Irradiation Energy Research Articles

The impact of proton ion irradiation on Se70Te20In10 thin films: Linear and non-linear optical properties for photonic applications

The examination of the linear and non-linear optical features was conducted on amorphous ternary Se70Te20 In10 thin films, which were exposed to proton irradiation energy of 3 MeV at varying fluences of 5×1013, 5×1014, 5×1015 and 5×1016 ions/cm2. The bulk sample was produced using the melt quenching method, and subsequently, thin films were obtained through electron beam evaporation. Calculations of linear and non-linear optical parameters were carried out based on transmittance and reflectance data acquired from UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy spanning 300–2500 nm. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed an amorphous phase in the films. The optical parameters showed strong dependency on the proton radiation fluence. In addition, the existence of minima or maxima for a number of parameters at a fluence of 5×1014 ions/cm2 showed that this was the optimum fluence. The linear and non-linear properties showed that the sample have potential applications in photonic devices.

Sintering of Copper Nanoparticles using Intense Pulsed Light for screen-printed films on flexible substrate

Abstract Rapid growth in applications involving large area flexible electronics has led to wide adoption of the technique of sintering printed films using intense pulsed light (IPL) due to its pulse mode operation and ability to reach high sintering temperatures without affecting the underlying substrate significantly. We study sintering mechanisms of screen-printed thin films of copper nanoparticles on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic substrate by varying irradiance energy over a wide range to monitor conductivity and associated microstructure changes. We obtain optimized parameters which indicate existence of a sharp threshold irradiance energy to kickstart sintering, and two distinct regimes beyond that. The low temperature regime has a high energy barrier while the high temperature regime has a substantially reduced energy barrier with change of phase due to local melting.

Antibacterial performance of nanosecond laser irradiated zirconium-based bulk metallic glass.

Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) have garnered significant attention in recent decades due to the outstanding physical, chemical, and biomedical characteristics. The biomedical application of metallic glass also received extensive attention. This report investigates the interplay among antibacterial performance, crystallization and processing parameters of Zr-based bulk metallic glass (Zr-BMG) following nanosecond laser irradiation. We examined surface morphology, crystallization behavior, surface quality, binding energy, and ion release properties post-laser irradiation. Additionally, we evaluated the generation of reactive oxygen species upon immersion of Zr-BMG in phosphate-buffered saline using the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate method. Staphylococcus aureus was chosen to assess Zr-BMG's antibacterial performance, while mouse osteoblasts were utilized to investigate in vitro cytotoxicity. Our findings revealed that at laser energy intensities below 0.08 J/mm2, the amorphous structure of Zr-BMG remained intact after irradiation. Moreover, laser irradiation significantly enhanced the antibacterial performance of Zr-BMG. The release rate of ion, concentration of reactive oxygen species, and antibacterial properties exhibited direct proportionality to laser energy intensity. However, surfaces exhibiting high antibacterial efficacy also displayed elevated cytotoxicity. The surface irradiated with a 7 μJ ablation pulse and 200 mm/s irradiation speed demonstrated a superior balance between antibacterial and cytotoxic properties while maintaining an amorphous state. We hope this research can provide theoretical reference and data support for the application of metallic glass in biomedical application.

Microwave Irradiation as a Powerful Tool for Isolating Isoflavones from Soybean Flour

