Fast scanning infrared microscope for semiconductor evaluation.
Fast scanning IR microscope for semiconductor evaluation used for engineering design analysis, reliability improvement, failure analysis, etc
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Cell-Detection Technique for Automated Patch Clamping
A unique and customizable machinevision and image-data-processing technique has been developed for use in automated identification of cells that are optimal for patch clamping. [Patch clamping (in which patch electrodes are pressed against cell membranes) is an electrophysiological technique widely applied for the study of ion channels, and of membrane proteins that regulate the flow of ions across the membranes. Patch clamping is used in many biological research fields such as neurobiology, pharmacology, and molecular biology.] While there exist several hardware techniques for automated patch clamping of cells, very few of those techniques incorporate machine vision for locating cells that are ideal subjects for patch clamping. In contrast, the present technique is embodied in a machine-vision algorithm that, in practical application, enables the user to identify good and bad cells for patch clamping in an image captured by a charge-coupled-device (CCD) camera attached to a microscope, within a processing time of one second. Hence, the present technique can save time, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing cost. The present technique involves the utilization of cell-feature metrics to accurately make decisions on the degree to which individual cells are "good" or "bad" candidates for patch clamping. These metrics include position coordinates (x,y) in the image plane, major-axis length, minor-axis length, area, elongation, roundness, smoothness, angle of orientation, and degree of inclusion in the field of view. The present technique does not require any special hardware beyond commercially available, off-the-shelf patch-clamping hardware: A standard patchclamping microscope system with an attached CCD camera, a personal computer with an imagedata- processing board, and some experience in utilizing imagedata- processing software are all that are needed. A cell image is first captured by the microscope CCD camera and image-data-processing board, then the image data are analyzed by software that implements the present machine-vision technique. This analysis results in the identification of cells that are "good" candidates for patch clamping (see figure). Once a "good" cell is identified, a patch clamp can be effected by an automated patchclamping apparatus or by a human operator. This technique has been shown to enable reliable identification of "good" and "bad" candidate cells for patch clamping. The ultimate goal in further development of this technique is to combine artificial-intelligence processing with instrumentation and controls in order to produce a complete "turnkey" automated patch-clamping system capable of accurately and reliably patch clamping cells with a minimum intervention by a human operator. Moreover, this technique can be adapted to virtually any cellular-analysis procedure that includes repetitive operation of microscope hardware by a human.
McDowell, Mark↗
Microscopic understanding of the effects of impurities in low RRR SRF cavities
The SRF community has shown that introducing certain impurities into high-purity niobium can improve quality factors and accelerating gradients. We question why some impurities improve RF performance while others hinder it. The purpose of this study is to characterize the impurities of niobium coupons with a low residual resistance ratio (RRR) and correlate these impurities with the RF performance of low RRR cavities so that the mechanism of impurity-based improvements can be better understood and improved upon. The combination of RF testing, temperature mapping, frequency vs temperature analysis, and materials studies reveals a microscopic picture of why low RRR cavities experience low BCS resistance behavior more prominently than their high RRR counterparts. We evaluate how differences in the mean free path, grain structure, and impurity profile affect RF performance. The results of this study have the potential to unlock a new understanding on SRF materials and enable the next generation of high Q/high gradient surface treatments.
43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
Microscopic Understanding of the Effects of Impurities in Low RRR SRF Cavities
The SRF community has shown that introducing certain impurities into high-purity niobium can improve quality factors and accelerating gradients. We question why some impurities improve RF performance while others hinder it. The purpose of this study is to characterize the impurities of niobium coupons with a low residual resistance ratio (RRR) and correlate these impurities with the RF performance of low RRR cavities so that the mechanism of impurity-based improvements can be better understood and improved upon. The combination of RF testing, temperature mapping, frequency vs temperature analysis, and materials studies reveals a microscopic picture of why low RRR cavities experience low BCS resistance behavior more prominently than their high RRR counterparts. We evaluate how differences in the mean free path, grain structure, and impurity profile affect RF performance. The results of this study have the potential to unlock a new understanding on SRF materials and enable the next generation of high Q/high gradient surface treatments.
