IGBT chip current imaging system by scanning local magnetic field

An IGBT / power diode current distribution imaging system was demonstrated. This system can capture current redistribution or oscillation inside or among chips on a DBC-level sub-module. It can perform failure analysis of power semiconductors by detecting problems such as nonuniform current distribution between bonding wires. The system scans the chip’s shape using a laser sensor and then records the local magnetic field near the bonding wire using a 4-axis robot coil sensor. The coil sensor has two pair of Cu patterned spiral coils symmetrically arranged on both sides of a 60-μm-thick polyimide film. The system enables the analysis of destructive current concentrations of the entire chip, among chips or a part of the chip under high current or high voltage switching conditions, without making any changes or disassembling the chip connections.24th European Symposium on Reliability of Electron Devices, Failure Physics and Analysis. Schedule, September 30-October 4, 2013, Venue, Arcachon, Franc

Low-energy quadrupole collectivity of Sn nuclei in self-consistent calculations with semi-realistic interaction

Quadrupole collectivity of the lowest-lying states, focusing on $E_x(2^+_1)$ and $B(E2;0^+_1\to 2^+_1)$, have been investigated for the $N=50-82$ Sn nuclei by applying the self-consistent approaches with the semi-realistic interaction M3Y-P6. Both $E_x(2^+_1)$ and $B(E2;0^+_1\to 2^+_1)$ are well reproduced by the spherical Hartree-Fock-Bogolyubov (HFB) plus quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA) calculations in $N\geq 64$, without adjustable parameters. The measured $B(E2)$ values in the neutron-deficient Sn nuclei cast a puzzle. In $54\leq N\leq 62$, the spherical HFB\,+\,QRPA calculations give too strong $B(E2)$, opposite to the shell-model predictions within the one major shell. Via the constrained-HFB (CHFB) calculations, it is found that the neutron-deficient Sn nuclei are soft against the quadrupole deformation, accounting for the limited applicability of the HFB\,+\,QRPA approach. In particular, the potential energy curves (PECs) are almost flat in the range of $|q_0|\lesssim 200\,\mathrm{fm}^2$ in $^{106-110}$Sn. We confirm that the near degeneracy of $n0g_{7/2}$ and $n1d_{5/2}$ triggers weak quadrupole deformation and its balance with the pairing makes PECs flat, which is qualitatively consistent with a recent shell model result in an extended model space, by the calculations shifting the single-particle energy spacing and the pairing strength. These conclusions are supported by the proton-to-neutron ratios of the transition matrix elements and the reference values of $B(E2)$ with the angular-momentum projection on top of the CHFB solutions

VLSI architectures for computing multiplications and inverses in GF(2-m)

Finite field arithmetic logic is central in the implementation of Reed-Solomon coders and in some cryptographic algorithms. There is a need for good multiplication and inversion algorithms that are easily realized on VLSI chips. Massey and Omura recently developed a new multiplication algorithm for Galois fields based on a normal basis representation. A pipeline structure is developed to realize the Massey-Omura multiplier in the finite field GF(2m). With the simple squaring property of the normal-basis representation used together with this multiplier, a pipeline architecture is also developed for computing inverse elements in GF(2m). The designs developed for the Massey-Omura multiplier and the computation of inverse elements are regular, simple, expandable and, therefore, naturally suitable for VLSI implementation

The winemaker’s bug: From ancient wisdom to opening new vistas with frontier yeast science

