In Situ Monitoring of Pulsed Laser Annealing of Eu-Doped Oxide Thin Films.

Eu-doped oxide thin films possess a great potential for several emerging applications in optics, optoelectronics, and sensors. The applications demand maximizing Eu photoluminescence response. Eu-doped ZnO, TiO and LuO thin films were deposited by Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD).

Laser-synthesized nanocrystalline, ferroelectric, bioactive BaTiO/Pt/FS for bone implants.

The goal of our study is to design BaTiO ferroelectric layers that will cover metal implants and provide improved osseointegration. We synthesized ferroelectric BaTiO layers on Pt/fused silica substrates, and we studied their physical and bio-properties. BaTiO and Pt layers were prepared using KrF excimer laser ablation at substrate temperature T in the range from 200°C to 750°C in vacuum or under oxygen pressure of 10 Pa, 15 Pa, and 20 Pa.

Growth of a TiNb adhesion interlayer for bioactive coatings.

Surface bioactivity has been under intensive study with reference to its use in medical implants. Our study is focused on coatings prepared from an electroactive material which can support bone cell adhesion. Until now, hydroxyapatite films have usually been utilized as a chemically-active surface agent.

Adhesion and differentiation of Saos-2 osteoblast-like cells on chromium-doped diamond-like carbon coatings.

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films are promising for use in coating orthopaedic, dental and cardiovascular implants. The problem of DLC layers lies in their weak layer adhesion to metal implants. Chromium is used as a dopant for improving the adhesion of DLC films.

PLD prepared bioactive BaTiO films on TiNb implants.

BaTiO (BTO) layers were deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on TiNb, Pt/TiNb, Si (100), and fused silica substrates using various deposition conditions. Polycrystalline BTO with sizes of crystallites in the range from 90nm to 160nm was obtained at elevated substrate temperatures of (600°C-700°C). With increasing deposition temperature above 700°C the formation of unwanted rutile phase prevented the growth of perovskite ferroelectric BTO.

Bonding and bio-properties of hybrid laser/magnetron Cr-enriched DLC layers.

Chromium-enriched diamond-like carbon (DLC) layers were prepared by a hybrid technology using a combination of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and magnetron sputtering. XRD revealed no chromium peaks, indicating that the layers are mostly amorphous. Carbon (sp(2) and sp(3) bonds) and chromium bonds were determined by XPS from C 1s, O 1s, and Cr 2p photoelectron peaks.

Chromium-doped DLC for implants prepared by laser-magnetron deposition.

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films are frequently used for coating of implants. The problem of DLC layers lies in bad layer adhesion to metal implants. Chromium is used as a dopant for improvement of adhesion of DLC films.