Advanced Materials Research Vols. 1049-1050

Abstract: Surface plasmons have been used to enhance the surface sensitivity of several spectroscopic measurements including fluorescence, Raman scattering, and second harmonic generation. However, in their simplest form, SPR reflectivity measurements can be used to detect proteins by the changes in the local index of refraction upon adsorption of the target molecule to the metal surface. If the surface is patterned with different biopolymers, the technique is called Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging (SPRI).

Abstract: Channel waveguides have been fabricated in x-cut lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) by proton exchange (PE) method and optically measured. The thickness and the optical constants of the thin PE layer were characterized using a prism coupling technique. The PE area was plasma etched and a 2.775-μm total etching depth was achieved. The measured average etching rate is 92.5 nm/min. One-and two-dimensional dense arrays of LiNbO₃ nanostructures have also been fabricated by using interference lithography (IL) and inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICP-RIE) techniques.Intorduction

Abstract: We show wafer-scale nanorods fabrication using interference lithography and ion milling techniques. Both one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nanogratings are achieved. Complementary structures of nanorods and nanoholes are demonstrated with tunable and enhanced optical responses. By combining such nanostructures with attenuated total reflection (ATR) components, we show significantly enhanced absorbance measurements. The results shown in this paper may enable new opportunities for plasmon-assisted sensing and spectroscopy.

Abstract: Using electron-beam lithography and ion milling techniques, we fabricate nanostar biosensors with different shapes and various designs to show tunable plasmon resonances. We also demonstrate further profile control over the outlines of nanostars and both under-and over-etched particles are achieved and compared. Moreover, the tunability of such plasmon-based sensors can find extensive and important applications in spectroscopy and enhanced biosensing.

Abstract: The FIB system utilizes ions (gallium, normally) produced by a liquid-metal source to scan over a sample surface and sputter away bulk material. It has been extensively utilized for specimen preparation for a wide range of analytical techniques owning to its capability of high spatial resolution imaging, milling, and deposition. Here, we demonstrate a novel way to control the redeposition effects during FIB milling. Significantly improved sample surfaces are shown and the results are verified by high magnification scanning electron microscopy.

Abstract: To effectively control all types of surface defects in alloy steel casting slab, quantitative characterization must be taken. Thus, corresponding quantitative characterization criterion of various casting slab surface defects was established firstly in this paper. Mapping relationships between casting process parameters (like carbon content, slab thickness, casting speed, depth of submerged nozzle, water ratio of secondary cooling, and so on) and surface defects, and simplified surface defect prediction model of alloy steel casting slab were established by using Partial Least Squares Regression. Application results indicated that the prediction results of surface defects highly coincided with casting production situation, which fully verified the applicability of the prediction model.

Abstract: Copper in hot rolling copper-containing steel plate can passivate the cathode-anode of corrosion reaction on plate surface and form a dense anti-rusting layer, so the rusting reaction is postponed and prevented, and the corrosion resistance is enhanced. However, copper enrichment around grain boundaries in copper-containing steel plate leads to the formation of net-like surface cracking called copper-brittleness. In this paper, through researching the technologies of smelting, and adding rare earth and heating, a reasonable and feasible production technology is found, which effectively prevents the defect of copper-brittleness.

Abstract: Ni-ZrO₂-CeO₂ nanocomposite coating was prepared by pulse electrodeposition. The effect of addition of ZrO₂ and CeO₂ nanoparticles, average current density, duty cycle and pulse current on microhardness of Ni-ZrO₂-CeO₂ nanocomposites were studied. The results show that microhardness of nanocomposite is increased at first and then decreased with the increasing additive amounts of two kinds of nanoparticles. With increasing reverse the average current density, the microhardness of the composite coating increases. Also, the microhardness of nanocomposite fall with the increasing of pulse frequency. With the positive duty ratio increasing, the microhardness of the composite coating increase at first and then decreased, but with the increasing of the reverse duty ratio, the microhardness of nanocomposite coating is gradually decreased.

Abstract: The symmetric/asymmetric hot rolling experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of shear deformation on microstructure of vessel steel by using electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) and field emission transmission electron microscope. The study shows that gradient distribution grain size through the thickness is formed in asymmetric rolled specimen. The grain size in surface is smaller than the one in center. The grain distribution is homogeneous in symmetric rolled specimen. The grain in asymmetric rolled specimen is smaller than the one in symmetric rolled specimen in the same thickness position. The precipitate particles morphology are random precipitate and interphase precipitate in symmetric and asymmetric rolled specimen. The precipitate particles tend to nucleate and grow in the grain in symmetric rolled specimen. The precipitate particles located in grain boundary are observed in asymmetric rolled specimen.