Surface plasmon enhanced spontaneous emission rate of InGaN/GaN quantum wells probed by time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy

We observed a 32-fold increase in the spontaneous emission rate of InGaN/GaN quantum well (QW) at 440 nm by employing surface plasmons (SPs) probed by time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. We explore this remarkable enhancement of the emission rates and intensities resulting from the efficient energy transfer from electron-hole pair recombination in the QW to electron vibrations of SPs at the metal-coated surface of the semiconductor heterostructure. This QW-SP coupling is expected to lead to a new class of super bright and high-speed light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that offer realistic alternatives to conventional fluorescent tubes

Surface plasmon enhanced InGaN light emitter

We report a dramatic increase in the photoluminescence (PL) emitted from InGaN/GaN quantum wells (QW), obtained by covering these sample surface with thin metallic films. Remarkable enhancements of PL peak intensities were obtained from In_(0.3)Ga_(0.7)N QWs with 50 nm thick silver and aluminum coating with 10 nm GaN spacer. These PL enhancements can be attributed to strong interaction between QWs and surface plasmons (SPs). No such enhancements were obtained from samples coated with gold, as its well-known plasmon resonance occurs only at longer wavelengths. We also showed that QW-SP coupling increase the internal quantum efficiencies by measuring the temperature dependence of PL intensities. QW-SP coupling is a very promising method for developing the super bright light emitting diodes (LEDs). Moreover, we found that the metal nano-structure is very important facto to decide the light extraction. A possible mechanism of QW-SP coupling and emission enhancement has been developed, and high-speed and efficient light emission is predicted for optically as well as electrically pumped light emitters

Surface plasmon enhanced light emitting efficiencies of InGaN/GaN quantum wells

We report a dramatic increase in the light emitting efficiency of InGaN/GaN resulting from surface plasmon interaction between the quantum wells and evaporated silver layers, whereas no such enhancement was obtained from gold deposited samples

Feasibility study of two schedules of sunitinib in combination with pemetrexed in patients with advanced solid tumors

Background Sunitinib is an oral multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor receptors, as well as of other receptor types. We have performed a feasibility study to investigate the safety of sunitinib in combination with pemetrexed for treatment of advanced refractory solid tumors. Methods Sunitinib was administered once daily on a continuous daily dosing (CDD) schedule (37.5 mg/day) or a 2-weeks-on, 1-week-off treatment schedule (50 mg/day, Schedule 2/1) in combination with pemetrexed at 500 mg/m2 on day 1 of repeated 21-day cycles. Results Twelve patients were enrolled in the study: six on the CDD schedule and six on Schedule 2/1. None of the treated patients experienced a dose-limiting toxicity. Toxicities were manageable and similar in type to those observed in monotherapy studies of sunitinib and pemetrexed. Pharmacokinetic analysis did not reveal any substantial drug–drug interaction. One patient with squamous cell lung cancer showed a partial response and five patients had stable disease. Conclusions Combination therapy with sunitinib administered on Schedule 2/1 (50 mg/day) or a CDD schedule (37.5 mg/day) together with standard-dose pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) was well tolerated in previously treated patients with advanced solid tumors

S-1 Plus Cisplatin with Concurrent Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Multi-Institutional Phase II Trial (West Japan Thoracic Oncology Group 3706)

Purpose:To evaluate the combination chemotherapy using oral antimetabolite S-1 plus cisplatin (SP) with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy (RT) followed by the consolidation SP for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.Patients and Methods:Patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer, 20 to 74 years of age, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 to 1 were eligible. The concurrent phase consisted of full dose S-1 (orally at 40 mg/m2/dose twice daily, on days 1–14) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2 on day 1) repeated every 4 weeks for two cycles with RT delivered beginning on day 1 (60 Gy/30 fractions over 6 weeks). After SP-RT, patients received an additional two cycles of SP as the consolidation phase.Results:Fifty-five patients were registered between November 2006 and December 2007. Of the 50 patients for efficacy analysis, the median age was 64 years; male/female 40/10; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0/1, 21/29; clinical stage IIIA/IIIB 18/32; and adenocarcinoma/others 20/30. There were 42 clinical responses including one complete response with an objective response rate of 84% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71–93%). The 1- and 2-year overall survival rates were 88% (95% CI, 75–94%) and 70% (95% CI, 55–81%), respectively. The median progression-free survival was 20 months. Of the 54 patients for safety analysis, common toxicities in the concurrent phase included grade 3/4 neutropenia (26%), thrombocytopenia (9%), and grade 3 esophagitis (9%) and febrile neutropenia (9%). In one patient, grade 3 pneumonitis was observed in the consolidation phase. There were two treatment-related deaths caused by infection in the concurrent phase.Conclusions:SP-RT showed a promising efficacy against locally advanced NCSLC with acceptable toxicity