Wafer-level uniformity of atomic-layer-deposited niobium nitride thin films for quantum devices

Superconducting niobium nitride thin films are used for a variety of photon detectors, quantum devices, and superconducting electronics. Most of these applications require highly uniform films, for instance, when moving from single-pixel detectors to arrays with a large active area. Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (ALD) of superconducting niobium nitride is a feasible option to produce high-quality, conformal thin films and has been demonstrated as a film deposition method to fabricate superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors before. Here, we explore the property spread of ALD-NbN across a 6-in. wafer area. Over the equivalent area of a 2-in. wafer, we measure a maximum deviation of 1% in critical temperature and 12% in switching current. Toward larger areas, structural characterizations indicate that changes in the crystal structure seem to be the limiting factor rather than film composition or impurities. The results show that ALD is suited to fabricate NbN thin films as a material for large-area detector arrays and for new detector designs and devices requiring uniform superconducting thin films with precise thickness control

Efficient laser-driven proton acceleration from cylindrical and planar cryogenic hydrogen jets.

We report on recent experimental results deploying a continuous cryogenic hydrogen jet as a debris-free, renewable laser-driven source of pure proton beams generated at the 150 TW ultrashort pulse laser Draco. Efficient proton acceleration reaching cut-off energies of up to 20 MeV with particle numbers exceeding 109 particles per MeV per steradian is demonstrated, showing for the first time that the acceleration performance is comparable to solid foil targets with thicknesses in the micrometer range. Two different target geometries are presented and their proton beam deliverance characterized: cylindrical (∅ 5 μm) and planar (20 μm × 2 μm). In both cases typical Target Normal Sheath Acceleration emission patterns with exponential proton energy spectra are detected. Significantly higher proton numbers in laser-forward direction are observed when deploying the planar jet as compared to the cylindrical jet case. This is confirmed by two-dimensional Particle-in-Cell (2D3V PIC) simulations, which demonstrate that the planar jet proves favorable as its geometry leads to more optimized acceleration conditions

Spectral and spatial shaping of laser-driven proton beams using a pulsed high-field magnet beamline

Intense laser-driven proton pulses, inherently broadband and highly divergent, pose a challenge to established beamline concepts on the path to application-adapted irradiation field formation, particularly for 3D. Here we experimentally show the successful implementation of a highly efficient (50% transmission) and tuneable dual pulsed solenoid setup to generate a homogeneous (8.5% uniformity laterally and in depth) volumetric dose distribution (cylindrical volume of 5 mm diameter and depth) at a single pulse dose of 0.7 Gy via multi-energy slice selection from the broad input spectrum. The experiments have been conducted at the Petawatt beam of the Dresden Laser Acceleration Source Draco and were aided by a predictive simulation model verified by proton transport studies. With the characterised beamline we investigated manipulation and matching of lateral and depth dose profiles to various desired applications and targets. Using a specifically adapted dose profile, we successfully performed first proof-of-concept laser-driven proton irradiation studies of volumetric in-vivo normal tissue (zebrafish embryos) and in-vitro tumour tissue (SAS spheroids) samples.Comment: Submitted to Scientific Report

Efficient laser-driven proton acceleration from cylindrical and planar cryogenic hydrogen jets

We report on recent experimental results deploying a continuous cryogenic hydrogen jet as a debris-free, renewable laser-driven source of pure proton beams generated at the 150 TW ultrashort pulse laser Draco. Efficient proton acceleration reaching cut-off energies of up to 20 MeV with particle numbers exceeding 109 particles per MeV per steradian is demonstrated, showing for the first time that the acceleration performance is comparable to solid foil targets with thicknesses in the micrometer range. Two different target geometries are presented and their proton beam deliverance characterized: cylindrical (∅ 5 μm) and planar (20 μm × 2 μm). In both cases typical Target Normal Sheath Acceleration emission patterns with exponential proton energy spectra are detected. Significantly higher proton numbers in laser-forward direction are observed when deploying the planar jet as compared to the cylindrical jet case. This is confirmed by two-dimensional Particle-in-Cell (2D3V PIC) simulations, which demonstrate that the planar jet proves favorable as its geometry leads to more optimized acceleration conditions

Soft Targets: Nurses and the Pharmaceutical Industry

The nursing literature has yet to pay much attention to the expansive reach of the pharmaceutical industry into the nursing profession

