Robust predictive control with feasible contingencies for fault tolerance

This paper introduces the notion of M-step robust fault tolerance for discrete-time systems where finite-time completion of a control manoeuvre is desired. It considers a scenario with two distinct objectives; a primary and secondary target are specified as sets to be reached in finite-time, whilst satisfying operating constraints on the states and inputs. The primary target is switched to the secondary target when a fault affects the system. As it is unknown when or if the fault will occur, the trajectory to the primary target is constrained to ensure reachability of the secondary target within M steps. A variable-horizon linear MPC formulation is developed to illustrate the concept. The formulation is then extended to provide robustness to bounded disturbances by use of tightened constraints. Simulations demonstrate the efficacy of the controller formulation on a double-integrator model. © 2011 IFAC.

Three dimensional distributions of arsenic and platinum within NiSi contact and gate of an n-type transistor

Atom probe tomography was used to study the redistribution of platinum and arsenic atoms after Ni(Pt) silicidation of As-doped polycrystalline Si. These measurements were performed on a field-effect transistor and compared with those obtained in unpatterned region submitted to the same process. These results suggest that Pt and As redistribution during silicide formation is only marginally influenced by the confinement in microelectronic devices. On the contrary, there is a clear difference with the redistribution reported in the literature for the blanket wafers. Selective etching used to remove the non-reacted Ni(Pt) film after the first rapid heat treatment may induce this difference. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.

The effects of operational and design parameters on the tolerance of ADSR fuel pin cladding to beam interruptions

This paper investigates the effects of design parameters, such as cladding and coolant material choices, and operational phenomena, such as creep and fission product decay heat, on the tolerance of Accelerator Driven Subcritical Reactor (ADSR) fuel pin cladding to beam interruptions. This work aims to provide a greater understanding of the integration between accelerator and nuclear reactor technologies in ADSRs. The results show that an upper limit on cladding operating temperature of 550 °C is appropriate, as higher values of temperature tend to accelerate creep, leading to cladding failure much sooner than anticipated. The effect of fission product decay heat is to reduce significantly the maximum stress developed in the cladding during a beam-trip-induced transient. The potential impact of irradiation damage and the effects of the liquid metal coolant environment on the cladding are discussed. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Durability and photo-electric characteristics of a mille-feuille structured amorphous selenium (a-Se)-arsenic selenide (As2Se3) multi-layered thin film

A mille-feuille structured amorphous selenium (a-Se)-arsenic selenide (As2Se3) multi-layered thin film and a mixed amorphous Se-As2Se3 film is compared from a durability perspective and photo-electric perspective. The former is durable to incident laser induced degradation after numerous laser scans and does not crystallise till 105 of annealing, both of which are improved properties from the mixed evaporated film. In terms of photo-electric properties, the ratio between the photocurrent and the dark current improved whereas the increase of the dark current was higher than that of As2Se3 due to the unique current path developed within the mille-feuille structure. Implementing this structure into various amorphous semiconductors may open up a new possibility towards structure-sensitive amorphous photoconductors. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Novel regrowth-free vertical active-passive integration scheme with improved fabrication tolerance

We present a novel vertically-coupled active-passive integration architecture that provides an order of magnitude reduction in coupling coefficient variation between misaligned waveguides when compared with a conventional vertically-coupled structure. © 2005 Optical Society of America.

Novel regrowth-free vertical active-passive integration scheme with improved fabrication tolerance

We present a novel vertically-coupled active-passive integration architecture that provides an order of magnitude reduction in coupling coefficient variation between misaligned waveguides when compared with a conventional vertically-coupled structure. © 2005 Optical Society of America.

Novel regrowth-free vertical active-passive integration scheme with improved fabrication tolerance

We present a novel vertically-coupled active-passive integration architecture that provides an order of magnitude reduction in coupling coefficient variation between misaligned waveguides when compared with a conventional vertically-coupled structure. © 2005 Optical Society of America.