1,720,994 research outputs found
Realistic absorption coefficient of each individual film in a multilayer architecture
No full textA spectrophotometric strategy, termed multilayer-method (ML-method), is presented and discussed to realistically calculate the absorption coefficient of each individual layer embedded in multilayer architectures without reverse engineering, numerical refinements and assumptions about the layer homogeneity and thickness. The strategy extends in a non-straightforward way a consolidated route, already published by the authors and here termed basic-method, able to accurately characterize an absorbing film covering transparent substrates. The ML-method inherently accounts for non-measurable contribution of the interfaces (including multiple reflections), describes the specific film structure as determined by the multilayer architecture and used deposition approach and parameters, exploits simple mathematics, and has wide range of applicability (high-to-weak absorption regions, thick-to-ultrathin films). Reliability tests are performed on films and multilayers based on a well-known material (indium tin oxide) by deliberately changing the film structural quality through doping, thickness-tuning and underlying supporting-film. Results are found consistent with information obtained by standard (optical and structural) analysis, the basic-method and band gap values reported in the literature. The discussed example-applications demonstrate the ability of the ML-method to overcome the drawbacks commonly limiting an accurate description of multilayer architectures
Short-range ordered 2D nanoholes: lattice-model and novel insight into the impact of coordination geometry and packing on their propagating-mode transmittance features
No full textOptically thin perforated gold films, fabricated using template colloidal masks self-assembled by following an elsewhere described simplified colloidal lithography protocol, are presented and discussed with the aim to develop a theory of short-range ordered nanoholes without straightforwardly extending concepts strictly related to periodic nanoholes. By Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis of the evolution of nanohole short-range ordering and spatial coordination geometry under increasing interhole average spacing (d(NN)), unprecedented differences in the spectroscopic response are pointed out with respect to periodic systems. First, the dependence of the wavelength of a propagating plasmon mode on d(NN) is demonstrated to deviate from the linear relationship predicted by the grating-coupling picture developed for periodic arrays. Second, d(NN) cannot be straightforwardly interpreted as the counterpart of the lattice constant of periodic nanoholes, which demands to introduce a conceptually more rigorous periodicity-like length-scale. Once the impact of these findings on setting the operating parameters of a nanohole distribution is demonstrated, they are related, experimentally and by using a theoretical model developed by the authors, to the changes of the local coordination geometry (from quasi-hexagonal to quasi-square packing through mixed hexagonal–square coordination) induced by varying d(NN) over a wide interval. Autocorrelation analysis of SEM images is exploited to estimate a short-range periodicity-like length-scale, as a conceptual advance for laying the foundation of the concept of short-range ordered nanohole lattices and for deeper insight into the spectral response. As discussion is based on realistic, rather than simulated, evolution of colloidal arrangements, the formulated interpretative model accounts for realistic effects impacting transmission resonances
Optical analysis of Cr-doped ITO films deposited by double-target laser ablation
No full textWe investigate the optical properties of ITO and Cr-doped ITO films deposited at room temperature by pulsed laser deposition onto amorphous SiO2 substrates. Our analysis approach is based on the Tauc's plot method applied to the absorption coefficient estimated by a route realistically describing the film structural features and including the contribution of the non-measurable film–substrate interface. Going beyond the conventional application of the Tauc's plot method, we quote two different transition energies for ITO and Cr-doped ITO and discuss their origin in the framework of a band-structure picture as a function of film thickness, Cr changes of the host ITO dispersion and Cr-doping content. In contrast to the conventional optical ITO description, we account for the existence of direct dipole forbidden transitions between the ITO fundamental band edges, involving different electronic and optical band gaps. Our results and discussion demonstrate that disregarding this theoretically established picture, as occurs in the experimental literature, would lead to conclusions inconsistent with the Cr-induced band occupation and effects on ITO dispersions. Preliminary optical (based on transmittance and reflectance spectra as well as band-tailing effects), electrical and structural inspection of the samples are also considered to check reliability and consistency of our discussion
Realistic reflectance spectrum of thin films covering a transparent optically thick substrate
