Self-assembly Routes towards Creating Superconducting and Magnetic Arrays

No Heading Using self-assembly from colloidal suspensions of polystyrene latex spheres we prepared well-ordered templates. By electrochemical deposition of magnetic and superconducting metals in the pores of such templates highly ordered magnetic and superconducting anti-dot nano-structures with 3D architectures were created. Further developments of this template preparation method allow us to obtain dot arrays and even more complicated structures. In magnetic anti-dot arrays we observe a large increase in coercive field produced by nanoscale (50–1000nm) holes. We also find the coercive field to demonstrate an oscillatory dependence on film thickness. In magnetic dot arrays we have explored the genesis of 3D magnetic vortices and determined the critical dot size. Superconducting Pb anti-dot arrays show pronounced Little-Parks oscillations in Tc and matching effects in magnetization and magnetic susceptibility. The spherical shape of the holes results in significantly reduced pinning strength as compared to standard lithographic samples. Our results demonstrate that self-assembly template methods are emerging as a viable, low cost route to prepare sub-micron structures.PACS numbers: 74.25Ha, 75.75+a.     

Programmable DNA self-assemblies for nanoscale organization of ligands and proteins

We demonstrate the precise control of periodic spacing between individual protein molecules by programming the self-assembly of DNA tile templates. In particular, we report the application of two self-assembled periodic DNA structures, two-dimensional nanogrids, and one-dimensional nanotrack, as template for programmable self-assembly of streptavidin protein arrays with controlled density.     

Nanoporous metallic templates for embedded magnetic nanostructured films

We demonstrate a metallic template assisted method for realizing out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy in electro-deposited Co and Ni films, using highly porous TiN films as templates. TiN films containing high aspect ratio sub-50 nm wide pillars were obtained by controlling film-morphology via gas pressure during sputter deposition of the films. The nanoscale separation between these pillars allowed us to electro-deposit magnetic films on the pillars resulting in high aspect ratio magnetic structures. Co and Ni films grown on such nanostructured TiN films showed a significant coercivity enhancement as compared to planar films. Angular dependence of coercive field and the remnance ratio (M_r/M_s) reveals that, in the ultrathin limit, magnetic films coated onto the nano-pillars are akin to magnetic nanotubes.     

Coherence Between Superconducting Edge States in Superconducting Periodic Arrays of Artificial Defects

The transition line of superconducting arrays of holes exhibits a rich field structure due to the interference of superconducting states nucleated at the holes edges. We studied by means of resistance measurements their effect on the T* _c (H) line as a function of transverse magnetic field using regular arrays of nanofabricated micron size holes. The arrays transition fields are higher than for the bulk. Moreover we found a nontrivial field modulation of the T* _c (H) line with an inversion, with increasing field, of the modulation concavity which we assigned to a crossover from a collective to an isolated edge state regime. The high field regime is well described by the nucleation at a single hole in an infinite film. The modulation at low fields was found to be dominated by the interference of neighbor edge states when the inter-hole distance w becomes comparable to the coherence length (T* _c ). A comparison between arrays of different hole shape shows the influence of geometry on the type of interaction established, which can described either as a superconducting wire network or as a weak link array.     

Effect of Anti-dots on the Magnetic Susceptibility in a Superconducting Long Prism

The magnetic susceptibility of a long mesoscopic superconducting square prism containing one/two (dot) anti-dots is calculated in the framework of the Ginzburg–Landau theoretical model. This magnetic susceptibility shows jumps at each of the vortex transition fields. We studied the influence of the number, size and geometry of the anti-dots on the magnetic susceptibility in a superconducting sample. We found interesting physical behavior when several kinds of materials filled into the anti-dot are considered.     

纳米颗粒的模板自组装

纳米颗粒具有优异的物理化学性质,是各种超结构材料最为重要的构造基元。作为一种"自下而上"的制备方法,模板自组装技术可以控制纳米颗粒在自组装超结构材料中的位置和排列顺序,尤其适用于制备规整、多组分、结构复杂的自组装体系。介绍了纳米颗粒自组装方法中常用的模板,以及利用这些模板实现纳米颗粒自组装的一般过程。强调了纳米颗粒与模板之间的物理、化学作用,从本质上阐明模板自组装方法,为制备功能性复杂纳米颗粒自组装材料提供了有益的借鉴。     

Directed self-assembly of quantum structures by nanomechanical stamping using probe tips

We demonstrate that nanomechanically stamped substrates can be used as templates to pattern and direct the self-assembly of epitaxial quantum structures such as quantum dots. Diamond probe tips are used to indent or stamp the surface of GaAs(100) to create nanoscale volumes of dislocation-mediated deformation, which alter the growth surface strain. These strained sites act to bias nucleation, hence allowing for selective growth of InAs quantum dots. Patterns of quantum dots are observed to form above the underlying nanostamped template. The strain state of the patterned structures is characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy. The potential of using nanoprobe tips as a quantum dot nanofabrication technology are discussed.     

