title: Synthesis of nanoparticles in helium droplets-A characterization comparing mass-spectra and electron microscopy data.
abstract: Micrometer sized helium droplets provide an extraordinary environment for the growth of nanoparticles. The method promises great potential for the preparation of core-shell particles as well as one-dimensional nanostructures, which agglomerate along quantum vortices, without involving solvents, ligands, or additives. Using a new apparatus, which enables us to record mass spectra of heavy dopant clusters (>10(4) amu) and to produce samples for transmission electron microscopy simultaneously, we synthesize bare and bimetallic nanoparticles consisting of various materials (Au, Ni, Cr, and Ag). We present a systematical study of the growth process of clusters and nanoparticles inside the helium droplets, which can be described with a simple theoretical model.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Physics, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 16, A-8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thaler
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Physics, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 16, A-8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Volk
authors.affiliation: Institute for Electron Microscopy and Nanoanalysis & Graz Centre for Electron Microscopy, TU Graz, Steyrergasse 17, A-8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Knez
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Physics, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 16, A-8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lackner
authors.affiliation: Institute for Electron Microscopy and Nanoanalysis & Graz Centre for Electron Microscopy, TU Graz, Steyrergasse 17, A-8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Haberfehlner
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Physics, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 16, A-8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steurer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Physics, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 16, A-8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schnedlitz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Physics, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 16, A-8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Wolfgang E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Ernst