Efficient Green Emission from Wurtzite Al xIn1- xP Nanowires.

Direct band gap III-V semiconductors, emitting efficiently in the amber-green region of the visible spectrum, are still missing, causing loss in efficiency in light emitting diodes operating in this region, a phenomenon known as the "green gap". Novel geometries and crystal symmetries however show strong promise in overcoming this limit. Here we develop a novel material system, consisting of wurtzite Al xIn1- xP nanowires, which is predicted to have a direct band gap in the green region. The nanowires are grown with selective area metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy and show wurtzite crystal purity from transmission electron microscopy. We show strong light emission at room temperature between the near-infrared 875 nm (1.42 eV) and the "pure green" 555 nm (2.23 eV). We investigate the band structure of wurtzite Al xIn1- xP using time-resolved and temperature-dependent photoluminescence measurements and compare the experimental results with density functional theory simulations, obtaining excellent agreement. Our work paves the way for high-efficiency green light emitting diodes based on wurtzite III-phosphide nanowires.

Anti-stiction coating for mechanically tunable photonic crystal devices.

A method to avoid the stiction failure in nano-electro-opto-mechanical systems has been demonstrated by coating the system with an anti-stiction layer of Al2O3 grown by atomic layer deposition techniques. The device based on a double-membrane photonic crystal cavity can be reversibly operated from the pull-in back to its release status. This enables to electrically switch the wavelength of a mode over ~50 nm with a potential modulation frequency above 2 MHz. These results pave the way to reliable nano-mechanical sensors and optical switches.

Atom-by-Atom Analysis of Semiconductor Nanowires with Parts Per Million Sensitivity.

The functionality of semiconductor devices is determined by the incorporation of dopants at concentrations down to the parts per million (ppm) level and below. Optimization of intentional and unintentional impurity doping relies on methods to detect and map the level of impurities. Detecting such low concentrations of impurities in nanostructures is however challenging to date as on the one hand methods used for macroscopic samples cannot be applied due to the inherent small volumes or faceted surfaces and on the other hand conventional microscopic analysis techniques are not sufficiently sensitive. Here, we show that we can detect and map impurities at the ppm level in semiconductor nanowires using atom probe tomography. We develop a method applicable to a wide variety of nanowires relevant for electronic and optical devices. We expect that it will contribute significantly to the further optimization of the synthesis of nanowires, nanostructures and devices based on these structures.

Boosting Hole Mobility in Coherently Strained [110]-Oriented Ge-Si Core-Shell Nanowires.

The ability of core-shell nanowires to overcome existing limitations of heterostructures is one of the key ingredients for the design of next generation devices. This requires a detailed understanding of the mechanism for strain relaxation in these systems in order to eliminate strain-induced defect formation and thus to boost important electronic properties such as carrier mobility. Here we demonstrate how the hole mobility of [110]-oriented Ge-Si core-shell nanowires can be substantially enhanced thanks to the realization of large band offset and coherent strain in the system, reaching values as high as 4200 cm2/(Vs) at 4 K and 1600 cm2/(Vs) at room temperature for high hole densities of 1019 cm-3. We present a direct correlation of (i) mobility, (ii) crystal direction, (iii) diameter, and (iv) coherent strain, all of which are extracted in our work for individual nanowires. Our results imply [110]-oriented Ge-Si core-shell nanowires as a promising candidate for future electronic and quantum transport devices.

Growth and Optical Properties of Direct Band Gap Ge/Ge0.87Sn0.13 Core/Shell Nanowire Arrays.

Group IV semiconductor optoelectronic devices are now possible by using strain-free direct band gap GeSn alloys grown on a Ge/Si virtual substrate with Sn contents above 9%. Here, we demonstrate the growth of Ge/GeSn core/shell nanowire arrays with Sn incorporation up to 13% and without the formation of Sn clusters. The nanowire geometry promotes strain relaxation in the Ge0.87Sn0.13 shell and limits the formation of structural defects. This results in room-temperature photoluminescence centered at 0.465 eV and enhanced absorption above 98%. Therefore, direct band gap GeSn grown in a nanowire geometry holds promise as a low-cost and high-efficiency material for photodetectors operating in the short-wave infrared and thermal imaging devices.

Direct imaging of 3D atomic-scale dopant-defect clustering processes in ion-implanted silicon.

