Optical waveguide sensors

An overview of the field of optical waveguide sensors is presented. Some emphasis is laid on the development of a single scheme under which the diversity of sensor principles can be arranged. First three types of sensors are distinguished: intrinsic, extrinsic and active. Next, two steps are distinguished in the sensing process: the physical alteration of the waveguide (via geometrical and/or materials effects) and the effect thereof on the guided light (changing phase and/or amplitude of the light modes). The diversity and common features of the field of optical waveguide sensors are demonstrated with the help of many examples.\ud \u

Recovery of potable water from human wastes in below-G conditions Patent

Potable water reclamation from human wastes in zero-G environmen

Photoluminescence and attenuation of spray-pyrolysis-deposited erbium-doped Y2O3 planar optical waveguides

Erbium-doped Y20 3 planar optical waveguides have been fabricated by spray-pyrolysis deposition. The attenuation spectrum of the waveguide shows peaks that are due to absorption of the erbium ions. The as-deposited layers also show photoluminescence sharply peaking at 1540 nm with additional Stark splitting. The thin layers of Er 3:Y 203 obtained are promising for the realization of integrated-optic amplifiers and lasers

Domain studies of CoCr with perpendicular anisotropy

R.F. Magnetron sputtered CoCr films (79/21 at%) with various thicknesses are magnetically characterized. The domain structure is observed by digitally enhanced Kerr microscopy and depends on the Hc/Hk values of the samples. For low and high coercivity films a comparison is made between the measured VSM hysteresis, domain period and a theoretical domain model. The domain shape is a function of the magnetic history of the sample and the bending created by the deposition process

New Product Announcements as Market Signals. A content analysis in the DRAM chip industry

New-product announcements (NPAs) have considerable effects on competitors in industrial markets. Several studies have shown that the perceived threat caused by an NPA may trigger severe competitive reactions. Yet it is still unclear how the perception of threat by competitors is related to the specific content of the announcement. In this study we explore the actual content of NPAs observed in a particular market. We do this through a multi-year content analysis of new-product announcements in the DRAM memory chip industry. We analyze patterns in the occurrence of attributes and demonstrate how firm strategy affects NPA content. Findings from this study provide important insights for managers about the design of NPAs. It also triggers further research on the use of NPAs in competitive industrial markets.competition;innovation;market signals;new product announcement;semiconductors

Intrinsic angular investigations on metal evaporated tapes

Demagnetisation compensated torque- and angle-dependent remanence measurements are presented on commercial and experimental metal evaporated tapes. The latter have been prepared in our laboratory on a mini-roll coater system. From these results the easy axes have been determined

R.F. planar magnetron sputtered ZnO films I: structural properties

The structural properties of r.f. planar magnetron sputtered ZnO films are studied as a function of deposition parameters: substrate type, substrate temperature, sputter gas pressure, growth rate and sputtering power.\ud \ud These films are applied as piezoelectric transducers in micromechanical sensors and actuators. The electric properties, and consequently the piezoelectric behaviour, depend strongly on the structural properties of the layers.\ud \ud All films are polycrystalline. The individual grains are highly oriented with their crystallographic c axis perpendicular to the substrate. Crystalline substrates such as silicon or SiO2 induce a growth of small grains, a few hundredths of a micron wide and long. Amorphous substrates such as metals or amorphous SiO2 induce a growth of broad columnar grains extending through the film thickness and a few tenths of a micron wide. Trends in density and grain size are in agreement with Thornton's structure zone model

Water reclamation and conservation in a closed ecological system

Water recovery and conservation in closed ecological systems for manned space fligh

Asymmetric co-evaporated Co-Cr films: magnetic parameters and reversal mechanism

The magnetic parameters of co-evaporated Co-Cr films, where Cr was deposited obliquely, are investigated. Process-induced compositional separation enhanced the energy product. When the substrate was rotated during evaporation, the perpendicular characteristics were lost