• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.spc8
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• pp.2941-2948
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• 2011

A nanogap formed by a metal nanoparticle and a flat metal substrate is one kind of "hot site" for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The characteristics of a typical nanogap formed by a planar Au and either an Au and Ag nanoparticle have been well studied using 4-aminobenzenethiol (4-ABT) as a probe. 4-ABT is, however, an unusual molecule in the sense that its SERS spectral feature is dependent not only on the kinds of SERS substrates but also on the measurement conditions; thus further characterization is required using other adsorbate molecules such as 1,4-phenylenediisocyanide (1,4-PDI). In fact, no Raman signal was observable when 1,4-PDI was selfassembled on a flat Au substrate, but a distinct spectrum was obtained when 60 nm-sized Au or Ag nanoparticles were adsorbed on the pendent -NC groups of 1,4-PDI. This is definitely due to the electromagnetic coupling between the localized surface plasmon of Au or Ag nanoparticle with the surface plasmon polariton of the planar Au substrate, allowing an intense electric field to be induced in the gap between them. A higher Raman signal was observed when Ag nanoparticles were attached to 1,4-PDI, irrespective of the excitation wavelength, and especially the highest Raman signal was measured at the 632.8 nm excitation (with the enhancement factor on the order of ${\sim}10^3$), followed by the excitation at 568 and 514.5 nm, in agreement with the finite-difference timedomain calculation. From a separate potential-dependent SERS study, the voltage applied to the planar Au appeared to be transmitted without loss to the Au or Ag nanoparticles, and from the study of the effect of volatile organics, the voltage transmission from Au or Ag nanoparticles to the planar Au also appeared as equally probable to that from the planar Au to the Au or Ag nanoparticles in a nanogap electrode. The response of the Au-Ag nanogap to the external stimuli was, however, not the same as that of the Au-Au nanogap.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.227-234
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• 2010

The vertical response spectra using the observed ground motions from the recent more than 30 macro earthquakes were analysed and then were compared both to the seismic design response spectra (Reg Guide 1.60), applied to the domestic nuclear power plants, and to the Korean Standard Design Response Spectrum for general structures and buildings (1997). 176 vertical ground motions, without considering soil types, were used for normalization with respect to the peak acceleration value of each ground motion. The results showed that response spectrum had strong dependency on epicentral distance. The results also showed that the vertical response spectra revealed much higher values for frequency bands above 5~7 Hz than Reg. Guide (1.60). The results were also compared to the Korean Standard Response Spectrum for the 3 different soil types and showed that the vertical response spectra revealed much higher values for the frequency bands below 0.2 second (5 Hz) than the Korean Standard Response Spectrum (SD soil condition). These frequency-dependent spectral values could be related to the characteristics of the domestic crustal attenuation and the effect of each site amplification. However, through the qualitative improvements and quantitative enhancement of the observed ground motions, the conservation of vertical seismic design response spectrum should be considered more significantly for the frequency bands above 5 Hz.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.207-222
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• 2018

In this study, light absorption of carbonaceous species in $PM_{2.5}$ was investigated using a dual-spot 7-wavelength Aethalometer(model AE33) with 1-min time interval between January 01 and September 30, 2017 at an urban site of Gwangju. During the study period, two Asian dust (AD) events occurred in April (AD I) and May (AD II), respectively, during which light absorption in total suspended particles was observed. Black carbon (BC) was the dominant light absorbing aerosol component at all wavelengths over the study period. Light absorption coefficients by aerosol particles were found to have 2.7~3.3 times higher at 370 nm than at 880 nm. This would be attributed to light absorbing organic aerosols, which is called brown carbon (BrC), as well as BC as absorbing agents of aerosol particles. Monthly average absorption ${{\AA}}ngstr{\ddot{o}}m$ exponent ($AAE_{370-950nm}$) calculated over wavelength range of 370~950 nm ranged from 1.10 to 1.35, which was lower than the $AAE_{370-520nm}$ values ranging from 1.19~1.68 that was enhanced due to the presence of BrC. The estimated $AAE_{370-660nm}$ of BrC ranged from 2.2 to 7.5 with an average of 4.22, which was fairly consistent to the values reported by previous studies. The BrC absorption at 370 nm contributed 10.4~28.4% to the total aerosol absorption, with higher contribution in winter and spring and lower in summer. Average $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were $108{\pm}36$ and $24{\pm}14{\mu}g/m^3$ during AD I, respectively, and $164{\pm}66$ and $43{\pm}26{\mu}g/m^3$ during AD II, respectively, implying the greater contribution of local pollution and/or regional pollution to $PM_{2.5}$ during the AD II. BC concentration and aerosol light absorption at 370 nm were relatively high in AD II, compared to those in AD I. Strong spectral dependence of aerosol light absorption was clearly found during the two AD events. $AAE_{370-660nm}$ of both light absorbing organic aerosols and dust particles during the AD I and II was $4.8{\pm}0.5$ and $6.2{\pm}0.7$, respectively. Higher AAE value during the AD II could be attributed to mixed enhanced urban pollution and dust aerosols. Absorption contribution by the light absorbing organic and dust aerosols estimated at 370 nm to the total light absorption was approximately 19% before and after the AD events, but it increased to 32.9~35.0% during the AD events. In conclusion, results from this study support enhancement of the aerosol light absorption due to Asian dust particles observed at the site.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.324-325
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• 2014

