This master's thesis deals with optimization of conditions of chemical hydride generation of tellurium and conditions of its atomization, specifically in three types of atomizers - in a diffusion flame (DF), in a heated multiple microflame quartz tube atomizer (MMQTA) and in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) atomizer. Tellurium hydride was generated in a flow injection arrangement and a high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometer was used for detection. As hydride generation can be only done from tetravalent species of tellurium, at first a simple procedure of pre-reduction of hexavalent species of tellurium by heating a standard in hydrochloric acid at 6 mol dm-3 was verified. Further, conditions of chemical generation were optimized with a goal to achieve as high generation efficiency as possible, namely, concentration of hydrochloric acid and sodium tetrahydroborate, volume of the reaction coil and a flow rate of carrier gas. Subsequently, conditions of atomization of tellurium hydride were examined with chosen optimal generation conditions. In the case of DF, it was an amount of hydrogen in the flame, a total flow rate of gases and observation height. In the case of MMQTA, temperature of the atomizer, a flow rate of carrier gas and a flow rate of air or oxygen needed for...

Silicon (Si) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) have become the dominant photonic integrated circuit (PIC) material platforms, due to their low-cost, wafer-scale production of high-performance circuits. However, novel materials can offer additional functionalities that cannot be easily accessed in Si and Si3N4, such as light emission. Tellurium oxide (TeO2) is a novel material of interest because of its large linear and non-linear refractive indices, low material losses and large rare-earth dopant solubility, with applications including compact low-loss waveguides and on-chip light sources and amplifiers. This thesis investigates the post-processing integration of TeO2 devices onto standardized Si and Si3N4 chips to incorporate TeO2 material advantages into high-performance PICs. Chapter 1 introduces the state-of-the-art functionality for various integrated photonic materials as well as methods for integrating multiple materials onto single chips. Chapter 2 presents the development of a high-quality TeO2 thin film fabrication process by reactive RF sputtering, with material refractive indices of 2.07 and optical propagation losses of <0.1 dB/cm at 1550 nm. Chapter 3 investigates a conformally coated TeO2-Si3N4 waveguide platform capable of large TeO2 optical confinement and tight bending radii, characterizing fiber-chip edge couplers down to ~5 dB/facet, waveguide propagation losses of <0.5 dB/cm, directional couplers with 100% cross-over ratio, and microresonators with internal Q factors of 7.3 × 105. In Chapter 4 a spectroscopic study of TeO2:Er3+-coated Si3N4 waveguide amplifiers was undertaken, with internal net gains of up to 1.4 dB/cm in a 2.2-cm-long waveguide and 5 dB total in a 6.7-cm-long sample demonstrated, predicted to reach >10 dB could 150 mW of pump power be launched based on a developed rate-equation model. Chapter 5 demonstrates TeO2-coated microtrench resonators coupled to silicon waveguides, with internal Q factors of up to 2.1×105 and investigates environmental sensing metrics of devices. Chapter 6 summarizes the thesis and provides avenues for future work. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

No description available.

This research introduces tellurium oxide (TeO2) glass doped with optically active erbium ions (Er3+) as an active oxide cladding material for silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguides for realization of a silicon-based erbium-doped waveguide amplifier (EDWA) for integrated optics. Optical amplification of this nature is enabled by energy transitions, such as stimulated absorption and emission, within the shielded 4f shell of the rare-earth atomic structure caused by excitation from photons incident on the system. Er3+ ions are doped into the TeO2 film during deposition onto the SOI waveguides using a reactive magnetron co-sputtering system operated by McMaster’s Centre for Emerging Device Technologies (CEDT). Prior to fabrication, the waveguides are designed using photonic CAD software packages, for optimization of the modal behaviour in the device, and Matlab, for characterization of the optical gain performance through numerical analysis of the rate and propagation equations of the Er3+-based energy system. Post fabrication, the waveguide loss and gain of the coated devices are experimentally measured. The fabricated waveguide amplifier produces a peak signal enhancement of 3.84 dB at 1533 nm wavelength for a 1.7 cm-long waveguide device. High measured waveguide losses (> 10 dB/cm) produce a negative internal net gain per unit length. However, the demonstration and implementation of an active rare-earth doped cladding material on a silicon waveguide is successful, which is a major step in developing integrated optical amplifiers for conventional silicon photonics platforms. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

No description available.