Programmable assembly of nanoarchitectures using genetically engineered viruses

Biological systems possess inherent molecular recognition and self-assembly capabilities and are attractive templates for constructing complex material structures with molecular precision. Here we report the assembly of various nanoachitectures including nanoparticle arrays, hetero-nanoparticle architectures, and nanowires utilizing highly engineered M13 bacteriophage as templates. The genome of M13 phage can be rationally engineered to produce viral particles with distinct substrate-specific peptides expressed on the filamentous capsid and the ends, providing a generic template for programmable assembly of complex nanostructures. Phage clones with gold-binding motifs on the capsid and streptavidin-binding motifs at one end are created and used to assemble Au and CdSe nanocrytals into ordered one-dimensional arrays and more complex geometries. Initial studies show such nanoparticle arrays can further function as templates to nucleate highly conductive nanowires that are important for addressing/interconnecting individual nanostructures.     

Synthesis and characterisation of γ-Fe2O3 nanowire arrays via a versatile,simple and low-cost method

γ-Fe₂O₃ nanowire arrays embedded in anodic alumina template were fabricated by an improved sol–gel method. The morphologies, structures and magnetic behaviour of the as-prepared products were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and magnetic hysteresis analysis. The results show that arrayed γ-Fe₂O₃ polycrystalline nanowires with an average diameter about 40?nm and an average length about 0.5?µm were prepared. A number of superparamagnetic nanoneedles grew along the nanowires. The ordered one-dimensional arrays weaken the superparamagnetic effect. In addition, a possible formation mechanism about nanowires is proposed. The charge factor, gravity effect and molecular heat movement impelled the Fe sols filling into the pores of the template. γ-Fe₂O₃ nanowire arrays look forward to the applications of magnetic recording in the future.     

Fabrication of Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticle arrays via patterned template assisted self-assembly

Magnetic nanoparticle arrays have been fabricated by combining chemically synthesized Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles with a diblock copolymer template substrate consisting of self-assembled polystyrene (PS) dots in a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) matrix. The influence of the volume fraction of the Fe(3)O(4) suspending solution and the withdrawal speed of the template on the formation of array structures was investigated. A small volume fraction of the nanoparticles and low withdrawal speed play an important role in the fabrication of the patterned arrays of nanoparticles via template assisted self-assembly. Below a withdrawal speed of 0.5?mm?s(-1) and a nanoparticle volume fraction below 0.05?vol% (in particular, at extremely high dilutions of less than 0.01?vol%), the selective deposition of one to several nanoparticles on every single PS dot becomes possible.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In situ</Emphasis> grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering observation of block-copolymer templated formation of magnetic nanodot arrays and their magnetic properties

The fabrication of bit-patterned media (BPM) is crucial for new types of hard disk drives.The development of methods for the production of BPM is progressing rapidly.Conventional lithography reaches the limit regarding lateral resolution,and new routes are needed.In this study,we mainly focus on the dependence of the size and shape of magnetic nanodots on the Ar+-ion etching duration,using silica dots as masks.Two-dimensional (2D) arrays of magnetic nanostructures are created using silica-filled diblock-copolymer micelles as templates.After the self-assembly of the micelles into 2D hexagonal arrays,the polymer shell is removed,and the SiO2 cores are utilized to transform the morphology into a (Co/Pt)2-multilayer via ion etching under normal incidence.The number of preparation steps is kept as low as possible to simplify the formation of the nanostructure arrays.High-resolution in situ grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) investigations are performed during the Ar+-ion etching to monitor and control the fabrication process.The in situ investigation provides information on how the etching conditions can be improved for further ex situ experiments.The GISAXS patterns are compared with simulations.We observe that the dots change in shape from cylindrical to conical during the etching process.The magnetic behavior is studied by utilizing the magneto-optic Kerr effect.The Co/Pt dots exhibit different magnetic behaviors depending on their size,interparticle distance,and etching time.They show ferromagnetism with an easy axis of magnetization perpendicular to the film.A systematic dependence of the coercivity on the dot size is observed.     

