A spot-size transformer based on mode interference

A novel mode-size transformer based on interference between guided and leaky modes is proposed and analyzed. Simulation shows significant improvement in spot-size transform efficiency per unit length, in comparison with the conventional tapered waveguide mode size converters based on mode evolution. Owing to its structural simplicity, easy fabrication is another merit of the new spot-size transformer     

Walk－off型光隔离器的隔离度和插入损耗分析

本文介绍了与偏振无关的ｗａｌｋ－ｏｆｆ型光隔离器的原理和结构，从理论和实验两方面分析了影响隔离度和插入损耗的因素，定量计算了加工、调整误差、消光比等对隔离度和插损的限制，给光隔离器的选材、加工和调整提供了依据。     

Instability of zeolite Y supported cobalt sulfide hydrotreating catalysts in the absence of H2S

Ion exchanged CoNaY was sulfided at 473 and 673 K and subsequently heated in He at 673 and 773 K. The resulting samples were characterized by means of overall sulfur analysis, temperature programmed Ar treatment and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was shown that during He flushing at sufficiently high temperature a protolysis reaction occurs resulting in the decomposition of Co sulfide into Co²⁺ ions and H₂S.     

OFDM/FM frame synchronization for mobile radio data communication

A synchronization scheme enabling the use of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)/FM over a mobile radio channel in a pure ALOHA environment is proposed. The scheme encodes synchronization information in parallel with data in the same manner in which data is encoded in the OFDM/FM frame. The synchronization information is in the form of tones, centered in certain reserved frequency subchannels of the OFDM signal. The receiver uses a correlation detector, implemented in the frequency domain, to acquire synchronization accurately on a packet-by-packet basis. Experimental results indicate that the bit-error-rate performance achievable with the proposed scheme is within 1.5 dB of the performance obtained with ideal synchronization     

Electrical conduction at low fields of composites sparsely filledwith aluminum particles

The dc and ac electrical conduction properties have been investigated in four composites containing hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as binder and different proportions of aluminum particles as filler in a temperature range of -60 to +70°C and a frequency range of 40 Hz to 100 kHz. A change in conduction mechanism at a temperature of 4±3°C was displayed explicitly in de measurements. The transition was shown to be due to crystallization of the HTPB upon cooling. dc conduction is explained in terms of ionic hopping in HTPB. Distinct polarization mechanisms, below and above the transition temperature, have been identified as interfacial polarisation and electrode blocking effect, respectively. The change of conduction behaviors at the crystallization temperature, 4±3°C, was not revealed explicitly in ac measurements. However, using the free volume concept to analyze the frequency shift factor a_T, a discontinuity in the fractional free volume curve was displayed. The temperature of the break point, 6.7°C, corresponds to the crystallization temperature of HTPB. The study showed that the crystallization of a polymer is accompanied by an abrupt reduction in free volume, and this structural change affects dc as well as ac conduction behaviors     

Experimental results of a solar assisted heat pump rice drying system

In the last rice harvest season, experimental results have been obtained on the efficiency and drying quality of a solar assisted heat pump drying prototype system. The system has been operated as a solar and heat pump system and drying curves for the different options have been obtained. The advantage of the low temperature and better control in the drier shows that the heat pump assisted solar drying system is an excellent alternative to traditional drying systems.     

Dynamic laser control using feedback from a gain grating

We demonstrate that self-induced gain gratings can provide nonlinear optical feedback that results in single frequency selection and passive self Q-switching of a conventional linear laser cavity. An experimental Nd:YAG laser system is described that yields a temporally-smooth 20 ns pulse at 1.064 μm. In addition, we show that the feedback has phase-conjugate properties that permit “flower-like” mode formation even though the azimuthal symmetry of the cavity is broken     

Encapsulation of PV modules using ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer as a pottant: A critical review

