Non-destructive characterization of nitrogen-implanted silicon-on-insulator structures by spectroscopic ellipsometry

Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structures implanted with 200 or 400 keV N+ ions at a dose of 7.5 × 1017cm−2 were studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The SE measurements were carried out in the 300–700 nm wavelength (4.13-1.78 eV photon energy) range. The SE data were analysed by the conventional method of using appropriate optical models and linear regression analysis. We applied a seven-layer model (a surface oxide layer, a thick silicon layer, upper two interface layers, a thick nitride layer and lower two interface layers) with good results. The fitted parameters were the layer thickness and compositions. The results were compared with data obtained from Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) and transmission electron microscopy. The sensitivity of our optical model and fitting technique was good enough to distinguish between the silicon-rich transition layers near the upper and lower interfaces of the nitride layer, which are unresolvable in RBS measurements

Scanning infra-red microscope studies of inhomogeneities in Si and GaAs ingot materials

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:D173848 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Wavefront shaping optics for laser-generated plasma heating

The use of pupil plane phase masks provides a useful and efficient method of manipulating focal région light distributions. Such masks have found application in the telecommunication sector, including the use of Fourier plane replicating holograms for weighted beamlet array generation for the addressing of optoelectronic devices. Rather than modifying the focal pattern at the focal plane, the through focus intensity distribution may also be controlled with an appropriately designed phase mask. In a high numerical aperture optical System, as is used for laser generated plasma X-ray sources, such phase mask can extend the depth of focus of the irradiating laser beam, to achieve more uniform plasma heating and consequently, a better shot-to-shot repeatability from the X-ray source

Optimized pupil-plane filters for confocal microscope point-spread function engineering

We present a new method of superresolving pupil-plane filter design in confocal microscopy in which we specify the properties of the desired point-spread function and use an optimization procedure to determine a suitable pupil-plane filter. A new, flexible method of filter implementation using reconfigurable binary optical elements is described, and experimental results are presented

Wavefront shaping optics for laser-generated plasma heating

The use of pupil plane phase masks provides a useful and efficient method of manipulating focal région light distributions. Such masks have found application in the telecommunication sector, including the use of Fourier plane replicating holograms for weighted beamlet array generation for the addressing of optoelectronic devices. Rather than modifying the focal pattern at the focal plane, the through focus intensity distribution may also be controlled with an appropriately designed phase mask. In a high numerical aperture optical System, as is used for laser generated plasma X-ray sources, such phase mask can extend the depth of focus of the irradiating laser beam, to achieve more uniform plasma heating and consequently, a better shot-to-shot repeatability from the X-ray source

Clinical Investigation of Hereditary and Acquired Thrombophilic Factors in Patients with Venous and Arterial Thromboembolism

Erzsebet Kovács,1 Zsuzsanna Bereczky,2 Adrienne Kerényi,3 Renáta Laczik,4 Valéria Nagy,5 Dávid Ágoston Kovács,6 Sándor Kovács,7 György Pfliegler1 1Centre of Rare Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary; 2Division of Clinical Laboratory Science, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary; 3Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary; 4Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary; 5Department of Ophthalmology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary; 6Department of Surgery, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary; 7Department of Research Methodology and Statistics, Institute of Sectoral Economics and Methodology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, HungaryCorrespondence: Erzsebet Kovács, Centre of Rare Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 98 Nagyerdei krt, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary, Tel +36 52 255574, Email [email protected]: The clinical relevance of thrombophilic laboratory factors, especially the “mild” ones, and the need for their screening is not generally recommended in venous (VTE) and/or arterial (ATE) thromboembolism.Methods: Our aim was to investigate possible associations between comorbidities and 16 inherited/acquired “severe” and “mild” laboratory thrombophilic factors (detailed in introduction) in patients (n=348) with VTE/ATE without a serious trigger (high-risk surgical intervention, active cancer and/or chemo-radiotherapy). Cases with VTE/ATE were enrolled when the thrombotic event occurred under the age of 40, in case of positive family history, recurrent thromboembolism, idiopathic event or unusual location. Patients without a detailed thrombophilia screening or who suffered from both ATE/VTE were excluded to find potential distinct thrombosis type specific thrombophilic risks. The possible role of “mild” factor accumulation was also investigated in VTE (n=266).Results: Elevation of factor VIII clotting activity was associated with VTE rather than ATE. Varicose veins together with postthrombotic syndrome were strongly related to several “mild” factors. Besides “severe” we found that the “mild” thrombophilic factors were also strongly associated with VTE/ATE. Comorbidities/conditions such as diabetes and smoking were generally associated with hyperlipidemia; moreover, both had a correlation with lipoprotein (a) in VTE. We also revealed an important contribution of “mild” factors in increasing trends of several types and localizations of VTE.Conclusion: In summary, besides the “severe” thrombophilic factors, the “mild” ones also seem to play a non-negligible role in the manifestation of thrombosis, especially in combination. Therefore, an extended screening might be useful in the personalized recommendation of antithrombotic prophylaxis.Keywords: thrombosis, hemostasis, thrombophilia, venous thromboembolism, arterial thromboembolis

Dynamic manipulation of Bose-Einstein condensates with a spatial light modulator

We manipulate a Bose-Einstein condensate using the optical trap created by the diffraction of a laser beam on a fast ferro-electric liquid crystal spatial light modulator. The modulator acts as a phase grating which can generate arbitrary diffraction patterns and be rapidly reconfigured at rates up to 1 kHz to create smooth, time-varying optical potentials. The flexibility of the device is demonstrated with our experimental results for splitting a Bose-Einstein condensate and independently transporting the separate parts of the atomic cloud.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure