Low cost ion implantation technique

We describe an approach to ion implantation in which the plasma and its electronics are held at ground potential and the ion beam is formed and injected energetically into a space held at high negative potential. The technique allows considerable savings both economically and technologically, rendering feasible ion implantation applications that might otherwise not be possible for many researchers and laboratories. Here, we describe the device and the results of tests demonstrating Nb implantation at 90 keV ion energy and dose about 2 x 10(16) cm(-2). (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4768699]

Gold ion implantation into alumina using an “inverted ion source” configuration.

We describe an approach to ion implantation in which the plasma and its electronics are held at ground potential and the ion beam is injected into a space held at high negative potential, allowing considerable savings both economically and technologically. We used an “inverted ion implanter” of this kind to carry out implantation of gold into alumina, with Au ion energy 40 keV and dose (3–9) × 1016 cm−2. Resistivity was measured in situ as a function of dose and compared with predictions of a model based on percolation theory, in which electron transport in the composite is explained by conduction through a random resistor network formed by Au nanoparticles. Excellent agreement is found between the experimental results and the theory.

Low energy elastic and electronically inelastic electron scattering from biomolecules.

Reactions initiated by collisions with low-energy secondary electrons has been found to be the prominent mechanism toward the radiation damage on living tissues through DNA strand breaks. Now it is widely accepted that during the interaction with these secondary species the selective breaking of chemical bonds is triggered by dissociative electron attachment (DEA), that is, the capture of the incident electron and the formation of temporary negative ion states [1,2,3]. One of the approaches largely used toward a deeper understanding of the radiation damage to DNA is through modeling of DEA with its basic constituents (nucleotide bases, sugar and other subunits). We have tried to simplify this approach and attempt to make it comprehensible at a more fundamental level by looking at even simple molecules. Studies involving organic systems such as carboxylic acids, alcohols and simple ¯ve-membered heterocyclic compounds are taken as starting points for these understanding. In the present study we investigate the role played by elastic scattering and electronic excitation of molecules on electron-driven chemical processes. Special attention is focused on the analysis of the in°uence of polarization and multichannel coupling e®ects on the magnitude of elastic and electronically inelastic cross-sections. Our aim is also to investigate the existence of resonances in the elastic and electronically inelastic channels as well as to characterize them with respect to its type (shape, core-excited or Feshbach), symmetry and position. The relevance of these issues is evaluated within the context of possible applications for the modeling of discharge environments and implications in the understanding of mutagenic rupture of DNA chains. The scattering calculations were carried out with the Schwinger multichannel method (SMC) [4] and its implementation with pseudopotentials (SMCPP) [5] at di®erent levels of approximation for impact energies ranging from 0.5 eV to 30 eV. References [1] B. Boudai®a, P. Cloutier, D. Hunting, M. A. Huels and L. Sanche, Science 287, 1658 (2000). [2] X. Pan, P. Cloutier, D. Hunting and L. Sanche, Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 208102 (2003). [3] F. Martin, P. D. Burrow, Z. Cai, P. Cloutier, D. Hunting and L. Sanche, Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 068101 (2004). [4] K. Takatsuka and V. McKoy, Phys. Rev. A 24, 2437 (1981); ibid. Phys. Rev. A 30, 1734 (1984). [5] M. H. F. Bettega, L. G. Ferreira and M. A. P. Lima, Phys. Rev. A 47, 1111 (1993).

Low-energy electron collisions with glycine

We report cross sections for elastic electron scattering by gas phase glycine (neutral form), obtained with the Schwinger multichannel method. The present results are the first obtained with a new implementation that combines parallelization with OpenMP directives and pseudopotentials. The position of the well known pi* shape resonance ranged from 2.3 eV to 2.8 eV depending on the polarization model and conformer. For the most stable isomer, the present result (2.4 eV) is in fair agreement with electron transmission spectroscopy assignments (1.93 +/- 0.05 eV) and available calculations. Our results also point out a shape resonance around 9.5 eV in the A' symmetry that would be weakly coupled to vibrations of the hydroxyl group. Since electron attachment to a broad and lower lying sigma* orbital located on the OH bond has been suggested the underlying mechanism leading to dissociative electron attachment at low energies, we sought for a shape resonance around similar to 4 eV. Though we obtained cross sections with the target molecule at the equilibrium geometry and with stretched OH bond lengths, least-squares fits to the calculated eigenphase sums did not point out signatures of this anion state (though, in principle, it could be hidden in the large background). The low energy (similar to 1 eV) integral cross section strongly scales as the bond length is stretched, and this could indicate a virtual state pole, since dipole supported bound states are not expected at the geometries addressed here. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3687345]