The past three decades have seen a global wine glut. So far, well-intended but wasteful and expensive market-intervention has failed to drag the wine industry out of a chronic annual oversupply of roughly 15%. Can yeast research succeed where these approaches have failed by providing a means of improving wine quality, thereby making wine more appealing to consumers? To molecular biologists Saccharomyces cerevisiae is as intriguing as it is tractable. A simple unicellular eukaryote, it is an ideal model organism, enabling scientists to shed new light on some of the biggest scientific challenges such as the biology of cancer and aging. It is amenable to almost any modification that modern biology can throw at a cell, making it an ideal host for genetic manipulation, whether by the application of traditional or modern genetic techniques. To the winemaker, this yeast is integral to crafting wonderful, complex wines from simple, sugar-rich grape juice. Thus any improvements that we can make to wine, yeast fermentation performance or the sensory properties it imparts to wine will benefit winemakers and consumers. With this in mind, the application of frontier technologies, particularly the burgeoning fields of systems and synthetic biology, have much to offer in their pursuit of “novel” yeast strains to produce high quality wine. This paper discusses the nexus between yeast research and winemaking. It also addresses how winemakers and scientists face up to the challenges of consumer perceptions and opinions regarding the intervention of science and technology; the greater this intervention, the stronger the criticism that wine is no longer “natural.” How can wine researchers respond to the growing number of wine commentators and consumers who feel that scientific endeavors favor wine quantity over quality and “technical sophistication, fermentation reliability and product consistency” over “artisanal variation”? This paper seeks to present yeast research in a new light and a new context, and it raises important questions about the direction of yeast research, its contribution to science and the future of winemaking

16-channnel Micro Magnetic Flux Sensor Array for IGBT Current Distribution Measurement

Current crowding of IGBT and power diode in a chip or among chips is a barrier to the realization of highly-reliable power module and power electronics system. Current crowding occurs because of the parasitic inductance, difference of chip characteristics or temperature imbalance among chips. Although current crowding among IGBT or power diode chips has been analysed on numerical simulations, no sensor with sufficiently high special resolution and fast measurement time has yet been demonstrated. Therefore, the author developed and demonstrated 16-channel flat sensitivity sensor array for IGBT current distribution measurement. The sensor array consists of tiny-scale film sensors with analog amps and shield case against noise. The array and digital calibration method will be applied for reliability analysis, designing and screening of IGBT modules.ESREF 2015, 26th European Symposium on Reliability of Electron Devices, Failure Physics and Analysis, Oct 5-9, 2015, Centre de Congrès Pierre Baudis, Toulouse, Franc

High-throughput and Full Automatic DBC-Module Screening Tester for High Power IGBT

We developed a high-throughput screening tester for DBC-module of IGBT. The tester realizes a new screening test with current distribution in addition to a conventional switching test. It consists of a power circuit, a replaceable test head, sensor array module and digitizer with LabVIEW program. Therefore, all kinds of DBC-modules can be screened by switching the test head. The tester acquires magnetic field signals and displays GO/NOGO judgment automatically after digital calibration and signal processing in 10 seconds. It is expected to be applied for screening in a production line and analysis in order to prevent the failure of power modules.ESREF 2015, 26th European Symposium on Reliability of Electron Devices, Failure Physics and Analysis, Oct 5-9, 2015, Centre de Congrès Pierre Baudis, Toulouse, Franc

Cross‐scale seismic anisotropy analysis in metamorphic rocks from the COSC‐1 borehole in the Scandinavian Caledonides

Metamorphic and deformed rocks in thrust zones show particularly high seismic anisotropy causing challenges for seismic imaging and interpretation. A good example is the Seve Nappe Complex in central Sweden, an old exhumed orogenic thrust zone that is characterized by a strong but incoherent seismic reflectivity and considerable seismic anisotropy. However, only little is known about their origin in relation to composition and structural influences on measurements at different seismic scales. Here, we present a new integrative study of cross‐scale seismic anisotropy analyses combining mineralogical composition, microstructural analyses and seismic laboratory experiments from the COSC‐1 borehole, which sampled a 2.5 km‐deep section of metamorphic rocks deformed in an orogenic root now preserved in the Lower Seve Nappe. While there is strong crystallographic preferred orientation in most samples in general, variations in anisotropy depend mostly on bulk mineral composition and dominant core lithology as shown by a strong correlation between these. This relationship enables to identify three distinct seismic anisotropy facies providing a continuous anisotropy profile along the borehole. Moreover, comparison of laboratory seismic measurements and electron‐backscatter diffraction data reveals a strong scale‐dependence, which is more pronounced in the highly deformed, heterogeneous samples. This highlights the need for comprehensive cross‐validation of microscale anisotropy analyses with additional lithological data when integrating seismic anisotropy over seismic scales