Effects of CPII implantation on the characteristics of diamond-like carbon films

A diamond-like carbon film (DLC) was successfully synthesized using a hybrid PVD process, involving a filter arc deposition source (FAD) and a carbon plasma ion implanter (CPII). A quarter-torus plasma duct filter markedly reduced the density of the macro-particles. Graphite targets were used in FAD. Large electron and ion energies generated from the plasma duct facilitate the activation of carbon plasma and the deposition of high-quality DLC films. M2 tool steel was pre-implanted with 45 kV carbon ions before the DLC was deposited to enhance the adhesive and surface properties of the film. The ion mixing effect, the induction of residual stress and the phase transformation at the interface were significantly improved. The hardness of the DLC increased to 47.7 GPa and 56.5 GPa, and the wear life was prolonged to over 70 km with implantation fluences of 1 × 10¹⁷ ions/cm² and 2 × 10¹⁷ ions/cm², respectively.     

Study of a novel porous gel polymer electrolyte based on TPU/PVdF by electrospinning technique

Investigation on a new electrospun gel polymer electrolyte consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) has been made. Its characteristics were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, FT-IR, Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) analysis. This kind of gel polymer electrolyte had a high ionic conductivity about 3.2 × 10^− 3 S cm^− 1 at room temperature, and exhibited a high electrochemical stability up to 5.0 V versus Li⁺/Li, good mechanical strength and stability to allow safe operation in rechargeable lithium-ion polymer batteries. A Li/GPE/LiFePO₄ cell delivered a high discharge capacity when it was evaluated at 0.1 °C—rate at 25 °C (167.8 mAh g^− 1). And a very stable cycle performance also existed under this low current density.     

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate microvascular density after transarterial embolization ablation in a rabbit VX2 liver tumor model

Objective

To evaluate the correlation between findings from diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and microvascular density (MVD) measurements in VX2 liver tumors after transarterial embolization ablation (TEA).

Materials and Methods

Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. VX2 tumor cells were implanted in livers by percutaneous puncture under computed tomography (CT) guidance. Two weeks later, all rabbits underwent conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (T1 and T2 imaging), DWI, (b = 100, 600, and 1000 s/mm²) and TEA. MRI was performed again1 week after TEA. Liver tissue was then harvested and processed for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemical staining for CD31to determine MVD.

Results

VX2 liver tumors were successfully established in all 18 rabbits. Optimal contrast was achieved with a b value of 600 s/mm².The maximum pre-operative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)_difference value was 0.28 × 10^− 3 ± 0.10 × 10^− 3 mm²/s, and was significantly different (P < 0.001) from the maximum postoperative ADC_difference value of 0.47 × 10^− 3 ± 0.10 × 10^− 3 mm²/s. However, the mean ADC value for the entire tumor was not significantly correlated with MVD (r = 0.221, P = 0.379), nor was the ADC value for the regions of viable tumor (r = − 0.044, P = 0.862). However, the maximum postoperative ADC_difference value was positively correlated with MVD(r = 0.606, F = 12.247, P = 0.003).

Conclusion

DWI is effective to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of TEA. The maximum ADC_difference offers a promising new method to noninvasively assess tumor angiogenesis.     

Giga-bit optical receiver for plastic optical fibre

An optical receiver with high sensitivity and linearity specially designed for Giga-bit communications over small-bandwidth high-attenuation multimode plastic optical fiber is presented. An automatic gain control transimpedance amplifier and linear post amplifiers are used to maintain a good performance with multilevel modulation. Using multilevel signaling and large-diameter integrated photodiodes make the presented optical receiver suitable for large core plastic optical fiber. For a wavelength of 675 nm, a sensitivity of −26.3 dB m (BER = 10⁻⁹) at 500 Mb/s is presented by a binary signal. A data rate of 1 Gb/s and a sensitivity of −19.8 dB m (BER = 10⁻⁹) are achieved with four-level pulse amplitude modulation.     

