Structural properties of erbium-activated silica-titania glasses: modeling by molecular dynamics method

Here, we use molecular dynamics simulation to reconstruct a silica-titania glass with a Ti/Si atomic ratio of 8.5% activated by 0.7 at% of erbium. These quantities are chosen because they give both refractive index and optically ions concentration suitable for applications. We use a modified Born-Mayer-Huggins potential taking into account a three- body interaction. The distribution of TiO4 and SiO4 units as well as the bridging to non-bridging oxygen ratios are evaluated. The local environment of rare-earth ions is also analyzed. In particular, the clustering of erbium is discussed. From the simulated structure, the crystal-field strength is computed and discussed according to the Er3+ local environment. Finally, results are compared with information obtained by Raman and photoluminescence spectra

Development of a new generation of 3D pixel sensors for HL-LHC

This paper covers the main technological and design aspects relevant to the development of a new generation of thin 3D pixel sensors with small pixel size aimed at the High-Luminosity LHC upgrades. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

FEM-based linear inverse modeling using a 3D source array to image magma chambers with free geometry. Application to InSAR data from Rabaul Caldera (PNG).

This article is subject to a CC Attribution 3.0 License.In this study, we present a method to fully integrate a family of finite element models (FEMs) into the regularized linear inversion of InSAR data collected at Rabaul caldera (PNG) between February 2007 and December 2010. During this period the caldera experienced a long-term steady subsidence that characterized surface movement both inside the caldera and outside, on its western side. The inversion is based on an array of FEM sources in the sense that the Green’s function matrix is a library of forward numerical displacement solutions generated by the sources of an array common to all FEMs. Each entry of the library is the LOS surface displacement generated by injecting a unity mass of fluid, of known density and bulk modulus, into a different source cavity of the array for each FEM. By using FEMs, we are taking advantage of their capability of including topography and heterogeneous distribution of elastic material properties. All FEMs of the family share the same mesh in which only one source is activated at the time by removing the corresponding elements and applying the unity fluid flux. The domain therefore only needs to be discretized once. This precludes remeshing for each activated source, thus reducing computational requirements, often a downside of FEM-based inversions. Without imposing an a-priori source, the method allows us to identify, from a least-squares standpoint, a complex distribution of fluid flux (or change in pressure) with a 3D free geometry within the source array, as dictated by the data. The results of applying the proposed inversion to Rabaul InSAR data show a shallow magmatic system under the caldera made of two interconnected lobes located at the two opposite sides of the caldera. These lobes could be consistent with feeding reservoirs of the ongoing Tavuvur volcano eruption of andesitic products, on the eastern side, and of the past Vulcan volcano eruptions of more evolved materials, on the western side. The interconnection and spatial distribution of sources find correspondence in the petrography of the volcanic products described in literature and in the dynamics of the single and twin eruptions that characterize the caldera. As many other volcanoes, Rabaul caldera is an active and dangerous volcanic system whose dynamics still need to be understood to effectively predict the behavior of future eruptions. The good results obtained from the application of the method to Rabaul caldera show that the proposed linear inversion based on the FEM array of sources is suitable to generate models of magmatic systems. The method can image in space and time the complex free geometry of the source that generates the deformation, widening our understanding of deformational sources and their dynamics. This takes source modeling a step towards more realistic source models.Peer Reviewe

32-Channel silicon strip detection module for combined X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry analysis

A compact detection module for the simultaneous measurement of XRF and XRD in portable analytical applications, in particular in the mining sector, is presented. The detector head is based on 32 silicon strip detectors, fabricated with a low-leakage technology by FBK and readout by two 16-channel low-noise CUBE charge-sensitive amplifiers. The design of the module and its characterization are reported. Multiple configurations are experimentally compared in terms of strip length, spacing, collimation and charge sharing effects. The optimal configuration for a strip length of 6 mm and pitch 0.2 mm is thus identified. It offers an energy resolution of better than 200 eV at 5.9 keV with moderate cooling (−10°C) and peaking time of 14 μs

