Fabrication and characterization of aluminum nitride films and its application in pedestal-type optical waveguides.

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo principal a produção e estudo de filmes de nitreto de alumínio (AlN) depositados por pulverização catódica (sputtering) reativa e a fabricação e caracterização de guias de onda tipo pedestal utilizando o AlN como núcleo. Inicialmente, filmes de AlN foram fabricados por pulverização catódica reativa (sputtering) de rádio frequência (RF) utilizando um alvo de alumínio (Al) com 99,999% de pureza, e nitrogênio (N2) como gás reativo. Subsequentemente, os filmes foram caracterizados mediante as técnicas de elipsometria, difração de raios X (DRX), espectroscopia de absorção por transformada de fourier na região do infravermelho (FTIR) e espectroscopia de absorção na região do ultravioleta e do visível (UV-VIS). Tendo as melhores condições ópticas e físicas para a deposição de filmes de AlN, foram fabricados neste trabalho guias de onda tipo pedestal utilizando estes filmes como núcleo. O guia de onda pedestal traz um processo de fabricação alternativo, em que a geometria do guia de onda determina-se na camada anterior ao do núcleo, assim já não é necessário delinear as paredes laterais da camada de núcleo facilitando desta forma, o processo de fabricação do dispositivo. Os guias de tipo pedestal fabricados neste trabalho foram definidos através da corrosão parcial do óxido de silício (SiO2) mediante a técnica de RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) usando gases trifluorometano (CHF3) e oxigênio (O2) como gases reativos. Uma vez definido o pedestal, um filme de nitreto de alumínio é depositado sobre o SiO2 com a finalidade de constituir o núcleo do guia de onda. O ar foi utilizado como revestimento superior, cujo índice de refração (n = 1) aumenta o confinamento da luz no núcleo e também para poder possibilitar a caracterização das perdas ópticas do dispositivo. Para esta caracterização usamos a técnica de vista superior que permitiu a análises das perdas ópticas de propagação para diferentes alturas de pedestal e diferentes espessuras de núcleo tanto para filmes de AlN orientado no plano cristalino (002) quanto para filmes de AlN amorfos.The main objective of this work is the production and study of Aluminum Nitride (AlN) films deposited by reactive sputtering and the fabrication and characterization of pedestal optical waveguides using AlN as core. Initially, aluminum nitride films were produced by reactive sputtering using a 99.999% aluminum (Al) purity target, and nitrogen (N2) as the reactive gas. Subsequently, the films were characterized by ellipsometry, X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS). Once the best optical and physical conditions for the deposition of AlN films were obtained, pedestal waveguides using these films as a nucleus were fabricated in this work. The pedestal waveguide provides an alternative manufacturing process where the geometry of the waveguide is determined in the pre-core layer, so it is no longer necessary to delineate the side walls of the core layer thereby facilitating the device fabrication process. The pedestal waveguides fabricated in this work were defined by the partial corrosion of SiO2 by the RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) technique using CHF3 and O2 gases as reactive gases. Once the pedestal is completed, an aluminum nitride film is deposited onto the SiO2 layer as the waveguide core. The air was used as an upper cladding, whose refractive index (n ? 1) increases the confinement of the light in the core and also allows the optical loss characterization. For this characterization, we used the superior view technique that allowed the analysis of optical propagation losses for different pedestal heights and different core thicknesses for both highly (002) oriented and amorphous AlN films

Study of polypyrrole applicability on humidity optical sensor development.

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo principal o estudo e o desenvolvimento de um sensor óptico de umidade usando o polímero polipirrol. Inicialmente, estudou-se o princípio teórico dos diversos sensores de umidade encontrados no mercado, assim como fundamentos básicos sobre guias de onda, umidade e polímeros (especialmente polipirrol). Realizou-se também um estudo da influência da umidade nas características físicas e ópticas do polipirrol mediante a técnica elipsométrica. Particularmente, foi estudado em detalhe o comportamento do índice de refração do polipirrol frente a grandes variações de concentrações de umidade, e se demonstrou que o valor do índice de refração do polipirrol aumenta quando exposto a vapor de água. Com os resultados alcançados na caracterização óptica do polímero, foram desenvolvidos sensores de umidade à fibra óptica, baseados na técnica de fibra interrompida, e sensores à guia de onda ARROW (Anti-Resonant Reflecting Optical Waveguide), baseados na técnica de detecção por campo evanescente, sendo o polipirrol usado como camada ativa de sensoriamento. Os dispositivos baseados em fibra óptica e guia de onda ARROW mostraram que a potência de saída dos dispositivos diminui inversamente em relação à umidade relativa (para uma concentração de 50 a 80%).The aim of the present work is the study and development of an optical humidity sensor using polymer polypyrrole. Initially, it was studied theoretical principles of common humidity sensors and it was also studied the theoretical basis of optical waveguides. The first part of the present project involved a study of polypyrrole refractive index behavior when exposed to different humidity concentrations, using the ellipsometric technique. The characterization results showed an increment on polypyrrole refractive index when exposed to water vapor. With these results, a based optical fiber sensor was developed using the air gap configuration, and polypyrrole was used as the sensor element. The last part of the project involved an optical humidity sensor development based on ARROW waveguide (Anti-Resonant Reflecting Optical Waveguide), using the evanescent field configuration. In this case, polypyrrole was also used as the sensor element. These devices (based on optical fiber and ARROW waveguide) showed that the power output decreases inversely with relative humidity concentration (from 50% to 80%)

