Laser-induced micron and submicron ordering effects in quasi-percolated nanostructured silver thin films.

Quasi-percolated nanostructured silver thin films are used as the starting morphology for inducing simultaneously changes in shape and ordering effects by laser irradiation. The complex fingered nanostructures are transformed into nanospheres which in turn are arranged in micro-circular patterns when irradiated through a pinhole. These transformations are characterized by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The observed effects are explained using Fresnel diffraction theory. Good agreement with the experimental results is obtained. These results suggest that precise patterning engineering can be achieved through control of the spatial parameters such as the pinhole diameter and the distance from the mask to the sample.

Size-dependent thermo-optical properties of embedded Bi nanostructures.

The thermally induced optical transmission changes upon melting and solidification of Bi nanostructures embedded in amorphous Al(2)O(3) thin films have been studied as a function of characteristic sizes in the range 7-35 nm. The results show a repeatable optical transmission-temperature hysteresis loop with sharp changes at the melting and solidification temperatures. Both temperatures decrease linearly when the mean size of the nanostructures decreases and they are respectively higher and lower than that of the bulk melting temperature of Bi. The optical transmission shows a significant contrast that increases up to 16% as the mean size of the nanostructures increases. The results show that in addition to the usual decrease of melting temperature as the size of the nanostructures decreases, the melting temperatures for all samples are higher than that of the bulk. This unexpected result is associated to the contraction of Bi upon melting and to matrix effects related to the balance of surface energies between the solid and liquid Bi and the matrix. The solidification process shows a weaker dependence on the nanostructure size, and thus it is consistent with a mainly volume controlled process. It is shown that by controlling the characteristic dimensions of the Bi nanostructures the temperature operability of the Bi nanostructures embedded in amorphous Al(2)O(3) as a thermally driven optical switch can be tuned over 73 K.

Low frequency vibrations and structural characterization of a murine IgG2a monoclonal antibody studied by raman and IR spectroscopies.

The Raman and ir spectra of a murine IgG2a monoclonal antibody molecule are reported. In accordance with previous studies on immunoglobulins, the secondary structure is predominantly of the beta-sheet type. The low frequency region of the Raman spectrum was also analyzed in detail. A structured band with two maxima near 43 and 94 cm(-1) was observed. This band has been attributed to vibrations of elastic body. The results are interpreted using a simple elastic model.

Phase conjugation in amorphous selenium thin films.

We report phase conjugation in amorphous selenium thin films with a 25-mW He-Ne laser. The phase-conjugate signal exhibits a maximum efficiency of 18%. Gratings were recorded with spatial frequencies of 275 lines/mm. We have performed micro Raman spectroscopy measurements between and on the lines that form the grating, and the results reveal the presence of amorphous selenium only. Scanning electron microscopy together with profilometry measurements indicate induced variations of the film thickness. However, this relief does not seem sufficient to explain the observed effects.

Laser-induced diffraction patterns in germanium diselenide amorphous films.

We report the characterization of changes produced on germanium diselenide amorphous semiconductor thin films by a focused He-Ne laser beam. The diffraction pattern produced by the laser spot on the sample is studied as a function of the intensity and the irradiation time. At low intensities the state of polarization of the incident beam generates an asymmetry in the induced diffraction pattern. Moreover, if the polarization of the incident beam is rotated, the corresponding asymmetry rotates as well. These results show the difference between thermal and electromagnetic effects on the material. This system may be used as a high density recording medium.