Investigation of Si/SiGe-based FET geometries for high frequencyperformance by computer simulation

The high frequency performance of n-channel Si/SiGe-based FETs is investigated by computer simulation. Using a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model, devices having gate lengths down to 0.1 μm are examined. Self-aligned heterojunction MOSFETs are found to offer the best performance in terms of cut-off frequency and available voltage gain. Schottky gate heterojunction FETs have the highest transconductance in this study, but simulations confirm that this is because of the close proximity of the channel to the gate. Depletion mode MOS gate devices are also considered and a large parameter space is explored     

A tunable-frequency Gunn diode fabricated by focused ion-beamimplantation

The fabrication of a planar Gunn diode in which the fundamental transit-time model oscillation frequency can be tuned over the range 6-23 GHz by varying the DC bias across the device is reported. The wide-band tunability is due to a linear doping-concentration gradient between the contacts. This lateral doping is created by implanting the device with a focused beam of silicon ions and smoothly increasing the dose from contact to contact. A Gunn diode with a uniform active region, also fabricated with the focused ion beam, displays a relatively constant oscillation frequency in the same bias range     

Isolation process dependence of channel mobility in thin-film SOIdevices

Degradation of NMOS and enhancement of PMOS I-V characteristics are found to be dependent on specific isolation processes in thin-film SOI devices. These variations are due to mobility decrease in NMOS and increase in PMOS, which can be attributed to the isolation-process-related compressive strain of the silicon film. Magnitudes of mobility variation as high as 40% are observed in the affected SOI devices     

Quantum phenomena in field-effect-controlled semiconductornanostructures

Quantum effects resulting from sub-100 nm features in planar, field-effect-controlled semiconductor structures or devices are discussed, and experimental results are compared with calculations. These devices are based on the GaAs-AlGaAs modulation-doped field-effect transistor (MODFET) and include grating-gate lateral surface superlattices. (LSSLs), grid-gate LSSLs, planar-resonant-tunneling field-effect transistors (PRESTFETs), multiple parallel quantum wires (MPQWs), and arrays of quantum dots (QDs). In contrast to conventional, epitaxially grown vertical quantum structures, planar structures offer the opportunity for electron confinement in three, two, and one dimensions and the flexibility of electrical tuning of quantum effects     

SPICE model and parameters for fully-depleted SOI MOSFET'sincluding self-heating

A simple methodology to accurately extract constant temperature model parameters from static measurements of fully-depleted SOI MOSFET current-voltage characteristics is demonstrated. Self-heating is included in an existing physically-based, short-channel bulk MOSFET model, PCIM, by allowing the temperature to change linearly with power dissipation at each bias point. Only a simple modification of the channel bulk charge in PCIM is necessary to adapt it for SOI. The temperature dependence of the physical parameters (mobility, flatband voltage, and saturation velocity) are also fitted and included in the model. Excellent fit to experimental fully-depleted SOI data is shown over a large range of bias conditions and channel lengths. Once the static SOI data is fitted, the constant temperature model parameters appropriate for circuit simulation are easily extracted     

The slow start power controlled MAC protocol for mobile ad hoc networks and its performance analysis

We propose and evaluate the performance of a new MAC-layer protocol for mobile ad hoc networks, called the Slow Start Power Controlled (abbreviated SSPC) protocol. SSPC improves on IEEE 802.11 by using power control for the RTS/CTS and DATA frame transmissions, so as to reduce energy consumption and increase network throughput and lifetime. In our scheme the transmission power used for the RTS frames is not constant, but follows a slow start principle. The CTS frames, which are sent at maximum transmission power, prevent the neighbouring nodes from transmitting their DATA frames at power levels higher than a computed threshold, while allowing them to transmit at power levels less than that threshold. Reduced energy consumption is achieved by adjusting the node transmission power to the minimum required value for reliable reception at the receiving node, while increase in network throughput is achieved by allowing more transmissions to take place simultaneously. The slow start principle used for calculating the appropriate DATA frames transmission power and the possibility of more simultaneous collision-free transmissions differentiate the SSPC protocol from the other MAC solutions proposed for IEEE 802.11. Simulation results indicate that the SSPC protocol achieves a significant reduction in power consumption, average packet delay and frequency of RTS frame collisions, and a significant increase in network throughput and received-to-sent packets ratio compared to IEEE 802.11 protocol.     

Improving through-thickness conductivity of carbon fiber reinforced polymer using carbon nanotube/polyethylenimine at the interlaminar region

The through-thickness conductivity of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite was increased by incorporating multiwalled carbon nanotubes in the interlaminar region. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were dispersed in a polyethylenimine (PEI) binder, which was then coated onto the carbon fiber fabric. Standard vacuum-assisted resin infusion process was applied to fabricate the composite laminates. This modification technique aims to enhance the electrical conductivity in through-thickness direction for the purpose of nondestructive testing, damage detection, and electromagnetic interference shielding. CNT concentrations ranging from 0 to 0.75 wt% were used and compared to pristine CFRP samples (reference). The through-thickness conductivity of the CFRP exhibited an improvement of up to 781% by adopting this technique. However, the dispersion of CNT in PEI led to a viscosity increase and poor wetting properties which resulted in the formation of voids/defects, poor adhesion (as shown in scanning electron micrographs) and the deterioration of the mechanical properties as manifested by interlaminar shear strength and dynamic mechanical analysis measurements.     

Leading edge erosion of wind turbines: Effect of solid airborne particles and rain on operational wind farms

Leading edge erosion (LEE) affects almost all wind turbines, reducing their annual energy production and lifetime profitability. This study presents results of an investigation into 18 operational wind farms to assess the validity of the current literature consensus surrounding LEE. Much of the historical research focuses on rain erosion, implying that this is the predominant causal factor. However, this study showed that the impact of excessive airborne particles from seawater aerosols or from adverse local environments such as nearby quarries greatly increases the levels of LEE. Current testing of leading edge protection coatings or tapes is based on a rain erosion resistivity test, which does little to prove its ability to withstand solid particle erosion and may drive coating design in the wrong direction. Furthermore, it was shown that there is little correlation between test results and actual field performance. A method of monitoring the expected level of erosion on an operational wind turbine due to rain erosion is also presented. Finally, the energy losses associated with LEE on an operational wind farm are examined, with the average annual energy production dropping by 1.8% due to medium levels of erosion, with the worst affected turbine experiencing losses of 4.9%.     

Prediction of Coating Properties of Thermally Sprayed WC–Co on Complex Geometries

This work outlines the development of an analytical software tool that enables the prediction of various coating properties on any given sprayable geometry. The prediction is achieved by analyzing the input computer-aided design geometry and by correlating the resulting kinematic conditions with experimental measurements. The results of the developed tool have been validated experimentally using HVOF-sprayed WC-17Co coatings. Specifically, coating thickness, microhardness, WC vol.% and specific sliding wear rate are examined and their values are predicted for the case of the external spray of a rotor-like model.