8,161 research outputs found
Towards wafer scale inductive determination of magnetostatic and dynamic parameters of magnetic thin films and multilayers
We investigate an inductive probe head suitable for non-invasive
characterization of the magnetostatic and dynamic parameters of magnetic thin
films and multilayers on the wafer scale. The probe is based on a planar
waveguide with rearward high frequency connectors that can be brought in close
contact to the wafer surface. Inductive characterization of the magnetic
material is carried out by vector network analyzer ferromagnetic resonance.
Analysis of the field dispersion of the resonance allows the determination of
key material parameters such as the saturation magnetization MS or the
effective damping parameter Meff. Three waveguide designs are tested. The
broadband frequency response is characterized and the suitability for inductive
determination of MS and Meff is compared. Integration of such probes in a wafer
prober could in the future allow wafer scale in-line testing of magnetostatic
and dynamic key material parameters of magnetic thin films and multilayers
Factors Associated with Tuberculosis and Rifampicin-Resistant Tuberculosis amongst Symptomatic Patients in India: A Retrospective Analysis
Background Tuberculosis remains a major public health challenge for India. Various studies have documented different levels of TB and multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB among diverse groups of the population. In view of renewed targets set under the End TB strategy by 2035, there is an urgent need for TB diagnosis to be strengthened. Drawing on data from a recent, multisite study, we address key questions for TB diagnosis amongst symptomatics presenting for care: are there subgroups of patients that are more likely than others, to be positive for TB? In turn, amongst these positive cases, are there factors—apart from treatment history—that may be predictive for multi-drug resistance? Methods We used data from a multi-centric prospective demonstration study, conducted from March 2012 to December 2013 in 18 sub-district level TB programme units (TUs) in India and covering a population of 8.8 million. In place of standard diagnostic tests, upfront Xpert MTB/RIF testing was offered to all presumptive TB symptomatics. Here, using data from this study, we used logistic regression to identify association between risk factors and TB and Rifampicin-Resistant TB among symptomatics enrolled in the study. Results We find that male gender; history of TB treatment; and adult age compared with either children or the elderly are risk factors associated with high TB detection amongst symptomatics, across the TUs. While treatment history is found be a significant risk factor for rifampicin-resistant TB, elderly (65+ yrs) people have significantly lower risk than other age groups. However, pediatric TB cases have no less risk of rifampicin resistance as compared with adults (OR 1.23 (95% C.I. 0.85–1.76)). Similarly, risk of rifampicin resistance among both the genders was the same. These patterns applied across the study sites involved. Notably in Mumbai, amongst those patients with microbiological confirmation of TB, female patients showed a higher risk of having MDR-TB than male patients. Conclusion Our results cast fresh light on the characteristics of symptomatics presenting for care who are most likely to be microbiologically positive for TB, and for rifampicin resistance. The challenges posed by TB control are complex and multifactorial: evidence from diverse sources, including retrospective studies such as that addressed here, can be invaluable in informing future strategies to accelerate declines in TB burden
Directional optical switching and transistor functionality using optical parametric oscillation in a spinor polariton fluid
Over the past decade, spontaneously emerging patterns in the density of
polaritons in semiconductor microcavities were found to be a promising
candidate for all-optical switching. But recent approaches were mostly
restricted to scalar fields, did not benefit from the polariton's unique
spin-dependent properties, and utilized switching based on hexagon far-field
patterns with 60{\deg} beam switching (i.e. in the far field the beam
propagation direction is switched by 60{\deg}). Since hexagon far-field
patterns are challenging, we present here an approach for a linearly polarized
spinor field, that allows for a transistor-like (e.g., crucial for
cascadability) orthogonal beam switching, i.e. in the far field the beam is
switched by 90{\deg}. We show that switching specifications such as
amplification and speed can be adjusted using only optical means
Fast high-efficiency integrated waveguide photodetectors using novel hybrid vertical/butt coupling geometry
We report a novel coupling geometry for integrated waveguide photodetectors−a hybrid vertical coupling/butt coupling scheme that allows the integration of fast, efficient, photodetectors with conventional double heterostructure waveguides. It can be employed to yield a planar, or pseudo-planar, surface that supports further levels of integration. The approach is demonstrated with a 25-µm-long p-i-n detector integrated with an InP/InGaAsP/InP waveguide, which displays a high (~90%) efficiency and large (~15 GHz) bandwidth. This is the fastest high-efficiency integrated waveguide photodetector reported to date
Population inversion in optically pumped asymmetric quantum well terahertz lasers
Intersubband carrier lifetimes and population ratios are calculated for three- and four-level optically pumped terahertz laser structures. Laser operation is based on intersubband transitions between the conduction band states of asymmetric GaAs-Ga(1 – x)Al(x)As quantum wells. It is shown that the carrier lifetimes in three-level systems fulfill the necessary conditions for stimulated emission only at temperatures below 200 K. The addition of a fourth level, however, enables fast depopulation of the lower laser level by resonant longitudinal optical phonon emission and thus offers potential for room temperature laser operation. © 1997 American Institute of Physics
Derivative moments in turbulent shear flows
We propose a generalized perspective on the behavior of high-order derivative
moments in turbulent shear flows by taking account of the roles of small-scale
intermittency and mean shear, in addition to the Reynolds number. Two
asymptotic regimes are discussed with respect to shear effects. By these means,
some existing disagreements on the Reynolds number dependence of derivative
moments can be explained. That odd-order moments of transverse velocity
derivatives tend not vanish as expected from elementary scaling considerations
does not necessarily imply that small-scale anisotropy persists at all Reynolds
numbers.Comment: 11 pages, 7 Postscript figure
- …