Design of multiplexed fiber optic chemical sensing system using clad-removable optical fibers

To prevent possible threats to public safety and economic loss from chemical leakage accidents, novel chemical sensing techniques for regular monitoring and leakage detection have been developed for various fields. We propose a fiber optic liquid chemical sensor (FOCS) system using specialty optical fibers and an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), and is based on the leaky wave mode sensing principle. OTDR enables simple multiplexing where individual sensor nodes along the fiber length could be interrogated by a common OTDR. The sensor node in the optical fiber is prepared by removing the desired length of a protective layer using mechanical stripping and chemical etching techniques. A novel laser stripping technique with superior capability to fabricate quasi-distributed dense sensor nodes is devised as well. The FOCS system is further analyzed to characterize the sensor response behavior in relation to the sensor node length and possible environmental and chemical temperature effect. Under the condition satisfying the leaky wave mode principle and within the minimum acceptable refractive index (RI) range by the system, this FOCS system could monitor numerous liquid chemicals with variable refractive indices and has been tested with positive results. In addition, the system shows the possibility for multi-point detection and is further expanded into a hybrid technique capable of estimating the refractive index range of the detected chemical.     

Surface–plasmon-coupled photoluminescence from CdS nanoparticles with Au films

The enhancement of surface–plasmon-coupled photoluminescence from CdS nanoparticles was examined for various thicknesses of sputtered Au films. The improved luminescence with thickness control of Au correlated well with the increased density of surface–plasmon states, which was modified by the plasmon-dispersion relation at the planar Au/PMMA interface. By annealing the Au films to form a rough surface morphology, the emission in the CdS nanoparticles was further enhanced by the improved excitation and coupling of the surface–plasmon modes.     

Structural and functional stabilities of artificially designed DNA ultra-thin films grown by silica Assistance

We report the structural and functional stabilities of artificially synthesized DNA ultra-thin films. Fully covered DNA ultra-thin films on a silica substrate were fabricated by the silica-assisted growth method and those samples were then incubated in various chemicals and physical conditions. The DNA ultra-thin films showed high maintainability under those harsh conditions and these results would aid to facilitate the use of artificial DNA ultra-thin films in advanced research areas such as biophotonics and bioelectronics.     

Effects of controllable process factors on Al rear surface bumps in Si solar cells

High efficiency solar cells require good back surface field passivation and high back reflectance in the rear Al region. In module processes, wafer-based solar cell can break through stress during soldering uneven rear aluminum surfaces - a serious problem that affects throughput. This work examined rear surfaces with respect to controllable process factors such as ramping and cooling rates during rapid thermal processing, and the fineness of aluminum powder used in the screen-printed paste. A faster ramp up rate resulted in a uniform temperature gradient between the aluminum and silicon surfaces. As a results, the bumps on the aluminum surface were small and of high density. Fine aluminum metal powder in the paste for screen-printing contact points resulted in large distribution, high density bumps. Bumps formed during cooling in metallization, their sizes and densities were dependent the on uniformity of the aluminum and silicon liquid wetting of the silicon surface.     

Exchange bias behavior of monodisperse Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3 core/shell nanoparticles

We have carried out systematic studies on well-characterized monodisperse Fe₃O₄/γ-Fe₂O₃ core/shell nanoparticles of 2-30 nm having a very narrow size distribution and possessing a uniquely mono-layer of surface γ-Fe₂O₃. This unique core-shell structure, probably having a disordered magnetic surface state, leads us to three key observations of unusual magnetic properties: i) a very large magnetic exchange anisotropy reaching over 7 × 10⁶ erg/cm³ for the smaller particles, ii) exchange bias behavior in the magnetization data of the core/shell Fe₃O₄/γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, and iii) the temperature dependence of the coercive field following an unusual exponential behavior.