A single-phase embedded Z-source DC-AC inverter.

PubMed

Kim, Se-Jin; Lim, Young-Cheol

2014-01-01

In the conventional DC-AC inverter consisting of two DC-DC converters with unipolar output capacitors, the output capacitor voltages of the DC-DC converters must be higher than the DC input voltage. To overcome this weakness, this paper proposes a single-phase DC-AC inverter consisting of two embedded Z-source converters with bipolar output capacitors. The proposed inverter is composed of two embedded Z-source converters with a common DC source and output AC load. Though the output capacitor voltages of the converters are relatively low compared to those of a conventional inverter, an equivalent level of AC output voltages can be obtained. Moreover, by controlling the output capacitor voltages asymmetrically, the AC output voltage of the proposed inverter can be higher than the DC input voltage. To verify the validity of the proposed inverter, experiments were performed with a DC source voltage of 38 V. By controlling the output capacitor voltages of the converters symmetrically or asymmetrically, the proposed inverter can produce sinusoidal AC output voltages. The experiments show that efficiencies of up to 95% and 97% can be achieved with the proposed inverter using symmetric and asymmetric control, respectively.

Development of sputtered techniques for thrust chambers, task 1. [evaluation of filler materials for regeneratively cooled thrust chambers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mullaly, J. R.; Schmid, T. E.; Hecht, R. J.

1974-01-01

Filler materials proposed for use in the sputter fabrication regeneratively cooled thrust chambers were evaluated. Low melting castable alloys, CERROBEND. CERROCAST, and CERROTRU, slurry applied SERMETEL 481 and flame-sprayed aluminum were investigated as filler materials. Sputter deposition from a cylindrical cathode inverted magnestron was used to apply an OFHC copper closeout layer to filled OFHC copper ribbed-wall cylindrical substrates. The sputtered closeout layer structure was evaluated with respect to filler material contamination, predeposition machining and finishing operations, and deposition parameters. The application of aluminum by flame-spraying resulted in excessiver filler porosity. Though the outgassing from this porosity was found to be detrimental to the closeout layer structure, bond strengths in excess of 10,500 psi were achieved. Removal of the aluminum from the grooves was readily accomplished by leaching in a 7.0 molar solution of sodium hydroxide at 353 K. Of the other filler materials evaluated, CERROTRU was found to be the most suitable material with respect to completely filling the ribbed-wall cylinders and vacuum system compatibility. However, bond contamination resulted in low closeout layer bond strength with the CERROTRU filler. CERROBEND, CERROCAST, and SERMETEL 481 were found to be unacceptable as filler materials.

Influence of ion source configuration and its operation parameters on the target sputtering and implantation process.

PubMed

Shalnov, K V; Kukhta, V R; Uemura, K; Ito, Y

2012-06-01

In the work, investigation of the features and operation regimes of sputter enhanced ion-plasma source are presented. The source is based on the target sputtering with the dense plasma formed in the crossed electric and magnetic fields. It allows operation with noble or reactive gases at low pressure discharge regimes, and, the resulting ion beam is the mixture of ions from the working gas and sputtering target. Any conductive material, such as metals, alloys, or compounds, can be used as the sputtering target. Effectiveness of target sputtering process with the plasma was investigated dependently on the gun geometry, plasma parameters, and the target bias voltage. With the applied accelerating voltage from 0 to 20 kV, the source can be operated in regimes of thin film deposition, ion-beam mixing, and ion implantation. Multi-component ion beam implantation was applied to α-Fe, which leads to the surface hardness increasing from 2 GPa in the initial condition up to 3.5 GPa in case of combined N(2)-C implantation. Projected range of the implanted elements is up to 20 nm with the implantation energy 20 keV that was obtained with XPS depth profiling.

Sputtering yields of carbon based materials under high particle flux with low energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, K.; Nagase, A.; Dairaku, M.; Akiba, M.; Araki, M.; Okumura, Y.

1995-04-01

A new ion source which can produce high particle flux beams at low energies has been developed. This paper presents preliminary results on the sputtering yield of the carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFCs) measured with the new ion source. The sputtering yields of 1D and 2D CFCs, which are candidate materials for the divertor armour tiles, have been measured by the weight loss method under the hydrogen and deuterium particle fluxes of 2 ˜ 7 × 10 20/m 2 s at 50 ˜ 150 eV. Preferential sputtering of the matrix was observed on CFCs which included the matrix of 40 ˜ 60 w%. The energy dependence of the sputtering yields was weak. The sputtering yields of CFCs normally irradiated with deuterium beam were from 0.073 to 0.095, and were around three times larger than those with hydrogen beam.

Combined Thermochromic And Plasmonic: Optical Responses In Novel Nanocomposite Au-VO{sub 2} Films Prepared By RF Inverted Cylindrical Magnetron Sputtering

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

Kana, J. B. Kana; Department of physics, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812 Yaounde; Ndjaka, J. M.

2008-09-23

We prepared gold/Vanadium dioxide nanocomposites thin films by the rf reactive inverted cylindrical magnetron sputtering (ICMS) for the first time and report their enhanced surface plasmon resonance (SPR) tunable shift reversibility. ICMS has been attracting much attention for its ability for uniform coating of three-dimensional objects and high-rate deposition of dielectric materials. To investigate the optical properties of gold nanoparticles embedded in an active matrix (VO{sub 2}) composite film was synthesized on corning glass substrates for several substrate temperatures ranging from 400 deg. C to 600 deg. C. The X-ray diffraction results demonstrated that the Au and VO{sub 2} weremore » well crystallized. The optical transmission properties were measured from 300nm to 1100nm and the absorption peak due to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Au nanoparticles were observed. Under external temperature stimuli, the tunable reversibility of the SPR shift was observed when the nanocomposites temperature varies from 20 deg. C to 100 deg. C. The enhancement of this shift of SPR was observed as the substrate temperature increases and it was found that the shift of SPR increased rapidly with increasing substrate temperature but then remained constant at {approx}57 nm for substrate temperature higher than 500 deg. C.« less

Power conversion apparatus and method

DOEpatents

Su, Gui-Jia [Knoxville, TN

2012-02-07

A power conversion apparatus includes an interfacing circuit that enables a current source inverter to operate from a voltage energy storage device (voltage source), such as a battery, ultracapacitor or fuel cell. The interfacing circuit, also referred to as a voltage-to-current converter, transforms the voltage source into a current source that feeds a DC current to a current source inverter. The voltage-to-current converter also provides means for controlling and maintaining a constant DC bus current that supplies the current source inverter. The voltage-to-current converter also enables the current source inverter to charge the voltage energy storage device, such as during dynamic braking of a hybrid electric vehicle, without the need of reversing the direction of the DC bus current.

Method and apparatus for sputtering utilizing an apertured electrode and a pulsed substrate bias

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Przybyszewski, J. S.; Shaltens, R. K. (Inventor)

1973-01-01

The method and equipment used for sputtering by use of an apertured electrode and a pulsed substrate bias are discussed. The technique combines the advantages of ion plating with the versatility of a radio frequency sputtered source. Electroplating is accomplished by passing a pulsed high voltage direct current to the article being plated during radio frequency sputtering.

Discontinuous model with semi analytical sheath interface for radio frequency plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyashita, Masaru

2016-09-01

Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. provide many products utilizing plasma. In this study, we focus on the Radio Frequency (RF) plasma source by interior antenna. The plasma source is expected to be high density and low metal contamination. However, the sputtering the antenna cover by high energy ion from sheath voltage still have been problematic. We have developed the new model which can calculate sheath voltage wave form in the RF plasma source for realistic calculation time. This model is discontinuous that electronic fluid equation in plasma connect to usual passion equation in antenna cover and chamber with semi analytical sheath interface. We estimate the sputtering distribution based on calculated sheath voltage waveform by this model, sputtering yield and ion energy distribution function (IEDF) model. The estimated sputtering distribution reproduce the tendency of experimental results.

Design and Implementation of nine level multilevel Inverter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhineshkumar, K.; Subramani, C.

2018-04-01

In this paper the solar based boost converter integrated Nine level multilevel inverter presented. It uses 7 switches to produce nine level output stepped waveform. The aim of the work to produce 9 level wave form using solar and boost converter. The conventional inverter has multiple sources and has 16 switches are required and also more number of voltage sources required. The proposed inverter required single solar panel and reduced number of switches and integrated boost converter which increase the input voltage of the inverter. The proposed inverter simulated and compared with R load using Mat lab and prototype model experimentally verified. The proposed inverter can be used in n number of solar applications.

Performance analyses of Z-source and quasi Z-source inverter for photovoltaic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Himabind, S.; Priya, T. Hari; Manjeera, Ch.

2018-04-01

This paper presents the comparative analysis of Z-source and Quasi Z-source converter for renewable energy applications. Due to the dependency of renewable energy sources on external weather conditions the output voltage, current changes accordingly which effects the performance of traditional voltage source and current source inverters connected across it. To overcome the drawbacks of VSI and CSI, Z-source and Quasi Z-source inverter (QZSI) are used, which can perform multiple tasks like ac-to-dc, dc-to-ac, ac-to-ac, dc-to-dc conversion. They can be used for both buck and boost operations, by utilizing the shoot-through zero state. The QZSI is derived from the ZSI topology, with a slight change in the impedance network and it overcomes the drawbacks of ZSI. The QZSI draws a constant current from the source when compared to ZSI. A comparative analysis is performed between Z-source and Quasi Z-source inverter, simulation is performed in MATLAB/Simulink environment.

Cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter for renewable energy generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandey, Ravikant; Nath Tripathi, Ravi; Hanamoto, Tsuyoshi

2016-04-01

In this paper cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter (CHBMLI) has been investigated for the application of renewable energy generation. Energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, biomass or combination of these can be manipulated to obtain alternative sources for renewable energy generation. These renewable energy sources have different electrical characteristics like DC or AC level so it is challenging to use generated power by connecting to grid or load directly. The renewable energy source require specific power electronics converter as an interface for conditioning generated power .The multilevel inverter can be utilized for renewable energy sources in two different modes, the power generation mode (stand-alone mode), and compensator mode (statcom). The performance of the multilevel inverter has been compared with two level inverter. In power generation mode CHBMLI supplies the active and reactive power required by the different loads. For operation in compensator mode the indirect current control based on synchronous reference frame theory (SRFT) ensures the grid operating in unity power factor and compensate harmonics and reactive power.

Modeling Solar-Wind Heavy-Ions' Potential Sputtering of Lunar KREEP Surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barghouty, A. F.; Meyer, F. W.; Harris, R. P.; Adams, J. H., Jr.

2012-01-01

Recent laboratory data suggest that potential sputtering may be an important weathering mechanism that can affect the composition of both the lunar surface and its tenuous exosphere; its role and implications, however, remain unclear. Using a relatively simple kinetic model, we will demonstrate that solar-wind heavy ions induced sputtering of KREEP surfaces is critical in establishing the timescale of the overall solar-wind sputtering process of the lunar surface. We will also also show that potential sputtering leads to a more pronounced and significant differentiation between depleted and enriched surface elements. We briefly discuss the impacts of enhanced sputtering on the composition of the regolith and the exosphere, as well as of solar-wind sputtering as a source of hydrogen and water on the moon.

Magnetization reversal and inverted magnetoresistance of exchange-biased spin valves with a gadolinium layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milyaev, M.; Naumova, L.; Chernyshova, T.; Proglyado, V.; Kamensky, I.; Krinitsina, T.; Ryabukhina, M.; Ustinov, V.

2017-03-01

FeMn-based spin valves with a gadolinium layer have been fabricated by magnetron sputtering. The magnetoresistive properties of the spin valves have been investigated at temperatures of 80-293 K. Temperature-induced switching between low- and high-resistance magnetic states has been revealed. Realization of the low- or high-resistance states depends on which magnetic moment dominates in the exchange-coupled Gd/CoFe, of Gd or CoFe. It has been shown that the switching temperature depends on the thickness of the gadolinium layer.

Industrial ion source technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaufman, H. R.; Robinson, R. S.

1978-01-01

An analytical model was developed to describe the development of a coned surface texture with ion bombardment and simultaneous deposition of an impurity. A mathematical model of sputter deposition rate from a beveled target was developed in conjuction with the texturing models to provide an important input to that model. The establishment of a general procedure that will allow the treatment of manay different sputtering configurations is outlined. Calculation of cross sections for energetic binary collisions was extened to Ar, Kr.. and Xe with total cross sections for viscosity and diffusion calculated for the interaction energy range from leV to 1000eV. Physical sputtering and reactive ion etching experiments provided experimental data on the operating limits of a broad beam ion source using CF4 as a working gas to produce reactive species in a sputtering beam. Magnetic clustering effects are observed when Al is seeded with Fe and sputtered with Ar(?) ions. Silicon was textured at a micron scale by using a substrate temperature of 600 C.

Control method for peak power delivery with limited DC-bus voltage

DOEpatents

Edwards, John; Xu, Longya; Bhargava, Brij B.

2006-09-05

A method for driving a neutral point-clamped multi-level voltage source inverter supplying a synchronous motor is provided. A DC current is received at a neutral point-clamped multi-level voltage source inverter. The inverter has first, second, and third output nodes. The inverter also has a plurality of switches. A desired speed of a synchronous motor connected to the inverter by the first second and third nodes is received by the inverter. The synchronous motor has a rotor and the speed of the motor is defined by the rotational rate of the rotor. A position of the rotor is sensed, current flowing to the motor out of at least two of the first, second, and third output nodes is sensed, and predetermined switches are automatically activated by the inverter responsive to the sensed rotor position, the sensed current, and the desired speed.

Integration of supercapacitive storage in renewable energy system to compare the response of two level and five level inverter with RL type load

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jana, Suman; Biswas, Pabitra Kumar; Das, Upama

2018-04-01

The analytical and simulation-based study in this presented paper shows a comparative report between two level inverter and five-level inverter with the integration of Supercapacitive storage in Renewable Energy system. Sometime dependent numerical models are used to measure the voltage and current response of two level and five level inverter in MATLAB Simulink based environment. In this study supercapacitive sources, which are fed by solar cells are used as input sources to experiment the response of multilevel inverter with integration of su-percapacitor as a storage device of Renewable Energy System. The RL load is used to compute the time response in MATLABSimulink based environment. With the simulation results a comparative study has been made of two different level types of inverters. Two basic types of inverter are discussed in the study with reference to their electrical behavior. It is also simulated that multilevel inverter can convert stored energy within supercapacitor which is extracted from Renewable Energy System.

Construction and evaluation of an ultrahigh-vacuum-compatible sputter deposition source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lackner, Peter; Choi, Joong Il Jake; Diebold, Ulrike; Schmid, Michael

2017-10-01

A sputter deposition source for the use in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) is described, and some properties of the source are analyzed. The operating principle is based on the design developed by Mayr et al. [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 84, 094103 (2013)], where electrons emitted from a filament ionize argon gas and the Ar+ ions are accelerated to the target. In contrast to the original design, two grids are used to direct a large fraction of the Ar+ ions to the target, and the source has a housing cooled by liquid nitrogen to reduce contaminations. The source has been used for the deposition of zirconium, a material that is difficult to evaporate in standard UHV evaporators. At an Ar pressure of 9 ×1 0-6 mbar in the UHV chamber and moderate emission current, a highly reproducible deposition rate of ≈1 ML in 250 s was achieved at the substrate (at a distance of ≈50 mm from the target). Higher deposition rates are easily possible. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows a high purity of the deposited films. Depending on the grid voltages, the substrate gets mildly sputtered by Ar+ ions; in addition, the substrate is also reached by electrons from the negatively biased sputter target.

A Method of Maximum Power Control in Single-phase Utility Interactive Photovoltaic Generation System by using PWM Current Source Inverter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neba, Yasuhiko

This paper deals with a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control of the photovoltaic generation with the single-phase utility interactive inverter. The photovoltaic arrays are connected by employing the PWM current source inverter to the utility. The use of the pulsating dc current and voltage allows the maximum power point to be searched. The inverter can regulate the array voltage and keep the arrays to the maximum power. This paper gives the control method and the experimental results.

Preparation of multilayered nanocrystalline thin films with composition-modulated interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biro, D.; Barna, P. B.; Székely, L.; Geszti, O.; Hattori, T.; Devenyi, A.

2008-06-01

The properties of multilayer thin film structures depend on the morphology and structure of interfaces. A broad interface, in which the composition is varying, can enhance, e.g., the hardness of multilayer thin films. In the present experiments multilayers of TiAlN and CrN as well as TiAlN, CrN and MoS 2 were studied by using unbalanced magnetron sputter sources. The sputter sources were arranged side by side on an arc. This arrangement permits development of a transition zone between the layers, where the composition changes continuously. The multilayer system was deposited by one-fold oscillating movement of substrates in front of sputter sources. Thicknesses of layers could be changed both by oscillation frequency and by the power applied to sputter sources. Ti/Al: 50/50 at%, pure chromium and MoS 2 targets were used in the sputter sources. The depositions were performed in an Ar-N 2 mixture at 0.22 Pa working pressure. The sputtering power of the TiAl source was feed-back adjusted in fuzzy-logic mode in order to avoid fluctuation of the TiAl target sputter rate due to poisoning of the target surface. Structure characterization of films deposited on <1 0 0> Si wafers covered by thermally grown SiO 2 was performed by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. At first a 100 nm thick Cr base layer was deposited on the substrate to improve adhesion, which was followed by a CrN transition layer. The CrN transition layer was followed by a 100 nm thick TiAlN/CrN multilayer system. The TiAlN/CrN/MoS 2 multilayer system was deposited on the surface of this underlayer system. The underlayer systems Cr, CrN and TiAlN/CrN were crystalline with columnar structure according to the morphology of zone T of the structure zone models. The column boundaries contained segregated phases showing up in the under-focused TEM images. The surface of the underlayer system was wavy due to dome-shaped columns. The nanometer-scaled TiAlN/CrN/MoS 2 multilayer system followed this waviness. Crystallinity of the TiAlN and CrN layers in the multilayer system decreases with increasing thickness of the MoS 2 layer.

Novel MSVPWM to reduce the inductor current ripple for Z-source inverter in electric vehicle applications.

PubMed

Zhang, Qianfan; Dong, Shuai; Xue, Ping; Zhou, Chaowei; Cheng, ShuKang

2014-01-01

A novel modified space vector pulse width modulation (MSVPWM) strategy for Z-Source inverter is presented. By rearranging the position of shoot-through states, the frequency of inductor current ripple is kept constant. Compared with existing MSVPWM strategies, the proposed approach can reduce the maximum inductor current ripple. So the volume of Z-source network inductor can be designed smaller, which brings the beneficial effect on the miniaturization of the electric vehicle controller. Theoretical findings in the novel MSVPWM for Z-Source inverter have been verified by experiment results.

Novel MSVPWM to Reduce the Inductor Current Ripple for Z-Source Inverter in Electric Vehicle Applications

PubMed Central

Zhang, Qianfan; Dong, Shuai; Xue, Ping; Zhou, Chaowei; Cheng, ShuKang

2014-01-01

A novel modified space vector pulse width modulation (MSVPWM) strategy for Z-Source inverter is presented. By rearranging the position of shoot-through states, the frequency of inductor current ripple is kept constant. Compared with existing MSVPWM strategies, the proposed approach can reduce the maximum inductor current ripple. So the volume of Z-source network inductor can be designed smaller, which brings the beneficial effect on the miniaturization of the electric vehicle controller. Theoretical findings in the novel MSVPWM for Z-Source inverter have been verified by experiment results. PMID:24883412

Preparation of Ag-containing diamond-like carbon films on the interior surface of tubes by a combined method of plasma source ion implantation and DC sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatada, R.; Flege, S.; Bobrich, A.; Ensinger, W.; Dietz, C.; Baba, K.; Sawase, T.; Watamoto, T.; Matsutani, T.

2014-08-01

Adhesive diamond-like carbon (DLC) films can be prepared by plasma source ion implantation (PSII), which is also suitable for the treatment of the inner surface of a tube. Incorporation of a metal into the DLC film provides a possibility to change the characteristics of the DLC film. One source for the metal is DC sputtering. In this study PSII and DC sputtering were combined to prepare DLC films containing low concentrations of Ag on the interior surfaces of stainless steel tubes. A DLC film was deposited using a C2H4 plasma with the help of an auxiliary electrode inside of the tube. This electrode was then used as a target for the DC sputtering. A mixture of the gases Ar and C2H4 was used to sputter the silver. By changing the gas flow ratios and process time, the resulting Ag content of the films could be varied. Sample characterizations were performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Additionally, a ball-on-disk test was performed to investigate the tribological properties of the films. The antibacterial activity was determined using Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

Sputtering of Lunar Regolith Simulant by Protons and Multicharged Heavy Ions at Solar Wind Energies

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

Meyer, Fred W; Harris, Peter R; Taylor, C. N.

2011-01-01

We report preliminary results on sputtering of a lunar regolith simulant at room temperature by singly and multiply charged solar wind ions using quadrupole and time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry approaches. Sputtering of the lunar regolith by solar-wind heavy ions may be an important particle source that contributes to the composition of the lunar exosphere, and is a possible mechanism for lunar surface ageing and compositional modification. The measurements were performed in order to assess the relative sputtering efficiency of protons, which are the dominant constituent of the solar wind, and less abundant heavier multicharged solar wind constituents, which have highermore » physical sputtering yields than same-velocity protons, and whose sputtering yields may be further enhanced due to potential sputtering. Two different target preparation approaches using JSC-1A AGGL lunar regolith simulant are described and compared using SEM and XPS surface analysis.« less

Power conditioning system for energy sources

DOEpatents

Mazumder, Sudip K [Chicago, IL; Burra, Rajni K [Chicago, IL; Acharya, Kaustuva [Chicago, IL

2008-05-13

Apparatus for conditioning power generated by an energy source includes an inverter for converting a DC input voltage from the energy source to a square wave AC output voltage, and a converter for converting the AC output voltage from the inverter to a sine wave AC output voltage.

Efficient/reliable dc-to-dc inverter circuit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pasciutti, E. R.

1970-01-01

Feedback loop, which contains an inductor in series with a saturable reactor, is added to a standard inverter circuit to permit the inverter power transistors to be switched in a controlled and efficient manner. This inverter is applicable where the power source has either high or low impedance properties.

An exploratory study of recycled sputtering and CsF2- current enhancement for AMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, X.-L.; Charles, C. R. J.; Cornett, R. J.; Kieser, W. E.; MacDonald, C.; Kazi, Z.; St-Jean, N.

2016-01-01

The analysis of 135Cs/Cs ratios at levels below 10-12 by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) would preferably use commonly available negative ion injection systems. The sputter ion sources in these injectors should ideally produce currents of Cs- or Cs-containing molecular anions approaching μA levels from targets containing mg quantities of Cs. However, since Cs is the most electro-positive stable element in nature with a low electron affinity, the generation of large negative atomic, or molecular beams containing Cs, has been very challenging. In addition, the reduction of the interferences from the 135Ba isobar and the primary 133Cs+ beam used for sputtering are also necessary. The measurement of a wide range of the isotope ratios also requires the ion source memory of previous samples be minimized. This paper describes some progresses towards a potential solution of all these problems by recycled sputtering using fluorinating targets of PbF2 with mg CsF mixed in. The problems encountered indicate that considerable further studies and some redesign of the present ion sources will be desirable.

Plasma diagnostics of low pressure high power impulse magnetron sputtering assisted by electron cyclotron wave resonance plasma

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

Stranak, Vitezslav; University of South Bohemia, Institute of Physics and Biophysics, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice; Herrendorf, Ann-Pierra

2012-11-01

This paper reports on an investigation of the hybrid pulsed sputtering source based on the combination of electron cyclotron wave resonance (ECWR) inductively coupled plasma and high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) of a Ti target. The plasma source, operated in an Ar atmosphere at a very low pressure of 0.03 Pa, provides plasma where the major fraction of sputtered particles is ionized. It was found that ECWR assistance increases the electron temperature during the HiPIMS pulse. The discharge current and electron density can achieve their stable maximum 10 {mu}s after the onset of the HiPIMS pulse. Further, a highmore » concentration of double charged Ti{sup ++} with energies of up to 160 eV was detected. All of these facts were verified experimentally by time-resolved emission spectroscopy, retarding field analyzer measurement, Langmuir probe, and energy-resolved mass spectrometry.« less

Application of pentacene thin-film transistors with controlled threshold voltages to enhancement/depletion inverters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, Hajime; Hanafusa, Yuki; Kimura, Yoshinari; Kitamura, Masatoshi

2018-03-01

Oxygen plasma treatment has been carried out to control the threshold voltage in organic thin-film transistors (TFTs) having a SiO2 gate dielectric prepared by rf sputtering. The threshold voltage linearly changed in the range of -3.7 to 3.1 V with the increase in plasma treatment time. Although the amount of change is smaller than that for organic TFTs having thermally grown SiO2, the tendency of the change was similar to that for thermally grown SiO2. To realize different plasma treatment times on the same substrate, a certain region on the SiO2 surface was selected using a shadow mask, and was treated with oxygen plasma. Using the process, organic TFTs with negative threshold voltages and those with positive threshold voltages were fabricated on the same substrate. As a result, enhancement/depletion inverters consisting of the organic TFTs operated at supply voltages of 5 to 15 V.

Sputtering in mercury ion thrusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mantenieks, M. A.; Rawlin, V. K.

1979-01-01

A model, which assumes that chemisorption is the dominant mechanism, is applied to the sputtering rate measurements of the screen grid of a 30 cm thruster in the presence of nitrogen. The model utilizes inputs from a variety of experimental and analytical sources. The model of environmental effects on sputtering was applied to thruster conditions of low discharge voltage and a discussion of the comparison of theory and experiment is presented.

Solar-Wind Protons and Heavy Ions Sputtering of Lunar Surface Materials

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

Barghouty, N.; Meyer, Fred W; Harris, Peter R

2011-01-01

Lunar surface materials are exposed to {approx}1 keV/amu solar-wind protons and heavy ions on almost continuous basis. As the lunar surface consists of mostly oxides, these materials suffer, in principle, both kinetic and potential sputtering due to the actions of the solar-wind ions. Sputtering is an important mechanism affecting the composition of both the lunar surface and its tenuous exosphere. While the contribution of kinetic sputtering to the changes in the composition of the surface layer of these oxides is well understood and modeled, the role and implications of potential sputtering remain unclear. As new potential-sputtering data from multi-charged ionsmore » impacting lunar regolith simulants are becoming available from Oak Ridge National Laboratory's MIRF, we examine the role and possible implications of potential sputtering of Lunar KREEP soil. Using a non-equilibrium model we demonstrate that solar-wind heavy ions induced sputtering is critical in establishing the timescale of the overall solar-wind sputtering process of the lunar surface. We also show that potential sputtering leads to a more pronounced and significant differentiation between depleted and enriched surface elements. We briefly discuss the impacts of enhanced sputtering on the composition of the regolith and the exosphere, as well as of solar-wind sputtering as a source of hydrogen and water on the moon.« less

Feasibility of Equivalent Dipole Models for Electroencephalogram-Based Brain Computer Interfaces.

PubMed

Schimpf, Paul H

2017-09-15

This article examines the localization errors of equivalent dipolar sources inverted from the surface electroencephalogram in order to determine the feasibility of using their location as classification parameters for non-invasive brain computer interfaces. Inverse localization errors are examined for two head models: a model represented by four concentric spheres and a realistic model based on medical imagery. It is shown that the spherical model results in localization ambiguity such that a number of dipolar sources, with different azimuths and varying orientations, provide a near match to the electroencephalogram of the best equivalent source. No such ambiguity exists for the elevation of inverted sources, indicating that for spherical head models, only the elevation of inverted sources (and not the azimuth) can be expected to provide meaningful classification parameters for brain-computer interfaces. In a realistic head model, all three parameters of the inverted source location are found to be reliable, providing a more robust set of parameters. In both cases, the residual error hypersurfaces demonstrate local minima, indicating that a search for the best-matching sources should be global. Source localization error vs. signal-to-noise ratio is also demonstrated for both head models.

Ion beam sputtering of fluoropolymers. [etching polymer films and target surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sovey, J. S.

1978-01-01

Ion beam sputter processing rates as well as pertinent characteristics of etched targets and films are described. An argon ion beam source was used to sputter etch and deposit the fluoropolymers PTFE, FEP, and CTFE. Ion beam energy, current density, and target temperature were varied to examine effects on etch and deposition rates. The ion etched fluoropolymers yield cone or spire-like surface structures which vary depending upon the type of polymer, ion beam power density, etch time, and target temperature. Sputter target and film characteristics documented by spectral transmittance measurements, X-ray diffraction, ESCA, and SEM photomicrographs are included.

Application of ion thruster technology to a 30-cm multipole sputtering ion source

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robinson, R. S.; Kaufman, H. R.

1976-01-01

A 30-cm electron-bombardment ion source has been designed and fabricated for micromachining and sputtering applications. This source has a multipole magnetic field that employs permanent magnets between permeable pole pieces. An average ion current density of 1 ma/sq cm with 500-eV argon ions was selected as a design operating condition. The ion beam at this operating condition was uniform and well collimated, with an average variation of + or -5 percent over the center 20 cm of the beam at a distance up to 30 cm from the ion source.

Sputter crater formation in the case of microsecond pulsed glow discharge in a Grimm-type source. Comparison of direct current and radio frequency modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Efimova, Varvara; Hoffmann, Volker; Eckert, Jürgen

2012-10-01

Depth profiling with pulsed glow discharge is a promising technique. The application of pulsed voltage for sputtering reduces the sputtering rate and thermal stress and hereby improves the analysis of thin layered and thermally fragile samples. However pulsed glow discharge is not well studied and this limits its practical use. The current work deals with the questions which usually arise when the pulsed mode is applied: Which duty cycle, frequency and pulse length must be chosen to get the optimal sputtering rate and crater shape? Are the well-known sputtering effects of the continuous mode valid also for the pulsed regime? Is there any difference between dc and rf pulsing in terms of sputtering? It is found that the pulse length is a crucial parameter for the crater shape and thermal effects. Sputtering with pulsed dc and rf modes is found to be similar. The observed sputtering effects at various pulsing parameters helped to interpret and optimize the depth resolution of GD OES depth profiles.

Neutral and Plasma Sources in the Saturn's Magnetosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jurac, S.; Johnson, R. E.

1999-05-01

The heavy ion plasma in Saturnian inner magnetosphere is derived from the icy satellites and ring particles imbedded in the plasma. Recent Hubble Space Telescope measurements of the densities of neutral OH molecules which co-exist with and are precursors of the plasma ions have constrained models for the plasma sources. Richardson et al (1998) considered all existing HST observations and derived water-like neutral densities and estimated required sources to maintain equilibrium. Their neutral densities show maximum close to Enceladus (where the E-ring density peaks) and their total neutral source rate needed to maintain neutrals in steady state is for an order of magnitude larger than source rate given by Shi et al (1995). We model the sputtering of water-ice using the recently developed Monte-Carlo collisional transport code, and calculate neutral supply rates from sputtering of Enceladus and the E-ring. This collisional code, used previously to evaluate sputtering from the interstellar grains (Jurac et al, 1998) is modified to include electronic processes relevant to water-ice sputtering, and then applied to the E-ring grains. It is shown that the grain erosion rate increases substantially when the ion penetration depth becomes comparable to the grain radius. The sputtering and collection rates for plasma ions and neutrals are evaluated and it is shown that the E-ring might be the dominant source of water-like neutrals in the Saturnian magnetosphere. We also describe competition between grain growth and erosion and discuss implications to the existing E-ring evolutionary models. References: Jurac S., R. E. Johnson, B. Donn; Astroph. J. 503, 247, 1998 Richardson, J. D., A. Eviatar, M. A. McGrath, V. M. Vasyliunas; J. Geophys. Res., 103, 20245, 1998 Shi, M., R.A. Baragiola, D.E. Grosjean, R.E. Johnson, S. Jurac and J. Schou; J. Geophys. Res., 100, 26387, 1995.

Ion beam texturing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hudson, W. R.

1976-01-01

A microscopic surface texture is created by sputter etching a surface while simultaneously sputter depositing a lower sputter yield material onto the surface. A xenon ion beam source has been used to perform this texturing process on samples as large as three centimeters in diameter. Ion beam textured surface structures have been characterized with SEM photomicrographs for a large number of materials including Cu, Al, Si, Ti, Ni, Fe, Stainless steel, Au, and Ag. Surfaces have been textured using a variety of low sputter yield materials - Ta, Mo, Nb, and Ti. The initial stages of the texture creation have been documented, and the technique of ion beam sputter removal of any remaining deposited material has been studied. A number of other texturing parameters have been studied such as the variation of the texture with ion beam power, surface temperature, and the rate of texture growth with sputter etching time.

Ion beam sputter deposited diamond like films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Banks, B. A.; Rutledge, S. K.

1982-01-01

A single argon ion beam source was used to sputter deposit carbon films on fused silica, copper, and tantalum substrates under conditions of sputter deposition alone and sputter deposition combined with simultaneous argon ion bombardment. Simultaneously deposited and ion bombarded carbon films were prepared under conditions of carbon atom removal to arrival ratios of 0, 0.036, and 0.71. Deposition and etch rates were measured for films on fused silica substrates. Resulting characteristics of the deposited films are: electrical resistivity of densities of 2.1 gm/cu cm for sputter deposited films and 2.2 gm/cu cm for simultaneously sputter deposited and Ar ion bombarded films. For films approximately 1700 A thick deposited by either process and at 5550 A wavelength light the reflectance was 0.2, the absorptance was 0.7, the absorption coefficient was 67,000 cm to the -1 and the transmittance was 0.1.

Influence of source parameters on the growth of metal nanoparticles by sputter-gas-aggregation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khojasteh, Malak; Kresin, Vitaly V.

2017-11-01

We describe the production of size-selected manganese nanoclusters using a magnetron sputtering/aggregation source. Since nanoparticle production is sensitive to a range of overlapping operating parameters (in particular, the sputtering discharge power, the inert gas flow rates, and the aggregation length), we focus on a detailed map of the influence of each parameter on the average nanocluster size. In this way, it is possible to identify the main contribution of each parameter to the physical processes taking place within the source. The discharge power and argon flow supply the metal vapor, and argon also plays a crucial role in the formation of condensation nuclei via three-body collisions. However, the argon flow and the discharge power have a relatively weak effect on the average nanocluster size in the exiting beam. Here the defining role is played by the source residence time, governed by the helium supply (which raises the pressure and density of the gas column inside the source, resulting in more efficient transport of nanoparticles to the exit) and by the aggregation path length.

Variable-frequency inverter controls torque, speed, and braking in ac induction motors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nola, F. J.

1974-01-01

Dc to ac inverter provides optimum frequency and voltage to ac induction motor, in response to different motor-load and speed requirements. Inverter varies slip frequency of motor in proportion to required torque. Inverter protects motor from high current surges, controls negative slip to apply braking, and returns energy stored in momentum of load to dc power source.

Huge increase in gas phase nanoparticle generation by pulsed direct current sputtering in a reactive gas admixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Polonskyi, Oleksandr; Peter, Tilo; Mohammad Ahadi, Amir; Hinz, Alexander; Strunskus, Thomas; Zaporojtchenko, Vladimir; Biederman, Hynek; Faupel, Franz

2013-07-01

Using reactive DC sputtering in a gas aggregation cluster source, we show that pulsed discharge gives rise to a huge increase in deposition rate of nanoparticles by more than one order of magnitude compared to continuous operation. We suggest that this effect is caused by an equilibrium between slight target oxidation (during "time-off") and subsequent sputtering of Ti oxides (sub-oxides) at "time-on" with high power impulse.

A 9700-hour durability test of a five centimeter diameter ion thruster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nakanishi, S.; Finke, R. C.

1973-01-01

A modified Hughes SIT-5 thrustor has been life-tested at the Lewis Research Center. The final 2700 hours of the test are described with a charted history of thrustor operating parameters and off-normal events. Performance and operating characteristics were nearly constant throughout the test except for neutralizer heater power requirements and accelerator drain current. A post-shutdown inspection revealed sputter erosion of ion chamber components and component flaking of sputtered metal. Several flakes caused beamlet divergence and anomalous grid erosion, causing the test to be terminated. All sputter erosion sources have been identified and promising sputter resistant components are currently being evaluated.

Electric vehicle system for charging and supplying electrical power

DOEpatents

Su, Gui Jia

2010-06-08

A power system that provides power between an energy storage device, an external charging-source/load, an onboard electrical power generator, and a vehicle drive shaft. The power system has at least one energy storage device electrically connected across a dc bus, at least one filter capacitor leg having at least one filter capacitor electrically connected across the dc bus, at least one power inverter/converter electrically connected across the dc bus, and at least one multiphase motor/generator having stator windings electrically connected at one end to form a neutral point and electrically connected on the other end to one of the power inverter/converters. A charging-sourcing selection socket is electrically connected to the neutral points and the external charging-source/load. At least one electronics controller is electrically connected to the charging-sourcing selection socket and at least one power inverter/converter. The switch legs in each of the inverter/converters selected by the charging-source/load socket collectively function as a single switch leg. The motor/generators function as an inductor.

Origin and maintenance of the oxygen torus in Saturn's magnetosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morfill, G. E.; Havnes, O.; Goertz, C. K.

1993-01-01

Observations of thermal ions in Saturn's inner magnetosphere suggest distributed local sources rather than diffusive mass loading from a source located further out. We suggest that the plasma is produced and maintained mainly by 'self-sputtering' of E ring dust. Sputtered particles are 'picked up' by the planetary magnetospheric field and accelerated to corotation energies (of the order of 8 eV/amu). The sputter yield for oxygen on ice at, for example, 120 eV is about 5, which implies that an avalanche of self-sputtering occurs. The plasma density is built up until it is balanced by local losses, presumably pitch angle scattering into the loss cone and absorption in the planet's ionosphere. The plasma density determines the distribution of dust in the E ring through plasma drag. Thus a feedback mechanism between the plasma and the E ring dust is established. The model accounts for the principal plasma observations and simultaneously the radial optical depth profile of the E ring.

A single-phase multi-level D-STATCOM inverter using modular multi-level converter (MMC) topology for renewable energy sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sotoodeh, Pedram

This dissertation presents the design of a novel multi-level inverter with FACTS capability for small to mid-size (10-20kW) permanent-magnet wind installations using modular multi-level converter (MMC) topology. The aim of the work is to design a new type of inverter with D-STATCOM option to provide utilities with more control on active and reactive power transfer of distribution lines. The inverter is placed between the renewable energy source, specifically a wind turbine, and the distribution grid in order to fix the power factor of the grid at a target value, regardless of wind speed, by regulating active and reactive power required by the grid. The inverter is capable of controlling active and reactive power by controlling the phase angle and modulation index, respectively. The unique contribution of the proposed work is to combine the two concepts of inverter and D-STATCOM using a novel voltage source converter (VSC) multi-level topology in a single unit without additional cost. Simulations of the proposed inverter, with 5 and 11 levels, have been conducted in MATLAB/Simulink for two systems including 20 kW/kVAR and 250 W/VAR. To validate the simulation results, a scaled version (250 kW/kVAR) of the proposed inverter with 5 and 11 levels has been built and tested in the laboratory. Experimental results show that the reduced-scale 5- and 11-level inverter is able to fix PF of the grid as well as being compatible with IEEE standards. Furthermore, total cost of the prototype models, which is one of the major objectives of this research, is comparable with market prices.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering of amorphous silica gel adsorbed on gold substrates for optical fiber sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Degioanni, S.; Jurdyc, A. M.; Cheap, A.; Champagnon, B.; Bessueille, F.; Coulm, J.; Bois, L.; Vouagner, D.

2015-10-01

Two kinds of gold substrates are used to produce surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of amorphous silica obtained via the sol-gel route using tetraethoxysilane Si(OC2H5)4 (TEOS) solution. The first substrate consists of a gold nanometric film elaborated on a glass slide by sputter deposition, controlling the desired gold thickness and sputtering current intensity. The second substrate consists of an array of micrometer-sized gold inverted pyramidal pits able to confine surface plasmon (SP) enhancing electric field, which results in a distribution of electromagnetic energy inside the cavities. These substrates are optically characterized to observe SPR with, respectively, extinction and reflectance spectrometries. Once coated with thin layers of amorphous silica (SiO2) gel, these samples show Raman amplification of amorphous SiO2 bands. This enhancement can occur in SERS sensors using amorphous SiO2 gel as shells, spacers, protective coatings, or waveguides, and represents particularly a potential interest in the field of Raman distributed sensors, which use the amorphous SiO2 core of optical fibers as a transducer to make temperature measurements.

Effect of substrate temperature on thermochromic vanadium dioxide thin films sputtered from vanadium target

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madiba, I. G.; Kotsedi, L.; Ngom, B. D.; Khanyile, B. S.; Maaza, M.

2018-05-01

Vanadium dioxide films have been known as the most promising thermochromic thin films for smart windows which self-control the solar radiation and heat transfer for energy saving, comfort in houses and automotives. Such an attractive technological application is due to the fact that vanadium dioxide crystals exhibit a fast semiconductor-to-metal phase transition at a transition temperature Tc of about 68 °C, together with sharp optical changes from high transmitive to high reflective coatings in the IR spectral region. The phase transition has been associated with the nature of the microstructure, stoichiometry and stresses related to the oxide. This study reports on the effect of the crystallographic quality controlled by the substrate temperature on the thermochromic properties of vanadium dioxide thin films synthesized by reactive radio frequency inverted cylindrical magnetron sputtering from vanadium target. The reports results are based on X-ray diffraction, Atomic force microscopy, and UV-Visible spectrophotometer. The average crystalline grain size of VO2 increases with the substrate temperature, inducing stress related phenomena within the films.

Voltage balanced multilevel voltage source converter system

DOEpatents

Peng, Fang Zheng; Lai, Jih-Sheng

1997-01-01

A voltage balanced multilevel converter for high power AC applications such as adjustable speed motor drives and back-to-back DC intertie of adjacent power systems. This converter provides a multilevel rectifier, a multilevel inverter, and a DC link between the rectifier and the inverter allowing voltage balancing between each of the voltage levels within the multilevel converter. The rectifier is equipped with at least one phase leg and a source input node for each of the phases. The rectifier is further equipped with a plurality of rectifier DC output nodes. The inverter is equipped with at least one phase leg and a load output node for each of the phases. The inverter is further equipped with a plurality of inverter DC input nodes. The DC link is equipped with a plurality of rectifier charging means and a plurality of inverter discharging means. The plurality of rectifier charging means are connected in series with one of the rectifier charging means disposed between and connected in an operable relationship with each adjacent pair of rectifier DC output nodes. The plurality of inverter discharging means are connected in series with one of the inverter discharging means disposed between and connected in an operable relationship with each adjacent pair of inverter DC input nodes. Each of said rectifier DC output nodes are individually electrically connected to the respective inverter DC input nodes. By this means, each of the rectifier DC output nodes and each of the inverter DC input nodes are voltage balanced by the respective charging and discharging of the rectifier charging means and the inverter discharging means.

Voltage balanced multilevel voltage source converter system

DOEpatents

Peng, F.Z.; Lai, J.S.

1997-07-01

Disclosed is a voltage balanced multilevel converter for high power AC applications such as adjustable speed motor drives and back-to-back DC intertie of adjacent power systems. This converter provides a multilevel rectifier, a multilevel inverter, and a DC link between the rectifier and the inverter allowing voltage balancing between each of the voltage levels within the multilevel converter. The rectifier is equipped with at least one phase leg and a source input node for each of the phases. The rectifier is further equipped with a plurality of rectifier DC output nodes. The inverter is equipped with at least one phase leg and a load output node for each of the phases. The inverter is further equipped with a plurality of inverter DC input nodes. The DC link is equipped with a plurality of rectifier charging means and a plurality of inverter discharging means. The plurality of rectifier charging means are connected in series with one of the rectifier charging means disposed between and connected in an operable relationship with each adjacent pair of rectifier DC output nodes. The plurality of inverter discharging means are connected in series with one of the inverter discharging means disposed between and connected in an operable relationship with each adjacent pair of inverter DC input nodes. Each of said rectifier DC output nodes are individually electrically connected to the respective inverter DC input nodes. By this means, each of the rectifier DC output nodes and each of the inverter DC input nodes are voltage balanced by the respective charging and discharging of the rectifier charging means and the inverter discharging means. 15 figs.

Industrial ion source technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaufman, H. R.

1976-01-01

A 30 cm electron bombardment ion source was designed and fabricated for micromachining and sputtering applications. This source has a multipole magnetic field that employs permanent magnets between permeable pole pieces. An average ion current density of 1 ma/sq cm with 500 eV argon ions was selected as a design operating condition. The ion beam at this operating condition was uniform and well collimated, with an average variation of plus or minus 5 percent over the center 20 cm of the beam at distances up to 30 cm from the ion source. A variety of sputtering applications were undertaken with a small 10 cm ion source to better understand the ion source requirements in these applications. The results of these experimental studies are also included.

Inverter communications using output signal

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

Chapman, Patrick L.

Technologies for communicating information from an inverter configured for the conversion of direct current (DC) power generated from an alternative source to alternating current (AC) power are disclosed. The technologies include determining information to be transmitted from the inverter over a power line cable connected to the inverter and controlling the operation of an output converter of the inverter as a function of the information to be transmitted to cause the output converter to generate an output waveform having the information modulated thereon.

Electric machine and current source inverter drive system

DOEpatents

Hsu, John S

2014-06-24

A drive system includes an electric machine and a current source inverter (CSI). This integration of an electric machine and an inverter uses the machine's field excitation coil for not only flux generation in the machine but also for the CSI inductor. This integration of the two technologies, namely the U machine motor and the CSI, opens a new chapter for the component function integration instead of the traditional integration by simply placing separate machine and inverter components in the same housing. Elimination of the CSI inductor adds to the CSI volumetric reduction of the capacitors and the elimination of PMs for the motor further improve the drive system cost, weight, and volume.

A hybrid electron cyclotron resonance metal ion source with integrated sputter magnetron for the production of an intense Al{sup +} ion beam

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

Weichsel, T., E-mail: tim.weichsel@fep.fraunhofer.de; Hartung, U.; Kopte, T.

2015-09-15

A metal ion source prototype has been developed: a combination of magnetron sputter technology with 2.45 GHz electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source technology—a so called magnetron ECR ion source (MECRIS). An integrated ring-shaped sputter magnetron with an Al target is acting as a powerful metal atom supply in order to produce an intense current of singly charged metal ions. Preliminary experiments show that an Al{sup +} ion current with a density of 167 μA/cm{sup 2} is extracted from the source at an acceleration voltage of 27 kV. Spatially resolved double Langmuir probe measurements and optical emission spectroscopy were usedmore » to study the plasma states of the ion source: sputter magnetron, ECR, and MECRIS plasma. Electron density and temperature as well as Al atom density were determined as a function of microwave and sputter magnetron power. The effect of ECR heating is strongly pronounced in the center of the source. There the electron density is increased by one order of magnitude from 6 × 10{sup 9} cm{sup −3} to 6 × 10{sup 10} cm{sup −3} and the electron temperature is enhanced from about 5 eV to 12 eV, when the ECR plasma is ignited to the magnetron plasma. Operating the magnetron at constant power, it was observed that its discharge current is raised from 1.8 A to 4.8 A, when the ECR discharge was superimposed with a microwave power of 2 kW. At the same time, the discharge voltage decreased from about 560 V to 210 V, clearly indicating a higher plasma density of the MECRIS mode. The optical emission spectrum of the MECRIS plasma is dominated by lines of excited Al atoms and shows a significant contribution of lines arising from singly ionized Al. Plasma emission photography with a CCD camera was used to prove probe measurements and to identify separated plasma emission zones originating from the ECR and magnetron discharge.« less

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

Auciello, O.; Ameen, M.S.; Graettinger, T.M.

Ion beam sputtering is presently used to deposit films from single phase YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}{delta}} targets. Generally, Ar+ ion beams ({approx}1500 eV) produced by Kaufman-type ion sources are used for this purpose. It has been observed that these ion beams induce compositional and morphological changes on the polycrystalline ceramic target surface, which results in the composition of sputtered flux displaying a time-dependent behavior. This in turn may lead to undesirably long times for reaching steady state conditions in the sputtering process.

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

Auciello, O.; Ameen, M.S.; Graettinger, T.

Ion beam sputtering is presently used to deposit films from single phase YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}{delta}} targets. Generally, Ar{sup +} ion beams ({similar to}1500 eV) produced by Kaufman-type ion sources are used for this purpose. It has been observed that these ion beams induce compositional and morphological changes on the polycrystalline ceramic target surface, which results in the composition of sputtered flux displaying a time-dependent behavior. This in turn may lead to undesirably long times for reaching steady state conditions in the sputtering process.

A New Family of Multilevel Grid Connected Inverters Based on Packed U Cell Topology.

PubMed

Pakdel, Majid; Jalilzadeh, Saeid

2017-09-29

In this paper a novel packed U cell (PUC) based multilevel grid connected inverter is proposed. Unlike the U cell arrangement which consists of two power switches and one capacitor, in the proposed converter topology a lower DC power supply from renewable energy resources such as photovoltaic arrays (PV) is used as a base power source. The proposed topology offers higher efficiency and lower cost using a small number of power switches and a lower DC power source which is supplied from renewable energy resources. Other capacitor voltages are extracted from the base lower DC power source using isolated DC-DC power converters. The operation principle of proposed transformerless multilevel grid connected inverter is analyzed theoretically. Operation of the proposed multilevel grid connected inverter is verified through simulation studies. An experimental prototype using STM32F407 discovery controller board is performed to verify the simulation results.

Sputtering of ices in the outer solar system

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

Johnson, R.E.

1996-01-01

Exploration of the outer solar system has led to studies in a new area of physics: electronically induced sputtering of low-temperature, condensed-gas solids (ices). Many of the icy bodies in the outer solar system were found to be bombarded by relatively intense fluxes of ions and electrons, causing both changes in their optical reflectance and ejection (sputtering) of molecules from their surfaces. The small cohesive energies of the condensed-gas solids afford relatively large sputtering rates from the electronic excitations produced in the solid by fast ions and electrons. Such sputtering produces an ambient gas about an icy body, often themore » source of the local plasma. This colloquium outlines the physics of the sputtering of ices and its relevance to several outer-solar-system phenomena: the sputter-produced plasma trapped in Saturn{close_quote}s magnetosphere; the O{sub 2} atmosphere on Europa; and optical absorption features such as SO{sub 2} in the surface of Europa and O{sub 2} and, possibly, O{sub 3} in the surface of Ganymede. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}« less

Development of Three-Phase Source Inverter for Research and Laboratories

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-01

Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188) Washington DC 20503. 1 . AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 2 . REPORT DATE March 2011 3. REPORT TYPE AND...THEORY OF OPERATION ................................5 1 . Overview ......................................5 2 . Voltage Source Inverter...29 1 . Low Pass Filter MATLAB Code ..................31 2 . Current Sensor ...............................33 3. Optocouplers

New Cs sputter ion source with polyatomic ion beams for secondary ion mass spectrometry applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belykh, S. F.; Palitsin, V. V.; Veryovkin, I. V.; Kovarsky, A. P.; Chang, R. J. H.; Adriaens, A.; Dowsett, M. G.; Adams, F.

2007-08-01

A simple design for a cesium sputter ion source compatible with vacuum and ion-optical systems as well as with electronics of the commercially available Cameca IMS-4f instrument is reported. This ion source has been tested with the cluster primary ions of Sin- and Cun-. Our experiments with surface characterization and depth profiling conducted to date demonstrate improvements of the analytical capabilities of the secondary ion mass spectrometry instrument due to the nonadditive enhancement of secondary ion emission and shorter ion ranges of polyatomic projectiles compared to atomic ones with the same impact energy.

Analysis of Extended Z-source Inverter for Photovoltaic System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prakash, G.; Subramani, C.; Dhineshkumar, K.; Rayavel, P.

2018-04-01

The Z-source inverter has picked up prominence as a solitary stage buck-support inverter topology among numerous specialists. Notwithstanding, its boosting capacity could be constrained, and in this manner, it may not be reasonable for a few applications requiring high lift request of falling other dc-dc help converters. The Z-source inverter is a recent converter topology that exhibits both voltage-buck and voltage-boost capability This could lose the effectiveness and request all the more detecting for controlling the additional new stages. This paper is proposing another group of broadened help semi Z - source inverter (ZSI) to fill the exploration hole left in the improvement of ZSI. These new topologies can be worked with same regulation strategies that were produced for unique ZSI. Likewise, they have a similar number of dynamic switches as unique ZSI saving the single-organize nature of ZSI. Proposed topologies are dissected in the enduring state and their exhibitions are approved utilizing recreated comes about acquired in MATLAB/Simulink. Besides, they are tentatively approved with comes about acquired from a model created in the research facility. The trend of fast increase of the PV energy use is related to the increasing efficiency of solar cells as well as the improvements of manufacturing technology of solar panels.

Assumption or Fact? Line-to-Neutral Voltage Expression in an Unbalanced 3-Phase Circuit during Inverter Switching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Masrur, M. A.

2009-01-01

This paper discusses the situation in a 3-phase motor or any other 3-phase system operating under unbalanced operating conditions caused by an open fault in an inverter switch. A dc voltage source is assumed as the input to the inverter, and under faulty conditions of the inverter switch, the actual voltage applied between the line to neutral…

Selective harmonic elimination strategy in eleven level inverter for PV system with unbalanced DC sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghoudelbourk, Sihem.; Dib, D.; Meghni, B.; Zouli, M.

2017-02-01

The paper deals with the multilevel converters control strategy for photovoltaic system integrated in distribution grids. The objective of the proposed work is to design multilevel inverters for solar energy applications so as to reduce the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and to improve the power quality. The multilevel inverter power structure plays a vital role in every aspect of the power system. It is easier to produce a high-power, high-voltage inverter with the multilevel structure. The topologies of multilevel inverter have several advantages such as high output voltage, lower total harmonic distortion (THD) and reduction of voltage ratings of the power semiconductor switching devices. The proposed control strategy ensures an implementation of selective harmonic elimination (SHE) modulation for eleven levels. SHE is a very important and efficient strategy of eliminating selected harmonics by judicious selection of the firing angles of the inverter. Harmonics elimination technique eliminates the need of the expensive low pass filters in the system. Previous research considered that constant and equal DC sources with invariant behavior; however, this research extends earlier work to include variant DC sources, which are typical of lead-acid batteries when used in system PV. This Study also investigates methods to minimize the total harmonic distortion of the synthesized multilevel waveform and to help balance the battery voltage. The harmonic elimination method was used to eliminate selected lower dominant harmonics resulting from the inverter switching action.

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

Cuomo, J.J.; Rossnagel, S.M.; Kaufman, H.R.

The work presented in this book deals with ion beam processing for basic sputter etching of samples, for sputter deposition of thin films, for the synthesis of material in thin form, and for the modification of the properties of thin films. The ion energy range covered is from a few tens of eV to about 10,000 eV, with primary interest in the range of about 20 to 1-2 keV, where implantation of the incident ion is a minor effect. Of the types of ion sources and devices available, this book examines principally broad beam ion sources, characterized by high fluxesmore » and large work areas. These sources include the ECR ion source, the Kaufman-type single- and multiple-grid sources, gridless sources such as the Hall effect or closed-drift source, and hydrid sources such as the ionized cluster beam system.« less

Formation of manganese nanoclusters in a sputtering/aggregation source and the roles of individual operating parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khojasteh, Malak; Kresin, Vitaly V.

2016-12-01

We describe the production of size selected manganese nanoclusters using a dc magnetron sputtering/aggregation source. Since nanoparticle production is sensitive to a range of overlapping operating parameters (in particular, the sputtering discharge power, the inert gas flow rates, and the aggregation length) we focus on a detailed map of the influence of each parameter on the average nanocluster size. In this way it is possible to identify the main contribution of each parameter to the physical processes taking place within the source. The discharge power and argon flow supply the atomic vapor, and argon also plays the crucial role in the formation of condensation nuclei via three-body collisions. However, neither the argon flow nor the discharge power have a strong effect on the average nanocluster size in the exiting beam. Here the defining role is played by the source residence time, which is governed by the helium supply and the aggregation path length. The size of mass selected nanoclusters was verified by atomic force microscopy of deposited particles.

Observations of Metallic Species in Mercury's Exosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Killen, Rosemary M.; Potter, Andrew E.; Vervack, Ronald J., Jr.; Bradley, E. Todd; McClintock, William E.; Anderson, Carrie M.; Burger, Matthew H.

2010-01-01

From observations of the metallic species sodium (Na), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) in Mercury's exosphere, we derive implications for source and loss processes. All metallic species observed exhibit a distribution and/or line width characteristic of high to extreme temperature - tens of thousands of degrees K. The temperatures of refractory species, including magnesium and calcium, indicate that the source process for the atoms observed in the tail and near-planet exosphere are consistent with ion sputtering and/or impact vaporization of a molecule with subsequent dissociation into the atomic form. The extended Mg tail is consistent with a surface abundance of 5-8% Mg by number, if 30% of impact-vaporized Mg remains as MgO and half of the impact vapor condenses. Globally, ion sputtering is not a major source of Mg, but locally the sputtered source can be larger than the impact vapor source. We conclude that the Na and K in Mercury's exosphere can be derived from a regolith composition similar to that of Luna 16 soil (or Apollo 17 orange glass), in which the abundance by number is 0.0027 (0.0028) for Na and 0.0006 (0.0045) for K.

A new type of single-phase five-level inverter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Zhi; Li, Shengnan; Qin, Risheng; Zhao, Yanhang

2017-11-01

At present, Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) multilevel inverter is widely applied in new energy field. However, it has some disadvantages including low utilization rate of direct current (DC) voltage source and the unbalance of neutral potential. Therefore, a new single-phase five level inverter is proposed in this paper. It has two stage structure, the former stage is equivalent to three level DC/DC converter, and the back stage uses H bridge to realize inverter. Compared with the original central clamp type inverter, the new five level inverter can improve the utilization of DC voltage, and realize the neutral point potential balance with hysteresis comparator.

Induced over voltage test on transformers using enhanced Z-source inverter based circuit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peter, Geno; Sherine, Anli

2017-09-01

The normal life of a transformer is well above 25 years. The economical operation of the distribution system has its roots in the equipments being used. The economy being such, that it is financially advantageous to replace transformers with more than 15 years of service in the second perennial market. Testing of transformer is required, as its an indication of the extent to which a transformer can comply with the customers specified requirements and the respective standards (IEC 60076-3). In this paper, induced over voltage testing on transformers using enhanced Z source inverter is discussed. Power electronic circuits are now essential for a whole array of industrial electronic products. The bulky motor generator set, which is used to generate the required frequency to conduct the induced over voltage testing of transformers is nowadays replaced by static frequency converter. First conventional Z-source inverter, and second an enhanced Z source inverter is being used to generate the required voltage and frequency to test the transformer for induced over voltage test, and its characteristics is analysed.

Activation product transport in fusion reactors. [RAPTOR

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

Klein, A.C.

1983-01-01

Activated corrosion and neutron sputtering products will enter the coolant and/or tritium breeding material of fusion reactor power plants and experiments and cause personnel access problems. Radiation levels around plant components due to these products will cause difficulties with maintenance and repair operations throughout the plant. Similar problems are experienced around fission reactor systems. The determination of the transport of radioactive corrosion and neutron sputtering products through the system is achieved using the computer code RAPTOR. This code calculates the mass transfer of a number of activation products based on the corrosion and sputtering rates through the system, the depositionmore » and release characteristics of various plant components, the neturon flux spectrum, as well as other plant parameters. RAPTOR assembles a system of first order linear differential equations into a matrix equation based upon the reactor system parameters. Included in the transfer matrix are the deposition and erosion coefficients, and the decay and activation data for the various plant nodes and radioactive isotopes. A source vector supplies the corrosion and neutron sputtering source rates. This matrix equation is then solved using a matrix operator technique to give the specific activity distribution of each radioactive species throughout the plant. Once the amount of mass transfer is determined, the photon transport due to the radioactive corrosion and sputtering product sources can be evaluated, and dose rates around the plant components of interest as a function of time can be determined. This method has been used to estimate the radiation hazards around a number of fusion reactor system designs.« less

Status and Needs of Power Electronics for Photovoltaic Inverters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Y. C.; Mohan, N.; West, R.; Bonn, R.

