Microstructure Evolution of In Situ Pulsed-Laser Crystallized Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 Thin Films

Integration of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films with temperature-sensitive substrates (CMOS, polymers) would benefit from growth at substrate temperatures below 400°C. In this work, in situ pulsed-laser annealing [Rajashekhar et al. (2013) Appl. Phys. Lett., 103 [3] 032908] was used to grow crystalline lead zirconate titanate (PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3) thin films at a substrate temperature of ~370°C on PbZr0.30Ti0.70O3-buffered platinized silicon substrates. Transmission electron microscopy analysis indicated that the films were well crystallized into columnar grains, but with pores segregated at the grain boundaries. Lateral densification of the grain columns was significantly improved by reducing the partial pressure of oxygen from 120 to 50 mTorr, presumably due to enhanced adatom mobility at the surface accompanying increased bombardment. It was found that varying the fractional annealing duration with respect to the deposition duration produced little effect on lateral grain growth. However, increasing the fractional annealing duration led to shift of 111 PZT X-ray diffraction peaks to higher 2θ values, suggesting residual in-plane tensile stresses in the films. Thermal simulations were used to understand the annealing process. Evolution of the film microstructure is described in terms of transient heating from the pulsed laser determining the nucleation events, while the energy of the arriving species dictates grain growth/coarsening

Implementing telephone triage in general practice: a process evaluation of a cluster randomised controlled trial

Background: Telephone triage represents one strategy to manage demand for face-to-face GP appointments in primary care. However, limited evidence exists of the challenges GP practices face in implementing telephone triage. We conducted a qualitative process evaluation alongside a UK-based cluster randomised trial (ESTEEM) which compared the impact of GP-led and nurse-led telephone triage with usual care on primary care workload, cost, patient experience, and safety for patients requesting a same-day GP consultation. The aim of the process study was to provide insights into the observed effects of the ESTEEM trial from the perspectives of staff and patients, and to specify the circumstances under which triage is likely to be successfully implemented. Here we report perspectives of staff. Methods: The intervention comprised implementation of either GP-led or nurse-led telephone triage for a period of 2-3 months. A qualitative evaluation was conducted using staff interviews recruited from eight general practices (4 GP triage, 4 Nurse triage) in the UK, implementing triage as part of the ESTEEM trial. Qualitative interviews were undertaken with 44 staff members in GP triage and nurse triage practices (16 GPs, 8 nurses, 7 practice managers, 13 administrative staff). Results: Staff reported diverse experiences and perceptions regarding the implementation of telephone triage, its effects on workload, and on the benefits of triage. Such diversity were explained by the different ways triage was organised, the staffing models used to support triage, how the introduction of triage was communicated across practice staff, and by how staff roles were reconfigured as a result of implementing triage. Conclusion: The findings from the process evaluation offer insight into the range of ways GP practices participating in ESTEEM implemented telephone triage, and the circumstances under which telephone triage can be successfully implemented beyond the context of a clinical trial. Staff experiences and perceptions of telephone triage are shaped by the way practices communicate with staff, prepare for and sustain the changes required to implement triage effectively, as well as by existing practice culture, and staff and patient behaviour arising in response to the changes made. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN20687662. Registered 28 May 2009

Pathway to the PiezoElectronic Transduction Logic Device

The information age challenges computer technology to process an exponentially increasing computational load on a limited energy budget - a requirement that demands an exponential reduction in energy per operation. In digital logic circuits, the switching energy of present FET devices is intimately connected with the switching voltage, and can no longer be lowered sufficiently, limiting the ability of current technology to address the challenge. Quantum computing offers a leap forward in capability, but a clear advantage requires algorithms presently developed for only a small set of applications. Therefore, a new, general purpose, classical technology based on a different paradigm is needed to meet the ever increasing demand for data processing.Comment: in Nano Letters (2015