Setenta e três fungos representantes de grupos taxonômicos distintos, isolados de cnidários, coletados no litoral norte do estado de São Paulo, foram submetidos ao teste de descoloração do corante RBBR e ao teste de MIC. Treze fungos selecionados no teste de descoloração foram submetidos ao teste de degradação de pireno e benzo[a]pireno. Sete fungos mostraram resultados satisfatórios de degradação, entretanto, o fungo Aspergillus sulphureus (8.2A) apresentou os melhores resultados: degradou 99,7% de pireno e 73,6% de benzo[a]pireno. Com relação ao teste de MIC, 21 isolados inibiram o crescimento das bactérias: B. subtillis; P. aeruginosa, S.aureus, E. coli EPEC e V. parahaemolyticus. Penicillium sp. (12.12) apresentou o melhor resultado (0,0078 mg/mL). Os 23 isolados que apresentaram potencial biotecnológico foram caracterizados taxonomicamente. Os resultados do presente trabalho sugerem que fungos filamentosos associados a cnidários possuem potencial para aplicação biotecnológica, em particular para biorremediação de ambientes marinhos contaminados com HPAs. / Seventy three fungi representatives of distinct taxonomic groups, isolated from cnidarians collected from north coast of São Paulo State, were submitted to RBBR dye decolorization tests and to MIC. Thirteen fungal selected from the decolorization test were submitted to pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene degradation assays. Seven fungi showed satisfactory PAH degradation results. Among them Aspergillus sulphureus (8.2A) presented the best results degrading pyrene (99.7%) and benzo[a]pyrene (73.6%). Regarding the MIC experiments, 21 isolates were able to inhibit the growth of B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, E. coli EPEC and V. parahaemolyticus. Penicillium sp. (12.12) presented the best result (0,0078 mg/mL). The 23 isolates that showed potential biotechnologic were taxonomically characterized. Results derived from the present work suggest that cnidarians-derived filamentous fungi have a great potential for biotechnological application, in particular on bioremediation of marine environments contaminated by PAHs.

Die vorliegende Arbeit behandelt die Entwicklung des genetischen Starrkörper-Algorithmus (rigid body genetic algorithm, RGBA), und seine Anwendung zur Untersuchung der Kohlenwasserstoff-Adsorption auf der MgO (001) Oberfläche. Die RBGA Methode ist ein modifizierter hybrid-genetischer Algorithmus mit Starrkörper-Optimierung im lokalen Optimierungsschritt. Diese Modifikation führt zu einer großen Vereinfachung des Optimierungsproblems und ermöglicht damit, eine große Anzahl von möglichen Konfigurationen zu analysieren. Die zentrale Annahme der Methode ist, dass die einzelnen Teile des Systems (starrer Körper) während der gesamten globalen Optimierung nicht ihre interne Konfiguration ändern. Daher ist diese Methode ein geeignetes Werkzeug, um Phänomene wie Adsorption zu studieren, in dem alle Teilsysteme - Oberfläche und einzelne Moleküle - ihre interne Struktur bewahren. Der Algorithmus ermöglicht das Auffinden der globalen Minima für die Starrkörper, die dann im nächsten Schritt vollständig optimiert („relaxiert“) werden, um Verformungen aufgrund der Entspannung der Oberfläche und des Adsorbats auszumachen. / The present work was concentrated on developing the Rigid Body Genetic Algorithm (RBGA), and applying it to investigate the hydrocarbon adsorption on the MgO(001) surface. The RBGA method is a modified hybrid genetic algorithm with rigid body optimization at the local optimization step. The modification allows for a vast simplification of the optimization problem, and, in turn, to search a large number of possible configuration. The key assumption of the method is that individual parts of the system (rigid bodies) do not change their internal configuration throughout the global optimization. Therefore, this method is a perfect tool to study phenomena like adsorption, where all the subsystems – surface and individual molecules – preserve their internal structure. The algorithm allows to obtain global minima, which then can be fully optimized and to account for deformations due to the relaxation of the surface and adsorbate molecules.

