Instrumentation for Studies of Electron Emission and Charging From Insulators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomson, C. D.; Zavyalov, V.; Dennison, J. R.

2004-01-01

Making measurements of electron emission properties of insulators is difficult since insulators can charge either negatively or positively under charge particle bombardment. In addition, high incident energies or high fluences can result in modification of a material s conductivity, bulk and surface charge profile, structural makeup through bond breaking and defect creation, and emission properties. We discuss here some of the charging difficulties associated with making insulator-yield measurements and review the methods used in previous studies of electron emission from insulators. We present work undertaken by our group to make consistent and accurate measurements of the electron/ion yield properties for numerous thin-film and thick insulator materials using innovative instrumentation and techniques. We also summarize some of the necessary instrumentation developed for this purpose including fast response, low-noise, high-sensitivity ammeters; signal isolation and interface to standard computer data acquisition apparatus using opto-isolation, sample-and-hold, and boxcar integration techniques; computer control, automation and timing using Labview software; a multiple sample carousel; a pulsed, compact, low-energy, charge neutralization electron flood gun; and pulsed visible and UV light neutralization sources. This work is supported through funding from the NASA Space Environments and Effects Program and the NASA Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

Spacecraft surface charging within geosynchronous orbit observed by the Van Allen Probes

DOE PAGES

Sarno-Smith, Lois K.; Larsen, Brian A.; Skoug, Ruth M.; ...

2016-02-27

Using the Helium Oxygen Proton Electron (HOPE) and Electric Field and Waves (EFW) instruments from the Van Allen Probes, we explored the relationship between electron energy fluxes in the eV and keV ranges and spacecraft surface charging. We present statistical results on spacecraft charging within geosynchronous orbit by L and MLT. An algorithm to extract the H+ charging line in the HOPE instrument data was developed to better explore intense charging events. Also, this study explored how spacecraft potential relates to electron number density, electron pressure, electron temperature, thermal electron current, and low-energy ion density between 1 and 210 eV.more » It is demonstrated that it is imperative to use both EFW potential measurements and the HOPE instrument ion charging line for examining times of extreme spacecraft charging of the Van Allen Probes. The results of this study show that elevated electron energy fluxes and high-electron pressures are present during times of spacecraft charging but these same conditions may also occur during noncharging times. Furthermore, we also show noneclipse significant negative charging events on the Van Allen Probes.« less

Electronic doping of transition metal oxide perovskites

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

Cammarata, Antonio, E-mail: cammaant@fel.cvut.cz; Rondinelli, James M.

2016-05-23

CaFeO{sub 3} is a prototypical negative charge transfer oxide that undergoes electronic metal-insulator transition concomitant with a dilation and contraction of nearly rigid octahedra. Altering the charge neutrality of the bulk system destroys the electronic transition, while the structure is significantly modified at high charge content. Using density functional theory simulations, we predict an alternative avenue to modulate the structure and the electronic transition in CaFeO{sub 3}. Charge distribution can be modulated using strain-rotation coupling and thin film engineering strategies, proposing themselves as a promising avenue for fine tuning electronic features in transition metal-oxide perovskites.

High precision measurement of the proton charge radius: The PRad experiment

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

Meziane, Mehdi

2013-11-01

The recent high precision measurements of the proton charge radius performed at PSI from muonic hydrogen Lamb shift puzzled the hadronic physics community. A value of 0.8418 {+-} 0.0007 fm was extracted which is 7{sigma} smaller than the previous determinations obtained from electron-proton scattering experiments and based on precision spectroscopy of electronic hydrogen. An additional extraction of the proton charge radius from electron scattering at Mainz is also in good agreement with these "electronic" determinations. An independent measurement of the proton charge radius from unpolarized elastic ep scattering using a magnetic spectrometer free method was proposed and fully approved atmore » Jefferson Laboratory in June 2012. This novel technique uses the high precision calorimeter HyCal and a windowless hydrogen gas target which makes possible the extraction of the charge radius at very forward angles and thus very low momentum transfer Q{sup 2} up to 10{sup -4} (GeV/c){sup 2} with an unprecedented sub-percent precision for this type of experiment. In this paper, after a review of the recent progress on the proton charge radius extraction and the new high precision experiment PRad will be presented.« less

Design rules for charge-transport efficient host materials for phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes.

PubMed

May, Falk; Al-Helwi, Mustapha; Baumeier, Björn; Kowalsky, Wolfgang; Fuchs, Evelyn; Lennartz, Christian; Andrienko, Denis

2012-08-22

The use of blue phosphorescent emitters in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) imposes demanding requirements on a host material. Among these are large triplet energies, the alignment of levels with respect to the emitter, the ability to form and sustain amorphous order, material processability, and an adequate charge carrier mobility. A possible design strategy is to choose a π-conjugated core with a high triplet level and to fulfill the other requirements by using suitable substituents. Bulky substituents, however, induce large spatial separations between conjugated cores, can substantially reduce intermolecular electronic couplings, and decrease the charge mobility of the host. In this work we analyze charge transport in amorphous 2,8-bis(triphenylsilyl)dibenzofuran, an electron-transporting material synthesized to serve as a host in deep-blue OLEDs. We show that mesomeric effects delocalize the frontier orbitals over the substituents recovering strong electronic couplings and lowering reorganization energies, especially for electrons, while keeping energetic disorder small. Admittance spectroscopy measurements reveal that the material has indeed a high electron mobility and a small Poole-Frenkel slope, supporting our conclusions. By linking electronic structure, molecular packing, and mobility, we provide a pathway to the rational design of hosts with high charge mobilities.

Deep Dielectric Charging of Spacecraft Polymers by Energetic Protons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, Nelson W.; Dennison, J. R.

2007-01-01

The majority of research in the field of spacecraft charging concentrates on electron charging effects with little discussion of charging by protons. For spacecraft orbiting in the traditional LEO and GEO environments this emphasis on electrons is appropriate since energetic electrons are the dominant species in those orbits. But for spacecraft in orbits within the inner radiation belts or for interplanetary and lunar space probes, proton charging (center dot) effects may also be of concern. To examine bulk spacecraft charging effects in these environments several typical highly insulating spacecraft polymers were exposed to energetic protons (center dot) with energies from 1 Me V to lO Me V to simulate protons from the solar wind and from solar energetic proton events. Results indicate that effects in proton charged dielectrics are distinctly different than those observed due to electron charging. In most cases, the positive surface potential continued to increase for periods on the order of minutes to a day, followed by long time scale decay at rates similar to those observed for electron charging. All samples charged to positive potentials with substantially lower magnitudes than for equivalent electron doses. Possible explanations for the different behavior of the measured surface potentials from proton irradiation are discussed; these are related to the evolving internal charge distribution from energy dependent electron and proton transport, electron emission, charge migration due to dark current and radiation induced conductivity, and electron capture by embedded protons.

Laser acceleration of electrons to giga-electron-volt energies using highly charged ions

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

Hu, S. X.; Starace, Anthony F.

2006-06-15

The recent proposal to use highly charged ions as sources of electrons for laser acceleration [S. X. Hu and A. F. Starace, Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 245003 (2002)] is investigated here in detail by means of three-dimensional, relativistic Monte Carlo simulations for a variety of system parameters, such as laser pulse duration, ionic charge state, and laser focusing spot size. Realistic laser focusing effects--e.g., the existence of longitudinal laser field components--are taken into account. Results of spatial averaging over the laser focus are also presented. These numerical simulations show that the proposed scheme for laser acceleration of electrons from highlymore » charged ions is feasible with current or near-future experimental conditions and that electrons with GeV energies can be obtained in such experiments.« less

Multiscale three-dimensional simulations of charge gain and transport in diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dimitrov, D. A.; Busby, R.; Cary, J. R.; Ben-Zvi, I.; Rao, T.; Smedley, J.; Chang, X.; Keister, J. W.; Wu, Q.; Muller, E.

2010-10-01

A promising new concept of a diamond-amplified photocathode for generation of high-current, high-brightness, and low thermal emittance electron beams was recently proposed and is currently under active development. Detailed understanding of physical processes with multiple energy and time scales is required to design reliable and efficient diamond-amplifier cathodes. We have implemented models, within the VORPAL computational framework, to simulate secondary electron generation and charge transport in diamond in order to facilitate the investigation of the relevant effects involved. The models include inelastic scattering of electrons and holes for generation of electron-hole pairs, elastic, phonon, and charge impurity scattering. We describe the integrated modeling capabilities we developed and present results on charge gain and collection efficiency as a function of primary electron energy and applied electric field. We compare simulation results with available experimental data. The simulations show an overall qualitative agreement with the observed charge gain from transmission mode experiments and have enabled better understanding of the collection efficiency measurements.

First test of BNL electron beam ion source with high current density electron beam

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

Pikin, Alexander, E-mail: pikin@bnl.gov; Alessi, James G., E-mail: pikin@bnl.gov; Beebe, Edward N., E-mail: pikin@bnl.gov

A new electron gun with electrostatic compression has been installed at the Electron Beam Ion Source (EBIS) Test Stand at BNL. This is a collaborative effort by BNL and CERN teams with a common goal to study an EBIS with electron beam current up to 10 A, current density up to 10,000 A/cm{sup 2} and energy more than 50 keV. Intensive and pure beams of heavy highly charged ions with mass-to-charge ratio < 4.5 are requested by many heavy ion research facilities including NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at BNL and HIE-ISOLDE at CERN. With a multiampere electron gun, themore » EBIS should be capable of delivering highly charged ions for both RHIC facility applications at BNL and for ISOLDE experiments at CERN. Details of the electron gun simulations and design, and the Test EBIS electrostatic and magnetostatic structures with the new electron gun are presented. The experimental results of the electron beam transmission are given.« less

Active space debris charging for contactless electrostatic disposal maneuvers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schaub, Hanspeter; Sternovsky, Zoltán

2014-01-01

The remote charging of a passive object using an electron beam enables touchless re-orbiting of large space debris from geosynchronous orbit (GEO) using electrostatic forces. The advantage of this method is that it can operate with a separation distance of multiple craft radii, thus reducing the risk of collision. The charging of the tug-debris system to high potentials is achieved by active charge transfer using a directed electron beam. Optimal potential distributions using isolated- and coupled-sphere models are discussed. A simple charging model takes into account the primary electron beam current, ultra-violet radiation induced photoelectron emission, collection of plasma particles, secondary electron emission and the recapture of emitted particles. The results show that through active charging in a GEO space environment high potentials can be both achieved and maintained with about a 75% transfer efficiency. Further, the maximum electrostatic tractor force is shown to be insensitive to beam current levels. This latter later result is important when considering debris with unknown properties.

Complex Role of Secondary Electron Emissions in Dust Grain Charging in Space Environments: Measurements on Apollo 11 and 17 Dust Grains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, M. M.; Tankosic, D.; Spann, J. F.; LeClair, A. C.

2010-01-01

Dust grains in various astrophysical environments are generally charged electrostatically by photoelectric emissions with radiation from nearby sources, or by electron/ion collisions by sticking or secondary electron emissions. Knowledge of the dust grain charges and equilibrium potentials is important for understanding of a variety of physical and dynamical processes in the interstellar medium (ISM), and heliospheric, interplanetary, planetary, and lunar environments. The high vacuum environment on the lunar surface leads to some unusual physical and dynamical phenomena involving dust grains with high adhesive characteristics, and levitation and transportation over long distances. It has been well recognized that the charging properties of individual micron/submicron size dust grains are expected to be substantially different from the corresponding values for bulk materials and theoretical models. In this paper we present experimental results on charging of individual dust grains selected from Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 dust samples by exposing them to mono-energetic electron beams in the 10- 400 eV energy range. The charging rates of positively and negatively charged particles of approximately 0.2 to 13 microns diameters are discussed in terms of the secondary electron emission (SEE) process, which is found to be a complex charging process at electron energies as low as 10-25 eV, with strong particle size dependence. The measurements indicate substantial differences between dust charging properties of individual small size dust grains and of bulk materials.

Generating free charges by carrier multiplication in quantum dots for highly efficient photovoltaics.

PubMed

Ten Cate, Sybren; Sandeep, C S Suchand; Liu, Yao; Law, Matt; Kinge, Sachin; Houtepen, Arjan J; Schins, Juleon M; Siebbeles, Laurens D A

2015-02-17

CONSPECTUS: In a conventional photovoltaic device (solar cell or photodiode) photons are absorbed in a bulk semiconductor layer, leading to excitation of an electron from a valence band to a conduction band. Directly after photoexcitation, the hole in the valence band and the electron in the conduction band have excess energy given by the difference between the photon energy and the semiconductor band gap. In a bulk semiconductor, the initially hot charges rapidly lose their excess energy as heat. This heat loss is the main reason that the theoretical efficiency of a conventional solar cell is limited to the Shockley-Queisser limit of ∼33%. The efficiency of a photovoltaic device can be increased if the excess energy is utilized to excite additional electrons across the band gap. A sufficiently hot charge can produce an electron-hole pair by Coulomb scattering on a valence electron. This process of carrier multiplication (CM) leads to formation of two or more electron-hole pairs for the absorption of one photon. In bulk semiconductors such as silicon, the energetic threshold for CM is too high to be of practical use. However, CM in nanometer sized semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) offers prospects for exploitation in photovoltaics. CM leads to formation of two or more electron-hole pairs that are initially in close proximity. For photovoltaic applications, these charges must escape from recombination. This Account outlines our recent progress in the generation of free mobile charges that result from CM in QDs. Studies of charge carrier photogeneration and mobility were carried out using (ultrafast) time-resolved laser techniques with optical or ac conductivity detection. We found that charges can be extracted from photoexcited PbS QDs by bringing them into contact with organic electron and hole accepting materials. However, charge localization on the QD produces a strong Coulomb attraction to its counter charge in the organic material. This limits the production of free charges that can contribute to the photocurrent in a device. We show that free mobile charges can be efficiently produced via CM in solids of strongly coupled PbSe QDs. Strong electronic coupling between the QDs resulted in a charge carrier mobility of the order of 1 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1). This mobility is sufficiently high so that virtually all electron-hole pairs escape from recombination. The impact of temperature on the CM efficiency in PbSe QD solids was also studied. We inferred that temperature has no observable effect on the rate of cooling of hot charges nor on the CM rate. We conclude that exploitation of CM requires that charges have sufficiently high mobility to escape from recombination. The contribution of CM to the efficiency of photovoltaic devices can be further enhanced by an increase of the CM efficiency above the energetic threshold of twice the band gap. For large-scale applications in photovoltaic devices, it is important to develop abundant and nontoxic materials that exhibit efficient CM.

Highly charged ion based time of flight emission microscope

DOEpatents

Barnes, Alan V.; Schenkel, Thomas; Hamza, Alex V.; Schneider, Dieter H.; Doyle, Barney

2001-01-01

A highly charged ion based time-of-flight emission microscope has been designed, which improves the surface sensitivity of static SIMS measurements because of the higher ionization probability of highly charged ions. Slow, highly charged ions are produced in an electron beam ion trap and are directed to the sample surface. The sputtered secondary ions and electrons pass through a specially designed objective lens to a microchannel plate detector. This new instrument permits high surface sensitivity (10.sup.10 atoms/cm.sup.2), high spatial resolution (100 nm), and chemical structural information due to the high molecular ion yields. The high secondary ion yield permits coincidence counting, which can be used to enhance determination of chemical and topological structure and to correlate specific molecular species.

Recombination of open-f-shell tungsten ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krantz, C.; Badnell, N. R.; Müller, A.; Schippers, S.; Wolf, A.

2017-03-01

We review experimental and theoretical efforts aimed at a detailed understanding of the recombination of electrons with highly charged tungsten ions characterised by an open 4f sub-shell. Highly charged tungsten occurs as a plasma contaminant in ITER-like tokamak experiments, where it acts as an unwanted cooling agent. Modelling of the charge state populations in a plasma requires reliable thermal rate coefficients for charge-changing electron collisions. The electron recombination of medium-charged tungsten species with open 4f sub-shells is especially challenging to compute reliably. Storage-ring experiments have been conducted that yielded recombination rate coefficients at high energy resolution and well-understood systematics. Significant deviations compared to simplified, but prevalent, computational models have been found. A new class of ab initio numerical calculations has been developed that provides reliable predictions of the total plasma recombination rate coefficients for these ions.

LUNAR DUST GRAIN CHARGING BY ELECTRON IMPACT: COMPLEX ROLE OF SECONDARY ELECTRON EMISSIONS IN SPACE ENVIRONMENTS

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

Abbas, M. M.; Craven, P. D.; LeClair, A. C.

2010-08-01

Dust grains in various astrophysical environments are generally charged electrostatically by photoelectric emissions with radiation from nearby sources, or by electron/ion collisions by sticking or secondary electron emissions (SEEs). The high vacuum environment on the lunar surface leads to some unusual physical and dynamical phenomena involving dust grains with high adhesive characteristics, and levitation and transportation over long distances. Knowledge of the dust grain charges and equilibrium potentials is important for understanding a variety of physical and dynamical processes in the interstellar medium, and heliospheric, interplanetary/planetary, and lunar environments. It has been well recognized that the charging properties of individualmore » micron-/submicron-size dust grains are expected to be substantially different from the corresponding values for bulk materials. In this paper, we present experimental results on the charging of individual 0.2-13 {mu}m size dust grains selected from Apollo 11 and 17 dust samples, and spherical silica particles by exposing them to mono-energetic electron beams in the 10-200 eV energy range. The dust charging process by electron impact involving the SEEs discussed is found to be a complex charging phenomenon with strong particle size dependence. The measurements indicate substantial differences between the polarity and magnitude of the dust charging rates of individual small-size dust grains, and the measurements and model properties of corresponding bulk materials. A more comprehensive plan of measurements of the charging properties of individual dust grains for developing a database for realistic models of dust charging in astrophysical and lunar environments is in progress.« less

Lunary Dust Grain Charging by Electron Impact: Complex Role of Secondary Electron Emissions in Space Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, M. M.; Tankosic, D.; Crave, P. D.; LeClair, A.; Spann, J. F.

2010-01-01

Dust grains in various astrophysical environments are generally charged electrostatically by photoelectric emissions with radiation from nearby sources, or by electron/ion collisions by sticking or secondary electron emissions (SEES). The high vacuum environment on the lunar surface leads to some unusual physical and dynamical phenomena involving dust grains with high adhesive characteristics, and levitation and transportation over long distances. Knowledge of the dust grain charges and equilibrium potentials is important for understanding a variety of physical and dynamical processes in the interstellar medium, and heliospheric, interplanetary/ planetary, and lunar environments. It has been well recognized that the charging properties of individual micron-/submicron-size dust grains are expected to be substantially different from the corresponding values for bulk materials. In this paper, we present experimental results on the charging of individual 0.2-13 m size dust grains selected from Apollo 11 and 17 dust samples, and spherical silica particles by exposing them to mono-energetic electron beams in the 10-200 eV energy range. The dust charging process by electron impact involving the SEES discussed is found to be a complex charging phenomenon with strong particle size dependence. The measurements indicate substantial differences between the polarity and magnitude of the dust charging rates of individual small-size dust grains, and the measurements and model properties of corresponding bulk materials. A more comprehensive plan of measurements of the charging properties of individual dust grains for developing a database for realistic models of dust charging in astrophysical and lunar environments is in progress.

Experimental Investigation of Charging Properties of Interstellar Type Silica Dust Grains by Secondary Electron Emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tankosic, D.; Abbas, M. M.

2013-01-01

The dust charging by electron impact is an important dust charging processes in astrophysical and planetary environments. Incident low energy electrons are reflected or stick to the grains charging the dust grains negatively. At sufficiently high energies electrons penetrate the grains, leading to excitation and emission of electrons referred to as secondary electron emission (SEE). Available classical theoretical models for calculations of SEE yields are generally applicable for neutral, planar, or bulk surfaces. These models, however, are not valid for calculations of the electron impact charging properties of electrostatically charged micron/submicron-size dust grains in astrophysical environments. Rigorous quantum mechanical models are not yet available, and the SEE yields have to be determined experimentally for development of more accurate models for charging of individual dust grains. At the present time, very limited experimental data are available for charging of individual micron-size dust grains, particularly for low energy electron impact. The experimental results on individual, positively charged, micron-size lunar dust grains levitated carried out by us in a unique facility at NASA-MSFC, based on an electrodynamic balance, indicate that the SEE by electron impact is a complex process. The electron impact may lead to charging or discharging of dust grains depending upon the grain size, surface potential, electron energy, electron flux, grain composition, and configuration (Abbas et al, 2010, 2012). In this paper, we discuss SEE charging properties of individual micron-size silica microspheres that are believed to be analogs of a class of interstellar dust grains. The measurements indicate charging of the 0.2m silica particles when exposed to 25 eV electron beams and discharging when exposed to higher energy electron beams. Relatively large size silica particles (5.2-6.82m) generally discharge to lower equilibrium potentials at both electron energies. These measurements conducted on silica microspheres are qualitatively similar in nature to our previous SEE measurements on lunar Apollo missions dust samples.

Doping dependence of charge order in electron-doped cuprate superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mou, Yingping; Feng, Shiping

2017-12-01

In the recent studies of the unconventional physics in cuprate superconductors, one of the central issues is the interplay between charge order and superconductivity. Here the mechanism of the charge-order formation in the electron-doped cuprate superconductors is investigated based on the t-J model. The experimentally observed momentum dependence of the electron quasiparticle scattering rate is qualitatively reproduced, where the scattering rate is highly anisotropic in momentum space, and is intriguingly related to the charge-order gap. Although the scattering strength appears to be weakest at the hot spots, the scattering in the antinodal region is stronger than that in the nodal region, which leads to the original electron Fermi surface is broken up into the Fermi pockets and their coexistence with the Fermi arcs located around the nodal region. In particular, this electron Fermi surface instability drives the charge-order correlation, with the charge-order wave vector that matches well with the wave vector connecting the hot spots, as the charge-order correlation in the hole-doped counterparts. However, in a striking contrast to the hole-doped case, the charge-order wave vector in the electron-doped side increases in magnitude with the electron doping. The theory also shows the existence of a quantitative link between the single-electron fermiology and the collective response of the electron density.

Dynamics of charge clouds ejected from laser-induced warm dense gold nanofilms

DOE PAGES

Zhou, Jun; Li, Junjie; Correa, Alfredo A.; ...

2014-10-24

We report the first systematic study of the ejected charge dynamics surrounding laser-produced 30-nm warm dense gold films using single-shot femtosecond electron shadow imaging and deflectometry. The results reveal a two-step dynamical process of the ejected electrons under the high pump fluence conditions: an initial emission and accumulation of a large amount of electrons near the pumped surface region followed by the formation of hemispherical clouds of electrons on both sides of the film, which are escaping into the vacuum at a nearly isotropic and constant velocity with an unusually high kinetic energy of more than 300 eV. We alsomore » developed a model of the escaping charge distribution that not only reproduces the main features of the observed charge expansion dynamics but also allows us to extract the number of ejected electrons remaining in the cloud.« less

Dynamics of charge clouds ejected from laser-induced warm dense gold nanofilms

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

Zhou, Jun; Li, Junjie; Correa, Alfredo A.

We report the first systematic study of the ejected charge dynamics surrounding laser-produced 30-nm warm dense gold films using single-shot femtosecond electron shadow imaging and deflectometry. The results reveal a two-step dynamical process of the ejected electrons under the high pump fluence conditions: an initial emission and accumulation of a large amount of electrons near the pumped surface region followed by the formation of hemispherical clouds of electrons on both sides of the film, which are escaping into the vacuum at a nearly isotropic and constant velocity with an unusually high kinetic energy of more than 300 eV. We alsomore » developed a model of the escaping charge distribution that not only reproduces the main features of the observed charge expansion dynamics but also allows us to extract the number of ejected electrons remaining in the cloud.« less

Characteristics of the Mott transition and electronic states of high-temperature cuprate superconductors from the perspective of the Hubbard model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohno, Masanori

2018-04-01

A fundamental issue of the Mott transition is how electrons behaving as single particles carrying spin and charge in a metal change into those exhibiting separated spin and charge excitations (low-energy spin excitation and high-energy charge excitation) in a Mott insulator. This issue has attracted considerable attention particularly in relation to high-temperature cuprate superconductors, which exhibit electronic states near the Mott transition that are difficult to explain in conventional pictures. Here, from a new viewpoint of the Mott transition based on analyses of the Hubbard model, we review anomalous features observed in high-temperature cuprate superconductors near the Mott transition.

Electron cyclotron resonance sources: Historical review and future prospects (invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geller, R.

1998-03-01

Low charge state electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) work since 1965 and high charge state ECRIS since 1974. These ECR sources are categorized into three main sections: (1) Low charged ion (ECRIS) inside simple magnetic mirror or Bucket configurations. (2) High charged ion ECRIS inside min-B mirror configurations. (3) Short pulsed ECRIS with highly charged ions where the ion confinement is disturbed for a short while, which allows the extraction of intense ion pulses. Future prospects are based on rational scaling of the magnetic confinement including high B modes, by increasing the radio frequency (rf) frequency and ECR magnetic field. In this case, charge exchange has to be minimized and plasma instabilities have to be avoided. However, clever empirical tricks lead also to outstanding not always predicted improvements. Let us cite: optimized rf plasma coupling, electron guns, gas mixing, wall coating, biased electrodes, and more recently multiple ECR frequency heating. ECRIS have not yet achieved their optimal possibilities. Let us wait for the next generation of superconducting ECRIS and the possible use of subcentimeter waves.

Electron cyclotron resonance sources: Historical review and future prospects (invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geller, R.

1998-02-01

Low charge state electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) work since 1965 and high charge state ECRIS since 1974. These ECR sources are categorized into three main sections: (1) Low charged ion (ECRIS) inside simple magnetic mirror or Bucket configurations. (2) High charged ion ECRIS inside min-B mirror configurations. (3) Short pulsed ECRIS with highly charged ions where the ion confinement is disturbed for a short while, which allows the extraction of intense ion pulses. Future prospects are based on rational scaling of the magnetic confinement including high B modes, by increasing the radio frequency (rf) frequency and ECR magnetic field. In this case, charge exchange has to be minimized and plasma instabilities have to be avoided. However, clever empirical tricks lead also to outstanding not always predicted improvements. Let us cite: optimized rf plasma coupling, electron guns, gas mixing, wall coating, biased electrodes, and more recently multiple ECR frequency heating. ECRIS have not yet achieved their optimal possibilities. Let us wait for the next generation of superconducting ECRIS and the possible use of subcentimeter waves.

Analysis of microscopic parameters of surface charging in polymer caused by defocused electron beam irradiation.

PubMed

Liu, Jing; Zhang, Hai-Bo

2014-12-01

The relationship between microscopic parameters and polymer charging caused by defocused electron beam irradiation is investigated using a dynamic scattering-transport model. The dynamic charging process of an irradiated polymer using a defocused 30 keV electron beam is conducted. In this study, the space charge distribution with a 30 keV non-penetrating e-beam is negative and supported by some existing experimental data. The internal potential is negative, but relatively high near the surface, and it decreases to a maximum negative value at z=6 μm and finally tend to 0 at the bottom of film. The leakage current and the surface potential behave similarly, and the secondary electron and leakage currents follow the charging equilibrium condition. The surface potential decreases with increasing beam current density, trap concentration, capture cross section, film thickness and electron-hole recombination rate, but with decreasing electron mobility and electron energy. The total charge density increases with increasing beam current density, trap concentration, capture cross section, film thickness and electron-hole recombination rate, but with decreasing electron mobility and electron energy. This study shows a comprehensive analysis of microscopic factors of surface charging characteristics in an electron-based surface microscopy and analysis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Heidelberg compact electron beam ion traps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Micke, P.; Kühn, S.; Buchauer, L.; Harries, J. R.; Bücking, T. M.; Blaum, K.; Cieluch, A.; Egl, A.; Hollain, D.; Kraemer, S.; Pfeifer, T.; Schmidt, P. O.; Schüssler, R. X.; Schweiger, Ch.; Stöhlker, T.; Sturm, S.; Wolf, R. N.; Bernitt, S.; Crespo López-Urrutia, J. R.

2018-06-01

Electron beam ion traps (EBITs) are ideal tools for both production and study of highly charged ions (HCIs). In order to reduce their construction, maintenance, and operation costs, we have developed a novel, compact, room-temperature design, the Heidelberg Compact EBIT (HC-EBIT). Four already commissioned devices operate at the strongest fields (up to 0.86 T) reported for such EBITs using permanent magnets, run electron beam currents up to 80 mA, and energies up to 10 keV. They demonstrate HCI production, trapping, and extraction of pulsed Ar16+ bunches and continuous 100 pA ion beams of highly charged Xe up to charge state 29+, already with a 4 mA, 2 keV electron beam. Moreover, HC-EBITs offer large solid-angle ports and thus high photon count rates, e.g., in x-ray spectroscopy of dielectronic recombination in HCIs up to Fe24+, achieving an electron-energy resolving power of E/ΔE > 1500 at 5 keV. Besides traditional on-axis electron guns, we have also implemented a novel off-axis gun for laser, synchrotron, and free-electron laser applications, offering clear optical access along the trap axis. We report on its first operation at a synchrotron radiation facility demonstrating the resonant photoexcitation of highly charged oxygen.

Lead Halide Perovskites as Charge Generation Layers for Electron Mobility Measurement in Organic Semiconductors.

PubMed

Love, John A; Feuerstein, Markus; Wolff, Christian M; Facchetti, Antonio; Neher, Dieter

2017-12-06

Hybrid lead halide perovskites are introduced as charge generation layers (CGLs) for the accurate determination of electron mobilities in thin organic semiconductors. Such hybrid perovskites have become a widely studied photovoltaic material in their own right, for their high efficiencies, ease of processing from solution, strong absorption, and efficient photogeneration of charge. Time-of-flight (ToF) measurements on bilayer samples consisting of the perovskite CGL and an organic semiconductor layer of different thickness are shown to be determined by the carrier motion through the organic material, consistent with the much higher charge carrier mobility in the perovskite. Together with the efficient photon-to-electron conversion in the perovskite, this high mobility imbalance enables electron-only mobility measurement on relatively thin application-relevant organic films, which would not be possible with traditional ToF measurements. This architecture enables electron-selective mobility measurements in single components as well as bulk-heterojunction films as demonstrated in the prototypical polymer/fullerene blends. To further demonstrate the potential of this approach, electron mobilities were measured as a function of electric field and temperature in an only 127 nm thick layer of a prototypical electron-transporting perylene diimide-based polymer, and found to be consistent with an exponential trap distribution of ca. 60 meV. Our study furthermore highlights the importance of high mobility charge transporting layers when designing perovskite solar cells.

Role of intermolecular charge delocalization and its dimensionality in efficient band-like electron transport in crystalline 2,5-difluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F2-TCNQ).

PubMed

Sosorev, Andrey Yu

2017-09-27

Theoretical understanding of charge transport in organic semiconductors is exclusively important for organic electronics, but still remains a subject of debate. The recently discovered record-high band-like electron mobility in single crystals of 2,5-difluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F 2 -TCNQ) is challenging from the theoretical viewpoint. First, the very small size of the F 2 -TCNQ molecule implies high reorganization energy that seems incompatible with efficient charge transport. Second, it is not clear why the crystals of a similar compound, 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), show an inefficient hopping electron transport mechanism. To address these issues, we apply DFT and QM/MM calculations to the F n -TCNQ (n = 0,2,4) crystal series. We show that multidimensional intermolecular charge delocalization is of key importance for efficient charge transport in materials consisting of small-sized molecules, and commonly used guidelines for the search for high-mobility organic semiconductors are to be corrected.

Charging of Individual Micron-Size Interstellar/Planetary Dust Grains by Secondary Electron Emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tankosic, D.; Abbas, M. M.

2012-01-01

Dust grains in various astrophysical environments are generally charged electrostatically by photoelectric emissions with UV/X-ray radiation, as well as by electron/ion impact. Knowledge of physical and optical properties of individual dust grains is required for understanding of the physical and dynamical processes in space environments and the role of dust in formation of stellar and planetary systems. In this paper, we discuss experimental results on dust charging by electron impact, where low energy electrons are scattered or stick to the dust grains, thereby charging the dust grains negatively, and at sufficiently high energies the incident electrons penetrate the grain leading to excitation and emission of electrons referred to as secondary electron emission (SEE). Currently, very limited experimental data are available for charging of individual micron-size dust grains, particularly by low energy electron impact. Available theoretical models based on the Sternglass equation (Sternglass, 1954) are applicable for neutral, planar, and bulk surfaces only. However, charging properties of individual micron-size dust grains are expected to be different from the values measured on bulk materials. Our recent experimental results on individual, positively charged, micron-size lunar dust grains levitated in an electrodynamic balance facility (at NASA-MSFC) indicate that the SEE by electron impact is a complex process. The electron impact may lead to charging or discharging of dust grains depending upon the grain size, surface potential, electron energy, electron flux, grain composition, and configuration (e.g. Abbas et al, 2010). Here we discuss the complex nature of SEE charging properties of individual micron-size lunar dust grains and silica microspheres.

Space-Charge Waves and Instabilities in Intense Beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, J. G.

1997-11-01

Advancced accelerator applications, such as drivers for heavy ion inertial fusion, high-intensity synchrotrons for spallation neutron sources, high energy boosters, free electron lasers, high-power microwave generators, etc., require ever-increasing beam intensity. An important beam dynamics issue in such beams is the collective behavior of charged particles due to their space charge effects. This includes the phenomena of space-charge waves and instabilities excited on beams by external perturbations. It is very crucial to fully understand these phenomena in order to develop advanced accelerators for various applications. At the University of Maryland we have been conducting experimental programs to study space-charge waves and longitudinal instabilities by employing low-energy, high-current, space-charge dominated electron beams. Localized perturbations on the beams are generated from a gridded electron gun. In a conducting transport channel focused by short solenoids, these perturbations evolve into space-charge waves propagating on the beams. The wave speed is measured and many beam parameters are determined with this technique. The reflection of space-charge waves at the shoulder of an initially rectangular beam bunch is also observed. In a resistive-wall channel focused by a uniform long solenoid, the space-charge waves suffer longitudinal instability. The properties of the instabilities are studied in detail in the long wavelength range. In this talk we review our experimental results on the waves and instabilities and compare with theory.

Dual structure in the charge excitation spectrum of electron-doped cuprates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bejas, Matías; Yamase, Hiroyuki; Greco, Andrés

2017-12-01

Motivated by the recent resonant x-ray scattering (RXS) and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) experiments for electron-doped cuprates, we study the charge excitation spectrum in a layered t -J model with the long-range Coulomb interaction. We show that the spectrum is not dominated by a specific type of charge excitations, but by different kinds of charge fluctuations, and is characterized by a dual structure in the energy space. Low-energy charge excitations correspond to various types of bond-charge fluctuations driven by the exchange term (J term), whereas high-energy charge excitations are due to usual on-site charge fluctuations and correspond to plasmon excitations above the particle-hole continuum. The interlayer coupling, which is frequently neglected in many theoretical studies, is particularly important to the high-energy charge excitations.

Breaking the barriers of all-polymer solar cells: Solving electron transporter and morphology problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gavvalapalli, Nagarjuna

All-polymer solar cells (APSC) are a class of organic solar cells in which hole and electron transporting phases are made of conjugated polymers. Unlike polymer/fullerene solar cell, photoactive material of APSC can be designed to have hole and electron transporting polymers with complementary absorption range and proper frontier energy level offset. However, the highest reported PCE of APSC is 5 times less than that of polymer/fullerene solar cell. The low PCE of APSC is mainly due to: i) low charge separation efficiency; and ii) lack of optimal morphology to facilitate charge transfer and transport; and iii) lack of control over the exciton and charge transport in each phase. My research work is focused towards addressing these issues. The charge separation efficiency of APSC can be enhanced by designing novel electron transporting polymers with: i) broad absorption range; ii) high electron mobility; and iii) high dielectric constant. In addition to with the above parameters chemical and electronic structure of the repeating unit of conjugated polymer also plays a role in charge separation efficiency. So far only three classes of electron transporting polymers, CN substituted PPV, 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole derived polymers and rylene diimide derived polymers, are used in APSC. Thus to enhance the charge separation efficiency new classes of electron transporting polymers with the above characteristics need to be synthesized. I have developed a new straightforward synthetic strategy to rapidly generate new classes of electron transporting polymers with different chemical and electronic structure, broad absorption range, and high electron mobility from readily available electron deficient monomers. In APSCs due to low entropy of mixing, polymers tend to micro-phase segregate rather than forming the more useful nano-phase segregation. Optimizing the polymer blend morphology to obtain nano-phase segregation is specific to the system under study, time consuming, and not trivial. Thus to avoid micro-phase segregation, nanoparticles of hole and electron transporters are synthesized and blended. But the PCE of nanoparticle blends are far less than those of polymer blends. This is mainly due to the: i) lack of optimal assembly of nanoparticles to facilitate charge transfer and transport processes; and ii) lack of control over the exciton and charge transport properties within the nanoparticles. Polymer packing within the nanoparticle controls the optoelectronic and charge transport properties of the nanoparticle. In this work I have shown that the solvent used to synthesize nanoparticles plays a crucial role in determining the assembly of polymer chains inside the nanoparticle there by affecting its exciton and charge transport processes. To obtain the optimal morphology for better charge transfer and transport, we have also synthesized nanoparticles of different radius with surfactants of opposite charge. We propose that depending on the radius and/or Coulombic interactions these nanoparticles can be assembled into mineral structure-types that are useful for photovoltaic devices.

Scaling of cross sections for K-electron capture by high-energy protons and alpha-particles from the multielectron atoms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Omidvar, K.

1976-01-01

Electron capture by protons from H, He, and the K-shell of Ar, and alpha particles from He are considered. It is shown that when a certain function of the experimental cross sections is plotted versus the inverse of the collision energy, at high energies the function falls on a straight line. At lower energies the function concaves up or down, depending on the charge of the projectile, the effective charge and the ionization potential of the electron that is being captured. The plot can be used to predict cross sections where experimental data are not available, and as a guide in future experiments. High energy scaling formulas for K-electron capture by low-charge projectiles are given.

A singly charged ion source for radioactive {sup 11}C ion acceleration

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

Katagiri, K.; Noda, A.; Nagatsu, K.

2016-02-15

A new singly charged ion source using electron impact ionization has been developed to realize an isotope separation on-line system for simultaneous positron emission tomography imaging and heavy-ion cancer therapy using radioactive {sup 11}C ion beams. Low-energy electron beams are used in the electron impact ion source to produce singly charged ions. Ionization efficiency was calculated in order to decide the geometric parameters of the ion source and to determine the required electron emission current for obtaining high ionization efficiency. Based on these considerations, the singly charged ion source was designed and fabricated. In testing, the fabricated ion source wasmore » found to have favorable performance as a singly charged ion source.« less

Measurements of particle emission from discharge sites in Teflon irradiated by high energy electron beams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hazelton, R. C.; Churchill, R. J.; Yadlowsky, E. J.

1979-01-01

Anomalous behavior of synchronous orbit satellites manifested by overall degradation of system performance and reduced operating life is associated with electrical discharges resulting from differential charging of the spacecraft surface by fluxes of high energy electrons. During a laboratory simulation silver-backed Teflon samples have been irradiated by electron beams having energies in the range 16-26 keV. Charged particles emitted from the resultant electrical discharges have been measured with a biased Faraday cup and retarding potential analyser. Measurements indicate the presence of two distinct fluxes of particles, the first being an early pulse (0-600ns) of high energy (about 7keV) electrons, while the second is a late pulse (1-5 microseconds) of low energy electrons (less than 1eV) and ions (70eV) leaving the discharge site as a quasi plasma. Calculations indicate an electrostatic field as the dominant accelerating mechanism for charged particles.

Phonon-electron coupling and tunneling effect on charge transport in organic semi-conductor crystals of Cn-BTBT.

PubMed

Zhou, Yecheng; Deng, Wei-Qiao; Zhang, Hao-Li

2016-09-14

Cn-[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]-benzothiophene (BTBT) crystals show very high hole mobilities in experiments. These high mobilities are beyond existing theory prediction. Here, we employed different quantum chemistry methods to investigate charge transfer in Cn-BTBT crystals and tried to find out the reasons for the underestimation in the theory. It was found that the hopping rate estimated by the Fermi Golden Rule is higher than that of the Marcus theory due to the high temperature approximation and failure at the classic limit. More importantly, molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the phonon induced fluctuation of electronic transfer integral is much larger than the average of the electronic transfer integral itself. Mobilities become higher if simulations implement the phonon-electron coupling. This conclusion indicates that the phonon-electron coupling promotes charge transfer in organic semi-conductors at room temperature.

Phonon-electron coupling and tunneling effect on charge transport in organic semi-conductor crystals of Cn-BTBT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Yecheng; Deng, Wei-Qiao; Zhang, Hao-Li

2016-09-01

Cn-[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]-benzothiophene (BTBT) crystals show very high hole mobilities in experiments. These high mobilities are beyond existing theory prediction. Here, we employed different quantum chemistry methods to investigate charge transfer in Cn-BTBT crystals and tried to find out the reasons for the underestimation in the theory. It was found that the hopping rate estimated by the Fermi Golden Rule is higher than that of the Marcus theory due to the high temperature approximation and failure at the classic limit. More importantly, molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the phonon induced fluctuation of electronic transfer integral is much larger than the average of the electronic transfer integral itself. Mobilities become higher if simulations implement the phonon-electron coupling. This conclusion indicates that the phonon-electron coupling promotes charge transfer in organic semi-conductors at room temperature.

Kinetic energy offsets for multicharged ions from an electron beam ion source.

PubMed

Kulkarni, D D; Ahl, C D; Shore, A M; Miller, A J; Harriss, J E; Sosolik, C E; Marler, J P

2017-08-01

Using a retarding field analyzer, we have measured offsets between the nominal and measured kinetic energy of multicharged ions extracted from an electron beam ion source (EBIS). By varying source parameters, a shift in ion kinetic energy was attributed to the trapping potential produced by the space charge of the electron beam within the EBIS. The space charge of the electron beam depends on its charge density, which in turn depends on the amount of negative charge (electron beam current) and its velocity (electron beam energy). The electron beam current and electron beam energy were both varied to obtain electron beams of varying space charge and these were related to the observed kinetic energy offsets for Ar 4+ and Ar 8+ ion beams. Knowledge of these offsets is important for studies that seek to utilize slow, i.e., low kinetic energy, multicharged ions to exploit their high potential energies for processes such as surface modification. In addition, we show that these offsets can be utilized to estimate the effective radius of the electron beam inside the trap.

Beam dynamics performances and applications of a low-energy electron-beam magnetic bunch compressor

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

Prokop, C. R.; Piot, P.; Carlsten, B. E.

2013-08-01

Many front-end applications of electron linear accelerators rely on the production of temporally compressed bunches. The shortening of electron bunches is often realized with magnetic bunch compressors located in high-energy sections of accelerators. Magnetic compression is subject to collective effects including space charge and self interaction via coherent synchrotron radiation. In this paper we explore the application of magnetic compression to low-energy (~40MeV), high-charge (nC) electron bunches with low normalized transverse emittances (<5@mm).

High Pressure Optical Studies of the Thallous Halides and of Charge-Transfer Complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jurgensen, Charles Willard

High pressure was used to study the insulator -to-metal transition in sulfur and the thallous halides and to study the intermolecular interactions in charge -transfer complexes. The approach to the band overlap insulator -to-metal transition was studied in three thallous halides and sulfur by optical absorption measurements of the band gap as a function of pressure. The band gap of sulfur continuously decreases with pressure up to the insulator -to-metal transition which occurs between 450 and 485 kbars. The results on the thallous halides indicate that the indirect gap decreases more rapidly than the direct gap; the closing of the indirect gap is responsible for the observed insulator -to-metal transitions. High pressure electronic and vibrational spectroscopic measurements on the solid-state complexes of HMB-TCNE were used to study the intermolecular interactions of charge -transfer complexes. The vibrational frequency shifts indicate that the degree of charge transfer increases with pressure which is independently confirmed by an increase in the molar absorptivity of the electronic charge-transfer peak. Induction and dispersion forces contribute towards a red shift of the charge-transfer peak; however, charge-transfer resonance contributes toward a blue shift and this effect is dominant for the HMB-TCNE complexes. High pressure electronic spectra were used to study the effect of intermolecular interactions on the electronic states of TCNQ and its complexes. The red shifts with pressure of the electronic spectra of TCNQ and (TCNQ)(' -) in polymer media and of crystalline TCNQ can be understood in terms of Van der Waals interactions. None of the calculations which considered intradimer distance obtained the proper behavior for either the charge-transfer of the locally excited states of the complexes. The qualitative behavior of both states can be interpreted as the effect of increased mixing of the locally excited and charge transfer states.

Optical pumping of electron and nuclear spin in a negatively-charged quantum dot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bracker, Allan; Gershoni, David; Korenev, Vladimir

2005-03-01

We report optical pumping of electron and nuclear spins in an individual negatively-charged quantum dot. With a bias-controlled heterostructure, we inject one electron into the quantum dot. Intense laser excitation produces negative photoluminescence polarization, which is easily erased by the Hanle effect, demonstrating optical pumping of a long-lived resident electron. The electron spin lifetime is consistent with the influence of nuclear spin fluctuations. Measuring the Overhauser effect in high magnetic fields, we observe a high degree of nuclear spin polarization, which is closely correlated to electron spin pumping.

Emitron: microwave diode

DOEpatents

Craig, G.D.; Pettibone, J.S.; Drobot, A.T.

1982-05-06

The invention comprises a new class of device, driven by electron or other charged particle flow, for producing coherent microwaves by utilizing the interaction of electromagnetic waves with electron flow in diodes not requiring an external magnetic field. Anode and cathode surfaces are electrically charged with respect to one another by electron flow, for example caused by a Marx bank voltage source or by other charged particle flow, for example by a high energy charged particle beam. This produces an electric field which stimulates an emitted electron beam to flow in the anode-cathode region. The emitted electrons are accelerated by the electric field and coherent microwaves are produced by the three dimensional spatial and temporal interaction of the accelerated electrons with geometrically allowed microwave modes which results in the bunching of the electrons and the pumping of at least one dominant microwave mode.

Improving Charging-Breeding Simulations with Space-Charge Effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bilek, Ryan; Kwiatkowski, Ania; Steinbrügge, René

2016-09-01

Rare-isotope-beam facilities use Highly Charged Ions (HCI) for accelerators accelerating heavy ions and to improve measurement precision and resolving power of certain experiments. An Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT) is able to create HCI through successive electron impact, charge breeding trapped ions into higher charge states. CBSIM was created to calculate successive charge breeding with an EBIT. It was augmented by transferring it into an object-oriented programming language, including additional elements, improving ion-ion collision factors, and exploring the overlap of the electron beam with the ions. The calculation is enhanced with the effects of residual background gas by computing the space charge due to charge breeding. The program assimilates background species, ionizes and charge breeds them alongside the element being studied, and allows them to interact with the desired species through charge exchange, giving fairer overview of realistic charge breeding. Calculations of charge breeding will be shown for realistic experimental conditions. We reexamined the implementation of ionization energies, cross sections, and ion-ion interactions when charge breeding.

Satellite Charge Control with Lithium Ion Source and Electron Emission

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-12-01

for the spacecraft charge control. C. THERMIONIC ELECTRON EMISSION Electrons may be emitted by surfaces at high temperature in a process, called...data in the high voltage region and 1300 to 1600 °K temperature range may be fitted to the following equation, for a 50 % lithium sample: log01 =logos...in Figure 15, is similar to a high - temperature quartz structure, yet differs from it in that half of the silicon atoms are repiaced by aluminum atoms

Charge Modulation in Graphitic Carbon Nitride as a Switchable Approach to High-Capacity Hydrogen Storage.

PubMed

Tan, Xin; Kou, Liangzhi; Tahini, Hassan A; Smith, Sean C

2015-11-01

Electrical charging of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (g-C4 N3 and g-C3 N4 ) is proposed as a strategy for high-capacity and electrocatalytically switchable hydrogen storage. Using first-principle calculations, we found that the adsorption energy of H2 molecules on graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets is dramatically enhanced by injecting extra electrons into the adsorbent. At full hydrogen coverage, the negatively charged graphitic carbon nitride achieves storage capacities up to 6-7 wt %. In contrast to other hydrogen storage approaches, the storage/release occurs spontaneously once extra electrons are introduced or removed, and these processes can be simply controlled by switching on/off the charging voltage. Therefore, this approach promises both facile reversibility and tunable kinetics without the need of specific catalysts. Importantly, g-C4 N3 has good electrical conductivity and high electron mobility, which can be a very good candidate for electron injection/release. These predictions may prove to be instrumental in searching for a new class of high-capacity hydrogen storage materials. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Low-temperature charged impurity scattering-limited conductivity in relatively high doped bilayer graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Bo

2015-08-01

Based on semiclassical Boltzamnn transport theory in random phase approximation, we develop a theoretical model to investigate low-temperature carrier transport properties in relatively high doped bilayer graphene. In the presence of both electron-hole puddles and band gap induced by charged impurities, we calculate low-temperature charged impurity scattering-limited conductivity in relatively high doped bilayer graphene. Our calculated conductivity results are in excellent agreement with published experimental data in all compensated gate voltage regime of study by using potential fluctuation parameter as only one free fitting parameter, indicating that both electron-hole puddles and band gap induced by charged impurities play an important role in carrier transport. More importantly, we also find that the conductivity not only depends strongly on the total charged impurity density, but also on the top layer charged impurity density, which is different from that obtained by neglecting the opening of band gap, especially for bilayer graphene with high top layer charged impurity density.

Study of the Effects of the Electric Field on Charging Measurements on Individual Micron-size Dust Grains by Secondary Electron Emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tankosic, D.; Abbas, M. M.

2013-01-01

The dust charging by electron impact is an important dust charging process in Astrophysical, Planetary, and the Lunar environments. Low energy electrons are reflected or stick to the grains charging the dust grains negatively. At sufficiently high energies electrons penetrate the grain leading to excitation and emission of electrons referred to as secondary electron emission (SEE). Available theoretical models for the calculation of SEE yield applicable for neutral, planar or bulk surfaces are generally based on Sternglass Equation. However, viable models for charging of individual dust grains do not exist at the present time. Therefore, the SEE yields have to be obtained by some experimental methods at the present time. We have conducted experimental studies on charging of individual micron size dust grains in simulated space environments using an electrodynamic balance (EDB) facility at NASA-MSFC. The results of our extensive laboratory study of charging of individual micron-size dust grains by low energy electron impact indicate that the SEE by electron impact is a very complex process expected to be substantially different from the bulk materials. It was found that the incident electrons may lead to positive or negative charging of dust grains depending upon the grain size, surface potential, electron energy, electron flux, grain composition, and configuration. In this paper we give a more elaborate discussion about the possible effects of the AC field in the EDB on dust charging measurements by comparing the secondary electron emission time-period (tau (sub em) (s/e)) with the time-period (tau (sub ac) (ms)) of the AC field cycle in the EDB that we have briefly addressed in our previous publication.

The influence of space charge shielding on dielectric multipactor

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

Chang, C.; Liu, G. Z.; Tang, C. X.

2009-05-15

A model of space charge influenced by multipactor electrons and plasma has been established. The positive space charge potential/field for vacuum dielectric multipactor is analytically studied. After considering the plasma, the positive space charge field is further shielded, and multipactor saturates at higher surface accumulated field, compared with that for only considering multipactor electrons. The negative space charge potential/field for dielectric breakdown at high pressure is analyzed. It is found that the negative potential can be nonmonotonously varied, forming a minimum potential well.

An electron beam ion trap and source for re-acceleration of rare-isotope ion beams at TRIUMF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blessenohl, M. A.; Dobrodey, S.; Warnecke, C.; Rosner, M. K.; Graham, L.; Paul, S.; Baumann, T. M.; Hockenbery, Z.; Hubele, R.; Pfeifer, T.; Ames, F.; Dilling, J.; Crespo López-Urrutia, J. R.

2018-05-01

Electron beam driven ionization can produce highly charged ions (HCIs) in a few well-defined charge states. Ideal conditions for this are maximally focused electron beams and an extremely clean vacuum environment. A cryogenic electron beam ion trap fulfills these prerequisites and delivers very pure HCI beams. The Canadian rare isotope facility with electron beam ion source-electron beam ion sources developed at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik (MPIK) reaches already for a 5 keV electron beam and a current of 1 A with a density in excess of 5000 A/cm2 by means of a 6 T axial magnetic field. Within the trap, the beam quickly generates a dense HCI population, tightly confined by a space-charge potential of the order of 1 keV times the ionic charge state. Emitting HCI bunches of ≈107 ions at up to 100 Hz repetition rate, the device will charge-breed rare-isotope beams with the mass-over-charge ratio required for re-acceleration at the Advanced Rare IsotopE Laboratory (ARIEL) facility at TRIUMF. We present here its design and results from commissioning runs at MPIK, including X-ray diagnostics of the electron beam and charge-breeding process, as well as ion injection and HCI-extraction measurements.

Energy broadening due to space-charge oscillations in high current electron beams. [SEPAC payload experiment on Spacelab 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Katz, I.; Jongeward, G. A.; Parks, D. E.; Reasoner, D. L.; Purvis, C. K.

1986-01-01

During electron beam accelerator operation on Spacelab I, substantial fluxes of electrons were observed with energies greater than the initial beam energy. Numerical calculations are performed for the emission of an unneutralized, one-dimensional electron beam. These calculations show clearly that space charge oscillations, which are associated with the charge buildup on the emitter, strongly modify the beam and cause the returning beam particles to have a distribution of kinetic energies ranging from half to over twice the initial energy.

Ultrafast electron microscopy: Instrument response from the single-electron to high bunch-charge regimes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plemmons, Dayne A.; Flannigan, David J.

2017-09-01

We determine the instrument response of an ultrafast electron microscope equipped with a conventional thermionic electron gun and absent modifications beyond the optical ports. Using flat, graphite-encircled LaB6 cathodes, we image space-charge effects as a function of photoelectron-packet population and find that an applied Wehnelt bias has a negligible effect on the threshold levels (>103 electrons per pulse) but does appear to suppress blurring at the upper limits (∼105 electrons). Using plasma lensing, we determine the instrument-response time for 700-fs laser pulses and find that single-electron packets are laser limited (1 ps), while broadening occurs well below the space-charge limit.

Demonstration of charge breeding in a compact room temperature electron beam ion trap

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

Vorobjev, G.; Sokolov, A.; Herfurth, F.

2012-05-15

For the first time, a small room-temperature electron beam ion trap (EBIT), operated with permanent magnets, was successfully used for charge breeding experiments. The relatively low magnetic field of this EBIT does not contribute to the capture of the ions; single-charged ions are only caught by the space charge potential of the electron beam. An over-barrier injection method was used to fill the EBIT's electrostatic trap with externally produced, single-charged potassium ions. Charge states as high as K{sup 19+} were reached after about a 3 s breeding time. The capture and breeding efficiencies up to 0.016(4)% for K{sup 17+} havemore » been measured.« less

High-level spacecraft charging in the low-altitude polar auroral environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gussenhoven, M. S.; Hardy, D. A.; Rich, F.; Burke, W. J.; Yeh, H.-C.

1985-11-01

Regions of intense keV electron precipitation, such as inverted-V structures, at times colocate with ionospheric plasma depletion regions in the high-latitude polar ionosphere. When Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F6 and F7 satellites, at 840 km, enter these regions in darkness, ion signatures of high spacecraft-to-ambient plasma potential differences (several hundred volts negative) are observed with the new SSJ/4 ion detectors. A systematic survey of charging events and the environment in which they occur was made using the DMSP F6 and F7 precipitating ion and electron detectors, the SSIE thermal plasma probes, and the SSM (F7 only) vector magnetometer. The charging events of November 26, 1983, are analyzed in detail since they occurred on both satellites. Critical levels of number flux and average energy for the precipitating electrons, and the threshold density of the thermal ionospheric ions are defined for different levels of spacecraft charging.

Electron Source based on Superconducting RF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xin, Tianmu

High-bunch-charge photoemission electron-sources operating in a Continuous Wave (CW) mode can provide high peak current as well as the high average current which are required for many advanced applications of accelerators facilities, for example, electron coolers for hadron beams, electron-ion colliders, and Free-Electron Lasers (FELs). Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF) has many advantages over other electron-injector technologies, especially when it is working in CW mode as it offers higher repetition rate. An 112 MHz SRF electron photo-injector (gun) was developed at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) to produce high-brightness and high-bunch-charge bunches for electron cooling experiments. The gun utilizes a Quarter-Wave Resonator (QWR) geometry for a compact structure and improved electron beam dynamics. The detailed RF design of the cavity, fundamental coupler and cathode stalk are presented in this work. A GPU accelerated code was written to improve the speed of simulation of multipacting, an important hurdle the SRF structure has to overcome in various locations. The injector utilizes high Quantum Efficiency (QE) multi-alkali photocathodes (K2CsSb) for generating electrons. The cathode fabrication system and procedure are also included in the thesis. Beam dynamic simulation of the injector was done with the code ASTRA. To find the optimized parameters of the cavities and beam optics, the author wrote a genetic algorithm Python script to search for the best solution in this high-dimensional parameter space. The gun was successfully commissioned and produced world record bunch charge and average current in an SRF photo-injector.

Measurements of Lunar Dust Charging Properties by Electron Impact

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, Mian M.; Tankosic, Dragana; Craven, Paul D.; Schneider, Todd A.; Vaughn, Jason A.; LeClair, Andre; Spann, James F.; Norwood, Joseph K.

2009-01-01

Dust grains in the lunar environment are believed to be electrostatically charged predominantly by photoelectric emissions resulting from solar UV radiation on the dayside, and on the nightside by interaction with electrons in the solar wind plasma. In the high vacuum environment on the lunar surface with virtually no atmosphere, the positive and negative charge states of micron/submicron dust grains lead to some unusual physical and dynamical dust phenomena. Knowledge of the electrostatic charging properties of dust grains in the lunar environment is required for addressing their hazardous effect on the humans and mechanical systems. It is well recognized that the charging properties of individual small micron size dust grains are substantially different from the measurements on bulk materials. In this paper we present the results of measurements on charging of individual Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 dust grains by exposing them to mono-energetic electron beams in the 10-100 eV energy range. The charging/discharging rates of positively and negatively charged particles of approx. 0.1 to 5 micron radii are discussed in terms of the sticking efficiencies and secondary electron yields. The secondary electron emission process is found to be a complex and effective charging/discharging mechanism for incident electron energies as low as 10-25 eV, with a strong dependence on particle size. Implications of the laboratory measurements on the nature of dust grain charging in the lunar environment are discussed.

Internal Charging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minow, Joseph I.

2014-01-01

(1) High energy (>100keV) electrons penetrate spacecraft walls and accumulate in dielectrics or isolated conductors; (2) Threat environment is energetic electrons with sufficient flux to charge circuit boards, cable insulation, and ungrounded metal faster than charge can dissipate; (3) Accumulating charge density generates electric fields in excess of material breakdown strenght resulting in electrostatic discharge; and (4) System impact is material damage, discharge currents inside of spacecraft Faraday cage on or near critical circuitry, and RF noise.

An Analysis of High-Power Radar TR-Limited with Very Short Recovery Time,

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-05-07

field in the gap will continuously grow stronger, until the space charge field cancels the accelerating effect of 19 the high frequency field on the...weak in the middle. 29 .,.a1 ,-t *’:.--’ ’ - - Clearly the space charge field has a repelling effect on the secondary electrons emitted by electrode...homogeneous. Therefore, the bias value in the space charge field induces an effect on the kinetic state of the electronic dissipation process. This is small

Space charge effects in ultrafast electron diffraction and imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, Zhensheng; Zhang, He; Duxbury, P. M.; Berz, Martin; Ruan, Chong-Yu

2012-02-01

Understanding space charge effects is central for the development of high-brightness ultrafast electron diffraction and microscopy techniques for imaging material transformation with atomic scale detail at the fs to ps timescales. We present methods and results for direct ultrafast photoelectron beam characterization employing a shadow projection imaging technique to investigate the generation of ultrafast, non-uniform, intense photoelectron pulses in a dc photo-gun geometry. Combined with N-particle simulations and an analytical Gaussian model, we elucidate three essential space-charge-led features: the pulse lengthening following a power-law scaling, the broadening of the initial energy distribution, and the virtual cathode threshold. The impacts of these space charge effects on the performance of the next generation high-brightness ultrafast electron diffraction and imaging systems are evaluated.

On the nature of high field charge transport in reinforced silicone dielectrics: Experiment and simulation

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

Huang, Yanhui, E-mail: huangy12@rpi.edu; Schadler, Linda S.

The high field charge injection and transport properties in reinforced silicone dielectrics were investigated by measuring the time-dependent space charge distribution and the current under dc conditions up to the breakdown field and were compared with the properties of other dielectric polymers. It is argued that the energy and spatial distribution of localized electronic states are crucial in determining these properties for polymer dielectrics. Tunneling to localized states likely dominates the charge injection process. A transient transport regime arises due to the relaxation of charge carriers into deep traps at the energy band tails and is successfully verified by amore » Monte Carlo simulation using the multiple-hopping model. The charge carrier mobility is found to be highly heterogeneous due to the non-uniform trapping. The slow moving electron packet exhibits a negative field dependent drift velocity possibly due to the spatial disorder of traps.« less

Charge breeding simulations for radioactive ion beam production

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

Variale, V.; Raino, A. C.; Clauser, T.

2012-02-15

The charge breeding technique is used for radioactive ion beam (RIB) production in order of optimizing the re-acceleration of the radioactive element ions produced by a primary beam in a thick target. Charge breeding is achieved by means of a device capable of increasing the ion charge state from 1+ to a desired value n+. In order to get high intensity RIB, experiments with charge breeding of very high efficiency could be required. To reach this goal, the charge breeding simulation could help to optimize the high charge state production efficiency by finding more proper parameters for the radioactive 1+more » ions. In this paper a device based on an electron beam ion source (EBIS) is considered. In order to study that problem, a code already developed for studying the ion selective containment in an EBIS with RF quadrupoles, BRICTEST, has been modified to simulate the ion charge state breeding rate for different 1+ ion injection conditions. Particularly, the charge breeding simulations for an EBIS with a hollow electron beam have been studied.« less

Ultrashort megaelectronvolt positron beam generation based on laser-accelerated electrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Tongjun; Shen, Baifei; Xu, Jiancai; Li, Shun; Yu, Yong; Li, Jinfeng; Lu, Xiaoming; Wang, Cheng; Wang, Xinliang; Liang, Xiaoyan; Leng, Yuxin; Li, Ruxin; Xu, Zhizhan

2016-03-01

Experimental generation of ultrashort MeV positron beams with high intensity and high density using a compact laser-driven setup is reported. A high-density gas jet is employed experimentally to generate MeV electrons with high charge; thus, a charge-neutralized MeV positron beam with high density is obtained during laser-accelerated electrons irradiating high-Z solid targets. It is a novel electron-positron source for the study of laboratory astrophysics. Meanwhile, the MeV positron beam is pulsed with an ultrashort duration of tens of femtoseconds and has a high peak intensity of 7.8 × 1021 s-1, thus allows specific studies of fast kinetics in millimeter-thick materials with a high time resolution and exhibits potential for applications in positron annihilation spectroscopy.

The NSCL electron beam ion trap for the reacceleration of rare isotopes coming to life: first extraction tests with a high-current electron gun.

PubMed

Schwarz, S; Bollen, G; Johnson, M; Kester, O; Kostin, M; Ottarson, J; Portillo, M; Wilson, C; López-Urrutia, J R Crespo; Dilling, J

2010-02-01

NSCL is currently constructing the ReA3 reaccelerator, which will accelerate rare isotopes obtained from gas stopping of fast-fragment beams to energies of up to 3 MeV/u for uranium and higher for lighter ions. A high-current charge breeder, based on an electron beam ion trap (EBIT), has been chosen as the first step in the acceleration process, as it has the potential to efficiently produce highly charged ions in a single charge state. These ions are fed into a compact linear accelerator consisting of a radio frequency quadrupole structure and superconducting cavities. The NSCL EBIT has been fully designed with most of the parts constructed. The design concept of the EBIT and results from initial commissioning tests of the electron gun and collector with a temporary 0.4 T magnet are presented.

FAST TRACK COMMUNICATION: Inhomogeneous charge redistribution in Xe clusters exposed to an intense extreme ultraviolet free electron laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iwayama, H.; Sugishima, A.; Nagaya, K.; Yao, M.; Fukuzawa, H.; Motomura, K.; Liu, X.-J.; Yamada, A.; Wang, C.; Ueda, K.; Saito, N.; Nagasono, M.; Tono, K.; Yabashi, M.; Ishikawa, T.; Ohashi, H.; Kimura, H.; Togashi, T.

2010-08-01

The emission of highly charged ions from Xe clusters exposed to intense extreme ultraviolet laser pulses (λ ~ 52 nm) from the free electron laser in Japan was investigated using ion momentum spectroscopy. With increasing average cluster size, we observed multiply charged ions Xez + up to z = 3. From kinetic energy distributions, we found that multiply charged ions were generated near the cluster surface. Our results suggest that charges are inhomogeneously redistributed in the cluster to lower the total energy stored in the clusters.

Molecular implementation of molecular shift register memories

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beratan, David N. (Inventor); Onuchic, Jose N. (Inventor)

1991-01-01

An electronic shift register memory (20) at the molecular level is described. The memory elements are based on a chain of electron transfer molecules (22) and the information is shifted by photoinduced (26) electron transfer reactions. Thus, multi-step sequences of charge transfer reactions are used to move charge with high efficiency down a molecular chain. The device integrates compositions of the invention onto a VLSI substrate (36), providing an example of a molecular electronic device which may be fabricated. Three energy level schemes, molecular implementation of these schemes, optical excitation strategies, charge amplification strategies, and error correction strategies are described.

High-quality electron beam generation in a proton-driven hollow plasma wakefield accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Y.; Xia, G.; Lotov, K. V.; Sosedkin, A. P.; Hanahoe, K.; Mete-Apsimon, O.

2017-10-01

Simulations of proton-driven plasma wakefield accelerators have demonstrated substantially higher accelerating gradients compared to conventional accelerators and the viability of accelerating electrons to the energy frontier in a single plasma stage. However, due to the strong intrinsic transverse fields varying both radially and in time, the witness beam quality is still far from suitable for practical application in future colliders. Here we demonstrate the efficient acceleration of electrons in proton-driven wakefields in a hollow plasma channel. In this regime, the witness bunch is positioned in the region with a strong accelerating field, free from plasma electrons and ions. We show that the electron beam carrying the charge of about 10% of 1 TeV proton driver charge can be accelerated to 0.6 TeV with a preserved normalized emittance in a single channel of 700 m. This high-quality and high-charge beam may pave the way for the development of future plasma-based energy frontier colliders.

Observation of extreme ultraviolet transitions in highly charged Ba{sup 16+} to Ba{sup 23+} ions with electron beam ion trap

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

Ali, S.; Shimizu, E.; Nakamura, N.

