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| Open AccessSimultaneous observation of the quantization and the interference pattern of a plasmonic near-field
Mapping the field of surface plasmon polaritons is important to understand their fundamental properties and behaviour. Here, the authors show that ultrafast transmission electron microscopy can simultaneously obtain the spatial interference and quantization of nanowire-confined plasmonic fields.
- L Piazza
- , T.T.A. Lummen
- & F Carbone
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Article
| Open AccessGate-controlled generation of optical pulse trains using individual carbon nanotubes
The photocurrent and luminescence of carbon nanotubes is governed by excitonic processes with diverse uses in nano-photonics. Here, Jiang et al.generate optical pulses from individual air-suspended carbon nanotubes under an application of square-wave gate voltages with control over pulse timing and duration.
- M Jiang
- , Y Kumamoto
- & Y. K. Kato
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Narrowband light detection via internal quantum efficiency manipulation of organic photodiodes
There is a growing interest in the development of narrowband photodiodes for full-color imaging and visible-blind near-infrared detection. Armin et al.show a sub-100 nm response by tuning the spectral bandwidth through regulating the charge collection efficiency in a thick organic bulk heterojunction.
- Ardalan Armin
- , Ross D. Jansen-van Vuuren
- & Paul Meredith
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Stable silicon-ionic liquid interface for next-generation lithium-ion batteries
Silicon is a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries, but suffers from structural degradation during operations. Here, the authors combine silicon with a room temperature ionic liquid to stabilize the electrode-electrolyte interface and achieve long-term cyclability.
- Daniela Molina Piper
- , Tyler Evans
- & Se-Hee Lee
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Silicon-chip mid-infrared frequency comb generation
Optical frequency combs in the mid-infrared are required for molecular gas detection applications but their realization in compact microresonator-based platforms is challenging. Here, Griffith et al. demonstrate on-chip broadband comb generation on a silicon microresonator spanning from 2.1 to 3.5 μm.
- Austin G. Griffith
- , Ryan K.W. Lau
- & Michal Lipson
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Crystalline silicon core fibres from aluminium core preforms
The integration of silicon optoelectronic devices in a fibre platform has great potential, but drawing such fibres is difficult. Using a simple, low cost and scalable method, Hou et al. fabricate a metre-long crystalline silicon-core, silica-clad fibre from a preform not containing elemental silicon.
- Chong Hou
- , Xiaoting Jia
- & Yoel Fink
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| Open AccessAn octave-spanning mid-infrared frequency comb generated in a silicon nanophotonic wire waveguide
Phase-coherent frequency combs in the mid-infrared have important potential applications but their fabrication remains challenging. Here, Kuyken et al. demonstrate an octave-spanning frequency comb in the mid-infrared using a highly nonlinear dispersion-engineered silicon waveguide on a silicon-on-insulator chip.
- Bart Kuyken
- , Takuro Ideguchi
- & Nathalie Picqué
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Self-assembled hydrogels utilizing polymer–nanoparticle interactions
Mouldable hydrogels find a variety of applications in the biomedical industry. Here, Appel et al. show a method to fabricate hydrogels through a self-assembly process based on the interaction between biopolymers and functional nanoparticles for multistage drug delivery in vivo.
- Eric A. Appel
- , Mark W. Tibbitt
- & Robert Langer
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Cracking-assisted photolithography for mixed-scale patterning and nanofluidic applications
Cracks in material are not always unwanted; sometimes, they can be manipulated to produce micro and nanoscale patterns. Here, Kim et al. report a cracking-assisted nanofabrication technique based on conventional photolithography process, which allows accurate control over the geometry of the nanopatterns in arbitrary shape.
- Minseok Kim
- , Dogyeong Ha
- & Taesung Kim
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Strong interactive growth behaviours in solution-phase synthesis of three-dimensional metal oxide nanostructures
It has been suggested that the growth rate of nanocrystals is affected by the size and density of surrounding crystals. Here, the authors study the anisotropic growth of zinc oxide nanorod arrays, and show that rod diameter and height are interdependent, and may be affected by local interactions.