Nesta tese foram desenvolvidas metodologias sintéticas para a preparação de compostos orgânicos de telúrio empregando reagentes organometálicos. Primeiramente, foi estudada a abertura tipo SN2 de lactonas, por organoiltelurolatos de lítio ou magnésio para obtenção dos respectivos ácidos telurocarboxílicos. Os organoiltelurolatos foram preparados a partir da reação do telúrio elementar com o organometálico desejado, evitando a manipulação de diteluretos alquílicos que apresentam odores desagradáveis. As reações de abertura de lactonas são de fácil execução e levam aos produtos em bons rendimentos (60 - 88 %). Além disso, há a possibilidade de transformação funcional dos produtos para alcoóis, a partir de uma redução in situ, ou para acil derivados, por meio da esterificação de Steglich. Os alcoóis obtidos são precursores sintéticos das respectivas espécies dilitiadas. Adicionalmente, foram preparados teluretos de alquil arila funcionalizados a partir da reação entre alquiltelurolatos de lítio com iodetos de arila catalisada por CuI (5 mol %). Também foi explorada a influência de ligantes, o que levou a um aumento do rendimento das reações testadas. Também foi estudada a reatividade de n-butilteluretos vinílicos e arílicos com reagentes organometálicos. Ou seja, foi estudada a reação de troca telúrio/metal com compostos organoilzinco e organoilmanganês. As reações com compostos de organoilzinco apresentaram resultados insatisfatórios, devido à baixa seletividade de transferência de grupos ligados ao zinco. As reações com compostos de manganês apresentaram bons resultados, com seletividade na transferência de ligantes e bons rendimentos dos produtos de captura dos compostos de organoilmanganês com eletrófilos. Foi estudada também a reação de acoplamento cruzado entre compostos de aril Grignard e teluretos de butil-vinila na presença de cloreto de manganês e iodeto de cobre (MnCl2/CuI). A reação ocorreu com elevada estereosseletividade e com rendimentos de moderados a bons. / In this PhD thesis synthetic methodologies for the preparation of organic compounds of tellurium employing organometallic reagents were developed. Initially, the SN2 type opening reaction of lactones by means of lithium or magnesium organotellurolates leading to the corresponding carboxylic acids was studied. The metal organotellurolates were prepared by reacting elemental tellurium with organolithium or Grignard reagents, avoiding the manipulation of bad smelling dialkylditellurides. The opening reactions occured easily, leading to the products in good yields (60 - 88 %). The tellurocarboxylic acids were transformed into alcohols by in situ reduction or into acyl derivatives, by a Steglich esterification. The obtained alcohols are precursors of the corresponding dilithium species by reaction with n-butyllithium. Additionally, functionalized arylbutyltellurides were prepared by reacting lithium alkyltellurolates with functionalized aryl iodides in the presence of CuI (5 mol %). The influence of ligands was also explored, leading to improved yields. It was also investigated the reactivity of vinyl butyltellurides with organometallic reagents. The tellurium/metal exchange reaction with organozinc and organomanganese compounds was studied. The reactions with organozinc compounds presented unsatisfactory results, in view of the low selectivity transfer of the groups linked to zinc. The reaction with organomanganese compounds presented better results in view of the fast Te/Mn exchange reaction, selectivity in the ligand transfer and good yields of the organomanganese capture products with electrophiles. It was also studied the cross-coupling reaction between aryl Grignard reagents and vinyl butyl tellurides in the presence of manganese chloride and copper iodide (MnCl2/CuI). The reaction occuried with high stereosselectivity and in moderate to good yields.

