Waveguiding and crystallographic properties of single crystal Ti:sapphire layers produced by pulsed laser deposition

Layers of Ti:Sapphire were deposited over a range 1300K-1700K, with thicknesses between 1-82 microns on sapphire substrates. These were crystalline over the entire range. Waveguiding was observed without any additional co-dopants

Computer Analysis of User Interfaces Based on Repetition in Transcripts of User Sessions

It is generally acknowledged that the production of quality user interfaces requires a thorough understanding of the user and that this involves evaluating the interface by observing the user working with the system, or by performing human factors experiments. Such methods traditionally involve the use of video tape, protocol analysis, critical incident analysis, etc. These methods require time consuming analyses and may be invasive. In addition, the data obtained through such methods represent a relatively small portion of the use of a system. An alternative approach is to record all user input and systems output, i.e., log the user session. Such transcripts can be collected automatically and non-invasively over a long period of time. Unfortunately, this produces voluminous amounts of data. There is, therefore, a need for tools and techniques that allow an evaluator to identify potential performance and usability problems from such data. It is hypothesized that repetition of user actions is an important indicator of potential user interface problems

Garnet crystal growth by femtosecond pulsed laser deposition

We have demonstrated heteroepitaxial growth of Nd:Gd (YAG) by femtosecond pulsed laser deposition (PLD). A Ti:sapphire laser was used at a wavelength of 800 nm and pulse length of 130 fs, operating at a repetition rate of 1 kHz. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that epitaxial growth has occurred (figure 1). The effects of various growth conditions have been investigated including fluence, spot-size, target-substrate distance and substrate temperature. The effect of these conditions on crystallinity and optimum conditions will be discussed. An investigation of the plume characteristics using the Langmuir probe technique has revealed that plasmas produced by femtosecond ablation have ions with considerably higher velocities, ~ seven times faster than for nanosecond PLD of the same target material. In our study of growth parameters, we have found that higher ambient gas pressures are required to moderate the ion velocities in the femtosecond-ablated plume to achieve velocities more closely related to the optimum nanosecond conditions. Atomic force microscopy reveals that even at the optimum conditions films suffer from comparatively high surface roughness, with RMS roughness values of 60-70 nm. This level of roughness for films grown by femtosecond PLD could be explained by the presence of highly energetic species formed during femtosecond ablation, which generate defects and thus disturb the smooth growth of crystallites that takes place under the comparatively more controlled nanosecond regime. In this talk, we will discuss the effect on thin film growth of all parameters varied, and conclude that the window for optimum growth is far narrower than for nanosecond growth

The development of a user-centred design process A case study in multi-disciplinary research

Inaugural lectureSIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:q94/10858 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Towards a methodology for the design of multimedia public access interfaces

Interface design is particularly important in public access systems, since the quality of the interface will influence the effectiveness with which the public can gather information and conduct transactions. It is also particularly challenging. This paper examines some of the information systems methodologies that have a contribution to make in the design of interfaces for public access systems. On the basis of this examination, some of the features of methodologies that can support the design of public access systems are identified. After an initial exploration of the systems life-cycle, which identifies the key stages in any methodology, the paper proceeds to examine the nature and role of information systems methodologies. A variety of user-centred methodologies are described, including soft systems methodologies, cooperative and participative methodologies, and task-oriented approaches to design. An object-oriented methodology is introduced as a preliminary to the consideration of methodologies for multimedia graphical user interfaces. Comparisons between the stages in some of these methodologies yield an identification of key features for methodologies in the development of public access systems. Such methodologies must accommodate: (i) the creation and structuring of conceptual content and (ii) the interface with the marketplace, in addition to the technical and behavioural considerations that feature in the more established user-centred methodologies

A comparative study of gadolinium gallium garnet growth by femtosecond and nanosecond pulsed laser deposition

The growth of epitaxial Nd:Gd (YAG) by femtosecond pulsed laser deposition is reported. We have used a Ti:sapphire laser at a wavelength of 800 nm and pulse length of 130 fs, operating at a repetition rate of 1 kHz. The film properties have been studied systematically as a function of the deposition parameters of laser fluence, spot-size, oxygen pressure, target-substrate distance and temperature. Scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffractometry were used to characterise the surface structure and crystallinity of the films. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that epitaxial growth has occurred. A comparison between the ion velocities produced by nanosecond and femtosecond laser ablation of the GGG target material has been investigated by the Langmuir probe technique. The results indicate a large difference in the plasma characteristics between femtosecond and nanosecond ablation, with ion velocities up to eight times faster observed in the femtosecond case

Recommendations For Gesture-based Residential Interactive Systems Inspired By Diversity