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
Microscopic Understanding of the Effects of Impurities in Low RRR SRF Cavities
The SRF community has shown that introducing certain impurities into high-purity niobium can improve quality factors and accelerating gradients. We question why some impurities improve RF performance while others hinder it. The purpose of this study is to characterize the impurities of niobium coupons with a low residual resistance ratio (RRR) and correlate these impurities with the RF performance of low RRR cavities so that the mechanism of impurity-based improvements can be better understood and improved upon. The combination of RF testing, temperature mapping, frequency vs temperature analysis, and materials studies reveals a microscopic picture of why low RRR cavities experience low BCS resistance behavior more prominently than their high RRR counterparts. We evaluate how differences in the mean free path, grain structure, and impurity profile affect RF performance. The results of this study have the potential to unlock a new understanding on SRF materials and enable the next generation of high Q/high gradient surface treatments.
Howard, K.↗
Microscopic understanding of the effects of impurities in low RRR SRF cavities
The SRF community has shown that introducing certain impurities into high-purity niobium can improve quality factors and accelerating gradients. We question why some impurities improve RF performance while others hinder it. The purpose of this study is to characterize the impurities of niobium coupons with a low residual resistance ratio (RRR) and correlate these impurities with the RF performance of low RRR cavities so that the mechanism of impurity-based improvements can be better understood and improved upon. The combination of RF testing, temperature mapping, frequency vs temperature analysis, and materials studies reveals a microscopic picture of why low RRR cavities experience low BCS resistance behavior more prominently than their high RRR counterparts. We evaluate how differences in the mean free path, grain structure, and impurity profile affect RF performance. The results of this study have the potential to unlock a new understanding on SRF materials and enable the next generation of high Q/high gradient surface treatments.
Howard, K.↗
Connecting Femtosecond Transient Absorption Microscopy with Spatially Coregistered Time Averaged Optical Imaging Modalities
Multimodal all-optical imaging involving coregistered femtosecond transient absorption microscopy (TAM), time-integrated photoluminescence (PL), and steady-state modalities such as confocal reflectance and transmission offers an appealing approach to gain a comprehensive understanding of complex electronic excited-state phenomena in spatially heterogeneous systems. A unique combination of these modalities allows us to unravel not only the competing electronic excited-state dynamical processes but also the underlying morphological information with simultaneous high temporal and spatial resolution. However, correlating the various images obtained from time-resolved and time-independent modalities is generally nontrivial and particularly challenging when the electronic dynamics under study evolve in both time and space. Here, we demonstrate a new approach for rationally correlating time-resolved microscopy with coregistered time-integrated or steady-state modalities. Specifically, our approach involves an extended global lifetime analysis of the time-resolved microscopic data set to separate distinct dynamical processes taking place on commensurate time scales, and the resulting decay-associated amplitude maps (DAAMs) were applied to explore correlations with the images acquired using time-independent modalities. The feasibility of our approach was validated through analyzing a multimodal data set acquired from a thin film of chloride-containing mixed lead halide perovskites (CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3–x Cl x ) using femtosecond transient absorption, time-integrated PL, and confocal reflectance microscopies. Analysis of the results obtained enable us to gain new insight into the complex ultrafast relaxation dynamics in this highly heterogeneous system.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
A proposition for the classification of carbonaceous chondritic micrometeorites
Classification of interplanetary dust particles (IDP's) should be unambiguous and, if possible, provide an opportunity to interrelate these ultrafine IDP's with the matrices of undifferentiated meteorites. I prefer a scheme of chemical groupings and petrologic classes that is based on primary IDP properties that can be determined without prejudice by individual investigators. For IDP's of 2-50 microns these properties are bulk elemental chemistry, morphology, shape, and optical properties. The two major chemical groups are readily determined by energy dispersive spectroscopic analysis using the scanning or analytical electron microscope. Refinement of chondritic IDP classification is possible using the dominant mineral species, e.g. olivine, pyroxene, and layer silicates, and is readily inferred from FTIR, and automated chemical analysis. Petrographic analysis of phyllosilicate-rich IDP's will identify smectite-rich and serpentine-rich particles. Chondritic IDP's are also classified according to morphology, viz., CP and CF IDP's are aggregate particles that differ significantly in porosity, while the dense CS IDP's have a smooth surface. The CP IDP's are characterized by an anhydrous silicate mineralogy, but small amounts of layer silicates may be present. Distinction between the CP and CF IDP's is somewhat ambiguous, but the unique CP IDP's are fluffy, or porous, ultrafine-grained aggregates. The CP IDP's, which may contain silicate whiskers, are the most carbon-rich extraterrestrial material presently known. The CF IDP's are much less porous that CP IDP's. Using particle type definitions, CP IDP's in the NASA JSC Cosmic Dust Catalogs are approx. 15 percent of all IDP's that include nonchondritic spheres. Most aggregate particles are of the CF type.
