Multiple conduction paths in boron δ-doped diamond structures

Impedance spectroscopy has been used to investigate conductivity within boron-doped diamond in an intrinsic/delta-doped/intrinsic (i-d-i) multilayer structure. For a 5 nm thick delta layer, three conduction pathways are observed, which can be assigned to transport within the delta layer and to two differing conduction paths in the i-layers adjoining the delta layer. For transport in the i-layers, thermal trapping/detrapping processes can be observed, and only at the highest temperature investigated (673 K) can transport due to a single conduction process be seen. Impedance spectroscopy is an ideal nondestructive tool for investigating the electrical characteristics of complex diamond structures.

Next generation high density three-dimensional magnetic recording systems

This work is the first work using patterned soft underlayers in multilevel three-dimensional vertical magnetic data storage systems. The motivation stems from an exponentially growing information stockpile, and a corresponding need for more efficient storage devices with higher density. The world information stockpile currently exceeds 150EB (ExaByte=1x1018Bytes); most of which is in analog form. Among the storage technologies (semiconductor, optical and magnetic), magnetic hard disk drives are posed to occupy a big role in personal, network as well as corporate storage. However; this mode suffers from a limit known as the Superparamagnetic limit; which limits achievable areal density due to fundamental quantum mechanical stability requirements. There are many viable techniques considered to defer superparamagnetism into the 100's of Gbit/in2 such as: patterned media, Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR), Self Organized Magnetic Arrays (SOMA), antiferromagnetically coupled structures (AFC), and perpendicular magnetic recording. Nonetheless, these techniques utilize a single magnetic layer; and can thusly be viewed as two-dimensional in nature. In this work a novel three-dimensional vertical magnetic recording approach is proposed. This approach utilizes the entire thickness of a magnetic multilayer structure to store information; with potential areal density well into the Tbit/in2 regime. ^ There are several possible implementations for 3D magnetic recording; each presenting its own set of requirements, merits and challenges. The issues and considerations pertaining to the development of such systems will be examined, and analyzed using empirical and numerical analysis techniques. Two novel key approaches are proposed and developed: (1) Patterned soft underlayer (SUL) which allows for enhanced recording of thicker media, (2) A combinatorial approach for 3D media development that facilitates concurrent investigation of various film parameters on a predefined performance metric. A case study is presented using combinatorial overcoats of Tantalum and Zirconium Oxides for corrosion protection in magnetic media. ^ Feasibility of 3D recording is demonstrated, and an emphasis on 3D media development is emphasized as a key prerequisite. Patterned SUL shows significant enhancement over conventional "un-patterned" SUL, and shows that geometry can be used as a design tool to achieve favorable field distribution where magnetic storage and magnetic phenomena are involved. ^

Structure of PbTe(SiO(2))/SiO(2) multilayers deposited on Si(111)

The structure of thin films composed of a multilayer of PbTe nanocrystals embedded in SiO(2), named as PbTe(SiO(2)), between homogeneous layers of amorphous SiO(2) deposited on a single-crystal Si( 111) substrate was studied by grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) as a function of PbTe content. PbTe(SiO(2))/SiO(2) multilayers were produced by alternately applying plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition and pulsed laser deposition techniques. From the analysis of the experimental GISAXS patterns, the average radius and radius dispersion of PbTe nanocrystals were determined. With increasing deposition dose the size of the PbTe nanocrystals progressively increases while their number density decreases. Analysis of the GISAXS intensity profiles along the normal to the sample surface allowed the determination of the period parameter of the layers and a structure parameter that characterizes the disorder in the distances between PbTe layers. (C) 2010 International Union of Crystallography Printed in Singapore - all rights reserved

Porous silicon optical cavity structure applied to high sensitivity organic solvent sensor

The present work reports the thermal annealing process, the number of layer and electrochemical process effect in the optical response quality of Bragg and microcavity devices that were applied as organic solvent sensors. These devices have been obtained by using porous silicon (PS) technology. The optical characterization of the Bragg reflector, before annealing, showed a broad photonic band-gap structure with blue shifted and narrowed after annealing process. The electrochemical process used to obtain the PS-based device imposes the limit in the number of layers because of the chemical dissolution effect. The interface roughness minimizations in the devices have been achieved by using the double electrochemical cell setup. The microcavity devices showed to have a good sensibility for organic solvent detection. The thermal annealed device showed better sensibility feature and this result was attributed to passivation of the surface devices. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Compact clinical MRI magnet design using a multilayer current density approach