Gestural interaction is becoming an important mode of interaction with residential systems, be it with or without using physical artifacts such as remote controls or cell phones. When constructing respective gestural vocabularies social implications need to be considered. The importance of the residential environment to users and the heterogeneity of user profiles make the theme diversity an important concern in the development of these applications. Therefore, the main goal of this paper is to describe the recommendations for diversity that support the inclusive design of residential interactive systems based on gestures. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.8513 LNCSPART 1337345Bardzell, S., Churchill, E., Bardzell, J., Forlizzi, J., Grinter, R., Tatar, D., Feminism and Interaction Design (2011) CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1-4. , ACMChi, E.H., The False Dichotomy Between Accessibility and Usability (2013) 10th International Cross-Disciplinary Conference on Web Accessibility, pp. 1-2. , ACMDe Carvalho Correia, A.C., De Miranda, L.C., Hornung, H., Gesture-Based Interaction in Domotic Environments: State of the Art and HCI Framework Inspired by the Diversity (2013) LNCS, 8118, pp. 300-317. , Kotzé, P., Marsden, G., Lindgaard, G., Wesson, J., Winckler, M. (eds.) INTERACT 2013, Part II. Springer, HeidelbergDovey, K., Home and Homeless (1985) Home Environments, pp. 36-61. , Plenum PressEason, K.D., Towards the Experimental Study of Usability (1984) Behaviour and Information Technology, 3, pp. 133-143Gabbard, J.L., (1997) A Taxonomy of Usability Characteristics for Virtual Environments, , Masters Thesis, Virginia TechGandy, M., Starner, T., Auxier, J., Ashbrook, D., The Gesture Pendant: A Self-Illuminating, Wearable, Infrared Computer Vision System for Home Automation Control and Medical Monitoring (2000) 4th IEEE International Symposium on Wearable Computers, pp. 1-8. , IEEEGuidelines for Design of Smart Homes, , http://www.johngilltech.com/guidelines/guidelines_list.htmErgonomics Requirements for Office Work with Visual Display Terminals (VDTs) (1998) Part 11: Guidance on Usability, , ISO 9241(2006) Ergonomics of Human-System Interaction - Part 110: Dialogue Principles, , ISO/IEC 9241Karam, M., Schraefel, M.C., (2005) A Taxonomy of Gestures in Human Computer Interactions, , Technical Report ECSTR-IAM05-009, University of SouthamptonKita, S., Cross-Cultural Variation of Speech-Accompanying Gesture: A Review (2009) Language and Cognitive Processes, 24, pp. 145-167Kleindienst, J., Macek, T., Serédi, L., Šedivý, J., Vision-Enhanced Multi-Modal Interactions in Domotic Environments (2004) 8th ERCIM Workshop "User Interfaces for All", pp. 1-8Madan, A., Dubey, S.K., Usability Evaluation Methods: A Literature Review (2012) International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, 4, pp. 590-599Mosqueira-Rey, E., Alonso-Ríos, D., Moret-Bonillo, V., Usability Taxonomy and Context-of-Use Taxonomy for Usability Analysis (2009) IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, pp. 812-817. , IEEENielsen, J., Loranger, H., (2006) Prioritizing Web Usability, , New Riders PressNielsen, J., (1993) Usability Engineering, , Academic PressNielsen, M., Storring, M., Moeslund, T.B., Granum, E., A Procedure for Developing Intuitive and Ergonomic Gesture Interfaces for HCI (2004) LECTURE NOTES IN COMPUTER SCIENCE, (2915), pp. 409-420. , Gesture-Based Communication in Human-Computer InteractionNorman, D.A., Nielsen, J., Gestural Interfaces: A Step Backward in Usability (2010) Interactions, 17, pp. 46-49Rahman, A.S.M.M., Saboune, J., Saddik, A.E., Motion-Path based in Car Gesture Control of the Multimedia Devices (2011) 1st ACM International Symposium on Design and Analysis of Intelligent Vehicular Networks and Applications, pp. 69-76. , ACMRode, J.A., A Theoretical Agenda for Feminist HCI (2011) Interacting with Computer, 23, pp. 393-400Saizmaa, T., Kim, H.C.C., A Holistic Understanding of HCI Perspectives on Smart Home (2008) 4th International Conference on Networked Computing and Advanced Information Management, pp. 59-65. , IEEEShackel, B., Usability-Context, Framework, Definition, Design and Evaluation (2011) Human Factors for Informatics Usability, pp. 21-38. , Shackel, B., Richardson, S. (eds.) Cambridge University PressSmart Home Guidelines, , http://www.tiresias.org/research/guidelines/smart_home.htmWahlster, W., Reithinger, N., Blocher, A., SmartKom: Multimodal Communication with a Life-Like Character (2001) 7th European Conference on Speech Communication and Technology, pp. 1547-1550Web Content Acessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, , http://www.w3c.org/TR/WCAG20Wilson, A., Shafer, S., XWand: UI for Intelligent Spaces (2003) SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 545-552. , AC