Electrode Edge Research Articles

Field analyses of thickness shear bulk acoustic resonators with different electrode edge ratio using full three dimensional finite element method simulation

This paper is aimed at revealing origins of spurious resonances and Q deterioration of thickness shear bulk acoustic resonators (TSBARs) with the edge ratio W x /W y of rectangular electrodes by a field analyses. Here, W x and W y are distances between side edges giving the broadband and standard piston designs, respectively. The field distribution is calculated by applying traceback technique to the full three dimensional finite element method based on hierarchical cascading technique, its variation with the edge ratio is studied in detail, with assistance of the wavenumber domain analysis. The result indicates that the mode conversion and the leakage occur at the bump region causing Q reduction, and generated hybrid modes causing spurious resonances. The former is significant when W x /W y is large and the latter becomes obvious when W x /W y is small.

Dynamic Characteristics of Transverse-Magnetic-Field Induced Arc for Plasma-Jet-Triggered Protective Gas Switch in Hybrid UHVDC System

A plasma jet-triggered gas switch (PJT-GS) has been developed as an important piece of equipment to operate in an ±800 kV ultra-high voltage direct current transmission system (UHV DC) to achieve grid system protection and control. The crucial factors that would affect its operational performance, such as the current level the PJT-GS could withstand and the gas gap distance between the two rotating electrodes, are comparatively studied in the present work by analysing the arc dynamic characteristics. The rotating electrode used in the PJT-GS is designed with a helical-slotted structure, and the arc can be rotated circularly driven by the produced transverse magnetic field (TMF) along the electrode edge. The objective of such research is to provide a thorough study of the arc dynamic behaviour during the current flowing process of the PJT-GS and also to characterise the physical mechanism that affects the arc rotation and the PJT-GS operation performance. The magnetohydrodynamic-based (MHD) approach is applied by establishing a 3D arc model. Following such a study, the variation of arc characteristics under different operation conditions could be thoroughly determined and it also could provide the guidance for the PJT-GS optimum design reasonably to support its corresponding engineering applications.

Anode passivation mitigation by homogenizing current density distribution in electrocoagulation

Electrode passivation is the most challenging technical problem in electrocoagulation (EC) water treatment process, but research on understanding and mitigating passivation evolution are still lacking. Herein, homogenization of current density (CD) distribution was found to be a critical factor in alleviating the anode passivation during EC process. Decreasing electrode area decelerated the growth of passivation layer on anode through homogenizing CD distribution, which was quantified by the ratios of CD distributed at the electrode edges and centers. When aluminum anode area decreased from 8 cm2 to 2 cm2 with a constant CD, the homogenization degree increased by 24.0%, and passivation was reduced by 24.3%. The depth profiles of passivated anodes confirmed the inhomogeneity of the anode passivation. Thicker passivation layers were observed at edges due to high CD distributions, which originated from the “edge effect” of electric field distribution between parallel plate electrodes. A facile strategy to homogenize CD distribution by splitting electrodes into smaller electrodes is then proposed for passivation mitigation, which can save energy consumption by 21.8% with unchanged removal efficiency. This study provides a unique insight into anode passivation mitigation and a feasible electrode design in EC.

Effect of electric bias on trapping and release of excitons in GaN/(Al,Ga)N quantum wells

A giant built-in electric field in the growth direction makes excitons in wide GaN/(Al, Ga)N quantum wells spatially indirect even in the absence of any external bias. Significant densities of indirect excitons can accumulate in electrostatic traps imprinted in the quantum well plane by a thin metal layer deposited on top of the heterostructure. By jointly measuring spatially resolved photoluminescence and photo-induced current, we demonstrate that exciton density in the trap can be controlled via an external electric bias, which is capable of altering the trap depth. Application of a negative bias deepens the trapping potential, but does not lead to any additional accumulation of excitons in the trap. This is due to exciton dissociation instigated by the lateral electric field at the electrode edges. The resulting carrier losses are detected as an increased photocurrent and reduced photoluminescence intensity. By contrast, application of a positive bias washes out the electrode-induced trapping potential. Thus, excitons get released from the trap and recover free propagation in the plane that we reveal by spatially resolved photoluminescence.

