Determining the microwave coupling and operational efficiencies of a microwave plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition reactor under high pressure diamond synthesis operating conditions.

The microwave coupling efficiency of the 2.45 GHz, microwave plasma assisted diamond synthesis process is investigated by experimentally measuring the performance of a specific single mode excited, internally tuned microwave plasma reactor. Plasma reactor coupling efficiencies (η) > 90% are achieved over the entire 100-260 Torr pressure range and 1.

Preventing nonspecific adsorption on polymer brush covered gold electrodes using a modified ATRP initiator.

Biological systems have a tendency to adsorb nonspecifically onto a solid substrate, thus reducing the efficacy of the interface being used in biorecognition. This nonspecific adsorption is a common problem in the development of biosensors as it typically reduces the efficacy of the sensor platform. In this manuscript we report the synthesis of an oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) containing ATRP (atom transfer radical polymerization) thiol initiator and demonstrate the role of this initiator in preventing nonspecific adsorption of IgG antibodies on chemically functionalized gold electrode surfaces using cyclic voltammetry.