Erbium in silicon–germanium quantum wells

Strained Si_1−xGe_x/Si quantum wells have been doped with erbium by implantation. A comparison is made with strained Si_1−xGe_x/Si quantum wells and relaxed Si_1−xGe_x, with x between 10% and 25%, doped with erbium during MBE growth. The erbium concentration was between 1×10¹⁸ and 5×10¹⁸ cm⁻³ throughout the active regions. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence studies indicate that good regrowth can been achieved after full amorphisation by implantation of the strained quantum wells. The erbium luminescence is more intense in the Si_1−xGe_x/Si layers, but erbium-implanted samples containing Si_1−xGe_x exhibit defect luminescence in the region of 0.9–1.0 eV. These defects are also present when Si_1−xGe_x/Si quantum wells are implanted with an amorphising dose of silicon, and then regrown. They are attributed to small germanium-rich platelets, rather than to erbium-related defects. Electroluminescence is presented from a forward biased erbium-implanted Si_0.87Ge_0.13/Si structure at a drive current density of only 1.8 mA/cm².     

Elemental content of erythrocytes from patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery using PIXE analysis

Summary This on-going study was conducted on erythrocytes to further establish the content of elements of blood fractions from patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery. As the quality and quantity of elements in these samples were unknown, proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis was chosen for its multi-elemental analysis capabilities on small mass samples. Previous work demonstrated the detection of several elements using PIXE analysis and that the elemental concentrations of S, Cl, Ca and Fe were worthy of note. It is indicated that continuing analysis of these cell fractions may be significant in the study of trace element metabolism as it provides insight into understanding mechanisms for preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and hence a patient's state of health. The analysis of erythrocytes was conducted at pre, during and post-operative timepoints to investigate the changes that occur during and post-surgical intervention. Elements Na, Mg, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br and Rb were detected in erythrocytes at all surgery timepoints and from normalized graphs, elements S, K and Fe revealed that the changes in concentration through surgery followed an almost identical pattern. It is anticipated that statistical correlation and interpretation of data may provide, in the long-term, information that could have an impact on the patients' rate of recovery or appropriate aftercare.     

Photoinduced electron transfer between the interlocked components of porphyrin catenanes: effect of the presence of nonequivalent reduction sites on the charge recombination rate

[2]Catenanes made up of several polyether-strapped porphyrin macrocycles interlinked with the cyclic electron acceptor cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) were spectroscopically, photophysically, and electrochemically characterized. The catenanes exhibit very rich redox behavior due to the presence of several different and interacting electro-active subunits. The redox patterns represent useful "fingerprints" that provide detailed information on the electronic interactions and the chemical environments that the electroactive subunits experience in the supramolecular arrays. A photoinduced electron transfer from the porphyrin excited state (charge separation CS) occurs with tau=20 ps in the catenanes with a larger strap and faster than 20 ps (instrumental resolution) in the catenanes with a shorter strap. The resulting charge-separated state recombines to the ground state (charge recombination CR) with lifetimes similar in all cases, 41+/-4 ps. Comparison of the electron transfer rates CS and CR in the host-guest complexes of the same porphyrins with the noncyclic electron acceptor paraquat, indicate slower reactions in the [2]catenanes. This behavior is assigned to the different separation between reacting partners determined by the type of bond (weak interaction or mechanical) and to a two-step consecutive electron transfer to different sites of the macrocyclic electron acceptor in the catenanes which retards charge recombination.     

Usefulness of nuclear and atomic-based analysis techniques in air pollution studies in Nigeria

Three nuclear and atomic-based techniques for elemental analysis of air-particulate samples are discussed in terms of their usefulness in an environmental monitoring and impact assessment programme, supported by the European Economic Community, in Nigeria. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis are compared with respect to the number of elements detected and the detection limits obtained for air-particulate matrices. The latter is used in conjunction with Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) in order to correct for variations in matrix composition. A scanning electron microprobe (SEM) with analytical facilities is also employed mainly for characterization of the air-particulates through measurement of particle size and morphology. The value of carrying out statistical analysis for differentiating between collection sites or sources of pollution is emphasised. Reference to results obtained from the analysis of air-particulates collected during the Harmattan season at Kano and Ife, separated by about 1000 km place the problem in context and serve to illustrate the requirements.     