Camundongos AIRmax são resistentes e AIRmin susceptíveis à carcinogênese de pele por repetidas doses de DMBA. Apenas os AIRmin desenvolvem reação de hipersensibilidade de contacto (CHS) inicial seguida de tumores de pele e pulmão. O receptor aril hidrocarboneto (AHR) é importante no metabolismo do DMBA. Após ligação ao agonista este fator de transcrição aumenta a expressão de enzimas CYP450 necessários à sua metabolização. Nos AIRmin ocorreu um aumento do mRNA de IL1<font face=\"symbol\">b, TNF<font face=\"symbol\">a, IL6, TGF<font face=\"symbol\">b1 e CYP1B1 na pele às 48h após as doses de DMBA. Nos AIRmax não houve alteração. O aumento de expressão de citocinas e de P450 em AIRmin é coerente com a indução de CHS por DMBA dependente da ativação do AHR. Todos os AIRmax são homozigotos para o alelo Ahrd que confere resistência a CHS e carcinogênese enquanto os AIRmin portam o alelo Ahrb1 que confere susceptibilidade. Esta segregação alélica sugere a participação do Ahr como marcador ou gene que regula a carcinogênese e inflamação. Esta última hipótese foi confirmada pela análise de linkage dos genótipos Ahr parentais com o grau da inflamação em população F2 (AIRmax x AIRmin). Fatores genéticos ligados ao AHR e reações imunes específicas contribuem para a diferente susceptibilidade das linhagens à carcinogênese. / AIRmax mice are resistant and AIRmin susceptible to skin carcinogenesis by repeated DMBA doses. AIRmin mice developed initial contact hypersensitivity reaction (CHS) and late skin and lung tumors. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays important roles in DMBA metabolism. Upon binding to agonist this transcription factor induces the expression of CYP P450 enzymes. Up regulated levels of IL1<font face=\"symbol\">b, TNF<font face=\"symbol\">a, IL6, TGF<font face=\"symbol\">b1 and CYP1B1 mRNAs were found in the skin of AIRmin at 48h after DMBA. In AIRmax the levels were similar to controls. The cytokine and P450 mRNA up regulation in AIRmin is coherent with CHS elicitation by DMBA dependent on AHR activation. All AIRmax were found homozygous for the Ahrd allele, which confers resistance to CHS and carcinogenesis, whereas all AIRmin are homozygous for the Ahrb1 allele, related to susceptibility. The allelic segregation in the lines suggests that Ahr is a marker or a gene involved in carcinogenesis and in inflammatory response control. This last hypothesis was confirmed by linkage analysis of Ahr parental genotypes with acute inflammation degree in F2 (AIRmax x AIRmin) population. The results point to genetic and molecular factors underlying the differential susceptibility of AIRmax and AIRmin mice to carcinogenesis.

Os grânulos plásticos são encontrados no ambiente marinho e, em função de suas características podem concentrar e transportar poluentes orgânicos. A Enseada de Santos representa um polo de grande importância econômica para o estado de São Paulo, devido à existência do Porto de Santos e do complexo industrial de Cubatão nos seus arredores. Essa região foi escolhida para o desenvolvimento deste estudo por possuir uma grande quantidade de grânulos na superfície arenosa de suas praias. O presente estudo teve como objetivos: (1) avaliar uma proposta metodológica para a coleta de grânulos plásticos, baseada no uso de transectos perpendiculares à linha da água compostos por escavações (amostragens) equidistantes; e (2) analisar a concentração, composição e fontes de contaminação de hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs) nos grânulos coletados em praias arenosas, considerando diferentes escalas espaciais e a influência do tipo de resina que os grânulos são produzidos, bem como o tempo de exposição destes no ambiente. O resultado da avaliação da proposta metodológica determinou o diâmetro do trado que fornece a melhor combinação entre tempo e volume de sedimento coletado, além da confirmação da profundidade de maior ocorrência dos grânulos na coluna sedimentar, bem como a constatação de que transectos tornam-se inviáveis para este procedimento. É sugerido, então, o desenvolvimento de estudos futuros a fim de encontrar o melhor desenho amostral, uma vez que não foi eficaz a realização de transectos, para a amostragem de grânulos plásticos em profundidade. De acordo com os resultados das análises, a concentração e composição de HPAs nos grânulos plásticos variaram de forma expressiva entre os pontos amostrais em uma mesma praia, de forma que, para a obtenção da real variabilidade de poluentes em uma praia, são necessárias coletas em diversos pontos amostrais, a fim de evitar uma equivocada extrapolação dos resultados. As análises dos grânulos coletados em diferentes profundidades no sedimento arenoso indicam resultados semelhantes, com uma alta variabilidade na composição e concentração de HPAs. Entre as resinas, houve diferença na concentração de HPAs (polietileno > polipropileno) e no tempo de exposição, com maiores concentrações nos grânulos mais