Dual Ferroelectric Polarization and Dielectric Response Improvement in Epitaxial HfZrO/HfO Nanolaminates.

Nanolaminates based on ferroelectric polycrystalline doped HfO have gained interest because those compounds show enhanced functional properties. Here, we achieve coexisting improvement of remanent polarization and dielectric permittivity in wake-up-free epitaxial HfZrO/HfO nanolaminates with different numbers of HfO nanolayers if compared with HfZrO single films of equivalent thickness or other reported polycrystalline nanolaminates. Comprehensive structural characterization reveals that the origin of the enhancement must be the larger amount of the orthorhombic phase in the nanolaminates.

Using diatom chain length as a bioindicator of heavy-metals contamination in marine environments.

The increasing release of toxic heavy metals into marine environments poses significant risks due to their persistence and bioaccumulation. Diatoms are ideal bioindicators because of their sensitivity to environmental changes. Despite traditional methods for detecting these persistent pollutants effectively identify composition and concentration, they are time-consuming, they often require the use of harmful reagents, and do not allow a fast assessment of detrimental impacts on marine organisms.

THz Generation by Two-Color Plasma: Time Shaping and Ultra-Broadband Polarimetry.

The generation of terahertz radiation via laser-induced plasma from two-color femtosecond pulses in air has been extensively studied due to its broad emission spectrum and significant pulse energy. However, precise control over the temporal properties of these ultra-broadband terahertz pulses, as well as the measurement of their polarization state, remain challenging. In this study, we review our latest findings on these topics and present additional results not previously reported in our earlier works.

Obesity and Male Infertility: True, True, and Unrelated?

While the prevalence of obesity has rapidly increased worldwide, there has also been a notable decline in semen parameters over the last several decades. While obesity can negatively impact reproductive hormones, many studies have sought a link between rising obesity and decreased male fertility potential. Nonetheless, few data support a direct link between the two.

Optical Second Harmonic Generation on LaAlO/SrTiO Interfaces: A Review.

As we approach the limits of semiconductor technology, the development of new materials and technologies for the new era in electronics is compelling. Among others, perovskite oxide hetero-structures are anticipated to be the best candidates. As in the case of semiconductors, the interface between two given materials can have, and often has, very different properties, compared to the corresponding bulk compounds.