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At least 73 records · Page 4

Sequential order dependent dark-exciton modulation in bi-layered TMD heterostructure

We report the emergence of dark-excitons in transition-metal-dichalcogenide (TMD) heterostructures that strongly rely on the stacking sequence, i.e., momentum-dark K-Q exciton located exclusively at the top layer of the heterostructure. The feature stems from band renormalization and is distinct from those of typical neutral excitons or trions, regardless of materials, substrates, and even homogeneous bilayers, which is further confirmed by scanning tunneling spectroscopy. To understand the unusual stacking sequence, we introduce the excitonic Elliot formula by imposing strain exclusively on the top layer that could be a consequence of the stacking process. We further find that the intensity ratio of Q- to K-excitons in the same layer is inversely proportional to laser power, unlike for conventional K-K excitons. This can be a metric for engineering the intensity of dark K-Q excitons in TMD heterostructures, which could be useful for optical power switches in solar panels.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Thermal stability and diffusion characteristics of ultrathin amorphous carbon films grown on crystalline and nitrogenated silicon substrates by filtered cathodic vacuum arc deposition

Amorphous carbon (a-C) films are widely used as protective overcoats in many technology sectors, principally due to their excellent thermophysical properties and chemical inertness. The growth and thermal stability of sub-5-nm-thick a-C films synthesized by filtered cathodic vacuum arc on pure (crystalline) and nitrogenated (amorphous) silicon substrate surfaces were investigated in this study. Samples of a-C/Si and a-C/SiN x /Si stacks were thermally annealed for various durations and subsequently characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). The TEM images confirmed the continuity and uniformity of the a-C films and the 5-nm-thick SiN x underlayer formed by silicon nitrogenation using radio-frequency sputtering. The EELS analysis of cross-sectional samples revealed the thermal stability of the a-C films and the efficacy of the SiNx underlayer to prevent carbon migration into the silicon substrate, even after prolonged heating. The obtained results provide insight into the important attributes of an underlayer in heated multilayered media for preventing elemental intermixing with the substrate, while preserving the structural stability of the a-C film at the stack surface. An important contribution of this investigation is the establishment of an experimental framework for accurately assessing the thermal stability and elemental diffusion in layered microstructures exposed to elevated temperatures.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Strategies for Superconducting Transmon Qubits with Millisecond T1 Relaxation Time

Enhancing coherence in superconducting transmon qubits requires suppressing dielectric loss and quasiparticle-mediated dissipation at metal–substrate, metal–vacuum, and substrate–vacuum interfaces. We recently demonstrated a five-fold enhancement of the energy relaxation time (T₁) by encapsulating Nb thin films with a low-loss passivation layer that inhibits NbOₓ formation, thereby reducing two-level system (TLS) participation at the metal surface. To extend T₁ into the millisecond regime, we are implementing a comprehensive materials- and process-level optimization strategy. This includes engineered substrate surface treatments, evaluation of alternative low-loss superconducting and dielectric material stacks, development of ultra-low-loss capping layers, and redesigns of transmon geometries to suppress electric-field participation ratio in lossy regions. Additionally, we are pioneering novel etching processes to further lower surface participation ratios. We are also exploring novel Josephson-junction materials and device layouts to enhance coherence further. We report T₁ measurements from these efforts, with the leading devices achieving relaxation times>1 ms.

Crisa, Francesco↗

Strategies for Superconducting Transmon Qubits with Millisecond T1 Relaxation Time

Enhancing coherence in superconducting transmon qubits requires suppressing dielectric loss and quasiparticle-mediated dissipation at metal–substrate, metal–vacuum, and substrate–vacuum interfaces. We recently demonstrated a five-fold enhancement of the energy relaxation time (T₁) by encapsulating Nb thin films with a low-loss passivation layer that inhibits NbOₓ formation, thereby reducing two-level system (TLS) participation at the metal surface. To extend T₁ into the millisecond regime, we are implementing a comprehensive materials- and process-level optimization strategy. This includes engineered substrate surface treatments, evaluation of alternative low-loss superconducting and dielectric material stacks, development of ultra-low-loss capping layers, and redesigns of transmon geometries to suppress electric-field participation ratio in lossy regions. Additionally, we are pioneering novel etching processes to further lower surface participation ratios. We are also exploring novel Josephson-junction materials and device layouts to enhance coherence further. We report T₁ measurements from these efforts, with the leading devices achieving relaxation times>1 ms.

