NIST Technicalendar January 28 to February 1, 2008 The NIST Technicalendar is issued each Friday. All items MUST be submitted electronically from this web page by 12:00 NOON each Wednesday unless otherwise stated in the NIST Technicalendar. The address for online weekly editions of the NIST Technicalendar and NIST Administrative Calendar is: http://www.nist.gov/tcal/.

In this Issue: Meetings at NIST Meetings Elsewhere Announcements Talks by NIST Personnel NIST Web Site Announcements NIST Administrative Calendar (current)   NIST Vacancy Announcements (current)

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10:30 AM - Controlling Electron Spins and Nuclear Spins in Double Quantum Dots
11:00 AM - Nanotoxicology Research in NIOSH

No Scheduled Events

11:00 AM - MSEL Poster Session
1:30 PM - Characterization of Self-Organized Bimetallic Nanostructure Arrays via Scanning Probe Microscopy and First Principles Studies

10:45 AM - Probing Templated Self-Assembly of Block Copolymers using Tomographic Small Angle Neutron Scattering

10:30 AM - LIGO: At the forefront of optical materials research

1/28 -- MONDAY

10:30 AM - ATOMIC PHYSICS DIVISION SEMINAR: Controlling Electron Spins and Nuclear Spins in Double Quantum Dots
Hyperfine interactions limit electron spin coherence times in GaAs quantum dots. By separating a spin singlet state on a chip, we measure an ensemble averaged spin dephasing time T_2 * of 10 ns, limited by the contact hyperfine interaction with the GaAs host nuclei [1]. We use electrical control of the exchange interaction to drive coherent spin rotations. Exchange driven spin rotations are used to implement a "singlet-triplet spin echo" pulse sequence, which leads to a spin coherence time, T_2 , exceeding 1 microsecond. We show that nuclear spins can be polarized by controlling two-electron spin states near the anti-crossing of the singlet (S) and triplet (T+). An initialized S state is cyclically brought into resonance with the T+ state, where hyperfine fields drive rapid rotations between S and T+, `flipping' an electron spin and `flopping' a nuclear spin [2]. The resulting Overhauser field approaches 80 mT, in agreement with a simple rate-equation model. A self-limiting pulse sequence is developed that allows the steady-state nuclear polarization to be set using a gate voltage.
Jason Petta , Guest Speaker from Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, joshua.pomeroy@nist.gov.
Physics Building 221, Rm. B145. (NIST Contact: Josh Pomeroy, 301-975-5508, joshua.pomeroy@nist.gov)

11:00 AM - SEMINAR ANNOUNCEMENT: Nanotoxicology Research in NIOSH
NIOSH currently is pursing an extensive research program in nanotoxicology. This nanotoxicology program includes projects addressing issues of pulmonary toxicity, systemic effects following pulmonary exposure, dermal effects, and development of predictive algorithms for nanotoxicology. Engineered nanoparticles currently under investigation include: SWCNT, MWCNT, carbon black, silicon nanowires, and nano-metal oxides. The effects of size and shape are being evaluated by comparing fine and ultrafine particles of the same composition (i.e., carbon black and TiO2), comparing nano-sized carbon materials of different shape (i.e., carbon black, SWCNT, and MWCNT), and comparing nano-metal oxides of different shapes (nanospheres and nanowires). The effect of composition and ability to generate reactive oxidant species on in vivo toxicity is also being evaluated. The objectives of the nanotoxicology program in NIOSH are to increase knowledge in the areas of exposure route, deposition and translocation, in dose-response relationships and time course of responses, and in nanoparticle properties which drive bioactivity. Results of the nanotoxicology program will be used with those form the exposure assessment program in NIOSH (covering issues, such as, particle characterization, measure methods and field evaluations) to conduct modeling and risk assessment. The net result of the NIOSH Nanotechnology Program is to determine the potential health and safety risks to nanotechnology workers and to recommend effective control measures and prudent handling practices to reduce risk and prevent adverse health effects.
Dr. Vincent Castranova , Chief, Pathology and Physiology Branch Health Effects Laboratory Division - NIOSH, Morgantown, WV.
101 Bldg, Lecture Room A. (NIST Contact: Kalman Migler, 301-975-4876, kalman.migler@nist.gov)


