Growth of Silicon Carbide Bulk Crystals by Physical Vapor Transport Method and Modeling Efforts in the Process Optimization

Silicon carbide bulk crystals were grown in an induction-heating furnace using the physical vapor transport method. Crystal growth modeling was performed to obtain the required inert gas pressure and temperatures for sufficiently large growth rates. The SiC crystals were expanded by designing a growth chamber having a positive temperature gradient along the growth interface. The obtained 6H-SiC crystals were cut into wafers and characterized by Raman scattering spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, and the results showed that most parts of the crystals had good crystallographic structures.

The effect of diffusion and overhangs/vacancies on the microstructure of zig-zag thin film

Basing on some growth models of thin film, we have investigated the growth mechanism of glancing angle deposition (GLAD) film. The simulation verifies that the overhangs/vacancies also contribute to the columnar growth as well as the self-shadowing effect for GLAD thin film. Besides, we have studied the effect of the deposition rate, surface and bulk diffusions on the microstructure of thin film using the time-dependent Monte Carlo method. The results show that the surface and bulk diffusions can significantly enhance the packing density of thin film in GLAD growth, and the increase of the deposition rate induce the moderate decrease of the packing density. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

水稻分蘖逆制的可塑性生长发育试验和模型辅助分析: 应用植物生长模型缩减基因型与表现型的间隙

表现型是基因型和环境相互作用的结果，不同环境条件下给定基因型能表达为不同的表型，这是我们所熟知的植物表型可塑性。可塑性一方面帮助植物更好地适应不利环境，但我们也不得不承认可塑性，使得人们难以从表型直接理解基因功能。如今，基因组学快速发展允许解密基因更迅速便捷，甚至发现大量基因。因此，进一步理解可塑性过程的基因背景、理解基因和环境对表型的作用非常必要。由于从基因到表型非线性过程，从而引起基因型和表型差异，期望有效方法或工具能跨越这个横沟。植物生长模型已被开发用来模拟植物响应环境动态关系，并且将参数和环境整合到模型方法中。因此，普遍认为植物生长模型将在探讨复杂可塑性基因功能扮演重要作用。水稻是普遍应用在基因组学和功能基因组学典型的模式植物。水稻分蘖是重要的基因依赖环境敏感的过程，这是农学上非常关注的现象。本文将应用模型方法理解水稻分蘖逆制的可塑性。本研究设计了一个相对优化环境条件下，野生型水稻分蘖逆制试验，该试验有两个处理（1）手工剪切分蘖;（2）一个TDNA突变体，并分别设置对照。本试验在法国国际农业研究发展中心（CIRAD）温室开展，每个试验利用水培方法，培育植株50天左右（营养生长阶段）。在营养生长阶段，定期破坏性测量单个器官的鲜重、干重和单个器官的大小。本文尝试应用两个植物生长模型模拟和解释水稻响应分蘖逆制表型发育。GreenLab是一个植物结构数学模型，已被开发用来模拟植物结构动态和结构功能反馈。植物3D结构决定光捕获和生物产量，然后，生物量分配到新的器官，因此，器官形态结构将发生变化，新阶段的生物量生产将会更新。通过基于最小二乘法的CornerFit软件实现了模型参数优化。另一个模型EcoMeristem，基于作物模型和形态发生概念，用来模拟水稻分生组织活动、器官发生和形态过程等可塑性过程，内部竞争指数Ic主要与环境相关，参数主要描述基因功能。通过植物生长过程模拟与测量的优化，手工提取了模型参数。这两个植物生长模型演示了缩减基因型与表型之间的差距，并实现了水稻响应分蘖完全逆制的可塑性过程。GreenLab模型有一个极好的器官发生基础，但本研究限于单茎拓扑结构。另外，该模型有更长的时间步长，这对描述植物可塑性没有提供足够的分辨能力，这在EcoMeristem模型中得到了解决。很明显，EcoMeristem模型有更弱的结构基础，这可能蕴含了一些可塑性信息的缺失。总体而言，EcoMeristem模型有更专业的可塑性过程、基因环境理解和表达能力。

Integration of double-fluorescence expression vectors into zebrafish genome for the selection of site-directed knockout/knockin

Production of zebrafish by modifying endogenous growth hormone (GH) gene through homologous recombination is described here. We first constructed the targeting vectors pGHT1.7k and pGHT2.8k, which were used for the knockout/knockin of the endogenous GH gene of zebrafish, and injected these two vectors into the embryos of zebrafish. Overall, the rate of targeted integration with the characteristic of germ line transmission in zebrafish was 1.7x10(-6). In one experimental patch, the integrating efficiency of pGHT2.8k was higher than that of pGHT1.7k, but the lethal effect of pGHT2.8k was stronger than that of pGHT1.7k. The clones with the correct integration of target genes were identified by a simple screening procedure based on green fluorescent protein (GFP) and RFP dual selection, which corresponded to homologous recombination and random insertion, respectively. The potential homologous recombination zebrafish was further bred to produce a heterozygous F-1 generation, selected based on the presence of GFP. The potential targeted integration of exogenous GH genes into a zebrafish genome at the P-0 generation was further verified by polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis. Approximately 2.5% of potential founder knockout and knockin zebrafish had the characteristic of germ line transmission. In this study, we developed an efficient method for producing the targeted gene modification in zebrafish for future studies on genetic modifications and gene functions using this model organism.

