TEM characterization of Si nanowires grown by CVD on Si pre-structured by nanosphere lithography

Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) were grown on Si(1 0 0) and Si(1 1 1) substrates by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) via the vapour–liquid–solid (VLS) mechanism with small gold particles used as seeds. In order to control the diameter of nanowires, their density on the substrate and their orientation we controlled the size and the distribution of Au seed particles. This was accomplished using nanosphere lithography (NSL) by which regular arrays of Au nanoparticles can be generated. This allowed us to grow single-crystalline SiNWs perpendicular to the surface of Si(1 1 1) substrates. The SiNWs and their Au caps were studied with respect to their morphology and composition using TEM, HREM and EFTEM methods. Clusters of Au are observed along the surface of SiNWs and the existence of a thin Si film on gold particles capping the SiNWs is demonstrated.     

MIMO systems with full and reduced hardware complexity

MIMO (multiple-input-multiple-output) systems propose enormous gains in the capacity of wireless systems without requiring more spectral resources. This paper first gives an overview of the use of MIMO for diversity and spatial multiplexing, and the use of channel state information in MIMO systems. It then explores the use of antenna selection as a means for the reduction of the hardware complexity. It is shown that the performance in a spatial-multiplexing application is almost as good as that of full-complexity systems as long as the number of RF chains is at least as large as the number of data streams.     

The borders of mobile handset ecosystems: Is coopetition inevitable?

Today, the mobile phone industry witnesses important changes, shifting from a value chain to a burgeoning business ecosystem. This paper deals with the relationships that are at the very core of mobile OS ecosystems for IMTs (smartphones and PDA): Microsoft-OS, Symbian-OS, Palm-OS and RIM-OS over the period 1998–2006. Our study confirms that an ecosystem’s borders are unclear. More than half of our sample’ relationships are shared by at least two different ecosystems. The ecosystems we studied do not differ in terms of exclusive relationship which suggests that coopetitive strategies are particularly relevant in mobile platforms war.     

Efficient Photomodulation of Visible Eu(III) and Invisible Yb(III) Luminescences using DTE Photochromic Ligands for Optical Encryption

This work describes a class of complex combining three dithienylethene units and a lanthanide ion used as an optical system displaying a double encryption method: i) a colorful code, drawn and erased under UV and visible irradiations respectively, due to coloration and discoloration of the photochromic entities, and ii) a concomitant gradual disappearance and progressive restoration of the associated lanthanide ion luminescence triggered with the same stimuli. The innovation of the system stems from the emission color tunability, i.e., with either a lanthanide ion emitting only in the visible range (Eu³⁺) or with another lanthanide ion emitting only in the near infrared (NIR) range (Yb³⁺), therefore observable, or not, to the naked eye. This system is the very first one to achieve efficient repeatable modulation of pure NIR luminescence on photochemical command. Furthermore, it is proven to be highly efficient when embedded in a PDMS polymer opening real opportunities for practical applications as anti‐counterfeiting.     

Antennas for next generation mobile communications

In future mobile communications many antennas will coexist on the device. This creates a number of problems related to bandwidth, efficiency, and correlation. Remedies are discussed in the paper, and attention is called to the promising area of adaptive matching, which also can solve problems related to the user.     

Modellierungs- und Simulationsverfahren für die optische Verbindungstechnik auf elektrischen Leiterplatten

Optical interconnection technology on the printed circuit board level is a key technology for future microelectronic equipment. The consideration of functional, technological, and economical requirements results in a hybrid solution, where electrical and optical interconnects are integrated into one substrate called electrical optical printed circuit board. The significant part of the entire design process for electrical optical printed circuit boards is marked by the design supporting modelling and simulation of optical interconnects. Based on an abstract model for an entire optical interconnect a simulation model for optical multimode-waveguides is presented, taking into account all significant waveguide properties. Apart from that, the modeling of active components (laser- and photo-diodes) is addressed.     