High-Performance Electro-Optical Mach–Zehnder Modulators in a Silicon Nitride–Lithium Niobate Thin-Film Hybrid Platform

We analyzed a Mach–Zehnder electro-optical modulator based on a silicon nitride strip–loaded waveguide on 0.5 μm thick x-cut lithium niobate thin film. The optical and radio frequency parameters for two different modulator structures (Type I: packaged with 2 μm thick SiO2 and Type II: unpackaged) were simulated, calculated, and optimized. The Optical parameters included the single-mode conditions, effective indices, the separation distance between the electrode edge and the Si3N4-strip-loaded edge, optical power distribution, bending loss, optical field distribution, and half-wave voltage. The radio frequency parameters included the characteristic impedance, attenuation constant, radio frequency effective index, and −3 dB modulation bandwidth. According to the numerical simulation and theoretical analysis, the half-wave voltage product and the −3 dB modulation bandwidth were, respectively, 2.85 V·cm and 0.4 THz for Type I modulator, and 2.33 V·cm and 1.26 THz for Type II modulator, with a device length of 3 mm.

Switchable 2D/3D display based on a liquid crystal lens array and the rotating specimen shooting method.

A liquid crystal (LC) lenticular lens array with auxiliary electrodes is proposed. The introduction of the auxiliary electrodes helps to obtain an LC lens array (LCLA) with relatively large aperture without complex structures. When the LCLA is in the focusing state, the voltage of auxiliary electrodes is less than that of edge electrodes, and the generated electric field in the LCLA can penetrate into the LC layer. Therefore, the ideal phase profile is obtained with a relatively thin LC layer thickness. Experimental results show that the LCLA has the characteristics of high optical power and low operation voltage. Based on the proposed LCLA, a multi-view 2D/3D switchable display is realized. In the experiment, a series of parallax images is obtained by rotating the sample to replace the convergence shooting method for 3D imaging. Compared with other 2D/3D switchable display devices, the multi-view 2D/3D switchable display based on the LCLA is characterized by being thin and compact, and displaying no moiré pattern.

The growth condition for ferroelectric domains of a subcritical size

Growth conditions for repolarization nuclei in Pb(Zr1-xTix)O3 polycrystalline ferroelectric films with frequency dependence of coercive field of ln(ν/ν0)∼1/Ec 2 are studied. The main contribution to polarization switching is provided by the formation of nuclei of a critical size by means of thermal fluctuations. However, near electrode edges the growth of nuclei of a subcritical size is shown to be possible. Free energy release accompanying the growth of a nucleus does not depend on its size. This enables rapid growth of nuclei near electrode edges and explains experimentally observed dependence of the limiting frequency for polarization switching on the electrode geometry.

Evaluation of dielectric breakdown of BaTiO3 by novel indentation method

Succinct evaluation of dielectric breakdown strength of dielectric materials has been hampered by extrinsic parameters like size/thickness dependence, electrode configuration, and defect concentration which all mask the materials’ intrinsic value. A novel indentation method to prepare arch-shaped indents on the surface of BaTiO3 green stacks has been developed to overcome this problem. Utilizing this method enables simple and reliable sample preparation for investigation of dielectric breakdown behavior. Theoretical and experimental investigations reveal vanishing electrode edge effects governed by the improved distribution of electric field due to the arch-shaped indents. Thus, the novel indentation method bears advantages compared to measuring DBS of disk-shaped samples and allows for narrowing influences of extrinsic parameters. By obtaining breakdown channels close to the center of the indent, this technique additionally features the possibility of localizing the breakdown event.

Excellent Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells Encapsulated With Paraffin/Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate/Paraffin Composite Layer

Superior encapsulation technology is important for PSCs to prolong their lifetime and realize their commercial application. Paraffin/EVA/paraffin composite encapsulated layers were fabricated with the ambient environment under the thermal temperature of 80°C, which has advantages for simple procedures and low cost. PSCs encapsulated with paraffin/EVA/paraffin and pure EVA layers maintained 95 and 45% of the initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) aged for 1000 h at RH 75%, respectively. Paraffin/EVA/paraffin-encapsulated PSCs were immersed in water for 5 h, which remained 98% of the original PCE, which is far superior to EVA-encapsulated PSCs. High melting point paraffin at 68°C shows better encapsulation than low melting point (60 and 55°C) paraffin, indicating that the high molecular weight of paraffin helps improve the encapsulation performance of PSCs. PSCs encapsulated with paraffin/EVA/paraffin showed better stability of Voc than pure EVA layer because paraffin can inhibit defects, voids, and edges of metal electrodes that quickly expand, and decay. Therefore, paraffin/EVA/paraffin combination encapsulation is an effective strategy, which can form continuous and dense hydrophobic composite encapsulation films with a friendly metal electrode.

