Biomedical subjects

Horst Conrad

Publications and source records attributed to Horst Conrad.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Identification of subsurface oxygen species created during oxidation of Ru(0001).

The oxidation states formed during low-temperature oxidation (T < 500 K) of a Ru(0001) surface are identified with photoelectron spectromicroscopy and thermal desorption (TD) spectroscopy. Adsorption and consecutive incorporation of oxygen are studied following the distinct chemical shifts of the Ru 3d(5/2) core levels of the two topmost Ru layers. The evolution of the Ru 3d(5/2) spectra with oxygen exposure at 475 K and the corresponding O2 desorption spectra reveal that about 2 ML of oxygen incorporate into the subsurface region, residing between the first and second Ru layer. Our results suggest that the subsurface oxygen binds to the first and second layer Ru atoms, yielding a metastable surface "oxide", which represents the oxidation state of an atomically well ordered Ru(0001) surface under low-temperature oxidation conditions. Accumulation of more than 3 ML of oxygen is possible via defect-promoted penetration below the second layer when the initial Ru(0001) surface is disordered. Despite its higher capacity for oxygen accumulation, also the disordered Ru surface does not show features characteristic for the crystalline RuO2 islands. Development of lateral heterogeneity in the oxygen concentration is evidenced by the Ru 3d(5/2) images and microspot spectra after the onset of oxygen incorporation, which becomes very pronounced when the oxidation is carried out at T > 550 K. This is attributed to facilitated O incorporation and oxide nucleation in microregions with a high density of defects.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Microstructured switchable mirror for polar molecules.

By miniaturizing electrode geometries high electric fields can be produced using modest voltages. A planar array of 20 microm wide gold electrodes, spaced 20 microm apart, is made on a sapphire substrate. A voltage difference of up to 350 V is applied to adjacent electrodes, generating an electric field that decreases exponentially with distance from the substrate. This microstructured array can be used as a mirror for polar molecules and can be rapidly switched on and off. This is demonstrated by retro-reflecting a beam of state-selected ammonia molecules with a forward velocity of about 30 m/s.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Oxide-free oxygen incorporation into Ru(0001).

A smooth Ru(0001) surface prepared under ultra-high vacuum conditions has been loaded with oxygen under high-pressure (p approximately 1 bar) and low-temperature (T < 600 K) conditions. Oxygen phases created in this way have been investigated by means of thermal desorption spectroscopy, low-energy electron diffraction, and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. The exposure procedures applied lead to oxygen incorporation into the subsurface region without creation of RuO2 domains. For oxygen exposures ranging from 10(11) to 10(14) L oxygen contents up to about 4 monolayer equivalent could be achieved. The oxygen incorporation is thermally activated. The CO oxidation reaction conducted at mild temperatures (T < 500 K) at a sample loaded with subsurface oxygen reaches CO --> CO2 conversion probabilities of 10(-3).

Journal Article↗