Matrix analysis of 2-D microresonator lattice optical filters

We present a transfer matrix analysis of a two-dimensional (2-D) filter to study its frequency response functions. The (M/spl times/N) array consists of N independent columns of microring resonators side-coupled to two channel bus waveguides, with equal spacing between columns and each column consisting of M coupled resonators. We show that such a general 2-D lattice network of lossless and symmetric resonators can approximate an ideal bandpass filter characterized by a flat-top box-like amplitude response without out-of-band sidelobes, and a linear phase response. The bandwidth is determined by the coupling factor between resonators. The 2-D periodic structure exhibits nonoverlapping photonic bandgaps arising from the complementary transmission properties of the row and column arrays. The row array behaves as a distributed feedback grating giving rise to narrow bandgaps corresponding to the flat reflection passbands of the filter with out-of-band sidelobes. The column array, on the other hand, acts as a high-order coupled-cavities filter with broad bandgaps that overlap with the sidelobe regions, thereby effectively suppressing the sidelobes. The phase response is linear except near the band edges, where enhanced group delay limits the usable bandwidth of the filter to about 80%. The minimum size of the array required is about 3/spl times/10, but is ultimately limited by waveguide loss.     

Relaxation of Critical Coupling Condition and Characterization of Coupling-Induced Frequency Shift in Two-Ring Structures

We present a systematic study of two-ring–one-bus (2R1B) and two-ring Mach–Zehnder interferometer (2RMZI). By exciting the cavity modes in certain ways, it is possible to shape the transmission spectrum that may be suitable for specific applications, such as relaxation of critical coupling for the case of 2R1B or finesse enhancement for the case of 2RMZI. The deteriorating effects of resonator self-coupling known as coupling-induced resonance frequency shift is quantized. The two-ring structures are demonstrated on a silicon-on-insulator platform where good agreement is obtained between the experiment and the theory.      

How small the contacts could be optimal for nanoscale organic transistors?

We report on a study seeking an optimized contact configuration for organic transistors that minimizes contact effects but maintains smallest contact size. We begin with the bulk access resistance in staggered transistors which results from the charge transport through the organic semiconductor film. Bulk access resistance is an intrinsic contributor to the contact resistance which has been little understood due to lack of a reliable study tool. In this work, we utilize the inner transported power inside the semiconductor film as a medium to investigate the contact resistance and the relevant contact effects. We examine the influences of the organic film thickness (t_SC), the channel length (L), the underlying charge transport and various organic semiconductor materials with variable carrier mobility. A roughly optimal contact length (L_C) of L_C0 ≈ 6t_SC is obtained. The results reveal that besides the device architecture the underlying charge transport should be also taken into account in designing organic transistors for practical application.     

Enhanced Electrochromism with Rapid Growth Layer‐by‐Layer Assembly of Polyelectrolyte Complexes

In this work, a facile method to deposit fast growing electrochromic multilayer films with enhanced electrochemical properties using layer‐by‐layer (LbL) self‐assembly of complex polyelectrolyte is demonstrated. Two linear polymers, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and polyethylenimine (PEI), are used to formulate stable complexes under specific pH to prepare polyaniline (PANI)/PAA‐PEI multilayer films via LbL deposition. By introducing polymeric complexes as building blocks, [PANI/PAA‐PEI]_n films grow much faster compared with [PANI/PAA]_n films, which are deposited under the same condition. Unlike the compact [PANI/PAA]_n films, [PANI/PAA‐PEI]_n films exhibit porous structure that is beneficial to the electrochemical process and leads to improved electrochromic properties. An enhanced optical modulation of 30% is achieved with [PANI/PAA‐PEI]₃₀ films at 630 nm compared with the lower optical modulation of 11% measured from [PANI/PAA]₃₀ films. The switching time of [PANI/PAA‐PEI]₃₀ films is only half of that of [PANI/PAA]₃₀ films, which indicates a faster redox process. Utilizing polyelectrolyte complexes as building blocks is a promising approach to prepare fast growing LbL films for high performance electrochemical device applications.     

Nested-Ring Mach–Zehnder Interferometer in Silicon-on-Insulator

For the first time, a nested-ring Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) on silicon-on-insulator is realized using a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor-based process. In this letter, we verify that the device operates in two modes: the inner-loop resonance dominant mode due to strong build-up inside the inner-ring, and the double-Fano resonances mode due to strong light interaction with the outer loop. The results show that the inner-loop resonance is highly sensitive to the MZI arm imbalance compared to the double-Fano resonance mode. Based on these considerations, we obtain a good fit between theory and experiment.     