Effect of swift heavy ion irradiation on photoluminescence properties of ZnO/PMMA nanocomposite films

We report a study on the SHI induced modifications on structural and optical properties of ZnO/PMMA nanocomposite films. The ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by the chemical route using 2-mercaptoethanol as a capping agent. The structure of ZnO nanoparticles was confirmed by XRD, SEM and TEM. These ZnO nanoparticles were dispersed in the PMMA matrix to form ZnO/PMMA nanocomposite films by the solution cast method. These ZnO/PMMA nanocomposite films were then irradiated by swift heavy ion irradiation (Ni⁸⁺ ion beam, 100 MeV) at a fluence of 1×10¹¹ ions/cm². The nanocomposite films were then characterized by XRD, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. As revealed from the absorption spectra, absorption edge is not changed by the irradiation but the optical absorption is increased. Enhanced green luminescence at about 527 nm and a less intense blue emission peak around 460 nm were observed after irradiation with respect to the pristine ZnO/PMMA nanocomposite film.     

SEM and XPS studies of nanohole arrays on InP(1 0 0) surfaces created by coupling AAO templates and low energy Ar ion sputtering

The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the feasibility to form well-ordered nanoholes on InP(1 0 0) surfaces by low Ar⁺ ion sputtering process in UHV conditions from anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. This process is a promising approach in creating ordered arrays of surface nanostructures with controllable size and morphology. To follow the Ar⁺ ion sputtering effects on the AAO/InP surfaces, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to determine the different surface species. In_4d and P_2p core level spectra were recorded on different InP(1 0 0) surfaces after ions bombardment. XPS results showed the presence of metallic indium on both smooth InP(1 0 0) and AAO/InP(1 0 0) surfaces. Finally, we showed that this experiment led to the formation of metallic In dropplets about 10 nm in diameter on nanoholes patterned InP surface while the as-received InP(1 0 0) surface generated metallic In about 60 nm in diameter.     

Local chemical transformations in poly(dimethylsiloxane) by irradiation with 248 and 266 nm

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) has been irradiated with a frequency quadrupled Nd:YAG laser and a KrF^*-excimer laser at a repetition rate of 1 Hz. The analysis of ablation depth versus pulse number data reveals a pronounced incubation behavior. The thresholds of ablation (266 nm: 210 mJ cm⁻², 248 nm: 940 mJ cm⁻²) and the corresponding effective absorption coefficients α_eff (266 nm: 48900 cm⁻¹, 248 nm: 32700 cm⁻¹, α_lin = 2 cm⁻¹) were determined. The significant differences in the ablation thresholds for both irradiation wavelengths are probably due to the different pulse lengths of both lasers. Since the shorter pulse length yields a lower ablation threshold, the observed incubation can be due to a thermally induced and/or a multi-photon absorption processes of the material or impurities in the polymer.Incubation of polymers is normally related to changes of the chemical structure of the polymer. In the case of PDMS, incubation is associated with local chemical transformations up to several hundred micrometers below the polymer surface. It is possible to study these local chemical transformations by confocal Raman microscopy, because PDMS is transparent in the visible. The domains of transformation consist of carbon and silicon, as indicated by the appearance of the carbon D- and G-bands between 1310 and 1610 cm⁻¹, a band appearing between 502 and 520 cm⁻¹ can be assigned to mono- and/or polycrystalline silicon.The ablation products, which are detected in the surroundings of the ablation crater consist of carbon and amorphous SiO_x (x ≈ 1.5) as detected by infrared spectroscopy.     

Vacancy profiles and clustering in light-ion-implanted GaN and ZnO

We present experimental results obtained in H-implanted GaN and He- and Li-implanted ZnO. The ion energies were varied in the range 100-850 keV, and the implantation fluences in the range 5 × 10¹³ to 1 × 10¹⁸ cm⁻². In addition, conventional and flash anneals at temperatures 500-1400 °C were performed on the ZnO samples. The data obtained with a slow positron beam show that vacancy clusters are formed in as-implanted samples with fluences above 1 × 10¹⁷ cm⁻². Below this value only single vacancies are detected after implantation, but vacancy clusters can be formed and subsequently dissociated by thermal annealings.     