- Jung Min Lee
- , You-Shin No
- & Won Il Park
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Article
| Open AccessVisualization of molecular fluorescence point spread functions via remote excitation switching fluorescence microscopy
Plasmonic nanoparticles can dramatically enhance the optical properties of molecules but background scattering is a limiting factor. Su et al.use remote excitation by plasmons on nanowires to better access single fluorophore point spread functions for improved sensing and super-resolution imaging.
- Liang Su
- , Gang Lu
- & Hiroshi Uji-i
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Article
| Open AccessImproving image contrast and material discrimination with nonlinear response in bimodal atomic force microscopy
Bimodal atomic force microscopy is a promising approach in obtaining high-quality image contrast and material property mapping. Here, the authors show that by considering nonlinear response in bimodal atomic force microscopy, significant improvements in image contrast and material discrimination can be achieved.
- Daniel Forchheimer
- , Robert Forchheimer
- & David B. Haviland
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Entropic cages for trapping DNA near a nanopore
Nanopore sensors provide a useful way of analysing single molecules, such as DNA. Here, the authors present a nanopore-based single-molecule reactor, into which DNA can be fed and removed, and which also acts as an entropic cage allowing for DNA chemical modifications.
- Xu Liu
- , Mirna Mihovilovic Skanata
- & Derek Stein
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| Open AccessEmerging magnetic order in platinum atomic contacts and chains
The development of magnetism in metallic atomic chains is a widely debated phenomenon, of relevance to atomic-scale spintronics. Here, Strigl et al. measure the magneto-conductance of platinum break junctions stretched over sub-atomic distances, evidencing the evolution of distinct magnetic order.
- Florian Strigl
- , Christopher Espy
- & Torsten Pietsch
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Growth dynamics and gas transport mechanism of nanobubbles in graphene liquid cells
Nanobubbles in liquid phase are puzzling, because their internal pressure is estimated to be unphysically large. Here, Shin et al. visualize the dynamics of nanobubbles in water encapsulated by graphene membrane and show fast gas diffusion through ultrathin water layer between two coalescing bubbles.
- Dongha Shin
- , Jong Bo Park
- & Konstantin S Novoselov
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Ultrasensitive and label-free molecular-level detection enabled by light phase control in magnetoplasmonic nanoantennas
Ferromagnetic nanoantennas support plasmons and exhibit magneto-optical activity under external magnetic fields. Maccaferri et al. show how designed phase compensation in the electric response of these nanostructures enables them to act as ultrasensitive label-free molecular sensors with high figures of merit.
- Nicolò Maccaferri
- , Keith E. Gregorczyk
- & Paolo Vavassori
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De novo design of an RNA tile that self-assembles into a homo-octameric nanoprism
The rational design of nucleic acid nanostructures requires building blocks that can be predictably combined into a uniform structure. Here, the authors present a designed RNA building block able to self-assemble into a homo-octameric cube.
- Jinwen Yu
- , Zhiyu Liu
- & Chengde Mao
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| Open AccessUltimately short ballistic vertical graphene Josephson junctions
The functionality of Josephson junctions—a thin insulating layer between two superconducting regions—is greatly enhanced by using hybrid material systems. Here, the authors incorporate graphene into a Josephson junction and demonstrate ballistic transport through the atom-thick layer.
- Gil-Ho Lee
- , Sol Kim
- & Hu-Jong Lee
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Seeded growth of highly crystalline molybdenum disulphide monolayers at controlled locations
Although synthesis of high-quality MoS2 has been demonstrated, growth of monolayer MoS2at controlled locations is highly desirable for applications. Here, the authors introduce a method where patterned seeds of molybdenum source material are used to grow isolated flakes at predetermined locations.
- Gang Hee Han
- , Nicholas J. Kybert
- & A. T. Charlie Johnson
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Coherent spin control of a nanocavity-enhanced qubit in diamond
Nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond have established themselves as excellent candidates for solid-state quantum memories due to their optical addressability and long coherence times. Here, the authors report on a diamond-nanocavity system with improved spin-photon interface performances.
