Thermal characterization of gallium arsenic nitride epilayer on gallium arsenide substrate using pulsed photothermal reflectance technique

Thermal conductivity of gallium arsenic nitride (GaAsN) epilayer on gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrate prepared by molecular beam epitaxy technique was measured using pulsed photothermal reflectance technique. Three-layer model incorporated thermal boundary resistance was applied to extract the thermal properties from the sample's photothermal response. Within the thickness ranging from 20 to 80 nm, no thickness dependent relationship with thermal conductivity of GaAsN epilayer was found, and the average thermal conductivity is approximately 27 W/mK at room temperature. The thermal boundary resistance at the Au/GaAsN interface is in the order of 10⁻⁸ m²K/W.     

Shape From Shading最小化方法分析

由明暗重构三维形状(SFS)是计算机视觉当中有关初级视觉的研究内容之一。由于该问题存在明显的不适定性,因而需要采用使问题正则化的形式,其中,将问题转变成变分形式的最小化方法是最早并得到广泛研究的方法类,但这类方法的整体表现并不好。论文对此类方法从其解决问题的思路上进行分析,找出了该类方法当中存在的一些问题,即在正则化问题的过程当中引入了无具体意义的约束条件,从而对该类算法所表现出的一些现象给出了较为合理的解释。     

A new instrument for passive remote sensing: 2. Measurement of leaf and canopy reflectance changes at 531 nm and their relationship with photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence

A previously described passive remote sensing fluorimeter (see companion paper) was modified to detect changes in the reflectance of vegetation. The utility of this remote sensing technique to measure the Physiological Reflectance Index (PRI) is shown at both leaf level under laboratory conditions and at the canopy level in the field. PRI, defined as the relative changes in reflectance at 531 nm with respect to those at 570 nm (PRI=R531−R570/R531+R570), is related to xanthophyll-related, dynamic changes of non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. The robustness of this relationship by simultaneous remote sensing of PRI and chlorophyll fluorescence is strengthened. At the leaf level, the existence of two kinetically distinct components of PRI is shown. A fast (within seconds) component that is partly attributed to ΔpH induced chloroplast shrinkage, and a slow (within minutes), main component that is related to xanthophyll de-epoxidation, as demonstrated by its disappearance in the presence of DTT. Overall, PRI correlated better with non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ) than with any other measured parameter, including the photochemical efficiency of PSII. Finally, at the canopy level and under field conditions, it is shown that PRI can be a useful tool for remote sensing of water stress in grapevines.     

Systematic corrections of AVHRR image composites for temporal studies

For quantitative studies of vegetation dynamics, satellite data need to be corrected for spurious effects. In this study, we have applied several changes to an earlier advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) processing methodology (ABC3; [Remote Sens. Environ. 60 (1997) 35; J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos. 102 (1997) 29625; Can. J. Remote Sens. 23 (1997) 163]), to better represent the various physical processes causing contamination of the AVHRR measurements. These included published recent estimates of the NOAA-11 and NOAA-14 AVHRR calibration trajectories for channels 1 and 2; the best available estimates for the water vapour, aerosol and ozone amounts at the time of AVHRR data acquisition; an improved bidirectional reflectance algorithm that also takes into consideration surface topography; and an improved image screening algorithm for contaminated pixels. Unlike the previous study that compared the composite images to a single-date AVHRR image, we employed coincident TM images to approximate the AVHRR pixel field of view during the data acquisition. Compared to ABC3, the modified procedure ABC3V2 was found to improve the accuracy of AVHRR pixel reflectance estimates, both in the sensitivity (slope) of the regression and in r². The improvements were especially significant in AVHRR channel 1. In comparison with reference values derived from two full TM scenes, the corrected AVHRR surface reflectance estimates had average standard errors values of ±0.009 for AVHRR C1, ±0.019 for C2, and ±0.04 for NDVI; the corresponding r² values were 0.55, 0.80, and 0.50, respectively. The changes in ABC3V2 were not able to completely remove interannual variability for land cover types with little or no vegetation cover, which would be expected to remain stable over time, and they increased the interannual variability of mixed forest and grassland. These results are attributed to a combination of increased sensitivity to interannual dynamics on one hand, and the inability to remove all sources of noise for barren or sparsely vegetated northern land cover types on the other.     

Mapping of polished coal surfaces by automated reflectance microscopy

The capabilities of Rapid Scan, a system of automated reflectance microscopy, has been extended to the actual mapping of petrographic variation across polished coal surfaces. This is accomplished through computer control of a microscope stepping stage and the storage of binary reflectance data on disc in a matrix form which permits the proper spatial arrangement of values to be re-created. The maps depict lithotype variation, and the distribution of mineral occurrences, cracks and cleat. An image processor can be employed in further map analysis such as the compilation of reflectance profiles from selected areas.     

