Photoluminescence of CdZnTe thick films obtained by close-spaced vacuum sublimation

Polycrystalline Cd1 xZnxTe thick films with thicknesses of about 30 μm have been deposited on a Mo coated glass substrate by means of close-spaced vacuum sublimation technique. X-ray diffraction measurements have shown that the films obtained have only cubic zinc blende phase. The influence of Zn concentration on the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of Cd1 xZnxTe films was investigated. This let us determine the nature and energy structure of the intrinsic defects and residual impurities in the films.This work was supported by Grant State Fund for Fundamental Research (project NGP/F61/087) and by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (Grant no. 0110U001151) by the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Grants nos. BС-157-15 and B-146-15)

Post-growth treatment of SnxSy thin films

In this study, the effect of post-growth thermal annealing and laser irradiation on phase composition, structural, optical and electrical properties of SnS2 obtained by the close-spaced sublimation on ITO substrates was studied. It was found, by using EDS, XRD and Raman methods that as-grown samples have single phase SnS2 structure and their chemical composition is close to stoichiometric

Composition dependence of structural and optical properties of Cd1−xZnxTe thick films obtained by the close-spaced sublimation

New approach for deposition of Cd1−xZnxTe thick films has been developed. Effect of chemical composition on Cd1−xZnxTe thick films properties was studied. The proposed approach allows obtaining of high-quality Cd1−xZnxTe thick films. Compositional dependence of Raman modes frequencies was established.This paper reports the results of structural, photoluminescence and Raman characterization of thick Cd1−xZnxTe films with different zinc concentration obtained by the close spaced vacuum sublimation method. The analysis of the X-rays patterns allows us to determine the effect of the zinc concentration on crystal quality of the films. It was found that samples with x ≈ 0.10 and x ≈ 0.32 have high crystal quality. However, with increasing of zinc concentration the crystal quality decreases. This result was confirmed by the photoluminescence study. Namely, the significant degradation of optical properties for the samples with high zinc concentration (x > 0.32) was observed. Raman spectroscopy reveals the relation between zinc concentration and vibrational properties of the films. Also, the micro-Raman method shows that obtained films are uniform and free of tellurium inclusions.This work was supported by Erasmus Ianus Programme and by the Ministry of Education, Science of Ukraine (Grant No. 0115U003242, 0113U000131) by theNational Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Grants Nos. BС-157-15 and B-146-15) and State Fund for Fundamental Research (project N GP/F61/087)

Photoluminescence of CdZnTe thick films obtained by close-spaced vacuum sublimation

Polycrystalline Cd1 xZnxTe thick films with thicknesses of about 30 μm have been deposited on a Mo coated glass substrate by means of close-spaced vacuum sublimation technique. X-ray diffraction measurements have shown that the films obtained have only cubic zinc blende phase. The influence of Zn concentration on the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of Cd1 xZnxTe films was investigated. This let us determine the nature and energy structure of the intrinsic defects and residual impurities in the films.This work was supported by Grant State Fund for Fundamental Research (project NGP/F61/087) and by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (Grant no. 0110U001151) by the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Grants nos. BС-157-15 and B-146-15)

Post-growth treatment of SnxSy thin films

In this study, the effect of post-growth thermal annealing and laser irradiation on phase composition, structural, optical and electrical properties of SnS2 obtained by the close-spaced sublimation on ITO substrates was studied. It was found, by using EDS, XRD and Raman methods that as-grown samples have single phase SnS2 structure and their chemical composition is close to stoichiometric

The assessment of pain in older people: UK National Guidelines

We are facing a huge increase in the older population over the next 30 years. This brings an anticipated increase in the prevalence of chronic pain and with this comes the challenge of assessment of pain in many varied settings. Our first iteration of this document was published in 2007. But there has been a proliferation of literature and research since then, so we have developed a new set of guidelines. Different patterns and sites of pain were seen in men and women. Age differences suggest that pain prevalence increased with age up to 85 years and then decreased. The available studies on barriers and attitudes to pain management point towards an adherence to bio-medically orientated beliefs about pain, concern amongst clinicians in relation to activity recommendations, and a negative orientation in general towards patients with chronic painful conditions. A multidisciplinary approach to the assessment and treatment of pain is essential, but the assessment is a complex process which is hampered by many communication issues, including cognitive ability and socio-cultural factors. Such issues are part of the UK ageing population. Structured pain education should be implemented that provides all health professionals (whether professionally or non-professionally trained) with standardised education and training in the assessment and management of pain according to level of experience. Although subjective, patient self-report is the most valid and reliable indicator of pain and it may be necessary to ask questions about pain in different ways in order to elicit a response. A number of valid and reliable self-report measures are available and can be used even when moderate dementia exists. The Numerical Rating Scale or verbal descriptors can be used with people who have mild to moderate cognitive impairment. For people with severe cognitive impairment Pain in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) and Doloplus-2 are recommended. PAINAD and Doloplus-2 scales continue to show positive results in terms of reliability and validity. There has been no recent evaluation of the Abbey pain scale although it is widely used throughout the UK. There is a need for more research into pain assessment using the collaborative role of the multidisciplinary team in all care settings. Self-report questionnaires of function are limited in their ability to capture the fluctuations in capacity and ability. The concentration on items of relevance to the population of interest means that issues of personal relevance can be obscured. Strong associations were seen between pain and depressed mood with each being a risk factor for the other. Additionally, loneliness and social isolation were associated with an increased risk of pain. Clinicians should be cognisant that social isolation and or depressive signs and symptoms may be indicators of pre-existing pain or a predictor of future pain onset. There are a number of evidence based guidelines on pain assessment in older people with or without cognitive impairment from around the world, including Australia and Europe

Synthesis of Micro- and Mesoporous SiO2 Based Ceramic Materials (Using Sol-gel Technology)

The aim of research is to develop an area of micro- and mesoporous ceramic materials of ternary - TiO2-ZrO2-SiO2 system. Ceramic system TiO2-ZrO2-SiO2 has been synthesized via a sol-gel technology by hydrolysis of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and zirconia propoxide and titanium isporopoxide solutions. The sols have been polymerized at room temperature to obtain gels and dried at 100 °C for 72 hours. Xerogel has been milled for 1 or 6 hours and axially pressed for nanoporous ceramic samples. Powders have been sintered at 800 °C or 1000 °C in air. 1 M hydrochloric acid and distilled water have been used as a catalyst to advance the hydrolysis and condensation reactions. All samples have been characterized by X-ray (XRD) diffraction, particle size distribution, crystallite size distribution, compressive strength. Porosity and specific surface area of nanoporous ceramic samples have been determined by Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms

Synthesis of Nanoporous SiO2-TiO2-ZrO2 Ceramics Using Sol-gel Technology

The aim of research is to develop an area of nanoporous ceramics of ternary systems. Nanoporous ceramic system SiO2-TiO2-ZrO2 has been synthesized via sol-gel technology by hydrolysis of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), zirconia and titanium alcoxides solutions. The sols have been polymerized at room temperature to obtain gels and dried at 100 oC, then milled for 1 or 6 hours for particle homogenization, pressed into samples, and then sintered at 800 oC or 1000 oC in air. The samples have been characterized by XRD, particle size distribution, crystallite size distribution, compressive strength. Porosity of ceramic samples has been determined by nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms.