Role of nitrogen and oxygen in emission of Si quantum dots formed by pulse laser

Silicon quantum dots fabricated by nanosecond pulsed laser in nitrogen, oxygen or air atmosphere have enhanced photoluminescence (PL) emission with the stimulated emission observed at about 700 nm. It is difficult to distinguish between the photoluminescence peaks emitted from samples prepared in different atmospheres. The reason for the appearance of similar peaks may be the similar distribution of the localised states in the gap for different samples when silicon dangling bonds of quantum dots are passivated by nitrogen or oxygen. It is revealed that both the kind and the density of passivated bonds on quantum dot surface prepared in oxygen or nitrogen have a strong influence on the enhancement of PL emission.     

Modification of the spontaneous emission of quantum dots near the surface of a three-dimensional colloidal photonic crystal

This paper demonstrates experimentally and numerically that a significant modification of spontaneous emission rate can be achieved near the surface of a three-dimensional photonic crystal. In experiments, semiconductor core-shell quantum dots are intentionally confined in a thin polymer film on which a three-dimensional colloidal photonic crystal is fabricated. The spontaneous emission rate of quantum dots is characterised by conventional and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The modification of the spontaneous emission rate, which is reflected in the change of spectral shape and PL lifetime, is clearly observed. While an obvious increase in the PL lifetime is found at most wavelengths in the band gap, a significant reduction in the PL lifetime by one order of magnitude is observed at the short-wavelength band edge. Numerical simulation reveals a periodic modulation of spontaneous emission rate with decreasing modulation strength when an emitter is moved away from the surface of the photonic crystal. It is supported by the fact that the modification of spontaneous emission rate is not pronounced for quantum dots distributed in a thick polymer film where both enhancement and suppression are present simultaneously. This finding provides a simple and effective way for improving the performance of light emitting devices.     

Development and deployment of a precision underwater positioning system for in situ laser Raman spectroscopy in the deep ocean

The field of ocean geochemistry has recently been expanded to include in situ laser Raman spectroscopic measurements in the deep ocean. While this technique has proved to be successful for transparent targets, such as fluids and gases, difficulty exists in using deep submergence vehicle manipulators to position and control the very small laser spot with respect to opaque samples of interest, such as many rocks, minerals, bacterial mats, and seafloor gas hydrates. We have developed, tested, and successfully deployed by remotely operated vehicle (ROV) a precision underwater positioner (PUP) which provides the stability and precision movement required to perform spectroscopic measurements using the Deep Ocean Raman In situ Spectrometer (DORISS) instrument on opaque targets in the deep ocean for geochemical research. The positioner is also adaptable to other sensors, such as electrodes, which require precise control and positioning on the seafloor. PUP is capable of translating the DORISS optical head with a precision of 0.1 mm in three dimensions over a range of at least 15 cm, at depths up to 4000 m, and under the normal range of oceanic conditions (T, P, current velocity). The positioner is controlled, and spectra are obtained, in real time via Ethernet by scientists aboard the surface vessel. This capability has allowed us to acquire high quality Raman spectra of targets such as rocks, shells, and gas hydrates on the seafloor, including the ability to scan the laser spot across a rock surface in sub-millimeter increments to identify the constituent mineral grains. These developments have greatly enhanced the ability to obtain in situ Raman spectra on the seafloor from an enormous range of specimens.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy as a novel approach to measure macromolecule–surface interactions and activities of extracellular enzymes

The dynamics of high molecular weight organic matter in marine systems are influenced by molecular conformation, interactions with surfaces and susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis, parameters that are difficult to observe experimentally. Here we use electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) and spin-labeled (SL-) polysaccharides to monitor the sorption of SL-polysaccharides to natural sediment surfaces and to montmorillonite and to observe decreases in polysaccharide size due to enzymatic hydrolysis. SL-pullulan, SL-xylan and SL-maltoheptaose all sorbed rapidly to muddy sediments but not to sandy sediments. SL-pullulan and SL-maltoheptaose also both sorbed to montmorillonite; however, SL-pullulan reached substantially greater final surface loadings than did SL-maltoheptaose. Using EPR has the advantages of being rapid (spectra can be acquired in 100 seconds), non-destructive and functional in complex media, including sediment slurries, muddy water or other optically opaque samples, permitting investigation of the interactions between biomacromolecules, extracellular enzymes and mineral surfaces in aquatic environments.