2002-06-01

Photovoltaics is the utility connected distributed energy resource (DER) that is in widespread use today. It has one element, the inverter, which is common with all DER sources except rotating generators. The inverter is required to transfer dc energy to ac energy. With all the DER technologies, (solar, wind, fuel cells, and microturbines) the inverter is still an immature product that will result in reliability problems in fielded systems. Today, the PV inverter is a costly and complex component of PV systems that produce ac power. Inverter MTFF (mean time to first failure) is currently unacceptable. Low inverter reliability contributes to unreliable fielded systems and a loss of confidence in renewable technology. The low volume of PV inverters produced restricts the manufacturing to small suppliers without sophisticated research and reliability programs or manufacturing methods. Thus, the present approach to PV inverter supply has low probability of meeting DOE reliability goals.

Deposition of reactively ion beam sputtered silicon nitride coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grill, A.

1982-01-01

An ion beam source was used to deposit silicon nitride films by reactively sputtering a silicon target with beams of Ar + N2 mixtures. The nitrogen fraction in the sputtering gas was 0.05 to 0.80 at a total pressure of 6 to 2 millionth torr. The ion beam current was 50 mA at 500 V. The composition of the deposited films was investigated by auger electron spectroscopy and the rate of deposition was determined by interferometry. A relatively low rate of deposition of about 2 nm. one-tenth min. was found. AES spectra of films obtained with nitrogen fractions higher than 0.50 were consistent with a silicon to nitrogen ratio corresponding to Si3N4. However the AES spectra also indicated that the sputtered silicon nitride films were contaminated with oxygen and carbon and contained significant amounts of iron, nickel, and chromium, most probably sputtered from the holder of the substrate and target.

The characteristics of a new negative metal ion beam source and its applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paik, Namwoong

2001-10-01

Numerous efforts at energetic thin film deposition processes using ion beams have been made to meet the demands of today's thin film industry. As one of these efforts, a new Magnetron Sputter Negative Ion Source (MSNIS) was developed. In this study, the development and the characterization of the MSNIS were investigated. Amorphous carbon films were used as a sample coating medium to evaluate the ion beam energy effect. A review of energetic Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) techniques is presented in Chapter 1. The energetic PVD methods can be classified into two major categories: the indirect ion beam method Ion Beam Assisted Deposition (IBAD), and the direct ion beam method-Direct Ion Beam Deposition (DIBD). In this chapter, currently available DIBD processes such as Cathodic Arc, Laser Ablation, Ionized Physical Vapor Deposition (I-PVD) and Magnetron Sputter Negative Ion Source (MSNIS) are individually reviewed. The design and construction of the MSNIS is presented in chapter 2. The MSNIS is a hybrid of the conventional magnetron sputter configuration and the cesium surface ionizer. The negative sputtered ions are produced directly from the sputter target by surface ionization. In chapter 3, the ion beam and plasma characteristics of an 8″ diameter MSNIS are investigated using a retarding field analyzer and a cylindrical Langmuir Probe. The measured electron temperature is approximately 2-5 eV, while the plasma density and plasma potential were of the order of 10 11-1012 cm3 and 5-20 V, respectively, depending on the pressure and power. In chapter 4, in order to evaluate the effect of the ion beam on the resultant films, amorphous carbon films were deposited under various conditions. The structure of carbon films was investigated using Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The result suggests the fraction of spa bonding is more than 70% in some samples prepared by MSNIS while magnetron sputtered samples showed less than 30%. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Estimating carbon cluster binding energies from measured Cn distributions, n <= 10

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pargellis, A. N.

1990-08-01

Experimental data are presented for the cluster distribution of sputtered negative carbon clusters, C-n, with n≤10. Additionally, clusters have been observed with masses indicating they are CsC-2n, with n≤4. The C-n data are compared with the data obtained by other groups, for neutral and charged clusters, using a variety of sources such as evaporation, sputtering, and laser ablation. The data are used to estimate the cluster binding energies En, using the universal relation, En=(n-1)ΔHn+RTe [ln(Jn/J1)+0.5 ln(n)-α-(ΔSn-ΔS1)/R], derived from basic kinetic and thermodynamic relations. The estimated values agree astonishingly well with values from the literature, varying from published values by at most a few percent. In this equation, Jn is the observed current of n-atom clusters, ΔHn is the heat of vaporization, ΔH1=7.41 eV, and Te ≊0.25 eV (2900 K) is the effective source temperature. The relative change in cluster entropy during sublimation from the solid to vapor phase is approximated to first order by the relation (ΔSn-ΔS1)/R =3.1+0.9(n-2), and is fit to published data for n between 2 and 5 and temperatures between 2000 and 4000 K. The parameter α is empirical, obtained by fitting the data to known binding energies for Cn≤5 clusters. For evaporation sources, α must be zero, but α˜7 when sputtering with Cs+ ions, indicating the sputtered clusters appear to be in thermodynamic equilibrium, but not the atoms. Several possible mechanisms for the formation of clusters during sputtering are examined. One plausible mechanism is that atoms diffuse on the graphite surface to form clusters which are then desorbed by energetic, recoil atoms created in subsequent sputtering events.

Ion beam sputtering of fluoropolymers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sovey, J. S.

1978-01-01

Etching and deposition of fluoropolymers are of considerable industrial interest for applications dealing with adhesion, chemical inertness, hydrophobicity, and dielectric properties. This paper describes ion beam sputter processing rates as well as pertinent characteristics of etched targets and films. An argon ion beam source was used to sputter etch and deposit the fluoropolymers PTFE, FEP, and CTFE. Ion beam energy, current density, and target temperature were varied to examine effects on etch and deposition rates. The ion etched fluoropolymers yield cone or spire-like surface structures which vary depending upon the type of polymer, ion beam power density, etch time, and target temperature. Also presented are sputter target and film characteristics which were documented by spectral transmittance measurements, X-ray diffraction, ESCA, and SEM photomicrographs.

Development of selective surfaces. Semiannual technical progress report, September 11, 1978-April 30, 1979. [Multilayer coatings

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

Thornton, J.A.

1979-06-15

Magnetron sputtering technology, which permits coatings to be deposited over large areas with significantly increased deposition rates, is reviewed with particular emphasis on cylindrical magnetrons and their application to reactive sputtering. Work is reported in which cylindrical-post magnetron sputtering sources have been used to deposit both graded and multi-layered cermet-type coatings by sputtering chromium and type 304 stainless steel in Ar and O/sub 2/ and Ar and CO gas mixtures under various conditions of reactive gas injection. The substrates are aluminum-coated glass and aluminum foil. The coatings are of an interference type, typically about 100 nm thick, with a metal-rich,more » highly absorbing layer adjacent to the substrate and a dielectric material at the surface. In some cases a reactively sputtered aluminum oxide anti-reflective surface layer has also been used. No advantages have been found for using chromium as opposed to the more readily available stainless steel. The reactive sputtering with CO is attractive because under many conditions the sputtering rates are relatively large compared to oxygen. Hemispherical absorptance and emittance data are reported. Typical absorptances are about 0.90 with emittances of 0.10.« less

Electrical system for pulse-width modulated control of a power inverter using phase-shifted carrier signals and related operating methods

DOEpatents

Welchko, Brian A [Torrance, CA

2012-02-14

Systems and methods are provided for pulse-width modulated control of power inverter using phase-shifted carrier signals. An electrical system comprises an energy source and a motor. The motor has a first set of windings and a second set of windings, which are electrically isolated from each other. An inverter module is coupled between the energy source and the motor and comprises a first set of phase legs coupled to the first set of windings and a second set of phase legs coupled to the second set of windings. A controller is coupled to the inverter module and is configured to achieve a desired power flow between the energy source and the motor by modulating the first set of phase legs using a first carrier signal and modulating the second set of phase legs using a second carrier signal. The second carrier signal is phase-shifted relative to the first carrier signal.

Adaptive Selective Harmonic Minimization Based on ANNs for Cascade Multilevel Inverters With Varying DC Sources

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

Filho, Faete; Maia, Helder Z; Mateus, Tiago Henrique D

2013-01-01

A new approach for modulation of an 11-level cascade multilevel inverter using selective harmonic elimination is presented in this paper. The dc sources feeding the multilevel inverter are considered to be varying in time, and the switching angles are adapted to the dc source variation. This method uses genetic algorithms to obtain switching angles offline for different dc source values. Then, artificial neural networks are used to determine the switching angles that correspond to the real-time values of the dc sources for each phase. This implies that each one of the dc sources of this topology can have different valuesmore » at any time, but the output fundamental voltage will stay constant and the harmonic content will still meet the specifications. The modulating switching angles are updated at each cycle of the output fundamental voltage. This paper gives details on the method in addition to simulation and experimental results.« less

Current Source Based on H-Bridge Inverter with Output LCL Filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blahnik, Vojtech; Talla, Jakub; Peroutka, Zdenek

2015-09-01

The paper deals with a control of current source with an LCL output filter. The controlled current source is realized as a single-phase inverter and output LCL filter provides low ripple of output current. However, systems incorporating LCL filters require more complex control strategies and there are several interesting approaches to the control of this type of converter. This paper presents the inverter control algorithm, which combines model based control with a direct current control based on resonant controllers and single-phase vector control. The primary goal is to reduce the current ripple and distortion under required limits and provides fast and precise control of output current. The proposed control technique is verified by measurements on the laboratory model.

detectIR: a novel program for detecting perfect and imperfect inverted repeats using complex numbers and vector calculation.

PubMed

Ye, Congting; Ji, Guoli; Li, Lei; Liang, Chun

2014-01-01

Inverted repeats are present in abundance in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes and can form DNA secondary structures--hairpins and cruciforms that are involved in many important biological processes. Bioinformatics tools for efficient and accurate detection of inverted repeats are desirable, because existing tools are often less accurate and time consuming, sometimes incapable of dealing with genome-scale input data. Here, we present a MATLAB-based program called detectIR for the perfect and imperfect inverted repeat detection that utilizes complex numbers and vector calculation and allows genome-scale data inputs. A novel algorithm is adopted in detectIR to convert the conventional sequence string comparison in inverted repeat detection into vector calculation of complex numbers, allowing non-complementary pairs (mismatches) in the pairing stem and a non-palindromic spacer (loop or gaps) in the middle of inverted repeats. Compared with existing popular tools, our program performs with significantly higher accuracy and efficiency. Using genome sequence data from HIV-1, Arabidopsis thaliana, Homo sapiens and Zea mays for comparison, detectIR can find lots of inverted repeats missed by existing tools whose outputs often contain many invalid cases. detectIR is open source and its source code is freely available at: https://sourceforge.net/projects/detectir.

Evaluation of quasi-square wave inverter as a power source for induction motors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guynes, B. V.; Haggard, R. L.; Lanier, J. R., Jr.

1977-01-01

The relative merits of quasi-square wave inverter-motor technology versus a sine wave inverter-motor system were investigated. The empirical results of several tests on various sizes of wye-wound induction motors are presented with mathematical analysis to support the conclusions of the study. It was concluded that, within the limitations presented, the quasi-square wave inverter-motor system is superior to the more complex sine wave system for most induction motor applications in space.

Foundations for Protecting Renewable-Rich Distribution Systems.

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

Ellis, Abraham; Brahma, Sukumar; Ranade, Satish

High proliferation of Inverter Interfaced Distributed Energy Resources (IIDERs) into the electric distribution grid introduces new challenges to protection of such systems. This is because the existing protection systems are designed with two assumptions: 1) system is single-sourced, resulting in unidirectional fault current, and (2) fault currents are easily detectable due to much higher magnitudes compared to load currents. Due to the fact that most renewables interface with the grid though inverters, and inverters restrict their current output to levels close to the full load currents, both these assumptions are no longer valid - the system becomes multi-sourced, and overcurrent-basedmore » protection does not work. The primary scope of this study is to analyze the response of a grid-tied inverter to different faults in the grid, leading to new guidelines on protecting renewable-rich distribution systems.« less

Ion beam deposition of in situ superconducting Y-Ba-Cu-O films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klein, J. D.; Yen, A.; Clauson, S. L.

1990-01-01

Oriented superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 thin films were deposited on yttria-stabilized zirconia substrates by ion beam sputtering of a nonstoichiometric oxide target. The films exhibited zero-resistance critical temperatures as high as 80.5 K without post-deposition anneals. Both the deposition rate and the c lattice parameter data displayed two distinct regimes of dependence on the beam power of the ion source. Low-power sputtering yielded films with large c dimensions and low Tc's. Higher power sputtering produced a continuous decrease in the c lattice parameter and an increase in critical temperatures.

Particle beam experiments for the analysis of reactive sputtering processes in metals and polymer surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corbella, Carles; Grosse-Kreul, Simon; Kreiter, Oliver; de los Arcos, Teresa; Benedikt, Jan; von Keudell, Achim

2013-10-01

A beam experiment is presented to study heterogeneous reactions relevant to plasma-surface interactions in reactive sputtering applications. Atom and ion sources are focused onto the sample to expose it to quantified beams of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, noble gas ions, and metal vapor. The heterogeneous surface processes are monitored in situ by means of a quartz crystal microbalance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Two examples illustrate the capabilities of the particle beam setup: oxidation and nitriding of aluminum as a model of target poisoning during reactive magnetron sputtering, and plasma pre-treatment of polymers (PET, PP).

A 9700-hour durability test of a five centimeter diameter ion thruster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nakanishi, S.; Finke, R. C.

1973-01-01

A modified Hughes SIT-5 thruster was life-tested at the Lewis Research Center. The final 2700 hours of the test are described with a charted history of thruster operating parameters and off-normal events. Performance and operating characteristics were nearly constant throughout the test except for neutralizer heater power requirements and accelerator drain current. A post-shutdown inspection revealed sputter erosion of ion chamber components and component flaking of sputtered metal. Several flakes caused beamlet divergence and anomalous grid erosion, causing the test to be terminated. All sputter erosion sources were identified.

Ion beam sputtering of in situ superconducting Y-Ba-Cu-O films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klein, J. D.; Yen, A.; Clauson, S. L.

1990-05-01

Oriented superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 thin films were deposited on yttria stabilized zirconia and SrTiO3 substrates by ion-beam sputtering of a nonstoichiometric oxide target. The films exhibited zero-resistance critical temperatures as high as 83.5 K without post-deposition anneals. Both the deposition rate and the c-lattice parameter data displayed two distinct regimes of dependence on the beam power of the ion source. Low-power sputtering yielded films with large c-dimensions and low Tc. Higher-power sputtering produced a continuous decrease in the c-lattice parameter and increase in critical temperature. Films having the smaller c-lattice parameters were Cu rich. The Cu content of films deposited at beam voltages of 800 V and above increased with increasing beam power.

Highly efficient fully transparent inverted OLEDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer, J.; Winkler, T.; Hamwi, S.; Schmale, S.; Kröger, M.; Görrn, P.; Johannes, H.-H.; Riedl, T.; Lang, E.; Becker, D.; Dobbertin, T.; Kowalsky, W.

2007-09-01

One of the unique selling propositions of OLEDs is their potential to realize highly transparent devices over the visible spectrum. This is because organic semiconductors provide a large Stokes-Shift and low intrinsic absorption losses. Hence, new areas of applications for displays and ambient lighting become accessible, for instance, the integration of OLEDs into the windshield or the ceiling of automobiles. The main challenge in the realization of fully transparent devices is the deposition of the top electrode. ITO is commonly used as transparent bottom anode in a conventional OLED. To obtain uniform light emission over the entire viewing angle and a low series resistance, a TCO such as ITO is desirable as top contact as well. However, sputter deposition of ITO on top of organic layers causes damage induced by high energetic particles and UV radiation. We have found an efficient process to protect the organic layers against the ITO rf magnetron deposition process of ITO for an inverted OLED (IOLED). The inverted structure allows the integration of OLEDs in more powerful n-channel transistors used in active matrix backplanes. Employing the green electrophosphorescent material Ir(ppy) 3 lead to IOLED with a current efficiency of 50 cd/A and power efficiency of 24 lm/W at 100 cd/m2. The average transmittance exceeds 80 % in the visible region. The on-set voltage for light emission is lower than 3 V. In addition, by vertical stacking we achieved a very high current efficiency of more than 70 cd/A for transparent IOLED.

Current density distributions and sputter marks in electron cyclotron resonance ion sources

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

Panitzsch, Lauri; Peleikis, Thies; Boettcher, Stephan

2013-01-15

Most electron cyclotron resonance ion sources use hexapolar magnetic fields for the radial confinement of the plasma. The geometry of this magnetic structure is then-induced by charged particles-mapped onto the inner side of the plasma electrode via sputtering and deposition. The resulting structures usually show two different patterns: a sharp triangular one in the central region which in some cases is even sputtered deep into the material (referred to as thin groove or sharp structure), and a blurred but still triangular-like one in the surroundings (referred to as broad halo). Therefore, both patterns seem to have different sources. To investigatemore » their origins we replaced the standard plasma electrode by a custom-built plasma electrode acting as a planar, multi-segment current-detector. For different biased disc voltages, detector positions, and source biases (referred to the detector) we measured the electrical current density distributions in the plane of the plasma electrode. The results show a strong and sharply confined electron population with triangular shape surrounded by less intense and spatially less confined ions. Observed sputter- and deposition marks are related to the analysis of the results. Our measurements suggest that the two different patterns (thin and broad) indeed originate from different particle populations. The thin structures seem to be caused by the hot electron population while the broad marks seem to stem from the medium to highly charged ions. In this paper we present our measurements together with theoretical considerations and substantiate the conclusions drawn above. The validity of these results is also discussed.« less

Caesium sputter ion source compatible with commercial SIMS instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belykh, S. F.; Palitsin, V. V.; Veryovkin, I. V.; Kovarsky, A. P.; Chang, R. J. H.; Adriaens, A.; Dowsett, M.; Adams, F.

2006-07-01

A simple design for a caesium sputter cluster ion source compatible with commercially available secondary ion mass spectrometers is reported. This source has been tested with the Cameca IMS 4f instrument using the cluster Si n- and Cu n- ions, and will shortly be retrofitted to the floating low energy ion gun (FLIG) of the type used on the Cameca 4500/4550 quadruple instruments. Our experiments with surface characterization and depth profiling conducted to date demonstrate improvements of analytical capabilities of the SIMS instrument due to the non-additive enhancement of secondary ion emission and shorter ion ranges of polyatomic projectiles compared to atomic ions with the same impact energy.

An inverter/controller subsystem optimized for photovoltaic applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pickrell, R. L.; Osullivan, G.; Merrill, W. C.

1978-01-01

Conversion of solar array dc power to ac power stimulated the specification, design, and simulation testing of an inverter/controller subsystem tailored to the photovoltaic power source characteristics. Optimization of the inverter/controller design is discussed as part of an overall photovoltaic power system designed for maximum energy extraction from the solar array. The special design requirements for the inverter/ controller include: a power system controller (PSC) to control continuously the solar array operating point at the maximum power level based on variable solar insolation and cell temperatures; and an inverter designed for high efficiency at rated load and low losses at light loadings to conserve energy.

Technical use of compact micro-onde devicesa)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sortais, P.; Lamy, T.; Médard, J.; Angot, J.; Sudraud, P.; Salord, O.; Homri, S.

2012-02-01

Due to the very small size of a COMIC (Compact MIcrowave and Coaxial) device [P. Sortais, T. Lamy, J. Médard, J. Angot, L. Latrasse, and T. Thuillier, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 81, 02B31 (2010), 10.1063/1.3272878] it is possible to install such plasma or ion source inside very different technical environments. New applications of such a device are presented, mainly for industrial applications. We have now designed ion sources for highly focused ion beam devices, ion beam machining ion guns, or thin film deposition machines. We will mainly present new capabilities opened by the use of a multi-beam system for thin film deposition based on sputtering by medium energy ion beams. With the new concept of multi-beam sputtering (MBS), it is possible to open new possibilities concerning the ion beam sputtering (IBS) technology, especially for large size deposition of high uniformity thin films. By the use of multi-spots of evaporation, each one corresponding to an independent tuning of an individual COMIC ion source, it will be very easy to co-evaporate different components.

Ion-Deposited Polished Coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Banks, B. A.

1986-01-01

Polished, dense, adherent coatings relatively free of imperfections. New process consists of using broad-beam ion source in evacuated chamber to ion-clean rotating surface that allows grazing incidence of ion beam. This sputter cleans off absorbed gases, organic contaminants, and oxides of mirror surface. In addition to cleaning, surface protrusions sputter-etched away. Process particularly adaptable to polishing of various substrates for optical or esthetic purposes.

Molecular dynamics investigation of hexagonal boron nitride sputtering and sputtered particle characteristics

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

Smith, Brandon D., E-mail: bradenis@umich.edu; Boyd, Iain D.

The sputtering of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) by impacts of energetic xenon ions is investigated using a molecular dynamics (MD) model. The model is implemented within an open-source MD framework that utilizes graphics processing units to accelerate its calculations, allowing the sputtering process to be studied in much greater detail than has been feasible in the past. Integrated sputter yields are computed over a range of ion energies from 20 eV to 300 eV, and incidence angles from 0° to 75°. Sputtering of boron is shown to occur at energies as low as 40 eV at normal incidence, and sputtering of nitrogen atmore » as low as 30 eV at normal incidence, suggesting a threshold energy between 20 eV and 40 eV. The sputter yields at 0° incidence are compared to existing experimental data and are shown to agree well over the range of ion energies investigated. The semi-empirical Bohdansky curve and an empirical exponential function are fit to the data at normal incidence, and the threshold energy for sputtering is calculated from the Bohdansky curve fit as 35 ± 2 eV. These results are shown to compare well with experimental observations that the threshold energy lies between 20 eV and 40 eV. It is demonstrated that h-BN sputters predominantly as atomic boron and diatomic nitrogen, and the velocity distribution function (VDF) of sputtered boron atoms is investigated. The calculated VDFs are found to reproduce the Sigmund-Thompson distribution predicted by Sigmund's linear cascade theory of sputtering. The average surface binding energy computed from Sigmund-Thompson curve fits is found to be 4.5 eV for ion energies of 100 eV and greater. This compares well to the value of 4.8 eV determined from independent experiments.« less

Copper deposition on fabrics by rf plasma sputtering for medical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Segura, G.; Guzmán, P.; Zuñiga, P.; Chaves, S.; Barrantes, Y.; Navarro, G.; Asenjo, J.; Guadamuz Vargas, S., VI; Chaves, J.

2015-03-01

The present work is about preparation and characterization of RF sputtered Cu films on cotton by the usage of a Magnetron Sputter Source and 99.995% purity Cu target at room temperature. Cotton fabric samples of 1, 2 and 4 min of sputtering time at discharge pressure of 1×10-2 Torr and distance between target and sample of 8 cm were used. The main goal was to qualitatively test the antimicrobial action of copper on fabrics. For that purpose, a reference strain of Escherichia Coli ATCC 35218 that were grown in TSA plates was implemented. Results indicated a decrease in the growth of bacteria by contact with Cu; for fabric samples with longer sputtering presented lower development of E. coli colonies. The scope of this research focused on using these new textiles in health field, for example socks can be made with this textile for the treatment of athlete's foot and the use in pajamas, sheets, pillow covers and robes in hospital setting for reducing the spread of microorganisms.

Consistent kinetic simulation of plasma and sputtering in low temperature plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmidt, Frederik; Trieschmann, Jan; Mussenbrock, Thomas

2016-09-01

Plasmas are commonly used in sputtering applications for the deposition of thin films. Although magnetron sources are a prominent choice, capacitively coupled plasmas have certain advantages (e.g., sputtering of non-conducting and/or ferromagnetic materials, aside of excellent control of the ion energy distribution). In order to understand the collective plasma and sputtering dynamics, a kinetic simulation model is helpful. Particle-in-Cell has been proven to be successful in simulating the plasma dynamics, while the Test-Multi-Particle-Method can be used to describe the sputtered neutral species. In this talk a consistent combination of these methods is presented by consistently coupling the simulated ion flux as input to a neutral particle transport model. The combined model is used to simulate and discuss the spatially dependent densities, fluxes and velocity distributions of all particles. This work is supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) in the frame of Transregional Collaborative Research Center (SFB) TR-87.

Ground Fault Overvoltage With Inverter-Interfaced Distributed Energy Resources

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

Ropp, Michael; Hoke, Anderson; Chakraborty, Sudipta

Ground Fault Overvoltage can occur in situations in which a four-wire distribution circuit is energized by an ungrounded voltage source during a single phase to ground fault. The phenomenon is well-documented with ungrounded synchronous machines, but there is considerable discussion about whether inverters cause this phenomenon, and consequently whether inverters require effective grounding. This paper examines the overvoltages that can be supported by inverters during single phase to ground faults via theory, simulation and experiment, identifies the relevant physical mechanisms, quantifies expected levels of overvoltage, and makes recommendations for optimal mitigation.

Moment-Tensor Spectra of Source Physics Experiments (SPE) Explosions in Granite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, X.; Cleveland, M.

2016-12-01

We perform frequency-domain moment tensor inversions of Source Physics Experiments (SPE) explosions conducted in granite during Phase I of the experiment. We test the sensitivity of source moment-tensor spectra to factors such as the velocity model, selected dataset and smoothing and damping parameters used in the inversion to constrain the error bound of inverted source spectra. Using source moments and corner frequencies measured from inverted source spectra of these explosions, we develop a new explosion P-wave source model that better describes observed source spectra of these small and over-buried chemical explosions detonated in granite than classical explosion source models derived mainly from nuclear-explosion data. In addition to source moment and corner frequency, we analyze other features in the source spectra to investigate their physical causes.

Converter topologies for common mode voltage reduction

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

Rodriguez, Fernando

An inverter includes a three-winding transformer, a DC-AC inverter electrically coupled to the first winding of the transformer, a cycloconverter electrically coupled to the second winding of the transformer, and an active filter electrically coupled to the third winding of the transformer. The DC-AC inverter is adapted to convert the input DC waveform to an AC waveform delivered to the transformer at the first winding. The cycloconverter is adapted to convert an AC waveform received at the second winding of the transformer to the output AC waveform having a grid frequency of the AC grid. The active filter is adaptedmore » to sink and source power with one or more energy storage devices based on a mismatch in power between the DC source and the AC grid. At least two of the DC-AC inverter, the cycloconverter, or the active filter are electrically coupled via a common reference electrical interconnect.« less

Power inverter implementing phase skipping control

DOEpatents

Somani, Utsav; Amirahmadi, Ahmadreza; Jourdan, Charles; Batarseh, Issa

2016-10-18

A power inverter includes a DC/AC inverter having first, second and third phase circuitry coupled to receive power from a power source. A controller is coupled to a driver for each of the first, second and third phase circuitry (control input drivers). The controller includes an associated memory storing a phase skipping control algorithm, wherein the controller is coupled to receive updating information including a power level generated by the power source. The drivers are coupled to control inputs of the first, second and third phase circuitry, where the drivers are configured for receiving phase skipping control signals from the controller and outputting mode selection signals configured to dynamically select an operating mode for the DC/AC inverter from a Normal Control operation and a Phase Skipping Control operation which have different power injection patterns through the first, second and third phase circuitry depending upon the power level.

Design and Implementation of 13 Levels Multilevel Inverter for Photovoltaic System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Subramani, C.; Dhineshkumar, K.; Palanivel, P.

2018-04-01

This paper approaches the appearing and modernization of S-Type PV based 13- level multilevel inverter with less quantity of switch. The current S-Type Multi level inverter contains more number of switches and voltage sources. Multilevel level inverter is a be understandable among the most gainful power converters for high power application and present day applications with reduced switches. The fundamental good arrangement of the 13-level multilevel inverter is to get ventured voltage from a couple of levels of DC voltages.. The controller gives actual way day and age to switches through driver circuit using PWM methodology. The execution assessment of proposed multilevel inverter is checked using MATLAB/Simulink. This is the outstanding among other techniquem appeared differently in relation to all other existing system

Using the Multipole Resonance Probe to Stabilize the Electron Density During a Reactive Sputter Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oberberg, Moritz; Styrnoll, Tim; Ries, Stefan; Bienholz, Stefan; Awakowicz, Peter

2015-09-01

Reactive sputter processes are used for the deposition of hard, wear-resistant and non-corrosive ceramic layers such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3) . A well known problem is target poisoning at high reactive gas flows, which results from the reaction of the reactive gas with the metal target. Consequently, the sputter rate decreases and secondary electron emission increases. Both parameters show a non-linear hysteresis behavior as a function of the reactive gas flow and this leads to process instabilities. This work presents a new control method of Al2O3 deposition in a multiple frequency CCP (MFCCP) based on plasma parameters. Until today, process controls use parameters such as spectral line intensities of sputtered metal as an indicator for the sputter rate. A coupling between plasma and substrate is not considered. The control system in this work uses a new plasma diagnostic method: The multipole resonance probe (MRP) measures plasma parameters such as electron density by analyzing a typical resonance frequency of the system response. This concept combines target processes and plasma effects and directly controls the sputter source instead of the resulting target parameters.

Ion beam sputter modification of the surface morphology of biological implants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weigand, A. J.; Banks, B. A.

1976-01-01

The surface chemistry and texture of materials used for biological implants may significantly influence their performance and biocompatibility. Recent interest in the microscopic control of implant surface texture has led to the evaluation of ion beam sputtering as a potentially useful surface roughening technique. Ion sources, similar to electron bombardment ion thrusters designed for propulsive applications, are used to roughen the surfaces of various biocompatible alloys or polymer materials. These materials are typically used for dental implants, orthopedic prostheses, vascular prostheses, and artificial heart components. Masking techniques and resulting surface textures are described along with progress concerning evaluation of the biological response to the ion beam sputtered surfaces.

Ion-beam-sputter modification of the surface morphology of biological implants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weigand, A. J.; Banks, B. A.

1977-01-01

The surface chemistry and texture of materials used for biological implants may significantly influence their performance and biocompatibility. Recent interest in the microscopic control of implant surface texture has led to the evaluation of ion-beam sputtering as a potentially useful surface roughening technique. Ion sources, similar to electron-bombardment ion thrusters designed for propulsive applications, are used to roughen the surfaces of various biocompatible alloys or polymer materials. These materials are typically used for dental implants, orthopedic prostheses, vascular prostheses, and artificial heart components. Masking techniques and resulting surface textures are described along with progress concerning evaluation of the biological response to the ion-beam-sputtered surfaces.

Results of the mission profile life test. [for J-series mercury ion engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bechtel, R. T.; Trump, G. E.; James, E. L.

1982-01-01

Seven J series 30-cm diameter thrusters have been tested in segments of up to 5,070 hr, for 14,541 hr in the Mission Profile Life Test facility. Test results have indicated the basic thruster design to be consistent with the lifetime goal of 15,000 hr at 2-A beam. The only areas of concern identified which appear to require additional verification testing involve contamination of mercury propellant isolators, which may be due to facility constituents, and the ability of specially covered surfaces to contain sputtered material and prevent flake formation. The ability of the SCR, series resonant inverter power processor to operate the J series thruster and autonomous computer control of the thruster/processor system were demonstrated.

Effect of Inverter Power Source Characteristics on Welding Stability and Heat Affected Zone Dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Il'yaschenko, D. P.; Chinakhov, D. A.; Mamadaliev, R. A.

2018-01-01

The paper presents results the research in the effect of power sources dynamic characteristics on stability of melting and electrode metal transfer to the weld pool shielded metal arc welding. It is proved that when applying inverter-type welding power sources, heat and mass transfer characteristics change, arc gap short-circuit time and drop generation time are reduced. This leads to reduction of weld pool heat content and contraction of the heat-affected zone by 36% in comparison the same parameters obtained using a diode rectifier.

Secondary ion formation during electronic and nuclear sputtering of germanium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breuer, L.; Ernst, P.; Herder, M.; Meinerzhagen, F.; Bender, M.; Severin, D.; Wucher, A.

2018-06-01

Using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer attached to the UNILAC beamline located at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, we investigate the formation of secondary ions sputtered from a germanium surface under irradiation by swift heavy ions (SHI) such as 5 MeV/u Au by simultaneously recording the mass spectra of the ejected secondary ions and their neutral counterparts. In these experiments, the sputtered neutral material is post-ionized via single photon absorption from a pulsed, intensive VUV laser. After post-ionization, the instrument cannot distinguish between secondary ions and post-ionized neutrals, so that both signals can be directly compared in order to investigate the ionization probability of different sputtered species. In order to facilitate an in-situ comparison with typical nuclear sputtering conditions, the system is also equipped with a conventional rare gas ion source delivering a 5 keV argon ion beam. For a dynamically sputter cleaned surface, it is found that the ionization probability of Ge atoms and Gen clusters ejected under electronic sputtering conditions is by more than an order of magnitude higher than that measured for keV sputtered particles. In addition, the mass spectra obtained under SHI irradiation show prominent signals of GenOm clusters, which are predominantly detected as positive or negative secondary ions. From the m-distribution for a given Ge nuclearity n, one can deduce that the sputtered material must originate from a germanium oxide matrix with approximate GeO stoichiometry, probably due to residual native oxide patches even at the dynamically cleaned surface. The results clearly demonstrate a fundamental difference between the ejection and ionization mechanisms in both cases, which is interpreted in terms of corresponding model calculations.

Modeling, Development and Control of Multilevel Converters for Power System Application =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vahedi, Hani

The main goal of this project is to develop a multilevel converter topology to be useful in power system applications. Although many topologies are introduced rapidly using a bunch of switches and isolated dc sources, having a single-dc-source multilevel inverter is still a matter of controversy. In fact, each isolated dc source means a bulky transformer and a rectifier that have their own losses and costs forcing the industries to avoid entering in this topic conveniently. On the other hand, multilevel inverters topologies with single-dc-source require associated controllers to regulate the dc capacitors voltages in order to have multilevel voltage waveform at the output. Thus, a complex controller would not interest investors properly. Consequently, developing a single-dc-source multilevel inverter topology along with a light and reliable voltage control is still a challenging topic to replace the 2-level inverters in the market effectively. The first effort in this project was devoted to the PUC7 inverter to design a simple and yet efficient controller. A new modelling is performed on the PUC7 inverter and it has been simplified to first order system. Afterwards, a nonlinear cascaded controller is designed and applied to regulate the capacitor voltage at 1/3 of the DC source amplitude and to generate 7 identical voltage levels at the output supplying different type of loads such as RL or rectifier harmonic ones. In next work, the PUC5 topology is proposed as a remedy to the PUC7 that requires a complicated controller to operate properly. The capacitor voltage is regulated at half of dc source amplitude to generate 5 voltage levels at the output. Although the 7-level voltage waveform is replaced by a 5-level one in PUC5 topology, it is shown that the PUC5 needs a very simple and reliable voltage balancing technique due to having some redundant switching states. Moreover, a sensor-less voltage balancing technique is designed and implemented on the PUC5 inverter successfully to work in both stand-alone and gridconnected mode of operation. Eventually, a modified configuration of the PUC5 topology is presented to work as a buck PFC rectifier. The internal performance of the rectifier is like a buck converter to generate stepped down DC voltages at the two output terminals while the grid sees a boost converter externally. As well, a decoupled voltage/current controller is designed and applied to balance the output voltages identically and synchronize the input current with grid voltage to have a PFC operation acceptably. A power balance analysis is done to show the load variation range limit. All the theoretical and simulation studies are validated by experimental results completely.

Ring and plasma - The enigmae of Enceladus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haff, P. K.; Siscoe, G. L.; Eviatar, A.

1983-01-01

The E ring associated with the Kronian moon Enceladus has a lifetime of only a few thousand years against sputtering by slow corotating O ions. The existence of the ring implies the necessity for a continuous supply of matter. Possible particle source mechanisms on Enceladus include meteoroidal impact ejection and geysering. Estimates of ejection rates of particulate debris following small meteoroid impact are on the order of 3 x 10 to the -18th g/(sq cm sec), more than an order of magnitude too small to sustain the ring. A geyser source would need to generate a droplet supply at a rate of approximately 10 to the -16th g/(sq cm sec) in order to account for a stable ring. Enceladus and the ring particles also directly supply both plasma and vapor to space via sputtering. The absence of a 60 eV plasma at the Voyager 2 Enceladus L-shell crossing, such as might have been expected from sputtering, cannot be explained by absorption and moderation of plasma ions by ring particles, because the ring is too diffuse. Evidently, the effective sputtering yield in the vicinity of Enceladus is on the order of, or smaller than, 0.4, about an order of magnitude less than te calculated value. Small scale surface roughness may account for some of this discrepancy.

Silicon oxynitride films deposited by reactive high power impulse magnetron sputtering using nitrous oxide as a single-source precursor

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

Hänninen, Tuomas, E-mail: tuoha@ifm.liu.se; Schmidt, Susann; Jensen, Jens

2015-09-15

Silicon oxynitride thin films were synthesized by reactive high power impulse magnetron sputtering of silicon in argon/nitrous oxide plasmas. Nitrous oxide was employed as a single-source precursor supplying oxygen and nitrogen for the film growth. The films were characterized by elastic recoil detection analysis, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, x-ray reflectivity, scanning electron microscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. Results show that the films are silicon rich, amorphous, and exhibit a random chemical bonding structure. The optical properties with the refractive index and the extinction coefficient correlate with the film elemental composition, showing decreasing values with increasing film oxygen and nitrogen content.more » The total percentage of oxygen and nitrogen in the films is controlled by adjusting the gas flow ratio in the deposition processes. Furthermore, it is shown that the film oxygen-to-nitrogen ratio can be tailored by the high power impulse magnetron sputtering-specific parameters pulse frequency and energy per pulse.« less

Non-imaging ray-tracing for sputtering simulation with apodization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ou, Chung-Jen

2018-04-01

Although apodization patterns have been adopted for the analysis of sputtering sources, the analytical solutions for the film thickness equations are yet limited to only simple conditions. Empirical formulations for thin film sputtering lacking the flexibility in dealing with multi-substrate conditions, a suitable cost-effective procedure is required to estimate the film thickness distribution. This study reports a cross-discipline simulation program, which is based on discrete particle Monte-Carlo methods and has been successfully applied to a non-imaging design to solve problems associated with sputtering uniformity. Robustness of the present method is first proved by comparing it with a typical analytical solution. Further, this report also investigates the overall all effects cause by the sizes of the deposited substrate, such that the determination of the distance between the target surface and the apodization index can be complete. This verifies the capability of the proposed method for solving the sputtering film thickness problems. The benefit is that an optical thin film engineer can, using the same optical software, design a specific optical component and consider the possible coating qualities with thickness tolerance, during the design stage.

Comparative study of ITO and TiN fabricated by low-temperature RF biased sputtering

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

Simon, Daniel K., E-mail: daniel.simon@namlab.com; Schenk, Tony; Dirnstorfer, Ingo

2016-03-15

Radio frequency (RF) biasing induced by a second plasma source at the substrate is applied to low-temperature sputtering processes for indium tin oxide (ITO) and titanium nitride (TiN) thin films. Investigations on crystal structure and surface morphology show that RF-biased substrate plasma processes result in a changed growth regime with different grain sizes and orientations than those produced by processes without a substrate bias. The influence of the RF bias is shown comparatively for reactive RF-sputtered ITO and reactive direct-current-sputtered TiN. The ITO layers exhibit an improved electrical resistivity of 0.5 mΩ cm and an optical absorption coefficient of 0.5 × 10{sup 4 }cm{supmore » −1} without substrate heating. Room-temperature sputtered TiN layers are deposited that possess a resistivity (0.1 mΩ cm) of 3 orders of magnitude lower than, and a density (5.4 g/cm{sup 3}) up to 45% greater than, those obtained from layers grown using the standard process without a substrate plasma.« less

Non-imaging ray-tracing for sputtering simulation with apodization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ou, Chung-Jen

2018-06-01

Although apodization patterns have been adopted for the analysis of sputtering sources, the analytical solutions for the film thickness equations are yet limited to only simple conditions. Empirical formulations for thin film sputtering lacking the flexibility in dealing with multi-substrate conditions, a suitable cost-effective procedure is required to estimate the film thickness distribution. This study reports a cross-discipline simulation program, which is based on discrete particle Monte-Carlo methods and has been successfully applied to a non-imaging design to solve problems associated with sputtering uniformity. Robustness of the present method is first proved by comparing it with a typical analytical solution. Further, this report also investigates the overall all effects cause by the sizes of the deposited substrate, such that the determination of the distance between the target surface and the apodization index can be complete. This verifies the capability of the proposed method for solving the sputtering film thickness problems. The benefit is that an optical thin film engineer can, using the same optical software, design a specific optical component and consider the possible coating qualities with thickness tolerance, during the design stage.

On an efficient multilevel inverter assembly: structural savings and design optimisations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choupan, Reza; Nazarpour, Daryoush; Golshannavaz, Sajjad

2018-01-01

This study puts forward an efficient unit cell to be taken in use in multilevel inverter assemblies. The proposed structure is in line with reductions in number of direct current (dc) voltage sources, insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), gate driver circuits, installation area, and hence the implementation costs. Such structural savings do not sacrifice the technical performance of the proposed design wherein an increased number of output voltage levels is attained, interestingly. Targeting a techno-economic characteristic, the contemplated structure is included as the key unit of cascaded multilevel inverters. Such extensions require development of applicable design procedures. To this end, two efficient strategies are elaborated to determine the magnitudes of input dc voltage sources. As well, an optimisation process is developed to explore the optimal allocation of different parameters in overall performance of the proposed inverter. These parameters are investigated as the number of IGBTs, dc sources, diodes, and overall blocked voltage on switches. In the lights of these characteristics, a comprehensive analysis is established to compare the proposed design with the conventional and recently developed structures. Detailed simulation and experimental studies are conducted to assess the performance of the proposed design. The obtained results are discussed in depth.

A new highly automated sputter equipment for in situ investigation of deposition processes with synchrotron radiation.

PubMed

Döhrmann, Ralph; Botta, Stephan; Buffet, Adeline; Santoro, Gonzalo; Schlage, Kai; Schwartzkopf, Matthias; Bommel, Sebastian; Risch, Johannes F H; Mannweiler, Roman; Brunner, Simon; Metwalli, Ezzeldin; Müller-Buschbaum, Peter; Roth, Stephan V

2013-04-01

HASE (Highly Automated Sputter Equipment) is a new mobile setup developed to investigate deposition processes with synchrotron radiation. HASE is based on an ultra-high vacuum sputter deposition chamber equipped with an in-vacuum sample pick-and-place robot. This enables a fast and reliable sample change without breaking the vacuum conditions and helps to save valuable measurement time, which is required for experiments at synchrotron sources like PETRA III at DESY. An advantageous arrangement of several sputter guns, mounted on a rotative flange, gives the possibility to sputter under different deposition angles or to sputter different materials on the same substrate. The chamber is also equipped with a modular sample stage, which allows for the integration of different sample environments, such as a sample heating and cooling device. The design of HASE is unique in the flexibility. The combination of several different sputtering methods like standard deposition, glancing angle deposition, and high pressure sputter deposition combined with heating and cooling possibilities of the sample, the large exit windows, and the degree of automation facilitate many different grazing incidence X-ray scattering experiments, such as grazing incidence small and wide angle X-ray scattering, in one setup. In this paper we describe in detail the design and the performance of the new equipment and present the installation of the HASE apparatus at the Micro and Nano focus X-ray Scattering beamline (MiNaXS) at PETRA III. Furthermore, we describe the measurement options and present some selected results. The HASE setup has been successfully commissioned and is now available for users.

Full System Model of Magnetron Sputter Chamber - Proof-of-Principle Study

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

Walton, C; Gilmer, G; Zepeda-Ruiz, L

2007-05-04

The lack of detailed knowledge of internal process conditions remains a key challenge in magnetron sputtering, both for chamber design and for process development. Fundamental information such as the pressure and temperature distribution of the sputter gas, and the energies and arrival angles of the sputtered atoms and other energetic species is often missing, or is only estimated from general formulas. However, open-source or low-cost tools are available for modeling most steps of the sputter process, which can give more accurate and complete data than textbook estimates, using only desktop computations. To get a better understanding of magnetron sputtering, wemore » have collected existing models for the 5 major process steps: the input and distribution of the neutral background gas using Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC), dynamics of the plasma using Particle In Cell-Monte Carlo Collision (PIC-MCC), impact of ions on the target using molecular dynamics (MD), transport of sputtered atoms to the substrate using DSMC, and growth of the film using hybrid Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) and MD methods. Models have been tested against experimental measurements. For example, gas rarefaction as observed by Rossnagel and others has been reproduced, and it is associated with a local pressure increase of {approx}50% which may strongly influence film properties such as stress. Results on energies and arrival angles of sputtered atoms and reflected gas neutrals are applied to the Kinetic Monte Carlo simulation of film growth. Model results and applications to growth of dense Cu and Be films are presented.« less

A new highly automated sputter equipment for in situ investigation of deposition processes with synchrotron radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Döhrmann, Ralph; Botta, Stephan; Buffet, Adeline; Santoro, Gonzalo; Schlage, Kai; Schwartzkopf, Matthias; Bommel, Sebastian; Risch, Johannes F. H.; Mannweiler, Roman; Brunner, Simon; Metwalli, Ezzeldin; Müller-Buschbaum, Peter; Roth, Stephan V.

2013-04-01

HASE (Highly Automated Sputter Equipment) is a new mobile setup developed to investigate deposition processes with synchrotron radiation. HASE is based on an ultra-high vacuum sputter deposition chamber equipped with an in-vacuum sample pick-and-place robot. This enables a fast and reliable sample change without breaking the vacuum conditions and helps to save valuable measurement time, which is required for experiments at synchrotron sources like PETRA III at DESY. An advantageous arrangement of several sputter guns, mounted on a rotative flange, gives the possibility to sputter under different deposition angles or to sputter different materials on the same substrate. The chamber is also equipped with a modular sample stage, which allows for the integration of different sample environments, such as a sample heating and cooling device. The design of HASE is unique in the flexibility. The combination of several different sputtering methods like standard deposition, glancing angle deposition, and high pressure sputter deposition combined with heating and cooling possibil-ities of the sample, the large exit windows, and the degree of automation facilitate many different grazing incidence X-ray scattering experiments, such as grazing incidence small and wide angle X-ray scattering, in one setup. In this paper we describe in detail the design and the performance of the new equipment and present the installation of the HASE apparatus at the Micro and Nano focus X-ray Scattering beamline (MiNaXS) at PETRA III. Furthermore, we describe the measurement options and present some selected results. The HASE setup has been successfully commissioned and is now available for users.

Ionospheric current source modeling and global geomagnetic induction using ground geomagnetic observatory data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sun, Jin; Kelbert, Anna; Egbert, G.D.

2015-01-01

Long-period global-scale electromagnetic induction studies of deep Earth conductivity are based almost exclusively on magnetovariational methods and require accurate models of external source spatial structure. We describe approaches to inverting for both the external sources and three-dimensional (3-D) conductivity variations and apply these methods to long-period (T≥1.2 days) geomagnetic observatory data. Our scheme involves three steps: (1) Observatory data from 60 years (only partly overlapping and with many large gaps) are reduced and merged into dominant spatial modes using a scheme based on frequency domain principal components. (2) Resulting modes are inverted for corresponding external source spatial structure, using a simplified conductivity model with radial variations overlain by a two-dimensional thin sheet. The source inversion is regularized using a physically based source covariance, generated through superposition of correlated tilted zonal (quasi-dipole) current loops, representing ionospheric source complexity smoothed by Earth rotation. Free parameters in the source covariance model are tuned by a leave-one-out cross-validation scheme. (3) The estimated data modes are inverted for 3-D Earth conductivity, assuming the source excitation estimated in step 2. Together, these developments constitute key components in a practical scheme for simultaneous inversion of the catalogue of historical and modern observatory data for external source spatial structure and 3-D Earth conductivity.

Pulse width modulation inverter with battery charger

DOEpatents

Slicker, James M.

1985-01-01

An inverter is connected between a source of DC power and a three-phase AC induction motor, and a microprocessor-based circuit controls the inverter using pulse width modulation techniques. In the disclosed method of pulse width modulation, both edges of each pulse of a carrier pulse train are equally modulated by a time proportional to sin .theta., where .theta. is the angular displacement of the pulse center at the motor stator frequency from a fixed reference point on the carrier waveform. The carrier waveform frequency is a multiple of the motor stator frequency. The modulated pulse train is then applied to each of the motor phase inputs with respective phase shifts of 120.degree. at the stator frequency. Switching control commands for electronic switches in the inverter are stored in a random access memory (RAM) and the locations of the RAM are successively read out in a cyclic manner, each bit of a given RAM location controlling a respective phase input of the motor. The DC power source preferably comprises rechargeable batteries and all but one of the electronic switches in the inverter can be disabled, the remaining electronic switch being part of a "flyback" DC-DC converter circuit for recharging the battery.

Pulse width modulation inverter with battery charger

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slicker, James M. (Inventor)

1985-01-01

An inverter is connected between a source of DC power and a three-phase AC induction motor, and a microprocessor-based circuit controls the inverter using pulse width modulation techniques. In the disclosed method of pulse width modulation, both edges of each pulse of a carrier pulse train are equally modulated by a time proportional to sin .theta., where .theta. is the angular displacement of the pulse center at the motor stator frequency from a fixed reference point on the carrier waveform. The carrier waveform frequency is a multiple of the motor stator frequency. The modulated pulse train is then applied to each of the motor phase inputs with respective phase shifts of 120.degree. at the stator frequency. Switching control commands for electronic switches in the inverter are stored in a random access memory (RAM) and the locations of the RAM are successively read out in a cyclic manner, each bit of a given RAM location controlling a respective phase input of the motor. The DC power source preferably comprises rechargeable batteries and all but one of the electronic switches in the inverter can be disabled, the remaining electronic switch being part of a flyback DC-DC converter circuit for recharging the battery.

Transistorized PWM inverter-induction motor drive system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peak, S. C.; Plunkett, A. B.

1982-01-01

This paper describes the development of a transistorized PWM inverter-induction motor traction drive system. A vehicle performance analysis was performed to establish the vehicle tractive effort-speed requirements. These requirements were then converted into a set of inverter and motor specifications. The inverter was a transistorized three-phase bridge using General Electric power Darlington transistors. The description of the design and development of this inverter is the principal object of this paper. The high-speed induction motor is a design which is optimized for use with an inverter power source. The primary feedback control is a torque angle control with voltage and torque outer loop controls. A current-controlled PWM technique is used to control the motor voltage. The drive has a constant torque output with PWM operation to base motor speed and a constant horsepower output with square wave operation to maximum speed. The drive system was dynamometer tested and the results are presented.

INVERTING CASCADE IMPACTOR DATA FOR SIZE-RESOLVED CHARACTERIZATION OF FINE PARTICULATE SOURCE EMISSIONS

EPA Science Inventory

Cascade impactors are particularly useful in determining the mass size distributions of particulate and individual chemical species. The impactor raw data must be inverted to reconstruct a continuous particle size distribution. An inversion method using a lognormal function for p...

Cosine (Cobalt Silicide Growth Through Nitrogen-Induced Epitaxy) Process For Epitaxial Cobalt Silicide Formation For High Performance Sha

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

Lim, Chong Wee; Shin, Chan Soo; Gall, Daniel

A method for forming an epitaxial cobalt silicide layer on a MOS device includes sputter depositing cobalt in an ambient to form a first layer of cobalt suicide on a gate and source/drain regions of the MOS device. Subsequently, cobalt is sputter deposited again in an ambient of argon to increase the thickness of the cobalt silicide layer to a second thickness.

Advanced Inertial Technologies. Volume 3

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-06-01

carried out under all of the technical tasks by means of publication of reports, presentation of papers , attendance at symposia, etc., this task is...sputter deposition by conventional RF sputter techniques. This choice was indicated by past experience on other programs show- ing that solid spherical...through R3 are source resistors for th« op cimp LPF and, as such, are inversely proportional to gain. Equation (4-4) n.ust be solved by iteration

The underside of the cerebral cortex: layer V/VI spiny inverted neurons

PubMed Central

Mendizabal-Zubiaga, Juan L; Reblet, Concepcion; Bueno-Lopez, Jose L

2007-01-01

This paper presents an account of past and current research on spiny inverted neurons – alternatively also known as ‘inverted pyramidal neurons’– in rats, rabbits and cats. In our laboratory, we have studied these cells with a battery of techniques suited for light and electron microscopy, including Nissl staining, Golgi impregnation, dye intracellular filling and axon retrograde track-tracing. Our results show that spiny inverted neurons make up less than 8.5 and 5.5% of all cortical neurons in the primary and secondary rabbit visual cortex, respectively. Infragranular spiny inverted neurons constitute 15 and 8.5% of infragranular neurons in the same animal and areas. Spiny inverted neurons congregate at layers V–VI in all studied species. Studies have also revealed that spiny inverted neurons are excitatory neurons which furnish axons for various cortico-cortical, cortico-claustral and cortico-striatal projections, but not for non-telencephalic centres such as the lateral and medial geniculate nuclei, the colliculi or the pons. As a group, each subset of inverted cells contributing to a given projection is located below the pyramidal neurons whose axons furnish the same centre. Spiny inverted neurons are particularly conspicuous as a source of the backward cortico-cortical projection to primary visual cortex and from this to the claustrum. Indeed, they constitute up to 82% of the infragranular cells that furnish these projections. Spiny inverted neurons may be classified into three subtypes according to the point of origin of the axon on the cell: the somatic basal pole which faces the cortical outer surface, the somatic flank and the reverse apical dendrite. As seen with electron microscopy, the axon initial segments of these subtypes are distinct from one another, not only in length and thickness, but also in the number of received synaptic boutons. All of these anatomical features together may support a synaptic-input integration which is peculiar to spiny inverted neurons. In this way, two differently qualified streams of axonal output may coexist in a projection which arises from a particular infragranular point within a given cortical area; one stream would be furnished by the typical pyramidal neurons, whereas spiny inverted neurons would constitute the other source of distinct information flow. PMID:17635629

Microseismic imaging using a source function independent full waveform inversion method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hanchen; Alkhalifah, Tariq

2018-07-01

At the heart of microseismic event measurements is the task to estimate the location of the source microseismic events, as well as their ignition times. The accuracy of locating the sources is highly dependent on the velocity model. On the other hand, the conventional microseismic source locating methods require, in many cases, manual picking of traveltime arrivals, which do not only lead to manual effort and human interaction, but also prone to errors. Using full waveform inversion (FWI) to locate and image microseismic events allows for an automatic process (free of picking) that utilizes the full wavefield. However, FWI of microseismic events faces incredible nonlinearity due to the unknown source locations (space) and functions (time). We developed a source function independent FWI of microseismic events to invert for the source image, source function and the velocity model. It is based on convolving reference traces with these observed and modelled to mitigate the effect of an unknown source ignition time. The adjoint-state method is used to derive the gradient for the source image, source function and velocity updates. The extended image for the source wavelet in Z axis is extracted to check the accuracy of the inverted source image and velocity model. Also, angle gathers are calculated to assess the quality of the long wavelength component of the velocity model. By inverting for the source image, source wavelet and the velocity model simultaneously, the proposed method produces good estimates of the source location, ignition time and the background velocity for synthetic examples used here, like those corresponding to the Marmousi model and the SEG/EAGE overthrust model.

Nanowire NMOS Logic Inverter Characterization.

PubMed

Hashim, Yasir

2016-06-01

This study is the first to demonstrate characteristics optimization of nanowire N-Channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor (NW-MOS) logic inverter. Noise margins and inflection voltage of transfer characteristics are used as limiting factors in this optimization. A computer-based model used to produce static characteristics of NW-NMOS logic inverter. In this research two circuit configuration of NW-NMOS inverter was studied, in first NW-NMOS circuit, the noise margin for (low input-high output) condition was very low. For second NMOS circuit gives excellent noise margins, and results indicate that optimization depends on applied voltage to the inverter. Increasing gate to source voltage with (2/1) nanowires ratio results better noise margins. Increasing of applied DC load transistor voltage tends to increasing in decreasing noise margins; decreasing this voltage will improve noise margins significantly.

An inverter/controller subsystem optimized for photovoltaic applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pickrell, R. L.; Merrill, W. C.; Osullivan, G.

1978-01-01

Conversion of solar array dc power to ac power stimulated the specification, design, and simulation testing of an inverter/controller subsystem tailored to the photovoltaic power source characteristics. This paper discusses the optimization of the inverter/controller design as part of an overall Photovoltaic Power System (PPS) designed for maximum energy extraction from the solar array. The special design requirements for the inverter/controller include: (1) a power system controller (PSC) to control continuously the solar array operating point at the maximum power level based on variable solar insolation and cell temperatures; and (2) an inverter designed for high efficiency at rated load and low losses at light loadings to conserve energy. It must be capable of operating connected to the utility line at a level set by an external controller (PSC).

Penning discharge ion source with self-cleaning aperture

DOEpatents

Gavin, Basil F.; MacGill, Robert A.; Thatcher, Raymond K.

1982-01-01

An ion source of the Penning discharge type having a self-cleaning aperture is provided by a second dynode (24) with an exit aperture (12) in a position opposite a first dynode 10a, from which the ions are sputtered, two opposing cathodes (14, 16), each with an anode (18, 20) for accelerating electrons emitted from the cathodes into a cylindrical space defined by the first and second dynode. A support gas maintained in this space is ionized by the electrons. While the cathodes are supplied with a negative pulse to emit electrons, the first dynode is supplied with a negative pulse (e.g., -300 V) to attract atoms of the ionized gas (plasma). At the same time, the second dynode may also be supplied with a small voltage that is negative with respect to the plasma (e.g., -5 V) for tuning the position of the plasma miniscus for optimum extraction geometry. When the negative pulse to the first dynode is terminated, the second dynode is driven strongly negative (e.g., -600 V) thereby allowing heavy sputtering to take place for a short period to remove virtually all of the atoms deposited on the second dynode from material sputtered off the first dynode. An extractor (22) immediately outside the exit aperture of the second dynode is maintained at ground potential during this entire period of sputtering while the anode, dynode and cathode reference voltage is driven strongly positive (about +20 kV to +30 kV) so that ions accelerated through the aperture will be at ground potential. In that manner, material from the first dynode deposited on the second dynode will be sputtered, in time, to add to the ion beam. Atoms sputtered from the second dynode which do not become ionized and exit through the slit will be redeposited on the first dynode, and hence recycled for further ion beam generation during subsequent operating cycles.

Energy and pitch angle-dispersed auroral electrons suggesting a time-variable, inverted-V potential structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnoldy, R. L.; Lynch, K. A.; Austin, J. B.; Kintner, P. M.

1999-10-01

High temporal resolution electron detectors aboard the PHAZE II rocket flight have shown that the energy-dispersed, field-aligned bursts (FABs) are time coincident with pitch angle-dispersed electrons having energies at the maximum voltage of the inverted-V potential. This modulation of the energetic inverted-V electrons is superimposed upon an energy-diffused background resulting in a peak-to-valley ratio of ~2 for the pitch angle-dispersed electrons. Since the characteristic energy of the FABs, the order of an eV, is considerably less than that of the plasma sheet electrons (the order of a keV) presumably falling through the inverted-V potential to create the discrete aurora, the modulation mechanism has to be independent of the electron temperature. The mechanism must accelerate the cold electrons over a range of energies from the inverted-V energy down to a few tens of eV. It must do this at the same time it is creating a population of hot, pitch angle-dispersed electrons at the inverted-V energy. Both the energy dispersion of the FABs and the pitch angle dispersion of the inverted-V electrons can be used to determine a source height assuming both populations start from the same source region at the same time. These calculations give source heights between 3500 and 5300 km for various events and disagreement between the two methods the order of 20%, which is within the rather substantial error limits of both calculations. A simple mechanism of providing a common start time for both populations of electrons would be a turning on/off of a spatially limited (vertically), inverted-V potential. The energy-dispersed FABs can be reconstructed at rocket altitudes if one assumes that cold electrons are accelerated to an energy determined by how much of the inverted-V potential they fall through when it is turned on. Similarly, the pitch angle-dispersed, inverted-V electrons can be modeled at rocket altitudes if one assumes that the plasma sheet electrons falling through the entire potential drop all start to do so at the same time when the potential is turned on. The FABs seem to fluctuate at either ~10 Hz or near 100 Hz. An important constraint of the on/off mechanism is whether cold electrons (1 eV) can fill the inverted-V volume during the off cycle. The maximum vertical height of the 10 kV potential region for the 10 Hz events would be the order of 100 and 10 km for the 100 Hz events. To get 10 kV, these heights require parallel electric fields of 0.1 and 1 V/m respectively for the 10 and 100 Hz events assuming that the filling is along B from below the inverted-V potential. Alternative mechanisms are also discussed in the light of the data presented.