2016-03-15

We have investigated extreme ultraviolet emission from highly charged barium using a compact electron beam ion trap at the Tokyo EBIT laboratory. The spectra were recorded for several beam energies ranging from 440 to 740 eV, while keeping the electron beam current constant at 10 mA. Radiation from charge states Zr-like Ba{sup 16+} to As-like Ba{sup 23+} were recorded and identified by varying the electron beam energy across the ionization thresholds and comparing with calculated results. The calculations were performed with a detailed relativistic configuration interaction approach using the Flexible Atomic Code. Several new lines belonging to electric dipole transitions were observedmore » and identified.« less

Benchmark study for charge deposition by high energy electrons in thick slabs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jun, I.

2002-01-01

The charge deposition profiles created when highenergy (1, 10, and 100 MeV) electrons impinge ona thick slab of elemental aluminum, copper, andtungsten are presented in this paper. The chargedeposition profiles were computed using existing representative Monte Carlo codes: TIGER3.0 (1D module of ITS3.0) and MCNP version 4B. The results showed that TIGER3.0 and MCNP4B agree very well (within 20% of each other) in the majority of the problem geometry. The TIGER results were considered to be accurate based on previous studies. Thus, it was demonstrated that MCNP, with its powerful geometry capability and flexible source and tally options, could be used in calculations of electron charging in high energy electron-rich space radiation environments.

Charge and spin in low-dimensional cuprates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maekawa, Sadamichi; Tohyama, Takami

2001-03-01

One of the central issues in the study of high-temperature superconducting cuprates which are composed of two-dimensional (2D) CuO2 planes is whether the 2D systems with strong electron correlation behave as a Fermi liquid or a non-Fermi-liquid-like one-dimensional (1D) system with electron correlation. In this article, we start with the detailed examination of the electronic structure in cuprates and study theoretically the spin and charge dynamics in 1D and 2D cuprates. The theoretical background of spin-charge separation in the 1D model systems including the Hubbard and t-J models is presented. The first direct observation of collective modes of spin and charge excitations in a 1D cuprate, which are called spinons and holons respectively, in angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) experiments is reviewed in the light of the theoretical results based on the numerically exact-diagonalization method. The charge and spin dynamics in 1D insulating cuprates is also discussed in connection with the spin-charge separation. The arguments are extended to the 2D cuprates, and the unique aspects of the electronic properties of high-temperature superconductors are discussed. Special emphasis is placed on the d-wave-like excitations in insulating 2D cuprates observed in ARPES experiments. We explain how the excitations are caused by the spin-charge separation. The charge stripes observed in the underdoped cuprates are examined in connection with spin-charge separation in real space.

Development of electron beam ion source for nanoprocess using highly charged ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakurai, Makoto; Nakajima, Fumiharu; Fukumoto, Takunori; Nakamura, Nobuyuki; Ohtani, Shunsuke; Mashiko, Shinro; Sakaue, Hiroyuki

2005-07-01

Highly charged ion is useful to produce nanostructure on various materials, and is key tool to realize single ion implantation technique. On such demands for the application to nanotechnology, we have designed an electron bean ion source. The design stresses on the volume of drift tubes where highly charged ions are confined and the efficiency of ion extraction from the drift tube through collector electrode in order to obtain intense ion beam as much as possible. The ion source uses a discrete superconducting magnet cooled by a closed-cycle refrigerator in order to reduce the running costs and to simplify the operating procedures. The electrodes of electron gun, drift tubes, and collector are enclosed in ultrahigh vacuum tube that is inserted into the bore of the magnet system.

Induced charging of shuttle orbiter by high electron-beam currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liemohn, H. B.

1977-01-01

Emission of high-current electron beams that was proposed for some Spacelab payloads required substantial return currents to the orbiter skin in order to neutralize the beam charge. Since the outer skin of the vehicle was covered with approximately 1200 sq m of thermal insulation which has the dielectric quality of air and an electrical conductivity that was estimated by NASA at 10 to the -9 power to 10 to the -10 power mhos/m, considerable transient charging and local potential differences were anticipated across the insulation. The theory for induced charging of spacecraft due to operation of electron guns was only developed for spherical metal vehicles and constant emission currents, which were not directly applicable to the orbiter situation. Field-aligned collection of electron return current from the ambient ionosphere at orbiter altitudes provides up to approximately 150 mA on the conducting surfaces and approximately 2.4 A on the dielectric thermal insulation. Local ionization of the neutral atmosphere by energetic electron bombardment or electrical breakdown may provide somewhat more return current.

Centimetre-scale electron diffusion in photoactive organic heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burlingame, Quinn; Coburn, Caleb; Che, Xiaozhou; Panda, Anurag; Qu, Yue; Forrest, Stephen R.

2018-02-01

The unique properties of organic semiconductors, such as flexibility and lightness, are increasingly important for information displays, lighting and energy generation. But organics suffer from both static and dynamic disorder, and this can lead to variable-range carrier hopping, which results in notoriously poor electrical properties, with low electron and hole mobilities and correspondingly short charge-diffusion lengths of less than a micrometre. Here we demonstrate a photoactive (light-responsive) organic heterostructure comprising a thin fullerene channel sandwiched between an electron-blocking layer and a blended donor:C70 fullerene heterojunction that generates charges by dissociating excitons. Centimetre-scale diffusion of electrons is observed in the fullerene channel, and this can be fitted with a simple electron diffusion model. Our experiments enable the direct measurement of charge diffusivity in organic semiconductors, which is as high as 0.83 ± 0.07 square centimetres per second in a C60 channel at room temperature. The high diffusivity of the fullerene combined with the extraordinarily long charge-recombination time yields diffusion lengths of more than 3.5 centimetres, orders of magnitude larger than expected for an organic system.

Charge and energy dynamics in photo-excited poly(para-phenylenevinylene) systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gisslén, L.; Johansson, A.˚.; Stafström, S.

2004-07-01

We report results from simulations of charge and energy dynamics in poly(para-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) and PPV interacting with C60. The simulations were performed by solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation and the lattice equation of motion simultaneously and nonadiabatically. The electronic system and the coupling of the electrons to the lattice were described by an extended three-dimensional version of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model, which also included an external electric field. Electron and lattice dynamics following electronic excitations at different energies have been simulated. The effect of additional lattice energy was also included in the simulations. Our results show that both exciton diffusion and transitions from high to lower lying excitations are stimulated by increasing the lattice energy. Also field induced charge separation occurs faster if the lattice energy is increased. This separation process is highly nonadiabatic and involves a significant rearrangement of the electron distribution. In the case of PPV coupled to C60, we observe a spontaneous charge separation. The separation time is in this case limited by the local concentration of C60 molecules close to the PPV chain.

Phase-change memory function of correlated electrons in organic conductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oike, H.; Kagawa, F.; Ogawa, N.; Ueda, A.; Mori, H.; Kawasaki, M.; Tokura, Y.

2015-01-01

Phase-change memory (PCM), a promising candidate for next-generation nonvolatile memories, exploits quenched glassy and thermodynamically stable crystalline states as reversibly switchable state variables. We demonstrate PCM functions emerging from a charge-configuration degree of freedom in strongly correlated electron systems. Nonvolatile reversible switching between a high-resistivity charge-crystalline (or charge-ordered) state and a low-resistivity quenched state, charge glass, is achieved experimentally via heat pulses supplied by optical or electrical means in organic conductors θ -(BEDT-TTF)2X . Switching that is one order of magnitude faster is observed in another isostructural material that requires faster cooling to kinetically avoid charge crystallization, indicating that the material's critical cooling rate can be useful guidelines for pursuing a faster correlated-electron PCM function.

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

Meusel, O., E-mail: o.meusel@iap.uni-frankfurt.de; Droba, M.; Noll, D.

The transport of intense ion beams is affected by the collective behavior of this kind of multi-particle and multi-species system. The space charge expressed by the generalized perveance dominates the dynamical process of thermalisation, which leads to emittance growth. To prevent changes of intrinsic beam properties and to reduce the intensity dependent focusing forces, space charge compensation seems to be an adequate solution. In the case of positively charged ion beams, electrons produced by residual gas ionization and secondary electrons provide the space charge compensation. The influence of the compensation particles on the beam transport and the local degree ofmore » space charge compensation is given by different beam properties as well as the ion beam optics. Especially for highly charged ion beams, space charge compensation in combination with poor vacuum conditions leads to recombination processes and therefore increased beam losses. Strategies for providing a compensation-electron reservoir at very low residual gas pressures will be discussed.« less

Simulation of charge transfer and orbital rehybridization in molecular and condensed matter systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nistor, Razvan A.

The mixing and shifting of electronic orbitals in molecules, or between atoms in bulk systems, is crucially important to the overall structure and physical properties of materials. Understanding and accurately modeling these orbital interactions is of both scientific and industrial relevance. Electronic orbitals can be perturbed in several ways. Doping, adding or removing electrons from systems, can change the bond-order and the physical properties of certain materials. Orbital rehybridization, driven by either thermal or pressure excitation, alters the short-range structure of materials and changes their long-range transport properties. Macroscopically, during bond formation, the shifting of electronic orbitals can be interpreted as a charge transfer phenomenon, as electron density may pile up around, and hence, alter the effective charge of, a given atom in the changing chemical environment. Several levels of theory exist to elucidate the mechanisms behind these orbital interactions. Electronic structure calculations solve the time-independent Schrodinger equation to high chemical accuracy, but are computationally expensive and limited to small system sizes and simulation times. Less fundamental atomistic calculations use simpler parameterized functional expressions called force-fields to model atomic interactions. Atomistic simulations can describe systems and time-scales larger and longer than electronic-structure methods, but at the cost of chemical accuracy. In this thesis, both first-principles and phenomenological methods are addressed in the study of several encompassing problems dealing with charge transfer and orbital rehybridization. Firstly, a new charge-equilibration method is developed that improves upon existing models to allow next-generation force-fields to describe the electrostatics of changing chemical environments. Secondly, electronic structure calculations are used to investigate the doping dependent energy landscapes of several high-temperature superconducting materials in order to parameterize the apparently large nonlinear electron-phonon coupling. Thirdly, ab initio simulations are used to investigate the role of pressure-driven structural re-organization in the crystalline-to-amorphous (or, metallic-to-insulating) transition of a common binary phase-change material composed of Ge and Sb. Practical applications of each topic will be discussed. Keywords. Charge-equilibration methods, molecular dynamics, electronic structure calculations, ab initio simulations, high-temperature superconductors, phase-change materials.

SXTF Instrumentation Definition.

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-05-31

Reference 53. 3.3.2 Multipactor Jectron Sowrces I The multipactor source (Ref 54) has attractive features for application to space - craft charging ...The effect of high 9 energy electrons impinging on the cables can be minimized by shielding them with a sufficient thickness of dielectric . Of the...encountered because of dielectric charging of insulating surfaces, dose and dose rate problems caused by the high energy electron component penetrating

Physical stage of photosynthesis charge separation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yakovlev, A. G.; Shuvalov, V. A.

2016-06-01

An analytical review is given concerning the biophysical aspects of light-driven primary charge separation in photosynthesis reaction centers (RCs) which are special pigment-protein complexes residing in a cell membrane. The primary (physical) stage of charge separation occurs in the pico- and femtosecond ranges and consists of transferring an electron along the active A-branch of pigments. The review presents vast factual material on both the general issues of primary photosynthesis and some more specific topics, including (1) the role of the inactive B-branch of pigments, (2) the effect of the protein environment on the charge separation, and (3) the participation of monomeric bacteriochlorophyll BA in primary electron acceptance. It is shown that the electron transfer and stabilization are strongly influenced by crystallographic water and tyrosine M210 molecules from the nearest environment of BA. A linkage between collective nuclear motions and electron transfer upon charge separation is demonstrated. The nature of the high quantum efficiency of primary charge separation reactions is discussed.

MeV electron acceleration at 1kHz with <10 mJ laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salehi, Fatholah; Goers, Andy; Hine, George; Feder, Linus; Kuk, Donghoon; Kim, Ki-Yong; Milchberg, Howard

2016-10-01

We demonstrate laser driven acceleration of electrons at 1 kHz repetition rate with pC charge above 1MeV per shot using < 10 mJ pulse energies focused on a near-critical density He or H2 gas jet. Using the H2 gas jet, electron acceleration to 0.5 MeV in 10 fC bunches was observed with laser pulse energy as low as 1.3mJ . Using a near-critical density gas jet sets the critical power required for relativistic self-focusing low enough for mJ scale laser pulses to self- focus and drive strong wakefields. Experiments and particle-in-cell simulations show that optimal drive pulse duration and chirp for maximum electron bunch charge and energy depends on the target gas species. High repetition rate, high charge, and short duration electron bunches driven by very modest pulse energies constitutes an ideal portable electron source for applications such as ultrafast electron diffraction experiments and high rep. rate γ-ray production. This work is supported by the US Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

A high-current electron gun for the electron beam ion trap at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory.

PubMed

Schwarz, S; Baumann, T M; Kittimanapun, K; Lapierre, A; Snyder, A

2014-02-01

The Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT) in NSCL's reaccelerator ReA uses continuous ion injection and accumulation. In order to maximize capture efficiency and minimize breeding time into high charge states, the EBIT requires a high-current/high current-density electron beam. A new electron gun insert based on a concave Ba-dispenser cathode has been designed and built to increase the current transmitted through the EBIT's superconducting magnet. With the new insert, stable EBIT operating conditions with 0.8 A of electron beam have been established. The design of the electron gun is presented together with calculated and measured perveance data. In order to assess the experimental compression of the electron beam, a pinhole CCD camera has been set up to measure the electron beam radius. The camera observes X-rays emitted from highly charged ions, excited by the electron beam. Initial tests with this camera setup will be presented. They indicate that a current density of 640 A/cm(2) has been reached when the EBIT magnet was operated at 4 T.

A high-current electron gun for the electron beam ion trap at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory

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

Schwarz, S., E-mail: schwarz@nscl.msu.edu; Baumann, T. M.; Kittimanapun, K.

The Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT) in NSCL’s reaccelerator ReA uses continuous ion injection and accumulation. In order to maximize capture efficiency and minimize breeding time into high charge states, the EBIT requires a high-current/high current-density electron beam. A new electron gun insert based on a concave Ba-dispenser cathode has been designed and built to increase the current transmitted through the EBIT’s superconducting magnet. With the new insert, stable EBIT operating conditions with 0.8 A of electron beam have been established. The design of the electron gun is presented together with calculated and measured perveance data. In order to assessmore » the experimental compression of the electron beam, a pinhole CCD camera has been set up to measure the electron beam radius. The camera observes X-rays emitted from highly charged ions, excited by the electron beam. Initial tests with this camera setup will be presented. They indicate that a current density of 640 A/cm{sup 2} has been reached when the EBIT magnet was operated at 4 T.« less

Generation of annular, high-charge electron beams at the Argonne wakefield accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wisniewski, E. E.; Li, C.; Gai, W.; Power, J.

2012-12-01

We present and discuss the results from the experimental generation of high-charge annular(ring-shaped)electron beams at the Argonne Wakefield Accelerator (AWA). These beams were produced by using laser masks to project annular laser profiles of various inner and outer diameters onto the photocathode of an RF gun. The ring beam is accelerated to 15 MeV, then it is imaged by means of solenoid lenses. Transverse profiles are compared for different solenoid settings. Discussion includes a comparison with Parmela simulations, some applications of high-charge ring beams,and an outline of a planned extension of this study.

Charge Storage, Conductivity and Charge Profiles of Insulators as Related to Spacecraft Charging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dennison, J. R.; Swaminathan, Prasanna; Frederickson, A. R.

2004-01-01

Dissipation of charges built up near the surface of insulators due to space environment interaction is central to understanding spacecraft charging. Conductivity of insulating materials is key to determine how accumulated charge will distribute across the spacecraft and how rapidly charge imbalance will dissipate. To understand these processes requires knowledge of how charge is deposited within the insulator, the mechanisms for charge trapping and charge transport within the insulator, and how the profile of trapped charge affects the transport and emission of charges from insulators. One must consider generation of mobile electrons and holes, their trapping, thermal de-trapping, mobility and recombination. Conductivity is more appropriately measured for spacecraft charging applications as the "decay" of charge deposited on the surface of an insulator, rather than by flow of current across two electrodes around the sample. We have found that conductivity determined from charge storage decay methods is 102 to 104 smaller than values obtained from classical ASTM and IEC methods for a variety of thin film insulating samples. For typical spacecraft charging conditions, classical conductivity predicts decay times on the order of minutes to hours (less than typical orbit periods); however, the higher charge storage conductivities predict decay times on the order of weeks to months leading to accumulation of charge with subsequent orbits. We found experimental evidence that penetration profiles of radiation and light are exceedingly important, and that internal electric fields due to charge profiles and high-field conduction by trapped electrons must be considered for space applications. We have also studied whether the decay constants depend on incident voltage and flux or on internal charge distributions and electric fields; light-activated discharge of surface charge to distinguish among differing charge trapping centers; and radiation-induced conductivity. Our experiments also show that "Malter" electron emission occurs for hours after turning off the electron beam. This Malter emission similar to emission due to negative electron affinity in semiconductors is a result of the prior radiation or optical excitations of valence electrons and their slow drift among traps towards the surface where they are subsequently emitted. This work is supported through funding from the NASA Space Environments and Effects Program.

Design of a 10 GHz, 10 MW Gyrotron.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-11-27

beam, which can be located close to the cavity wall, reducing space charge effects . In addition, high current density beams can be generated (6) with the...calculates electron trajectories within potential boundaries, including the effects of beam space charge , and is fully relativistic. Modeling the... space charge would cause the bottom electrons to have too little perpendicular energy, and vice versa, as illustrated in Figures 11 and 12. The

Generation of neutral and high-density electron-positron pair plasmas in the laboratory.

PubMed

Sarri, G; Poder, K; Cole, J M; Schumaker, W; Di Piazza, A; Reville, B; Dzelzainis, T; Doria, D; Gizzi, L A; Grittani, G; Kar, S; Keitel, C H; Krushelnick, K; Kuschel, S; Mangles, S P D; Najmudin, Z; Shukla, N; Silva, L O; Symes, D; Thomas, A G R; Vargas, M; Vieira, J; Zepf, M

2015-04-23

Electron-positron pair plasmas represent a unique state of matter, whereby there exists an intrinsic and complete symmetry between negatively charged (matter) and positively charged (antimatter) particles. These plasmas play a fundamental role in the dynamics of ultra-massive astrophysical objects and are believed to be associated with the emission of ultra-bright gamma-ray bursts. Despite extensive theoretical modelling, our knowledge of this state of matter is still speculative, owing to the extreme difficulty in recreating neutral matter-antimatter plasmas in the laboratory. Here we show that, by using a compact laser-driven setup, ion-free electron-positron plasmas with unique characteristics can be produced. Their charge neutrality (same amount of matter and antimatter), high-density and small divergence finally open up the possibility of studying electron-positron plasmas in controlled laboratory experiments.

Charging of Interstellar Dust Grains in the out-of-equilibrium Heliosheath Plasma traced by IBEX ENAs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frisch, P. C.; Ogasawara, K.; Livadiotis, G.; Slavin, J. D.; McComas, D. J.; Funsten, H. O.; Schwadron, N.; Heerikhuisen, J.

2017-12-01

Dusty bow waves are common around stars and anticipated around the heliosphere due to the deficit of low-mass interstellar dust grains in the inner heliosphere. Interstellar grains entering the heliosphere must first cross barriers of non-Maxwellian plasma in the heliosheath regions where collisional charging of grains is highly effective. IBEX measures 0.1-6 keV ENAs in the heliosheath plasma, providing an in situ sample of the heliosheath plasma thermodynamics that can be used for grain-charging calculations. Plasma in three-quarters of the sky can be described with a stationary state kappa-distribution, giving predictions for kappa, kappa-distribution temperature, and plasma density [1]. This thermodynamic description allows a more realistic evaluation of the dominant heliosheath electron and ion currents, and hence also grain gyroradii and exclusion from the heliosphere. At the highest temperatures ion collisional currents dominate grain charging; at lower temperatures collisional electron currents are more important together with the photoelectric ejection of electrons. An absence of data on the thermodynamical state of heliosheath electrons has led to the assumption of similar thermodynamic parameters for the electron and ion populations. The balance between electron, proton and photoionization currents on the grains then yield the equilibrium grain charges. Grain gyroradii calculated based on these charging currents differentiate between interstellar grains able to penetrate the heliosphere, versus those that are excluded, and allow predictions of properties of the dusty bow wave likely to be present around the heliosphere. The smallest grains are excluded and grains at the high latitude edges of the described regions tend to have systematically lower grain potentials. Grain charging calculations utilize the modeling of [2]. [1] Livadiotis et al., ApJ 734, 1 (2011). [2] Weingartner Draine, ApJSS 263 (2001)

Highly Efficient Flexible Quantum Dot Solar Cells with Improved Electron Extraction Using MgZnO Nanocrystals.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaoliang; Santra, Pralay Kanti; Tian, Lei; Johansson, Malin B; Rensmo, Håkan; Johansson, Erik M J

2017-08-22

Colloidal quantum dot (CQD) solar cells have high potential for realizing an efficient and lightweight energy supply for flexible or wearable electronic devices. To achieve highly efficient and flexible CQD solar cells, the electron transport layer (ETL), extracting electrons from the CQD solid layer, needs to be processed at a low-temperature and should also suppress interfacial recombination. Herein, a highly stable MgZnO nanocrystal (MZO-NC) layer is reported for efficient flexible PbS CQD solar cells. Solar cells fabricated with MZO-NC ETL give a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.4% and 9.4%, on glass and flexible plastic substrates, respectively. The reported flexible CQD solar cell has the record efficiency to date of flexible CQD solar cells. Detailed theoretical simulations and extensive characterizations reveal that the MZO-NCs significantly enhance charge extraction from CQD solids and diminish the charge accumulation at the ETL/CQD interface, suppressing charge interfacial recombination. These important results suggest that the low-temperature processed MZO-NCs are very promising for use in efficient flexible solar cells or other flexible optoelectronic devices.

Size and Temperature Dependence of Electron Transfer between CdSe Quantum Dots and a TiO 2 Nanobelt

DOE PAGES

Tafen, De Nyago; Prezhdo, Oleg V.

2015-02-24

Understanding charge transfer reactions between quantum dots (QD) and metal oxides is fundamental for improving photocatalytic, photovoltaic and electronic devices. The complexity of these processes makes it difficult to find an optimum QD size with rapid charge injection and low recombination. We combine time-domain density functional theory with nonadiabatic molecular dynamics to investigate the size and temperature dependence of the experimentally studied electron transfer and charge recombination at CdSe QD-TiO 2 nanobelt (NB) interfaces. The electron injection rate shows strong dependence on the QD size, increasing for small QDs. The rate exhibits Arrhenius temperature dependence, with the activation energy ofmore » the order of millielectronvolts. The charge recombination process occurs due to coupling of the electronic subsystem to vibrational modes of the TiO 2 NB. Inelastic electron-phonon scattering happens on a picosecond time scale, with strong dependence on the QD size. Our simulations demonstrate that the electron-hole recombination rate decreases significantly as the QD size increases, in excellent agreement with experiments. The temperature dependence of the charge recombination rates can be successfully modeled within the framework of the Marcus theory through optimization of the electronic coupling and the reorganization energy. Our simulations indicate that by varying the QD size, one can modulate the photoinduced charge separation and charge recombination, fundamental aspects of the design principles for high efficiency devices.« less

Single ion induced surface nanostructures: a comparison between slow highly charged and swift heavy ions.

PubMed

Aumayr, Friedrich; Facsko, Stefan; El-Said, Ayman S; Trautmann, Christina; Schleberger, Marika

2011-10-05

This topical review focuses on recent advances in the understanding of the formation of surface nanostructures, an intriguing phenomenon in ion-surface interaction due to the impact of individual ions. In many solid targets, swift heavy ions produce narrow cylindrical tracks accompanied by the formation of a surface nanostructure. More recently, a similar nanometric surface effect has been revealed for the impact of individual, very slow but highly charged ions. While swift ions transfer their large kinetic energy to the target via ionization and electronic excitation processes (electronic stopping), slow highly charged ions produce surface structures due to potential energy deposited at the top surface layers. Despite the differences in primary excitation, the similarity between the nanostructures is striking and strongly points to a common mechanism related to the energy transfer from the electronic to the lattice system of the target. A comparison of surface structures induced by swift heavy ions and slow highly charged ions provides a valuable insight to better understand the formation mechanisms. © 2011 IOP Publishing Ltd

RF Photoelectric injectors using needle cathodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewellen, J. W.; Brau, C. A.

2003-07-01

Photocathode RF guns, in various configurations, are the injectors of choice for both current and future applications requiring high-brightness electron beams. Many of these applications, such as single-pass free-electron lasers, require beams with high brilliance but not necessarily high charge per bunch. Field-enhanced photoelectric emission has demonstrated electron-beam current density as high as 10 10 A/m 2, with a quantum efficiency in the UV that approaches 10% at fields on the order of 10 10 V/m. Thus, the use of even a blunt needle holds promise for increasing cathode quantum efficiency without sacrificing robustness. We present an initial study on the use of needle cathodes in photoinjectors to enhance beam brightness while reducing beam charge. Benefits include lower drive-laser power requirements, easier multibunch operation, lower emittance, and lower beam degradation due to charge-dependent effects in the postinjector accelerator. These benefits result from a combination of a smaller cathode emission area, greatly enhanced RF field strength at the cathode, and the charge scaling of detrimental postinjector linac effects, e.g., transverse wakefields and CSR.

Electron collection enhancement arising from neutral gas jets on a charged vehicle in the ionosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gilchrist, Brian E.; Banks, Peter M.; Neubert, Torsten; Williamson, P. Roger; Myers, Neil B.

1990-01-01

Observations of current collection enhancements due to cold nitrogen gas control jet emissions from a highly charged, isolated rocket payload in the ionosphere have been made during the cooperative high altitude rocket gun experiment (CHARGE) 2 using an electrically tethered mother/daughter payload system. The current collection enhancement was observed on a platform (daughter payload) located 100 to 400 m away from the main payload firing an energetic electron beam (mother payload). These results are interpreted in terms of an electrical discharge forming in close proximity to the daughter vehicle during the short periods of gas emission. The results indicate that it is possible to enhance the electron current collection capability of positively charged vehicles by means of deliberate neutral gas releases into an otherwise undisturbed space plasma. The results are also compared with recent laboratory observations of hollow cathode plasma contactors operating in the 'ignited' mode.

Upgrade of the TITAN EBIT High Voltage Operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foster, Matt; Titan Collaboration

2016-09-01

TRIUMF's Ion Trap for Atomic and Nuclear science (TITAN) is a setup dedicated to highly precise mass measurements of short-lived isotopes down to 10ms. TITAN's Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT) is a charge breeder integrated into the setup to perform in-trap decay spectroscopy of highly charged ions and increase the precision of mass measurements. In its previous configuration TITAN's EBIT could not fulfil its maximum design specification due to high voltage safety restrictions, limiting its obtainable charge states. A recently completed upgrade of the high voltage operation that will allow the EBIT to fulfil its design specification and achieve higher charge states for heavier species is undergoing preliminary tests with stable beam. Simulations were performed to optimise the injection and extraction efficiency at high voltage and initial tests have involved using a Ge detector to identify x-rays produced by charge breeding stable ions. Future work comprises exploring electron capture rates of Ne-, He- and H-like charge states of 64Cu and higher masses, which were not previously accessible. The function of the EBIT within the TITAN setup, the work carried out on the upgrade thus far and its scope for future work will be presented.

Measurements of Charging of Apollo 17 Lunar Dust Grains by Electron Impact

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, Mian M.; Tankosic, Dragana; Spann, James F.; Dube, Michael J.

2008-01-01

It is well known since the Apollo missions that the lunar surface is covered with a thick layer of micron size dust grains with unusually high adhesive characteristics. The dust grains observed to be levitated and transported on the lunar surface are believed to have a hazardous impact on the robotic and human missions to the Moon. The observed dust phenomena are attributed to the lunar dust being charged positively during the day by UV photoelectric emissions, and negatively during the night by the solar wind electrons. The current dust charging and the levitation models, however, do not fully explain the observed phenomena, with the uncertainty of dust charging processes and the equilibrium potentials of the individual dust grains. It is well recognized that the charging properties of individual dust grains are substantially different from those determined from measurements made on bulk materials that are currently available. An experimental facility has been developed in the Dusty Plasma Laboratory at MSFC for investigating the charging and optical properties of individual micron/sub-micron size positively or negatively charged dust grains by levitating them in an electrodynamic balance in simulated space environments. In this paper, we present the laboratory measurements on charging of Apollo 17 individual lunar dust grains by a low energy electron beam. The charging rates and the equilibrium potentials produced by direct electron impact and by secondary electron emission process are discussed.

SEPAC data analysis in support of the environmental interaction program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Chin S.

1990-01-01

Injections of nonrelativistic electron beams from an isolated equipotential conductor into a uniform background of plasma and neutral gas were simulated using a two dimensional electrostatic particle code. The ionization effects of spacecraft charging are examined by including interactions of electrons with neutral gas. The simulations show that the conductor charging potential decreases with increasing neutral background density due to the production of secondary electrons near the conductor surface. In the spacecraft wake, the background electrons accelerated towards the charged space craft produced an enhancement of secondary electrons and ions. Simulations run for longer times indicate that the spacecraft potential is further reduced and short wavelength beam-plasma oscillations appear. The results are applied to explain the space craft charging potential measured during the SEPAC experiments from Spacelab 1. A second paper is presented in which a two dimensional electrostatic particle code was used to study the beam radial expansion of a nonrelativistic electron beam injected from an isolated equipotential conductor into a background plasma. The simulations indicate that the beam radius is generally proportional to the beam electron gyroradius when the conductor is charged to a large potential. The simulations also suggest that the charge buildup at the beam stagnation point causes the beam radial expansion. From a survey of the simulation results, it is found that the ratio of the beam radius to the beam electron gyroradius increases with the square root of beam density and decreases inversely with beam injection velocity. This dependence is explained in terms of the ratio of the beam electron Debye length to the ambient electron Debye length. These results are most applicable to the SEPAC electron beam injection experiments from Spacelab 1, where high charging potential was observed.

MAIMIK: A high current electron beam experiment on a sounding rocket from Andoya rocket range (Norway)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maehlum, B. N.; Denig, W. F.; Egeland, A. A.; Friedrich, M.; Hansen, T.; Holmgren, G. K.; Maaseide, K.; Maynard, N. C.; Narheim, B. T.; Svenes, K.

1987-08-01

Two payloads (mother-daughter) connected by a tether were launched by sounding rocket to study the interactions between the electron beam and the environment for various boundary conditions and to study the physical processes associated with the neutralization of electrically charged vehicles in an ionospheric plasma. The daughter payload carried an accelerator which emitted pulses of electrons of 8 keV energies. The rocket instruments and results related to vehicle charging and neutralization are summarized. Results indicate extremely high charging of the daughter (several kV) for beam current greater than or = 80 mA. The reason may be the low plasma density (10 billion/cu m) in the F region during the experiment.

Determination of the charge radii of several light nuclei from precision, high-energy electron elastic scattering

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

Kabir, Al Amin

2015-12-01

Analysis of high-energy electron scattering has been used to determine the charge radii of nuclei for several decades. Recent analysis of the Lamb shift in muonic hydrogen found an r.m.s. radius significantly different than the electron scattering result. To understand this puzzle we have analyzed the "LEDEX" data for the (e, e'p) reaction. This experiment includes measurements on several light nuclei, hydrogen, deuterium, lithium, boron, and carbon. To test our ability to measure absolute cross sections, as well as our ability to extract the charge radius, we tested our technique against the extremely well-measured carbon case and found excellent agreementmore » using the Fourier-Bessel parametrization. We then extended the procedure to boron and lithium, which show nice agreement with the latest theoretical calculations. For hydrogen, we see clearly the limits of this technique and therefore, the charge radius is determined from the traditional extrapolation to q 2 = 0. We will show that there is a model dependence in extracting the charge radius of hydrogen and its unambiguous determination is very difficult with available electron-scattering measurements.« less

Influence of the electron-cation interaction on electron mobility in dye-sensitized ZnO and TiO2 nanocrystals: a study using ultrafast terahertz spectroscopy.

PubMed

Nemec, H; Rochford, J; Taratula, O; Galoppini, E; Kuzel, P; Polívka, T; Yartsev, A; Sundström, V

2010-05-14

Charge transport and recombination in nanostructured semiconductors are poorly understood key processes in dye-sensitized solar cells. We have employed time-resolved spectroscopies in the terahertz and visible spectral regions supplemented with Monte Carlo simulations to obtain unique information on these processes. Our results show that charge transport in the active solar cell material can be very different from that in nonsensitized semiconductors, due to strong electrostatic interaction between injected electrons and dye cations at the surface of the semiconductor nanoparticle. For ZnO, this leads to formation of an electron-cation complex which causes fast charge recombination and dramatically decreases the electron mobility even after the dissociation of the complex. Sensitized TiO2 does not suffer from this problem due to its high permittivity efficiently screening the charges.

Production of highly charged ion beams Kr32+, Xe44+, Au54+ with Electron String Ion Source (ESIS) Krion-2 and corresponding basic and applied studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Donets, D. E.; Donets, E. D.; Donets, E. E.; Salnikov, V. V.; Shutov, V. B.

2010-09-01

Electron String Ion Source (ESIS) Krion-2 (JINR, Dubna) was used for basic and applied research in various aspects of multiply charged heavy ions production. Energy recuperation mode in ESIS has been proofed first and used for production of highly charged ions 84Kr28+÷84Kr32+, 124Xe40÷124Xe44 and Au51+÷ Au54+. Krion-2 ESIS was mounted on high voltage (HV) platform of LU-20 Linac and used as an injector of highly charged ions during Nuclotron run N° 41. Krion-2 ESIS has produced 3.0.107 124Xe42+ ions per pulse of 7 μs duration. This ion beam was injected into LU-20 and Nuclotron, accelerated up to energy of 186 GeV and the extracted Xe beam was used for physics experiments. Electron String Ion Source Krion-2 demonstrated the high reliability and stability running during 30 days on HV platform. We believe that it is due to an extremely low electron beam power, provided by using the electron string mode of operation: 50 W pulse power and about 10 W average power. Other possible application of ESIS could be its use in injection complexes of synchrotrons and cyclotrons for cancer therapy. Slow and fast extraction of C4+ and C6+ beams from Krion-2 ESIS were preliminary studied towards ESIS optimization for medical accelerators requirements.

Slow test charge response in a dusty plasma with Kappa distributed electrons and ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, S.; Eliasson, B.

2017-08-01

The electrostatic potential around a slowly moving test charge is studied in a dusty plasma where the ions and electrons follow a powerlaw Kappa distribution in velocity space. A test charge moving with a speed much smaller than the dust thermal speed gives rise to a short-scale Debye-Hückel potential as well as a long-range far-field potential decreasing as inverse cube of the distance to the test charge along the propagation direction. The potentials are significantly modified in the presence of high-energy tails, modeled by lower spectral indices in the ion and electron Kappa distribution functions. Plasma parameters relevant to laboratory dusty plasmas are discussed.

Interfacial Charge Transfer States in Condensed Phase Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vandewal, Koen

2016-05-01

Intermolecular charge transfer (CT) states at the interface between electron-donating (D) and electron-accepting (A) materials in organic thin films are characterized by absorption and emission bands within the optical gap of the interfacing materials. CT states efficiently generate charge carriers for some D-A combinations, and others show high fluorescence quantum efficiencies. These properties are exploited in organic solar cells, photodetectors, and light-emitting diodes. This review summarizes experimental and theoretical work on the electronic structure and interfacial energy landscape at condensed matter D-A interfaces. Recent findings on photogeneration and recombination of free charge carriers via CT states are discussed, and relations between CT state properties and optoelectronic device parameters are clarified.

Laboratory Studies of Charging Properties of Dust Grains in Astrophysical/Planetary Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tankosic, D.; Abbas, M. M.

2012-01-01

Dust grains in various astrophysical environments are generally charged electrostatically by photoelectric emissions with UV/X-ray radiation, as well as by electron/ion impact. Knowledge of physical and optical properties of individual dust grains is required for understanding of the physical and dynamical processes in space environments and the role of dust in formation of stellar and planetary systems. In this paper we focus on charging of individual micron/submicron dust grains by processes that include: (a) UV photoelectric emissions involving incident photon energies higher than the work function of the material and b) electron impact, where low energy electrons are scattered or stick to the dust grains, thereby charging the dust grains negatively, and at sufficiently high energies the incident electrons penetrate the grain leading to excitation and emission of electrons referred to as secondary electron emission (SEE). It is well accepted that the charging properties of individual micron/submicron size dust grains are expected to be substantially different from the bulk materials. However, no viable models for calculation of the charging properties of individual micron size dust grains are available at the present time. Therefore, the photoelectric yields, and secondary electron emission yields of micron-size dust grains have to be obtained by experimental methods. Currently, very limited experimental data are available for charging of individual micron-size dust grains. Our experimental results, obtained on individual, micron-size dust grains levitated in an electrodynamic balance facility (at NASA-MSFC), show that: (1) The measured photoelectric yields are substantially higher than the bulk values given in the literature and indicate a particle size dependence with larger particles having order-of-magnitude higher values than for submicron-size grains; (2) dust charging by low energy electron impact is a complex process. Also, our measurements indicate that the electron impact may lead to charging or discharging of dust grains depending upon the grain size, surface potential, electron energy, electron flux, grain composition, and configuration (e.g. Abbas et al, 2010). Laboratory measurements on charging of analogs of the interstellar dust as well as Apollo 11 dust grains conducted at the NASA-MSFC Dusty Plasma Lab. are presented here

Magnetic field induced strong valley polarization in the three-dimensional topological semimetal LaBi

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Nitesh; Shekhar, Chandra; Klotz, J.; Wosnitza, J.; Felser, Claudia

2017-10-01

LaBi is a three-dimensional rocksalt-type material with a surprisingly quasi-two-dimensional electronic structure. It exhibits excellent electronic properties such as the existence of nontrivial Dirac cones, extremely large magnetoresistance, and high charge-carrier mobility. The cigar-shaped electron valleys make the charge transport highly anisotropic when the magnetic field is varied from one crystallographic axis to another. We show that the electrons can be polarized effectively in these electron valleys under a rotating magnetic field. We achieved a polarization of 60% at 2 K despite the coexistence of three-dimensional hole pockets. The valley polarization in LaBi is compared to the sister compound LaSb where it is found to be smaller. The performance of LaBi is comparable to the highly efficient bismuth.

A simulation study of radial expansion of an electron beam injected into an ionospheric plasma

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koga, J.; Lin, C. S.

1994-01-01

Injections of nonrelativistic electron beams from a finite equipotential conductor into an ionospheric plasma have been simulated using a two-dimensional electrostatic particle code. The purpose of the study is to survey the simulation parameters for understanding the dependence of beam radius on physical variables. The conductor is charged to a high potential when the background plasma density is less than the beam density. Beam electrons attracted by the charged conductor are decelerated to zero velocity near the stagnation point, which is at a few Debye lengths from the conductor. The simulations suggest that the beam electrons at the stagnation point receive a large transverse kick and the beam expands radially thereafter. The buildup of beam electrons at the stagnation point produces a large electrostatic force responsible for the transverse kick. However, for the weak charging cases where the background plasma density is larger than the beam density, the radial expansion mechanism is different; the beam plasma instability is found to be responsible for the radial expansion. The simulations show that the electron beam radius for high spacecraft charging cases is of the order of the beam gyroradius, defined as the beam velocity divided by the gyrofrequency. In the weak charging cases, the beam radius is only a fraction of the beam gyroradius. The parameter survey indicates that the beam radius increases with beam density and decreases with magnetic field and beam velocity. The beam radius normalized by the beam gyroradius is found to scale according to the ratio of the beam electron Debye length to the ambient electron Debye length. The parameter dependence deduced would be useful for interpreting the beam radius and beam density of electron beam injection experiments conducted from rockets and the space shuttle.

Simulation and Modeling of charge particles transport using SIMION for our Time of Flight Positron Annihilation Induce Auger Electron Spectroscopy systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joglekar, Prasad; Shastry, K.; Satyal, Suman; Weiss, Alexander

2012-02-01

Time of flight Positron Annihilation Induced Auger Electron Spectroscopy system, a highly surface selective analytical technique using time of flight of auger electron resulting from the annihilation of core electrons by trapped incident positron in image potential well. We simulated and modeled the trajectories of the charge particles in TOF-PAES using SIMION for the development of new high resolution system at U T Arlington and current TOFPAES system. This poster presents the SIMION simulations results, Time of flight calculations and larmor radius calculations for current system as well as new system.

21 CFR 892.5050 - Medical charged-particle radiation therapy system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Medical charged-particle radiation therapy system...-particle radiation therapy system. (a) Identification. A medical charged-particle radiation therapy system is a device that produces by acceleration high energy charged particles (e.g., electrons and protons...

21 CFR 892.5050 - Medical charged-particle radiation therapy system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Medical charged-particle radiation therapy system...-particle radiation therapy system. (a) Identification. A medical charged-particle radiation therapy system is a device that produces by acceleration high energy charged particles (e.g., electrons and protons...

21 CFR 892.5050 - Medical charged-particle radiation therapy system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Medical charged-particle radiation therapy system...-particle radiation therapy system. (a) Identification. A medical charged-particle radiation therapy system is a device that produces by acceleration high energy charged particles (e.g., electrons and protons...

Analysis of a high brightness photo electron beam with self field and wake field effects

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

Parsa, Z.

High brightness sources are the basic ingredients in the new accelerator developments such as Free-Electron Laser experiments. The effects of the interactions between the highly charged particles and the fields in the accelerating structure, e.g. R.F., Space charge and Wake fields can be detrimental to the beam and the experiments. We present and discuss the formulation used, some simulation and results for the Brookhaven National Laboratory high brightness beam that illustrates effects of the accelerating field, space charge forces (e.g. due to self field of the bunch), and the wake field (e.g. arising from the interaction of the cavity surfacemore » and the self field of the bunch).« less

Interaction of an ion bunch with a plasma slab

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

Krasovitskiy, V. B., E-mail: krasovit@mail.ru; Turikov, V. A.

2016-11-15

Charge neutralization of a short ion bunch passing through a plasma slab is studied by means of numerical simulation. It is shown that a fraction of plasma electrons are trapped by the bunch under the action of the collective charge separation field. The accelerated electrons generated in this process excite beam−plasma instability, thereby violating the trapping conditions. The process of electron trapping is also strongly affected by the high-frequency electric field caused by plasma oscillations at the slab boundaries. It is examined how the degree of charge neutralization depends on the parameters of the bunch and plasma slab.

Terahertz-driven linear electron acceleration

PubMed Central

Nanni, Emilio A.; Huang, Wenqian R.; Hong, Kyung-Han; Ravi, Koustuban; Fallahi, Arya; Moriena, Gustavo; Dwayne Miller, R. J.; Kärtner, Franz X.

2015-01-01

The cost, size and availability of electron accelerators are dominated by the achievable accelerating gradient. Conventional high-brightness radio-frequency accelerating structures operate with 30–50 MeV m−1 gradients. Electron accelerators driven with optical or infrared sources have demonstrated accelerating gradients orders of magnitude above that achievable with conventional radio-frequency structures. However, laser-driven wakefield accelerators require intense femtosecond sources and direct laser-driven accelerators suffer from low bunch charge, sub-micron tolerances and sub-femtosecond timing requirements due to the short wavelength of operation. Here we demonstrate linear acceleration of electrons with keV energy gain using optically generated terahertz pulses. Terahertz-driven accelerating structures enable high-gradient electron/proton accelerators with simple accelerating structures, high repetition rates and significant charge per bunch. These ultra-compact terahertz accelerators with extremely short electron bunches hold great potential to have a transformative impact for free electron lasers, linear colliders, ultrafast electron diffraction, X-ray science and medical therapy with X-rays and electron beams. PMID:26439410

Terahertz-driven linear electron acceleration

DOE PAGES

Nanni, Emilio A.; Huang, Wenqian R.; Hong, Kyung-Han; ...

2015-10-06

The cost, size and availability of electron accelerators are dominated by the achievable accelerating gradient. Conventional high-brightness radio-frequency accelerating structures operate with 30–50 MeVm -1 gradients. Electron accelerators driven with optical or infrared sources have demonstrated accelerating gradients orders of magnitude above that achievable with conventional radio-frequency structures. However, laser-driven wakefield accelerators require intense femtosecond sources and direct laser-driven accelerators suffer from low bunch charge, sub-micron tolerances and sub-femtosecond timing requirements due to the short wavelength of operation. Here we demonstrate linear acceleration of electrons with keV energy gain using optically generated terahertz pulses. Terahertz-driven accelerating structures enable high-gradient electron/protonmore » accelerators with simple accelerating structures, high repetition rates and significant charge per bunch. As a result, these ultra-compact terahertz accelerators with extremely short electron bunches hold great potential to have a transformative impact for free electron lasers, linear colliders, ultrafast electron diffraction, X-ray science and medical therapy with X-rays and electron beams.« less

One-dimension modeling on the parallel-plate ion extraction process based on a non-electron-equilibrium fluid model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, He-Ping; Chen, Jian; Guo, Heng; Jiang, Dong-Jun; Zhou, Ming-Sheng; Department of Engineering Physics Team

2017-10-01

Ion extraction from a plasma under an externally applied electric field involve multi-particle and multi-field interactions, and has wide applications in the fields of materials processing, etching, chemical analysis, etc. In order to develop the high-efficiency ion extraction methods, it is indispensable to establish a feasible model to understand the non-equilibrium transportation processes of the charged particles and the evolutions of the space charge sheath during the extraction process. Most of the previous studies on the ion extraction process are mainly based on the electron-equilibrium fluid model, which assumed that the electrons are in the thermodynamic equilibrium state. However, it may lead to some confusions with neglecting the electron movement during the sheath formation process. In this study, a non-electron-equilibrium model is established to describe the transportation of the charged particles in a parallel-plate ion extraction process. The numerical results show that the formation of the Child-Langmuir sheath is mainly caused by the charge separation. And thus, the sheath shielding effect will be significantly weakened if the charge separation is suppressed during the extraction process of the charged particles.

Transmutation prospect of long-lived nuclear waste induced by high-charge electron beam from laser plasma accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, X. L.; Xu, Z. Y.; Luo, W.; Lu, H. Y.; Zhu, Z. C.; Yan, X. Q.

2017-09-01

Photo-transmutation of long-lived nuclear waste induced by a high-charge relativistic electron beam (e-beam) from a laser plasma accelerator is demonstrated. A collimated relativistic e-beam with a high charge of approximately 100 nC is produced from high-intensity laser interaction with near-critical-density (NCD) plasma. Such e-beam impinges on a high-Z convertor and then radiates energetic bremsstrahlung photons with flux approaching 1011 per laser shot. Taking a long-lived radionuclide 126Sn as an example, the resulting transmutation reaction yield is the order of 109 per laser shot, which is two orders of magnitude higher than obtained from previous studies. It is found that at lower densities, a tightly focused laser irradiating relatively longer NCD plasmas can effectively enhance the transmutation efficiency. Furthermore, the photo-transmutation is generalized by considering mixed-nuclide waste samples, which suggests that the laser-accelerated high-charge e-beam could be an efficient tool to transmute long-lived nuclear waste.

Bipolar molecular composites: a new class of high-electron-mobility organic solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Liang-Bih; Jenekhe, Samson A.; Borsenberger, Paul M.

1997-10-01

We describe high electron mobility in organic solids in the form of bipolar molecular composites of N,N'-bis(1,2-dimethylpropyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide (NTDI) and tri-p-tolylaniine (TTA). The electron mobility in the NTDI/TTA composites is ~2 x 10 cm2/Vs, which is a factor of 4 to 6 higher than in pure NTDI and isone of the highest values reported for disordered organic solids. The field and temperature dependencies of the charge mobility can be described using the disorder formalism due to Bassler and co-workers, which provides an estimation of the energy width σ of the hopping site manifold. Analysis of the data gave σ=0.081 and 0.060 eV for the electron and hole mobilities in a NTDI/TTA composite of 0.5510.45 molar ratio. The energetic disorder for electron transport in the bipolar composites is substantially lower than for pure NTDI, which is 0.093 eV. The results suggest that the observed enhancement arises from a substantial reduction of energetic disorder in the electron transport manifold of the bipolar composites. The reduction of energetic disorder may be due to intermolecular charge transfer between NTDI and TTA. Such a charge transfer could stabilize the electron transport manifold by better charge delocalization, and consequently, less energetic disorder. Another possible reason for the observed enhanced electron mobility is the reduction of NTDI dimers that can act as carrier traps by the presence of TTA molecules in the bipolar composites. These results also suggest that bipolar composites represent a promising new class of high electron mobility organic solids.

In situ Charge Density Imaging of Metamaterials made with Switchable Two dimensionalElectron Gas at Oxide Heterointerfaces

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-11-28

AFRL-AFOSR-JP-TR-2018-0028 In-situ Charge-Density Imaging of Metamaterials from Switchable 2D electron gas CHANG BEOM EOM UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN...Imaging of Metamaterials made with Switchable Two-dimensional Electron Gas at Oxide Heterointerfaces 5a.  CONTRACT NUMBER 5b.  GRANT NUMBER FA2386-16-1...using pulsed laser deposition atomic with in-situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED). We have also demonstrated that the inline

Aggregation control in natural brush-printed conjugated polymer films and implications for enhancing charge transport

PubMed Central

Wang, Gang; Huang, Wei; Eastham, Nicholas D.; Fabiano, Simone; Manley, Eric F.; Zeng, Li; Wang, Binghao; Zhang, Xinan; Chen, Zhihua; Li, Ran; Chang, Robert P. H.; Chen, Lin X.; Bedzyk, Michael J.; Melkonyan, Ferdinand S.; Facchetti, Antonio; Marks, Tobin J.

2017-01-01

Shear-printing is a promising processing technique in organic electronics for microstructure/charge transport modification and large-area film fabrication. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which shear-printing can enhance charge transport is not well-understood. In this study, a printing method using natural brushes is adopted as an informative tool to realize direct aggregation control of conjugated polymers and to investigate the interplay between printing parameters, macromolecule backbone alignment and aggregation, and charge transport anisotropy in a conjugated polymer series differing in architecture and electronic structure. This series includes (i) semicrystalline hole-transporting P3HT, (ii) semicrystalline electron-transporting N2200, (iii) low-crystallinity hole-transporting PBDTT-FTTE, and (iv) low-crystallinity conducting PEDOT:PSS. The (semi-)conducting films are characterized by a battery of morphology and microstructure analysis techniques and by charge transport measurements. We report that remarkably enhanced mobilities/conductivities, as high as 5.7×/3.9×, are achieved by controlled growth of nanofibril aggregates and by backbone alignment, with the adjusted R2 (R2adj) correlation between aggregation and charge transport as high as 95%. However, while shear-induced aggregation is important for enhancing charge transport, backbone alignment alone does not guarantee charge transport anisotropy. The correlations between efficient charge transport and aggregation are clearly shown, while mobility and degree of orientation are not always well-correlated. These observations provide insights into macroscopic charge transport mechanisms in conjugated polymers and suggest guidelines for optimization. PMID:29109282

Effects of neutral gas release on current collection during the CHARGE-2 rocket experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gilchrist, B. E.; Banks, P. M.; Neubert, T.; Williamson, P. R.; Myers, Neil B.; Raitt, W. John; Sasaki, S.

1990-01-01

Observations of current collection enhancements due to cold nitrogen gas control jet emissions from a highly charged rocket payload in the ionosphere are reported. These observations were made during the second cooperative high altitude rocket gun experiment (CHARGE-2) which was an electrically tethered mother/daughter payload system. The current collection enhancement was observed at the daughter payload located 100 to 400 m away from the mother which was firing an energetic electron beam. The authors interpret these results in terms of an electrical discharge forming in close proximity to the daughter during the short periods of gas emission. The results indicate that it is possible to enhance the electron current collection capability of positively charged vehicles by means of deliberate neutral gas releases into an otherwise undisturbed space plasma. These results can also be compared with recent laboratory observations of hollow cathode plasma contactors operating in the ignited mode. Experimental observations of current collection enhancements due to cold nitrogen gas control jet emissions from a highly charged, isolated daughter payload in the nighttime ionosphere were made. These observations were derived from the second cooperative high altitude rocket gun experiment (CHARGE-2) which was an electrically tethered mother-daughter payload system. The rocket flew from White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in December, 1985. The rocket achieved an altitude of 261 km and carried a 1 keV electron beam emitting up to 48 mA of current (Myers, et al., 1989a). The mother payload, carried the electron beam source, while the daughter acted as a remote current collection and observation platform and reached a distance of 426 m away from the main payload. Gas emissions at the daughter were due to periodic thruster jet firings to maintain separation velocity between the two payloads.

Nonmonotonic magnetoresistance of a two-dimensional viscous electron-hole fluid in a confined geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alekseev, P. S.; Dmitriev, A. P.; Gornyi, I. V.; Kachorovskii, V. Yu.; Narozhny, B. N.; Titov, M.

2018-02-01

Ultrapure conductors may exhibit hydrodynamic transport where the collective motion of charge carriers resembles the flow of a viscous fluid. In a confined geometry (e.g., in ultra-high-quality nanostructures), the electronic fluid assumes a Poiseuille-type flow. Applying an external magnetic field tends to diminish viscous effects leading to large negative magnetoresistance. In two-component systems near charge neutrality, the hydrodynamic flow of charge carriers is strongly affected by the mutual friction between the two constituents. At low fields, the magnetoresistance is negative, however, at high fields the interplay between electron-hole scattering, recombination, and viscosity results in a dramatic change of the flow profile: the magnetoresistance changes its sign and eventually becomes linear in very high fields. This nonmonotonic magnetoresistance can be used as a fingerprint to detect viscous flow in two-component conducting systems.

CHARGE-2 rocket observations of vehicle charging and charge neutralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banks, P. M.; Gilchrist, B. E.; Neubert, T.; Myers, N.; Raitt, W. J.; Williamson, P. R.; Fraser-Smith, A. C.; Sasaki, S.

Observations of electrical charging and other phenomena have been made in the ionosphere with the CHARGE-2 tethered rocket system. In this experiment, two electrically connected payloads with a variety of plasma instruments measured effects associated with operation of a 1 keV, 40 mA electron gun and a 450-volt dc power supply. During electron beam operations, it was found that both mother and daughter payloads reached high positive potentials as a consequence of the restricted electron current collecting area of the payloads. During neutral gas thruster firings, the payload potentials were dramatically reduced, indicating that electrical discharges could effectively ground each payload to plasma potential. Other thruster-related effects were also seen, including substantial reductions of return current-associated electrical noise at HF and VLF and large increases in 3914 A light in the plasma sheath.

Charge management for gravitational-wave observatories using UV LEDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pollack, S. E.; Turner, M. D.; Schlamminger, S.; Hagedorn, C. A.; Gundlach, J. H.

2010-01-01

Accumulation of electrical charge on the end mirrors of gravitational-wave observatories can become a source of noise limiting the sensitivity of such detectors through electronic couplings to nearby surfaces. Torsion balances provide an ideal means for testing gravitational-wave technologies due to their high sensitivity to small forces. Our torsion pendulum apparatus consists of a movable plate brought near a plate pendulum suspended from a nonconducting quartz fiber. A UV LED located near the pendulum photoejects electrons from the surface, and a UV LED driven electron gun directs photoelectrons towards the pendulum surface. We have demonstrated both charging and discharging of the pendulum with equivalent charging rates of ˜105e/s, as well as spectral measurements of the pendulum charge resulting in a white noise level equivalent to 3×105e/Hz.

Three-dimensional relativistic field-electron interaction in a multicavity high-power klystron. 1: Basic theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kosmahl, H. G.

1982-01-01

A theoretical investigation of three dimensional relativistic klystron action is described. The relativistic axisymmetric equations of motion are derived from the time-dependent Lagrangian function for a charged particle in electromagnetic fields. An analytical expression of the fringing RF electric and magnetic fields within and in the vicinity of the interaction gap and the space-charge forces between axially and radially elastic deformable rings of charges are both included in the formulation. This makes an accurate computation of electron motion through the tunnel of the cavities and the drift tube spaces possible. Method of analysis is based on Lagrangian formulation. Bunching is computed using a disk model of electron stream in which the electron stream is divided into axisymmetric disks of equal charge and each disk is assumed to consist of a number of concentric rings of equal charges. The Individual representative groups of electrons are followed through the interaction gaps and drift tube spaces. Induced currents and voltages in interacting cavities are calculated by invoking the Shockley-Ramo theorem.

Recent charge-breeding developments with EBIS/T devices (invited).

PubMed

Schwarz, S; Lapierre, A

2016-02-01

Short breeding times, narrow charge state distributions, low background, high efficiency, and the flexible time structure of the ejected low-emittance ion pulses are among the most attractive features of electron beam ion source or trap (EBIS/T) based charge breeders. Significant progress has been made to further improve these properties: Several groups are working to increase current densities towards 10(3) or even 10(4) A/cm(2). These current densities will become necessary to deliver high charge states of heavy nuclei in a short time and/or provide sufficient space-charge capacity to handle high-current ion beams in next-generation rare-isotope beam (RIB) facilities. Efficient capture of continuous beams, attractive because of its potential of handling highest-current ion beams, has become possible with the development of high-density electron beams of >1 A. Requests for the time structure of the charge bred ion pulse range from ultra-short pulses to quasi-continuous beams. Progress is being made on both ends of this spectrum, by either dividing the extracted charge in many pulse-lets, adjusting the extraction potential for a near-uniform long pulse, or adding dedicated devices to spread the ion bunches delivered from the EBIS/T in time. Advances in EBIS/T charge state breeding are summarized, including recent results with NSCL's ReA EBIS/T charge breeder.

Recent charge-breeding developments with EBIS/T devices (invited)

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

Schwarz, S., E-mail: schwarz@nscl.msu.edu; Lapierre, A.

Short breeding times, narrow charge state distributions, low background, high efficiency, and the flexible time structure of the ejected low-emittance ion pulses are among the most attractive features of electron beam ion source or trap (EBIS/T) based charge breeders. Significant progress has been made to further improve these properties: Several groups are working to increase current densities towards 10{sup 3} or even 10{sup 4} A/cm{sup 2}. These current densities will become necessary to deliver high charge states of heavy nuclei in a short time and/or provide sufficient space-charge capacity to handle high-current ion beams in next-generation rare-isotope beam (RIB) facilities.more » Efficient capture of continuous beams, attractive because of its potential of handling highest-current ion beams, has become possible with the development of high-density electron beams of >1 A. Requests for the time structure of the charge bred ion pulse range from ultra-short pulses to quasi-continuous beams. Progress is being made on both ends of this spectrum, by either dividing the extracted charge in many pulse-lets, adjusting the extraction potential for a near-uniform long pulse, or adding dedicated devices to spread the ion bunches delivered from the EBIS/T in time. Advances in EBIS/T charge state breeding are summarized, including recent results with NSCL’s ReA EBIS/T charge breeder.« less

Design and Synthesis of Novel Block Copolymers for Efficient Opto-Electronic Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sun, Sam-Shajing; Fan, Zhen; Wang, Yiqing; Taft, Charles; Haliburton, James; Maaref, Shahin

2002-01-01

It has been predicted that nano-phase separated block copolymer systems containing electron rich donor blocks and electron deficient acceptor blocks may facilitate the charge carrier separation and migration in organic photovoltaic devices due to improved morphology in comparison to polymer blend system. This paper presents preliminary data describing the design and synthesis of a novel Donor-Bridge-Acceptor (D-B-A) block copolymer system for potential high efficient organic optoelectronic applications. Specifically, the donor block contains an electron donating alkyloxy derivatized polyphenylenevinylene (PPV), the acceptor block contains an electron withdrawing alkyl-sulfone derivatized polyphenylenevinylene (PPV), and the bridge block contains an electronically neutral non-conjugated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain. The key synthetic strategy includes the synthesis of each individual block first, then couple the blocks together. While the donor block stabilizes and facilitates the transport of the holes, the acceptor block stabilizes and facilitates the transport of the electrons, the bridge block is designed to hinder the probability of electron-hole recombination. Thus, improved charge separation and stability are expected with this system. In addition, charge migration toward electrodes may also be facilitated due to the potential nano-phase separated and highly ordered block copolymer ultra-structure.

Secondary Electron Emission From Solar Cell Coverslides And Its Effect On Absolute Vehicle Charging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferguson, Dale C.

2011-10-01

It has often been stated that earthed conductive solar cell coverslides are the best way to prevent electrostatic discharges on space solar arrays in GEO. While it is true that such coverslides will prevent differential charging on the solar arrays, it will be shown through NASCAP- 2k simulations that the secondary electron emission of such coverslides is very important for absolute vehicle charging. In particular, carbon nanotube coatings, due to the extremely low secondary electron emission from carbon, may exacerbate absolute vehicle charging. However, if they are earthed, because of their conductivity they may minimize differential charging and the possibility of arcing elsewhere on the spacecraft. Such results may also be true for insulative coverslides if spacecraft thermal blankets are made of materials with high secondary electron emission. Finally, photoemission from coverslides is investigated, with regard to anti-reflection coatings. Surfaces which reflect UV can have low photoemission, while those that absorb may have higher photoemission rates. Thus, anti-reflection coatings may lead to higher absolute spacecraft charging rates. NASCAP-2k simulations will be used to investigate these dependences for realistic spacecraft.

Development of an EMCCD for lidar applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Monte, B.; Bell, R. T.

2017-11-01

A novel detector, incorporating e2v's L3 CCD (L3Vision™) [1] technology for use in LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) applications has been designed, manufactured and characterised. The most critical performance aspect was the requirement to collect charge from a 120μm square detection area for a 667ns temporal sampling window, with low crosstalk between successive samples, followed by signal readout with sub-electron effective noise. Additional requirements included low dark signal, high quantum efficiency at the 355nm laser wavelength and the ability to handle bright laser echoes, without corruption of the much fainter useful signals. The detector architecture used high speed charge binning to combine signal from each sampling window into a single charge packet. This was then passed through a multiplication register (Electron Multiplying Charge Coupled Device) operating with a typical gain of 100X to a conventional charge detection circuit. The detector achieved a typical quantum efficiency of 80% and a total noise in darkness of < 0.5 electrons rms. Development of the detector was supported by ESA (European Space Agency).

Charge transfer in model peptides: obtaining Marcus parameters from molecular simulation.

PubMed

Heck, Alexander; Woiczikowski, P Benjamin; Kubař, Tomáš; Giese, Bernd; Elstner, Marcus; Steinbrecher, Thomas B

2012-02-23

Charge transfer within and between biomolecules remains a highly active field of biophysics. Due to the complexities of real systems, model compounds are a useful alternative to study the mechanistic fundamentals of charge transfer. In recent years, such model experiments have been underpinned by molecular simulation methods as well. In this work, we study electron hole transfer in helical model peptides by means of molecular dynamics simulations. A theoretical framework to extract Marcus parameters of charge transfer from simulations is presented. We find that the peptides form stable helical structures with sequence dependent small deviations from ideal PPII helices. We identify direct exposure of charged side chains to solvent as a cause of high reorganization energies, significantly larger than typical for electron transfer in proteins. This, together with small direct couplings, makes long-range superexchange electron transport in this system very slow. In good agreement with experiment, direct transfer between the terminal amino acid side chains can be dicounted in favor of a two-step hopping process if appropriate bridging groups exist. © 2012 American Chemical Society

Counterintuitive electron localisation from density-functional theory with polarisable solvent models

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

Dale, Stephen G., E-mail: sdale@ucmerced.edu; Johnson, Erin R., E-mail: erin.johnson@dal.ca

2015-11-14

Exploration of the solvated electron phenomena using density-functional theory (DFT) generally results in prediction of a localised electron within an induced solvent cavity. However, it is well known that DFT favours highly delocalised charges, rendering the localisation of a solvated electron unexpected. We explore the origins of this counterintuitive behaviour using a model Kevan-structure system. When a polarisable-continuum solvent model is included, it forces electron localisation by introducing a strong energetic bias that favours integer charges. This results in the formation of a large energetic barrier for charge-hopping and can cause the self-consistent field to become trapped in local minimamore » thus converging to stable solutions that are higher in energy than the ground electronic state. Finally, since the bias towards integer charges is caused by the polarisable continuum, these findings will also apply to other classical polarisation corrections, as in combined quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods. The implications for systems beyond the solvated electron, including cationic DNA bases, are discussed.« less

Different electronic and charge-transport properties of four organic semiconductors Tetraazaperopyrenes derivatives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Yarui; Wei, Huiling; Liu, Yufang

2015-03-01

Tetraazaperopyrenes (TAPPs) derivatives are high-performance n-type organic semiconductor material families with the remarkable long-term stabilities. The charge carrier mobilities in TAPPs derivatives crystals were calculated by the density functional theory (DFT) method combined with the Marcus-Hush electron-transfer theory. The existence of considerable C-H…F-C bonding defines the conformation of the molecular structure and contributes to its stability. We illustrated how it is possible to control the electronic and charge-transport parameters of TAPPs derivatives as a function of the positions, a type of the substituents. It is found that the core substitution of TAPPs has a drastic influence on the charge-transport mobilities. The maximum electron mobility value of the core-brominated 2,9-bis (perfluoroalkyl)-substituted TAPPs is 0.521 cm2 V-1 s-1, which appear in the orientation angle 95° and 275°. The results demonstrate that the TAPPs with bromine substituents in ortho positions exhibit the best charge-transfer efficiency among the four different TAPP derivatives.

Effect of 30 MeV Li3+ ion and 8 MeV electron irradiation on N-channel MOSFETs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prakash, A. P. G.; Ganesh, K. C. P.; Nagesha, Y. N.; Umakanth, D.; Arora, S. K.; Siddappa, K.

The effect of 30 MeV Li3+ ion and 8 MeV electron irradiation on the threshold voltage (V-TH), the voltage shift due to interface trapped charge (DeltaV(Nit)), the voltage shift due to oxide trapped charge (DeltaV(Not)), the density of interface trapped charge (DeltaN(it)), the density of oxide trapped charge (DeltaN(ot) ) and the drain saturation current (I-D Sat) were studied as a function of fluence. Considerable increase in DeltaN(it) and DeltaN(ot) , and decrease in V-TH and I-D Sat were observed in both types of irradiation. The observed difference in the properties of Li3+ ion and electron irradiated MOSFETs are interpreted on the basis of energy loss process associated with the type of radiation. The study showed that the 30 MeV Li3+ ion irradiation produce more damage when compared to the 8 MeV electron irradiation because of the higher electronic energy loss value. High temperature annealing studies showed that trapped charge generated during ion and electron irradiation was annealed out at 500 degreesC.

Simulation of radial expansion of an electron beam injected into a background plasma

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koga, J.; Lin, C. S.