The INFN-FBK "Phase-2" R&D program

We report on the 3-year INFN ATLAS-CMS joint research activity in collaboration with FBK, started in 2014, and aimed at the development of new thin pixel detectors for the High Luminosity LHC Phase-2 upgrades. The program is concerned with both 3D and planar active-edge pixel sensors to be made on 6" p-type wafers. The technology and the design will be optimized and qualified for extreme radiation hardness (2×1016 neq cm-2). Pixel layouts compatible with present (for testing) and future (RD53 65nm) front-end chips of ATLAS and CMS are considered. The paper covers the main aspects of the research program, from the sensor design and fabrication technology, to the results of initial tests performed on the first prototypes. © 2015 Elsevier B.V

倏逝场作用氧化石墨烯大能量耗散孤子锁模双包层光纤激光器

报道了倏逝场作用氧化石墨烯的可饱和吸收体用于锁模掺镱双包层光纤激光器,产生大能量151.54nJ耗散孤子.利用熔锥光纤倏逝场诱导沉积氧化石墨烯方法,所制备的可饱和吸收体不仅拥有耐高功率、光纤兼容等优点;而且,熔锥光纤引入光带通滤波,有益于耗散孤子在光纤激光腔中形成.同时结合光纤包层泵浦技术,高脉冲能量耗散孤子在锁模掺镱双包层光纤激光器中被获得,产生的耗散孤子单脉冲能量高达151.54nJ,重复频率271.4kHz,信噪比57dB.国家自然科学基金(61275050);高等学校博士学科点专项科研基金(20120121110034

Development of LGAD sensors with a thin entrance window for soft X-ray detection

We show the developments carried out to improve the silicon sensor technology for the detection of soft X-rays with hybrid X-ray detectors. An optimization of the entrance window technology is required to improve the quantum efficiency. The LGAD technology can be used to amplify the signal generated by the X-rays and to increase the signal-to-noise ratio, making single photon resolution in the soft X-ray energy range possible. In this paper, we report first results obtained from an LGAD sensor production with an optimized thin entrance window. Single photon detection of soft X-rays down to 452 eV has been demonstrated from measurements, with a signal-to-noise ratio better than 20

Study of the internal quantum efficiency of FBK sensors with optimized entrance windows

Single-photon detection of X-rays in the energy range of 250 eV to 1 keV is difficult for hybrid detectors because of the low quantum efficiency and low signal-to-noise ratio. The low quantum efficiency is caused by the absorption of soft X-rays in the entrance window of the silicon sensors. The entrance window consists of an insensitive layer on the surface and a highly doped layer, which is typically from a few hundred nanometers to a couple of micrometers thick and is comparable to the absorption depth of soft X-ray photons (e.g. the attenuation length of 250 eV X-ray photons is ∼100 nm in silicon). The low signal-to-noise ratio is mainly caused by the small signal amplitude (e.g. ca. 70 electrons for 250 eV X-ray photons in silicon) with respect to the electronic noise. To improve the quantum efficiency, the entrance window must be optimized by minimizing the absorption of soft X-rays in the insensitive layer, and reducing charge recombination at the Si-SiO2 interface and in the highly doped region. Low gain avalanche diodes (LGADs) with a multiplication factor between 5 and 10 increase the signal amplitude and therefore improve the signal-to-noise ratio for soft X-rays, enabling single-photon detection down to 250 eV. Combining LGAD technology with an optimized entrance window technology can thus allow hybrid detectors to become a useful tool also for soft X-ray detection. In this work we present the optimization of the entrance window by studying the internal quantum efficiency of eight different process technology variations. The sensors are characterized using light emitting diodes with a wavelength of 405 nm. At this wavelength, the light has an absorption depth of 125 nm, equivalent to that of 276 eV X-rays. The best variation achieves an internal quantum efficiency of 0.992 for 405 nm UV light. Based on this study, further optimization of the quantum efficiency for soft X-rays detection is planned