Pull-In Instability Of Micro-Switch Actuators: Model Review

The existing three widely used pull-in theoretical models (i.e., one-dimensional lumped model, linear supposition model and planar model) are compared with the nonlinear beam mode in this paper by considering both cantilever and fixed-fixed type micro and nano-switches. It is found that the error of the pull-in parameters between one-dimensional lumped model and the nonlinear beam model is large because the denominator of the electrostatic force is minimal when the electrostatic force is computed at the maximum deflection along the beam. Since both the linear superposition model and the slender planar model consider the variation of electrostatic force with the beam's deflection, these two models not only are of the same type but also own little error of the pull-in parameters with the nonlinear beam model, the error brought by these two models attributes to that the boundary conditions are not completely satisfied when computing the numerical integration of the deflection.

Reconstructing The Vertical Distribution Of The Aeolian Saltation Mass Flux Based On The Probability Distribution Of Lift-Off Velocity

The probability distribution of lift-off velocity of the saltating grains is a bridge to linking microscopic and macroscopic research of aeolian sand transport. The lift-off parameters of saltating grains (i.e., the horizontal and vertical lift-off velocities, resultant lift-off velocity, and lift-off angle) in a wind tunnel are measured by using a Phase Doppler Particle Analyzer (PDPA). The experimental results show that the probability distribution of horizontal lift-off velocity of saltating particles on a bed surface is a normal function, and that of vertical lift-off velocity is an exponential function. The probability distribution of resultant lift-off velocity of saltating grains can be expressed as a log-normal function, and that of lift-off angle complies with an exponential function. A numerical model for the vertical distribution of aeolian mass flux based on the probability distribution of lift-off velocity is established. The simulation gives a sand mass flux distribution which is consistent with the field data of Namikas (Namikas, S.L., 2003. Field measurement and numerical modelling of acolian mass flux distributions on a sandy beach, Sedimentology 50, 303-326). Therefore, these findings are helpful to further understand the probability characteristics of lift-off grains in aeolian sand transport. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Snap-through and pull-in instabilities of an arch-shaped beam under an electrostatic loading

The snap-through and pull-in instabilities of the micromachined arch-shaped beams under an electrostatic loading are studied both theoretically and experimentally. The pull-in instability that results in a system collision with an electrode substrate may lead to a system failure and, thus, limits the system maximum displacement. The beam/plate structure with a flat initial configuration under an electrostatic loading can only experience the pull-in instability. With the different arch configurations, the structure may experience either only the pull-in instability or the snap-through and pull-in instabilities together. As shown in our computation and experiment, those arch-shaped beams with the snap-through instability have the larger maximum displacement compared with the arch-shaped beams with only the pull-in stability and those with the flat initial configuration. The snap-through occurs by exerting a fixed load, and the structure experiences a discontinuous displacement jump without consuming power. Furthermore, after the snap-through jump, the structures are demonstrated to have the capacity to withstand further electrostatic loading without pull-in. Those properties of consuming no power and increasing the structure deflection range without pull-in is very useful in microelectromechanical systems design, which can offer better sensitivity and tuning range.

Optimization of Off-Null Ellipsometry for Optical Biosensor Applications

The optimization of off-null ellipsometry is described with emphasis on the improvement of resolution for visualizing biomolecule layers. For optical biosensor with layer thickness below 6.5 nm, a numerical simulation for the dependence of resolution on the azimuth settings of polarizer and analyzer is presented first. For comparison, three different resolutions are given at three azimuth settings which are near null and far away from null condition, respectively. Furthermore, the square or linear approximation relationship between the intensity and the layer thickness are also given at these settings. The difference among their accuracy is up to 100 times or so. Experimental results of the biosensor sample verify the optimization.

Mode properties of off-axis one-sided hybrid resonator for novel high average power dual-slab laser

A novel dual-slab laser with off-axis one-sided hybrid resonator is presented. The mode properties of the hybrid resonator are calculated using a fast Fourier transform method (FFT). The influence of wavefront distoration on the output beam quality is considered. Results indicate that the novel dual-slab laser is better than the normal dual-slab laser with off-axis one-sided hybrid resonator.

Propagation properties of off-axis Hermite-cosh-Gaussian beam combinations through a first-order optical system

Based on the Collins integral formula, the analytic expressions of propagation of the coherent and the incoherent off-axis Hermite-cosh-Gaussian (HChG) beam combinations with rectangular symmetry passing through a paraxial first-order optical system are derived, and corresponding numerical examples are given and analysed. The resulting beam quality is discussed in terms of power in the bucket (PIB). The study suggests that the resulting beam cannot keep the initial intensity shape during the propagation and the beam quality for coherent mode is not always better than that for incoherent mode. Reviewing the numerical simulations of Gaussian, Hermite-Gaussian (HG) and cosh Gaussian (ChG) beam combinations indicates that the Hermite polynomial exerts a chief influence on the irradiance profile of composite beam and far field power concentration.

