Investigation of tip-depletion-induced fail in scanning capacitance microscopy for the determination of carrier type.

Scanning capacitance microscopy (SCM) was performed on an n-type Si multilayer structure doped by phosphorus whose concentration ranges from 2×10 to 2×10cm. Three types of tips were used, i.e.

Spontaneous shape transition of thin films into ZnO nanowires with high structural and optical quality.

ZnO nanowires are usually formed by physical and chemical deposition techniques following the bottom-up approach consisting in supplying the reactants on a nucleation surface heated at a given temperature. We demonstrate an original alternative approach for the formation of ZnO nanowire arrays with high structural and optical quality, which is based on the spontaneous transformation of a ZnO thin film deposited by sol-gel process following a simple annealing. The development of these ZnO nanowires occurs through successive shape transitions, including the intermediate formation of pyramid-shaped islands.

Luminescence nanothermometry with alkyl-capped silicon nanoparticles dispersed in nonpolar liquids.

Silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) with a diameter size ranging from 4 to 8 nm were successfully fabricated. They exhibit a visible photoluminescence (PL) due to the quantum confinement effect. Chemical functionalization of these Si NPs with alkyl groups allowed to homogeneously disperse them in nonpolar liquids (NPLs).

Luminescence behavior of silicon and carbon nanoparticles dispersed in low-polar liquids.

A comparative photoluminescence analysis of as-prepared and chemically modified (by alkyl chains -C18H37) silicon and carbon nanoparticles dispersed in low-polar liquids is reported. Influence of the low-polar liquid nature and ambient temperature on photoluminescence of the nanoparticles has been investigated from the point of view of their possible application as thermal nanoprobes.