This is a homebuilt chemical vapour deposition system that is equipped with sensitive flow and pressure regulation modules. The furnace temperature can go up to 1,100 C. This system is used mainly for the growth of carbon nanotubes, but also, to a lesser extent, nanowires.
The Philips 525M thermionic-source scanning electron microscope (SEM) is our main imaging workhorse. We thank the Stanford Cell Sciences Imaging Facility for their generous donation of this SEM.
Electron source experiments must be done in vacuum. In addition, adsorbates and contaminants can seriously alter the properties of nanostructures. Therefore, many nanodevice characterization experiments should be performed in high or ultra high vacuum (UHV) conditions. Our homebuilt, versatile UHV apparatus is our central characterization machine. It is also equipped with an electron-beam column and detector to allow imaging. A UHV-compatible nanomanipulator, with sub-nanometer motion/manipulation resolution, complements the system.
Laser light is necessary for our research on the optical properties of nanotubes/nanowires, as well as photo-electron emission experiments. Our laser system inclues a Coherent 5-W solid state Verdi Laser and a Spectra-Physics 10-W ion laser. These give us access to approximately 10 visible lines. Our Spectra Physics Wave Train system allows the doubling of frequency to obtain UV lines. These lasers and the associated optics are installed next to the UHV chamber, which facilitates performing optical experiments in vacuum.
Nanomaterials safety is a very important and serious concern. For example, inhaling nanotubes can potentially cause risks to human health. Our glove box is primarily used for the safe handling of nanotube/nanowire/nanoparticle samples.
Our laboratory has a number of electronic measurement units such as sensitive Keithely electrometers and femto-amp meters.
In addition to the above, we are fortunate to have access to several shared facilities on the UBC campus for general nanofabrication and characterization. These include the AMPEL Nanofabrication Cleanroom, the BioImaging Microscopy Facility and the Materials Engineering Electron Microscope Laboratory. We can also access other MiNa-affiliated groups' equipment through collaborations.
For our computational needs, in addition to in-house computers, we use the WestGrid, SHARCNET and ACEnet supercomputers.
© Nojeh Nanostructure Group