Ion irradiation induced Al-Ti interaction in nano-scaled Al/Ti multilayers

Interactions induced in Al/Ti multilayers by implantation of Ar ions at room temperature were investgated. Initial structures consisted of (Al/Ti) × 5 multilayers deposited by d.c. ion sputtering on Si(1 0 0) wafers, to a total thickness of ∼250 nm. They were irradiated with 200 keV Ar⁺ ions, to the fluences from 5 × 10¹⁵ to 4 × 10¹⁶ ions/cm². It was found that ion irradiation induced a progressed intermixing of the multilayer constituents and Al-Ti nanoalloying for the highest applied fluence. The resulting nanocrystalline structure had a graded composition with non-reacted or interdiffused Al and Ti, and γ-AlTi and AlTi₃ intermetallic phases. Most intense reactivity was observed around mid depth of the multilayers, where most energy was deposited by the impact ions. It is presumed that Al-Ti chemical reaction is triggered by thermal spikes and further enhanced by chemical driving forces. The applied processing can be interesting for fabrication of tightly bond multilayered structures with gradual changes of their composition and properties.     

Accurate determination of the Ca:P ratio in rough hydroxyapatite samples by SEM‐EDS,PIXE and RBS—a comparative study

The Ca:P ratio in a certified standard of hydroxyapatite was determined by X‐ray spectrometry (XRS), with the X‐rays excited by both electrons and ions using energy dispersive spectroscopy on the scanning electron microscope (SEM‐EDS) and particle‐induced X‐ray emission (PIXE). The certified value of Ca:P was accurately verified by 3 MeV ⁴He⁺ Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS). We show that the demonstrably rough surface of this sample does not cause perturbation of the Ca:P ratio within the uncertainties of each of the XRS measurements. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Translational isomerism and dynamics in multi-hydroquinone derived porphyrin [2]- and [3]-catenanes

A series of porphyrins strapped with polyether chains containing two or three 1,4-dioxybenzene units has been synthesised with a view to the production of porphyrin-containing [2] and [3]catenanes, where the porphyrin is strapped between ortho-positions of 5,15-(meso)-diaryl groups, and is interlinked with the bipyridinium macrocycle cyclobis(paraquat-4,4'-biphenylene). The porphyrins were isolated as mixtures of atropisomers, where the linking strap spans across the face of the porphyrin (alpha,alpha-isomer), or 'twisted' around its side (alpha,beta-isomer). Their structures were determined by detailed 1H NMR spectroscopy. The bis-1,4-dioxybenzene-strapped derivatives were shown to undergo atropisomerisation on heating, to produce an equilibrium mixture. Catenation under high pressure conditions of the mixture, or of the individual isomers, produced only a single catenane, that of the alpha,alpha-isomer. Its structure was determined by mass spectral and dynamic NMR measurements. Rates were determined for: (i) translational motion or 'shuttling' between 1,4-dioxybenzenes; (ii) 'rotation' of the macrocycle around the 1,4-dioxybenzene axis; and (iii) 'rocking' of the 1,4-dioxybenzene within the macrocycle. The atropisomers of the strapped derivatives containing three 1,4-dioxybenzene units were also separated, and subjected to catenation. Both [2]- and [3]catenanes were isolated, and were shown to be stable to further atropisomerisation. Their solution structures were probed in detail by dynamic 1H NMR measurements. The rates for shuttling and rotation were obtained in certain cases, although the complexity of the spectra of the [3]catenanes prevented a more detailed investigation.     

Bacterial adhesion on ion-implanted stainless steel surfaces

Stainless steel disks were implanted with N⁺, O⁺ and SiF₃⁺, respectively at the Surrey Ion Beam Centre. The surface properties of the implanted surfaces were analyzed, including surface chemical composition, surface topography, surface roughness and surface free energy. Bacterial adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, which frequently cause medical device-associated infections was evaluated under static condition and laminar flow condition. The effect of contact time, growth media and surface properties of the ion-implanted steels on bacterial adhesion was investigated. The experimental results showed that SiF₃⁺-implanted stainless steel performed much better than N⁺-implanted steel, O⁺-implanted steel and untreated stainless steel control on reducing bacterial attachment under identical experimental conditions.     

Preparation and characterization of metallorganic chemical vapour deposited LixMoyOz using a single source solid precursor

Thin films of Li_xMo_yO_z have been deposited on glass substrate in a one step chemical vapour deposition using a single source solid precursor. The films were characterized using Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS), X-Ray Diffractometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Impedance Spectroscopy (IS), van der Pauw conductivity measurement and Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy. Results of the characterization showed that the films are dendritic, polycrystalline and semiconducting with an optical transition energy of 3.0 eV. IS characterization gave a semicircle in the complex impedance plot. The conductivity vs. temperature plot showed a transition at 450 °C and also a hysteresis. Analysis showed the film to be mixture of phases.