Compositional analysis of thin film amorphous semiconductors and insulators using LIMA

LIMA (Laser-induced Ion Mass Analysis) is a new technique capable of compositional analysis of thin films and surface regions. Under UHV conditions a focused laser beam evaporates and ionizes a microvolume of specimen material from which a mass spectrum is obtained. LIMA has been used to examine a range of thin film materials with applications in electronic devices. The neutral photon probe avoids charging problems, and low conductivity materials are examined without prior metallization. Analyses of insulating silicon oxides, nitrides, and oxynitrides confirm estimates of composition from infrared measurements. However, the hydrogen content of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si : H) found by LIMA shows no correlation with values given by infrared absorption analysis. Explanations are proposed and discussed. © 1985.

Short- and long-term changes in joint co-contraction associated with motor learning as revealed from surface EMG.

In the field of motor control, two hypotheses have been controversial: whether the brain acquires internal models that generate accurate motor commands, or whether the brain avoids this by using the viscoelasticity of musculoskeletal system. Recent observations on relatively low stiffness during trained movements support the existence of internal models. However, no study has revealed the decrease in viscoelasticity associated with learning that would imply improvement of internal models as well as synergy between the two hypothetical mechanisms. Previously observed decreases in electromyogram (EMG) might have other explanations, such as trajectory modifications that reduce joint torques. To circumvent such complications, we required strict trajectory control and examined only successful trials having identical trajectory and torque profiles. Subjects were asked to perform a hand movement in unison with a target moving along a specified and unusual trajectory, with shoulder and elbow in the horizontal plane at the shoulder level. To evaluate joint viscoelasticity during the learning of this movement, we proposed an index of muscle co-contraction around the joint (IMCJ). The IMCJ was defined as the summation of the absolute values of antagonistic muscle torques around the joint and computed from the linear relation between surface EMG and joint torque. The IMCJ during isometric contraction, as well as during movements, was confirmed to correlate well with joint stiffness estimated using the conventional method, i.e., applying mechanical perturbations. Accordingly, the IMCJ during the learning of the movement was computed for each joint of each trial using estimated EMG-torque relationship. At the same time, the performance error for each trial was specified as the root mean square of the distance between the target and hand at each time step over the entire trajectory. The time-series data of IMCJ and performance error were decomposed into long-term components that showed decreases in IMCJ in accordance with learning with little change in the trajectory and short-term interactions between the IMCJ and performance error. A cross-correlation analysis and impulse responses both suggested that higher IMCJs follow poor performances, and lower IMCJs follow good performances within a few successive trials. Our results support the hypothesis that viscoelasticity contributes more when internal models are inaccurate, while internal models contribute more after the completion of learning. It is demonstrated that the CNS regulates viscoelasticity on a short- and long-term basis depending on performance error and finally acquires smooth and accurate movements while maintaining stability during the entire learning process.

Model Refinement for the Active Control of Thermoacoustic Instability

Active control has been shown as a feasible technology for suppressing thermoacoustic instability in continuous combustion systems, and the control strategy design is substantially dependent on the reliability of the flame model. In this paper, refinement of G-equation flame model for the dynamics of lean premixed combustion is investigated. Precisely, the dynamics between the flame speed S_u and equivalence ratio phi are proposed based on numerical calculations and physical explanations. Finally, the developed model is tested on one set of experimental data.

Investigation of low nanosecond light-matter interaction mechanisms

Laser ablation of solid Silicon targets using pulsed Yb fiber lasers of pulse duration 1.5-400 ns Yb fiber lasers is studied in this work. Material responses of a range of pulse envelopes are examined including front peak (FP) and double peak (DP) pulses. Theoretical models for the interactions are examined and qualitative explanations of material response experiments are presented.

Visual search near threshold: Some features are more equal than others.

While searching for objects, we combine information from multiple visual modalities. Classical theories of visual search assume that features are processed independently prior to an integration stage. Based on this, one would predict that features that are equally discriminable in single feature search should remain so in conjunction search. We test this hypothesis by examining whether search accuracy in feature search predicts accuracy in conjunction search. Subjects searched for objects combining color and orientation or size; eye movements were recorded. Prior to the main experiment, we matched feature discriminability, making sure that in feature search, 70% of saccades were likely to go to the correct target stimulus. In contrast to this symmetric single feature discrimination performance, the conjunction search task showed an asymmetry in feature discrimination performance: In conjunction search, a similar percentage of saccades went to the correct color as in feature search but much less often to correct orientation or size. Therefore, accuracy in feature search is a good predictor of accuracy in conjunction search for color but not for size and orientation. We propose two explanations for the presence of such asymmetries in conjunction search: the use of conjunctively tuned channels and differential crowding effects for different features.

Local strain rate and curvature dependences of scalar dissipation rate transport in turbulent premixed flames: A direct numerical simulation analysis

The statistical behaviours of the instantaneous scalar dissipation rate Nc of reaction progress variable c in turbulent premixed flames have been analysed based on three-dimensional direct numerical simulation data of freely propagating statistically planar flame and V-flame configurations with different turbulent Reynolds number Ret. The statistical behaviours of N c and different terms of its transport equation for planar and V-flames are found to be qualitatively similar. The mean contribution of the density-variation term T1 is positive, whereas the molecular dissipation term (-D2) acts as a leading order sink. The mean contribution of the strain rate term T2 is predominantly negative for the cases considered here. The mean reaction rate contribution T3 is positive (negative) towards the unburned (burned) gas side of the flame, whereas the mean contribution of the diffusivity gradient term (D) assumes negative (positive) values towards the unburned (burned) gas side. The local statistical behaviours of Nc, T1, T2, T 3, (-D2), and f(D) have been analysed in terms of their marginal probability density functions (pdfs) and their joint pdfs with local tangential strain rate aT and curvature km. Detailed physical explanations have been provided for the observed behaviour. © 2014 Y. Gao et al.