The use of microwave irradiation energy for isolating bioactive compounds from plant materials has gained popularity due to its ability to penetrate cells and facilitate extraction of intracellular materials, with the added benefits of minimal or no use of organic solvents. This is particularly significant due to the possibility of using extracts in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The aim of this work is to examine the effect of microwave irradiation on the extraction of three of the most important isoflavones from soybean flour, glycitin, genistin, and daidzin, as well as their aglycones, glycitein, genistein, and daidzein. By varying the extraction time, temperature, and microwave power, we have established the optimal parameters (irradiation power of 75 W for 5 min) for the most efficient extraction of individual isoflavones. Compared to conventional maceration and ultrasound-assisted extraction, the total phenol content of the extracts increased from 3.66 to 9.16 mg GAE/g dw and from 4.67 to 9.16 mg GAE/g dw, respectively. The total flavonoid content increased from 0.38 to 0.83 mg CE/g dw and from 0.48 to 0.83 mg CE/g dw, and the antioxidant activity increased from 96.54 to 185.04 µmol TE/g dw and from 158.57 to 185.04 µmol TE/g dw, but also from 21.97 to 37.16 µmol Fe2+/g dw and from 30.13 to 37.16 µmol Fe2+/g dw. The positive correlation between microwave extraction and increased levels of total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity demonstrates the method’s effectiveness in producing bioactive compounds. Considering the growing recognition of glycitein’s potential role in medical and pharmaceutical applications, microwave-assisted extraction under optimized conditions has proven highly efficient.

Fabrication of a cell irradiation technique by alpha-particles using allyl diglycol carbonate (ADC) detector and micro-capillary tubes.

To study the impact of micro-alpha irradiation collimator with a specific design to irradiate specific normal or up-normal cells using capillary tubes and nuclear track detector type CR-39. The in vitro experimental study was conducted at radiobiology Lab, of the Physics department, Salahaddin University, Erbil, Iraq from February to April 2022. Several alpha irradiation collimators were calibrated using allyl diglycol carbonate to fabricate a suitable blood cell irradiation technique. Time of irradiation and alpha particle energy were calibrated. Healthy blood samples of Albino rats and cancer blood samples were used to assess the applicability of the fabricated cell irradiation technique. The Rats were divided into intervention and control groups. Data was analysed using SPSS software version 28. Of the 15 healthy, male Albino rats having a mean weight of 230±12g each, there were 12(80%) in the intervention group and 3(20%) in the control group. Microcapillary tubes with suitable diameters had high stability for deposition of a sufficient density of alpha particles on the surface of allyl diglycol carbonate and blood samples. The optimum time of irradiation that had a significant (p<0.05) effect was 20 sec corresponding to alpha energy 4.5MeV. Low irradiation time had significant impact of alpha particles on the average percentage of lymphocyte and neutrophil cells.

Cytocidal Effects of Interstitial Photodynamic Therapy Using Talaporfin Sodium and a Semiconductor Laser in a Rat Intracerebral Glioma Model.

This preclinical study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of interstitial PDT (i-PDT) for malignant gliomas arising deep within the brain, which are difficult to remove. C6 glioma cells were implanted into the basal ganglia of rats, and 3 weeks later, the second-generation photosensitizer talaporfin sodium (TPS) was administered intraperitoneally. Ninety minutes after administration, a prototype fine plastic optical fiber was punctured into the tumor tissue, and semiconductor laser light was irradiated into the tumor from a 2-mm cylindrical light-emitting source under various conditions. The brain was removed 24 h after the i-PDT and analyzed pathologically. The optical fiber was able to puncture the tumor center in all cases, enabling i-PDT to be performed. Histological analysis showed that tumor necrosis was induced in areas close to the light source, correlating with the irradiation energy dose, whereas apoptosis was induced at some distance from the light source. Irradiation using high energy levels resulted in tissue swelling from strong tumor necrosis, and irradiation at 75 J/cm2 was most suitable for inducing apoptosis. An experimental system of i-PDT using TPS was established using malignant glioma cells transplanted into the rat brain. Tumor cell death, which correlated with the light propagation, was induced in tumor tissue.