Computer Modeling of High-Intensity Cs-Sputter Ion Sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, T. A.; Roberts, M. L.; Southon, J. R.

The grid-point mesh program NEDLab has been used to computer model the interior of the high-intensity Cs-sputter source used in routine operations at the Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (CAMS), with the goal of improving negative ion output. NEDLab has several features that are important to realistic modeling of such sources. First, space-charge effects are incorporated in the calculations through an automated ion-trajectories/Poissonelectric-fields successive-iteration process. Second, space charge distributions can be averaged over successive iterations to suppress model instabilities. Third, space charge constraints on ion emission from surfaces can be incorporate under Child's Law based algorithms. Fourth, the energy of ions emitted from a surface can be randomly chosen from within a thermal energy distribution. And finally, ions can be emitted from a surface at randomized angles The results of our modeling effort indicate that significant modification of the interior geometry of the source will double Cs+ ion production from our spherical ionizer and produce a significant increase in negative ion output from the source.

System and method for single-phase, single-stage grid-interactive inverter

DOEpatents

Liu, Liming; Li, Hui

2015-09-01

The present invention provides for the integration of distributed renewable energy sources/storages utilizing a cascaded DC-AC inverter, thereby eliminating the need for a DC-DC converter. The ability to segment the energy sources and energy storages improves the maintenance capability and system reliability of the distributed generation system, as well as achieve wide range reactive power compensation. In the absence of a DC-DC converter, single stage energy conversion can be achieved to enhance energy conversion efficiency.

Converter topologies and control

DOEpatents

Rodriguez, Fernando; Qin, Hengsi; Chapman, Patrick

2018-05-01

An inverter includes a transformer that includes a first winding, a second winding, and a third winding, a DC-AC inverter electrically coupled to the first winding of the transformer, a cycloconverter electrically coupled to the second winding of the transformer, an active filter electrically coupled to the third winding of the transformer. The DC-AC inverter is adapted to convert the input DC waveform to an AC waveform delivered to the transformer at the first winding. The cycloconverter is adapted to convert an AC waveform received at the second winding of the transformer to the output AC waveform having a grid frequency of the AC grid. The active filter is adapted to sink and source power with one or more energy storage devices based on a mismatch in power between the DC source and the AC grid.

Very low pressure high power impulse triggered magnetron sputtering

DOEpatents

Anders, Andre; Andersson, Joakim

2013-10-29

A method and apparatus are described for very low pressure high powered magnetron sputtering of a coating onto a substrate. By the method of this invention, both substrate and coating target material are placed into an evacuable chamber, and the chamber pumped to vacuum. Thereafter a series of high impulse voltage pulses are applied to the target. Nearly simultaneously with each pulse, in one embodiment, a small cathodic arc source of the same material as the target is pulsed, triggering a plasma plume proximate to the surface of the target to thereby initiate the magnetron sputtering process. In another embodiment the plasma plume is generated using a pulsed laser aimed to strike an ablation target material positioned near the magnetron target surface.

Sputtering of Metals by Mass-Analyzed N2(+) and N(+)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bader, Michel; Witteborn, Fred C.; Snouse, Thomas W.

1961-01-01

Low-energy sputtering studies were conducted with the help of a specially designed ion accelerator. A high-intensity rf ion source was developed for use in conjunction with electrostatic acceleration and magnetic mass separation of ion beams in the 0 to 8 kev energy range. Beams of N(+) or N2(+) ions have been produced with intensities of 200 to 500 micro-a (approx. 1 sq cm in cross section) and energy half-widths of about 20 ev. The sputtering yields of five metals (Cu, Ni, Fe, Mo, and W) were obtained as a function of energy (0-8 kev), bombarding ion (N(+) and N2(+)), and angle of incidence (normal and 450). Results are presented and some of their theoretical implications are discussed.

Stability Assessment of a System Comprising a Single Machine and Inverter with Scalable Ratings

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

Johnson, Brian B; Lin, Yashen; Gevorgian, Vahan

From the inception of power systems, synchronous machines have acted as the foundation of large-scale electrical infrastructures and their physical properties have formed the cornerstone of system operations. However, power electronics interfaces are playing a growing role as they are the primary interface for several types of renewable energy sources and storage technologies. As the role of power electronics in systems continues to grow, it is crucial to investigate the properties of bulk power systems in low inertia settings. In this paper, we assess the properties of coupled machine-inverter systems by studying an elementary system comprised of a synchronous generator,more » three-phase inverter, and a load. Furthermore, the inverter model is formulated such that its power rating can be scaled continuously across power levels while preserving its closed-loop response. Accordingly, the properties of the machine-inverter system can be assessed for varying ratios of machine-to-inverter power ratings and, hence, differing levels of inertia. After linearizing the model and assessing its eigenvalues, we show that system stability is highly dependent on the interaction between the inverter current controller and machine exciter, thus uncovering a key concern with mixed machine-inverter systems and motivating the need for next-generation grid-stabilizing inverter controls.« less

Observer-Pattern Modeling and Slow-Scale Bifurcation Analysis of Two-Stage Boost Inverters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Hao; Wan, Xiaojin; Li, Weijie; Ding, Honghui; Yi, Chuanzhi

2017-06-01

This paper deals with modeling and bifurcation analysis of two-stage Boost inverters. Since the effect of the nonlinear interactions between source-stage converter and load-stage inverter causes the “hidden” second-harmonic current at the input of the downstream H-bridge inverter, an observer-pattern modeling method is proposed by removing time variance originating from both fundamental frequency and hidden second harmonics in the derived averaged equations. Based on the proposed observer-pattern model, the underlying mechanism of slow-scale instability behavior is uncovered with the help of eigenvalue analysis method. Then eigenvalue sensitivity analysis is used to select some key system parameters of two-stage Boost inverter, and some behavior boundaries are given to provide some design-oriented information for optimizing the circuit. Finally, these theoretical results are verified by numerical simulations and circuit experiment.

Plasma ``anti-assistance'' and ``self-assistance'' to high power impulse magnetron sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anders, André; Yushkov, Georgy Yu.

2009-04-01

A plasma assistance system was investigated with the goal to operate high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) at lower pressure than usual, thereby to enhance the utilization of the ballistic atoms and ions with high kinetic energy in the film growth process. Gas plasma flow from a constricted plasma source was aimed at the magnetron target. Contrary to initial expectations, such plasma assistance turned out to be contraproductive because it led to the extinction of the magnetron discharge. The effect can be explained by gas rarefaction. A better method of reducing the necessary gas pressure is operation at relatively high pulse repetition rates where the afterglow plasma of one pulse assists in the development of the next pulse. Here we show that this method, known from medium-frequency (MF) pulsed sputtering, is also very important at the much lower pulse repetition rates of HiPIMS. A minimum in the possible operational pressure is found in the frequency region between HiPIMS and MF pulsed sputtering.

Control strategy based on SPWM switching patterns for grid connected photovoltaic inverter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hassaine, L.; Mraoui, A.

2017-02-01

Generally, for lower installation of photovoltaic systems connected to the grid, pulse width modulation (PWM) is a widely used technique for controlling the voltage source inverters injects currents into the grid. The current injected must be sinusoidal with reduced harmonic distortion. In this paper, a digital implementation of a control strategy based on PWM switching patterns for an inverter for photovoltaic system connected to the grid is presented. This strategy synchronize a sinusoidal inverter output current with a grid voltage The digital implementation of the proposed PWM switching pattern when is compared with the conventional one exhibit the advantage: Simplicity, reduction of the memory requirements and power calculation for the control

Improving the reliability of inverter-based welding machines

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

Schiedermayer, M.

1997-02-01

Although inverter-based welding power sources have been available since the late 1980s, many people hesitated to purchase them because of reliability issues. Unfortunately, their hesitancy had a basis, until now. Recent improvements give some inverters a reliability level that approaches that of traditional, transformer-based industrial welding machines, which have a failure rate of about 1%. Acceptance of inverter-based welding machines is important because, for many welding applications, they provide capabilities that solid-state, transformer-based machines cannot deliver. These advantages include enhanced pulsed gas metal arc welding (GMAW-P), lightweight portability, an ultrastable arc, and energy efficiency--all while producing highly aesthetic weld beadsmore » and delivering multiprocess capabilities.« less

Design of a three-phase, 15-kilovolt-ampere static inverter for motor-starting a Brayton space power system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frye, R. J.; Birchenough, A. G.

1971-01-01

The design of a three-phase, 400-Hz, 15-kVA static inverter for motor-starting the 2- to 15-kWe Brayton electrical space power system is described. The inverter operates from a nominal 56-V dc source to provide a 28-V, rms, quasi-square-wave output. The inverter is capable of supplying a 200-A peak current. Integrated circuitry is used to generate the three-phase, 400-Hz reference signals. Performance data for a drive stage that improves switching speed and provides efficient operation over a range of output current and drive supply voltage are presented. A transformerless, transistor output stage is used.

Heated probe diagnostic inside of the gas aggregation nanocluster source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolpakova, Anna; Shelemin, Artem; Kousal, Jaroslav; Kudrna, Pavel; Tichy, Milan; Biederman, Hynek; Surface; Plasma Science Team

2016-09-01

Gas aggregation cluster sources (GAS) usually operate outside common working conditions of most magnetrons and the size of nanoparticles created in GAS is below that commonly studied in dusty plasmas. Therefore, experimental data obtained inside the GAS are important for better understanding of process of nanoparticles formation. In order to study the conditions inside the gas aggregation chamber, special ``diagnostic GAS'' has been constructed. It allows simultaneous monitoring (or spatial profiling) by means of optical emission spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and probe diagnostic. Data obtained from Langmuir and heated probes map the plasma parameters in two dimensions - radial and axial. Titanium has been studied as an example of metal for which the reactive gas in the chamber starts nanoparticles production. Three basic situations were investigated: sputtering from clean titanium target in argon, sputtering from partially pre-oxidized target and sputtering with oxygen introduced into the discharge. It was found that during formation of nanoparticles the plasma parameters differ strongly from the situation without nanoparticles. These experimental data will support the efforts of more realistic modeling of the process. Czech Science Foundation 15-00863S.

40 CFR 469.10 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS POINT SOURCE CATEGORY Semiconductor Subcategory § 469.10 Applicability... associated with the manufacture of semiconductors, except sputtering, vapor deposition, and electroplating. ...

40 CFR 469.10 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS POINT SOURCE CATEGORY Semiconductor Subcategory § 469.10 Applicability... associated with the manufacture of semiconductors, except sputtering, vapor deposition, and electroplating. ...

Modeling the Volcanic Source at Long Valley, CA, Using a Genetic Algorithm Technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tiampo, Kristy F.

1999-01-01

In this project, we attempted to model the deformation pattern due to the magmatic source at Long Valley caldera using a real-value coded genetic algorithm (GA) inversion similar to that found in Michalewicz, 1992. The project has been both successful and rewarding. The genetic algorithm, coded in the C programming language, performs stable inversions over repeated trials, with varying initial and boundary conditions. The original model used a GA in which the geophysical information was coded into the fitness function through the computation of surface displacements for a Mogi point source in an elastic half-space. The program was designed to invert for a spherical magmatic source - its depth, horizontal location and volume - using the known surface deformations. It also included the capability of inverting for multiple sources.

Micro-seismic imaging using a source function independent full waveform inversion method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hanchen; Alkhalifah, Tariq

2018-03-01

At the heart of micro-seismic event measurements is the task to estimate the location of the source micro-seismic events, as well as their ignition times. The accuracy of locating the sources is highly dependent on the velocity model. On the other hand, the conventional micro-seismic source locating methods require, in many cases manual picking of traveltime arrivals, which do not only lead to manual effort and human interaction, but also prone to errors. Using full waveform inversion (FWI) to locate and image micro-seismic events allows for an automatic process (free of picking) that utilizes the full wavefield. However, full waveform inversion of micro-seismic events faces incredible nonlinearity due to the unknown source locations (space) and functions (time). We developed a source function independent full waveform inversion of micro-seismic events to invert for the source image, source function and the velocity model. It is based on convolving reference traces with these observed and modeled to mitigate the effect of an unknown source ignition time. The adjoint-state method is used to derive the gradient for the source image, source function and velocity updates. The extended image for the source wavelet in Z axis is extracted to check the accuracy of the inverted source image and velocity model. Also, angle gathers is calculated to assess the quality of the long wavelength component of the velocity model. By inverting for the source image, source wavelet and the velocity model simultaneously, the proposed method produces good estimates of the source location, ignition time and the background velocity for synthetic examples used here, like those corresponding to the Marmousi model and the SEG/EAGE overthrust model.

High input impedance amplifier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kleinberg, Leonard L.

1995-01-01

High input impedance amplifiers are provided which reduce the input impedance solely to a capacitive reactance, or, in a somewhat more complex design, provide an extremely high essentially infinite, capacitive reactance. In one embodiment, where the input impedance is reduced in essence, to solely a capacitive reactance, an operational amplifier in a follower configuration is driven at its non-inverting input and a resistor with a predetermined magnitude is connected between the inverting and non-inverting inputs. A second embodiment eliminates the capacitance from the input by adding a second stage to the first embodiment. The second stage is a second operational amplifier in a non-inverting gain-stage configuration where the output of the first follower stage drives the non-inverting input of the second stage and the output of the second stage is fed back to the non-inverting input of the first stage through a capacitor of a predetermined magnitude. These amplifiers, while generally useful, are very useful as sensor buffer amplifiers that may eliminate significant sources of error.

Three-phase Four-leg Inverter LabVIEW FPGA Control Code

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

In the area of power electronics control, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) have the capability to outperform their Digital Signal Processor (DSP) counterparts due to the FPGA’s ability to implement true parallel processing and therefore facilitate higher switching frequencies, higher control bandwidth, and/or enhanced functionality. National Instruments (NI) has developed two platforms, Compact RIO (cRIO) and Single Board RIO (sbRIO), which combine a real-time processor with an FPGA. The FPGA can be programmed with a subset of the well-known LabVIEW graphical programming language. The use of cRIO and sbRIO for power electronics control has developed over the last few yearsmore » to include control of three-phase inverters. Most three-phase inverter topologies include three switching legs. The addition of a fourth-leg to natively generate the neutral connection allows the inverter to serve single-phase loads in a microgrid or stand-alone power system and to balance the three-phase voltages in the presence of significant load imbalance. However, the control of a four-leg inverter is much more complex. In particular, instead of standard two-dimensional space vector modulation (SVM), the inverter requires three-dimensional space vector modulation (3D-SVM). The candidate software implements complete control algorithms in LabVIEW FPGA for a three-phase four-leg inverter. The software includes feedback control loops, three-dimensional space vector modulation gate-drive algorithms, advanced alarm handling capabilities, contactor control, power measurements, and debugging and tuning tools. The feedback control loops allow inverter operation in AC voltage control, AC current control, or DC bus voltage control modes based on external mode selection by a user or supervisory controller. The software includes the ability to synchronize its AC output to the grid or other voltage-source before connection. The software also includes provisions to allow inverter operation in parallel with other voltage regulating devices on the AC or DC buses. This flexibility allows the Inverter to operate as a stand-alone voltage source, connected to the grid, or in parallel with other controllable voltage sources as part of a microgrid or remote power system. In addition, as the inverter is expected to operate under severe unbalanced conditions, the software includes algorithms to accurately compute real and reactive power for each phase based on definitions provided in the IEEE Standard 1459: IEEE Standard Definitions for the Measurement of Electric Power Quantities Under Sinusoidal, Nonsinusoidal, Balanced, or Unbalanced Conditions. Finally, the software includes code to output analog signals for debugging and for tuning of control loops. The software fits on the Xilinx Virtex V LX110 FPGA embedded in the NI cRIO-9118 FPGA chassis, and with a 40 MHz base clock, supports a modulation update rate of 40 MHz, user-settable switching frequencies and synchronized control loop update rates of tens of kHz, and reference waveform generation, including Phase Lock Loop (PLL), update rate of 100 kHz.« less

Diamondlike carbon protective coatings for optical windows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swec, Diane M.; Mirtich, Michael J.

1989-01-01

Diamondlike carbon (DLC) films were deposited on infrared transmitting optical windows and were evaluated as protective coatings for these windows exposed to particle and rain erosion. The DLC films were deposited on zinc selenide (ZnSe) and zinc sulfide (ZnS) by three different ion beam methods: (1) sputter deposition from a carbon target using an 8-cm argon ion source; (2) direct deposition by a 30-cm hollow cathode ion source with hydrocarbon gas in argon; and (3) dual beam direct deposition by the 30-cm hollow cathode ion source and an 8-cm argon ion source. In an attempt to improve the adherence of the DLC films on ZnSc and ZnS, ion beam cleaning, ion implantation with helium and neon ions, or sputter deposition of a thin, ion beam intermediate coating was employed prior to deposition of the DLC film. The protection that the DLC films afforded the windows from particle and rain erosion was evaluated, along with the hydrogen content, adherence, intrinsic stress, and infrared transmittance of the films. Because of the elevated stress levels in the ion beam sputtered DLC films and in those ion beam deposited with butane, films thicker than 0.1 micron and with good adherence on ZnS and ZnSe could not be generated. An intermediate coating of germanium successfully allowed the DLC films to remain adherent to the optical windows and caused only negligible reduction in the specular transmittance of the ZnS and ZnSe at 10 microns.

Nylon-sputtered nanoparticles: fabrication and basic properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Polonskyi, O.; Kylián, O.; Solař, P.; Artemenko, A.; Kousal, J.; Slavínská, D.; Choukourov, A.; Biederman, H.

2012-12-01

Nylon-sputtered nanoparticles were prepared using a simple gas aggregation cluster source based on a planar magnetron (Haberland type) and equipped with a nylon target. Plasma polymer particles originated in an aggregation chamber and travelled to a main (deposition) chamber with a gas flow through an orifice. The deposited nanoparticles were observed to have a cauliflower-like structure. The nanoparticles were found to be nitrogen-rich with N/C ratio close to 0.5. An increase in rf power from 60 to 100 W resulted in a decrease in mean particle size from 210 to 168 nm whereas an increase in their residence time in the cluster source from 0.7 to 4.6 s resulted in an increase in the size from 73 to 231 nm.

Method for sputtering with low frequency alternating current

DOEpatents

Timberlake, John R.

1996-01-01

Low frequency alternating current sputtering is provided by connecting a low frequency alternating current source to a high voltage transformer having outer taps and a center tap for stepping up the voltage of the alternating current. The center tap of the transformer is connected to a vacuum vessel containing argon or helium gas. Target electrodes, in close proximity to each other, and containing material with which the substrates will be coated, are connected to the outer taps of the transformer. With an applied potential, the gas will ionize and sputtering from the target electrodes onto the substrate will then result. The target electrodes can be copper or boron, and the substrate can be stainless steel, aluminum, or titanium. Copper coatings produced are used in place of nickel and/or copper striking.

Method for sputtering with low frequency alternating current

DOEpatents

Timberlake, J.R.

1996-04-30

Low frequency alternating current sputtering is provided by connecting a low frequency alternating current source to a high voltage transformer having outer taps and a center tap for stepping up the voltage of the alternating current. The center tap of the transformer is connected to a vacuum vessel containing argon or helium gas. Target electrodes, in close proximity to each other, and containing material with which the substrates will be coated, are connected to the outer taps of the transformer. With an applied potential, the gas will ionize and sputtering from the target electrodes onto the substrate will then result. The target electrodes can be copper or boron, and the substrate can be stainless steel, aluminum, or titanium. Copper coatings produced are used in place of nickel and/or copper striking. 6 figs.

Contamination control and plume assessment of low-energy thrusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scialdone, John J.

1993-01-01

Potential contamination of a spacecraft cryogenic surface by a xenon (Xe) ion generator was evaluated. The analysis involves the description of the plume exhausted from the generator with its relative component fluxes on the spacecraft surfaces, and verification of the conditions for condensation, adsorption, and sputtering at those locations. The data describing the plume fluxes and their effects on surfaces were obtained from two sources: the tests carried out with the Xe generator in a small vacuum chamber to indicate deposits and sputter on monitor slides; and the extensive tests with a mercury (Hg) ion thruster in a large vacuum chamber. The Hg thruster tests provided data on the neutrals, on low-energy ion fluxes, on high-energy ion fluxes, and on sputtered materials at several locations within the plume.

DEVELOPMENT OF TITANIUM NITRIDE COATING FOR SNS RING VACUUM CHAMBERS.

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

HE,P.; HSEUH,H.C.; MAPES,M.

2001-06-18

The inner surface of the ring vacuum chambers of the US Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) will be coated with {approximately}100 nm of Titanium Nitride (TiN). This is to minimize the secondary electron yield (SEY) from the chamber wall, and thus avoid the so-called e-p instability caused by electron multipacting as observed in a few high-intensity proton storage rings. Both DC sputtering and DC-magnetron sputtering were conducted in a test chamber of relevant geometry to SNS ring vacuum chambers. Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and Rutherford Back Scattering (RBS) were used to analyze the coatings for thickness, stoichiometry and impurity. Excellent resultsmore » were obtained with magnetron sputtering. The development of the parameters for the coating process and the surface analysis results are presented.« less

Imaging the Sources and Full Extent of the Sodium Tail of the Planet Mercury

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baumgardner, Jeffrey; Wilson, Jody; Mendillo, Michael

2008-01-01

Observations of sodium emission from Mercury can be used to describe the spatial and temporal patterns of sources and sinks in the planet s surface-boundary-exosphere. We report on new data sets that provide the highest spatial resolution of source regions at polar latitudes, as well as the extraordinary length of a tail of escaping Na atoms. The tail s extent of approx.1.5 degrees (nearly 1400 Mercury radii) is driven by radiation pressure effects upon Na atoms sputtered from the surface in the previous approx.5 hours. Wide-angle filtered-imaging instruments are thus capable of studying the time history of sputtering processes of sodium and other species at Mercury from ground-based observatories in concert with upcoming satellite missions to the planet. Plasma tails produced by photo-ionization of Na and other gases in Mercury s neutral tails may be observable by in-situ instruments.

An SCR inverter for electric vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Latos, T.; Bosack, D.; Ehrlich, R.; Jahns, T.; Mezera, J.; Thimmesch, D.

1980-01-01

An inverter for an electric vehicle propulsion application has been designed and constructed to excite a polyphase induction motor from a fixed propulsion battery source. The inverter, rated at 35kW peak power, is fully regenerative and permits vehicle operation in both the forward and reverse directions. Thyristors are employed as the power switching devices arranged in a dc bus commutated topology. This paper describes the major role the controller plays in generating the motor excitation voltage and frequency to deliver performance similar to dc systems. Motoring efficiency test data for the controller are presented. It is concluded that an SCR inverter in conjunction with an ac induction motor is a viable alternative to present dc vehicle propulsion systems on the basis of performance and size criteria.

Ion-source modeling and improved performance of the CAMS high-intensity Cs-sputter ion source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, T. A.; Roberts, M. L.; Southon, J. R.

2000-10-01

The interior of the high-intensity Cs-sputter source used in routine operations at the Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (CAMS) has been computer modeled using the program NEDLab, with the aim of improving negative ion output. Space charge effects on ion trajectories within the source were modeled through a successive iteration process involving the calculation of ion trajectories through Poisson-equation-determined electric fields, followed by calculation of modified electric fields incorporating the charge distribution from the previously calculated ion trajectories. The program has several additional features that are useful in ion source modeling: (1) averaging of space charge distributions over successive iterations to suppress instabilities, (2) Child's Law modeling of space charge limited ion emission from surfaces, and (3) emission of particular ion groups with a thermal energy distribution and at randomized angles. The results of the modeling effort indicated that significant modification of the interior geometry of the source would double Cs + ion production from our spherical ionizer and produce a significant increase in negative ion output from the source. The results of the implementation of the new geometry were found to be consistent with the model results.

A Single-Phase Current Source Solar Inverter with Constant Instantaneous Power, Improved Reliability, and Reduced-Size DC-Link Filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bush, Craig R.

This dissertation presents a novel current source converter topology that is primarily intended for single-phase photovoltaic (PV) applications. In comparison with the existing PV inverter technology, the salient features of the proposed topology are: a) the low frequency (double of line frequency) ripple that is common to single-phase inverters is greatly reduced; b) the absence of low frequency ripple enables significantly reduced size pass components to achieve necessary DC-link stiffness and c) improved maximum power point tracking (MPPT) performance is readily achieved due to the tightened current ripple even with reduced-size passive components. The proposed topology does not utilize any electrolytic capacitors. Instead an inductor is used as the DC-link filter and reliable AC film capacitors are utilized for the filter and auxiliary capacitor. The proposed topology has a life expectancy on par with PV panels. The proposed modulation technique can be used for any current source inverter where an unbalanced three-phase operation is desires such as active filters and power controllers. The proposed topology is ready for the next phase of microgrid and power system controllers in that it accepts reactive power commands. This work presents the proposed topology and its working principle supported by with numerical verifications and hardware results. Conclusions and future work are also presented.

[Studies on the general properties of a novel microwave plasma enhanced glow discharge source].

PubMed

Li, Y; Du, Z; Duan, Y; Zhang, H; Jin, Q; Liu, H

1998-04-01

This paper introduced a novel microwave plasma enhanced glow descharge source, the structure design and operation were decribed, and the mutual effects of the main characters, such as pressure, current, voltage, microwave power and sputtering rates were also investigated in details.

Tissue response to peritoneal implants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Picha, G. J.

1980-01-01

Peritoneal implants were fabricated from poly 2-OH, ethyl methacrylate (HEMA), polyetherurethane (polytetramethylene glycol 1000 MW, 1,4 methylene disocynate, and ethyl diamine), and untreated and sputter treated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The sputter treated PTFE implants were produced by an 8 cm diameter argon ion source. The treated samples consisted of ion beam sputter polished samples, sputter etched samples (to produce a microscopic surface cone texture) and surface pitted samples (produced by ion beam sputtering to result in 50 microns wide by 100 microns deep square pits). These materials were implanted in rats for periods ranging from 30 minutes to 14 days. The results were evaluated with regard to cell type and attachment kinetics onto the different materials. Scanning electron microscopy and histological sections were also evaluated. In general the smooth hydrophobic surfaces attracted less cells than the ion etched PTFE or the HEMA samples. The ion etching was observed to enhance cell attachment, multinucleated giant cell (MNGC) formation, cell to cell contact, and fibrous capsule formation. The cell responsed in the case of ion etched PTFE to an altered surface morphology. However, equally interesting was the similar attachment kinetics of HEMA verses the ion etched PTFE. However, HEMA resulted in a markedly different response with no MNGC's formation, minimal to no capsule formation, and sample coverage by a uniform cell layer.

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

Rudeck, P.J.; Harper, J.M.E.; Fryer, P.M.

The copper concentration in aluminum-copper alloys can be altered by ion bombardment during film deposition. We have measured the sputtering yields of aluminum and copper in Al-Cu alloys as a function of the Cu concentration (5--13 at. %) and the angle of ion incidence (0/sup 0/--40/sup 0/ from normal). During deposition, the films were partially resputtered by 500 eV Ar/sup +/ ion bombardment from a Kaufman ion source. We found that the Cu sputtering yield decreases by up to a factor of 10 in the alloy, relative to elemental Cu. The Al sputtering yield remains close to the elemental value.more » The net effect is a strong preferential sputtering of Al relative to Cu, which enhances the Cu concentration in an ion-bombarded film. The Al/Cu sputtering yield ratio for normal incidence ion bombardment ranges from 3 to 5 as a function of Cu concentration. This ratio decreases with increasing angle of incidence to as low as 2 for 40/sup 0/ incident ions. However, since a higher fraction of the film is resputtered from a sloping surface, a higher Cu concentration is found on a sloping surface relative to a flat surface. These results show that the film composition will vary as a function of the surface topography.« less

Inverter-based GTA welding machines improve fabrication

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

Sammons, M.

2000-05-01

While known as precision process, many fabricators using the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process fight several common problems that hinder quality, slow production, frustrate the operator and otherwise prevent the process from achieving its full potential. These include a limited ability to tailor the weld bead profile, poor control of the arc direction and arc wandering, poor arc starting, unstable or inconsistent arcs in the AC mode, high-frequency interference with electronics and tungsten contamination. Fortunately, new GTA welding technology--made possible by advances with inverter-based power sources and micro-processor controls--can eliminate common productivity gremlins. Further, new AC/DC inverter-based GTA powermore » sources provide advanced arc shaping capabilities. As a result, many fabricators adopting this new technology have experienced phenomenal production increases, taken on new types of projects and reduced costs. Most importantly, the operators enjoy welding more.« less

Measurements and modeling of intra-ELM tungsten sourcing and transport in DIII-D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abrams, T.; Leonard, A. W.; Thomas, D. M.; McLean, A. G.; Makowski, M. A.; Wang, H. Q.; Unterberg, E. A.; Briesemeister, A. R.; Rudakov, D. L.; Bykov, I.; Donovan, D.

2017-10-01

Intra-ELM tungsten erosion profiles in the DIII-D divertor, acquired via W I spectroscopy with high temporal and spatial resolution, are consistent with SDTrim.SP sputtering modeling using measured ion saturation currents and impact energies during ELMs as input and an ad-hoc 2% C2+ impurity flux. The W sputtering profile peaks close to the OSP both during and between ELMs in the favorable BT direction. In reverse BT the W source peaks close to the OSP between ELMs but strongly broadens and shifts outboard during ELMs, heuristically consistent with radially outward ion transport via ExB drifts. Ion impact energies during ELMs (inferred taking the ratio of divertor heat flux to the ion saturation current) are found to be approximately equal to Te,ped, lower than the 4*Te,ped value predicted by the Fundamenski/Moulton free streaming model. These impact energies imply both D main ions and C impurities contribute strongly to W sputtering during ELMs on DIII-D. This work represents progress towards a predictive model to link upstream conditions (i.e., pedestal height) and SOL impurity levels to the ELM-induced W impurity source at both the strike-point and far-target regions in the ITER divertor. Correlations between ELM size/frequency and SOL W fluxes measured via a midplane deposition probe will also be presented. Work supported by US DOE under DE-FC02-04ER54698.

Effects of Io ejecta on Europa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eviatar, A.; Siscoe, G. L.; Johnson, T. V.; Matson, D. L.

1981-07-01

The effects of plasma ejected from Io on the nature and evolution of the surface of Europa and on the relative importance of the roles played by the two satellites in the Jupiter magnetosphere are examined. Observations of an ultraviolet absorption feature on the trailing side of Europa are interpreted as due to an equilibrium column density of SO2 in a steady-state model of the implantation of iogenic ions into the surface of Europa and their subsequent sputtering. The observed sulfur column density of 2 x 10 to the 16th/sq cm implies a slow loss of material from Europa, mainly water ice, and indicates that the spectrum of particles sputtered is soft. Considerations of the comparative roles of corotating and energetic heavy ions are shown to suggest that the implantation and sputtering is primarily the result of the proton and light ion component of the plasma. The weakness of Europa as a plasma source resulting from the soft sputtered particle spectrum thus leads to the dominance of Io in contributing to the magnetospheric plasma.

A facility to study the particles released by ion sputtering process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Angelis, E.; di Lellis, A. M.; Vannaroni, G.; Orsini, S.; Mangano, V.; Milillo, A.; Massetti, S.; Mura, A.; Vertolli, N.

2007-08-01

Research on the planetary surface erosion and planetary evolution could be enriched with the detection of the escaping material, in terms of energy and direction, caused by ions sputtering. A complete study of emitted neutral distribution from which infers the processes occurring on the impacted surface requires dedicated instrumentation, tailored on the peculiarity on the low energy profile of the sputtered signal. We propose a comprehensive facility at INAF/IFSI in Rome intended to provide the opportunity to investigate the interaction of selectable ion beam with planetary analogues through the detection of sputtered neutral atoms. The laboratory is equipped with a high volume UHV chamber, ion selectable sources in the range 0 to 10 keV, a set of 3D sample/sensor orientation motion actuation motors down to 1/100 deg resolution. The laboratory will support a set of neutral sensor heads sets derived from the Emitted for Low Energetic Neutral Atoms (ELENA) instrument under development for the ESA BepiColombo Mercury mission able to detect neutral atoms (few eV-up to 5 keV).

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

Sills, L.G.

In this study, hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide thin films were deposited by reactive ion-beam sputtering under varying conditions to determine whether a film's optical properties can be controlled, focusing on refractive index. Using a Kaufman type ion source to sputter a pure silicon target, three distinct series of films were grown. The first series varied the mixture of methane and argon used in the ion-beam. holding all other parameters constant. For the second series the gas mix was fixed, and only the beam energy (beam voltage) was varied. The final series also varied beam energy, but was grown with amore » graphite shield next to the target to reduce metal contamination sputtered from chamber surfaces. Results show the index of refraction increased monotonically with beam energy up to a beam voltage of 1300 volts. Both the second and third series of films followed this trend, but analysis of differences in atomic composition between two series revealed opposite trends for how the silicon to carbon content ratio and refractive index were related. More precise control of the gas flow, and sputtering from only the intended (silicon)target would have reduced experimental errors.« less

Distribution of Fe atom density in a dc magnetron sputtering plasma source measured by laser-induced fluorescence imaging spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shibagaki, K.; Nafarizal, N.; Sasaki, K.; Toyoda, H.; Iwata, S.; Kato, T.; Tsunashima, S.; Sugai, H.

2003-10-01

Magnetron sputtering discharge is widely used as an efficient method for thin film fabrication. In order to achieve the optimized fabrication, understanding of the kinetics in plasmas is essential. In the present work, we measured the density distribution of sputtered Fe atoms using laser-induced fluorescence imaging spectroscopy. A dc magnetron plasma source with a Fe target was used. An area of 20 × 2 mm in front of the target was irradiated by a tunable laser beam having a planar shape. The picture of laser-induced fluorescence on the laser beam was taken using an ICCD camera. In this way, we obtained the two-dimensional image of the Fe atom density. As a result, it has been found that the Fe atom density observed at a distance of several centimeters from the target is higher than that adjacent to the target, when the Ar gas pressure was relatively high. It is suggested from this result that some gas-phase production processes of Fe atoms are available in the plasma. This work has been performed under the 21st Century COE Program by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan.

A sputtering derived atomic oxygen source for studying fast atom reactions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferrieri, Richard A.; Yung, Y. Chu; Wolf, Alfred P.

1987-01-01

A technique for the generation of fast atomic oxygen was developed. These atoms are created by ion beam sputtering from metal oxide surfaces. Mass resolved ion beams at energies up to 60 KeV are produced for this purpose using a 150 cm isotope separator. Studies have shown that particles sputtered with 40 KeV Ar(+) on Ta2O5 were dominantly neutral and exclusively atomic. The atomic oxygen also resided exclusively in its 3P ground state. The translational energy distribution for these atoms peaked at ca 7 eV (the metal-oxygen bond energy). Additional measurements on V2O5 yielded a bimodal distribution with the lower energy peak at ca 5 eV coinciding reasonably well with the metal-oxygen bond energy. The 7 eV source was used to investigate fast oxygen atom reactions with the 2-butene stereoisomers. Relative excitation functions for H-abstraction and pi-bond reaction were measured with trans-2-butene. The abstraction channel, although of minor relative importance at thermal energy, becomes comparable to the addition channel at 0.9 eV and dominates the high-energy regime. Structural effects on the specific channels were also found to be important at high energy.

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

Murzin, I.H.; Tompa, G.S.; Wei, J.

The authors report the results of using sputtering and negative carbon ion sources to prepare thin films of carbon nitride. In this work, they compare the structural, tribological, and optical properties of the carbon nitride films that were prepared by two different ion assisted techniques. In the first approach they used a magnetron gun to sputter deposit carbon in a nitrogen atmosphere. The second method utilized a beam of negatively charged carbon ions of 1 to 5 {micro}A/cm{sup 2} current density impinging the substrate simultaneously with a positive nitrogen ion beam produced by a Kaufman source. They were able tomore » synthesize microscopically smooth coatings with the carbon to nitrogen ratio of 1:0.47. These films possess wear rates lower than 5 {times} 10{sup {minus}7} mm{sup 3}/Nm and friction coefficients in the range of 0.16 to 0.6. Raman spectroscopy revealed that the magnetron sputtered films are more structurally disordered than those formed with the negative carbon ion gun. FTIR showed the presence of the C{triple_bond}N stretching mode in both types of films. Finally, spectroscopic ellipsometry produced films with dielectric constants as low as 2.3 in the photon energy range from 1.2 to 5 eV.« less

Deuterium sputtering of Li and Li-O films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelson, Andrew; Buzi, Luxherta; Kaita, Robert; Koel, Bruce

2017-10-01

Lithium wall coatings have been shown to enhance the operational plasma performance of many fusion devices, including NSTX and other tokamaks, by reducing the global wall recycling coefficient. However, pure lithium surfaces are extremely difficult to maintain in experimental fusion devices due to both inevitable oxidation and codeposition from sputtering of hot plasma facing components. Sputtering of thin lithium and lithium oxide films on a molybdenum target by energetic deuterium ion bombardment was studied in laboratory experiments conducted in a surface science apparatus. A Colutron ion source was used to produce a monoenergetic, mass-selected ion beam. Measurements were made under ultrahigh vacuum conditions as a function of surface temperature (90-520 K) using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). Results are compared with computer simulations conducted on a temperature-dependent data-calibrated (TRIM) model.

Noble metal nanostructures for double plasmon resonance with tunable properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petr, M.; Kylián, O.; Kuzminova, A.; Kratochvíl, J.; Khalakhan, I.; Hanuš, J.; Biederman, H.

2017-02-01

We report and compare two vacuum-based strategies to produce Ag/Au materials characterized by double plasmon resonance peaks: magnetron sputtering and method based on the use of gas aggregation sources (GAS) of nanoparticles. It was observed that the double plasmon resonance peaks may be achieved by both of these methods and that the intensities of individual localized surface plasmon resonance peaks may be tuned by deposition conditions. However, in the case of sputter deposition it was necessary to introduce a separation dielectric interlayer in between individual Ag and Au nanoparticle films which was not the case of films prepared by GAS systems. The differences in the optical properties of sputter deposited bimetallic Ag/Au films and coatings consisted of individual Ag and Au nanoparticles produced by GAS is ascribed to the divers mechanisms of nanoparticles formation.

HBTprogs Version 1.0

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

Brown, D; Danielewicz, P

2002-03-15

This is the manual for a collection of programs that can be used to invert angled-averaged (i.e. one dimensional) two-particle correlation functions. This package consists of several programs that generate kernel matrices (basically the relative wavefunction of the pair, squared), programs that generate test correlation functions from test sources of various types and the program that actually inverts the data using the kernel matrix.

Development of an inductively coupled impulse sputtering source for coating deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loch, Daniel Alexander Llewellyn

In recent years, highly ionised pulsed plasma processes have had a great impact on improving the coating performance of various applications, such as for cutting tools and ITO coatings, allowing for a longer service life and improved defect densities. These improvements stem from the higher ionisation degree of the sputtered material in these processes and with this the possibility of controlling the flux of sputtered material, allowing the regulation of the hardness and density of coatings and the ability to sputter onto complex contoured substrates. The development of Inductively Coupled Impulse Sputtering (ICIS) is aimed at the potential of utilising the advantages of highly ionised plasma for the sputtering of ferromagnetic material. In traditional magnetron based sputter processes ferromagnetic materials would shunt the magnetic field of the magnetron, thus reducing the sputter yield and ionisation efficiency. By generating the plasma within a high power pulsed radio frequency (RF) driven coil in front of the cathode, it is possible to remove the need for a magnetron by applying a high voltage pulsed direct current to the cathode attracting argon ions from the plasma to initiate sputtering. This is the first time that ICIS technology has been deployed in a sputter coating system. To study the characteristics of ICIS, current and voltage waveforms have been measured to examine the effect of increasing RF-power. Plasma analysis has been conducted by optical emission spectroscopy to investigate the excitation mechanisms and the emission intensity. These are correlated to the set RF-power by modelling assumptions based on electron collisions. Mass spectroscopy is used to measure the plasma potential and ion energy distribution function. Pure copper, titanium and nickel coatings have been deposited on silicon with high aspect ratio via to measure the deposition rate and characterise the microstructure. For titanium and nickel the emission modelling results are in good agreement with the model expectations showing that electron collisions are the main excitation mechanism. The plasma potential was measured as 20 eV, this is an ideal level for good adatom mobility with reduced lattice defects. All surfaces in the via were coated, perpendicular column growth on the sidewalls indicates a predominantly ionised metal flux to the substrate and the deposition rates agree with the literature value of the sputter yield of the materials. The results of the studies show that ICIS is a viable process for the deposition of magnetic coatings with high ionisation in the plasma.

Does human papilloma virus play a role in sinonasal inverted papilloma?

PubMed

Govindaraj, Satish; Wang, Hailun

2014-02-01

Inverted papillomas are a benign sinonasal tumor with a propensity for recurrence and malignant transformation. Although many investigations have been made into the nature of this disease, its etiology and causes for malignant transformation have yet to be fully elucidated. It is the authors' objective to present a review on management of the disease and evaluate the present relationship between human papilloma virus (HPV) and inverted papilloma. A causal relationship between HPV and the pathogenesis and progression of inverted papilloma has been posited since the 1980s. Although widely varied HPV detection rates have been reported, recent studies have noted a substantial increase in both recurrence and malignant transformation in HPV-infected inverted papillomas. However, exact cellular mechanisms by which infection leads to subsequent recurrence and development of carcinoma have yet to be elucidated. Evidence exists suggesting that HPV infection plays a role in the progression of inverted papilloma and confers an increased risk for recurrence and malignant transformation. PCR is the preferred detection method, and fresh or frozen specimens are the ideal source of tissue for evaluation. Although multiple studies have detected an association between HPV and inverted papilloma (both recurrent and malignant transformation), further studies are necessary to elucidate the underlying molecular pathways before an association can be changed to causation.

Penning discharge ion source with self-cleaning aperture

DOEpatents

Gavin, B.F.; MacGill, R.A.; Thatcher, R.K.

1980-11-10

An ion source of the Penning discharge type having a self-cleaning aperture is provided by a second dynode with an exit aperture in a position opposite a first dynode, from which the ions are sputtered, two opposing cathodes, each with an anode for accelerating electrons emitted from the cathodes into a cylindrical space defined by the first and second dynode. A support gas maintained in this space is ionized by the electrons. While the cathodes are supplied with a negative pulse to emit electrons, the first dynode is supplied with a negative pulse (e.g., -300 V) to attract atoms of the ionized gas (plasma). At the same time, the second dynode may also be supplied with a small voltage that is negative with respect to the plasma (e.g., -5 V) for tuning the position of the plasma miniscus for optimum extraction geometry. When the negative pulse to the first dynode is terminated, the second dynode is driven strongly negative (e.g., -600 V) thereby allowing heavy sputtering to take place for a short period to remove virtually all of the atoms deposited on the second dynode from material sputtered off the first dynode. An extractor immediately outside the exit aperture of the second dynode is maintained at ground potential while the anode, dynode, and cathode reference voltage is driven strongly positive (about +20 kV to +30 kV) so that ions accelerated through the aperture will be at ground potential. Material from the first dynode deposited on the second dynode will be sputtered, in time, to add to the ion beam.

Sources of Sodium in the Lunar Exosphere: Modeling Using Ground-Based Observations of Sodium Emission and Spacecraft Data of the Plasma

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sarantos, Menelaos; Killen, Rosemary M.; Sharma, A. Surjalal; Slavin, James A.

2009-01-01

Observations of the equatorial lunar sodium emission are examined to quantify the effect of precipitating ions on source rates for the Moon's exospheric volatile species. Using a model of exospheric sodium transport under lunar gravity forces, the measured emission intensity is normalized to a constant lunar phase angle to minimize the effect of different viewing geometries. Daily averages of the solar Lyman alpha flux and ion flux are used as the input variables for photon-stimulated desorption (PSD) and ion sputtering, respectively, while impact vaporization due to the micrometeoritic influx is assumed constant. Additionally, a proxy term proportional to both the Lyman alpha and to the ion flux is introduced to assess the importance of ion-enhanced diffusion and/or chemical sputtering. The combination of particle transport and constrained regression models demonstrates that, assuming sputtering yields that are typical of protons incident on lunar soils, the primary effect of ion impact on the surface of the Moon is not direct sputtering but rather an enhancement of the PSD efficiency. It is inferred that the ion-induced effects must double the PSD efficiency for flux typical of the solar wind at 1 AU. The enhancement in relative efficiency of PSD due to the bombardment of the lunar surface by the plasma sheet ions during passages through the Earth's magnetotail is shown to be approximately two times higher than when it is due to solar wind ions. This leads to the conclusion that the priming of the surface is more efficiently carried out by the energetic plasma sheet ions.

A new topology of fuel cell hybrid power source for efficient operation and high reliability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bizon, Nicu

2011-03-01

This paper analyzes a new fuel cell Hybrid Power Source (HPS) topology having the feature to mitigate the current ripple of the fuel cell inverter system. In the operation of the inverter system that is grid connected or supplies AC motors in vehicle application, the current ripple normally appears at the DC port of the fuel cell HPS. Consequently, if mitigation measures are not applied, this ripple is back propagated to the fuel cell stack. Other features of the proposed fuel cell HPS are the Maximum Power Point (MPP) tracking, high reliability in operation under sharp power pulses and improved energy efficiency in high power applications. This topology uses an inverter system directly powered from the appropriate fuel cell stack and a controlled buck current source as low power source used for ripple mitigation. The low frequency ripple mitigation is based on active control. The anti-ripple current is injected in HPS output node and this has the LF power spectrum almost the same with the inverter ripple. Consequently, the fuel cell current ripple is mitigated by the designed active control. The ripple mitigation performances are evaluated by indicators that are defined to measure the mitigation ratio of the low frequency harmonics. In this paper it is shown that good performances are obtained by using the hysteretic current control, but better if a dedicated nonlinear controller is used. Two ways to design the nonlinear control law are proposed. First is based on simulation trials that help to draw the characteristic of ripple mitigation ratio vs. fuel cell current ripple. The second is based on Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC). The ripple factor is up to 1% in both cases.

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

Rudeck, P.J.; Harper, J.M.E.; Fryer, P.M.

The copper concentration in aluminum--copper alloys can be altered by ion bombardment during film deposition. We have measured the sputtering yields of aluminum and copper in Al--Cu alloys as a function of the Cu concentration (5--13 at. %) and the angle of ion incidence (0--40/sup 0/ from normal). During deposition, the films were partially resputtered by 500-eV Ar/sup +/ ion bombardment from a Kaufman ion source. We found that the Cu sputtering yield decreases by up to a factor of 10 in the alloy, relative to elemental Cu. The Al sputtering yield remains close to the elemental value. The netmore » effect is a strong preferential sputtering of Al relative to Cu, which enhances the Cu concentration in an ion bombarded film. The Al/Cu sputtering yield ratio for normal incidence ion bombardment ranges from 3 to 5 as a function of Cu concentration. This ratio decreases with increasing angle of incidence to as low as 2 for 40/sup 0/ incident ions. However, since a higher fraction of the film is resputtered from a sloping surface, a higher Cu concentration is found on a sloping surface relative to a flat surface. These results show that in multicomponent film deposition under ion bombardment, the film composition will vary as a function of the surface topography. We will also show how the level of argon left trapped in the films varies inversely with respect to the ion flux.« less

Comparative Study of Fault Diagnostic Methods in Voltage Source Inverter Fed Three Phase Induction Motor Drive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhumale, R. B.; Lokhande, S. D.

2017-05-01

Three phase Pulse Width Modulation inverter plays vital role in industrial applications. The performance of inverter demeans as several types of faults take place in it. The widely used switching devices in power electronics are Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) and Metal Oxide Field Effect Transistors (MOSFET). The IGBTs faults are broadly classified as base or collector open circuit fault, misfiring fault and short circuit fault. To develop consistency and performance of inverter, knowledge of fault mode is extremely important. This paper presents the comparative study of IGBTs fault diagnosis. Experimental set up is implemented for data acquisition under various faulty and healthy conditions. Recent methods are executed using MATLAB-Simulink and compared using key parameters like average accuracy, fault detection time, implementation efforts, threshold dependency, and detection parameter, resistivity against noise and load dependency.

Verification of the sputter-generated 32SFn- (n = 1-6) anions by accelerator mass spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mane, R. G.; Surendran, P.; Kumar, Sanjay; Nair, J. P.; Yadav, M. L.; Hemalatha, M.; Thomas, R. G.; Mahata, K.; Kailas, S.; Gupta, A. K.

2016-01-01

Recently, we have performed systematic Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) measurements at our ion source test set up and have demonstrated that gas phase 32SFn- (n = 1-6) anions for all size 'n' can be readily generated from a variety of surfaces undergoing Cs+ ion sputtering in the presence of high purity SF6 gas by employing the gas spray-cesium sputter technique. In our SIMS measurements, the isotopic yield ratio 34SFn-/32SFn- (n = 1-6) was found to be close to its natural abundance but not for all size 'n'. In order to gain further insight into the constituents of these molecular anions, ultra sensitive Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) measurements were conducted with the most abundant 32SFn- (n = 1-6) anions, at BARC-TIFR 14 UD Pelletron accelerator. The results from these measurements are discussed in this paper.

Synthesis and x-ray characterization of sputtered bi-alkali antimonide photocathodes

DOE PAGES

Gaowei, M.; Ding, Z.; Schubert, S.; ...

2017-11-10

Advanced photoinjectors, which are critical to many next generation accelerators, open the door to new ways of material probing, both as injectors for free electron lasers and for ultra-fast electron diffraction. For these applications, the nonuniformity of the electric field near the cathode caused by surface roughness can be the dominant source of beam emittance. Therefore, improving the photocathode roughness while maintaining quantum efficiency is essential to the improvement of beam brightness. Here in this article, we report the demonstration of a bi-alkali antimonide photocathode with an order of magnitude improved roughness by sputter deposition from a K 2CsSb sputtermore » target, using in situ and operando X-ray characterizations. We found that a surface roughness of 0.5 nm for a sputtered photocathode with a final thickness of 42 nm can be achieved while still yielding a quantum efficiency of 3.3% at 530 nm wavelength.« less

Synthesis and x-ray characterization of sputtered bi-alkali antimonide photocathodes

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

Gaowei, M.; Ding, Z.; Schubert, S.

Advanced photoinjectors, which are critical to many next generation accelerators, open the door to new ways of material probing, both as injectors for free electron lasers and for ultra-fast electron diffraction. For these applications, the nonuniformity of the electric field near the cathode caused by surface roughness can be the dominant source of beam emittance. Therefore, improving the photocathode roughness while maintaining quantum efficiency is essential to the improvement of beam brightness. Here in this article, we report the demonstration of a bi-alkali antimonide photocathode with an order of magnitude improved roughness by sputter deposition from a K 2CsSb sputtermore » target, using in situ and operando X-ray characterizations. We found that a surface roughness of 0.5 nm for a sputtered photocathode with a final thickness of 42 nm can be achieved while still yielding a quantum efficiency of 3.3% at 530 nm wavelength.« less

Evaluation of left ventricular assist device pump bladders cast from ion-sputtered polytetrafluorethylene mandrels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

A highly thromboresistant blood contacting interface for use in implanatable blood pump is investigated. Biomaterials mechanics, dynamics, durability, surface morphology, and chemistry are among the critical consideration pertinent to the choice of an appropriate blood pump bladder material. The use of transfer cast biopolymers from ion beam textured surfaces is investigated to detect subtle variations in blood pump surface morphology using Biomer as the biomaterial of choice. The efficacy of ion beam sputtering as an acceptable method of fabricating textured blood interfaces is evaluated. Aortic grafts and left ventricular assist devices were implanted in claves; the blood interfaces were fabricated by transfer casting methods from ion beam textured polytetrafluorethylene mandrels. The mandrels were textured by superimposing a 15 micron screen mesh; ion sputtering conditions were 300 volts beam energy, 40 to 50 mA beam, and a mandrel to source distance of 25 microns.

Grain boundary diffusion of Dy films prepared by magnetron sputtering for sintered Nd–Fe–B magnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, W.; Luo, J. M.; Guan, Y. W.; Huang, Y. L.; Chen, M.; Hou, Y. H.

2018-05-01

Dy films, deposited on the surface of sintered Nd–Fe–B magnets by magnetron sputtering, were employed for grain boundary diffusion source. High coercivity sintered Nd–Fe–B magnets were successfully prepared. Effects of sputtering power and grain boundary diffusion processes (GBDP) on the microstructure and magnetic properties were investigated in detail. The dense and uniform Dy films were beneficial to prepare high coercivity magnets by GBDP. The maximum coercivity value of 1189 kA m‑1 could be shown, which was an amplification of 22.3%, compared with that of as-prepared Nd–Fe–B magnet. Furthermore, the improved remanence and maximum energy product were also achieved through tuning grain boundary diffusion processes. Our results demonstrated that the formation of (Nd, Dy)2Fe14B shell surrounding Nd2Fe14B grains and fine, uniform and continuous intergranular RE-rich phases jointly contribute to the improved coercivity.

In-situ x-ray studies of compositional control during synthesis of LaGaO 3 by radio frequency-magnetron sputtering

DOE PAGES

Highland, Matthew J.; Fong, Dillon D.; Ju, Guangxu; ...

2015-08-28

In-situ synchrotron x-ray scattering has been used to monitor and control the synthesis of LaGaO 3 epitaxial thin films by 90° off-axis RF-magnetron sputtering. We compared films deposited from a single LaGaO 3 source with those prepared by alternating deposition from separate La 2O 3 and Ga 2O 3 sources. The conditions for growth of stoichiometric films were determined by real-time monitoring of secondary phase formation as well as from features in the diffuse scatter from island formation during synthesis. Our results provide atomic-scale insight into the mechanisms taking place during reactive epitaxial growth and demonstrate how in-situ techniques canmore » be utilized to achieve stoichiometric control in ultrathin films.« less

Investigation of plasma-induced erosion of multilayer condenser optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Richard J.; Buchenauer, Dean A.; Williams, K. A.; Clift, W. M.; Klebanoff, L. E.; Edwards, N. V.; Wood, O. R., II; Wurm, S.

2005-05-01

Experiments are presented that investigate the mechanistic cause of multilayer erosion observed from condenser optics exposed to EUV laser-produced plasma (LPP) sources. Using a Xe filament jet source excited with Nd-YAG laser radiation (300 mJ/pulse), measurements were made of material erosion from Au, Mo, Si and C using coated quartz microbalances located 127 mm from the plasma. The observed erosion rates were as follows: Au=99nm/106 shots, Mo= 26nm/106 shots, Si=19nm/106 shots, and C=6nm/106 shots. The relative ratio Au:Mo:Si:C of erosion rates observed experimentally, 16:4:3:1 compares favorably with that predicted from an atomic sputtering model assuming 20 kV Xe ions, 16:6:4:1. The relative agreement indicates that Xe-substrate sputtering is largely responsible for the erosion of Mo/Si multilayers on condenser optics that directly face the plasma. Time-of-flight Faraday cup measurements reveal the emission of high energy Xe ions from the Xe-filament jet plasma. The erosion rate does not depend on the repetition rate of the laser, suggesting a thermal mechanism is not operative. The Xe-filament jet erosion is ~20x that observed from a Xe spray jet. Since the long-lived (millisecond time scale) plasma emanating from these two sources are the same to within ~30%, sputtering from this long-lived plasma can be ruled out as an erosion agent.

High Speed and High Functional Inverter Power Supplies for Plasma Generation and Control, and their Performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uesugi, Yoshihiko; Razzak, Mohammad A.; Kondo, Kenji; Kikuchi, Yusuke; Takamura, Shuichi; Imai, Takahiro; Toyoda, Mitsuhiro

The Rapid development of high power and high speed semiconductor switching devices has led to their various applications in related plasma fields. Especially, a high speed inverter power supply can be used as an RF power source instead of conventional linear amplifiers and a power supply to control the magnetic field in a fusion plasma device. In this paper, RF thermal plasma production and plasma heating experiments are described emphasis placed on using a static induction transistor inverter at a frequency range between 200 kHz and 2.5 MHz as an RF power supply. Efficient thermal plasma production is achieved experimentally by using a flexible and easily operated high power semiconductor inverter power supply. Insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) inverter power supplies driven by a high speed digital signal processor are applied as tokamak joule coil and vertical coil power supplies to control plasma current waveform and plasma equilibrium. Output characteristics, such as the arbitrary bipolar waveform generation of a pulse width modulation (PWM) inverter using digital signal processor (DSP) can be successfully applied to tokamak power supplies for flexible plasma current operation and fast position control of a small tokamak.

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

Aldosary, Mohammed; Li, Junxue; Tang, Chi

30-80 nm thick yttrium iron garnet (YIG) films are grown by pulsed laser deposition on a 5 nm thick sputtered Pt atop gadolinium gallium garnet substrate (GGG) (110). Upon post-growth rapid thermal annealing, single crystal YIG(110) emerges as if it were epitaxially grown on GGG(110) despite the presence of the intermediate Pt film. The YIG surface shows atomic steps with the root-mean-square roughness of 0.12 nm on flat terraces. Both Pt/YIG and GGG/Pt interfaces are atomically sharp. The resulting YIG(110) films show clear in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy with a well-defined easy axis along 〈001〉 and a peak-to-peak ferromagnetic resonance linewidth of 7.5 Oe atmore » 9.32 GHz, similar to YIG epitaxially grown on GGG. Both spin Hall magnetoresistance and longitudinal spin Seebeck effects in the inverted bilayers indicate excellent Pt/YIG interface quality.« less

A Power Regulation and Droop Mode Control Method for a Stand-Alone Load Fed from a PV-Current Source Inverter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khayamy, Mehdy; Ojo, Olorunfemi

2015-04-01

A current source inverter fed from photovoltaic cells is proposed to power an autonomous load when operating under either power regulation or voltage and frequency drooping modes. Input-output linearization technique is applied to the overall nonlinear system to achieve a globally stable system under feasible operating conditions. After obtaining the steady-state model that demarcates the modes of operation, computer Simulation results for variations in irradiance and the load power of the controlled system are generated in which an acceptable dynamic response of the power generator system under the two modes of operation is observed.

Survivability of Autonomous Microgrid during Overload Events

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

Du, Wei; Lasseter, Robert H.; Khalsa, Amrit S.

Grid-forming sources are voltage sources that draw necessary currents to meet any load changes. A load step can cause part or all of these sources to become overloaded in a microgrid. This paper presents an overload mitigation controller that addresses the two overload issues in a microgrid by actively controlling the sources’ frequency. When part of the sources in a microgrid is overloaded, the controller autonomously transfers the extra load to other sources by rapidly reducing its frequency. The frequency difference between sources during transient results in a change of phase angle, which redistributes the power flow. When all sourcesmore » in a microgrid are overloaded, each source keeps dropping the frequency. Therefore, under frequency load shedding can be used to trip the non-critical loads resulting in the survival of microgrid. The advantages of these concepts are that communications between sources are not needed during transient, and the robust voltage control is maintained. Lastly, simulation and field tests from CERTS/AEP microgrid test site verify that the control strategy is effective in both purely inverter-based microgrids and inverter & generator mixed microgrids.« less

Survivability of Autonomous Microgrid during Overload Events

DOE PAGES

Du, Wei; Lasseter, Robert H.; Khalsa, Amrit S.

2018-04-23

Grid-forming sources are voltage sources that draw necessary currents to meet any load changes. A load step can cause part or all of these sources to become overloaded in a microgrid. This paper presents an overload mitigation controller that addresses the two overload issues in a microgrid by actively controlling the sources’ frequency. When part of the sources in a microgrid is overloaded, the controller autonomously transfers the extra load to other sources by rapidly reducing its frequency. The frequency difference between sources during transient results in a change of phase angle, which redistributes the power flow. When all sourcesmore » in a microgrid are overloaded, each source keeps dropping the frequency. Therefore, under frequency load shedding can be used to trip the non-critical loads resulting in the survival of microgrid. The advantages of these concepts are that communications between sources are not needed during transient, and the robust voltage control is maintained. Lastly, simulation and field tests from CERTS/AEP microgrid test site verify that the control strategy is effective in both purely inverter-based microgrids and inverter & generator mixed microgrids.« less

Correlated evolution of structure and mechanical loss of a sputtered silica film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Granata, Massimo; Coillet, Elodie; Martinez, Valérie; Dolique, Vincent; Amato, Alex; Canepa, Maurizio; Margueritat, Jérémie; Martinet, Christine; Mermet, Alain; Michel, Christophe; Pinard, Laurent; Sassolas, Benoît; Cagnoli, Gianpietro

2018-05-01

Energy dissipation in amorphous coatings severely affects high-precision optical and quantum transducers. In order to isolate the source of coating loss, we performed an extensive study of Raman scattering and mechanical loss of a thermally treated sputtered silica coating. Our results show that loss is correlated with the population of three-membered rings of Si-O4 tetrahedral units and support the evidence that thermal treatment reduces the density of metastable states separated by a characteristic energy of about 0.5 eV in favor of an increase of the density of states separated by smaller activation energies.