Crisa, Francesco↗

Modularization of Ceramic Hollow Fiber Membrane Technology for Air Separation

This proposed project is aimed at studying high performance and economically competitive ceramic membrane technology for air separation and high-purity oxygen production using hollow fiber ceramic membrane stack and module technology. The design of the single permeate membrane is a hollow fiber substrate-supported thin tri-layer structure. Radially well-aligned micro-channels are embedded in the thick substrate and open at the inner surface of the substrate, enabling facile air/gas diffusion. The tri-layer structure of thin dense membrane layer (~ 10 µm) sandwiched by porous surface layer on either side is then built on the substrate using advanced fabrication process. The tri-layer structure design allows different materials to be used in different layers, where the materials of surface layers have high surface exchange coefficients while the material of dense layer has high bulk diffusivity. Such a synergetic combination leads to high permeation performance. The focus of the proposed project will be on membrane stack/module development using the developed single hollow fiber membranes, including: 1) fabrication and characterization of novel single hollow fiber membranes; 2) membrane stack design and assembly using fabricated single membranes; 3) stack modeling and analysis to guide membrane stack designs; 4) permeation performance testing and characterization of membrane stacks. The hollow fiber feature and simple sealing requirement enable very compact design of membrane stacks, which have excellent flexibility for further modularizations at different scales. The operations of such membrane stack and module may employ the exhaust heat from other components of Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle and oxy-combustion systems. Therefore, modularization of such an air separation membrane technology can be incorporated into the DOE’s REMS (radically engineered modular systems)-gasification skid and support the oxidant feed of an oxygen-blown REMS gasifier scaled to different ranges.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Microscale Metal Additive Manufacturing by Solid‐State Impact Bonding of Shaped Thin Films

The deposition of device-grade inorganic materials is one key challenge toward the implementation of additive manufacturing (AM) in microfabrication, and to that end, a broad range of physico-chemical principles has been explored for 3D fabrication with micro- and nanoscale resolution. Yet, for metals, a process that achieves material quality rivalling that of established thin-film deposition methods, and at the same time, has the potential to combine high throughput production with a broad palette of processable materials, is still lacking. Here, the kinetic, solid-state bonding of metal thin films for the additive assembly of high-purity, high-density metals with micrometer-scale precision is introduced. Indirect laser ablation accelerates micrometer-thick gold films to hundreds of meters per second without their heating or ablation. Their subsequent impact on the substrate above a critical velocity forms a permanent, metallic bond in the solid state. Stacked layers are of high density (>99%). By defining thin-film layers with established lithographic methods prior to launch, a variable feature size (2–50 µm), arbitrary shape of bonded layers, and parallel transfer of up to 36 independent film units in a single shot, is demonstrated. Thus, the solid-state kinetic bonding principle as a viable and potentially versatile route for micro-scale AM of metals is established.

3D printing↗

Optical reflectance imaging reveals interlayer coupling in mechanically stacked MoS 2 and WS 2 bilayers

Optical reflectance imaging is a popular technique for characterizing 2D materials, thanks to its simplicity and speed of data acquisition. The use of this method for studying interlayer phenomena in stacked 2D layers has, however, remained limited. Here we demonstrate that optical imaging can reveal the nature of interlayer coupling in stacked MoS 2 and WS 2 bilayers through their observed reflectance contrast versus the substrate. Successful determination of interlayer coupling requires co-optimization of the illumination wavelength and the thickness of an underlying SiO 2 film. Our observations are supported by multilayer optical calculations together with an analysis of the effect of any interlayer gap. This approach promises quick characterization of constructed 2D material systems.

