Lead-free ferroelectric thin films obtained by pulsed laser deposition

Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃-BaTiO₃ (NBT-BT) thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and dielectric spectroscopy in order to clarify the role of substrate temperature on crystalline structure, grain morphology, and dielectric properties. We have shown that the structural and dielectric properties of NBT-BT thin films with composition at morphotropic phase boundary (6% BT) critically depend on the substrate temperature: small variations of this parameter induce structural changes, shifting the morphotropic phase boundary toward tetragonal or rhombohedral side. Higher deposition temperature (1000 K) favor the formation of rhombohedral phase, films deposited at 923 K and 973 K have tetragonal symmetry at room temperature. Grains morphology depends also on the deposition temperature. Atomic force micrographs show grains with square or rectangular shape in a compact structure for films grown at lower temperatures, while grains with triangular shape in a porous structure are observed for films grown at 1000 K. Dielectric spectroscopy measurements evidenced the phase transition between ferroelectric and antiferroelectric phase at 370 K. Films grown at 1000 K shown low electrical resistivity due to their porous structure. High dielectric constant values (about 800 at room temperature and 2700 at 570 K) have been obtained for films grown at temperatures up to 973 K.     

A comparative study of DRL-lift and lift on integrated polyisobutylene polymer matrices

This paper presents a comparative study of polymer pixel on sensors obtained by Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT) assisted by a triazene polymer as Dynamic Release Layer (DRL). Polyisobutylene (PIB) was selected as model for chemoselective polymers which could be used as hydrogen-bond acidic polymer for vapor sensors.     

Polymer pixel enhancement by laser-induced forward transfer for sensor applications

This paper presents polymer pixel printing for applications in chemoselective sensors where nanosecond laser direct transfer methods, with a triazene polymer (TP) acting as a Dynamic Release Layer (DRL), are used. A systematic study of laser fluence, donor film morphology and both single- and multiple-pixel deposition were optimized with the final goal to obtain continuous pixels of sensitive polymers, polyethylenimine (PEI) and polyisobutylene (PIB), on SAW surfaces. Morphology characterization after the laser transfer has been performed by Optical Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The responses of the coated transducers were measured after deposition with different laser fluences and it was found that a fluence under 625 mJ/cm² was required in order to prevent damage of the interdigital transducers (IDT) of the sensor devices. The sensitivity of the polymer coated devices to acetone concentrations gives an indication that LIFT can be used for printing sensitive polymer pixels onto transducer devices.     

An efficient and robust numerical algorithm for estimating parameters in Turing systems

We present a new algorithm for estimating parameters in reaction–diffusion systems that display pattern formation via the mechanism of diffusion-driven instability. A Modified Discrete Optimal Control Algorithm (MDOCA) is illustrated with the Schnakenberg and Gierer–Meinhardt reaction–diffusion systems using PDE constrained optimization techniques. The MDOCA algorithm is a modification of a standard variable step gradient algorithm that yields a huge saving in computational cost. The results of numerical experiments demonstrate that the algorithm accurately estimated key parameters associated with stationary target functions generated from the models themselves. Furthermore, the robustness of the algorithm was verified by performing experiments with target functions perturbed with various levels of additive noise. The MDOCA algorithm could have important applications in the mathematical modeling of realistic Turing systems when experimental data are available.     

Circularly polarized x rays: another probe of ultrafast molecular decay dynamics

Dissociative nuclear motion in core-excited molecular states leads to a splitting of the fragment Auger lines: the Auger-Doppler effect. We present here for the first time experimental evidence for an Auger-Doppler effect following F1s → a(1g)* inner-shell excitation by circularly polarized x rays in SF(6). In spite of a uniform distribution of the dissociating S-F bonds near the polarization plane of the light, the intersection between the subpopulation of molecules selected by the core excitation with the cone of dissociation induces a strong anisotropy in the distribution of the S-F bonds that contributes to the scattering profile measured in the polarization plane.     