In this work, a new method of optimization is successfully applied to the theoretical design of compact, actively shielded, clinical MRI magnets. The problem is formulated as a two-step process in which the desired current densities on multiple, cc-axial surface layers are first calculated by solving Fredholm equations of the first kind. Non-linear optimization methods with inequality constraints are then invoked to fit practical magnet coils to the desired current densities. The current density approach allows rapid prototyping of unusual magnet designs. The emphasis of this work is on the optimal design of short, actively-shielded MRI magnets for whole-body imaging. Details of the hybrid numerical model are presented, and the model is used to investigate compact, symmetric, and asymmetric MRI magnets. Magnet designs are presented for actively-shielded, symmetric magnets of coil length 1.0 m, which is considerably shorter than currently available designs of comparable dsv size. Novel, actively-shielded, asymmetric magnet designs are also presented in which the beginning of a 50-cm dsv is positioned just 11 cm from the end of the coil structure, allowing much improved access to the patient and reduced patient claustrophobia. Magn Reson Med 45:331540, 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Detection of Change in Fluorescence Between Reactive Cyan and the Yellow Fluorophores Usinga-SiC:H Multilayer Transducers

Optical colour sensors based on multilayered a-SiC:H heterostructures can act as voltage controlled optical filters in the visible range. In this article we investigate the application of these structures for Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) detection, The characteristics of a-SiC:H multilayered structure are studied both theoretically and experimentally in several wavelengths corresponding to different fluorophores. The tunable optical p-i'(a-SiC:H)-n/p-i(a-Si:H)-n heterostructures were produced by PECVD and tested for a proper fine tuning in the violet, cyan and yellow wavelengths. The devices were characterized through transmittance and spectral response measurements, under different electrical bias and frequencies. Violet, cyan and yellow signals were applied in simultaneous and results have shown that they can be recovered under suitable applied bias. A theoretical analysis supported by numerical simulation is presented.

Optical processing devices based on a-SiCH multilayer architectures

Red, green and blue optical signals were directed to an a-SiC:H multilayered device, each one with a specific transmission rate. The combined optical signal was analyzed by reading out, under different applied voltages, the generated photocurrent. Results show that when a chromatic time dependent wavelength combination with different transmission rates irradiates the multilayered structure, the device operates as a tunable wavelength filter and can be used in wavelength division multiplexing systems for short range communications. An application to fluorescent proteins detection is presented. (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Object-Oriented Modelling of Multilayer Networks

Tämä diplomityökuuluu tietoliikenneverkkojen suunnittelun tutkimukseen ja pohjimmiltaan kohdistuu verkon mallintamiseen. Tietoliikenneverkkojen suunnittelu on monimutkainen ja vaativa ongelma, joka sisältää mutkikkaita ja aikaa vieviä tehtäviä. Tämä diplomityö esittelee ”monikerroksisen verkkomallin”, jonka tarkoitus on auttaa verkon suunnittelijoita selviytymään ongelmien monimutkaisuudesta ja vähentää verkkojen suunnitteluun kuluvaa aikaa. Monikerroksinen verkkomalli perustuu yleisille objekteille, jotka ovat yhteisiä kaikille tietoliikenneverkoille. Tämä tekee mallista soveltuvan mielivaltaisille verkoille, välittämättä verkkokohtaisista ominaisuuksista tai verkon toteutuksessa käytetyistä teknologioista. Malli määrittelee tarkan terminologian ja käyttää kolmea käsitettä: verkon jakaminen tasoihin (plane separation), kerrosten muodostaminen (layering) ja osittaminen (partitioning). Nämä käsitteet kuvataan yksityiskohtaisesti tässä työssä. Monikerroksisen verkkomallin sisäinen rakenne ja toiminnallisuus ovat määritelty käyttäen Unified Modelling Language (UML) -notaatiota. Tämä työ esittelee mallin use case- , paketti- ja luokkakaaviot. Diplomityö esittelee myös tulokset, jotka on saatu vertailemalla monikerroksista verkkomallia muihin verkkomalleihin. Tulokset osoittavat, että monikerroksisella verkkomallilla on etuja muihin malleihin verrattuna.

