Discrete angle rotations of Bi nanoparticles embedded in a Ga matrix

Avraham Be'er, Richard Kofman, Yossi Lereah

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Spontaneous instabilities of nanoparticles are known to be influenced by the temperature, and strongly depend on the particle size. However, it is not clear what is the role of the surrounding material that is in contact with the particle. Here we report on the difference between spontaneous rotations of Bi nanoparticles embedded in amorphous SiO and those embedded in liquid Ga. The phenomenon was studied quantitatively by time resolved transmission electron microscopy using Fourier Transform analysis of highresolution electron microscopy images. While rotations of Bi nanoparticles embedded in amorphous SiO occur by all angles, the rotations of Bi nanoparticles embedded in liquid Ga occur by discrete angles. Our results point quantitatively, for the first time, to the role and importance of the contacting surrounding surface during the rotation of nanoparticles.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-6
Number of pages6
JournalCentral European Journal of Physics
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Feb 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Instabilities of nanoparticles
  • Transmission electron microscopy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy (all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Discrete angle rotations of Bi nanoparticles embedded in a Ga matrix'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this