Nguyen, Vu↗

Cross-Cutting Metrology Tools for In Operando Characterization of Carrier Dynamics in Photovoltaic Devices (Final Technical Report)

Understanding the nature of recombination and its dependence on defects and interfaces is essential for engineering materials and contacts for higher V oc and photovoltaic (PV) efficiency. Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) has conventionally been used to evaluate recombination, but not all materials are strongly emissive or otherwise suitable. Time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy is a pump – probe method that presents valuable complementary information, wherein an optical pump pulse photoexcites carriers within the absorber and the transient photoconductivity is probed with a terahertz pulse. Until now, experimental constraints have prohibited the use of terahertz probes to interrogate full device stacks, and measurements were instead made on exfoliated films or films grown on unconventional substrates. However, interfaces are critical to the behavior of photoexcited carriers in solar cells, and the substrates themselves often influence the film growth and bulk properties. Therefore, it is important to probe the behavior of PV absorbers as close as possible to their normal operating conditions. Here we have developed cross-cutting metrology that enable in operando characterization of carrier dynamics and recombination mechanisms in working PV devices. Through a combination of complementary non-contact TRTS and TRPL experiments and modeling, we have obtained key parameters including photoexcited carrier bulk lifetime and interface and back surface recombination velocities with greater precision and accuracy than can be achieved with conventional TRPL alone. By varying pulsed photoexcitation conditions, the contributions of interface and bulk recombination mechanisms can be determined. We have developed and refined this characterization approach by investigating CdTe PVs, which is a well-established technology but with significant margin for further improvements in efficiency. Results were published in Journal of Applied Physics (DOI: 10.1063/5.0064730) and Proceedings of the IEEE PVSC (DOI: 10.1109/PVSC43889.2021.9518559). After validating the approach, we have applied it to correlate recombination rates to processing conditions and material properties, including composition and defects as well as interfaces and surface treatments. Such feedback can inform processing and design choices to enable higher PV efficiency, not only for CdTe, but also CdSe x Te 1-x , CIGS, perovskites, kesterites, and future technologies. A perspective on predicting solar cell performance from terahertz spectroscopy was published in Advanced Energy Materials (DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202102776). The cross-cutting metrology tools developed here will enable determination of the locus and mechanism of performance-limiting recombination in thin film PV devices. This feedback can guide the engineering of PV devices with higher V oc and efficiency, thereby leading to reductions in levelized cost of electricity to meet the SunShot 2030 target of $0.03/kWh for utility-scale PV. Lower costs will enable rapid expansion of renewable electricity generation that is nearly free of carbon emissions. Reducing carbon emissions of the electricity sector is one of the most important solutions to climate change. The project’s specific focus on CdTe PV can benefit First Solar, the US company that is the global leader in CdTe technology, through both technology and workforce development.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Cryo-EM structures of full-length Tetrahymena ribozyme at 3.1 Å resolution

Single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has become a standard technique for determining protein structures at atomic resolution1,2,3. However, cryo-EM studies of protein-free RNA are in their early days. The Tetrahymena thermophila group I self-splicing intron was the first ribozyme to be discovered and has been a prominent model system for the study of RNA catalysis and structure–function relationships4, but its full structure remains unknown. Here we report cryo-EM structures of the full-length Tetrahymena ribozyme in substrate-free and bound states at a resolution of 3.1 Å. Additionally, newly resolved peripheral regions form two coaxially stacked helices; these are interconnected by two kissing loop pseudoknots that wrap around the catalytic core and include two previously unforeseen (to our knowledge) tertiary interactions. The global architecture is nearly identical in both states; only the internal guide sequence and guanosine binding site undergo a large conformational change and a localized shift, respectively, upon binding of RNA substrates. These results provide a long-sought structural view of a paradigmatic RNA enzyme and signal a new era for the cryo-EM-based study of structure–function relationships in ribozymes.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Formation mechanism of two-dimensional hexagonal silica on SiO 2 /Si substrate

