1,596 research outputs found
Ion Behavior and Gas Mixing in electron cyclotron resonance plasmas as sources of highly charged ions (concept
Physical Study by Surface Characterizations of Sarin Sensor on the Basis of Chemically Functionalized Silicon Nanoribbon Field Effect Transistor
Surface characterizations of an organophosphorus (OP) gas detector based on
chemically functionalized silicon nanoribbon field-effect transistor (SiNR-FET)
were performed by Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) and ToF-SIMS, and
correlated with changes in the current-voltage characteristics of the devices.
KPFM measurements on FETs allow (i) to investigate the contact potential
difference (CPD) distribution of the polarized device as function of the gate
voltage and the exposure to OP traces and, (ii) to analyze the CPD hysteresis
associated to the presence of mobile ions on the surface. The CPD measured by
KPFM on the silicon nanoribbon was corrected due to side capacitance effects in
order to determine the real quantitative surface potential. Comparison with
macroscopic Kelvin probe (KP) experiments on larger surfaces was carried out.
These two approaches were quantitatively consistent. An important increase of
the CPD values (between + 399 mV and + 302 mV) was observed after the OP sensor
grafting, corresponding to a decrease of the work function, and a weaker
variation after exposure to OP (between - 14 mV and - 61 mV) was measured.
Molecular imaging by ToF-SIMS revealed OP presence after SiNR-FET exposure. The
OP molecules were essentially localized on the Si-NR confirming effectiveness
and selectivity of the OP sensor. A prototype was exposed to Sarin vapors and
succeeded in the detection of low vapor concentrations (40 ppm).Comment: Paper and supporting information, J. Phys. Chem. C, 201
Ambipolar charge injection and transport in a single pentacene monolayer island
Electrons and holes are locally injected in a single pentacene monolayer
island. The two-dimensional distribution and concentration of the injected
carriers are measured by electrical force microscopy. In crystalline monolayer
islands, both carriers are delocalized over the whole island. On disordered
monolayer, carriers stay localized at their injection point. These results
provide insight into the electronic properties, at the nanometer scale, of
organic monolayers governing performances of organic transistors and molecular
devices.Comment: To be published in Nano Letter
Experimental Verification of 3D Plasmonic Cloaking in Free-Space
We report the experimental verification of metamaterial cloaking for a 3D
object in free space. We apply the plasmonic cloaking technique, based on
scattering cancellation, to suppress microwave scattering from a finite-length
dielectric cylinder. We verify that scattering suppression is obtained all
around the object in the near- and far-field and for different incidence
angles, validating our measurements with analytical results and full-wave
simulations. Our near-field and far-field measurements confirm that realistic
and robust plasmonic metamaterial cloaks may be realized for elongated 3D
objects with moderate transverse cross-section at microwave frequencies.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, published in NJ
Superconducting spin filter
Consider two normal leads coupled to a superconductor; the first lead is
biased while the second one and the superconductor are grounded. In general, a
finite current is induced in the grounded lead 2; its magnitude
depends on the competition between processes of Andreev and normal
quasiparticle transmission from the lead 1 to the lead 2. It is known that in
the tunneling limit, when normal leads are weakly coupled to the
superconductor, , if and the system is in the
clean limit. In other words, Andreev and normal tunneling processes compensate
each-other. We consider the general case: the voltages are below the gap, the
system is either dirty or clean. It is shown that for general
configuration of the normal leads; if the first lead injects spin polarized
current then , but spin current in the lead-2 is finite. XISIN
structure, where X is a source of the spin polarized current could be applied
as a filter separating spin current from charge current. We do an analytical
progress calculating .Comment: 5 pages, references adde
Colour and Odour Drive Fruit Selection and Seed Dispersal by Mouse Lemurs
Animals and fruiting plants are involved in a complex set of interactions, with animals relying on fruiting trees as food resources, and fruiting trees relying on animals for seed dispersal. This interdependence shapes fruit signals such as colour and odour, to increase fruit detectability, and animal sensory systems, such as colour vision and olfaction to facilitate food identification and selection. Despite the ecological and evolutionary importance of plant-animal interactions for shaping animal sensory adaptations and plant characteristics, the details of the relationship are poorly understood. Here we examine the role of fruit chromaticity, luminance and odour on seed dispersal by mouse lemurs. We show that both fruit colour and odour significantly predict fruit consumption and seed dispersal by Microcebus ravelobensis and M. murinus. Our study is the first to quantify and examine the role of bimodal fruit signals on seed dispersal in light of the sensory abilities of the disperser
Embedded Sensors and Controls to Improve Component Performance and Reliability Conceptual Design Report
The objective of this project is to demonstrate improved reliability and increased performance made possible by deeply embedding instrumentation and controls (I&C) in nuclear power plant (NPP) components and systems. The project is employing a highly instrumented canned rotor, magnetic bearing, fluoride salt pump as its I&C technology demonstration platform. I&C is intimately part of the basic millisecond-by-millisecond functioning of the system; treating I&C as an integral part of the system design is innovative and will allow significant improvement in capabilities and performance. As systems become more complex and greater performance is required, traditional I&C design techniques become inadequate and more advanced I&C needs to be applied. New I&C techniques enable optimal and reliable performance and tolerance of noise and uncertainties in the system rather than merely monitoring quasistable performance. Traditionally, I&C has been incorporated in NPP components after the design is nearly complete; adequate performance was obtained through over-design. By incorporating I&C at the beginning of the design phase, the control system can provide superior performance and reliability and enable designs that are otherwise impossible. This report describes the progress and status of the project and provides a conceptual design overview for the platform to demonstrate the performance and reliability improvements enabled by advanced embedded I&C
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