arXiv subjects

Andrzej Sienkiewicz

Publications and source records attributed to Andrzej Sienkiewicz.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2021

Testing CPT symmetry in ortho-positronium decays with positronium annihilation tomography

Charged lepton system symmetry under combined charge, parity, and time-reversal transformation (CPT) remains scarcely tested. Despite stringent quantum-electrodynamic limits, discrepancies in predictions for the electron-positron bound state (positronium atom) motivate further investigation, including fundamental symmetry tests. While CPT noninvariance effects could be manifested in non-vanishing angular correlations between final-state photons and spin of annihilating positronium, measurements were previously limited by knowledge of the latter. Here, we demonstrate tomographic reconstruction techniques applied to three-photon annihilations of ortho-positronium atoms to estimate their spin polarisation without magnetic field or polarised positronium source. We use a plastic-scintillator-based positron-emission-tomography scanner to record ortho-positronium (o-Ps) annihilations with single-event estimation of o-Ps spin and determine the complete spectrum of an angular correlation operator sensitive to CPT-violating effects. We find no violation at the precision level of 10^{-4}, with an over threefold improvement on the previous measurement.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2021

Morphology and Photoluminescence of CH3NH3PbI3 Deposits on Nonplanar, Strongly Curved Substrates

Organic-inorganic metal halide perovskites have recently attracted increasing attention as highly efficient light harvesting materials for photovoltaic applications. However, the precise control of crystallization and morphology of organometallic perovskites deposited from solution, considered crucial for enhancing the final photovoltaic performance, remains challenging. In this context, here, we report on growing microcrystalline deposits of CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3), by one-step solution casting on cylinde-shaped quartz substrates (rods). We show that the substrate curvature has a strong influence on morphology of the obtained polycrystalline deposits of MAPbI3. Although the crystalline width and length markedly decreased for substrates with higher curvatures, the photoluminescence (PL) spectral peak positions did not significantly evolve for MAPbI3 deposits on substrates with different diameters. The crystalline size reduction and denser coverage of microcrystalline MAPbI3 deposits on cylinder-shaped substrates with higher curvatures were attributed to two major contributions, both related to the annealing step of the MAPbI3 deposits. In particular, the diameter-dependent variability of the heat capacities and the substrate curvature-enhanced solvent evaporation rate seemed to contribute the most to the crystallization process and the resulting morphology changes of MAPbI3 deposits on cylinder-shaped quartz substrates with various diameters. The longitudinal geometry of cylinder-shaped substrates provided also a facile solution for checking the PL response of the deposits of MAPbI3 exposed to the flow of various gaseous media, such as oxygen, nitrogen and argon. Overall, the approach reported herein inspires novel, cylinder-shaped geometries of MAPbI3 deposits, which can find applications in low-cost photo-optical devices, including gas sensors.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Three-dimensionally Enlarged Photoelectrodes by a Protogenetic Inclusion of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes into CH3NH3PbBr3 Single Crystals

We demonstrate that single crystals of methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr3) could be grown directly on vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) forests. The fast-growing MAPbBr3 single crystals engulfed the protogenetic inclusions in the form of individual CNTs, thus resulting in a three-dimensionally enlarged photosensitive interface. Photodetector devices were obtained, detecting low light intensities (~20 nW) from UV range to 550 nm. Moreover, a photocurrent was recorded at zero external bias voltage which points to the plausible formation of a p-n junction resulting from interpenetration of MAPbBr3 single crystals into the VACNT forest. This reveals that vertically aligned CNTs can be used as electrodes in operationally stable perovskite-based optoelectronic devices and can serve as a versatile platform for future selective electrode development.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells of Single Crystal Hybrid Halide Perovskite with Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes Contacts

Based on the reported ion migration under electric field in hybrid lead halide perovskites we have developed a bright, light emitting electrochemical cell with CH3NH3PbBr3 single crystals directly grown on vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) forests as contact electrodes. Under the applied electric field, charged ions in the crystal drift and accumulate in the vicinity of the electrodes, resulting in an in operando formed p-i-n heterojunction. The decreased interface energy barrier and the strong charge injection due to the CNT tip enhanced electric field, result in a bright green light emission up to 1800 cd/m2 at room temperature (average = 60 cd/m2). Beyond the light emission, this original device architecture points to the possibility of implementing vertically aligned CNTs as electrodes in operationally-stable perovskite-based optoelectronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Improved alkali intercalation of carbonaceous materials in ammonia solution

Alkali intercalated graphite compounds represent a compelling modification of carbon with significant application potential and various fundamentally important phases. We report on the intercalation of graphite with alkali atoms (Li and K) using liquid ammonia solution as mediating agent. Alkali atoms dissolve well in liquid ammonia which simplifies and speeds up the intercalation process, and it also avoids the high temperature formation of alkali carbides. Optical microscopy, Raman, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy attest that the prepared samples are highly and homogeneously intercalated to a level approaching Stage-I intercalation compounds. The method and the synthesis route may serve as a starting point for the various forms of alkali atom intercalated carbon compounds (including carbon nanotubes and graphene), which could be exploited in energy storage and further chemical modifications.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Controlled growth of CH$_3$NH$_3$PbI$_3$ nanowires in arrays of open nanofluidic channels

Spatial positioning of nanocrystal building blocks on a solid surface is a prerequisite for assembling individual nanoparticles into functional devices. Here, we report on the graphoepitaxial liquid-solid growth of nanowires of the photovoltaic compound CH$_3$NH$_3$PbI$_3$ in open nanofluidic channels. The guided growth, visualized in real-time with a simple optical microscope, undergoes through a metastable solvatomorph formation in polar aprotic solvents. The presently discovered crystallization leads to the fabrication of mm2-sized surfaces composed of perovskite nanowires having controlled sizes, cross-sectional shapes, aspect ratios and orientation which have not been achieved thus far by other deposition methods. The automation of this general strategy paves the way towards fabrication of wafer-scale perovskite nanowire thin films well-suited for various optoelectronic devices, e.g. solar cells, lasers, light-emitting diodes and photodetectors.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2002

The polymer phase of the TDAE-C$_{60}$ organic ferromagnet

The high-pressure Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) measurements were preformed on TDAE-C$_{60}$ single crystals and stability of the polymeric phase was established in the $P - T$ parameter space. At 7 kbar the system undergoes a ferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition due to the pressure-induced polymerization. The polymeric phase remains stable after the pressure release. The depolymerization of the pressure-induced phase was observed at the temperature of 520 K. Below room temperature, the polymeric phase behaves as a simple Curie-type insulator with one unpaired electron spin per chemical formula. The TDAE$^+$ donor-related unpaired electron spins, formerly ESR-silent, become active above the temperature of 320 K and the Curie-Weiss behavior is re-established.

cond-mat.str-el↗