Solid helium nanometer inclusions in LiNbO$_{3}$

POSTER

Abstract

He implantation is a reoccurring technique in a variety of fabrication strategies for microelectronic and optical devices. Because of its extremely low solubility in crystals, impurity He atoms are known to nucleate and accumulate as bubbles in metals which can result in the build up of extremely high pressures near the crystal's theoretical shear strength. It is of interest to extend the understanding of the atomic-scale He inclusions in complex oxides, which offer a wide variation in mechanical and unusual ionic and dielectric properties. We show, using high-resolution-TEM of He-implanted LiNbO$_{3}$, that He inclusions in LiNbO$_{3}$ hold extremely high pressure, and are probably at solid phase. In addition, the energetically favored shape of the inclusions is spherical and not oblate as predicted by elastic theory. When annealed, the spherical He bubbles migrate and accumulate into a nonoblate thick bubble due to preferred pyramid-twinning-system orientation.

Authors

  • Avishai Ofan

    Columbia University

  • Lihua Zhang

    Brookhaven National Laboratory

  • Ophir Gaathon

    Columbia University

  • Sasha Bakhru

    SUNY Albany

  • Hassaram Bakhru

    SUNY Albany

  • David Welch

    Brookhaven National Laboratory

  • Yimei Zhu

    Brookhaven National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Lab

  • Richard Osgood

    Columbia University, New York, NY, Columbia University