Two-color cross-correlation of fs-laser pulses by two-photon induced photoconductivity for near and far field optical measurements

Two-color two-photon induced photoconductivity in a GaAsP diffusion type photodiode is demonstrated by measuring femtosecond cross-correlation functions for widely separated wavelength pairs of 775 and 1300 nm. Results are obtained for a range of tunable wavelengths and average powers of the incident lasers by measuring the two-photon induced photocurrent as a function of the optical delay between the pulses. The temporal autocorrelation of femtosecond laser pulses in the near-field of a small diameter aluminum coated optical fiber tip is also obtained with the same photodiode method for single colors.     

Topological order in the phase diagram for high-temperature superconductors with point defects

Applying a Lindemann like criterion obtained previously by Kierfeld et al. [J. Kierfeld, T. Nattermann, T. Hwa, Phys. Rev. B 55 (1997) 626], we estimate the magnetic field and temperature for a high-T_c superconductor, at which a topologically ordered vortex glass phase becomes unstable with respect to a disorder-induced formation of dislocations. The employed criterion is shown to be equivalent to a conventional phenomenological Lindemann criterion including the values for the numerical factors, i.e., for the Lindemann number. The positional correlation length of the topologically ordered vortex glass is calculated.     

U(2, 2) Symmetry as a Common Basis for Quantum Theory and Geometrodynamics

We formulated some criticisms of the Diracequation and its Clifford-algebraic philosophy; inparticular, we show that, within a general-relativisticcontext, they seem to contain hidden action-at-distance concepts. We suggest a new model based on thefour-component Klein-Gordon equation locally invariantunder the U(2,2) gauge group. The usual Dirac equationis then obtained as a certain approximation. The geometrodynamical sector shows reasonablecorrespondence with general relativity.     

Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging for visualization and correction of distortions in MRI: high precision applications in neurosurgery

We present a method for the quantification and correction of geometrical/intensity distortions of magnetic resonance images predominantly caused by bulk magnetic susceptibility shifts due to susceptibility heterogeneities of measured biologic tissues and shape of the object under investigation. The method includes precise and fast measurements of the static magnetic-field distribution inside the measured object and automated data processing. Magnetic-field deviations in the range −2.4; 2.6 ppm were found in the human brain at B₀ = 1.5 T. For routinely used imaging parameters, with a read gradient strength of about 1 mT/m, the magnetic-field perturbations in the human brain can cause geometrical distortions up to ±4 mm and intensity changes up to ±50%. MR images corrected by the described method are suitable for planning high precision applications in neurosurgery.     

Cerebral abnormalities in Wilson''s disease as evaluated by ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging and computerized image processing

The cerebral involvement of a 13-yr-old boy with Wilson's disease was serially evaluated during the first 18 mo of D-penicillamine treatment. An ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging (ULF MRI) system, operating at 0.02 T, with computerized image processing was used. The half-yr period prior to the clinical diagnosis was set, the patient had showed poor school performance, emotional lability, deteriorating handwriting, progressively slow, gross, and fine motor functions, and a fixed rigid smile. No overt signs of liver disease were found. With D-penicillamine treatment (1–1.5 g/d) a continuous improvement was seen. The pretreatment MRI investigation showed pronounced pathological transformation in the basal ganglia. However, changes were seen also in most other parts of the brain indicating diffuse involvement. During treatment the computerized MR images became gradually more normal. The current magnetic resonance imaging system with computerized image processing is a sensitive and simple method for evaluation of subtle parenchymal changes of the brain.     

Noise-Induced Drift in Stochastic Differential Equations with Arbitrary Friction and Diffusion in the Smoluchowski-Kramers Limit

We consider the dynamics of systems with arbitrary friction and diffusion. These include, as a special case, systems for which friction and diffusion are connected by Einstein fluctuation-dissipation relation, e.g. Brownian motion. We study the limit where friction effects dominate the inertia, i.e. where the mass goes to zero (Smoluchowski-Kramers limit). Using the Itô stochastic integral convention, we show that the limiting effective Langevin equations has different drift fields depending on the relation between friction and diffusion. Alternatively, our results can be cast as different interpretations of stochastic integration in the limiting equation, which can be parametrized by α∈?. Interestingly, in addition to the classical Itô (α=0), Stratonovich (α=0.5) and anti-Itô (α=1) integrals, we show that position-dependent α=α(x), and even stochastic integrals with α?[0,1] arise. Our findings are supported by numerical simulations.     

19.4%‐efficient large‐area fully screen‐printed silicon solar cells

We demonstrate industrially feasible large‐area solar cells with passivated homogeneous emitter and rear achieving energy conversion efficiencies of up to 19.4% on 125 × 125 mm² p‐type 2–3 Ω cm boron‐doped Czochralski silicon wafers. Front and rear metal contacts are fabricated by screen‐printing of silver and aluminum paste and firing in a conventional belt furnace. We implement two different dielectric rear surface passivation stacks: (i) a thermally grown silicon dioxide/silicon nitride stack and (ii) an atomic‐layer‐deposited aluminum oxide/silicon nitride stack. The dielectrics at the rear result in a decreased surface recombination velocity of S_rear = 70 cm/s and 80 cm/s, and an increased internal IR reflectance of up to 91% corresponding to an improved J_sc of up to 38.9 mA/cm² and V_oc of up to 664 mV. We observe an increase in cell efficiency of 0.8% absolute for the cells compared to 18.6% efficient reference solar cells featuring a full‐area aluminum back surface field. To our knowledge, the energy conversion efficiency of 19.4% is the best value reported so far for large area screen‐printed solar cells. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Transport in graphene nanostructures

Graphene nanostructures are promising candidates for future nanoelectronics and solid-state quantum information technology. In this review we provide an overview of a number of electron transport experiments on etched graphene nanostructures. We briefly revisit the electronic properties and the transport characteristics of bulk, i.e., two-dimensional graphene. The fabrication techniques for making graphene nanostructures such as nanoribbons, single electron transistors and quantum dots, mainly based on a dry etching ??paper-cutting?? technique are discussed in detail. The limitations of the current fabrication technology are discussed when we outline the quantum transport properties of the nanostructured devices. In particular we focus here on transport through graphene nanoribbons and constrictions, single electron transistors as well as on graphene quantum dots including double quantum dots. These quasi-one-dimensional (nanoribbons) and quasi-zero-dimensional (quantum dots) graphene nanostructures show a clear route of how to overcome the gapless nature of graphene allowing the confinement of individual carriers and their control by lateral graphene gates and charge detectors. In particular, we emphasize that graphene quantum dots and double quantum dots are very promising systems for spin-based solid state quantum computation, since they are believed to have exceptionally long spin coherence times due to weak spin-orbit coupling and weak hyperfine interaction in graphene.