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PubMed2004

Rapid modulation of osteoblast ion channel responses by 1alpha,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 requires the presence of a functional vitamin D nuclear receptor.

1alpha,25(OH)(2)-Vitamin D(3) (1,25D) modulates osteoblast gene expression of bone matrix proteins via a nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) and also modifies the electrical state of the plasma membrane through rapid nongenomic mechanisms still not fully understood. The physiological significance of 1,25D membrane-initiated effects remains unclear. To elucidate whether the VDR is required for 1,25D-promoted electrical responses, we studied 1,25D modulation of ion channel activities in calvarial osteoblasts isolated from VDR knockout (KO) and WT mice. At depolarizing potentials, Cl(-) currents were significantly potentiated (13.5 +/- 1.6-fold increase, n = 12) by 5 nM 1,25D in VDR WT but not in KO (0.96 +/- 0.3 fold increase, n = 11) osteoblasts. L-type Ca(2+) currents significantly shift their peak activation by -9.3 +/- 0.7 mV (n = 10) in the presence of 5 nM 1,25D in VDR WT but not in KO cells, thus facilitating Ca(2+) influx. Furthermore, we found that 1,25D significantly increased whole-cell capacitance in VDR WT (DeltaCap = 2.3 +/- 0.4 pF, n = 8) but not in KO osteoblasts (DeltaCap = 0.3 +/- 0.1 pF, n = 8); this corresponds to a rapid (1-2 min) fusion in WT of 71 +/- 33 versus in KO only 9 +/- 6 individual secretory granules. We conclude that, in calvarial osteoblasts, 1,25D modulates ion channel activities only in cells with a functional VDR and that this effect is coupled to exocytosis. This is a demonstration of the requirement of a functional classic steroid receptor for the rapid hormonal modulation of electric currents linked to secretory activities in a target cell.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Aldosterone increases voltage-gated sodium current in ventricular myocytes.

The role of aldosterone in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF) is still poorly understood. Recently, aldosterone has been shown to modulate the function of cardiac Ca(2+) and K(+) channels, thus playing a role in the electrical remodeling process. The goal of this work was to investigate the role of aldosterone on the cardiac Na(+) current (I(Na)). We analyzed the effects of aldosterone on I(Na) in isolated adult mouse ventricular myocytes, using the whole cell patch-clamp technique. After 24 h incubation with 1 microM aldosterone, the I(Na) density was significantly increased (+55%), without alteration of the biophysical properties and the cell membrane capacitance. Aldosterone (10 nM) increased the I(Na) by 23%. In 24-h coincubation experiments, with the use of actinomycin D, cycloheximide, or brefeldin A, the effect of aldosterone on I(Na) was abolished. Spironolactone (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, 10 microM) prevented the 1 microM aldosterone-dependent I(Na) increase, whereas RU-38486 (glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, 10 microM) did not. The action potential duration (APD) was longer in aldosterone-treated (APD(90): +53%) than in control myocytes. In addition, the L-type Ca(2+) current was also upregulated (+48%). We performed quantitative RT-PCR measurements and Western blots to quantify the mRNA and protein levels of Na(v)1.5 and Ca(v)1.2 (main channels mediating cardiac I(Na) and I(Ca)), but no significant difference was found. In conclusion, this study shows that aldosterone upregulates the cardiac I(Na) and suggest that this phenomenon may contribute to the HF-induced electrical remodeling process that may be reversed by spironolactone.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1994

Humidity of anaesthetic gases with respect to low flow anaesthesia.

It has been demonstrated in an experimental study in swine using the scanning electron microscope that a rebreathing technique utilising minimal fresh gas flowrates significantly improves climatization of anaesthetic gases. Consequently, effects of various anaesthetic techniques on airway climate must be assessed, which covers the need for suitable measuring devices. Basic principles and methods of humidity measurement in flowing anaesthetic gases include gravimetric hygrometry, dew point hygrometry, wet-dry bulb psychrometry, mass spectrometry, spectroscopic hygrometry and electrical hygrometry. A custom-made apparatus for continuous measurement of humidity and temperature in the inspired and expired gas mixtures of a breathing circuit (separated by a valve system, integrated between the endotracheal tube and the Y-piece) is described. Comparative evaluation of this apparatus and the psychrometer was carried out. It could be demonstrated that the apparatus, measuring with capacitive humidity sensors, is more suitable for prolonged use under clinical conditions than the psychrometer. In the second part of the study, climatization of anaesthetic gases under clinical conditions was investigated using fresh gas flowrates of 0.6, 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 l/min. In the inspiratory limb of the circuit an absolute humidity of 21.3 mg H2O/l and a temperature of 31.5 degrees C were obtained after 120 minutes of minimal flow. Humidity and temperature of inspired air obtained with fresh gas flowrates of 6.0 and 3.0 l/min were found to be inadequate for prolonged anaesthesia. Reducing the fresh gas flow to 1.5 l/min increases heat and moisture content in the respired gases, but conditions are still inadequate for prolonged anaesthesia. Sufficient moisture (> or 20 mg H2O/l) and temperature are obtained under minimal flow conditions after one hour.

