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Method of depositing nanoparticles on an array of nanowires
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to nanostructures. In one aspect, an array of nanowires is provided. The array of nanowires comprises a plurality of nanowires. End of nanowires of the plurality of nanowires are attached to a substrate. A liquid including a plurality of nanoparticles is deposited on the array of nanowires. The liquid is evaporated from the array of nanowires. Nanoparticles of the plurality of nanoparticles are deposited on the nanowires as a meniscus of the liquid recedes along lengths of the plurality of nanowires.
Nanowire implosion under laser amplified spontaneous emission pedestal irradiation
Nanowire array targets exhibit high optical absorption when interacting with short, intense laser pulses. This leads to an increased yield in the production of accelerated particles for a variety of applications. However, these interactions are sensitive to the laser prepulse and could be significantly affected. Here, we show that an array of aligned nanowires is imploded when irradiated by an Amplified Spontaneous Emission pedestal of a 1 PW laser with an intensity on the order of 10 11 W cm –2 . Using radiation hydrodynamics simulations, we demonstrate that the electron density profile is radially compressed at the tip by the rocket-like propulsion of the ablated plasma. The mass density compression increases up to 2.9x when a more dense nanowire array is used. This is due to the ablation pressure from the neighboring nanowires. These findings offer valuable information for selecting an appropriate target design for experiments aimed at enhancing production of accelerated particles.
Ultra-high energy density relativistic plasmas from nanostructures: scaling to ultra-high intensities (Final Report)
This project investigated the ultra-high energy density (UHED) regime of matter found in the center of stars, using a compact PW-class laser. These extreme conditions are typically only obtained in the laboratory in the central hot-spot of spherically imploded capsules in inertial confinement fusion experiments driven by the world’s largest lasers. We have shown that near-solid density arrays of aligned nanostructures can be volumetrically heated to multi-keV temperatures by irradiation at relativistic intensity with ultrafast laser pulses of modest energy, opening a path for the generation of UHED plasmas with compact lasers. This new UHED plasma generation approach promises to create an environment with extreme energy densities and degrees of ionization, record conversion of optical laser light into ultrafast x-ray pulses, gigantic magnetic fields and pressures, and directed beams of high energy particles . In this project we achieved record degree of ionization in volumetric heating solid density and near-solid density plasmas. Gold plasmas which spectra is characterized by L shell transition emission from ions with charge up to the Ne-like state, Au+ 72 were generated using ultrafast laser pulses of less than 10 J of energy from a compact laser focused to an intensity of ~ 3x10 21 Wcm -2 . We also conducted measurements to determine the heat penetration depth in Ni nanowire arrays as compared to Ni foil targets by monitoring the line emission of a Co buried tracer underneath a variable amount of Ni. The measurements revealed that the nanowire plasmas are roughly six times larger in depth than the solid density target plasmas. A result of this increased plasma in nanowire arrays is a greatly increased conversion of optical laser light into > 1 KeV x-rays, a record conversion efficiency of 20 %. Critical to the realization of the proposed experiments was the generation of ultrafast laser pulses with ultra-high contrast that can deposit the energy deep into the nanowire arrays before the nanowires explode to create a continuous plasma. Supporting the proposed experiments was the recent demonstration at Colorado State University of a Petawatt-class laser that emits 30 fs pulses at high repetition rates. The experiments combined this unique laser tool with a variety of tailored nanowire arrays fabricated in house and with an extensive suite of diagnostics. The experiments were accompanied by 3-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations and detailed atomic physics simulations with transient kinetics and radiation transport. The proposed research allowed us to continue training Ph.D students and post-docs with broad experience in HEDP Science.
A scalable superconducting nanowire memory array with row–column addressing
Scalable superconducting memory is required for the development of low-energy superconducting computers and fault-tolerant quantum computers. Conventional superconducting logic-based memory cells possess a large footprint that limits scaling; nanowire-based superconducting memory cells, although more compact, have high error rates, which hinders integration into large arrays. Here we report a 4 × 4 superconducting nanowire memory array that is designed for scalable row–column operations and has a functional density of 2.6 Mbit cm −2 . Each memory cell is based on a nanowire loop consisting of two temperature-dependent superconducting switches and a variable kinetic inductor. The arrays operate at 1.3 K, where we implement and characterize multiflux quanta state storage and destructive read-out. By optimizing the write- and read-pulse sequences, we minimize bit errors and maximize operating margins. We achieve a minimum bit error rate of 10 −5 . Here, we also use circuit-level simulations to understand the memory cell’s dynamics, performance limits and stability under varying pulse amplitudes.
Nonlocal metasurface for circularly polarized light detection
Modern-day sensing and imaging applications increasingly rely on accurate measurements of the primary physical quantities associated with light waves: intensity, wavelength, directionality, and polarization. These are conventionally performed with a series of bulky optical elements, but recently, it has been recognized that optical resonances in nanostructures can be engineered to achieve selective photodetection of light waves with a specific set of predetermined properties. Here, we theoretically illustrate how a thin silicon layer can be patterned into a dislocated nanowire-array that affords detection of circularly polarized light with an efficiency that reaches the theoretical limit for circular dichroism of a planar detector in a symmetric external environment. The presence of a periodic arrangement of dislocations is essential in achieving such unparalleled performance as they enable selective excitation of nonlocal, guided-mode resonances for one handedness of light. We also experimentally demonstrate compact, high-performance chiral photodetectors created from these dislocated nanowire-arrays. This work highlights the critical role defects can play in enabling new nanophotonic functions and devices.