Angle-Based Parametrization with Evolutionary Optimization for OESCL-Band Y-Junction Splitters

The design of passive photonic devices based on geometry optimization can lead to energy-efficient, small-footprint, and fabrication-ready geometries. In this work, we propose an angle-based parametrization method to optimize Y-junction splitters based on multimode interferometers. The selected figure of merit was the transmittance in the SCL and OESCL optical fiber communication bands. The performances of three optimization methods were compared: (i) particle swarm optimization (PSO), (ii) genetic algorithm (GA), and (iii) the covariance matrix adaptation-evolution strategy (CMA-ES). The results show that CMA-ES parametrization produces similar transmittance results (≤1.5% of difference) to PSO in the first 40 generations. The CMA-ES results are identical in the SCL (1460–1625 nm) and OESCL (1260–1625 nm) bands, whereas the GA and PSO executions are slightly different in terms of the rate and similarity of the figure of merit

Fascitis plantar. Criterios y experiencias sobre la infiltración con anestésicos locales y corticoesteroides: Criterios y experiencias sobre la infiltración con anestésicos locales y corticoesteroides

Introduction: within the group of diseases of the osteomioarticular system, plantar fasciitis (FP) is one of the most frequent causes of chronic foot pain. Objective: to provide criteria on the use of infiltration of local anesthetics and corticosteroids for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Development: the infiltrations of corticosteroids and local anesthetics that are performed more frequently in clinical practice were selected, their effectiveness was analyzed according to the evidence in the international literature and from there the results were contrasted with the criteria and experiences of the patients authors of this work. Conclusions: the considerations made in this study suggest that the use of corticosteroids through infiltrations in orthopedic pathologies is a valuable means to improve inflammation of the tissues and for the relief of pain, both when used in the joints and in the joints and soft partsIntroducción: Dentro del grupo de las enfermedades del sistema osteomioarticular la fascitis plantar (FP) es una de las causas más frecuente de dolor crónico del pie. Objetivo: aportar criterios sobre el empleo de la infiltración de anestésicos locales y corticoesteroides para el tratamiento de la fascitis plantar. Desarrollo: se seleccionaron las infiltraciones de corticoesteroides y de anestésicos locales que se realizan con mayor frecuencia en la práctica clínica, se analizó su efectividad según la evidencia en la literatura internacional y a partir de ahí se contrastaron los resultados encontrados con los criterios y experiencias de los autores de este trabajo. Conclusiones: Las consideraciones realizadas en este estudio apuntan a que el uso de los corticoides mediante infiltraciones en patologías ortopédicas es un medio valioso para mejorar la inflamación de los tejidos y para el alivio de los dolores, tanto cuando se emplea en las articulaciones como en las partes blandas

Global attitudes in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic: ACIE Appy Study

Background: Surgical strategies are being adapted to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations on the management of acute appendicitis have been based on expert opinion, but very little evidence is available. This study addressed that dearth with a snapshot of worldwide approaches to appendicitis. Methods: The Association of Italian Surgeons in Europe designed an online survey to assess the current attitude of surgeons globally regarding the management of patients with acute appendicitis during the pandemic. Questions were divided into baseline information, hospital organization and screening, personal protective equipment, management and surgical approach, and patient presentation before versus during the pandemic. Results: Of 744 answers, 709 (from 66 countries) were complete and were included in the analysis. Most hospitals were treating both patients with and those without COVID. There was variation in screening indications and modality used, with chest X-ray plus molecular testing (PCR) being the commonest (19\ub78 per cent). Conservative management of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis was used by 6\ub76 and 2\ub74 per cent respectively before, but 23\ub77 and 5\ub73 per cent, during the pandemic (both P < 0\ub7001). One-third changed their approach from laparoscopic to open surgery owing to the popular (but evidence-lacking) advice from expert groups during the initial phase of the pandemic. No agreement on how to filter surgical smoke plume during laparoscopy was identified. There was an overall reduction in the number of patients admitted with appendicitis and one-third felt that patients who did present had more severe appendicitis than they usually observe. Conclusion: Conservative management of mild appendicitis has been possible during the pandemic. The fact that some surgeons switched to open appendicectomy may reflect the poor guidelines that emanated in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2