Robert Guild Copeland

Characterization of electron emission from planar amorphous carbon thin films using in situ scanning electron microscopy

Electron emission characteristics combined with in situ scanning electron microscope images have been measured on a series of amorphous carbon films grown by pulsed laser deposition. Uniform, reproducible current–voltage characteristics without morphological damage are only observed with sequential voltage ramps ⩽5 V/s for anode-cathode gaps of 10–200 μm. The field threshold and emission barrier increase with laser energy density used during film growth. This dependence of emission parameters on film growth conditions appears to be correlated with the presence of conducting filaments extending through the film thickness.

Characterizing corrosion behavior under atmospheric conditions using electrochemical techniques

Abstract AC and DC electrochemical experiments were performed as a function of humidity and contaminant concentration in an effort to identify the range of atmospheric environments where corrosion processes could be detected and possibly quantified. AC measurements exhibited two time constants at 25% relative humidity (RH), possibly indicating the ability to resolve both electrolyte resistance and interfacial impedance. Galvanic current measurements were sensitive to the presence of Cl 2(g) at 30% RH and electrochemical transients were detected at both 30% and 50% RH levels, also indicating sensitivity to interfacial processes. Higher humidity levels allowed better quantification due to decreasing electrolyte and interfacial impedances.

A Semiconductor Microlaser for Intracavity Flow Cytometry

Semiconductor microlasers are attractive components for micro- analysis systems because of their ability to emit coherent, intense light from a small aperture. By using a surface- emitting semiconductor geometry, we were able to incorporate fluid flow inside a laser microcavity for the first time. This confers significant advantages for high throughput screening of cells, particulates and fluid analytes in a sensitive microdevice. In this paper we discuss the intracavity microfluidics and present preliminary results with flowing blood and brain cells.

Nanosqueezed light for probing mitochondria and calcium-induced membrane swelling for study of neuroprotectants

We report a new bioMEMs nanolaser technique for measuring characteristics of small organelles. We have initially applied the method to study mitochondria, a very small (500nm to 1um) organelle containing the respiration apparatus for animal cells. Because the mitochondria are so tiny, it has been difficult to study them using standard light microscope or flow cytometry techniques. We employ a recently discovered a nano-optical transduction method for high-speed analysis of submicron organelles. This ultrasensitive detection of submicron particles uses nano-squeezing of light into photon modes imposed by the ultrasmall organelle dimensions in a submicron laser cavity. In this paper, we report measurements of mitochondria spectra under normal conditions and under high calcium ion gradient conditions that upset membrane homeostasis and lead to organelle swelling and lysis, similar to that observed in the diseased state. The measured spectra are compared with our calculations of the electromagnetic modes in normal and distended mitochondria using multiphysics finite element methods.

Biocompatible semiconductor optoelectronics

We investigate optoelectronic properties of integrated structures comprising semiconductor light-emitting materials for optical probes of microscopic biological systems. Compound semiconductors are nearly ideal light emitters for probing cells and other microorganisms because of their spectral match to the transparency wavelengths of biomolecules. Unfortunately, the chemical composition of these materials is incompatible with the biochemistry of cells and related biofluids. To overcome these limitations, we investigate functionalized semiconductor surfaces and structures to simultaneously enhance light emission and the flow of biological fluids in semiconductor microcavities. We have identified several important materials problems associated with the semiconductor/biosystem interface. One is the biofluid degradation of electroluminescence by ionic diffusion into compound semiconductors. Ions that diffuse into the active region of a semiconductor light emitter can create point defects that degrade the quantum efficiency of the radiative recombination process. In this paper we discuss ways of mitigating these problems using materials design and surface chemistry, and suggest future applications for these materials.

Mitochondrial correlation as a biophotonic marker for detecting cancer in a single cell

Currently, pathologists rely on labor-intensive microscopic examination of tumor cells using century-old staining methods that can give false readings. Emerging BioMicroNanotechnologies have the potential to provide accurate, realtime, high throughput screening of tumor cells without invasive chemical reagents. These techniques are critical to advancing early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Using our award-winning Hyperspectral Inceptor to rapidly assess the properties of cells flown through a micro/nano semiconductor device, we discovered a method to rapidly assess the health of a single mammalian cell. The key discovery was the elucidation of biophotonic differences in normal and cancer cells by using intracellular mitochondria as biomarkers for disease. This technique holds promise for detecting cancer at a very early stage and could nearly eliminate delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Quantum Squeezed Light for Probing Mitochondrial Membranes and Study of Neuroprotectants

We report a new nanolaser technique for measuring characteristics of human mitochondria. Because mitochondria are so small, it has been difficult to study large populations using standard light microscope or flow cytometry techniques. We recently discovered a nano-optical transduction method for high-speed analysis of submicron organelles that is well suited to mitochondrial studies. This ultrasensitive detection technique uses nano-squeezing of light into photon modes imposed by the ultrasmall organelle dimensions in a semiconductor biocavity laser. In this paper, we use the method to study the lasing spectra of normal and diseased mitochondria. We find that the diseased mitochondria exhibit larger physical diameter and standard deviation. This morphological differences are also revealed in the lasing spectra. The diseased specimens have a larger spectral linewidth than the normal, and have more variability in their statistical distributions.

Degradation of optoelectronic properties of semiconductors by biofluids and mitigation by polymer overlayers

We are investigating optoelectronic properties of integrated structures comprising semiconductor light-emitting materials for optical probes of microscopic biological systems. Compound semiconductors are nearly ideal light emitters for probing cells and other microorganisms because of their spectral match to the transparency wavelengths of biomolecules. Unfortunately, the chemical composition of these materials is incompatible with the biochemistry of cells and related biofluids. To overcome these limitations, we are investigating functionalized semiconductor surfaces and structures to simultaneously enhance light emission and flow of biological fluids in semiconductor micro cavities. We have identified several important materials problems associated with the semiconductor/biosystem interface. One is the biofluid degradation of electroluminescence by ionic diffusion into compound semiconductors. Ions that diffuse into the active region of a semiconductor light emitter can create point defects that degrade the quantum efficiency of the radiative recombination process. This paper discusses ways of mitigating these problems using materials design and surface chemistry.