Article
Chemistry, Physical
Paolo Branchini, Valentina Spampinato, Alexis Franquet, Gianlorenzo Bussetti, Luca Tortora, Stefania De Rosa
Summary: Intercalation mechanisms, diffusion, and segregation phenomena have significant implications in various fields of applied science involving graphitic materials. This study investigates the effects of different ion sources and energy conditions on the structure and chemistry of graphite through depth profiling experiments, aiming to determine the optimal conditions for preserving the crystal features.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
J. G. Acheson, L. Robinson, S. McKillop, S. Wilson, M. J. McIvor, B. J. Meenan, A. R. Boyd
Summary: This study utilized radio frequency magnetron sputtering to deposit amorphous Sr-containing calcium phosphate coatings and characterized them using surface analytical techniques. The results showed that the amorphous Sr-containing coating had a homogeneous distribution of Sr on the surface.
MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sarah E. Bamford, Robert T. Jones, Wil Gardner, Benjamin W. Muir, David A. Winkler, Paul J. Pigram
Summary: This work presents a 3D chemical characterization of a low emissivity double silver coating on glass using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and machine learning. The composition of different layers is visualized using an unsupervised machine learning technique. Repeating layers are identified based on their mass spectra and classified as chemically indistinguishable. This technique provides valuable insight into manufacturing processes and production challenges, and has strong potential in forensic applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Balik Dzhambazov, Tsvetelina Batsalova, Patrick Merky, Franziska Lange, Rikard Holmdahl
Summary: This study investigates the impact of different types of fibroblasts on the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results show that only NIH/3T3 fibroblasts can activate T-cell hybridomas specific for the RA-associated autoantigen COL2, while other types of fibroblasts cannot. This activation occurs through contact-dependent intercellular interactions and the T-cell receptor (TCR) complex.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Seong Hee Kang, Dong-Ho Bak, Seung Sik Lee, Hyoung-Woo Bai, Byung Yeoup Chung, Bo Sun Kang
Summary: The study demonstrated that centipedegrass extract (CGE) exhibited significant cytoprotective effects against H2O2-induced cell damage, reducing ROS levels and apoptotic protein expression. Additionally, CGE showed protective effects against intracellular ROS and radiation exposure, upregulating anti-apoptotic signals and downregulating pro-apoptotic signals. These results suggest that CGE may be an effective candidate for treating oxidative stress-related diseases and providing radioprotection.
EXPERIMENTAL AND THERAPEUTIC MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Junichiro Sameshima, Shigenori Numao
Summary: This study experimentally investigated the behavior and mechanism of background signals during depth profiling of atmospheric elements using dual-beam TOF-SIMS on silicon wafers. It was found that the background signals of atmospheric elements are inversely proportional to the sputtering rate, mainly attributed to the accumulation of components through adsorption and ion bombardment in the pre-equilibrium state. Additionally, H2O dominates the background formation process of hydrogen and oxygen, while the background signal levels of carbon with respect to the sputtering rate show a different trend than other elements.
SURFACE AND INTERFACE ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marketa Havrdova, Iztok Urbancic, Katerina Barton Tomankova, Lukas Malina, Janez Strancar, Athanasios B. Bourlinos
Summary: The study reveals that QCDs can penetrate the cell nucleus and exhibit concentration-dependent effects internally. QCDs have different impacts on NIH/3T3 and L929 cells, with the former experiencing changes in cell cycle profile and the latter leading to cellular death. Additionally, the presence of QCDs in the nucleus affects the intranuclear environment and causes fluorescence blue shifts.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Amal Ben Hadj Mabrouk, Christophe Licitra, Antoine Chateauminois, Marc Veillerot
Summary: This study investigated the impact of PMMA thin film molecular weight on ToF-SIMS sputtering mechanisms and kinetics, revealing a decrease in sputtering yield volume with increasing molecular weight. Physical parameters such as glass transition temperature and polymer chain entanglement were discussed in relation to this behavior, with sputtering yield variation found to logarithmically correlate with primary beam energy. Preliminary experiments with low molecular weight PMMA also showed a nanoconfinement effect similar to argon cluster sputtering but of lesser magnitude.
SURFACE AND INTERFACE ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Michael Leitzenberger, Peter Kuegler, Stefan Krivec, Herbert Hutter
Summary: Artifact-free depth profiles of alkali ions in SiO2 were obtained using ToF-SIMS with Cs+ beam as sputter gun, demonstrating the effectiveness of the method. The approach allows for accurate depth profiling without the need for advanced equipment, making it more accessible to laboratories.
SURFACE AND INTERFACE ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Songyou Lian, H. Yang, Jacobus J. Terblans, Hendrik C. Swart, Jiangyong Wang, Congkang Xu
Summary: This study discusses the impact of preferential sputtering on the depth profile of multi-element thin films and quantitatively evaluates this influence within the framework of the MRI model. Additionally, the conservation of mass in multi-element structures during depth profiling is investigated.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Melanie A. Brunet, Brittney L. Gorman, Mary L. Kraft
Summary: This study presents a depth correction strategy for accurate 3D NanoSIMS imaging of intracellular component distributions. It uses secondary ion and secondary electron depth profiling images to reconstruct cell morphology and adjust voxel positions and heights in component-specific 3D NanoSIMS images.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shin Muramoto, Daniel J. Graham
Summary: Secondary ion mass spectrometry using argon cluster primary ion beam allows molecular compositional depth profiling in organic thin films with minimal loss of chemical information. However, thicker organic films can lead to the rapid formation of micron-scale topography, affecting sputter yield linearity and depth resolution. To minimize 3D reconstruction distortions, a staggered sample rotation method was employed. By measuring depth resolution at the film-sphere interface, the effect of micron-scale topography and sample rotation on depth profile quality could be quantitatively assessed.
SURFACE AND INTERFACE ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yue Feng, Bon Min Koo, Antoine Seyeux, Jolanta Swiatowska, Catherine Henry de Villeneuve, Michel Rosso, Francois Ozanam
Summary: Pure and methylated amorphous silicon thin films were analyzed using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry to study the lithiation mechanism and biphasic process. Lithiation induced swelling and roughening of the active layer. No measurable Li diffusion was observed after lithiation. Distinct Li profiles were observed for the two materials, with the methylated film showing a slower Li concentration decrease attributed to the presence of nanovoids.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wolfram Hempel, Theresa Magorian Friedlmeier
Summary: The thin-film photovoltaic technology based on CIGS has achieved high conversion efficiencies. To accurately measure the gallium gradient and alkali metals in CIGS, ToF-SIMS is suitable but its spatial resolution is influenced by the measurement parameters. Small copper aggregations and Cu lamellas can affect the measurements due to preferential sputtering. Cooling with liquid nitrogen and new ion sources can minimize these effects.
SURFACE AND INTERFACE ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shi Li, Hongru Zhang, Zheng Liu, Junquan Xu, Guofang Fan, Wei Li, Qi Li, Xiaodong Hu, Gaoshan Jing
Summary: Developing novel metrology techniques is crucial in semiconductor fabrication to accurately characterize thin films with nanometer-scale thickness and material profiles. In this study, uniform trichlorosilane self-assembled monolayer patterns were fabricated using conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques, and were thoroughly characterized using Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry. The results demonstrate the high surface-sensitivity and accuracy of this technique in obtaining information about self-assembled monolayer patterns in a point-by-point manner, making it a promising metrology technique for high-quality micro and nanostructures in the semiconductor process.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)