Breakdown probabilities for thin heterostructure avalanche photodiodes

The recurrence theory for the breakdown probability in avalanche photodiodes (APDs) is generalized to heterostructure APDs that may have multiple multiplication layers. The generalization addresses layer-boundary effects such as the initial energy of injected carriers as well as the layer-dependent profile of the dead space in the multiplication region. Reducing the width of the multiplication layer serves to both downshift and sharpen the breakdown probability curve as a function of the applied reverse-bias voltage. In structures where the injected carriers have an initial energy that is comparable to the ionization threshold energy, the transition from linear mode to Geiger-mode is more abrupt than in structures in which such initial energy is negligible. The theory is applied to two recently fabricated Al/sub 0.6/Ga/sub 0.4/As-GaAs heterostructure APDs and to other homostructure thin GaAs APDs and the predictions of the breakdown-voltage thresholds are verified.     

Enhanced halftone-based secure and improved visual cryptography scheme for colour/binary Images

Visual Cryptography (VC) is gaining attraction during the past few years to secure the visual information in the transmission network. It enables the visual data i.e. handwritten notes, photos, printed text, etc. to encrypt in such a way that their decryption can be done through the human visual framework. Hence, no computational assistance is required for the decryption of the secret images they can be seen through naked eye. In this paper, a novel enhanced halftoning-based VC scheme is proposed that works for both binary and color images. Fake share is generated by the combination of random black and white pixels. The proposed algorithm consists of 3 stages i.e., detection, encryption, and decryption. Halftoning, Encryption, (2, 2) visual cryptography and the novel idea of fake share, make it even more secure and improved. As a result, it facilitates the original restored image to the authentic user, however, the one who enters the wrong password gets the combination of fake share with any real share. Both colored and black images can be processed with minimal capacity using the proposed scheme.

     

Scene-based nonuniformity correction with video sequences and registration

We describe a new, to our knowledge, scene-based nonuniformity correction algorithm for array detectors. The algorithm relies on the ability to register a sequence of observed frames in the presence of the fixed-pattern noise caused by pixel-to-pixel nonuniformity. In low-to-moderate levels of nonuniformity, sufficiently accurate registration may be possible with standard scene-based registration techniques. If the registration is accurate, and motion exists between the frames, then groups of independent detectors can be identified that observe the same irradiance (or true scene value). These detector outputs are averaged to generate estimates of the true scene values. With these scene estimates, and the corresponding observed values through a given detector, a curve-fitting procedure is used to estimate the individual detector response parameters. These can then be used to correct for detector nonuniformity. The strength of the algorithm lies in its simplicity and low computational complexity. Experimental results, to illustrate the performance of the algorithm, include the use of visible-range imagery with simulated nonuniformity and infrared imagery with real nonuniformity.     

Mathematical Model for Isothermal Wire-Coating From a Bath of Giesekus Viscoelastic Fluid

A mathematical model of wire-coating based on Giesekus constitutive equation is analyzed under isothermal conditions. It is desired to see the functional dependence of Giesekus model parameters on the important operating variables in the wire-coating process, which include volumetric flow rate (later referred to as flow rate), shear stress at the wire surface (later referred to as shear stress), force required for pulling the wire (later referred to as force), and radius of the coated wire (later referred to as coated wire thickness). To this end, the equation governing the laminar, incompressible, and rectilinear flow is first derived and then solved analytically for the case of vanishing axial pressure gradient. A numerical procedure is described to obtain the solution for the case of nonvanishing pressure gradient. Our results indicate that the magnitude of shear stress and force follow a decreasing trend with increasing Giesekus model parameters in both cases. The flow rate and coated wire thickness decrease on increasing the Giesekus model parameters when there is no imposed pressure gradient. However, in the presence of pressure gradient these variables first decrease with increasing Giesekus model parameters and then follow an increasing trend.     

