Linearized radially polarized light for improved precision in strain measurements using micro-Raman spectroscopy.

Strain engineering in semiconductor transistor devices has become vital in the semiconductor industry due to the ever-increasing need for performance enhancement at the nanoscale. Raman spectroscopy is a non-invasive measurement technique with high sensitivity to mechanical stress that does not require any special sample preparation procedures in comparison to characterization involving transmission electron microscopy (TEM), making it suitable for inline strain measurement in the semiconductor industry. Indeed, at present, strain measurements using Raman spectroscopy are already routinely carried out in semiconductor devices as it is cost effective, fast and non-destructive.

HAADF-STEM block-scanning strategy for local measurement of strain at the nanoscale.

Lattice strain measurement of nanoscale semiconductor devices is crucial for the semiconductor industry as strain substantially improves the electrical performance of transistors. High resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR-STEM) imaging is an excellent tool that provides spatial resolution at the atomic scale and strain information by applying Geometric Phase Analysis or image fitting procedures. However, HR-STEM images regularly suffer from scanning distortions and sample drift during image acquisition.

Neurofibroma occurring in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Two female patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis presented with the complaint of papular skin lesions over the dorsal aspect of hands. Histopathological examination of papules showed the features of neurofibroma.

Frictional pigmentary dermatoses : a clinical and histopathological study of 27 cases.

Twenty seven patients presenting with the complaint of pigmentary changes following friction were studied. Sixteen patients showed only pigmentary changes and 11 patients showed the presence of amyloid.

Reversible onychomadesis induced by carbamazepine.

An epileptic teenager put on carbamazepine therapy presented with onychomadesis 6 months later. Carbamazepine was substituted with phenytoin. Affected nails were shed and healthy nails regrew in 5 months.

Congenital leukaemia presenting with skin nodules.

A 2-month-old infant presented with the skin nodules of 1½ months duration. Routine investigation and bone marrow examination showed the presence of myeloblastic Ieukaemia-M4 type, FAB classification.

Chloroquine-induced photosensitive dermatoses.

Two female patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis were put on chloroquine 250 mg bid. After a period of 4 weeks, both of them developed photosensitive dermatitis. Following withdrawal of chloroqunie, both of them showed improvement in dermatitis gradually over a period of 3-4 months.

Darier's disease with warty dyskeratoma and basal cell epithelioma.

A 48-year old man with warty dirty papules over the seborrhoeic areas, also had a nodule with a central keratotic crater over the right cheek. Biopsy of this nodule revealed features of Darier's disease, warty dyskeratoma and basal cell epithelioma. Even though Darier's disease and warty dyskeratoma are considered as a distinct entities, the presence in the same lesion emphasizes the need for further studies on this association.