ABSTRACT The focus of this work was the study possible ways to improve the efficiency of solar cells. To this end, the main aim was to investigate the deposition process of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), multi-layers ITO/TiO2 on quartz SiO2 substrates under different conditions (oxygen pressure, laser fluence and wavelength, and temperature) and later gold nanoparticles by the Reactive Pulsed Laser Ablation Deposition (RPLAD) technique. It was intended to investigate their electrical structural and optical properties under selected conditions for possible application to Dye Sensitised Solar Cells (DSSC). Under optimised conditions, maximum deposition rates of 12nm/min for ITO and 21nm/min for TiO2 thin films were achieved. Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) with 2MeV He+ ions was used to measure the films thickness. Uniform thicknesses over a large area were found to be about 400nm and 800nm for ITO and TiO2 films, respectively. Crystalline properties were studied via x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the ITO films are highly orientated nanocrystals with their a-axis normal to the glass substrate surface. The average particle size of the precipitated nanocrystals was calculated to be 10-15nm. The structure of the films was characterised via Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) imaging of the top surface of the film. The films have a rough surface with average roughness of 26-30nm. Pores were observed with a density of 144 and 125 pores/mm2 and average size of 150 and 110nm for ITO films deposited at 200 and 400°C, respectively. TiO2 films deposited on the prepared ITO films were less crystalline. Annealing was performed at 300 and 500°C for 3 consecutive hours and the XRD results show that the transformation of TiO2 film into anatase phase was almost complete with a crystal size of ~ 6-7nm. Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) of the surfaces was also performed. The TiO2 films deposited onto the prepared ITO films present a relatively high pore size with an average pore diameter of ~ 40nm and excellent uniformity. It is interesting to note that the pores are randomly arranged. The random arrangement of the pores network may actually be beneficial for producing a uniform electrode. In addition, STEM cross-sectional analysis of the films showed a columnar structure but no evidence of voids in the structure. The large surface area produced suggests applications in DSSC. The electrical properties of the films were investigated and an estimation of resistivity and Hall mobility was made. Low values of resistivity and high values of mobility were observed for ITO films. The resistivity of the film increases with increasing thickness while it decreases when increasing the deposition temperature. The lowest value was found to be 1.5x10-6Ωm for ITO films deposited at 400°C. Hall mobility was found to increase with substrate temperature. In this investigation, the highest Hall mobility at room temperature was estimated to be 22.3cm2/Vs under ambient O2 pressure (PO2) of 1Pa and 52.1 and 51.3cm2/Vs for films deposited at 200 and 400°C, respectively. But the best ITO film was deposited at 200°C, since this film combines good resistivity, good Hall mobility and good transmittance. UV-VIS-IR transmission spectra were recorded on a Perkin Elmer Lambda 900. From the transmission data, the energy gap as well as the optical constant was estimated. A high transmission for ITO films in the visible (Vis) range was observed which was above 88% for films produced at room temperature and above 95% for those deposited at 200°C. The transmission for the films produced in oxygen was about 90% above 400nm, whereas it lies between 70 and 80% for films produced in rare gases. An increase in the band gap was observed by increasing the oxygen pressure and substrate temperature for ITO films. Increasing the quartz SiO2 substrate temperature from room temperature to 400 °C resulted in an increase of the transmission of TiO2 films, mostly in the Visible Near Infrared (Vis-NIR) from about 70% to 92%. After annealing at 500°C for 3 consecutive hours, the transmission of TiO2 film further sharply decreases toward shorter wavelengths. Analysis of the transmittance curve of TiO2/Au shows a decrease of about 6% of the transmission in the Ultraviolet Visible (UV-Vis) range. Optical absorption edge analysis showed that the optical density could be used to detect the film growth conditions and to correlate the film structure and the absorption edge. The TiO2 films deposited present a direct band gap at 3.51eV and 3.37eV for TiO2 as deposited and after annealing, respectively, while the indirect band gap was found to be 3.55eV and 3.26eV for TiO2 films as deposited and after annealing, respectively. There was a shift of about 0.1eV between as deposited ITO monolayer films and ITO/TiO2 bilayers deposited at 200°C. A small shift towards shorter wavelengths has been observed for multilayer ITO/TiO2/Au. In this case, the increase of Eg was ascribed to a reduction of the oxygen vacancies with increasing substrate temperature at which the ITO film was deposited. The change in the shape of the fundamental absorption edge is considered to reflect the variation of density and the short range structural modifications undetected by structural characterisations. Enlargement of band-gap energies of semiconductors may be advantageous when used in DSSC to suppress the charge recombination between the reduced electrolytes and the photo-excited holes in the valence band of TiO2 substrates and enhance the open-circuit potential of the cell. When ITO/TiO2 bilayers were annealed before depositing Au, the gap energy remained constant.