Quantum wells infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) have been used to detect infrared radiations through the principle based on the localized stated in quantum wells (QWs) [1]. The mature III-V compound semiconductor technology used to fabricate these devices results in much lower costs, larger array sizes, higher pixel operability, and better uniformity than those achievable with competing technologies such as HgCdTe. Especially, GaAs/AlGaAs QWIPs have been extensively used for large focal plane arrays (FPAs) of infrared imaging system. However, the research efforts for increasing sensitivity and operating temperature of the QWIPs still have pursued. The modification of heterostructures [2] and the various fabrications for preventing polarization selection rule [3] were suggested. In order to enhance optical performances of the QWIPs, double barrier quantum well (DBQW) structures will be introduced as the absorption layers for the suggested QWIPs. The DBWQ structure is an adequate solution for photodetectors working in the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) region and broadens the responsivity spectrum [4]. In this study, InGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs double barrier quantum well infrared photodetectors (DB-QWIPs) are successfully fabricated and characterized. The heterostructures of the InGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs DB-QWIPs are grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) system. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy is used to examine the heterostructures of the InGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs DB-QWIP. The mesa-type DB-QWIPs (Area : $2mm{\times}2mm$) are fabricated by conventional optical lithography and wet etching process and Ni/Ge/Au ohmic contacts were evaporated onto the top and bottom layers. The dark current are measured at different temperatures and the temperature and applied bias dependence of the intersubband photocurrents are studied by using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) system equipped with cryostat. The photovoltaic behavior of the DB-QWIPs can be observed up to 120 K due to the generated built-in electric field caused from the asymmetric heterostructures of the DB-QWIPs. The fabricated DB-QWIPs exhibit spectral photoresponses at wavelengths range from 3 to $7{\mu}m$. Grating structure formed on the window surface of the DB-QWIP will induce the enhancement of optical responses.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.190-194
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• 2009

Gamma spectral results for macroalgae samples taken from the environment of Ulchin nuclear power plants in Korea (east coast), showed 766 keV peaks, which were identified as $^{95}Nb$ by several research institutes. After the enhancement of liquid radioactive waste disposal facility at Ulchin NPP site, the $^{95}Nb$ amount in the liquid radioactive waste outflow has drastically reduced, but the expected reduction in $^{95}Nb$ specific activity from environmental samples did not actually show up on gamma spectroscopy. Detailed re-investigation revealed that along with 766 keV peak, other peaks (63, 92 and 1001 keV) from $^{234}Th-^{234}mPa$ decay series were also detected on spectroscopy, and that the measured half lives of the four peaks were very close to known half life of $^{234}Th-^{234}mPa$ decay series, which is 24.1 day. The measured gamma yield ratios of 766 keV peak to 1001 peak were very close to known ratio 0.35 for $^{234}mPa$. It is concluded that 766 keV peaks on gamma spectroscopy of Ulchin NPP environmental samples were mainly from $^{234}mPa$, which is one of naturally occurring radionuclides.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.399-407
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• 2010

The horizontal response spectra using the observed ground motions from the recent more than 19 macro earthquakes were analysed and then were compared to both the seismic design response spectra (Reg Guide 1.60), applied to the domestic nuclear power plants, and the Korean Standard Design Response Spectrum for general structures and buildings (1997). 130 horizontal ground motions, without considering soil types, were used for normalization with respect to the peak acceleration value of each ground motion. The results showed that response spectrum have strong dependency on epicentral distance. The results also showed that the horizontal response spectra revealed much higher values for frequency bands above 5 Hz than Reg. Guide (1.60). The results were also compared to the Korean Standard Response Spectrum for the 3 different soil types and showed that the vertical response spectra revealed much higher values for the frequency bands below 0.3 second than the Korean Standard Response Spectrum (SD soil condition). These spectral values dependent on frequency could be related to characteristics of the domestic crustal attenuation and the effect of each site amplification. However, through the qualitative improvements and quantitative enhancement of the observed ground motions, the conservation of horizontal seismic design response spectrum should be considered more significantly for the frequency bands above 5 Hz.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.8-19
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• 2008