1/29 -- TUESDAY

No Scheduled Events

1/30 -- WEDNESDAY

11:00 AM - MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING LABORATORY OFFICE SEMINAR: MSEL Poster Session
The Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory (MSEL) will hold a lab-wide Poster Session in the Poster Hallway of Building 101 on Wednesday, January 30 from 11am-1pm. The Poster Session will serve as the kick-off for a new monthly MSEL Seminar Series that begins in February. The posters and seminars will both highlight work from across MSEL. The seminars will be held in Gaithersburg, with a video link to Boulder (2-0113 in Boulder). Please join us at the Poster Session and watch for more details on the monthly seminars. Contact: Bill Boettinger, x6160; Marty Green, x8496; Tim Quinn, 303/497-3480; Alamgir Karim, x6588
. . , ..
Building 101, Rm. Poster Hallway. (NIST Contact: Joan Hill, 301-975-5658, joan.hill@nist.gov)

1:30 PM - METALLURGY DIVISION SEMINAR: Characterization of Self-Organized Bimetallic Nanostructure Arrays via Scanning Probe Microscopy and First Principles Studies
Metal nanostructures have demonstrated the capacity for single- molecule detection limits in plasmon resonance biosensors; chemical selectivity and higher performance in catalytic processes than their bulk counterparts; and strong non-linear optical properties. A novel synthesis route for the fabrication of platinum and gold core-shell nanowire and nanoparticle arrays on silicon(001) surfaces on the wafer scale will be presented. Experimental results demonstrate that by using parallel arrays of rare earth disilicide nanowires as a template, selective aggregation of noble metals on the nanowire surface versus the silicon substrate occurs. After reactive ion etching (RIE), core-shell nanostructures with diameter of less than 10 nm, a narrow size distribution ±1 nm, and inter-particle spacing of ~ 10 nm are fabricated without lithography. Results from molecular dynamics simulations of the stable atomic structure of disilicide wires and adsorptions of noble metal atoms on nanowires will be discussed. Adatoms prefer adsorption sites with high coordination number, and they are strongly bound in the order of Ag, Au, Pd, and Pt. Theoretically predicted electronic properties will be compared with electronic properties measured using scanning tunneling spectroscopy and Kelvin probe force microscopy. Analyses in charge redistribution and density of states shed some light for the chemical properties of these core shell nanostructures, which might be important for applications such as catalysis.
Regina Ragan , Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of California, Irvine.
223 Bldg, Rm. B351. (NIST Contact: Jonathan Guyer, 301-975-5329, guyer@nist.gov)


1/31 -- THURSDAY

10:45 AM - NIST CENTER FOR NEUTRON RESEARCH SEMINAR: Probing Templated Self-Assembly of Block Copolymers using Tomographic Small Angle Neutron Scattering
Directed Self-Assembly (DSA) using graphoepitaxy, chemically patterned templates, and directed fields has been shown to be an effective route to achieving long range order over short time scales. However, development of this field is limited by the lack of characterization of important structural details such as line edge roughness, sidewall angle, and orientation prior to etching (i.e. the "latent" image). We provide unique measurements of the 3-dimensional morphological evolution in a block copolymer film at varying stages of directed self-assembly using tomographic small angle scattering. Using a combination of small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and neutron reflectivity (NR), we are able to map the 3-dimensional morphology on a wide range of substrates including topological and chemically patterned templates. The data is used to reconstruct, with sub-nm precision, the average orientation, critical dimension, and line width of self-assembled block copolymers as a function of position within a channel.
Ron Jones , NIST--Polymers. ,.
235 Bldg, Rm. E100. (NIST Contact: Paul Butler, 301-975-2028, paul.butler@nist.gov)


