First results on formation of thin film GeOI structures by the Smart Cut TM technology are presented in this paper. Thin single crystal layers of Ge have been successfully transferred, via oxide bonding layer, onto standard Si substrates with diameters ranging from 100 to 200 mm. Compared to SOI manufacturing, the development of GeOI requires adaptation to the available germanium material, since the starting material can be either bulk Ge or an epitaxial layer. Some results will be presented for GeOI formation according to the different technological options. Germanium splitting kinetics will be discussed and compared to already published results. To show good quality of the GeOI structures, detailed characterization has been done by TEM cross sections for defect densities, interfaces abruptness and layers homogeneities evaluation. AFM was used for surface roughness measurements. These results help define procedures that are required to achieve large diameter high quality GeOI structures.

Ophthalmic lenses are made of plastic polymeric substrates usually coated with functional treatments composed of layers, ranging from micrometers to milometers. Each of these interfaces may lead to delamination due to poor adhesion, and therefore affect the vision and comfort of wearers. The interface between the anti-reflective stack and the hardcoat is particularly sensitive because of chemical and mechanical contrast of its materials. To better understand mechanisms that lead to loss of adhesion between the SiO2 anti-reflective layer deposited on the anti-scratch hardcoat, compression experiments are performed to induce buckling of SiO2 layer. A finite element model using the cohesive zone method is developed to enhance the characterization of interfacial properties. Geometry of buckle yielded by the model is compared against experimental results to adjust the numerical model and access interfacial properties.

Quantification of adhesion between a 200 nm silicon dioxide layer and a 4.5 μm thick polymeric coating was performed by analysing the SiO2 buckle morphologies generated under compressive stress. Impacts of mechanical properties of SiO2 layers, as well as a surface pretreatment on adhesion, are shown. Interfacial toughness of both configurations are assessed using the Hutchinson and Suo model, which involves buckle dimensions determined in situ by an optical profilometer, and elastic modulus Ef, of the SiO2 thin films, characterised by nanoindentation. The surface pretreatment led to initiation of buckling at a higher strain. The same trend is observed for a layer with a lower stiffness and residual stress.

To the Editors: Intravesical bacille Calmette–Guerin (BCG) therapy is an effective treatment for high-risk superficial bladder cancer. A nonspecific immune response is expected after instillation of BCG, an alive but attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis . Disseminated BCG disease is a rare but well known complication of this therapy. It occurs in approximately 1% of cases 1. Severe complications could occur with hepatitis and pneumonitis but bone marrow involvement is exceptional. There are limited data on factors associated with the risk of BCG infection. The role of CD4+ T-cells in controlling mycobacteria infection is well established and the susceptibility of HIV-infected individuals for tuberculosis is an argument for this 2. Nevertheless, CD8+ T-cells play a significant role in this control, in particular secreting interferon (IFN)-γ and killing infected cells given their cytotoxic potential 3. Furthermore, experimental studies have shown that CD8+ T-cells play an important role in the early control of mycobacteria infection in older mice 4, suggesting that this may be occurring in elderly people. The present study describes two disseminated BCG infections, including bone marrow involvement, in elderly patients. Severe CD8+ T-cell depletion was found in the two patients, which illustrates the importance of CD8+ T-cells in the early control of mycobacterial infection in humans. The first patient was a 74-yr-old male, admitted in our department for fever and chills. He had concomitant weight loss of 6 kg and intense fatigue over the last 15 days. 3 months earlier he had undergone a trans-urethral resection for superficial bladder cancer. Treatment was completed by weekly instillation of BCG. A few days after the second instillation, the patient noted gradual onset of fever. 3 weeks after the onset of fever, he was referred to our hospital. Clinical examination gave no conclusive results but the biological results showed elevated C-reactive protein …