A study on heat transfer in a second‐grade fluid through a porous medium with the modified differential transform method

This study investigates the boundary‐layer flow and heat transfer characteristics in a second‐grade fluid through a porous medium. The similarity transformation for the governing equations gives a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations which are analytically solved by the differential transform method (DTM) and the DTM‐Padé. The DTM‐Padé is a combination of the DTM and the Padé approximant. The convergence analysis elucidates that the DTM does not give accurate results for large values of independent variables. Hence the DTM is not applicable for the solution of boundary‐layer flow problems having boundary conditions at infinity. Comparison between the solutions obtained by the DTM and the DTM‐Padé with numerical solution (fourth‐order Runge–Kutta with shooting method) illustrates that the DTM‐Padé is the most effective method for solving the problems that have boundary conditions at infinity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21030     

Steady flow of an Eyring Powell fluid over a moving surface with convective boundary conditions

In this article, the flow and heat transfer of Eyring Powell fluid over a continuously moving surface in the presence of a free stream velocity are investigated. Convective boundary conditions have been used in the problem formulation. The solution for velocity and temperature are computed by applying the homotopy analysis method (HAM). The effects of emerging fluid parameters (?), (δ) and Prandtl number (Pr) on the velocity and temperature are illustrated through graphs and tables for different values of λ. It is found that the boundary layer thickness is an increasing function of (?) and decreasing function of (δ). However the temperature and thermal boundary layer thickness decrease when the values of (?) and (δ) are increased.     

Influence of thermal radiation on the boundary layer flow due to an exponentially stretching sheet

The effect of radiation on the boundary layer flow and heat transfer of a viscous fluid over an exponentially stretching sheet is studied. The homotopy analysis method (HAM) is employed to determine the convergent series expressions of velocity and temperature. The physical interpretation to these expressions is assigned through graphs. It is found that the effects of Prandtl and radiation numbers on the temperature are opposite.     

Thermophoresis and MHD mixed convection three-dimensional flow of viscoelastic fluid with Soret and Dufour effects

Heat and mass transfer effects in three-dimensional mixed convection flow of viscoelastic fluid over a stretching surface with convective boundary conditions are investigated. The fluid is electrically conducting in the presence of constant applied magnetic field. Conservation laws of energy and concentration are based upon the Soret and Dufour effects. First order chemical reaction effects are also taken into account. By using the similarity transformations, the governing boundary layer equations are reduced into the ordinary differential equations. The transformed boundary layer equations are computed for the series solutions. Dimensionless velocity, temperature, and concentration distributions are shown graphically for different values of involved parameters. Numerical values of local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are computed and analyzed. It is found that the behaviors of viscoelastic, mixed convection, and concentration buoyancy parameters on the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are similar. However, the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers have qualitative opposite effects for Biot number, thermophoretic parameter, and Soret-Dufour parameters.

     

A hybrid composite of rGO/TiO2 as a double layer electrode with improved capacitance performance

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has unique properties that can revolutionize the performance of the functional devices. rGO hybrids can be designed with transition metal oxides for improved energy storage applications. Herein, a hybrid composite of conductive rGO with titanium dioxide, designed by a simple hydrothermal method, is reported to demonstrate a high double layer capacitance in aqueous electrolyte systems. The mesoporous structure of the composite provides short ion diffusion pathways and the resultant capacitance of the material is 334 F g⁻¹ with ~77% capacitance retention after 7000 charge-discharge cycles.     

Features of Cattaneo‐Christov heat flux model for Stagnation point flow of a Jeffrey fluid impinging over a stretching sheet: A numerical study

The present work focuses on a two‐dimensional steady incompressible stagnation point flow of a Jeffery fluid over a stretching sheet. The Cattaneo‐Christov heat flux model is incorporated into this study. Simulation is conducted via the Runge‐Kutta fourth‐order cum shooting method for the transformed system of nonlinear equations. The influence of the governing parameters on the dimensionless velocity, temperature, skin friction, streamlines, and isotherms is incorporated. A significant outcome of the current investigation is that an increase in the relaxation time parameter uplifts temperature; however, a gradual decrease is observed in the velocity field. Another important outcome of the present analysis is that the momentum boundary layer augments due to an increase in the Deborah number; however, a decrease is observed in the temperature. Furthermore, it is also observed that the skin friction coefficient escalates with an increase in the relaxation time parameter for the assisting flow, but a reverse trend is observed for the opposing flow.