Spectroscopic studies on the interaction between disperse blue SBL and bovine serum albumin

The interaction of disperse blue SBL (DBSBL) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated using fluorescence, UV-visible and far-UV circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The results showed that the fluorescence of BSA was quenched by DBSBL through static quenching after correcting for the inner filter effects (IFE). The binding constant K_b of DBSBL with BSA at 288, 298 and 303 K were 0.116×10⁶, 3.18×10⁶ and 12.3×10⁶ L mol⁻¹, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters, standard enthalpy change (ΔH⁰) and standard entropy change (ΔS⁰), for the reaction were evaluated to be 227.2 kJ mol⁻¹ and 886 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ according to the van’t Hoff equation. The above data suggested that the forces acting between DBSBL and BSA were predominantly hydrophobic interactions. The results of UV-visible absorption and far-UV CD spectroscopy also revealed that the conformation and microenvironment of BSA molecule were changed after DBSBL binding to BSA. At 288 K one binding site was present but at higher temperatures a second binding site was detected between DBSBL and the BSA molecule. The lower bound for the distance between the bound dye and the Trp residue is 2.35 nm as calculated from Forster energy transfer.     

Growth of Ni-Al alloys on Ni(1 1 1), from Al deposits of various thicknesses: (II) Formation of NiAl over a Ni3Al interfacial layer

This paper describes the second part of a study devoted to the growth of thin Ni-Al alloys after deposition of Al on Ni(1 1 1). In the previous paper [S. Le Pévédic, D. Schmaus, C. Cohen, Surf. Sci. 600 (2006) 565] we have described the results obtained for ultra-thin Al deposits, leading, after annealing at 750 K, to an epitaxial layer of Ni₃Al(1 1 1). In the present paper we show that this regime is only observed for Al deposits smaller than 8 × 10¹⁵ Al/cm² and we describe the results obtained for Al deposits exceeding this critical thickness, up to 200 × 10¹⁵ Al/cm². Al deposition was performed at low temperature (around 130 K) and the alloying process was followed in situ during subsequent annealing, by Auger electron spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction and ion beam analysis-channeling measurements, in an ultra-high vacuum chamber connected to a Van de Graaff accelerator. We evidence the formation, after annealing at 750 K, of a crystallographically and chemically well-ordered NiAl(1 1 0) layer (whose thickness depends on the deposited Al amount), over a Ni₃Al “interfacial” layer (whose thickness—about 18 (1 1 1) planes—is independent of the deposited Al amount). The NiAl overlayer is composed of three variants, at 120° from each other in the surface plane, in relation with the respective symmetries of NiAl(1 1 0) and Ni₃Al(1 1 1). The NiAl layer is relaxed (the lattice parameters of cc-B2 NiAl and fcc-L1₂ Ni₃Al differ markedly), and we have determined its epitaxial relationship. In the case of the thickest alloyed layer formed the results concerning the structure of the NiAl layer have been confirmed and refined by ex situ X-ray diffraction and information on its grain size has been obtained by ex situ Atomic Force Microscopy. The kinetics of the alloying process is complex. It corresponds to an heterogeneous growth leading, above the thin Ni₃Al interfacial layer, to a mixture of Al and NiAl over the whole Al film, up to the surface. The atomic diffusion is very limited in the NiAl phase that forms, and thus the progressive enrichment in Ni of the Al film, i.e. of the mean Ni concentration, becomes slower and slower. As a consequence, alloying is observed to take place in a very broad temperature range between 300 K and 700 K. For annealing temperatures above 800 K, the alloyed layer is decomposed, Al atoms diffusing in the bulk of the substrate.     