Modeling, Analysis, and Impedance Design of Battery Energy Stored Single-Phase Quasi-Z Source Photovoltaic Inverter System

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

Xue, Yaosuo

The battery energy stored quasi-Z-source (BES-qZS) based photovoltaic (PV) power generation system combines advantages of the qZS inverter and the battery energy storage system. However, the second harmonic (2 ) power ripple will degrade the system's performance and affect the system's design. An accurate model to analyze the 2 ripple is very important. The existing models did not consider the battery, and with the assumption L1=L2 and C1=C2, which causes the non-optimized design for the impedance parameters of qZS network. This paper proposes a comprehensive model for single-phase BES-qZS-PV inverter system, where the battery is considered and without any restrictionmore » of L1, L2, C1, and C2. A BES-qZS impedance design method based on the built model is proposed to mitigate the 2 ripple. Simulation and experimental results verify the proposed 2 ripple model and design method.« less

Tungsten migration in Alcator C-Mod: sputtering and melting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wright, G. M.; Barnard, H.; Lipschultz, B.; Whyte, D. G.

2010-11-01

A row of bulk tungsten (W) tiles were installed near the typical outer strike-point location in the Alcator C-Mod divertor in 2007. In the 2009/2010 campaign, one of the W tiles mechanically failed resulting in significant W melting at that location. Post-campaign PIXE surface analysis has been used to observe tungsten (W) deposition and migration patterns in the divertor for the typical operations (sputtering only) and operation with melted components. For sputtering conditions, W deposition of up to 20 nm equivalent thickness is observed at various divertor surfaces indicating prompt re-deposition at the outer divertor, neutral and ion transport through the private-flux region and ion transport in the scrape off layer. For melting conditions, W deposition of up to 400 nm equivalent thickness is observed at some locations at the outer divertor. However, the toroidal distribution of W on the outer divertor is strongly non-uniform. There is no W deposition measured on the inner wall limiter. These results indicate that impurity migration is affected by the erosion mechanism and source, with the migration from melting being less predictable and uniform than from the sputtering case. Supported by USDoE award DE-SC00-02060.

Spectroscopic determinations of carbon fluxes, sources, and shielding in the DIII-D divertors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isler, R. C.; Colchin, R. J.; Brooks, N. H.; Evans, T. E.; West, W. P.; Whyte, D. G.

2001-10-01

The most important mechanisms for eroding plasma-facing components (PFCs) and introducing carbon into tokamak divertors are believed to be physical sputtering, chemical sputtering, sublimation, and radiation enhance sublimation (RES). The relative importance of these processes has been investigated by analyzing the spectral emission rates and the effective temperatures of CI, CD, and C2 under several operating conditions in the DIII-D tokamak [Plasma Physics Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research, 1986 (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1987), Vol. I, p. 159; Proceedings of the 18th IEEE/NPSS Symposium on Fusion Engineering, Albuquerque (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Piscataway, 1999), p. 515]. Discrimination of chemical sputtering from physical sputtering is accomplished by quantitatively relating the fraction of CI influxes expected from dissociation of hydrocarbons to the measured CD and C2 influxes. Characteristics of sublimation are studied from carbon test samples heated to surface temperatures exceeding 2000 K. The shielding efficiency of carbon produced at the divertor target is assessed from comparison of fluxes of neutral atoms and ions; approximately 95% of the primary influx appears to be redeposited before being transported far enough upstream to fuel the core plasma.

Spectroscopic determinations of carbon fluxes, sources, and shielding in the DIII-D divertors

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

Isler, R. C.; Colchin, R. J.; Brooks, N. H.

2001-10-01

The most important mechanisms for eroding plasma-facing components (PFCs) and introducing carbon into tokamak divertors are believed to be physical sputtering, chemical sputtering, sublimation, and radiation enhance sublimation (RES). The relative importance of these processes has been investigated by analyzing the spectral emission rates and the effective temperatures of CI, CD, and C{sub 2} under several operating conditions in the DIII-D tokamak [Plasma Physics Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research, 1986 (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1987), Vol. I, p. 159; Proceedings of the 18th IEEE/NPSS Symposium on Fusion Engineering, Albuquerque (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Piscataway, 1999), p. 515]. Discriminationmore » of chemical sputtering from physical sputtering is accomplished by quantitatively relating the fraction of CI influxes expected from dissociation of hydrocarbons to the measured CD and C{sub 2} influxes. Characteristics of sublimation are studied from carbon test samples heated to surface temperatures exceeding 2000 K. The shielding efficiency of carbon produced at the divertor target is assessed from comparison of fluxes of neutral atoms and ions; approximately 95% of the primary influx appears to be redeposited before being transported far enough upstream to fuel the core plasma.« less

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

Silva, E.R.C. da; Filho, B.J.C.

This paper presents a PWM current clamping circuit for improving a series resonant DC link converter. This circuit is capable of reducing current peaks to about 1.2--1.4 times the DC bias current. When desired, resonant transition creates notches in the dc link current, allowing the converter`s switches to synchronize with external PWM strategy. A regulated DC current source may be obtained--by using a conventional rectifier source--to feed a DC load or a current source inverter. Phase plane approach makes ease the understanding the operation, control and design procedure of the circuit. Another topology is derived and its features compared tomore » the first circuit. Simulation results for the simplified circuit and for a three-phase induction motor driven by such inverter will be presented. Moreover, the principle is corroborated by experimental results.« less

Improved Design Concepts for Millimeter Wave Power Sources

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-03-14

depicted in Gun current 14 A Fig. 6 (see also Fig. 2). This is a helical mode launcaer. similar to those used in conventional helix TWTs . The helix ... broadband gyro- TWT amplifiers, magnetically tunable gyro-BWAs, and phase-locked inverted gyro-twystron. The realization of high efficiency and stable...inverted gyto-twistron, known as the phigtron. The phigtron combines a subharmonic gyro- TWT amplifier input sectioq with a gyroklystron type output

Method and apparatus for pulse width modulation control of an AC induction motor

DOEpatents

Geppert, Steven; Slicker, James M.

1984-01-01

An inverter is connected between a source of DC power and a three-phase AC induction motor, and a micro-processor-based circuit controls the inverter using pulse width modulation techniques. In the disclosed method of pulse width modulation, both edges of each pulse of a carrier pulse train are equally modulated by a time proportional to sin .THETA., where .THETA. is the angular displacement of the pulse center at the motor stator frequency from a fixed reference point on the carrier waveform. The carrier waveform frequency is a multiple of the motor stator frequency. The modulated pulse train is then applied to each of the motor phase inputs with respective phase shifts of 120.degree. at the stator frequency. Switching control commands of electronic switches in the inverter are stored in a random access memory (RAM) and the locations of the RAM are successively read out in a cyclic manner, each bit of a given RAM location controlling a respective phase input of the motor. The DC power source preferably comprises rechargeable batteries and all but one of the electronic switches in the inverter can be disabled, the remaining electronic switch being part of a "flyback" DC-DC converter circuit for recharging the battery.

Method and apparatus for pulse width modulation control of an AC induction motor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Geppert, Steven (Inventor); Slicker, James M. (Inventor)

1984-01-01

An inverter is connected between a source of DC power and a three-phase AC induction motor, and a micro-processor-based circuit controls the inverter using pulse width modulation techniques. In the disclosed method of pulse width modulation, both edges of each pulse of a carrier pulse train are equally modulated by a time proportional to sin .THETA., where .THETA. is the angular displacement of the pulse center at the motor stator frequency from a fixed reference point on the carrier waveform. The carrier waveform frequency is a multiple of the motor stator frequency. The modulated pulse train is then applied to each of the motor phase inputs with respective phase shifts of 120.degree. at the stator frequency. Switching control commands of electronic switches in the inverter are stored in a random access memory (RAM) and the locations of the RAM are successively read out in a cyclic manner, each bit of a given RAM location controlling a respective phase input of the motor. The DC power source preferably comprises rechargeable batteries and all but one of the electronic switches in the inverter can be disabled, the remaining electronic switch being part of a flyback DC-DC converter circuit for recharging the battery.

Contributions of solar wind and micrometeoroids to molecular hydrogen in the lunar exosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hurley, Dana M.; Cook, Jason C.; Retherford, Kurt D.; Greathouse, Thomas; Gladstone, G. Randall; Mandt, Kathleen; Grava, Cesare; Kaufmann, David; Hendrix, Amanda; Feldman, Paul D.; Pryor, Wayne; Stickle, Angela; Killen, Rosemary M.; Stern, S. Alan

2017-02-01

We investigate the density and spatial distribution of the H2 exosphere of the Moon assuming various source mechanisms. Owing to its low mass, escape is non-negligible for H2. For high-energy source mechanisms, a high percentage of the released molecules escape lunar gravity. Thus, the H2 spatial distribution for high-energy release processes reflects the spatial distribution of the source. For low energy release mechanisms, the escape rate decreases and the H2 redistributes itself predominantly to reflect a thermally accommodated exosphere. However, a small dependence on the spatial distribution of the source is superimposed on the thermally accommodated distribution in model simulations, where density is locally enhanced near regions of higher source rate. For an exosphere accommodated to the local surface temperature, a source rate of 2.2 g s-1 is required to produce a steady state density at high latitude of 1200 cm-3. Greater source rates are required to produce the same density for more energetic release mechanisms. Physical sputtering by solar wind and direct delivery of H2 through micrometeoroid bombardment can be ruled out as mechanisms for producing and liberating H2 into the lunar exosphere. Chemical sputtering by the solar wind is the most plausible as a source mechanism and would require 10-50% of the solar wind H+ inventory to be converted to H2 to account for the observations.

Contributions of Solar Wind and Micrometeoroids to Molecular Hydrogen in the Lunar Exosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hurley, Dana M.; Cook, Jason C.; Retherford, Kurt D.; Greathouse, Thomas; Gladstone, G. Randall; Mandt, Kathleen; Grava, Cesare; Kaufmann, David; Hendrix, Amanda; Feldman, Paul D.;

Analysis of High Switching Frequency Quasi-Z-Source Photovoltaic Inverter Using Wide Bandgap Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kayiranga, Thierry

Power inverters continue to play a key role in todays electrical system more than ever. Power inverters employ power semiconductors to converter direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). The performance of the semiconductors is based on speed and efficiency. Until recently, Silicon (Si) semiconductors had been established as mature. However, the continuous optimization and improvements in the production process of Si to meet today technology requirements have pushed Si materials to their theoretical limits. In an effort to find a suitable replacement, wide bandgap devices mainly Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Silicon Carbide (SiC), have proved to be excellent candidates offering high operation temperature, high blocking voltage and high switching frequency; of which the latter makes GaN a better candidate in high switching low voltage in Distributed Generations (DG). The single stage Quasi-Z-Source Inverter (qZSI) is also able to draw continuous and constant current from the source making ideal for PV applications in addition to allowing shoot-through states. The qZSI find best applications in medium level ranges where multiples qZS inverters can be cascaded (qZS-CMI) by combining the benefit of the qZSI, boost capabilities and continuous and constant input current, and those of the CMI, low output harmonic content and independent MPPT. When used with GaN devices operating at very high frequency, the qZS network impedance can be significantly reduced. However, the impedance network becomes asymmetric. The asymmetric impedance network (AIN-qZSI) has several advantages such as increased power density, increases system lifetime, small size volume and size making it more attractive for module integrated converter (MIC) concepts. However, there are technical challenges. With asymmetric component, resonance is introduced in the system leading to more losses and audible noise. With small inductances, new operation states become available further increasing the system complexity. This report investigates the AIN-qZSI and present solutions to aforementioned issues.

Modularized multilevel and z-source power converter as renewable energy interface for vehicle and grid-connected applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Dong

Due the energy crisis and increased oil price, renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic panel, wind turbine, or thermoelectric generation module, are used more and more widely for vehicle and grid-connected applications. However, the output of these renewable energy sources varies according to different solar radiation, wind speed, or temperature difference, a power converter interface is required for the vehicle or grid-connected applications. Thermoelectric generation (TEG) module as a renewable energy source for automotive industry is becoming very popular recently. Because of the inherent characteristics of TEG modules, a low input voltage, high input current and high voltage gain dc-dc converters are needed for the automotive load. Traditional high voltage gain dc-dc converters are not suitable for automotive application in terms of size and high temperature operation. Switched-capacitor dc-dc converters have to be used for this application. However, high voltage spike and EMI problems exist in traditional switched-capacitor dc-dc converters. Huge capacitor banks have to be utilized to reduce the voltage ripple and achieve high efficiency. A series of zero current switching (ZCS) or zero voltage switching switched-capacitor dc-dc converters have been proposed to overcome the aforementioned problems of the traditional switched-capacitor dc-dc converters. By using the proposed soft-switching strategy, high voltage spike is reduced, high EMI noise is restricted, and the huge capacitor bank is eliminated. High efficiency, high power density and high temperature switched-capacitor dc-dc converters could be made for the TEG interface in vehicle applications. Several prototypes have been made to validate the proposed circuit and confirm the circuit operation. In order to apply PV panel for grid-connected application, a low cost dc-ac inverter interface is required. From the use of transformer and safety concern, two different solutions can be implemented, non-isolated or isolated PV inverter. For the non-isolated transformer-less solution, a semi-Z-source inverter for single phase photovoltaic systems has been proposed. The proposed semi-Z-source inverter utilizes only two switching devices with doubly grounded feature. The total cost have been reduced, the safety and EMI issues caused by the high frequency ground current are solved. For the transformer isolated solution, a boost half-bridge dc-ac micro-inverter has been proposed. The proposed boost half-bridge dc-dc converter utilizes only two switching devices with zero voltage switching features which is able to reduce the total system cost and power loss.

Nitrogen incorporation in carbon nitride films produced by direct and dual ion-beam sputtering

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

Abrasonis, G.; Gago, R.; Jimenez, I.

2005-10-01

Carbon (C) and carbon nitride (CN{sub x}) films were grown on Si(100) substrates by direct ion-beam sputtering (IBS) of a carbon target at different substrate temperatures (room temperature-450 deg. C) and Ar/N{sub 2} sputtering gas mixtures. Additionally, the effect of concurrent nitrogen-ion assistance during the growth of CN{sub x} films by IBS was also investigated. The samples were analyzed by elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA) and x-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES). The ERDA results showed that significant nitrogen amount (up to 20 at. %) was incorporated in the films, without any other nitrogen source but the N{sub 2}-containing sputtering gas.more » The nitrogen concentration is proportional to the N{sub 2} content in the sputtering beam and no saturation limit is reached under the present working conditions. The film areal density derived from ERDA revealed a decrease in the amount of deposited material at increasing growth temperature, with a correlation between the C and N losses. The XANES results indicate that N atoms are efficiently incorporated into the carbon network and can be found in different bonding environments, such as pyridinelike, nitrilelike, graphitelike, and embedded N{sub 2} molecules. The contribution of molecular and pyridinelike nitrogen decreases when the temperature increases while the contribution of the nitrilelike nitrogen increases. The concurrent nitrogen ion assistance resulted in the significant increase of the nitrogen content in the film but it induced a further reduction of the deposited material. Additionally, the assisting ions inhibited the formation of the nitrilelike configurations while promoting nitrogen environments in graphitelike positions. The nitrogen incorporation and release mechanisms are discussed in terms of film growth precursors, ion bombardment effects, and chemical sputtering.« less

Capacitive Trans-Impedance Amplifier Circuit with Charge Injection Compensation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Milkov, Mihail M. (Inventor); Gulbransen, David J. (Inventor)

2016-01-01

A capacitive trans-impedance amplifier circuit with charge injection compensation is provided. A feedback capacitor is connected between an inverting input port and an output port of an amplifier. A MOS reset switch has source and drain terminals connected between the inverting input and output ports of the amplifier, and a gate terminal controlled by a reset signal. The reset switch is open or inactive during an integration phase, and closed or active to electrically connect the inverting input port and output port of the amplifier during a reset phase. One or more compensation capacitors are provided that are not implemented as gate oxide or MOS capacitors. Each compensation capacitor has a first port connected to a compensation signal that is a static signal or a toggling compensation signal that toggles between two compensation voltage values, and a second port connected to the inverting input port of the amplifier.

Japanese power electronics inverter technology and its impact on the American air conditioning industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushimaru, Kenji

1990-08-01

Since 1983, technological advances and market growth of inverter-driven variable-speed heat pumps in Japan have been dramatic. The high level of market penetration was promoted by a combination of political, economic, and trade policies in Japan. A unique environment was created in which the leading domestic industries, microprocessor manufacturing, compressors for air conditioning and refrigerators, and power electronic devices, were able to direct the development and market success of inverter-driven heat pumps. As a result, leading U.S. variable-speed heat pump manufacturers should expect a challenge from the Japanese producers of power devices and microprocessors. Because of the vertically-integrated production structure in Japan, in contrast to the out-sourcing culture of the United States, price competition at the component level (such as inverters, sensors, and controls) may impact the structure of the industry more severely than final product sales.

The noise and flow characteristics of inverted-profile coannular jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tanna, H. K.; Tester, B. J.; Lau, J. C.

1979-01-01

A basic understanding of the noise reduction mechanisms in shock-free inverted-velocity-profile coannular jets was studied. Acoustic measurements are first conducted in an anechoic facility to isolate the effects of inverted velocity and inverted temperature for coannular jets having constant total thrust, mass flow rate and exit area. To obtain physical explanations of the measured noise changes, several types of experiments are conducted. These include (1) source location experiments using the polar correlation technique, (2) mean flow surveys using a combination pressure/temperature probe, and (3) detailed mean flow and turbulence measurements using a two-point four-channel laser velocimeter. The results from these experiments are presented and discussed in detail. Finally, the measured variations of coannular jet mixing noise with fan-to-primary velocity ratio and static temperature ratio are interpreted by utilizing the results from the various experimental phases in conjunction with the existing Lockheed single jet noise prediction model.

Earthquake Source Inversion Blindtest: Initial Results and Further Developments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mai, P.; Burjanek, J.; Delouis, B.; Festa, G.; Francois-Holden, C.; Monelli, D.; Uchide, T.; Zahradnik, J.

2007-12-01

Images of earthquake ruptures, obtained from modelling/inverting seismic and/or geodetic data exhibit a high degree in spatial complexity. This earthquake source heterogeneity controls seismic radiation, and is determined by the details of the dynamic rupture process. In turn, such rupture models are used for studying source dynamics and for ground-motion prediction. But how reliable and trustworthy are these earthquake source inversions? Rupture models for a given earthquake, obtained by different research teams, often display striking disparities (see http://www.seismo.ethz.ch/srcmod) However, well resolved, robust, and hence reliable source-rupture models are an integral part to better understand earthquake source physics and to improve seismic hazard assessment. Therefore it is timely to conduct a large-scale validation exercise for comparing the methods, parameterization and data-handling in earthquake source inversions.We recently started a blind test in which several research groups derive a kinematic rupture model from synthetic seismograms calculated for an input model unknown to the source modelers. The first results, for an input rupture model with heterogeneous slip but constant rise time and rupture velocity, reveal large differences between the input and inverted model in some cases, while a few studies achieve high correlation between the input and inferred model. Here we report on the statistical assessment of the set of inverted rupture models to quantitatively investigate their degree of (dis-)similarity. We briefly discuss the different inversion approaches, their possible strength and weaknesses, and the use of appropriate misfit criteria. Finally we present new blind-test models, with increasing source complexity and ambient noise on the synthetics. The goal is to attract a large group of source modelers to join this source-inversion blindtest in order to conduct a large-scale validation exercise to rigorously asses the performance and reliability of current inversion methods and to discuss future developments.

OEDGE modeling for the planned tungsten ring experiment on DIII-D

DOE PAGES

Elder, J. David; Stangeby, Peter C.; Abrams, Tyler W.; ...

2017-04-19

The OEDGE code is used to model tungsten erosion and transport for DIII-D experiments with toroidal rings of high-Z metal tiles. Such modeling is needed for both experimental and diagnostic design to have estimates of the expected core and edge tungsten density and to understand the various factors contributing to the uncertainties in these calculations. OEDGE simulations are performed using the planned experimental magnetic geometries and plasma conditions typical of both L-mode and inter-ELM H-mode discharges in DIII-D. OEDGE plasma reconstruction based on specific representative discharges for similar geometries is used to determine the plasma conditions applied to tungsten plasmamore » impurity simulations. We developed a new model for tungsten erosion in OEDGE which imports charge-state resolved carbon impurity fluxes and impact energies from a separate OEDGE run which models the carbon production, transport and deposition for the same plasma conditions as the tungsten simulations. Furthermore, these values are then used to calculate the gross tungsten physical sputtering due to carbon plasma impurities which is then added to any sputtering by deuterium ions; tungsten self-sputtering is also included. The code results are found to be dependent on the following factors: divertor geometry and closure, the choice of cross-field anomalous transport coefficients, divertor plasma conditions (affecting both tungsten source strength and transport), the choice of tungsten atomic physics data used in the model (in particular sviz(Te) for W-atoms), and the model of the carbon flux and energy used for 2 calculating the tungsten source due to sputtering. The core tungsten density is found to be of order 10 15 m -3 (excluding effects of any core transport barrier and with significant variability depending on the other factors mentioned) with density decaying into the scrape off layer.« less

The Effect on the Lunar Exosphere of a Coroual Mass Ejection Passage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Killen, R. M.; Hurley, D. M.; Farrell, W. M.

2011-01-01

Solar wind bombardment onto exposed surfaces in the solar system produces an energetic component to the exospheres about those bodies. The solar wind energy and composition are highly dependent on the origin of the plasma. Using the measured composition of the slow wind, fast wind, solar energetic particle (SEP) population, and coronal mass ejection (CME), broken down into their various components, we have estimated the total sputter yield for each type of solar wind. We show that the heavy ion component, especially the He++ and 0+7 can greatly enhance the total sputter yield during times when the heavy ion population is enhanced. Folding in the flux, we compute the source rate for several species during different types of solar wind. Finally, we use a Monte Carlo model developed to simulate the time-dependent evolution of the lunar exosphere to study the sputtering component of the exosphere under the influence of a CME passage. We simulate the background exosphere of Na, K, Ca, and Mg. Simulations indicate that sputtering increases the mass of those constituents in the exosphere a few to a few tens times the background values. The escalation of atmospheric density occurs within an hour of onset The decrease in atmospheric density after the CME passage is also rapid, although takes longer than the increase, Sputtered neutral particles have a high probability of escaping the moon,by both Jeans escape and photo ionization. Density and spatial distribution of the exosphere can be tested with the LADEE mission.

A comparative study of electric power distribution systems for spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stuart, Thomas A.; King, Roger J.

1990-01-01

The electric power distribution systems for spacecraft are compared concentrating on two interrelated issues: the choice between dc and high frequency ac, and the converter/inverter topology to be used at the power source. The relative merits of dc and ac distribution are discussed. Specific converter and inverter topologies are identified and analyzed in detail for the purpose of detailed comparison. Finally, specific topologies are recommended for use in dc and ac systems.

Production of intensive negative lithium beam with caesium sputter-type ion source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lobanov, Nikolai R.

2018-01-01

Compounds of lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate, mixed with silver, were prepared for use as a cathode in caesium-sputter ion source. The intention was to determine the procedure which would produce the highest intensity negative lithium beams over extended period and with maximum stability. The chemical composition and properties of the samples were analysed using mass-spectrometry, optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analyses (EDX) and Raman spectroscopy. These analyses showed that the chemical transformations with components resulted from pressing, storage and bake out were qualitatively in agreement with expectations. Intensive negative lithium ion beams >1 μA were delivered using cathodes fabricated from materials with multicomponent chemical composition when the following conditions were met: (i) use of components with moderate enthalpy of formation; (ii) low moisture content at final stage of cathode production and (iii) small concentration of water molecules in hydrate phase in the cathode mixture.

Sodium and potassium in the lunar atmosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Potter, A. E.; Morgan, T. H.

1991-01-01

The discovery that sodium and potassium vapor can be observed in the lunar atmosphere using ground-based telescopes has opened up a field of investigation that was closed after the last Apollo mission to the Moon. Sodium has been detected at altitudes up to 1500 km above the surface. This implies a high effective temperature for sodium, of the order of 1000 K. However, there is some evidence for two populations of sodium and potassium, one at temperatures corresponding to the surface, and another corresponding to high temperatures. The sources for the lunar atmosphere are not understood. Meteoric bombardment of the surface, solar wind sputtering of the surface, and photo-sputtering of the surface have all been suggested as possible sources for the lunar atmosphere. One of the objectives of the current research is to test different hypotheses by measurements of the atmosphere under different conditions of solar illumination and shielding from the solar wind by the Earth.

A Penning discharge as a dc source for multiply ionized atoms.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rainer, Kling; Manfred, Kock

1997-10-01

We report upon a specially designed Penning discharge which has been further developed from a source published by Finley et al.(Finley, D. S., Bowyer, S., Paresce, F., Malina, R. F.: Appl. Opt. 18) (1979) 649 towards a radiation standard for the XUV.(Heise, C., Hollandt, J., Kling, R., Kock, M., Kuehne, M.: Appl. Opt. 33) (1994) 5111 The discharge stands out for low buffer gas pressure, high electric power input and a strong superimposed magnetic field. That leads to intense sputtering of the cathodes which can be made of nearly any material. The efficient excitation and ionization of the sputtered atoms permit spectroscopy on multiply ionized spezies. W III and Fe III spectra will be given as examples. We also will present kinetic temperatures of the nonthermal plasma showing that the ionic component is decoupled from the cold neutral gas component.

A Consideration of Stable Operating Power Limits of HVDC System Composed of Voltage Source Converters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konishi, Hiroo; Takahashi, Choei; Kishibe, Hideto; Sato, Hiromichi

The stable operating power limits of a small scale HVDC system composed of voltage source converters (VSC-HVDC system) are analyzed with a simple model. The VSC-HVDC system could operate where the AC system must be somewhat larger in capacity than the VSC-HVDC system capacity. The stable operating power limits were between one and two times the SCR (short circuit ratio). When the inverter of the VSC-HVDC system was operated with lead reactive (capacitive) power control conditions, the stable operating limits were increased through AC voltage stabilization. When the inverter was a STATCOM operation, it could operate regardless of the SCR but regions within allowable AC voltage variations.

Method and system for a gas tube-based current source high voltage direct current transmission system

DOEpatents

She, Xu; Chokhawala, Rahul Shantilal; Bray, James William; Sommerer, Timothy John; Zhou, Rui; Zhang, Di

2017-08-29

A high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission system includes an alternating current (AC) electrical source and a power converter channel that includes an AC-DC converter electrically coupled to the electrical source and a DC-AC inverter electrically coupled to the AC-DC converter. The AC-DC converter and the DC-AC inverter each include a plurality of legs that includes at least one switching device. The power converter channel further includes a commutating circuit communicatively coupled to one or more switching devices. The commutating circuit is configured to "switch on" one of the switching devices during a first portion of a cycle of the H-bridge switching circuits and "switch off" the switching device during a second portion of the cycle of the first and second H-bridge switching circuits.

Shape-memory properties in Ni-Ti sputter-deposited film

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Busch, J. D.; Johnson, A. D.; Lee, C. H.; Stevenson, D. A.

1990-01-01

A Ni-Ti alloy, generically called nitinol, was prepared from sputtering targets of two different compositions on glass substrates using a dc magnetron source. The as-deposited films were amorphous in structure and did not exhibit a shape memory. The amorphous films were crystallized with a suitable annealing process, and the transformation properties were measured using differential scanning calorimetry. The annealed films demonstrated a strong shape-memory effect. Stress/strain measurements and physical manipulation were used to evaluate the shape recovery. These tests demonstrated sustained tensile stresses of up to 480 MPa in the high-temperature phase, and a characteristic plastic deformation in the low-temperature phase.

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

Wu Shioumin; Kruijs, Robbert van de; Zoethout, Erwin

Ion sputtering yields for Ru, Mo, and Si under Ar{sup +} ion bombardment in the near-threshold energy range have been studied using an in situ weight-loss method with a Kaufman ion source, Faraday cup, and quartz crystal microbalance. The results are compared to theoretical models. The accuracy of the in situ weight-loss method was verified by thickness-decrease measurements using grazing incidence x-ray reflectometry, and results from both methods are in good agreement. These results provide accurate data sets for theoretical modeling in the near-threshold sputter regime and are of relevance for (optical) surfaces exposed to plasmas, as, for instance, inmore » extreme ultraviolet photolithography.« less

Nanostructured Ti-Ta thin films synthesized by combinatorial glancing angle sputter deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Motemani, Yahya; Khare, Chinmay; Savan, Alan; Hans, Michael; Paulsen, Alexander; Frenzel, Jan; Somsen, Christoph; Mücklich, Frank; Eggeler, Gunther; Ludwig, Alfred

2016-12-01

Ti-Ta alloys are attractive materials for applications in actuators as well as biomedical implants. When fabricated as thin films, these alloys can potentially be employed as microactuators, components for micro-implantable devices and coatings on surgical implants. In this study, Ti100-x Ta x (x = 21, 30) nanocolumnar thin films are fabricated by glancing angle deposition (GLAD) at room temperature using Ti73Ta27 and Ta sputter targets. Crystal structure, morphology and microstructure of the nanostructured thin films are systematically investigated by XRD, SEM and TEM, respectively. Nanocolumns of ˜150-160 nm in width are oriented perpendicular to the substrate for both Ti79Ta21 and Ti70Ta30 compositions. The disordered α″ martensite phase with orthorhombic structure is formed in room temperature as-deposited thin films. The columns are found to be elongated small single crystals which are aligned perpendicular to the (20\\bar{4}) and (204) planes of α″ martensite, indicating that the films’ growth orientation is mainly dominated by these crystallographic planes. Laser pre-patterned substrates are utilized to obtain periodic nanocolumnar arrays. The differences in seed pattern, and inter-seed distances lead to growth of multi-level porous nanostructures. Using a unique sputter deposition geometry consisting of Ti73Ta27 and Ta sputter sources, a nanocolumnar Ti-Ta materials library was fabricated on a static substrate by a co-deposition process (combinatorial-GLAD approach). In this library, a composition spread developed between Ti72.8Ta27.2 and Ti64.4Ta35.6, as confirmed by high-throughput EDX analysis. The morphology over the materials library varies from well-isolated nanocolumns to fan-like nanocolumnar structures. The influence of two sputter sources is investigated by studying the resulting column angle on the materials library. The presented nanostructuring methods including the use of the GLAD technique along with pre-patterning and a combinatorial materials library fabrication strategy offer a promising technological approach for investigating Ti-Ta thin films for a range of applications. The proposed approaches can be similarly implemented for other materials systems which can benefit from the formation of a nanocolumnar morphology.

Matilda: A mass filtered nanocluster source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, Gihan

Cluster science provides a good model system for the study of the size dependence of electronic properties, chemical reactivity, as well as magnetic properties of materials. One of the main interests in cluster science is the nanoscale understanding of chemical reactions and selectivity in catalysis. Therefore, a new cluster system was constructed to study catalysts for applications in renewable energy. Matilda, a nanocluster source, consists of a cluster source and a Retarding Field Analyzer (RFA). A moveable AJA A310 Series 1"-diameter magnetron sputtering gun enclosed in a water cooled aggregation tube served as the cluster source. A silver coin was used for the sputtering target. The sputtering pressure in the aggregation tube was controlled, ranging from 0.07 to 1torr, using a mass flow controller. The mean cluster size was found to be a function of relative partial pressure (He/Ar), sputtering power, and aggregation length. The kinetic energy distribution of ionized clusters was measured with the RFA. The maximum ion energy distribution was 2.9 eV/atom at a zero pressure ratio. At high Ar flow rates, the mean cluster size was 20 ˜ 80nm, and at a 9.5 partial pressure ratio, the mean cluster size was reduced to 1.6nm. Our results showed that the He gas pressure can be optimized to reduce the cluster size variations. Results from SIMION, which is an electron optics simulation package, supported the basic function of an RFA, a three-element lens and the magnetic sector mass filter. These simulated results agreed with experimental data. For the size selection experiment, the channeltron electron multiplier collected ionized cluster signal at different positions during Ag deposition on a TEM grid for four and half hours. The cluster signal was high at the position for neutral clusters, which was not bent by a magnetic field, and the signal decreased rapidly far away from the neutral cluster region. For cluster separation according to mass to charge ratio in a magnetic sector mass filter, the ion energy of the cluster and its distribution must be precisely controlled by acceleration or deceleration. To verify the size separation, a high resolution microscope was required. Matilda provided narrow particle sized distribution from atomic scale to 4nm in size with different pressure ratio without additional mass filter. It is very economical way to produce relatively narrow particle size distribution.

Border Collision of Three-Phase Voltage-Source Inverter System with Interacting Loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zhen; Liu, Bin; Li, Yining; Wong, Siu-Chung; Liu, Xiangdong; Huang, Yuehui

As a commercial interface, three-phase voltage-source inverters (VSI) are commonly equipped for energy conversion to export DC power from most distributed generation (DG) to the AC utility. Not only do voltage-source converters take charge of converting the power to the loads but support the grid voltage at the point of common connection (PCC) as well, which is dependent on the condition of the grid-connected loads. This paper explores the border collision and its interacting mechanism among the VSI, resistive interacting loads and grids, which manifests as the alternating emergence of the inverting and rectifying operations, where the normal operation is terminated and a new one is assumed. Their mutual effect on the power quality under investigation will cause the circuital stability issue and further deteriorate the voltage regulation capability of VSI by dramatically raising the grid voltage harmonics. It is found in a design-oriented view that the border collision operation will be induced within the unsuitable parameter space with respect to transmission lines of AC grid, resistive loads and internal resistance of VSI. The physical phenomenon is also identified by the theoretical analysis. With numerical simulations for various circuit conditions, the corresponding bifurcation boundaries are collected, where the stability of the system is lost via border collision.

Development of a hardware-based AC microgrid for AC stability assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swanson, Robert R.

As more power electronic-based devices enable the development of high-bandwidth AC microgrids, the topic of microgrid power distribution stability has become of increased interest. Recently, researchers have proposed a relatively straightforward method to assess the stability of AC systems based upon the time-constants of sources, the net bus capacitance, and the rate limits of sources. In this research, a focus has been to develop a hardware test system to evaluate AC system stability. As a first step, a time domain model of a two converter microgrid was established in which a three phase inverter acts as a power source and an active rectifier serves as an adjustable constant power AC load. The constant power load can be utilized to create rapid power flow transients to the generating system. As a second step, the inverter and active rectifier were designed using a Smart Power Module IGBT for switching and an embedded microcontroller as a processor for algorithm implementation. The inverter and active rectifier were designed to operate simultaneously using a synchronization signal to ensure each respective local controller operates in a common reference frame. Finally, the physical system was created and initial testing performed to validate the hardware functionality as a variable amplitude and variable frequency AC system.

Operation of ICRF antennas in a full tungsten environment in ASDEX Upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bobkov, Vl.; Braun, F.; Dux, R.; Giannone, L.; Herrmann, A.; Kallenbach, A.; Müller, H. W.; Neu, R.; Noterdaeme, J.-M.; Pütterich, Th.; Rohde, V.; ASDEX Upgrade Team

2009-06-01

In the 2007 and early part of 2008 experimental campaigns, ASDEX Upgrade operated with full tungsten (W) wall without boronization. Use of ICRF power results in a significant increase of W source. Low temperature conditions at the plasma facing components, achieved by a large clearance between the separatrix and the antenna (>6 cm) and by elevated gas puff rates (>5×1021 s) help to lower W sputtering yield during ICRF. Operation of neighboring ICRF antennas at the phase difference close to -90° can lead to a reduction in the W source. However, a reduction of parallel near-fields by antenna design is needed to further minimize the W source. A relation has been established between the HFSS code calculations predicting a dominant role of box currents in the formation of parallel antenna near-fields and the experiment. The shapes of the measured vertical profile of effective sputtering yields and the calculated sheath driving voltages show a qualitative agreement. This confirms that the existing tools are a good basis to design an improved antenna.

A novel double gate metal source/drain Schottky MOSFET as an inverter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loan, Sajad A.; Kumar, Sunil; Alamoud, Abdulrahman M.

2016-03-01

In this work, we propose and simulate a novel structure of a double gate metal source/drain (MSD) Schottky MOSFET. The novelty of the proposed device is that it realizes a complete CMOS inverter action, which is actually being realized by the combination of two n and p type MOS transistors in the conventional CMOS technology. Therefore, the use of this device will significantly reduce the transistor count in implementing combinational and sequential circuits. Further, there is a significant reduction in the number of junctions and regions in the proposed device in comparison to the conventional CMOS inverter. Therefore, the proposed device is compact and can consume less power. The proposed device has been named as Sajad-Sunil-Schottky (SSS) device. The mixed mode circuit analysis of the proposed SSS device has shown that a CMOS inverter action with high logic level (VOH) and low logic level (VOL) as ∼VDD and ∼ground respectively. A two dimensional calibrated simulation study using the experimental data has revealed that the proposed SSS device in n and p type modes have subthreshold slopes (S) of 130 mV/decade and 85 mV/decade respectively and have reasonable high ION and ION/IOFF ratio's. Furthermore, it has been proved that such a device action cannot be realised by folding the conventional doped n and p MOS transistors.

On the SIMS Ionization Probability of Organic Molecules.

PubMed

Popczun, Nicholas J; Breuer, Lars; Wucher, Andreas; Winograd, Nicholas

2017-06-01

The prospect of improved secondary ion yields for secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) experiments drives innovation of new primary ion sources, instrumentation, and post-ionization techniques. The largest factor affecting secondary ion efficiency is believed to be the poor ionization probability (α + ) of sputtered material, a value rarely measured directly, but estimated to be in some cases as low as 10 -5 . Our lab has developed a method for the direct determination of α + in a SIMS experiment using laser post-ionization (LPI) to detect neutral molecular species in the sputtered plume for an organic compound. Here, we apply this method to coronene (C 24 H 12 ), a polyaromatic hydrocarbon that exhibits strong molecular signal during gas-phase photoionization. A two-dimensional spatial distribution of sputtered neutral molecules is measured and presented. It is shown that the ionization probability of molecular coronene desorbed from a clean film under bombardment with 40 keV C 60 cluster projectiles is of the order of 10 -3 , with some remaining uncertainty arising from laser-induced fragmentation and possible differences in the emission velocity distributions of neutral and ionized molecules. In general, this work establishes a method to estimate the ionization efficiency of molecular species sputtered during a single bombardment event. Graphical Abstract .

Adjoint-tomography for a Local Surface Structure: Methodology and a Blind Test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kubina, Filip; Michlik, Filip; Moczo, Peter; Kristek, Jozef; Stripajova, Svetlana

2017-04-01

We have developed a multiscale full-waveform adjoint-tomography method for local surface sedimentary structures with complicated interference wavefields. The local surface sedimentary basins and valleys are often responsible for anomalous earthquake ground motions and corresponding damage in earthquakes. In many cases only relatively small number of records of a few local earthquakes is available for a site of interest. Consequently, prediction of earthquake ground motion at the site has to include numerical modeling for a realistic model of the local structure. Though limited, the information about the local structure encoded in the records is important and irreplaceable. It is therefore reasonable to have a method capable of using the limited information in records for improving a model of the local structure. A local surface structure and its interference wavefield require a specific multiscale approach. In order to verify our inversion method, we performed a blind test. We obtained synthetic seismograms at 8 receivers for 2 local sources, complete description of the sources, positions of the receivers and material parameters of the bedrock. We considered the simplest possible starting model - a homogeneous halfspace made of the bedrock. Using our inversion method we obtained an inverted model. Given the starting model, synthetic seismograms simulated for the inverted model are surprisingly close to the synthetic seismograms simulated for the true structure in the target frequency range up to 4.5 Hz. We quantify the level of agreement between the true and inverted seismograms using the L2 and time-frequency misfits, and, more importantly for earthquake-engineering applications, also using the goodness-of-fit criteria based on the earthquake-engineering characteristics of earthquake ground motion. We also verified the inverted model for other source-receiver configurations not used in the inversion.

Coatings for FEL optics: preparation and characterization of B4C and Pt

PubMed Central

Störmer, Michael; Siewert, Frank; Horstmann, Christian; Buchheim, Jana; Gwalt, Grzegorz

2018-01-01

Large X-ray mirrors are required for beam transport at both present-day and future free-electron lasers (FELs) and synchrotron sources worldwide. The demand for large mirrors with lengths up to 1 m single layers consisting of light or heavy elements has increased during the last few decades. Accordingly, surface finishing technology is now able to produce large substrate lengths with micro-roughness on the sub-nanometer scale. At the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG), a 4.5 m-long sputtering facility enables us to deposit a desired single-layer material some tens of nanometers thick. For the European XFEL project, the shape error should be less than 2 nm over the whole 1 m X-ray mirror length to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of X-ray beams to the scientific instruments. The challenge is to achieve thin-film deposition on silicon substrates, benders and gratings without any change in mirror shape. Thin films of boron carbide and platinum with a thickness in the range 30–100 nm were manufactured using the HZG sputtering facility. This setup is able to cover areas of up to 1500 mm × 120 mm in one step using rectangular sputtering sources. The coatings produced were characterized using various thin-film methods. It was possible to improve the coating process to achieve a very high uniformity of the layer thickness. The movement of the substrate in front of the sputtering source has been optimized. A variation in B4C layer thickness below 1 nm (peak-to-valley) was achieved at a mean thickness of 51.8 nm over a deposition length of 1.5 m. In the case of Pt, reflectometry and micro-roughness measurements were performed. The uniformity in layer thickness was about 1 nm (peak-to-valley). The micro-roughness of the Pt layers showed no significant change in the coated state for layer thicknesses of 32 nm and 102 nm compared with the uncoated substrate state. The experimental results achieved will be discussed with regard to current restrictions and future developments. PMID:29271760

Coatings for FEL optics: preparation and characterization of B4C and Pt.

PubMed

Störmer, Michael; Siewert, Frank; Horstmann, Christian; Buchheim, Jana; Gwalt, Grzegorz

2018-01-01

Large X-ray mirrors are required for beam transport at both present-day and future free-electron lasers (FELs) and synchrotron sources worldwide. The demand for large mirrors with lengths up to 1 m single layers consisting of light or heavy elements has increased during the last few decades. Accordingly, surface finishing technology is now able to produce large substrate lengths with micro-roughness on the sub-nanometer scale. At the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG), a 4.5 m-long sputtering facility enables us to deposit a desired single-layer material some tens of nanometers thick. For the European XFEL project, the shape error should be less than 2 nm over the whole 1 m X-ray mirror length to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of X-ray beams to the scientific instruments. The challenge is to achieve thin-film deposition on silicon substrates, benders and gratings without any change in mirror shape. Thin films of boron carbide and platinum with a thickness in the range 30-100 nm were manufactured using the HZG sputtering facility. This setup is able to cover areas of up to 1500 mm × 120 mm in one step using rectangular sputtering sources. The coatings produced were characterized using various thin-film methods. It was possible to improve the coating process to achieve a very high uniformity of the layer thickness. The movement of the substrate in front of the sputtering source has been optimized. A variation in B 4 C layer thickness below 1 nm (peak-to-valley) was achieved at a mean thickness of 51.8 nm over a deposition length of 1.5 m. In the case of Pt, reflectometry and micro-roughness measurements were performed. The uniformity in layer thickness was about 1 nm (peak-to-valley). The micro-roughness of the Pt layers showed no significant change in the coated state for layer thicknesses of 32 nm and 102 nm compared with the uncoated substrate state. The experimental results achieved will be discussed with regard to current restrictions and future developments.

Foundations of DC plasma sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomas Gudmundsson, Jon; Hecimovic, Ante

2017-12-01

A typical dc discharge is configured with the negative cathode at one end and a positive anode at the other end, separated by a gas filled gap, placed inside a long glass cylinder. A few hundred volts between the cathode and anode is required to maintain the discharge. The type of discharge that is formed between the two electrodes depends upon the pressure of the working gas, the nature of the working gas, the applied voltage and the geometry of the discharge. We discuss the current-voltage characteristics of the discharge as well as the distinct structure that develops in the glow discharge region. The dc glow discharge appears in the discharge current range from μA to mA at 0.5-300 Pa pressure. We discuss the various phenomena observed in the dc glow discharge, including the cathode region, the positive column, and striations. The dc glow discharge is maintained by the emission of secondary electrons from the cathode target due to the bombardment of ions. For decades, the dc glow discharge has been used as a sputter source. Then it is often operated as an obstructed abnormal glow discharge and the required applied voltage is in the range 2-5 kV. Typically, the cathode target (the material to be deposited) is connected to a negative voltage supply (dc or rf) and the substrate holder faces the target. The relatively high operating pressure, in the range from 2 to 4 Pa, high applied voltages, and the necessity to have a conductive target limit the application of dc glow discharge as a sputter source. In order to lower the discharge voltage and expand the operation pressure range, the lifetime of the electrons in target vicinity is increased through applying magnetic field, by adding permanent magnets behind the cathode target. This arrangement is coined the magnetron sputtering discharge. The various configurations of the magnetron sputtering discharge and its applications are described. Furthermore, the use of dc discharges for chemical analysis, the Penning discharge and the hollow cathode discharges and some of its applications are briefly discussed.

Methods, systems and apparatus for controlling operation of two alternating current (AC) machines

DOEpatents

Gallegos-Lopez, Gabriel [Torrance, CA; Nagashima, James M [Cerritos, CA; Perisic, Milun [Torrance, CA; Hiti, Silva [Redondo Beach, CA

2012-02-14

A system is provided for controlling two AC machines. The system comprises a DC input voltage source that provides a DC input voltage, a voltage boost command control module (VBCCM), a five-phase PWM inverter module coupled to the two AC machines, and a boost converter coupled to the inverter module and the DC input voltage source. The boost converter is designed to supply a new DC input voltage to the inverter module having a value that is greater than or equal to a value of the DC input voltage. The VBCCM generates a boost command signal (BCS) based on modulation indexes from the two AC machines. The BCS controls the boost converter such that the boost converter generates the new DC input voltage in response to the BCS. When the two AC machines require additional voltage that exceeds the DC input voltage required to meet a combined target mechanical power required by the two AC machines, the BCS controls the boost converter to drive the new DC input voltage generated by the boost converter to a value greater than the DC input voltage.

Cascaded Converters for Integration and Management of Grid Level Energy Storage Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alaas, Zuhair

This research work proposes two cascaded multilevel inverter structures for BESS. The gating and switching control of switching devices in both inverter typologies are done by using a phase-shifted PWM scheme. The first proposed isolated multilevel inverter is made up of three-phase six-switch inverter blocks with a reduced number of power components compared with traditional isolated CHB. The suggested isolated converter has only one battery string for three-phase system that can be used for high voltage and high power applications such as grid connected BESS and alternative energy systems. The isolated inverter enables dq frame based simple control and eliminates the issues of single-phase pulsating power, which can cause detrimental impacts on certain dc sources. Simulation studies have been carried out to compare the proposed isolated multi-level inverter with an H-bridge cascaded transformer inverter. The simulation results verified the performance of the isolated inverter. The second proposed topology is a Hierarchal Cascaded Multilevel Converter (HCMC) with phase to phase SOC balancing capability which also for high voltage and high power battery energy storage systems. The HCMC has a hybrid structure of half-bridge converters and H-bridge inverters and the voltage can be hierarchically cascaded to reach the desired value at the half-bridge and the H-bridge levels. The uniform SOC battery management is achieved by controlling the half-bridge converters that are connected to individual battery modules/cells. Simulation studies and experimental results have been carried on a large scale battery system under different operating conditions to verify the effectiveness of the proposed inverters. Moreover, this dissertation presents a new three-phase SOC equalizing circuit, called six-switch energy-level balancing circuit (SSBC), which can be used to realize uniform SOC operation for full utilization of the battery capacity in proposed HCMC or any CMI inverter while keeping balanced three-phase operation. A sinusoidal PWM modulation technique is used to control power transferring between phases. Simulation results have been carried out to verify the performance of the proposed SSBC circuit of uniform three-phase SOC balancing.

As-Received, Ozone Cleaned and Ar+ Sputtered Surfaces of Hafnium Oxide Grown by Atomic Layer Deposition and Studied by XPS

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

Engelhard, Mark H.; Herman, Jacob A.; Wallace, Robert

2012-06-27

In this study, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization was performed on 47 nm thick hafnium oxide (HfO{sub 2}) films grown by atomic layer deposition using TEMA-Hf/H{sub 2}O at 250 C substrate temperature. HfO{sub 2} is currently being studied as a possible replacement for Silicon Oxide (SiO{sub 2}) as a gate dielectric in electronics transistors. XPS spectra were collected on a Physical Electronics Quantum 2000 Scanning ESCA Microprobe using a monochromatic Al K{sub a} X-ray (1486.7 eV) excitation source. The sample was analyzed under the following conditions: as received, after UV irradiation for five minutes, and after sputter cleaning with 2more » kV Ar{sup +} ions for 180 seconds. Survey scans showed carbon, oxygen, and hafnium as the major species in the film, while the only minor species of argon and carbide was detected after sputtering. Adventitious carbon initially composed approximately 18.6 AT% of the surface, but after UV cleaning it was reduced to 2.4 AT%. This demonstrated that that the majority of carbon was due to adventitious carbon. However, after 2 kV Ar{sup +} sputtering there was still only trace amounts of carbon at {approx}1 AT%, Some of this trace carbon is now in the form of a carbide due to the interaction with Ar{sup +} used for sputter cleaning. Furthermore, the stoiciometric ratio of oxygen and hafnium is consistent with a high quality HfO{sub 2} film.« less

Single Active Switch PV Inverter

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

Ramanan, V. R.; Pan, Zhiguo

This report presents a new PV inverter topology that uses only one active switch instead of 7 active switches in a conventional PV inverter. It has a buck boost converter and operates at discontinuous current control mode, which can reduce the output stage from an active switch bridge to a thyristor bridge. This concept, if successfully demonstrated, may have great cost and size/weight benefits over conventional solutions. Since the proposed topology is completely different from the traditional boost converter plus voltage source inverter approach, there is no existing control/modulation scheme available. A new modulation scheme for both the main switchmore » and the thyristors has been developed. An active clamping circuit has also been proposed to reduce switching losses and voltage spike during the switching transient. A simulation model has been set up to validate the control algorithm and clamping circuit. Simulated results show that a proposed 10 kW PV inverter can reach 5% total harmonic distortion (THD), 98.8% peak efficiency with only one main active switch, and an inductor weighing less than 3 kg. Based on that, a 10 kW prototype converter has been designed and built.« less

Physical Nature of the Processes in Structure Forming, Phase and Chemical Composition of pipe Permanent Joints when MMA Welding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Il'yaschenko, D. P.; Chinakhov, D. A.; Danilov, V. I.; Sadykov, I. D.

2016-04-01

The paper outlines peculiarities of structure formation, phase and chemical composition in regard to heat content in molten electrode metal beads when pipe steel (steel 09G2S) welding using power sources with various energy characteristics. Mathematical calculations indicate an inverter power source provides minor heat content into the bead of electrode metal when welding. Experimental research has pointed at 4-9 % increase in impact strength of joints produced using an inverter power source in comparison with samples produced applying a diode rectifier. The following factors can possibly give rise to the increasing impact strength: difference in microstructures of weld joints, up to 50% shortening ferritic plates in metal of weld joint, change in dimensions of ferritic grains in the heat-affected zone by as much as 17.5 %, and decrease in the extent of heat-affected zone by 50%.

A grid-connected single-phase photovoltaic micro inverter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, X. Y.; Lin, P. J.; Chen, Z. C.; Wu, L. J.; Cheng, S. Y.

2017-11-01

In this paper, the topology of a single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) micro-inverter is proposed. The PV micro-inverter consists of DC-DC stage with high voltage gain boost and DC-AC conversion stage. In the first stage, we apply the active clamp circuit and two voltage multipliers to achieve soft switching technology and high voltage gain. In addition, the flower pollination algorithm (FPA) is employed for the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in the PV module in this stage. The second stage cascades a H-bridge inverter and LCL filter. To feed high quality sinusoidal power into the grid, the software phase lock, outer voltage loop and inner current loop control method are adopted as the control strategy. The performance of the proposed topology is tested by Matlab/Simulink. A PV module with maximum power 300W and maximum power point voltage 40V is applied as the input source. The simulation results indicate that the proposed topology and the control strategy are feasible.

Three-phase multilevel solar inverter for motor drive system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhasagare, Mayuresh P.

This thesis deals with three phase inverters and the different control strategies that can be associated with an inverter being used together. The first part of this thesis discusses the present research in the fields of PV panels, motor drive systems and three phase inverters along with their control. This control includes various strategies like MPPT, Volts-Hertz and modulation index compensation. Incorporating these techniques together is the goal of this thesis. A new topology for operating an open end motor drive system has also been discusses, where a boost converter and a flyback converter have been used in cascade to run a three phase motor. The main advantage of this is increasing the number of levels and improving the quality of the output voltage, not to mention a few other benefits of having the proposed circuit. A new algorithm has also been designed for starting and stopping the motor, which controls the current drawn from the power source during starting.

Hexahedral Mesh Untangling

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

KNUPP,PATRICK

2000-12-13

We investigate a well-motivated mesh untangling objective function whose optimization automatically produces non-inverted elements when possible. Examples show the procedure is highly effective on simplicial meshes and on non-simplicial (e.g., hexahedral) meshes constructed via mapping or sweeping algorithms. The current whisker-weaving (WW) algorithm in CUBIT usually produces hexahedral meshes that are unsuitable for analyses due to inverted elements. The majority of these meshes cannot be untangled using the new objective function. The most likely source of the difficulty is poor mesh topology.

20 kHz main inverter unit. [for space station power supplies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hussey, S.

1989-01-01

A proof-of-concept main inverter unit has demonstrated the operation of a pulse-width-modulated parallel resonant power stage topology as a 20-kHz ac power source driver, showing simple output regulation, parallel operation, power sharing and short-circuit operation. The use of a two-stage dc input filter controls the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) characteristics of the dc power bus, and the use of an ac harmonic trap controls the EMC characteristics of the 20-kHz ac power bus.

Smart Inverter Control and Operation for Distributed Energy Resources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tazay, Ahmad F.

The motivation of this research is to carry out the control and operation of smart inverters and voltage source converters (VSC) for distributed energy resources (DERs) such as photovoltaic (PV), battery, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). The main contribution of the research includes solving a couple of issues for smart grids by controlling and implementing multifunctions of VSC and smart inverter as well as improving the operational scheme of the microgrid. The work is mainly focused on controlling and operating of smart inverter since it promises a new technology for the future microgrid. Two major applications of the smart inverter will be investigated in this work based on the connection modes: microgrid at grid-tied mode and autonomous mode. In grid-tied connection, the smart inverter and VSC are used to integrate DER such as Photovoltaic (PV) and battery to provide suitable power to the system by controlling the supplied real and reactive power. The role of a smart inverter at autonomous mode includes supplying a sufficient voltage and frequency, mitigate abnormal condition of the load as well as equally sharing the total load's power. However, the operational control of the microgrid still has a major issue on the operation of the microgrid. The dissertation is divided into two main sections which are: 1. Low-level control of a single smart Inverter. 2. High-level control of the microgrid. The first part investigates a comprehensive research for a smart inverter and VSC technology at the two major connections of the microgrid. This involves controlling and modeling single smart inverter and VSC to solve specific issues of microgrid as well as improve the operation of the system. The research provides developed features for smart inverter comparing with a conventional voltage sourced converter (VSC). The two main connections for a microgrid have been deeply investigated to analyze a better way to develop and improve the operational procedure of the microgrid as well as solve specific issues of connecting the microgrid to the system. A detailed procedure for controlling VSC and designing an optimal operation of the controller is also covered in the first part of the dissertation. This section provides an optimal operation for controlling motor drive and demonstrates issues when motor load exists at an autonomous microgrid. It also provides a solution for specific issues at operating a microgrid at autonomous mode as well as improving the structural design for the grid-tied microgrid. The solution for autonomous microgrid includes changing the operational state of the switching pattern of the smart inverter to solve the issue of a common mode voltage (CMV) that appears across the motor load. It also solves the issue of power supplying to large loads, such as induction motors. The last section of the low-level section involves an improvement of the performance and operation of the PV charging station for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) at grid-tied mode. This section provides a novel structure and smart controller for PV charging station using three-phase hybrid boost converter topology. It also provides a form of applications of a multifunction smart inverter using PV charging station. The second part of the research is focusing on improving the performance of the microgrid by integrating several smart inverters to form a microgrid. It investigates the issue of connecting DER units with the microgrid at real applications. One of the common issues of the microgrid is the circulating current which is caused by poor reactive power sharing accuracy. When more than two DER units are connected in parallel, a microgrid is forming be generating required power for the load. When the microgrid is operated at autonomous mode, all DER units participate in generating voltage and frequency as well as share the load's power. This section provides a smart and novel controlling technique to solve the issue of unequal power sharing. The feature of the smart inverter is realized by the communication link between smart inverters and the main operator. The analysis and derivation of the problem are presented in this section. The dissertation has led to two accepted conference papers, one accepted transaction IEEE manuscript, and one submitted IET transaction manuscript. The future work aims to improve the current work by investigating the performance of the smart inverter at real applications.

Note: Easy-to-maintain electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma sputtering apparatus featuring hybrid waveguide and coaxial cables for microwave delivery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akazawa, Housei

2016-06-01

The branched-waveguide electron cyclotron resonance plasma sputtering apparatus places quartz windows for transmitting microwaves into the plasma source not in the line of sight of the target. However, the quartz windows must be replaced after some time of operation. For maintenance, the loop waveguide branching from the T-junction must be dismounted and re-assembled accurately, which is a time-consuming job. We investigated substituting the waveguide branches with two sets of coaxial cables and waveguide/coaxial cable converters to simplify assembly as far as connection and disconnection go. The resulting hybrid system worked well for the purposes of plasma generation and film deposition.

Note: Easy-to-maintain electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma sputtering apparatus featuring hybrid waveguide and coaxial cables for microwave delivery.

PubMed

Akazawa, Housei

2016-06-01

The branched-waveguide electron cyclotron resonance plasma sputtering apparatus places quartz windows for transmitting microwaves into the plasma source not in the line of sight of the target. However, the quartz windows must be replaced after some time of operation. For maintenance, the loop waveguide branching from the T-junction must be dismounted and re-assembled accurately, which is a time-consuming job. We investigated substituting the waveguide branches with two sets of coaxial cables and waveguide/coaxial cable converters to simplify assembly as far as connection and disconnection go. The resulting hybrid system worked well for the purposes of plasma generation and film deposition.

Development of μ-PIC with resistive electrodes using sputtered carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamane, Fumiya; Ochi, Atsuhiko; Homma, Yasuhiro; Yamauchi, Satoru; Nagasaka, Noriko; Hasegawa, Hiroaki; Kawamoto, Tatsuo; Kataoka, Yosuke; Masubuchi, Tatsuya

2018-02-01

The Micro Pixel Chamber (μ-PIC) has been developed for a hadron-collider experiment. The main purpose is detecting Minimum Ionizing Particles (MIP) under high-rate Highly Ionizing Particles (HIP) environment. In such an environment, sufficient gain to detect MIP is needed, but continuous sparks will be caused by high-rate HIP. To reduce sparks, cathodes are made of resistive material. In this report, sputtered carbon was used as a new resistive cathode. Gas gain >104 was achieved using an 55Fe source. This value is sufficient to detect MIP without GEM or other floating structures. Also, thanks to production improvement, pixels are well aligned in the entire detection area.

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

Mattox, D.M.; Sharp, D.J.