Fabrication of ordered magnetite-doped rare earth fluoride nanotube arrays by nanocrystal self-assembly

We describe a nanocrystal self-assembly method for the preparation of rare earth fluoride nanotube (ReF-NT) arrays and magnetite-doped rare earth fluoride nanotubes (Fe₃O₄-ReF-NTs) by using porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) as a hard template. The ReF-NTs can be simply prepared by the impregnation of α-NaYF₄ nanocrystals doped with Yb and Er into the channels of the porous AAO and show a highly ordered nanotube array and excellent upconversion (UC) fluorescence properties. Similarly, the Fe₃O₄-ReF-NTs are obtained by the self-assembly of a mixture of Fe₃O₄ and Yb/Er doped α-NaYF₄ nanocrystals in the AAO pore channels and have a uniform dispersion of magnetite nanocrystals on the rare earth fluoride tube matrix and possess multifunctional magnetic/UC properties. The diameter of these nanotubes can be varied from 60 nm to several micrometers depending on the pore size of the AAO template. The wall thickness can be increased from 10 to 35 nm by increasing the concentration of nanocrystals from 0.02 to 0.4 mmol/L, while the morphology of the nanotubes can be varied from small isolated domain structures to percolating domains and eventually to compact domains. A template-directed formation mechanism is proposed and the quantitative predictions of the model for such self-assembled nanocrystal spreading processes are demonstrated. Strong UC fluorescent emissions are realized for the nanotube arrays and multifunctional nanotubes with UC excitation in the near-infrared (NIR) region. A strong magnetic response of the multifunctional nanotubes is observed, which facilitates their easy separation from solution by magnetic decantation using a permanent magnet.     

Anisotropic Superconductivity and Vortex Dynamics in?Magnetically Coupled F/S and F/S/F Hybrids

Magnetically coupled superconductor?Cferromagnet hybrids offer advanced routes for nanoscale control of superconductivity. Magnetotransport characteristics and scanning tunneling microscopy images of vortex structures in superconductor?Cferromagnet hybrids reveal rich superconducting phase diagrams. Focusing on a particular combination of a ferromagnet with a well-ordered periodic magnetic domain structure with alternating out-of-plane component of magnetization, and a small coherence length superconductor, we find directed nucleation of superconductivity above the domain wall boundaries. We show that near the superconductor-normal state phase boundary the superconductivity is localized in narrow mesoscopic channels. In order to explore the Abrikosov flux line ordering in F/S hybrids, we use a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy and Ginzburg?CLandau simulations. The magnetic stripe domain structure induces periodic local magnetic induction in the superconductor, creating a series of pinning?Canti-pinning channels for externally added magnetic flux quanta. Such laterally confined Abrikosov vortices form quasi-1D arrays (chains). The transitions between multichain states occur through propagation of kinks at the intermediate fields. At high fields we show that the system becomes nonlinear due to a change in both the number of vortices and the confining potential. In F/S/F hybrids we demonstrate the evolution of the anisotropic conductivity in the superconductor that is magnetically coupled with two adjacent ferromagnetic layers. Stripe magnetic domain structures in both F-layers are aligned under each other, resulting in a directional superconducting order parameter in the superconducting layer. The conductance anisotropy strongly depends on the period of the magnetic domains and the strength of the local magnetization. The anisotropic conductivity of up to three orders of magnitude can be achieved with a spatial critical temperature modulation of 5% of T _c. Induced anisotropic properties in the F/S and F/S/F hybrids have a potential for future application in switching and nonvolatile memory elements operating at low temperatures.     

Phase transition study of superconducting microstructures

The presented results are part of a feasibility study of superheated superconducting microstructure detectors. The microstructures (dots) were fabricated using thin film patterning techniques with diameters ranging from50µm up to500µm and thickness of1µm. We used arrays and single dots to study the dynamics of the superheating and supercooling phase transitions in a magnetic field parallel to the dot surface. The phase transitions were produced by either varying the applied magnetic field strength at a constant temperature or changing the bath temperature at a constant field. Preliminary results on the dynamics of the phase transitions of arrays and single indium dots will be reported.     

