Self-Winding Helices as Slow-Wave Structures for Sub-Millimeter Traveling-Wave Tubes.

We present a transformative route to obtain mass-producible helical slow-wave structures for operation in beam-wave interaction devices at THz frequencies. The approach relies on guided self-assembly of conductive nanomembranes. Our work coordinates simulations of cold helices (i.e., helices with no electron beam) and hot helices (i.e., helices that interact with an electron beam). The theoretical study determines electromagnetic fields, current distributions, and beam-wave interaction in a parameter space that has not been explored before. These parameters include microscale diameter, pitch, tape width, and nanoscale surface finish. Parametric simulations show that beam-wave interaction devices based on self-assembled and electroplated helices will potentially provide gain-bandwidth products higher than 2 dBTHz at 1 THz. Informed by the simulation results, we fabricate prototype helices for operation as slow-wave structures at THz frequencies, using metal nanomembranes. Single and intertwined double helices, as well as helices with one or two chiralities, are obtained by self-assembly of stressed metal bilayers. The nanomembrane stiffness and built-in stress control the diameter of the helices. The in-plane geometry of the nanomembrane determines the pitch, the chirality, and the formation of single vs intertwined double helices.

Radio frequency rectification on membrane bound pores.

Probing the interaction of biological systems with radio frequencies holds great promise for research and drug screening applications. While a common assumption is that biological systems do not operate at radio frequencies, we find that currents due to ion transport through channels and pores in cell membranes are in the pA to nA range. These values translate via the average current I = ne/tau(d) = nef to frequencies in the range of 1 MHz-1 GHz, where n is the average number of ions transported and tau(d) is the dwell time of the ions in the channel. It is thus desirable to have circuitry available which facilitates radio frequency spectroscopy of ion transport. This will yield real-time in vitro information on ion channel operation. Here we present measurements on the local interaction of a radio frequency signal with single ion channels and pores. We find radio frequency rectification and pumping on the channels and pores embedded in suspended bilipid membranes, recorded in direct current measurements. This electromagnetic modulation can be used to probe the dynamics of ion channel conformational changes.

Microwave ablation versus radiofrequency ablation in the kidney: high-power triaxial antennas create larger ablation zones than similarly sized internally cooled electrodes.

PURPOSE: To determine whether microwave ablation with high-power triaxial antennas creates significantly larger ablation zones than radiofrequency (RF) ablation with similarly sized internally cooled electrodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight 12-minute ablations were performed in an in vivo porcine kidney model. RF ablations were performed with a 200-W pulsed generator and either a single 17-gauge cooled electrode (n = 9) or three switched electrodes spaced 1.5 cm apart (n = 7). Microwave ablations were performed with one (n = 7), two (n = 3), or three (n = 2) 17-gauge triaxial antennas to deliver 90 W continuous power per antenna. Multiple antennas were powered simultaneously. Temperatures 1 cm from the applicator were measured during two RF and microwave ablations each. Animals were euthanized after ablation and ablation zone diameter, cross-sectional area, and circularity were measured. Comparisons between groups were performed with use of a mixed-effects model with P values less than .05 indicating statistical significance. RESULTS: No adverse events occurred during the procedures. Three-electrode RF (mean area, 14.7 cm(2)) and single-antenna microwave (mean area, 10.9 cm(2)) ablation zones were significantly larger than single-electrode RF zones (mean area, 5.6 cm(2); P = .001 and P = .0355, respectively). No significant differences were detected between single-antenna microwave and multiple-electrode RF. Ablation zone circularity was similar across groups (P > .05). Tissue temperatures were higher during microwave ablation (maximum temperature of 123 degrees C vs 100 degrees C for RF). CONCLUSIONS: Microwave ablation with high-power triaxial antennas created larger ablation zones in normal porcine kidneys than RF ablation with similarly sized applicators.

Multiple-Antenna Microwave Ablation: Spatially Distributing Power Improves Thermal Profiles and Reduces Invasiveness.

