Visualizing individual molecules with chemical recognition is a longstanding target in catalysis, molecular nanotechnology and biotechnology. Molecular vibrations provide a valuable 'fingerprint' for such identification. Vibrational spectroscopy based on tip-enhanced Raman scattering allows us to access the spectral signals of molecular species very efficiently via the strong localized plasmonic fields produced at the tip apex. However, the best spatial resolution of the tip-enhanced Raman scattering imaging is still limited to 3-15 nanometres, which is not adequate for resolving a single molecule chemically. Here we demonstrate Raman spectral imaging with spatial resolution below one nanometre, resolving the inner structure and surface configuration of a single molecule. This is achieved by spectrally matching the resonance of the nanocavity plasmon to the molecular vibronic transitions, particularly the downward transition responsible for the emission of Raman photons. This matching is made possible by the extremely precise tuning capability provided by scanning tunnelling microscopy. Experimental evidence suggests that the highly confined and broadband nature of the nanocavity plasmon field in the tunnelling gap is essential for ultrahigh-resolution imaging through the generation of an efficient double-resonance enhancement for both Raman excitation and Raman emission. Our technique not only allows for chemical imaging at the single-molecule level, but also offers a new way to study the optical processes and photochemistry of a single molecule.

We report the laser-induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS) with periodicity about a quarter of the laser wavelength on unpolished diamond film treated by a P-polarized femtosecond laser. The short period LIPSS is parallel to the laser polarization and independent on the incidence angle. The LIPSS perpendicular to the laser polarization with periodicity shorter than a third of the laser wavelength slightly dependent on the incidence angle is also observed as well as the LIPSS perpendicular to the laser polarization with periodicity dependent on the incidence angle. The results are explained by interference of the incident laser and surface scattered wave related to the excited electrons during laser interactions with diamond, being in excellent agreement with a previously developed theory.

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Zn2SnO4 nanowires and Zn2SnO4 diameter-modulated (DM) nanowires were successfully synthesized, accompanied by the formation of ZnO nanowires, via the thermal evaporation of a mixture of ZnO and SnO2 powders, using gold as a catalyst. Their morphologies and structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The ZnO nanowires were single crystalline, with an axis of [011̄0], which is different from the conventional [0001] orientation and might be determined by the vapor components involved in the reaction. Zn2SnO4 nanowires and Zn2SnO4 DM nanowires were single crystalline, with [302] and [111] growth directions, respectively. A vapor−liquid−solid (VLS) growth mechanism is proposed, to interpret the growth of nanowires in the experiment. In regard to the formation of Zn2SnO4 DM nanowires, we suggest that the disturbance of vapor concentration is a major factor that changes the size of the catalyst alloy droplets and the growth velocity of nanowires, and ultimately results in the diameter-modulated feature.

We describe a reliable fabrication procedure of silver tips for scanning tunneling microscope (STM) induced luminescence experiments. The tip was first etched electrochemically to yield a sharp cone shape using selected electrolyte solutions and then sputter cleaned in ultrahigh vacuum to remove surface oxidation. The tip status, in particular the tip induced plasmon mode and its emission intensity, can be further tuned through field emission and voltage pulse. The quality of silver tips thus fabricated not only offers atomically resolved STM imaging, but more importantly, also allows us to perform challenging "color" photon mapping with emission spectra taken at each pixel simultaneously during the STM scan under relatively small tunnel currents and relatively short exposure time.

We investigated the combined effect of pressure and temperature on the elasticity of single‐crystal superhydrous phase B (Shy‐B) using Brillouin scattering and X‐ray diffraction up to 12 GPa and 700 K. Using the obtained elasticity, we modeled the anisotropy of Shy‐B along slab geotherms, showing that Shy‐B has a low anisotropy and cannot be the major cause of the observed anisotropy in the region. Modeled velocities of Shy‐B show that Shy‐B will be shown as positive velocity anomalies at the bottom transition zone. Once Shy‐B is transported to the topmost lower mantle, it will exhibit a seismic signature of lower velocities than topmost lower mantle. We speculate that an accumulation of hydrous phases, such as Shy‐B, at the topmost lower mantle with a weight percentage of ~17–26% in the peridotite layer as subduction progresses could help explain the observed 2–3% low shear velocity anomalies in the region.

We report on photoluminescence in a ZnO/GaN heterostructure, which showed a donor–acceptor pair emission band at 3.270 eV and the longitudinal optical phonon replicas at 12 K. In comparison with p-type GaN, the positions of the peaks are redshifted. This may be associated with the variation of the residual strain in the GaN layer of the heterostructure. Using this heterostructure, near-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes were fabricated and their electroluminescence properties were characterized.

Silicon has been considered as a promising anode material for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries due to its high specific capacity. Its huge volume expansion during the alloying reaction with lithium spoils the stability of the interface between electrode and electrolyte, resulting in capacity degradation. Herein, we synthesized a novel hollow structured silicon material with interior space for accumulating the volume change during the lithiation. The as-prepared material shows excellent cycling stability, with a reversible capacity of ∼1650 m Ah g(-1) after 100 cycles, corresponding to 92% retention. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were carried out to monitor the growth of SEI film, and the results confirm the stable solid electrolyte interphase film on the surface of hollow structured silicon.