WANNIER-STARK LOCALIZATION IN INGAAS/GAAS SUPERLATTICES AND ITS APPLICATION TO ELECTROOPTICAL DEVICES

We have observed Wannier-Stark localization in strained In0.2Ga0.8As/GaAs superlattices by low- and room-temperature photocurrent spectra measurements. The experimental results are well in agreement with the theoretical predictions. A large field-induced modulation response of the absorption edge of the superlattices at room temperature suggests the possibilities of the application to the design of various kinds of electro-optical devices operating at a wavelength of 0.98 mum, based on Wannier-Stark localization effects.

Chemical etching of a GaSb crystal incorporated with Mn grown by the Bridgman method under microgravity conditions

A GaSb crystal incorporated with Mn has been grown by the Bridgman method on the Polizon facility onboard the FOTON-M3 spacecraft. Structural defects and growth striations have been successfully revealed by the chemical etching method. By calculating various parameters of the convection, the striation patterns can be explained, and the critical value of the Taylor number, which characterizes the convective condition of the rotating magnetic field induced azimuthal flow, was shown. The stresses generated during crystal growth can be reflected by the observations of etch pit distribution and other structural defects. Suggestions for improving the space experiment to improve the quality of the crystal are given.

Holmium porphyrin compound liquid crystals: Synthesis and properties

5,10,15,20-Tetra-[(p-alkoxy-m-ethyloxy)phenyl]porphyrin and [5-(p-alkoxy)phenyl-10,15,20-tri-phenyl]porphyrin and their holmium(III) complexes are reported. They display a hexagonal columnar discotic columnar Col(h)) liquid crystal phase and were studied by cyclic voltammetry, surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS), electric-field-induced surface photovoltage spectroscopy (EFISPS) and luminescence spectroscopy. Within the accessible potential window, all these compounds exhibit two one-electron reversible redox reactions. Quantum yields of Q band are in the region 0.0045-0.21 at room temperature. The SPS and EFISPS reveal that all the compounds are p-type semiconductors and exhibit photovoltaic response due to pi-pi* electron transitions.

地幔对流理论及其在解释地球物理观测的应用

With the improving of mantle convection theory, the developing of computing method and increasing of the measurement data, we can numerically simulate more clearly about the effects on some geophysical observed phenomenons such as the global heat flow and global lithospheric stress field in the Earth's surface caused by mantle convection, which is the primary mechanism for the transport of heat from the Earth's deep interior to its surface and the underlying force mechanism of dynamics in the Earth.Chapter 1 reviews the historical background and present research state of mantle convection theory.In Chapter 2, the basic conception of thermal convection and the basic theory about mantle flow.The effects on generation and distribution of global lithospheric stres s field induced by mantle flow are the subject of Chapter 3. Mantle convection causes normal stress and tangential stresses at the bottom of the lithosphere, and then the sublithospheric stress field induces the lithospheric deformation as sixrface force and results in the stress field within the lithosphere. The simulation shows that the agreement between predictions and observations is good in most regions. Most of subduction zones and continental collisions are under compressive. While ocean ridges, such as the east Pacific ridge, the Atlantic ridge and the east African rift valley, are under tensile. And most of the hotspots preferentially occur in regions where calculated stress is tensile. The calculated directions of the most compressive principal horizontal stress are largely in accord with that of the observation except for some regions such as the NW-Pacifie subduction zone and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, in which the directions of the most compressive principal horizontal stress are different. It shows that the mantel flow plays an important role in causing or affecting the large-scale stress field within the lithosphere.The global heat flow simulation based on a kinematic model of mantle convection is given in Chapter 4. Mantle convection velocities are calculated based on the internal loading theory at first, the velocity field is used as the input to solve the thermal problem. Results show that calculated depth derivatives of the near surface temperature are closely correlated to the observed surface heat flow pattern. Higher heat flow values around midocean ridge systems can be reproduced very well. The predicted average temperature as a function of function of depth reveals that there are two thermal boundary layers, one is close to the surface and another is close to the core-mantle boundary, the rest of the mantle is nearly isothermal. Although, in most of the mantle, advection dominates the heat transfer, the conductive heat transfer is still locally important in the boundary layers and plays an important role for the surface heat flow pattern. The existence of surface plates is responsible for the long wavelength surface heat flow pattern.In Chapter 5, the effects on present-day crustal movement in the China Mainland resulted from the mantle convection are introduced. Using a dynamic method, we present a quantitative model for the present-day crustal movement in China. We consider not only the effect of the India-Eurasia collision, the gravitational potential energy difference of the Tibet Plateau, but also the contribution of the shear traction on the bottom of the lithosphere induced by the global mantle convection. The comparison between our results and the velocity field obtained from the GPS observation shows that our model satisfactorily reproduces the general picture of crustal deformation in China. Numerical modeling results reveal that the stress field on the base of the lithosphere induced by the mantle flow is probably a considerable factor that causes the movement and deformation of the lithosphere in continental China with its eflfcet focuing on the Eastern China A numerical research on the small-scale convection with variable viscosity in the upper mantle is introduced in Chapter 6. Based on a two-dimensional model, small-scale convection in the mantle-lithosphere system with variable viscosity is researched by using of finite element method. Variation of viscosity in exponential form with temperature is considered in this paper The results show that if viscosity is strongly temperature-dependent, the upper part of the system does not take a share in the convection and a stagnant lid, which is identified as lithosphere, is formed on the top of system because of low temperature and high viscosity. The calculated surface heat flow, topography and gravity anomaly are associated well with the convection pattern, namely, the regions with high heat flow and uplift correspond to the upwelling flow, and vice versa.In Chapter 7, we give a brief of future research subject: The inversion of lateral density heterogeneity in the mantle by minimizing the viscous dissipation.

