Towards accurate measurement of the frequency dependence of capacitance and resistance standards up to 10 MHz

Progress toward an understanding of the frequency dependence of capacitance and resistance standards at frequencies up to 10 MHz is presented. A qualitative comparison is also made for capacitance and dissipation factor measurements between the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) high-frequency four terminal-pair (4TP) bridge and a commercial impedance analyzer for the first time. A set of novel high-frequency calculable coaxial resistance standards, of nominal 100 /spl Omega/ and 1 k/spl Omega/ values, have been developed and their calculated frequency dependence up to 1 MHz is given.     

High-frequency input impedance characterization of dielectric films for power-ground planes

Broadband impedance characterization of high dielectric constant (high-k) films was performed using a coaxial test fixture configuration. The presented coaxial test fixture and broadband measurement methodology of impedance for high-k films minimizes systematic uncertainties by reducing the interconnection inductance and improving the calibration procedure. In the APC-7 configuration, the technique enables accurate evaluation of impedance at frequencies of 100 MHz to 10 GHz with resolution of 0.01 /spl Omega/. The electrical characteristic of high-k films was found to be consistent with a capacitive load without significant contribution from the circuit inductance that typically dominates the high-frequency response. The experimental data and numerical simulations showed that high-k organic-ceramic composite materials could considerably suppress resonant behavior of the power-ground planes. It was found that high-k organic resins filled with ferroelectric ceramic powders exhibit a high-frequency dielectric loss that increases with increasing volume fraction of the ceramic component. The dielectric dispersion and the corresponding dielectric loss of organic-ceramic hybrid materials can serve as an effective mechanism for suppressing the resonant standing waves in power-ground planes.     

High frequency nonlinear B-scan imaging of microbubble contrast agents

It was previously shown that it is possible to produce nonlinear scattering from microbubble contrast agents using transmit frequencies in the 14-32 MHz range, suggesting the possibility of performing high-frequency, nonlinear microbubble imaging. In this study, we describe the development of nonlinear microbubble B-scan imaging instrumentation capable of operating at transmit center frequencies between 10 and 50 MHz. The system underwent validation experiments using transmit frequencies of 20 and 30 MHz. Agent characterization experiments demonstrate the presence of nonlinear scattering for the conditions used in this study. Using wall-less vessel phantoms, nonlinear B-scan imaging is performed using energy in one of the subharmonic, ultraharmonic, and second harmonic frequency regions for transmit frequencies of 20 and 30 MHz. Both subharmonic and ultraharmonic imaging modes achieved suppression of tissue signals to below the noise floor while achieving contrast to noise ratios of up to 26 and 17 dB, respectively. The performance of second harmonic imaging was compromised by nonlinear propagation and offered no significant contrast improvement over fundamental mode imaging. In vivo experiments using the subharmonic of a 20 MHz transmit pulse show the successful detection of microvessels in the rabbit ear and in the mouse heart. The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of nonlinear microbubble imaging at high frequencies     

Determination of Complex Permeability of Silicon Steel for Use in High-Frequency Modeling of Power Transformers

Information about frequency dependence of complex permeability of silicon steel is a vital input parameter in calculations of transformer winding inductance used for modeling high-frequency behavior (100 Hz-1 MHz). We present two ways of determining small signal complex permeability spectra in frequency domain and compare and discuss the results. The first method is based on an optimization procedure, in which inductance of a winding is measured and calculated by analytical formulas and finite-element modeling. The second method makes use of a single sheet tester. We show that the magnitude of effective permeability of the silicon steel laminations remains significant up to about 100 kHz. We also report on the effect of magnetic viscosity on complex permeability.     

Polysilicon high frequency devices for large area electronics: Characterization, simulation and modeling

Laser Crystallised Polysilicon Thin Film Transistors have now sufficient good conduction properties to be used in high-frequency applications. In this work, we report the results for 5 μm long polysilicon TFTs obtained at frequencies up to several hundred MHz for applications such as RFID tags or System-On-Panel. In order to investigate the device operation, DC and AC two-dimensional simulations of these devices in the Effective Medium framework have been performed. In the light of simulation results, the effects of carrier trapping and carrier transit on the device capacitances as a function of dimensions are analysed and compared. An equivalent small-signal circuit which accounts for the behaviour of these transistors in all regions of operation is proposed and a model for the most relevant elements of this circuit is presented. To validate our simulation results, scattering-parameters (S-parameters) measurements are performed for several structures such as multi-finger, serpentine and linear architectures and the most meaningful parameters will be given. Cut-off frequencies as high as 300 MHz and maximum oscillation frequencies of about 600 MHz have been extracted.     

