Bulk-wave and guided-wave photoacoustic evaluation of the mechanical properties of aluminum/silicon nitride double-layer thin films

The development of devices made of micro- and nano-structured thin film materials has resulted in the need for advanced measurement techniques to characterize their mechanical properties. Photoacoustic techniques, which use pulsed laser irradiation to nondestructively induce very high frequency ultrasound in a test object via rapid thermal expansion, are suitable for nondestructive and non-contact evaluation of thin films. In this paper, we compare two photoacoustic techniques to characterize the mechanical parameters of edge-supported aluminum and silicon nitride double-layer thin films. The elastic properties and residual stresses in such films affect their mechanical performance. In a first set of experiments, a femtosecond transient pump–probe technique is used to investigate the Young’s moduli of the aluminum and silicon nitride layers by launching ultra-high frequency bulk acoustic waves in the films. The measured transient signals are compared with simulated transient thermoelastic signals in multi-layer structures, and the elastic moduli are determined. Independent pump–probe tests on silicon substrate-supported region and unsupported region are in good agreement. In a second set of experiments, dispersion curves of the A₀ mode of the Lamb waves that propagate along the unsupported films are measured using a broadband photoacoustic guided-wave method. The residual stresses and flexural rigidities for the same set of double-layer membranes are determined from these dispersion curves. Comparisons of the results obtained by the two photoacoustic techniques are made and discussed.     

光子晶体线缺陷波导中的折射率相位移调制增强效应

在传统的基于全内反射原理的低折射率比介质波导所构建的相位移调制型光学器件中,调制区域的长度通常在毫米到厘米量级.由于器件横向尺寸保持在微米量级,因此狭长结构成为了传统光波导器件的典型特征,这限制了光学器件集成度的提高,严重制约了集成光路的进一步发展.光子晶体的出现为高密集成光路的发展提供了一条新的途径.本文使用平面波展开方法计算了光子晶体线缺陷波导中的色散曲线.研究发现:在色散曲线下边缘处,材料折射率的一个微小变化可以引起传输常数的较大变化,如果工作频率点选择在带下边缘附近,则可以大幅度减小相位移调制型器件调制区域的长度.本文使用时域有限差分方法进一步验证这种增强效应,计算结果表明,对于0.46%的折射率变化,光子晶体线缺陷波导中的相位调制长度仅为均匀媒质中相位移调制长度的11.7%.通过以进一步研究,这种增强效应有望应用与高密度集成光路.     

Semiconductor waveguide source of counterpropagating twin photons

We experimentally demonstrate an integrated semiconductor source of counterpropagating twin photons in the telecom range. A pump beam impinging on top of an AlGaAs waveguide generates parametrically two counterpropagating, orthogonally polarized signal/idler guided modes. A 2 mm long waveguide emits at room temperature one average photon pair per pump pulse, with a spectral linewidth of 0.15 nm. The twin character of the emitted photons is ascertained through a time-correlation measurement. This work opens a route towards new guided-wave semiconductor quantum devices.     

Parametric fluorescence in semiconductor waveguides

We report on semiconductor waveguides for room-temperature parametric fluorescence in the near infrared. Two phase-matching schemes are presented: form birefringence and counter-propagating phase matching. The characteristics and performances of these solutions are discussed and compared for different kinds of applications. The emergence of these devices opens new perspectives toward guided-wave parametric amplifiers, oscillators, and sources for quantum information. To cite this article: M. Ravaro et al., C. R. Physique 8 (2007).     

The integration of nanoscale porous silicon light emitters: materials science, properties, and integration with electronic circuitry

The stability, efficiency, speed, and spectral range of light-emitting devices (LEDs) made of nanoscale porous silicon is improving. The first part of this paper discusses the preparation and properties of nanoscale silicon, with emphasis on porous silicon. In the second part, the properties of LEDs made of porous silicon are reviewed. In the third part, the integration of PSi LEDs with silicon microelectronic circuits is discussed. The paper ends with a short discussion of the prospects for realistic optoelectronic devices.     

