Unexpected behavior of ultra-thin films of blends of polystyrene/poly(vinyl methyl ether) studied by specific heat spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madkour, Sherif; Szymoniak, Paulina; Schick, Christoph; Schönhals, Andreas

2017-05-01

Specific heat spectroscopy (SHS) employing AC nanochip calorimetry was used to investigate the glassy dynamics of ultra-thin films (thicknesses: 10 nm-340 nm) of a polymer blend, which is miscible in the bulk. In detail, a Poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME)/Polystyrene (PS) blend with the composition of 25/75 wt. % was studied. The film thickness was controlled by ellipsometry while the film topography was checked by atomic force microscopy. The results are discussed in the framework of the balance between an adsorbed and a free surface layer on the glassy dynamics. By a self-assembling process, a layer with a reduced mobility is irreversibly adsorbed at the polymer/substrate interface. This layer is discussed employing two different scenarios. In the first approach, it is assumed that a PS-rich layer is adsorbed at the substrate. Whereas in the second approach, a PVME-rich layer is suggested to be formed at the SiO2 substrate. Further, due to the lower surface tension of PVME, with respect to air, a nanometer thick PVME-rich surface layer, with higher molecular mobility, is formed at the polymer/air interface. By measuring the glassy dynamics of the thin films of PVME/PS in dependence on the film thickness, it was shown that down to 30 nm thicknesses, the dynamic Tg of the whole film was strongly influenced by the adsorbed layer yielding a systematic increase in the dynamic Tg with decreasing the film thickness. However, at a thickness of ca. 30 nm, the influence of the mobile surface layer becomes more pronounced. This results in a systematic decrease in Tg with the further decrease of the film thickness, below 30 nm. These results were discussed with respect to thin films of PVME/PS blend with a composition of 50/50 wt. % as well as literature results.

Assessment of the growth/etch back technique for the production of Ge strain-relaxed buffers on Si

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartmann, J. M.; Aubin, J.

2018-04-01

Thick Ge layers grown on Si(0 0 1) are handy for the production of GeOI wafers, as templates for the epitaxy of III-V and GeSn-based heterostructures and so on. Perfecting their crystalline quality would enable to fabricate suspended Ge micro-bridges with extremely high levels of tensile strain (for mid IR lasers). In this study, we have used a low temperature (400 °C)/high temperature (750 °C) approach to deposit with GeH4 various thickness Ge layers in the 0.5 μm - 5 μm range. They were submitted afterwards to short duration thermal cycling under H2 (in between 750 °C and 875-890 °C) to lower the Threading Dislocation Density (TDD). Some of the thickest layers were partly etched at 750 °C with gaseous HCl to recover wafer bows compatible with device processing later on. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) showed that the layers were slightly tensile-strained, with a 104.5-105.5% degree of strain relaxation irrespective of the thickness. The surface was cross-hatched, with a roughness slightly decreasing with the thickness, from 2.0 down to 0.8 nm. The TDD (from Omega scans in XRD) decreased from 8 × 107 cm-2 down to 107 cm-2 as the Ge layer thickness increased from 0.5 up to 5 μm. The lack of improvement when growing 5 μm thick layers then etching a fraction of them with HCl over same thickness layers grown in a single run was at variance with Thin Solid Films 520, 3216 (2012). Low temperature HCl defect decoration confirmed those findings, with (i) a TDD decreasing from slightly more 107 cm-2 down to 5 × 106 cm-2 as the Ge layer thickness increased from 1.3 up to 5 μm and (ii) no TDD hysteresis between growth and growth then HCl etch-back.

Estimation of structural film viscosity based on the bubble rise method in a nanofluid.

PubMed

Cho, Heon Ki; Nikolov, Alex D; Wasan, Darsh T

2018-04-15

When a single bubble moves at a very low capillary number (10 -7 ) through a liquid with dispersed nanoparticles (nanofluid) inside a vertical tube/capillary, a film is formed between the bubble surface and the tube wall and the nanoparticles self-layer inside the confined film. We measured the film thickness using reflected light interferometry. We calculated the film structural energy isotherm vs. the film thickness from the film-meniscus contact angle measurements using the reflected light interferometric method. Based on the experimental measurement of the film thickness and the calculated values of the film structural energy barrier, we estimated the structural film viscosity vs. the film thickness using the Frenkel approach. Because of the nanoparticle film self-layering phenomenon, we observed a gradual increase in the film viscosity with the decreasing film thickness. However, we observed a significant increase in the film viscosity accompanied by a step-wise decrease in the bubble velocity when the film thickness decreased from 3 to 2 particle layers due to the structural transition in the film. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Control of Alq3 wetting layer thickness via substrate surface functionalization.

PubMed

Tsoi, Shufen; Szeto, Bryan; Fleischauer, Michael D; Veinot, Jonathan G C; Brett, Michael J

2007-06-05

The effects of substrate surface energy and vapor deposition rate on the initial growth of porous columnar tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3) nanostructures were investigated. Alq3 nanostructures thermally evaporated onto as-supplied Si substrates bearing an oxide were observed to form a solid wetting layer, likely caused by an interfacial energy mismatch between the substrate and Alq3. Wetting layer thickness control is important for potential optoelectronic applications. A dramatic decrease in wetting layer thickness was achieved by depositing Alq3 onto alkyltrichlorosilane-derivatized Si/oxide substrates. Similar effects were noted with increasing deposition rates. These two effects enable tailoring of the wetting layer thickness.

Signal processing and analysis for copper layer thickness measurement within a large variation range in the CMP process.

PubMed

Li, Hongkai; Zhao, Qian; Lu, Xinchun; Luo, Jianbin

2017-11-01

In the copper (Cu) chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process, accurate determination of a process reaching the end point is of great importance. Based on the eddy current technology, the in situ thickness measurement of the Cu layer is feasible. Previous research studies focus on the application of the eddy current method to the metal layer thickness measurement or endpoint detection. In this paper, an in situ measurement system, which is independently developed by using the eddy current method, is applied to the actual Cu CMP process. A series of experiments are done for further analyzing the dynamic response characteristic of the output signal within different thickness variation ranges. In this study, the voltage difference of the output signal is used to represent the thickness of the Cu layer, and we can extract the voltage difference variations from the output signal fast by using the proposed data processing algorithm. The results show that the voltage difference decreases as thickness decreases in the conventional measurement range and the sensitivity increases at the same time. However, it is also found that there exists a thickness threshold, and the correlation is negative, when the thickness is more than the threshold. Furthermore, it is possible that the in situ measurement system can be used within a larger Cu layer thickness variation range by creating two calibration tables.

Indium oxide based fiber optic SPR sensor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shukla, Sarika; Sharma, Navneet K., E-mail: navneetk.sharma@jiit.ac.in

2016-05-06

Surface plasmon resonance based fiber optic sensor using indium oxide layer is presented and theoretically studied. It has been found that with increase in thickness of indium oxide layer beyond 170 nm, the sensitivity of SPR sensor decreases. 170 nm thick indium oxide layer based SPR sensor holds maximum sensitivity.

Study of interlayer coupling between FePt and FeCoB thin films through MgO spacer layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Sadhana; Kumar, Dileep; Gupta, Mukul; Reddy, V. Raghvendra

2017-05-01

Interlayer exchange coupling between hard-FePt and soft-FeCoB magnetic layers has been studied with increasing thickness of insulator MgO spacer layer in FePt/MgO/FeCoB sandwiched structure. A series of the samples were prepared in identical condition using ion beam sputtering method and characterized for their magnetic and structural properties using magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) and X-ray reflectivity measurements. The nature of coupling between FePt and FeCoB was found to be ferromagnetic which decreases exponentially with increasing thickness of MgO layer. At very low thickness of MgO layer, both layers were found strongly coupled thus exhibiting coherent magnetization reversal. At higher thickness, both layers were found decoupled and magnetization reversal occurred at different switching fields. Strong coupling at very low thickness is attributed to pin holes in MgO layer which lead to direct coupling whereas on increasing thickness, coupling may arise due to magneto-static interactions.

Impact of active layer thickness of nitrogen-doped In–Sn–Zn–O films on materials and thin film transistor performances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zhi-Yue; Yang, Hao-Zhi; Chen, Sheng-Chi; Lu, Ying-Bo; Xin, Yan-Qing; Yang, Tian-Lin; Sun, Hui

2018-05-01

Nitrogen-doped indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO:N) thin film transistors (TFTs) were deposited on SiO2 (200 nm)/p-Si〈1 0 0〉 substrates by RF magnetron sputtering at room temperature. The structural, chemical compositions, surface morphology, optical and electrical properties as a function of the active layer thickness were investigated. As the active layer thickness increases, Zn content decreases and In content increases gradually. Meanwhile, Sn content is almost unchanged. When the thickness of the active layer is more than 45 nm, the ITZO:N films become crystallized and present a crystal orientation along InN(0 0 2) plan. No matter what the thickness is, ITZO:N films always display a high transmittance above 80% in the visible region. Their optical band gaps fluctuate between 3.4 eV and 3.62 eV. Due to the dominance of low interface trap density and high carrier concentration, ITZO:N TFT shows enhanced electrical properties as the active layer thickness is 35 nm. Its field-effect mobility, on/off radio and sub-threshold swing are 17.53 cm2 V‑1 · s‑1, 106 and 0.36 V/dec, respectively. These results indicate that the suitable thickness of the active layer can enhance the quality of ITZO:N films and decrease the defects density of ITZO:N TFT. Thus, the properties of ITZO:N TFT can be optimized by adjusting the thickness of the active layer.

Normative values for optical coherence tomography parameters in healthy children and interexaminer agreement for choroidal thickness measurements.

PubMed

Turan, Kadriye Erkan; Sekeroglu, Hande Taylan; Baytaroglu, Ata; Bezci, Figen; Karahan, Sevilay

2018-01-01

To (a) determine the normative values for optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters such as central macular thickness, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and choroidal thickness in healthy children; (b) investigate the relationships of these parameters with axial length, central corneal thickness, refractive errors, and intraocular pressure; and (c) determine interexaminer agreement for choroidal thickness measurements. In this cross-sectional study, 120 healthy children aged 8-15 years underwent detailed ophthalmological examination and OCT measurements. Choroidal thickness was measured at three separate locations by two independent examiners. The mean global retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was 98.75 ± 9.45 μm (79.0-121.0). The mean central macular thickness was 232.29 ± 29.37 μm (190.0-376.0). The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness obtained by examiner 1 was 344.38 ± 68.83 μm and that obtained by examiner 2 was 344.04 ± 68.92 μm. Interexaminer agreement was between 99.6%-99.8% for choroidal thickness at three separate locations. Central macular thickness increased with axial length (r=0.245, p=0.007). Choroidal thickness increased with age (r=0.291, p=0.001) and decreased with axial length (r=-0.191, p=0.037). Global retinal nerve fiber layer thickness decreased with axial length (r=-0.247, p=0.007) and increased with central corneal thickness (r=0.208, p=0.022). Global retinal nerve fiber layer thickness positively correlated with choroidal thickness (r=0.354, p<0.001). Global retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (r=0.223, p=0.014) and choroidal thickness (r=0.272, p=0.003) increased with the spherical equivalent (D). Optical coherence tomography parameters showed a wide range of variability in children. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, central macular thickness, and choroidal thickness were found to be either inter-related or correlated with age, central corneal thickness, axial length, and refractive errors. Furthermore, manual measurements of choroidal thickness showed high interexaminer agreement. Because normative values for optical coherence tomography parameters differed in children, the measurements should be interpreted according to an age-appropriate database.

Electrophoretic deposition of bi-layered LSM/LSM-YSZ cathodes for solid oxide fuel cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Itagaki, Yoshiteru; Watanabe, Shinji; Yamaji, Tsuyoshi; Asamoto, Makiko; Yahiro, Hidenori; Sadaoka, Yoshihiko

2012-09-01

Bi-layered cathodes with the LSM/LSM-YSZ structure for solid oxide fuel cells were successfully formed on the carbon-sputtered surface of a YSZ sheet by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). The thicknesses of the first layer of LSM-YSZ (LY) and the second layer of La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (LSM) could be controlled by adjusting the deposition time in the EPD process. The cathodic properties of the bi-layered structures were superior to those of the mono-layered structures, and were dependent on the thickness of each layer. Decreasing the thickness of the first layer and increasing that of the second layer tended to reduce both polarization and ohmic resistances. The optimal thickness of the first layer at the operating temperature of 600 °C was 4 μm, suggesting that an effective three-phase boundary was extended from the interface between the electrolyte and cathode film to around 4 μm thickness.

Casimir Pressure in Mds-Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yurova, V. A.; Bukina, M. N.; Churkin, Yu. V.; Fedortsov, A. B.; Klimchitskaya, G. L.

2012-07-01

The Casimir pressure on the dielectric layer in metal-dielectric-semiconductor (MDS) structures is calculated in the framework of the Lifshitz theory at nonzero temperature. In this calculation the standard parameters of semiconductor devices with a thin dielectric layer are used. We consider the thickness of a layer decreasing from 40 to 1 nm. At the shortest thickness the Casimir pressure achieves 8 MPa. At small thicknesses the results are compared with the predictions of nonrelativistic theory.

Non-destructive prediction of enteric coating layer thickness and drug dissolution rate by near-infrared spectroscopy and X-ray computed tomography.

PubMed

Ariyasu, Aoi; Hattori, Yusuke; Otsuka, Makoto

2017-06-15

The coating layer thickness of enteric-coated tablets is a key factor that determines the drug dissolution rate from the tablet. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) enables non-destructive and quick measurement of the coating layer thickness, and thus allows the investigation of the relation between enteric coating layer thickness and drug dissolution rate. Two marketed products of aspirin enteric-coated tablets were used in this study, and the correlation between the predicted coating layer thickness and the obtained drug dissolution rate was investigated. Our results showed correlation for one product; the drug dissolution rate decreased with the increase in enteric coating layer thickness, whereas, there was no correlation for the other product. Additional examination of the distribution of coating layer thickness by X-ray computed tomography (CT) showed homogenous distribution of coating layer thickness for the former product, whereas the latter product exhibited heterogeneous distribution within the tablet, as well as inconsistent trend in the thickness distribution between the tablets. It was suggested that this heterogeneity and inconsistent trend in layer thickness distribution contributed to the absence of correlation between the layer thickness of the face and side regions of the tablets, which resulted in the loss of correlation between the coating layer thickness and drug dissolution rate. Therefore, the predictability of drug dissolution rate from enteric-coated tablets depended on the homogeneity of the coating layer thickness. In addition, the importance of micro analysis, X-ray CT in this study, was suggested even if the macro analysis, NIRS in this study, are finally applied for the measurement. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Alterations in Retinal Layer Thickness and Reflectance at Different Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy by En Face Optical Coherence Tomography

PubMed Central

Wanek, Justin; Blair, Norman P.; Chau, Felix Y.; Lim, Jennifer I.; Leiderman, Yannek I.; Shahidi, Mahnaz

2016-01-01

Purpose This article reports a method for en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and quantitative assessment of alterations in both thickness and reflectance of individual retinal layers at different stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods High-density OCT raster volume scans were acquired in 29 diabetic subjects divided into no DR (NDR) or non-proliferative DR (NPDR) groups and 22 control subjects (CNTL). A customized image segmentation method identified eight retinal layer interfaces and generated en face thickness maps and reflectance images for nerve fiber layer (NFL), ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers (GCLIPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), photoreceptor outer segment layer (OSL), and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Mean thickness and intensity values were calculated in nine macular subfields for each retinal layer. Results En face thickness maps and reflectance images of retinal layers in CNTL subjects corresponded to normal retinal anatomy. Total retinal thickness correlated negatively with age in nasal subfields (R ≤−0.31; P ≤ 0.03, N = 51). In NDR subjects, NFL and OPL thickness were decreased (P = 0.05), and ONL thickness was increased (P = 0.04) compared to CNTL. In NPDR subjects, GCLIPL thickness was increased in perifoveal subfields (P < 0.05) and INL intensity was higher in all macular subfields (P = 0.04) compared to CNTL. Conclusions Depth and spatially resolved retinal thickness and reflectance measurements are potential biomarkers for assessment and monitoring of DR. PMID:27409491

The Influence of Stratigraphic History on Landscape Evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forte, A. M.; Yanites, B.; Whipple, K. X.

2016-12-01

Variation in rock erodibility can play a significant role in landscape evolution. Using a version of the CHILD landscape evolution model that allows for variations in rock erodibility, we found surprisingly complex landscape evolution in simulations with simple, two unit stratigraphies with contrasting erodibility. This work indicated that the stratigraphic order of units in terms of erodibility, the orientation of the contact with respect to the main drainage direction, and the contact dip angle all have pronounced effects on landscape evolution. Here we expand that work to explore the implications of more complicated stratigraphies on landscape evolution. Introducing multiple units adds additional controls on landscape evolution, namely the thicknesses and relative erodibility of rock layers. In models with a sequence of five alternating hard and soft units embedded within arbitrarily thick over- and underlying units, the number of individual layers that noticeably influence landscape morphology decreases as the thickness of individual layers reduces. Contacts with soft rocks over hard produce the most noticeable effect in model output such as erosion rate and channel steepness. For large contrasts in erodibility of 25 m thick layers, only one soft over hard contact is clearly manifest in the landscape. Between 50 and 75 m, two such contacts are manifest, and by 100 m thickness, all three of these contacts are manifest. However, for a given thickness of layers, more units are manifest in the landscape as the erodibility contrast between units decreases. This is true even though the magnitude of landscape effects away from steady-state erosion rates or channel steepness also decrease with decreasing erodibility contrast. Finally, we explore suites of models with alternating layers reflecting either `hardening-' or `softening-upwards' stratigraphies and find that the two scenarios result in decidedly different landscape forms. Hardening-upwards sections produce a gradational change where as individual layers have more influence in the landscape form in softening-upwards sections. Generally, our modeling highlights that past depositional history can exert a fundamental control on landscape evolution during later erosion through the resulting layered stratigraphy.

Chip-scale pattern modification method for equalizing residual layer thickness in nanoimprint lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Youn, Sung-Won; Suzuki, Kenta; Hiroshima, Hiroshi

2018-06-01

A software program for modifying a mold design to obtain a uniform residual layer thickness (RLT) distribution has been developed and its validity was verified by UV-nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) simulation. First, the effects of granularity (G) on both residual layer uniformity and filling characteristics were characterized. For a constant complementary pattern depth and a granularity that was sufficiently larger than the minimum pattern width, filling time decreased with the decrease in granularity. For a pattern design with a wide density range and an irregular distribution, the choice of a small granularity was not always a good strategy since the etching depth required for a complementary pattern occasionally exceptionally increased with the decrease in granularity. On basis of the results obtained, the automated method was applied to a chip-scale pattern modification. Simulation results showed a marked improvement in residual layer thickness uniformity for a capacity-equalized (CE) mold. For the given conditions, the standard deviation of RLT decreased in the range from 1/3 to 1/5 in accordance with pattern designs.

Recombination zone in white organic light emitting diodes with blue and orange emitting layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuboi, Taiju; Kishimoto, Tadashi; Wako, Kazuhiro; Matsuda, Kuniharu; Iguchi, Hirofumi

2012-10-01

White fluorescent OLED devices with a 10 nm thick blue-emitting layer and a 31 nm thick orange-emitting layer have been fabricated, where the blue-emitting layer is stacked on a hole transport layer. An interlayer was inserted between the two emitting layers. The thickness of the interlayer was changed among 0.3, 0.4, and 1.0 nm. White emission with CIE coordinates close to (0.33, 0.33) was observed from all the OLEDs. OLED with 0.3 nm thick interlayer gives the highest maximum luminous efficiency (11 cd/A), power efficiency (9 lm/W), and external quantum efficiency (5.02%). The external quantum efficiency becomes low with increasing the interlayer thickness from 0 nm to 1.0 nm. When the location of the blue- and orange-emitting layers is reversed, white emission was not obtained because of too weak blue emission. It is suggested that the electron-hole recombination zone decreases nearly exponentially with a distance from the hole transport layer.

Interfacial thin films rupture and self-similarity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ward, Margaret H.

2011-06-01

Two superposed thin layers of fluids are prone to interfacial instabilities due to London-van der Waals forces. Evolution equations for the film thicknesses are derived using lubrication theory. Using the intrinsic scales, for a single layer, results in a system with parametric dependence of four ratios of the two layers: surface tension, Hamaker constant, viscosity, and film thickness. In contrast to the single layer case, the bilayer system has two unstable eigenmodes: squeezing and bending. For some particular parameter regimes, the system exhibits the avoided crossing behavior, where the two eigenmodes are interchanged. Based on numerical analysis, the system evolves into four different rupture states: basal layer rupture, upper layer rupture, double layer rupture, and mixed layer rupture. The ratio of Hamaker constants and the relative film thickness of the two layers control the system dynamics. Remarkably, the line of avoided crossing demarks the transition region of mode mixing and energy transfer, affecting the scaling of the dynamical regime map consequentially. Asymptotic and numerical analyses are used to examine the self-similar ruptures and to extract the power law scalings for both the basal layer rupture and the upper layer rupture. The scaling laws for the basal layer rupture are the same as those of the single layer on top of a substrate. The scaling laws for the upper layer rupture are different: the lateral length scale decreases according to (tr-t)1/3 and the film thickness decreases according to (tr-t)1/6.

Automated Segmentation Errors When Using Optical Coherence Tomography to Measure Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Glaucoma.

PubMed

Mansberger, Steven L; Menda, Shivali A; Fortune, Brad A; Gardiner, Stuart K; Demirel, Shaban

2017-02-01

To characterize the error of optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness when using automated retinal layer segmentation algorithms without manual refinement. Cross-sectional study. This study was set in a glaucoma clinical practice, and the dataset included 3490 scans from 412 eyes of 213 individuals with a diagnosis of glaucoma or glaucoma suspect. We used spectral domain OCT (Spectralis) to measure RNFL thickness in a 6-degree peripapillary circle, and exported the native "automated segmentation only" results. In addition, we exported the results after "manual refinement" to correct errors in the automated segmentation of the anterior (internal limiting membrane) and the posterior boundary of the RNFL. Our outcome measures included differences in RNFL thickness and glaucoma classification (i.e., normal, borderline, or outside normal limits) between scans with automated segmentation only and scans using manual refinement. Automated segmentation only resulted in a thinner global RNFL thickness (1.6 μm thinner, P < .001) when compared to manual refinement. When adjusted by operator, a multivariate model showed increased differences with decreasing RNFL thickness (P < .001), decreasing scan quality (P < .001), and increasing age (P < .03). Manual refinement changed 298 of 3486 (8.5%) of scans to a different global glaucoma classification, wherein 146 of 617 (23.7%) of borderline classifications became normal. Superior and inferior temporal clock hours had the largest differences. Automated segmentation without manual refinement resulted in reduced global RNFL thickness and overestimated the classification of glaucoma. Differences increased in eyes with a thinner RNFL thickness, older age, and decreased scan quality. Operators should inspect and manually refine OCT retinal layer segmentation when assessing RNFL thickness in the management of patients with glaucoma. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Deformation Mechanism Map of Cu/Nb Nanoscale Metallic Multilayers as a Function of Temperature and Layer Thickness

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Snel, J.; Monclús, M. A.; Castillo-Rodríguez, M.

The mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of Cu/Nb nanoscale metallic multilayers (NMMs) manufactured by accumulative roll bonding are studied at 25°C and 400°C. Cu/Nb NMMs with individual layer thicknesses between 7 nm and 63 nm were tested by in situ micropillar compression inside a scanning electron microscope. Yield strength, strain-rate sensitivities and activation volumes were obtained from the pillar compression tests. The deformed micropillars were examined under scanning and transmission electron microscopy in order to examine the deformation mechanisms active for different layer thicknesses and temperatures. The paper suggests that room temperature deformation was determined by dislocation glide at largermore » layer thicknesses and interface-related mechanisms at the thinner layer thicknesses. The high-temperature compression tests, in contrast, revealed superior thermo-mechanical stability and strength retention for the NMMs with larger layer thicknesses with deformation controlled by dislocation glide. A remarkable transition in deformation mechanism occurred as the layer thickness decreased, to a deformation response controlled by diffusion processes along the interfaces, which resulted in temperature-induced softening. Finally, a deformation mechanism map, in terms of layer thickness and temperature, is proposed from the results obtained in this investigation.« less

Deformation Mechanism Map of Cu/Nb Nanoscale Metallic Multilayers as a Function of Temperature and Layer Thickness

DOE PAGES

Snel, J.; Monclús, M. A.; Castillo-Rodríguez, M.; ...

2017-08-29

The mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of Cu/Nb nanoscale metallic multilayers (NMMs) manufactured by accumulative roll bonding are studied at 25°C and 400°C. Cu/Nb NMMs with individual layer thicknesses between 7 nm and 63 nm were tested by in situ micropillar compression inside a scanning electron microscope. Yield strength, strain-rate sensitivities and activation volumes were obtained from the pillar compression tests. The deformed micropillars were examined under scanning and transmission electron microscopy in order to examine the deformation mechanisms active for different layer thicknesses and temperatures. The paper suggests that room temperature deformation was determined by dislocation glide at largermore » layer thicknesses and interface-related mechanisms at the thinner layer thicknesses. The high-temperature compression tests, in contrast, revealed superior thermo-mechanical stability and strength retention for the NMMs with larger layer thicknesses with deformation controlled by dislocation glide. A remarkable transition in deformation mechanism occurred as the layer thickness decreased, to a deformation response controlled by diffusion processes along the interfaces, which resulted in temperature-induced softening. Finally, a deformation mechanism map, in terms of layer thickness and temperature, is proposed from the results obtained in this investigation.« less

Bias of shear wave elasticity measurements in thin layer samples and a simple correction strategy.

PubMed

Mo, Jianqiang; Xu, Hao; Qiang, Bo; Giambini, Hugo; Kinnick, Randall; An, Kai-Nan; Chen, Shigao; Luo, Zongping

2016-01-01

Shear wave elastography (SWE) is an emerging technique for measuring biological tissue stiffness. However, the application of SWE in thin layer tissues is limited by bias due to the influence of geometry on measured shear wave speed. In this study, we investigated the bias of Young's modulus measured by SWE in thin layer gelatin-agar phantoms, and compared the result with finite element method and Lamb wave model simulation. The result indicated that the Young's modulus measured by SWE decreased continuously when the sample thickness decreased, and this effect was more significant for smaller thickness. We proposed a new empirical formula which can conveniently correct the bias without the need of using complicated mathematical modeling. In summary, we confirmed the nonlinear relation between thickness and Young's modulus measured by SWE in thin layer samples, and offered a simple and practical correction strategy which is convenient for clinicians to use.

Self-organisation of semi-flexible rod-like particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Braaf, Bart; Oshima Menegon, Mariana; Paquay, Stefan; van der Schoot, Paul

2017-12-01

We report on a comprehensive computer simulation study of the liquid-crystal phase behaviour of purely repulsive, semi-flexible rod-like particles. For the four aspect ratios we consider, the particles form five distinct phases depending on their packing fraction and bending flexibility: the isotropic, nematic, smectic A, smectic B, and crystal phase. Upon increasing the particle bending flexibility, the various phase transitions shift to larger packing fractions. Increasing the aspect ratio achieves the opposite effect. We find two different ways in which the layer thickness of the particles in the smectic A phase may respond to an increase in concentration. The layer thickness may either decrease or increase depending on the aspect ratio and flexibility. For the smectic B and the crystalline phases, increasing the concentration always decreases the layer thickness. Finally, we find that the layer spacing jumps to a larger value on transitioning from the smectic A phase to the smectic B phase.

Climate, soil organic layer, and nitrogen jointly drive forest development after fire in the North American boreal zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trugman, A. T.; Fenton, N. J.; Bergeron, Y.; Xu, X.; Welp, L. R.; Medvigy, D.

2016-09-01

Previous empirical work has shown that feedbacks between fire severity, soil organic layer thickness, tree recruitment, and forest growth are important factors controlling carbon accumulation after fire disturbance. However, current boreal forest models inadequately simulate this feedback. We address this deficiency by updating the ED2 model to include a dynamic feedback between soil organic layer thickness, tree recruitment, and forest growth. The model is validated against observations spanning monthly to centennial time scales and ranging from Alaska to Quebec. We then quantify differences in forest development after fire disturbance resulting from changes in soil organic layer accumulation, temperature, nitrogen availability, and atmospheric CO2. First, we find that ED2 accurately reproduces observations when a dynamic soil organic layer is included. Second, simulations indicate that the presence of a thick soil organic layer after a mild fire disturbance decreases decomposition and productivity. The combination of the biological and physical effects increases or decreases total ecosystem carbon depending on local conditions. Third, with a 4°C temperature increase, some forests transition from undergoing succession to needleleaf forests to recruiting multiple cohorts of broadleaf trees, decreasing total ecosystem carbon by ˜40% after 300 years. However, the presence of a thick soil organic layer due to a persistently mild fire regime can prevent this transition and mediate carbon losses even under warmer temperatures. Fourth, nitrogen availability regulates successional dynamics; broadleaf species are less competitive with needleleaf trees under low nitrogen regimes. Fifth, the boreal forest shows additional short-term capacity for carbon sequestration as atmospheric CO2 increases.

A study on the optics of copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) solar cells with ultra-thin absorber layers.

PubMed

Xu, Man; Wachters, Arthur J H; van Deelen, Joop; Mourad, Maurice C D; Buskens, Pascal J P

2014-03-10

We present a systematic study of the effect of variation of the zinc oxide (ZnO) and copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) layer thickness on the absorption characteristics of CIGS solar cells using a simulation program based on finite element method (FEM). We show that the absorption in the CIGS layer does not decrease monotonically with its layer thickness due to interference effects. Ergo, high precision is required in the CIGS production process, especially when using ultra-thin absorber layers, to accurately realize the required thickness of the ZnO, cadmium sulfide (CdS) and CIGS layer. We show that patterning the ZnO window layer can strongly suppress these interference effects allowing a higher tolerance in the production process.

Efficient methylammonium lead iodide perovskite solar cells with active layers from 300 to 900 nm

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Momblona, C.; Malinkiewicz, O.; Soriano, A.

2014-08-01

Efficient methylammonium lead iodide perovskite-based solar cells have been prepared in which the perovskite layer is sandwiched in between two organic charge transporting layers that block holes and electrons, respectively. This configuration leads to stable and reproducible devices that do not suffer from strong hysteresis effects and when optimized lead to efficiencies close to 15%. The perovskite layer is formed by using a dual-source thermal evaporation method, whereas the organic layers are processed from solution. The dual-source thermal evaporation method leads to smooth films and allows for high precision thickness variations. Devices were prepared with perovskite layer thicknesses ranging frommore » 160 to 900 nm. The short-circuit current observed for these devices increased with increasing perovskite layer thickness. The main parameter that decreases with increasing perovskite layer thickness is the fill factor and as a result optimum device performance is obtained for perovskite layer thickness around 300 nm. However, here we demonstrate that with a slightly oxidized electron blocking layer the fill factor for the solar cells with a perovskite layer thickness of 900 nm increases to the same values as for the devices with thin perovskite layers. As a result the power conversion efficiencies for the cells with 300 and 900 nm are very similar, 12.7% and 12%, respectively.« less

Bandgap- and local field-dependent photoactivity of Ag/black phosphorus nanohybrids

DOE PAGES

Lei, Wanying; Zhang, Tingting; Liu, Ping; ...

2016-10-18

Black phosphorus (BP) is the most exciting post-graphene layered nanomaterial that serendipitously bridges the 2D materials gap between semimetallic graphene and large bandgap transition-metal dichalcogenides in terms of high charge-carrier mobility and tunable direct bandgap, yet research into BP-based solar to chemical energy conversion is still in its infancy. Herein, a novel hybrid photocatalyst with Ag nanoparticles supported on BP nanosheets is prepared using a chemical reduction approach. Spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that Ag nanoparticles are stabilized on BP by covalent bonds at the Ag/BP interface and Ag–Ag interactions. In the visible-light photocatalysis of rhodamine B bymore » Ag/BP plasmonic nanohybrids, a significant rise in photoactivity compared with pristine BP nanosheets is observed either by decreasing BP layer thickness or increasing Ag particle size, with the greatest enhancement being up to ~20-fold. By virtue of finite-difference time domain (FDTD) simulations and photocurrent measurements, we give insights into the enhanced photocatalytic performance of Ag/BP nanohybrids, including the effects of BP layer thickness and Ag particle size. In comparison with BP, Ag/BP nanohybrids present intense local field amplification at the perimeter of Ag NPs, which is increased by either decreasing the BP layer thickness from multiple to few layers or increasing the Ag particle size from 20 to 40 nm. Additionally, when the BP layer thickness is decreased from multiple to few layers, the bandgap becomes favorable to generate more strongly oxidative holes in the proximity of the Ag/BP interface to enhance photoactivity. Our findings illustrate a synergy between locally enhanced electric fields and BP bandgap, in which BP layer thickness and Ag particle size can be independently tuned to enhance photoactivity. Lastly, this study may open a new avenue for further exploiting BP-based plasmonic nanostructures in photocatalysis, photodetectors, and photovoltaics.« less

Bandgap- and local field-dependent photoactivity of Ag/black phosphorus nanohybrids

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lei, Wanying; Zhang, Tingting; Liu, Ping

Black phosphorus (BP) is the most exciting post-graphene layered nanomaterial that serendipitously bridges the 2D materials gap between semimetallic graphene and large bandgap transition-metal dichalcogenides in terms of high charge-carrier mobility and tunable direct bandgap, yet research into BP-based solar to chemical energy conversion is still in its infancy. Herein, a novel hybrid photocatalyst with Ag nanoparticles supported on BP nanosheets is prepared using a chemical reduction approach. Spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that Ag nanoparticles are stabilized on BP by covalent bonds at the Ag/BP interface and Ag–Ag interactions. In the visible-light photocatalysis of rhodamine B bymore » Ag/BP plasmonic nanohybrids, a significant rise in photoactivity compared with pristine BP nanosheets is observed either by decreasing BP layer thickness or increasing Ag particle size, with the greatest enhancement being up to ~20-fold. By virtue of finite-difference time domain (FDTD) simulations and photocurrent measurements, we give insights into the enhanced photocatalytic performance of Ag/BP nanohybrids, including the effects of BP layer thickness and Ag particle size. In comparison with BP, Ag/BP nanohybrids present intense local field amplification at the perimeter of Ag NPs, which is increased by either decreasing the BP layer thickness from multiple to few layers or increasing the Ag particle size from 20 to 40 nm. Additionally, when the BP layer thickness is decreased from multiple to few layers, the bandgap becomes favorable to generate more strongly oxidative holes in the proximity of the Ag/BP interface to enhance photoactivity. Our findings illustrate a synergy between locally enhanced electric fields and BP bandgap, in which BP layer thickness and Ag particle size can be independently tuned to enhance photoactivity. Lastly, this study may open a new avenue for further exploiting BP-based plasmonic nanostructures in photocatalysis, photodetectors, and photovoltaics.« less

Cloud layer thicknesses from a combination of surface and upper-air observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poore, Kirk D.; Wang, Junhong; Rossow, William B.

1995-01-01

Cloud layer thicknesses are derived from base and top altitudes by combining 14 years (1975-1988) of surface and upper-air observations at 63 sites in the Northern Hemisphere. Rawinsonde observations are employed to determine the locations of cloud-layer top and base by testing for dewpoint temperature depressions below some threshold value. Surface observations serve as quality checks on the rawinsonde-determined cloud properties and provide cloud amount and cloud-type information. The dataset provides layer-cloud amount, cloud type, high, middle, or low height classes, cloud-top heights, base heights and layer thicknesses, covering a range of latitudes from 0 deg to 80 deg N. All data comes from land sites: 34 are located in continental interiors, 14 are near coasts, and 15 are on islands. The uncertainties in the derived cloud properties are discussed. For clouds classified by low-, mid-, and high-top altitudes, there are strong latitudinal and seasonal variations in the layer thickness only for high clouds. High-cloud layer thickness increases with latitude and exhibits different seasonal variations in different latitude zones: in summer, high-cloud layer thickness is a maximum in the Tropics but a minimum at high latitudes. For clouds classified into three types by base altitude or into six standard morphological types, latitudinal and seasonal variations in layer thickness are very small. The thickness of the clear surface layer decreases with latitude and reaches a summer minimum in the Tropics and summer maximum at higher latitudes over land, but does not vary much over the ocean. Tropical clouds occur in three base-altitude groups and the layer thickness of each group increases linearly with top altitude. Extratropical clouds exhibit two groups, one with layer thickness proportional to their cloud-top altitude and one with small (less than or equal to 1000 m) layer thickness independent of cloud-top altitude.

Intestinal Mechanomorphological Remodeling Induced by Long-Term Low-Fiber Diet in Rabbits.

PubMed

Liu, Yue; Zhao, Jingbo; Liao, Donghua; Wang, Guixue; Gregersen, Hans

2017-12-01

Short-term feeding with low-fiber diet remodels the mechanomorphological properties in the rabbit small intestine. The aims were to study the effect of feeding low-fiber diet for 5 months on mechanomorphological properties including the collagen fraction in the rabbit intestines. Fifteen rabbits were divided into an Intervention group (IG, n = 10) fed a low-fiber diet and a Control group (CG, n = 5) fed a normal diet for 5 months. Five months later, four 10-cm-long segments obtained from the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and large intestine were used for histological and mechanical analysis, respectively. The wall thickness, wall area, mucosa and muscle layer thickness decreased whereas the submucosa layer thickness increased in the IG (p < 0.05). The collagen fraction decreased in all layers and segments in the IG (p < 0.05). The opening angle increased in the large intestine and decreased in the ileum in the IG (p < 0.05). The intestinal stress-strain curves for IG shifted to the right, indicating softening. The creep did not change in the four segments. The wall stiffness was associated with wall thickness and collagen fraction in the submucosa layer. Long-term low-fiber diet in rabbits induced histomorphometric and biomechanical remodelling of the intestines.

Theoretical Studies on InGaAs/InAlAs SAGCM Avalanche Photodiodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Siyu; Zhao, Yue; ur Rehman, Sajid; Feng, Shuai; Zuo, Yuhua; Li, Chuanbo; Zhang, Lichun; Cheng, Buwen; Wang, Qiming

2018-05-01

In this paper, we provide a detailed insight on InGaAs/InAlAs separate absorption, grading, charge, and multiplication avalanche photodiodes (SAGCM APDs) and a theoretical model of APDs is built. Through theoretical analysis and two-dimensional (2D) simulation, the influence of charge layer and tunneling effect on the APDs is fully understood. The design of charge layer (including doping level and thickness) can be calculated by our predictive model for different multiplication thickness. We find that as the thickness of charge layer increases, the suitable doping level range in charge layer decreases. Compared to thinner charge layer, performance of APD varies significantly via several percent deviations of doping concentrations in thicker charge layer. Moreover, the generation rate ( G btt ) of band-to-band tunnel is calculated, and the influence of tunneling effect on avalanche field was analyzed. We confirm that avalanche field and multiplication factor ( M n ) in multiplication will decrease by the tunneling effect. The theoretical model and analysis are based on InGaAs/InAlAs APD; however, they are applicable to other APD material systems as well.

Relationship between white matter hyperintensities and retinal nerve fiber layer, choroid, and ganglion cell layer thickness in migraine patients.

PubMed

Iyigundogdu, Ilkin; Derle, Eda; Asena, Leyla; Kural, Feride; Kibaroglu, Seda; Ocal, Ruhsen; Akkoyun, Imren; Can, Ufuk

2018-02-01

Aim To compare the relationship between white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on brain magnetic resonance imaging and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), choroid, and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thicknesses in migraine patients and healthy subjects. We also assessed the role of cerebral hypoperfusion in the formation of these WMH lesions. Methods We enrolled 35 migraine patients without WMH, 37 migraine patients with WMH, and 37 healthy control subjects examined in the Neurology outpatient clinic of our tertiary center from May to December 2015. RFNL, choroid, and GCL thicknesses were measured by optic coherence tomography. Results There were no differences in the RFNL, choroid, or GCL thicknesses between migraine patients with and without WMH ( p > 0.05). Choroid layer thicknesses were significantly lower in migraine patients compared to control subjects ( p < 0.05), while there were no differences in RFNL and GCL thicknesses ( p > 0.05). Conclusions The 'only cerebral hypoperfusion' theory was insufficient to explain the pathophysiology of WMH lesions in migraine patients. In addition, the thinning of the choroid thicknesses in migraine patients suggests a potential causative role for cerebral hypoperfusion and decreased perfusion pressure of the choroid layer.

Comparison of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography for intra-retinal layers thickness measurements between healthy and diabetic eyes among Chinese adults

PubMed Central

Li, Shu-ting; Wang, Xiang-ning; Du, Xin-hua; Wu, Qiang

2017-01-01

Purpose To compare intra-retinal layer thickness measurements between eyes with no or mild diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-matched controls using Spectralis spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods Cross-sectional observational analysis study. High-resolution macular volume scans (30° * 25°) were obtained for 133 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with no DR, 42 T2DM patients with mild DR and 115 healthy controls. The mean thickness was measured in all 9 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) sectors for 8 separate layers, inner retinal layer (IRL), outer retinal layer (ORL) and total retina (TR), after automated segmentation. The ETDRS grid consisted of three concentric circles of 1-, 3-, and 6-mm diameter. The superior, inferior, temporal, and nasal sectors of the 3- and 6-mm circles were respectively designated as S3, I3, T3, and N3 and S6, I6, T6, and N6. Linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the associations between the intra-retinal layer thicknesses, age, diabetes duration, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c. Results The mean age and duration of T2DM were 61.1 and 13.7 years, respectively. Although no significant differences in the average TR and ORL volumes were observed among the groups, significant differences were found in the volume and sectorial thicknesses of the inner plexiform layer (IPL), outer plexiform layer (OPL) and IRL among the groups. In particular, the thicknesses of the IPL (S3, T3, S6, I6 and T6 sectors) and the IRL (S6 sector) were decreased in the no-DR group compared with the controls (P < 0.05). The thickness of the OPL (S3, N3, S6 and N6 sectors) was thinner in the no-DR group than in mild DR (P < 0.05). The average IPL thickness was significantly negatively correlated with age and the duration of diabetes. Conclusion The assessment of the intra-retinal layer thickness showed a significant decrease in the IPL and IRL thicknesses in Chinese adults with T2DM, even in the absence of visible microvascular signs of DR. PMID:28493982

Influence of thickness and permeability of endothelial surface layer on transmission of shear stress in capillaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, SongPeng; Zhang, XiangJun; Tian, Yu; Meng, YongGang; Lipowsky, Herbert

2015-07-01

The molecular coating on the surface of microvascular endothelium has been identified as a barrier to transvascular exchange of solutes. With a thickness of hundreds of nanometers, this endothelial surface layer (ESL) has been treated as a porous domain within which fluid shear stresses are dissipated and transmitted to the solid matrix to initiate mechanotransduction events. The present study aims to examine the effects of the ESL thickness and permeability on the transmission of shear stress throughout the ESL. Our results indicate that fluid shear stresses rapidly decrease to insignificant levels within a thin transition layer near the outer boundary of the ESL with a thickness on the order of ten nanometers. The thickness of the transition zone between free fluid and the porous layer was found to be proportional to the square root of the Darcy permeability. As the permeability is reduced ten-fold, the interfacial fluid and solid matrix shear stress gradients increase exponentially two-fold. While the interfacial fluid shear stress is positively related to the ESL thickness, the transmitted matrix stress is reduced by about 50% as the ESL thickness is decreased from 500 to 100 nm, which may occur under pathological conditions. Thus, thickness and permeability of the ESL are two main factors that determine flow features and the apportionment of shear stresses between the fluid and solid phases of the ESL. These results may shed light on the mechanisms of force transmission through the ESL and the pathological events caused by alterations in thickness and permeability of the ESL.

Preparation and Performance of Plasma/Polymer Composite Coatings on Magnesium Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bakhsheshi-Rad, H. R.; Hamzah, E.; Bagheriyan, S.; Daroonparvar, M.; Kasiri-Asgarani, M.; Shah, A. M.; Medraj, M.

2016-09-01

A triplex plasma (NiCoCrAlHfYSi/Al2O3·13%TiO2)/polycaprolactone composite coating was successfully deposited on a Mg-1.2Ca alloy by a combination of atmospheric plasma spraying and dip-coating techniques. The NiCoCrAlHfYSi (MCrAlHYS) coating, as the first layer, contained a large number of voids, globular porosities, and micro-cracks with a thickness of 40-50 μm, while the Al2O3·13%TiO2 coating, as the second layer, presented a unique bimodal microstructure with a thickness of 70-80 μm. The top layer was a hydrophobic polymer, which effectively sealed the porosities of plasma layers. The results of micro-hardness and bonding strength tests showed that the plasma coating presented excellent hardness (870 HV) and good bonding strength (14.8 MPa). However, the plasma/polymer coatings interface exhibited low bonding strength (8.6 MPa). The polymer coating formed thick layer (100-110 μm) that homogeneously covered the surface of the plasma layers. Contact angle measurement showed that polymer coating over plasma layers significantly decreased surface wettability. The corrosion current density ( i corr) of an uncoated sample (262.7 µA/cm2) decreased to 76.9 µA/cm2 after plasma coatings were applied. However, it was found that the i corr decreased significantly to 0.002 µA/cm2 after polymer sealing of the porous plasma layers.

Cone Photoreceptor Packing Density and the Outer Nuclear Layer Thickness in Healthy Subjects

PubMed Central

Chui, Toco Y. P.; Song, Hongxin; Clark, Christopher A.; Papay, Joel A.; Burns, Stephen A.; Elsner, Ann E.

2012-01-01

Purpose. We evaluated the relationship between cone photoreceptor packing density and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness within the central 15 degrees. Methods. Individual differences for healthy subjects in cone packing density and ONL thickness were examined in 8 younger and 8 older subjects, mean age 27.2 versus 56.2 years. Cone packing density was obtained using an adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AOSLO). The ONL thickness measurements included the ONL and the Henle fiber layer (ONL + HFL), and were obtained using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) and custom segmentation software. Results. There were sizeable individual differences in cone packing density and ONL + HFL thickness. Older subjects had on average lower cone packing densities, but thicker ONL + HFL measurements. Cone packing density and ONL + HFL thickness decreased with increasing retinal eccentricity. The ratio of the cone packing density-to-ONL2 was larger for the younger subjects group, and decreased with retinal eccentricity. Conclusions. The individual differences in cone packing density and ONL + HFL thickness are consistent with aging changes, indicating that normative aging data are necessary for fine comparisons in the early stages of disease or response to treatment. Our finding of ONL + HFL thickness increasing with aging is inconsistent with the hypothesis that ONL measurements with SDOCT depend only on the number of functioning cones, since in our older group cones were fewer, but thickness was greater. PMID:22570340

Magnetic behaviour of multisegmented FeCoCu/Cu electrodeposited nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Núñez, A.; Pérez, L.; Abuín, M.; Araujo, J. P.; Proenca, M. P.

2017-04-01

Understanding the magnetic behaviour of multisegmented nanowires (NWs) is a major key for the application of such structures in future devices. In this work, magnetic/non-magnetic arrays of FeCoCu/Cu multilayered NWs electrodeposited in nanoporous alumina templates are studied. Contrarily to most reports on multilayered NWs, the magnetic layer thickness was kept constant (30 nm) and only the non-magnetic layer thickness was changed (0 to 80 nm). This allowed us to tune the interwire and intrawire interactions between the magnetic layers in the NW array creating a three-dimensional (3D) magnetic system without the need to change the template characteristics. Magnetic hysteresis loops, measured with the applied field parallel and perpendicular to the NWs’ long axis, showed the effect of the non-magnetic Cu layer on the overall magnetic properties of the NW arrays. In particular, introducing Cu layers along the magnetic NW axis creates domain wall nucleation sites that facilitate the magnetization reversal of the wires, as seen by the decrease in the parallel coercivity and the reduction of the perpendicular saturation field. By further increasing the Cu layer thickness, the interactions between the magnetic segments, both along the NW axis and of neighbouring NWs, decrease, thus rising again the parallel coercivity and the perpendicular saturation field. This work shows how one can easily tune the parallel and perpendicular magnetic properties of a 3D magnetic layer system by adjusting the non-magnetic layer thickness.

Long-term Effect of Panretinal Photocoagulation on Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Measurements in Diabetic Retinopathy.

PubMed

Lee, Haeng-Jin; Kang, Tae-Seen; Kwak, Baek-Soo; Jo, Young-Joon; Kim, Jung-Yeul

2017-08-01

To evaluate the effects of panretinal photocoagulation on spectral domain optical coherence tomography measurements in diabetic retinopathy by comparing the thicknesses of the central macula, retinal nerve fiber layer, and ganglion cell layer, we used a Cirrus HD OCT® (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA) in normal and diabetic retinopathy cohorts. We analyzed patients who visited our retinal clinic between May 2013 and July 2014. The patients were classified into four groups: normal (Group A), diabetes without diabetic retinopathy (Group B), severe nonproliferative or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (Group C), and at least 3 years after panretinal photocoagulation treatment (Group D). The mean thicknesses of the macula, retinal nerve fiber layer, and ganglion cell layer in each group were compared by measuring a macular cube 512 × 128 scan and an optic disc cube 200 × 200 scan twice. In total, 154 patients were enrolled. The mean thickness of the central macula in groups A to D was 257.2, 256.8, 257.4, and 255.6 µm, respectively, and did not differ significantly. The mean thickness of the RNFL in group A to D was 96.8, 96.5, 97.2, and 92.8 µm, respectively, and was significantly lower in group D (decreased in the inferior, superior, and nasal sectors, but increased in the temporal). The mean thickness of the ganglion cell layer was also significantly lower in group D (A, 84.5 µm; B, 84.4 µm; C, 82.5 µm; D, 78.5 µm). The mean thicknesses of the retinal nerve fiber and ganglion cell layers were decreased significantly in eyes with diabetic eye disease treated with panretinal photocoagulation compared to normal or eyes with diabetic eye disease that had not been laser-treated. Laser treatment might have altered the thickness of the inner layer of the retina, and such changes should be considered in diabetic retinopathy patients after panretinal photocoagulation treatment.

Competitions between Rayleigh-Taylor instability and Kelvin-Helmholtz instability with continuous density and velocity profiles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ye, W. H.; He, X. T.; CAPT, Peking University, Beijing 100871

2011-02-15

In this research, competitions between Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) and Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI) in two-dimensional incompressible fluids within a linear growth regime are investigated analytically. Normalized linear growth rate formulas for both the RTI, suitable for arbitrary density ratio with continuous density profile, and the KHI, suitable for arbitrary density ratio with continuous density and velocity profiles, are obtained. The linear growth rates of pure RTI ({gamma}{sub RT}), pure KHI ({gamma}{sub KH}), and combined RTI and KHI ({gamma}{sub total}) are investigated, respectively. In the pure RTI, it is found that the effect of the finite thickness of the density transition layermore » (L{sub {rho}}) reduces the linear growth of the RTI (stabilizes the RTI). In the pure KHI, it is found that conversely, the effect of the finite thickness of the density transition layer increases the linear growth of the KHI (destabilizes the KHI). It is found that the effect of the finite thickness of the density transition layer decreases the ''effective'' or ''local'' Atwood number (A) for both the RTI and the KHI. However, based on the properties of {gamma}{sub RT}{proportional_to}{radical}(A) and {gamma}{sub KH}{proportional_to}{radical}(1-A{sup 2}), the effect of the finite thickness of the density transition layer therefore has a completely opposite role on the RTI and the KHI noted above. In addition, it is found that the effect of the finite thickness of the velocity shear layer (L{sub u}) stabilizes the KHI, and for the most cases, the combined effects of the finite thickness of the density transition layer and the velocity shear layer (L{sub {rho}=}L{sub u}) also stabilize the KHI. Regarding the combined RTI and KHI, it is found that there is a competition between the RTI and the KHI because of the completely opposite effect of the finite thickness of the density transition layer on these two kinds of instability. It is found that the competitions between the RTI and the KHI depend, respectively, on the Froude number, the density ratio of the light fluid to the heavy one, and the finite thicknesses of the density transition layer and the velocity shear layer. Furthermore, for the fixed Froude number, the linear growth rate ratio of the RTI to the KHI decreases with both the density ratio and the finite thickness of the density transition layer, but increases with the finite thickness of the velocity shear layer and the combined finite thicknesses of the density transition layer and the velocity shear layer (L{sub {rho}=}L{sub u}). In summary, our analytical results show that the effect of the finite thickness of the density transition layer stabilizes the RTI and the overall combined effects of the finite thickness of the density transition layer and the velocity shear layer (L{sub {rho}=}L{sub u}) also stabilize the KHI. Thus, it should be included in applications where the transition layer effect plays an important role, such as the formation of large-scale structures (jets) in high energy density physics and astrophysics and turbulent mixing.« less

Effects of spatial variation of skull and cerebrospinal fluid layers on optical mapping of brain activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shuping; Shibahara, Nanae; Kuramashi, Daishi; Okawa, Shinpei; Kakuta, Naoto; Okada, Eiji; Maki, Atsushi; Yamada, Yukio

2010-07-01

In order to investigate the effects of anatomical variation in human heads on the optical mapping of brain activity, we perform simulations of optical mapping by solving the photon diffusion equation for layered-models simulating human heads using the finite element method (FEM). Particularly, the effects of the spatial variations in the thicknesses of the skull and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) layers on mapping images are investigated. Mapping images of single active regions in the gray matter layer are affected by the spatial variations in the skull and CSF layer thicknesses, although the effects are smaller than those of the positions of the active region relative to the data points. The increase in the skull thickness decreases the sensitivity of the images to active regions, while the increase in the CSF layer thickness increases the sensitivity in general. The images of multiple active regions are also influenced by their positions relative to the data points and by their depths from the skin surface.

Effect of Liquid Viscosity on Dispersion of Quasi-Lamb Waves in an Elastic-Layer-Viscous-Liquid-Layer System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guz, A. N.; Bagno, A. M.

2017-07-01

The dispersion curves are constructed and propagation of quasi-Lamb waves are studied for wide range of frequencies based on the Navier -Stokes three-dimensional linearized equations for a viscous liquid and linear equations of the classical theory of elasticity for an elastic layer. For a thick liquid layer, the effect of the viscosity of the liquid and the thickness of elastic and liquid layers on the phase velocities and attenuation coefficients of quasi-Lamb modes is analyzed. It is shown that in the case of a thick liquid layer for all modes, there are elastic layers of certain thickness with minimal effect of liquid viscosity on the phase velocities and attenuation coefficients of modes. It is also discovered that for some modes, there are both certain thicknesses and certain ranges of thickness where the effect of liquid viscosity on the phase velocities and attenuation coefficients of these modes is considerable. We ascertain that liquid viscosity promotes decrease of the penetration depth of the lowest quasi-Lamb mode into the liquid. The developed approach and the obtained results make it possible to ascertain for wave processes the limits of applicability of the model of ideal compressible fluid. Numerical results in the form of graphs are adduced and analyzed.

AA6082 to DX56-Steel Laser Brazing: Process Parameter-Intermetallic Formation Correlation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Narsimhachary, D.; Pal, S.; Shariff, S. M.; Padmanabham, G.; Basu, A.

2017-09-01

In the present study, laser-brazed AA6082 to DX56-galvanized steel joints were investigated to understand the influence of process parameters on joint strength in terms of intermetallic layer formation. 1.5-mm-thick sheet of aluminum alloy (AA6082-T6) and galvanized steel (DX56) sheet of 0.7 mm thickness were laser-brazed with 1.5-mm-diameter Al-12% Si solid filler wire. During laser brazing, laser power (4.6 kW) and wire feed rate (3.4 m/min) were kept constant with a varying laser scan speed of 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5, and 1 m/min. Microstructure of brazed joint reveals epitaxial growth at the aluminum side and intermetallic layer formation at steel interface. Intermetallic layer formation was confirmed by EDS analysis and XRD study. Hardness profile showed hardness drop in filler region, and failure during tensile testing was initiated through the filler region near the steel interface. As per both experimental study and numerical analysis, it was observed that intermetallic layer thickness decreases with increasing brazing speed. Zn vaporization from galvanized steel interface also affected the joint strength. It was found that high laser scan speed or faster cooling rate can be chosen for suppressing intermetallic layer formation or at least decreasing the layer thickness which results in improved mechanical properties.

Thermally stable dielectric responses in uniaxially (001)-oriented CaBi4Ti4O15 nanofilms grown on a Ca2Nb3O10- nanosheet seed layer.

PubMed

Kimura, Junichi; Takuwa, Itaru; Matsushima, Masaaki; Shimizu, Takao; Uchida, Hiroshi; Kiguchi, Takanori; Shiraishi, Takahisa; Konno, Toyohiko J; Shibata, Tatsuo; Osada, Minoru; Sasaki, Takayoshi; Funakubo, Hiroshi

2016-02-15

To realize a high-temperature capacitor, uniaxially (001)-oriented CaBi4Ti4O15 films with various film thicknesses were prepared on (100)cSrRuO3/Ca2Nb3O10(-) nanosheet/glass substrates. As the film thickness decreases to 50 nm, the out-of-plane lattice parameters decrease while the in-plane lattice ones increase due to the in-plane tensile strain. However, the relative dielectric constant (εr) at room temperature exhibits a negligible degradation as the film thickness decreases to 50 nm, suggesting that εr of (001)-oriented CaBi4Ti4O15 is less sensitive to the residual strain. The capacitance density increases monotonously with decreasing film thickness, reaching a value of 4.5 μF/cm(2) for a 50-nm-thick nanofilm, and is stable against temperature changes from room temperature to 400 °C irrespective of film thickness. This behaviour differs from that of the widely investigated perovskite-structured dielectrics. These results show that (001)-oriented CaBi4Ti4O15 films derived using Ca2Nb3O10(-) nanosheets as seed layers can be made candidates for high-temperature capacitor applications by a small change in the dielectric properties against film thickness and temperature variations.

Physical Limitations of Phosphor layer thickness and concentration for White LEDs.

PubMed

Tan, Cher Ming; Singh, Preetpal; Zhao, Wenyu; Kuo, Hao-Chung

2018-02-05

Increasing phosphor layer thickness and concentration can enhance the lumen flux of white LED (W-LED). In this work, we found that increasing the phosphor layer thickness and concentration can increase its temperature, and there is also a maximum thickness and concentration beyond which their increase will not lead to lumen increase, but only temperature increase. Higher thickness and higher concentration also results in warm light instead of White light. The maximum thickness and concentration are found to be limited by the scattering of light rays with higher % decrease of blue light rays than the yellow light rays. The results obtained in this work can also be used to compute the temperature and thermo-mechanical stress distribution of an encapsulated LED, demonstrating its usefulness to the design of encapsulated LED packages. Simulation software like ANSYS and TracePro are used extensively to verify the root cause mechanisms.

Influence of Filler Alloy Composition and Process Parameters on the Intermetallic Layer Thickness in Single-Sided Cold Metal Transfer Welding of Aluminum-Steel Blanks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silvayeh, Zahra; Vallant, Rudolf; Sommitsch, Christof; Götzinger, Bruno; Karner, Werner; Hartmann, Matthias

2017-11-01

Hybrid components made of aluminum alloys and high-strength steels are typically used in automotive lightweight applications. Dissimilar joining of these materials is quite challenging; however, it is mandatory in order to produce multimaterial car body structures. Since especially welding of tailored blanks is of utmost interest, single-sided Cold Metal Transfer butt welding of thin sheets of aluminum alloy EN AW 6014 T4 and galvanized dual-phase steel HCT 450 X + ZE 75/75 was experimentally investigated in this study. The influence of different filler alloy compositions and welding process parameters on the thickness of the intermetallic layer, which forms between the weld seam and the steel sheet, was studied. The microstructures of the weld seam and of the intermetallic layer were characterized using conventional optical light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results reveal that increasing the heat input and decreasing the cooling intensity tend to increase the layer thickness. The silicon content of the filler alloy has the strongest influence on the thickness of the intermetallic layer, whereas the magnesium and scandium contents of the filler alloy influence the cracking tendency. The layer thickness is not uniform and shows spatial variations along the bonding interface. The thinnest intermetallic layer (mean thickness < 4 µm) is obtained using the silicon-rich filler Al-3Si-1Mn, but the layer is more than twice as thick when different low-silicon fillers are used.

Experimental investigation on the influence of boundary layer thickness on the base pressure and near-wake flow features of an axisymmetric blunt-based body

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mariotti, Alessandro; Buresti, Guido

2013-11-01

The influence of the thickness of the boundary layer developing over the surface of an axisymmetric bluff body upon its base pressure and near-wake flow is analyzed experimentally. The model, whose diameter-to-length ratio is d/ l = 0.175, has a forebody with an elliptical contour and a sharp-edged flat base; it is supported above a plate by means of a faired strut. The pressure distributions over the body lateral and base surfaces were obtained using numerous pressure taps, while the boundary layer profiles and the wake velocity field were measured through hot-wire anemometry. The tests were carried out at , at which the boundary layer over the lateral surface of the body becomes turbulent before reaching the base contour. Strips of emery cloth were wrapped in various positions around the body circumference in order to modify the thickness and the characteristics of the boundary layer. The results show that increasing the boundary layer thickness causes a decrease in the base suctions and a corresponding increase in the length of the mean recirculation region present behind the body. In the spectra of the velocity fluctuations measured within and aside the wake, a dominating peak becomes evident in the region downstream of the final part of the recirculation region. The relevant non-dimensional frequency decreases with increasing boundary layer thickness; however, a Strouhal number based on the wake width and the velocity defect at a suitable reference cross section downstream of the recirculation region is found to remain almost constant for the different cases.

Effect of protein adsorption on the corrosion behavior of 70Cu-30Ni alloy in artificial seawater.

PubMed

Torres Bautista, Blanca E; Carvalho, Maria L; Seyeux, Antoine; Zanna, Sandrine; Cristiani, Pierangela; Tribollet, Bernard; Marcus, Philippe; Frateur, Isabelle

2014-06-01

Copper alloys often used in cooling circuits of industrial plants can be affected by biocorrosion induced by biofilm formation. The objective of this work was to study the influence of protein adsorption, which is the first step in biofilm formation, on the electrochemical behavior of 70Cu-30Ni (wt.%) alloy in static artificial seawater and on the chemical composition of oxide layers. For that purpose, electrochemical measurements performed after 1h of immersion were combined to surface analyses. A model is proposed to analyze impedance data. In the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA, model protein), the anodic charge transfer resistance deduced from EIS data at Ecorr is slightly higher, corresponding to lower corrosion current. Without BSA, two oxidized layers are shown by XPS and ToF-SIMS: an outer layer mainly composed of copper oxide (Cu2O redeposited layer) and an inner layer mainly composed of oxidized nickel, with a global thickness of ~30nm. The presence of BSA leads to a mixed oxide layer (CuO, Cu2O, Ni(OH)2) with a lower thickness (~10nm). Thus, the protein induces a decrease of the dissolution rate at Ecorr and hence a decrease of the amount of redeposited Cu2O and of the oxide layer thickness. © 2013.

Long-Wavelength Instability in Marangoni Convection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanHook, Stephen J.; Schatz, Michael F.; Swift, Jack B.; McCormick, W. D.; Swinney, Harry L.

1996-01-01

Our experiments in thin liquid layers (approximately 0.1 mm thick) heated from below reveal a well-defined long-wavelength instability: at a critical temperature difference across the layer, the depth of the layer in the center of the cell spontaneously decreases until the liquid-air interface ruptures and a dry spot forms. The onset of this critical instability occurs at a temperature difference across the liquid layer that is 35% smaller than that predicted in earlier theoretical studies of a single layer model. Our analysis of a two-layer model yields predictions in accord with the observations for liquid layer depths greater than or equal to 0.15 mm, but for smaller depths there is an increasing difference between our predictions and observations (the difference is 25% for a layer 0.06 mm thick). In microgravity environments the long-wavelength instability observed in our terrestrial experiments is expected to replace cellular convection as the primary instability in thick as well as thin liquid layers heated quasistatically from below.

Monte Carlo studies on neutron interactions in radiobiological experiments

PubMed Central

Shahmohammadi Beni, Mehrdad; Hau, Tak Cheong; Krstic, D.; Nikezic, D.

2017-01-01

Monte Carlo method was used to study the characteristics of neutron interactions with cells underneath a water medium layer with varying thickness. The following results were obtained. (1) The fractions of neutron interaction with 1H, 12C, 14N and 16O nuclei in the cell layer were studied. The fraction with 1H increased with increasing medium thickness, while decreased for 12C, 14N and 16O nuclei. The bulges in the interaction fractions with 12C, 14N and 16O nuclei were explained by the resonance spikes in the interaction cross-section data. The interaction fraction decreased in the order: 1H > 16O > 12C > 14N. (2) In general, as the medium thickness increased, the number of “interacting neutrons” which exited the medium and then further interacted with the cell layer increased. (3) The area under the angular distributions for “interacting neutrons” decreased with increasing incident neutron energy. Such results would be useful for deciphering the reasons behind discrepancies among existing results in the literature. PMID:28704557

Correlation between active layer thickness and ambient gas stability in IGZO thin-film transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Xu; Lin, Meng-Fang; Mao, Bao-Hua; Shimizu, Maki; Mitoma, Nobuhiko; Kizu, Takio; Ou-Yang, Wei; Nabatame, Toshihide; Liu, Zhi; Tsukagoshi, Kazuhito; Wang, Sui-Dong

2017-01-01

Decreasing the active layer thickness has been recently reported as an alternative way to achieve fully depleted oxide thin-film transistors for the realization of low-voltage operations. However, the correlation between the active layer thickness and device resistivity to environmental changes is still unclear, which is important for the optimized design of oxide thin-film transistors. In this work, the ambient gas stability of IGZO thin-film transistors is found to be strongly correlated to the IGZO thickness. The TFT with the thinnest IGZO layer shows the highest intrinsic electron mobility in a vacuum, which is greatly reduced after exposure to O2/air. The device with a thick IGZO layer shows similar electron mobility in O2/air, whereas the mobility variation measured in the vacuum is absent. The thickness dependent ambient gas stability is attributed to a high-mobility region in the IGZO surface vicinity with less sputtering-induced damage, which will become electron depleted in O2/air due to the electron transfer to adsorbed gas molecules. The O2 adsorption and deduced IGZO surface band bending is demonstrated by the ambient-pressure x-ray photoemission spectroscopy results.

Reduction of shunt current in buffer-free IrMn based spin-valve structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kocaman, B.; Akdoğan, N.

2018-06-01

The presence of thick buffer layers in magnetic sensor devices decreases sensor sensitivity due to shunt currents. With this motivation, we produced IrMn-based spin-valve multilayers without using buffer layer. We also studied the effects of post-annealing and IrMn thickness on exchange bias field (HEB) and blocking temperature (TB) of the system. Magnetization measurements indicate that both HEB and TB values are significantly enhanced with post-annealing of IrMn layer. In addition, we report that IrMn thickness of the system strongly influences the magnetization and transport characteristics of the spin-valve structures. We found that the minimum thickness of IrMn layer is 6 nm in order to achieve the lowest shunt current and high blocking temperature (>300 K). We also investigated the training of exchange bias to check the long-term durability of IrMn-based spin-valve structures for device applications.

Damping Property and Vibration Analysis of Blades with Viscoelastic Layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Shyh-Chin; Chiu, Yi-Jui; Lu, Yao-Ju

This paper showed the damping effect and the vibration analysis of a shaft-disk-blade system with viscoelastic layers on blades. The focus of the research is on the shaft's torsional vibration and the blade's bending vibration. The equations of motion were derived from the energy approach. This model, unlike the previous, used only two displacement functions for layered blades. Then, the assumed-modes method was employed to discretize the equations. The analyses of natural frequencies damping property were discussed afterwards. The numerical results showed the damping effects due to various constraining layer (CL) thickness and viscoelastic material (VEM) thickness. The research also compared FRF's of the systems with and without viscoelastic layers. It is concluded that both CL and VEM layers promote the damping capability but the marginal effect decreases with their thickness. The CLD treatment also found drop the natural frequencies slightly.

In-depth porosity control of mesoporous silicon layers by an anodization current adjustment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lascaud, J.; Defforge, T.; Certon, D.; Valente, D.; Gautier, G.

2017-12-01

The formation of thick mesoporous silicon layers in P+-type substrates leads to an increase in the porosity from the surface to the interface with silicon. The adjustment of the current density during the electrochemical etching of porous silicon is an intuitive way to control the layer in-depth porosity. The duration and the current density during the anodization were varied to empirically model porosity variations with layer thickness and build a database. Current density profiles were extracted from the model in order to etch layer with in-depth control porosity. As a proof of principle, an 80 μm-thick porous silicon multilayer was synthetized with decreasing porosities from 55% to 35%. The results show that the assessment of the in-depth porosity could be significantly enhanced by taking into account the pure chemical etching of the layer in the hydrofluoric acid-based electrolyte.

Changes in Flat Plate Wake Characteristics Obtained With Decreasing Plate Thickness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rai, Man Mohan

2016-01-01

The near and very near wake of a flat plate with a circular trailing edge is investigated with data from direct numerical simulations. Computations were performed for four different Reynolds numbers based on plate thickness (D) and at constant plate length. The value of ?/D varies by a factor of approximately 20 in the computations (? being the boundary layer momentum thickness at the trailing edge). The separating boundary layers are turbulent in all the cases. One objective of the study is to understand the changes in wake characteristics as the plate thickness is reduced (increasing ?/D). Vortex shedding is vigorous in the low ?/D cases with a substantial decrease in shedding intensity in the largest ?/D case (for all practical purposes shedding becomes almost intermittent). Other characteristics that are significantly altered with increasing ?/D are the roll-up of the detached shear layers and the magnitude of fluctuations in shedding period. These effects are explored in depth. The effects of changing ?/D on the distributions of the time-averaged, near-wake velocity statistics are discussed.

[Treatment of surface burns with proteolytic enzymes: mathematic description of lysis kinetics].

PubMed

Domogatskaia, A S; Domogatskiĭ, S P; Ruuge, E K

2003-01-01

The lysis of necrotic tissue by a proteolytic enzyme applied to the surface of a burn wound was studied. A mathematical model was proposed, which describes changes in the thickness of necrotic tissue as a function of the proteolytic activity of the enzyme. The model takes into account the inward-directed diffusion of the enzyme, the counterflow of interstitial fluid (exudates) containing specific inhibitors, and the extracellular matrix proteolysis. It was shown in terms of the quasi-stationary approach that the thickness of the necrotic tissue layer decreases exponentially with time; i.e., the lysis slows down as the thickness of the necrotic tissue layer decreases. The dependence of the characteristic time of this decrease on enzyme concentration was obtained. It was shown that, at high enzyme concentrations (more than 5 mg/ml), the entire time of lysis (after the establishment of quasi-stationary equilibrium) is inversely proportional to the concentration of the enzyme.

Development of skin structure and cutaneous water loss in nestling desert house sparrows from Saudi Arabia.

PubMed

Groff, Brandon; Muñoz-Garcia, Agustí; Yamaguchi, Mamoru; Williams, Joseph B

2007-06-01

The outer layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum (SC), contains lipids and corneocytes, which together form layers that limit cutaneous water loss (CWL). We examined the development of structure of the SC and CWL in nestling House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) from Saudi Arabia. We measured CWL of nestlings, and characterized development of their epidermis using electron microscopy. We tested two antagonistic hypotheses, that CWL decreases as nestlings age, a response to increased thickness of SC, and an opposite idea that CWL increases as nestlings age even though the number of layers of the SC remains constant. CWL of nestling House Sparrows varied with developmental stages, in a non-linear fashion, but not significantly so. CWL of nestlings averaged 7.31+/-1.5 g H(2)O/(m(2) h), whereas for adults it was 4.95 g/(m(2) h); adult CWL was 67.7% that of nestlings. We found that morphology of the SC did not change linearly with age, but seemed to vary with developmental stage. CWL decreased as the SC thickness increased and as the total thickness of the corneocytes increased. Further, we found that CWL decreased as the thickness of the extracellular space increased, number of corneocytes increased, and proportion of the SC that is extracellular space increased.

Changes in optical coherence tomography measurements after orbital wall decompression in dysthyroid optic neuropathy.

PubMed

Park, Kyung-Ah; Kim, Yoon-Duck; Woo, Kyung In

2018-06-01

The purpose of our study was to assess changes in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness after orbital wall decompression in eyes with dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON). We analyzed peripapillary optical coherence tomography (OCT) images (Cirrus HD-OCT) from controls and patients with DON before and 1 and 6 months after orbital wall decompression. There was no significant difference in mean preoperative peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness between eyes with DON and controls. The superior and inferior peripapillary RNFL thickness decreased significantly 1 month after decompression surgery compared to preoperative values (p = 0.043 and p = 0.022, respectively). The global average, superior, temporal, and inferior peripapillary RNFL thickness decreased significantly 6 months after decompression surgery compared to preoperative values (p = 0.015, p = 0.028, p = 0.009, and p = 0.006, respectively). Patients with greater preoperative inferior peripapillary RNFL thickness tended to have better postoperative visual acuity at the last visit (p = 0.024, OR = 0.926). Our data revealed a significant decrease in peripapillary RNFL thickness postoperatively after orbital decompression surgery in patients with DON. We also found that greater preoperative inferior peripapillary RNFL thickness was associated with better visual outcomes. We suggest that RNFL thickness can be used as a prognostic factor for DON before decompression surgery.

[Abnormal of tear lipid layer and recent advances in clinical study of dry eye].

PubMed

Xiao, Xin-Ye; Liu, Zu-Guo

2012-03-01

Dry eye is a common disease in the ophthalmological clinic, which is related to the dysfunction of tear film. The tear film is composed of lipid layer, aqueous layer and mucin layer (or lipid layer, aqueous/mucin layer). The lipid of the outmost layer derived from Meibomian gland and distributed on the tear film after blinking can decrease the evaporation and stabilize the tear film. The thickness, quality, and distribution of lipid layer are impaired in many dry eye patients, hence restoring the physiological function of lipid layer may be crucial for the treatment of this kind of dry eye. The lipid artificial tears manifest great effects on increasing lipid layer thickness, stabilizing tear film, improving Meibomian gland dysfunction, and promoting tear film distribution.

Tailoring Curie temperature and magnetic anisotropy in ultrathin Pt/Co/Pt films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Parakkat, Vineeth Mohanan; Ganesh, K. R.; Anil Kumar, P. S., E-mail: anil@physics.iisc.ernet.in

The dependence of perpendicular magnetization and Curie temperature (T{sub c}) of Pt/Co/Pt thin films on the thicknesses of Pt seed (Pt{sub s}) and presence of Ta buffer layer has been investigated in this work. Pt and Co thicknesses were varied between 2 to 8 nm and 0.35 to 1.31 nm (across the spin reorientation transition thickness) respectively and the T{sub c} was measured using SQUID magnetometer. We have observed a systematic dependence of T{sub c} on the thickness of Pt{sub s}. For 8 nm thickness of Pt{sub s} the Co layer of 0.35 nm showed ferromagnetism with perpendicular anisotropy atmore » room temperature. As the thickness of the Pt{sub s} was decreased to 2 nm, the T{sub c} went down below 250 K. XRD data indicated polycrystalline growth of Pt{sub s} on SiO{sub 2}. On the contrary Ta buffer layer promoted the growth of Pt(111). As a consequence Ta(5 nm)/Pt(3 nm)/Co(0.35 nm)/Pt(2 nm) had much higher T{sub c} (above 300 K) with perpendicular anisotropy when compared to the same stack without the Ta layer. Thus we could tune the ferromagnetic T{sub c} and anisotropy by varying the Pt{sub s} thickness and also by introducing Ta buffer layer. We attribute these observations to the micro-structural evolution of Pt{sub s} layer which hosts the Co layer.« less

Thickness-dependent structure and properties of SnS2 thin films prepared by atomic layer deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seo, Wondeok; Shin, Seokyoon; Ham, Giyul; Lee, Juhyun; Lee, Seungjin; Choi, Hyeongsu; Jeon, Hyeongtag

2017-03-01

Tin disulfide (SnS2) thin films were deposited by a thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) method at low temperatures. The physical, chemical, and electrical characteristics of SnS2 were investigated as a function of the film thickness. SnS2 exhibited a (001) hexagonal plane peak at 14.9° in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results and an A1g peak at 311 cm-1 in the Raman spectra. These results demonstrate that SnS2 thin films grown at 150 °C showed a crystalline phase at film thicknesses above 11.2 nm. The crystallinity of the SnS2 thin films was evaluated by a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed that SnS2 consisted of Sn4+ and S2- valence states. Both the optical band gap and the transmittance of SnS2 decreased as the film thickness increased. The band gap of SnS2 decreased from 3.0 to 2.4 eV and the transmittance decreased from 85 to 32% at a wavelength of 400 nm. In addition, the resistivity of the thin film SnS2 decreased from 1011 to 106 Ω·cm as the film thickness increased.

STRESS-INDUCED ASYMMETRIC MAGNETOIMPEDANCE EFFECT IN Ni80Fe20/Cu COMPOSITE WIRES

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Wenxing; Li, Xin; Xie, Wenhui; Zhao, Qiang; Zhao, Zhenjie

The magnetoimpedance effect of Ni80Fe20/Cu composited wires was experimentally investigated by varying the Ni80Fe20 coating thickness. An asymmetric MI behavior with a tunable linear region around zero magnetic field by altering the thickness of Ni80Fe20 layer was demonstrated. And the MI behavior was governed by the different anisotropy induced by the residual local stress in the multi-layer region. In addition, our investigation also suggested that the interactions between interface phase and outer phase of coating layer decreased with thickness, resulting in the domination of the asymmetric MI characteristic. For thickness of 485nm, the sensitivity was up to 225%/Oe from -2 Oe to 2 Oe, providing a promising candidate for linear sensor application.

Influence of processing parameters on the characteristics of surface layers of low temperature plasma nitrocarburized AISI 630 martensitic stainless steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Insup

2017-11-01

Plasma nitrocarburizing was performed on solution-treated AISI 630 martensitic precipitation hardening stainless steel samples with a gas mixture of H2, N2, and CH4 with changing temperature, discharge voltage and amount of CH4. When nitrocarburized with increasing temperature from 380 °C to 430 °C at fixed 25% N2 and 6% CH4, the thickness of expanded martensite (α'N) layer and surface hardness increased up to 10 μm and 1323 HV0.05, respectively but the corrosion resistance decreased. Though the increase of discharge voltage from 400 V to 600 V increased α'N layer thickness and surface hardness (up to 13 μm and 1491 HV0.05, respectively), the treated samples still showed very poor corrosion behavior. Thus, to further improve the corrosion resistance, the influence of variation of the amount of CH4 in the nitrocarburizing process was investigated. Increasing the CH4 percentage aided higher corrosion resistance, although it decreased the α'N layer thickness. The most appropriate conditions for moderate α'N layer thickness, high surface hardness and better corrosion resistance than the solution-treated bare sample were established, which is plasma nitrocarburizing at 400 °C with 400 V discharge voltage and containing 25% N2 and 4% CH4.