Nesta tese foram desenvolvidas metodologias sintéticas para a preparação de compostos orgânicos de telúrio empregando reagentes organometálicos. Primeiramente, foi estudada a abertura tipo SN2 de lactonas, por organoiltelurolatos de lítio ou magnésio para obtenção dos respectivos ácidos telurocarboxílicos. Os organoiltelurolatos foram preparados a partir da reação do telúrio elementar com o organometálico desejado, evitando a manipulação de diteluretos alquílicos que apresentam odores desagradáveis. As reações de abertura de lactonas são de fácil execução e levam aos produtos em bons rendimentos (60 - 88 %). Além disso, há a possibilidade de transformação funcional dos produtos para alcoóis, a partir de uma redução in situ, ou para acil derivados, por meio da esterificação de Steglich. Os alcoóis obtidos são precursores sintéticos das respectivas espécies dilitiadas. Adicionalmente, foram preparados teluretos de alquil arila funcionalizados a partir da reação entre alquiltelurolatos de lítio com iodetos de arila catalisada por CuI (5 mol %). Também foi explorada a influência de ligantes, o que levou a um aumento do rendimento das reações testadas. Também foi estudada a reatividade de n-butilteluretos vinílicos e arílicos com reagentes organometálicos. Ou seja, foi estudada a reação de troca telúrio/metal com compostos organoilzinco e organoilmanganês. As reações com compostos de organoilzinco apresentaram resultados insatisfatórios, devido à baixa seletividade de transferência de grupos ligados ao zinco. As reações com compostos de manganês apresentaram bons resultados, com seletividade na transferência de ligantes e bons rendimentos dos produtos de captura dos compostos de organoilmanganês com eletrófilos. Foi estudada também a reação de acoplamento cruzado entre compostos de aril Grignard e teluretos de butil-vinila na presença de cloreto de manganês e iodeto de cobre (MnCl2/CuI). A reação ocorreu com elevada estereosseletividade e com rendimentos de moderados a bons. / In this PhD thesis synthetic methodologies for the preparation of organic compounds of tellurium employing organometallic reagents were developed. Initially, the SN2 type opening reaction of lactones by means of lithium or magnesium organotellurolates leading to the corresponding carboxylic acids was studied. The metal organotellurolates were prepared by reacting elemental tellurium with organolithium or Grignard reagents, avoiding the manipulation of bad smelling dialkylditellurides. The opening reactions occured easily, leading to the products in good yields (60 - 88 %). The tellurocarboxylic acids were transformed into alcohols by in situ reduction or into acyl derivatives, by a Steglich esterification. The obtained alcohols are precursors of the corresponding dilithium species by reaction with n-butyllithium. Additionally, functionalized arylbutyltellurides were prepared by reacting lithium alkyltellurolates with functionalized aryl iodides in the presence of CuI (5 mol %). The influence of ligands was also explored, leading to improved yields. It was also investigated the reactivity of vinyl butyltellurides with organometallic reagents. The tellurium/metal exchange reaction with organozinc and organomanganese compounds was studied. The reactions with organozinc compounds presented unsatisfactory results, in view of the low selectivity transfer of the groups linked to zinc. The reaction with organomanganese compounds presented better results in view of the fast Te/Mn exchange reaction, selectivity in the ligand transfer and good yields of the organomanganese capture products with electrophiles. It was also studied the cross-coupling reaction between aryl Grignard reagents and vinyl butyl tellurides in the presence of manganese chloride and copper iodide (MnCl2/CuI). The reaction occuried with high stereosselectivity and in moderate to good yields.