Surface alloy formation after deposition of Ce on Rh(1 1 0)

Vapour deposition of Ce onto a Rh(1 1 0) single crystal at room temperature is studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and low energy electron diffraction (LEED). The thicknesses of the deposited Ce layers are estimated to be between 2 and 9 Å. To study the changes in the Ce-Rh surface layer, the samples are annealed at temperatures between 500 and 1000 °C after Ce deposition.After heating, a c(2 × 2) LEED pattern appears for the sample with the thinnest deposited Ce layer (2.4 Å). For samples with thicker Ce-films, the LEED pattern co-exists of a c(2 × 2) structure and a more diffuse 6% contracted (2 × 1) structure. This appears at the same temperature as the Ce 3d and Rh 3d core levels exhibit sharp intensity changes and binding energy shifts.The intensity of the f⁰, f¹ and f² multiplets in the Ce 3d core level spectra change when the annealing temperature is increased. The relative intensity of the Ce 3d f⁰ and f² features compared to the Ce 3d f¹ features is largest after annealing to 500 °C. This is below the temperature at which the ordered surface alloy is formed. When the sample is heated above the formation temperature of the surface alloy, the relative intensity of the Ce 3d f⁰ and f² features decrease.     

Surface analysis and oxidation behavior of Y-ion implanted AZ31 magnesium alloys

AZ31 samples were implanted with yttrium ions with fluences of 5 × 10¹⁶, 1 × 10¹⁷ and 5 × 10¹⁷ ions/cm², using a metal vapor vacuum arc source at an extraction voltage of 45 kV. The surfaces of the implanted samples were then analyzed by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that after treatment a pre-oxidation layer was formed, and the higher the fluence, the thicker the pre-oxidation layer was. The valence states showed that yttrium existed in the form of Y₂O₃. Isothermal oxidation tests have been conducted in pure oxygen at 773 K for 90 min to evaluate the oxidation behavior of the implanted samples. The results indicate that after implantation the oxidation resistance of the samples was significantly improved. Moreover, the greater the fluence, the better the oxidation resistance has been achieved. The characterization of the implanted layers after isothermal oxidation was examined by SEM, AES and XPS. From the results, it can be found that the thickness of the oxide scale formed on the implanted surfaces have been greatly decreased, and there is no obvious change for both the thickness of the pre-oxidation layer and the valence states of the elements after oxidation.     

High sensitivity ICLAS of D2O between 12 450 and 12 850 cm

The weak absorption spectrum of dideuterated water, D₂O, has been recorded between 12 450 and 12 850 cm⁻¹ by high sensitivity Intracavity Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (ICLAS). This spectral region corresponds to the (ν₁ + ν₂/2 + ν₃) = 5 polyad, dominated by the 4ν₁ + ν₃ band centered at 12 743.035 cm⁻¹. The achieved sensitivity has allowed for the detection of lines with a minimum intensity of 2 × 10⁻²⁸ cm/molecule i.e. typically two orders of magnitude lower than previous observations in the region considered. A total of 586 energy levels belonging to 11 vibrational states were determined. The rovibrational assignment process of 1025 lines ascribed to D₂O was based on new results of variational calculations by Shirin et al. [S.V. Shirin, N.F. Zobov, O.L. Polyansky, J. Quant. Spectrosc. Radiat. Transfer, in press, doi:10.1016/j.jqsrt.2007.07.010]. The overall agreement between these calculations and the observed spectrum is good both for the line positions and line intensities. The difficulties encountered while performing the rovibrational labeling and the assignment of the weakest transitions not included in Combination Differences relations, are discussed.     