The fabrication of nanoscale semiconductor devices for use in future electronics, energy, and health is among others based on the precise placement of dopant atoms into the crystal lattice of semiconductors and their concurrent or subsequent electrical activation. Dopants are built into the lattice by fabrication processes like ion implantation, plasma-based doping, and thermal annealing. Throughout the fabrication processes fundamental phenomena like dopant diffusion, activation, and clustering occur concurrently with damaging and subsequently recovering the crystal lattice. These processes are described by atomic-scale mechanisms of ion-host atom interaction and have an immense impact on the electrical performance of the resulting devices. Insight in their fundamental nature is of utmost importance for optimizing the performance of nanoscale technologies. In this paper, we demonstrate direct three-dimensional imaging of boron clusters and atoms in crystal defects using field ion microscopy. Our approach allows for the first time the complete characterization of the size and crystallographic orientation of boron-decorated crystal defects. This new method opens a path to image a wide variety of dopant-cluster forms and hence to study the formation and dissolution of boron clusters in silicon on the atomic scale.

Light absorption in conical silicon particles.

The problem of the absorption of light by a nanoscale dielectric cone is discussed. A simplified solution based on the analytical Mie theory of scattering and absorption by cylindrical objects is proposed and supported by the experimental observation of sharply localized holes in conical silicon tips after high-fluence irradiation. This study reveals that light couples with tapered objects dominantly at specific locations, where the local radius corresponds to one of the resonant radii of a cylindrical object, as predicted by Mie theory.

Cell biological and biomechanical evaluation of two different fixation techniques for rotator cuff repair.

Our objective was to evaluate the cell biology and biomechanical aspects of the healing process after two different techniques in open rotator cuff surgery - double-loaded bio-absorbable suture anchors combined with so-called arthroscopic Mason-Allen stitches (AAMA) and a trans-osseous suture technique combined with traditional modified Mason-Allen stitches (SMMA). Thirty-six mature sheep were randomized into two repair groups. After 6, 12, or 26 weeks, evaluation of the reinsertion site of the infraspinatus tendon was performed. The mechanical load-to-failure and stiffness results did not indicate a significant difference between the two groups. After 26 weeks, fibrocartilage was sparse in the AAMA group, whereas the SMMA group showed the most pronounced amount of fibrocartilage. We found no ultrastructural differences in collagen fiber organization between the two groups. The relative expression of collagen type II mRNA in the normal group was 1.11. For the AAMA group, 6 weeks after surgery, the relative expression was 55.47, whereas for the SMMA group it was 1.90. This in vivo study showed that the AAMA group exhibited a tendon-to-bone healing process more favorable in its cell biology than that of the traditional SMMA technique. Therefore, the AAMA technique might also be more appropriate for arthroscopic repair.

Coexpression of osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation markers in selected subpopulations of primary human mesenchymal progenitor cells.

Knowledge of the basic mechanisms controlling osteogenesis and adipogenesis might provide new insights into the prevention of osteoporosis and age-related osteopenia. With the help of magnetic cell sorting and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), osteoblastic subpopulations of mesenchymal progenitor cells were characterized. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) negative cells expressed low levels of osteoblastic and adipocytic markers. AP positive cells expressed adipocytic markers more strongly than the AP negative cell populations, thus suggesting that committed osteoblasts exhibit a greater adipogenic potential. AP negative cells differentiated to the mature osteoblastic phenotype, as demonstrated by increased AP-activity and osteocalcin secretion under standard osteogenic culture conditions. Surprisingly, this was accompanied by increased expression of adipocytic gene markers such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2, lipoprotein lipase and fatty acid binding protein. The induction of adipogenic markers was suppressed by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and promoted by bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2). Osteogenic culture conditions including BMP-2 induced both the formation of mineralized nodules and cytoplasmic lipid vacuoles. Upon immunogold electron microscopic analysis, osteoblastic and adipogenic marker proteins were detectable in the same cell. Our results suggest that osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation in human mesenchymal progenitor cells might not be exclusively reciprocal, but rather, a parallel event until late during osteoblast development.

Optimal laser positioning for laser-assisted atom probe tomography.

Laser-assisted atom probe tomography is a material analysis method based on field evaporating ions from a tip-shaped sample by a combination of a standing electric field and a short (pico- or femtosecond) laser pulse. The laser-pulse thereby acts as a starting signal for a time-of-flight mass analysis of the ions whereby the thermal energy deposited in the tip by the laser pulse temporarily enables the evaporation of ions from the surface of the tip. Here we will use simulations of the laser absorption on a silicon tip to find the optimal position of the laser spot in order to maximize the mass resolution achieved during the experiments. We will confirm our simulations by showing that the experimentally observed mass resolution indeed changes as predicted by the simulations.