Absorption↗
PubMed1996

Calcium-dependent electrophysiological alterations in hypertrophied rat cardiomyocytes.

We compared the occurrence of calcium-dependent electrophysiological alterations in left ventricular myocytes isolated from the heart of old spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and age-matched normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Electrical and mechanical activity were measured in patch-clamped myocytes in which intracellular Ca2+ was allowed to change freely. In parallel experiments, intracellular Ca2+ concentration was monitored in fura-2-AM preloaded cells using an image analysis system. Left ventricular myocytes from SHR showed a significantly greater membrane capacitance (an index of cell size), a prolonged duration of the action potential and a higher incidence of delayed afterdepolarization (DADs) and associated aftercontractions, and of spontaneous activity. DADs were likely generated by intracellular Ca2+ waves due to spontaneous and local Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. These results demonstrate that DADs, possibly related to spontaneous intracellular Ca2+ waves, occur frequently in hypertrophied rat cardiomyocytes and may be a relevant arrhythmogenic mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Identification of sudomotor activity in cutaneous sympathetic nerves using sweat expulsion as the effector response.

In a warm environment at ambient temperatures between 25 degrees and 38 degrees C (relative humidity 50%-60%) the relationship between sympathetic activity in cutaneous nerves (SSA) and pulses of sweat expulsion was investigated in five young male subjects. The SSA was recorded from the peroneal nerve using a micro-electrode. Sweat expulsion was identified on the sweat rate records obtained from skin areas on the dorsal side of the foot, for spontaneous sweating and drug-induced sweating, using capacitance hygrometry. Sweat expulsion was always preceded by bursts of SSA with latencies of 2.4-3.0 s. This temporal relationship between bursts of SSA and sweat expulsion was noted not only in various degrees of thermal sweating but also in the sweating evoked by arousal stimuli, or by painful electric stimulation. The amplitude of the sudomotor burst was linearly related to the maximal rate of increase of the corresponding sweat expulsion, the amplitude of the expulsion and the integrated amount of sweat produced for the duration of the expulsion. The results provide direct evidence that sweat expulsion reflects directly centrally-derived sudomotor activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Stimulation of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus causes systemic venoconstriction.

Venous capacitance plays an important role in cardiovascular homeostasis. The anatomical loci within the central nervous system involved in modulating venous function remain to be elucidated. Stimulation of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus is known to increase sympathoadrenal outflow and arterial blood pressure. The present study was undertaken to determine whether electrical stimulation of the paraventricular nucleus can also affect the venous circulation. Mean circulatory filling pressure (MCFP) was used as an index of venous tone. Male Long Evans rats were initially anesthetized with pentobarbital (i.p.; 60 mg/kg) and subsequently maintained with urethane (i.v.; 600 mg/kg). Blood pressure and systemic venous pressure were monitored via catheters in the femoral artery and vein and heart rate was derived from the pulsatile blood pressure signal. A latex tipped balloon was placed in the right atrium via the right jugular vein. Mean circulatory filling pressure was calculated from the arterial and venous plateau pressures recorded during five second balloon inflations. Arterial pressure, systemic venous pressure, heart rate and mean circulatory filling pressure were monitored before and during unilateral monopolar electrical stimulation (0.5 ms pulses at 50 Hz for a train duration of 10 s with constant current intensities of 100, 150, 200, and 300 microA) of the paraventricular nucleus. Increased graded stimulation of the paraventricular nucleus increased blood pressure by 6 +/- 2, 8 +/- 1, 13 +/- 2 and 26 +/- 5 mm Hg while heart rate changed by -22 +/- 6, -18 +/- 6 and -15 +/- 9 bpm and +10 +/- 10 bpm, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Influence of relative humidity on electrical properties of alpha-Al2O3 powders: resistivity and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

