High-Quantum Efficiency of the Plasmonic Photodetectors-Based on Coupling Between Ag Nanoparticles and Ag Nanograting Electrodes

The plasmonic effects due to the coupling of silver spherical nanoparticles with silver nanograting electrodes on active medium of the photo detector are investigated. Calculations show that the coupling of nanoparticles and nanograting electrodes at the surface of active medium lead to reflection wave into the active medium, and electrodes can participate in the absorption and quantum efficiency. Calculations show that the addition of nanograting electrodes to the structure can lead to increase the absorption coefficient up to 120% respect to the plasmonic structure containing only nanoparticles and about 4.5 times that of conventional (metal-semiconductor -metal ) MSM photo detectors.

     

Ultra-compact Spatial Terahertz Switch Based on Graphene Plasmonic-Coupled Waveguide

We are proposing graphene (G)-based multilayered plasmonic spatial switch, operating at 10 THz. It is composed of hBN/Ag/hBN/G/hBN/G/hBN/SiO₂/p⁺-Si multilayers. When a 10-THz transverse magnetic (TM)-polarized signal is normally incident upon the structure top surface, the nanoaperture devised in the Ag nanolayer, acting as a grating, excites surface plasmons at the top graphene micro-ribbons/hBN interface. These surface plasmons depending on the graphenes chemical potentials can be coupled to the lower-right or left graphene micro-ribbons and continue to propagate laterally towards the corresponding output port. Numerical simulations show that a change of ∆V_G ≈ ± 2.7 V in the voltage, applied to the gated micro-ribbons, can modulate their chemical potentials sufficiently to switch the right (left) output port from ON (OFF) to OFF(ON) and vice versa. Besides its low power consumption, the switch ultra-small dimensions make it a potential spatial router suitable for THz-integrated circuit applications.

     

Curcumin: A new candidate for retinal disease therapy?

The retina is the neural portion and light-sensitive layer of the eye, which has been observed in most of the vertebrates. The retina is composed of light-sensitive cells that absorb light and convert it into neural signals. These signals are sent to the brain for visual recognition. It has been shown that many pathogenesis conditions, including inflammation, angiogenesis, oxidative stress, and imbalanced histone modifications in the retina are associated with initiation and progression of retinal diseases (ie, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration). Currently available treatments include laser surgery, freezing, stem-cell therapy, shrinking abnormal blood vessels. It has some limitations, such as invasive methods, high costs, and many side effects. Hence, finding a new therapeutic platform for stopping or slowing of the disease progression is required. Curcumin is a natural product, which is associated with a wide range of properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and antitumor activates. It exerts therapeutic effects via activation/inhibition cellular and molecular targets involved in various diseases, such as retinal diseases. Increasing evidence revealed that curcumin can be used as a therapeutic option in the treatment of different retinal diseases. Here, we summarized various clinical and preclinical studies that used curcumin as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of retinal disorders.     

Effect of salinity and temperature variations on Pterocladia capillacea

Summary At high salinities and high temperatures, the growth rate of Pterocladia was high, the tips of branch initials were dilated and holdfasts broadened. By the end of the fourth week bleaching of the whole plant was complete.Under low salinities and low temperatures, the rate of vegetative growth was decreased, the cuticle was thin and food reserve was centrally accumulated in the cells.Under high salinities and low temperatures, the rate of growth was greatly reduced and cells were devoid of food reserve. Defoliation of lateral branches was frequent.Under low salinities and high temperatures, the rate of growht was rather high and cells were relatively large.