Numerical simulation of coaxial–coplanar dielectric-barrier discharge in atmospheric helium

A self-consistent two-dimensional fluid model is employed to investigate the coaxial–coplanar dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) excited by the sinusoidal voltage in atmospheric helium. Simulation results show that there are two current pulses in the positive half cycle, but only one in the negative half cycle. The discharge is transformed from the Townsend-like mode, through the glow-like mode, and back to the Townsend-like mode in both the positive and negative half cycles, during which the electric field line exhibits an arc-shape profile due to the configuration of coaxial–coplanar electrodes. In the glow-like mode, the cathode fall is located near the inner edge of the ground electrode at the first positive current peak, but close to the outer edge of the ground electrode at the second positive current peak. At the negative current peak, the cathode fall is distributed near the outer edge of the high voltage electrode. Since the instantaneous anode and the instantaneous cathode are on the same side of the discharge space, the dielectric layer is simultaneously covered by positive and negative surface charges due to the movement of charged particles. It is also found that the surface charge density changes significantly on the dielectric layer facing the electrodes. A further study reveals that a stronger discharge always occurs in the central circular area and an alternately complementary discharge takes place in the periphery ring area in the positive half cycle due to the activator–inhibitor effect. This feature is helpful for producing uniform plasma in a whole cycle of DBD.

AC electrokinetic immobilization of influenza virus.

The use of alternating current (AC) electrokinetic forces, like dielectrophoresis and AC electroosmosis, as a simple and fast method to immobilize sub-micrometer objects onto nanoelectrode arrays is presented. Due to its medical relevance, the influenza virus is chosen as a model organism. One of the outstanding features is that the immobilization of viral material to the electrodes can be achieved permanently, allowing subsequent handling independently from the electrical setup. Thus, by using merely electric fields, we demonstrate that the need of prior chemical surface modification could become obsolete. The accumulation of viral material over time is observed by fluorescence microscopy. The influences of side effects like electrothermal fluid flow, causing a fluid motion above the electrodes and causing an intensity gradient within the electrode array, are discussed. Due to the improved resolution by combining fluorescence microscopy with deconvolution, it is shown that the viral material is mainly drawn to the electrode edge and to a lesser extent to the electrode surface. Finally, areas of application for this functionalization technique are presented.

Effect of low frequency voltage waveform on plasma uniformity in a dual-frequency capacitively coupled plasma

In a dual-frequency capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) with disparate frequencies, the low frequency (LF) voltage usually has a strong influence on the ion energy distribution function (IEDF) but contributes less to plasma generation. It is well-known that rectangular LF voltage waveform with a small positive period yields a narrow, nearly monoenergetic IEDF. This paper focuses on the effect of the LF voltage waveform on plasma uniformity in a low-pressure dual-frequency (40 + 0.8 MHz) CCP. A two-dimensional particle-in-cell model is used for this investigation, and the effect of LF voltage amplitude on plasma uniformity is investigated for sinusoidal and rectangular voltage waveforms. When the LF voltage is low, the peak in plasma density is at the chamber center due to ample diffusion at the low pressure considered (20 mTorr) and higher losses to the chamber walls. As the LF voltage is increased, the sheath gets thicker at the powered electrode and charged species densities decrease for a constant 40 MHz voltage. The plasma profile, however, evolves differently for the two LF voltage waveforms. With sinusoidal LF voltage, the plasma spreads out between the electrodes. On the other hand, with rectangular LF voltage waveform, the plasma splits into two regions: a density peak at the chamber center and another peak near the electrode edge. This double-peaked density profile with a rectangular wave can be attributed to the location and timing of plasma generation. 40 MHz produces plasma most efficiently when the LF rectangular wave is positive and the sheath at the powered electrode is thin (frequency coupling). This plasma is produced uniformly between the electrodes, but only for a short period. When the LF voltage becomes negative, the sheath expands at the powered electrode and the plasma is produced near the electrode edge where the sheath is thinner and the electric field is stronger.

Fine structure of streamer-to-filament transition in high-pressure nanosecond surface dielectric barrier discharge

Abstract The fine structure of a streamer-to-filament transition in a single-shot high-voltage nanosecond surface dielectric barrier discharge in molecular nitrogen at pressure P = 6 bar was studied with the help of ICCD microimaging. An intermediate discharge structure, existing for only a few nanoseconds, was observed in the time interval between two discharge modes: streamer discharge, with a typical electron density of n e ∼ 1015 cm−3, and filamentary discharge, with n e ∼ 1019 cm−3. The structure was observed for both polarities of the high-voltage electrode. The structure can be briefly described as a stochastic appearance of thin channels propagating a bit faster than the main ionization front of merged surface streamers, transforming in a few nanoseconds in a bi-directional ionization wave. One wave, which we associate with a feather-like structure in optical emission, propagates further away from the high-voltage electrode, and another, a backward wave of emission, propagates back towards the edge of the high-voltage electrode. When the backward wave of emission almost reaches the high-voltage electrode, the filament appears. Plasma properties of the observed structure were studied to better understand the nature of a streamer-to-filament transition. Theoretical analysis suggests that the instability of a flat front of ionization wave (Laplacian instability) triggers the streamer-to-filament transition, and that a surface stem (a tiny region with enhanced electron density) should be in the origin of the bi-directional ionization wave.