Single glass and polymer coated phosphate glass microwire photoactuators with instant response times and large actuating angles

Over the years significant scientific attention has been given towards the design of advanced photoactuating architectures as they are important elements for various optical tweezers, grippers, and soft robot applications. Most of the currently available photoactuators, rely on the existence of a free-space illumination pathway from the light sources to the device or on the employment of bendable optical fibers, while consisting of two or more elements, i.e. the photoactuating material and the substrate. Herein, we report on a facile method of preparing single-component pristine microwires (MWs) that exhibit photoactuating features upon utilizing a soft phosphate glass doped with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), without the need of any additional photoactuating element. The developed photoactuators exhibited bending angles of around 110°, within a couple of seconds. In addition, we have fabricated double-component polymer-coated phosphate glass MWs photoactuators, upon employing PDMS coatings on the surface of the so-formed glass MWs. The introduction of the polymer component boosts the bending angle of the photoactuating device to over 200° within the a few seconds upon modest laser irradiation. The presence of AgNPs within the glass MWs, play a key role on the remarkable performance of the developed photoactuators, both in terms of actuating angles as well as of the respective response times, since they assist on the effective transmission of laser irradiation energy to thermal energy. The fabrication method reported here appears promising for the development of high-performance and low-cost free-space, as well as fiber-based photoactuators.

Coupling Low-Frequency Ultrasound to a Crossflow Microfiltration Pilot: Effect of Ultrasonic Pulse Application on Sono-Microfiltration of Jackfruit Juice.

To reduce membrane fouling during the processing of highly pulpy fruit juices into clarified beverages, a crossflow Sono-Microfiltration (SMF) system was employed, strategically equipped with an ultrasonic probe for the direct application of low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS) to the juice just before the entrance to the ceramic membrane. Operating conditions were standardized, and the application of LFUS pulses in both corrective and preventive modes was investigated. The effect of SMF on the physicochemical properties and the total soluble phenol (TSP) content of the clarified juice was also evaluated. The distance of ultrasonic energy irradiation guided the selection of the LFUS probe. Amplitude conditions and ultrasonic pulses were more effective in the preventive mode and did not cause membrane damage, reducing the operation time of jackfruit juice by up to 50% and increasing permeability by up to 81%. The SMF did not alter the physicochemical parameters of the clarified juice, and the measured LFUS energy ranges did not affect the TSP concentration during the process. This study is the first to apply LFUS directly to the feed stream in a pilot-scale crossflow microfiltration system to reduce the fouling of ceramic membranes and maintain bioactive compounds in jackfruit juice.

Near-infrared spectral behavior of space-weathered olivine with varying iron content

Space weathering alters the surfaces of airless celestial bodies, thereby modifying their spectra significantly. Olivine plays a crucial role in responding to space weathering on silicate planets. However, the spectral variations that occur in olivine with varying iron content as a result of space weathering conditions remain unclear. We aim to systematically characterize the spectral variability of surface iron-rich olivine in the space weathering environments of Phobos and the Moon. We conducted nanosecond pulsed laser irradiation experiments on a set of synthetic Fe-rich olivine (Fa29, Fa50, Fa71, and Fa100). The energy levels were simulated for Phobos and the Moon. We analyzed the available near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. We find that olivine with higher Fe content undergoes stronger weathering under the same irradiation energy, shifting absorption centers around 1.08 mu m and 1.35 mu m to longer wavelengths. When comparing the high energy and low frequency, spectral changes are more pronounced at low energy and high frequency. The olivine with the same iron content exhibits a more noticeable shift around 1.08 mu m under various irradiation levels, while the band center around 1.35 mu m remains stable. When the same amount of radiation energy is received, changes in the spectrum are more noticeable at low energy and high impact frequency than at high energy and low impact frequency. The absorption position at $ $ 1.35 mu m is a good indicator of the Mg$\#$ value of space-weathered olivine.

Sustainable synthesis of piperazine analogs using varied energy sources in the petasis reaction: A green chemistry perspective

The Petasis reaction between substituted boronic acids (1a-c), N-Boc-piperazine, and glyoxylic acid in the conventional method of synthesis needs continuous refluxing for 16 h in a solvent like acetonitrile (ACN) to obtain the products. Using the same reactants, the source of energy was changed to microwave irradiation, ultrasonication, or mechanical energy (Trituration) to obtain good yields of the products consuming much less energy and time. Apart from the use of different sources of energy, the solvents as the media of the reactants were also changed. In microwave synthesis, more than 95% yield was obtained for the products in the presence of ACN/dichloromethane as solvents. In the sonication method, the yield ranged from 76 to 98% while in the trituration method, the yield decreased to 76-82% in the presence of various polar protic/aprotic solvents. Microwave irradiation or ultrasonication provides good alternatives to refluxing the reaction mixture continuously for a long time.. KEYWORDS :Microwave synthesis, Multicomponent reactions, Petasis reaction, Sonication, Trituration.

