Acoustic wave effects on catalysis: design of surfaces with artificially controllable functions for chemical reactions

The effects of surface acoustic wave (SAW) and resonance oscillation (RO) of bulk acoustic waves on the catalysis of metals were studied in an attempt to design a catalyst surface with artificially controllable functions for chemical reactions. In ethanol decomposition on a thin Cu film catalyst deposited on the propagation path of a shear horizontal leaky SAW, the SAW-on increased the activity for ethylene production remarkably but a little for acetaldehyde production. A poled ferroelectric z-cut LiNbO₃ with a thickness extensional mode RO (TERO) and a x-cut LiNbO₃ with a thickness shear mode RO (TSRO) were employed as a substrate, on which a thin Ag film catalyst was deposited. For ethanol decomposition, TERO increased ethylene production activity and the selectivity for ethylene production from 79 to 96%, whereas TSRO caused little activity enhancement for both ethylene and acetaldehyde production. The combination with the results of laser Doppler measurements showed that the activity enhancement and selectivity changes with SAW and RO of the acoustic waves are associated with dynamic large lattice displacement vertical to the surface.     

Two-dimensional analysis of the effect of an electrode layer on surface acoustic waves in a finite anisotropic plate

The effect of a metal layer over an elastic substrate on surface acoustic wave propagating in the structure can be evaluated precisely for semi-infinite solids and infinite plates, but there is no accurate analytical solution if the finite size of the plate has to be considered. By expanding displacements with eigensolutions of surface acoustic waves in a semi-inifite solid, a set of two-dimensional equations similar to the Mindlin plate theory are obtained. Then for a thin electrode layer, the effect is considered through the approximation of displacements in the metal layer with the ones in the substrate, and an integration over the thickness incorporated the properties of the metal layer into equations through the modification of material properties with the decaying indices of surface acoustic waves and the thickness of the metal layer. Using AT-cut quartz crystal as the substrate, we present the effect of silver electrode layers of finite thickness on the phase velocity of propagating surface acoustic waves.     

Reflection of normal acoustic waves in thin plates from a grating with a periodically distributed mechanical load

Reflection of zero-order normal acoustic waves excited in a thin piezoelectric plate from a set of conducting strips of a finite thickness is studied both theoretically and experimentally. The analysis shows that the effects produced by the short-circuiting of the plate surface and by the elastic load on the impedance ratio of adjacent plate segments are in opposition to each other. These effects can be commensurable, and, hence, for each wave type, there is a certain value of the strip thickness at which the reflection coefficient becomes equal to zero. The experimental results obtained for a shear horizontal normal wave (an SH ₀ wave) propagating in a lithium niobate plate are in good agreement with the theory and justify the use of the equivalent-circuit model in analyzing the properties of reflectors of the type under study.     

Epitaxial MnP thin films: epitaxial growth,magnetic and electrical properties

We have grown 500 Å MnP on undoped GaAs(1 0 0) substrate using solid-source molecular beam epitaxy. In order to characterize the crystal structure of MnP, we performed in-situ reflection high energy electron diffraction and θ–2θ XRD X-ray diffraction studies. From the measurements of superconducting quantum interference device, Quantum Design, MnP thin film shows ferromagnetic ordering at around 291.5 K. It shows a metallic resistivity in MnP thin film.     

Breakdown voltage model and structure realization of a thin silicon layer with linear variable doping on a silicon on insulator high voltage device with multiple step field plates

Based on the theoretical and experimental investigation of a thin silicon layer(TSL) with linear variable doping(LVD) and further research on the TSL LVD with a multiple step field plate(MSFP),a breakdown voltage(BV) model is proposed and experimentally verified in this paper.With the two-dimensional Poisson equation of the silicon on insulator(SOI) device,the lateral electric field in drift region of the thin silicon layer is assumed to be constant.For the SOI device with LVD in the thin silicon layer,the dependence of the BV on impurity concentration under the drain is investigated by an enhanced dielectric layer field(ENDIF),from which the reduced surface field(RESURF) condition is deduced.The drain in the centre of the device has a good self-isolation effect,but the problem of the high voltage interconnection(HVI) line will become serious.The two step field plates including the source field plate and gate field plate can be adopted to shield the HVI adverse effect on the device.Based on this model,the TSL LVD SOI n-channel lateral double-diffused MOSFET(nLDMOS) with MSFP is realized.The experimental breakdown voltage(BV) and specific on-resistance(R on,sp) of the TSL LVD SOI device are 694 V and 21.3 ·mm 2 with a drift region length of 60 μm,buried oxide layer of 3 μm,and silicon layer of 0.15 μm,respectively.     

