Graduation Year
2011
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Ph.D.
Degree Granting Department
Physics
Major Professor
Lilia M. Woods, Ph.D
Committee Member
Matthias Batzill, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Inna Ponomareva, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Razvan Teodorescu, Ph.D.
Keywords
quantum electrodynamics, chirality, collective excitations, surface profiling, nanolithography
Abstract
A theoretical framework describing the carbon nanotubes interaction, involving two distinct approaches, is presented. Based on the results obtained practical applications using carbon nanotubes are further proposed.
First a classical approach is employed for different geometrical configurations, such as parallel or concentric carbon nanotubes. For all the cases analytical expressions for the systems potential energies are derived.
The results obtained using the classical approach are used to propose a few practical applications. These applications include a non-contact device for profiling surfaces and a custom telescopic double wall carbon nanotube for nanolithography applications. It is expected that such devices can be effectively used with major advantages.
Next the interaction between nanotubes is considered using a quantum electrodynamics approach suitable for dispersing and absorbing media. Each carbon nanotube is characterized by its individual full dielectric response. The method also allows taking into account the full carbon nanotube cylindrical geometry by imposing the appropriate boundary conditions at the nanotubes surfaces.
It is found that at small nanotube separations, similar to their equilibrium distances, the interaction is dominated by the collective excitations in the electron energy loss spectra originating from interband transitions. Furthermore, it is shown that the collective surface excitations and their chirality dependent characteristics play a profound role in the interaction strength in double wall carbon nanotube systems. The obtained results are in good agreement with experimental measurements on determining the chirality of individual double wall carbon nanotubes
Scholar Commons Citation
Popescu, Adrian, "Carbon Nanotubes Interactions: Theory and Applications" (2011). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/3294