2/1 -- FRIDAY

10:30 AM - NIST COLLOQUIUM SERIES: LIGO: At the forefront of optical materials research
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) is now operational and seeks to improve its sensitivity for gravity-wave detection by a factor of ten during its next phase, Advanced LIGO. In order to achieve this goal it is necessary to design and fabricate test mass mirrors that help minimize the noise in the interferometers and in doing so maximize gravity-wave detection capability. Following a brief update of the LIGO experiment, our program of research in optical materials for use as test masses in advanced versions of the interferometers will be described. Current emphasis is placed on investigations of chemical and structural features of the dielectric multilayer mirror coatings.
Stephen McGuire , Chairman, Department of Physics, Southern University and A&M College.
Administration Building, Red Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Kum Ham, 301-975-4203, kham@nist.gov)
Special Assistance Available


ADVANCE NOTICE

2/7/08 10:30 AM - CNST NANOTECHNOLOGY SEMINAR SERIES: Understanding the surfaces of quasi-1D Metal Oxides: from spectromicroscopy of single wires to prototype chemical sensors.
The growing amount of exiting demonstration of photovoltaic, (photo-) catalytic and sensor devices based on quasi 1D and 2D metal oxide nanostructures requires the fundamental understanding of their surfaces affecting the transport and the optical properties. In conjunction with transport measurements, we have applied a range of spectroscopic and imaging techniques to individual metal oxide nanostructure to address the chemical and photochemical processes taking place on its surface. In particular, we use an array of scanning probe, electron, and synchrotron radiation based photoelectron emission spectro-microscopies to investigate in situ the evolution of structural, electronic and chemical particularities in an operating nanodevice under wide range of the experimental conditions such as temperature, chemical environments (including liquids) electrostatic field, sensitization with catalyst particles, radiation etc,. Benefiting from the gained knowledge, we develop the real world prototypes for nanowire based (photo-) catalytic and chemical sensor platforms.
Prof. Andrei Kolmakov , Physics Department, SIUC, Carbondale, IL, , akolmakov@physics.siu.edu.
Bldg. 215, Rm. C103-C106. (NIST Contact: Nikolai Zhitenev, 301-975-6039, nikolai.zhitenev@nist.gov)

2/8/08 10:30 AM - NIST COLLOQUIUM SERIES: The Quick Kill: Stimulating Innovation in Medical Research
The goal in research is to find new ideas, make new discoveries, and develop them into practical products or processes. I was fortunate early in my career to work in one of many laboratories that existed "once upon a time" for just that purpose. The main job of the technical staff was to invent and innovate. The main job of administration was to provide the resources and the environment to do this job. The main tool used to support our efforts at innovation was the "Quick Kill". Most new ideas fail. At the RCA Labs the expectation was that 80% of all ideas would fail. They managed to that expectation. The Quick Kill was used to weed out the failures. Twice each year we would all gather together for an award ceremony where those ideas that hadn't quite made it were celebrated. Nice plaques were distributed. These were known as the "kiss of death" awards. The project was terminated. The next morning the boss would ask, "What's your new idea?" Failing was not the sin; the only sin was not having new ideas.
Reuben Mezrich , Chairman, University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Administration Building, Red Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Kum Ham, 301-975-4203, kham@nist.gov)
Special Assistance Available

2/21/08 8:30 AM - TECHNOLOGY SERVICES SEMINAR: Global Perspectives and Strategies for Education about Standardization Workshop
This workshop is to promote and support awareness of education about standardization worldwide. The two-day workshop will consist of an overview of activities and programs from standards professionals around the world as well as a discussion of key issues, needs and challenges facing those who are involved in standards education.
John Hill , Sun Microsystems. Additional speakers will be Dr. Richard Forselius, United Technologies; Mr. James Olshefsky, Director, External Relations and many more panelists
101 Bldg, Red Auditorium. (NIST Contact: Erik Puskar, 301-975-8619, erik.puskar@nist.gov) http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/ices-workshop.cfm
Special Assistance Available