On the propagation of long thickness-stretch waves in piezoelectric plates

We study the propagation of thickness-stretch waves in a piezoelectric plate of polarized ceramics with thickness poling or crystals of class 6 mm whose sixfold axis is along the plate thickness. For device applications we consider long waves with wavelengths much longer than the plate thickness. A system of two-dimensional equations in the literature governing thickness-stretch, extensional, and symmetric thickness-shear motions of the plate is further simplified. The equations obtained can be used to analyze piezoelectric plate acoustic wave devices operating with thickness-stretch modes.     

L12 phase formation and giant exchange anisotropy in Mn3Ir/Co–Fe bilayers

The degree of order S of Mn–Ir layers and the exchange anisotropy of Mn–Ir/Co–Fe bilayers were investigated for various chemical compositions of Mn–Ir layers, underlayer materials, and underlayer thicknesses. It was found that: (1) The compositional range over which L1₂-phase Mn₃Ir could be formed is 22–32 at% Ir and giant exchange anisotropy is obtained in this range. (2) Ru is favorable as an underlayer material for avoiding interdiffusion with the Mn–Ir layer during deposition on the temperature elevated substrate. (3) The underlayer thickness could be reduced to 5 nm while maintaining a giant exchange anisotropy in excess of 1 erg/cm².     

Investigation of acoustic waves of higher order propagating in plates of lithium niobate

This paper presents theoretical investigation of higher order acoustic plate waves propagating in single crystals of lithium niobate. The dependencies of wave velocity and electromechanical coupling coefficient of antisymmetric, symmetric, and shear horizontal modes on the parameter hf (h=plate thickness, f=operating frequency) are calculated as a function of propagation direction on X-, Y-, and Z-cut lithium niobate plates. It is found that several modes can provide values of K2 that are much greater than can be obtained with surface acoustic waves (SAWs). For example, K2 as high as 0.26 and 0.38 can be obtained from SH1 and A2 modes, respectively. This compares with a maximum value of K2=0.055 for SAWs. It is further shown that there are several crystal cut and propagation directions that can allow efficient excitation and detection of a single mode with minimal interference due to other modes.     

Study of electronic structures for Fe thin films deposited on Si- and C-faces of 4H-SiC substrates by soft X-ray emission spectroscopy

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a candidate material for electronic devices to operate upon crucial environment. Electronic states of silicides and/or carbide/graphite formed in metal/SiC contact system are fundamentally important from the viewpoint of device performance.We study interface electronic structure of iron thin film deposited on silicon (Si)- and carbon (C)-face of 4H-SiC(0 0 0 1) by using a soft X-ray emission spectroscopy (SXES). For specimens of Fe (50 nm)/4H-SiC (substrate) contact systems annealed at 700 and 900 °C, the Si L_2,3 emission spectra indicate different shapes and peak energies from the substrate depending on thermal-treated temperature. The product of materials such as silicides is suggested. Further, from comparison of Si L_2,3 emission spectra between Si- and C-face for the same annealing temperature at 700 °C, it is concluded that the similar silicides and/or ternary materials are formed on the two surfaces. However for those of 900 °C, the film on substrate is composed of the different silicide and/or ternary materials.     

Third-order optical nonlinearity of (Ba0.7Sr0.3)TiO3 ferroelectric thin films fabricated by soft solution processing

(Ba_0.7Sr_0.3)TiO₃ (BST) ferroelectric thin films with perovskite crystal structure were fabricated by soft solution processing on a quartz substrate. The third-order nonlinear optical properties were investigated by using Z-scan technique. Positive nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficient were determined to be 4×10⁻⁷ esu and 1.2×10⁻⁶ m/w, respectively. The real part and imaginary part of third-order optical nonlinear susceptibility were calculated and the values were 6.43×10⁻⁸ and 5.14×10⁻⁸ esu, respectively. All of these results show ferroelectric BST thin film is promising for applications in nonlinear optical devices.     

