Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-v9fdk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-02T20:24:07.618Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Site-specific cross-sectioning of carbon nanotube-to-metal junctions for high spatial resolution chemical and structural analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2011

K. Dovidenko
Affiliation:
School of NanoSciences and NanoEngineering, UAlbany Institute for Materials, The University at Albany-SUNY, 251 Fuller Rd., Albany, New York 12203
N. L. Abramson
Affiliation:
School of NanoSciences and NanoEngineering, UAlbany Institute for Materials, The University at Albany-SUNY, 251 Fuller Rd., Albany, New York 12203
J. Rullan
Affiliation:
School of NanoSciences and NanoEngineering, UAlbany Institute for Materials, The University at Albany-SUNY, 251 Fuller Rd., Albany, New York 12203
Get access

Abstract

In this study, we have demonstrated successful site-specific cross-sectioning of carbon-nanotube - metal junctions which provided samples suitable for high resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. For the cross-sectioning, we have suggested a modified technique based on combination of the Focused Ion Beam (FIB) lift-out and the conventional Ar+ ion milling techniques. Electron-transparent cross-sections of multiwall carbon nanotubes showing no significant surface amorphization or Ga contamination (typical artifacts of conventional FIB lift-out technique) were obtained. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy of a multi-wall carbon nanotube cross-section have been carried out.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2003

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Endo, M., Kim, Y.A., Fukai, Y., Hayashi, T., “Comparison study of semi-crystalline and highly crystalline multiwalled carbon nanotubes”, Appl. Phys. Lett., 79, pp. 1531–3 (2001).Google Scholar
2. Watanabe, H., Hisada, Y., Mukainakano, S., Tanaka, N., “In situ observation of the initial growth process of carbon nanotubes by time-resolved high resolution transmission electron microscopy”, J. Microscopy, 203, pp.40–6 (2001).Google Scholar
3. Terrones, M., Terrones, H., Banhart, F., Charlier, J.-C., Ajayan, P.M., “Coalescence of singlewalled carbon nanotubes”, Science, 288, pp.1226–9 (2000).Google Scholar
4. Loiseau, A., Willaime, F., “Filled and mixed nanotubes: from TEM studies to the growth mechanism within a phase-diagram approach”, Appl. Surf. Sci., 164, pp.227–40 (2000).Google Scholar
5. Colliex, C., Kociak, M., Stephan, O., Suenaga, K., Trasobares, S., “Spatially resolved EELS on carbon-based nanostructures”, Proceedings of NATO Advanced Study Institute on Nanostructured Carbon for Advanced applications, pp.201–13 (2000).Google Scholar
6. Reed, B.W., Sarikaya, M., “Electronic properties of carbon nanotubes by transmission electron energy-loss spectroscopy”, Phys. Rev. B, 64, pp.195404–1 – 195404–13 (2001).Google Scholar
7. Wei, B.Q.; Kohler-Redlich, P., Bader, U., Heiland, B., Spolenak, R., Arzt, E., Ruhle, M., “Selective specimen preparation for TEM observation of the cross-section of individual carbon nanotube/metal junctions”, Ultramicroscopy, 85, pp.93–8 (2000).Google Scholar
8. Anderson, R., Kelpeis, S.J., “Combined tripod polishing and FIB method for preparing semiconductor plan view specimens”, Specimen Preparation for Transmission Electron Microscopy of Materials IV, Mater. Res. Soc, pp. 8792 (1997).Google Scholar
9. Dovidenko, K., Rullan, J., Moore, R., Dunn, K.A., Geer, R.E., Heuchling, F., “FIB-assisted Pt deposition for carbon nanotube integration and 3-D nanoengineering”, Proceedings of Mater. Res. Soc. Fall 2002 symposium “Three-Dimensional Nanoengineered Assemblies”, submitted.Google Scholar
10. Wei, B.Q., Vajtai, R., Ajayan, P.M., “Reliability and current carrying capacity of carbon nanotubes”, Appl. Phys. Lett., 79, 1172–4 (2001).Google Scholar
11. Wei, B.Q.; Spolenak, R., Kohler-Redlich, P., Ruhle, M., Arzt, E., “Electrical transport in pure and boron-doped carbon nanotubes”, Appl. Phys. Lett., 74, pp.3149–51 (1999).Google Scholar
12. Giannuzzi, L.A., Drown, J.L., Brown, S.R., Irwin, R.B., Stevie, F.A., “Focused ion beam milling and micromanipulation lift-out for site specific cross-section TEM specimen preparation”, Specimen Preparation for Transmission Electron Microscopy of Materials IV, Symposium, pp.1927 (1997).Google Scholar
13. Rossie, B. B., Shofner, T.L., Brown, S.R., Anderson, S.D., Jamison, M.M., Stevie, F.A., “A method for thinning FIB prepared TEM specimens after lift-out”, Proceedings of Microscopy and Microanalysis 2001, Long Beach, California, Aug. 5–9 2001. Vol. 7, p. 940 (2001).Google Scholar