49,925 research outputs found
Ballistic electron emission microscopy spectroscopy study of AlSb and InAs/AlSb superlattice barriers
Due to its large band gap, AlSb is often used as a barrier in antimonide heterostructure devices. However, its transport characteristics are not totally clear. We have employed ballistic electron emission microscopy (BEEM) to directly probe AlSb barriers as well as more complicated structures such as selectively doped n-type InAs/AlSb superlattices. The aforementioned structures were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on GaSb substrates. A 100 Ã… InAs or 50 Ã… GaSb capping layer was used to prevent surface oxidation from ex situ processing. Different substrate and capping layer combinations were explored to suppress background current and maximize transport of BEEM current. The samples were finished with a sputter deposited 100 Ã… metal layer so that the final BEEM structure was of the form of a metal/capping layer/semiconductor. Of note is that we have found that hole current contributed significantly to BEEM noise due to type II band alignment in the antimonide system. BEEM data revealed that the electron barrier height of Al/AlSb centered around 1.17 eV, which was attributed to transport through the conduction band minimum near the AlSb X point. Variation in the BEEM threshold indicated unevenness at the Al/AlSb interface. The metal on semiconductor barrier height was too low for the superlattice to allow consistent probing by BEEM spectroscopy. However, the superlattice BEEM signal was elevated above the background noise after repeated stressing of the metal surface. A BEEM threshold of 0.8 eV was observed for the Au/24 Ã… period superlattice system after the stress treatment
Design of a smart turning tool with application to in-process cutting force measurement in ultraprecision and micro cutting
In modern micromachining, there is a need to measure and monitor certain machining process parameters in process so as to detect tool wear in real time, to optimize the process parameters setup, and to render the machining process some level of smartness and intelligence. This paper presents the innovative design of a smart turning tool using two pieces of piezoelectric films to measure cutting and feed force in real time. The tool was tested on its performance through the calibration and cutting trials against the commercial dynamometer. The results show the smart turning tool has achieved the performance as designed
Effect of cylindrical geometry on the wet thermal oxidation of AlAs
We have investigated the wet thermal oxidation of AlAs in cylindrical geometry, a typical configuration for vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers. Through both experiment and theoretical calculations, we demonstrate a significantly different time dependence for circular mesas from what has been reported in the literature both in studies of stripes and in a study of circular mesas. We attribute this different time dependence to the effect of geometry on the oxidation
Strain in wet thermally oxidized square and circular mesas
In this paper, we report the observation, through optical microscopy, of drumhead-like patterns in square and circular mesas which have been wet thermally oxidized to completion. Micro-Raman spectroscopy measurements are used to show that these patterns roughly correspond to variations in strain induced in surrounding semiconductor layers by the oxidation process. In addition, the patterns have a specific orientation with respect to the crystallographic axes of the semiconductor. A crystallographic dependence of the oxidation process itself is demonstrated and used to explain the orientation of the drumhead patterns
Tunnel switch diode based on AlSb/GaSb heterojunctions
We report on tunnel switch diodes based on AlSb barriers and GaSb p–n junctions grown by molecular beam epitaxy. These were the devices with thyristor like switching in the GaSb/AlSb system. The characteristic "S" shaped current–voltage curve was found to occur for structures with AlSb barriers less than 300 Å thick. The switching voltage and current density exhibited less sensitivity to barrier and epilayer thickness than was predicted by the punch-through model. The results were correlated with drift diffusion simulations which have been modified to account for the presence of a tunneling contact
Mapping of AlxGa1–xAs band edges by ballistic electron emission spectroscopy
We have employed ballistic electron emission microscopy (BEEM) to study the energy positions in the conduction band of AlxGa1 – xAs. Epilayers of undoped AlxGa1 – xAs were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on conductive GaAs substrates. The Al composition x took on values of 0, 0.11, 0.19, 0.25, 0.50, 0.80 and 1 so that the material was examined in both the direct and indirect band gap regime. The AlxGa1 – xAs layer thickness was varied from 100 to 500 Å to ensure probing of bulk energy levels. Different capping layers and surface treatments were explored to prevent surface oxidation and examine Fermi level pinning at the cap layer/AlxGa1 – xAs interface. All samples were metallized ex situ with a 100 Å Au layer so that the final BEEM structure is of the form Au/capping layer/AlxGa1 – xAs/bulk GaAs. Notably we have measured the Schottky barrier height for Au on AlxGa1 – xAs. We have also probed the higher lying band edges such as the X point at low Al concentrations and the L point at high Al concentrations. Variations of these critical energy positions with Al composition x were mapped out in detail and compared with findings from other studies. Local variations of these energy positions were also examined and found to be on the order of 30–50 meV. The results of this study suggest that BEEM can provide accurate positions for multiple energy levels in a single semiconductor structure
Chinese and North American Culture: a New Perspective in Linguistics Studies
We explored the two cultures in the two countries. There has been discussed on Chinese culture and North American culture. Chinese language, ceramics, architecture, music, dance, literature, martial arts, cuisine, visual arts, philosophy, business etiquette, religion, politics, and history have global influence, while its traditions and festivals are also celebrated, instilled, and practiced by people around the world. The culture of North America refers to the arts and other manifestations of human activities and achievements from the continent of North America. The American way of life or simply the American way is the unique lifestyle of the people of the United States of America. It refers to a nationalist ethos that adheres to the principle of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
- …