Hill Four-Body Problem with Oblate Bodies: An Application to the Sun–Jupiter–Hektor–Skamandrios System

We consider a restricted four-body problem, with a precise hierarchy between the bodies: two larger bodies and a smaller one, all three of oblate shape, and a fourth, infinitesimal body, in the neighborhood of the smaller of the three bodies. The three heavy bodies are assumed to move in a plane under their mutual gravity, and the fourth body to move in the three-dimensional space under the gravitational influence of the three heavy bodies, but without affecting them. We first find that the triangular central configuration of the three heavy oblate bodies is a scalene triangle (rather than an equilateral triangle as in the point mass case). Then, assuming that these three bodies are in such a central configuration, we perform a Hill approximation of the equations of motion describing the dynamics of the infinitesimal body in a neighborhood of the smaller body. Through the use of Hill’s variables and a limiting procedure, this approximation amounts to sending the two larger bodies to infinity. Finally, for the Hill approximation, we find the equilibrium points for the motion of the infinitesimal body and determine their stability. As a motivating example, we identify the three heavy bodies with the Sun, Jupiter, and the Jupiter’s Trojan asteroid Hektor, which are assumed to move in a triangular central configuration. Then, we consider the dynamics of Hektor’s moonlet Skamandrios.

     

Efficient solver for swirling flow problems in ducts with variable radius

The paper presents preliminary results of a work in progress addressing the hydrodynamic stability of swirling flows problems in ducts with variable radius which imply mathematical modeling, dynamic and stability investigations. The proposed quasi-analytical method aims to obtain the velocity profiles with a low order approximation method of which the computation costs were neglijable and regain the central stagnation zone developed in the fluid. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

RF-plasma assisted pulsed laser deposition of nitrogen-doped SrTiO3 thin films

Perovskite-type nitrogen substituted SrTiO₃ thin films were deposited with a one-step process by RF-plasma assisted pulsed laser deposition from a SrTiO₃ target using a N₂ plasma, while deposition with a NH₃ plasma yields films with almost no incorporated nitrogen. The deposited films exhibit a cubic perovskite-type crystal structure and reveal oriented growth on MgO(100) substrates. The unit cell parameters of the studied N-doped SrTiO₃ films range within 3.905<a<3.918 Å, which is slightly larger than for SrTiO₃ (a=3.905 Å). The nitrogen content in the deposited films varies from 0.2 to 0.7 atom%. The amount of incorporated nitrogen in the films decreases with increasing RF-power, while the N₂ flow rate does not have any pronounced influence on the N content. Nitrogen incorporation results in an increased optical absorption at 400–600 nm, which is associated with N(2p) energy states that have a higher energy level than the valence band in strontium titanate. The optical band gap energies in the studied N-doped SrTiO₃ films are at 3.2–3.3 eV, which is very similar to that of pure strontium titanate (～3.2 eV). Films deposited with NH₃ for the RF-plasma exhibit a lower degree of crystallinity and reveal almost no nitrogen incorporation into the crystal lattice.     

Investigation of Morphology and Chemical Structure of Nanosized Polytetrafluoroethylene Films Deposited on the Surface of Track-Etched Membranes by Plasma Processing

The morphology and chemical structure of nanosized polytetrafluoroethylene films deposited on the surface of track-etched poly(ethylene terephthalate) membranes by means of radiofrequency magnetron sputtering and electron-beam sputtering of the polymer in a vacuum have been studied using atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It has been established that the morphology of films formed with the use of these coating techniques varies considerably. This is due to the size of the deposited polymer particles. The particles formed by the electron-beam sputtering of polytetrafluoroethylene are larger than those produced by magnetron sputtering of the polymer. It has been shown that the chemical composition of the films deposited by electron-beam sputtering in a vacuum is more in line with the composition and structure of the initial polymer than the films obtained by radiofrequency magnetron sputtering.