Gate oxide thickness dependence of edge charge trapping in NMOS transistors caused by charge injection under constant-current stress

This brief reports a study of charge injection-induced edge charge trapping in the gate oxide overlapping the drain extension which has an impact on the drain leakage current. The edge charge trapping is determined for the gate oxide thickness of 6.5, 3.9, and 2.0 nm by using a simple approach to analyze the change of the band-to-band tunneling current measured with a three-terminal gate-controlled-diode configuration. The edge charge trapping has a strong dependence on the gate oxide thickness, and it is different from the charge trapping in the oxide over the channel. A plausible explanation for both the oxide thickness dependence of the edge charge trapping and the difference between the edge charge trapping and the charge trapping over the channel is presented.     

Study of the magnetization and transport properties of the La(2+x)/3Sr(1−x)/3Mn1−xCrxO3 (0≤x≤0.2) system

The samples with the Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ ratio fixed at 2:1 La_(2+x)/3Sr_(1−x)/3Mn_1−xCr_xO₃ (0≤x≤0.20) have been prepared. The magnetic, electrical transport, and magnetoresistance properties have been investigated. Remarkable transport and colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) effect, as well as cluster glass (CG) behaviors have been clearly observed in the samples studied. It was found that the Curie temperature T_c and insulator−metal transition temperature T_p1 are strongly affected by Cr substitution. The experiment observations are discussed by taking into account the variety of tolerance factors t; the effects of A-site radius 〈r_A〉 and the A-site mismatch effect (σ²).     

Converting baluns into broad-band impedance-transforming 180/spl deg/ hybrids

A technique for converting baluns into 180/spl deg/ hybrids by adding an in-phase power splitter is presented in this paper. Incorporating the broad-band antiphase and in-phase power splitting characteristics of the balun and power splitter results in a 180/spl deg/ hybrid with broad-band characteristics. This technique also provides a means of achieving perfect matching and output isolation for three-port lossless baluns. Applying this technique to a Marchand balun will result in a broad-band impedance-transforming 180/spl deg/ hybrid. Simple design equations based on the scattering matrix are presented. These theoretical results are validated by an experimental 180/spl deg/ hybrid using a coupled line Marchand balun. It achieves amplitude balance of 0.5 dB and phase balance of less than 5/spl deg/ from 1.2 to 3.2 GHz.     

Domain identification for harmonic functions

The authors investigate the problem of identifying the domainG of a harmonic functionu such that Cauchy data are given on a known portion of the boundary ofG, while a zero Dirichlet condition is specified on the remaining portion of the boundary, which is to be found. Under certain conditions on the domainG, it is shown that the problem reduces to identifying the coefficients of an elliptic equation which, in turn, is converted into the problem of minimizing a functional. Under certain conditions onG, it is shown that the solution, if it exists, is unique. An application is pointed out for the problem of designing a vessel shape that realizes a given plasma shape.This work was completed with a financial support from the National Basic Research in the Natural Sciences.     

Dynamic NBTI of p-MOS transistors and its impact on MOSFET scaling

For the first time, a dynamic negative bias temperature instability (DNBTI) effect in p-MOSFETs with ultrathin gate oxide (1.3 nm) has been studied. The interface traps generated under NBTI stressing corresponding to p-MOSFET operating condition of the "high" output state in a CMOS inverter, are subsequently passivated when the gate to drain voltage switches to positive corresponding to the p-MOSFET operating condition of the "low" output state in the CMOS inverter. Consequently, this DNBTI effect significantly prolongs the lifetime of p-MOSFETs operating in a digital circuit, and the conventional static NBTI (SNBTI) measurement underestimates the p-MOSFET lifetime. A physical model is presented to explain the DNBTI. This finding has significant impact on future scaling of CMOS devices.     

Digital control of a voltage-mode synchronous buck converter

A digital control algorithm capable of separately specifying the desired output voltage and transient response for a synchronous buck converter operating in voltage mode was developed. This algorithm is based on superimposing a small control signal onto a voltage reference at each switching cycle to cancel out the perturbations. A zero steady-state error in the output voltage can be obtained with the aid of additional dynamics to allow the controller to track a load change and update the reference to a new load state. The specifications of the control algorithm are achieved by pole placement using complete state feedback. The control algorithm was implemented on a digital signal processor (DSP)-controlled synchronous buck converter.     

Clicked Isoreticular Metal–Organic Frameworks and Their High Performance in the Selective Capture and Separation of Large Organic Molecules

Three highly porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with a uniform rht‐type topological network but hierarchical pores were successfully constructed by the assembly of triazole‐containing dendritic hexacarboxylate ligands with Zn^II ions. These transparent MOF crystals present gradually increasing pore sizes upon extension of the length of the organic backbone, as clearly identified by structural analysis and gas‐adsorption experiments. The inherent accessibility of the pores to large molecules endows these materials with unique properties for the uptake of large guest molecules. The visible selective adsorption of dye molecules makes these MOFs highly promising porous materials for pore‐size‐dependent large‐molecule capture and separation.     

Diketopyrrolopyrrole‐Porphyrin Conjugates with High Two‐Photon Absorption and Singlet Oxygen Generation for Two‐Photon Photodynamic Therapy

Two‐photon photodynamic therapy is a promising therapeutic method which requires the development of sensitizers with efficient two‐photon absorption and singlet‐oxygen generation. Reported here are two new diketopyrrolopyrrole‐porphyrin conjugates as robust two‐photon absorbing dyes with high two‐photon absorption cross‐sections within the therapeutic window. Furthermore, for the first time the singlet‐oxygen generation efficiency of diketopyrrolopyrrole‐containing systems is investigated. A preliminary study on cell culture showed efficient two‐photon induced phototoxicity.     

Induction of targeted necrosis with HER2-targeted platinum(iv) anticancer prodrugs

It is well-recognized that the failure of many chemotherapeutics arises due to an inability to induce apoptosis. Most cancers acquire a myriad of pro-survival adaptations, and the vast heterogeneity and accumulation of multiple often unrelated anti-apoptotic signaling pathways have been a major stumbling block towards the development of conventional chemotherapeutics, which can overcome drug resistance. We have developed highly potent and selective HER2-targeted Pt(iv) prodrugs bearing anti-HER2/neu peptides that induce targeted necrosis as a novel strategy to circumvent apoptosis-resistance. These Pt(iv)–peptide conjugates exhibit a unique biphasic mode of cytotoxicity comprising rapid killing of cancer cells via necrosis in the first phase followed by an extended and gradual phase of delayed cell death. We demonstrate that these Pt(iv)–peptide prodrugs are more potent than their Pt(ii) congeners in direct cell-killing and exhibit comparable long-term inhibition of proliferative capacity and with greater selectivity against HER2-positive cancer cells.