Novel TCAD oriented definition of the off-state breakdown voltage in Schottky-gate FETs: a 4H SiC MESFET case study

Physics-based breakdown voltage optimization in Schottky-barrier power RF and microwave field-effect transistors as well as in high-speed power-switching diodes is today an important topic in technology computer-aided design (TCAD). OFF-state breakdown threshold criteria based on the magnitude of the Schottky-barrier leakage current can be directly applied to TCAD; however, the results obtained are not accurate due to the large uncertainty in the Schottky-barrier parameters and models arising above all in advanced wide-gap semiconductors and to the need of performing high-temperature simulations to improve the numerical convergence of the model. In this paper, we suggest a novel OFF-state breakdown criterion, based on monitoring the magnitude (at the drain edge of the gate) of the electric field component parallel to the current density. The new condition is shown to be consistent with more conventional definitions and to exhibit a significantly reduced sensitivity with respect to physical parameter variation

Dynamic, self consistent electro-thermal simulation of power microwave devices including the effect of surface metallizations

We present an efficient simulation technique to account for the thermal spreading effects of surface metallizations in the self-consistent dynamic electro-thermal analysis of power microwave devices. Electro-thermal self-consistency is achieved by solving the coupled nonlinear system made of a temperature dependent device electrical model, and of an approximate description of the device thermal behavior through a thermal impedance matrix. The numerical solution is pursued in the frequency domain by the Harmonic Balance technique. The approach is applied to the thermal stability analysis of power AlGaAs/GaAs HBTs and the results show that metallizations have a significant impact on the occurrence of the device thermal collapse

Effects of Force Level and Hand Dominance on Bilateral Transfer of a Fine Motor Skill

Our research is about bilateral transfer, a concept in motor learning where skills learned by one limb are "transferred", allowing the opposite limb to benefit from what was learned by the first limb. Previous research into bilateral transfer has raised questions about whether specific aspects of motor coordination are or are not transferred. We wanted to see whether learning to control pinch force by the thumb and index finger is transferable, and if it is, whether the learning transfers equally from either hand. We also want to look into the effects of different force levels on the degree of transfer. We designed a task using a program that takes force levels as inputs and has the participant trace shapes on a screen. By having participants perform with one hand, then practice with the other, and finally perform again with the initial hand, we can measure transfer as the difference in performance before and after practice with the other hand.Kinesiology and Health Educatio

Generalized Symmetrical 3 dB Power Dividers with Complex Termination Impedances

The paper introduces a class of two-way, 3 dB narrowband power dividers (combiners), closed on complex termination impedances, that generalizes a number of topologies presented during past years as extensions of the traditional Wilkinson design. Adopting even-odd mode analysis, we demonstrate that, under very broad assumptions, any axially symmetric reactive 3-port can be designed to operate as a 3 dB two-way power divider, by connecting a properly designed isolation impedance across two symmetrically but arbitrarily located additional ports. We show that this isolation element can be evaluated by a single input impedance or admittance CAD simulation or measurement; moreover, an explicit expression is given for the isolation impedance. The theory is shown to lead to the same design as for already presented generalizations of the Wilkinson divider; further validation is provided through both simulated and experimental case studies, and an application of the theory to the design of broadband or multi-band couplers is suggested

Effects of dislocation density on injection and temperature sensitivity of InGaN LED emission spectra: a combined experimental and simulation approach

The aim of this paper is to describe a combined simulation and characterization activity carried out on blue LEDs grown on templates with different threading dislocation densities (TDDs)

Analysis and Design of Plasmonic-Organic Hybrid Electro-Optic Modulators Based on Directional Couplers

We present a detailed simulation study on plasmonic-organic hybrid electro-optic modulators based on coupled symmetric or asymmetric plasmonic slots. An electro-optic polymer is exploited as an active material, and the device is compatible with a silicon photonics platform. The proposed device operates at 1550 nm wavelength, typical of data center or long-haul telecommunication systems. The device performance in terms of area, plasmonic losses, optical bandwidth, intrinsic modulation bandwidth and energy dissipation are comparable to already proposed Mach-Zehnder solutions, but with potentially better extinction ratio, coupling losses due to photonic-plasmonic transitions, and flexibility in exploiting, without any performance penalty, asymmetric slots to shift the ON and OFF states bias. Finally, the bias dependence of the modulation chirp is investigated, comparing through and cross-coupling configurations