A new type of acoustic modes of vibration of thin piezoelectric plates: Quasi-longitudinal normal modes

Using ST-cut quartz crystal plates as an example, a new type of normal modes of acoustic vibrations is described. The modes propagate along the x axis with a velocity close or equal to that of longitudinal bulk waves propagating in the same direction and have a longitudinal component of elastic displacement no less than two orders of magnitude greater than the two other components (the shear-horizontal and shear-vertical ones) throughout the whole plate thickness. The domain of existence of the quasi-longitudinal modes consists of a set of limited zones that contain the “allowed” values of the plate thickness H/λ (H is the plate thickness and λ is the wavelength) and are separated by “forbidden” zones corresponding to common Lamb modes. The closeness (or coincidence) of the velocities of a quasi-longitudinal mode in the plate and a longitudinal bulk wave in an unbounded crystal is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the existence of the aforementioned type of modes in ST,x quartz.     

Artificial cochlea and acoustic black hole travelling waves observation: Model and experimental results

An inhomogeneous fluid structure waveguide reproducing passive behaviour of the inner ear is modelled with the help of the Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin method. A physical setup is designed and built. Experimental results are compared with a good correlation to theoretical ones. The experimental setup is a varying width plate immersed in fluid and terminated with an acoustic black hole. The varying width plate provides a spatial repartition of the vibration depending on the excitation frequency. The acoustic black hole is made by decreasing the plate?s thickness with a quadratic profile and by covering this region with a thin film of viscoelastic material. Such a termination attenuates the flexural wave reflection at the end of the waveguide, turning standing waves into travelling waves.     

Optical parameters in SnO2 nanocrystalline textured films grown on p-InSb (111) substrates

Spectroscopic ellipsometry and photoluminescence (PL) measurements on SnO₂ nanocrystalline textured films grown on p-InSb (111) substrates by using radio-frequency magnetron sputtering at low temperature were carried out to investigate the dependence of the optical parameters on the SnO₂ thin film thickness. As the SnO₂ film thickness increases, while the energy gap of the SnO₂ film decreases, its refractive index increases. The PL spectra show that the broad peaks corresponding to the donor-acceptor pair transitions are dominant and that the peak positions change with the SnO₂ film thickness. These results can help improve understanding for the application of SnO₂ nanocrystalline thin films grown on p-InSb (111) substrates in potential optoelectronic devices based on InSb substrates.     

The effect of initial stress on the propagation behavior of SH waves in piezoelectric coupled plates

This study analytically investigates the propagation of shear waves (SH waves) in a coupled plate consisting of a piezoelectric layer and an elastic layer with initial stress. The piezoelectric material is polarized in z-axis direction and perfectly bonded to an elastic layer. The mechanical displacement and electrical potential function are derived for the piezoelectric coupled plates by solving the electromechanical field equations. The effects of the thickness ratio and the initial stress on the dispersion relations and the phase and group velocities are obtained for electrically open and mechanically free situations. The numerical examples are provided to illustrate graphically the variations of the phase and group velocities versus the wave number for the different layers comparatively. It is seen that the phase velocity of SH waves decreases with the increase of the magnitude of the initial compression stress, while it increases with the increase of the magnitude of the initial tensile stress. The initial stress has a great effect on the propagation of SH waves with the decrease of the thickness ratio. This research is theoretically useful for the design of surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices with high performance.     

Device and performance parameters of Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2-based solar cells with varying i-ZnO layer thickness

In pursuit of low-cost and highly efficient thin film solar cells, Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)₂/CdS/i-ZnO/ZnO:Al (CIGSS) solar cells were fabricated using a two-step process. The thickness of i-ZnO layer was varied from 0 to 454 nm. The current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics of the devices were measured, and the device and performance parameters of the solar cells were obtained from the J-V curves to analyze the effect of varying i-ZnO layer thickness. The device parameters were determined using a parameter extraction method that utilized particle swarm optimization. The method is a curve-fitting routine that employed the two-diode model. The J-V curves of the solar cells were fitted with the model and the parameters were determined. Results show that as the thickness of i-ZnO was increased, the average efficiency and the fill factor (FF) of the solar cells increase. Device parameters reveal that although the series resistance increased with thicker i-ZnO layer, the solar cells absorbed more photons resulting in higher short-circuit current density (J_sc) and, consequently, higher photo-generated current density (J_L). For solar cells with 303-454 nm-thick i-ZnO layer, the best devices achieved efficiency between 15.24% and 15.73% and the fill factor varied between 0.65 and 0.67.     