Purpose : To investigate the 3-bond and spatial connectivity of human brain metabolites by scalar coupling and dipolar nuclear Overhauser effect/enhancement (NOE) interaction through 2D- correlation spectroscopy (COSY) and 2D- NOE spectroscopy (NOESY) techniques. Materials and Methods : All 2D experiments were performed on Bruker Avance 500 (11.8 T) with the zshield gradient triple resonance cryoprobe at 298 K. Human brain metabolites were prepared with 10% $D_2O$. Two-dimensional spectra with 2048 data points contains 320 free induction decay (FID) averaging. Repetition delay was 2 sec. The Top Spin 2.0 software was used for post-processing. Total 7 metabolites such as N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), choline (Cho), lutamine (Gln), glutamate (Glu), myo-inositol (Ins), and lactate (Lac) were included for major target metabolites. Results : Symmetrical 2D-COSY and 2D-NOESY pectra were successfully acquired: COSY cross peaks were observed in the only 1.0-4.5 ppm, however, NOESY cross peaks were observed in the 1.0-4.5 ppm and 7.9 ppm. From the result of the 2-D COSY data, cross peaks between the methyl protons ($CH_3$(3)) at 1.33 ppm and methine proton (CH(2)) at 4.11 ppm were observed in Lac. Cross peaks between the methylene protons (CH2(3,$H{\alpha}$)) at 2.50ppm and methylene protons ($CH_2$,(3,$H_B$)) at 2.70 ppm were observed in NAA. Cross peaks between the methine proton (CH(5)) at 3.27 ppm and the methine proton (CH(4,6)) at 3.59 ppm, between the methine proton (CH(1,3)) at 3.53 ppm and methine proton (CH(4,6)) at 3.59 ppm, and between the methine proton (CH(1,3)) at 3.53 ppm and methine proton (CH(2)) at 4.05 ppm were observed in Ins. From the result of 2-D NOESY data, cross peaks between the NH proton at 8.00 ppm and methyl protons ($CH_3$) were observed in NAA. Cross peaks between the methyl protons ($CH_3$(3)) at 1.33 ppm and methine proton (CH(2)) at 4.11 ppm were observed in Lac. Cross peaks between the methyl protons (CH3) at 3.03 ppm and methylene protons (CH2) at 3.93 ppm were observed in Cr. Cross peaks between the methylene protons ($CH_2$(3)) at 2.11 ppm and methylene protons ($CH_2$(4)) at 2.35 ppm, and between the methylene protons($CH_2$ (3)) at 2.11 ppm and methine proton (CH(2)) at 3.76 ppm were observed in Glu. Cross peaks between the methylene protons (CH2 (3)) at 2.14 ppm and methine proton (CH(2)) at 3.79 ppm were observed in Gln. Cross peaks between the methine proton (CH(5)) at 3.27 ppm and the methine proton (CH(4,6)) at 3.59 ppm, and between the methine proton (CH(1,3)) at 3.53 ppm and methine proton (CH(2)) at 4.05 ppm were observed in Ins. Conclusion : The present study demonstrated that in vitro 2D-COSY and NOESY represented the 3-bond and spatial connectivity of human brain metabolites by scalar coupling and dipolar NOE interaction. This study could aid in better understanding the interactions between human brain metabolites in vivo 2DCOSY study.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2004

Purpose : The quantization noise in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems is analyzed. The signal-to-quantization noise ratio (SQNR) in the reconstructed image is derived from the level of quantization in the signal in spatial frequency domain. Based on the derived formula, the SQNRs in various main magnetic fields with different receiver systems are evaluated. From the evaluation, the quantization noise could be a major noise source determining overall system signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in high field MRI system. A few methods to reduce the quantization noise are suggested. Materials and methods : In Fourier imaging methods, spin density distribution is encoded by phase and frequency encoding gradients in such a way that it becomes a distribution in the spatial frequency domain. Thus the quantization noise in the spatial frequency domain is expressed in terms of the SQNR in the reconstructed image. The validity of the derived formula is confirmed by experiments and computer simulation. Results : Using the derived formula, the SQNRs in various main magnetic fields with various receiver systems are evaluated. Since the quantization noise is proportional to the signal amplitude, yet it cannot be reduced by simple signal averaging, it could be a serious problem in high field imaging. In many receiver systems employing analog-to-digital converters (ADC) of 16 bits/sample, the quantization noise could be a major noise source limiting overall system SNR, especially in a high field imaging. Conclusion : The field strength of MRI system keeps going higher for functional imaging and spectroscopy. In high field MRI system, signal amplitude becomes larger with more susceptibility effect and wider spectral separation. Since the quantization noise is proportional to the signal amplitude, if the conversion bits of the ADCs in the receiver system are not large enough, the increase of signal amplitude may not be fully utilized for the SNR enhancement due to the increase of the quantization noise. Evaluation of the SQNR for various systems using the formula shows that the quantization noise could be a major noise source limiting overall system SNR, especially in three dimensional imaging in a high field imaging. Oversampling and off-center sampling would be an alternative solution to reduce the quantization noise without replacement of the receiver system.