Le travail de recherche présenté dans cette thèse a pour objectif principal l’évaluation de l’intérêt de la télédétection active par lidar, à partir de plateformes spatiales, pour le suivi des systèmes forestiers à l’échelle de la planète. La forêt est l’un des principaux modérateurs du climat par son action sur les grands cycles biogéochimiques dont les plus importants sont les cycles de l’eau et du gaz carbonique. Cet environnement est néanmoins très mal documenté à l’échelle globale car il n’est pas toujours facile d’accès. Les observations aéroportées et spatiales, par télédétection, sont donc les approches les mieux adaptées afin de donner accès aux différentes échelles caractéristiques des processus d’interaction entre le milieu atmosphérique et la forêt. Afin de valoriser la télédétection par lidar, il a été nécessaire de construire une base de données représentative de différents environnements forestiers, allant de la forêt gérée à la forêt tropicale primaire. Ces données ont été obtenues suite à plusieurs campagnes utilisant un nouveau démonstrateur lidar, le système ULICE (Ultraviolet LIdar for Canopy Experiment). Elles ont permis d’évaluer les différentes sources d’incertitudes liées à la mesure pour l’extraction des paramètres forestiers pertinents (i.e. hauteur des arbres, quantité de biomasse aérienne, indice de couverture foliaire, …). Cette évaluation a été possible suite au développement d’un simulateur numérique qui prend en compte les caractéristiques de la surface, de l’atmosphère, de l’instrumentation lidar et d’orbitographie du satellite. On montre que la télédétection active lidar est une méthode de mesure performante pour la caractérisation des forêts à partir d’observations aéroportées ; elle reste très attractive pour des systèmes spatiaux en orbite basse, entre 300 et 500 km, comme la station spatiale internationale. / The research presented in this thesis aims at evaluating the usage of active remote sensor lidar, from space platforms to monitor forest systems at a global scale. Forest is one of the main climate regulators through biogeochemical cycles, in which the most important processes are water cycle and carbon cycle. However, it is still poorly documented at a global scale because it is not always easy to get the information. Airborne and spaceborne observations, through remote sensing, are therefore the most suitable approaches to characterize the interactions between forest and atmosphere, at a regional or global scale. In order to improve the lidar remote sensing, it was necessary to build a representative database of different forest types, from managed forest to primary tropical forest. These data are obtained from several experiments using a new airborne demonstrator, the ULICE (Ultraviolet LIdar for Canopy Experiment). These data allows us to evaluate different uncertainty sources associated with the measurements for the extraction of corresponding forest parameters (i.e. tree height, aboveground biomass, leaf area index, etc.). This evaluation is based on the development of a numerical simulator which takes into account the surface characteristics, the atmosphere, the lidar instrumentation, and the satellite orbitography. We show that the active remote sensing sensor lidar is a powerful measuring method to characterize the forest from airborne observations; it remains very promising for spaceborne systems in low orbit, between 300 and 500 km, as the International Space Station.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of science (MSc) School of physics, University of Witwatersrand, 2017. / Intensive study on structural, electronic and optical properties of bulk transition metal dichalcogenides and dipnictogenides (MX2; where M = V, Nb and X = S, Se, Te, P) was undertaken. A relative stability test was done to determine the most stable ground state configuration via calculation of total ground state energy and volume which was fitted to the third order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state to extract lattice parameters. Cohesive energies of the above mentioned MX2 compounds and their elemental solids were then computed from which formation energies were acquired based on their respective equations of reaction between reactants and product. Its significance was to aid in determining if a material is energetically stable. Elastic constants were predicted from which mechanical properties i.e bulk, Young’s and shear moduli and consequently Poisson’s ratio were resolved by feeding the stiffness matrix onto online elastic tensor analysis tool which facilitated verification of their mechanical stability based on the well-known Born stability conditions which varies from one crystal system to another, at a later stage phonon dispersion curves were plotted after performing phonon calculation based on phonopy code to verify if the materials of concern are dynamically stable. After a material had fulfilled all the above stability tests, its structural study was initiated using various functionals. Functional that described best the structural properties of each individual compound considered was then applied in exploring its electronic and optical properties whose motivation was to find out the most stable phase as well as gauge if these materials could be used in various fields that suits their mechanical and optical properties. Furthermore, from carefully calculated optical spectra, plasma frequencies were analyzed which indicated the possibility of applying a material in plasmonic related fields. In addition to above, other factors to be considered when selecting a given electrode material that are crucial for optoelectronics are good chemical and thermal stabilities, high transparency and excellent conductivity. / XL2018