Rietmeijer, Frans J. M.↗
Identification and correction of temporal and spatial distortions in scanning transmission electron microscopy
Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) has become the technique of choice for quantitative characterization of atomic structure of materials, where the minute displacements of atomic columns from high-symmetry positions can be used to map strain, polarization, octahedra tilts, and other physical and chemical order parameter fields. The latter can be used as inputs into mesoscopic and atomistic models, providing insight into the correlative relationships and generative physics of materials on the atomic level. However, these quantitative applications of STEM necessitate understanding the microscope induced image distortions and developing the pathways to compensate them both as part of a rapid calibration procedure for in situ imaging, and the post-experimental data analysis stage. Here, we explore the spatiotemporal structure of the microscopic distortions in STEM using multivariate analysis of the atomic trajectories in the image stacks. Based on the behavior of principal component analysis (PCA), we develop the Gaussian process (GP)-based regression method for quantification of the distortion function. The limitations of such an approach and possible strategies for implementation as a part of in-line data acquisition in STEM are discussed. Here, the analysis workflow is summarized in a Jupyter notebook that can be used to retrace the analysis and analyze the reader's data.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Sum frequency generation (SFG) microscopy analysis of cellulose microfibrils in Physcomitrium patens gametophore leaf
Physcomitrium patens is a good model system to study the structure and function relationships of cellulose synthase (CESA) proteins since the life cycle of moss is short and genetic modification is relatively easy. Here, we report a microscopic sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy analysis of P. patens leaves in a never-dried and fully hydrated state. Using imaging-SFG spectroscopy, cellulose microfibril (CMF) organization in the midrib, laminar, and marginal regions of the gametophore leaf were analyzed separately. The azimuth angle dependence of SFG signals showed that CMFs in the thick stereid cell walls in the midrib are highly aligned along the microfibril angle of ~ 30° with respect to the midrib axis. CMFs in the marginal cell walls also are preferentially tilted toward the longitudinal axis of leaf with the characteristic features of secondary cell walls. On the other hand, CMFs in the lamina cell walls have no preferential orientation and their SFG intensity is low, which is consistent with the primary cell wall property. Finally, the thick walls and highly aligned CMFs in the midrib and marginal cells of P. patens leaves are consistent with their support function.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
Long-term strength retrogression of silica-enriched oil well cement: A comprehensive multi-approach analysis
The strength retrogression of a Class G cement enriched by adding 60–80% silica cured under the condition of 200 °C and 50 MPa were investigated by multiple different analysis methods. Short-term strength analysis suggests sonic strength testing is a poor indicator of real mechanical strength at such curing condition. Long-term testing up to 142 d shows all designed systems experiences dramatic deterioration in physical and mechanical properties, such as compressive strength, Young's modulus, water permeability and gas permeability. Further testing was conducted using X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, mercury intrusion and scanning electron microscope. The study reveals that the set cement experiences significant microstructure coarsening with increasing curing time, especially after 30 d curing. The strength retrogression and microstructure coarsening seem to be accompanied with the continued consumption of silica, and are likely caused by the gradual conversion of semi-crystalline C-S-H into crystalline tobermorite and xonolite over the long-term curing.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
SURFACE EXOSURE TIMESCALES OF APOLLO CORE SAMPLE 73002 SPACE WEATHERED GRAINS
