Physics Commons^™

Electrical Characterization Of Crystalline Uo2, Tho2 And U0.71Th0.29O2, Christina L. Dugan

Theses and Dissertations

Uranium dioxide (UO₂), thorium dioxide (ThO₂), and U_xTh_1-xO₂ alloys are characterized for suitability in uranium-based neutron detectors. ThO₂ was studied for an envisioned UO₂/ThO₂ heterojunction. A U_0.71Th_0.29O₂ alloy was studied because of its resistance to oxidation and potential use in surface passivation. The U_0.71Th_0.29O₂ effective Debye temperature of 217± 24 K was measured using temperature-dependent x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The specific heat capacity for the U_0.71Th_0.29O₂ alloy was calculated from the Debye …

Nonlinear Sliding Mode Observer Applied To Microalgae Growth, Rebecca J. Griffith

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Modeling biological processes, such as algae growth, is an area of ongoing research. The ability to understand the multitude of parameters that influence this system provides a platform for better understanding the dynamics of microalgae growth. Empirical modeling efforts look to understand sources of driving nutrients that influence harmful algal blooms (HABs). These harmful algal blooms are dense aggregates that have an increasingly negative impact on local economics, marine and freshwater systems, and public health. They result from a high influx of nitrogen and nutrients that drive the algae biomass to exponentially grow. This growth blocks out the sun, potentially …

Exfoliation, Synthesis, And Characterization Of Nanoscale Te, Takayuki Hironaka

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Since the experimental discovery of graphene, two dimensional materials have enjoyed more attention and emphasis in academic research than nanowires, but the latter are an important area of study for creating 1D materials, or single atom chains, the next generation materials for advancing electronic devices. Atomically thin layers can be generated from 2D materials with weak bonds in one direction, and by applying this concept to one dimensional weakly bonded materials, we hypothesize that single atom chains with atomic-scale diameters may be produced. Tellurium (Te) and selenium (Se) have lattices consisting of spiral chains oriented along the c-axis, and each …

Fabrication And Characterization Of Electrochemical Glucose Sensors, Mohammed Marie

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Electrochemical sensors based on the nanostructure of the semiconductor materials are of tremendous interest to be utilized for glucose monitoring. The sensors, based on the nanostructure of the semiconductor materials, are the third generations of the glucose sensors that are fast, sensitive, and cost-effect for glucose monitoring.

Glucose sensors based on pure zinc oxide nanorods (NRs) grown on different substrates, such ITO, FTO, and Si/SiO2/Au, were investigated in this research. Silicon nanowire (NW)- based glucose sensors were also studied. First, an enzyme-based glucose sensor was fabricated out of glass/ITO/ZnO NRs/BSA/GOx/nafion membrane. The sensor was tested amperometrically at different glucose concentrations. …

Quasi-Particle Band Structure And Excitonic Effects In One-Dimensional Atomic Chains, Eesha Sanjay Andharia

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The high exciton binding energy in one dimensional (1D) nano-structures makes them prominent for optoelectronic device applications, making it relevant to theoretically investigate their electronic and optical properties. Many-body effects that are not captured by the conventional density functional theory (DFT) have a huge impact in such selenium and tellurium single helical atomic chains. This work goes one step beyond DFT to include the electron self-energy effects within the GW approximation to obtain a corrected quasi-particle electronic structure. Further, the Bethe-Salpeter equation was solved to obtain the absorption spectrum and to capture excitonic effects. Results were obtained using the Hyberstein-Louie …

Improving Detection Of Dim Targets: Optimization Of A Moment-Based Detection Algorithm, Shannon R. Young

Theses and Dissertations

Wide area motion imagery (WAMI) sensor technology is advancing rapidly. Increases in frame rates and detector array sizes have led to a dramatic increase in the volume of data that can be acquired. Without a corresponding increase in analytical manpower, much of these data remain underutilized. This creates a need for fast, automated, and robust methods for detecting dim, moving signals of interest. Current approaches fall into two categories: detect-before-track (DBT) and track-before-detect (TBD) methods. The DBT methods use thresholding to reduce the quantity of data to be processed, making real time implementation practical but at the cost of the …