No presente trabalho é feito um estudo sistemático do efeito do campo cristalino nas propriedades ópticas do íon Er3+. Para tal propósito utilizamos três diferentes sistemas cristalinos dopados com Er3+: Ortovanadato de cálcio [Ca3(VO4)2], Niobato de lítio [LiNb03] e Titanato de bismuto [Bi12TiO20]. Os cristais foram crescidos no formato de fibras, pela técnica LHPG (Laser Heated Pedestal Growth). O uso deste método de crescimento permitiu não apenas o estudo do efeito do campo cristalino da matriz no Er3+ como também, a influência de diferentes condições crescimento. As composições dos cristais foram determinadas através de EDX (Energy Dispersive X Ray), XPS (X Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) e microscopia Auger. As amostras também foram investigadas através de absorção óptica e emissão, incluindo a determinação de seus índices de refração, gap óptico, identificação e análise de várias transições, medidas de emissão dependentes do tempo e da temperatura. A estrutura de todos os cristais foram investigadas pelas técnicas de difração de raios X e espalhamento Raman. Baseados nos resultados experimentais foi possível inferir sobre as regras impostas pelas condições de crescimento nas propriedades finais das fibras cristalinas de Ca3(VO4)2, LilNbO3 e Bi12Ti020 dopados com Er3+. Especificamente relacionado com as fibras cristalinas de Ca3(VO4)2 e LiNBbO3 dopadas com Er3+, a inserção de diferentes pressões de oxigênio molecular, durante o crescimento, induz mudanças significativas na sua estrutura cristalina. A inserção de íons Er3+ na matiz Bi12Ti020 produz uma luminescência fraca, quando comparada a do Ca3(VO4)2 e LiNbO3, porém esta luminescência apresenta um aumento considerável quando as amostras são co-dopada com íons Ga3+ / In this work we performed a systematic study of the crystal field effect on the optical properties of the Er3+ ion. For such a purpose we used three different crystalline Er3+ doped systems: calcium orthovanadate [Ca3(VO4)2, lithium niobate [LiNbO3] and bismuth titanate [Bi12TiO20]. The crystals were grown in the shape of fibers by the Laser Heated Pedestal Growth (LHPG) technique. By using this growth technique it was possible to explore not only the effects of different crystal fields on the Er3+ ion but also, the influence of different growth conditions. The composition of each fiber was determined from EDX (Energy, Dispersive X Ray , analysis), XPS (X Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) and Auger microprobe. The fibers were also optically investigated through optical absorption and emission and included the determination of their index of refraction, optical band gap, the identification and analysis of several different transitions, temperature and time-dependent measurements, etc. The structure of all crystals were investigated by X ray diffraction and Raman scattering techniques. Based on these experimental results it was possible to infer the role played by the growth technique and conditions on the final properties of these Er3+ -doped Ca3(VO4)2, LiNbO3 and Bi12Ti020 crystalline fibers. Specifically related to the Er3+ -doped Ca3(VO4)2 and LiNbO3 fibers, different pressures of molecular oxygen, during the groNvt.h., induces significant changes on their atomic (and electronic) structure. The insertion of Er3+ ions in the Bi12Ti020 matrix produces a small photoluminescence intensity, when compared with Ca3(VO4)2 and LINbO3, which is considerably increased by co-doping with Ga3+ ions

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar o efeito da aplicação de sete soluções de tingimento e de três diferentes pós de partida comerciais (TZ-3YSB-E, Zpex, TZ-3Y20AB), sobre o parâmetro de translucidez, a resistência à flexão e análise de citotoxicidade de cerâmicas policristalinas à base de zircônia. As seguintes hipóteses foram testadas: (1) não há efeito da solução de tingimento ou do pó de partida nas propriedades ópticas das cerâmicas policristalinas; (2) não há efeito da solução de tingimento, do pó de partida e do envelhecimento hidrotérmico nas propriedades mecânicas das cerâmicas policristalinas; (3) não há efeito da solução de tingimento ou do pó de partida na citotoxicidade das cerâmicas policristalinas. Material e métodos: foi realizada a análise química das soluções de tingimento (FRX), caracterização dos pós cerâmicos (MEV-FEG), estudo de compactação e sinterização e análise térmica. As pastilhas cerâmicas foram confeccionadas utilizando os três pós cerâmicos. A compactação foi feita uniaxialmente com posterior prensagem isostática a frio. Após pré-sinterização, as pastilhas foram imersas nas diferentes misturas das soluções de tingimento comerciais (de acordo com a especificação do fabricante), com posterior secagem e sinterização final. Os materiais foram testados quanto às propriedades ópticas (parâmetro de translucidez (PT) e coordenadas colorimétricas), quanto à resistência à flexão em três pontos antes e após tratamento para degradação hidrotérmica (5 horas a 134°C, sob pressão de 2 bar) e análise de citoxicidade. (Resultados: Com relação ao efeito da aplicação das soluções de tingimento e de diferentes pós de partida sobre o parâmetro de translucidez, foi possível notar que o material interfere nos parâmetros de translucidez, sendo que o Zpex (PT = 11,2 ± 5,4) foi o material mais translúcido. Para o efeito do uso das soluções