In this dissertation, I will look into the size distribution of silver nanoparticles produced by laser ablation of microparticles (LAM). I will investigate the role of both pulsed and continuously operating nozzles on the size distribution. In addition, I will examine any deviations from the previously observed log-normal size distribution for silver nanoparticles comparing previous collection techniques involving supersonic jet impaction with a current time of flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS). These new observations will be made in situ using a Wiley-McLaren TOF-MS with a reflector and multiphoton ionization and will mainly focus on the smaller sized nanoparticles. An introduction to enhancing a second harmonic optically generated signal will also be investigated involving silver nanocomposites while utilizing a polarized crossed-beam femtosecond laser technique. / text

published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Master / Master of Philosophy

The term Gossamer is used to describe ultra-lightweight spacecraft structures that solve the aerospace challenge of obtaining maximum performance while reducing the launch costs of the spacecraft. Gossamer structures are extremely compliant, which complicates control design and ground testing in full scale. One approach is to design and construct smaller test articles and verify their computational models experimentally, so that similar computational models can be used to predict the dynamic performance of full-scale structures. Though measurement of both in-plane and out-of-plane displacements is required to characterize the dynamic response of the surface of these structures, this thesis lays the groundwork for dynamic measurement of the in-plane component. The measurement of thin films must be performed using non-contacting sensors because any contacting sensor would change the dynamics of the structure. Moreover, the thin films dealt with in this work are coated with either gold or aluminum for special applications making the film optically smooth and therefore requiring a surface pattern. A Krypton Fluoride excimer laser system was selected to fabricate patterns on thin-film mirror test articles. Parameters required for pattern fabrication were investigated. Effects of the pattern on the thin-film dynamics were studied using finite element analysis. Photogrammetry was used to study the static in-plane displacement of the thin-film mirror. This was performed to determine the feasibility of the photogrammetric approach for future dynamic tests. It was concluded that photogrammetry could be used efficiently to quantify dynamic in-plane displacement with high-resolution cameras and sub-pixel target marking.

Amazonitic K-feldspar is characteristic of evolved granitic pegmatites of NYF (niobium-yttrium-fluorine) type, associated with A-type granite emplacement. In this work, I focus on four notable examples of such an association: (1) West Keivy, Kola Peninsula, Russia, (2) Saint-Ludger-de-Milot, Quebec, (3) Lac Sairs, Quebec, and (4) Morefield, Virginia. A fifth locality, the Broken Hill metamorphosed exhalative-type volcanogenic deposits in Australia, is an unusual type of amazonitic K-feldspar formed in an ore environment. A total of nineteen samples of amazonitic K-feldspar were characterized geochemically and mineralogically on the basis of X-ray diffraction, electron-microprobe and laser-ablation ICP-MS analyses. Lead, as an essential requirement for formation of the blue-green amazonitic color, has received particular attention. In every case, the analytical data show elevated amounts of Pb and rare alkalis, which strongly partition into the K-rich phase of the perthite intergrowth. Unusual micrometric grains, highly enriched in Pb, are found in cracks in the material from West Keivy. Some of the grains represent a new mineral species, a Pb-dominant feldspar. The presence of amazonitic K-feldspar in a granitic pegmatite is more than a curiosity. It can shed light on important petrogenetic issues such as metasomatic rejuvenation of crustal rocks prior to regional melting in a period of extension.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2007. / Title from title screen (site viewed Dec. 4, 2007). PDF text: xii, 80 p. : ill. ; 6 Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3273191. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Thesis (M. S.)--Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: Bert Bras; Committee Member: David Rosen; Committee Member: Jeannette Yen

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 154).

The use of thin-film techniques for the fabrication of microfluidic devices has gained attention over the last decade, particularly for three-dimensional channel structures. The reasons for this include effective use of chip volume, mechanical flexibility, dead volume reduction, enhanced design capabilities, integration of passive elements, and scalability. Several fabrication techniques have been adapted for use on thin films: laser ablation and hot embossing are popular for channel fabrication, and lamination is widely used for channel enclosure. However, none of the previous studies have been able to achieve a strong bond that is reliable under moderate positive pressures. The present work aims to develop a thin-film process that provides design versatility, speed, channel profile homogeneity, and the reliability that others fail to achieve. The three building blocks of the proposed baseline were fifty-micron poly(methyl methacrylate) thin films as substrates, channel patterning by laser ablation, and device assembly by thermal-fusion bonding. Channel fabrication was characterized and tuned to produce the desired dimensions and surface roughness. Thermal bonding was performed using an adapted mechanical testing device and optimized to produce the maximum bonding strength without significant channel deformation. Bonding multilayered devices, incorporating conduction lines, and integrating various types of membranes as passive elements demonstrated the versatility of the process. Finally, this baseline was used to fabricate a droplet generator and a DNA detection chip based on micro-bead agglomeration. It was found that a combination of low laser power and scanning speed produced channel surfaces with better uniformity than those obtained with higher values. In addition, the implemented bonding technique provided the process with the most reliable bond strength reported, so far, for thin-film microfluidics. Overall, the present work proved to be versatile, reliable, and fast, making it a good candidate to reproduce several on-chip functions. Future work includes implementing thick-substrate bonding techniques to further improve the process and decrease energy requirements.

Title: Characterization and focusing of capillary-discharge XUV-laser beam for purposes of thin-film deposition Author: Peter Pira Department: Department of Surface and Plasma Science Supervisor: doc. RNDr. Jan Wild, CSc., Department of Surface and Plasma Science Abstract: The paper deals with the first results of the interaction of a desk-top high repetition rate XUV laser (wavelength of 46.9 nm) radiation with materials suitable for optoelectronics, in particular the ionic crystals CsI, LiF, etc. Using surface physics methods (AFM, DIC Normanski microscopy) pulse laser imprints were investigated. Based on the results obtained, general information on the nature of ablation and desorption was obtained, which were compared with the results of the XUV-ABLATOR modified code modeling. Plasma arising from ablation was examined by a modified Langmuir probe system. The main result is the pulse laser deposition of thin films of Bi and CsI. Keywords: ablation, Pulsed Laser Deposition, XUV laser

We investigate the conditions under which electron irradiation of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) bundles with 2 keV electrons produces an increase in the Raman D peak. We find that an increase in the D peak does not occur when SWCNTs are preheated in situ at 600 C for 1 h in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) before irradiation is performed. Exposing SWCNTs to air or other gases after preheating in UHV and before irradiation results in an increase in the D peak. Small diameter SWCNTs that are not preheated or preheated and exposed to air show a significant increase in the D and G bands after irradiation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows no chemical shifts in the C1s peak of SWCNTs that have been irradiated versus SWCNTs that have not been irradiated, suggesting that the increase in the D peak is not due to chemisorption of adsorbates on the nanotubes.