斜向静磁场中光导波模式转换与衍射理论

应用经典场论和耦合模理论计算了斜向静磁场作用下，磁性薄膜波导中静磁波与导波光的相互作用.计算结果表明，与垂直静磁场情形相比，斜向静磁场时的相匹配条件有所变化，由于磁性薄膜波导中法拉第磁光效应增强等因素，导波光的Bragg衍射效率得以显著增加.这有利于应用YIG等低损耗磁性薄膜做成高衍射效率的磁光波导器件，亦有利于降低Bi∶YIG等高比法拉第旋转的磁光薄膜波导器件的体积和损耗.此外，理论指出的在斜向静磁场条件下所具有的一些磁光特性与实验结果亦符合得很好. 关键词：     

微纳尺度热能调控的声子学元器件研究进展

声子是半导体材料中热能的主要载体。通过对声子调控的深入研究,人们可以为微纳电子器件散热和热能转换提供有效的解决方案。文章介绍了热能调控声子学元器件的研究进展,重点阐述了理论上如何利用微纳米结构材料构建声子学基本单元——热二极管/热整流器。此外,文章还介绍了该领域的关键测量技术和实验进展,包括热整流器和热存储器的设计与实现。最后对声子学研究的发展趋势进行了展望,并提出了存在的困难和挑战。     

Stresses and deformation processes in thin films on substrates

The stresses that develop in thin films on substrates can be detrimental to the reliability of thin film electronic devices. In order to design these devices for improved mechanical reliability, an understanding of the origin of these stresses and the controlling deformation processes in thin films is needed. This review begins with a discussion of the basic techniques used for measuring stresses in thin films and for studying the mechanical properties of thin films. The proposed models for the origin of stresses in thin films are then reviewed. Finally, the effects of microstructure and substrate constraint on thin film deformation processes are discussed.     

Theory of switching in systems with concentration instability

A study is made of switching in semiconductor devices with an S-type characteristic in which the phenomenon of instability is due to dependence of the depth of local impurity levels on the free-carrier concentration. A switching mechanism connected with the formation of a nucleus of the new phase is considered. The concentration distributions and the characteristic dimensions of the nucleus are calculated.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 2, pp. 140–143, February, 1976.The author wishes to thank V. L. Bonch-Bruevich, A. B. Mironov, and A. G. Khachaturyan for a useful discussion on the results of the work.     

Analysis of the generic singularity studies by Belinskii,Khalatnikov, and Lifschitz

We apply some modern mathematical methods of global analysis to a series of studies undertaken by Belinskii, Khalatnikov and Lifschitz (BKL) to elucidate the structure of space-time near a general cosmological singularity. A brief summary of BKL's large body of work on inhomogeneous cosmological models is given (their work on homogeneous models is not under discussion here). Various theorems are proven and analyses of a mathematical and physical nature are made to show that the constructions of BKL cannot be general and in some cases do not give Lorentz manifolds. We conclude that although the work of BKL has led to very significant advances in our understanding of the dynamics of homogeneous cosmological models, the local techniques they employ do not extend to give us reliable information about the global structure of generic space-times. A detailed discussion of stability, generality, function counting, linearization stability, physical singularities and fictitious singularities is given together with an outline of various physical considerations which might be useful in future studies of the structure of generic space-times.     

Cross-link optimized cascaded volume hologram array with energy-equalized one-to-many surface-normal fan-outs

Achieving a uniform fan-out energy distribution is critical to the successful applications of substrate guided-wave optical interconnects. Using Dupont photopolymer film HRF-600X00120, we investigated the optimum recording beam intensity for obtaining a large dynamic region of diffraction efficiency relative to exposure dosage. Based on the experimental diffraction efficiency curve, 1-to-5 and 1-to-9 surface-normal fan-out devices were fabricated that operated at a wavelength of 850nm, and output nonuniformities of +/-4 % and +/-10 % were obtained for the two devices.     

Chirped and curved grating coupler focusing both outgoing beam and guided wave

A new type of a grating coupler is proposed which couples out diverging or converging guided wave into stigmatically focused outgoing beam or vice versa. Theoretical analysis based on the holographic approach is given in some details. Experiments on photoresist gratings support the theory and show their prospective application as beam forming couplers for guided-wave optics.     