de tingimento, a mistura das soluções para a obtenção das cores B1 (9,5 ± 7,0) e B3 (8,7 ± 9,7) resultaram em espécimes mais translúcidos e a cor D3 (1,9 ± 0,7) apresentou espécimes com menor translucidez. Com relação ao efeito da aplicação das soluções de tingimento, dos três pós de partida e do envelhecimento sobre a resistência à flexão, foi possível notar que o material interfere na resistência à flexão das cerâmicas policristalinas, sendo que a maior média de resistência foi obtida para o TZ-3YB-E (605,8 ± 106,4 MPa). O envelhecimento causou uma diminuição dos valores de resistência, porém ao se observar cada grupo individualmente, essa queda não foi estatisticamente significativa para nenhum deles. O uso das soluções de tingimento afetou as médias de resistência, sendo que as cores A2 (614,9 ± 120,2 MPa) e C2 (625,0 ± 97,6 MPa) resultaram em resistência maior do que aquelas medidas para as cores A3 (497,0 ± 109,1 MPa) e C3 (529,5 ± 134,9 MPa). Com relação ao efeito da aplicação das soluções de tingimento e dos três diferentes pós de partida sobre a citotoxicidade, foi possível notar que ambos os fatores afetaram os valores de viabilidade celular. Entretanto, para todos os grupos analisados, a viabilidade celular obtida ficou acima de 90% e, portanto, todos os grupos apresentaram uma excelente biocompatibilidade. Conclusão: o material e as soluções de tingimento afetaram o parâmetro de translucidez e as coordenadas colorimétricas permitindo rejeitar a primeira hipótese testada. As soluções de tingimento e os materiais influenciaram a resistência à flexão das cerâmicas policristalinas, entretanto a queda de resistência no envelhecimento não foi significativa, portanto, a hipótese de que não haveria efeito do pó de partida, solução de tingimento e envelhecimento sobre a resistência à flexão foi parcialmente rejeitada A hipótese de que não haveria efeito do pó de partida e da solução de tingimento sobre a citotoxicidade foi rejeitada, mas todos os grupos testados não se apresentaram citotóxicos. / The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of the application of seven coloring solutions and three different starting powders (TZ 3YSB-E, Zpex, TZ-3Y20AB) on the translucency parameter, flexural strength and cytotoxicity of zirconia-based polycrystalline ceramics. The following hypotheses were tested: (1) there is no effect of the coloring solution or the starting powder on the optical properties of the ceramics tested; (2) there is no effect of the coloring solution, of the starting powder and of hydrothermal aging on the mechanical properties of the materials; (3) there is no effect of the coloring solution or the starting powder in the cytotoxicity of the ceramics tested. Material and methods: we performed a chemical analysis of the coloring solutions (FRX), characterization of ceramic powders (SEM-FEG), study of compaction, sintering and thermal analysis. The ceramic discs were made using the three ceramic powders. Compression was made uniaxiallly with subsequent cold isostactic pressure. After pre-sintering, the discs were immersed in different mixtures of commercial coloring solutions (according to manufacturer\'s specifications) with subsequent drying and final sintering. The materials were tested for optical properties (translucency parameter, TP), and biaxial flexural strength before and after hydrothermal degradation protocol (5 hours at 134°C under 2 bar pressure) and cytotoxicity analysis (evaluation cell viability). Results: With regard to the effect of applying the coloring solutions and the effect of the different starting powders on the translucency parameter, it was observed that the material interfered significantly with the light transmission parameters, and the Zpex (TP=11.2 ± 5.4) was the morst translucent material. With regards to the effect of the coloring solutions on TP, mixing the solutions to obtain the shades B1 (9.5 ± 7.0) and B3 (8.7 ± 9.7) resulted in more translucent specimens and shade D3 (1.9 ± 0.7) resulted in the lowest translucency. With respect to the effect of applying the coloring solutions, the three starting powders and aging on the flexural strength, it was observed that the material interfered with the flexural strength of polycrystalline ceramics, being the highest mean strenght obtained for the TZ-3YB-E (605.8 ± 106.4 MPa). Aging caused a decrease in resistance values, but when considering each group individually, this decrease was not statistically significant for any of them. The use of coloring solutions affected the average strength, as shades A2 (614.9 ± 120.2 MPa) and C2 (625.0 ± 97.6 MPa) resulted in greater strength than those measured for shades A3 (497.0 ± 109.1 MPa) and C3 (529.5 ± 134.9 MPa). With respect to the effect ofthe coloring solutions and the powders on the cytotoxicity, it was observed that both factors affected cell viability values. However, for all groups, the obtained cell viability was above 90% and therefore all of them showed an excellent biocompatibility. Conclusion: the material and coloring solutions affected the translucency parameter and the colorimetric coordinates allowing for rejection the first hypothesis tested. The coloring solutions and the starting powder influenced the flexural strength of polycrystalline ceramics, however, the decrease in strength after aging was not significant; therefore, the second hypothesis was partially accepted. The hypothesis that there would be no effect of the starting powder and the coloring solution on the cytotoxicity was rejected, but all tested groups were not cytotoxic.

