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At least 91 records · Page 5

Structured Light-Based Hazard Detection For Planetary Surface Navigation

This paper describes a structured light-based sensor for hazard avoidance in planetary environments. The system presented here can also be used in terrestrial applications constrained by reduced onboard power and computational complexity and low illumination conditions. The sensor is on a calibrated camera and laser dot projector system. The onboard hazard avoidance system determines the position of the projected dots in the image and through a triangulation process detects potential hazards. The paper presents the design parameters for this sensor and describes the image based solution for hazard avoidance. The system presented here was tested extensively in day and night conditions in Lunar analogue environments. The current system achieves over 97 detection rate with 1.7 false alarms over 2000 images.

Nefian, Ara↗

Photoelectrochemical etching of silicon carbide (SiC) and its characterization

Silicon carbide (SiC) is an attractive semiconductor material for high speed, high density, and high temperature device applications due to its wide bandgap (2.2-3.2 eV), high thermal conductivity, and high breakdown electric field (4 x 10(exp 6) V/cm). An instrumental process in the fabrication of semiconductor devices is the ability to etch in a highly controlled and selective manner for direct patterning techniques. A novel technique in etching using electrochemistry is described. This procedure involves the ultraviolet (UV) lamp-assisted photoelectrochemical etching of n-type 3C- and 6H-SiC to enhance the processing capability of device structures in SiC. While under UV illumination, the samples are anodically biased in an HF based aqueous solution since SiC has photoconductive properties. In order for this method to be effective, the UV light must be able to enhance the production of holes in the SiC during the etching process thus providing larger currents with light from the photocurrents generated than those currents with no light. Otherwise dark methods would be used as in the case of p-type 3C-SiC. Experiments have shown that the I/V characteristics of the SiC-electrolyte interface reveal a minimum etch voltage of 3 V and 4 V for n- and p-type 3C-SiC, respectively. Hence it is possible for etch-stops to occur. Etch rates calculated have been as high as 0.67 micrometer/min for p-type, 1.4 micrometer/min for n-type, and 1.1 micrometer/min for pn layer. On n-type 3C- SiC, an oxide formation is present where after etching a yellowish layer corresponds to a low Si/C ratio and a white layer corresponds to a high Si/C ratio. P-type 3C-SiC shows a grayish layer. Additionally, n-type 6H-SiC shows a brown layer with a minimum etch voltage of 3 V.

Collins, D. M.↗

Ultrathin films as photomechanical transducers

In order to investigate the photomechanical effect in ultrathin films, several commercially available polymers of various structure and properties have been studied experimentally below the glass transition temperature. In the experiments using an Instron test machine equipped with a 200-g load cell and a microscope stage illuminator as the light source, the load at the fixed strain was recorded as a function of time. Plots of the steady-state change in stress as a function of the intensity of the incident radiation are presented for several of the materials studied. The response is found to be linear; the greater the intensity of the incident radiation, the greater is the change in stress.

Sarbolouki, M. N.↗

BOREAS TE-9 In Situ Understory Spectral Reflectance Within the NSA

The Boreal Ecosystem-Atmospheric Study (BOREAS) TE-9 (Terrestrial Ecology) team collected several data sets related to chemical and photosynthetic properties of leaves in boreal forest tree species. Spectral reflection coefficients of the forest understory at the ground level, in three boreal forest sites of Northern Manitoba (56 N latitude and 98 W longitude), were obtained and analyzed in 1994. In particular, angular variation of the reflection coefficients in the old jack pine and young jack pine forests, as well as nadir reflection coefficient in the young aspen forest, were investigated. The complexity of understory composition and the light patterns limited quantitative conclusions; however, a number of interesting trends in the behavior of the measured values can be inferred. In particular, the unique spectral profiles of lichens show very strongly in the old jack pine understory, yet are definitely less conspicuous for young jack pine, and virtually absent in the aspen forest. The angular variation of the reflection coefficient by the young pine understory seems to be significantly toned down by fine-structured branches and their shadows. Our study also indicates how difficult the ground reflection coefficient problem in a forest is, compared to certain previously investigated areas that have a more uniform appearance, such as prairie grassland, bare soil, or agricultural crops. This is due to several factors, generally typical of a forest environment, that may influence the overall understory reflection coefficient, including: (1) a strong diversity of the forest floor due to the presence of dead tree trunks, holes in the ground, patches of different types of vegetation or litter, etc.; (2) pronounced 3-D structures at the ground level, such as shrubs, bushes, and young trees; and (3) an irregular shadow mosaic, which not only varies with the time of the day, causing intensity variations, but likely also effectively modifies the spectrum of the illuminating light and hence the reflection coefficient signal as well The data are stored in tabular ASCII files. The data files are available on a CD-ROM (see document number 20010000884), or from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC).

