84 research outputs found
Phonon replicas lineshape in GaN epilayers: The A and B exciton contributions
A thorough investigation of the lineshape of phonon-assisted emission in a high-quality c-plane GaN epilayer is presented up to 200K. Before addressing the lineshape analysis, we corrected distortions in the phonon replica spectra due to etaloning effects, by performing photoluminescence and reflectivity measurements. The comparison with existing models for phonon replicas shows that the commonly adopted description of the exciton-phonon interaction involving a single excitonic band leads to a large discrepancy with the experimental data. Only the
consideration of the complex nature of the excitonic band in GaN, including A and B exciton contributions, allows accounting for the temperature dependence of phonon replicas lineshape
Large K-exciton dynamics in GaN epilayers: the non-thermal and thermal regime
We present a detailed investigation concerning the exciton dynamics in GaN
epilayers grown on c-plane sapphire substrates, focussing on the exciton
formation and the transition from the nonthermal to the thermal regime. The
time-resolved kinetics of LO-phonon replicas is used to address the energy
relaxation in the excitonic band. From ps time-resolved spectra we bring
evidence for a long lasting non-thermal excitonic distribution which accounts
for the rst 50 ps. Such a behavior is con rmed in di erent experimental
conditions, both when non-resonant and resonant excitation are used. At low
excitation power density the exciton formation and their subsequent
thermalization is dominated by impurity scattering rather than by acoustic
phonon scattering. The estimate of the average energy of the excitons as a
function of delay after the excitation pulse provides information on the
relaxation time, which describes the evolution of the exciton population to the
thermal regime.Comment: 9 pages,8 figure
Vortices in polariton OPO superfluids
This chapter reviews the occurrence of quantised vortices in polariton
fluids, primarily when polaritons are driven in the optical parametric
oscillator (OPO) regime. We first review the OPO physics, together with both
its analytical and numerical modelling, the latter being necessary for the
description of finite size systems. Pattern formation is typical in systems
driven away from equilibrium. Similarly, we find that uniform OPO solutions can
be unstable to the spontaneous formation of quantised vortices. However,
metastable vortices can only be injected externally into an otherwise stable
symmetric state, and their persistence is due to the OPO superfluid properties.
We discuss how the currents charactering an OPO play a crucial role in the
occurrence and dynamics of both metastable and spontaneous vortices.Comment: 40 pages, 16 figure
The role of chest CT in deciphering interstitial lung involvement: systemic sclerosis versus COVID-19
Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the main CT features that may help in distinguishing a progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD) secondary to SSc from COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: This multicentric study included 22 international readers grouped into a radiologist group (RADs) and a non-radiologist group (nRADs). A total of 99 patients, 52 with COVID-19 and 47 with SSc-ILD, were included in the study. Results: Fibrosis inside focal ground-glass opacities (GGOs) in the upper lobes; fibrosis in the lower lobe GGOs; reticulations in lower lobes (especially if bilateral and symmetrical or associated with signs of fibrosis) were the CT features most frequently associated with SSc-ILD. The CT features most frequently associated with COVID- 19 pneumonia were: consolidation (CONS) in the lower lobes, CONS with peripheral (both central/peripheral or patchy distributions), anterior and posterior CONS and rounded-shaped GGOs in the lower lobes. After multivariate analysis, the presence of CONs in the lower lobes (P < 0.0001) and signs of fibrosis in GGOs in the lower lobes (P < 0.0001) remained independently associated with COVID-19 pneumonia and SSc-ILD, respectively. A predictive score was created that was positively associated with COVID-19 diagnosis (96.1% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity). Conclusion: CT diagnosis differentiating between COVID-19 pneumonia and SSc-ILD is possible through a combination of the proposed score and radiologic expertise. The presence of consolidation in the lower lobes may suggest COVID-19 pneumonia, while the presence of fibrosis inside GGOs may indicate SSc-ILD
The role of chest CT in deciphering interstitial lung involvement: systemic sclerosis versus COVID-19
Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the main CT features that may help in distinguishing a progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD) secondary to SSc from COVID-19 pneumonia. //
Methods: This multicentric study included 22 international readers grouped into a radiologist group (RADs) and a non-radiologist group (nRADs). A total of 99 patients, 52 with COVID-19 and 47 with SSc-ILD, were included in the study. //
Results: Fibrosis inside focal ground-glass opacities (GGOs) in the upper lobes; fibrosis in the lower lobe GGOs; reticulations in lower lobes (especially if bilateral and symmetrical or associated with signs of fibrosis) were the CT features most frequently associated with SSc-ILD. The CT features most frequently associated with COVID- 19 pneumonia were: consolidation (CONS) in the lower lobes, CONS with peripheral (both central/peripheral or patchy distributions), anterior and posterior CONS and rounded-shaped GGOs in the lower lobes. After multivariate analysis, the presence of CONs in the lower lobes (P < 0.0001) and signs of fibrosis in GGOs in the lower lobes (P < 0.0001) remained independently associated with COVID-19 pneumonia and SSc-ILD, respectively. A predictive score was created that was positively associated with COVID-19 diagnosis (96.1% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity). //
Conclusion: CT diagnosis differentiating between COVID-19 pneumonia and SSc-ILD is possible through a combination of the proposed score and radiologic expertise. The presence of consolidation in the lower lobes may suggest COVID-19 pneumonia, while the presence of fibrosis inside GGOs may indicate SSc-ILD
Quantitative Computed Tomography in COPD: Possibilities and Limitations
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease that is characterized by chronic airflow limitation. Unraveling of this heterogeneity is challenging but important, because it might enable more accurate diagnosis and treatment. Because spirometry cannot distinguish between the different contributing pathways of airflow limitation, and visual scoring is time-consuming and prone to observer variability, other techniques are sought to start this phenotyping process. Quantitative computed tomography (CT) is a promising technique, because current CT technology is able to quantify emphysema, air trapping, and large airway wall dimensions. This review focuses on CT quantification techniques of COPD disease components and their current status and role in phenotyping COPD
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