Electromagnetic Wave-Matter Interactions In Complex Opto-Electronic Materials And Devices, Raj Kumar Vinnakota

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explores the fundamentals of light-matter interaction towards applications in the field of Opto-electronic and plasmonic devices. In its core, this dissertation attempts and succeeds in the the modeling of light-matter interactions, which is of high importance for better understanding the rich physics underlying the dynamics of electromagnetic field interactions with charged particles. Here, we have developed a self-consistent multi-physics model of electromagnetism, semiconductor physics and thermal effects which can be readily applied to the field of plasmotronics and Selective Laser Melting (SLM). Plasmotronics; a sub-field of photonics has experienced a renaissance in recent years by providing a large …

Evaluation And Quantification Of Diffractive Plenoptic Camera Algorithm Performance, Jack A. Shepherd Iii

Theses and Dissertations

A diffractive plenoptic camera is a novel approach to the traditional plenoptic camera which replaces the main optic with a Fresnel zone plate making the camera sensitive to wavelength instead of range. However, algorithms are necessary to reconstruct the image produced by plenoptic cameras. While many algorithms exist for traditional plenoptic cameras, their ability to create spectral images in a diffractive plenoptic camera is unknown. This paper evaluates digital refocusing, super resolution, and 3D deconvolution through a Richardson-Lucy algorithm as well as a new Gaussian smoothing algorithm. All of the algorithms worked well near the Fresnel zone plate design wavelength, …

Ultra-Low Temperature Properties Of Correlated Materials, Seyed Mohammad Ali Radmanesh

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

After the discovery of topological insulators (TIs), it has come to be widely recognized that topological states of matter can actually be widespread. In this sense, TIs have established a new paradigm about topological materials. Recent years have seen a surge of interest in topological semimetals, which embody two different ways of generalizing the effectively massless electrons to bulk materials. Dirac and, particularly, Weyl semimetals should support several transport and optical phenomena that are still being sought in experiments. A number of promising experimental results indicate superconductivity in members of half-Hesuler semimetals which realize the mixing singlet and triplet …

Impacts Of Anisotropy, Wave Heating, And Neutral Winds On High-Latitude Ionospheric Dynamics, Meghan R. Burleigh

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Significant amounts of ionospheric plasma can be transported to high altitudes (ion upflow) in response to a variety of plasma heating and uplifting processes such as DC electric fields and precipitation. Once ions have been lifted to high altitudes, transverse ion acceleration by broadband ELF waves can give the upflowing ions sufficient energy for the mirror force to propel these ions to escape into the magnetosphere (ion outflow). In order to accurately examine the connection between upflow and outflow processes, a new two dimensional, anisotropic fluid model is developed.

The new model, named GEMINI-TIA, is based on a Bi-Maxwellian distribution …

Effect Of Chemistry On Electrodynamics In The Martian Dynamo Region, Morgan M. Matheny

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Electromagnetic interactions between Mars remnant crustal magnetic fields and solar and planetary ions lead to time and space variations of the ionosphere. In this work, we continue the investigations started by Riousset et al. [2013] and address the effect of chemistry on ion populations in the dynamo region, where ion dynamics are driven by collisions while electrons are still mostly magnetized. We adopt a mesoscale model to simulate dynamics of electrons and ions in the upper atmosphere (100–400 km). Our approach focuses on numerical studies using the Martian Multifluid Magnetohy drodynamic (MF-MHD) Model (M4). The dynamo is a region which …

Nonlinear Acoustic Waves Generated By Surface Disturbances And Their Effect On Lower Thermospheric Composition, Benedict Piñeyro