- Luozhou Li
- , Tim Schröder
- & Dirk Englund
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Detecting noise with shot noise using on-chip photon detector
The detection of high-frequency radiation emitted by a quantum conductor is promising but current approaches exhibit limited sensitivity. Here, Jompol et al. propose on-chip radiation detection based on photo-assisted shot noise and show the response to be independent of the nature and geometry of the quantum conductor.
- Y. Jompol
- , P. Roulleau
- & D. C. Glattli
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| Open AccessA quantitative model for charge carrier transport, trapping and recombination in nanocrystal-based solar cells
Colloidal nanocrystals could help improve the performance of the next generation of solar cells, but a model that fully describes the electronic behaviour of such devices is missing. Bozyigit et al. now develop a quantitative model for charge transport in these solar cells.
- Deniz Bozyigit
- , Weyde M. M. Lin
- & Vanessa Wood
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Ferroelectrically driven spatial carrier density modulation in graphene
The non-volatile modulation of charge carriers in graphene could be useful for future electronic devices. Here, the authors demonstrate that fields arising from ferroelectric polarization in periodically poled LiNbO3substrates can lead to a carrier modulation in adjacent graphene films.
- Christoph Baeumer
- , Diomedes Saldana-Greco
- & Lane W. Martin
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Synthesis of large single-crystal hexagonal boron nitride grains on Cu–Ni alloy
High nucleation density has thus far limited the quality and grain size of CVD-grown hexagonal boron nitride. Here, by optimizing the Ni ratio in Cu–Ni substrates, the authors successfully reduce nucleation density and report single-crystal hexagonal boron nitride grains up to 7500 μm2.
- Guangyuan Lu
- , Tianru Wu
- & Mianheng Jiang
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| Open AccessInterplay of weak interactions in the atom-by-atom condensation of xenon within quantum boxes
Condensation in the regime of weakly interactions is of fundamental importance. Here, the authors study the condensation process one atom at a time, showing the forces driving the behaviour of xenon atoms as they condense into aggregate structures in nanoscale pores.
- Sylwia Nowakowska
- , Aneliia Wäckerlin
- & Thomas A. Jung
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Sub-50-nm self-assembled nanotextures for enhanced broadband antireflection in silicon solar cells
Broadband light antireflection materials have numerous applications as highly transparent window, for broadband applications thin-film multilayers have been considered. Here, Rahman et al. demonstrate broadband antireflection enhancement in silicon solar cells using a self-assembled, nanostructured copolymer.
- Atikur Rahman
- , Ahsan Ashraf
- & Charles T. Black
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Article
| Open AccessAn iron-based green approach to 1-h production of single-layer graphene oxide
Oxidants currently used in the preparation of graphene oxide (GO) require long reaction times, relatively high temperatures and costly waste treatment. Here, the authors propose the use of a strong green oxidant, K2FeO4, establishing a fast, safe, toxicity-free route to GO production.
- Li Peng
- , Zhen Xu
- & Chao Gao
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| Open AccessImperceptible magnetoelectronics
Birds and many other animals can sense the Earth’s magnetic field, but not human beings. Here, Melzer et al. develop a type of artificial skin based on giant magnetoresistive sensor foils with micrometre thickness, which can be stretched up to >250% without sacrifices in device performance.
- Michael Melzer
- , Martin Kaltenbrunner
- & Oliver G. Schmidt
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Growth of high-density horizontally aligned SWNT arrays using Trojan catalysts
Single-walled carbon nanotube arrays have been proposed for use in electronics, but getting the tubes aligned and in high density is a very challenging task. Hu et al. show that catalyst particles dissolved in a substrate can slowly be brought to the surface, allowing continued controlled growth of nanotubes.
- Yue Hu
- , Lixing Kang
- & Jin Zhang
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Probing the limits of gate-based charge sensing
Reading out the state of quantum bits is an essential requirement that any quantum computer implementation must satisfy. Gonzalez-Zalba et al. now show that in situresonant gate-based detection can be a more sensitive approach than external electrometers while reducing the qubit architecture’s complexity.
