Nucleation and growth of Nb nanoclusters during plasma gas condensation
- UES, Inc., 4401 Dayton-Xenia Rd, Dayton, Ohio 45432 (United States)
- Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/RQQE, 1950 Fifth St., WPAFB, Ohio 45433 (United States)
Niobium nanoclusters were produced using a plasma gas condensation process. The influence of gas flow rate, aggregation length, and source current on the nanocluster nucleation and growth were analyzed. Nanoclusters with an average diameter from 4 nm to 10 nm were produced. Cluster size and concentration were tuned by controlling the process inputs. The effects of each parameter on the nucleation zone, growth length, and residence time was examined. The parameters do not affect the cluster formation and growth independently; their influence on cluster formation can be either cumulative or competing. Examining the nucleation and growth over a wide combination of parameters provided insight into their interactions and the impact on the growth process. These results provide the opportunity for a broader understanding into the nucleation and growth of nanoclusters and some insights into how process parameters interact during deposition. This knowledge will enhance the ability to create nanoclusters with desired size dispersions.
- OSTI ID:
- 22163058
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 113, Issue 23; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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