Catalin Constantinescu

Bessel-like photonic nanojets from core-shell sub-wavelength spheres.

It is accepted so far that the formation of photonic nanojets requires the use of large dielectric spheres (several wavelengths in diameter). Here we show both numerically and experimentally that similar effects can be obtained with properly engineered sub-wavelength core-shell colloids. The design of the spheres is strongly inspired by a far-field approach for the generation of Bessel beams.

MAPLE-based method to obtain biodegradable hybrid polymeric thin films with embedded antitumoral agents

In this work, antitumor compounds, lactoferrin [recombinant iron-free (Apo-rLf)], cisplatin (Cis) or their combination were embedded within a biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer thin film, by a modified approach of a laser-based technique, matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE). The structural and morphological properties of the deposited hybrid films were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The in vitro effect on the cells’ morphology and proliferation of murine melanoma B16-F10 cells was investigated and correlated with the films’ surface chemistry and topography. Biological assays revealed decreased viability and proliferation, lower adherence, and morphological modifications in the case of melanoma cells cultured on both Apo-rLf and Cis thin films. The antitumor effect was enhanced by deposition of Apo-rLf with Cis within the same film. The unique capability of the new approach, based on MAPLE, to embed antitumor active factors within a biodegradable matrix for obtaining novel biodegradable hybrid platform with increased antitumor efficiency has been demonstrated.

Polyvinylphenol (PVP) microcapacitors printed by laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT): multilayered pixel design and thermal analysis investigations

Ag/polyvinylphenol (PVP) multilayered pixels are printed by laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) technique for thin film microcapacitor applications. The third harmonic (3 omega/355 nm, tau = 50 ps) of a solid state neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser source is employed throughout our LIFT experiments. By selecting adequate printing parameters (e.g. donor thickness, laser fluence, background pressure), we show how functional microcapacitors are fabricated. At similar to 350 mu m in lateral size and 300 nm thickness of the dielectric film, the pixels have capacities in the picofarad range. We discuss the laser influence during the pixel transfer process and highlight the polymers thermal behaviour.

A study on matrix assisted pulsed evaporation (MAPLE) of organic materials

Organic films can be produced either by MAPLE or directly by PLD (Pulsed laser deposition). For a reasonable deposition rate of ng/cm2 per pulse for film production by MAPLE a fluence of 1-1.5 J/cm2 is required at the laser wavelength of 355 nm, while the fluence can be considerably lower at 248 nm. At high fluence the deposition rate of proteins by MAPLE seems to decrease. The surface roughness is still an issue, but at low fluence it seems to be acceptable. The fragmentation rate increases with fluence, and seems to be less pronounced for MAPLE than for PLD. Also this issue is not yet resolved.