- M. F. Gonzalez-Zalba
- , S. Barraud
- & A. C. Betz
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Room-temperature exciton coherence and dephasing in two-dimensional nanostructures
Evidence for exciton coherence in photosynthetic complexes raises questions about whether quantum processes can play a role in biological environments, which are warm and wet. Cassette et al. now demonstrate long-lived electronic coherence in colloidal nanoplatelets in solution and at room temperature.
- Elsa Cassette
- , Ryan D. Pensack
- & Gregory D. Scholes
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| Open AccessDip-pen patterning of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) chain-conformation-based nano-photonic elements
The optoelectronic properties of semiconducting polymers are controlled by altering chemical structure and/or inter-chain order. Perevedentsev et al. propose a nanopatterning approach whereby the geometry of polymer chain segments is modified to engineer metamaterial structures for visible light.
- Aleksandr Perevedentsev
- , Yannick Sonnefraud
- & Donal D. C. Bradley
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Photoswitchable semiconductor nanocrystals with self-regulating photochromic Förster resonance energy transfer acceptors
Photochromic Förster resonance energy transfer endows nanosensors with photoswitchable fluorescence properties. Diaz et al. present a system with two photostationary end states, one of which exhibits constant quenching of the quantum dot donor independent of its mean distance to the photochromic acceptors.
- Sebastián A. Díaz
- , Florencia Gillanders
- & Thomas M. Jovin
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| Open AccessA molecular nematic liquid crystalline material for high-performance organic photovoltaics
There is a trade-off between increasing thickness of active layers in organic photovoltaic cells to be compatible with modern printing techniques and decreasing it to improve the device performance. Sun et al.report a nematic liquid crystalline molecular electron donor material used in thick layers.
- Kuan Sun
- , Zeyun Xiao
- & David J. Jones
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Multi-body coalescence in Pickering emulsions
Pickering emulsions are particle-stabilized droplets suspended in an immiscible liquid, and the study of individual droplet coalescence has yielded many interesting findings. Here, Wu et al. move towards larger droplet numbers to investigate the influence of population on coalescence.
- Tong Wu
- , Haitao Wang
- & Chongzheng Na
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Nanoscale sub-100 picosecond all-optical magnetization switching in GdFeCo microstructures
All-optical magnetization switching holds significant potential for future ultrafast high-density recording applications. Here, Le Guyader et al.demonstrate sub-100 ps sub-wavelength magnetization reversal by passive focussing of a single femtosecond laser pulse in micro-patterned GdFeCo thin films.
- L. Le Guyader
- , M. Savoini
- & F. Nolting
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| Open AccessOn-chip detection of non-classical light by scalable integration of single-photon detectors
The integration of single-photon detectors, as superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors, in photonic-integrated circuits is a goal of quantum information science. Here, Najafi et al.introduce a micrometer-scale flip-chip process enabling such a integration in a scalable way.
- Faraz Najafi
- , Jacob Mower
- & Dirk Englund
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| Open AccessGeneration of spin currents by surface plasmon resonance
Optical methods allow for the excitation of diverse magnetic phenomena in nanostructured materials. Here, Uchida et al. demonstrate how pure spin current may be generated across a Pt/BiY2Fe5O12thin film interface by optically exciting surface plasmon resonance in embedded gold nanoparticles.
- K. Uchida
- , H. Adachi
- & E. Saitoh
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Camera-based three-dimensional real-time particle tracking at kHz rates and Ångström accuracy
Particle tracking with ultra-high resolution in optical and magnetic tweezers has so far relied on laser detection through photodiodes. Here, Huhle et al. demonstrate three-dimensional particle tracking with Ångström accuracy and real-time GPU-accelerated data processing at kHz rates using camera-based imaging.
- Alexander Huhle
- , Daniel Klaue
- & Ralf Seidel
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A highly efficient polysulfide mediator for lithium–sulfur batteries
The polysulfide shuttle is a major problem leading to capacity decay in lithium–sulfur batteries. Here, the authors show that in-situ-generated thiosulfate species on a manganese oxide nanosheet act as a polysulfide mediator, which effectively prevents polysulfide dissolution, leading to enhanced cyclability.