Magneto-inductive element

A novel sensitive magnetic head using a magnetoinductive (MI) effect in zero- or negative-magnetostrictive amorphous wires is described. The MI effect refers to the change of an inductance L for an external magnetic field in a ferromagnetic wire element magnetized with a wire AC current I_AC. A 5-mm-length MI element using a folded almost zero-magnetostrictive amorphous wire having a 120-μm diameter showed a sensitive rate of change of its inductance of more than 50% for an external low frequency field of about 10 Oe (800 A/m) applied in parallel with the element. The a-wire MI element works for a wire current having frequencies up to 1 MHz     

Computation of Parameters of Power Transformer Windings for Use in Frequency Response Analysis

We present a 3-D model for calculating magnetic fields in a power transformer and the effective parameters (inductance and resistance) of its windings. The transformer is representative of large transformers with power ratings ranging from hundreds of kilovolt amperes to hundreds of megavolt amperes. The model accounts for anisotropic frequency-dependent properties of the laminated transformer core and eddy currents in the steel sheets. We discuss the results of the calculations performed in the frequency range 10 Hz-10 MHz, and show that the largest variations of both the magnetic field and parameters of the windings take place at frequencies below ~10 kHz and, at frequencies higher than 1 MHz, the magnetic core does not significantly affect the variation of the effective parameters     

Dielectric properties of MgO–ZnO–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-based ceramics at 1 MHz and THz frequencies

The dielectric properties (ε and tan δ) of MZT-based ceramics can be tailored at both 1 MHz and the terahertz (THz) frequencies (0.2–2 THz) by CaTiO₃ (CT) doping. CT was formed liquid phase during the sintering process and accelerated the densification of the ceramics. Doped with CT, the increase of the ε at 1 MHz could be explained by Lichtenecker expressions equation, and the tan δ is decreased at 1 MHz due to the high density. By doping with CT, the THz dielectric properties of ceramics can be modified, due to the variation of the lattice parameter and microstructure (porosity). At THz frequencies, ion displacement polarization is difficult to achieve, so that ε at THz is smaller than ε at 1 MHz according to Clausius–Mosotti equation. According to the four-parameter factorized oscillator model, the tan δ is increased with frequency up to THz frequencies. The power absorption of the MZT-based ceramics is lower than 10 cm^?1 below 1 THz, and it is a good choice as a transparent material at terahertz domain, which may promote the development of terahertz devices.     

A tunable magnetic inductor

For integrated radio-frequency applications, tunable magnetic inductors are expected. A tunable magnetic inductor, based on magnetoimpedance effect, is presented in this paper. The proposed inductor is constructed with a magnetic inductor body, wound by an insulated coil, inducing a longitudinal dc bias magnetic field when a dc control current is flowing through. Formed by a conductive core coated by a high-permeability magnetic layer, the magnetic inductor body can be realized by either a thin-film structure or a composite wire. The reluctance models for both thin-film and composite wire structures are studied. A prototype tunable magnetic inductor, using a composite wire element, has been characterized. The results show that by varying the dc control current, the inductance L of the magnetic inductor can be tuned. The tunable range depends on the frequency of the current flowing through the inductor. A relative variation of inductance /spl Delta/L/L/sub 0/, up to 18% at low frequency (around 5 MHz), is achieved by applying a bias current of magnitude merely up to 15 mA. The quality factor varies from 5 to 17 in the measured frequency range. The proposed tunable inductor may be further optimized for high-frequency applications and has the potential to be realized in micro-electromechanical systems technology.     

Microwave impedance spectroscopy of dense carbon nanotube bundles

We have performed impedance spectroscopy of dense carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles in the broad frequency range from 10 MHz to 67 GHz. Dense CNT bundles were formed on sharp tips from aqueous suspension by ac dielectrophoresis and incorporated into on-wafer test structures. The frequency response of the bundles can be fit to a model with frequency-independent elements in the entire frequency range up to 67 GHz strongly suggesting that CNT properties do not depend on the frequency throughout the whole frequency range. The measurements at microwave frequencies allowed separate characterization of the bundle/metal electrode contacts and the bundle bulk. Effects of different CNT fabrication and suspension processing routes on bundle characteristics were identified. We have also made a preliminary estimation of the average inductance per current carrying shell in the bundles. For good quality nanotube bundles, the inductance has been found to fall within the range from approximately 3.5 to 40 nH/microm. With decreasing nanotube quality, the implemented estimation procedure yields higher values with a large uncertainty. Systematic measurements of devices with individual nanotubes are required to provide more accurate data.     

