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Controllable atomic scale patterning of freestanding monolayer graphene at elevated temperature
Q. Xu, M.-Y. Wu, G.F. Schneider, L. Houben, , C. Dekker, E. Yucelen, R.E. Dunin-Borkowski, H.W. Zandbergen
Published in
2013
Volume: 7
   
Issue: 2
Pages: 1566 - 1572
Abstract
We show that by operating a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) with a 0.1 nm 300 kV electron beam, one can sculpt free-standing monolayer graphene with close-to-atomic precision at 600 C. The same electron beam that is used for destructive sculpting can be used to image the sculpted monolayer graphene nondestructively. For imaging, a scanning dwell time is used that is about 1000 times shorter than for the sculpting. This approach allows for instantaneous switching between sculpting and imaging and thus fine-tuning the shape of the sculpted lattice. Furthermore, the sculpting process can be automated using a script. In this way, free-standing monolayer graphene can be controllably sculpted into patterns that are predefined in position, size, and orientation while maintaining defect-free crystallinity of the adjacent lattice. The sculpting and imaging processes can be fully computer-controlled to fabricate complex assemblies of ribbons or other shapes. © 2013 American Chemical Society.
About the journal
JournalACS Nano
ISSN19360851