Fabrication of high-performance AlxGa1-xAs/InyGa1-yAs/GaAs resonant tunneling diodes using amicrowave-compatible technology

A microwave-compatible process for fabricating planar integrated resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs) is described. High-performance RTDs have been fabricated using Al_xGa_1-xAs/In_y Ga_1-yAs/GaAs strained layers. Peak-to-valley current ratios (PVRs) of 4.8:1 with simultaneous peak current densities of 4×10⁴ A/cm² have been achieved at room temperature for diodes of area 9 μm². Accurate measurements of reflection gain versus frequency between 1.5 and 26.5 GHz in the negative differential region indicate that the present technology is promising for millimeter-wave integrated circuits including self-oscillating mixers, frequency multipliers, and detectors     

Non-linear fracture mechanics

The fracture of solids is analyzed using the formalism of equilibrium mechanics. A partially cracked, mechanically loaded reversible system is considered. A stability criteria is formulated. The equilibrium theory is valid for non-linear load deflection relationships and is applied to linear elastic fracture mechanics, the Hertz test and J _IC tests.

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Résumé La rupture des solides est analysée en utilisant le formalisme de la mécanique de l'équilibre. On considère un système partiellement fissuré réversible et chargé mécaniquement. On formule un critère de stabilité. La théorie de l'équilibre est valide pour des relations non linéaires charge déflection et est appliquée à la mécanique de la rupture élastique, à l'essai de Hertz et aux essais J _IC.

     

Early diagenetic processes aspects controlling the mobility of dissolved trace metals in three riverine sediment columns

The behaviour of Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Cd, Pb and Ni has been studied during early diagenesis in three different riverine sediments (Spierre, Lys and Sheldt). For that purpose (1) pore waters were extracted from sediment cores by centrifugation under nitrogen and further analyzed for the determination of total dissolved metal concentrations and (2) DET and DGT probes have been deployed in situ for the determination of high resolution profiles of labile and total dissolved metal concentrations. Furthermore, sulfidization processes have been examined; they revealed a production of pyrite near the water-sediment interface at Helkijn and Wervik sampling sites, probably due to a partial re-oxidation of reduced sulphur species. In Spierre sediments, where Eh values are the most negative, pyrite production should be mainly due to strict anaerobic processes. Concentrations of AVS in Spierre sediments are also very high and result in low TI values and low trace metal concentrations in the pore waters. Otherwise, in Wervik sediments, the low pH values combined to a TI value close to 0 results in the highest observed dissolved trace metal levels. DOS remains low at the three sites, since it does not exceed 0.4. In Wervik and Helkijn, the limitation is probably due to low sedimentary inputs of sulphate. In Spierre, sulphate is never exhausted in the pore water, suggesting a limitation of the DOS by a lack of bio-degradable organic matter. Values of Cd, Cu and Pb DGT concentrations remain low in pore waters whatever the site, due to their strong affinity with the reduced sulphur pool. It has also been demonstrated that the labile fractions of Pb and Cd are the lowest and do not exceed 0.5, while Co and Ni are the most available metals.     

DEGRADATION OF AROCLOR 1242 IN A SINGLE-STAGE COUPLED ANAEROBIC/AEROBIC BIOREACTOR

Degradation of Aroclor 1242 was studied in granular biofilm reactors with limited aeration. An aerobic biphenyl degrader, Rhodococcus sp. M5, was used to supplement a natural bacterial population present in a “bioaugmented” reactor, while the “non-bioaugmented” reactor only contained natural granular sludge. The bioaugmentation, however appeared to have no effect on the reactor performance. Aroclor measurements showed its disappearance in both reactors with only 16–19% of Aroclor recovered from the reactor biomass and effluent. Simultaneously, a chlorine balance indicated that dechlorination occurred at a specific rate of 1.43 mg PCB (g volatile suspended solids)⁻¹ d⁻¹, which was comparable to the observed rate of Aroclor disappearance. Intermediates detected in both reactors were biphenyl, benzoic acid, and mono-hydroxybiphenyls. This suggests that a near-complete mineralization of Aroclor can be achieved in a single-stage anaerobic/aerobic system due to a combination of reductive and oxidative degradation mechanisms.     

