Studies of 6H-SiC devices

Silicon carbide (SiC) is recently receiving increased attention due to its unique electrical and thermal properties. It has been regarded as the most appropriate semiconductor material for high power, high frequency, high temperature, and radiation hard microelectronic devices. The fabrication processes and characterization of basic device on 6H-SiC were systematically studied. The main works are summarized as follows:The homoepitaxial growth on the commercially available single-crystal 6H-SiC wafers was performed in a modified gas source molecular beam epitaxy system. The mesa structured p(+)n junction diodes on the material were fabricated and characterized. The diodes showed a high breakdown voltage of 800 V at room temperature. They operated with good rectification characteristics from room temperature to 673 K.Using thermal evaporation, Ti/6H-SiC Schottky barrier diodes were fabricated. They showed good rectification characteristics from room temperature to 473 K. Using neon implantation to form the edge termination, the breakdown voltage was improved to be 800 V.n-Type 6H-SiC MOS capacitors were fabricated and characterized. Under the same growing conditions, the quality of polysilicon gate capacitors was better than Al. In addition, SiC MOS capacitors had good tolerance to gamma rays. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

AlGaInP visible quantum well lasers for information technology

650 nm-range AlGaInP multi-quantum well (MQW) laser diodes grown by low pressure metal organic chemical vapor deposition (LP-MOCVD) have been studied and the results are presented in this paper. Threshold current density of broad area contact laser diodes can be as low as 350 A/cm(2). Laser diodes with buried-ridge strip waveguide structures were made, threshold currents and differential efficiencies are (22-40) mA and (0.2-0.7) mW/mA, respectively. Typical output power for the laser diodes is 5 mW, maximum output power of 15 mW has been obtained. Their operation temperature can be up to 90 degrees C under power of 5 mW. After operating under 90 degrees C and 5 mW for 72 hrs, the average increments for the threshold currents of the lasers at 25 degrees C and the operation currents at 5 mW (at 25 degrees C) are (2-3) mA and (3-5) mA, respectively. Reliability tests showed that no obvious degradation was observed after 1400 hours of CW operation under 50 degrees C and 2.5 mW.

Broadly Tunable Grating-Coupled External Cavity Laser With Quantum-Dot Active Region

A broadly tunable and high-power grating-coupled external cavity laser with a tuning range of more than 200 nm and a similar to 200-mW maximum output power was realized, by utilizing a gain device with the chirped multiple quantum-dot (QD) active layers and bent waveguide structure. The chirped QD active medium, which consists of QD layers with InGaAs strain-reducing layers different in thickness, is beneficial to the broadening of the material gain spectrum. The bent waveguide structure and facet antireflection coating are both effective for the suppression of inner-cavity lasing under large injection current.

Study of the LED based light calibration system for neutron wall detector

The light calibration system is one of the key components of Neutron Wall detector. It is used to calibrate the electronics and to monitor the long-term stability of the detector modules. With the detaile investigations, a calibration system with high-power LED (3W) driven by the fast pulses has been carried out. It is also tested together with the detector module of the Neutron Wall and the result of the preliminary calibration demonstrates that it fulfills the needs. It's a new design proposal to the light calibration system of the fast scintillator detector.

