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Background and Objective Generalized argyria is a blue-gray hyperpigmentation of the skin resulting from ingestion or application of silver compounds, such as silver colloid. Case reports have noted improvement after Q-Switched Neodymium--Yttrium Aluminum Garnet laser (1064nm QS Nd:YAG) laser treatment to small surface areas. No reports have objectively monitored laser treatment of generalized argyria over large areas of skin, nor have long-term outcomes been evaluated. Study Design/Materials and Methods An incremental treatment plan was developed for a subject suffering from argyria. A quantitative near infrared spectroscopic measurement technique was employed to non-invasively analyze tissue-pigment characteristics pre- and post-laser treatment. Post-treatment measurements were collected at weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4, and again at 1 year. Results Immediate apparent removal of pigment was observed with 1 Q-switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser treatment (3-6 mm spot; 0.8-2 J/cm2) per area. Entire face, neck, upper chest and arms were treated over multiple sessions. Treatments were very painful and general anesthesia was utilized in order to treat large areas. Near-infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize and quantify the concentration of silver particles in the dermis based on the absorption features of the silver particles as well as the optical scattering effects they impart. We were able to estimate that there was, on average, 0.042 mg/mL concentration of silver prior to treatment and that these levels went below the minimum detectable limit of the instrument post-treatment. There was no recurrence of discoloration over the 1-year study period. Conclusion QS 1064 nm laser treatment of argyria is a viable method to restore normal skin pigmentation with no evidence of recurrence over study period. Quantitative spectroscopic measurements, 1) confirmed dyspigmentation was due to silver, 2) validated our clinical assessment of no recurrence up to one year post-treatment and 3) indicated no collateral tissue damage with treatments.

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Alternating layers of Ge quantum dots embedded in either Al2O3 or AlN matrices were deposited on sapphire substrates by pulsed-laser deposition. The characteristics of the dots are shown to be independent of the surrounding matrix. The dots size (73, 130, 160, and 260 ű5%) was controlled by the laser energy density and deposition time, and was characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The dots were single crystalline with no apparent GeOx interfacial layers. Transmission spectroscopy at room temperature and 77 K was used to probe the above-band-edge absorption of the Ge nanodots. The spectral positions of both E1/E1+Δ1 and E2 transitions were found to shift to higher energy in the absorption spectra with decreasing nanodot sizes. This indicates that strong quantum-confinement effect permits the optical properties of Ge dots to be modified in a controlled manner.

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Effect of Si-spacer thickness on optical properties of multistacked Ge quantum dots grown by rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition Effect of substrate roughness on photoluminescence spectra of silicon nanocrystals grown by off axis pulsed laser deposition

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