628
A. P. Pospelov et al.
new class of selective quantum sensing elements to analysis of liquid and gaseous
media [4].
The key factor for the operation of the new selective quantum sensors is the influence exerted by the analyzed agent on the cyclic process of formation and destruction
of point contacts in an electric field. Therefore the development of quantum sensorics
requires a detailed study of nature and kinetic parameters of all the phases of the
cyclic switchover effect: formation and further growth of a metallic dendrite, formation of a conduction channel and of a dendritic point contact, where the dendrite tip
touches the counterelectrode, electrolytic dissolution of the conduction channel and
interruption of the direct transfer of electrons between the electrodes.
This work presents the results of the study of a nanostructured point-contact
system in the crucial phase of the cyclic switchover effect [3]—in the phase of
electrochemical dissolution of the point-contact conduction channel. The purpose of
this study is to reveal the peculiarities of the processes occurring in dendritic Yanson
point contacts during the cyclic switchover effect and providing the ground for the
realization of selective quantum detection mechanism and enhanced sensitivity of
point-contact sensors to liquid and gaseous analytes. Analysis of the experimental
data on the dynamics of the electric conduction and the lifetime of dendritic Yanson
point contacts during the cyclic switchover effect allows us to consider a model of the
process in which a copper Yanson point contact is destroyed and direct conduction is
disrupted. The importance of understanding the nature of the processes taking place in
this phase is dictated by the unique set of quantum physicochemical transformations
a Yanson point contact undergoes which allows it to become the sensing element of
a new type of quantum sensors [4].
The analytic opportunities provided by dendritic point-contact sensors are based
on the interaction between atoms or molecules of the analyte and the atoms of the
conduction channel surface, which impacts the parameters of the cyclic switchover
effect and thereby the response function of the quantum sensor. The main elements of
the system which shape the cyclic switchover effect and enable quantum detection are
metallic nanostructures formed and destroyed by the electric field in every cycle. One
of the key problems in studying the nature of this process is finding the peculiarities
in the behavior of diachronically distributed sensing elements which may be crucial
for the analytic procedures, since the knowledge of the physicochemical properties,
structural and energetic features of the active surface of point contacts is an important
prerequisite for optimization of the processes of improvement of the construction and
metrological characteristics of quantum sensor devices.
2 Experimental Method
The object of the study was dendritic copper Yanson point contacts [3, 4]. The contacts
were produced using the modified “needle-anvil” technique [2]. For this purpose, a
special device was applied [8] to ensure a high-precision shift of needle-like and
lamellar electrodes along with each other. The needle-like electrode was attached
A. P. Pospelov et al.
new class of selective quantum sensing elements to analysis of liquid and gaseous
media [4].
The key factor for the operation of the new selective quantum sensors is the influence exerted by the analyzed agent on the cyclic process of formation and destruction
of point contacts in an electric field. Therefore the development of quantum sensorics
requires a detailed study of nature and kinetic parameters of all the phases of the
cyclic switchover effect: formation and further growth of a metallic dendrite, formation of a conduction channel and of a dendritic point contact, where the dendrite tip
touches the counterelectrode, electrolytic dissolution of the conduction channel and
interruption of the direct transfer of electrons between the electrodes.
This work presents the results of the study of a nanostructured point-contact
system in the crucial phase of the cyclic switchover effect [3]—in the phase of
electrochemical dissolution of the point-contact conduction channel. The purpose of
this study is to reveal the peculiarities of the processes occurring in dendritic Yanson
point contacts during the cyclic switchover effect and providing the ground for the
realization of selective quantum detection mechanism and enhanced sensitivity of
point-contact sensors to liquid and gaseous analytes. Analysis of the experimental
data on the dynamics of the electric conduction and the lifetime of dendritic Yanson
point contacts during the cyclic switchover effect allows us to consider a model of the
process in which a copper Yanson point contact is destroyed and direct conduction is
disrupted. The importance of understanding the nature of the processes taking place in
this phase is dictated by the unique set of quantum physicochemical transformations
a Yanson point contact undergoes which allows it to become the sensing element of
a new type of quantum sensors [4].
The analytic opportunities provided by dendritic point-contact sensors are based
on the interaction between atoms or molecules of the analyte and the atoms of the
conduction channel surface, which impacts the parameters of the cyclic switchover
effect and thereby the response function of the quantum sensor. The main elements of
the system which shape the cyclic switchover effect and enable quantum detection are
metallic nanostructures formed and destroyed by the electric field in every cycle. One
of the key problems in studying the nature of this process is finding the peculiarities
in the behavior of diachronically distributed sensing elements which may be crucial
for the analytic procedures, since the knowledge of the physicochemical properties,
structural and energetic features of the active surface of point contacts is an important
prerequisite for optimization of the processes of improvement of the construction and
metrological characteristics of quantum sensor devices.
2 Experimental Method
The object of the study was dendritic copper Yanson point contacts [3, 4]. The contacts
were produced using the modified “needle-anvil” technique [2]. For this purpose, a
special device was applied [8] to ensure a high-precision shift of needle-like and
lamellar electrodes along with each other. The needle-like electrode was attached