Total Ionizing Dose (TID) Effects on the 1.2 kV SiC MOSFETs under Proton Irradiation

In this paper, the effects of various proton irradiation energies and doses on the electrical characteristics of SiC MOSFETs have been evaluated and characterized using a proton accelerator. The devices under test were designed, fabricated and packaged using 1.2 kV/0.6 µm-tech SiC MOSFET processes. The results demonstrate that the threshold voltage (Vth) of the irradiated devices shifted towards negative values due to the radiation-induced positive oxide trapped charges. Moreover, this negative shift in Vth and positive trapped charges of field limiting ring (FLR) oxide led to an increase in output currents and a reduction in the breakdown voltage values.

120 MeV Ag high energy irradiation effects in physical and chemical properties of ALD grown HfO2 thin films and their applications

120 MeV Ag high energy irradiation effects in physical and chemical properties of ALD grown HfO2 thin films and their applications

Bulk photovoltaic effect of an alpha-phase indium selenide (α-In2Se3) crystal along the out-of-plane direction

The photovoltaic effect can occur without metal/semiconductor or semiconductor/semiconductor interfaces in materials with spontaneous electric polarization due to a lack of spatial inversion symmetry. This anomalous phenomenon is known as the bulk photovoltaic (BPV) effect owing to the shift current, which facilitates photoelectric conversion. Alpha-phase indium selenide (α-In2Se3) is a ferroelectric semiconductor with spontaneous electric polarization. Here, we report an experimental demonstration of the BPV effect in α-In2Se3 films along the out-of-plane direction by utilizing graphite films as transparent electrodes. A short-circuit current was detected under white light irradiation, and the sign was inverted upon inverting the direction of electric polarization, thus suggesting its origin to be the shift current, distinct from the effect occurring at the interface. The trend of BPV performances owing to the shift current with respect to the irradiated photon energy is consistent with the dependence of its absorption coefficient. The quantum efficiency of photoelectric conversion for α-In2Se3 along the out-of-plane direction was a few orders of magnitude greater than that of conventional and layered ferroelectric materials and was comparable to that of low-dimensional interface structures and strained two-dimensional materials. Our results pave the way for the innovative design of photoelectric conversion devices.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera: Implementation to Photoantimicrobial of Candida albicans with LED Light

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera (AgNPs/MO) was carried out to produce nanoscale antifungal agents which are used as photosensitizing agents in photoantimicrobial therapy. This study focused on investigating the potential of AgNPs/MO producing some toxic radical compounds that inhibit the growth of Candida albicans biofilms. The inhibition mechanism uses the principle of photoinactivation treatment which combines a photosensitizer with an LED light source at a power of 100 mW for 60 - 300 s of exposure. Quantitative data analyzed were the number of viable cells and radical compounds, formed by malondialdehyde (MDA) level. It is investigated through staining the XTT (2,3-Bis-(2-Methoxy-4-Nitro-5-Sulfophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium-5-Carboxanilide) and TBARS (Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances). The results show that the maximum wavelength of AgNPs is 440 nm while the Moringa oleifera has 2 peaks at 425 and 635 nm. The maximum effect occurred in the group of photosensitizer AgNPs/MO combined LED with percentage inactivation about 76.80 % for blue LEDs and 76.20 % for red LEDs. The group of LED irradiation without photosensitizer obtained about 51.85 % for blue LEDs and 50.04 % for red LEDs. The MDA level group of AgNPs/MO combined LED also produced MDA levels of 1.772 nmol/mL for blue LED and 1.617 nmol/mL for red LED. Meanwhile, the application of photoantimicrobial using only LEDs produced MDA levels of only 1.353 nmol/mL for blue LEDs and 1.347 nmol/mL for red LEDs. This research has shown that the green synthesis of AgNPs/MO has a good potential to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans biofilms as a photosensitizer agent. HIGHLIGHTS Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) combined with Moringa oleifera (MO) extract have been shown to have potential as a photosensitizer to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans Green synthesis AgNPs/MO have a characteristic spectrum at 440 nm which is close to the blue light spectrum. Green synthesis AgNPs/MO combined with LED light irradiation energy can reduce the cell viability of Candida albicans up to 76.80 % through the XTT assay staining test method and produce 1.772 nmol/mL of Malondialdehyde that reacts with ROS compounds to cause cell damage. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Unusual nanoscale amorphization of metallic chromium interfacing with SiC under high energy irradiation