Volcanic rifting at Martian grabens

Cook, Anthony; Mege, D.; Garel, E.; Lagabrielle, Y., (2003) 'Volcanic rifting at Martian grabens', Journal of Geophysical Research 108(E5) pp. 1-33 RAE2008

Manipulation of magnetic anisotropy in nanostructures

Of late, the magnetic properties of micro/nano-structures have attracted intense research interest both fundamentally and technologically particularly to address the question that how the manipulation in the different layers of nanostructures, geometry of a patterned structure can affect the overall magnetic properties, while generating novel applications such as in magnetic sensors, storage devices, integrated inductive components and spintronic devices. Depending on the applications, materials with high, medium or low magnetic anisotropy and their possible manipulation are required. The most dramatic manifestation in this respect is the chance to manipulate the magnetic anisotropy over the intrinsic preferential direction of the magnetization, which can open up more functionality particularly for device applications. Types of magnetic anisotropies of different nanostructured materials and their manipulation techniques are investigated in this work. Detail experimental methods for the quantitative determination of magnetic anisotropy in nanomodulated Ni45Fe55 thin film are studied. Magnetic field induced in-plane rotations within the nanomodulated Ni45Fe55 continuous films revealed various rotational symmetries of magnetic anisotropy due to dipolar interactions showing a crossover from lower to higher fold of symmetry as a function of modulation geometry. In a second approach, the control of exchange anisotropy at ferromagnetic (FM) – aniferomagnetic (AFM) interface in multifferoic nanocomposite materials, where two different phase/types of materials were simultaneously synthesized, was investigated. The third part of this work was to study the electroplated thin films of metal alloy nanocomposite for enhanced exchange anisotropy. In this work a unique observation of an anti-clock wise as well as a clock wise hysteresis loop formation in the Ni,Fe solid solution with very low coercivity and large positive exchange anisotropy/exchange bias have been investigated. Hence, controllable positive and negative exchange anisotropy has been observed for the first time which has high potential applications such as in MRAM devices.

Membrane binding of plasmid DNA and endocytic pathways are involved in electrotransfection of mammalian cells.

Electric field mediated gene delivery or electrotransfection is a widely used method in various studies ranging from basic cell biology research to clinical gene therapy. Yet, mechanisms of electrotransfection are still controversial. To this end, we investigated the dependence of electrotransfection efficiency (eTE) on binding of plasmid DNA (pDNA) to plasma membrane and how treatment of cells with three endocytic inhibitors (chlorpromazine, genistein, dynasore) or silencing of dynamin expression with specific, small interfering RNA (siRNA) would affect the eTE. Our data demonstrated that the presence of divalent cations (Ca(2+) and Mg(2+)) in electrotransfection buffer enhanced pDNA adsorption to cell membrane and consequently, this enhanced adsorption led to an increase in eTE, up to a certain threshold concentration for each cation. Trypsin treatment of cells at 10 min post electrotransfection stripped off membrane-bound pDNA and resulted in a significant reduction in eTE, indicating that the time period for complete cellular uptake of pDNA (between 10 and 40 min) far exceeded the lifetime of electric field-induced transient pores (∼10 msec) in the cell membrane. Furthermore, treatment of cells with the siRNA and all three pharmacological inhibitors yielded substantial and statistically significant reductions in the eTE. These findings suggest that electrotransfection depends on two mechanisms: (i) binding of pDNA to cell membrane and (ii) endocytosis of membrane-bound pDNA.

