Momentum-resolved EELS and CL study on 1D-plasmonic crystal prepared by FIB method.

We investigate a one-dimensional plasmonic crystal using momentum-resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and cathodoluminescence (CL) techniques, which are complementary in terms of available optical information. The plasmonic crystal sample is fabricated from large aluminum grains through the focused ion beam method. This approach allows curving nanostructures with high crystallinity, providing platforms for detailed analysis of plasmonic nanostructures using both EELS and CL.

Mechanically Robust Interface at Metal/Muscovite Quasi van der Waals Epitaxy.

Quasi van der Waals epitaxy is an approach to constructing the combination of 2D and 3D materials. Here, we quantify and discuss the 2D/3D interface structure and the corresponding features in metal/muscovite systems. High-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy reveals the atomic arrangement at the interface.

Wavy Graphene-Like Network Forming during Pyrolysis of Polyacrylonitrile into Carbon Fiber.

Carbon fiber (CF) obtained by pyrolysis of polyacrylonitrile (PAN-CF) surpasses metals in properties suitable for diverse applications such as aircraft manufacture and power turbine blades. PAN-CF obtained by pyrolysis at 1200-1400 °C shows a remarkably high tensile strength of 7 GPa, much higher than pitch-based CF (pb-CF) consisting of piles of pure graphene networks. However, little information has been available on the atomistic structure of PAN-CF and on how it forms during pyrolysis.

Atomic Imaging and Thermally Induced Dynamic Structural Evolution of Two-Dimensional CrS.

In this study, facile salt-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) was used to synthesize ultrathin non-van der Waals chromium sulfide (CrS) with a thickness of ∼1.9 nm. The structural transformation of as-grown CrS was studied using advanced heating techniques combined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

In Situ Observation of Structural and Optical Changes of Phase-Separated Ag-Cu Nanoparticles during a Dewetting Process via Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Metallic nanoparticles with localized surface plasmon resonance have suitable optical properties for various applications such as optical filters, efficient photocatalysts, and high-sensitivity sensors. Phase-separated plasmonic nanoparticles with heterogeneous metastructures exhibit unique resonance features with separate optical field enhancements in each phase and hot electron transfer across the interface. Hence, interface engineering is crucial, particularly for catalyst applications.

Exploiting the full potential of the advanced two-hexapole corrector for STEM exemplified at 60kV.

Ultimate resolution in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with state-of-the-art aberration correctors requires careful tuning of the experimental parameters. The optimum aperture semi-angle depends on the chosen high tension, the chromatic aberration and the energy width of the source as well as on potentially limiting intrinsic residual aberrations. In this paper we derive simple expressions and criteria for choosing the aperture semi-angle and for counterbalancing the intrinsic sixth-order three-lobe aberration of two-hexapole aberration correctors by means of the fourth-order three-lobe aberration.

High-endurance micro-engineered LaB nanowire electron source for high-resolution electron microscopy.

The size tunability and chemical versatility of nanostructures enable electron sources of high brightness and temporal coherence, both of which are important characteristics for high-resolution electron microscopy. Despite intensive research efforts in the field, so far, only conventional field emitters based on a bulk tungsten (W) needle have been able to yield atomic-resolution images. The absence of viable alternatives is in part caused by insufficient fabrication precision for nanostructured sources, which require an alignment precision of subdegree angular deviation of a nanometre-sized emission area with the macroscopic emitter axis.

Atomic Imaging of Molybdenum Oxide Nanowires with Unique and Complex Periodicity by Advanced Electron Microscopy.

Crystalline MoO exhibits distinctive structural features such as tunnel structure and pseudolamellar arrangement according to the ideal model. However, the spatial resolution of the conventional technique of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is insufficient to distinguish the actual positions of atoms. In this work, we aimed to systematically analyze and identify the MoO nanowires fabricated by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process.

Direct imaging of octahedral distortion in a complex molybdenum vanadium mixed oxide.

Complex Mo,V-based mixed oxides that crystallize in the orthorhombic M1-type structure are promising candidates for the selective oxidation of small alkanes. The oxygen sublattice of such a complex oxide has been studied by annular bright field scanning transmission electron microscopy. The recorded micrographs directly display the local distortion in the metal oxygen octahedra.

Structure refinement of the δ1p phase in the Fe-Zn system by single-crystal X-ray diffraction combined with scanning transmission electron microscopy.

The structure of the δ1p phase in the iron-zinc system has been refined by single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction combined with scanning transmission electron microscopy. The large hexagonal unit cell of the δ1p phase with the space group of P63/mmc comprises more or less regular (normal) Zn12 icosahedra, disordered Zn12 icosahedra, Zn16 icosioctahedra and dangling Zn atoms that do not constitute any polyhedra. The unit cell contains 52 Fe and 504 Zn atoms so that the compound is expressed with the chemical formula of Fe13Zn126.

The electrical conductivity of post-perovskite in Earth's D'' layer.

Recent discovery of a phase transition from perovskite to post-perovskite suggests that the physical properties of Earth's lowermost mantle, called the D'' layer, may be different from those of the overlying mantle. We report that the electrical conductivity of (Mg0.9Fe0.