As propriedades ópticas de nanocristais de silício (Si-ncs) têm sido extensivamente estudadas após a primeira demonstração em 1990 de fotoluminescência altamente eficiente em silício poroso. Apesar dos progressos no entendimento da natureza da alta eficiência da luminescência dos Si-ncs e da enorme versatilidade para aplicações optoeletrônicas, este campo ainda é um tema de controvérsia devido à complexidade destes materiais. Além disso, as condições de preparação ainda afetam as propriedades de emissão destes materiais que são de fundamental importância para as aplicações tecnológicas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o estudo das propriedades óticas dos Si-ncs e entender os processos fotofisicos envolvidos na recombinação radiativa de éxcitons altamente confinados nesse sistema. Si-ncs embebidos em matriz amorfa de SiO2 foram preparados a partir de filmes de oxido de silício SiyO1-y subestequiométricos (y≥1/3) depositados em substratos de quartzo utilizando um sistema deposição CVD na fase estimulada por plasma (electron cyclotron resonance-plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition ou ECR-PECVD). Esta técnica oferece boa passivação e estabilidade interfacial Si/SiO2. O tratamento térmico a altas temperaturas (900°C≤Ta≤1100°C) promove a precipitação do silício dentro da matriz, favorecendo um processo de nucleação e crescimento dos Si-ncs. Foram realizados tratamentos térmicos nos filmes sob atmosferas de Argônio (Ar) ou (Ar+5%H2) por duas horas. As distintas atmosferas promoveram a passivação de defeitos superficiais, principalmente de ligações pendentes pelo Hidrogênio. As propriedades associadas diretamente à fabricação, tais como estrutura cristalina, morfologia, tamanho e química da superfície dos Si-ncs foram correlacionadas com os processos de emissão envolvendo éxcitons. A caracterização estrutural foi realizada por Raio-x (XRD), Microscopia de Transmissão de Alta Resolução (HRTEM), Retroespalhamento de Rutherford e Espectroscopia Raman. As medidas óticas foram basicamente Absorção, Excitação Seletiva, Fotoluminescência CW (PL) e Fotoluminescência Resolvida no Tempo. Os resultados da caracterização indicaram que efeitos de confinamento quântico e de estados de superfície dominam o processo de recombinação no Si-nc/SiO2. Em conclusão, os resultados obtidos neste trabalho mostram uma interessante e uma nova correlação entre as condições de fabricação da amostra e os processos de recombinação de éxcitons em Si-nc/SiO2. Todos estes resultados desafiam modelos anteriores propostos para explicar as propriedades ópticas do sistema de Si-nc/SiO2 e prevê ajudar na futura aplicação tecnológica dos mesmos. / The optical properties of silicon nanocrystals (Si-nc) have been extensively studied after the first demonstration in 1990 of highly efficient photoluminescence in porous silicon. Despite progress in understanding the nature of high luminescence efficiency of Si-ncs and versatility for optoelectronic applications, this field is still a subject of controversy due to its complexity. Furthermore, the preparation conditions still affect the emission properties of these materials that are of fundamental importance for technological applications. This work aimed to study the optical properties of Si-ncs and to understand the photophysical processes involved in the radiative recombination of excitons strongly confined in this system. Si-ncs embedded in amorphous SiO2 were prepared from silicon oxide films of substoichiometric SiyO1-y (y≥1/3) deposited on quartz substrates using a CVD deposition system in phase stimulated by plasma (electron cyclotron resonance-plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition ou ECR-PECVD). This technique provides good passivation and Si/SiO2 interfacial stability. The thermal treatment at high temperatures (900°C≤Ta≤1100°C) promotes the precipitation of silicon within the matrix, favoring a process of nucleation and growth of Si-ncs. The thermal treatments were performed in the films under Argon atmosphere (Ar) or (Ar+5%H2) for two hours. The use of different atmospheres allowed the understand of the passivation process of surface defects, particularly of dangling bonds by Hydrogen. The properties directly related to fabrication such as crystalline structure, morphology, size and surface chemistry of Si-ncs were correlated with emission processes involving excitons. The structural characterization was performed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Rutherford Backscattering and Raman spectroscopy. The optical measurements were basically Absorption, Selective excitation, CW photoluminescence (PL) and Time Resolved Photoluminescence. The characterization results indicate that both quantum confinement and surface states effects dominate the recombination process in Si-ncs/SiO2. In conclusion, the results obtained in this work show an interesting and a novel correlation between the sample fabrication conditions and the exciton recombination process in Si-ncs/SiO2. All these results challenges previous models proposed to explain the optical properties of Si-nc systems and are expected to help further technological applications of this system.

