Wire array photovoltaics

Over the past five years, the cost of solar panels has dropped drastically and, in concert, the number of installed modules has risen exponentially. However, solar electricity is still more than twice as expensive as electricity from a natural gas plant. Fortunately, wire array solar cells have emerged as a promising technology for further lowering the cost of solar.

Si wire array solar cells are formed with a unique, low cost growth method and use 100 times less material than conventional Si cells. The wires can be embedded in a transparent, flexible polymer to create a free-standing array that can be rolled up for easy installation in a variety of form factors. Furthermore, by incorporating multijunctions into the wire morphology, higher efficiencies can be achieved while taking advantage of the unique defect relaxation pathways afforded by the 3D wire geometry.

The work in this thesis shepherded Si wires from undoped arrays to flexible, functional large area devices and laid the groundwork for multijunction wire array cells. Fabrication techniques were developed to turn intrinsic Si wires into full p-n junctions and the wires were passivated with a-Si:H and a-SiNx:H. Single wire devices yielded open circuit voltages of 600 mV and efficiencies of 9%. The arrays were then embedded in a polymer and contacted with a transparent, flexible, Ni nanoparticle and Ag nanowire top contact. The contact connected >99% of the wires in parallel and yielded flexible, substrate free solar cells featuring hundreds of thousands of wires.

Building on the success of the Si wire arrays, GaP was epitaxially grown on the material to create heterostructures for photoelectrochemistry. These cells were limited by low absorption in the GaP due to its indirect bandgap, and poor current collection due to a diffusion length of only 80 nm. However, GaAsP on SiGe offers a superior combination of materials, and wire architectures based on these semiconductors were investigated for multijunction arrays. These devices offer potential efficiencies of 34%, as demonstrated through an analytical model and optoelectronic simulations. SiGe and Ge wires were fabricated via chemical-vapor deposition and reactive ion etching. GaAs was then grown on these substrates at the National Renewable Energy Lab and yielded ns lifetime components, as required for achieving high efficiency devices.

Comparative studies of Vulva development in C. briggsae

As evolution progresses, developmental changes occur. Genes lose and gain molecular partners, regulatory sequences, and new functions. As a consequence, tissues evolve alternative methods to develop similar structures, more or less robust. How this occurs is a major question in biology. One method of addressing this question is by examining the developmental and genetic differences between similar species. Several studies of nematodes Pristionchus pacificus and Oscheius CEW1 have revealed various differences in vulval development from the well-studied C. elegans (e.g. gonad induction, competence group specification, and gene function.)

I approached the question of developmental change in a similar manner by using Caenorhabditis briggsae, a close relative of C. elegans. C. briggsae allows the use of transgenic approaches to determine developmental changes between species. We determined subtle changes in the competence group, in 1° cell specification, and vulval lineage.

We also analyzed the let-60 gene in four nematode species. We found conservation in the codon identity and exon-intron boundaries, but lack of an extended 3' untranslated region in Caenorhabditis briggsae.

Aperiodic structures in optics and integrated optics and the transverse Bragg reflector laser

The first part of this work describes the uses of aperiodic structures in optics and integrated optics. In particular, devices are designed, fabricated, tested and analyzed which make use of a chirped grating corrugation on the surface of a dielectric waveguide. These structures can be used as input-output couplers, multiplexers and demultiplexers, and broad band filters.

Next, a theoretical analysis is made of the effects of a random statistical variation in the thicknesses of layers in a dielectric mirror on its reflectivity properties. Unlike the intentional aperiodicity introduced in the chirped gratings, the aperiodicity in the Bragg reflector mirrors is unintentional and is present to some extent in all devices made. The analysis involved in studying these problems relies heavily on the coupled mode formalism. The results are compared with computer experiments, as well as tests of actual mirrors.

The second part of this work describes a novel method for confining light in the transverse direction in an injection laser. These so-called transverse Bragg reflector lasers confine light normal to the junction plane in the active region, through reflection from an adjacent layered medium. Thus, in principle, it is possible to guide light in a dielectric layer whose index is lower than that of the surrounding material. The design, theory and testing of these diode lasers are discussed.