Physics of Ultra-High Energy Density Relativistic Plasmas from Ordered Nanostructures
This award funded a four-year program at Colorado State University on the physics of ultra-high energy density plasmas generated by focusing femtosecond, >1021 Wcm-2 laser pulses onto ordered nanowire arrays. We used the ALEPH petawatt-class Ti:Sa laser with its high contrast 400 nm second harmonic beamline to irradiate arrays of Ni and TiO2 nanowires made by template assisted electrodeposition and atomic layer deposition over a wide range of average densities. We met two of the three original project goals: radial ion acceleration via doppler shifted K shell emission, and time and spectrally resolved K shell measurements. The main experimental advance was integrating the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) TREX ultrafast x-ray streak camera with a suite of spherically bent quartz Bragg crystal spectrometers built using Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) methodology. This is the first TREX-on-bent-quartz setup fielded at a femtosecond, >1021 Wcm-2 facility. It is now a permanent diagnostic at ALEPH and is offered to the LaserNetUS user community. The program produced three peer reviewed journal articles that acknowledge this award. The platform will continue at the upgraded CSU ATLAS facility, where the ALEPH laser is being upgraded to 2 PW.
Irradiation Experiments on High Efficiency Nanowire Solar Cells Including Tilted Incidence Angle
Nanowire based solar cells have promising potential to become the next generation of space solar cells. In this study we corroborate their high radiation tolerance by irradiating high efficiency GaAs (efficiency > 15 %) nanowire solar cells with 1 MeV electrons at a fluence of 10 16 e - /cm 2 . Additionally, we theoretically show that the damage in nanowire solar cells is expected to be slightly dependent on the incidence angle and the geometry of the nanowire array. However, experimentally, two sets of GaAs nanowire solar cells have been irradiated with 1 MeV electrons at normal incidence and with a 25° tilted angle exhibiting a similar degradation.
Modulation and Modeling of Three-Dimensional Nanowire Assemblies Targeting Gas Sensors with High Response and Reliability
Despite improved sensitivity, simple downsizing of gas-sensing components to randomly arranged nanostructures often faces challenges associated with unpredictable electrical conduction pathways. In the present study, controlled fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) metal oxide nanowire networks is demonstrated that can greatly improve both signal stability and sensor response compared to random nanowire arrays. For example, the highest ever reported H 2 S gas response value, and a 5 times lower relative standard deviation of baseline resistance than that of random nanowires assemblies, are achieved with the ordered 3D nanowire network. Systematic engineering of 3D geometries and their modeling, utilizing equivalent circuit components, provide additional insights into the electrical conduction and gas-sensing response of 3D assemblies, revealing the critical importance of wire-to-wire junction points and their arrangement. Here these findings suggest new design rules for both enhanced performance and reliability of chemical sensors, which may also be extended to other devices based on nanoscale building blocks.
Ultra-Fast Vertical Ordering of Lamellar Block Copolymer Films on Unmodified Substrates
To utilize the full potential of block copolymer (BCP) thin films for use in technological devices ranging from ion conduction membranes, transistors to nanowire array antennas, rapid self- assembly of lamellar block copolymers (l-BCPs) with vertically oriented lamellar domains on a variety of unmodified substrates is needed. l-BCPs have an inherently larger interfacial area for transport compared to their cylindrical counterpart. Our observations demonstrate that the as-cast weakly ordered vertically oriented state of l-BCP films of polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) from directional evaporation of select solvents, act as “seed templates” for their ultra-fast evolution (~30 s) into well-ordered vertically oriented nanostructures, using a thermal gradient-based Cold Zone Annealing (CZA) technique. Furthermore, vertical lamellae are obtained on unmodified substrates, Quartz and Kapton, and the kinetics of l-BCP ordering is much faster by CZA as compared to the isotropic oven annealing. The rapid ordering kinetics of vertical l-BCPs is tested and found applicable to different molecular weights and film thicknesses ranging from 20 nm to 480 nm, which ultimately flip over to their equilibrium parallel morphology at upper limits of annealing times. This rapid ordering strategy for vertical orientation of l-BCPs using roll-to-roll compatible CZA would be highly relevant for fundamental studies of interfacial transport as well as for industrial applications from membranes to nanowires.