Poços e super-redes delta-doping tipo são sistemas semicondutores de interesse considerável tanto para a pesquisa básica como para aplicações em dispositivos. Neste trabalho desenvolvemos um novo método para o cálculo de potenciais e estruturas de bandas deste tipo de sistemas. O método baseia-se na expansão em ondas planas da equação da massa efetiva multibandas, usa matrizes de energia cinética de qualquer tamanho e leva em conta o potencial de troca e correlação de uma maneira mais rigorosa do que em trabalhos anteriores. São calculados perfis de potencial e estrutura de minibandas e subbandas bem como a posição do nível de Fermi de uma série de poços isolados e super-redes delta-doping tipo p. São estudadas também as diferenças entre super-redes delta-doping tipo p e tipo n. A partir deste método foi desenvolvido ainda um procedimento de cálculo de espectros de fotoluminescência dos poços estudados. Este procedimento baseia-se nas forças de oscilador das transições entre os buracos confinados no interior do poço e os elétrons livres da banda de condução. Ele é utilizado para calcular funções envelope, integrais de superposição e espectros de transições diretas e indiretas. Por fim, comparamos espectros calculados teoricamente com resultados experimentais extraídos da literatura. / p-type ro-doping quantum wells and superlattices are semiconductor systems of considerable interest for basic research and device applications. In this work, a method for calculating potentials and band structures of such systems is developed. The method relies on a plane wave expansion of the multiband effective mass equation, uses kinetic energy matrices of any size, and takes exchange correlation into account in a more rigorous way than this was done before. The method is used to calculate potential profiles, subband and miniband structures as well as Fermi level positions for a series of p-type delta-doping quantum wells and superlattices. The differences between n- and p-type delta-doping structures are studied. In addition to this we developed a procedure within this method to ca1culate photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the wells studied. It depends on the oscillator strength between the holes inside the wells and the free electrons on the conduction band. We use this procedure to calculate envelope functions, overlap integrals and direct and indirect transitions spectra. Finally, we compare our theoretical calculations of PL spectra with experimental results extracted from the literature.

Neste trabalho apresentamos um estudo sistemático das propriedades ópticas e estruturais de super-redes de pontos quânticos auto-organizados de lnAs. As superredes foram crescidas por epitaxia de feixes moleculares sobre substratos de GaAs orientados na direção (100) com diferentes números de camadas de pontos quânticos e diferentes valores do espaçamento entre elas. As propriedades estruturais das super-redes foram observadas em seção transversal por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão convencional e de alta resolução. Os resultados permitem determinar a evolução da altura, do diâmetro e da densidade dos pontos quânticos em função da modificação da espessura da camada de espaçamento. Também observamos que pontos quânticos empilhados muito próximos tendem a relaxar através da formação de defeitos estruturais identificados como micromaclas. As propriedades ópticas foram investigadas por meio de fotoluminescência a baixa temperatura, bem como variando-se a potência de excitação e a temperatura da amostra. Reportamos um novo comportamento da posição do pico de fotoluminescência com a redução da espessura da camada de espaçamento. Interpretamos este comportamento em termos de modificação do tamanho dos pontos quânticos, acoplamento eletrônico, relaxamento parcial da tensão e formação de centros de recombinação não-radiativa. Usando essas interpretações, calculamos os espectros de fotoluminescência das super-redes, que ajustam muito bem os dados experimentais. As interpretações propostas são também sustentadas pela influência da espessura da camada de espaçamento na intensidade integrada de fotoluminescência e nas energias de ativação / In this work we present a comprehensive and systematic study of the optical and structural properties of self-organized InAs quantum dots superlattices. The superlattices were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on GaAs (100) substrates with different number of quantum dot layers and different thicknesses between these layers. Their structural properties have been observed by conventional and highresolution cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. The results allow us to sketch the evolution of the dot height, diameter and density when the spacer layer thickness is modified in a wide range. We also observe that closely stacked quantum dots tend to relax through the formation of structural defects identified as microtwins. The optical properties have been investigated by means of conventional, power dependent- and temperature dependent photoluminescence. We report for the first time on an unusual behavior of the photoluminescence peak position when the spacer layer thickness is reduced. We interpret this behavior in terms of quantum dot size modification, electronic coupling, partial strain relaxation and non-radiative recombination centers formation. Using these interpretations, we then produce simulated photoluminescence spectra that fit very well the experimental data. These interpretations are further supported by the spacer layer thickness influence upon photoluminescence integrated intensity and activation energies.