Accelerating dewetting on deformable substrates by adding a liquid underlayer.

PubMed

Xu, Lin; Reiter, Günter; Shi, Tongfei; An, Lijia

2010-05-18

We investigated the dependence of the dewetting velocity of a thin, low-viscosity polystyrene (PS) top film on a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) double layer consisting of a low-viscosity underlayer of thickness h(L) coated with a high-viscosity middle layer of thickness h(M). The addition of the liquid underlayer generated complex nonmonotonic behavior of the dewetting velocity as a function of increasing h(M). In particular, we observed an acceleration of dewetting for an intermediate range of h(M). This phenomenon has been interpreted by a combination deformation of the middle elastic layer and a concurrent change in the contact angle. On one hand, deformation led to the formation of a trench that dissipated energy during its movement through the liquid underlayer and thus caused a slowing down of dewetting. However, with an increase in the thickness of the elastic middle layer, the size of the trench decreased and its influence on the dewetting velocity also decreased. On the other hand, the deformation of the elastic layer also led to an increase in the contact angle. This increase in the driving capillary forces caused an increase in the dewetting velocity.

Effect of Ni addition to the Cu substrate on the interfacial reaction and IMC growth with Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu solder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xudong; Hu, Xiaowu; Jiang, Xiongxin; Li, Yulong

2018-04-01

The formation and growth of intermetallic compound (IMC) layer at the interface between Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu (SAC305) solder and Cu- xNi ( x = 0, 0.5, 1.5, 5, 10 wt%) substrate during reflowing and aging were investigated. The soldering was conducted at 270 °C using reflowing method, following by aging treatment at 150 °C for up to 360 h. The experimental results indicated that the total thickness of IMC increased with increasing aging time. The scallop-like Cu6Sn5 and planar-like Cu3Sn IMC layer were observed between SAC305 solder and purely Cu substrate. As the content of Ni element in Cu substrate was 0.5% or 1.5%, the scallop-like Cu6Sn5 and planar-like Cu3Sn IMC layer were still found between solder and Cu-Ni substrate and the total thickness of IMC layer decreased with the increasing Ni content. Besides, when the Ni content was up to 5%, the long prismatic (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 phase was the only product between solder and substrate and the total thickness of IMC layer increased significantly. Interestingly, the total thickness of IMC decreased slightly as the Ni addition was up to 10%. In the end, the grains of interfacial IMC layer became coarser with aging time increasing while the addition of Ni in Cu substrate could refine IMC grains.

CHANGES IN CHOROIDAL THICKNESS IN AND OUTSIDE THE MACULA AFTER HEMODIALYSIS IN PATIENTS WITH END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE

PubMed Central

Chang, In Boem; Lee, Jeong Hyun

2017-01-01

Purpose: To evaluate changes in choroidal thickness in and outside the macula as a result of hemodialysis (HD) in patients with end-stage renal disease. Methods: Patients with end-stage renal disease treated with maintenance HD in the Dialysis Unit of Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, South Korea, were included in this study. The choroidal thickness was measured in and outside the macula before and after HD (paired t-test). Choroidal thickness in the macula was measured at the foveal center and 1.5 mm temporal to the foveal center and outside the macula was measured at superior, inferior, and nasal area 3.5 mm from the optic disk margin. Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, and systemic parameters such as serum osmolarity and blood pressure (BP) were measured before and after HD (paired t-test). We divided patients into two groups, diabetic and nondiabetic groups to compare the changes in choroidal thickness. Patients with diabetes were subdivided into two groups: severe retinal change group and moderate retinal change group (Mann–Whitney test). Pearson's correlation test was used to evaluate the correlations between choroidal thickness and changes in serum osmolarity, BP, and body weight loss. Choroidal thickness and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Results: Fifty-four eyes of 31 patients with end-stage renal disease were included. After HD, the mean intraocular pressure was significantly decreased from 14.8 ± 2.5 mmHg to 13.0 ± 2.6 mmHg (P < 0.001). Choroidal thickness was reduced in all areas (P < 0.001). The reduction in choroidal thickness correlated with body weight loss, decrease in serum osmolarity, and decrease in systolic BP (P < 0.05). In the diabetic group, the mean choroidal thickness changes were greater than those in the nondiabetic group (P < 0.05). The severe retinal change group showed greater changes in choroidal thickness in all areas (P < 0.05). Other factors that significantly decreased after HD included serum osmolarity, body weight, and systolic BP (all P < 0.001). The diabetic group showed greater changes in serum osmolarity and body weight (P < 0.001, P = 0.048, respectively). The measured overall changes in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness or central corneal thickness were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Changes in body weight, serum osmolarity, and BP during HD may affect choroidal thickness in and outside the macula. PMID:27557086

Magnetic and electrical properties of FeSi/FeSi-ZrO 2 multilayers prepared by EB-PVD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bi, Xiaofang; Lan, Weihua; Ou, Shengquan; Gong, Shengkai; Xu, Huibin

2003-04-01

FeSi/FeSi-ZrO 2 and FeSi/ZrO 2 multilayer materials were prepared by electron beam physical vapor deposition with the FeSi-ZrO 2 layer thickness about 0.6 μm, and their magnetic and electrical properties were studied as a function of FeSi layer thickness. With increasing FeSi layer thickness from 0.3 to 3 μm, the coercivity decreased from 0.92 to 0.31 kA/m and the saturation magnetization changed from 164 to 186 emu/g. The effect of the layer number on the magnetic properties was discussed in terms of interfacial mixing and oxidation. It was also discovered that the magnetic properties of the multilayer materials were affected by the spacer material, exhibiting higher saturation magnetization and lower coercivity for the FeSi/FeSi-ZrO 2 than those for the FeSi/ZrO 2 with the same individual layer thicknesses. This behavior could be explained by the weaker magnetic interaction between FeSi layers separated by the non-magnetic ZrO 2 layer. Furthermore, the electrical resistivity changed from 1850 to 1250 μΩ cm for the multilayer materials for the FeSi thickness increasing from 0.30 to 3 μm.

Pt thickness dependence of spin Hall effect switching of in-plane magnetized CoFeB free layers studied by differential planar Hall effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mihajlović, G.; Mosendz, O.; Wan, L.; Smith, N.; Choi, Y.; Wang, Y.; Katine, J. A.

2016-11-01

We introduce a differential planar Hall effect method that enables the experimental study of spin orbit torque switching of in-plane magnetized free layers in a simple Hall bar device geometry. Using this method, we study the Pt thickness dependence of switching currents and show that they decrease monotonically down to the minimum experimental thickness of ˜5 nm, while the critical current and power densities are very weakly thickness dependent, exhibiting the minimum values of Jc0 = 1.1 × 108 A/cm2 and ρJc0 2=0.6 ×1012 W/cm 3 at this minimum thickness. Our results suggest that a significant reduction of the critical parameters could be achieved by optimizing the free layer magnetics, which makes this technology a viable candidate for fast, high endurance and low-error rate applications such as cache memories.

Retinal nerve fiber layer changes after LASIK evaluated with optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Dementyev, Dmitriy D; Kourenkov, Vyacheslav V; Rodin, Alexander S; Fadeykina, Tatyana L; Diaz Martines, Tatyana E

2005-01-01

To determine whether the increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) during LASIK suction can induce a decrease in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Nineteen patients (38 eyes) were enrolled in the study. Intraocular pressure was normal at all pre- and postoperative examinations. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was measured using OCT-3 Stratus prior to and 1 week and 3 months after LASIK. Laser in situ keratomileusis was performed using the Bausch & Lomb Hansatome microkeratome and the NIDEK EC-5000 excimer laser. Optical coherence tomography mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness values before and after LASIK were compared using the Student paired t test. Mean patient age was 27.8 years (range: 18 to 33 years). Mean preoperative spherical equivalent refractive error was -4.9 diopters (D) (range: -2.0 to -8.5 D). Mean time of microkeratome suction was 30 seconds (range: 20 to 50 seconds). Preoperatively, the mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness obtained by OCT was 104.2+/-9.0 microm; at 1 week postoperatively the mean thickness was 101.9+/-6.9 microm, and 106.7+/-6.1 microm at 3 months postoperatively. Mean retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses obtained by OCT were not significantly different between preoperative and 1 week and 3 months after LASIK (P > or = .05). Laser in situ keratomileusis performed on young myopic patients does not have a significant effect on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness determined by OCT. Further studies are required to reveal the risk of possible optic nerve or retinal nerve fiber layer damage by elevated IOP during LASIK.

Employing Si solar cell technology to increase efficiency of ultra-thin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells.

PubMed

Vermang, Bart; Wätjen, Jörn Timo; Fjällström, Viktor; Rostvall, Fredrik; Edoff, Marika; Kotipalli, Ratan; Henry, Frederic; Flandre, Denis

2014-10-01

Reducing absorber layer thickness below 500 nm in regular Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 (CIGS) solar cells decreases cell efficiency considerably, as both short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage are reduced because of incomplete absorption and high Mo/CIGS rear interface recombination. In this work, an innovative rear cell design is developed to avoid both effects: a highly reflective rear surface passivation layer with nano-sized local point contact openings is employed to enhance rear internal reflection and decrease the rear surface recombination velocity significantly, as compared with a standard Mo/CIGS rear interface. The formation of nano-sphere shaped precipitates in chemical bath deposition of CdS is used to generate nano-sized point contact openings. Evaporation of MgF 2 coated with a thin atomic layer deposited Al 2 O 3 layer, or direct current magnetron sputtering of Al 2 O 3 are used as rear surface passivation layers. Rear internal reflection is enhanced substantially by the increased thickness of the passivation layer, and also the rear surface recombination velocity is reduced at the Al 2 O 3 /CIGS rear interface. (MgF 2 /)Al 2 O 3 rear surface passivated ultra-thin CIGS solar cells are fabricated, showing an increase in short circuit current and open circuit voltage compared to unpassivated reference cells with equivalent CIGS thickness. Accordingly, average solar cell efficiencies of 13.5% are realized for 385 nm thick CIGS absorber layers, compared with 9.1% efficiency for the corresponding unpassivated reference cells.

Employing Si solar cell technology to increase efficiency of ultra-thin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells

PubMed Central

Vermang, Bart; Wätjen, Jörn Timo; Fjällström, Viktor; Rostvall, Fredrik; Edoff, Marika; Kotipalli, Ratan; Henry, Frederic; Flandre, Denis

2014-01-01

Reducing absorber layer thickness below 500 nm in regular Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells decreases cell efficiency considerably, as both short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage are reduced because of incomplete absorption and high Mo/CIGS rear interface recombination. In this work, an innovative rear cell design is developed to avoid both effects: a highly reflective rear surface passivation layer with nano-sized local point contact openings is employed to enhance rear internal reflection and decrease the rear surface recombination velocity significantly, as compared with a standard Mo/CIGS rear interface. The formation of nano-sphere shaped precipitates in chemical bath deposition of CdS is used to generate nano-sized point contact openings. Evaporation of MgF2 coated with a thin atomic layer deposited Al2O3 layer, or direct current magnetron sputtering of Al2O3 are used as rear surface passivation layers. Rear internal reflection is enhanced substantially by the increased thickness of the passivation layer, and also the rear surface recombination velocity is reduced at the Al2O3/CIGS rear interface. (MgF2/)Al2O3 rear surface passivated ultra-thin CIGS solar cells are fabricated, showing an increase in short circuit current and open circuit voltage compared to unpassivated reference cells with equivalent CIGS thickness. Accordingly, average solar cell efficiencies of 13.5% are realized for 385 nm thick CIGS absorber layers, compared with 9.1% efficiency for the corresponding unpassivated reference cells. PMID:26300619

Nucleation-controlled low-temperature solid-phase crystallization for Sn-doped polycrystalline-Ge film on insulator with high carrier mobility (˜550 cm2/V s)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Chang; Gao, Hongmiao; Sugino, Takayuki; Miyao, Masanobu; Sadoh, Taizoh

2018-06-01

High-speed thin-film transistors (TFTs) are required to develop the next generation of electronics, such as three-dimensional large-scale integrated circuits and advanced system-in-displays. For this purpose, high-carrier-mobility semiconductor films on insulator structures should be fabricated with low-temperature processing conditions (≤500 °C). To achieve this, we investigate solid-phase crystallization of amorphous-GeSn (a-GeSn) films (Sn concentration: 2% and thickness: 50-200 nm) on insulating substrates, where thin a-Si under-layers (thickness: 0-20 nm) are introduced between a-GeSn films and insulating substrates. The GeSn films are polycrystallized by annealing (450 °C, 20 h) for all samples irrespective of a-GeSn and a-Si thickness conditions, while the Si films remain amorphous. Analysis of crystal structures of GeSn films (thickness: 50 nm) reveals that grain sizes decrease from ˜10 μm to 2-3 μm by the introduction of a-Si under-layers (thickness: 3-20 nm). This phenomenon is attributed to the change in dominant nucleation sites from the interface to the bulk, which significantly decreases grain-boundary scattering of carriers through a decrease in the barrier heights at grain boundaries. Bulk-nucleation further becomes dominant by increasing the GeSn film thickness. As a result, a high carrier mobility of ˜550 cm2/V s is realized for GeSn films (thickness: 100 nm) grown with a-Si under-layers. This mobility is the largest among ever reported data for Ge and GeSn grown on an insulator. This technique will facilitate realization of high-speed TFTs for use in the next generation of electronics.

Effect of different thickness crystalline SiC buffer layers on the ordering of MgB{sub 2} films probed by extended x-ray absorption fine structure

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Putri, W. B. K.; Tran, D. H.; Kang, B., E-mail: bwkang@chungbuk.ac.kr

2014-03-07

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy is a powerful method to investigate the local structure of thin films. Here, we have studied EXAFS of MgB{sub 2} films grown on SiC buffer layers. Crystalline SiC buffer layers with different thickness of 70, 100, and 130 nm were deposited on the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (0001) substrates by using a pulsed laser deposition method, and then MgB{sub 2} films were grown on the SiC buffer layer by using a hybrid physical-chemical vapor deposition technique. Transition temperature of MgB{sub 2} film decreased with increasing thickness of SiC buffer layer. However, the T{sub c} droppingmore » went no farther than 100 nm-thick-SiC. This uncommon behavior of transition temperature is likely to be created from electron-phonon interaction in MgB{sub 2} films, which is believed to be related to the ordering of MgB{sub 2} atomic bonds, especially in the ordering of Mg–Mg bonds. Analysis from Mg K-edge EXAFS measurements showed interesting ordering behavior of MgB{sub 2} films. It is noticeable that the ordering of Mg–B bonds is found to decrease monotonically with the increase in SiC thickness of the MgB{sub 2} films, while the opposite happens with the ordering in Mg–Mg bonds. Based on these results, crystalline SiC buffer layers in MgB{sub 2} films seemingly have evident effects on the alteration of the local structure of the MgB{sub 2} film.« less

Internal Quantum Efficiency of Led Structures at Various Charge Carrier Distributions Over InGaN/GaN Quantum Wells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romanov, I. S.; Prudaev, I. A.; Kopyev, V. V.

2018-06-01

The results of studying the effect of the thickness of GaN barrier layers in the active region of LED structures with InGaN/GaN quantum wells on the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of photoluminescence are presented. It is shown that a decrease in the thickness of the GaN barrier layers from 15 to 3 nm leads to an increase in the maximum value of IQE and to a shift of the maximum to the region of high excitation powers. The result obtained is explained with consideration for the decrease in the Auger recombination rate due to a more uniform distribution of charge carriers over the active region in structures with a barrier thickness of 3 nm.

4P-NPD ultra-thin films as efficient exciton blocking layers in DBP/C70 based organic solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patil, Bhushan R.; Liu, Yiming; Qamar, Talha; Rubahn, Horst-Günter; Madsen, Morten

2017-09-01

Exciton blocking effects from ultra-thin layers of N,N‧-di-1-naphthalenyl-N,N‧-diphenyl [1,1‧:4‧,1″:4″,1‴-quaterphenyl]-4,4‴-diamine (4P-NPD) were investigated in small molecule-based inverted organic solar cells (OSCs) using tetraphenyldibenzoperiflanthene as the electron donor material and fullerene (C70) as the electron acceptor material. The short-circuit current density (J SC) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the optimized OSCs with 0.7 nm thick 4P-NPD were approximately 16% and 24% higher, respectively, compared to reference devices without exciton blocking layers (EBLs). Drift diffusion-based device modeling was conducted to model the full current density-voltage (JV) characteristics and external quantum efficiency spectrum of the OSCs, and photoluminescence measurements were conducted to investigate the exciton blocking effects with increasing thicknesses of the 4P-NPD layer. Importantly, coupled optical and electrical modeling studies of the device behaviors and exciton generation rates and densities in the active layer for different 4P-NPD layer thicknesses were conducted, in order to gain a complete understanding of the observed increase in PCE for 4P-NPD layer thicknesses up to 1 nm, and the observed decrease in PCE for layer thicknesses beyond 1 nm. This work demonstrates a route for guiding the integration of EBLs in OSC devices.

[Performance dependence of organic light-emitting devices on the thickness of Alq3 emitting layer].

PubMed

Lian, Jia-rong; Liao, Qiao-sheng; Yang, Rui-bo; Zheng, Wei; Zeng, Peng-ju

2010-10-01

The dependence of opto-electronical characteristics in organic light-emitting devices on the thickness of Alq3 emitter layer was studied, where MoO3, NPB, and Alq3 were used as hole injector, hole transporter, and emitter/electron transporter, respectively. By increasing the thickness of Alq3 layer from 20 to 100 nm, the device current decreased gradually, and the EL spectra of devices performed a little red shift with an obvious broadening in long wavelength range but a little decrease in intensity of short wavelength range. The authors simulated the EL spectra using the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of Alq3 as Alq3 intrinsic emission, which coincided with the experimental EL spectra well. The simulated results suggested that the effect of interference takes the major role in broadening the long wavelength range of EL spectra, and the distribution of emission zone largely affects the profile of EL spectra in short wavelength range.

Secondary electron emission influenced by oxidation on the aluminum surface: the roles of the chemisorbed oxygen and the oxide layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jiangtao; Hoekstra, Bart; Wang, Zhen-Bin; Qiu, Jie; Pu, Yi-Kang

2018-04-01

A relationship between the apparent secondary electron yield ({γ }{{se}}) and the oxygen coverage/oxide layer thickness on an aluminum cathode is obtained in an experiment under a controlled environment. The apparent secondary electron yield ({γ }{{se}}) is deduced from the breakdown voltage between two parallel plate electrodes in a 360 mTorr argon environment using a simple Townsend breakdown model with the assumption that the variation of the apparent secondary electron yield is dominated by the variation of the argon ion induced processes. The oxygen coverage/oxide layer thickness on the aluminum cathode is measured by a semi in situ x-ray photoemission spectroscopy equipment which is directly attached to the discharge chamber. It is found that three phases exist: (1) in the monomonolayer regime, as the oxygen coverage increases from 0 to 0.3, {γ }{{se}} decreases by nearly 40 % , (2) as the oxygen coverage increases from 0.3 to 1, {γ }{{se}} keeps nearly constant, (3) as the oxide layer thickness increases from about 0.3 nm to about 1.1 nm, {γ }{{se}} increases by 150 % . We propose that, in the submonolayer regime, the chemisorbed oxygen on the aluminum surface causes the decrease of {γ }{{se}} by creating a local potential barrier, which reduces the Auger neutralization rate and the energy gained by the Auger electrons. In the multilayer regime, as the oxide layer grows in thickness, there are three proposed mechanisms which cause the increase of {γ }{{se}}: (1) the work function decreases; (2) resonance neutralization and Auger de-excitation may exist. This is served as another channel for secondary electron production; (3) the kinetic energy of Auger electrons is increased on average, leading to a higher probability for electrons to overcome the surface potential barrier.

Magnetic pinning in a superconducting film by a ferromagnetic layer with stripe domains

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mancusi, D.; Di Giorgio, C.; Bobba, F.

2014-10-31

A magnetic study of superconductor/ferromagnet bilayers was performed by hysteresis loops and temperature-dependent magnetization measurements. The superconductor/ferromagnet bilayers consist of a Nb film deposited on a Py film with weak perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. By comparing the temperature-dependent magnetization data obtained on samples with different ferromagnetic layer thickness, a decrease of the magnetic pinning with increasing thickness of the ferromagnetic layer has been found. This is confirmed by the reduction of the Nb film critical current density at low fields extracted by using the magnetic irreversibility of the hysteresis loops. As the ferromagnetic layer exhibits a magnetic structure with stripe domains,more » whose width increases for increasing thickness as observed by magnetic force microscopy (MFM) measurements, we relate the reduction of the superconducting critical current in samples with thicker ferromagnetic layers to a weaker interaction between the vortices guided by the underlying magnetic template.« less

Optical and structural characteristics of high indium content InGaN/GaN multi-quantum wells with varying GaN cap layer thickness

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, J.; Zhao, D. G., E-mail: dgzhao@red.semi.ac.cn; Jiang, D. S.

2015-02-07

The optical and structural properties of InGaN/GaN multi-quantum wells (MQWs) with different thicknesses of low temperature grown GaN cap layers are investigated. It is found that the MQW emission energy red-shifts and the peak intensity decreases with increasing GaN cap layer thickness, which may be partly caused by increased floating indium atoms accumulated at quantum well (QW) surface. They will result in the increased interface roughness, higher defect density, and even lead to a thermal degradation of QW layers. An extra growth interruption introduced before the growth of GaN cap layer can help with evaporating the floating indium atoms, andmore » therefore is an effective method to improve the optical properties of high indium content InGaN/GaN MQWs.« less

Optical Properties of Hybrid Inorganic/Organic Thin Film Encapsulation Layers for Flexible Top-Emission Organic Light-Emitting Diodes.

PubMed

An, Jae Seok; Jang, Ha Jun; Park, Cheol Young; Youn, Hongseok; Lee, Jong Ho; Heo, Gi-Seok; Choi, Bum Ho; Lee, Choong Hun

2015-10-01

Inorganic/organic hybrid thin film encapsulation layers consist of a thin Al2O3 layer together with polymer material. We have investigated optical properties of thin film encapsulation layers for top-emission flexible organic light-emitting diodes. The transmittance of hybrid thin film encapsulation layers and the electroluminescent spectrum of organic light-emitting diodes that were passivated by hybrid organic/inorganic thin film encapsulation layers were also examined as a function of the thickness of inorganic Al203 and monomer layers. The number of interference peaks, their intensity, and their positions in the visible range can be controlled by varying the thickness of inorganic Al2O3 layer. On the other hand, changing the thickness of monomer layer had a negligible effect on the optical properties. We also verified that there is a trade-off between transparency in the visible range and the permeation of water vapor in hybrid thin film encapsulation layers. As the number of dyads decreased, optical transparency improved while the water vapor permeation barrier was degraded. Our study suggests that, in top-emission organic light-emitting diodes, the thickness of each thin film encapsulation layer, in particular that of the inorganic layer, and the number of dyads should be controlled for highly efficient top-emission flexible organic light-emitting diodes.

A New View on Origin, Role and Manipulation of Large Scales in Turbulent Boundary Layers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Corke, T. C.; Nagib, H. M.; Guezennec, Y. G.

1982-01-01

The potential of passive 'manipulators' for altering the large scale turbulent structures in boundary layers was investigated. Utilizing smoke wire visualization and multisensor probes, the experiment verified that the outer scales could be suppressed by simple arrangements of parallel plates. As a result of suppressing the outer scales in turbulent layers, a decrease in the streamwise growth of the boundary layer thickness was achieved and was coupled with a 30 percent decrease in the local wall friction coefficient. After accounting for the drag on the manipulator plates, the net drag reduction reached a value of 20 percent within 55 boundary layer thicknesses downstream of the device. No evidence for the reoccurrence of the outer scales was present at this streamwise distance thereby suggesting that further reductions in the net drag are attainable. The frequency of occurrence of the wall events is simultaneously dependent on the two parameters, Re2 delta sub 2 and Re sub x. As a result of being able to independently control the inner and outer boundary layer characteristics with these manipulators, a different view of these layers emerged.

Stabilized Alkali-Metal Ultraviolet-Band-Pass Filters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mardesich, Nick; Fraschetti, George A.; Mccann, Timothy; Mayall, Sherwood D.; Dunn, Donald E.; Trauger, John T.

1995-01-01

Layers of bismuth 5 to 10 angstrom thick incorporated into alkali-metal ultraviolet-band-pass optical filters by use of advanced fabrication techniques. In new filters layer of bismuth helps to reduce surface migration of sodium. Sodium layer made more stable and decreased tendency to form pinholes by migration.

The Effect of the Thickness of the Sensitive Layer on the Performance of the Accumulating NOx Sensor

PubMed Central

Groß, Andrea; Richter, Miriam; Kubinski, David J.; Visser, Jacobus H.; Moos, Ralf

2012-01-01

A novel and promising method to measure low levels of NOx utilizes the accumulating sensor principle. During an integration cycle, incoming NOx molecules are stored in a sensitive layer based on an automotive lean NOx trap (LNT) material that changes its electrical resistivity proportional to the amount of stored NOx, making the sensor suitable for long-term detection of low levels of NOx. In this study, the influence of the thickness of the sensitive layer, prepared by multiple screen-printing, is investigated. All samples show good accumulating sensing properties for both NO and NO2. In accordance to a simplified model, the base resistance of the sensitive layer and the sensitivity to NOx decrease with increasing thickness. Contrarily, the sensor response time increases. The linear measurement range of all samples ends at a sensor response of about 30% resulting in an increase of the linearly detectable amount with the thickness. Hence, the variation of the thickness of the sensitive layer is a powerful tool to adapt the linear measurement range (proportional to the thickness) as well as the sensitivity (proportional to the inverse thickness) to the application requirements. Calculations combining the sensor model with the measurement results indicate that for operation in the linear range, about 3% of the LNT material is converted to nitrate.

Carbon reactivation kinetics in GaAs: Its dependence on dopant precursor, doping level, and layer thickness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mimila-Arroyo, J.; Bland, S.; Barbé, M.

2002-05-01

The reactivation kinetics of the acceptor behavior of carbon, its dependence on dopant precursors, doping level, layer thickness, and annealing temperature, as well as the behavior of carbon-hydrogen complexes in GaAs grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition are studied. Independent of the carbon source, in the "as grown" material, systematically carbon hydrogen complexes are present and the hole concentration is lower than the corresponding carbon concentration. The carbon reactivation kinetics was achieved by ex situ rapid thermal annealing through a series of multistage annealing experiments and assessed at each annealing stage by infrared absorption, hydrogen secondary ion mass spectroscopy profiling, and hole concentration measurements. Carbon reactivation occurs solely by the debonding of hydrogen from the isolated carbon acceptor and its out-diffusion from the sample. The carbon reactivation kinetics can be treated as a first order one with an activation energy, Ea=1.42±0.01 eV, independent of doping precursors, doping level, and layer thickness. The reactivation constant results to decrease as doping level and layer thickness increase. An empirical formula has been obtained that allows one to calculate the reactivation constant as a function of the carbon doping, layer thickness, and annealing temperature, allowing one to determine the optimal carbon reactivation conditions for any C:GaAs layer.

Investigation of Electrical and Optical Properties of Highly Transparent TCO/Ag/TCO Multilayer.

PubMed

Kim, Sunbo; Lee, Jaehyeong; Dao, Vinh Ai; Ahn, Shihyun; Hussain, Shahzada Qamar; Park, Jinjoo; Jung, Junhee; Lee, Chan; Song, Bong-Shik; Choi, Byoungdeog; Lee, Youn-Jung; Iftiquar, S M; Yi, Junsin

2015-03-01

Transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) have been widely used as transparent electrodes for opto-electronic devices, such as solar cells, flat-panel displays, and light-emitting diodes, because of their unique characteristics of high optical transmittance and low electrical resistivity. Among various TCO materials, zinc oxide based films have recently received much attention because they have advantages over commonly used indium and tin-based oxide films. Most TCO films, however, exhibit valleys of transmittance in the wavelength range of 550-700 nm, lowering the average transmittance in the visible region and decreasing short-circuit current (Isc) of solar cells. A TCO/Ag/TCO multi-layer structure has emerged as an attractive alternative because it provides optical characteristics without the valley of transmittance compared with a 100-nm-thick single-layer TCO. In this article, we report the electrical, optical and surface properties of TCO/Ag/TCO. These multi-layers were deposited at room temperature with various Ag film thicknesses from 5 to 15 nm while the thickness of TCO thin film was fixed at 40 nm. The TCO/Ag/TCO multi-layer with a 10-nm-thick Ag film showed optimum transmittance in the visible (400-800 nm) wavelength region. These multi-layer structures have advantages over TCO layers of the same thickness.

Ram-recovery Characteristics of NACA Submerged Inlets at High Subsonic Speeds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Charles F; Frank, Joseph L

1948-01-01

Results are presented of an experimental investigation of the characteristics of NACA submerged inlets on a model of a fighter airplane for Mach numbers from 0.30 to 0.875. The effects on the ram-recovery ratio at the inlets of Mach number, angle of attack, boundary-layer thickness on the fuselage, inlet location, and boundary-layer deflectors are shown. The data indicate only a slight decrease in ram-recovery ratio for the inlets ahead of or just behind the wing leading edge as Mach number increased, but showed large decreases at high Mach numbers for the inlets aft of the point of maximum thickness of the wing.

[Research on electron density in DC needle-plate corona discharge at atmospheric pressure].

PubMed

Liu, Zhi-Qiang; Guo, Wei; Liu, Tao-Tao; Wu, Wen-Shuo; Liu, Shu-Min

2013-11-01

Using needle-plate discharge device, corona discharge experiment was done in the atmosphere. Through photo of spot size of light-emitting area, the relationship between the voltage and thickness of corona layer was discussed. When the distance between tip and plate is fixed, the thickness of corona layer increases with the increase in voltage; when the voltage is fixed, the thickness of corona layer decreases with the increase in the distance between tip and plate. As spectral intensity of N2 (C3pi(u)) (337.1 nm)reflects high energy electron density, it was measured with emission spectrometry. The results show that high energy electron density is the biggest near the needle tip and the relationship between high energy electron density and voltage is basically linear increasing. Fixing voltage, high energy electron density decreases with the increase in the distance between tip and plate. When the voltage and the distance between tip and plate are fixed, the high energy electron density increases with the decrease in the curvature radius of needle tip. These results are of great importance for the study of plasma parameters of corona discharge.

The influence of interface on spin pumping effect in Ni{sub 80}Fe{sub 20} /Tb bilayer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yue, Jinjin; Jiang, Sheng; Zhang, Dong

2016-05-15

Focusing on the interface effect of the Ni{sub 80}Fe{sub 20} (Py)/terbium (Tb) bilayer, the influence of interface on the magnetization dynamic damping is investigated systematically. Two series of Py (12 nm)/Tb (d nm) films with and without copper (Cu) (1 nm) interlayer are deposited on silicon (Si) substrates by DC magnetron sputtering at room temperature. From vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements, the saturation magnetization (M{sub s}) decreases with increasing Tb thickness in Py/Tb bilayer while the decrease of M{sub s} is suppressed efficiently by inserting a Cu layer with even 1 nm of thickness. From the frequency dependence of ferromagneticmore » resonance (FMR) linewidth, we can obtain the Gilbert damping coefficient (α), α is found to exhibit an extreme enhancement in comparison to the single Py layer and shows an increasing trend with increasing Tb thickness. By inserting the Cu layer, α decreases significantly. From theoretical fitting, the spin diffusion length (λ{sub SD}) and spin mixing conductance (g{sup ↑↓}) are determined. It shows that the interface structure influences the spin mixing conductance but not the spin diffusion length.« less

Interfacial coherency stress distribution in TiN/AlN bilayer and multilayer films studied by FEM analysis

PubMed Central

Chawla, Vipin; Holec, David; Mayrhofer, Paul H.

2012-01-01

The development of interfacial coherency stresses in TiN/AlN bilayer and multilayer films was investigated by finite element method (ABAQUS) using the four-node bilinear quadrilateral axisymmetric element CAX4R. The TiN and AlN layers are always in compression and tension at the interface, respectively, as may be expected from the fact TiN has larger lattice parameter than AlN. Both, the bi-layer and the multilayer stacks bend due to the coherency stresses. For the TiN/AlN bilayer system, the curvature of the bending is largest for the TiN/AlN thickness ratios ∼0.5 and ∼2 (at which one of the two layers is fully in compression or tension), while it is smaller for the layers with the same thickness (at which both layers posses regions with compressive as well as tensile stresses). This stress distribution over the bi-layer thickness is shown to be strongly influenced by the presence and the properties of a substrate. Furthermore, the coherency stress profile and specimen curvature of a TiN/AlN multilayer system was studied as a function of the top-most layer thickness. The curvature is maximum for equal number of TiN and AlN layers, and decreases with increasing the number of TiN/AlN periods. Within the growth of an additional TiN/AlN bilayer, the curvature first decreases to zero for a vertically symmetrical geometry over the layers when the TiN layer growth is finished (e.g. for (n + 1) layers of TiN and n layers of AlN). At this stage, the coherency stresses in TiN and AlN are same in each layer type (independent on the layer position). The growth of the second half of the TiN/AlN bi-layer (i.e. the AlN) to finish the period, again bends the specimen, and generates a non-uniform stress distribution. This suggests that the top layer as well as the overall specimen geometry plays a critical role on the actual coherency stress profile. PMID:27570370

Numerical modeling of heat transfer during hydrogen absorption in thin double-layered annular ZrCo beds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Yehui; Zeng, Xiangguo; Kou, Huaqin; Ding, Jun; Wang, Fang

2018-06-01

In this work a three-dimensional (3D) hydrogen absorption model was proposed to study the heat transfer behavior in thin double-layered annular ZrCo beds. Numerical simulations were performed to investigate the effects of conversion layer thickness, thermal conductivity, cooling medium and its flow velocity on the efficiency of heat transfer. Results reveal that decreasing the layer thickness and improving the thermal conductivity enhance the ability of heat transfer. Compared with nitrogen and helium, water appears to be a better medium for cooling. In order to achieve the best efficiency of heat transfer, the flow velocity needs to be maximized.

Effects of optical design modifications on thermal performance of a highly reflective HfO2/SiO2/TiO2 three material coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ocak, M.; Sert, C.; Okutucu-Özyurt, T.

2018-02-01

Effects of layer thickness modifications on laser induced temperature distribution inside three material, highly reflective thin film coatings are studied with numerical simulations. As a base design, a 21 layer coating composed of HfO2, SiO2 and TiO2 layers of quarter wave thickness is considered. First, the laser induced temperature distribution in this base design is obtained. Then the layer thicknesses of the base design are modified and the corresponding temperature distributions in four alternative non-quarter wave coatings are evaluated. The modified thicknesses are determined using an in-house code developed to shift the electric field intensity (EFI) peak from the first high/low layer interface towards the adjacent low index layer that has a higher thermal conductivity, hence, higher laser damage resistance. Meanwhile, the induced increase in the EFI peak is kept at a user defined upper limit. The laser endurance of the base and alternative designs are compared in terms of their estimated temperature distributions. The results indicated that both the peak temperature and the highest interface temperature are decreased by at least 32%, in non-dimensional form, when alternative designs are used instead of the base design. The total reflection of the base design is only decreased from 99.8% to at most 99.4% when alternative designs are used. The study is proved to be successful in improving the laser endurance of three material thin film coatings by lowering the peak and interface temperatures.

Anomalous temperature dependence of layer spacing of de Vries liquid crystals: Compensation model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Merkel, K.; Kocot, A.; Vij, J. K., E-mail: jvij@tcd.ie

Smectic liquid crystals that exhibit temperature independent layer thickness offer technological advantages for their use in displays and photonic devices. The dependence of the layer spacing in SmA and SmC phases of de Vries liquid crystals is found to exhibit distinct features. On entering the SmC phase, the layer thickness initially decreases below SmA to SmC (T{sub A–C}) transition temperature but increases anomalously with reducing temperature despite the molecular tilt increasing. This anomalous observation is being explained quantitatively. Results of IR spectroscopy show that layer shrinkage is caused by tilt of the mesogen's rigid core, whereas the expansion is causedmore » by the chains getting more ordered with reducing temperature. This mutual compensation arising from molecular fragments contributing to the layer thickness differs from the previous models. The orientational order parameter of the rigid core of the mesogen provides direct evidence for de Vries cone model in the SmA phase for the two compounds investigated.« less

Toward Efficient Thick Active PTB7 Photovoltaic Layers Using Diphenyl Ether as a Solvent Additive.

PubMed

Zheng, Yifan; Goh, Tenghooi; Fan, Pu; Shi, Wei; Yu, Junsheng; Taylor, André D

2016-06-22

The development of thick organic photovoltaics (OPV) could increase absorption in the active layer and ease manufacturing constraints in large-scale solar panel production. However, the efficiencies of most low-bandgap OPVs decrease substantially when the active layers exceed ∼100 nm in thickness (because of low crystallinity and a short exciton diffusion length). Herein, we report the use of solvent additive diphenyl ether (DPE) that facilitates the fabrication of thick (180 nm) active layers and triples the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of conventional thienothiophene-co-benzodithiophene polymer (PTB7)-based OPVs from 1.75 to 6.19%. These results demonstrate a PCE 20% higher than those of conventional (PTB7)-based OPV devices using 1,8-diiodooctane. Morphology studies reveal that DPE promotes the formation of nanofibrillar networks and ordered packing of PTB7 in the active layer that facilitate charge transport over longer distances. We further demonstrate that DPE improves the fill factor and photocurrent collection by enhancing the overall optical absorption, reducing the series resistance, and suppressing bimolecular recombination.

Atomically thick bismuth selenide freestanding single layers achieving enhanced thermoelectric energy harvesting.

PubMed

Sun, Yongfu; Cheng, Hao; Gao, Shan; Liu, Qinghua; Sun, Zhihu; Xiao, Chong; Wu, Changzheng; Wei, Shiqiang; Xie, Yi

2012-12-19

Thermoelectric materials can realize significant energy savings by generating electricity from untapped waste heat. However, the coupling of the thermoelectric parameters unfortunately limits their efficiency and practical applications. Here, a single-layer-based (SLB) composite fabricated from atomically thick single layers was proposed to optimize the thermoelectric parameters fully. Freestanding five-atom-thick Bi(2)Se(3) single layers were first synthesized via a scalable interaction/exfoliation strategy. As revealed by X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and first-principles calculations, surface distortion gives them excellent structural stability and a much increased density of states, resulting in a 2-fold higher electrical conductivity relative to the bulk material. Also, the surface disorder and numerous interfaces in the Bi(2)Se(3) SLB composite allow for effective phonon scattering and decreased thermal conductivity, while the 2D electron gas and energy filtering effect increase the Seebeck coefficient, resulting in an 8-fold higher figure of merit (ZT) relative to the bulk material. This work develops a facile strategy for synthesizing atomically thick single layers and demonstrates their superior ability to optimize the thermoelectric energy harvesting.

Revealing the Bonding Environment of Zn in ALD Zn(O,S) Buffer Layers through X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Zn(O,S) buffer layer electronic configuration is determined by its composition and thickness, tunable through atomic layer deposition. The Zn K and L-edges in the X-ray absorption near edge structure verify ionicity and covalency changes with S content. A high intensity shoulder in the Zn K-edge indicates strong Zn 4s hybridized states and a preferred c-axis orientation. 2–3 nm thick films with low S content show a subdued shoulder showing less contribution from Zn 4s hybridization. A lower energy shift with film thickness suggests a decreasing bandgap. Further, ZnSO4 forms at substrate interfaces, which may be detrimental for device performance. PMID:29083141

Preliminary Empirical Models for Predicting Shrinkage, Part Geometry and Metallurgical Aspects of Ti-6Al-4V Shaped Metal Deposition Builds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Escobar-Palafox, Gustavo; Gault, Rosemary; Ridgway, Keith

2011-12-01

Shaped Metal Deposition (SMD) is an additive manufacturing process which creates parts layer by layer by weld depositions. In this work, empirical models that predict part geometry (wall thickness and outer diameter) and some metallurgical aspects (i.e. surface texture, portion of finer Widmanstätten microstructure) for the SMD process were developed. The models are based on an orthogonal fractional factorial design of experiments with four factors at two levels. The factors considered were energy level (a relationship between heat source power and the rate of raw material input.), step size, programmed diameter and travel speed. The models were validated using previous builds; the prediction error for part geometry was under 11%. Several relationships between the factors and responses were identified. Current had a significant effect on wall thickness; thickness increases with increasing current. Programmed diameter had a significant effect on percentage of shrinkage; this decreased with increasing component size. Surface finish decreased with decreasing step size and current.

Solid-state dewetting of Au-Ni bi-layer films mediated through individual layer thickness and stacking sequence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herz, Andreas; Theska, Felix; Rossberg, Diana; Kups, Thomas; Wang, Dong; Schaaf, Peter

2018-06-01

In the present work, the solid-state dewetting of Au-Ni bi-layer thin films deposited on SiO2/Si is systematically studied with respect to individual layer thickness and stacking sequence. For this purpose, a rapid heat treatment at medium temperatures is applied in order to examine void formation at the early stages of the dewetting. Compositional variations are realized by changing the thickness ratio of the bi-layer films, while the total thickness is maintained at 20 nm throughout the study. In the event of Au/Ni films annealed at 500 °C, crystal voids exposing the substrate are missing regardless of chemical composition. In reverse order, the number of voids per unit area in two-phase Au-Ni thin films is found to be governed by the amount of Au-rich material. At higher temperatures up to 650 °C, a decreased probability of nucleation comes at the expense of a major portion of cavities, resulting in the formation of bubbles in 15 nm Ni/5 nm Au bi-layers. Film buckling predominantly occurred at phase boundaries crossing the bubbles.

Optical coherence tomography detects characteristic retinal nerve fiber layer thickness corresponding to band atrophy of the optic discs.

PubMed

Kanamori, Akiyasu; Nakamura, Makoto; Matsui, Noriko; Nagai, Azusa; Nakanishi, Yoriko; Kusuhara, Sentaro; Yamada, Yuko; Negi, Akira

2004-12-01

To analyze retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in eyes with band atrophy by use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to evaluate the ability of OCT to detect this characteristic pattern of RNFL loss. Cross-sectional, retrospective study. Thirty-four eyes of 18 patients with bitemporal hemianopia caused by optic chiasm compression by chiasmal tumors were studied. All eyes were divided into 3 groups according to visual field loss grading after Goldmann perimetry. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements with OCT. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness around the optic disc was measured by OCT (3.4-mm diameter circle). Calculation of the changes in OCT parameters, including the horizontal (nasal + temporal quadrant RNFL thickness) and vertical values (superior + inferior quadrant RNFL thickness) was based on data from 160 normal eyes. Comparison between the 3 visual field grading groups was done with the analysis of variance test. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the horizontal and vertical value were calculated, and the areas under the curve (AUC) were compared. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in eyes with band atrophy decreased in all OCT parameters. The reduction rate in average and temporal RNFL thickness and horizontal value was correlated with visual field grading. The AUC of horizontal value was 0.970+/-0.011, which was significantly different from AUC of vertical value (0.903+/-0.022). The degree of RNFL thickness reduction correlated with that of visual field defects. Optical coherence tomography was able to identify the characteristic pattern of RNFL loss in these eyes.

Asymmetry Analysis of Macular Inner Retinal Layers for Glaucoma Diagnosis: Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Study.

PubMed

Lee, Sang-Yoon; Lee, Eun Kyoung; Park, Ki Ho; Kim, Dong Myung; Jeoung, Jin Wook

2016-01-01

To report an asymmetry analysis of macular inner retinal layers using swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to evaluate the utility for glaucoma diagnosis. Observational, cross-sectional study. Seventy normal healthy subjects and 62 glaucoma patients. Three-dimensional scans were acquired from 70 normal subjects and 62 open angle glaucoma patients by swept-source OCT. The thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), ganglion cell complex, and total retina were calculated within a 6.2×6.2 mm macular area divided into a 31×31 grid of 200×200 μm superpixels. For each of the corresponding superpixels, the thickness differences between the subject eyes and contra-lateral eyes and between the upper and lower macula halves of the subject eyes were determined. The negative differences were displayed on a gray-scale asymmetry map. Black superpixels were defined as thickness decreases over the cut-off values. The negative inter-ocular and inter-hemisphere differences in GCIPL thickness (mean ± standard deviation) were -2.78 ± 0.97 μm and -3.43 ± 0.71 μm in the normal group and -4.26 ± 2.23 μm and -4.88 ± 1.46 μm in the glaucoma group. The overall extent of the four layers' thickness decrease was larger in the glaucoma group than in the normal group (all Ps<0.05). The numbers of black superpixels on all of the asymmetry maps were larger in the glaucoma group than in the normal group (all Ps<0.05). The area under receiver operating characteristic curves of average negative thickness differences in macular inner layers for glaucoma diagnosis ranged from 0.748 to 0.894. The asymmetry analysis of macular inner retinal layers showed significant differences between the normal and glaucoma groups. The diagnostic performance of the asymmetry analysis was comparable to that of previous methods. These findings suggest that the asymmetry analysis can be a potential ancillary diagnostic tool.

Implications Enzymatic Degradation of the Endothelial Glycocalyx on the Microvascular Hemodynamics and the Arteriolar Red Cell Free Layer of the Rat Cremaster Muscle.

PubMed

Yalcin, Ozlem; Jani, Vivek P; Johnson, Paul C; Cabrales, Pedro

2018-01-01

The endothelial glycocalyx is a complex network of glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans; it lines the vascular endothelial cells facing the lumen of blood vessels forming the endothelial glycocalyx layer (EGL). This study aims to investigate the microvascular hemodynamics implications of the EGL by quantifying changes in blood flow hydrodynamics post-enzymatic degradation of the glycocalyx layer. High-speed intravital microscopy videos of small arteries (around 35 μm) of the rat cremaster muscle were recorded at various time points after enzymatic degradation of the EGL. The thickness of the cell free layer (CFL), blood flow velocity profiles, and volumetric flow rates were quantified. Hydrodynamic effects of the presence of the EGL were observed in the differences between the thickness of CFL in microvessels with an intact EGL and glass tubes of similar diameters. Maximal changes in the thickness of CFL were observed 40 min post-enzymatic degradation of the EGL. Analysis of the frequency distribution of the thickness of CFL allows for estimation of the thickness of the endothelial surface layer (ESL), the plasma layer, and the glycocalyx. Peak flow, maximum velocity, and mean velocity were found to statistically increase by 24, 27, and 25%, respectively, after enzymatic degradation of the glycocalyx. The change in peak-to-peak maximum velocity and mean velocity were found to statistically increase by 39 and 32%, respectively, after 40 min post-enzymatic degradation of the EGL. The bluntness of blood flow velocity profiles was found to be reduced post-degradation of the EGL, as the exclusion volume occupied by the EGL increased the effective volume impermeable to RBCs in microvessels. This study presents the effects of the EGL on microvascular hemodynamics. Enzymatic degradation of the EGL resulted in a decrease in the thickness of CFL, an increase in blood velocity, blood flow, and decrease of the bluntness of the blood flow velocity profile in small arterioles. In summary, the EGL functions as a molecular sieve to solute transport and as a lubrication layer to protect the endothelium from red blood cell (RBC) motion near the vessel wall, determining wall shear stress.

Impacts of papain and neuraminidase enzyme treatment on electrohydrodynamics and IgG-mediated agglutination of type A red blood cells.

PubMed

Hyono, Atsushi; Gaboriaud, Fabien; Mazda, Toshio; Takata, Youichi; Ohshima, Hiroyuki; Duval, Jérôme F L

2009-09-15

The stability of native and enzyme-treated human red blood cells of type A (Rh D positive) against agglutination is investigated under conditions where it is mediated by immunoglobuline G (IgG) anti-D antibody binding. The propensity of cells to agglutinate is related to their interphasic (electrokinetic) properties. These properties significantly depend on the concentration of proteolytic papain enzyme and protease-free neuraminidase enzyme that the cells are exposed to. The analysis is based on the interpretation of electrophoretic data of cells by means of the numerical theory for the electrokinetics of soft (bio)particles. A significant reduction of the hydrodynamic permeability of the external soft glycoprotein layer of the cells is reported under the action of papain. This reflects a significant decrease in soft surface layer thickness and a loss in cell surface integrity/rigidity, as confirmed by nanomechanical AFM analysis. Neuraminidase action leads to an important decrease in the interphase charge density by removing sialic acids from the cell soft surface layer. This is accompanied by hydrodynamic softness modulations less significant than those observed for papain-treated cells. On the basis of these electrohydrodynamic characteristics, the overall interaction potential profiles between two native cells and two enzyme-treated cells are derived as a function of the soft surface layer thickness in the Debye-Hückel limit that is valid for cell suspensions under physiological conditions (approximately 0.16 M). The thermodynamic computation of cell suspension stability against IgG-mediated agglutination then reveals that a decrease in the cell surface layer thickness is more favorable than a decrease in interphase charge density for inducing agglutination. This is experimentally confirmed by agglutination data collected for papain- and neuraminidase-treated cells.

Diffusion or advection? Mass transfer and complex boundary layer landscapes of the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus.

PubMed

Lichtenberg, Mads; Nørregaard, Rasmus Dyrmose; Kühl, Michael

2017-03-01

The role of hyaline hairs on the thallus of brown algae in the genus Fucus is long debated and several functions have been proposed. We used a novel motorized set-up for two-dimensional and three-dimensional mapping with O 2 microsensors to investigate the spatial heterogeneity of the diffusive boundary layer (DBL) and O 2 flux around single and multiple tufts of hyaline hairs on the thallus of Fucus vesiculosus. Flow was a major determinant of DBL thickness, where higher flow decreased DBL thickness and increased O 2 flux between the algal thallus and the surrounding seawater. However, the topography of the DBL varied and did not directly follow the contour of the underlying thallus. Areas around single tufts of hyaline hairs exhibited a more complex mass-transfer boundary layer, showing both increased and decreased thickness when compared with areas over smooth thallus surfaces. Over thallus areas with several hyaline hair tufts, the overall effect was an apparent increase in the boundary layer thickness. We also found indications for advective O 2 transport driven by pressure gradients or vortex shedding downstream from dense tufts of hyaline hairs that could alleviate local mass-transfer resistances. Mass-transfer dynamics around hyaline hair tufts are thus more complex than hitherto assumed and may have important implications for algal physiology and plant-microbe interactions. © 2017 The Author(s).

Diffusion or advection? Mass transfer and complex boundary layer landscapes of the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus

PubMed Central

Nørregaard, Rasmus Dyrmose

2017-01-01

The role of hyaline hairs on the thallus of brown algae in the genus Fucus is long debated and several functions have been proposed. We used a novel motorized set-up for two-dimensional and three-dimensional mapping with O2 microsensors to investigate the spatial heterogeneity of the diffusive boundary layer (DBL) and O2 flux around single and multiple tufts of hyaline hairs on the thallus of Fucus vesiculosus. Flow was a major determinant of DBL thickness, where higher flow decreased DBL thickness and increased O2 flux between the algal thallus and the surrounding seawater. However, the topography of the DBL varied and did not directly follow the contour of the underlying thallus. Areas around single tufts of hyaline hairs exhibited a more complex mass-transfer boundary layer, showing both increased and decreased thickness when compared with areas over smooth thallus surfaces. Over thallus areas with several hyaline hair tufts, the overall effect was an apparent increase in the boundary layer thickness. We also found indications for advective O2 transport driven by pressure gradients or vortex shedding downstream from dense tufts of hyaline hairs that could alleviate local mass-transfer resistances. Mass-transfer dynamics around hyaline hair tufts are thus more complex than hitherto assumed and may have important implications for algal physiology and plant–microbe interactions. PMID:28330986

Tomographic Structural Changes of Retinal Layers after Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling for Macular Hole Surgery.

PubMed

Faria, Mun Yueh; Ferreira, Nuno P; Cristóvao, Diana M; Mano, Sofia; Sousa, David Cordeiro; Monteiro-Grillo, Manuel

2018-01-01

To highlight tomographic structural changes of retinal layers after internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in macular hole surgery. Nonrandomized prospective, interventional study in 38 eyes (34 patients) subjected to pars plana vitrectomy and ILM peeling for idiopathic macular hole. Retinal layers were assessed in nasal and temporal regions before and 6 months after surgery using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Total retinal thickness increased in the nasal region and decreased in the temporal region. The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and inner plexiform layer (IPL) showed thinning on both nasal and temporal sides of the fovea. The thickness of the outer plexiform layer (OPL) increased. The outer nuclear layer (ONL) and outer retinal layers (ORL) increased in thickness after surgery in both nasal and temporal regions. ILM peeling is associated with important alterations in the inner retinal layer architecture, with thinning of the RNFL-GCL-IPL complex and thickening of OPL, ONL, and ORL. These structural alterations can help explain functional outcome and could give indications regarding the extent of ILM peeling, even though peeling seems important for higher rate of hole closure. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Preparation and characterization of CuInS2 absorber layers by sol-gel method for solar cell applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amerioun, M. H.; Ghazi, M. E.; Izadifard, M.; Bahramian, B.

2016-04-01

CuInSe2 , CuInS2 ( CIS2 and CuInGaS2 alloys and their compounds with band gaps between 1.05 and 1.7eV are absorbance materials based on chalcopyrite, in which, because of their suitable direct band gap, high absorbance coefficient and short carrier diffusion are used as absorbance layers in solar cells. In this work, the effects of decrease in p H and thickness variation on characteristics of the CIS2 absorber layers, grown by spin coating on glass substrates, are investigated. Furthermore by using thiourea as a sulphur source in solvent, the sulfurization of layers was done easier than other sulfurization methods. Due to the difficulty in dissolving thiourea in the considered solvent that leads to a fast deposition during the dissolving process, precise conditions are employed in order to prepare the solution. In fact, this procedure can facilitate the sulfurization process of CuIn layers. The results obtained from this investigation indicate reductions in absorbance and band gap in the visible region of the spectrum as a result of decrease in p H. Finally, conductivity of layers is studied by the current vs. voltage curve that represents reduction of electrical resistance with decrease and increase in p H and thickness, respectively.

Regional Thicknesses and Thickening of Compacted and Trabeculated Myocardial Layers of the Normal Left Ventricle Studied by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

PubMed Central

Dawson, Dana K.; Maceira, Alicia M.; Raj, Vimal J.; Graham, Catriona; Pennell, Dudley J.; Kilner, Philip J.

2011-01-01

Background We used cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to study normal left ventricular (LV) trabeculation as a basis for differentiation from pathological noncompaction. Methods and Results The apparent end-diastolic (ED) and end-systolic (ES) thicknesses and thickening of trabeculated and compacted myocardial layers were measured in 120 volunteers using a consistent selection of basal, mid, and apical CMR short-axis slices. All had a visible trabeculated layer in 1 or more segments. The compacted but not the trabeculated layer was thicker in men than in women (P<0.01 at ED and ES). When plotted against age, the trabeculated and compacted layer thicknesses demonstrated opposite changes: an increase of the compact layer after the fourth decade at both ED and ES (P<0.05) but a decrease of the trabeculated layer. There was age-related preservation of total wall thickness at ED but an increase at ES (P<0.05). The compacted layer thickened, whereas the trabeculated layer thinned with systole, but neither change differed between sexes. With age, the most trabeculated LV segments showed significantly greater systolic thinning of trabeculated layers and, conversely, greater thickening of the compact segments (P<0.05). Total wall thickening is neither sex nor age dependent. There were no sex differences in the trabeculated/compacted ratio at ES or ED, but the ES trabeculated/compacted ratio was smaller in older (50 to 79 years) versus younger (20 to 49 years) groups (P<0.05). Conclusions We demonstrated age- and sex-related morphometric differences in the apparent trabeculated and compacted layer thicknesses and systolic thinning of the visible trabeculated layer that contrasts with compacted myocardial wall thickening. PMID:21193690

The direct-to-indirect band gap crossover in two-dimensional van der Waals Indium Selenide crystals

PubMed Central

Mudd, G. W.; Molas, M. R.; Chen, X.; Zólyomi, V.; Nogajewski, K.; Kudrynskyi, Z. R.; Kovalyuk, Z. D.; Yusa, G.; Makarovsky, O.; Eaves, L.; Potemski, M.; Fal’ko, V. I.; Patanè, A.

2016-01-01

The electronic band structure of van der Waals (vdW) layered crystals has properties that depend on the composition, thickness and stacking of the component layers. Here we use density functional theory and high field magneto-optics to investigate the metal chalcogenide InSe, a recent addition to the family of vdW layered crystals, which transforms from a direct to an indirect band gap semiconductor as the number of layers is reduced. We investigate this direct-to-indirect bandgap crossover, demonstrate a highly tuneable optical response from the near infrared to the visible spectrum with decreasing layer thickness down to 2 layers, and report quantum dot-like optical emissions distributed over a wide range of energy. Our analysis also indicates that electron and exciton effective masses are weakly dependent on the layer thickness and are significantly smaller than in other vdW crystals. These properties are unprecedented within the large family of vdW crystals and demonstrate the potential of InSe for electronic and photonic technologies. PMID:28008964

The direct-to-indirect band gap crossover in two-dimensional van der Waals Indium Selenide crystals.

PubMed

Mudd, G W; Molas, M R; Chen, X; Zólyomi, V; Nogajewski, K; Kudrynskyi, Z R; Kovalyuk, Z D; Yusa, G; Makarovsky, O; Eaves, L; Potemski, M; Fal'ko, V I; Patanè, A

2016-12-23

The electronic band structure of van der Waals (vdW) layered crystals has properties that depend on the composition, thickness and stacking of the component layers. Here we use density functional theory and high field magneto-optics to investigate the metal chalcogenide InSe, a recent addition to the family of vdW layered crystals, which transforms from a direct to an indirect band gap semiconductor as the number of layers is reduced. We investigate this direct-to-indirect bandgap crossover, demonstrate a highly tuneable optical response from the near infrared to the visible spectrum with decreasing layer thickness down to 2 layers, and report quantum dot-like optical emissions distributed over a wide range of energy. Our analysis also indicates that electron and exciton effective masses are weakly dependent on the layer thickness and are significantly smaller than in other vdW crystals. These properties are unprecedented within the large family of vdW crystals and demonstrate the potential of InSe for electronic and photonic technologies.

Effect of temperature rise and hydrostatic pressure on microbending loss and refractive index change in double-coated optical fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seraji, Faramarz E.; Toutian, Golnoosh

This paper presents an analysis of the effect of temperature rise and hydrostatic pressure on microbending loss, refractive index change, and stress components of a double-coated optical fiber by considering coating material parameters such as Young's modulus and the Poisson ratio. It is shown that, when temperature rises, the microbending loss and refractive index changes would decrease with increase of thickness of primary coating layer and will increase after passing through a minima. Increase of thickness of secondary coating layer causes the microbending loss and refractive index changes to decrease. We have shown that the temperature rise affecting the fiber makes the microbending loss and refractive index decrease, linearly. At a particular temperature, the microbending loss takes negative values, due to tensile pressure applied on the fiber. The increase of Young's modulus and the Poisson ratio of primary coating would lower the microbending loss and refractive index change whereas in the secondary coating layer, the condition reverses.

Size dictated thermal conductivity of GaN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beechem, Thomas E.; McDonald, Anthony E.; Fuller, Elliot J.; Talin, A. Alec; Rost, Christina M.; Maria, Jon-Paul; Gaskins, John T.; Hopkins, Patrick E.; Allerman, Andrew A.

2016-09-01

The thermal conductivity of n- and p-type doped gallium nitride (GaN) epilayers having thicknesses of 3-4 μm was investigated using time domain thermoreflectance. Despite possessing carrier concentrations ranging across 3 decades (1015-1018 cm-3), n-type layers exhibit a nearly constant thermal conductivity of 180 W/mK. The thermal conductivity of p-type epilayers, in contrast, reduces from 160 to 110 W/mK with increased doping. These trends—and their overall reduction relative to bulk—are explained leveraging established scattering models where it is shown that, while the decrease in p-type layers is partly due to the increased impurity levels evolving from its doping, size effects play a primary role in limiting the thermal conductivity of GaN layers tens of microns thick. Device layers, even of pristine quality, will therefore exhibit thermal conductivities less than the bulk value of 240 W/mK owing to their finite thickness.

Illumination angle and layer thickness influence on the photo current generation in organic solar cells: A combined simulative and experimental study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mescher, Jan, E-mail: jan.mescher@kit.edu; Mertens, Adrian; Egel, Amos

2015-07-15

In most future organic photovoltaic applications, such as fixed roof installations, facade or clothing integration, the solar cells will face the sun under varying angles. By a combined simulative and experimental study, we investigate the mutual interdependencies of the angle of light incidence, the absorber layer thickness and the photon harvesting efficiency within a typical organic photovoltaic device. For thin absorber layers, we find a steady decrease of the effective photocurrent towards increasing angles. For 90-140 nm thick absorber layers, however, we observe an effective photocurrent enhancement, exhibiting a maximum yield at angles of incidence of about 50°. Both effectsmore » mainly originate from the angle-dependent spatial broadening of the optical interference pattern inside the solar cell and a shift of the absorption maximum away from the metal electrode.« less

Illumination angle and layer thickness influence on the photo current generation in organic solar cells: A combined simulative and experimental study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mescher, Jan; Mertens, Adrian; Egel, Amos; Kettlitz, Siegfried W.; Lemmer, Uli; Colsmann, Alexander

2015-07-01

In most future organic photovoltaic applications, such as fixed roof installations, facade or clothing integration, the solar cells will face the sun under varying angles. By a combined simulative and experimental study, we investigate the mutual interdependencies of the angle of light incidence, the absorber layer thickness and the photon harvesting efficiency within a typical organic photovoltaic device. For thin absorber layers, we find a steady decrease of the effective photocurrent towards increasing angles. For 90-140 nm thick absorber layers, however, we observe an effective photocurrent enhancement, exhibiting a maximum yield at angles of incidence of about 50°. Both effects mainly originate from the angle-dependent spatial broadening of the optical interference pattern inside the solar cell and a shift of the absorption maximum away from the metal electrode.

Modeling of thin, back-wall silicon solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baraona, C. R.

1979-01-01

The performance of silicon solar cells with p-n junctions on the nonilluminated surface (i.e., upside-down or back-wall cells) was calculated. These structures consisted of a uniformly shaped p-type substrate layer, a p(+)-type field layer on the front (illuminated) surface, and a shallow, n-type junction on the back (nonilluminated) surface. A four-layer solar cell model was used to calculate efficiency, open-circuit voltage, and short-circuit current. The effect on performance of p-layer thickness and resistivity was determined. The diffusion length was varied to simulate the effect of radiation damage. The results show that peak initial efficiencies greater than 15 percent are possible for cell thicknesses or 100 micrometers or less. After 10 years of radiation damage in geosynchronous orbit, thin (25 to 50 micrometers thick) cells made from 10 to 100 ohm cm material show the smallest decrease (approximately 10 percent) in performance.

The Influence of Layer Thickness-Ratio on Magnetoresistance in La2/3Ca1/3MnO3/La1/3Ca2/3MnO3 Exchange Biased System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomez, Maria Elena; Milena Diez, Sandra; Cuartas, Lina Maria; Marin, Lorena; Prieto, Pedro

2012-02-01

Isothermal magnetic field dependence of the resistance in La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 (F-LCMO)/ La1/3Ca2/3MnO3(AF-LCMO) bilayer and AF-LCMO/F-LCMO/AF-LCMO trilayer at temperatures below N'eel temperature of the antiferromagnetic layer were carried out to study the thickness layers influence on magneto transport properties. We grew multilayers using a high oxygen pressure sputtering technique. We systematically varied the thickness of the F-LCMO layer, tF, maintaining constant the thickness of the AF-LCMO layer, tAF. We studied the influence of the thickness ratio tF/tAF on the ZFC and FC magnetoresistance (MR) loops. HFC was varied from 100 Oe to 400 Oe. We found that MR has hysteretic behavior as observed in [La2/3Ca1/3MnO3/La1/3Ca2/3MnO3]N superlattices, where MR increases with the increasing field from H=0 to a maximum and then it decreases continuously. The position and magnitude of the maximum is not symmetric with respect to the axis H=0 for both FC and ZFC loops. We found that magnetoresistance behavior of the bilayer and trilayer is thickness-ratio dependent for both ZFC and FC loops.

Multi-layer coating of SiO2 nanoparticles to enhance light absorption by Si solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nam, Yoon-Ho; Um, Han-Don; Park, Kwang-Tae; Shin, Sun-Mi; Baek, Jong-Wook; Park, Min-Joon; Jung, Jin-Young; Zhou, Keya; Jee, Sang-Won; Guo, Zhongyi; Lee, Jung-Ho

2012-06-01

We found that multi-layer coating of a Si substrate with SiO2 dielectric nanoparticles (NPs) was an effective method to suppress light reflection by silicon solar cells. To suppress light reflection, two conditions are required for the coating: 1) The difference of refractive indexes between air and Si should be alleviated, and 2) the quarter-wavelength antireflection condition should be satisfied while avoiding intrinsic absorption loss. Light reflection was reduced due to destructive interference at certain wavelengths that depended on the layer thickness. For the same thickness dielectric layer, smaller NPs enhanced antireflectance more than larger NPs due to a decrease in scattering loss by the smaller NPs.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mirshafieyan, Seyed Sadreddin; Luk, Ting S.; Guo, Junpeng

Here, we demonstrated perfect light absorption in optical nanocavities made of ultra-thin percolation aluminum and silicon films deposited on an aluminum surface. The total layer thickness of the aluminum and silicon films is one order of magnitude less than perfect absorption wavelength in the visible spectral range. The ratio of silicon cavity layer thickness to perfect absorption wavelength decreases as wavelength decreases due to the increased phase delays at silicon-aluminum boundaries at shorter wavelengths. It is explained that perfect light absorption is due to critical coupling of incident wave to the fundamental Fabry-Perot resonance mode of the structure where themore » round trip phase delay is zero. Simulations were performed and the results agree well with the measurement results.« less

Matrix cracking in composite laminates with resin-rich interlaminar layers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ilcewicz, Larry B.; Dost, Ernest F.; Mccool, J. W.; Grande, D. H.

1991-01-01

Fracture mechanics analysis and test data for a toughened composite material that has a resin-rich interlaminar layer (RIL) were used to investigate in situ strength. Exposure to a range of environmental conditions was considered. A parametric analysis study was performed to judge the effects of laminate and material variables. A finite thickness effect, indicating an interaction between ply group thickness and effective flaw size, was found dominant. The magnitude of the effect was directly related to RIL stiffness. In situ strength was found to decrease with decreasing RIL stiffness. This work indicates the need to use a fracture mechanics model of actual lamina microstructure and heterogeneous properties to predict in situ strength in materials with RIL.

Theoretical study of ZnS/CdS bi-layer for thin-film CdTe solar cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohamed, H. A.; Mohamed, A. S.; Ali, H. M.

2018-05-01

The performance of CdTe solar cells is strongly limited by the thickness of CdS window layer. A higher short-circuit current density might be achieved by decreasing the thickness of CdS layer as a result of reducing the absorption losses that take place in this layer. However, it is difficult to obtain uniform and pin-hole free CdS layers thinner than 50 nm. This problem can be solved through increasing the band gap of the window layer by adding a wide band gap semiconductor such as ZnS. In this work, bi-layer ZnS/CdS film was studied as an improved window layer of ITO/ZnS/CdS/CdTe solar cell. The total thickness of ZnS/CdS layer was taken about 60 nm. The effect of optical losses due to reflection at different interfaces in the cell and absorption in ITO, ZnS, CdS as well as the recombination loss have been studied. Finally, the effects of the recombination losses in the space-charge region and the reflectivity from the back contact were taken into accounts. The results revealed that the optical losses of 23% were achieved at 60 nm thickness of CdS and theses losses minimized to 18% when ZnS layer of 30 nm thickness was added to CdS layer. The minimum optical and recombination losses of about 26% were obtained at 1 ns of electron life-time and ∼0.4 μm width of the space-charge region. The maximum efficiency of 18.5% was achieved for ITO/CdS/CdTe cell and the efficiency increased up to 20% for ITO/ZnS/CdS/CdTe cell.

Tuning of in-plane optical anisotropy by inserting ultra-thin InAs layer at interfaces in (001)-grown GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yu, J. L., E-mail: jlyu@semi.ac.cn; Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials Science, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 912, Beijing 100083; Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials Chemistry and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002

2015-01-07

The in-plane optical anisotropy (IPOA) in (001)-grown GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells (QWs) with different well widths varying from 2 nm to 8 nm has been studied by reflectance difference spectroscopy. Ultra-thin InAs layers with thickness ranging from 0.5 monolayer (ML) to 1.5 ML have been inserted at GaAs/AlGaAs interfaces to tune the asymmetry in the QWs. It is demonstrated that the IPOA can be accurately tailored by the thickness of the inserted ultra-thin InAs layer at the interfaces. Strain-induced IPOA has also been extracted by using a stress apparatus. We find that the intensity of the strain-induced IPOA decreases with the thickness ofmore » the inserted InAs layer, while that of the interface-induced IPOA increases with the thickness of the InAs layer. Theoretical calculations based on 6 band k ⋅ p theory have been carried out, and good agreements with experimental results are obtained. Our results demonstrate that, the IPOA of the QWs can be greatly and effectively tuned by inserting an ultra-thin InAs layer with different thicknesses at the interfaces of QWs, which does not significantly influence the transition energies and the transition probability of QWs.« less

Enhanced sensitivity to dielectric function and thickness of absorbing thin films by combining total internal reflection ellipsometry with standard ellipsometry and reflectometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lizana, A.; Foldyna, M.; Stchakovsky, M.; Georges, B.; Nicolas, D.; Garcia-Caurel, E.

2013-03-01

High sensitivity of spectroscopic ellipsometry and reflectometry for the characterization of thin films can strongly decrease when layers, typically metals, absorb a significant fraction of the light. In this paper, we propose a solution to overcome this drawback using total internal reflection ellipsometry (TIRE) and exciting a surface longitudinal wave: a plasmon-polariton. As in the attenuated total reflectance technique, TIRE exploits a minimum in the intensity of reflected transversal magnetic (TM) polarized light and enhances the sensitivity of standard methods to thicknesses of absorbing films. Samples under study were stacks of three films, ZnO : Al/Ag/ZnO : Al, deposited on glass substrates. The thickness of the silver layer varied from sample to sample. We performed measurements with a UV-visible phase-modulated ellipsometer, an IR Mueller ellipsometer and a UV-NIR reflectometer. We used the variance-covariance formalism to evaluate the sensitivity of the ellipsometric data to different parameters of the optical model. Results have shown that using TIRE doubled the sensitivity to the silver layer thickness when compared with the standard ellipsometry. Moreover, the thickness of the ZnO : Al layer below the silver layer can be reliably quantified, unlike for the fit of the standard ellipsometry data, which is limited by the absorption of the silver layer.

Tuning the ultrafast photodissociation dynamics of CH3Br on ultrathin MgO films by reducing the layer thickness to the 2D limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vaida, Mihai E.; Bernhardt, Thorsten M.

2017-11-01

The femtosecond-laser induced photodissociation of CH3Br adsorbed at sub-monolayer coverage on a solid surface was investigated by time-resolved pump-probe mass spectrometry. To tune the interaction of the CH3Br molecules with the substrate, an Mo(1 0 0) surface was covered with ultrathin insulating MgO layers of variable thickness. By gradually decreasing the magnesia layer thickness to the 2D limit the photodissociation dynamics observed by detection of the methyl fragment indicates an energetic lowering of the relevant methyl bromide excited states due to the increasing spatial proximity of the metallic support. Potential orientational effects of the methyl bromide adsorption geometry are also considered.

Hydraulic permeability of multilayered collagen gel scaffolds under plastic compression-induced unidirectional fluid flow.

PubMed

Serpooshan, Vahid; Quinn, Thomas M; Muja, Naser; Nazhat, Showan N

2013-01-01

Under conditions of free fluid flow, highly hydrated fibrillar collagen gels expel fluid and undergo gravity driven consolidation (self-compression; SC). This process can be accelerated by the application of a compressive stress (plastic compression; PC) in order to generate dense collagen scaffolds for tissue engineering. To define the microstructural evolution of collagen gels under PC, this study applied a two-layer micromechanical model that was previously developed to measure hydraulic permeability (k) under SC. Radially confined PC resulted in unidirectional fluid flow through the gel and the formation of a dense lamella at the fluid expulsion boundary which was confirmed by confocal microscopy of collagen immunoreactivity. Gel mass loss due to PC and subsequent SC were measured and applied to Darcy's law to calculate the thickness of the lamella and hydrated layer, as well as their relative permeabilities. Increasing PC level resulted in a significant increase in mass loss fraction and lamellar thickness, while the thickness of the hydrated layer dramatically decreased. Permeability of lamella also decreased from 1.8×10(-15) to 1.0×10(-15) m(2) in response to an increase in PC level. Ongoing SC, following PC, resulted in a uniform decrease in mass loss and k with increasing PC level and as a function SC time. Experimental k data were in close agreement with those estimated by the Happel model. Calculation of average k values for various two-layer microstructures indicated that they each approached 10(-15)-10(-14) m(2) at equilibrium. In summary, the two-layer micromechanical model can be used to define the microstructure and permeability of multi-layered biomimetic scaffolds generated by PC. Copyright © 2012 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[The photoluminescence characteristics of organic multilayer quantum wells].

PubMed

Zhao, De-Wei; Song, Shu-Fang; Zhao, Su-Ling; Xu, Zheng; Wang, Yong-Sheng; Xu, Xu-Rong

2007-04-01

By the use of multi-source high-vaccum organic beam deposition system, the authors prepared organic multilayer quantum well structures, which consist of alternate organic small molecule materials PBD and Alq3. Based on 4-period organic quantum wells, different samples with different thickness barriers and wells were prepared. The authors measured the lowest unoccupied molecular orbit (LUMO) and the highest occupied molecular orbit (HOMO) by electrochemistry cyclic voltammetry and optical absorption. From the energy diagrams, it seems like type-I quantum well structures of the inorganic semiconductor, in which PBD is used as a barrier layer and Alq3 as a well layer and emitter. From small angle X-ray diffraction measurements, the results indicate that these structures have high interface quality and uniformity. The photoluminescence characteristics of organic multilayer quantum wells were investigated. The PL peak has a blue-shift with the decrease of the well layer thickness. Meanwhile as the barrier thickness decreases the PL peaks of PBD disappear gradually. And the energy may be effectively transferred from PBD to Alq3, inducing an enhancement of the luminescence of Alq3.

A Theoretical Model for Predicting Residual Stress Generation in Fabrication Process of Double-Ceramic-Layer Thermal Barrier Coating System.

PubMed

Song, Yan; Wu, Weijie; Xie, Feng; Liu, Yilun; Wang, Tiejun

2017-01-01

Residual stress arisen in fabrication process of Double-Ceramic-Layer Thermal Barrier Coating System (DCL-TBCs) has a significant effect on its quality and reliability. In this work, based on the practical fabrication process of DCL-TBCs and the force and moment equilibrium, a theoretical model was proposed at first to predict residual stress generation in its fabrication process, in which the temperature dependent material properties of DCL-TBCs were incorporated. Then, a Finite Element method (FEM) has been carried out to verify our theoretical model. Afterwards, some important geometric parameters for DCL-TBCs, such as the thickness ratio of stabilized Zirconia (YSZ, ZrO2-8%Y2O3) layer to Lanthanum Zirconate (LZ, La2Zr2O7) layer, which is adjustable in a wide range in the fabrication process, have a remarkable effect on its performance, therefore, the effect of this thickness ratio on residual stress generation in the fabrication process of DCL-TBCs has been systematically studied. In addition, some thermal spray treatment, such as the pre-heating treatment, its effect on residual stress generation has also been studied in this work. It is found that, the final residual stress mainly comes from the cooling down process in the fabrication of DCL-TBCs. Increasing the pre-heating temperature can obviously decrease the magnitude of residual stresses in LZ layer, YSZ layer and substrate. With the increase of the thickness ratio of YSZ layer to LZ layer, magnitudes of residual stresses arisen in LZ layer and YSZ layer will increase while residual stress in substrate will decrease.

A Theoretical Model for Predicting Residual Stress Generation in Fabrication Process of Double-Ceramic-Layer Thermal Barrier Coating System

PubMed Central

Song, Yan; Wu, Weijie; Xie, Feng; Liu, Yilun; Wang, Tiejun

2017-01-01

Residual stress arisen in fabrication process of Double-Ceramic-Layer Thermal Barrier Coating System (DCL-TBCs) has a significant effect on its quality and reliability. In this work, based on the practical fabrication process of DCL-TBCs and the force and moment equilibrium, a theoretical model was proposed at first to predict residual stress generation in its fabrication process, in which the temperature dependent material properties of DCL-TBCs were incorporated. Then, a Finite Element method (FEM) has been carried out to verify our theoretical model. Afterwards, some important geometric parameters for DCL-TBCs, such as the thickness ratio of stabilized Zirconia (YSZ, ZrO2-8%Y2O3) layer to Lanthanum Zirconate (LZ, La2Zr2O7) layer, which is adjustable in a wide range in the fabrication process, have a remarkable effect on its performance, therefore, the effect of this thickness ratio on residual stress generation in the fabrication process of DCL-TBCs has been systematically studied. In addition, some thermal spray treatment, such as the pre-heating treatment, its effect on residual stress generation has also been studied in this work. It is found that, the final residual stress mainly comes from the cooling down process in the fabrication of DCL-TBCs. Increasing the pre-heating temperature can obviously decrease the magnitude of residual stresses in LZ layer, YSZ layer and substrate. With the increase of the thickness ratio of YSZ layer to LZ layer, magnitudes of residual stresses arisen in LZ layer and YSZ layer will increase while residual stress in substrate will decrease. PMID:28103275

Improvement in temperature dependence and dielectric tunability properties of PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 thin films using Ba(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3 buffer layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Zhi; Zhou, Jing; Chen, Wen; Shen, Jie; Yang, Huimin; Zhang, Shisai; Liu, Yueli

2016-12-01

In this paper, Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PZT) thin films were prepared via sol-gel method. The effects of Ba(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3 (BMT) buffer layer on the temperature dependence and dielectric tunability properties of PZT thin films were studied. As the thickness of BMT buffer layer increases, the tan δ and tunability of PZT thin films decrease while tunability still maintains above 10%. This result shows that BMT buffer layer can improve the dielectric tunability properties of PZT thin films. Furthermore, the temperature coefficient of the dielectric constant decreases from 2333.4 to 906.9 ppm/°C with the thickness of BMT buffer layer increasing in the range from 25 to 205 °C, indicating that BMT buffer layer can improve the temperature stability of PZT thin films. Therefore, BMT buffer layer plays a critical role in improving temperature dependence and dielectric tunability properties of PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 thin films.