A Veeco microetch system which uses a Kaufman type ion source has been used to study ion erosion yields for a variety of materials of possible interest in CTR wall coating applications. A schematic diagram of the Kaufman gun and etching chamber are given. The ion beam is nearly monoenergetic (within several eV). The extracted ion beam consists of a mixture of H/sub 2//sup +/ and H/sup +/. A H/sub 2//sup +/ ion will have a sputtering yield equivalent to 2H/sup +/ ions with one-half the energy of the H/sub 2//sup +/ ion. For most of these investigations, the chargemore » compensation filament is removed to avoid sputtering of the tungsten filament.« less

Note: Easy-to-maintain electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma sputtering apparatus featuring hybrid waveguide and coaxial cables for microwave delivery

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

Akazawa, Housei, E-mail: akazawa.housei@lab.ntt.co.jp

2016-06-15

The branched-waveguide electron cyclotron resonance plasma sputtering apparatus places quartz windows for transmitting microwaves into the plasma source not in the line of sight of the target. However, the quartz windows must be replaced after some time of operation. For maintenance, the loop waveguide branching from the T-junction must be dismounted and re-assembled accurately, which is a time-consuming job. We investigated substituting the waveguide branches with two sets of coaxial cables and waveguide/coaxial cable converters to simplify assembly as far as connection and disconnection go. The resulting hybrid system worked well for the purposes of plasma generation and film deposition.

Deep 20-GHz survey of the Chandra Deep Field South and SDSS Stripe 82: source catalogue and spectral properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franzen, Thomas M. O.; Sadler, Elaine M.; Chhetri, Rajan; Ekers, Ronald D.; Mahony, Elizabeth K.; Murphy, Tara; Norris, Ray P.; Waldram, Elizabeth M.; Whittam, Imogen H.

2014-04-01

We present a source catalogue and first results from a deep, blind radio survey carried out at 20 GHz with the Australia Telescope Compact Array, with follow-up observations at 5.5, 9 and 18 GHz. The Australia Telescope 20 GHz (AT20G) deep pilot survey covers a total area of 5 deg2 in the Chandra Deep Field South and in Stripe 82 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We estimate the survey to be 90 per cent complete above 2.5 mJy. Of the 85 sources detected, 55 per cent have steep spectra (α _{1.4}^{20} < -0.5) and 45 per cent have flat or inverted spectra (α _{1.4}^{20} ≥ -0.5). The steep-spectrum sources tend to have single power-law spectra between 1.4 and 18 GHz, while the spectral indices of the flat- or inverted-spectrum sources tend to steepen with frequency. Among the 18 inverted-spectrum (α _{1.4}^{20} ≥ 0.0) sources, 10 have clearly defined peaks in their spectra with α _{1.4}^{5.5} > 0.15 and α 9^{18} < -0.15. On a 3-yr time-scale, at least 10 sources varied by more than 15 per cent at 20 GHz, showing that variability is still common at the low flux densities probed by the AT20G-deep pilot survey. We find a strong and puzzling shift in the typical spectral index of the 15-20-GHz source population when combining data from the AT20G, Ninth Cambridge and Tenth Cambridge surveys: there is a shift towards a steeper-spectrum population when going from ˜1 Jy to ˜5 mJy, which is followed by a shift back towards a flatter-spectrum population below ˜5 mJy. The 5-GHz source-count model by Jackson & Wall, which only includes contributions from FRI and FRII sources, and star-forming galaxies, does not reproduce the observed flattening of the flat-spectrum counts below ˜5 mJy. It is therefore possible that another population of sources is contributing to this effect.

Inverter circuits on freestanding flexible substrate using ZnO nanoparticles for cost-efficient electronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vidor, Fábio F.; Meyers, Thorsten; Müller, Kathrin; Wirth, Gilson I.; Hilleringmann, Ulrich

2017-11-01

Driven by the Internet of Things (IoT), flexible and transparent smart systems have been intensively researched by the scientific community and by several companies. This technology is already available for consumers in a wide range of innovative products, e.g., flexible displays, radio-frequency identification tags and wearable electronic skins which, for instance, collect and analyze data for medical applications. For these systems, thin-film transistors (TFTs) are the key elements responsible for the driving currents. Solution-based materials such as nanoparticle dispersions avail the fabrication on large-area substrates with high throughput processes. In this study, we discuss the integration of ZnO nanoparticle thin-film transistors and inverter circuits on freestanding polymeric substrates enclosing the main issues concerning the transfer of the integration process from a rigid substrate to a flexible one. The TFTs depict VON between -0.2 and 1 V, ION/IOFF > 104 and field-effect mobility >0.5 cm2 V-1 s-1. Additionally, in order to enhance the transistors and inverters performance, an adaptation on the device configuration, from an inverted coplanar to an inverted staggered setup, was conducted and analyzed. By employing the inverted staggered setup a considerable increase in the contact quality between the semiconductor and the drain and source electrodes was observed. As the integrated devices depict electrical characteristics which enable the fabrication of electronic circuits for the low-cost sector, inverters were fabricated and characterized, evaluating the circuit's gain as function of the applied supply voltage and circuit's geometric ratio.

Integrated arc suppression unit for defect reduction in PVD applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jason; Narasimhan, Murali K.; Pavate, Vikram; Loo, David; Rosenblum, Steve; Trubell, Larry; Scholl, Richard; Seamons, Scott; Hagerty, Chris; Ramaswami, Sesh

1997-09-01

Arcing between the target and plasma during PVD deposition causes substantial damage to the target and splats and other contamination on the deposited films. Arc-related damages and defects are frequently encountered in microelectronics manufacturing and contributes largely to reduced wafer yields. Arcing is caused largely by the charge buildup at the contaminated sites on the target surface that contains either nonconducting inclusions or nodules. Arc suppression is a key issue for defect reduction, yield improvement and for reliable high quality metallization. An Integrated Arc Suppression Unit (IASU) has been designed for Endura HP PVDTM sputtering sources. The integrated design reduces cable length from unit to source and reduces electrical energy stored in the cable. Active arc handling mode, proactive arc prevention mode, and passive by-pass arc counting mode are incorporated into the same unit. The active mode is designed to quickly respond to chamber conditions, like a large chamber voltage drop, that signals a arc. The self run mode is designed to proactively prevent arc formation by pulsing and reversing target voltage at 50 kHz. The design of the IASU, also called mini small package arc repression circuit--low energy unit (mini Sparc-le), has been optimized for various DC magnetron sources, plasma stability, chamber impedance, power matching, CE MARK test, and power dissipation. Process characterization with Ti, TiN and Al sputtering indicates that the unit has little adverse impact on film properties. Mini Sparc-le unit has been shown here to significantly reduce splats occurrence in Al sputtering. Marathon test of the unit with Ti/TiN test demonstrated the unit's reliability and its ability to reduce sensitivity of defects to target characteristics.

Sputtering. [as deposition technique in mechanical engineering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spalvins, T.

1976-01-01

This paper primarily reviews the potential of using the sputtering process as a deposition technique; however, the manufacturing and sputter etching aspects are also discussed. Since sputtering is not regulated by classical thermodynamics, new multicomponent materials can be developed in any possible chemical composition. The basic mechanism for dc and rf sputtering is described. Sputter-deposition is described in terms of the unique advantageous features it offers such as versatility, momentum transfer, stoichiometry, sputter-etching, target geometry (coating complex surfaces), precise controls, flexibility, ecology, and sputtering rates. Sputtered film characteristics, such as strong adherence and coherence and film morphology, are briefly evaluated in terms of varying the sputtering parameters. Also described are some of the specific industrial areas which are turning to sputter-deposition techniques.

Inverting near-surface models from virtual-source gathers (SM Division Outstanding ECS Award Lecture)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruigrok, Elmer; Vossen, Caron; Paulssen, Hanneke

2017-04-01

The Groningen gas field is a massive natural gas accumulation in the north-east of the Netherlands. Decades of production have led to significant compaction of the reservoir rock. The (differential) compaction is thought to have reactivated existing faults and to be the main driver of induced seismicity. The potential damage at the surface is largely affected by the state of the near surface. Thin and soft sedimentary layers can lead to large amplifications. By measuring the wavefield at different depth levels, near-surface properties can directly be estimated from the recordings. Seismicity in the Groningen area is monitored primarily with an array of vertical arrays. In the nineties a network of 8 boreholes was deployed. Since 2015, this network has been expanded with 70 new boreholes. Each new borehole consists of an accelerometer at the surface and four downhole geophones with a vertical spacing of 50 m. We apply seismic interferometry to local seismicity, for each borehole individually. Doing so, we obtain the responses as if there were virtual sources at the lowest geophones and receivers at the other depth levels. From the retrieved direct waves and reflections, we invert for P- & S- velocity and Q models. We discuss different implementations of seismic interferometry and the subsequent inversion. The inverted near-surface properties are used to improve both the source location and the hazard assessment.

Fourth-generation plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition facility for hybrid surface modification layer fabrication.

PubMed

Wang, Langping; Huang, Lei; Xie, Zhiwen; Wang, Xiaofeng; Tang, Baoyin

2008-02-01

The fourth-generation plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIIID) facility for hybrid and batch treatment was built in our laboratory recently. Comparing with our previous PIIID facilities, several novel designs are utilized. Two multicathode pulsed cathodic arc plasma sources are fixed on the chamber wall symmetrically, which can increase the steady working time from 6 h (the single cathode source in our previous facilities) to about 18 h. Meanwhile, the inner diameter of the pulsed cathodic arc plasma source is increased from the previous 80 to 209 mm, thus, large area metal plasma can be obtained by the source. Instead of the simple sample holder in our previous facility, a complex revolution-rotation sample holder composed of 24 shafts, which can rotate around its axis and adjust its position through revolving around the center axis of the vacuum chamber, is fixed in the center of the vacuum chamber. In addition, one magnetron sputtering source is set on the chamber wall instead of the top cover in the previous facility. Because of the above characteristic, the PIIID hybrid process involving ion implantation, vacuum arc, and magnetron sputtering deposition can be acquired without breaking vacuum. In addition, the PIIID batch treatment of cylinderlike components can be finished by installing these components on the rotating shafts on the sample holder.

Characterization of chemical sputtering using the Mark II DiMES porous plug injector in attached and semi-detached divertor plasmas of DIII-D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McLean, A. G.; Davis, J. W.; Stangeby, P. C.; Allen, S. L.; Boedo, J. A.; Bray, B. D.; Brezinsek, S.; Brooks, N. H.; Fenstermacher, M. E.; Groth, M.; Haasz, A. A.; Hollmann, E. M.; Isler, R. C.; Lasnier, C. J.; Mu, Y.; Petrie, T. W.; Rudakov, D. L.; Watkins, J. G.; West, W. P.; Whyte, D. G.; Wong, C. P. C.

2009-06-01

An improved, self-contained gas injection system for the divertor material evaluation system (DiMES) on DIII-D has been employed for in situ study of chemical erosion in the tokamak divertor environment. To minimize perturbation to local plasma, the Mark II porous plug injector (PPI) releases methane through a porous graphite surface at the outer strike point at a rate precisely controlled by a micro-orifice flow restrictor to be approximately equal as that predicted for intrinsic chemical sputtering. Effective photon efficiencies resulting from CH 4 are found to be 58 ± 12 in an attached divertor ( ne ˜ 1.5 × 10 13/cm 3, Te ˜ 25 eV, Tsurf ˜ 450 K), and 94 ± 20 in a semi-detached cold divertor ( ne ˜ 6.0 × 10 13/cm 3, Te ˜ 2-3 eV, Tsurf ˜ 350 K). These values are significantly more than previous measurements in similar plasma conditions, indicating the importance of the injection rate and local re-erosion for the integrity of this analysis. The contribution of chemical versus physical sputtering to the source of C + at the target is assessed through simultaneous measurement of CII line, and CD plus CH-band emissions during release of CH 4 from the PPI, then compared with that seen in intrinsic sputtering.

The Lamont--Doherty Geological Observatory Isolab 54 isotope ratio mass spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

England, J. G.; Zindler, A.; Reisberg, L. C.; Rubenstone, J. L.; Salters, V.; Marcantonio, F.; Bourdon, B.; Brueckner, H.; Turner, P. J.; Weaver, S.; Read, P.

1992-12-01

The Lamont--Doherty Geological Observatory (LDGO) Isolab 54 is a double focussing isotope ratio mass spectrometer that allows the measurement of thermal ions produced on a hot filament, (thermal-ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS)), secondary ions produced by sputtering a sample using a primary ion beam, (secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS)), and sputtered neutrals resonantly ionized using laser radiation, (sputter-induced resonance ionization mass spectrometry (SIRIMS)). Sputtering is carried out using an Ar primary beam generated in a duoplasmatron and focussed onto the sample using a two-lens column. Resonance ionization is accomplished using a frequency-doubled dye laser pumped by an excimer laser. The Isolab's forward geometry analyzer, consisting of an electrostatic followed by a magnetic sector, allows the simultaneous collection of different isotopes of the same element. This instrument is the first to have a multicollector that contains an ion-counting system based on a microchannel plate as well as traditional Faraday cups. A second electrostatic sector after the multicollector is equipped with an ion-counting Daly detector to allow high abundance sensitivity for measurements of large dynamics range. Selectable source, collector, [alpha] and energy slits on the instrument allow analyses to be made over a range of mass resolving powers and analyzer acceptances. Recent applications of the instrument have included the analyses of U by TIMS, Hf, Th and Re by SIMS and Re and Os by SIRIMS.

Removal of Direct Current Link Harmonic Ripple in Single Phase Voltage Source Inverter Systems Using Supercapacitors

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-01

micro-sources can include sources such as micro- turbines and battery banks. Among the many benefits provided by an EMS is the ability to allow...efficient and reliable sharing of grid loads by several disparate power sources, which allows alternative energy sources such as solar and wind energy to...positions associated with the applicable configuration, with wires and components greyed out when they are not being used. a. SC Bank Disconnected

A Passive EMI Filter with Access to the Ungrounded Motor Neutral Line-The Case that a General-Purpose Inverter is Directly Connected to a Three-Phase Grounded Voltage Source-

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doumoto, Takafumi; Akagi, Hirofumi

This paper proposes a small-sized passive EMI filter for the purpose of eliminating high-frequency shaft voltage and ground leakage current from an ac motor. The motor is driven by a general-purpose PWM inverter connected to a three-phase grounded voltage source. The passive EMI filter requires access to the ungrounded neutral point of the motor. This unique circuit configuration makes the common-mode inductor effective in reducing the high-frequency common-mode voltage generated by the PWM inverter with a carrier frequency of 15kHz. As a result, both high-frequency shaft voltage and ground leakage current can be eliminated very efficiently. However, the common-mode inductor may not play any role in reducing the low-frequency common-mode voltage generated by the diode rectifier, so that a low-frequency component still remains in the shaft voltage. Such a low-frequency shaft voltage may not produce any bad effect on motor bearings. The validity and effectiveness of the EMI filter is verified by experimental results obtained from a 200-V 5-kVA laboratory system.

Real-Time Grazing Incidence Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Studies of the Growth Kinetics of Sputter-Deposited Silicon Thin Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demasi, Alexander; Erdem, Gozde; Chinta, Priya; Headrick, Randall; Ludwig, Karl

2012-02-01

The fundamental kinetics of thin film growth remains an active area of investigation. In this study, silicon thin films were grown at room temperature on silicon substrates via both on-axis and off-axis plasma sputter deposition, while the evolution of surface morphology was measured in real time with in-situ grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering (GISAXS) at the National Synchrotron Light Source. GISAXS is a surface-sensitive, non-destructive technique, and is therefore ideally suited to a study of this nature. In addition to investigating the effect of on-axis versus off-axis bombardment, the effect of sputter gas partial pressure was examined. Post-facto, ex-situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to measure the final surface morphology of the films, which could subsequently be compared with the surface morphology determined by GISAXS. Comparisons are made between the observed surface evolution during growth and theoretical predictions. This work was supported by the Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences.

Constraints on the origin of the Moon's atmosphere from observations during a lunar eclipse.

PubMed

Mendillo, M; Baumgardner, J

1995-10-05

The properties of the Moon's rarefied atmosphere, which can be traced through observations of sodium and potassium, provide important insights into the formation and maintenance of atmospheres on other primitive Solar System bodies. The lunar atmosphere is believed to be composed of atoms from the surface rocks and soil, which might have been sputtered by micrometeorites, by ions in the solar wind, or by photons. It might also form by the evaporation of atoms from the hot, illuminated surface. Here we report the detection of sodium emission from the Moon's atmosphere during a total lunar eclipse (which occurs when the Moon is full). The sodium atmosphere is considerably more extended at full Moon than expected--it extends to at least nine lunar radii--and its brightness distribution is incompatible with sources involving either solar-wind or micrometeorite sputtering. This leaves photon sputtering or thermal desorption as the preferred explanations for the lunar atmosphere, and suggests that sunlight might also be responsible for the transient atmospheres of other primitive bodies (such as Mercury).

Contributions of solar-wind induced potential sputtering to the lunar surface erosion rate and it's exosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alnussirat, S. T.; Barghouty, A. F.; Edmunson, J. E.; Sabra, M. S.; Rickman, D. L.

2018-04-01

Sputtering of lunar regolith by solar-wind protons and heavy ions with kinetic energies of about 1 keV/amu is an important erosive process that affects the lunar surface and exosphere. It plays an important role in changing the chemical composition and thickness of the surface layer, and in introducing material into the exosphere. Kinetic sputtering is well modeled and understood, but understanding of mechanisms of potential sputtering has lagged behind. In this study we differentiate the contributions of potential sputtering from the standard (kinetic) sputtering in changing the chemical composition and erosion rate of the lunar surface. Also we study the contribution of potential sputtering in developing the lunar exosphere. Our results show that potential sputtering enhances the total characteristic sputtering erosion rate by about 44%, and reduces sputtering time scales by the same amount. Potential sputtering also introduces more material into the lunar exosphere.

Energy Systems Integration: NREL + HECO

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

Hawaiian Electric Companies' (HECO) customers are among the nation's fastest-adopters of solar PV systems. For HECO, the increased daytime PV generation raises feeder voltage profiles. Emerging technologies such as advanced PV inverters, battery storage, electric vehicles, and controllable loads also have an impact on voltage profiles. From the utility's perspective, it is yet unclear how to effectively manage these customer-sited resources. NREL is helping HECO understand its options by validating several voltage regulation strategies, making specific use of advanced inverters with voltage support functions, and their integration with other controllable sources.

Method and system for controlling a permanent magnet machine during fault conditions

DOEpatents

Krefta, Ronald John; Walters, James E.; Gunawan, Fani S.

2004-05-25

Method and system for controlling a permanent magnet machine driven by an inverter is provided. The method allows for monitoring a signal indicative of a fault condition. The method further allows for generating during the fault condition a respective signal configured to maintain a field weakening current even though electrical power from an energy source is absent during said fault condition. The level of the maintained field-weakening current enables the machine to operate in a safe mode so that the inverter is protected from excess voltage.

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

Guarnieri, C.R.; Ramanathan, K.V.; Yee, D.S.

When Kaufman ion sources are used with pure oxygen at high discharge powers, their operational lifetime is limited to minutes. The lifetime of the source can be significantly increased by using thoria-coated filaments for the cathodes. In addition, the lifetime can be increased further by coating the anode with a conductive oxide such as IrO/sub 2/. This coating is deposited by sputter deposition. With these improvements the operational lifetime can be increased by a factor of 100.

Schottky barrier MOSFET systems and fabrication thereof

DOEpatents

Welch, James D.

1997-01-01

(MOS) device systems-utilizing Schottky barrier source and drain to channel region junctions are disclosed. Experimentally derived results which demonstrate operation of fabricated N-channel and P-channel Schottky barrier (MOSFET) devices, and of fabricated single devices with operational characteristics similar to (CMOS) and to a non-latching (SRC) are reported. Use of essentially non-rectifying Schottky barriers in (MOS) structures involving highly doped and the like and intrinsic semiconductor to allow non-rectifying interconnection of, and electrical accessing of device regions is also disclosed. Insulator effected low leakage current device geometries and fabrication procedures therefore are taught. Selective electrical interconnection of drain to drain, source to drain, or source to source, of N-channel and/or P-channel Schottky barrier (MOSFET) devices formed on P-type, N-type and Intrinsic semiconductor allows realization of Schottky Barrier (CMOS), (MOSFET) with (MOSFET) load, balanced differential (MOSFET) device systems and inverting and non-inverting single devices with operating characteristics similar to (CMOS), which devices can be utilized in modulation, as well as in voltage controled switching and effecting a direction of rectification.

Schottky barrier MOSFET systems and fabrication thereof

DOEpatents

Welch, J.D.

1997-09-02

(MOS) device systems-utilizing Schottky barrier source and drain to channel region junctions are disclosed. Experimentally derived results which demonstrate operation of fabricated N-channel and P-channel Schottky barrier (MOSFET) devices, and of fabricated single devices with operational characteristics similar to (CMOS) and to a non-latching (SRC) are reported. Use of essentially non-rectifying Schottky barriers in (MOS) structures involving highly doped and the like and intrinsic semiconductor to allow non-rectifying interconnection of, and electrical accessing of device regions is also disclosed. Insulator effected low leakage current device geometries and fabrication procedures therefore are taught. Selective electrical interconnection of drain to drain, source to drain, or source to source, of N-channel and/or P-channel Schottky barrier (MOSFET) devices formed on P-type, N-type and Intrinsic semiconductor allows realization of Schottky Barrier (CMOS), (MOSFET) with (MOSFET) load, balanced differential (MOSFET) device systems and inverting and non-inverting single devices with operating characteristics similar to (CMOS), which devices can be utilized in modulation, as well as in voltage controlled switching and effecting a direction of rectification. 89 figs.

Testing the Auroral Current-Voltage Relation in Multiple Arcs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cameron, T. G.; Knudsen, D. J.; Cully, C. M.

2013-12-01

The well-known current-voltage relation within auroral inverted-V regions [Knight, Planet. Space Sci., 21, 741, 1973] predicts current carried by an auroral flux tube given the total potential drop between a plasma-sheet source region and the ionosphere. Numerous previous studies have tested this relation using spacecraft that traverse auroral arcs at low (ionospheric) or mid altitudes. Typically, the potential drop is estimated at the peak of the inverted-V, and field-aligned current is estimated from magnetometer data; statistical information is then gathered over many arc crossings that occur over a wide range of source conditions. In this study we use electron data from the FAST satellite to examine the current-voltage relation in multiple arc sets, in which the key source parameters (plasma sheet density and temperature) are presumed to be identical. We argue that this approach provides a more sensitive test of the Knight relation, and we seek to explain remaining variability with factors other than source variability. This study is supported by a grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

FET commutated current-FED inverter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rippel, Wally E. (Inventor); Edwards, Dean B. (Inventor)

1983-01-01

A shunt switch comprised of a field-effect transistor (Q.sub.1) is employed to commutate a current-fed inverter (10) using thyristors (SCR1, SCR2) or bijunction transistors (Q.sub.2, Q.sub.3) in a full bridge (1, 2, 3, 4) or half bridge (5, 6) and transformer (T.sub.1) configuration. In the case of thyristors, a tapped inverter (12) is employed to couple the inverter to a dc source to back bias the thyristors during commutation. Alternatively, a commutation power supply (20) may be employed for that purpse. Diodes (D.sub.1, D.sub.2) in series with some voltage dropping element (resistor R.sub.12 or resistors R.sub.1, R.sub.2 or Zener diodes D.sub.4, D.sub.5) are connected in parallel with the thyristors in the half bridge and transformer configuration to assure sharing the back bias voltage. A clamp circuit comprised of a winding (18) negatively coupled to the inductor and a diode (D.sub.3) return stored energy from the inductor to the power supply for efficient operation with buck or boost mode.

Leakage current suppression with a combination of planarized gate and overlap/off-set structure in metal-induced laterally crystallized polycrystalline-silicon thin-film transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chae, Hee Jae; Seok, Ki Hwan; Lee, Sol Kyu; Joo, Seung Ki

2018-04-01

A novel inverted staggered metal-induced laterally crystallized (MILC) polycrystalline-silicon (poly-Si) thin-film transistors (TFTs) with a combination of a planarized gate and an overlap/off-set at the source-gate/drain-gate structure were fabricated and characterized. While the MILC process is advantageous for fabricating inverted staggered poly-Si TFTs, MILC TFTs reveal higher leakage current than TFTs crystallized by other processes due to their high trap density of Ni contamination. Due to this drawback, the planarized gate and overlap/off-set structure were applied to inverted staggered MILC TFTs. The proposed device shows drastic suppression of leakage current and pinning phenomenon by reducing the lateral electric field and the space-charge limited current from the gate to the drain.

Analysis and experimental verification of new power flow control for grid-connected inverter with LCL filter in microgrid.

PubMed

Gu, Herong; Guan, Yajuan; Wang, Huaibao; Wei, Baoze; Guo, Xiaoqiang

2014-01-01

Microgrid is an effective way to integrate the distributed energy resources into the utility networks. One of the most important issues is the power flow control of grid-connected voltage-source inverter in microgrid. In this paper, the small-signal model of the power flow control for the grid-connected inverter is established, from which it can be observed that the conventional power flow control may suffer from the poor damping and slow transient response. While the new power flow control can mitigate these problems without affecting the steady-state power flow regulation. Results of continuous-domain simulations in MATLAB and digital control experiments based on a 32-bit fixed-point TMS320F2812 DSP are in good agreement, which verify the small signal model analysis and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Deposition of vanadium oxide films by direct-current magnetron reactive sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusano, E.; Theil, J. A.; Thornton, John A.

1988-06-01

It is demonstrated here that thin films of vanadium oxide can be deposited at modest substrate temperatures by dc reactive sputtering from a vanadium target in an O2-Ar working gas using a planar magnetron source. Resistivity ratios of about 5000 are found between a semiconductor phase with a resistivity of about 5 Ohm cm and a metallic phase with a resistivity of about 0.001 Ohm cm for films deposited onto borosilicate glass substrates at about 400 C. X-ray diffraction shows the films to be single-phase VO2 with a monoclinic structure. The VO2 films are obtained for a narrow range of O2 injection rates which correspond to conditions where cathode poisoning is just starting to occur.

Investigating the Fundamentals of Molecular Depth Profiling Using Strong-field Photoionization of Sputtered Neutrals

PubMed Central

Willingham, D.; Brenes, D. A.; Winograd, N.; Wucher, A.

2010-01-01

Molecular depth profiles of model organic thin films were performed using a 40 keV C60+ cluster ion source in concert with TOF-SIMS. Strong-field photoionization of intact neutral molecules sputtered by 40 keV C60+ primary ions was used to analyze changes in the chemical environment of the guanine thin films as a function of ion fluence. Direct comparison of the secondary ion and neutral components of the molecular depth profiles yields valuable information about chemical damage accumulation as well as changes in the molecular ionization probability. An analytical protocol based on the erosion dynamics model is developed and evaluated using guanine and trehalose molecular secondary ion signals with and without comparable laser photoionization data. PMID:26269660

Deposition of vanadium oxide films by direct-current magnetron reactive sputtering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kusano, E.; Theil, J. A.; Thornton, John A.

1988-01-01

It is demonstrated here that thin films of vanadium oxide can be deposited at modest substrate temperatures by dc reactive sputtering from a vanadium target in an O2-Ar working gas using a planar magnetron source. Resistivity ratios of about 5000 are found between a semiconductor phase with a resistivity of about 5 Ohm cm and a metallic phase with a resistivity of about 0.001 Ohm cm for films deposited onto borosilicate glass substrates at about 400 C. X-ray diffraction shows the films to be single-phase VO2 with a monoclinic structure. The VO2 films are obtained for a narrow range of O2 injection rates which correspond to conditions where cathode poisoning is just starting to occur.

Pantechnik new superconducting ion source: PantechniK Indian Superconducting Ion Source.

PubMed

Gaubert, G; Bieth, C; Bougy, W; Brionne, N; Donzel, X; Leroy, R; Sineau, A; Vallerand, C; Villari, A C C; Thuillier, T

2012-02-01

The new ECR ion source PantechniK Indian Superconducting Ion Source (PKISIS) was recently commissioned at Pantechnik. Three superconducting coils generate the axial magnetic field configuration, while the radial magnetic field is done with the multi-layer permanent magnets. Special care was devoted to the design of the hexapolar structure, allowing a maximum magnetic field of 1.32 T at the wall of the 82 mm diameter plasma chamber. The three superconducting coils using low temperature superconducting wires are cooled by a single double stage cryo-cooler (4.2 K). Cryogen-free technology is used, providing reliability and easy maintenance at low cost. The maximum installed RF power (18.0 GHz) is of 2 kW. Metallic beams can be produced with an oven (T(max) = 1400 °C) installed with an angle of 5° with respect to the source axis or a sputtering system, mounted on the axis of the source. The beam extraction system is constituted of three electrodes in accel-decel configuration. The new source of Pantechnik is conceived for reaching optimum performances at 18 GHz RF frequencies. PKISIS magnetic fields are 2.1 T axial B(inj) and 1.32 T radial field in the wall, variable B(min) with an independent coil and a large and opened extraction region. Moreover, PKISIS integrates modern design concepts, like RF direct injection (2 kW availability), dc-bias moving disk, out-of-axis oven and axial sputtering facility for metal beams. Finally, PKISIS is also conceived in order to operate in a high-voltage platform with minor power consumption.

Effect of sputtering pressure on crystalline quality and residual stress of AlN films deposited at 823 K on nitrided sapphire substrates by pulsed DC reactive sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohtsuka, Makoto; Takeuchi, Hiroto; Fukuyama, Hiroyuki

2016-05-01

Aluminum nitride (AlN) is a promising material for use in applications such as deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) and surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices. In the present study, the effect of sputtering pressure on the surface morphology, crystalline quality, and residual stress of AlN films deposited at 823 K on nitrided a-plane sapphire substrates, which have high-crystalline-quality c-plane AlN thin layers, by pulsed DC reactive sputtering was investigated. The c-axis-oriented AlN films were homoepitaxially grown on nitrided sapphire substrates at sputtering pressures of 0.4-1.5 Pa. Surface damage of the AlN sputtered films increased with increasing sputtering pressure because of arcing (abnormal electrical discharge) during sputtering. The sputtering pressure affected the crystalline quality and residual stress of AlN sputtered films because of a change in the number and energy of Ar+ ions and Al sputtered atoms. The crystalline quality of AlN films was improved by deposition with lower sputtering pressure.

Method and system for a gas tube switch-based voltage source high voltage direct current transmission system

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

She, Xu; Chokhawala, Rahul Shantilal; Zhou, Rui

A voltage source converter based high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission system includes a voltage source converter (VSC)-based power converter channel. The VSC-based power converter channel includes an AC-DC converter and a DC-AC inverter electrically coupled to the AC-DC converter. The AC-DC converter and a DC-AC inverter include at least one gas tube switching device coupled in electrical anti-parallel with a respective gas tube diode. The VSC-based power converter channel includes a commutating circuit communicatively coupled to one or more of the at least one gas tube switching devices. The commutating circuit is configured to "switch on" a respective one of themore » one or more gas tube switching devices during a first portion of an operational cycle and "switch off" the respective one of the one or more gas tube switching devices during a second portion of the operational cycle.« less

Simultaneous DC and three phase output using hybrid converter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Surenderanath, S.; Rathnavel, P.; Prakash, G.; Rayavel, P.

2018-04-01

This Paper introduces new hybrid converter topologies which can supply simultaneously three phase AC as well as DC from a single DC source. The new Hybrid Converter is derived from the single switch controlled Boost converter by replacing the controlled switch with voltage source inverter (VSI). This new hybrid converter has the advantages like reduced number of switches as compared with conventional design having separate converter for supplying three phase AC and DC loads, provide DC and three AC outputs with an increased reliability, resulting from the inherent shoot through protection in the inverter stage. The proposed converter, studied in this paper, is called Boost-Derived Hybrid Converter (BDHC) as it is obtained from the conventional boost topology. A DSPIC based feedback controller is designed to regulate the DC as well as AC outputs. The proposed Converter can supply DC and AC loads at 95 V and 35 V (line to ground) respectively from a 48 V DC source.

Performance of the rebuilt SUERC single-stage accelerator mass spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shanks, Richard P.; Ascough, Philippa L.; Dougans, Andrew; Gallacher, Paul; Gulliver, Pauline; Rood, Dylan H.; Xu, Sheng; Freeman, Stewart P. H. T.

2015-10-01

The SUERC bipolar single-stage accelerator mass spectrometer (SSAMS) has been dismantled and rebuilt to accommodate an additional rotatable pre-accelerator electrostatic spherical analyser (ESA) and a second ion source injector. This is for the attachment of an experimental positive-ion electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source in addition to a Cs-sputter source. The ESA significantly suppresses oxygen interference to radiocarbon detection, and remaining measurement interference is now thought to be from 13C injected as 13CH molecule scattering off the plates of a second original pre-detector ESA.

Plasma formed ion beam projection lithography system

DOEpatents

Leung, Ka-Ngo; Lee, Yung-Hee Yvette; Ngo, Vinh; Zahir, Nastaran

2002-01-01

A plasma-formed ion-beam projection lithography (IPL) system eliminates the acceleration stage between the ion source and stencil mask of a conventional IPL system. Instead a much thicker mask is used as a beam forming or extraction electrode, positioned next to the plasma in the ion source. Thus the entire beam forming electrode or mask is illuminated uniformly with the source plasma. The extracted beam passes through an acceleration and reduction stage onto the resist coated wafer. Low energy ions, about 30 eV, pass through the mask, minimizing heating, scattering, and sputtering.

Sputtered silicon nitride coatings for wear protection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grill, A.; Aron, P. R.

1982-01-01

Silicon nitride films were deposited by RF sputtering on 304 stainless steel substrates in a planar RF sputtering apparatus. The sputtering was performed from a Si3N4 target in a sputtering atmosphere of argon and nitrogen. The rate of deposition, the composition of the coatings, the surface microhardness and the adhesion of the coatings to the substrates were investigated as a function of the process parameters, such as: substrate target distance, fraction nitrogen in the sputtering atmosphere and sputtering pressure. Silicon rich coating was obtained for fraction nitrogen below 0.2. The rate of deposition decreases continuously with increasing fraction nitrogen and decreasing sputtering pressure. It was found that the adherence of the coatings improves with decreasing sputtering pressure, almost independently of their composition.

Analysis of surface sputtering on a quantum statistical basis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilhelm, H. E.

1975-01-01

Surface sputtering is explained theoretically by means of a 3-body sputtering mechanism involving the ion and two surface atoms of the solid. By means of quantum-statistical mechanics, a formula for the sputtering ratio S(E) is derived from first principles. The theoretical sputtering rate S(E) was found experimentally to be proportional to the square of the difference between incident ion energy and the threshold energy for sputtering of surface atoms at low ion energies. Extrapolation of the theoretical sputtering formula to larger ion energies indicates that S(E) reaches a saturation value and finally decreases at high ion energies. The theoretical sputtering ratios S(E) for wolfram, tantalum, and molybdenum are compared with the corresponding experimental sputtering curves in the low energy region from threshold sputtering energy to 120 eV above the respective threshold energy. Theory and experiment are shown to be in good agreement.

Chemical vapor infiltration using microwave energy

DOEpatents

Devlin, David J.; Currier, Robert P.; Laia, Jr., Joseph R.; Barbero, Robert S.

1993-01-01

A method for producing reinforced ceramic composite articles by means of chemical vapor infiltration and deposition in which an inverted temperature gradient is utilized. Microwave energy is the source of heat for the process.

A Discrete-Time Average Model Based Predictive Control for Quasi-Z-Source Inverter

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

Liu, Yushan; Abu-Rub, Haitham; Xue, Yaosuo

A discrete-time average model-based predictive control (DTA-MPC) is proposed for a quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI). As a single-stage inverter topology, the qZSI regulates the dc-link voltage and the ac output voltage through the shoot-through (ST) duty cycle and the modulation index. Several feedback strategies have been dedicated to produce these two control variables, among which the most popular are the proportional–integral (PI)-based control and the conventional model-predictive control (MPC). However, in the former, there are tradeoffs between fast response and stability; the latter is robust, but at the cost of high calculation burden and variable switching frequency. Moreover, they require anmore » elaborated design or fine tuning of controller parameters. The proposed DTA-MPC predicts future behaviors of the ST duty cycle and modulation signals, based on the established discrete-time average model of the quasi-Z-source (qZS) inductor current, the qZS capacitor voltage, and load currents. The prediction actions are applied to the qZSI modulator in the next sampling instant, without the need of other controller parameters’ design. A constant switching frequency and significantly reduced computations are achieved with high performance. Transient responses and steady-state accuracy of the qZSI system under the proposed DTA-MPC are investigated and compared with the PI-based control and the conventional MPC. Simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach for the qZSI.« less

A Discrete-Time Average Model Based Predictive Control for Quasi-Z-Source Inverter

DOE PAGES

Liu, Yushan; Abu-Rub, Haitham; Xue, Yaosuo; ...

2017-12-25

A discrete-time average model-based predictive control (DTA-MPC) is proposed for a quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI). As a single-stage inverter topology, the qZSI regulates the dc-link voltage and the ac output voltage through the shoot-through (ST) duty cycle and the modulation index. Several feedback strategies have been dedicated to produce these two control variables, among which the most popular are the proportional–integral (PI)-based control and the conventional model-predictive control (MPC). However, in the former, there are tradeoffs between fast response and stability; the latter is robust, but at the cost of high calculation burden and variable switching frequency. Moreover, they require anmore » elaborated design or fine tuning of controller parameters. The proposed DTA-MPC predicts future behaviors of the ST duty cycle and modulation signals, based on the established discrete-time average model of the quasi-Z-source (qZS) inductor current, the qZS capacitor voltage, and load currents. The prediction actions are applied to the qZSI modulator in the next sampling instant, without the need of other controller parameters’ design. A constant switching frequency and significantly reduced computations are achieved with high performance. Transient responses and steady-state accuracy of the qZSI system under the proposed DTA-MPC are investigated and compared with the PI-based control and the conventional MPC. Simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach for the qZSI.« less

Cortical sources of visual evoked potentials during consciousness of executive processes.

PubMed

Babiloni, Claudio; Vecchio, Fabrizio; Iacoboni, Marco; Buffo, Paola; Eusebi, Fabrizio; Rossini, Paolo Maria

2009-03-01

What is the timing of cortical activation related to consciousness of visuo-spatial executive functions? Electroencephalographic data (128 channels) were recorded in 13 adults. Cue stimulus briefly appeared on right or left (equal probability) monitor side for a period, inducing about 50% of recognitions. It was then masked and followed (2 s) by a central visual go stimulus. Left (right) mouse button had to be clicked after right (left) cue stimulus. This "inverted" response indexed executive processes. Afterward, subjects said "seen" if they had detected the cue stimulus or "not seen" when it was missed. Sources of event-related potentials (ERPs) were estimated by LORETA software. The inverted responses were about 95% in seen trials and about 60% in not seen trials. Cue stimulus evoked frontal-parietooccipital potentials, having the same peak latencies in the seen and not seen data. Maximal difference in amplitude of the seen and not seen ERPs was detected at about +300-ms post-stimulus (P3). P3 sources were higher in amplitude in the seen than not seen trials in dorsolateral prefrontal, premotor and parietooccipital areas. This was true in dorsolateral prefrontal and premotor cortex even when percentage of the inverted responses and reaction time were paired in the seen and not seen trials. These results suggest that, in normal subjects, the primary consciousness enhances the efficacy of visuo-spatial executive processes and is sub-served by a late (100- to 400-ms post-stimulus) enhancement of the neural synchronization in frontal areas.

Propeller sheet cavitation noise source modeling and inversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Keunhwa; Lee, Jaehyuk; Kim, Dongho; Kim, Kyungseop; Seong, Woojae

2014-02-01

Propeller sheet cavitation is the main contributor to high level of noise and vibration in the after body of a ship. Full measurement of the cavitation-induced hull pressure over the entire surface of the affected area is desired but not practical. Therefore, using a few measurements on the outer hull above the propeller in a cavitation tunnel, empirical or semi-empirical techniques based on physical model have been used to predict the hull-induced pressure (or hull-induced force). In this paper, with the analytic source model for sheet cavitation, a multi-parameter inversion scheme to find the positions of noise sources and their strengths is suggested. The inversion is posed as a nonlinear optimization problem, which is solved by the optimization algorithm based on the adaptive simplex simulated annealing algorithm. Then, the resulting hull pressure can be modeled with boundary element method from the inverted cavitation noise sources. The suggested approach is applied to the hull pressure data measured in a cavitation tunnel of the Samsung Heavy Industry. Two monopole sources are adequate to model the propeller sheet cavitation noise. The inverted source information is reasonable with the cavitation dynamics of the propeller and the modeled hull pressure shows good agreement with cavitation tunnel experimental data.

Advanced Grid Support Functionality Testing for Florida Power and Light

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

Nelson, Austin; Martin, Gregory; Hurtt, James

This report describes the results of laboratory testing of advanced photovoltaic (PV) inverter testing undertaken by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) on behalf of the Florida Power and Light Company (FPL). FPL recently commissioned a 1.1 MW-AC PV installation on a solar carport at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. In addition to providing a source of clean energy production, the site serves as a live test bed with 36 different PV inverters from eight different manufacturers. Each inverter type has varied support for advanced grid support functions (GSFs) that are becoming increasingly commonplace, and are beingmore » required through revised interconnection standards such as UL1741, IEEE1547, and California (CA) Rule 21. FPL is interested in evaluating the trade-offs between different GSFs, their compliance to emerging standards, and their effects on efficiency and reliability. NREL has provided a controlled laboratory environment to undertake such a study. This work covered nine different classes of tests to compare inverter capabilities and performance for four different inverters that were selected by FPL. The test inverters were all three-phase models rated between 24-36 kW, and containing multiple PV input power point trackers. Advanced grid support functions were tested for functional behavior, and included fixed power factor operation, voltage-ride through, frequency ride-through, volt-var control, and frequency-Watt control. Response to abnormal grid conditions with GSFs enabled was studied through anti-islanding, fault, and load rejection overvoltage tests. Finally, efficiency was evaluated across a range of operating conditions that included power factor, output power, and input voltage variations. Test procedures were derived from requirements of a draft revision of UL741, CA Rule 21, and/or previous studies at NREL. This reports summarizes the results of each test case, providing a comparative performance analysis between the four test inverters. Inverters were mostly able to meet the requirements of their stated GSF capabilities, with deviations from expected results discussed throughout the report. There were mixed results across the range of abnormal tests, and results were often dependent on the capability of each test inverter to deploy the GSFs of interest. Detailed test data has been provided to FPL to support future decision making with respect to inverter selection and GSF deployment in the field.« less

Quartz Crystal Microbalance Based System for High-Sensitivity Differential Sputter Yield Measurements (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-08-20

at low ion energies require appropriate ion sources. For example, past work using QCM sensors employed a magnetron as an ion source 32,33 . The...and for data logging. Detailed discussion of the QCM sensor is provided in Section IID. Figure 1. Schematic diagram of the experimental set-up...mass flow rate of 0.5 sccm. The PBN was biased negatively relative to ground potential. D. QCM Sensor and Temperature Control In deposition mode

Simulation of Hawaiian Electric Companies Feeder Operations with Advanced Inverters and Analysis of Annual Photovoltaic Energy Curtailment

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

Giraldez Miner, Julieta I.; Nagarajan, Adarsh; Gotseff, Peter

The Hawaiian Electric Companies achieved a consolidated Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) of approximately 26% at the end of 2016. This significant RPS performance was achieved using various renewable energy sources - biomass, geothermal, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, hydro, wind, and biofuels - and customer-sited, grid-connected technologies (primarily private rooftop solar PV systems). The Hawaiian Electric Companies are preparing grid-modernization plans for the island grids. The plans outline specific near-term actions to accelerate the achievement of Hawai'i's 100% RPS by 2045. A key element of the Companies' grid-modernization strategy is to utilize new technologies - including storage and PV systems withmore » grid-supportive inverters - that will help to more than triple the amount of private rooftop solar PV systems. The Hawaiian Electric Companies collaborated with the Smart Inverter Technical Working Group Hawai'i (SITWG) to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to research the implementation of advanced inverter grid support functions (GSF). Together with the technical guidance from the Companies's planning engineers and stakeholder input from the SITWG members, NREL proposed a scope of work that explored different modes of voltage-regulation GSF to better understand the trade-offs of the grid benefits and curtailment impacts from the activation of selected advanced inverter grid support functions. The simulation results presented in this report examine the effectiveness in regulating voltage as well as the impact to the utility and the customers of various inverter-based grid support functions on two Hawaiian Electric distribution substations.« less

Sputtering of Lunar Regolith by Solar Wind Protons and Heavy Ions, and General Aspects of Potential Sputtering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alnussirat, S. T.; Sabra, M. S.; Barghouty, A. F.; Rickman, Douglas L.; Meyer, F.

2014-01-01

New simulation results for the sputtering of lunar soil surface by solar-wind protons and heavy ions will be presented. Previous simulation results showed that the sputtering process has significant effects and plays an important role in changing the surface chemical composition, setting the erosion rate and the sputtering process timescale. In this new work and in light of recent data, we briefly present some theoretical models which have been developed to describe the sputtering process and compare their results with recent calculation to investigate and differentiate the roles and the contributions of potential (or electrodynamic) sputtering from the standard (or kinetic) sputtering.

An Inverter Packaging Scheme for an Integrated Segmented Traction Drive System

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

Su, Gui-Jia; Tang, Lixin; Ayers, Curtis William

The standard voltage source inverter (VSI), widely used in electric vehicle/hybrid electric vehicle (EV/HEV) traction drives, requires a bulky dc bus capacitor to absorb the large switching ripple currents and prevent them from shortening the battery s life. The dc bus capacitor presents a significant barrier to meeting inverter cost, volume, and weight requirements for mass production of affordable EVs/HEVs. The large ripple currents become even more problematic for the film capacitors (the capacitor technology of choice for EVs/HEVs) in high temperature environments as their ripple current handling capability decreases rapidly with rising temperatures. It is shown in previous workmore » that segmenting the VSI based traction drive system can significantly decrease the ripple currents and thus the size of the dc bus capacitor. This paper presents an integrated packaging scheme to reduce the system cost of a segmented traction drive.« less

Inverting the parameters of an earthquake-ruptured fault with a genetic algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Ting-To; Fernàndez, Josè; Rundle, John B.

1998-03-01

Natural selection is the spirit of the genetic algorithm (GA): by keeping the good genes in the current generation, thereby producing better offspring during evolution. The crossover function ensures the heritage of good genes from parent to offspring. Meanwhile, the process of mutation creates a special gene, the character of which does not exist in the parent generation. A program based on genetic algorithms using C language is constructed to invert the parameters of an earthquake-ruptured fault. The verification and application of this code is shown to demonstrate its capabilities. It is determined that this code is able to find the global extreme and can be used to solve more practical problems with constraints gathered from other sources. It is shown that GA is superior to other inverting schema in many aspects. This easy handling and yet powerful algorithm should have many suitable applications in the field of geosciences.

Analysis and Experimental Verification of New Power Flow Control for Grid-Connected Inverter with LCL Filter in Microgrid

PubMed Central

Gu, Herong; Guan, Yajuan; Wang, Huaibao; Wei, Baoze; Guo, Xiaoqiang

2014-01-01

Microgrid is an effective way to integrate the distributed energy resources into the utility networks. One of the most important issues is the power flow control of grid-connected voltage-source inverter in microgrid. In this paper, the small-signal model of the power flow control for the grid-connected inverter is established, from which it can be observed that the conventional power flow control may suffer from the poor damping and slow transient response. While the new power flow control can mitigate these problems without affecting the steady-state power flow regulation. Results of continuous-domain simulations in MATLAB and digital control experiments based on a 32-bit fixed-point TMS320F2812 DSP are in good agreement, which verify the small signal model analysis and effectiveness of the proposed method. PMID:24672304

Estimates of Sputter Yields of Solar-Wind Heavy Ions of Lunar Regolith Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barghouty, Abdulmasser F.; Adams, James H., Jr.

2008-01-01

At energies of approximately 1 keV/amu, solar-wind protons and heavy ions interact with the lunar surface materials via a number of microscopic interactions that include sputtering. Solar-wind induced sputtering is a main mechanism by which the composition of the topmost layers of the lunar surface can change, dynamically and preferentially. This work concentrates on sputtering induced by solar-wind heavy ions. Sputtering associated with slow (speeds the electrons speed in its first Bohr orbit) and highly charged ions are known to include both kinetic and potential sputtering. Potential sputtering enjoys some unique characteristics that makes it of special interest to lunar science and exploration. Unlike the yield from kinetic sputtering where simulation and approximation schemes exist, the yield from potential sputtering is not as easy to estimate. This work will present a preliminary numerical scheme designed to estimate potential sputtering yields from reactions relevant to this aspect of solar-wind lunar-surface coupling.

Three-dimensional particle simulation of back-sputtered carbon in electric propulsion test facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Hongru; Cai, Guobiao; Liu, Lihui; Shang, Shengfei; He, Bijiao

2017-03-01

The back-sputtering deposition on thruster surface caused by ion bombardment on chamber wall material affects the performance of thrusters during the ground based electric propulsion endurance tests. In order to decrease the back-sputtering deposition, most of vacuum chambers applied in electric propulsion experiments are equipped with anti-sputtering targets. In this paper, a three-dimensional model of plume experimental system (PES) including double layer anti-sputtering target is established. Simulation cases are made to simulate the plasma environment and sputtering effects when an ion thruster is working. The particle in cell (PIC) method and direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method is used to calculate the velocity and position of particles. Yamamura's model is used to simulate the sputtering process. The distribution of sputtered anti-sputtering target material is presented. The results show that the double layer anti-sputtering target can significantly reduce the deposition on thruster surface. The back-sputtering deposition rates on thruster exit surface for different cases are compared. The chevrons on the secondary target are rearranged to improve its performance. The position of secondary target has relation with the ion beam divergence angle, and the radius of the vacuum chamber. The back-sputtering deposition rate is lower when the secondary target covers the entire ion beam.

Laser action by optically depumping lower states

DOEpatents

Krupke, William F.

1977-01-01

A method and apparatus for obtaining laser action between an upper energy level and a lower energy level of a gaseous medium, which comprises populating the upper energy level to some degree (short of achieving a conventional inverted population) by any suitable pumping means, and thereafter establishing an inverted population by transiently and selectively depumping the lower energy level such as by exposing the medium to an intense source of radiation which selectively causes the transformation of the lower energy level species to some other energy level. Thus, a thermally pumped/optically depumped gas laser system is produced.

Laser action by optically depumping lower states

DOEpatents

Krupke, W.F.

1975-11-26

A method and apparatus are described for obtaining laser action between an upper energy level and a lower energy level of a gaseous medium. The upper energy level is populated to some degree (short of achieving a conventional inverted population) by any suitable pumping means, and an inverted population is established by transiently and selectively depumping the lower energy level. The depumping may be done by exposing the medium to an intense source of radiation which selectively causes the transformation of the lower energy level species to some other energy level. Thus, a thermally pumped/optically depumped gas laser system is produced.

Motor starting a Brayton cycle power conversion system using a static inverter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Curreri, J. S.; Edkin, R. A.; Kruchowy, R.

1973-01-01

The power conversion module of a 2- to 15-kWe Brayton engine was motor started using a three-phase, 400-hertz static inverter as the power source. Motor-static tests were conducted for initial gas loop pressures of 10, 14, and 17 N/sq cm (15, 20, and 25 psia) over a range of initial turbine inlet temperatures from 366 to 550 K (200 to 530 F). The data are presented to show the effects of temperature and pressure on the motor-start characteristics of the rotating unit. Electrical characteristics during motoring are also discussed.

Design of a ZVS PWM inverter for a brushless DC motor in an EMA application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bell, J. Brett; Nelms, R. M.; Shepherd, Michael T.

1993-01-01

The Component Development Division of the Propulsion Laboratory at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is currently investigating the use of electromechanical actuators for use in space transportation applications such as Thrust Vector Control (TVC). These high power servomechanisms will require rugged, reliable, and compact power electronic modules capable of modulating several hundred amperes of current at up to 270 Vdc. This paper will discuss the design and implementation of a zero-voltage-switched PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) inverter which operates from a 270 Vdc source at currents up to 100 A.

Sputtering and ion plating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The proceedings of a conference on sputtering and ion plating are presented. Subjects discussed are: (1) concepts and applications of ion plating, (2) sputtering for deposition of solid film lubricants, (3) commercial ion plating equipment, (4) industrial potential for ion plating and sputtering, and (5) fundamentals of RF and DC sputtering.

Large-Signal Lyapunov-Based Stability Analysis of DC/AC Inverters and Inverter-Based Microgrids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kabalan, Mahmoud

Microgrid stability studies have been largely based on small-signal linearization techniques. However, the validity and magnitude of the linearization domain is limited to small perturbations. Thus, there is a need to examine microgrids with large-signal nonlinear techniques to fully understand and examine their stability. Large-signal stability analysis can be accomplished by Lyapunov-based mathematical methods. These Lyapunov methods estimate the domain of asymptotic stability of the studied system. A survey of Lyapunov-based large-signal stability studies showed that few large-signal studies have been completed on either individual systems (dc/ac inverters, dc/dc rectifiers, etc.) or microgrids. The research presented in this thesis addresses the large-signal stability of droop-controlled dc/ac inverters and inverter-based microgrids. Dc/ac power electronic inverters allow microgrids to be technically feasible. Thus, as a prelude to examining the stability of microgrids, the research presented in Chapter 3 analyzes the stability of inverters. First, the 13 th order large-signal nonlinear model of a droop-controlled dc/ac inverter connected to an infinite bus is presented. The singular perturbation method is used to decompose the nonlinear model into 11th, 9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd and 1st order models. Each model ignores certain control or structural components of the full order model. The aim of the study is to understand the accuracy and validity of the reduced order models in replicating the performance of the full order nonlinear model. The performance of each model is studied in three different areas: time domain simulations, Lyapunov's indirect method and domain of attraction estimation. The work aims to present the best model to use in each of the three domains of study. Results show that certain reduced order models are capable of accurately reproducing the performance of the full order model while others can be used to gain insights into those three areas of study. This will enable future studies to save computational effort and produce the most accurate results according to the needs of the study being performed. Moreover, the effect of grid (line) impedance on the accuracy of droop control is explored using the 5th order model. Simulation results show that traditional droop control is valid up to R/X line impedance value of 2. Furthermore, the 3rd order nonlinear model improves the currently available inverter-infinite bus models by accounting for grid impedance, active power-frequency droop and reactive power-voltage droop. Results show the 3rd order model's ability to account for voltage and reactive power changes during a transient event. Finally, the large-signal Lyapunov-based stability analysis is completed for a 3 bus microgrid system (made up of 2 inverters and 1 linear load). The thesis provides a systematic state space large-signal nonlinear mathematical modeling method of inverter-based microgrids. The inverters include the dc-side dynamics associated with dc sources. The mathematical model is then used to estimate the domain of asymptotic stability of the 3 bus microgrid. The three bus microgrid system was used as a case study to highlight the design and optimization capability of a large-signal-based approach. The study explores the effect of system component sizing, load transient and generation variations on the asymptotic stability of the microgrid. Essentially, this advancement gives microgrid designers and engineers the ability to manipulate the domain of asymptotic stability depending on performance requirements. Especially important, this research was able to couple the domain of asymptotic stability of the ac microgrid with that of the dc side voltage source. Time domain simulations were used to demonstrate the mathematical nonlinear analysis results.

Localized traveling ionization zones and their importance for the high power impulse magnetron sputtering process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maszl, Christian

2016-09-01

High power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) is a technique to deposit thin films with superior quality. A high ionization degree up to 90% and the natural occurence of high energetic metal ions are the reason why HiPIMS exceeds direct current magnetron sputtering in terms of coating quality. On the other hand HiPIMS suffers from a reduced efficiency, especially if metal films are produced. Therefore, a lot of research is done by experimentalists and theoreticians to clarify the transport mechanisms from target to substrate and to identify the energy source of the energetic metal ions. Magnetron plasmas are prone to a wide range of wave phenomena and instabilities. Especially, during HiPIMS at elevated power/current densities, symmetry breaks and self-organization in the plasma torus are observed. In this scenario localized travelling ionization zones with certain quasi-mode numbers are present which are commonly referred to as spokes. Because of their high rotation speed compared to typical process times of minutes their importance for thin film deposition was underestimated at first. Recent investigations show that spokes have a strong impact on particle transport, are probably the source of the high energetic metal ions and are therefore the essence of HiPIMS plasmas. In this contribution we will describe the current understanding of spokes, discuss implications for thin film synthesis and highlight open questions. This project is supported by the DFG (German Science Foundation) within the framework of the Coordinated Research Center SFB-TR 87 and the Research Department ``Plasmas with Complex Interactions'' at Ruhr-University Bochum.

Ion beam applications research. A summary of Lewis Research Center Programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Banks, B. A.

1981-01-01

A summary of the ion beam applications research (IBAR) program organized to enable the development of materials, products, and processes through the nonpropulsive application of ion thruster technology is given. Specific application efforts utilizing ion beam sputter etching, deposition, and texturing are discussed as well as ion source and component technology applications.

Fabrication and properties of multilayer structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiller, W. A.

1983-09-01

The synthesis of SiC films and Pd2Si films via single source and dual source sputtering, respectively, has been experimentally investigated while the reactive sputter deposition of SiO sub x films has been theoretically analyzed. The SiO sub x film data requires a mobile precursor adsorption process to be operative for the oxygen and an oxygen sticking coefficient of between 1.56 x 10 to the minus 3rd power and 4.17 x 10 to the minus 3rd power. An analysis of in-situ electrical diagnostics of the films via a non-contact technique shows the method to be of marginal accuracy for the example selected. An important new formulation of the stress and elastic constant tensors in the vicinity of interfaces has been developed and applied to the simple example of adsorbed layer/substrate interactions via a parametric analysis. Atomic modeling of the SiO system yields peroxide bond formation for oxygen-rich (100) alpha-cristobalite surfaces. Radial distribution function and angular distribution function data have been calculated for bulk alpha-quartz and bulk alpha-cristobalite in good agreement with experiment.

Comparing the Atmospheric Losses at Io and Europa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dols, V. J.; Bagenal, F.; Crary, F. J.; Cassidy, T.

2017-12-01

At Io and Europa, the interaction of the Jovian plasma with the moon atmosphere leads to a significant loss of atomic/molecular neutrals and ions to space. The processes that lead to atmospheric escape are diverse: atmospheric sputtering, molecular dissociation, molecular ion recombination, Jeans escape etc. Each process leads to neutrals escaping at different velocities (i.e. electron impact dissociation leads to very slow atomic neutrals, sputtering might eject faster molecular neutrals). Some neutrals will be ejected out of the Jovian system; others will form extended neutral clouds along the orbit of the moons. These atomic/molecular extended neutral clouds are probably the main source of plasma for the Jovian magnetosphere. They are difficult to observe directly thus their composition and density are still poorly constrained. A future modeling of the formation of these extended clouds requires an estimate of their atmospheric sources. We estimate the atmospheric losses at Io and Europa for each loss process with a multi-species chemistry model, using a prescribed atmospheric distribution consistent with the observations. We compare the neutral losses at Io and Europa.

Separation of Migration and Tomography Modes of Full-Waveform Inversion in the Plane Wave Domain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Gang; da Silva, Nuno V.; Warner, Michael; Kalinicheva, Tatiana

2018-02-01

Full-waveform inversion (FWI) includes both migration and tomography modes. The migration mode acts like a nonlinear least squares migration to map model interfaces with reflections, while the tomography mode behaves as tomography to build a background velocity model. The migration mode is the main response of inverting reflections, while the tomography mode exists in response to inverting both the reflections and refractions. To emphasize one of the two modes in FWI, especially for inverting reflections, the separation of the two modes in the gradient of FWI is required. Here we present a new method to achieve this separation with an angle-dependent filtering technique in the plane wave domain. We first transform the source and residual wavefields into the plane wave domain with the Fourier transform and then decompose them into the migration and tomography components using the opening angles between the transformed source and residual plane waves. The opening angles close to 180° contribute to the tomography component, while the others correspond to the migration component. We find that this approach is very effective and robust even when the medium is relatively complicated with strong lateral heterogeneities, highly dipping reflectors, and strong anisotropy. This is well demonstrated by theoretical analysis and numerical tests with a synthetic data set and a field data set.

Scanning-electron-microscopy observations and mechanical characteristics of ion-beam-sputtered surgical implant alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weigand, A. J.; Meyer, M. L.; Ling, J. S.

1977-01-01

An electron bombardment ion thruster was used as an ion source to sputter the surfaces of orthopedic prosthetic metals. Scanning electron microscopy photomicrographs were made of each ion beam textured surface. The effect of ion texturing an implant surface on its bond to bone cement was investigated. A Co-Cr-W alloy and surgical stainless steel were used as representative hard tissue implant materials to determine effects of ion texturing on bulk mechanical properties. Work was done to determine the effect of substrate temperature on the development of an ion textured surface microstructure. Results indicate that the ultimate strength of the bulk materials is unchanged by ion texturing and that the microstructure will develop more rapidly if the substrate is heated prior to ion texturing.

