Self-Assembled Nanoscale Patterns Produced by Ion Bombardment of Solid Surfaces

数学科学部和材料研究部为该奖项提供资金。它支持理论研究和教育活动，重点是推进理解如何通过用宽离子束轰击固体表面来产生自组装纳米级图案。这些图案的自发出现不仅本身令人着迷;离子轰击有可能成为一种具有成本效益的方法，可以快速制造大面积纳米结构，其长度超过传统光学光刻的限制。该项目将深入了解这些图案是如何形成的，因此将有助于优化该工具。在赞助的研究中，PI将率先将图案形成的数学理论应用于固体的离子轰击。 他们将确定是否可以通过轰击元素固体同时沉积杂质来形成有序的纳米点六边形阵列，并开发一种理论来解释为什么在离子辅助沉积某些二元材料期间形成几乎规则的纳米棒六边形阵列。将开发和评估可能减少或防止离子轰击产生的图案中形成缺陷的方法。对K-12学生的宣传以及对本科生和研究生的教育是该项目的重要方面。AP物理的高中生将学习离子轰击引起的图案形成的宏观模拟，喷砂形成的图案。模式形成的演示将被开发，将由物理小商店使用，这是一个全国公认的推广计划，为K-12学生和公众带来动手物理演示。该奖项支持的研究生将接受离子轰击物理学和图案形成数学的跨学科培训。非技术总结数学科学部和材料研究部为该奖项提供资金。它支持理论研究和教育活动，重点是推进我们对固体表面被宽离子束轰击时出现的纳米级图案的理解。这些纳米尺度的图案具有比针头小几百万倍的小长度尺度上的特征。可以产生大量的图案，包括以六边形阵列排列的纳米级土丘，这些土丘具有显著的和不可预见的规律性。这些图案的自发出现不仅本身令人着迷：离子轰击有可能成为快速制造大面积纳米结构的成本效益方法。这个项目将深入了解这些模式是如何形成的，因此将有助于优化这个工具。因此，赞助的研究将有助于新兴的纳米技术领域，这有望改变医学，能源和电子等领域。K-12学生的推广和本科生和研究生的教育是该项目的重要方面。高中物理学生将学习离子轰击引起的图案形成的模拟，喷砂形成的图案。模式形成的演示将被开发，将由物理小商店使用，这是一个全国公认的推广计划，为K-12学生和公众带来动手物理演示。该奖项支持的研究生将接受离子轰击物理学和图案形成数学的跨学科培训。

TECHNICAL SUMMARYThe Division of Mathematical Sciences and the Division of Materials Research contribute funds to this award. It supports theoretical research and educational activities focused on advancing understanding of how self-assembled nanoscale patterns are produced by bombarding a solid surface with a broad ion beam. The spontaneous emergence of these patterns is not just fascinating in its own right; ion bombardment has the potential to become a cost-effective method to rapidly fabricate large-area nanostructures at length scales beyond the limits of conventional optical lithography. This project will yield insight into how these patterns form, and so will aid in the optimization of this tool.In the sponsored research, the PIs will pioneer the application of the mathematical theory of pattern formation to the ion bombardment of solids. They will determine whether well-ordered hexagonal arrays of nanodots can be formed by bombarding an elemental solid while concurrently depositing impurities, and develop a theory that explains why nearly regular hexagonal arrays of nanorods form during ion-assisted deposition of some binary materials. Methods that may reduce or prevent the formation of defects in the patterns produced by ion bombardment will be developed and evaluated.Outreach to K-12 students and the education of undergraduate and graduate students are important aspects of the project. High school students in AP Physics will study a macroscopic analog of pattern formation induced by ion bombardment, patterns formed by sandblasting. Demonstrations of pattern formation will be developed that will be used by Little Shop of Physics, a nationally-recognized outreach program that brings hands-on physics demonstrations to K-12 students and to the general public. The graduate student supported by the award will receive interdisciplinary training in the physics of ion bombardment and the mathematics of pattern formation. NONTECHNICAL SUMMARYThe Division of Mathematical Sciences and the Division of Materials Research contribute funds to this award. It supports theoretical research and educational activities focused on advancing our understanding of the nanoscale patterns that emerge when a solid surface is bombarded with a broad ion beam. These nanoscale patterns have features on small length scales some million times smaller than the head of a pin. A plethora of patterns can be produced, including nanoscale mounds arranged in hexagonal arrays of remarkable and unforeseen regularity. The spontaneous emergence of these patterns is not just fascinating in its own right: ion bombardment has the potential to become a cost-effective method to rapidly fabricate large-area nanostructures. This project will yield insight into how these patterns form, and so will aid in the optimization of this tool. The sponsored research will therefore contribute to the burgeoning field of nanotechnology, which promises to transform fields as diverse as medicine, energy, and electronics.Outreach to K-12 student and the education of undergraduate and graduate students are important aspects of the project. High school physics students will study an analog of pattern formation induced by ion bombardment, patterns formed by sandblasting. Demonstrations of pattern formation will be developed that will be used by Little Shop of Physics, a nationally-recognized outreach program that brings hands-on physics demonstrations to K-12 students and to the general public. The graduate student to be supported by the award will receive interdisciplinary training in the physics of ion bombardment and the mathematics of pattern formation.