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Jesse, Stephen

Publications and source records attributed to Jesse, Stephen.

257 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

Electrochemical strain microscopy: Probing ionic and electrochemical phenomena in solids at the nanometer level

Atomistic and nanometer scale mechanisms of electrochemical reactions and ionic flows in solids in the nanometer-micron range persist as terra incognito in modern science. While structural and electronic phenomena are now accessible to electron and scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques, probing nanoscale electrochemistry requires the capability to probe local ionic currents. Here, we discuss principles and applications of electrochemical strain microscopy (ESM), a technique based on probing minute deformations induced by electric bias applied to an SPM tip. ESM imaging and spectroscopy are illustrated for several energy storage and conversion materials. We further argue that down-scaling of physical device structures based on oxides necessitates ionic and electrochemical effects to be taken into account. Future pathways for ESM development are discussed

Jesse, Stephen↗
DOE OSTI2012

Enhanced electric conductivity at ferroelectric vortex cores in BiFeO3

Topological defects in ferroic materials are attracting much attention both as a playground of unique physical phenomena and for potential applications in reconfigurable electronic devices. Here, we explore electronic transport at artificially created ferroelectric vortices in BiFeO{sub 3} thin films. The creation of one-dimensional conductive channels activated at voltages as low as 1 V is demonstrated. We study the electronic as well as the static and dynamic polarization structure of several topological defects using a combination of first-principles and phase-field modelling. The modelling predicts that the core structure can undergo a reversible transformation into a metastable twist structure, extending charged domain walls segments through the film thickness. The vortex core is therefore a dynamic conductor controlled by the coupled response of polarization and electron-mobile-vacancy subsystems with external bias. This controlled creation of conductive one-dimensional channels suggests a pathway for the design and implementation of integrated oxide electronic devices based on domain patterning.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

High Frequency Electromechanical Imaging of Ferroelectrics in a Liquid Environment

The coupling between electrical and mechanical phenomena is a ubiquitous feature of many information and energy storage materials and devices. In addition to involvement in performance and degradation mechanisms, electromechanical effects underpin a broad spectrum of nanoscale imaging and spectroscopies including piezoresponse force and electrochemical strain microscopies. Traditionally, these studies are conducted under ambient conditions. However, applications related to imaging energy storage and electrophysiological phenomena require operation in a liquid phase and therefore the development of electromechanical probing techniques suitable to liquid environments. Due to the relative high conductivity of most liquids and liquid decomposition at low voltages, the transfer of characterization techniques from ambient to liquid is not straightforward. Here we present a detailed study of ferroelectric domain imaging and manipulation in thin film BiFeO{sub 3} using piezoresponse force microscopy in liquid environments as model systems for electromechanical phenomena in general. We explore the use of contact resonance enhancement and the application of multifrequency excitation and detection principles to overcome the experimental problems introduced by a liquid environment. Understanding electromechanical sample characterization in liquid is a key aspect not only for ferroelectric oxides but also for biological and electrochemical sample systems.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Role of measurement voltage on hysteresis loop shape in Piezoresponse Force Microscopy

The dependence of on-field and off-field hysteresis loop shape in Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM) on driving voltage, Vac, is explored. A nontrivial dependence of hysteresis loop parameters on measurement conditions is observed. The strategies to distinguish between paraelectric and ferroelectric states with small coercive bias and separate reversible hysteretic and non-hysteretic behaviors are suggested. Generally, measurement of loop evolution with Vac is a necessary step to establish the veracity of PFM hysteresis measurements.

Kim, Yunseok↗