In situ FTIR diagnostics of the radio-frequency plasma decomposition of N2O

The decomposition of N₂O in a 13.56-MHz parallel-plate system was studied usingin situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Areas of two infrared absorption bands of N₂O recorded at 8 cm^–1 resolution were used to estimate relative gas-phase dissociation as a function of rf power and flow rate at 500 mT. Flow rate was found to strongly affect band areas over the range of powers investigated (10–90 W). The effect of rf power on band areas diminished above 40 W, probably due to poor plasma confinement. Distortion of the band shapes by the plasma permitted rotational temperatures to be estimated. Rotational temperature increased essentially linearly with power at constant flow rate, reaching 450 K at 80 W, but was independent of flow rate at constant power. Rotational temperatures were also found to depend on the temperature of the electrodes, which were heated by plasma exposure. No infrared-active product species were observed even under batch conditions where all N₂O was irreversibly dissociated. This lack of detectable products and a 50% pressure rise observed in a batch study suggest that N₂ and O₂ are the primary stable discharge products.     

A comparison between RF-driven single and double cathode structures

Experimental results are presented for the electron density, bias voltage, and dark space size surrounding a 18-cm-diameter cathode situated in the centre of a 30-cm-diameter, 30-cm-long glass vacuum chamber, containing low-pressure argon. The cathode is a single aluminium plate to which can be added another plate situated at various distances from the first and electrically connected to it. The effect of the second cathode is to dramatically reduce the self-bias on the driven cathode and considerably increase the luminosity: The plasma density increases but at a significantly smaller rate.     

Development of Na+-sensitive membranes based on sputtered Na-Al-Si glasses

Na⁺-sensitive microdevices are of increasing interest for integration in microanalytical systems e.g. for biomedical applications or for industrial process control. In order to produce ultra thin Na⁺-sensitive layers with fixed and reproducible composition and, in particular, defined Na concentration by means of RF sputtering, an off-axis geometry of a magnetron with cylindrical target was chosen for minimizing back-sputtering effects from the already deposited material. With this inverted cylindrical magnetron (ICM) it was possible to obtain reproducible and controllable sodium aluminosilicate glass layers on semiconductor substrates. Several surface and thin layer analytical techniques were applied for characterization of the membranes and for stoichiometry control. Especially by the non-destructive nuclear reaction analysis method a constant Na profile throughout the glass layer and — together with AES depth profiles — the diffusion barrier effect of an Si₃N₄ interface layer could be verified. Electrochemical measurements proved Nernstian sensitivity down to 10^–4 M Na⁺ in solutions of pH 7, supporting sufficient stability and reproducibility of the sputtered Na⁺-sensitive layers.     

Influence of oxygen flow rate on the surface chemistry and morphology of radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtered zinc oxide thin films

Zinc oxide thin films were deposited, by radio frequency magnetron sputtering, on heated and unheated substrates. The oxygen flow rate was varied during deposition, and its effects on the structural and chemical properties of the films were investigated. The films had oriented c‐axis growth with nano‐crystallite size. Their surfaces manifested columnar microstructure, with a surface roughness that was suppressed by the introduction of oxygen. Chemical analysis showed that deposition under an oxygen atmosphere resulted in substantial reduction of oxygen vacancies, with a corresponding incorporation of chemisorbed species. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of Amplitude of the Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation on Aqueous Suspensions and Solutions

The effects of radiofrequency (RF) (1–4) and magnetic fields (5–9) on the behavior of aqueous solutions and suspensions have been a popular subject in recent years. The mechanism of the magnetic “water memory” effect, though, is still largely unknown (5). In this work, we present evidence that the primary “receptor” of the electromagnetic radiation is a gas/liquid interface. Gas can be either already present in water or produced by the effects of electromagnetic fields. Perturbed gas/liquid interfaces require hours to equilibrate. Certain RF and magnetic signals also produce reactive oxygen and hydrogen species (superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen, atomic hydrogen). The perturbed gas/liquid interface modifies the hydrogen bonding networks in water and also the hydration of ions and interfaces. Careful outgassing removes all of the effects of the electromagnetic fields, including the magnetic memory effect. The amplitude of the applied field influences the observed effects. Different amplitudes of RF radiation perturb the interfacial water in different ways and consequently affect the behavior of colloids and ions in specific manners. For instance, the bulk and template precipitation of calcium carbonate, zeta potentials of suspended colloids, rate of dissolution of colloidal silica, and attachment of colloidal silica to metal surfaces are modified in specific ways with the low amplitude or high amplitude RF treatments described in this paper. The solubility/diffusivity of gas species is also modified in a different manner, and it is probably at the core of the specificity of the RF amplitude effects.     

