Methods and Phenomena Series

Methods of Surface Analysis deals with the determination of the composition of surfaces and the identification of species attached to the surface. The text applies methods of surface analysis to obtain a composition depth profile after various stages of ion etching or sputtering. The composition at the solid—solid interface is revealed by systematically removing atomic planes until the interface of interest is reached, in which the investigator can then determine its composition. The book reviews the effect of ion etching on the results obtained by any method of surface analysis including the effect of the rate of etching, incident energy of the bombarding ion, the properties of the solid, the effect of the ion etching on generating an output signal of electrons, ions, or neutrals. The text also describes the effect of the residual gases in the vacuum environment. The book considers the influence of the sample geometry, of the type (metal, insulator, semiconductor, organic), and of the atomic number can have on surface analysis. The text describes in detail low energy ion scattering spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy. The book can prove useful for researchers, technicians, and scientists whose works involve organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and other related fields of chemistry, such as physical chemistry or inorganic chemistry.

Methods and Phenomena, 3: Ultrasound: Its Applications in Medicine and Biology, Part II focuses on the applications of ultrasound in biology and medicine, including irradiation, acoustic attenuation, and impedance distribution. The selection first tackles selected non-thermal mechanisms of interaction of ultrasound and biological media, therapy with continuous wave ultrasound, and pulse echo visualization. Discussions focus on imaging properties, modes of operation, rationale for selecting ultrasound as a therapeutic agent, mechanical disarrangement of tissue structures, and wave distortion. The manuscript then examines a research approach to visualization of breast tumors by ultrasound methods, acoustic characterization of tissue at the microscopic level, and intense focused ultrasound. Concerns cover systems for irradiation with intense focused ultrasound, interaction of intense focused ultrasound and biological tissue, sonomicroscopic characterization of tissues, acoustic attenuation and impedance distribution, velocity of sound distribution, and methods of procedure. The book tackles cavitation and its effects on organized mammalian tissues and thermal mechanisms in ultrasound-tissue interactions. The selection is a valuable source of data for researchers interested in the applications of ultrasound in biology and medicine.

Methods and Phenomena, 4: Their Applications in Science and Technology: Microweighing in Vacuum and Controlled Environments focuses on the principles, methodologies, and approaches involved in micro mass measurements. The selection first elaborates on introduction and microbalance review, beam microbalance design, construction and operation, and sources of error in microweighing in controlled environments. Discussions focus on Brownian motion, Knudsen forces, gravitational forces, microbalance construction and operation, auxiliary equipment for operation of a vacuum microbalance, undesirable disturbances or forces, calibration techniques, and classification of various types of microbalances. The text then takes a look at physical adsorption studies and chemisorption studies with the vacuum microbalance, simultaneous microgravimetric and residual gas analyzer measurements, and simultaneous measurement of mass change and infrared spectra. Topics include chemisorption results obtained on other solids and silver powders, probing the surface phase, quantitative information from adsorption and desorption, measuring techniques, and examples of physisorption measurements and their evaluation. The manuscript examines unusual applications of the vacuum microbalance and high temperature reaction studies, as well as empirical and theoretical rate laws, permeation of water vapor through plastic membranes, and measurement of permittivity and dielectric loss factor. The selection is a valuable source of data for researchers wanting to explore microweighing in vacuum and controlled environments.

Applications of Piezoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalances deals with the theory, design, artifacts, and varied applications of the piezoelectric quartz crystal microbalance. Applications of microbalances range from thin film deposition process control to simultaneous measurement of mass and temperature, analytical chemistry, and space system contamination studies. Stress effects in microbalances are also considered. Comprised of 10 chapters, this volume begins with a historical background and overview of applications of piezoelectric quartz crystal microbalances, followed by an analysis of the theory and practice of microbalances. The role of acoustic impedance in a quartz crystal microbalance and design considerations for a microbalance are given emphasis. Subsequent chapters focus on applications of microbalances in thin film deposition process control; simultaneous measurement of mass and temperature; surface science and analytical chemistry; plasma-assisted etching and space system contamination studies; and aerosol mass measurement. This monograph will be of interest to students and practitioners of physics, chemistry, and materials science.