Carbonization process of Si(100) by ion-beam bombardment

The evolution of carbonization process on Si as a function of ion dose has been carried out by mass-selected ion-beam deposition technique. 3C-SiC layer has been obtained at low ion dose, which has been observed by reflection high energy electron diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The chemical states of Si and carbon have also been examined as a function of ion dose by XPS. Carbon enrichment was found regardless of the used ion dose here, which may be due to the high deposition rate. The formation mechanism of SiC has also been discussed based on the subplantation process. The work will also provide further understanding of the ion-bombardment effect. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

Growing process of CdS nanoclusters in zeolite Y studied by positron annihilation

Zeolite Y has been used as the host to generate CdS nanoclusters. The location of CdS nanoclusters inside zeolite hosts was confirmed by the blue-shifted reflection absorption spectra with respect to that of bulk CdS materials. But which kind of cage inside zeolite Y, sodalite cage or supercage, was preferred for the CdS clusters remained unclear. In this paper, we conducted positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) measurements for the first time on a series of CdS/Y zeolite samples and concluded that CdS clusters were not located in supercages but in smaller sodalite cages. The stability of CdS clusters inside the sodalite units was due to the coordination of Cd atoms with the framework oxygen atoms of the double six-ring windows. Moreover, PAS revealed some important information of surface states existing on the interfacial layers between CdS clusters and zeolite Y. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B,V, All rights reserved.

The Essential Role of Endogenous Ghrelin in Growth Hormone Expression during Zebrafish Adenohypophysis Development

Ghrelin, a multifunctional hormone, including potent GH stimulation activity, has been suggested to be important during embryonic development. Expression of ghrelin has been confirmed in the zebrafish pancreas during embryonic stages. Interfering with ghrelin function using two specific antisense morpholino oligonucleotides causes defects during zebrafish embryonic development. In ghrelin morphants the expression of GH was abolished in zebrafish somatotropes, whereas the expression patterns of the other key molecules involved in hypothalamic-pituitary development and distinct pituitary hormones genes remain largely intact at the appropriate time during zebrafish adenohypophysis development. Effective rescue of the ghrelin morphants with exogenous ghrelin mRNA showed that the correct gene had been targeted. Moreover, by analyzing the efficiencies of the ghrelin morphants rescue experiments with various forms of exogenous mutant ghrelin mRNAs, we also demonstrated the essentiality of the form acyl-ghrelin on GH stimulation during zebrafish adenohypophysis development. Our in vivo experiments, for the first time, also provided evidence of the existence of functional obestatin in the C-terminal part of zebrafish proghrelin peptides. Our research here has demonstrated that zebrafish is a unique model for functional studies of endogenous ghrelin, especially during embryonic development. (Endocrinology 150: 2767-2774, 2009)

Hybrid numerical methods for exponential models of growth

A series of novel numerical methods for the exponential models of growth are proposed. Based on these methods, hybrid predictor-corrector methods are constructed. The hybrid numerical methods can increase the accuracy and the computing speed obviously, as well as enlarge the stability domain greatly. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Modeling of Ammonothermal Growth of Nitrides

Bulk single crystals of GaN and AlN can be grown from supercritical fluids using the ammonothermal method, which utilizes ammonia as fluid rather than water as in the hydrothermal process. In this process, a mineralizer such as amide, imide or nitride is used to attack a bulk nitride feedstock at temperatures from 200°C to 500°C and pressures from 1 to 4 kbar. Ammonothermal systems have been modeled here using fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and heat transfer models. The nutrient is considered as a porous media bed and the fluid flow is simulated using the Darcy-Brinkman-Forchheimer model. The resulting governing equations are solved using the finite volume method. The effects of particle size on flow pattern and temperature distribution in an autoclave are analyzed.