Cyclotron harmonic emission in a Penning discharge

Microwave noise emission at the harmonics of the electron cyclotron frequency from the magnetized plasma column of a Penning discharge is investigated experimentally. The harmonic emission spectrum is observed using oxygen gas in a variety of discharge configurations. It is found that grid stabilization of the plasma column has very little effect on the emission spectrum. Measurements of the shape and location of the harmonic emission lines are described in detail. On the basis of a microwave interferometer measurement of the electron density, it is concluded that the existence of a hybrid layer somewhere on the plasma column is a necessary condition for the observation of harmonic emission. The relaxation time and the cathode voltage dependence of the harmonic emission are investigated using a pulse modulation technique. It is found that the emission intensity increases rapidly with the magnitude of the cathode voltage and that the relaxation time decreases with increasing neutral gas pressure. High intensity nonharmonic radiation is observed and identified as resulting from a beam-plasma wave instability thereby eliminating the same instability as a possible source of the harmonic emission. It is found that the collective experimental results are in reasonable agreement with the single particle electrostatic radiation theory of Canobbio and Croci.

Studies of the representation of interatomic distances in molecules and crystal as sum of atomic radii

The electron diffraction investigation of the following compounds has been carried out: sulfur, sulfur nitride, realgar, arsenic trisulfide, spiropentane, dimethyltrisulfide, cis and trans lewisite, methylal, and ethylene glycol.

The crystal structures of the following salts have been determined by x-ray diffraction: silver molybdateand hydrazinium dichloride.

Suggested revisions of the covalent radii for B, Si, P, Ge, As, Sn, Sb, and Pb have been made, and values for the covalent radii of Al, Ga, In, Ti, and Bi have been proposed.

The Schomaker-Stevenson revision of the additivity rule for single covalent bond distances has been used in conjunction with the revised radii. Agreement with experiment is in general better with the revised radii than with the former radii and additivity.

The principle of ionic bond character in addition to that present in a normal covalent bond has been applied to the observed structures of numerous molecules. It leads to a method of interpretation which is at least as consistent as the theory of multiple bond formation.

The revision of the additivity rule has been extended to double bonds. An encouraging beginning along these lines has been made, but additional experimental data are needed for clarification.

Geomorphology of a Portion of the Easternmost Ventura Basin

The Humphreys Quadrangle is a portion of the easternmost Ventura Basin underlain by a thick series of Tertiary sedimentary rocks. On these rocks a great variety of geomorphic forms have been molded by the processes of running water typical of a semi-arid climate and by several types of mass movement. Among the different categories of mass movement present, a new type, the siltflow, was observed.

The geomorphic forms of special interest present in the quadrangle are rock cones, open canyonheads, asymmetric canyons, and stream terraces and straths. The author urges the adoption of the definition of strath as that part of an old dissected valley floor, including the floors of tributary valleys, which was not part of the floodplain of the main valley stream.

An old erosion surface, the Puckett Mesa Surface, is present in the Humphreys Quadrangle which is correlative with certain of the older stream terraces. By correlating the variation of gradient and of fill of the stream terraces with post –Wisconsin climatic fluctuations the age of the Puckett Mesa Surface is set at approximately 6000 B.C. This correlation sets the probable age of the older Rancho La Brea deposits at 6000 to 8000 B. C. and the probable age of the Carpenteria brea deposits at 1000 to 1 B. C.

Part I. Synthesis of L-amino acid oxidase by a serine- or glycine-requiring strain of neurospora. Part II. Studies concerning multiple electrophoretic forms of tyrosinase in neurospora

Part I: Synthesis of L-Amino Acid Oxidase by a Serine- or Glycine-Requiring Strain of Neurospora

Wild-type cultures of Neurospora crassa growing on minimal medium contain low levels of L-amino acid oxidase, tyrosinase, and nicotinarnide adenine dinucleotide glycohydrase (NADase). The enzymes are derepressed by starvation and by a number of other conditions which are inhibitory to growth. L-amino acid oxidase is, in addition, induced by growth on amino acids. A mutant which produces large quantities of both L-amino acid oxidase and NADase when growing on minimal medium was investigated. Constitutive synthesis of L-amino acid oxidase was shown to be inherited as a single gene, called P110, which is separable from constitutive synthesis of NADase. P110 maps near the centromere on linkage group IV.