Gold—sulphide versus sulphide centres on (100) AgIBr surfaces: characterization and mechanism

Abstract

Cubic AgIBr emulsions sensitized by sulphur-plus-gold with gold added at 40°C either before or after sulphur sensitization at 70°C were prepared and studied. Gold ions incorporate into the silver-sulphide centres and decrease the diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) response. The emulsions with gold added before the heat cycle through 70°C showed a dependence on the amount of gold for a speed increase at 0.01 s and their reciprocity failure property, whereas the emulsion with gold added at 40°C after the heat cycle did not. Gold present at the elevated sensitization temperature enhanced long-wavelength sensitivity in a wider wavelength region than gold added after the heat cycle. The different sensitometric behaviour between gold added before or after the heat cycle could be explained by the enhanced thiosulphate conversion effect of gold at 70°C. The electron trapping energy level of the sensitization centre is speculated to be slightly higher for sulphur-plus-gold than sulphur sensitization. Opposite trends were observed in DRS and long-wavelength sensitivity when the gold level increased. Whether the electronic effect of gold during exposure on top of its latensification effect in sulphur-plus-gold sensitization could be observed seems to be dependent on the sulphur level. A mechanism is proposed.     

Greening effect in slag cement materials

This article presents the first spectroscopic data describing the processes responsible for the temporary blue-green coloration that forms during the hydration of various materials containing Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) under anoxic conditions. UV-visible-near infrared Diffuse Reflectance (DR) spectra demonstrate a striking similarity of the coloring center forming during the curing of a broad range of GGBS-bearing materials (pure GGBS with different compositions, mix Portland cement/GGBS (30/70), concrete and mortar). All spectra are similar to those of polysulfide complexes contained in the interlayer spacing of a synthetic green-colored hydrated calcium aluminate phase (AFm). This “greening effect” demonstrates a progressive oxidation of sulfide-based compounds initially contained in these materials during curing of GGBS bearing materials.     

Utility of Multivariate Analysis in Modeling the Effects of Raw Material Properties and Operating Parameters on Granule and Ribbon Properties Prepared in Roller Compaction

This article aimed to model the effects of raw material properties and roller compactor operating parameters (OPs) on the properties of roller compacted ribbons and granules with the aid of principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) projection. A database of raw material properties was established through extensive physical and mechanical characterization of several microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and lactose grades and their blends. A design of experiment (DoE) was used for ribbon production. PLS models constructed with only OP-modeled roller compaction (RC) responded poorly. Inclusion of raw material properties markedly improved the goodness of fit (R²?=?.897) and model predictability (Q²?=?0.72).     

Polyaniline sensitized Pt@TiO2 for visible-light-driven H2 generation

Polyaniline is a typical conducting polymer with high migration electron rate, good stability, eco-friendly properties, and high absorption coefficients for visible light. In the present study, polyaniline decorated Pt@TiO₂ for visible light-driven H₂ generation is reported for the first time. The above-mentioned nanocomposite is prepared through a simple oxidative-polymerization and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X–ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectra. Polyaniline modification improves the absorption of the nanocomposite in visible light region via a photosensitization effect similar to dye–sensitization but does not influence the crystal structure and size of Pt@TiO₂. The polyaniline modified Pt@TiO₂ exhibits a remarkable visible light activity (61.8 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹) and good stability for H₂ generation (with an average apparent quantum yield of 10.1%) with thioglycolic acid as an electron donor. This work provides new insights into using conducting polymers, including polyaniline, as a sensitizer to modify Pt@TiO₂ for visible-light hydrogen generation.     

Influence of surfactant addition for the texture etching process on multi-crystalline silicon wafer

This study investigates the effects of different recipes and concentrations of surfactant on the texture and reflectance of a multi-crystalline silicon wafer surface. The morphology of the surface was examined and photographed using a field emission scanning electronic microscope. The reflectance of the surface was measured and analyzed using a self-designed optical system. The results of this study show that a higher hydrocarbon-surfactant (CH-surfactant) concentration in the etchant resulted in a slower reaction time. The optimum concentration of CH-surfactant was 1%. However, there were many white bubbles in the etching process. The optimum recipe for surfactant included fluoride 2% to diminish these bubbles. The reflectance was less than 22% in visible light. This cost effective acid chemical etching method is suitable for texturing silicon surfaces on 50?nm nanostructures. This is a critical criterion for determining the optimum recipe for surface texturing of acidic etching in solar cells.