Near-field imaging and frequency tuning of a high-Q photonic crystal membrane microcavity

We discuss experimental studies of the interaction between a nanoscopic object and a photonic crystal membrane resonator of quality factor Q=55000. By controlled actuation of a glass fiber tip in the near-field of a photonic crystal, we constructed a complete spatio-spectral map of the resonator mode and its coupling with the fiber-tip. On the one hand, our findings demonstrate that scanning probes can profoundly influence the optical characteristics and the near-field images of photonic devices. On the other hand, we show that the introduction of a nanoscopic object provides a low-loss method for on-command tuning of a photonic crystal resonator frequency. Our results are in a very good agreement with the predictions of a combined numerical/analytical theory.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Lithographic alignment to site-controlled quantum dots for device integration

We report on a scalable fabrication technology for devices based on single quantum dots (QDs) which combines site-controlled growth of QDs with an accurate alignment procedure. Placement of individual QDs and corresponding device structures with a standard deviation of around 50 nm from the target position was achieved. The potential of the technology is demonstrated by fabricating arrays of mesas, each containing one QD at a defined position. The presence of single, optically active QDs in the mesas was probed by scanning microphotoluminescence of the mesa arrays. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.</p

Single site-controlled In(Ga)As/GaAs quantum dots: growth, properties and device integration

Results obtained by an advanced growth of site-controlled quantum dots (SCQDs) on pre-patterned nanoholes and their integration into both photonic resonators and nanoelectronic memories are summarized. A specific technique has been pursued to improve the optical quality of single SCQDs. Quantum dot (QD) layers have been vertically stacked but spectrally detuned for single SCQD studies. Thereby, the average emission linewidth of single QDs could be reduced from 2.3 meV for SCQDs in a first QD layer close to the etched nanoholes down to 600 mu eV in the third InAs QD layer. Accurate SCQD nucleation on large QD distances is maintained by vertical strain induced QD coupling throughout the QD stacks. Record narrow linewidths of individual SCQDs down to similar to 110 mu eV have been obtained. Experiments performed on coupled photonic SCQD-resonator devices show an enhancement of spontaneous emission. SCQDs have also been integrated deterministically in high electron mobility heterostructures and flash memory operation at room temperature has been observed.</p

Microbubble-mediated sonothrombolysis with BR38 of a venous full blood thrombus in a rat embolic stroke model

Background: Early recanalization of an occluded vessel is associated with a better clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke. Intravenous thrombolysis using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is only available in a minority of patients and often fails to reopen the occluded vessel. Mechanical recanalization is more effective in this matter but only available for selected patients when a thrombectomy centre can be reached. Therefore, sonothrombolysis might represent an alternative or complementary approach. Here, we tested microbubble-mediated sonothrombolysis (mmSTL) in a thromboembolic stroke model for middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. Methods: Sixty-seven male Wistar rats underwent MCAO using an autologous full blood thrombus and were randomly assigned to four groups receiving rt-PA, mmSTL, a combination of both, or a placebo. Diagnostic workup included neurological examination, assessment of infarct size, and presence of intracerebral haemorrhage by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and presence of microbleedings in histological staining. Results: Neurological examination revealed no differences between the treatment groups. In all treatment groups, there was a reduction in infarct size 24 hours after MCAO as compared to the placebo (P=0.05), but there were no differences between the active treatment groups (P>0.05) (placebo 0.75 +/- 0.10 cm(3); mmSTL 0.43 +/- 0.07 cm(3); rt-PA 0.4 +/- 0.07 cm(3); mmSTL + rt-PA 0.27 +/- 0.08 cm(3)). Histological staining displayed intracerebral microbleedings in all animals. The frequency of gross bleeding detected by MRI did not differ between the groups (placebo 3; mmSTL 4; rt-PA 2; mmSTL + rt-PA 2; P>0.05) and was not associated with worse performance in clinical testing (P>0.05). There were no statistical differences in the mortality between the groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: Our study showed the efficacy and safety of mmSTL with or without rt-PA in an embolic rat stroke model using a continuous full blood thrombus. Sonothrombolysis might be useful for patients who need to be transported to a thrombectomy centre or for those with distal vessel occlusion