L-amino acid oxidase produced constitutively by P110 was partially purified and compared to partially purified L-amino acid oxidase produced by derepressed wild-type cultures. The enzymes are identical with respect to thermostability and molecular weight as judged by gel filtration.

The mutant P110 was shown to be an incompletely blocked auxotroph which requires serine or glycine. None of the enzymes involved in the synthesis of serine from 3-phosphoglyceric acid or glyceric acid was found to be deficient in the mutant, however. An investigation of the free intracellular amino acid pools of P110 indicated that the mutant is deficient in serine, glycine, and alanine, and accumulates threonine and homoserine.

The relationship between the amino acid requirement of P110 and its synthesis of L-amino acid oxidase is discussed.

Part II: Studies Concerning Multiple Electrophoretic Forms of Tyrosinase in Neurospora

Supernumerary bands shown by some crude tyrosinase preparations in paper electrophoresis were investigated. Genetic analysis indicated that the location of the extra bands is determined by the particular T allele present. The presence of supernumerary bands varies with the method used to derepress tyrosinase production, and with the duration of derepression. The extra bands are unstable and may convert to the major electrophoretic band, suggesting that they result from modification of a single protein. Attempts to isolate the supernumerary bands by continuous flow paper electrophoresis or density gradient zonal electrophoresis were unsuccessful.

An investigation of wind tunnel wall effects at high Mach numbers

This paper presents the results of an investigation of wind tunnel wall interference in a two-dimensional wind tunnel at high Mach numbers. The results are presented in the form of curves of lift coefficient versus the ratio of model chord to tunnel height, as functions of Mach number and angle of attack. The investigation was carried out by the authors at the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory of the California Institute of Technology during the school year 1944-45.

Tests were carried out on the NACA low drag airfoil section 65,1-012 at Mach numbers from .60 to .80, and angles of attack of from 1 to 3 degrees. Models were 1", 2", 4" and 6" chord, giving values of the chord to tunnel height ration of .1 to .6. Schlieren photographs were made of shock waves where they occurred.

I. Efforts toward the synthesis of aliphatic iodonium salts. II. Flourine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of cyclic and bicyclic systems

The synthesis of iodonium salts of the general formula [C₆H₅IR]⁺X^-, where R is an alkyl group and x- is a stabilizing anion, was attempted. For the choice of R three groups were selected, whose derivatives are known to be sluggish in S_N1 and S_N2 substitutions: cyclopropyl, 7, 7 -dimethyl-1-norbornyl, and 9 -triptycyl. The synthetic routes followed along classical lines which have been exploited in recent years by Beringer and students. Ultimately, the object of the present study was to study the reactions of the above salts with nucleophiles. In none of the three cases, however, was it possible to isolate a stable salt. A thermodynamic argument suggests that this must be due to kinetic instability rather than thermodynamic instability. Only iodocyclopropane and 1-iodoapocamphane formed isolable iododichlorides.

Several methylated 2, 2-difluoronorbornanes were prepared with the intent of correlating fluorine -19 chemical shifts with geometric features in a rigid system. The effect of a methyl group on the shielding of a β -fluorine is dependent upon the dihedral angle; the maximum effect (an upfield shift of the resonance) occurs at 0° and 180°, whereas almost no effect is felt at a dihedral angle of 120°. The effect of a methyl group on a γ -fluorine is to strongly shift the resonance downfield when fluorine and methyl group are in a 1, 3 - diaxial-like relationship. Molecular orbital calculations of fluorine shielding in a variety of molecules were carried out using the formalism developed by Pople; the results are, at best, in modest agreement with experiment.

