High-nonlinearity fiber optical parametric amplifier with periodicdispersion compensation

Theory shows that the maximum gain and bandwidth of one-pump fiber optical parametric amplifiers made from high-nonlinearity fiber, operated with a pump wavelength λ_p far from the fiber zero-dispersion wavelength λ₀ can greatly be improved by periodic dispersion compensation. We have performed experiments and obtained good agreement with theory: for λ_p=1542 and λ₀=1591 nm, we have increased the bandwidth from 7 to 28 nm, and the maximum gain from 15 to 20 dB, by splicing three pieces of standard fiber at regular intervals in a 40-m long nonlinear fiber     

Noise limit in heterodyne Interferometer demodulator for FBG-based sensors

This paper reports the results of a recent investigation on the noise-limited performance in heterodyne interferometric demodulation systems for fiber Bragg grating strain sensors. Theoretical and simulation results are presented and compared with experimental results.     

Optimization of the Ni(P) Thickness for an Ultrathin Ni(P)-Based Surface Finish in Soldering Applications

The effects of the Ni(P) thickness δ _Ni(P) on the interfacial reaction between an Sn-3Ag-0.5Cu solder and an Au/Pd(P)/Ni(P)/Cu pad (thickness: 0.05/0.05/0.1–0.3/20 μm) and the resulting mechanical properties were investigated using scanning electron microscopy equipped with an electron backscatter diffraction system, a focused ion beam system, electron probe microanalysis, and high-speed ball shear (HSBS) testing. Regardless of δ _Ni(P), all of the Au/Pd(P)/Ni(P) surface finishes examined were completely exhausted in one reflow, exposing the Cu pad underneath the solder. Cu₆Sn₅ dissolved with various Ni contents, termed (Cu,Ni)₆Sn₅, was the dominant intermetallic compound (IMC) species at the solder/Cu interface. Additionally, Ni₂SnP and Ni₃P IMCs might form with the (Cu,Ni)₆Sn₅ in the thick Ni(P) case, i.e., δ _Ni(P) = 0.3 μm, and the two IMCs (Ni₂SnP and Ni₃P) were gradually eliminated from the interface after multiple reflows. A mass balance analysis indicated that the growth of the Ni-containing IMCs, rather than the dissolution of the metallization pad, played a key role in the Ni(P) exhaustion. The HSBS test results indicated that the mechanical strength of the solder joints was also δ _Ni(P) dependent. The combined results of the interfacial reaction and the mechanical evaluation provided the optimal δ _Ni(P) value for soldering applications.     

Development of a microelectromechanical system pressure sensor for rehabilitation engineering applications

Based on computer finite-element analysis ANSYS 5.3 and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies, a micropressure sensor was designed and fabricated. The sensor can be used to measure the distribution of normal stress between soft tissues on an above-knee amputee's skin and the contacting surface of a rehabilitation device. A square membrane with dimensions 2400 µm × 2400 µm × 80 µm is formed by backside photolithography and wet etching of an n-type ?100? monolithic silicon wafer. On the middle of the membrane edge, an X-shaped silicon wafer was implanted with boron ions and then enhanced by diffusion to form a piezoresistive strain gauge. In the design process, a finite-element method is used to analyse the effects of pressure sensitivity and its temperature coefficients. The developed micropressure sensors, which have smaller weight and volume than a conventional machine type, perform well and fit our design specifications.     

A low-power 2/5.8-GHz dual-wide-band CMOS LC-VCO with switched-inductor technique

A fully integrated dual-band LC voltage control oscillator, designed in a 0.18-µm CMOS technology for 5.8-GHz/2.0-GHz wireless communication applications, is described. The frequency band switching is accomplished with switched-inductor technique. The dual-band oscillator can be operated in 5.38–6.23?GHz and 1.78–2.07?GHz with 15% frequency tuning range. Two different inductors are used for the frequency band switching. Frequency tuning is implemented by varying the capacitance of a MOS varactor. The measured phase noise is ?109?dBc/Hz @ 1?MHz and ?112?dBc/Hz @ 1?MHz for frequency at 5.8?GHz and 2?GHz, respectively. This oscillator is fabricated in UMC's 0.18-µm one-poly-six-metal 1.8?V process. The power dissipation of this dual-band VCO is 11.7 and 9.3?mW for oscillation frequency of 2?GHz and 5.8?GHz, respectively.     