In this study, owing to their remarkable electronic properties, silica ultrathin films have been utilized as an insulating layer in nanoelectronics systems. Silica films have been epitaxially grown on different substrates using various synthesis methods. Among all fabrication approaches, chemical vapor deposition has long been an advanced method for synthesizing two-dimensional (2D) materials due to its ability to ensure precise stacking control and minimize contamination between layers. This study harnessed the potential of CVD to atomically fabricate thin layered 2D silica on a SiO 2 /Si substrate. Significantly, a unique combination of multiple transition metals and salt as the catalysts aided the formation of 2D silica for the first time. Salt is a crucial catalyst in promoting the evaporation of high-melting-point metal catalysts, resulting in hexagonal nucleation sites on the SiO 2 /Si wafer. By meticulously controlling growth parameters, a distinctive hexagonal structure was obtained. Correspondingly, this work delves into the growth mechanism of 2D silica, as evidenced by experiments involving salt alone and individual transition metals. Group VB transition metals played a prominent role in achieving the hexagonal structure compared to their group IVB counterparts. This research offers insight into the formation and growth mechanism of 2D silica, expanding the understanding of silica nanostructures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Chemical Environment and Structural Variations in High Entropy Oxide Thin Film Probed with Electron Microscopy

For this work, we employ analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to correlate the structural and chemical environment variations within a stacked epitaxial thin film of the high entropy oxide (HEO) Mg 0.2 Co 0.2 Ni 0.2 Cu 0.2 Zn 0.2 O (J14), with two layers grown at different substrate temperatures (500 and 200 °C) using pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Electron diffraction and atomically resolved STEM imaging reveal the difference in out-of-plane lattice parameters in the stacked thin film, which is further quantified on a larger scale using four-dimensional STEM (4D-STEM). In the layer deposited at a lower temperature, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) mapping indicates drastic changes in the oxidation states and bonding environment for Co ions, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) mapping detects more significant cation deficiency. Ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations validate that vacancies on the cation sublattice of J14 result in significant electronic and structural changes. The experimental and computational analyses indicate that low temperatures during film growth result in cation deficiency, an altered chemical environment, and reduced lattice parameters while maintaining a single phase. Our results demonstrate that the complex correlation of configurational entropy, kinetics, and thermodynamics can be utilized for accessing a range of metastable configurations in HEO materials without altering cation proportions, enabling further engineering of functional properties of HEO materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Area-selective deposition of germanium on patterned graphene/monolayer molybdenum disulfide stacks via dipole engineering

Heterogeneous integration of two-dimensional materials and the conventional semiconductor has opened opportunities for next-generation semiconductor devices and their processing. Heterogeneous integration has been studied for economical manufacturing by substrate recycling and novel functionalities by a combination of incommensurate materials. However, utilizing the integration requires controlling locations of the integrated architectures. Here, we show area-selective deposition (ASD) of germanium on the graphene/MoS 2 stack. Ge nucleation precisely occurred on the surfaces of the patterned graphene/MoS 2 stack via dipole engineering. In this study, the growth temperature of ASD of Ge was significantly lower than that based on precursor desorption on SiO 2 . The first-principles calculations revealed that Ge deposited by ASD on the graphene/MoS 2 stack was not affected by charge transfer. This work provides a viable way to utilize atomically thin materials for next-generation semiconductor devices, which can be applicable for “Beyond Moore” and “More Moore” approaches.

2D materials↗

Deterministic fabrication of 3D/2D perovskite bilayer stacks for durable and efficient solar cells

Realizing solution-processed heterostructures is a long-enduring challenge in halide perovskites because of solvent incompatibilities that disrupt the underlying layer. By leveraging the solvent dielectric constant and Gutmann donor number, we could grow phase-pure two-dimensional (2D) halide perovskite stacks of the desired composition, thickness, and bandgap onto 3D perovskites without dissolving the underlying substrate. Characterization reveals a 3D–2D transition region of 20 nanometers mainly determined by the roughness of the bottom 3D layer. Thickness dependence of the 2D perovskite layer reveals the anticipated trends for n-i-p and p-i-n architectures, which is consistent with band alignment and carrier transport limits for 2D perovskites. Here we measured a photovoltaic efficiency of 24.5%, with exceptional stability of T 99 (time required to preserve 99% of initial photovoltaic efficiency) of >2000 hours, implying that the 3D/2D bilayer inherits the intrinsic durability of 2D perovskite without compromising efficiency.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Characterization of Engineered Pinholes in Dielectric Stacks of High-Performance Poly-Silicon Passivating Contacts

