Detection of a single-charge defect in a metal-oxide-semiconductor structure using vertically coupled Al and Si single-electron transistors

An Al-AlO_x-Al single-electron transistor (SET) acting as the gate of a narrow (~ 100 nm) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) can induce a vertically aligned Si SET at the Si/SiO_2 interface near the MOSFET channel conductance threshold. By using such a vertically coupled Al and Si SET system, we have detected a single-charge defect which is tunnel-coupled to the Si SET. By solving a simple electrostatic model, the fractions of each coupling capacitance associated with the defect are extracted. The results reveal that the defect is not a large puddle or metal island, but its size is rather small, corresponding to a sphere with a radius less than 1 nm. The small size of the defect suggests it is most likely a single-charge trap at the Si/SiO_2 interface. Based on the ratios of the coupling capacitances, the interface trap is estimated to be about 20 nm away from the Si SET.Comment: 5 pages and 5 figure

Malaysian SMEs internationalization through networks approach

Abstract. In Malaysia, 98.5 per cent of business incorporation is related to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs had contributed 36.6 per cent of the total gross domestic product in 2016, and it is expected to increase to 41 per cent in 2020. Importantly, Malaysian SMEs create 65 per cent of employment opportunities, and around 20 per cent of the Malaysian SMEs are actively operating their businesses with international partners or clients—internationalization. Although building and managing network relationship has been view as one of the most important ways to ensure the business sustainability in Malaysia, and yet, most of the Malaysian SMEs entrepreneurs are not equipped with a fundamental knowledge of networks in business management. Generally, the Malaysian SMEs entrepreneurs gain networks knowledge through practice, which means that they learn of how to develop, coordinate, and maintain a network relationship via trial and error approach. Undeniably, the trial and error approach is considered a meaningful learning process in business management. Notwithstanding, such a strategy is relatively risky and improper to be applied on internationalization. The reason given is that operating in the international market is more challenging than running a business in the domestic market; the Malaysian SMEs entrepreneurs may face many uncertainties in the global market without proper networks, such as customer needs, distribution channel, legislation, and so on. Thus, the objective of this thesis serves to answer: 1) How do networks affect Malaysian SME entrepreneurs to discover international opportunities and to operate their business in the international markets? 2) During the internationalization, what are the influences of networks on Malaysian SME entrepreneurs’ knowledge, experience, and future business ideas? The current thesis used Gioia methodology, a systematic inductive approach and rigorous qualitative method to develop the empirical model. Five companies from different industry were selected for the interview, including instant beverage, restaurant, bird’s nest supply, design and printing services, and hardware trading. This thesis contributes to the current literature of the Malaysian SMEs by integrating business network internationalization process model (Johanson & Vahlne 2009) and guanxi (i.e., personal relationship). In this regard, the Malaysian SME entrepreneurs are more focusing on the development of guanxi for the sustainability of businesses. In term of managerial implications, entrepreneurs could benefit from knowing how to make a prospect list of global markets and manage international network relationships. The findings of this thesis also important to Malaysian government and institutions; it could be served as a blueprint to plan and design a better training programme for the Malaysian SME entrepreneurs, such as the art of turning a business partnership into a personal relationship

Weak Localization and Antilocalization in Topological Insulator Thin Films with Coherent Bulk-Surface Coupling

We evaluate quantum corrections to conductivity in an electrically gated thin film of a three-dimensional (3D) topological insulator (TI). We derive approximate analytical expressions for the low-field magnetoresistance as a function of bulk doping and bulk-surface tunneling rate. Our results reveal parameter regimes for both weak localization and weak antilocalization, and include diffusive Weyl semimetals as a special case.Comment: After publication, we have noticed and corrected two small but potentially misleading typographic errors in Eqs. (2.27) and (2.29), where the definitions of \tau_s and \tau_v were mistakenly switched. Once these typographic errors are fixed, all the results remain unchanged. An Erratum will be published in PR

Nonpolar resistive switching in Cu/SiC/Au non-volatile resistive memory devices

Amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC) based resistive memory (RM) Cu/a-SiC/Au devices were fabricated and their resistive switching characteristics investigated. All four possible modes of nonpolar resistive switching were achieved with ON/OFF ratio in the range 10 6-10 8. Detailed current-voltage I-V characteristics analysis suggests that the conduction mechanism in low resistance state is due to the formation of metallic filaments. Schottky emission is proven to be the dominant conduction mechanism in high resistance state which results from the Schottky contacts between the metal electrodes and SiC. ON/OFF ratios exceeding 10 7 over 10 years were also predicted from state retention characterizations. These results suggest promising application potentials for Cu/a-SiC/Au RM

Spintronics for electrical measurement of light polarization

The helicity of a circularly polarized light beam may be determined by the spin direction of photo-excited electrons in a III-V semiconductor. We present a theoretical demonstration how the direction of the ensuing electron spin polarization may be determined by electrical means of two ferromagnet/semiconductor Schottky barriers. The proposed scheme allows for time-resolved detection of spin accumulation in small structures and may have a device application.Comment: Revised version, 8 two-column pages, 5 figures; Added: a comprehensive time dependent analysis, figures 3b-3c & 5, equations 6 & 13-16 and 3 references. submitted to Phys. Rev.

In Jen’s Shoes – Looking Back to Look Forward: An Autoethnographic Account

This paper discusses the monumental events in my life that have shaped my two professional identities, teacher and researcher. I used autoethnography as a research methodology to traverse my personal life narratives across two different countries: Vietnam and Australia to seek and to examine my dual cultural identities, and how they shaped me. I am a passionate teacher who believes that teaching can change the world through the causes that I care about such as anti-racism and equity in education for students from all backgrounds. In this case study, data were collected by semi-structured interview and reflection on journals. Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The findings are reported under four themes that reflected the stages of my life: designed in Vietnam, made in Australia was the first phase, growing up in Australia, my schooling years and professional years. By making sense of the narratives and involved, it helped me to understand myself better, who I am as a teacher and the causes that I believe in. As an Australian with hybrid cultural identities, I am the norm in contemporary culture

Pencil or Keyboard? Boys’ Preferences in Writing

Handwriting is an important subject in primary schools, especially in the Early Years. The importance of writing skill is now seen as a debate with the increasing demand on children to learn technology skills to help them with 21st Century learning—how to write on the keyboard effectively. The topic is important because handwriting is an essential life skill to have with or without technology. In this study, I looked at the importance of both in the context of the qualitative case studies in three schools in Melbourne, Australia. The aim of the research is to explore how do students understand the learning of handwriting and keyboarding in schools? This qualitative case study employed a Thematic Analysis approach in which the central intention was to understand the lived experience of six Year 6 boys across three schools and their attitudes to writing and technology. In this article, I addressed the importance of teaching handwriting to primary school students, especially in the first four years of their school life from Foundation to Year 3. The findings suggest that teachers should continue explicitly teaching handwriting to their students despite the heavy reliance on technology in today’s lifestyle