CFD simulation and experimental comparison of bubble-induced convection during electrochemical water splitting

The behavior of gas bubbles produced during electrochemical processes is of large interest because of the increase in cell overpotential induced by their production, the electrode surface covering by them and, finally, the detachment of these bubbles and their direct impact on the energy consumption during the reaction. In this work, we used coupled experimental and computational approaches to investigate bubble formation under those conditions where there are important convective effects. We have measured both normal and parallel velocity of the solution and built up a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. The results were compared to experimental data. Then, having the computational model validated by experimental data, we have simulated different conditions following bubble displacement. An important change of the surface covering is observed during the electrochemical reaction. Considering just the covering change, for example, there is up to 23 % increase comparing to the electrode edge and center. • Finite element method is suitable to evaluate the bubble-induced convection. • The bubbles create a vortex in the electrolyte. • The induced convection create a non-homogeneous gas covering over electrode surface. • The bubble size has an important effect in the covering variance.

High frequency doubling efficiency THz GaAs Schottky barrier diode based on inverted trapezoidal epitaxial cross-section structure

A high-performance terahertz Schottky barrier diode (SBD) with an inverted trapezoidal epitaxial cross-sectional structure featuring high varactor characteristics and reverse breakdown characteristics is reported in this paper. Inductively coupled plasma dry etching and dissolution wet etching are used to define the profile of the epitaxial layer, by which the voltage-dependent variation trend of the thickness of the metal-semiconductor contact depletion layer is modified. The simulation of the inverted trapezoidal epitaxial cross-section SBD is also conducted to explain the physical mechanism of the electric field and space charge region area. Compared with the normal structure, the grading coefficient M increases from 0.47 to 0.52, and the capacitance modulation ratio (C max/C min) increases from 6.70 to 7.61. The inverted trapezoidal epitaxial cross-section structure is a promising approach to improve the variable-capacity ratio by eliminating the accumulation of charge at the Schottky electrode edge. A 190 GHz frequency doubler based on the inverted trapezoidal epitaxial cross-section SBD also shows a doubling efficiency of 35% compared to that 30% of a normal SBD.

Toward a Practical Impedimetric Biosensor: A Micro-Gap Parallel Plate Electrode Structure That Suppresses Unexpected Device-to-Device Variations.

We propose a rational electrode design concept for affinity biosensors based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to substantially suppress unexpected device-to-device variations. On the basis that the uniformity of the current distribution affects the variation, a novel micro-gap parallel plate electrode (PPE) was developed, where two planar electrodes with edges covered with a SiO2 layer were placed face to face. The structure provides a uniform current distribution over the planar electrode surface and maximizes the contribution of the planar electrode surface to sensing. For a comparative study, we also fabricated a micro-structured interdigitated electrode (IDE) that has been widely adopted for high-sensitivity measurement, although its current is highly concentrated on the electrode edge corner. Protein G (PrG) molecules were immobilized on both electrodes to prepare an immunoglobulin G (IgG) biosensor on which the specific binding of PrG–IgG can occur. We demonstrated that the IgG sensor with the PPE has small device-to-device variations, in strong contrast to the sensor with the IDE having large device-to-device variations. The results indicate that the current distribution on the electrode surface is important to fabricating electrochemical impedance spectroscopy biosensors with small device-to-device variations. Furthermore, it was found that the PPE allows ultrasensitive detection, that is, the sensor exhibited a linear range from 1 × 10–13 to 1 × 10–7 mol/L with a detection limit of 1 × 10–14 mol/L, which is a record sensitivity at low concentrations for EIS-based IgG sensors.

Research on the Induced Electrostatic Discharge of Spacecraft Typical Dielectric Materials under the ESD Pulse Irradiation.