Quantum Oscillations and π-States in Multiply Connected Ferromagnet-Superconductor Hybrids

On the basis of Usadel equations, we consider superconductivity nucleation and Josephson current in multiply connected mesoscopic superconductor/ferromagnet (S/F) hybrids. We demonstrate that the exchange field can provoke an increase in the critical temperature T _c of the superconducting transition in the magnetic field. We study the Josephson effect in S/F composites and demonstrate that the negative sign of the critical current (π state) can be realized in such structures despite a dispersion of the distances between different segments of superconducting electrodes.     

Evolution of Phononic Band Gaps in One-Dimensional Phononic Crystals that Incorporate High-<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis><Subscript>c</Subscript> Superconductor and Magnetostrictive Materials

In this work, we calculate the reflectance of one-dimensional phononic crystals (1D PnCs) using the transfer matrix method. We present numerical results for two different PnC structures, the first one, PnCs1, contains high- T _c superconducting compound (Bi-2223) and the second, PnCs2, contains a giant magnetostrictive material (Terfenol-D). Magnetostriction is a property of ferromagnetic materials that causes them to change their shape/dimensions when subjected to external magnetic field. PnC studies that dealt with such materials are few. In this study, we focus on discussing the effects of the temperature and the magnetic field on the phononic gaps of these PnCs. For PnCs1, numerical results show that local resonant modes of elastic waves with brilliant sharpness can be realized. In addition, increasing the temperature leads to a decrease in the gap width which can be controlled by the magnetic field due to the effect of the magnetic field on the velocity of waves in the high- T _c superconducting compound, the magnetic field effectively can widen the gap. For PnCs2, numerical results show that the gap width increases by increasing the magnetic field because the magnetostrictive material directly expanded in the presence of the magnetic field.     

Large Increase of the Critical Field in a Magnet–Superconductor Nanowire Hybrid

We have fabricated two-dimensional periodic arrays of parallel magnetic and superconducting nanowires on a silicon substrate. Parallel magnetic (nickel) nanowires of cross section 90 nm by 300 nm form a periodic array with Pb₈₂Bi₁₈ superconducting nanowires of cross section 200 nm by 100 nm. These nanostructures were characterized with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and magnetic properties were studied with Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM). The phase diagram was determined by electrical transport measurements. Depending on the temperature, the second critical field was 2 to 3 times larger than that of a homogeneous Pb₈₂Bi₁₈ superconducting control film. The superconducting phase diagram and transport properties exhibit strong hysteresis in a magnetic field. Results are explained on the basis of the theory of magnet–superconductor hybrids.     

Vortex matter in superconductor/ferromagnet hybrids

Vortex pinning in type-II superconducting films can be effectively controlled by combining these films with different ferromagnetic nanostructures. In this article an overview is presented of different types of ferromagnetic pinning centers. The investigated hybrid structures consist of Pb films that are deposited on top of arrays of ferromagnetic dots with in-plane magnetization (IMP) or out-of-plane magnetization (OPM), ferromagnetic films with IPM or OPM that contain arrays of submicron holes (antidots), or continuous films with OPM and a magnetic domain structure. Interesting effects such as field-polarity dependent vortex pinning and the dependence of the pinning strength on the domain structure of the ferromagnet are observed. Our experiments demonstrate that vortex pinning in superconductors is strongly influenced by the magnetic properties of the different ferromagnetic pinning centers.     

Physical Proprieties of Ferrites Nanoparticles

Synthesis optical and magnetic of nearly monodisperse Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles through a simple coprecipitation method was studied in this work, Well-defined disperse nanospheres with an average size of 10 nm have been synthesized without any surfactant. Structural optical and magnetic properties were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible measurement, and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The critical and blocking temperature, saturation magnetization, magnetic remanence, and coercive field of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are obtained at room temperature.     

Fluxon Pinning by Artificial Magnetic Arrays

The field dependent transport properties of superconducting niobium films, which are modulated by a regular array of non-magnetic and magnetic normal-metal inclusions (dots), have been investigated. Strong peaks in the critical current are seen for fields at which the vortex density in the superconductor is some rational or sub-rational multiple of the dot density. This commensurate peak effect is enhanced for the magnetic dot arrays when the dots are magnetized in a direction parallel to the applied magnetic field and suppressed when they are anti-aligned. Qualitative information on the strength of this dot-vortex interaction is inferred from the commensurate peaks present and missing for different regular lattices.