Anomalous dispersion of SH acoustic waves in a piezoelectric sandwich structure

A transformation of the dispersion spectrum of shear horizontal (SH) acoustic eigenwaves in a sandwich structure due to a piezoelectric effect is described. The structure consists of two plates separated by a gap whose thickness is considerably less than the wavelength. Under these conditions, acoustic fields induced in the plates interact through the piezoelectric effect. The piezoelectric effect brings about a distortion and divergence of the initially (in the zeroth approximation) independent dispersion curves; i.e., all points of intersection of the dispersion curves disappear. Each of the new dispersion branches is formed by a set of adjacent portions of initial branches. A change in the wave number (or in the frequency) results in a periodic gradual displacement of the localization zone of the acoustic field from one plate to the other.     

High-frequency properties of thin amorphous ribbons

Magnetic energy losses have been investigated in Co-based near-zero-magnetostriction amorphous ribbons from DC to 10 MHz. Attention has been devoted to the properties of field-annealed ribbons thinned down to 5.8 μm and their behavior at high frequencies. A rationale is provided for the frequency dependence of the magnetic losses over the investigated many-decade range through analysis of the loss components. Ribbons annealed under transverse field benefit by limited irreversible domain wall activity and correspondingly reduced hysteresis and excess losses. Based on the near-linear response of the material and the permeability–energy loss relationship, the separate contributions of domain wall displacements and rotations to the magnetization process and the related dissipation effects are singled out at all frequencies. Very thin amorphous ribbons are shown to display lower loss and higher permeability (i.e. higher Snoek's product) than Mn–Zn ferrites at all frequencies.     

Acoustic radiation force of high-order Bessel beam standing wave tweezers on a rigid sphere

Background and objective

Particle manipulation using the acoustic radiation force of Bessel beams is an active field of research. In a previous investigation, [F.G. Mitri, Acoustic radiation force on a sphere in standing and quasi-standing zero-order Bessel beam tweezers, Annals of Physics 323 (2008) 1604–1620] an expression for the radiation force of a zero-order Bessel beam standing wave experienced by a sphere was derived. The present work extends the analysis of the radiation force to the case of a high-order Bessel beam (HOBB) of positive order m having an angular dependence on the phase ?.

Method

The derivation for the general expression of the force is based on the formulation for the total acoustic scattering field of a HOBB by a sphere [F.G. Mitri, Acoustic scattering of a high-order Bessel beam by an elastic sphere, Annals of Physics 323 (2008) 2840–2850; F.G. Mitri, Equivalence of expressions for the acoustic scattering of a progressive high order Bessel beam by an elastic sphere, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control 56 (2009) 1100–1103] to derive the general expression for the radiation force function Y_Jm,st(ka,β,m), which is the radiation force per unit characteristic energy density and unit cross-sectional surface. The radiation force function is expressed as a generalized partial wave series involving the half-cone angle β of the wave-number components and the order m of the HOBB.

Results

Numerical results for the radiation force function of a first and a second-order Bessel beam standing wave incident upon a rigid sphere immersed in non-viscous water are computed. The rigid sphere calculations for Y_Jm,st(ka,β,m) show that the force is generally directed to a pressure node when m is a positive even integer number (i.e. Y_Jm,st(ka,β,m)>0), whereas the force is generally directed toward a pressure antinode when m is a positive odd integer number (i.e. Y_Jm,st(ka,β,m)<0).

Conclusion

An expression is derived for the radiation force on a rigid sphere placed along the axis of an ideal non-diffracting HOBB of acoustic standing (or stationary) waves propagating in an ideal fluid. The formulation includes results of a previous work done for a zero-order Bessel beam standing wave (m = 0). The proposed theory is of particular interest essentially due to its inherent value as a canonical problem in particle manipulation using the acoustic radiation force of a HOBB standing wave on a sphere. It may also serve as the benchmark for comparison to other solutions obtained by strictly numerical or asymptotic approaches.     

Controlling flexural waves in thin plates by using transformation acoustic metamaterials

In this study, we design periodic grille structures on a single homogenous thin plate to achieve anisotropic acoustic metamaterials that can control flexural waves. The metamaterials can achieve the bending control of flexural waves in a thin plate at will by designing only one dimension in the thickness direction, which makes it easier to use this metamaterial to design transformation acoustic devices. The numerical simulation results show that the metamaterials can accurately control the bending waves over a wide frequency range. The experimental results verify the validity of the theoretical analysis. This research provides a more practical theoretical method of controlling flexural waves in thin-plate structures.