Optical transition radiation used in the diagnostic of low energy and low current electron beams in particle accelerators

Optical transition radiation (OTR) plays an important role in beam diagnostics for high energy particle accelerators. Its linear intensity with beam current is a great advantage as compared to fluorescent screens, which are subject to saturation. Moreover, the measurement of the angular distribution of the emitted radiation enables the determination of many beam parameters in a single observation point. However, few works deals with the application of OTR to monitor low energy beams. In this work we describe the design of an OTR based beam monitor used to measure the transverse beam charge distribution of the 1.9-MeV electron beam of the linac injector of the IFUSP microtron using a standard vision machine camera. The average beam current in pulsed operation mode is of the order of tens of nano-Amps. Low energy and low beam current make OTR observation difficult. To improve sensitivity, the beam incidence angle on the target was chosen to maximize the photon flux in the camera field-of-view. Measurements that assess OTR observation (linearity with beam current, polarization, and spectrum shape) are presented, as well as a typical 1.9-MeV electron beam charge distribution obtained from OTR. Some aspects of emittance measurement using this device are also discussed. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4748519]

Characterization of an extrapolation chamber for low-energy X-rays: Experimental and Monte Carlo preliminary results

The extrapolation chamber is a parallel-plate ionization chamber that allows variation of its air-cavity volume. In this work, an experimental study and MCNP-4C Monte Carlo code simulations of an ionization chamber designed and constructed at the Calibration Laboratory at IFEN to be used as a secondary dosimetry standard for low-energy X-rays are reported. The results obtained were within the international recommendations, and the simulations showed that the components of the extrapolation chamber may influence its response up to 11.0%. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Latent track radius of PTFE irradiated with high energy ion beam

PTFE foils were irradiated with different ion beams (Xe, Au and U) with energies up to 1.5 GeV and fluences between 1 x 10(8) and 1 x 10(13) ions/cm(2) at room temperature. The induced modifications in the polymer were analyzed by FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and XRD. In the FTIR spectra, the CF2 degradation accompanied by the formation of CF3 terminal and side groups were observed. In the UV-Vis spectra, the observed increase in the absorption at UV wavelengths is an indication of polymer carbonization. From XRD, the amorphization of the material was evidenced by the decrease in the intensity of the main diffraction peak. An exponential fit of the intensity of the IR absorption peaks resulted in the following values: 2.9 +/- 0.8; 4.5 +/- 0.9 and 5.6 +/- 0.8 nm for the latent track radius after irradiation with Xe, Au and U beams, respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gold nanoparticle formation in diamond-like carbon using two different methods: Gold ion implantation and co-deposition of gold and carbon

We describe work in which gold nanoparticles were formed in diamond-like carbon (DLC), thereby generating a Au-DLC nanocomposite. A high-quality, hydrogen-free DLC thin film was formed by filtered vacuum arc plasma deposition, into which gold nanoparticles were introduced using two different methods. The first method was gold ion implantation into the DLC film at a number of decreasing ion energies, distributing the gold over a controllable depth range within the DLC. The second method was co-deposition of gold and carbon, using two separate vacuum arc plasma guns with suitably interleaved repetitive pulsing. Transmission electron microscope images show that the size of the gold nanoparticles obtained by ion implantation is 3-5 nm. For the Au-DLC composite obtained by co-deposition, there were two different nanoparticle sizes, most about 2 nm with some 6-7 nm. Raman spectroscopy indicates that the implanted sample contains a smaller fraction of sp(3) bonding for the DLC, demonstrating that some sp(3) bonds are destroyed by the gold implantation. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4757029]

Tailored SERS substrates obtained with cathodic arc plasma ion implantation of gold nanoparticles into a polymer matrix

