Mechanically tunable broadband terahertz modulator based on high-aligned Ni nanowire arrays

We present a mechanically tunable broadband terahertz(THz) modulator based on the high-aligned Ni nanowire(NW)arrays. The modulator is a sandwich structure consisting of two polydimethylsiloxane layers and a central layer of highaligned Ni NW arrays. Our experimental measurements reveal the transmittance of THz wave can be effectively modulated by mechanical stretching. The NW density in arrays increases with the strain increasing, which induced an enhancement in the absorption of THz wave. When the strain increases from 0 to 6.5%, a linear relationship is observed for the variation of modulation depth(MD) of THz wave regarding the strain, and the modulated range is from 0 to 85% in a frequency range from 0.3 THz to 1.8 THz. Moreover, the detectable MD is about 15% regarding the 1% strain change resolution. This flexible Ni NW-based modulator can be promised many applications, such as remote strain sensing, and wearable devices.

Effects of twin orientation and twin boundary spacing on the plastic deformation behaviors in Ni nanowires

Spreading twins throughout nano metals has been proved to effectively mediate the mechanical behaviors in face-centered-cubic(fcc)metals.However,the experimental investigation concerning the roles of twin boundary(TB)during deformation is rarely reported.Here,with the joint efforts of in-situ nanomechani-cal testing and theoretical studies,we provide a systematic investigation regarding the effects of TB orien-tation(θ,the angle between tensile loading direction and the normal of TB)and spacing on deformation mechanisms in Ni nanowires(NWs).As compared with single-crystalline counterparts,it is found that nano-twinned(nt)NWs withθ∼0°exhibit limited ductility,whereas TB can serve as an effective block-age to the dislocation propagation.In contrast,in nt NWs withθ∼20°and 55°,TB migration/detwinning induced by TB-dislocation reaction or partial dislocation movement dominates the plasticity,which con-tributes to enhanced NW ductility.Regarding nt NWs withθ∼90°,dislocations are found to be able to transmit through the TBs,suggesting the limited effect of TB on the NW stretchability.Furthermore,de-creasing TB spacing(λ)can facilitate the detwinning process and thus greatly enhance the ductility of NW withθ∼55°.This study uncovers the distinct roles that TB can play during mechanical deforma-tions in fcc NWs and provides an atomistic view into the direct linkage between macroscopic mechanical properties and microscopic deformation modes.

Molecular dynamics study of coupled layer thickness and strain rate effect on tensile behaviors of Ti/Ni multilayered nanowires

Novel properties and applications of multilayered nanowires(MNWs)urge researchers to understand their mechanical behaviors comprehensively.Using the molecular dynamic simulation,tensile behaviors of Ti/Ni MNWs are investigated under a series of layer thickness values(1.31,2.34,and 7.17 nm)and strain rates(1.0×10^(8)s^(-1)≤ε≤5.0×10^(10)s^(-1)).The results demonstrate that deformation mechanisms of isopachous Ti/Ni MNWs are determined by the layer thickness and strain rate.Four distinct strain rate regions in the tensile process can be discovered,which are small,intermediate,critical,and large strain rate regions.As the strain rate increases,the initial plastic behaviors transform from interface shear(the shortest sample)and grain reorientation(the longest sample)in small strain rate region to amorphization of crystalline structures(all samples)in large strain rate region.Microstructure evolutions reveal that the disparate tensile behaviors are ascribed to the atomic fractions of different structures in small strain rate region,and only related to collapse of crystalline atoms in high strain rate region.A layer thickness-strain rate-dependent mechanism diagram is given to illustrate the couple effect on the plastic deformation mechanisms of the isopachous nanowires.The results also indicate that the modulation ratio significantly affects the tensile properties of unequal Ti/Ni MNWs,but barely affect the plastic deformation mechanisms of the materials.The observations from this work will promote theoretical researches and practical applications of Ti/Ni MNWs.