Unsupervised vector-based classification of single-molecule charge transport data

The stochastic nature of single-molecule charge transport measurements requires collection of large data sets to capture the full complexity of a molecular system. Data analysis is then guided by certain expectations, for example, a plateau feature in the tunnelling current distance trace, and the molecular conductance extracted from suitable histogram analysis. However, differences in molecular conformation or electrode contact geometry, the number of molecules in the junction or dynamic effects may lead to very different molecular signatures. Since their manifestation is a priori unknown, an unsupervised classification algorithm, making no prior assumptions regarding the data is clearly desirable. Here we present such an approach based on multivariate pattern analysis and apply it to simulated and experimental single-molecule charge transport data. We demonstrate how different event shapes are clearly separated using this algorithm and how statistics about different event classes can be extracted, when conventional methods of analysis fail

Light emission, light detection and strain sensing with nanocrystalline graphene

Graphene is of increasing interest for optoelectronic applications exploiting light detection, light emission and light modulation. Intrinsically light matter interaction in graphene is of a broadband type. However by integrating graphene into optical micro cavities also narrow band light emitters and detectors have been demonstrated. The devices benefit from the transparency, conductivity and processability of the atomically thin material. To this end we explore in this work the feasibility of replacing graphene by nanocrystalline graphene, a material which can be grown on dielectric surfaces without catalyst by graphitization of polymeric films. We have studied the formation of nanocrystalline graphene on various substrates and under different graphitization conditions. The samples were characterized by resistance, optical transmission, Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy measurements. The conducting and transparent wafer-scale material with nanometer grain size was also patterned and integrated into devices for studying light-matter interaction. The measurements show that nanocrystalline graphene can be exploited as an incandescent emitter and bolometric detector similar to crystalline graphene. Moreover the material exhibits piezoresistive behavior which makes nanocrystalline graphene interesting for transparent strain sensors

Lasing mechanisms in organic photonic crystal lasers with two-dimensional distributed feedback

We present a detailed experimental and theoretical investigation of the lasing characteristics of organic photonic crystal lasers. These lasers are based on strongly modulated two-dimensional polymer surface relief structures on which thin films of optically active organic materials have been deposited. We determine the in-plane photonic band structure of the corresponding quasiguided modes within an effective two-dimensional model. In addition, we calculate the total (three-dimensional) losses associated with these modes. This allows us to identify the lasing thresholds for square lattice geometries and to understand the emission pattern

Ground State Energy of the One-Component Charged Bose Gas

The model considered here is the `jellium' model in which there is a uniform, fixed background with charge density $-e\rho$ in a large volume $V$ and in which $N=\rho V$ particles of electric charge $+e$ and mass $m$ move --- the whole system being neutral. In 1961 Foldy used Bogolubov's 1947 method to investigate the ground state energy of this system for bosonic particles in the large $\rho$ limit. He found that the energy per particle is $-0.402 r_s^{-3/4} {me^4}/{\hbar^2}$ in this limit, where $r_s=(3/4\pi \rho)^{1/3}e^2m/\hbar^2$. Here we prove that this formula is correct, thereby validating, for the first time, at least one aspect of Bogolubov's pairing theory of the Bose gasComment: 38 pages latex. Typos corrected.Lemma 6.2 change

The effect of the implementation of ultrasound in enzyme separation

Enzymes are biological catalysts that generally are designed to do one job well, but to do one job only. Therefore, the enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of cellulose to sugar do not break down the sugars. Enzymatic hydrolysis processes have been under development for only 10 years. The important research issues include understanding the processes necessary to render the crystalline cellulose easily digestible, understanding and improving the basic mechanisms in the hydrolysis step, and developing better and less expensive enzymes. The other way to make a process less expensive may be the recycling of enzymes. The essential unit operation in the bioethanol production is the cellulose enzymatic degradation, so the question of recycling is very important. In our work the sonication assisted ultrafiltration was investigated as a potential method for enzyme recycling. The results showed the ultrasound effects the permeate flux since the resistance is reduced by the sonication. The sonicated enzyme keeps its activity so the recycling mechanism might be used for bioethanol production

Laser velocimeter measurements of two-bladed helicopter rotor flow fields

Data from a wind tunnel investigation of the flow fields around helicopter rotors were presented. A two component laser velocimeter was used to measure the velocity fields of two 2.1 m diameter rotors. A minicomputer-based online data system is described which monitored, reduced, and plotted the results. Tip vortices constitute the primary disturbances in the flow field, but present theories do not predict vortex positions and velocity distributions with sufficient accuracy

Multi-qubit gate with trapped ions for microwave and laser-based implementation

A proposal for a phase gate and a Mølmer–Sørensen gate in the dressed state basis is presented. In order to perform the multi-qubit interaction, a strong magnetic field gradient is required to couple the phonon-bus to the qubit states. The gate is performed using resonant microwave driving fields together with either a radio-frequency (RF) driving field, or additional detuned microwave driving fields. The gate is robust to ambient magnetic field fluctuations due to an applied resonant microwave driving field. Furthermore, the gate is robust to fluctuations in the microwave Rabi frequency and is decoupled from phonon dephasing due to a resonant RF or a detuned microwave driving field. This makes this new gate an attractive candidate for the implementation of high-fidelity microwave based multi-qubit gates. The proposal can also be realized in laser-based set-ups

Ink Formulation for Printed Organic Electronics: Investigating Effects of Aggregation on Structure and Rheology of Functional Inks Based on Conjugated Polymers in Mixed Solvents

The utilization of solution‐processable organic semiconducting (OSC) polymers and the development of industrial‐relevant printing techniques enable cost‐efficient fabrication of optoelectronic devices for the mass market. Yet, the adaptation of viscoelastic properties of a functional ink to the respective printing technology is challenging. One crucial parameter is the formulation of the ink, which can be adjusted by selecting the combination of solvents that are mixed with the OSC. The current study considers model functional inks composed of a poly‐phenylene‐vinylene‐based OSC and two solvents, empirically known to be good. Their quality is quantified using the Hansen solubility parameters. The influence of the composition of the solvent mixture on structural, dynamical, and rheological behavior of the ink is investigated with light scattering, viscometry, and rheometry. Although both solvents are considered good, polymer aggregation is found at all compositions. Aggregation depends on composition in a nontrivial way. For dilute and semi‐dilute inks, the effects of aggregates on the ink viscosity are hidden by the difference in viscosities of the neat solvents. For elevated concentrations, the aggregates produce a hysteresis in the shear‐dependent viscosity, which should be considered when developing a functional ink for a particular printing technique