Influence of quantum-dots density on average in-plane strain of optoelectronic devices investigated by high-resolution X-ray diffraction

High-resolution X-ray diffractometry is used to probe the nature of a diffraction-peak broadening previously noticed in quantum dots (QDs) systems with freestanding InAs islands on top of GaAs (001) substrates [Freitas et al., Phys. Status Solidi (A) 204, 2548 (2007)]. The procedure is hence extended to further investigate the capping process of InAs/GaAs QDs. A direct correlation is established between QDs growth rates and misorientation of lattice-planes at the samples surfaces. This effect provides an alternative too] for studying average strain fields on QDs systems in standard triple axis diffractometers running on X-ray tube sources, which are much more common than synchrotron facilities. (C) 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Hybrid reflections in InGaP/GaAs(001) by synchrotron radiation multiple diffraction

Hybrid reflections (HRs) involving substrate and layer planes (SL type) [Morelhao et al., Appl. Phys. Len. 73 (15), 2194 (1998)] observed in Chemical Beam Epitaxy (CBE) grown InGaP/GaAs(001) structures were used as a three-dimensional probe to analyze structural properties of epitaxial layers. A set of (002) rocking curves (omega-scan) measured for each 15 degrees in the azimuthal plane was arranged in a pole diagram in phi for two samples with different layer thicknesses (#A -58 nm and #B - 370 nm) and this allowed us to infer the azimuthal epilayer homogeneity in both samples. Also, it was shown the occurrence of (1 (1) over bar3) HR detected even in the thinner layer sample. Mappings of the HR diffraction condition (omega:phi) allowed to observe the crystal truncation rod through the elongation of HR shape along the substrate secondary reflection streak which can indicate in-plane match of layer/substrate lattice parameters. (C) 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Dispersion and uncertainty in multislit matter wave diffraction

We show that single and multislit experiments involving matter waves may be constructed to assess dispersively generated correlations between the position and momentum of a single free particle. These correlations give rise to position dependent phases which develop dynamically as a result of dispersion and may play an important role in the interference patterns. To the extent that initial transverse coherence is preserved throughout the proposed diffraction setup, such interference patterns are noticeably different from those of a classical dispersion free wave. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.

MAGNETIC RESONANT X-RAY DIFFRACTION APPLIED TO THE STUDY OF EuTe FILMS AND MULTILAYERS

In this work we use magnetic resonant x-ray diffraction to study the magnetic properties of a 1.5 mu m EuTe film and an EuTe/PbTe superlattice (SL). The samples were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on (111) oriented BaF(2) substrates. The measurements were made at the Eu L(2) absorption edge, taking profit of the resonant enhancement of more than two orders in the magnetically diffracted intensity. At resonance, high counting rates above 11000 cps were obtained for the 1.5 gm EuTe film, allowing to check for the type II antiferromagnetic order of EuTe. An equal population of the three possible in-plane magnetic domains was found. The EuTe/PbTe SL magnetic peak showed a satellite structure, indicating the presence of magnetic correlations among the 5 ML (monolayers) EuTe layers across the 15 ML PbTe non-magnetic spacers. The temperature dependence of the integrated intensities of the film and the SL yielded different Neel temperatures T(N). The lower T(N) for the SL is explained considering the higher influence of the surface atoms, with partial bonds lost.

In situ X-ray diffraction studies of phase transition in Pb1-x La x Zr0.40Ti0.60O3 ferroelectric ceramics

The temperature dependence of the crystalline structure and the lattice parameters of Pb1-xLaxZr0.40Ti0.60O3 ferroelectric ceramic system with 0.00 x 0.21 was determined. The samples with x 0.11 show a cubic-to-tetragonal phase transition at the maximum dielectric permittivity, Tmax. Above this amount and especially for the x = 0.12 sample, a spontaneous phase transition from a relaxor ferroelectric state (cubic phase) to a ferroelectric state (tetragonal phase) is observed upon cooling below the Tmax. Unlike what has been reported in other studies, the x = 0.13, 0.14, and 0.15 samples, which present a more pronounced relaxor behavior, also presents a spontaneous normal-to-relaxor transition, indicated by a cubic to tetragonal symmetry below the Tmax. The origin of this anomaly has been associated with an increase in the degree of tetragonality, confirmed by the measurements of the X-ray diffraction patterns. The differential thermal analysis (DSC) measurements also confirm the existence of these phase transitions.

