Direct Imaging of Quantum Antidots in MgO Dispersed with Au Nanoclusters

Journal Article · Mon Oct 10 04:00:00 EDT 2005 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2099518· OSTI ID:860405

Wang, Chong M; Shutthanandan, V; Thevuthasan, Suntharampillai; Duscher, Gerd

Quantum antidots (a vacancy cluster) have been proposed to account for the non-linear optical behavior of magnesium oxide (MgO) dispersed with Au nanoclusters [1,2]. In this paper, we provide convincing evidence, based on direct observation using high-angle annular dark-filed imaging in aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscope, that vacancies in excess of Au atoms are clustering together to form antidots at the immediate neighborhood of the Au clusters, leading to a spatially associated Au nanocluster and antidot. The antidots show a terraced layer structure and are typically facetted along the MgO{l_brace}100{r_brace} planes. Furthermore, we also directly observed that Au atom substitutes for Mg atom in the MgO lattice, which is consistently supported by image calculations.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US), Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 860405
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-43183; 9491
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 15 Vol. 87; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ATOMIC CLUSTERS
GOLD
MAGNESIUM OXIDES
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
QUANTUM DOTS
VACANCIES
environmental molecular sciences laboratory