The influence of humidity on the electrical properties of alpha-Al2O3 powders has been investigated using adsorption isotherms, DC resistivity, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Samples of two alpha-Al2O3 particle sizes were examined, both individually and mixed together. The results show that the grain-bed resistivity decreases with humidity, whereas the grain capacitance is almost constant. The resistivity difference between the two particle sizes is of several orders of magnitude, while the capacitance values are not very different. These results are interpreted in terms of the layer-by-layer growth of water adsorbed on the grain surfaces. The first, more tightly bound adsorbed layer does not provoke the same effects as those layers adsorbed at higher relative humidity.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of polynucleotide adsorption.

The dependence of the impedance of the electrode double layer of mercury electrode on frequency around the potentials of the tensammetric peaks of single-stranded and double-helical polynucleotides and DNA was studied. From the frequency dependence of the impedance of the electrode double layer represented in a complex plane impedance plot, the electric equivalent circuit of the electrode covered with adsorbed DNA layer was determined. It was concluded that the desorption of denatured ssDNA is accompanied by higher dielectric losses than the desorption of native dsDNA. This can be explained by the higher flexibility of ssDNA compared to the dsDNA. The capacitance peak of single-stranded polyadenylic acid (poly A) observed at pH 8 around -1.3 V splits at low frequencies in two peaks.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1978

Asymmetric displacement currents in giant axons and macromolecular gating processes.

An electrical-chemical gating model is proposed that describes basic observations on asymmetric displacement currents and transient Na+ conductivity changes in squid giant axons. A previously developed single-parameter analysis of primary voltage clamp data yields normal mode relaxation times that agree well with the time constants of asymmetric capacitative currents, suggesting these currents as gating currents associated with charge displacement in a subunit of a complex gating system. The physical-chemical approach correlates the opening of Na+ channels with charge-charge interactions amongst displaceable membrane charges or dipoles and conformational changes in gating macromolecules. The model covers the close correspondence between the voltage dependence of the peak value of the Na+ conductance change and that of the square of the total displaced charge for small depolarizing voltage steps. The quadratic charge relationship also describes the two-mode relaxation of asymmetric displacement currents; the transiently inhibited return transition of two-thirds of the displaced charge after a prolonged depolarization is interpreted to reflect a dissipative chemical gating process.

Axons↗
PubMed1990

Electric field-mediated gene transfer into K562 cells: optimization of parameters affecting efficiency.

Since hemopoietic cells are refractory to transfection by conventional chemical means, we have developed a reliable and efficient gene transfer system for K562 cells which uses electric field-mediated gene transfer (EFMGT). EFMGT involves the exposure of cells in suspension to an electric field which transiently allows the entry of DNA into the cell and its subsequent integration and expression. Plasmids bearing the neo gene were used to identify and select transfected clonogenic cells manifested by geneticin resistance in semisolid medium. Transfection efficiency is significantly affected by the following variables: voltage, capacitance, time constant, number of pulses, buffer type and temperature, DNA concentration, configuration, and promoter type. Cell cycle status also appears to be critical as shown in studies employing aphidicolin synchronization. Using optimal conditions, we have consistently achieved a transfection efficiency of 0.3-0.4% of clonogenic cells per microgram DNA. Stability of neo gene expression was also demonstrated after 4 months in nonselective culture conditions. This level of efficiency compares favorably with other reports of gene transfer into human hemopoietic progenitor cells.

Blast Crisis↗
PubMed1993

The mosaic electrical characteristics of the skin.

The goals of this study are: 1) to characterize the structure of the skin by measuring impedance variations with a suction microelectrode; 2) to correlate the observed impedance variations with dc current pathways through the skin; 3) to characterize the breakdown phenomenon. We constructed a suction microelectrode with a 200-microns internal diameter and performed several tests on two male subjects. Skin impedance measured from different locations on the forearm and palm varied considerably. We found that the average skin impedance on the forearm was larger than the average impedance on the palm and that the ratio between the maximal and minimal skin impedance is larger for the forearm than for the palm. For both the forearm and the palm the magnitude and variance of skin impedance decrease with increasing stimulus frequency. The density of low impedance points observed on the forearm and palm are consistent with the density of dc current pathways through the skin as indicated by traces left on 1-cm2 Ag electrodes when we passed dc current through the skin. The ratio between the highest and lowest impedances decreased as temperature decreased--at low temperatures the skin displayed mostly high impedances. We were not able to break down the skin using the suction microelectrode. The tests with dry and wet electrodes suggest that breakdown is of thermal nature, and that the thermal capacitance of the saline in the suction microelectrode prevents the temperature of the underlying skin from increasing very rapidly. In conjunction with the larger impedance values, this would tend to increase the breakdown voltage.