Introduction: Space weathering causes the surface regolith on airless bodies like the Moon to be morphologically, microstructurally, and chemically altered due to micrometeoroid bombardment and solar wind irradiation[1]. These processes produce a multitude of microstructural and chemical changes in individual soil grains that accumulate as grains are exposed on the surface over time. One microstructural feature produced by exposure to the solar wind is the development of ion-damaged rims on regolith grains via H+ and He+ ion irradiation. Also present are solar energetic particle (SEP) tracks, which are nanoscale lineations of ionization damage within grain interiors formed by high energy solar flare ions(primarily Fe group nuclei) which penetrate millimeters below the surface [2]. Recent work has confirmed that the thickness of solar wind-damaged amorphous rims on anorthite grains, nanocrystalline rims on olivine grains, and their respective SEP track densities are correlated with their surface exposure ages [3].Core sample 73002, recently released under the Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis (ANGSA) Program, has provided an opportunity to study material collected from the light mantle formation during Apollo 17. The light mantle is thought to have been deposited via a landslide originating from the neighboring South Massif [4]. Spectral profiles and ferromagnetic resonance measurements of bulk soils sampled at cm-intervals from 73002 indicate the existence of mature regolith extending ~8 cm below the surface, suggesting the presence of an in-situ reworking zone in the core[5,6].Here we present the distribution of SEP track densities, solar wind damaged rim widths, and the corresponding surface exposure ages of grains residing in the proposed in-situ reworking zone of core 73002. Methods: Bulk samples of regolith from the first eight intervals and every following fourth interval down the core (dissection Pass 2) were delivered to Purdue University as <45 μm size fractions. The first eight0.5 cm intervals, representing the top 4cmof regolith, were individually dry sieved to a<20 μm size fraction, and grains were prepared by ultramicrotomy for analysis in the scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). Bright field (BF) and dark field (DF) STEM images of solar flare tracks and solar wind damaged rims were acquired on a JEOL 2500SE TEM, equipped with a 60 mm2ultra-thin window silicon drift energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometer at NASA John-son Space Center. Grain compositions were determined by EDX compositional spectrum imaging. SEP track densities and amorphous rim thicknesses were measured on BF and DF images. Results: The fraction of grains with discernable space weathering features decreased with depth, with 100% in the first interval exhibiting space weathering features as opposed to ~60% in Interval 8.BF and DF STEM images show splash-melt and vapor deposited rims on outermost grain margins with embedded Fe-bearing nanoparticles ranging in size up to ~10 nm in diameter. Images also show solar-wind damaged rims below the vapor deposits, and SEP tracks present in grain interiors. The rim thicknesses and SEP track densities were determined using the methods of [3] for 54grains spanning the top 4 cm. ~80% of the grains analyzed were anorthite and ~20% were olivine. The track production rate from[3] was used to estimate the surface exposure times of the grains in this study. The majority of exposure times are in the 1 -5 MY range for all intervals. The lowest value was 3.8x 10¬5years in Interval 8and the highest value was1.1x 107years in Interval 6. Grains with the highest solar wind damage rim thicknesses and SEP track densities are found in Interval 6.The highest rim thickness and track density observed for anorthiteis126.5 nm and4.7 x 1011tracks/cm2, while for olivine they are 98.6 nm and 1.83 x 1011tracks/cm2, respectively. Discussion: Intervals from the top 4 cm of 73002 show similar SEP track density and solar wind damaged rim thickness distributions. Spectral and ferromagnetic resonance measurements of 73002 indicate an in-situ reworking zone up to~8 cm below the surface[5,6].The depth analyzed in this work is within the core’s uppermost in-situ reworking zone and may serve as an explanation to the homogenous distribution of exposure ages. The decreasing abundance of space weathered features with depth is consistent with regolith mixing models showing an exponential decay in regolith maturity with depth over time[7].A maximum surface exposure age determined via SEP track density is approximately 10million years. This timescale is consistent with the lower estimate of surface exposure ages of the light mantle determined in previous studies, which can range from 10s to over 100 Ma [4].It also falls within the core regolith reworking development timescale of ~17 Ma [5,6]. Additional analysis will be performed for a further seven intervals in 73002.