Hall, Forrest G.↗

Scanning Tunneling Optical Resonance Microscopy Developed

The ability to determine the in situ optoelectronic properties of semiconductor materials has become especially important as the size of device architectures has decreased and the development of complex microsystems has increased. Scanning Tunneling Optical Resonance Microscopy, or STORM, can interrogate the optical bandgap as a function of its position within a semiconductor micro-structure. This technique uses a tunable solidstate titanium-sapphire laser whose output is "chopped" using a spatial light modulator and is coupled by a fiber-optic connector to a scanning tunneling microscope in order to illuminate the tip-sample junction. The photoenhanced portion of the tunneling current is spectroscopically measured using a lock-in technique. The capabilities of this technique were verified using semiconductor microstructure calibration standards that were grown by organometallic vapor-phase epitaxy. Bandgaps characterized by STORM measurements were found to be in good agreement with the bulk values determined by transmission spectroscopy and photoluminescence and with the theoretical values that were based on x-ray diffraction results.

Bailey, Sheila G.↗

Understanding Instability in Formamidinium Lead Halide Perovskites: Kinetics of Transformative Reactions at Grain and Subgrain Boundaries

Transformative and reconstructive reactions impart significant structural changes at particle boundaries of hybrid perovskites, which influence environmental stability and optoelectronic properties of these materials. Here, we investigate the moisture-induced transformative reactions in formamidinium based perovskites FAPbX 3 (X=I, Br) and show that the ambient stability of these materials can be adjusted from a few hours to several months. For FAPbI 3 , roles of water vapor, particle size, and light illumination on the kinetic pathways of the cubic (a) transformation to the hexagonal (d) phase are analyzed by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, photoluminescence and solid-state NMR spectroscopy techniques. The grain and sub-grain boundaries exhibit different α→δ-FAPbI 3 phase transformation kinetics. Our study suggests that the dynamic transformation involves the local water-induced dissolution of the cubic phase occurring at the crystal surfaces followed by precipitation of the hexagonal phase. Insights into structures and dynamics of a kinetically trapped α-|δ-FAPbI 3 are obtained by 1 H, 2 H, and 207 Pb ssNMR spectroscopy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Light-activated microtubule-based two-dimensional active nematic

We assess the ability of two light responsive kinesin motor clusters to drive dynamics of microtubule-based active nematics: opto-K401, a processive motor, and opto-K365, a non-processive motor. Measurements reveal an order of magnitude improvement in the contrast of nematic flow speeds between maximally- and minimally-illuminated states for opto-K365 motors when compared to opto-K401 construct. For opto-K365 nematics, we characterize both the steady-state flow and defect density as a function of applied light. We also examine the transient behavior as the system switches between steady-states upon changes in light intensities. Although nematic flows reach a steady state within tens of seconds, the defect density exhibits transient behavior for up to 10 minutes, showing a separation between small-scale active flows and system-scale structural states. Furthermore, our work establishes an experimental platform that can exploit spatiotemporally-heterogeneous patterns of activity to generate targeted dynamical states.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Solution epitaxy of polarization-gradient ferroelectric oxide films with colossal photovoltaic current

