Periodic Arrays of Dopants in Silicon by Ultralow Energy Implantation of Phosphorus Ions through a Block Copolymer Thin Film.

In this work, block copolymer lithography and ultralow energy ion implantation are combined to obtain nanovolumes with high concentrations of phosphorus atoms periodically disposed over a macroscopic area in a p-type silicon substrate. The high dose of implanted dopants grants a local amorphization of the silicon substrate. In this condition, phosphorus is activated by solid phase epitaxial regrowth (SPER) of the implanted region with a relatively low temperature thermal treatment preventing diffusion of phosphorus atoms and preserving their spatial localization.

Plasma-Assisted Atomic Layer Deposition of IrO for Neuroelectronics.

In vitro and in vivo stimulation and recording of neuron action potential is currently achieved with microelectrode arrays, either in planar or 3D geometries, adopting different materials and strategies. IrO is a conductive oxide known for its excellent biocompatibility, good adhesion on different substrates, and charge injection capabilities higher than noble metals. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) allows excellent conformal growth, which can be exploited on 3D nanoelectrode arrays.

AlO Dot and Antidot Array Synthesis in Hexagonally Packed Poly(styrene--methyl methacrylate) Nanometer-Thick Films for Nanostructure Fabrication.

Nanostructured organic templates originating from self-assembled block copolymers (BCPs) can be converted into inorganic nanostructures by sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS). This capability is particularly relevant within the framework of advanced lithographic applications because of the exploitation of the BCP-based nanostructures as hard masks. In this work, AlO dot and antidot arrays were synthesized by sequential infiltration of trimethylaluminum and water precursors into perpendicularly oriented cylinder-forming poly(styrene--methyl methacrylate) (PS--PMMA) BCP thin films.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging Tractography in Pure Neuritic Leprosy: First Experience Report and Review of the Literature.

Five years after both right ulnar and median nerve decompression for paraesthesias and palsy, a patient, coming from Nigeria but living in Italy, came to our unit claiming to have persistent pain and combined median and ulnar palsy. Under suspicion of leprosy, skin and left sural nerve biopsy were performed. Skin tests were negative, but Schwann cells resulted as positive for acid-fast bacilli (AFB), leading to the diagnosis of Pure Neuritic Leprosy (PNL).

Solid-state dewetting of ultra-thin Au films on SiO₂ and HfO₂.

Ultra-thin Au films with thickness (h) ranging from 0.5 to 6.0 nm were deposited at room temperature (RT) by means of e-beam evaporation on SiO2 and HfO2.