Body Temperature↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nifedipine block of capacitative calcium entry in cultured human uterine smooth-muscle cells.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether nifedipine inhibits capacitative calcium entry at clinically relevant concentrations using cultured human myocytes as a model for human myometrium. METHODS: Myocyte cultures were initiated from the myometrium of term pregnant women who underwent cesarean delivery. Paired cells were chosen for study. The cell of interest was stimulated by an intercellular calcium wave from the adjacent cell. In this fashion, release of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium was accomplished with minimal disturbance of the plasma membrane and the subplasmalemmal space (SPS) of the cell studied. Depletion of the SR calcium stores by the calcium wave activated the capacitative calcium current, elevated calcium in the SPS, and activated calcium-activated potassium channels. A cell-attached patch clamp was used to monitor the outward current resulting from the calcium activation of these potassium channels. Calcium green-1 fluorescence was used to simultaneously monitor changes of the deep cytosolic calcium concentrations. Experiments were performed at varying concentrations of nifedipine (0-10 micromol/L). RESULTS: Nifedipine reduced outward potassium currents in a dose-dependent manner. Nifedipine at 100 nmol/L resulted in greater than a 50% reduction of outward current, indicating a significant inhibition of capacitative calcium entry at that concentration. Higher concentrations of nifedipine abolished outward current. Experiments designed to detect indirect effects of nifedipine on capacitative calcium entry were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Nifedipine block of capacitative calcium entry occurred at concentrations similar to those required to block L-type voltage-activated calcium channels. These data suggest that block of capacitative calcium entry may be an important mechanism of action when nifedipine is clinically used for tocolysis of preterm labor.

Calcium↗
PubMed1994

Smaller capacitors improve the biphasic waveform.

INTRODUCTION: Current implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) use relatively large capacitance values. Theoretical considerations suggest, however, that improved defibrillation energy requirements may be obtained with smaller capacitance values. METHODS AND RESULTS: We compared the energy requirement for defibrillation in a porcine model using a biphasic waveform generated from two capacitance values of 140 microF and 85 microF. Phase 1 reversal of the shock waveform occurred at 65% tilt. Phase 2 pulse width was equal to phase 1. Shocks were delivered through epicardial patch electrodes after 10 seconds of induced ventricular fibrillation. The defibrillation threshold (DFT) was determined by a "down-up" technique requiring three reversals of defibrillation success or failure. The DFT was defined as the average of the values obtained with all trials starting from the successful shock prior to the first failure to defibrillate to the last successful defibrillation. In eight experiments, the measured parameters at DFT were as follows. The average stored and delivered DFT energies for the 85 microF capacitor were 6.1 +/- 2.1 and 6.0 +/- 2.0 J, respectively, compared to 7.5 +/- 1.3 and 7.4 +/- 1.3 J for the 140 microF capacitor (P < 0.04). The phase 1 pulse widths were significantly shorter for the 85 microF capacitor (5.1 +/- 0.8 msec vs 9.2 +/- 1.3 msec) and the impedances were lower (54.4 +/- 5.8 omega vs 59.9 +/- 6.3 omega). The mean leading edge voltage was trending higher for the 85 microF capacitor, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (374 +/- 63 V vs 326 +/- 30 V; P = 0.055). CONCLUSION: Smaller capacitance values do result in lower energy requirements for the biphasic waveform, at a possibly higher leading edge voltage and a much shorter pulse width. Smaller capacitance values could represent a significant enhancement of well-established benefits demonstrated with the biphasic waveform.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effect of capacitor size and pathway resistance on defibrillation threshold for implantable defibrillators.