Controlling magnetoelectric coupling by nanoscale phase transformation in strain engineered bismuth ferrite

The magnetoelectric coupling in multiferroic materials is promising for a wide range of applications, yet manipulating magnetic ordering by electric field proves elusive to obtain and difficult to control. In this paper, we explore the prospect of controlling magnetic ordering in misfit strained bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3, BFO) films, combining theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, and experimental characterizations. Electric field induced transformation from a tetragonal phase to a distorted rhombohedral one in strain engineered BFO films has been identified by thermodynamic analysis, and realized by scanning probe microscopy (SPM) experiment. By breaking the rotational symmetry of a tip-induced electric field as suggested by phase field simulation, the morphology of distorted rhombohedral variants has been delicately controlled and regulated. Such capabilities enable nanoscale control of magnetoelectric coupling in strain engineered BFO films that is difficult to achieve otherwise, as demonstrated by phase field simulations.

Switching ferroelectric domain configurations using both electric and magnetic fields in Pb(Zr,Ti)O3–Pb(Fe,Ta)O3 single-crystal lamellae

Thin single-crystal lamellae cut from Pb(Zr,Ti)O3–Pb(Fe,Ta)O3 ceramic samples have been integrated into simple coplanar capacitor devices. The influence of applied electric and magnetic fields on ferroelectric domain configurations has been mapped, using piezoresponse force microscopy. The extent to which magnetic fields alter the ferroelectric domains was found to be strongly history dependent: after switching had been induced by applying electric fields, the susceptibility of the domains to change under a magnetic field (the effective magnetoelectric coupling parameter) was large. Such large, magnetic field-induced changes resulted in a remanent domain state very similar to the remanent state induced by an electric field. Subsequent magnetic field reversal induced more modest ferroelectric switching.

Dynamics and structure of self-generated magnetics fields on solids following high contrast, high intensity laser irradiation

The dynamics of self-generated magnetic B-fields produced following the interaction of a high contrast, high intensity (I > 10¹⁹W cm^-2) laser beam with thin (3 μm thick) solid (Al or Au) targets is investigated experimentally and numerically. Two main sources drive the growth of B-fields on the target surfaces. B-fields are first driven by laser-generated hot electron currents that relax over ∼10-20 ps. Over longer timescales, the hydrodynamic expansion of the bulk of the target into vacuum also generates B-field induced by non-collinear gradients of density and temperature. The laser irradiation of the target front side strongly localizes the energy deposition at the target front, in contrast to the target rear side, which is heated by fast electrons over a much larger area. This induces an asymmetry in the hydrodynamic expansion between the front and rear target surfaces, and consequently the associated B-fields are found strongly asymmetric. The sole long-lasting (>30 ps) B-fields are the ones growing on the target front surface, where they remain of extremely high strength (∼8-10 MG). These B-fields have been recently put by us in practical use for focusing laser-accelerated protons [B. Albertazzi et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 86, 043502 (2015)]; here we analyze in detail their dynamics and structure.

Industrial scale microwave processing of tomato juice using a novel continuous microwave system

This study evaluated the effect of an industrial scale continuous flow microwave volumetric heating system in comparison to conventional commercial scale pasteurisation for the processing of tomato juice in terms of physicochemical properties, microbial characteristics and antioxidant capacity. The effect against oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells, after in vitro digestion was also investigated. Physicochemical and colour characteristics of juices were very similar between technologies and during storage. Both conventional and microwave pasteurisation inactivated microorganisms and kept them in low levels throughout storage. ABTS⁺ values, but not ORAC, were higher for the microwave pasteurised juice at day 0 however no significant differences between juices were observed during storage. Juice processed with the microwave system showed an increased cytoprotective effect against H₂O₂ induced oxidation in Caco-2 cells. Organoleptic analysis revealed that the two tomato juices were very similar. The continuous microwave volumetric heating system appears to be a viable alternative to conventional pasteurisation.