Structure of a-Si:H/a-Si1-xCx:H multilayers deposited in a reactor with automated substrate holder

This paper deals with the structural properties of a-Si:H/a-Si1-xCx: H multilayers deposited by glow-discharge decomposition of SiH4 and SiH4 and CH4 mixtures. The main feature of the rf plasma reactor is an automated substrate holder. The plasma stabilization time and its influence on the multilayer obtained is discussed. A series of a-Si:H/a-Si1-xCx: H multilayers has been deposited and characterized by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). No asymmetry between the two types of interface has been observed. The results show that the multilayers present a very good periodicity and low roughness. The difficulty of determining the abruptness of the multilayer at the nanometer scale is discussed.

The effect of cationic-anionic polyelectrolyte multilayer surface treatment on inkjet ink spreading and print quality

The focus of the work reported in this thesis was to study and to clarify the effect of polyelectrolyte multilayer surface treatment on inkjet ink spreading, absorption and print quality. Surface sizing with a size press, film press with a pilot scale coater, and spray coating, have been used to surface treat uncoated wood-free, experimental wood-free and pigmentcoated substrates. The role of the deposited cationic (polydiallydimethylammonium chloride, PDADMAC) and anionic (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, NaCMC) polyelectrolyte layers with and without nanosilica, on liquid absorption and spreading was studied in terms of their interaction with water-based pigmented and dye-based inkjet inks. Contact angle measurements were made in attempt to explain the ink spreading and wetting behavior on the substrate. First, it was noticed that multilayer surface treatment decreased the contact angle of water, giving a hydrophilic character to the surface. The results showed that the number of cationic-anionic polyelectrolyte layers or the order of deposition of the polyelectrolytes had a significant effect on the print quality. This was seen for example as a higher print density on layers with a cationic polyelectrolyte in the outermost layer. The number of layers had an influence on the print quality; the print density increased with increasing number of layers, although the increase was strongly dependent on ink formulation and chemistry. The use of nanosilica clearly affected the rate of absorption of polar liquids, which also was seen as a higher density of the black dye-based print. Slightly unexpected, the use of nanosilica increased the tendency for lateral spreading of both the pigmented and dye-based inks. It was shown that the wetting behavior and wicking of the inks on the polyelectrolyte coatings was strongly affected by the hydrophobicity of the substrate, as well as by the composition or structure of the polyelectrolyte layers. Coating only with a cationic polyelectrolyte was not sufficient to improve dye fixation, but it was demonstrated that a cationic-anionic-complex structure led to good water fastness. A threelayered structure gave the same water fastness values as a five-layered structure. Interestingly, the water fastness values were strongly dependent not only on the formed cation-anion polyelectrolyte complexes but also on the tendency of the coating to dissolve during immersion in water. Results showed that by optimizing the chemistry of the layers, the ink-substrate interaction can be optimized.

The local adsorption geometry and electronic structure of alanine on Cu{110}

The adsorption of alanine on Cu {110} was studied by a combination of near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT). Large chemical shifts in the C 1s, N 1s, and O 1s XP spectra were found between the alanine multilayer and the chemisorbed and pseudo-(3 x 2) alaninate layers. From C, N, and O K-shell NEXAFS spectra the tilt angles of the carboxylate group (approximate to 26 degrees in plane with respect to [1 (1) over bar0] and approximate to 45 degrees out of plane) and the C-N bond angle with respect to [1 (1) over bar0] could be determined for the pseudo-(3 x 2) overlayer. Using this information three adsorption geometries could be eliminated from five p(3 x 2) structures which lead to almost identical heats of adsorption in the DFT calculations between 1.40 and 1.47 eV/molecule. Due to the small energy difference between the remaining two structures it is not unlikely that these coexist on the surface at room temperature. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Capacitive electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor structures functionalised with a polyelectrolyte/enzyme multilayer: New strategy for enhanced field-effect biosensing

