We present an extensive but concise review of our present understanding, largely based on theory and simulation work from our group, on the equilibrium behavior of solid surfaces and nanosystems ...close to the bulk melting point. In the first part we define phenomena, in particular surface melting and nonmelting, and review some related theoretical approaches, from heuristic theories to computer simulation. In the second part we describe the surface melting/nonmelting behavior of several different classes of solids, ranging from van der Waals crystals, to valence semiconductors, to ionic crystals and metals. In the third part, we address special cases such as strained solids, the defreezing of glass surfaces, and rotational surface melting. Next, we digress briefly to surface layering of a liquid metal, possibly leading to solid-like or hexatic two-dimensional phases floating on the liquid. In the final part, the relationship of surface melting to the premelting of nanoclusters and nanowires is reviewed.
Abstract
The direct response of Silicon PhotoMultipliers being
traversed by a MIP charged particle have been studied in a
systematic way for the first time. Using beam test data, time
resolution and ...the crosstalk probability have been measured. A
characterization of the SiPM by means of a laser beam is also
reported. The results obtained for different sensors indicate a
measured time resolution around 40–70 ps. Although particles are
expected to traverse only one SPAD per event, crosstalk measurements
on different sensors indicate an unexpected higher value with
respect to the one related to the sensor noise.
In this paper, different Silicon PhotoMultiplier (SiPM) sensors have been tested with charged particles to characterize the Cherenkov light produced in the sensor protection layer. A careful position ...scan of the SiPM response has been performed with different prototypes, confirming the large number of firing cells and proving almost full efficiency, with the SiPM filling factor essentially negligible. This study also allowed us to study the time resolution of such devices as a function of the number of firing cells, reaching values below 20 ps. These measurements provide significant insight into the capabilities of SiPM sensors in direct detection of charged particles and their potential for several applications.
In this paper, evidence that the increased response of SiPM sensors to the passage of charged particles is related mainly to Cherenkov light produced in the protection layer is reported. The response ...and timing properties of sensors with different protection layers have been studied.
We have examined theoretically the spontaneous thinning process of tip-suspended nanowires, and subsequently studied the structure and stability of the monatomic gold wires recently observed by ...transmission electron microscopy. The methods used include thermodynamics, classical many-body force simulations, local density and generalized gradient electronic structure calculations as well as ab initio simulations including the two tips. The wire thinning is well explained in terms of a thermodynamic tip suction driving migration of surface atoms from the wire to the tips. For the same reason the monatomic wire becomes progressively stretched. Surprisingly, however, all calculations so far indicate that the stretched monatomic gold wire should be unstable against breaking, contrary to the apparent experimental stability. The possible reasons for this stability are discussed.
This is a concise review of some facts and theory work on the equilibrium behavior of solid surfaces and nanosystems close to the bulk melting point. We focus in particular on computer simulation ...results obtained for metals and ionic insulators.
The melting behavior of thin lead wires was investigated using molecular dynamics. It was found that, in analogy with cluster melting, the melting temperature T sub m (R) of a wire with radius R is ...lower than that of a bulk solid T sub m exp b by T sub m (R)=T sub m exp b -c/R. Surface melting effects, with formation of a thin skin of highly diffusive atoms at the wire surface, are observed. The diffusivity is lower over (111)-oriented faces, and higher at (110) and (100) rounded areas. The possible relevance to recent results on nonrupturing thin necks between a scanning tunnel microscope tip and a warm surface is addressed.
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