1989-01-01

A 2-D electrostatic particle code was used to study the beam radial expansion of a nonrelativistic electron beam injected from an isolated equipotential conductor into a background plasma. The simulations indicate that the beam radius is generally proportional to the beam electron gyroradius when the conductor is charged to a large potential. The simulations also suggest that the charge buildup at the beam stagnation point causes the beam radial expansion. From a survey of the simulation results, it is found that the ratio of the beam radius to the beam electron gyroradius increases with the square root of beam density and decreases inversely with beam injection velocity. This dependence is explained in terms of the ratio of the beam electron Debye length to the ambient electron Debye length. These results are most applicable to the SEPAC electron beam injection experiments from Spacelab 1, where high charging potential was observed.

SA13B-1900 Auroral Charging of the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minow, Joseph I.; Chandler, Michael O.; Wright, Kenneth H., Jr.

2011-01-01

Electrostatic potential variations of the International Space Station (ISS) relative to the space plasma environment are dominated by interaction of the negatively grounded 160 volt US photovoltaic power system with the plasma environment in sunlight and inductive potential variations across the ISS structure generated by motion of the vehicle across the Earth's magnetic field. Auroral charging is also a source of potential variations because the 51.6? orbital inclination of ISS takes the vehicle to sufficiently high magnetic latitudes to encounter precipitating electrons during geomagnetic storms. Analysis of auroral charging for small spacecraft or isolated insulating regions on ISS predict rapid charging to high potentials of hundreds of volts but it has been thought that the large capacitance of the entire ISS structure on the order of 0.01 F will limit frame potentials to less than a volt when exposed to auroral conditions. We present three candidate auroral charging events characterized by transient ISS structure potentials varying from approximately 2 to 17 volts. The events occur primarily at night when the solar arrays are unbiased and cannot therefore be due to solar array current collection. ISS potential decreases to more negative values during the events indicating electron current collection and the events are always observed at the highest latitudes along the ISS trajectory. Comparison of the events with integral >30 keV electron flux measurements from NOAA TIROS spacecraft demonstrate they occur within regions of precipitating electron flux at levels consistent with the energetic electron thresholds reported for onset of auroral charging of the DMSP and Freja satellites. In contrast to the DMSP and Freja events, one of the ISS charging events occur in sunlight.

Anisotropic high-harmonic generation in bulk crystals

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

You, Yong Sing; Reis, David A.; Ghimire, Shambhu

2016-11-21

The microscopic valence electron density determines the optical, electronic, structural and thermal properties of materials. However, current techniques for measuring this electron charge density are limited: for example, scanning tunnelling microscopy is confined to investigations at the surface, and electron diffraction requires very thin samples to avoid multiple scattering. Therefore, an optical method is desirable for measuring the valence charge density of bulk materials. Since the discovery of high-harmonic generation (HHG) in solids, there has been growing interest in using HHG to probe the electronic structure of solids. Here, using single-crystal MgO, we demonstrate that high-harmonic generation in solids ismore » sensitive to interatomic bonding. We find that harmonic efficiency is enhanced (diminished) for semi-classical electron trajectories that connect (avoid) neighbouring atomic sites in the crystal. Finally, these results indicate the possibility of using materials’ own electrons for retrieving the interatomic potential and thus the valence electron density, and perhaps even wavefunctions, in an all-optical setting.« less

Direct observation of charged domain walls in hybrid improper ferroelectric (Ca,Sr)3Ti2O7

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurushima, Kousuke; Yoshimoto, Wataru; Ishii, Yui; Cheong, Sang-Wook; Mori, Shigeo

2017-10-01

We investigated ferroelectric (FE) domain wall structures including “charged domain walls” of hybrid improper FE (Ca,Sr)3Ti2O7 at the subatomic resolution by dark-field transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution state-of-the-art aberration-corrected high-angle annular-dark-field (HAADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Dark-field TEM and high-resolution HAADF-STEM images obtained in the FE phase of single crystals of Ca2.46Sr0.54Ti2O7 revealed the formation of abundant charged domain walls with the head-to-head and tail-to-tail configurations in the FE domain structure, in addition to the FE 180° domain structure. The charged domain walls with the head-to-head and tail-to-tail FE polarizations exist stably and can be characterized as the unique double arc-type displacement of Ca/Sr ions in a unit cell without charge accumulation.

Exploring charge density analysis in crystals at high pressure: data collection, data analysis and advanced modelling.

PubMed

Casati, Nicola; Genoni, Alessandro; Meyer, Benjamin; Krawczuk, Anna; Macchi, Piero

2017-08-01

The possibility to determine electron-density distribution in crystals has been an enormous breakthrough, stimulated by a favourable combination of equipment for X-ray and neutron diffraction at low temperature, by the development of simplified, though accurate, electron-density models refined from the experimental data and by the progress in charge density analysis often in combination with theoretical work. Many years after the first successful charge density determination and analysis, scientists face new challenges, for example: (i) determination of the finer details of the electron-density distribution in the atomic cores, (ii) simultaneous refinement of electron charge and spin density or (iii) measuring crystals under perturbation. In this context, the possibility of obtaining experimental charge density at high pressure has recently been demonstrated [Casati et al. (2016). Nat. Commun. 7, 10901]. This paper reports on the necessities and pitfalls of this new challenge, focusing on the species syn-1,6:8,13-biscarbonyl[14]annulene. The experimental requirements, the expected data quality and data corrections are discussed in detail, including warnings about possible shortcomings. At the same time, new modelling techniques are proposed, which could enable specific information to be extracted, from the limited and less accurate observations, like the degree of localization of double bonds, which is fundamental to the scientific case under examination.

Multipactor saturation in parallel-plate waveguides

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

Sorolla, E.; Mattes, M.

2012-07-15

The saturation stage of a multipactor discharge is considered of interest, since it can guide towards a criterion to assess the multipactor onset. The electron cloud under multipactor regime within a parallel-plate waveguide is modeled by a thin continuous distribution of charge and the equations of motion are calculated taking into account the space charge effects. The saturation is identified by the interaction of the electron cloud with its image charge. The stability of the electron population growth is analyzed and two mechanisms of saturation to explain the steady-state multipactor for voltages near above the threshold onset are identified. Themore » impact energy in the collision against the metal plates decreases during the electron population growth due to the attraction of the electron sheet on the image through the initial plate. When this growth remains stable till the impact energy reaches the first cross-over point, the electron surface density tends to a constant value. When the stability is broken before reaching the first cross-over point the surface charge density oscillates chaotically bounded within a certain range. In this case, an expression to calculate the maximum electron surface charge density is found whose predictions agree with the simulations when the voltage is not too high.« less

Optical pumping of the electronic and nuclear spin of single charge-tunable quantum dots.

PubMed

Bracker, A S; Stinaff, E A; Gammon, D; Ware, M E; Tischler, J G; Shabaev, A; Efros, Al L; Park, D; Gershoni, D; Korenev, V L; Merkulov, I A

2005-02-04

We present a comprehensive examination of optical pumping of spins in individual GaAs quantum dots as we change the net charge from positive to neutral to negative with a charge-tunable heterostructure. Negative photoluminescence polarization memory is enhanced by optical pumping of ground state electron spins, which we prove with the first measurements of the Hanle effect on an individual quantum dot. We use the Overhauser effect in a high longitudinal magnetic field to demonstrate efficient optical pumping of nuclear spins for all three charge states of the quantum dot.

Optical Pumping of the Electronic and Nuclear Spin of Single Charge-Tunable Quantum Dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bracker, A. S.; Stinaff, E. A.; Gammon, D.; Ware, M. E.; Tischler, J. G.; Shabaev, A.; Efros, Al. L.; Park, D.; Gershoni, D.; Korenev, V. L.; Merkulov, I. A.

2005-02-01

We present a comprehensive examination of optical pumping of spins in individual GaAs quantum dots as we change the net charge from positive to neutral to negative with a charge-tunable heterostructure. Negative photoluminescence polarization memory is enhanced by optical pumping of ground state electron spins, which we prove with the first measurements of the Hanle effect on an individual quantum dot. We use the Overhauser effect in a high longitudinal magnetic field to demonstrate efficient optical pumping of nuclear spins for all three charge states of the quantum dot.

Electron beam induced current in the high injection regime.

PubMed

Haney, Paul M; Yoon, Heayoung P; Koirala, Prakash; Collins, Robert W; Zhitenev, Nikolai B

2015-07-24

Electron beam induced current (EBIC) is a powerful technique which measures the charge collection efficiency of photovoltaics with sub-micron spatial resolution. The exciting electron beam results in a high generation rate density of electron-hole pairs, which may drive the system into nonlinear regimes. An analytic model is presented which describes the EBIC response when the total electron-hole pair generation rate exceeds the rate at which carriers are extracted by the photovoltaic cell, and charge accumulation and screening occur. The model provides a simple estimate of the onset of the high injection regime in terms of the material resistivity and thickness, and provides a straightforward way to predict the EBIC lineshape in the high injection regime. The model is verified by comparing its predictions to numerical simulations in one- and two-dimensions. Features of the experimental data, such as the magnitude and position of maximum collection efficiency versus electron beam current, are consistent with the three-dimensional model.

Deep Charging Evaluation of Satellite Power and Communication System Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schneider, T. A.; Vaughn, J. A.; Chu, B.; Wong, F.; Gardiner, G.; Wright, K. H.; Phillips, B.

2016-01-01

Deep charging, in contrast to surface charging, focuses on electron penetration deep into insulating materials applied over conductors. A classic example of this scenario is an insulated wire. Deep charging can pose a threat to material integrity, and to sensitive electronics, when it gives rise to an electrostatic discharge or arc. With the advent of Electric Orbit Raising, which requires spiraling through Earth's radiation belts, satellites are subjected to high energy electron environments which they normally would not encounter. Beyond Earth orbit, missions to Jupiter and Saturn face deep charging concerns due to the high energy radiation environments. While predictions can be made about charging in insulating materials, it is difficult to extend those predictions to complicated geometries, such as the case of an insulating coating around a small wire, or a non-uniform silicone grouting on a bus bar. Therefore, to conclusively determine the susceptibility of a system to arcs from deep charging, experimental investigations must be carried out. This paper will describe the evaluation carried out by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center on subscale flight-like samples developed by Space Systems/Loral, LLC. Specifically, deep charging evaluations of solar array wire coupons, a photovoltaic cell coupon, and a coaxial microwave transmission cable, will be discussed. The results of each evaluation will be benchmarked against control sample tests, as well as typical power system levels, to show no significant deep charging threat existed for this set of samples under the conditions tested.

Bulk charging and breakdown in electron-irradiated polymers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frederickson, A. R.

1981-01-01

High energy electron irradiations were performed in an experimental and theoretical study of ten common polymers. Breakdowns were monitored by measuring currents between the electrodes on each side of the planar samples. Sample currents as a function of time during irradiation are compared with theory. Breakdowns are correlated with space charge electric field strength and polarity. Major findings include evidence that all polymers tested broke down, breakdowns remove negligible bulk charge and no breakdowns are seen below 20 million V/m.

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

Park, Chong Shik; Shiltsev, Vladimir; Stancari, Giulio

The ability to transport a high current proton beam in a ring is ultimately limited by space charge effects. Two novel ways to overcome this limit in a proton ring are by adding low energy, externally matched electron beams (electron lens, e-lens), and by taking advantage of residual gas ionization induced neutralization to create an electron column (e-column). Theory predicts that an appropriately confined electrons can completely compensate the space charge through neutralization, both transversely and longitudinally. In this report, we will discuss the current status of the Fermilab’s e-lens experiment for the space charge compensation. In addition, we willmore » show how the IOTA e-column compensates space charge with theWARP simulations. The dynamics of proton beams inside of the e-column is understood by changing the magnetic field of a solenoid, the voltage on the electrodes, and the vacuum pressure, and by looking for electron accumulation, as well as by considering various beam dynamics in the IOTA ring.« less

Coulomb clusters in RETRAP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steiger, J.; Beck, B. R.; Gruber, L.; Church, D. A.; Holder, J. P.; Schneider, D.

1999-01-01

Storage rings and Penning traps are being used to study ions in their highest charge states. Both devices must have the capability for ion cooling in order to perform high precision measurements such as mass spectrometry and laser spectroscopy. This is accomplished in storage rings in a merged beam arrangement where a cold electron beam moves at the speed of the ions. In RETRAP, a Penning trap located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a sympathetic laser/ion cooling scheme has been implemented. In a first step, singly charged beryllium ions are cooled electronically by a tuned circuit and optically by a laser. Then hot, highly charged ions are merged into the cold Be plasma. By collisions, their kinetic energy is reduced to the temperature of the Be plasma. First experiments indicate that the highly charged ions form a strongly coupled plasma with a Coulomb coupling parameter exceeding 1000.

Characterization of non-conductive materials using field emission scanning electron microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Cong; Gao, Ran; Shang, Huayan; Peng, Tingting

2016-01-01

With the development of science and technology, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) plays an important role in nano-material measurements because of its advantages of high magnification, high resolution and easy operation. A high-quality secondary electron image is a significant prerequisite for accurate and precise length measurements. In order to obtain high-quality secondary electron images, the conventional treatment method for non-conductive materials is coating conductive films with gold, carbon or platinum to reduce charging effects, but this method will cover real micro structures of materials, change the sample composition properties and meanwhile introduce a relatively big error to nano-scale microstructure measurements. This paper discusses how to reduce or eliminate the impact of charging effects on image quality to the greatest extent by changing working conditions, such as voltage, stage bias, scanning mode and so on without treatment of coating, to obtain real and high-quality microstructure information of materials.

Ultrashort megaelectronvolt positron beam generation based on laser-accelerated electrons

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

Xu, Tongjun; Shen, Baifei, E-mail: bfshen@mail.shcnc.ac.cn; Xu, Jiancai, E-mail: jcxu@siom.ac.cn

Experimental generation of ultrashort MeV positron beams with high intensity and high density using a compact laser-driven setup is reported. A high-density gas jet is employed experimentally to generate MeV electrons with high charge; thus, a charge-neutralized MeV positron beam with high density is obtained during laser-accelerated electrons irradiating high-Z solid targets. It is a novel electron–positron source for the study of laboratory astrophysics. Meanwhile, the MeV positron beam is pulsed with an ultrashort duration of tens of femtoseconds and has a high peak intensity of 7.8 × 10{sup 21} s{sup −1}, thus allows specific studies of fast kinetics in millimeter-thick materials withmore » a high time resolution and exhibits potential for applications in positron annihilation spectroscopy.« less

Ambipolar nature of dimethyl benzo difuran (DMBDF) molecule: A charge transport study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahoo, Smruti Ranjan; Sahu, Sridhar

2017-05-01

We describe a theoretical study of the charge transport properties of the organic dimethyl benzo difuran (DMBDF) molecule based on density functional theory (DFT). Reorganization energy, ionization potential (IP), electron affinity (EA), energy gaps, transfer integral (t) and charge mobility (μ) has been studied to depict the transport properties in the conjugated organic molecules. We computed, large homo transfer integral and IP value leading to high hole mobility (4.46 cm2/V sec). However, the electron reorganization energy (0.34 eV) and the electron mobility of 1.62 cm2/V sec, infers that the DMBDF organic molecule bears an ambipolar character.

The influence of surfaces on the transient terahertz conductivity and electron mobility of GaAs nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joyce, Hannah J.; Baig, Sarwat A.; Parkinson, Patrick; Davies, Christopher L.; Boland, Jessica L.; Tan, H. Hoe; Jagadish, Chennupati; Herz, Laura M.; Johnston, Michael B.

2017-06-01

Bare unpassivated GaAs nanowires feature relatively high electron mobilities (400-2100 cm2 V-1 s-1) and ultrashort charge carrier lifetimes (1-5 ps) at room temperature. These two properties are highly desirable for high speed optoelectronic devices, including photoreceivers, modulators and switches operating at microwave and terahertz frequencies. When engineering these GaAs nanowire-based devices, it is important to have a quantitative understanding of how the charge carrier mobility and lifetime can be tuned. Here we use optical-pump-terahertz-probe spectroscopy to quantify how mobility and lifetime depend on the nanowire surfaces and on carrier density in unpassivated GaAs nanowires. We also present two alternative frameworks for the analysis of nanowire photoconductivity: one based on plasmon resonance and the other based on Maxwell-Garnett effective medium theory with the nanowires modelled as prolate ellipsoids. We find the electron mobility decreases significantly with decreasing nanowire diameter, as charge carriers experience increased scattering at nanowire surfaces. Reducing the diameter from 50 nm to 30 nm degrades the electron mobility by up to 47%. Photoconductivity dynamics were dominated by trapping at saturable states existing at the nanowire surface, and the trapping rate was highest for the nanowires of narrowest diameter. The maximum surface recombination velocity, which occurs in the limit of all traps being empty, was calculated as 1.3  ×  106 cm s-1. We note that when selecting the optimum nanowire diameter for an ultrafast device, there is a trade-off between achieving a short lifetime and a high carrier mobility. To achieve high speed GaAs nanowire devices featuring the highest charge carrier mobilities and shortest lifetimes, we recommend operating the devices at low charge carrier densities.

High-temperature fusion of a multielectron leviton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moskalets, Michael

2018-04-01

The state of electrons injected onto the surface of the Fermi sea depends on temperature. The state is pure at zero temperature and is mixed at finite temperature. In the case of a single-electron injection, such a transformation can be detected as a decrease in shot noise with increasing temperature. In the case of a multielectron injection, the situation is subtler. The mixedness helps the development of quantum-mechanical exchange correlations between injected electrons, even if such correlations are absent at zero temperature. These correlations enhance the shot noise, which in part counteracts the reduction of noise with temperature. Moreover, at sufficiently high temperatures, the correlation contribution to noise predominates over the contribution of individual particles. As a result, in the system of N electrons, the apparent charge (which is revealed via the shot noise) is changed from e at zero temperature to N e at high temperatures. It looks like the exchange correlations glue electrons into one particle of total charge and energy. This point of view is supported by both charge noise and heat noise. Interestingly, in the macroscopic limit, N →∞ , the correlation contribution completely suppresses the effect of temperature on noise.

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

Oloff, L.-P., E-mail: oloff@physik.uni-kiel.de; Hanff, K.; Stange, A.

With the advent of ultrashort-pulsed extreme ultraviolet sources, such as free-electron lasers or high-harmonic-generation (HHG) sources, a new research field for photoelectron spectroscopy has opened up in terms of femtosecond time-resolved pump-probe experiments. The impact of the high peak brilliance of these novel sources on photoemission spectra, so-called vacuum space-charge effects caused by the Coulomb interaction among the photoemitted probe electrons, has been studied extensively. However, possible distortions of the energy and momentum distributions of the probe photoelectrons caused by the low photon energy pump pulse due to the nonlinear emission of electrons have not been studied in detail yet.more » Here, we systematically investigate these pump laser-induced space-charge effects in a HHG-based experiment for the test case of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. Specifically, we determine how the key parameters of the pump pulse—the excitation density, wavelength, spot size, and emitted electron energy distribution—affect the measured time-dependent energy and momentum distributions of the probe photoelectrons. The results are well reproduced by a simple mean-field model, which could open a path for the correction of pump laser-induced space-charge effects and thus toward probing ultrafast electron dynamics in strongly excited materials.« less

Charge management for gravitational-wave observatories using UV LEDs

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

Pollack, S. E.; Turner, M. D.; Schlamminger, S.

Accumulation of electrical charge on the end mirrors of gravitational-wave observatories can become a source of noise limiting the sensitivity of such detectors through electronic couplings to nearby surfaces. Torsion balances provide an ideal means for testing gravitational-wave technologies due to their high sensitivity to small forces. Our torsion pendulum apparatus consists of a movable plate brought near a plate pendulum suspended from a nonconducting quartz fiber. A UV LED located near the pendulum photoejects electrons from the surface, and a UV LED driven electron gun directs photoelectrons towards the pendulum surface. We have demonstrated both charging and discharging ofmore » the pendulum with equivalent charging rates of {approx}10{sup 5}e/s, as well as spectral measurements of the pendulum charge resulting in a white noise level equivalent to 3x10{sup 5}e/{radical}(Hz).« less

Two-dimensiosnal electron beam charging model for polymer films. M.S. Thesis; [spacecraft charging, geosynchronous satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reeves, R. D.; Balmain, K. G.

1981-01-01

A two dimensional model was developed to describe the charging of thin polymer films exposed to a uniform mon-energetic electron beam. The study was motivated by observed anomalous behavior of geosynchronous satellites which was attributed to electrical discharges associated with the differential charging of satellite surfaces of magnetospheric electrons. Electric fields both internal and external to the irradiated specimen were calculated at steady state in order to identify regions of high electrical stress. Particular emphasis was placed on evaluating the charging characteristics near the material's edge. The model was used to identify and quantify the effects of some of the experimental parameters notably: beam energy; beam angle of incidence; beam current density; material thickness; and material width. Simulations of the following situations were also conducted: positive or negative precharging over part of the surface; a central gap in the material; and a discontinuity in the material's thickness.

Liouville master equation for multielectron dynamics: Neutralization of highly charged ions near a LiF surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wirtz, Ludger; Reinhold, Carlos O.; Lemell, Christoph; Burgdörfer, Joachim

2003-01-01

We present a simulation of the neutralization of highly charged ions in front of a lithium fluoride surface including the close-collision regime above the surface. The present approach employs a Monte Carlo solution of the Liouville master equation for the joint probability density of the ionic motion and the electronic population of the projectile and the target surface. It includes single as well as double particle-hole (de)excitation processes and incorporates electron correlation effects through the conditional dynamics of population strings. The input in terms of elementary one- and two-electron transfer rates is determined from classical trajectory Monte Carlo calculations as well as quantum-mechanical Auger calculations. For slow projectiles and normal incidence, the ionic motion depends sensitively on the interplay between image acceleration towards the surface and repulsion by an ensemble of positive hole charges in the surface (“trampoline effect”). For Ne10+ we find that image acceleration is dominant and no collective backscattering high above the surface takes place. For grazing incidence, our simulation delineates the pathways to complete neutralization. In accordance with recent experimental observations, most ions are reflected as neutral or even as singly charged negative particles, irrespective of the charge state of the incoming ions.

High Energy Density Lithium Primary Cells Using Nitrogen Containing Polymer Positives.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-12-01

the charges were stabilized on heteroatoms, particularly nitro- gen. A positive charge would be stored in the form of an ammonium ion. in a high...operate reversibly. 2.0 POLYMERIC CATHODES A polymer which might be expected to exemplify charge stabilization by nitrogen is poly-N-methylpyrrole (PMP...This material is electronically conductive and might store one charge per nitrogen atom. ox. PMP;4 N3 red. I N + N+ An additional, seductive attraction

Synthesis of poly(benzothiadiazole-co-dithienobenzodithiophenes) and effect of thiophene insertion for high-performance polymer solar cells.

PubMed

Yun, Hui-Jun; Lee, Yun-Ji; Yoo, Seung-Jin; Chung, Dae Sung; Kim, Yun-Hi; Kwon, Soon-Ki

2013-09-23

We describe herein the synthesis of novel donor-acceptor conjugated polymers with dithienobenzodithiophenes (DTBDT) as the electron donor and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole as the electron acceptor for high-performance organic photovoltaics (OPVs). We studied the effects of strategically inserting thiophene into the DTBDT as a substituent on the skeletal structure on the opto-electronic performances of fabricated devices. From UV/Vis absorption, electrochemical, and field-effect transistor analyses, we found that the thiophene-containing DTBDT derivative can substantially increase the orbital overlap area between adjacent conjugated chains and thus dramatically enhance charge-carrier mobility up to 0.55 cm(2)  V(-1)  s(-1). The outstanding charge-transport characteristics of this polymer allowed the realization of high-performance organic solar cells with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.1 %. Detailed studies on the morphological factors that enable the maximum PCE of the polymer solar cells are discussed along with a hole/electron mobility analysis based on the space-charge-limited current model. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Investigation of temporal-resolved emission spectra of highly charged Al ions from laser-produced plasmas

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

Su, M. G., E-mail: sumg@nwnu.edu.cn; Sun, D. X.; Dong, C. Z.

2016-03-15

Temporal evolution of extreme ultraviolet emission from laser-produced aluminum (Al) plasma has been experimentally and theoretically investigated. Al plasmas have been measured by using the temporal-spatially resolved laser-produced plasma technique. The emission lines can be identified from 2p-3s, 3d, 4s, 4d, 5d transition lines from Al{sup 3+} to Al{sup 6+} ions. In order to quickly diagnose the plasma, the assumptions of a normalized Boltzmann distribution among the excited states and a steady-state collisional-radiative model are used to estimate the values of electron temperature and electron density in plasma. We succeeded in reproducing the simulated spectra related to the different timemore » delays, which are in good agreement with experiments. Temporal evolution behavior of highly charged Al ions in plasma has been analyzed, and the exponential decay about electron temperature and electron density has been obtained. The results indicate that the temporal-spatially resolved measurement is essential for accurate understanding of evolution behavior of highly charged ions in laser-produced plasmas.« less

Operational experience with nanocoulomb bunch charges in the Cornell photoinjector

DOE PAGES

Bartnik, Adam; Gulliford, Colwyn; Bazarov, Ivan; ...

2015-08-19

Characterization of 9–9.5 MeV electron beams produced in the dc-gun based Cornell photoinjector is given for bunch charges ranging from 20 pC to 2 nC. Comparison of the measured emittances and longitudinal current profiles to optimized 3D space charge simulations yields excellent agreement for bunch charges up to 1 nC when the measured laser distribution is used to generate initial particle distributions in simulation. Analysis of the scaling of the measured emittance with bunch charge shows that the emittance scales roughly as the square root of the bunch charge up to 300 pC, above which the trend becomes linear. Furthermore,more » these measurements demonstrate that the Cornell photoinjector can produce cathode emittance dominated beams meeting the emittance and peak current specifications for next generation free electron lasers operating at high repetition rate. In addition, the 1 and 2 nC results are relevant to the electron ion collider community.« less

Dust Particle Dynamics in The Presence of Highly Magnetized Plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lynch, Brian; Konopka, Uwe; Thomas, Edward; Merlino, Robert; Rosenberg, Marlene

2016-10-01

Complex plasmas are four component plasmas that contain, in addition to the usual electrons, ions, and neutral atoms, macroscopic electrically charged (nanometer to micrometer) sized ``dust'' particles. These macroscopic particles typically obtain a net negative charge due to the higher mobility of electrons compared to that of ions. Because the electrons, ions, and dust particles are charged, their dynamics may be significantly modified by the presence of electric and magnetic fields. Possible consequences of this modification may be the charging rate and the equilibrium charge. For example, in the presence of a strong horizontal magnetic field (B >1 Tesla), it may be possible to observe dust particle gx B deflection and, from that deflection, determine the dust grain charge. In this poster, we present recent data from performing multiple particle dropping experiments to characterize the g x B deflection in the Magnetized Dusty Plasma Experiment (MDPX). This work is supported by funding from the U. S. Department of Energy Grant Number DE - SC0010485 and the NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, JPL-1543114.

Unusual inhomogeneous microstructures in charge glass state of PbCrO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurushima, Kosuke; Tsukasaki, Hirofumi; Ogata, Takahiro; Sakai, Yuki; Azuma, Masaki; Ishii, Yui; Mori, Shigeo

2018-05-01

We investigated the microstructures and local structures of perovskite PbCrO3, which shows a metal-to-insulator transition and a 9.8% volume collapse, by electron diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). It is revealed that the charge glass state is characterized by the unique coexistence of the crystalline state with a cubic symmetry on average and the noncrystalline state. HAADF-STEM observation at atomic resolution revealed that Pb ions were displaced from the ideal A site position of the cubic perovskite structure, which gives rise to characteristic diffuse scatterings around the fundamental Bragg reflections. These structural inhomogeneities are crucial to the understanding of the unique physical properties in the charge glass state of PbCrO3.

Electrochemically oxidized electronic and ionic conducting nanostructured block copolymers for lithium battery electrodes.

PubMed

Patel, Shrayesh N; Javier, Anna E; Balsara, Nitash P

2013-07-23

Block copolymers that can simultaneously conduct electronic and ionic charges on the nanometer length scale can serve as innovative conductive binder material for solid-state battery electrodes. The purpose of this work is to study the electronic charge transport of poly(3-hexylthiophene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (P3HT-PEO) copolymers electrochemically oxidized with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI) salt in the context of a lithium battery charge/discharge cycle. We use a solid-state three-terminal electrochemical cell that enables simultaneous conductivity measurements and control over electrochemical doping of P3HT. At low oxidation levels (ratio of moles of electrons removed to moles of 3-hexylthiophene moieties in the electrode), the electronic conductivity (σe,ox) increases from 10(-7) S/cm to 10(-4) S/cm. At high oxidation levels, σe,ox approaches 10(-2) S/cm. When P3HT-PEO is used as a conductive binder in a positive electrode with LiFePO4 active material, P3HT is electrochemically active within the voltage window of a charge/discharge cycle. The electronic conductivity of the P3HT-PEO binder is in the 10(-4) to 10(-2) S/cm range over most of the potential window of the charge/discharge cycle. This allows for efficient electronic conduction, and observed charge/discharge capacities approach the theoretical limit of LiFePO4. However, at the end of the discharge cycle, the electronic conductivity decreases sharply to 10(-7) S/cm, which means the "conductive" binder is now electronically insulating. The ability of our conductive binder to switch between electronically conducting and insulating states in the positive electrode provides an unprecedented route for automatic overdischarge protection in rechargeable batteries.

Absolute charge calibration of scintillating screens for relativistic electron detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buck, A.; Zeil, K.; Popp, A.; Schmid, K.; Jochmann, A.; Kraft, S. D.; Hidding, B.; Kudyakov, T.; Sears, C. M. S.; Veisz, L.; Karsch, S.; Pawelke, J.; Sauerbrey, R.; Cowan, T.; Krausz, F.; Schramm, U.

2010-03-01

We report on new charge calibrations and linearity tests with high-dynamic range for eight different scintillating screens typically used for the detection of relativistic electrons from laser-plasma based acceleration schemes. The absolute charge calibration was done with picosecond electron bunches at the ELBE linear accelerator in Dresden. The lower detection limit in our setup for the most sensitive scintillating screen (KODAK Biomax MS) was 10 fC/mm2. The screens showed a linear photon-to-charge dependency over several orders of magnitude. An onset of saturation effects starting around 10-100 pC/mm2 was found for some of the screens. Additionally, a constant light source was employed as a luminosity reference to simplify the transfer of a one-time absolute calibration to different experimental setups.

Tuning a circular p-n junction in graphene from quantum confinement to optical guiding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Yuhang; Mao, Jinhai; Moldovan, Dean; Masir, Massoud Ramezani; Li, Guohong; Watanabe, Kenji; Taniguchi, Takashi; Peeters, Francois M.; Andrei, Eva Y.

2017-11-01

The photon-like propagation of the Dirac electrons in graphene, together with its record-high electronic mobility, can lead to applications based on ultrafast electronic response and low dissipation. However, the chiral nature of the charge carriers that is responsible for the high mobility also makes it difficult to control their motion and prevents electronic switching. Here, we show how to manipulate the charge carriers by using a circular p-n junction whose size can be continuously tuned from the nanometre to the micrometre scale. The junction size is controlled with a dual-gate device consisting of a planar back gate and a point-like top gate made by decorating a scanning tunnelling microscope tip with a gold nanowire. The nanometre-scale junction is defined by a deep potential well created by the tip-induced charge. It traps the Dirac electrons in quantum-confined states, which are the graphene equivalent of the atomic collapse states (ACSs) predicted to occur at supercritically charged nuclei. As the junction size increases, the transition to the optical regime is signalled by the emergence of whispering-gallery modes, similar to those observed at the perimeter of acoustic or optical resonators, and by the appearance of a Fabry-Pérot interference pattern for junctions close to a boundary.

Dramatic inversion of charge polarity in diketopyrrolopyrrole-based organic field-effect transistors via a simple nitrile group substitution.

PubMed

Yun, Hui-Jun; Kang, Seok-Ju; Xu, Yong; Kim, Seul Ong; Kim, Yun-Hi; Noh, Yong-Young; Kwon, Soon-Ki

2014-11-19

A record-breaking high electron mobility of 7.0 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) for n-channel polymer OFETs is reported. By the incorporation of only one nitrile group as an electron-withdrawing function in the vinyl linkage of the DPP-based copolymer, a dramatic inversion of majority charge-carriers from holes to electrons is achieved. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Electron Emission in Highly Charged Ion-Atom Collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Chunlei

1995-01-01

This dissertation addresses the problem of electron emission in highly charged ion-atom collisions. The study is carried out by measuring doubly differential cross sections (DDCS) of emitted electrons for projectiles ranging from fluorine up to gold at ejection angles (theta _{L}) from 0^circ to 70^circ with respect to the beam direction. Prominent features are a very strong forward peaked angular distribution of emitted electrons and the appearance of strong diffraction structures in the binary encounter electron (BEe) region for projectiles heavier than chlorine. This is in clear contradiction to the results found with fluorine projectiles, where the BEe production increases slightly with increasing theta_{L} and no structure is observed in the BEe region. Both can be understood in the impulse approximation as elastic scattering of quasi free target electrons in the projectile potential. Our measurements also show that the violation of q ^2 scaling of the DDCS previously established for 0^circ electron spectra persists for all emission angles and almost all electron energies. In ion-atom collisions, besides electrons from target, electrons from projectile ionization are also presented in the emitted electron spectra. Using electron-projectile coincidence technique, different collision channels can be separated. In order to eliminate the speculations of contributions from projectile related capture and loss channels, coincidence studies of diffraction structures are initiated. In the 0^circ electron spectrum of 0.3 MeV/u I^{6+} impacting on H_2, strong autoionization peaks are observed on the shoulders of the cusp peak. The energies of these autoionization lines in the projectile rest frame are determined by high-resolution electron spectroscopy, and collision mechanism is probed by electron-charge state selected projectile coincidence technique.

Interaction of highly charged ions with carbon nano membranes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gruber, Elisabeth; Wilhelm, Richard A.; Smejkal, Valerie; Heller, René; Facsko, Stefan; Aumayr, Friedrich

2015-09-01

Charge state and energy loss measurements of slow highly charged ions (HCIs) after transmission through nanometer and sub-nanometer thin membranes are presented. Direct transmission measurements through carbon nano membranes (CNMs) show an unexpected bimodal exit charge state distribution, accompanied by charge exchange dependent energy loss. The energy loss of ions in CNMs with large charge loss shows a quadratic dependency on the incident charge state, indicating charge state dependent stopping force values. Another access to the exit charge state distribution is given by irradiating stacks of CNMs and investigating each layer of the stack with high resolution imaging techniques like transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and helium ion microscopy (HIM) independently. The observation of pores created in all of the layers confirms the assumption derived from the transmission measurements that the two separated charge state distributions reflect two different impact parameter regimes, i.e. close collision with large charge exchange and distant collisions with weak ion-target interaction.

Electron beam emission from a diamond-amplifier cathode.

PubMed

Chang, Xiangyun; Wu, Qiong; Ben-Zvi, Ilan; Burrill, Andrew; Kewisch, Jorg; Rao, Triveni; Smedley, John; Wang, Erdong; Muller, Erik M; Busby, Richard; Dimitrov, Dimitre

2010-10-15

The diamond amplifier (DA) is a new device for generating high-current, high-brightness electron beams. Our transmission-mode tests show that, with single-crystal, high-purity diamonds, the peak current density is greater than 400  mA/mm², while its average density can be more than 100  mA/mm². The gain of the primary electrons easily exceeds 200, and is independent of their density within the practical range of DA applications. We observed the electron emission. The maximum emission gain measured was 40, and the bunch charge was 50  pC/0.5  mm². There was a 35% probability of the emission of an electron from the hydrogenated surface in our tests. We identified a mechanism of slow charging of the diamond due to thermal ionization of surface states that cancels the applied field within it. We also demonstrated that a hydrogenated diamond is extremely robust.

Coherent transmutation of electrons into fractionalized anyons.

PubMed

Barkeshli, Maissam; Berg, Erez; Kivelson, Steven

2014-11-07

Electrons have three quantized properties-charge, spin, and Fermi statistics-that are directly responsible for a vast array of phenomena. Here we show how these properties can be coherently and dynamically stripped from the electron as it enters a certain exotic state of matter known as a quantum spin liquid (QSL). In a QSL, electron spins collectively form a highly entangled quantum state that gives rise to the fractionalization of spin, charge, and statistics. We show that certain QSLs host distinct, topologically robust boundary types, some of which allow the electron to coherently enter the QSL as a fractionalized quasi-particle, leaving its spin, charge, or statistics behind. We use these ideas to propose a number of universal, conclusive experimental signatures that would establish fractionalization in QSLs. Copyright © 2014, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Measurement of the dynamic charge response of materials using low-energy, momentum-resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy (M-EELS)

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

Husain, Ali A.; Mitrano, Matteo; Rak, Melinda S.

One of the most fundamental properties of an interacting electron system is its frequency- and wave-vector-dependent density response function, χ(q,ω). The imaginary part, χ"(q,ω), defines the fundamental bosonic charge excitations of the system, exhibiting peaks wherever collective modes are present. χ quantifies the electronic compressibility of a material, its response to external fields, its ability to screen charge, and its tendency to form charge density waves. Unfortunately, there has never been a fully momentum-resolved means to measure χ(q,ω) at the meV energy scale relevant to modern electronic materials. Here, we demonstrate a way to measure χ with quantitative momentum resolutionmore » by applying alignment techniques from x-ray and neutron scattering to surface high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy (HR-EELS). This approach, which we refer to here as M-EELS" allows direct measurement of χ"(q,ω) with meV resolution while controlling the momentum with an accuracy better than a percent of a typical Brillouin zone. We apply this technique to finite-{\\bf q} excitations in the optimally-doped high temperature superconductor, Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O 8+x (Bi2212), which exhibits several phonons potentially relevant to dispersion anomalies observed in ARPES and STM experiments. In conclusion, our study defines a path to studying the long-sought collective charge modes in quantum materials at the meV scale and with full momentum control.« less

Measurement of the dynamic charge response of materials using low-energy, momentum-resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy (M-EELS)

DOE PAGES

Husain, Ali A.; Mitrano, Matteo; Rak, Melinda S.; ...

2017-10-06

One of the most fundamental properties of an interacting electron system is its frequency- and wave-vector-dependent density response function, χ(q,ω). The imaginary part, χ"(q,ω), defines the fundamental bosonic charge excitations of the system, exhibiting peaks wherever collective modes are present. χ quantifies the electronic compressibility of a material, its response to external fields, its ability to screen charge, and its tendency to form charge density waves. Unfortunately, there has never been a fully momentum-resolved means to measure χ(q,ω) at the meV energy scale relevant to modern electronic materials. Here, we demonstrate a way to measure χ with quantitative momentum resolutionmore » by applying alignment techniques from x-ray and neutron scattering to surface high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy (HR-EELS). This approach, which we refer to here as M-EELS" allows direct measurement of χ"(q,ω) with meV resolution while controlling the momentum with an accuracy better than a percent of a typical Brillouin zone. We apply this technique to finite-{\\bf q} excitations in the optimally-doped high temperature superconductor, Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O 8+x (Bi2212), which exhibits several phonons potentially relevant to dispersion anomalies observed in ARPES and STM experiments. In conclusion, our study defines a path to studying the long-sought collective charge modes in quantum materials at the meV scale and with full momentum control.« less

Electron beam observation opportunity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raitt, John; Banks, Peter

Ionospheric researchers will have the opportunity to conduct coordinated radio, radar, and optical observations in conjunction with other space-based electron beam experiments as part of the upcoming Cooperative High-Altitude Rocket Gun Experiments (CHARGE) 3 rocket flight in November 1988 at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR, White Sands, N.Mex.). The flight will be particularly interesting because of the high power planned for the electron gun (3.5 kV at 5 A), which is based, in part, on technology developments planned for the successful Excede series of rockets.CHARGE 3 is the third in a series of U.S. flights made in collaboration with investigators from Utah State University (Logan), Stanford University (Stanford, Calif.), the Institute for Space and Astronautical Sciences (Sendai, Japan), and the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor). The general objectives for CHARGE 3 are fourfold: to study vehicle charging and diagnosecontributory effects at higher beam currents and energy,to study ELF/VLF wave generation and propagation from dc and modulated electron beams,to diagnose beam propagation remotely by studying E region ionization and optical excitation, andto investigate voltage and current distribution in an electrically tethered space vehicle system at higher beam currents.

Liouville master equation for multi-electron dynamics during ion-surface interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wirtz, L.; Reinhold, C. O.; Lemell, C.; Burgdorfer, J.

2003-05-01

We present a simulation of the neutralization of highly charged ions in front of a LiF(100) surface including the close-collision regime above the surface. Our approach employs a Monte-Carlo solution of the Liouville master equation for the joint probability density of the ionic motion and the electronic population of the projectile and the target surface. It includes single as well as double particle-hole (de)excitation processes and incorporates electron correlation effects through the conditional dynamics of population strings. The input in terms of elementary one- and two-electron transfer rates is determined from CTMC calculations as well as quantum mechanical Auger calculations. For slow projectiles and normal incidence, the ionic motion depends sensitively on the interplay between image acceleration towards the surface and repulsion by an ensemble of positive hole charges in the surface (``trampoline effect"). For Ne10+ ions we find that image acceleration dominates and no collective backscattering high above the surface takes place. For grazing incidence, our simulation delineates the pathways to complete neutralization. In accordance with recent experimental observations, most ions are reflected as neutrals or even as singly charged negative particles, irrespective of the charge state of the incoming ion.

Phenomenological view at the two-component physics of cuprates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teitel'baum, G. B.

2017-08-01

In the search for mechanisms of high- T c superconductivity it is critical to know the electronic spectrum in the pseudogap phase from which superconductivity evolves. The lack of ARPES data for every cuprate family precludes an agreement as to its structure, doping and temperature dependence and the role of charge ordering. No approach has been developed yet to address the issue theoretically, and we limit ourselves by the phenomenological analysis of the experimental data. We argue that, in the Fermi-liquid-like regime ubiquitous in underdoped cuprates, the spectrum consists of holes on the Fermi arcs and an electronic pocket in contrast to the idea of the Fermi surface reconstruction via charge ordering. At high temperatures, the electrons are dragged by holes while at lower temperatures they get decoupled. The longstanding issue of the origin of the negative Hall coefficient in YBCO and Hg1201 at low temperature is resolved: the electronic contribution prevails, as its mobility becomes temperature independent, while the mobility of holes, scattered by the shortwavelength charge density waves, decreases.

A method to restrain the charging effect on an insulating substrate in high energy electron beam lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mingyan, Yu; Shirui, Zhao; Yupeng, Jing; Yunbo, Shi; Baoqin, Chen

2014-12-01

Pattern distortions caused by the charging effect should be reduced while using the electron beam lithography process on an insulating substrate. We have developed a novel process by using the SX AR-PC 5000/90.1 solution as a spin-coated conductive layer, to help to fabricate nanoscale patterns of poly-methyl-methacrylate polymer resist on glass for phased array device application. This method can restrain the influence of the charging effect on the insulating substrate effectively. Experimental results show that the novel process can solve the problems of the distortion of resist patterns and electron beam main field stitching error, thus ensuring the accuracy of the stitching and overlay of the electron beam lithography system. The main characteristic of the novel process is that it is compatible to the multi-layer semiconductor process inside a clean room, and is a green process, quite simple, fast, and low cost. It can also provide a broad scope in the device development on insulating the substrate, such as high density biochips, flexible electronics and liquid crystal display screens.

Electrostatic Studies for the 2008 Hubble Service Repair Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buhler, C. R.; Clements, J. S.; Calle, C. I.

2012-01-01

High vacuum triboelectric testing of space materials was required to identify possible Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) concerns for the astronauts in space during electronics board replacement on the Hubble Space Telescope. Testing under high vacuum conditions with common materials resulted in some interesting results. Many materials were able to charge to high levels which did not dissipate quickly even when grounded. Certain materials were able to charge up in contact with grounded metals while others were not. An interesting result was that like materials did not exchange electrostatic charge under high vacuum conditions. The most surprising experimental result is the lack of brush discharges from charged insulators under high vacuum conditions.

Measurements and modeling of charge carrier lifetime in compressed xenon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pudov, A. O.; Abyzov, A. S.; Sokolov, S. A.; Davydov, L. N.; Rybka, A. V.; Kutny, V. E.; Melnikov, S. I.; Kholomyeyev, G. A.; Leonov, S. A.; Turchin, A. A.

2018-06-01

Gamma-spectrometers based on high-pressure xenon gas (HPXe) are proving themselves as a great potential alternative to the spectrometers based on high-purity germanium crystals and scintillators. The working medium for the high-resolution HPXe detectors, that is, xenon gas compressed up to pressure ∼50 bar and sometimes doped with hydrogen, methane or others gases, needs to be of very high purity. The gas purity level can be determined by direct measurements or, alternatively, its usability in gamma-spectrometers can be evaluated indirectly through the charge carrier (electron) lifetime measurements. Different approaches and specific setups have been used for the lifetime determination, most of those methods involve the measurement and analyses of individual pulses from ionizing particles registered in an ionization chamber filled with Xe. In the present paper, we report on the HPXe electron lifetime study carried out by using measurements in a cylindrical ionization chamber and the respective analytical charge transport model. Our results support the possibility of carrier lifetime determination in the cylindrical configuration. In addition, the voltage regimes for the use of the chamber in the spectroscopic mode were determined. The measurements were conducted in a two-electrode configuration for a range of pressure values (5 to 50 bar) for the Xe+0.25%H2 gas mixture of ∼6N purity. It is shown that in gases with relatively high values of the electron drift velocity and the electron lifetime, for example low-density gases, the charge collection time measurements can give significantly underestimated lifetime assessment. On the other hand, for the low drift velocity gases, they give much more accurate results. With the use of the analytical model, the electron lifetime was determined more precisely.

Characterization of an Atomic Hydrogen Source for Charge Exchange Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leutenegger, M. A.; Beierdorfer, P.; Betancourt-Martinez, G. L.; Brown, G. V.; Hell, N; Kelley, R. L.; Kilbourne, C. A.; Magee, E. W.; Porter, F. S.

2016-01-01

We characterized the dissociation fraction of a thermal dissociation atomic hydrogen source byinjecting the mixed atomic and molecular output of the source into an electron beam ion trapcontaining highly charged ions and recording the x-ray spectrum generated by charge exchangeusing a high-resolution x-ray calorimeter spectrometer. We exploit the fact that the charge exchangestate-selective capture cross sections are very different for atomic and molecular hydrogen incidenton the same ions, enabling a clear spectroscopic diagnostic of the neutral species.

Spacecraft-charging mitigation of a high-power electron beam emitted by a magnetospheric spacecraft: Simple theoretical model for the transient of the spacecraft potential

DOE PAGES

Castello, Federico Lucco; Delzanno, Gian Luca; Borovsky, Joseph E.; ...

2018-05-29

A spacecraft-charging mitigation scheme necessary for the operation of a high-power electron beam in the low-density magnetosphere is analyzed. The scheme is based on a plasma contactor, i.e. a high-density charge-neutral plasma emitted prior to and during beam emission, and its ability to emit high ion currents without strong space-charge limitations. A simple theoretical model for the transient of the spacecraft potential and contactor expansion during beam emission is presented. The model focuses on the contactor ion dynamics and is valid in the limit when the ion contactor current is equal to the beam current. The model is found inmore » very good agreement with Particle-In-Cell simulations over a large parametric study that varies the initial expansion time of the contactor, the contactor current and the ion mass. The model highlights the physics of the spacecraft-charging mitigation scheme, indicating that the most important part of the dynamics is the evolution of the outermost ion front which is pushed away by the charge accumulated in the system by the beam. The model can be also used to estimate the long-time evolution of the spacecraft potential. For a short contactor expansion (0.3 or 0.6 ms Helium plasma or 0.8 ms Argon plasma, both with 1 mA current) it yields a peak spacecraft potential of the order of 1-3 kV. This implies that a 1-mA relativistic electron beam would be easily emitted by the spacecraft.« less

Spacecraft-charging mitigation of a high-power electron beam emitted by a magnetospheric spacecraft: Simple theoretical model for the transient of the spacecraft potential

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

Castello, Federico Lucco; Delzanno, Gian Luca; Borovsky, Joseph E.

A spacecraft-charging mitigation scheme necessary for the operation of a high-power electron beam in the low-density magnetosphere is analyzed. The scheme is based on a plasma contactor, i.e. a high-density charge-neutral plasma emitted prior to and during beam emission, and its ability to emit high ion currents without strong space-charge limitations. A simple theoretical model for the transient of the spacecraft potential and contactor expansion during beam emission is presented. The model focuses on the contactor ion dynamics and is valid in the limit when the ion contactor current is equal to the beam current. The model is found inmore » very good agreement with Particle-In-Cell simulations over a large parametric study that varies the initial expansion time of the contactor, the contactor current and the ion mass. The model highlights the physics of the spacecraft-charging mitigation scheme, indicating that the most important part of the dynamics is the evolution of the outermost ion front which is pushed away by the charge accumulated in the system by the beam. The model can be also used to estimate the long-time evolution of the spacecraft potential. For a short contactor expansion (0.3 or 0.6 ms Helium plasma or 0.8 ms Argon plasma, both with 1 mA current) it yields a peak spacecraft potential of the order of 1-3 kV. This implies that a 1-mA relativistic electron beam would be easily emitted by the spacecraft.« less

Surface structure modification of single crystal graphite after slow, highly charged ion irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alzaher, I.; Akcöltekin, S.; Ban-d'Etat, B.; Manil, B.; Dey, K. R.; Been, T.; Boduch, P.; Rothard, H.; Schleberger, M.; Lebius, H.

2018-04-01

Single crystal graphite was irradiated by slow, highly charged ions. The modification of the surface structure was studied by means of Low-Energy Electron Diffraction. The observed damage cross section increases with the potential energy, i.e. the charge state of the incident ion, at a constant kinetic energy. The potential energy is more efficient for the damage production than the kinetic energy by more than a factor of twenty. Comparison with earlier results hints to a strong link between early electron creation and later target atom rearrangement. With increasing ion fluence, the initially large-scale single crystal is first transformed into μ m-sized crystals, before complete amorphisation takes place.

Active Space Debris Charging for Contactless Electrostatic Disposal Maneuvers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schaub, H.; Sternovsky, Z.

2013-08-01

We assess the feasibility of removing large space debris from geosynchronous orbit (GEO) by means of a tug spacecraft that uses electrostatic forces to pull the debris without touching. The advantage of this method is that it can operate with a separation distance of multiple craft radii, thus reducing the risk of collision. Further, the debris does not have to be detumbled first to engage the re-orbit maneuver. The charging of the tug-debris system to high potentials is achieved by active charge transfer using a directed electron beam and an auxiliary ion bleeder. Our simple charging model takes into account the primary electron beam current, UV induced photoelectron emission, collection of plasma particles, secondary electron emission and the recapture of emitted particles. The results show that by active charging high potentials can be both achieved and maintained. The resulting mN level electrostatic force is sufficient for the safe re-orbiting of debris objects over an acceptable period of a few months. The capability of debris removal is becoming a pressing need as the increasing population of dysfunctional satellites poses a threat to the future of satellite operations at GEO.

Intense highly charged ion beam production and operation with a superconducting electron cyclotron resonance ion source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, H. W.; Sun, L. T.; Guo, J. W.; Lu, W.; Xie, D. Z.; Hitz, D.; Zhang, X. Z.; Yang, Y.

2017-09-01

The superconducting electron cyclotron resonance ion source with advanced design in Lanzhou (SECRAL) is a superconducting-magnet-based electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) for the production of intense highly charged heavy ion beams. It is one of the best performing ECRISs worldwide and the first superconducting ECRIS built with an innovative magnet to generate a high strength minimum-B field for operation with heating microwaves up to 24-28 GHz. Since its commissioning in 2005, SECRAL has so far produced a good number of continuous wave intensity records of highly charged ion beams, in which recently the beam intensities of 40Ar+ and 129Xe26+ have, for the first time, exceeded 1 emA produced by an ion source. Routine operations commenced in 2007 with the Heavy Ion accelerator Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL), China. Up to June 2017, SECRAL has been providing more than 28,000 hours of highly charged heavy ion beams to the accelerator demonstrating its great capability and reliability. The great achievement of SECRAL is accumulation of numerous technical advancements, such as an innovative magnetic system and an efficient double-frequency (24 +18 GHz ) heating with improved plasma stability. This article reviews the development of SECRAL and production of intense highly charged ion beams by SECRAL focusing on its unique magnet design, source commissioning, performance studies and enhancements, beam quality and long-term operation. SECRAL development and its performance studies representatively reflect the achievements and status of the present ECR ion source, as well as the ECRIS impacts on HIRFL.

High-k shallow traps observed by charge pumping with varying discharging times

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

Ho, Szu-Han; Chen, Ching-En; Tseng, Tseung-Yuen

2013-11-07

In this paper, we investigate the influence of falling time and base level time on high-k bulk shallow traps measured by charge pumping technique in n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors with HfO{sub 2}/metal gate stacks. N{sub T}-V{sub high} {sub level} characteristic curves with different duty ratios indicate that the electron detrapping time dominates the value of N{sub T} for extra contribution of I{sub cp} traps. N{sub T} is the number of traps, and I{sub cp} is charge pumping current. By fitting discharge formula at different temperatures, the results show that extra contribution of I{sub cp} traps at high voltage are inmore » fact high-k bulk shallow traps. This is also verified through a comparison of different interlayer thicknesses and different Ti{sub x}N{sub 1−x} metal gate concentrations. Next, N{sub T}-V{sub high} {sub level} characteristic curves with different falling times (t{sub falling} {sub time}) and base level times (t{sub base} {sub level}) show that extra contribution of I{sub cp} traps decrease with an increase in t{sub falling} {sub time}. By fitting discharge formula for different t{sub falling} {sub time}, the results show that electrons trapped in high-k bulk shallow traps first discharge to the channel and then to source and drain during t{sub falling} {sub time}. This current cannot be measured by the charge pumping technique. Subsequent measurements of N{sub T} by charge pumping technique at t{sub base} {sub level} reveal a remainder of electrons trapped in high-k bulk shallow traps.« less

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

Richard, P.

The study of inelastic collision phenomena with highly charged projectile ions and the interpretation of spectral features resulting from these collisions remain as the major focal points in the atomic physics research at the J.R. Macdonald Laboratory, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas. The title of the research project, ``Atomic Physics with Highly Charged Ions,`` speaks to these points. The experimental work in the past few years has divided into collisions at high velocity using the primary beams from the tandem and LINAC accelerators and collisions at low velocity using the CRYEBIS facility. Theoretical calculations have been performed to accurately describemore » inelastic scattering processes of the one-electron and many-electron type, and to accurately predict atomic transition energies and intensities for x rays and Auger electrons. Brief research summaries are given for the following: (1) electron production in ion-atom collisions; (2) role of electron-electron interactions in two-electron processes; (3) multi-electron processes; (4) collisions with excited, aligned, Rydberg targets; (5) ion-ion collisions; (6) ion-molecule collisions; (7) ion-atom collision theory; and (8) ion-surface interactions.« less

Carbon materials for enhancing charge transport in the advancements of perovskite solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Ruiyuan; Chu, Liang; Zhang, Jian; Li, Xing'ao; Huang, Wei

2017-09-01

Organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have become a new favorite in the photovoltaic field, due to the boosted efficiency up to 22.1%. Despite a flow of achievements, there are certain challenges to simultaneously meet high efficiency, large scale, low cost and high stability. Due to the low cost, extensive sources, high electrical conductivity and chemical stability, carbon materials have made undeniable contributions to play positive roles in developing PSCs. Carbon materials not only have the favorable conductivity but also bipolar advantage, which can transfer both electrons and holes. In this review, we will discuss how the carbon materials transfer charge or accelerate charge transport by incorporation in PSCs. Carbon materials can replace transparent conductive oxide layers, and enhance electron transport in electron transport layers. Moreover, carbon materials with continuous structure, especially carbon nanotubes and graphene, can provide direct charge transport channel that make them suitable additives or even substitutes in hole transport layers. Especially, the successful application of carbon materials as counter electrodes makes the devices full-printable, low temperature and high stability. Finally, a brief outlook is provided on the future development of carbon materials for PSCs, which are expected to devote more contributions in the future photovoltaic market.

Modelling charge transfer reactions with the frozen density embedding formalism.

PubMed

Pavanello, Michele; Neugebauer, Johannes

2011-12-21

The frozen density embedding (FDE) subsystem formulation of density-functional theory is a useful tool for studying charge transfer reactions. In this work charge-localized, diabatic states are generated directly with FDE and used to calculate electronic couplings of hole transfer reactions in two π-stacked nucleobase dimers of B-DNA: 5'-GG-3' and 5'-GT-3'. The calculations rely on two assumptions: the two-state model, and a small differential overlap between donor and acceptor subsystem densities. The resulting electronic couplings agree well with benchmark values for those exchange-correlation functionals that contain a high percentage of exact exchange. Instead, when semilocal GGA functionals are used the electronic couplings are grossly overestimated.

Secondary Electron Emission from Dust and Its Effect on Charging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saikia, B. K.; Kakati, B.; Kausik, S. S.; Bandyopadhyay, M.

2011-11-01

Hydrogen plasma is produced in a plasma chamber by striking discharge between incandescent tungsten filaments and the permanent magnetic cage [1], which is grounded. The magnetic cage has a full line cusped magnetic field geometry used to confine the plasma elements. A cylindrical Langmuir probe is used to study the plasma parameters in various discharge conditions. The charge accumulated on the dust particles is calculated using the capacitance model and the dust current is measured by the combination of a Faraday cup and an electrometer at different discharge conditions. It is found Secondary electron emission from dust having low emission yield effects the charging of dust particles in presence of high energetic electrons.

Active control of spacecraft potentials at geosynchronous orbit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldstein, R.; Deforest, S. E.

1976-01-01

Tests have been conducted concerning the active control of the potentials of the geosynchronous satellites ATS-5 and ATS-6. The ATS-5 tests show that a simple electron emitter can be used to reduce the magnitude of the potential of a spacecraft which has been charged negatively by the environment. The ATS-6 ion thruster had also a pronounced effect on the potential barrier. In this case, the flux of high-energy primary ions and of low-charge exchange ions produces a space-charge neutralization effect which the electron gun alone cannot achieve.

A cooler Penning trap for the TITAN mass measurement facility

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

Chowdhury, U.; Kootte, B.; Good, M.

The TITAN facility at TRIUMF makes use of highly charged ions, charge-bred in an electron beam ion trap, to carry out accurate mass measurements on radioactive isotopes. We report on our progress to develop a cooler Penning trap, CPET, which aims at reducing the energy spread of the ions to ≈ 1 eV/charge prior to injection into the mass measurement trap. In off-line mode, we can now trap electron plasmas for minutes, and we observe the damping of the m = 1 diocotron plasma mode within ≈ 2 s.

Highly Charged Rydberg Ions from the Coulomb Explosion of Clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Komar, D.; Kazak, L.; Almassarani, M.; Meiwes-Broer, K.-H.; Tiggesbäumker, J.

2018-03-01

Ion emission from a nanoplasma produced in the interaction of intense optical laser pulses with argon clusters is studied resolving simultaneously charge states and recoil energies. By applying appropriate static electric fields we observe that a significant fraction of the ions Arq + (q =1 - 7 ) has electrons with binding energies lower than 150 meV; i.e., nRyd≥15 levels are populated. Charge state changes observed on a μ s time scale can be attributed to electron emission due to autoionizing Rydberg states, indicating that high-ℓ Rydberg levels are populated as well. The experiments support theoretical predictions that a significant fraction of delocalized electrons, which are bound with hundreds of eV to the nanoplasma after the laser exposure, fill up meV bound ion states in the adiabatic expansion. We expect the process to be relevant for the long-term evolution of expanding laser-induced dense plasmas in general.

High Mobility Conjugated Polymers

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-10-20

will act as a trap for opposite charge carriers; the electron affinities were 4.0 eV (BBL) and 2.7 eV (PTHQx) and ionization potentials were 6.0 eV...transistors (OFETs), photovoltaic cells, and photodetectors, is limited primarily by the low charge carrier mobilities of current materials. To address this...showing a maximum mobility with hexyl. Fundamental insights into the structural factors that govern high mobility charge transport and recombination in

Exploring Low Internal Reorganization Energies for Silicene Nanoclusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pablo-Pedro, Ricardo; Lopez-Rios, Hector; Mendoza-Cortes, Jose-L.; Kong, Jing; Fomine, Serguei; Van Voorhis, Troy; Dresselhaus, Mildred S.

2018-05-01

This paper is a contribution to the Physical Review Applied collection in memory of Mildred S. Dresselhaus. High-performance materials rely on small reorganization energies to facilitate both charge separation and charge transport. Here, we perform density-functional-theory calculations to predict small reorganization energies of rectangular silicene nanoclusters with hydrogen-passivated edges denoted by H-SiNC. We observe that across all geometries, H-SiNCs feature large electron affinities and highly stabilized anionic states, indicating their potential as n -type materials. Our findings suggest that fine-tuning the size of H-SiNCs along the "zigzag" and "armchair" directions may permit the design of novel n -type electronic materials and spintronics devices that incorporate both high electron affinities and very low internal reorganization energies.

Detection of charge storage on molecular thin films of tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3) by Kelvin force microscopy: a candidate system for high storage capacity memory cells.

PubMed

Paydavosi, Sarah; Aidala, Katherine E; Brown, Patrick R; Hashemi, Pouya; Supran, Geoffrey J; Osedach, Timothy P; Hoyt, Judy L; Bulović, Vladimir

2012-03-14

Retention and diffusion of charge in tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq(3)) molecular thin films are investigated by injecting electrons and holes via a biased conductive atomic force microscopy tip into the Alq(3) films. After the charge injection, Kelvin force microscopy measurements reveal minimal changes with time in the spatial extent of the trapped charge domains within Alq(3) films, even for high hole and electron densities of >10(12) cm(-2). We show that this finding is consistent with the very low mobility of charge carriers in Alq(3) thin films (<10(-7) cm(2)/(Vs)) and that it can benefit from the use of Alq(3) films as nanosegmented floating gates in flash memory cells. Memory capacitors using Alq(3) molecules as the floating gate are fabricated and measured, showing durability over more than 10(4) program/erase cycles and the hysteresis window of up to 7.8 V, corresponding to stored charge densities as high as 5.4 × 10(13) cm(-2). These results demonstrate the potential for use of molecular films in high storage capacity nonvolatile memory cells. © 2012 American Chemical Society

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

None, None

Coulomb interaction between charged particles inside a bunch is one of the most importance collective effects in beam dynamics, becoming even more significant as the energy of the particle beam is lowered to accommodate analytical and low-Z material imaging purposes such as in the time resolved Ultrafast Electron Microscope (UEM) development currently underway at Michigan State University. In addition, space charge effects are the key limiting factor in the development of ultrafast atomic resolution electron imaging and diffraction technologies and are also correlated with an irreversible growth in rms beam emittance due to fluctuating components of the nonlinear electron dynamics.more » In the short pulse regime used in the UEM, space charge effects also lead to virtual cathode formation in which the negative charge of the electrons emitted at earlier times, combined with the attractive surface field, hinders further emission of particles and causes a degradation of the pulse properties. Space charge and virtual cathode effects and their remediation are core issues for the development of the next generation of high-brightness UEMs. Since the analytical models are only applicable for special cases, numerical simulations, in addition to experiments, are usually necessary to accurately understand the space charge effect. In this paper we will introduce a grid-free differential algebra based multiple level fast multipole algorithm, which calculates the 3D space charge field for n charged particles in arbitrary distribution with an efficiency of O(n), and the implementation of the algorithm to a simulation code for space charge dominated photoemission processes.« less

Solid charged-core model of ball lightning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muldrew, D. B.

2010-01-01

In this study, ball lightning (BL) is assumed to have a solid, positively-charged core. According to this underlying assumption, the core is surrounded by a thin electron layer with a charge nearly equal in magnitude to that of the core. A vacuum exists between the core and the electron layer containing an intense electromagnetic (EM) field which is reflected and guided by the electron layer. The microwave EM field applies a ponderomotive force (radiation pressure) to the electrons preventing them from falling into the core. The energetic electrons ionize the air next to the electron layer forming a neutral plasma layer. The electric-field distributions and their associated frequencies in the ball are determined by applying boundary conditions to a differential equation given by Stratton (1941). It is then shown that the electron and plasma layers are sufficiently thick and dense to completely trap and guide the EM field. This model of BL is exceptional in that it can explain all or nearly all of the peculiar characteristics of BL. The ES energy associated with the core charge can be extremely large which can explain the observations that occasionally BL contains enormous energy. The mass of the core prevents the BL from rising like a helium-filled balloon - a problem with most plasma and burning-gas models. The positively charged core keeps the negatively charged electron layer from diffusing away, i.e. it holds the ball together; other models do not have a mechanism to do this. The high electrical charges on the core and in the electron layer explains why some people have been electrocuted by BL. Experiments indicate that BL radiates microwaves upon exploding and this is consistent with the model. The fact that this novel model of BL can explain these and other observations is strong evidence that the model should be taken seriously.

Control of Spin Wave Dynamics in Spatially Twisted Magnetic Structures

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-27

realize high-performance spintronic and magnetic storage devices. 15. SUBJECT TERMS nano- electronics , spin, wave, magnetic, multi-functional, device 16... electronics has required us to develop high-performance and multi-functional electronic devices driven with extremely low power consumption...Spintronics”, simultaneously utilizing the charge and the spin of electrons , provides us with solutions to essential problems for semiconductor-based

Efficiency Analysis of a High-Specific Impulse Hall Thruster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacobson, David (Technical Monitor); Hofer, Richard R.; Gallimore, Alec D.

2004-01-01

Performance and plasma measurements of the high-specific impulse NASA-173Mv2 Hall thruster were analyzed using a phenomenological performance model that accounts for a partially-ionized plasma containing multiply-charged ions. Between discharge voltages of 300 to 900 V, the results showed that although the net decrease of efficiency due to multiply-charged ions was only 1.5 to 3.0 percent, the effects of multiply-charged ions on the ion and electron currents could not be neglected. Between 300 to 900 V, the increase of the discharge current was attributed to the increasing fraction of multiply-charged ions, while the maximum deviation of the electron current from its average value was only +5/-14 percent. These findings revealed how efficient operation at high-specific impulse was enabled through the regulation of the electron current with the applied magnetic field. Between 300 to 900 V, the voltage utilization ranged from 89 to 97 percent, the mass utilization from 86 to 90 percent, and the current utilization from 77 to 81 percent. Therefore, the anode efficiency was largely determined by the current utilization. The electron Hall parameter was nearly constant with voltage, decreasing from an average of 210 at 300 V to an average of 160 between 400 to 900 V. These results confirmed our claim that efficient operation can be achieved only over a limited range of Hall parameters.

Relativistic Acceleration of Electrons Injected by a Plasma Mirror into a Radially Polarized Laser Beam.