BACKGROUND: Microwave ablation is an emerging tumor ablation modality. To date, microwave systems have generally utilized single large-diameter antennas to deliver high input powers. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether spatially distributing power through an array of multiple smaller antennas creates a more uniform thermal profile and increases peripheral tissue temperatures when compared with microwave ablation using a single larger antenna. METHODS: Microwave ablations were performed in ex vivo bovine liver using a single 2.45-GHz magnetron generator and a constant total input power (90 W) delivered through either a single 13-gauge antenna, two 17-gauge antennas, or three 18-gauge antennas. Multiple antennas were driven coherently. Temperatures were recorded at 5-mm radial distances and the resulting thermal profiles and ablation zones were compared using analysis of variance. RESULTS: Multiple-antenna configurations were less invasive (ie, the area of tissue punctured was smaller) than the single-antenna configuration; despite this, ablation zones created using multiple smaller antennas were larger and as circular when compared with those created using a single larger antenna. Multiple-antenna configurations resulted in more uniform thermal profiles and higher peripheral tissue temperatures. CONCLUSION: Distributing power evenly among multiple smaller antennas resulted in larger ablation zones with more uniform thermal profiles than more invasive ablations with a larger single antenna.

Quantitative scanning near-field microwave microscopy for thin film dielectric constant measurement.

We combine a scanning near-field microwave microscope with an atomic force microscope for use in localized thin film dielectric constant measurement, and demonstrate the capabilities of our system through simultaneous surface topography and microwave reflection measurements on a variety of thin films grown on low resistivity silicon substrates. Reflection measurements clearly discriminate the interface between approximately 38 nm silicon nitride and dioxide thin films at 1.788 GHz. Finite element simulation was used to extract the dielectric constants showing the dielectric sensitivity to be Deltaepsilon(r)=0.1 at epsilon(r)=6.2, for the case of silicon nitride. These results illustrate the capability of our instrument for quantitative dielectric constant measurement at microwave frequencies.

Nonlinear magnetic metamaterials.

We study experimentally nonlinear tunable magnetic metamaterials operating at microwave frequencies. We fabricate the nonlinear metamaterial composed of double split-ring resonators where a varactor diode is introduced into each resonator so that the magnetic resonance can be tuned dynamically by varying the input power. We demonstrate that at higher powers the transmission of the metamaterial becomes power-dependent and, as a result, such metamaterial can demonstrate various nonlinear properties. In particular, we study experimentally the power-dependent shift of the transmission band and demonstrate nonlinearity-induced enhancement (or suppression) of wave transmission.

Microwave ablation with triaxial antennas tuned for lung: results in an in vivo porcine model.

PURPOSE: To prospectively determine in swine the size and shape of coagulation zones created in normal lung tissue by using small-diameter triaxial microwave antennas and to prospectively quantify the effects of bronchial occlusion and multiple antennas on the coagulation zone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was approved by the research animal care and use committee, and all husbandry and experimental studies were compliant with the National Research Council's Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Twenty-four coagulation zones (three per animal) were created at thoracotomy in eight female domestic swine (mean weight, 55 kg) by using a microwave ablation system with 17-gauge lung-tuned triaxial antennas. Ablations were performed for 10 minutes each by using (a) a single antenna, (b) a single antenna with bronchial occlusion, and (c) an array of three antennas powered simultaneously. The animals were sacrificed immediately after ablation. The coagulation zones were excised en bloc and sectioned into approximately 4-mm slices for measurement of size, shape, and circularity. Analysis of variance and two-sample t tests were used to identify differences between the three ablation groups. RESULTS: The overall mean diameters of coagulation achieved with a single antenna and bronchial occlusion (4.11 cm +/- 1.09 [standard deviation]) and with multiple-antenna arrays (4.05 cm +/- 0.69) were significantly greater than the overall mean diameter achieved with a single antenna alone (3.09 cm +/- 0.83) (P = .016 for comparison with multiple antennas, P = .032 for comparison with bronchial occlusion). No significant differences in size were seen between the coagulation zones created with bronchial occlusion and those created with multiple antennas (P = .68). The coagulation zones in all groups were very circular (isoperimetric ratio > 0.80) at cross-sectional analysis. CONCLUSION: A 17-gauge triaxial microwave ablation system tuned for lung tissue yielded large circular zones of coagulation in vivo in porcine lungs. The coagulation zones created with bronchial occlusion and multiple antennas were significantly larger than those created with one antenna.