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Recent nonlinear atmospheric models have provided important insight into acoustic waves generated by seismic events, which may steepen into shocks or saw-tooth trains while also dissipating strongly in the thermosphere. Although they have yielded results that agree with observations of ionospheric perturbations, dynamical models for the diffusive and stratified lower thermosphere often use single gas approximations with height-dependent physical properties (e.g. mean molecular weight, specific heats) that do not vary with time (fixed composition). This approximation is simpler and less computationally expensive than a true multi-fluid model, yet captures the important physical transition between molecular and atomic gases in the …

A Study Into Data Analysis Of Varying Types Of Langmuir Probes, William Merritt

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Langmuir probes are ubiquitously used for in-situ measurements of plasma parameters. These probes have been placed on many different platforms, including experimental sounding rockets for measurements in mesosphere-lower-thermosphere, and also onboard satellites to obtain data sets over an extended period of time in the ionosphere. To accommodate such different situations, many different variations of the Langmuir probe design have been made. This thesis covers two such implementations, as well as the data analysis and issues that can arise with such instruments. The first of these implementations is a set of sweeping Langmuir probes on the Floating Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU) …

High Dynamic Range Optical Devices And Applications., Elijah Robert Jensen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Much of what we know about fundamental physical law and the universe derives from observations and measurements using optical methods. The passive use of the electromagnetic spectrum can be the best way of studying physical phenomenon in general with minimal disturbance of the system in the process. While for many applications ambient visible light is sufficient, light outside of the visible range may convey more information. The signals of interest are also often a small fraction of the background, and their changes occur on time scales so quickly that they are visually imperceptible. This thesis reports techniques and technologies developed …

Investigation Of The Effects Of Harmful Radiation On Type-Ii Strained Layer Superlattice Focal Plane Arrays Operated In The Long Wave Infrared, Patrick Fumo

Electrical Engineering Theses and Dissertations

In-situ exposure of InAs/InAsSb strained layer superlattice focal plane arrays to gamma-rays revealed the possibility of a detector capable of imaging through a total ionizing dose event. Two long wave infrared focal plane arrays were exposed to a Co⁶⁰ source at dose rates of 60 Rads/s and 70 Rads/s in incremental steps up to a total accumulated dose of 30 kRads. The first device showed no degradation in dark current density with accumulated dose while the second device tested showed a small increase up to 1 kRad and minimal increases with subsequent dose steps. The primary imaging defect in …

Risk Assessment Of Dropped Cylindrical Objects In Offshore Operations, Adelina Steven

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Dropped object are defined as any object that fall under its own weight from a previously static position or fell due to an applied force from equipment or a moving object. It is among the top ten causes of injuries and fatality in oil and gas industry. To solve this problem, several in-house tools and guidelines is developed over time to assess the risk of dropped objects on the sub-sea structures. This thesis focuses on compiling and comparing those methods in hope to improve the recommended practices available in the market. A simple modification is done on the in-house tools …

Microwave Acoustic Saw Resonators For Stable High-Temperature Harsh-Environment Static And Dynamic Strain Sensing Applications, Anin K. Maskay

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

High-temperature, harsh-environment static and dynamic strain sensors are needed for industrial process monitoring and control, fault detection, structural health monitoring in power plant environments, steel and refractory material manufacturing, aerospace, and defense applications. Sensor operation in the aforementioned extreme environments require robust devices capable of sustaining the targeted high temperatures, while maintaining a stable sensor response. Current technologies face challenges regarding device or system size, complexity, operational temperature, or stability.