Este trabalho visa dar uma importante contribuição à pesquisa de novos materiais, através da determinação de condições otimizadas para obtenção pela técnica LHPG de fibras monocristalinas de compostos óxidos. Com esse objetivo fibras foram obtidas com êxito para compostos que podem ser utilizados como meios ativos para lasers de estado sólido (CaNb2O6 e GdTaO4), em aplicações de óptica de raios X (cristais gradientes dos sistemas GdTaO4-ErTaO4 e GdTaO4-YbTaO4) e também compostos que apresentam supercondutividade (EuNbO3, Yb2NbO5, Sm2NbO5 e Er2NbO5). A preparação dos pedestais se mostrou uma etapa muito importante na preparação das várias fibras. A caracterização estrutural por técnicas de difração de raios X mostrou que fibras monocristalinas de CaNb2O6 e GdTaO4 podem ser obtidas rapidamente e com alta qualidade cristalina sendo altamente adequadas para aplicações em óptica. Adicionalmente resultados de medidas espectroscópicas mostraram que as fibras CaNb2O6 dopadas com Nd+3 são boas candidatas para desenvolvimento de micro-lasers. Monocristais com gradiente controlado de parâmetro de rede foram obtidos pela primeira vez para os sistemas GdTaO4- ErTaO4 e GdTaO4-YbTaO4. A estratégia aplicada aqui possibilitou a obtenção de um gradiente composicional e de parâmetros de rede com ótima linearidade. Para o sistema GdTaO4- ErTaO4 foi obtido um gradiente de espaçamento de rede de 1,24%/cm para a reflexão (4 -4 4). Para os cristais GdTaO4- ErTaO4 um gradiente de 2,9%/cm para a reflexão (6 -4 0) foi obtido, sendo este o maior valor já observado em cristais gradientes. Através de uma inovação, utilizando Nb metálico em pó na preparação dos pedestais, fibras do composto EuNbO3 foram obtidas pela primeira vez, ao nosso conhecimento, através de uma técnica utilizando fusão. A aplicação desta mesma inovação buscando a obtenção de fases com esta mesma estrutura para outras terras raras, proporcionou a descoberta de três fases inéditas, Yb2NbO5, Sm2NbO5 e Er2NbO5. A estrutura destas novas fases foi determinada e através de caracterizações magnéticas e elétricas iniciais observou-se que estas apresentam supercondutividade com temperaturas de transição, Tc, iguais a 12,5K, 6,5K e 14,9K respectivamente para Yb2NbO5, Sm2NbO5 e Er2NbO5 / This work aims to give an important contribution to the research of new materials, by determining optimized conditions for obtaining of single crystal fibers of oxide compounds by LHPG technique. With this objective fibers were successfully obtained for compounds which can be used as solid state lasers (CaNb2O6 e GdTaO4), for X-ray optics applications (gradient crystals of GdTaO4-ErTaO4 e GdTaO4-YbTaO4 systems) and also as superconducting compounds. The preparation of the pedestals was a very important stage in the obtaining of the various fibers, with influence in growth experiments and quality of the fibers. The structural characterization by X-ray diffraction techniques showed that CaNb2O6 and GdTaO4 single crystal fibers presenting high crystalline quality can be quickly obtained. These fibers can be highly suitable for optics applications. In addiction the results of spectroscopic measurements showed Nd+3 doped CaNb2O6 fibers are good candidates for development of micro-lasers. Single crystals with controlled lattice parameter gradient were obtained for the first time for GdTaO4- ErTaO4 e GdTaO4-YbTaO4 systems. The applied approach in here enabled to obtain a compositional and lattice parameters gradient presenting optimized linear behavior. For the GdTaO4- ErTaO4 system a lattice spacing gradient of 1.24%/cm for (4 -4 4) reflection was obtained. For GdTaO4-YbTaO4 crystals a gradient of 2.9%/cm was observed. This is the largest value of lattice spacing gradient up to this moment. By an innovation, using metallic Nb in the form of powder in preparing the pedestals, fibers of the EuNbO3 compound were obtained, being the first report by a fusion technique. The application of this innovation to obtain phases with this structure for others rare earth enabled the discovery of three new phases, namely Yb2NbO5, Sm2NbO5 and Er2NbO5. The structure of these new phases was determined and by magnetic and electric characterizations it was observed that the phases are superconductor materials with transition temperatures, Tc, equals to 12,5K, 6,5K and 14,9K respectively for Yb2NbO5, Sm2NbO5 and Er2NbO5. compounds