escuros, ou seja, mais tempo expostos no ambiente. A contaminação na área de coleta é oriunda da mistura de compostos provenientes de fontes petrogênicas e pirolíticas e as análises da potencial toxicidade dos HPAs em grânulos, em geral, indicam um risco iminente aos organismos. São necessários, no entanto, estudos complementares também para a investigação da possibilidade de bioacumulação dos poluentes em organismos. / Plastic pellets are easily found in marine environment and due to its characteristics they may concentrate and bring organic pollutants. Santos bay represents a major economic center for the state of São Paulo because of Santos Port and the Cubatão industrial complex in its surroundings. This place was chosen for the development of the study for the great number of pellets found in the sandy surface of its beaches. This study aimed at (1) evaluating a sampling methodology for plastic pellets based on the use of transects perpendicular to the seawater line and made by diggings equally distant from one another (samplings). It also aimed at (2) analyzing the concentration, composition and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) contamination on the pellets sampled on sandy beaches, considering different spatial scales and resin kinds which the plastic pellets were made from as well as their exposure time in the environment. As a result of the evaluation of sampling methodology the sampler diameter was defined which provides the best combination between the time and the volume of sampled sediment. Apart from that the depth of the major occurrence of plastic pellets in the sedimentary column was confirmed and it was established that transects are impracticable for this kind of procedure. The development of future studies in order to figure out the best sample design is suggested once the use of transects was not efficient for plastic pellets sampling in depth. According to analyses results the PAHs concentration and composition on the plastic pellets vary largely among sampling sites on the same beach. In order to obtain real pollutant variability on one beach, samples taken from different sampling sites are necessary to avoid a wrong over sizing of results. The plastic pellets analyses taken from different depths in sandy sediment showed similar results to those from the surface with a high variability in PAH concentration and composition. Among the resins there was a difference on PAH concentration (polyethylene > polypropylene) and exposure time, showing larger concentrations on darker pellets, that is longer exposed in the environment. The contamination in the studied area comes from the mixture of compounds from petrogenic and pyrolitic sources and the PAHs potential toxicity in plastic pellets analyses generally reflect an imminent risk to organisms. Complementary studies are also necessary to investigate the possibility of pollutant bioaccumulation in organisms.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:41:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DayanneCM_DISSERT.pdf: 2858760 bytes, checksum: 79d38db851fa949cbc454e621806fe1c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-12-18 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) are a group of organic substances which receive considerable attention because of the carcinogenic and mutagenic properties of some of them. It is therefore important to determine the PAHs in different environmental matrices. Several studies have shown the use of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry as a technique for quantification of PAHs by presenting excellent detection limits. This study aimed to develop an analytical methodology for the determination of 16 PAHs listed by the USEPA, test two methods for extraction of PAHs in water from a 23 factorial design, quantify them through the analytical technique coupled to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) using the method developed, and finally apply the results in chemometrics. The sample was synthesized and subjected to tests of the 23 factorial design, which has the factors: the type of extraction technique (ultrasound and digester), the ratio solvent / sample (1:1 and 1:3) and the type of solvent (dichloromethane / hexane and acetone / dichloromethane). The responses of eight combinations of the factorial design were obtained from the quantification by external calibration in GC/MS. The quantification method was developed from an optimized adaptation of the USEPA Method 8270. We used the full scan mode as a way of acquiring the mass spectra of 16 PAHs. The time in which the samples were subjected to ultrasound was fixed at 10 min and held an investigation to establish the conditions of power and time in the digester. We had the best response in the investigation of the digester power of 100 watts and the time of six minutes. The factorial design of liquid-liquid extraction showed that the most representative