Ultrafast atomic diffusion inducing a reversible transition on Sn/Si(111):B
Here, we present experimental and theoretical evidence of a new reversible transition that takes place in Sn/Si(111):B. The system changes from an insulating (2 √ 3 × 2 √ 3)R30º structure at room temperature to a (√ 3 × √ 3)R30º symmetry above 520 K (2 √ 3 and √…
Self-organized nanopatterning of silicon surfaces by ion beam sputtering
Surface nano-patterning by ion beam sputtering (IBS) is a bottom-up strategy to produce nanostructures on large areas of a wide range of materials (metals, insulators, semiconductors) in just a few minutes. This technique has been known for many years but its underlying physical mechanisms are still open to discussion. Initially,…
Perylene on TiO2(110) surfaces
A deep and detailed understanding of the organic molecule – substrate interaction at the nanoscale is essential in order to develop a real nanoelectronic technology. The combination of Organic molecules and TiO2 surface is becoming a hot topic due to the extended use in novel photovoltaic devices. With this in…
Direct sublimation of metal-organic cluster for growing new nanostructures
One of the most extended approaches in order to growth metal-organic nanostructures on surfaces consists in recombine small organic molecules with a carefully controlled quantity of metallic atoms on a surface. As an example, our group followed this strategy in previous works for obtaining a rich variety of nanostructures by…
Anti-phase boundaries forming a new C60 phase on TiO2(110)
One of the most important research lines carried out by the ESISNA group is devoted to the characterization by the most advanced Surface Science techniques of the deposition of organic molecules on metal and metal oxide surfaces towards the formation of new molecular nanoassemblies and other hierarchical nanostructures. Following this…
Electronic contacts at the atomic scale for future graphene-based electronics
Due to its exceptional conduction properties, graphene has been proposed as a candidate to replace silicon in future electronics. However, several problems need to be overcome prior to its implantation in the production chain. Among these difficulties, one of the most fundamental unknown aspects is how to contact graphene with…
Mars Mimicking Chamber Explores Habitability of Other Planets
Researchers in Spain have designed a vacuum chamber capable of mimicking conditions on Mars to test gear for use in future missions SOURCE: WASHINGTON, March 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire A research team in Spain has the enviable job of testing out new electromechanical gear for potential use in future missions to the «Red Planet.» They…
Sequential formation of N-doped nanohelicenes, nanographenes and nanodomes by surface-assisted chemical (cyclo)dehydrogenation of heteroaromatics
The use of appropriately functionalized molecular building blocks to form novel nano-architectures with tailored structure and electronic properties has recently been brought under the spotlight. Recently, the ESISNA group has developed an effective way of exploiting on-surface chemistry to grow different nanostructures in sequential steps from the same molecular precursor. We have used different activation temperatures to…
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On the origin of interstellar aromatic molecules
Despite their abundance and ubiquity in space, the origin of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is still a mystery for astronomers. Gas phase chemistry models, this is, simple collisions between C atoms and C-containing molecules, and soot formation mechanisms can not easily account for the observed amount of PAHs, as they…