AlGaN/GaN HEMTs on SiC for high power broadband applications up to 40 GHz

An overview of properties and recent achievements for AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMT) on semi-insulating SiC substrate is given towards high power and broadband applications up to a frequency of 40 GHz. Starting from epitaxial growth and process technology we present state-of-the-art power results obtained at the Fraunhofer Institute (IAF) from AlGaN/GaN HEMTs on SiC. Further, a one-stage 16 GHz MMIC power amplifier circuit with 1.6 W output power is presented. This result represents the first AlGaN/GaN MMIC on SiC fabricated in Europe.     

Elastodynamic parameters for dynamic interface fracture mechanics

Summary Dynamic extension of cracks running along curvilinear interfaces of brittle bimaterials subjected to mechanical crack surface loads and superimposed thermal strains acting along the ligament is considered. This paper especially addresses the provision and discussion of elastodynamic interface parameters in order to assess quantitatively the bimaterial fracture in view of the governing physical features: applied mechanical and thermal strain loading, existence of an interface, crack-tip velocity and curvature of the interface contour. By utilizing the linear theory of thermoelasticity and adopting Stroh's method of generalized complex potentials, from the corresponding boundary and continuity conditions vectorial Hilbert problems are derived. It is shown that the parameters of the eigenvalues and of the eigenvectors of the Hilbert problems can be interpreted as elastodynamic interface mechanics parameters reading (,v _p, _Hf , _Hf ). Generalized Dundurs parameters of dynamics (, ) and consequently an associated generalized Dundurs diagram of dynamics are proposed. While the aforementioned elastodynamic interface parameters (, ,v _p, _Hf , _Hf ) do not assume the interface to be damaged, interfaces with running interface cracks generally cause two additional interface parameters, denoted as bimaterial constants (, _Hf ), where the latter is specific to the curvature of the interface in conjunction with the velocity of the interface crack. However, the bimaterial constants (, _Hf ) can be traced back to interface parameters for an uncracked bimaterial, namely to (, _Hf ).     

The influence of wine polymers on the spontaneous precipitation of calcium tartrate in a model wine solution

The influence of wine polymers on the spontaneous precipitation of calcium tartrate in a model wine system has been examined. Rhamnogalacturonan‐I was identified as the most effective inhibitor (precipitation induction time of 180 min compared with 7 min for the standard model). It is argued that this is a consequence of rhamnogalacturonan‐I's ability to participate in the ‘egg‐box’ type sequestration of calcium ions. The more structurally complex rhamnogalacturonan‐II had only a minor influence on the induction time (22 min). Arabinogalactan proteins and mannoproteins also have little influence with induction times ranging from 12 to 15 min. An ultra‐filtration study of four Chardonnay wines, prepared with and without the use of pectolytic enzymes, was performed in a search for conditions that might maximise the concentration of rhamnogalacturonan‐I. However, rhamnogalacturonan‐I could not be identified in any of the four wines. Implications of these observations, specifically the need to understand the inhibition exerted by specific uronic acids, for winemaking and calcium tartrate precipitation are discussed.     

Influence of environmental factors,wet processing and their interactions on the biochemical composition of green Arabica coffee beans

Although cultivation of Arabica coffee trees at high elevation is known to favourably affect the final quality of the beverage, quantitative data describing the influence of climatic conditions on the chemical composition of the seed are still lacking. Similarly, post-harvest treatments of the beans are known to affect the generation of flavour, but the chemical transformations that occur during wet processing are poorly understood. To better characterise the effects of the environment, wet processing and their possible interactions, we quantified the changes in the main chemical components of the coffee seed (lipids, chlorogenic acids, sugars and caffeine) caused by wet processing, and analysed how these changes were affected by the variations induced by the environment before harvest. Using 16 experimental plots in Reunion Island displaying broad climatic variations, we showed that chlorogenic acids and fatty acids in the seed were controlled by the mean air temperature during seed development. By contrast, total lipid, total soluble sugar, total polysaccharide and total chlorogenic acid contents were not influenced by climate. Glucose content was positively affected by altitude, while sorbitol content after wet processing depended directly on the glucose content in fresh seeds.