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor technology using high temperature capable piezoelectric substrates and thin film technology has favorable properties such as robustness; miniature size; capability of mass production; reduced installation …

Increasing The Longevity Of Tungsten Filaments In A Zone Refiner, Byron D. Greenlee

Senior Theses

Zone refining is used for its ability to purify material and grow single crystals. To produce these single crystals, a suspended molten zone, generated by electron bombardment, passes along the polycrystalline stock. During a zone refining run, the filaments that produce the electron bombardment can fail. In this project, the longevity of tungsten filaments in a zone refiner was investigated. A new bombardment geometry was constructed to attempt to increase the longevity of the filaments. The new geometry had a shield machined into it to prevent line-of-sight impurities originating in the molten zone from striking the filaments. It was found …

Effects Of Tension On Resonant Frequencies Of Strings, Blake Burnett

Senior Theses

This project tests and explores resonance of strings. Since all materials and mechanisms are affected by vibrations, it is important to know the frequencies at which resonance occurs. To explore this subject, strings were used as a model material to test the effect tension has on resonance. The fundamental frequencies and the corresponding modes of resonance were used to analyze the data. The results of this experiment show that increasing tension on a string increases its resonance frequency. Understanding the physics behind resonance frequency allows systems to be designed to take advantage of resonance properties, or to avoid resonance where …

The Effects Of Surface Pace In Baseball, Jason Farlow

Senior Theses

A baseball travels across different surfaces at different paces. The goal of this experiment is to find a percentage difference in speeds the ball will reflect off a given surface. The energy lost on the turf surface was far more significant than on dirt surface as the turf lost an average of 26% of its energy as compared to just 16% of the energy on dirt. In the Northwest conference, teams play on four turf-based infields and five dirt-based infields. The results of this study suggest that kinetic friction forces are more significant in reducing ball rebound speed than in …

Measuring The Double Layer Capacitance Of Electrolytes With Varied Concentrations, Geoffrey Rath

Senior Theses

When electric potentials are applied from an electrolytic fluid to a metal, a double layer capacitor, C_dl, develops at the interface. The layer directly at the interface is called the Stern layer and has a thickness equal to roughly the size of the ions in the fluid. The next layer, the diffuse layer, arises from the gathering of like charges in the Stern layer. This layer is the distance needed for ionic charges to return to equilibrium. This distance, called the Debye length, λ, depends on the square root of the electrolyte concentration. To study the properties of …

Measuring The Double Layer Capacitance Of Electrolyte Solutions Using A Graphene Field Effect Transistor, Agatha Ulibarri

Senior Theses

When operating graphene field effect transistors (GFETs) in fluid, a double layer capacitance (C_dl) is formed at the surface. In the literature, the C_dl is estimated using values obtained using metal electrode experiments. Due to the distinctive electronic and surface properties of graphene, there is reason to believe these estimates are inadequate. This work seeks to directly characterize the double layer capacitance of a GFET. A unique method for determining the C_dl has been implemented, and data has been obtained for three electrolytes and one ionic fluid. The results yield dramatically lower C_dl values than …

The Drag Coefficient Of Varying Dimple Patterns, James M. Seeley, Michael S. Crosser

Senior Theses

There are many golf balls on the market today with varying dimple sizes, shapes, and distribution. These proprietary differences are all designed to reduce drag on the balls during flight, allowing golfers to hit the ball farther distances. There are limited published studies comparing how varying the dimples affects the reduction of drag. An experiment was developed in which golf balls were pulled through a water tank to measure the drag force acting on each ball. The water was chosen to allow for testing at slower velocities than the typical necessary speeds to cause turbulence for balls traveling in air. …

Surface Reaction And Diffusion Kinetics In Semiconducting Metal Oxide Film Gas Sensors, Aravind Reghu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chemiresistive metal oxide gas sensors based on materials such as SnO₂, ZnO, and TiO₂, have been investigated extensively by many researchers for a wide range of applications. The band bending model, based on the surface chemistry of highly reactive ionosorbed species (O₂^- or O^-) and the semiconducting material properties of SnO₂, TiO₂ and ZnO, adequately predicts the dependence of the change in sensor conductivity (Δσ) as a function of target gas pressure and temperature. However, the band bending model is not applicable to gas sensors based on reducible oxides …