This manuscript reports on the fabrication of plasmonic substrates using cathodic arc plasma ion implantation, in addition to their performance as SERS substrates. The technique allows for the incorporation of a wide layer of metallic nanoparticles into a polymer matrix, such as PMMA. The ability to pattern different structures using the PMMA matrix is one of the main advantages of the fabrication method. This opens up new possibilities for obtaining tailored substrates with enhanced performance for SERS and other surface-enhanced spectroscopies, as well as for exploring the basic physics of patterned metal nanostructures. The architecture of the SERS-active substrate was varied using three adsorption strategies for incorporating a laser dye (rhodamine): alongside the nanoparticles into the polymer matrix, during the polymer cure and within nanoholes lithographed on the polymer. As a proof-of-concept, we obtained the SERS spectra of rhodamine for the three types of substrates. The hypothesis of incorporation of rhodamine molecules into the polymer matrix during the cathodic arc plasma ion implantation was supported by FDTD (Finite-Difference Time-Domain) simulations. In the case of arrays of nanoholes, rhodamine molecules could be adsorbed directly on the gold surface, then yielding a well-resolved SERS spectrum for a small amount of analyte owing to the short-range interactions and the large longitudinal field component inside the nanoholes. The results shown here demonstrate that the approach based on ion implantation can be adapted to produce reproducible tailored substrates for SERS and other surface-enhanced spectroscopies.

Effect of Nitrogen Ion Implantation on the Flexibility of Rotary Nickel-Titanium Instruments

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of nitrogen ion implantation on the flexibility of rotary nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments as measured by the load required to bend implanted and nonimplanted instruments at a 30 degrees angle. Methods: Thirty K3 files, size #40, 0.02 taper and 25-mm length, were allocated into 2 groups as follows: group A, 15 files exposed to nitrogen ion implantation at a dose of 2.5 x 10(17) ions/cm(2), voltage 200 KeV, current density 1 mu A/cm(2), temperature 130 degrees C, and vacuum conditions of 10 x 10(-6) mm Hg for 6 hours; and group B, 15 nonimplanted files. One extra file was used for process control. All instruments were subjected to bend testing on a modified troptometer, with measurement of the load required for flexure to an angle of 30 degrees. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. Findings with P <.05 were considered significant. Results: The mean load required to bend instruments at a 30 degrees angle was 376.26 g for implanted instruments and 383.78 g for nonimplanted instruments. The difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our findings show that nitrogen ion implantation has no appreciable effect on the flexibility of NiTi instruments. (J Endod 2012;38:673-675)

A rationale for long-lived quarks and leptons at the LHC: low energy flavour theory

In the framework of gauged flavour symmetries, new fermions in parity symmetric representations of the standard model are generically needed for the compensation of mixed anomalies. The key point is that their masses are also protected by flavour symmetries and some of them are expected to lie way below the flavour symmetry breaking scale(s), which has to occur many orders of magnitude above the electroweak scale to be compatible with the available data from flavour changing neutral currents and CP violation experiments. We argue that, actually, some of these fermions would plausibly get masses within the LHC range. If they are taken to be heavy quarks and leptons, in (bi)-fundamental representations of the standard model symmetries, their mixings with the light ones are strongly constrained to be very small by electroweak precision data. The alternative chosen here is to exactly forbid such mixings by breaking of flavour symmetries into an exact discrete symmetry, the so-called proton-hexality, primarily suggested to avoid proton decay. As a consequence of the large value needed for the flavour breaking scale, those heavy particles are long-lived and rather appropriate for the current and future searches at the LHC for quasi-stable hadrons and leptons. In fact, the LHC experiments have already started to look for them.

Surface modification by metal ion implantation forming metallic nanoparticles in insulating matrix.

There is special interest in the incorporation of metallic nanoparticles in a surrounding dielectric matrix for obtaining composites with desirable characteristics such as for surface plasmon resonance, which can be used in photonics and sensing, and controlled surface electrical conductivity. We investigated nanocomposites produced through metallic ion implantation in insulating substrate, where the implanted metal self-assembles into nanoparticles. During the implantation, the excess of metal atom concentration above the solubility limit leads to nucleation and growth of metal nanoparticles, driven by the temperature and temperature gradients within the implanted sample including the beam-induced thermal characteristics. The nanoparticles nucleate near the maximum of the implantation depth profile (projected range), that can be estimated by computer simulation using the TRIDYN. This is a Monte Carlo simulation program based on the TRIM (Transport and Range of Ions in Matter) code that takes into account compositional changes in the substrate due to two factors: previously implanted dopant atoms, and sputtering of the substrate surface. Our study suggests that the nanoparticles form a bidimentional array buried few nanometers below the substrate surface. More specifically we have studied Au/PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), Pt/PMMA, Ti/alumina and Au/alumina systems. Transmission electron microscopy of the implanted samples showed the metallic nanoparticles formed in the insulating matrix. The nanocomposites were characterized by measuring the resistivity of the composite layer as function of the dose implanted. These experimental results were compared with a model based on percolation theory, in which electron transport through the composite is explained by conduction through a random resistor network formed by the metallic nanoparticles. Excellent agreement was found between the experimental results and the predictions of the theory. It was possible to conclude, in all cases, that the conductivity process is due only to percolation (when the conducting elements are in geometric contact) and that the contribution from tunneling conduction is negligible.