Beam quality improvement of laser diode array by using off-axis external cavity

A novel off-axis external cavity is designed for laser diode array to improve the beam quality. In this external cavity, a circle aperture with variable size is used as a spatial filter. The diameter of aperture is optimized to 1.2mm and the off-axis angle of external cavity is optimized at 2.6 deg. In the optimal case, the beam parameter product (BPP) of laser diode array is reduced to 121 mm. mrad from 1050 mm. mrad with external cavity optical efficiency of 81%. (C) 2007 Optical Society of America.

Trade-off between reciprocal mutualists: local resource availability-oriented interaction in fig/fig wasp mutualism

The mechanisms that prevent competition (conflict) between the recipient and co-operative actor in co-operative systems remain one of the greatest problems for evolutionary biology. Previous hypotheses suggest that self-restraint, dispersal or spatial con

Seasonal changes in the trade-off among fig-supported wasps and viable seeds in figs and their evolutionary implications

What the real trade-off is among fig-supported wasps and the viable seeds of figs is heatedly debated in the studies of fig/fig wasp mutualism. In the present study, we collected wasp offspring (galls) and the viable seeds of premature fruits, and determined the foundress number in receptive fruits and all the types of wasps supported by Ficus racemosa L. during both the rainy and dry seasons in Xishuangbanna, China. The data show that the galls were positively correlated with viable seeds (n=32;r=0.74; P < 0.001) when the proportion of vacant female flowers (PVFF) was high, in April (68.0%), and were negatively correlated with viable seeds (n=48;r=-0.59; P < 0.05) when PVFF were limited (PVFF 42.6%) during a colder month (January). The mean foundress number per fruit during the colder months is significantly lower than during the warmer months (F-5,F-603 = 27.9; P < 0.001) and pollinator wasps can live longer during the colder months, During the colder months, the proportions of non-pollinators and wasp offspring are higher than those found during other months, whereas the proportion of viable seeds is not different compared with that of other months. Non-pollinator wasps tend to oviposit the female flowers that have been oviposited by pollinator wasps. The non-pollinators only negatively affect pollinator wasps and there is no obvious negative effect of non-pollinator wasps on viable seeds, so ovipositing by non-pollinator wasps will not result in the extinction of the figs during the process of evolution. The results of the present study indicate that figs can allow less foundresses to be in fruit cavities when PVFF are limited, which provides supporting evidence for the previous assumption that the plants have developed a mechanism to maintain a stable system because of the conflicts between the parties involved.

Off-axis sonar beam pattern of free-ranging finless porpoises measured by a stereo pulse event data logger

The off-axis sonar beam patterns of eight free-ranging finless porpoises were measured using attached data logger systems. The transmitted sound pressure level at each beam angle was calculated from the animal's body angle, the water surface echo level, and the swimming depth. The beam pattern of the off-axis signals between 45 and 115 (where 0 corresponds to the on-axis direction) was nearly constant. The sound pressure level of the off-axis signals reached 162 dB re 1 mPa peak-to-peak. The surface echo level received at the animal was over 140 dB, much higher than the auditory threshold level of small odontocetes. Finless porpoises are estimated to be able to receive the surface echoes of off-axis signals even at 50-m depth. Shallow water systems (less than 50-m depth) are the dominant habitat of both oceanic and freshwater populations of this species. Surface echoes may provide porpoises not only with diving depth information but also with information about surface direction and location of obstacles (including prey items) outside the on-axis sector of the sonar beam. 2005 Acoustical Society of America.

Optically controlled quantum dot gated transistors with high on/off ratio

We report the design and fabrication of InAs quantum dot gated transistors, which are normally-on, where the channel current can be switched off by laser illumination. Laser light at 650 nm with a power of 850 pW switches the channel current from 5 mu A to 2 pA, resulting in an on/off ratio of more than 60 dB. The switch-off mechanism and carrier dynamics are analyzed with simulated band structure.

Metamorphic InGaAs p-i-n Photodetectors with 1.75 mu m Cut-Off Wavelength Grown on GaAs

Top-illuminated metamorphic InGaAs p-i-n photodetectors (PDs) with 50% cut-off wavelength of 1.75 mu m at room temperature are fabricated on GaAs substrates. The PDs are grown by a solid-source molecular beam epitaxy system. The large lattice mismatch strain is accommodated by growth of a linearly graded buffer layer to create a high quality virtual InP substrate indium content in the metamorphic buffer layer linearly changes from 2% to 60%. The dark current densities are typically 5 x 10(-6) A/cm(2) at 0 V bias and 2.24 x 10(-4) A/cm(2) at a reverse bias of 5 V. At a wavelength of 1.55 mu m, the PDs have an optical responsivity of 0.48 A/W, a linear photoresponse up to 5 mW optical power at -4 V bias. The measured -3 dB bandwidth of a 32 mu m diameter device is 7 GHz. This work proves that InGaAs buffer layers grown by solid source MBE are promising candidates for GaAs-based long wavelength devices.