factors were: the use of the digester as extraction technique, the ratio solvent / sample 1:1 and the use of a 1:1 mixture of dichloromethane / hexane as a solvent more suitable. These results showed that the 1:1 mixture of dichloromethane / hexane is an excellent mixture to recover the extraction of PAHs an aqueous sample using the microwave digester. The optimization of the method of separation, identification and quantification of PAHs in the GC/MS was valid for 16 PAHs present in each chromatogram of the samples / Os HPAs (Hidrocarbonetos Polic?clicos Arom?ticos) pertencem a um grupo de subst?ncias org?nicas que recebem uma aten??o consider?vel devido ?s propriedades carcinog?nicas e mutag?nicas de alguns deles. Por isso, ? importante a determina??o dos HPAs em diversas matrizes ambientais. In?meros trabalhos apresentam o uso da t?cnica de cromatografia gasosa acoplada ? espectrometria de massas como t?cnica de quantifica??o dos HPAs por apresentar ?timos limites de detec??o. Este trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver uma metodologia anal?tica para a determina??o dos 16 HPAs indicados pela USEPA, testar duas metodologias de extra??o de HPAs em ?gua, a partir de um Planejamento Fatorial 23, quantific?-las atrav?s da t?cnica anal?tica Cromatografia Gasosa acoplada ? Espectrometria de Massas (CG/EM) utilizando o m?todo desenvolvido e, por fim aplicar a Quimiometria nos resultados. A amostra utilizada foi sintetizada e submetida aos ensaios do planejamento fatorial 23, que teve como fatores: o tipo de t?cnica de extra??o (ultra-som e digestor), a propor??o solvente/amostra (1:1 e 1:3) e o tipo de solvente utilizado (Diclorometano/Hexano e Acetona/Diclorometano). As respostas das oito combina??es do planejamento fatorial foram obtidas da quantifica??o por calibra??o externa no CG/EM. O m?todo de quantifica??o desenvolvido foi otimizado a partir de uma adapta??o da metodologia 8270 da USEPA. Utilizou-se o Full Scan como modo de aquisi??o dos espectros de massas dos 16 HPAs. O tempo em que as amostras foram submetidas no ultra-som foi fixado em 10 min e realizou-se uma investiga??o para se estabelecer as condi??es de pot?ncia e tempo no digestor. Tivemos como melhor resposta na investiga??o do digestor a pot?ncia de 100 Watts e o tempo de 6 minutos. O planejamento fatorial da extra??o l?quido-l?quido mostrou que os fatores mais representativos foram: a utiliza??o do digestor como t?cnica de extra??o, a propor??o solvente/amostra 1:1 e o uso da mistura 1:1 de Diclorometano/Hexano como solvente mais adequado. Esses resultados mostraram que a mistura 1:1 de Diclorometano/Hexano ? uma excelente mistura extratora para recuperar os HPAs de uma amostra aquosa, utilizando o digestor por microondas. A otimiza??o do m?todo de separa??o, identifica??o e quantifica??o dos HPAs no CG/EM foi v?lida por apresentar os 16 HPAs em cada cromatograma das amostras

Diferenças no timing da melanização e esclerotização do exoesqueleto são evidentes quando se compara a morfologia externa de abelhas de hábitos sociais e as solitárias. A esta diferença convencionamos chamar de heterocronia da maturação cuticular, o termo heterocronia significando variações no tempo relativo, ou ritmo, de um evento ontogenético em relação ao ancestral ou entre taxons. Propusemos que as abelhas sociais, que após a ecdise permanecem na colônia por vários dias, alcançariam a maturidade de alguns sistemas orgânicos, entre eles o tegumento, muito mais tarde que as espécies de abelhas solitárias que ao emergir partem imediatamente para atividades extra-nidais. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em testar esta hipótese utilizando o tegumento em maturação das espécies de abelhas sociais, Apis mellifera e Frieseomelitta varia, e da espécie solitária Centris analis, em estudos comparativos de expressão gênica, ultraestrutura e quantificação de hidrocarbonetos cuticulares (CHCs). Para isto utilizamos sequenciamento de mRNA (RNA-seq), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) e cromatografia de gás e espectrometria de massas (CG/MS). Os perfis de expressão de genes da via de melanização/esclerotização cuticular (ebony e tan) diferenciaram as espécies sociais da solitária, assim como a expressão de genes com função na via de metabolismo de quitina (Cda5, Idgf4 e chitooligosacchariodolytic-domain-like) e de genes codificadores de proteínas estruturais da cutícula (CPR14, CPR17, CPR18, CPR25, CPR23, CPR26, Apd-3 e Apd-like). Genes com função na regulação da maturação cuticular (FTZ-F1, E74, Hr46 e Hr4) se mostraram co-expressos nas espécies sociais e os perfis de expressão destes genes, exceto Hr46, e de outros reguladores (Ethr, Hr38, Rickets e Ptx-1) também diferenciaram as espécies sociais da solitária. Ressaltamos em nossas análises os genes do ciclo circadiano, cuja expressão tem relação com a deposição de quitina cuticular, além de genes de vias de pigmentação não melanínicas. As análises de