Influence of oxygen flow on crystallization and morphology of LiNbO 3 thin films

Polymeric precursor solution (Pechini method) was used to deposit LiNbO 3 thin films by spin-coating on (100) silicon substrates. X-ray diffraction data of thin films showed that the increase of oxygen flow promotes a preferred orientation of (001) LiNbO 3 planes parallel to the substrate surface. Surface roughness and grain size, observed by atomic force microscopy, change also with oxygen flow. © 2002 Taylor & Francis.

TL, EPR and optical absorption studies on natural alexandrite compared to natural chrysoberyl

The TL, optical absorption (OA) and EPR properties of natural Brazilian alexandrite and chrysoberyl have been investigated. The TL measurements for natural alexandrite show five peaks between 100 and 450°C, with their emission spectrum having 370 and/or 570 nm components. The intensity of the 320°C TL peak was found to be enhanced with pre-annealing treatment, more prominently above 600°C. The OA and EPR measurements showed that this kind of heat treatment induces the Fe2→ Fe3+ conversion in the natural sample. Chrysoberyl samples exhibited the TL peaks at the same temperatures as alexandrite samples, but the glow curves were more than 200 times less intense than alexandrite ones.

Structural phase evolution of strontium-doped lead titanate thin films prepared by the soft chemical technique

Strontium-modified lead titanate thin films with composition Pb1-xSrxTiO3 were grown on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates using the polymeric precursor method. The structural phase evolution as a function of the Sr contents was studied using micro-Raman scattering, specular reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The results showed a gradual change from tetragonal to cubic structure, the transition occurring at about x = 0.58. The infrared reflectance spectra showed that the frequency of several peaks decreases as the strontium concentration increases. These features are correlated with a decrease in the tetragonal distortion of the TiO6 octahedra as the strontium concentration increases.

Temperature and stoichiometry effect on microstructural and ferroelectric properties of Pb(Zr1-xTix)O3 thin films prepared by chemical soulution deposition

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) solutions were prepared using a polymeric precursor method, Zr n-propoxide and Ti i-propoxide were used as starting materials with ethylene glycol and water as solvents. The PZT solution was spin-coated on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates, baked on a hot plate, and finally heat-treated in a tube furnace between 400 and 800°C. The surface morphology and grain size of the films were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), using a tapping mode with amplitude modulation. The films, thermal annealed at temperatures higher than 500°C, exhibited a dense microstructure, without noticeable cracks or voids. Electrical properties were investigated as a function of composition and annealing temperature.

Ultrafast reflectivity dynamics in bis (n-butylimido) perylene thin films

Using pump-probe reflectometry, we study the ultrafast excited-state dynamics in thin films of BuPTCD, an organic semiconductor, deposited on gold nanoparticles. We observe depletion of the ground state and excited state absorption after photo-excitation. © 2008 Optical Society of America.

Structural and optical properties of Eu3+ and Mg2+ doped LiTaO3 obtained via the polymeric precursor method

This work reports on the pure lithium tantalate (LiTaO3), europium (III)-doped LiTaO3 and magnesium (II)-europium (III)-doped LiTaO3 preparared by the polymeric precursor method, using four different powered samples of Eu3+ ion concentrations 0.1 to 1at %. Structural and optical properties of powders have been studied. The different possible sites occupied by the rare earth were examined. The phase contents and lattice parameters were studied by the Rietveld method and the structural disorder in the LiTaO3 host caused by Eu3+ ions was analyzed. Results indicated LiTaO3 free of secondary phases at 650°C and the photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra showed the characteristic sharp emission bands given by Eu3+ ions when they are excited at a wavelength of 399 nm. An increase of dopants contents caused a non-homogeneous broadening and showed a slightly larger one when Mg was added. A displacement of the transition 5D0-7F0 to shorter wavelengths as function of Eu3+ concentration was also noticed.

Thickness dependence of structure and piezoelectric properties at nanoscale of polycrystalline PZT thin films

Lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr 0.50Ti 0.50)O 3 (PZT) thin films were deposited by a polymeric chemical method on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates to understand the mechanisms of phase transformations and the effect of film thickness on the structure, dielectric and piezoelectric properties in these films. PZT films pyrolyzed at temperatures higher than 350 °C present a coexistence of pyrochlore and perovskite phases, while only perovskite phase grows in films pyrolyzed at temperatures lower than 300 °C. For pyrochlore-free PZT thin films, a small (100) orientation tendency near the film-substrate interface was observed. Finally, we demonstrate the existence of a self-polarization effect in the studied PZT thin films. Results suggest that Schottky barriers and/or mechanical coupling near the filmsubstrate interface are not primarily responsible for the observed self-polarization effect in our films. © 2012 IEEE.

Influence of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) on polysiloxane thin films doped with Ce(III) onto tin coated steel and their anticorrosion properties

The influence of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) on the synthesis of polysiloxane thin films doped with Ce(III) deposited onto Sn coated steel as well as their anticorrosion properties are reported. The addition of BPO, whose role is polymerize the film, showed an increase in |Z| values due to the fact that augments the crossed link bonds and therefore improves the protective feature of the film. Ce(III) does not act in the polymerization process and thus is essential the addition of BPO to obtain more resistant polysiloxane films. ©The Electrochemical Society.