Optimization of polymer light emitting devices using TiOx electron transport layers and prism sheets

The internal and external efficiency of polymer light emitting devices were found can be simultaneously improved by insertion a high refractive index material, titanium oxide (TiO_x), to the emission layer and a prism sheet attached to the substrate. The TiO_x layer increased the internal efficiency due to a better electron injection and hole confinement. However, it led a wider angular emission profile with more photons trapped in the substrate. By using the prism sheet, those trapped light was efficiently coupled to the air. The extraction efficiency enhancement was increased from 33.1% to 54.4% and the overall current efficiency was improved up to 86%.     

Studies of high DC current induced degradation in III-V nitridebased heterojunctions

We report experiments on high dc current stressing in commercial III-V nitride based heterojunction light-emitting diodes. Stressing currents ranging from 100 mA to 200 mA were used. Degradations in the device properties were investigated through detailed studies of the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics, electroluminescence, deep-level transient Fourier spectroscopy and flicker noise. Our experimental data demonstrated significant distortions in the I-V characteristics subsequent to electrical stressing. The room temperature electroluminescence of the devices exhibited a 25% decrement in the peak emission intensity. Concentration of the deep-levels was examined by deep-level transient Fourier spectroscopy, which indicated an increase in the density of deep-traps from 2.7×10¹³ cm^-3 to 4.2×10¹³ cm^-3 at E₁=E _C-1.1 eV. The result is consistent with our study of 1/f noise, which exhibited up to three orders of magnitude increase in the voltage noise power spectra. These traps are typically located at energy levels beyond the range that can be characterized by conventional techniques including DLTS. The two experiments, therefore, provide a more complete picture of trap generation due to high dc current stressing     

Fabrication of a Superhydrophobic Surface from a Smectic Liquid‐Crystal Defect Array

A novel fabrication method is developed for the preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces. The procedure uses focal conic structures of semi‐fluorinated smectic liquid crystals (LCs) whose periodic toric focal conic domains (TFCDs) are prepared on a surface modified substrate. Reactive ion etching (RIE) on the periodic TFCD surface leads to a superhydrophobic surface with a water contact angle of ～160° and a sliding angle of ～2° for a 10 µL water droplet. The results show that this phenomenon is due to the development of a dual‐scale surface roughness arising from the nanoscale protuberance caused by applying the RIE process to the top of the microscale TFCD arrays. The unique surface behavior is further verified by demonstrating that RIE on a flat lamellar liquid crystal film, in which the director is aligned parallel with surface, results in a relatively low hydrophobicity as compared to when periodic TFCDs are subjected to REI. The observations made in this publication suggest that a new approach exists for selecting potential candidates of superhydrophic surface formation based on spontaneous self‐assembly in smectic liquid‐crystalline materials.     

An Intelligent Product Recommendation Model to Reflect the Recent Purchasing Patterns of Customers

Mobile Networks and Applications - This study suggests a new product recommendation model to reflect the recent purchasing patterns of customers. There are many methods to measure the similarity...     

Modular Deformable Steam Electricity Cogeneration System with Photothermal,Water, and Electrochemical Tunable Multilayers

Capturing solar energy for thermal conversion in a highly efficient manner for steam‐electricity cogeneration is particularly opportune in the context of optimal solar energy utilization for concurrent water‐energy harvesting. Herein, an integrative photothermal evaporator/thermogalvanic cell with the desired optical, heat, water, and electrochemical management for synergistic steam‐electricity production is reported. Versatile layer by‐layer assembly is employed to integrate a hydrogel/metal‐oxide/polymer into a multilayer film with individually addressable thickness, composition, and structure. As such, the ultimate integrative multilayer film cell demonstrates a unified high surface area and conductive electrodes, broadband absorption, rapid water suction‐ion exchange, and thermal insulation properties. Thus, the designed cell immensely suppresses heat losses, achieving a high solar thermal conversion efficiency of 91.4% and maximum power outputs of ≈1.6 mW m^?2. Additionally, the self‐floating, deformable, modular integral device presents appealing attributes such as salt‐rejection for viable seawater desalination, high mechanical stability, and resilience to demanding operating conditions, and configurable on‐demand/point‐of‐use tandem structure to maximize clean water and power generation value per area. This integrated strategy may provide prospective opportunities to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and freshwater inputs and solutions for renewable and decentralized clean water and electricity.