MET, abrangendo outras três espécies de abelhas (Bombus brasilienses: primitivamente eussocial; Euglossa cordata: facultativamente social; Tetrapedia diversipes: solitária), mostraram diferenças consistentes entre a ultraestrutura e espessura das cutículas das espécies sociais e solitárias, o que reforçou nossos resultados de RNA-seq. A quantificação absoluta dos CHCs diferenciou as abelhas sociais da solitária, consistente com a hipótese de heterocronia da maturação cuticular e com os perfis de expressão de genes envolvidos na biossíntese de CHCs. Assim, além de desvendar transcriptomas de tegumento de três espécies de abelhas, a comparação da expressão gênica aliada à análise de ultraestrutura da cutícula e quantificação de CHCs levaram à caracterização de diferenças no processo de maturação cuticular entre as espécies sociais e solitárias / Differences in the timing of exoskeleton melanization and sclerotization processes are evident when comparing the external morphology of social and solitary bee species. Such differences may constitute a relevant example of cuticular maturation heterochrony, this term referring to a genetic change in timing of an ontogenetic process relative to an ancestor or between taxons. We proposed that social bees, which remain protected inside the colony for many days before initiating outside nest activities, would reach the maturity of some organic systems, such as the integument (epidermis and cuticle), later than solitary bees, which start such activities immediately after ecdysis. We tested this hypothesis in a comparative study of the developing integument of eusocial bees, Apis mellifera and Frieseomelitta varia, and the solitary bee Centris analis. Using RNA-seq, we verified that the expression profiles of genes involved in cuticular melanization and sclerotization (ebony and tan), chitin deposition and organization (Cda5, Idgf4, chitooligosacchariodolytic-domain-like), and cuticle formation (CPR14, CPR17, CPR18, CPR25, CPR23, CPE26, Apd-3, Apd-like) were positively, correlated between the two eusocial species, but not between the eusocial and the solitary species. Some of the genes with roles in regulating exoskeleton maturation (FTZ-F1, E74, Hr46, Hr4) were co-expressed only in the eusocial species. The expression profiles of these genes (except Hr46) and other regulatory genes (Ethr, Hr38, Rickets, Ptx-1) were also positively correlated exclusively in the eusocial bees. We also highlighted the expression of genes involved in non-melanin pigment production and the expression of circadian rhythm genes that could be related to chitin layers deposition. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the integument of the two eusocial and the solitary bee species, in addition to other three bee species (the primitively eusocial Bombus brasilienses; the facultatively social Euglossa cordata; the solitary bee Tetrapedia diversipes), showed differences in cuticle ultrastructure and thickness, thus supporting the RNA-seq data. In agreement with our hypothesis, CHC quantifications were consistent with the expression levels of genes involved in CHC biosynthesis, thus differentiating the superficial cuticle layer of the eusocial and solitary species. Together, the integument transcriptomes, ultrastructure, and CHC quantification allowed us to characterize differences in the timing of cuticle maturation in social and solitary bees

Lanthanum-mediated bond activation reactions of small hydrocarbon molecules, including alkenes, alkynes, and alkadienes, were carried out in a laser vaporization metal cluster beam source. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry and mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy, in combination with quantum chemical and multi-dimensional Franck-Condon factor calculations, were utilized to identify the reaction products and investigate their geometries, electronic structures, and formation mechanisms. La-hydrocarbon association was only observed in the reaction of La with isoprene. C-H bond activation was observed in all reactions, hydrogen elimination was observed as the prominent reaction for the alkenes (2-butene, isobutene, 1-pentene, and 2-pentene), alkynes (1-butyne, 2-butyne, and 1-pentyne), and 1,4-pentadiene, and C-C bond activation was observed for the five-membered hydrocarbons (1-pentene, 2-pentene, 1-pentyne, isoprene, and 1,4-pentadiene). The La-hydrocarbon radicals formed in these reactions had lanthanacyclic structures in various sizes, and each of the La-hydrocarbon complexes had a doublet ground state with a 6s1 La-based electron configuration. Ionization removed the 6s electron, and the resultant ion was in a singlet state. Formations of dehydrogenated products were either through a concerted hydrogen elimination process or the dehydrogenation after ligand isomerization. The C-C bond activation proceeded through La-assisted hydrogen migration, followed by C-C bond cleavage, or vice versa.