Sudden bending of a cracked laminate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sih, G. C.; Chen, E. P.

1981-01-01

The intensification of stresses near a through crack in the laminate that suddenly undergoes bending is investigated. A dynamic plate theory is developed which includes the effects of material inhomogeneity in the thickness direction and realistic crack edge stress singularity and distribution. Numerical examples indicate that (1) the crack moment intensity tends to decrease as the crack length to laminate thickness is increased, and (2) the average load intensity transmitted to a through crack can be reduced by making the inner layers to be stiffer than the outer layers.

Channel layer thickness dependence of In-Ti-Zn-O thin-film transistors fabricated using pulsed laser deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Q.; Shan, F. K.; Liu, G. X.; Liu, A.; Lee, W. J.; Shin, B. C.

2014-05-01

Amorphous indium-titanium-zinc-oxide (ITZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) with various channel thicknesses were fabricated at room temperature by using pulsed laser deposition. The channel layer thickness (CLT) dependence of the TFTs was investigated. All the ITZO thin films were amorphous, and the surface roughnesses decreased slightly first and then increased with increasing CLT. With increasing CLT from 35 to 140 nm, the on/off current ratio and the field-effect mobility increased, and the subthreshold swing decreased. The TFT with a CLT of 210 nm exhibited the worst performance, while the ITZO TFT with a CLT of 140 nm exhibited the best performance with a subthreshold voltage of 2.86 V, a mobility of 53.9 cm2V-1s-1, a subthreshold swing of 0.29 V/decade and an on/off current ratio of 109.

The effect of viscoelasticity on the stability of a pulmonary airway liquid layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halpern, David; Fujioka, Hideki; Grotberg, James B.

2010-01-01

The lungs consist of a network of bifurcating airways that are lined with a thin liquid film. This film is a bilayer consisting of a mucus layer on top of a periciliary fluid layer. Mucus is a non-Newtonian fluid possessing viscoelastic characteristics. Surface tension induces flows within the layer, which may cause the lung's airways to close due to liquid plug formation if the liquid film is sufficiently thick. The stability of the liquid layer is also influenced by the viscoelastic nature of the liquid, which is modeled using the Oldroyd-B constitutive equation or as a Jeffreys fluid. To examine the role of mucus alone, a single layer of a viscoelastic fluid is considered. A system of nonlinear evolution equations is derived using lubrication theory for the film thickness and the film flow rate. A uniform film is initially perturbed and a normal mode analysis is carried out that shows that the growth rate g for a viscoelastic layer is larger than for a Newtonian fluid with the same viscosity. Closure occurs if the minimum core radius, Rmin(t), reaches zero within one breath. Solutions of the nonlinear evolution equations reveal that Rmin normally decreases to zero faster with increasing relaxation time parameter, the Weissenberg number We. For small values of the dimensionless film thickness parameter ɛ, the closure time, tc, increases slightly with We, while for moderate values of ɛ, ranging from 14% to 18% of the tube radius, tc decreases rapidly with We provided the solvent viscosity is sufficiently small. Viscoelasticity was found to have little effect for ɛ >0.18, indicating the strong influence of surface tension. The film thickness parameter ɛ and the Weissenberg number We also have a significant effect on the maximum shear stress on tube wall, max(τw), and thus, potentially, an impact on cell damage. Max(τw) increases with ɛ for fixed We, and it decreases with increasing We for small We provided the solvent viscosity parameter is sufficiently small. For large ɛ ≈0.2, there is no significant difference between the Newtonian flow case and the large We cases.

Ischaemia-reperfusion injury in central retinal artery occlusion.

PubMed

Saxena, Sandeep; Mishra, Nibha; Meyer, Carsten H; Akduman, Levent

2013-10-21

A 53-year-old man presented with sudden painless diminution of vision in his right eye for 3 days. His fundus examination showed diffuse whitening of the retina with a cherry red spot at the fovea with cilioretinal artery sparing. On fluorescein angiography delayed arteriovenous transit was observed. Three-dimensional spectral domain optical coherence tomography was used to assess retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and average macular central subfield thickness on days 3, 7, 30 and 90. Marked retinal oedema due to ischaemia was observed on day 3 of occurrence of central retinal artery occlusion. On day 7, significant decrease in retinal nerve fibre thickness and macular thickness was noted suggestive of acute reperfusion injury. Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and macular thickness returned to near normal on day 30 due to restoration of blood supply with wash out of stress mediators. Retinal atrophy was observed on day 90.

Ischaemia-reperfusion injury in central retinal artery occlusion

PubMed Central

Saxena, Sandeep; Mishra, Nibha; Meyer, Carsten H; Akduman, Levent

2013-01-01

A 53-year-old man presented with sudden painless diminution of vision in his right eye for 3 days. His fundus examination showed diffuse whitening of the retina with a cherry red spot at the fovea with cilioretinal artery sparing. On fluorescein angiography delayed arteriovenous transit was observed. Three-dimensional spectral domain optical coherence tomography was used to assess retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and average macular central subfield thickness on days 3, 7, 30 and 90. Marked retinal oedema due to ischaemia was observed on day 3 of occurrence of central retinal artery occlusion. On day 7, significant decrease in retinal nerve fibre thickness and macular thickness was noted suggestive of acute reperfusion injury. Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and macular thickness returned to near normal on day 30 due to restoration of blood supply with wash out of stress mediators. Retinal atrophy was observed on day 90. PMID:24145508

Multidimensional Cyclic Voltammetry Simulations of Pseudocapacitive Electrodes with a Conducting Nanorod Scaffold

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mei, Bing-Ang; Li, Bin; Lin, Jie

This paper aims to understand the effect of nanoarchitecture on the performance of pseudocapacitive electrodes consisting of conducting scaffold coated with pseudocapacitive material. To do so, two-dimensional numerical simulations of ordered conducting nanorods coated with a thin film of pseudocapacitive material were performed. The simulations reproduced three-electrode cyclic voltammetry measurements based on a continuum model derived from first principles. Two empirical approaches commonly used experimentally to characterize the contributions of surface-controlled and diffusion-controlled charge storage mechanisms to the total current density with respect to scan rate were theoretically validated for the first time. Moreover, the areal capacitive capacitance, attributed tomore » EDL formation, remained constant and independent of electrode dimensions, at low scan rates. However, at high scan rates, it decreased with decreasing conducting nanorod radius and increasing pseudocapacitive layer thickness due to resistive losses. By contrast, the gravimetric faradaic capacitance, due to reversible faradaic reactions, decreased continuously with increasing scan rate and pseudocapacitive layer thickness but was independent of conducting nanorod radius. Note that the total gravimetric capacitance predicted numerically featured values comparable to experimental measurements. Finally, an optimum pseudocapacitive layer thickness that maximizes total areal capacitance was identified as a function of scan rate and confirmed by scaling analysis.« less

Multidimensional Cyclic Voltammetry Simulations of Pseudocapacitive Electrodes with a Conducting Nanorod Scaffold

DOE PAGES

Mei, Bing-Ang; Li, Bin; Lin, Jie; ...

2017-10-27

This paper aims to understand the effect of nanoarchitecture on the performance of pseudocapacitive electrodes consisting of conducting scaffold coated with pseudocapacitive material. To do so, two-dimensional numerical simulations of ordered conducting nanorods coated with a thin film of pseudocapacitive material were performed. The simulations reproduced three-electrode cyclic voltammetry measurements based on a continuum model derived from first principles. Two empirical approaches commonly used experimentally to characterize the contributions of surface-controlled and diffusion-controlled charge storage mechanisms to the total current density with respect to scan rate were theoretically validated for the first time. Moreover, the areal capacitive capacitance, attributed tomore » EDL formation, remained constant and independent of electrode dimensions, at low scan rates. However, at high scan rates, it decreased with decreasing conducting nanorod radius and increasing pseudocapacitive layer thickness due to resistive losses. By contrast, the gravimetric faradaic capacitance, due to reversible faradaic reactions, decreased continuously with increasing scan rate and pseudocapacitive layer thickness but was independent of conducting nanorod radius. Note that the total gravimetric capacitance predicted numerically featured values comparable to experimental measurements. Finally, an optimum pseudocapacitive layer thickness that maximizes total areal capacitance was identified as a function of scan rate and confirmed by scaling analysis.« less

Lightweight armor system and process for producing the same

DOEpatents

Chu, Henry S.; Bruck, H. Alan; Strempek, Gary C.; Varacalle, Jr., Dominic J.

2004-01-20

A lightweight armor system may comprise a substrate having a graded metal matrix composite layer formed thereon by thermal spray deposition. The graded metal matrix composite layer comprises an increasing volume fraction of ceramic particles imbedded in a decreasing volume fraction of a metal matrix as a function of a thickness of the graded metal matrix composite layer. A ceramic impact layer is affixed to the graded metal matrix composite layer.

An Assessment of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Non-Diabetic Obese Children and Adolescents

PubMed Central

Özen, Bediz; Öztürk, Hakan; Çatlı, Gönül; Dündar, Bumin

2018-01-01

Objective: Obesity affects almost all systems in the body. This includes the retinal nerve fibers which may be damaged due to a chronic inflammatory process. To determine changes in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in non-diabetic children and adolescents using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to evaluate the relationship between this change, metabolic risk factors and pubertal stage. Methods: Thirty-eight obese and 40 healthy children and adolescents aged 10-18 years were included in the study. RNFL measurements from the optic disk and all surrounding quadrants were obtained using OCT from both eyes of the individuals in the study groups. Correlations between RNFL thickness and age, auxological measurements, pubertal stage, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index and lipid values were investigated. Results: A general decrease was observed in RNFL thickness in obese subjects compared to the controls, the decrease being highest in the inferior quadrant, although these differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). RNFL thickness was negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS) in both groups (control group r=-0.345, p=0.029; obese group r=-0.355, p=0.022). Significant negative correlations were determined between diastolic blood pressure, HOMA-IR, low density lipoprotein cholesterol level and RNFL thickness (r=-0.366, p=0.024; r=-0.394, p=0.016; and r=-0.374, p=0.022, respectively) in the obese group, while there was no association between these parameters and RNFL thickness in the control group. Conclusion: In this cross-sectional study, no statistically significant difference in RNFL thicknesses between the obese and control groups was determined. However, RNFL thickness was found to decrease in both healthy and obese children as BMI-SDS values increased. Further prospective studies may be of benefit to determine whether the decrease in RNFL values might become more pronounced on long-term follow-up. PMID:28739552

Asymmetry Analysis of Macular Inner Retinal Layers for Glaucoma Diagnosis: Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Study

PubMed Central

Lee, Sang-Yoon; Lee, Eun Kyoung; Park, Ki Ho; Kim, Dong Myung

2016-01-01

Purpose To report an asymmetry analysis of macular inner retinal layers using swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to evaluate the utility for glaucoma diagnosis. Design Observational, cross-sectional study. Participants Seventy normal healthy subjects and 62 glaucoma patients. Methods Three-dimensional scans were acquired from 70 normal subjects and 62 open angle glaucoma patients by swept-source OCT. The thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), ganglion cell complex, and total retina were calculated within a 6.2×6.2 mm macular area divided into a 31×31 grid of 200×200 μm superpixels. For each of the corresponding superpixels, the thickness differences between the subject eyes and contra-lateral eyes and between the upper and lower macula halves of the subject eyes were determined. The negative differences were displayed on a gray-scale asymmetry map. Black superpixels were defined as thickness decreases over the cut-off values. Results The negative inter-ocular and inter-hemisphere differences in GCIPL thickness (mean ± standard deviation) were -2.78 ± 0.97 μm and -3.43 ± 0.71 μm in the normal group and -4.26 ± 2.23 μm and -4.88 ± 1.46 μm in the glaucoma group. The overall extent of the four layers’ thickness decrease was larger in the glaucoma group than in the normal group (all Ps<0.05). The numbers of black superpixels on all of the asymmetry maps were larger in the glaucoma group than in the normal group (all Ps<0.05). The area under receiver operating characteristic curves of average negative thickness differences in macular inner layers for glaucoma diagnosis ranged from 0.748 to 0.894. Conclusions The asymmetry analysis of macular inner retinal layers showed significant differences between the normal and glaucoma groups. The diagnostic performance of the asymmetry analysis was comparable to that of previous methods. These findings suggest that the asymmetry analysis can be a potential ancillary diagnostic tool. PMID:27764166

Morphological changes in diseased cementum layers: a scanning electron microscopy study.

PubMed

Bilgin, E; Gürgan, C A; Arpak, M Nejat; Bostanci, H S; Güven, K

2004-05-01

The aim of this study was to compare the morphological changes that occurred in root cementum layers due to periodontal disease by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Ninety-two periodontally hopeless teeth extracted from 29 patients were studied. Measurements of probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were taken prior to extractions. After the longitudinal fracturing process of root specimens, healthy and diseased cementum layers of roots were evaluated by SEM for the thickness of the cementum and the morphological changes in collagen fibers. The result of SEM evaluation revealed a significant ( P < 0.001) decrease in the thickness of cementum layer on the diseased root surfaces compared to the healthy surfaces. There were denser and conspicuous collagen fibers with their interfibrillar matrix in cementum layers on the healthy root surfaces compared to the diseased surfaces. Within the limits of this study, the thickness of cementum layers in diseased areas was found to be significantly less than that in the healthy areas of root surfaces. However, there exist variations in the density and visibility of cemental fibers between individuals and within the individual.

EFFECT OF INTRAVITREAL RANIBIZUMAB ON GANGLION CELL COMPLEX AND PERIPAPILLARY RETINAL NERVE FIBER LAYER IN NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION USING SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY.

PubMed

Zucchiatti, Ilaria; Cicinelli, Maria V; Parodi, Maurizio Battaglia; Pierro, Luisa; Gagliardi, Marco; Accardo, Agostino; Bandello, Francesco

2017-07-01

To analyze the changes in ganglion cell complex and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, in central macular thickness and choroidal thickness on spectral domain optical coherence tomography in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injections. All consecutive patients with untreated neovascular age-related macular degeneration received loading phase of three monthly intravitreal ranibizumab, followed by retreatments on a pro re nata protocol for 12 months. changes in ganglion cell complex and retinal nerve fiber layer at the end of follow-up. Secondary outcome: changes in best-corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness, and choroidal thickness at the end of follow-up. Choroidal thickness was measured at 500 μm, 1000 μm, and 1,500 μm intervals nasally, temporally, superiorly, and inferiorly to the fovea, respectively, on horizontal and vertical line scans centered on the fovea. Twenty-four eyes were included. Ganglion cell complex and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness did not show statistically significant changes through 12 months (55.6 ± 18.5 and 81.9 ± 9.9 μm at baseline, 52.7 ± 19.3 and 84.6 ± 15.5 μm at month 12, P > 0.05). Central macular thickness showed progressive decrease from baseline to month 12, with maximum reduction at month 3 (P < 0.001). Statistically significant reduction in choroidal thickness was registered in the nasal 500, 1000, and 1,500 μm from the fovea, corresponding to the papillomacular region (from 169.6 ± 45.3 to 153.9 ± 46.9, P < 0.001). Intravitreal ranibizumab injections did not affect retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell complex thickness in 1-year follow-up. Choroidal thickness in papillomacular area and central macular thickness was significantly reduced at the end of treatment. Further studies, with larger sample, longer follow-up, and greater number of injections, are warranted.

[Effects of human engineering activities on permafrost active layer and its environment in northern Qinghai-Tibetan plateau].

PubMed

Guo, Zhenggang; Wu, Qingbo; Niu, Fujun

2006-11-01

With disturbed and undisturbed belts during the construction of Qinghai-Tibet highway as test objectives, this paper studied the effects of human engineering activities on the permafrost ecosystem in northern Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. The results showed that the thickness of permafrost active layer was smaller in disturbed than in undisturbed belt, and decreased with increasing altitude in undisturbed belt while no definite pattern was observed in disturbed belt. Different vegetation types had different effects on the thickness of permafrost active layer, being decreased in the order of steppe > shrub > meadow. In the two belts, altitude was the main factor affecting the vertical distribution of soil moisture, but vegetation type was also an important affecting factor if the altitude was similar. Due to the human engineering activities, soil temperature in summer was lower in disturbed than in undisturbed belt.

Optical properties of marine stratocumulus clouds modified by ships

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

King, Michael D.; Radke, Lawrence F.; Hobbs, Peter V.

1993-01-01

Results are presented of an application of the diffusion domain method to multispectral solar radiation measurements obtained deep within a marine stratocumulus cloud layer modified by pollution from ships. In situ airborne measurements of the relative angular distribution of scattered radiation are compared to known asymptotic expressions for the intensity field deep within an optically thick cloud layer. Analytical expressions relating the ratio of the nadir-to-zenith intensities to surface reflectance, similarity parameter, and scaled optical depth beneath the aircraft flight level are used to analyze measurements obtained with the cloud absorption radiometer mounted on the University of Washington's C-131A research aircraft. It is shown that the total optical thickness of the cloud layer increased in the ship tracks, in contrast to the similarity parameter, which decreased. The decrease in absorption was a direct consequence of the reduction in cloud droplet size that occurred within the ship tracks.

Structure of the low-latitude boundary layer. [in magnetopause

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sckopke, N.; Paschmann, G.; Haerendel, G.; Sonnerup, B. U. OE.; Bame, S. J.; Forbes, T. G.; Hones, E. W., Jr.; Russell, C. T.

1981-01-01

High temporal resolution observations of the frontside magnetopause and plasma boundary layer made with the fast plasma analyzer aboard the ISEE 1 and 2 spacecraft are reported. The data are found to be compatible with a boundary layer that is always attached to the magnetopause but where the layer thickness has a large-scale spatial modulation pattern which travels tailward past the spacecraft. Periods are included when the thickness is essentially zero and others when it is of the order of 1 earth radius. The duration of these periods is highly variable but is typically in the range of 2-5 min corresponding to a distance along the magnetopuase of approximately 3-8 earth radii. The observed boundary layer features include a steep density gradient at the magnetopause with an approximately constant boundary layer plasma density amounting to about 25% of the magnetosheath density, and a second abrupt density decrease at the inner edge of the layer.

ZrO2 Layer Thickness Dependent Electrical and Dielectric Properties of BST/ZrO2/BST Multilayer Thin Films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sahoo, S. K.; Misra, D.; Agrawal, D. C.

2011-01-01

Recently, high K materials play an important role in microelectronic devices such as capacitors, memory devices, and microwave devices. Now a days ferroelectric barium strontium titanate [Ba{sub x}Sr{sub 1-x}TiO{sub 3}, (BST)] thin film is being actively investigated for applications in dynamic random access memories (DRAM), field effect transistor (FET), and tunable devices because of its properties such as high dielectric constant, low leakage current, low dielectric loss, and high dielectric breakdown strength. Several approaches have been used to optimize the dielectric and electrical properties of BST thin films such as doping, graded compositions, and multilayer structures. We have found thatmore » inserting a ZrO{sub 2} layer in between two BST layers results in a significant reduction in dielectric constant, loss tangent, and leakage current in the multilayer thin films. Also it is shown that the properties of multilayer structure are found to depend strongly on the sublayer thicknesses. In this work the effect of ZrO{sub 2} layer thickness on the dielectric, ferroelectric as well as electrical properties of BST/ZrO{sub 2}/BST multilayer structure is studied. The multilayer Ba{sub 0.8}Sr{sub 0.2}TiO{sub 3}/ZrO{sub 2}/Ba{sub 0.8}Sr{sub 0.2}TiO{sub 3} film is deposited by a sol-gel process on the platinized Si substrate. The thickness of the middle ZrO{sub 2} layer is varied while keeping the top and bottom BST layer thickness as fixed. It is observed that the dielectric constant, dielectric loss tangent, and leakage current of the multilayer films reduce with the increase of ZrO{sub 2} layer thickness and hence suitable for memory device applications. The ferroelectric properties of the multilayer film also decrease with the ZrO{sub 2} layer thickness.« less

Heat release effects in a turbulent, reacting shear layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hermanson, James Carl

The effects of heat release were studied in a planar, gaseous reacting mixing layer formed between free streams containing hydrogen and fluorine in inert diluents. Sufficiently high concentrations of reactants were employed to produce adiabatic flame temperature rises of up to 940 K (1240 K absolute). The Reynolds number at the measuring station, based on velocity difference, 1% temperature thickness and cold kinematic viscosity was approximately 6x10^4. The temperature field was measured with cold wire resistance thermometers and thermocouples. Flow visualization was accomplished by schlieren spark and motion picture photography. Mean velocity information was extracted from mean pitot probe dynamic pressure measurements.Though the displacement thickness of the layer, for zero streamwise pressure gradient, increased with increasing heat release, the actual growth rate of the layer did not increase, but instead decreased slightly. The overall entrainment into the layer was seen to be substantially reduced as a consequence of heat release. Calculations showed that the decrease in layer growth rate can be accounted for by a corresponding reduction in turbulent shear stress.The mean temperature rise profiles, normalized by the adiabatic flame temperature rise, were not greatly changed in shape by heat release. A small decrease in normalized mean temperature rise with heat release was observed. Large scale coherent structures were observed to persist at all levels of heat release in this investigation. The mean structure spacing decreased with increasing temperature. This decrease exceeded the rate of layer growth rate reduction, and suggests that the mechanisms of vortex amalgamation were, to some extent, inhibited by heat release.Imposition of a favorable pressure gradient resulted in additional thinning of the layer, and caused a slight increase in the mixing and amount of chemical product formation. The change in layer growth rate can be shown to be related to a change in free stream velocity ratio induced by pressure gradient.

Grain size engineering for ferroelectric Hf{sub 0.5}Zr{sub 0.5}O{sub 2} films by an insertion of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} interlayer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, Han Joon; Park, Min Hyuk; Kim, Yu Jin

2014-11-10

The degradation of ferroelectric (FE) properties of atomic layer deposited Hf{sub 0.5}Zr{sub 0.5}O{sub 2} films with increasing thickness was mitigated by inserting 1 nm-thick Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} interlayer at middle position of the thickness of the FE film. The large P{sub r} of 10 μC/cm{sup 2}, which is 11 times larger than that of single layer Hf{sub 0.5}Zr{sub 0.5}O{sub 2} film with equivalent thickness, was achieved from the films as thick as 40 nm. The Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} interlayer could interrupt the continual growth of Hf{sub 0.5}Zr{sub 0.5}O{sub 2} films, and the resulting decrease of grain size prevented the formation of non-ferroelectricmore » monoclinic phase. The Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} interlayer also largely decreased the leakage current of the Hf{sub 0.5}Zr{sub 0.5}O{sub 2} films.« less

Charged defects in two-dimensional semiconductors of arbitrary thickness and geometry: Formulation and application to few-layer black phosphorus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Dan; Han, Dong; Li, Xian-Bin; Chen, Nian-Ke; West, Damien; Meunier, Vincent; Zhang, Shengbai; Sun, Hong-Bo

2017-10-01

Energy evaluation of charged defects is tremendously important in two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors for the industrialization of 2D electronic devices because of its close relation with the corresponding type of conductivity and its strength. Although the method to calculate the energy of charged defects in single-layer one-atom-thick systems of equilateral unit-cell geometry has recently been proposed, few-layer 2D semiconductors are more common in device applications. As it turns out, one may not apply the one-layer formalism to multilayer cases without jeopardizing accuracy. Here, we generalize the approach to 2D systems of arbitrary cell geometry and thickness and use few-layer black phosphorus to illustrate how defect properties, mainly group-VI substitutional impurities, are affected. Within the framework of density functional theory, we show that substitutional Te (T eP) is the best candidate for n -type doping, and as the thickness increases, the ionization energy is found to decrease monotonically from 0.67 eV (monolayer) to 0.47 eV (bilayer) and further to 0.33 eV (trilayer). Although these results show the ineffectiveness of the dielectric screening at the monolayer limit, they also show how it evolves with increasing thickness whereby setting a new direction for the design of 2D electronics. The proposed method here is generally suitable to all the 2D materials regardless of their thickness and geometry.

Effect of the thickness of the anode electrode catalyst layers on the performance in direct methanol fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glass, Dean E.; Olah, George A.; Prakash, G. K. Surya

2017-06-01

For the large scale fuel cell manufacture, the catalyst loading and layer thickness are critical factors affecting the performance and cost of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). The influence of catalyst layer thicknesses at the anode of a PEM based direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) has been investigated. Catalysts were applied with the drawdown method with varied thicknesses ranging from 1 mil to 8 mils (1 mil = 25.4 μm) with a Pt/Ru anode loading of 0.25 mg cm-2 to 2.0 mg cm-2. The MEAs with the thicker individual layers (8 mils and 4 mils) performed better overall compared to the those with the thinner layers (1 mil and painted). The peak power densities for the different loading levels followed an exponential decrease of Pt/Ru utilization at the higher loading levels. The highest power density achieved was 49 mW cm-2 with the 4 mil layers at 2.0 mg cm-2 catalyst loading whereas the highest normalized power density was 116 mW mg-1 with the 8 mil layers at 0.25 mg cm-2 loading. The 8 mil drawdowns displayed a 50% and 23% increase in normalized power density compared to the 1 mil drawdowns at 0.25 mg cm-2 and 0.5 mg cm-2 loadings, respectively.

Interface perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in ultrathin Ta/NiFe/Pt layered structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirayama, Shigeyuki; Kasai, Shinya; Mitani, Seiji

2018-01-01

Interface perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in ultrathin Ta/NiFe/Pt layered structures was investigated through magnetization measurements. Ta/NiFe/Pt films with NiFe layer thickness (t) values of 2 nm or more showed typical in-plane magnetization curves, which was presumably due to the dominant contribution of the shape magnetic anisotropy. The thickness dependence of the saturation magnetization of the entire NiFe layer (M s) was well analyzed using the so-called dead-layer model, showing that the magnetically active part of the NiFe layer has saturation magnetization (M\\text{s}\\text{act}) independent of t and comparable to the bulk value. In the perpendicular direction, the saturation field H k was found to clearly decrease with decreasing t, while the effective field of shape magnetic anisotropy due to the active NiFe saturation magnetization M\\text{s}\\text{act} should be independent of t. These observations show that there exists interface PMA in the layered structures. The interface PMA energy density was determined to be ∼0.17 erg/cm2 using the dead-layer model. Motivated by the correlation observed between M s and H k, we also attempted to interpret the experimental results using an alternative approach beyond the dead-layer model; however, it gives only implications on the incomplete validity of the dead-layer model and no better understanding.

Lesion dehydration rate changes with the surface layer thickness during enamel remineralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Nai-Yuan N.; Jew, Jamison M.; Fried, Daniel

2018-02-01

A transparent highly mineralized outer surface zone is formed on caries lesions during remineralization that reduces the permeability to water and plaque generated acids. However, it has not been established how thick the surface zone should be to inhibit the penetration of these fluids. Near-IR (NIR) reflectance coupled with dehydration can be used to measure changes in the fluid permeability of lesions in enamel and dentin. Based on our previous studies, we postulate that there is a strong correlation between the surface layer thickness and the rate of dehydration. In this study, the rates of dehydration for simulated lesions in enamel with varying remineralization durations were measured. Reflectance imaging at NIR wavelengths from 1400-2300 nm, which coincides with higher water absorption and manifests the greatest sensitivity to contrast changes during dehydration measurements, was used to image simulated enamel lesions. The results suggest that the relationship between surface zone thickness and lesion permeability is highly non-linear, and that a small increase in the surface layer thickness may lead to a significant decrease in permeability.

Impact of the geological structures on the groundwater potential using geophysical techniques in West Bani Mazar area, El Minia - Western Desert, Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahmoud, Hussein Hosni; Kotb, Adel Diab Mohammed

2017-06-01

Establishment of the new agricultural projects in west Bani Mazar area, El Minia, Egypt needs a good knowledge about groundwater. Groundwater serves as the unique source of water supplies in the study area. Vertical Electrical Sounding technique is a convenient tool for groundwater exploration. This technique was utilized to illustrate the geoelectric succession, vertical and spatial extensions of the encountered layers, depth to water bearing layers and the structures affecting these layers. Profiling technique was carried out along a grid pattern using different half current electrode spacings (150 m, 300 m and 500 m) to clarify changes in resistivity values throughout the study area at different depths. Geoelectric layers B1 and B2 of the saturated zone are suitable for groundwater extraction in the study area. The resistivity values of the geoelectric layer B1 decrease towards the West direction, they decrease from 23.0 Ωm to 16.0 Ωm; and its thicknesses increase towards the SE direction from 12.0 m to 18.0 m. Whereas, the resistivity values of the geoelectric layer B2 decrease towards the NW direction from 40.0 Ωm to 26.5 Ωm; and its thicknesses vary from 34.0 m to 40.0 m. The depths to the upper surface of the water bearing layer B1 increase towards the NW direction from 44.0 m to 89.4 m. Based on the results obtained from the Vertical Electrical Soundings, four two-dimensional resistivity imaging profiles were measured at the selected sites. These 2-D resistivity profiles aim to determine depths to the water bearing layers, their thicknesses and the shallow structure. The inverted models of these profiles matched with the geoelectric sequence at these sites. In addition, a normal fault is detected at the northwestern part of the study area. According to the results obtained from this study it is clear that the groundwater in the area under consideration is occurred in the fractured limestone layers that belong to Eocene Age. Resistivity values of the water bearing layers increase with depth as a result of decreasing fracture density; and these values decreased towards the northwestern direction due to their proximity from the fault zone. The groundwater potential of these layers depends mainly on the lithologic composition and the geological structures affecting these layers. The secondary porosity of these limestone layers depends mainly on the degree of fracturing and fissuring. The proper sites to drill new productive wells were recommended, and the obtained data from drilling new well in the southeastern part of the study area coincide with the interpreted data of the different geophysical techniques.

A computational investigation of the interstitial flow induced by a variably thick blanket of very fine sand covering a coarse sand bed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartzke, Gerhard; Huhn, Katrin; Bryan, Karin R.

2017-10-01

Blanketed sediment beds can have different bed mobility characteristics relative to those of beds composed of uniform grain-size distribution. Most of the processes that affect bed mobility act in the direct vicinity of the bed or even within the bed itself. To simulate the general conditions of analogue experiments, a high-resolution three-dimensional numerical `flume tank' model was developed using a coupled finite difference method flow model and a discrete element method particle model. The method was applied to investigate the physical processes within blanketed sediment beds under the influence of varying flow velocities. Four suites of simulations, in which a matrix of uniform large grains (600 μm) was blanketed by variably thick layers of small particles (80 μm; blanket layer thickness approx. 80, 350, 500 and 700 μm), were carried out. All beds were subjected to five predefined flow velocities ( U 1-5=10-30 cm/s). The fluid profiles, relative particle distances and porosity changes within the bed were determined for each configuration. The data show that, as the thickness of the blanket layer increases, increasingly more small particles accumulate in the indentations between the larger particles closest to the surface. This results in decreased porosity and reduced flow into the bed. In addition, with increasing blanket layer thickness, an increasingly larger number of smaller particles are forced into the pore spaces between the larger particles, causing further reduction in porosity. This ultimately causes the interstitial flow, which would normally allow entrainment of particles in the deeper parts of the bed, to decrease to such an extent that the bed is stabilized.

Formation of nickel germanides from Ni layers with thickness below 10 nm

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jablonka, Lukas; Kubart, Tomas; Primetzhofer, Daniel

2017-03-01

The authors have studied the reaction between a Ge (100) substrate and thin layers of Ni ranging from 2 to 10 nm in thickness. The formation of metal-rich Ni5Ge3Ni5Ge3 was found to precede that of the monogermanide NiGe by means of real-time in situ x-ray diffraction during ramp-annealing and ex situ x-ray pole figure analyses for phase identification. The observed sequential growth of Ni5Ge3Ni5Ge3 and NiGe with such thin Ni layers is different from the previously reported simultaneous growth with thicker Ni layers. The phase transformation from Ni5Ge3Ni5Ge3 to NiGe was found to be nucleation-controlled for Ni thicknesses <5 nm<5more » nm, which is well supported by thermodynamic considerations. Specifically, the temperature for the NiGe formation increased with decreasing Ni (rather Ni5Ge3Ni5Ge3) thickness below 5 nm. In combination with sheet resistance measurement and microscopic surface inspection of samples annealed with a standard rapid thermal processing, the temperature range for achieving morphologically stable NiGe layers was identified for this standard annealing process. As expected, it was found to be strongly dependent on the initial Ni thickness« less

Functional cartilage MRI T2 mapping: evaluating the effect of age and training on knee cartilage response to running.

PubMed

Mosher, T J; Liu, Y; Torok, C M

2010-03-01

To characterize effects of age and physical activity level on cartilage thickness and T2 response immediately after running. Institutional review board approval was obtained and all subjects provided informed consent prior to study participation. Cartilage thickness and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 values of 22 marathon runners and 15 sedentary controls were compared before and after 30 min of running. Runner and control groups were stratified by ageor=46 years. Multi-echo [(Time to Repetition (TR)/Time to Echo (TE) 1500 ms/9-109 ms)] MR images obtained using a 3.0 T scanner were used to calculate thickness and T2 values from the central femoral and tibial cartilage. Baseline cartilage T2 values, and change in cartilage thickness and T2 values after running were compared between the four groups using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). After running MRI T2 values decreased in superficial femoral (2 ms-4 ms) and tibial (1 ms-3 ms) cartilage along with a decrease in cartilage thickness: (femoral: 4%-8%, tibial: 0%-12%). Smaller decrease in cartilage T2 values were observed in the middle zone of cartilage, and no change was observed in the deepest layer. There was no difference cartilage deformation or T2 response to running as a function of age or level of physical activity. Running results in a measurable decrease in cartilage thickness and MRI T2 values of superficial cartilage consistent with greater compressibility of the superficial cartilage layer. Age and level of physical activity did not alter the T2 response to running. Copyright 2009 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measured with optical coherence tomography is related to visual function in glaucomatous eyes.

PubMed

El Beltagi, Tarek A; Bowd, Christopher; Boden, Catherine; Amini, Payam; Sample, Pamela A; Zangwill, Linda M; Weinreb, Robert N

2003-11-01

To determine the relationship between areas of glaucomatous retinal nerve fiber layer thinning identified by optical coherence tomography and areas of decreased visual field sensitivity identified by standard automated perimetry in glaucomatous eyes. Retrospective observational case series. Forty-three patients with glaucomatous optic neuropathy identified by optic disc stereo photographs and standard automated perimetry mean deviations >-8 dB were included. Participants were imaged with optical coherence tomography within 6 months of reliable standard automated perimetry testing. The location and number of optical coherence tomography clock hour retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measures outside normal limits were compared with the location and number of standard automated perimetry visual field zones outside normal limits. Further, the relationship between the deviation from normal optical coherence tomography-measured retinal nerve fiber layer thickness at each clock hour and the average pattern deviation in each visual field zone was examined by using linear regression (R(2)). The retinal nerve fiber layer areas most frequently outside normal limits were the inferior and inferior temporal regions. The least sensitive visual field zones were in the superior hemifield. Linear regression results (R(2)) showed that deviation from the normal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness at optical coherence tomography clock hour positions 6 o'clock, 7 o'clock, and 8 o'clock (inferior and inferior temporal) was best correlated with standard automated perimetry pattern deviation in visual field zones corresponding to the superior arcuate and nasal step regions (R(2) range, 0.34-0.57). These associations were much stronger than those between clock hour position 6 o'clock and the visual field zone corresponding to the inferior nasal step region (R(2) = 0.01). Localized retinal nerve fiber layer thinning, measured by optical coherence tomography, is topographically related to decreased localized standard automated perimetry sensitivity in glaucoma patients.

Tuning temperature and size of hot spots and hot-spot arrays.

PubMed

Saïdi, Elika; Babinet, Nicolas; Lalouat, Loïc; Lesueur, Jérôme; Aigouy, Lionel; Volz, Sébastian; Labéguerie-Egéa, Jessica; Mortier, Michel

2011-01-17

By using scanning thermal microscopy, it is shown that nanoscale constrictions in metallic microwires deposited on an oxidized silicon substrate can be tuned in terms of temperature and confinement size. High-resolution temperature maps indeed show that submicrometer hot spots and hot-spot arrays are obtained when the SiO(2) layer thickness decreases below 100 nm. When the SiO(2) thickness becomes larger, heat is less confined in the vicinity of the constrictions and laterally spreads all along the microwire. These results are in good agreement with numerical simulations, which provide dependences between silica-layer thickness and nanodot shape and temperature. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Anomalous electron transport in metal/carbon multijunction devices by engineering of the carbon thickness and selecting metal layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dwivedi, Neeraj; Dhand, Chetna; Rawal, Ishpal; Kumar, Sushil; Malik, Hitendra K.; Lakshminarayanan, Rajamani

2017-06-01

A longstanding concern in the research of amorphous carbon films is their poor electrical conductivity at room temperature which constitutes a major barrier for the development of cost effective electronic and optoelectronic devices. Here, we propose metal/carbon hybrid multijunction devices as a promising facile way to overcome room temperature electron transport issues in amorphous carbon films. By the tuning of carbon thickness and swapping metal layers, we observe giant (upto ˜7 orders) reduction of electrical resistance in metal/carbon multijunction devices with respect to monolithic amorphous carbon device. We engineer the maximum current (electrical resistance) from about 10-7 to 10-3 A (˜107 to 103 Ω) in metal (Cu or Ti)/carbon hybrid multijunction devices with a total number of 10 junctions. The introduction of thin metal layers breaks the continuity of relatively higher resistance carbon layer as well as promotes the nanostructuring of carbon. These contribute to low electrical resistance of metal/carbon hybrid multijunction devices, with respect to monolithic carbon device, which is further reduced by decreasing the thickness of carbon layers. We also propose and discuss equivalent circuit model to explain electrical resistance in monolithic carbon and metal/carbon multijunction devices. Cu/carbon multijunction devices display relatively better electrical transport than Ti/carbon devices owing to low affinity of Cu with carbon that restricts carbide formation. We also observe that in metal/carbon multijunction devices, the transport mechanism changes from Poole-Frenkel/Schottky model to the hopping model with a decrease in carbon thickness. Our approach opens a new route to develop carbon-based inexpensive electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Hybrid Cu(2)O diode with orientation-controlled C(60) polycrystal.

PubMed

Izaki, Masanobu; Saito, Takamasa; Ohata, Tatsuya; Murata, Kazufumi; Fariza, Binti Mohamad; Sasano, Junji; Shinagawa, Tsutomu; Watase, Seiji

2012-07-25

We report on a hybrid diode composed of a 2.1 eV bandgap p-cupric oxide (Cu2O) semiconductor and fullerene (C60) layer with a face-centered cubic configuration. The hybrid diode has been constructed by electrodeposition of the 500 nm thick Cu2O layer in a basic aqueous solution containing a copper acetate hydrate and lactic acid followed by a vacuum evaporation of the 50 nm thick C60 layer at the evaporation rate from 0.25 to 1.0 Å/s. The C60 layers prepared by the evaporation possessed a face-centered cubic configuration with the lattice constant of 14.19 A, and the preferred orientation changed from random to (111) plane with decrease in the C60 evaporation rate from 1.0 to 0.25 Å/s. The hybrid p-Cu2O/C60 diode showed a rectification feature regardless of the C60 evaporation rate, and both the rectification ratio and forward current density improved with decrease in the C60 evaporation rate. The excellent rectification with the ideality factor of approximately 1 was obtained for the 500 nm thick (111)-Cu2O/50 nm thick (111)-fcc-C60/bathocuproine (BCP) diode at the C60 evaporation rate of 0.25 Å /s. The hybrid Cu2O/C60 diode prepared by stacking the C60 layer at the evaporation rate of 0.25 Å/s revealed the photovoltaic performance of 8.7 × 10(-6)% in conversion efficiency under AM1.5 illumination, and the conversion efficiency changed depending on the C60 evaporation rate.

Indium droplet formation in InGaN thin films with single and double heterojunctions prepared by MOCVD

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Indium gallium nitride (InGaN) samples with single heterojunction (SH) and double heterojunction (DH) were prepared using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. SH has a layer of InGaN thin film (thicknesses, 25, 50, 100, and 200 nm) grown on an uGaN film (thickness, 2 μm). The DH samples are distinguished by DH uGaN film (thickness, 120 nm) grown on the InGaN layer. Reciprocal space mapping measurements reveal that the DH samples are fully strained with different thicknesses, whereas the strain in the SH samples are significantly relaxed with the increasing thickness of the InGaN film. Scanning electron microscopy results show that the surface roughness of the sample increases when the sample is relaxed. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images of the structure of indium droplets in the DH sample indicate that the thickness of the InGaN layer decreases with the density of indium droplets. The formation of these droplets is attributed to the insufficient kinetic energy of indium atom to react with the elements of group V, resulting to aggregation. The gallium atoms in the GaN thin film will not be uniformly replaced by indium atoms; the InGaN thin film has an uneven distribution of indium atoms and the quality of the epitaxial layer is degraded. PMID:25024692

Fracture spacing in tensile brittle layers adhering to a rigid substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lazarus, Véronique

2017-01-01

A natural question arising when observing crack networks in brittle layers such as, e.g., paints, muds, skins, pottery glazes, coatings, ceramics, is what determines the distance between cracks. This apparently simple question received a wealth of more or less complex and appropriate answers, but no consensus has emerged. Here, we show that the cracks interact mutually as soon as the spacing between them is smaller than ten times the thickness of the layer. Then, a simple Griffith-type balance between the elastic deformation energy and the fracture bulk and debonding costs captures a broad number of observations, going from the square-root or linear increase of the spacing with the thickness, to its decrease with loading until saturation. The adhesion strength is identified as playing a key role in these behaviour changes. As illustration, we show how the model can be applied to study the influence of the layer thickness on crack patterns. We believe that the versatility of the approach should permit wide applicability, from geosciences to engineering.

Impact of molybdenum out diffusion and interface quality on the performance of sputter grown CZTS based solar cells.

PubMed

Dalapati, Goutam Kumar; Zhuk, Siarhei; Masudy-Panah, Saeid; Kushwaha, Ajay; Seng, Hwee Leng; Chellappan, Vijila; Suresh, Vignesh; Su, Zhenghua; Batabyal, Sudip Kumar; Tan, Cheng Cheh; Guchhait, Asim; Wong, Lydia Helena; Wong, Terence Kin Shun; Tripathy, Sudhiranjan

2017-05-02

We have investigated the impact of Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 -Molybdenum (Mo) interface quality on the performance of sputter-grown Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) solar cell. Thin film CZTS was deposited by sputter deposition technique using stoichiometry quaternary CZTS target. Formation of molybdenum sulphide (MoS x ) interfacial layer is observed in sputter grown CZTS films after sulphurization. Thickness of MoS x layer is found ~142 nm when CZTS layer (550 nm thick) is sulphurized at 600 °C. Thickness of MoS x layer significantly increased to ~240 nm in case of thicker CZTS layer (650 nm) under similar sulphurization condition. We also observe that high temperature (600 °C) annealing suppress the elemental impurities (Cu, Zn, Sn) at interfacial layer. The amount of out-diffused Mo significantly varies with the change in sulphurization temperature. The out-diffused Mo into CZTS layer and reconstructed interfacial layer remarkably decreases series resistance and increases shunt resistance of the solar cell. The overall efficiency of the solar cell is improved by nearly five times when 600 °C sulphurized CZTS layer is applied in place of 500 °C sulphurized layer. Molybdenum and sulphur diffusion reconstruct the interface layer during heat treatment and play the major role in charge carrier dynamics of a photovoltaic device.

Few-layer 1T‧ MoTe2 as gapless semimetal with thickness dependent carrier transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Peng; Hsu, Chuanghan; Zhao, Meng; Zhao, Xiaoxu; Chang, Tay-Rong; Teng, Jinghua; Lin, Hsin; Loh, Kian Ping

2018-07-01

Semimetal MoTe2 can be a type II Weyl semimetal in the bulk, but monolayer of this material is predicted to be quantum spin hall insulators. This dramatic change in electronic properties with number of layers is an excellent example of the dimensional effects of quantum transport. However, a detailed experimental study of the carrier transport and band structure of ultrathin semimetal MoTe2 is lacking so far. We performed magneto-transport measurements to study the conduction behavior and quantum phase coherence of 1T‧ MoTe2 as a function of its thickness. We show that due to a unique two-band transport mechanism (synergetic contribution from electron conduction and hole conduction), the conduction behavior of 1T‧ MoTe2 changes from metallic to p-type unipolar, and finally to ambipolar as the thickness decreases, suggesting that this effect can be used in devices by effectively controlling the thickness. Our transport studies, optical measurements and first-principles electronic structure calculations reveal that 1T‧ MoTe2 remains gapless down to a few (~2–3) layers. Despite being gapless, 1T‧ MoTe2 exhibits metal-insulator transition at 3-layer thickness, due to enhanced carrier localization effect.

Polarization induced self-doping in epitaxial Pb(Zr0.20Ti0.80)O3 thin films

PubMed Central

Pintilie, Lucian; Ghica, Corneliu; Teodorescu, Cristian Mihail; Pintilie, Ioana; Chirila, Cristina; Pasuk, Iuliana; Trupina, Lucian; Hrib, Luminita; Boni, Andra Georgia; Georgiana Apostol, Nicoleta; Abramiuc, Laura Elena; Negrea, Raluca; Stefan, Mariana; Ghica, Daniela

2015-01-01

The compensation of the depolarization field in ferroelectric layers requires the presence of a suitable amount of charges able to follow any variation of the ferroelectric polarization. These can be free carriers or charged defects located in the ferroelectric material or free carriers coming from the electrodes. Here we show that a self-doping phenomenon occurs in epitaxial, tetragonal ferroelectric films of Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3, consisting in generation of point defects (vacancies) acting as donors/acceptors. These are introducing free carriers that partly compensate the depolarization field occurring in the film. It is found that the concentration of the free carriers introduced by self-doping increases with decreasing the thickness of the ferroelectric layer, reaching values of the order of 1026 m−3 for 10 nm thick films. One the other hand, microscopic investigations show that, for thicknesses higher than 50 nm, the 2O/(Ti+Zr+Pb) atomic ratio increases with the thickness of the layers. These results suggest that the ratio between the oxygen and cation vacancies varies with the thickness of the layer in such a way that the net free carrier density is sufficient to efficiently compensate the depolarization field and to preserve the outward direction of the polarization. PMID:26446442

Collective mechanical behavior of multilayer colloidal arrays of hollow nanoparticles.

PubMed

Yin, Jie; Retsch, Markus; Thomas, Edwin L; Boyce, Mary C

2012-04-03

The collective mechanical behavior of multilayer colloidal arrays of hollow silica nanoparticles (HSNP) is explored under spherical nanoindentation through a combination of experimental, numerical, and theoretical approaches. The effective indentation modulus E(ind) is found to decrease with an increasing number of layers in a nonlinear manner. The indentation force versus penetration depth behavior for multilayer hollow particle arrays is predicted by an approximate analytical model based on the spring stiffness of the individual particles and the multipoint, multiparticle interactions as well as force transmission between the layers. The model is in good agreement with experiments and with detailed finite element simulations. The ability to tune the effective indentation modulus, E(ind), of the multilayer arrays by manipulating particle geometry and layering is revealed through the model, where E(ind) = (0.725m(-3/2) + 0.275)E(mon) and E(mon) is the monolayer modulus and m is number of layers. E(ind) is seen to plateau with increasing m to E(ind_plateau) = 0.275E(mon) and E(mon) scales with (t/R)(2), t being the particle shell thickness and R being the particle radius. The scaling law governing the nonlinear decrease in indentation modulus with an increase in layer number (E(ind) scaling with m(-3/2)) is found to be similar to that governing the indentation modulus of thin solid films E(ind_solid) on a stiff substrate (where E(ind_solid) scales with h(-1.4) and also decreases until reaching a plateau value) which also decreases with an increase in film thickness h. However, the mechanisms underlying this trend for the colloidal array are clearly different, where discrete particle-to-particle interactions govern the colloidal array behavior in contrast to the substrate constraint on deformation, which governs the thickness dependence of the continuous thin film indentation modulus.

Evidence for decreasing South Asian summer monsoon in the past 160 years from varved sediment in Lake Xinluhai, Tibetan Plateau

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, Guoqiang; Sun, Qing; Yang, Ke; Li, Aiguo; Yu, Xiaohan; Xu, Tao; Yan, Fen; Wang, Hua; Liu, Meimei; Wang, Xiaohua; Xie, Manman; Lin, Yuan; Liu, Qiang

2011-01-01

We report glacial varves in the sediment of Lake Xinluhai, Tibetan Plateau. Independent data of 137Cs and 210Pb indicate that these are annually deposited varves. Varves appear as rhythmic units of light-colored silt layer capped by a dark clay layer under microscope. Varve thickness in Lake Xinluhai is sensitive to precipitation because sediment accumulation is strongly affected by monsoon rainfall in the area. A general decreasing trend can be observed in the varve thickness over the past 160 years. Spectral analyses of the varve record are dominated by cycles which are similar to ENSO periodicities. It implies that the decreasing trend of the South Asia monsoon may be linking with ENSO. Spatially, the decreasing trend can be observed across different proxy records in the south of the Tibetan Plateau. Although arguments still remain for the dynamic mechanisms and spatial rainfall difference, the South Asian summer monsoon could be weakened due to rising temperatures.

Study on thick film spin-on carbon hardmask

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Taeho; Kim, Youngmin; Hwang, Sunmin; Lee, Hyunsoo; Han, Miyeon; Lim, Sanghak

2017-03-01

A thick spin-on carbon hardmask (SOH) material is designed to overcome inherent problems of amorphous deposited carbon layer (ACL) and thick photoresist. For ACL in use of semiconductor production process, especially when film thickness from sub-micrometer up to few micrometers is required, not only its inherent low transparency at long wavelength light often causes alignment problems with under layers, but also considerable variation of film thickness within a wafer can also cause patterning problems. To avoid these issues, a thick SOH is designed with monomers of high transparency and good solubility at the same time. In comparison with photoresist, the SOH has good etch resistance and high thermal stability, and it provides wide process window of decreased film thickness and increased thermal budget up to 400°C after processes such as high temperature deposition of SiON. In order to achieve high thickness along with uniform film, many solvent factors was considered such as solubility parameter, surface tension, vapor pressure, and others. By optimizing many solvent factors, we were able to develop a product with a good coating performance

Effects of overgrown p-layer on the emission characteristics of the InGaN/GaN quantum wells in a high-indium light-emitting diode.

PubMed

Chen, Chih-Yen; Hsieh, Chieh; Liao, Che-Hao; Chung, Wei-Lun; Chen, Hao-Tsung; Cao, Wenyu; Chang, Wen-Ming; Chen, Horng-Shyang; Yao, Yu-Feng; Ting, Shao-Ying; Kiang, Yean-Woei; Yang, Chih-Chung C C; Hu, Xiaodong

2012-05-07

The counteraction between the increased carrier localization effect due to the change of composition nanostructure in the quantum wells (QWs), which is caused by the thermal annealing process, and the enhanced quantum-confined Stark effect in the QWs due to the increased piezoelectric field, which is caused by the increased p-type layer thickness, when the p-type layer is grown at a high temperature on the InGaN/GaN QWs of a high-indium light-emitting diode (LED) is demonstrated. Temperature- and excitation power-dependent photoluminescence (PL) measurements are performed on three groups of sample, including 1) the samples with both effects of thermal annealing and increased p-type thickness, 2) those only with the similar thermal annealing process, and 3) those with increased overgrowth thickness and minimized thermal annealing effect. From the comparisons of emission wavelength, internal quantum efficiency (IQE), spectral shift with increasing PL excitation level, and calibrated activation energy of carrier localization between various samples in the three groups, one can clearly see the individual effects of thermal annealing and increased p-type layer thickness. The counteraction leads to increased IQE and blue-shifted emission spectrum with increasing p-type thickness when the thickness is below a certain value (20-nm p-AlGaN plus 60-nm p-GaN under our growth conditions). Beyond this thickness, the IQE value decreases and the emission spectrum red shifts with increasing p-type thickness.

Progression of soot cake layer properties during the systematic regeneration of diesel particulate filters measured with neutron tomography

DOE PAGES

Toops, Todd J.; Pihl, Josh A.; Finney, Charles E. A.; ...

2015-01-16

Although particulate filters (PFs) have been a key component of the emission control system for modern diesel engines, there remain significant questions about the basic regeneration behavior of the filters and how it changes with accumulation of increasing soot layers. This effort describes a systematic deposition and regeneration of particulate matter in 25-mm diameter × 76-mm long wall-flow PFs composed of silicon carbide (SiC) material. The initial soot distributions were analyzed for soot cake thickness using a nondestructive neutron imaging technique. With the PFs intact, it was then possible to sequentially regenerate the samples and reanalyze them, which was performedmore » after nominal 20, 50, and 70 % regenerations. The loaded samples show a relatively uniform distribution of particulate with an increasing soot cake thickness and nearly identical initial density of 70 mg/cm 3. Throughout regeneration, the soot cake thickness initially decreases significantly while the density increases to 80–90 mg/cm 3. After ~50 % regeneration, the soot cake thickness stays relatively constant, but instead, the density decreases as pores open up in the layer (~35 mg/cm 3 at 70 % regeneration). Here, complete regeneration initially occurs at the rear of the PF channels. With this information, a conceptual model of the regeneration is proposed.« less

Progression of soot cake layer properties during the systematic regeneration of diesel particulate filters measured with neutron tomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Toops, Todd J.; Pihl, Josh A.; Finney, Charles E. A.

Although particulate filters (PFs) have been a key component of the emission control system for modern diesel engines, there remain significant questions about the basic regeneration behavior of the filters and how it changes with accumulation of increasing soot layers. This effort describes a systematic deposition and regeneration of particulate matter in 25-mm diameter × 76-mm long wall-flow PFs composed of silicon carbide (SiC) material. The initial soot distributions were analyzed for soot cake thickness using a nondestructive neutron imaging technique. With the PFs intact, it was then possible to sequentially regenerate the samples and reanalyze them, which was performedmore » after nominal 20, 50, and 70 % regenerations. The loaded samples show a relatively uniform distribution of particulate with an increasing soot cake thickness and nearly identical initial density of 70 mg/cm 3. Throughout regeneration, the soot cake thickness initially decreases significantly while the density increases to 80–90 mg/cm 3. After ~50 % regeneration, the soot cake thickness stays relatively constant, but instead, the density decreases as pores open up in the layer (~35 mg/cm 3 at 70 % regeneration). Here, complete regeneration initially occurs at the rear of the PF channels. With this information, a conceptual model of the regeneration is proposed.« less

Effect of film thickness on the ferroelectric and dielectric properties of low-temperature (400 °C) Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Si Joon; Mohan, Jaidah; Lee, Jaebeom; Lee, Joy S.; Lucero, Antonio T.; Young, Chadwin D.; Colombo, Luigi; Summerfelt, Scott R.; San, Tamer; Kim, Jiyoung

2018-04-01

We report on the effect of the Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO) film thickness on the ferroelectric and dielectric properties using pulse write/read measurements. HZO films of thicknesses ranging from 5 to 20 nm were annealed at 400 °C for 1 min in a nitrogen ambient to be compatible with the back-end of the line thermal budget. As the HZO film thickness decreases, low-voltage operation (1.0 V or less) can be achieved without the dead layer effect, although switching polarization (Psw) tends to decrease due to the smaller grain size. Meanwhile, for 20-nm-thick HZO films prepared under the identical stress (similar TiN top electrode thickness and thermal budget), the Psw and dielectric constant are reduced because of additional monoclinic phase formation.

Gilbert Damping Parameter in MgO-Based Magnetic Tunnel Junctions from First Principles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Hui-Min; Xia, Ke

2017-03-01

We perform a first-principles study of the Gilbert damping parameter (α ) in normal-metal/MgO-cap/ferromagnet/MgO-barrier/ferromagnetic magnetic tunnel junctions. The damping is enhanced by interface spin pumping, which can be parametrized by the spin-mixing conductance (G↑↓ ). The calculated dependence of Gilbert damping on the thickness of the MgO capping layer is consistent with experiment and indicates that the decreases in α with increasing thickness of the MgO capping layer is caused by suppression of spin pumping. Smaller α can be achieved by using a clean interface and alloys. For a thick MgO capping layer, the imaginary part of the spin-mixing conductance nearly equals the real part, and the large imaginary mixing conductance implies that the change in the frequency of ferromagnetic resonance can be observed experimentally. The normal-metal cap significantly affects the Gilbert damping.

Modeling of Stick-Slip Behavior in Sheared Granular Fault Gouge Using the Combined Finite-Discrete Element Method

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gao, Ke; Euser, Bryan J.; Rougier, Esteban

Sheared granular layers undergoing stick-slip behavior are broadly employed to study the physics and dynamics of earthquakes. In this paper, a two-dimensional implementation of the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM), which merges the finite element method (FEM) and the discrete element method (DEM), is used to explicitly simulate a sheared granular fault system including both gouge and plate, and to investigate the influence of different normal loads on seismic moment, macroscopic friction coefficient, kinetic energy, gouge layer thickness, and recurrence time between slips. In the FDEM model, the deformation of plates and particles is simulated using the FEM formulation whilemore » particle-particle and particle-plate interactions are modeled using DEM-derived techniques. The simulated seismic moment distributions are generally consistent with those obtained from the laboratory experiments. In addition, the simulation results demonstrate that with increasing normal load, (i) the kinetic energy of the granular fault system increases; (ii) the gouge layer thickness shows a decreasing trend; and (iii) the macroscopic friction coefficient does not experience much change. Analyses of the slip events reveal that, as the normal load increases, more slip events with large kinetic energy release and longer recurrence time occur, and the magnitude of gouge layer thickness decrease also tends to be larger; while the macroscopic friction coefficient drop decreases. Finally, the simulations not only reveal the influence of normal loads on the dynamics of sheared granular fault gouge, but also demonstrate the capabilities of FDEM for studying stick-slip dynamic behavior of granular fault systems.« less

Modeling of Stick-Slip Behavior in Sheared Granular Fault Gouge Using the Combined Finite-Discrete Element Method

DOE PAGES

Gao, Ke; Euser, Bryan J.; Rougier, Esteban; ...

2018-06-20

Sheared granular layers undergoing stick-slip behavior are broadly employed to study the physics and dynamics of earthquakes. In this paper, a two-dimensional implementation of the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM), which merges the finite element method (FEM) and the discrete element method (DEM), is used to explicitly simulate a sheared granular fault system including both gouge and plate, and to investigate the influence of different normal loads on seismic moment, macroscopic friction coefficient, kinetic energy, gouge layer thickness, and recurrence time between slips. In the FDEM model, the deformation of plates and particles is simulated using the FEM formulation whilemore » particle-particle and particle-plate interactions are modeled using DEM-derived techniques. The simulated seismic moment distributions are generally consistent with those obtained from the laboratory experiments. In addition, the simulation results demonstrate that with increasing normal load, (i) the kinetic energy of the granular fault system increases; (ii) the gouge layer thickness shows a decreasing trend; and (iii) the macroscopic friction coefficient does not experience much change. Analyses of the slip events reveal that, as the normal load increases, more slip events with large kinetic energy release and longer recurrence time occur, and the magnitude of gouge layer thickness decrease also tends to be larger; while the macroscopic friction coefficient drop decreases. Finally, the simulations not only reveal the influence of normal loads on the dynamics of sheared granular fault gouge, but also demonstrate the capabilities of FDEM for studying stick-slip dynamic behavior of granular fault systems.« less

Increased mobility and on/off ratio in organic field-effect transistors using low-cost guanine-pentacene multilayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Wei; Zheng, Yifan; Taylor, André D.; Yu, Junsheng; Katz, Howard E.

2017-07-01

Layer-by-layer deposited guanine and pentacene in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) is introduced. Through adjusting the layer thickness ratio of guanine and pentacene, the tradeoff of two electronic parameters in OFETs, charge carrier mobility and current on/off ratio, was controlled. The charge mobility was enhanced by depositing pentacene over and between guanine layers and by increasing the proportion of pentacene in the layer-by-layer system, while the current on/off ratio was increased via the decreased off current induced by the guanine layers. The tunable device performance was mainly ascribed to the trap and dopant neutralizing properties of the guanine layers, which would decrease the density of free hydroxyl groups in the OFETs. Furthermore, the cost of the devices could be reduced remarkably via the adoption of low-cost guanine.

Ultrathin body GaSb-on-insulator p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors on Si fabricated by direct wafer bonding

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yokoyama, Masafumi, E-mail: yokoyama@mosfet.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp; Takenaka, Mitsuru; Takagi, Shinichi

2015-02-16

We have realized ultrathin body GaSb-on-insulator (GaSb-OI) on Si wafers by direct wafer bonding technology using atomic-layer deposition (ALD) Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and have demonstrated GaSb-OI p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (p-MOSFETs) on Si. A 23-nm-thick GaSb-OI p-MOSFET exhibits the peak effective mobility of ∼76 cm{sup 2}/V s. We have found that the effective hole mobility of the thin-body GaSb-OI p-MOSFETs decreases with a decrease in the GaSb-OI thickness or with an increase in Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} ALD temperature. The InAs passivation of GaSb-OI MOS interfaces can enhance the peak effective mobility up to 159 cm{sup 2}/V s for GaSb-OI p-MOSFETs with themore » 20-nm-thick GaSb layer.« less

Microstructural Study on Oxidation Resistance of Nonmodified and Platinum Modified Aluminide Coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zagula-Yavorska, Maryana; Sieniawski, Jan

2014-03-01

Platinum electroplating layers (3 and 7 μm thick) were deposited on the surface of the Inconel 713 LC, CMSX 4, and Inconel 625 Ni-base superalloys. Diffusion treatment at 1050°C for 2 h under argon atmosphere was performed after electroplating. Diffusion treated samples were aluminized according to the low activity CVD process at 1050°C for 8 h. The nonmodified aluminide coatings consist of NiAl phase. Platinum modification let to obtain the (Ni,Pt)Al phase in coatings. The coated samples were subjected to cyclic oxidation testing at 1100°C. It was discovered that increase of the platinum electroplating thickness from 3 to 7 μm provides the improvement of oxidation resistance of aluminide coatings. Increase of the platinum thickness causes decreases in weight change and decreases in parabolic constant during oxidation. The platinum provides the pure Al2O3 oxide formation, slow growth oxide layer, and delay the oxide spalling during heating-cooling thermal cycles.

Optical Coherence Tomography Scan Circle Location and Mean Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Measurement Variability

PubMed Central

Gabriele, Michelle L.; Ishikawa, Hiroshi; Wollstein, Gadi; Bilonick, Richard A.; Townsend, Kelly A.; Kagemann, Larry; Wojtkowski, Maciej; Srinivasan, Vivek J.; Fujimoto, James G.; Duker, Jay S.; Schuman, Joel S.

2009-01-01

PURPOSE To investigate the effect on optical coherence tomography (OCT) retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements of varying the standard 3.4-mm-diameter circle location. METHODS The optic nerve head (ONH) region of 17 eyes of 17 healthy subjects was imaged with high-speed, ultrahigh-resolution OCT (hsUHR-OCT; 501 × 180 axial scans covering a 6 × 6-mm area; scan time, 3.84 seconds) for a comprehensive sampling. This method allows for systematic simulation of the variable circle placement effect. RNFL thickness was measured on this three-dimensional dataset by using a custom-designed software program. RNFL thickness was resampled along a 3.4-mm-diameter circle centered on the ONH, then along 3.4-mm circles shifted horizontally (x-shift), vertically (y-shift) and diagonally up to ±500 µm (at 100-µm intervals). Linear mixed-effects models were used to determine RNFL thickness as a function of the scan circle shift. A model for the distance between the two thickest measurements along the RNFL thickness circular profile (peak distance) was also calculated. RESULTS RNFL thickness tended to decrease with both positive and negative x- and y-shifts. The range of shifts that caused a decrease greater than the variability inherent to the commercial device was greater in both nasal and temporal quadrants than in the superior and inferior ones. The model for peak distance demonstrated that as the scan moves nasally, the RNFL peak distance increases, and as the circle moves temporally, the distance decreases. Vertical shifts had a minimal effect on peak distance. CONCLUSIONS The location of the OCT scan circle affects RNFL thickness measurements. Accurate registration of OCT scans is essential for measurement reproducibility and longitudinal examination (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00286637). PMID:18515577

Confined methane-water interfacial layers and thickness measurements using in situ Raman spectroscopy.

PubMed

Pinho, Bruno; Liu, Yukun; Rizkin, Benjamin; Hartman, Ryan L

2017-11-07

Gas-liquid interfaces broadly impact our planet, yet confined interfaces behave differently than unconfined ones. We report the role of tangential fluid motion in confined methane-water interfaces. The interfaces are created using microfluidics and investigated by in situ 1D, 2D and 3D Raman spectroscopy. The apparent CH 4 and H 2 O concentrations are reported for Reynolds numbers (Re), ranging from 0.17 to 8.55. Remarkably, the interfaces are comprised of distinct layers of thicknesses varying from 23 to 57 μm. We found that rarefaction, mixture, thin film, and shockwave layers together form the interfaces. The results indicate that the mixture layer thickness (δ) increases with Re (δ ∝ Re), and traditional transport theory for unconfined interfaces does not explain the confined interfaces. A comparison of our results with thin film theory of air-water interfaces (from mass transfer experiments in capillary microfluidics) supports that the hydrophobicity of CH 4 could decrease the strength of water-water interactions, resulting in larger interfacial thicknesses. Our findings help explain molecular transport in confined gas-liquid interfaces, which are common in a broad range of societal applications.

Post-lens tear turbidity and visual quality after scleral lens wear.

PubMed

Carracedo, Gonzalo; Serramito-Blanco, Maria; Martin-Gil, Alba; Wang, Zicheng; Rodriguez-Pomar, Candela; Pintor, Jesús

2017-11-01

The aim was to evaluate the turbidity and thickness of the post-lens tear layer and its effect on visual quality in patients with keratoconus after the beginning of lens wear and before lens removal at the end of eight hours. Twenty-six patients with keratoconus (aged 36.95 ± 8.95 years) participated voluntarily in the study. The sample was divided into two groups: patients with intrastromal corneal ring (ICRS group) and patients without ICRS (KC group). Distance visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity, pachymetry, post-lens tear layer height and post-lens tear layer turbidity (percentage area occupied and number of particles per mm 2 ) were evaluated with optical coherence tomography before and after wearing a scleral lens. A significant increase of turbidity was found in all groups assessed (p < 0.05). The number of particles per square millimetre was eight times higher after scleral lens wear than at the beginning of wearing the lens for all groups. VA decreases in all groups after scleral lens wear (p < 0.001). All patients showed a statistical diminishing of contrast sensitivity after scleral lens wear (p < 0.05). A significant correlation was found for both turbidity parameters with distance VA but no correlation between turbidity and post-lens tear layer thickness at the beginning was found (p > 0.05). A strong correlation in all groups between the post-lens tear layer at the beginning and differences of tear layer thickness between two measures was also found (p < 0.05). The VA decrease during the scleral lens wearing, filled with preserved saline solution, was due to the increasing post-lens tear layer turbidity. © 2017 Optometry Australia.

Zeroth order Fabry-Perot resonance enabled ultra-thin perfect light absorber using percolation aluminum and silicon nanofilms

DOE PAGES

Mirshafieyan, Seyed Sadreddin; Luk, Ting S.; Guo, Junpeng

2016-03-04

Here, we demonstrated perfect light absorption in optical nanocavities made of ultra-thin percolation aluminum and silicon films deposited on an aluminum surface. The total layer thickness of the aluminum and silicon films is one order of magnitude less than perfect absorption wavelength in the visible spectral range. The ratio of silicon cavity layer thickness to perfect absorption wavelength decreases as wavelength decreases due to the increased phase delays at silicon-aluminum boundaries at shorter wavelengths. It is explained that perfect light absorption is due to critical coupling of incident wave to the fundamental Fabry-Perot resonance mode of the structure where themore » round trip phase delay is zero. Simulations were performed and the results agree well with the measurement results.« less

SOVRaD - A Digest of Recent Soviet R and D Articles. Volume 2, Number 2, 1976

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-02-01

34""" ■■■I"" ^"■’ " """"^ R-F Heating of Sporadic E-Layer (abstract) Effects of ionospheric heating by powerful r-f emission on the sporadic E-layers are...situation is just the reverse. Here heating by powerful r-f fields decreases its electron density and increases its thickness. At mean latitudes...T - 2, it decreases by 18% [Ignat’yev, Yu. A. Effect on the sporadic E-layer of ionospheric heating by powerful r-f emission. IVUZ

Aggregate Stability and Erodibility of Purple Soil on Sloping Farmland as affected by different Soil Thickness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Xinjun; Zhang, Qingwen; Chen, Shanghong; Dong, Yuequn; Xiao, Meijia; Hamed, Lamy Mamdoh Mohamed

2017-04-01

Soil thickness is basic limiting condition for purple soil, not only due to its effect on crop production, but also its effect on soil structure. Steady-state of soil thickness will be achieved over time, as result the soil aggregate which the key factor of soil erodibility can be enhanced as well. However, the effect of soil thickness on aggregates stability and the characteristics of soil erodibility in sloping land have not yet fully understood.A field survey was conducted in hilly area of Sichuan region located in southeast China to study the relationship between soil aggregate stability and soil erodibility on sloping farmland under different four thickness (100cm, 80cm, 60cm, 30cm) of purple soil. Based on two different sieving methods (Dry and Wet sieving), we analyzed soil aggregate stability and its effect on soil erodibility within depth of 0-30cm soil layers. The results indicated that: Water stable aggregate on sloping farmland was ranged between 37.9% to 58.6%, where it increased with increasing the soil thickness. Moreover, fractal dimension calculated from dry-sieving and wet-sieving was 2.06-2.49 and 2.70-2.85 respectively, where it decreased with decreasing the soil thickness. The overall soil erodibility was 0.05-1.00 and a negative significant correlation was found between soil aggregate stability and erodibility(P<0.01). Moreover, farmland with thick soil profile tended to be high in soil erodibility within the top soil layer (0-30cm). The results reveal that soil thickness can affect soil aggregate stability as well as erodibility. As soil thickness increased, the top soil became more stable and less erodible. Keywords：purple soil; soil thickness; soil aggregate；soil erodibility

Tunneling-Magnetoresistance Ratio Comparison of MgO-Based Perpendicular-Magnetic-Tunneling-Junction Spin Valve Between Top and Bottom Co2Fe6B2 Free Layer Structure.

PubMed

Lee, Du-Yeong; Lee, Seung-Eun; Shim, Tae-Hun; Park, Jea-Gun

2016-12-01

For the perpendicular-magnetic-tunneling-junction (p-MTJ) spin valve with a nanoscale-thick bottom Co2Fe6B2 free layer ex situ annealed at 400 °C, which has been used as a common p-MTJ structure, the Pt atoms of the Pt buffer layer diffused into the MgO tunneling barrier. This transformed the MgO tunneling barrier from a body-centered cubic (b.c.c) crystallized layer into a mixture of b.c.c, face-centered cubic, and amorphous layers and rapidly decreased the tunneling-magnetoresistance (TMR) ratio. The p-MTJ spin valve with a nanoscale-thick top Co2Fe6B2 free layer could prevent the Pt atoms diffusing into the MgO tunneling barrier during ex situ annealing at 400 °C because of non-necessity of a Pt buffer layer, demonstrating the TMR ratio of ~143 %.

Impact of Film Thickness of Ultrathin Dip-Coated Compact TiO2 Layers on the Performance of Mesoscopic Perovskite Solar Cells.

PubMed

Masood, Muhammad Talha; Weinberger, Christian; Sarfraz, Jawad; Rosqvist, Emil; Sandén, Simon; Sandberg, Oskar J; Vivo, Paola; Hashmi, Ghufran; Lund, Peter D; Österbacka, Ronald; Smått, Jan-Henrik

2017-05-31

Uniform and pinhole-free electron-selective TiO 2 layers are of utmost importance for efficient perovskite solar cells. Here we used a scalable and low-cost dip-coating method to prepare uniform and ultrathin (5-50 nm) compact TiO 2 films on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrates. The thickness of the film was tuned by changing the TiCl 4 precursor concentration. The formed TiO 2 follows the texture of the underlying FTO substrates, but at higher TiCl 4 concentrations, the surface roughness is substantially decreased. This change occurs at a film thickness close to 20-30 nm. A similar TiCl 4 concentration is needed to produce crystalline TiO 2 films. Furthermore, below this film thickness, the underlying FTO might be exposed resulting in pinholes in the compact TiO 2 layer. When integrated into mesoscopic perovskite solar cells there appears to be a similar critical compact TiO 2 layer thickness above which the devices perform more optimally. The power conversion efficiency was improved by more than 50% (from 5.5% to ∼8.6%) when inserting a compact TiO 2 layer. Devices without or with very thin compact TiO 2 layers display J-V curves with an "s-shaped" feature in the negative voltage range, which could be attributed to immobilized negative ions at the electron-extracting interface. A strong correlation between the magnitude of the s-shaped feature and the exposed FTO seen in the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements indicates that the s-shape is related to pinholes in the compact TiO 2 layer when it is too thin.

Unexpected molecular weight effect in polymer nanocomposites

DOE PAGES

Cheng, Shiwang; Holt, Adam P.; Wang, Huiqun; ...

2016-01-22

Here, the properties of the interfacial layer between the polymer matrix and nanoparticles largely determine the macroscopic properties of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs). Although the static thickness of the interfacial layer was found to increase with the molecular weight (MW), the influence of MW on segmental relaxation and the glass transition in this layer remains to be explored. In this Letter, we show an unexpected MW dependence of the interfacial properties in PNC with attractive polymer-nanoparticle interactions: the thickness of the interfacial layer with hindered segmental relaxation decreases as MW increases, in sharp constrast to theoretical predictions. Further analyses reveal amore » reduction in mass density of the interfacial layer with increasing MW, which can explain these unexpected dynamic effects. Our observations call for a significant revision of the current understandings of PNCs and suggest interesting ways to tailor their properties.« less

Substrate Oxide Layer Thickness Optimization for a Dual-Width Plasmonic Grating for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) Biosensor Applications

PubMed Central

Bauman, Stephen J.; Brawley, Zachary T.; Darweesh, Ahmad A.; Herzog, Joseph B.

2017-01-01

This work investigates a new design for a plasmonic SERS biosensor via computational electromagnetic models. It utilizes a dual-width plasmonic grating design, which has two different metallic widths per grating period. These types of plasmonic gratings have shown larger optical enhancement than standard single-width gratings. The new structures have additional increased enhancement when the spacing between the metal decreases to sub-10 nm dimensions. This work integrates an oxide layer to improve the enhancement even further by carefully studying the effects of the substrate oxide thickness on the enhancement and reports ideal substrate parameters. The combined effects of varying the substrate and the grating geometry are studied to fully optimize the device’s enhancement for SERS biosensing and other plasmonic applications. The work reports the ideal widths and substrate thickness for both a standard and a dual-width plasmonic grating SERS biosensor. The ideal geometry, comprising a dual-width grating structure atop an optimal SiO2 layer thickness, improves the enhancement by 800%, as compared to non-optimized structures with a single-width grating and a non-optimal oxide thickness. PMID:28665308

Dynamics of active layer in wooded palsas of northern Quebec

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jean, Mélanie; Payette, Serge

2014-02-01

Palsas are organic or mineral soil mounds having a permafrost core. Palsas are widespread in the circumpolar discontinuous permafrost zone. The annual dynamics and evolution of the active layer, which is the uppermost layer over the permafrost table and subjected to the annual freeze-thaw cycle, are influenced by organic layer thickness, snow depth, vegetation type, topography and exposure. This study examines the influence of vegetation types, with an emphasis on forest cover, on active layer dynamics of palsas in the Boniface River watershed (57°45‧ N, 76°00‧ W). In this area, palsas are often colonized by black spruce trees (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.). Thaw depth and active layer thickness were monitored on 11 wooded or non-wooded mineral and organic palsas in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Snow depth, organic layer thickness, and vegetation types were assessed. The mapping of a palsa covered by various vegetation types and a large range of organic layer thickness were used to identify the factors influencing the spatial patterns of thaw depth and active layer. The active layer was thinner and the thaw rate slower in wooded palsas, whereas it was the opposite in more exposed sites such as forest openings, shrubs and bare ground. Thicker organic layers were associated with thinner active layers and slower thaw rates. Snow depth was not an important factor influencing active layer dynamics. The topography of the mapped palsa was uneven, and the environmental factors such as organic layer, snow depth, and vegetation types were heterogeneously distributed. These factors explain a part of the spatial variation of the active layer. Over the 3-year long study, the area of one studied palsa decreased by 70%. In a context of widespread permafrost decay, increasing our understanding of factors that influence the dynamics of wooded and non-wooded palsas and understanding of the role of vegetation cover will help to define the response of discontinuous permafrost landforms to changing climatic conditions.

Thickness effect of Gd2Zr2O7 buffer layer on performance of YBa2Cu3O7-δ coated conductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Wenbin; Fan, Feng; Lu, Yuming; Liu, Zhiyong; Bai, Chuanyi; Guo, Yanqun; Cai, Chuanbing

2014-12-01

Bilayer buffer architecture of Gd2Zr2O7 (GZO)/Y2O3 was prepared on the biaxially textured tape of Ni-5 at% W (NiW) by reactive sputtering deposition technique. The buffer layer of GZO films were deposited with different thicknesses on Y2O3 seeding layer with a given thickness of 20 nm. According to the results of φ-scan, the in-plane FWHMs of GZO films decreased and then reversed with increasing thickness of GZO, which corresponded with the in-plane FWHMs and superconducting properties of YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) films. Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED) was carried out to examine the surface texture of GZO films and the deteriorated surface alignment was found for thicker films. The thickness effect of GZO on performance of YBCO is the coupling result of surface texture and blocking effect caused by thickness. With the balance of these two factors, the YBCO/GZO(120 nm)/Y2O3/NiW architecture exhibit relatively high performance with the transition temperature Tc of 92 K, a transition width ΔTc below 1 K, and a critical current density Jc of 0.65 MA/cm2.

