Direct Observation of Electrical Dipole and Atomic Density at High-k Dielectrics/SiO2 Interface

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Fujimura ◽  
A. Ohta ◽  
M. Ikeda ◽  
K. Makihara ◽  
S. Miyazaki
Author(s):  
R. W. Anderson ◽  
D. L. Senecal

A problem was presented to observe the packing densities of deposits of sub-micron corrosion product particles. The deposits were 5-100 mils thick and had formed on the inside surfaces of 3/8 inch diameter Zircaloy-2 heat exchanger tubes. The particles were iron oxides deposited from flowing water and consequently were only weakly bonded. Particular care was required during handling to preserve the original formations of the deposits. The specimen preparation method described below allowed direct observation of cross sections of the deposit layers by transmission electron microscopy.The specimens were short sections of the tubes (about 3 inches long) that were carefully cut from the systems. The insides of the tube sections were first coated with a thin layer of a fluid epoxy resin by dipping. This coating served to impregnate the deposit layer as well as to protect the layer if subsequent handling were required.


Author(s):  
John M. Wehrung ◽  
Richard J. Harniman

Water tables in aquifer regions of the southwest United States are dropping off at a rate which is greater than can be replaced by natural means. It is estimated that by 1985 wells will run dry in this region unless adequate artificial recharging can be accomplished. Recharging with surface water is limited by the plugging of permeable rock formations underground by clay particles and organic debris.A controlled study was initiated in which sand grains were used as the rock formation and water with known clay concentrations as the recharge media. The plugging mechanism was investigated by direct observation in the SEM of frozen hydrated sand samples from selected depths.


Author(s):  
N. E. Paton ◽  
D. de Fontaine ◽  
J. C. Williams

The electron microscope has been used to study the diffusionless β → β + ω transformation occurring in certain titanium alloys at low temperatures. Evidence for such a transformation was obtained by Cometto et al by means of x-ray diffraction and resistivity measurements on a Ti-Nb alloy. The present work shows that this type of transformation can occur in several Ti alloys of suitable composition, and some of the details of the transformation are elucidated by means of direct observation in the electron microscope.Thin foils were examined in a Philips EM-300 electron microscope equipped with a uniaxial tilt, liquid nitrogen cooled, cold stage and a high resolution dark field device. Selected area electron diffraction was used to identify the phases present and the ω-phase was imaged in dark field by using a (101)ω reflection. Alloys were water quenched from 950°C, thinned, and mounted between copper grids to minimize temperature gradients in the foil.


Author(s):  
J.L. Williams ◽  
K. Heathcote ◽  
E.J. Greer

High Voltage Electron Microscope already offers exciting experimental possibilities to Biologists and Materials Scientists because the increased specimen thickness allows direct observation of three dimensional structure and dynamic experiments on effectively bulk specimens. This microscope is designed to give maximum accessibility and space in the specimen region for the special stages which are required. At the same time it provides an ease of operation similar to a conventional instrument.


Author(s):  
Avril V. Somlyo ◽  
H. Shuman ◽  
A.P. Somlyo

This is a preliminary report of electron probe analysis of rabbit portal-anterior mesenteric vein (PAMV) smooth muscle cryosectioned without fixation or cryoprotection. The instrumentation and method of electron probe quantitation used (1) and our initial results with cardiac (2) and skeletal (3) muscle have been presented elsewhere.In preparations depolarized with high K (K2SO4) solution, significant calcium peaks were detected over the sarcoplasmic reticulum (Fig 1 and 2) and the continuous perinuclear space. In some of the fibers there were also significant (up to 200 mM/kg dry wt) calcium peaks over the mitochondria. However, in smooth muscle that was not depolarized, high mitochondrial Ca was found in fibers that also contained elevated Na and low K (Fig 3). Therefore, the possibility that these Ca-loaded mitochondria are indicative of cell damage remains to be ruled out.


Author(s):  
Cesar D. Fermin ◽  
Hans-Peter Zenner

Contraction of outer and inner hair cells (OHC&IHC) in the Organ of Corti (OC) of the inner ear is necessary for sound transduction. Getting at HC in vivo preparations is difficult. Thus, isolated HCs have been used to study OHC properties. Even though viability has been shown in isolated (iOHC) preparations by good responses to current and cationic stimulation, the contribution of adjoining cells can not be explained with iOHC preparations. This study was undertaken to examine changes in the OHC after expossure of the OHC to high concentrations of potassium (K) and sodium (Na), by carefully immersing the OC in either artifical endolymph or perilymph. After K and Na exposure, OCs were fixed with 3% glutaraldehyde, post-fixed in osmium, separated into base, middle and apex and embedded in Araldite™. One μm thick sections were prepared for analysis with the light and E.M. Cross sectional areas were measured with Bioquant™ software.Potassium and sodium both cause isolated guinea pig OHC to contract. In vivo high K concentration may cause uncontrolled and sustained contractions that could contribute to Meniere's disease. The behavior of OHC in the vivo setting might be very different from that of iOHC. We show here changes of the cell cytosol and cisterns caused by K and Na to OHC in situs. The table below shows results from cross sectional area measurements of OHC from OC that were exposed to either K or Na. As one would expect, from the anatomical arrangement of the OC, OHC#l that are supported by rigid tissue would probably be displaced (move) less than those OHC located away from the pillar. Surprisingly, cells in the middle turn of the cochlea changed their surface areas more than those at either end of the cochlea. Moreover, changes in surface area do not seem to differ between K and Na treated OCs.


Author(s):  
B. Jouffrey ◽  
D. Dorignac ◽  
A. Bourret

Since the early works on GP zones and the model independently proposed by Preston and Guinier on the first steps of precipitation in supersaturated solid solution of aluminium containing a few percent of copper, many works have been performed to understand the structure of different stages in the sequence of precipitation.The scheme which is generally admitted can be drawn from a work by Phillips.In their original model Guinier and Preston analysed a GP zone as composed of a single (100) copperrich plane surrounded by aluminum atomic planes with a slightly shorter distance from the original plane than in the solid solution.From X-ray measurements it has also been shown that GP1 zones were not only copper monolayer zones. They could be up to a few atomic planes thick. Different models were proposed by Guinier, Gerold, Toman. Using synchrotron radiation, proposals have been recently made.


1998 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-5
Author(s):  
Glenn Pransky

Abstract According to the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, a functional capacity evaluation (FCE) measures an individual's physical abilities via a set of activities in a structured setting and provides objective data about the relationship between an impairment and maximal ability to perform work activities. A key distinction between FCEs and self-reported activities of daily living is that the former involve direct observation by professional evaluators. Numerous devices can quantify the physical function of a specific part of the musculoskeletal system but do not address the performance of whole body tasks in the workplace, and these devices have not been shown to predict accurately the ability to perform all but the simplest job tasks. Information about reliability has been proposed as a way to identify magnification and malingering, but variability due to pain and poor comprehension of instructions may cause variations in assessments. Structured work capacity evaluations involve a set of activities but likely underestimate the individual's ability to do jobs that involve complex or varying activities. Job simulations involve direct observation of an individual performing actual job tasks, require a skilled and experienced evaluator, and raise questions about expense, time, objectivity and validity of results, and interpretation of results in terms of the ability to perform specific jobs. To understand the barriers to return to work, examiners must supplement FCEs with information regarding workplace environment, accommodations, and demotivators.


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