanocrystal
(NC) systems supported only diffusion length of 30 nm, which are too small to
be useful in devices. Here, we demonstrate a FRET-mediated exciton diffusion
length of 200 nm with 0.5 cm2/s diffusivity through an ordered, two-dimensional
assembly of cesium lead bromide perovskite nanocrystals (PNC). Exciton
diffusion was directly measured via steady-state and time-resolved
photoluminescence (PL) microscopy, with physical modeling providing deeper
insight into the transport process. This exceptionally efficient exciton
transport is facilitated by PNCs high PL quantum yield, large absorption
cross-section, and high polarizability, together with minimal energetic and
geometric disorder of the assembly. This FRET-mediated exciton diffusion length
matches perovskites optical absorption depth, opening the possibility to design
new optoelectronic device architectures with improved performances, and
providing insight into the high conversion efficiencies of PNC-based
optoelectronic devices
Identifying substitutional oxygen as a prolific point defect in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides with experiment and theory
Chalcogen vacancies are considered to be the most abundant point defects in
two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) semiconductors, and
predicted to result in deep in-gap states (IGS). As a result, important
features in the optical response of 2D-TMDs have typically been attributed to
chalcogen vacancies, with indirect support from Transmission Electron
Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) images. However, TEM
imaging measurements do not provide direct access to the electronic structure
of individual defects; and while Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy (STS) is a
direct probe of local electronic structure, the interpretation of the chemical
nature of atomically-resolved STM images of point defects in 2D-TMDs can be
ambiguous. As a result, the assignment of point defects as vacancies or
substitutional atoms of different kinds in 2D-TMDs, and their influence on
their electronic properties, has been inconsistent and lacks consensus. Here,
we combine low-temperature non-contact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM), STS,
and state-of-the-art ab initio density functional theory (DFT) and GW
calculations to determine both the structure and electronic properties of the
most abundant individual chalcogen-site defects common to 2D-TMDs.
Surprisingly, we observe no IGS for any of the chalcogen defects probed. Our
results and analysis strongly suggest that the common chalcogen defects in our
2D-TMDs, prepared and measured in standard environments, are substitutional
oxygen rather than vacancies
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