Surface and bulk characterizations of CNx thin films made by r.f. magnetron sputtering

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EELS and NEXAFS structural investigations on the effects of the nitrogen incorporation in a-CNx films deposited by r.f. magnetron sputtering

This work presents the changes induced at the nanometer scale by the nitrogen incorporation into amorphous carbon nitride a-CNx films deposited by radio-frequency (r.f.) magnetron sputtering. High N content films (20 to 33 at.%) have been analysed by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and by near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS). EELS spectra at C K and N K edges roughly indicate the increase of the corresponding π* features, associated to N sp2 and C sp2 bonds, vs. the N content. Fine structures of the π* region of the N K edge spectra show at least three contributions, with different evolution depending on the N content. The discrepancies between the results recorded by these two techniques are only outward and they can be explained by the influence of the plasma parameters (pressure lying from 0.5 to 13 Pa and various Ar/N2 mixtures) on the deposition process. All the results are in good agreement with the XPS analysis of the N 1s data

Faba Bean

BAP GEAPSI EcolDurInternational audienceFaba bean is a grain legume producing protein-rich seeds and offering valuable ecological services in sustainable agriculture. Its wide-world distribution demonstrates a basic good capacity to adapt to diverse climates. Breeding represents a major lever to bring reliable yields, seed quality adapted to valuable uses, and new ecosystem services. Positive interactions with beneficial organisms such as root symbionts or pollinating insects may be amplified by the cultivar choice. Ideotypes targeted by breeders will be more efficiently achievable with well-characterised genetic resources and genomic tools. This chapter reviews the advances in both faba bean genetics and breeding, underlining the significant progress currently made on molecular genetics which will help and speed up the breeding efforts to improve targeted traits