Electron Thermalization in Metallic Islands Probed by Coulomb Blockade Thermometry

We describe a systematic series of experiments on thermalization of electrons in lithographic metallic thin films at millikelvin temperatures using Coulomb blockade thermometry (CBT). Joule dissipation due to biasing of the CBT sensor tends to drive the electron system into non-equilibrium. Under all experimental conditions tested, the electron-electron relaxation is fast enough to ensure thermal electron distribution, which is also in agreement with the theoretical arguments we present. On the other hand, poor electron-phonon relaxation plays a dominant role in lifting the electron temperature above that of the bath. From a comparison of the results with the theoretical current-voltage characteristics of the thermometers we precisely determine the electron-phonon coupling constant for the common metals used. Our experiments show that it is a formidable task to attain thermal equilibrium with the bath using single-electron devices under non-zero bias conditions at 20–50 mK temperatures that are typically encountered in experiments. The conclusion concerning Coulomb blockade thermometry is more optimistic and two-fold: (1) One can now correct the errors due to bias heating in a satisfactory manner based on known material properties and the size of the metal films in the sensor. (2) Reliable thermometry down to 20 mK requires islands whose volumes are >10^?15 m³, which is still acceptable both from the parameter (capacitance) and fabrication points of view.     

Low Temperature Acoustic Properties of Poly-Crystalline Aluminium

As in other structurally disordered solids, the low temperature acoustic properties of poly-crystalline aluminium are governed by atomic two-level tunneling systems. The particular temperature variation of sound velocity and internal friction depends on the dynamical behaviour of these tunneling systems, which is expected to be determined by interaction with thermal phonons and conduction electrons as in metallic glasses. In earlier measurements on aluminium-wires no significant difference was found whether the sample was superconducting or kept in the normal state by a sufficiently high magnetic field and the concluding claim was ‘absence of electron-assisted relaxation for tunneling systems in poly-crystalline metals’. In this report, vibrating reed measurements are presented of pure poly-crystalline Al with a special sample shape that reduces the influence of the clamping. We in fact find significant differences between the sample being normal conducting or superconducting. The overall behaviour indeed resembles very closely that of metallic glasses and clearly demonstrates that also in Al tunneling systems couple to conduction electrons as expected. As a quantitative result we may state that the density of states of tunneling systems in poly-crystalline Al is considerably smaller than in metallic glasses. PACS numbers: 61.43.-j, 62.65.+k, 63.50.+x     

Effect of gas mixing ratio on gas-phase composition and etch rate in an inductively coupled CF4/Ar plasma

In this work, we carried out investigations aimed at understanding the effect of gas mixing ratio on plasma parameters, gas phase composition and etch rate in CF₄/Ar inductively coupled plasma. For this purpose, a combination of experimental methods and modelling was used. Experiments showed that electron temperature and electron density are not very sensitive to variations of Ar content in CF₄/Ar plasma. From a zero-dimensional plasma model, the densities of both neutral and charged particles change monotonically. The analysis of surface kinetics based on an ion-assisted etching mechanism showed the possibility of non-monotonic etch rate behaviour due to a concurrence of chemical and physical etching pathways.     

A continuum model for pumping performance of turbomolecular pumps in all flow regimes

In the present study a continuum model for one-dimensional plane Couette-Poiseuille flow is implemented to turbomolecular pumps in different flow regimes. Pumping performance of various turbomolecular pumps including 6 single rotors, a rotor-stator row, a rotor-stator-rotor row, and a multi-row with 13 alternative rotor-stator rows is considered here. The obtained results show that the model provides good quantitative values for pumping performance of turbomolecular pumps over the whole regimes ranging from molecular flow to transition to slip flow.     

The effect of home storage conditions and packaging materials on the quality of frozen green beans

Home storage is the final step of the frozen foods distribution chain, and little is known on how it affects the products quality. The present research describes frozen green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, L.) quality retention profile during the recommended ‘star marking’ system dates, at the storage temperatures of +5, −6, −12 and −18 °C (along 1, 4, 14 and 60 days, respectively).

The quality profile was assessed by a simulation system. Simulations were set by a response surface methodology to access the effect of different packaging materials (thermal conductivities and thickness), surface heat transfer coefficient, and refrigerator dynamics (effect of refrigeration cycles at the different storage temperatures) on the average retentions of Ascorbic Acid, total vitamin C, colour and flavour.

Green beans quality losses along frozen storage are significantly influenced by temperature, refrigerator dynamics and kinetic properties. Quality is also highly dependent on packaging materials thermal insulation (e.g. at temperatures above the melting point). Temperature cycles inside frozen chambers have a long term effect, and at the higher storage temperatures (e.g. T>−6 °C) are detrimental to frozen green beans quality after shorter periods.     

Critical heat flux on a flat plate heater located at the middle of a duct in forced flow of pressurized He II

Critical heat fluxes (CHFs) were measured for two types of rectangular ducts containing horizontal flat plate heaters. One has the flat plate heater of 6 mm wide and 20 mm long located on the inner lower wall at 50 mm from the inlet. The other duct has two horizontal flat plates of 6 mm wide and 20 mm long on inner upper and lower walls at 50 mm from the inlet. The equation of CHF for the forced convection containing a new nondimensional-parameter m introduced in order to calculate cross-sectionally averaged liquid temperature at the center of the duct was derived based on two fluid model, ordinary convection theorem and experimental results. It was confirmed that this correlation can describe not only the author's data on the duct but also other worker's data for channels with different shapes and sizes.     

The Effect of Structural Defects on the Thermal Conductivity of ZnS, ZnSe, and CdTe Polycrystals

ZnS, ZnSe, and CdTe polycrystals are experimentally investigated. Mechanisms are treated which restrict the thermal conductivity in samples prepared by recrystallization pressing and by deposition from the vapor phase and subjected to additional strain. Anomalies are observed on the temperature dependences of the thermal resistance of investigated samples, which are due to the special features of their phonon spectra and to the variation of the contribution made by longitudinal and transverse phonon branches to the heat transfer in the Debye temperature region and higher.     

Filtration of Non-Newtonian Hydrocarbon Fluid in a High-Frequency Electromagnetic Field

The paper gives the results of experimental investigations of the initial pressure gradient of bituminous oil and the time dependences of variation of the temperature in a formation model and of the well production rate in a microwave-frequency electromagnetic field. The effect of strong decay of the non-Newtonian properties of bituminous oil is revealed. The nonuniformity of temperature distribution over the formation thickness is demonstrated, which depends on the initial production rate of the well and on the duration of stimulation of the bottom-hole zone of formation.