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Biomedical subjects

A Franceschetti

Publications and source records attributed to A Franceschetti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

First-principles combinatorial design of transition temperatures in multicomponent systems: the case of Mn in GaAs.

The transition temperature TC of multicomponent systems--ferromagnetic, superconducting, or ferroelectric--depends strongly on the atomic arrangement, but an exhaustive search of all configurations for those that optimize TC is difficult, due to the astronomically large number of possibilities. Here we address this problem by parametrizing the TC of a set of approximately 50 input configurations, calculated from first principles, in terms of configuration variables ("cluster expansion"). Once established, this expansion allows us to search almost effortlessly the transition temperature of arbitrary configurations. We apply this approach to search for the configuration of Mn dopants in GaAs having the highest ferromagnetic Curie temperature. Our general approach of cluster expanding physical properties opens the way to design based on exploring a large space of configurations.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Impact ionization can explain carrier multiplication in PbSe quantum dots.

The efficiency of conventional solar cells is limited because the excess energy of absorbed photons converts to heat instead of producing electron-hole pairs. Recently, efficient carrier multiplication has been observed in semiconductor quantum dots. In this process, a single, high-energy photon generates multiple electron-hole pairs. Rather exotic mechanisms have been proposed to explain the efficiency of carrier multiplication in PbSe quantum dots. Using atomistic pseudopotential calculations, we show here that the more conventional impact ionization mechanism, whereby a photogenerated electron-hole pair decays into a biexciton in a process driven by Coulomb interactions between the carriers, can explain both the rate (<<1 ps) and the energy threshold ( approximately 2.2 times the band gap) of carrier multiplication, without the need to invoke alternative mechanisms.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2006

The peculiar electronic structure of PbSe quantum dots.

PbSe is a pseudo-II-VI material distinguished from ordinary II-VI's (e.g., CdSe, ZnSe) by having both its valence band maximum (VBM) and its conduction band minimum (CBM) located at the fourfold-degenerate L-point in the Brillouin zone. It turns out that this feature dramatically affects the properties of the nanosystem. We have calculated the electronic and optical properties of PbSe quantum dots using an atomistic pseudopotential method, finding that the electronic structure is different from that of ordinary II-VI's and, at the same time, is more subtle than what k.p or tight-binding calculations have suggested previously for PbSe. We find the following in PbSe dots: (i) The intraband (valence-to-valence and conduction-to-conduction) as well as interband (valence-to-conduction) excitations involve the massively split L-manifold states. (ii) In contrast to previous suggestions that the spacings between valence band levels will equal those between conduction band levels (because the corresponding effective-masses me approximately mh are similar), we find a densely spaced hole manifold and much sparser electron manifold. This finding reflects the existence of a few valence band maxima in bulk PbSe within approximately 500 meV. This result reverses previous expectations of slow hole cooling in PbSe dots. (iii) The calculated optical absorption spectrum reproduces the measured absorption peak that had previously been attributed to the forbidden 1Sh --> 1Pe or 1Ph --> 1Se transitions on the basis of k.p calculations. However, we find that this transition corresponds to an allowed 1Ph --> 1Pe excitation arising mainly from bulk states near the L valleys on the Gamma-L lines of the Brillouin zone. We discuss this reinterpretation of numerous experimental results.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Enhanced current transport at grain boundaries in high-T(c) superconductors.

Large-scale applications of high-transition-temperature (high-T(c)) superconductors, such as their use in superconducting cables, are impeded by the fact that polycrystalline materials (the only practical option) support significantly lower current densities than single crystals. The superconducting critical current density (J(c)) across a grain boundary drops exponentially if the misorientation angle exceeds 2 degrees -7 degrees. Grain texturing reduces the average misorientation angle, but problems persist. Adding impurities (such as Ca in YBa2Cu3O7-delta; YBCO) leads to increased J(c) (refs 9, 10), which is generally attributed to excess holes introduced by Ca2+ substituting for Y3+ (ref. 11). However, a comprehensive physical model for the role of grain boundaries and Ca doping has remained elusive. Here we report calculations, imaging and spectroscopy at the atomic scale that demonstrate that in poly-crystalline YBCO, highly strained grain-boundary regions contain excess O vacancies, which reduce the local hole concentration. The Ca impurities indeed substitute for Y, but in grain-boundary regions under compression and tension they also replace Ba and Cu, relieving strain and suppressing O-vacancy formation. Our results demonstrate that the ionic radii are more important than their electronic valences for enhancing J(c).

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

[Strabismus, hemianopsia and the sundial of Mawas and Franceschetti].

UNLABELLED: THE ARTIFACT: The artifact is a light rectangular slate of black cardboard showing two white lines at 40 degrees angle. It provokes physiological diplopia in lateral vision. BACKGROUND: In normal subjects, the right oblique line stimulates the right nasal hemiretina, perceived as an oblique line, and the left temporal hemiretina, perceived as a vertical line, both lines being on the right hand side. Likewise, the left oblique line is seen as two lines on the left hand side. The 4 lines form and M and a W combined. The strabismus subject sees 3 lines for he neutralizes one; the alternating squint sees only 2; the heterophoric sees 4 lines, two of which blurred, and the hemianopic sees only part of the dial. RESULTS: The subject must select the image he sees from an array of possibilities shown on the back of the dial. From 5 years of age on, normal subjects select the [symbol: see text] or the "butterfly"; hemianopic subjects correctly describe the loss of either the left or right field. CONCLUSIONS: The sundial facilitates both the screening and the treatment of binocular vision disorders. Bangerter's hemifilter will be used in association with exercises for physiological diplopia at home under monthly orthoptic control. All this made it possible to obtain useful peripheral fusion in early onset strabismus.

Diplopia↗
PubMed1978

[Degenerative ocular retinal albinism in a girl ten years old (author's transl)].

Ocular albinism with myopia and impaired vision (R.E. 0.2; L.E. 0.6), but without nystagmus, were observed in a 10-year-old girl. The electrophysiological tests indicate, in addition, the presence of a tapetoretinal degeneration. It is assumed that the patient is carrier of two genes, a sex-linked one responsible for albinismus solum fundi and a second one of autosomal-recessive type, responsible for the tapetoretinal degenerartion.

Albinism↗