BACKGROUND: The time constant of truncated exponential pulses used with implantable defibrillators is determined by the output capacitor size and defibrillation pathway resistance. The optimal capacitor size is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study compared defibrillation threshold (DFT) for standard 120-microF capacitors (DFT120) and smaller 60-microF capacitors (DFT60) at implantation of cardioverter-defibrillators in 67 patients using epicardial electrodes (15 patients) or one of four transvenous electrode configurations (52 patients). Paired comparisons of DFT60 and DFT120 were made for 44 defibrillation pathways using monophasic pulses and for 53 pathways using biphasic pulses. Truncated exponential pulses with 65% tilt were used. Pooled data from all electrode configurations showed a significant inverse correlation between pathway resistance and the ratio of stored energy DFT60 to DFT120 (monophasic pulses: r = .75, P = .0001; biphasic pulses: r = .68, P = .0001). Data from all electrode configurations formed a continuum with 120-microF capacitors superior for low-resistance pathways and 60-microF capacitors superior for high-resistance pathways. For pathways with resistance < or = 40 omega, the modest advantage of 120-microF capacitors applied primarily to pathways with low DFTs: 8.2 +/- 6.1 versus 9.6 +/- 5.4 J (P = .001) for monophasic pulses and 4.1 +/- 2.8 versus 5.1 +/- 3.1 J (P < .02) for biphasic pulses. The greater advantage of 60-microF capacitors for pathways with resistance > or = 61 omega applied to pathways with higher DFTs: 12.4 +/- 4.3 versus 23.1 +/- 6.4 J (P = .0001) for monophasic pulses and 8.5 +/- 4.9 versus 12.5 +/- 6.4 J (P = .0001) for biphasic pulses. For pathways using monophasic 120-microF pulses versus 95% for 60-microF pulses. Similarly, the DFT was < or = 10 J for 48% of pathways using biphasic 120-microF capacitors versus 83% for 60-microF pulses. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with conventional 120-microF capacitors, 60-microF capacitors had clinically insignificant higher DFTs for low-resistance pathways and clinically important lower DFTs for high-resistance pathways. Optimal capacitance is inversely related to pathway resistance for clinical defibrillation pathways and waveforms.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

The fundamental operating principles of electronic root canal length measurement devices.

It is generally accepted that root canal treatment procedures should be confined within the root canal system. To achieve this objective the canal terminus must be detected accurately during canal preparation and precise control of working length during the process must be maintained. Several techniques have been used for determining the apical canal terminus including electronic methods. However, the fundamental electronic operating principles and classification of the electronic devices used in this method are often unknown and a matter of controversy. The basic assumption with all electronic length measuring devices is that human tissues have certain characteristics that can be modelled by a combination of electrical components. Therefore, by measuring the electrical properties of the model, such as resistance and impedance, it should be possible to detect the canal terminus. The root canal system is surrounded by dentine and cementum that are insulators to electrical current. At the minor apical foramen, however, there is a small hole in which conductive materials within the canal space (tissue, fluid) are electrically connected to the periodontal ligament that is itself a conductor of electric current. Thus, dentine, along with tissue and fluid inside the canal, forms a resistor, the value of which depends on their dimensions, and their inherent resistivity. When an endodontic file penetrates inside the canal and approaches the minor apical foramen, the resistance between the endodontic file and the foramen decreases, because the effective length of the resistive material (dentine, tissue, fluid) decreases. As well as resistive properties, the structure of the tooth root has capacitive characteristics. Therefore, various electronic methods have been developed that use a variety of other principles to detect the canal terminus. Whilst the simplest devices measure resistance, other devices measure impedance using either high frequency, two frequencies, or multiple frequencies. In addition, some systems use low frequency oscillation and/or a voltage gradient method to detect the canal terminus. The aim of this review was to clarify the fundamental operating principles of the different types of electronic systems that claim to measure canal length.

Dental Pulp Cavity↗
PubMed2004

Electrical characteristics of suburothelial cells isolated from the human bladder.

