Optical properties of aluminium nitride films obtained by pulsed laser deposition: an ellipsometric study

Aluminium nitride (AlN) films obtained by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) at different low ambient nitrogen pressure have been optically investigated by spectral ellipsometry within the 300–800 nm wavelength range, Sellmeier and Wemple–DiDomenico approximation approaches have been applied for the ellipsometric data analysis. Optical parameters such as refractive index and single oscillator energies of deposited films were estimated and their dependence on the N₂ pressure was studied. The obtained refractive index values of AlN films are around 2 in a wide wavelength region above 400 nm and suggest the growth of a polycrystalline structure. The relatively low (<3.4 eV) threshold energies indicate the formation of a defective and disordered structure, formed during the deposition process. PACS 78.20.-e; 78.20.Ci; 78.66.Fd     

Quantitative analysis of amorphous indium zinc oxide thin films synthesized by Combinatorial Pulsed Laser Deposition

The use of amorphous and transparent oxides is a key for the development of new thin film transistors and displays. Recently, indium zinc oxide (IZO) was shown to exhibit high transparency in the visible range, low resistivity, and high mobility. Since the properties and the cost of these films depend on the In/(In + Zn) values, the measurement of this ratio is paramount for future developments and applications. We report on accurate analysis of the elemental composition of IZO thin films synthesized using a Combinatorial Pulsed Laser Deposition technique. The monitoring of the thin films elemental composition by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy was chosen in view of further in situ and real-time technological developments and process control during IZO fabrication. Our analytical approach is based on plasma modeling, the recorded spectra being then compared to the spectral radiance computed for plasmas in local thermal equilibrium. The cation fractions measured were compared to values obtained by complementary measurements using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Spectroscopic ellipsometry assisted the scientific discussion. A good agreement between methods was found, independently of the relative fraction of indium and zinc that varied from about 65 to 90 and 35 to 10 at%, respectively, and the measurement uncertainties associated to each analytical method.     

Biocompatible and bioactive coatings of Mn-doped β-tricalcium phosphate synthesized by pulsed laser deposition

The extension of pulsed laser deposition to the synthesis on Ti substrates of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) coatings doped with manganese is reported. Targets sintered from two crystalline Mn-doped β-TCP powders (with the composition Ca_2.9Mn_0.1(PO₄)₂ and Ca_2.8Mn_0.2(PO₄)₂) were ablated with an UV KrF* (λ = 248 nm, τ ∼ 7 ns) laser source. X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy investigations showed that the films, while prevalently amorphous, had a Ca/P ratio of about 1.50-1.52. Scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed a rather homogeneous aspect of the coatings which were molded to the relief of the chemically etched Ti substrate. Fluorescence microscopy was applied to test the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells grown on the obtained biostructures. Our investigations found that, even 14 days after cultivation, the synthesized films were not cytotoxic. On the contrary, they showed excellent bioactivity, as demonstrated by the neat spread of the cells over the entire surface of Mn-doped β-TCP. When tested in osteoprogenitor cell culture, the Ca_2.8Mn_0.2(PO₄)₂ samples revealed a higher potential for proliferation and better viability compared with Ca_2.9Mn_0.1(PO₄)₂.     

Physicochemical characterization and molecular modeling study of host–guest systems of aripiprazole and functionalized cyclodextrins

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Aripiprazole (ARP), an innovative atypical antipsychotic drug, exhibits very low aqueous solubility, affecting its dissolution and absorption and high...     

The Influence of the Auxiliary Water and of Nitric Acid Flow-Rate about 15N Separation in Nitrox System

The experimental results obtained for ¹⁵N separation by Spindel-Taylor [1] method, in a laboratory exchange column [2] are presented. The influence of the auxiliary water flow and of the nitric acid flow-rate (0.6–2.6 ml/cm² min) on the ¹⁵N separation has been stuided. All the experimental points were obtained in unsteady state, thus giving information about the rate of the steady state achievement.     

The Utilization of 18O Labelled Potassium Phosphate in Studies Concerning Fertilizer Phosphorus Assimilation by Plants

The utilization of ¹⁸O labelled potassium phosphate KH₂P¹⁸O₄, instead of radiophosphorus, ³²P, labelled phosphate in biochemical and ecological studies concerning fertilizer phosphorus assimilation by plants is presented.

The 30–60 mg dry plant samples were heated under 10^?2 mm Hg vacuum in Pyrex ampoules to form carbon dioxide (C¹⁶O¹⁸O) for ¹⁸O mass spectromietric analyses. Potassium phosphate labelled with 1.36 ¹⁸O atom per cent is sufficient to obtain a significant increase of the ¹⁸O plant content, the added ¹⁸O quantity in 0.5 kg soil being 1.4 × 10^?2 g ¹⁸O in this case.     

Enrichment of 13C by chemical exchange between CO2and amine carbamate in nonaqueous solvents

Enrichment of ¹³C by chemical exchange between CO₂ and amine carbamate in nonaqueous solvents has been mathematically modelled in two ways. The height equivalent to a theoretical plate and steady-state separation, based on the two models, have been obtained. If only the isotopic exchange between CO₂ gas and amine carbamate is considered, the model can estimate the process performance for pressures close to the atmospheric one and room temperature. For process analysis at pressures higher than the atmospheric one and lower temperatures, a two-step model has been used. Using the two models the effects of pressure have been studied.     

Matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation of cinnamate-pullulan and tosylate-pullulan polysaccharide derivative thin films for pharmaceutical applications

We have demonstrated the successful thin film growth of two pullulan derivatives (cinnamate-pullulan and tosylate-pullulan) using matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE). Our MAPLE system consisted of a KrF* laser, a vacuum chamber, and a rotating target holder cooled with liquid nitrogen. Fused silica and silicon (1 1 1) wafers were used as substrates. The MAPLE-deposited thin films were characterized by transmission spectrometry, profilometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The deposited layers ranged from 250 nm to 16.5 μm in thickness, depending on the laser fluence (0.065-0.5 J cm⁻²) and number of pulses applied for the deposition of one structure (1500-13,300). Our results confirmed that MAPLE was well-suited for the transfer of cinnamate-pullulan and tosylate-pullulan.