Helium Ion Microscope Imaging of Surface Texture of Nickel Nanowires

Caption: 
Surface texture characteristics of nickel nanowires processed through electrodeposition technique observed through a Helium Ion Microscope (HIM) showing the surface quality at a higher resolution.

Mahendran Samykano
Advisor: Dr. Ram Mohan
North Carolina A&T State University
Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering
2907 E. Lee Street
Greensboro, NC 27401

Laboratory website: http://jsnn.ncat.uncg.edu

Technique: The image was acquired using a Zeiss Orion Helium Ion Microscope (HIM) with the Primary ET detector and a 30 keV electron beam at field of view of 1.2 micro meter.

Description:
1-D magnetic nanostructures such as nanowires have important applications in high density magnetic storage, sensors, and in other NEMS/MEMS systems. Experimental mechanical characterization and understanding the mechanisms of failure of such nanowires are extremely limited and difficult to perform within a high powered microscopy environment. Our current research focuses on understanding the process-property relationship in nanostructures such as nanowires to get further scientific and engineering insights on the material structure, morphology characteristics, and associated deformation, failure mechanisms under external loading. Imaging and seeing the deformation and failure is critical for such insights.
 
Funding Source: Joint School of Nanoengineering; Founding Dean: Dr. James Ryan; State of North Carolina