J A McFadden↗
Progress in Epitaxial Thin-Film Na 3 Bi as a Topological Electronic Material
Trisodium bismuthide (Na 3 Bi) is the first experimentally verified topological Dirac semimetal, and is a 3D analogue of graphene hosting relativistic Dirac fermions. Its unconventional momentum-energy relationship is interesting from a fundamental perspective, yielding exciting physical properties such as chiral charge carriers, the chiral anomaly, and weak anti-localization. It also shows promise for realizing topological electronic devices such as topological transistors. Herein, an overview of the substantial progress achieved in the last few years on Na 3 Bi is presented, with a focus on technologically relevant large-area thin films synthesized via molecular beam epitaxy. Key theoretical aspects underpinning the unique electronic properties of Na 3 Bi are introduced. Next, the growth process on different substrates is reviewed. Spectroscopic and microscopic features are illustrated, and an analysis of semiclassical and quantum transport phenomena in different doping regimes is provided. Furthermore, the emergent properties arising from confinement in two dimensions, including thickness-dependent and electric-field-driven topological phase transitions, are addressed, with an outlook toward current challenges and expected future progress.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Role of Magnon-Magnon Scattering in Magnon Polaron Spin Seebeck Effect
The spin Seebeck effect (SSE) signal of magnon polarons in bulk-Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 (YIG)/Pt heterostructures is found to drastically change as a function of temperature. It appears as a dip in the total SSE signal at low temperatures, but as the temperature increases, the dip gradually decreases before turning to a peak. We attribute the observed dip-to-peak transition to the rapid rise of the four-magnon scattering rate. Our analysis provides important insights into the microscopic origin of the hybridized excitations and the overall temperature dependence of the SSE anomalies.
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
Microwave Imaging of Edge Conductivity in Graphene at Charge Neutrality and Quantum Hall States
Here, we report local conductivity imaging of edge states in monolayer graphene by millikelvin microwave impedance microscopy. At the charge-neutrality point, as the magnetic field increases, the local conductivity at the edge drops to zero more slowly than in the bulk. This behavior is consistent with the calculated spatial profile of the charge gap in the canted antiferromagnetic phase. For comparison, we also perform microwave imaging of integer quantum Hall states away from neutrality, which host dissipationless chiral edge channels. The evolution of the edge signal as a function of the bulk gap is fundamentally different between the Landau level filling factor 𝜈 = 0 and |𝜈| ≥ 1 integer quantum Hall states, which can be qualitatively explained by numerical simulations and theoretical analysis. Our results provide a comprehensive microscopic picture of the edge and bulk states as the Fermi level moves across the unique Landau-level spectrum of graphene.
Hall effect↗
Time-Dependent Corrosion Behavior of Aluminum Using Advanced Electrochemical and Characterization Techniques
The time-dependent corrosion behavior of pure aluminum (Al) in a chloride-containing environment was investigated using various electrochemical and characterization techniques for up to 336 h. Transmission electron microscopic and secondary ion mass spectroscopic analysis revealed the continuous dissolution of the surface film over the immersion time. In the meantime, the increasing passive oxide thickness resulted in the surface film resistance enhancement over the immersion time, as indicated by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analysis. The electrochemical noise measurements showed an increase in the corrosion kinetics with immersion time until 60 h because of the accelerated localized corrosion in the early stage of immersion. However, an inhibition in corrosion kinetics occurred after longer immersion times due to corrosion product deposition inside the pit.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Elevated temperature instability of Stellite 6B
Metallographic and chemical analysis by X-ray diffraction, microscopic examination, and electron microprobes of elevated temperature instability effects on Stellite 6B
Bleil, H. E.↗
Unusual chemical compositions of noctilucent-cloud particle nuclei
Two sounding rocket payloads were launched from the ESRO range in Sweden during a noctilucent cloud display. Large numbers of submicron particles were collected, most of which appear to be made up of a high density material coated with a low density material. Typical electron micrographs are shown. Particle chemical compositions have been measured by use of dispersive X-ray analysis equipment attached to an electron microscope and have revealed that most of the high density particle nuclei have atomic weights greater than iron.
Hemenway, C. L.↗