Through-membrane electron-beam lithography for ultrathin membrane applications

We present a technique to fabricate ultrathin (down to 20 nm) uniform electron transparent windows at dedicated locations in a SiN membrane for in situ transmission electron microscopy experiments. An electron-beam (e-beam) resist is spray-coated on the backside of the membrane in a KOH-etched cavity in silicon which is patterned using...

In situ transmission electron microscope formation of a single-crystalline Bi film on an amorphous substrate

We have performed a range of in situ heating experiments of polycrystalline Bi films of 22-25 nm-thickness in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). This shows that it is possible to locally transform a polycrystalline thin film into a [111]-oriented single-crystalline film, whereby the unique feature is that the original thickness of the...

Heat-induced transformation of CdSe–CdS–ZnS core–multishell quantum dots by Zn diffusion into inner layers

In this work, we investigate the thermal evolution of CdSe–CdS–ZnS core–multishell quantum dots (QDs) in situ using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Starting at a temperature of approximately 250 °C, Zn diffusion into inner layers takes place together with simultaneous evaporation of particularly Cd and S. As a result of this...

Tuning of a cavity in a silicon photonic crystal by thermal expansion of an elastomeric infill

We use an elastomer as infill material for a photonic crystal. As a result of the thermal-expansion-induced strongly negative thermal optical coefficient, this material is highly suitable for thermal tuning of the transmission of a cavity. This is demonstrated by global infilling of a hole-type silicon photonic crystal slab and global thermal...

Thermal tuning of a silicon photonic crystal cavity infilled with an elastomer

Thermal tuning of the transmission of an elastomer infilled photonic crystal cavity is studied. An elastomer has a thermal expansion-induced negative thermo-optic coefficient that leads to a strong decrease of the refractive index upon heating. This property makes elastomer highly suitable for thermal tuning of the transmission of a cavity,...