Evaluation of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness profile in thyroid ophthalmopathy without optic nerve dysfunction

PubMed Central

Mugdha, Kumari; Kaur, Apjit; Sinha, Neha; Saxena, Sandeep

2016-01-01

AIM To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness profile in patients of thyroid ophthalmopathy with no clinical signs of optic nerve dysfunction. METHODS A prospective, case-control, observational study conducted at a tertiary care centre. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients with eyelid retraction in association with any one of: biochemical thyroid dysfunction, exophthalmos, or extraocular muscle involvement; or thyroid dysfunction in association with either exophthalmos or extra-ocular muscle involvement; or a clinical activity score (CAS)>3/7. Two measurements of RNFL thickness were done for each eye, by Cirrus HD-optical coherence tomography 6mo apart. RESULTS Mean age of the sample was 38.75y (range 13-70y) with 18 males and 22 females. Average RNFL thickness at first visit was 92.06±12.44 µm, significantly lower than control group (101.28±6.64 µm) (P=0.0001). Thickness of inferior quadrant decreased from 118.2±21.27 µm to 115.0±22.27 µm after 6mo (P=0.02). There was no correlation between the change in CAS and RNFL thickness. CONCLUSION Decreased RNFL thickness is an important feature of thyroid orbitopathy, which is an inherent outcome of compressive optic neuropathy of any etiology. Subclinical RNFL damage continues in the absence of clinical activity of the disease. RNFL evaluation is essential in Grave's disease and active intervention may be warranted in the presence of significant damage. PMID:27990368

Transport in ultrathin gold films decorated with magnetic Gd atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alemani, Micol; Helgren, Erik; Hugel, Addison; Hellman, Frances

2008-03-01

We have performed four-probe transport measurements of ultrathin Au films decorated with Gd ad-atoms. The samples were prepared by quench condensation, i.e., sequential evaporation on a cryogenically cooled substrate under UHV conditions while monitoring the film thickness and resistance. Electrically continuous Au films at thickness of about 2 mono-layers of material are grown on an amorphous Ge wetting layer. The quench condensation method provides a sensitive control on the sample growth process, allowing us to tune the morphological and electrical configuration of the system. The ultrathin gold films develop from an insulating to a metallic state as a function of film thickness. The temperature dependence of the Au conductivity for different thickness is studied. It evolves from hopping transport for the insulating films, to a ln T dependence for thicker films. For gold films in the insulating regime we found a decreasing resistance by adding Gd. This is in agreement with a decreasing tunneling barrier height between metallic atoms. The Gd magnetic moments are randomly oriented for isolated atoms. This magnetic disorder leads to scattering of the charge carriers and a reduced conductivity compared to nonmagnetic materials.

Corrosion and wear properties of Zn-Ni and Zn-Ni-Al2O3 multilayer electrodeposited coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shourgeshty, M.; Aliofkhazraei, M.; Karimzadeh, A.; Poursalehi, R.

2017-09-01

Zn-Ni and Zn-Ni-Al2O3 multilayer coatings with 32, 128, and 512 layers were electroplated on a low carbon steel substrate by pulse electrodeposition under alternative changes in the duty cycle between 20% and 90% and a constant frequency of 250 Hz. Corrosion behavior was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and wear behavior of the coatings was evaluated by a pin on disk test. The results showed that the corrosion resistance of coatings was improved by increasing the number of layers (the decrease in layer thickness) as well as the presence of alumina nanoparticles. The lowest corrosion current density corresponds to Zn-Ni-Al2O3 with 512 layers equal to 3.74 µA cm-2. Increasing the number of layers in the same total thickness and the presence of alumina nanoparticles within the coating also leads to the improvement in wear resistance of the samples. The coefficient of friction decreased with increasing number of layers and the lowest coefficient of friction (0.517) corresponds to Zn-Ni-Al2O3 coating with 512 layers. Wear mechanism of Zn-Ni coatings with a different number of layers is adhesive while in the Zn-Ni-Al2O3 coatings wear mechanism is a combination of adhesive and abrasive wear, where by increasing the number of the layers to 512 abrasive wear mechanism becomes dominant.

Anomalous spin Hall magnetoresistance in Pt/Co bilayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawaguchi, Masashi; Towa, Daiki; Lau, Yong-Chang; Takahashi, Saburo; Hayashi, Masamitsu

2018-05-01

We have studied the spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR), the magnetoresistance within the plane transverse to the current flow, of Pt/Co bilayers. We find that the SMR increases with increasing Co thickness: the effective spin Hall angle for bilayers with thick Co exceeds the reported values of Pt when a conventional drift-diffusion model is used. An extended model including spin transport within the Co layer cannot account for the large SMR. To identify its origin, contributions from other sources are studied. For most bilayers, the SMR increases with decreasing temperature and increasing magnetic field, indicating that magnon-related effects in the Co layer play little role. Without the Pt layer, we do not observe the large SMR found for the Pt/Co bilayers with thick Co. Implementing the effect of the so-called interface magnetoresistance and the textured induced anisotropic scattering cannot account for the Co thickness dependent SMR. Since the large SMR is present for W/Co but its magnitude reduces in W/CoFeB, we infer that its origin is associated with a particular property of Co.

Size Dependence of Residual Thermal Stresses in Micro Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors by Using Finite Element Unit Cell Model Including Strain Gradient Effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, W. G.; Xiong, C. A.; Wu, X. G.

2013-11-01

The residual thermal stresses induced by the high-temperature sintering process in multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) are investigated by using a finite-element unit cell model, in which the strain gradient effect is considered. The numerical results show that the residual thermal stresses depend on the lateral margin length, the thickness ratio of the dielectrics layer to the electrode layer, and the MLCC size. At a given thickness ratio, as the MLCC size is scaled down, the peak shear stress reduces significantly and the normal stresses along the length and thickness directions change slightly with the decrease in the ceramic layer thickness t d as t d > 1 μm, but as t d < 1 μm, the normal stress components increase sharply with the increase in t d. Thus, the residual thermal stresses induced by the sintering process exhibit strong size effects and, therefore, the strain gradient effect should be taken into account in the design and evaluation of MLCC devices

Ohmic Contact Fabrication Using a Focused-ion Beam Technique and Electrical Characterization for Layer Semiconductor Nanostructures.

PubMed

Chen, Ruei-San; Tang, Chih-Che; Shen, Wei-Chu; Huang, Ying-Sheng

2015-12-05

Layer semiconductors with easily processed two-dimensional (2D) structures exhibit indirect-to-direct bandgap transitions and superior transistor performance, which suggest a new direction for the development of next-generation ultrathin and flexible photonic and electronic devices. Enhanced luminescence quantum efficiency has been widely observed in these atomically thin 2D crystals. However, dimension effects beyond quantum confinement thicknesses or even at the micrometer scale are not expected and have rarely been observed. In this study, molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) layer crystals with a thickness range of 6-2,700 nm were fabricated as two- or four-terminal devices. Ohmic contact formation was successfully achieved by the focused-ion beam (FIB) deposition method using platinum (Pt) as a contact metal. Layer crystals with various thicknesses were prepared through simple mechanical exfoliation by using dicing tape. Current-voltage curve measurements were performed to determine the conductivity value of the layer nanocrystals. In addition, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected-area electron diffractometry, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize the interface of the metal-semiconductor contact of the FIB-fabricated MoSe2 devices. After applying the approaches, the substantial thickness-dependent electrical conductivity in a wide thickness range for the MoSe2-layer semiconductor was observed. The conductivity increased by over two orders of magnitude from 4.6 to 1,500 Ω(-) (1) cm(-) (1), with a decrease in the thickness from 2,700 to 6 nm. In addition, the temperature-dependent conductivity indicated that the thin MoSe2 multilayers exhibited considerably weak semiconducting behavior with activation energies of 3.5-8.5 meV, which are considerably smaller than those (36-38 meV) of the bulk. Probable surface-dominant transport properties and the presence of a high surface electron concentration in MoSe2 are proposed. Similar results can be obtained for other layer semiconductor materials such as MoS2 and WS2.

Ohmic Contact Fabrication Using a Focused-ion Beam Technique and Electrical Characterization for Layer Semiconductor Nanostructures

PubMed Central

Chen, Ruei-San; Tang, Chih-Che; Shen, Wei-Chu; Huang, Ying-Sheng

2015-01-01

Layer semiconductors with easily processed two-dimensional (2D) structures exhibit indirect-to-direct bandgap transitions and superior transistor performance, which suggest a new direction for the development of next-generation ultrathin and flexible photonic and electronic devices. Enhanced luminescence quantum efficiency has been widely observed in these atomically thin 2D crystals. However, dimension effects beyond quantum confinement thicknesses or even at the micrometer scale are not expected and have rarely been observed. In this study, molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) layer crystals with a thickness range of 6-2,700 nm were fabricated as two- or four-terminal devices. Ohmic contact formation was successfully achieved by the focused-ion beam (FIB) deposition method using platinum (Pt) as a contact metal. Layer crystals with various thicknesses were prepared through simple mechanical exfoliation by using dicing tape. Current-voltage curve measurements were performed to determine the conductivity value of the layer nanocrystals. In addition, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected-area electron diffractometry, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize the interface of the metal–semiconductor contact of the FIB-fabricated MoSe2 devices. After applying the approaches, the substantial thickness-dependent electrical conductivity in a wide thickness range for the MoSe2-layer semiconductor was observed. The conductivity increased by over two orders of magnitude from 4.6 to 1,500 Ω−1 cm−1, with a decrease in the thickness from 2,700 to 6 nm. In addition, the temperature-dependent conductivity indicated that the thin MoSe2 multilayers exhibited considerably weak semiconducting behavior with activation energies of 3.5-8.5 meV, which are considerably smaller than those (36-38 meV) of the bulk. Probable surface-dominant transport properties and the presence of a high surface electron concentration in MoSe2 are proposed. Similar results can be obtained for other layer semiconductor materials such as MoS2 and WS2. PMID:26710105

The effect of polymers onto the size of zinc layered hydroxide salt and its calcined product

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hussein, Mohd Zobir bin; Ghotbi, Mohammad Yeganeh; Yahaya, Asmah Hj; Abd Rahman, Mohd Zaki

2009-02-01

Zinc hydroxide nitrate, a brucite-like layered material was synthesized using pH control method. Poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(ethylene glycol) were used at various percentages as size decreasing agents during the synthesis of zinc hydroxide nitrate. SEM and PXRD showed the decrease of size and thickness of the resultant zinc hydroxide nitrates. TG and surface area data confirmed the decrease of the particle sizes, too. When zinc hydroxide nitrates were heat treated at 500 °C, the physical properties of nano zinc oxides obtained depended on the parent material, zinc hydroxide nitrate.

Formation of BaSi2 heterojunction solar cells using transparent MoOx hole transport layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, W.; Takabe, R.; Baba, M.; Takeuchi, H.; Hara, K. O.; Toko, K.; Usami, N.; Suemasu, T.

2015-03-01

Heterojunction solar cells that consist of 15 nm thick molybdenum trioxide (MoOx, x < 3) as a hole transport layer and 600 nm thick unpassivated or passivated n-BaSi2 layers were demonstrated. Rectifying current-voltage characteristics were observed when the surface of BaSi2 was exposed to air. When the exposure time was decreased to 1 min, an open circuit voltage of 200 mV and a short circuit current density of 0.5 mA/cm2 were obtained under AM1.5 illumination. The photocurrent density under a reverse bias voltage of -1 V reached 25 mA/cm2, which demonstrates the significant potential of BaSi2 for solar cell applications.

Large exchange bias induced by polycrystalline Mn3Ga antiferromagnetic films with controlled layer thickness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Haokaifeng; Sudoh, Iori; Xu, Ruihan; Si, Wenshuo; Vaz, C. A. F.; Kim, Jun-young; Vallejo-Fernandez, Gonzalo; Hirohata, Atsufumi

2018-05-01

Polycrystalline Mn3Ga layers with thickness in the range from 6–20 nm were deposited at room temperature by a high target utilisation sputtering. To investigate the onset of exchange-bias, a ferromagnetic Co0.6Fe0.4 layer (3.3–9 nm thick) capped with 5 nm Ta, were subsequently deposited. X-ray diffraction measurements confirm the presence of Mn3Ga (0 0 0 2) and (0 0 0 4) peaks characteristic of the D019 antiferromagnetic structure. The 6 nm thick Mn3Ga film shows the largest exchange bias of 430 Oe at 120 K with a blocking temperature of 225 K. The blocking temperature is found to decrease with increasing Mn3Ga thickness. These results in combination with x-ray reflectivity measurements confirm that the quality of the Mn3Ga/Co0.6Fe0.4 interface controls the exchange bias, with the sharp interface with the 6-nm-thick Mn3Ga inducing the largest exchange bias. The magneto-crystalline anisotropy for 6 nm thick Mn3Ga thin film sample is calculated to be . Such a binary antiferromagnetic Heusler alloy is compatible with the current memory fabrication process and hence has a great potential for antiferromagnetic spintronics.

Long-term Characterization of Retinal Degeneration in Royal College of Surgeons Rats Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

PubMed Central

Ryals, Renee C.; Andrews, Michael D.; Datta, Shreya; Coyner, Aaron S.; Fischer, Cody M.; Wen, Yuquan; Pennesi, Mark E.; McGill, Trevor J.

2017-01-01

Purpose Prospective treatments for age-related macular degeneration and inherited retinal degenerations are commonly evaluated in the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat before translation into clinical application. Historically, retinal thickness obtained through postmortem anatomic assessments has been a key outcome measure; however, utility of this measurement is limited because it precludes the ability to perform longitudinal studies. To overcome this limitation, the present study was designed to provide a baseline longitudinal quantification of retinal thickness in the RCS rat by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods Horizontal and vertical linear SD-OCT scans centered on the optic nerve were captured from Long-Evans control rats at P30, P60, P90 and from RCS rats between P17 and P90. Total retina (TR), outer nuclear layer+ (ONL+), inner nuclear layer (INL), and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) thicknesses were quantified. Histologic sections of RCS retina obtained from P21 to P60 were compared to SD-OCT images. Results In RCS rats, TR and ONL+ thickness decreased significantly as compared to Long-Evans controls. Changes in INL and RPE thickness were not significantly different between control and RCS retinas. From P30 to P90 a subretinal hyperreflective layer (HRL) was observed and quantified in RCS rats. After correlation with histology, the HRL was identified as disorganized outer segments and the location of accumulated debris. Conclusions Retinal layer thickness can be quantified longitudinally throughout the course of retinal degeneration in the RCS rat by using SD-OCT. Thickness measurements obtained with SD-OCT were consistent with previous anatomic thickness assessments. This study provides baseline data for future longitudinal assessment of therapeutic agents in the RCS rat. PMID:28253400

Long-term Characterization of Retinal Degeneration in Royal College of Surgeons Rats Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography.

PubMed

Ryals, Renee C; Andrews, Michael D; Datta, Shreya; Coyner, Aaron S; Fischer, Cody M; Wen, Yuquan; Pennesi, Mark E; McGill, Trevor J

2017-03-01

Prospective treatments for age-related macular degeneration and inherited retinal degenerations are commonly evaluated in the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat before translation into clinical application. Historically, retinal thickness obtained through postmortem anatomic assessments has been a key outcome measure; however, utility of this measurement is limited because it precludes the ability to perform longitudinal studies. To overcome this limitation, the present study was designed to provide a baseline longitudinal quantification of retinal thickness in the RCS rat by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Horizontal and vertical linear SD-OCT scans centered on the optic nerve were captured from Long-Evans control rats at P30, P60, P90 and from RCS rats between P17 and P90. Total retina (TR), outer nuclear layer+ (ONL+), inner nuclear layer (INL), and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) thicknesses were quantified. Histologic sections of RCS retina obtained from P21 to P60 were compared to SD-OCT images. In RCS rats, TR and ONL+ thickness decreased significantly as compared to Long-Evans controls. Changes in INL and RPE thickness were not significantly different between control and RCS retinas. From P30 to P90 a subretinal hyperreflective layer (HRL) was observed and quantified in RCS rats. After correlation with histology, the HRL was identified as disorganized outer segments and the location of accumulated debris. Retinal layer thickness can be quantified longitudinally throughout the course of retinal degeneration in the RCS rat by using SD-OCT. Thickness measurements obtained with SD-OCT were consistent with previous anatomic thickness assessments. This study provides baseline data for future longitudinal assessment of therapeutic agents in the RCS rat.

Increased magnetic damping in ultrathin films of Co2FeAl with perpendicular anisotropy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, Y. K.; Miura, Y.; Choi, R.; Ohkubo, T.; Wen, Z. C.; Ishioka, K.; Mandal, R.; Medapalli, R.; Sukegawa, H.; Mitani, S.; Fullerton, E. E.; Hono, K.

2017-06-01

We estimated the magnetic damping constant α of Co2FeAl (CFA) Heusler alloy films of different thicknesses with an MgO capping layer by means of time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect and ferromagnetic resonance measurements. CFA films with thicknesses of 1.2 nm and below exhibited perpendicular magnetic anisotropy arising from the presence of the interface with MgO. While α increased gradually with decreasing CFA film thickness down to 1.2 nm, it was increased substantially when the thickness was reduced further to 1.0 nm. Based on the microstructure analyses and first-principles calculations, we attributed the origin of the large α in the ultrathin CFA film primarily to the Al deficiency in the CFA layer, which caused an increase in the density of states and thereby in the scatterings of their spins.

Retinal Layers Measurements following Silicone Oil Tamponade for Retinal Detachment Surgery.

PubMed

Jurišić, Darija; Geber, Mia Zorić; Ćavar, Ivan; Utrobičić, Dobrila Karlica

2017-12-19

This study aimed to investigate the influence of silicone oil on the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment who underwent vitreoretinal surgery. The study included 47 patients (eyes), who underwent a pars plana vitrectomy with the silicone oil tamponade. The control group included unoperated eye of all participants. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used for the measurements of peripapilar and macular RNFL thickness. The average peripapillary RNFL thickness was significantly higher in the silicone oil filled eyes during endotamponade and after its removal. The eyes with elevated IOP had less thickening of the RNFL in comparison to the eyes with normal IOP. Central macular thickness and macular volume were decreased in the silicone oil filled eyes in comparison to the control eyes. In conclusion, silicone oil caused peripapilar RNFL thickening in the vitrectomized eyes during endotamponade and after silicone oil removal.

A study on sonoporation of cells cultured on a soft collagen gel scaffold

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kudo, Nobuki; Kinoshita, Yuto

2012-11-01

Efficiencies of sonoporation were investigated using four types of monolayer-cell samples: cells cultured directly on a cover slip, cells cultured on a cover slip coated with collagen gel of several μm in thickness, and cells cultured on collagen gel scaffolds of 0.4 and 1.0 mm in thicknesses. Cell samples attached with Levovist microbubbles were irradiated by one shot of a three- or 10,000-cycle ultrasound pulse, and cell detachment and membrane perforation were investigated. Experimental results showed that rates of cell detachment and membrane damage were markedly decreased in the presence of soft gel layer of 0.4 and 1.0 mm in thicknesses under the cells and that these rates were inversely proportional to the thickness of the gel layer. These results indicate that optimum conditions of sonoporation in vitro should be carefully translated into those in vivo.

Magnetic properties of ultrathin tetragonal Heusler D022-Mn3Ge perpendicular-magnetized films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugihara, A.; Suzuki, K. Z.; Miyazaki, T.; Mizukami, S.

2015-05-01

We investigated the crystal structure and magnetic properties of Manganese-germanium (Mn3Ge) films having the tetragonal D022 structure, with varied thicknesses (5-130 nm) prepared on chromium (Cr)-buffered single crystal MgO(001) substrates. A crystal lattice elongation in the in-plane direction, induced by the lattice mismatch between the D022-Mn3Ge and the Cr buffer layer, increased with decreasing thickness of the D022-Mn3Ge layer. The films exhibited clear magnetic hysteresis loops with a squareness ratio close to unity, and a step-like magnetization reversal even at a 5-nm thickness under an external field perpendicular to the film's plane. The uniaxial magnetic anisotropy constant of the films showed a reduction to less than 10 Merg/cm3 in the small thickness range (≤20 nm), likely due to the crystal lattice elongation in the in-plane direction.

Survey of Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Anisometropic and Strabismic Amblyopia.

PubMed

Soltani Moghaddam, Reza; Medghalchi, Abdolreza; Alizadeh, Yousef

2017-01-01

. To investigate the effect of anisometropic and strabismic amblyopia on the nerve fiber layer thickness. This cross-sectional study was done on 54 amblyopic subjects, equally in both strabismic and anisometropic groups. The thickness otonerve fiber layer measured in superior, inferior, nasal, temporal quadrants and as a whole in both eyes of both groups. The means of thickness were compared in amblyopic and sound eyes. In strabismus group, the average nerve fiber layer thickness of the sound eye , in superior, inferior, nasal and temporal quadrants and as a whole were 113.23±14, 117.37±25, 68.96±6, 69.55±14 and 93.40±8 microns respectively. In amblyopic eyes of the same group, these measurements were 103.11±18, 67.74±11, and 69.59±16 and 89.59±12 microns in superior, inferior, nasal, temporal quadrants and as whole respectively. In anisometropic groups, the sound eye measurements were as 130.96±22, 129.07±29, 80.62±12, and 83.88±20 and 107.7±13 microns in superior, inferior, nasal and temporal quadrants and as a whole orderly. In amblyopic eyes of this group the mean thicknesses were 115.63±29, 133.15±25, 78.8±15, 80.2±16 and 109.17±21 microns in superior, inferior, nasal, temporal quadrants and as a whole respectively. Statistically, there were no significant differences between amblyopic and sound eyes (P>0.5). Our study did not support any significant change in a nerve fiber layer thickness of amblyopic patients; however, decreased thickness in superior and nasal quadrants of strabismic amblyopia and except inferior quadrant and as a whole. These measurements may be a clue for management and prognosis of amblyopia in old age.

Formation of thick stratiform Fe-Ti oxide layers in layered intrusion and frequent replenishment of fractionated mafic magma: Evidence from the Panzhihua intrusion, SW China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Xie-Yan; Qi, Hua-Wen; Hu, Rui-Zhong; Chen, Lie-Meng; Yu, Song-Yue; Zhang, Jia-Fei

2013-03-01

Panzhihua intrusion is one of the largest layered intrusions that hosts huge stratiform Fe-Ti oxide layers in the central part of the Emeishan large igneous province, SW China. Up to 60 m thick stratiform massive Fe-Ti oxide layers containing 85 modal% of magnetite and ilmenite and overlying magnetite gabbro compose cyclic units of the Lower Zone of the intrusion. The cyclic units of the Middle Zone consist of magnetite gabbro and overlying gabbro. In these cyclic units, contents of Fe2O3(t), TiO2 and Cr and Fe3+/Ti4+ ratio of the rocks decrease upward, Cr content of magnetite and forsterite percentage of olivine decrease as well. The Upper Zone consists of apatite gabbro characterized by enrichment of incompatible elements (e.g., 12-18 ppm La, 20-28 ppm Y) and increasing of Fe3+/Ti4+ ratio (from 1.3 to 2.3) upward. These features indicate that the Panzhihua intrusion was repeatedly recharged by more primitive magma and evolved magmas had been extracted. Calculations using MELTS indicate that extensive fractionation of olivine and clinopyroxene in deep level resulted in increasing Fe and Ti contents in the magma. When these Fe-Ti-enriched magmas were emplaced along the base of the Panzhihua intrusion, Fe-Ti oxides became an early crystallization phase, leading to a residual magma of lower density. We propose that the unusually thick stratiform Fe-Ti oxide layers resulted from coupling of gravity settling and sorting of the crystallized Fe-Ti oxides from Fe-Ti-enriched magmas and frequent magma replenishment along the floor of the magma chamber.

Orientation-dependent energy level alignment and film growth of 2,7-diocty[1]benzothieno[3,2-b]benzothiophene (C8-BTBT) on HOPG

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyu, Lu; Niu, Dongmei; Xie, Haipeng; Cao, Ningtong; Zhang, Hong; Zhang, Yuhe; Liu, Peng; Gao, Yongli

2016-01-01

Combining ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction measurements, we performed a systematic investigation on the correlation of energy level alignment, film growth, and molecular orientation of 2,7-diocty[1]benzothieno[3,2-b]benzothiophene (C8-BTBT) on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. The molecules lie down in the first layer and then stand up from the second layer. The ionization potential shows a sharp decrease from the lying down region to the standing up region. When C8-BTBT molecules start standing up, unconventional energy level band-bending-like shifts are observed as the film thickness increases. These shifts are ascribed to gradual decreasing of the molecular tilt angle about the substrate normal with the increasing film thickness.

Orientation-dependent energy level alignment and film growth of 2,7-diocty[1]benzothieno[3,2-b]benzothiophene (C8-BTBT) on HOPG.

PubMed

Lyu, Lu; Niu, Dongmei; Xie, Haipeng; Cao, Ningtong; Zhang, Hong; Zhang, Yuhe; Liu, Peng; Gao, Yongli

2016-01-21

Combining ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction measurements, we performed a systematic investigation on the correlation of energy level alignment, film growth, and molecular orientation of 2,7-diocty[1]benzothieno[3,2-b]benzothiophene (C8-BTBT) on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. The molecules lie down in the first layer and then stand up from the second layer. The ionization potential shows a sharp decrease from the lying down region to the standing up region. When C8-BTBT molecules start standing up, unconventional energy level band-bending-like shifts are observed as the film thickness increases. These shifts are ascribed to gradual decreasing of the molecular tilt angle about the substrate normal with the increasing film thickness.

Electrical characteristics and step coverage of ZrO2 films deposited by atomic layer deposition for through-silicon via and metal-insulator-metal applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Kyeong-Keun; Park, Chan-Gyung; Kim, Deok-kee

2016-01-01

The electrical characteristics and step coverage of ZrO2 films deposited by atomic layer deposition were investigated for through-silicon via (TSV) and metal-insulator-metal applications at temperatures below 300 °C. ZrO2 films were able to be conformally deposited on the scallops of 50-µm-diameter, 100-µm-deep TSV holes. The mean breakdown field of 30-nm-thick ZrO2 films on 30-nm-thick Ta(N) increased about 41% (from 2.7 to 3.8 MV/cm) upon H2 plasma treatment. With the plasma treatment, the breakdown field of the film increased and the temperature coefficient of capacitance decreased significantly, probably as a result of the decreased carbon concentration in the film.

Monte Carlo study of magnetization reversal in the model of a hard/soft magnetic bilayer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taaev, T. A.; Khizriev, K. Sh.; Murtazaev, A. K.

2017-06-01

Magnetization reversal in the model of a hard/soft magnetic bilayer under the action of an external magnetic field has been investigated by the Monte Carlo method. Calculations have been performed for three systems: (i) the model without a soft-magnetic layer (hard-magnetic layer), (ii) the model with a soft-magnetic layer of thickness 25 atomic layers (predominantly exchange-coupled system), and (iii) with 50 (weak exchange coupling) atomic layers. The effect of a soft-magnetic phase on the magnetization reversal of the magnetic bilayer and on the formation of a 1D spin spring in the magnetic bilayer has been demonstrated. An inf lection that has been detected on the arch of the hysteresis loop only for the system with weak exchange coupling is completely determined by the behavior of the soft layer in the external magnetic field. The critical fields of magnetization reversal decrease with increasing thickness of the soft phase.

Dynamic behavior of an unsteady trubulent boundary layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parikh, P. G.; Reynolds, W. C.; Jayaramen, R.; Carr, L. W.

1981-01-01

Experiments on an unsteady turbulent boundary layer are reported in which the upstream portion of the flow is steady (in the mean) and in the downstream region, the boundary layer sees a linearly decreasing free stream velocity. This velocity gradient oscillates in time, at frequencies ranging from zero to approximately the bursting frequency. For the small amplitude, the mean velocity and mean turbulence intensity profiles are unaffected by the oscillations. The amplitude of the periodic velocity component, although as much as 70% greater than that in the free stream for very low frequencies, becomes equal to that in the free stream at higher frequencies. At high frequencies, both the boundary layer thickness and the Reynolds stress distribution across the boundary layer become frozen. The behavior at higher amplitude is quite similar. At sufficiently high frequencies, the boundary layer thickness remains frozen at the mean value over the oscillation cycle, even though flow reverses near the wall during a part of the cycle.

Improved dielectric properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 films with a CaTiO3 interlayer on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates prepared by pulsed laser deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Sung-Yun; Kim, Hui Eun; Jo, William; Kim, Young-Hwan; Yoo, Sang-Im

2015-11-01

We report the greatly improved dielectric properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) films with a 60 nm-thick CaTiO3 (CTO) interlayer on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates. Both CCTO films and CTO interlayers were prepared by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). With increasing the thickness of CCTO from 200 nm to 1.3 μm, the dielectric constants ( ɛ r ) at 10 kHz in both CCTO single-layered and CCTO/CTO double-layered films increased from ˜260 to ˜6000 and from ˜630 to ˜3700, respectively. Compared with CCTO single-layered films, CCTO/CTO double-layered films irrespective of CCTO film thickness exhibited a remarkable decrease in their dielectric losses ( tanδ) (<0.1 at the frequency region of 1 - 100 kHz) and highly reduced leakage current density at room temperature. The reduced leakage currents in CCTO/CTO double-layered films are attributable to relatively higher trap ionization energies in the Poole-Frenkel conduction model. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Study of thickness and uniformity of oxide passivation with DI-O3 on silicon substrate for electronic and photonic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Mamta; Hazra, Purnima; Singh, Satyendra Kumar

2018-05-01

Since the beginning of semiconductor fabrication technology evolution, clean and passivated substrate surface is one of the prime requirements for fabrication of Electronic and optoelectronic device fabrication. However, as the scale of silicon circuits and device architectures are continuously decreased from micrometer to nanometer (from VLSI to ULSI technology), the cleaning methods to achieve better wafer surface qualities has raised research interests. The development of controlled and uniform silicon dioxide is the most effective and reliable way to achieve better wafer surface quality for fabrication of electronic devices. On the other hand, in order to meet the requirement of high environment safety/regulatory standards, the innovation of cleaning technology is also in demand. The controlled silicon dioxide layer formed by oxidant de-ionized ozonated water has better uniformity. As the uniformity of the controlled silicon dioxide layer is improved on the substrate, it enhances the performance of the devices. We can increase the thickness of oxide layer, by increasing the ozone time treatment. We reported first time to measurement of thickness of controlled silicon dioxide layer and obtained the uniform layer for same ozone time.

Part height control of laser metal additive manufacturing process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Yu-Herng

Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) has been used to not only make but also repair damaged parts in a layer-by-layer fashion. Parts made in this manner may produce less waste than those made through conventional machining processes. However, a common issue of LMD involves controlling the deposition's layer thickness. Accuracy is important, and as it increases, both the time required to produce the part and the material wasted during the material removal process (e.g., milling, lathe) decrease. The deposition rate is affected by multiple parameters, such as the powder feed rate, laser input power, axis feed rate, material type, and part design, the values of each of which may change during the LMD process. Using a mathematical model to build a generic equation that predicts the deposition's layer thickness is difficult due to these complex parameters. In this thesis, we propose a simple method that utilizes a single device. This device uses a pyrometer to monitor the current build height, thereby allowing the layer thickness to be controlled during the LMD process. This method also helps the LMD system to build parts even with complex parameters and to increase material efficiency.

Enhanced interfacial deformation in a Marangoni flow: A measure of the dynamical surface tension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leite Pinto, Rodrigo; Le Roux, Sébastien; Cantat, Isabelle; Saint-Jalmes, Arnaud

2018-02-01

We investigate the flows and deformations resulting from the deposition of a water soluble surfactant at a bare oil-water interface. Once the surfactant is deposited, we show that the oil-water interface is deformed with a water bump rising upward into the oil. For a given oil, the maximal deformation—located at the surfactant deposition point—decreases with the oil-layer thickness. We also observe a critical oil-layer thickness below which the deformation becomes as large as the oil layer, leading to the rupture of this layer and an oil-water dewetting. Experimentally, it is found that this critical thickness depends on the oil density and viscosity. We then provide an analytical modelization that explains quantitatively all these experimental features. In particular, our analysis allows us to derive an analytical relationship between the vertical profile of the oil-water interface and the in-plane surface tension profile. Therefore, we propose that the monitoring of the interface vertical shape can be used as a new spatially resolved tensiometry technique.

Method for reducing or eliminating interface defects in mismatched semiconductor epilayers

DOEpatents

Fitzgerald, Jr., Eugene A.; Ast, Dieter G.

1992-01-01

The present invention and process relates to crystal lattice mismatched semiconductor composite having a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor growth layer deposited thereon to form an interface wherein the growth layer can be deposited at thicknesses in excess of the critical thickness, even up to about 10.times. critical thickness. Such composite has an interface which is substantially free of interface defects. For example, the size of the growth areas in a mismatched In.sub.0.05 Ga.sub.0.95 As/(001)GaAs interface was controlled by fabricating 2-.mu.m high pillars of various lateral geometries and lateral dimensions before the epitaxial deposition of 3500.ANG. of In.sub.0.05 Ga.sub.0.95 As. The linear dislocation density at the interface was reduced from >5000 dislocations/cm to about zero for 25-.mu.m lateral dimensions and to less than 800 dislocations/cm for lateral dimensions as large as 100 .mu.m. The fabricated pillars control the lateral dimensions of the growth layer and block the glide of misfit dislocations with the resultant decrease in dislocation density.

Method for reducing or eliminating interface defects in mismatched semiconductor eiplayers

DOEpatents

Fitzgerald, Jr., Eugene A.; Ast, Dieter G.

1991-01-01

The present invention and process relates to crystal lattice mismatched semiconductor composite having a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor growth layer deposited thereon to form an interface wherein the growth layer can be deposited at thicknesses in excess of the critical thickness, even up to about 10x critical thickness. Such composite has an interface which is substantially free of interface defects. For example, the size of the growth areas in a mismatched In.sub.0.05 Ga.sub.0.95 As/(001)GaAs interface was controlled by fabricating 2-.mu.m high pillars of various lateral geometries and lateral dimensions before the epitaxial deposition of 3500.ANG. of In.sub.0.05 Ga.sub.0.95 As. The linear dislocation density at the interface was reduced from >5000 dislocations/cm to about zero for 25-.mu.m lateral dimensions and to less than 800 dislocations/cm for lateral dimensions as large as 100 .mu.m. The fabricated pillars control the lateral dimensions of the growth layer and block the glide of misfit dislocations with the resultant decrease in dislocation density.

Method for reducing or eliminating interface defects in mismatched semiconductor epilayers

DOEpatents

Fitzgerald, E.A. Jr.; Ast, D.G.

1992-10-20

The present invention and process relates to crystal lattice mismatched semiconductor composite having a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor growth layer deposited thereon to form an interface wherein the growth layer can be deposited at thicknesses in excess of the critical thickness, even up to about 10[times] critical thickness. Such composite has an interface which is substantially free of interface defects. For example, the size of the growth areas in a mismatched In[sub 0.05]Ga[sub 0.95]As/(001)GaAs interface was controlled by fabricating 2-[mu]m high pillars of various lateral geometries and lateral dimensions before the epitaxial deposition of 3500 [angstrom] of In[sub 0.05]Ga[sub 0.95]As. The linear dislocation density at the interface was reduced from >5000 dislocations/cm to about zero for 25-[mu]m lateral dimensions and to less than 800 dislocations/cm for lateral dimensions as large as 100 [mu]m. The fabricated pillars control the lateral dimensions of the growth layer and block the glide of misfit dislocations with the resultant decrease in dislocation density. 7 figs.

Prediction of 4H-SiC betavoltaic microbattery characteristics based on practical Ni-63 sources.

PubMed

Gui, Gui; Zhang, Kan; Blanchard, James P; Ma, Zhenqiang

2016-01-01

We have investigated the performance of 4H-SiC betavoltaic microbatteries under exposure to the practical Ni-63 sources using the Monte Carlo method and Synopsys® Medici device simulator. A typical planar p-n junction betavoltaic device with the Ni-63 source of 20% purity on top is modeled in the simulation. The p-n junction structure includes a p+ layer, a p- layer, an n+ layer, and an n- layer. In order to obtain an accurate and valid predication, our simulations consider several practical factors, including isotope impurities, self-absorption, and full beta energy spectra. By simulating the effects of both the p-n junction configuration and the isotope source thickness on the battery output performance, we have achieved the optimal design of the device and maximum energy conversion efficiency. Our simulation results show that the energy conversion efficiency increases as the doping concentration and thickness of the p- layer increase, whereas it is independent of the total depth of the p-n junction. Furthermore, the energy conversion efficiency decreases as the thickness of the practical Ni-63 source increases, because of self-absorption in the isotope source. Therefore, we propose that a p-n junction betavoltaic cell with a thicker and heavily doped p- layer under exposure to a practical Ni-63 source with an appreciable thickness could produce the optimal energy conversion efficiency. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of enamel composite thickness on value, chroma and translucency of a high and a nonhigh refractive index resin composite.

PubMed

Ferraris, Federico; Diamantopoulou, Sofia; Acunzo, Raffaele; Alcidi, Renato

2014-01-01

To evaluate the influence of thickness on the optical properties of two enamel shade composites, one with a high refractive index and one traditional. A medium value enamel shade was selected from the resin composites Enamel Plus HRi (UE2) and Enamel Plus HFO (GE2). Enamel Plus HRi is a high refractive index composite. Samples were fabricated in five different thicknesses: 0.3, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 mm. Three specimens per material and thickness were fabricated. Three measurements per sample, over white, black and dentin composite background were generated with a spectrophotometer (Spectroshade Micro, MHT). Value, chroma, translucency and color differences (ΔE) of the specimens were calculated. RESULTS were analyzed by the Pearson correlation test, ANOVA and a post-hoc Tukey test. Increasing the thickness of the enamel layers decreased the translucency and the chroma of the substrate for both materials tested. For HRi the increase of the thickness resulted in an increase of the value, whereas for HFO it resulted in a reduction of the value. The two composites showed a significant difference in value for each thickness, but not in translucency and chroma. Color difference between them was perceptible in layers equal or higher than 0.5 mm. The high refractive index enamel (HRi) composite exhibits different optical behavior compared to the traditional one (HFO). HRi enamel composite behaves more like natural enamel as by increasing the thickness of the enamel layer, the value also increases.

Impacts of temperature increase and acidification on thickness of the surface mucopolysaccharide layer of the Caribbean coral Diploria spp.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pratte, Zoe A.; Richardson, Laurie L.

2014-06-01

Coral mechanisms of resilience and resistance to stressors such as increasing sea surface temperature and ocean acidification must first be understood in order to facilitate the survival of coral reefs as we know them. One such mechanism is production of the protective surface mucopolysaccharide layer (SML). In this study, we investigated changes in the thickness of the SML in response to increasing temperature and acidification for the three Caribbean scleractinian coral species of the genus Diploria, which have been shown to exhibit differential resilience to disease and bleaching. Among the three species, Diploria strigosa is known to have a higher susceptibility to disease, Diploria labyrinthiformis is known to bleach more quickly, and Diploria clivosa is relatively unstudied. When temperature was increased from 25 to 31 °C over a 1- or 6-week period, the overall thickness of the SML decreased from 33 to 55 % for all three species. Average SML thickness at 25 °C for all three species ranged from 106 to 156 μm, while average thickness at 31 °C ranged from 64 to 86 μm. SML thickness was significantly different among species at 25 °C, but not at 31 °C. D. labyrinthiformis demonstrated lower fragment mortality due to thermal stress when compared to the other Diploria species. Acidification from pH 8.2 to 7.7 over 5 weeks had no effect on SML thickness for any species. The observed decrease in SML thickness in response to increased temperature might be attributed to a decrease in the production of mucus or an increase in the viscosity of the SML. These findings may help to explain the increased prevalence of coral disease during the warmer months, since increased temperature compromises an important aspect of coral innate immunity, as well as differences in disease and bleaching susceptibilities between Diploria species.

Viscous real gas flowfields about three dimensional configurations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balakrishnan, A.; Davy, W. C.

1983-01-01

Laminar, real gas hypersonic flowfields over a three dimensional configuration are computed using an unsteady, factored implicit scheme. Local chemical and thermodynamic properties are evaluated by an equilibrium composition method. Transport properties are obtained from individual species properties and application of a mixture rule. Numerical solutions are presented for an ideal gas and equilibrium air for free-stream Mach numbers of 13 and 15 and at various angles of attack. The effect of real gas is to decrease the shock-layer thickness resulting from decreased shock-layer temperatures and corresponding increased density. The combined effects of viscosity and real gas are to increase the subsonic layer near the wall.

Threading Dislocations in InGaAs/GaAs (001) Buffer Layers for Metamorphic High Electron Mobility Transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Yifei; Kujofsa, Tedi; Ayers, John E.

2018-07-01

In order to evaluate various buffer layers for metamorphic devices, threading dislocation densities have been calculated for uniform composition In x Ga1- x As device layers deposited on GaAs (001) substrates with an intermediate graded buffer layer using the L MD model, where L MD is the average length of misfit dislocations. On this basis, we compare the relative effectiveness of buffer layers with linear, exponential, and S-graded compositional profiles. In the case of a 2 μm thick buffer layer linear grading results in higher threading dislocation densities in the device layer compared to either exponential or S-grading. When exponential grading is used, lower threading dislocation densities are obtained with a smaller length constant. In the S-graded case, lower threading dislocation densities result when a smaller standard deviation parameter is used. As the buffer layer thickness is decreased from 2 μm to 0.1 μm all of the above effects are diminished, and the absolute threading dislocation densities increase.

Effect of length to thickness ratio on free vibration analysis of thick fiber reinforced plastic skew cross-ply laminate with circular cutout

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srividya, K.; Reddy, Ch. Kishore; Sumanth, Ch. Mohan; Krishnaiah, P. Gopala; Kishan, V. Mallikharjuna

2018-04-01

The present investigation deals with the free vibration analysis of a thick four-layered symmetric cross-ply skew laminated composite plate with a circular cutout. Three dimensional finite element models (FEM) which use the elasticity theory for the determination of stiffness matrices are modeled in ANSYS software to evaluate first five natural frequencies of the laminate. The variations of the first five natural frequencies with respect to length to thickness ratio (S) for different diameter to length ratios (d/l) are presented. It is observed that, the natural frequencies decreases with increase of thickness ratio(S).

Co-extrusion of electrolyte/anode functional layer/anode triple-layer ceramic hollow fibres for micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cells-electrochemical performance study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Tao; Wu, Zhentao; Li, K.

2015-01-01

In this study, the effects of an anode functional layer (AFL) with controlled thickness on physical and electrochemical properties of a micro-tubular SOFC have been systematically studied. A series of electrolyte/AFL/anode triple-layer hollow fibres with controllable AFL thicknesses (16.9-52.7 μm) have been fabricated via a single-step phase-inversion assisted co-extrusion technique. Both robustness of the cell and gas-tightness of the electrolyte layer are considerably improved by introducing the AFL of this type. The fracture force of the sample with the thickest AFL (9.67 N) almost doubles when compared to the electrolyte/anode dual-layer counterpart (5.24 N). Gas-tightness of the electrolyte layer is also considerably increased as AFL contributes to better-matched sintering behaviours between different components. Moreover, the formation of an AFL simultaneously with electrolyte and anode significantly improves the cell performances. The sample with the thinnest AFL (approximately 16.9 μm, 6% of the total anode thickness) leads to a 30% (from 0.89 to 1.21 W cm-2) increase in maximum power density, due to increased triple-phase boundaries (TPB). However, further increase in TPB from a thicker AFL is less effective for improving the cell performance, due to the substantially increased fuel diffusion resistance and subsequently higher concentration polarization. This indicates that the control over the AFL thickness is critically important in avoiding offsetting the benefits of extended TPB and consequently decreased cell performances.

Vertical leaf mass per area gradient of mature sugar maple reflects both height-driven increases in vascular tissue and light-driven increases in palisade layer thickness.

PubMed

Coble, Adam P; Cavaleri, Molly A

2017-10-01

A key trait used in canopy and ecosystem function modeling, leaf mass per area (LMA), is influenced by changes in both leaf thickness and leaf density (LMA = Thickness × Density). In tall trees, LMA is understood to increase with height through two primary mechanisms: (i) increasing palisade layer thickness (and thus leaf thickness) in response to light and/or (ii) reduced cell expansion and intercellular air space in response to hydrostatic constraints, leading to increased leaf density. Our objective was to investigate within-canopy gradients in leaf anatomical traits in order to understand environmental factors that influence leaf morphology in a sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marshall) forest canopy. We teased apart the effects of light and height on anatomical traits by sampling at exposed and closed canopies that had different light conditions at similar heights. As expected, palisade layer thickness responded strongly to cumulative light exposure. Mesophyll porosity, however, was weakly and negatively correlated with light and height (i.e., hydrostatic gradients). Reduced mesophyll porosity was not likely caused by limitations on cell expansion; in fact, epidermal cell width increased with height. Palisade layer thickness was better related to LMA, leaf density and leaf thickness than was mesophyll porosity. Vein diameter and fraction of vascular tissue also increased with height and LMA, density and thickness, revealing that greater investment in vascular and support tissue may be a third mechanism for increased LMA with height. Overall, decreasing mesophyll porosity with height was likely due to palisade cells expanding into the available air space and also greater investments in vascular and support tissue, rather than a reduction of cell expansion due to hydrostatic constraints. Our results provide evidence that light influences both palisade layer thickness and mesophyll porosity and indicate that hydrostatic gradients influence leaf vascular and support tissues in mature Acer saccharum trees. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Region-specific ischemia, neovascularization and macular oedema in treatment-naïve proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PubMed

Lange, Jason; Hadziahmetovic, Majda; Zhang, Jingfa; Li, Weiye

2018-02-07

Region-specific pathology in proliferative diabetic retinopathy enhances our understanding and management of this disease. To investigate non-perfusion, neovascularization and macular oedema. A cross-sectional, observational, non-randomized study. Consecutive 43 eyes of 27 treatment-naïve patients. Ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography for studying specific zones, that is, far-peripheral zone, mid-peripheral zone and central retina (cr), and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography for analysing thickness of macular layers. Non-perfusion index (NPI) and neovascularization index (NVI) in different zones, thickness of cr, retinal nerve fibre layer, ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner nuclear layer (INL) and outer plexiform layer in parafoveal regions. The NPI of far-periphery and NVI of mid-periphery were the highest by one-way analysis of variance testing. Ischemic retina defined as high NPI in far-periphery was significantly related to macular oedema via a binary classification approach (P < 0.05). The ischemic retina was correlated with a decreased thickness of both retinal nerve fibre and GCL (P < 0.05); macular oedema was correlated with increased INL thickness (P < 0.0001). The region-specific correlation of NPI of far-periphery and NVI of mid-periphery, but not with central retinal thickness, suggests different pathogeneses of neovascularization and macular oedema. Retinal nerve fibre layer and GCL, both biomarkers of diabetic retinal neuronopathy, are associated with retinal ischemia, but not with macular oedema, suggesting that diabetic microangiopathy and neuronopathy possess distinct pathogenic pathways. The strong correlation between macular oedema and INL indicates that intracellular oedema is a determining factor of diabetic macular oedema. © 2018 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

Spin-coated epoxy resin embedding technique enables facile SEM/FIB thickness determination of porous metal oxide ultra-thin films.

PubMed

Peña, B; Owen, G Rh; Dettelbach, K E; Berlinguette, C P

2018-01-25

A facile nonsubjective method was designed to measure porous nonconductive iron oxide film thickness using a combination of a focused ion beam (FIB) and scanning electron microscopy. Iron oxide films are inherently nonconductive and porous, therefore the objective of this investigation was to optimize a methodology that would increase the conductivity of the film to facilitate high resolution imaging with a scanning electron microscopy and to preserve the porous nature of the film that could potentially be damaged by the energy of the FIB. Sputter coating the sample with a thin layer of iridium before creating the cross section with the FIB decreased sample charging and drifting, but differentiating the iron layer from the iridium coating with backscattered electron imaging was not definitive, making accurate assumptions of the delineation between the two metals difficult. Moreover, the porous nature of the film was lost due to beam damage following the FIB process. A thin layer plastication technique was therefore used to embed the porous film in epoxy resin that would provide support for the film during the FIB process. However, the thickness of the resin created using conventional thin layer plastication processing varied across the sample, making the measuring process only possible in areas where the resin layer was at its thinnest. Such variation required navigating the area for ideal milling areas, which increased the subjectivity of the process. We present a method to create uniform thin resin layers, of controlled thickness, that are ideal for quantifying the thickness of porous nonconductive films with FIB/scanning electron microscopy. © 2018 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2018 Royal Microscopical Society.

Deposition and Characterization of HVOF Thermal Sprayed Functionally Graded Coatings Deposited onto a Lightweight Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasan, M.; Stokes, J.; Looney, L.; Hashmi, M. S. J.

2009-02-01

There is a significant interest in lightweight materials (like aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and so on) containing a wear resistance coating, in such industries as the automotive industry, to replace heavy components with lighter parts in order to decrease vehicle weight and increase fuel efficiency. Functionally graded coatings, in which the composition, microstructure, and/or properties vary gradually from the bond coat to the top coat, may be applied to lightweight materials, not only to decrease weight, but also to enhance components mechanical properties by ensuring gradual microstructural (changes) together with lower residual stress. In the current work, aluminum/tool-steel functionally graded coatings were deposited onto lightweight aluminum substrates. The graded coatings were then characterized in terms of residual stress and hardness. Results show that residual stress increased with an increase in deposition thickness and a decrease in number of layers. However, the hardness also increased with an increase in deposition thickness and decrease in number of layers. Therefore, an engineer must compromise between the hardness and stress values while designing a functionally graded coating-substrate system.

Effect of the seed layer on the Y0.5Gd0.5Ba2Cu3O7-σ film fabricated by PLD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Yanjie; Wang, Wei; Liu, Linfei; Lu, Saidan; Wu, Xiang; Zheng, Tong; Liu, Shunfan; Li, Yijie

2018-06-01

The surface morphology and internal residual stress have influence on the critical current density (Jc) of REBa2Cu3O7-σ (REBCO) coated conductor. In order to modulate them, a series of Y0.5Gd0.5Ba2Cu3O7-σ (YGBCO) films were prepared by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) through introducing a seed layer in this paper. The thicknesses of seed layer changes from about 2 nm to 30 nm. For comparison, a standard sample without seed layer was fabricated at the same deposition condition. The surface morphology was illustrated by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface roughness was scanned by Atomic force microscopy (AFM). The microstructure and internal strain were measured by X-ray Diffraction (XRD). DC four-probe method was used to measure the critical current of the samples at 77 K and self-field. As a result, all samples have high Jc of about 4 MA/cm2, while the self-field Jc of the YGBCO films can be promoted by the seed layer. The results of our research work are as follows. First of all, seed layer makes the deposition of the YGBCO layer much easier to control. By this way, we can decrease the surface roughness of the samples. Furthermore, the internal residual stress of the YGBCO films with seed layer decrease. Finally, the best thickness of the seed layer was found by summarizing and analyzing the conditions of seed layer.

Wear and corrosion resistance of electroforming layer after WEDM for 7075 aluminum alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Jinkai; Qiu, Rongxian; Lian, Zhongxu; Yu, Zhanjiang; Yu, Peng; Ren, Wanfei; Yu, Huadong

2018-06-01

In order to investigate the influence of the recast layer obtained by wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) for 7075 aluminum alloy on the mechanical physical properties of the workpiece, we carried out research on the geometry parameters, microstructure, adhesion, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the recast layer. The results show that the unit thermal power density decreases, the surface roughness Ra value increases, and the amount of the electric erosion craters and the micro/nano pits decrease with the increase of current and voltage. In the meantime, the thickness and hardness of the recast layer are increased, so the wear resistance and corrosion resistance are significantly improved. In addition, the surface hardness plays a major role in increasing wear resistance.

Structural and Magnetic Properties of LaCoO3/SrTiO3 Multilayers.

PubMed

Zhang, Hongrui; Zhang, Jing; Yang, Huaiwen; Lan, Qianqian; Hong, Deshun; Wang, Shufang; Shen, Xi; Khan, Tahira; Yu, Richeng; Sun, Jirong; Shen, Baogen

2016-07-20

Structural and magnetic properties of the LaCoO3/SrTiO3 (LCO/STO) multilayers (MLs) with a fixed STO layer of 4 nm but varied LCO layer thicknesses have been systematically studied. The MLs grown on Sr0.7La0.3Al0.65Ta0.35O3 (LSAT) and SrTiO3 (STO) exhibit the in-plane lattice constant of the substrates, but those on LaAlO3 (LAO) show the in-plane lattice constant between those of the first two kinds of MLs. Compared with the LCO single layer (SL), the magnetic order of the MLs is significantly enhanced, as demonstrated by a very slow decrease, which is fast for the SL, of the Curie temperature and the saturation magnetization as the LCO layer thickness decreases. For example, clear ferromagnetic order is observed in the ML with the LCO layer of ∼1.5 nm, whereas it vanishes below ∼6 nm for the LCO SL. This result is consistent with the observation that the dark stripes, which are believed to be closely related to the magnetic order, remain clear in the MLs while they are vague in the corresponding LCO SL. The present work suggests a novel route to tune the magnetism of perovskite oxide films.

Investigation of Fumed Silica/Aqueous NaCl Superdielectric Material.

PubMed

Jenkins, Natalie; Petty, Clayton; Phillips, Jonathan

2016-02-20

A constant current charge/discharge protocol which showed fumed silica filled to the point of incipient wetness with aqueous NaCl solution to have dielectric constants >10⁸ over the full range of dielectric thicknesses of 0.38-3.9 mm and discharge times of 0.25->100 s was studied, making this material another example of a superdielectric. The dielectric constant was impacted by both frequency and thickness. For time to discharge greater than 10 s the dielectric constant for all thicknesses needed to be fairly constant, always >10⁸, although trending higher with increasing thickness. At shorter discharge times the dielectric constant consistently decreased, with decreasing time to discharge. Hence, it is reasonable to suggest that for time to discharge >10 s the dielectric constant at all thicknesses will be greater than 10⁸. This in turn implies an energy density for a 5 micron thick dielectric layer in the order of 350 J/cm³ for discharge times greater than 10 s.

Investigation of Fumed Silica/Aqueous NaCl Superdielectric Material

PubMed Central

Jenkins, Natalie; Petty, Clayton; Phillips, Jonathan

2016-01-01

A constant current charge/discharge protocol which showed fumed silica filled to the point of incipient wetness with aqueous NaCl solution to have dielectric constants >108 over the full range of dielectric thicknesses of 0.38–3.9 mm and discharge times of 0.25–>100 s was studied, making this material another example of a superdielectric. The dielectric constant was impacted by both frequency and thickness. For time to discharge greater than 10 s the dielectric constant for all thicknesses needed to be fairly constant, always >109, although trending higher with increasing thickness. At shorter discharge times the dielectric constant consistently decreased, with decreasing time to discharge. Hence, it is reasonable to suggest that for time to discharge >10 s the dielectric constant at all thicknesses will be greater than 109. This in turn implies an energy density for a 5 micron thick dielectric layer in the order of 350 J/cm3 for discharge times greater than 10 s. PMID:28787918

Extreme IR absorption in group IV-SiGeSn core-shell nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Attiaoui, Anis; Wirth, Stephan; Blanchard-Dionne, André-Pierre; Meunier, Michel; Hartmann, J. M.; Buca, Dan; Moutanabbir, Oussama

2018-06-01

Sn-containing Si and Ge (Ge1-y-xSixSny) alloys are an emerging family of semiconductors with the potential to impact group IV material-based devices. These semiconductors provide the ability to independently engineer both the lattice parameter and bandgap, which holds the premise to develop enhanced or novel photonic and electronic devices. With this perspective, we present detailed investigations of the influence of Ge1-y-xSixSny layers on the optical properties of Si and Ge based heterostructures and nanowires. We found that by adding a thin Ge1-y-xSixSny capping layer on Si or Ge greatly enhances light absorption especially in the near infrared range, leading to an increase in short-circuit current density. For the Ge1-y-xSixSny structure at thicknesses below 30 nm, a 14-fold increase in the short-circuit current is observed with respect to bare Si. This enhancement decreases by reducing the capping layer thickness. Conversely, decreasing the shell thickness was found to improve the short-circuit current in Si/Ge1-y-xSixSny and Ge/Ge1-y-xSixSny core/shell nanowires. The optical absorption becomes very important by increasing the Sn content. Moreover, by exploiting an optical antenna effect, these nanowires show extreme light absorption, reaching an enhancement factor, with respect to Si or Ge nanowires, on the order of 104 in Si/Ge0.84Si0.04Sn0.12 and 12 in Ge/Ge0.84Si0.04Sn0.12. Furthermore, we analyzed the optical response after the addition of a dielectric layer of Si3N4 to the Si/Ge1-y-xSixSny core-shell nanowire and found approximatively a 50% increase in the short-circuit current density for a dielectric layer of thickness equal to 45 nm and both a core radius and a shell thickness greater than 40 nm. The core-shell optical antenna benefits from a multiplication of enhancements contributed by leaky mode resonances in the semiconductor part and antireflection effects in the dielectric part.

Two-layer Crustal Structure of the Contiguous United States from Joint Inversion of USArray Receiver Functions and Gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, X.; Lowry, A. R.

2015-12-01

The composition and thickness of crustal layering is fundamental to understanding the evolution and dynamics of continental lithosphere. Lowry and Pérez-Gussinyé (2011) found that the western Cordillera of the United States, characterized by active deformation and high heat flow, is strongly correlated with low bulk crustal seismic velocity ratio. They interpreted this observation as evidence that quartz controls continental tectonism and deformation. We will present new imaging of two-layer crustal composition and structure from cross-correlation of observed receiver functions and model synthetics. The cross-correlation coefficient of the two-layer model increases significantly relative to an assumed one-layer model, and the lower crustal thickness map from raw two-layer modeling (prior to Bayesian filtering with gravity models and Optimal Interpolation) clearly shows Colorado plateau and Appalachian boundaries, which are not apparent in upper crustal models, and also the high vP/vS fill the most of middle continental region while low vP/vS are on the west and east continental edge. In the presentation, we will show results of a new algorithm for joint Bayesian inversion of thickness and vP/vS of two-layer continental crustal structure. Recent thermodynamical modeling of geophysical models based on lab experiment data (Guerri et al., 2015) found that a large impedance contrast can be expected in the midcrust due to a phase transition that decreases plagioclase and increases clinopyroxene, without invoking any change in crustal chemistry. The depth of the transition depends on pressure, temperature and hydration, and in this presentation we will compare predictions of layer thicknesses and vP/vS predicted by mineral thermodynamics to those we observe in the USArray footprint.

Temperature- and frequency-dependent dielectric behaviors of insulator/semiconductor (Al2O3/ZnO) nanolaminates with various ZnO thicknesses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jin; Bi, Xiaofang

2016-07-01

Al2O3/ZnO nanolaminates (NLs) with various ZnO sublayer thicknesses were prepared by atomic layer deposition. The Al2O3 sublayers are characterized as amorphous and the ZnO sublayers have an oriented polycrystalline structure. As the ZnO thickness decreases to a certain value, each NL exhibits a critical temperature at which its dielectric constant starts to rise quickly. Moreover, this temperature increases as the ZnO thickness is decreased further. On the other hand, the permittivity demonstrates a large value of several hundred at a frequency  ⩽1000 Hz, followed by a steplike decrease at a higher frequency. The change in the cut-off frequency with ZnO thickness is characterized by a hook function. It is revealed that the Coulomb confinement effect becomes predominant in the dielectric behaviors of the NLs with very thin ZnO. As the ZnO thickness decreases to about the same as or even smaller than the Bohr radius of ZnO, a great change in the carrier concentration and effective mass of ZnO is induced, which is shown to be responsible for the peculiar dielectric behaviors of Al2O3/ZnO with very thin ZnO. These findings provide insight into the prevailing mechanisms to optimize the dielectric properties of semiconductor/insulator laminates with nanoscale sublayer thickness.

Fabrication of stable, wide-bandgap thin films of Mg, Zn and O

DOEpatents

Katiyar, Ram S.; Bhattacharya, Pijush; Das, Rasmi R.

2006-07-25

A stable, wide-bandgap (approximately 6 eV) ZnO/MgO multilayer thin film is fabricated using pulsed-laser deposition on c-plane Al₂O₃ substrates. Layers of ZnO alternate with layers of MgO. The thickness of MgO is a constant of approximately 1 nm; the thicknesses of ZnO layers vary from approximately 0.75 to 2.5 nm. Abrupt structural transitions from hexagonal to cubic phase follow a decrease in the thickness of ZnO sublayers within this range. The band gap of the thin films is also influenced by the crystalline structure of multilayer stacks. Thin films with hexagonal and cubic structure have band-gap values of 3.5 and 6 eV, respectively. In the hexagonal phase, Mg content of the films is approximately 40%; in the cubic phase Mg content is approximately 60%. The thin films are stable and their structural and optical properties are unaffected by annealing at 750.degree. C.

Static Buckling Model Tests and Elasto-plastic Finite Element Analysis of a Pile in Layers with Various Thicknesses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okajima, Kenji; Imai, Junichi; Tanaka, Tadatsugu; Iida, Toshiaki

Damage to piles in the liquefied ground is frequently reported. Buckling by the excess vertical load could be one of the causes of the pile damage, as well as the lateral flow of the ground and the lateral load at the pile head. The buckling mechanism is described as a complicated interaction between the pile deformation by the vertical load and the earth pressure change cased by the pile deformation. In this study, series of static buckling model tests of a pile were carried out in dried sand ground with various thickness of the layer. Finite element analysis was applied to the test results to verify the effectiveness of the elasto-plastic finite element analysis combining the implicit-explicit mixed type dynamic relaxation method with the return mapping method to the pile buckling problems. The test results and the analysis indicated the possibility that the buckling load of a pile decreases greatly where the thickness of the layer increases.

Effect of substrates and thickness on optical properties in atomic layer deposition grown ZnO thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pal, Dipayan; Singhal, Jaya; Mathur, Aakash; Singh, Ajaib; Dutta, Surjendu; Zollner, Stefan; Chattopadhyay, Sudeshna

2017-11-01

Atomic Layer Deposition technique was used to grow high quality, very low roughness, crystalline, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) thin films on silicon (Si) and fused quartz (SiO2) substrates to study the optical properties. Spectroscopic ellipsometry results of ZnO/Si system, staggered type-II quantum well, demonstrate that there is a significant drop in the magnitudes of both the real and imaginary parts of complex dielectric constants and in near-band gap absorption along with a blue shift of the absorption edge with decreasing film thickness at and below ∼20 nm. Conversely, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy of ZnO/SiO2, thin type-I quantum well, consisting of a narrower-band gap semiconductor grown on a wider-band gap (insulator) substrate, shows the similar thickness dependent blue-shift of the absorption edge but with an increase in the magnitude of near-band gap absorption with decreasing film thickness. Thickness dependent blue shift, energy vs. 1/d2, in two different systems, ZnO/Si and ZnO/SiO2, show a difference in their slopes. The observed phenomena can be consistently explained by the corresponding exciton (or carrier/s) deconfinement and confinement effects at the ZnO/Si and ZnO/SiO2 interface respectively, where Tanguy-Elliott amplitude pre-factor plays the key role through the electron-hole overlap factor at the interface.

Application of porous silicon in solar cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maniya, Nalin H.; Ashokan, Jibinlal; Srivastava, Divesh N.

2018-05-01

Silicon is widely used in solar cell applications with over 95% of all solar cells produced worldwide composed of silicon. Nanostructured thin porous silicon (PSi) layer acting as anti-reflecting coating is used in photovoltaic solar cells due to its advantages including simple and low cost fabrication, highly textured surfaces enabling lowering of reflectance, controllability of thickness and porosity of layer, and high surface area. PSi layers have previously been reported to reduce the reflection of light and replaced the conventional anti-reflective coating layers on solar cells. This can essentially improve the efficiency and decrease the cost of silicon solar cells. Here, we investigate the reflectance of different PSi layers formed by varying current density and etching time. PSi layers were formed by a combination of current density including 60 and 80 mA/cm2 and time for fabrication as 2, 4, 6, and 8 seconds. The fabricated PSi layers were characterized using reflectance spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Thickness and pore size of PSi layer were increased with increase in etching time and current density, respectively. The reflectance of PSi layers was decreased with increase in etching time until 6 seconds and increased again after 6 seconds, which was observed across both the current density. Reduction in reflectance indicates the increase of absorption of light by silicon due to the thin PSi layer. In comparison with the reflectance of silicon wafer, PSi layer fabricated at 80 mA/cm2 for 6 seconds gave the best result with reduction in reflectance up to 57%. Thus, the application of PSi layer as an effective anti-reflecting coating for the fabrication of solar cell has been demonstrated.

Corrosion Behavior of Weathering Steel Under Thin Electrolyte Layer at Different Relative Humidity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Yan; Liu, Pan; Zhang, Jianqing; Cao, Fahe

2018-01-01

The corrosion behavior of weathering steel under thin electrolyte layer (TEL) at different relative humidity (RH) was investigated by cathodic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, electrochemical noise, SEM/EDS, XRD and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that during the initial stage, the corrosion rate increases as the RH decreases when the initial thickness of TEL is above 100 μm. During the middle and final corrosion stages, the corrosion behavior of weathering steel is influenced by RH, the initial thickness of TEL and corrosion product. The TEL corrosion is divided into three types, and a weathering steel corrosion model under TEL and bulk solution is also proposed.

Characteristics of a-IGZO/ITO hybrid layer deposited by magnetron sputtering.

PubMed

Bang, Joon-Ho; Park, Hee-Woo; Cho, Sang-Hyun; Song, Pung-Keun

2012-04-01

Transparent a-IGZO (In-Ga-Zn-O) films have been actively studied for use in the fabrication of high-quality TFTs. In this study, a-IGZO films and a-IGZO/ITO double layers were deposited by DC magnetron sputtering under various oxygen flow rates. The a-IGZO films showed an amorphous structure up to 500 degrees C. The deposition rate of these films decreased with an increase in the amount of oxygen gas. The amount of indium atoms in the film was confirmed to be 11.4% higher than the target. The resistivity of double layer follows the rules for parallel DC circuits The maximum Hall mobility of the a-IGZO/ITO double layers was found to be 37.42 cm2/V x N s. The electrical properties of the double layers were strongly dependent on their thickness ratio. The IGZO/ITO double layer was subjected to compressive stress, while the ITO/IGZO double layer was subjected to tensile stress. The bending tolerance was found to depend on the a-IGZO thickness.

The study of multilayer anti-reflection coating in InSb focal plane detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Kelin; Wei, Peng; Wang, Liwen; Su, Xianjun; Wang, Haizhen

2016-10-01

In manufacturing of InSb focal plane detector, InSb chip have to be polished from backside to reduce its thickness and then be plated a layer of coating to decrease its reflection (enhance its transmittance) for infrared ray. Moreover, the anti-reflection coating has to be multilayer for more anti-reflection bandwidth. In this article, it is introduced that the optimal design of triple layer λ/4 anti-reflection coating——the anodic oxide, SiNx and MgF2. The best thickness range of each layer and its theoretical reflective index are calculated from simulation software, until the refractive index of each layer has been measured by ellipsometer. And then the transmissivity and reflectivity of the triple layer coating are measured for testing and verifying its performance on the transmittance and reflection. In the end, the anti-reflective effect of the triple layer coating and monolayer SiNx coating are respectively measured and compared by infrared focal plane array measurement system. And it is showed that this triple layer coating achieved more anti-reflection bandwidth and better anti reflective effect.

Theoretical modeling of electroosmotic flow in soft microchannels: A variational approach applied to the rectangular geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sadeghi, Arman

2018-03-01

Modeling of fluid flow in polyelectrolyte layer (PEL)-grafted microchannels is challenging due to their two-layer nature. Hence, the pertinent studies are limited only to circular and slit geometries for which matching the solutions for inside and outside the PEL is simple. In this paper, a simple variational-based approach is presented for the modeling of fully developed electroosmotic flow in PEL-grafted microchannels by which the whole fluidic area is considered as a single porous medium of variable properties. The model is capable of being applied to microchannels of a complex cross-sectional area. As an application of the method, it is applied to a rectangular microchannel of uniform PEL properties. It is shown that modeling a rectangular channel as a slit may lead to considerable overestimation of the mean velocity especially when both the PEL and electric double layer (EDL) are thick. It is also demonstrated that the mean velocity is an increasing function of the fixed charge density and PEL thickness and a decreasing function of the EDL thickness and PEL friction coefficient. The influence of the PEL thickness on the mean velocity, however, vanishes when both the PEL thickness and friction coefficient are sufficiently high.

Methods To Determine the Silicone Oil Layer Thickness in Sprayed-On Siliconized Syringes.

PubMed

Loosli, Viviane; Germershaus, Oliver; Steinberg, Henrik; Dreher, Sascha; Grauschopf, Ulla; Funke, Stefanie

2018-01-01

The silicone lubricant layer in prefilled syringes has been investigated with regards to siliconization process performance, prefilled syringe functionality, and drug product attributes, such as subvisible particle levels, in several studies in the past. However, adequate methods to characterize the silicone oil layer thickness and distribution are limited, and systematic evaluation is missing. In this study, white light interferometry was evaluated to close this gap in method understanding. White light interferometry demonstrated a good accuracy of 93-99% for MgF 2 coated, curved standards covering a thickness range of 115-473 nm. Thickness measurements for sprayed-on siliconized prefilled syringes with different representative silicone oil distribution patterns (homogeneous, pronounced siliconization at flange or needle side, respectively) showed high instrument (0.5%) and analyst precision (4.1%). Different white light interferometry instrument parameters (autofocus, protective shield, syringe barrel dimensions input, type of non-siliconized syringe used as base reference) had no significant impact on the measured average layer thickness. The obtained values from white light interferometry applying a fully developed method (12 radial lines, 50 mm measurement distance, 50 measurements points) were in agreement with orthogonal results from combined white and laser interferometry and 3D-laser scanning microscopy. The investigated syringe batches (lot A and B) exhibited comparable longitudinal silicone oil layer thicknesses ranging from 170-190 nm to 90-100 nm from flange to tip and homogeneously distributed silicone layers over the syringe barrel circumference (110- 135 nm). Empty break-loose (4-4.5 N) and gliding forces (2-2.5 N) were comparably low for both analyzed syringe lots. A silicone oil layer thickness of 100-200 nm was thus sufficient for adequate functionality in this particular study. Filling the syringe with a surrogate solution including short-term exposure and emptying did not significantly influence the silicone oil layer at the investigated silicone level. It thus appears reasonable to use this approach to characterize silicone oil layers in filled syringes over time. The developed method characterizes non-destructively the layer thickness and distribution of silicone oil in empty syringes and provides fast access to reliable results. The gained information can be further used to support optimization of siliconization processes and increase the understanding of syringe functionality. LAY ABSTRACT: Silicone oil layers as lubricant are required to ensure functionality of prefilled syringes. Methods evaluating these layers are limited, and systematic evaluation is missing. The aim of this study was to develop and assess white light interferometry as an analytical method to characterize sprayed-on silicone oil layers in 1 mL prefilled syringes. White light interferometry showed a good accuracy (93-99%) as well as instrument and analyst precision (0.5% and 4.1%, respectively). Different applied instrument parameters had no significant impact on the measured layer thickness. The obtained values from white light interferometry applying a fully developed method concurred with orthogonal results from 3D-laser scanning microscopy and combined white light and laser interferometry. The average layer thicknesses in two investigated syringe lots gradually decreased from 170-190 nm at the flange to 100-90 nm at the needle side. The silicone layers were homogeneously distributed over the syringe barrel circumference (110-135 nm) for both lots. Empty break-loose (4-4.5 N) and gliding forces (2-2.5 N) were comparably low for both analyzed syringe lots. Syringe filling with a surrogate solution, including short-term exposure and emptying, did not significantly affect the silicone oil layer. The developed, non-destructive method provided reliable results to characterize the silicone oil layer thickness and distribution in empty siliconized syringes. This information can be further used to support optimization of siliconization processes and increase understanding of syringe functionality. © PDA, Inc. 2018.

Orientation-dependent energy level alignment and film growth of 2,7-diocty[1]benzothieno[3,2-b]benzothiophene (C8-BTBT) on HOPG

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lyu, Lu; Niu, Dongmei, E-mail: mayee@csu.edu.cnmailto; Xie, Haipeng

Combining ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction measurements, we performed a systematic investigation on the correlation of energy level alignment, film growth, and molecular orientation of 2,7-diocty[1]benzothieno[3,2-b]benzothiophene (C8-BTBT) on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. The molecules lie down in the first layer and then stand up from the second layer. The ionization potential shows a sharp decrease from the lying down region to the standing up region. When C8-BTBT molecules start standing up, unconventional energy level band-bending-like shifts are observed as the film thickness increases. These shifts are ascribed to gradual decreasing of the molecularmore » tilt angle about the substrate normal with the increasing film thickness.« less

Electro-architected porous platinum on metallic multijunction nanolayers to optimize their optical properties for infrared sensor application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stanca, Sarmiza Elena; Hänschke, Frank; Zieger, Gabriel; Dellith, Jan; Dellith, Andrea; Ihring, Andreas; Belkner, Johannes; Meyer, Hans-Georg

2018-03-01

Tailoring the physicochemical properties of the metallic multijunction nanolayers is a prerequisite for the development of microelectronics. From this perspective, a desired lower reflectance of infrared radiation was achieved by an electrochemical deposition of porous platinum in nonaqueous media on silver mirror supported nickel-chrome and nickel-titanium metallic films with incremental decreasing thicknesses from 80-10 nm. The electro-assembled architectures were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and it was observed that the layer and sublayer thicknesses and resistivities have a substantial effect upon the porous platinum morphology and its optical properties. It is here reported that the augmentation of the metallic layer electrical conductivity determines the electroformation of more compact platinum nanolayers. Moreover, the platinum black coating of metallic nanolayers causes a considerable decrease of the reflectance in the region from 1000-8000 cm-1.

Investigation of magnetization dynamics damping in Ni80Fe20/Nd-Cu bilayer at room temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Wei; Fu, Qiang; Qian, Qian; Chen, Qian; Liu, Wanling; Zhou, Xiaochao; Yuan, Honglei; Yue, Jinjin; Huang, Zhaocong; Jiang, Sheng; Kou, Zhaoxia; Zhai, Ya

2018-05-01

Focusing on the Ni80Fe20 (Py)/Nd-Cu bilayers, the magnetization dynamic damping from spin pumping effect is investigated systematically by doping itinerant Cu in rear earth metal Nd. Various Ta/Py/Nd1-xCux/Ta/Si films with x = 0%, 16%, 38%, 46% and 58% are prepared by magnetron sputtering. For every content of Cu, the thickness of Nd-Cu layer is changed from 1 nm to 32 nm. The damping coefficient increases with increasing the thickness of Nd-Cu layer, which shows the trend of the spin pumping behavior. Also, with increasing Cu concentration in the Nd-Cu layer, the damping coefficient decreases, implying that the spin-orbit coupling in Nd-Cu layer is indeed cut down by high itinerant of Cu dopants. It is interesting that the spin diffusion length (λSD) in the Nd-Cu layer for different Cu dopants is not found to increase monotonously.

Influences of urea and sodium nitrite on surface coating of plasma electrolytic oxidation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeh, Shang-Chun; Tsai, Dah-Shyang; Guan, Sheng-Yong; Chou, Chen-Chia

2015-11-01

Urea and sodium nitrite are generally viewed as nitridation additives in the electrolyte for plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) of aluminum alloys. We study the influences of these two convenient chemicals in presence of sodium aluminate and find very different effects on film growth. Urea addition enhances the nitrogen content of PEO layer, diminishes the layer thickness, increases the porosity, interferes with the α-alumina formation, and promotes precipitation in the electrolyte. Hence, the electrolytic urea content ought to be maintained less than 45 g dm-3. On the other hand, sodium nitrite behaves like an oxidation additive, more than a nitridation additive. NaNO2 addition effectively introduces nitrogen in the PEO layer at low concentration, yet the nitrogen content of oxide layer decreases with increasing NaNO2 concentration. The effects of NaNO2, such as increasing layer thickness, reducing porosity, promoting α-alumina formation are attributed to oxidation enhancement, not because of nitridation.

The effect of a hyperdynamic environment on the development of the rat retina

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murakami, D. M.; Fuller, C. A.

1985-01-01

The effects of a 2 G field on the retinal development of the layers in the rat and central visual system nuclei are investigated. The thickness of the retinal layers, ganglion cells, and brains of male and female Wistar rats suspended from an 18 foot diameter centrifuge creating a 2 G field are evaluated and compared with a control group. A decrease in the thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) of 37.1 percent, of 58.5 percent in the inner nuclear layer (INL), and of 28.8 percent in the inner plexiform layer (IPL), and a reduction in body weight are observed in the 2-G rats. The data reveal that the ganglion cells and visual system nuclei activity correspond well with the control data; however, the medial terminal nucleus (MTN) activity is inhibited in the 2-G rats. It is concluded that the differences in ONL and IPL are attributed to body weight reduction, but the INL and MTN are affected by the 2-G conditions.

On the Goertler instability in hypersonic flows: Sutherland law fluids and real gas effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fu, Yibin B.; Hall, Philip; Blackaby, Nicholas D.

1990-01-01

The Goertler vortex instability mechanism in a hypersonic boundary layer on a curved wall is investigated. The precise roles of the effects of boundary layer growth, wall cooling, and gas dissociation is clarified in the determination of stability properties. It is first assumed that the fluid is an ideal gas with viscosity given by Sutherland's law. It is shown that when the free stream Mach number M is large, the boundary layer divides into two sublayers: a wall layer of O(M sup 3/2) thickness over which the basic state temperature is O(M squared) and a temperature adjustment layer of O(1) thickness over which the basic state temperature decreases monotonically to its free stream value. Goertler vortices which have wavelengths comparable with the boundary layer thickness are referred to as wall modes. It is shown that their downstream evolution is governed by a set of parabolic partial differential equations and that they have the usual features of Goertler vortices in incompressible boundary layers. As the local wavenumber increases, the neutral Goertler number decreases and the center of vortex activity moves towards the temperature adjustment layer. Goertler vortices with wavenumbers of order one or larger must necessarily be trapped in the temperature adjustment layer and it is this mode which is most dangerous. For this mode, it was found that the leading order term in the Goertler number expansion is independent of the wavenumber and is due to the curvature of the basic state. This term is also the asymptotic limit of the neutral Goertler numbers of the wall mode. To determine the higher order corrections terms in the Goertler number expansion, two wall curvature cases are distinguished. Real gas effects were investigated by assuming that the fluid is an ideal dissociating gas. It was found that both gas dissociation and wall cooling are destabilizing for the mode trapped in the temperature adjustment layer, but for the wall mode trapped near the wall the effect of gas dissociation can be either destabilizing or stabilizing.