Developing Multilayer Thin Film Strain Sensors With High Thermal Stability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wrbanek, John D.; Fralick, Gustave C.; Gonzalez, Jose M., III

2006-01-01

A multilayer thin film strain sensor for large temperature range use is under development using a reactively-sputtered process. The sensor is capable of being fabricated in fine line widths utilizing the sacrificial-layer lift-off process that is used for micro-fabricated noble-metal sensors. Tantalum nitride films were optimized using reactive sputtering with an unbalanced magnetron source. A first approximation model of multilayer resistance and temperature coefficient of resistance was used to set the film thicknesses in the multilayer film sensor. Two multifunctional sensors were fabricated using multilayered films of tantalum nitride and palladium chromium, and tested for low temperature resistivity, TCR and strain response. The low temperature coefficient of resistance of the films will result in improved stability in thin film sensors for low to high temperature use.

Simultaneous ion sputter polishing and deposition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rutledge, S.; Banks, B.; Brdar, M.

1981-01-01

Results of experiments to study ion beam sputter polishing in conjunction with simultaneous deposition as a mean of polishing copper surfaces are presented. Two types of simultaneous ion sputter polishing and deposition were used in these experiments. The first type utilized sputter polishing simultaneous with vapor deposition, and the second type utilized sputter polishing simultaneous with sputter deposition. The etch and deposition rates of both techniques were studied, as well as the surface morphology and surface roughness.

Anomalous effects in the aluminum oxide sputtering yield

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schelfhout, R.; Strijckmans, K.; Depla, D.

2018-04-01

The sputtering yield of aluminum oxide during reactive magnetron sputtering has been quantified by a new and fast method. The method is based on the meticulous determination of the reactive gas consumption during reactive DC magnetron sputtering and has been deployed to determine the sputtering yield of aluminum oxide. The accuracy of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparing its results to the common weight loss method excluding secondary effects such as redeposition. Both methods exhibit a decrease in sputtering yield with increasing discharge current. This feature of the aluminum oxide sputtering yield is described for the first time. It resembles the discrepancy between published high sputtering yield values determined by low current ion beams and the low deposition rate in the poisoned mode during reactive magnetron sputtering. Moreover, the usefulness of the new method arises from its time-resolved capabilities. The evolution of the alumina sputtering yield can now be measured up to a resolution of seconds. This reveals the complex dynamical behavior of the sputtering yield. A plausible explanation of the observed anomalies seems to originate from the balance between retention and out-diffusion of implanted gas atoms, while other possible causes are commented.

Characterization of atomic oxygen from an ECR plasma source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naddaf, M.; Bhoraskar, V. N.; Mandale, A. B.; Sainkar, S. R.; Bhoraskar, S. V.

2002-11-01

A low-power microwave-assisted electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma system is shown to be a powerful and effective source of atomic oxygen (AO) useful in material processing. A 2.45 GHz microwave source with maximum power of 600 W was launched into the cavity to generate the ECR plasma. A catalytic nickel probe was used to determine the density of AO. The density of AO is studied as a function of pressure and axial position of the probe in the plasma chamber. It was found to vary from ~1×1020 to ~10×1020 atom m-3 as the plasma pressure was varied from 0.8 to 10 mTorr. The effect of AO in oxidation of silver is investigated by gravimetric analysis. The stoichiometric properties of the oxide are studied using the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as energy dispersive x-ray analysis. The degradation of the silver surface due to sputtering effect was viewed by scanning electron spectroscopy. The sputtering yield of oxygen ions in the plasma is calculated using the TRIM code. The effects of plasma pressure and the distance from the ECR zone on the AO density were also investigated. The density of AO measured by oxidation of silver is in good agreement with results obtained from the catalytic nickel probe.

Generation of a pseudo-2D shear-wave velocity section by inversion of a series of 1D dispersion curves

USGS Publications Warehouse

Luo, Y.; Xia, J.; Liu, J.; Xu, Y.; Liu, Q.

2008-01-01

Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves utilizes a multichannel recording system to estimate near-surface shear (S)-wave velocities from high-frequency Rayleigh waves. A pseudo-2D S-wave velocity (vS) section is constructed by aligning 1D models at the midpoint of each receiver spread and using a spatial interpolation scheme. The horizontal resolution of the section is therefore most influenced by the receiver spread length and the source interval. The receiver spread length sets the theoretical lower limit and any vS structure with its lateral dimension smaller than this length will not be properly resolved in the final vS section. A source interval smaller than the spread length will not improve the horizontal resolution because spatial smearing has already been introduced by the receiver spread. In this paper, we first analyze the horizontal resolution of a pair of synthetic traces. Resolution analysis shows that (1) a pair of traces with a smaller receiver spacing achieves higher horizontal resolution of inverted S-wave velocities but results in a larger relative error; (2) the relative error of the phase velocity at a high frequency is smaller than at a low frequency; and (3) a relative error of the inverted S-wave velocity is affected by the signal-to-noise ratio of data. These results provide us with a guideline to balance the trade-off between receiver spacing (horizontal resolution) and accuracy of the inverted S-wave velocity. We then present a scheme to generate a pseudo-2D S-wave velocity section with high horizontal resolution using multichannel records by inverting high-frequency surface-wave dispersion curves calculated through cross-correlation combined with a phase-shift scanning method. This method chooses only a pair of consecutive traces within a shot gather to calculate a dispersion curve. We finally invert surface-wave dispersion curves of synthetic and real-world data. Inversion results of both synthetic and real-world data demonstrate that inverting high-frequency surface-wave dispersion curves - by a pair of traces through cross-correlation with phase-shift scanning method and with the damped least-square method and the singular-value decomposition technique - can feasibly achieve a reliable pseudo-2D S-wave velocity section with relatively high horizontal resolution. ?? 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mechanical and chemical effects of ion-texturing biomedical polymers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weigand, A. J.; Cenkus, M. A.

1979-01-01

To determine whether sputter etching may provide substantial polymer surface texturing with insignificant changes in chemical and mechanical properties, an 8 cm beam diameter, electron bombardment, argon ion source was used to sputter etch (ion-texture process) nine biomedical polymers. The materials included silicone rubber, 32% carbon impregnated polyolefin, polyoxymethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, ultrahigh molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene, UHMW polyethylene with carbon fibers (10%), and several polyurethanes (bioelectric, segmented, and cross linked). Ion textured microtensile specimens of each material except UHMW polyethylene and UHMW polyethylene with 10% carbon fibers were used to determine the effect of ion texturing on tensile properties. Scanning electron microscopy was used to determine surface morphology changes, and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis was used to analyze the near surface chemical changes that result from ion texturing. Ion energies of 500 eV with beam current densities ranging from 0.08 to 0.19 mA/sq cm were used to ion texture the various materials. Standard microtensile specimens of seven polymers were exposed to a saline environment for 24 hours prior to and during the tensile testing. The surface chemical changes resulting from sputter etching are minimal in spite of the often significant changes in the surface morphology.

Carbon film deposition on SnO{sub 2}/Si(111) using DC unbalanced magnetron sputtering

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

Aji, A. S.; Darma, Y.

In this paper, carbon deposition on SnO{sub 2} layer using DC unbalanced magnetron-sputtering technique at low temperature has been systematically studied. Sputtering process were carried out at pressure of 4.6×10{sup −2} Torr by keeping the substrate temperature at 300 °C. SnO{sub 2} were growth on silicon (111) substrate using thermal evaporation and continuing with dry oxidation of Sn at 225 °C. Thermal evaporation for high purity Sn was conducted by maintain the current source as high as 40 ampere. The quality of SnO{sub 2} on Si(111) and the characteristic of carbon thin film on SnO{sub 2} were analized by meanmore » XRD, FTIR and Raman spectra. XRD analysis shows that SnO{sub 2} film is growth uniformly on Si(111). FTIR and Raman spectra confirm the formation of thin film carbon on SnO{sub 2}. Additionally, thermal annealing for some sample series have been performed to study their structural stability. The change of atomic structure due to thermal annealing were analized by Raman and XRD spectra.« less

Preparation of indium tin oxide contact to n-CdZnTe gamma-ray detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Leqi; Xu, Yadong; Zhang, Binbin; Wang, Aoqiu; Dong, Jiangpeng; Yu, Hui; Jie, Wanqi

2018-03-01

The nonmetal electrode material Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) has advantages of excellent conductivity, higher adhesion, and interface stability, showing potential to replace the metallic contacts for fabrication of CdZnTe (CZT) X/γ-ray detectors. In this work, high quality ITO electrodes for n-type CZT crystals were prepared by magnetron sputtering under a sputtering power of 75 W and a sputtering pressure of 0.6 Pa. A low dark current of ˜1 nA is achieved for the 5 × 5 × 2 mm3 ITO/CZT/ITO planar device under 100 V bias. The characteristics of Schottky contact are presented in the room temperature I-V curves, which are similar to those of the Au contact detectors. Based on the thermoelectric emission theory, the contact barrier and resistance of ITO electrodes are evaluated to be 0.902-0.939 eV and 0.87-3.56 × 108 Ω, respectively, which are consistent with the values of the Au electrodes. The ITO/CZT/ITO structure detector exhibits a superior energy resolution of 6.5% illuminated by the uncollimated 241Am @59.5 keV γ-ray source, which is comparable to the CZT detector with Au electrodes.

Enhanced spin-dependent charge transport of Co-(Al-fluoride) granular nanocomposite by co-separate sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Yang; Kobayashi, Nobukiyo; Zhang, Yi-Wen; Ohnuma, Shigehiro; Masumoto, Hiroshi

2017-10-01

Spin-dependent charge transport behavior involving the recently discovered tunnel-type magneto-dielectric (TMD) and magnetoresistance (TMR) effects was studied in Co-(Al-fluoride) granular nanocomposites. By setting a changeable partition height (t = 1-4 cm) on a substrate holder in a conventional co-sputtering (CS) deposition system, we developed a co-separate sputtering (CSS) method to fabricate Co-(Al-F) granular nanocomposites. XPS analysis shows that the Al content remains balanced between the Al metal and Al-F compounds by controlling t. This phenomenon can be attributed to the magnetron plasma interference from the two target sources. Fittings between TMR and normalized magnetization suggest that the CSS films with clear granular structures may have high spin polarization. Compared with the CS samples (t = 0 cm), the CSS films with t = 4 cm show enhanced charge transport properties with a maximum TMD ratio (0.5%) and TMR ratio (7.2%) under a magnetic field of H = 10 kOe. This study demonstrates that the Al-F tunnel barrier between Co granules plays an essential role in controlling the charge transport behavior and will be of significance for applications in field sensors and impedance-tunable devices with large magnetic-field response.

A New Scientific use of Total Eclipses of the Moon: Studies of the Generation and Loss of Atmospheres of Primitives Bodies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mendillo, Michael

1999-01-01

This grant supported observational campaigns to record the size and brightness of the lunar atmosphere as seen in sodium gas (Na) emissions during the totality phase of lunar eclipses. Three eclipse events were attempted, two from the Mc Donald Observatory in Fort Davis Texas, and one from the site of Italy's Galileo National Telescope (GNT) in La Palma, in the Canary Islands. In all three cases, clear skies prevailed and excellent datasets were obtained. Following the observational component of the grant, a period of detailed processing and analysis began. Eclipse events were chosen for study because when the moon is in full phase it has been within the terrestrial magnetosphere for a few days, thereby shielded from solar wind impact upon its surface. Since sputtering of Na from the lunar regolith by solar wind particles had been proposed as a source of the Moon's atmosphere, this was a test of the mechanism. If the lunar Na appeared to be diminished in comparison to abundances seen at other phases (e.g., at quarter phase when the moon is directly in the solar wind), the solar wind sputtering would indeed be a major source of lunar Na. These experiments could not be conducted during any full moon night because scattering of bright moonlight is so strong that low-light-level imaging of the lunar atmosphere could not be achieved. Hence, the use of eclipses. The final result of these experiments was, for once, clear and unambiguous. The robust size and Na brightness levels measured during all of the eclipses showed that solar wind sputtering could not be a major source of the lunar atmosphere. A major paper on this conclusion was published in ICARUS, and an oral presentation of partial results given at the The Three Galileos conference in Padova (Italy) in January 1997 and at the DPS meeting in Cambridge, MA, in July 1997.

Controllable Threshold Voltage in Organic Complementary Logic Circuits with an Electron-Trapping Polymer and Photoactive Gate Dielectric Layer.

PubMed

Dao, Toan Thanh; Sakai, Heisuke; Nguyen, Hai Thanh; Ohkubo, Kei; Fukuzumi, Shunichi; Murata, Hideyuki

2016-07-20

We present controllable and reliable complementary organic transistor circuits on a PET substrate using a photoactive dielectric layer of 6-[4'-(N,N-diphenylamino)phenyl]-3-ethoxycarbonylcoumarin (DPA-CM) doped into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and an electron-trapping layer of poly(perfluoroalkenyl vinyl ether) (Cytop). Cu was used for a source/drain electrode in both the p-channel and n-channel transistors. The threshold voltage of the transistors and the inverting voltage of the circuits were reversibly controlled over a wide range under a program voltage of less than 10 V and under UV light irradiation. At a program voltage of -2 V, the inverting voltage of the circuits was tuned to be at nearly half of the supply voltage of the circuit. Consequently, an excellent balance between the high and low noise margins (NM) was produced (64% of NMH and 68% of NML), resulting in maximum noise immunity. Furthermore, the programmed circuits showed high stability, such as a retention time of over 10(5) s for the inverter switching voltage. Our findings bring about a flexible, simple way to obtain robust, high-performance organic circuits using a controllable complementary transistor inverter.

Kinetic and Potential Sputtering of Lunar Regolith: Contribution of Solar-Wind Heavy Ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyer, F. W.; Harris, P. R.; Meyer, H. M., III; Hijiazi, H.; Barghouty, A. F.

2013-01-01

Sputtering of lunar regolith by protons as well as solar-wind heavy ions is considered. From preliminary measurements of H+, Ar+1, Ar+6 and Ar+9 ion sputtering of JSC-1A AGGL lunar regolith simulant at solar wind velocities, and TRIM simulations of kinetic sputtering yields, the relative contributions of kinetic and potential sputtering contributions are estimated. An 80-fold enhancement of oxygen sputtering by Ar+ over same-velocity H+, and an additional x2 increase for Ar+9 over same-velocity Ar+ was measured. This enhancement persisted to the maximum fluences investigated is approximately 1016/cm (exp2). Modeling studies including the enhanced oxygen ejection by potential sputtering due to the minority heavy ion multicharged ion solar wind component, and the kinetic sputtering contribution of all solar wind constituents, as determined from TRIM sputtering simulations, indicate an overall 35% reduction of near-surface oxygen abundance. XPS analyses of simulant samples exposed to singly and multicharged Ar ions show the characteristic signature of reduced (metallic) Fe, consistent with the preferential ejection of oxygen atoms that can occur in potential sputtering of some metal oxides.

Natural microseismicity investigated using double-difference tomography: a 3D look at the 2008 swarm in the Novy Kostel area, Czech Republic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandrakis, C.; Calo, M.; Bouchaala, F.; Vavrycuk, V.

2012-04-01

The Novy Kostel region in West Bohemia is an area prone to periodic bursts of natural microseismic activity. In this study, we use 476 events from the October 2008 earthquake swarm recorded on the WEBNET seismic network. The foci occurred on the northern extension of the Marianske-Lazne Fault near the town of Novy Kostel in the Czech Republic. Initial source locations indicated a rupture zone approximately 3 km along the fault with the sources spread over 4 km depth, centered at 9 km. We use the double-difference tomography method to study the fault structure by relocating the sources and inverting for the P and S velocities in the rupture region. Events are first relocated using the HypoDD program (Waldhauser and Ellsworth, 2000) using both catalog and cross-correlated datasets. These datasets, along with the absolute time picks are then used by the TomoDD program (Zhang and Thurber, 2003) to iteratively relocate the sources and invert for the 3D seismic structure. This dataset is ideal for this procedure as the cluster is very condensed and the WEBNET network offers ray coverage in all directions. The relocated events flatten onto a fault plane striking at 169 degrees NE. This fault plane has three sections with distinct dip angles. At the shallowest (up to 8 km) and deepest (10 - 11 km) parts of the fault, the dip is shallow, whereas the middle section has a steep dip angle. Most events occur at the deeper part of the middle section. The inverted velocities correspond well to results from regional seismic refraction surveys (e.g., CELEBRATION 2000). Here, more details of the 3D velocity structure are revealed. As expected, velocities to the east of the fault are overall higher, corresponding to the uplifted northern margin of the Eger Rift. Finer structures surrounding the source region are also resolved.

Model predictive direct power control for active power decoupled single-phase quasi- Z -source inverter

DOE PAGES

Liu, Yushan; Ge, Baoming; Abu-Rub, Haitham; ...

2016-06-14

In this study, the active power filter (APF) that consists of a half-bridge leg and an ac capacitor is integrated in the single-phase quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI) in this paper to avoid the second harmonic power flowing into the dc side. The capacitor of APF buffers the second harmonic power of the load, and the ac capacitor allows highly pulsating ac voltage, so that the capacitances of both dc and ac sides can be small. A model predictive direct power control (DPC) is further proposed to achieve the purpose of this newtopology through predicting the capacitor voltage of APF at eachmore » sampling period and ensuring the APF power to track the second harmonic power of single-phase qZSI. Simulation and experimental results verify the model predictive DPC for the APF-integrated single-phase qZSI.« less

Model predictive direct power control for active power decoupled single-phase quasi- Z -source inverter

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

Liu, Yushan; Ge, Baoming; Abu-Rub, Haitham

In this study, the active power filter (APF) that consists of a half-bridge leg and an ac capacitor is integrated in the single-phase quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI) in this paper to avoid the second harmonic power flowing into the dc side. The capacitor of APF buffers the second harmonic power of the load, and the ac capacitor allows highly pulsating ac voltage, so that the capacitances of both dc and ac sides can be small. A model predictive direct power control (DPC) is further proposed to achieve the purpose of this newtopology through predicting the capacitor voltage of APF at eachmore » sampling period and ensuring the APF power to track the second harmonic power of single-phase qZSI. Simulation and experimental results verify the model predictive DPC for the APF-integrated single-phase qZSI.« less

FPGA Techniques Based New Hybrid Modulation Strategies for Voltage Source Inverters

PubMed Central

Sudha, L. U.; Baskaran, J.; Elankurisil, S. A.

2015-01-01

This paper corroborates three different hybrid modulation strategies suitable for single-phase voltage source inverter. The proposed method is formulated using fundamental switching and carrier based pulse width modulation methods. The main tale of this proposed method is to optimize a specific performance criterion, such as minimization of the total harmonic distortion (THD), lower order harmonics, switching losses, and heat losses. The proposed method is articulated using fundamental switching and carrier based pulse width modulation methods. Thus, the harmonic pollution in the power system will be reduced and the power quality will be augmented with better harmonic profile for a target fundamental output voltage. The proposed modulation strategies are simulated in MATLAB r2010a and implemented in a Xilinx spartan 3E-500 FG 320 FPGA processor. The feasibility of these modulation strategies is authenticated through simulation and experimental results. PMID:25821852

The effect of plasma impurities on the sputtering of tungsten carbide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vörtler, K.; Björkas, C.; Nordlund, K.

2011-03-01

Understanding of sputtering by ion bombardment is needed in a wide range of applications. In fusion reactors, ion impacts originating from a hydrogen-isotope-rich plasma will lead, among other effects, to sputtering of the wall material. To study the effect of plasma impurities on the sputtering of the wall mixed material tungsten carbide molecular dynamics simulations were carried out. Simulations of cumulative D cobombardment with C, W, He, Ne or Ar impurities on crystalline tungsten carbide were performed in the energy range 100-300 eV. The sputtering yields obtained at low fluences were compared to steady state SDTrimSP yields. During bombardment single C atom sputtering was preferentially observed. We also detected significant WxCy molecule sputtering. We found that this molecule sputtering mechanism is of physical origin.

Biomedical nuclear and X-ray imager using high-energy grazing incidence mirrors

DOEpatents

Ziock, Klaus-Peter; Craig, William W.; Hasegawa, Bruce; Pivovaroff, Michael J.

2005-09-27

Imaging of radiation sources located in a subject is explored for medical applications. The approach involves using grazing-incidence optics to form images of the location of radiopharmaceuticals administered to a subject. The optics are "true focusing" optics, meaning that they project a real and inverted image of the radiation source onto a detector possessing spatial and energy resolution.

Automatic 3D Moment tensor inversions for southern California earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Q.; Tape, C.; Friberg, P.; Tromp, J.

2008-12-01

We present a new source mechanism (moment-tensor and depth) catalog for about 150 recent southern California earthquakes with Mw ≥ 3.5. We carefully select the initial solutions from a few available earthquake catalogs as well as our own preliminary 3D moment tensor inversion results. We pick useful data windows by assessing the quality of fits between the data and synthetics using an automatic windowing package FLEXWIN (Maggi et al 2008). We compute the source Fréchet derivatives of moment-tensor elements and depth for a recent 3D southern California velocity model inverted based upon finite-frequency event kernels calculated by the adjoint methods and a nonlinear conjugate gradient technique with subspace preconditioning (Tape et al 2008). We then invert for the source mechanisms and event depths based upon the techniques introduced by Liu et al 2005. We assess the quality of this new catalog, as well as the other existing ones, by computing the 3D synthetics for the updated 3D southern California model. We also plan to implement the moment-tensor inversion methods to automatically determine the source mechanisms for earthquakes with Mw ≥ 3.5 in southern California.

Tutorial: Reactive high power impulse magnetron sputtering (R-HiPIMS)

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

Anders, André

High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) is a coating technology that combines magnetron sputtering with pulsed power concepts. Furthermore, by applying power in pulses of high amplitude and a relatively low duty cycle, large fractions of sputtered atoms and near-target gases are ionized. In contrast to conventional magnetron sputtering, HiPIMS is characterized by self-sputtering or repeated gas recycling for high and low sputter yield materials, respectively, and both for most intermediate materials. The dense plasma in front of the target has the dual function of sustaining the discharge and providing plasma-assistance to film growth, affecting the microstructure of growing films.more » Many technologically interesting thin films are compound films, which are composed of one or more metals and a reactive gas, most often oxygen or nitrogen. When reactive gas is added, non-trivial consequences arise for the system because the target may become “poisoned,” i.e., a compound layer forms on the target surface affecting the sputtering yield and the yield of secondary electron emission and thereby all other parameters. It is emphasized that the target state depends not only on the reactive gas' partial pressure (balanced via gas flow and pumping) but also on the ion flux to the target, which can be controlled by pulse parameters. This is a critical technological opportunity for reactive HiPIMS (R-HiPIMS). The scope of this tutorial is focused on plasma processes and mechanisms of operation and only briefly touches upon film properties. It introduces R-HiPIMS in a systematic, step-by-step approach by covering sputtering, magnetron sputtering, reactive magnetron sputtering, pulsed reactive magnetron sputtering, HiPIMS, and finally R-HiPIMS. The tutorial is concluded by considering variations of R-HiPIMS known as modulated pulsed power magnetron sputtering and deep-oscillation magnetron sputtering and combinations of R-HiPIMS with superimposed dc magnetron sputtering.« less

Tutorial: Reactive high power impulse magnetron sputtering (R-HiPIMS)

DOE PAGES

Anders, André

2017-03-21

High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) is a coating technology that combines magnetron sputtering with pulsed power concepts. Furthermore, by applying power in pulses of high amplitude and a relatively low duty cycle, large fractions of sputtered atoms and near-target gases are ionized. In contrast to conventional magnetron sputtering, HiPIMS is characterized by self-sputtering or repeated gas recycling for high and low sputter yield materials, respectively, and both for most intermediate materials. The dense plasma in front of the target has the dual function of sustaining the discharge and providing plasma-assistance to film growth, affecting the microstructure of growing films.more » Many technologically interesting thin films are compound films, which are composed of one or more metals and a reactive gas, most often oxygen or nitrogen. When reactive gas is added, non-trivial consequences arise for the system because the target may become “poisoned,” i.e., a compound layer forms on the target surface affecting the sputtering yield and the yield of secondary electron emission and thereby all other parameters. It is emphasized that the target state depends not only on the reactive gas' partial pressure (balanced via gas flow and pumping) but also on the ion flux to the target, which can be controlled by pulse parameters. This is a critical technological opportunity for reactive HiPIMS (R-HiPIMS). The scope of this tutorial is focused on plasma processes and mechanisms of operation and only briefly touches upon film properties. It introduces R-HiPIMS in a systematic, step-by-step approach by covering sputtering, magnetron sputtering, reactive magnetron sputtering, pulsed reactive magnetron sputtering, HiPIMS, and finally R-HiPIMS. The tutorial is concluded by considering variations of R-HiPIMS known as modulated pulsed power magnetron sputtering and deep-oscillation magnetron sputtering and combinations of R-HiPIMS with superimposed dc magnetron sputtering.« less

Tutorial: Reactive high power impulse magnetron sputtering (R-HiPIMS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anders, André

2017-05-01

High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) is a coating technology that combines magnetron sputtering with pulsed power concepts. By applying power in pulses of high amplitude and a relatively low duty cycle, large fractions of sputtered atoms and near-target gases are ionized. In contrast to conventional magnetron sputtering, HiPIMS is characterized by self-sputtering or repeated gas recycling for high and low sputter yield materials, respectively, and both for most intermediate materials. The dense plasma in front of the target has the dual function of sustaining the discharge and providing plasma-assistance to film growth, affecting the microstructure of growing films. Many technologically interesting thin films are compound films, which are composed of one or more metals and a reactive gas, most often oxygen or nitrogen. When reactive gas is added, non-trivial consequences arise for the system because the target may become "poisoned," i.e., a compound layer forms on the target surface affecting the sputtering yield and the yield of secondary electron emission and thereby all other parameters. It is emphasized that the target state depends not only on the reactive gas' partial pressure (balanced via gas flow and pumping) but also on the ion flux to the target, which can be controlled by pulse parameters. This is a critical technological opportunity for reactive HiPIMS (R-HiPIMS). The scope of this tutorial is focused on plasma processes and mechanisms of operation and only briefly touches upon film properties. It introduces R-HiPIMS in a systematic, step-by-step approach by covering sputtering, magnetron sputtering, reactive magnetron sputtering, pulsed reactive magnetron sputtering, HiPIMS, and finally R-HiPIMS. The tutorial is concluded by considering variations of R-HiPIMS known as modulated pulsed power magnetron sputtering and deep-oscillation magnetron sputtering and combinations of R-HiPIMS with superimposed dc magnetron sputtering.

Micrometeorite erosion of the man rings as a source of plasma in the inner Saturnian plasma torus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pospieszalska, M. K.; Johnson, R. E.

1991-01-01

Micrometeorite bombardment is presently suggested to be a source of water molecules and molecular ions in the region between the outer edge of the main rings of Saturn and Encedalus, adding to those neutrals and plasma that are generated by the sputtering of icy satellites. In view of uncertainties concerning the magnitude and distribution of the ring source, an examination is conducted of limiting cases. The implications of such cases for the Cassini division are calculated, and a discussion of their possible relevance to the region's neutral and plasma cloud is presented.

Molecular Depth Profiling of Sucrose Films: A Comparative Study of C₆₀n⁺ Ions and Traditional Cs⁺ and O₂⁺ Ions

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

Zhu, Zihua; Nachimuthu, Ponnusamy; Lea, Alan S.

2009-10-15

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) depth profiling of sucrose thin films were investigated using 10 keV C60+, 20 keV C602+, 30 keV C603+, 250 eV, 500 eV and 1000 eV Cs+ and O2+ as sputtering ions. With C60n+ ions, the molecular ion signal initially decreases, and reaches a steady-state that is about 38-51% of its original intensity, depending on the energy of the C60n+ ions. On the contrary, with Cs+ and O2+ sputtering, molecular ion signals decrease quickly to the noise level, even using low energy (250 eV) sputtering ions. In addition, the sucrose/Si interface by C60+ sputtering ismore » much narrower than that of Cs+ and O2+ sputtering. To understand the mechanisms of sputtering-induced damage by these ions, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the bottoms of these sputter craters. XPS data show very little chemical change in the C60+ sputter crater, while considerable amorphous carbon was found in the O2+ and Cs+ sputter craters, indicating extensive decomposition of the sucrose molecules. AFM images show a very flat bottom in the C60+ sputter crater, while the Cs+ and O2+ sputter crater bottoms are significantly rougher than that of the C60+ sputter crater. Based on above data, we developed a simple model to explain different damage mechanisms during sputtering process.« less

Supported plasma sputtering apparatus for high deposition rate over large area

DOEpatents

Moss, Ronald W.; McClanahan, Jr., Edwin D.; Laegreid, Nils

1977-01-01

A supported plasma sputtering apparatus is described having shaped electrical fields in the electron discharge region between the cathode and anode and the sputter region between the target and substrate while such regions are free of any externally applied magnetic field to provide a high deposition rate which is substantially uniform over a wide area. Plasma shaping electrodes separate from the anode and target shape the electrical fields in the electron discharge region and the sputter region to provide a high density plasma. The anode surrounds the target to cause substantially uniform sputtering over a large target area. In one embodiment the anode is in the form of an annular ring surrounding a flat target surface, such anode being provided with a ribbed upper surface which shields portions of the anode from exposure to sputtered material to maintain the electron discharge for a long stable operation. Several other embodiments accomplish the same result by using different anodes which either shield the anode from sputtered material, remove the sputtered coating on the anode by heating, or simultaneously mix sputtered metal from the auxiliary target with sputtered insulator from the main target so the resultant coating is conductive. A radio frequency potential alone or together with a D.C. potential, may be applied to the target for a greater sputtering rate.

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

Fe embedded in ice: The impacts of sublimation and energetic particle bombardment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frankland, Victoria L.; Plane, John M. C.

2015-05-01

Icy particles containing a variety of Fe compounds are present in the upper atmospheres of planets such as the Earth and Saturn. In order to explore the role of ice sublimation and energetic ion bombardment in releasing Fe species into the gas phase, Fe-dosed ice films were prepared under UHV conditions in the laboratory. Temperature-programmed desorption studies of Fe/H2O films revealed that no Fe atoms or Fe-containing species co-desorbed along with the H2O molecules. This implies that when noctilucent ice cloud particles sublimate in the terrestrial mesosphere, the metallic species embedded in them will coalesce to form residual particles. Sputtering of the Fe-ice films by energetic Ar+ ions was shown to be an efficient mechanism for releasing Fe into the gas phase, with a yield of 0.08 (Ar+ energy=600 eV). Extrapolating with a semi-empirical sputtering model to the conditions of a proton aurora indicates that sputtering by energetic protons (>100 keV) should also be efficient. However, the proton flux in even an intense aurora will be too low for the resulting injection of Fe species into the gas phase to compete with that from meteoric ablation. In contrast, sputtering of the icy particles in the main rings of Saturn by energetic O+ ions may be the source of recently observed Fe+ in the Saturnian magnetosphere. Electron sputtering (9.5 keV) produced no detectable Fe atoms or Fe-containing species. Finally, it was observed that Fe(OH)2 was produced when Fe was dosed onto an ice film at 140 K (but not at 95 K). Electronic structure theory shows that the reaction which forms this hydroxide from adsorbed Fe has a large barrier of about 0.7 eV, from which we conclude that the reaction requires both translationally hot Fe atoms and mobile H2O molecules on the ice surface.

Focused Ion Beam (FIB) combined with SEM (FIB/SEM) and TEM: Advanced tools for nano-analysis in Geosciences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wirth, R.; Morales, L. G.

2011-12-01

Focused ion beam (FIB) techniques have been successfully applied to the preparation of site-specific electron transparent membranes for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations in Geosciences since several years. For example, systematic TEM studies of nano-inclusions in diamond foils prepared with FIB have improved our knowledge on diamond formation. However, FIB is not exclusively used for sample preparation for TEM application because it has been proved that one and the same TEM foil can also be used for Synchrotron IR, Synchrotron X-Ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning transmission X-Ray microscopy (STXM) and NanoSIMS analysis. In addition, FIB milling turned out to be very useful for sample preparation of Brillouin scattering experiments and has a strong potential for preparation of highly-polished, micrometer-scale samples. However, a real break through in FIB application was achieved combining a Ga-ion source of the FIB with an electron source of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in one single instrument. The combination of FIB/SEM renders access to the third dimension of the sample possible. A cavity normal to the sample surface is sputtered with Ga-ions and this newly created inner surface is imaged with the electron beam. Alternating slicing and viewing along these cavities allow the acquisition of a sequence of images that allows the observation in 3 dimensions. Recently, this technique has been successfully applied to image the structure of grain or phase boundaries in metamorphic rocks as well as micro- and nanoporosity in shales, but its applicability goes far beyond these few examples. Combining slicing and viewing with X-Ray and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis can provide 3D elemental mapping and 3D crystallographic orientation mapping of crystalline materials. Combined FIB/SEM devices also facilitate the preparation of substantially thinner and cleaner TEM foils (approximately 30 nm) because electron beam imaging controls the progress of the sputtering process without sputtering the sample during imaging. Electron induce sputtering is substantially smaller than ion induced sputtering. Finally, the amorphous layers created by Ga-ion sputtering and Ga-ion implantation can be removed from the foil surfaces by subsequent argon ion bombardment under a low angle of incidence and low acceleration voltage thus permitting TEM high-resolution imaging and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). Additionally, ultra-thin foils have the advantage that they are electron transparent even at 30 keV, the common operational voltage of a SEM. Therefore the electron column of the FIB/SEM system can be used as a TEM at low voltage and images can be made either in bright-field, dark field and through a high-angle annular dark field (HAADF) detector. The HAADF detector provides information about the chemical composition of the specimen with high spatial resolution because it is Z-contrast sensitive.

DC source assemblies

DOEpatents

Campbell, Jeremy B; Newson, Steve

2013-02-26

Embodiments of DC source assemblies of power inverter systems of the type suitable for deployment in a vehicle having an electrically grounded chassis are provided. An embodiment of a DC source assembly comprises a housing, a DC source disposed within the housing, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The DC source also comprises a first capacitor having a first electrode electrically coupled to the housing, and a second electrode electrically coupled to the first terminal. The DC source assembly further comprises a second capacitor having a first electrode electrically coupled to the housing, and a second electrode electrically coupled to the second terminal.

Relationship between field-aligned currents and inverted-V parallel potential drops observed at midaltitudes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakanoi, T.; Fukunishi, H.; Mukai, T.

1995-10-01

The inverted-V field-aligned acceleration region existing in the altitude range of several thousand kilometers plays an essential role for the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling system. The adiabatic plasma theory predicts a linear relationship between field-aligned current density (J∥) and parallel potential drop (Φ∥), that is, J∥=KΦ∥, where K is the field-aligned conductance. We examined this relationship using the charged particle and magnetic field data obtained from the Akebono (Exos D) satellite. The potential drop above the satellite was derived from the peak energy of downward electrons, while the potential drop below the satellite was derived from two different methods: the peak energy of upward ions and the energy-dependent widening of electron loss cone. On the other hand, field-aligned current densities in the inverted-V region were estimated from the Akebono magnetometer data. Using these potential drops and field-aligned current densities, we estimated the linear field-aligned conductance KJΦ. Further, we obtained the corrected field-aligned conductance KCJΦ by applying the full Knight's formula to the current-voltage relationship. We also independently estimated the field-aligned conductance KTN from the number density and the thermal temperature of magnetospheric source electrons which were obtained by fitting accelerated Maxwellian functions for precipitating electrons. The results are summarized as follows: (1) The latitudinal dependence of parallel potential drops is characterized by a narrow V-shaped structure with a width of 0.4°-1.0°. (2) Although the inverted-V potential region exactly corresponds to the upward field aligned current region, the latitudinal dependence of upward current intensity is an inverted-U shape rather than an inverted-V shape. Thus it is suggested that the field-aligned conductance KCJΦ changes with a V-shaped latitudinal dependence. In many cases, KCJΦ values at the edge of the inverted-V region are about 5-10 times larger than those at the center. (3) By comparing KCJΦ with KTN, KCJΦ is found to be about 2-20 times larger than KTN. These results suggest that low-energy electrons such as trapped electrons, secondary and back-scattered electrons, and ionospheric electrons significantly contribute to upward field-aligned currents in the inverted-V region. It is therefore inferred that non adiabatic pitch angle scattering processes play an important role in the inverted-V region. .

Angular and velocity distributions of tungsten sputtered by low energy argon ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marenkov, E.; Nordlund, K.; Sorokin, I.; Eksaeva, A.; Gutorov, K.; Jussila, J.; Granberg, F.; Borodin, D.

2017-12-01

Sputtering by ions with low near-threshold energies is investigated. Experiments and simulations are conducted for tungsten sputtering by low-energy, 85-200 eV Ar atoms. The angular distributions of sputtered particles are measured. A new method for molecular dynamics simulation of sputtering taking into account random crystallographic surface orientation is developed, and applied for the case under consideration. The simulations approximate experimental results well. At low energies the distributions acquire "butterfly-like" shape with lower sputtering yields for close to normal angles comparing to the cosine distribution. The energy distributions of sputtered particles were simulated. The Thompson distribution remains valid down to near-threshold 85 eV case.

Fuzzy Logic Controlled Solar Module for Driving Three- Phase Induction Motor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afiqah Zainal, Nurul; Sooi Tat, Chan; Ajisman

2016-02-01

Renewable energy produced by solar module gives advantages for generated three- phase induction motor in remote area. But, solar module's ou tput is uncertain and complex. Fuzzy logic controller is one of controllers that can handle non-linear system and maximum power of solar module. Fuzzy logic controller used for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technique to control Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) for switching power electronics circuit. DC-DC boost converter used to boost up photovoltaic voltage to desired output and supply voltage source inverter which controlled by three-phase PWM generated by microcontroller. IGBT switched Voltage source inverter (VSI) produced alternating current (AC) voltage from direct current (DC) source to control speed of three-phase induction motor from boost converter output. Results showed that, the output power of solar module is optimized and controlled by using fuzzy logic controller. Besides that, the three-phase induction motor can be drive and control using VSI switching by the PWM signal generated by the fuzzy logic controller. This concluded that the non-linear system can be controlled and used in driving three-phase induction motor.

Multifunctional voltage source inverter for renewable energy integration and power quality conditioning.

PubMed

Dai, NingYi; Lam, Chi-Seng; Zhang, WenChen

2014-01-01

In order to utilize the energy from the renewable energy sources, power conversion system is necessary, in which the voltage source inverter (VSI) is usually the last stage for injecting power to the grid. It is an economical solution to add the function of power quality conditioning to the grid-connected VSI in the low-voltage distribution system. Two multifunctional VSIs are studied in this paper, that is, inductive-coupling VSI and capacitive-coupling VSI, which are named after the fundamental frequency impedance of their coupling branch. The operation voltages of the two VSIs are compared when they are used for renewable energy integration and power quality conditioning simultaneously. The operation voltage of the capacitive-coupling VSI can be set much lower than that of the inductive-coupling VSI when reactive power is for compensating inductive loads. Since a large portion of the loads in the distribution system are inductive, the capacitive-coupling VSI is further studied. The design and control method of the multifunctional capacitive-coupling VSI are proposed in this paper. Simulation and experimental results are provided to show its validity.

Multifunctional Voltage Source Inverter for Renewable Energy Integration and Power Quality Conditioning

PubMed Central

Dai, NingYi; Lam, Chi-Seng; Zhang, WenChen

2014-01-01

In order to utilize the energy from the renewable energy sources, power conversion system is necessary, in which the voltage source inverter (VSI) is usually the last stage for injecting power to the grid. It is an economical solution to add the function of power quality conditioning to the grid-connected VSI in the low-voltage distribution system. Two multifunctional VSIs are studied in this paper, that is, inductive-coupling VSI and capacitive-coupling VSI, which are named after the fundamental frequency impedance of their coupling branch. The operation voltages of the two VSIs are compared when they are used for renewable energy integration and power quality conditioning simultaneously. The operation voltage of the capacitive-coupling VSI can be set much lower than that of the inductive-coupling VSI when reactive power is for compensating inductive loads. Since a large portion of the loads in the distribution system are inductive, the capacitive-coupling VSI is further studied. The design and control method of the multifunctional capacitive-coupling VSI are proposed in this paper. Simulation and experimental results are provided to show its validity. PMID:25177725

The negative ions of strontium and barium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garwan, M. A.; Kilius, L. R.; Litherland, A. E.; Nadeau, M.-J.; Zhao, X.-L.

1990-12-01

Recent theoretical calculations have predicted a tendency toward higher electron affinities for heavier alkaline elements. Experimental evidence has been obtained for the existence of strontium and barium negative ions created from pure elements in a caesium sputter ion source. Accelerator mass spectrometric techniques were employed to resolve the above elemental negative ions from the interfering molecular species.

Kinetic and Potential Sputtering of Lunar Regolith: The Contribution of the Heavy Highly Charged (Minority) Solar Wind Ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyer, F. W.; Barghouty, A. F.

2012-01-01

Solar wind sputtering of the lunar surface helps determine the composition of the lunar exosphere and contributes to surface weathering. To date, only the effects of the two dominant solar wind constituents, H+ and He+, have been considered. The heavier, less abundant solar wind constituents have much larger sputtering yields because they have greater mass (kinetic sputtering) and they are highly charged (potential sputtering) Their contribution to total sputtering can therefore be orders of magnitude larger than their relative abundances would suggest

A new on-chip all-digital three-phase full-bridge dc/ac power inverter with feedforward and frequency control techniques.

PubMed

Chen, Jiann-Jong; Kung, Che-Min

2010-09-01

The communication speed between components is far from satisfactory. To achieve high speed, simple control system configuration, and low cost, a new on-chip all-digital three-phase dc/ac power inverter using feedforward and frequency control techniques is proposed. The controller of the proposed power inverter, called the shift register, consists of six-stage D-latch flip-flops with a goal of achieving low-power consumption and area efficiency. Variable frequency is achieved by controlling the clocks of the shift register. One advantage regarding the data signal (D) and the common clock (CK) is that, regardless of the phase difference between the two, all of the D-latch flip-flops are capable of delaying data by one CK period. To ensure stability, the frequency of CK must be six times higher than that of D. The operation frequency of the proposed power inverter ranges from 10 Hz to 2 MHz, and the maximum output loading current is 0.8 A. The prototype of the proposed circuit has been fabricated with TSMC 0.35 μm 2P4M CMOS processes. The total chip area is 2.333 x 1.698 mm2. The three-phase dc/ac power inverter is applicable in uninterrupted power supplies, cold cathode fluorescent lamps, and motors, because of its ability to convert the dc supply voltage into the three-phase ac power sources.

Assesment on the performance of electrode arrays using image processing technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Usman, N.; Khiruddin, A.; Nawawi, Mohd

2017-08-01

Interpreting inverted resistivity section is time consuming, tedious and requires other sources of information to be relevant geologically. Image processing technique was used in order to perform post inversion processing which make geophysical data interpretation easier. The inverted data sets were imported into the PCI Geomatica 9.0.1 for further processing. The data sets were clipped and merged together in order to match the coordinates of the three layers and permit pixel to pixel analysis. Dipole-dipole array is more sensitive to resistivity variation with depth in comparison with Werner-Schlumberger and pole-dipole. Image processing serves as good post-inversion tool in geophysical data processing.

Design of PI Controlled Non Isolated Bidirectional DC to DC Converter for Electric Vehicle Application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geetha, A.; Subramani, C.; Thamizh Thentral, T. M.; Krithika, V.; Usha, S.

2018-04-01

Non isolated Bidirectional DC-DC Converter (NIBDDC) is a good interface between DC source and inverter Fed induction motor drive. This paper deals with comparison between open loop and PI controlled Bidirectional DC to DC Converter Inverter System (BDDCIS). The modelling and control of BDDC is becomes an important issue. Open loop BDDCIS and closed loop PI controlled BDDCIS are designed, modelled and simulated using Matlab- simulink and their results are presented. The investigations indicate superior performance of PI controlled BDDCIS. The proposed BDDCIS has advantages like bidirectional power transfer ability, reduced hardware count and improved dynamic response.

Synchronization algorithm for three-phase voltages of an inverter and a grid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nos, O. V.

2017-07-01

This paper presents the results of designing a joint phase-locked loop for adjusting the phase shifts (speed) and Euclidean norm of three-phase voltages of an inverter to the same grid parameters. The design can be used, in particular, to match the potentials of two parallel-connected power sources for the fundamental harmonic at the moments of switching the stator windings of an induction AC motor from a converter to a centralized power-supply system and back. Technical implementation of the developed synchronization algorithm will significantly reduce the inductance of the current-balancing reactor and exclude emergency operation modes in the electric motor power circuit.

Construction and characterization of spherical Si solar cells combined with SiC electric power inverter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oku, Takeo; Matsumoto, Taisuke; Hiramatsu, Kouichi; Yasuda, Masashi; Shimono, Akio; Takeda, Yoshikazu; Murozono, Mikio

2015-02-01

Spherical silicon (Si) photovoltaic solar cell systems combined with an electric power inverter using silicon carbide (SiC) field-effect transistor (FET) were constructed and characterized, which were compared with an ordinary Si-based converter. The SiC-FET devices were introduced in the direct current-alternating current (DC-AC) converter, which was connected with the solar panels. The spherical Si solar cells were used as the power sources, and the spherical Si panels are lighter and more flexible compared with the ordinary flat Si solar panels. Conversion efficiencies of the spherical Si solar cells were improved by using the SiC-FET.

Variable frequency inverter for ac induction motors with torque, speed and braking control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nola, F. J. (Inventor)

1975-01-01

A variable frequency inverter was designed for driving an ac induction motor which varies the frequency and voltage to the motor windings in response to varying torque requirements for the motor so that the applied voltage amplitude and frequency are of optimal value for any motor load and speed requirement. The slip frequency of the motor is caused to vary proportionally to the torque and feedback is provided so that the most efficient operating voltage is applied to the motor. Winding current surge is limited and a controlled negative slip causes motor braking and return of load energy to a dc power source.

Reduced contact resistance of a-IGZO thin film transistors with inkjet-printed silver electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jianqiu; Ning, Honglong; Fang, Zhiqiang; Tao, Ruiqiang; Yang, Caigui; Zhou, Yicong; Yao, Rihui; Xu, Miao; Wang, Lei; Peng, Junbiao

2018-04-01

In this study, high performance amorphous In–Ga–Zn–O (a-IGZO) TFTs were successfully fabricated with inkjet-printed silver source-drain electrodes. The results showed that increased channel thickness has an improving trend in the properties of TFTs due to the decreased contact resistance. Compared with sputtered silver TFTs, devices with printed silver electrodes were more sensitive to the thickness of active layer. Furthermore, the devices with optimized active layer showed high performances with a maximum saturation mobility of 8.73 cm2 · V‑1 · S‑1 and an average saturation mobility of 6.97 cm2 · V‑1 · S‑1, I on/I off ratio more than 107 and subthreshold swing of 0.28 V/decade, which were comparable with the analogous devices with sputtered electrodes.

Highly ionized physical vapor deposition plasma source working at very low pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stranak, V.; Herrendorf, A.-P.; Drache, S.; Cada, M.; Hubicka, Z.; Tichy, M.; Hippler, R.

2012-04-01

Highly ionized discharge for physical vapor deposition at very low pressure is presented in the paper. The discharge is generated by electron cyclotron wave resonance (ECWR) which assists with ignition of high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) discharge. The magnetron gun (with Ti target) was built into the single-turn coil RF electrode of the ECWR facility. ECWR assistance provides pre-ionization effect which allows significant reduction of pressure during HiPIMS operation down to p = 0.05 Pa; this is nearly more than an order of magnitude lower than at typical pressure ranges of HiPIMS discharges. We can confirm that nearly all sputtered particles are ionized (only Ti+ and Ti++ peaks are observed in the mass scan spectra). This corresponds well with high plasma density ne ˜ 1018 m-3, measured during the HiPIMS pulse.

Sputtering and ion plating for aerospace applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spalvins, T.

1981-01-01

Sputtering and ion plating technologies are reviewed in terms of their potential and present uses in the aerospace industry. Sputtering offers great universality and flexibility in depositing any material or in the synthesis of new ones. The sputter deposition process has two areas of interest: thin film and fabrication technology. Thin film sputtering technology is primarily used for aerospace mechanical components to reduce friction, wear, erosion, corrosion, high temperature oxidation, diffusion and fatigue, and also to sputter-construct temperature and strain sensors for aircraft engines. Sputter fabrication is used in intricate aircraft component manufacturing. Ion plating applications are discussed in terms of the high energy evaporant flux and the high throwing power. Excellent adherence and 3 dimensional coverage are the primary attributes of this technology.

Effect of Oblique-Angle Sputtered ITO Electrode in MAPbI3 Perovskite Solar Cell Structures.

PubMed

Lee, Kun-Yi; Chen, Lung-Chien; Wu, Yu-June

2017-10-03

This investigation reports on the characteristics of MAPbI 3 perovskite films on obliquely sputtered ITO/glass substrates that are fabricated with various sputtering times and sputtering angles. The grain size of a MAPbI 3 perovskite film increases with the oblique sputtering angle of ITO thin films from 0° to 80°, indicating that the surface properties of the ITO affect the wettability of the PEDOT:PSS thin film and thereby dominates the number of perovskite nucleation sites. The optimal power conversion efficiency (Eff) is achieved 11.3% in a cell with an oblique ITO layer that was prepared using a sputtering angle of 30° for a sputtering time of 15 min.

Sputtering and ion plating for aerospace applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spalvins, T.

1981-01-01

Sputtering and ion plating technologies are reviewed in terms of their potential and present uses in the aerospace industry. Sputtering offers great universality and flexibility in depositing any material or in the synthesis of new ones. The sputter deposition process has two areas of interest: thin film and fabrication technology. Thin film sputtering technology is primarily used for aerospace mechanical components to reduce friction, wear, erosion, corrosion, high temperature oxidation, diffusion and fatigue, and also to sputter-construct temperature and strain sensors for aircraft engines. Sputter fabrication is used in intricate aircraft component manufacturing. Ion plating applications are discussed in terms of the high energy evaporant flux and the high throwing power. Excellent adherence and 3-dimensional coverage are the primary attributes of this technology.

Magnetron sputtering system for coatings deposition with activation of working gas mixture by low-energy high-current electron beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gavrilov, N. V.; Kamenetskikh, A. S.; Men'shakov, A. I.; Bureyev, O. A.

2015-11-01

For the purposes of efficient decomposition and ionization of the gaseous mixtures in a system for coatings deposition using reactive magnetron sputtering, a low-energy (100-200 eV) high-current electron beam is generated by a grid-stabilized plasma electron source. The electron source utilizes both continuous (up to 20 A) and pulse-periodic mode of discharge with a self-heated hollow cathode (10-100 A; 0.2 ms; 10-1000 Hz). The conditions for initiation and stable burning of the high-current pulse discharge are studied along with the stable generation of a low-energy electron beam within the gas pressure range of 0.01 - 1 Pa. It is shown that the use of the electron beam with controllable parameters results in reduction of the threshold values both for the pressure of gaseous mixture and for the fluxes of molecular gases. Using such a beam also provides a wide range (0.1-10) of the flux density ratios of ions and sputtered atoms over the coating surface, enables an increase in the maximum pulse density of ion current from plasma up to 0.1 A, ensures an excellent adhesion, optimizes the coating structure, and imparts improved properties to the superhard nanocomposite coatings of (Ti,Al)N/a-Si3N4 and TiC/-a-C:H. Mass-spectrometric measurements of the beam-generated plasma composition proved to demonstrate a twofold increase in the average concentration of N+ ions in the Ar-N2 plasma generated by the high-current (100 A) pulsed electron beam, as compared to the dc electron beam.

Sputtering phenomena of discharge chamber components in a 30-cm diameter Hg ion thruster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mantenieks, M. A.; Rawlin, V. K.

1976-01-01

Sputtering and deposition rates were measured for discharge chamber components of a 30-cm diameter mercury ion thruster. It was found that sputtering rates of the screen grid and cathode baffle were strongly affected by geometry of the baffle holder. Sputtering rates of the baffle and screen grid were reduced to 80 and 125 A/hr, respectively, by combination of appropriate geometry and materials selections. Sputtering rates such as these are commensurate with thruster lifetimes of 15,000 hours or more. A semiempirical sputtering model showed good agreement with the measured values.

Magnetron-Sputtered Amorphous Metallic Coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thakoor, A. P.; Mehra, M.; Khanna, S. K.

1985-01-01

Amorphous coatings of refractory metal/metalloid-based alloys deposited by magnetron sputtering provide extraordinary hardness and wear resistance. Sputtering target fabricated by thoroughly mixing powders of tungsten, rhenium, and boron in stated proportions and pressing at 1,200 degrees C and 3,000 lb/in. to second power (21 MPa). Substrate lightly etched by sputtering before deposition, then maintained at bias of - 500 V during initial stages of film growth while target material sputtered onto it. Argon gas at pressure used as carrier gas for sputter deposition. Coatings dense, pinhole-free, extremely smooth, and significantly resistant to chemical corrosion in acidic and neutral aqueous environments.

Low-damage high-throughput grazing-angle sputter deposition on graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, C.-T.; Casu, E. A.; Gajek, M.; Raoux, S.

2013-07-01

Despite the prevalence of sputter deposition in the microelectronics industry, it has seen very limited applications for graphene electronics. In this letter, we report systematic investigation of the sputtering induced damages in graphene and identify the energetic sputtering gas neutrals as the primary cause of graphene disorder. We further demonstrate a grazing-incidence sputtering configuration that strongly suppresses fast neutral bombardment and retains graphene structure integrity, creating considerably lower damage than electron-beam evaporation. Such sputtering technique yields fully covered, smooth thin dielectric films, highlighting its potential for contact metals, gate oxides, and tunnel barriers fabrication in graphene device applications.

Physical vapor deposition and metalorganic chemical vapor deposition of yttria-stabilized zirconia thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaufman, David Y.

Two vapor deposition techniques, dual magnetron oblique sputtering (DMOS) and metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), have been developed to produce yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) films with unique microstructures. In particular, biaxially textured thin films on amorphous substrates and dense thin films on porous substrates have been fabricated by DMOS and MOCVD, respectively. DMOS YSZ thin films were deposited by reactive sputtering onto Si (native oxide surface) substrates positioned equidistant between two magnetron sources such that the fluxes arrived at oblique angles with respect to the substrate normal. Incident fluxes from two complimentary oblique directions were necessary for the development of biaxial texture. The films displayed a strong [001] out-of-plane orientation with the <110> direction in the film aligned with the incident flux. Biaxial texture improved with increasing oblique angle and film thickness, and was stronger for films deposited with Ne than with Ar. The films displayed a columnar microstructure with grain bundling perpendicular to the projected flux direction, the degree of which increased with oblique angle and thickness. The texture decreased by sputtering at pressures at which the flux of sputtered atoms was thermalized. These results suggested that grain alignment is due to directed impingement of both sputtered atoms and reflected energetic neutrals. The best texture, a {111} phi FWHM of 23°, was obtained in a 4.8 mum thick film deposited at an oblique angle of 56°. MOCVD YSZ thin films were deposited in a vertical cold-wall reactor using Zr(tmhd)4 and Y(tmhd)3 precursors. Fully stabilized YSZ films with 9 mol% could be deposited by controlling the bubbler temperatures. YSZ films on Si substrates displayed a transition at 525°C from surface kinetic limited growth, with an activation energy of 5.5 kJ/mole, to mass transport limited growth. Modifying the reactor by lowering the inlet height and introducing an Ar baffle ring increased the growth rates to 2.5 mum/hr. Dense, gas impermeable 4-6 mum YSZ thin films were deposited on porous (La,Sr)Mno3 cathode substrates. Solid oxide fuel cells, fabricated by sputtering on a Ni-YSZ anode, achieved open circuit voltages ≥94% theoretical, and maximum power densities at 750°C comparable with commercial conventional SOFC's operated at higher temperatures.

Process system and method for fabricating submicron field emission cathodes

DOEpatents

Jankowski, A.F.; Hayes, J.P.

1998-05-05

A process method and system for making field emission cathodes exists. The deposition source divergence is controlled to produce field emission cathodes with height-to-base aspect ratios that are uniform over large substrate surface areas while using very short source-to-substrate distances. The rate of hole closure is controlled from the cone source. The substrate surface is coated in well defined increments. The deposition source is apertured to coat pixel areas on the substrate. The entire substrate is coated using a manipulator to incrementally move the whole substrate surface past the deposition source. Either collimated sputtering or evaporative deposition sources can be used. The position of the aperture and its size and shape are used to control the field emission cathode size and shape. 3 figs.

Process system and method for fabricating submicron field emission cathodes

DOEpatents

Jankowski, Alan F.; Hayes, Jeffrey P.

1998-01-01

A process method and system for making field emission cathodes exists. The deposition source divergence is controlled to produce field emission cathodes with height-to-base aspect ratios that are uniform over large substrate surface areas while using very short source-to-substrate distances. The rate of hole closure is controlled from the cone source. The substrate surface is coated in well defined increments. The deposition source is apertured to coat pixel areas on the substrate. The entire substrate is coated using a manipulator to incrementally move the whole substrate surface past the deposition source. Either collimated sputtering or evaporative deposition sources can be used. The position of the aperture and its size and shape are used to control the field emission cathode size and shape.

Mechanism of inverted-chirp infrasonic radiation from sprites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Larquier, Sebastien; Pasko, Victor P.

2010-12-01

Farges and Blanc (2010) reported inverted-chirp infrasonic signals with high frequencies arriving before low frequencies, possibly emitted by sprite discharges and observed on the ground at close range (<100 km) from the source. In the present work a parallel version of a 2-D FDTD model of infrasound propagation in a realistic atmosphere is applied to demonstrate that the observed morphology of infrasound signals is consistent with general scaling of diameters of sprite streamers inversely proportionally to the air density. The smaller structures at lower altitudes radiate higher infrasonic frequencies that arrive first at the observational point on the ground, while the low frequency components are delayed because they originate at lower air densities at higher altitudes. The results demonstrate that strong absorption of high frequency infrasonic components at high altitudes (i.e., ˜0.2 dB/km for 8 Hz at 70 km) may also contribute to formation of inverted-chirp signals observed on the ground at close range.

Sputtering of uranium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gregg, R.; Tombrello, T. A.

1978-01-01

Results are presented for an experimental study of the sputtering of U-235 atoms from foil targets by hydrogen, helium, and argon ions, which was performed by observing tracks produced in mica by fission fragments following thermal-neutron-induced fission. The technique used allowed measurements of uranium sputtering yields of less than 0.0001 atom/ion as well as yields involving the removal of less than 0.01 monolayer of the uranium target surface. The results reported include measurements of the sputtering yields for 40-120-keV protons, 40-120-keV He-4(+) ions, and 40- and 80-keV Ar-40(+) ions, the mass distribution of chunks emitted during sputtering by the protons and 80-keV Ar-40(+) ions, the total chunk yield during He-4(+) sputtering, and some limited data on molecular sputtering by H2(+) and H3(+). The angular distribution of the sputtered uranium is discussed, and the yields obtained are compared with the predictions of collision cascade theory.

Investigation of blister formation in sputtered Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} absorbers for thin film solar cells

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

Bras, Patrice, E-mail: patrice.bras@angstrom.uu.se; Sterner, Jan; Platzer-Björkman, Charlotte

2015-11-15

Blister formation in Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} (CZTS) thin films sputtered from a quaternary compound target is investigated. While the thin film structure, composition, and substrate material are not correlated to the blister formation, a strong link between sputtering gas entrapment, in this case argon, and blistering effect is found. It is shown that argon is trapped in the film during sputtering and migrates to locally form blisters during the high temperature annealing. Blister formation in CZTS absorbers is detrimental for thin film solar cell fabrication causing partial peeling of the absorber layer and potential shunt paths in the complete device.more » Reduced sputtering gas entrapment, and blister formation, is seen for higher sputtering pressure, higher substrate temperature, and change of sputtering gas to larger atoms. This is all in accordance with previous publications on blister formation caused by sputtering gas entrapment in other materials.« less

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

Fleddermann, C.B.