Mesoscale Computational Studies Of Thin-Film Bijels, Joseph M. Carmack

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bijels are a relatively new class of soft materials that have many potential applications in the technology areas of energy, medicine, and environmental sustainability. They are formed by the arrest of binary liquid spinodal decomposition by a dispersion of solid colloidal nanoparticles. This dissertation presents an in-depth simulation study of Bijels constrained to thin-film geometries and in the presence of electric fields. We validate the computational model by comparing simulation results with previous computational modeling and experimental research. In the absence of suspended particles, we demonstrate that the model accurately captures the rich kinetics associated with diffusion-based surface-directed spinodal decomposition. …

Experimentally Investigating Water Aerosol Formation Via Alpha Radiation In A Humid Nitrogen Atmosphere, Megan Payne

Honors Theses

This project aims to verify the formation of water aerosols induced by an ionizing radiation source in a Nitrogen atmosphere with various levels of humidity. This work is part of an effort to characterize the overall signature of ionizing radiation in Earth’s typical atmosphere. By signature, it is meant all the chemical reactions and physical processes that take place between Earth’s atmosphere and the ionizing radiation. This signature can potentially be used to identify a radiation source out in the field. The identification of a radiation source could potentially be used in a variety of defense applications. To characterize this …

Magnetic Anisotropy And Exchange Bias In L10 Fept/Nio Bilayer Thin Films, Zachary B. Leuty

MSU Graduate Theses

Perpendicular exchange bias (PEB), particularly when it persists in nanomaterials to room temperature, is highly useful for applications in spintronic devices and for advancing the development of high-information-density magnetic random access memory. A complete mechanistic and theoretical understanding of exchange bias has evaded scientists. The quest to discover novel materials for magnetic and spintronic device applications has stimulated investigation into nanomaterials having optimal and/or tailored magnetic properties that are based on the exchange bias effect. In this study, pulsed laser deposition was used to grow epitaxial PEB systems of ferromagnetic FePt thin film layers that are interfaced with antiferromagnetic NiO …

Numerical Simulation Of A High Strain Rate Biaxial Compression Apparatus, Michael Lagieski

McKelvey School of Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Few experimental methods today are capable of exploring the strength of materials at high strain rates (10⁵ s^-1). Those that are capable, such as the Split Hopkinson Bar, Taylor Anvil and Plate Impact suffer from instability and are generally limited to one dimensional wave propagation. Of particular interest is material response under biaxial compression, similar to that seen in inertial confinement fusion. Laser fusion fuel pellets typically undergo large strain rates as well as plastic deformation and non-linear behavior. This work briefly outlines an experimental procedure designed to replicate these large strain rates under biaxial compression using …

Achieving A Stable Magneto-Optical Trap, Chasen S. Himeda

Honors Thesis

The utilization of the Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT) as a method for cooling and confining atoms is a recent development in the field of modern optical physics. Producing an effective MOT relies on a constant magnetic field throughout the trapping region and successful laser cooling, a technique used to achieve optical molasses by slowing particles using a three-dimensional intersection of laser beams. A successful MOT occurs when the trapped atoms slow down to approximately 30 cm/s at a temperature in the microkelvin range and is observable when a small bright orb of atoms is located in the center of the chamber. …

Modeling Deformation Behavior And Strength Characteristics Of Sand-Silt Mixtures: A Micromechanical Approach, Mehrashk Meidani

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation is comprised of six chapters. In the first chapter the motivation of this research, which was modeling the deformation behavior and strength characteristics of soils under internal erosion, is briefly explained. In the second chapter a micromechanis-based stress-strain model developed for prediction of sand-silt mixtures behavior is presented. The components of the micromechanics-based model are described and undrained behavior of six different types of sand-silt mixtures is predicted for several samples with different fines contents. The need for a more comprehensive compression model for sand-silt mixtures is identified at the end of this chapter. This desired compression model …