Caractérisation et modélisation de l’aimant organique NIT-2Py

L'aimant organique NIT-2Py a été caractérisé expérimentalement et ses propriétés ont été simulées numériquement à partir de la théorie de la fonctionnelle de la densité. Le magnétisme dans ce matériau provient de la présence d'un électron non apparié sur chaque molécule qui a ainsi un moment magnétique non nul. Ceci a été confirmé par des simulations sur une molécule isolée. Les molécules de NIT-2Py cristallisent dans le groupe d'espace P21/c avec huit molécules par maille élémentaire pour former la structure cristalline Alpha étudiée dans ce document. Le moment effectif de la susceptibilité et l'entropie magnétique totale montre que ce matériau est un système de spins 1/2 avec un spin par molécule. Les mesures de chaleur spécifique ont mis en évidence la présence de deux phases magnétiques ordonnées à basse température qui sont séparées par un plateau en aimantation. Une première phase est observée à des champs magnétiques inférieurs à 2.2 T et a une température de transition de 1.32 K en champ nul. Les mesures de susceptibilité magnétique et d'aimantation ont permis d'établir que cette phase ordonnée est antiferromagnétique. Ceci est confirmé par les simulations numériques. La deuxième phase est induite par le champ magnétique avec une température de transition de 0.53 K à 6 T. L'information disponible sur cette phase est limitée et l'étude du système à l'extérieur des phases ordonnées en donne une meilleure compréhension. Un modèle de spins S=1/2 isolés et de dimères S=0 isolés reproduit bien les mesures d'aimantation et de chaleur spécifique au-dessus de 3 K. L'application d'un champ magnétique réduit l'écart d'énergie entre le singulet et le triplet du dimère jusqu'au croisement qui se produit à 6 T. La phase induite émerge précisément à ce croisement et on spécule l'existence d'un condensat de Bose-Einstein des états triplets.

Synthesis of Bio-Compatible SPION–based Aqueous Ferrofluids and Evaluation of RadioFrequency Power Loss for Magnetic Hyperthermia

Bio-compatible magnetic fluids having high saturation magnetization find immense applications in various biomedical fields. Aqueous ferrofluids of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with narrow size distribution, high shelf life and good stability is realized by controlled chemical co-precipitation process. The crystal structure is verified by X-ray diffraction technique. Particle sizes are evaluated by employing Transmission electron microscopy. Room temperature and low-temperature magnetic measurements were carried out with Superconducting Quantum Interference Device. The fluid exhibits good magnetic response even at very high dilution (6.28 mg/cc). This is an advantage for biomedical applications, since only a small amount of iron is to be metabolised by body organs. Magnetic field induced transmission measurements carried out at photon energy of diode laser (670 nm) exhibited excellent linear dichroism. Based on the structural and magnetic measurements, the power loss for the magnetic nanoparticles under study is evaluated over a range of radiofrequencies.

Polyconductivity in polypyrrole: The correlated electron gas

p-toluensulfonate doped polypyrrole (PPy), undergoes an electric-field induced reversible transition from an insulating state to a highly conductive one. The spatially average field can be as small as 200 V/cm, when the temperature of the sample is below 20 K. The applied electric field leads to a sharp jump in the value of the current to a value which is nearly five orders of magnitude higher than before. When the applied electric field is reduced to below a critical value, the system switches back to a low conductive state. The effect is reversible, symmetric in voltage, and reproducible for different samples. The switching is, we believe, an electronic glass melting transition and it is due to the disordered, highly charged granular nature of PPy.

Transport magnetischer Partikel durch maßgeschneiderte magnetische Feldlandschaften zur Anwendung in mikrofluidischen Mischprozessen