Differential Measurement of Fast Energy Discharge Capacitor, Inductance, and Resistance

A differential method to measure, simply and accurately, the equivalent series inductance (ESL) and the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of energy discharge capacitors is described and compared with other available methods. The differential method measures the ESL over a wide range of inductance, including extremely low inductance values, without elaborate equipment or intricate data interpretation. The differential method also determines the ESR of fast energy capacitors at frequencies approaching the capacitor self-resonant frequency.     

Microelastic imaging of bone

Several high-frequency ultrasound techniques have been developed during the last decade with the intention of assessing elastic properties of bone at the tissue level. The basic measurement principles can be divided into: 1) measurement of the compressional wave velocity in thin tissue sections; 2) measurement of surface acoustic wave velocities in thick sections; and 3) derivation of the acoustic impedance from the confocal reflection amplitude in thick sections. In this paper, the 3 principles are described with example measurements given in the frequency range from 50 MHz to 1.2 GHz. The measurements were made with 2 microscopes operating in the pulse-echo mode, either with frequencies up to 200 MHz and time-resolved detection or between 100 MHz and 2 GHz and amplitude detection. The methods are compared and their application potentials and limitations are discussed with respect to the hierarchical structure of cortical bone. Mapping of the confocal reflection amplitude has superior capabilities for deriving quantitative elastic and structural parameters in the heterogeneous bone material. Even at low frequencies (50 MHz), the mineralized tissue matrix can be separated from the larger pores (Haversian canals), and the elastic coefficient in the probing direction can be measured in 2 dimensions. Depending on the type of sample surface preparation (flat or cylindrically shaped), local distribution of a single elastic coefficient or the average transverse isotropic stiffness tensor can be derived. With frequencies in the GHz range, the lamellar bone structure can be analyzed. However, at one GHz, the acoustic wavelength is still one order of magnitude larger than the individual mineralized collagen fibrils. Although the thickness of a lamellar unit can easily be assessed from the acoustic image, the derivation of the anisotropic elastic properties of the mineralized collagen fibrils as well as the detailed structure of a lamella can only be accomplished with further model assumptions.     

Lithium niobate transducers for MRI-guided ultrasonic microsurgery

Focused ultrasound surgery (FUS) is usually based on frequencies below 5 MHz-typically around 1 MHz. Although this allows good penetration into tissue, it limits the minimum lesion dimensions that can be achieved. In this study, we investigate devices to allow FUS at much higher frequencies, in principle, reducing the minimum lesion dimensions. Furthermore, FUS can produce deep-sub-millimeter demarcation between viable and necrosed tissue; high-frequency devices may allow this to be exploited in superficial applications which may include dermatology, ophthalmology, treatment of the vascular system, and treatment of early dysplasia in epithelial tissue. In this paper, we explain the methodology we have used to build high-frequency high-intensity transducers using Y-36°-cut lithium niobate. This material was chosen because its low losses give it the potential to allow very-high-frequency operation at harmonics of the fundamental operating frequency. A range of single-element transducers with center frequencies between 6.6 and 20.0 MHz were built and the transducers' efficiency and acoustic power output were measured. A focused 6.6-MHz transducer was built with multiple elements operating together and tested using an ultrasound phantom and MRI scans. It was shown to increase phantom temperature by 32°C in a localized area of 2.5 x 3.4 mm in the plane of the MRI scan. Ex vivo tests on poultry tissue were also performed and shown to create lesions of similar dimensions. This study, therefore, demonstrates that it is feasible to produce high-frequency transducers capable of high-resolution FUS using lithium niobate.     

Impedance transition and series resonance between bulk plasma and sheath in biased inductively coupled plasma

The impedance transition and electron series resonance at an RF bias substrate were observed in 13.56 MHz inductively coupled plasma (ICP). As ICP coil power increased, the impedance of the RF bias transitioned from a capacitive to an inductive load. When bias voltages and discharge impedances reached minimums, bias voltages and currents were in-phase during the transition. The transition can be understood as a series LC resonance between the sheaths (capacitor) and plasma bulks (inductance due to electron inertia). This corresponds to the electron series resonance (ESR) observed in very high-frequency capacitive discharges, and a new ESR frequency which considers sheath resistances is presented.     