The sputter deposition of high-temperature superconducting thin films was studied using optical emission spectroscopy. Argon or oxygen ions generated by a Kaufman ion gun were used to sputter material from a composite target containing yttrium, barium, and copper which had been oxygen annealed. The impact of ions onto the target generates a plume of sputtered material which includes various excited-state atoms and molecules. In these studies, optical emission is detected for all the metallic components of the film as well as for metallic oxides ejected from the target. No emission due to atomic or molecular oxygen was detected, however. Variationsmore » in sputter conditions such as changes in sputter ion energy, oxygen content of the beam, and target temperature are shown to greatly affect the emission intensity, which may correlate to the characteristics of the sputtering and the quality of the films deposited. The results suggest that optical emission from the sputtered material may be useful for real-time monitoring and control of the sputter deposition process.« less

Dianion diagnostics in DESIREE: High-sensitivity detection of Cn2 - from a sputter ion source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chartkunchand, K. C.; Stockett, M. H.; Anderson, E. K.; Eklund, G.; Kristiansson, M. K.; Kamińska, M.; de Ruette, N.; Blom, M.; Björkhage, M.; Källberg, A.; Löfgren, P.; Reinhed, P.; Rosén, S.; Simonsson, A.; Zettergren, H.; Schmidt, H. T.; Cederquist, H.

2018-03-01

A sputter ion source with a solid graphite target has been used to produce dianions with a focus on carbon cluster dianions, Cn2 -, with n = 7-24. Singly and doubly charged anions from the source were accelerated together to kinetic energies of 10 keV per atomic unit of charge and injected into one of the cryogenic (13 K) ion-beam storage rings of the Double ElectroStatic Ion Ring Experiment facility at Stockholm University. Spontaneous decay of internally hot Cn2 - dianions injected into the ring yielded Cn- anions with kinetic energies of 20 keV, which were counted with a microchannel plate detector. Mass spectra produced by scanning the magnetic field of a 90° analyzing magnet on the ion injection line reflect the production of internally hot C72 - - C242 - dianions with lifetimes in the range of tens of microseconds to milliseconds. In spite of the high sensitivity of this method, no conclusive evidence of C62 - was found while there was a clear C72 - signal with the expected isotopic distribution. This is consistent with earlier experimental studies and with theoretical predictions. An upper limit is deduced for a C62 - signal that is two orders-of-magnitude smaller than that for C72 -. In addition, CnO2- and CnCu2- dianions were detected.

Electric tunable behavior of sputtered lead barium zirconate thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Lin-Jung; Wu, Jenn-Ming; Huang, Hsin-Erh; Bor, Hui-Yun

2007-02-01

Lead barium zirconate (PBZ) films were grown on Pt /Ti/SiO2/Si substrates by rf-magnetron sputtering. The sputtered PBZ films possess pure perovskite phase, uniform microstructure, and excellent tunable behaviors. The tunability and loss tangent of sputtered PBZ films depend greatly on the oxygen mixing ratio (OMR). The optimal dielectric tunable behavior occurs in the PBZ films sputtered at 10% OMR. The sputtered PBZ film (10% OMR) possesses a value of figure of merit of 60, promising for frequency-agile applications. Bulk acoustic waves induced by electromechanical coupling occur at 2.72GHz, which is useful in fabricating filters and related devices in the microwave range.

Influence of in-situ ion-beam sputter cleaning on the conditioning effect of vacuum gaps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobayashi, Shinichi; Kojima, Hiroyuki; Saito, Yoshio

1994-05-01

An ion beam sputtering technique was used to clean the electrode surfaces of vacuum gaps. Ions of the sputtering gas were irradiated by means of an ion gun in a vacuum chamber attached to a breakdown measurement chamber. By providing in situ ion-beam sputter cleaning, this system makes it possible to make measurements free from contamination due to exposure to the air. The sputtering gas was He or Ar, and the electrodes were made of oxygen-free copper (purity more than 99.96%). An impulse voltage with the wave form of 64/700 microsecond(s) was applied to the test gap, and the pressure in the breakdown measurement chamber at the beginning of breakdown tests was 1.3 X 10-8 Pa. These experiments showed that ion-beam sputter cleaning results in higher breakdown fields after a repetitive breakdown conditioning procedure, and that He is more effective in improving hold- off voltages after the conditioning (under the same ion current density, the breakdown field was 300 MV/m for He sputtering and 200 MV/m for Ar sputtering). The breakdown fields at the first voltage application after the sputtering cleaning, on the other hand, were not improved.

Molybdenum and carbon atom and carbon cluster sputtering under low-energy noble gas plasma bombardment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oyarzabal, Eider

Exit-angle resolved Mo atom sputtering yield under Xe ion bombardment and carbon atom and cluster (C2 and C3) sputtering yields under Xe, Kr, Ar, Ne and He ion bombardment from a plasma are measured for low incident energies (75--225 eV). An energy-resolved quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) is used to detect the fraction of un-scattered sputtered neutrals that become ionized in the plasma; the angular distribution is obtained by changing the angle between the target and the QMS aperture. A one-dimensional Monte Carlo code is used to simulate the interaction of the plasma and the sputtered particles between the sample and the QMS. The elastic scattering cross-sections of C, C2 and C3 with the different bombarding gas neutrals is obtained by varying the distance between the sample and the QMS and by performing a best fit of the simulation results to the experimental results. Because the results obtained with the QMS are relative, the Mo atom sputtering results are normalized to the existing data in the literature and the total sputtering yield for carbon (C+C 2+C3) for each bombarding gas is obtained from weight loss measurements. The absolute sputtering yield for C, C2 and C 3 is then calculated from the integration of the measured angular distribution, taking into account the scattering and ionization of the sputtered particles between the sample and the QMS. The angular sputtering distribution for Mo has a maximum at theta=60°, and this maximum becomes less pronounced as the incident ion energy increases. The results of the Monte Carlo TRIDYN code simulation for the angular distribution of Mo atoms sputtered by Xe bombardment are in agreement with the experiments. For carbon sputtering under-cosine angular distributions of the sputtered atoms and clusters for all the studied bombarding gases are also observed. The C, C2 and C3 sputtering yield data shows a clear decrease of the atom to cluster (C/C2 and C/C3) sputtering ratio as the incident ion mass increases, changing from a carbon atom preferential erosion for the lower incident ion masses (He, Ne and Ar) to a cluster preferential erosion for the higher incident ion masses (Kr and Xe).

Barium-Dispenser Thermionic Cathode

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wintucky, Edwin G.; Green, M.; Feinleib, M.

1989-01-01

Improved reservoir cathode serves as intense source of electrons required for high-frequency and often high-output-power, linear-beam tubes, for which long operating lifetime important consideration. High emission-current densities obtained through use of emitting surface of relatively-low effective work function and narrow work-function distribution, consisting of coat of W/Os deposited by sputtering. Lower operating temperatures and enhanced electron emission consequently possible.

Wright Laboratory Research and Development Facilities Handbook

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-08-01

properties o. superconductors SPECIAL/UNIQUE CAPABILITIES: Two superconducting coils: 3-inch bore, 10 Tesla coil. 20 kilojoule repetitively pulsed coil 7 inch...bore, cryogenically cooled 14 Tesla coil INSTRUMENTATION: Computer Controlled Variable Temperature (2-400K) and Field (0-5 Tesla ) Squid Susceptometer...Variable Temperature (10-80K) and Field (0-10 Tesla ) Transport Current Measurement Apparatus RF Source Sputtering Rig, Optical Microscope, Furnaces

Redistribution of Lunar Polar Water to Mid-latitudes and Its Role in Forming an OH Veneer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farrell, William M.; Hurley, D. M.; Hodges, R. R.; Killen, R. M.; Halekas, J. S.; Zimmerman, M. I.; Delory, G. T.

2013-01-01

We suggest that energization processes like ion sputtering and impact vaporization can eject/release polar water molecules residing within cold trapped regions with sufficient velocity to allow their redistribution to mid-latitudes. We consider the possibility that these polar-ejected molecules can contribution to the water/OH veneer observed as a 3 micrometer IR absorption feature at mid-latitudes by Chandrayaan-1, Cassini, and EPOXI. We find this source cannot fully account for the observed IR feature, but could be a low intensity additional source.

Erosion resistant nozzles for laser plasma extreme ultraviolet (EUV) sources

DOEpatents

Kubiak, Glenn D.; Bernardez, II, Luis J.

2000-01-04

A gas nozzle having an increased resistance to erosion from energetic plasma particles generated by laser plasma sources. By reducing the area of the plasma-facing portion of the nozzle below a critical dimension and fabricating the nozzle from a material that has a high EUV transmission as well as a low sputtering coefficient such as Be, C, or Si, it has been shown that a significant reduction in reflectance loss of nearby optical components can be achieved even after exposing the nozzle to at least 10.sup.7 Xe plasma pulses.

Ion beam sputter etching and deposition of fluoropolymers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Banks, B. A.; Sovey, J. S.; Miller, T. B.; Crandall, K. S.

1978-01-01

Fluoropolymer etching and deposition techniques including thermal evaporation, RF sputtering, plasma polymerization, and ion beam sputtering are reviewed. Etching and deposition mechanism and material characteristics are discussed. Ion beam sputter etch rates for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were determined as a function of ion energy, current density and ion beam power density. Peel strengths were measured for epoxy bonds to various ion beam sputtered fluoropolymers. Coefficients of static and dynamic friction were measured for fluoropolymers deposited from ion bombarded PTFE.

Sputtering from a Porous Material by Penetrating Ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rodriguez-Nieva, J. F.; Bringa, E. M.; Cassidy, T. A.; Johnson, R. E.; Caro, A.; Fama, M.; Loeffler, M.; Baragiola, R. A.; Farkas, D.

2012-01-01

Porous materials are ubiquitous in the universe and weathering of porous surfaces plays an important role in the evolution of planetary and interstellar materials. Sputtering of porous solids in particular can influence atmosphere formation, surface reflectivity, and the production of the ambient gas around materials in space, Several previous studies and models have shown a large reduction in the sputtering of a porous solid compared to the sputtering of the non-porous solid. Using molecular dynamics simulations we study the sputtering of a nanoporous solid with 55% of the solid density. We calculate the electronic sputtering induced by a fast, penetrating ion, using a thermal spike representation of the deposited energy. We find that sputtering for this porous solid is, surprisingly, the same as that for a full-density solid, even though the sticking coefficient is high.

Advanced capabilities and applications of a sputter-RBS system

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

Brijs, B.; Deleu, J.; Beyer, G.

1999-06-10

In previous experiments, sputter-RBS{sup 1} has proven to be an ideal tool to study the interaction of low energy ions. This contribution employs the same methodology to identify surface contamination induced during sputtering and to the determine absolute sputter yields. In the first experiment ERDA analysis was used to study the evolution of Hydrogen contamination during sputter-RBS experiments. Since the determination of Hydrogen concentration in very thin near surface layers is frequently limited by the presence of a strong surface peak of Hydrogen originating from adsorbed contamination of the residual vacuum, removal of this contamination would increase the sensitivity formore » Hydrogen detection in the near sub surface drastically. Therefore low energy (12 keV) Argon sputtering was used to remove the Hydrogen surface peak. However enhanced Hydrogen adsorption was observed related to the Ar dose. This experiment shows that severe vacuum conditions and the use of high current densities/sputter yields are a prerequisite for an efficient detection of Hydrogen in the near surface layers. In the second experiment, an attempt was made to determine the sputter yield of Cu during low energy (12 keV) Oxygen bombardment. In order to determine the accumulated dose of the low energy ion beam, a separate Faraday cup in combination with a remote controlled current have been added to the existing sputter-RBS set-up. Alternating sputtering and RBS analysis seem to be an adequate tool for the determination of the absolute sputter yield of Cu and this as well in the as under steady state conditions.« less

A new balancing three level three dimensional space vector modulation strategy for three level neutral point clamped four leg inverter based shunt active power filter controlling by nonlinear back stepping controllers.

PubMed

Chebabhi, Ali; Fellah, Mohammed Karim; Kessal, Abdelhalim; Benkhoris, Mohamed F

2016-07-01

In this paper is proposed a new balancing three-level three dimensional space vector modulation (B3L-3DSVM) strategy which uses a redundant voltage vectors to realize precise control and high-performance for a three phase three-level four-leg neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter based Shunt Active Power Filter (SAPF) for eliminate the source currents harmonics, reduce the magnitude of neutral wire current (eliminate the zero-sequence current produced by single-phase nonlinear loads), and to compensate the reactive power in the three-phase four-wire electrical networks. This strategy is proposed in order to gate switching pulses generation, dc bus voltage capacitors balancing (conserve equal voltage of the two dc bus capacitors), and to switching frequency reduced and fixed of inverter switches in same times. A Nonlinear Back Stepping Controllers (NBSC) are used for regulated the dc bus voltage capacitors and the SAPF injected currents to robustness, stabilizing the system and to improve the response and to eliminate the overshoot and undershoot of traditional PI (Proportional-Integral). Conventional three-level three dimensional space vector modulation (C3L-3DSVM) and B3L-3DSVM are calculated and compared in terms of error between the two dc bus voltage capacitors, SAPF output voltages and THDv, THDi of source currents, magnitude of source neutral wire current, and the reactive power compensation under unbalanced single phase nonlinear loads. The success, robustness, and the effectiveness of the proposed control strategies are demonstrated through simulation using Sim Power Systems and S-Function of MATLAB/SIMULINK. Copyright © 2016 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Full-Process Computer Model of Magnetron Sputter, Part I: Test Existing State-of-Art Components

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

Walton, C C; Gilmer, G H; Wemhoff, A P

2007-09-26

This work is part of a larger project to develop a modeling capability for magnetron sputter deposition. The process is divided into four steps: plasma transport, target sputter, neutral gas and sputtered atom transport, and film growth, shown schematically in Fig. 1. Each of these is simulated separately in this Part 1 of the project, which is jointly funded between CMLS and Engineering. The Engineering portion is the plasma modeling, in step 1. The plasma modeling was performed using the Object-Oriented Particle-In-Cell code (OOPIC) from UC Berkeley [1]. Figure 2 shows the electron density in the simulated region, using magneticmore » field strength input from experiments by Bohlmark [2], where a scale of 1% is used. Figures 3 and 4 depict the magnetic field components that were generated using two-dimensional linear interpolation of Bohlmark's experimental data. The goal of the overall modeling tool is to understand, and later predict, relationships between parameters of film deposition we can change (such as gas pressure, gun voltage, and target-substrate distance) and key properties of the results (such as film stress, density, and stoichiometry.) The simulation must use existing codes, either open-source or low-cost, not develop new codes. In part 1 (FY07) we identified and tested the best available code for each process step, then determined if it can cover the size and time scales we need in reasonable computation times. We also had to determine if the process steps are sufficiently decoupled that they can be treated separately, and identify any research-level issues preventing practical use of these codes. Part 2 will consider whether the codes can be (or need to be) made to talk to each other and integrated into a whole.« less

Single-crystal and polycrystalline diamond erosion studies in Pilot-PSI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kogut, D.; Aussems, D.; Ning, N.; Bystrov, K.; Gicquel, A.; Achard, J.; Brinza, O.; Addab, Y.; Martin, C.; Pardanaud, C.; Khrapak, S.; Cartry, G.

2018-03-01

Diamond is a promising candidate for enhancing the negative-ion surface production in the ion sources for neutral injection in fusion reactors; hence evaluation of its reactivity towards hydrogen plasma is of high importance. Single crystal and polycrystalline diamond samples were exposed in Pilot-PSI with the D+ flux of (4‒7)·1024 m-2s-1 and the impact energy of 7-9 eV per deuteron at different surface temperatures; under such conditions physical sputtering is negligible, however chemical sputtering is important. Net chemical sputtering yield Y = 9.7·10-3 at/ion at 800 °C was precisely measured ex-situ using a protective platinum mask (5 × 10 × 2 μm) deposited beforehand on a single crystal followed by the post-mortem analysis using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The structural properties of the exposed diamond surface were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Gross chemical sputtering yields were determined in-situ by means of optical emission spectroscopy of the molecular CH A-X band for several surface temperatures. A bell-shaped dependence of the erosion yield versus temperature between 400 °C and 1200 °C was observed, with a maximum yield of ∼1.5·10-2 at/ion attained at 900 °C. The yields obtained for diamond are relatively high (0.5-1.5)·10-2 at/ion, comparable with those of graphite. XPS analysis shows amorphization of diamond surface within 1 nm depth, in a good agreement with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. MD was also applied to study the hydrogen impact energy threshold for erosion of [100] diamond surface at different temperatures.

Note on the artefacts in SRIM simulation of sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shulga, V. I.

2018-05-01

The computer simulation program SRIM, unlike other well-known programs (MARLOWE, TRIM.SP, etc.), predicts non-zero values of the sputter yield at glancing ion bombardment of smooth amorphous targets and, for heavy ions, greatly underestimates the sputter yield at normal incidence. To understand the reasons for this, the sputtering of amorphous silicon bombarded with different ions was modeled here using the author's program OKSANA. Most simulations refer to 1 keV Xe ions, and angles of incidence cover range from 0 (normal incidence) to almost 90°. It has been shown that SRIM improperly simulates the initial stage of the sputtering process. Some other artefacts in SRIM calculations of sputtering are also revealed and discussed.

Superconducting structure with layers of niobium nitride and aluminum nitride

DOEpatents

Murduck, James M.; Lepetre, Yves J.; Schuller, Ivan K.; Ketterson, John B.

1989-01-01

A superconducting structure is formed by depositing alternate layers of aluminum nitride and niobium nitride on a substrate. Deposition methods include dc magnetron reactive sputtering, rf magnetron reactive sputtering, thin-film diffusion, chemical vapor deposition, and ion-beam deposition. Structures have been built with layers of niobium nitride and aluminum nitride having thicknesses in a range of 20 to 350 Angstroms. Best results have been achieved with films of niobium nitride deposited to a thickness of approximately 70 Angstroms and aluminum nitride deposited to a thickness of approximately 20 Angstroms. Such films of niobium nitride separated by a single layer of aluminum nitride are useful in forming Josephson junctions. Structures of 30 or more alternating layers of niobium nitride and aluminum nitride are useful when deposited on fixed substrates or flexible strips to form bulk superconductors for carrying electric current. They are also adaptable as voltage-controlled microwave energy sources.

Detection of singly ionized energetic lunar pick-up ions upstream of earth's bow shock

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hilchenbach, M.; Hovestadt, D.; Klecker, B.; Moebius, E.

1992-01-01

Singly ionized suprathermal ions upstream of the earth's bow shock have been detected by using the time-of-flight spectrometer SULEICA on the AMPTE/IRM satellite. The data were collected between August and December 1985. The flux of the ions in the mass range between 23 and 37 amu is highly anisotropic towards the earth. The ions are observed with a period of about 29 days around new moon (+/- 3 days). The correlation of the energy of the ions with the solar wind speed and the interplanetary magnetic field orientation indicates the relation to the pick-up process. We conclude that the source of these pick-up ions is the moon. We argue that due to the impinging solar wind, atoms are sputtered off the lunar surface, ionized in the sputtering process or by ensuing photoionization and picked up by the solar wind.

Superconducting structure with layers of niobium nitride and aluminum nitride

DOEpatents

Murduck, J.M.; Lepetre, Y.J.; Schuller, I.K.; Ketterson, J.B.

1989-07-04

A superconducting structure is formed by depositing alternate layers of aluminum nitride and niobium nitride on a substrate. Deposition methods include dc magnetron reactive sputtering, rf magnetron reactive sputtering, thin-film diffusion, chemical vapor deposition, and ion-beam deposition. Structures have been built with layers of niobium nitride and aluminum nitride having thicknesses in a range of 20 to 350 Angstroms. Best results have been achieved with films of niobium nitride deposited to a thickness of approximately 70 Angstroms and aluminum nitride deposited to a thickness of approximately 20 Angstroms. Such films of niobium nitride separated by a single layer of aluminum nitride are useful in forming Josephson junctions. Structures of 30 or more alternating layers of niobium nitride and aluminum nitride are useful when deposited on fixed substrates or flexible strips to form bulk superconductors for carrying electric current. They are also adaptable as voltage-controlled microwave energy sources. 8 figs.

Collision-spike sputtering of Au nanoparticles

DOE PAGES

Sandoval, Luis; Urbassek, Herbert M.

2015-08-06

Ion irradiation of nanoparticles leads to enhanced sputter yields if the nanoparticle size is of the order of the ion penetration depth. While this feature is reasonably well understood for collision-cascade sputtering, we explore it in the regime of collision-spike sputtering using molecular-dynamics simulation. For the particular case of 200-keV Xe bombardment of Au particles, we show that collision spikes lead to abundant sputtering with an average yield of 397 ± 121 atoms compared to only 116 ± 48 atoms for a bulk Au target. Only around 31 % of the impact energy remains in the nanoparticles after impact; themore » remainder is transported away by the transmitted projectile and the ejecta. As a result, the sputter yield of supported nanoparticles is estimated to be around 80 % of that of free nanoparticles due to the suppression of forward sputtering.« less

Studies on ion scattering and sputtering processes relevant to ion beam sputter deposition of multicomponent thin films

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

Auciello, O.; Ameen, M.S.; Kingon, A.I.

1989-01-01

Results from computer simulation and experiments on ion scattering and sputtering processes in ion beam sputter deposition of high Tc superconducting and ferroelectric thin films are presented. It is demonstrated that scattering of neutralized ions from the targets can result in undesirable erosion of, and inert gas incorporation in, the growing films, depending on the ion/target atom ass ratio and ion beam angle of incidence/target/substrate geometry. The studies indicate that sputtering Kr{sup +} or Xe{sup +} ions is preferable to the most commonly used Ar{sup +} ions, since the undesirable phenomena mentioned above are minimized for the first two ions.more » These results are used to determine optimum sputter deposition geometry and ion beam parameters for growing multicomponent oxide thin films by ion beam sputter-deposition. 10 refs., 5 figs.« less

Gravity data inversion to determine 3D topographycal density contrast of Banten area, Indonesia based on fast Fourier transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Windhari, Ayuty; Handayani, Gunawan

2015-04-01

The 3D inversion gravity anomaly to estimate topographical density using a matlab source code from gridded data provided by Parker Oldenburg algorithm based on fast Fourier transform was computed. We extend and improved the source code of 3DINVERT.M invented by Gomez Ortiz and Agarwal (2005) using the relationship between Fourier transform of the gravity anomaly and the sum of the Fourier transform from the topography density. We gave density contrast between the two media to apply the inversion. FFT routine was implemented to construct amplitude spectrum to the given mean depth. The results were presented as new graphics of inverted topography density, the gravity anomaly due to the inverted topography and the difference between the input gravity data and the computed ones. It terminates when the RMS error is lower than pre-assigned value used as convergence criterion or until maximum of iterations is reached. As an example, we used the matlab program on gravity data of Banten region, Indonesia.

Multiphase power supply when inverting currents for group of Peltier elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osintsev, A. V.; Sobko, A. A.; Komnatnov, M. E.

2018-05-01

The use of multiphase power supply of a group of Peltier elements (PE) is considered to reduce the load on the power source. Schemes and a control layout with the use of the H-bridge, allowing the invert of the current through the PE, are given. The analysis of the operation of the used H-bridges and PE in the frequency range of the control PWM signal from 30 Hz to 32 kHz is performed. The algorithm for monitoring the current sensors is presented and the time diagrams of the currents are represented through the PE and H-bridges using a two-phase and four-phase control PWM signal for one, two and four phases of the supply. The results showed stable heating and cooling of the PE at frequencies from 30 Hz to 1 kHz. The use of multiphase power supply of PE made it possible to significantly reduce the load on the power source.

PI and fuzzy logic controllers for shunt Active Power Filter--a report.

PubMed

P, Karuppanan; Mahapatra, Kamala Kanta

2012-01-01

This paper presents a shunt Active Power Filter (APF) for power quality improvements in terms of harmonics and reactive power compensation in the distribution network. The compensation process is based only on source current extraction that reduces the number of sensors as well as its complexity. A Proportional Integral (PI) or Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) is used to extract the required reference current from the distorted line-current, and this controls the DC-side capacitor voltage of the inverter. The shunt APF is implemented with PWM-current controlled Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) and the switching patterns are generated through a novel Adaptive-Fuzzy Hysteresis Current Controller (A-F-HCC). The proposed adaptive-fuzzy-HCC is compared with fixed-HCC and adaptive-HCC techniques and the superior features of this novel approach are established. The FLC based shunt APF system is validated through extensive simulation for diode-rectifier/R-L loads. Copyright © 2011 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Method of making segmented pyrolytic graphite sputtering targets

DOEpatents

McKernan, Mark A.; Alford, Craig S.; Makowiecki, Daniel M.; Chen, Chih-Wen

1994-01-01

Anisotropic pyrolytic graphite wafers are oriented and bonded together such that the graphite's high thermal conductivity planes are maximized along the back surface of the segmented pyrolytic graphite target to allow for optimum heat conduction away from the sputter target's sputtering surface and to allow for maximum energy transmission from the target's sputtering surface.

Depth resolution and preferential sputtering in depth profiling of sharp interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hofmann, S.; Han, Y. S.; Wang, J. Y.

2017-07-01

The influence of preferential sputtering on depth resolution of sputter depth profiles is studied for different sputtering rates of the two components at an A/B interface. Surface concentration and intensity depth profiles on both the sputtering time scale (as measured) and the depth scale are obtained by calculations with an extended Mixing-Roughness-Information depth (MRI)-model. The results show a clear difference for the two extreme cases (a) preponderant roughness and (b) preponderant atomic mixing. In case (a), the interface width on the time scale (Δt(16-84%)) increases with preferential sputtering if the faster sputtering component is on top of the slower sputtering component, but the true resolution on the depth scale (Δz(16-84%)) stays constant. In case (b), the interface width on the time scale stays constant but the true resolution on the depth scale varies with preferential sputtering. For similar order of magnitude of the atomic mixing and the roughness parameters, a transition state between the two extremes is obtained. While the normalized intensity profile of SIMS represents that of the surface concentration, an additional broadening effect is encountered in XPS or AES by the influence of the mean electron escape depth which may even cause an additional matrix effect at the interface.

Time-Dependent Moment Tensors of the First Four Source Physics Experiments (SPE) Explosions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, X.

2015-12-01

We use mainly vertical-component geophone data within 2 km from the epicenter to invert for time-dependent moment tensors of the first four SPE explosions: SPE-1, SPE-2, SPE-3 and SPE-4Prime. We employ a one-dimensional (1D) velocity model developed from P- and Rg-wave travel times for Green's function calculations. The attenuation structure of the model is developed from P- and Rg-wave amplitudes. We select data for the inversion based on the criterion that they show consistent travel times and amplitude behavior as those predicted by the 1D model. Due to limited azimuthal coverage of the sources and the mostly vertical-component-only nature of the dataset, only long-period, diagonal components of the moment tensors are well constrained. Nevertheless, the moment tensors, particularly their isotropic components, provide reasonable estimates of the long-period source amplitudes as well as estimates of corner frequencies, albeit with larger uncertainties. The estimated corner frequencies, however, are consistent with estimates from ratios of seismogram spectra from different explosions. These long-period source amplitudes and corner frequencies cannot be fit by classical P-wave explosion source models. The results motivate the development of new P-wave source models suitable for these chemical explosions. To that end, we fit inverted moment-tensor spectra by modifying the classical explosion model using regressions of estimated source parameters. Although the number of data points used in the regression is small, the approach suggests a way for the new-model development when more data are collected.

A previously unreported type of seismic source in the firn layer of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lough, Amanda C.; Barcheck, C. Grace; Wiens, Douglas A.; Nyblade, Andrew; Anandakrishnan, Sridhar

2015-11-01

We identify a unique type of seismic source in the uppermost part of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet recorded by temporary broadband seismic arrays in East Antarctica. These sources, termed "firnquakes," are characterized by dispersed surface wave trains with frequencies of 1-10 Hz detectable at distances up to 1000 km. Events show strong dispersed Rayleigh wave trains and an absence of observable body wave arrivals; most events also show weaker Love waves. Initial events were discovered by standard detection schemes; additional events were then detected with a correlation scanner using the initial arrivals as templates. We locate sources by determining the L2 misfit for a grid of potential source locations using Rayleigh wave arrival times and polarization directions. We then perform a multiple-filter analysis to calculate the Rayleigh wave group velocity dispersion and invert the group velocity for shear velocity structure. The resulting velocity structure is used as an input model to calculate synthetic seismograms. Inverting the dispersion curves yields ice velocity structures consistent with a low-velocity firn layer ~100 m thick and show that velocity structure is laterally variable. The absence of observable body wave phases and the relative amplitudes of Rayleigh waves and noise constrain the source depth to be less than 20 m. The presence of Love waves for most events suggests the source is not isotropic. We propose the events are linked to the formation of small crevasses in the firn, and several events correlate with shallow crevasse fields mapped in satellite imagery.

Method of making segmented pyrolytic graphite sputtering targets

DOEpatents

McKernan, M.A.; Alford, C.S.; Makowiecki, D.M.; Chen, C.W.

1994-02-08

Anisotropic pyrolytic graphite wafers are oriented and bonded together such that the graphite's high thermal conductivity planes are maximized along the back surface of the segmented pyrolytic graphite target to allow for optimum heat conduction away from the sputter target's sputtering surface and to allow for maximum energy transmission from the target's sputtering surface. 2 figures.

Ion beam sputtering of Ag - Angular and energetic distributions of sputtered and scattered particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feder, René; Bundesmann, Carsten; Neumann, Horst; Rauschenbach, Bernd

2013-12-01

Ion beam sputter deposition (IBD) provides intrinsic features which influence the properties of the growing film, because ion properties and geometrical process conditions generate different energy and spatial distribution of the sputtered and scattered particles. A vacuum deposition chamber is set up to measure the energy and spatial distribution of secondary particles produced by ion beam sputtering of different target materials under variation of geometrical parameters (incidence angle of primary ions and emission angle of secondary particles) and of primary ion beam parameters (ion species and energies).

Low energy sputtering of cobalt by cesium ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Handoo, A.; Ray, Pradosh K.

1989-01-01

An experimental facility to investigate low energy (less than 500 eV) sputtering of metal surfaces with ions produced by an ion gun is described. Results are reported on the sputtering yield of cobalt by cesium ions in the 100 to 500 eV energy range at a pressure of 1 times 10(exp -6) Torr. The target was electroplated on a copper substrate. The sputtered atoms were collected on a cobalt foil surrounding the target. Co-57 was used as a tracer to determine the sputtering yield.

A Closer Look at Solar Wind Sputtering of Lunar Surface Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barghouty, A. F.; Adams, J. H., Jr.; Meyer, F.; Mansur, L.; Reinhold, C.

2008-01-01

Solar-wind induced potential sputtering of the lunar surface may be a more efficient erosive mechanism than the "standard" kinetic (or physical) sputtering. This is partly based on new but limited laboratory measurements which show marked enhancements in the sputter yields of slow-moving, highly-charged ions impacting oxides. The enhancements seen in the laboratory can be orders of magnitude for some surfaces and highly charged incident ions, but seem to depend very sensitively on the properties of the impacted surface in addition to the fluence, energy and charge of the impacting ion. For oxides, potential sputtering yields are markedly enhanced and sputtered species, especially hydrogen and light ions, show marked dependence on both charge and dose.

Efficient THZ Source Based on Cascaded Optical Down-Conversion in Orientation-Patterned GaAs Structures

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-11-20

techniques for generating THz radiation [5], none of them provides a THz source which is simultaneously ( i ) compact, (ii) highly efficient, (iii...are very attractive for QPM THz-wave generation because of several appealing properties, namely ( i ) small THz absorption coefficient (smaller by an...with periodically- inverted crystalline orientation were used for QPM THz generation: ( i ) diffusion-bonded GaAs (DB-GaAs) [49], produced by

Advances and challenges in the field of plasma polymer nanoparticles

PubMed Central

Pleskunov, Pavel; Nikitin, Daniil; Titov, Valerii; Shelemin, Artem; Vaidulych, Mykhailo; Kuzminova, Anna; Solař, Pavel; Hanuš, Jan; Kousal, Jaroslav; Kylián, Ondřej; Slavínská, Danka; Biederman, Hynek

2017-01-01

This contribution reviews plasma polymer nanoparticles produced by gas aggregation cluster sources either via plasma polymerization of volatile monomers or via radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering of conventional polymers. The formation of hydrocarbon, fluorocarbon, silicon- and nitrogen-containing plasma polymer nanoparticles as well as core@shell nanoparticles based on plasma polymers is discussed with a focus on the development of novel nanostructured surfaces. PMID:29046847

Integrated 220 GHz Source Development

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-05-27

placement of the anode far enough from the emitter to prevent the deposi- tion of sputtered anode particles. Fully-Integrated High Power Amplifier The...waveguide circuit dimensions and tolerances. We demonstrated high power and good transmission with a five-beam configuration during 2012. Peak output...circuit dimensions and tolerances. We demonstrated high power and good transmission with a five-beam configuration during 2012. Peak output powers up

Advances and challenges in the field of plasma polymer nanoparticles.

PubMed

Choukourov, Andrei; Pleskunov, Pavel; Nikitin, Daniil; Titov, Valerii; Shelemin, Artem; Vaidulych, Mykhailo; Kuzminova, Anna; Solař, Pavel; Hanuš, Jan; Kousal, Jaroslav; Kylián, Ondřej; Slavínská, Danka; Biederman, Hynek

2017-01-01

This contribution reviews plasma polymer nanoparticles produced by gas aggregation cluster sources either via plasma polymerization of volatile monomers or via radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering of conventional polymers. The formation of hydrocarbon, fluorocarbon, silicon- and nitrogen-containing plasma polymer nanoparticles as well as core@shell nanoparticles based on plasma polymers is discussed with a focus on the development of novel nanostructured surfaces.

Flexible Solar Cells Using Doped Crystalline Si Film Prepared by Self-Biased Sputtering Solid Doping Source in SiCl4/H2 Microwave Plasma.

PubMed

Hsieh, Ping-Yen; Lee, Chi-Young; Tai, Nyan-Hwa

2016-02-01

We developed an innovative approach of self-biased sputtering solid doping source process to synthesize doped crystalline Si film on flexible polyimide (PI) substrate via microwave-plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MWPECVD) using SiCl4/H2 mixture. In this process, P dopants or B dopants were introduced by sputtering the solid doping target through charged-ion bombardment in situ during high-density microwave plasma deposition. A strong correlation between the number of solid doping targets and the characteristics of doped Si films was investigated in detail. The results show that both P- and B-doped crystalline Si films possessed a dense columnar structure, and the crystallinity of these structures decreased with increasing the number of solid doping targets. The films also exhibited a high growth rate (>4.0 nm/s). Under optimal conditions, the maximum conductivity and corresponding carrier concentration were, respectively, 9.48 S/cm and 1.2 × 10(20) cm(-3) for P-doped Si film and 7.83 S/cm and 1.5 × 10(20) cm(-3) for B-doped Si film. Such high values indicate that the incorporation of dopant with high doping efficiency (around 40%) into the Si films was achieved regardless of solid doping sources used. Furthermore, a flexible crystalline Si film solar cell with substrate configuration was fabricated by using the structure of PI/Mo film/n-type Si film/i-type Si film/p-type Si film/ITO film/Al grid film. The best solar cell performance was obtained with an open-circuit voltage of 0.54 V, short-circuit current density of 19.18 mA/cm(2), fill factor of 0.65, and high energy conversion of 6.75%. According to the results of bending tests, the critical radius of curvature (RC) was 12.4 mm, and the loss of efficiency was less than 1% after the cyclic bending test for 100 cycles at RC, indicating superior flexibility and bending durability. These results represent important steps toward a low-cost approach to high-performance flexible crystalline Si film-based photovoltaic devices.

Iterative combination of national phenotype, genotype, pedigree, and foreign information

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Single step methods can combine all sources of information into accurate rankings for animals with and without genotypes. Equations that require inverting the genomic relationship matrix G work well with limited numbers of animals, but equivalent models without inversion are needed as numbers increa...

Nonlinear control of voltage source converters in AC-DC power system.

PubMed

Dash, P K; Nayak, N

2014-07-01

This paper presents the design of a robust nonlinear controller for a parallel AC-DC power system using a Lyapunov function-based sliding mode control (LYPSMC) strategy. The inputs for the proposed control scheme are the DC voltage and reactive power errors at the converter station and the active and reactive power errors at the inverter station of the voltage-source converter-based high voltage direct current transmission (VSC-HVDC) link. The stability and robust tracking of the system parameters are ensured by applying the Lyapunov direct method. Also the gains of the sliding mode control (SMC) are made adaptive using the stability conditions of the Lyapunov function. The proposed control strategy offers invariant stability to a class of systems having modeling uncertainties due to parameter changes and exogenous inputs. Comprehensive computer simulations are carried out to verify the proposed control scheme under several system disturbances like changes in short-circuit ratio, converter parametric changes, and faults on the converter and inverter buses for single generating system connected to the power grid in a single machine infinite-bus AC-DC network and also for a 3-machine two-area power system. Furthermore, a second order super twisting sliding mode control scheme has been presented in this paper that provides a higher degree of nonlinearity than the LYPSMC and damps faster the converter and inverter voltage and power oscillations. Copyright © 2014 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

X-ray analyses of thermally grown and reactively sputtered tantalum oxide films on NiTi alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McNamara, Karrina; Tofail, Syed A. M.; Conroy, Derek; Butler, James; Gandhi, Abbasi A.; Redington, Wynette

2012-08-01

Sputter deposition of tantalum (Ta) on the surface of NiTi alloy is expected to improve the alloy's corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Tantalum is a well-known biomaterial which is not affected by body fluids and is not irritating to human tissue. Here we compare the oxidation chemistry crystal structure evolution of tantalum oxide films grown on NiTi by reactive O2 sputtering and by thermal oxidation of sputter deposited Ta films. The effect of sputtering parameters and post-sputtering treatments on the morphology, oxidation state and crystal structure of the tantalum oxide layer have been investigated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The study has found that it may be better to avoid oxidation at and above 600 °C. The study establishes that reactive sputtering in presence of low oxygen mixture yields thicker film with better control of the film quality except that the surface oxidation state of Ta is slightly lower.

Comparative studies on damages to organic layer during the deposition of ITO films by various sputtering methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, Hao; Wang, Meihan; Hoshi, Yoichi; Uchida, Takayuki; Kobayashi, Shinichi; Sawada, Yutaka

2013-11-01

Aluminum (III) bis(2-methyl-8-quninolinato)-4-phenylphenolate (BAlq) was respectively bombarded and irradiated by Ar ions, oxygen ions, electron beam and ultraviolet light to confirm damages during the sputter-deposition of transparent conductive oxide (TCO) on organic layer. The degree of damage was evaluated by the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of BAlq. The results confirmed the oxygen ions led to a larger damage and were thought to play the double roles of bombardment to organic layer and reaction with organic layer as well. The comparative studies on PL spectra of BAlq after the deposition of TCO films by various sputtering systems, such as conventional magnetron sputtering (MS), low voltage sputtering (LVS) and kinetic-energy-control-deposition (KECD) system, facing target sputtering (FTS) were performed. Relative to MS, LVS and KECD system, FTS can completely suppress the bombardment of the secondary electrons and oxygen negative ions, and keep a higher deposition rate simultaneously, thus it is a good solution to attain a low-damage sputter-deposition.

Sputter-deposited fuel cell membranes and electrodes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Narayanan, Sekharipuram R. (Inventor); Jeffries-Nakamura, Barbara (Inventor); Chun, William (Inventor); Ruiz, Ron P. (Inventor); Valdez, Thomas I. (Inventor)

2001-01-01

A method for preparing a membrane for use in a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly includes the steps of providing an electrolyte membrane, and sputter-depositing a catalyst onto the electrolyte membrane. The sputter-deposited catalyst may be applied to multiple sides of the electrolyte membrane. A method for forming an electrode for use in a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly includes the steps of obtaining a catalyst, obtaining a backing, and sputter-depositing the catalyst onto the backing. The membranes and electrodes are useful for assembling fuel cells that include an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, a fuel supply, and an electrolyte membrane, wherein the electrolyte membrane includes a sputter-deposited catalyst, and the sputter-deposited catalyst is effective for sustaining a voltage across a membrane electrode assembly in the fuel cell.

Annealing dependence of residual stress and optical properties of TiO2 thin film deposited by different deposition methods.

PubMed

Chen, Hsi-Chao; Lee, Kuan-Shiang; Lee, Cheng-Chung

2008-05-01

Titanium oxide (TiO(2)) thin films were prepared by different deposition methods. The methods were E-gun evaporation with ion-assisted deposition (IAD), radio-frequency (RF) ion-beam sputtering, and direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering. Residual stress was released after annealing the films deposited by RF ion-beam or DC magnetron sputtering but not evaporation, and the extinction coefficient varied significantly. The surface roughness of the evaporated films exceeded that of both sputtered films. At the annealing temperature of 300 degrees C, anatase crystallization occurred in evaporated film but not in the RF ion-beam or DC magnetron-sputtered films. TiO(2) films deposited by sputtering were generally more stable during annealing than those deposited by evaporation.

Properties of Diamond-Like Carbon Films Synthesized by Dual-Target Unbalanced Magnetron Sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Cui; Li, Guo-Qing; Gou, Wei; Mu, Zong-Xin; Zhang, Cheng-Wu

2004-11-01

Smooth, dense and uniform diamond-like carbon films (DLC films) for industrial applications have successfully been prepared by dual-target unbalanced magnetron sputtering and the DLC characteristics of the films are confirmed by Raman spectra. It is found that the sputtering current of target plays an important role in the DLC film deposition. Deposition rate of 3.5 μm/h is obtained by using the sputtering current of 30 A. The friction coefficient of the films is 0.2-0.225 measured by using a pin-on-disc microtribometer. The structure of the films tends to have a growth of sp3 bonds content at high sputtering current. The compressive residual stress in the films increases with the increasing sputtering current of the target.

Influence of various surface pretreatments on adherence of sputtered molybdenum disulfide to silver, gold, copper, and bronze

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spalvins, T.

1973-01-01

Solid film lubricants of radio frequency sputtered molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) were applied to silver, gold, copper, and bronze surfaces that had various pretreatments (mechanical polishing, sputter etching, oxidation, and sulfurization). Optical and electron transmission micrographs and electron diffraction patterns were used to interpret the film formation characteristics and to evaluate the sputtering conditions in regard to the film and substrate compatibility. Sputtered MoS2 films flaked and peeled on silver, copper, and bronze surfaces except when the surfaces had been specially oxidized. The flaking and peeling was a result of sulfide compound formation and the corresponding grain growth of the sulfide film. Sputtered MoS2 films showed no peeling and flaking on gold surfaces regardless of surface pretreatment.

Low-Damage Sputter Deposition on Graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Ching-Tzu; Casu, Emanuele; Gajek, Marcin; Raoux, Simone

2013-03-01

Despite its versatility and prevalence in the microelectronics industry, sputter deposition has seen very limited applications for graphene-based electronics. We have systematically investigated the sputtering induced graphene defects and identified the reflected high-energy neutrals of the sputtering gas as the primary cause of damage. In this talk, we introduce a novel sputtering technique that is shown to dramatically reduce bombardment of the fast neutrals and improve the structural integrity of the underlying graphene layer. We also demonstrate that sputter deposition and in-situ oxidation of 1 nm Al film at elevated temperatures yields homogeneous, fully covered oxide films with r.m.s. roughness much less than 1 monolayer, which shows the potential of using such technique for gate oxides, tunnel barriers, and multilayer fabrication in a wide range of graphene devices.

Sputtering of rough surfaces: a 3D simulation study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

von Toussaint, U.; Mutzke, A.; Manhard, A.

2017-12-01

The lifetime of plasma-facing components is critical for future magnetic confinement fusion power plants. A key process limiting the lifetime of the first-wall is sputtering by energetic ions. To provide a consistent modeling of the sputtering process of realistic geometries, the SDTrimSP-code has been extended to enable the processing of analytic as well as measured arbitrary 3D surface morphologies. The code has been applied to study the effect of varying the impact angle of ions on rough surfaces on the sputter yield as well as the influence of the aspect ratio of surface structures on the 2D distribution of the local sputtering yields. Depending on the surface morphologies reductions of the effective sputter yields to less than 25% have been observed in the simulation results.

Dedicated Co-deposition System for Metallic Paramagnetic Films

DOE PAGES

Jaeckel, F.; Kotsubo, V.; Hall, J. A.; ...

2012-01-27

Here, we describe a dedicated co-sputtering/ion-mill system developed to study metallic paramagnetic films for use in magnetic microcalorimetry. Small-diameter sputtering guns allow study of several precious-metal-based paramagnetic alloy systems within a reasonable budget. We demonstrated safe operation of a 1" sputtering gun at >5x the rated maximum power, achieving deposition rates up to ~900 Å/min/gun (Cu) in our co-sputtering geometry. Demonstrated co-sputtering deposition ratios up to 100:1 allow accurate tuning of magnetic dopant concentration and eliminate the difficulty of preparing homogeneous alloy targets of extreme dilution.

Effect of residual gas on structural, electrical and mechanical properties of niobium films deposited by magnetron sputtering deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Lanruo; Zhong, Yuan; Li, Jinjin; Cao, Wenhui; Zhong, Qing; Wang, Xueshen; Li, Xu

2018-04-01

Magnetron sputtering is an important method in the superconducting thin films deposition. The residual gas inside the vacuum chamber will directly affect the quality of the superconducting films. In this paper, niobium films are deposited by magnetron sputtering under different chamber residual gas conditions. The influence of baking and sputtering process on residual gas are studied as well. Surface morphology, electrical and mechanical properties of the films are analysed. The residual gas analysis result before the sputtering process could be regarded as a reference condition to achieve high quality superconducting thin films.

MESSENGER Observations of the Spatial Distribution of Planetary Ions Near Mercury

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zurbuchen, Thomas H.; Raines, Jim M.; Slavin, James A.; Gershman, Daniel J.; Gilbert, Jason A.; Gloeckler, George; Anderson, Brian J.; Baker, Daniel N.; Korth, Haje; Krimigis, Stamatios M.;

Anthropomorphic Coding of Speech and Audio: A Model Inversion Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feldbauer, Christian; Kubin, Gernot; Kleijn, W. Bastiaan

2005-12-01

Auditory modeling is a well-established methodology that provides insight into human perception and that facilitates the extraction of signal features that are most relevant to the listener. The aim of this paper is to provide a tutorial on perceptual speech and audio coding using an invertible auditory model. In this approach, the audio signal is converted into an auditory representation using an invertible auditory model. The auditory representation is quantized and coded. Upon decoding, it is then transformed back into the acoustic domain. This transformation converts a complex distortion criterion into a simple one, thus facilitating quantization with low complexity. We briefly review past work on auditory models and describe in more detail the components of our invertible model and its inversion procedure, that is, the method to reconstruct the signal from the output of the auditory model. We summarize attempts to use the auditory representation for low-bit-rate coding. Our approach also allows the exploitation of the inherent redundancy of the human auditory system for the purpose of multiple description (joint source-channel) coding.

Improved transistorized AC motor controller for battery powered urban electric passenger vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peak, S. C.

1982-01-01

An ac motor controller for an induction motor electric vehicle drive system was designed, fabricated, tested, evaluated, and cost analyzed. A vehicle performance analysis was done to establish the vehicle tractive effort-speed requirements. These requirements were then converted into a set of ac motor and ac controller requirements. The power inverter is a three-phase bridge using power Darlington transistors. The induction motor was optimized for use with an inverter power source. The drive system has a constant torque output to base motor speed and a constant horsepower output to maximum speed. A gear shifting transmission is not required. The ac controller was scaled from the base 20 hp (41 hp peak) at 108 volts dec to an expanded horsepower and battery voltage range. Motor reversal was accomplished by electronic reversal of the inverter phase sequence. The ac controller can also be used as a boost chopper battery charger. The drive system was tested on a dynamometer and results are presented. The current-controlled pulse width modulation control scheme yielded improved motor current waveforms. The ac controller favors a higher system voltage.

Determining the sputter yields of molybdenum in low-index crystal planes via electron backscattered diffraction, focused ion beam and atomic force microscope

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

Huang, H.S., E-mail: 160184@mail.csc.com.tw; Chiu, C.H.; Hong, I.T.

2013-09-15

Previous literature has used several monocrystalline sputtering targets with various crystalline planes, respectively, to investigate the variations of the sputter yield of materials in different crystalline orientations. This study presents a method to measure the sputtered yields of Mo for the three low-index planes (100), (110), and (111), through using an easily made polycrystalline target. The procedure was firstly to use electron backscattered diffraction to identify the grain positions of the three crystalline planes, and then use a focused ion beam to perform the micro-milling of each identified grain, and finally the sputter yields were calculated from the removed volumes,more » which were measured by atomic force microscope. Experimental results showed that the sputter yield of the primary orientations for Mo varied as Y{sub (110)} > Y{sub (100)} > Y{sub (111)}, coincidental with the ranking of their planar atomic packing densities. The concept of transparency of ion in the crystalline substance was applied to elucidate these results. In addition, the result of (110) orientation exhibiting higher sputter yield is helpful for us to develop a Mo target with a higher deposition rate for use in industry. By changing the deformation process from straight rolling to cross rolling, the (110) texture intensity of the Mo target was significantly improved, and thus enhanced the deposition rate. - Highlights: • We used EBSD, FIB and AFM to measure the sputter yields of Mo in low-index planes. • The sputter yield of the primary orientations for Mo varied as Y{sub (110)} > Y{sub (100)} > Y{sub (111)}. • The transparency of ion was used to elucidate the differences in the sputter yield. • We improved the sputter rate of polycrystalline Mo target by adjusting its texture.« less

Solution-processed single-walled carbon nanotube field effect transistors and bootstrapped inverters for disintegratable, transient electronics

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

Jin, Sung Hun, E-mail: harin74@gmail.com, E-mail: jhl@snu.ac.kr, E-mail: jrogers@illinois.edu; Shin, Jongmin; Cho, In-Tak

2014-07-07

This paper presents materials, device designs, and physical/electrical characteristics of a form of nanotube electronics that is physically transient, in the sense that all constituent elements dissolve and/or disperse upon immersion into water. Studies of contact effects illustrate the ability to use water soluble metals such as magnesium for source/drain contacts in nanotube based field effect transistors. High mobilities and on/off ratios in transistors that use molybdenum, silicon nitride, and silicon oxide enable full swing characteristics for inverters at low voltages (∼5 V) and with high gains (∼30). Dissolution/disintegration tests of such systems on water soluble sheets of polyvinyl alcohol demonstratemore » physical transience within 30 min.« less

BVR Photometry Of An Inverted-spectrum, Flat-spectrum Radio Source With The Rowan 0.4-meter Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guerra, Erick; Diekewicz, A.

2012-01-01

Several galaxies have been selected for an exploratory campaign with 0.4-meter telescope atop Science Hall at Rowan University. These galaxies exhibit inverted radio spectra on the basis of fluxes in the GB6 and VLA FIRST catalogs and have SDSS magnitudes in g-band less than 15.5. The results of BVR photometry of one of these galaxies, CGCG 215-024, are presented. These are the first results from an ongoing campaign to expand the function of the observatory atop Science Hall. Efforts to mitigate bulding vibration and light pollution in future work will be presented. The authors would like to acknowledge Ric and Jean Edelman for their gift that funded the 0.4-meter telescope.

The Design of Connection Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Integrated Grid with Three-Phase Inverter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darjat; Sulistyo; Triwiyatno, Aris; Thalib, Humaid

2018-03-01

Fuel cell technology is a relatively new energy-saving technology that has the potential to replace conventional energy technologies. Among the different types of generation technologies, fuel cells is the generation technologies considered as a potential source of power generation because it is flexible and can be placed anywhere based distribution system. Modeling of SOFC is done by using Nernst equation. The output power of the fuel cell can be controlled by controlling the flow rate of the fuels used in the process. Three-phase PWM inverter is used to get the form of three-phase voltage which same with the grid. In this paper, the planning and design of the SOFC are connected to the grid.

Core losses of an inverter-fed permanent magnet synchronous motor with an amorphous stator core under no-load

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denis, Nicolas; Kato, Yoshiyuki; Ieki, Masaharu; Fujisaki, Keisuke

2016-05-01

In this paper, an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) with a stator core made of amorphous magnetic material (AMM) is presented. The IPMSM is driven by a voltage source three-phase inverter with classical pulse width modulation (PWM) control. The core losses under no-load condition are measured by experiment and compared to an equivalent IPMSM with a stator core made of NO steel. Under these conditions, the core losses are influenced by the stator, rotor and magnet shapes but also by the PWM carrier signal that implies a high frequency harmonic in the magnetic flux density. It is demonstrated that the AMM can reduce the core losses by about 56 %.

Harmonic Optimization in Voltage Source Inverter for PV Application using Heuristic Algorithms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kandil, Shaimaa A.; Ali, A. A.; El Samahy, Adel; Wasfi, Sherif M.; Malik, O. P.

2016-12-01

Selective Harmonic Elimination (SHE) technique is the fundamental switching frequency scheme that is used to eliminate specific order harmonics. Its application to minimize low order harmonics in a three level inverter is proposed in this paper. The modulation strategy used here is SHEPWM and the nonlinear equations, that characterize the low order harmonics, are solved using Harmony Search Algorithm (HSA) to obtain the optimal switching angles that minimize the required harmonics and maintain the fundamental at the desired value. Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of the output voltage is minimized maintaining selected harmonics within allowable limits. A comparison has been drawn between HSA, Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Newton Raphson (NR) technique using MATLAB software to determine the effectiveness of getting optimized switching angles.

AC motor controller with 180 degree conductive switches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oximberg, Carol A. (Inventor)

1995-01-01

An ac motor controller is operated by a modified time-switching scheme where the switches of the inverter are on for electrical-phase-and-rotation intervals of 180.degree. as opposed to the conventional 120.degree.. The motor is provided with three-phase drive windings, a power inverter for power supplied from a dc power source consisting of six switches, and a motor controller which controls the current controlled switches in voltage-fed mode. During full power, each switch is gated continuously for three successive intervals of 60.degree. and modulated for only one of said intervals. Thus, during each 60.degree. interval, the two switches with like signs are on continuously and the switch with the opposite sign is modulated.

Applications of remanent supermirror polarizers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Böni, P.; Clemens, D.; Kumar, M. Senthil; Pappas, C.

1999-06-01

Recent developments in sputtering techniques allow the fabrication of multilayers with a high degree of perfection over large areas. We show, that using reactive sputtering, it is possible to adjust the index of refraction for neutrons, ni, of the individual layers. This property is particularly important for polarizing mirrors, where nnm for the non-magnetic layers can be matched to nm of the magnetic layers such that neutrons for one spin-eigenstate are not reflected by the coating, whereas the reflectivity is high for the other spin-eigenstate. In addition, by using anisotropic sputtering conditions it is possible to orient the easy axis of magnetization within the plane of the mirrors in any particular direction resulting in a simultaneous appearance of a pronounced remanence and coercivity. Remanent polarizers can be used as broad band spin selectors at continuous and in particular at pulsed neutron sources thus eliminating the need of spin flippers, whose performance depends on the wavelength of the neutrons and is often strongly influenced by stray magnetic fields from the sample environment. The possibility to operate remanent supermirrors in arbitrary small fields leads to attractive applications of polarizing devices in low field environments such as they occur in neutron-spin-echo or in spin selective neutron guides. We present applications, where several tasks like polarizing, focusing and spin selection are performed in one single device thus reducing the problem of phase space matching between different neutron optical components.

ICRF antenna-plasma interactions and its influence on W sputtering in ASDEX upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

ASDEX Upgrade Team Bobkov, Vl.; Braun, F.; Colas, L.; Dux, R.; Faugel, H.; Giannone, L.; Herrmann, A.; Kallenbach, A.; Müller, H. W.; Neu, R.; Noterdaeme, J.-M.; Pütterich, Th.; Siegl, G.; Wolfrum, E.

2011-08-01

Analysis of the W concentration during ICRF over AUG experimental campaigns confirms the critical role of W antenna limiters for the W content in plasma, though other structures connected to antennas along magnetic field lines cannot be neglected as W sources.Abrupt changes of spectroscopically measured W sputtering patterns are observed which correlate with step-wise changes of connection lengths at antenna limiters. Analysis of discharges with the reversed direction of toroidal magnetic field shows less W release compared to identical discharges with the normal direction. The lower W release is accompanied by lower intensity of fluctuations of reflected ICRF power in the 1-60 kHz range. The observations suggest that local magnetic geometry and density convection at the antennas are at least as important for the W sputtering as the distribution of RF near-fields at the antenna.Measurements of DC currents flowing through the antenna limiters show that the limiters at the active antenna collect predominantly negative DC currents whereas those distant from the active antenna collect predominantly positive DC currents. The latter decrease and become more negative when the intensity of the RF pickup measured at the limiters increases. The mutual compensation between the positive and negative currents can lead to lower values of the DC current than those expected from simplified theoretical models of the RF/DC circuit.

ICRF antenna-plasma interactions and its influence on W sputtering in ASDEX upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bobkov, Vl.; Braun, F.; Colas, L.; Dux, R.; Faugel, H.; Giannone, L.; Herrmann, A.; Kallenbach, A.; Müller, H. W.; Neu, R.; Noterdaeme, J.-M.; Pütterich, Th.; Siegl, G.; Wolfrum, E.; ASDEX Upgrade Team

2011-08-01

Analysis of the W concentration during ICRF over AUG experimental campaigns confirms the critical role of W antenna limiters for the W content in plasma, though other structures connected to antennas along magnetic field lines cannot be neglected as W sources. Abrupt changes of spectroscopically measured W sputtering patterns are observed which correlate with step-wise changes of connection lengths at antenna limiters. Analysis of discharges with the reversed direction of toroidal magnetic field shows less W release compared to identical discharges with the normal direction. The lower W release is accompanied by lower intensity of fluctuations of reflected ICRF power in the 1-60 kHz range. The observations suggest that local magnetic geometry and density convection at the antennas are at least as important for the W sputtering as the distribution of RF near-fields at the antenna. Measurements of DC currents flowing through the antenna limiters show that the limiters at the active antenna collect predominantly negative DC currents whereas those distant from the active antenna collect predominantly positive DC currents. The latter decrease and become more negative when the intensity of the RF pickup measured at the limiters increases. The mutual compensation between the positive and negative currents can lead to lower values of the DC current than those expected from simplified theoretical models of the RF/DC circuit.

Inverter for interfacing advanced energy sources to a utility grid

DOEpatents

Steigerwald, Robert L.

1984-01-01

A transistor is operated in the PWM mode such that a hlaf sine wave of current is delivered first to one-half of a distribution transformer and then the other as determined by steering thyristors operated at the fundamental sinusoidal frequency. Power to the transistor is supplied by a dc source such as a solar array and the power is converted such that a sinusoidal current is injected into a utility at near unity power factor.

Installation and Characterization of Charged Particle Sources for Space Environmental Effects Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Skevington, Jennifer L.

2010-01-01

Charged particle sources are integral devices used by Marshall Space Flight Center s Environmental Effects Branch (EM50) in order to simulate space environments for accurate testing of materials and systems. By using these sources inside custom vacuum systems, materials can be tested to determine charging and discharging properties as well as resistance to sputter damage. This knowledge can enable scientists and engineers to choose proper materials that will not fail in harsh space environments. This paper combines the steps utilized to build a low energy electron gun (The "Skevington 3000") as well as the methods used to characterize the output of both the Skevington 3000 and a manufactured Xenon ion source. Such characterizations include beam flux, beam uniformity, and beam energy. Both sources were deemed suitable for simulating environments in future testing.

A Penning discharge source for extreme ultraviolet calibration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Finley, David S.; Jelinsky, Patrick; Bowyer, Stuart; Malina, Roger F.

1986-01-01

A Penning discharge lamp for use in the calibration of instruments and components for the extreme ultraviolet has been developed. This source is sufficiently light and compact to make it suitable for mounting on the movable slit assembly of a grazing incidence Rowland circle monochromator. Because this is a continuous discharge source, it is suitable for use with photon counting detectors. Line radiation is provided both by the gas and by atoms sputtered off the interchangeable metal cathodes. Usable lines are produced by species as highly ionized as Ne IV and Al V. The wavelength coverage provided is such that a good density of emission lines is available down to wavelengths as short as 100A. This source fills the gap between 100 and 300A, which is inadequately covered by the other available compact continuous radiation sources.

Deposition of PTFE thin films by ion beam sputtering and a study of the ion bombardment effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, J. L.; Li, W. Z.; Wang, L. D.; Wang, J.; Li, H. D.