Sepsis is a leading cause of death among critically ill patients that results in metabolic alterations including hypercatabolism, lipoatrophy, and muscle wasting, contributing to the development of cachexia. Septic cachexia is associated with loss of body weight, fat mass, and lean mass and dysregulated immune function. There are currently no efficacious treatment strategies for septic cachexia, and nutritional interventions have limited success in preventing hypercatabolic wasting. Pyocyanin is a virulence factor produced by sepsis-causing Pseudomonas aeruginosa that has been shown to activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), increase inflammation, and produce reactive oxygen species. Thus, pyocyanin represents a novel mechanistic target in the development of septic cachexia. In Aim 1, we hypothesized that pyocyanin reduces adipocyte differentiation and activates AhR in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, pyocyanin reduced differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells to adipocytes and promoted expression of proinflammatory cytokines. These effects were associated with activation of AhR. We established an in vivo model of pyocyanin-induced cachexia using repeat intraperitoneal exposure to pyocyanin in male and female C57BL/6J mice. Acutely, pyocyanin reduced differentiation of stem cells isolated from adipose stromal vascular tissue and augmented expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Chronically, pyocyanin reduced body weight and fat mass, which was associated with adipose-specific AhR activation. Pyocyanin had sexually dimorphic effects on lipolysis and adipocyte inflammation. These data suggest a role of pyocyanin in adipose cachexia associated with sepsis. In Aim 2, we hypothesized that pyocyanin activates adipocyte AhR to promote adipose tissue wasting and cachexia. To test this hypothesis, we used a mouse model of adipocyte-specific deficiency of AhR and chronically administered pyocyanin to male and female mice. In male mice with adipocyte AhR deficiency, effects of pyocyanin to promote adipose wasting and cachexia were attenuated. In contrast, female adipocyte AhR deficient mice had an augmented response to pyocyanin to decrease body weight. Results suggest divergent mechanisms of pyocyanin to regulate adiposity and body weight through adipocyte AhR between male and female mice. These data support a role for pyocyanin in the development of adipose cachexia associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis that is partially regulated by adipocyte AhR. Targeting pyocyanin’s effects on adipocytes represents a potentially novel therapeutic approach for septic cachexia that could mitigate septic cachexia, a condition associated with increased risk of mortality in this population.

Der Einsatz von Kohlenstoffmaterialien z.B. in ITER ist damit verbunden, dass es durch physikalische und chemische Zerstäubung zur Bildung von Kohlenwasserstoffen kommt, die im Randschichtplasma zersetzt werden und sich in Form tritiumreicher amorpher Kohlenwasserstoffschichten auf den Wänden ablagern. Deshalb ist ein besseres Verständnis der Bildung, der Zersetzung, des Transports und der Haftung von Kohlenwasserstoffen infolge der Plasma-Wand-Wechselwirkung von großem Interesse. Die genannten Prozesse wurden am linearen Plasmagenerator PSI-2 mit Hilfe verschiedener Diagnostiken für unterschiedliche Plasmen systematisch untersucht. Die Analyse der ablaufenden Reaktionen mittels einfacher Bilanzgleichungen machte es möglich, wichtige Zerfalls- und Bildungskanäle für die verschiedenen Kohlenwasserstoffe und deren Abhängigkeiten von bestimmten Parametern zu ermitteln. Es zeigte sich, dass die starke Zersetzung und Umwandlung von Methan in Wasserstoffplasmen auf die dominierenden Ladungsaustauschreaktionen im Niedertemperaturbereich zurückzuführen ist. Weiterhin wurden Zersetzungslängen für Methan und Ethen gefunden, die im Bereich einiger Zentimeter liegen. Die Untersuchungen der CH-Band-Emission und der Wachstumsprozesse von a-C:H-Schichten ermöglichten die Detektion von globalen und lokalen Zersetzungsprozessen in unterschiedlichen Plasmen, die je nach Plasmadichte (und Gasart) erklärt werden können. Bisher fehlte in allen Modellierungen die atomare Wasserstoffdichte, die hier mit zwei unterschiedlichen Methoden bestimmt wurde. Durch Depositionsexperimente mit und ohne direkten Plasmaeinfluss konnte der durch Stickstoffeinlass verursachte Scavenger Effekt und die damit verbundene Reduktion der Depositionsrate eindeutig nachgewiesen werden. Die Auswertung der QMS-Daten mit Hilfe der Bayesschen Statistik ermöglichte erstmals die