Design and characterization of a grating-assisted coupler enhanced by a photonic-band-gap structure for effective wavelength-division demultiplexing

We report a novel grating-assisted coupler that incorporates a photonic-band-gap structure. It is shown that by virtue of the resonant cavity formed by the structure and the grating the relative amounts of the output scattered and the transmitted guided-wave powers can be significantly modified. The potential applications for optical switches and wavelength demultiplexers based on this new configuration are discussed.     

Components and systems for long-wavelength monomode fibre transmission

This review discusses the requirements and constraints on components for long-wavelength monomode systems. In particular it critically reviews the current status of fibre, splicing, cabling, laser, detector, receiver and systems research; emphasis is placed on practical achievements rather than just speculative possibilities. The review concludes with a brief assessment of the future role of guided-wave optical devices.     

On the modelling of non-linear guided-wave optics for all-optical signal processing

The application of a reduced variational formalism, to model guided-wave optical signal processing devices is reviewed. The focus is mainly on second-order non-linearities. First, approximate analytical solutions (solitary waves) are derived for propagation in second-order non-linear media. Next, these analytical results are validated through numerical simulation of the governing equations. To show the potential of this formalism by means of a practical example, the analytical results are applied to a soliton-based LiNbO3 non-linear directional coupler exploiting second-order non-linear effects. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

波导光折变功能光栅的研究

提出一种新的波导光折变功能光栅制作技术,利用导波光与空间光干涉,在Ｔｉ：ＬｉＮｂＯ３条形波导中通过光折变效应形成波导功能光栅,该方法也适用制作浮雕型波导光栅,用该方法,可制备周期小于二分之一光波长的光栅,并可灵活地调节波导功能光栅的形成与工作波长。     

Fabrication of glass optical power splitter in thallium source by ion-exchange method

The use of a new thallium-ion (Tl+) source for glass optical power splitter fabrication based on a NaNO3-Tl2SO4 mixture is proposed and demonstrated. Planar optical power splitters were made using glasses such as K6, K8, K9. The optical quality of the devices prepared compares favorably with the quality obtained using other fabrication techniques (such as dry etching) and the processing time is considerably reduced.     

Nanoelectronic Devices Based on Carbon Nanotubes

We review the state-of-the-art in the carbon nanotube (CNT) electronics. The emphasis is made on actually created devices. The history of discovery of fullerenes is outlined and their properties are considered. Experimental discovery of nanotubes and nanotube synthesis technologies are reviewed. The CNT conductivity dependence on the geometrical structure of nanotubes is discussed. Various nanoelectronic CNT devices, such as nanowires, heterojunctions, diodes, and field-effect transistors are presented. Quantum properties of CNTs at low temperatures are discussed. CNT-based mechanical devices, memory elements, and switches are considered. Field emission properties of CNTs are analyzed. The data on the developed CNT-based light-emitting elements and the manufactured pre-production models of CNT flat-panel displays are given.     

A new approach to the Schrödinger equation with rational potentials

A new analytic theory is established for the Schrödinger equation with a rational potential, including a complete classification of the regular eigenfunctions into three different types, an exact method of obtaining wavefunctions, an explicit formulation of the spectral equation (3 x 3 determinant) etc. All representations are exhibited in a unifying way via function-theoretic methods and therefore given in explicit form, in contrast to the prevailing discussion appealing to perturbation or variation methods or continued-fraction techniques. The irregular eigenfunctions at infinity can be obtained analogously and will be discussed separately as another solvable case for singular potentials.     

Sonochemical reactors: scale up aspects

The present work deals with the discussion on the engineering aspects of the design of large-scale sonochemical reactors using the solutions of the bubble dynamics equations as well as experimentation with different reactor types and reactions. Design correlations for the collapse pressure and its relation to the cavitational yield have also been given which should assist the designers in the choice of the operating parameters for a desired cavitational effect. Some techniques for the intensification of cavitational activity (with the use of additives) with an aim of reducing the cost of operation have also been discussed. The guidelines for the future work to be carried out to remove the lacunae in the design information with an aim of developing industrial scale efficient sonochemical reactors have also been mentioned.