Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence study of PN junction p-graphene/n-GaAs.

Single layer graphene (SLG) was synthesized via high-quality chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on high-quality copper and subsequently transferred onto SiO2 and on n-GaAs substrates with varying doping electron concentrations (n = 1016, 1017, 5 × 1017, 1018, and 5 × 1018 cm-3). The n-GaAs substrates were grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The optical properties of the SLG were investigated through photoluminescence (PL) and Raman spectroscopy measurements. Carrier concentration n or p and Fermi energy (EF) values in SLG were determined both before and after the transfer onto n-GaAs, and these findings were validated through PL studies. The Raman spectroscopy results indicated an increase in the transfer of electrons from n-GaAs to SLG as the doping electron density in n-GaAs increased. PL analysis revealed a significant change in the bandgap energy (Eg) of n-GaAs due to bandgap narrowing and the Burstein-Moss shift. Our data enable us to determine the energy band diagrams. Upon aligning the energy bands, an increase in transferred carrier density is accompanied by changes in Fermi energies and an increase in the potential barrier (∆U). The increase in ∆U is of significant interest to ensure that charges are directed more efficiently toward the cell's electrical contacts in the case of photovoltaic application. There, they can contribute significantly to the generated electric current, thereby enhancing the performance of a cell. Our results can provide insights into the interaction in graphene-based heterostructures and aid in selecting the best parameters for developing new advanced devices.

Numerical simulation of the effect of recombination centres and traps created by electron irradiation on the performance degradation of GaAs solar cells.

In this paper, we report a detailed numerical study of the electron irradiation effect on the photoelectrical parameters of a GaAs based p(+)-n-n(+) solar cell which operates under an AM0 solar spectrum. As a consequence of irradiation different types of defects are created in the semiconductor lattice. These defects introduce energy levels in the gap of the material. The majority of studies dealing with irradiation-induced degradation in solar cells relate it mainly to recombination centres, which are deep levels lying near the mid gap. In the present study, numerical simulation is used to demonstrate that the irradiation-induced degradation is not solely due to recombination centres. Other less deep levels, or traps, play a major role in this degradation. When only recombination centres are taken into account, the short circuit current density (J(sc)) is hardly affected while the other cell output parameters such as the open circuit voltage (V(oc)), the conversion efficiency (η) and the fill factor (FF) are strongly deteriorated. However, if less deep levels or traps are taken into account together with recombination centres, J(sc) becomes sensitive to electron irradiation and the other output parameter deteriorations become less sensitive.

[Ocular metastases heralding non-small cell lung cancer: two cases]. / Métastase oculaire inaugurale de cancer bronchique non à petites cellules: deux cas.

INTRODUCTION: Ocular metastases are rare in patients with lung cancer, and exceptionally indicate the condition. EXEGESIS: We report 2 patients with symptomatic ocular metastases indicating lung adenocarcinoma, involving the choroid in the first case and the optic disc in the other, associated with other metastases. No improvement of visual acuity was observed after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. DISCUSSION: Ocular metastases may indicate lung cancer, and are usually associated with other metastatic sites. The global prognosis is poor but an early treatment should result in improvement of visual prognosis.

[Paraneoplastic Cushing's syndrome, a real diagnostic and therapeutic challenge: A case report and literature review]. / Le syndrome de Cushing paranéoplasique, un vrai défi diagnostique et thérapeutique: à propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Paraneoplastic Cushing's syndrome is a rare cause of endogenous hypercortisolism attributable to ectopic ACTH secretion by non-pituitary tumors. Imaging and biochemical results are often inconclusive and differential diagnosis with Cushing's disease can then be challenging. Moreover, these tumors may be occult and difficult to find and thus the need of new imaging tools such as (18)FDG-PET scan and (18)DOPA-PET scan. CASE REPORT: We report a 50-year-old man who presented with very aggressive clinical features related to Cushing's syndrome. Biological work-up confirmed the hypercortisolism and was consistent with an ectopic ACTH secretion. Conventional localization techniques failed to show any tumor and bilateral adrenalectomy was performed because of life-threatening complications. Two years later, thoracic computed tomography reveals an 11 mm mass in the left lower pulmonary lobe, (18)FDG-PET scan found a non-specific mild hypermetabolism of the lung nodule, and the (18)DOPA-PET scan confirmed the high uptake of this nodule suggesting an endocrine carcinoma. Histology confirmed a typical carcinoid tumor. The tumor cells stained positive for ACTH, CD56, chromogranin and synaptophysin. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the dilemma between the need for morphological diagnosis of the ectopic ACTH source and control of the life-threatening hypercortisolism. (18)FDG-PET scan and (18)DOPA-PET scan should be considered early as a secondary diagnostic tool when conventional imagery fails to show any tumor.