PubMed

Zaïm, N; Thévenet, M; Lifschitz, A; Faure, J

2017-09-01

We propose a method to generate femtosecond, relativistic, and high-charge electron bunches using few-cycle and tightly focused radially polarized laser pulses. In this scheme, the incident laser pulse reflects off an overdense plasma that injects electrons into the reflected pulse. Particle-in-cell simulations show that the plasma injects electrons ideally, resulting in a dramatic increase of charge and energy of the accelerated electron bunch in comparison to previous methods. This method can be used to generate femtosecond pC bunches with energies in the 1-10 MeV range using realistic laser parameters corresponding to current kHz laser systems.

Collective electron driven linac for high energy physics

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

Seeman, J.T.

1983-08-01

A linac design is presented in which an intense ultrarelativistic electron bunch is used to excite fields in a series of cavities and accelerate charged particles. The intense electron bunch is generated in a simple storage ring to have the required transverse and longitudinal dimensions. The bunch is then transferred to the linac. The linac structure can be inexpensively constructed of spacers and washers. The fields in the cells resulting from the bunch passage are calculated using the program BCI. The results show that certain particles within the driving bunch and also trailing particles of any sign charge can bemore » accelerated. With existing electron storage rings, accelerating gradients greater than 16 MV/m are possible. Examples of two accelerators are given: a 30 GeV electron/positron accelerator useful as an injector for a high energy storage ring and 2) a 110 GeV per beam electron-positron collider.« less

Refluxed electrons direct laser acceleration in ultrahigh laser and relativistic critical density plasma interaction

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

Wang, J.; Science and Technology on Plasma Physics Laboratory, China Academy of Engineering Physics, P.O. Box 919-986, Mianyang 621900; Zhao, Z. Q.

2015-01-15

Refluxed electrons direct laser acceleration is proposed so as to generate a high-charge energetic electron beam. When a laser pulse is incident on a relativistic critical density target, the rising edge of the pulse heats the target and the sheath fields on the both sides of the target reflux some electrons inside the expanding target. These electrons can be trapped and accelerated due to the self-transparency and the negative longitudinal electrostatic field in the expanding target. Some of the electrons can be accelerated to energies exceeding the ponderomotive limit 1/2a{sub 0}{sup 2}mc{sup 2}. Effective temperature significantly above the ponderomotive scalingmore » is observed. Furthermore, due to the limited expanding length, the laser propagating instabilities are suppressed in the interaction. Thus, high collimated beams with tens of μC charge can be generated.« less

High-potential perfluorinated phthalocyanine-fullerene dyads for generation of high-energy charge-separated states: formation and photoinduced electron-transfer studies.

PubMed

Das, Sushanta K; Mahler, Andrew; Wilson, Angela K; D'Souza, Francis

2014-08-25

High oxidation potential perfluorinated zinc phthalocyanines (ZnF(n)Pcs) are synthesised and their spectroscopic, redox, and light-induced electron-transfer properties investigated systematically by forming donor-acceptor dyads through metal-ligand axial coordination of fullerene (C60) derivatives. Absorption and fluorescence spectral studies reveal efficient binding of the pyridine- (Py) and phenylimidazole-functionalised fullerene (C60Im) derivatives to the zinc centre of the F(n)Pcs. The determined binding constants, K, in o-dichlorobenzene for the 1:1 complexes are in the order of 10(4) to 10(5) M(-1); nearly an order of magnitude higher than that observed for the dyad formed from zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) lacking fluorine substituents. The geometry and electronic structure of the dyads are determined by using the B3LYP/6-31G* method. The HOMO and LUMO levels are located on the Pc and C60 entities, respectively; this suggests the formation of ZnF(n)Pc(.+)-C60Im(.-) and ZnF(n)Pc(.+)-C60Py(.-) (n=0, 8 or 16) intra-supramolecular charge-separated states during electron transfer. Electrochemical studies on the ZnPc-C60 dyads enable accurate determination of their oxidation and reduction potentials and the energy of the charge-separated states. The energy of the charge-separated state for dyads composed of ZnF(n)Pc is higher than that of normal ZnPc-C60 dyads and reveals their significance in harvesting higher amounts of light energy. Evidence for charge separation in the dyads is secured from femtosecond transient absorption studies in nonpolar toluene. Kinetic evaluation of the cation and anion radical ion peaks reveals ultrafast charge separation and charge recombination in dyads composed of perfluorinated phthalocyanine and fullerene; this implies their significance in solar-energy harvesting and optoelectronic device building applications. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Target charging in short-pulse-laser-plasma experiments.

PubMed

Dubois, J-L; Lubrano-Lavaderci, F; Raffestin, D; Ribolzi, J; Gazave, J; Compant La Fontaine, A; d'Humières, E; Hulin, S; Nicolaï, Ph; Poyé, A; Tikhonchuk, V T

2014-01-01

Interaction of high-intensity laser pulses with solid targets results in generation of large quantities of energetic electrons that are the origin of various effects such as intense x-ray emission, ion acceleration, and so on. Some of these electrons are escaping the target, leaving behind a significant positive electric charge and creating a strong electromagnetic pulse long after the end of the laser pulse. We propose here a detailed model of the target electric polarization induced by a short and intense laser pulse and an escaping electron bunch. A specially designed experiment provides direct measurements of the target polarization and the discharge current in the function of the laser energy, pulse duration, and target size. Large-scale numerical simulations describe the energetic electron generation and their emission from the target. The model, experiment, and numerical simulations demonstrate that the hot-electron ejection may continue long after the laser pulse ends, enhancing significantly the polarization charge.

Observation of Electron-Beam-Induced Phase Evolution Mimicking the Effect of the Charge–Discharge Cycle in Li-Rich Layered Cathode Materials Used for Li Ion Batteries

DOE PAGES

Lu, Ping; Yan, Pengfei; Romero, Eric; ...

2015-01-27

Capacity loss, and voltage decrease upon electrochemical charge-discharge cycling observed in lithium-rich layered cathode oxides (Li[Li xMn yTM 1-x-y]O 2, TM = Ni, Co or Fe) have recently been attributed to the formation of a surface reconstructed layer (SRL) that evolves from a thin (<2 nm), defect spinel layer upon the first charge, to a relatively thick (~5nm), spinel or rock-salt layer upon continuous charge-discharge cycling. Here we report observations of a SRL and structural evolution of the SRL on the Li[Li 0.2Ni 0.2Mn 0.6]O 2 (LNMO) particles, which are identical to those reported due to the charge-discharge cycle butmore » are a result of electron-beam irradiation during scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging. Sensitivity of the lithium-rich layered oxides to high-energy electrons leads to the formation of thin, defect spinel layer on surfaces of the particles when exposed to a 200kV electron beam for as little as 30 seconds under normal high-resolution STEM imaging conditions. Further electron irradiation produces a thicker layer of the spinel phase, ultimately producing a rock-salt layer at a higher electron exposure. Atomic-scale chemical mapping by electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in STEM indicates the electron-beam-induced SRL formation on LNMO is accomplished by migration of the transition metal ions to the Li sites without breaking down the lattice. The observation through this study provides an insight for understanding the mechanism of forming the SRL and also possibly a mean to study structural evolution in the Li-rich layered oxides without involving the electrochemistry.« less

Femtosecond dynamics of energetic electrons in high intensity laser-matter interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pompili, R.; Anania, M. P.; Bisesto, F.; Botton, M.; Castellano, M.; Chiadroni, E.; Cianchi, A.; Curcio, A.; Ferrario, M.; Galletti, M.; Henis, Z.; Petrarca, M.; Schleifer, E.; Zigler, A.

2016-10-01

Highly energetic electrons are generated at the early phases of the interaction of short-pulse high-intensity lasers with solid targets. These escaping particles are identified as the essential core of picosecond-scale phenomena such as laser-based acceleration, surface manipulation, generation of intense magnetic fields and electromagnetic pulses. Increasing the number of the escaping electrons facilitate the late time processes in all cases. Up to now only indirect evidences of these important forerunners have been recorded, thus no detailed study of the governing mechanisms was possible. Here we report, for the first time, direct time-dependent measurements of energetic electrons ejected from solid targets by the interaction with a short-pulse high-intensity laser. We measured electron bunches up to 7 nanocoulombs charge, picosecond duration and 12 megaelectronvolts energy. Our ’snapshots’ capture their evolution with an unprecedented temporal resolution, demonstrat- ing a significant boost in charge and energy of escaping electrons when increasing the geometrical target curvature. These results pave the way toward significant improvement in laser acceleration of ions using shaped targets allowing the future development of small scale laser-ion accelerators.

Development of a high average current polarized electron source with long cathode operational lifetime

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

C. K. Sinclair; P. A. Adderley; B. M. Dunham

Substantially more than half of the electromagnetic nuclear physics experiments conducted at the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Laboratory) require highly polarized electron beams, often at high average current. Spin-polarized electrons are produced by photoemission from various GaAs-based semiconductor photocathodes, using circularly polarized laser light with photon energy slightly larger than the semiconductor band gap. The photocathodes are prepared by activation of the clean semiconductor surface to negative electron affinity using cesium and oxidation. Historically, in many laboratories worldwide, these photocathodes have had short operational lifetimes at high average current, and havemore » often deteriorated fairly quickly in ultrahigh vacuum even without electron beam delivery. At Jefferson Lab, we have developed a polarized electron source in which the photocathodes degrade exceptionally slowly without electron emission, and in which ion back bombardment is the predominant mechanism limiting the operational lifetime of the cathodes during electron emission. We have reproducibly obtained cathode 1/e dark lifetimes over two years, and 1/e charge density and charge lifetimes during electron beam delivery of over 2?105???C/cm2 and 200 C, respectively. This source is able to support uninterrupted high average current polarized beam delivery to three experimental halls simultaneously for many months at a time. Many of the techniques we report here are directly applicable to the development of GaAs photoemission electron guns to deliver high average current, high brightness unpolarized beams.« less

Charge Exchange X-Ray Emission due to Highly Charged Ion Collisions with H, He, and H2: Line Ratios for Heliospheric and Interstellar Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cumbee, R. S.; Mullen, P. D.; Lyons, D.; Shelton, R. L.; Fogle, M.; Schultz, D. R.; Stancil, P. C.

2018-01-01

The fundamental collisional process of charge exchange (CX) has been established as a primary source of X-ray emission from the heliosphere, planetary exospheres, and supernova remnants. In this process, X-ray emission results from the capture of an electron by a highly charged ion from a neutral atom or molecule, to form a highly excited, high-charge state ion. As the captured electron cascades down to the lowest energy level, photons are emitted, including X-rays. To provide reliable CX-induced X-ray spectral models to realistically simulate these environments, line ratios and spectra are computed using theoretical CX cross sections obtained with the multi-channel Landau-Zener, atomic-orbital close-coupling, molecular-orbital close-coupling, and classical trajectory Monte Carlo methods for various collisional velocities relevant to astrophysics. X-ray spectra were computed for collisions of bare and H-like C to Al ions with H, He, and H2 with results compared to available experimental data. Using these line ratios, XSPEC models of CX emission in the northeast rim of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant and the heliosphere are shown as examples with ion velocity dependence.

Laser-pump/X-ray-probe experiments with electrons ejected from a Cu(111) target: space-charge acceleration.

PubMed

Schiwietz, G; Kühn, D; Föhlisch, A; Holldack, K; Kachel, T; Pontius, N

2016-09-01

A comprehensive investigation of the emission characteristics for electrons induced by X-rays of a few hundred eV at grazing-incidence angles on an atomically clean Cu(111) sample during laser excitation is presented. Electron energy spectra due to intense infrared laser irradiation are investigated at the BESSY II slicing facility. Furthermore, the influence of the corresponding high degree of target excitation (high peak current of photoemission) on the properties of Auger and photoelectrons liberated by a probe X-ray beam is investigated in time-resolved pump and probe measurements. Strong electron energy shifts have been found and assigned to space-charge acceleration. The variation of the shift with laser power and electron energy is investigated and discussed on the basis of experimental as well as new theoretical results.

The radiated electromagnetic field from collimated gamma rays and electron beams in air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tumolillo, T. A.; Wondra, J. P.; Hobbs, W. E.; Smith, K.

1980-12-01

Nuclear weapons effects computer codes are used to study the electromagnetic field produced by gamma rays or by highly relativistic electron beams moving through the air. Consideration is given to large-area electron and gamma beams, small-area electron beams, variation of total beam current, variation of pressure in the beam channel, variation of the beam rise time, variation of beam radius, far-field radiated signals, and induced current on a system from a charged-particle beam. The work has application to system EMP coupling from nuclear weapons or charged-particle-beam weapons.

Precise charge measurement for laser plasma accelerators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, Kei; Gonsalves, Anthony; Lin, Chen; Sokollik, Thomas; Shiraishi, Satomi; van Tilborg, Jeroen; Smith, Alan; Rodgers, Dave; Donahue, Rick; Byrne, Warren; Leemans, Wim

2011-10-01

A comprehensive study of charge diagnostics was conducted to verify their validity for measuring electron beams produced by laser plasma accelerators (LPAs). The electron energy dependence of a scintillating screen (Lanex Fast) was studied with sub-nanosecond electron beams ranging from 106 MeV to 1522 MeV at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Advanced Light Source (ALS) synchrotron booster accelerator. Using an integrating current transformer as a calibration reference, the sensitivity of the Lanex Fast was found to decrease by 1% per 100 MeV increase of the energy. By using electron beams from LPA, cross calibrations of the charge were carried out with an integrating current transformer, scintillating screen (Lanex from Kodak), and activation based measurement. The diagnostics agreed within ~8%, showing that they all can provide accurate charge measurements for LPAs provided necessary cares. Work supported by the Office of Science, Office of High Energy Physics, of the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.

Revealing Charge Transport Mechanisms in Li 2 S 2 for Li–Sulfur Batteries

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

Liu, Zhixiao; Balbuena, Perla B.; Mukherjee, Partha P.

Besides lithium sulfide (Li 2S), lithium persulfide (Li 2S 2) is another solid discharge product in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Revealing the charge transport mechanism in the discharge products is important for developing an effective strategy to improve the performance of Li-S batteries. Li 2S 2 cannot transport free electrons due to its wide bandgap between the valence band maximum (VBM) and conduction band minimum (VBM). However, electron polarons (p -) and hole polarons (p +) can appear in solid Li 2S 2 due to the unique molecular orbital structure of the S 2 2- anion. The thermodynamic and kinetic propertiesmore » of native defects are investigated. It is found that negatively charged Li vacancies (V Li-) and p + are the main native defects with a low formation energy of 0.77 eV. The predominant charge carrier is p + because p + has a high mobility. Thus, the electronic conductivity related to p + diffusion is dependent on temperature, and high temperatures are preferred to increase the conductivity.« less

Revealing Charge Transport Mechanisms in Li 2 S 2 for Li–Sulfur Batteries

DOE PAGES

Liu, Zhixiao; Balbuena, Perla B.; Mukherjee, Partha P.

2017-03-06

Besides lithium sulfide (Li 2S), lithium persulfide (Li 2S 2) is another solid discharge product in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Revealing the charge transport mechanism in the discharge products is important for developing an effective strategy to improve the performance of Li-S batteries. Li 2S 2 cannot transport free electrons due to its wide bandgap between the valence band maximum (VBM) and conduction band minimum (VBM). However, electron polarons (p -) and hole polarons (p +) can appear in solid Li 2S 2 due to the unique molecular orbital structure of the S 2 2- anion. The thermodynamic and kinetic propertiesmore » of native defects are investigated. It is found that negatively charged Li vacancies (V Li-) and p + are the main native defects with a low formation energy of 0.77 eV. The predominant charge carrier is p + because p + has a high mobility. Thus, the electronic conductivity related to p + diffusion is dependent on temperature, and high temperatures are preferred to increase the conductivity.« less

Development of an EBIS charge breeder for the Rare Isotope Science Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Son, Hyock-Jun; Park, Young-Ho; Kondrashev, Sergey; Kim, Jongwon; Lee, Bong Ju; Chung, Moses

2017-10-01

In Korea, a heavy ion accelerator facility called RAON is being designed to produce various rare isotopes for the Rare Isotope Science Project (RISP) (Jeong, 2016) [1], (Moon, 2014) [2]. This facility is designed to use both In-flight Fragment (IF) and Isotope Separation On-Line (ISOL) techniques in order to produce a wide variety of RI beams for nuclear physics experiments. An Electron Beam Ion Source (EBIS) will be used for charge breeding of Rare Isotope (RI) beams in the ISOL system. The charge-to-mass ratio (q/A) of the RI beams after charge breeding is ≥1/4. The highly charged RI beams will be accelerated by a linac post-accelerator and delivered to a low energy (∼18 MeV/u) experimental hall or the IF system. The RAON EBIS will use a 3 A electron gun and a 6 T superconducting solenoid for high capacity, high efficiency, and short breeding time. In front of the charge breeder, an RFQ cooler-buncher will be used to deliver a bunched beam with small emittance to the EBIS charge breeder. The main design of the RAON EBIS has been carried out on the basis of several beam analyses and technical reviews. In this paper, current progress of the development of the RAON EBIS charge breeder will be presented.

Shaping of nested potentials for electron cooling of highly-charged ions in a cooler Penning trap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paul, Stefan; Kootte, Brian; Lascar, Daniel; Gwinner, Gerald; Dilling, Jens; Titan Collaboration

2016-09-01

TRIUMF's Ion Trap for Atomic and Nuclear science (TITAN) is dedicated to mass spectrometry and decay spectroscopy of short-lived radioactive nuclides in a series of ion traps including a precision Penning trap. In order to boost the achievable precision of mass measurements TITAN deploys an Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT) providing Highly-Charged Ions (HCI). However, the charge breeding process in the EBIT leads to an increase in the ion bunch's energy spread which is detrimental to the overall precision gain. To reduce this effect a new cylindrical Cooler PEnning Trap (CPET) is being commissioned to sympathetically cool the HCI via a simultaneously trapped electron plasma. Simultaneous trapping of ions and electrons requires a high level of control over the nested potential landscape and sophisticated switching schemes for the voltages on CPET's multiple ring electrodes. For this purpose, we are currently setting up a new experimental control system for multi-channel voltage switching. The control system employs a Raspberry Pi communicating with a digital-to-analog board via a serial peripheral interface. We report on the implementation of the voltage control system and its performance with respect to electron and ion manipulation in CPET. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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

Stolterfoht, Martin; Armin, Ardalan; Pandey, Ajay K.

Photovoltaic performance in relation to charge transport is studied in efficient (7.6%) organic solar cells (PTB7:PC{sub 71}BM). Both electron and hole mobilities are experimentally measured in efficient solar cells using the resistance dependent photovoltage technique, while the inapplicability of classical techniques, such as space charge limited current and photogenerated charge extraction by linearly increasing voltage is discussed. Limits in the short-circuit current originate from optical losses, while charge transport is shown not to be a limiting process. Efficient charge extraction without recombination can be achieved with a mobility of charge carriers much lower than previously expected. The presence of dispersivemore » transport with strongly distributed mobilities in high efficiency solar cells is demonstrated. Reduced non-Langevin recombination is shown to be beneficial for solar cells with imbalanced, low, and dispersive electron and hole mobilities.« less

The differential algebra based multiple level fast multipole algorithm for 3D space charge field calculation and photoemission simulation

DOE PAGES

None, None

2015-09-28

Coulomb interaction between charged particles inside a bunch is one of the most importance collective effects in beam dynamics, becoming even more significant as the energy of the particle beam is lowered to accommodate analytical and low-Z material imaging purposes such as in the time resolved Ultrafast Electron Microscope (UEM) development currently underway at Michigan State University. In addition, space charge effects are the key limiting factor in the development of ultrafast atomic resolution electron imaging and diffraction technologies and are also correlated with an irreversible growth in rms beam emittance due to fluctuating components of the nonlinear electron dynamics.more » In the short pulse regime used in the UEM, space charge effects also lead to virtual cathode formation in which the negative charge of the electrons emitted at earlier times, combined with the attractive surface field, hinders further emission of particles and causes a degradation of the pulse properties. Space charge and virtual cathode effects and their remediation are core issues for the development of the next generation of high-brightness UEMs. Since the analytical models are only applicable for special cases, numerical simulations, in addition to experiments, are usually necessary to accurately understand the space charge effect. In this paper we will introduce a grid-free differential algebra based multiple level fast multipole algorithm, which calculates the 3D space charge field for n charged particles in arbitrary distribution with an efficiency of O(n), and the implementation of the algorithm to a simulation code for space charge dominated photoemission processes.« less

Electron beam charging of insulators: A self-consistent flight-drift model

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

Touzin, M.; Goeuriot, D.; Guerret-Piecourt, C.

2006-06-01

Electron beam irradiation and the self-consistent charge transport in bulk insulating samples are described by means of a new flight-drift model and an iterative computer simulation. Ballistic secondary electron and hole transport is followed by electron and hole drifts, their possible recombination and/or trapping in shallow and deep traps. The trap capture cross sections are the Poole-Frenkel-type temperature and field dependent. As a main result the spatial distributions of currents j(x,t), charges {rho}(x,t), the field F(x,t), and the potential slope V(x,t) are obtained in a self-consistent procedure as well as the time-dependent secondary electron emission rate {sigma}(t) and the surfacemore » potential V{sub 0}(t). For bulk insulating samples the time-dependent distributions approach the final stationary state with j(x,t)=const=0 and {sigma}=1. Especially for low electron beam energies E{sub 0}<4 keV the incorporation of mainly positive charges can be controlled by the potential V{sub G} of a vacuum grid in front of the target surface. For high beam energies E{sub 0}=10, 20, and 30 keV high negative surface potentials V{sub 0}=-4, -14, and -24 kV are obtained, respectively. Besides open nonconductive samples also positive ion-covered samples and targets with a conducting and grounded layer (metal or carbon) on the surface have been considered as used in environmental scanning electron microscopy and common SEM in order to prevent charging. Indeed, the potential distributions V(x) are considerably small in magnitude and do not affect the incident electron beam neither by retarding field effects in front of the surface nor within the bulk insulating sample. Thus the spatial scattering and excitation distributions are almost not affected.« less

Effects of Charge-Transfer Excitons on the Photophysics of Organic Semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hestand, Nicholas J.

The field of organic electronics has received considerable attention over the past several years due to the promise of novel electronic materials that are cheap, flexible and light weight. While some devices based on organic materials have already emerged on the market (e.g. organic light emitting diodes), a deeper understanding of the excited states within the condensed phase is necessary both to improve current commercial products and to develop new materials for applications that are currently in the commercial pipeline (e.g. organic photovoltaics, wearable displays, and field effect transistors). To this end, a model for pi-conjugated molecular aggregates and crystals is developed and analyzed. The model considers two types of electronic excitations, namely Frenkel and charge-transfer excitons, both of which play a prominent role in determining the nature of the excited states within tightly-packed organic systems. The former consist of an electron-hole pair bound to the same molecule while in the later the electron and hole are located on different molecules. The model also considers the important nuclear reorganization that occurs when the system switches between electronic states. This is achieved using a Holstein-style Hamiltonian that includes linear vibronic coupling of the electronic states to the nuclear motion associated with the high frequency vinyl-stretching and ring-breathing modes. Analysis of the model reveals spectroscopic signatures of charge-transfer mediated J- and H-aggregation in systems where the photophysical properties are determined primarily by charge-transfer interactions. Importantly, such signatures are found to be sensitive to the relative phase of the intermolecular electron and hole transfer integrals, and the relative energy of the Frenkel and charge-transfer states. When the charge-transfer integrals are in phase and the energy of the charge-transfer state is higher than the Frenkel state, the system exhibits J-aggregate characteristics including a positive band curvature, a red shifted main absorption peak, and an increase in the ratio of the first two vibronic peaks relative to the monomer. On the other hand, when the charge-transfer integrals are out of phase and the energy of the charge-transfer state is higher than the Frenkel state, the system exhibits H-aggregate characteristics including a negative band curvature, a blue shifted main absorption peak, and a decrease in the ratio of the first two vibronic peaks relative to the monomer. Notably, these signatures are consistent with those exhibited by Coulombically coupled J- and H-aggregates. Additional signatures of charge-transfer J- and H-aggregation are also discovered, the most notable of which is the appearance of a second absorption band when the charge-transfer integrals are in phase and the charge-transfer and Frenkel excitons are near resonance. In such instances, the peak-to-peak spacing is found to be proportional to the sum of the electron and hole transfer integrals. Further analysis of the charge-transfer interactions within the context of an effective Frenkel exciton coupling reveals that the charge-transfer interactions interfere directly with the intermolecular Coulombic coupling. The interference can be either constructive or destructive resulting in either enhanced or suppressed J- or H- aggregate behavior relative to what is expected based on Coulombic coupling alone. Such interferences result in four new aggregate types, namely HH-, HJ-, JH-, and JJ-aggregates, where the first letter indicates the nature of the Coulombic coupling and the second indicates the nature of the charge-transfer coupling. Vibronic signatures of such aggregates are developed and provide a means by which to rapidly screen materials for certain electronic characteristics. Notably, a large total (Coulombic plus charge-transfer) exciton coupling is associated with an absorption spectrum in which the ratio of the first two vibronic peaks deviates significantly from that of the unaggregated monomer. Hence, strongly coupled, high exciton mobility aggregates can be readily distinguished from low mobility aggregates by the ratio of their first two vibronic peaks. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

QLog Solar-Cell Mode Photodiode Logarithmic CMOS Pixel Using Charge Compression and Readout †

PubMed Central

Ni, Yang

2018-01-01

In this paper, we present a new logarithmic pixel design currently under development at New Imaging Technologies SA (NIT). This new logarithmic pixel design uses charge domain logarithmic signal compression and charge-transfer-based signal readout. This structure gives a linear response in low light conditions and logarithmic response in high light conditions. The charge transfer readout efficiently suppresses the reset (KTC) noise by using true correlated double sampling (CDS) in low light conditions. In high light conditions, thanks to charge domain logarithmic compression, it has been demonstrated that 3000 electrons should be enough to cover a 120 dB dynamic range with a mobile phone camera-like signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) over the whole dynamic range. This low electron count permits the use of ultra-small floating diffusion capacitance (sub-fF) without charge overflow. The resulting large conversion gain permits a single photon detection capability with a wide dynamic range without a complex sensor/system design. A first prototype sensor with 320 × 240 pixels has been implemented to validate this charge domain logarithmic pixel concept and modeling. The first experimental results validate the logarithmic charge compression theory and the low readout noise due to the charge-transfer-based readout. PMID:29443903

QLog Solar-Cell Mode Photodiode Logarithmic CMOS Pixel Using Charge Compression and Readout.

PubMed

Ni, Yang

2018-02-14

In this paper, we present a new logarithmic pixel design currently under development at New Imaging Technologies SA (NIT). This new logarithmic pixel design uses charge domain logarithmic signal compression and charge-transfer-based signal readout. This structure gives a linear response in low light conditions and logarithmic response in high light conditions. The charge transfer readout efficiently suppresses the reset (KTC) noise by using true correlated double sampling (CDS) in low light conditions. In high light conditions, thanks to charge domain logarithmic compression, it has been demonstrated that 3000 electrons should be enough to cover a 120 dB dynamic range with a mobile phone camera-like signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) over the whole dynamic range. This low electron count permits the use of ultra-small floating diffusion capacitance (sub-fF) without charge overflow. The resulting large conversion gain permits a single photon detection capability with a wide dynamic range without a complex sensor/system design. A first prototype sensor with 320 × 240 pixels has been implemented to validate this charge domain logarithmic pixel concept and modeling. The first experimental results validate the logarithmic charge compression theory and the low readout noise due to the charge-transfer-based readout.

Characterization of pi-Conjugated Polymers for Transistor and Photovoltaic Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paulsen, Bryan D.

pi-Conjugated polymers represent a unique class of optoelectronic materials. Being polymers, they are solution processable and inherently "soft" materials. This makes them attractive candidates for the production of roll-to-roll printed electronic devices on flexible substrates. The optical and electronic properties of pi-conjugated polymers are synthetically tunable allowing material sets to be tailored to specific applications. Two of the most heavily researched applications are the thin film transistor, the building block of electronic circuits, and the bulk heterojunction solar cell, which holds great potential as a renewable energy source. Key to developing commercially feasible pi-conjugated polymer devices is a thorough understanding of the electronic structure and charge transport behavior of these materials in relationship with polymer structure. Here this structure property relationship has been investigated through electrical and electrochemical means in concert with a variety of other characterization techniques and device test beds. The tunability of polymer optical band gap and frontier molecular orbital energy level was investigated in systems of vinyl incorporating statistical copolymers. Energy levels and band gaps are crucial parameters in developing efficient photovoltaic devices, with control of these parameters being highly desirable. Additionally, charge transport and density of electronic states were investigated in pi-conjugated polymers at extremely high electrochemically induced charge density. Finally, the effects of molecular weight on pi-conjugated polymer optical properties, energy levels, charge transport, morphology, and photovoltaic device performance was examined.

Generation of high charge state metal ion beams by electron cyclotron resonance heating of vacuum arc plasma in cusp trap.

PubMed

Nikolaev, A G; Savkin, K P; Oks, E M; Vizir, A V; Yushkov, G Yu; Vodopyanov, A V; Izotov, I V; Mansfeld, D A

2012-02-01

A method for generating high charge state heavy metal ion beams based on high power microwave heating of vacuum arc plasma confined in a magnetic trap under electron cyclotron resonance conditions has been developed. A feature of the work described here is the use of a cusp magnetic field with inherent "minimum-B" structure as the confinement geometry, as opposed to a simple mirror device as we have reported on previously. The cusp configuration has been successfully used for microwave heating of gas discharge plasma and extraction from the plasma of highly charged, high current, gaseous ion beams. Now we use the trap for heavy metal ion beam generation. Two different approaches were used for injecting the vacuum arc metal plasma into the trap--axial injection from a miniature arc source located on-axis near the microwave window, and radial injection from sources mounted radially at the midplane of the trap. Here, we describe preliminary results of heating vacuum arc plasma in a cusp magnetic trap by pulsed (400 μs) high power (up to 100 kW) microwave radiation at 37.5 GHz for the generation of highly charged heavy metal ion beams.

Large Modulation of Charge Carrier Mobility in Doped Nanoporous Organic Transistors.

PubMed

Zhang, Fengjiao; Dai, Xiaojuan; Zhu, Weikun; Chung, Hyunjoong; Diao, Ying

2017-07-01

Molecular doping of organic electronics has shown promise to sensitively modulate important device metrics. One critical challenge is the disruption of structure order upon doping of highly crystalline organic semiconductors, which significantly reduces the charge carrier mobility. This paper demonstrates a new method to achieve large modulation of charge carrier mobility via channel doping without disrupting the molecular ordering. Central to the method is the introduction of nanopores into the organic semiconductor thin films via a simple and robust templated meniscus-guided coating method. Using this method, the charge carrier mobility of C 8 -benzothieno[3,2-b]benzothiophene transistors is boosted by almost sevenfold. This paper further demonstrates enhanced electron transport by close to an order of magnitude in a diketopyrrolopyrrole-based donor-acceptor polymer. Combining spectroscopic measurements, density functional theory calculations, and electrical characterizations, the doping mechanism is identified as partial-charge-transfer induced trap filling. The nanopores serve to enhance the dopant/organic semiconductor charge transfer reaction by exposing the π-electrons to the pore wall. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Large Modulation of Charge Carrier Mobility in Doped Nanoporous Organic Transistors

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

Zhang, Fengjiao; Dai, Xiaojuan; Zhu, Weikun

Molecular doping of organic electronics has shown promise to sensitively modulate important device metrics. One critical challenge is the disruption of structure order upon doping of highly crystalline organic semiconductors, which significantly reduces the charge carrier mobility. This paper demonstrates a new method to achieve large modulation of charge carrier mobility via channel doping without disrupting the molecular ordering. Central to the method is the introduction of nanopores into the organic semiconductor thin films via a simple and robust templated meniscus-guided coating method. Using this method, the charge carrier mobility of C8-benzothieno[3,2-b]benzothiophene transistors is boosted by almost sevenfold. This papermore » further demonstrates enhanced electron transport by close to an order of magnitude in a diketopyrrolopyrrole-based donor–acceptor polymer. Combining spectroscopic measurements, density functional theory calculations, and electrical characterizations, the doping mechanism is identified as partial-charge-transfer induced trap filling. The nanopores serve to enhance the dopant/organic semiconductor charge transfer reaction by exposing the π-electrons to the pore wall.« less

Internal Electrostatic Discharge Monitor - IESDM

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Wousik; Goebel, Dan M.; Jun, Insoo; Garrett, Henry B.

2011-01-01

A document discusses an innovation designed to effectively monitor dielectric charging in spacecraft components to measure the potential for discharge in order to prevent damage from internal electrostatic discharge (IESD). High-energy electrons penetrate the structural materials and shielding of a spacecraft and then stop inside dielectrics and keep accumulating. Those deposited charges generate an electric field. If the electric field becomes higher than the breakdown threshold (approx. =2 x 10(exp 5) V/cm), discharge occurs. This monitor measures potentials as a function of dielectric depth. Differentiation of potential with respect to the depth yields electric field. Direct measurement of the depth profile of the potential in a dielectric makes real-time electronic field evaluation possible without simulations. The IESDM has been designed to emulate a multi-layer circuit board, to insert very thin metallic layers between the dielectric layers. The conductors serve as diagnostic monitoring locations to measure the deposited electron-charge and the charge dynamics. Measurement of the time-dependent potential of the metal layers provides information on the amount of charge deposited in the dielectrics and the movement of that charge with time (dynamics).

Charge transport in highly efficient iridium cored electrophosphorescent dendrimers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Markham, Jonathan P. J.; Samuel, Ifor D. W.; Lo, Shih-Chun; Burn, Paul L.; Weiter, Martin; Bässler, Heinz

2004-01-01

Electrophosphorescent dendrimers are promising materials for highly efficient light-emitting diodes. They consist of a phosphorescent core onto which dendritic groups are attached. Here, we present an investigation into the optical and electronic properties of highly efficient phosphorescent dendrimers. The effect of dendrimer structure on charge transport and optical properties is studied using temperature-dependent charge-generation-layer time-of-flight measurements and current voltage (I-V) analysis. A model is used to explain trends seen in the I-V characteristics. We demonstrate that fine tuning the mobility by chemical structure is possible in these dendrimers and show that this can lead to highly efficient bilayer dendrimer light-emitting diodes with neat emissive layers. Power efficiencies of 20 lm/W were measured for devices containing a second-generation (G2) Ir(ppy)3 dendrimer with a 1,3,5-tris(2-N-phenylbenzimidazolyl)benzene electron transport layer.

Nonlinear electron-phonon coupling in doped manganites

DOE PAGES

Esposito, Vincent; Fechner, M.; Mankowsky, R.; ...

2017-06-15

Here, we employ time-resolved resonant x-ray diffraction to study the melting of charge order and the associated insulator-to-metal transition in the doped manganite Pr 0.5Ca 0.5MnO 3 after resonant excitation of a high-frequency infrared-active lattice mode. We find that the charge order reduces promptly and highly nonlinearly as function of excitation fluence. Density-functional theory calculations suggest that direct anharmonic coupling between the excited lattice mode and the electronic structure drives these dynamics, highlighting a new avenue of nonlinear phonon control.

Nonlinear Electron-Phonon Coupling in Doped Manganites.

PubMed

Esposito, V; Fechner, M; Mankowsky, R; Lemke, H; Chollet, M; Glownia, J M; Nakamura, M; Kawasaki, M; Tokura, Y; Staub, U; Beaud, P; Först, M

2017-06-16

We employ time-resolved resonant x-ray diffraction to study the melting of charge order and the associated insulator-to-metal transition in the doped manganite Pr_{0.5}Ca_{0.5}MnO_{3} after resonant excitation of a high-frequency infrared-active lattice mode. We find that the charge order reduces promptly and highly nonlinearly as function of excitation fluence. Density-functional theory calculations suggest that direct anharmonic coupling between the excited lattice mode and the electronic structure drives these dynamics, highlighting a new avenue of nonlinear phonon control.

Charge-Carrier Balance for Highly Efficient Inverted Planar Heterojunction Perovskite Solar Cells.

PubMed

Chen, Ke; Hu, Qin; Liu, Tanghao; Zhao, Lichen; Luo, Deying; Wu, Jiang; Zhang, Yifei; Zhang, Wei; Liu, Feng; Russell, Thomas P; Zhu, Rui; Gong, Qihuang

2016-12-01

The charge-carrier balance strategy by interface engineering is employed to optimize the charge-carrier transport in inverted planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells. N,N-Dimethylformamide-treated poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) and poly(methyl methacrylate)-modified PCBM are utilized as the hole and electron selective contacts, respectively, leading to a high power conversion efficiency of 18.72%. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A study of time over threshold (TOT) technique for plastic scintillator counter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Jin-Jie; Heng, Yue-Kun; Sun, Zhi-Jia; Wu, Chong; Zhao, Yu-Da; Yang, Gui-An; Jiang, Chun-Hua

2008-03-01

A new charge measurement method, time over threshold (TOT), has been used in some gas detectors lately. Here TOT is studied for TOF system, made of plastic scintillator counter, which can simplify the electronics of the system. The signal characteristics are measured and analyzed with a high quality oscilloscope, including noise, pedestal, signal amplitude, total charge, rise time and the correlation between them. The TOT and charge are related and can be fitted by some empirical formula. The charge measurement resolution by TOT is given and this will help the design of TOF electronics. Supported by BEPCII Project, CAS Knowledge Innovation Program U602 and U-34 (IHEP)

Electron capture rates in stars studied with heavy ion charge exchange reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bertulani, C. A.

2018-01-01

Indirect methods using nucleus-nucleus reactions at high energies (here, high energies mean ~ 50 MeV/nucleon and higher) are now routinely used to extract information of interest for nuclear astrophysics. This is of extreme relevance as many of the nuclei involved in stellar evolution are short-lived. Therefore, indirect methods became the focus of recent studies carried out in major nuclear physics facilities. Among such methods, heavy ion charge exchange is thought to be a useful tool to infer Gamow-Teller matrix elements needed to describe electron capture rates in stars and also double beta-decay experiments. In this short review, I provide a theoretical guidance based on a simple reaction model for charge exchange reactions.

Tracing Single Electrons in a Disordered Polymer Film at Room Temperature.

PubMed

Wilma, Kevin; Issac, Abey; Chen, Zhijian; Würthner, Frank; Hildner, Richard; Köhler, Jürgen

2016-04-21

The transport of charges lies at the heart of essentially all modern (opto-) electronic devices. Although inorganic semiconductors built the basis for current technologies, organic materials have become increasingly important in recent years. However, organic matter is often highly disordered, which directly impacts the charge carrier dynamics. To understand and optimize device performance, detailed knowledge of the transport mechanisms of charge carriers in disordered matter is therefore of crucial importance. Here we report on the observation of the motion of single electrons within a disordered polymer film at room temperature, using single organic chromophores as probe molecules. The migration of a single electron gives rise to a varying electric field in its vicinity, which is registered via a shift of the emission spectra (Stark shift) of a chromophore. The spectral shifts allow us to determine the electron mobility and reveal for each nanoenvironment a distinct number of different possible electron-transfer pathways within the rugged energy landscape of the disordered polymer matrix.

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

Bajaj, Sanyam, E-mail: bajaj.10@osu.edu; Shoron, Omor F.; Park, Pil Sung

We report on the direct measurement of two-dimensional sheet charge density dependence of electron transport in AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). Pulsed IV measurements established increasing electron velocities with decreasing sheet charge densities, resulting in saturation velocity of 1.9 × 10{sup 7 }cm/s at a low sheet charge density of 7.8 × 10{sup 11 }cm{sup −2}. An optical phonon emission-based electron velocity model for GaN is also presented. It accommodates stimulated longitudinal optical (LO) phonon emission which clamps the electron velocity with strong electron-phonon interaction and long LO phonon lifetime in GaN. A comparison with the measured density-dependent saturation velocity showsmore » that it captures the dependence rather well. Finally, the experimental result is applied in TCAD-based device simulator to predict DC and small signal characteristics of a reported GaN HEMT. Good agreement between the simulated and reported experimental results validated the measurement presented in this report and established accurate modeling of GaN HEMTs.« less

Boundary conditions on the plasma emitter surface in the presence of a particle counter flow: I. Ion emitter

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

Astrelin, V. T., E-mail: V.T.Astrelin@inp.nsk.su; Kotelnikov, I. A.

Emission of positively charged ions from a plasma emitter irradiated by a counterpropagating electron beam is studied theoretically. A bipolar diode with a plasma emitter in which the ion temperature is lower than the electron temperature and the counter electron flow is extracted from the ion collector is calculated in the one-dimensional model. An analog of Bohm’s criterion for ion emission in the presence of a counterpropagating electron beam is derived. The limiting density of the counterpropagating beam in a bipolar diode operating in the space-charge-limited-emission regime is calculated. The full set of boundary conditions on the plasma emitter surfacemore » that are required for operation of the high-current optics module in numerical codes used to simulate charged particle sources is formulated.« less

Characterization of an atomic hydrogen source for charge exchange experiments

DOE PAGES

Leutenegger, M. A.; Beiersdorfer, P.; Betancourt-Martinez, G. L.; ...

2016-07-02

Here, we characterized the dissociation fraction of a thermal dissociation atomic hydrogen source by injecting the mixed atomic and molecular output of the source into an electron beam ion trap containing highly charged ions and recording the x-ray spectrum generated by charge exchange using a high-resolution x-ray calorimeter spectrometer. We exploit the fact that the charge exchange state-selective capture cross sections are very different for atomic and molecular hydrogen incident on the same ions, enabling a clear spectroscopic diagnostic of the neutral species.

Charge transfer and charge localization in extended radical cations: Investigation of model molecules for peptides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weinkauf, Rainer; Lehrer, Florian

1998-12-01

Molecules consisting of a flexible tail and an aromatic chromophore are used as model systems to understand the situation of a single chromophore in a small peptide. Their S0-S1 resonant multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectra show, that in neutral molecules the tail-chromophore interaction is weak and electronic excitation is localized at the chromophore. For molecules, where the ionization energy of the tail is considerable higher than that of the chromophore, by high resolution REMPI photoelectron spectroscopy we find the charge to be localized on the aromatic chromophore. This scheme also in suitable peptides allows local ionization at the aromatic chromophore. An estimate for various charge positions in peptide chains, however, shows, that for most of the amino acids electron hole positions in the nitrogen and oxygen "lone pair" orbitals of the peptide bond are nearly degenerate. REMPI photoelectron spectra of phenylethylamine, which as a model system contains such two degenerate charge positions, show small energetic shift of the ionization energy but strong geometry changes upon electron removal. This result is interpreted as direct ionization into a mixed charge delocalized state. Consequences for the charge transfer mechanism in peptides are discussed.

Results of RIKEN superconducting electron cyclotron resonance ion source with 28 GHz.

PubMed

Higurashi, Y; Ohnishi, J; Nakagawa, T; Haba, H; Tamura, M; Aihara, T; Fujimaki, M; Komiyama, M; Uchiyama, A; Kamigaito, O

2012-02-01

We measured the beam intensity of highly charged heavy ions and x-ray heat load for RIKEN superconducting electron cyclotron resonance ion source with 28 GHz microwaves under the various conditions. The beam intensity of Xe(20+) became maximum at B(min) ∼ 0.65 T, which was ∼65% of the magnetic field strength of electron cyclotron resonance (B(ECR)) for 28 GHz microwaves. We observed that the heat load of x-ray increased with decreasing gas pressure and field gradient at resonance zone. It seems that the beam intensity of highly charged heavy ions with 28 GHz is higher than that with 18 GHz at same RF power.

Charge transfer complex between 2,3-diaminopyridine with chloranilic acid. Synthesis, characterization and DFT, TD-DFT computational studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Ahmary, Khairia M.; Habeeb, Moustafa M.; Al-Obidan, Areej H.

2018-05-01

New charge transfer complex (CTC) between the electron donor 2,3-diaminopyridine (DAP) with the electron acceptor chloranilic (CLA) acid has been synthesized and characterized experimentally and theoretically using a variety of physicochemical techniques. The experimental work included the use of elemental analysis, UV-vis, IR and 1H NMR studies to characterize the complex. Electronic spectra have been carried out in different hydrogen bonded solvents, methanol (MeOH), acetonitrile (AN) and 1:1 mixture from AN-MeOH. The molecular composition of the complex was identified to be 1:1 from Jobs and molar ratio methods. The stability constant was determined using minimum-maximum absorbances method where it recorded high values confirming the high stability of the formed complex. The solid complex was prepared and characterized by elemental analysis that confirmed its formation in 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. Both IR and NMR studies asserted the existence of proton and charge transfers in the formed complex. For supporting the experimental results, DFT computations were carried out using B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) method to compute the optimized structures of the reactants and complex, their geometrical parameters, reactivity parameters, molecular electrostatic potential map and frontier molecular orbitals. The analysis of DFT results strongly confirmed the high stability of the formed complex based on existing charge transfer beside proton transfer hydrogen bonding concordant with experimental results. The origin of electronic spectra was analyzed using TD-DFT method where the observed λmax are strongly consisted with the computed ones. TD-DFT showed the contributed states for various electronic transitions.

Probing and Exploiting the Interplay between Nuclear and Electronic Motion in Charge Transfer Processes.

PubMed

Delor, Milan; Sazanovich, Igor V; Towrie, Michael; Weinstein, Julia A

2015-04-21

The Born-Oppenheimer approximation refers to the assumption that the nuclear and electronic wave functions describing a molecular system evolve and can be determined independently. It is now well-known that this approximation often breaks down and that nuclear-electronic (vibronic) coupling contributes greatly to the ultrafast photophysics and photochemistry observed in many systems ranging from simple molecules to biological organisms. In order to probe vibronic coupling in a time-dependent manner, one must use spectroscopic tools capable of correlating the motions of electrons and nuclei on an ultrafast time scale. Recent developments in nonlinear multidimensional electronic and vibrational spectroscopies allow monitoring both electronic and structural factors with unprecedented time and spatial resolution. In this Account, we present recent studies from our group that make use of different variants of frequency-domain transient two-dimensional infrared (T-2DIR) spectroscopy, a pulse sequence combining electronic and vibrational excitations in the form of a UV-visible pump, a narrowband (12 cm(-1)) IR pump, and a broadband (400 cm(-1)) IR probe. In the first example, T-2DIR is used to directly compare vibrational dynamics in the ground and relaxed electronic excited states of Re(Cl)(CO)3(4,4'-diethylester-2,2'-bipyridine) and Ru(4,4'-diethylester-2,2'-bipyridine)2(NCS)2, prototypical charge transfer complexes used in photocatalytic CO2 reduction and electron injection in dye-sensitized solar cells. The experiments show that intramolecular vibrational redistribution (IVR) and vibrational energy transfer (VET) are up to an order of magnitude faster in the triplet charge transfer excited state than in the ground state. These results show the influence of electronic arrangement on vibrational coupling patterns, with direct implications for vibronic coupling mechanisms in charge transfer excited states. In the second example, we show unambiguously that electronic and vibrational movement are coupled in a donor-bridge-acceptor complex based on a Pt(II) trans-acetylide design motif. Time-resolved IR (TRIR) spectroscopy reveals that the rate of electron transfer (ET) is highly dependent on the amount of excess energy localized on the bridge following electronic excitation. Using an adaptation of T-2DIR, we are able to selectively perturb bridge-localized vibrational modes during charge separation, resulting in the donor-acceptor charge separation pathway being completely switched off, with all excess energy redirected toward the formation of a long-lived intraligand triplet state. A series of control experiments reveal that this effect is mode specific: it is only when the high-frequency bridging C≡C stretching mode is pumped that radical changes in photoproduct yields are observed. These experiments therefore suggest that one may perturb electronic movement by stimulating structural motion along the reaction coordinate using IR light. These studies add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that controlling the pathways and efficiency of charge transfer may be achieved through synthetic and perturbative approaches aiming to modulate vibronic coupling. Achieving such control would represent a breakthrough for charge transfer-based applications such as solar energy conversion and molecular electronics.

Charge Separation and Recombination at Polymer-Fullerene Heterojunctions: Delocalization and Hybridization Effects.

PubMed

D'Avino, Gabriele; Muccioli, Luca; Olivier, Yoann; Beljonne, David

2016-02-04

We address charge separation and recombination in polymer/fullerene solar cells with a multiscale modeling built from accurate atomistic inputs and accounting for disorder, interface electrostatics and genuine quantum effects on equal footings. Our results show that bound localized charge transfer states at the interface coexist with a large majority of thermally accessible delocalized space-separated states that can be also reached by direct photoexcitation, thanks to their strong hybridization with singlet polymer excitons. These findings reconcile the recent experimental reports of ultrafast exciton separation ("hot" process) with the evidence that high quantum yields do not require excess electronic or vibrational energy ("cold" process), and show that delocalization, by shifting the density of charge transfer states toward larger effective electron-hole radii, may reduce energy losses through charge recombination.

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

Lu, Ping; Yan, Pengfei; Romero, Eric

Capacity loss, and voltage decrease upon electrochemical charge-discharge cycling observed in lithium-rich layered cathode oxides (Li[Li xMn yTM 1-x-y]O 2, TM = Ni, Co or Fe) have recently been attributed to the formation of a surface reconstructed layer (SRL) that evolves from a thin (<2 nm), defect spinel layer upon the first charge, to a relatively thick (~5nm), spinel or rock-salt layer upon continuous charge-discharge cycling. Here we report observations of a SRL and structural evolution of the SRL on the Li[Li 0.2Ni 0.2Mn 0.6]O 2 (LNMO) particles, which are identical to those reported due to the charge-discharge cycle butmore » are a result of electron-beam irradiation during scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging. Sensitivity of the lithium-rich layered oxides to high-energy electrons leads to the formation of thin, defect spinel layer on surfaces of the particles when exposed to a 200kV electron beam for as little as 30 seconds under normal high-resolution STEM imaging conditions. Further electron irradiation produces a thicker layer of the spinel phase, ultimately producing a rock-salt layer at a higher electron exposure. Atomic-scale chemical mapping by electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in STEM indicates the electron-beam-induced SRL formation on LNMO is accomplished by migration of the transition metal ions to the Li sites without breaking down the lattice. The observation through this study provides an insight for understanding the mechanism of forming the SRL and also possibly a mean to study structural evolution in the Li-rich layered oxides without involving the electrochemistry.« less

Modeling secondary electron emission from nanostructured materials in helium ion microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohya, K.; Yamanaka, T.

2013-11-01

Charging of a SiO2 layer on a Si substrate during helium (He) beam irradiation is investigated at an energy range relevant to a He ion microscope (HIM). A self-consistent calculation is performed to model the transport of the ions and secondary electrons (SEs), the charge accumulation in the layer, and the electric field below and above the surface. The calculated results are compared with those for gallium (Ga) ions at the same energy and 1 keV electrons corresponding to a low-voltage scanning electron microscope (SEM). The charging of thin layers (<250 nm) is strongly suppressed due to wide depth and lateral distributions of the He ions in the layer, the voltage of which is much lower than that for the Ga ions and the electrons, where the distributions are much more localized. When the irradiation approaches the edge of a 100-nm-high SiO2 step formed on a Si substrate, a sharp increase in the number of SEs is observed, irrespective of whether a material is charged or not. When the He ions are incident on the bottom of the step, the re-entrance of SEs emitted from the substrate into the sidewall is clearly observed, but it causes the sidewall to be charged negatively. At the positions on the SiO2 layer away from the step edge, the charging voltage becomes positive with increasing number of Ga ions and electrons. However, He ions do not induce such a voltage due to strong relaxation of positive and negative charges in the Si substrate and their recombination in the SiO2 layer.

Long-Lived Charge Separation at Heterojunctions between Semiconducting Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Perylene Diimide Electron Acceptors

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

Kang, Hyun Suk; Sisto, Thomas J.; Peurifoy, Samuel

Nonfullerene electron acceptors have facilitated a recent surge in the efficiencies of organic solar cells, although fundamental studies of the nature of exciton dissociation at interfaces with nonfullerene electron acceptors are still relatively sparse. Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs), unique one-dimensional electron donors with molecule-like absorption and highly mobile charges, provide a model system for studying interfacial exciton dissociation. Here, we investigate excited-state photodynamics at the heterojunction between (6,5) s-SWCNTs and two perylene diimide (PDI)-based electron acceptors. Each of the PDI-based acceptors, hPDI2-pyr-hPDI2 and Trip-hPDI2, is deposited onto (6,5) s-SWCNT films to form a heterojunction bilayer. Transient absorption measurements demonstratemore » that photoinduced hole/electron transfer occurs at the photoexcited bilayer interfaces, producing long-lived separated charges with lifetimes exceeding 1.0 us. Both exciton dissociation and charge recombination occur more slowly for the hPDI2-pyr-hPDI2 bilayer than for the Trip-hPDI2 bilayer. To explain such differences, we discuss the potential roles of the thermodynamic charge transfer driving force available at each interface and the different molecular structure and intermolecular interactions of PDI-based acceptors. As a result, detailed photophysical analysis of these model systems can develop the fundamental understanding of exciton dissociation between organic electron donors and nonfullerene acceptors, which has not been systematically studied.« less

Long-Lived Charge Separation at Heterojunctions between Semiconducting Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Perylene Diimide Electron Acceptors

DOE PAGES

Kang, Hyun Suk; Sisto, Thomas J.; Peurifoy, Samuel; ...

2018-04-13

Nonfullerene electron acceptors have facilitated a recent surge in the efficiencies of organic solar cells, although fundamental studies of the nature of exciton dissociation at interfaces with nonfullerene electron acceptors are still relatively sparse. Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs), unique one-dimensional electron donors with molecule-like absorption and highly mobile charges, provide a model system for studying interfacial exciton dissociation. Here, we investigate excited-state photodynamics at the heterojunction between (6,5) s-SWCNTs and two perylene diimide (PDI)-based electron acceptors. Each of the PDI-based acceptors, hPDI2-pyr-hPDI2 and Trip-hPDI2, is deposited onto (6,5) s-SWCNT films to form a heterojunction bilayer. Transient absorption measurements demonstratemore » that photoinduced hole/electron transfer occurs at the photoexcited bilayer interfaces, producing long-lived separated charges with lifetimes exceeding 1.0 us. Both exciton dissociation and charge recombination occur more slowly for the hPDI2-pyr-hPDI2 bilayer than for the Trip-hPDI2 bilayer. To explain such differences, we discuss the potential roles of the thermodynamic charge transfer driving force available at each interface and the different molecular structure and intermolecular interactions of PDI-based acceptors. As a result, detailed photophysical analysis of these model systems can develop the fundamental understanding of exciton dissociation between organic electron donors and nonfullerene acceptors, which has not been systematically studied.« less

High current multicharged metal ion source using high power gyrotron heating of vacuum arc plasma.

PubMed

Vodopyanov, A V; Golubev, S V; Khizhnyak, V I; Mansfeld, D A; Nikolaev, A G; Oks, E M; Savkin, K P; Vizir, A V; Yushkov, G Yu

2008-02-01

A high current, multi charged, metal ion source using electron heating of vacuum arc plasma by high power gyrotron radiation has been developed. The plasma is confined in a simple mirror trap with peak magnetic field in the plug up to 2.5 T, mirror ratio of 3-5, and length variable from 15 to 20 cm. Plasma formed by a cathodic vacuum arc is injected into the trap either (i) axially using a compact vacuum arc plasma gun located on axis outside the mirror trap region or (ii) radially using four plasma guns surrounding the trap at midplane. Microwave heating of the mirror-confined, vacuum arc plasma is accomplished by gyrotron microwave radiation of frequency 75 GHz, power up to 200 kW, and pulse duration up to 150 micros, leading to additional stripping of metal ions by electron impact. Pulsed beams of platinum ions with charge state up to 10+, a mean charge state over 6+, and total (all charge states) beam current of a few hundred milliamperes have been formed.

Modelling charge transfer reactions with the frozen density embedding formalism

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

Pavanello, Michele; Neugebauer, Johannes

2011-12-21

The frozen density embedding (FDE) subsystem formulation of density-functional theory is a useful tool for studying charge transfer reactions. In this work charge-localized, diabatic states are generated directly with FDE and used to calculate electronic couplings of hole transfer reactions in two {pi}-stacked nucleobase dimers of B-DNA: 5{sup '}-GG-3{sup '} and 5{sup '}-GT-3{sup '}. The calculations rely on two assumptions: the two-state model, and a small differential overlap between donor and acceptor subsystem densities. The resulting electronic couplings agree well with benchmark values for those exchange-correlation functionals that contain a high percentage of exact exchange. Instead, when semilocal GGA functionalsmore » are used the electronic couplings are grossly overestimated.« less

The design of high dynamic range ROIC for IRFPAs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Dazhao; Liang, Qinghua; Zhang, Qiwen; Chen, Honglei; Ding, Ruijun

2015-10-01

The charge packet readout integrated circuit (ROIC) technology for the IRFPAs is introduced, which can realize that every pixel achieves a very high capacity of the electrons storage, and it also improves the performance of the SNR and reduces the saturation possibility of the pixels. The ROIC for the LWIR requires ability that obtaining high capacity for storing electrons. For the conventional ROIC, the maximum charge capacity is determined by the integration capacitance and the operating voltage, it can achieve a high charge capacity through increasing the area of the integration capacitor or raising the operating voltage. And this paper would introduce a digital method of ROIC that can achieve a very high charge capacity. The circuit architecture of this approach includes the following parts, a preamplifier, a comparator, a counter, and memory arrays. And the maximum charge capacity of the pixel is determined by the counter bits. This new method can achieve a high charge capacity more than 1Ge- every pixel and output the digital signal directly, while that of conventional ROIC is less than 50Me- and output the analog signal from the pixel. In this new circuit, the comparator is a important module, as the integration voltage value need compare with threshold voltage through the comparator all the time during the integration period, and we will discuss the influence of the comparator. This work design the circuit with the CSMC 0.35um CMOS technology, and the simulation use the spectre model.

A measurement of electron-wall interactions using transmission diffraction from nanofabricated gratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barwick, Brett; Gronniger, Glen; Yuan, Lu; Liou, Sy-Hwang; Batelaan, Herman

2006-10-01

Electron diffraction from metal coated freestanding nanofabricated gratings is presented, with a quantitative path integral analysis of the electron-grating interactions. Electron diffraction out to the 20th order was observed indicating the high quality of our nanofabricated gratings. The electron beam is collimated to its diffraction limit with ion-milled material slits. Our path integral analysis is first tested against single slit electron diffraction, and then further expanded with the same theoretical approach to describe grating diffraction. Rotation of the grating with respect to the incident electron beam varies the effective distance between the electron and grating bars. This allows the measurement of the image charge potential between the electron and the grating bars. Image charge potentials that were about 15% of the value for that of a pure electron-metal wall interaction were found. We varied the electron energy from 50to900eV. The interaction time is of the order of typical metal image charge response times and in principle allows the investigation of image charge formation. In addition to the image charge interaction there is a dephasing process reducing the transverse coherence length of the electron wave. The dephasing process causes broadening of the diffraction peaks and is consistent with a model that ascribes the dephasing process to microscopic contact potentials. Surface structures with length scales of about 200nm observed with a scanning tunneling microscope, and dephasing interaction strength typical of contact potentials of 0.35eV support this claim. Such a dephasing model motivated the investigation of different metallic coatings, in particular Ni, Ti, Al, and different thickness Au-Pd coatings. Improved quality of diffraction patterns was found for Ni. This coating made electron diffraction possible at energies as low as 50eV. This energy was limited by our electron gun design. These results are particularly relevant for the use of these gratings as coherent beam splitters in low energy electron interferometry.

Microwave-Driven Coherent Operation of a Semiconductor Quantum Dot Charge Qubit

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-02-16

indicating that understanding high frequency charge noise as well as charge relaxation at the sweet spot will be important for further development. The...Microwave-driven coherent operation of a semiconductor quantum dot charge qubit Dohun Kim,1 D. R. Ward,1 C. B. Simmons,1 John King Gamble,2 Robin...University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA A most intuitive realization of a qubit is a sin- gle electron charge sitting at two well -defined

Highly charged ion secondary ion mass spectroscopy

DOEpatents

Hamza, Alex V.; Schenkel, Thomas; Barnes, Alan V.; Schneider, Dieter H.

2001-01-01

A secondary ion mass spectrometer using slow, highly charged ions produced in an electron beam ion trap permits ultra-sensitive surface analysis and high spatial resolution simultaneously. The spectrometer comprises an ion source producing a primary ion beam of highly charged ions that are directed at a target surface, a mass analyzer, and a microchannel plate detector of secondary ions that are sputtered from the target surface after interaction with the primary beam. The unusually high secondary ion yield permits the use of coincidence counting, in which the secondary ion stops are detected in coincidence with a particular secondary ion. The association of specific molecular species can be correlated. The unique multiple secondary nature of the highly charged ion interaction enables this new analytical technique.

Transportation of high-current ion and electron beams in the accelerator drift gap in the presence of an additional electron background

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

Karas’, V. I., E-mail: karas@kipt.kharkov.ua; Kornilov, E. A.; Manuilenko, O. V.

2015-12-15

The dynamics of a high-current ion beam propagating in the drift gap of a linear induction accelerator with collective focusing is studied using 3D numerical simulations in the framework of the full system of the Vlasov–Maxwell equations (code KARAT). The ion beam is neutralized by a comoving electron beam in the current density and, partially, in space charge, since the velocities of electrons and ions differ substantially. The dynamics of the high-current ion beam is investigated for different versions of additional neutralization of its space charge. It is established that, for a given configuration of the magnetic field and inmore » the presence of a specially programmed injection of additional electrons from the boundary opposite to the ion injection boundary, the angular divergence of the ion beam almost vanishes, whereas the current of the ion beam at the exit from the accelerator drift gap changes insignificantly and the beam remains almost monoenergetic.« less

Transportation of high-current ion and electron beams in the accelerator drift gap in the presence of an additional electron background

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karas', V. I.; Kornilov, E. A.; Manuilenko, O. V.; Tarakanov, V. P.; Fedorovskaya, O. V.

2015-12-01

The dynamics of a high-current ion beam propagating in the drift gap of a linear induction accelerator with collective focusing is studied using 3D numerical simulations in the framework of the full system of the Vlasov-Maxwell equations (code KARAT). The ion beam is neutralized by a comoving electron beam in the current density and, partially, in space charge, since the velocities of electrons and ions differ substantially. The dynamics of the high-current ion beam is investigated for different versions of additional neutralization of its space charge. It is established that, for a given configuration of the magnetic field and in the presence of a specially programmed injection of additional electrons from the boundary opposite to the ion injection boundary, the angular divergence of the ion beam almost vanishes, whereas the current of the ion beam at the exit from the accelerator drift gap changes insignificantly and the beam remains almost monoenergetic.

Simulations of Beam Optics and Bremsstrahlung for High Intensity and Brightness Channeling Radiation

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

Hyun, J.; Piot, P.; Sen, T.

2018-04-12

This paper presents X-ray spectra of channeling radiation expected at the FAST (Fermi Accelerator Science and Technology) facility in Fermilab. Our purpose is to produce high brightness quasi-monochromatic X-rays in an energy range from 40 keV to 110 keV. We will use a diamond crystal and low emittance electrons with an energy of around 43 MeV. The quality of emitted X-rays depends on parameters of the electron beam at the crystal. We present simulations of the beam optics for high brightness and high yield operations for a range of bunch charges. We estimate the X-ray spectra including bremsstrahlung background. Wemore » discuss how the electron beam distributions after the diamond crystal are affected by channeling. We discuss an X-ray detector system to avoid pile-up effects during high charge operations.« less

Simulations of Beam Optics and Bremsstrahlung for High Intensity and Brightness Channeling Radiation

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

Hyun, J.; Piot, P.; Sen, T.

This paper presents X-ray spectra of channeling radiation expected at the FAST (Fermi Accelerator Science and Technology) facility in Fermilab. Our purpose is to produce high brightness quasi-monochromatic X-rays in an energy range from 40 keV to 110 keV. We will use a diamond crystal and low emittance electrons with an energy of around 43 MeV. The quality of emitted X-rays depends on parameters of the electron beam at the crystal. We present simulations of the beam optics for high brightness and high yield operations for a range of bunch charges. We estimate the X-ray spectra including bremsstrahlung background. Wemore » discuss how the electron beam distributions after the diamond crystal are affected by channeling. Here, we discuss an X-ray detector system to avoid pile-up effects during high charge operations.« less

Simulations of Beam Optics and Bremsstrahlung for High Intensity and Brightness Channeling Radiation

DOE PAGES

Hyun, J.; Piot, P.; Sen, T.

2018-06-14

This paper presents X-ray spectra of channeling radiation expected at the FAST (Fermi Accelerator Science and Technology) facility in Fermilab. Our purpose is to produce high brightness quasi-monochromatic X-rays in an energy range from 40 keV to 110 keV. We will use a diamond crystal and low emittance electrons with an energy of around 43 MeV. The quality of emitted X-rays depends on parameters of the electron beam at the crystal. We present simulations of the beam optics for high brightness and high yield operations for a range of bunch charges. We estimate the X-ray spectra including bremsstrahlung background. Wemore » discuss how the electron beam distributions after the diamond crystal are affected by channeling. Here, we discuss an X-ray detector system to avoid pile-up effects during high charge operations.« less

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

Printz, Adam D.; Lipomi, Darren J., E-mail: dlipomi@ucsd.edu

The primary goal of the field concerned with organic semiconductors is to produce devices with performance approaching that of silicon electronics, but with the deformability—flexibility and stretchability—of conventional plastics. However, an inherent competition between deformability and charge transport has long been observed in these materials, and achieving the extreme (or even moderate) deformability implied by the word “plastic” concurrently with high charge transport may be elusive. This competition arises because the properties needed for high carrier mobilities—e.g., rigid chains in π-conjugated polymers and high degrees of crystallinity in the solid state—are antithetical to deformability. On the device scale, this competitionmore » can lead to low-performance yet mechanically robust devices, or high-performance devices that fail catastrophically (e.g., cracking, cohesive failure, and delamination) under strain. There are, however, some observations that contradict the notion of the mutual exclusivity of electronic and mechanical performances. These observations suggest that this problem may not be a fundamental trade-off, but rather an inconvenience that may be negotiated by a logical selection of materials and processing conditions. For example, the selection of the poly(3-alkylthiophene) with a critical side-chain length—poly(3-heptylthiophene) (n = 7)—marries the high deformability of poly(3-octylthiophene) (n = 8) with the high electronic performance (as manifested in photovoltaic efficiency) of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (n = 6). This review explores the relationship between deformability and charge transport in organic semiconductors. The principal conclusions are that reducing the competition between these two parameters is in fact possible, with two demonstrated routes being: (1) incorporation of softer, insulating material into a stiffer, semiconducting material and (2) increasing disorder in a highly ordered film, but not enough to disrupt charge transport pathways. The aim of this review is to provide a bridge between the fields interested in electronic properties and mechanical properties of conjugated polymers. We provide a high-level introduction to some of the important electronic and mechanical properties and measurement techniques for organic electronic devices, demonstrate an apparent competition between good electronic performance and mechanical deformability, and highlight potential strategies for overcoming this undesirable competition. A marriage of these two fields would allow for rational design of materials for applications requiring large-area, low-cost, printable devices that are ultra-flexible or stretchable, such as organic photovoltaic devices and wearable, conformable, or implantable sensors.« less

Electrostatic Charging and Particle Interactions in Microscopic Insulating Grains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Victor

In this thesis, we experimentally investigate the electrostatic charging as well as the particle interactions in microscopic insulating grains. First, by tracking individual grains accelerated in an electric field, we quantitatively demonstrate that tribocharging of same-material grains depends on particle size. Large grains tend to charge positively, and small ones tend to charge negatively. Theories based on the transfer of trapped electrons can explain this tendency but have not been validated. Here we show that the number of trapped electrons, measured independently by a thermoluminescence technique, is orders of magnitude too small to be responsible for the amount of charge transferred. This result reveals that trapped electrons are not responsible for same-material tribocharging of dielectric particles. Second, same-material tribocharging in grains can result in important long-range electrostatic interactions. However, how these electrostatic interactions contribute to particle clustering remains elusive, primarily due to the lack of direct, detailed observations. Using a high-speed camera that falls with a stream charged grains, we observe for the first time how charged grains can undergo attractive as well as repulsive Kepler-like orbits. Charged particles can be captured in their mutual electrostatic potential and form clusters via multiple bounces. Dielectric polarization effects are directly observed, which lead to additional attractive forces and stabilize "molecule-like" arrangements of charged particles. Third, we have developed a new method to study the charge transfer of microscopic particles based on acoustic levitation techniques. This method allows us to narrow the complex problem of many-particle charging down to precise charge measurements of a single sub-millimeter particle colliding with a target plate. By simply attaching nonpolar groups onto glass surfaces, we show that the contact charging of a particle is highly dependent on hydrophobicity. Charging between a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic surface is enhanced in a basic atmosphere and suppressed in an acidic one. Moreover, hydrophobicity is also found to play a key role in particle charging driven by an external electric field. These results strongly support the idea that aqueous-ion transfer is responsible for the particle contact charging phenomenon.

