A silicon micromachined photonic band gap cell, characteristics and an application

A novel PBG cell based on micromachining of Silicon using wet anisotropic etching has been considered. Since this is based on etching of the Silicon substrate, it is amenable to fabrication with standard Silicon processes and integration with millimeter wave circuits. We characterize this kind of PBG cell by full wave simulations using a time domain code. For the purpose of characterization, the scenario of a 50 ohm microstrip line placed on a Silicon substrate which is anisotropically etched to create patterns with sloping walls is considered. This is shown to produce the well known PBG response of stop bands in certain frequency bands. We look at the variation in the transmission coefficient (S-21) response as the number of periods, length based average fill factor and depth of micromachining are varied. One application of a low pass filter has been proposed and simulated results are given.

Tribology of steel/steel interaction in oil-in-water mulsion; a rationale for lubricity

Oil droplets are dispersed in water by an anionic urfactant to form an emulsion. The lubricity of this emulsion in steel/steel interaction is explored in a ball on flat nanotribometer. The droplet size and charge are measured using dynamic light scattering, while the substrate charge density is estimated using the pH titration method. These data are combined to calculate the DLVO forces for the droplets generated for a range of surfactant concentration and two oil to water volume ratios. The droplets have a clear bi-modal size distribution. The study shows that the smaller droplets which experience weak repulsion are situated (at the highest DLVO barrier) much closer to the substrate than thebigger droplets, which experience the same DLVO force, are. We suggest that the smaller droplets thus play a more important role in lubricity than what the bigger droplets do. The largest volume of such small droplets occurs in the 0.5 mM-1 mM range of surfactant concentration and 1% oil to water volume ratio, where the coefficient of friction is also observed to be the least. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Orientational melting and reorientational motion in a cubane molecular crystal: A molecular simulation study

Detailed molecular simulations are carried out to investigate the effect of temperature on orientational order in cubane molecular crystal. We report a transition from an orientationally ordered to an orientationally disordered plastic crystalline phase in the temperature range 425-450 K. This is similar to the experimentally reported transition at 395 K. The nature of this transition is first order and is associated with a 4.8% increase in unit Cell volume that is comparable to the experimentally reported unit cell volume change of 5.4% (Phys. Rev. Lett. 1997, 78, 4938). An orientational order parameter, eta(T), has been defined in terms of average angle of libration of a molecular 3-fold axis and the orientational melting has been characterized by using eta(T). The orientational melting is associated with an anomaly in specific heat at constant pressure (C-p) and compressibility (kappa). The enthalpy of transition and entropy of transition associated with this orientational melting are 20.8 J mol(-1) and 0.046 J mol(-1) K-1, respectively. The structure of crystalline as well as plastic crystalline phases is characterized by using various radial distribution functions and orientational distribution functions. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the plastic crystalline phase is more than twice that of the crystalline phase.

On the design of quadratic weirs

This paper considers the problem of the design of the quadratic weir notch, which finds application in the proportionate method of flow measurement in a by-pass, such that the discharge through it is proportional to the square root of the head measured above a certain datum. The weir notch consists of a bottom in the form of a rectangular weir of width 2W and depth a over which a designed curve is fitted. A theorem concerning the flow through compound weirs called the “slope discharge continuity theorem” is discussed and proved. Using this, the problem is reduced to the determination of an exact solution to Volterra's integral equation in Abel's form. It is shown that in the case of a quadratic weir notch, the discharge is proportional to the square root of the head measured above a datum Image a above the crest of the weir. Further, it is observed that the function defining the shape of the weir is rapidly convergent and its value almost approximates to zero at distances of 3a and above from the crest of the weir. This interesting and significant behaviour of the function incidentally provides a very good approximate solution to a particular Fredholm integral equation of the first kind, transforming the notch into a device called a “proportional-orifice”. A new concept of a “notch-orifice” capable of passing a discharge proportional to the square root of the head (above a particular datum) while acting both as a notch, and as an orifice, is given. A typical experiment with one such notch-orifice, having A = 4 in., and W = 6 in., shows a remarkable agreement with the theory and is found to have a constant coefficient of discharge of 0.61 in the ranges of both notch and orifice.

Thermal expansion of caesium bromide

The temperature variation of the coefficient of thermal expansion of caesium bromide has been computed in quasiharmonic approximation and compared with the experimental results.