O presente trabalho apresenta um amplo estudo das propriedades espectroscópicas de fibras cristalinas de CMO:NdNbO4 e CVO:Nd3+, visando aplicações como novos meios ativos excitados por laser de diodo. As fibras em estudo, foram crescidas pela técnica de LHPG (Laser Heated Pedestal Growth) a qual permitem uma rápida obtenção de fibras, em dimensões já apropriadas para a confecção de mini lasers, sem a utilização de cadinhos, com excelente qualidade cristalina e baixa perda de material. Para uma completa caracterização, foram realizados os cálculos de Judd Ofelt, baseando-se nos espectros de absorção óptica, como ferramenta para a calibração e interpretação dos experimentos de luminescência, emissão estimulada (SE), absorção do estado excitado (ESA) obtido por duas técnicas: (a) pela técnica de bombeio e feixe de prova contínuos em um esquema de dupla modulação e (b) pela técnica de excitação do estado excitado (ESE). Estes resultados mostraram que ambos os materiais possuem baixos valores de seção de choque ESA na principal região de emissão laser de materiais dopados com Nd3+ 4F3/2 → 4I11/2 (~1070nm). A presença de bandas largas observadas nos espectros de luminescência e absorção óptica e um número de transições maior do que esperado observado nos espectros de absorção óptica a baixa temperatura, indicaram a provável existência de multisítios em ambos cristais de CVO:Nd3+ e CMO:NdNbO4. Para quantificar e caracterizar os multisítios de Nd3+ nas amostras, foram realizados experimentos de excitação óptica, seleção de sítios por excitação laser e luminescência seletiva, demonstrando que a amostra de CVO:Nd3+ possui um grande numero de sítios e a amostra de CMO:NdNbO4 possui sete sítios diferentes, justificando o comportamento de bandas largas observado nos espetros de absorção óptica e luminescência. Os valores das seções de choque de absorção óptica (σGSA=4,1x\'10-20cm2 para o CVO e σGSA=5,5x10-20cm2 para o CMO:NdNbO4) e de emissão estimulada, para ambos os materiais (σe=5,5x10-20cm2 para o CMO:NdNbO4 e 13,3x10-20cm2 para o CVO:Nd3+), estão na faixa de importantes meios ativos laser que exibem propriedades multisítios e uma largura de linha de absorção óptica em 810nm (ΔλGSA=11nm para o CVO e ΔλGSA=11,5nm para o CMO) maior que muitos importantes meios ativos como YAG:Nd3+ ou GGG:Nd3+ colocando-os em vantagem em relação a estes e muitos outros materiais, para excitação com laser de diodo, justificando a importância do trabalho apresentado e o estudo desses materiais. / The present work release an extensive study of spectroscopic properties on CMO:NdNbO4 and CVO:Nd3+ single crystal fibers, in searching for new laser materials activated with diode laser. The fibers were grown by LHPG (laser Heated Pedestal Growth) technique that permits a fast production of fibers with appropriate dimension for mini laser construction, without the use of crucible, with excellent crystalline quality and low waste of material. For a full optical characterization, it was performed the Judd Ofelt analysis based on the measured absorption spectra as a tool for calibration and interpretation of the experiments of luminescence, stimulated emission (SE), excited-state absorption (ESA) using two different techniques: (a) by the double modulate pump and probe continuous wave technique and (b) by the excited-state excitation (ESE) technique. These results show that both materials have low ESA cross-section values in the main expected laser region 4F3/2 → 4I11/2 of Nd3+ - doped materials (-1070nm). The existence of broad bands in the luminescence and optical absorption spectra and a number of transitions more than expected as observed in the low temperature absorption spectra suggest the existence of multisites in both crystals of CVO:Nd3+ e CMO:NdNbO4. In order to quantify and characterize the multisites of Nd3+ in the samples, experiments were realized of optical excitation, site selective laser excitation and selective luminescence. These experiments shown that CVO:Nd3+ has a large number of different sites and the CMO:NdNbO4 has seven different sites, justifying the broad band behavior observed on the luminescence and optical absorption experiments. The values of absorption cross-sections (σGSA=4,1x\'10-20cm2 for CVO and σGSA=5,5x10-20cm2 for CMO:NdNbO4) and emission cross-sections (σe=5,5x10-20cm2 for the CMO:NdNbO4 and 13,3x10-20cm2 for CVO:Nd3+) among important laser materials that have multisites properties and a FWHM of absorption at 810nm (ΔλGSA=11nm for CVO and ΔλGSA\'=11,5nm for CMO) broader than many other active laser medium like YAG:Nd3+ or GGG:Nd3+ suggesting these materials to be on advantage from many others lasers materials using diode laser excitation, justifj4ng the important of the present work and the study of these material.