Surface deposition of nanometer scale carbon structures on Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ using a low-cost scanning electron microscope

In this study, we investigate optically active nanostructures on Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈₊δ (BSCCO). The nanostructures are constructed from carbon nanocrystals formed using the electron beam of a scanning electron microscope to locally decompose residual hydrocarbons at the BSCCO surface. Atomic force microscopy is used to characterize the dimensions of these structures as a function of beam exposure time. This technique has been used to induce localized intercalation to form carbon nanoparticles up to tens of nanometers into a variety of 2D materials. Cross-sectional scanning transmission electron microscopy in BSCCO shows the presence of these carbon deposits on the surface and beneath the first layer, but they do not penetrate further into the bulk. Therefore, this technique is not suitable for localized intercalation in BSCCO, it does have promise as a cost-effective approach to pattern nanometer scale etch stops.

本研究针对铋锶钙铜氧（Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈₊δ，简称BSCCO）表面的光学活性纳米结构展开探究。该类纳米结构由碳纳米晶构筑而成，具体通过扫描电子显微镜（scanning electron microscope）的电子束在BSCCO表面局部分解残留烃类物质以生成碳纳米晶。研究采用原子力显微镜（atomic force microscopy）表征这些纳米结构的尺寸随电子束曝光时长的变化规律。此前已有研究将该技术用于诱导局部插层，可在多种二维材料中制备深度达数十纳米的碳纳米颗粒。对BSCCO的截面扫描透射电子显微镜（scanning transmission electron microscopy）表征结果显示，这些碳沉积物既存在于材料表面，也分布于表层下方，但未进一步渗透至块体内部。因此，尽管该技术并不适用于BSCCO的局部插层操作，但它作为一种低成本的纳米级刻蚀阻挡层图案化方法，具备良好的应用前景。