Supercurrent and quasiparticle interference between two d-wave superconductors coupled by a normal metal or insulator

In the presence of an elastic barrier at both interfaces of a mesoscopic d-wave superconductor-normalmetal-d-wave superconductor (DND junction), the Josephson current at zero temperature is studied by using a simple matrix method. As a limiting case, the tunneling between two d-wave superconductors coupled by a insulator barrier (DID structure) is particularly addressed. The effects of sign change and anisotropic gap structure of the d x2-y2 superconductor are carefully considered in the Andreev reflection. The coupling of forward-moving quasiparticles and backward-moving quasiparticles with different pair potentials leads to contrasting Andreev spectra in different motion angle regions, which is specific to our model. Unlike conventional superconducting point-contact junctions, the conduction crossing the Fermi surface plays an important role in determining the critical current. Our theoritical results suggest that the dependence of the critical current on the grain boundary tilt angle provides a clue to identify the pairing symmetry of high-T c. superconductors.published_or_final_versio

Bound states and Josephson current in mesoscopic s-wave superconductor–normal-metal–d-wave superconductor junctions

We have investigated the superconducting phase difference dependence of Andreev levels and Josephson current through a mesoscopic normal-metal layer in contact with two superconducting electrodes with s-wave and d-wave pairing symmetry (SsNSd junction). It is shown that, regardless of the junction length, due to the sign change of the d-wave order parameter under suitable arrangements, the zero-energy point of Andreev levels for the negative process appears at Φ=0. In particular, at zero temperature, the amplitude of the total Josephson current through the point contact SsNSd junction could be enhanced by the sign change of the d-wave order parameter. However, for an SsNSd junction of special length, the amplitude of Josephson current may be suppressed by this sign change. Moreover, as a special case, the midgap surface states discovered by Hu [Phys. Rev. Lett. 72, 1526 (1994)] are recovered naturally. © 1996 The American Physical Society.published_or_final_versio

Irradiation-induced molecular dipole reorientation in inverted polymer solar cell using small molecular electron collection layer

Inverted polymer solar cell is developed using small molecular tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq3) as an electron collection layer between the active layer and indium-tin-oxide bottom cathode. Upon post-processing light irradiation by simulated solar illumination, the open-circuit voltage of the inverted device increases from 0.52 V to 0.60 V, resulting in the enhancement of the power conversion efficiency from 2.54 to 3.33 with negligible change in the short-circuit current. The performance improvement is attributed to the removal of surface potential due to irradiation-induced molecular dipole reorientation in the Alq3 layer, which reduces the charge transport barrier and improves the charge collection efficiency. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

Potential of mean force and the charge reversal of rodlike polyions

A simple model is presented to calculate the potential of mean force between a polyion and a multivalent counterion inside a polyelectrolite solution. We find that under certain conditions the electrostatic interactions can lead to a strong attraction between the polyions and the multivalent counterions, favoring formation of overcharged polyion-counterion complexes. It is found that small concentrations of salt enhance the overcharging, while an excessive amount of salt hinders the charge reversal. The kinetic limitations to overcharging are also examined.Comment: To be published in the special issue of Molecular Physics in honor of Prof. Ben Wido

Efficient inverted polymer solar cells with thermal-evaporated and solution-processed small molecular electron extraction layer

Efficient inverted polymer solar cell is reported upon by integrating with a small molecular 1,3,5-tri(phenyl-2-benzimi-dazolyl)-benzene (TPBi) electron extraction layer (EEL) at low processing temperature with thermal-evaporation and solution-process, resulting in the power conversion efficiencies of 3.70 and 3.47, respectively. The potential of TPBi as an efficient EEL is associated with its suitable electronic energy level for electron extraction and hole blocking from the active layer to the indium tin oxide cathode. © 2013 American Institute of Physics

Enhanced performance in polymer photovoltaic cells with chloroform treated indium tin oxide anode modification

Enhanced performance of a poly(3-hexylthiophene):(6,6)-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester bulk heterojunction polymer photovoltaic cell is reported by modifying the indium tin oxide (ITO) anode with chloroform solution. Instead of the traditional UV-ozone treatment, the optimized chloroform modification on ITO anode can result in an enhancement in the power conversion efficiency of an identical device, originating from an increase in the photocurrent with negligible change in the open-circuit voltage. The performance enhancement is attributed to the work function modification of the ITO substrate through the surface incorporation of the chlorine, and thus improved charge collection efficiency. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

Ameliorative Effects of Neurolytic Celiac Plexus Block on Stress and Inflammation in Rats with Partial Hepatectomy

Purpose: To investigate effects of neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) on stress and inflammation in rats with partial hepatectomy (PH).Methods: A model of PH rat was established, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP); corticosterone (GC); adrenocorticotropin (ACTH); noradrenaline (NA); adrenalin (AD); aspartate transaminase (AST); alanine transaminase (ALT); as well as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6; high mobility group box1 (HMGB1); and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in serum assessed after PH. Additionally, Western blotting was performed to determine the effect of NCPB on expressions of glucocorticoid receptors (GR), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκB), p65, c-Jun and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) of PH rats, as well as assay effects of NCPB on nuclear translocation of GR, c- Jun and p65. DNA binding activities of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) were also determined.Results: NCPB reduced AST and ALT (P < 0.05), decreased secretion of inflammatory cytokines and NO (P < 0.05), as well as decreased CRP, GC, ACTH, NA and AD after PH (p < 0.05). NCPB increased expressions of GR and IκB, but expressions of p65, c-Jun, and iNOS (p < 0.05). Additionally, NCPB increased nuclear translocation of GR (p < 0.01), but decreased nuclear translocation of p65 and c-Jun after PH (p < 0.05). Additionally, DNA binding activity of NF-κB and AP-1 was decreased by NCPB (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The results indicate that NCPB treatment can significantly inhibit stress and inflammation in PH rats.Keywords: Neurolytic celiac plexus block, Cytokine, Nuclear translocation, Partial hepatectomy, Stress, Inflammatio

Surface plasmon-enhanced electroluminescence in organic light-emitting diodes incorporating Au nanoparticles

Surface plasmon-enhanced electroluminescence (EL) in an organic light-emitting diode is demonstrated by incorporating the synthesized Au nanoparticles (NPs) in the hole injection layer of poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonic acid. An increase of ∼25% in the EL intensity and efficiency are achieved for devices with Au NPs, whereas the spectral and electrical properties remain almost identical to the control device. Time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy reveals that the EL enhancement is ascribed to the increase in spontaneous emission rate due to the plasmonic near-field effect induced by Au NPs. © 2012 American Institute of Physics

Versatile computer-controlled system for characterization of gas sensing materials

Author name used in this publication: M. H. Wong2011-2012 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe