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Fabrication of Gate-tunable Graphene Devices for Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Studies with Coulomb Impurities
Published on: July 24, 2015
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Nanostructuring graphene by dense electronic excitation
O Ochedowski1, O Lehtinen, U Kaiser
1Fakultät für Physik and CENIDE, Universität Duisburg-Essen, D-47048 Duisburg, Germany.
Nanotechnology
|October 29, 2015
Summary
Swift heavy ion irradiation enables controlled fabrication of tailored graphene nanostructures. This method allows precise engineering of nanopores and bilayer edges in graphene for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Physics
Background:
- Tailored graphene nanostructures are crucial for unlocking graphene's technological potential.
- Controlling graphene's structure at the nanoscale is essential for its applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the creation of nanostructures in graphene using swift heavy ion induced folding.
- To demonstrate the controlled fabrication of specific graphene nanostructures through ion irradiation.
Main Methods:
- Irradiation of single-layer graphene (supported and freestanding) with swift heavy ions.
- Analysis using atomic force microscopy (AFM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Raman spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Swift heavy ion irradiation induces characteristic nanostructures via electronic excitation.
- Achieved controlled fabrication of closed bilayer edges with specific chirality and nanopores.
- Demonstrated control over nanopore length and orientation by adjusting ion beam direction.
- Induction of extremely small openings in freestanding graphene for controlled perforation.
Conclusions:
- Swift heavy ion irradiation is a viable method for fabricating tailored graphene nanostructures.
- The process allows for precise control over nanostructure morphology, including chirality and pore characteristics.
- This technique offers a pathway for controlled perforation of graphene membranes.