Gasdynamic simulations of the solar wind interaction with Venus - Boundary layer formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGary, J. E.

1993-05-01

A 2D gasdynamic simulation of the mass-loaded solar wind flow around the dayside of Venus is presented. For average ionopause conditions near 300 km, the simulations show that mass loading from the pickup of oxygen ions produces a boundary layer of finite thickness along the ionopause. Within this layer and toward the ionopause, the temperature decreases and the total mass density increases significantly. Furthermore, there is a shear in the bulk flow velocity across the boundary layer, such that the tangential flow decreases in speed as the ionopause is approached and remains low along the ionopause which is consistent with Pioneer Venus observations. Numerical simulations are carried out for various mass addition rates and demonstrate that the boundary layer develops when oxygen ion production exceeds approximately 2 x 10 exp 5/cu m per s.

Ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness according to myopia and optic disc area: a quantitative and three-dimensional analysis.

PubMed

Seo, Sam; Lee, Chong Eun; Jeong, Jae Hoon; Park, Ki Ho; Kim, Dong Myung; Jeoung, Jin Wook

2017-03-11

To determine the influences of myopia and optic disc size on ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness profiles obtained by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). One hundred and sixty-eight eyes of 168 young myopic subjects were recruited and assigned to one of three groups according to their spherical equivalent (SE) values and optic disc area. All underwent Cirrus HD-OCT imaging. The influences of myopia and optic disc size on the GCIPL and RNFL thickness profiles were evaluated by multiple comparisons and linear regression analysis. Three-dimensional surface plots of GCIPL and RNFL thickness corresponding to different combinations of myopia and optic disc size were constructed. Each of the quadrant RNFL thicknesses and their overall average were significantly thinner in high myopia compared to low myopia, except for the temporal quadrant (all Ps ≤0.003). The average and all-sectors GCIPL were significantly thinner in high myopia than in moderate- and/or low-myopia (all Ps ≤0.002). The average OCT RNFL thickness was correlated significantly with SE (0.81 μm/diopter, P < 0.001), axial length (-1.44 μm/mm, P < 0.001), and optic disc area (5.35 μm/mm 2 , P < 0.001) by linear regression analysis. As for the OCT GCIPL parameters, average GCIPL thickness showed a significant correlation with SE (0.84 μm/diopter, P < 0.001) and axial length (-1.65 μm/mm, P < 0.001). There was no significant correlation of average GCIPL thickness with optic disc area. Three-dimensional curves showed that larger optic discs were associated with increased average RNFL thickness and that more-myopic eyes were associated with decreased average GCIPL and RNFL thickness. Myopia can significantly affect GCIPL and RNFL thickness profiles, and optic disc size has a significant influence on RNFL thickness. The current OCT maps employed in the evaluation of glaucoma should be analyzed in consideration of refractive status and optic disc size.

Lateral evolution of the deep crustal structure of the Lesser Antilles Island arc from wide-angle seismic modelling.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klingelhoefer, F.; Laurencin, M.; Marcaillou, B.; Graindorge, D.; Evain, M.; Lebrun, J. F.

2016-12-01

One of the goals of the Antithesis cruises (2013 and 2016) was investigating the deep structure of the Lesser Antilles subduction zone in order to: 1) constrain the possible along-strike variations of deep margin structures and slab geometry, 2) assess the nature of the crust and 3) discuss the potential impact of these structures on seismic hazard. Four combined wide-angle and multichannel seismic profiles were acquired between Barbuda and the Virgin Islands using 66 ocean bottom seismometers, a 4.5 km digital streamer and a 7200 cu inch seismic source. Along every line, we performed forward modelling of the wide-angle seismic data, gravity models and synthetic data calculations. The 5-7-km-thick subducting Atlantic oceanic plate is modelled with a single layer along every profile. The sedimentary prism fill is globally thin with maximal 5 km thick and 20-30 km wide. The 18-km-thick Caribbean crust is subdivided in 2 or 3 layers interpreted, from top to bottom, as following. A 2 to 4 km thick upper layer with velocity ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 km/s possibly consists of consolidate sediments or a carbonate platform. The underlying 4 to 6 km thick layer, with velocity ranging from 4.7 to 6.15 km/s might correspond to volcanic products. The lower 15 km thick lower crustal layer shows velocity up to 7.4 km/s, typical of basal velocities in oceanic crust. The structure and velocity model is thus closely consistent with a possibly overthickened oceanic crust. Our southernmost model, offshore of Barbuda, reveal a general crust structure and slab geometry which appear very to those described South of Guadeloupe along a line proposed by Kopp et al. (2011). It suggests an overall homogeneity for these structural features within the central segment of the Lesser Antilles (Martinique - Antigua). When the overall structure of the Caribbean plate is stable, the deep structure of the frontal margin and slab geometry is evolving from south to north. The wideness and thickness of the prism decrease toward the north as a consequence of the presence of blocking ridges and less sediment inputs. Frontal bending of the slab is also decreasing toward the north leading to a less steep slab within the first 30 kilometers as a consequence of increasing obliquity of subduction in the northern Antilles. This phenomena may increase the wideness of a seismogenic zone?

Two-phase convection in Ganymede's high-pressure ice layer - Implications for its geological evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalousová, Klára; Sotin, Christophe; Choblet, Gaël; Tobie, Gabriel; Grasset, Olivier

2018-01-01

Ganymede, the largest moon in the solar system, has a fully differentiated interior with a layer of high-pressure (HP) ice between its deep ocean and silicate mantle. In this paper, we study the dynamics of this layer using a numerical model of two-phase ice-water mixture in two-dimensional Cartesian geometry. While focusing on the generation of water at the silicate/HP ice interface and its upward migration towards the ocean, we investigate the effect of bottom heat flux, the layer thickness, and the HP ice viscosity and permeability. Our results suggest that melt can be generated at the silicate/HP ice interface for small layer thickness ( ≲ 200 km) and high values of heat flux ( ≳ 20 mW m-2) and viscosity ( ≳ 1015 Pa s). Once generated, the water is transported through the layer by the upwelling plumes. Depending on the vigor of convection, it stays liquid or it may freeze before melting again as the plume reaches the temperate (partially molten) layer at the boundary with the ocean. The thickness of this layer as well as the amount of melt that is extracted from it is controlled by the permeability of the HP ice. This process constitutes a means of transporting volatiles and salts that might have dissolved into the melt present at the silicate/HP ice interface. As the moon cools down, the HP ice layer becomes less permeable because the heat flux from the silicates decreases and the HP ice layer thickens.

Modeling forest development after fire disturbance: Climate, soil organic layer, and nitrogen jointly affect forest canopy species and long-term ecosystem carbon accumulation in the North American boreal forest

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trugman, A. T.; Fenton, N.; Bergeron, Y.; Xu, X.; Welp, L.; Medvigy, D.

2015-12-01

Soil organic layer dynamics strongly affect boreal forest development after fire. Field studies show that soil organic layer thickness exerts a species-specific control on propagule establishment in the North American boreal forest. On organic soils thicker than a few centimeters, all propagules are less able to recruit, but broadleaf trees recruit less effectively than needleleaf trees. In turn, forest growth controls organic layer accumulation through modulating litter input and litter quality. These dynamics have not been fully incorporated into models, but may be essential for accurate projections of ecosystem carbon storage. Here, we develop a data-constrained model for understanding boreal forest development after fire. We update the ED2 model to include new aspen and black spruce species-types, species-specific propagule survivorship dependent on soil organic layer depth, species-specific litter decay rates, dynamically accumulating moss and soil organic layers, and nitrogen fixation by cyanobacteria associated with moss. The model is validated against diverse observations ranging from monthly to centennial timescales and spanning a climate gradient in Alaska, central Canada, and Quebec. We then quantify differences in forest development that result from changes in organic layer accumulation, temperature, and nitrogen. We find that (1) the model accurately reproduces a range of observations throughout the North American boreal forest; (2) the presence of a thick organic layer results in decreased decomposition and decreased aboveground productivity, effects that can increase or decrease ecosystem carbon uptake depending on location-specific attributes; (3) with a mean warming of 4°C, some forests switch from undergoing succession to needleleaf forests to recruiting multiple cohorts of broadleaf trees, decreasing ecosystem accumulation by ~30% after 300 years; (4) the availability of nitrogen regulates successional dynamics such than broadleaf species are less able to compete with needleleaf trees under low nitrogen regimes. We conclude that a joint regulation between the soil organic layer, temperature, and nitrogen will likely play an important role in influencing boreal forests development after fire in future climates, and should be represented in models.

Role of ultrathin metal fluoride layer in organic photovoltaic cells: mechanism of efficiency and lifetime enhancement.

PubMed

Lim, Kyung-Geun; Choi, Mi-Ri; Kim, Ji-Hoon; Kim, Dong Hun; Jung, Gwan Ho; Park, Yongsup; Lee, Jong-Lam; Lee, Tae-Woo

2014-04-01

Although rapid progress has been made recently in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells, systematic studies on an ultrathin interfacial layer at the electron extraction contact have not been conducted in detail, which is important to improve both the device efficiency and the lifetime. We find that an ultrathin BaF2 layer at the electron extraction contact strongly influences the open-circuit voltage (Voc ) as the nanomorphology evolves with increasing BaF2 thickness. A vacuum-deposited ultrathin BaF2 layer grows by island growth, so BaF2 layers with a nominal thickness less than that of single-coverage layer (≈3 nm) partially cover the polymeric photoactive layer. As the nominal thickness of the BaF2 layer increased to that of a single-coverage layer, the Voc and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) increased but the short-circuit current remained almost constant. The fill factor and the PCE decreased abruptly as the thickness of the BaF2 layer exceeded that of a single-coverage layer, which was ascribed to the insulating nature of BaF2 . We find the major cause of the increased Voc observed in these devices is the lowered work function of the cathode caused by the reaction and release of Ba from thin BaF2 films upon deposition of Al. The OPV device with the BaF2 layer showed a slightly improved maximum PCE (4.0 %) and a greatly (approximately nine times) increased device half-life under continuous simulated solar irradiation at 100 mW cm(-2) as compared with the OPV without an interfacial layer (PCE=2.1 %). We found that the photodegradation of the photoactive layer was not a major cause of the OPV degradation. The hugely improved lifetime with cathode interface modification suggests a significant role of the cathode interfacial layer that can help to prolong device lifetimes. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Competitive separation of di- vs. mono-valent cations in electrodialysis: effects of the boundary layer properties.

PubMed

Kim, Younggy; Walker, W Shane; Lawler, Desmond F

2012-05-01

In electrodialysis desalination, the boundary layer near ion-exchange membranes is the limiting region for the overall rate of ionic separation due to concentration polarization over tens of micrometers in that layer. Under high current conditions, this sharp concentration gradient, creating substantial ionic diffusion, can drive a preferential separation for certain ions depending on their concentration and diffusivity in the solution. Thus, this study tested a hypothesis that the boundary layer affects the competitive transport between di- and mono-valent cations, which is known to be governed primarily by the partitioning with cation-exchange membranes. A laboratory-scale electrodialyzer was operated at steady state with a mixture of 10mM KCl and 10mM CaCl(2) at various flow rates. Increased flows increased the relative calcium transport. A two-dimensional model was built with analytical solutions of the Nernst-Planck equation. In the model, the boundary layer thickness was considered as a random variable defined with three statistical parameters: mean, standard deviation, and correlation coefficient between the thicknesses of the two boundary layers facing across a spacer. Model simulations with the Monte Carlo method found that a greater calcium separation was achieved with a smaller mean, greater standard deviation, or more negative correlation coefficient. The model and experimental results were compared for the cationic transport number as well as the current and potential relationship. The mean boundary layer thickness was found to decrease from 40 to less than 10 μm as the superficial water velocity increased from 1.06 to 4.24 cm/s. The standard deviation was greater than the mean thickness at slower water velocities and smaller at faster water velocities. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electron Scattering at Surfaces of Epitaxial Metal Layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chawla, Jasmeet Singh

In the field of electron transport in metal films and wires, the 'size effect' refers to the increase in the resistivity of the films and wires as their critical dimensions (thickness of film, width and height of wires) approach or become less than the electron mean free path lambda, which is, for example, 39 nm for bulk copper at room temperature. This size-effect is currently of great concern to the semiconductor industry because the continued downscaling of feature sizes has already lead to Cu interconnect wires in this size effect regime, with a reported 2.5 times higher resistivity for 40 nm wide Cu wires than for bulk Cu. Silver is a possible alternate material for interconnect wires and titanium nitride is proposed as a gate metal in novel field-effect-transistors. Therefore, it is important to develop an understanding of how the growth, the surface morphology, and the microstructure of ultrathin (few nanometers) Cu, Ag and TiN layers affect their electrical properties. This dissertation aims to advance the scientific knowledge of electron scattering at surfaces (external surfaces and grain boundaries), that are, the primary reasons for the size-effect in metal conductors. The effect of surface and grain boundary scattering on the resistivity of Cu thin films and nanowires is separately quantified using (i) in situ transport measurements on single-crystal, atomically smooth Cu(001) layers, (ii) textured polycrystalline Cu(111) layers and patterned wires with independently varying grain size, thickness and line width, and (iii) in situ grown interfaces including Cu-Ta, Cu-MgO, Cu-vacuum and Cu-oxygen. In addition, the electron surface scattering is also measured in situ for single-crystal Ag(001), (111) twinned epitaxial Ag(001), and single-crystal TiN(001) layers. Cu(001), Ag(001), and TiN(001) layers with a minimum continuous thickness of 4, 3.5 and 1.8 nm, respectively, are grown by ultra-high vacuum magnetron sputter deposition on MgO(001) substrates with and without thin epitaxial TiN(001) wetting layers and are studied for structure, crystalline quality, surface morphology, density and composition by a combination of x-ray diffraction theta-2theta scans, o-rocking curves, pole figures, reciprocal space mapping, Rutherford backscattering, x-ray reflectometry and transmission electron microscopy. The TiN(001) surface suppresses Cu and Ag dewetting, yielding lower defect density, no twinning, and smaller surface roughness than if grown on MgO(001). Textured polycrystalline Cu(111) layers 25-50-nm-thick are deposited on a stack of 7.5-nm-Ta on SiO2/Si(001), and subsequent in situ annealing at 350°C followed by sputter etching in Ar plasma yields Cu layers with independently variable thickness and grain size. Cu nanowires, 75 to 350 nm wide, are fabricated from Cu layers with different average grain size using a subtractive patterning process. In situ electron transport measurements at room temperature in vacuum and at 77 K in liquid nitrogen for single-crystal Cu and Ag layers is consistent with the Fuchs-Sondheimer (FS) model and indicates specular scattering at the metal-vacuum boundary with an average specularity parameter p = 0.8 and 0.6, respectively. In contrast, layers measured ex situ show diffuse surface scattering due to sub-monolayer oxidation. Also, addition of Ta atoms on Cu(001) surface perturbs the smooth interface potential and results in completely diffuse scattering at the Cu-Ta interface, and in turn, a higher resistivity of single-crystal Cu layers. In situ exposure of Cu(001) layers to O2 between 10 -3 and 105 Pa-s results in a sequential increase, decrease and increase of the electrical resistance which is attributed to specular surface scattering for clean Cu(001) and for surfaces with a complete adsorbed monolayer, but diffuse scattering at partial coverage and after chemical oxidation. Electron transport measurements for polycrystalline Cu layers and wires show a 10-15% and 7-9% decrease in resistivity, respectively, when increasing the average lateral grain size by a factor of 1.8. The maximum resistivity decrease that can be achieved by increasing the grain size of polycrystalline Cu layers with an average grain size approximately ˜2.5x the layer thickness is 20-26%.

STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT OF HYPERAUTOFLUORESCENT RING IN PATIENTS WITH RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA

PubMed Central

LIMA, LUIZ H.; CELLA, WENER; GREENSTEIN, VIVIENNE C.; WANG, NAN-KAI; BUSUIOC, MIHAI; THEODORE SMITH, R.; YANNUZZI, LAWRENCE A.; TSANG, STEPHEN H.

2009-01-01

Purpose To analyze the retinal structure underlying the hyperautofluorescent ring visible on fundus autofluorescence in patients with retinitis pigmentosa. Methods Twenty-four eyes of 13 patients with retinitis pigmentosa, aged 13 years to 67 years, were studied. The integrity of the photoreceptor cilia, also known as the inner/outer segment junction of the photoreceptors, the outer nuclear layer, and retinal pigment epithelium, was evaluated outside, across, and inside the ring with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results Inside the foveal area, fundus autofluorescence did not detect abnormalities. Outside the ring, fundus autofluorescence revealed hypoautofluorescence compatible with the photoreceptor/retinal pigment epithelium degeneration. Spectral-domain OCT inside the ring, in the area of normal foveal fundus autofluorescence, revealed an intact retinal structure in all eyes and total retinal thickness values that were within normal limits. Across the ring, inner/outer segment junction disruption was observed and the outer nuclear layer was decreased in thickness in a centrifugal direction in all eyes. Outside the hyperautofluorescent ring, the inner/outer segment junction and the outer nuclear layer appeared to be absent and there were signs of retinal pigment epithelium degeneration. Conclusion Disruption of the inner/outer segment junction and a decrease in outer retinal thickness were found across the central hyperautofluorescent ring seen in retinitis pigmentosa. Outer segment phagocytosis by retinal pigment epithelium is necessary for the formation of an hyperautofluorescent ring. PMID:19584660

Cathodic Electrodeposition of Ni-Mo on Semiconducting NiFe2 O4 for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Media.

PubMed

Wijten, Jochem H J; Jong, Ronald P H; Mul, Guido; Weckhuysen, Bert M

2018-04-25

Photocathodes for hydrogen evolution from water were made by electrodeposition of Ni-Mo layers on NiFe 2 O 4 substrates, deposited by spin coating on F:SnO 2 -glass. Analysis confirmed the formation of two separate layers, without significant reduction of NiFe 2 O 4 . Bare NiFe 2 O 4 was found to be unstable under alkaline conditions during (photo)electrochemistry. To improve the stability significantly, the deposition of a bifunctional Ni-Mo layer through a facile electrodeposition process was performed and the composite electrodes showed stable operation for at least 1 h. Moreover, photocurrents up to -2.1 mA cm -2 at -0.3 V vs. RHE were obtained for Ni-Mo/NiFe 2 O 4 under ambient conditions, showing that the new combination functions as both a stabilizing and catalytic layer for the photoelectrochemical evolution of hydrogen. The photoelectrochemical response of these composite electrodes decreased with increasing NiFe 2 O 4 layer thickness. Transient absorption spectroscopy showed that the lifetime of excited states is short and on the ns timescale. An increase in lifetime was observed for NiFe 2 O 4 of large layer thickness, likely explained by decreasing the defect density in the primary layer(s), as a result of repetitive annealing at elevated temperature. The photoelectrochemical and transient absorption spectroscopy results indicated that a short charge carrier lifetime limits the performance of Ni-Mo/NiFe 2 O 4 photocathodes. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Effect of thickness on electrical properties of SILAR deposited SnS thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akaltun, Yunus; Astam, Aykut; Cerhan, Asena; ćayir, Tuba

2016-03-01

Tin sulfide (SnS) thin films of different thickness were prepared on glass substrates by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method at room temperature using tin (II) chloride and sodium sulfide aqueous solutions. The thicknesses of the films were determined using spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements and found to be 47.2, 65.8, 111.0, and 128.7nm for 20, 25, 30 and 35 deposition cycles respectively. The electrical properties of the films were investigated using d.c. two-point probe method at room temperature and the results showed that the resistivity was found to decrease with increasing film thickness.

Equilibrium of adsorption of mixed milk protein/surfactant solutions at the water/air interface.

PubMed

Kotsmar, C; Grigoriev, D O; Xu, F; Aksenenko, E V; Fainerman, V B; Leser, M E; Miller, R

2008-12-16

Ellipsometry and surface profile analysis tensiometry were used to study and compare the adsorption behavior of beta-lactoglobulin (BLG)/C10DMPO, beta-casein (BCS)/C10DMPO and BCS/C12DMPO mixtures at the air/solution interface. The adsorption from protein/surfactant mixed solutions is of competitive nature. The obtained adsorption isotherms suggest a gradual replacement of the protein molecules at the interface with increasing surfactant concentration for all studied mixed systems. The thickness, refractive index, and the adsorbed amount of the respective adsorption layers, determined by ellipsometry, decrease monotonically and reach values close to those for a surface covered only by surfactant molecules, indicating the absence of proteins from a certain surfactant concentration on. These results correlate with the surface tension data. A continuous increase of adsorption layer thickness was observed up to this concentration, caused by the desorption of segments of the protein and transforming the thin surface layer into a rather diffuse and thick one. Replacement and structural changes of the protein molecules are discussed in terms of protein structure and surface activity of surfactant molecules. Theoretical models derived recently were used for the quantitative description of the equilibrium state of the mixed surface layers.

Laminated and Two-Dimensional Carbon-Supported Microwave Absorbers Derived from MXenes.

PubMed

Han, Meikang; Yin, Xiaowei; Li, Xinliang; Anasori, Babak; Zhang, Litong; Cheng, Laifei; Gogotsi, Yury

2017-06-14

Microwave absorbers with layered structures that can provide abundant interfaces are highly desirable for enhancing electromagnetic absorbing capability and decreasing the thickness. The atomically thin layers of two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal carbides (MXenes) make them a convenient precursor for synthesis of other 2D and layered structures. Here, laminated carbon/TiO 2 hybrid materials composed of well-aligned 2D carbon sheets with embedded TiO 2 nanoparticles were synthesized and showed excellent microwave absorption. Disordered 2D carbon layers with an unusual structure were obtained by annealing multilayer Ti 3 C 2 MXene in a CO 2 atmosphere. The minimum reflection coefficient of laminated carbon/TiO 2 composites reaches -36 dB, and the effective absorption bandwidth ranges from 3.6 to 18 GHz with the tunable thickness from 1.7 to 5 mm. The effective absorption bandwidth covers the whole Ku band (12.4-18 GHz) when the thickness of carbon/TiO 2 /paraffin composite is 1.7 mm. This study is expected to pave the way to the synthesis of carbon-supported absorbing materials using a large family of 2D carbides.

Permafrost and organic layer interactions over a climate gradient in a discontinuous permafrost zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Kristofer D.; Harden, Jennifer W.; McGuire, A. David; Clark, Mark; Yuan, Fengming; Finley, Andrew O.

2013-09-01

Permafrost is tightly coupled to the organic soil layer, an interaction that mediates permafrost degradation in response to regional warming. We analyzed changes in permafrost occurrence and organic layer thickness (OLT) using more than 3000 soil pedons across a mean annual temperature (MAT) gradient. Cause and effect relationships between permafrost probability (PF), OLT, and other topographic factors were investigated using structural equation modeling in a multi-group analysis. Groups were defined by slope, soil texture type, and shallow (<28 cm) versus deep organic (≥28 cm) layers. The probability of observing permafrost sharply increased by 0.32 for every 10-cm OLT increase in shallow OLT soils (OLTs) due to an insulation effect, but PF decreased in deep OLT soils (OLTd) by 0.06 for every 10-cm increase. Across the MAT gradient, PF in sandy soils varied little, but PF in loamy and silty soils decreased substantially from cooler to warmer temperatures. The change in OLT was more heterogeneous across soil texture types—in some there was no change while in others OLTs soils thinned and/or OLTd soils thickened at warmer locations. Furthermore, when soil organic carbon was estimated using a relationship with thickness, the average increase in carbon in OLTd soils was almost four times greater compared to the average decrease in carbon in OLTs soils across all soil types. If soils follow a trajectory of warming that mimics the spatial gradients found today, then heterogeneities of permafrost degradation and organic layer thinning and thickening should be considered in the regional carbon balance.

Permafrost and organic layer interactions over a climate gradient in a discontinuous permafrost zone

USGS Publications Warehouse

Johnson, Kristofer D.; Harden, Jennifer W.; McGuire, A. David; Clark, Mark; Yuan, Fengming; Finley, Andrew O.

2013-01-01

Permafrost is tightly coupled to the organic soil layer, an interaction that mediates permafrost degradation in response to regional warming. We analyzed changes in permafrost occurrence and organic layer thickness (OLT) using more than 3000 soil pedons across a mean annual temperature (MAT) gradient. Cause and effect relationships between permafrost probability (PF), OLT, and other topographic factors were investigated using structural equation modeling in a multi-group analysis. Groups were defined by slope, soil texture type, and shallow (<28 cm) versus deep organic (≥28 cm) layers. The probability of observing permafrost sharply increased by 0.32 for every 10-cm OLT increase in shallow OLT soils (OLTs) due to an insulation effect, but PF decreased in deep OLT soils (OLTd) by 0.06 for every 10-cm increase. Across the MAT gradient, PF in sandy soils varied little, but PF in loamy and silty soils decreased substantially from cooler to warmer temperatures. The change in OLT was more heterogeneous across soil texture types—in some there was no change while in others OLTs soils thinned and/or OLTd soils thickened at warmer locations. Furthermore, when soil organic carbon was estimated using a relationship with thickness, the average increase in carbon in OLTd soils was almost four times greater compared to the average decrease in carbon in OLTs soils across all soil types. If soils follow a trajectory of warming that mimics the spatial gradients found today, then heterogeneities of permafrost degradation and organic layer thinning and thickening should be considered in the regional carbon balance.

Parameter variation effects on temperature elevation in a steady-state, one-dimensional thermal model for millimeter wave exposure of one- and three-layer human tissue.

PubMed

Kanezaki, Akio; Hirata, Akimasa; Watanabe, Soichi; Shirai, Hiroshi

2010-08-21

The present study describes theoretical parametric analysis of the steady-state temperature elevation in one-dimensional three-layer (skin, fat and muscle) and one-layer (skin only) models due to millimeter-wave exposure. The motivation of this fundamental investigation is that some variability of warmth sensation in the human skin has been reported. An analytical solution for a bioheat equation was derived by using the Laplace transform for the one-dimensional human models. Approximate expressions were obtained to investigate the dependence of temperature elevation on different thermal and tissue thickness parameters. It was shown that the temperature elevation on the body surface decreases monotonically with the blood perfusion rate, heat conductivity and heat transfer from the body to air. Also revealed were the conditions where maximum and minimum surface temperature elevations were observed for different thermal and tissue thickness parameters. The surface temperature elevation in the three-layer model is 1.3-2.8 times greater than that in the one-layer model. The main reason for this difference is attributed to the adiabatic nature of the fat layer. By considering the variation range of thermal and tissue thickness parameters which causes the maximum and minimum temperature elevations, the dominant parameter influencing the surface temperature elevation was found to be the heat transfer coefficient between the body surface and air.

Anatomy of a metabentonite: nucleation and growth of illite crystals and their colescence into mixed-layer illite/smectite

USGS Publications Warehouse

Eberl, D.D.; Blum, A.E.; Serravezza, M.

2011-01-01

The illite layer content of mixed-layer illite/smectite (I/S) in a 2.5 m thick, zoned, metabentonite bed from Montana decreases regularly from the edges to the center of the bed. Traditional X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern modeling using Markovian statistics indicated that this zonation results from a mixing in different proportions of smectite-rich R0 I/S and illite-rich R1 I/S, with each phase having a relatively constant illite layer content. However, a new method for modeling XRD patterns of I/S indicates that R0 and R1 I/S in these samples are not separate phases (in the mineralogical sense of the word), but that the samples are composed of illite crystals that have continuous distributions of crystal thicknesses, and of 1 nm thick smectite crystals. The shapes of these distributions indicate that the crystals were formed by simultaneous nucleation and growth. XRD patterns for R0 and R1 I/S arise by interparticle diffraction from a random stacking of the crystals, with swelling interlayers formed at interfaces between crystals from water or glycol that is sorbed on crystal surfaces. It is the thickness distributions of smectite and illite crystals (also termed fundamental particles, or Nadeau particles), rather than XRD patterns for mixed-layer I/S, that are the more reliable indicators of geologic history, because such distributions are composed of well-defined crystals that are not affected by differences in surface sorption and particle arrangements, and because their thickness distribution shapes conform to the predictions of crystal growth theory, which describes their genesis.

Improving Powder Magnetic Core Properties via Application of Thin, Insulating Silica-Nanosheet Layers on Iron Powder Particles

PubMed Central

Ishizaki, Toshitaka; Nakano, Hideyuki; Tajima, Shin; Takahashi, Naoko

2016-01-01

A thin, insulating layer with high electrical resistivity is vital to achieving high performance of powder magnetic cores. Using layer-by-layer deposition of silica nanosheets or colloidal silica over insulating layers composed of strontium phosphate and boron oxide, we succeeded in fabricating insulating layers with high electrical resistivity on iron powder particles, which were subsequently used to prepare toroidal cores. The compact density of these cores decreased after coating with colloidal silica due to the substantial increase in the volume, causing the magnetic flux density to deteriorate. Coating with silica nanosheets, on the other hand, resulted in a higher electrical resistivity and a good balance between high magnetic flux density and low iron loss due to the thinner silica layers. Transmission electron microscopy images showed that the thickness of the colloidal silica coating was about 700 nm, while that of the silica nanosheet coating was 30 nm. There was one drawback to using silica nanosheets, namely a deterioration in the core mechanical strength. Nevertheless, the silica nanosheet coating resulted in nanoscale-thick silica layers that are favorable for enhancing the electrical resistivity. PMID:28336835

Investigation of graphene-on-metal substrates for SPR-based sensor using finite-difference time domain.

PubMed

Said, Fairus Atida; Menon, Pulliyaseri Susthitha; Rajendran, Venkatachalam; Shaari, Sahbudin; Majlis, Burhanuddin Y

2017-12-01

In this study, the authors investigated the effects of a single layer graphene as a coating layer on top of metal thin films such as silver, gold, aluminum and copper using finite-difference time domain method. To enhance the resolution of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor, it is necessary to increase the SPR reflectivity and decrease the full-width-half maximum (FWHM) of the SPR curve so that there is minimum uncertainty in the determination of the resonance dip. Numerical data was verified with analytical and experimental data where all the data were in good agreement with resonance angle differing in <10% due to noise present in components such as humidity and temperature. In further analysis, reflectivity and FWHM were compared among four types of metal with various thin film thicknesses where graphene was applied on top of the metal layers, and data was compared against pure conventional metal thin films. A 60 nm-thick Au thin film results in higher performance with reflectivity of 92.4% and FWHM of 0.88° whereas single layer graphene-on-60 nm-thick Au gave reflectivity of 91.7% and FWHM of 1.32°. However, a graphene-on-40 nm-thick Ag also gave good performance with narrower FWHM of 0.88° and reflection spectra of 89.2%.

New ultrathin film heterostructure for low-e application by sputtering technique: a theoretical and experimental study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruíz-Robles, M. A.; Abundiz-Cisneros, N.; Bender-Pérez, C. E.; Gutiérrez-Lazos, C. D.; Fundora-Cruz, A.; Solís-Pomar, F.; Pérez-Tijerina, E.

2018-03-01

The design and optical characterization by UV–vis transmittance of ultrathin low-emissivity (low-e) windows by reactive sputtering are reported. Two heterostructures on a glass substrate were considered for the low-e windows. The first heterostructure is Si3N4/TiO2/ZnO/Ag/SnO2/Si3N4 and the second is Si3N4/Ag/Si3N4. The transmittance and reflectance of these heterostructures were simulated to determine the required thickness of each layer. The first heterostructure exhibited maximum transmittance of 85% at 550 nm, slightly higher than the one determined by simulation and less than 50% transmittance in the near-infrared region (900 nm). The second heterostructure exhibited transmittance greater than 86% at 550 nm and <50% transmittance in the near-infrared region. In addition, we found that the bandwidth and maximum position of the transmittance depend on the Si3N4 layer thickness. Specifically, the thickness of the first Si3N4 layer allows the modulation of the transmittance bandwidth and the thickness of the second Si3N4 layer allows the modulation of the maximum position. The low-e windows were protected by the deposition of an ultrathin film of NiCr alloy (Ni 80%, Cr 20%) that preserved the optical characteristics and decreased the maximum of the transmittance only by 3%.

Evaluation of fouling in nanofiltration for desalination using a resistance-in-series model and optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Park, Jongkwan; Lee, Sungyun; You, Jeongyeop; Park, Sanghun; Ahn, Yujin; Jung, Woonggyu; Cho, Kyung Hwa

2018-06-12

Resistance-in-series models have been applied to investigate fouling behavior. However, it is difficult to model the influence of morphology on fouling behavior because resistance is indirectly calculated from the water flux and transmembrane pressure. In this study, optical coherence tomography (OCT) was applied to evaluate the resistance of the fouling layer based on fouling morphology. Sodium alginate, humic acid, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) with high salts concentrations (conductivity: 23 mS/cm) were used as model foulants. At the same total fouling resistance, BSA showed the highest cake layer thickness (BSA (114.5 μm) > humic acid (53.5 μm) > sodium alginate (20.0 μm)). However, a different order was found for the cake layer resistance (BSA > sodium alginate > humic acid). This indicates that fouling thickness is not correlated with cake layer resistance. According to the Carman-Kozeny equation, fouling layer porosity decreased in the following order: humic acid (0.30) > BSA (0.21) > sodium alginate (0.20). In addition, we provided a specific value that was calculated using the ratio between the fouling thickness and cake layer resistance. The results show that alginic acid induced a stronger cake layer resistance, despite its thin fouling layer, whereas BSA showed a relatively low potential for inducing cake layer resistance. The results obtained in this study could be used for estimating and predicting fouling behavior. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Leading Modes of the 3pi0 production in proton-proton collisions at incident proton momentum 3.35GeV/c

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jampana, Balakrishnam R.

The III-nitride semiconductor material system, which consists of InN, GaN, AlN and their alloys, offers a substantial potential in developing ultra-high efficiency photovoltaics mainly due to its wide range of direct-bandgap (0.7 eV -- 3.4 eV), and other electronic, optical and mechanical properties. However, this novel InGaN material system poses technological challenges which extended into the performance of InGaN devices. The development of wide-band gap p--n InGaN homojunction solar cells with bandgap < 2.4 eV is investigated in the present work. The growth, fabrication and characterization of a 2.7 eV bandgap InGaN solar cell with a 1.73 eV open-circuit voltage is demonstrated. Limited solar cell performance, in terms of short-circuit current and efficiency, is observed. The poor performance of the InGaN solar cell is related to the formation of extended crystalline defects in InGaN epilayers of the solar cell structure. To investigate the influence of extended crystalline defects on InGaN epilayer properties, a few In0.12Ga0.88N epilayers with different thicknesses are grown and characterized for structural properties using high-resolution X-ray diffraction. The structural parameters, modeled as mosaic blocks, indicate deterioration in InGaN crystal quality when the film thickness exceeds a critical layer thickness. An associated increase in density of threading dislocations with deteriorated InGaN crystal quality is observed. The critical layer thickness is determined for a few InGaN compositions in the range of 6 -- 21 % In, and it decreases with increasing InGaN composition. Surface roughening and formation of V-defects are observed on InGaN surface beyond the critical layer thickness. An Urbach tail in optical absorption of InGaN epilayer is observed and it is related to the formation of V-defects. The direct consequence of light absorption via V-defects is a decrease in photoluminescence peak intensity with increasing InGaN epilayer thickness beyond critical layer thickness. Two p-i-n InGaN solar cell structures were designed, with InGaN epilayer thickness in one solar cell greater than the critical layer thickness and the other with a lower thickness, to investigate the influence of V-defects on performance of the solar cells. The photoresponse of the p-i-n InGaN solar cell with thicker InGaN epilayer is poor, while the other solar cell had good photoresponse and external quantum efficiency. Extending this investigation to a p-n InGaN solar cell, a solar cell with total InGaN epilayer less than the critical layer thickness is grown. The photoresponse and external quantum efficiency of the present solar cell is superior compared to the initially designed p-n InGaN homojunction solar cells. Solar cell characteristics without p-GaN capping layer in the above p-n InGaN solar cell are also investigated. Good open-circuit voltage is observed, but the short-circuit current and efficiency are limited by the formation of extended crystalline defects, as observed with other initial solar cell designs. A processing sequence is developed to coat III-nitride sidewalls, created during fabrication to form electrical contacts, with SiO2 to maximize the active device area and minimize accidental damage of solar cell during fabrication. Additionally, deposition of current spreading layers on p-type III-nitride epilayer to reduce the series resistance is evaluated. The III-nitrides are primarily grown on sapphire substrate and in a continued effort they are realized later on silicon substrate. InGaN solar cell structures were grown simultaneously on GaN/sapphire and GaN/silicon templates and their photoresponse is compared.

The electrical resistance of gold-capped chromium thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohashi, Masashi; Sawabu, Masaki; Ohashi, Kohei; Miyagawa, Masahiro; Maeta, Kae; Kubota, Takahide; Takanashi, Koki

2018-03-01

We studied the electrical resistance of polycrystalline chromium films capped by a gold layer. No anomaly was detected by resistance measurements of 10 nm thick film around room temperature, indicating that the antiferromagnetic interaction may be suppressed as decreasing the thickness of the chromium film. The sheet resistance Rs (T) curves differ from polycrystalline chromium films in previous studies because of the electrical current flows through a gold capping layer. On the other hand, the resistance drop is observed at T C = 1.15±0.05 K as that of polycrystalline chromium films in the previous report. It means that such resistance drop is not related to the chromium oxide layer on a polycrystalline chromium films. However, it is difficult to conclude that superconducting transition occurs because of the large residual resistance below the temperature where the resistance drop is observed.

Effect of thermal radiation and chemical reaction on non-Newtonian fluid through a vertically stretching porous plate with uniform suction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, Zeeshan; Khan, Ilyas; Ullah, Murad; Tlili, I.

2018-06-01

In this work, we discuss the unsteady flow of non-Newtonian fluid with the properties of heat source/sink in the presence of thermal radiation moving through a binary mixture embedded in a porous medium. The basic equations of motion including continuity, momentum, energy and concentration are simplified and solved analytically by using Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM). The energy and concentration fields are coupled with Dankohler and Schmidt numbers. By applying suitable transformation, the coupled nonlinear partial differential equations are converted to couple ordinary differential equations. The effect of physical parameters involved in the solutions of velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are discussed by assign numerical values and results obtained shows that the velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are influenced appreciably by the radiation parameter, Prandtl number, suction/injection parameter, reaction order index, solutal Grashof number and the thermal Grashof. It is observed that the non-Newtonian parameter H leads to an increase in the boundary layer thickness. It was established that the Prandtl number decreases thee thermal boundary layer thickness which helps in maintaining system temperature of the fluid flow. It is observed that the temperature profiles higher for heat source parameter and lower for heat sink parameter throughout the boundary layer. Fromm this simulation it is analyzed that an increase in the Schmidt number decreases the concentration boundary layer thickness. Additionally, for the sake of comparison numerical method (ND-Solve) and Adomian Decomposition Method are also applied and good agreement is found.

General Solutions for Hydromagnetic Free Convection Flow over an Infinite Plate with Newtonian Heating, Mass Diffusion and Chemical Reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fetecau, Constatin; Shah, Nehad Ali; Vieru, Dumitru

2017-12-01

The problem of hydromagnetic free convection flow over a moving infinite vertical plate with Newtonian heating, mass diffusion and chemical reaction in the presence of a heat source is completely solved. Radiative and porous effects are not taken into consideration but they can be immediately included by a simple rescaling of Prandtl number and magnetic parameter. Exact general solutions for the dimensionless velocity and concentration fields and the corresponding Sherwood number and skin friction coefficient are determined under integral form in terms of error function or complementary error function of Gauss. They satisfy all imposed initial and boundary conditions and can generate exact solutions for any problem with technical relevance of this type. As an interesting completion, uncommon in the literature, the differential equations which describe the thermal, concentration and momentum boundary layer, as well as the exact expressions for the thicknesses of thermal, concentration or velocity boundary layers were determined. Numerical results have shown that the thermal boundary layer thickness decreases for increasing values of Prandtl number and the concentration boundary layer thickness is decreasing with Schmidt number. Finally, for illustration, three special cases are considered and the influence of physical parameters on some fundamental motions is graphically underlined and discussed. The required time to reach the flow according with post-transient solution (the steady-state), for cosine/sine oscillating concentrations on the boundary is graphically determined. It is found that, the presence of destructive chemical reaction improves this time for increasing values of chemical reaction parameter.

The Effects of an Absorbing Smoke Layer on MODIS Marine Boundary Layer Cloud Optical Property Retrievals and Radiative Forcing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyer, Kerry; Platnick, Steven

2012-01-01

Clouds, aerosols, and their interactions are widely considered to be key uncertainty components in our current understanding of the Earth's atmosphere and radiation budget. The work presented here is focused on the quasi-permanent marine boundary layer . (MBL) clouds off the southern Atlantic coast of Africa and the effects on MODIS cloud optical property retrievals (MOD06) of an overlying absorbing smoke layer. During much of August and September, a persistent smoke layer resides over this region, produced from extensive biomass burning throughout the southern African savanna. The resulting absorption, which increases with decreasing wavelength, potentially introduces biases into the MODIS cloud optical property retrievals of the underlying MBL clouds. This effect is more pronounced in the cloud optical thickness retrievals, which over ocean are derived from the wavelength channel centered near 0.86 micron (effective particle size retrievals are derived from the longer-wavelength near-IR channels at 1.6, 2.1, and 3.7 microns). Here, the spatial distributions of the scalar statistics of both the cloud and aerosol layers are first determined from the CALIOP 5 km layer products. Next, the MOD06 look-up tables (LUTs) are adjusted by inserting an absorbing smoke layer of varying optical thickness over the cloud. Retrievals are subsequently performed for a subset of MODIS pixels collocated with the CALIOP ground track, using smoke optical thickness from the CALIOP 5km aerosol layer product to select the appropriate LUT. The resulting differences in cloud optical property retrievals due to the inclusion of the smoke layer in the LUTs will be examined. In addition, the direct radiative forcing of this smoke layer will be investigated from the perspective of the cloud optical property retrieval differences.

Electroosmosis over charge-modulated surfaces with finite electrical double layer thicknesses: Asymptotic and numerical investigations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghosh, Uddipta; Mandal, Shubhadeep; Chakraborty, Suman

2017-06-01

Here we attempt to solve the fully coupled Poisson-Nernst-Planck-Navier-Stokes equations, to ascertain the influence of finite electric double layer (EDL) thickness on coupled charge and fluid dynamics over patterned charged surfaces. We go beyond the well-studied "weak-field" limit and obtain numerical solutions for a wide range of EDL thicknesses, applied electric field strengths, and the surface potentials. Asymptotic solutions to the coupled system are also derived using a combination of singular and regular perturbation, for thin EDLs and low surface potential, and good agreement between the two solutions is observed. Counterintuitively to common arguments, our analysis reveals that finite EDL thickness may either increase or decrease the "free-stream velocity" (equivalent to net throughput), depending on the strength of the applied electric field. We also unveil a critical EDL thickness for which the effect of finite EDL thickness on the free-stream velocity is the most prominent. Finally, we demonstrate that increasing the surface potential and the applied field tends to influence the overall flow patterns in the contrasting manners. These results may be of profound importance in developing a comprehensive theoretical basis for designing electro-osmotically actuated microfluidic mixtures.

Dimensional crossover of electron weak localization in ZnO/TiO{sub x} stacked layers grown by atomic layer deposition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Saha, D., E-mail: sahaphys@gmail.com, E-mail: pmisra@rrcat.gov.in; Misra, P., E-mail: sahaphys@gmail.com, E-mail: pmisra@rrcat.gov.in; Joshi, M. P.

2016-01-25

We report on the dimensional crossover of electron weak localization in ZnO/TiO{sub x} stacked layers having well-defined and spatially-localized Ti dopant profiles along film thickness. These films were grown by in situ incorporation of sub-monolayer TiO{sub x} on the growing ZnO film surface and subsequent overgrowth of thin conducting ZnO spacer layer using atomic layer deposition. Film thickness was varied in the range of ∼6–65 nm by vertically stacking different numbers (n = 1–7) of ZnO/TiO{sub x} layers of nearly identical dopant-profiles. The evolution of zero-field sheet resistance (R{sub ◻}) versus temperature with decreasing film thickness showed a metal to insulator transition. Onmore » the metallic side of the metal-insulator transition, R{sub ◻}(T) and magnetoresistance data were found to be well corroborated with the theoretical framework of electron weak localization in the diffusive transport regime. The temperature dependence of both R{sub ◻} and inelastic scattering length provided strong evidence for a smooth crossover from 2D to 3D weak localization behaviour. Results of this study provide deeper insight into the electron transport in low-dimensional n-type ZnO/TiO{sub x} stacked layers which have potential applications in the field of transparent oxide electronics.« less

Effects of the unintentional background concentration, indium composition and defect density on the performance of InGaN p-i-n homojunction solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Shudong; Cheng, Liwen; Wang, Qiang

2018-07-01

We theoretically investigate the effects of the unintentional background concentration, indium composition and defect density of intrinsic layer (i-layer) on the photovoltaic performance of InGaN p-i-n homojunction solar cells by solving the Poisson and steady-state continuity equations. The built-in electric field and carrier generation rate depend on the position within the i-layer. The collection efficiency, short circuit current density, open circuit voltage, fill factor, and conversion efficiency are found to depend strongly on the background concentration, thickness, indium composition, and defect density of the i-layer. With increasing the background concentration, the maximum thickness of field-bearing i-layer decreases, and the width of depletion region may become even too small to cover the whole i-layer, resulting in a serious decrease of the carrier collection. Some oscillations as a function of indium composition are found in the short circuit current density and conversion efficiency at high indium composition and low defect density due to the interference between the absorbance and the generation rate of carriers. The defect density degrades seriously the overall photovoltaic performance, and its effect on the photovoltaic performance is roughly seven orders of magnitude higher than the previously reported values [Feng et al., J. Appl. Phys. 108 (2010) 093118]. As a result, the high crystalline quality InGaN with high indium composition is a key factor in the device performance of III-nitride based solar cells.

Impacts of age and sex on retinal layer thicknesses measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography with Spectralis.

PubMed

Nieves-Moreno, María; Martínez-de-la-Casa, José M; Morales-Fernández, Laura; Sánchez-Jean, Rubén; Sáenz-Francés, Federico; García-Feijoó, Julián

2018-01-01

To examine differences in individual retinal layer thicknesses measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) (Spectralis®) produced with age and according to sex. Cross-sectional, observational study. The study was conducted in 297 eyes of 297 healthy subjects aged 18 to 87 years. In one randomly selected eye of each participant the volume and mean thicknesses of the different macular layers were measured by SD-OCT using the instrument's macular segmentation software. Volume and mean thickness of macular retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), retinal pigmentary epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor layer (PR). Retinal thickness was reduced by 0.24 μm for every one year of age. Age adjusted linear regression analysis revealed mean GCL, IPL, ONL and PR thickness reductions and a mean OPL thickness increase with age. Women had significantly lower mean GCL, IPL, INL, ONL and PR thicknesses and volumes and a significantly greater mRNFL volume than men. The thickness of most retinal layers varies both with age and according to sex. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the rate of layer thinning produced with age.

Thin Sea-Ice Thickness as Inferred from Passive Microwave and In Situ Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naoki, Kazuhiro; Ukita, Jinro; Nishio, Fumihiko; Nakayama, Masashige; Comiso, Josefino C.; Gasiewski, Al

2007-01-01

Since microwave radiometric signals from sea-ice strongly reflect physical conditions of a layer near the ice surface, a relationship of brightness temperature with thickness is possible especially during the early stages of ice growth. Sea ice is most saline during formation stage and as the salinity decreases with time while at the same time the thickness of the sea ice increases, a corresponding change in the dielectric properties and hence the brightness temperature may occur. This study examines the extent to which the relationships of thickness with brightness temperature (and with emissivity) hold for thin sea-ice, approximately less than 0.2 -0.3 m, using near concurrent measurements of sea-ice thickness in the Sea of Okhotsk from a ship and passive microwave brightness temperature data from an over-flying aircraft. The results show that the brightness temperature and emissivity increase with ice thickness for the frequency range of 10-37 GHz. The relationship is more pronounced at lower frequencies and at the horizontal polarization. We also established an empirical relationship between ice thickness and salinity in the layer near the ice surface from a field experiment, which qualitatively support the idea that changes in the near-surface brine characteristics contribute to the observed thickness-brightness temperature/emissivity relationship. Our results suggest that for thin ice, passive microwave radiometric signals contain, ice thickness information which can be utilized in polar process studies.

Spatial and thickness dependence of coupling interaction of surface states and influence on transport and optical properties of few-layer Bi2Se3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zhongjun; Chen, Shi; Sun, Jiuyu; Li, Xingxing; Qiu, Huaili; Yang, Jinlong

2018-02-01

Coupling interaction between the bottom and top surface electronic states and the influence on transport and optical properties of Bi2Se3 thin films with 1-8 quintuple layers (QLs) have been investigated by first principles calculations. Obvious spatial and thickness dependences of coupling interaction are found by analyzing hybridization of two surface states. In the thin film with a certain thickness, from the outer to inner atomic layers, the coupling interaction exhibits an increasing trend. On the other hand, as thickness increases, the coupling interaction shows a disproportionate decrease trend. Moreover, the system with 3 QLs exhibits stronger interaction than that with 2 QLs. The presence of coupling interaction would suppress destructive interference of surface states and enhance resistance in various degrees. In view of the inversely proportional relation to transport channel width, the resistance of thin films should show disproportionate thickness dependence. This prediction is qualitatively consistent with the transport measurements at low temperature. Furthermore, the optical properties also exhibit obvious thickness dependence. Especially as the thickness increases, the coupling interaction results in red and blue shifts of the multiple-peak structures in low and high energy regions of imaginary dielectric function, respectively. The red shift trend is in agreement with the recent experimental observation and the blue shift is firstly predicted by the present calculation. The present results give a concrete understanding of transport and optical properties in devices based on Bi2Se3 thin films with few QLs.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kajita, Shin, E-mail: kajita.shin@nagoya-u.jp; Hwangbo, Dogyun; Ohno, Noriyasu

In recent experiments, clear transitions in velocity and trail width of an arc spot initiated on nanostructured tungsten were observed on the boundary of the thick and thin nanostructured layer regions. The velocity of arc spot was significantly decreased on the thick nanostructured region. It was suggested that the grouping decreased the velocity of arc spot. In this study, we try to explain the phenomena using a simple random walk model that has properties of directionality and self-avoidance. And grouping feature was added by installing an attractive force between spot cells with dealing with multi-spots. It was revealed that anmore » entanglement of arc spot cells decreased the spot velocity, and spot cells tend to stamp at the same location many times.« less

Enhancement in microstructural and optoelectrical properties of thermally evaporated CdTe films for solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chander, Subhash; Dhaka, M. S.

2018-03-01

The optimization of microstructural and optoelectrical properties of a thin layer is an important step prior device fabrication process, so an enhancement in these properties of thermally evaporated CdTe thin films is reported in this communication. The films having thickness 450 nm and 850 nm were deposited on thoroughly cleaned glass and indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates followed by annealing at 450 °C in air atmosphere. These films were characterized for microstructural and optoelectrical properties employing X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometer and source meter. The films found to be have zinc-blende cubic structure with preferred reflection (111) while the crystallographic parameters and direct energy band gap are strongly influenced by the film thickness. The surface morphology studies show that the films are uniform, smooth, homogeneous and nearly dense-packed as well as free from voids and pitfalls as where elemental analysis revealed the presence of Cd and Te element in the deposited films. The electrical analysis showed linear behavior of current with voltage while conductivity is decreased for higher thickness. The results show that the microstructural and optoelectrical properties of CdTe thin layer could be enhanced by varying thickness and films having higher thickness might be processed as promising absorber thin layer to the CdTe-based solar cells.

Effect of different thickness h-BN coatings on interface shear strength of quartz fiber reinforced Sisbnd Osbnd Csbnd N composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shubin; Zheng, Yu

2014-02-01

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) coatings with different thickness were prepared on quartz fibers to improve mechanical properties of quartz fiber reinforced Sisbnd Osbnd Csbnd N composite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), push-out test and single edge notched beam (SENB) in three point bending test were employed to study morphology, interface shear strength and fracture toughness of the composite. The results showed that h-BN coatings changed the crack growth direction and weaken the interface shear strength efficiently. When the h-BN coating was 308.2 nm, the interface shear strength was about 5.2 MPa, which was about one-quarter of that of the sample without h-BN coatings. After the heating process for obtaining composite, the h-BN nanometer-sized grains would grow up to micron-sized hexagonal grains. Different thickness h-BN coatings had different structure. When the coatings were relatively thin, the hexagonal grains were single layer structure, and when the coatings were thicker, the hexagonal grains were multiple layer structure. This multiple layer interface phase would consume more power of cracks, thus interface shear strength of the composite decreased steadily with the increasing of h-BN coatings thickness. When the coating thickness was 238.8 nm, KIC reaches the peak value 3.8 MPa m1/2, which was more than two times of that of composites without h-BN coatings.

Interface morphology and mechanical properties of Al-Cu-Al laminated composites fabricated by explosive welding and subsequent rolling process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoseini-Athar, M. M.; Tolaminejad, B.

2016-07-01

Explosive welding is a well-known solid state method for joining similar and dissimilar materials. In the present study, tri-layered Al-Cu-Al laminated composites with different interface morphologies were fabricated by explosive welding and subsequent rolling. Effects of explosive ratio and rolling thickness reduction on the morphology of interface and mechanical properties were evaluated through optical/scanning electron microscopy, micro-hardness, tensile and tensile-shear tests. Results showed that by increasing the thickness reduction, bonding strength of specimens including straight and wavy interfaces increases. However, bonding strength of the specimens with melted layer interface decreases up to a threshold thickness reduction, then rapidly increases by raising the reduction. Hardness Values of welded specimens were higher than those of original material especially near the interface and a more uniform hardness profile was obtained after rolling process.

Effects of Grain Size and Twin Layer Thickness on Crack Initiation at Twin Boundaries.

PubMed

Zhou, Piao; Zhou, Jianqiu; Zhu, Yongwei; Jiang, E; Wang, Zikun

2018-04-01

A theoretical model to explore the effect on crack initiation of nanotwinned materials was proposed based on the accumulation of dislocations at twin boundaries. First, a critical cracking initiation condition was established considering the number of dislocations pill-up at TBs, grain size and twin layer thickness, and a semi-quantitative relationship between the crystallographic orientation and the stacking fault energy was built. In addition, the number of dislocations pill-up was described by introducing the theory of strain gradient. Based on this model, the effects of grain size and twin lamellae thickness on dislocation density and crack initiation at twin boundaries were also discussed. The simulation results demonstrated that the crack initiation resistance can be improved by decreasing the grain size and increasing the twin lamellae, which keeps in agreement with recent experimental findings reported in the literature.

Variable variance Preisach model for multilayers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franco, A. F.; Gonzalez-Fuentes, C.; Morales, R.; Ross, C. A.; Dumas, R.; Åkerman, J.; Garcia, C.

2016-08-01

We present a variable variance Preisach model that fully accounts for the different magnetization processes of a multilayer structure with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy by adjusting the evolution of the interaction variance as the magnetization changes. We successfully compare in a quantitative manner the results obtained with this model to experimental hysteresis loops of several [CoFeB/Pd ] n multilayers. The effect of the number of repetitions and the thicknesses of the CoFeB and Pd layers on the magnetization reversal of the multilayer structure is studied, and it is found that many of the observed phenomena can be attributed to an increase of the magnetostatic interactions and subsequent decrease of the size of the magnetic domains. Increasing the CoFeB thickness leads to the disappearance of the perpendicular anisotropy, and such a minimum thickness of the Pd layer is necessary to achieve an out-of-plane magnetization.

Tandem organic light-emitting diodes with buffer-modified C60/pentacene as charge generation layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhen; Zheng, Xin; Liu, Fei; Wang, Pei; Gan, Lin; Wang, Jing-jing

2017-09-01

Buffer-modified C60/pentacene as charge generation layer (CGL) is investigated to achieve effective performance of charge generation. Undoped green electroluminescent tandem organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with multiple identical emissive units and using buffer-modified C60/pentacene organic semiconductor heterojunction (OHJ) as CGL are demonstrated to exhibit better current density and brightness, compared with conventional single-unit devices. The current density and brightness both can be significantly improved with increasing the thickness of Al. However, excessive thickness of Al seriously decreases the transmittance of films and damages the interface. As a result, the maximum current efficiency of 1.43 cd·A-1 at 30 mA·cm-2 can be achieved for tandem OLEDs with optimal thickness of Al. These results clearly demonstrate that Cs2CO3/Al is an effective buffer for C60/pentacene-based tandem OLEDs.

Enhanced electrical properties of oxide semiconductor thin-film transistors with high conductivity thin layer insertion for the channel region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Cam Phu Thi; Raja, Jayapal; Kim, Sunbo; Jang, Kyungsoo; Le, Anh Huy Tuan; Lee, Youn-Jung; Yi, Junsin

2017-02-01

This study examined the performance and the stability of indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) by inserting an ultra-thin indium tin oxide (ITO) layer at the active/insulator interface. The electrical properties of the double channel device (ITO thickness of 5 nm) were improved in comparison with the single channel ITZO or ITO devices. The TFT characteristics of the device with an ITO thickness of less than 5 nm were degraded due to the formation of an island-like morphology and the carriers scattering at the active/insulator interface. The 5 nm-thick ITO inserted ITZO TFTs (optimal condition) exhibited a superior field effect mobility (∼95 cm2/V·s) compared with the ITZO-only TFTs (∼34 cm2/V·s). The best characteristics of the TFT devices with double channel layer are due to the lowest surface roughness (0.14 nm) and contact angle (50.1°) that result in the highest hydrophicility, and the most effective adhesion at the surface. Furthermore, the threshold voltage shifts for the ITO/ITZO double layer device decreased to 0.80 and -2.39 V compared with 6.10 and -6.79 V (for the ITZO only device) under positive and negative bias stress, respectively. The falling rates of EA were 0.38 eV/V and 0.54 eV/V for the ITZO and ITO/ITZO bi-layer devices, respectively. The faster falling rate of the double channel devices suggests that the trap density, including interface trap and semiconductor bulk trap, can be decreased by the ion insertion of a very thin ITO film into the ITZO/SiO2 reference device. These results demonstrate that the double active layer TFT can potentially be applied to the flat panel display.

A simple theory of back surface field /BSF/ solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Von Roos, O.

1978-01-01

A theory of an n-p-p/+/ junction is developed, entirely based on Shockley's depletion layer approximation. Under the further assumption of uniform doping the electrical characteristics of solar cells as a function of all relevant parameters (cell thickness, diffusion lengths, etc.) can quickly be ascertained with a minimum of computer time. Two effects contribute to the superior performance of a BSF cell (n-p-p/+/ junction) as compared to an ordinary solar cell (n-p junction). The sharing of the applied voltage among the two junctions (the n-p and the p-p/+/ junction) decreases the dark current and the reflection of minority carriers by the builtin electron field of the p-p/+/ junction increases the short-circuit current. The theory predicts an increase in the open-circuit voltage (Voc) with a decrease in cell thickness. Although the short-circuit current decreases at the same time, the efficiency of the cell is virtually unaltered in going from a thickness of 200 microns to a thickness of 50 microns. The importance of this fact for space missions where large power-to-weight ratios are required is obvious.

Axonal loss from acute optic neuropathy documented by scanning laser polarimetry

PubMed Central

Meier, F M; Bernasconi, P; Stürmer, J; Caubergh, M-J; Landau, K

2002-01-01

Background/aims: Retinal nerve fibre layer analysis by scanning laser polarimetry has been shown to facilitate diagnosis of glaucoma while its role in glaucoma follow up is still unclear. A major difficulty is the slow reduction of retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Eyes of patients were studied after acute retrobulbar optic nerve lesion in order to evaluate the usefulness of scanning laser polarimetry in documenting retinal nerve fibre layer loss over time. Methods: Five patients who suffered severe retrobulbar optic neuropathy have had repeated measurements of the retinal nerve fibre layer using scanning laser polarimetry at various intervals, the first examination being within 1 week of injury. Results: All eyes showed a marked decrease in peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, which followed an exponential curve and occurred predominantly within 8 weeks of injury. Compared to a previous study using red-free photographs, scanning laser polarimetry showed retinal nerve fibre layer loss earlier in the course of descending atrophy. Conclusion: Scanning laser polarimetry is useful for early detection and documentation of retinal nerve fibre layer loss following acute injury to the retrobulbar optic nerve. It seems to be a promising tool for follow up of individual glaucoma patients. PMID:11864884

Influence of metal bonding layer on strain transfer performance of FBG

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Hao; Chen, Weimin; Zhang, Peng; Liu, Li; Shu, Yuejie; Wu, Jun

2013-01-01

Metal bonding layer seriously affects the strain transfer performance of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG). Based on the mode of FBG strain transfer, the influence of the length, the thickness, Poisson's ratio, elasticity modulus of metal bonding layer on the strain transfer coefficient of FBG is analyzed by numerical simulation. FBG is packaged to steel wire using metal bonding technology of FBG. The tensile tests of different bonding lengths and elasticity modulus are carried out. The result shows the strain transfer coefficient of FBGs are 0.9848,0.962 and their average strain sensitivities are 1.076 pm/μɛ,1.099 pm/μɛ when the metal bonding layer is zinc, whose lengths are 15mm, 20mm, respectively. The strain transfer coefficient of FBG packaged by metal bonding layer raises 8.9 percent compared to epoxy glue package. The preliminary experimental results show that the strain transfer coefficient increases with the length of metal bonding layer, decreases with the thickness of metal bonding layer and the influence of Poisson's ratio can be ignored. The experiment result is general agreement with the analysis and provides guidance for metal package of FBG.

Iron layer-dependent surface-enhanced raman scattering of hierarchical nanocap arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Lei; Sun, Huanhuan; Zhao, Yue; Gao, Renxian; Wang, Yaxin; Liu, Yang; Zhang, Yongjun; Hua, Zhong; Yang, Jinghai

2017-11-01

In this report, we fabricated the multi-layer Ag/Fe/Ag sandwich cap-shaped films on monolayer non-closed packed (ncp) polystyrene colloidal particle (PSCP) templates through a layer-by-layer (LBL) depositing method. This research focused on the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect of the thickness of the deposited Fe film which was controlled by the sputtering time. The SERS intensities were increased firstly, and then decreased as the thickness of Fe layer grows gradually, which is attributed to the charge transition from the Fermi level of the Ag NPs to Fe layer. The use of multi-layer Ag/Fe/Ag sandwich cap-shaped films enables us to evaluate the contribution of surface plasmon resonance and charge distribution between Ag and Fe to SERS enhancement. Our work introduced a novel system (Ag/Fe/Ag) for high performance SERS and extended the SERS application of Fe. Furthermore, we have designed the Ag/Fe/Ag SERS-active substrate as the immunoassay chip for quantitative determination of AFP-L3 which is the biomarker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The proposed research demonstrates that the SERS substrates with Ag/Fe/Ag sandwich cap-shaped arrays have a high sensitivity for bioassay.

Effect of fabrication parameters on coating properties of tubular solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte prepared by vacuum slurry coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Son, Hui-Jeong; Song, Rak-Hyun; Lim, Tak-Hyoung; Lee, Seung-Bok; Kim, Sung-Hyun; Shin, Dong-Ryul

The process of vacuum slurry coating for the fabrication of a dense and thin electrolyte film on a porous anode tube is investigated for application in solid oxide fuel cells. 8 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia is coated on an anode tube by vacuum slurry-coating process as a function of pre-sintering temperature of the anode tube, vacuum pressure, slurry concentration, number of coats, and immersion time. A dense electrolyte layer is formed on the anode tube after final sintering at 1400 °C. With decrease in the pre-sintering temperature of the anode tube, the grain size of the coated electrolyte layer increases and the number of surface pores in the coating layer decreases. This is attributed to a reduced difference in the respective shrinkage of the anode tube and the electrolyte layer. The thickness of the coated electrolyte layer increases with the content of solid powder in the slurry, the number of dip-coats, and the immersion time. Although vacuum pressure has no great influence on the electrolyte thickness, higher vacuum produces a denser coating layer, as confirmed by low gas permeability and a reduced number of defects in the coating layer. A single cell with the vacuum slurry coated electrolyte shows a good performance of 620 mW cm -2 (0.7 V) at 750 °C. These experimental results indicate that the vacuum slurry-coating process is an effective method to fabricate a dense thin film on a porous anode support.

Effects of Gravel Mulch Properties and Thickness on Evaporation from Underlying Soil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Z.; Smits, K. M.

2017-12-01

Evaporation is the process of mass and heat transfer between the atmosphere and the shallow subsurface, and it is critical to many natural and industrial applications. In arid areas with very little rainfall, gravel has been widely used as a mulch layer to suppress evaporation from the underlying soil. The properties of mulch layers have a significant effect on the evaporation process, and the effect of grain size and mulch thickness has been previously studied experimentally. However, there is debate on the effect of the gravel mulch hydraulic properties on the evaporation suppression and role of the gravel mulch layer just after precipitation has not been discussed. The goal of this work is to investigate in more depth the impact of the gravel mulch hydraulic properties and the thickness of the mulch layer on evaporation from underlying soil with the combination of experiments and theoretical models. For this work, we developed a fully coupled numerical model of layered porous media that solves for heat, liquid water and water vapor flux under both wet and dry soil conditions. Various mulch layers with different texture and thickness were employed in the numerical simulation to study the effect of the hydraulic properties and thickness on the underlying soil evaporation. The water and heat transport in the soil and across the soil-atmosphere interface were presented and analyzed. In addition, results from numerical simulations were also compared with a series of mulch layer experiments performed using bench-scale porous media tanks interfaced with an open-return wind tunnel. Results demonstrated that gravel mulch is effective in significantly delaying and suppressing evaporation from underlying soil, and the evaporation behavior varies from different mulch types and thicknesses. The reason for evaporation suppression is that the gravel mulch retards the evaporation from the underlying soil first, and then cuts the hydraulic connection between the drying front and the atmosphere. The delaying time and evaporation reduction increases with the decrease of the grain size and increase of the air entry value of the gravel mulch, in which the air entry value is the primary factor. Thicker mulch layers have a better performance in both retarding and preventing evaporation from the underlying soil.

Meta-metallic coils and resonators: Methods for high Q-value resonant geometries

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mett, R. R.; Department of Physics and Chemistry, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202; Sidabras, J. W.

A novel method of decreasing ohmic losses and increasing Q-value in metallic resonators at high frequencies is presented. The method overcomes the skin-depth limitation of rf current flow cross section. The method uses layers of conductive foil of thickness less than a skin depth and capacitive gaps between layers. The capacitive gaps can substantially equalize the rf current flowing in each layer, resulting in a total cross-sectional dimension for rf current flow many times larger than a skin depth. Analytic theory and finite-element simulations indicate that, for a variety of structures, the Q-value enhancement over a single thick conductor approachesmore » the ratio of total conductor thickness to skin depth if the total number of layers is greater than one-third the square of the ratio of total conductor thickness to skin depth. The layer number requirement is due to counter-currents in each foil layer caused by the surrounding rf magnetic fields. We call structures that exhibit this type of Q-enhancement “meta-metallic.” In addition, end effects due to rf magnetic fields wrapping around the ends of the foils can substantially reduce the Q-value for some classes of structures. Foil structures with Q-values that are substantially influenced by such end effects are discussed as are five classes of structures that are not. We focus particularly on 400 MHz, which is the resonant frequency of protons at 9.4 T. Simulations at 400 MHz are shown with comparison to measurements on fabricated structures. The methods and geometries described here are general for magnetic resonance and can be used at frequencies much higher than 400 MHz.« less

The structure and function of the macula in patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa.

PubMed

Vámos, Rita; Tátrai, Erika; Németh, János; Holder, Graham E; DeBuc, Delia Cabrera; Somfai, Gábor Márk

2011-10-28

To assess the structure and function of the macula in advanced retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Twenty-nine eyes of 22 patients with RP were compared against 17 control eyes. Time-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) data were processed using OCTRIMA (optical coherence tomography retinal image analysis) as a means of quantifying commercial OCT system images. The thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer complex (GCL+IPL), inner nuclear layer and outer plexiform layer complex (INL+OPL), and the outer nuclear layer (ONL) were measured. Multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) was performed; two groups were formed based on the mfERG findings. Fourteen eyes had no detectable central retinal function (NCRF) on mfERG; detectable but abnormal retinal function (DRF) was present in the mfERG of the other 15 eyes. The thickness of the ONL in the central macular region was significantly less in the NCRF eyes compared with that in both DRF eyes and controls. The ONL was significantly thinner in the pericentral region in both patient groups compared with that in controls, whereas the thickness of the GCL+IPL and INL+OPL was significantly decreased only in the NCRF eyes. The RNFL in the peripheral region was significantly thicker, whereas the thickness of the GCL+IPL and ONL was significantly thinner in both patient groups compared with that in controls. The results are consistent with degeneration of the outer retina preceding inner retinal changes in RP. OCT image segmentation enables objective evaluation of retinal structural changes in RP, with potential use in the planning of therapeutic interventions and conceivably as an outcome measure.

The Structure and Function of the Macula in Patients with Advanced Retinitis Pigmentosa

PubMed Central

Vámos, Rita; Tátrai, Erika; Németh, János; Holder, Graham E.; DeBuc, Delia Cabrera

2011-01-01

Purpose. To assess the structure and function of the macula in advanced retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Methods. Twenty-nine eyes of 22 patients with RP were compared against 17 control eyes. Time-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) data were processed using OCTRIMA (optical coherence tomography retinal image analysis) as a means of quantifying commercial OCT system images. The thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer complex (GCL+IPL), inner nuclear layer and outer plexiform layer complex (INL+OPL), and the outer nuclear layer (ONL) were measured. Multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) was performed; two groups were formed based on the mfERG findings. Fourteen eyes had no detectable central retinal function (NCRF) on mfERG; detectable but abnormal retinal function (DRF) was present in the mfERG of the other 15 eyes. Results. The thickness of the ONL in the central macular region was significantly less in the NCRF eyes compared with that in both DRF eyes and controls. The ONL was significantly thinner in the pericentral region in both patient groups compared with that in controls, whereas the thickness of the GCL+IPL and INL+OPL was significantly decreased only in the NCRF eyes. The RNFL in the peripheral region was significantly thicker, whereas the thickness of the GCL+IPL and ONL was significantly thinner in both patient groups compared with that in controls. Conclusions. The results are consistent with degeneration of the outer retina preceding inner retinal changes in RP. OCT image segmentation enables objective evaluation of retinal structural changes in RP, with potential use in the planning of therapeutic interventions and conceivably as an outcome measure. PMID:21948552

Meta-metallic coils and resonators: Methods for high Q-value resonant geometries

PubMed Central

Mett, R. R.; Hyde, J. S.

2016-01-01

A novel method of decreasing ohmic losses and increasing Q-value in metallic resonators at high frequencies is presented. The method overcomes the skin-depth limitation of rf current flow cross section. The method uses layers of conductive foil of thickness less than a skin depth and capacitive gaps between layers. The capacitive gaps can substantially equalize the rf current flowing in each layer, resulting in a total cross-sectional dimension for rf current flow many times larger than a skin depth. Analytic theory and finite-element simulations indicate that, for a variety of structures, the Q-value enhancement over a single thick conductor approaches the ratio of total conductor thickness to skin depth if the total number of layers is greater than one-third the square of the ratio of total conductor thickness to skin depth. The layer number requirement is due to counter-currents in each foil layer caused by the surrounding rf magnetic fields. We call structures that exhibit this type of Q-enhancement “meta-metallic.” In addition, end effects due to rf magnetic fields wrapping around the ends of the foils can substantially reduce the Q-value for some classes of structures. Foil structures with Q-values that are substantially influenced by such end effects are discussed as are five classes of structures that are not. We focus particularly on 400 MHz, which is the resonant frequency of protons at 9.4 T. Simulations at 400 MHz are shown with comparison to measurements on fabricated structures. The methods and geometries described here are general for magnetic resonance and can be used at frequencies much higher than 400 MHz. PMID:27587143

Effectiveness of Combination of Dentin and Enamel Layers on the Masking Ability of Porcelain.

PubMed

Boscato, Noéli; Hauschild, Fernando Gabriel; Kaizer, Marina da Rosa; De Moraes, Rafael Ratto

2015-01-01

This study evaluated the masking ability of different porcelain thicknesses and combination of enamel and/or dentin porcelain layers over simulated background dental substrates with higher (A2) and lower (C4) color values. Combination of the enamel (E) and dentin (D) monolayer porcelain disks with different thicknesses (0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, and 1 mm) resulted in the following bilayer groups (n=10): D1E1, D1E0.8; D1E0.5; D0.8E0.8; D0.8E0.5, and D0.5E0.5. CIELAB color coordinates were measured with a spectrophotometer. The translucency parameter of mono and bilayer specimens and the masking ability estimated by color variation (ΔE*ab) of bilayer specimens over simulated dental substrates were evaluated. Linear regression analysis was used to investigate the relationships translucency parameter × ΔE*, translucency parameter × porcelain thickness, and ΔE* × porcelain thickness. Data were analyzed statistically (α= 0.05). Thinner porcelain disks were associated with higher translucency. Porcelain monolayers were considerably more translucent than bilayers (enamel + dentin). Dentin porcelain was less translucent than enamel porcelain with same thickness. ΔE* was always lower when measured over A2 background. Higher ΔE* was observed for the C4 background, indicating poorer masking ability. Increased ΔE* was significantly associated with increased translucency for both backgrounds. Decreased translucency and ΔE* were associated with increased total porcelain thickness or increased dentin thickness for both backgrounds. In conclusion, increased porcelain thickness (particularly increased dentin layer) and increased porcelain opacity resulted in better masking ability of the dental backgrounds.

Dynamic Dispersal of Surface Layer Biofilm Induced by Nanosized TiO2 Based on Surface Plasmon Resonance and Waveguide.

PubMed

Zhang, Peng; Guo, Jin-Song; Yan, Peng; Chen, You-Peng; Wang, Wei; Dai, You-Zhi; Fang, Fang; Wang, Gui-Xue; Shen, Yu

2018-05-01

Pollutant degradation is present mainly in the surface layer of biofilms, and the surface layer is the most vulnerable to impairment by toxic pollutants. In this work, the effects of nanosized TiO 2 (n-TiO 2 ) on the average thicknesses of Bacillus subtilis biofilm and on bacterial attachment on different surfaces were investigated. The binding mechanism of n-TiO 2 to the cell surface was also probed. The results revealed that n-TiO 2 caused biofilm dispersal and the thicknesses decreased by 2.0 to 2.6 μm after several hours of exposure. The attachment abilities of bacteria with extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on hydrophilic surfaces were significantly reduced by 31% and 81% under 10 and 100 mg/liter of n-TiO 2 , respectively, whereas those of bacteria without EPS were significantly reduced by 43% and 87%, respectively. The attachment abilities of bacteria with and without EPS on hydrophobic surfaces were significantly reduced by 50% and 56%, respectively, under 100 mg/liter of n-TiO 2 The results demonstrated that biofilm dispersal can be attributed to the changes in the cell surface structure and the reduction of microbial attachment ability. IMPORTANCE Nanoparticles can penetrate into the outer layer of biofilm in a relatively short period and can bind onto EPS and bacterial surfaces. The current work probed the effects of nanosized TiO 2 (n-TiO 2 ) on biofilm thickness, bacterial migration, and surface properties of the cell in the early stage using the surface plasmon resonance waveguide mode. The results demonstrated that n-TiO 2 decreased the adhesive ability of both cell and EPS and induced bacterial migration and biofilm detachment in several hours. The decreased adhesive ability of microbes and EPS worked against microbial aggregation, reducing the effluent quality in the biological wastewater treatment process. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.

Quantum confinement effects on electronic photomobilities at nanostructured semiconductor surfaces: Si(111) without and with adsorbed Ag clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hembree, Robert H.; Vazhappilly, Tijo; Micha, David A.

2017-12-01

The conductivity of holes and electrons photoexcited in Si slabs is affected by the slab thickness and by adsorbates. The mobilities of those charged carriers depend on how many layers compose the slab, and this has important scientific and technical consequences for the understanding of photovoltaic materials. A previously developed general computational procedure combining density matrix and electronic band structure treatments has been applied to extensive calculations of mobilities of photoexcited electrons and holes at Si(111) nanostructured surfaces with varying slab thickness and for varying photon energies, to investigate the expected change in mobility magnitudes as the slab thickness is increased. Results have been obtained with and without adsorbed silver clusters for comparison of their optical and photovoltaic properties. Band states were generated using a modified ab initio density functional treatment with the PBE exchange and correlation density functionals and with periodic boundary conditions for large atomic supercells. An energy gap correction was applied to the unoccupied orbital energies of each band structure by running more accurate HSE hybrid functional calculations for a Si(111) slab. Photoexcited state populations for slabs with 6, 8, 10, and 12 layers were generated using a steady state reduced density matrix including dissipative effects due to energy exchange with excitons and phonons in the medium. Mobilities have been calculated from the derivatives of voltage-driven electronic energies with respect to electronic momentum, for each energy band and for the average over bands. Results show two clear trends: (a) adding Ag increases the hole photomobilities and (b) decreasing the slab thickness increases hole photomobilities. The increased hole populations in 6- and 8-layer systems and the large increase in hole mobility for these thinner slabs can be interpreted as a quantum confinement effect of hole orbitals. As the slab thickness increases to ten and twelve layers, the effect of silver adsorbates decreases leading to smaller relative enhancements to the conduction electron and hole mobilities, but the addition of the silver nanoclusters still increases the absorbance of light and the mobility of holes compared to their mobilities in the pure Si slabs.

Direct measurement of the thickness-dependent electronic band structure of MoS2 using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy.

PubMed

Jin, Wencan; Yeh, Po-Chun; Zaki, Nader; Zhang, Datong; Sadowski, Jerzy T; Al-Mahboob, Abdullah; van der Zande, Arend M; Chenet, Daniel A; Dadap, Jerry I; Herman, Irving P; Sutter, Peter; Hone, James; Osgood, Richard M

2013-09-06

We report on the evolution of the thickness-dependent electronic band structure of the two-dimensional layered-dichalcogenide molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). Micrometer-scale angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of mechanically exfoliated and chemical-vapor-deposition-grown crystals provides direct evidence for the shifting of the valence band maximum from Γ to K, for the case of MoS2 having more than one layer, to the case of single-layer MoS2, as predicted by density functional theory. This evolution of the electronic structure from bulk to few-layer to monolayer MoS2 had earlier been predicted to arise from quantum confinement. Furthermore, one of the consequences of this progression in the electronic structure is the dramatic increase in the hole effective mass, in going from bulk to monolayer MoS2 at its Brillouin zone center, which is known as the cause for the decreased carrier mobility of the monolayer form compared to that of bulk MoS2.

Lateral variation in crustal and mantle structure in Bay of Bengal based on surface wave data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Amit; Mukhopadhyay, Sagarika; Kumar, Naresh; Baidya, P. R.

2018-01-01

Surface waves generated by earthquakes that occurred near Sumatra, Andaman-Nicobar Island chain and Sunda arc are used to estimate crustal and upper mantle S wave velocity structure of Bay of Bengal. Records of these seismic events at various stations located along the eastern coast of India and a few stations in the north eastern part of India are selected for such analysis. These stations lie within regional distance of the selected earthquakes. The selected events are shallow focused with magnitude greater than 5.5. Data of 65, 37, 36, 53 and 36 events recorded at Shillong, Bokaro, Visakhapatnam, Chennai and Trivandrum stations respectively are used for this purpose. The ray paths from the earthquake source to the recording stations cover different parts of the Bay of Bengal. Multiple Filtering Technique (MFT) is applied to compute the group velocities of surface waves from the available data. The dispersion curves thus obtained for this data set are within the period range of 15-120 s. Joint inversion of Rayleigh and Love wave group velocity is carried out to obtain the subsurface information in terms of variation of S wave velocity with depth. The estimated S wave velocity at a given depth and layer thickness can be considered to be an average value for the entire path covered by the corresponding ray paths. However, we observe variation in the value of S wave velocity and layer thickness from data recorded at different stations, indicating lateral variation in these two parameters. Thick deposition of sediments is observed along the paths followed by surface waves to Shillong and Bokaro stations. Sediment thickness keeps on decreasing as the surface wave paths move further south. Based on velocity variation the sedimentary layer is further divided in to three parts; on top lay unconsolidated sediment, underlain by consolidated sediment. Below this lies a layer which we consider as meta-sediments. The thickness and velocity of these layers decrease from north to south. The crustal material has higher velocity at the southern part compared to that at the northern part of Bay of Bengal indicating that it changes from more oceanic type in the southern part of the Bay to more continental type to its north. Both Moho and lithosphere - asthenosphere boundary (LAB) dips gently towards north. Thicknesses of both lithosphere and asthenosphere also increase in the same direction. The mantle structure shows complex variation from south to north indicating possible effect of repeated changes in type of tectonic activity in the Bay of Bengal.

Influence of salt and rinsing protocol on the structure of PAH/PSS polyelectrolyte multilayers.

PubMed

Feldötö, Zsombor; Varga, Imre; Blomberg, Eva

2010-11-16

A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and dual polarization interferometry (DPI) have been utilized to study how the structure of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH)/poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) multilayers is affected by the rinsing method (i.e., the termination of polyelectrolyte adsorption). The effect of the type of counterions used in the deposition solution was also investigated, and the polyelectrolyte multilayers were formed in a 0.5 M electrolyte solution (NaCl and KBr). From the measurements, it was observed that thicker layers were obtained when using KBr in the deposition solution than when using NaCl. Three different rinsing protocols have been studied: (i) the same electrolyte solution as used during multilayer formation, (ii) pure water, and (iii) first a salt solution (0.5 M) and then pure water. When the multilayer with PAH as the outermost layer was exposed to pure water, an interesting phenomenon was discovered: a large change in the energy dissipation was measured with the QCM. This could be attributed to the swelling of the layer, and from both QCM and DPI it is obvious that only the outermost PAH layer swells (to a thickness of 25-30 nm) because of a decrease in ionic strength and hence an increase in intra- and interchain repulsion, whereas the underlying layers retain a very rigid and compact structure with a low water content. Interestingly, the outermost PAH layer seems to obtain very similar thicknesses in water independent of the electrolyte used for the multilayer buildup. Another interesting aspect was that the measured thickness with the DPI evaluated by a single-layer model did not correlate with the estimated thickness from the model calculations performed on the QCM-D data. Thus, we applied a two-layer model to evaluate the DPI data and the results were in excellent agreement with the QCM-D results. To our knowledge, this evaluation of DPI data has not been done previously.

The history and fate of three families of lithosphere on Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, C. T.

2016-12-01

Based on compilations of surface heat flux to constrain the thermal boundary layer thickness, lithosphere thickness can be shown to have a trimodal distribution. In ocean basins, lithosphere thickness ranges from thin (<10 km) beneath young ocean basins, which dominate, to thick (<100 km) beneath old ocean basins, which are rare due to subduction. Continents have thicker lithospheres and define two additional peaks: 30%, reflecting most of the Archean cratons, are 180-220 km thick and 60% are 90-140 km thick. While ocean basins subduct after their lithospheres grow thick, continents do not, despite their thicker lithospheres. The insubductibility of continents is because the buoyancy of thick crust compensates for the thick cold lithosphere and because continental thermal boundary layers do not grow indefinitely. Lithospheric growth is understood to be limited by the onset of small-scale convective instabilities, but why then do continental lithospheres have two different critical thicknesses? Initial thickness, at the time of formation, is critical. Continental lithospheres less than 120 km thick are subject to magmatic modification (refertilization) in the form of thermo-chemical erosion, which gradually thins the lithosphere. Lithospheres greater than 120 km appear to be relatively immune to significant lithospheric thinning. This may in part be because refertilization-driven destabilization does not occur since deep melting is suppressed beneath thick lithosphere. To resist thermal thinning, it seems necessary that anomalously thick lithospheres were born with intrinsic strength, widely hypothesized to have been imparted by the unusual petrogenesis of cratonic mantle, wherein high degrees of melting early in Earth's history resulted in the formation of a dehydrated and strong chemical boundary layer. Another possibility is that cratonic mantle is characterized by the strengthening effects of larger grain size, owing to the high degrees of melting that decrease the number of clinopyroxene pinning points. In summary, a lithosphere's fate depends on the nature of its origin. Continental lithospheres born thick will have long, boring lives, continental lithospheres born thin will be forever tormented, and oceanic lithospheres are fated to have calm but brief lives at the Earth's surface.

Fluorescence lifetime, dipole orientation and bilayer polymer films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ho, Xuan Long; Chen, Po-Jui; Woon, Wei-Yen; White, Jonathon David

2017-10-01

Bilayer films consisting of the optically transparent polymers, polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were spin-cast on glass substrates. The upper 13.5 nm layer (PS) was lightly doped with Rhodamine-6 G (RH6G) or MEH-PPV. While the fluorescence of MEH-PPV was independent of PMMA thickness, the lifetime of RH6G increased 3-fold as the underlying PMMA thickness increased from 0 to 500 nm while the collected flux decreased suggesting a reorientation of the smaller molecule's dipole with respect to the air-polymer interface with PMMA thickness. This suggests lifetime may find application for nondestructive thickness measurements of transparent films with sub-micron lateral resolution and large range.

Emissivity of freestanding membranes with thin metal coatings

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zwol, P. J. van, E-mail: Pieter-jan.van.zwol@asml.com; Vles, D. F.; Voorthuijzen, W. P.

Freestanding silicon nitride membranes with thicknesses down to a few tens of nanometers find use as TEM windows or soft X-ray spectral purity filters. As the thickness of a membrane decreases, emissivity vanishes, which limits radiative heat emission and resistance to heat loads. We show that thin metal layers with thicknesses in the order of 1 nm enhance the emissivity of thin membranes by two to three orders of magnitude close to the theoretical limit of 0.5. This considerably increases thermal load capacity of membranes in vacuum environments. Our experimental results are in line with classical theory in which we adaptmore » thickness dependent scattering terms in the Drude and Lorentz oscillators.« less

Nano-mechanical Resonantor Sensors for Virus Detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bashir, Rashid

2005-03-01

Micro and nanoscale cantilever beams can be used as highly sensitive mass detectors. Scaling down the area of the cantilever allows a decrease in minimum detectable mass limit while scaling down the thickness allows the resonant frequencies to be within measurable range. We have fabricated arrays of silicon cantilever beams as nanomechanical resonant sensors to detect the mass of individual virus particles. The dimensions of the fabricated cantilever beams were in the range of 4-5 μm in length, 1-2 μm in width and 20-30 nm in thickness. The virus particles we used in the study were vaccinia virus, which is a member of the Poxviridae family and forms the basis of the smallpox vaccine. The frequency spectra of the cantilever beams, due to thermal and ambient noise, were measured using a laser Doppler vibrometer under ambient conditions. The change in resonant frequency as a function of the virus particle mass binding on the cantilever beam surface forms the basis of the detection scheme. We have demonstrated the detection of a single vaccinia virus particle with an average mass of 9.5 fg. Specific capture of the antigens requires attachment of antibodies, which can be in the same range of thickness as these cantilever sensors, and can alter their mechanical properties. We have attached protein layers on both sides of 30nm thick cantilever beams and we show that the resonant frequencies can increase or decrease upon the attachment of protein layers to the cantilevers. In certain cases, the increase in spring constant out-weighs the increase in mass and the resonant frequencies can increase upon the attachment of the protein layers. These devices can be very useful as components of biosensors for the detection of air-borne virus particles.

Dependency of tunneling magneto-resistance on Fe insertion-layer thickness in Co{sub 2}Fe{sub 6}B{sub 2}/MgO-based magnetic tunneling junctions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chae, Kyo-Suk; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., San #16 Banwol-dong, Hwasung-City, Gyeonggi-Do 445-701; Park, Jea-Gun, E-mail: parkjgL@hanyang.ac.kr

For Co{sub 2}Fe{sub 6}B{sub 2}/MgO-based perpendicular magnetic tunneling junctions spin valves with [Co/Pd]{sub n}-synthetic-antiferromagnetic (SyAF) layers, the tunneling-magneto-resistance (TMR) ratio strongly depends on the nanoscale Fe insertion-layer thickness (t{sub Fe}) between the Co{sub 2}Fe{sub 6}B{sub 2} pinned layer and MgO tunneling barrier. The TMR ratio rapidly increased as t{sub Fe} increased up to 0.4 nm by improving the crystalline linearity of a MgO tunneling barrier and by suppressing the diffusion of Pd atoms from a [Co/Pd]{sub n}-SyAF. However, it abruptly decreased by further increasing t{sub Fe} in transferring interfacial-perpendicular magnetic anisotropy into the IMA characteristic of the Co{sub 2}Fe{sub 6}B{sub 2}more » pinned layer. Thus, the TMR ratio peaked at t{sub Fe} = 0.4 nm: i.e., 120% at 29 Ωμm{sup 2}.« less

Nanostructured GaAs solar cells via metal-assisted chemical etching of emitter layers.

PubMed

Song, Yunwon; Choi, Keorock; Jun, Dong-Hwan; Oh, Jungwoo

2017-10-02

GaAs solar cells with nanostructured emitter layers were fabricated via metal-assisted chemical etching. Au nanoparticles produced via thermal treatment of Au thin films were used as etch catalysts to texture an emitter surface with nanohole structures. Epi-wafers with emitter layers 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 um in thickness were directly textured and a window layer removal process was performed before metal catalyst deposition. A nanohole-textured emitter layer provides effective light trapping capabilities, reducing the surface reflection of a textured solar cell by 11.0%. However, because the nanostructures have high surface area to volume ratios and large numbers of defects, various photovoltaic properties were diminished by high recombination losses. Thus, we have studied the application of nanohole structures to GaAs emitter solar cells and investigated the cells' antireflection and photovoltaic properties as a function of the nanohole structure and emitter thickness. Due to decreased surface reflection and improved shunt resistance, the solar cell efficiency increased from 4.25% for non-textured solar cells to 7.15% for solar cells textured for 5 min.

Locomotion of bacteria in liquid flow and the boundary layer effect on bacterial attachment.

PubMed

Zhang, Chao; Liao, Qiang; Chen, Rong; Zhu, Xun

2015-06-12

The formation of biofilm greatly affects the performance of biological reactors, which highly depends on bacterial swimming and attachment that usually takes place in liquid flow. Therefore, bacterial swimming and attachment on flat and circular surfaces with the consideration of flow was studied experimentally. Besides, a mathematical model comprehensively combining bacterial swimming and motion with flow is proposed for the simulation of bacterial locomotion and attachment in flow. Both experimental and theoretical results revealed that attached bacteria density increases with decreasing boundary layer thickness on both flat and circular surfaces, the consequence of which is inherently related to the competition between bacterial swimming and the non-slip motion with flow evaluated by the Péclet number. In the boundary layer, where the Péclet number is relatively higher, bacterial locomotion mainly depends on bacterial swimming. Thinner boundary layer promotes bacterial swimming towards the surface, leading to higher attachment density. To enhance the performance of biofilm reactors, it is effective to reduce the boundary layer thickness on desired surfaces. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Photonic band gaps from a stack of right- and left-hand chiral photonic crystal layers.

PubMed

Gevorgyan, A H

2012-02-01

In the present paper we investigated the optical properties of a stack of right- and left- hand chiral photonic crystal layers. The problem is solved by Ambartsumian's layer addition modified method. We investigated the reflection spectra peculiarities of this system and showed that in contrast to a single cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) layer this system has multiple photonic band gaps (PBGs) (at light normal incidence). We showed that this system has unique polarization properties, particularly the eigenpolarizations (EPs) of the system are degenerated (i.e., the two EPs coincide) for an even number of layers and, in contrast to ordinary gyrotropic systems, the polarization plane rotation decreases if the system thickness is increased, the rotation sign depends on the first sublayer chirality sign, the system is very sensitive to the change of the sublayer number in the system, etc. We also investigated the influence of sublayer thicknesses, incidence angle, the sublayer local dielectric anisotropies, the sublayer helix pitches on the reflection peculiarities, and other optical parameters of the system. © 2012 American Physical Society

Some Aspects of the Failure Mechanisms in BaTiO3-Based Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, David Donhang; Sampson, Michael J.

2012-01-01

The objective of this presentation is to gain insight into possible failure mechanisms in BaTiO3-based ceramic capacitors that may be associated with the reliability degradation that accompanies a reduction in dielectric thickness, as reported by Intel Corporation in 2010. The volumetric efficiency (microF/cm3) of a multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) has been shown to not increase limitlessly due to the grain size effect on the dielectric constant of ferroelectric ceramic BaTiO3 material. The reliability of an MLCC has been discussed with respect to its structure. The MLCCs with higher numbers of dielectric layers will pose more challenges for the reliability of dielectric material, which is the case for most base-metal-electrode (BME) capacitors. A number of MLCCs manufactured using both precious-metal-electrode (PME) and BME technology, with 25 V rating and various chip sizes and capacitances, were tested at accelerated stress levels. Most of these MLCCs had a failure behavior with two mixed failure modes: the well-known rapid dielectric wearout, and so-called 'early failures." The two failure modes can be distinguished when the testing data were presented and normalized at use-level using a 2-parameter Weibull plot. The early failures had a slope parameter of Beta >1, indicating that the early failures are not infant mortalities. Early failures are triggered due to external electrical overstress and become dominant as dielectric layer thickness decreases, accompanied by a dramatic reduction in reliability. This indicates that early failures are the main cause of the reliability degradation in MLCCs as dielectric layer thickness decreases. All of the early failures are characterized by an avalanche-like breakdown leakage current. The failures have been attributed to the extrinsic minor construction defects introduced during fabrication of the capacitors. A reliability model including dielectric thickness and extrinsic defect feature size is proposed in this presentation. The model can be used to explain the Intel-reported reliability degradation in MLCCs with respect to the reduction of dielectric thickness. It can also be used to estimate the reliability of a MLCC based on its construction and microstructure parameters such as dielectric thickness, average grain size, and number of dielectric layers. Measures for preventing early failures are also discussed in this document.

Retina ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer and peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with acromegaly.

PubMed

Şahin, Muhammed; Şahin, Alparslan; Kılınç, Faruk; Yüksel, Harun; Özkurt, Zeynep Gürsel; Türkcü, Fatih Mehmet; Pekkolay, Zafer; Soylu, Hikmet; Çaça, İhsan

2017-06-01

Increased secretion of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 in acromegaly has various effects on multiple organs. However, the ocular effects of acromegaly have yet to be investigated in detail. The aim of the present study was to compare retina ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness (pRNFL) between patients with acromegaly and healthy control subjects using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). This cross-sectional, comparative study included 18 patients with acromegaly and 20 control subjects. All participants underwent SD-OCT to measure pRNFL (in the seven peripapillary areas), GCIPL (in the nine ETDRS areas), and central macular thickness (CMT). Visual field (VF) examinations were performed using a Humphrey field analyzer in acromegalic patients. Measurements were compared between patients with acromegaly and control subjects. A total of 33 eyes of 18 patients with acromegaly and 40 eyes of 20 control subjects met the inclusion criteria of the present study. The overall calculated average pRNFL thickness was significantly lower in patients with acromegaly than in control subjects (P = 0.01), with pRNFL thickness significantly lower in the temporal superior and temporal inferior quadrants. Contrary to our expectations, pRNFL thickness in the nasal quadrant was similar between acromegalic and control subjects. The mean overall pRNFL thickness and superonasal, nasal, inferonasal, and inferotemporal quadrant pRNFL thicknesses were found to correlate with the mean deviation (MD) according to Spearman's correlation. However, other quadrants were not correlated with VF sensitivity. No significant difference in CMT values was observed (P = 0.6). GCIPL thickness was significantly lower in all quadrants of the inner and outer macula, except for central and inferior outer quadrants, in the acromegaly group than that in the control group (P < 0.05). GCIPL thicknesses of the inferior inner and outer macula quadrants were found to correlate with MD, whereas no correlation was observed between other quadrants and VF sensitivity. We demonstrated that GCIPL thickness decreased in patients with acromegaly compared with that in control subjects. However, the nasal quadrant pRNFL thickness was similar in acromegaly, in contrast to our expectations. SD-OCT may have utility in the assessment of the effects of acromegaly on retinal structures.

The light transmission and distribution in an optical fiber coated with TiO2 particles.

PubMed

Wang, Wen; Ku, Young

2003-03-01

The light delivery and distribution phenomena along the optical fiber coated with the P-25 TiO(2) particles by dipping was investigated. The surface properties (coverage, roughness and thickness) of the TiO(2) layer coated on the optical fiber were characterized by SEM micrographs. For TiO(2) layer prepared from solutions containing less than 20 wt.% of TiO(2) slurry, the thickness of layer was increased linearly with the TiO(2) slurry content in solutions. The UV light intensity transmitted along a TiO(2)-coated optical fiber decreased more rapidly than that transmitted along a non-coated fiber. Based on the experimental results, the light intensity distribution around a coated optical fiber was modeled to determine the optimum configuration for the design of optical fiber reactors under various operational conditions. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Effect of layer thickness on the elution of bulk-fill composite components.

PubMed

Rothmund, Lena; Reichl, Franz-Xaver; Hickel, Reinhard; Styllou, Panorea; Styllou, Marianthi; Kehe, Kai; Yang, Yang; Högg, Christof

2017-01-01

An increment layering technique in a thickness of 2mm or less has been the standard to sufficiently convert (co)monomers. Bulk fill resin composites were developed to accelerate the restoration process by enabling up to 4mm thick increments to be cured in a single step. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of layer thickness on the elution of components from bulk fill composites. The composites ELS Bulk fill, SDR Bulk fill and Venus Bulkfill were polymerized according to the instruction of the manufacturers. For each composite three groups with four samples each (n=4) were prepared: (1) samples with a layer thickness of 2mm; (2) samples with a layer thickness of 4mm and (3) samples with a layer thickness of 6mm. The samples were eluted in methanol and water for 24h and 7 d. The eluates were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A total of 11 different elutable substances have been identified from the investigated composites. Following methacrylates showed an increase of elution at a higher layer thickness: TEGDMA (SDR Bulk fill, Venus Bulk fill), EGDMA (Venus Bulk fill). There was no significant difference in the elution of HEMA regarding the layer thickness. The highest concentration of TEGDMA was 146μg/mL for SDR Bulk fill at a layer thickness of 6mm after 7 d in water. The highest HEMA concentration measured at 108μg/mL was detected in the methanol eluate of Venus Bulk fill after 7 d with a layer thickness of 6mm. A layer thickness of 4mm or more can lead to an increased elution of some bulk fill components, compared to the elution at a layer thickness of 2mm. Copyright © 2016 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of annealing temperature on microstructural evolution and electrical properties of sol-gel processed ZrO2/Si films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Soo Min; Lee, Seung Muk; Park, Kyung; Lee, Myung Soo; Joo, Jinho; Lim, Jun Hyung; Kim, Hyoungsub; Yoon, Jae Jin; Kim, Young Dong

2011-01-01

High-permittivity (k) ZrO2/Si(100) films were fabricated by a sol-gel technique and the microstructural evolution with the annealing temperature (Ta) was correlated with the variation of their electrical performance. With increasing Ta, the ZrO2 films crystallized into a tetragonal (t) phase which was maintained until 700 °C at nanoscale thicknesses. Although the formation of the t-ZrO2 phase obviously enhanced the k value of the ZrO2 dielectric layer, the maximum capacitance in accumulation was decreased by the growth of a low-k interfacial layer (IL) between ZrO2 and Si with increasing Ta. On the other hand, the gate leakage current was remarkably depressed with increasing Ta probably due to the combined effects of the increased IL thickness, optical band gap of ZrO2, and density of ZrO2 and decreased remnant organic components.

The bending stress distribution in bilayered and graded zirconia-based dental ceramics

PubMed Central

Fabris, Douglas; Souza, Júlio C.M.; Silva, Filipe S.; Fredel, Márcio; Mesquita-Guimarães, Joana; Zhang, Yu; Henriques, Bruno

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biaxial flexural stresses in classic bilayered and in graded zirconia-feldspathic porcelain composites. A finite element method and an analytical model were used to simulate the piston-on-ring test and to predict the biaxial stress distributions across the thickness of the bilayer and graded zirconia-feldspathic porcelain discs. An axisymmetric model and a flexure formula of Hsueh et al. were used in the FEM and analytical analysis, respectively. Four porcelain thicknesses were tested in the bilayered discs. In graded discs, continuous and stepwise transitions from the bottom zirconia layer to the top porcelain layer were studied. The resulting stresses across the thickness, measured along the central axis of the disc, for the bilayered and graded discs were compared. In bilayered discs, the maximum tensile stress decreased while the stress mismatch (at the interface) increased with the porcelain layer thickness. The optimized balance between both variables is achieved for a porcelain thickness ratio in the range of 0.30–0.35. In graded discs, the highest tensile stresses were registered for porcelain rich interlayers (p=0.25) whereas the zirconia rich ones (p=8) yield the lowest tensile stresses. In addition, the maximum stresses in a graded structure can be tailored by altering compositional gradients. A decrease in maximum stresses with increasing values of p (a scaling exponent in the power law function) was observed. Our findings showed a good agreement between the analytical and simulated models, particularly in the tensile region of the disc. Graded zirconia-feldspathic porcelain composites exhibited a more favourable stress distribution relative to conventional bilayered systems. This fact can significantly impact the clinical performance of zirconia-feldspathic porcelain prostheses, namely reducing the fracture incidence of zirconia and the chipping and delamination of porcelain. PMID:28104926

Observation of Anderson localization in disordered nanophotonic structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheinfux, Hanan Herzig; Lumer, Yaakov; Ankonina, Guy; Genack, Azriel Z.; Bartal, Guy; Segev, Mordechai

2017-06-01

Anderson localization is an interference effect crucial to the understanding of waves in disordered media. However, localization is expected to become negligible when the features of the disordered structure are much smaller than the wavelength. Here we experimentally demonstrate the localization of light in a disordered dielectric multilayer with an average layer thickness of 15 nanometers, deep into the subwavelength regime. We observe strong disorder-induced reflections that show that the interplay of localization and evanescence can lead to a substantial decrease in transmission, or the opposite feature of enhanced transmission. This deep-subwavelength Anderson localization exhibits extreme sensitivity: Varying the thickness of a single layer by 2 nanometers changes the reflection appreciably. This sensitivity, approaching the atomic scale, holds the promise of extreme subwavelength sensing.

Fabrication and characterization of epoxy/silica functionally graded composite material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Misra, N.; Kapusetti, G.; Pattanayak, D. K.; Kumar, A.

2011-09-01

Increased use of composites in aerospace and defense application induces the search for heat resistant material. In present study silica reinforced epoxy functionally graded material using quartz fabric is prepared with different thickness. The gradation in silica : epoxy matrix is maintained with one side pure epoxy to opposite side pure silica. Thermal and mechanical behaviour of the composites were studied. It was found that the temperature gradient of 350°C to 950°C could be maintained for 2 to 5 min if the thickness of insulating silica layer is increased from 0.5 mm to 16 mm. Mechanical properties such as flexural modulus and strength of FGM composites were also evaluated. Strength and modulus decreased with increase of insulating layer.

Performance of epitaxial back surface field cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brandhorst, H. W., Jr.; Baraona, C. R.; Swartz, C. K.

1973-01-01

Epitaxial back surface field structures were formed by depositing a 10 micron thick 10 Omega-cm epitaxial silicon layer onto substrates with resistivities of 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 10 Omega-cm. A correlation between cell open-circuit voltage and substrate resistivity was observed and was compared to theory. The cells were also irradiated with 1 MeV electrons to a fluence of 5 X 10 to the 15th power e/cm2. The decrease of cell open-circuit voltage was in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions and the measured short circuit currents were within 2% of the prediction. Calculations are presented of optimum cell performance as functions of epitaxial layer thickness, radiation fluence and substrate diffusion length.

Effect of viscosity of a thermoplastic prepreg and matrix upon winding of rings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stavrov, V. P.; Markov, A. V.; Zhernovskii, A. V.; Friedrich, K. F.

2000-05-01

The problem of compression of a unidirectional layer and shear of a polymer interlayer during winding of rings is considered. The equations determining the dependence of the layer thickness and stresses on the parameters entering into the power flow law for a prepreg and polymer matrix and on the basic parameters of the winding process—the initial tension of the prepreg, its placement rate, and the radius of a mandrel—are derived. The ring thickness measurements obtained at various temperatures and initial tension forces of plies confirm the adequacy of the model offered. It is found that the viscous properties of the prepreg and matrix upon winding affect the relative change in the layer thickness to a greater extent than the stresses in these layers. With increase in temperature and tension force upon winding, the effect of viscous deformations of the prepreg and matrix increases. A decrease in viscosity and an increase in the tension force of the tape lead to a higher strength of the ring in tension and interlaminar shear; however, the growing percolation of the polymer melt leads to a greater inhomogeneity of the structure of the composite in the ring and to a lower reinforcing effect of the factors mentioned.

The relationship between corneal biomechanics and anterior segment parameters in the early stage of orthokeratology: A pilot study.

PubMed

Chen, Renai; Mao, Xinjie; Jiang, Jun; Shen, Meixiao; Lian, Yan; Zhang, Bin; Lu, Fan

2017-05-01

To investigate the relationship between corneal biomechanics and anterior segment parameters in the early stage of overnight orthokeratology.Twenty-three eyes from 23 subjects were involved in the study. Corneal biomechanics, including corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF), and parameters of the anterior segment, including corneal curvature, central corneal thickness (CCT), and corneal sublayers' thickness, were measured at baseline and day 1 and 7 after wearing orthokeratology lens. One-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to compare the longitudinal changes and partial least squares linear regression was used to explore the relationship between corneal biomechanics and anterior segment parameters.At baseline, CH and CRF were positively correlated with CCT (r = 0.244, P = .008 for CH; r = 0.249, P < .001 for CRF), central stroma thickness (CST) (r = 0.241, P = .008 for CH; r = 0.244, P = .002 for CRF) and central Bowman layer thickness (CBT) (r = 0.138, P = .039 for CH; r = 0.171, P = .006 for CRF). Both CH and CRF significantly decreased from day 1 after orthokeratology. The corneal curvature and the epithelium thickness also significantly decreased, while the stromal layer thickened significantly from day 1 after orthokeratology. There was no correlation between the changes of corneal biomechanics and anterior segment parameters at day 1 and 7 after orthokeratology.While corneal biomechanics were positively correlated with CCT, CST, and CBT, the changes of CH and CRF were not correlated with the changes of corneal curvature, CCT, and corneal sublayers' thickness in the early stage of orthokeratology in our study.

Polymerization contraction stress in thin resin composite layers as a function of layer thickness.

PubMed

Alster, D; Feilzer, A J; de Gee, A J; Davidson, C L

1997-05-01

In the present study, the effect of layer thickness on the curing stress in thin resin composite layers was investigated. Since the value of the contraction stress is dependent on the compliance of the measuring equipment (especially for thin films), a method to determine the compliance of the test apparatus was tested. A chemically initiated resin composite (Clearfil F2, Kuraray) was inserted between two sandblasted and silane-coated stainless steel discs in a tensilometer. The curing contraction of the cylindrical samples was continuously counteracted by feedback displacement of the tensilometer crosshead, and the curing stress development was registered. After 20 min, the samples were loaded in tension until fracture. The curing stress was determined for layer thicknesses of 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 microns, 1.4 mm and 2.7 mm. The compliance of the apparatus was calculated with the aid of a non-linear regression analysis, using an equation derived from Hooke's Law as the model. None of the samples fractured due to contraction stress prior to tensile loading. The contraction stress after 20 min decreased from 23.3 +/- 5.3 MPa for the 50 microns layer to 5.5 +/- 0.6 MPa for the 2.7 mm layer. The compliance on the apparatus was 0.029 mm/MPa. A measuring method was developed which was found to be suitable for the determination of axial polymerization contraction stress in this films of chemically initiated resin composites. The method makes it possible to estimate the stress levels that occur in resin composite films in the clinical situation.

Theoretical investigation on multilayer nanocomposite-based fiber optic SPR sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shojaie, Ehsan; Madanipour, Khosro; Gharibzadeh, Azadeh; Abbasi, Shabnam

2017-06-01

In this work, a multilayer nanocomposite based fiber optic SPR sensor is considered and especially designed for CO2 gas detection. This proposed fiber sensor consists of fiber core, gold-silver alloy and the absorber layers. The investigation is based on the evaluation of the transmitted-power derived under the transfer matrix method and the multiple-reflection in the sensing area. In terms of sensitivity, the sensor performance is studied theoretically under various conditions related to the metal layer and its gold and silver nanoparticles to form a single alloy film. Effect of additional parameters such as the ratio of the alloy composition and the thickness of the alloy film on the performance of the SPR sensor is studied, as well. Finally, a four-layer structure is introduced to detect carbon dioxide gas. It contains core fiber, gold-silver alloy layer, an absorbent layer of carbon dioxide gas (KOH) and measurement environment. Lower price and size are the main advantages of using such a sensor in compare with commercial (NDIR) gas sensor. Theoretical results show by increasing the metal layer thickness the sensitivity of sensor is increased, and by increasing the ratio of the gold in alloy the sensitivity is decreased.

[A surface reacted layer study of titanium-zirconium alloy after dental casting].

PubMed

Zhang, Y; Guo, T; Li, Z; Li, C

2000-10-01

To investigate the influence of the mold temperature on the surface reacted layer of Ti-Zr alloy castings. Ti-Zr alloy was casted into a mold which was made of a zircon (ZrO2.SiO2) for inner coating and a phosphate-bonded material for outer investing with a casting machine (China) designed as vacuum, pressure and centrifuge. At three mold temperatures (room temperature, 300 degrees C, 600 degrees C) the Ti-Zr alloy was casted separately. The surface roughness of the castings was calculated by instrument of smooth finish (China). From the surface to the inner part the Knoop hardness and thickness in reacted layer of Ti-Zr alloy casting was measured. The structure of the surface reacted layer was analysed by SEM. Elemental analyses of the interfacial zone of the casting was made by element line scanning observation. The surface roughness of the castings was increased significantly with the mold temperature increasing. At a higher mold temperature the Knoop hardness of the reactive layer was increased. At the three mold temperature the outmost surface was very hard, and microhardness data decreased rapidly where they reached constant values. The thickness was about 85 microns for castings at room temperature and 300 degrees C, 105 microns for castings at 600 degrees C. From the SEM micrograph of the Ti-Zr alloy casting, the surface reacted layer could be divided into three different layers. The first layer was called non-structure layer, which thickness was about 10 microns for room temperature group, 20 microns for 300 degrees C and 25 microns for 600 degrees C. The second layer was characterized by coarse-grained acicular crystal, which thickness was about 50 microns for three mold temperatures. The third layer was Ti-Zr alloy. The element line scanning showed non-structure layer with higher level of element of O, Al, Si and Zr, The higher the mold temperature during casting, the deeper the Si permeating and in the second layer the element Si could also be found. The mold temperature is one of the major factors influencing to casting quality. In order to reduce the surface reacted layer of Ti-Zr alloy castings, the lower mold temperature and the investment without Si should be chosen.

Enhanced photovoltaic performances of graphene/Si solar cells by insertion of a MoS₂ thin film.

PubMed

Tsuboi, Yuka; Wang, Feijiu; Kozawa, Daichi; Funahashi, Kazuma; Mouri, Shinichiro; Miyauchi, Yuhei; Takenobu, Taishi; Matsuda, Kazunari

2015-09-14

Transition-metal dichalcogenides exhibit great potential as active materials in optoelectronic devices because of their characteristic band structure. Here, we demonstrated that the photovoltaic performances of graphene/Si Schottky junction solar cells were significantly improved by inserting a chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown, large MoS2 thin-film layer. This layer functions as an effective electron-blocking/hole-transporting layer. We also demonstrated that the photovoltaic properties are enhanced with the increasing number of graphene layers and the decreasing thickness of the MoS2 layer. A high photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 11.1% was achieved with the optimized trilayer-graphene/MoS2/n-Si solar cell.

Effect of Microstructure on Diffusional Solidification of 4343/3005/4343 Multi-Layer Aluminum Brazing Sheet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tu, Yiyou; Tong, Zhen; Jiang, Jianqing

2013-04-01

The effect of microstructure on clad/core interactions during the brazing of 4343/3005/4343 multi-layer aluminum brazing sheet was investigated employing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and electron back-scattering diffraction (EBSD). The thickness of the melted clad layer gradually decreased during the brazing operation. It could be completely removed isothermally as a result of diffusional solidification at the brazing temperature. During the brazing cycle, the rate of loss of the melt in the brazing sheet, with small equiaxed grains' core layer, was higher than that with the core layer consisting of elongated large grains. The difference in microstructure affected the amount of liquid formed during brazing.

Fast retinal layer segmentation of spectral domain optical coherence tomography images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Tianqiao; Song, Zhangjun; Wang, Xiaogang; Zheng, Huimin; Jia, Fucang; Wu, Jianhuang; Li, Guanglin; Hu, Qingmao

2015-09-01

An approach to segment macular layer thicknesses from spectral domain optical coherence tomography has been proposed. The main contribution is to decrease computational costs while maintaining high accuracy via exploring Kalman filtering, customized active contour, and curve smoothing. Validation on 21 normal volumes shows that 8 layer boundaries could be segmented within 5.8 s with an average layer boundary error <2.35 μm. It has been compared with state-of-the-art methods for both normal and age-related macular degeneration cases to yield similar or significantly better accuracy and is 37 times faster. The proposed method could be a potential tool to clinically quantify the retinal layer boundaries.

Lubiprostone decreases mouse colonic inner mucus layer thickness and alters intestinal microbiota.

PubMed

Musch, Mark W; Wang, Yunwei; Claud, Erika C; Chang, Eugene B

2013-03-01

Lubiprostone has been used to treat constipation through its effects to stimulate Cl(-) secretion, resulting in water and electrolyte secretion. Potential associated changes in intestinal mucus and the colonizing bacteria (microbiome) have not been studied. As mucus obstructions may play a role in cystic fibrosis, the hypothesis that lubiprostone alters intestinal mucus and the microbiome was investigated. Ion transport studies were performed ex vivo. For mucus and microbiome studies, mice were gavaged daily with lubiprostone or vehicle. Mucin from intestinal sections was analyzed in Carnoy's fixed tissues stained with Alcian blue. Microbiome composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing. Lubiprostone stimulated short circuit current in all mouse intestinal segments after both serosal and mucosal additions, albeit at lower concentrations in the latter. Current was Cl-dependent and blocked by mucosal diphenylcarboxylic acid, serosal bumetanide, and serosal Ba(++). The CFTR inhibitor CFTRinh172 had a marginal effect. Mucus near epithelial cells (inner layer mucus) was not present in the small intestine of any mice. Proximal colon inner mucus layer was thicker in ∆F/∆F compared with +/∆F and +/+ mice. Lubiprostone decreased inner mucus layer thickness in both proximal and distal colon of all mice. Furthermore, lubiprostone altered the intestinal microbiome by increasing abundance of Lactobacillus and Alistipes. Lubiprostone activates non-CFTR Cl(-) secretion and alters the colonic inner mucus layer, which is associated with changes in the composition of the enteric microbiome.

Lubiprostone Decreases Mouse Colonic Inner Mucus Layer Thickness and Alters Intestinal Microbiota

PubMed Central

Musch, Mark W.; Wang, Yunwei; Claud, Erika C.

2013-01-01

Background Lubiprostone has been used to treat constipation through its effects to stimulate Cl− secretion, resulting in water and electrolyte secretion. Aim Potential associated changes in intestinal mucus and the colonizing bacteria (microbiome) have not been studied. As mucus obstructions may play a role in cystic fibrosis, the hypothesis that lubiprostone alters intestinal mucus and the microbiome was investigated. Methods Ion transport studies were performed ex vivo. For mucus and microbiome studies, mice were gavaged daily with lubiprostone or vehicle. Mucin from intestinal sections was analyzed in Carnoy’s fixed tissues stained with Alcian blue. Microbiome composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing. Results Lubiprostone stimulated short circuit current in all mouse intestinal segments after both serosal and mucosal additions, albeit at lower concentrations in the latter. Current was Cl-dependent and blocked by mucosal diphenylcarboxylic acid, serosal bumetanide, and serosal Ba++. The CFTR inhibitor CFTRinh172 had a marginal effect. Mucus near epithelial cells (inner layer mucus) was not present in the small intestine of any mice. Proximal colon inner mucus layer was thicker in ΔF/ΔF compared with +/ΔF and +/+ mice. Lubiprostone decreased inner mucus layer thickness in both proximal and distal colon of all mice. Furthermore, lubiprostone altered the intestinal microbiome by increasing abundance of Lactobacillus and Alistipes. Conclusions Lubiprostone activates non-CFTR Cl− secretion and alters the colonic inner mucus layer, which is associated with changes in the composition of the enteric microbiome. PMID:23329012

Retinal ganglion cell complex and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses following carotid endarterectomy.

PubMed

Guclu, Orkut; Guclu, Hande; Huseyin, Serhat; Korkmaz, Selcuk; Yuksel, Volkan; Canbaz, Suat; Pelitli Gurlu, Vuslat

2018-06-23

To examine changes in retinal ganglion cell complex (GCC) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in contralateral and ipsilatateral eyes of carotid artery stenosis (CAS) patients before and after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Forty-two consecutive patients diagnosed with CAS (70-99% stenosis rate) who underwent CEA were included in this prospective cross-sectional study. The indication for CEA was based on the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study. Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomography angiography were performed to calculate CAS. All the subjects underwent an ophthalmological examination, including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements, biomicroscopy, fundoscopy, and OCT before and after the surgery. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure was 15.2 ± 2.1 mmHg in the ipsilateral eye and 15.8 ± 2.7 in the contralateral eye. The mean postoperative intraocular pressure in the ipsilateral and contralateral eye was 18.6 ± 3.0 and 19.3 ± 3.8, respectively. The intraocular pressure was significantly higher in postoperative eyes (p = 0.0001). There was a statistically significant decrease in peripapillary RNFL thickness in superior quadrants postoperatively in ipsilateral eyes. The retinal GCC layer thickness was not significantly different before and after CEA in ipsilateral and contralateral eyes. Carotid endarterectomy results in thinning of the superior peripapillary RNFL thickness. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine peripapillary RNFL and GCC thicknesses before and after CEA.

Comparison of B{sub 2}O{sub 3} and BN deposited by atomic layer deposition for forming ultrashallow dopant regions by solid state diffusion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Consiglio, Steven, E-mail: steve.consiglio@us.tel.com; Clark, Robert D.; O'Meara, David

2016-01-15

In this study, the authors investigated atomic layer deposition (ALD) of B{sub 2}O{sub 3} and BN for conformal, ultrashallow B doping applications and compared the effect of dopant-containing overlayers on sheet resistance (R{sub s}) and B profiles for both types of films subjected to a drive-in thermal anneal. For the deposition of B{sub 2}O{sub 3}, tris(dimethylamido)borane and O{sub 3} were used as coreactants and for the deposition of BN, BCl{sub 3} and NH{sub 3} were used as coreactants. Due to the extreme air instability of B{sub 2}O{sub 3} films, physical analysis was performed on B{sub 2}O{sub 3} films, which weremore » capped in-situ with ∼30 Å ALD grown Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} layers. For the BN films, in-situ ALD grown Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} capping layers (∼30 Å) were used for comparison. From spectroscopic ellipsometry, a thickness decrease was observed after 1000 °C, 30 s anneal for the B{sub 2}O{sub 3} containing stack with 60 ALD cycles of B{sub 2}O{sub 3}, whereas the BN containing stacks showed negligible thickness decrease after the annealing step, regardless of the number of BN cycles tested. The postanneal reduction in film thickness as well as decrease in R{sub s} for the B{sub 2}O{sub 3} containing stack suggests that the solid state diffusion dopant mechanism is effective, whereas for the BN containing stacks this phenomenon seems to be suppressed. Further clarification of the effectiveness of the B{sub 2}O{sub 3} containing layer compared to the film stacks with BN was evidenced in backside secondary ion mass spectrometry profiling of B atoms. Thus, B{sub 2}O{sub 3} formed by an ALD process and subsequently capped in-situ followed by a drive-in anneal offers promise as a dopant source for ultrashallow doping, whereas the same method using BN seems ineffective. An integrated approach for B{sub 2}O{sub 3} deposition and annealing on a clustered tool also demonstrated controllable R{sub s} reduction without the use of a capping layer.« less

Thickness-dependent domain wall reorientation in 70/30 lead magnesium niobate- lead titanate thin films

DOE PAGES

Keech, Ryan; Morandi, Carl; Wallace, Margeaux; ...

2017-04-11

Continued reduction in length scales associated with many ferroelectric film-based technologies is contingent on retaining the functional properties as the film thickness is reduced. Epitaxial and polycrystalline lead magnesium niobate - lead titanate (70PMN-30PT) thin films were studied over the thickness range of 100-350 nm for the relative contributions to property thickness dependence from interfacial and grain boundary low permittivity layers. Epitaxial PMN-PT films were grown on SrRuO 3 /(001)SrTiO 3, while polycrystalline films with {001}-Lotgering factors >0.96 were grown on Pt/TiO 2/SiO 2/Si substrates via chemical solution deposition. Both film types exhibited similar relative permittivities of ~300 at highmore » fields at all measured thicknesses with highly crystalline electrode/dielectric interfaces. These results, with the DC-biased and temperature dependent dielectric characterization, suggest irreversible domain wall mobility is the major contributor to the overall dielectric response and its thickness dependence. In epitaxial films, the irreversible Rayleigh coefficients reduced 85% upon decreasing thickness from 350 to 100 nm. The temperature at which a peak in the relative permittivity is observed was the only measured small signal quantity which was more thickness dependent in polycrystalline than epitaxial films. This is attributed to the relaxor nature present in the films, potentially stabilized by defect concentrations, and/or chemical inhomogeneity. Finally, the effective interfacial layers are found to contribute to the measured thickness dependence in the longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient.« less

The Ultrathin Limit and Dead-layer Effects in Local Polarization Switching of BiFeO3

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maksymovych, Petro; Huijben, Mark; Pan, Minghu

Using piezoresponse force microscopy in ultra-high vacuum, polarization switching has been detected and quantified in epitaxial BiFeO3 films from 200 down to ~ 4 unit cells. Local remnant piezoresponse was used to infer the applied electric field inside the ferroelectric volume, and account for the elusive effect of dead-layers in ultrathin films. The dead-layer manifested itself in the slower than anticipated decrease of the switching bias with film thickness, yielding apparent Kay-Dunn scaling of the switching field, while the statistical analysis of hysteresis loops revealed lateral variation of the dead-layer with sub-10 nm resolution.

Effect of geometric nanostructures on the absorption edges of 1-D and 2-D TiO₂ fabricated by atomic layer deposition.

PubMed

Chang, Yung-Huang; Liu, Chien-Min; Cheng, Hsyi-En; Chen, Chih

2013-05-01

2-Dimensional (2-D) TiO2 thin films and 1-dimensional (1-D) TiO2 nanotube arrays were fabricated on Si and quartz substrates using atomic layer deposition (ALD) with an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template at 400 °C. The film thickness and the tube wall thickness can be precisely controlled using the ALD approach. The intensities of the absorption spectra were enhanced by an increase in the thickness of the TiO2 thin film and tube walls. A blue-shift was observed for a decrease in the 1-D and 2-D TiO2 nanostructure thicknesses, indicating a change in the energy band gap with the change in the size of the TiO2 nanostructures. Indirect and direct interband transitions were used to investigate the change in the energy band gap. The results indicate that both quantum confinement and interband transitions should be considered when the sizes of 1-D and 2-D TiO2 nanostructures are less than 10 nm.

Coercivity enhancement of Dy-coated Nd-Fe-B flakes by crystallization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fukunaga, H.; Sugimoto, Y.; Nakano, M.

2011-04-01

The coercivity of isotropic Dy-coated Nd-Fe-B flakes was enhanced by crystallization and simultaneous diffusion of Dy from their surfaces. Amorphous Dy-coated Nd-Fe-B flakes were crystallized by heating them to 923 K 2over a 2 min period followed by rapid cooling. During crystallization, the Dy on the surface diffused into the flakes. This low-temperature rapid annealing produced flakes with fine grains and the Dy diffusion enhanced their coercivity. The coercivity after crystallization increased with increasing Dy layer thickness, although the remanence decreased when the layer thickness exceeded 3 {mu}m. Thick coatings of over 6 {mu}m resulted in the formation of DyFe{submore » 2}, which degraded the magnetic properties of the crystallized flakes. Flakes with a 3-{mu}m-thick coating exhibited excellent magnetic properties after annealing: They had a coercivity of 1880 kA/m and a remanence of 78 emu/g. This coercivity is approximately 500 kA/m higher than that of uncoated flakes, whereas the remanence is comparable to that of uncoated flakes.« less

The impact of ultra-thin titania interlayers on open circuit voltage and carrier lifetime in thin film solar cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moerman, David; Colbert, Adam E.; Ginger, David S., E-mail: ginger@chem.washington.edu

We study the effects of modifying indium tin oxide electrodes with ultrathin titania (TiO{sub 2}) layers grown via plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PE-ALD). We find an optimal thickness of PE-ALD-grown titania by tracking performance, which initially increases, peaks, and eventually decreases with increasing TiO{sub 2} thickness. We use scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) to measure both the local work function and its distribution as a function of TiO{sub 2} thickness. We find that the variance in contact potential difference across the surface of the film is related to either the amorphous or anatase TiO{sub 2} form. Finally, we use localmore » SKPM recombination rate experiments, supported by bulk transient photovoltage and charge extraction measurements. We show that the optimum TiO{sub 2} thickness is the one for which the carrier lifetime is the longest and the charge carrier density is the highest, when the TiO{sub 2} is amorphous, in agreement with the device measurements.« less

Abnormal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and macula lutea in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Gao, LiYan; Liu, Ying; Li, XiaoHong; Bai, QuanHao; Liu, Ping

2015-01-01

We investigated possible abnormalities in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macula lutea of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and tested for any correlation with the severity of dementia. A total of 72 subjects, comprising 25 AD patients, 26 MCI patients and 21 healthy individuals (controls) were enrolled in this study. The thickness of the RNFL and volume of the macula lutea was determined using optical coherence tomography (OCT). When compared with controls, we found statistically significant thinning of the RNFL in AD patients at all clock-hour positions except 12:00, and nasal quadrant, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00. After adjusting several risk factors, the average thickness of the RNFL was reduced in MCI patients compared to AD patients, with specific reductions at inferior quadrant, 5:00 and 6:00. Compared to controls, MCI patients showed a significant decrease in RNFL thickness only in the temporal quadrant, 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00. We found significant reduction in the volume of the macula lutea both in AD and MCI patients. Finally, we could not establish any correlation between patient Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (an estimation of the severity of cognitive impairment) and any OCT parameter. Retinal degeneration in AD and MCI patients results in decreased thickness of the RNFL, and reduced macular volume in AD and MCI patients. However, there seems to be no correlation between these changes and the severity of dementia. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction sign in Ir/Co2FeAl systems investigated by Brillouin light scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belmeguenai, M.; Gabor, M. S.; Roussigné, Y.; Petrisor, T.; Mos, R. B.; Stashkevich, A.; Chérif, S. M.; Tiusan, C.

2018-02-01

C o2FeAl (CFA) ultrathin films, of various thicknesses (0.9 nm ≤tCFA≤1.8 nm ), have been grown by sputtering on Si substrates, using Ir as a buffer layer. The magnetic properties of these structures have been studied by vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), miscrostrip ferromagnetic resonance (MS-FMR), and Brillouin light scattering (BLS) in the Damon-Eshbach geometry. VSM characterizations show that films are mostly in-plane magnetized and the saturating field perpendicular to the film plane increases with decreasing CFA thickness suggesting the existence of a perpendicular interface anisotropy. The presence of a magnetic dead layer of 0.44 nm has been detected by VSM. The MS-FMR with the magnetic field applied perpendicularly to the film plane has been used to determine the gyromagnetic factor. The BLS measurements reveal a pronounced nonreciprocal spin wave propagation, due to the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) induced by the Ir interface with CFA, which increases with decreasing CFA thickness. The DMI sign has been found to be the same (negative) as that of Pt/Co, in contrast to the ab initio calculation on Ir/Co, where it is found to be positive. The thickness dependence of the effective DMI constant shows the existence of two regimes similarly to that of the perpendicular anisotropy constant. The surface DMI constant Ds was estimated to be -0.37 pJ /m for the thickest samples, where a linear thickness dependence of the effective DMI constant has been observed.

Propagation behavior of two transverse surface waves in a three-layer piezoelectric/piezomagnetic structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nie, Guoquan; Liu, Jinxi; Liu, Xianglin

2017-10-01

Propagation of transverse surface waves in a three-layer system consisting of a piezoelectric/piezomagnetic (PE/PM) bi-layer bonded on an elastic half-space is theoretically investigated in this paper. Dispersion relations and mode shapes for transverse surface waves are obtained in closed form under electrically open and shorted boundary conditions at the upper surface. Two transverse surface waves related both to Love-type wave and Bleustein-Gulyaev (B-G) type wave propagating in corresponding three-layer structure are discussed through numerically solving the derived dispersion equation. The results show that Love-type wave possesses the property of multiple modes, it can exist all of the values of wavenumber for every selected thickness ratios regardless of the electrical boundary conditions. The presence of PM interlayer makes the phase velocity of Love-type wave decrease. There exist two modes allowing the propagation of B-G type wave under electrically shorted circuit, while only one mode appears in the case of electrically open circuit. The modes of B-G type wave are combinations of partly normal dispersion and partly anomalous dispersion whether the electrically open or shorted. The existence range of mode for electrically open case is greatly related to the thickness ratios, with the thickness of PM interlayer increasing the wavenumber range for existence of B-G type wave quickly shortened. When the thickness ratio is large enough, the wavenumber range of the second mode for electrically shorted circuit is extremely narrow which can be used to remove as an undesired mode. The propagation behaviors and mode shapes of transverse surface waves can be regulated by the modification of the thickness of PM interlayer. The obtained results provide a theoretical prediction and basis for applications of PE-PM composites and acoustic wave devices.

Shape memory effect in nanosized Ti2NiCu alloy-based composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irzhak, A. V.; Lega, P. V.; Zhikharev, A. M.; Koledov, V. V.; Orlov, A. P.; Kuchin, D. S.; Tabachkova, N. Yu.; Dikan, V. A.; Shelyakov, A. V.; Beresin, M. Yu.; Pushin, V. G.; von Gratowski, S. V.; Pokrovskiy, V. Ya.; Zybtsev, S. G.; Shavrov, V. G.

2017-01-01

The shape memory effect (SME) in alloys with a thermoelastic martensite transition opens unique opportunities for the creation of miniature mechanical devices. The SME has been studied in layered composite microstructures consisting of a Ti2NiCu alloy and platinum. It occurs upon a decrease in the active layer thickness at least to 80 nm. Some physical and technological restrictions on the minimum size of a material with SME are discussed.

Influence of O-Co-O layer thickness on the thermal conductivity of Na{sub x}Co{sub 2}O{sub 4} studied by positron annihilation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, H. Q.; Zhao, B.; Zhang, T.

2015-07-21

Nominal stoichiometric Na{sub x}Co{sub 2}O{sub 4} (x = 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, and 2.0) polycrystals were synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. They were further pressed into pellets by the spark plasma sintering. The crystal structure and morphology of Na{sub x}Co{sub 2}O{sub 4} samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy measurements. Good crystallinity and layered structures were observed for all the samples. Positron annihilation measurements were performed for Na{sub x}Co{sub 2}O{sub 4} as a function of Na content. Two lifetime components are resolved. τ{sub 1} is attributed mainly to positron annihilation in the O-Co-O layers and shifts tomore » Na layers only in the H3 phase. The second lifetime τ{sub 2} is due to positron annihilation in vacancy clusters which may exist in the Na layers or grain boundary region. The size of vacancy clusters grow larger but their concentration decreases with increasing Na content in the range of 1.0 < x < 1.8. The thickness of O-Co-O layer also shows continuous increase with increasing Na content, which is reflected by the increase of τ{sub 1}. The thermal conductivity κ, on the other hand, shows systematic decrease with increasing Na content. This suggests that the increasing spacing of O-Co-O layer could effectively reduce the thermal conductivity of Na{sub x}Co{sub 2}O{sub 4}.« less

Controlling the formation and stability of ultra-thin nickel silicides - An alloying strategy for preventing agglomeration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geenen, F. A.; van Stiphout, K.; Nanakoudis, A.; Bals, S.; Vantomme, A.; Jordan-Sweet, J.; Lavoie, C.; Detavernier, C.

2018-02-01

The electrical contact of the source and drain regions in state-of-the-art CMOS transistors is nowadays facilitated through NiSi, which is often alloyed with Pt in order to avoid morphological agglomeration of the silicide film. However, the solid-state reaction between as-deposited Ni and the Si substrate exhibits a peculiar change for as-deposited Ni films thinner than a critical thickness of tc = 5 nm. Whereas thicker films form polycrystalline NiSi upon annealing above 450 ° C , thinner films form epitaxial NiSi2 films that exhibit a high resistance toward agglomeration. For industrial applications, it is therefore of utmost importance to assess the critical thickness with high certainty and find novel methodologies to either increase or decrease its value, depending on the aimed silicide formation. This paper investigates Ni films between 0 and 15 nm initial thickness by use of "thickness gradients," which provide semi-continuous information on silicide formation and stability as a function of as-deposited layer thickness. The alloying of these Ni layers with 10% Al, Co, Ge, Pd, or Pt renders a significant change in the phase sequence as a function of thickness and dependent on the alloying element. The addition of these ternary impurities therefore changes the critical thickness tc. The results are discussed in the framework of classical nucleation theory.

Enhancement of surface mechanical properties by using TiN[BCN/BN] n/c-BN multilayer system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreno, H.; Caicedo, J. C.; Amaya, C.; Muñoz-Saldaña, J.; Yate, L.; Esteve, J.; Prieto, P.

2010-11-01

The aim of this work is to improve the mechanical properties of AISI 4140 steel substrates by using a TiN[BCN/BN] n/c-BN multilayer system as a protective coating. TiN[BCN/BN] n/c-BN multilayered coatings via reactive r.f. magnetron sputtering technique were grown, systematically varying the length period ( Λ) and the number of bilayers ( n) because one bilayer ( n = 1) represents two different layers ( tBCN + tBN), thus the total thickness of the coating and all other growth parameters were maintained constant. The coatings were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showing bands associated with h-BN bonds and c-BN stretching vibrations centered at 1400 cm -1 and 1100 cm -1, respectively. Coating composition and multilayer modulation were studied via secondary ion mass spectroscopy. Atomic force microscopy analysis revealed a reduction in grain size and roughness when the bilayer number ( n) increased and the bilayer period decreased. Finally, enhancement of mechanical properties was determined via nanoindentation measurements. The best behavior was obtained when the bilayer period ( Λ) was 80 nm ( n = 25), yielding the relative highest hardness (˜30 GPa) and elastic modulus (230 GPa). The values for the hardness and elastic modulus are 1.5 and 1.7 times greater than the coating with n = 1, respectively. The enhancement effects in multilayered coatings could be attributed to different mechanisms for layer formation with nanometric thickness due to the Hall-Petch effect; because this effect, originally used to explain increased hardness with decreasing grain size in bulk polycrystalline metals, has also been used to explain hardness enhancements in multilayered coatings taking into account the thickness reduction at individual single layers that make up the multilayered system. The Hall-Petch model based on dislocation motion within layered and across layer interfaces has been successfully applied to multilayered coatings to explain this hardness enhancement.

Dynamics of molecular excitons near a semiconductor surface studied by fluorescence quenching of polycrystalline tetracene on silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piland, Geoffrey B.; Burdett, Jonathan J.; Hung, Tzu-Yao; Chen, Po-Hsun; Lin, Chi-Feng; Chiu, Tien-Lung; Lee, Jiun-Haw; Bardeen, Christopher J.

2014-05-01

Tetracene, a molecule that undergoes singlet fission, is deposited on Si with variable thickness LiF spacer layers. In agreement with earlier work (Hayashi et al., 1983 [10]), the fluorescence intensity of the tetracene greatly increases as the LiF thickness approaches 100 nm. This increase is partly due to a 30% increase in the prompt fluorescence decay time but mostly results from weaker coupling of the luminescence into the Si substrate. A decrease in the prompt fluorescence lifetime is observed as the tetracene thickness is increased on bare Si. We find no evidence for triplet energy transfer to the Si.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Uribe, Fernando; Vianco, Paul Thomas; Zender, Gary L.

A study was performed that examined the microstructure and mechanical properties of 63Sn-37Pb (wt.%, Sn-Pb) solder joints made to thick film layers on low-temperature co-fired (LTCC) substrates. The thick film layers were combinations of the Dupont{trademark} 4596 (Au-Pt-Pd) conductor and Dupont{trademark} 5742 (Au) conductor, the latter having been deposited between the 4596 layer and LTCC substrate. Single (1x) and triple (3x) thicknesses of the 4596 layer were evaluated. Three footprint sizes were evaluated of the 5742 thick film. The solder joints exhibited excellent solderability of both the copper (Cu) lead and thick film surface. In all test sample configurations, themore » 5742 thick film prevented side wall cracking of the vias. The pull strengths were in the range of 3.4-4.0 lbs, which were only slightly lower than historical values for alumina (Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) substrates. General (qualitative) observations: (a) The pull strength was maximized when the total number of thick film layers was between two and three. Fewer that two layers did not develop as strong of a bond at the thick film/LTCC interface; more than three layers and of increased footprint area, developed higher residual stresses at the thick film/LTCC interface and in the underlying LTCC material that weakened the joint. (b) Minimizing the area of the weaker 4596/LTCC interface (e.g., larger 5742 area) improved pull strength. Specific observations: (a) In the presence of vias and the need for the 3x 4596 thick film, the preferred 4596:5742 ratio was 1.0:0.5. (b) For those LTCC components that require the 3x 4596 layer, but do not have vias, it is preferred to refrain from using the 5742 layer. (c) In the absence of vias, the highest strength was realized with a 1x thick 5742 layer, a 1x thick 4596 layer, and a footprint ratio of 1.0:1.0.« less

Spectral ellipsometry as a method for characterization of nanosized films with ferromagnetic layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hashim, H.; Singkh, S. P.; Panina, L. V.; Pudonin, F. A.; Sherstnev, I. A.; Podgornaya, S. V.; Shpetnyi, I. A.; Beklemisheva, A. V.

2017-11-01

Nanosized films with ferromagnetic layers are widely used in nanoelectronics, sensor systems and telecommunications. Their properties may strongly differ from those of bulk materials that is on account of interfaces, intermediate layers and diffusion. In the present work, spectral ellipsometry and magnetooptical methods are adapted for characterization of the optical parameters and magnetization processes in two- and three-layer Cr/NiFe, Al/NiFe and Cr(Al)/Ge/NiFe films onto a sitall substrate for various thicknesses of Cr and Al layers. At a layer thickness below 20 nm, the complex refractive coefficients depend pronouncedly on the thickness. In two-layer films, remagnetization changes weakly over a thickness of the top layer, but the coercive force in three-layer films increases by more than twice upon remagnetization, while increasing the top layer thickness from 4 to 20 nm.

Exciton-dominated dielectric function of atomically thin MoS 2 films

DOE PAGES

Yu, Yiling; Yu, Yifei; Cai, Yongqing; ...

2015-11-24

We systematically measure the dielectric function of atomically thin MoS 2 films with different layer numbers and demonstrate that excitonic effects play a dominant role in the dielectric function when the films are less than 5–7 layers thick. The dielectric function shows an anomalous dependence on the layer number. It decreases with the layer number increasing when the films are less than 5–7 layers thick but turns to increase with the layer number for thicker films. We show that this is because the excitonic effect is very strong in the thin MoS 2 films and its contribution to the dielectricmore » function may dominate over the contribution of the band structure. We also extract the value of layer-dependent exciton binding energy and Bohr radius in the films by fitting the experimental results with an intuitive model. The dominance of excitonic effects is in stark contrast with what reported at conventional materials whose dielectric functions are usually dictated by band structures. Lastly, the knowledge of the dielectric function may enable capabilities to engineer the light-matter interactions of atomically thin MoS 2 films for the development of novel photonic devices, such as metamaterials, waveguides, light absorbers, and light emitters.« less

Fruit and seed heteromorphism in the cold desert annual ephemeral Diptychocarpus strictus (Brassicaceae) and possible adaptive significance.

PubMed

Lu, Juanjuan; Tan, Dunyan; Baskin, Jerry M; Baskin, Carol C

2010-06-01

Diptychocarpus strictus is an annual ephemeral in the cold desert of northwest China that produces heteromorphic fruits and seeds. The primary aims of this study were to characterize the morphology and anatomy of fruits and seeds of this species and compare the role of fruit and seed heteromorphism in dispersal and germination. Shape, size, mass and dispersal of siliques and seeds and the thickness of the mucilage layer on seeds were measured, and the anatomy of siliques and seeds, the role of seed mucilage in water absorption/dehydration, germination and adherence of seeds to soil particles, the role of pericarp of lower siliques in seed dormancy and seed after-ripening and germination phenology were studied using standard procedures. Plants produce dehiscent upper siliques with a thin pericarp containing seeds with large wings and a thick mucilage layer and indehiscent lower siliques with a thick pericarp containing nearly wingless seeds with a thin mucilage layer. The dispersal ability of seeds from the upper siliques was much greater than that of intact lower siliques. Mucilage increased the amount of water absorbed by seeds and decreased the rate of dehydration. Seeds with a thick mucilage layer adhered to soil particles much better than those with a thin mucilage layer or those from which mucilage had been removed. Fresh seeds were physiologically dormant and after-ripened during summer. Non-dormant seeds germinated to high percentages in light and in darkness. Germination of seeds from upper siliques is delayed until spring primarily by drought in summer and autumn, whereas the thick, indehiscent pericarp prevents germination for >1 year of seeds retained in lower siliques. The life cycle of D. strictus is morphologically and physiologically adapted to the cold desert environment in time and space via a combination of characters associated with fruit and seed heteromorphism.

Evolution of Akaganeite in Rust Layers Formed on Steel Submitted to Wet/Dry Cyclic Tests

PubMed Central

Ye, Wei; Song, Xiaoping; Ma, Yuantai; Li, Ying

2017-01-01

The evolution of akaganeite in rust layers strongly impacts the atmospheric corrosion behavior of steel during long-term exposure; however, the factors affecting the evolution of akaganeite and its mechanism of formation are vague. In this work, wet-dry cyclic corrosion tests were conducted to simulate long-term exposure. Quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis was employed to analyze variations in the relative amounts of akaganeite; scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis were used to study the migration of relevant elements in the rust layer, which could help elucidate the mechanism of akaganeite evolution. The results indicate that the fraction of akaganeite tends to decrease as the corrosion process proceeded, which is a result of the decrease in the amount of soluble chloride available and the ability of the thick rust layer to block the migration of relevant ions. This work also explores the location of akaganeite formation within the rust layer. PMID:29099061

Effects of channel thickness on oxide thin film transistor with double-stacked channel layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Kimoon; Kim, Yong-Hoon; Yoon, Sung-Min; Kim, Jiwan; Oh, Min Suk

2017-11-01

To improve the field effect mobility and control the threshold voltage ( V th ) of oxide thin film transistors (TFTs), we fabricated the oxide TFTs with double-stacked channel layers which consist of thick Zn-Sn-O (ZTO) and very thin In-Zn-O (IZO) layers. We investigated the effects of the thickness of thin conductive layer and the conductivity of thick layer on oxide TFTs with doublestacked channel layer. When we changed the thickness of thin conductive IZO channel layer, the resistivity values were changed. This resistivity of thin channel layer affected on the saturation field effect mobility and the off current of TFTs. In case of the thick ZTO channel layer which was deposited by sputtering in Ar: O2 = 10: 1, the device showed better performances than that which was deposited in Ar: O2 = 1: 1. Our TFTs showed high mobility ( μ FE ) of 40.7 cm2/Vs and V th of 4.3 V. We assumed that high mobility and the controlled V th were caused by thin conductive IZO layer and thick stable ZTO layer. Therefore, this double-stacked channel structure can be very promising way to improve the electrical characteristics of various oxide thin film transistors.

Unstirred Water Layers and the Kinetics of Organic Cation Transport

PubMed Central

Shibayama, Takahiro; Morales, Mark; Zhang, Xiaohong; Martinez, Lucy; Berteloot, Alfred; Secomb, Timothy W.; Wright, Stephen H.

2015-01-01

Purpose Unstirred water layers (UWLs) present an unavoidable complication in the measurement of transport kinetics in cultured cells and the high rates of transport achieved by overexpressing heterologous transporters exacerbate the UWL effect. This study examined the correlation between measured Jmax and Kt values and the effect of manipulating UWL thickness or transport Jmax on the accuracy of experimentally determined kinetics of the multidrug transporters, OCT2 and MATE1. Methods Transport of TEA and MPP was measured in CHO cells that stably expressed human OCT2 or MATE1. UWL thickness was manipulated by vigorous reciprocal shaking. Several methods were used to manipulate maximal transport rates. Results Vigorous stirring stimulated uptake of OCT2-mediated transport by decreasing apparent Kt (Ktapp) values. Systematic reduction in transport rates was correlated with reduction in Ktapp values. The slope of these relationships indicated a 1500 µm UWL in multiwell plates. Reducing the influence of UWLs (by decreasing either their thickness or the Jmax of substrate transport) reduced Ktapp by 2-fold to >10-fold. Conclusions Failure to take into account the presence of UWLs in experiments using cultured cells to measure transport kinetics can result in significant underestimates of the affinity of multidrug transporters for substrates. PMID:25791216

Optical and electrical properties of Mn1.56Co0.96Ni0.48O4 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Y. Q.; Huang, Z. M.; Hou, Y.; Wu, J.; Chu, J. H.

2013-12-01

Mn1.56Co0.96Ni0.48O4 (MCN) films with different layers have been prepared on Al2O3 substrate by chemical solution deposition method. The microstructures, optical and electrical properties of the films are investigated. X-ray diffraction and microstructure analyses show good crystallization and both the crystalline quality and the grain size are improved with the increasing thickness of the films. Mid-infrared optical properties of MCN films have been investigated using transmission spectra. The results show the red shift of absorption with the increasing film thickness and the energy gap Eg decrease from 0.6422 eV to 0.6354 eV. All the MCN films show an exponential decrease in the resistivity with increasing temperature within the measured range. The temperature dependence resistivity can be described by the small polarons hopping model. Using this model, the characteristic temperature T0 and activation energy E of the MCN films were derived. With the film thickness increase, the T0 and E of the MCN films increase. The calculated room temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of MCN film with 100 layers is -3.5% K-1. The MCN films showed appropriate resistance and high value of TCR, these advantages make them very preponderant for thermal sensors.

Seasonal Oxygen Dynamics in a Thermokarst Bog in Interior Alaska: Implications for Rates of Methane Oxidation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neumann, R. B.; Moorberg, C.; Wong, A.; Waldrop, M. P.; Turetsky, M. R.

2015-12-01

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and wetlands represent the largest natural source of methane to the atmosphere. However, much of the methane generated in anoxic wetlands never gets emitted to the atmosphere; up to >90% of generated methane can get oxidized to carbon dioxide. Thus, oxidation is an important methane sink and changes in the rate of methane oxidation can affect wetland methane emissions. Most methane is aerobically oxidized at oxic-anoxic interfaces where rates of oxidation strongly depend on methane and oxygen concentrations. In wetlands, oxygen is often the limiting substrate. To improve understanding of belowground oxygen dynamics and its impact on methane oxidation, we deployed two planar optical oxygen sensors in a thermokarst bog in interior Alaska. Previous work at this site indicated that, similar to other sites, rates of methane oxidation decrease over the growing season. We used the sensors to track spatial and temporal patterns of oxygen concentrations over the growing season. We coupled these in-situ oxygen measurements with periodic oxygen injection experiments performed against the sensor to quantify belowground rates of oxygen consumption. We found that over the season, the thickness of the oxygenated water layer at the peatland surface decreased. Previous research has indicated that in sphagnum-dominated peatlands, like the one studied here, rates of methane oxidation are highest at or slightly below the water table. It is in these saturated but oxygenated locations that both methane and oxygen are available. Thus, a seasonal reduction in the thickness of the oxygenated water layer could restrict methane oxidation. The decrease in thickness of the oxygenated layer coincided with an increase in the rate of oxygen consumption during our oxygen injection experiments. The increase in oxygen consumption was not explained by temperature; we infer it was due to an increase in substrate availability for oxygen consuming reactions and/or abundance of key microbial populations. Together, the data provide an explanation for the seasonal decrease in methane oxidation: rates of oxygen consumption increase over the season, which decreases the amount of oxygen dissolved in porewater at the peatland surface and reduces rates of methane oxidation.

Sonographic assessment of abdominal fat distribution during the first year of infancy.

PubMed

Brei, Christina; Much, Daniela; Heimberg, Ellen; Schulte, Verena; Brunner, Stefanie; Stecher, Lynne; Vollhardt, Christiane; Bauer, Jan S; Amann-Gassner, Ulrike; Hauner, Hans

2015-09-01

Longitudinal data regarding the fat distribution in the early postnatal period is sparse. We performed ultrasonography (US) as a noninvasive approach to investigate the development of abdominal subcutaneous (SC) and preperitoneal (PP) fat depots in infants ≤1 y and compared longitudinal US data with skinfold thickness (SFT) measurements and anthropometry in 162 healthy children at 6 wk, 4 mo, and 1 y postpartum. US was found to be a reproducible method for the quantification of abdominal SC and PP adipose tissue (AT) in this age group. Thickness of SC fat layers significantly increased from 6 wk to 4 mo and decreased at 1 y postpartum, whereas PP fat layers continuously increased. Girls had a significantly higher SC fat mass compared to boys, while there was no sex-specific difference in PP fat thickness. SC fat layer was strongly correlated with SFT measurements, while PP fat tissue was only weakly correlated with anthropometric measures. US is a feasible and reproducible method for the quantification of abdominal fat mass in infants ≤1 y of age. PP and SC fat depots develop differentially during the first year of life.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wan, Li; Thompson, Gregory, E-mail: gthompson@eng.ua.edu

A series of 40–2 nm bilayer spacing Ti/Fe multilayers were sputter-deposited. As the length scale of individual Ti layers equaled to 2 nm, Ti phase transforms from a hexagonal close packed (hcp)-to-body centered cubic (bcc) crystal structures for equal layer thicknesses in Ti/Fe multilayers. Further equal reductions in bilayer spacing to less than 1 nm resulted in an additional transformation from a crystalline to amorphous structure. Atom probe tomography reveals significant intermixing between layers which contributes to the observed phase transformations. Real-time, intrinsic growth stress measurements were also performed to relate the adatom mobility to these phase transformations. For the hcp Ti/bcc Femore » multilayers of equivalent volume fractions, the multilayers undergo an overall tensile stress state to a compressive stress state with decreasing bilayer thickness for the multilayers. When the above phase transformations occurred, a modest reduction in the overall compressive stress of the multilayer was noted. Depending on the Fe thickness, the Ti growth was observed to be a tensile to compressive growth change to a purely compressive growth for thinner bilayer spacing. Fe retained a tensile growth stress regardless of the bilayer spacing studied.« less

Huge domain-wall speed variation with respect to ferromagnetic layer thickness in ferromagnetic Pt/Co/TiO2/Pt films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Dae-Yun; Park, Min-Ho; Park, Yong-Keun; Yu, Ji-Sung; Kim, Joo-Sung; Kim, Duck-Ho; Min, Byoung-Chul; Choe, Sug-Bong

2018-02-01

In this study, we investigate the influence of the ferromagnetic layer thickness on the magnetization process. A series of ultrathin Pt/Co/TiO2/Pt films exhibits domain-wall (DW) speed variation of over 100,000 times even under the same magnetic field, depending on the ferromagnetic layer thickness. From the creep-scaling analysis, such significant variation is found to be mainly attributable to the thickness-dependence of the creep-scaling constant in accordance with the creep-scaling theory of the linear proportionality between the creep-scaling constant and the ferromagnetic layer thickness. Therefore, a thinner film shows a faster DW speed. The DW roughness also exhibits sensitive dependence on the ferromagnetic layer thickness: a thinner film shows smoother DW. The present observation provided a guide for an optimal design rule of the ferromagnetic layer thickness for better performance of DW-based devices.

NiFeCo/Cu superlattices with high magnetoresistive sensitivity and weak hysteresis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bannikova, N. S.; Milyaev, M. A.; Naumova, L. I.; Krinitsina, T. P.; Patrakov, E. I.; Proglyado, V. V.; Chernyshova, T. A.; Ustinov, V. V.

2016-10-01

The microstructure and the magetoresistive characteristics of [NiFeCo/Cu]8 superlattices prepared by magnetron sputtering with various thickness of the buffer NiFeCr layer and exhibiting a giant magnetoresistive effect have been studied. It has been found that these nanostructures are formed with a strong or weak hysteresis depending on the structure (bcc or fcc) formed in the NiFeCr buffer layer. The method of the substantial decrease in the hysteresis loop width of the magnetoresistance by using the composite Ta/NiFeCr buffer layer has been suggested.

Structures Formed in Experimentally Sheared Artificial Fault Gouge: Precise Statistical Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dilov, T.; Yoshida, S.; Kato, A.; Nakatani, M.; Mochizuki, H.; Otsuki, K.

2004-12-01

The physical parameters governing earthquakes change with the ongoing formation and evolution of structures, formed in the course of a single or multiple earthquakes, within a particular fault zone or in a broad volume containing interacting tectonic faults. Our precise knowledge of these complex phenomena is still elusive. Especially, works considering geometrical evolution of shear structures under controlled conditions are rare. In order to gain some insights we accomplished a set of 12 laboratory experiments using a servo-controlled direct-shear apparatus, under room temperature and without controlling the air humidity. Two fault gouge layers (industrially produced quartz powder, average particle size of 5 μ m, and pre-shear thickness of 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 mm,) were sandwiched between three granite blocks. The middle block was slid in order to create frictional structures within the simulated gouge. The total imposed shear strain varies between 0.14 and 11.80. The post-shear gouge layer thickness ranges from 0.99-2.11 mm. Each experiment was run under a constant normal stress (varying from 10-44 MPa through the experiments) and at a constant shear velocity (0.07, 0.7 and 7 μ m/s, through the experiments). Later, in cross-sections of solidified by epoxy glue gouge (parallel to the shear direction, normal to the gouge walls,) we quantified the numerous R-shears, according to their density distribution, fracture thickness (measured perpendicularly to the fracture walls), fracture angle and morphology, and fracture length. In gouge views parallel to the sliding blocks, we measured fracture length and along-strike R-shear morphology. Although the latter data are with lower quality, both observational sets provide precise statistical fracture data as well snapshots of evolving 3D structures. We observe shear localization with decreasing gouge layer thickness and with increasing normal stress. The average density of major fractures increases from 2.83 to 3.67 [fracture/cm] for decrease of the post-shear gouge layer thickness. This is at the expense of a considerable decrease of visible more diffusive minor fractures. On the other hand, the fractures formed at lower normal stress are more irregular and show average fracture density of 4.48 [fracture/cm]. The latter decreases down to 3.64 at higher normal stress, as the fracture morphology becomes more regular. The fracture density increases abruptly from zero, after a small total shear strain (0.15-0.50), and later the change is slower or none with the increase of the total shear strain; the fractures are already localized and they accommodate most of the brittle deformation. Also we observe weak polarity in fracture development in accordance to the sliding sense, especially in the subset of fractures starting from the gouge wall and dying out within the gouge layer. More such fractures are developed along the leading part of the sliding blocks. Our results throw new light over the formation and development of fault-related structures and their dependency on the earthquake-governing physical parameters.

Structure and magnetic properties of Co2FeSi film deposited on Si/SiO2 substrate with Cr buffer layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatterjee, Payel; Basumatary, Himalay; Raja, M. Manivel

2018-05-01

Co2FeSi thin films of 25 nm thickness with 50 nm thick Cr buffer layer was deposited on thermally oxidized Si substrates. Structural and magnetic properties of the films were studied as a function of annealing temperature and substrate temperatures. While the coercivity increases with increase in annealing temperature, it is found to decrease with increase in substrate temperature. A minimum coercivity of 18 Oe has been obtained for the film deposited at 550°C substrate temperature. This was attributed to the formation of L12 phase as observed from the GIXRD studies. The films with a good combination of soft magnetic properties and L21 crystal structure are suitable for spintronic applications.