大功率电子加速器的预研与束流传输的研究

电子束辐照烟道气脱除502和NOx技术是一项将辐射物理和辐射化学紧密结合的高新技术。该项技术自1970年被提出后，经历了20多年的逐步发展，已进入了工业装置阶段。目前，在美国、德国、日本、波兰和我国的成都热电厂等处建立了中试厂和工业示范厂。当前在国际上，对一该项目的关键部件电子加速器有两种方案：即日新公司的高压变压器方案和以俄罗斯新西伯利亚核物理研究所的ElV型加速器为代表的谐振变压器型。根据目前国内的实际状况和满足我所及在兰州各研究所的物理实验的需要，中利4院近代物理所在已有技术力量的基础上，并在国家计委的大力支持下，立项研制大功率谐振变压器型电子加速器。这篇论文首先对1.5Mev/300mA三相谐振变压器型电子加速器的高压电极表面电场强度、分布电容、电感、三相谐振频率等作了预研。在此基础上，着重对强流静电加速管轴上电位和电场分布、平面电子枪的实际电流密度、电极膜孔透镜对束流的聚焦性能、加速管中电子轨迹和出射斜率、球面阴极的电子光学特性等作了详细的计算和分析，从计算得到的结果来看，所设计的电场能够满足束流传输的要求。另外，还对加速管非均匀场对电子负载的抑制作用，离子反轰阴极作了初步研究。论文的另一个重点是研究了静电加速管中强流电子束的空间电荷效应。根据实际情况，合理地建立了物理模型。并对模型上的4个不同位置的束内外径向电位分布、空间电荷对轴＿L电位的影响，以及空间电荷力对束流传输的影响等进行了详尽的理论计算和分析。在对轴上电场分布进行分析时，发现可以将电场沿轴向分为3个区域，并认真对每个区域的作用作了详细的分析说明。特别指出了，强流静电加速管的设计关键在加速管的前端，与弱流加速管相比，前者的变化幅度要大得多。论文最后对大功率电子加速器部件的加工和三相谐振变压器高压发生器模拟实验结果给予了介绍和分析。

云雾山封育草原对表土持水性的影响

应用离心机法测定土壤水分特征,研究黄土高原典型草原带退耕地植被恢复演替过程中土壤持水性能的变化特点及趋势。结果表明:土壤含水量与土壤水吸力之间符合幂函数θ=aSb,参数a的变化随着植被的演替呈增加趋势;由于植被的影响,在同一吸力范围内的土壤含水量不同,植被为顶级长芒草(Stipabungeana)群落时,土壤在各吸力段的含水量最高,坡耕地最低;其它群落土壤含水量随着水吸力的增加变化趋于一致;退耕地植被在演替过程中通过提高土壤有机质含量改善结构,降低容重并增加毛管孔隙度,对土壤的储水和持水性能产生作用。

输电线路巡检机器人越障控制研究

介绍了超高压输电线路巡检机器人越障控制方法。根据巡检作业任务的要求,采用遥控与局部自主控制相结合的方法,实现了巡检机器人沿线行走及跨越障碍的功能。采用基于单目摄像头定位和视觉伺服的方法,实现了巡检机器人的自主越障控制。实验结果表明,该机器人可沿线行走并自主跨越障碍,从而验证了控制系统设计的有效性与合理性。