Nanosized precipitates in H13 tool steel low temperature plasma nitriding

A comprehensive study of pulsed nitriding in AISI H13 tool steel at low temperature (400 degrees C) is reported for several durations. X-ray diffraction results reveal that a nitrogen enriched compound (epsilon-Fe2-3N, iron nitride) builds up on the surface within the first process hour despite the low process temperature. Beneath the surface, X-ray Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy (WDS) in a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) indicates relatively higher nitrogen concentrations (up to 12 at.%) within the diffusion layer while microscopic nitrides are not formed and existing carbides are not dissolved. Moreover, in the diffusion layer, nitrogen is found to be dispersed in the matrix and forming nanosized precipitates. The small coherent precipitates are observed by High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM) while the presence of nitrogen is confirmed by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Hardness tests show that the material hardness increases linearly with the nitrogen concentration, reaching up to 14.5 GPa in the surface while the Young Modulus remains essentially unaffected. Indeed, the original steel microstructure is well preserved even in the nitrogen diffusion layer. Nitrogen profiles show a case depth of about similar to 43 mu m after nine hours of nitriding process. These results indicate that pulsed plasma nitriding is highly efficient even at such low temperatures and that at this process temperature it is possible to form thick and hard nitrided layers with satisfactory mechanical properties. This process can be particularly interesting to enhance the surface hardness of tool steels without exposing the workpiece to high temperatures and altering its bulk microstructure. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Application of Mossbauer spectroscopy to the study of corrosion resistance in NaCl solution of plasma nitrided AISI 316L stainless steel

Corrosion research in steels is one of the areas in which Mossbauer spectroscopy has become a required analytical technique, since it is a powerful tool for both identifying and quantifying distinctive phases (which contain Fe) with accuracy. In this manuscript, this technique was used to the study of corrosion resistance of plasma nitrided AISI 316L samples in the presence of chloride anions. Plasma nitriding has been carried out using dc glow-discharge, nitriding treatments, in medium of 80 vol.% H-2 and 20 vol.% N-2, at 673 K, and at different time intervals: 2, 4, and 7 h. Treated samples were characterized by means of phase composition and morphological analysis, and electrochemical tests in NaCl aerated solution in order to investigate the influence of treatment time on the microstructure and the corrosion resistance, proved by conversion electron Mossbauer spectroscopy (CEMS), glancing angle X-ray diffraction (GAXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and potentiodynamic polarization. A modified layer of about 8 gin was observed for all the nitrided samples, independently of the nitriding time. A metastable phase, S phase or gamma(N), was produced. It seems to be correlated with gamma`-Fe-4 N phase. If the gamma(N) fraction decreases, the gamma` fraction increases. The gamma(N) magnetic nature was analyzed. When the nitriding time increases, the results indicate that there is a significant reduction in the relative fraction of the magnetic gamma(N) (in) phase. In contrast, the paramagnetic gamma(N) (p) phase increases. The GAXRD analysis confirms the Mossbauer results, and it also indicates CrN traces for the sample nitrided for 7 h. Corrosion results demonstrate that time in the plasma nitriding treatment plays an important role for the corrosion resistance. The sample treated for 4 h showed the best result of corrosion resistance. It seems that the epsilon/gamma` fraction ratio plays an important role in thin corrosion resistance since this sample shows the maximum value for this ratio. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Annealing effects on nanostructured gold-polymethylmethacrylate composites: Small-angle x-ray scattering analysis

Composites formed of a polymer-embedded layer of sub-10 nm gold nanoclusters were fabricated by very low energy (49 eV) gold ion implantation into polymethylmethacrylate. We used small angle x-ray scattering to investigate the structural properties of these metal-polymer composite layers that were fabricated at three different ion doses, both in their original form (as-implanted) and after annealing for 6 h well above the polymer glass transition temperature (150 degrees C). We show that annealing provides a simple means for modification of the structure of the composite by coarsening mechanisms, and thereby changes its properties. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4720464]