2/25/08 1:30 PM - CNST ELECTRON PHYSICS GROUP SEMINAR: Block-copolymer lithography for patterning perpendicular magnetic nano-islands
Templated block copolymer lithography is a powerful method of fabricating nanostructures which draws on the combined strengths of both top-down and bottom-up methods. This talk will discuss the fabrication and magnetic properties of ordered and disordered perpendicular CoCrPt magnetic islands in a range of sizes (5-15nm thick, 20-30nm diameter) fabricated by this method. Disordered patterns were obtained by annealing a thin spin-coated film of polystyrene-polyferrocenyldimethylsilane (PS-PFS) block copolymer. Ordered arrays were fabricated by a similar method, except the polymer was first templated using a removable topographic template. While topographical templates have previously been used to impose long-range order on block copolymer systems, their use results in residual surface relief on the substrate and therefore in the finished device, which is generally undesirable. To avoid this, a removable template may be used. The pattern can then be transferred into functional materials such as silica, W or magnetic films to make long-range-ordered dot arrays over planar substrates. In particular, magnetic islands fabricated by this method maintain their perpendicular magnetic anisotropy but show increased coercivity (800-1650 Oe) as compared to the unpatterned film (150 Oe). Since the islands are uniaxial and non-interacting (calculated nearest neighbor fields are 50 Oe, Hc), time-scale-dependent magnetic properties could be characterized using Sharrock's approach. The measurements show switching volumes (V*) on the order of the physical volume of the dots (~5000 nm3) suggesting that the dots switch their magnetization coherently and independently of each other. The advantages of this technique will be discussed for large-area self-assembled nanoscale pattern formation, and how it can be applied to the fabrication of various structures including patterned magnetic media, DNA sorting and detection devices or plasmon waveguides.
FILIP ILIEVSKI , RESEARCH ASSISTANT, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.
Bldg. 217, Rm. H107. (NIST Contact: Robert McMichael, 301-975-5121, robert.mcmichael@nist.gov)

3/19/08 8:00 AM - POLYMERS DIVISION SEMINAR: Workshop on the Directed Assembly of Functional Materials and Devices
Controlling the placement of nanoscale units into designed structures and patterns through directed assembly processes answers one of the grand challenges of nanotechnology. Innovative approaches using the directed assembly of nanoscale units are being developed to facilitate the nanofabrication of new materials and applications that can incorporate biological functionality, or devices such as flexible, large-area electronics devices. Directed assembly methods provide an opportunity to overcome limitations of traditional semiconductor processing; specifically, the small materials set with which to work, restriction to two dimensional patterning, and exorbitant equipment costs. Moving directed assembly from research demonstrations to viable manufacturing processes is difficult because it requires control over the simultaneous transport, placement, and interactions of a potentially large set of nanoscale units with different size, shape, and chemical functionality. New measurements and process control methods must be developed to enable successful implementation of this groundbreaking technology. This workshop will bring together leading researchers and stakeholders from industry, government, and academia that are actively engaged in research and development of the directed assembly of nanoparticles into functional materials and devices. Through invited presentations and focused discussions, the workshop will explore and identify the most pressing measurement and technological needs to advance directed assembly as a viable manufacturing method for future nanotechnology applications.
Heiko Wolf , International Business Machines,. Haw Yang, Christopher Murray, Oleg Gang, Babak Parviz, Dan Herr, Mike Natan, Mike Bevan, Abe Stroock, Sharon Glotzer, Kate Stebe, Chong Ahn, CJ Kim, Hiroshi Matsui, Alex Tkachenko
AML, 215 Bldg, Rm. C103/106. (NIST Contact: Steven Hudson, 301-975-6579, steven.hudson@nist.gov) http://polymers.nist.gov/Directed_Assembly/Directed_Assembly_Workshop2.htm
Rooms are wheel chair accessible.