Wettability and bonding quality of exterior coatings on jabon and sengon wood surfaces

Wettability and bonding quality of exterior coatings on fast-growing wood surfaces were studied. Samples of air-dried flat-grained (tangential surface) and edge-grained (radial surface) pattern of jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) and sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria) woods were used. Before application of exterior coatings, the surfaces of the lumber samples were sanded. To provide wood surfaces with various degrees of roughness, abrasive papers of 120, 240, and 360 grits were used for the surface preparation. The wettability of two exterior coatings (water-based acrylic and oil-based alkyd varnishes) on the sanded wood surfaces was measured using a sessile drop contact angle method. The Shi and Gardner (S/G) model was used to evaluate and compare the wettability of the surface coatings on the wood. The sanded wood samples were coated with the two coatings (two layers each). Bonding quality of the coating layers was measured using a crosscut tape test method. Experimental results show that constant contact angle change rate (K value) of the S/G model decreased as the grit number of abrasive paper increased. This indicates that the wettability decreased as the roughness of the surface decreased (surface becomes smoother). There was no evidence of differences in wettability between tangential and radial wood surfaces. The oil-based alkyd coating generated better wettability compared to the water-based acrylic. The crosscut tests showed that the bonding quality of the coating films on both jabon and sengon wood decreased as the surface became smoother. The sengon wood compared to jabon wood provided better coating wettability and bonding quality. Wettability in terms of the K values was a good indication for determining the bonding quality of the two varnish layers.     

Improvement of processability of poly(ε‐caprolactone) by radiation techniques

Improvement of processability of Poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) was achieved by introduction of a branch structure using gamma‐irradiation from a ⁶⁰Co source. Irradiated PCL has higher molecular weight by producting a branch structure. Hence, the irradiation at a lower dose, such as 3 Mrad, leads to a higher melt viscosity. The branched structure gave improved properties for dynamic viscoelasticity and elongational viscosity. High elongational viscosity was observed by entanglement due to branch chain formed during irradiation, and the elongational viscosity for 3 Mrad is higher than 1.5 Mrad. Due to a higher elongational viscosity, PCL foam can be produced by a molding process. Foam produced from irradiated PCL pellets at 3 Mrad has honeycomb‐like structure, and the foam showed higher enzymatic degradation compared to film samples. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1815–1820, 1999     

Feasibility study of utilization of commercially available polyurethane resins to develop non-biocidal wood preservation treatments

Evaluation of commercially available polyurethane resins used up to now for coating applications to develop non-biocidal wood preservation treatments has been conducted. A simple method of vacuum impregnation of these resins into beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) and pine wood (Pinus sylvestris L.) samples followed by varied curing processes at ambient temperature, 103, and 200 °C has been performed. Based on the analysis of weight percent gain before and after leaching, treatment resistance to leaching, anti-swelling efficiency, wettability and decay durability measured for treated and untreated blocks after leaching with the white-rot fungus Coriolus versicolor for both wood species and the brown-rot fungi Poria placenta and Gloeophyllum trabeum for pine wood, it can be concluded that such treatment can be considered as potential valuable non-biocidal treatments.     

Rapid and Sustainable Surface Acoustic Wave Atomizer

Surface acoustic waves have considerable potential to rapidly generate micron to submicron sized aerosols due to the capillary wave at the liquid–air interfacial boundary. The atomization process, however, is often found to be unstable and discontinuous due to the inconsistency of the droplet position and the lack of accuracy of resonance frequency, resulting in less efficient atomization performance. We developed a rapid and sustainable surface acoustic wave (SAW) atomizer to generate aerosols in a robust, straightforward, and stable mechanism for a continuous, consistent, and reliable deposition of a functional material (i.e., poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate [PEDOT:PSS]). Two identical progressive focused surface acoustic wave devices were arranged in angles and in opposite directions with 1 mm wide opening to regulate appropriate amount of liquid sample to be atomized. Several parametrical studies (i.e., on the design of the SAW device, liquid flow rate, applied voltage, and deposition distance) were conducted to quantitatively characterize the performance of the atomizing system. Furthermore, the aerosol size was quantitatively measured and presented as the particle size distribution based on field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images using an image processing method. The results showed that the atomizer is conclusive in demonstrating a continuous, rapid, and consistent atomization performance as an alternative and promising spray method.

Copyright © 2015 American Association for Aerosol Research