Solution growth of single-crystal ferroelectric oxide films has long been pursued for the low-cost development of high-performance electronic and optoelectronic devices. However, the established principles of vapor-phase epitaxy cannot be directly applied to solution epitaxy, as the interactions between the substrates and the grown materials in solution are quite different. Here, we report the successful epitaxy of single-domain ferroelectric oxide films on Nb-doped SrTiO 3 single-crystal substrates by solution reaction at a low temperature of ~200 o C. The epitaxy is mainly driven by an electronic polarization screening effect at the interface between the substrates and the as-grown ferroelectric oxide films, which is realized by the electrons from the doped substrates. Atomic-level characterization reveals a nontrivial polarization gradient throughout the films in a long range up to ~500 nm because of a possible structural transition from the monoclinic phase to the tetragonal phase. This polarization gradient generates an extremely high photovoltaic short-circuit current density of ~2.153 mA/cm 2 and open-circuit voltage of ~1.15 V under 375 nm light illumination with power intensity of 500 mW/cm 2 , corresponding to the highest photoresponsivity of ~4.306×10 -3 A/W among all known ferroelectrics. Our results establish a general low-temperature solution route to produce single-crystal gradient films of ferroelectric oxides and thus open the avenue for their broad applications in self-powered photo-detectors, photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Side-looking airborne radar image interpretation and geological mapping: Problems and results

Geological experiments and surveys conducted by BRGM and GDTA members to evaluate interest in SLAR image interpretation are summarized. Two surveys were selected for presentation: Les Vans (Massif central, France) and Guyana (South America). They have permitted a comparison between different types of SLAR: Goodyear, Motorola, JPL, and Vigie in term of lithological and structural applications. On the Les Vans test site conclusions reached concern radiometry, which is better on L-band imagery, polarization, HV being more useful than HH for geological mapping in an L-band system, wavelength and illuminations. Over Guyana, the use of Goodyear X-band SLAR enables satisfactory geological and structural mapping under heavy equatorial forest with cloud cover conditions. A differential program was developed for fracture filtering and image enhancement with a coherent light laser, and significant results were obtained.

Scanvic, J. Y.↗

Light-Driven Iodine Loss and Photoluminescence Homogenization in Mixed-Halide Perovskite Semiconductors

Carrier-induced instabilities in lead halide perovskites are often investigated as either transient phenomena, e.g., photoinduced halide segregation or permanent performance changes, e.g., photodegradation, while the mechanistic links between them remain unclear. Here, we aim to connect these observations by studying a model mixed-halide system, MAPb(Br x I 1–x ) 3 . By combining grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction, photothermal deflection spectroscopy, and photoluminescence measurements with hyperspectral microscopy, we investigate the role of mobile halide defects and local chemistry on reversible and long-term instabilities in these materials. Our results show that mixed-halide perovskites are uniquely susceptible to photoinduced changes with illumination driving initial iodide redistribution (i.e., halide segregation), eventual selective iodine expulsion, and subsequent changes in photoinduced halide segregation behavior. By quantifying structural and compositional changes, we estimate an approximately 3–5% iodine loss in our mixed-halide samples after only 24 h of illumination. Further, using microscale measurements, we identify pre-existing iodide-rich domains as key contributors to both the observed transient photostability and permanent iodine loss in MAPbBrI 2 , and see evidence that extended light soaking results in iodide redistribution that improves optoelectronic homogeneity. Overall, our results emphasize the importance of carrier-induced halide oxidation in creating a dynamic defect landscape in mixed-halide perovskites and provide a framework for interpreting apparent light-driven changes in optoelectronic behavior through the lens of permanent compositional changes.

electrical conductivity↗

Nonperturbative study of bulk photovoltaic effect enhanced by an optically induced phase transition