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MEETINGS ELSEWHERE


1/28 -- MONDAY

11:00 AM - CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON/GEOPHYSICAL LAB. SEMINAR: TBD
A. Kravner , UCLA.
Bldg, Rm..
Greenewalt Bldg., GL-DTM Grounds, Carnegie Institution of Washington, DC. (NIST Contact: . ., 202-478-8900, seminar@lists.ciw.edu)

11:00 AM - CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON/GEOPHYSICAL LAB. SEMINAR: EARTH ELECTROCHEMISTRY: GEOCHEMICAL SIGNATURES OF REDOX REACTIONS
A. Kravner , UCLA.
Bldg, Rm..
Greenewalt Bldg., GL-DTM Grounds, Carnegie Institution of Washington, DC. (NIST Contact: . ., 202-478-8900, seminar@lists.ciw.edu)



1/29 -- TUESDAY

No Scheduled Events

1/30 -- WEDNESDAY

No Scheduled Events

1/31 -- THURSDAY

No Scheduled Events

2/1 -- FRIDAY

No Scheduled Events

ADVANCE NOTICE

No Scheduled Events

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TALKS BY NIST PERSONNEL

KUSHMERICK, J. : IN SITU VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY OF MOLECULAR JUNCTIONS.
CREST Symposium on Theories and Simulations for Charge Migration and Chemical Reactions at Nano-Scale Interfaces, Tsukuba International Congress Center, Tsukuba Japan, 1/29.

YU, L. : ELECTRON-ELECTRON AND ELECTRON-PHONON INTERACTIONS IN MOLECULAR ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS.
University of California, School of Natural Sciences, Merced, California, 1/31.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL FOR 2008 NOMINATIONS TO NIST PORTRAIT GALLERY
The NIST Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Scientists, Engineers and Administrators honors NBS/NIST alumni for outstanding career contributions to the work of NBS/NIST. Portraits and biographies of those selected are displayed in the corridor of the NIST cafeteria at Gaithersburg. Portraits of at most ten additional persons will be added to the Portrait Gallery in 2008. Any current or former NIST staff member may make a nomination. Nominations of alumni administrators of both programmatic and support units are welcome. Nominations are encouraged of distinguished women and minorities alumni, as well as of outstanding NBS staff members who retired before 1963. For the latter, it is understood that some requested data may no longer be available. For persons who were nominated last year, but not selected, a new nomination may be submitted. If a nominee is not selected after two successive years of nomination, the nominee will not be considered in the following year. Nomination instructions are available from the Standards Alumni Association, Room A-42 Admin, Mail Stop 0952, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0952; telephone 301-975-2486; by email: alumni@nist.gov; or from the SAA website: www.nist.gov/director/saa. Nominations shall be received by the Standards Alumni Association on or before February 15, 2008, by mail or by email to the above addresses. No exceptions will be made to this deadline. December 2007
NIST Contact: Anneke Sengers, 301-975-2463, alumni@nist.gov

VISITOR REGISTRATION FOR NIST EVENTS
Because of heightened security at the NIST Gaithersburg site, members of the public who wish to attend meetings, seminars, lectures, etc. must first register in advance. For more information please call or e-mail the "NIST Contact" for the particular event you would like to attend.
NIST Contact: . ., ., .

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NIST WEB SITE ANNOUNCEMENTS

No Web Site announcements this week.

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For more information, contact Ms. Sharon Hallman, Editor, Stop 2500, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg MD 20899-2500; Telephone: 301-975-TCAL (3570); Fax: 301-926-4431; or Email: tcal@nist.gov.

All lectures and meetings are open unless otherwise stated.

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