输电线巡检机器人控制与实验研究

近年来，机器人的应用越来越广泛和深入，输电线巡检机器人是当前特种作业机器人的研究热点之一，具有广泛的应用前景和实用价值。本文的研究内容是围绕国家“863”计划支持项目“500KV超高压输电线巡检机器人的研究”展开的。本研究工作针对巡检机器人的关键控制问题，主要由三部分组成：设计了巡检机器人的体系结构，并应用离散事件理论对机器人的任务、行为和动作建模；对巡检机器人双轮同步驱动控制进行了分析，并应用奇异摄动理论设计了控制器；研究了基于单目视觉的输电线立体定位方法及通过视觉伺服完成机器人自主抓线控制。 第一，介绍了巡检机器人的作业环境，重点探讨了机器人机械系统和控制系统的设计与实现。在机械子系统中，详细介绍了巡检机器人的机构实现与越障方法。在控制系统中详细阐述了基于分层递阶的机器人控制系统硬件组成。另外介绍了供电系统、无线传输系统、传感系统的设计与实现。分析了输电线路周围的电磁环境，及其对机器人的影响，并根据分析结果完成了对机器人的电磁防护设计。 第二，开展了输电线巡检机器人体系结构及人机交互系统研究，针对巡检机器人工作特点设计了基于规划和感知行为的混合式体系结构。针对巡检机器人工作环境设计了以机器人为中心的人机交互方式。参考前人建立的离散事件动力系统的层次结构和并行结构，提出了顺序结构并证明了其无阻塞性、可控性和监控器存在性，并结合以上三种结构建立了巡检机器人作业行为的离散动力学模型，分别获得了任务层、行为层和动作层的监控器。 第三，进行了巡检机器人双轮驱动控制研究。巡检机器人双轮行走机构为过驱动系统，对双轮行走系统进行了运动学和动力学建模，将一行走轮设为主动轮另一行走轮设为从动轮。针对两行走轮之间弹性关节导致的控制中的振荡问题，采用奇异摄动理论将系统分为快慢两个子系统；针对巡检机器人系统参数的时变性采用PD自适应算法设计了慢系统控制器；应用最优控制理论设计了快系统控制器。仿真结果验证了该方法的有效性。 第四，进行了输电线视觉定位和视觉伺服抓线问题的研究。输电线巡检机器人的自主越障控制是实现机器人实用化的关键问题。为实现巡检机器人自主越障，采用视觉伺服控制机械手臂自动抓线。为提取输电线图像特征点，针对输电线投影图像特征改进了边缘提取算法，应用聚类算法提取了输电线上的像素点。提出在机械手运动过程中采用EKF（扩展卡尔曼滤波）来实现对输电线的立体定位。在分析了当前基于图像的视觉伺服研究现状，建立了基于图像雅克比矩阵的输电线视觉伺服抓线模型。针对非标定状况下图像雅可比矩阵中的不确定参数，应用I&I(Immersion Invariant)自适应算法来实现无标定图像视觉伺服。针对机器人的动力学不确定性，设计了模糊自适应控制器，并证明了稳定性。仿真验证该方法的有效性，实验验证了基于视觉伺服的抓线控制的有效性。

Energy storage systems for wave energy converters and microgrids

The thesis initially gives an overview of the wave industry and the current state of some of the leading technologies as well as the energy storage systems that are inherently part of the power take-off mechanism. The benefits of electrical energy storage systems for wave energy converters are then outlined as well as the key parameters required from them. The options for storage systems are investigated and the reasons for examining supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries in more detail are shown. The thesis then focusses on a particular type of offshore wave energy converter in its analysis, the backward bent duct buoy employing a Wells turbine. Variable speed strategies from the research literature which make use of the energy stored in the turbine inertia are examined for this system, and based on this analysis an appropriate scheme is selected. A supercapacitor power smoothing approach is presented in conjunction with the variable speed strategy. As long component lifetime is a requirement for offshore wave energy converters, a computer-controlled test rig has been built to validate supercapacitor lifetimes to manufacturer’s specifications. The test rig is also utilised to determine the effect of temperature on supercapacitors, and determine application lifetime. Cycle testing is carried out on individual supercapacitors at room temperature, and also at rated temperature utilising a thermal chamber and equipment programmed through the general purpose interface bus by Matlab. Application testing is carried out using time-compressed scaled-power profiles from the model to allow a comparison of lifetime degradation. Further applications of supercapacitors in offshore wave energy converters are then explored. These include start-up of the non-self-starting Wells turbine, and low-voltage ride-through examined to the limits specified in the Irish grid code for wind turbines. These applications are investigated with a more complete model of the system that includes a detailed back-to-back converter coupling a permanent magnet synchronous generator to the grid. Supercapacitors have been utilised in combination with battery systems for many applications to aid with peak power requirements and have been shown to improve the performance of these energy storage systems. The design, implementation, and construction of coupling a 5 kW h lithium-ion battery to a microgrid are described. The high voltage battery employed a continuous power rating of 10 kW and was designed for the future EV market with a controller area network interface. This build gives a general insight to some of the engineering, planning, safety, and cost requirements of implementing a high power energy storage system near or on an offshore device for interface to a microgrid or grid.