Passivating contact structures are expected to be implemented in > 50 % of industrially manufactured silicon photovoltaics produced over the next decade. One type of passivating contact utilizes a c-Si/dielectric/doped poly-Si layer stack. In cases where the dielectric layer/s are thick enough to impede tunneling of charge carriers, it was shown that disruptions (pinholes) in the dielectric are required to facilitate transport.[1] Pinholes in SiOx layers have typically been formed via high temperature annealing that allows localized breakup of this layer. This approach has drawbacks; 1) high temperature annealing increases cost and 2) pinhole formation is sensitive to both the SiOx thickness and wafer surface morphology making control of density and dimensions difficult. Recently, an alternative method of pinhole formation relying on metal assisted chemical etching (MACE) was shown to allow control over pinhole areal densities.[2] Such control is critical as both the density and dimensions of the pinholes determine saturation current density and contact resistivity. The contacts formed with the MACE process are known as polysilicon on locally etched oxide or PLEO and also result in low saturation current densities and low contact resistivity due to SiOx passivation and engineered pinhole enabled charge carrier transport, respectively. Photovoltaic devices with efficiencies greater than 20 % have recently been produced with these contacts, demonstrating the viability of contacts with engineered pinholes. Experimentally, preferential local collection of excess charge carriers has been observed and definitively connected to thermally induced pinholes in thick SiOx layers within c-Si/SiOx/poly-Si contact structures.[3] Recent work has shown that enhanced local collection of excess carriers can result from enhanced diffusion of dopants through pinholes in SiOx layers.[4] This study was restricted to simulation and characterization of poly-Si with the same dopant type as the c-Si substrates. In this work we focus our analysis on boron doped poly-Si with different stacks of dielectric layers (PLEO and PLENO where the N refers to a SiNy layer on top of the SiOx) on n-type crystalline silicon. This provides insight into how engineered pinholes affect charge collection across the p-n junction. Like previous observations of locally enhanced carrier transport through thermally induced pinholes, the EBIC images in Figure 1 shows that engineered pinholes in PLENO (1a) and PLEO (1b) also exhibit locally enhanced carrier transport at pinhole locations (bright spots in the images). We will also present detailed correlative nanoscale structural and chemical analysis using TEM imaging and EELS analysis with sample preparation guided by EBIC imaging. This allows us to connect the density and dimensions of engineered pinholes with charge carrier transport and measured photovoltaic device parameters. Our findings will accelerate the adoption of PLEO and PLENO contacts in industrially manufactured photovoltaic devices.

EBIC↗

Heterostructural interface engineering for ultrawide-gap nitrides from first principles: Ta C / Al N and Ta C / Ga N rocksalt-wurtzite interfaces

Epitaxial lattice matching is an important condition for the formation of coherent interfaces with low defect densities. However, lattice-matched substrates with the same crystal structure as the active layer are often not available, suggesting opportunities for utilizing heterostructural interfaces. For example, at high Al contents that are interesting for ultrawide-gap applications in power electronics, Al x ⁢Ga 1-x ⁢N semiconductor alloys in the (0001) orientation of the wurtzite (wz) structure become lattice-matched to (111)-oriented rocksalt (rs) Ta⁢C substrates. To predict the expected interface atomic structures under different synthesis conditions, we perform high-throughput density-functional-theory calculations, using an algorithm for systematic sampling of the possible stacking sequences of the atomic layers on the in-plane hexagonal lattice. The approach considers octahedral, tetrahedral, and prismatic coordination motifs, and is generally applicable for the modeling of commensurate rs/wz heterostructural interfaces. Our results provide guidance for synthesis control of substrate-film bonding and the polarity of ultrawide-gap Al x⁢ Ga 1-x⁢ N alloys on Ta⁢C substrates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Tailoring Growth Interfaces of Virtual Substrates for Power Electronics