Layered metal/silicon carbide (SiC) materials systems are becoming increasingly relevant to solve materials challenges in advanced fission and fusion nuclear energy systems, necessitating a deeper understanding of how interfaces between dissimilar materials behave under high energy irradiation. In this work, we use a Cr-SiC bilayer system as a model to study the behavior of such interfaces under high energy ion irradiation (80 MeV Xe26+ ions) at elevated temperatures (∼350 °C). Through high resolution characterization of the interface, we observed the formation of a nanoscale Cr-rich amorphous layer adjacent to crystalline SiC. We explain this phenomenon through a multi-scale computational approach incorporating ballistic mixing simulations, density functional theory calculations, and CALPHAD-based non-equilibrium modeling that shows the localized amorphization of Cr to be driven by the synergistic action of irradiation-induced point defects within Cr and transport of Si and C atoms across the interface. In particular, the accumulation of radiation damage results in the thermodynamic destabilization of the point-defect containing, metastable Cr-Si-C solid solution with respect to an amorphous phase of identical composition. This study advances the understanding of how metal/SiC interfaces behave under irradiation and establishes a modeling framework that can be applied to interfacial systems to understand irradiation-induced amorphization.

Corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy surfaces substantially upgraded by gradient energy irradiation of femtosecond lasers

The poor corrosion resistance of magnesium (Mg) alloys is known to constitute a major obstacle to their practical applications. In this work, we proposed an approach of femtosecond laser multi-grid-scanning with the gradual decreasing energy fluence, to modulate the surface oxide properties for the anti-corrosion performance enhancement. This kind of laser processing can significantly increase the oxide passivation layer thickness by more than 100 times compared with the bare sample, and improve the oxygen content on the material surface to as high as 55.87 %. Simultaneously, the available size of MgO nanograins is further refined and has more spatially uniform distribution. Moreover, the massive production of micro/nano-structures by the femtosecond laser irradiation tends to promote the surface into the superhydrophobic with a contact angle of CA=162 ± 2 ° and a slide angle of SA=1.5 ± 0.5 °. As a result, the obtained optimal values for the corrosion current density and the annual corrosion rate are reduced to Icorr = 0.5 μA/cm2 and CR = 7×10−3 mm/y, respectively, more than 2 orders of magnitude lower than the bare sample. Such a method provides an efficient strategy to enhance the corrosion resistance of metal surfaces for future applications.

Research on Photovoltaic Power Generation Characteristics of Small Ocean Observation Unmanned Surface Vehicles

Under the action of waves, a small unmanned surface vehicle (USV) will experience continuous oscillation, significantly impacting its photovoltaic power generation system. This paper proposes a USV photovoltaic power generation simulation model, and the efficiency of photovoltaic MPPT control under wave action is studied. A simulation model for solar irradiance on solar panels of USV under wave action is established based on CFD and solar irradiation models. The dynamic changes in irradiance of USV solar panels under typical wave conditions are analyzed. The MPPT efficiency of USV photovoltaic power generation devices under continuously changing irradiance conditions is studied on this basis. The simulation research results indicate that waves and solar altitude angles significantly impact the instantaneous irradiation energy of USV photovoltaic devices. However, the impact of waves on the average irradiance is relatively tiny. The sustained oscillation of irradiance poses certain requirements for the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) control frequency of USV photovoltaic systems; a disturbance control frequency of no less than 50 Hz is proposed.