Solid systems with strong correlations and interactions under light illumination have the potential for exhibiting interesting bulk photovoltaic behavior in the non-perturbative regime, which has remained largely unexplored in the past theoretical studies. We investigate the bulk photovoltaic response of a perovskite manganite with strongly coupled electron-spin-lattice dynamics, using real-time simulations performed with a tight-binding model. The transient changes in the band structure and the photoinduced phase transitions, emerging from spin and phonon dynamics, result in a nonlinear current versus intensity behavior beyond the perturbative limit. The current rises sharply across a photoinduced magnetic phase transition, which later saturates at higher light intensities due to excited phonon and spin modes. The predicted peak photoresponsivity is orders of magnitude higher than other known ferroelectric oxides such as BiFeO$_3$. We disentangle phonon-and spin-assisted components to the ballistic photocurrent, showing that they are comparable in magnitude. Our results illustrate a promising alternative way for controlling and optimizing the bulk photovoltaic response through the photoinduced phase transitions in strongly-correlated systems.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Manipulation of Scattering Spectra with Topology of Light and Matter

Structured lights, including beams carrying spin and orbital angular momenta, radially and azimuthally polarized vector beams, as well as spatiotemporal optical vortices, have attracted significant interest due to their unique amplitude, phase front, polarization, and temporal structures, enabling a variety of applications in optical and quantum communications, micromanipulation, and super-resolution imaging. In parallel, structured optical materials, metamaterials, and metasurfaces consisting of engineered unit cells—meta-atoms, opened new avenues for manipulating the flow of light and optical sensing. While several studies explored structured light effects on the individual meta-atoms, their shapes are largely limited to simple spherical geometries. However, the synergy of the structured light and complex-shaped meta-atoms has not been fully explored. Here, in this paper, the role of the helical wavefront of Laguerre–Gaussian beams in the excitation and suppression of higher-order resonant modes inside all-dielectric meta-atoms of various shapes, aspect ratios, and orientations, is demonstrated and the excitation of various multipolar moments that are not accessible via unstructured light illumination is predicted. The presented study elucidates the role of the complex phase distribution of the incident light in shape-dependent resonant scattering, which is of utmost importance in a wide spectrum of applications ranging from remote sensing to spectroscopy.

42 ENGINEERING↗

The Effect of Incident Light Polarization on Vegetation Bidirectional Reflectance Factor

The Laboratory-based Bidirectional Reflectance Factor (BRF) polarization study of vegetation is presented in this paper. The BRF was measured using a short-arc Xenon lamp/monochromator assembly producing an incoherent, tunable light source with a well-defined spectral bandpass at visible and near-infrared wavelengths of interest at 470 nm and 870 nm and coherent light source at 1.656 microns. All vegetation samples were measured using P and S linearly polarized incident light over a range of incident and scatter angles. By comparing these results, we quantitatively examine how the BRF of the samples depends on the polarization of the incident light. The differences are significant, depend strongly on the incident and scatter angles, and can be as high as 120% at 67 deg incident and 470nm. The global nature of Earth's processes requires consistent long-term calibration of all instruments involved in data retrieval. The BRF defines the reflection characteristics of Earth surface. It provides the reflectance of a target in a specific direction as a function of illumination and viewing geometry. The BRF is a function of wavelength and reflects the structural and optical properties of the surface. Various space and airborne radiometric and imaging remote sensing instruments are used in the remote sensing characterization of vegetation canopies and soils, oceans, or especially large pollution sources. The satellite data is validated through comparison with airborne, ground-based and laboratory-based data in an effort to fully understand the vegetation canopy reflectance, The Sun's light is assumed to be unpolarized at the top of the atmosphere; however it becomes polarized to some degree due to atmospheric effects by the time it reaches the vegetation canopy. Although there are numerous atmospheric correction models, laboratory data is needed for model verification and improvement.

Georgiev, Georgi T.↗

Codesign of an integrated metal–insulator–semiconductor photocathode for photoelectrochemical reduction of CO 2 to ethylene