Microwave ablation with multiple simultaneously powered small-gauge triaxial antennas: results from an in vivo swine liver model.

PURPOSE: To prospectively investigate the ability of a single generator to power multiple small-diameter antennas and create large zones of ablation in an in vivo swine liver model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen female domestic swine (mean weight, 70 kg) were used for the study as approved by the animal care and use committee. A single generator was used to simultaneously power three triaxial antennas at 55 W per antenna for 10 minutes in three groups: a control group where antennas were spaced to eliminate ablation zone overlap (n=6; 18 individual zones of ablation) and experimental groups where antennas were spaced 2.5 cm (n=7) or 3.0 cm (n=5) apart. Animals were euthanized after ablation, and ablation zones were sectioned and measured. A mixed linear model was used to test for differences in size and circularity among groups. RESULTS: Mean (+/-standard deviation) cross-sectional areas of multiple-antenna zones of ablation at 2.5- and 3.0-cm spacing (26.6 cm(2) +/- 9.7 and 32.2 cm(2) +/- 8.1, respectively) were significantly larger than individual ablation zones created with single antennas (6.76 cm(2) +/- 2.8, P<.001) and were 31% (2.5-cm spacing group: multiple antenna mean area, 26.6 cm(2); 3 x single antenna mean area, 20.28 cm(2)) to 59% (3.0-cm spacing group: multiple antenna mean area, 32.2 cm(2); 3 x single antenna mean area, 20.28 cm(2)) larger than 3 times the mean area of the single-antenna zones. Zones of ablation were found to be very circular, and vessels as large as 1.1 cm were completely coagulated with multiple antennas. CONCLUSION: A single generator may effectively deliver microwave power to multiple antennas. Large volumes of tissue may be ablated and large vessels coagulated with multiple-antenna ablation in the same time as single-antenna ablation.

Microwave ablation with a single small-gauge triaxial antenna: in vivo porcine liver model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of a 17-gauge triaxial antenna at microwave ablation in an in vivo porcine liver model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by the institutional animal care and use committee. Thirteen female domestic pigs (mean weight, 45 kg) were used. Ablations were performed with a prototype microwave ablation system and triaxial antenna by using a constant, continuous-wave power of 68 W for 2 (n = 6), 3 (n = 6), 4 (n = 6), 5 (n = 6), 6 (n = 6), 7 (n = 13), 10 (n = 7), and 12 (n = 8) minutes. Animals were euthanized after ablation, livers were removed, and ablation zones were sliced and measured for size and roundness. A mixed linear model with animals modeled as random effects was used to test for significant differences in ablation zone metrics among time groups; post hoc tests were used to detect significant differences between time groups. RESULTS: Mean ablation zone diameters ranged from 2.05 cm +/- 0.23 (standard deviation) at 2 minutes to 2.59 cm +/- 0.53 at 12 minutes. Thirteen (32%) of 40 ablation zones with mean maximum diameters greater than 3.0 cm were observed at the 5-12-minute time groups. No significant differences in ablation zone diameter were observed among all groups (P > .05), but a trend of increasing diameter with time was noted. Mean isoperimetric ratio (a measure of roundness) for all ablation zones was 0.88 +/- 0.02, which indicates minimal heat sinking near vessels. CONCLUSION: The triaxial microwave ablation system is capable of creating relatively large, circular zones of ablation in minutes with minimal effects from local blood flow.