Based on polyimide (PI), epoxy resin (EP), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) typical dielectric materials used in spacecraft, a research platform for charge-discharge experiment under strong field was established. The influence of irradiation field strength, beam energy, dielectric thickness, etc., on electrostatic discharge characters of dielectric materials were studied and summarized. The results show that with the increase of field strength, the frequency of induced electrostatic discharge increases, the accumulated charge on the dielectric surface decreases, and the dielectric surface potential decreases; Under the same conditions, PI has the lowest discharge frequency and the highest surface dynamic balance potential. The thicker the dielectric material, the lower the discharge frequency, the higher the surface dynamic equilibrium potential; The shape and size of the background electrodes also affect the discharge frequency. When the area is the same, the sharper the electrode edge, the higher the discharge frequency. When the shape is the same, the larger the grounding area, the higher the discharge frequency. By proposing the induced discharge test method, the function mechanism of spatial environmental factors on the electrostatic discharge of typical dielectric materials are obtained. Comparative analysis on electrostatic properties of different dielectric materials can provide data reference and technical support for spacecraft electrostatic safety and protection.

Local manipulation and topological phase transitions of polar skyrmions

<h2>Summary</h2> Topological phases such as polar skyrmions have been a fertile playground for ferroelectric oxide superlattices, which demonstrate exotic physical phenomena such as negative capacitance. Herein, using phase-field simulations, we demonstrate the local control of the skyrmion phase with electric potential applied through a top electrode. Under a small bias, the skyrmions underneath the electrode can be erased and recovered reversibly. A topologically protected transition from the symmetric to asymmetric skyrmion bubble is observed near the electrode edge. While a transition to the vortex state requires a large bias, it can switch back to the skyrmion state with a relatively small opposite bias. The topological transition from +1 to 0 occurs before the destruction of the bubble structure. The shrinking and bursting of the skyrmions leads to a large reduction in the dielectric permittivity, the magnitude of which depends on the electrode size and the magnitude of the applied bias.

Reliability improvement of gas discharge tube by suppressing the formation of short-circuit pathways

After cumulative discharge of gas discharge tube (GDT), it is easy to form a short circuit pathway between the two electrodes, which increases the failure risk and causes severe influences on the protected object. To reduce the failure risk of GDT and improve cumulative discharge times before failure, this work aims to suppress the formation of two short-circuit pathways by optimizing the tube wall structure, the electrode materials and the electrode structure. A total of five improved GDT samples are designed by focusing on the insulation resistance change that occurs after the improvement; then, by combining these designs with the microscopic morphology changes inside the cavity and the differences in deposition composition, the reasons for the differences in the GDT failure risk are also analyzed. The experimental results show that compared with GDT of traditional structure and material, the method of adding grooves at both ends of the tube wall can effectively block the deposition pathway of the tube wall, and the cumulative discharge time before device failure is increased by 149%. On this basis, when the iron-nickel electrode is replaced with a tungsten-copper electrode, the difference in the electrode’s surface splash characteristics further extends the discharge time before failure by 183%. In addition, when compared with the traditional electrode structure, the method of adding an annular structure at the electrode edge to block the splashing pathway for the particles on the electrode surface shows no positive effect, and the cumulative discharge time before the failure of the two structures is reduced by 22.8% and 49.7%, respectively. Among these improved structures, the samples with grooves at both ends of the tube wall and tungsten-copper as their electrode material have the lowest failure risk.

Inhomogeneous electric field-induced structural changes in soft lead zirconate titanate ferroelectric ceramics

Under the application of an external voltage, high electric field concentrations can develop around the interdigitated electrode edges inside multilayer ceramic actuators (MLCAs). The spatial distribution of the local electrical field can create local inhomogeneity in the electromechanical response. To investigate the complex field inhomogeneity in MLCAs, partially electroded Nb-doped PbZrxTi1-xO3 samples were investigated via synchrotron-based high-energy X-ray diffraction (XRD) as a function of applied electric field. These in situ experiments allowed us to probe the structural changes as a function of position relative to the electrode edge and calculate the local degree of domain alignment, from which the local electric field directions were inferred. The domain switching behavior, both in amplitude and orientation, was found to be spatially dependent across the inactive regions in partially electroded samples. Specifically, the degree of domain alignment and field-induced phase transitions are amplified near the electrode edge. The orientation-dependent phase transitions are also amplified for the tetragonal composition near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), i.e., the Nb-doped PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 composition. Finite element analysis (FEA) shows spatially-dependent, inhomogeneous electric field distributions in the partial-electrode samples, which closely match the experimentally inferred local electric field directions from XRD. The correlation of FEA and experimental data from XRD corroborates that the ferroelectric domain orientation distributions are being directed, primarily, in the direction of the electric field.