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At least 109 records · Page 6

From binary to quaternary: high-tolerance of multi-acceptors enables development of efficient polymer solar cells [From binary to quaternary: high-tolerance of multi-acceptors enables efficient polymer solar cells]

For optimum coverage of the optical spectrum and further enhancement of the carrier transport, ternary and even more multi-composition strategies have been universally explored. As PC 71 BM and PC 61 BM are both compatible with PTB7-Th and IEICO-4F takes advantage of optical absorption in the near-infrared region, we combined PTB7-Th:IEICO-4F:PC 71 BM:PC 61 BM quaternary compositions to fabricate high-efficiency polymer solar cells (PSCs) with good tolerance ratios of the fullerene acceptors. After blending the fullerene alloys PC 71 BM and PC 61 BM into the host PTB7-Th:IEICO-4F system, the optical response in the whole wavelength regime has been strengthened with significantly enhanced electron mobility. Concomitantly, the short-circuit current density ( J sc ) surged from 22.07 to 24.37 mA cm –2 and the fill factor (FF) ascended from 58.24% to 69.30%, which finally resulted in a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.52%, which is much higher than that of the binary control device (9.67%). This significant improvement is attributed to the fine-tuning of the morphology of the photo-active layer and feasible carrier transport. Interestingly, this finding implicates the synergistic effect of PC 71 BM and PC 61 BM to successfully enhancing the carrier transport. In addition, it demonstrates a broad tolerance of the acceptor proportions, resulting in higher PCE values for the quaternary devices as compared to the ternary devices. Lastly, generality for other systems evidences and provides guidelines for quaternary strategy utilization. Furthermore, the simplicity of quaternary strategies could be greatly beneficial to not yet elaborate commercial processes.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Results of the swift monitoring campaign of the X-ray binary 4U 1957+11: constraints on binary parameters

We present new results of uniform spectral analysis of Swift/XRT observations of the X-ray binary system 4U 1957+11. This includes 26 observations of the source made between MJD 54282-55890 (2007 July 01-2011 November 25). All 26 spectra are predominantly thermal and can be modeled well with emission from an accretion disk around a black hole. We analyze all 26 spectra jointly using traditional χ{sup 2} fitting as well as Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations. The results from both methods agree, and constrain model parameters like inclination, column density, and black hole spin. These results indicate that the X-ray emitting inner accretion disk is inclined to our line of sight by 77.6{sub −2.2}{sup +1.5} deg. Additionally, the other constraints we obtain on parameters such as the column density and black hole spin are consistent with previous X-ray observations. Distances less than 5 kpc are unlikely and not only ruled out based on our analysis but also from other independent observations. Based on model-derived bolometric luminosities, we require the source distance to be >10 kpc if the black hole's mass is >10 M {sub ☉}. If the hole's mass is <10 M {sub ☉}, then the distance could be in the range of 5-10 kpc.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Unusual Black Hole Binary LMC X-3: A Transient High-mass X-Ray Binary That Is Almost Always On?

We have analyzed a rich, multimission, multiwavelength data set from the black hole X-ray binary (BHXB) LMC X-3, covering a new anomalous low state (ALS), during which the source flux falls to an unprecedentedly low and barely detectable level, and a more normal low state. Simultaneous X-ray and UV/optical monitoring data from Swift are combined with pointed observations from the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) and X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) and light curves from the Monitor of All-Sky X-ray Image (MAXI) instrument to compare the source characteristics during the ALS with those seen during the normal low state. An XMM-Newton spectrum obtained during the ALS can be modeled using an absorbed power law with Γ=1.41±0.65 and a luminosity of 7.97×10{sup 33} erg s{sup −1} (0.6–5 keV). The Swift X-ray and UV light curves indicate an X-ray lag of ∼8 days as LMC X-3 abruptly exits the ALS, suggesting that changes in the mass accretion rate from the donor drive the X-ray lag. The normal low state displays an asymmetric profile in which the exit occurs more quickly than the entry, with minimum X-ray flux a factor of ∼4300 brighter than during the ALS. The UV brightness of LMC X-3 in the ALS is also fainter and less variable than during normal low states. The existence of repeated ALSs in LMC X-3, as well as a comparison with other BHXBs, implies that it is very close to the transient/persistent X-ray source dividing line. We conclude that LMC X-3 is a transient source that is almost always “on.”.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Binary modulation and transient periodic variations in X-ray emission from the AM Her binary H 0139 - 68