Structure theorems for noncommutative complete local rings

If R is a ring with identity, let N(R) denote the Jacobson radical of R. R is local if R/N(R) is an artinian simple ring and ∩N(R)ⁱ = 0. It is known that if R is complete in the N(R)-adic topology then R is equal to (B)_n, the full n by n matrix ring over B where E/N(E) is a division ring. The main results of the thesis deal with the structure of such rings B. In fact we have the following.

If B is a complete local algebra over F where B/N(B) is a finite dimensional normal extension of F and N(B) is finitely generated as a left ideal by k elements, then there exist automorphisms g_i,...,g_k of B/N(B) over F such that B is a homomorphic image of B/N[[x₁,…,x_k;g₁,…,g_k]] the power series ring over B/N(B) in noncommuting indeterminates x_i, where x_ib = g_i(b)x_i for all b ϵ B/N.

Another theorem generalizes this result to complete local rings which have suitable commutative subrings. As a corollary of this we have the following. Let B be a complete local ring with B/N(B) a finite field. If N(B) is finitely generated as a left ideal by k elements then there exist automorphisms g₁,…,g_k of a v-ring V such that B is a homomorphic image of V [[x₁,…,x_k;g₁,…,g_k]].

In both these results it is essential to know the structure of N(B) as a two sided module over a suitable subring of B.

On the Cesari fixed point method in a Banach space

In a paper published in 1961, L. Cesari [1] introduces a method which extends certain earlier existence theorems of Cesari and Hale ([2] to [6]) for perturbation problems to strictly nonlinear problems. Various authors ([1], [7] to [15]) have now applied this method to nonlinear ordinary and partial differential equations. The basic idea of the method is to use the contraction principle to reduce an infinite-dimensional fixed point problem to a finite-dimensional problem which may be attacked using the methods of fixed point indexes.

The following is my formulation of the Cesari fixed point method:

Let B be a Banach space and let S be a finite-dimensional linear subspace of B. Let P be a projection of B onto S and suppose Г≤B such that pГ is compact and such that for every x in PГ, P^-1x∩Г is closed. Let W be a continuous mapping from Г into B. The Cesari method gives sufficient conditions for the existence of a fixed point of W in Г.

Let I denote the identity mapping in B. Clearly y = Wy for some y in Г if and only if both of the following conditions hold:

(i) Py = PWy.

(ii) y = (P + (I - P)W)y.

Definition. The Cesari fixed paint method applies to (Г, W, P) if and only if the following three conditions are satisfied:

(1) For each x in PГ, P + (I - P)W is a contraction from P^-1x∩Г into itself. Let y(x) be that element (uniqueness follows from the contraction principle) of P^-1x∩Г which satisfies the equation y(x) = Py(x) + (I-P)Wy(x).

(2) The function y just defined is continuous from PГ into B.

(3) There are no fixed points of PWy on the boundary of PГ, so that the (finite- dimensional) fixed point index i(PWy, int PГ) is defined.

Definition. If the Cesari fixed point method applies to (Г, W, P) then define i(Г, W, P) to be the index i(PWy, int PГ).

The three theorems of this thesis can now be easily stated.

Theorem 1 (Cesari). If i(Г, W, P) is defined and i(Г, W, P) ≠0, then there is a fixed point of W in Г.

Theorem 2. Let the Cesari fixed point method apply to both (Г, W, P₁) and (Г, W, P₂). Assume that P₂P₁=P₁P₂=P₁ and assume that either of the following two conditions holds:

(1) For every b in B and every z in the range of P₂, we have that ‖b=P₂b‖ ≤ ‖b-z‖

(2)P₂Г is convex.

Then i(Г, W, P₁) = i(Г, W, P₂).

Theorem 3. If Ω is a bounded open set and W is a compact operator defined on Ω so that the (infinite-dimensional) Leray-Schauder index i_LS(W, Ω) is defined, and if the Cesari fixed point method applies to (Ω, W, P), then i(Ω, W, P) = i_LS(W, Ω).

Theorems 2 and 3 are proved using mainly a homotopy theorem and a reduction theorem for the finite-dimensional and the Leray-Schauder indexes. These and other properties of indexes will be listed before the theorem in which they are used.