Spin-to-charge conversion for hot photoexcited electrons in germanium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zucchetti, C.; Bottegoni, F.; Isella, G.; Finazzi, M.; Rortais, F.; Vergnaud, C.; Widiez, J.; Jamet, M.; Ciccacci, F.

2018-03-01

We investigate the spin-to-charge conversion in highly doped germanium as a function of the kinetic energy of the carriers. Spin-polarized electrons are optically generated in the Ge conduction band, and their kinetic energy is varied by changing the photon energy in the 0.7-2.2 eV range. The spin detection scheme relies on spin-dependent scattering inside Ge, which yields an inverse spin-Hall electromotive force. The detected signal shows a sign inversion for h ν ≈1 eV which can be related to an interplay between the spin relaxation of high-energy electrons photoexcited from the heavy-hole and light-hole bands and that of low-energy electrons promoted from the split-off band. The inferred spin-Hall angle increases by about 3 orders of magnitude within the analyzed photon energy range. Since, for increasing photon energies, the phonon contribution to spin scattering exceeds that of impurities, our result indicates that the spin-to-charge conversion mediated by phonons is much more efficient than the one mediated by impurities.

Molecular Building Block-Based Electronic Charges for High-Throughput Screening of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Adsorption Applications.

PubMed

Argueta, Edwin; Shaji, Jeena; Gopalan, Arun; Liao, Peilin; Snurr, Randall Q; Gómez-Gualdrón, Diego A

2018-01-09

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous crystalline materials with attractive properties for gas separation and storage. Their remarkable tunability makes it possible to create millions of MOF variations but creates the need for fast material screening to identify promising structures. Computational high-throughput screening (HTS) is a possible solution, but its usefulness is tied to accurate predictions of MOF adsorption properties. Accurate adsorption simulations often require an accurate description of electrostatic interactions, which depend on the electronic charges of the MOF atoms. HTS-compatible methods to assign charges to MOF atoms need to accurately reproduce electrostatic potentials (ESPs) and be computationally affordable, but current methods present an unsatisfactory trade-off between computational cost and accuracy. We illustrate a method to assign charges to MOF atoms based on ab initio calculations on MOF molecular building blocks. A library of building blocks with built-in charges is thus created and used by an automated MOF construction code to create hundreds of MOFs with charges "inherited" from the constituent building blocks. The molecular building block-based (MBBB) charges are similar to REPEAT charges-which are charges that reproduce ESPs obtained from ab initio calculations on crystallographic unit cells of nanoporous crystals-and thus similar predictions of adsorption loadings, heats of adsorption, and Henry's constants are obtained with either method. The presented results indicate that the MBBB method to assign charges to MOF atoms is suitable for use in computational high-throughput screening of MOFs for applications that involve adsorption of molecules such as carbon dioxide.

A 128-channel picoammeter system and its application on charged particle beam current distribution measurements.

PubMed

Yu, Deyang; Liu, Junliang; Xue, Yingli; Zhang, Mingwu; Cai, Xiaohong; Hu, Jianjun; Dong, Jinmei; Li, Xin

2015-11-01

A 128-channel picoammeter system is constructed based on instrumentation amplifiers. Taking advantage of a high electric potential and narrow bandwidth in DC energetic charged beam measurements, a current resolution better than 5 fA can be achieved. Two sets of 128-channel strip electrodes are implemented on printed circuit boards and are employed for ion and electron beam current distribution measurements. Tests with 60 keV O(3+) ions and 2 keV electrons show that it can provide exact boundaries when a positive charged particle beam current distribution is measured.

Electronic pictures from charged-coupled devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccann, D. H.; Turly, A. P.; White, M.

1979-01-01

Imaging system uses charge-coupled devices (CCD's) to generate TV-like pictures with high resolution, sensitivity, and signal-to-noise ratio. It combines detectors for five spectral bands as well as processing and control circuitry all on single silicon chip.

Electromagnetic instabilities in solar wind interaction with dusty cometary plasmas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Verheest, Frank; Meuris, Peter

1995-01-01

Dusty plasmas contain charged dust grains which are much more massive than protons, carry high negative charges due to preferential capture of electrons, and do not have a fixed charge. Fluctuations in the grain charges due to liberation or capture of additional electrons and protons translate as mass and momentum losses or gains for these species, which can render linear modes unstable. On the other hand, many authors have addressed the pickup of ions of cometary origin by the solar wind, which for the parallel part is due to relative streaming between cometary and solar wind ions which excites low-frequency electromagnetic turbulence. In the present work we look again at those instabilities by including effects due to the presence of charged dust in the cometary environments. We have investigated several frequency regimes: nonresonant below the cometary watergroup gyrofrequency, nonresonant below the cometary charged dust gyrofrequency (new and interesting but highly unlikely!) and resonant with the cometary watergroup ions. For most parameter ranges either the existing instabilities are enhanced, showing that the presence of charged dust facilitates the cometary ion pickup by the solar wind, or new instabilities have been shown to exist. Similar conclusions might be relevant for other kinds of astrophysical and heliospheric plasmas containing charged dust, as in planetary rings.

Healable supramolecular polymers as organic metals.

PubMed

Armao, Joseph J; Maaloum, Mounir; Ellis, Thomas; Fuks, Gad; Rawiso, Michel; Moulin, Emilie; Giuseppone, Nicolas

2014-08-13

Organic materials exhibiting metallic behavior are promising for numerous applications ranging from printed nanocircuits to large area electronics. However, the optimization of electronic conduction in organic metals such as charge-transfer salts or doped conjugated polymers requires high crystallinity, which is detrimental to their processability. To overcome this problem, the combination of the electronic properties of metal-like materials with the mechanical properties of soft self-assembled systems is attractive but necessitates the absence of structural defects in a regular lattice. Here we describe a one-dimensional supramolecular polymer in which photoinduced through-space charge-transfer complexes lead to highly coherent domains with delocalized electronic states displaying metallic behavior. We also reveal that diffusion of supramolecular polarons in the nanowires repairs structural defects thereby improving their conduction. The ability to access metallic properties from mendable self-assemblies extends the current understanding of both fields and opens a wide range of processing techniques for applications in organic electronics.

Significant differences in ion and electron guiding through highly insulating capillaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stolterfoht, N.; Tanis, J.

2018-04-01

Outstanding phenomena of capillary guiding are discussed in accordance with a recent review in the field. Experiments concerning highly charged ions of a few keV energy guided through insulating nanocapillaries are shown. Studies of the temporal evolution of ion transmission are presented. Attention is focused on oscillatory structures in the ion emission and the independence of the ion guiding on the beam intensity. A few experiments of electron guiding are presented showing a significantly different temporal evolution of the transmitted intensity. The onset of the electron transmission is very sudden accompanied by a considerable energy loss within the capillary. To achieve more insight into the different guiding mechanisms, theoretical aspects of the capillary guiding are analyzed. A scenario is offered to explain the abrupt rise of transmitted electrons. Altogether, these studies show that ion and electron guiding are accomplished through different manifestations of the charge build up that underlies both.

Fused electron deficient semiconducting polymers for air stable electron transport.

PubMed

Onwubiko, Ada; Yue, Wan; Jellett, Cameron; Xiao, Mingfei; Chen, Hung-Yang; Ravva, Mahesh Kumar; Hanifi, David A; Knall, Astrid-Caroline; Purushothaman, Balaji; Nikolka, Mark; Flores, Jean-Charles; Salleo, Alberto; Bredas, Jean-Luc; Sirringhaus, Henning; Hayoz, Pascal; McCulloch, Iain

2018-01-29

Conventional semiconducting polymer synthesis typically involves transition metal-mediated coupling reactions that link aromatic units with single bonds along the backbone. Rotation around these bonds contributes to conformational and energetic disorder and therefore potentially limits charge delocalisation, whereas the use of transition metals presents difficulties for sustainability and application in biological environments. Here we show that a simple aldol condensation reaction can prepare polymers where double bonds lock-in a rigid backbone conformation, thus eliminating free rotation along the conjugated backbone. This polymerisation route requires neither organometallic monomers nor transition metal catalysts and offers a reliable design strategy to facilitate delocalisation of frontier molecular orbitals, elimination of energetic disorder arising from rotational torsion and allowing closer interchain electronic coupling. These characteristics are desirable for high charge carrier mobilities. Our polymers with a high electron affinity display long wavelength NIR absorption with air stable electron transport in solution processed organic thin film transistors.

Two-dimensional vibrational-electronic spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Courtney, Trevor L.; Fox, Zachary W.; Slenkamp, Karla M.; Khalil, Munira

2015-10-01

Two-dimensional vibrational-electronic (2D VE) spectroscopy is a femtosecond Fourier transform (FT) third-order nonlinear technique that creates a link between existing 2D FT spectroscopies in the vibrational and electronic regions of the spectrum. 2D VE spectroscopy enables a direct measurement of infrared (IR) and electronic dipole moment cross terms by utilizing mid-IR pump and optical probe fields that are resonant with vibrational and electronic transitions, respectively, in a sample of interest. We detail this newly developed 2D VE spectroscopy experiment and outline the information contained in a 2D VE spectrum. We then use this technique and its single-pump counterpart (1D VE) to probe the vibrational-electronic couplings between high frequency cyanide stretching vibrations (νCN) and either a ligand-to-metal charge transfer transition ([FeIII(CN)6]3- dissolved in formamide) or a metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) transition ([(CN)5FeIICNRuIII(NH3)5]- dissolved in formamide). The 2D VE spectra of both molecules reveal peaks resulting from coupled high- and low-frequency vibrational modes to the charge transfer transition. The time-evolving amplitudes and positions of the peaks in the 2D VE spectra report on coherent and incoherent vibrational energy transfer dynamics among the coupled vibrational modes and the charge transfer transition. The selectivity of 2D VE spectroscopy to vibronic processes is evidenced from the selective coupling of specific νCN modes to the MMCT transition in the mixed valence complex. The lineshapes in 2D VE spectra report on the correlation of the frequency fluctuations between the coupled vibrational and electronic frequencies in the mixed valence complex which has a time scale of 1 ps. The details and results of this study confirm the versatility of 2D VE spectroscopy and its applicability to probe how vibrations modulate charge and energy transfer in a wide range of complex molecular, material, and biological systems.

Two-dimensional vibrational-electronic spectroscopy.

PubMed

Courtney, Trevor L; Fox, Zachary W; Slenkamp, Karla M; Khalil, Munira

2015-10-21

Two-dimensional vibrational-electronic (2D VE) spectroscopy is a femtosecond Fourier transform (FT) third-order nonlinear technique that creates a link between existing 2D FT spectroscopies in the vibrational and electronic regions of the spectrum. 2D VE spectroscopy enables a direct measurement of infrared (IR) and electronic dipole moment cross terms by utilizing mid-IR pump and optical probe fields that are resonant with vibrational and electronic transitions, respectively, in a sample of interest. We detail this newly developed 2D VE spectroscopy experiment and outline the information contained in a 2D VE spectrum. We then use this technique and its single-pump counterpart (1D VE) to probe the vibrational-electronic couplings between high frequency cyanide stretching vibrations (νCN) and either a ligand-to-metal charge transfer transition ([Fe(III)(CN)6](3-) dissolved in formamide) or a metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) transition ([(CN)5Fe(II)CNRu(III)(NH3)5](-) dissolved in formamide). The 2D VE spectra of both molecules reveal peaks resulting from coupled high- and low-frequency vibrational modes to the charge transfer transition. The time-evolving amplitudes and positions of the peaks in the 2D VE spectra report on coherent and incoherent vibrational energy transfer dynamics among the coupled vibrational modes and the charge transfer transition. The selectivity of 2D VE spectroscopy to vibronic processes is evidenced from the selective coupling of specific νCN modes to the MMCT transition in the mixed valence complex. The lineshapes in 2D VE spectra report on the correlation of the frequency fluctuations between the coupled vibrational and electronic frequencies in the mixed valence complex which has a time scale of 1 ps. The details and results of this study confirm the versatility of 2D VE spectroscopy and its applicability to probe how vibrations modulate charge and energy transfer in a wide range of complex molecular, material, and biological systems.

Charge transfer polarisation wave and carrier pairing in the high T(sub c) copper oxides

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chakraverty, B. K.

1990-01-01

The High T(sub c) oxides are highly polarizable materials and are charge transfer insulators. The charge transfer polarization wave formalism is developed in these oxides. The dispersion relationships due to long range dipole-dipole interaction of a charge transfer dipole lattice are obtained in 3-D and 2-D. These are high frequency bosons and their coupling with carriers is weak and antiadiabatic in nature. As a result, the mass renormalization of the carriers is negligible in complete contrast to conventional electron-phonon interaction, that give polarons and bipolarons. Both bound and superconducting pairing is discussed for a model Hamiltonian valid in the antiadiabatic regime, both in 3-D and 2-D. The stability of the charge transfer dipole lattice has interesting consequences that are discussed.

Non-fullerene electron acceptors for organic photovoltaic devices

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

Jenekhe, Samson A.; Li, Haiyan; Earmme, Taeshik

Non-fullerene electron acceptors for highly efficient organic photovoltaic devices are described. The non-fullerene electron acceptors have an extended, rigid, .pi.-conjugated electron-deficient framework that can facilitate exciton and charge derealization. The non-fullerene electron acceptors can physically mix with a donor polymer and facilitate improved electron transport. The non-fullerene electron acceptors can be incorporated into organic electronic devices, such as photovoltaic cells.

Active control of bright electron beams with RF optics for femtosecond microscopy

DOE PAGES

Williams, J.; Zhou, F.; Sun, T.; ...

2017-08-01

A frontier challenge in implementing femtosecond electron microscopy is to gain precise optical control of intense beams to mitigate collective space charge effects for significantly improving the throughput. In this paper, we explore the flexible uses of an RF cavity as a longitudinal lens in a high-intensity beam column for condensing the electron beams both temporally and spectrally, relevant to the design of ultrafast electron microscopy. Through the introduction of a novel atomic grating approach for characterization of electron bunch phase space and control optics, we elucidate the principles for predicting and controlling the phase space dynamics to reach optimalmore » compressions at various electron densities and generating conditions. We provide strategies to identify high-brightness modes, achieving ~100 fs and ~1 eV resolutions with 10 6 electrons per bunch, and establish the scaling of performance for different bunch charges. These results benchmark the sensitivity and resolution from the fundamental beam brightness perspective and also validate the adaptive optics concept to enable delicate control of the density-dependent phase space structures to optimize the performance, including delivering ultrashort, monochromatic, high-dose, or coherent electron bunches.« less

Active control of bright electron beams with RF optics for femtosecond microscopy

PubMed Central

Williams, J.; Zhou, F.; Sun, T.; Tao, Z.; Chang, K.; Makino, K.; Berz, M.; Duxbury, P. M.; Ruan, C.-Y.

2017-01-01

A frontier challenge in implementing femtosecond electron microscopy is to gain precise optical control of intense beams to mitigate collective space charge effects for significantly improving the throughput. Here, we explore the flexible uses of an RF cavity as a longitudinal lens in a high-intensity beam column for condensing the electron beams both temporally and spectrally, relevant to the design of ultrafast electron microscopy. Through the introduction of a novel atomic grating approach for characterization of electron bunch phase space and control optics, we elucidate the principles for predicting and controlling the phase space dynamics to reach optimal compressions at various electron densities and generating conditions. We provide strategies to identify high-brightness modes, achieving ∼100 fs and ∼1 eV resolutions with 106 electrons per bunch, and establish the scaling of performance for different bunch charges. These results benchmark the sensitivity and resolution from the fundamental beam brightness perspective and also validate the adaptive optics concept to enable delicate control of the density-dependent phase space structures to optimize the performance, including delivering ultrashort, monochromatic, high-dose, or coherent electron bunches. PMID:28868325

High-mobility strained organic semiconductors (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeya, Jun; Matsui, H.; Kubo, T.; Hausermann, Roger

2016-11-01

Small molecular organic semiconductor crystals form interesting electronic systems of periodically arranged "charge clouds" whose mutual electronic coupling determines whether or not electronic states can be coherent over fluctuating molecules. This presentation focuses on two methods to reduce molecular fluctuation, which strongly restricts mobility of highly mobile charge in single-crystal organic transistors. The first example is to apply external hydrostatic pressure. Using Hall-effect measurement for pentacene FETs, which tells us the extent of the electronic coherence, we found a crossover from hopping-like transport of nearly localized charge to band transport of delocalized charge with full coherence. As the result of temperature dependence measurement, it turned out that reduced molecular fluctuation is mainly responsible for the crossover. The second is to apply uniaxial strain to single-crystal organic FETs. We applied stain by bending thin films of newly synthesized decyldinaphthobenzodithiophene (C10-DNBDT) on plastic substrate so that 3% strain is uniaxially applied. As the result, the room-temperature mobility increased by the factor of 1.7. In-depth analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal the origin to be the suppression of the thermal fluctuation of the individual molecules, which is confirmed by temperature dependent measurements. Our findings show that compressing the crystal structure directly restricts the vibration of the molecules, thus suppressing dynamic disorder, a unique mechanism in organic semiconductors. Since strain can easily be induced during the fabrication process, these findings can directly be exploited to build high performance organic devices.

Microstructural change in electroformed copper liners of shaped charges upon plastic deformation at ultra-high strain rate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, W. H.; Hu, S. L.; Fan, A. L.; Wang, Z.

2002-01-01

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations were carried out for examining the as-formed and post-deformed microstructures in a variety of electroformed copper liners of shaped charges. The deformation was carried out at an ultra-high strain rate. Specifically, the electron backscattering Kikuchi pattern (EBSP) technique was utilized to examine the micro-texture of these materials. TEM observations revealed that these electroformed copper liners of shaped charges have a grain size of about 1-3 mum, EBSP analysis demonstrated that the as-grown copper liners of shaped charges exhibit a l 10) fiber micro-texture which is parallel to the normal direction of the surface of the liners of shaped charges. Having undergone plastic deformation at ultra-high strain rate (10(7) s(-1)), the specimens which were recovered from the copper slugs were found to have grain size of the same order as that before deformation. EBSP analysis revealed that the (110) fiber texture existed in the as-formed copper liners disappears in the course of deformation. TEM examination results indicate that dynamic recovery and recrystallization play a significant role in this deformation process.

Positively-charged reduced graphene oxide as an adhesion promoter for preparing a highly-stable silver nanowire film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Qijun; Lee, Seong Jun; Kang, Hyungseok; Gim, Yuseong; Park, Ho Seok; Cho, Jeong Ho

2015-04-01

An ultrathin conductive adhesion promoter using positively charged reduced graphene oxide (rGO-NH3+) has been demonstrated for preparing highly stable silver nanowire transparent conductive electrodes (AgNW TCEs). The adhesion promoter rGO-NH3+, spray coated between the substrate and AgNWs, significantly enhances the chemical and mechanical stabilities of the AgNW TCEs. Besides, the ultrathin thickness of the rGO-NH3+ ensures excellent optical transparency and mechanical flexibility for TCEs. The AgNW films prepared using the adhesion promoter are extremely stable under harsh conditions, including ultrasonication in a variety of solvents, 3M Scotch tape detachment test, mechanical bending up to 0.3% strain, or fatigue over 1000 cycles. The greatly enhanced adhesion force is attributed to the ionic interactions between the positively charged protonated amine groups in rGO-NH3+ and the negatively charged hydroxo- and oxo-groups on the AgNWs. The positively charged GO-NH3+ and commercial polycationic polymer (poly allylamine hydrochloride) are also prepared as adhesion promoters for comparison with rGO-NH3+. Notably, the closely packed hexagonal atomic structure of rGO offers better barrier properties to water permeation and demonstrates promising utility in durable waterproof electronics. This work offers a simple method to prepare high-quality TCEs and is believed to have great potential application in flexible waterproof electronics.An ultrathin conductive adhesion promoter using positively charged reduced graphene oxide (rGO-NH3+) has been demonstrated for preparing highly stable silver nanowire transparent conductive electrodes (AgNW TCEs). The adhesion promoter rGO-NH3+, spray coated between the substrate and AgNWs, significantly enhances the chemical and mechanical stabilities of the AgNW TCEs. Besides, the ultrathin thickness of the rGO-NH3+ ensures excellent optical transparency and mechanical flexibility for TCEs. The AgNW films prepared using the adhesion promoter are extremely stable under harsh conditions, including ultrasonication in a variety of solvents, 3M Scotch tape detachment test, mechanical bending up to 0.3% strain, or fatigue over 1000 cycles. The greatly enhanced adhesion force is attributed to the ionic interactions between the positively charged protonated amine groups in rGO-NH3+ and the negatively charged hydroxo- and oxo-groups on the AgNWs. The positively charged GO-NH3+ and commercial polycationic polymer (poly allylamine hydrochloride) are also prepared as adhesion promoters for comparison with rGO-NH3+. Notably, the closely packed hexagonal atomic structure of rGO offers better barrier properties to water permeation and demonstrates promising utility in durable waterproof electronics. This work offers a simple method to prepare high-quality TCEs and is believed to have great potential application in flexible waterproof electronics. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr00777a

Stretchable carbon nanotube charge-trap floating-gate memory and logic devices for wearable electronics.

PubMed

Son, Donghee; Koo, Ja Hoon; Song, Jun-Kyul; Kim, Jaemin; Lee, Mincheol; Shim, Hyung Joon; Park, Minjoon; Lee, Minbaek; Kim, Ji Hoon; Kim, Dae-Hyeong

2015-05-26

Electronics for wearable applications require soft, flexible, and stretchable materials and designs to overcome the mechanical mismatch between the human body and devices. A key requirement for such wearable electronics is reliable operation with high performance and robustness during various deformations induced by motions. Here, we present materials and device design strategies for the core elements of wearable electronics, such as transistors, charge-trap floating-gate memory units, and various logic gates, with stretchable form factors. The use of semiconducting carbon nanotube networks designed for integration with charge traps and ultrathin dielectric layers meets the performance requirements as well as reliability, proven by detailed material and electrical characterizations using statistics. Serpentine interconnections and neutral mechanical plane layouts further enhance the deformability required for skin-based systems. Repetitive stretching tests and studies in mechanics corroborate the validity of the current approaches.

Effect of dynamic disorder on charge transport along a pentacene chain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Böhlin, J.; Linares, M.; Stafström, S.

2011-02-01

The lattice equation of motion and a numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation provide us with a microscopic picture of charge transport in highly ordered molecular crystals. We have chosen the pentacene single crystal as a model system, and we study charge transport as a function of phonon-mode time-dependent fluctuations in the intermolecular electron transfer integral. For comparison, we include similar fluctuations also in the intramolecular potentials. The variance in these energy quantities is closely related to the temperature of the system. The pentacene system is shown to be very sensitive to fluctuation in the intermolecular transfer integral, revealing a transition from adiabatic to nonadiabatic polaron transport for increasing temperatures. The extension of the polaron at temperatures above 200 K is limited by the electron localization length rather than the interplay between the electron transfer integral and the electron-phonon coupling strength.

In situ measurement of surface potential developed on MgO thin film surface under ion irradiation using ion scattering spectroscopy

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

Nagatomi, T.; Kuwayama, T.; Takai, Y.

2009-11-15

The application of ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS) to the in situ measurement of the surface potential developed on an insulator surface under positive ion irradiation was investigated. The ISS spectra measured for a MgO film of 600 nm thickness on a Si substrate by the irradiation of 950 eV He{sup +} ions revealed that the surface is positively charged by approximately 180 V. For accurate measurement of the surface potential, a correction to take into account the angular deflection of primary ions induced by the high surface potential is required. The dependence of the surface potential on the sample temperaturemore » revealed that no charging is induced above 700 deg. C, indicating that accumulated charges can be removed by heating to 700 deg. C. From the measurement of the ion-induced secondary electron yield using a collector electrode located in front of the sample surface, the surface potential and ion-induced secondary electron yield were found to be strongly affected by the experimental setup. Secondary electrons produced by the impact of slow positive secondary ions, the maximum energy of which corresponds to the surface potential, play an important role when the bias voltage applied to the collector electrode is positively high for the present experimental setup. The surface potential developed on the surface of MgO films of 600 and 200 nm thickness was measured in situ, revealing that the amount of accumulated charges and the time required to attain the steady state of charging are slightly dependent on the beam current of primary ions and strongly dependent on the thickness of the MgO film. The present results confirmed that the application of ISS has high potential for investigating charging phenomena and the secondary electron emission from insulator surfaces under positive ion irradiation.« less

Balancing the Electron and Hole Transfer for Efficient Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes by Employing a Versatile Organic Electron-Blocking Layer.

PubMed

Jin, Xiao; Chang, Chun; Zhao, Weifeng; Huang, Shujuan; Gu, Xiaobing; Zhang, Qin; Li, Feng; Zhang, Yubao; Li, Qinghua

2018-05-09

The electron-blocking layer (EBL) is important to balance the charge carrier transfer and achieve highly efficient quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). Here, we report the utilization of a soluble tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride-modified poly( p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (TBS-PBO) as an EBL for simultaneous good charge carrier transfer balance while maintaining a high current density. We show that the versatile TBS-PBO blocks excess electron injection into the quantum dots (QDs), thus leading to better charge carrier transfer balance. It also restricts the undesired QD-to-EBL electron-transfer process, which preserves the superior emission capabilities of the emitter. As a consequence, the TBS-PBO device delivers an external quantum efficiency (EQE) maximum of 16.7% along with a remarkable current density as high as 139 mA/cm 2 with a brightness of 5484 cd/m 2 . The current density of our device is higher than those of insulator EBL-based devices because of the higher conductivity of the TBS-PBO versus insulator EBL, thus helping achieve high luminance values ranging from 1414 to 20 000 cd/cm 2 with current densities ranging from 44 to 648 mA/cm 2 and EQE > 14%. We believe that these unconventional features of the present TBS-PBO-based QLEDs will expand the wide use of TBS-PBO as buffer layers in other advanced QLED applications.

Inhibiting Low-Frequency Vibrations Explains Exceptionally High Electron Mobility in 2,5-Difluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F2-TCNQ) Single Crystals.

PubMed

Chernyshov, Ivan Yu; Vener, Mikhail V; Feldman, Elizaveta V; Paraschuk, Dmitry Yu; Sosorev, Andrey Yu

2017-07-06

Organic electronics requires materials with high charge mobility. Despite decades of intensive research, charge transport in high-mobility organic semiconductors has not been well understood. In this Letter, we address the physical mechanism underlying the exceptionally high band-like electron mobility in F 2 -TCNQ (2,5-difluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane) single crystals among a crystal family of similar compounds F n -TCNQ (n = 0, 2, 4) using a combined experimental and theoretical approach. While electron transfer integrals and reorganization energies did not show outstanding features for F 2 -TCNQ, Raman spectroscopy and solid-state DFT indicated that the frequency of the lowest vibrational mode is nearly twice higher in the F 2 -TCNQ crystal than in TCNQ and F 4 -TCNQ. This phenomenon is explained by the specific packing motif of F 2 -TCNQ with only one molecule per primitive cell so that electron-phonon interaction decreases and the electron mobility increases. We anticipate that our findings will encourage investigators for the search and design of organic semiconductors with one molecule per primitive cell and/or the poor low-frequency vibrational spectrum.

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

Lu, Ping; Yan, Pengfei; Romero, Eric

Capacity loss, and voltage fade upon electrochemical charge-discharge cycling observed in lithium-rich layered cathode oxides (Li[LixMnyTM1-x-y]O2 , TM = Ni, Co or Fe) have recently been identified to be correlated to the gradual phase transformation, featuring the formation of a surface reconstructed layer (SRL) that evolves from a thin (<2 nm), defect spinel layer upon the first charge, to a relatively thick (~5 nm), spinel or rock-salt layer upon continuous charge-discharge cycling. Here we report observations of a SRL and structural evolution of the SRL on the Li[Li0.2Ni0.2Mn0.6]O2 (LMR) particles, which are identical to those reported due to the charge-dischargemore » cycle but are a result of electron-beam irradiation during scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging. Sensitivity of the lithium-rich layered oxides to high-energy electrons leads to the formation of thin, defect spinel layer on surfaces of the particles when exposed to a 200 kV electron beam for as little as 30 seconds under normal high-resolution STEM imaging conditions. Further electron irradiation produces a thicker layer of the spinel phase, ultimately producing a rock-salt layer at a higher electron exposure. Atomic-scale chemical mapping by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in STEM indicates the electron-beam-induced SRL formation on LMR is accomplished by migration of the transition metal ions to the Li sites without breaking down the lattice. This study provides an insight for understanding the mechanism of forming the SRL and also possibly a mean to study structural evolution in the Li-rich layered oxides without involving the electrochemistry.« less

Electron Transfer Dissociation with Supplemental Activation to Differentiate Aspartic and Isoaspartic Residues in Doubly Charged Peptide Cations

PubMed Central

Chan, Wai Yi Kelly; Chan, T. W. Dominic; O’Connor, Peter B.

2011-01-01

Electron-transfer dissociation (ETD) with supplemental activation of the doubly charged deamidated tryptic digested peptide ions allows differentiation of isoaspartic acid and aspartic acid residues using c + 57 or z• − 57 peaks. The diagnostic peak clearly localizes and characterizes the isoaspartic acid residue. Supplemental activation in ETD of the doubly charged peptide ions involves resonant excitation of the charge reduced precursor radical cations and leads to further dissociation, including extra backbone cleavages and secondary fragmentation. Supplemental activation is essential to obtain a high quality ETD spectrum (especially for doubly charged peptide ions) with sequence information. Unfortunately, the low-resolution of the ion trap mass spectrometer makes detection of the diagnostic peak for the aspartic acid residue difficult due to interference with side-chain loss from arginine and glutamic acid residues. PMID:20304674

Uncovering the Key Role of the Fermi Level of the Electron Mediator in a Z-Scheme Photocatalyst by Detecting the Charge Transfer Process of WO3-metal-gC3N4 (Metal = Cu, Ag, Au).

PubMed

Li, Houfen; Yu, Hongtao; Quan, Xie; Chen, Shuo; Zhang, Yaobin

2016-01-27

Z-scheme photocatalytic system shows superiority in degradation of refractory pollutants and water splitting due to the high redox capacities caused by its unique charge transfer behaviors. As a key component of Z-scheme system, the electron mediator plays an important role in charge carrier migration. According to the energy band theory, we believe the interfacial energy band bendings facilitate the electron transfer via Z-scheme mechanism when the Fermi level of electron mediator is between the Fermi levels of Photosystem II (PS II) and Photosystem I (PS I), whereas charge transfer is inhibited in other cases as energy band barriers would form at the semiconductor-metal interfaces. Here, this inference was verified by the increased hydroxyl radical generation and improved photocurrent on WO3-Cu-gC3N4 (with the desired Fermi level structure), which were not observed on either WO3-Ag-gC3N4 or WO3-Au-gC3N4. Finally, photocatalytic degradation rate of 4-nonylphenol on WO3-Cu-gC3N4 was proved to be as high as 11.6 times than that of WO3-gC3N4, further demonstrating the necessity of a suitable electron mediator in Z-scheme system. This study provides scientific basis for rational construction of Z-scheme photocatalytic system.

Radio frequency reflectometry and charge sensing of a precision placed donor in silicon

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

Hile, Samuel J., E-mail: samhile@gmail.com; House, Matthew G.; Peretz, Eldad

2015-08-31

We compare charge transitions on a deterministic single P donor in silicon using radio frequency reflectometry measurements with a tunnel coupled reservoir and DC charge sensing using a capacitively coupled single electron transistor (SET). By measuring the conductance through the SET and comparing this with the phase shift of the reflected radio frequency (RF) excitation from the reservoir, we can discriminate between charge transfer within the SET channel and tunneling between the donor and reservoir. The RF measurement allows observation of donor electron transitions at every charge degeneracy point in contrast to the SET conductance signal where charge transitions aremore » only observed at triple points. The tunnel coupled reservoir has the advantage of a large effective lever arm (∼35%), allowing us to independently extract a neutral donor charging energy ∼62 ± 17 meV. These results demonstrate that we can replace three terminal transistors by a single terminal dispersive reservoir, promising for high bandwidth scalable donor control and readout.« less

Electrical Conductivity of Rocks and Dominant Charge Carriers. Part 1; Thermally Activated Positive Holes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Freund, Friedemann T.; Freund, Minoru M.

2012-01-01

The prevailing view in the geophysics community is that the electrical conductivity structure of the Earth's continental crust over the 5-35 km depth range can best be understood by assuming the presence of intergranular fluids and/or of intragranular carbon films. Based on single crystal studies of melt-grown MgO, magma-derived sanidine and anorthosite feldspars and upper mantle olivine, we present evidence for the presence of electronic charge carriers, which derive from peroxy defects that are introduced during cooling, under non-equilibrium conditions, through a redox conversion of pairs of solute hydroxyl arising from dissolution of H2O.The peroxy defects become thermally activated in a 2-step process, leading to the release of defect electrons in the oxygen anion sublattice. Known as positive holes and symbolized by h(dot), these electronic charge carriers are highly mobile. Chemically equivalent to O(-) in a matrix of O(2-) they are highly oxidizing. Being metastable they can exist in the matrix of minerals, which crystallized in highly reduced environments. The h(dot) are highly mobile. They appear to control the electrical conductivity of crustal rocks in much of the 5-35 km depth range.

A universal self-charging system driven by random biomechanical energy for sustainable operation of mobile electronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niu, Simiao; Wang, Xiaofeng; Yi, Fang; Zhou, Yu Sheng; Wang, Zhong Lin

2015-12-01

Human biomechanical energy is characterized by fluctuating amplitudes and variable low frequency, and an effective utilization of such energy cannot be achieved by classical energy-harvesting technologies. Here we report a high-efficient self-charging power system for sustainable operation of mobile electronics exploiting exclusively human biomechanical energy, which consists of a high-output triboelectric nanogenerator, a power management circuit to convert the random a.c. energy to d.c. electricity at 60% efficiency, and an energy storage device. With palm tapping as the only energy source, this power unit provides a continuous d.c. electricity of 1.044 mW (7.34 W m-3) in a regulated and managed manner. This self-charging unit can be universally applied as a standard `infinite-lifetime' power source for continuously driving numerous conventional electronics, such as thermometers, electrocardiograph system, pedometers, wearable watches, scientific calculators and wireless radio-frequency communication system, which indicates the immediate and broad applications in personal sensor systems and internet of things.

Novel x-ray silicon detector for 2D imaging and high-resolution spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castoldi, Andrea; Gatti, Emilio; Guazzoni, Chiara; Longoni, Antonio; Rehak, Pavel; Strueder, Lothar

1999-10-01

A novel x-ray silicon detector for 2D imaging has been recently proposed. The detector, called Controlled-Drift Detector, is operated in integrate-readout mode. Its basic feature is the fast transport of the integrated charge to the output electrode by means of a uniform drift field. The drift time of the charge packet identifies the pixel of incidence. A new architecture to implement the Controlled- Drift Detector concept will be presented. The potential wells for the integration of the signal charge are obtained by means of a suitable pattern of deep n-implants and deep p-implants. During the readout mode the signal electrons are transferred in the drift channel that flanks each column of potential wells where they drift towards the collecting electrode at constant velocity. The first experimental measurements demonstrate the successful integration, transfer and drift of the signal electrons. The low output capacitance of the readout electrode together with the on- chip front-end electronics allows high resolution spectroscopy of the detected photons.

A universal self-charging system driven by random biomechanical energy for sustainable operation of mobile electronics.

PubMed

Niu, Simiao; Wang, Xiaofeng; Yi, Fang; Zhou, Yu Sheng; Wang, Zhong Lin

2015-12-11

Human biomechanical energy is characterized by fluctuating amplitudes and variable low frequency, and an effective utilization of such energy cannot be achieved by classical energy-harvesting technologies. Here we report a high-efficient self-charging power system for sustainable operation of mobile electronics exploiting exclusively human biomechanical energy, which consists of a high-output triboelectric nanogenerator, a power management circuit to convert the random a.c. energy to d.c. electricity at 60% efficiency, and an energy storage device. With palm tapping as the only energy source, this power unit provides a continuous d.c. electricity of 1.044 mW (7.34 W m(-3)) in a regulated and managed manner. This self-charging unit can be universally applied as a standard 'infinite-lifetime' power source for continuously driving numerous conventional electronics, such as thermometers, electrocardiograph system, pedometers, wearable watches, scientific calculators and wireless radio-frequency communication system, which indicates the immediate and broad applications in personal sensor systems and internet of things.

In situ Scanning Electron Microscopy of Silicon Anode Reactions in Lithium-Ion Batteries during Charge/Discharge Processes

PubMed Central

Chen, Chih-Yao; Sano, Teruki; Tsuda, Tetsuya; Ui, Koichi; Oshima, Yoshifumi; Yamagata, Masaki; Ishikawa, Masashi; Haruta, Masakazu; Doi, Takayuki; Inaba, Minoru; Kuwabata, Susumu

2016-01-01

A comprehensive understanding of the charge/discharge behaviour of high-capacity anode active materials, e.g., Si and Li, is essential for the design and development of next-generation high-performance Li-based batteries. Here, we demonstrate the in situ scanning electron microscopy (in situ SEM) of Si anodes in a configuration analogous to actual lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with an ionic liquid (IL) that is expected to be a functional LIB electrolyte in the future. We discovered that variations in the morphology of Si active materials during charge/discharge processes is strongly dependent on their size and shape. Even the diffusion of atomic Li into Si materials can be visualized using a back-scattering electron imaging technique. The electrode reactions were successfully recorded as video clips. This in situ SEM technique can simultaneously provide useful data on, for example, morphological variations and elemental distributions, as well as electrochemical data. PMID:27782200

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

Dincă, Mircea; Léonard, François

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), with their crystalline nanoporous three-dimensional structures, have emerged as unique multifunctional materials that combine high porosity with catalytic, photophysical, or other properties to reveal new fundamental science and applications. Because MOFs are composed of organic molecules linking metal centers in ways that are not usually conducive to the formation of free-charge carriers or low-energy charge-transport pathways, they are typically insulators. Accordingly, applications so far have harnessed the unique structural properties and porosity of MOFs, which depend only to a small extent on the ability to manipulate their electronic structure. An exciting new area has emerged due tomore » the recent demonstration of MOFs with controlled electronic and optical properties, which is enabling new fundamental science and opens up the possibility of applications in electronics and photonics. This article presents an overview of the fundamental science issues related to controlling electronic and optical properties of MOFs, and how research groups worldwide have been exploring such properties for electronics, thermoelectrics, photophysics, and charge storage.« less

A summary of the CHARGE-2 electron beam rocket experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Myers, Neil B.; Raitt, W. John

1990-01-01

The major purpose of the CHARGE-2 experiment was to study the interaction of a vehicle at high potential (up to 1 kV) with the ionosphere. The payload consisted of two parts that were separated during the flight. The high potential was obtained by electron emission from the mother vehicle, and by voltage-biasing of the daughter vehicle. Measurements of transient vehicle potential were obtained with a sample internal of 100 ns. The mother current collection exhibited magnetic limitations above 240 km. Below 240 km the mother collected a current far in excess of the magnetically limited models. This demonstrates the ability of an electron beam to interact with the neutral atmosphere at altitudes below 240 km.

Effect of collective response on electron capture and excitation in collisions of highly charged ions with fullerenes.

PubMed

Kadhane, U; Misra, D; Singh, Y P; Tribedi, Lokesh C

2003-03-07

Projectile deexcitation Lyman x-ray emission following electron capture and K excitation has been studied in collisions of bare and Li-like sulphur ions (of energy 110 MeV) with fullerenes (C(60)/C(70)) and different gaseous targets. The intensity ratios of different Lyman x-ray lines in collisions with fullerenes are found to be substantially lower than those for the gas targets, both for capture and excitation. This has been explained in terms of a model based on "solidlike" effect, namely, wakefield induced stark mixing of the excited states populated via electron capture or K excitation: a collective phenomenon of plasmon excitation in the fullerenes under the influence of heavy, highly charged ions.

Gutzwiller charge phase diagram of cuprates, including electron–phonon coupling effects

DOE PAGES

Markiewicz, R. S.; Seibold, G.; Lorenzana, J.; ...

2015-02-01

Besides significant electronic correlations, high-temperature superconductors also show a strong coupling of electrons to a number of lattice modes. Combined with the experimental detection of electronic inhomogeneities and ordering phenomena in many high-T c compounds, these features raise the question as to what extent phonons are involved in the associated instabilities. Here we address this problem based on the Hubbard model including a coupling to phonons in order to capture several salient features of the phase diagram of hole-doped cuprates. Charge degrees of freedom, which are suppressed by the large Hubbard U near half-filling, are found to become active atmore » a fairly low doping level. We find that possible charge order is mainly driven by Fermi surface nesting, with competition between a near-(π, π) order at low doping and antinodal nesting at higher doping, very similar to the momentum structure of magnetic fluctuations. The resulting nesting vectors are generally consistent with photoemission and tunneling observations, evidence for charge density wave order in YBa₂Cu₃O 7-δ including Kohn anomalies, and suggestions of competition between one- and two-q-vector nesting.« less

Determination of the ReA Electron Beam Ion Trap electron beam radius and current density with an X-ray pinhole camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baumann, Thomas M.; Lapierre, Alain; Kittimanapun, Kritsada; Schwarz, Stefan; Leitner, Daniela; Bollen, Georg

2014-07-01

The Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT) of the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University is used as a charge booster and injector for the currently commissioned rare isotope re-accelerator facility ReA. This EBIT charge breeder is equipped with a unique superconducting magnet configuration, a combination of a solenoid and a pair of Helmholtz coils, allowing for a direct observation of the ion cloud while maintaining the advantages of a long ion trapping region. The current density of its electron beam is a key factor for efficient capture and fast charge breeding of continuously injected, short-lived isotope beams. It depends on the radius of the magnetically compressed electron beam. This radius is measured by imaging the highly charged ion cloud trapped within the electron beam with a pinhole camera, which is sensitive to X-rays emitted by the ions with photon energies between 2 keV and 10 keV. The 80%-radius of a cylindrical 800 mA electron beam with an energy of 15 keV is determined to be r_{80%}=(212± 19)μm in a 4 T magnetic field. From this, a current density of j = (454 ± 83)A/cm2 is derived. These results are in good agreement with electron beam trajectory simulations performed with TriComp and serve as a test for future electron gun design developments.

Two-dimensional electron beam charging model for polymer films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reeves, R. D.; Balmain, K. G.

1981-01-01

A two-dimensional model is developed to describe the charging of strips of thin polymer films above a grounded substrate exposed to a uniform mono-energetic electron beam. The study is motivated by the observed anomalous behavior of geosynchronous satellites, which has been attributed to differential charging of the satellite surfaces exposed to magnetospheric electrons. Surface and bulk electric fields are calcuated at steady state in order to identify regions of high electrical stress, with emphasis on behavior near the material's edge. The model is used to study the effects of some of the experimental parameters, notably beam energy, beam angle of incidence, beam current density, material thickness and material width. Also examined are the consequences of a central gap in the material and a discontinuity in the material thickness.

The DEPFET Sensor-Amplifier Structure: A Method to Beat 1/f Noise and Reach Sub-Electron Noise in Pixel Detectors

PubMed Central

Lutz, Gerhard; Porro, Matteo; Aschauer, Stefan; Wölfel, Stefan; Strüder, Lothar

2016-01-01

Depleted field effect transistors (DEPFET) are used to achieve very low noise signal charge readout with sub-electron measurement precision. This is accomplished by repeatedly reading an identical charge, thereby suppressing not only the white serial noise but also the usually constant 1/f noise. The repetitive non-destructive readout (RNDR) DEPFET is an ideal central element for an active pixel sensor (APS) pixel. The theory has been derived thoroughly and results have been verified on RNDR-DEPFET prototypes. A charge measurement precision of 0.18 electrons has been achieved. The device is well-suited for spectroscopic X-ray imaging and for optical photon counting in pixel sensors, even at high photon numbers in the same cell. PMID:27136549

High current nonlinear transmission line based electron beam driver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoff, B. W.; French, D. M.; Simon, D. S.; Lepell, P. D.; Montoya, T.; Heidger, S. L.

2017-10-01

A gigawatt-class nonlinear transmission line based electron beam driver is experimentally demonstrated. Four experimental series, each with a different Marx bank charge voltage (15, 20, 25, and 30 kV), were completed. Within each experimental series, shots at peak frequencies ranging from 950 MHz to 1.45 GHz were performed. Peak amplitude modulations of the NLTL output voltage signal were found to range between 18% and 35% for the lowest frequency shots and between 5% and 20% for the highest frequency shots (higher modulation at higher Marx charge voltage). Peak amplitude modulations of the electron beam current were found to range between 10% and 20% for the lowest frequency shots and between 2% and 7% for the highest frequency shots (higher modulation at higher Marx charge voltage).

Electrochemical capacitance modulation in an interacting mesoscopic capacitor induced by internal charge transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Wei; He, Jianhong; Guo, Huazhong; Gao, Jie

2018-04-01

We report experiments on the dynamic response of an interacting mesoscopic capacitor consisting of a quantum dot with two confined spin-split levels of the lowest Landau level. In high magnetic fields, states inside the dot are regulated by a mixture of Coulomb interaction and Landau-level quantization, and electrons distribute on two spatially separated regions. Quantum point contact voltage and magnetic field are employed to manipulate the number and distribution of electrons inside the quantum dot. We find that the periodicity of the electrochemical capacitance oscillations is dominated by the charging energy, and their amplitudes, due to internal charge transfer and strong internal capacitive coupling, show rich variations of modulations. Magnetocapacitance displays a sawtoothlike manner and may differ in tooth directions for different voltages, which, we demonstrate, result from a sawtoothlike electrochemical potential change induced by internal charge transfer and field-sensitive electrostatic potential. We further build a charge stability diagram, which, together with all other capacitance properties, is consistently interpreted in terms of a double-dot model. The demonstrated technique is of interest as a tool for fast and sensitive charge state readout of a double-quantum-dot qubit in the gigahertz frequency quantum electronics.

Charge exchange of highly charged argon ions as a function of projectile energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allen, F. I.; Biedermann, C.; Radtke, R.; Fussmann, G.

2007-03-01

X-ray emission of highly charged argon ions following charge exchange collisions with argon atoms has been measured as a function of projectile energy. The ions are extracted from the Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT) in Berlin and selected according to their massto-charge ratios. Experiments focussed on hydrogen-like and bare argon ions which were decelerated from 125q eV/amu to below 0.25q eV/amu prior to interaction with an argon gas target. The x-ray spectra recorded probe the cascading transitions resulting from electron capture into Rydberg states and are found to vary significantly with collision velocity. This indicates a shift in the orbital angular momentum of the capture state. Hardness ratios are observed to increase with decreasing projectile energy though at a rate which differs from the results of simulations. For comparison, measurements of the x-ray emission following charge exchange within the trap were carried out and are in agreement with the findings of the EBIT group at LLNL. Both of these in situ measurements, however, are in discrepancy with the results of the experiments using extracted ions.

Eliminating Overerase Behavior by Designing Energy Band in High-Speed Charge-Trap Memory Based on WSe2.

PubMed

Liu, Chunsen; Yan, Xiao; Wang, Jianlu; Ding, Shijin; Zhou, Peng; Zhang, David Wei

2017-05-01

Atomic crystal charge trap memory, as a new concept of nonvolatile memory, possesses an atomic level flatness interface, which makes them promising candidates for replacing conventional FLASH memory in the future. Here, a 2D material WSe 2 and a 3D Al 2 O 3 /HfO 2 /Al 2 O 3 charge-trap stack are combined to form a charge-trap memory device with a separation of control gate and memory stack. In this device, the charges are erased/written by built-in electric field, which significantly enhances the write speed to 1 µs. More importantly, owing to the elaborate design of the energy band structure, the memory only captures electrons with a large electron memory window over 20 V and trap selectivity about 13, both of them are the state-of-the-art values ever reported in FLASH memory based on 2D materials. Therefore, it is demonstrated that high-performance charge trap memory based on WSe 2 without the fatal overerase issue in conventional FLASH memory can be realized to practical application. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Fragile charge order in the nonsuperconducting ground state of the underdoped high-temperature superconductors.

PubMed

Tan, B S; Harrison, N; Zhu, Z; Balakirev, F; Ramshaw, B J; Srivastava, A; Sabok-Sayr, S A; Sabok, S A; Dabrowski, B; Lonzarich, G G; Sebastian, Suchitra E

2015-08-04

The normal state in the hole underdoped copper oxide superconductors has proven to be a source of mystery for decades. The measurement of a small Fermi surface by quantum oscillations on suppression of superconductivity by high applied magnetic fields, together with complementary spectroscopic measurements in the hole underdoped copper oxide superconductors, point to a nodal electron pocket from charge order in YBa2Cu3(6+δ). Here, we report quantum oscillation measurements in the closely related stoichiometric material YBa2Cu4O8, which reveals similar Fermi surface properties to YBa2Cu3(6+δ), despite the nonobservation of charge order signatures in the same spectroscopic techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, that revealed signatures of charge order in YBa2Cu3(6+δ). Fermi surface reconstruction in YBa2Cu4O8 is suggested to occur from magnetic field enhancement of charge order that is rendered fragile in zero magnetic fields because of its potential unconventional nature and/or its occurrence as a subsidiary to more robust underlying electronic correlations.

2D coherent charge transport in highly ordered conducting polymers doped by solid state diffusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Keehoon; Watanabe, Shun; Broch, Katharina; Sepe, Alessandro; Brown, Adam; Nasrallah, Iyad; Nikolka, Mark; Fei, Zhuping; Heeney, Martin; Matsumoto, Daisuke; Marumoto, Kazuhiro; Tanaka, Hisaaki; Kuroda, Shin-Ichi; Sirringhaus, Henning

2016-08-01

Doping is one of the most important methods to control charge carrier concentration in semiconductors. Ideally, the introduction of dopants should not perturb the ordered microstructure of the semiconducting host. In some systems, such as modulation-doped inorganic semiconductors or molecular charge transfer crystals, this can be achieved by spatially separating the dopants from the charge transport pathways. However, in conducting polymers, dopants tend to be randomly distributed within the conjugated polymer, and as a result the transport properties are strongly affected by the resulting structural and electronic disorder. Here, we show that in the highly ordered lamellar microstructure of a regioregular thiophene-based conjugated polymer, a small-molecule p-type dopant can be incorporated by solid state diffusion into the layers of solubilizing side chains without disrupting the conjugated layers. In contrast to more disordered systems, this allows us to observe coherent, free-electron-like charge transport properties, including a nearly ideal Hall effect in a wide temperature range, a positive magnetoconductance due to weak localization and the Pauli paramagnetic spin susceptibility.

Novel electronic ferroelectricity in an organic charge-order insulator investigated with terahertz-pump optical-probe spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Yamakawa, H.; Miyamoto, T.; Morimoto, T.; Yada, H.; Kinoshita, Y.; Sotome, M.; Kida, N.; Yamamoto, K.; Iwano, K.; Matsumoto, Y.; Watanabe, S.; Shimoi, Y.; Suda, M.; Yamamoto, H. M.; Mori, H.; Okamoto, H.

2016-01-01

In electronic-type ferroelectrics, where dipole moments produced by the variations of electron configurations are aligned, the polarization is expected to be rapidly controlled by electric fields. Such a feature can be used for high-speed electric-switching and memory devices. Electronic-type ferroelectrics include charge degrees of freedom, so that they are sometimes conductive, complicating dielectric measurements. This makes difficult the exploration of electronic-type ferroelectrics and the understanding of their ferroelectric nature. Here, we show unambiguous evidence for electronic ferroelectricity in the charge-order (CO) phase of a prototypical ET-based molecular compound, α-(ET)2I3 (ET:bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene), using a terahertz pulse as an external electric field. Terahertz-pump second-harmonic-generation(SHG)-probe and optical-reflectivity-probe spectroscopy reveal that the ferroelectric polarization originates from intermolecular charge transfers and is inclined 27° from the horizontal CO stripe. These features are qualitatively reproduced by the density-functional-theory calculation. After sub-picosecond polarization modulation by terahertz fields, prominent oscillations appear in the reflectivity but not in the SHG-probe results, suggesting that the CO is coupled with molecular displacements, while the ferroelectricity is electronic in nature. The results presented here demonstrate that terahertz-pump optical-probe spectroscopy is a powerful tool not only for rapidly controlling polarizations, but also for clarifying the mechanisms of ferroelectricity. PMID:26864779

Novel electronic ferroelectricity in an organic charge-order insulator investigated with terahertz-pump optical-probe spectroscopy.

PubMed

Yamakawa, H; Miyamoto, T; Morimoto, T; Yada, H; Kinoshita, Y; Sotome, M; Kida, N; Yamamoto, K; Iwano, K; Matsumoto, Y; Watanabe, S; Shimoi, Y; Suda, M; Yamamoto, H M; Mori, H; Okamoto, H

2016-02-11

In electronic-type ferroelectrics, where dipole moments produced by the variations of electron configurations are aligned, the polarization is expected to be rapidly controlled by electric fields. Such a feature can be used for high-speed electric-switching and memory devices. Electronic-type ferroelectrics include charge degrees of freedom, so that they are sometimes conductive, complicating dielectric measurements. This makes difficult the exploration of electronic-type ferroelectrics and the understanding of their ferroelectric nature. Here, we show unambiguous evidence for electronic ferroelectricity in the charge-order (CO) phase of a prototypical ET-based molecular compound, α-(ET)2I3 (ET:bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene), using a terahertz pulse as an external electric field. Terahertz-pump second-harmonic-generation(SHG)-probe and optical-reflectivity-probe spectroscopy reveal that the ferroelectric polarization originates from intermolecular charge transfers and is inclined 27° from the horizontal CO stripe. These features are qualitatively reproduced by the density-functional-theory calculation. After sub-picosecond polarization modulation by terahertz fields, prominent oscillations appear in the reflectivity but not in the SHG-probe results, suggesting that the CO is coupled with molecular displacements, while the ferroelectricity is electronic in nature. The results presented here demonstrate that terahertz-pump optical-probe spectroscopy is a powerful tool not only for rapidly controlling polarizations, but also for clarifying the mechanisms of ferroelectricity.

Absence of ballistic charge transport in the half-filled 1D Hubbard model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carmelo, J. M. P.; Nemati, S.; Prosen, T.

2018-05-01

Whether in the thermodynamic limit of lattice length L → ∞, hole concentration mηz = - 2 Sηz/L = 1 -ne → 0, nonzero temperature T > 0, and U / t > 0 the charge stiffness of the 1D Hubbard model with first neighbor transfer integral t and on-site repulsion U is finite or vanishes and thus whether there is or there is no ballistic charge transport, respectively, remains an unsolved and controversial issue, as different approaches yield contradictory results. (Here Sηz = - (L -Ne) / 2 is the η-spin projection and ne =Ne / L the electronic density.) In this paper we provide an upper bound on the charge stiffness and show that (similarly as at zero temperature), for T > 0 and U / t > 0 it vanishes for mηz → 0 within the canonical ensemble in the thermodynamic limit L → ∞. Moreover, we show that at high temperature T → ∞ the charge stiffness vanishes as well within the grand-canonical ensemble for L → ∞ and chemical potential μ →μu where (μ -μu) ≥ 0 and 2μu is the Mott-Hubbard gap. The lack of charge ballistic transport indicates that charge transport at finite temperatures is dominated by a diffusive contribution. Our scheme uses a suitable exact representation of the electrons in terms of rotated electrons for which the numbers of singly occupied and doubly occupied lattice sites are good quantum numbers for U / t > 0. In contrast to often less controllable numerical studies, the use of such a representation reveals the carriers that couple to the charge probes and provides useful physical information on the microscopic processes behind the exotic charge transport properties of the 1D electronic correlated system under study.

Electrostatic Charging of Lunar Dust by UV Photoelectric Emissions and Solar Wind Electrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, Mian M.; Tankosic, Dragana; Spann, James f.; LeClair, Andre C.; Dube, Michael J.

2008-01-01

The ubiquitous presence of dust in the lunar environment with its high adhesive characteristics has been recognized to be a major safety issue that must be addressed in view of its hazardous effects on robotic and human exploration of the Moon. The reported observations of a horizon glow and streamers at the lunar terminator during the Apollo missions are attributed to the sunlight scattered by the levitated lunar dust. The lunar surface and the dust grains are predominantly charged positively by the incident UV solar radiation on the dayside and negatively by the solar wind electrons on the night-side. The charged dust grains are levitated and transported over long distances by the established electric fields. A quantitative understanding of the lunar dust phenomena requires development of global dust distribution models, based on an accurate knowledge of lunar dust charging properties. Currently available data of lunar dust charging is based on bulk materials, although it is well recognized that measurements on individual dust grains are expected to be substantially different from the bulk measurements. In this paper we present laboratory measurements of charging properties of Apollo 11 & 17 dust grains by UV photoelectric emissions and by electron impact. These measurements indicate substantial differences of both qualitative and quantitative nature between dust charging properties of individual micron/submicron sized dust grains and of bulk materials. In addition, there are no viable theoretical models available as yet for calculation of dust charging properties of individual dust grains for both photoelectric emissions and electron impact. It is thus of paramount importance to conduct comprehensive measurements for charging properties of individual dust grains in order to develop realistic models of dust processes in the lunar atmosphere, and address the hazardous issues of dust on lunar robotic and human missions.

Measurements of charge state breeding efficiency at BNL test EBIS

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

Kondrashev, S.; Alessi, J.; Beebe, E.N.

Charge breeding of singly charged ions is required to efficiently accelerate rare isotope ion beams for nuclear and astrophysics experiments, and to enhance the accuracy of low-energy Penning trap-assisted spectroscopy. An efficient charge breeder for the Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) to the ANL Tandem Linear Accelerator System (ATLAS) facility is being developed using the BNL Test Electron Beam Ion Source (Test EBIS) as a prototype. Parameters of the CARIBU EBIS charge breeder are similar to those of the BNL Test EBIS except the electron beam current will be adjustable in the range from 1 to 2 {angstrom}. Themore » electron beam current density in the CARIBU EBIS trap will be significantly higher than in existing operational charge state breeders based on the EBIS concept. The charge state breeding efficiency is expected to be about 25% for the isotope ions extracted from the CARIBU. For the success of our EBIS project, it is essential to demonstrate high breeding efficiency at the BNL Test EBIS tuned to the regime close to the parameters of the CARIBU EBIS at ANL. The breeding efficiency optimization and measurements have been successfully carried out using a Cs{sup +} surface ionization ion source for externally pulsed injection into the BNL Test EBIS. A Cs{sup +} ion beam with a total number of ions of 5 x 10{sup 8} and optimized pulse length of 70 {mu}s has been injected into the Test EBIS and charge-bred for 5.3 ms for two different electron beam currents 1 and 1.5 {angstrom}. In these experiments we have achieved 70% injection/extraction efficiency and breeding efficiency into the most abundant charge state 17%.« less

Investigating the reversibility of structural modifications of Li xNi yMn zCo 1-y-zO₂ cathode materials during initial charge/discharge, at multiple length scales

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

Hwang, Sooyeon; Bak, Seong -Min; Kim, Seung Min

2015-08-11

In this work, we investigate the structural modifications occurring at the bulk, subsurface, and surface scales of Li xNi yMn zCo 1-y-zO₂ (NMC; y, z = 0.8, 0.1 and 0.4, 0.3, respectively) cathode materials during the initial charge/discharge. Various analytical tools, such as X-ray diffraction, selected-area electron diffraction, electron energy-loss spectroscopy, and high-resolution electron microscopy, are used to examine the structural properties of the NMC cathode materials at the three different scales. Cut-off voltages of 4.3 and 4.8 V are applied during the electrochemical tests as the normal and extreme conditions, respectively. The high-Ni-content NMC cathode materials exhibit unusual behaviors,more » which is deviate from the general redox reactions during the charge or discharge. The transition metal (TM) ions in the high-Ni-content NMC cathode materials, which are mostly Ni ions, are reduced at 4.8 V, even though TMs are usually oxidized to maintain charge neutrality upon the removal of Li. It was found that any changes in the crystallographic and electronic structures are mostly reversible down to the sub-surface scale, despite the unexpected reduction of Ni ions. However, after the discharge, traces of the phase transitions remain at the edges of the NMC cathode materials at the scale of a few nanometers (i.e., surface scale). This study demonstrates that the structural modifications in NMC cathode materials are induced by charge as well as discharge at multiple length scales. These changes are nearly reversible after the first cycle, except at the edges of the samples, which should be avoided because these highly localized changes can initiate battery degradation.« less

Field calculations, single-particle tracking, and beam dynamics with space charge in the electron lens for the Fermilab Integrable Optics Test Accelerator

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

Noll, Daniel; Stancari, Giulio

2015-11-17

An electron lens is planned for the Fermilab Integrable Optics Test Accelerator as a nonlinear element for integrable dynamics, as an electron cooler, and as an electron trap to study space-charge compensation in rings. We present the main design principles and constraints for nonlinear integrable optics. A magnetic configuration of the solenoids and of the toroidal section is laid out. Singleparticle tracking is used to optimize the electron path. Electron beam dynamics at high intensity is calculated with a particle-in-cell code to estimate current limits, profile distortions, and the effects on the circulating beam. In the conclusions, we summarize themore » main findings and list directions for further work.« less

Advances in Charge-Compensation in Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hervig, R. L.; Chen, J.; Schauer, S.; Stanley, B. D.; Moore, G. M.; Roggensack, K.

2012-12-01

In secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), a sample is bombarded by a charged particle beam (the primary ion) and sputtered positive or negative secondary ions are analyzed in a mass spectrometer. When the target is not conducting (like many geological materials), sample charging can result in variable deflection of secondary ions away from the mass spectrometer and a low, unstable, or absent signal. Applying a thin conducting coat (e.g., C, Au) to polished samples is required, and if the primary ion beam is negatively-charged, the build-up of negative charge can be alleviated by secondary electrons draining to the conducting coat at the edge of the crater (if a positive potential is applied to the sample for the collection of positive secondary ions) or accelerated away from the crater (if a negative potential is applied for negative ion study). Unless the sputtered crater in the conducting coat becomes too large, sample charging can be kept at a controllable level, and high-quality trace element analyses and isotope ratios have been obtained using this technique over the past 3+ decades. When a positive primary beam is used, the resulting build-up of positive charge in the sample requires an electron gun to deliver sufficient negative charge to the sputtered crater. While there are many examples of successful analyses using this approach, the purpose of this presentation is to describe a very simple technique for aligning the electron gun on Cameca nf and 1270/80 SIMS instruments. This method allows reproducible analyses of insulating phases with a Cs+ primary beam and detection of negative secondary ions. Normally, the filament voltage on the E-gun is the same as the sample voltage; thus electrons do not strike the sample except when a positive charge has built up (e.g., in the analysis crater!). In this method, we decrease the sample voltage by 3 or more kV, so that the impact energy of the electrons is sufficient to induce a cathodoluminescent (CL) image on an appropriate sample (e.g., GaN). The CL image is made circular and homogeneous by adjusting the deflectors and a lens in the electron steering assembly, and the sample voltage is subsequently returned to the same value as the filament. Very minor corrections of the electron tuning (mostly by an external magnet known as Bx or B1) will then produce a uniform secondary ion image on a test insulator (a gold-coated glass slide) under Cs bombardment. The uniform electron density is correlated with reproducible calibration for hydrogen and carbon concentrations over a multi-day session and from session to session over a period of months. Outside visitors to the lab can use this set-up and obtain high-quality analyses with little to no previous training. Obtaining a homogeneous distribution of electrons over a maximum diameter (100+ microns) also reduces problems associated with changes in the position of the electron beam induced by stray magnetic fields. As a result, analyses of hydrogen isotopes and/or multi-element analysis routines using elemental H species are simplified.

Rapid detection of cardiac troponin I using antibody-immobilized gate-pulsed AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Jiancheng; Carey, Patrick; Ren, Fan; Wang, Yu-Lin; Good, Michael L.; Jang, Soohwan; Mastro, Michael A.; Pearton, S. J.

2017-11-01

We report a comparison of two different approaches to detecting cardiac troponin I (cTnI) using antibody-functionalized AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMTs). If the solution containing the biomarker has high ionic strength, there can be difficulty in detection due to charge-screening effects. To overcome this, in the first approach, we used a recently developed method involving pulsed biases applied between a separate functionalized electrode and the gate of the HEMT. The resulting electrical double layer produces charge changes which are correlated with the concentration of the cTnI biomarker. The second approach fabricates the sensing area on a glass slide, and the pulsed gate signal is externally connected to the nitride HEMT. This produces a larger integrated change in charge and can be used over a broader range of concentrations without suffering from charge-screening effects. Both approaches can detect cTnI at levels down to 0.01 ng/ml. The glass slide approach is attractive for inexpensive cartridge-type sensors.

Numerical Simulations of Spacecraft Charging: Selected Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moulton, J. D.; Delzanno, G. L.; Meierbachtol, C.; Svyatskiy, D.; Vernon, L.; Borovsky, J.; Thomsen, M. F.