Measuring probe for fast transients monitoring in gas insulatedsubstation

This paper describes the construction of four probes adjusted for fast transient monitoring in 123 kV SF₆ insulated substations. The primary requirement was the ability to monitor without distortion very fast transients containing frequencies up to 200 MHz. The measuring system was tested and calibrated with the help of computer modeling techniques. The verified experimental apparatus was then used for testing and calibrating the measuring probes. During the test, various effects on the measuring system characteristics were analyzed with respect to materials used for the components of the system     

四端对标准电容器频率特性的校验理论及测定方法

对四端对阻抗测量仪在其使用频段内进行校准,须确定四端对标准电容器的频率特性。空气介质四端对标准电容器频率特性的校验理论,是从四端对标准器阻抗矩阵出发,按四端对导纳定义进行简化后,再用网络分析仪在较高频率对有关参数进行测定,分析计算后将确定的频率特性曲线回归到100kHz～13MHz范围内。给出标准电寄器1000pF、100pF、10pF、1pF的频率特性曲线及不确定度分析,它将作为阻抗高频段计量的溯源依据。     

Flexible gigahertz transistors derived from solution-based single-layer graphene

Flexible electronics mostly relies on organic semiconductors but the limited carrier velocity in polymers and molecular films prevents their use at frequencies above a few megahertz. Conversely, the high potential of graphene for high-frequency electronics on rigid substrates was recently demonstrated. We conducted the first study of solution-based graphene transistors at gigahertz frequencies, and we show that solution-based single-layer graphene ideally combines the required properties to achieve high speed flexible electronics on plastic substrates. Our graphene flexible transistors have current gain cutoff frequencies of 2.2 GHz and power gain cutoff frequencies of 550 MHz. Radio frequency measurements directly performed on bent samples show remarkable mechanical stability of these devices and demonstrate the advantages of solution-based graphene field-effect transistors over other types of flexible transistors based on organic materials.     

Silicon-on-insulator based nanoresonators for mechanical mixing at radio frequencies

Nanomechanical resonators now allow operating frequencies approaching the range of several 100 MHz. Thus, nanomechanical devices become interesting for applications in signal processing. The main advantage of these devices is their high robustness against thermal and electrical shocks. Therefore, they can be used as very sensitive detectors or frequency selective components in communication electronics. Driving the resonators into nonlinear response increases the sensitivities further. Most importantly, such resonators can be used for a novel kind of mechanical mixing. Here, the mechanical oscillations of tiny bridges and oscillators can be used to realize such novel devices for high-frequency signal processing. We present measurements on mechanical mixing in a nanomechanical resonator operated at 100 MHz.     

Experimental studies of the RF-DC differences of voltage standards

The RF-DC differences (d) of primary voltage standards have been determined by experimental and theoretical processes. Comparisons of five different types of voltage standards have been made. The RF-DC differences of some standards at frequencies from 10 Hz to 300 MHz, or even up to 1 GHz, are quite small, but the d value at frequencies from 0.1 to 50 MHz are not as small as they could be. The recommended method for determining d values is to derive an empirical formula and then to correct it from measured data. The uncertainties of primary voltage standards established by this method are ±0.007% at 1 MHz, ±0.01% at 3 MHz, ±0.02% at 10 MHz, ±0.07% at 30 MHz, ±0.15% at 50 MHz, and ±0.3% at 100 MHz     

Ultrasonic evaluation of solid-state welds

Ultrasonic techniques for evaluating the quality of solid-state weld interfaces have been investigated over the past several years. Promising results have been obtained on a variety of solid-state welds by extracting features from the ultrasonic wave forms and applying pattern recognition algorithms to separate acceptable from unacceptable welds. The general conclusion is that the ultrasonic features most sensitive to interfacial bonding are those dependent on high frequencies. However, no single feature has been discovered that is adequate to yield separation of good vs. poor welds, since the microstructural response is also frequency dependent.Given the increase in sensitivity and resolution with high-frequency ultrasonic evaluation, selected specimens have been examined with acoustic microscopy. These specially prepared samples were inspected with focused transducers at frequencies in the 35–75 MHz range. The reflections observed indicated bond quality to vary in discrete regions with good and poor regions distributed across the diameter. Corresponding variations in the degree of bonding have been observed on the fracture surfaces of mechanically-tested specimens. The development of both low- and high-frequency acoustic microscopy has led to the possibility of sensing and imaging subtle changes in the reflection coefficient of the bond line. These acoustic images will improve our understanding of the mechanisms involved in evaluating solid-state bonds.