Electronic states tuning of InAs self-assembled quantum dots

3 páginas, 3 figuras.-- PACS: 778.66.Fd, 78.55.Cr, 81.15.Hi, 81.05.Ea, 73.21.-b, 85.35.BeWe demonstrate the dimensional tuning of InAs self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) by changing the growth kinetics during the capping of InAs islands with GaAs. Modifying the growth sequence during the capping of InAs islands, allows us to tune the thickness and lateral dimensions of the QDs while keeping the wetting layer thickness constant. Using the same method but embedding the tuned InAs islands into AlAs layers allows to further blueshift the photoluminescence emission to higher energies while keeping the wetting layer thickness constant. The main process responsible for the QDs size modification is consistent with a kinetically controlled materials redistribution of the InAs islands that minimizes the energy of the epitaxial layers at the start up of the GaAs capping deposition.The authors want to acknowledge the financial support of QUEST an NSF-Science and Technology center (DMR No. 91-20007), the Linköping University (POH), the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (PJW) and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (JMG) for financial support.Peer reviewe

Fabrication of broadband antireflective sub-wavelength structures on fluorescent SiC

Surface nanocones on 6H-SiC have been developed and demonstrated as an effective method of enhancing the light extraction efficiency from fluorescent SiC layers. The surface reflectance, measured from the opposite direction of light emission, over a broad bandwidth range is significantly suppressed from 20.5% to 1.0 % after introducing the sub-wavelength structures. An omnidirectional light harvesting enhancement (&gt;91%), is also achieved which promotes fluorescent SiC as a good candidate of wavelength converter for white light-emitting diodes.</jats:p

The role of defects in fluorescent silicon carbide layers grown by sublimation epitaxy

Donor-acceptor co-doped SiC is a promising light converter for novel monolithic all-semiconductor white LEDs due to its broad-band donor-acceptor pair luminescence and potentially high internal quantum efficiency. Besides sufficiently high doping concentrations in an appropriate ratio yielding short radiative lifetimes, long nonradiative lifetimes are crucial for efficient light conversion. The impact of different types of defects is studied by characterizing fluorescent silicon carbide layers with regard to photoluminescence intensity, homogeneity and efficiency taking into account dislocation density and distribution. Different doping concentrations and variations in gas phase composition and pressure are investigated

Absolute-Magnitude Distributions and Light Curves of Stripped-Envelope Supernovae

The absolute visual magnitudes of three Type IIb, 11 Type Ib and 13 Type Ic supernovae (collectively known as stripped-envelope supernovae) are studied by collecting data on the apparent magnitude, distance, and interstellar extinction of each event. Weighted and unweighted mean absolute magnitudes of the combined sample as well as various subsets of the sample are reported. The limited sample size and the considerable uncertainties, especially those associated with extinction in the host galaxies, prevent firm conclusions regarding differences between the absolute magnitudes of supernovae of Type Ib and Ic, and regarding the existence of separate groups of overluminous and normal-luminosity stripped-envelope supernovae. The spectroscopic characteristics of the events of the sample are considered. Three of the four overluminous events are known to have had unusual spectra. Most but not all of the normal luminosity events had typical spectra. Light curves of stripped-envelope supernovae are collected and compared. Because SN 1994I in M51 was very well observed it often is regarded as the prototypical Type Ic supernova, but it has the fastest light curve in the sample. Light curves are modeled by means of a simple analytical technique that, combined with a constraint on E/M from spectroscopy, yields internally consistent values of ejected mass, kinetic energy, and nickel mass.Comment: 39 pages, 14 figures, 7 tables; Accepted to A

Plasma Levels of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor and d-Dopachrome Tautomerase Show a Highly Specific Profile in Early Life.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic, constitutively expressed, pro-inflammatory cytokine and an important regulator of immune responses. d-dopachrome tautomerase (DDT), a newly described member of the MIF protein superfamily, shares sequence homology and biological activities with MIF. We recently reported that high expression levels of MIF sustain innate immune responses in newborns. Here, we elected to further characterize age-dependent MIF expression and to define whether DDT shares a similar expression profile with MIF. Therefore, we delineated the circulating concentrations of MIF and DDT throughout life using a large cohort of 307 subjects including fetuses, newborns, infants, children, and adults. Compared to levels measured in healthy adults (median: 5.7 ng/ml for MIF and 16.8 ng/ml for DDT), MIF and DDT plasma concentrations were higher in fetuses (median: 48.9 and 29.6 ng/ml), increased further at birth (median: 82.6 and 52.0 ng/ml), reached strikingly elevated levels on postnatal day 4 (median: 109.5 and 121.6 ng/ml), and decreased to adult levels during the first months of life. A strong correlation was observed between MIF and DDT concentrations in all age groups (R = 0.91, P &lt; 0.0001). MIF and DDT levels correlated with concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor, a protein upregulated under low oxygen tension and implicated in vascular and lung development (R = 0.70, P &lt; 0.0001 for MIF and R = 0.65, P &lt; 0.0001 for DDT). In very preterm infants, lower levels of MIF and DDT on postnatal day 6 were associated with an increased risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia and late-onset neonatal sepsis. Thus, MIF and DDT plasma levels show a highly specific developmental profile in early life, supporting an important role for these cytokines during the neonatal period