High resolution extreme ultraviolet spectrometer for an electron beam ion trap

An extreme ultraviolet spectrometer has been developed for spectroscopic studies of highly charged ions with an electron beam ion trap. It has a slit-less configuration with a spherical varied-line-spacing grating that provides a flat focal plane for grazing incidence light. Alternative use of two different gratings enables us to cover the wavelength range 1-25 nm. Test observations with the Tokyo electron beam ion trap demonstrate the high performance of the present spectrometer such as a resolving power of above 1000.     

Measurement of axial neutral density profiles in a microwave discharge ion thruster by laser absorption spectroscopy with optical fiber probes

In order to reveal the physical processes taking place within the "μ10" microwave discharge ion thruster, internal plasma diagnosis is indispensable. However, the ability of metallic probes to access microwave plasmas biased at a high voltage is limited from the standpoints of the disturbance created in the electric field and electrical isolation. In this study, the axial density profiles of excited neutral xenon were successfully measured under ion beam acceleration by using a novel laser absorption spectroscopy system. The target of the measurement was metastable Xe I 5p(5)((2)P(0) (3/2))6s[3/2](0) (2) which absorbed a wavelength of 823.16 nm. Signals from laser absorption spectroscopy that swept a single-mode optical fiber probe along the line of sight were differentiated and converted into axial number densities of the metastable neutral particles in the plasma source. These measurements revealed a 10(18) m(-3) order of metastable neutral particles situated in the waveguide, which caused two different modes during the operation of the μ10 thruster. This paper reports a novel spectroscopic measurement system with axial resolution for microwave plasma sources utilizing optical fiber probes.     

Liquid-crystal microlens with a beam-steering function

A novel beam-steering device that makes use of a nematic liquid crystal (LC) is proposed and demonstrated. The beam-steering function is attained with a LC microlens with a divided hole-patterned electrode structure (DE-LC microlens). Optical properties of the DE-LC microlens are investigated and three-dimensional variable-focusing and beam-steering properties are verified experimentally for the first time, to our knowledge.     

A proposal of Region- and Racial Traits-Harmonised products for future society: Culture and mindset-related design attributes for highly value-added products

This paper first develops a map for expected future manufacturing systems along with the major driving forces for the evolution of future manufacturing products for each system, and also shows the importance of a new system concept, i.e. cultural difference-based manufacturing, one of its variants being global production of the multiple-ethnic harmonised type.Cultural difference-based manufacturing is about to become a reality with the reconsideration of to what extent highly automised manufacturing is acceptable, and also what are the desirable roles for humans in various manufacturing environments. Along with a new concept for future manufacture, a new product concept, i.e. Region- and Racial Traits-Harmonised (R²TH) product, is proposed. Following research into the previous trials for the R²TH product, the paper explains the characteristic features and the future potential of such products based on a further on-the-spot investigation and a literature survey. In addition, the paper proposes a tentative definition for an R²TH product, and also touches on the correlation of the culture of manufacturing with such products.     

Solution‐Processed Silicane Field‐Effect Transistor: Operation Due to Stacking Defects on the Channel

2D silicon nanomaterials have unique potential for use in applications owing to their many different exotic electronic properties. Field‐effect transistors are fabricated based on free‐standing silicanes through a solution process. Owing to the sensitive surface and the nanometer thickness, the devices require the use of fabrication conditions similar to those of lithium‐ion batteries to prevent oxidation of the sheets. Reliable transistor performance is observed at room temperature in a channel thinner than 3 nm, as drain voltage dependent transfer curves current modulation, depending on the edge effect of the silicane, although the transistor property is modest (hole mobility of 1.8 cm² V^?1 s^?1). The results suggest the feasibility of other air‐sensitive 2D nanomaterials for applications in nanoelectronic devices.     

Practical BRDF reconstruction using reliable geometric regions from multi-view stereo

Computational Visual Media - In this paper, we present a practical method for reconstructing the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) from multiple images of a real object...     

Fabrication of Flexible and Transparent Conductive Nanosheets by the UV‐Irradiation of Gold Nanoparticle Monolayers

Conductive films that are highly transparent and flexible are extremely attractive for emerging optoelectronic applications. Currently, indium‐doped tin oxide films are the most widely used transparent conductive films and much research effort is devoted to developing alternative transparent conductive materials to overcome their drawbacks. In this work, a novel and facile approach for fabricating transparent conductive Au nanosheets from Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) is proposed. Irradiating an AuNP monolayer at the air–water interface with UV light results in a nanosheet with ≈3.5 nm thickness and ≈80% transparency in the UV–visible region. Further, the so‐fabricated nanosheets are highly flexible and can maintain their electrical conductivity even when they are bent to a radius of curvature of 0.6 mm. Fourier‐transform infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations reveal that the transformation of the monolayer of AuNPs into the nanosheet is induced by the photodecomposition and/or photodetachment of the dodecanethiol ligands capping the AuNPs. Further, the UV‐irradiation of a hybrid monolayer consisting of AuNPs and silica particles affords the patterning of Au nanosheets with periodic hole arrays.     

Effect of collision angle on particle-particle adhesion of colliding particles through liquid droplet

In wet granulation processes, a particle adhesion mediated by a liquid bridge is one of the quite important phenomena. In an actual process, the liquid bridge shows dynamic motion due to continuous motion of the particles. Therefore, understanding of the particle adhesion phenomenon by a dynamic liquid bridge is essential to adequately and precisely control wet granulation processes. This study presents a direct numerical simulation of the particle–particle adhesion by a dynamic liquid bridge. Collision of a dry particle and a wet particle was simulated at various collision angles. In particular, translational and rotational motions of the particle at different collision angles were discussed through comparison with a conventional static liquid bridge force model. As a result, it was found that both translational and rotational motions were largely different between simulation results of the direct numerical simulation and static liquid bridge force model, especially at the tangential collision. To understand these results, we focused on the rotational behavior of the particle and deformation of the liquid bridge. It was concluded that the non-slip behavior of the liquid bridge on the particle surface is a key phenomenon for the particle-particle adhesion by the dynamic liquid bridge at the tangential collision.     

Control of precipitation behaviour of Hastelloy-X through grain boundary engineering

Grain boundary engineering (GBE) was employed to control the precipitation behaviour of Hastelloy-X alloy. The precipitate characteristics and thermal stability of grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) were investigated by aging at 850°C. M₆C carbides and µ phases were observed in the matrix and on grain boundaries, respectively. It revealed that the formation of µ phase was closely related to the grain boundary structure. GBCD effectively suppressed the nucleation and coarsening of µ phases on the grain boundaries. Owing to the Mo depletion in the vicinity of random grain boundary, the formation of the precipitates was inhibited on the adjacent grain boundaries. The thermal stability of the GBE-optimised microstructure was confirmed at 850°C for 720?h without significant microstructural degradation.