- Xiao Liang
- , Connor Hart
- & Linda F. Nazar
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A strain-absorbing design for tissue–machine interfaces using a tunable adhesive gel
Biocompatibility is a limiting factor in the use of electronic sensors in physiological applications. Here, the authors present a flexible and conductive polymer gel as an adhesive interface material for electronic biosensors, also demonstrating in vivoheart attachment and monitoring.
- Sungwon Lee
- , Yusuke Inoue
- & Takao Someya
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Bottom-up formation of endohedral mono-metallofullerenes is directed by charge transfer
An understanding of the formation mechanism of endohedral metallofullerenes may pave the way towards targeted synthesis of these nanomaterials. Here, the authors investigate their bottom-up synthesis and determine that charge transfer plays a key role in their formation.
- Paul W. Dunk
- , Marc Mulet-Gas
- & Harold W. Kroto
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Interstitial modification of palladium nanoparticles with boron atoms as a green catalyst for selective hydrogenation
Lindlar catalysts are widely used for partial hydrogenation of alkynes, however they can be somewhat limited by toxicity of lead and low selectivity. Here, the authors report that the modification of palladium nanoparticles with boron atoms in the interstitial sites yields selective hydrogenation catalysts.
- Chun Wong Aaron Chan
- , Abdul Hanif Mahadi
- & Shik Chi Edman Tsang
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| Open AccessStructural reorganization of cylindrical nanoparticles triggered by polylactide stereocomplexation
A polymer stereocomplex can possess quite different properties to its constituent homopolymers. Here, the authors prepare stereocomplex micelles of amphiphilic block-copolymers via crystallization-driven self-assembly, and observe a change from cylindrical to mixed spherical micelle morphology.
- Liang Sun
- , Anaïs Pitto-Barry
- & Andrew P. Dove
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Ultrafast cooling reveals microsecond-scale biomolecular dynamics
Temperature jump technique is widely used to probe the fast dynamics of protein and DNA folding, but constrained to modest temperature control. Here, the authors use a microfluidic device combined with an infrared laser to heat or cool DNA hairpins up to 70 °C on a microsecond time scale.
- Mark E. Polinkovsky
- , Yann Gambin
- & Ashok A. Deniz
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| Open AccessDynamically controlling the emission of single excitons in photonic crystal cavities
Controlling the coherent evolution of cavity quantum electrodynamics systems is key for future quantum networks. Here Pagliano et al.demonstrate dynamic control of the coupling of a single exciton to a photonic micro-resonator using electrical tuning of the exciton energy in a photonic crystal cavity diode.
- Francesco Pagliano
- , YongJin Cho
- & Andrea Fiore
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| Open AccessAssembling programmable FRET-based photonic networks using designer DNA scaffolds
DNA is a useful molecule with which to construct nanomaterials with controllable functionalities. Here, the authors fabricate photonic wires by appending dye molecules at set positions along DNA structures, and show how FRET performance can be tuned by modifying dye separation.
- Susan Buckhout-White
- , Christopher M Spillmann
- & Igor L. Medintz
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Stretchable silicon nanoribbon electronics for skin prosthesis
An integrated electronic platform with site-specific sensitivity is highly needed for medical applications. Here, Kim et al.report a stretchable prosthetic skin composed of ultrathin single crystalline silicon nanoribbon array, which can sense strain, pressure and temperature spontaneously.
- Jaemin Kim
- , Mincheol Lee
- & Dae-Hyeong Kim
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Nanoscale infrared spectroscopy as a non-destructive probe of extraterrestrial samples
Infrared spectral mapping offers the non-destructive analyses of samples; however, the spatial resolution is restricted to >10 microns. Here, the authors present a new infrared technique capable of sub-micron scale mineral identification, demonstrated using a chondrule and a cometary dust grain.
- Gerardo Dominguez
- , A. S. Mcleod
- & D. N. Basov