Reliability and component importance of a consecutive-k-out-of-n system

This paper explores the duality between the consecutive-k-out-of-n F and G systems, studies the Birnbaum reliability importance of the components in an i.i.d. system, and reviews the research in uniform treatment of the linear and circular consecutive-k-out-of-n:F systems. Upper and lower bounds for the reliability of a linear consecutive-k-out-of-n system are developed by constructing k-fold series and parallel redundant systems from the linear system.     

Silicate formation at the interface of Hf-oxide as a high-k dielectrics and Si(0 0 1) surfaces

The composition and chemical bonding of the first atoms across the interface between Si(0 0 1) and the gate dielectrics determine the quality of gate stacks. An analysis of that hidden interface is a challenge as it requires high sensitivity in both elemental and chemical state information. We used synchrotron radiation (SR) based photoelectron spectroscopy and, in particular, X-ray absorption spectroscopy in total electron yield and total fluorescence yield at the Si2p and the O1s edges to address this issue. We report on results for Hf oxide prepared by ALD and compare to Pr₂O₃/Si(0 0 1). For Hf oxide thin films we find evidence for the silicate formation at the interface as derived from the characteristic features in the X-ray absorption spectra at the Si2p and the O1s edges. Resonant photoelectron spectroscopy is used to analyze the absorption band in detail. Following the resonant profiles of initial and final states we deduce from the resonant behaviour a charge donation via a Si-induced charge transfer.     

Fabrication of Gelatin Microgels by a “Cast” Strategy for Controlled Drug Release

In this paper, we propose a “casting” strategy to prepare intrinsically fluorescent, uniform and porous gelatin microgels with multi‐responsiveness. Gelatin microgels with tunable size were obtained by copying the structure of a porous CaCO₃ template. The diameter of the gelatin microgels was sensitive to salt concentration and pH. Doxorubicin and Rhodamine B as model drugs were loaded into the microgels via electrostatic interaction and release of the payload was triggered by changing the salt concentration and pH, respectively. Cell experiments demonstrated that the gelatin microgels had an excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. The merits of gelatin microgels such as tunable size, biocompatibility, and stimulus responsive upload and release of positively charged small molecules will permit the microgels as excellent carriers for drug delivery. The whole manufacturing process is furthermore environmental‐friendly involving no organic solvents and surfactants.     

Comment on “closed-form SER expressions for star MQAM in frequency non-selective Rician and Nakagami- channels”

An explicit expression is derived for the symbol error rate (SER) of the star MQAM system considered by Ioannis and Aris [Closed-form SER expressions for star MQAM in frequency non-selective Rician and Nakagami-m channels. Int J Electron Commun AEU 2005;59:417–20].     

Effects of oxygen partial pressure on structural and electrical characteristics of HfAlO high-k gate dielectric grown on strained SiGe by pulsed-laser deposition

Dependence of oxygen partial pressures on structural and electrical characteristics of HfAlO (Hf:Al=1:1) high-k gate dielectric ultra-thin films grown on the compressively strained Si₈₃Ge₁₇ by pulsed-laser deposition were investigated. The microstructure and the interfacial structure of the HfAlO thin films grown under different oxygen partial pressures were studied by transmission electron microscopy, and the their electrical properties were characterized by capacitance–voltage (C−V) and conductance–voltage measurements. Dependence of interfacial layer thickness and C–V characteristics of the HfAlO films on the growth of oxygen pressure was revealed. With an optimized oxygen partial pressure, an HfAlO film with an effective dielectric constant of 16 and a low interface state density of 2.1×10¹⁰ cm⁻² eV⁻¹ was obtained.     

Comments on “A new and exact analysis of DS-CDMA cellular radio system based on the physical interpretation of Nakagami wideband channel”

Explicit expressions are derived for the probabilities of the bit error of the DS-CDMA cellular system considered by Abdel-Hafez and Alagoz [A new and exact analysis of DS-CDMA cellular radio system based on the physical interpretation of Nakagami wideband channel. AEU - Int J Electron Commun 2004;58:330–8].     

Electrical characterization of high-k gate dielectrics fabricated using plasma oxidation and post-deposition annealing of a Hf/SiO2/Si structure

High permittivity (high-k) gate dielectrics were fabricated using the plasma oxidation of Hf metal/SiO₂/Si followed by the post-deposition annealing (PDA), which induced a solid-phase reaction between HfO_x and SiO₂. The oxidation time and PDA temperature affected the equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) and the leakage current density of the high-k dielectric films. The interfacial structure of the high-k dielectric film/Si was transformed from HfO_x/SiO₂/Si to HfSi_xO_y/Si after the PDA, which led to a reduction in EOT to 1.15 nm due to a decrease in the thickness of SiO₂. These high-k dielectric film structures were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The leakage current density of high-k dielectric film was approximately four orders of magnitude lower than that of SiO₂.     