A novel strategy for enhanced field-effect biosensing using capacitive electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) structures functionalised with pH-responsive weak polyelectrolyte/enzyme or dendrimer/enzyme multilayers is presented. The feasibility of the proposed approach is exemplarily demonstrated by realising a penicillin biosensor based on a capacitive p-Si-SiO(2) EIS structure functionalised with a poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH)/penicillinase and a poly(amidoamine) dendrimer/penicillinase multilayer. The developed sensors response to changes in both the local pH value near the gate surface and the charge of macromolecules induced via enzymatic reaction, resulting in a higher sensitivity. For comparison, an EIS penicillin biosensor with adsorptively immobilised penicillinase has been also studied. The highest penicillin sensitivity of 100 mV/dec has been observed for the EIS sensor functionalised with the PAH/penicillinase multilayer. The lower and upper detection limit was around 20 mu M and 10 mM, respectively. In addition, an incorporation of enzymes in a multilayer prepared by layer-by-layer technique provides a larger amount of immobilised enzymes per sensor area, reduces enzyme leaching effects and thus, enhances the biosensor lifetime (the loss of penicillin sensitivity after 2 months was 10-12%). (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Engineering of 3D self-directed quantum dot ordering in multilayer InGaAs/GaAs nanostructures by means of flux gas composition

Lateral ordering of InGaAs quantum dots on the GaAs (001) surface has been achieved in earlier reports, resembling an anisotropic pattern. In this work, we present a method of breaking the anisotropy of ordered quantum dots (QDs) by changing the growth environment. We show experimentally that using As(2) molecules instead of As(4) as a background flux is efficient in controlling the diffusion of distant Ga adatoms to make it possible to produce isotropic ordering of InGaAs QDs over GaAs (001). The control of the lateral ordering of QDs under As(2) flux has enabled us to improve their optical properties. Our results are consistent with reported experimental and theoretical data for structure and diffusion on the GaAs surface.

Immobilization of Poly(propylene imine) Dendrimer/Nickel Phtalocyanine as Nanostructured Multilayer Films To Be Used as Gate Membranes for SEGFET pH Sensors

We describe the assembly of layer-by-layer films based on the poly(propylene imine) dendrimer (PPID) generation 3 and nickel tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (NiTsPc) for application as chemically sensitive membranes in sepal alive extended-gate field effect transistor (SEGFET) pH sensors PPID/NiTsPc films wet e adsorbed on quartz, glass. indium tin oxide. or gold (Au)-covered glass substrates Multilayer formation was monitored via UV-vis absorption upon following the increment in the Q-band intensity (615 nm) of NiTsPc The nanostructured membranes were very stable in a pH range of 4-10 and displayed a good sensitivity toward H(+), ca 30 mV/pH for PPID/N(1)TsPc films deposited on Au-covered substrates For films deposited on ITO, the sensitivity was ca 52 4 mV/pH. close to the expected theoretical value for ton-sensitive membranes. The use of chemically stable PPID/NiTsPc films as gate membranes in SEGFETs, as introduced here, may represent an alternative for the fabrication of nanostructured, porous platforms for enzyme immobilization to be used in enzymatic biosensors.

Nitrate reduction on Pt single crystals with Pd multilayer

Nitrate reduction on palladium multilayers deposited on platinum single crystal electrodes was studied by cyclic voltammetry and FTIR spectroscopy in acid and alkaline media. The results are compared with those obtained with bulk palladium single crystals. The reaction is sensitive to the electrode surface structure, the reactivity depending on the solution pH. In acid solution nitrate was reduced at potentials below the potential of zero total charge (pztc), when the electrode is negatively charged. Competition between nitrate, hydrogen and anion adsorption and NO formation and accumulation at the surface are proposed as the main reasons for the slow reaction rate. On the bulk palladium single crystal electrodes, NO formation leads to a fast blockage of the surface resulting in a very low activity for nitrate reduction. In alkaline solution, nitrate is reduced at more positive potentials with significantly higher current being measured on the Pd multilayer on Pt(100) electrode. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.