Transport in silicon-germanium heterostructures

The work presented here describes the electrical characterization of n- and p-type strained silicon- germanium systems. Theories of quantum transport in low magnetic fields at low temperature are discussed in terms of weak-localization: the traditional theory is shown not to account for the dephasing in a 2-dimensional hole gas behaving in a metallic manner and emergent alternative theories, while promising, require refinement. The mobility as a function of sheet density is measured in a p-type pseudomorphic Si0.5Ge0.5 across the temperature range 350 mK–282 K; it is shown that calculations of the mobility based on semi-classical scattering mechanisms fail below 10 K where quantum transport effects become relevant. A room temperature Hall scattering factor has been extracted. A new functional form has been presented to fit the resistivity as a function of temperature, below 20 K: traditional theories of screening and weak localization appear not to be applicable. It is also demonstrated that simple protection circuitry is essential if commercial-scale devices are to be meaningfully investigated. Mobility spectrum analysis is performed on an n-type strained-silicon device. Established analysis methods are discussed and a new method is presented based on the Bryan’s Algorithm approach to maximum entropy. The breakdown of the QHE is also investigated: the critical current density compares well to that predicted by an existing theory. Finally, devices in which both electron and hole gases can be induced are investigated. However, it is shown that the two carrier species never co-exist. Design rules are presented which may allow more successful structures to be created. Results are presented which demonstrate the success and the utility of implanted contacts which selectively reach different regions of the structure

On the equivalence of variational problems. II

summary:Elements of general theory of infinitely prolonged underdetermined systems of ordinary differential equations are outlined and applied to the equivalence of one-dimensional constrained variational integrals. The relevant infinite-dimensional variant of Cartan’s moving frame method expressed in quite elementary terms proves to be surprisingly efficient in solution of particular equivalence problems, however, most of the principal questions of the general theory remains unanswered. New concepts of Poincaré-Cartan form and Euler-Lagrange system without Lagrange multiplies appearing as a mere by-product seem to be of independent interest in connection with the 23rd Hilbert problem

Examples from the calculus of variations. III. Legendre and Jacobi conditions

summary:We will deal with a new geometrical interpretation of the classical Legendre and Jacobi conditions: they are represented by the rate and the magnitude of rotation of certain linear subspaces of the tangent space around the tangents to the extremals. (The linear subspaces can be replaced by conical subsets of the tangent space.) This interpretation can be carried over to nondegenerate Lagrange problems but applies also to the degenerate variational integrals mentioned in the preceding Part II

Hi-fi phenomenological description of eclipsing binary light variations as the basis for their period analysis

In-depth analysis of eclipsing binary (EB) observational data collected for several decades can inform us about a lot of astrophysically interesting processes taking place in the systems. We have developed a wide-ranging method for the phenomenological modelling of eclipsing binary phase curves that enables us to combine even very disparate sources of phase information. This approach is appropriate for the processing of both standard photometric series of eclipses and data from photometric surveys of all kind. We conclude that mid-eclipse times, determined using the latest version of our 'hi-fi' phenomenological light curve models, as well as their accuracy, are nearly the same as the values obtained using much more complex standard physical EB models.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, EAS - Proceedings of the conference: Setting a new standard in the analysis of binary stars, 16 to 19 September 2013, Leuven, Belgiu

1.55 μm direct bandgap electroluminescence from strained n-Ge quantum wells grown on Si substrates

Electroluminescence from strained n-Ge quantum well light emitting diodes grown on a silicon substrate are demonstrated at room temperature. Electroluminescence characterisation demonstrates two peaks around 1.55 μm and 1.8 μm, which correspond to recombination between the direct and indirect transitions, respectively. The emission wavelength can be tuned by around 4% through changing the current density through the device. The devices have potential applications in the fields of optical interconnects, gas sensing, and healthcare

Iodine-125 radiolabeling of silver nanoparticles for in vivo SPECT imaging

Silver nanoparticles are increasingly finding applications in medicine; however, little is known about their in vivo tissue distribution. Here, we have developed a rapid method for radiolabeling of silver nanoparticles with iodine-125 in order to track in vivo tissue uptake of silver nanoparticles after systemic administration by biodistribution analysis and single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) imaging. Poly(N-vinyl-2 -pyrrolidone)-capped silver nanoparticles with an average size of 12 nm were labeled by chemisorption of iodine-125 with a > 80% yield of radiolabeling efficiency. Radiolabeled silver nanoparticles were intravenously injected in Balb/c mice, and the in vivo distribution pattern of these nanoparticles was evaluated by noninvasive whole-body SPECT imaging, which revealed uptake of the nanoparticles in the liver and spleen. Biodistribution analysis confirmed predominant accumulation of the silver nanoparticles in the spleen (41.5%ID/g) and liver (24.5%ID/g) at 24 h. Extensive uptake in the tissues of the reticuloendothelial system suggests that further investigation of silver nanoparticle interaction with hepatic and splenic tissues at the cellular level is critical for evaluation of the in vivo effects and potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles. This method enables rapid iodine-125 radiolabeling of silver nanoparticles with a specific activity sufficient for in vivo imaging and biodistribution analysis

Transient jets in the symbiotic prototype Z Andromedae

We present development of the collimated bipolar jets from the symbiotic prototype Z And that appeared and disappeared during its 2006 outburst. In 2006 July Z And reached its historical maximum at U ~ 8.0. During this period, rapid photometric variations with Dm ~ 0.06 mag on the timescale of hours developed. Simultaneously, high-velocity satellite components appeared on both sides of the H-alpha and H-beta emission line profiles. They were launched asymmetrically with the red/blue velocity ratio of 1.2 - 1.3. From about mid-August they became symmetric. Their spectral properties indicated ejection of bipolar jets collimated within an average opening angle of 6.1 degrees. We estimated average outflow rate via jets to dM(jet)/dt ~ 2xE10-6(R(jet)/1AU)**(1/2) M(Sun)/year, during their August - September maximum, which corresponds to the emitting mass in jets, M(jet, emitting) ~ 6xE-10(Rjet)/1AU)^{3/2} M(Sun). During their lifetime, the jets released the total mass of M(jet, total) approx 7.4x1E-7 M(Sun). Evolution in the rapid photometric variability and asymmetric ejection of jets around the optical maximum can be explained by a disruption of the inner parts of the disk caused by radiation-induced warping of the disk.Comment: 31 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables, accepted for Ap