Die Miniaturisierung von konventioneller Labor- und Analysetechnik nimmt eine zentrale Rolle im Bereich der allgemeinen Lebenswissenschaften und medizinischen Diagnostik ein. Neuartige und preiswerte Technologieplattformen wie Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) oder Mikrototalanalysesysteme (µTAS) versprechen insbesondere im Bereich der Individualmedizin einen hohen gesellschaftlichen Nutzen zur frühzeitigen und nichtinvasiven Diagnose krankheitsspezifischer Indikatoren. Durch den patientennahen Einsatz preiswerter und verlässlicher Mikrochips auf Basis hoher Qualitätsstandards entfallen kostspielige und zeitintensive Zentrallaboranalysen, was gleichzeitig Chancen für den globalen Einsatz - speziell in Schwellen- und Entwicklungsländern - bietet. Die technischen Herausforderungen bei der Realisierung moderner LOC-Systeme sind in der kontrollierten und verlässlichen Handhabung kleinster Flüssigkeitsmengen sowie deren diagnostischem Nachweis begründet. In diesem Kontext wird der erfolgreichen Integration eines fernsteuerbaren Transports von biokompatiblen, magnetischen Mikro- und Nanopartikeln eine Schlüsselrolle zugesprochen. Die Ursache hierfür liegt in der vielfältigen Einsetzbarkeit, die durch die einzigartigen Materialeigenschaften begründet sind. Diese reichen von der beschleunigten, aktiven Durchmischung mikrofluidischer Substanzvolumina über die Steigerung der molekularen Interaktionsrate in Biosensoren bis hin zur Isolation und Aufreinigung von krankheitsspezifischen Indikatoren. In der Literatur beschriebene Ansätze basieren auf der dynamischen Transformation eines makroskopischen, zeitabhängigen externen Magnetfelds in eine mikroskopisch veränderliche potentielle Energielandschaft oberhalb magnetisch strukturierter Substrate, woraus eine gerichtete und fernsteuerbare Partikelbewegung resultiert. Zentrale Kriterien, wie die theoretische Modellierung und experimentelle Charakterisierung der magnetischen Feldlandschaft in räumlicher Nähe zur Oberfläche der strukturierten Substrate sowie die theoretische Beschreibung der Durchmischungseffekte, wurden jedoch bislang nicht näher beleuchtet, obwohl diese essentiell für ein detailliertes Verständnis der zu Grunde liegenden Mechanismen und folglich für einen Markteintritt zukünftiger Geräte sind. Im Rahmen der vorgestellten Arbeit wurde daher ein neuartiger Ansatz zur erfolgreichen Integration eines Konzepts zum fernsteuerbaren Transport magnetischer Partikel zur Anwendung in modernen LOC-Systemen unter Verwendung von magnetisch strukturierten Exchange-Bias (EB) Dünnschichtsystemen verfolgt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sich das Verfahren der ionenbe-schussinduzierten magnetischen Strukturierung (IBMP) von EB-Systemen zur Herstellung von maßgeschneiderten magnetischen Feldlandschaften (MFL) oberhalb der Substratoberfläche, deren Stärke und räumlicher Verlauf auf Nano- und Mikrometerlängenskalen gezielt über die Veränderung der Materialparameter des EB-Systems via IBMP eingestellt werden kann, eignet. Im Zuge dessen wurden erstmals moderne, experimentelle Verfahrenstechniken (Raster-Hall-Sonden-Mikroskopie und rastermagnetoresistive Mikroskopie) in Kombination mit einem eigens entwickelten theoretischen Modell eingesetzt, um eine Abbildung der MFL in unterschiedlichen Abstandsbereichen zur Substratoberfläche zu realisieren. Basierend auf der quantitativen Kenntnis der MFL wurde ein neuartiges Konzept zum fernsteuerbaren Transport magnetischer Partikel entwickelt, bei dem Partikelgeschwindigkeiten im Bereich von 100 µm/s unter Verwendung von externen Magnetfeldstärken im Bereich weniger Millitesla erzielt werden können, ohne den magnetischen Zustand des Substrats zu modifizieren. Wie aus den Untersuchungen hervorgeht, können zudem die Stärke des externen Magnetfelds, die Stärke und der Gradient der MFL, das magnetfeldinduzierte magnetische Moment der Partikel sowie die Größe und der künstlich veränderliche Abstand der Partikel zur Substratoberfläche als zentrale Einflussgrößen zur quantitativen Modifikation der Partikelgeschwindigkeit genutzt werden. Abschließend wurde erfolgreich ein numerisches Simulationsmodell entwickelt, das die quantitative Studie der aktiven Durchmischung auf Basis des vorgestellten Partikeltransportkonzepts von theoretischer Seite ermöglicht, um so gezielt die geometrischen Gegebenheiten der mikrofluidischen Kanalstrukturen auf einem LOC-System für spezifische Anwendungen anzupassen.