Single and matrix HgCdTe photovoltaic detectors

The recent researches and technological developments of middle and long wavelength infrared HgCdTe photovoltaic detectors are presented. Structure, topology, design and performance of HgCdTe photodiodes, silicon readout electronics, Focal Plane Arrays both staring and time delay and integration types, thermal imagers are discussed. Negative differential conductance, bistability and high frequency oscillations under background infrared radiation in HgCdTe photodiodes are reported.     

Sensitometric characteristics of an all‐solid‐state photoelectrochromic pixel for an electrochromic light‐addressable display

Abstract— An all solid‐state photoelectrochromic element (PECE) was developed on the basis of electrochromic layers of WO₃ and polyaniline with a layer of polymer electrolyte placed on a base of polyamidosulfoacid, in which a thin‐film CdS_xSe_1?x photoresistor was used as an electronic key. The dependence of the sensitometric characteristics of the PECE on the applied voltage was studied.     

Langmuir films of polycyclic molecules on mercury

Langmuir films (LFs) of biphenyl and anthracene derivatives on the surface of liquid mercury were studied by surface-specific X-ray and surface tension measurements. Phases of lying-down, side-lying and standing-up molecules were found, some of which exhibit long-range lateral order. The molecular symmetry and the position and nature of the side-, end-, and headgroups are shown to dominate the structural evolution of the LFs with surface coverage.     

Predictive modeling of mercury speciation in combustion flue gases using GMDH-based abductive networks

Modeling mercury speciation is an important requirement for estimating harmful emissions from coal-fired power plants and developing strategies to reduce them. First-principle models based on chemical, kinetic, and thermodynamic aspects exist, but these are complex and difficult to develop. The use of modern data-based machine learning techniques has been recently introduced, including neural networks. Here we propose an alternative approach using abductive networks based on the group method of data handling (GMDH) algorithm, with the advantages of simplified and more automated model synthesis, automatic selection of significant inputs, and more transparent input–output model relationships. Models were developed for predicting three types of mercury speciation (elemental, oxidized, and particulate) using a small dataset containing six inputs parameters on the composition of the coal used and boiler operating conditions. Prediction performance compares favourably with neural network models developed using the same dataset, with correlation coefficients as high as 0.97 for training data. Network committees (ensembles) are proposed as a means of improving prediction accuracy, and suggestions are made for future work to further improve performance.     

钛合金的银脆,镉脆敏感性及其控制

利用慢应变速率拉伸技术（ＳＳＲＴ），并结合恒载实验，较全面地研究了Ｔｉ－６Ａｌ－４Ｖ合金的银脆行为、固态与液态镉脆行为，确定了应变速率、接触条件、热处理制度、试样取向、温度等因素对Ｔｉ－６Ａｌ－４Ｖ合金银脆与镉脆敏感性的影响，探讨了Ｎｉ阻挡层对控制Ｔｉ－６Ａｌ－４Ｖ合金和ＴＣ１１合金银脆开裂的作用。     

CdTe-CdS solar cells — Production in a new baseline and investigation of material properties

In this paper, we describe our new baseline for CSS-CdTe-CdS solar cells on 10 × 10 cm² substrates. The deposition of the p-n junction and all the following steps were performed at the Institut für Festkörperphysik (IFK) in Jena. Using the new baseline, we are already able to produce solar cells with similar properties as commercial ones. In the batch type process, all manufacturing steps can be investigated separately. We employ Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and external quantum efficiency (EQE) measurements to characterise the structure of the bulk materials and interfaces. It is demonstrated that by RBS the front contact becomes accessible for thinned CdTe films. At the back contact, RBS spectra show a tellurium accumulation which is due to etching. This tellurium rich layer is confirmed by XRD with Rietveld refinement. The intermixing at the CdS-CdTe interface caused by the activation step is quantified by a bandgap determination based on EQE measurements. From the bandgap energy of the CdTe_1 − xS_x compound, we calculated the sulphur fraction x at the interface. XRD measurements imply that the activation step induces a (111) texture in CdTe. With regard to an improved manufacturing process, our cells are compared to industrial cells produced by Antec Solar Energy.     

A source apportioned mercury mass balance across a coal-based petrochemical complex

Coal-fired power generation facilities are the largest single anthropogenic source of mercury to the atmosphere. Global mapping of anthropogenic emissions has previously estimated the mercury emission from stationary combustion from South Africa at being 82.6 tonnes per annum, but preliminary in-house calculations have placed this at a significantly lower amount. A petrochemical facility in South Africa, utilising a significant amount of coal in its gasification and steam generation processes, undertook a project to determine a mercury mass balance across the complex, and to apportion the Hg emissions from the facility.     

变温长波碲镉汞光电导现象研究

报道了ｎ型Ｈｇ０．８Ｃｌ０．２Ｔｅ光电导体的变温材料参数与性能参数的对照关系，并讨论了材料的锭条参数与小芯片霍耳参数的差异，得到一组光电导的实验优化数据，实测小芯片载流子浓度ｎ≈１．８×１０＾１５ｃｍ＾－３，这与高性能器件实测值的倒推数值一致，这被解释为长江红外高背景辐射的结果。     

氦－镉激光器的失效机制

本文报道国产氦－镉激光器常出现的导致失效的一些现象，并阐明其机制。同时给出一些改进意见及修理方法。     

How Non-native Species in Lake Erie Influence Trophic Transfer of Mercury and Lead to Top Predators

Lake Erie's food web has been dramatically modified by exotic species. Both exotic dreissenid mussels and the round goby Neogobius melanastomus have shifted the food web from a pelagicbased to a benthic-based one, potentially creating a new pathway for contaminant transfer to top predators. Before the invasion of round gobies, few predators of dreissenids occurred in Lake Erie, allowing contaminants to be confined to these benthic organisms. The invasion of the round goby has produced a new pathway through which these contaminants can enter the food web. To characterize heavy-metal transfer through this new food web and to assess risk to humans, water, surficial sediment, dreissenid, round goby, and smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieui samples were collected at three sites during summers, 2002 and 2003, and analyzed for total lead (Pb), total mercury (Hg), and methyl mercury (MeHg). In addition, we compared smallmouth bass Pb and Hg concentrations to those measured in 1993/1994, before round gobies were prevalent. Pb biodiminished and MeHg biomagnified through the food web to smallmouth bass; patterns were similar among our three sites. Total Pb concentrations in smallmouth bass were higher before the incorporation of round gobies into their diet. We attributed this decline to changes in food web structure, changes in contaminant burdens in prey, or declines in sediment Pb concentrations in Lake Erie. By comparison, Hg concentrations in smallmouth bass changed little, before and after the round goby invasion, possibly due to a shift in diet that increased growth. Despite a decline in sediment Hg concentrations in Lake Erie, smallmouth bass continued to accumulate Hg at historical rates possibly because of their high consumption rates of benthivorous round gobies. As smallmouth bass continue to consume round gobies during their lives, their Hg concentrations may well continue to increase, potentially increasing the risk of Hg contamination to humans.