XPS study of SnTe(1 0 0) oxidation by molecular oxygen

The interaction between the (1 0 0) surface of SnTe single crystal and molecular oxygen was studied by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Analysis of the obtained spectra shows that the mechanism of surface oxidation does not change in the range of oxygen exposure 10⁸-10¹³ L. During the oxidation an additional component shifted 1.1 eV towards higher binding energies appears in the Sn 3d spectra. The Te 3d_5/2 spectra fitting reveals two additional components with binding energies close to Te⁰ and Te⁺⁴. The dependence of the additional components fraction in both Sn 3d and Te 3d_5/2 spectra on the oxygen exposure is semi-logarithmic. On the base of the experimental data two possible mechanisms are proposed.     

Local vibration assisted molecular configurations in poly(vinylidene fluoride) of ordered ferroelectric phase in N,N-dimethylformamide

Amide-based polymer liquids are important for developing biological and optical colloids or nanofluids. Functionalized properties arise from specific molecular structures. In this investigation, we report model molecular configurations of a polymer liquid, 0.3 g/L poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVF₂) dissolved in liquid N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), based on the characteristic IR vibration bands. Peculiarly, a ferroelectric β-PVF₂ phase reorders on a linear configuration in support with the DMF molecules, showing a characteristic band 840 cm^− 1 (CH₂ rocking and CF₂ asymmetric stretching) with the trans band at 1275 cm^− 1. Four CO stretching bands ν₁⁰, ν₁¹, ν₁², and ν₁³ of 1650, 1675, 1725, and 1760 cm^− 1 (bandwidth Δν_½ = 180 cm^− 1 in the four bands) arise in four major configurations of DMF-PVF₂ pairs (or derivatives). Only one prominent ν₁⁰ band 1660 cm^− 1 (Δν_½ = 75 cm^− 1) incurs with a shoulder ν₁¹ of 1725 cm^− 1 (Δν_½ = 25 cm^− 1) in two DMF configurations. A ferroelectric field cased in presence of β-PVF₂ leads to enhance IR absorption by as much as an order of magnitude. It leads to converging non-bonding electron density on the amide moiety.     

The pure rotational spectrum of ZnS (XΣ)

The pure rotational spectrum of ZnS (X¹Σ⁺) has been measured using direct-absorption millimeter/sub-millimeter techniques in the frequency range 372-471 GHz. This study is the first spectroscopic investigation of this molecule. Spectra originating in four zinc isotopologues (⁶⁴ZnS, ⁶⁶ZnS, ⁶⁸ZnS, and ⁶⁷ZnS) were recorded in natural abundance in the ground vibrational state, and data from the v = 1 state were also measured for the two most abundant zinc species. Spectroscopic constants have been subsequently determined, and equilibrium parameters have been estimated. The equilibrium bond length was calculated to be r_e ∼ 2.0464 Å, which agrees well with theoretical predictions. In contrast, the dissociation energy of D_E ∼ 3.12 eV calculated for ZnS, assuming a Morse potential, was significantly higher than past experimental and theoretical estimates, suggesting diabatic interaction with other potentials that lower the effective dissociation energy. Although ZnS is isovalent with ZnO, there appear to be subtle differences in bonding between the two species, as suggested by their respective force constants and bond length trends in the 3d series.     

Configuration dependence of photon stimulated ion desorption from methyl ester compounds induced by core excitation

Photon stimulated ion desorption (PSID) from methyl ester terminated self-assembled monolayer (MHDA-SAM, HS(CH₂)₁₅COOCH₃) and methyl mercaptoacetate (MA, HSCH₂COOCH₃) on Ag has been investigated using soft X-ray in the C and O K-edge regions. In MHDA-SAM on Ag, site-selective ion desorption has been clearly observed at resonant core excitations of C_1s, O_1s(OCH₃) → σ^∗(OCH₃) and O_1s(OCH₃) → σ^∗(COCH₃). Ion intensity in MA on Ag is obviously reduced for (n = 1-3) at C_1s, O_1s(OCH₃) → σ^∗(OCH₃) excitations, and no site-selective reaction at O_1s(OCH₃) → σ^∗(COCH₃) excitations has been observed. These reactions may be influenced by configurational difference of reactive sites. It is suggested that surface effects on the selective reaction due to positioning methyl ester group near the surface plays an important role.     