Monsoons, ITCZs and the concept of the global monsoon

Earth's tropical and subtropical rainbands, such as Intertropical Convergence Zones (ITCZs) and monsoons, are complex systems, governed by both large‐scale constraints on the atmospheric general circulation and regional interactions with continents and orography, and coupled to the ocean. Monsoons have historically been considered as regional large‐scale sea breeze circulations, driven by land‐sea contrast. More recently, a perspective has emerged of a Global Monsoon, a global‐scale solstitial mode that dominates the annual variation of tropical and subtropical precipitation. This results from the seasonal variation of the global tropical atmospheric overturning and migration of the associated convergence zone. Regional subsystems are embedded in this global monsoon, localized by surface boundary conditions. Parallel with this, much theoretical progress has been made on the fundamental dynamics of the seasonal Hadley cells and convergence zones via the use of hierarchical modeling approaches, including aquaplanets. Here we review the theoretical progress made, and explore the extent to which these advances can help synthesize theory with observations to better understand differing characteristics of regional monsoons and their responses to certain forcings. After summarizing the dynamical and energetic balances that distinguish an ITCZ from a monsoon, we show that this theoretical framework provides strong support for the migrating convergence zone picture and allows constraints on the circulation to be identified via the momentum and energy budgets. Limitations of current theories are discussed, including the need for a better understanding of the influence of zonal asymmetries and transients on the large‐scale tropical circulation.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this recordMet Offic

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

Gesundheit, Evolution und Nachhaltigkeit. Zurück in die Vergangenheit und egoistisch die Zukunft retten

Lösungsansätze von globalen Problemen (Auswirkungen des Klimawandels, Artensterben, Umweltverschmutzung, etc.) stoßen aufgrund falscher Anreizsysteme und zunehmender Informationskomplexität an ihre Grenzen. Während Jahr für Jahr mehr konsumiert wird und der ökologische Fußabdruck der Nationen, Unternehmen und Privatpersonen vergrößert wird, sind immer mehr Menschen von Zivilisationskrankheiten betroffen. Hinzu kommt, dass durch den technischen Fortschritt und den wirtschaftlichen Aufschwung der letzten Jahrzehnte das durchschnittliche Glück kaum gestiegen ist.Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, auf Grundlage der menschlichen Bedürfnisse und mit Hilfe der Erkenntnisse der empirischen Glücksforschung, sowie unter Berücksichtigung der Evolutionsmedizin, neue Anreizsysteme zu schaffen, wodurch nicht nur die persönliche Gesundheit und das Wohlbefinden maximiert werden können, sondern obendrein auch noch proökologische und prosoziale Verhaltensweisen gefördert werden.Mittels einer Literaturrecherche wurde untersucht, wodurch sich unser Leben von dem unserer steinzeitlichen Vorfahren unterscheidet und was wir daraus lernen können, um persönliche und kollektive Vorteile daraus zu gewinnen. Grundlagen der Glücks-, Egoismus- und Altruismusforschung, sowie der Evolutions- und (Epi)genetik-Forschung werden ausgeführt, um darauf aufbauend ein Lösungskonzept zu erarbeiten.Es konnten drei wesentliche Unterschiede zwischen paläolithischen und modernen Menschen ausfindig gemacht werden. Diese drei Hauptkomponenten sind: Naturverbundenheit, interpersonelle Verbundenheit und paläolithische Ernährungsweise.Eine Rückbesinnung auf unsere lange Geschichte der Menschwerdung kann dazu führen, dass durch eigennutzbezogene Anreizsysteme globale Probleme besser gelöst werden können.Solutions to global problems (e.g. effects of climate change, species extinction, environmental pollution, etc.) seem to be unfeasible due to wrong incentives and increasing information. Every year consumption increases, but the ecological footprint of nations, companies and individuals is increasing as well. And not only did technical process and economic growth fail to lead to happier people, but also the incidence of diseases of civilization is growing.With this thesis I examined how to find new incentive systems. For that I used results of empirical science of happiness, evolutionary medicine and human needs. Such a system should maximize human health and well-being, but also promote pro-ecological and pro-social behavior of individuals.On the basis of literature research the differences between our lifestyles nowadays and a human lifestyle as it might have been in the Stone Age is reflected in this thesis in order to find ways to generate individual and collective benefits. With the findings of happiness-, egoism-, altruism-research as well as evolutionary- and (epi)genetic sciences some solution concepts are presented.Three major distinctions between Paleolithic and modern human beings could be found. Those three are relationship with nature, interpersonal relatedness and Paleolithic nutrition. Examination of these distinctions leads to the conclusion that a closer look on the long history of humanization may help to find ways to solve global problems through selfish incentives.von Emanuel ZieglerAbweichender Titel laut Übersetzung der Verfasserin/des VerfassersGraz, Univ., Masterarb., 2013(VLID)23168