Ultra-low thermal conductivity of high-interface density Si/Ge amorphous multilayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goto, Masahiro; Xu, Yibin; Zhan, Tianzhuo; Sasaki, Michiko; Nishimura, Chikashi; Kinoshita, Yohei; Ishikiriyama, Mamoru

2018-04-01

Owing to their phonon scattering and interfacial thermal resistance (ITR) characteristics, inorganic multilayers (MLs) have attracted considerable attention for thermal barrier applications. In this study, a-Si/a-Ge MLs with layer thicknesses ranging from 0.3 to 5 nm and different interfacial elemental mixture states were fabricated using a combinatorial sputter-coating system, and their thermal conductivities were measured via a frequency-domain thermo-reflectance method. An ultra-low thermal conductivity of κ = 0.29 ± 0.01 W K-1 m-1 was achieved for a layer thickness of 0.8 nm. The ITR was found to decrease from 8.5 × 10-9 to 3.6 × 10-9 m2 K W-1 when the interfacial density increases from 0.15 to 0.77 nm-1.

Seismic structure of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 8-9°S

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minshull, T. A.; Bruguier, N. J.; Brozena, J. M.

2003-11-01

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 8-9°S is characterized by a transition from axial valley to axial high and recent episodes of ridge jumping and ridge propagation. We present constraints on the structure of 0-4 Ma crust in this region on the basis of the analysis of wide-angle seismic data from a grid of profiles across and parallel to the current and abandoned spreading centers. A 350-800 m thick oceanic layer 2A, interpreted as high-porosity extrusive basalts, is underlain by a ˜2.0-2.5 km layer 2B with velocities which increase with age and decrease in the vicinity of the pseudofaults. Layer 3 velocities are uniform across the area except for a possible localized anomaly at the ridge axis. The crustal thickness varies from 6-7 km near the pseudofaults formed by ridge propagation to 9-10 km at the segment center of the recently (˜0.3 Ma) abandoned spreading center. Seismically determined crustal thickness and density variations and age-related lithospheric cooling can plausibly account for all observed variations in gravity across the area, and there is no requirement for the thicker crust at the segment center to be underlain by hot mantle. The transition from axial valley to axial high occurs at a crustal thickness of ˜8 km.

Synthesis and electrochemical performance of multi-walled carbon nanotube/polyaniline/MnO 2 ternary coaxial nanostructures for supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Qiang; Liu, Jianhua; Zou, Jianhua; Chunder, Anindarupa; Chen, Yiqing; Zhai, Lei

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polyaniline (PANI)/MnO 2 (MPM) ternary coaxial structures are fabricated as supercapacitor electrodes via a simple wet chemical method. The electrostatic interaction between negative poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PSS) molecules and positive Mn 2+ ions causes the generation of MnO 2 nanostructures on MWCNT surfaces while the introduction of PANI layers with appropriate thickness on MWCNT surfaces facilitates the formation of MWCNT/PANI/MnO 2 ternary coaxial structures. The thickness of PANI coatings is controlled by tuning the aniline/MWCNT ratio. The effect of PANI thickness on the subsequent MnO 2 nanoflakes attachment onto MWCNTs, and the MPM structures is investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The results suggest that appropriate thickness of PANI layers is important for building MPM ternary coaxial structures without the agglomeration of MnO 2 nanoflakes. The MPM ternary coaxial structures provide large interaction area between the MnO 2 nanoflakes and electrolyte, and improve the electrochemical utilization of the hydrous MnO 2, and decrease the contact resistance between MnO 2 and PANI layer coated MWCNTs, leading to intriguing electrochemical properties for the applications in supercapacitors such as a specific capacitance of 330 Fg -1 and good cycle stability.

Comparing Production and Placement of Warm-Mix Asphalt to Traditional Hot-Mix Asphalt for Constructing Airfield Pavements

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-01

Sasobit® STA 0+35 cross-section layer thicknesses as constructed............................... 36  Figure 50. Evotherm ™ center-line layer thicknesses...as constructed. ................................................ 37  Figure 51. Evotherm ™ STA 0+15 cross-section layer thicknesses as constructed...37  Figure 52. Evotherm ™ STA 0+25 cross-section layer thicknesses as constructed. .......................... 38  Figure 53

Metaporous layer to overcome the thickness constraint for broadband sound absorption

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, Jieun; Lee, Joong Seok; Kim, Yoon Young, E-mail: yykim@snu.ac.kr

The sound absorption of a porous layer is affected by its thickness, especially in a low-frequency range. If a hard-backed porous layer contains periodical arrangements of rigid partitions that are coordinated parallel and perpendicular to the direction of incoming sound waves, the lower bound of the effective sound absorption can be lowered much more and the overall absorption performance enhanced. The consequence of rigid partitioning in a porous layer is to make the first thickness resonance mode in the layer appear at much lower frequencies compared to that in the original homogeneous porous layer with the same thickness. Moreover, appropriatemore » partitioning yields multiple thickness resonances with higher absorption peaks through impedance matching. The physics of the partitioned porous layer, or the metaporous layer, is theoretically investigated in this study.« less

Criteria for significance of simultaneous presence of both condensible vapors and aerosol particles on mass transfer (deposition) rates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gokoglu, S. A.

1987-01-01

The simultaneous presence of aerosol particles and condensible vapors in a saturated boundary layer which may affect deposition rates to subcooled surfaces because of vapor-particle interactions is discussed. Scavenging of condensible vapors by aerosol particles may lead to increased particle size and decreased vapor mass fraction, which alters both vapor and particle deposition rates. Particles, if sufficiently concentrated, may also coagulate. Criteria are provided to assess the significance of such phenomena when particles are already present in the mainstream and are not created inside the boundary layer via homogeneous nucleation. It is determined that there is direct proportionality with: (1) the mass concentration of both condensible vapors and aerosol particles; and (2) the square of the boundary layer thickness to particle diameter ratio (delta d sub p) square. Inverse proportionality was found for mainstream to surface temperature difference if thermophoresis dominates particle transport. It is concluded that the square of the boundary layer thickness to particle diameter ratio is the most critical factor to consider in deciding when to neglect vapor-particle interactions.

Criteria for significance of simultaneous presence of both condensible vapors and aerosol particles on mass transfer (deposition) rates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gokoglu, S. A.

1986-01-01

The simultaneous presence of aerosol particles and condensible vapors in a saturated boundary layer which may affect deposition rates to subcooled surfaces because of vapor-particle interactions is discussed. Scavenging of condensible vapors by aerosol particles may lead to increased particle size and decreased vapor mass fraction, which alters both vapor and particle deposition rates. Particles, if sufficiently concentrated, may also coagulate. Criteria are provided to assess the significance of such phenomena when particles are already present in the mainstream and are not created inside the boundary layer via homogeneous nucleation. It is determined that there is direct proportionality with: (1) the mass concentration of both condensible vapors and aerosol particles; and (2) the square of the boundary layer thickness to particle diameter ratio (delta d sub p) square. Inverse proportionality was found for mainstream to surface temperature difference if thermophoresis dominates particle transport. It is concluded that the square of the boundary layer thickness to particle diameter ratio is the most critical factor to consider in deciding when to neglect vapor-particle interactions.

Anisotropic membranes for gas separation

DOEpatents

Gollan, A.Z.

1987-07-21

A gas separation membrane has a dense separating layer about 10,000 Angstroms or less thick and a porous support layer 10 to 400 microns thick that is an integral unit with gradually and continuously decreasing pore size from the base of the support layer to the surface of the thin separating layer and is made from a casting solution comprising ethyl cellulose and ethyl cellulose-based blends, typically greater than 47.5 ethoxyl content ethyl cellulose blended with compatible second polymers, such as nitrocellulose. The polymer content of the casting solution is from about 10% to about 35% by weight of the total solution with up to about 50% of this polymer weight a compatible second polymer to the ethyl cellulose in a volatile solvent such as isopropanol, methylacetate, methanol, ethanol, and acetone. Typical nonsolvents for the casting solutions include water and formamide. The casting solution is cast in air from about zero to 10 seconds to allow the volatile solvent to evaporate and then quenched in a coagulation bath, typically water, at a temperature of 7--25 C and then air dried at ambient temperature, typically 10--30 C. 2 figs.

Terahertz thickness determination with interferometric vibration correction for industrial applications.

PubMed

Pfeiffer, Tobias; Weber, Stefan; Klier, Jens; Bachtler, Sebastian; Molter, Daniel; Jonuscheit, Joachim; Von Freymann, Georg

2018-05-14

In many industrial fields, like automotive and painting industry, the thickness of thin layers is a crucial parameter for quality control. Hence, the demand for thickness measurement techniques continuously grows. In particular, non-destructive and contact-free terahertz techniques access a wide range of thickness determination applications. However, terahertz time-domain spectroscopy based systems perform the measurement in a sampling manner, requiring fixed distances between measurement head and sample. In harsh industrial environments vibrations of sample and measurement head distort the time-base and decrease measurement accuracy. We present an interferometer-based vibration correction for terahertz time-domain measurements, able to reduce thickness distortion by one order of magnitude for vibrations with frequencies up to 100 Hz and amplitudes up to 100 µm. We further verify the experimental results by numerical calculations and find very good agreement.

Biomechanical remodeling of obstructed guinea pig jejunum

PubMed Central

Zhao, Jingbo; Liao, Donghua; Yang, Jian; Gregersen, Hans

2010-01-01

Data on morphological and biomechanical remodeling are needed to understand the mechanisms behind intestinal obstruction. The effect of partial obstruction on mechanical properties with reference to the zero-stress state and on the histomorphological properties of the guinea pig small intestine was determined in this study. Partial obstruction and sham operation were surgically created in mid-jejunum of guinea pigs. The animals survived 2, 4, 7, and 14 days respectively. The age-matched guinea pigs that were not operated served as normal controls. The segment proximal to the obstruction site was used for histological analysis, no-load state and zero-stress state data, and distension test. The segment for distension was immersed in an organ bath and inflated to 10 cmH20. The outer diameter change during the inflation was monitored using a microscope with CCD camera. Circumferential stresses and strains were computed from the diameter, pressure and the zero-stress state data. The opening angle and absolute value of residual strain decreased (P<0.01 and P<0.001) whereas the wall thickness, wall cross-sectional area, and the wall stiffness increased after 7 days obstruction (P<0.05, P<0.01). Histologically, the muscle and submucosa layers, especially the circumferential muscle layer increased in thickness after obstruction. The opening angle and residual strain mainly depended on the thickness of the muscle layer whereas the wall stiffness mainly depended on the thickness of the submucosa layer. In conclusion, the histomorphological and biomechanical properties of small intestine (referenced for the first time to the zero-stress state) remodel proximal to the obstruction site in a time-dependent manner. PMID:20189575

Effect of Indium nano-sandwiching on the structural and optical performance of ZnSe films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al Garni, S. E.; Qasrawi, A. F.

In the current study, we attempted to explore the effects of the Indium nanosandwiching on the mechanical and optical properties of the physically evaporated ZnSe thin films by means of X-ray diffractions and ultraviolet spectrophotometry techniques. While the thickness of each layer of ZnSe was fixed at 1.0 μm, the thickness of the nanosandwiched Indium thin films was varied in the range of 25-100 nm. It was observed that the as grown ZnSe films exhibits cubic and hexagonal nature of crystallization as those of the ZnSe powders before the film deposition. The cubic phases weighs ∼70% of the structure. The analysis of this phases revealed that there is a systematic variation process presented by the decreasing of; the lattice constant, compressing strain, stress, stacking faults and dislocation intensity and increasing grain size resulted from increasing the Indium layer thickness in the range of 50-100 nm. In addition, the nanosandwiching of Indium between two layers of ZnSe is observed to enhance the absorbability of the ZnSe. Particularly, at incident photon energy of 2.38 eV the absorbability of the ZnSe films which are sandwiched with 100 nm Indium is increased by 13.8 times. Moreover, increasing the thickness of the Indium layer shrinks the optical energy band gap. These systematic variations in mechanical and optical properties are assigned to the better recrystallization process that is associated with Indium insertion which in turn allows total internal energy redistribution in the ZnSe films through the enlargement of grains.

Confinement effects on glass transition temperature, transition breadth, and expansivity: comparison of ellipsometry and fluorescence measurements on polystyrene films.

PubMed

Kim, S; Hewlett, S A; Roth, C B; Torkelson, J M

2009-09-01

Using ellipsometry, we characterized the nanoconfinement effect on the glass transition temperature (T (g)of supported polystyrene (PS) films employing two methods: the intersection of fits to the temperature (Tdependences of rubbery- and glassy-state thicknesses, and the transition mid-point between rubbery- and glassy-state expansivities. The results demonstrate a strong effect of thickness: T(g) (bulk) - T(g)(23 nm) = 10 degrees C. The T -range needed for accurate measurement increases significantly with decreasing thickness, an effect that arises from the broadening of the transition with confinement and a region below T (g) where expansivity slowly decreases with decreasing T . As determined from expansivities, the T (g) breadth triples in going from bulk films to a 21-nm-thick film; this broadening of the transition may be a more dramatic effect of confinement than the T (g) reduction itself. In contrast, there is little effect of confinement on the rubbery- and glassy-state expansivities. Compared with ellipsometry, T (g) 's from fluorescence agree well in bulk films but yield lower values in nanoconfined films: T (g)(bulk) - T (g)(23 nm) = 15( degrees ) C via fluorescence. This small difference in the T (g) confinement effect reflects differences in how fluorescence and ellipsometry report "average T (g) " with confinement. With decreasing nanoscale thickness, fluorescence may slightly overweight the contribution of the free-surface layer while ellipsometry may evenly weight or underweight its contribution.

Confinement effects on glass transition temperature, transition breadth, and expansivity: Comparison of ellipsometry and fluorescence measurements on polystyrene films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, S.; Hewlett, S. A.; Roth, C. B.; Torkelson, J. M.

2009-09-01

Using ellipsometry, we characterized the nanoconfinement effect on the glass transition temperature (T gof supported polystyrene (PS) films employing two methods: the intersection of fits to the temperature (Tdependences of rubbery- and glassy-state thicknesses, and the transition mid-point between rubbery- and glassy-state expansivities. The results demonstrate a strong effect of thickness: ensuremath Tg(bulk)-Tg(23{ nm})= 10 circ C. The T -range needed for accurate measurement increases significantly with decreasing thickness, an effect that arises from the broadening of the transition with confinement and a region below T g where expansivity slowly decreases with decreasing T . As determined from expansivities, the T g breadth triples in going from bulk films to a 21-nm-thick film; this broadening of the transition may be a more dramatic effect of confinement than the T g reduction itself. In contrast, there is little effect of confinement on the rubbery- and glassy-state expansivities. Compared with ellipsometry, T g ’s from fluorescence agree well in bulk films but yield lower values in nanoconfined films: T g(bulk) - T g(23 nm) = 15° C via fluorescence. This small difference in the T g confinement effect reflects differences in how fluorescence and ellipsometry report “average T g ” with confinement. With decreasing nanoscale thickness, fluorescence may slightly overweight the contribution of the free-surface layer while ellipsometry may evenly weight or underweight its contribution. in here

Simulation investigation of thermal phase transformation and residual stress in single pulse EDM of Ti-6Al-4V

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Jiajing; Yang, Xiaodong

2018-04-01

The thermal phase transformation and residual stress are ineluctable in the electrical discharge machining (EDM) process, and they will greatly affect the working performances of the machined surface. This paper presents a simulation study on the thermal phase transformation and residual stress in single-pulse EDM of Ti-6Al-4V, which is the most popular titanium alloy in fields such as aircraft engine and some other leading industries. A multi-physics model including thermal, hydraulic, metallography and structural mechanics was developed. Based on the proposed model, the thickness and metallographic structure of the recast layer and heat affected layer (HAZ) were investigated. The distribution and characteristics of residual stress around the discharge crater were obtained. The recast layer and HAZ at the center of crater are found to be the thinnest, and their thicknesses gradually increase approaching the periphery of the crater. The recast layer undergoes a complete α‧ (martensitic) transformation, while the HAZ is mainly composed by the α  +  β  +  α‧ three-phase microstructure. Along the depth direction of crater, the Von Mises stress increases first and then decreases, reaching its maximal value near the interface of recast layer and HAZ. In the recast layer, both compressive stress component and tensile stress component are observed. ANOVA results showed that the influence of discharge current on maximal tensile stress is more significant than that of pulse duration, while the pulse duration has more significant influence on average thickness of the recast layer and the depth location of the maximal tensile stress. The works conducted in this study will help to evaluate the quality and integrity of EDMed surface, especially when the non-destructive testing is difficult to achieve.

Dynamics behind warming of the southeastern Arabian Sea and its interruption based on in situ measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathew, Simi; Natesan, Usha; Latha, Ganesan; Venkatesan, Ramasamy

2018-05-01

A study of the inter-annual variability of the warming of the southeastern Arabian Sea (SEAS) during the spring transition months was carried out from 2013 to 2015 based on in situ data from moored buoys. An attempt was made to identify the roles of the different variables in the warming of the SEAS (e.g., net heat flux, advection, entrainment, and thickness of the barrier layer during the previous northeast monsoon season). The intense freshening of the SEAS (approximately 2 PSU) occurring in each December, together with the presence of a downwelling Rossby wave, supports the formation of a thick barrier layer during the northeast monsoon season. It is known that the barrier layer thickness, varying each year, plays a major role in the spring warming of the SEAS. Interestingly, an anomalously thick barrier layer occurred during the northeast monsoon season of 2012-2013. However, the highest sea surface temperature (31 °C) was recorded during the last week of April 2015, while the lowest sea surface temperature (29.7 °C) was recorded during the last week of May 2013. The mixed layer heat budget analysis during the spring transition months proved that the intense warming has been mainly supported by the net heat flux, not by other factors like advection and entrainment. The inter-annual variability analysis of the net heat flux and its components, averaged over a box region of the SEAS, showed a substantial latent heat flux release and a reduction in net shortwave radiation in 2013. Both factors contributed to the negative net heat flux. Strong breaks in the warming were also observed in May due to the entrainment of cold sub-surface waters. These events are associated with the cyclonic eddy persisting over the SEAS during the same time. The entrainment term, favoring the cooling, was stronger in 2015 than that in 2013 and 2014. The surface temperatures measured in 2013 were lower than those in 2014 and 2015 despite the presence of a thick barrier layer. The substantial decrease in net heat flux along with entrainment cooling has been identified as causes for this behavior.

Relative Translucency of a Multilayered Ultratranslucent Zirconia Material.

PubMed

Shamseddine, Loubna; Majzoub, Zeina

2017-12-01

The aim of this study was to compare the translucency parameter (TP) of ultratranslucent multilayered (UTML) zirconia according to thickness and layer level. Rectangles of UTML zirconia with four layers [dentin layer (DEL), first transitional layer (FTL), second transitional layer (STL), and enamel layer (ENL)] and four different thicknesses (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 mm) were milled from blanks. Digital images were taken in a dark studio against white and black backgrounds under simulated daylight illumination and international commission on illumination (CIE) Lab* color values recorded using Photoshop Creative Cloud software. The TP was computed and compared according to thickness and layer level using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni post hoc analysis for multiple comparisons. Significance was set at p < 0.05. In each thickness, TP values were similar between any two layers. The significant effect of thickness on the TP was observed only in the first two layers. In the DEL, translucency was significantly greater at 0.4 mm than all other thicknesses. In the FTL, differences were significant between 0.4 and 0.8 mm and between 0.4 and 1 mm. The investigated zirconia does not seem to show gradational changes in relative translucency from dentin to enamel levels regardless of the thickness used. Thickness affected the TP only in the first two layers with better translu-cency at 0.4 mm. Since relative translucency does not seem to be significantly different between layers, clinicians can modify the apicocoronal positioning of the UTML layers within the restoration according to the desired Chroma without any implications on the clinically perceived translucency. While the thickness of 0.4 mm may be suggested for anterior esthetic veneers because of its higher translucency, the other thicknesses of 0.6 to 1 mm can be used to mask colored abutments in full contour restorations.

Effect of deposition temperature on morphological, magnetic and elastic properties of ultrathin Co49Pt51 films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Si Abdallah, F.; Chérif, S. M.; Bouamama, Kh.; Roussigné, Y.; Hsu, J.-H.

2018-03-01

Morphological, magnetic and elastic properties of 5 nm-thick Co49Pt51 films, sputtered on glass substrates, with 20 nm-thick Ta (seed) and Pt (buffer) layers were studied as function of the deposition temperature Td ranging between room temperature and 350° C. Atomic and magnetic force microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer and Brillouin light scattering techniques were used to investigate the root mean square (RMS) roughness, the magnetic domain configuration, the coercive field (Hc), the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), and the dynamic magnetic and elastic properties of the films with Td. The results show that surface uniformity was enhanced since the RMS roughness decreases with Td while magnetic domains typical of films with high PMA are observed. Hc and PMA are found to sensibly increase with Td. The dynamic magnetization behavior is characterized by magnetic modes related with the co-existence of hard and soft magnetic areas within the samples. The elastic properties of the stack were first analyzed by means of a model describing the main variation of the elastic wave frequencies within the frame of weighted average thickness, density, Young's modulus and Poisson coefficient of all the layers constituting the stacks. However, while Hc and PMA keep increasing with Td, a more precise experimental analysis of the mechanical behavior shows that the group velocity starts increasing and finally decreases with Td, suggesting that knowledge of the influence of Td on the mechanical properties of each individual layer composing the stack is required to obtain a more accurate analysis.

Non-Uniform Thickness Electroactive Device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Su, Ji (Inventor); Harrison, Joycelyn S. (Inventor)

2006-01-01

An electroactive device comprises at least two layers of material, wherein at least one layer is an electroactive material and wherein at least one layer is of non-uniform thickness. The device can be produced in various sizes, ranging from large structural actuators to microscale or nanoscale devices. The applied voltage to the device in combination with the non-uniform thickness of at least one of the layers (electroactive and/or non-electroactive) controls the contour of the actuated device. The effective electric field is a mathematical function of the local layer thickness. Therefore, the local strain and the local bending/ torsion curvature are also a mathematical function of the local thickness. Hence the thinnest portion of the actuator offers the largest bending and/or torsion response. Tailoring of the layer thicknesses can enable complex motions to be achieved.

Biochemical changes in desmosomes of bovine muzzle epidermis during differentiation.

PubMed

Konohana, A; Konohana, I; Roberts, G P; Marks, R

1987-10-01

Biochemical changes taking place in desmosomes during differentiation have been studied. Bovine muzzle epidermis was sliced horizontally into 6 layers, 0.2 mm thick, and desmosomes were isolated from each layer. These were then analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The electrophoretic patterns of desmosomal proteins from the 6 layers were found to be qualitatively similar to each other, but there was an increase in the ratio of the amount of 150 kD glycoprotein (desmoglein I) relative to 240 and 210 kD proteins (desmoplakins) in the upper layers of the epidermis. This finding was supported by the similar increase observed in electrophoretic patterns of proteins extracted directly from each layer of the epidermis in electrophoretic sample buffer. In order to study the fate of desmosomal components in the stratum corneum, serial skin surface biopsies were stained with antisera against desmosomal components using indirect immunofluorescence techniques. This experiment showed that desmosomal proteins and glycoproteins persist in the stratum corneum but quantitatively decrease in the outer layers. This decrease may play a significant role in desquamation.

An experimental investigation of the effect of boundary layer refraction on the noise from a high-speed propeller

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dittmar, J. H.; Burns, R. J.; Leciejewski, D. J.

1984-01-01

Models of supersonic propellers were previously tested for acoustics in the Lewis 8- by 6-Foot Wind Tunnel using pressure transducers mounted in the tunnel ceiling. The boundary layer on the tunnel ceiling is believed to refract some of the propeller noise away from the measurement transducers. Measurements were made on a plate installed in the wind tunnel which had a thinner boundary layer than the ceiling boundary layer. The plate was installed in two locations for comparison with tunnel ceiling noise data and with fuselage data taken on the NASA Dryden Jetstar airplane. Analysis of the data indicates that the refraction increases with: increasing boundary layer thickness; increasing free stream Mach number; increasing frequency; and decreasing sound radiation angle (toward the inlet axis). At aft radiation angles greater than about 100 deg there was little or no refraction. Comparisons with the airplane data indicated that not only is the boundary layer thickness important but also the shape of the velocity profile. Comparisons with an existing two-dimensional theory, using an idealized shear layer to approximate the boundary layer, showed that the theory and data had the same trends. Analysis of the data taken in the tunnel at two different distances from the propeller indicates a decay with distance in the wind tunnel at high Mach numbers but the decay at low Mach numbers is not as clear.

Study of ion beam sputtered Fe/Si interfaces as a function of Si layer thickness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Anil; Brajpuriya, Ranjeet; Singh, Priti

2018-01-01

The exchange interaction in metal/semiconductor interfaces is far from being completely understood. Therefore, in this paper, we have investigated the nature of silicon on the Fe interface in the ion beam deposited Fe/Si/Fe trilayers keeping the thickness of the Fe layers fixed at 3 nm and varying the thickness of the silicon sandwich layer from 1.5 nm to 4 nm. Grazing incidence x-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy techniques were used, respectively, to study the structural and morphological changes in the deposited films as a function of layer thickness. The structural studies show silicide formation at the interfaces during deposition and better crystalline structure of Fe layers at a lower spacer layer thickness. The magnetization behavior was investigated using magneto-optical Kerr effect, which clearly shows that coupling between the ferromagnetic layers is highly influenced by the semiconductor spacer layer thickness. A strong antiferromagnetic coupling was observed for a value of tSi = 2.5 nm but above this value an unexpected behavior of hysteresis loop (step like) with two coercivity values is recorded. For spacer layer thickness greater than 2.5 nm, an elemental amorphous Si layer starts to appear in the spacer layer in addition to the silicide layer at the interfaces. It is observed that in the trilayer structure, Fe layers consist of various stacks, viz., Si doped Fe layers, ferromagnetic silicide layer, and nonmagnetic silicide layer at the interfaces. The two phase hysteresis loop is explained on the basis of magnetization reversal of two ferromagnetic layers, independent of each other, with different coercivities. X-ray photo electron spectroscopy technique was also used to study interfaces characteristics as a function of tSi.

The new oxide paradigm for solid state ultraviolet photodetectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rogers, D. J.; Bove, P.; Arrateig, X.; Sandana, V. E.; Teherani, F. H.; Razeghi, M.; McClintock, R.; Frisch, E.; Harel, S.

2018-03-01

The bandgap of wurzite ZnO layers grown on 2 inch diameter c-Al2O3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition was engineered from 3.7 to 4.8 eV by alloying with Mg. Above this Mg content the layers transformed from single phase hcp to mixed hcp/fcc phase before becoming single phase fcc above a bandgap of about 5.5 eV. Metal-Semiconductor-Metal (MSM) photodetectors based on gold Inter-Digitated-Transducer structures were fabricated from the single phase hcp layers by single step negative photolithography and then packaged in TO5 cans. The devices gave over 6 orders of magnitude of separation between dark and light signal with solar rejection ratios (I270 : I350) of over 3 × 105 and dark signals of 300 pA (at a bias of -5V). Spectral responsivities were engineered to fit the "Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches" industry standard form and gave over two decade higher responsivities (14 A/W, peaked at 270 nm) than commercial SiC based devices. Homogeneous Ga2O3 layers were also grown on 2 inch diameter c-Al2O3 substrates by PLD. Optical transmission spectra were coherent with a bandgap that increased from 4.9 to 5.4 eV when film thickness was decreased from 825 to 145 nm. X-ray diffraction revealed that the films were of the β-Ga2O3 (monoclinic) polytype with strong (-201) orientation. β-Ga2O3 MSM photodetectors gave over 4 orders of magnitude of separation between dark and light signal (at -5V bias) with dark currents of 250 pA and spectral responsivities of up to 40 A/W (at -0.75V bias). It was found that the spectral responsivity peak position could be decreased from 250 to 230 nm by reducing film thickness from 825 to 145 nm. This shift in peak responsivity wavelength with film thickness (a) was coherent with the apparent bandgap shift that was observed in transmission spectroscopy for the same layers and (b) conveniently provides a coverage of the spectral region in which MgZnO layers show fcc/hcp phase mixing.

A Novel Approach Toward Fabrication of High Performance Thin Film Composite Polyamide Membranes.

PubMed

Khorshidi, Behnam; Thundat, Thomas; Fleck, Brian A; Sadrzadeh, Mohtada

2016-02-29

A practical method is reported to enhance water permeability of thin film composite (TFC) polyamide (PA) membranes by decreasing the thickness of the selective PA layer. The composite membranes were prepared by interfacial polymerization (IP) reaction between meta-phenylene diamine (MPD)-aqueous and trimesoyl chloride (TMC)-organic solvents at the surface of polyethersulfone (PES) microporous support. Several PA TFC membranes were prepared at different temperatures of the organic solution ranging from -20 °C to 50 °C. The physico-chemical and morphological properties of the synthesized membranes were carefully characterized using serval analytical techniques. The results confirmed that the TFC membranes, synthesized at sub-zero temperatures of organic solution, had thinner and smoother PA layer with a greater degree of cross-linking and wettability compared to the PA films prepared at 50 °C. We demonstrated that reducing the temperature of organic solution effectively decreased the thickness of the PA active layer and thus enhanced water permeation through the membranes. The most water permeable membrane was prepared at -20 °C and exhibited nine times higher water flux compared to the membrane synthesized at room temperature. The method proposed in this report can be effectively applied for energy- and cost-efficient development of high performance nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes.

Nano-size defects in arsenic-implanted HgCdTe films: a HRTEM study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonchyk, O. Yu.; Savytskyy, H. V.; Swiatek, Z.; Morgiel, Y.; Izhnin, I. I.; Voitsekhovskii, A. V.; Korotaev, A. G.; Mynbaev, K. D.; Fitsych, O. I.; Varavin, V. S.; Dvoretsky, S. A.; Marin, D. V.; Yakushev, M. V.

2018-02-01

Radiation damage and its transformation under annealing were studied with bright-field and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy for arsenic-implanted HgCdTe films with graded-gap surface layers. In addition to typical highly defective layers in as-implanted material, a 50 nm-thick sub-surface layer with very low defect density was observed. The main defects in other layers after implantation were dislocation loops, yet after arsenic activation annealing, the dominating defects were single dislocations. Transport (from depth to surface), transformation and annihilation of radiation-induced defects were observed as a result of annealing, with the depth with the maximum defect density decreasing from 110 to 40 nm.

Quantitative 3-D Corneal Imaging In Vivo Using a Modified HRT- RCM Confocal Microscope

PubMed Central

Petroll, W. Matthew.; Weaver, Matthew; Vaidya, Saurabh; McCulley, James P.; Cavanagh, H. Dwight

2012-01-01

Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop and test hardware and software modifications to allow quantitative full-thickness corneal imaging using the HRT Rostock Corneal Module. Methods A PC-controlled motor drive with positional feedback was integrated into the system to allow automated focusing through the entire cornea. The left eyes of ten New Zealand White rabbits were scanned from endothelium to epithelium. Image sequences were read into a custom-developed program for depth calculation and measurement of sub-layer thicknesses. 3-D visualizations were also generated using Imaris. In six rabbits, stack images were registered, and depth-dependent counts of keratocyte nuclei were made using Metamorph. Results The mean epithelial and corneal thicknesses measured in the rabbit were 47 ± 5 μm and 373 ± 25 μm, respectively (N = 10 corneas); coefficients of variation for repeated scans were 8.2% and 2.1%. Corneal thickness measured using ultrasonic pachymetry was 374 ± 17 μm. The mean overall keratocyte density measured in the rabbit was 43,246 ± 5,603 cells/mm3 in vivo (N = 6 corneas). There was a gradual decrease in keratocyte density from the anterior to posterior cornea (R = 0.99), consistent with previous data generated in vitro. Conclusions This modified system allows high resolution 3-D image stacks to be collected from the full thickness rabbit cornea in vivo. These datasets can be used for interactive visualization of corneal cell layers, measurement of sub-layer thickness, and depth-dependent keratocyte density measurements. Overall, the modifications significantly expand the potential quantitative research applications of the HRT-RCM microscope. PMID:23051907

Correlation of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Visual Fields in Glaucoma: A broken stick model

PubMed Central

Alasil, Tarek; Wang, Kaidi; Yu, Fei; Field, Matthew G.; Lee, Hang; Baniasadi, Neda; de Boer, Johannes F.; Coleman, Anne L.; Chen, Teresa C.

2015-01-01

Purpose To determine the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness at which visual field (VF) damage becomes detectable and associated with structural loss. Design Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods Eighty seven healthy and 108 glaucoma subjects (one eye per subject) were recruited from an academic institution. All patients had VF examinations (Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm 24-2 test of the Humphrey visual field analyzer 750i; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography RNFL scans (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). Comparison of RNFL thicknesses values with VF threshold values showed a plateau of VF threshold values at high RNFL thickness values and then a sharp decrease at lower RNFL thickness values. A broken stick statistical analysis was utilized to estimate the tipping point at which RNFL thickness values are associated with VF defects. The slope for the association between structure and function was computed for data above and below the tipping point. Results The mean RNFL thickness value that was associated with initial VF loss was 89 μm. The superior RNFL thickness value that was associated with initial corresponding inferior VF loss was 100 μm. The inferior RNFL thickness value that was associated with initial corresponding superior VF loss was 73 μm. The differences between all the slopes above and below the aforementioned tipping points were statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusions In open angle glaucoma, substantial RNFL thinning or structural loss appears to be necessary before functional visual field defects become detectable. PMID:24487047

Ion irradiation-induced easy-cone anisotropy in double-MgO free layers for perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teixeira, B. M. S.; Timopheev, A. A.; Caçoilo, N. F. F.; Auffret, S.; Sousa, R. C.; Dieny, B.; Alves, E.; Sobolev, N. A.

2018-05-01

We have used the ferromagnetic resonance in the X-band (9.37 GHz) to investigate the effect of 400 keV Ar+ irradiation on the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and Gilbert damping parameter, α, of double-MgO free layers designed for application in perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions. The samples comprised a MgO/Fe72Co8B20/X(0.2 nm)/Fe72Co8B20/MgO layer stack, where X stands for an ultrathin Ta or W spacer. Samples with two different total FeCoB layer thicknesses, tFCB = 3.0 nm and tFCB = 2.6 nm, were irradiated with ion fluences ranging from 1012 cm-2 to 1016 cm-2. The effective first-order PMA field, BK1, decreased nearly linearly with the logarithm of the fluence for both FeCoB thicknesses and spacer elements. The decrease in BK1, which is likely caused by an ion-induced intermixing at the FeCoB/MgO interfaces, resulted in a reorientation of the magnetization of the free layers with tFCB = 2.6 nm, initially exhibiting a perpendicular easy-axis anisotropy. For intermediate fluences, 1013 cm-2 and 1014 cm-2, easy-cone states with different cone angles could be induced in the free layer with a W spacer. Importantly, no corresponding increase in the Gilbert damping was observed. This study shows that ion irradiation can be used to tune the easy-cone anisotropy in perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions, which is interesting for spintronic applications such as spin-torque magnetic memory devices, oscillators, and sensors.

Effects of nanoscale coatings on reliability of MEMS ohmic contact switches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tremper, Amber Leigh

This thesis examines how the electrical and mechanical behavior of Au thin films is altered by the presence of ultra-thin metallic coatings. To examine the mechanical behavior, nanoindentation, nano-scratch, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) testing was performed. The electrical behavior was evaluated through Kelvin probe contact resistance measurements. This thesis shows that ultra-thin, hard, ductile coatings on a softer, ductile underlying layer (such as Ru or Pt on Au) had a significant effect on mechanical behavior of the system, and can be tailored to control the deformation resistance of the thin film system. Despite Ru and Pt having a higher hardness and plane strain modulus than Au, the Ru and Pt coatings decreased both the hardness and plane strain modulus of the layered system when the indentation depth was on the order of the coating thickness. Alternately, when the indentation depth was several times the coating thickness, the ductile, plastically hard, elastically stiff layer significantly hardened the contact response. These results correlate well with membrane stress theoretical predictions, and demonstrate that membrane theory can be applied even when the ratio of indentation depth, h, to coating thickness, t, is very large ( h/t<10). The transition from film-substrate models to membrane models occurs when the indent penetration depth to coating thickness ratio is less than ˜0.5. When the electrical behavior of the Ru-coated Au films was examined, it was found that all the measured resistances of the Au-only film and Ru-coated systems were several orders of magnitude larger than those predicted by Holm's law, but were still in good agreement with previously reported values in the literature. Previous studies attributed the high contact resistances to a variety of causes, including the buildup of an insulating contamination layer. This thesis determined the cause of the deviations to be large sheet resistance contributions to the total measured resistance. Further, studies on aged samples (with thicker contamination layers) conclusively showed that, while contamination increases the contact resistance, it also increases the dependence on force. This thesis also details that the relative contribution of contact resistance to the total measured resistance can be maximized by decreasing the probe spacing and tip radius. AFM testing of the layered systems showed that the coated samples had larger predicted plane strain moduli than the Au sample, in contrast to the nanoindentation testing. Thus, when the contact depth was kept sufficiently small, the contact stiffness increased as predicted by substrate models. When the contact depth was on the order of the coating thickness, the contact stiffness actually decreased. Additionally, the forceseparation plots showed that the Ru and Pt surfaces either accumulated large amounts of contamination or were less susceptible to being wiped clean than the Au film. Further, scratch testing of the Au film and Ru and Pt coatings show that the hard surface coatings reduce material removal and contact wear. Ultra-thin Ru and Pt surface coatings on Au films are shown to be improved material systems for ohmic contact switches. The wear is reduced for coated materials, while the resistance and power consumption through the coating are not significantly affected.

Thickness dependence of the levitation performance of double-layer high-temperature superconductor bulks above a magnetic rail

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, R. X.; Zheng, J.; Liao, X. L.; Che, T.; Gou, Y. F.; He, D. B.; Deng, Z. G.

2014-10-01

A double-layer high-temperature superconductor (HTSC) arrangement was proposed and proved to be able to bring improvements to both levitation force and guidance force compared with present single-layer HTSC arrangement. To fully exploit the applied magnetic field by a magnetic rail, the thickness dependence of a double-layer HTSC arrangement on the levitation performance was further investigated in the paper. In this study, the lower-layer bulk was polished step by step to different thicknesses, and the upper-layer bulk with constant thickness was directly superimposed on the lower-layer one. The levitation force and the force relaxation of the double-layer HTSC arrangement were measured above a Halbach magnetic rail. Experimental result shows that a bigger levitation force and a less levitation force decay could be achieved by optimizing the thickness of the lower-layer bulk HTSC. This thickness optimization method could be applied together with former reported double-layer HTSC arrangement method with aligned growth sector boundaries pattern. This series of study on the optimized combination method do bring a significant improvement on the levitation performance of present HTS maglev systems.

Controlling the exciton emission of gold coated GaAs-AlGaAs core-shell nanowires with an organic spacer layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaveh, M.; Gao, Q.; Jagadish, C.; Ge, J.; Duscher, G.; Wagner, H. P.

2016-12-01

Excitons are the most prominent optical excitations and controlling their emission is an important step towards new optical devices. We have investigated the exciton emission from uncoated and gold/aluminum quinoline (Alq3) coated GaAs-AlGaAs-GaAs core-shell nanowires (NWs) using temperature-, intensity- and polarization dependent photoluminescence (PL). Plasmonic GaAs-AlGaAs-GaAs NWs with a ˜10 nm thick Au coating but without an Alq3 spacer layer reveal a significant reduction of the PL intensity of the exciton emission compared with the uncoated NW sample. Plasmonic NW samples with the same nominal Au coverage and an additional Alq3 interlayer of 3 or 6 nm thickness show a clearly stronger PL intensity which increases with rising Alq3 spacer thickness. Time-resolved (TR) PL measurements reveal an increase of the exciton decay rate by a factor of up to two with decreasing Alq3 spacer thickness suggesting the presence of Förster energy transfer from NW excitons to plasmon oscillations in the gold film. The weak change of the decay time, however, indicates that Förster energy-transfer is only partially responsible for the PL quenching in the gold coated NWs. The main reason for the reduction of the PL emission is attributed to a gold induced band-bending in the GaAs NW core which causes exciton dissociation. With increasing Alq3 spacer thickness the band-bending decreases leading to a reduction of the exciton dissociation and PL quenching. Our interpretation is supported by electron energy loss spectroscopy measurements which show a signal reduction and blue shift of defect (possibly EL2) transitions when gold particles are deposited on NWs compared with bare or Alq3 coated NWs.

Controlling the exciton emission of gold coated GaAs-AlGaAs core-shell nanowires with an organic spacer layer.

PubMed

Kaveh, M; Gao, Q; Jagadish, C; Ge, J; Duscher, G; Wagner, H P

2016-12-02

Excitons are the most prominent optical excitations and controlling their emission is an important step towards new optical devices. We have investigated the exciton emission from uncoated and gold/aluminum quinoline (Alq 3 ) coated GaAs-AlGaAs-GaAs core-shell nanowires (NWs) using temperature-, intensity- and polarization dependent photoluminescence (PL). Plasmonic GaAs-AlGaAs-GaAs NWs with a ∼10 nm thick Au coating but without an Alq 3 spacer layer reveal a significant reduction of the PL intensity of the exciton emission compared with the uncoated NW sample. Plasmonic NW samples with the same nominal Au coverage and an additional Alq 3 interlayer of 3 or 6 nm thickness show a clearly stronger PL intensity which increases with rising Alq 3 spacer thickness. Time-resolved (TR) PL measurements reveal an increase of the exciton decay rate by a factor of up to two with decreasing Alq 3 spacer thickness suggesting the presence of Förster energy transfer from NW excitons to plasmon oscillations in the gold film. The weak change of the decay time, however, indicates that Förster energy-transfer is only partially responsible for the PL quenching in the gold coated NWs. The main reason for the reduction of the PL emission is attributed to a gold induced band-bending in the GaAs NW core which causes exciton dissociation. With increasing Alq 3 spacer thickness the band-bending decreases leading to a reduction of the exciton dissociation and PL quenching. Our interpretation is supported by electron energy loss spectroscopy measurements which show a signal reduction and blue shift of defect (possibly EL2) transitions when gold particles are deposited on NWs compared with bare or Alq 3 coated NWs.

Effect of spacer layer thickness on structural and optical properties of multi-stack InAs/GaAsSb quantum dots

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, Yeongho; Ban, Keun-Yong, E-mail: kban1@asu.edu; Honsberg, Christiana B.

2015-10-26

The structural and optical properties of ten-stack InAs/GaAsSb quantum dots (QDs) with different spacer layer thicknesses (d{sub s} = 2, 5, 10, and 15 nm) are reported. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the strain relaxation of the GaAsSb spacers increases linearly from 0% to 67% with larger d{sub s} due to higher elastic stress between the spacer and GaAs matrix. In addition, the dislocation density in the spacers with d{sub s} = 10 nm is lowest as a result of reduced residual strain. The photoluminescence peak energy from the QDs does not change monotonically with increasing d{sub s} due to the competing effects of decreased compressivemore » strain and weak electronic coupling of stacked QD layers. The QD structure with d{sub s} = 10 nm is demonstrated to have improved luminescence properties and higher carrier thermal stability.« less

Thickness dependence of the MoO3 blocking layers on ZnO nanorod-inverted organic photovoltaic devices

PubMed Central

Wang, Mingjun; Li, Yuan; Huang, Huihui; Peterson, Eric D.; Nie, Wanyi; Zhou, Wei; Zeng, Wei; Huang, Wenxiao; Fang, Guojia; Sun, Nanhai; Zhao, Xingzhong; Carroll, David L.

2011-01-01

Organic solar cells based on vertically aligned zinc oxide nanorod arrays (ZNR) in an inverted structure of indium tin oxide (ITO)∕ZNR∕poly(3-hexylthiophene): (6,6)-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester(P3HT:PCBM)∕MoO3∕aluminum(Al) were studied. We found that the optimum MoO3 layer thickness condition of 20 nm, the MoO3 can effectively decrease the probability of bimolecular recombination either at the Al interface or within the active layer itself. For this optimum condition we get a power conversion efficiency of 2.15%, a short-circuit current density of 9.02 mA∕cm2, an open-circuit voltage of 0.55V, and a fill factor of 0.44 under 100 mW∕cm2 irradiation. Our investigations also show that the highly crystallized ZNR can create short and continuous pathways for electron transport and increase the contact area between the ZNR and the organic materials. PMID:21464889

Improved hole-injection and power efficiency of organic light-emitting diodes using an ultrathin cerium fluoride buffer layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Hsin-Wei; Kao, Po-Ching; Chu, Sheng-Yuan

2016-09-01

In this study, the efficiency of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) was enhanced by depositing a CeF3 film as an ultra-thin buffer layer between the ITO and NPB hole transport layer, with the structure configuration ITO/CeF3 (1 nm)/NPB (40 nm)/Alq3 (60 nm)/LiF (1 nm)/Al (150 nm). The enhancement mechanism was systematically investigated via several approaches. The work function increased from 4.8 eV (standard ITO electrode) to 5.2 eV (1-nm-thick UV-ozone treated CeF3 film deposited on the ITO electrode). The turn-on voltage decreased from 4.2 V to 4.0 V at 1 mA/cm2, the luminance increased from 7588 cd/m2 to 10820 cd/m2, and the current efficiency increased from 3.2 cd/A to 3.5 cd/A when the 1-nm-thick UV-ozone treated CeF3 film was inserted into the OLEDs.

Characterization of Non-Polar ZnO Layers with Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zubiaga, A.; Tuomisto, F.; Zúñiga-Pérez, J.; Muñoz-San José, V.

2008-11-01

We applied positron annihilation spectroscopy to study the effect of growth polarity on the vacancy defects in ZnO grown by metal-organic vapor phase deposition on sapphire. Both c-plane and a-plane ZnO layers were measured, and Zn vacancies were identified as the dominant defects detected by positrons. The results are qualitatively similar to those of earlier experiments in GaN. The Zn vacancy concentration decreases in c-plane ZnO by almost one order of magnitude (from high 1017 cm-3 to low 1017 cm-3) when the layer thickness is increased from 0.5 to 2 μm. Interestingly, in a-plane ZnO the Zn vacancy concentration is constant at a level of about 2×1017 cm-3 in all the samples with thicknesses varying from 0.6 to 2.4 μm. The anisotropy of the Doppler broadening of the annihilation radiation parallel and perpendicular to the hexagonal c-axis was also measured.

Feasibility study of tungsten as a diffusion barrier between nickel-chromium-aluminum and Gamma/Gamma prime - Delta eutectic alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Young, S. G.; Zellars, G. R.

1978-01-01

Coating systems proposed for potential use on eutectic alloy components in high-temperature gas turbine engines were studied with emphasis on deterioration of such systems by diffusion. A 1-mil thick W sheet was placed between eutectic alloys and a NiCrAl layer. Layered test specimens were aged at 1100 C for as long as long as 500 hours. Without the W barrier, the delta phase of the eutectic deteriorated by diffusion of Nb into the NiCrAl. Insertion of the W barrier stopped the diffusion of Nb from delta. Chromium diffusion from the NiCrAl into the gamma/gamma prime phase of the eutectic was greatly reduced by the barrier. However, the barrier thickness decreased with time; and W diffused into both the NiCrAl and the eutectic. When the delta platelets were alined parallel to the NiCrAl layer, rather than perpendicular, diffusion into the eutectic was reduced.

Microstructural evolution and IMCs growth behavior of Sn-58Bi-0.25Mo solder joint during aging treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Li; Zhu, Lu; Zhang, Yaocheng; Zhou, Shiyuan; Xiong, Yifeng; Wu, Pengcheng

2018-02-01

The microstructural evolution and IMCs growth behavior of Sn-58Bi and Sn-58Bi-0.25Mo solder joints were investigated. The results showed that the microstructure is coarsened, the IMCs layer thickness is increased and the tensile strength of Sn-58Bi and Sn-58Bi-0.25Mo solder joints is decreased with increasing aging time and temperature. Aging temperature is the key factor that causes the excessive IMCs growth of the solder joint compared with aging time, and the activation energy of IMCs layer growth of Sn-58Bi and Sn-58Bi-0.25Mo solder joints is 48.94 kJ mol-1 and 53.79 kJ mol-1, respectively. During the aging treatment, the microstructure of Sn-58Bi solder joint is refined by adding Mo nanoparticles, and the appropriate IMCs layer thickness and improved mechanical properties are obtained by Sn-58Bi-0.25Mo solder joint.

A linear shock cell model for jets of arbitrary exit geometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morris, P. J.; Bhat, T. R. S.; Chen, G.

1989-01-01

The shock cell structures of single supersonic non-ideally expanded jets with arbitrary exit geometry are studied. Both vortex sheets and realistic mean profiles are considered for the jet shear layer. The boundary element method is used to predict the shock spacing and screech tones in a vortex sheet model of a single jet. This formulation enables the calculations to be performed only on the vortex sheet. This permits the efficient and convenient study of complicated jet geometries. Results are given for circular, elliptic and rectangular jets and the results are compared with analysis and experiment. The agreement between the predictions and measurements is very good but depends on the assumptions made to predict the geometry of the fully expanded jet. A finite diffference technique is used to examine the effect of finite mixing layer thickness for a single jet. The finite thickness of the mixing layer is found to decrease the shock spacing by approximately 20 percent over the length of the jet potential core.

Changes in Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness after Multiple Injections of Novel VEGF Decoy Receptor Conbercept for Various Retinal Diseases.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhihua; Yang, Xiaolu; Jin, Huiyi; Qu, Yuan; Zhang, Yuan; Liu, Kun; Xu, Xun

2016-12-06

Conbercept is a recombinant fusion protein with high affinity for all vascular endothelial growth factor isoforms and placental growth factor. The repeated intravitreal injection of conbercept may cause intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations and long-term suppression of neurotrophic cytokines, which could lead to retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) damage. This retrospective fellow-eye controlled study included 98 eyes of 49 patients. The changes in IOP and RNFL thickness as well as the correlation between RNFL changes and associated factors were evaluated. The IOP value between the baseline and the last follow-up visit in the injection group and the IOP value of the last follow-up visit between the injection and non-injection groups were not significantly different (p = 0.452 and 0.476, respectively). The global average thickness of the RNFL (μm) in the injection group decreased from 108.9 to 106.1; however, the change was not statistically significant (p = 0.118). No significant difference in the average RNFL thickness was observed at the last follow-up visit between the injection and non-injection groups (p = 0.821). The type of disease was the only factor associated with RNFL thickness changes. In conclusion, repeated intravitreal injections with 0.05 mL conbercept revealed an excellent safety profile for RNFL thickness, although short-term IOP changes were observed.

Comparison analysis on the properties of the phosphor film according to the various composition ratio of phosphor slurry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Jeong Yeon; Lee, Jeong Won; Heo, Young Moo; Won, Si Tae; Yoon, Gil Sang

2016-03-01

The conventional method of making a phosphor layer on the LED package by using a dispensing method is difficult to implement the specific color coordinate, color temperature and optical efficiency because the thickness of the phosphor layer is non-uniform due to precipitation of the phosphor. Besides, the dispensing method consume a large amount of phosphor and silicone to fill the LED package. Thus, studies that manufacture phosphor layer with a uniform thickness such as spray coating, screen printing, electrophoresis are active recently. The purpose of this study is to perform the basic research about the change of the characteristics of phosphor film that is molded with uniform thickness using the phosphor slurry according to various silicone resin and phosphor composition ratio. It is expected to be used as useful information for the fabricating properties when production environment of phosphor layer is changed dispensing method into phosphor film fabrication. In the experiment, it was selected three kinds of methyl-phenyl silicone based resin as the phosphor slurry constituents, and mixed with phosphor various amount of 20 ˜ 60wt% content per one silicone resin. Using this mixed phosphor slurry, it was molded the phosphor film with 300 μm thickness and analyzed the mechanical properties and optical properties of the phosphor film. Finally, the results of this study are presented below: (a) As the phenyl group content is increased, the total heat of reaction need to cure the silicone resin is decrease, and also lower the durometer hardness of the phosphor sheet. On the other hand, it was confirmed that there is no relationship between the phenyl group content in the phosphor film and optical characteristics of the phosphor film. (b) If the amount of the phosphor within the film are increased, then the values of shore hardness and CIE color coordinates are increased gradually but the value of CIE color temperature is decreased gradually in case of being applied same silicone resin to the phosphor film.

Effect of layer thickness on the properties of nickel thermal sprayed steel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nurisna, Zuhri, E-mail: zuhri-nurisna@yahoo.co.id; Triyono,, E-mail: triyonomesin@uns.ac.id; Muhayat, Nurul, E-mail: nurulmuhayat@staff.uns.ac.id

Thermal arc spray nickel coating is widely used for decorative and functional applications, by improving corrosion resistance, wear resistance, heat resistence or by modifying other properties of the coated materials. There are several properties have been studied. Layer thickness of nickel thermal sprayed steel may be make harder the substrate surface. In this study, the effect of layer thickness of nickel thermal sprayed steel has been investigated. The rectangular substrate specimens were coated by Ni–5 wt.% Al using wire arc spray method. The thickness of coating layers were in range from 0.4 to 1.0 mm. Different thickness of coating layers weremore » conducted to investigate their effect on hardness and morphology. The coating layer was examined by using microvickers and scanning electron microscope with EDX attachment. Generally, the hardness at the interface increased with increasing thickness of coating layers for all specimens due to higher heat input during spraying process. Morphology analysis result that during spraying process aluminum would react with surrounding oxygen and form aluminum oxide at outer surface of splat. Moreover, porosity was formed in coating layers. However, presence porosity is not related to thickness of coating material. The thicker coating layer resulted highesr of hardness and bond strength.« less

Diamond heteroepitaxial lateral overgrowth

DOE PAGES

Tang, Y. -H.; Bi, B.; Golding, B.

2015-02-24

A method of diamond heteroepitaxial lateral overgrowth is demonstrated which utilizes a photolithographic metal mask to pattern a thin (001) epitaxial diamond surface. Significant structural improvement was found, with a threading dislocation density reduced by two orders of magnitude at the top surface of a thick overgrown diamond layer. In the initial stage of overgrowth, a reduction of diamond Raman linewidth in the overgrown area was also realized. Thermally-induced stress and internal stress were determined by Raman spectroscopy of adhering and delaminated diamond films. As a result, the internal stress is found to decrease as sample thickness increases.

Thickness and composition of ultrathin SiO2 layers on Si

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Marel, C.; Verheijen, M. A.; Tamminga, Y.; Pijnenburg, R. H. W.; Tombros, N.; Cubaynes, F.

2004-07-01

Ultrathin SiO2 layers are of importance for the semiconductor industry. One of the techniques that can be used to determine the chemical composition and thickness of this type of layers is x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). As shown by Seah and Spencer [Surf. Interface Anal. 33, 640 (2002)], it is not trivial to characterize this type of layer by means of XPS in a reliable way. We have investigated a series of ultrathin layers of SiO2 on Si (in the range from 0.3 to 3 nm) using XPS. The samples were also analyzed by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Rutherford backscattering (RBS), and ellipsometry. The thickness of the SiO2 layers (d) was determined from the XPS results using three different approaches: the ``standard'' equation (Seah and Spencer) for d, an overlayer-substrate model calculation, and the QUASES-Tougaard [Surf. Interface Anal. 26, 249 (1998), QUASES-Tougaard: Software package for Quantitative Analysis of Surfaces by Electron Spectroscopy, version 4.4 (2000); http://www.quases.com] method. Good agreement was obtained between the results of XPS analyses using the ``standard'' equation, the overlayer-substrate model calculation, and RBS results. The QUASES-Tougaard results were approximately 62% above the other XPS results. The optical values for the thickness were always slightly higher than the thickness according to XPS or RBS. Using the model calculation, these (relatively small) deviations from the optical results could be explained as being a consequence of surface contaminations with hydrocarbons. For a thickness above 2.5 nm, the TEM results were in good agreement with the results obtained from the other techniques (apart from QUASES-Tougaard). Below 2.5 nm, significant deviations were found between RBS, XPS, and optical data on the one hand and TEM results on the other hand; the deviations became larger as the thickness of the SiO2 decreased. This effect may be related to interface states of oxygen, which have been investigated [D. A. Muller, T. Sorsch, S. Moccio, F. H. Baumann, K. Evans-Lutterodt, and G. Timp, Nature (London) 399, 758 (1999); D. A. Muller and J. B. Neaton, Structure and Energetics of the Interface Between Si and Amorphous SiO2 in Fundamental Aspects of Silicon Oxidation, edited by Y. J. Chabal (Springer, Berlin, 2001), pp. 219-246.] by means of high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy measurements of the O K edge in ultrathin gate oxides of SiO2. .

Use of shear horizontal waves to distinguish adhesive thickness variation from reduction in bonding strength.

PubMed

Predoi, Mihai Valentin; Ech Cherif El Kettani, Mounsif; Leduc, Damien; Pareige, Pascal; Coné, Khadidiatou

2015-08-01

The capability of shear horizontal (SH) guided waves, to evaluate geometrical imperfections in a bonding layer, is investigated. SH waves are used in a three-layer structure in which the adhesive layer has variable thickness. It is proven that the SH waves are adapting to the local thickness of the adhesive layer (adiabatic waves). This is particularly useful in case of small thickness variations, which is of technical interest. The influence of thickness and stiffness of the adhesive layer on the wavenumbers are investigated. The selected SH2 mode is proven to be very sensitive to the adhesive layer thickness variation in the given frequency range and considerably less sensitive to the adhesive stiffness variation. This property is due to its specific displacement field and is important in practical applications, such as inspection techniques based on SH waves, in order to avoid false alarms.

Organic field effect transistors - Study of performance parameters for different dielectric layer thickness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Assis, Anu; Shahul Hameed T., A.; Predeep, P.

2017-06-01

Mobility and current handling capabilities of Organic Field Effect Transistor (OFET) are vitally important parameters in the electrical performance where the material parameters and thickness of different layers play significant role. In this paper, we report the simulation of an OFET using multi physics tool, where the active layer is pentacene and Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) forms the dielectric. Electrical characterizations of the OFET on varying the thickness of the dielectric layer from 600nm to 400nm are simulated and drain current, transconductance and mobility are analyzed. In the study it is found that even though capacitance increases with reduction in dielectric layer thickness, the transconductance effect is reflected many more times in the mobility which in turn could be attributed to the variations in transverse electric field. The layer thickness below 300nm may result in gate leakage current points to the requirement of optimizing the thickness of different layers for better performance.

Fin-and-tube heat exchanger material and inlet velocity effect under frosting conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keryakos, Elie; Toubassy, Joseph; Danlos, Amélie; Clodic, Denis; Descombes, Georges

2017-02-01

The frosting fin-and-tube heat exchanger used in this study is implemented in the dehydration process of a biogas upgrading pilot. Water is separated from the biogas by frosting it at very low temperatures on the cold surfaces of the fin-and-tube heat exchanger. Once frosted, a defrosting system is used to remove water from the process. The main interest of this study is the frosting system. The effects of the biogas velocity, fin material, tube material and frost layer thickness on the performance of the fin-and-tube heat exchanger are investigated. Increasing the biogas velocity tends to increase the frosting layer thickness and the external pressure drop. This will lead to decrease the heat exchanger performance and the frosting cycle duration. The thermal conductivity of the fins and tubes has a major effect on the performance of the heat exchanger. Higher thermal conductivity decreases the heat exchanged surface. A numerical model has been developed, then numerical and experimental results extracted from a biogas upgrading pilot are compared.

Improved Laser Scribing of Transparent Conductive Oxide for Fabrication of Thin-Film Solar Module

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Egorov, F. S.; Kukin, A. V.; Terukov, E. I.; Titov, A. S.

2018-04-01

Nonuniform thickness of the front transparent conductive oxide (TCO) used for fabrication of thin-film solar module (TFSM) based on micromorphic technology affects P1 laser scribing (P1 scribing on the TCO front layer). A method for improvement of the thickness uniformity of the front TCO using modification of the existing system for gas supply of the LPCVD (TCO1200) vacuum setup with the aid of gasdistributing tubes is proposed. The thickness nonuniformity of the deposition procedure is decreased from 15.2 to 11.4% to improve uniformity of the resistance of the front TCO and light-scattering factor of TFSM. In addition, the number of P1 laser scribes with inadmissible resistance of insulation (less than 2 MΩ) is decreased by a factor of 7. A decrease in the amount of melt at the P1 scribe edges leads to an increase in the TFSM shunting resistance by 56 Ω. The TFSM output power is increased by 0.4 W due to improvement of parameters of the front TCO related to application of gas-distributing tubes.

Impact of fluorine based reactive chemistry on structure and properties of high moment magnetic material

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, Xiaoyu, E-mail: xiaoyu.yang@wdc.com; Chen, Lifan; Han, Hongmei

The impact of the fluorine-based reactive ion etch (RIE) process on the structural, electrical, and magnetic properties of NiFe and CoNiFe-plated materials was investigated. Several techniques, including X-ray fluorescence, 4-point-probe, BH looper, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), were utilized to characterize both bulk film properties such as thickness, average composition, Rs, ρ, Bs, Ms, and surface magnetic “dead” layers' properties such as thickness and element concentration. Experimental data showed that the majority of Rs and Bs changes of these bulk films were due to thickness reduction during exposure to the RIE process. ρ and Msmore » change after taking thickness reduction into account were negligible. The composition of the bulk films, which were not sensitive to surface magnetic dead layers with nano-meter scale, showed minimum change as well. It was found by TEM and EELS analysis that although both before and after RIE there were magnetic dead layers on the top surface of these materials, the thickness and element concentration of the layers were quite different. Prior to RIE, dead layer was actually native oxidation layers (about 2 nm thick), while after RIE dead layer consisted of two sub-layers that were about 6 nm thick in total. Sub-layer on the top was native oxidation layer, while the bottom layer was RIE “damaged” layer with very high fluorine concentration. Two in-situ RIE approaches were also proposed and tested to remove such damaged sub-layers.« less

Applying a uniform layer of disinfectant by wiping.

PubMed

Cooper, D W

2000-01-01

Disinfection or sterilization often requires applying a film of liquid to a surface, frequently done by using a wiper as the applicator. The wiper must not only hold a convenient amount of liquid, it must deposit it readily and uniformly. Contact time is critical to disinfection efficacy. Evaporation can limit the contact time. To lengthen the contact time, thickly applied layers are generally preferred. The thickness of such layers can be determined by using dyes or other tracers, as long as the tracers do not significantly affect the liquid's surface tension and viscosity and thus do not affect the thickness of the applied layer. Alternatively, as done here, the thickness of the layer can be inferred from the weight loss of the wiper. Results are reported of experiments on thickness of the layers applied under various conditions. Near saturation, hydrophilic polyurethane foam wipers gave layers roughly 10 microns thick, somewhat less than expected from hydrodynamic theory, but more than knitted polyester or woven cotton. Wipers with large liquid holding capacity, refilled often, should produce more nearly uniform layers. Higher pressures increase saturation in the wiper, tending to thicken the layer, but higher pressures also force liquid from the interface, tending to thin the layer, so the net result could be thicker or thinner layers, and there is likely to be an optimal pressure.

Enhancement in sensitivity of graphene-based zinc oxide assisted bimetallic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Rajeev; Kushwaha, Angad S.; Srivastava, Monika; Mishra, H.; Srivastava, S. K.

2018-03-01

In the present communication, a highly sensitive surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor with Kretschmann configuration having alternate layers, prism/zinc oxide/silver/gold/graphene/biomolecules (ss-DNA) is presented. The optimization of the proposed configuration has been accomplished by keeping the constant thickness of zinc oxide (32 nm), silver (32 nm), graphene (0.34 nm) layer and biomolecules (100 nm) for different values of gold layer thickness (1, 3 and 5 nm). The sensitivity of the proposed SPR biosensor has been demonstrated for a number of design parameters such as gold layer thickness, number of graphene layer, refractive index of biomolecules and the thickness of biomolecules layer. SPR biosensor with optimized geometry has greater sensitivity (66 deg/RIU) than the conventional (52 deg/RIU) as well as other graphene-based (53.2 deg/RIU) SPR biosensor. The effect of zinc oxide layer thickness on the sensitivity of SPR biosensor has also been analysed. From the analysis, it is found that the sensitivity increases significantly by increasing the thickness of zinc oxide layer. It means zinc oxide intermediate layer plays an important role to improve the sensitivity of the biosensor. The sensitivity of SPR biosensor also increases by increasing the number of graphene layer (upto nine layer).

Effective suppression of efficiency droop in GaN-based light-emitting diodes: role of significant reduction of carrier density and built-in field.

PubMed

Yoo, Yang-Seok; Na, Jong-Ho; Son, Sung Jin; Cho, Yong-Hoon

2016-10-19

A critical issue in GaN-based high power light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is how to suppress the efficiency droop problem occurred at high current injection while improving overall quantum efficiency, especially in conventional c-plane InGaN/GaN quantum well (QW), without using complicated bandgap engineering or unconventional materials and structures. Although increasing thickness of each QW may decrease carrier density in QWs, formation of additional strain and defects as well as increased built-in field effect due to enlarged QW thickness are unavoidable. Here, we propose a facile and effective method for not only reducing efficiency droop but also improving quantum efficiency by utilizing c-plane InGaN/GaN QWs having thinner barriers and increased QW number while keeping the same single well thickness and total active layer thickness. As the barrier thickness decreases and the QW number increases, both internal electric field and carrier density within QWs are simultaneously reduced without degradation of material quality. Furthermore, we found overall improved efficiency and reduced efficiency droop, which was attributed to the decrease of the built-in field and to less influence by non-radiative recombination processes at high carrier density. This simple and effective approach can be extended further for high power ultraviolet, green, and red LEDs.

Effective suppression of efficiency droop in GaN-based light-emitting diodes: role of significant reduction of carrier density and built-in field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoo, Yang-Seok; Na, Jong-Ho; Son, Sung Jin; Cho, Yong-Hoon

2016-10-01

A critical issue in GaN-based high power light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is how to suppress the efficiency droop problem occurred at high current injection while improving overall quantum efficiency, especially in conventional c-plane InGaN/GaN quantum well (QW), without using complicated bandgap engineering or unconventional materials and structures. Although increasing thickness of each QW may decrease carrier density in QWs, formation of additional strain and defects as well as increased built-in field effect due to enlarged QW thickness are unavoidable. Here, we propose a facile and effective method for not only reducing efficiency droop but also improving quantum efficiency by utilizing c-plane InGaN/GaN QWs having thinner barriers and increased QW number while keeping the same single well thickness and total active layer thickness. As the barrier thickness decreases and the QW number increases, both internal electric field and carrier density within QWs are simultaneously reduced without degradation of material quality. Furthermore, we found overall improved efficiency and reduced efficiency droop, which was attributed to the decrease of the built-in field and to less influence by non-radiative recombination processes at high carrier density. This simple and effective approach can be extended further for high power ultraviolet, green, and red LEDs.

High-Power Characteristics of Thickness Shear Mode for Textured SrBi2Nb2O9 Ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ogawa, Hirozumi; Kawada, Shinichiro; Kimura, Masahiko; Higuchi, Yukio; Takagi, Hiroshi

2009-09-01

The high-power piezoelectric characteristics of the thickness shear mode for <00l> oriented ceramics of bismuth layer structured ferroelectrics (BLSF), SrBi2Nb2O9 (SBN), were studied by the constant current driving method. These textured ceramics were fabricated by the templated grain growth (TGG) method, and the Lotgering factor was 95%. The vibration of the thickness shear mode in the textured SBN ceramics was stable at the vibration velocity of 2.0 m/s. The resonant frequency was almost constant with increasing vibration velocity in the textured SBN ceramics, however, it decreased with increasing vibration velocity in the randomly oriented SBN ceramics. In the case of Pb(Mn,Nb)O3-Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 ceramics, the vibration velocity of the thickness shear mode was saturated at more than 0.3 m/s, and the resonant frequency decreased at lower vibration velocity than in the case of SBN ceramics. The dissipation power density of the textured SBN ceramics was the lowest among those of the randomly oriented SBN and Pb(Mn,Nb)O3-PZT ceramics. The thickness shear mode of textured SBN ceramics is a good candidate for high-power piezoelectric applications.

Do lipids retard the evaporation of the tear fluid?

PubMed

Rantamäki, Antti H; Javanainen, Matti; Vattulainen, Ilpo; Holopainen, Juha M

2012-09-21

We examined in vitro the potential evaporation-retarding effect of the tear film lipid layer (TFLL). The artificial TFLL compositions used here were based on the present knowledge of TFLL composition. A custom-built system was developed to measure evaporation rates at 35°C. Lipids were applied to an air-water interface, and the evaporation rate through the lipid layer was defined as water loss from the interface. A thick layer of olive oil and a monolayer of long-chain alcohol were used as controls. The artificial TFLLs were composed of 1 to 4 lipid species: polar phosphatidylcholine (PC), nonpolar cholesteryl ester, triglycerides, and wax ester (WE). Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) and interfacial shear rheometry (ISR) were used to assess the lateral structure and shear stress response of the lipid layers, respectively. Olive oil and long-chain alcohol decreased evaporation by 54% and 45%, respectively. The PC monolayer and the four-component mixtures did not retard evaporation. WE was the most important evaporation-retardant TFLL lipid (∼20% decrease). In PC/WE mixtures, an ∼90% proportion of WE was required for evaporation retardation. Based on BAM and ISR, WE resulted in more condensed layers than the non-retardant layers. Highly condensed, solid-like lipid layers, such as those containing high proportions of WEs, are evaporation-retardant. In multi-component lipid layers, the evaporation-retardant interactions between carbon chains decrease and, therefore, these lipid layers do not retard evaporation.

Effect of thickness on physical properties of electron beam vacuum evaporated CdZnTe thin films for tandem solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chander, Subhash; Dhaka, M. S.

2016-10-01

The thickness and physical properties of electron beam vacuum evaporated CdZnTe thin films have been optimized in the present work. The films of thickness 300 nm and 400 nm were deposited on ITO coated glass substrates and subjected to different characterization tools like X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectrophotometer, source meter and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate the structural, optical, electrical and surface morphological properties respectively. The XRD results show that the as-deposited CdZnTe thin films have zinc blende cubic structure and polycrystalline in nature with preferred orientation (111). Different structural parameters are also evaluated and discussed. The optical study reveals that the optical transition is found to be direct and energy band gap is decreased for higher thickness. The transmittance is found to increase with thickness and red shift observed which is suitable for CdZnTe films as an absorber layer in tandem solar cells. The current-voltage characteristics of deposited films show linear behavior in both forward and reverse directions as well as the conductivity is increased for higher film thickness. The SEM studies show that the as-deposited CdZnTe thin films are found to be homogeneous, uniform, small circle-shaped grains and free from crystal defects. The experimental results confirm that the film thickness plays an important role to optimize the physical properties of CdZnTe thin films for tandem solar cell applications as an absorber layer.

Photovoltaic device having light transmitting electrically conductive stacked films

DOEpatents

Weber, Michael F.; Tran, Nang T.; Jeffrey, Frank R.; Gilbert, James R.; Aspen, Frank E.

1990-07-10

A light transmitting electrically conductive stacked film, useful as a light transmitting electrode, including a first light transmitting electrically conductive layer, having a first optical thickness, a second light transmitting layer, having a second optical thickness different from the optical thickness of the first layer, and an electrically conductive metallic layer interposed between and in initimate contact with the first and second layers.

Choroidal Thinning Associated With Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy.

PubMed

Ahn, Seong Joon; Ryu, So Jung; Joung, Joo Young; Lee, Byung Ro

2017-11-01

To investigate choroidal thickness in patients using hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and compare choroidal thickness between eyes with and without HCQ retinopathy. Retrospective case series. Setting: Institutional. We included 124 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis who were treated with HCQ. The patients were divided into an HCQ retinopathy group and a control group, according to the presence or absence of HCQ retinopathy. Total choroidal thickness and choriocapillaris-equivalent thickness were measured manually by 2 independent investigators using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT; DRI-OCT, Topcon Inc, Tokyo, Japan). These measurements were made at the fovea and at nasal and temporal locations 0.5, 1.5, and 3 mm from the fovea. Medium-to-large vessel layer thickness was calculated accordingly. The thicknesses were compared between the HCQ retinopathy and control groups. We performed correlation analyses between choroidal thicknesses and details regarding HCQ use. Total choroidal thickness and choriocapillaris-equivalent thickness. Choroidal thicknesses were significantly decreased (P < .05) in the HCQ retinopathy group compared to the control group, except at the temporal choroid 1.5 mm from the fovea. Choriocapillaris-equivalent thicknesses were significantly different in all choroidal locations between the groups. In contrast, the medium-to-large vessel layer thickness was only significantly different at a few locations. The cumulative dose/body weight was significantly correlated with subfoveal choroidal and choriocapillaris-equivalent thicknesses (both P = .001). The association between presence of HCQ retinopathy and choroidal thicknesses was also statistically significant after adjusting for age, diagnosis for HCQ use, refractive errors, and duration of HCQ use (P = .001 and P = .003 for subfoveal choroidal and choriocapillaris-equivalent thickness, respectively). These results all suggest that HCQ retinopathy is associated with choroidal thinning, especially in the choriocapillaris. Our results may suggest choroidal involvement of HCQ toxicity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of shell thickness on the exchange bias blocking temperature and coercivity in Co-CoO core-shell nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, S.; Reethu, K.; Thanveer, T.; Myint, M. T. Z.; Al-Harthi, S. H.

2017-08-01

The exchange bias blocking temperature distribution of naturally oxidized Co-CoO core-shell nanoparticles exhibits two distinct signatures. These are associated with the existence of two magnetic entities which are responsible for the temperature dependence of an exchange bias field. One is from the CoO grains which undergo thermally activated magnetization reversal. The other is from the disordered spins at the Co-CoO interface which exhibits spin-glass-like behavior. We investigated the oxide shell thickness dependence of the exchange bias effect. For particles with a 3 nm thick CoO shell, the predominant contribution to the temperature dependence of exchange bias is the interfacial spin-glass layer. On increasing the shell thickness to 4 nm, the contribution from the spin-glass layer decreases, while upholding the antiferromagnetic grain contribution. For samples with a 4 nm CoO shell, the exchange bias training was minimal. On the other hand, 3 nm samples exhibited both the training effect and a peak in coercivity at an intermediate set temperature Ta. This is explained using a magnetic core-shell model including disordered spins at the interface.

Demonstration of enhanced continuous-wave operation of blue laser diodes on a semipolar 202¯1¯ GaN substrate using indium-tin-oxide/thin-p-GaN cladding layers.

PubMed

Mehari, Shlomo; Cohen, Daniel A; Becerra, Daniel L; Nakamura, Shuji; DenBaars, Steven P

2018-01-22

The benefits of utilizing transparent conductive oxide on top of a thin p-GaN layer for continuous-wave (CW) operation of blue laser diodes (LDs) were investigated. A very low operating voltage of 5.35 V at 10 kA/cm 2 was obtained for LDs with 250 nm thick p-GaN compared to 7.3 V for LDs with conventional 650 nm thick p-GaN. An improved thermal performance was also observed for the thin p-GaN samples resulting in a 40% increase in peak light output power and a 32% decrease in surface temperature. Finally, a tradeoff was demonstrated between low operating voltage and increased optical modal loss in the indium tin oxide (ITO) with thinner p-GaN. LDs lasing at 445 nm with 150 nm thick p-GaN had an excess modal loss while LDs with an optimal 250 nm thick p-GaN resulted in optical output power of 1.1 W per facet without facet coatings and a wall-plug efficiency of 15%.

Layer-by-layer-based silica encapsulation of individual yeast with thickness control.

PubMed

Lee, Hojae; Hong, Daewha; Choi, Ji Yu; Kim, Ji Yup; Lee, Sang Hee; Kim, Ho Min; Yang, Sung Ho; Choi, Insung S

2015-01-01

In the area of cell-surface engineering with nanomaterials, the metabolic and functional activities of the encapsulated cells are manipulated and controlled by various parameters of the artificial shells that encase the cells, such as stiffness and elasticity, thickness, and porosity. The mechanical durability and physicochemical stability of inorganic shells prove superior to layer-by-layer-based organic shells with regard to cytoprotection, but it has been difficult to vary the parameters of inorganic shells including their thickness. In this work, we combine the layer-by-layer technique with a process of bioinspired silicification to control the thickness of the silica shells that encapsulate yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells individually, and investigate the thickness-dependent microbial growth. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Chiral photonic crystals with an anisotropic defect layer.

PubMed

Gevorgyan, A H; Harutyunyan, M Z

2007-09-01

In the present paper we consider some properties of defect modes in chiral photonic crystals with an anisotropic defect layer. We solved the problem by Ambartsumian's layer addition method. We investigated the influence of the defect layer thickness variation and its location in the chiral photonic crystal (CPC) and also its optical axes orientation, as well as of CPC thickness variation on defect mode properties. Variations of the optical thickness of the defect layer have its impact on the defect mode linewidth and the light accumulation in the defect. We obtain that CPCs lose their base property at certain defect layer thicknesses; namely, they lose their diffraction reflection dependence on light polarization. We also show that the circular polarization handedness changes from right-handed to left-handed if the defect layer location is changed, and therefore, such systems can be used to create sources of elliptically polarized light with tunable ellipticity. Some nonreciprocity properties of such systems are investigated, too. In particular, it is also shown that such a system can work as a practically ideal wide band optical diode for circularly polarized incident light provided the defect layer thickness is properly chosen, and it can work as a narrow band diode at small defect layer thicknesses.

Experimental investigation of convective stability in a superposed fluid and porous layer when heated from below

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Falin; Chen, C. F.

1989-01-01

Experiments have been carried out in a horizontal superposed fluid and porous layer contained in a test box 24 cm x 12 cm x 4 cm high. The porous layer consisted of 3 mm diameter glass beads, and the fluids used were water, 60 and 90 percent glycerin-water solutions, and 100 percent glycerin. The depth ratio d, which is the ratio of the thickness of the fluid layer to that of the porous layer, varied from 0 to 1.0. Fluids of increasingly higher viscosity were used for cases with larger d in order to keep the temperature difference across the tank within reasonable limits. The size of the convection cells was inferred from temperature measurements made with embedded thermocouples and from temperature distributions at the top of the layer by use of liquid crystal film. The experimental results showed: (1) a precipitous decrease in the critical Rayleigh number as the depth of the fluid layer was increased from zero, and (2) an eightfold decrease in the critical wavelength between d = 0.1 and 0.2. Both of these results were predicted by the linear stability theory reported earlier (Chen and Chen, 1988).

