379 research outputs found
Observation of the single-electron regime in a highly tunable silicon quantum dot
We report on low-temperature electronic transport measurements of a silicon
metal-oxide-semiconductor quantum dot, with independent gate control of
electron densities in the leads and the quantum dot island. This architecture
allows the dot energy levels to be probed without affecting the electron
density in the leads, and vice versa. Appropriate gate biasing enables the dot
occupancy to be reduced to the single-electron level, as evidenced by
magnetospectroscopy measurements of the ground state of the first two charge
transitions. Independent gate control of the electron reservoirs also enables
discrimination between excited states of the dot and density of states
modulations in the leads.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, accepted for Applied Physics Letter
On X-Ray Waveguiding in Nanochannels: Channeling Formalism
The question on X-ray extreme focusing (smallest reachable spot size) brings
us to the idea for using the wave features of X-ray propagation in media. As
known, wave features are revealed at propagation in ultra-narrow collimators as
well as at glancing reflection from smooth flat and/or strongly curved
surfaces. All these phenomena can be described within the general formalism of
X-ray channeling.Comment: by the invited lecture at ISRP-1
Strong coupling between single-electron tunneling and nano-mechanical motion
Nanoscale resonators that oscillate at high frequencies are useful in many
measurement applications. We studied a high-quality mechanical resonator made
from a suspended carbon nanotube driven into motion by applying a periodic
radio frequency potential using a nearby antenna. Single-electron charge
fluctuations created periodic modulations of the mechanical resonance
frequency. A quality factor exceeding 10^5 allows the detection of a shift in
resonance frequency caused by the addition of a single-electron charge on the
nanotube. Additional evidence for the strong coupling of mechanical motion and
electron tunneling is provided by an energy transfer to the electrons causing
mechanical damping and unusual nonlinear behavior. We also discovered that a
direct current through the nanotube spontaneously drives the mechanical
resonator, exerting a force that is coherent with the high-frequency resonant
mechanical motion.Comment: Main text 12 pages, 4 Figures, Supplement 13 pages, 6 Figure
Resonant tunnelling features in the transport spectroscopy of quantum dots
We present a review of features due to resonant tunnelling in transport
spectroscopy experiments on quantum dots and single donors. The review covers
features attributable to intrinsic properties of the dot as well as extrinsic
effects, with a focus on the most common operating conditions. We describe
several phenomena that can lead to apparently identical signatures in a bias
spectroscopy measurement, with the aim of providing experimental methods to
distinguish between their different physical origins. The correct
classification of the resonant tunnelling features is an essential requirement
to understand the details of the confining potential or predict the performance
of the dot for quantum information processing.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures. Short review article submitted to
Nanotechnology, special issue on 'Quantum Science and Technology at the
Nanoscale
Evaluation of computer-tailored health education ('E-health4Uth') combined with personal counselling ('E-health4Uth + counselling') on adolescents' behaviours and mental health status: Design of a three-armed cluster randomised controlled trial
Background: About 15% of adolescents in the Netherlands have mental health problems and many also have health risk behaviours such as excessive alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, use of drugs, and having unsafe sex. Mental health problems and health risk behaviours may have adverse effects on the short and longer term. Therefore, in the Netherlands there is a considerable support for an additional public health examination at age 15-16 years. The study evaluates the effect of two options for such an additional examination. Adolescents in the 'E-health4Uth' group receive internet-based tailored health messages on their health behaviour and well-being. Adolescents in the 'E-health4Uth + counselling' group receive the computer-tailored messages combined with personal counselling for adolescents at risk of mental health problems. Methods and design. A three-arm cluster randomised controlled trial will be conducted in the Netherlands among fourth-grade secondary school students. School classes are the unit of randomisation. Both intervention groups complete the computer-tailored program during one class session; the program focuses on nine topics related on health behaviour and well-being. For each topic a score is computed that can be compared with the Dutch health norms for adolescents. Based on the score, a message is presented that reflects the person's current behaviour or well-being, the Dutch health norm, and offers advise to change unhealthy behaviour or to talk to a person they trust. Adolescents in the 'E-health4Uth + counselling' group are also invited for an appointment to see the nurse when they are at risk of mental health problems. The control group receives 'care as usual'. The primary outcome measures are health behaviour (alcohol, drugs, smoking, safe sex) and mental health status. The secondary outcome measure is health-related quality of life. Data will be collected with a questionnaire at baseline and at 4-months follow-up. A process evaluation will also be conducted. Discussion. It is hypothesized that at follow-up adolescents in the 'E-health4Uth' group and adolescents in the 'E-health4Uth + counselling' group will show fewer mental health problems and less risky behaviour compared to the control group. Trial registration. Current Controlled Trials NTR3596
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