The primary purpose of this work is to review the literature about what is and is not known about using ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA0 copolymer as the encapsulant (or pottant) material in photovoltaic (PV) modules. Secondary purposes include elucidating the complexity of the encapsulation problem, providing an overview about encapsulation of PV cells and modules, providing a historical overview of the relevant research and development on EVA, summarizing performance losses reported for PV systems deployed since ca. 1981, and summarizing the general problems of polymer stability in a solar environment. We also provide a critical review of aspects of reported work for cases that we believe are important.Failure modes resolved in the early work to establish reliability of deployed modules and the purposes and properties of pottants, are summarized. Typical performance losses in large field-deployed, large-scale systems ranging from 1% to 10% per year are given quantitatively, and qualitative reports of EVA discoloration are summarized with respect to ultraviolet (UV), world-wide location and site dependence.The general stability of polymers and their desirable bulk properties for solar utilization are given. The stabilization formulation for EVA, its effectiveness, and changes in it during degradation are discussed. The degradation mechanisms for the base resin, e.g., unstabilized Elvax 150^TM, and stabilized EVA are indicated for literature dating to the early 1950s, and the role played by unsaturated chromophores is indicated. The limited number of studies relating discoloration and PV cell efficiency are summarized.Observed degradation of EVA or the unstabilized base resin in the laboratory and examples used to measure the degradation are summarized in sections entitled: (1) thermally-induced degradation; (2) photodegradation and photothermal degradation of EVA in different temperature regimes; (3) photobleaching and photodegradation of the UV absorber and cross-linking agent; (4) acetic acid and metal and metal-oxide catalyzed oxidative degradation; and (5) discolaration and PV cell efficiency losses.Processing effects/influences on EVA stability are discussed in sections entitled: (1) EVA raw materials and extruded, uncured films; (2) thermal encapsulation processes; (3) effects of lamination, curing, and curing peroxide on gel content and chromophores formed; and (4) incomplete shielding of curing-generated chromophores. A summary is given for the limited number of accelerated lifetime testing efforts and examples of erroneous service lifetime predictions for EVA are discussed. The known factors that effect the discoloration rate of several EVA formulations are discussed in which the reduction in rate by using UV-absorbing superstrates is a prime example. A summary is given of what is and is not known about EVA degradation mechanisms, degradation from exposures in field-deployed modeules and/or laboratory testing, and factors that contribute to EVA stability or degradation. Finally, conclusions about using Elvax 150 in EVA formulations are summarized, and future prospects for developing the next-generation pottant for encapsulating PV modules are discussed.     

Crystallographic shear planes in nanocrystalline SnO2 thin films by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy

Atomic structures of crystallographic shear planes (CSPs) in nanocrystalline thin films of semiconductor SnO₂ were investigated by high-resolution electron microscopy. The films were prepared by electron beam evaporation in high vacuum (10^–6 torr) and followed by annealing in synthetic air at 700 °C for 1–2 H. CSPs with the displacement vector of [1/2 0 1/2] were observed in the planes parallel to (¯101), (110) and (¯3¯21). Most of the CPSs were found to terminate or interact with each other within SnO₂ crystallites. Partial dislocations exist at terminal places of CSPs or along intersecting lines of CSPs. CSP steps were also observed. Structural models of these defects have been proposed. Based on analysis of experimental data, it has been suggested that the Sn/O ratio at CSPs which are not parallel to their displacement vector, at cores of partial dislocations and at CSP steps, is higher than that of the perfect structure, that is, these defects are able to provide extra free electrons with the films.     

Two-dimensional pentagon quasicrystal in an Al-Co-Ni-Tb alloy obtained by quenching under high static pressure

A transmission electron microscopy study of quasicrystals was carried out in Al-Co-Ni-Tb alloy which was obtained by quenching under high static pressure and a new two-dimensional pentagonal quasicrystal was discovered. An unique five-fold axis is observed in its diffraction patterns and the periodicity along the five-fold axis is 0.4 nm. Another feature of the pentagonal phase is that no extinction exists in the diffraction patterns along the direction perpendicular to the five-fold axis. A comparison of the high resolution electron microscopy images of the pentagonal phase and the decagonal quasicrystal is given. The effect of high pressure is discussed.