New Ni(II)-sulfonamide complexes: Synthesis, structural characterization and antibacterial properties. X-ray diffraction of [Ni(sulfisoxazole)(2)(H2O)(4)] center dot 2H(2)O and [Ni(sulfapyridine)(2)]

The synthesis, structural characterization, voltammetric experiments and antibacterial activity of [Ni(sulfisoxazole)(2)(H2O)(4)] center dot 2H(2)O and [Ni(sulfapyridine)(2)] were studied and compared with similar previously reported copper complexes. [Ni(sulfisoxazole)(2)(H2O)(4)] center dot 2H(2)O crystallized in a monoclinic system, space group C2/c where the nickel ion was in a slightly distorted octahedral environment, coordinated with two sulfisoxazole molecules through the heterocyclic nitrogen and four water molecules. [Ni(sulfapyridine)(2)] crystallized in a orthorhombic crystal system, space group Pnab. The nickel ion was in a distorted octahedral environment, coordinated by two aryl amine N from two sulfonamides acting as monodentate ligands and four N atoms (two sulfonamidic N and two heterocyclic N) from two different sulfonamide molecules acting as bidentate ligands. Differential pulse voltammograms were recorded showing irreversible peaks at 1040 and 1070 mV, respectively, attributed to Ni(II)/Ni(III) process. [Ni(sulfisoxazole)(2)(H2O)(4)] center dot 2H(2)O and [Ni(sulfapyridine)(2)] presented different antibacterial behavior against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli from the similar copper complexes and they were inactive against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Vibrational properties, crystal X-ray diffraction structure and quantum chemical calculations on a divalent sulfur substituted phthalimide: 1H-Isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione, 2-[(methoxycarbonyl)thio]

Structural and conformational properties of 1H-Isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione, 2-[(methoxycarbonyl)thio] (S-phthalimido O-methyl thiocarbonate) are analyzed using a combined approach including X-ray diffraction, vibrational spectra and theoretical calculation methods. The vibrational properties have been studied by infrared and Raman spectroscopies along with quantum chemical calculations (B3LYP and B3PW91 functional in connection with the 6-311++G** and aug-cc-pVDZ basis sets). The crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The substance crystallizes in the monoclinic P2(1)/c space group with a = 6.795(1), b = 5.109(1), c = 30.011(3) angstrom, beta = 90.310(3)degrees and Z = 4 molecules per unit cell. The conformation adopted by the N-S-C=O group is syn (C=O double bond in synperiplanar orientation with respect to the N-S single bond). The experimental molecular structure is well reproduced by the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ method. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A powder X-ray diffraction method for detection of polyprenylated benzophenones in plant extracts associated with HPLC for quantitative analysis

A robust, direct, rapid and non-destructive X-ray diffraction crystallography method to detect the polyprenylated benzophenones 7-epi-clusianone (1) and guttiferone A (2) in extracts from Garcinia brasiliensis is presented. Powder samples of benzophenones 1 and 2, dried hexane extracts from G. brasiliensis seeds and fruit`s pericarp, and the dried ethanolic extract from G. brasiliensis seeds were unambiguously characterized by powder X-ray diffractometry. The calculated X-ray diffraction peaks from crystal structures of analytes 1 and 2, previously determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique, were overlaid to those of the experimental powder diffractograms, providing a practical identification of these compounds in the analyzed material and confirming the pure contents of the powder samples. Using the X-ray diffraction crystallography method, the studied polyprenylated benzophenones were selectively and simultaneously detected in the extracts which were mounted directly on sample holder. In addition, reference materials of the analytes were not required for analyses since the crystal structures of the compounds are known. High performance liquid chromatography analyses also were comparatively carried out to quantify the analytes in the same plant extracts showing to be in agreement with X-ray diffraction crystallography method. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Refraction corrected transmission ultrasound computed tomography for application in breast imaging

Purpose: We present an iterative framework for CT reconstruction from transmission ultrasound data which accurately and efficiently models the strong refraction effects that occur in our target application: Imaging the female breast. Methods: Our refractive ray tracing framework has its foundation in the fast marching method (FNMM) and it allows an accurate as well as efficient modeling of curved rays. We also describe a novel regularization scheme that yields further significant reconstruction quality improvements. A final contribution is the development of a realistic anthropomorphic digital breast phantom based on the NIH Visible Female data set. Results: Our system is able to resolve very fine details even in the presence of significant noise, and it reconstructs both sound speed and attenuation data. Excellent correspondence with a traditional, but significantly more computationally expensive wave equation solver is achieved. Conclusions: Apart from the accurate modeling of curved rays, decisive factors have also been our regularization scheme and the high-quality interpolation filter we have used. An added benefit of our framework is that it accelerates well on GPUs where we have shown that clinical 3D reconstruction speeds on the order of minutes are possible.

Synthesis and characterization of stable Co and Cd doped nickel hydroxide nanoparticles for electrochemical applications

The present paper describes the physical-chemical characterization and electrochemical behavior of a new nanomaterial formed by the addition of cadmium and cobalt atoms into the structure of nickel hydroxide nanoparticles, these ones synthesized by an easy sonochemical method. Particles of about 5 nm diameter were obtained and characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Different nickel hydroxide nanoparticles were immobilized onto transparent conducting substrates by using electrostatic layer-by-layer providing thin films at the nanoscale and the electrochemical behavior was investigated. The formation of a mixed hydroxide was corroborated by observation of very interesting properties as redox potential shifting to less positive potentials and high stability when submitted to long electrochemical cycling or high times of ultrasonic synthesis, suggesting practical applications. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.