Quantitative imaging of the magnetic configuration of modulated nanostructures by electron holography.

By means of off-axis electron holography the local distribution of the magnetic induction within and around a poly-crystalline Permalloy (Ni81Fe19) thin film is studied. In addition the stray field above the sample is measured by magnetic force microscopy on a larger area. The film is deposited on a periodically nanostructured (rippled) Si substrate, which was formed by Xe(+) ion beam erosion.

Influence of hydrophobicity on the surface-catalyzed assembly of the islet amyloid polypeptide.

The islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is a hormonal factor secreted by the β-cells in the pancreas. Aggregation of misfolded IAPP molecules and subsequent assembly of amyloid nanofibrils are critical for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In the physiological environment, amyloid aggregation is affected by the presence of interfaces such as cell membranes.

Tuning the hydrophobicity of mica surfaces by hyperthermal Ar ion irradiation.

The hydrophobicity of surfaces has a strong influence on their interactions with biomolecules such as proteins. Therefore, for in vitro studies of bio-surface interactions model surfaces with tailored hydrophobicity are of utmost importance. Here, we present a method for tuning the hydrophobicity of atomically flat mica surfaces by hyperthermal Ar ion irradiation.