Growth of Ni-Al alloys on Ni(1 1 1): (I) Formation of epitaxial Ni3Al from ultra-thin Al deposits

In this paper we describe the alloying process of ultra-thin Al layers (below 8 × 10¹⁵ Al/cm²) deposited on Ni(1 1 1). For this purpose Auger electron spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, and ion beam analysis-channelling measurements have been performed in situ in an ultra-high vacuum chamber. Al deposits formed at low temperature (about 130 K) are strained defective crystalline layers retaining the substrate orientation. Alloying takes place, with very progressive Ni enrichment, in a very broad temperature range between 250 K and 570 K. This feature shows that diffusion of the alloy species is more and more difficult when the Ni concentration increases. At 570 K a crystallographically and chemically ordered Ni₃Al phase is formed, and its order continuously improves upon annealing, up to 750 K. We have shown by ion beam methods that this alloy is three-dimensional, extending up to 16 (1 1 1) planes for the thickest deposits. The Ni₃Al phase can also be obtained directly by Al deposition at 750 K, but its crystalline quality is lower and the layer is probably formed of grains elongated along 〈1 1 −2〉 directions. The Al content of the thin Ni₃Al layers formed mostly dissolves in the bulk above 800 K. However a small amount of Al remains segregated at the Ni crystal surface.     

Optimal design of 32 channels spectrum slicing WDM for optical fiber access network system

In this article, the spectrum sliced dense wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (SS-DWDM–PON) has been investigated as a power efficient and cost effective solution for optical access networks. In this work an AWG demultiplexer is used to operate as slicing system. The high speed SS-DWDM system has been realized and investigated for 32 channels with data rate up to 3 Gb/s using broadband ASE source (LED). The 3 Gb/s signals both non-return-to-zero (NRZ) and return-to-zero (RZ) were demonstrated in 40 km optical fiber link with BER < 10⁻¹². The results obtained here demonstrate that SS-DWDM is well suited for Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) network.     

Comparison of the adsorption of N2 on Ru(1 0 9) and Ru(0 0 1) - A detailed look at the role of atomic step and terrace sites

We present a direct side-by-side comparison of the adsorption and desorption of nitrogen on the atomically-stepped Ru(1 0 9) surface and the atomically-flat Ru(0 0 1) surface. Both infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) are employed in this study, along with density functional theory (DFT). We find that the chemisorptive terminal binding of N₂ is stronger on the atomic step sites than on the terrace sites of Ru(1 0 9) as indicated by TPD and by a reduction of the singleton vibrational frequency, ν(N₂), by ∼9 cm⁻¹, comparing steps to terraces. In addition, we find that metal-metal compression effects on the terrace sites of Ru(1 0 9) cause stronger binding of N₂ than found on the Ru(0 0 1) surface, as indicated by a reduction of the terrace-N₂ singleton vibrational frequency by ∼11 cm⁻¹ when compared to the singleton N₂ mode on Ru(0 0 1). These spectroscopic results, comparing compressed terrace sites to Ru(0 0 1) sites and confirmed by TPD and DFT, indicate that N₂ bonds primarily as a σ-donor to Ru. Using equimolar ¹⁵N₂ and ¹⁴N₂, it is found that dynamic dipole coupling effects present at higher N₂ coverages may be partially eliminated by isotopically detuning neighbor oscillators. These experiments, considered together, indicate that the order of the bonding strength for terminal-N₂ on Ru is: atomic steps > atomic terraces > Ru(0 0 1). DFT calculations also show that 4-fold coordinated N₂ may be stabilized in several structures on the double-atom wide steps of Ru(1 0 9) and that this form of bonding produces substantial decreases in the N₂ vibrational frequency and increases in the binding energy, compared to terminally-bound N₂. These highly coordinated N₂ species are not observed by IRAS.