Researchers at Kyushu University, Japan, report that they have developed a new technique to produce thin films of germanium crystals at a temperature of 250°C. Using gold as a catalyst, Prof. Taizoh Sadoh and his colleagues were able to grow germanium crystals in such a way that their crystal structure has the proper orientation and electrical properties. The new method can be used to produce germanium films with a very large area, allowing for more potential applications.
Multi-shock pressure of 5.6 million atmospheres compresses iron to higher strength
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, Calif., report that they have compressed iron up to 5.6 million atmospheres, a record pressure for solid iron. The Lab’s Yuan Ping used the Omega laser at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester, N.Y., to achieve the record pressure by multi-shock compression.
Laser thermal anneal to boost current in vertical polysilicon channels
Imec, Leuven, Belgium, and Excico, Hasselt, Belgium, have successfully demonstrated the application of laser thermal anneal (LTA) to boost the current in vertical polysilicon channel devices for 3D memory. Due to the larger grain size of the laser recrystallized polycrystalline channel material, up to ten times higher read current and 2.5 times steeper sub-threshold slope could be obtained as compared to a conventional polysilicon channel.
Analytical tabletop microscope / Benchtop SEM
Hitachi High-Technologies Corp., Tokyo, launched the tabletop microscope TM3030, which enables observation of even higher resolution images than previous models. It features a short start-up time of around 3 min. while low-vacuum microscopy functionality allows sample observations to be performed quickly without prior processing. Its compact size allows it to be conveniently installed and operated on tables in offices and other locations.
TESCAN merges with Orsay Physics to form TESCAN-ORSAY
TESCAN (Brno, Czech Republic) a leading global supplier of scanning electron microscopes and focused ion beam workstations, and ORSAY PHYSICS, a world leader in customized focused ion beam and electron beam technology, have merged to form TESCAN-ORSAY HOLDING. Cooperating since 2007, Orsay Physics has been the sole supplier of ion beam technology to TESCAN.