PURPOSE: We measured the membrane electrical characteristics as well as the response to adenosine triphosphate of cells isolated from the suburothelial layer of the bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Suburothelial cells were isolated from biopsy samples of human bladder by collagenase disruption. Electrophysiological measurements were done under current and voltage clamp to record membrane potential and ionic currents using patch pipettes with a K+ based filling solution. Intracellular [Ca2+] was measured with Fura-2. RESULTS: Cells were different from epithelial cells by their spindle-shaped appearance with projections at either end. The cells stained for vimentin but epithelial and smooth muscle cells did not. The cells had small membrane capacitance (27 +/- 16 pF) and a specific membrane resistance of 90 +/- 48 x 10(9) Omega cm2. Average membrane potential was -63 +/- 14 mV but cells showed spontaneous spikes or random fluctuations of membrane potential. A small net inward current was superimposed by a larger outward current. Inward current was attenuated by the removal of extracellular Ca. Outward current showed large spontaneous fluctuations and was greatly decreased by 30 mM tetraethyl ammonium chloride. Adenosine triphosphate (30 to 100 microM) elicited an inward current of about 50 pA and large intracellular Ca2+ transients. CONCLUSIONS: These cells are electrically active which, in conjunction with the previous observation of connexin 43 labeling, suggests that they could act as an electrical network. A quantitative model of voltage distribution in such a network after the generation of inward current suggests that individual cells could not act as pacemakers, but rather a group of simultaneously activated cells could exert a peripheral excitatory effect that would amplify the magnitude of the original response. The implications of this in terms of bladder sensation are discussed.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1987

Thermal dependence of passive electrical properties of lizard muscle fibres.

1. The thermal dependence of passive electrical properties was determined for twitch fibres from the white region of the iliofibularis (IF) muscle of Anolis cristatellus (15-35 degrees C) and Sceloporus occidentalis (15-40 degrees C), and for twitch fibres from the white (15-45 degrees C) and red (15-40 degrees C) regions of the IF of Dipsosaurus dorsalis. These species differ in thermal ecology, with Anolis being the least thermophilic and Dipsosaurus the most thermophilic. 2. Iliofibularis fibres from the three species reacted similarly to changing temperature. As temperature was increased, input resistance (Rin) decreased (average R10 = 0.7), length constant (L) decreased (average R10 = 0.9), time constant (tau) decreased (average R10 = 0.8), sarcoplasmic resistivity (Rs) decreased (average R10 = 0.8) and apparent membrane resistance (Rm) decreased (average R10 = 0.7). In contrast, apparent membrane capacitance (Cm) increased with increasing temperature (average R10 = 1.3). 3. Rin, L, tau and apparent Rm were lowest in fibres from Anolis (the least thermophilic species) and highest in fibres from Dipsosaurus (the most thermophilic species). Anolis had the largest and Dipsosaurus the smallest diameter fibres (126 and 57 micron, respectively). Apparent Cm was highest in fibres from Sceloporus, which had fibres of intermediate diameter (101 micron). Rs did not differ significantly among species. 4. The effect of temperature on the passive electrical properties of these lizard fibres was similar to that reported for muscle fibres from other ectothermic animals (crustaceans, insects, fish and amphibians) but qualitatively different from that reported for some mammalian (cat tenuissimus, goat intercostal) fibres. The changes that occur in the passive electrical properties render the fibres less excitable as temperature increases.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Origin of the dielectric dead layer in nanoscale capacitors.

Capacitors are a mainstay of electronic integrated circuits and devices, where they perform essential functions such as storing electrical charge, and blocking direct current while allowing alternating currents to propagate. Because they are often the largest components in circuits, extensive efforts are directed at reducing their size through the use of high-permittivity insulators such as perovskite-structure SrTiO3 (refs 1, 2), which should provide more capacitance per unit area of device. Unfortunately, most experiments on thin-film SrTiO3 capacitors have yielded capacitance values that are orders of magnitude smaller than expected. The microscopic origin of this reduced capacitance, which is often discussed in terms of a low-permittivity interfacial 'dead layer', is not well understood. Whether such a dead layer exists at all, and if so, whether it is an intrinsic property of an ideal metal-insulator interface or a result of processing issues such as defects and strains, are controversial questions. Here we present fully ab initio calculations of the dielectric properties of realistic SrRuO3/SrTiO3/SrRuO3 nanocapacitors, and show that the observed dramatic capacitance reduction is indeed an intrinsic effect. We demonstrate the existence of a dielectric dead layer by calculating the dielectric profile across the interface and analyse its origin by extracting the ionic and electronic contributions to the electrostatic screening. We establish a correspondence between the dead layer and the hardening of the collective SrTiO3 zone-centre polar modes, and determine the influence of the electrode by repeating our calculations for Pt/SrTiO3/Pt capacitors. Our results provide practical guidelines for minimizing the deleterious effects of the dielectric dead layer in nanoscale devices.

Journal Article↗