1998-02-01

Ion beam sputtering technique was employed to prepare thin films of Polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE). Simultaneous ion beam bombardment during film growth was also conducted in order to study the bombardment effects. Infrared absorption (IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to evaluate the material's integrity. It was found that PTFE thin films could be grown at room temperature by direct sputtering of a PTFE target. The film's composition and structure were shown to be dependent on the sputtering energy. Films deposited by single sputtering at higher energy (˜1500 eV) were structurally quite similar to the original PTFE material. Simultaneous ion beam bombarding during film growth caused defluorination and structural changes. Mechanism for sputtering deposition of such a polymeric material is also discussed.

Mixed composition materials suitable for vacuum web sputter coating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Banks, Bruce A.; Rutledge, Sharon K.; Dever, Joyce A.; Bruckner, Eric J.; Walters, Patricia; Hambourger, Paul D.

1996-01-01

Ion beam sputter deposition techniques were used to investigate simultaneous sputter etching of two component targets so as to produce mixed composition films. Although sputter deposition has been largely confined to metals and metal oxides, at least one polymeric material, poly-tetra-fluorethylene, has been demonstrated to produce sputtered fragments which repolymerize upon deposition to produce a highly cross-linked fluoropolymer resembling that of the parent target Fluoropolymer-filled silicon dioxide and fluoropolymer-filled aluminum oxide coatings have been deposited by means of ion beam sputter coat deposition resulting in films having material properties suitable for aerospace and commercial applications. The addition of fluoropolymer to silicon dioxide films was found to increase the hydrophobicity of the resulting mixed films; however, adding fluoropolymer to aluminum oxide films resulted in a reduction in hydrophobicity, thought to be caused by aluminum fluoride formation.

Sputtered deposited nanocrystalline ZnO films: A correlation between electrical, optical and microstructural properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, J.; Gao, W.; Li, Z.; Hodgson, M.; Metson, J.; Gong, H.; Pal, U.

2005-05-01

Zinc oxide thin films were prepared by dc (direct current) and rf (radio frequency) magnetron sputtering on glass substrates. ZnO films produced by dc sputtering have a high resistance, while the films produced using rf sputtering are significantly more conductive. While the conductive films have a compact nodular surface morphology, the resistive films have a relatively porous surface with columnar structures in cross section. Compared to the dc sputtered films, rf sputtered films have a microstructure with smaller d spacing, lower internal stress, higher band gap energy and higher density. Dependence of conductivity on the deposition technique and the resulting d spacing , stress, density, band gap, film thickness and Al doping are discussed. Correlations between the electrical conductivity, microstructural parameters and optical properties of the films have been made.

Solar Wind Sputtering of Lunar Surface Materials: Role and Some Possible Implications of Potential Sputtering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barghouty, A. F.; Adams, J. H., Jr.; Meyer, F.; Reinhold, c.

2010-01-01

Solar-wind induced sputtering of the lunar surface includes, in principle, both kinetic and potential sputtering. The role of the latter mechanism, however, in many focused studies has not been properly ascertained due partly to lack of data but can also be attributed to the assertion that the contribution of solar-wind heavy ions to the total sputtering is quite low due to their low number density compared to solar-wind protons. Limited laboratory measurements show marked enhancements in the sputter yields of slow-moving, highly-charged ions impacting oxides. Lunar surface sputtering yields are important as they affect, e.g., estimates of the compositional changes in the lunar surface, its erosion rate, as well as its contribution to the exosphere as well as estimates of hydrogen and water contents. Since the typical range of solar-wind ions at 1 keV/amu is comparable to the thickness of the amorphous rim found on lunar soil grains, i.e. few 10s nm, lunar simulant samples JSC-1A AGGL are specifically enhanced to have such rims in addition to the other known characteristics of the actual lunar soil particles. However, most, if not all laboratory studies of potential sputtering were carried out in single crystal targets, quite different from the rim s amorphous structure. The effect of this structural difference on the extent of potential sputtering has not, to our knowledge, been investigated to date.

Dust cloud evolution in sub-stellar atmospheres via plasma deposition and plasma sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stark, C. R.; Diver, D. A.

2018-04-01

Context. In contemporary sub-stellar model atmospheres, dust growth occurs through neutral gas-phase surface chemistry. Recently, there has been a growing body of theoretical and observational evidence suggesting that ionisation processes can also occur. As a result, atmospheres are populated by regions composed of plasma, gas and dust, and the consequent influence of plasma processes on dust evolution is enhanced. Aim. This paper aims to introduce a new model of dust growth and destruction in sub-stellar atmospheres via plasma deposition and plasma sputtering. Methods: Using example sub-stellar atmospheres from DRIFT-PHOENIX, we have compared plasma deposition and sputtering timescales to those from neutral gas-phase surface chemistry to ascertain their regimes of influence. We calculated the plasma sputtering yield and discuss the circumstances where plasma sputtering dominates over deposition. Results: Within the highest dust density cloud regions, plasma deposition and sputtering dominates over neutral gas-phase surface chemistry if the degree of ionisation is ≳10-4. Loosely bound grains with surface binding energies of the order of 0.1-1 eV are susceptible to destruction through plasma sputtering for feasible degrees of ionisation and electron temperatures; whereas, strong crystalline grains with binding energies of the order 10 eV are resistant to sputtering. Conclusions: The mathematical framework outlined sets the foundation for the inclusion of plasma deposition and plasma sputtering in global dust cloud formation models of sub-stellar atmospheres.

Polarity-inverted lateral overgrowth and selective wet-etching and regrowth (PILOSWER) of GaN.

PubMed

Jang, Dongsoo; Jue, Miyeon; Kim, Donghoi; Kim, Hwa Seob; Lee, Hyunkyu; Kim, Chinkyo

2018-03-07

On an SiO 2 -patterned c-plane sapphire substrate, GaN domains were grown with their polarity controlled in accordance with the pattern. While N-polar GaN was grown on hexagonally arranged circular openings, Ga-polar GaN was laterally overgrown on mask regions due to polarity inversion occurring at the boundary of the circular openings. After etching of N-polar GaN on the circular openings by H 3 PO 4 , this template was coated with 40-nm Si by sputtering and was slightly etched by KOH. After slight etching, a thin layer of Si left on the circular openings of sapphire,but not on GaN, was oxidized during thermal annealing and served as a dielectric mask during subsequent regrowth. Thus, the subsequent growth of GaN was made only on the existing Ga-polar GaN domains, not on the circular openings of the sapphire substrate. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed no sign of threading dislocations in this film. This approach may help fabricating an unholed and merged GaN film physically attached to but epitaxially separated from the SiO 2 -patterned sapphire.

Strong Orientation-Dependent Spin-Orbit Torque in Thin Films of the Antiferromagnet Mn2Au

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, X. F.; Zhang, J.; Li, F.; Chen, X. Z.; Shi, G. Y.; Tan, Y. Z.; Gu, Y. D.; Saleem, M. S.; Wu, H. Q.; Pan, F.; Song, C.

2018-05-01

Antiferromagnets with zero net magnetic moment, strong anti-interference, and ultrafast switching speed are potentially competitive in high-density information storage. The body-centered tetragonal antiferromagnet Mn2Au with opposite-spin sublattices is a unique metallic material for Néel-order spin-orbit-torque (SOT) switching. We investigate the SOT switching in quasiepitaxial (103), (101) and (204) Mn2Au films prepared by a simple magnetron sputtering method. We demonstrate current-induced antiferromagnetic moment switching in all of the prepared Mn2Au films by using a short current pulse at room temperature, whereas differently oriented films exhibit distinguished switching characters. A direction-independent reversible switching is attained in Mn2Au (103) films due to negligible magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy, while for Mn2Au (101) and (204) films, the switching is invertible with the current applied along the in-plane easy axis and its vertical axis, but it becomes attenuated seriously during initial switching circles when the current is applied along the hard axis because of the existence of magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy. Besides the fundamental significance, the strong orientation-dependent SOT switching, which is not realized, irrespective of ferromagnet and antiferromagnet, provides versatility for spintronics.

Sputtering erosion in ion and plasma thrusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ray, Pradosh K.

1995-01-01

An experimental set-up to measure low-energy (below 1 keV) sputtering of materials is described. The materials to be bombarded represent ion thruster components as well as insulators used in the stationary plasma thruster. The sputtering takes place in a 9 inch diameter spherical vacuum chamber. Ions of argon, krypton and xenon are used to bombard the target materials. The sputtered neutral atoms are detected by a secondary neutral mass spectrometer (SNMS). Samples of copper, nickel, aluminum, silver and molybdenum are being sputtered initially to calibrate the spectrometer. The base pressure of the chamber is approximately 2 x 10(exp -9) Torr. the primary ion beam is generated by an ion gun which is capable of delivering ion currents in the range of 20 to 500 nA. The ion beam can be focused to a size approximately 1 mm in diameter. The mass spectrometer is positioned 10 mm from the target and at 90 deg angle to the primary ion beam direction. The ion beam impinges on the target at 45 deg. For sputtering of insulators, charge neutralization is performed by flooding the sample with electrons generated from an electron gun. Preliminary sputtering results, methods of calculating the instrument response function of the spectrometer and the relative sensitivity factors of the sputtered elements will be discussed.

Electrostatic energy analyzer measurements of low energy zirconium beam parameters in a plasma sputter-type negative ion source

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

Malapit, Giovanni M.; Department of Physical Sciences, University of the Philippines Baguio, Baguio City 2600; Mahinay, Christian Lorenz S.

2012-02-15

A plasma sputter-type negative ion source is utilized to produce and detect negative Zr ions with energies between 150 and 450 eV via a retarding potential-type electrostatic energy analyzer. Traditional and modified semi-cylindrical Faraday cups (FC) inside the analyzer are employed to sample negative Zr ions and measure corresponding ion currents. The traditional FC registered indistinct ion current readings which are attributed to backscattering of ions and secondary electron emissions. The modified Faraday cup with biased repeller guard ring, cut out these signal distortions leaving only ringings as issues which are theoretically compensated by fitting a sigmoidal function into themore » data. The mean energy and energy spread are calculated using the ion current versus retarding potential data while the beam width values are determined from the data of the transverse measurement of ion current. The most energetic negative Zr ions yield tighter energy spread at 4.11 eV compared to the least energetic negative Zr ions at 4.79 eV. The smallest calculated beam width is 1.04 cm for the negative Zr ions with the highest mean energy indicating a more focused beam in contrast to the less energetic negative Zr ions due to space charge forces.« less

Characterisation of a resolution enhancing image inversion interferometer.

PubMed

Wicker, Kai; Sindbert, Simon; Heintzmann, Rainer

2009-08-31

Image inversion interferometers have the potential to significantly enhance the lateral resolution and light efficiency of scanning fluorescence microscopes. Self-interference of a point source's coherent point spread function with its inverted copy leads to a reduction in the integrated signal for off-axis sources compared to sources on the inversion axis. This can be used to enhance the resolution in a confocal laser scanning microscope. We present a simple image inversion interferometer relying solely on reflections off planar surfaces. Measurements of the detection point spread function for several types of light sources confirm the predicted performance and suggest its usability for scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy.

Sputtering by the Solar Wind: Effects of Variable Composition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Killen, R. M.; Arrell, W. M.; Sarantos, M.; Delory, G. T.

2011-01-01

It has long been recognized that solar wind bombardment onto exposed surfaces in the solar system will produce an energetic component to the exospheres about those bodies. Laboratory experiments have shown that there is no increase in the sputtering yield caused by highly charged heavy ions for metallic and for semiconducting surfaces, but the sputter yield can be noticeably increased in the case of a good insulating surface. Recently measurements of the solar wind composition have become available. It is now known that the solar wind composition is highly dependent on the origin of the particular plasma. Using the measured composition of the slow wind, fast wind, solar energetic particle (SEP) population, and coronal mass ejection (CME), broken down into its various components, we have estimated the total sputter yield for each type of solar wind. Whereas many previous calculations of sputtering were limited to the effects of proton bombardment. we show that the heavy ion component. especially the He++ component. can greatly enhance the total sputter yield during times when the heavy ion population is enhanced. We will discuss sputtering of both neutrals and ions.

Development of long-lived thick carbon stripper foils for high energy heavy ion accelerators by a heavy ion beam sputtering method

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

Muto, Hideshi; Ohshiro, Yukimitsu; Kawasaki, Katsunori

2013-04-19

In the past decade, we have developed extremely long-lived carbon stripper foils of 1-50 {mu}g/cm{sup 2} thickness prepared by a heavy ion beam sputtering method. These foils were mainly used for low energy heavy ion beams. Recently, high energy negative Hydrogen and heavy ion accelerators have started to use carbon stripper foils of over 100 {mu}g/cm{sup 2} in thickness. However, the heavy ion beam sputtering method was unsuccessful in production of foils thicker than about 50 {mu}g/cm{sup 2} because of the collapse of carbon particle build-up from substrates during the sputtering process. The reproduction probability of the foils was lessmore » than 25%, and most of them had surface defects. However, these defects were successfully eliminated by introducing higher beam energies of sputtering ions and a substrate heater during the sputtering process. In this report we describe a highly reproducible method for making thick carbon stripper foils by a heavy ion beam sputtering with a Krypton ion beam.« less

Lubrication with sputtered MoS2 films: Principles, operation, limitations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spalvins, T.

1991-01-01

The present practices, limitations, and understanding of thin sputtered MoS2 films are reviewed. Sputtered MoS2 films can exhibit remarkable tribological properties such as ultralow friction coefficients (0.01) and enhanced wear lives (millions of cycles) when used in vacuum or dry air. To achieve these favorable tribological characteristics, the sputtering conditions during deposition must be optimized for adequate film adherence and appropriate structure (morphology) and composition.

Low Cost High Performance Phased Array Antennas with Beam Steering Capabilities

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-12-01

characteristics of BSTO, the RF vacuum sputtering technique has been used and we investigated effects of sputtering parameters such as substrate...sputtering parameters , various sets of BSTO films have been deposited on different substrates and various size of CPW phase shifters have been fabricated...measurement of phase shifter 18 4. Optimization of the sputtering parameters for BSTO deposition 19 4.1 The first BSTO film sample 20 4.2 The second BSTO

Transmission sputtering under diatomic molecule bombardment. Model calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bitensky, I. S.

1996-04-01

Transmission sputtering means that emission of secondary particles is studied from the downstream side of a bombarded foil. Nonlinear effects in sputtering manifest themselves as a deviation of sputtering yield under molecular ion bombardment from the sum of the yields induced by the constituents at the same velocity. In the reflection geometry the overlap of the spike regions reaches maximum, while in transmission the degree of overlap depends on the projectile and on the foil thickness. It has been shown that the transmission sputtering yield can be described by a function of a scaling parameter determined by beam-foil characteristics and a mechanism of nonlinear sputtering. Calculations of the transmission yield have been made in the thermal spike and shock wave models. The results of calculations are compared with experimental data on phenylalanine molecular ion desorption from organic targets induced by Au + and Au 2+ impact. Suggestions for further experimental study are made.

Monte Carlo simulations of nanoscale focused neon ion beam sputtering.

PubMed

Timilsina, Rajendra; Rack, Philip D

2013-12-13

A Monte Carlo simulation is developed to model the physical sputtering of aluminum and tungsten emulating nanoscale focused helium and neon ion beam etching from the gas field ion microscope. Neon beams with different beam energies (0.5-30 keV) and a constant beam diameter (Gaussian with full-width-at-half-maximum of 1 nm) were simulated to elucidate the nanostructure evolution during the physical sputtering of nanoscale high aspect ratio features. The aspect ratio and sputter yield vary with the ion species and beam energy for a constant beam diameter and are related to the distribution of the nuclear energy loss. Neon ions have a larger sputter yield than the helium ions due to their larger mass and consequently larger nuclear energy loss relative to helium. Quantitative information such as the sputtering yields, the energy-dependent aspect ratios and resolution-limiting effects are discussed.

Solutions for discharge chamber sputtering and anode deposit spalling in small mercury ion thrusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Power, J. L.; Hiznay, D. J.

1975-01-01

Proposed solutions to the problems of sputter erosion and sputtered material spalling in the discharge chamber of small mercury ion thrusters are presented. The accelerated life test evaluated three such proposed solutions: (1) the use of tantalum as a single low sputter yield material for the exposed surfaces of the discharge chamber components subject to sputtering, (2) the use of a severely roughened anode surface to improve the adhesion of the sputter-deposited coating, and (3) the use of a wire cloth anode surface in order to limit the size of any coating flakes which might spall from it. Because of the promising results obtained in the accelerated life test with anode surfaces roughened by grit-blasting, experiments were carried out to optimize the grit-blasting procedure. The experimental results and an optimal grit-blasting procedure are presented.

Effect of sputtering power on the growth of Ru films deposited by magnetron sputtering

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

Jhanwar, Prachi, E-mail: prachijhanwar87@gmail.com; Department of Electronics, Banasthali University-304022, Rajasthan; Kumar, Arvind

2016-04-13

Ruthenium is deposited by DC magnetron sputtering at different powers and is characterized. The effect of sputtering power on the electrical and structural properties of the film is investigated experimentally. High resolution X-ray diffraction is used to characterize the microstructure of Ru films deposited on SiO{sub 2} surface. The peak (002) is more sharp and intense with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 0.37° at 250W. The grain size increases with increase in sputtering power improving the crystallinity of the film. The film deposited at high sputtering power also showed lower resistivity (12.40 µΩ-cm) and higher mobility (4.82 cm{sup 2}/V.s) asmore » compared to the film deposited at low power. The surface morphology of the film is studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM).« less

Research on optical reflectance and infrared emissivity of TiNx films depending on sputtering pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Linlin; Luo, Fa; Huang, Zhibin; Zhou, Wancheng; Zhu, Dongmei

2018-06-01

TiNx thin films were deposited on glass substrates using direct current reactive magnetron sputtering, and effects of sputtering pressure on optical reflectance and infrared emissivity of TiNx films were studied. The results indicated that sputtering pressure was a key factor to affect the optical reflectance and infrared emissivity of TiNx films in this study. When sputtering pressure varied from 0.3 Pa to 1.2 Pa, an average reflectance of less than 25% in the visible range was obtained for the prepared films. With the working pressure rise, the resistivity of TiNx films went up. Meanwhile, the infrared emissivity of the films increased. As sputtering pressure was 0.3 Pa, the infrared emissivity in the wavelength of 3-5 and 8-14 μm of TiNx film with dark color and low optical reflectance was less than 0.2.

Porous, High Capacity Coatings for Solid Phase Microextraction by Sputtering.

PubMed

Diwan, Anubhav; Singh, Bhupinder; Roychowdhury, Tuhin; Yan, DanDan; Tedone, Laura; Nesterenko, Pavel N; Paull, Brett; Sevy, Eric T; Shellie, Robert A; Kaykhaii, Massoud; Linford, Matthew R

2016-02-02

We describe a new process for preparing porous solid phase microextraction (SPME) coatings by the sputtering of silicon onto silica fibers. The microstructure of these coatings is a function of the substrate geometry and mean free path of the silicon atoms, and the coating thickness is controlled by the sputtering time. Sputtered silicon structures on silica fibers were treated with piranha solution (a mixture of concd H2SO4 and 30% H2O2) to increase the concentration of silanol groups on their surfaces, and the nanostructures were silanized with octadecyldimethylmethoxysilane in the gas phase. The attachment of this hydrophobic ligand was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle goniometry on model, planar silicon substrates. Sputtered silicon coatings adhered strongly to their surfaces, as they were able to pass the Scotch tape adhesion test. The extraction time and temperature for headspace extraction of mixtures of alkanes and alcohols on the sputtered fibers were optimized (5 min and 40 °C), and the extraction performances of SPME fibers with 1.0 or 2.0 μm of sputtered silicon were compared to those from a commercial 7 μm poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) fiber. For mixtures of alcohols, aldehydes, amines, and esters, the 2.0 μm sputtered silicon fiber yielded signals that were 3-9, 3-5, 2.5-4.5, and 1.5-2 times higher, respectively, than those of the commercial fiber. For the heavier alkanes (undecane-hexadecane), the 2.0 μm sputtered fiber yielded signals that were approximately 1.0-1.5 times higher than the commercial fiber. The sputtered fibers extracted low molecular weight analytes that were not detectable with the commercial fiber. The selectivity of the sputtered fibers appears to favor analytes that have both a hydrophobic component and hydrogen-bonding capabilities. No detectable carryover between runs was noted for the sputtered fibers. The repeatability (RSD%) for a fiber (n = 3) was less than 10% for all analytes tested, and the between-fiber reproducibility (n = 3) was 0-15%, generally 5-10%, for all analytes tested. The repeatabilities of our sputtered fibers and the commercial 7 μm PDMS fiber are essentially the same. Fibers could be used for at least 300 extractions without loss of performance. More than 50 compounds were identified in a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry headspace analysis of a real world botanical sample with the 2.0 μm fiber.

Pulsed-DC selfsputtering of copper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiatrowski, A.; Posadowski, W. M.; Radzimski, Z. J.

2008-03-01

At standard magnetron sputtering conditions (argon pressure ~0.5 Pa) inert gas particles are often entrapped in the formed films. Inert gas contamination can be eliminated by using the self-sustained magnetron sputtering process because it is done in the absence of the inert gas atmosphere. The self-sustained sputtering (SSS) gives also a unique condition during the transport of sputtered particles to the substrate. It is especially useful for filling high aspect ratio submicron scale structures for microelectronics. So far it has been shown that the self-sputtering process can be sustained in the DC operation mode (DC-SSS) only. The main disadvantage of DC-SSS process is instability related to possible arc formation. Usage of pulsed sputtering, similarly to reactive pulsed magnetron sputtering, could eliminate this problem. In this paper results of pulsed-DC self-sustained magnetron sputtering (pulsed DC-SSS) of copper are presented for the first time. The planar magnetron equipped with a 50 mm in diameter and 6 mm thick copper target was powered by DC-power supply modulated by power switch. The maximum target power was about 11 kW (~550W/cm2). The magnetron operation was investigated as a function of pulsing frequency (20-100 kHz) and duty factor (50-90%). The discharge extinction pressure was determined for these conditions. The plasma emission spectra (400-410nm range) and deposition rates were observed for both DC and pulsed DC sustained self-sputtering processes. The presented results illustrate that stable pulsed DC-SSS process can be obtained at pulsing frequency in the range of 60-100 kHz and duty factor of 70-90%.

SWEPT-SOURCE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY REVEALS INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE PEELING ALTERS DEEP RETINAL VASCULATURE.

PubMed

Michalewska, Zofia; Nawrocki, Jerzy

2018-04-30

To describe morphology of retinal and choroidal vessels in swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography before and after vitrectomy with the temporal inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique for full-thickness macular holes. Prospective, observational study of 36 eyes of 33 patients with full-thickness macular holes swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography was performed in patients before and 1 month after vitrectomy. Vitrectomy with the temporal inverted ILM flap technique was performed. In this method, ILM is peeled only at one side of the fovea. An ILM flap is created to cover the macular hole. Comparison of retina vasculature in the areas of ILM peeling vs. no ILM peeling at 1 and 3 months after successful vitrectomy was performed. The study demonstrated lower density of vessels in the deep retinal plexus in the area where ILM was peeled as compared to the rest of the fovea. Visual acuity and central retinal thickness 1 month after surgery correlates with fovea avascular zone diameter in deep retinal layers at the same time point (P = 0.001). This study confirmed that ILM peeling might alter blood flow in deep retinal vessels below the peeling area in the early postoperative period. The area of the fovea avascular zone corresponds to functional results at the same time point.

Magnetic anomalies in east Pacific using MAGSAT data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harrison, C. G. A. (Principal Investigator)

1983-01-01

Methods for solving problems encountered in separating the core field from the crustal field are summarized as well as those methods developed for inverting total magnetic field data to obtain source functions for oceanic areas. Accounting for magnetization contrasts and the magnetization values measured in rocks of marine origin are also discussed.

Double-Line-Frequency Ripple Model, Analysis & Impedance Design for Energy Stored Single-Phase Quasi-Z Source Photovoltaic System

DOE PAGES

Liang, Weihua; Liu, Yushan; Ge, Baoming; ...

2017-09-08

The battery energy stored quasi-Z-source (BESqZS) based photovoltaic (PV) power generation system combines advantages of the qZS inverter and the battery energy storage system. But, the second harmonic (2ω) power ripple degrades the system’s performance and affects the system’s design. An accurate model to analyze the 2ω ripple is very important. The existing models did not consider the battery, or assumed a symmetric qZS network with L 1=L 2 and C 1=C 2, which limits the design freedom and causes oversized impedance parameters. Our paper proposes a comprehensive model for the single-phase BES-qZS-PV inverter system, where the battery is consideredmore » and there is no restriction of L 1=L 2 and C 1=C 2. Based on the built model, a BES-qZS impedance design method is proposed to mitigate the 2ω ripple with asymmetric qZS network. Simulation and experimental results verify the proposed 2ω ripple model and impedance design method.« less

Time synchronization and geoacoustic inversion using baleen whale sounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thode, Aaron; Gerstoft, Peter; Stokes, Dale; Noad, Mike; Burgess, William; Cato, Doug

2005-09-01

In 1996 matched-field processing (MFP) and geoacoustic inversion methods were used to invert for range, depth, and source levels of blue whale vocalizations. [A. M. Thode, G. L. D'Spain, and W. A. Kuperman, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 107, 1286-1300 (2000)]. Humpback whales also produce broadband sequences of sounds that contain significant energy between 50 Hz to over 1 kHz. In Oct. 2003 and 2004 samples of humpback whale song were collected on vertical and titled arrays in 24-m-deep water in conjunction with the Humpback Acoustic Research Collaboration (HARC). The arrays consisted of autonomous recorders attached to a rope, and were time synchronized by extending standard geoacoustic inversion methods to invert for clock offset as well as whale location. The diffuse ambient noise background field was then used to correct for subsequent clock drift. Independent measurements of the local bathymetry and transmission loss were also obtained in the area. Preliminary results are presented for geoacoustic inversions of the ocean floor composition and humpback whale locations and source levels. [Work supported by ONR Ocean Acoustic Entry Level Faculty Award and Marine Mammals Program.

Voltage control in Z-source inverter using low cost microcontroller for undergraduate approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zulkifli, Shamsul Aizam; Sewang, Mohd Rizal; Salimin, Suriana; Shah, Noor Mazliza Badrul

2017-09-01

This paper is focussing on controlling the output voltage of Z-Source Inverter (ZSI) using a low cost microcontroller with MATLAB-Simulink that has been used for interfacing the voltage control at the output of ZSI. The key advantage of this system is the ability of a low cost microcontroller to process the voltage control blocks based on the mathematical equations created in MATLAB-Simulink. The Proportional Integral (PI) control equations are been applied and then, been downloaded to the microcontroller for observing the changes on the voltage output regarding to the changes on the reference on the PI. The system has been simulated in MATLAB and been verified with the hardware setup. As the results, the Raspberry Pi and Arduino that have been used in this work are able to respond well when there is a change of ZSI output. It proofed that, by applying/introducing this method to student in undergraduate level, it will help the student to understand more on the process of the power converter combine with a control feedback function that can be applied at low cost microcontroller.

Double-Line-Frequency Ripple Model, Analysis & Impedance Design for Energy Stored Single-Phase Quasi-Z Source Photovoltaic System

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

Liang, Weihua; Liu, Yushan; Ge, Baoming

The battery energy stored quasi-Z-source (BESqZS) based photovoltaic (PV) power generation system combines advantages of the qZS inverter and the battery energy storage system. But, the second harmonic (2ω) power ripple degrades the system’s performance and affects the system’s design. An accurate model to analyze the 2ω ripple is very important. The existing models did not consider the battery, or assumed a symmetric qZS network with L 1=L 2 and C 1=C 2, which limits the design freedom and causes oversized impedance parameters. Our paper proposes a comprehensive model for the single-phase BES-qZS-PV inverter system, where the battery is consideredmore » and there is no restriction of L 1=L 2 and C 1=C 2. Based on the built model, a BES-qZS impedance design method is proposed to mitigate the 2ω ripple with asymmetric qZS network. Simulation and experimental results verify the proposed 2ω ripple model and impedance design method.« less

Fault diagnosis and fault-tolerant finite control set-model predictive control of a multiphase voltage-source inverter supplying BLDC motor.

PubMed

Salehifar, Mehdi; Moreno-Equilaz, Manuel

2016-01-01

Due to its fault tolerance, a multiphase brushless direct current (BLDC) motor can meet high reliability demand for application in electric vehicles. The voltage-source inverter (VSI) supplying the motor is subjected to open circuit faults. Therefore, it is necessary to design a fault-tolerant (FT) control algorithm with an embedded fault diagnosis (FD) block. In this paper, finite control set-model predictive control (FCS-MPC) is developed to implement the fault-tolerant control algorithm of a five-phase BLDC motor. The developed control method is fast, simple, and flexible. A FD method based on available information from the control block is proposed; this method is simple, robust to common transients in motor and able to localize multiple open circuit faults. The proposed FD and FT control algorithm are embedded in a five-phase BLDC motor drive. In order to validate the theory presented, simulation and experimental results are conducted on a five-phase two-level VSI supplying a five-phase BLDC motor. Copyright © 2015 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Preparation and Characterization of RF Sputtered BARIUM(2) SILICON(2) Titanium OXYGEN(8) Thin Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yi.

Thin films of barium titanium silicate ( Ba_2Si_2TiO_8) are grown on crystalline (100) Si at substrate temperatures raging from 750 to 955^circC by the radio-frequency triode sputtering technique. The chemical composition, microstructure, physical properties, and growth conditions of the deposited films are investigated by dc and high-frequency dielectric measurements, wavelength dispersive and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometries, x-ray diffraction spectrometry, and optical and scanning electron microscopies. The results of the x-ray diffraction analysis show that the Ba_2Si_2TiO _8 films deposited at the optimum condition of substrate temperature of 845^circ C, 4 cm source-substance distance, 50 W rf power, and 1.2 times 10^ {-3} torr pressure of Ar, are highly c -axis oriented. The as-deposited films are smooth, glossy, polycrystalline films, exhibiting a bulk resistivity range of 10^6 Omegacdotcm, and an isotropic surface resistivity of 1.5 times 10^3 Omegacdot cm. The relative dielectric constant is 0.05, and the dielectric loss is lower than 1.0, in the frequency band 9 ~ 1000 MHz. The high-frequency impedance of BST films, which is typical for piezoelectric materials, gives a minimum impedance frequency of 9.0 MHz and a series resonant frequency of 9.5 MHz. Optical and SEM observations show that the film texture is dependent on the substrate conditions. The non-liquid-like grain coalescence of the Ba_2Si_2TiO _8 grains is characteristic of a strong film -substrate interaction. The grain growth kinetics obtained from "short-time" sputtering gives an initial lateral grain growth rate of 770 nm/min at 845^circ C, which decreases with the grain size. The initial film growth rate in the direction of thickness, measured from SEM micrographs, is 1.95 nm/min, and decreases with sputtering time. The activation free energy for grain growth is 359 +/- 30 KJ/mol for the initial stage, decreasing to 148 +/- 20 KJ/mol for the final stage. The variation of the grain growth rate and the activation energy with grain size is the result of a combined nucleation and growth mechanism in the initial stage of the film growth, and a coalescence -dominated growth mechanism at longer sputtering time and at higher temperature. Film orientation is sensitive to the supersaturation adjacent to the film surface, which depends on the source-substrate distance and substrate temperature. The effect of the substrate temperature on the orientation of the film is investigated over a wide temperature range using (100) and (111) Si substrates. Several orientations for the BST films, including an amorphous state, are obtained with increasing substrate temperature. This is discussed in relation to the atomic plane density and the energetics for the deposition process.

Addressable inverter matrix for process and device characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buehler, M. G.; Sayah, H. R.

1985-01-01

The addressable inverter matrix consists of 222 inverters each accessible with the aid of a shift register. The structure has proven useful in characterizing the variability of inverter transfer curves and in diagnosing processing faults. For good 3-micron CMOS bulk inverters investigated, the percent standard deviation of the inverter threshold voltage was less than one percent and the inverter gain (the slope of the inverter transfer curve at the inverter threshold vltage) was less than 3 percent. The average noise margin for the inverters was near 2 volts for a power supply voltage of 5 volts. The specific faults studied included undersize pull-down transistor widths and various open contacts in the matrix.

Addressable inverter matrix for process and device characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buehler, M. G.; Sayah, H. R.

1985-01-01

The addressable inverter matrix consists of 222 inverters each accessible with the aid of a shift register. The structure has proven useful in characterizing the variability of inverter transfer curves and in diagnosing processing faults. For good 3-micron CMOS bulk inverters investigated in this study, the percent standard deviation of the inverter threshold voltage was less than one percent and the inverter gain (the slope of the inverter transfer curve at the inverter threshold voltage) was less than 3 percent. The average noise margin for the inverters was near 2 volts for a power supply voltage of 5 volts. The specific faults studied included undersize pull-down transistor widths and various open contacts in the matrix.

Inactivation of bacteria under visible light and in the dark by Cu films. Advantages of Cu-HIPIMS-sputtered films.

PubMed

Ehiasarian, A; Pulgarin, Cesar; Kiwi, John

2012-11-01

The Cu polyester thin-sputtered layers on textile fabrics show an acceptable bacterial inactivation kinetics using sputtering methods. Direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) for 40 s of Cu on cotton inactivated Escherichia coli within 30 min under visible light and within 120 min in the dark. For a longer DCMS time of 180 s, the Cu content was 0.294% w/w, but the bacterial inactivation kinetics under light was observed within 30 min, as was the case for the 40-s sputtered sample. This observation suggests that Cu ionic species play a key role in the E. coli inactivation and these species were further identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The 40-s sputtered samples present the highest amount of Cu sites held in exposed positions interacting on the cotton with E. coli. Cu DC magnetron sputtering leads to thin metallic semi-transparent gray-brown Cu coating composed by Cu nanoparticulate in the nanometer range as found by electron microscopy (EM). Cu cotton fabrics were also functionalized by bipolar asymmetric DCMSP. Sputtering by DCMS and DCMSP for longer times lead to darker and more compact Cu films as detected by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and EM. Cu is deposited on the polyester in the form of Cu(2)O and CuO as quantified by XPS. The redox interfacial reactions during bacterial inactivation involve changes in the Cu oxidation states and in the oxidation intermediates and were followed by XPS. High-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS)-sputtered films show a low rugosity indicating that the texture of the Cu nanoparticulate films were smooth. The values of R (q) and R (a) were similar before and after the E. coli inactivation providing evidence for the stability of the HIPIMS-deposited Cu films. The Cu loading percentage required in the Cu films sputtered by HIPIMS to inactivate E. coli was about three times lower compared to DCMS films. This indicates a substantial Cu metal savings within the preparation of antibacterial films.

On recovering distributed IP information from inductive source time domain electromagnetic data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Seogi; Oldenburg, Douglas W.

2016-10-01

We develop a procedure to invert time domain induced polarization (IP) data for inductive sources. Our approach is based upon the inversion methodology in conventional electrical IP (EIP), which uses a sensitivity function that is independent of time. However, significant modifications are required for inductive source IP (ISIP) because electric fields in the ground do not achieve a steady state. The time-history for these fields needs to be evaluated and then used to define approximate IP currents. The resultant data, either a magnetic field or its derivative, are evaluated through the Biot-Savart law. This forms the desired linear relationship between data and pseudo-chargeability. Our inversion procedure has three steps: (1) Obtain a 3-D background conductivity model. We advocate, where possible, that this be obtained by inverting early-time data that do not suffer significantly from IP effects. (2) Decouple IP responses embedded in the observations by forward modelling the TEM data due to a background conductivity and subtracting these from the observations. (3) Use the linearized sensitivity function to invert data at each time channel and recover pseudo-chargeability. Post-interpretation of the recovered pseudo-chargeabilities at multiple times allows recovery of intrinsic Cole-Cole parameters such as time constant and chargeability. The procedure is applicable to all inductive source survey geometries but we focus upon airborne time domain EM (ATEM) data with a coincident-loop configuration because of the distinctive negative IP signal that is observed over a chargeable body. Several assumptions are adopted to generate our linearized modelling but we systematically test the capability and accuracy of the linearization for ISIP responses arising from different conductivity structures. On test examples we show: (1) our decoupling procedure enhances the ability to extract information about existence and location of chargeable targets directly from the data maps; (2) the horizontal location of a target body can be well recovered through inversion; (3) the overall geometry of a target body might be recovered but for ATEM data a depth weighting is required in the inversion; (4) we can recover estimates of intrinsic τ and η that may be useful for distinguishing between two chargeable targets.

REACTIVE SPUTTER DEPOSITION OF CHROMIUM NITRIDE COATINGS

EPA Science Inventory

The effect of substrate temperature and sputtering gas compositon on the structure and properties of chromium-chromium nitride films deposited on C-1040 steel using r.f. magnetron sputter deposition was investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to determine the structure ...

The Effects of Face Inversion and Face Race on the P100 ERP.

PubMed

Colombatto, Clara; McCarthy, Gregory

2017-04-01

Research about the neural basis of face recognition has investigated the timing and anatomical substrates of different stages of face processing. Scalp-recorded ERP studies of face processing have focused on the N170, an ERP with a peak latency of ∼170 msec that has long been associated with the initial structural encoding of faces. However, several studies have reported earlier ERP differences related to faces, suggesting that face-specific processes might occur before N170. Here, we examined the influence of face inversion and face race on the timing of face-sensitive scalp-recorded ERPs by examining neural responses to upright and inverted line-drawn and luminance-matched white and black faces in a sample of white participants. We found that the P100 ERP evoked by inverted faces was significantly larger than that evoked by upright faces. Although this inversion effect was statistically significant at 100 msec, the inverted-upright ERP difference peaked at 138 msec, suggesting that it might represent an activity in neural sources that overlap with P100. Inverse modeling of the inversion effect difference waveform suggested possible neural sources in pericalcarine extrastriate visual cortex and lateral occipito-temporal cortex. We also found that the inversion effect difference wave was larger for white faces. These results are consistent with behavioral evidence that individuals process the faces of their own races more configurally than faces of other races. Taken together, the inversion and race effects observed in the current study suggest that configuration influences face processing by at least 100 msec.

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

Polat, Ozgur; Ertugrul, Memhet; Thompson, James R

To obtain an engineered surface for deposition of high-Tc superconductors, nanoscale modulations of the surface of the underlying LaMnO3 (LMO) cap layer is a potential source for generating microstructural defects in YBa2Cu3O7- (YBCO) films. These defects may improve the flux-pinning and consequently increase the critical current density, Jc. To provide such nanoscale modulation via a practical and scalable process, tantalum (Ta) and palladium (Pd) nano-islands were deposited using dc-magnetron sputtering on the surface of the cap layer of commercial metal tape templates for second-generation wires. The size and density of these nano-islands can be controlled by changing sputtering conditions suchmore » as the power and deposition time. Compared to the reference sample grown on an untreated LMO cap layer, the YBCO films grown on the LMO cap layers with Ta or Pd nano-islands exhibited improved in-field Jc performance. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used to assess the evolving size and density of the nano-islands.« less

Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry SIMS XI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gillen, G.; Lareau, R.; Bennett, J.; Stevie, F.

2003-05-01

This volume contains 252 contributions presented as plenary, invited and contributed poster and oral presentations at the 11th International Conference on Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS XI) held at the Hilton Hotel, Walt Disney World Village, Orlando, Florida, 7 12 September, 1997. The book covers a diverse range of research, reflecting the rapid growth in advanced semiconductor characterization, ultra shallow depth profiling, TOF-SIMS and the new areas in which SIMS techniques are being used, for example in biological sciences and organic surface characterization. Papers are presented under the following categories: Isotopic SIMS Biological SIMS Semiconductor Characterization Techniques and Applications Ultra Shallow Depth Profiling Depth Profiling Fundamental/Modelling and Diffusion Sputter-Induced Topography Fundamentals of Molecular Desorption Organic Materials Practical TOF-SIMS Polyatomic Primary Ions Materials/Surface Analysis Postionization Instrumentation Geological SIMS Imaging Fundamentals of Sputtering Ion Formation and Cluster Formation Quantitative Analysis Environmental/Particle Characterization Related Techniques These proceedings provide an invaluable source of reference for both newcomers to the field and experienced SIMS users.

Deposition of undoped and Al doped ZnO thin films using RF magnetron sputtering and study of their structural, optical and electrical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parvathy Venu, M.; Shrisha B., V.; Balakrishna, K. M.; Naik, K. Gopalakrishna

2017-05-01

Undoped ZnO and Al doped ZnO thin films were deposited on glass and p-Si(100) substrates by RF magnetron sputtering technique at room temperature using homemade targets. ZnO target containing 5 at% of Al2O3 as doping source was used for the growth of Al doped ZnO thin films. XRD revealed that the films have hexagonal wurtzite structure with high crystallinity. Morphology and chemical composition of the films have been indicated by FESEM and EDAX studies. A blue shift of the band gap energy and higher optical transmittance has been observed in the case of Al doped ZnO (ZnO:Al) thin films with respect to the ZnO thin films. The as deposited films on p-Si were used to fabricate n-ZnO/p-Si(100) and n-ZnO:Al/p-Si(100) heterojunction diodes and their room temperature current-voltage characteristics were studied.

Interfacial micropore defect formation in PEDOT:PSS-Si hybrid solar cells probed by TOF-SIMS 3D chemical imaging.

PubMed

Thomas, Joseph P; Zhao, Liyan; Abd-Ellah, Marwa; Heinig, Nina F; Leung, K T

2013-07-16

Conducting p-type polymer layers on n-type Si have been widely studied for the fabrication of cost-effective hybrid solar cells. In this work, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) is used to provide three-dimensional chemical imaging of the interface between poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and SiOx/Si in a hybrid solar cell. To minimize structural damage to the polymer layer, an Ar cluster sputtering source is used for depth profiling. The present result shows the formation of micropore defects in the interface region of the PEDOT:PSS layer on the SiOx/Si substrate. This interfacial micropore defect formation becomes more prominent with increasing thickness of the native oxide layer, which is a key device parameter that greatly affects the hybrid solar cell performance. Three-dimensional chemical imaging coupled with Ar cluster ion sputtering has therefore been demonstrated as an emerging technique for probing the interface of this and other polymer-inorganic systems.

Deposition of amorphous carbon nitride films on flexible substrates by reactive sputtering for applications in light-driven active devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aono, Masami; Harata, Tomo; Odawara, Taku; Asai, Shinnosuke; Orihara, Dai; Nogi, Masaya

2018-01-01

Amorphous carbon nitride (a-CN x ) thin films deposited by reactive sputtering have great potential for driving source applications of light-driven active devices. We demonstrate, for the first time, the photoinduced deformation of a-CN x deposited on flexible substrates, namely, poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN) films and transparent cellulose nanopaper. a-CN x films without delamination were obtained on both substrates. By decreasing the thickness of PEN films, the photoinduced deformation became extremely large. A light-driven pump was fabricated using a-CN x -coated PEN films, and then the pumping motion was observed up to 10 Hz. When a He-Ne laser traced the surface of a-CN x films deposited on the nanopaper, the sample moved to the opposite side of the laser spot. The motion involved repeated expansions and contractions similar to the motion of caterpillars occurring owing to the temporary photoinduced deformation of a-CN x films.

Design and performance of the VLT 8-m coating unit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneermann, Michael W.; Groessl, M.; Nienaber, U.; Ettlinger, E.; Spiteri, J. A.; Clow, H.

1997-03-01

The 8 m coating unit for the VLT mirrors is designed for the deposition of high reflective, homogeneous aluminum coatings. For the process of the film deposition the sputter technology is utilized. The design of the following major subsystems is completed: the vacuum vessel and the vacuum generation system, the thin film deposition equipment and the glow discharge cleaning device, the substrate support and rotation system as well as the supporting framework and the auxiliary equipment. Manufacturing of the coating unit has started. The pre- assembly and testing activities, which will take place prior to the shipment to the site, are defined. This paper describes the design features and the major performance requirements of the 8 m coating unit. The performance of the sputter source design has been verified in a qualification test. The deposition rate, the film thickness and reflectance, as well as the film purity have been measured. The test set-up and the results of the qualification tests of the selected magnetron type are presented and discussed.

Formation and emission mechanisms of Ag nanoclusters in the Ar matrix assembly cluster source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Junlei; Cao, Lu; Palmer, Richard E.; Nordlund, Kai; Djurabekova, Flyura

2017-11-01

In this paper, we study the mechanisms of growth of Ag nanoclusters in a solid Ar matrix and the emission of these nanoclusters from the matrix by a combination of experimental and theoretical methods. The molecular dynamics simulations show that the cluster growth mechanism can be described as "thermal spike-enhanced clustering" in multiple sequential ion impact events. We further show that experimentally observed large sputtered metal clusters cannot be formed by direct sputtering of Ag mixed in the Ar. Instead, we describe the mechanism of emission of the metal nanocluster that, at first, is formed in the cryogenic matrix due to multiple ion impacts, and then is emitted as a result of the simultaneous effects of interface boiling and spring force. We also develop an analytical model describing this size-dependent cluster emission. The model bridges the atomistic simulations and experimental time and length scales, and allows increasing the controllability of fast generation of nanoclusters in experiments with a high production rate.

Low-Energy Sputtering Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ray, P. K.; Shutthanandan, V.

1999-01-01

An experimental study is described to measure low-energy (less than 600 eV) sputtering yields of molybdenum with xenon ions using Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) and secondary neutral mass spectroscopy (SNMS). An ion gun was used to generate the ion beam. The ion current density at the target surface was approximately 30 (micro)A/sq cm. For RBS measurements, the sputtered material was collected on a thin aluminum strip which was mounted on a semi-circular collector plate. The target was bombarded with 200 and 500 eV xenon ions at normal incidence. The differential sputtering yields were measured using the RBS method with 1 MeV helium ions. The differential yields were fitted with a cosine fitting function and integrated with respect to the solid angle to provide the total sputtering yields. The sputtering yields obtained using the RBS method are in reasonable agreement with those measured by other researchers using different techniques. For the SNMS measurements, 150 to 600 eV xenon ions were used at 50deg angle of incidence. The SNMS spectra were converted to sputtering yields for perpendicular incidence by normalizing SNMS spectral data at 500 eV with the yield measured by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Sputtering yields as well as the shape of the yield-energy curve obtained in this manner are in reasonable agreement with those measured by other researchers using different techniques. Sputtering yields calculated by using two semi-spherical formulations agree reasonably well with measured data. The isotopic composition of secondary ions were measured by bombarding copper with xenon ions at energies ranging from 100 eV to 1.5 keV. The secondary ion flux was found to be enriched in heavy isotopes at low incident ion energies. The heavy isotope enrichment was observed to decrease with increasing impact energy. Beyond 700 eV, light isotopes were sputtered preferentially with the enrichment remaining nearly constant.

An experimental investigation of fractionation by sputter deposition. [application to solar wind irradiation of lunar soil

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paruso, D. M.; Cassidy, W. A.; Hapke, B. W.

1978-01-01

Artificial glass targets composed of elements varying widely in atomic weight were irradiated at an angle of incidence of 45 deg by 2-keV hydrogen ions at a current density of .33 mA/sq cm, and sputtered atoms were caught on a molybdenum film. Analyses of the sputter-deposited films and unsputtered target glasses were carried out by electron microprobe. The backward-sputtered component was found to be enriched in elements of low atomic weight, while the forward-sputtered component was enriched in heavy atoms. These results indicate that at the lunar surface lighter elements and isotopes would tend to be ejected in backward directions, escaping directly through the openings which admit bombarding ions without first striking an adjacent grain surface; heavy elements and isotopes would be forward-sputtered deeper into the soil and be preferentially retained, contributing to the reported enrichments of heavy elements and isotopes. Additional results show that the binding energy of an element in its oxide form influences the sticking coefficient of a sputtered atom; elements of low binding energy are likely to desorb, while elements of high binding energy tend to stick to the first bounce surface.

Polarity inversion of AlN film grown on nitrided a-plane sapphire substrate with pulsed DC reactive sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noorprajuda, Marsetio; Ohtsuka, Makoto; Fukuyama, Hiroyuki

2018-04-01

The effect of oxygen partial pressure (PO2) on polarity and crystalline quality of AlN films grown on nitrided a-plane sapphire substrates by pulsed direct current (DC) reactive sputtering was investigated as a fundamental study. The polarity inversion of AlN from nitrogen (-c)-polarity to aluminum (+c)-polarity occurred during growth at a high PO2 of 9.4×103 Pa owing to Al-O octahedral formation at the interface of nitrided layer and AlN sputtered film which reset the polarity of AlN. The top part of the 1300 nm-thick AlN film sputtered at the high PO2 was polycrystallized. The crystalline quality was improved owing to the high kinetic energy of Al sputtered atom in the sputtering phenomena. Thinner AlN films were also fabricated at the high PO2 to eliminate the polycrystallization. For the 200 nm-thick AlN film sputtered at the high PO2, the full width at half-maximum values of the AlN (0002) and (10-12) X-ray diffraction rocking curves were 47 and 637 arcsec, respectively.

Impurity sputtering from the guard limiter of the lower hybrid wave antenna in a tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ou, Jing; Xiang, Nong; Men, Zongzheng

2018-01-01

The hot spots on the guard limiter of the lower hybrid wave (LHW) antenna in a tokamak were believed to be associated with the energetic electrons produced by the wave-plasma interaction, leading to a sudden increase of impurity influx and even ending with disruption. To investigate the carbon sputtering from the guard limiter of the LHW antenna, the impurity sputtering yield is calculated by coupling the module of Plasma Surface Interaction [Warrier et al., Comput. Phys. Commun. 46, 160 (2004)] with the models for the sheath of plasma containing energetic electron and for the material heat transport. It is found that the presence of a small population of energetic electrons can change significantly the impurity sputtering yield, as a result of the sheath potential modification. For the typical plasma parameters in the current tokamak, with an increase in the energetic electron component, the physical sputtering yield reaches its maximum and then decreases slowly, while the chemical sputtering yield demonstrates a very sharp increase and then decreases rapidly. In addition, effects of the ion temperature and background electron density on the impurity sputtering are also discussed.

Molecular dynamics simulations with electronic stopping can reproduce experimental sputtering yields of metals impacted by large cluster ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Jiting; Zhou, Wei; Feng, Qijie; Zheng, Jian

2018-03-01

An unsolved problem in research of sputtering from metals induced by energetic large cluster ions is that molecular dynamics (MD) simulations often produce sputtering yields much higher than experimental results. Different from the previous simulations considering only elastic atomic interactions (nuclear stopping), here we incorporate inelastic electrons-atoms interactions (electronic stopping, ES) into MD simulations using a friction model. In this way we have simulated continuous 45° impacts of 10-20 keV C60 on a Ag(111) surface, and found that the calculated sputtering yields can be very close to the experimental results when the model parameter is appropriately assigned. Conversely, when we ignore the effect of ES, the yields are much higher, just like the previous studies. We further expand our research to the sputtering of Au induced by continuous keV C60 or Ar100 bombardments, and obtain quite similar results. Our study indicates that the gap between the experimental and the simulated sputtering yields is probably induced by the ignorance of ES in the simulations, and that a careful treatment of this issue is important for simulations of cluster-ion-induced sputtering, especially for those aiming to compare with experiments.

a Reexamination of the Red Band of CuO: Analysis of the [16.5] ^{2}Σ^{-} - X ^{2}Π_{i} Transition of ^{63}CuO and ^{65}CuO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harms, Jack C.; Grames, Ethan M.; Yun, Sirkhoo; Ahmed, Bushra; O'Brien, Leah C.; O'Brien, James J.

2017-06-01

The red band of CuO has been observed at high resolution using Intracavity Laser Spectroscopy (ILS). The red band was rotationally analyzed in 1974 by Appelblad and Lagerqvist and a portion of the band structure was assigned as the spectrum of the [16.5] A ^{2}Σ^{+} - X ^{2}Π_{i} transition. Subsequent analyses of CuO showed that the character of the A state was ^{2}Σ^{-} in character, and thus the Λ-doubling parameter, p, was inverted, and the e/f parity assignments were reversed. In this study, the spectrum of CuO was recorded in the in the regions 16,150 \\wn - 16,270 \\wn and 16,405 \\wn - 16,545 \\wn. The CuO molecules were produced in the plasma discharge of a copper hollow cathode within the cavity of a tunable dye laser, using 0.6 torr of argon as the sputter gas and a trace amount of O_2 as the source of oxygen. The plasma spectra were recorded intermittently with spectra from an external I_2 cell, and line positions from the widely used Iodine Atlas were used for calibration. In uncongested regions of the spectrum, both ^{63}CuO and ^{65}CuO were observed with appreciable intensity. The resulting spectra were rotationally analyzed for both isotopologues, fitting the data as a ^{2}Σ^{-} - ^{2}Π_{i} transition using PGOPHER. Line positions from the millimeter wave and FTIR studies of ^{63}CuO performed in the late 1990s were included in the fit to overcome potential complications due to the ambiguous parity assignments prevalent in the CuO literature. Previously unreported molecular constants were obtained from the fit for ^{65}CuO, and the constants of ^{63}CuO are determined to at least an order of magnitude greater than the results of Appelblad and Lagerqvist. Results of this analysis will be presented.

Space processing applications of ion beam technology. [surface finishing, welding, milling and film deposition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grodzka, P. G.

1977-01-01

Ion thruster engines for spacecraft propulsion can serve as ion beam sources for potential space processing applications. The advantages of space vacuum environments and the possible gravity effects on thruster ion beam materials operations such as thin film growth, ion milling, and surface texturing were investigated. The direct gravity effect on sputter deposition and vapor deposition processes are discussed as well as techniques for cold and warm welding.

Very High Performance Organic Photonic Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-15

example, in photovoltaic cells based on copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) as the donor and 3.4.9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic bis- benzimidazole b (PTCBI) as...perylenetetracarboxylic bis- benzimidazole (PTCBI), the as- mixed D-A layer shows very poor Received: April 25, 2t(X4 grown, homogeneously Final version: September 13, 2(X04...perylenetetracarboxylic bis- benzimidazole thin-film photovoltaic cell with a patterned stripe of sputter- (PTCBI). Purified organic source materialss were loaded into

High Energy Density Polymer Film Capacitors

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-10-01

abandoned when, under vacuum, a noticeable output frequency drift was observed, even when the tube ripple frequency was rejected by integrating over one...only minor circuitry and software changes. The selection of the light source proved more difficult. An earlier attempt to use a florescent tube was...bulb, which of course, led to a frequency drift interpretation by the sensor array (see graph 2). Even if the "self sputtering" behavior had not 14 been

Motor/Generator and Inverter Characterization for Flywheel System Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tamarcus, Jeffries L.

2004-01-01

The Advanced Electrical Systems Development Branch at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been involved in the research and development of high speed flywheels systems for satellite energy storage and attitude applications. These flywheels will serve as replacement for chemical nickel hydrogen, nickel cadmium batteries and gyroscopic wheels. The advantages of using flywheel systems for energy storage on satellites are high energy density, high power density, long life, deep depth of discharge, and broad operating temperature ranges. A flywheel system for space applications consist of a number of flywheel modules, the motor/generator and magnetic bearing, and an electronics package. The motor/generator electronics package includes a pulse-width modulated inverter that drives the flywheel permanent magnet motor/generator located at one end of the shaft. This summer, I worked under the direct supervision of my mentor, Walter Santiago, and the goal for this summer was to characterize motor generator and inverter attributes in order to increase their viability as a more efficient energy storage source for space applications. To achieve this goal, magnetic field measurements around the motor/generator permanent magnet and the impedance of the motor/generator three phase windings were characterized, and a recreation of the inverter pulse width modulated control system was constructed. The Flywheel modules for space use are designed to maximize energy density and minimize loss, and attaining these values will aid in locating and reducing losses within the flywheel system as a whole, making flywheel technology more attractive for use as energy storage in future space applications.

jInv: A Modular and Scalable Framework for Electromagnetic Inverse Problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belliveau, P. T.; Haber, E.

2016-12-01

Inversion is a key tool in the interpretation of geophysical electromagnetic (EM) data. Three-dimensional (3D) EM inversion is very computationally expensive and practical software for inverting large 3D EM surveys must be able to take advantage of high performance computing (HPC) resources. It has traditionally been difficult to achieve those goals in a high level dynamic programming environment that allows rapid development and testing of new algorithms, which is important in a research setting. With those goals in mind, we have developed jInv, a framework for PDE constrained parameter estimation problems. jInv provides optimization and regularization routines, a framework for user defined forward problems, and interfaces to several direct and iterative solvers for sparse linear systems. The forward modeling framework provides finite volume discretizations of differential operators on rectangular tensor product meshes and tetrahedral unstructured meshes that can be used to easily construct forward modeling and sensitivity routines for forward problems described by partial differential equations. jInv is written in the emerging programming language Julia. Julia is a dynamic language targeted at the computational science community with a focus on high performance and native support for parallel programming. We have developed frequency and time-domain EM forward modeling and sensitivity routines for jInv. We will illustrate its capabilities and performance with two synthetic time-domain EM inversion examples. First, in airborne surveys, which use many sources, we achieve distributed memory parallelism by decoupling the forward and inverse meshes and performing forward modeling for each source on small, locally refined meshes. Secondly, we invert grounded source time-domain data from a gradient array style induced polarization survey using a novel time-stepping technique that allows us to compute data from different time-steps in parallel. These examples both show that it is possible to invert large scale 3D time-domain EM datasets within a modular, extensible framework written in a high-level, easy to use programming language.

Characterization of Magnetron Sputtered Copper-Nickel Thin Film and Alloys

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-01

ARL-TR-7783 ● SEP 2016 US Army Research Laboratory Characterization of Magnetron Sputtered Copper-Nickel Thin Films and Alloys...TR-7783 ● SEP 2016 US Army Research Laboratory Characterization of Magnetron Sputtered Copper-Nickel Thin Films and Alloys by Eugene...

Nanoscale growth twins in sputtered metal films

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

Misra, Amit; Anderoglu, Osman; Hoagland, Richard G

2008-01-01

We review recent studies on the mechanical properties of sputtered Cu and 330 stainless steel films with {l_brace}1 1 1{r_brace} nanoscale growth twins preferentially oriented perpendicular to growth direction. The mechanisms of formation of growth twins during sputtering and the deformation mechanisms that enable usually high strengths in nanotwinned structures are highlighted. Growth twins in sputtered films possess good thermal stability at elevated temperature, providing an approach to extend the application of high strength nanostructured metals to higher temperatures.

Characterization of Sputtered Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) Stress and Thermally Actuated Cantilever Bimorphs Based on NiTi Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-11-01

necessary anneal . Following this, a thin film of NiTi was blanket sputtered at 600 °C. This NiTi blanket layer was then wet -etch patterned using a...varying the sputter parameters during NiTi deposition, such as thickness, substrate temperature during deposition and anneal , and argon pressure during...6 Fig. 4 Surface texture comparison between NiTi sputtered at RT, then annealed at 600 °C, and NiTi

Whiskers, cones and pyramids created in sputtering by ion bombardment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wehner, G. K.

1979-01-01

A thorough study of the role which foreign atoms play in cone formation during sputtering of metals revealed many experimental facts. Two types of cone formation were distinquished, deposit cones and seed cones. Twenty-six combinations of metals for seed cone formation were tested. The sputtering yield variations with composition for combinations which form seed cones were measured. It was demonstrated that whisker growth becomes a common occurrence when low melting point material is sputter deposited on a hot nonsputtered high melting point electrode.

Characterization of a Surface-Flashover Ion Source with 10-250 ns Pulse Widths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Falabella, S.; Guethlein, G.; Kerr, P. L.; Meyer, G. A.; Morse, J. D.; Sampayan, S.; Tang, V.

2009-03-01

As a step towards developing an ultra compact D-D neutron source for various defense and homeland security applications, a compact ion source is needed. Towards that end, we are testing a pulsed, surface flashover source, with deuterated titanium films deposited on alumina substrates as the electrodes. An electrochemically-etched mask was used to define the electrode areas on the substrate during the sputtered deposition of the titanium films. Deuterium loading of the films was performed in an all metal-sealed vacuum chamber containing a heated stage. Deuterium ion current from the source was determined by measuring the neutrons produced when the ions impacted a deuterium-loaded target held at -90 kV. As the duration of the arc current is varied, it was observed that the integrated deuteron current per pulse initially increases rapidly, then reaches a maximum near a pulse length of 100 ns.