Novel smart modules for imaging, communications, and displays

This dissertation proposes and demonstrates novel smart modules to solve challenging problems in the areas of imaging, communications, and displays. The smartness of the modules is due to their ability to be able to adapt to changes in operating environment and application using programmable devices, specifically, electronically variable focus lenses (ECVFLs) and digital micromirror devices (DMD). The proposed modules include imagers for laser characterization and general purpose imaging which smartly adapt to changes in irradiance, optical wireless communication systems which can adapt to the number of users and to changes in link length, and a smart laser projection display that smartly adjust the pixel size to achieve a high resolution projected image at each screen distance. The first part of the dissertation starts with the proposal of using an ECVFL to create a novel multimode laser beam characterizer for coherent light. This laser beam characterizer uses the ECVFL and a DMD so that no mechanical motion of optical components along the optical axis is required. This reduces the mechanical motion overhead that traditional laser beam characterizers have, making this laser beam characterizer more accurate and reliable. The smart laser beam characterizer is able to account for irradiance fluctuations in the source. Using image processing, the important parameters that describe multimode laser beam propagation have been successfully extracted for a multi-mode laser test source. Specifically, the laser beam analysis parameters measured are the M2 parameter, w0 the minimum beam waist, and zR the Rayleigh range. Next a general purpose incoherent light imager that has a high dynamic range (>100 dB) and automatically adjusts for variations in irradiance in the scene is proposed. Then a data efficient image sensor is demonstrated. The idea of this smart image sensor is to reduce the bandwidth needed for transmitting data from the sensor by only sending the information which is required for the specific application while discarding the unnecessary data. In this case, the imager demonstrated sends only information regarding the boundaries of objects in the image so that after transmission to a remote image viewing location, these boundaries can be used to map out objects in the original image. The second part of the dissertation proposes and demonstrates smart optical communications systems using ECVFLs. This starts with the proposal and demonstration of a zero propagation loss optical wireless link using visible light with experiments covering a 1 to 4 m range. By adjusting the focal length of the ECVFLs for this directed line-of-sight link (LOS) the laser beam propagation parameters are adjusted such that the maximum amount of transmitted optical power is captured by the receiver for each link length. This power budget saving enables a longer achievable link range, a better SNR/BER, or higher power efficiency since more received power means the transmitted power can be reduced. Afterwards, a smart dual mode optical wireless link is proposed and demonstrated using a laser and LED coupled to the ECVFL to provide for the first time features of high bandwidths and wide beam coverage. This optical wireless link combines the capabilities of smart directed LOS link from the previous section with a diffuse optical wireless link, thus achieving high data rates and robustness to blocking. The proposed smart system can switch from LOS mode to Diffuse mode when blocking occurs or operate in both modes simultaneously to accommodate multiple users and operate a high speed link if one of the users requires extra bandwidth. The last part of this section presents the design of fibre optic and free-space optical switches which use ECVFLs to deflect the beams to achieve switching operation. These switching modules can be used in the proposed optical wireless indoor network. The final section of the thesis presents a novel smart laser scanning display. The ECVFL is used to create the smallest beam spot size possible for the system designed at the distance of the screen. The smart laser scanning display increases the spatial resoluti on of the display for any given distance. A basic smart display operation has been tested for red light and a 4X improvement in pixel resolution for the image has been demonstrated.