Spezifikation der beteiligten Volumenreaktionen. / The materials envisaged for the thermally heavily burdened divertor plates of the international fusion device ITER are CFC materials. As a result of physical and chemical sputtering of these materials many different hydrocarbons are formed which are decomposed at the plasma edge and lead to the deposition of tritium- rich amorphous hydrocarbon films on the vessel walls. Consequently a better understanding of hydrocarbon formation, fragmentation, transport and sticking is an important issue in fusion research. The aforementioned processes are studied systematically at the linear plasma generator PSI-2 using various diagnostics in a range of plasmas. By means of simple balance equations the ongoing reactions could be analysed making it possible to identify important decomposition and formation channels for the various hydrocarbons and their dependence on certain parameters. The strong decomposition and transformation of methane in hydrogen plasmas can be traced back to dominant charge exchange reactions in the low temperature range. In addition, decomposition lengths for methane and ethylene in the range of a few centimetres were found. Spatially resolved measurements of CH band emission and investigations of the growth processes of a-C:H layers enabled the detection of global and local decomposition processes of injected hydrocarbons in different plasmas which can be explained according to the plasma density (and gas type). So far all simulations have lacked information on the density of atomic hydrogen, which in this work has been determined using two different methods. In addition, by means of deposition experiments with and without direct plasma influence, the scavenger effect induced by nitrogen injection and the associated reduction in the deposition rate has been clearly demonstrated. The analysis of the QMS data using Bayesian statistics enabled verification of the volume reactions involved for the first time.

Dry etching is an important technique for pattern transferin fabrication of most opto-electronic devices, since it canprovide good control of both structure size and shape even on asub-micron scale. Unfortunately, this process step may causedamage to the material which is detrimental to deviceperformance. It is therefore an objective of this thesis todevelop and investigate low damage etching processes for InPbased devices. An ion beam system in combination with hydrocarbon (CH4) based chemistries is used for etching. At variousion energies and gas flows the etching is performed in twomodes, reactive ion beam etching (RIBE) and chemical assistedion beam etching (CAIBE). How these conditions affect both etchcharacteristics (e.g. etch rates and profiles, surfacemorphology and polymer formation) and etch induced damage (onoptical and electrical properties) is evaluated and discussed.Attention is also paid to the effects of typical post etchingtreatments such as annealing on the optical and electricalproperties. An important finding is the correlation betweenas-etched surface morphology and recovery/degradation inphotoluminescence upon annealing in PH3. Since this type of atmosphere is typical forcrystal regrowth (an important process step in III/Vprocessing) a positive result is imperative. A low ion energy N2/CH4/H2CAIBE process is developed which not onlysatisfies this criteria but also exhibits good etchcharacteristics. This process is used successfully in thefabrication of laser gratings. In addition to this, the abilityof the ion beam system to modify the surface morphology in acontrollable manner is exploited. By exposing such modifiedsurfaces to AsH3/PH3, a new way to vary size and density of InAs(P)islands formed on the InP surfaces by the As/P exchangereaction is presented. This thesis also proposes a new etch chemistry, namelytrimethylamine ((CH3)3N or TMA), which is a more efficient methyl sourcecompared to CH4because of the low energy required to break the H3C-N bond. Since methyl radicals are needed for theetching it is presumably a better etching chemistry. A similarinvestigation as for the CH4chemistry is performed, and it is found that bothin terms of etch characteristics and etch induced damage thisnew chemistry is superior. Extremely smooth morphologies, lowetch induced damage and an almost complete recovery uponannealing can be obtained with this process. Significantly,this is also so at relatively high ion energies which allowshigher etch rates. <b>Keywords:</b>InP, dry etching, ion beam etching, RIBE,CAIBE, hydrocarbon chemistry, trimethylamine, As/P exchangereaction, morpholoy, low damage, AFM, SCM, annealing