Large capacity for the smallest structures

Well-focused ion beam (FIB) is a very useful tool in nanotechnology and analysis. To date, scientists have mainly used FIB technology to prepare samples for some microscopic methods, such as problem solving in the semiconductor industry. But FIBn can do much more. The EU-funded COST network project “Focused Ion Technology for Nanomaterials – FIT4NANO”, initiated by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), aims to bring together researchers and companies from across Europe together to develop the technology and open up new applications. .

A focused ion-carrying instrument is similar to a scanning electron microscope, with the main difference being that scientists use ions instead of electrons. To characters, FIBs in the low energy range of less than 50 kiloelectronvolts feature small beam diameters in the nanometer and sub-nanometer range, high conventional densities, and a diverse selection of usable ions. “Thanks to these properties, focused ion transport offers great potential for many other applications in nanotechnology,” says Gregor Hlawacek, head of the “Intrinsic Nanostructures” group at the HZDR Institute for Physics and Ion Beam Materials and co FIT4NANO project manager. “For example, it can be used to flexibly design a surface at the nanoscale or specifically modify local materials. Our technology could be important for quantum technology, the semiconductor industry, or two-dimensional material modification – materials crystals containing only one or only a few layers of atoms or molecules. FIBs will play an important role in future medical applications. “

FIT4NANO aims to connect developers, manufacturers and users of FIB technology from across Europe and create opportunities for communication and exchange. The goal is to gather basic conclusions about the use of focused ion behavior, enable collaboration, and co-develop new products and application technologies. Around 80 experimental and theoretical working groups from 30 countries are taking part in the project.

Next generation nanotechnology

The project focuses on functional nanostructures and materials as well as ion behavior-based analysis methods. The electrical properties of 2D materials, for example, can be altered at the nanoscale so that conductors are converted into semiconductors. Research on quantum communication aims to investigate deficiencies in 2D materials and the introduction of individual ions. Application with helium ions, such as helium ion microscopy, enables direct observations of biological samples such as cell structures and virus particles. One such example is the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with so-called vero cells that are used in the manufacture of vaccines, allowing ion beam physics to help develop new vaccines against corona viruses. HZDR research groups and their partners also use FIBs to detect contamination processes in lithium or mineral batteries in new mine investments.

The four-year program began in mid-October 2020 with video conferencing. “We defined three key content areas,” explains the project coordinator. “First, further development of focused ion transport technology; second, its application to nanostructured action materials; and finally, theoretical background on the interaction between ions and solids. “To enable the exchange and transfer of information among the participants, there will be annual general project meetings, training for doctoral candidates and post-docks, exchanges shorter scientific programs, shared databases, and publications.The EU COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) program provides up to 120,000 euros per year for network activities.

Exchange in four expert groups

The largest research group is made up of users who want to study focus ion behavior for material analysis and make new nanomaterials in the single-digit nanometer range. Many scientists in this group are from ITCs (Targeted Countries), ie European countries “less research and innovation”. The project gives researchers from different disciplines access to advanced equipment that would not be available without them.

Another group is made up of academic and commercial technology developers who together develop additional ion sources such as iron, cobalt, or nickel alloys for use in FIB applications, or to new sample holders, detectors and create other improved tools.

The group “Theory and Simulation” is looking to gain a better understanding of the connections between ions and solids, which have already been well studied in the relatively large micrometer range. When scientists use the FIBn on structures in the nanometer vertical range, however, previously minimal processes at the sample edge, such as material loss, become disproportionately important. Moreover, the ions are unable to release all of their energy within the sample, leading to a shift from the expected effect. There are also other processes in nanometer range sample sizes that are not understood. For example, researchers sometimes see remarkable structural stability against the destructive effects of targeted ion behavior and often vice versa. In order to develop new applications, it is fundamentally important to address these issues.

Knowledge transfer and databases

The fourth group is specifically for communication and public relations. The aim is to encourage the transfer of information, not only between the organizations themselves, but also to business and the interested public. Beginners of the project would like to involve teachers and students in their work to encourage commitment, for example by developing and providing teaching materials.

Access to information is the key to successful network collaboration, especially when it is not yet available to many partners, such as information on resources available across Europe or data and method knowledge. work. A new database called “FIB Almanac” lists specific instruments, their availability, and application areas. In addition, the group will create a “FIB Atlas” containing reference data and a database of ion and materials where scientists can find information about existing methods, conditions, or solutions that are available on the their specific research problem.

Initially exchanges between the research organizations will be limited to meaningful events. “The first online meeting is planned for spring 2021,” Gregor Hlawacerk projects. “We hope to finally be able to meet in person at the big annual conference at the end of the summer. “

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Further information:

Dr. Gregor Hlawacek

Institute of Physics Research and Ion Beam Materials at HZDR

Phone: +49 351 260 3409 | Email: [email protected]

Twitter @ FIT4NANO

Contact the media:

Simon Schmitt, science editor

Communications and media relations at HZDR

Phone: +49 351 260 3400 | Mobile: +49 175 874 2865 | Email: [email protected]

The Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) conducts – as a German independent research center – research in the fields of energy, health, and issue. We will focus on answering the following questions:

• How can energy and resources be used efficiently, safely and sustainably?
• How can malignant tumors be seen more accurately, identified and treated more effectively?
• How do issues and materials behave under the influence of strong domains and in the smallest dimensions?

To help answer these research questions, HZDR operates large facilities, which are also used by visiting researchers: the Ion Beam Center, the Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory, and the ELBE Center for Radiation Sources High power.

HZDR is a member of the Helmholtz Society and has six sites (Dresden, Freiberg, Grenoble, Görlitz, Leipzig, Schenefeld near Hamburg) with nearly 1,200 employees, about 500 of whom are scientists, including 170 Ph.D. candidates.