Power electronics materials are poised to play a critical role in fulfilling next generation energy needs, with up to 90% of future energy demand predicted to flow through power electronics at some point.[1] Among a number of candidate materials, AlxGa1-xN is the strongest, having bipolar dopability, thermal and chemical stability, an ultra-wide bandgap, and demonstrated experimental feasibility. However, AlGaN growth is limited by a lack of lattice-matched substrates, ultimately stunting material quality at higher thicknesses needed for power electronics applications. Further, high power applications increasingly call for fully vertical device structures, necessitating a conductive substrate. [1] Recently our group identified the (111) plane of TaC as a conductive surface lattice-matched to Al0.55Ga0.45N, taking inspiration from prior work of AlN and GaN binaries on carbide and boride substrates. [2,3,4] In this talk we demonstrate the growth of (111)-oriented TaC by RF sputtering. We investigate the interface of TaC with sapphire and SiC substrates and identify means to suppress competing Ta2C nucleation in order to stabilize (111)-oriented TaC. Potential stacking sequences are identified with respect to crystal structure and observed twinning in the TaC films. We next assess structural changes and film recrystallization that results from face-to-face annealing of TaC thin films at high temperatures above 1500 degrees Celsius. Changes to grain structure and domain size are assessed by x-ray diffraction and surface morphology is explored using atomic force microscopy. Figure 1 shows significant improvements to in- and out-of-plane strain following annealing along with the formation of terraced step edges at the film surface. Strain as a function of material composition and thickness is considered, as this may play a major role in future nucleation of AlGaN layers.

CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SU↗

Cummins R-SOFC System Development

The overall purpose of this project was to reduce the Reversible-Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (R-SOFC) system cost by developing two technologies, an improved cell design and the incorporation of an ejector in the fuel recycle loop instead of a blower. A Simulink model of the baseline SOFC system was developed and calibrated with experimental test data. The R-SOFC system model was built by integrating GT Suite developed models of the steam generation components into the baseline Simulink SOFC system model. The ability to run the stack in SOEC operating mode was also added to the model. The system model was used to explore the ability of the R-SOFC system to meet operational constraints on Steam/Carbon ratio and H2 concentration on the fuel side electrode. A CFD ejector model was developed and used to explore a range of ejector design parameters, leading to the final ejector design that was prototyped for testing. A prototype steam ejector was first tested in a laboratory environment using room temperature air. The steam ejector was subsequently tested using the full hot recycle loop with all relevant heat exchangers and steam generation components. The test conditions utilized temperatures, pressures, and flow rates expected in an R-SOFC application. Throughout the experimental testing work, ejector performance test data was used to improve and then validate the CFD ejector model. A CFD cell model was developed and used to optimize thermal gradients, voltage, and cost of a new cell substrate design. A CFD comparison of co-flow and cross-flow cell designs informed the decision to use a co-flow design for the new cell substrate. Multiple rounds of CFD simulation were used to improve the cell design to minimize the variation in air and fuel distribution across cell channels and to minimize the variation in air and fuel distribution across different cells in the stack. A few prototypes of the new cell substrate design were produced and validated in a laboratory environment by thermally spraying and verifying that they met established manufacturing specifications. The cell manufacturing process was adjusted in order to bring these metrics within acceptable tolerances. Cummins’ internal calculations show that the new cell design reduces cost ~50% compared to the baseline cell, while the ejector + superheater/boiler concept reduces cost of the recycle loop by ~40%. The impact of these cost reductions on the cost of producing H2 will depend on the specific system where they are applied. Therefore, a Techno-Economic Analysis was completed using system cost as a variable, and showing how the NREL Current and Future system costs translate into H2 production cost.

Henrichsen, Lars↗