2016-12-01

The electrical charging of spacecraft due to bombarding charged particles affects their performance and operation. We study this charging using CPIC, a particle-in-cell code specifically designed for studying plasma-material interactions. CPIC is based on multi-block curvilinear meshes, resulting in near-optimal computational performance while maintaining geometric accuracy. It is interfaced to a mesh generator that creates a computational mesh conforming to complex objects like a spacecraft. Relevant plasma parameters can be imported from the SHIELDS framework (currently under development at LANL), which simulates geomagnetic storms and substorms in the Earth's magnetosphere. Selected physics results will be presented, together with an overview of the code. The physics results include spacecraft-charging simulations with geometry representative of the Van Allen Probes spacecraft, focusing on the conditions that can lead to significant spacecraft charging events. Second, results from a recent study that investigates the conditions for which a high-power (>keV) electron beam could be emitted from a magnetospheric spacecraft will be presented. The latter study proposes a spacecraft-charging mitigation strategy based on the plasma contactor technology that might allow beam experiments to operate in the low-density magnetosphere. High-power electron beams could be used for instance to establish magnetic-field-line connectivity between ionosphere and magnetosphere and help solving long-standing questions in ionospheric/magnetospheric physics.

ICFA Beam Dynamics Newsletter

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

Pikin, A.

2017-11-21

Electron beam ion sources technology made significant progress since 1968 when this method of producing highly charged ions in a potential trap within electron beam was proposed by E. Donets. Better understanding of physical processes in EBIS, technological advances and better simulation tools determined significant progress in key EBIS parameters: electron beam current and current density, ion trap capacity, attainable charge states. Greatly increased the scope of EBIS and EBIT applications. An attempt is made to compile some of EBIS engineering problems and solutions and to demonstrate a present stage of understanding the processes and approaches to build a bettermore » EBIS.« less

The expansion of polarization charge layers into magnetized vacuum - Theory and computer simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Galvez, Miguel; Borovsky, Joseph E.

1991-01-01

The formation and evolution of polarization charge layers on cylindrical plasma streams moving in vacuum are investigated using analytic theory and 2D electrostatic particle-in-cell computer simulations. It is shown that the behavior of the electron charge layer goes through three stages. An early time expansion is driven by electrostatic repulsion of electrons in the charge layer. At the intermediate stage, the simulations show that the electron-charge-layer expansion is halted by the positively charged plasma stream. Electrons close to the stream are pulled back to the stream and a second electron expansion follows in time. At the late stage, the expansion of the ion charge layer along the magnetic field lines accompanies the electron expansion to form an ambipolar expansion. It is found that the velocities of these electron-ion expansions greatly exceed the velocities of ambipolar expansions which are driven by plasma temperatures.

Energetics and kinetics of primary charge separation in bacterial photosynthesis.

PubMed

LeBard, David N; Kapko, Vitaliy; Matyushov, Dmitry V

2008-08-21

We report the results of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and formal modeling of the free-energy surfaces and reaction rates of primary charge separation in the reaction center of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Two simulation protocols were used to produce MD trajectories. Standard force-field potentials were employed in the first protocol. In the second protocol, the special pair was made polarizable to reproduce a high polarizability of its photoexcited state observed by Stark spectroscopy. The charge distribution between covalent and charge-transfer states of the special pair was dynamically adjusted during the simulation run. We found from both protocols that the breadth of electrostatic fluctuations of the protein/water environment far exceeds previous estimates, resulting in about 1.6 eV reorganization energy of electron transfer in the first protocol and 2.5 eV in the second protocol. Most of these electrostatic fluctuations become dynamically frozen on the time scale of primary charge separation, resulting in much smaller solvation contributions to the activation barrier. While water dominates solvation thermodynamics on long observation times, protein emerges as the major thermal bath coupled to electron transfer on the picosecond time of the reaction. Marcus parabolas were obtained for the free-energy surfaces of electron transfer by using the first protocol, while a highly asymmetric surface was obtained in the second protocol. A nonergodic formulation of the diffusion-reaction electron-transfer kinetics has allowed us to reproduce the experimental results for both the temperature dependence of the rate and the nonexponential decay of the population of the photoexcited special pair.

Hidden Charge States in Soft-X-Ray Laser-Produced Nanoplasmas Revealed by Fluorescence Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schroedter, L.; Müller, M.; Kickermann, A.; Przystawik, A.; Toleikis, S.; Adolph, M.; Flückiger, L.; Gorkhover, T.; Nösel, L.; Krikunova, M.; Oelze, T.; Ovcharenko, Y.; Rupp, D.; Sauppe, M.; Wolter, D.; Schorb, S.; Bostedt, C.; Möller, T.; Laarmann, T.

2014-05-01

Highly charged ions are formed in the center of composite clusters by strong free-electron laser pulses and they emit fluorescence on a femtosecond time scale before competing recombination leads to neutralization of the nanoplasma core. In contrast to mass spectrometry that detects remnants of the interaction, fluorescence in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range provides fingerprints of transient states of high energy density matter. Spectra from clusters consisting of a xenon core and a surrounding argon shell show that a small fraction of the fluorescence signal comes from multiply charged xenon ions in the cluster core. Initially, these ions are as highly charged as the ions in the outer shells of pure xenon clusters with charge states up to at least 11+.

The role of regioregularity, crystallinity, and chain orientation on electron transport in a high-mobility n-type copolymer.

PubMed

Steyrleuthner, Robert; Di Pietro, Riccardo; Collins, Brian A; Polzer, Frank; Himmelberger, Scott; Schubert, Marcel; Chen, Zhihua; Zhang, Shiming; Salleo, Alberto; Ade, Harald; Facchetti, Antonio; Neher, Dieter

2014-03-19

We investigated the correlation between the polymer backbone structural regularity and the charge transport properties of poly{[N,N'-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalenediimide-2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5'-(2,2'-bithiophene)} [P(NDI2OD-T2)], a widely studied semiconducting polymer exhibiting high electron mobility and an unconventional micromorphology. To understand the influence of the chemical structure and crystal packing of conventional regioregular P(NDI2OD-T2) [RR-P(NDI2OD-T2)] on the charge transport, the corresponding regioirregular polymer RI-P(NDI2OD-T2) was synthesized. By combining optical, X-ray, and transmission electron microscopy data, we quantitatively characterized the aggregation, crystallization, and backbone orientation of all of the polymer films, which were then correlated to the electron mobilities in electron-only diodes. By carefully selecting the preparation conditions, we were able to obtain RR-P(NDI2OD-T2) films with similar crystalline structure along the three crystallographic axes but with different orientations of the polymer chains with respect to the substrate surface. RI-P(NDI2OD-T2), though exhibiting a rather similar LUMO structure and energy compared with the regioregular counterpart, displayed a very different packing structure characterized by the formation of ordered stacks along the lamellar direction without detectible π-stacking. Vertical electron mobilities were extracted from the space-charge-limited currents in unipolar devices. We demonstrate the anisotropy of the charge transport along the different crystallographic directions and how the mobility depends on π-stacking but is insensitive to the degree or coherence of lamellar stacking. The comparison between the regioregular and regioirregular polymers also shows how the use of large planar functional groups leads to improved charge transport, with mobilities that are less affected by chemical and structural disorder with respect to classic semicrystalline polymers such as poly(3-hexylthiophene).

Particle accelerator employing transient space charge potentials

DOEpatents

Post, Richard F.

1990-01-01

The invention provides an accelerator for ions and charged particles. The plasma is generated and confined in a magnetic mirror field. The electrons of the plasma are heated to high temperatures. A series of local coils are placed along the axis of the magnetic mirror field. As an ion or particle beam is directed along the axis in sequence the coils are rapidly pulsed creating a space charge to accelerate and focus the beam of ions or charged particles.

Fast and efficient charge breeding of the Californium rare isotope breeder upgrade electron beam ion source

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

Ostroumov, P. N.; Barcikowski, A.; Dickerson, C. A.

The Electron Beam Ion Source (EBIS), developed to breed CARIBU radioactive beams at ATLAS, is being tested off-line. A unique property of the EBIS is a combination of short breeding times, high repetition rates and a large acceptance. Overall, we have implemented many innovative features during the design and construction of the CARIBU EBIS as compared to the existing EBIS breeders. The offline charge breeding tests are being performed using a surface ionization source that produces singly-charged cesium ions. The main goal of the off-line commissioning is to demonstrate stable operation of the EBIS at a 10 Hz repetition ratemore » and a breeding efficiency into single charge state higher than 15%. These goals have been successfully achieved and exceeded. We have measured (20±0.7)% breeding efficiency into the single charge state of 28+ cesium ions with the breeding time of 28 ms. In general, the current CARIBU EBIS operational parameters can provide charge breeding of any ions in the full mass range of periodic table with high efficiency, short breeding times and sufficiently low charge-to-mass ratio, 1/6.3 for the heaviest masses, for further acceleration in ATLAS. In this paper we discuss the parameters of the EBIS and the charge breeding results in a pulsed injection mode with repetition rates up to 10 Hz.« less

Development of an EMCCD for LIDAR applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Monte, B.; Bell, R. T.

2017-11-01

A novel detector, incorporating e2v's EMCCD (L3VisionTM) [1] technology for use in LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) applications has been designed, manufactured and characterised. The most critical performance aspect was the requirement to collect charge from a 120μm square detection area for a 667ns temporal sampling window, with low crosstalk between successive samples, followed by signal readout with sub-electron effective noise. Additional requirements included low dark signal, high quantum efficiency at the 355nm laser wavelength and the ability to handle bright laser echoes, without corruption of the much fainter useful signals. The detector architecture used high speed charge binning to combine signal from each sampling window into a single charge packet. This was then passed through a multiplication register (EMCCD) operating with a typical gain of 100X to a conventional charge detection circuit. The detector achieved a typical quantum efficiency of 80% and a total noise in darkness of < 0.5 electrons rms. Development of the detector was supported by ESA.

High-Performance Nonvolatile Organic Field-Effect Transistor Memory Based on Organic Semiconductor Heterostructures of Pentacene/P13/Pentacene as Both Charge Transport and Trapping Layers.

PubMed

Li, Wen; Guo, Fengning; Ling, Haifeng; Zhang, Peng; Yi, Mingdong; Wang, Laiyuan; Wu, Dequn; Xie, Linghai; Huang, Wei

2017-08-01

Nonvolatile organic field-effect transistor (OFET) memory devices based on pentacene/ N , N '-ditridecylperylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide (P13)/pentacene trilayer organic heterostructures have been proposed. The discontinuous n-type P13 embedded in p-type pentacene layers can not only provide electrons in the semiconductor layer that facilitates electron trapping process; it also works as charge trapping sites, which is attributed to the quantum well-like pentacene/P13/pentacene organic heterostructures. The synergistic effects of charge trapping in the discontinuous P13 and the charge-trapping property of the poly(4-vinylphenol) (PVP) layer remarkably improve the memory performance. In addition, the trilayer organic heterostructures have also been successfully applied to multilevel and flexible nonvolatile memory devices. The results provide a novel design strategy to achieve high-performance nonvolatile OFET memory devices and allow potential applications for different combinations of various organic semiconductor materials in OFET memory.

Induced Charge Fluctuations in Semiconductor Detectors with a Cylindrical Geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samedov, Victor V.

2018-01-01

Now, compound semiconductors are very appealing for hard X-ray room-temperature detectors for medical and astrophysical applications. Despite the attractive properties of compound semiconductors, such as high atomic number, high density, wide band gap, low chemical reactivity and long-term stability, poor hole and electron mobility-lifetime products degrade the energy resolution of these detectors. The main objective of the present study is in development of a mathematical model of the process of the charge induction in a cylindrical geometry with accounting for the charge carrier trapping. The formulae for the moments of the distribution function of the induced charge and the formulae for the mean amplitude and the variance of the signal at the output of the semiconductor detector with a cylindrical geometry were derived. It was shown that the power series expansions of the detector amplitude and the variance in terms of the inverse bias voltage allow determining the Fano factor, electron mobility lifetime product, and the nonuniformity level of the trap density of the semiconductor material.

The Charged Aerosol Release Experiment (CARE)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bernhardt, P. A.; Ganguli, G.; Lampe, M.; Scales, W. A.

2005-12-01

The physics of radar scatter from charged particulates in the upper atmosphere will be studied with the Charged Aerosol Release Experiment (CARE). In 2008, two rocket payloads are being designed for launch North America. The purpose of the CARE program is to identify the mechanisms for radar scatter from polar mesospheric clouds. Polar mesospheric summer echoes (PMSE) are observed at high latitudes when small concentrations of electrons (one-thousand per cubic cm) become attached to sub-micron dust particles. Radar in the VHF (30-300 MHz) frequency range have seen 30 dB enhancements in radar echoes coincident with formation of ice near 85 km altitude. Radar echoes from electrons in the vicinity of charged dust have been observed for frequencies exceeding 1 GHz. Some fundamental questions that remain about the scatting process are: (1) What is the relative importance of turbulent scatter versus incoherent (i.e., Thompson) scatter from individual electrons? (2) What produces the inhomogeneous electron/dust plasma? (3) How is the radar scatter influenced by the density of background electrons, plasma instabilities and turbulence, and photo detachment of electrons from the particulates? These questions will be addressed when the CARE program releases 50 kg of dust particles in an expanding shell at about 300 km altitude. The dust will be manufactured by the chemical release payload to provide particulate sizes in the 10 to 1000 nm range. The expanding dust shell will collect electrons making dense, heavy particles the move the negative charges across magnetic field lines. Plasma turbulence and electron acceleration will be formed from the charge separation between the magnetized oxygen ions in the background ionosphere and the streaming negatively charged dust. Simulations of this process provide estimates of plasma structure which can scatter radar. As the particulates settle through the lower thermosphere into the mesosphere, artificial mesospheric clouds will be formed. Radar scatter form this artificial layer will be compared with natural PMSE observations. Along with the chemical release rocket, in situ probes with a separate instrumented payload will be used to measure dust density, electric fields, plasma density and velocity, and radio wave scattering.

EBIT spectroscopy of highly charged heavy ions relevant to hot plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, Nobuyuki

2013-05-01

An electron beam ion trap (EBIT) is a versatile device for studying highly charged ions. We have been using two types of EBITs for the spectroscopic studies of highly charged ions. One is a high-energy device called the Tokyo-EBIT, and another is a compact low-energy device called CoBIT. Complementary use of them enables us to obtain spectroscopic data for ions over a wide charge-state range interacting with electrons over a wide energy range. In this talk, we present EBIT spectra of highly charged ions for tungsten, iron, bismuth, etc., which are relevant to hot plasmas. Tungsten is considered to be the main impurity in the ITER (the next generation nuclear fusion reactor) plasma, and thus its emission lines are important for diagnosing and controlling the ITER plasma. We have observed many previously unreported lines to supply the lack of spectroscopic data of tungsten ions. Iron is one of the main components of the solar corona, and its spectra are used to diagnose temperature, density, etc. The diagnostics is usually done by comparing observed spectra with model calculations. An EBIT can provide spectra under a well-defined condition; they are thus useful to test the model calculations. Laser-produced bismuth plasma is one of the candidates for a soft x-ray source in the water window region. An EBIT has a narrow charge state distribution; it is thus useful to disentangle the spectra of laser-produced plasma containing ions with a wide charge-state range. Performed with the support and under the auspices of the NIFS Collaboration Research program (NIFS09KOAJ003) and JSPS KAKENHI Number 23246165, and partly supported by the JSPS-NRF-NSFC A3 Foresight Program in the field of Plasma Physics.

Enhanced flashover strength in polyethylene nanodielectrics by secondary electron emission modification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Weiwang; Li, Shengtao; Min, Daomin

2016-04-01

This work studies the correlation between secondary electron emission (SEE) characteristics and impulse surface flashover in polyethylene nanodielectrics both theoretically and experimentally, and illustrates the enhancement of flashover voltage in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) through incorporating Al2O3 nanoparticles. SEE characteristics play key roles in surface charging and gas desorption during surface flashover. This work demonstrates that the presence of Al2O3 nanoparticles decreases the SEE coefficient of LDPE and enhances the impact energy at the equilibrium state of surface charging. These changes can be explained by the increase of surface roughness and of surface ionization energy, and the strong interaction between nanoparticles and the polymer dielectric matrix. The surface charge and flashover voltage are calculated according to the secondary electron emission avalanche (SEEA) model, which reveals that the positive surface charges are reduced near the cathode triple point, while the presence of more nanoparticles in high loading samples enhances the gas desorption. Consequently, the surface flashover performance of LDPE/Al2O3 nanodielectrics is improved.

Spectrophotometric and spectroscopic studies of charge transfer complex of 1-Naphthylamine as an electron donor with picric acid as an electron acceptor in different polar solvents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Neeti; Ahmad, Afaq

2010-08-01

The charge transfer complex of 1-Naphthylamine as a donor with π-acceptor picric acid has been studied spectrophotometrically in different solvents at room temperature. The results indicate that the formation of charge transfer complex is high in less polar solvent. The stoichiometry of the complex was found to be 1:1 by straight line method. The data are analysed in terms of formation constant ( KCT), molar extinction coefficient ( ɛCT), standard free energy (Δ G o), oscillator strength ( ƒ), transition dipole moment ( μ EN), resonance energy ( R N) and ionization potential ( I D). It is concluded that the formation constant ( KCT) of the complex is found to be depends upon the nature of both electron acceptor and donor and also on the polarity of solvents. Further the charge transfer molecular complex between picric acid and 1-Naphthylamine is stabilized by hydrogen bonding.

First two operational years of the electron-beam ion trap charge breeder at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lapierre, A.; Bollen, G.; Crisp, D.; Krause, S. W.; Linhardt, L. E.; Lund, K.; Nash, S.; Rencsok, R.; Ringle, R.; Schwarz, S.; Steiner, M.; Sumithrarachchi, C.; Summers, T.; Villari, A. C. C.; Williams, S. J.; Zhao, Q.

2018-05-01

The electron-beam ion trap (EBIT) charge breeder of the ReA post-accelerator, located at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (Michigan State University), started on-line operation in September 2015. Since then, the EBIT has delivered many pilot beams of stable isotopes and several rare-isotope beams. An operating aspect of the ReA EBIT is the breeding of high charge states to reach high reaccelerated beam energies. Efficiencies in single charge states of more than 20% were measured with K39 15 + , Rb85 27 + , K47 17 + , and Ar34 15 + . Producing high charge states demands long breeding times. This reduces the ejection frequency and, hence, increases the number of ions ejected per pulse. Another operating aspect is the ability to spread the distribution in time of the ejected ion pulses to lower the instantaneous rate delivered to experiments. Pulse widths were stretched from a natural 25 μ s up to ˜70 ms . This publication reviews the progress of the ReA EBIT system over the years and presents the results of charge-breeding efficiency measurements and pulse-stretching tests obtained with stable- and rare-isotope beams. Studies performed with high sensitivity to identify and quantify stable-isotope contaminants from the EBIT are also presented, along with a novel method for purifying beams.

Self-consistent simulation of radio frequency multipactor on micro-grooved dielectric surface

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

Cai, Libing; Wang, Jianguo, E-mail: wanguiuc@mail.xjtu.edu.cn; Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710024

2015-02-07

The multipactor plays a key role in the surface breakdown on the feed dielectric window irradiated by high power microwave. To study the suppression of multipactor, a 2D electrostatic PIC-MCC simulation code was developed. The space charge field, including surface deposited charge and multipactor electron charge field, is obtained by solving 2D Poisson's equation in time. Therefore, the simulation is self-consistent and does not require presetting a fixed space charge field. By using this code, the self-consistent simulation of the RF multipactor on the periodic micro-grooved dielectric surface is realized. The 2D space distributions of the multipactor electrons and spacemore » charge field are presented. From the simulation results, it can be found that only half slopes have multipactor discharge when the slope angle exceeds a certain value, and the groove presents a pronounced suppression effect on the multipactor.« less

Three electron beams from a laser-plasma wakefield accelerator and the energy apportioning question

PubMed Central

Yang, X.; Brunetti, E.; Gil, D. Reboredo; Welsh, G. H.; Li, F. Y.; Cipiccia, S.; Ersfeld, B.; Grant, D. W.; Grant, P. A.; Islam, M. R.; Tooley, M. P.; Vieux, G.; Wiggins, S. M.; Sheng, Z. M.; Jaroszynski, D. A.

2017-01-01

Laser-wakefield accelerators are compact devices capable of delivering ultra-short electron bunches with pC-level charge and MeV-GeV energy by exploiting the ultra-high electric fields arising from the interaction of intense laser pulses with plasma. We show experimentally and through numerical simulations that a high-energy electron beam is produced simultaneously with two stable lower-energy beams that are ejected in oblique and counter-propagating directions, typically carrying off 5–10% of the initial laser energy. A MeV, 10s nC oblique beam is ejected in a 30°–60° hollow cone, which is filled with more energetic electrons determined by the injection dynamics. A nC-level, 100s keV backward-directed beam is mainly produced at the leading edge of the plasma column. We discuss the apportioning of absorbed laser energy amongst the three beams. Knowledge of the distribution of laser energy and electron beam charge, which determine the overall efficiency, is important for various applications of laser-wakefield accelerators, including the development of staged high-energy accelerators. PMID:28281679

Low-Temperature Scanning Capacitance Probe for Imaging Electron Motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhandari, S.; Westervelt, R. M.

2014-12-01

Novel techniques to probe electronic properties at the nanoscale can shed light on the physics of nanoscale devices. In particular, studying the scattering of electrons from edges and apertures at the nanoscale and imaging the electron profile in a quantum dot, have been of interest [1]. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of a cooled scanning capacitance probe that operates at liquid He temperatures to image electron waves in nanodevices. The conducting tip of a scanned probe microscope is held above the nanoscale structure, and an applied sample-to-tip voltage creates an image charge that is measured by a cooled charge amplifier [2] adjacent to the tip. The circuit is based on a low-capacitance, high- electron-mobility transistor (Fujitsu FHX35X). The input is a capacitance bridge formed by a low capacitance pinched-off HEMT transistor and tip-sample capacitance. We have achieved low noise level (0.13 e/VHz) and high spatial resolution (100 nm) for this technique, which promises to be a useful tool to study electronic behavior in nanoscale devices.

An Investigation of Low Earth Orbit Internal Charging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

NeergaardParker, Linda; Minow, Joseph I.; Willis, Emily M.

2014-01-01

Low Earth orbit is usually considered a relatively benign environment for internal charging threats due to the low flux of penetrating electrons with energies of a few MeV that are encountered over an orbit. There are configurations, however, where insulators and ungrounded conductors used on the outside of a spacecraft hull may charge when exposed to much lower energy electrons of some 100's keV in a process that is better characterized as internal charging than surface charging. For example, the minimal radiation shielding afforded by thin thermal control materials such as metalized polymer sheets (e.g., aluminized Kapton or Mylar) and multilayer insulation may allow electrons of 100's of keV to charge underlying materials. Yet these same thermal control materials protect the underlying insulators and ungrounded conductors from surface charging currents due to electrons and ions at energies less than a few keV as well as suppress the photoemission, secondary electron, and backscattered electron processes associated with surface charging. We investigate the conditions required for this low Earth orbit "internal charging" to occur and evaluate the environments for which the process may be a threat to spacecraft. First, we describe a simple one-dimensional internal charging model that is used to compute the charge accumulation on materials under thin shielding. Only the electron flux that penetrates exposed surface shielding material is considered and we treat the charge balance in underlying insulation as a parallel plate capacitor accumulating charge from the penetrating electron flux and losing charge due to conduction to a ground plane. Charge dissipation due to conduction can be neglected to consider the effects of charging an ungrounded conductor. In both cases, the potential and electric field is computed as a function of time. An additional charge loss process is introduced due to an electrostatic discharge current when the electric field reaches a prescribed breakdown strength. For simplicity, the amount of charge lost in the discharge is treated as a random percentage of the total charge between a set maximum and minimum amount so a user can consider partial discharges of insulating materials (small loss of charge) or arcing from a conductor (large loss of charge). We apply the model to electron flux measurements from the NOAA-19 spacecraft to demonstrate that charging can reach levels where electrostatic discharges occur and estimate the magnitude of the discharge.

Analysis of the saturation phenomena of the neutralization rate of positively charged 218Po in water vapor.

PubMed

Tan, Yanliang; Xiao, Detao; Shan, Jian; Zhou, Qingzhi; Qu, Jingnian

2014-09-01

Generally, 88% of the freshly generated 218Po ions decayed from 222Rn are positively charged. These positive ions become neutralized by recombination with negative ions, and the main source of the negative ions is the OH- ions formed by radiolysis of water vapor. However, the neutralization rate of positively charged 218Po versus the square root of the concentration of H2O will be a constant when the concentration of H2O is sufficiently high. Since the electron affinity of the hydroxyl radical formed by water vapor is high, the authors propose that the hydroxyl radical can grab an electron to become OH-. Because the average period of collision with other positively charged ions and the average life of the OH- are much longer than those of the electron, the average concentration of negative ions will grow when the water vapor concentration increases. The authors obtained a model to describe the growth of OH- ions. From this model, it was found that the maximum value of the OH- ion concentration is limited by the square root of the radon concentration. If the radon concentration is invariant, the OH- ion concentration should be approximately a constant when the water vapor concentration is higher than a certain value. The phenomenon that the neutralization rate of positively charged 218Po versus the square root of the water vapor concentration will be saturated when the water vapor concentration is sufficiently high can be explained by this mechanism. This mechanism can be used also to explain the phenomenon that the detection efficiency of a radon monitor based on the electrostatic collection method seems to be constant when the water vapor concentration is high.

Simulation of ASTROD I test mass charging due to solar energetic particles and interplanetary electrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, L.; Dong, Y.; Bao, G.; Ni, W.-T.; Shaul, D. N. A.

2010-01-01

As ASTROD I travels through space, its test mass will accrue charge due to exposure of the spacecraft to high-energy particles. This test mass charge will result in Coulomb forces between the test mass and the surrounding electrodes. In earlier work, we have used the GEANT 4 toolkit to simulate charging of the ASTROD test mass due to cosmic-ray protons of energies between 0.1 and 1000 GeV at solar maximum and at solar minimum. Here we use GEANT 4 to simulate the charging process due to solar energetic particle events and interplanetary electrons. We then estimate the test mass acceleration noise due to these fluxes. The predicted charging rates range from 2247 e+/s to 47,055 e+/s, at peak intensity, for the four largest SEP events in September and October 1989. Although the noise due to charging exceeds the ASTROD I budget for the two larger events, it can be suppressed through continuous discharging. The acceleration noise during the two small events is well below the design target. The charging rate of the ASTROD I test mass due to interplanetary electrons in this simulation is about -11% of the cosmic-ray protons at solar minimum, and over -37% at solar maximum. In addition to the Monte Carlo uncertainty, an error of ±30% in the net charging rates should be added to account for uncertainties in the spectra, physics models and geometry implementations.

Kelvin probe force microscopy studies of the charge effects upon adsorption of carbon nanotubes and C60 fullerenes on hydrogen-terminated diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kölsch, S.; Fritz, F.; Fenner, M. A.; Kurch, S.; Wöhrl, N.; Mayne, A. J.; Dujardin, G.; Meyer, C.

2018-01-01

Hydrogen-terminated diamond is known for its unusually high surface conductivity that is ascribed to its negative electron affinity. In the presence of acceptor molecules, electrons are expected to transfer from the surface to the acceptor, resulting in p-type surface conductivity. Here, we present Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) measurements on carbon nanotubes and C60 adsorbed onto a hydrogen-terminated diamond(001) surface. A clear reduction in the Kelvin signal is observed at the position of the carbon nanotubes and C60 molecules as compared with the bare, air-exposed surface. This result can be explained by the high positive electron affinity of carbon nanotubes and C60, resulting in electron transfer from the surface to the adsorbates. When an oxygen-terminated diamond(001) is used instead, no reduction in the Kelvin signal is obtained. While the presence of a charged adsorbate or a difference in work function could induce a change in the KPFM signal, a charge transfer effect of the hydrogen-terminated diamond surface, by the adsorption of the carbon nanotubes and the C60 fullerenes, is consistent with previous theoretical studies.

Elucidating the charge carrier separation and working mechanism of CH3NH3PbI(3-x)Cl(x) perovskite solar cells.

PubMed

Edri, Eran; Kirmayer, Saar; Mukhopadhyay, Sabyasachi; Gartsman, Konstantin; Hodes, Gary; Cahen, David

2014-03-11

Developments in organic-inorganic lead halide-based perovskite solar cells have been meteoric over the last 2 years, with small-area efficiencies surpassing 15%. We address the fundamental issue of how these cells work by applying a scanning electron microscopy-based technique to cell cross-sections. By mapping the variation in efficiency of charge separation and collection in the cross-sections, we show the presence of two prime high efficiency locations, one at/near the absorber/hole-blocking-layer, and the second at/near the absorber/electron-blocking-layer interfaces, with the former more pronounced. This 'twin-peaks' profile is characteristic of a p-i-n solar cell, with a layer of low-doped, high electronic quality semiconductor, between a p- and an n-layer. If the electron blocker is replaced by a gold contact, only a heterojunction at the absorber/hole-blocking interface remains.

Electromagnetic interaction of spacecraft with ambient environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ku, Hwar-Ching; Silver, David M.

1993-01-01

A model of the midcourse space experiment (MSX) spacecraft and its electromagnetic environment has been developed using the potential of large spacecraft in the Auroral region (POLAR) code. The geometric model has a resolution of 0.341 meters and uses six materials to simulate the electrical surface properties of MSX. The vehicle model includes features such as the major instruments, electronic boxes, radiators, a dewar and open bay, a booster attachment ring, and three different orientations of the solar panels. The electron and ion composition and temperature environment are modeled as a function of the solar activity. Additional parameters include the ram-wake orientation, the hot electron spectrum, day-night-twilight variations, latitudinal variations, and solar panel voltage biasing. Nominal low spacecraft charging cases are described. Calculation with a high peak energetic electron flux produces a ground potential of -180 volts and differential charging as high as 66 volts.

Collective charge excitations and the metal-insulator transition in the square lattice Hubbard-Coulomb model

DOE PAGES

Ulybyshev, Maksim; Winterowd, Christopher; Zafeiropoulos, Savvas

2017-11-09

Here in this article, we discuss the nontrivial collective charge excitations (plasmons) of the extended square lattice Hubbard model. Using a fully nonperturbative approach, we employ the hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm to simulate the system at half-filling. A modified Backus-Gilbert method is introduced to obtain the spectral functions via numerical analytic continuation. We directly compute the single-particle density of states which demonstrates the formation of Hubbard bands in the strongly correlated phase. The momentum-resolved charge susceptibility also is computed on the basis of the Euclidean charge-density-density correlator. In agreement with previous extended dynamical mean-field theory studies, we find that, atmore » high strength of the electron-electron interaction, the plasmon dispersion develops two branches.« less

Collective charge excitations and the metal-insulator transition in the square lattice Hubbard-Coulomb model

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

Ulybyshev, Maksim; Winterowd, Christopher; Zafeiropoulos, Savvas

Here in this article, we discuss the nontrivial collective charge excitations (plasmons) of the extended square lattice Hubbard model. Using a fully nonperturbative approach, we employ the hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm to simulate the system at half-filling. A modified Backus-Gilbert method is introduced to obtain the spectral functions via numerical analytic continuation. We directly compute the single-particle density of states which demonstrates the formation of Hubbard bands in the strongly correlated phase. The momentum-resolved charge susceptibility also is computed on the basis of the Euclidean charge-density-density correlator. In agreement with previous extended dynamical mean-field theory studies, we find that, atmore » high strength of the electron-electron interaction, the plasmon dispersion develops two branches.« less

Solar photovoltaic charging of lithium-ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gibson, Thomas L.; Kelly, Nelson A.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) charging of batteries was tested by using high efficiency crystalline and amorphous silicon PV modules to recharge lithium-ion battery modules. This testing was performed as a proof of concept for solar PV charging of batteries for electrically powered vehicles. The iron phosphate type lithium-ion batteries were safely charged to their maximum capacity and the thermal hazards associated with overcharging were avoided by the self-regulating design of the solar charging system. The solar energy to battery charge conversion efficiency reached 14.5%, including a PV system efficiency of nearly 15%, and a battery charging efficiency of approximately 100%. This high system efficiency was achieved by directly charging the battery from the PV system with no intervening electronics, and matching the PV maximum power point voltage to the battery charging voltage at the desired maximum state of charge for the battery. It is envisioned that individual homeowners could charge electric and extended-range electric vehicles from residential, roof-mounted solar arrays, and thus power their daily commuting with clean, renewable solar energy.

Search for free fractional electric charge elementary particles using an automated millikan oil drop technique

PubMed

Halyo; Kim; Lee; Lee; Loomba; Perl

2000-03-20

We have carried out a direct search in bulk matter for free fractional electric charge elementary particles using the largest mass single sample ever studied-about 17.4 mg of silicone oil. The search used an improved and highly automated Millikan oil drop technique. No evidence for fractional charge particles was found. The concentration of particles with fractional charge more than 0. 16e ( e being the magnitude of the electron charge) from the nearest integer charge is less than 4.71x10(-22) particles per nucleon with 95% confidence.

Polymeric and Molecular Materials for Advanced Organic Electronics

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-07-25

printable variants. All have excellent dielectric and insulating properties, a remarkable ability to minimize trapped charge between thin film transistor... trapped charge density, and hence the corresponding OTFT device performance. Under this program we first discovered that OTFT performance is...deep, high- density charge traps must be overcome for efficient FET operation, it has been postulated that in most OFETs, shallow lower-density (~10

Production of highly charged ion beams with SECRALa)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, L. T.; Zhao, H. W.; Lu, W.; Zhang, X. Z.; Feng, Y. C.; Li, J. Y.; Cao, Y.; Guo, X. H.; Ma, H. Y.; Zhao, H. Y.; Shang, Y.; Ma, B. H.; Wang, H.; Li, X. X.; Jin, T.; Xie, D. Z.

2010-02-01

Superconducting electron cyclotron resonance ion source with advanced design in Lanzhou (SECRAL) is an all-superconducting-magnet electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) for the production of intense highly charged ion beams to meet the requirements of the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL). To further enhance the performance of SECRAL, an aluminum chamber has been installed inside a 1.5 mm thick Ta liner used for the reduction of x-ray irradiation at the high voltage insulator. With double-frequency (18+14.5 GHz) heating and at maximum total microwave power of 2.0 kW, SECRAL has successfully produced quite a few very highly charged Xe ion beams, such as 10 e μA of Xe37+, 1 e μA of Xe43+, and 0.16 e μA of Ne-like Xe44+. To further explore the capability of the SECRAL in the production of highly charged heavy metal ion beams, a first test run on bismuth has been carried out recently. The main goal is to produce an intense Bi31+ beam for HIRFL accelerator and to have a feel how well the SECRAL can do in the production of very highly charged Bi beams. During the test, though at microwave power less than 3 kW, more than 150 e μA of Bi31+, 22 e μA of Bi41+, and 1.5 e μA of Bi50+ have been produced. All of these results have again demonstrated the great capability of the SECRAL source. This article will present the detailed results and brief discussions to the production of highly charged ion beams with SECRAL.

First charge breeding results at CARIBU EBIS

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

Kondrashev, S., E-mail: kondrashev@anl.gov; Barcikowski, A., E-mail: kondrashev@anl.gov; Dickerson, C., E-mail: kondrashev@anl.gov

The Electron Beam Ion Source (EBIS) developed to breed CARIBU radioactive beams at ATLAS is currently in the off-line commissioning stage. The beam commissioning is being performed using a low emittance surface ionization source producing singly-charged cesium ions. The primary goal of the off-line commissioning is the demonstration of high-efficiency charge breeding in the pulsed injection mode. An overview of the final design of the CARIBU EBIS charge breeder, the off-line commissioning installation and the first results on charge breeding of stable cesium ions are presented and discussed.

Multidimensional photoemission spectroscopy—the space-charge limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schönhense, B.; Medjanik, K.; Fedchenko, O.; Chernov, S.; Ellguth, M.; Vasilyev, D.; Oelsner, A.; Viefhaus, J.; Kutnyakhov, D.; Wurth, W.; Elmers, H. J.; Schönhense, G.

2018-03-01

Photoelectron spectroscopy, especially at pulsed sources, is ultimately limited by the Coulomb interaction in the electron cloud, changing energy and angular distribution of the photoelectrons. A detailed understanding of this phenomenon is crucial for future pump-probe photoemission studies at (x-ray) free electron lasers and high-harmonic photon sources. Measurements have been performed for Ir(111) at hν = 1000 eV with photon flux densities between ˜102 and 104 photons per pulse and μm2 (beamline P04/PETRA III, DESY Hamburg), revealing space-charge induced energy shifts of up to 10 eV. In order to correct the essential part of the energy shift and restore the electron distributions close to the Fermi energy, we developed a semi-analytical theory for the space-charge effect in cathode-lens instruments (momentum microscopes, photoemission electron microscopes). The theory predicts a Lorentzian profile of energy isosurfaces and allows us to quantify the charge cloud from measured energy profiles. The correction is essential for the determination of the Fermi surface, as we demonstrate by means of ‘k-space movies’ for the prototypical high-Z material tungsten. In an energy interval of about 1 eV below the Fermi edge, the bandstructure can be restored up to substantial shifts of ˜7 eV. Scattered photoelectrons strongly enhance the inelastic background in the region several eV below E F, proving that the majority of scattering events involves a slow electron. The correction yields a gain of two orders of magnitude in usable intensity compared with the uncorrected case (assuming a tolerable shift of 250 meV). The results are particularly important for future experiments at SASE-type free electron lasers, since the correction also works for strongly fluctuating (but known) pulse intensities.

Space charge neutralization by electron-transparent suspended graphene

PubMed Central

Srisonphan, Siwapon; Kim, Myungji; Kim, Hong Koo

2014-01-01

Graphene possesses many fascinating properties originating from the manifold potential for interactions at electronic, atomic, or molecular levels. Here we report measurement of electron transparency and hole charge induction response of a suspended graphene anode on top of a void channel formed in a SiO2/Si substrate. A two-dimensional (2D) electron gas induced at the oxide interface emits into air and makes a ballistic transport toward the suspended graphene. A small fraction (>~0.1%) of impinging electrons are captured at the edge of 2D hole system in graphene, demonstrating good transparency to very low energy (<3 eV) electrons. The hole charges induced in the suspended graphene anode have the effect of neutralizing the electron space charge in the void channel. This charge compensation dramatically enhances 2D electron gas emission at cathode to the level far surpassing the Child-Langmuir's space-charge-limited emission. PMID:24441774

Revealing the ultrafast charge carrier dynamics in organo metal halide perovskite solar cell materials using time resolved THz spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ponseca, C. S., Jr.; Sundström, V.

2016-03-01

Ultrafast charge carrier dynamics in organo metal halide perovskite has been probed using time resolved terahertz (THz) spectroscopy (TRTS). Current literature on its early time characteristics is unanimous: sub-ps charge carrier generation, highly mobile charges and very slow recombination rationalizing the exceptionally high power conversion efficiency for a solution processed solar cell material. Electron injection from MAPbI3 to nanoparticles (NP) of TiO2 is found to be sub-ps while Al2O3 NPs do not alter charge dynamics. Charge transfer to organic electrodes, Spiro-OMeTAD and PCBM, is sub-ps and few hundreds of ps respectively, which is influenced by the alignment of energy bands. It is surmised that minimizing defects/trap states is key in optimizing charge carrier extraction from these materials.

Highly efficient organic electroluminescent diodes realized by efficient charge balance with optimized electron and hole transport layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, M. A.; Xu, Wei; Wei, Fuxiang; Bai, Yu; Jiang, X. Y.; Zhang, Z. L.; Zhu, W. Q.

2007-11-01

Highly efficient organic electroluminescent devices (OLEDs) were developed based on 4,7-diphenyl-1, 10-phenanthroline (BPhen) as the electron transport layer (ETL), tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq 3) as the emission layer (EML) and N,Ń-bis-[1-naphthy(-N,Ńdiphenyl-1,1'-biphenyl-4,4'-diamine)] (NPB) as the hole transport layer (HTL). The typical device structure was glass substrate/ ITO/ NPB/ Alq 3/ BPhen/ LiF/ Al. Since BPhen possesses a considerable high electron mobility of 5×10 -4 cm 2 V -1 s -1, devices with BPhen as ETL can realize an extremely high luminous efficiency. By optimizing the thickness of both HTL and ETL, we obtained a highly efficient OLED with a current efficiency of 6.80 cd/A and luminance of 1361 cd/m 2 at a current density of 20 mA/cm 2. This dramatic improvement in the current efficiency has been explained on the principle of charge balance.

Mechanism of biphasic charge recombination and accumulation in TiO2 mesoporous structured perovskite solar cells.

PubMed

Wang, Hao-Yi; Wang, Yi; Yu, Man; Han, Jun; Guo, Zhi-Xin; Ai, Xi-Cheng; Zhang, Jian-Ping; Qin, Yujun

2016-04-28

Organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells are becoming the next big thing in the photovoltaic field owing to their rapidly developing photoelectric conversion performance. Herein, mesoporous structured perovskite devices with various perovskite grain sizes are fabricated by a sequential dropping method, and the charge recombination dynamics is investigated by transient optical-electric measurements. All devices exhibit an overall power conversion efficiency around 15%. More importantly, a biphasic trap-limited charge recombination process is proposed and interpreted by taking into account the specific charge accumulation mechanism in perovskite solar cells. At low Fermi levels, photo-generated electrons predominately populate in the perovskite phase, while at high Fermi levels, most electrons occupy traps in mesoporous TiO2. As a result, the dynamics of charge recombination is, respectively, dominated by the perovskite phase and mesoporous TiO2 in these two cases. The present work would give a new perspective on the charge recombination process in meso-structured perovskite solar cells.

Efficient barrier for charge injection in polyethylene by silver nanoparticles/plasma polymer stack

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

Milliere, L.; Makasheva, K., E-mail: kremena.makasheva@laplace.univ-tlse.fr; Laurent, C.

2014-09-22

Charge injection from a metal/insulator contact is a process promoting the formation of space charge in polymeric insulation largely used in thick layers in high voltage equipment. The internal charge perturbs the field distribution and can lead to catastrophic failure either through its electrostatic effects or through energetic processes initiated under charge recombination and/or hot electrons effects. Injection is still ill-described in polymeric insulation due to the complexity of the contact between the polymer chains and the electrodes. Barrier heights derived from the metal work function and the polymer electronic affinity do not provide a good description of the measurementsmore » [Taleb et al., IEEE Trans. Dielectr. Electr. Insul. 20, 311–320 (2013)]. Considering the difficulty to describe the contact properties and the need to prevent charge injection in polymers for high voltage applications, we developed an alternative approach by tailoring the interface properties by the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)/plasma polymer stack, deposited on the polymer film. Due to their small size, the AgNPs, covered by a very thin film of plasma polymer, act as deep traps for the injected charges thereby stabilizing the interface from the point of view of charge injection. After a quick description of the method for elaborating the nanostructured layer near the contact, it is demonstrated how the AgNPs/plasma polymer stack effectively prevents, in a spectacular way, the formation of bulk space charge.« less

Comprehensive approach to intrinsic charge carrier mobility in conjugated organic molecules, macromolecules, and supramolecular architectures.

PubMed

Saeki, Akinori; Koizumi, Yoshiko; Aida, Takuzo; Seki, Shu

2012-08-21

Si-based inorganic electronics have long dominated the semiconductor industry. However, in recent years conjugated polymers have attracted increasing attention because such systems are flexible and offer the potential for low-cost, large-area production via roll-to-roll processing. The state-of-the-art organic conjugated molecular crystals can exhibit charge carrier mobilities (μ) that nearly match or even exceed that of amorphous silicon (1-10 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)). The mean free path of the charge carriers estimated from these mobilities corresponds to the typical intersite (intermolecular) hopping distances in conjugated organic materials, which strongly suggests that the conduction model for the electronic band structure only applies to μ > 1 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) for the translational motion of the charge carriers. However, to analyze the transport mechanism in organic electronics, researchers conventionally use a disorder formalism, where μ is usually less than 1 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and dominated by impurities, disorders, or defects that disturb the long-range translational motion. In this Account, we discuss the relationship between the alternating-current and direct-current mobilities of charge carriers, using time-resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) and other techniques including field-effect transistor, time-of-flight, and space-charge limited current. TRMC measures the nanometer-scale mobility of charge carriers under an oscillating microwave electric field with no contact between the semiconductors and the metals. This separation allows us to evaluate the intrinsic charge carrier mobility with minimal trapping effects. We review a wide variety of organic electronics in terms of their charge carrier mobilities, and we describe recent studies of macromolecules, molecular crystals, and supramolecular architecture. For example, a rigid poly(phenylene-co-ethynylene) included in permethylated cyclodextrin shows a high intramolecular hole mobility of 0.5 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1), based on a combination of flash-photolysis TRMC and transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) measurements. Single-crystal rubrene showed an ambipolarity with anisotropic charge carrier transport along each crystal axis on the nanometer scale. Finally, we describe the charge carrier mobility of a self-assembled nanotube consisting of a large π-plane of hexabenzocoronene (HBC) partially appended with an electron acceptor. The local (intratubular) charge carrier mobility reached 3 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) for the nanotubes that possessed well-ordered π-stacking, but it dropped to 0.7 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) in regions that contained greater amounts of the electron acceptor because those molecules reduced the structural integrity of π-stacked HBC arrays. Interestingly, the long-range (intertubular) charge carrier mobility was on the order of 10(-4) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and monotonically decreased when the acceptor content was increased. These results suggest the importance of investigating charge carrier mobilities by frequency-dependent charge carrier motion for the development of more efficient organic electronic devices.

Proceeding of the 18th Intl. Workshop on Inelastic Ion-Surface Collisions (IISC-18)

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

Reinhold, Carlos O; Krstic, Predrag S; Meyer, Fred W

2011-01-01

The main topics of this proceedings were: (1) Energy loss of particles at surfaces; (2) Scattering of atoms, ions, molecules and clusters; (3) Charge exchange between particles and surfaces; (4) Ion induced desorption, electronic and kinetic sputtering; (5) Defect formation, surface modification and nanostructuring; (6) Electron, photon and secondary ion emission due to particle impact on surfaces; (7) Sputtering, fragmentation, cluster and ion formation in SIMS and SNMS; (8) Cluster/molecular and highly charged ion beams; and (9) Laser induced desorption.

Interplanetary charged particle models (1974). [and the effects of cosmic exposure upon spacecraft and spacecraft components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Divine, N.

1975-01-01

The design of space vehicles for operation in interplanetary space is given, based on descriptions of solar wind, solar particle events, and galactic cosmic rays. A state-of-the-art review is presented and design criteria are developed from experiment findings aboard interplanetary and high-altitude earth-orbiting spacecraft. Solar cells were found to be particularly sensitive. Solar protons may also impact the reliability of electric propulsion systems and spacecraft surfaces, as well as causing interference, detector saturation, and spurious signals. Galactic cosmic-ray impact can lead to similar electronic failure and interference and may register in photographic films and other emulsions. It was concluded that solar wind electron measurements might result from differential charging when shadowed portions of the spacecraft acquired a negative charge from electron impact.

Quantum dots in single electron transistors with ultrathin silicon-on-insulator structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ihara, S.; Andreev, A.; Williams, D. A.; Kodera, T.; Oda, S.

2015-07-01

We report on fabrication and transport properties of lithographically defined single quantum dots (QDs) in single electron transistors with ultrathin silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. We observed comparatively large charging energy E C ˜ 20 meV derived from the stability diagram at a temperature of 4.2 K. We also carried out three-dimensional calculations of the capacitance matrix and transport properties through the QD for the real structure geometry and found an excellent quantitative agreement with experiment of the calculated main parameters of stability diagram (charging energy, period of Coulomb oscillations, and asymmetry of the diamonds). The obtained results confirm fabrication of well-defined integrated QDs as designed with ultrathin SOI that makes it possible to achieve relatively large QD charging energies, which is useful for stable and high temperature operation of single electron devices.

Application of Dusty Plasmas for Space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhavasar, Hemang; Ahuja, Smariti

In space, dust particles alone are affected by gravity and radiation pressure when near stars and planets. When the dust particles are immersed in plasma, the dust is usually charged either by photo ionization, due to incident UV radiation, secondary electron emission, due to collisions with energetic ions and electrons, or absorption of charged particles, due to collisions with thermal ions and electrons. A 1 micron radius dust particle in a plasma with an electron temperature of a few eV, will have a charge corresponding to a few thousand electron volts, with a resulting charge to mass ratio, Q/m ¡1. They will also be affected by electric and magnetic fields. Since the electrons are magnetized in these regions, electron E B or diamagnetic cross-field drifts may drive instabilities. Dust grains (micron to sub-micron sized solid particles) in plasma and/or radiative environments can be electrically charged by processes such as plasma current collection or photoemission. The effect of charged dust on known electrojet instabil-ities and low frequency dust acoustic and dust drift instabilities. As the plasma affects the dust particles, the dust particles can affect the plasma environment. In Dust Plasma, Plasma is Combination of ions and electrons. Dusty plasmas (also known as complex plasmas) are ordinary plasmas with embedded solid particles consisting of electrons, ions, and neutrals. The particles can be made of either dielectric or conducting materials, and can have any shape. The typical size range is anywhere from 100 nm up to say 100 m. Most often, these small objects or dust particles are electrically charged. Dusty plasmas are ubiquitous in the universe as proto-planetary and solar nebulae, molecular clouds, supernova explosions, interplanetary medium, circumsolar rings, and steroids. Closer to earth, there are the noctilucent clouds, clouds of tiny (charged) ice particles that form in the summer polar mesosphere at an altitude of about 85 km. In processing plasmas, dust particles are actually grown in the discharge from the reactive gases used to form the plasmas. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of dusty plasmas is that the particles can be directly imaged and their dynamic behavior recorded as digital images. This is accomplished by laser light scattering from the particles. Since the particle mass is relatively high, their dynamical timescales are much longer than that of the ions or electrons. Dusty plasmas has a broad range of applications including interplanetary space dust, comets, planetary rings, dusty surfaces in space, and aerosols in the atmosphere.

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

Trippe, J. M.; Reed, R. A.; Austin, R. A.

In this study, we present experimental evidence of single electron-induced upsets in commercial 28 nm and 45 nm CMOS SRAMs from a monoenergetic electron beam. Upsets were observed in both technology nodes when the SRAM was operated in a low power state. The experimental cross section depends strongly on both bias and technology node feature size, consistent with previous work in which SRAMs were irradiated with low energy muons and protons. Accompanying simulations demonstrate that δ-rays produced by the primary electrons are responsible for the observed upsets. Additional simulations predict the on-orbit event rates for various Earth and Jovian environmentsmore » for a set of sensitive volumes representative of current technology nodes. The electron contribution to the total upset rate for Earth environments is significant for critical charges as high as 0.2 fC. This value is comparable to that of sub-22 nm bulk SRAMs. Similarly, for the Jovian environment, the electron-induced upset rate is larger than the proton-induced upset rate for critical charges as high as 0.3 fC.« less

Adaptive electron beam shaping using a photoemission gun and spatial light modulator

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

Maxson, Jared; Lee, Hyeri; Bartnik, Adam C.

The need for precisely defined beam shapes in photoelectron sources has been well established. In this paper, we use a spatial light modulator and simple shaping algorithm to create arbitrary, detailed transverse laser shapes with high fidelity. We transmit this shaped laser to the photocathode of a high voltage dc gun. Using beam currents where space charge is negligible, and using an imaging solenoid and fluorescent viewscreen, we show that the resultant beam shape preserves these detailed features with similar fidelity. Next, instead of transmitting a shaped laser profile, we use an active feedback on the unshaped electron beam imagemore » to create equally accurate and detailed shapes. We demonstrate that this electron beam feedback has the added advantage of correcting for electron optical aberrations, yielding shapes without skew. The method may serve to provide precisely defined electron beams for low current target experiments, space-charge dominated beam commissioning, as well as for online adaptive correction of photocathode quantum efficiency degradation.« less

Adaptive electron beam shaping using a photoemission gun and spatial light modulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maxson, Jared; Lee, Hyeri; Bartnik, Adam C.; Kiefer, Jacob; Bazarov, Ivan

2015-02-01

The need for precisely defined beam shapes in photoelectron sources has been well established. In this paper, we use a spatial light modulator and simple shaping algorithm to create arbitrary, detailed transverse laser shapes with high fidelity. We transmit this shaped laser to the photocathode of a high voltage dc gun. Using beam currents where space charge is negligible, and using an imaging solenoid and fluorescent viewscreen, we show that the resultant beam shape preserves these detailed features with similar fidelity. Next, instead of transmitting a shaped laser profile, we use an active feedback on the unshaped electron beam image to create equally accurate and detailed shapes. We demonstrate that this electron beam feedback has the added advantage of correcting for electron optical aberrations, yielding shapes without skew. The method may serve to provide precisely defined electron beams for low current target experiments, space-charge dominated beam commissioning, as well as for online adaptive correction of photocathode quantum efficiency degradation.

Favorable target positions for intense laser acceleration of electrons in hydrogen-like, highly-charged ions

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

Pi, Liang-Wen; Starace, Anthony F.; Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-4030

2015-09-15

Classical relativistic Monte Carlo simulations of petawatt laser acceleration of electrons bound initially in hydrogen-like, highly-charged ions show that both the angles and energies of the laser-accelerated electrons depend on the initial ion positions with respect to the laser focus. Electrons bound in ions located after the laser focus generally acquire higher (≈GeV) energies and are ejected at smaller angles with respect to the laser beam. Our simulations assume a tightly-focused linearly-polarized laser pulse with intensity approaching 10{sup 22 }W/cm{sup 2}. Up to fifth order corrections to the paraxial approximation of the laser field in the focal region are taken intomore » account. In addition to the laser intensity, the Rayleigh length in the focal region is shown to play a significant role in maximizing the final energy of the accelerated electrons. Results are presented for both Ne{sup 9+} and Ar{sup 17+} target ions.« less

Adaptive electron beam shaping using a photoemission gun and spatial light modulator

DOE PAGES

Maxson, Jared; Lee, Hyeri; Bartnik, Adam C.; ...

2015-02-01

The need for precisely defined beam shapes in photoelectron sources has been well established. In this paper, we use a spatial light modulator and simple shaping algorithm to create arbitrary, detailed transverse laser shapes with high fidelity. We transmit this shaped laser to the photocathode of a high voltage dc gun. Using beam currents where space charge is negligible, and using an imaging solenoid and fluorescent viewscreen, we show that the resultant beam shape preserves these detailed features with similar fidelity. Next, instead of transmitting a shaped laser profile, we use an active feedback on the unshaped electron beam imagemore » to create equally accurate and detailed shapes. We demonstrate that this electron beam feedback has the added advantage of correcting for electron optical aberrations, yielding shapes without skew. The method may serve to provide precisely defined electron beams for low current target experiments, space-charge dominated beam commissioning, as well as for online adaptive correction of photocathode quantum efficiency degradation.« less

Electron multiplier-ion detector system

DOEpatents

Dietz, L.A.

1975-08-01

This patent relates to an improved ion detector for use in mass spectrometers for pulse counting signal ions which may have a positive or a negative charge. The invention combines a novel electron multiplier with a scintillator type of ion detector. It is a high vacuum, high voltage device intended for use in ion microprobe mass spectrometers. (auth)

Fragment-orbital tunneling currents and electronic couplings for analysis of molecular charge-transfer systems.

PubMed

Hwang, Sang-Yeon; Kim, Jaewook; Kim, Woo Youn

2018-04-04

In theoretical charge-transfer research, calculation of the electronic coupling element is crucial for examining the degree of the electronic donor-acceptor interaction. The tunneling current (TC), representing the magnitudes and directions of electron flow, provides a way of evaluating electronic couplings, along with the ability of visualizing how electrons flow in systems. Here, we applied the TC theory to π-conjugated organic dimer systems, in the form of our fragment-orbital tunneling current (FOTC) method, which uses the frontier molecular-orbitals of system fragments as diabatic states. For a comprehensive test of FOTC, we assessed how reasonable the computed electronic couplings and the corresponding TC densities are for the hole- and electron-transfer databases HAB11 and HAB7. FOTC gave 12.5% mean relative unsigned error with regard to the high-level ab initio reference. The shown performance is comparable with that of fragment-orbital density functional theory, which gave the same error by 20.6% or 13.9% depending on the formulation. In the test of a set of nucleobase π stacks, we showed that the original TC expression is also applicable to nondegenerate cases under the condition that the overlap between the charge distributions of diabatic states is small enough to offset the energy difference. Lastly, we carried out visual analysis on the FOTC densities of thiophene dimers with different intermolecular alignments. The result depicts an intimate topological connection between the system geometry and electron flow. Our work provides quantitative and qualitative grounds for FOTC, showing it to be a versatile tool in characterization of molecular charge-transfer systems.

Electrical control of charged carriers and excitons in atomically thin materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Ke; De Greve, Kristiaan; Jauregui, Luis A.; Sushko, Andrey; High, Alexander; Zhou, You; Scuri, Giovanni; Taniguchi, Takashi; Watanabe, Kenji; Lukin, Mikhail D.; Park, Hongkun; Kim, Philip

2018-02-01

Electrical confinement and manipulation of charge carriers in semiconducting nanostructures are essential for realizing functional quantum electronic devices1-3. The unique band structure4-7 of atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) offers a new route towards realizing novel 2D quantum electronic devices, such as valleytronic devices and valley-spin qubits8. 2D TMDs also provide a platform for novel quantum optoelectronic devices9-11 due to their large exciton binding energy12,13. However, controlled confinement and manipulation of electronic and excitonic excitations in TMD nanostructures have been technically challenging due to the prevailing disorder in the material, preventing accurate experimental control of local confinement and tunnel couplings14-16. Here we demonstrate a novel method for creating high-quality heterostructures composed of atomically thin materials that allows for efficient electrical control of excitations. Specifically, we demonstrate quantum transport in the gate-defined, quantum-confined region, observing spin-valley locked quantized conductance in quantum point contacts. We also realize gate-controlled Coulomb blockade associated with confinement of electrons and demonstrate electrical control over charged excitons with tunable local confinement potentials and tunnel couplings. Our work provides a basis for novel quantum opto-electronic devices based on manipulation of charged carriers and excitons.

Materials Characterization at Utah State University: Facilities and Knowledge-base of Electronic Properties of Materials Applicable to Spacecraft Charging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dennison, J. R.; Thomson, C. D.; Kite, J.; Zavyalov, V.; Corbridge, Jodie

2004-01-01

In an effort to improve the reliability and versatility of spacecraft charging models designed to assist spacecraft designers in accommodating and mitigating the harmful effects of charging on spacecraft, the NASA Space Environments and Effects (SEE) Program has funded development of facilities at Utah State University for the measurement of the electronic properties of both conducting and insulating spacecraft materials. We present here an overview of our instrumentation and capabilities, which are particularly well suited to study electron emission as related to spacecraft charging. These measurements include electron-induced secondary and backscattered yields, spectra, and angular resolved measurements as a function of incident energy, species and angle, plus investigations of ion-induced electron yields, photoelectron yields, sample charging and dielectric breakdown. Extensive surface science characterization capabilities are also available to fully characterize the samples in situ. Our measurements for a wide array of conducting and insulating spacecraft materials have been incorporated into the SEE Charge Collector Knowledge-base as a Database of Electronic Properties of Materials Applicable to Spacecraft Charging. This Database provides an extensive compilation of electronic properties, together with parameterization of these properties in a format that can be easily used with existing spacecraft charging engineering tools and with next generation plasma, charging, and radiation models. Tabulated properties in the Database include: electron-induced secondary electron yield, backscattered yield and emitted electron spectra; He, Ar and Xe ion-induced electron yields and emitted electron spectra; photoyield and solar emittance spectra; and materials characterization including reflectivity, dielectric constant, resistivity, arcing, optical microscopy images, scanning electron micrographs, scanning tunneling microscopy images, and Auger electron spectra. Further details of the instrumentation used for insulator measurements and representative measurements of insulating spacecraft materials are provided in other Spacecraft Charging Conference presentations. The NASA Space Environments and Effects Program, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Boeing Corporation, NASA Graduate Research Fellowships, and the NASA Rocky Mountain Space Grant Consortium have provided support.

Plasma density enhancements created by the ionization of the Earth's upper atmosphere by artificial electron beams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neubert, Torsten; Banks, Peter M.

1990-01-01

Analytical calculations and experimental observations relating to the interaction with the Earth's upper atmosphere of electron beams emitted from low altitude spacecraft are presented. The problem is described by two coupled nonlinear differential equations in the up-going (along a magnetic field line) and down-going differential energy flux. The equations are solved numerically, using the MSIS atmospheric model and the IRI ionospheric model. The results form the model compare well with recent observations from the CHARGE 2 sounding rocket experiment. Two aspects of the beam-neutral atmosphere interaction are discussed. First, the limits on the electron beam current that can be emitted from a spacecraft without substantial spacecraft charging are investigated. This is important because the charging of the spacecraft to positive potentials limits the current and the escape energy of the beam electrons and thereby limits the ionization of the neutral atmosphere. As an example, we find from CHARGE 2 observations and from the model calculations that below about 180 km, secondary electrons generated through the ionization of the neutral atmosphere by 1 to 10 keV electron beams from sounding rockets, completely balance the beam current, thereby allowing the emission of very high beam currents. Second, the amount of plasma production in the beam-streak is discussed. Results are shown for selected values of the beam energy, spacecraft velocity, and spacecraft altitude.

Detailed modeling of electron emission for transpiration cooling of hypersonic vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hanquist, Kyle M.; Hara, Kentaro; Boyd, Iain D.

2017-02-01

Electron transpiration cooling (ETC) is a recently proposed approach to manage the high heating loads experienced at the sharp leading edges of hypersonic vehicles. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used to investigate the feasibility of ETC in a hypersonic environment. A modeling approach is presented for ETC, which includes developing the boundary conditions for electron emission from the surface, accounting for the space-charge limit effects of the near-wall plasma sheath. The space-charge limit models are assessed using 1D direct-kinetic plasma sheath simulations, taking into account the thermionically emitted electrons from the surface. The simulations agree well with the space-charge limit theory proposed by Takamura et al. for emitted electrons with a finite temperature, especially at low values of wall bias, which validates the use of the theoretical model for the hypersonic CFD code. The CFD code with the analytical sheath models is then used for a test case typical of a leading edge radius in a hypersonic flight environment. The CFD results show that ETC can lower the surface temperature of sharp leading edges of hypersonic vehicles, especially at higher velocities, due to the increase in ionized species enabling higher electron heat extraction from the surface. The CFD results also show that space-charge limit effects can limit the ETC reduction of surface temperatures, in comparison to thermionic emission assuming no effects of the electric field within the sheath.

KP Equation in a Three-Dimensional Unmagnetized Warm Dusty Plasma with Variable Dust Charge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Shorbagy, Kh. H.; Mahassen, Hania; El-Bendary, Atef Ahmed

2017-12-01

In this work, we investigate the propagation of three-dimensional nonlinear dust-acoustic and dust-Coulomb waves in an unmagnetized warm dusty plasma consisting of electrons, ions, and charged dust particles. The grain charge fluctuation is incorporated through the current balance equation. Using the perturbation method, a Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (KP) equation is obtained. It has been shown that the charge fluctuation would modify the wave structures, and the waves in such systems are unstable due to high-order long wave perturbations.

A particle accelerator employing transient space charge potentials

DOEpatents

Post, R.F.

1988-02-25

The invention provides an accelerator for ions and charged particles. The plasma is generated and confined in a magnetic mirror field. The electrons of the plasma are heated to high temperatures. A series of local coils are placed along the axis of the magnetic mirror field. As an ion or particle beam is directed along the axis in sequence the coils are rapidly pulsed creating a space charge to accelerate and focus the beam of ions or charged particles. 3 figs.

High-Rate Charging Induced Intermediate Phases and Structural Changes of Layer-Structured Cathode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

DOE PAGES

Zhou, Yong-Ning; Yue, Ji-Li; Hu, Enyuan; ...

2016-08-08

Using fast time-resolved in situ X-ray diffraction, charge-rate dependent phase transition processes of layer structured cathode material LiNi 1/3Mn 1/3Co 1/3O 2 for lithium-ion batteries are studied. During first charge, intermediate phases emerge at high rates of 10C, 30C, and 60C, but not at low rates of 0.1C and 1C. These intermediate phases can be continuously observed during relaxation after the charging current is switched off. After half-way charging at high rate, sample studied by scanning transmission electron microscopy shows Li-rich and Li-poor phases' coexistence with tetrahedral occupation of Li in Li-poor phase. Also, the high rate induced overpotential ismore » thought to be the driving force for the formation of this intermediate Li-poor phase. The in situ quick X-ray absorption results show that the oxidation of Ni accelerates with increasing charging rate and the Ni 4+ state can be reached at the end of charge with 30C rate. Finally, these results give new insights in the understanding of the layered cathodes during high-rate charging.« less

Image charge effects on electron capture by dust grains in dusty plasmas.

PubMed

Jung, Y D; Tawara, H

2001-07-01

Electron-capture processes by negatively charged dust grains from hydrogenic ions in dusty plasmas are investigated in accordance with the classical Bohr-Lindhard model. The attractive interaction between the electron in a hydrogenic ion and its own image charge inside the dust grain is included to obtain the total interaction energy between the electron and the dust grain. The electron-capture radius is determined by the total interaction energy and the kinetic energy of the released electron in the frame of the projectile dust grain. The classical straight-line trajectory approximation is applied to the motion of the ion in order to visualize the electron-capture cross section as a function of the impact parameter, kinetic energy of the projectile ion, and dust charge. It is found that the image charge inside the dust grain plays a significant role in the electron-capture process near the surface of the dust grain. The electron-capture cross section is found to be quite sensitive to the collision energy and dust charge.

Charging and discharging characteristics of dielectric materials exposed to low- and mid-energy electrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coakley, P.; Kitterer, B.; Treadaway, M.

1982-01-01

Charging and discharging characteristics of dielectric samples exposed to 1-25 keV and 25-100 keV electrons in a laboratory environment are reported. The materials examined comprised OSR, Mylar, Kapton, perforated Kapton, and Alphaquartz, serving as models for materials employed on spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. The tests were performed in a vacuum chamber with electron guns whose beams were rastered over the entire surface of the planar samples. The specimens were examined in low-impedance-grounded, high-impedance-grounded, and isolated configurations. The worst-case and average peak discharge currents were observed to be independent of the incident electron energy, the time-dependent changes in the worst case discharge peak current were independent of the energy, and predischarge surface potentials are negligibly dependent on incident monoenergetic electrons.