Master of Science / Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering / Douglas S. McGregor / Purification of cadmium, zinc and tellurium was attempted to improve the quality of cadmium-zinc-telluride (CdZnTe) crystal growth. Specifically, vacuum distillation, zone refining and H[subscript]2 gas flow assisted zone refining were all investigated as methods to purify the constituent elements of CdZnTe. A unique multi-chamber ampoule was used to enable a purification sequence starting with double vacuum distillation followed by zone refining all without sample handling after the initial step. Modifications due to unique material properties of Cd and Zn were developed. Glow discharge mass spectroscopy (GDMS) analysis was used to measure impurity concentrations of 74 elements. Cd purification using vacuum distillation proved to be an effective method to reduce the impurity level of 5N starting material to a purity between the range of 6N5 and 7N5, as measured using GDMS and laser ablation mass spectroscopy. Combined Zn double vacuum distillation and zone refining in an enclosed Ar atmosphere using 5N starting material yielded material with a purity between the range of 5N8 to 6N8. Tellurium purification using combined double vacuum distillation followed by zone refining under continuous H[subscript]2 flow of 4N specified raw material resulted in high purity tellurium between the range of 6N3 and 7N4.

Antimoine (Sb) et tellure (Te), sont des contaminants peu étudiés (isotopes stables) et leurs radionucléides artificiels peuvent être rejetés dans le milieu aquatique lors des accidents nucléaires. La connaissance de leurs comportements biogéochimiques respectifs est nécessaire à l'évaluation du risque radiologique post-accidentel.Ce travail présente des données originales sur le comportement biogéochimique de Sb et de Te dans les systèmes de transition continent-océan, tels que l'estuaire de la Gironde et la rivière du Rhône. Un suivi de 14 ans et des campagnes océanographiques dans le bassin versant de l’estuaire de la Gironde ont permis d’identifier des concentrations, des flux, et des réactivités (variabilités spatio-temporelles et distribution solide/liquide) plus élevés pour Sb que pour Te, mettant en évidence un comportement additif pour Sb et de soustraction pour Te le long des gradients de salinité et de turbidité estuariennes. Des expériences couplant l’adsorption d’isotopes marqués sur des matières en suspension (MES) et des extractions sélectives des phases porteuses, suggèrent que les formes apportées de Sb et de Te sont plus mobiles et potentiellement plus biodisponibles que leurs équivalents naturels. De plus, l’observation de la bioaccumulation non-négligeable de Sb et de Te naturels dans les huîtres sauvages à l’embouchure de l’estuaire permet d’envisager une absorption potentielle de leurs homologues radioactifs.Ainsi, le développement de scenarios de dispersion de radionucléides rejetés dans les zones de transition dépendra (i) de la position géographique de la source (Rhône) et/ou de la zone de turbidité maximale (ZTM; système fluvio-estuarien de Gironde), (ii) de la situation hydrologique pendant et post accident, ainsi que (iii) de la réactivité biogéochimique et des temps de demi-vies des radionucléides. Les premiers scénarios de dispersion de radionucléides dans l'estuaire de la Gironde suggèrent (i) un transport préférentiel de Sb dissous vers la zone côtière, et (ii) une forte rétention de Te radioactif dans la ZTM si la dernière est présente en aval du site d’accident, impliquant le risque de migration saisonnière de la radioactivité vers la ville de Bordeaux pendant l’étiage suivant. Ainsi, la dynamique intra estuarienne (marée, débit et migration de la ZTM) sera le facteur prédominant dans le devenir de Te radioactif, depuis son rejet jusqu’à sa désintégration complète en iode radioactif. L’ensemble de ce travail met en évidence la nécessité d’une évaluation plus approfondie de la radiotoxicité potentielle de Sb et Te lors de leurs rejets en milieu aquatique. / Antimony (Sb) and tellurium (Te) are relatively uncommon contaminants (stable isotopes) and may form short-lived fission products (radionuclides) released into the environment during nuclear power plants accidents. Little is known about their respective biogeochemical behaviours, necessary for general contamination studies and post-accidental radiological risk assessment.This work provides original knowledge on Sb and Te biogeochemical behaviour in highly dynamic continent-ocean transition systems: the Gironde Estuary and the Rhône River. Concentrations, spatial/temporal variations, solid/liquid partitioning (Kd), and fluxes are studied from long-term records at the watershed scale. Four estuarine sampling campaigns during contrasting hydrological conditions show higher Sb solubility and Te particle affinity in the estuary than in the upstream fluvial reaches. Historical records (1984-2017) in wild oysters from the estuary mouth do not show clear trends of past or recent contamination, but measurable bioaccumulation suggests that potential uptake of radionuclides is likely to occur. Combined adsorption experiments using isotopically-labelled (spiked) Sb and Te, and subsequent selective extractions of carrier phases from suspended particulate matter (SPM) suggest that spiked Sb and Te are more mobile and potentially bioaccessible than their environmental (inherited) equivalents. Radiotracer adsorption experiments using environmentally representative concentrations of both Gironde and Rhône systems underpin that highly soluble elements may show contrasting reactivity between inherited and spiked forms.Radionuclide dispersion will greatly depend on (i) the geographical position of the source (Rhône) and/or the maximum turbidity zone (MTZ; Gironde fluvial-estuarine system), (ii) the succession of hydrological situations during and after the accident, and (iii) the biogeochemical reactivity and half-lives of the radionuclides. First scenarios on hypothetical dissolved radionuclide dispersion in the Gironde Estuary suggest (i) low sorption of Sb to the SPM, implying a transport of radionuclides in dissolved phase towards the coast, and (ii) high retention of Te within the MTZ, especially for accidental releases during flood conditions, linking the fate of radioactive Te to long estuarine SPM residence times (1-2 years). Potential upstream migration of Te radionuclides in the MTZ towards the city of Bordeaux during the following summer season and Te decay into radioactive iodine warrants further evaluation of the associated potential radiotoxicity.