Tetrachlorosilane Consumption in Radio Frequency Glow Discharge

Time-resolved mass spectrometry was used for analysis of the plasma reactions in radio frequency (RF) SiCl ₄ and SiCl ₄ –O ₂ discharges as functions of starting partial pressure and electrical power. Molecular concentrations of the reactants and products from SiCl ₄ alone and with O ₂ were obtained from the mass spectra and used for plotting the kinetic curves. The SiCl ₄ and O ₂ consumption rates were calculated from the kinetic curves and compared with results of theoretical simulation of the reaction. Direct electron impact decomposition was found to be the main pathway for pure SiCl ₄ conversion. On the contrary, the consumption of SiCl ₄ in the SiCl ₄ +O ₂ mixtures was largely chemical. The experimental macrokinetics are in agreement with a model in which oxidation is caused by the atomic oxygen.     

Critical comparison of emission spectroscopic determination of dissociation in hydrogen RF discharges

The degree of dissociation of molecular hydrogen in a RF parallel plate plasma reactor is analyzed by three dif erent emission spectroscopic methods. These schemes are based on the comparison of line intensities of atomic and molecular hydrogen and of argon which is admixed as a tracer gas (actinometry). The different schemes yield similar results in the parameter ranges where they are applicable. The basic assumptions, the available cross sections, and the conditions and limitations of applicability of the different schemes are compared and discussed.     

Self‐Assembly of Coiled Coils in Synthetic Biology: Inspiration and Progress

Biological self‐assembly is very complex and results in highly functional materials. In effect, it takes a bottom‐up approach using biomolecular building blocks of precisely defined shape, size, hydrophobicity, and spatial distribution of functionality. Inspired by, and drawing lessons from self‐assembly processes in nature, scientists are learning how to control the balance of many small forces to increase the complexity and functionality of self‐assembled nanomaterials. The coiled‐coil motif, a multipurpose building block commonly found in nature, has great potential in synthetic biology. In this review we examine the roles that the coiled‐coil peptide motif plays in self‐assembly in nature, and then summarize the advances that this has inspired in the creation of functional units, assemblies, and systems.     

柴胡舒肝丸的毛细管电泳指纹图谱及其黄芩苷含量的测定

建立了柴胡舒肝丸(Chaihu Shugan Pill, CHSGP)的毛细管区带电泳指纹图谱(capillary electrophoresis fingerprint, CEFP),并采用内标法测定了黄芩苷的含量。以50 mmol/L硼砂-150 mmol/L磷酸二氢钠-50 mmol/L磷酸氢二钠(1:1:1, v/v/v)(含5 mmol/L庚烷磺酸钠)为背景电解质(BGE)溶液,采用未涂层石英毛细管(总长度75 cm,有效分离长度63 cm,内径75 μm),以色谱指纹图谱分离量指数(RF)为目标函数优化实验条件,在紫外检测波长265 nm、运行电压11 kV条件下,以黄芩苷峰为参照物峰,确定了22个共有指纹峰,建立了CHSGP的CEFP,通过对20批样品聚类分析确定用其中13批生成对照CEFP(RCEFP),以此RCEFP为标准用系统指纹定量法鉴别20批柴胡舒肝丸质量。结果其中的4批化学成分数量和分布比例不合格,4批含量明显偏低,其他12批完全合格。采用内标法测定黄芩苷的含量,在5～200 mg/L范围内线性良好(r=0.9999),平均回收率(n=9)为98.2%。该法具有较好的精密度和重现性,为柴胡舒肝丸的质量控制提供了一种新的参考。