Effect of spin-orbit interaction on heterojunction band discontinuities

The effect of spin-orbit interaction is included in the linear combination of atomic orbitals calculation of heterojunction band discontinuities. It is found that spin-orbit interaction is not negligible when the atomic number of the constituent atoms exceeds about 40. The effect of spin-orbit interaction as well as some interesting observations and their implications are briefly discussed

Internal photoemission from quantum well heterojunction superlattices by phononless free-carrier absorption

The possibility of phononless free-carrier absorption in quantum well heterojunction superlattices was investigated. Order of magnitude calculation showed that the absorption coefficient was significantly enhanced over the phonon-assisted process. Important aspects of the enhancement in the design of infrared photodetectors are discussed

On the linewidth enhancement factor alpha in semiconductor injection lasers

A simple model for the linewidth enhancement factor alpha and its frequency dependence in semiconductor lasers is presented. Calculations based on this model are in reasonable agreement with experimental results

Graded collector heterojunction bipolar transistor

A graded collector heterojunction bipolar transistor is proposed. The graded collector improves device speed performance at high current densities by reducing the influence of the Kirk effect

Sintered silicon nitrode recuperator fabrication

The preliminary design and a demonstration of the feasibility of fabricating submodules of an automotive Stirling engine recuperator for waste heat recovery at 370 C are described. Sinterable silicon nitride (Sialon) tubing and plates were fabricated by extrusion and hydrostatic pressing, respectively, suitable for demonstrating a potential method of constructing ceramic recuperator-type heat exchangers. These components were fired in nitrogen atmosphere to 1800 C without significant scale formation so that they can be used in the as-fired condition. A refractory glass composition (Al2O3 x 4.5 CaO.MgO x 11SiO2) was used to join and seal component parts by a brazing technique which formed strong recuperator submodules capable of withstanding repeated thermal cycling to 1370 C. The corrosion resistance of these materials to Na2SO4 + NaCl carbon mixtures was also assessed in atmospheres of air, hydrogen and CO2-N2-H2O mixtures at both 870 C and 1370 C for times to 1000 hours. No significant reaction was observed under any of these test conditions

Student perceptions to teaching undergraduate anatomy in Health Sciences

Anatomy and physiology teaching has undergone significant changes to keep up with advances in technology and to cater for a wide array of student specific learning approaches. This paper examines perceptions towards a variety of teaching instruments, techniques, and innovations used in the delivery and teaching of anatomy and physiology for health science students, and asks whether active learning through more progressive methods of teaching is beneficial for students across health science disciplines. In total, 138 health science students consisting of 32 biomedical science students, 52 exercise and sports science students, and 54 health and physical education students completed the retrospective study. Biomedical science students were least receptive to progressive teaching modalities, preferring anatomical dissections to laboratory workbooks (p ppp\u3c 0.005) when discussing all material in the course. The results obtained demonstrate differences amongst cohorts, which indicate that student perceptions to learning anatomy and physiology are dependent on individual course expectations. Moreover, these results support “hands on” practical teaching, and the use of a variety of teaching tools to foster learning and enjoyment of anatomy and physiology in health sciences

Carrier leakage and temperature dependence of InGaAsP lasers

A direct measurement of electron and hole leakage in InGaAsP/InP lasers has been carried out. The effect of electron leakage on the temperature sensitivity of InGaAsP/InP lasers has been revealed

Dissociation of mitochondrial depolarization from cytochrome c release during apoptosis induced by photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with the phthalocyanine photosensitizer Pc 4 induces rapid apoptosis in mouse lymphoma (LY-R) cells, initiating with the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. It has been proposed that the opening of the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pores, which results in the dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), is essential for the escape of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol as well as for apoptotic cell death. Therefore, we have assessed the correlation between the loss of Δψm and the release of cytochrome c following PDT. Treatment of LY-R cells with 300 nM Pc 4 and 60, 90 or 120 mJ/cm2of red light resulted in apoptosis of 80–90% of the cells, accompanied by >20-fold elevation in caspase-3-like activity within one h. At all 3 doses of PDT employed here, the majority of the cytochrome c was released from mitochondria at 15 min after irradiation, as determined by an immunohistochemical method. In contrast, the loss of Δψm following PDT, as monitored by the uptake of JC-1 or Rh-123, depended on the PDT dose and the post-treatment time. In spite of the release of cytochrome c at 15 min after each of the 3 doses, a corresponding loss of Δψm was observed only for those cells that received the highest dose of PDT. Virtually all cells that received one of the lower doses of PDT (300 nM Pc 4 plus 60 or 90 mJ/cm2) maintained normal Δψm. Hence, our results support the conclusion that the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria resulting from Pc 4-PDT-induced photodamage is independent of the loss of Δψm. Therefore, it is important to consider a range of doses of this or other apoptotic stimuli in deciphering the relationship of metabolic responses that contribute to apoptosis. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

Damage coefficients in low resistivity silicon

Electron and proton damage coefficients are determined for low resistivity silicon based on minority-carrier lifetime measurements on bulk material and diffusion length measurements on solar cells. Irradiations were performed on bulk samples and cells fabricated from four types of boron-doped 0.1 ohm-cm silicon ingots, including the four possible combinations of high and low oxygen content and high and low dislocation density. Measurements were also made on higher resistivity boron-doped bulk samples and solar cells. Major observations and conclusions from the investigation are discussed