Remark on minimization of depth of Boolean circuits

It is shown that Lozhkin’s method (1981) for minimization of the depth of formulas with a bounded number of changing types of elements in paths from input to output and Hoover-Klawe-Pippenger’s method (technical report in 1981, journal publication in 1984) for minimization of the depth of circuits with unbounded branching by insertion of trees from buffers with bounded branching of outputs for each buffer are dual to each other and can be proved by one and the same method.     

Influence of ionizing radiation on the magnetically sensitive properties of planar triacs

Changes in the magnetically sensitive properties of multilayer semiconductors devices, such as planar diffusion triacs, that are related to atomic-displacement-induced defects and ionization by irradiation are considered. It is shown that irradiation may significantly raise the magnetic sensitivity of the triacs. Processes and underlying mechanisms responsible for the improvement of the magnetic sensitivity under the action of a number of galvanomagnetic effects are studied.     

Ultrafast creation and annihilation of space-charge domains in a semiconductor superlattice observed by use of Terahertz fields

We report an experimental study indicating ultrafast creation and annihilation of space-charge domains in a semiconductor superlattice under the action of a THz field. Our experiment was performed for an InGaAs/InAlAs superlattice with the conduction electrons undergoing miniband transport. We applied to a superlattice a dc bias that was slightly smaller than a critical bias necessary for the formation of space-charge domains caused by a static negative differential conductivity. Additionally subjecting the superlattice to a strong THz field, resulted in a dc transport governed by the formation of domains if the frequency of the field was smaller than an upper frequency limit (~3 THz). From this frequency limit for the creation and annihilation of domains we determined the characteristic time of the domain buildup. Our analysis shows that the buildup time of domains in a wide miniband and heavily doped superlattice is limited by the relaxation time due to scattering of the miniband electrons at polar optic phonons. Our results are of importance for both an understanding of ultrafast dynamics of pattern formation in nanostructures and the development of THz electronic devices.Received: 25 March 2004, Published online: 23 July 2004PACS: 72.20.Ht High-field and nonlinear effects - 72.30. + q High-frequency effects; plasma effects - 73.21.Cd SuperlatticesK.N. Alekseev: Permanent address: Department of Physical Sciences, P.O. Box 3000, University of Oulu FIN-90014, Finland.     

640 × 512 pixel narrow-band, four-band, and broad-band quantum well infrared photodetector focal plane arrays

A 9 μm cutoff 640 × 512 pixel hand-held quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) camera has been demonstrated with excellent imagery. A noise equivalent differential temperature (NEDT) of 10.6 mK is expected at a 65 K operating temperature with f/2 optics at a 300 K background. This focal plane array has shown background limited performance at a 72 K operating temperature with the same optics and background conditions. In this paper, we discuss the development of this very sensitive long-wavelength infrared camera based on a GaAs/AlGaAs QWIP focal plane array and its performance in quantum efficiency, NEDT, uniformity, and operability. In the second section of this paper, we discuss the first demonstration of a monolithic spatially separated four-band 640 × 512 pixel QWIP focal plane array and its performance. The four spectral bands cover 4–5.5, 8.5–10, 10–12, and 13.5–15 μm spectral regions with 640 × 128 pixels in each band. In the last section, we discuss the array performance of a 640 × 512 pixel broad-band (10–16 μm full-width at half-maximum) QWIP focal plane.     

Practical OR for Undergraduates in the Swinburne Course

Much of the debate over OR education over the last ten years has been confined to the relevance of the content and style of programmes at the postgraduate level. This paper focuses on the undergraduate level and discusses the way in which practical elements have been successfully incorporated at this level in Australia. These elements include the use of case study material from the literature, case problem solving groups, industrial projects and 12 months paid employment through a co-operative education programme. The use of each of the above and the context with which they fit into the programme is covered as are the benefits and problems associated with the programme.