Ion beam preparation of passivated copper integrated circuit structures for electron backscatter diffraction/orientation imaging microscopy analysis

Passivation layers were removed from copper interconnect lines using a broad beam ion source in preparation for electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and orientation imaging microscopy (OIM) analysis. Results were obtained on interconnect lines with widths as small as 0.25 μm. The effects of ion beam energy and scanning electron microscope (SEM) acceleration voltage on the quality of the results obtained are examined and explained. The use of thin amorphous carbon coatings to reduce specimen charging during orientation data collection is also discussed.     

Modal noise penalties for data communication links employing largearea VCSELs

For the first time, high mode selective loss (MSL) margins for large area VCSELs are theoretically justified. Calculated speckle visibility and power penalties agree with experiments. The predicted power penalty at 10^-9 BER for a VCSEL link, employing 62.5/125 fibre, with six connectors, each with 1 dB MSL, is 0.75 dB     

Influence of restricted mode excitation on bandwidth of multimodefiber links

It is shown that multimode optical fiber links that use laser-based transmitters may be limited in bandwidth to values less than half those of the over-filled launch bandwidth. A solution to this problem, based on an offset launch, is therefore proposed, which increases the bandwidth to more than the overfilled launch     

Changes in the morphology of cast nylon 6 through copolymerization

Correlations were made between several physical and mechanical properties and crystal morphology for copolyamides composed of caprolactam and either capryllactam or laurolactam as a minor comonomer. Incorporating a comonomer into the nylon 6 chain decreases the crystallinity and crystal size and, in addition, depresses the melting point of the polymer much more than predicted by the classical Flory theory on random copolymers. This fact, along with the change in the x-ray diffraction patterns, indicates that small amounts (up to 10 mole-%) of comonomer can enter the polymer crystals without any basic change in the α-form crystal structure. The variation of copolyamide densities with comonomer content also supports this theory. The initial moduli of the copolyamides, when tested above their glass transition temperatures, obey a linear relationship with the reciprocal of the amorphous content of the polymers. The impact strength increases dramatically with decreases in crystallinity and crystal size. Some of these materials have extremely large ultimate elongations and have glass transition temperatures below room temperature.     

Analytical and Numerical Models for Tangential Stiffness of Rough Elastic Contacts

The paper considers elastic contact of rough surfaces and develops a simple analytical expression for the stiffness of the contact under tangential loading, which predicts that the contact stiffness is proportional to normal load and independent of Young??s Modulus. The predictions of this model are compared to a full numerical analysis of a rough elastic contact of finite size. The two approaches are found to be in good agreement at low loads, when the asperity spacing is large, but the numerical approach predicts much lower stiffnesses at medium and high loads. It is shown that the overall stiffness cannot exceed that of the equivalent smooth contact, and a simple means of modifying the analytical approach is proposed and validated.     

Occurrence and potential sources of pyrethroid insecticides in stream sediments from seven U.S. metropolitan areas

A nationally consistent approach was used to assess the occurrence and potential sources of pyrethroid insecticides in stream bed sediments from seven metropolitan areas across the United States. One or more pyrethroids were detected in almost half of the samples, with bifenthrin detected the most frequently (41%) and in each metropolitan area. Cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, permethrin, and resmethrin were detected much less frequently. Pyrethroid concentrations and Hyalella azteca mortality in 28-d tests were lower than in most urban stream studies. Log-transformed total pyrethroid toxic units (TUs) were significantly correlated with survival and bifenthrin was likely responsible for the majority of the observed toxicity. Sampling sites spanned a wide range of urbanization and log-transformed total pyrethroid concentrations were significantly correlated with urban land use. Dallas/Fort Worth had the highest pyrethroid detection frequency (89%), the greatest number of pyrethroids (4), and some of the highest concentrations. Salt Lake City had a similar percentage of detections but only bifenthrin was detected and at lower concentrations. The variation in pyrethroid concentrations among metropolitan areas suggests regional differences in pyrethroid use and transport processes. This study shows that pyrethroids commonly occur in urban stream sediments and may be contributing to sediment toxicity across the country.     

Association of CYP3A4 genotype with treatment-related leukemia

Epipodophyllotoxins are associated with leukemias characterized by translocations of the MLL gene at chromosome band 11q23 and other translocations. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A metabolizes epipodophyllotoxins and other chemotherapeutic agents. CYP3A metabolism generates epipodophyllotoxin catechol and quinone metabolites, which could damage DNA. There is a polymorphism in the 5' promoter region of the CYP3A4 gene (CYP3A4-V) that might alter the metabolism of anticancer drugs. We examined 99 de novo and 30 treatment-related leukemias with a conformation-sensitive gel electrophoresis assay for the presence of the CYP3A4-V. In all treatment-related cases, there was prior exposure to one or more anticancer drugs metabolized by CYP3A. Nineteen of 99 de novo (19%) and 1 of 30 treatment-related (3%) leukemias carried the CYP3A4-V (P = 0.026; Fisher's Exact Test, FET). Nine of 42 de novo leukemias with MLL gene translocations (21%), and 0 of 22 treatment-related leukemias with MLL gene translocations carried the CYP3A4-V (P = 0. 016, FET). This relationship remained significant when 19 treatment-related leukemias with MLL gene translocations that followed epipodophyllotoxin exposure were compared with the same 42 de novo cases (P = 0.026, FET). These data suggest that individuals with CYP3A4-W genotype may be at increased risk for treatment-related leukemia and that epipodophyllotoxin metabolism by CYP3A4 may contribute to the secondary cancer risk. The CYP3A4-W genotype may increase production of potentially DNA-damaging reactive intermediates. The variant may decrease production of the epipodophyllotoxin catechol metabolite, which is the precursor of the potentially DNA-damaging quinone.     

Flat and rounded fretting contact problems incorporating elastic layers

The problem of plane elastic contact between a thin strip and symmetric flat and rounded punches is studied. This geometry has recently been used by a number of researchers to assess life of various mechanical couplings undergoing fretting fatigue. Most of the experimental fixtures used do not allow the problem to be treated using the conventional half-plane approximation. Here we propose a numerical approach, which enables the solution of configurations characterised by finite strip thickness, avoiding the use of finite element analyses. Various loading regimes and contact configurations are treated in detail and both surface tractions and internal stresses are derived.