Spectroscopic Investigations of Highly Charged Tungsten Ions - Atomic Spectroscopy and Fusion Plasma Diagnostics

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

Clementson, Joel

2010-05-01

The spectra of highly charged tungsten ions have been investigated using x-ray and extreme ultraviolet spectroscopy. These heavy ions are of interest in relativistic atomic structure theory, where high-precision wavelength measurements benchmark theoretical approaches, and in magnetic fusion research, where the ions may serve to diagnose high-temperature plasmas. The work details spectroscopic investigations of highly charged tungsten ions measured at the Livermore electron beam ion trap (EBIT) facility. Here, the EBIT-I and SuperEBIT electron beam ion traps have been employed to create, trap, and excite tungsten ions of M- and L-shell charge states. The emitted spectra have been studied inmore » high resolution using crystal, grating, and x-ray calorimeter spectrometers. In particular, wavelengths of n = 0 M-shell transitions in K-like W 55+ through Ne-like W 64+, and intershell transitions in Zn-like W 44+ through Co-like W 47+ have been measured. Special attention is given to the Ni-like W46+ ion, which has two strong electric-dipole forbidden transitions that are of interest for plasma diagnostics. The EBIT measurements are complemented by spectral modeling using the Flexible Atomic Code (FAC), and predictions for tokamak spectra are presented. The L-shell tungsten ions have been studied at electron-beam energies of up to 122 keV and transition energies measured in Ne-like W 64+ through Li-like W 71+. These spectra constitute the physics basis in the design of the ion-temperature crystal spectrometer for the ITER tokamak. Tungsten particles have furthermore been introduced into the Sustained Spheromak Physics Experiment (SSPX) spheromak in Livermore in order to investigate diagnostic possibilities of extreme ultraviolet tungsten spectra for the ITER divertor. The spheromak measurement and spectral modeling using FAC suggest that tungsten ions in charge states around Er-like W 6+ could be useful for plasma diagnostics.« less

Computationally designed and experimentally confirmed diastereoselective rhodium-catalyzed Pauson-Khand reaction at room temperature.

PubMed

Baik, Mu-Hyun; Mazumder, Shivnath; Ricci, Paolo; Sawyer, James R; Song, Ye-Geun; Wang, Huijun; Evans, P Andrew

2011-05-25

The computational analysis of the rhodium-catalyzed Pauson-Khand reaction indicates that the key transition state is highly charge-polarized, wherein different diastereoisomers have distinctively different charge polarization patterns. Experimental studies demonstrate that chloro-enynes provide the optimal σ-electron-withdrawing group to promote polarization and thereby reduce the activation barrier to provide a highly diastereoselective reaction at room temperature.

Experimental verification of orbital engineering at the atomic scale: Charge transfer and symmetry breaking in nickelate heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phillips, Patrick J.; Rui, Xue; Georgescu, Alexandru B.; Disa, Ankit S.; Longo, Paolo; Okunishi, Eiji; Walker, Fred; Ahn, Charles H.; Ismail-Beigi, Sohrab; Klie, Robert F.

2017-05-01

Epitaxial strain, layer confinement, and inversion symmetry breaking have emerged as powerful new approaches to control the electronic and atomic-scale structural properties of complex metal oxides. Trivalent rare-earth (RE) nickelate R E NiO3 heterostructures have been shown to be exemplars since the orbital occupancy, degeneracy, and, consequently, electronic/magnetic properties can be altered as a function of epitaxial strain, layer thickness, and superlattice structure. One recent example is the tricomponent LaTiO3-LaNiO3-LaAlO3 superlattice which exhibits charge transfer and orbital polarization as the result of its interfacial dipole electric field. A crucial step towards control of these parameters for future electronic and magnetic device applications is to develop an understanding of both the magnitude and range of the octahedral network's response towards interfacial strain and electric fields. An approach that provides atomic-scale resolution and sensitivity towards the local octahedral distortions and orbital occupancy is therefore required. Here, we employ atomic-resolution imaging coupled with electron spectroscopies and first-principles theory to examine the role of interfacial charge transfer and symmetry breaking in a tricomponent nickelate superlattice system. We find that nearly complete charge transfer occurs between the LaTiO3 and LaNiO3 layers, resulting in a mixed Ni2 +/Ni3 + valence state. We further demonstrate that this charge transfer is highly localized with a range of about 1 unit cell within the LaNiO3 layers. We also show how Wannier-function-based electron counting provides a simple physical picture of the electron distribution that connects directly with formal valence charges. The results presented here provide important feedback to synthesis efforts aimed at stabilizing new electronic phases that are not accessible by conventional bulk or epitaxial film approaches.

Surface and material analytics based on Dresden-EBIS platform technology

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

Schmidt, M., E-mail: mike.schmidt@dreebit.com; König, J., E-mail: mike.schmidt@dreebit.com; Bischoff, L.

2015-01-09

Nowadays widely used mass spectrometry systems utilize energetic ions hitting a sample and sputter material from the surface of a specimen. The generated secondary ions are separated and detected with high mass resolution to determine the target materials constitution. Based on this principle, we present an alternative approach implementing a compact Electron Beam Ion Source (EBIS) in combination with a Liquid Metal Ion Source (LMIS). An LMIS can deliver heavy elements which generate high sputter yields on a target surface. More than 90% of this sputtered material consists of mono- and polyatomic neutrals. These particles are able to penetrate themore » magnetic field of an EBIS and they will be ionized within the electron beam. A broad spectrum of singly up to highly charged ions can be extracted depending on the operation conditions. Polyatomic ions will decay during the charge-up process. A standard bending magnet or a Wien filter is used to separate the different ion species due to their mass-to-charge ratio. Using different charge states of ions as it is common with EBIS it is also possible to resolve interfering charge-to-mass ratios of only singly charged ions. Different setups for the realization of feeding the electron beam with sputtered atoms of solids will be presented and discussed. As an example the analysis of a copper surface is used to show high-resolution spectra with low background noise. Individual copper isotopes and clusters with different isotope compositions can be resolved at equal atomic numbers. These results are a first step for the development of a new compact low-cost and high-resolution mass spectrometry system. In a more general context, the described technique demonstrates an efficient method for feeding an EBIS with atoms of nearly all solid elements from various solid target materials. The new straightforward design of the presented setup should be of high interest for a broad range of applications in materials research as well as for applications connected to analyzing the biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, cosmosphere and technosphere.« less

A Laboratory Study of the Charging/Discharging Mechanisms of a Dust Particle Exposed to an Electron Beam

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Venturini, C. C.; Spann, J. F.; Comfort, R. H.

1999-01-01

The interaction of micron sized particles or "dust particles" with different space and planetary environments has become an important area of research. One particular area of interest is how dust particles interact with plasmas. Studies have shown that charged dust particles immersed in plasmas can alter plasma characteristics, while ions and electrons in plasmas can affect a particle's potential and thereby, its interaction with other particles. The basis for understanding these phenomena is the charging mechanisms of the dust particle, specifically, how the particle's charge and characteristics are affected when exposed to ions and electrons. At NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, a laboratory experiment has been developed to study the interaction of dust particles with electrons. Using a unique laboratory technique known as electrodynamic suspension, a single charged particle is suspended in a modified quadrupole trap. Once suspended, the particle is then exposed to an electron beam to study the charging/discharging mechanisms due to collisions of energetic electrons. The change in the particle's charge, approximations of the charging/discharging currents, and the charging/discharging yield are calculated.

Charge-sensitive front-end electronics with operational amplifiers for CdZnTe detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Födisch, P.; Berthel, M.; Lange, B.; Kirschke, T.; Enghardt, W.; Kaever, P.

2016-09-01

Cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe, CZT) radiation detectors are suitable for a variety of applications, due to their high spatial resolution and spectroscopic energy performance at room temperature. However, state-of-the-art detector systems require high-performance readout electronics. Though an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is an adequate solution for the readout, requirements of high dynamic range and high throughput are not available in any commercial circuit. Consequently, the present study develops the analog front-end electronics with operational amplifiers for an 8×8 pixelated CZT detector. For this purpose, we modeled an electrical equivalent circuit of the CZT detector with the associated charge-sensitive amplifier (CSA). Based on a detailed network analysis, the circuit design is completed by numerical values for various features such as ballistic deficit, charge-to-voltage gain, rise time, and noise level. A verification of the performance is carried out by synthetic detector signals and a pixel detector. The experimental results with the pixel detector assembly and a 22Na radioactive source emphasize the depth dependence of the measured energy. After pulse processing with depth correction based on the fit of the weighting potential, the energy resolution is 2.2% (FWHM) for the 511 keV photopeak.

Interplanetary Radiation and Internal Charging Environment Models for Solar Sails

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minow, Joseph I.; Altstatt, Richard L.; NeegaardParker, Linda

2005-01-01

A Solar Sail Radiation Environment (SSRE) model has been developed for defining charged particle environments over an energy range from 0.01 keV to 1 MeV for hydrogen ions, helium ions, and electrons. The SSRE model provides the free field charged particle environment required for characterizing energy deposition per unit mass, charge deposition, and dose rate dependent conductivity processes required to evaluate radiation dose and internal (bulk) charging processes in the solar sail membrane in interplanetary space. Solar wind and energetic particle measurements from instruments aboard the Ulysses spacecraft in a solar, near-polar orbit provide the particle data over a range of heliospheric latitudes used to derive the environment that can be used for radiation and charging environments for both high inclination 0.5 AU Solar Polar Imager mission and the 1.0 AU L1 solar missions. This paper describes the techniques used to model comprehensive electron, proton, and helium spectra over the range of particle energies of significance to energy and charge deposition in thin (less than 25 micrometers) solar sail materials.

Two-dimensional vibrational-electronic spectroscopy

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

Courtney, Trevor L.; Fox, Zachary W.; Slenkamp, Karla M.

2015-10-21

Two-dimensional vibrational-electronic (2D VE) spectroscopy is a femtosecond Fourier transform (FT) third-order nonlinear technique that creates a link between existing 2D FT spectroscopies in the vibrational and electronic regions of the spectrum. 2D VE spectroscopy enables a direct measurement of infrared (IR) and electronic dipole moment cross terms by utilizing mid-IR pump and optical probe fields that are resonant with vibrational and electronic transitions, respectively, in a sample of interest. We detail this newly developed 2D VE spectroscopy experiment and outline the information contained in a 2D VE spectrum. We then use this technique and its single-pump counterpart (1D VE)more » to probe the vibrational-electronic couplings between high frequency cyanide stretching vibrations (ν{sub CN}) and either a ligand-to-metal charge transfer transition ([Fe{sup III}(CN){sub 6}]{sup 3−} dissolved in formamide) or a metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) transition ([(CN){sub 5}Fe{sup II}CNRu{sup III}(NH{sub 3}){sub 5}]{sup −} dissolved in formamide). The 2D VE spectra of both molecules reveal peaks resulting from coupled high- and low-frequency vibrational modes to the charge transfer transition. The time-evolving amplitudes and positions of the peaks in the 2D VE spectra report on coherent and incoherent vibrational energy transfer dynamics among the coupled vibrational modes and the charge transfer transition. The selectivity of 2D VE spectroscopy to vibronic processes is evidenced from the selective coupling of specific ν{sub CN} modes to the MMCT transition in the mixed valence complex. The lineshapes in 2D VE spectra report on the correlation of the frequency fluctuations between the coupled vibrational and electronic frequencies in the mixed valence complex which has a time scale of 1 ps. The details and results of this study confirm the versatility of 2D VE spectroscopy and its applicability to probe how vibrations modulate charge and energy transfer in a wide range of complex molecular, material, and biological systems.« less

The Competing Influences of the Radiation Belts on the Charging of Extremely Resistive Spacecraft Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lemon, C.; Roeder, J. L.; Looper, M. D.; O'Brien, T. P., III; Fennell, J. F.; Mazur, J. E.

2016-12-01

Spacecraft suffer from various types of anomalies caused by space weather. One important source of spacecraft anomalies is internal electrostatic discharge (IESD), which occurs when penetrating electrons deposit charge inside dielectrics faster than that charge can dissipate via conduction currents. This causes the electric field to build up to a breakdown threshold. The most electrically resistive materials, such as Teflon, are of greatest concern for IESD. Laboratory measurements of the conductivity of Teflon and other highly resistive polymers show that their conventional conductivity is negligible in comparison to their radiation-induced conductivity (RIC), an alternate source of conduction that is linearly proportional to the ionizing dose rate received by the material. The space radiation environment therefore plays contradictory roles in extremely resistive polymers, both depositing charge and dissipating it. The spectral shape, rather than the total electron flux, becomes the primary consideration for IESD because it determines the relative deposition of charge and ionizing dose in materials. A counterintuitive result is that soft spectra may be a greater risk for IESD, because relative to hard spectra they deposit more charge than dose in materials. This differs from the standard practice of defining the worst-possible environment for charging and IESD as the spectrum in which the electron flux is highest at all energies that could reach the material. We present analyses of CRRES MEA and HEEF measurements, and simulate the charging of material samples from the CRRES Internal Discharge Monitor. We briefly demonstrate the unexpected results described here, and quantify the effect of different energetic electron spectra observed by CRRES on the buildup of charge in Teflon samples from the Internal Discharge Monitor. Finally, we will comment on the perceived deficiency of "worst case" charging environments for predicting IESD, and how we can better quantify IESD risk in extremely resistive materials.

Tuning near-gap electronic structure, interface charge transfer and visible light response of hybrid doped graphene and Ag3PO4 composite: Dopant effects

PubMed Central

He, Chao-Ni; Huang, Wei-Qing; Xu, Liang; Yang, Yin-Cai; Zhou, Bing-Xin; Huang, Gui-Fang; Peng, P.; Liu, Wu-Ming

2016-01-01

The enhanced photocatalytic performance of doped graphene (GR)/semiconductor nanocomposites have recently been widely observed, but an understanding of the underlying mechanisms behind it is still out of reach. As a model system to study the dopant effects, we investigate the electronic structures and optical properties of doped GR/Ag3PO4 nanocomposites using the first-principles calculations, demonstrating that the band gap, near-gap electronic structure and interface charge transfer of the doped GR/Ag3PO4(100) composite can be tuned by the dopants. Interestingly, the doping atom and C atoms bonded to dopant become active sites for photocatalysis because they are positively or negatively charged due to the charge redistribution caused by interaction. The dopants can enhance the visible light absorption and photoinduced electron transfer. We propose that the N atom may be one of the most appropriate dopants for the GR/Ag3PO4 photocatalyst. This work can rationalize the available experimental results about N-doped GR-semiconductor composites, and enriches our understanding on the dopant effects in the doped GR-based composites for developing high-performance photocatalysts. PMID:26923338

Effects of Ni particle morphology on cell performance of Na/NiCl2 battery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Mangi; Ahn, Cheol-Woo; Hahn, Byung-Dong; Jung, Keeyoung; Park, Yoon-Cheol; Cho, Nam-ung; Lee, Heesoo; Choi, Joon-Hwan

2017-11-01

Electrochemical reaction of Ni particle, one of active cathode materials in the Na/NiCl2 battery, occurs on the particle surface. The NiCl2 layer formed on the Ni particle surface during charging can disconnect the electron conduction path through Ni particles because the NiCl2 layer has very low conductivity. The morphology and size of Ni particles, therefore, need to be controlled to obtain high charge capacity and excellent cyclic retention. Effects of the Ni particle size on the cell performance were investigated using spherical Ni particles with diameters of 0.5 μm, 6 μm, and 50 μm. The charge capacities of the cells with spherical Ni particles increased when the Ni particle size becomes smaller because of their higher surface area but their charge capacities were significantly decreased with increasing cyclic tests owing to the disconnection of electron conduction path. The inferior cyclic retention of charge capacity was improved using reticular Ni particles which maintained the reliable connection for the electron conduction in the Na/NiCl2 battery. The charge capacity of the cell with the reticular Ni particles was higher than the cell with the small-sized spherical Ni particles approximately by 26% at 30th cycle.

Plasmon tsunamis on metallic nanoclusters.

PubMed

Lucas, A A; Sunjic, M

2012-03-14

A model is constructed to describe inelastic scattering events accompanying electron capture by a highly charged ion flying by a metallic nanosphere. The electronic energy liberated by an electron leaving the Fermi level of the metal and dropping into a deep Rydberg state of the ion is used to increase the ion kinetic energy and, simultaneously, to excite multiple surface plasmons around the positively charged hole left behind on the metal sphere. This tsunami-like phenomenon manifests itself as periodic oscillations in the kinetic energy gain spectrum of the ion. The theory developed here extends our previous treatment (Lucas et al 2011 New J. Phys. 13 013034) of the Ar(q+)/C(60) charge exchange system. We provide an analysis of how the individual multipolar surface plasmons of the metallic sphere contribute to the formation of the oscillatory gain spectrum. Gain spectra showing characteristic, tsunami-like oscillations are simulated for Ar(15+) ions capturing one electron in distant collisions with Al and Na nanoclusters.

Materials and techniques for spacecraft static charge control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amore, L. J.; Eagles, A. E.

1977-01-01

An overview of the design, development, fabrication, and testing of transparent conductive coatings and conductive lattices deposited or formed on high resistivity spacecraft dielectric materials to obtain control static charge buildup on spacecraft external surfaces is presented. Fabrication techniques for the deposition of indium/tin oxide coatings and copper grid networks on Kapton and FEP Teflon films and special frit coatings for OSR and solar cell cover glasses are discussed. The techniques include sputtering, photoetching, silkscreening, and mechanical processes. A facility designed and built to simulate the electron plasma at geosynchronous altitudes is described along with test procedures. The results of material characterizations as well as electron irradiation aging effects in this facility for spacecraft polymers treated to control static charge are presented. The data presents results for electron beam energies up to 30 kV and electron current densities of 30 nA/cm squared. Parameters measured include secondary emission, surface leakage, and through the sample currents as a function of primary beam energy and voltage.

Deviation from the law of energy equipartition in a small dynamic-random-access memory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carles, Pierre-Alix; Nishiguchi, Katsuhiko; Fujiwara, Akira

2015-06-01

A small dynamic-random-access memory (DRAM) coupled with a high charge sensitivity electrometer based on a silicon field-effect transistor is used to study the law of equipartition of energy. By statistically analyzing the movement of single electrons in the DRAM at various temperature and voltage conditions in thermal equilibrium, we are able to observe a behavior that differs from what is predicted by the law of equipartition energy: when the charging energy of the capacitor of the DRAM is comparable to or smaller than the thermal energy kBT/2, random electron motion is ruled perfectly by thermal energy; on the other hand, when the charging energy becomes higher in relation to the thermal energy kBT/2, random electron motion is suppressed which indicates a deviation from the law of equipartition of energy. Since the law of equipartition is analyzed using the DRAM, one of the most familiar devices, we believe that our results are perfectly universal among all electronic devices.

Mid-Latitude Ionospheric Disturbances Due to Geomagnetic Storms at ISS Altitudes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minow, Joseph I.; Willis, Emily M.; Parker, Linda Neergaard

2014-01-01

Spacecraft charging of the International Space Station (ISS) is dominated by the interaction of the high voltage US solar arrays with the F2-region ionospheric plasma environment. We are working to fully understand the charging behavior of the ISS solar arrays and determine how well future charging behavior can be predicted from in-situ measurements of plasma density and temperature. One aspect of this work is a need to characterize the magnitude of electron density and temperature variations that may be encountered at ISS orbital altitudes (approximately 400 km), the latitudes over which they occur, and the time periods for which the disturbances persist. We will present preliminary results from a study of ionospheric disturbances in the "mid-latitude" region defined as the approximately 30 - 60 degree extra-equatorial magnetic latitudes sampled by ISS. The study is focused on geomagnetic storm periods because they are well known drivers for disturbances in the high-latitude and mid-latitude ionospheric plasma. Changes in the F2 peak electron density obtained from ground based ionosonde records are compared to in-situ electron density and temperature measurements from the CHAMP and ISS spacecraft at altitudes near, or above, the F2 peak. Results from a number of geomagnetic storms will be presented and their potential impact on ISS charging will be discussed.

Evidence for an ultrafast breakdown of the BeO band structure due to swift argon and xenon ions.

PubMed

Schiwietz, G; Czerski, K; Roth, M; Grande, P L; Koteski, V; Staufenbiel, F

2010-10-29

Auger-electron spectra associated with Be atoms in the pure metal lattice and in the stoichiometric oxide have been investigated for different incident charged particles. For fast incident electrons, for Ar7+ and Ar15+ ions as well as Xe15+ and Xe31+ ions at velocities of 6% to 10% the speed of light, there are strong differences in the corresponding spectral distributions of Be-K Auger lines. These differences are related to changes in the local electronic band structure of BeO on a femtosecond time scale after the passage of highly charged heavy ions.

Electron wind in strong wave guide fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krienen, F.

1985-03-01

The X-ray activity observed near highly powered waveguide structures is usually caused by local electric discharges originating from discontinuities such as couplers, tuners or bends. In traveling waves electrons move in the direction of the power flow. Seed electrons can multipactor in a traveling wave, the moving charge pattern is different from the multipactor in a resonant structure and is self-extinguishing. The charge density in the wave guide will modify impedance and propagation constant of the wave guide. The radiation level inside the output wave guide of the SLAC, 50 MW, S-band, klystron is estimated. Possible contributions of radiation to window failure are discussed.

Unraveling Unprecedented Charge Carrier Mobility through Structure Property Relationship of Four Isomers of Didodecyl[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene.

PubMed

Tsutsui, Yusuke; Schweicher, Guillaume; Chattopadhyay, Basab; Sakurai, Tsuneaki; Arlin, Jean-Baptiste; Ruzié, Christian; Aliev, Almaz; Ciesielski, Artur; Colella, Silvia; Kennedy, Alan R; Lemaur, Vincent; Olivier, Yoann; Hadji, Rachid; Sanguinet, Lionel; Castet, Frédéric; Osella, Silvio; Dudenko, Dmytro; Beljonne, David; Cornil, Jérôme; Samorì, Paolo; Seki, Shu; Geerts, Yves H

2016-09-01

The structural and electronic properties of four isomers of didodecyl[1]-benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (C12-BTBT) have been investigated. Results show the strong impact of the molecular packing on charge carrier transport and electronic polarization properties. Field-induced time-resolved microwave conductivity measurements unravel an unprecedented high average interfacial mobility of 170 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) for the 2,7-isomer, holding great promise for the field of organic electronics. © 2016 The Authors. Published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Production of large resonant plasma volumes in microwave electron cyclotron resonance ion sources

DOEpatents

Alton, Gerald D.

1998-01-01

Microwave injection methods for enhancing the performance of existing electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion sources. The methods are based on the use of high-power diverse frequency microwaves, including variable-frequency, multiple-discrete-frequency, and broadband microwaves. The methods effect large resonant "volume" ECR regions in the ion sources. The creation of these large ECR plasma volumes permits coupling of more microwave power into the plasma, resulting in the heating of a much larger electron population to higher energies, the effect of which is to produce higher charge state distributions and much higher intensities within a particular charge state than possible in present ECR ion sources.

Attraction of likely charged nano-sized grains in dust-electron plasmas

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

Vishnyakov, Vladimir I., E-mail: eksvar@ukr.net

2016-01-15

Dust-electron plasma, which contains only the dust grains and electrons, emitted by them, is studied. Assumption of almost uniform spatial electrons distribution, which deviates from the uniformity only near the dust grains, leads to the grain charge division into two parts: first part is the individual for each grain “visible” charge and the second part is the common charge of the neutralized background. The visible grain charge can be both negative and positive, while the total grain charge is only positive. The attraction of likely charged grains is possible, because the grain interaction is determined by the visible charges. Themore » equilibrium state between attraction and repulsion of grains is demonstrated.« less

High flux, narrow bandwidth compton light sources via extended laser-electron interactions

DOEpatents

Barty, V P

2015-01-13

New configurations of lasers and electron beams efficiently and robustly produce high flux beams of bright, tunable, polarized quasi-monoenergetic x-rays and gamma-rays via laser-Compton scattering. Specifically, the use of long-duration, pulsed lasers and closely-spaced, low-charge and low emittance bunches of electron beams increase the spectral flux of the Compton-scattered x-rays and gamma rays, increase efficiency of the laser-electron interaction and significantly reduce the overall complexity of Compton based light sources.

Nuclear-polarization correction to the bound-electron g factor in heavy hydrogenlike ions.

PubMed

Nefiodov, A V; Plunien, G; Soff, G

2002-08-19

The influence of nuclear polarization on the bound-electron g factor in heavy hydrogenlike ions is investigated. Numerical calculations are performed for the K- and L-shell electrons taking into account the dominant virtual nuclear excitations. This determines the ultimate limit for tests of QED utilizing measurements of the bound-electron g factor in highly charged ions.

The effect of plasma density and emitter geometry on space charge limits for field emitter array electron charge emission into a space plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morris, Dave; Gilchrist, Brian; Gallimore, Alec

2001-02-01

Field Emitter Array Cathodes (FEACs) are a new technology being developed for several potential spacecraft electron emission and charge control applications. Instead of a single hot (i.e., high powered) emitter, or a gas dependant plasma contactor, FEAC systems consist of many (hundreds or thousands) of small (micron level) cathode/gate pairs printed on a semiconductor wafer that effect cold field emission at relatively low voltages. Each individual cathode emits only micro-amp level currents, but a functional array is capable of amp/cm2 current densities. It is hoped that thus FEAC offers the possibility of a relatively low-power, simple to integrate, and inexpensive technique for the high level of current emissions that are required for an electrodynamic tether (EDT) propulsion mission. Space charge limits are a significant concern for the EDT application. Vacuum chamber tests and PIC simulations are being performed at the University of Michigan Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory and Space Physics Research Laboratory to determine the effect of plasma density and emitter geometry on space charge limitations. The results of this work and conclusions to date of how to best mitigate space charge limits will be presented. .

Unconventional slowing down of electronic recovery in photoexcited charge-ordered La 1/3Sr 2/3FeO 3

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

Zhu, Yi; Hoffman, Jason; Rowland, Clare E.

Ordered electronic phases are intimately related to emerging phenomena such as high Tc superconductivity and colossal magnetoresistance. The coupling of electronic charge with other degrees of freedom such as lattice and spin are of central interest in correlated systems. Their correlations have been intensively studied from femtosecond to picosecond time scales, while the dynamics of ordered electronic phases beyond nanoseconds are usually assumed to follow a trivia thermally driven recovery. Here, we report an unusual slowing down of electronic phases across a first-order phase transition, far beyond thermal relaxation time. Following optical excitation, the recovery time of both transient opticalmore » reflectivity and x-ray diffraction intensity from a charge-ordered superstructure in a La 1/3Sr 2/3FeO 3 thin film increases by orders of magnitude longer than the independently measured lattice cooling time when the sample temperature approaches the phase transition temperature. The combined experimental and theoretical investigations show that the slowing down of electronic recovery corresponds to the pseudo-critical dynamics that originates from magnetic interactions close to a weakly first-order phase transition. As a result, this extraordinary long electronic recovery time exemplifies an interplay of ordered electronic phases with magnetism beyond thermal processes in correlated systems.« less

Unconventional slowing down of electronic recovery in photoexcited charge-ordered La 1/3Sr 2/3FeO 3

DOE PAGES

Zhu, Yi; Hoffman, Jason; Rowland, Clare E.; ...

2018-05-04

Ordered electronic phases are intimately related to emerging phenomena such as high Tc superconductivity and colossal magnetoresistance. The coupling of electronic charge with other degrees of freedom such as lattice and spin are of central interest in correlated systems. Their correlations have been intensively studied from femtosecond to picosecond time scales, while the dynamics of ordered electronic phases beyond nanoseconds are usually assumed to follow a trivia thermally driven recovery. Here, we report an unusual slowing down of electronic phases across a first-order phase transition, far beyond thermal relaxation time. Following optical excitation, the recovery time of both transient opticalmore » reflectivity and x-ray diffraction intensity from a charge-ordered superstructure in a La 1/3Sr 2/3FeO 3 thin film increases by orders of magnitude longer than the independently measured lattice cooling time when the sample temperature approaches the phase transition temperature. The combined experimental and theoretical investigations show that the slowing down of electronic recovery corresponds to the pseudo-critical dynamics that originates from magnetic interactions close to a weakly first-order phase transition. As a result, this extraordinary long electronic recovery time exemplifies an interplay of ordered electronic phases with magnetism beyond thermal processes in correlated systems.« less

High resolution photoemission investigation: The oxidation of W

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morar, J. F.; Himpsel, F. J.; Hughes, G. J.; Jordan, J. L.; McFeely, F. R.; Hollinge, G.

High resolution photoemission measurements of surface oxide layers on tungsten has revealed a set of well resolved core level shifts characteristic of individual metal oxidation states. Measurement and analysis of this type of data can provide specific and quantitative chemical information about surface oxides. The formation of bonds between transition metals and strongly electronegative elements such as oxygen and fluorine results in charge transfer with the effect of shifting the metal core electron binding energies. The magnitude of such shifts depends primarily on two factors; the amount of charge transfer and the screening ability of the metals electrons. The size of core-level shifts tend to increase with additional charge transfer and be decreased by screening. In the case of tungsten the amount of screening should be a function of oxygen content since the oxygen ties up free electrons which are effective at screening. A continuous change in the tungsten core level shifts is observed with increasing oxygen content, i.e., as the screening changes from that characteristic of a metal screened to that characteristic of an insulator unscreened.

All-printed diode operating at 1.6 GHz

PubMed Central

Sani, Negar; Robertsson, Mats; Cooper, Philip; Wang, Xin; Svensson, Magnus; Andersson Ersman, Peter; Norberg, Petronella; Nilsson, Marie; Nilsson, David; Liu, Xianjie; Hesselbom, Hjalmar; Akesso, Laurent; Fahlman, Mats; Crispin, Xavier; Engquist, Isak; Berggren, Magnus; Gustafsson, Göran

2014-01-01

Printed electronics are considered for wireless electronic tags and sensors within the future Internet-of-things (IoT) concept. As a consequence of the low charge carrier mobility of present printable organic and inorganic semiconductors, the operational frequency of printed rectifiers is not high enough to enable direct communication and powering between mobile phones and printed e-tags. Here, we report an all-printed diode operating up to 1.6 GHz. The device, based on two stacked layers of Si and NbSi2 particles, is manufactured on a flexible substrate at low temperature and in ambient atmosphere. The high charge carrier mobility of the Si microparticles allows device operation to occur in the charge injection-limited regime. The asymmetry of the oxide layers in the resulting device stack leads to rectification of tunneling current. Printed diodes were combined with antennas and electrochromic displays to form an all-printed e-tag. The harvested signal from a Global System for Mobile Communications mobile phone was used to update the display. Our findings demonstrate a new communication pathway for printed electronics within IoT applications. PMID:25002504

A universal self-charging system driven by random biomechanical energy for sustainable operation of mobile electronics

PubMed Central

Niu, Simiao; Wang, Xiaofeng; Yi, Fang; Zhou, Yu Sheng; Wang, Zhong Lin

2015-01-01

Human biomechanical energy is characterized by fluctuating amplitudes and variable low frequency, and an effective utilization of such energy cannot be achieved by classical energy-harvesting technologies. Here we report a high-efficient self-charging power system for sustainable operation of mobile electronics exploiting exclusively human biomechanical energy, which consists of a high-output triboelectric nanogenerator, a power management circuit to convert the random a.c. energy to d.c. electricity at 60% efficiency, and an energy storage device. With palm tapping as the only energy source, this power unit provides a continuous d.c. electricity of 1.044 mW (7.34 W m−3) in a regulated and managed manner. This self-charging unit can be universally applied as a standard ‘infinite-lifetime' power source for continuously driving numerous conventional electronics, such as thermometers, electrocardiograph system, pedometers, wearable watches, scientific calculators and wireless radio-frequency communication system, which indicates the immediate and broad applications in personal sensor systems and internet of things. PMID:26656252

Electron-induced single event upsets in 28 nm and 45 nm bulk SRAMs

DOE PAGES

Trippe, J. M.; Reed, R. A.; Austin, R. A.; ...

2015-12-01

In this study, we present experimental evidence of single electron-induced upsets in commercial 28 nm and 45 nm CMOS SRAMs from a monoenergetic electron beam. Upsets were observed in both technology nodes when the SRAM was operated in a low power state. The experimental cross section depends strongly on both bias and technology node feature size, consistent with previous work in which SRAMs were irradiated with low energy muons and protons. Accompanying simulations demonstrate that δ-rays produced by the primary electrons are responsible for the observed upsets. Additional simulations predict the on-orbit event rates for various Earth and Jovian environmentsmore » for a set of sensitive volumes representative of current technology nodes. The electron contribution to the total upset rate for Earth environments is significant for critical charges as high as 0.2 fC. This value is comparable to that of sub-22 nm bulk SRAMs. Similarly, for the Jovian environment, the electron-induced upset rate is larger than the proton-induced upset rate for critical charges as high as 0.3 fC.« less

High-yield, ultrafast, surface plasmon-enhanced, Au nanorod optical field electron emitter arrays.

PubMed

Hobbs, Richard G; Yang, Yujia; Fallahi, Arya; Keathley, Philip D; De Leo, Eva; Kärtner, Franz X; Graves, William S; Berggren, Karl K

2014-11-25

Here we demonstrate the design, fabrication, and characterization of ultrafast, surface-plasmon enhanced Au nanorod optical field emitter arrays. We present a quantitative study of electron emission from Au nanorod arrays fabricated by high-resolution electron-beam lithography and excited by 35 fs pulses of 800 nm light. We present accurate models for both the optical field enhancement of Au nanorods within high-density arrays, and electron emission from those nanorods. We have also studied the effects of surface plasmon damping induced by metallic interface layers at the substrate/nanorod interface on near-field enhancement and electron emission. We have identified the peak optical field at which the electron emission mechanism transitions from a 3-photon absorption mechanism to strong-field tunneling emission. Moreover, we have investigated the effects of nanorod array density on nanorod charge yield, including measurement of space-charge effects. The Au nanorod photocathodes presented in this work display 100-1000 times higher conversion efficiency relative to previously reported UV triggered emission from planar Au photocathodes. Consequently, the Au nanorod arrays triggered by ultrafast pulses of 800 nm light in this work may outperform equivalent UV-triggered Au photocathodes, while also offering nanostructuring of the electron pulse produced from such a cathode, which is of interest for X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) development where nanostructured electron pulses may facilitate more efficient and brighter XFEL radiation.

Performance of a first generation X-band photoelectron rf gun

DOE PAGES

Limborg-Deprey, C.; Adolphsen, C.; McCormick, D.; ...

2016-05-04

Building more compact accelerators to deliver high brightness electron beams for the generation of high flux, highly coherent radiation is a priority for the photon science community. A relatively straightforward reduction in footprint can be achieved by using high-gradient X-band (11.4 GHz) rf technology. To this end, an X-band injector consisting of a 5.5 cell rf gun and a 1-m long linac has been commissioned at SLAC. It delivers an 85 MeV electron beam with peak brightness somewhat better than that achieved in S-band photoinjectors, such as the one developed for the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). The X-band rfmore » gun operates with up to a 200 MV/m peak field on the cathode, and has been used to produce bunches of a few pC to 1.2 nC in charge. Notably, bunch lengths as short as 120 fs rms have been measured for charges of 5 pC (~3×10 7 electrons), and normalized transverse emittances as small as 0.22 mm-mrad have been measured for this same charge level. Bunch lengths as short as 400 (250) fs rms have been achieved for electron bunches of 100 (20) pC with transverse normalized emittances of 0.7 (0.35) mm-mrad. As a result, we report on the performance and the lessons learned from the operation and optimization of this first generation X-band gun.« less

Performance of a first generation X-band photoelectron rf gun

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

Limborg-Deprey, C.; Adolphsen, C.; McCormick, D.

Building more compact accelerators to deliver high brightness electron beams for the generation of high flux, highly coherent radiation is a priority for the photon science community. A relatively straightforward reduction in footprint can be achieved by using high-gradient X-band (11.4 GHz) rf technology. To this end, an X-band injector consisting of a 5.5 cell rf gun and a 1-m long linac has been commissioned at SLAC. It delivers an 85 MeV electron beam with peak brightness somewhat better than that achieved in S-band photoinjectors, such as the one developed for the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). The X-band rfmore » gun operates with up to a 200 MV/m peak field on the cathode, and has been used to produce bunches of a few pC to 1.2 nC in charge. Notably, bunch lengths as short as 120 fs rms have been measured for charges of 5 pC (~3×10 7 electrons), and normalized transverse emittances as small as 0.22 mm-mrad have been measured for this same charge level. Bunch lengths as short as 400 (250) fs rms have been achieved for electron bunches of 100 (20) pC with transverse normalized emittances of 0.7 (0.35) mm-mrad. As a result, we report on the performance and the lessons learned from the operation and optimization of this first generation X-band gun.« less

Scintillator for low accelerating voltage scanning electron microscopy imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bowser, Christopher; Tzolov, Marian; Barbi, Nicholas

Scintillators are essential in detecting electrons in SEM. The conventional scintillators such as YAP and YAG have poor response at low accelerating voltages due to a top conductive layer of ITO or Al. We have developed a thin film ZnWO4 scintillator with high photoluminescence quantum efficiency of 60% with enough electrical conductivity to prevent charging. We are showing that the ZnWO4 films are effective in detecting electrons at low accelerating voltages. This makes it a good option for a top layer on crystalline scintillators and we have integrated ZnWO4 with YAP to explore the high response of YAP at high electron energies and the effective response of ZnWO4 at low electron energies. We will compare the spectral intensities over a range of accelerating voltages between 1 and 30kV between the conventional and coupled thin film scintillator. The results are interpreted using a simulation of the depth profile of the electron penetration in the scintillator using CASINO. We have verified the absence of charging by measuring the sum of the secondary and backscattered electron coefficients. We have built detectors with the combined scintillators and we will compare SEM images recorded simultaneously by conventional and ZnWO4-based scintillators.

Robust Stacking-Independent Ultrafast Charge Transfer in MoS2/WS2 Bilayers.

PubMed

Ji, Ziheng; Hong, Hao; Zhang, Jin; Zhang, Qi; Huang, Wei; Cao, Ting; Qiao, Ruixi; Liu, Can; Liang, Jing; Jin, Chuanhong; Jiao, Liying; Shi, Kebin; Meng, Sheng; Liu, Kaihui

2017-12-26

Van der Waals-coupled two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures have attracted great attention recently due to their high potential in the next-generation photodetectors and solar cells. The understanding of charge-transfer process between adjacent atomic layers is the key to design optimal devices as it directly determines the fundamental response speed and photon-electron conversion efficiency. However, general belief and theoretical studies have shown that the charge transfer behavior depends sensitively on interlayer configurations, which is difficult to control accurately, bringing great uncertainties in device designing. Here we investigate the ultrafast dynamics of interlayer charge transfer in a prototype heterostructure, the MoS 2 /WS 2 bilayer with various stacking configurations, by optical two-color ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy. Surprisingly, we found that the charge transfer is robust against varying interlayer twist angles and interlayer coupling strength, in time scale of ∼90 fs. Our observation, together with atomic-resolved transmission electron characterization and time-dependent density functional theory simulations, reveals that the robust ultrafast charge transfer is attributed to the heterogeneous interlayer stretching/sliding, which provides additional channels for efficient charge transfer previously unknown. Our results elucidate the origin of transfer rate robustness against interlayer stacking configurations in optical devices based on 2D heterostructures, facilitating their applications in ultrafast and high-efficient optoelectronic and photovoltaic devices in the near future.

Disordering of ultra thin WO3 films by high-energy ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsunami, N.; Kato, M.; Sataka, M.; Okayasu, S.

2017-10-01

We have studied disordering or atomic structure modification of ultra thin WO3 films under impact of high-energy ions with non-equilibrium and equilibrium charge incidence, by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD). WO3 films were prepared by thermal oxidation of W deposited on MgO substrate. Film thickness obtained by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) is as low as 2 nm. Smoothness of film surface was observed by atomic force microscopy. It is found that the ratio of XRD intensity degradation per 90 MeV Ni+10 ion (the incident charge is lower than the equilibrium charge) to that per 90 MeV Ni ion with the equilibrium charge depends on the film thickness. Also, film thickness dependence is observed for 100 MeV Xe+14. By comparison of the experimental result with a simple model calculation based on the assumption that the mean charge of ions along the depth follows a saturation curve with power-law approximation to the charge dependent electronic stopping power, the characteristic length attaining the equilibrium charge is obtained to be ∼7 nm for 90 MeV Ni+10 ion incidence or the electron loss cross section of ∼1016 cm2, demonstrating that disordering of ultra WO3 films has been observed and a fundamental quantity can be derived through material modification.

Dust Acoustic Solitary Waves in Dusty Plasma with Trapped Electrons Having Different Temperature Nonthermal Ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deka, Manoj Kr.

2016-12-01

In this report, a detailed investigation on the study of dust acoustics solitary waves solution with negatively dust charge fluctuation in dusty plasma corresponding to lower and higher temperature nonthermal ions with trapped electrons is presented. We consider temporal variation of dust charge as a source of dissipation term to derive the lower order modified Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation by using the reductive perturbation technique. Solitary wave solution is obtained with the help of sech method in presence of trapped electrons and low (and high) temperature nonthermal ions. Both nonthermality of ions and trapped state of the electrons are found to have an imperative control on the nonlinear coefficient, dissipative coefficient as well as height of the wave potential.

The Charging of Dust Grains in the Inner Heliosheath

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avinash, K.; Slavin, J.; Zank, G. P.; Frisch, P.

2008-12-01

Equilibrium electric charge and surface potential on a dust grain in the heliosheath are calculated. The grain is charged due to heliosheath plasma flux, photo electrons flux, secondary electron emission flux and transmission flux. Realistically, the heliosheath plasma consists of solar electrons, solar wind ions [SWI] and pick up ions [PUI]. These species interact differently with TS and thus have different characteristics down stream in the heliosheath. The PUI suffer multiple reflections at TS and are accelerated to high energies in the range of ~ 106 K. The solar electrons, on the other hand, are heated adiabatically through the TS and have temperature in the range ~ 5x105 K. The SWI may have a smaller temperature typically in the range 1-5x104 K The density of electrons could be in the range ~5 x 10-4 cm-3, while the ratio of PUI to SWI density could range from 0.1 to 0.5. Taking into account these parameters, grain charging due to different plasma species and other fluxes mentioned earlier, is calculated. Our results show that (a) surface potential is very sensitive to electron temp. It goes through a maxima and for realistic values close to or less than 5x105 K it can be as big as 26V which is twice the value calculated by Kimura and Mann1. This may have implications for electrostatic disruption and the size distribution of dust particles in the heliosheath. With PUI density the surface potential increases about 10 to 20 %. Though temperature of PUI is significantly larger than that of electrons, it is not large enough to make up for the mass ratio of electrons to protons. On account small temperature and electron/proton mass ratio, the effect of SWI on dust charge is very weak. (1) H. Kimura and I. Mann, Ap.J. 499, 454 (1998).

Polarized positrons in Jefferson lab electron ion collider (JLEIC)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Fanglei; Grames, Joe; Guo, Jiquan; Morozov, Vasiliy; Zhang, Yuhong

2018-05-01

The Jefferson Lab Electron Ion Collider (JLEIC) is designed to provide collisions of electron and ion beams with high luminosity and high polarization to reach new frontier in exploration of nuclear structure. The luminosity, exceeding 1033 cm-2s-1 in a broad range of the center-of-mass (CM) energy and maximum luminosity above 1034 cm-2s-1, is achieved by high-rate collisions of short small-emittance low-charge bunches with proper cooling of the ion beam and synchrotron radiation damping of the electron beam. The polarization of light ion species (p, d, 3He) and electron can be easily preserved, manipulated and maintained by taking advantage of the unique figure-8 shape rings. With a growing physics interest, polarized positron-ion collisions are considered to be carried out in the JLEIC to offer an additional probe to study the substructure of nucleons and nuclei. However, the creation of polarized positrons with sufficient intensity is particularly challenging. We propose a dedicated scheme to generate polarized positrons. Rather than trying to accumulate "hot" positrons after conversion, we will accumulate "cold" electrons before conversion. Charge accumulation additionally provides a novel means to convert high repetition rate (>100 MHz) electron beam from the gun to a low repetition rate (<100 MHz) positron beam for broad applications. In this paper, we will address the scheme, provide preliminary estimated parameters and explain the key areas to reach the desired goal.

Space charge measurement in a dielectric material after irradiation with a 30 kV electron beam: Application to single-crystals oxide trapping properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vallayer, B.; Blaise, G.; Treheux, D.

1999-07-01

When an insulating material is subjected to electron irradiation, it produces a secondary emission the yield of which varies from a few percent to very high values (up to 24 per incoming electron) depending on the material and the experimental conditions. If the secondary electron emission yield is less than one, a net negative charge remains trapped in the sample. In this case, the study of the electric charges trapping properties of the material becomes possible. This article describes how it is possible to use a secondary electron microscope (SEM) as a device to perform such a study. In Sec. II, the effect of a net negative trapped charge resulting (from the injection of typically 50 pC) on the imaging process of the SEM has been described. It has been shown that when the trapped charge is high enough, it acts as a mirror reflecting the incoming electron beam which is deflected somewhere in the vacuum chamber of the microscope. A global qualitative description of the image displayed on the screen is first presented. Then electron trajectories are quantitatively studied by using the Rutherford scattering cross section in the case of a point charge. When the charge is extended, a numeric simulation has been done in order to predict the validity range of the previous model. Once the trajectories have been calculated, the connection between the remarkable elements of the image and the quantity of trapped charges has been established. Moreover, this technique allows one to study the lateral dimension of the trapped charge zone and to measure the surface potential. In Sec. III, the discussion is first focused on some precautions to be taken concerning the sample preparation before the experiment is performed. It has been shown that surface defects due either to contamination layers or machining change the trapping properties of single-crystals ceramics such as MgO and Al2O3. A cleaning procedure is proposed that consists of annealing the sample at 1500 °C for 4 h in order to heal the crystalline defects and a heating at 400 °C in the vacuum chamber of the SEM to remove the contamination layers. Finally, the effect of the temperature on the trapping properties of pure and chromium doped sapphire has been studied in relation with the chromium concentration. It is shown that temperature behavior of trapping is in relation with the chromium concentration. In the pure sapphire trapping is activated below -16 °C, in 500 ppm rubis it is below -9.5 °C due to isolated chromium atoms, and in the 8000 ppm rubis the critical trapping temperature rises to 3.7 °C due to Cr3+ pairs. The interpretation of the role played by chromium on trapping is based on the experimental study of the fluorescence of chromium atoms and pairs as a function of concentration.

Relevance of GaAs(001) surface electronic structure for high frequency dispersion on n-type accumulation capacitance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pi, T. W.; Chen, W. S.; Lin, Y. H.; Cheng, Y. T.; Wei, G. J.; Lin, K. Y.; Cheng, C.-P.; Kwo, J.; Hong, M.

2017-01-01

This study investigates the origin of long-puzzled high frequency dispersion on the accumulation region of capacitance-voltage characteristics in an n-type GaAs-based metal-oxide-semiconductor. Probed adatoms with a high Pauling electronegativity, Ag and Au, unexpectedly donate charge to the contacted As/Ga atoms of as-grown α2 GaAs(001)-2 × 4 surfaces. The GaAs surface atoms behave as charge acceptors, and if not properly passivated, they would trap those electrons accumulated at the oxide and semiconductor interface under a positive bias. The exemplified core-level spectra of the Al2O3/n-GaAs(001)-2 × 4 and the Al2O3/n-GaAs(001)-4 × 6 interfaces exhibit remnant of pristine surface As emission, thereby causing high frequency dispersion in the accumulation region. For the p-type GaAs, electrons under a negatively biased condition are expelled from the interface, thereby avoiding becoming trapped.

Laser-driven relativistic electron dynamics in a cylindrical plasma channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geng, Pan-Fei; Lv, Wen-Juan; Li, Xiao-Liang; Tang, Rong-An; Xue, Ju-Kui

2018-03-01

The energy and trajectory of the electron, which is irradiated by a high-power laser pulse in a cylindrical plasma channel with a uniform positive charge and a uniform negative current, have been analyzed in terms of a single-electron model of direct laser acceleration. We find that the energy and trajectory of the electron strongly depend on the positive charge density, the negative current density, and the intensity of the laser pulse. The electron can be accelerated significantly only when the positive charge density, the negative current density, and the intensity of the laser pulse are in suitable ranges due to the dephasing rate between the wave and electron motion. Particularly, when their values satisfy a critical condition, the electron can stay in phase with the laser and gain the largest energy from the laser. With the enhancement of the electron energy, strong modulations of the relativistic factor cause a considerable enhancement of the electron transverse oscillations across the channel, which makes the electron trajectory become essentially three-dimensional, even if it is flat at the early stage of the acceleration. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11475027, 11765017, 11764039, 11305132, and 11274255), the Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province, China (Grant No. 17JR5RA076), and the Scientific Research Project of Gansu Higher Education, China (Grant No. 2016A-005).

Observation of the Dirac fluid and the breakdown of the Wiedemann-Franz law in graphene.

PubMed

Crossno, Jesse; Shi, Jing K; Wang, Ke; Liu, Xiaomeng; Harzheim, Achim; Lucas, Andrew; Sachdev, Subir; Kim, Philip; Taniguchi, Takashi; Watanabe, Kenji; Ohki, Thomas A; Fong, Kin Chung

2016-03-04

Interactions between particles in quantum many-body systems can lead to collective behavior described by hydrodynamics. One such system is the electron-hole plasma in graphene near the charge-neutrality point, which can form a strongly coupled Dirac fluid. This charge-neutral plasma of quasi-relativistic fermions is expected to exhibit a substantial enhancement of the thermal conductivity, thanks to decoupling of charge and heat currents within hydrodynamics. Employing high-sensitivity Johnson noise thermometry, we report an order of magnitude increase in the thermal conductivity and the breakdown of the Wiedemann-Franz law in the thermally populated charge-neutral plasma in graphene. This result is a signature of the Dirac fluid and constitutes direct evidence of collective motion in a quantum electronic fluid. Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Parametric emittance measurements of electron beams produced by a laser plasma accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barber, S. K.; van Tilborg, J.; Schroeder, C. B.; Lehe, R.; Tsai, H.-E.; Swanson, K. K.; Steinke, S.; Nakamura, K.; Geddes, C. G. R.; Benedetti, C.; Esarey, E.; Leemans, W. P.

2018-05-01

Laser plasma accelerators (LPA) offer an exciting possibility to deliver high energy, high brightness electrons beams in drastically smaller distance scales than is typical for conventional accelerators. As such, LPAs draw considerable attention as potential drivers for next generation light sources and for a compact linear collider. In order to asses the viability of an LPA source for a particular application, the brightness of the source should be properly characterized. In this paper, we present charge dependent transverse emittance measurements of LPA sources using both ionization injection and shock induced density down ramp injection, with the latter delivering smaller transverse emittances by a factor of two when controlling for charge density. The single shot emittance method is described in detail with a discussion on limitations related to second order transport effects. The direct role of space charge is explored through a series of simulations and found to be consistent with experimental observations.

Theory of the stopping power of fast multicharged ions

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

Yudin, G.L.

1991-12-01

The processes of Coulomb excitation and ionization of atoms by a fast charged particle moving along a classical trajectory are studied. The target electrons are described by the Dirac equation, while the field of the incident particle is described by the Lienard-Wiechert potential. The theory is formulated in the form most convenient for investigation of various characteristics of semiclassical atomic collisions. The theory of sudden perturbations, which is valid at high enough velocities for a high projectile charge, is employed to obtain probabilities and cross sections of the Coulomb excitation and ionization of atomic hydrogen by fast multiply charged ions.more » Based on the semiclassical sudden Born approximation, the ionization cross section and the average electronic energy loss of a fast ion in a single collision with an atom are investigated over a wide specific energy range from 500 keV/amu to 50 MeV/amu.« less

Itinerant density wave instabilities at classical and quantum critical points

DOE PAGES

Feng, Yejun; van Wezel, Jasper; Wang, Jiyang; ...

2015-07-27

Charge ordering in metals is a fundamental instability of the electron sea, occurring in a host of materials and often linked to other collective ground states such as superconductivity. What is difficult to parse, however, is whether the charge order originates among the itinerant electrons or whether it arises from the ionic lattice. Here in this study we employ high-resolution X-ray diffraction, combined with high-pressure and low-temperature techniques and theoretical modelling, to trace the evolution of the ordering wavevector Q in charge and spin density wave systems at the approach to both thermal and quantum phase transitions. The non-monotonic behaviourmore » of Q with pressure and the limiting sinusoidal form of the density wave point to the dominant role of the itinerant instability in the vicinity of the critical points, with little influence from the lattice. Fluctuations rather than disorder seem to disrupt coherence.« less

Imaging electron motion in graphene

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

Bhandari, Sagar; Westervelt, Robert M.

A cooled scanning probe microscope (SPM) is an ideal tool to image electronic motion in graphene: the SPM tip acts as a scanning gate, which interacts with the electron gas below. We introduce the technique using our group's previous work on imaging electron flow from a quantum point contact in a GaAs 2DEG and tuning an InAs quantum dot in an InAs/InP nanowire. Carriers in graphene have very different characteristics: electrons and holes travel at a constant speed with no bandgap, and they pass through potential barriers via Klein tunneling. In this paper, we review the extension of SPM imagingmore » techniques to graphene. We image the cyclotron orbits passing between two narrow contacts in a single-atomic-layer graphene device in a perpendicular magnetic field. Magnetic focusing produces a peak in transmission between the contacts when the cyclotron diameter is equal to the contact spacing. The charged SPM tip deflects electrons passing from one contact to the other, changing the transmission when it interrupts the flow. By displaying the change in transmission as the tip is raster scanned above the sample, an image of flow is obtained. In addition, we have developed a complementary technique to image electronic charge using a cooled scanning capacitance microscope (SCM) that uses a sensitive charge preamplifier near the SPM tip to achieve a charge noise level 0.13 e Hz -1/2 with high spatial resolution 100 nm. The cooled SPM and SCM can be used to probe the motion of electrons on the nanoscale in graphene devices.« less

Imaging electron motion in graphene

DOE PAGES

Bhandari, Sagar; Westervelt, Robert M.

2017-01-05

A cooled scanning probe microscope (SPM) is an ideal tool to image electronic motion in graphene: the SPM tip acts as a scanning gate, which interacts with the electron gas below. We introduce the technique using our group's previous work on imaging electron flow from a quantum point contact in a GaAs 2DEG and tuning an InAs quantum dot in an InAs/InP nanowire. Carriers in graphene have very different characteristics: electrons and holes travel at a constant speed with no bandgap, and they pass through potential barriers via Klein tunneling. In this paper, we review the extension of SPM imagingmore » techniques to graphene. We image the cyclotron orbits passing between two narrow contacts in a single-atomic-layer graphene device in a perpendicular magnetic field. Magnetic focusing produces a peak in transmission between the contacts when the cyclotron diameter is equal to the contact spacing. The charged SPM tip deflects electrons passing from one contact to the other, changing the transmission when it interrupts the flow. By displaying the change in transmission as the tip is raster scanned above the sample, an image of flow is obtained. In addition, we have developed a complementary technique to image electronic charge using a cooled scanning capacitance microscope (SCM) that uses a sensitive charge preamplifier near the SPM tip to achieve a charge noise level 0.13 e Hz -1/2 with high spatial resolution 100 nm. The cooled SPM and SCM can be used to probe the motion of electrons on the nanoscale in graphene devices.« less

Charge migration and charge transfer in molecular systems

PubMed Central

Wörner, Hans Jakob; Arrell, Christopher A.; Banerji, Natalie; Cannizzo, Andrea; Chergui, Majed; Das, Akshaya K.; Hamm, Peter; Keller, Ursula; Kraus, Peter M.; Liberatore, Elisa; Lopez-Tarifa, Pablo; Lucchini, Matteo; Meuwly, Markus; Milne, Chris; Moser, Jacques-E.; Rothlisberger, Ursula; Smolentsev, Grigory; Teuscher, Joël; van Bokhoven, Jeroen A.; Wenger, Oliver

2017-01-01

The transfer of charge at the molecular level plays a fundamental role in many areas of chemistry, physics, biology and materials science. Today, more than 60 years after the seminal work of R. A. Marcus, charge transfer is still a very active field of research. An important recent impetus comes from the ability to resolve ever faster temporal events, down to the attosecond time scale. Such a high temporal resolution now offers the possibility to unravel the most elementary quantum dynamics of both electrons and nuclei that participate in the complex process of charge transfer. This review covers recent research that addresses the following questions. Can we reconstruct the migration of charge across a molecule on the atomic length and electronic time scales? Can we use strong laser fields to control charge migration? Can we temporally resolve and understand intramolecular charge transfer in dissociative ionization of small molecules, in transition-metal complexes and in conjugated polymers? Can we tailor molecular systems towards specific charge-transfer processes? What are the time scales of the elementary steps of charge transfer in liquids and nanoparticles? Important new insights into each of these topics, obtained from state-of-the-art ultrafast spectroscopy and/or theoretical methods, are summarized in this review. PMID:29333473

Plasma devices to guide and collimate a high density of MeV electrons.

PubMed

Kodama, R; Sentoku, Y; Chen, Z L; Kumar, G R; Hatchett, S P; Toyama, Y; Cowan, T E; Freeman, R R; Fuchs, J; Izawa, Y; Key, M H; Kitagawa, Y; Kondo, K; Matsuoka, T; Nakamura, H; Nakatsutsumi, M; Norreys, P A; Norimatsu, T; Snavely, R A; Stephens, R B; Tampo, M; Tanaka, K A; Yabuuchi, T

2004-12-23

The development of ultra-intense lasers has facilitated new studies in laboratory astrophysics and high-density nuclear science, including laser fusion. Such research relies on the efficient generation of enormous numbers of high-energy charged particles. For example, laser-matter interactions at petawatt (10(15) W) power levels can create pulses of MeV electrons with current densities as large as 10(12) A cm(-2). However, the divergence of these particle beams usually reduces the current density to a few times 10(6) A cm(-2) at distances of the order of centimetres from the source. The invention of devices that can direct such intense, pulsed energetic beams will revolutionize their applications. Here we report high-conductivity devices consisting of transient plasmas that increase the energy density of MeV electrons generated in laser-matter interactions by more than one order of magnitude. A plasma fibre created on a hollow-cone target guides and collimates electrons in a manner akin to the control of light by an optical fibre and collimator. Such plasma devices hold promise for applications using high energy-density particles and should trigger growth in charged particle optics.

Laboratory X-ray Studies with Trapped Highly Charged Ions Using Synchrotrons and Free-electron Lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crespo López-Urrutia, José R.

2018-06-01

Laboratory studies on highly charged ions (HCI) using electron beam ion traps (EBITs) can cover all charge states and chemical elements found in astrophysical sources. Since their introduction in 1986, a wealth of emission measurements from the optical to the x-ray range has been carried out by different groups. In most of the work, electron-impact excitation was the driving mechanism, and high resolution spectrometers were used for the diagnostic of the emitted radiation. Other recent studies included x-ray emission following charge exchange, a mechanism which is present in many astrophysical environments and can help explain some of the unknown spectral features at 3.55 keV.In the last decade, excitation and photoionization have also been investigated by exposing HCI trapped in an EBIT to intense, monochromatic radiation from free-electron lasers and synchrotron sources. Here, advanced monochromators in powerful undulator beamlines allowed us to work at photon energies from 50 eV to 15 keV while resolving the natural linewidths of x-ray transitions like the Kα complex of Fe up to the highest charge states, and to measure the oscillator strengths of, e. g., the neonlike Fe16+ spectrum. Photoionization studies have been performed for those species as well. Very recently, our novel compact EBIT with an off-axis electron gun allows for simultaneously using the photon beam downstream, enabling exact wavelength determinations referenced to HCI with accurately calculable transitions. We have performed a recalibration of the molecular and atomic oxygen soft x-ray absorption lines in the 500 eV range with an uncertainty estimate of 30 meV. This revealed a 600 meV calibration error that propagated through the literature for decades with the consequence of a 200 km/s misfit of the velocity in interstellar oxygen absorbers. Other possibilities for the compact EBIT are investigations of resonant photorecombination processes with excellent energy resolution. With the miniaturization of EBITs, laboratory astrophysics in the spectral domain of Chandra, XMM-Newton and the future Athena mission will be extremely simplified, enabling atomic and plasma physics studies and much-improved instrumental calibrations.

Charge neutralization apparatus for ion implantation system

DOEpatents

Leung, Ka-Ngo; Kunkel, Wulf B.; Williams, Malcom D.; McKenna, Charles M.

1992-01-01

Methods and apparatus for neutralization of a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer in a system wherein a beam of positive ions is applied to the workpiece. The apparatus includes an electron source for generating an electron beam and a magnetic assembly for generating a magnetic field for guiding the electron beam to the workpiece. The electron beam path preferably includes a first section between the electron source and the ion beam and a second section which is coincident with the ion beam. The magnetic assembly generates an axial component of magnetic field along the electron beam path. The magnetic assembly also generates a transverse component of the magnetic field in an elbow region between the first and second sections of the electron beam path. The electron source preferably includes a large area lanthanum hexaboride cathode and an extraction grid positioned in close proximity to the cathode. The apparatus provides a high current, low energy electron beam for neutralizing charge buildup on the workpiece.

Nonequilibrium excitations and transport of Dirac electrons in electric-field-driven graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jiajun; Han, Jong E.

2018-05-01

We investigate nonequilibrium excitations and charge transport in charge-neutral graphene driven with dc electric field by using the nonequilibrium Green's-function technique. Due to the vanishing Fermi surface, electrons are subject to nontrivial nonequilibrium excitations such as highly anisotropic momentum distribution of electron-hole pairs, an analog of the Schwinger effect. We show that the electron-hole excitations, initiated by the Landau-Zener tunneling with a superlinear I V relation I ∝E3 /2 , reaches a steady state dominated by the dissipation due to optical phonons, resulting in a marginally sublinear I V with I ∝E , in agreement with recent experiments. The linear I V starts to show the sign of current saturation as the graphene is doped away from the Dirac point, and recovers the semiclassical relation for the saturated velocity. We give a detailed discussion on the nonequilibrium charge creation and the relation between the electron-phonon scattering rate and the electric field in the steady-state limit. We explain how the apparent Ohmic I V is recovered near the Dirac point. We propose a mechanism where the peculiar nonequilibrium electron-hole creation can be utilized in a infrared device.

Fast and efficient charge breeding of the Californium rare isotope breeder upgrade electron beam ion source

DOE PAGES

Ostroumov, P. N.; Barcikowski, A.; Dickerson, C. A.; ...

2015-08-28

The Electron Beam Ion Source (EBIS), developed to breed Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) radioactive beams at Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS), is being tested off-line. A unique property of the EBIS is a combination of short breeding times, high repetition rates, and a large acceptance. Overall, we have implemented many innovative features during the design and construction of the CARIBU EBIS as compared to the existing EBIS breeders. The off-line charge breeding tests are being performed using a surface ionization source that produces singly charged cesium ions. The main goal of the off-line commissioning is to demonstratemore » stable operation of the EBIS at a 10 Hz repetition rate and a breeding efficiency into single charge state higher than 15%. These goals have been successfully achieved and exceeded. We have measured (20% ± 0.7%) breeding efficiency into the single charge state of 28+ cesium ions with the breeding time of 28 ms. In general, the current CARIBU EBIS operational parameters can provide charge breeding of any ions in the full mass range of periodic table with high efficiency, short breeding times, and sufficiently low charge-to-mass ratio, 1/6.3 for the heaviest masses, for further acceleration in ATLAS. In this study, we discuss the parameters of the EBIS and the charge breeding results in a pulsed injection mode with repetition rates up to 10 Hz.« less

Fast and efficient charge breeding of the Californium rare isotope breeder upgrade electron beam ion source

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

Ostroumov, P. N.; Barcikowski, A.; Dickerson, C. A.

The Electron Beam Ion Source (EBIS), developed to breed Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) radioactive beams at Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS), is being tested off-line. A unique property of the EBIS is a combination of short breeding times, high repetition rates, and a large acceptance. Overall, we have implemented many innovative features during the design and construction of the CARIBU EBIS as compared to the existing EBIS breeders. The off-line charge breeding tests are being performed using a surface ionization source that produces singly charged cesium ions. The main goal of the off-line commissioning is to demonstratemore » stable operation of the EBIS at a 10 Hz repetition rate and a breeding efficiency into single charge state higher than 15%. These goals have been successfully achieved and exceeded. We have measured (20% ± 0.7%) breeding efficiency into the single charge state of 28+ cesium ions with the breeding time of 28 ms. In general, the current CARIBU EBIS operational parameters can provide charge breeding of any ions in the full mass range of periodic table with high efficiency, short breeding times, and sufficiently low charge-to-mass ratio, 1/6.3 for the heaviest masses, for further acceleration in ATLAS. In this study, we discuss the parameters of the EBIS and the charge breeding results in a pulsed injection mode with repetition rates up to 10 Hz.« less

Fast and efficient charge breeding of the Californium rare isotope breeder upgrade electron beam ion source

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

Ostroumov, P. N., E-mail: ostroumov@anl.gov; Barcikowski, A.; Dickerson, C. A.

The Electron Beam Ion Source (EBIS), developed to breed Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) radioactive beams at Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS), is being tested off-line. A unique property of the EBIS is a combination of short breeding times, high repetition rates, and a large acceptance. Overall, we have implemented many innovative features during the design and construction of the CARIBU EBIS as compared to the existing EBIS breeders. The off-line charge breeding tests are being performed using a surface ionization source that produces singly charged cesium ions. The main goal of the off-line commissioning is to demonstratemore » stable operation of the EBIS at a 10 Hz repetition rate and a breeding efficiency into single charge state higher than 15%. These goals have been successfully achieved and exceeded. We have measured (20% ± 0.7%) breeding efficiency into the single charge state of 28+ cesium ions with the breeding time of 28 ms. In general, the current CARIBU EBIS operational parameters can provide charge breeding of any ions in the full mass range of periodic table with high efficiency, short breeding times, and sufficiently low charge-to-mass ratio, 1/6.3 for the heaviest masses, for further acceleration in ATLAS. In this paper, we discuss the parameters of the EBIS and the charge breeding results in a pulsed injection mode with repetition rates up to 10 Hz.« less

Characteristics of spacecraft charging in low Earth orbit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Phillip C.

2012-07-01

It has been found that the DMSP spacecraft at 840 km can charge to very large negative voltages (up to -2000 V) when encountering intense precipitating electron events (auroral arcs). We present an 11-year study of over 1600 charging events, defined as when the spacecraft charged to levels exceeding 100 V negative during an auroral crossing. The occurrence frequency of events was highly correlated with the 11-year solar cycle with the largest number of events occurring during solar minimum. This was due to the requirement that the background thermal plasma density be low, at most 104 cm-3. During solar maximum, the plasma density is typically well above that level due to the solar EUV ionizing radiation, and although the occurrence frequency of auroral arcs is considerably greater than at solar minimum, the occurrence of high-level charging is minimal. As a result of this study, we produced a model spectrum for precipitating electrons that can be used as a specification for the low-altitude auroral charging environment. There are implications from this study on a number of LEO satellite programs, including the International Space Station, which does enter the auroral zone, particularly during geomagnetic activity when the auroral boundary can penetrate to very low latitudes. The plasma density in the ISS orbit is usually well above the minimum required density for charging. However, in the wake of the ISS, the plasma density can be 2 orders of magnitude or more lower than the background density and thus conditions are ripe for charging.