Surface plasmon polaritons in metal stripes and wires

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are collective electron oscillations coupled to a light field which are propagating along the interface of a metal and a dielectric. As a surface wave, SPP modes feature properties essentially different from light-field modes in all dielectric structures. These properties could allow the realization of novel photonic devices that overcome certain limitations of conventional devices. Specifically, the realization of two-dimensional optics and light-field transport in sub-wavelength SPP waveguides seems feasible. In this review we discuss recent experimental advances regarding SPP waveguides, i.e. laterally confined metal thin films that guide SPPs. Electron-beam lithography is applied to tailor these films with widths ranging from a few micrometres (stripes) to nanoscopic values (wires). We investigate SPP properties such as propagation length, mode field profile and reflection or scattering at interfaces. Various techniques for SPP excitation and detection are discussed.     

Submillimeter laser action of CW optically pumped CF2Cl2 (Fluorocarbon 12)

Eleven new CW far infrared (FIR) laser lines have been observed in the 600 μm–1200 μm range from the CF₂Cl₂ (Fluorocarbon 12) molecule optically pumped by a CO₂ laser. A 510^?4–10^?3 accuracy is achieved in the measurement of the FIR wavelengths. The frequency offset between the CO₂ pump center and the absorption line centers are measured using the transferred Lamb dip technique. Owing to a recent spectroscopic study of the CF₂ ³⁵Cl₂ molecule three lines may be assigned with great confidence as rotational transitions in thev ₆ vibrational band 923 cm^?1 of this main isotope.     

Proline-directed random-coil chemical shift values as a tool for the NMR assignment of the tau phosphorylation sites

NMR spectroscopy of the full-length neuronal Tau protein has proved to be difficult due to the length of the protein and the unfavorable amino acid composition. We show that the random-coil chemical shift values and their dependence on the presence of a proline residue in the (i+1) position can successfully be exploited to assign all proline-directed phosphorylation sites. This is a first step toward the study of the phosphorylation of Tau by NMR spectroscopy.     

Spatiotemporal reconstruction of lead contamination using tree rings and organic soil layers

An atmospheric dispersion model predicting ground-level concentrations from a point source of metal emissions (Murdochville smelter) was calibrated on tree rings in black spruce (Picea mariana Mill. B.S.P.) in order to reconstruct the spatial and temporal Pb-contamination pattern in the Gaspé Peninsula (Canada). Model predictions were validated with forest-floor Pb concentrations that resulted from accumulation of this element over the years and that provide a robust spatial-deposition pattern. Atmospheric emission records were also used to verify the good agreement between the smelter emissions and the temporal-information pattern present in tree rings. Tree rings that formed during the period of smelter emissions exhibited Pb concentrations that correlated with those measured in humus. Temporal variability in tree-ring concentrations was closely associated with the smelter emissions, suggesting that black spruce trees were able to record Pb pollution from a point source. However, a time gap of at least 15years must be considered between the emissions and the actual uptake and incorporation of Pb in the tree rings. A decrease in the level of contamination in the area was associated with the decrease in smelting activities, suggesting a natural resilience of the forest ecosystems to the contamination. This study highlights the strong potential for combining dendrochemical, soil, and modeling approaches in environmental research.     

Comparison of experimental and simulated multicomponent Ni-base superalloy diffusion couples

A multicomponent diffusion mobility database for the Ni-rich fcc phase [2002 Cam] is evaluated by comparing diffusion simulations to two experimental multicomponent Ni-base superalloy diffusion couples: Ni/René-88 and IN718/René-88. The diffusion simulations use composition-dependent thermodynamic and diffusion quantities within a finite difference code to simulate single-phase and multiphase planar layers. The multiphase layers consist of a matrix phase and a disperse phase. The calculated composition profiles, interdiffusion coefficients, phase fraction profiles, and location of Kirkendall porosity are compared with experimental results. To treat diffusion in the IN718 alloy, iron and carbon are added to the existing diffusion mobility database using previous assessment work and new assessments of Fe-Al and Fe-Co.