Pentacene stands out as a model molecule among organic semiconductors due to its ability to form well-ordered films that show a high field effect mobility. We discuss the processes involved in pentacene film growth, emphasizing differences with respect to inorganic films. The influence of growth parameters such as the substrate nature and temperature, the deposition rate, and the kinetic energy of the molecular beam on the structure and morphology of pentacene films are discussed. Finally, we overview recent attempts to model pentacene film nucleation and growth, and draw attention to the role of dislocations.

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In this work, we present a simple approach for devising order parameters (OPs) for atomic systems based on pattern recognition techniques. It exploits the fact that all crystalline substances are characterized by a unique “signature” cell (SC) which is constructed using a central atom and its nearest NSC neighbors in a given crystal. The algorithm measures the local degree of similarity between a SC and the system to be analyzed. The best fit of a SC to NSC atoms surrounding a given atom in the system is determined by maximizing a fictitious energy of binding among those atoms and the SC atoms. The fictitious potential energy is designed to give maximum attractive energy for maximum overlap. The maximum binding energy of interaction attained in this process is used as a measure of similarity between the crystal structure and the system (i.e., as an OP). The proposed method provides a unified and intuitive approach for constructing relevant OPs for a given system. We used these OPs to characterize the order of different phases in the Lennard-Jones system and in a model silicon system. It is shown that these novel OPs give a more complete description and a better understanding of the structural order in amorphous silicon than conventional OPs.

Aggressive angiomyxoma (AAM) is an uncommon mesenchymal tumor that predominantly involves the pelvis and perineum of young females. It is often clinically mistaken for more common superficial lesions such as vaginal cysts, labial cysts, and lipomas. A review of the medical literature reveals very few cases of AAM reported in pregnancy. We describe a rare case of AAM in pregnancy, clinically misdiagnosed as prolapsed cervical fibroid.

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Virtual samples of approximations to real amorphous silicon, a-Si, have been prepared using several different processing routes. These include a fast quench from the melt followed by a long slow annealing period using molecular dynamics, a Reverse Monte Carlo approach, and an ab initio minimization. The characterization of these virtual a-Si samples includes a consideration of structural data (the radial distribution function, angular order, etc.), electronic properties (through the density of states), and thermodynamic information (chiefly the nature of the phase transformation from a-Si to liquid). The properties of a-Si are compared to network models, via the continuous random network model, and to experiment. We investigated the stability of virtual a-Si and consider its implications for use in future simulation studies. We have demonstrated the necessity for the accuracy provided by ab initio-based models to describe the interatomic potentials. Throughout this study, we have monitored the role of order in determining physical properties, as characterized by traditional routes (such as angular correlations) and more novel ones (the signature cell method).

The OPE signature of a lithographic stepper or scanner has become a very important characteristic of the tool, as it determines the OPC correction to be applied to reticles exposed on that tool. The signature depends on a variety of detailed information about the scanner lens and illuminator, which in turn depend on the characteristics of the illumination light from the laser.Specifically, changes in the laser bandwidth should impact OPE as the lens exhibits some chromatic aberration. Tool-totool differences and time fluctuation of the laser bandwidth could cause variations in OPE tool matching and stability.To assess this, a detailed study of laser bandwidth effects on OPE was performed. A sensitive spectrometer was connected to a litho laser, allowing careful measurements of both the FWHM and E 95 parameters of the laser spectral profile.Lithographic modeling using the chromatic response of the lens was run in order to predict effects. Exposures of CD through pitch were made to test the modeling. Finally, the bandwidth data was correlated with litho sensitivity to create a "bandwidth effect", put in context with the other common scanner parameters affecting OPE.