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

Harper, Jason; Dobrzynski, Daniel S.

A smart charging system for charging a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) includes an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) configured to supply electrical power to the PEV through a smart charging module coupled to the EVSE. The smart charging module comprises an electronic circuitry which includes a processor. The electronic circuitry includes electronic components structured to receive electrical power from the EVSE, and supply the electrical power to the PEV. The electronic circuitry is configured to measure a charging parameter of the PEV. The electronic circuitry is further structured to emulate a pulse width modulated signal generated by the EVSE. Themore » smart charging module can also include a first coupler structured to be removably couple to the EVSE and a second coupler structured to be removably coupled to the PEV.« less

Charge sniffer for electrostatics demonstrations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dinca, Mihai P.

2011-02-01

An electronic electroscope with a special design for demonstrations and experiments on static electricity is described. It operates as an electric charge sniffer by detecting slightly charged objects when they are brought to the front of its sensing electrode. The sniffer has the advantage of combining high directional sensitivity with a logarithmic bar display. It allows for the identification of electric charge polarity during charge separation by friction, peeling, electrostatic induction, batteries, or secondary coils of power transformers. Other experiments in electrostatics, such as observing the electric field of an oscillating dipole and the distance dependence of the electric field generated by simple charge configurations, are also described.

Design and numerical characterization of a crossover EBIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geyer, Sabrina; Langbein, A.; Meusel, Oliver; Kester, Oliver

2015-01-01

For the investigation of highly charged ions, a crossover EBIS (XEBIS) was developed at the University of Frankfurt. In contrast to conventional EBIS/T devices the compression of the electron beam is achieved by electrostatic focusing to a crossover point in the interaction region. This concept allows a compact and simple design. Simulations performed with EGUN show a perveance of 2.1×10-7 A/V3/2 for the realized gun system. In the interaction region the electron beam has a density of around 10 A/cm2 and a minimum radius of 0.15 mm. The XEBIS has a total length of 112 mm with a trap length of 26 mm. It is designed for electron beam energies of up to 6 keV/q. The storage capacity of the trap region is in the order of 1×108 charges. Charge state breeding studies with CBSIM indicate for the noble gases as maximal achievable charge state Ar16+, Kr30+ and Xe35+. Thus ion beam currents of around 2.04 nA assuming 50 Hz repetition rate can be expected. The emittance of the extracted beam is approximated to 8 mm mrad. After completion of the construction phase, the XEBIS will be installed for first performance investigations at a dedicated test bench, equipped with a fast Faraday Cup (FC), a retarding field spectrometer, a luminescence screen and optical diagnostics. Subsequently the XEBIS will serve as source for highly charged ions at different experimental setups.

Metrology and Transport of Multiply Charged Ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulkarni, Dhruva

The transport and interaction of singly- and multiply-charged ions with matter has been studied. The experiments were performed in an ultra-high vacuum environment. The low- and hyperthermal-energy ion beamline was used as a source of singly charged ions, while the CUEBIT facility was used as a source of multiply charged ions. The kinetic energy of the ion beam obtained from the CUEBIT is offset from the nominal value expected from the applied electrostatic potentials. These offsets were studied by measuring the kinetic energy of the beam using a retarding field analyzer (RFA). The offset was attributed to the space charge of the electron beam that is used to create the multiply charged ions. The charge density of the electron beam was varied by changing operational parameters of the electron beam, namely the electron beam current and the energy of the electron beam. Ion beams of Ar4+ and Ar8+ were extracted from the source and the offsets observed in the kinetic energy were related to the variation in the space charge potential of the electron beam. Measurements of these offsets, ranging from 100 eV/Q to 300 eV/Q, are significant and important for experiments that aim to utilize the potential energy of slow multiply charged ions. The transport of ions using capillaries has been studied to investigate the viability of ion-guiding as a means for a novel ion delivery mechanism. Results on transport through large bore capillaries (macrocapillaries) that probe both the geometric and ionguided mechanisms are presented. The angle- and position-dependent transport properties were found to depend on the material of the capillary (specifically, whether metal or insulator) and the geometry of the capillary. Rb+ ions at a kinetic energy of 1 keV were transmitted through metal and glass capillaries that were a few centimeters in length and a few millimeters in diameter. Oscillations were observed in the capillaries made of glass which were absent in the metal capillaries. Calculations based on the geometry of the experimental setup and kinematics of the ions showed that these oscillations could be attributed to the charge patches formed on the capillary walls. Electronic excitations in solids due to energetic ions at low kinetic energy were measured by using Schottky diodes. Hot electron currents measured at the backside of an Ag/n-Si Schottky diode due to ion bombardment on the frontside were found to depend on the kinetic energy (500 eV to 1500 eV) and angle of incidence (+/-30°) of the ion (Rb+) beam. A sharp upturn in the energy dependent yield is consistent with a kinetic emission model for electronic excitations utilizing the device Schottky barrier as determined from current-voltage characteristics. Backside currents measured for ion incident angle are strongly peaked about normal incidence. Accounting for the increased transport distance for excited charges at non-normal incidence, the mean free path for electrons in silver was found to be 5.2 +/- 1.4 nm, which is consistent with values reported in the literature.

Control of single-electron charging of metallic nanoparticles onto amorphous silicon surface.

PubMed

Weis, Martin; Gmucová, Katarína; Nádazdy, Vojtech; Capek, Ignác; Satka, Alexander; Kopáni, Martin; Cirák, Július; Majková, Eva

2008-11-01

Sequential single-electron charging of iron oxide nanoparticles encapsulated in oleic acid/oleyl amine envelope and deposited by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique onto Pt electrode covered with undoped hydrogenated amorphous silicon film is reported. Single-electron charging (so-called quantized double-layer charging) of nanoparticles is detected by cyclic voltammetry as current peaks and the charging effect can be switched on/off by the electric field in the surface region induced by the excess of negative/positive charged defect states in the amorphous silicon layer. The particular charge states in amorphous silicon are created by the simultaneous application of a suitable bias voltage and illumination before the measurement. The influence of charged states on the electric field in the surface region is evaluated by the finite element method. The single-electron charging is analyzed by the standard quantized double layer model as well as two weak-link junctions model. Both approaches are in accordance with experiment and confirm single-electron charging by tunnelling process at room temperature. This experiment illustrates the possibility of the creation of a voltage-controlled capacitor for nanotechnology.

The behavior of exciplex decay processes and interplay of radiationless transition and preliminary reorganization mechanisms of electron transfer in loose and tight pairs of reactants.

PubMed

Kuzmin, Michael G; Soboleva, Irina V; Dolotova, Elena V

2007-01-18

Exciplex emission spectra and rate constants of their decay via internal conversion and intersystem crossing are studied and discussed in terms of conventional radiationless transition approach. Exciplexes of 9-cyanophenanthrene with 1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene and 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene were studied in heptane, toluene, butyl acetate, dichloromethane, butyronitrile, and acetonitrile. A better description of spectra and rate constants is obtained using 0-0 transition energy and Gauss broadening of vibrational bands rather than the free energy of electron transfer and reorganization energy. The coincidence of parameters describing exciplex emission spectra and dependence of exciplex decay rate constants on energy gap gives the evidence of radiationless quantum transition mechanism rather than thermally activated medium reorganization mechanism of charge recombination in exciplexes and excited charge transfer complexes (contact radical ion pairs) as well as in solvent separated radical ion pairs. Radiationless quantum transition mechanism is shown to provide an appropriate description also for the main features of exergonic excited-state charge separation reactions if fast mutual transformations of loose and tight pairs of reactants are considered. In particular, very fast electron transfer (ET) in tight pairs of reactants with strong electronic coupling of locally excited and charge transfer states can prevent the observation of an inverted region in bimolecular excited-state charge separation even for highly exergonic reactions.

Quantum dynamics of charge state in silicon field evaporation

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

Silaeva, Elena P.; Uchida, Kazuki; Watanabe, Kazuyuki, E-mail: kazuyuki@rs.kagu.tus.ac.jp

2016-08-15

The charge state of an ion field-evaporating from a silicon-atom cluster is analyzed using time-dependent density functional theory coupled to molecular dynamics. The final charge state of the ion is shown to increase gradually with increasing external electrostatic field in agreement with the average charge state of silicon ions detected experimentally. When field evaporation is triggered by laser-induced electronic excitations the charge state also increases with increasing intensity of the laser pulse. At the evaporation threshold, the charge state of the evaporating ion does not depend on the electrostatic field due to the strong contribution of laser excitations to themore » ionization process both at low and high laser energies. A neutral silicon atom escaping the cluster due to its high initial kinetic energy is shown to be eventually ionized by external electrostatic field.« less

Free-bound electron exchange contribution to l-split atomic structure in dense plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bennadji, K.; Rosmej, F.; Lisitsa, V. S.

2013-11-01

An analytical expression for the exchange energy between the bound electron in hydrogen-like ions and the free electrons of plasma is proposed. Two limiting cases are identified: 1) the low temperature limit where the energy depends linearly on density and on the ion charge as 1/Z2 but does not depend on the temperature itself, 2) the high temperature limit where the energy depends on temperature as 1/T but does not depend on the ion charge. These two regimes are separated by a characteristic temperature (T∗ = 4Z2Ry) which is a universal parameter depending only on the charge Z of the ions. We presented numerical results for aluminum: the exchange energy contributes about 15% to the total plasma energy and can reach an order of 10-4 of the total transition energy. Comparison to the Local-density Approximation (Kohn-Sham) exchange energy shows a good agreement.

Atomic bonding effects in annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy. I. Computational predictions

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

Odlyzko, Michael L.; Mkhoyan, K. Andre, E-mail: mkhoyan@umn.edu; Himmetoglu, Burak

2016-07-15

Annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF-STEM) image simulations were performed for zone-axis-oriented light-element single crystals, using a multislice method adapted to include charge redistribution due to chemical bonding. Examination of these image simulations alongside calculations of the propagation of the focused electron probe reveal that the evolution of the probe intensity with thickness exhibits significant sensitivity to interatomic charge transfer, accounting for observed thickness-dependent bonding sensitivity of contrast in all ADF-STEM imaging conditions. Because changes in image contrast relative to conventional neutral atom simulations scale directly with the net interatomic charge transfer, the strongest effects are seen inmore » crystals with highly polar bonding, while no effects are seen for nonpolar bonding. Although the bonding dependence of ADF-STEM image contrast varies with detector geometry, imaging parameters, and material temperature, these simulations predict the bonding effects to be experimentally measureable.« less

Charge state distribution and emission characteristics in a table top reflex discharge - Effect of ion confinement and electrons accelerated across the sheath

DOE PAGES

Kumar, Deepak; Englesbe, Alexander; Parman, Matthew; ...

2015-11-05

Tabletop reflex discharges in a Penning geometry have many applications including ion sources and eXtreme Ultra-Violet (XUV) sources. The presence of primary electrons accelerated across the cathode sheaths is responsible for the distribution of ion charge states and of the unusually high XUV brightness of these plasmas. Absolutely calibrated space resolved XUV spectra from a table top reflex discharge operating with Al cathodes and Ne gas are presented. The spectra are analyzed with a new and complete model for ion charge distribution in similar reflex discharges. The plasma in the discharge was found to have a density of ~10 18mmore » –3 with a significant fraction >0.01 of fast primary electrons. As a result, the implications of the new model on the ion states achievable in a tabletop reflex plasma discharge are also discussed.« less

Dynamics of ion beam charge neutralization by ferroelectric plasma sources

DOE PAGES

Stepanov, Anton D.; Gilson, Erik P.; Grisham, Larry R.; ...

2016-04-27

Ferroelectric Plasma Sources (FEPSs) can generate plasma that provides effective space-charge neutralization of intense high-perveance ion beams, as has been demonstrated on the Neutralized Drift Compression Experiment NDCX-I and NDCX-II. This article presents experimental results on charge neutralization of a high-perveance 38 keV Ar + beam by a plasma produced in a FEPS discharge. By comparing the measured beam radius with the envelope model for space-charge expansion, it is shown that a charge neutralization fraction of 98% is attainable with sufficiently dense FEPS plasma. The transverse electrostatic potential of the ion beam is reduced from 15V before neutralization to 0.3more » V, implying that the energy of the neutralizing electrons is below 0.3 eV. Measurements of the time-evolution of beam radius show that near-complete charge neutralization is established similar to –5 μs after the driving pulse is applied to the FEPS and can last for 35 μs. It is argued that the duration of neutralization is much longer than a reasonable lifetime of the plasma produced in the sub-mu s surface discharge. Measurements of current flow in the driving circuit of the FEPS show the existence of electron emission into vacuum, which lasts for tens of mu s after the high voltage pulse is applied. Lastly, it is argued that the beam is neutralized by the plasma produced by this process and not by a surface discharge plasma that is produced at the instant the high-voltage pulse is applied.« less

Space charge effects on the current-voltage characteristics of gated field emitter arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jensen, K. L.; Kodis, M. A.; Murphy, R. A.; Zaidman, E. G.

1997-07-01

Microfabricated field emitter arrays (FEAs) can provide the very high electron current densities required for rf amplifier applications, typically on the order of 100 A/cm2. Determining the dependence of emission current on gate voltage is important for the prediction of emitter performance for device applications. Field emitters use high applied fields to extract current, and therefore, unlike thermionic emitters, the current densities can exceed 103A/cm2 when averaged over an array. At such high current densities, space charge effects (i.e., the influence of charge between cathode and collector on emission) affect the emission process or initiate conditions which can lead to failure mechanisms for field emitters. A simple model of a field emitter will be used to calculate the one-dimensional space charge effects on the emission characteristics by examining two components: charge between the gate and anode, which leads to Child's law, and charge within the FEA unit cell, which gives rise to a field suppression effect which can exist for a single field emitter. The predictions of the analytical model are compared with recent experimental measurements designed to assess space charge effects and predict the onset of gate current. It is shown that negative convexity on a Fowler-Nordheim plot of Ianode(Vgate) data can be explained in terms of field depression at the emitter tip in addition to reflection of electrons by a virtual cathode created when the anode field is insufficient to extract all of the current; in particular, the effects present within the unit cell constitute a newly described effect.

Optimized dielectric properties of SrTiO3:Nb /SrTiO3 (001) films for high field effect charge densities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Xiuyu; Frisbie, C. Daniel; Leighton, C.

2006-12-01

The authors report the growth, structural and electrical characterizations of SrTiO3 films deposited on conductive SrTiO3:Nb (001) substrates by high pressure reactive rf magnetron sputtering. Optimized deposition parameters yield smooth epitaxial layers of high crystalline perfection with a room temperature dielectric constant ˜200 (for a thickness of 1150Å). The breakdown fields in SrTiO3:Nb /SrTiO3/Ag capacitors are consistent with induced charge densities >1×1014cm-2 for both holes and electrons, making these films ideal for high charge density field effect devices.

Critical Role of the Exchange Interaction for the Electronic Structure and Charge-Density-Wave Formation in TiSe2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hellgren, Maria; Baima, Jacopo; Bianco, Raffaello; Calandra, Matteo; Mauri, Francesco; Wirtz, Ludger

2017-10-01

We show that the inclusion of screened exchange via hybrid functionals provides a unified description of the electronic and vibrational properties of TiSe2 . In contrast to local approximations in density functional theory, the explicit inclusion of exact, nonlocal exchange captures the effects of the electron-electron interaction needed to both separate the Ti -d states from the Se -p states and stabilize the charge-density-wave (CDW) (or low-T ) phase through the formation of a p -d hybridized state. We further show that this leads to an enhanced electron-phonon coupling that can drive the transition even if a small gap opens in the high-T phase. Finally, we demonstrate that the hybrid functionals can generate a CDW phase where the electronic bands, the geometry, and the phonon frequencies are in agreement with experiments.

Ultrafast studies of coexisting electronic order in cuprate superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hinton, James; Thewalt, Eric; Alpichshev, Zhanybek; Sternbach, Aaron; McLeod, Alex; Ji, L.; Veit, Mike; Dorrow, Chelsey; Koralek, Jake; Xhao, Xudong; Barisic, Neven; Kemper, Alexander; Gedik, Nuh; Greven, Martin; Basov, Dimitri; Orenstein, Joe

The cuprate family of high temperature superconductors displays a variety of electronic phases which emerge when charge carriers are added to the antiferromagnetic parent compound. These electronic phases are characterized by subtle differences in the low energy electronic excitations. Ultrafast time-resolved reflectivity (TRR) provides an ideal tool for investigating the cuprate phase diagram, as small changes in the electronic structure can produce significant contrast in the non-equilibrium reflectivity. Here we present TRR measurements of cuprate superconductors, focusing on the model single-layer cuprate HgBa2CuO4+δ. We observe a cusp-like feature in the quasiparticle lifetime near the superconducting transition temperature Tc. This feature can be understood using a model of coherently-mixed charge-density wave and superconducting pairing. We propose extending this technique to the nanoscale using ultrafast scattering scanning near-field microscopy (u-SNOM). This will allow us to explore how these electronic phases coexist and compete in real-space.

Localized Electron Trap Modification as a Result of Space Weather Exposure in Highly Disordered Insulating Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-06

4 Pre-transit discharge region (phase II) ........................................................................... 5 Post...transit Discharge Region (phase III) ...................................................................... 5 2.2. Optical Signature...3 Figure 2 Schematic of a charge/ discharge curve of an electron irradiated insulating material. .. 4

Ternary bulk heterojunction for wide spectral range organic photodetectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Hojung; Kim, Jaehoon; Lee, Changhee

2017-08-01

Ternary bulk heterojunction (BHJ) system, dual electron donors and an acceptor, was studied for developing wide spectral range organic photodetectors (OPDs). With two electron donor polymers with different bandgaps and an efficient electron acceptor of [6,6]-Phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC70BM), different blend ratios for ternary BHJ OPD were examined to achieve high photoresponsivity over a wide spectral range. OPDs based on ternary BHJ showed improved photovoltage response compared to binary BHJ. Current-voltage (J-V) characteristics as a function of external bias and light illumination were measured to reveal the underlying charge recombination mechanism which is found to be dominantly ruled by space charge limit (SCL) effect. Additional in-depth analyses including absorbance, cross-section scanning electron microscope (SEM), incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) were performed.

longitudinal space charge assisted echo seeding of a free electron laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hacker, Kirsten

2015-05-01

Seed lasers are employed to improve the temporal coherence of free-electron laser light. However, when seed pulses are short relative to the particle bunch, the noisy, temporally incoherent radiation from the un-seeded electrons can overwhelm the coherent, seeded radiation. In this paper a new seeding mechanism to improve the contrast between coherent and incoherent free electron laser radiation is employed together with a novel, simplified echo-seeding method. The concept relies on a combination of longitudinal space charge wakes and an echo-seeding technique to make a short, coherent pulse of FEL light together with noise background suppression. Several different simulation codes are used to illustrate the concept with conditions at the soft x-ray Free-electron LASer in Hamburg, FLASH. The impacts of coherent synchrotron radiation, intra beam scattering, and high peak current operation are investigated.

Attosecond electron bunches from a nanofiber driven by Laguerre-Gaussian laser pulses.

PubMed

Hu, Li-Xiang; Yu, Tong-Pu; Sheng, Zheng-Ming; Vieira, Jorge; Zou, De-Bin; Yin, Yan; McKenna, Paul; Shao, Fu-Qiu

2018-05-08

Generation of attosecond bunches of energetic electrons offers significant potential from ultrafast physics to novel radiation sources. However, it is still a great challenge to stably produce such electron beams with lasers, since the typical subfemtosecond electron bunches from laser-plasma interactions either carry low beam charge, or propagate for only several tens of femtoseconds. Here we propose an all-optical scheme for generating dense attosecond electron bunches via the interaction of an intense Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) laser pulse with a nanofiber. The dense bunch train results from the unique field structure of a circularly polarized LG laser pulse, enabling each bunch to be phase-locked and accelerated forward with low divergence, high beam charge and large beam-angular-momentum. This paves the way for wide applications in various fields, e.g., ultrabrilliant attosecond x/γ-ray emission.

Sustainably powering wearable electronics solely by biomechanical energy

PubMed Central

Wang, Jie; Li, Shengming; Yi, Fang; Zi, Yunlong; Lin, Jun; Wang, Xiaofeng; Xu, Youlong; Wang, Zhong Lin

2016-01-01

Harvesting biomechanical energy is an important route for providing electricity to sustainably drive wearable electronics, which currently still use batteries and therefore need to be charged or replaced/disposed frequently. Here we report an approach that can continuously power wearable electronics only by human motion, realized through a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with optimized materials and structural design. Fabricated by elastomeric materials and a helix inner electrode sticking on a tube with the dielectric layer and outer electrode, the TENG has desirable features including flexibility, stretchability, isotropy, weavability, water-resistance and a high surface charge density of 250 μC m−2. With only the energy extracted from walking or jogging by the TENG that is built in outsoles, wearable electronics such as an electronic watch and fitness tracker can be immediately and continuously powered. PMID:27677971

Charge transport in organic multi-layer devices under electric and optical fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, June Hyoung

2007-12-01

Charge transport in small organic molecules and conjugated conducting polymers under electric or optical fields is studied by using field effect transistors and photo-voltaic cells with multiple thin layers. With these devices, current under electric field, photo-current under optical field, and luminescence of optical materials are measured to characterize organic and polymeric materials. For electric transport studies, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped by polystyrenesulfonic acid is used, which is conductive with conductivity of approximately 25 S/cm. Despite their high conductance, field effect transistors based on the films are successfully built and characterized by monitoring modulations of drain current by gate voltage and IV characteristic curves. Due to very thin insulating layers of poly(vinylphenol), the transistors are relative fast under small gate voltage variation although heavy ions are involved in charge transport. In IV characteristic curves, saturation effects can be observed. Analysis using conventional field effect transistor model indicates high mobility of charge carriers, 10 cm2/V·sec, which is not consistent with the mobility of the conducting polymer. It is proposed that the effect of a small density of ions injected via polymer dielectric upon application of gate voltage and the ion compensation of key hopping sites accounts for the operation of the field effect transistors. For the studies of transport under optical field, photovoltaic cells with 3 different dendrons, which are efficient to harvest photo-excited electrons, are used. These dendrons consist of two electron-donors (tetraphenylporphyrin) and one electron-accepter (naphthalenediimide). Steady-state fluorescence measurements show that inter-molecular interaction is dominant in solid dendron film, although intra-molecular interaction is still present. Intra-molecular interaction is suggested by different fluorescence lifetimes between solutions of donor and dendrons. This intra-molecular interaction has two processes, transport via pi-stackings and transport via linking functional groups in the dendrons. IV characteristic spectra of the photovoltaic cells suggest that the transport route of photo-excited charges depends on wavelength of incident light on the cells. For excitation by the Soret band and the lowest Q band, a photo-excited electron can transport directly to a neighbor dendron. For excitation by high-energy Q bands, a photo-excited electron transports via the electron-accepters.

Intramolecular Charge Transfer of Conjugated Liquid Crystal Ferrocene Macromolecules - Synthesis and Characterization

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-04-12

AFRL-AFOSR-CL-TR-2016-0012 Intramolecular Charge Transfer of Conjugated Liquid Crystal Ferrocene Macromolecules Ronald Ziolo CIQA Final Report 07/07...3. DATES COVERED (From - To)  15 Aug 2014 to 14 Jan 2016 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Intramolecular Charge Transfer of Conjugated Liquid Crystal Ferrocene...characterization of a new series of conjugated macromolecules bearing ferrocene as a highly efficient electron donor material coupled to 2,5-di(alcoxy) benzene

Fabrication of High-Performance Polymer Bulk-Heterojunction Solar Cells by Interfacial Modifications II

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-08-25

coulombically bound electron-hole (e-h) pairs, commonly having a short range of the separation distance. [27, 31-34] Those excitons may undergo a...reactions causes a simultaneous reduction in the Isc and accounts for a negative MC response. The exciton-charge reaction is essentially Coulombic ...effect indicate that the excitons can interact with trapped charge carriers to de -trap the charge carriers. [46, 57, 58] Alternatively, the triplet

Modeling charge transport in organic photovoltaic materials.

PubMed

Nelson, Jenny; Kwiatkowski, Joe J; Kirkpatrick, James; Frost, Jarvist M

2009-11-17

The performance of an organic photovoltaic cell depends critically on the mobility of charge carriers within the constituent molecular semiconductor materials. However, a complex combination of phenomena that span a range of length and time scales control charge transport in disordered organic semiconductors. As a result, it is difficult to rationalize charge transport properties in terms of material parameters. Until now, efforts to improve charge mobilities in molecular semiconductors have proceeded largely by trial and error rather than through systematic design. However, recent developments have enabled the first predictive simulation studies of charge transport in disordered organic semiconductors. This Account describes a set of computational methods, specifically molecular modeling methods, to simulate molecular packing, quantum chemical calculations of charge transfer rates, and Monte Carlo simulations of charge transport. Using case studies, we show how this combination of methods can reproduce experimental mobilities with few or no fitting parameters. Although currently applied to material systems of high symmetry or well-defined structure, further developments of this approach could address more complex systems such anisotropic or multicomponent solids and conjugated polymers. Even with an approximate treatment of packing disorder, these computational methods simulate experimental mobilities within an order of magnitude at high electric fields. We can both reproduce the relative values of electron and hole mobility in a conjugated small molecule and rationalize those values based on the symmetry of frontier orbitals. Using fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of molecular packing, we can quantitatively replicate vertical charge transport along stacks of discotic liquid crystals which vary only in the structure of their side chains. We can reproduce the trends in mobility with molecular weight for self-organizing polymers using a cheap, coarse-grained structural simulation method. Finally, we quantitatively reproduce the field-effect mobility in disordered C60 films. On the basis of these results, we conclude that all of the necessary building blocks are in place for the predictive simulation of charge transport in macromolecular electronic materials and that such methods can be used as a tool toward the future rational design of functional organic electronic materials.

Effect of a metal-dielectric structure introduced in the plasma chamber of the Frankfurt 14 GHz electron cyclotron resonance ion source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schächter, L.; Stiebing, K. E.; Dobrescu, S.; Badescu-Singureanu, Al. I.; Schmidt, L.; Hohn, O.; Runkel, S.

1999-02-01

A new approach of the possibility to significantly increase the high charge state ion beams delivered by electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion sources by using metal-dielectric (MD) structures characterized by high secondary electron emission properties is presented. The intensities of argon ion beams extracted from the 14 GHz electron cyclotron resonance ion source of the Institut für Kernphysik (IKF) der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität in Frankfurt/Main were measured when a 26 mm diam disk of a specially treated MD structure (Al-Al2O3) was introduced axially close to the ECR plasma. The Ar beam intensities and charge-state distributions obtained with this disk are compared to measurements with disks of iron and pure aluminum at the same position relative to the plasma. All measurements were performed with the disk at the plasma chamber potential. The results with the MD structure show a net shift of the beam intensity towards higher charge states as compared with the other disk materials. Enhancement factors of the beam current of up to 10 (for Ar12+) when using a MD disk compared to the output when using an aluminum disk and up to 40 (for Ar11+) when using an iron disk were measured.

The nature of the excited state of the reaction center of photosystem II of green plants: A high-resolution fluorescence spectroscopy study

PubMed Central

Peterman, Erwin J. G.; van Amerongen, Herbert; van Grondelle, Rienk; Dekker, Jan P.

1998-01-01

We studied the electronically excited state of the isolated reaction center of photosystem II with high-resolution fluorescence spectroscopy at 5 K and compared the obtained spectral features with those obtained earlier for the primary electron donor. The results show that there is a striking resemblance between the emitting and charge-separating states in the photosystem II reaction center, such as a very similar shape of the phonon wing with characteristic features at 19 and 80 cm−1, almost identical frequencies of a number of vibrational modes, a very similar double-Gaussian shape of the inhomogeneous distribution function, and relatively strong electron-phonon coupling for both states. We suggest that the emission at 5 K originates either from an exciton state delocalized over the inactive branch of the photosystem or from a fraction of the primary electron donor that is long-lived at 5 K. The latter possibility can be explained by a distribution of the free energy difference of the primary charge separation reaction around zero. Both possibilities are in line with the idea that the state that drives primary charge separation in the reaction center of photosystem II is a collective state, with contributions from all chlorophyll molecules in the central part of the complex. PMID:9600929

Insight into capacitive performance of polyaniline/graphene oxide composites with ecofriendly binder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bilal, Salma; Fahim, Muhammad; Firdous, Irum; Ali Shah, Anwar-ul-Haq

2018-03-01

The behaviour of gold electrode modified with polyaniline/graphene oxide composites (PGO) was studied for electrochemical and charge storage properties in aqueous acidic media. The surface of gold electrode was modified with aqueous slurry of PGO by using Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as binder. The intercalation of polyaniline in the GO layers, synthesized by in situ polymerization was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical behaviour and charge storing properties were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A high specific capacitance of 1721 F g-1 was obtained for PGO with 69.8% retention of capacitance even after 1000 voltammetric cycles in the potential range of 0-0.9 V at 20 mV s-1. EIS indicated low charge transfer resistance (Rct) and solution resistance (Rs) values of 0.51 Ω and 0.07 Ω, respectively. This good performance of PGO coated electrode is attributed to the use of CMC binder which generate a high electrode/ electrolyte contact area and short path lengths for electronic transport and electrolyte ion.

Enhanced electron mobility at the two-dimensional metallic surface of BaSnO3 electric-double-layer transistor at low temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujiwara, Kohei; Nishihara, Kazuki; Shiogai, Junichi; Tsukazaki, Atsushi

2017-05-01

Wide-bandgap oxides exhibiting high electron mobility hold promise for the development of useful electronic and optoelectronic devices as well as for basic research on two-dimensional electron transport phenomena. A perovskite-type tin oxide, BaSnO3, is currently one of such targets owing to distinctly high mobility at room temperature. The challenge to overcome towards the use of BaSnO3 thin films in applications is suppression of dislocation scattering, which is one of the dominant scattering origins for electron transport. Here, we show that the mobility of the BaSnO3 electric-double-layer transistor reaches 300 cm2 V-1 s-1 at 50 K. The improved mobility indicates that charged dislocation scattering is effectively screened by electrostatically doped high-density charge carriers. We also observed metallic conduction persisting down to 2 K, which is attributed to the transition to the degenerate semiconductor. The experimental verification of bulk-level mobility at the densely accumulated surface sheds more light on the importance of suppression of dislocation scattering by interface engineering in doped BaSnO3 thin films for transparent electrode applications.

Charge compensation mechanisms in favor of the incorporation of the Eu3+ ion into the ZnO host lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baira, M.; Bekhti-Siad, A.; Hebali, K.; Bouhani-Benziane, H.; Sahnoun, M.

2018-05-01

Eu3+ doped phosphors with charge compensation are potential candidates of red emitting phosphors for lamp applications. Charge compensation improves the luminescence performance of the material. The charge compensation can most probably be achieved by three possible mechanisms: (a) two Zn2+ ions are replaced by one Eu3+ ions and one monovalent cation, 2Zn2+ →Eu3++ Li+, where Li+ is acting as a charge compensator; (b) the charge compensation is provided by a zinc vacancy (VZn) defects, 3Zn2+ → 2Eu3++ VZn, the subscript Zn denotes an ion in a normal zinc site in the lattice; (c) two Zn2+ ions are replaced by one Eu3+ ions with the presence of interstitial oxygen (Oi), 2Zn2+ → 2Eu3++ Oi. Electronic structures of the crystals corresponding to the three models are evaluated by the first-principles quantum mechanical calculations based on the density functional theory. It is found that the charge compensator defects make Eu3+ doping in ZnO energetically more favorable. They break the local symmetry around the Eu3+ ion and lead to deep states below the empty upper band, the conduction band that could facilitate intra-4f shell transitions, which can obviously improve the emission intensity of Eu3+-doped ZnO. Therefore, the effect of these defects on the host crystals electronic band states relative to the Eu3+ states is reported, since both electron transfer and electronically energy transfer processes enhance the performance of optoelectronic devices based on this material. These theoretical insights are helpful for designing rare-earth doped oxide materials with high photoluminescence (PL) performance.

Direct observation of single-charge-detection capability of nanowire field-effect transistors.

PubMed

Salfi, J; Savelyev, I G; Blumin, M; Nair, S V; Ruda, H E

2010-10-01

A single localized charge can quench the luminescence of a semiconductor nanowire, but relatively little is known about the effect of single charges on the conductance of the nanowire. In one-dimensional nanostructures embedded in a material with a low dielectric permittivity, the Coulomb interaction and excitonic binding energy are much larger than the corresponding values when embedded in a material with the same dielectric permittivity. The stronger Coulomb interaction is also predicted to limit the carrier mobility in nanowires. Here, we experimentally isolate and study the effect of individual localized electrons on carrier transport in InAs nanowire field-effect transistors, and extract the equivalent charge sensitivity. In the low carrier density regime, the electrostatic potential produced by one electron can create an insulating weak link in an otherwise conducting nanowire field-effect transistor, modulating its conductance by as much as 4,200% at 31 K. The equivalent charge sensitivity, 4 × 10(-5) e Hz(-1/2) at 25 K and 6 × 10(-5) e Hz(-1/2) at 198 K, is orders of magnitude better than conventional field-effect transistors and nanoelectromechanical systems, and is just a factor of 20-30 away from the record sensitivity for state-of-the-art single-electron transistors operating below 4 K (ref. 8). This work demonstrates the feasibility of nanowire-based single-electron memories and illustrates a physical process of potential relevance for high performance chemical sensors. The charge-state-detection capability we demonstrate also makes the nanowire field-effect transistor a promising host system for impurities (which may be introduced intentionally or unintentionally) with potentially long spin lifetimes, because such transistors offer more sensitive spin-to-charge conversion readout than schemes based on conventional field-effect transistors.

Theoretical investigation of the charge-transfer properties in different meso-linked zinc porphyrins for highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells.

PubMed

Namuangruk, Supawadee; Sirithip, Kanokkorn; Rattanatwan, Rattanawelee; Keawin, Tinnagon; Kungwan, Nawee; Sudyodsuk, Taweesak; Promarak, Vinich; Surakhot, Yaowarat; Jungsuttiwong, Siriporn

2014-06-28

The charge transfer effect of different meso-substituted linkages on porphyrin analogue 1 (A1, B1 and C1) was theoretically investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations. The calculated geometry parameters and natural bond orbital analysis reveal that the twisted conformation between porphyrin macrocycle and meso-substituted linkages leads to blocking of the conjugation of the conjugated backbone, and the frontier molecular orbital plot shows that the intramolecular charge transfer of A1, B1 and C1 hardly takes place. In an attempt to improve the photoinduced intramolecular charge transfer ability of the meso-linked zinc porphyrin sensitizer, a strong electron-withdrawing group (CN) was introduced into the anchoring group of analogue 1 forming analogue 2 (A2, B2 and C2). The density difference plot of A2, B2 and C2 shows that the charge transfer properties dramatically improved. The electron injection process has been performed using TDDFT; the direct charge-transfer transition in the A2-(TiO2)38 interacting system takes place; our results strongly indicated that introducing electron-withdrawing groups into the acceptor part of porphyrin dyes can fine-tune the effective conjugation length of the π-spacer and improve intramolecular charge transfer properties, consequently inducing the electron injection process from the anchoring group of the porphyrin dye to the (TiO2)38 surface which may improve the conversion efficiency of the DSSCs. Our calculated results can provide valuable information and a promising outlook for computation-aided sensitizer design with anticipated good properties in further experimental synthesis.

The Plasma Environment at Enceladus and Europa Compared

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rymer, Abigail; Persoon, Ann; Morooka, Michiko; Heuer, Steven; Westlake, Joseph H.

2017-10-01

The plasma environment near Enceladus is complex, as revealed during 16 encounters of the Cassini spacecraft. The well documented Enceladus plumes create a dusty, asymmetric exosphere in which electrons can attach to small ice particles - forming anions, and negatively charged nanograins and dust - to the extent that cations can be the lightest charged particles present and, as a result, the dominant current carriers. Several instruments on the Cassini spacecraft are able to measure this environment in both expected and unexpected ways. Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS) is designed and calibrated to measure the thermal plasma ions and electrons and also measures the energy/charge of charged nanograins when present. Cassini Radio Plasma Wave Sensor (RPWS) measures electron density as derived from the ‘upper hybrid frequency’ which is a function of the total free electron density and magnetic field strength and provides a vital ground truth measurement for Cassini calibration when the density is sufficiently high for it to be well measured. Cassini Langmuir Probe (LP) measures the electron density and temperature via direct current measurement, and both CAPS and LP can provide estimates for the spacecraft potential which we compare. The plasma environment near Europa is similarly complex and, although not so comprehensively equipped and hampered by the non-deployment of its high gain antenna, the Galileo spacecraft made similar measurements during 9 Europa flybys and recent observations have suggested that, like Enceladus, Europa might have active plume activity. We present a detailed comparison of data from the Cassini and Galileo sensors in order to assess the plasma environment observed by the different instruments, discuss what is consistent and otherwise, and the implications for the plasma environment at Enceladus and Europa in the context of work to date as well as implications for future studies.

Electron transfer across a thermal gradient

PubMed Central

Craven, Galen T.

2016-01-01

Charge transfer is a fundamental process that underlies a multitude of phenomena in chemistry and biology. Recent advances in observing and manipulating charge and heat transport at the nanoscale, and recently developed techniques for monitoring temperature at high temporal and spatial resolution, imply the need for considering electron transfer across thermal gradients. Here, a theory is developed for the rate of electron transfer and the associated heat transport between donor–acceptor pairs located at sites of different temperatures. To this end, through application of a generalized multidimensional transition state theory, the traditional Arrhenius picture of activation energy as a single point on a free energy surface is replaced with a bithermal property that is derived from statistical weighting over all configurations where the reactant and product states are equienergetic. The flow of energy associated with the electron transfer process is also examined, leading to relations between the rate of heat exchange among the donor and acceptor sites as functions of the temperature difference and the electronic driving bias. In particular, we find that an open electron transfer channel contributes to enhanced heat transport between sites even when they are in electronic equilibrium. The presented results provide a unified theory for charge transport and the associated heat conduction between sites at different temperatures. PMID:27450086

Ultrahigh-Power Pseudocapacitors Based on Ordered Porous Heterostructures of Electron-Correlated Oxides.

PubMed

Lang, Xing-You; Liu, Bo-Tian; Shi, Xiang-Mei; Li, Ying-Qi; Wen, Zi; Jiang, Qing

2016-05-01

Nanostructured transition-metal oxides can store high-density energy in fast surface redox reactions, but their poor conductivity causes remarkable reductions in the energy storage of most pseudocapacitors at high power delivery (fast charge/discharge rates). Here it is shown that electron-correlated oxide hybrid electrodes made of nanocrystalline vanadium sesquioxide and manganese dioxide with 3D and bicontinuous nanoporous architecture (NP V 2 O 3 /MnO 2 ) have enhanced conductivity because of metallization of electron-correlated V 2 O 3 skeleton via insulator-to-metal transition. The conductive V 2 O 3 skeleton at ambient temperature enables fast electron and ion transports in the entire electrode and facilitates charge transfer at abundant V 2 O 3 /MnO 2 interface. These merits significantly improve the pseudocapacitive behavior and rate capability of the constituent MnO 2 . Symmetric pseudocapacitors assembled with binder-free NP V 2 O 3 /MnO 2 electrodes deliver ultrahigh electrical powers (up to ≈422 W cm 23 ) while maintaining the high volumetric energy of thin-film lithium battery with excellent stability.

Direct exchange between silicon nanocrystals and tunnel oxide traps under illumination on single electron photodetector

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

Chatbouri, S., E-mail: Samir.chatbouri@yahoo.com; Troudi, M.; Sghaier, N.

2016-09-15

In this paper we present the trapping of photogenerated charge carriers for 300 s resulted by their direct exchange under illumination between a few silicon nanocrystals (ncs-Si) embedded in an oxide tunnel layer (SiO{sub x} = 1.5) and the tunnel oxide traps levels for a single electron photodetector (photo-SET or nanopixel). At first place, the presence of a photocurrent limited in the inversion zone under illumination in the I–V curves confirms the creation of a pair electron/hole (e–h) at high energy. This photogenerated charge carriers can be trapped in the oxide. Using the capacitance-voltage under illumination (the photo-CV measurements) wemore » show a hysteresis chargement limited in the inversion area, indicating that the photo-generated charge carriers are stored at traps levels at the interface and within ncs-Si. The direct exchange of the photogenerated charge carriers between the interface traps levels and the ncs-Si contributed on the photomemory effect for 300 s for our nanopixel at room temperature.« less

Charge transport in organic molecular semiconductors from first principles: The bandlike hole mobility in a naphthalene crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Nien-En; Zhou, Jin-Jian; Agapito, Luis A.; Bernardi, Marco

2018-03-01

Predicting charge transport in organic molecular crystals is notoriously challenging. Carrier mobility calculations in organic semiconductors are dominated by quantum chemistry methods based on charge hopping, which are laborious and only moderately accurate. We compute from first principles the electron-phonon scattering and the phonon-limited hole mobility of naphthalene crystal in the framework of ab initio band theory. Our calculations combine GW electronic bandstructures, ab initio electron-phonon scattering, and the Boltzmann transport equation. The calculated hole mobility is in very good agreement with experiment between 100 -300 K , and we can predict its temperature dependence with high accuracy. We show that scattering between intermolecular phonons and holes regulates the mobility, though intramolecular phonons possess the strongest coupling with holes. We revisit the common belief that only rigid molecular motions affect carrier dynamics in organic molecular crystals. Our paper provides a quantitative and rigorous framework to compute charge transport in organic crystals and is a first step toward reconciling band theory and carrier hopping computational methods.

Effects of non-Maxwellian electron velocity distribution functions and nonspherical geometry on minor ions in the solar wind

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burgi, A.

1987-01-01

A previous model has shown that in order to account for the charge state distribution in the low-speed solar wind, a high coronal temperature is necessary and that this temperature peak goes together with a peak of nx/np in the corona. In the present paper, one of the assumptions made previously, i.e., that coronal electrons are Maxwellian, is relaxed, and a much cooler model is presented, which could account for the same oxygen charge states in the solar wind due to the inclusion of non-Maxwellian electrons. Also, due to a different choice of the coronal magnetic field geometry, this model would show no enhancement of the coronal nx/np. Results of the two models are then compared, and observational tests to distinguish between the two scenarios are proposed: comparison of directly measured coronal Te to charge state measurements in the solar wind, determination of the coronal nx/np measurement of ion speeds in the acceleration region of the solar wind, and measurement of the frozen-in silicon charge state distribution.

Enhanced flashover strength in polyethylene nanodielectrics by secondary electron emission modification

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

Wang, Weiwang; Li, Shengtao, E-mail: sli@xjtu.edu.cn; Min, Daomin

2016-04-15

This work studies the correlation between secondary electron emission (SEE) characteristics and impulse surface flashover in polyethylene nanodielectrics both theoretically and experimentally, and illustrates the enhancement of flashover voltage in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) through incorporating Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles. SEE characteristics play key roles in surface charging and gas desorption during surface flashover. This work demonstrates that the presence of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles decreases the SEE coefficient of LDPE and enhances the impact energy at the equilibrium state of surface charging. These changes can be explained by the increase of surface roughness and of surface ionization energy, and themore » strong interaction between nanoparticles and the polymer dielectric matrix. The surface charge and flashover voltage are calculated according to the secondary electron emission avalanche (SEEA) model, which reveals that the positive surface charges are reduced near the cathode triple point, while the presence of more nanoparticles in high loading samples enhances the gas desorption. Consequently, the surface flashover performance of LDPE/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanodielectrics is improved.« less

Organic memory capacitor device fabricated with Ag nanoparticles.

PubMed

Kim, Yo-Han; Jung, Sung Mok; Hu, Quanli; Kim, Yong-Sang; Yoon, Tae-Sik; Lee, Hyun Ho

2011-07-01

In this study, it is demonstrated that an organic memory structure using pentacene and citrate-stabilized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) as charge storage elements on dielectric SiO2 layer and silicon substrate. The Ag NPs were synthesized by thermal reduction method of silver trifluoroacetate with oleic acid. The synthesized Ag NPs were analyzed with high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) for their crystalline structure. The capacitance versus voltage (C-V) curves obtained for the Ag NPs embedded capacitor exhibited flat-band voltage shifts, which demonstrated the presence of charge storages. The citrate-capping of the Ag NPs was confirmed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. With voltage sweeping of +/-7 V, a hysteresis loop having flatband voltage shift of 7.1 V was obtained. The hysteresis loop showed a counter-clockwise direction. In addition, electrical performance test for charge storage showed more than 10,000 second charge retention time. The device with Ag NPs can be applied to an organic memory device for flexible electronics.

Ultralight Cut-Paper-Based Self-Charging Power Unit for Self-Powered Portable Electronic and Medical Systems.

PubMed

Guo, Hengyu; Yeh, Min-Hsin; Zi, Yunlong; Wen, Zhen; Chen, Jie; Liu, Guanlin; Hu, Chenguo; Wang, Zhong Lin

2017-05-23

The development of lightweight, superportable, and sustainable power sources has become an urgent need for most modern personal electronics. Here, we report a cut-paper-based self-charging power unit (PC-SCPU) that is capable of simultaneously harvesting and storing energy from body movement by combining a paper-based triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and a supercapacitor (SC), respectively. Utilizing the paper as the substrate with an assembled cut-paper architecture, an ultralight rhombic-shaped TENG is achieved with highly specific mass/volume charge output (82 nC g -1 /75 nC cm -3 ) compared with the traditional acrylic-based TENG (5.7 nC g -1 /5.8 nC cm -3 ), which can effectively charge the SC (∼1 mF) to ∼1 V in minutes. This wallet-contained PC-SCPU is then demonstrated as a sustainable power source for driving wearable and portable electronic devices such as a wireless remote control, electric watch, or temperature sensor. This study presents a potential paper-based portable SCPU for practical and medical applications.

Electron Impact Ionization: A New Parameterization for 100 eV to 1 MeV Electrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fang, Xiaohua; Randall, Cora E.; Lummerzheim, Dirk; Solomon, Stanley C.; Mills, Michael J.; Marsh, Daniel; Jackman, Charles H.; Wang, Wenbin; Lu, Gang

2008-01-01

Low, medium and high energy electrons can penetrate to the thermosphere (90-400 km; 55-240 miles) and mesosphere (50-90 km; 30-55 miles). These precipitating electrons ionize that region of the atmosphere, creating positively charged atoms and molecules and knocking off other negatively charged electrons. The precipitating electrons also create nitrogen-containing compounds along with other constituents. Since the electron precipitation amounts change within minutes, it is necessary to have a rapid method of computing the ionization and production of nitrogen-containing compounds for inclusion in computationally-demanding global models. A new methodology has been developed, which has parameterized a more detailed model computation of the ionizing impact of precipitating electrons over the very large range of 100 eV up to 1,000,000 eV. This new parameterization method is more accurate than a previous parameterization scheme, when compared with the more detailed model computation. Global models at the National Center for Atmospheric Research will use this new parameterization method in the near future.

Electron loss from hydrogen-like highly charged ions in collisions with electrons, protons and light atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyashchenko, K. N.; Andreev, O. Yu; Voitkiv, A. B.

2018-03-01

We consider electron loss from a hydrogen-like highly charged ion (HCI) in relativistic collisions with hydrogen and helium in the range of impact velocities v min ≤ v ≤ v max (v min and v max correspond to the threshold energy ε th for electron loss in collisions with a free electron and to ≈5 ε th, respectively) where any reliable data for loss cross sections are absent. In this range, where the loss process is characterized by large momentum transfers, we express it in terms of electron loss in collisions with equivelocity protons and electrons and explore by performing a detailed comparative study of these subprocesses. Our results, in particular, show that: (i) compared to equivelocity electrons protons are more effective in inducing electron loss, (ii) the relative effectiveness of electron projectiles grows with increase in the atomic number of a HCI, (iii) collisions with protons and electrons lead to a qualitatively different population of the final-state-electron momentum space and even when the total loss cross sections in these collisions become already equal the spectra of the outgoing electrons still remain quite different in almost the entire volume of the final-state-electron momentum space, (iv) in collisions with hydrogen and helium the contributions to the loss process from the interactions with the nucleus and the electron(s) of the atom could be rather well separated in a substantial part of the final-state-electron momentum space.

Depletion region surface effects in electron beam induced current measurements.

PubMed

Haney, Paul M; Yoon, Heayoung P; Gaury, Benoit; Zhitenev, Nikolai B

2016-09-07

Electron beam induced current (EBIC) is a powerful characterization technique which offers the high spatial resolution needed to study polycrystalline solar cells. Current models of EBIC assume that excitations in the p - n junction depletion region result in perfect charge collection efficiency. However we find that in CdTe and Si samples prepared by focused ion beam (FIB) milling, there is a reduced and nonuniform EBIC lineshape for excitations in the depletion region. Motivated by this, we present a model of the EBIC response for excitations in the depletion region which includes the effects of surface recombination from both charge-neutral and charged surfaces. For neutral surfaces we present a simple analytical formula which describes the numerical data well, while the charged surface response depends qualitatively on the location of the surface Fermi level relative to the bulk Fermi level. We find the experimental data on FIB-prepared Si solar cells is most consistent with a charged surface, and discuss the implications for EBIC experiments on polycrystalline materials.

First-principles Study on the Charge Transport Mechanism of Lithium Sulfide (Li2 S) in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

PubMed

Kim, B S Do-Hoon; Lee, M S Byungju; Park, Kyu-Young; Kang, Kisuk

2016-04-20

The lithium-sulfur chemistry is regarded as a promising candidate for next-generation battery systems because of its high specific energy (1675 mA h g(-1) ). Although issues such as low cycle stability and power capability of the system remain to be addressed, extensive research has been performed experimentally to resolve these problems. Attaining a fundamental understanding of the reaction mechanism and its reaction product would further spur the development of lithium-sulfur batteries. Here, we investigated the charge transport mechanism of lithium sulfide (Li2 S), a discharge product of conventional lithium-sulfur batteries using first-principles calculations. Our calculations indicate that the major charge transport is governed by the lithium-ion vacancies among various possible charge carriers. Furthermore, the large bandgap and low concentration of electron polarons indicate that the electronic conduction negligibly contributes to the charge transport mechanism in Li2 S. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

High-energy Electron Scattering and the Charge Distributions of Selected Nuclei

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Hahn, B.; Ravenhall, D. G.; Hofstadter, R.

1955-10-01

Experimental results are presented of electron scattering by Ca, V, Co, In, Sb, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Bi, Th, and U, at 183 Mev and (for some of the elements) at 153 Mev. For those nuclei for which asphericity and inelastic scattering are absent or unimportant, i.e., Ca, V, Co, In, Sb, Au, and Bi, a partial wave analysis of the Dirac equation has been performed in which the nuclei are represented by static, spherically symmetric charge distributions. Smoothed uniform charge distributions have been assumed; these are characterized by a constant charge density in the central region of the nucleus, with a smoothed-our surface. Essentially two parameters can be determined, related to the radium and to the surface thickness. An examination of the Au experiments show that the functional forms of the surface are not important, and that the charge density in the central regions is probably fairly flat, although it cannot be determined very accurately.

Automated in-chamber specimen coating for serial block-face electron microscopy.

PubMed

Titze, B; Denk, W

2013-05-01

When imaging insulating specimens in a scanning electron microscope, negative charge accumulates locally ('sample charging'). The resulting electric fields distort signal amplitude, focus and image geometry, which can be avoided by coating the specimen with a conductive film prior to introducing it into the microscope chamber. This, however, is incompatible with serial block-face electron microscopy (SBEM), where imaging and surface removal cycles (by diamond knife or focused ion beam) alternate, with the sample remaining in place. Here we show that coating the sample after each cutting cycle with a 1-2 nm metallic film, using an electron beam evaporator that is integrated into the microscope chamber, eliminates charging effects for both backscattered (BSE) and secondary electron (SE) imaging. The reduction in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) caused by the film is smaller than that caused by the widely used low-vacuum method. Sample surfaces as large as 12 mm across were coated and imaged without charging effects at beam currents as high as 25 nA. The coatings also enabled the use of beam deceleration for non-conducting samples, leading to substantial SNR gains for BSE contrast. We modified and automated the evaporator to enable the acquisition of SBEM stacks, and demonstrated the acquisition of stacks of over 1000 successive cut/coat/image cycles and of stacks using beam deceleration or SE contrast. © 2013 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2013 Royal Microscopical Society.

Insight into the split and asymmetry of charge distribution in biased M-structure superlattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Lu; Bi, Han; Zhao, Yunhao; Zhao, Xuebing; Han, Xi; Wang, Guowei; Xu, Yingqiang; Li, Yuesheng; Che, Renchao

2017-07-01

The charge distribution in real space of an insertion variant based on an InAs/GaSb superlattice for an infrared detector is illustrated by in situ electron microscopy. The localization split of positive charge can be directly observed in the InAs/GaSb/AlSb/GaSb superlattice (M-structure) rather than in the InAs/GaSb superlattice. With the applied bias increasing from 0 to 4.5 V, the double peaks of positive charge density become asymmetrical gradually, with the peak integral ratio ranging from 1.13 to 2.54. Simultaneously, the negative charges move along the direction of the negative electric field. Without inserting the AlSb layer, the charge inversion occurs in both the hole wells and the electron wells of the InAs/GaSb superlattice under high bias. Such a discrepancy between the M-structure superlattice and the traditional superlattice suggests an effective reduction of tunneling probability of the M-structure design. Our result is of great help to understand the carrier immigration mechanism of the superlattice-based infrared detector.

Chain conformations dictate multiscale charge transport phenomena in disordered semiconducting polymers

PubMed Central

Noriega, Rodrigo; Salleo, Alberto; Spakowitz, Andrew J.

2013-01-01

Existing models for the electronic properties of conjugated polymers do not capture the spatial arrangement of the disordered macromolecular chains over which charge transport occurs. Here, we present an analytical and computational description in which the morphology of individual polymer chains is dictated by well-known statistical models and the electronic coupling between units is determined using Marcus theory. The multiscale transport of charges in these materials (high mobility at short length scales, low mobility at long length scales) is naturally described with our framework. Additionally, the dependence of mobility with electric field and temperature is explained in terms of conformational variability and spatial correlation. Our model offers a predictive approach to connecting processing conditions with transport behavior. PMID:24062459

Chain conformations dictate multiscale charge transport phenomena in disordered semiconducting polymers.

PubMed

Noriega, Rodrigo; Salleo, Alberto; Spakowitz, Andrew J

2013-10-08

Existing models for the electronic properties of conjugated polymers do not capture the spatial arrangement of the disordered macromolecular chains over which charge transport occurs. Here, we present an analytical and computational description in which the morphology of individual polymer chains is dictated by well-known statistical models and the electronic coupling between units is determined using Marcus theory. The multiscale transport of charges in these materials (high mobility at short length scales, low mobility at long length scales) is naturally described with our framework. Additionally, the dependence of mobility with electric field and temperature is explained in terms of conformational variability and spatial correlation. Our model offers a predictive approach to connecting processing conditions with transport behavior.

Delta-Doped CCDs as Detector Arrays in Mass Spectrometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nikzad, Shouleh; Jones, Todd; Jewell, April; Sinha, Mahadeva

2007-01-01

In a conventional mass spectrometer, charged particles (ions) are dispersed through a magnetic sector onto an MCP at an output (focal) plane. In the MCP, the impinging charged particles excite electron cascades that afford signal gain. Electrons leaving the MCP can be read out by any of a variety of means; most commonly, they are post-accelerated onto a solid-state detector array, wherein the electron pulses are converted to photons, which, in turn, are converted to measurable electric-current pulses by photodetectors. Each step in the conversion from the impinging charged particles to the output 26 NASA Tech Briefs, February 2007 current pulses reduces spatial resolution and increases noise, thereby reducing the overall sensitivity and performance of the mass spectrometer. Hence, it would be preferable to make a direct measurement of the spatial distribution of charged particles impinging on the focal plane. The utility of delta-doped CCDs as detectors of charged particles was reported in two articles in NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 22, No. 7 (July 1998): "Delta-Doped CCDs as Low-Energy-Particle Detectors" (NPO-20178) on page 48 and "Delta- Doped CCDs for Measuring Energies of Positive Ions" (NPO-20253) on page 50. In the present developmental miniature mass spectrometers, the above mentioned miniaturization and performance advantages contributed by the use of delta-doped CCDs are combined with the advantages afforded by the Mattauch-Herzog design. The Mattauch- Herzog design is a double-focusing spectrometer design involving an electric and a magnetic sector, where the ions of different masses are spatially separated along the focal plane of magnetic sector. A delta-doped CCD at the focal plane measures the signals of all the charged-particle species simultaneously at high sensitivity and high resolution, thereby nearly instantaneously providing a complete, high-quality mass spectrum. The simultaneous nature of the measurement of ions stands in contrast to that of a scanning mass spectrometer, in which abundances of different masses are measured at successive times.

Internal charging analysis tools, NUMIT 2.0 and 3D NUMIT, and those applications on Europa Clipper and Juno missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, W.; Chinn, J. Z.; Katz, I.; Jun, I.; Garrett, H. B.

2016-12-01

One of the major concerns in the spacecraft design due to natural space environment interaction is the internal charging in dielectric materials and floating conductors, especially for missions encountering a high radiation environment such as NASA's Juno and proposed Europa Clipper Missions. Sufficiently energetic electrons can penetrate the spacecraft structure or electronics chassis and stop within dielectrics and floating conductors. Electrons can accumulate in dielectrics over time due to the dielectrics' very low conductivity. If the electric field resulting from a charge buildup becomes higher than the breakdown threshold of the dielectric, discharge may occur, potentially damaging near-by sensitive electronics. Indeed, numerous spacecraft anomalies and failures have been attributed to this phenomenon, referred to as internal electrostatic discharge (iESD). Therefore, accurate assessment of the risk of iESD for a given space environment and dielectric geometry is important for spacecraft reliability. To evaluate the risk of iESD, we developed a general three dimensional internal charge analyses method, 3D NUMIT by combining a Monte Carlo radiation transport simulation tool such as MCNPX or GEANT4 and a commercial FEA software such as COMSOL. Also for a simple and fast internal charging assessment, we significantly improved the widely used one dimensional internal charging assessment code, NUMIT and named NUMIT 2.0. We will show the new features of NUMIT 2.0 and the capability of 3D NUMIT with several examples of applications of those tools to iESD assessments on Juno and Europa Clipper Missions.

The effect of dynamical Bloch oscillations on optical-field-induced current in a wide-gap dielectric

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Földi, P.; Benedict, M. G.; Yakovlev, V. S.

2013-06-01

We consider the motion of charge carriers in a bulk wide-gap dielectric interacting with a few-cycle laser pulse. A semiclassical model based on Bloch equations is applied to describe the emerging time-dependent macroscopic currents for laser intensities close to the damage threshold. At such laser intensities, electrons can reach edges of the first Brillouin zone even for electron-phonon scattering rates as high as those known for SiO2. We find that, whenever this happens, Bragg-like reflections of electron waves, also known as Bloch oscillations, affect the dependence of the charge displaced by the laser pulse on its carrier-envelope phase.

Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis: Sample analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carter, W. B.

1989-01-01

Exposure conditions in atomic oxygen (ESCA) was performed on an SSL-100/206 Small Spot Spectrometer. All data were taken with the use of a low voltage electron flood gun and a charge neutralization screen to minimize charging effects on the data. The X-ray spot size and electron flood gun voltage used are recorded on the individual spectra as are the instrumental resolutions. Two types of spectra were obtained for each specimen: (1) general surveys, and (2) high resolution spectra. The two types of data reduction performed are: (1) semiquantitative compositional analysis, and (2) peak fitting. The materials analyzed are: (1) kapton 4, 5, and 6, (2) HDPE 19, 20, and 21, and (3) PVDF 4, 5, and 6.

Production of large resonant plasma volumes in microwave electron cyclotron resonance ion sources

DOEpatents

Alton, G.D.

1998-11-24

Microwave injection methods are disclosed for enhancing the performance of existing electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion sources. The methods are based on the use of high-power diverse frequency microwaves, including variable-frequency, multiple-discrete-frequency, and broadband microwaves. The methods effect large resonant ``volume`` ECR regions in the ion sources. The creation of these large ECR plasma volumes permits coupling of more microwave power into the plasma, resulting in the heating of a much larger electron population to higher energies, the effect of which is to produce higher charge state distributions and much higher intensities within a particular charge state than possible in present ECR ion sources. 5 figs.

Spin ordering and electronic texture in the bilayer iridate Sr3Ir2O7

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhital, Chetan; Khadka, Sovit; Yamani, Z.; de la Cruz, Clarina; Hogan, T. C.; Disseler, S. M.; Pokharel, Mani; Lukas, K. C.; Tian, Wei; Opeil, C. P.; Wang, Ziqiang; Wilson, Stephen D.

2012-09-01

Through a neutron scattering, charge transport, and magnetization study, the correlated ground state in the bilayer iridium oxide Sr3Ir2O7 is explored. Our combined results resolve scattering consistent with a high temperature magnetic phase that persists above 600 K, reorients at the previously defined TAF=280 K, and coexists with an electronic ground state whose phase behavior suggests the formation of a fluctuating charge or orbital phase that freezes below T*≈70 K. Our study provides a window into the emergence of multiple electronic order parameters near the boundary of the metal to insulator phase transition of the 5d Jeff=1/2 Mott phase.

Novel High Efficient Organic Photovoltaic Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sun, Sam; Haliburton, James; Fan, Zben; Taft, Charles; Wang, Yi-Qing; Maaref, Shahin; Mackey, Willie R. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

In man's mission to the outer space or a remote site, the most abundant, renewable, nonpolluting, and unlimited external energy source is light. Photovoltaic (PV) materials can convert light into electrical power. In order to generate appreciable electrical power in space or on the Earth, it is necessary to collect sunlight from large areas due to the low density of sunlight, and this would be very costly using current commercially available inorganic solar cells. Future organic or polymer based solar cells seemed very attractive due to several reasons. These include lightweight, flexible shape, ultra-fast optoelectronic response time (this also makes organic PV materials attractive for developing ultra-fast photo detectors), tunability of energy band-gaps via molecular design, versatile materials synthesis and device fabrication schemes, and much lower cost on large-scale industrial production. It has been predicted that nano-phase separated block copolymer systems containing electron rich donor blocks and electron deficient acceptor blocks will facilitate the charge separation and migration due to improved electronic ultrastructure and morphology in comparison to current polymer composite photovoltaic system. This presentation will describe our recent progress in the design, synthesis and characterization of a novel donor-bridge-acceptor block copolymer system for potential high-efficient organic optoelectronic applications. Specifically, the donor block contains an electron donating alkyloxy derivatized polyphenylenevinylene, the acceptor block contains an electron withdrawing alkyl-sulfone derivatized polyphenylenevinylene, and the bridge block contains an electronically neutral non-conjugated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain. The key synthetic strategy includes the synthesis of each individual block first, then couple the blocks together. While the donor block stabilizes the holes, the acceptor block stabilizes the electrons. The bridge block is designed to hinder the electron-hole recombination. Thus, improved charge separation is expected. In addition, charge migration will also be facilitated due to the expected nano-phase separated and highly ordered block copolymer ultrastructural. The combination of all these factors will result in significant overall enhancement of photovoltaic power conversion efficiency.

Electronic and transport properties of Cobalt-based valence tautomeric molecules and polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yifeng; Calzolari, Arrigo; Buongiorno Nardelli, Marco

2011-03-01

The advancement of molecular spintronics requires further understandings of the fundamental electronic structures and transport properties of prototypical spintronics molecules and polymers. Here we present a density functional based theoretical study of the electronic structures of Cobalt-based valence tautomeric molecules Co III (SQ)(Cat)L Co II (SQ)2 L and their polymers, where SQ refers to the semiquinone ligand, and Cat the catecholate ligand, while L is a redox innocent backbone ligand. The conversion from low-spin Co III ground state to high-spin Co II excited state is realized by imposing an on-site potential U on the Co atom and elongating the Co-N bond. Transport properties are subsequently calculated by extracting electronic Wannier functions from these systems and computing the charge transport in the ballistic regime using a Non-Equilibrium Green's Function (NEGF) approach. Our transport results show distinct charge transport properties between low-spin ground state and high-spin excited state, hence suggesting potential spintronics devices from these molecules and polymers such as spin valves.

Long vertically aligned titania nanotubes on transparent conducting oxide for highly efficient solar cells.

PubMed

Varghese, Oomman K; Paulose, Maggie; Grimes, Craig A

2009-09-01

Dye-sensitized solar cells consist of a random network of titania nanoparticles that serve both as a high-surface-area support for dye molecules and as an electron-transporting medium. Despite achieving high power conversion efficiencies, their performance is limited by electron trapping in the nanoparticle film. Electron diffusion lengths can be increased by transporting charge through highly ordered nanostructures such as titania nanotube arrays. Although titania nanotube array films have been shown to enhance the efficiencies of both charge collection and light harvesting, it has not been possible to grow them on transparent conducting oxide glass with the lengths needed for high-efficiency device applications (tens of micrometres). Here, we report the fabrication of transparent titania nanotube array films on transparent conducting oxide glass with lengths between 0.3 and 33.0 microm using a novel electrochemistry approach. Dye-sensitized solar cells containing these arrays yielded a power conversion efficiency of 6.9%. The incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency ranged from 70 to 80% for wavelengths between 450 and 650 nm.

Generation of Low-Energy High-Current Electron Beams in Plasma-Anode Electron Guns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozur, G. E.; Proskurovsky, D. I.

2018-01-01

This paper is a review of studies on the generation of low-energy high-current electron beams in electron guns with a plasma anode and an explosive-emission cathode. The problems related to the initiation of explosive electron emission under plasma and the formation and transport of high-current electron beams in plasma-filled systems are discussed consecutively. Considerable attention is given to the nonstationary effects that occur in the space charge layers of plasma. Emphasis is also placed on the problem of providing a uniform energy density distribution over the beam cross section, which is of critical importance in using electron beams of this type for surface treatment of materials. Examples of facilities based on low-energy high-current electron beam sources are presented and their applications in materials science and practice are discussed.

Charge Redistribution in the β-NAPHTHOL-WATER Complex as Measured by High Resolution Stark Spectroscopy in the Gas Phase.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fleisher, Adam J.; Pratt, David W.; Cembran, Alessandro; Gao, Jiali

2010-06-01

The extensively studied photoacid β-naphthol exhibits a large decrease in pKa upon irradiation with ultraviolet light, in the condensed phase. β-naphthol is almost 10 million times more acidic in the excited electronic state, compared to the ground state. Motivated by this fact, we report here the measurement of the electronic dipole moments of the β-naphthol-water complex in both electronic states, from which estimates of the charge transfer from solute to solvent in both states will be made. Comparisons to ab initio and density functional theory calculations will also be reported. N. Mataga and T. Kubota, Molecular Interactions and Electronic Spectra (Marcel Dekker, New York, 1970). Y. Mo, J. Gao, S.D. Peyerimhoff, J. Chem. Phys. 112, 5530 (2000).