Threshold voltage uniformity and characterization of microwaveperformance for GaAs/AlGaAs high electron-mobility transistors grown onSi substrates

We report on DC and microwave characteristics for high electron-mobility transistors (HEMT's) grown on Si substrates by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Threshold voltage (V _th) distribution in a 3-in wafer shows standard deviation of V_th (σV_th) of 36 mV with V_th of -2.41 V for depletion mode HEMT's/Si and σV_th of 31 mV with V_th of 0.01 V for enhancement mode, respectively. The evaluation of V_th in a 1.95×1.9 mm² area shows high uniformity for as-grown HEMT's/Si with σV_th of 9 mV for V_th of -0.10 V, which is comparable to that for HEMT's/GaAs. Comparing the V_th distribution pattern in the area with that for annealed HEMT's/Si, it is indicated that the high uniformity of V_th is obtained irrelevant of a number of the dislocations existing in the GaAs/Si. From microwave characteristic evaluation for HEMT's with a middle-(10~50 Ω·cm) and a high-(2000~6000 Ω·cm) resistivity Si substrate using a new equivalent circuit model, it is demonstrated that HEMT's/Si have the disadvantage for parasitic capacitances and resistances originated not from the substrate resistivity but from a conductive layer at the Si-GaAs interface. The parasitic parameters, especially the capacitances, can be overcome by the reduction of electrode areas for bonding pads and by the insertion of a dielectric layer under the electrode, which bring high cut-off frequency (f_T) and maximum frequency of operation (f_max) of 24 GHz for a gate length of 0.8 (μm). These results indicate that HEMT's/Si are sufficiently applicable for IC's and discrete devices and have a potential to be substituted for HEMT's/GaAs     

Radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene in pilot plant. III. Heavy-phase recycling process

Radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene using aqueous tert-butyl alcohol as medium was carried out in a large-scale pilot plant with a 50-liter central source-type reactor at a pressure of 105 to 395 kg/cm², temperature of 30° to 80°C, mean dose rate of 4.5 × 10⁴ to 1.9 × 10⁵ rads/hr, ethylene feed rate of 5.5 to 23.5 kg/hr, and medium feed rate of 21 to 102 l./hr. The space–time yield and molecular weight of the polymer were in the range of 4.7 to 16.8 g/l.-hr and 1.3 × 10⁴ to 8.9 × 10⁴, respectively. The space–time yield and molecular weight increased with mean residence time at 30°C, whereas at 80°C they became almost independent of the time. The space–time yield increased with pressure and dose rate, slightly decreased with temperature, and was maximum at ethylene molar fraction of 0.5. The polymer molecular weight increased with pressure and ethylene molar fraction, and decreased with dose rate and temperature. The total amount of deposited polymer on the reactor wall, source case wall, and scraping blades was usually less than 1 kg, which was negligibly small for the analysis of polymerization. Continuous discharge of the polymer slurry and production of fine-powder polyethylene were successfully carried out. In the central source-type reactor, a dose rate of 1.9 × 10⁵ rads/hr was obtained with a ⁶⁰Co source of ca. 12 kCi.     

New modifications of poly(vinyl alcohol)s and their applications

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PV-OH), prepared from poly(viny) acetate), is used widely in many industries. Various grades have been produced, with different degree of polymerization and degree of hydrolysis. Recently, novel modified (PV-OH)s with anion, cation, silanol or hydrophobic groups have been studied and developed. They have new properties in addition to those of ordinary PV-OH and have new applications. The methods of modification and the characteristics and some applications of the modified polymers are described.     

Titanium enrichment and strontium depletion near edge dislocation in strontium titanate [001]/(110) low-angle tilt grain boundary

Dislocations are linear lattice defects in a crystalline solid. Since the unusual atomistic environment of the dislocation may greatly influence various material properties, control of the composition would offer more opportunities to obtain unique one-dimensional structures. In the present study, we have characterized the structure of dislocations in a low-angle tilt grain boundary of strontium titanate (SrTiO₃). High-spatial resolution elemental mapping by electron energy loss spectroscopy combined with scanning transmission electron microscopy has enabled visualization of the enrichment of titanium (Ti) and the depletion of strontium (Sr) near the dislocation cores. The Ti enrichment and the Sr depletion have been observed at all of the dislocations, and the grain boundary is considered to be Ti excess. The extra Ti ions are located on the positions different from the normal perovskite lattice, suggesting that the local structure is largely reconstructed. It has been proposed that tensile strain at the dislocations may be a cause of the Ti enrichment.     