Esta tese descreve, em dois diferentes capítulos, a síntese assimétrica da Malevamida D e a aplicação de compostos organotelúrio em reações de Suzuki-Miyaura. O primeiro capítulo refere-se ao estudo da síntese assimétrica da Malevamida D, um depsipeptídeo natural pertencente à família das dolastatinas, compostos estes com grande atividade citotóxica. As unidades DAP e MMMAH foram alcançadas em ótimos redimentos e estereosseletividades, utilizando-se reações de adição de crotil ou aliltrifluoroborato de potássio à aldeídos derivados da L-prolina e L-isoleucina, respectivamente. A elongação da cadeia da malevamida D se fez a partir de reações de esterificação e amidação; infelizmente não foi possível completar a síntese devido a problemas na última reação de acoplamento peptídico. O segundo capítulo descreve as reações entre teluretos aromáticos ou vinílicos e sais de organotrifluoroborato de potássio, mediadas por um catalisador de paládio. A partir destas reações de acoplamento cruzado tipo Suzuki-Miyaura foi possível obter-se 1,3-eninos, sistemas biarílicos, (E)- ou (Z)-estilbenos e 1,3-dienos. Todas as reações mostraram serem tolerantes a uma grande variedade de grupos funcionais e altamente estereoconservativas, nos casos envolvendo substratos vinílicos. / This thesis describes, in two different chapters, the asymmetric synthesis of malevamide D and the application of organotellurium compounds in Suzuki-Miyaura reaction. The first chapter refers to the asymmetric synthesis of malevamide D, a natural depsipeptide which belongs to the dolastatins family, and these compounds have a great interest due to theirs citotoxic activities. The DAP and MMMAH units were reached in excellent yields and stereoselectivities from 1,2-addition reaction of potassium crotyl or allyltrifluoroborate to aldehydes derivate from L-proline and L-isoleucine, respectively. The malevamide D elongation was made from reaction of esterification and amidation, unfortunately it was not possible finish the synthesis due to some problems in the last step of the total synthesis. The second chapter describes the reaction between aryl or vinyl tellurides and potassium organotrifluoroborate salts, mediated by a palladium catalyst. From this cross-coupling reaction type Suzuki-Miyaura was possible obtain 1,3-dienes, biarylic systems, (E)- or (Z)-stylbenes and 1,3-dienes. Al reactions showed to be tolerant to a wide range of functional groups and highly stereoconservative, in the cases involving vinylic substrates.