Optimization of electric properties of high-k zirconium dioxide by varying deposition and annealing conditions

ZrO₂ thin films with a smooth surface were synthesized on silicon by atomic vapor deposition™ using Zr[OC(CH₃)₃]₄ as precursor. The maximum growth rate (7 nm min⁻¹) and strongest crystalline phase were obtained at 400 °C. The increase of the deposition temperature reduced the deposition rate to 0.5 nm min⁻¹ and changed the crystalline ZrO₂ phase from cubic/tetragonal to monoclinic. These films showed no enhancement of the dominating monoclinic phase by annealing. The values of the dielectric constant (up to 32) and leakage current density (down to 1.2×10⁻⁶ A cm⁻² at 1×10⁶ V cm⁻¹) varied depending on the deposition temperature and film thickness. The midgap density of interface states was N_it=5×10¹¹ eV⁻¹ cm⁻². The leakage current and the density of interface states were lowered by the annealing to 10⁻⁷ A cm⁻² at 1×10⁶ V cm⁻¹ and to 10¹⁰ eV⁻¹ cm⁻², respectively. However, this also led to a decrease of the dielectric constant.     

一种变低K介质槽型SOI 功率MOSFET的开关态研究

A novel silicon-on-insulator(SOI) MOSFET with a variable low-k dielectric trench(LDT MOSFET) is proposed and its performance and characteristics are investigated.The trench in the drift region between drain and source is filled with low-k dielectric to extend the effective drift region.At OFF state,the low-k dielectric trench(LDT) can sustain high voltage and enhance the dielectric field due to the accumulation of ionized charges. At the same time,the vertical dielectric field in the buried oxide can also be enhanced by these ionized charges. Additionally,ON-state analysis of LDT MOSFET demonstrates excellent forward characteristics,such as low gateto -drain charge density(< 0.6 nC/mm~2) and a robust safe operating area(0-84 V).     

Thermal stability of high-k Er-silicate gate dielectric formed by interfacial reaction between Er and SiO2 films

We fabricated a high-k Er-silicate gate dielectric using interfacial reaction between Er and SiO₂ films and investigated its thermal stability. The reduced capacitance with increasing annealing temperature is associated with the chemical bonding change of Er-silicate from Er-rich to Si-rich, induced by a reaction between Er-silicate and Si during thermal treatment. Further an increase in the annealing temperature (>500 °C) causes the formation of Si dangling bonds, which is responsible for an increased interface trap density.     

Comment on “Structural and Electrical Properties of Atomic Layer Deposited Al‐Doped ZnO Films”

In a recent report, 1 Lee et al. have proposed an “effective field model” for extrinsic doping to explain the electrical properties of Al‐doped zinc oxide (ZnO) films grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD). 1 They have introduced the doping model by considering the layered structure of the ALD‐grown films as observed in the transmission electron microscopy measurements. However, in the present comment, we have demonstrated that the suggested doping model is misleading in which physically inconsistent assumptions are considered throughout. Herein, a reasonable interpretation of the electrical properties and doping mechanism of the ALD‐grown films by taking into consideration the theoretical formulations of the disordered electronic system is suggested.     

Formation of Chiral Mesopores in Conducting Polymers by Chiral‐Lipid‐Ribbon Templating and “Seeding” Route

Conducting polymer nanofibers with controllable chiral mesopores in the size, the shape, and handedness have been synthesized by chiral lipid ribbon templating and “seeding” route. Chiral mesoporous conducting poly(pyrrole) (CMPP) synthesized with very small amount of chiral amphiphilic molecules (usually < 3%) has helically twisted channels with well‐defined controllable pore size of 5–20 nm in central axis of the twisted fibers. The structure and chirality of helical mesopores have been characterized by high‐resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron tomography. The average pore diameters of chiral mesopores were approximately estimated from the N₂ adsorption–desorption data and calculated by the conversion calculation from helical ribbons to a rectangular straight tape. The pore size of CMPP has been controlled by choosing different alkyl chain lengths of chiral lipid molecules or precisely adjusting the H₂O/EtOH volume ratio.     

Regulating Top‐Surface Multilayer/Single‐Crystal Graphene Growth by “Gettering” Carbon Diffusion at Backside of the Copper Foil

A unique strategy is reported to constrain the nucleation centers for multilayer graphene (MLG) and, later, single‐crystal graphene domains by gettering carbon source on backside of the flat Cu foil, during chemical vapor deposition. Hitherto, for a flat Cu foil, the top‐surface‐based growth mechanism is emphasized, while overlooking the graphene on the backside. However, the systematic experimental findings indicate a strong correlation between the backside graphene and the nucleation centers on the top‐surface, governed by the carbon diffusion through the bulk Cu. This understanding steers to devise a strategy to mitigate the carbon diffusion to the top‐surface by using a carbon “getter” substrate, such as nickel, on the backside of the Cu foil. Depth profiling of the nickel substrate, along with the density functional theory calculations, verifies the gettering role of the nickel support. The implementation of the backside carbon gettering approach on single‐crystal graphene growth results in lowering the nucleation density by two orders of magnitude. This enables the single‐crystal domains to grow by 6 mm laterally on the untreated Cu foil. Finally, the growth of large‐area polycrystalline single layer graphene, free of unwanted MLG domains, with significantly improved field‐effect mobility of ≈6800 cm² V^?1 s^?1 is demonstrated.     