Progress In Modeling Of Fluid Flows In Crystal Growth Processes

Modeling of fluid flows in crystal growth processes has become an important research area in theoretical and applied mechanics. Most crystal growth processes involve fluid flows, such as flows in the melt, solution or vapor. Theoretical modeling has played an important role in developing technologies used for growing semiconductor crystals for high performance electronic and optoelectronic devices. The application of devices requires large diameter crystals with a high degree of crystallographic perfection, low defect density and uniform dopant distribution. In this article, the flow models developed in modeling of the crystal growth processes such as Czochralski, ammonothermal and physical vapor transport methods are reviewed. In the Czochralski growth modeling, the flow models for thermocapillary flow, turbulent flow and MHD flow have been developed. In the ammonothermal growth modeling, the buoyancy and porous media flow models have been developed based on a single-domain and continuum approach for the composite fluid-porous layer systems. In the physical vapor transport growth modeling, the Stefan flow model has been proposed based on the flow-kinetics theory for the vapor growth. In addition, perspectives for future studies on crystal growth modeling are proposed. (c) 2008 National Natural Science Foundation of China and Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier Limited and Science in China Press. All rights reserved.

Peeling Experiments Of Ductile Thin Films Along Ceramic Substrates - Critical Assessment Of Analytical Models

Two types of peeling experiments are performed in the present research. One is for the Al film/Al2O3 substrate system with an adhesive layer between the film and the substrate. The other one is for the Cu film/Al2O3 substrate system without adhesive layer between the film and the substrate, and the Cu films are electroplated onto the Al2O3 substrates. For the case with adhesive layer, two kinds of adhesives are selected, which are all the mixtures of epoxy and polyimide with mass ratios 1:1.5 and 1:1, respectively. The relationships between energy release rate, the film thickness and the adhesive layer thickness are measured during the steady-state peeling process. The effects of the adhesive layer on the energy release rate are analyzed. Using the experimental results, several analytical criteria for the steady-state peeling based on the bending model and on the two-dimensional finite element analysis model are critically assessed. Through assessment of analytical models, we find that the cohesive zone criterion based on the beam bend model is suitable for a weak interface strength case and it describes a macroscale fracture process zone case, while the two-dimensional finite element model is effective to both the strong interface and weak interface, and it describes a small-scale fracture process zone case. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A constitutive model for cavitation and cavity growth in rubber-like materials under arbitrary tri-axial loading

In this paper, we attempted to construct a constitutive model to deal with the phenomenon of cavitation and cavity growth in a rubber-like material subjected to an arbitrary tri-axial loading. To this end, we considered a spherical elementary representative volume in a general Rivlin's incompressible material containing a central spherical cavity. The kinematics proposed by [Hou, H.S., Abeyaratne, R., 1992. Cavitation in elastic and elastic-plastic solids. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 40, 571-722] was adopted in order to construct an approximate but optimal field. In order to establish a suitable constitutive law for this class of materials, we utilized the homogenisation technique that permits us to calculate the average strain energy density of the volume. The cavity growth was considered through a physically realistic failure criterion. Combination of the constitutive law and the failure criterion enables us to describe correctly the global behaviour and the damage evolution of the material under tri-axial loading. It was shown that the present models can efficiently reproduce different stress states, varying from uniaxial to tri-axial tensions, observed in experimentations. Comparison between predicted results and experimental data proves that the proposed model is accurate and physically reasonable. Another advantage is that the proposed model does not need special identification work, the initial Rivlin's law for the corresponding incompressible material is sufficient to form the new law for the compressible material resulted from cavitation procedure. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of Thermocapillary Convection on the Growth Process in Industrial 8-inch Silicon Czochralski Growth

Czochralski (CZ) crystal growth process is a widely used technique in manufacturing of silicon crystals and other semiconductor materials. The ultimate goal of the IC industry is to have the highest quality substrates, which are free of point defect, impurities and micro defect clusters. The scale up of silicon wafer size from 200 mm to 300 mm requires large crucible size and more heat power. Transport phenomena in crystal growth processes are quite complex due to melt and gas flows that may be oscillatory and/or turbulent, coupled convection and radiation, impurities and dopant distributions, unsteady kinetics of the growth process, melt crystal interface dynamics, free surface and meniscus, stoichiometry in the case of compound materials. A global model has been developed to simulate the temperature distribution and melt flow in an 8-inch system. The present program features the fluid convection, magnetohydrodynamics, and radiation models. A multi-zone method is used to divide the Cz system into different zones, e.g., the melt, the crystal and the hot zone. For calculation of temperature distribution, the whole system inside the stainless chamber is considered. For the convective flow, only the melt is considered. The widely used zonal method divides the surface of the radiation enclosure into a number of zones, which has a uniform distribution of temperature, radiative properties and composition. The integro-differential equations for the radiative heat transfer are solved using the matrix inversion technique. The zonal method for radiative heat transfer is used in the growth chamber, which is confined by crystal surface, melt surface, heat shield, and pull chamber. Free surface and crystal/melt interface are tracked using adaptive grid generation. The competition between the thermocapillary convection induced by non-uniform temperature distributions on the free surface and the forced convection by the rotation of the crystal determines the interface shape, dopant distribution, and striation pattern. The temperature gradients on the free surface are influenced by the effects of the thermocapillary force on the free surface and the rotation of the crystal and the crucible.