Mobility Gaps of Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Related to Hydrogen Concentration and Its Influence on Electrical Performance.

This paper presents a comprehensive study of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si)-based detectors, utilizing electrical characterization, Raman spectroscopy, photoemission, and inverse photoemission techniques. The unique properties of a-Si have sparked interest in its application for radiation detection in both physics and medicine. Although amorphous silicon (a-Si) is inherently a highly defective material, hydrogenation significantly reduces defect density, enabling its use in radiation detector devices.

Dosimetry of microbeam radiotherapy by flexible hydrogenated amorphous silicon detectors.

Detectors that can provide accurate dosimetry for microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) must possess intrinsic radiation hardness, a high dynamic range, and a micron-scale spatial resolution. In this work we characterize hydrogenated amorphous silicon detectors for MRT dosimetry, presenting a novel combination of flexible, ultra-thin and radiation-hard features.Two detectors are explored: an n-type/intrinsic/p-type planar diode (NIP) and an NIP with an additional charge selective layer (NIP + CSC).

Characterization of a flexible a-Si:H detector for in vivo dosimetry in therapeutic x-ray beams.

Background: The increasing use of complex and high dose-rate treatments in radiation therapy necessitates advanced detectors to provide accurate dosimetry. Rather than relying on pre-treatment quality assurance (QA) measurements alone, many countries are now mandating the use of in vivo dosimetry, whereby a dosimeter is placed on the surface of the patient during treatment. Ideally, in vivo detectors should be flexible to conform to a patient's irregular surfaces.

Development of a High-Efficiency Device for Thermal Neutron Detection Using a Sandwich of Two High-Purity B Enriched Layers.

The shortage of 3He, a crucial element widely used as a neutron converter in neutron detection applications, has sparked significant research efforts aimed at finding alternative materials, developing appropriate deposition methods, and exploring new detector architectures. This issue has required the exploration of novel approaches to address the challenges faced in neutron detection. Among the available conversion materials, 10B has emerged as one of the most promising choices due to its high neutron-capture cross-section and relatively high Q value.

Shape-Driven Response of Gold Nanoparticles to X-rays.

Radiotherapy (RT) involves delivering X-ray beams to the tumor site to trigger DNA damage. In this approach, it is fundamental to preserve healthy cells and to confine the X-ray beam only to the malignant cells. The integration of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the X-ray methodology could be considered a powerful tool to improve the efficacy of RT.

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon high flux x-ray detectors for synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy.

. Microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) is an alternative emerging radiotherapy treatment modality which has demonstrated effective radioresistant tumour control while sparing surrounding healthy tissue in preclinical trials. This apparent selectivity is achieved through MRT combining ultra-high dose rates with micron-scale spatial fractionation of the delivered x-ray treatment field.

Cancer Treatment Using Different Shapes of Gold-Based Nanomaterials in Combination with Conventional Physical Techniques.

The conventional methods of cancer treatment and diagnosis, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and computed tomography, have developed a great deal. However, the effectiveness of such methods is limited to the possible failure or collateral effects on the patients. In recent years, nanoscale materials have been studied in the field of medical physics to develop increasingly efficient methods to treat diseases.

High-Resolution Photoemission Study of Neutron-Induced Defects in Amorphous Hydrogenated Silicon Devices.

In this paper, by means of high-resolution photoemission, soft X-ray absorption and atomic force microscopy, we investigate, for the first time, the mechanisms of damaging, induced by neutron source, and recovering (after annealing) of p-i-n detector devices based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H). This investigation will be performed by mean of high-resolution photoemission, soft X-Ray absorption and atomic force microscopy. Due to dangling bonds, the amorphous silicon is a highly defective material.

Pulsed Laser Deposition of CsPbBr Films: Impact of the Composition of the Target and Mass Distribution in the Plasma Plume.

All-inorganic cesium lead bromine (CsPbBr) perovskites have gained a tremendous potential in optoelectronics due to interesting photophysical properties and much better stability than the hybrid counterparts. Although pulsed laser deposition (PLD) is a promising alternative to solvent-based and/or thermal deposition approaches due to its versatility in depositing multi-elemental materials, deep understanding of the implications of both target composition and PLD mechanisms on the properties of CsPbBr films is still missing. In this paper, we deal with thermally assisted preparation of mechano-chemically synthesized CsPbBr ablation targets to grow CsPbBr films by PLD at the fluence 2 J/cm.

Nanolayer Growth on 3-Dimensional Micro-Objects by Pulsed Laser Deposition.

Pulsed laser deposition on 3-dimensional micro-objects of complex morphology is demonstrated by the paradigmatic growth of cellulose and polymer/YAlO:Ce phosphor composite nanolayers. Congruent materials transfer is a result of multicomponent ablation performed by relatively low fluence (<200 mJ cm) ArF excimer laser pulses (λ = 193 nm). Films grown on optical and engineering components, having a thickness from ~50 nm to more than ~300 nm, are durable, well adherent and maintain the structural and functional properties of the parent solids.

Critical aspects of radon remediation in karst limestone areas: some experiences in schools of South Italy.

The final results of radon monitoring in 438 schools located in the province of Lecce (Puglia Region, South Italy) showed an average radon concentration of 215 ± 20 Bq m and that 7% of schools exceeded 500 Bq m, the current Italian action level for radon in workplaces, and consequently required remedial actions. The activity described in the present paper includes the main elements of the remediation project in a subgroup of school buildings. The main radon control systems adopted were sub-slab depressurization (in 57% of schools) and the active ventilation of the crawlspace (in 21% of schools).

Nanoparticle thin films for gas sensors prepared by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation.

The matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique has been used for the deposition of metal dioxide (TiO(2), SnO(2)) nanoparticle thin films for gas sensor applications. For this purpose, colloidal metal dioxide nanoparticles were diluted in volatile solvents, the solution was frozen at the liquid nitrogen temperature and irradiated with a pulsed excimer laser. The dioxide nanoparticles were deposited on Si and Al(2)O(3) substrates.