Effects of generation/recombination processes and leakage current through interfacial “punctures” on electrical characterization of unipolar directly bonded semiconductor structures

Numerical simulations have been performed to analyze the influence of generation/recombination processes and leakage current through “interfacial” punctures on the results of electrical characterization of unipolar directly bonded semiconductor junctions by the methods previously proposed by the present author [Mater. Sci. Semicond. Process. 4 (2001) 177]. Physical quantities that characterize the electrical state of the bonded junction and phenomena brought about by the generation/recombination processes in the junction (static and high-frequency conduction due to minority carriers, influence of generation/recombination processes on the interfacial charge, etc.) are discussed.     

Synthesizing Organo/Hydrogel Hybrids with Diverse Programmable Patterns and Ultrafast Self‐Actuating Ability via a Site‐Specific “In Situ” Transformation Strategy

A simple yet robust strategy called “‘in situ' transformation” is developed to prepare organo/hydro binary gels based on the aminolysis of poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate) (pPFPA). Treated with desired hydrophilic, oleophilic alkylamines, and their mixtures, pPFPA‐based organogels can be thoroughly transformed to targeted hydrogels, organogels, and even organohydrogels with outstanding mechanical properties. Further, relying on programed aminolysis procedures, site‐specific “in situ” transformation can be realized, giving rise to organo/hydro binary gels with diverse patterns and morphologies, such as macroscopic layered organo/hydrogel with a smooth‐transitioned yet mechanically robust interface, reconfigurable microscale organo/hydrogel hybrids with a high spatial‐resolution pattern capable of reversibly transforming between 2D sheets and 3D helixes with controlled chirality in different solvents, and core–shell structured organo/hydrogel hybrids with readily adjustable core/shell dimensions, tunable internal stress, and transparency. Finally, an oscillator based on a bilayered organo/hydrogel hybrid is developed. Attributing to the synergistic effect of organogel expansion and hydrogel contraction, as well as the robust interfacial mechanical properties, this oscillator is capable of ultrafast self‐actuating through harvesting surrounding chemical and thermal energy. This work provides new design principles and highly efficient synthetic strategy for organo/hydro binary gels, and expands their potential applications in soft robotics.     

Engineering a Nanoscale Al‐MOF‐Armored Antigen Carried by a “Trojan Horse”‐Like Platform for Oral Vaccination to Induce Potent and Long‐Lasting Immunity

Vaccination via the oral administration of an antigen faces many challenges, including gastrointestinal (GI) proteolysis and mucosal barriers. To limit GI proteolysis, a biomimetically mineralized aluminum‐based metal–organic framework (Al‐MOF) system that is resistant to ambient temperature and pH and can act synergistically as a delivery vehicle and an adjuvant is synthesized over a model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) to act as armor. To overcome mucosal barriers, a yeast‐derived capsule is used to carry the Al‐MOF‐armored OVA as a “Trojan Horse”‐like transport platform. In vitro experiments reveal that the mineralization of Al‐MOFs forms an armor on OVA that protects against highly acidic and degradative GI conditions. However, the mineralized Al‐MOFs can gradually disintegrate in a phosphate ion‐containing simulated intracellular fluid, slowly releasing their encapsulated OVA. In vivo studies reveal that the “Trojan Horse”‐like transport platform specifically targets intestinal M cells, favoring the transepithelial transport of the Al‐MOF‐armored OVA, followed by subsequent endocytosis in local macrophages, ultimately accumulating in mesenteric lymph nodes, yielding long‐lasting, high‐levels of mucosal S‐IgA and serum IgG antibodies. Such an engineered delivery platform may represent a promising strategy for the oral administration of prophylactic or therapeutic antigens for vaccination.     

Mechanically Robust,Self‐Healable,and Highly Stretchable “Living” Crosslinked Polyurethane Based on a Reversible CC Bond

Stimuli‐responsive polymers built by reversible covalent bonds used to possess unbalanced mechanical properties. Here, a crosslinked polyurethane containing aromatic pinacol as a novel reversible C?C bond provider is synthesized, whose tensile strength and failure strain are tunable from 27.3 MPa to as high as 115.2 MPa and from 324% to 1501%, respectively, owing to the relatively high bond energy of the C?C bond of pinacol as well as the hydrogen bond between hard segments and semicrystalline soft segments. Moreover, the dynamic equilibrium of pinacol enables self‐healing and recycling of the polymer. Interestingly, the dynamic exchange among macromolecules, for the first time, successfully cooperates with solid‐state drawing that applies to thermoplastics, realizing strengthening of thermoset. Meanwhile, the radicals derived from homolysis of pinacol can repeatedly initiate polymerization of vinyl monomers. The fruitful outcomes of this work may create a series of promising new techniques.