Mildred S. Dresselhaus

Bio: Mildred S. Dresselhaus is an academic researcher from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Carbon nanotube & Raman spectroscopy. The author has an hindex of 136, co-authored 762 publications receiving 112525 citations. Previous affiliations of Mildred S. Dresselhaus include University of California, Los Angeles & Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.

Studying Disorder in Graphite-Based Systems by Raman Spectroscopy

Abstract: Raman spectroscopy has historically played an important role in the structural characterization of graphitic materials, in particular providing valuable information about defects, stacking of the graphene layers and the finite sizes of the crystallites parallel and perpendicular to the hexagonal axis Here we review the defect-induced Raman spectra of graphitic materials from both experimental and theoretical standpoints and we present recent Raman results on nanographites and graphenes The disorder-induced D and D′ Raman features, as well as the G′-band (the overtone of the D-band which is always observed in defect-free samples), are discussed in terms of the double-resonance (DR) Raman process, involving phonons within the interior of the 1st Brillouin zone of graphite and defects In this review, experimental results for the D, D′ and G′ bands obtained with different laser lines, and in samples with different crystallite sizes and different types of defects are presented and discussed We also present recent advances that made possible the development of Raman scattering as a tool for very accurate structural analysis of nano-graphite, with the establishment of an empirical formula for the in- and out-of-plane crystalline size and even fancier Raman-based information, such as for the atomic structure at graphite edges, and the identification of single versus multi-graphene layers Once established, this knowledge provides a powerful machinery to understand newer forms of sp2 carbon materials, such as the recently developed pitch-based graphitic foams Results for the calculated Raman intensity of the disorder-induced D-band in graphitic materials as a function of both the excitation laser energy (Elaser) and the in-plane size (La) of nano-graphites are presented and compared with experimental results The status of this research area is assessed, and opportunities for future work are identified

New Directions for Low-Dimensional Thermoelectric Materials**

Abstract: Many of the recent advances in enhancing the thermoelectric figure of merit are linked to nanoscale phenomena found both in bulk samples containing nanoscale constituents and in nanoscale samples themselves. Prior theoretical and experimental proof-of-principle studies on quantum-well superlattice and quantum-wire samples have now evolved into studies on bulk samples containing nanostructured constituents prepared by chemical or physical approaches. In this Review, nanostructural composites are shown to exhibit nanostructures and properties that show promise for thermoelectric applications, thus bringing together low-dimensional and bulk materials for thermoelectric applications. Particular emphasis is given in this Review to the ability to achieve 1) a simultaneous increase in the power factor and a decrease in the thermal conductivity in the same nanocomposite sample and for transport in the same direction and 2) lower values of the thermal conductivity in these nanocomposites as compared to alloy samples of the same chemical composition. The outlook for future research directions for nanocomposite thermoelectric materials is also discussed.

Effect of quantum-well structures on the thermoelectric figure of merit.

Abstract: Currently the materials with the highest thermoelectric figure of merit Z are ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$ alloys. Therefore these compounds are the best thermoelectric refrigeration elements. However, since the 1960s only slow progress has been made in enhancing Z, either in ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$ alloys or in other thermoelectric materials. So far, the materials used in applications have all been in bulk form. In this paper, it is proposed that it may be possible to increase Z of certain materials by preparing them in quantum-well superlattice structures. Calculations have been done to investigate the potential for such an approach, and also to evaluate the effect of anisotropy on the figure of merit. The calculations show that layering has the potential to increase significantly the figure of merit of a highly anisotropic material such as ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$, provided that the superlattice multilayers are made in a particular orientation. This result opens the possibility of using quantum-well superlattice structures to enhance the performance of thermoelectric coolers.

Perspectives on Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Raman Spectroscopy

Abstract: Raman spectroscopy is here shown to provide a powerful tool to differentiate between two different sp2 carbon nanostructures (carbon nanotubes and graphene) which have many properties in common and others that differ. Emphasis is given to the richness of both carbon nanostructures as prototype examples of nanostructured materials. A glimpse toward future developments in this field is presented.

Carbon nanotubes : synthesis, structure, properties, and applications

Abstract: Introduction to Carbon Materials Research (M.S. Dresselhaus, Ph. Avouris).- Relation of Carbon Nanotubes to Other Carbon Materials (M.S. Dresselhaus, M. Endo).- Nanotube Growth and Characterization (Dai).- Growth Mechanisms (J.-C. Charlier, S. Iijima).- Nanotubes from Inorganic Materials (R. Tenne, A.K. Zettl).- Electronic Properties and Defects (S.G. Louie).- Electrical Transport in Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (Z. Yao, C. Dekker, Ph. Avouris).- Scanning Probe Microscopy Studies (T.W. Odom, J.H. Hafner, C.M. Lieber).- Optical Properties and Raman Spectroscopy (R. Saito, H. Kataura).- Electron Spectroscopy Studies (J.H. Fink, P. Lambin).- Phonons and Thermal Properties of Carbon Nanotubes (J. Hone).- Mechanical Properties (B.I. Yakobson, Ph. Avouris).- Physical Properties of Multi-Wall Nanotubes (L. Forro, C. Schonenberger).- Applications of Carbon Nanotubes (P.M. Ajayan, O.Z. Zhou).- Subject Index.