Photoelectrochemical carbon-dioxide reduction (PEC CO 2 R) is a potentially attractive means for producing chemicals and fuels using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide; however, this technology is in its infancy. To date, most studies of PEC CO 2 R have reported products containing one carbon atom (C 1 products) but the production of valuable products containing two or more carbons (C 2+ products), such as ethylene, ethanol, etc., is rarely demonstrated. Metal–semiconductor–insulator (MIS) photocathode/catalyst structures offer a promising approach for this purpose, since they integrate the functions of light absorption, charge separation, and catalysis. In this study, we have investigated a Cu/TiO 2 /p-Si photocathode/catalyst structure with the aim of establishing the effects of semiconductor–insulator interactions on the performance of the photocathode and the influence of the direction of illumination of the MIS structure on the total current density and the distribution of products formed by on the Cu catalyst. Here, we have also examined the influence of ionomer coatings deposited on the Cu surface on the total current density and the distribution of products formed. A major finding is that for a fixed Cu potential the distribution of products formed by PEC CO 2 R are the same, irrespective of the direction of illumination, and are identical to those obtained by electrochemical reduction of CO 2 (EC CO 2 R). Another important finding is that the total current density and the faradaic efficiency to ethylene are enhanced significantly by deposition of a thin bilayer of Sustainion/Nafion onto the surface of the Cu.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Rheoceptive mediators of graviperception in a water flea: Morphological implications of antennal-socket setae in daphnia magna

Aquatic microcrustaceans of the genus Daphnia are known to orient to light during the day. At night, in the absence of visual cues, daphnids were suspected of maintaining equilibrium by monitoring the direction of gravity through their swimming antennae. Recent investigations using simulated, weightlessness conditions coupled with absence of illumination revealed hair like structures or setae on the basal, articulating socket of the antennae that, when surgically removed, resulted in disorientation. Given the simulated weightlessness or neutrally buoyant condition that eliminated sinking of the normally negatively buoyant Daphnia, it was proposed that the antennal socket setae function as rheoceptors stimulated by the upward rush of water currents during gravity induced, sinking phase of daphnid swimming movements. This rheoceptively mediated, gravity perception hypothesis is further supported by morphological investigations. Scanning electron micrographs indicate that antennal socket setae are anatomically similar to proprioceptors used by higher crustaceans to monitor gravitational direction.

Meyers, D. G.↗

Systems Engineering Design Via Experimental Operation Research: Complex Organizational Metric for Programmatic Risk Environments (COMPRE)

Unique and innovative graph theory, neural network, organizational modeling, and genetic algorithms are applied to the design and evolution of programmatic and organizational architectures. Graph theory representations of programs and organizations increase modeling capabilities and flexibility, while illuminating preferable programmatic/organizational design features. Treating programs and organizations as neural networks results in better system synthesis, and more robust data modeling. Organizational modeling using covariance structures enhances the determination of organizational risk factors. Genetic algorithms improve programmatic evolution characteristics, while shedding light on rulebase requirements for achieving specified technological readiness levels, given budget and schedule resources. This program of research improves the robustness and verifiability of systems synthesis tools, including the Complex Organizational Metric for Programmatic Risk Environments (COMPRE).

