Characterization of β-In2−xAlxS3 thin films prepared by chemical spray pyrolysis technique

Indium sulfide (In₂S₃) is a good window or buffer layer for photovoltaic application. In this work, β-In_2?xAl_xS₃ thin films with different thicknesses (400, 442, 646 and 714 nm) are successfully synthesized on heated glass substrates using a chemical spray pyrolysis technique. The thin film thickness effect on the structural, optical and photoluminescence (PL) properties of β-In_2?xAl_xS₃ material is studied. The X-ray diffraction patterns suggest the formation of β-In₂S₃ cubic phase preferentially oriented towards (400) direction. The level of the residual dislocation seems to be reduced to 3.12 × 10⁹ lines mm^?2 for the optimum thickness (646 nm) for which the β-In_2?xAl_xS₃ film crystallinity is the best one. In order to enhance the electrical properties, β-In_2?xAl_xS₃ layers are annealed in air at 400 °C for different annealing times (15, 30 and 45 min). The minimum resistivity, maximum Hall mobility and carrier concentration are found for β-In_2?xAl_xS₃ films annealed for 30 min. All samples have high transmittance of about 75 % but the wide band gap (E_g = 3.32 eV) is obtained for this optimum thickness. This result indicates good optical quality of β-In_2?xAl_xS₃ layers. Defects-related PL properties are also discussed.     

Imaging at 3.4 Thz with a quantum-cascade laser

We have assembled a single-frequency imaging system at 3.4 THz with a quantum-cascade laser. Images of electronic and biological applications are demonstrated. We operate the laser with a peak output power of 2.5 mW at a 7% duty cycle and a 22 K operating temperature. The minimum spot size is 340 microm. The signal is detected with a single-element deuterated triglycine sulfate detector, and images are captured by scanning of the sample.     

Study on thermoplastic polyurethane/polypropylene (TPU/PP) blend as a blood bag material

Blends with different ratios of thermoplastic polyurethane/polypropylene (TPU/PP) were prepared by melt mixing using an internal Haake mixer. Properties of the blends were investigated using SEM micrographs of cryofractures and measurement of the mechanical strength, water absorption, cell culture, and platelet adhesion in vitro tests, which were compared with those of PVC blood bags. The effect of the addition of the ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer on the TPU/PP blend properties was investigated. The results indicated that a TPU/PP/EVA = 80/20/5 blend can be used as a new blood bag material. It was observed that the blend is homogeneous with higher mechanical strength than that of the commercial PVC blood bag. This blend also showed a compatible cell response in contact with L929 fibroblast cells and fewer tendencies to interaction with platelets compared to the PVC blood bag. Although the blends were immissible and no chemical reaction at the interface could be found, the blood compatibility of the blends were improved. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2496–2501, 2003     

Effect of insoluble materials on the volumetric behavior of rock salt

This paper focuses on the presence of nodules of insoluble materials within salt specimens,and their effect on the volumetric strain measurements and the dilatancy phenomenon.We analyzed experimental results of over 120 conventional triaxial compression tests,and found that in 20%of the cases,the volumetric strain measurements were atypical.We also noted that the natural variability of the specimens can lead to a non-negligible data scattering in the volumetric strain measurements when different specimens are subjected to the same test.This is expected given the small magnitude of those strains,but it occasionally implies that the corresponding specimens are not representative of the volumetric behavior of the studied rock.In order to understand these results,we numerically investigated salt specimens modeled as halite matrices with inclusions of impurities.Simulations of triaxial compression tests on these structures proved that such heterogeneities can induce dilatancy,and their presence can lead to the appearance of tensile zones which is physically translated into a micro-cracking activity.The modeling approach is validated as the patterns displayed in the numerical results are identical to that in the laboratory.It was then employed to explain the observed irregularities in experimental results.We studied the natural variability effect as well and proposed a methodology to overcome the issue of specimen representativity from both deviatoric and volumetric perspectives.     

Terahertz quantum cascade lasers

Recent developments in terahertz quantum cascade lasers are reviewed. Structures operating from a wavelength of lambda = 66 microm down to lambda = 87 microm are demonstrated. These devices used either a three-quantum-well chirped-superlattice active region or an active region based on a bound-to-continuum transition. The comparison between structures grown in a waveguide based on a single interface plasmon and a buried contact and (non-lasing) structures using a double plasmon waveguide demonstrates the importance of waveguide design on the operation of such devices. Continuous-wave operation up to a maximum temperature of 55 K with up to 15 mW output power at 10 K was demonstrated.