A Method for Quantification of the Effects of Size and Geometry on the Microstructure of Miniature Interconnects

Because the heterogeneity of microstructure has significant effects on the material properties of ultrafine interconnects, it should be quantified, to facilitate high-fidelity prediction of reliability. To address this challenge, a method based on autocorrelation and singular value decomposition is proposed for quantitative characterization of microstructure. The method was validated by developing a quantitative relationship between reported microstructure and tensile strength for SnAgCuRE solders reported in the literature. The method was used to study the effects of size and geometry in ultrafine Sn37Pb interconnects on microstructure and von Mises stress, which were obtained simultaneously by coupling a phase-field model with an elastic mechanical model. By use of this method the degree of heterogeneity of the microstructure in relation to preferred growth directions of the phases was quantified by use of a scalar microstructure index. It was found that microstructure heterogeneity increases with decreasing standoff height, and is higher for hourglass-shaped solder joints. The average von Mises stress was found to be positively related to the microstructure index. The strong correlation between microstructure index and average von Mises stress was confirmed by nonlinear regression analysis using an artificial neural network. This indicates that the mechanical behavior of ultrafine interconnects can be predicted more accurately on the basis of the microstructure index.     

A type 2 Ferrier rearrangement-based synthesis of d-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate

The synthesis of d-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP₃) from methyl α-d-glucopyranose, via a type 2 Ferrier rearrangement is reported. A key intermediate in this synthesis possesses orthogonal protecting groups at the 1-, 4- and 5-position, making it a versatile starting point for the synthesis of unnatural InsP₃ derivatives. Biological evaluation of the synthetic InsP₃ demonstrates that this compound evokes selective Ca²⁺ release via activation of InsP₃ receptors.     

The S.M.A.R.T. (small mass,affordable, rapid,transfer-less) digestion method for heavy metal determinations

The S.M.A.R.T. (small mass, affordable, rapid, transfer-less) digestion method was developed to determine heavy metal concentrations in small sample masses. The S.M.A.R.T. digestion method is a hot water bath digestion where sample digestion and dilution are performed in the original sample tube. This method is faster than the typical methods used and reduces potential sources of error. Masses as small as 0.01 g have been digested and analysed using this method. The preparation and digestion time is reduced from 10 h to less than 4 h. Acid volumes are reduced from millilitres to microlitres and the only disposable supplies needed are sample tubes and pipette tips. Method accuracy was determined by digesting seven replicates of two standard reference materials using the S.M.A.R.T. method and analysing samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The S.M.A.R.T. digestion method was found to provide excellent recoveries for Al (76 ± 2.7%), Mn (99 ± 11%), Co (92 ± 17%), Ni (93 ± 28%), Cu (109 ± 33%), Zn (97 ± 7.1%), As (108 ± 20%), Sr (90 ± 12%), Mo (84 ± 23%), Ag (91 ± 1.8%), Cd (95 ± 6.2%), Sn (139 ± 52%) and Pb (95 ± 22%). This study has successfully developed an efficient and reproducible digestion method for heavy metal determination in limited biomass samples.     

可靠性试验自动测试系统的设计

介绍基于GPIB技术的可靠性试验自动测试系统的设计,详细阐述了该系统的硬件组成和软件编程。该自动测试系统不仅具有很高的测试效率和测试精度,而且操作简单,具有良好的扩展性,适用于通用雷达装备板级可靠性试验的评估与验证。经过长时间的试验测试以及获得的大量数据表明,该可靠性试验测试系统运行稳定可靠,数据采集、存储、分析方便,满足通用雷达可靠性试验的测试要求。     

堆焊熔敷层表面纳米晶层摩擦磨损性能研究

用预压力滚压技术在堆焊修复层表面制备纳米晶层.利用TEM、SEM分析技术研究表面纳米晶层微观结构,利用CETR-3型多功能摩擦磨损试验机考察在干摩擦条件下堆焊层表面纳米晶层的摩擦磨损性能.结果表明堆焊修复层表面经表面纳米化处理后,表面形成厚度约为10μm(晶粒尺寸小于100 nm)的纳米晶层,最表面层平均晶粒尺寸约为10 nm.纳米压痕试验表明纳米晶层的硬度提高,最表面纳米晶层的硬度约为原始堆焊层硬度的3倍.与原始堆焊试样相比,表面纳米化试样的摩擦系数降低了10%,磨损体积降低了25%~30%左右.表面纳米化样品的磨损机制由原始堆焊层的磨粒磨损和黏着磨损转变为磨粒磨损,分析表明晶粒细化导致的高硬度、低塑性是摩擦磨损性能改善和磨损机制改变的主要原因.     

Editorial

On the start occasion of the New Year, 2010, we would like to extendour sincere appreciations and compliments to all readers, authors,reviewers, all the members of the editorial board of Optoelectronics     

Thou Shalt Not Clone One Bit!

We prove a no-triplets theorem for spin 1 particles, which implies a strengthened form of the no-cloning theorem.