The Use of Europiumstearate to Trace Polyethylene Wear Debris in Joint Fluid after Prosthetic Joint Replacement - A Feasibility Study.

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is the most common counterface material against metals or ceramics in artificial hip or knee joints. Wear and the resulting particulate debris, however, limit the life span of the implant. In this study, the general feasibility of using Europium (Eu) as tracer material to quantify UHMWPE wear in joint fluid is investigated. Using Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), recovery experiments of Eu in artificial joint fluid were performed. In order to dope polyethylene with 50 ppm Eu, nascent UHMWPE powder was mixed with a solution of Eu-stearate. The heterogeneity of the mixture was assessed by determining the coefficient of variation (CV) of the Eu content in various weighted samples. After molding of the UHMWPE powder mixture, cylindrical pins of 10 mm diameter were machined and worn against cobalt-chromium metal disks submersed in artificial joint fluid. The Eu-content of fluid samples taken at certain time intervals was measured and compared with UHMWPE weight loss of the pins. A satisfactory homogenization of Eu in the UHMWPE powder was achieved. Tracer-based and weight-loss determined wear rates were highly correlated (Pearson correlation coefficients > 0.991). Also the detection bias was within acceptable limits. Thus both methods demonstrated good agreement.

Atom probe analysis of a 3D finFET with high-k metal gate.

The atom probe analysis of a full gate stack (metal gate/high-k dielectric) in a 3D finFET is reported. The measurement reliability in this kind of heterogeneous structure is discussed in the light of different artefacts, i.e. mass overlap and 3D reconstruction artefacts.

Atom-probe for FinFET dopant characterization.

With the continuous shrinking of transistors and advent of new transistor architectures to keep in pace with Moore's law and ITRS goals, there is a rising interest in multigate 3D-devices like FinFETs where the channel is surrounded by gates on multiple surfaces. The performance of these devices depends on the dimensions and the spatial distribution of dopants in source/drain regions of the device. As a result there is a need for new metrology approach/technique to characterize quantitatively the dopant distribution in these devices with nanometer precision in 3D. In recent years, atom probe tomography (APT) has shown its ability to analyze semiconductor and thin insulator materials effectively with sub-nm resolution in 3D. In this paper we will discuss the methodology used to study FinFET-based structures using APT. Whereas challenges and solutions for sample preparation linked to the limited fin dimensions already have been reported before, we report here an approach to prepare fin structures for APT, which based on their processing history (trenches filled with Si) are in principle invisible in FIB and SEM. Hence alternative solutions in locating and positioning them on the APT-tip are presented. We also report on the use of the atom probe results on FinFETs to understand the role of different dopant implantation angles (10° and 45°) when attempting conformal doping of FinFETs and provide a quantitative comparison with alternative approaches such as 1D secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and theoretical model values.

Characteristics of cross-sectional atom probe analysis on semiconductor structures.

The laser-assisted Atom Probe has been proposed as a metrology tool for next generation semiconductor technologies requiring sub-nm spatial resolution. In order to assess its potential for the analysis of three-dimensional semiconductor structures like FinFETs, we have studied the Atom Probes lateral resolution on a silicon, silicon-germanium multilayer structure. We find that the interactions of the laser with the semiconductor materials in the sample distort the sample surface. This results in transient errors of the measured dimensions of the structure. The deformation of the sample furthermore leads to a degradation of the lateral resolution. In the experiments presented in this paper, the Atom Probe reaches a lateral resolution of 1-1.8 nm/decade. In this paper we will discuss the reasons for the distortions of the tip and demonstrate that with the present state of data reconstruction severe quantification errors limit its applicability for the quantitative analysis of heterogeneous semiconductor structures. Our experiments show that reconstruction algorithms taking into account the time dependent nanostructure of the tip shape are required to arrive at accurate results.

Use of ultrasonic nebulizer with desolvator membrane for the determination of titanium and zirconium in human serum by means of inductively coupled plasma--mass spectroscopy.

A technique for the determination of titanium and zirconium in human blood serum, after pressurized digestion utilizing ICP-MS coupled to an ultrasonic nebulizer (USN) and desolvating membrane is described. As no CRM for titanium is available, zirconium has been determined in order to demonstrate the accuracy of the technique, as the limits in blood are well known. Bone cement consists basically of a polymer, namely polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). For better X-ray contrast some manufacturers use incorporated ZrO2 with a volume fraction of 10 to 15%. Thus, the zirconium present in the PMMA matrix can be used as an indicator for the PMMA particulate debris.