Nanoarray-Based Monolithic Adsorbers for SO 2 Removal
Nanoarray-based monolithic catalysts have been developed for various applications, including CO oxidation, hydrocarbon combustion, lean NO x trapping, and low-pressure CO 2 hydrogenation. In this work, SO 2 adsorption properties have been explored and evaluated on the cordierite honeycomb monoliths grown with zinc oxide nanoarray (ZnO), zinc oxide nanoarray washcoated by BaCO 3 nanoparticles (ZnO/BaCO 3 ), and manganese oxide nanowire array with cryptomelane structure (MnO x ) at a temperature range from 50 to 425 °C. All samples show temperature-dependent SO 2 adsorption behaviors. The adsorption results reveal the performance order: MnO x > ZnO/BaCO 3 > ZnO, with ~ 90% SO 2 adsorbed in MnO x at 425 °C. Washcoated BaCO 3 contributes to the improvement of SO 2 adsorption in ZnO nanoarray, and the best performance displayed in MnO x may be attributed to their high specific surface area. After regeneration, nanoarrays all exhibit good thermal stability during test-regeneration cycles. No additional phase is formed in regenerated ZnO nanoarrays (ZnO-R), while BaCO 3 is converted to BaSO 4 in the regenerated ZnO/BaCO 3 nanoarrays (ZnO/BaCO 3 -R), and the sulfur species (possibly MnSO 4 ) and Mn 2 O 3 are found in regenerated MnO x nanoarrays (MnO x -R). It is noted that a small amount of sulfur species (possibly MnSO 4 ) may promote the SO 2 adsorption of MnO x -R at a lower temperature, while the formed Mn 2 O 3 contributes to the deactivation of MnO x -R.
Building epsilon near zero materials from layered uniaxial metamaterials
Recently, there has been an explosion of activity in the fields of optics and photonics with the advent of fabrication techniques which enable the design of metamaterials which possess properties not encountered in the natural world. In this work, we are concerned with zero permittivity materials and a new scheme to design metamaterials for which all components of the dielectric tensor are approximately zero. Our approach involves the alternate layering of many, very thin, slices of two constituent metamaterials, a uniaxial layered medium and a uniaxial nanowire array. With a simple optimization strategy we demonstrate a candidate configuration which very nearly satisfies our design goal of zero permittivity.
Ultra-intense femtosecond laser interactions with aligned nanostructures
The interaction of ultrafast laser pulses of relativistic intensity with high aspect ratio nanostructures can efficiently and volumetrically heat matter to an ultra-high-energy-density regime encountered in the center of stars and within the core of fusion capsules compressed by the world’s largest lasers. It also generates gigantic quasi-static electromagnetic fields that accelerate particles to very high energy. Here, we present an overview of the physics and applications of these dense relativistic plasmas that can be created with pulses of relatively modest energy from lasers that can operate at a high repetition rate. Recent nanowire array experiments produced near-solid density plasmas with an extreme degree of ionization (e.g., Au +72 ), converted ultrafast pulses of laser light into intense x-ray flashes with record efficiency, and accelerated ions to MeV energies, efficiently driving micro-scale fusion reactions that generate flashes of quasi-monoenergetic neutrons. These plasmas also serve as a platform for advancing the understanding of atomic processes in extreme environments and open a new pathway to laser-driven fusion energy. The irradiation of nanostructures at intensities of > 1 x 10 22 W cm –2 is predicted to lead to an extreme ultra-high energy density plasma regime characterized by terabar pressures that is virtually unexplored.
Electron-Beam-Induced Molecular Plasmon Excitation and Energy Transfer in Silver Molecular Nanowires
In this work, we investigate (1) electron-beam-induced plasmon absorption spectra of Ag molecular nanowire dimers and (2) electron-beam-induced energy transfer between two nanowires. We employ linear-response time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) and real-time TDDFT methods to simulate the electron-beam-induced plasmonic excitations, dynamics, and corresponding electron energy loss spectrum for small models of a single molecular nanowire with four Ag atoms and for two Ag nanowires. An array of different relative orientations of nanowires and of different initial excitation conditions resulting from applying an electron beam at different positions with respect to the Ag nanowires is investigated. The results demonstrate (1) an electron beam can induce plasmonic excitations from the molecular Ag nanowire ground state to the excited states that are both optically allowed and forbidden, (2) a tunability for selective excitations that can be controlled by the position of a focused electron beam, and (3) kinetic and dynamic behaviors of time-dependent electron-beam-induced energy transfer between two Ag molecular nanowires depend on the position of the beam source and nanowire separation distance, providing insights into the spatial dependences of plasmonic couplings in nanowire arrays.
Zero-biased and visible-blind UV photodetectors based on nitrogen-doped ultrananocrystalline diamond nanowires
Taking advantage of the superflat surface of ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD), highly precise UNCD nanowire (NW) arrays were fabricated to develop high-performance UV photodetectors. The large surface-to-volume ratio of a nanowire significantly increases the number of surface trap states, and the reduced dimensionality effectively confines the active area of the charge carrier and shortens the transit time, which results in an enhanced photoconductivity and response speed. Here, in this paper, the zero-biased UV photodetectors based on nitrogen-incorporated ultrananocrystalline diamond nanowire arrays have been demonstrated and characterized. The estimated responsivity was 2.0 A/W for 350 nm incident light when the device operated at room temperature. The UVA and UVB photocurrent signals from this visible blind photodetector were well defined with a rise and decay time of less than 1 s.