Anomalies of the upper water column in the Mediterranean Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rivetti, Irene; Boero, Ferdinando; Fraschetti, Simonetta; Zambianchi, Enrico; Lionello, Piero

2017-04-01

The evolution of the upper water column in the Mediterranean Sea during more than 60 years is reconstructed in terms of few parameters describing the mixed layer and the seasonal thermocline. The analysis covers the period 1945-2011 using data from three public sources: MEDAR-MEDATLAS, World Ocean Database, MFS-VOS program. Five procedures for estimating the mixed layer depth are described, discussed and compared using the 20-year long time series of temperature profiles of the DYFAMED station in the Ligurian Sea. On this basis the so-called three segments profile model (which approximates the upper water column with three segments representing mixed layer, thermocline and deep layer) has been selected for a systematic analysis at Mediterranean scale. A widespread increase of the thickness and temperature of the mixed layer, increase of the depth and decrease of the temperature of the thermocline base have been observed in summer and autumn during the recent decades. It is shown that positive temperature extremes of the mixed layer and of its thickness are potential drivers of the mass mortalities of benthic invertebrates documented since 1983. Hotspots of mixed layer anomalies have been also identified. These results refine previous analyses showing that ongoing and future warming of upper Mediterranean is likely to increase mass mortalities by producing environmental conditions beyond the limit of tolerance of some benthic species.

Thickness dependent charge transport in ferroelectric BaTiO3 heterojunctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Pooja; Rout, P. K.; Singh, Manju; Rakshit, R. K.; Dogra, Anjana

2015-09-01

We have investigated the effect of ferroelectric barium titanate (BaTiO3) film thickness on the charge transport mechanism in pulsed laser deposited epitaxial metal-ferroelectric semiconductor junctions. The current (I)-voltage (V) measurements across the junctions comprising of 20-500 nm thick BaTiO3 and conducting bottom electrode (Nb: SrTiO3 substrate or La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 buffer layer) demonstrate the space charge limited conduction. Further analysis indicates a reduction in the ratio of free to trapped carriers with increasing thickness in spite of decreasing trap density. Such behaviour arises the deepening of the shallow trap levels (<0.65 eV) below conduction band with increasing thickness. Moreover, the observed hysteresis in I-V curves implies a bipolar resistive switching behaviour, which can be explained in terms of charge trapping and de-trapping process.

Plasmon modes supported by left-handed material slab waveguide with conducting interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taya, Sofyan A.

2018-07-01

Theoretical analysis of left-handed material core layer waveguide in the presence of interface free charge layers is presented. The thickness of the interface charge layer can be neglected compared with the incident wavelength. The tangential component of the magnetic field is no longer continuous due to the conducting interfaces. The non-homogeneous boundary conditions are solved and the corresponding dispersion relation is found. The dispersion properties are studied. The proposed structure is found to support even as well as odd plasmon modes. Moreover, the structure shows abnormal dispersion property of decreasing the effective index with the increase of the frequency which means negative group velocity.

Reduced contact resistance of a-IGZO thin film transistors with inkjet-printed silver electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jianqiu; Ning, Honglong; Fang, Zhiqiang; Tao, Ruiqiang; Yang, Caigui; Zhou, Yicong; Yao, Rihui; Xu, Miao; Wang, Lei; Peng, Junbiao

2018-04-01

In this study, high performance amorphous In–Ga–Zn–O (a-IGZO) TFTs were successfully fabricated with inkjet-printed silver source-drain electrodes. The results showed that increased channel thickness has an improving trend in the properties of TFTs due to the decreased contact resistance. Compared with sputtered silver TFTs, devices with printed silver electrodes were more sensitive to the thickness of active layer. Furthermore, the devices with optimized active layer showed high performances with a maximum saturation mobility of 8.73 cm2 · V‑1 · S‑1 and an average saturation mobility of 6.97 cm2 · V‑1 · S‑1, I on/I off ratio more than 107 and subthreshold swing of 0.28 V/decade, which were comparable with the analogous devices with sputtered electrodes.

[Visual function evaluation in human immunodeficiency virus carriers].

PubMed

Solís-Castillo, A; Ramírez-Ponce, L A; Valdez-González, T; Seijo, E; Voorduin-Ramos, S; López-Star, E M

2011-04-01

To determine whether there are changes in the peripapillary nerve fibre layer, in colour vision, contrast sensitivity, dark adaptation and electroretinography changes in these patients who do not have infectious retinitis. We studied 52 patients without ocular pathology; the mean age was 35.88 years old. We observed less thickness in all quadrants, except the nasal. The colour vision was altered in 27.77% of the patients. The contrast sensitivity test showed high frequency alterations. There was no statistically significant difference in the electroretinography test or in dark adaptation. There are changes in the peripapillary nerve fibre layer thickness; also we found changes in colour vision, contrast sensitivity and a decreasing trend of the B wave in the electroreninogram. Copyright © 2010 Sociedad Española de Oftalmología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in normals measured by spectral domain OCT.

PubMed

Bendschneider, Delia; Tornow, Ralf P; Horn, Folkert K; Laemmer, Robert; Roessler, Christopher W; Juenemann, Anselm G; Kruse, Friedrich E; Mardin, Christian Y

2010-09-01

To determine normal values for peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) measured by spectral domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SOCT) in healthy white adults and to examine the relationship of RNFL with age, gender, and clinical variables. The peripapillary RNFL of 170 healthy patients (96 males and 74 females, age 20 to 78 y) was imaged with a high-resolution SOCT (Spectralis HRA+OCT, Heidelberg Engineering) in an observational cross-sectional study. RNFL thickness was measured around the optic nerve head using 16 automatically averaged, consecutive circular B-scans with 3.4-mm diameter. The automatically segmented RNFL thickness was divided into 32 segments (11.25 degrees each). One randomly selected eye per subject entered the study. Mean RNFL thickness in the study population was 97.2 ± 9.7 μm. Mean RNFL thickness was significantly negatively correlated with age (r = -0.214, P = 0.005), mean RNFL decrease per decade was 1.90 μm. As age dependency was different in different segments, age-correction of RNFL values was made for all segments separately. Age-adjusted RNFL thickness showed a significant correlation with axial length (r = -0.391, P = 0.001) and with refractive error (r = 0.396, P<0.001), but not with disc size (r = 0.124). Normal RNFL results with SOCT are comparable to those reported with time-domain OCT. In accordance with the literature on other devices, RNFL thickness measured with SOCT was significantly correlated with age and axial length. For creating a normative database of SOCT RNFL values have to be age adjusted.

Organic C and N stabilization in a forest soil: evidence from sequential density fractionation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sollins, P; Swanston, C; Kleber, M

2005-07-15

In mineral soil, organic matter (OM) accumulates mainly on and around surfaces of silt- and clay-size particles. When fractionated according to particle density, C and N concentration (per g fraction) and C/N of these soil organo-mineral particles decrease with increasing particle density across soils of widely divergent texture, mineralogy, location, and management. The variation in particle density is explained potentially by two factors: (1) a decrease in the mass ratio of organic to mineral phase of these particles, and (2) variations in density of the mineral phase. The first explanation implies that the thickness of the organic accumulations decreases withmore » increasing particle density. The decrease in C/N can be explained at least partially by especially stable sorption of cationic peptidic compounds (amine, amide, and pyrrole) directly to mineral surfaces, a phenomenon well documented both empirically and theoretically. These peptidic compounds, along with ligand-exchanged carboxylic compounds, could then form a stable inner organic layer onto which less polar organics could sorb more readily than onto the highly charged mineral surfaces (''onion'' layering model). To explore mechanisms underlying this trend in C concentration and C/N with particle density, we sequentially density fractionated an Oregon andic soil at 1.65, 1.85, 2.00, 2.28, and 2.55 g cm{sup -3} and analyzed the six fractions for measures of organic matter and mineral phase properties. All measures of OM composition showed either: (1) a monotonic change with density, or (2) a monotonic change across the lightest fractions, then little change over the heaviest fractions. Total C, N, and lignin phenol concentration all decreased monotonically with increasing density, and {sup 14}C mean residence time (MRT) increased with particle density from ca. 150 y to >980 y in the four organo-mineral fractions. In contrast, C/N, {sup 13}C and {sup 15}N concentration all showed the second pattern. All these data are consistent with a general pattern of an increase in extent of microbial processing with increasing organo-mineral particle density, and also with an ''onion'' layering model. X-ray diffraction before and after separation of magnetic materials showed that the sequential density fractionation isolated pools of differing mineralogy, with layer-silicate clays dominating in two of the intermediate fractions and primary minerals in the heaviest two fractions. There was no indication that these differences in mineralogy controlled the differences in density of the organo-mineral particles in this soil. Thus, our data are consistent with the hypothesis that variation in particle density reflects variation in thickness of the organic accumulations and with an ''onion'' layering model for organic matter accumulation on mineral surfaces. However, the mineralogy differences among fractions made it difficult to test either the layer-thickness or ''onion'' layering models with this soil. Although sequential density fractionation isolated pools of distinct mineralogy and organic-matter composition, more work will be needed to understand mechanisms relating the two factors.« less

Characterizing the Influence of the General Circulation on Marine Boundary Layer Clouds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rozendaal, Margaret A.; Rossow, William B.; Hansen, James E. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The seasonal and intraseasonal variability of boundary layer cloud in the subtropical eastern oceans are studied using combined data from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis. Spectral analysis reveals that most of the time variability of cloud properties occurs on seasonal to annual time scales. The variance decreases one to two orders of magnitude for each decade of time scale decrease, indicating that daily to monthly time scales have smaller, but non-negligible variability. The length of these dominant time scales suggests that the majority of the variability is influenced by the general circulation and its interaction with boundary layer turbulence, rather than a product of boundary layer turbulence alone. Previous datasets have lacked the necessary resolution in either time or in space to properly characterize variability on synoptic scales; this is remedied by using global satellite-retrieved cloud properties. We characterize the intraseasonal subtropical cloud variability in both hemispheres and in different seasons. In addition to cloud fraction, we examine variability of cloud optical thickness - cloud top pressure frequency distributions. Despite the large concentration of research on the variability of Northern Hemisphere (NH) regions during summer, it is noted that the largest amplitude intraseasonal variability in the NH regions occurs during local winter. The effect of intraseasonal variability on the calculation and interpretation of seasonal results is investigated. Decreases in seasonally averaged cloud cover, optical thickness and cloud top pressure from the May-through-September season to the November-through-March season are most apparent in the NH regions. Further analysis indicates that these changes are due to an increase in frequency, but a decrease in the persistence of synoptic events. In addition, changes in cloud top pressure and optical thickness characteristics from the summer to winter seasons indicate that the NH subtropics undergo a change in dynamic regime with season. This change appears in the cloud fields as a shift from the more commonly seen lower-altitude, thicker optical thickness clouds to higher-altitude, thinner clouds. The latter cloud-type is associated with the lower sea level pressure, upward vertical velocity phase of the synoptic wave. Intraseasonal changes in cloud properties in the Southern Hemisphere and NH summer are much smaller in amplitude. Although they also appear to be linked to changes in the large-scale dynamics, similarly to NH winter variations, the relationships are more ambiguous due to the small amplitudes and longer time scales. We attempt to interpret some of these relationships using the results of the Betts and Ridgway (1989) box model. However, these results cannot consistently explain the patterns when results from all regions are considered, implying that this model may not adequately explain all the processes involved in the variability.

Nanoporous Al sandwich foils using size effect of Al layer thickness during Cu/Al/Cu laminate rolling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Hailiang; Lu, Cheng; Tieu, A. Kiet; Li, Huijun; Godbole, Ajit; Kong, Charlie

2018-06-01

The roll bonding technique is one of the most widely used methods to produce metal laminate sheets. Such sheets offer interesting research opportunities for both scientists and engineers. In this paper, we report on an experimental investigation of the 'thickness effect' during laminate rolling for the first time. Using a four-high multifunction rolling mill, Cu/Al/Cu laminate sheets were fabricated with a range of thicknesses (16, 40, 70 and 130 μm) of the Al layer. The thickness of the Cu sheets was a constant 300 μm. After rolling, TEM images show good bonding quality between the Cu and Al layers. However, there are many nanoscale pores in the Al layer. The fraction of nanoscale pores in the Al layer increases with a reduction in the Al layer thickness. The finite element method was used to simulate the Cu/Al/Cu rolling process. The simulation results reveal the effect of the Al layer thickness on the deformation characteristics of the Cu/Al/Cu laminate. Finally, we propose that the size effect of the Al layer thickness during Cu/Al/Cu laminate rolling may offer a method to fabricate 'nanoporous' Al sandwich laminate foils. Such foils can be used in electromagnetic shielding of electrical devices and noisy shielding of building.

Thickness optimization of the ZnO based TCO layer in a CZTSSe solar cell. Evolution of its performance with thickness when external temperature changes.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chadel, Meriem; Moustafa Bouzaki, Mohammed; Chadel, Asma; Aillerie, Michel; Benyoucef, Boumediene

2017-07-01

The influence of the thickness of a Zinc Oxide (ZnO) transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer on the performance of the CZTSSe solar cell is shown in detail. In a photovoltaic cell, the thickness of each layer largely influence the performance of the solar cell and optimization of each layer constitutes a complete work. Here, using the Solar Cell Capacitance Simulation (SCAPS) software, we present simulation results obtained in the analyze of the influence of the TCO layer thickness on the performance of a CZTSSe solar cell, starting from performance of a CZTSSe solar cell commercialized in 2014 with an initial efficiency equal to 12.6%. In simulation, the temperature was considered as a functioning parameter and the evolution of tthe performance of the cell for various thickness of the TCO layer when the external temperature changes is simulated and discussed. The best efficiency of the solar cell based in CZTSSe is obtained with a ZnO thickness equal to 50 nm and low temperature. Based on the considered marketed cell, we show a technological possible increase of the global efficiency achieving 13% by optimization of ZnO based TCO layer.

Pitot-probe displacement in a supersonic turbulent boundary layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, J. M.

1972-01-01

Eight circular pitot probes ranging in size from 2 to 70 percent of the boundary-layer thickness were tested to provide experimental probe displacement results in a two-dimensional turbulent boundary layer at a nominal free-stream Mach number of 2 and unit Reynolds number of 8 million per meter. The displacement obtained in the study was larger than that reported by previous investigators in either an incompressible turbulent boundary layer or a supersonic laminar boundary layer. The large probes indicated distorted Mach number profiles, probably due to separation. When the probes were small enough to cause no appreciable distortion, the displacement was constant over most of the boundary layer. The displacement in the near-wall region decreased to negative displacement in some cases. This near-wall region was found to extend to about one probe diameter from the test surface.

Laser energy transformation to shock waves in multi-layer flyers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasperczuk, A.; Pisarczyk, T.; Gus'kov, S. Yu.; Ullschmied, J.; Krouský, E.; Masek, K.; Pfeifer, M.; Rohlena, K.; Skala, J.; Kalal, M.; Tikhonchuk, V.; Pisarczyk, P.

Investigations of powerful laser pulse action on planar flyer targets consisting of the layers of different materials are of importance from the basic as well as the applied physics point of view. One important aspect of this research deals with optimization of inertial fusion targets design. Here, the role of a thin heavy metal layer as a protector against preliminary heating of compressed thermonuclear fuel by thermal X-ray radiation can be mentioned as one particular topic to be properly understood. In this paper, the results of our studies of such a thin layer influence on the laser-produced energy deposition in the flyer foils as well as on the hydrodynamic motion of the foils as a hole will be reported. A 0.4 μ m thick gold layer was located between an aluminum layer of 6 μ m thickness and mylar layer with thickness of 2.5 μ m, used here as an ablator. For comparison, the flyer target without the gold layer but of the same area density was employed. Two different target constructions were used: (1) with a 2 mm gap separating the foil and the massive targets for measuring the foil velocity and (2) with gaps of 50, 100 and 200 μ m for laser energy transfer efficiency measurements. Targets were irradiated by laser beam energies of ˜100 J in the case of the first harmonic, and by laser beam energies ˜120 J in the case of the third one using the Prague Asterix Laser System iodine laser. The interaction spot radius of 200 μ m and the laser pulse duration of ˜250 ps were employed in these experiments. A three-frame interferometric and shadowgraphic system was set-up as to measure velocities of the rear side of the foils and to determine electron density distributions at different stages of plasma evolution. Volumes of craters produced by collisions of accelerated foils with a massive aluminum block were used as an indicator of the laser energy transfer efficiency into the foils of both types. These experiments have shown that the presence of the thin gold layer causes a decrease of the flyer velocity by a factor of ˜1.2 for both the harmonics. However, in the case of the first harmonic, the energy transfer into the flyer with the gold layer is higher (compared with the flyers without the gold layer) only for the targets with smaller gaps. In the case of the third harmonic, about 10% decrease in the amount of energy transferred into the foil with the gold layer was observed.

Changes in Inner and Outer Retinal Layer Thicknesses after Vitrectomy for Idiopathic Macular Hole: Implications for Visual Prognosis

PubMed Central

Hashimoto, Yuki; Saito, Wataru; Fujiya, Akio; Yoshizawa, Chikako; Hirooka, Kiriko; Mori, Shohei; Noda, Kousuke; Ishida, Susumu

2015-01-01

Purpose To investigate sequential post-operative thickness changes in inner and outer retinal layers in eyes with an idiopathic macular hole (MH). Methods Retrospective case series. Twenty-four eyes of 23 patients who had received pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for the closure of MH were included in the study. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography C-scan was used to automatically measure the mean thickness of the inner and outer retinal layers pre-operatively and up to 6 months following surgery. The photoreceptor outer segment (PROS) length was measured manually and was used to assess its relationship with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Results Compared with the pre-operative thickness, the inner layers significantly thinned during follow-up (P = 0.02), particularly in the parafoveal (P = 0.01), but not perifoveal, area. The post-operative inner layer thinning ranged from the ganglion cell layer to the inner plexiform layer (P = 0.002), whereas the nerve fiber layer was unaltered. Outer layer thickness was significantly greater post-operatively (P = 0.002), and especially the PROS lengthened not only in the fovea but also in the parafovea (P < 0.001). Six months after surgery, BCVA was significantly correlated exclusively with the elongated foveal PROS (R = 0.42, P = 0.03), but not with any of the other thickness parameters examined. Conclusions Following PPV for MH, retinal inner layers other than the nerve fiber layer thinned, suggestive of subclinical thickening in the inner layers where no cyst was evident pre-operatively. In contrast, retinal outer layer thickness significantly increased, potentially as a result of PROS elongation linking tightly with favorable visual prognosis in MH eyes. PMID:26291526

Geometrical and Structural Asperities on Fault Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sagy, A.; Brodsky, E. E.; van der Elst, N.; Agosta, F.; di Toro, G.; Collettini, C.

2007-12-01

Earthquake dynamics are strongly affected by fault zone structure and geometry. Fault surface irregularities and the nearby structure control the rupture nucleation and propagation, the fault strength, the near-field stress orientations and the hydraulic properties. New field observations demonstrate the existence of asperities in faults as displayed by topographical bumps on the fault surface and hardening of the internal structure near them. Ground-based LIDAR measurements on more than 30 normal and strike slip faults in different lithologies demonstrate that faults are not planar surfaces and roughness is strongly dependent on fault displacement. In addition to the well-understood roughness exemplified by abrasive striations and fracture segmentation, we found semi-elliptical topographical bumps with wavelengths of a few meters. In many faults the bumps are not spread equally on the surface and zones can be bumpier than others. The bumps are most easily identified on faults with total displacement of dozens to hundreds of meters. Smaller scale roughness on these faults is smoothed by abrasive processes. A key site in southern Oregon shows that the topographic bumps are closely tied to the internal structure of the fault zone. At this location, we combine LiDAR data with detailed structural analysis of the fault zone embedded in volcanic rocks. Here the bumps correlate with an abrupt change in the width of the cohesive cataclasite layer that is exposed under a thin ultracataclasite zone. In most of the exposures the cohesive layer thickness is 10-20 cm. However, under protruding bumps the layer is always thickened and the width can locally exceed one meter. Field and microscopic analyses show that the layer contains grains with dimensions ranging from less than 10 μ up to a few centimeters. There is clear evidence of internal flow, rotation and fracturing of the grains in the layer. X-Ray diffraction measurements of samples from the layer show that the bulk mineralogy is identical to that of the host rock, although thin section analysis suggests that some alteration and secondary mineralization of the grains also occurs. We infer that the cohesiveness of the layer is a consequence of repacking and cementation similar to deformation bands in granular material. By comparing the thickness of the cohesive layer on several secondary faults in this fault area we found that the average thickness of the layer increases with total slip. The correlation is nonlinear and the thickening rate decreases with increasing slip. We conclude that granular flow decreasing with increasing slip and thus the deformation is continually localized.

Role of storms and forest practices in sedimentation of an Oregon Coast Range lake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richardson, K.; Hatten, J. A.; Wheatcroft, R. A.; Guerrero, F. J.

2014-12-01

The design of better management practices in forested watersheds to face climate change and the associated increase in the frequency of extreme events requires a better understanding of watershed responses to extreme events in the past and also under management regimes. One of the most sensitive watershed processes affected is sediment yield. Lake sediments record events which occur in a watershed and provide an opportunity to examine the interaction of storms and forest management practices in the layers of the stratigraphy. We hypothesize that timber harvesting and road building since the 1900s has resulted in increases in sedimentation; however, the passage of the Oregon Forest Practices Act (OFPA) in 1972 has led to a decrease in sedimentation. Sediment cores were taken at Loon Lake in the Oregon Coast Range. The 32-m deep lake captures sediment from a catchment highly impacted by recent land use and episodic Pacific storms. We can use sedimentological tools to measure changes in sediment production as motivated by extreme floods before settlement, during a major timber harvesting period, and after installation of forestry Best Management Practices. Quantification of changes in particle size and elemental composition (C, N, C/N) throughout the cores can elucidate changes in watershed response to extreme events, as can changes in layer thickness. Age control in the cores is being established by Cesium-137 and radiocarbon dating. Given the instrumental meteorological data and decadal climate reconstructions, we will disentangle climate driven signals from changes in land use practices. The sediment shows distinct laminations and varying thickness of layers throughout the cores. Background deposition is composed of thin layers (<0.5 cm) of fine silts and clays, punctuated by thicker layers (3-25 cm) every 10 to 75 cm. These thick layers consist of distinctly textured units, generally fining upward. We interpret the thick layers in Loon Lake to be deposited by sediment-producing floods throughout much of the 1500-year lifespan of this lake. We will explore the relationship between sedimentation, land use, and climate forcing events to determine if the OFPA is having an effect on reducing sedimentation rates as a result of extreme magnitude storm events.

Control of a Normal Shock Boundary Layer Interaction with Ramped Vanes of Various Sizes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Sang; Loth, Eric

2017-11-01

A novel vortex generator design positioned upstream of a normal shock and a subsequent diffuser was investigated using large eddy simulations. In particular, ``ramped-vane'' flow control devices with three difference heights relative to the incoming boundary layer thickness (0.34 δ 0.52 δ and 0.75 δ were placed in a supersonic boundary layer with a freestream Mach number of 1.3 and a Reynolds number of 2,400 based on momentum thickness. These devices are similar to subsonic vanes but are designed to be more mechanically robust while having low wave drag. The devices generated strong streamwise vortices that entrained high momentum fluid to the near-wall region and increased turbulent mixing. The devices also decreased shock-induced flow separation, which resulted in a higher downstream skin friction in the diffuser. In general, the largest ramped-vane (0.75 δ) produced the largest reductions in flow separation, shape factor and overall unsteadiness. However, the medium-sized ramped vane (0.52 δ) was able to also reduce both the separation area and the diffuser displacement thickness. The smallest device (0.34 δ) had a weak impact of the flow in the diffuser, though a 10% reduction in the shape factor was achieved.

Magnetoresistance measurements in Ferro -- Antiferromagnetic bilayers based on the Ca-doped lanthanum manganite system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomez, M. E.; Marin, L.; Ramirez, G.; Prieto, P.

2011-03-01

We studied the isothermal magnetic field dependence of the resistance behavior in ferromagnetic--antiferromagnetic interface based on the Ca-doped lanthanum manganite system at temperatures below Neel temperature of the antiferromagnetic layer. We studied the influence of the thickness of the AF-layer, tAF , and F-layer, tF , on the ZFC and FC magnetoresistance (MR) in La 2/3 Ca 1/3 Mn O3 (tF) / La 1/3 Ca 2(3 Mn O3 (tAF) bilayers. HFC was 400 Oe and the applied magnetic field, H. We systematically varied the tF and tAF thickness, maintaining constant the total bilayer thickness (d = tF +tAF) . We found that MR has hysteretic behavior as observed in [ La 2/3 Ca 1/3 Mn O3 (tF) / La 1/3 Ca 2(3 Mn O3 (tAF) ]N superlattices, but; MR increases with the increasing field from H=0 to a maximum and then decreases continuously. This behavior also appears for negative fields in both ZFC and FC loops. The position and magnitude of the maximum is not symmetric with respect to the axis H=0. Work supported by CENM-COLCIENCIAS contract RC-0043-(2005).

Thickness Dependence of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya Interaction in Co2 FeAl Ultrathin Films: Effects of Annealing Temperature and Heavy-Metal Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belmeguenai, M.; Roussigné, Y.; Bouloussa, H.; Chérif, S. M.; Stashkevich, A.; Nasui, M.; Gabor, M. S.; Mora-Hernández, A.; Nicholson, B.; Inyang, O.-O.; Hindmarch, A. T.; Bouchenoire, L.

2018-04-01

The interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (IDMI) is investigated in Co2FeAl (CFA) ultrathin films of various thicknesses (0.8 nm ≤tCFA≤2 nm ) grown by sputtering on Si substrates, using Pt, W, Ir, and MgO buffer or/and capping layers. Vibrating sample magnetometry reveals that the magnetization at saturation (Ms ) for the Pt- and Ir-buffered films is higher than the usual Ms of CFA due to the proximity-induced magnetization (PIM) in Ir and Pt estimated to be 19% and 27%, respectively. The presence of PIM in these materials is confirmed using x-ray resonant magnetic reflectivity. Moreover, while no PIM is induced in W, higher PIM is obtained with Pt when it is used as a buffer layer rather than a capping layer. Brillouin light scattering in the Damon-Eshbach geometry is used to investigate the thickness dependences of the IDMI constants from the spin-wave nonreciprocity and the perpendicular anisotropy field versus the annealing temperature. The IDMI sign is found to be negative for Pt /CFA and Ir /CFA , while it is positive for W /CFA . The thickness dependence of the effective IDMI constant for stacks involving Pt and W shows the existence of two regimes similar to that of the perpendicular anisotropy constant due to the degradation of the interfaces as the CFA thickness approaches a critical thickness. The surface IDMI and anisotropy constants of each stack are determined for the thickest samples where a linear thickness dependence of the effective IDMI constant and the effective magnetization are observed. The interface anisotropy and IDMI constants investigated for the Pt /CFA /MgO system show different trends with the annealing temperature. The decrease of the IDMI constant with increasing annealing temperature is probably due to the electronic structure changes at the interfaces, while the increase of the interface anisotropy constant is coherent with the interface quality and disorder enhancement.

Relation Between Macular Retinal Ganglion Cell/Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness and Multifocal Electroretinogram Measures in Experimental Glaucoma

PubMed Central

Luo, Xunda; Patel, Nimesh B.; Rajagopalan, Lakshmi P.; Harwerth, Ronald S.; Frishman, Laura J.

2014-01-01

Purpose. We investigated relations between macular retinal ganglion cell plus inner plexiform layer (RGC+IPL) thickness and macular retinal function revealed by multifocal electroretinonography (mfERG) in a nonhuman primate model of experimental glaucoma. Methods. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) structure and function were followed with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and ERGs in five macaques with unilateral experimental glaucoma. Linear regression was used to study correlations in control (Con) and experimental (Exp) eyes between peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, macular RGC+IPL thickness, multifocal photopic negative response (mfPhNR) and high-frequency multifocal oscillatory potentials (mfOP) in slow-sequence mfERG, and low-frequency component (mfLFC) in global-flash mfERG. We used ANOVA and paired t-tests to compare glaucoma-related mfERG changes between superior and inferior hemifields, foveal hexagon, inner three rings, and four quadrants of macula. Results. Average macular RGC+IPL and temporal RNFL thickness were strongly correlated (r2 = 0.90, P < 0.001). In hexagon-by-hexagon analysis, all three mfERG measures were correlated (P < 0.001) with RGC+IPL thickness for Con (r2, 0.33–0.51) and Exp eyes (r2, 0.17–0.35). The RGC structural and functional metrics decreased as eccentricity increased. The reduction in amplitude of mfERG measures in Exp eyes relative to Con eyes was proportionally greater, in general, than the relative thinning of RGC+IPL at the same location for eyes in which structural loss was not evident, or mild to moderate. Although not statistically significant, percent amplitude reduction of mfERG measures was greatest in the inferior temporal quadrant. Conclusions. Macular RGC+IPL thickness and mfERG measures of RGC function can be complementary tools in assessing glaucomatous neuropathy. PMID:24970256

Error sources in the retrieval of aerosol information over bright surfaces from satellite measurements in the oxygen A band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nanda, Swadhin; de Graaf, Martin; Sneep, Maarten; de Haan, Johan F.; Stammes, Piet; Sanders, Abram F. J.; Tuinder, Olaf; Pepijn Veefkind, J.; Levelt, Pieternel F.

2018-01-01

Retrieving aerosol optical thickness and aerosol layer height over a bright surface from measured top-of-atmosphere reflectance spectrum in the oxygen A band is known to be challenging, often resulting in large errors. In certain atmospheric conditions and viewing geometries, a loss of sensitivity to aerosol optical thickness has been reported in the literature. This loss of sensitivity has been attributed to a phenomenon known as critical surface albedo regime, which is a range of surface albedos for which the top-of-atmosphere reflectance has minimal sensitivity to aerosol optical thickness. This paper extends the concept of critical surface albedo for aerosol layer height retrievals in the oxygen A band, and discusses its implications. The underlying physics are introduced by analysing the top-of-atmosphere reflectance spectrum as a sum of atmospheric path contribution and surface contribution, obtained using a radiative transfer model. Furthermore, error analysis of an aerosol layer height retrieval algorithm is conducted over dark and bright surfaces to show the dependence on surface reflectance. The analysis shows that the derivative with respect to aerosol layer height of the atmospheric path contribution to the top-of-atmosphere reflectance is opposite in sign to that of the surface contribution - an increase in surface brightness results in a decrease in information content. In the case of aerosol optical thickness, these derivatives are anti-correlated, leading to large retrieval errors in high surface albedo regimes. The consequence of this anti-correlation is demonstrated with measured spectra in the oxygen A band from the GOME-2 instrument on board the Metop-A satellite over the 2010 Russian wildfires incident.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marshall, S; Currier, B; Hodgdon, A

Purpose: The design of a new Portable Faraday Cup (PFC) used to calibrate proton accelerators was evaluated for energies between 50 and 220 MeV. Monte Carlo simulations performed in Geant4–10.0 were used to evaluate experimental results and reduce the relative detector error for this vacuum-less and low mass system, and invalidate current MCNP releases. Methods: The detector construction consisted of a copper conductor coated with an insulator and grounded with silver. Monte Carlo calculations in Geant4 were used to determine the net charge per proton input (gain) as a function of insulator thickness and beam energy. Kapton was chosen asmore » the insulating material and was designed to capture backscattered electrons. Charge displacement from/into Kapton was assumed to follow a linear proportionality to the origin/terminus depth toward the outer ground layer. Kapton thicknesses ranged from 0 to 200 microns, proton energies were set to match empirical studies ranging from 70 to 250 MeV. Each setup was averaged over 1 million events using the FTFP-BERT 2.0 physics list. Results: With increasing proton energy, the gain of Cu+KA gradually converges to the limit of pure copper, with relative error between 1.52% and 0.72%. The Ag layer created a more diverging behavior, accelerating the flux of negative charge into the device and increasing relative error when compared to pure copper from 1.21% to 1.63%. Conclusion: Gain vs. beam energy signatures were acquired for each device. Further analysis reveals proportionality between insulator thickness and measured gain, albeit an inverse proportionality between beam energy and in-flux of electrons. Increased silver grounding layer thickness also decreases gain, though the relative error expands with beam energy, contrary to the Kapton layer.« less

Evaluation of retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer and macular changes in patients with migraine.

PubMed

Tunç, Abdulkadir; Güngen, Belma Doğan; Evliyaoğlu, Ferhat; Aras, Yeşim Güzey; Tekeşin, Aysel Kaya

2017-03-01

The aim of this study was to investigate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness, macular changes (central subfield thickness (CST), cube average thickness (CAT), cube volume (CV) in patients with migraine using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to assess if there was any correlation with white matter lesions (WML). In this prospective case-control study, RNFL, GCL thickness and macular changes of 19 migraine patients with aura (MA), 41 migraine without aura (MO) and 60 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects were measured using OCT device. OCT measurements were taken at the same time of the day to minimize the effects of diurnal variation. The average, inferior and superior quadrant RNFL thickness were significantly thinner in patients with migraine (p = 0.017, p = 0.010, p = 0.048). There was also a significant difference between patients with and without aura in the mean and superior quadrant RNFL thickness (p = 0.02, p = 0.043).While there was a significant thinning in CST and CAT in patients with migraine (p = 0.020), there were no significant difference in GCL measurements (p = 0.184). When the groups were compared to the control group, there were significant differences between MA and the control group regarding average, superior and inferior quadrant RNLF thickness (p < 0.001, p = 0.025, p < 0.001). On the other hand, there were significant differences between MO and the control group regarding average and inferior faces (p = 0.037, p = 0.04). When OCT measurements were evaluated according to the frequency of attacks, CST and GCL thickness were significantly thinner in patients who had more than four attacks a month (p = 0.024, p = 0.014). In patients with WML, only CV measurements were significantly thinner than migraine patients without WML (p = 0.014). The decreased RNFL, CST, CAT and CV of the migraine patients might be related to the vascular pathology of the disease. Because WML was not correlated with the same measurements except CV, we think that further studies are needed to evaluate the etiopathologic relationship between OCT measurements and WML in migraine patients.

Choroidal Haller's and Sattler's Layers Thickness in Normal Indian Eyes.

PubMed

Roy, Rupak; Saurabh, Kumar; Vyas, Chinmayi; Deshmukh, Kaustubh; Sharma, Preeti; Chandrasekharan, Dhileesh P; Bansal, Aditya

2018-01-01

This study aims to study normative choroidal thickness (CT) and Haller's and Sattler's layers thickness in normal Indian eyes. The choroidal imaging of 73 eyes of 43 healthy Indian individuals was done using enhanced depth imaging feature of spectralis optical coherence tomography. Rraster scan protocol centered at fovea was used for imaging separately by two observers. CT was defined as the length of the perpendicular line drown from the outer border of hypereflective RPE-Bruch's complex to inner margin of choroidoscleral junction. Choroidal vessel layer thickness was measured after defining a largest choroidal vessel lumen within 750 μ on either side of the subfoveal CT vector. A perpendicular line was drawn to the innermost border of this lumen, and the distance between the perpendicular line and innermost border of choroidoscleral junction gave large choroidal vessel layer thickness (LCVLT, Haller's layer). Medium choroidal vessel layer thickness (MCVLT, Sattler's layer) was measured as the distance between same perpendicular line and outer border of hypereflective RPE-Bruch's complex. The mean age of individuals was 28.23 ± 15.29 years (range 14-59 years). Overall, the mean subfoveal CT was 331.6 ± 63.9 μ. Mean LCVLT was 227.08 ± 51.24 μ and the mean MCVLT was 95.65 ± 23.62 μ. CT was maximum subfoveally with gradual reduction in the thickness as the distance from the fovea increased. This is the first study describing the choroidal sublayer thickness, i.e., Haller's and Sattler's layer thickness along with CT in healthy Indian population.

Choroidal Haller's and Sattler's Layers Thickness in Normal Indian Eyes

PubMed Central

Roy, Rupak; Saurabh, Kumar; Vyas, Chinmayi; Deshmukh, Kaustubh; Sharma, Preeti; Chandrasekharan, Dhileesh P.; Bansal, Aditya

2018-01-01

AIM: This study aims to study normative choroidal thickness (CT) and Haller's and Sattler's layers thickness in normal Indian eyes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The choroidal imaging of 73 eyes of 43 healthy Indian individuals was done using enhanced depth imaging feature of spectralis optical coherence tomography. Rraster scan protocol centered at fovea was used for imaging separately by two observers. CT was defined as the length of the perpendicular line drown from the outer border of hypereflective RPE-Bruch's complex to inner margin of choroidoscleral junction. Choroidal vessel layer thickness was measured after defining a largest choroidal vessel lumen within 750 μ on either side of the subfoveal CT vector. A perpendicular line was drawn to the innermost border of this lumen, and the distance between the perpendicular line and innermost border of choroidoscleral junction gave large choroidal vessel layer thickness (LCVLT, Haller's layer). Medium choroidal vessel layer thickness (MCVLT, Sattler's layer) was measured as the distance between same perpendicular line and outer border of hypereflective RPE-Bruch's complex. RESULTS: The mean age of individuals was 28.23 ± 15.29 years (range 14–59 years). Overall, the mean subfoveal CT was 331.6 ± 63.9 μ. Mean LCVLT was 227.08 ± 51.24 μ and the mean MCVLT was 95.65 ± 23.62 μ. CT was maximum subfoveally with gradual reduction in the thickness as the distance from the fovea increased. CONCLUSION: This is the first study describing the choroidal sublayer thickness, i.e., Haller's and Sattler's layer thickness along with CT in healthy Indian population. PMID:29899646

Thickness determination of few-layer hexagonal boron nitride films by scanning electron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sutter, P., E-mail: psutter@bnl.gov; Sutter, E.

2014-09-01

We assess scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) for thickness measurements on few-layer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), the layered dielectric of choice for integration with graphene and other two-dimensional materials. Observations on h-BN islands with large, atomically flat terraces show that the secondary electron intensity in SEM reflects monolayer height changes in films up to least 10 atomic layers thickness. From a quantitative analysis of AES data, the energy-dependent electron escape depth in h-BN films is deduced. The results show that AES is suitable for absolute thickness measurements of few-layer h-BN of 1 to 6 layers.

Flow characteristics and scaling past highly porous wall-mounted fences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodríguez-López, Eduardo; Bruce, Paul J. K.; Buxton, Oliver R. H.

2017-07-01

An extensive characterization of the flow past wall-mounted highly porous fences based on single- and multi-scale geometries has been performed using hot-wire anemometry in a low-speed wind tunnel. Whilst drag properties (estimated from the time-averaged momentum equation) seem to be mostly dependent on the grids' blockage ratio; wakes of different size and orientation bars seem to generate distinct behaviours regarding turbulence properties. Far from the near-grid region, the flow is dominated by the presence of two well-differentiated layers: one close to the wall dominated by the near-wall behaviour and another one corresponding to the grid's wake and shear layer, originating from between this and the freestream. It is proposed that the effective thickness of the wall layer can be inferred from the wall-normal profile of root-mean-square streamwise velocity or, alternatively, from the wall-normal profile of streamwise velocity correlation. Using these definitions of wall-layer thickness enables us to collapse different trends of the turbulence behaviour inside this layer. In particular, the root-mean-square level of the wall shear stress fluctuations, longitudinal integral length scale, and spanwise turbulent structure is shown to display a satisfactory scaling with this thickness rather than with the whole thickness of the grid's wake. Moreover, it is shown that certain grids destroy the spanwise arrangement of large turbulence structures in the logarithmic region, which are then re-formed after a particular streamwise extent. It is finally shown that for fences subject to a boundary layer of thickness comparable to their height, the effective thickness of the wall layer scales with the incoming boundary layer thickness. Analogously, it is hypothesized that the growth rate of the internal layer is also partly dependent on the incoming boundary layer thickness.

Thermal conductivity of SrVO3-SrTiO3 thin films: Evidence of intrinsic thermal resistance at the interface between oxide layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katsufuji, T.; Saiki, T.; Okubo, S.; Katayama, Y.; Ueno, K.

2018-05-01

By using a technique of thermoreflectance that can precisely measure the thermal conductivity of thin films, we found that the thermal conductivity of SrVO3-SrTiO3 multilayer thin films normal to the surface was substantially reduced by decreasing the thickness of each layer. This indicates that a large intrinsic thermal resistance exists at the interface between SrVO3 and SrTiO3 in spite of the similar phononic properties for these two compounds.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and neuropsychiatric manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus.

PubMed

Shulman, S; Shorer, R; Wollman, J; Dotan, G; Paran, D

2017-11-01

Background Cognitive impairment is frequent in systemic lupus erythematosus. Atrophy of the corpus callosum and hippocampus have been reported in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, and diffusion tensor imaging studies have shown impaired white matter integrity, suggesting that white matter damage in systemic lupus erythematosus may underlie the cognitive impairment as well as other neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus manifestations. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, as assessed by optical coherence tomography, has been suggested as a biomarker for white matter damage in neurologic disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Retinal nerve fiber layer thinning may occur early, even in patients with mild clinical symptoms. Aim The objective of this study was to assess the association of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, as a biomarker of white matter damage in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus manifestations, including cognitive impairment. Methods Twenty-one consecutive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus underwent neuropsychological testing using a validated computerized battery of tests as well as the Rey-Auditory verbal learning test. All 21 patients, as well as 11 healthy, age matched controls, underwent optical coherence tomography testing to assess retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. Correlations between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and results in eight cognitive domains assessed by the computerized battery of tests as well as the Rey-Auditory verbal learning test were assessed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, with and without neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus, and compared to retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in healthy controls. Results No statistically significant correlation was found between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus as compared to healthy controls. When evaluating by subgroups, no correlation was found between patients with or without neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus or cognitive impairment and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. Conclusion Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness of systemic lupus erythematosus patients was not found to be statistically different compared to controls. Within systemic lupus erythematosus patients there was no correlation between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and cognitive impairment or other neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus manifestations.

Interfacial layers evolution during annealing in Ti-Al multi-laminated composite processed using hot press and roll bonding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Assari, A. H.; Eghbali, B.

2016-09-01

Ti-Al multi-laminated composites have great potential in high strength and low weight structures. In the present study, tri-layer Ti-Al composite was synthesized by hot press bonding under 40 MPa at 570 °C for 1 h and subsequent hot roll bonding at about 450 °C. This process was conducted in two accumulative passes to 30% and to 67% thickness reduction in initial and final passes, respectively. Then, the final annealing treatments were done at 550, 600, 650, 700 and 750 °C for 2, 4 and 6 h. Investigations on microstructural evolution and thickening of interfacial layers were performed by scanning electron microscopes, energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction and micro-hardness tests. The results showed that the thickening of diffusion layers corresponds to amount of deformation. In addition to thickening of the diffusion layers, the thickness of aluminum layers decreased and after annealing treatment at 750 °C for 6 h the aluminum layers were consumed entirely, which occurred because of the enhanced interdiffusion of Ti and Al elements. Scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectrometer showed that the sequence of interfacial layers as Ti3Al-TiAl-TiAl2-TiAl3 which are believed to be the result of thermodynamic and kinetic of phase formation. Micro-hardness results presented the variation profile in accordance with the sequence of intermetallic phases and their different structures.

Topography and Stratigraphy of the Northern Martian Polar Layered Deposits Using Photoclinometry, Stereogrammetry, and MOLA Altimetry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fenton, L.K.; Herkenhoff, K. E.

2000-01-01

We present two photoclinometric profiles across a trough in the martian northern polar layered terrain. Complications caused by albedo variations were avoided by using an early springtime Viking image with a thin cover of seasonal CO2 frost. The topographic profiles were constrained with stereogrammetric elevations derived from summertime Viking images of the same region. We find that the photoclinometric profiles are consistent with a nearby MOLA (Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter) track crossing the same polar trough. The trough is asymmetric, with higher relief and a steeper slope on the equatorward-facing wall. Individual layers are subdued and difficult to observe in the profiles. A decrease in both relief and elevation toward the eastern end of the trough suggests that layers become thinner to the east. Declining equatorward slopes in the eastern portion of the trough imply that erosion rates have varied along the trough. The variation in erosion rate may be linked to the change in layer thickness along the trough. Layers have an average thickness of 19??8 m in the center of the trough and 59??32 m on the northern wall. The northern wall is most likely composed of thinner layers that are obscured. To first order, we find that a 19-m layer requires 16,000 years of deposition to form. Although this timescale does not coincide with orbital variation periods of 105 and 106 years, deposition rates may not be constant and thus the 16,000-year layer formation time does not preclude layer formation during part of each orbital oscillation. ?? 2000 Academic Press.

Instability of fluid flow over saturated porous medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyubimova, Tatyana; Kolchanova, Ekaterina; Lyubimov, Dmitry

2013-04-01

We investigate the stability of a fluid flow over a saturated porous medium. The problem is of importance due to the applications to washing out of contaminants from the bottom layer of vegetation, whose properties are similar to the properties of porous medium. In the case of porous medium with the relatively high permeability and porosity the flow involves a part of the fluid saturating the porous medium, with the tangential fluid velocity drop occurring because of the resistance of the solid matrix. The drop leads to the instability analogous to Kelvin-Helmholtz one accompanied by the formation of travelling waves. In the present paper we consider a two-layer system consisting of a pure fluid layer and a porous layer saturated by the fluid located underneath. The system is bounded by a rigid surface at the bottom and a non-deformable free surface at the top. It is under the gravity and inclined at a slight angle to the horizontal axis. The boundary conditions at the interface between the fluid and porous layers are the continuity of fluid velocities and the balance of normal and tangential stresses taking into account the resistance of the solid matrix with respect to the fluid flow near the interface [1-2]. The problem is solved in the framework of the Brinkman model applying the classical shooting algorithm with orthogonalization. The stability boundaries of the stationary fluid flow over the saturated porous medium with respect to the small oscillatory perturbations are obtained for the various values of the Darcy number and the ratio of the porous layer thickness to the full thickness of the system d. It was shown that at the d > 0.5 with increasing the porous layer thickness (or with decreasing of the fluid layer thickness) the stability threshold rises. This is because of the fact that the instability is primarily caused by perturbations located in the fluid layer. At the d < 0.5 the reduction of the porous layer thickness leads to the stability threshold growth. The numerical calculations were also conducted for nonlinear regimes of the flow applying the finite-element method. Flow characteristics are determined at supercritical values of parameters. The work was made under the financial support of Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Grant 12-01-00795). 1. Ochoa-Tapia J. A. and Whitaker S. Momentum transfer at the boundary between a porous medium and a homogeneous fluid-I. Theoretical development. Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer. 1995. N 38. P. 2635-2646. 2. Ochoa-Tapia J. A. and Whitaker S. Momentum transfer at the boundary between a porous medium and a homogeneous fluid-II. Comparison with experiment. Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer. 1995. N 38. P. 2647-2655.

Defect structure of epitaxial layers of III nitrides as determined by analyzing the shape of X-ray diffraction peaks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kyutt, R. T.

2017-04-01

The shape of X-ray diffraction epitaxial layers with high dislocation densities has been studied experimentally. Measurements with an X-ray diffractometer were performed in double- and triple-crystal setups with both Cu K α and Mo K α radiation. Epitaxial layers (GaN, AlN, AlGaN, ZnO, etc.) with different degrees of structural perfection grown by various methods on sapphire, silicon, and silicon carbide substrates have been examined. The layer thickness varied in the range of 0.5-30 μm. It has been found that the center part of peaks is well approximated by the Voigt function with different Lorentz fractions, while the wing intensity drops faster and may be represented by a power function (with the index that varies from one structure to another). A well-marked dependence on the ordering of dislocations was observed. The drop in intensity in the majority of structures with a regular system and regular threading dislocations was close to the theoretically predicted law Δθ-3; the intensity in films with a chaotic distribution decreased much faster. The dependence of the peak shape on the order of reflection, the diffraction geometry, and the epitaxial layer thickness was also examined.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Jun; Zhang, Zhi-Lin; Key Laboratory of Advanced Display and System Applications, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072

RF magnetron sputtered HfInZnO film and atomic layer deposition (ALD) Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} film were employed for thin film transistors (TFTs) as channel layer and gate insulator, respectively. To achieve HfInZnO-TFT with high performance and good bias stability, the thickness of HfInZnO active layer was optimized. The performance of HfInZnO-TFTs was found to be thickness dependent. As the HfInZnO active layer got thicker, the leakage current greatly increased from 1.73 × 10{sup −12} to 2.54 × 10{sup −8} A, the threshold voltage decreased from 7.4 to −4.7 V, while the subthreshold swing varied from 0.41 to 1.07 V/decade. Overall, themore » HfInZnO film showed superior performance, such as saturation mobility of 6.4 cm{sup 2}/V s, threshold voltage of 4.2 V, subthreshold swing of 0.43 V/decade, on/off current ratio of 3 × 10{sup 7} and V{sub th} shift of 3.6 V under V{sub GS}= 10 V for 7200 s. The results demonstrate the possibility of fabricating TFTs using HfInZnO film as active layer and using ALD Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} as gate insulator.« less

Modification of the sample's surface of hypereutectic silumin by pulsed electron beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rygina, M. E.; Ivanov, Yu F.; Lasconev, A. P.; Teresov, A. D.; Cherenda, N. N.; Uglov, V. V.; Petricova, E. A.; Astashinskay, M. V.

2016-04-01

The article presents the results of the analysis of the elemental and phase composition, defect substructures. It demonstrates strength and tribological characteristics of the aluminium-silicon alloy of the hypereutectic composition in the cast state and after irradiation with a high-intensity pulsed electron beam of a submillisecond exposure duration (a Solo installation, Institute of High Current Electrons of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). The research has been conducted using optical and scanning electron microscopy, and the X-ray phase analysis. Mechanical properties have been characterized by microhardness, tribological properties - by wear resistance and the friction coefficient value. Irradiation of silumin with the high-intensity pulsed electron beam has led to the modification of the surface layer up to 1000 microns thick. The surface layer with the thickness of up to 100 microns is characterized by melting of all phases present in the alloy; subsequent highspeed crystallization leads to the formation of a submicro- and nanocrystalline structure in this layer. The hardness of the modified layer decreases with the increasing distance from the surface exposure. The hardness of the surface layer is more than twice the hardness of cast silumin. Durability of silumin treated with a high intensity electron beam is ≈ 1, 2 times as much as the wear resistance of the cast material.

Direct graphene growth on MgO: origin of the band gap.

PubMed

Gaddam, Sneha; Bjelkevig, Cameron; Ge, Siping; Fukutani, Keisuke; Dowben, Peter A; Kelber, Jeffry A

2011-02-23

A 2.5 monolayer (ML) thick graphene film grown by chemical vapor deposition of thermally dissociated C(2)H(4) on MgO(111), displays a significant band gap. The apparent six-fold low energy electron diffraction (LEED) pattern actually consists of two three-fold patterns with different 'A' and 'B' site diffraction intensities. Similar effects are observed for the LEED patterns of a 1 ML carbon film derived from annealing adventitious carbon on MgO(111), and for a 1.5 ML thick graphene film grown by sputter deposition on the 1 ML film. The LEED data indicate different electron densities at the A and B sites of the graphene lattice, suggesting that the observed band gap results from lifting the graphene HOMO/LUMO degeneracy at the Dirac point. The data also indicate that disparities in A site/B site LEED intensities decrease with increasing carbon overlayer thickness, suggesting that the graphene band gap size decreases with increasing number of graphene layers on MgO(111). © 2011 IOP Publishing Ltd

Finite-size versus interface-proximity effects in thin-film epitaxial SrTiO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Souza, R. A.; Gunkel, F.; Hoffmann-Eifert, S.; Dittmann, R.

2014-06-01

The equilibrium electrical conductivity of epitaxial SrTiO3 (STO) thin films was investigated as a function of temperature, 950≤ T/K ≤1100, and oxygen partial pressure, 10-23≤ pO2/bar ≤1. Compared with single-crystal STO, nanoscale thin-film STO exhibited with decreasing film thickness an increasingly enhanced electronic conductivity under highly reducing conditions, with a corresponding decrease in the activation enthalpy of conduction. This implies substantial modification of STO's point-defect thermodynamics for nanoscale film thicknesses. We argue, however, against such a finite-size effect and for an interface-proximity effect. Indeed, assuming trapping of oxygen vacancies at the STO surface and concomitant depletion of oxygen vacancies—and accumulation of electrons—in an equilibrium surface space-charge layer, we are able to predict quantitatively the conductivity as a function of temperature, oxygen partial pressure, and film thickness. Particularly complex behavior is predicted for ultrathin films that are consumed entirely by space charge.

Correlation between skin, bone, and cerebrospinal fluid layer thickness and optical coefficients measured by multidistance frequency-domain near-infrared spectroscopy in term and preterm infants.

PubMed

Demel, Anja; Feilke, Katharina; Wolf, Martin; Poets, Christian F; Franz, Axel R

2014-01-01

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is increasingly used in neonatal intensive care. We investigated the impact of skin, bone, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) layer thickness in term and preterm infants on absorption-(μa) and/or reduced scattering coefficients (μs') measured by multidistance frequency-domain (FD)-NIRS. Transcranial ultrasound was performed to measure the layer thicknesses. Correlations were only statistically significant for μa at 692 nm with bone thickness and μs' at 834 nm with skin thickness. There is no evidence that skin, bone, or CSF thickness have an important effect on μa and μs'. Layer thicknesses of skin, bone, and CSF in the range studied do not seem to affect cerebral oxygenation measurements by multidistance FD-NIRS significantly.

The role of adsorbed water on the friction of a layer of submicron particles

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sammis, Charles G.; Lockner, David A.; Reches, Ze’ev

2011-01-01

Anomalously low values of friction observed in layers of submicron particles deformed in simple shear at high slip velocities are explained as the consequence of a one nanometer thick layer of water adsorbed on the particles. The observed transition from normal friction with an apparent coefficient near μ = 0.6 at low slip speeds to a coefficient near μ = 0.3 at higher slip speeds is attributed to competition between the time required to extrude the water layer from between neighboring particles in a force chain and the average lifetime of the chain. At low slip speeds the time required for extrusion is less than the average lifetime of a chain so the particles make contact and lock. As slip speed increases, the average lifetime of a chain decreases until it is less than the extrusion time and the particles in a force chain never come into direct contact. If the adsorbed water layer enables the otherwise rough particles to rotate, the coefficient of friction will drop to μ = 0.3, appropriate for rotating spheres. At the highest slip speeds particle temperatures rise above 100°C, the water layer vaporizes, the particles contact and lock, and the coefficient of friction rises to μ = 0.6. The observed onset of weakening at slip speeds near 0.001 m/s is consistent with the measured viscosity of a 1 nm thick layer of adsorbed water, with a minimum particle radius of approximately 20 nm, and with reasonable assumptions about the distribution of force chains guided by experimental observation. The reduction of friction and the range of velocities over which it occurs decrease with increasing normal stress, as predicted by the model. Moreover, the analysis predicts that this high-speed weakening mechanism should operate only for particles with radii smaller than approximately 1 μm. For larger particles the slip speed required for weakening is so large that frictional heating will evaporate the adsorbed water and weakening will not occur.

Fluorite transition metal hydride induced destabilization of the MgH2 system in MgH2/TMH2 multilayers ( TM=Sc , Ti, V, Cr, Y, Zr, Nb, La, Hf)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, S. X.; Notten, P. H. L.; van Santen, R. A.; Jansen, A. P. J.

2010-09-01

The structural changes in MgH2 induced by contact with fluorite transition metal hydrides ( TMH2 , TM=Sc , Ti, V, Cr, Y, Zr, Nb, La, Hf) have been studied using density-functional theory calculations. Models of MgH2(rutile)/TiH2(fluorite) and MgH2(fluorite)/TiH2(fluorite) multilayers with different Mg:TM ratios have been designed. With a fixed thickness of the TMH2 layer, structure transformation of MgH2 from rutile to fluorite occurs with a decrease in thickness of the MgH2 layer. The hydrogen desorption energy from the fluorite MgH2 layer in the multilayers is significantly lower than that of the bulk rutile MgH2 . The structural deformation of the MgH2 layer due to the strain induced by TMH2 is found to be responsible for the destabilization of the Mg-H bond: the more structural deformation, the more destabilization of the Mg-H. Our results provide an important insight for the development of new hydrogen-storage materials with desirable thermodynamic properties.

Anisotropic membranes for gas separation

DOEpatents

Gollan, Arye Z.

1987-01-01

A gas separation membrane has a dense separating layer about 10,000 Angstroms or less thick and a porous support layer 10 to 400 microns thick that is an integral unit with gradually and continuously decreasing pore size from the base of the support layer to the surface of the thin separating layer and is made from a casting solution comprising ethyl cellulose and ethyl cellulose-based blends, typically greater than 47.5 ethoxyl content ethyl cellulose blended with compatible second polymers, such as nitrocellulose. The polymer content of the casting solution is from about 10% to about 35% by weight of the total solution with up to about 50% of this polymer weight a compatible second polymer to the ethyl cellulose in a volatile solvent such as isopropanol, methylacetate, methanol, ethanol, and acetone. Typical nonsolvents for the casting solutions include water and formamide. The casting solution is cast in air from about zero to 10 seconds to allow the volatile solvent to evaporate and then quenched in a coagulation bath, typically water, at a temperature of 7.degree.-25.degree. C. and then air dried at ambient temperature, typically 10.degree.-30.degree. C.

Monitoring the injured brain: registered, patient specific atlas models to improve accuracy of recovered brain saturation values

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clancy, Michael; Belli, Antonio; Davies, David; Lucas, Samuel J. E.; Su, Zhangjie; Dehghani, Hamid

2015-07-01

The subject of superficial contamination and signal origins remains a widely debated topic in the field of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), yet the concept of using the technology to monitor an injured brain, in a clinical setting, poses additional challenges concerning the quantitative accuracy of recovered parameters. Using high density diffuse optical tomography probes, quantitatively accurate parameters from different layers (skin, bone and brain) can be recovered from subject specific reconstruction models. This study assesses the use of registered atlas models for situations where subject specific models are not available. Data simulated from subject specific models were reconstructed using the 8 registered atlas models implementing a regional (layered) parameter recovery in NIRFAST. A 3-region recovery based on the atlas model yielded recovered brain saturation values which were accurate to within 4.6% (percentage error) of the simulated values, validating the technique. The recovered saturations in the superficial regions were not quantitatively accurate. These findings highlight differences in superficial (skin and bone) layer thickness between the subject and atlas models. This layer thickness mismatch was propagated through the reconstruction process decreasing the parameter accuracy.

Effect of Ni-P Plating Temperature on Growth of Interfacial Intermetallic Compound in Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold/Sn-Ag-Cu Solder Joints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seo, Wonil; Kim, Kyoung-Ho; Kim, Young-Ho; Yoo, Sehoon

2018-01-01

The growth of interfacial intermetallic compound and the brittle fracture behavior of Sn-3.0Ag-0.5-Cu solder (SAC305) joints on electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG) surface finish have been investigated using Ni-P plating solution at temperatures from 75°C to 85°C and fixed pH of 4.5. SAC305 solder balls with diameter of 450 μm were mounted on the prepared ENIG-finished Cu pads and reflowed with peak temperature of 250°C. The interfacial intermetallic compound (IMC) thickness after reflow decreased with increasing Ni-P plating temperature. After 800 h of thermal aging, the IMC thickness of the sample prepared at 85°C was higher than for that prepared at 75°C. Scanning electron microscopy of the Ni-P surface after removal of the Au layer revealed a nodular structure on the Ni-P surface. The nodule size of the Ni-P decreased with increasing Ni-P plating temperature. The Cu content near the IMC layer increased to 0.6 wt.%, higher than the original Cu content of 0.5 wt.%, indicating that Cu diffused from the Cu pad to the solder ball through the Ni-P layer at a rate depending on the nodule size. The sample prepared at 75°C with thicker interfacial IMC showed greater high-speed shear strength than the sample prepared at 85°C. Brittle fracture increased with decreasing Ni-P plating temperature.

Effect of L1{sub 2} ordering in antiferromagnetic Ir-Mn epitaxial layer on exchange bias of FePd films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chang, Y. C.; Duh, J. G., E-mail: pmami.hsiao@gmail.com, E-mail: lin.yg@nsrrc.org.tw, E-mail: jgd@mx.nthu.edu.tw; Hsiao, S. N., E-mail: pmami.hsiao@gmail.com, E-mail: lin.yg@nsrrc.org.tw, E-mail: jgd@mx.nthu.edu.tw

2015-05-07

Two series of samples of single-layer IrMn and IrMn/FePd bilayer films, deposited on a single-crystal MgO substrate at different IrMn deposition temperatures (T{sub s} = 300–700 °C), were investigated using magnetron sputtering. L1{sub 2} ordering was revealed for the 30 nm-thick IrMn epitaxial (001) films with T{sub s} ≥ 400 °C, determined by synchrotron radiation x-ray diffractometry (XRD). XRD results also provide evidence of the epitaxial growth of the IrMn films on MgO substrate. Increasing T{sub s} from 400 to 700 °C monotonically increases the ordering parameter of L1{sub 2} phases from 0.17 to 0.81. An in-plane exchange bias field (H{sub eb}) of 22 Oe is obtained in amore » 10 nm-thick FePd film that is deposited on the disordered IrMn films. As the L1{sub 2} ordering of the IrMn layers increases, the H{sub eb} gradually decreases to 0 Oe, meaning that the exchange bias behavior vanishes. The increased surface roughness, revealed by atomic force microscopy, of the epitaxial IrMn layers with increasing T{sub s} cannot be the main cause of the decrease in H{sub eb} due to the compensated surface spins regardless of the disordered and ordered (001) IrMn layers. The change of antiferromagnetic structure from the A1 to the L1{sub 2} phase was correlated with the evolution of H{sub eb}.« less

Formation of dome and basin structures: Results from scaled experiments using non-linear rock analogues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zulauf, J.; Zulauf, G.; Zanella, F.

2016-09-01

Dome and basin folds are structures with circular or slightly elongate outcrop patterns, which can form during single- and polyphase deformation in various tectonic settings. We used power-law viscous rock analogues to simulate single-phase dome-and-basin folding of rocks undergoing dislocation creep. The viscosity ratio between a single competent layer and incompetent matrix was 5, and the stress exponent of both materials was 7. The samples underwent layer-parallel shortening under bulk pure constriction. Increasing initial layer thickness resulted in a decrease in the number of domes and basins and an increase in amplitude, A, arc-length, L, wavelength, λ, and layer thickness, Hf. Samples deformed incrementally show progressive development of domes and basins until a strain of eY=Z = -30% is attained. During the dome-and-basin formation the layer thickened permanently, while A, L, and λ increased. A dominant wavelength was not attained. The normalized amplitude (A/λ) increased almost linearly reaching a maximum of 0.12 at eY=Z = -30%. During the last increment of shortening (eY=Z = -30 to -40%) the domes and basins did not further grow, but were overprinted by a second generation of non-cylindrical folds. Most of the geometrical parameters of the previously formed domes and basins behaved stable or decreased during this phase. The normalized arc-length (L/Hf) of domes and basins is significantly higher than that of 2D cylindrical folds. For this reason, the normalized arc length can probably be used to identify domes and basins in the field, even if these structures are not fully exposed in 3D.

What is the copper thin film thickness effect on thermal properties of NiTi/Cu bi-layer?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fazeli, Sara; Vahedpour, Morteza; Khatiboleslam Sadrnezhaad, Sayed

2017-02-01

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was used to study of thermal properties of NiTi/Cu. Embedded atom method (EAM) potentials for describing of inter-atomic interaction and Nose-Hoover thermostat and barostat are employed. The melting of the bi-layers was considered by studying the temperature dependence of the cohesive energy and mean square displacement. To highlight the differences between bi-layers with various copper layer thickness, the effect of copper film thickness on thermal properties containing the cohesive energy, melting point, isobaric heat capacity and latent heat of fusion was estimated. The results show that thermal properties of bi-layer systems are higher than that of their corresponding of pure NiTi. But, these properties of bi-layer systems approximately are independent of copper film thicknesses. The mean square displacement (MSD) results show that, the diffusion coefficients enhance upon increasing of copper film thickness in a linear performance.

Lidar observation of transition of cirrus clouds over a tropical station Gadanki (13.45° N, 79.18° E): case studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srinivasan, M. A.; Rao, C. Dhananjaya; Krishnaiah, M.

2016-05-01

The present study describes Mie lidar observations of the cirrus cloud passage showing transition between double thin layers into single thick and single thick layer into double thin layers of cirrus over Gadanki region. During Case1: 17 January 2007, Case4: 12 June 2007, Case5: 14 July 2007 and Case6: 24 July 2007 the transition is found to from two thin cirrus layers into single geometrically thick layer. Case2: 14 May 2007 and Case3: 15 May 2007, the transition is found to from single geometrically thick layer into two thin cirrus layers. Linear Depolarization Ratio (LDR) and Back Scatter Ration (BSR) are found to show similar variation with strong peaks during transition; both LDR and Cloud Optical Depth (COD) is found to show similar variation except during transition with strong peaks in COD which is not clearly found from LDR for the all cases. There is a significant weakening of zonal and meridional winds during Case1 which might be due to the transition from multiple to single thick cirrus indicating potential capability of thick cirrus in modulating the wind fields. There exists strong upward wind dominance contributed to significant ascent in cloud-base altitude thereby causing transition of multiple thin layers into single thick cirrus.

Cross-Plane Seebeck Coefficient Measurement of Misfit Layered Compounds (SnSe)n(TiSe2)n (n = 1,3,4,5).

PubMed

Li, Zhen; Bauers, Sage R; Poudel, Nirakar; Hamann, Danielle; Wang, Xiaoming; Choi, David S; Esfarjani, Keivan; Shi, Li; Johnson, David C; Cronin, Stephen B

2017-03-08

We report cross-plane thermoelectric measurements of misfit layered compounds (SnSe) n (TiSe 2 ) n (n = 1,3,4,5), approximately 50 nm thick. Metal resistance thermometers are fabricated on the top and bottom of the (SnSe) n (TiSe 2 ) n material to measure the temperature difference and heat transport through the material directly. By varying the number of layers in a supercell, n, we vary the interface density while maintaining a constant global stoichiometry. The Seebeck coefficient measured across the (SnSe) n (TiSe 2 ) n samples was found to depend strongly on the number of layers in the supercell (n). When n decreases from 5 to 1, the cross-plane Seebeck coefficient decreases from -31 to -2.5 μV/K, while the cross-plane effective thermal conductivity decreases by a factor of 2, due to increased interfacial phonon scattering. The cross-plane Seebeck coefficients of the (SnSe) n (TiSe 2 ) n are very different from the in-plane Seebeck coefficients, which are higher in magnitude and less sensitive to the number of layers in a supercell, n. We believe this difference is due to the different carrier types in the n-SnSe and p-TiSe 2 layers and the effect of tunneling on the cross-plane transport.

The influence of vegetation and soil characteristics on active-layer thickness of permafrost soils in boreal forest.

PubMed

Fisher, James P; Estop-Aragonés, Cristian; Thierry, Aaron; Charman, Dan J; Wolfe, Stephen A; Hartley, Iain P; Murton, Julian B; Williams, Mathew; Phoenix, Gareth K

2016-09-01

Carbon release from thawing permafrost soils could significantly exacerbate global warming as the active-layer deepens, exposing more carbon to decay. Plant community and soil properties provide a major control on this by influencing the maximum depth of thaw each summer (active-layer thickness; ALT), but a quantitative understanding of the relative importance of plant and soil characteristics, and their interactions in determine ALTs, is currently lacking. To address this, we undertook an extensive survey of multiple vegetation and edaphic characteristics and ALTs across multiple plots in four field sites within boreal forest in the discontinuous permafrost zone (NWT, Canada). Our sites included mature black spruce, burned black spruce and paper birch, allowing us to determine vegetation and edaphic drivers that emerge as the most important and broadly applicable across these key vegetation and disturbance gradients, as well as providing insight into site-specific differences. Across sites, the most important vegetation characteristics limiting thaw (shallower ALTs) were tree leaf area index (LAI), moss layer thickness and understory LAI in that order. Thicker soil organic layers also reduced ALTs, though were less influential than moss thickness. Surface moisture (0-6 cm) promoted increased ALTs, whereas deeper soil moisture (11-16 cm) acted to modify the impact of the vegetation, in particular increasing the importance of understory or tree canopy shading in reducing thaw. These direct and indirect effects of moisture indicate that future changes in precipitation and evapotranspiration may have large influences on ALTs. Our work also suggests that forest fires cause greater ALTs by simultaneously decreasing multiple ecosystem characteristics which otherwise protect permafrost. Given that vegetation and edaphic characteristics have such clear and large influences on ALTs, our data provide a key benchmark against which to evaluate process models used to predict future impacts of climate warming on permafrost degradation and subsequent feedback to climate. © 2016 The Authors. Global Change Biology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Anisotropic in-plane thermal conductivity observed in few-layer black phosphorus

PubMed Central

Luo, Zhe; Maassen, Jesse; Deng, Yexin; Du, Yuchen; Garrelts, Richard P.; Lundstrom, Mark S; Ye, Peide D.; Xu, Xianfan

2015-01-01

Black phosphorus has been revisited recently as a new two-dimensional material showing potential applications in electronics and optoelectronics. Here we report the anisotropic in-plane thermal conductivity of suspended few-layer black phosphorus measured by micro-Raman spectroscopy. The armchair and zigzag thermal conductivities are ∼20 and ∼40 W m−1 K−1 for black phosphorus films thicker than 15 nm, respectively, and decrease to ∼10 and ∼20 W m−1 K−1 as the film thickness is reduced, exhibiting significant anisotropy. The thermal conductivity anisotropic ratio is found to be ∼2 for thick black phosphorus films and drops to ∼1.5 for the thinnest 9.5-nm-thick film. Theoretical modelling reveals that the observed anisotropy is primarily related to the anisotropic phonon dispersion, whereas the intrinsic phonon scattering rates are found to be similar along the armchair and zigzag directions. Surface scattering in the black phosphorus films is shown to strongly suppress the contribution of long mean-free-path acoustic phonons. PMID:26472191

Influence of earlobe thickness on near infrared spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Jingying; Wang, Tianpei; Li, Si; Li, Lin; Liu, Jiajia; Xu, Kexin

2017-03-01

Near-infrared spectroscopy has been recognized as a potential technology for noninvasive blood glucose sensing. However, the detected spectral signal is unstable mainly because of (1) the weak light absorption of glucose itself within NIR range, (2) the influence of temperature and individual differences of biotissue. Our previous results demonstrated that the synergistic effect of both transmittance and reflectance could enhance the strength of the detection signal. In this talk, we design a set of experiments to analyze the effect of earlobe thickness on Near Infrared spectroscopic measurement by using home-made optical fiber probe within the wavelength of 1000-1600nm. Firstly, we made a MC simulation of single-layer skin model and five-layer skin model to get the diffused transmittance spectra and diffused reflectance spectra under different optaical path lengths. And then we obtain the spectra of the earlobes from different volunteers by the same way. The experimental results showed that with the increase of the thickness,the light intensity of diffused transmittance decreases, and the light intensity of diffused reflectance remaines substantially unchanged.

Spin transport in normal metal/insulator/topological insulator coupled to ferromagnetic insulator structures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kondo, Kenji, E-mail: kkondo@es.hokudai.ac.jp

In this study, we investigate the spin transport in normal metal (NM)/insulator (I)/topological insulator (TI) coupled to ferromagnetic insulator (FI) structures. In particular, we focus on the barrier thickness dependence of the spin transport inside the bulk gap of the TI with FI. The TI with FI is described by two-dimensional (2D) Dirac Hamiltonian. The energy profile of the insulator is assumed to be a square with barrier height V and thickness d along the transport-direction. This structure behaves as a tunnel device for 2D Dirac electrons. The calculation is performed for the spin conductance with changing the barrier thicknessmore » and the components of magnetization of FI layer. It is found that the spin conductance decreases with increasing the barrier thickness. Also, the spin conductance is strongly dependent on the polar angle θ, which is defined as the angle between the axis normal to the FI and the magnetization of FI layer. These results indicate that the structures are promising candidates for novel tunneling magnetoresistance devices.« less

Reflective coating for near-infrared immersion gratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuzmenko, Paul J.; Ikeda, Yuji; Kobayashi, Naoto; Mirkarimi, Paul B.; Alameda, Jennifer B.

2012-09-01

Achieving high reflectivity from an immersed grating facet can be challenging in the near infrared. The reflectivity of metallic coatings in common use, such as Al and Cr/Au, decrease with decreasing wavelength in the near IR. A layer of copper on ZnSe or ZnS should have a high, immersed reflectivity based on tabulated values of refractive index, but in fact performs poorly. We attribute this to a chemical reaction between the copper and the selenium or sulfur. A non-reactive intermediate layer can prevent this problem. Since reflectivity at an interface increases with increasing difference in refractive index, it is beneficial to choose an intermediate layer of low index. A further improvement is gained by adjusting the layer thickness so that reflections from the two interfaces of the intermediate layer add constructively. We sputtered 130 nm of SiO2 onto ZnSe and ZnS substrates followed by 200 nm of Cu. The copper was then coated with 5 nm of SiC as a protective capping layer. Immersed reflectivity measured shortly after coating exceeded 95% between 1500 and 1100 nm and exceeded 90% down to 850 nm. A repeat measurement after long term exposure to high humidity conditions showed no changes.

Molecular beam epitaxy of large-area SnSe2 with monolayer thickness fluctuation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Young Woon; Jerng, Sahng-Kyoon; Jeon, Jae Ho; Roy, Sanjib Baran; Akbar, Kamran; Kim, Jeong; Sim, Yumin; Seong, Maeng-Je; Kim, Jung Hwa; Lee, Zonghoon; Kim, Minju; Yi, Yeonjin; Kim, Jinwoo; Noh, Do Young; Chun, Seung-Hyun

2017-03-01

The interest in layered materials is largely based on the expectation that they will be beneficial for a variety of applications, from low-power-consuming, wearable electronics to energy harvesting. However, the properties of layered materials are highly dependent on thickness, and the difficulty of controlling thickness over a large area has been a bottleneck for commercial applications. Here, we report layer-by-layer growth of SnSe2, a layered semiconducting material, via van der Waals epitaxy. The films were fabricated on insulating mica substrates with substrate temperatures in the range of 210 °C-370 °C. The surface consists of a mixture of N and (N ± 1) layers, showing that the thickness of the film can be defined with monolayer accuracy (±0.6 nm). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals a polycrystalline film with a grain size of ˜100 nm and clear Moiré patterns from overlapped grains with similar thickness. We also report field effect mobility values of 3.7 cm2 V-1 s-1 and 6.7 cm2 V-1 s-1 for 11 and 22 nm thick SnSe2, respectively. SnSe2 films with customizable thickness can provide valuable platforms for industry and academic researchers to fully exploit the potential of layered materials.

The effect of chain rigidity on the interfacial layer thickness and dynamics of polymer nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Shiwang; Carrillo, Jan-Michael Y.; Carroll, Bobby; Sumpter, Bobby G.; Sokolov, Alexei P.

There are growing experimental evidences showing the existence of an interfacial layer that has a finite thickness with slowing down dynamics in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs). Moreover, it is believed that the interfacial layer plays a significant role on various macroscopic properties of PNCs. A thicker interfacial layer is found to have more pronounced effect on the macroscopic properties such as the mechanical enhancement. However, it is not clear what molecular parameter controls the interfacial layer thickness. Inspired by our recent computer simulations that showed the chain rigidity correlated well with the interfacial layer thickness, we performed systematic experimental studies on different polymer nanocomposites by varying the chain stiffness. Combining small-angle X-ray scattering, broadband dielectric spectroscopy and temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry, we find a good correlation between the polymer Kuhn length and the thickness of the interfacial layer, confirming the earlier computer simulations results. Our findings provide a direct guidance for the design of new PNCs with desired properties.

Electrical transport in transverse direction through silicon carbon alloy multilayers containing regular size silicon quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mandal, Aparajita; Kole, Arindam; Dasgupta, Arup; Chaudhuri, Partha

2016-11-01

Electrical transport in the transverse direction has been studied through a series of hydrogenated silicon carbon alloy multilayers (SiC-MLs) deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition method. Each SiC-ML consists of 30 cycles of the alternating layers of a nearly amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC:H) and a microcrystalline silicon carbide (μc-SiC:H) that contains high density of silicon quantum dots (Si-QDs). A detailed investigation by cross sectional TEM reveals preferential growth of densely packed Si-QDs of regular sizes ∼4.8 nm in diameter in a vertically aligned columnar structure within the SiC-ML. More than six orders of magnitude increase in transverse current through the SiC-ML structure were observed for decrease in the a-SiC:H layer thickness from 13 nm to 2 nm. The electrical transport mechanism was established to be a combination of grain boundary or band tail hopping and Frenkel-Poole (F-P) type conduction depending on the temperature and externally applied voltage ranges. Evaluation of trap concentration within the multilayer structures from the fitted room temperature current voltage characteristics by F-P function shows reduction up-to two orders of magnitude indicating an improvement in the short range order in the a-SiC:H matrix for decrease in the thickness of a-SiC:H layer.

Confinement induced densification in supported unentangled polymer films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pradipkanti, L.; Satapathy, Dillip K.

2017-05-01

We report the densification phenomena inunentangled and low-molecular weight polystyrene (PS) thin films supported on solid substrates having thickness from 25 nm to 230 nm. The mass density of the thin polymer films were extracted from X-ray reflectivity profiles and also from the refractive index by using Clausius and Mossotti equation. The mass densityof polymeris found to increasesignificantly with decrease in film thickness below ten times the radius of gyration of the polymer. The net increase in mass density of the polymer film upon reduction in thickness is discussed in terms of three-layer model and the presence of unentangled polymer chains. We conjecture that, the densification of ultra-thin polymer films can strongly alter the polymer conformations at film/substrate interface.

Enhancement of lower critical field by reducing the thickness of epitaxial and polycrystalline MgB₂ thin films

DOE PAGES

Tan, Teng; Wolak, M. A.; Acharya, Narendra; ...

2015-04-01

For potential applications in superconducting RF cavities, we have investigated the properties of polycrystalline MgB₂ films, including the thickness dependence of the lower critical field Hc₁. MgB₂ thin films were fabricated by hybrid physical-chemical vapor deposition on (0001) SiC substrate either directly (for epitaxial films) or with a MgO buffer layer (for polycrystalline films). When the film thickness decreased from 300 nm to 100 nm, Hc₁ at 5 K increased from around 600 Oe to 1880 Oe in epitaxial films and to 1520 Oe in polycrystalline films. The result is promising for using MgB₂/MgO multilayers to enhance the vortex penetrationmore » field.« less