Structures of a Σ = 9, [110]/{221} symmetrical tilt grain boundary in SrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

In this study, we fabricated a bicrystal of SrTiO₃ containing a Σ = 9, [110]/{221} symmetric tilt grain boundary (GB) and its atomistic structure was directly observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning TEM (STEM). We theoretically estimated the most stable structure by first principles calculations, and by combining this with TEM images determined the atomistic structure of the Σ = 9 grain boundary. We found that when the grain boundary is slightly tilted from the coincident site lattice (CSL) orientation, displacement shift complete (DSC) dislocations are introduced at the grain boundary to accommodate the misorientation between the two adjacent crystals while the most stable atomic structure remains unchanged.     

Cytotoxic components of bardanae fructus (goboshi)

Bardanae Furctus (Goboshi) extract showed potent in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo antitumor activity against human hepatoma HepG2 cells and mouse sarcoma 180 cells, respectively. In this study, the cytotoxicities of four fractions and three major components (arctiin, arctigenin, and chlorogenic acid) isolated from Goboshi extract were examined. Arctiin and arctigenin, which were contained in the ethylacetate fraction and n-butanol fraction, respectively, showed strong cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells, but little toxicity against Chang liver cells. Chlorogenic acid isolated from the water fraction did not affect the viability of these cells. The cytotoxicity of arctigenin against Chang liver cells was markedly potentiated by treatment with glutathione (GSH) synthesis inhibitor, L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO). On the other hand, in HepG2 cells, the cytotoxicity of arctigenin was hardly changed by BSO. The cytotoxicity of arctigenin against HepG2 cells increased in an exposure-time dependent manner. These characteristics of arctigenin were similar to those of Goboshi extract, as previously observed. We therefore conclude that the principal cytotoxic components of Goboshi extract are arctiin and its aglycone arctigenin.     

Absence of germ-line mutations of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) gene in familial pituitary adenoma in contrast to MEN1 in Japanese

Germ-line mutations of the MEN1 gene were analyzed in five cases of familial and four cases of sporadic multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1), six cases in three independent pedigrees of familial pituitary adenoma without MEN-1, and three cases of familial isolated primary hyperparathyroidism (FIHP) in Japanese. Eight different types of germ-line mutations in all nine cases of MEN-1 were distributed in exons 2, 3, 7, and 10 and intron 7 of the MEN1 gene. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on 11q13 was detected in all nine tumors of these cases with microsatellite analysis. No germ-line mutation of the MEN1 gene was detected in three pedigrees of familial pituitary adenoma and three cases of FIHP. LOH on 11q13 was detected in two cases in one pedigree of familial pituitary adenoma, and one of them showed a heterozygous somatic mutation of the MEN1 gene. No LOH on 11q13 was detected in three cases of FIHP. Based on these, we conclude that the loss of function of menin is etiological for familial or sporadic MEN-1, but not for FIHP or most familial pituitary adenoma without MEN-1.     

Measurement of the tensile strength of a powder bed by a swing method measuring instrument

The measurement of the tensile strength of a powder bed has been carried out by means of the swing method measuring instrument, which has been developed by the authors. The effects on the void fraction and the moisture content have been investigated.From the stress—displacement curves obtained directly with this instrument, the work required for the tensile breakage of the powder bed was calculated.The most interesting problem is the application of the measurement of tensile stress to the design of powder treatment processes.The floodability of fine powders has been discussed empirically but theoretical bases are not sufficient for the evaluation of the potential floodability.The following dimensionless number, namely the ratio of the cohesive force to the gravity force on a single particle,

was found to give a good correlation with the empirical floodability index evaluated by Carr's method.     

Current forging technology for integrated type steel forgings for nuclear steam supply system components

This brief review concerns the trend in using large size, integrated type steel forgings for nuclear steam supply system components as intended for easier in-service inspection (ISI).To achieve this trend, unique forging techniques have been developed.The forging techniques corresponding to each integrated type steel forging product together with a brief explanation of the development of forging facilities as well as a future aspects are introduced.