Thickness dependence of structure and piezoelectric properties at nanoscale of polycrystalline lead zirconate titanate thin films

Lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr0.50Ti0.50)O3 (PZT) thin films were deposited by a polymeric chemical method on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates to understand the mechanisms of phase transformations and the effect of film thickness on the structure, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties in these films. PZT films pyrolyzed at temperatures higher than 350 °C present a coexistence of pyrochlore and perovskite phases, while only perovskite phase grows in films pyrolyzed at temperatures lower than 300 °C. For pyrochlore-free PZT thin films, a small (100)-orientation tendency near the film-substrate interface was observed. Finally, we demonstrate the existence of a self-polarization effect in the studied PZT thin films. The increase of self-polarization with the film thickness increasing from 200 nm to 710 nm suggests that Schottky barriers and/or mechanical coupling near the film-substrate interface are not primarily responsible for the observed self-polarization effect in our films. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.

In Situ Formation of Dendrites in Eumelanin Thin Films between Gold Electrodes

Eumelanin is a ubiquitous pigment in the human body, animals, and plants, with potential for bioelectronic applications because of its unique set of physical and chemical properties, including strong UV-vis absorption, mixed ionic/electronic conduction, free radical scavenging and anti-oxidant properties. Herein, a detailed investigation is reported of eumelanin thin films grown on substrates patterned with gold electrodes as a model system for device integration, using electrical measurements, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy. Under prolonged electrical biasing in humid air, one can observe gold dissolution and formation of gold-eumelanin nanoaggregates, the assembly of which leads to the formation of dendrites forming conductive pathways between the electrodes. Based on results collected with eumelanins from different sources, a mechanism is proposed for the formation of the nanoaggregates and dendrites, taking into account the metal binding properties of eumelanin. The surprising interaction between eumelanin and gold points to new opportunities for the fabrication of eumelanin-gold nanostructures and biocompatible memory devices and should be taken into account in the design of devices based on eumelanin thin films. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co.

Rietveld refinement, morphology and optical properties of (Ba 1-xSrx)MoO4 crystals

In this article, the structural refinement, morphology and optical properties of barium strontium molybdate [(Ba1-x Sr x )MoO4 with x = 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1] crystals, synthesized by the co-precipitation (drop-by-drop) method, are reported. The crystals obtained were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinement, and Fourier transform-Raman (FT-Raman) and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies. The shapes of the crystals were observed by means of field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The optical properties were investigated using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. XRD patterns, Rietveld refinement, and FT-Raman and FT-IR spectra showed that all of the crystals are monophasic with a scheelite-type tetragonal structure. The refined lattice parameters and atomic positions were employed to model the [BaO8], [SrO8] and [MoO4] clusters in the tetragonal lattices. The FE-SEM images indicate that increased x content produces a decrease in the crystal size and modifications in the crystal shape. UV-Vis spectra indicated a decrease in the optical band gap with an increase in x in the (Ba1-x Sr x )MoO4 crystals. Finally, a decrease in the intensity of PL emission is apparent with an increase in x up to 0.75 in the (Ba1-x Sr x )MoO4 crystal lattice when excited by a wavelength of 350nm, probably associated with the degree of structural order-disorder. © 2013 International Union of Crystallography Printed in Singapore - all rights reserved.

Structural and optical properties of brominated plasma polymers

Novel brominated amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H:Br) films were produced by the plasma polymerization of acetylene-bromoform mixtures. The main parameter of interest was the degree of bromination, which depends on the partial pressure of bromoform in the plasma feed, expressed as a percentage of the total pressure, R-B. When bromoform is present in the feed, deposition rates of up to about 110 nm min(-1) may be obtained. The structure and composition of the films were characterized by Transmission Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy (IRRAS) and X-ray Photo-electron Spectroscopy (XPS). The latter revealed that films with atomic ratios Br:C of up to 0.58 may be produced. Surface contact angles, measured using goniometry, could be increased from similar to 63 degrees (for an unbrominated film) to similar to 90 degrees for R-B of 60 to 80%. Film surface roughness, measured using a profilometer, does not depend strongly on R-B. Optical properties the refractive index, n, absorption coefficient, alpha(E), where E is the photon energy, and the optical gap, E-g, were determined from film thicknesses and data obtained by Transmission Ultraviolet-Visible Near Infrared Spectroscopy (UVS). Control of n was possible via selection of R-B. The measured optical gap increases with increasing F-BC, the atomic ratio of Br to C in the film, and semi-empirical modeling accounts for this tendency. A typical hardness of the brominated films, determined via nano-indentation, was similar to 0.5 GPa. (C), 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural, electronic and optical properties of Fe(III) complex with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid: A combined experimental and theoretical study

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Storage moduli, loss moduli and damping factor of GaAs and Ga1-xMnxAs thin films using DMA 2980

The spin injector part of spintronic FET and diodes suffers from fatigue due to rising heat on the depletion layer. In this study the stiffness of Ga1-xMnxAs spin injector in terms of storage modulus with respect to a varying temperature, 45 degrees C <= T <= 70 degrees C was determined. It was observed that the storage modulus for MDLs (Manganese Doping Levels) of 0%, 1% and 10% decreased with increase in temperature while that with MDLs of 20% and 50% increase with increase in temperature. MDLs of 20% and 50% appear not to allow for damping but MDLs <= 20% allow damping at temperature range of 45 degrees C <= T <= 70 degrees C. The magnitude of storage moduli of GaAs is smaller than that for ferromagnetic Ga1-xMnxAs systems. The loss moduli for GaAs were found to reduce with increase in temperature. Its magnitude of reducing gradient is smaller than Ga1-xMnxAs systems. The two temperature extremes show a general reduction in loss moduli for different MDLs at the study temperature range. From damping factor analysis, damping factors for ferromagnetic Ga1-xMnxAs was found to increase with decrease in MDLs contrary to GaAs which recorded the largest damping factor at 45 degrees C <= T <= 70 degrees C Hence, MDL of 20% shows little damping followed by 50% while MDL of 0% has the most damping in an increasing trend with temperature. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.