The significance of brittle reaction layers in fusing of dental ceramics to titanium

This thesis comprises four intercomplementary parts that introduce new approaches to brittle reaction layers and mechanical compatibility of metalloceramic joints created when fusing dental ceramics to titanium. Several different methods including atomic layer deposition (ALD), sessile drop contact angle measurements, scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM), three-point bending (TPB, DIN 13 927 / ISO 9693), cross-section microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were employed. The first part investigates the effects of TiO2 layer structure and thickness on the joint strength of the titanium-metalloceramic system. Samples with all tested TiO2 thicknesses displayed good ceramics adhesion to Ti, and uniform TPB results. The fracture mode was independent of oxide layer thickness and structure. Cracking occurred deeper inside titanium, in the oxygen-rich Ti[O]x solid solution surface layer. During dental ceramics firing TiO2 layers dissociate and joints become brittle with increased dissolution of oxygen into metallic Ti and consequent reduction in the metal plasticity. To accomplish an ideal metalloceramic joint this needs to be resolved. The second part introduces photoinduced superhydrophilicity of TiO2. Test samples with ALD deposited anatase TiO2 films were produced. Samples were irradiated with UV light to induce superhydrophilicity of the surfaces through a cascade leading to increased amount of surface hydroxyl groups. Superhydrophilicity (contact angle ~0˚) was achieved within 2 minutes of UV radiation. Partial recovery of the contact angle was observed during the first 10 minutes after UV exposure. Total recovery was not observed within 24h storage. Photoinduced ultrahydrophilicity can be used to enhance wettability of titanium surfaces, an important factor in dental ceramics veneering processes. The third part addresses interlayers designed to restrain oxygen dissolution into Ti during dental ceramics fusing. The main requirements for an ideal interlayer material are proposed. Based on these criteria and systematic exclusion of possible interlayer materials silver (Ag) interlayers were chosen. TPB results were significantly better in when 5 μm Ag interlayers were used compared to only Al2O3-blasted samples. In samples with these Ag interlayers multiple cracks occurred inside dental ceramics, none inside Ti structure. Ag interlayers of 5 μm on Al2O3-blasted samples can be efficiently used to retard formation of the brittle oxygen-rich Ti[O]x layer, thus enhancing metalloceramic joint integrity. The most brittle component in metalloceramic joints with 5 μm Ag interlayers was bulk dental ceramics instead of Ti[O]x. The fourth part investigates the importance of mechanical interlocking. According to the results, the significance of mechanical interlocking achieved by conventional surface treatments can be questioned as long as the formation of the brittle layers (mainly oxygen-rich Ti[O]x) cannot be sufficiently controlled. In summary in contrast to former impressions of thick titanium oxide layers this thesis clearly demonstrates diffusion of oxygen from sintering atmosphere and SiO2 to Ti structures during dental ceramics firing and the following formation of brittle Ti[O]x solid solution as the most important factors predisposing joints between Ti and SiO2-based dental ceramics to low strength. This among other predisposing factors such as residual stresses created by the coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch between dental ceramics and Ti frameworks can be avoided with Ag interlayers.

Dielectric, pyroelectric and ferroelectric properties of Bi4Ti2.98Nb0.01Ta0.01O12 ceramics

The electrical conductivity and electrical relaxation for ferroelectric Bi4Ti2.98Nb0.01Ta0.01O12 (BTNT) ceramics have been reported in the frequency range 0.1 Hz to 1 MHz and in the 300-550 degrees C temperature range. The electrical data was analyzed in the framework of the dielectric as well as the electric modulus formalisms. The bulk dc conductivity at various temperatures was extracted from the electrical relaxation data. The activation energy associated with the electrical relaxation determined from the electric modulus spectra was found to be 0.93 +/- 0.03 eV, close to that of the activation energy for dc conductivity (1.03 +/- 0.02 eV). It suggests that the movements of oxygen ions are responsible for both ionic conduction as well as the relaxation process. The pyroelectric coefficient was found to be 12 mu C m(-2) K-1 at room temperature which is higher than that of the reported value of pyroelectric coefficient for undoped Bi4Ti3O12 ceramics. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Unusual dielectric response in B-site size-disordered hexagonal transition metal oxides

We discover that hexagonal holmium copper titanate (Ho2CuTiO6), has a unique and highly desirable combination of high dielectric constant, low losses, very small temperature coefficient, and low frequency dependence. Our first-principles calculations indicate that these exceptional properties result from a size-difference at the Cu/Ti B-site that suppresses the expected ferroelectric transition, combined with the dominance of intermediate-frequency polar vibrational modes in the dielectric response. Our results suggest that the use of such B-site disorder in alloys of hexagonal transition-metal oxides should generally result in similar robust dielectrics.

A generalized mathematical theory and experimental verification of proportional notches

A theory and generalized synthesis procedure is advocated for the design of weir notches and orifice-notches having a base in any given shape, to a depth a, such that the discharge through it is proportional to any singular monotonically-increasing function of the depth of flow measured above a certain datum. The problem is reduced to finding an exact solution of a Volterra integral equation in Abel form. The maximization of the depth of the datum below the crest of the notch is investigated. Proof is given that for a weir notch made out of one continuous curve, and for a flow proportional to the mth power of the head, it is impossible to bring the datum lower than (2m − 1)a below the crest of the notch. A new concept of an orifice-notch, having discontinuity in the curve and a division of flow into two distinct portions, is presented. The division of flow is shown to have a beneficial effect in reducing the datum below (2m − 1)a from the crest of the weir and still maintaining the proportionality of the flow. Experimental proof with one such orifice-notch is found to have a constant coefficient of discharge of 0.625. The importance of this analysis in the design of grit chambers is emphasized.