Electric Field Effect in Atomically Thin Carbon Films

Abstract: We describe monocrystalline graphitic films, which are a few atoms thick but are nonetheless stable under ambient conditions, metallic, and of remarkably high quality. The films are found to be a two-dimensional semimetal with a tiny overlap between valence and conductance bands, and they exhibit a strong ambipolar electric field effect such that electrons and holes in concentrations up to 10 13 per square centimeter and with room-temperature mobilities of ∼10,000 square centimeters per volt-second can be induced by applying gate voltage.

Helical microtubules of graphitic carbon

Abstract: THE synthesis of molecular carbon structures in the form of C60 and other fullerenes1 has stimulated intense interest in the structures accessible to graphitic carbon sheets. Here I report the preparation of a new type of finite carbon structure consisting of needle-like tubes. Produced using an arc-discharge evaporation method similar to that used for fullerene synthesis, the needles grow at the negative end of the electrode used for the arc discharge. Electron microscopy reveals that each needle comprises coaxial tubes of graphitic sheets, ranging in number from 2 up to about 50. On each tube the carbon-atom hexagons are arranged in a helical fashion about the needle axis. The helical pitch varies from needle to needle and from tube to tube within a single needle. It appears that this helical structure may aid the growth process. The formation of these needles, ranging from a few to a few tens of nanometres in diameter, suggests that engineering of carbon structures should be possible on scales considerably greater than those relevant to the fullerenes. On 7 November 1991, Sumio Iijima announced in Nature the preparation of nanometre-size, needle-like tubes of carbon — now familiar as 'nanotubes'. Used in microelectronic circuitry and microscopy, and as a tool to test quantum mechanics and model biological systems, nanotubes seem to have unlimited potential.

The rise of graphene

Abstract: Graphene is a rapidly rising star on the horizon of materials science and condensed-matter physics. This strictly two-dimensional material exhibits exceptionally high crystal and electronic quality, and, despite its short history, has already revealed a cornucopia of new physics and potential applications, which are briefly discussed here. Whereas one can be certain of the realness of applications only when commercial products appear, graphene no longer requires any further proof of its importance in terms of fundamental physics. Owing to its unusual electronic spectrum, graphene has led to the emergence of a new paradigm of 'relativistic' condensed-matter physics, where quantum relativistic phenomena, some of which are unobservable in high-energy physics, can now be mimicked and tested in table-top experiments. More generally, graphene represents a conceptually new class of materials that are only one atom thick, and, on this basis, offers new inroads into low-dimensional physics that has never ceased to surprise and continues to provide a fertile ground for applications.

Fast parallel algorithms for short-range molecular dynamics

Abstract: Three parallel algorithms for classical molecular dynamics are presented. The first assigns each processor a fixed subset of atoms; the second assigns each a fixed subset of inter-atomic forces to compute; the third assigns each a fixed spatial region. The algorithms are suitable for molecular dynamics models which can be difficult to parallelize efficiently—those with short-range forces where the neighbors of each atom change rapidly. They can be implemented on any distributed-memory parallel machine which allows for message-passing of data between independently executing processors. The algorithms are tested on a standard Lennard-Jones benchmark problem for system sizes ranging from 500 to 100,000,000 atoms on several parallel supercomputers--the nCUBE 2, Intel iPSC/860 and Paragon, and Cray T3D. Comparing the results to the fastest reported vectorized Cray Y-MP and C90 algorithm shows that the current generation of parallel machines is competitive with conventional vector supercomputers even for small problems. For large problems, the spatial algorithm achieves parallel efficiencies of 90% and a 1840-node Intel Paragon performs up to 165 faster than a single Cray C9O processor. Trade-offs between the three algorithms and guidelines for adapting them to more complex molecular dynamics simulations are also discussed.

The electronic properties of graphene

Abstract: This article reviews the basic theoretical aspects of graphene, a one-atom-thick allotrope of carbon, with unusual two-dimensional Dirac-like electronic excitations. The Dirac electrons can be controlled by application of external electric and magnetic fields, or by altering sample geometry and/or topology. The Dirac electrons behave in unusual ways in tunneling, confinement, and the integer quantum Hall effect. The electronic properties of graphene stacks are discussed and vary with stacking order and number of layers. Edge (surface) states in graphene depend on the edge termination (zigzag or armchair) and affect the physical properties of nanoribbons. Different types of disorder modify the Dirac equation leading to unusual spectroscopic and transport properties. The effects of electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions in single layer and multilayer graphene are also presented.