Unconditionally Stable Z-Transform ADI-PML Algorithm for Lorentzian Double Negative Meta-Materials

Unconditionally stable formulations of the anisotropic perfectly matched layer (APML) are presented for truncating double negative (DNG) meta-material finite difference time domain (FDTD) grids. In the proposed formulations, the Z-transform theory is employed in the alternating direction implicit FDTD (ADI-FDTD) scheme to obtain update equations for the field components in the DNG meta-material domains. Numerical examples carried out in one dimensional Lorentzian type DNG meta-material domains are included to show the validity of the proposed formulations.     

Transmission of the spin-spin coupling constants through hydrogen bonds in ammonia clusters

Spin-spin coupling constants are reported using six ab initio and fifteen DFT methods for dimers and larger clusters of ammonia. An analysis of components (Fermi contact, spin dipole, paramagnetic spin-orbit, and diamagnetic spin-orbit) of more relevant coupling constants ¹J_NH′, ^1hJ_NH′ and ^2hJ_NN has been carried out. Fermi contact is the dominant term in the total value for all constants. For dimers, a relationship between the addition of direct and intermolecular coupling constants gives the direct constants of monomer. From the comparison of all ab initio and DFT methods for dimers, SOPPA(CCSD) and S55VWN5 methods are, respectively, more reliable taking into account their accuracy and the computing time. Both methods are employed for the analysis of the transmission of coupling constants through the hydrogen bond for ammonia clusters. A linear relation between the intermolecular constants ^1hJ_NH′ and the length of the hydrogen bond is found.     

Influence of structural and chemical properties on electron transport in mesoporous ZnO-based dye-sensitized solar cell

Ionics - Two chemical bath deposition (CBD) solutions were prepared at two different temperatures of 60 and 80 °C for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) application. The deposition time...     

First-Order Intertwining Operators with Position Dependent Mass and <Emphasis Type="Italic">η</Emphasis>-Weak-Pseudo-Hermiticity Generators

A Hermitian and an anti-Hermitian first-order intertwining operators are introduced and a class of η-weak-pseudo-Hermitian position-dependent mass (PDM) Hamiltonians are constructed. A corresponding reference-target η-weak-pseudo-Hermitian PDM—Hamiltonians’ map is suggested. Some η-weak-pseudo-Hermitian -symmetric Scarf II and periodic-type models are used as illustrative examples. Energy-levels crossing and flown-away states phenomena are reported for the resulting Scarf II spectrum. Some of the corresponding η-weak-pseudo-Hermitian Scarf II- and periodic-type-isospectral models ( -symmetric and non- -symmetric) are given as products of the reference-target map.     

The effect of anti-reflection coating of porous silicon on solar cells efficiency

Anti-reflection coatings of solar cells have been fabricated using different techniques. The techniques used include SiO₂ thermal oxidation, ZnO/TiO₂ sputtering deposition and porous silicon prepared by electrochemical etching. Surface morphology and structural properties of solar cells were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy and atomic forces microscopy. Optical reflectance was obtained by using optical reflectometer. I-V characterizations were studied under 80 mW/cm² illumination conditions. Porous silicon was found to be an excellent anti-reflection coating against incident light when it is compared with another anti-reflection coating and exhibited good light-trapping of a wide wavelength spectrum which produced high efficiency solar cells.     

Rapid initiation of reactions in Al/Ni multilayers with nanoscale layering

Research into nanoenergetic materials is enabling new capabilities for controlling exothermic reaction rates and energy output, as well as new methods for integrating these materials with conventional electronics fabrication techniques. Many reactions produce primarily heat, and in some cases it is desirable to increase the rate of heat release beyond what is typically observed. Here we investigate the Al-Ni intermetallic reaction, which normally propagates across films or foils at rates lower than 10 m/s. However, models and experiments indicate that local heating rates can be very high (10⁷ K/s), and uniform heating of such a multilayer film can lead to a rapid, thermally explosive type of reaction. With the hopes of using a device to transduce electrical energy to kinetic energy of a flyer plate in the timescale of 100's of nanoseconds, we have incorporated a Ni/Al nanolayer film that locally heats upon application of a large electrical current. We observed flyer plate velocities in the 2-6 km/s range, corresponding to 4-36 kJ/g in terms of specific kinetic energy. Several samples containing Ni/Al films with different bilayer thicknesses were tested, and many produced additional kinetic energy in the 1.1-2.3 kJ/g range, as would be expected from the Ni-Al intermetallic reaction. These results provide evidence that nanoscale Ni/Al layers reacted in the timescale necessary to contribute to device output.     

Synthesis of chirped apodized fiber Bragg grating parameters using Direct Tabu Search algorithm: Application to the determination of thermo-optic and thermal expansion coefficients

In this paper, Direct Tabu Search (DTS) is proposed to synthesize the physical parameters of a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) numerically from its reflection response. A reflected spectrum is being calculated by using the Transfer Matrix Method (TMM). Direct search based strategies are used to direct a tabu search. These strategies are based on a new pattern search procedure called Adaptive Pattern Search (APS). In addition, the well-known Nelder-Mead (NME) algorithm is used as a local search method at the final stage of the optimization process. Direct Tabu Search (DTS) is applied for reconstruction of a raised cosine chirped fiber Bragg grating (CFBG) and a Gaussian multi channel fiber grating. The method is then used to synthesize a CFBG from its reflectivity taken at different temperatures. It gives a good estimate of the thermal expansion coefficient and the thermo-optic coefficient of the fiber.     

Form factors in the presence of integrable defects

Form factor axioms are derived in two dimensional integrable defect theories for matrix elements of operators localized both in the bulk and on the defect. The form factors of bulk operators are expressed in terms of the bulk form factors and the transmission factor. The structure of the form factors of defect operators is established in general, and explicitly calculated in particular, for the free boson and for some operator of the Lee–Yang model. Fusion method is also presented to generate boundary form factor solutions for a fused boundary from the known unfused ones.     

Semiconductor Emitters in Entropy Sources for Quantum Random Number Generation

Random number generation (RNG) is needed for a myriad of applications ranging from secure communication encryption to numerical simulations to sports and games. However, generating truly random numbers can be elusive. Pseudorandom bit generation using computer algorithms provides a high random bit generation rate. Nevertheless, the reliance on predefined algorithms makes it deterministic and predictable once initial conditions are known. Relying on physical phenomena (such as measuring electrical noise or even rolling dice) can achieve a less predictable sequence of bits. Furthermore, if the physical phenomena originate from quantum effects, they can be truly random and completely unpredictable due to quantum indeterminacy. Traditionally, physical RNG is significantly slower than pseudorandom techniques. To meet the demand for high-speed RNG with perfect unpredictability, semiconductor light sources are adopted as parts of the sources of randomness, i.e., entropy sources, in quantum RNG (QRNG) systems. The high speed of their noise, the high efficiency, and the small scale of these devices make them ideal for chip-scale QRNG. Here, the applications and recent advances of QRNG are reviewed using semiconductor emitters. Finally, the performance of these emitters is compared and discuss their potential in future technologies.