Measurement of W-Boson Polarization in Top-Quark Decay in pp̅ Collisions at √s=1.96 TeV

We report measurements of the polarization of W bosons from top-quark decays using 2.7 fb^-1 of ppbar collisions collected by the CDF II detector. Assuming a top-quark mass of 175 GeV/c^2, three measurements are performed. A simultaneous measurement of the fraction of longitudinal (f_0) and right-handed (f_+) W bosons yields the model-independent results f_0 = 0.88 \pm 0.11 (stat) \pm 0.06 (syst) and f_+ = -0.15 \pm 0.07 (stat) \pm 0.06 (syst) with a correlation coefficient of -0.59. A measurement of f_0 (f_+) constraining f_+ (f_0) to its standard model value of 0.0 (0.7) yields f_0 = 0.70 \pm 0.07 (stat) \pm 0.04 (syst) (f_+ = -0.01 \pm 0.02 (stat) \pm 0.05 (syst)). All these results are consistent with standard model expectations.

Propagation of a spherical shock in an inhomogeneous self-gravitating or nongravitating system

The propagation of a shock wave of finite strength due to an explosion into inhomogeneous nongravitating and self-gravitating systems has been considered, using similarity principles, supposing that the density varies as an inverse power of distance from the centre of explosion. A large number of systems, characterised by different density exponents and different adiabatic coefficients of the gas have been considered for different shock strengths. The numerical integration from the shock inward has been continued to the surface of singularity where density tends to infinity and which acts like a piston in the self-gravitating case and to the surface where the velocity gradient tends to infinity in the nongravitating case. The effect of variation of shock strength, density exponent and adiabatic coefficient on the location of these singularities and on the distribution of flow parameters behind the shock has been studied. The initial energy of the system and the manner of release of the explosion energy influence strongly the flow behind the shock. The results have been graphically depicted.

The buoyant plume above a heat source

The boundary-layer type conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy for the steady free turbulent flow in gravitational convection over heat sources are set up for both two-dimensional and axisymmetric cases. These are reduced to ordinary differential equations in a similarity parameter by suitable transformations. The three classical hypotheses of turbulent diffusion-the Constant Exchange Coefficient hypothesis, Prandtl's Momentum Transfer theory and Taylor's Vorticity Transfer theory-are then incorporated into these equations in succession. The resulting equations are solved numerically and the results compared with some experimental results on gravitational convection over heat sources reported by Rouse et al.

Numerical procedure for second order non-linear ordinary differential equations and application to heat transfer problem

In this paper, we have first given a numerical procedure for the solution of second order non-linear ordinary differential equations of the type y″ = f (x;y, y′) with given initial conditions. The method is based on geometrical interpretation of the equation, which suggests a simple geometrical construction of the integral curve. We then translate this geometrical method to the numerical procedure adaptable to desk calculators and digital computers. We have studied the efficacy of this method with the help of an illustrative example with known exact solution. We have also compared it with Runge-Kutta method. We have then applied this method to a physical problem, namely, the study of the temperature distribution in a semi-infinite solid homogeneous medium for temperature-dependent conductivity coefficient.

Use of Abel integral equations in water wave scattering by two surface-piercing barriers

In this paper the classical problem of water wave scattering by two partially immersed plane vertical barriers submerged in deep water up to the same depth is investigated. This problem has an exact but complicated solution and an approximate solution in the literature of linearised theory of water waves. Using the Havelock expansion for the water wave potential, the problem is reduced here to solving Abel integral equations having exact solutions. Utilising these solutions,two sets of expressions for the reflection and transmission coefficients are obtained in closed forms in terms of computable integrals in contrast to the results given in the literature which,involved six complicated integrals in terms of elliptic functions. The two different expressions for each coefficient produce almost the same numerical results although it has not been possible to prove their equivalence analytically. The reflection coefficient is depicted against the wave number in a number of figures which almost coincide with the figures available in the literature wherein the problem was solved approximately by employing complementary approximations. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Simplified theory of carrier back-scattering in semiconducting carbon nanotubes: A Kane's model approach

We present a simplified yet analytical formulation of the carrier backscattering coefficient for zig-zag semiconducting single walled carbon nanotubes under diffusive regime. The electron-phonon scattering rate for longitudinal acoustic, optical, and zone-boundary phonon emissions for both inter- and intrasubband transition rates have been derived using Kane's nonparabolic energy subband model.The expressions for the mean free path and diffusive resistance have been formulated incorporating the aforementioned phonon scattering. Appropriate overlap function in Fermi's golden rule has been incorporated for a more general approach. The effect of energy subbands on low and high bias zones for the onset of longitudinal acoustic, optical, and zone-boundary phonon emissions and absorption have been analytically addressed. 90% transmission of the carriers from the source to the drain at 400 K for a 5 mu m long nanotube at 105 V m(-1) has been exhibited. The analytical results are in good agreement with the available experimental data. (c) 2010 American Institute of Physics.