Effect of Ar-ion irradiation on electrical transport of WS2 monolayer

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D-TMDs), such as WS2 and MoS2, have attracted exceptional attention as promising materials for future optoelectronic systems due to their unique properties, including a direct band gap, high quantum efficiency, and flexibility. However, exploiting these materials’ potential in their pristine state remains a key challenge because of limited tunability and control over their properties. The introduction of crystal defects, such as vacancies and dopants, induces localized mid-gap states in 2D materials, enhances electrical transport, and creates a platform for tuning and exploiting these materials for practical applications. Our study explores the effect of Ar-ion beam irradiation on monolayer WS2, resulting in enhanced electrical transport compared to the pristine sample. We regulated the Ar-ion bombardment energy to vary the defect concentration from 0.1 to 0.5 keV. Photoluminescence (PL) and Raman investigations, revealed the extent of damage to the material. At the same time, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed changes in the oxidation state with increasing irradiation energy. Our results demonstrated that Ar-ion treatment at low-energy irradiation enhanced electrical transport by ∼12 fold compared to pristine till 0.2 keV of irradiation by incorporating defects. However, higher irradiation energies reduced electrical transport due to increased disorder in the WS2 monolayer. This investigation highlights the potential for controlled defect engineering to optimize the properties of 2D-TMDs for practical applications.

Effect of laser-assisted irradiation on plasma electrolytic oxidation of titanium alloys: Arc spot evolution characteristics and photoelectric synergistic mechanisms

Laser irradiation can be employed as an auxiliary energy field to optimize functional plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings. Herein, the mechanism of the effect of laser-assisted irradiation on the morphology and composition of ceramic coatings prepared by PEO of titanium alloys in electrolytes with sodium tetraborate-based is discussed from the perspective of plasma arc spot evolution and photoelectric synergistic effect. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Mott-Schottky (M-S), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to analyze the coating characteristics. The results showed that laser-assisted irradiation promoted the oxidation of the coatings, accelerated the conversion of the anatase phase to the rutile phase, reduced the oxygen vacancy defects and formed the "ant nest" porous microstructure. Monitoring of the voltage, electric field, and plasma discharge arc spot indicated that laser-assisted irradiation restricted the electric field diffusion on the anode surface, reduced the termination voltage, and significantly increased the intensity (maximum discharge percentage increased from 14.238 % to 20.358 %) and uniformity of distribution of the plasma discharge. Instantaneous photoresponse curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed that the PEO coatings exhibited fast and sustained photoelectric response under simultaneous laser irradiation, progressively enhanced with increasing laser irradiation energy. The photogenerated electrons excited by the semiconductor TiO2 coating under the simultaneous irradiation of laser can be used as the initial carriers of the electron avalanche, which induces the generation of a plasma on the surface of the anode and thus enhances the plasma discharge behavior, which is the fundamental reason for the optimization of the coating characteristics.

A simulation study of irradiation effect on InAs/GaAsSb type II quantum dot structures

Particles in space cause irradiation damage to the solar cells (SCs), resulting in the degradation of their performance. Quantum dot solar cells (QDSCs) have higher theoretical efficiency and better irradiation resistance than the conventional GaAs SCs, which makes them highly promising for application in space. In this paper, we study the proton irradiation effect on InAs/GaAs0.8Sb0.2 QDSCs by SRIM program. The simulation result shows that the InAs/GaAs0.8Sb0.2 QDSCs have fewer vacancies than GaAs SCs when irradiated with low-energy proton, which indicates that the InAs/GaAs0.8Sb0.2 QDSCs have better anti-irradiation characteristics. The study about displacements per atom and proton concentration in two SCs shows that protons with low energy and high irradiation fluences will cause more serious damage in InAs/GaAs0.8Sb0.2 QDSCs. In addition, the proton incident angle affects the vacancy distribution, while the number of QD layers has little effect on it.