Wave scattering and splitting by magnetic metamaterials.

We study experimentally propagation of electromagnetic waves through a slab of uniaxial magnetic metamaterial. We observe a range of novel phenomena including partial focusing and splitting into multiple transmitted beams.We demonstrate that while some of these experimentally observed effects can be described within the approximation of an effective medium, a deeper understanding of the experimental results requires a rigorous study of internal eigenmodes of the lattice of resonators.

Explanation of the inverse Doppler effect observed in nonlinear transmission lines.

The theory of the inverse Doppler effect recently observed in magnetic nonlinear transmission lines is developed. We explain the crucial role of the backward spatial harmonic in the occurrence of an inverse Doppler effect and draw analogies of the magnetic nonlinear transmission line to the backward wave oscillator.

Colloidal quantum dots initiating current bursts in lipid bilayers.

The combination of inorganic semiconductor nanocrystals, also called quantum dots (QDs), with biological materials has recently attracted considerable interest since the QDs can be used as superior fluorescent labels. Here, we report on CdSe QD initiated current bursts in lipid bilayer membranes on application of a bias voltage. The current bursts observed resemble those produced by the peptaibol class of antibiotics such as alamethicin and trichorzins. The current fluctuations are dependent on the bias voltage and on the concentration of the QD applied to the membrane. Our data suggest that QDs with intrinsic dipole moments similar to alamethicin can be controlled by an external electric field, which creates a torque resulting in the insertion into the lipid membrane.

Microwave Ablation With a Triaxial Antenna: Results in ex vivo Bovine Liver.

We apply a new triaxial antenna for microwave ablation procedures to an ex vivo bovine liver. The antenna consists of a coaxial monopole inserted through a biopsy needle positioned one quarter-wavelength from the antenna base. The insertion needle creates a triaxial structure, which enhances return loss more than 10 dB, maximizing energy transfer to the tissue while minimizing feed cable heating and invasiveness. Numerical electromagnetic and thermal simulations are used to optimize the antenna design and predict heating patterns. Numerical and ex vivo experimental results show that the lesion size depends strongly on ablation time and average input power, but not on peak power. Pulsing algorithms are also explored. We were able to measure a 3.8-cm lesion using 50 W for 7 min, which we believe to be the largest lesion reported thus far using a 17-gauge insertion needle.

Direct electrical detection of hybridization at DNA-modified silicon surfaces.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to investigate the changes in interfacial electrical properties that arise when DNA-modified Si(111) surfaces are exposed to solution-phase DNA oligonucleotides with complementary and non-complementary sequences. The n- and p-type silicon(111) samples were covalently linked to DNA molecules via direct Si?C linkages without any intervening oxide layer. Exposure to solutions containing DNA oligonucleotides with the complementary sequence produced significant changes in both real and imaginary components of the electrical impedance, while exposure to DNA with non-complementary sequences generated negligible responses. These changes in electrical properties were corroborated with fluorescence measurements and were reproduced in multiple hybridization-denaturation cycles. The ability to detect DNA hybridization is strongly frequency-dependent. Modeling of the response and comparison of results on different silicon bulk doping shows that the sensitivity to DNA hybridization arises from DNA-induced changes in the resistance of the silicon substrate and the resistance of the molecular layers.

Analysis and experimental validation of a triaxial antenna for microwave tumor ablation.

We apply a new triaxial antenna for microwave ablation procedures. The antenna consists of a coaxial monopole inserted through an 18-gauge biopsy needle positioned one quarter-wavelength from the antenna base. The biopsy needle creates a triaxial structure, which enhances return loss by more than 10 dB, thus limiting return currents along the feed line. Numerical simulations are used to optimize the antenna design. Numerical and ex-vivo experimental results are presented to quantify the field distribution, heating pattern and return loss of the antenna.