No full textA spectrophotometric strategy is presented and discussed for calculating realistically the reflectance spectrum of an absorbing film deposited over a thick transparent or semi-transparent substrate. The developed route exploits simple mathematics, has wide range of applicability (high-to-weak absorption regions and thick-to-ultrathin films), rules out numerical and curve-fitting procedures as well as model-functions, inherently accounts for the non-measurable contribution of the film-substrate interface as well as substrate backside, and describes the film reflectance spectrum as determined by the experimental situation (deposition approach and parameters). The reliability of the method is tested on films of a well-known material (indium tin oxide) by deliberately changing film thickness and structural quality through doping. Results are found consistent with usual information yielded by reflectance, its inherent relationship with scattering processes and contributions to the measured total reflectance
Mutant-Dependent Local Orientational Correlation in Biofilms of Vibrio campbellii Revealed through Digital Processing of Light Microscopy Images
Full text linkBiofilms are key bacterial communities in genetic and adaptive resistance to antibiotics as well as disease control strategies. The mature high-coverage biofilm formations of the Vibrio campbellii strains (wild type BB120 and isogenic derivatives JAF633, KM387, and JMH603) are studied here through the unstraightforward digital processing of morphologically complex images without segmentation or the unrealistic simplifications used to artificially simulate low-density formations. The main results concern the specific mutant- and coverage-dependent short-range orientational correlation as well as the coherent development of biofilm growth pathways over the subdomains of the image. These findings are demonstrated to be unthinkable based only on a visual inspection of the samples or on methods such as Voronoi tessellation or correlation analyses. The presented approach is general, relies on measured rather than simulated low-density formations, and could be employed in the development of a highly efficient screening method for drugs or innovative materials
LSMO – growing opportunities by PLD and applications in spintronics
No full textFerromagnetic materials exhibiting at room temperature combination of good conductivity, magnetic and opto-electronic properties are needed for the development of functional spin-devices. Mixed-valence LSMO is an optimal source of fully spin-polarized carriers and shows a rich physics of magnetic phases and transport mechanisms. Many factors, such as growth temperature, oxygen stoichiometry, temperature-dependent oxygen desorption rate, structural matching between the growing film and substrate, film thickness, and defects, influence the LSMO properties. Stabilization of ferromagnetic and conductive behaviours is linked to structural order. Therefore a growth approach allowing congruent deposition of complex materials under controlled, reproducible and tunable conditions is strongly needed. In this respect pulsed laser deposition reveals a well-suited choice. This review aims to give an overview on LSMO thin film properties, deposition and applications, especially in the emerging organic spintronics
Cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) as a promising biomaterial for affecting bacterial colonization: investigation on Vibrio campbellii
No full textXPS CHARACTERIZATION OF PDMS BASED MICROFLUIDIC CHANNELS OF CLINICAL APPLICATION TREATED WITH DIFFERENT SOLVENTS
No full textRiassunti / absract presentati al XXV Congresso della Divisione di Chimica Analitica della Società Chimica Italian
Edge-melting: nanoscale key-mechanism to explain nanoparticle formation from heated TEM grids
No full textIn this study, we examine at both experimental and fundamental levels, the experimental evidence of nanoparticle formation in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) metal grids annealed at temperatures lower than the melting point of the corresponding metal bulk material. Our experimental investigation considers the most thermally unstable TEM grids (i.e. Cu-grids) and inspects the possible sources and mechanisms of contamination of thin films, conventionally deposited on carbon-coated Cu-grids. The investigations are supported by morphological–compositional analyses performed in different regions of the TEM sample. Then, a general model is formulated and discussed in order to explain the grid thermal instability, based on the critical role of edge-melting (i.e. melting initiated at edges and corners of th egrid bars), the enhanced rate of evaporation from a liquid surface and the polycristallinity of the grid bars.Hence, we totally disregard conventional arguments such as bulk evaporation and metal vapor pressure and, in order to emphasize and clarify the alternative point of view of our model, we also overview the nano-scale melting phenomenology relevant to our discussion and survey the discrepancies reported in the literature
PDMS Treated by Dichloromethane: Swollen Weight without Underestimation Due to the Solvent Volatility and Thermal Aging to Reduce Swelling and Morphology Damage
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