A detailed timing analysis of HEAO-1 and Einstein satellite soft X-ray data on the AM Her-type binary H 0139 - 68 indicates that the X-ray flux is modulated at the 113.6363-min period of its optical counterpart, and that the X-ray source shows high and low states. Transient X-ray pulsations with a period of about 275 sec are noted in the Imaging Proportional Counter (IPC) data during the high state, and the rapid X-ray flickering observed in the IPC light curve is characterized by an average e-folding autocorrelation time of about 10-20 sec. The present optical and X-ray data preclude the presence of an accretion disk in the primary system.

Singh, K. P.↗

Fabricating binary optics: An overview of binary optics process technology

A review of binary optics processing technology is presented. Pattern replication techniques have been optimized to generate high-quality efficient microoptics in visible and infrared materials. High resolution optical photolithography and precision alignment is used to fabricate maximally efficient fused silica diffractive microlenses at lambda = 633 nm. The degradation in optical efficiency of four-phase-level fused silica microlenses resulting from an intentional 0.35 micron translational error has been systematically measured as a function of lens speed (F/2 - F/60). Novel processes necessary for high sag refractive IR microoptics arrays, including deep anisotropic Si-etching, planarization of deep topography and multilayer resist techniques, are described. Initial results are presented for monolithic integration of photonic and microoptic systems.

Stern, Margaret B.↗

Spectroscopic detection of the secondaries of the Hyades interferometric spectroscopic binary theta(sup 2) Tauri and of the interferometric spectroscopic binary alpha Andromedae

We report new high-resolution, wide-wavelength-coverage CCD observations of the visual and near-infrared spectra of the interferometric spectroscopic binaries theta(sup 2) Tau (primary spectral type A 7 III) and alpha And (primary spectral type B8 IVpMnHg), which allow the first direct spectroscopic detection of their secondaries. We have measured primary and secondary radial velocities and used them to redetermine the spectroscopic orbits of the primaries, make an improved determination of K(sub 2) for theta(sup 2) Tau, and measure K(sub 2) for alpha And for the first time. The spectroscopic orbits combined with the interferometrically measured visual orbits of theta(sup 2) Tau and alpha And provide masses and distances, M(sub 1) = 2.1 +/- 0.3 solar mass, M(sub 2) = 1.6 +/- 0.2 solar mass, and d = 44.1 +/- 2.2 pc for theta(sup 2) Tau and M(sub 1) = 5.5 +/- 0.5 solar mass, M(sub 2) = 2.3 +/- 0.2 solar mass, and d = 34.0 +/- 1.3 pc for alpha And. The distance to theta(sup 2) Tau and a foreground correction of 0.07 +/- 0.05 mag set the distance to the center of the Hyades cluster at 45.5 +/- 2.5 pc, or m - M = 3.29 +/- 0.12. Indirect estimates of the mass of theta(sup 2) Tau's primary, made via the mass-luminosity relation and via the Hyades cluster turnoff mass, are consistent with these dynamical masses for its primary and secondary. But in the case of alpha And, the mass-luminosity relation suggests that our dynamical masses for its primary and secondary may be too large. For alpha And somewhat smaller dynamical masses (4.0 and 1.9 solar mass) and the correspondingly smaller distance (31 pc), required by the corresponding larger orbital parallax, provide results consistent with the mass-luminosity relation for normal stars.

Tomkin, Jocelyn↗