Mog, Robert A.↗

Ice-Borehole Probe

An instrumentation system has been developed for studying interactions between a glacier or ice sheet and the underlying rock and/or soil. Prior borehole imaging systems have been used in well-drilling and mineral-exploration applications and for studying relatively thin valley glaciers, but have not been used for studying thick ice sheets like those of Antarctica. The system includes a cylindrical imaging probe that is lowered into a hole that has been bored through the ice to the ice/bedrock interface by use of an established hot-water-jet technique. The images acquired by the cameras yield information on the movement of the ice relative to the bedrock and on visible features of the lower structure of the ice sheet, including ice layers formed at different times, bubbles, and mineralogical inclusions. At the time of reporting the information for this article, the system was just deployed in two boreholes on the Amery ice shelf in East Antarctica and after successful 2000 2001 deployments in 4 boreholes at Ice Stream C, West Antarctica, and in 2002 at Black Rapids Glacier, Alaska. The probe is designed to operate at temperatures from 40 to +40 C and to withstand the cold, wet, high-pressure [130-atm (13.20-MPa)] environment at the bottom of a water-filled borehole in ice as deep as 1.6 km. A current version is being outfitted to service 2.4-km-deep boreholes at the Rutford Ice Stream in West Antarctica. The probe (see figure) contains a sidelooking charge-coupled-device (CCD) camera that generates both a real-time analog video signal and a sequence of still-image data, and contains a digital videotape recorder. The probe also contains a downward-looking CCD analog video camera, plus halogen lamps to illuminate the fields of view of both cameras. The analog video outputs of the cameras are converted to optical signals that are transmitted to a surface station via optical fibers in a cable. Electric power is supplied to the probe through wires in the cable at a potential of 170 VDC. A DC-to-DC converter steps the supply down to 12 VDC for the lights, cameras, and image-data-transmission circuitry. Heat generated by dissipation of electric power in the probe is removed simply by conduction through the probe housing to the visible features of the lower structure of the ice sheet, including ice layers formed at different times, bubbles, and mineralogical inclusions. At the time of reporting the information for this article, the system was just deployed in two boreholes on the Amery ice shelf in East Antarctica and after successful 2000 2001 deployments in 4 boreholes at Ice Stream C, West Antarctica, and in 2002 at Black Rapids Glacier, Alaska. The probe is designed to operate at temperatures from 40 to +40 C and to withstand the cold, wet, high-pressure [130-atm (13.20-MPa)] environment at the bottom of a water-filled borehole in ice as deep as 1.6 km. A current version is being outfitted to service 2.4-km-deep boreholes at the Rutford Ice Stream in West Antarctica. The probe (see figure) contains a sidelooking charge-coupled-device (CCD) camera that generates both a real-time analog video signal and a sequence of still-image data, and contains a digital videotape recorder. The probe also contains a downward-looking CCD analog video camera, plus halogen lamps to illuminate the fields of view of both cameras. The analog video outputs of the cameras are converted to optical signals that are transmitted to a surface station via optical fibers in a cable. Electric power is supplied to the probe through wires in the cable at a potential of 170 VDC. A DC-to-DC converter steps the supply down to 12 VDC for the lights, cameras, and image-datatransmission circuitry. Heat generated by dissipation of electric power in the probe is removed simply by conduction through the probe housing to the visible features of the lower structure of the ice sheet, including ice layers formed at different times, bubbles, and mineralogical inclusions. At thime of reporting the information for this article, the system was just deployed in two boreholes on the Amery ice shelf in East Antarctica and after successful 2000 2001 deployments in 4 boreholes at Ice Stream C, West Antarctica, and in 2002 at Black Rapids Glacier, Alaska. The probe is designed to operate at temperatures from 40 to +40 C and to withstand the cold, wet, high-pressure [130-atm (13.20-MPa)] environment at the bottom of a water-filled borehole in ice as deep as 1.6 km. A current version is being outfitted to service 2.4-km-deep boreholes at the Rutford Ice Stream in West Antarctica. The probe (see figure) contains a sidelooking charge-coupled-device (CCD) camera that generates both a real-time analog video signal and a sequence of still-image data, and contains a digital videotape recorder. The probe also contains a downward-looking CCD analog video camera, plus halogen lamps to illuminate the fields of view of both cameras. The analog video outputs of the cameras are converted to optical signals that are transmitted to a surface station via optical fibers in a cable. Electric power is supplied to the probe through wires in the cable at a potential of 170 VDC. A DC-to-DC converter steps the supply down to 12 VDC for the lights, cameras, and image-datatransmission circuitry. Heat generated by dissipation of electric power in the probe is removed simply by conduction through the probe housing to the adjacent water and ice.

Behar, Alberto↗

The influence of ambient light spectrum (LED, INC, CFL, Xenon…) on the efficiency of perovskite indoor photovoltaic solar cells for Internet of Things (IoT) applications

This record provides a numerical investigation of a MAGeI₃-based perovskite solar cell with the structure FTO/TiO₂/MAGeI₃/Spiro-OMeTAD, evaluated for both outdoor and indoor light-harvesting applications using the SCAPS-1D simulator. Device performance is analyzed under AM 1.5G sunlight and several artificial light sources, including LED, incandescent, compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), flashlight, and xenon illumination. The study reports initial and optimized power conversion efficiencies and examines the influence of absorber layer thickness and bandgap on device performance under different lighting conditions. The results highlight the potential of MAGeI₃-based perovskite solar cells for indoor energy harvesting and low-power Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