Gliding arc discharge is one of the unique plasmas of which the dynamic behavior is extremely complex in time and space. In this work, we report on time-resolved dynamic behavior of gliding arc discharge plasma in He and Ar using comparison of obtained results between high-speed camera (54 000 fps) photographs and the corresponding electrical properties. Both measurements were synchronized via an external trigger. For a gliding arc discharge in Ar 20 L/min, gliding of serpentine plasma was observed due to turbulent gas flow and reconnections of plasma path were observed. It was revealed that the applied voltage was decreased and small pulsed current flowed at the moment of the reconnection.

The phase modulation of transparent gas can be detected using Fraunhofer diffraction technique, which we call optical wave microphone (OWM). The OWM is suitable for the detection of sonic wave from audible sound to ultrasonic wave. Because this technique has no influence on sound field or electric field during the measurement, we have applied it to the sound detection for the electric discharges. There is almost no research paper that uses the discharge sound to examine the electrical discharge phenomenon. Two-dimensional visualization of the sound field using the OWM is also possible when the computerized tomography (CT) is combined. In this work, coplanar dielectric barrier discharge sin different gases of Ar, N2, He were characterized via the OWM as well as applied voltage and discharge current. This is the first report to investigate the influence of the type of the atmospheric gas on the two-dimensional sound field distribution for the coplanar dielectric barrier discharge using the OWM with CT.

We developed a portable ozone-mist sterilization system to exterminate pests (harmful insects) in agricultural field and greenhouse. The system is composed of an ozone generator, an ozone-mist spray and a small container of ozone gas. The ozone generator can supply highly concentrated ozone using the surface dielectric barrier discharge. Ozone-mist is produced using a developed nozzle system. We studied the effects of ozone-mist spray sterilization on insects and agricultural plants. The sterilization conditions are estimated by monitoring the behavior of aphids and observing the damage of the plants. It was shown that aphids were exterminated in 30 s without noticeable damages of the plant leaves. The reactive radicals with strong oxidation potential such as hydroxyl radical (*OH), hydroperoxide radical (*HO2), the superoxide ion radical (*O2‒) and ozonide radical ion (*O3‒) can increase the sterilization rate for aphids.

We performed pacemaker implantation with biventricular pacing using a usual dual-chamber pacemaker device in three children with complete atrioventricular block. The post-operative QRS durations were 114, 112, and 106 milliseconds in patients 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Post-operative echocardiography revealed well-synchronised left ventricles. Biventricular pacing in children with complete atrioventricular block may be useful for shortening the QRS duration.

An La1-xSrxGa1-y-zMgyCozO3-(x+y+z)/2 (LSGMCO) has attracted much attention because it can be useable as an electrolyte of a solid oxide fuel cell due to its high oxide ion conductivity. We prepared LSGMCO thin films on silica glass and LaAlO3 single crystal substrates by pulsed laser deposition and evaluated their properties. LSGMCO thin films deposited at 800°C were poly-crystal and the deposition pressure affected their surface morphologies. In the case of the LaAlO3 single crystal substrate, a c-axis oriented LSGMCO thin film was obtained. DC conductivity and complex impedance of LSGMCO thin films were measured in vacuum atmosphere to investigate the effect of the crystal orientation on the oxide ion conductivity. It was revealed that resistance at a grain boundary of films is more dominant compare with the grain interior.

The functional oxide thin films of electrochromic WO3-x and colossal magnetoresistive La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 were prepared by a KrF excimer pulsed laser deposition technique. Optical transparency and electrical conductivity of the WO3-x film were changed by the oxygen content in the lattice. Triclinic, tetragonal and amorphous WO3-x films were prepared by adjusting the oxygen atmosphere during the deposition. We revealed the relationship between the crystal structure and the gas sensing property of the films. The triclinic WO3-x film (1 μm) showed the high sensitivity to NO (60 ppm) gas at an operating temperature of 150°C. The colossal magnetoresistive La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 thin film having the MR ratio of 15 % (H=7 kG) was deposited under the conditions of the laser energy density of 2 J/cm2 (5Hz), substrate temperature of 850°C and oxygen pressure of 500 mTorr. The magnetic sensor composing of the La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 thin film responded to the AC magnetic field (1 kHz).

We prepared colossal magnetoresistive La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 thin films on the MgO, SrTiO3 and LaAlO3 single crystal substrates using KrF excimer pulsed laser ablation technique. The structural and electrical properties of the La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 thin films which were strained by the lattice mismatch are reported. The in-plane lattice mismatch between the La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 and MgO, SrTiO3 and LaAlO3 substrates are -7.8 %, -0.5 % and +2.3 %, respectively. The X-ray diffraction spectra of the films exhibited c-axis orientation. In the case of the La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 / LaAlO3 thin films with thickness over 100 nm, the divided (00l) peaks were observed. The surface morphology and transport property of the strongly stressed La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 / LaAlO3 were different from those of La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 / MgO and La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 / SrTiO3thin films.

Dynamics of carbon ablation plasma plume during the preparation of diamond-like carbon films by KrF excimer pulsed laser deposition was investigated using laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and optical emission spectroscopy. LIF signal from C2molecule (Swan band, d 3Φg – a3Φu) was detected using a photomultiplier tube and an intensified CCD camera. Temporal evolution and spatial distribution of C2 molecules in the ablated plume were measured as a function of laser energy density and ablation area. LIF intensity is found to be weaker in the central part of the plume than that at the periphery at incident energy greater than 6 J/cm2. It is conjectured that some of C2molecules are dissociated by collision with energetic species in central part of the ablation plume. Dynamics of ablation plasma plume is strongly dependent on the size of ablated area.

The colossal magnetoresistive La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (LSMO) thin film was prepared on the MgO (100) single crystal substrate using KrF excimer pulsed laser deposition technique. The LSMO film deposited at the substrate temperature of 850 °C, oxygen pressure of 500 mTorr and laser energy density of 2 J/cm2(5 Hz) showed the resistivity peak temperature (Tp) of 330 K and the magnetoresi stance change of 15 %(H=0.7 T) at the room temperature. The large lattice mismatch with the substrate increased Tp and decreased the resistivity of the LSMO film.

The X-ray diffraction measurement for the PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (PZT) / LSMO heterostructures indicated both c-axis and in- plane orientation, with the good PZT surface morphology.

KrF excimer laser ablation technique is used to fabricate the ferroelectric Pb(ZrxTi1−xO3)(PZT) capacitor on Si(100) substrate. The superconducting YBa2Cu3O71−x(YBCO) and the colossal magnetoresistive La0.8sr0.2MnO3(LSMO) thin films are used as bottom electrodes for the ferroelectric capacitive structure. The YBCO and LSMO films were studied to understand the interface problems with perovskite oxide films. The fabricated PZT/YBCO/YSZ/Si capacitor shows the ferrolectric properties of the remanent polarization of 20pC/cm2 and the coercive field of 40 kV/cm. Post-thermal annealing improves the ferroelctric properties and the results are comparable with that of the PZT/YBCO/MgO(100) structure. The leakage current of the PZT capacitor is discussed.