Multi-scale modelling of atomic layer deposition

High-permittivity ("high-k") dielectric materials are used in the transistor gate stack in integrated circuits. As the thickness of silicon oxide dielectric reduces below 2 nm with continued downscaling, the leakage current because of tunnelling increases, leading to high power consumption and reduced device reliability. Hence, research concentrates on finding materials with high dielectric constant that can be easily integrated into a manufacturing process and show the desired properties as a thin film. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is used practically to deposit high-k materials like HfO2, ZrO2, and Al2O3 as gate oxides. ALD is a technique for producing conformal layers of material with nanometer-scale thickness, used commercially in non-planar electronics and increasingly in other areas of science and technology. ALD is a type of chemical vapor deposition that depends on self-limiting surface chemistry. In ALD, gaseous precursors are allowed individually into the reactor chamber in alternating pulses. Between each pulse, inert gas is admitted to prevent gas phase reactions. This thesis provides a profound understanding of the ALD of oxides such as HfO2, showing how the chemistry affects the properties of the deposited film. Using multi-scale modelling of ALD, the kinetics of reactions at the growing surface is connected to experimental data. In this thesis, we use density functional theory (DFT) method to simulate more realistic models for the growth of HfO2 from Hf(N(CH3)2)4/H2O and HfCl4/H2O and for Al2O3 from Al(CH3)3/H2O.Three major breakthroughs are discovered. First, a new reaction pathway, ’multiple proton diffusion’, is proposed for the growth of HfO2 from Hf(N(CH3)2)4/H2O.1 As a second major breakthrough, a ’cooperative’ action between adsorbed precursors is shown to play an important role in ALD. By this we mean that previously-inert fragments can become reactive once sufficient molecules adsorb in their neighbourhood during either precursor pulse. As a third breakthrough, the ALD of HfO2 from Hf(N(CH3)2)4 and H2O is implemented for the first time into 3D on-lattice kinetic Monte-Carlo (KMC).2 In this integrated approach (DFT+KMC), retaining the accuracy of the atomistic model in the higher-scale model leads to remarkable breakthroughs in our understanding. The resulting atomistic model allows direct comparison with experimental techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance.

Midlatitude daytime D region ionosphere variations measured from radio atmospherics

We measured the midlatitude daytime ionospheric D region electron density profile height variations in July and August 2005 near Duke University by using radio atmospherics (or sferics for short), which are the high-power, broadband very low frequency (VLF) signals launched by lightning discharges. As expected, the measured daytime D region electron density profile heights showed temporal variations quantitatively correlated with solar zenith angle changes. In the midlatitude geographical regions near Duke University, the observed quiet time heights decreased from ∼80 km near sunrise to ∼71 km near noon when the solar zenith angle was minimum. The measured height quantitative dependence on the solar zenith angle was slightly different from the low-latitude measurement given in a previous work. We also observed unexpected spatial variations not linked to the solar zenith angle on some days, with 15% of days exhibiting regional differences larger than 0.5 km. In these 2 months, 14 days had sudden height drops caused by solar flare X-rays, with a minimum height of 63.4 km observed. The induced height change during a solar flare event was approximately proportional to the logarithm of the X-ray flux. In the long waveband (wavelength, 1-8 Å), an increase in flux by a factor of 10 resulted in 6.3 km decrease of the height at the flux peak time, nearly a perfect agreement with the previous measurement. During the rising and decaying phases of the solar flare, the height changes correlated more consistently with the short, rather than the long, wavelength X-ray flux changes. © 2010 by the American Geophysical Union.

Comparative analyses of seven algorithms for copy number variant identification from single nucleotide polymorphism arrays.

Determination of copy number variants (CNVs) inferred in genome wide single nucleotide polymorphism arrays has shown increasing utility in genetic variant disease associations. Several CNV detection methods are available, but differences in CNV call thresholds and characteristics exist. We evaluated the relative performance of seven methods: circular binary segmentation, CNVFinder, cnvPartition, gain and loss of DNA, Nexus algorithms, PennCNV and QuantiSNP. Tested data included real and simulated Illumina HumHap 550 data from the Singapore cohort study of the risk factors for Myopia (SCORM) and simulated data from Affymetrix 6.0 and platform-independent distributions. The normalized singleton ratio (NSR) is proposed as a metric for parameter optimization before enacting full analysis. We used 10 SCORM samples for optimizing parameter settings for each method and then evaluated method performance at optimal parameters using 100 SCORM samples. The statistical power, false positive rates, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve residuals were evaluated by simulation studies. Optimal parameters, as determined by NSR and ROC curve residuals, were consistent across datasets. QuantiSNP outperformed other methods based on ROC curve residuals over most datasets. Nexus Rank and SNPRank have low specificity and high power. Nexus Rank calls oversized CNVs. PennCNV detects one of the fewest numbers of CNVs.