Efficient Switching Research Articles

Nonlinear optical switch based on coherent perfect absorption.

Coherent perfect absorption (CPA) or reflection (CPR) are methods to realize the extreme manipulation on an optical field. We propose a scheme to operate a bistable switch with convertible CPA and/or CPR. Generally, CPA and CPR occur with different input-field phases. For example, CPA is realized when two input probe beams are in phase; instead, CPR is achieved when they are out of phase. In this scheme, a CPA state can be converted to a CPR state by an incoherent field although two input fields are in phase. When we use the incoherent field as a switching field, the CPA (CPR) state is treated as the closed (open) state. As a result, the switching efficiency can theoretically reach a maximum value, i.e., η = 1. In addition, the switch can be operated in the linear regime with a weak input field, and in the nonlinear or bistable regime with a strong input field. Moreover, the efficiency of the bistable switch is sensitively dependent on the input-field intensity. It provides a potential application of this work on sensitive optical detecting.

Symmetry Control of Unconventional Spin-Orbit Torques in IrO2.

Spin-orbit torques generated by a spin current are key to magnetic switching in spintronic applications. The polarization of the spin current dictates the direction of switching required for energy-efficient devices. Conventionally, the polarizations of these spin currents are restricted to be along a certain direction due to the symmetry of the material allowing only for efficient in-plane magnetic switching. Unconventional spin-orbit torques arising from novel spin current polarizations, however, have the potential to switch other magnetization orientations such as perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, which is desired for higher density spintronic-based memory devices. Here, it is demonstrated that low crystalline symmetry is not required for unconventional spin-orbit torques and can be generated in a nonmagnetic high symmetry material, iridium dioxide (IrO2 ), using epitaxial design. It is shown that by reducing the relative crystalline symmetry with respect to the growth direction large unconventional spin currents can be generated and hence spin-orbit torques. Furthermore, the spin polarizations detected in (001), (110), and (111) oriented IrO2 thin films are compared to show which crystal symmetries restrict unconventional spin transport. Understanding and tuning unconventional spin transport generation in high symmetry materials can provide a new route towards energy-efficient magnetic switching in spintronic devices.

Giant Orbital-to-Spin Conversion for Efficient Current-Induced Magnetization Switching of Ferrimagnetic Insulator.

It has long been believed that the attachment of two heavy metals such as Ta and Pt with opposite spin Hall angles results in a weakened net torque generation efficiency in magnetization switching devices. Here, we report a giant orbital-to-spin conversion in Ta/Pt/Tm3Fe5O12 (TmIG) heterostructures. We show that the torque generation efficiency is enhanced by an order of magnitude in the Ta/Pt/TmIG trilayer compared to that in the Pt/TmIG bilayer. This enhancement is further evidenced by the fact that the critical current density for the magnetization switching of the Ta/Pt/TmIG is an order of magnitude smaller than that of the Pt/TmIG. It is found that the orbital current generated from Ta through the orbital Hall effect (OHE) is converted to the spin current in the interior of Pt. Our discovery offers an extraordinary approach to enhance the torque generation for magnetization switching of insulators and provides an important piece of information for orbitronics.

A fully integrated half-bridge driver circuit in All-GaN GAN-IC technology

To unlock the full potential of fast switching GaN technology, monolithic integration of power circuit is crucial. GaN-IC ensures a fast efficient switching operation by reducing the parasitic inductance of interconnections significantly. In this paper, we demonstrate a monolithically integrated half-bridge power switch with its corresponding driving stage and the protection circuits that is realized by using our GAN-on-SOI technology. A low gate threshold voltage along with a low gate overdrive makes the driving of a GaN HEMT difficult. An optimized gate driver design is important to fully utilize a GaN power switch. This is also crucial for overall system efficiency, robustness, and EMI performance. Along with the design description this paper discusses the challenges and the design considerations of the GaN power IC.

LSTM-enabled prediction-based channel switching scheduling for multi-channel cognitive radio networks

To protect primary users (PUs) from harmful interference and to maintain seamless communication, secondary users (SUs) need to trigger channel switching in cognitive radio networks (CRNs). However, due to frequent channel switching, SUs lose considerable energy. In order to perform channel switching efficiently in multi-channel CRNs (MC-CRNs), an optimal channel switching schedule is desirable, which can assist SUs in minimizing the number of switching and the switching energy overhead. In this work, we propose a machine learning based prediction-driven channel-switching scheduling scheme for MC-CRNs. The proposed scheme optimizes the utility of SUs by balancing the trade-off between spectral efficiency and channel switching overhead. Initially, a Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) network-based channel prediction scheme is presented using which individual SUs locally predict PU occupancy in future time slots based on their spectrum sensing history. Thereafter, a cooperative channel prediction framework is introduced using which SUs perform cooperation of local prediction results to enhance the prediction results. Using the cooperative prediction results, a channel-switching scheduling problem is formulated, which captures the trade-off between spectral efficiency and channel-switching overhead. A proof is carried out to establish that the formulated scheduling problem is NP-Hard. To solve the formulated problem in polynomial time, a greedy-based heuristic solution is proposed for scheduling the SUs into different slots of channels to achieve a sub-optimal solution. A simulation-based analysis has been carried out to demonstrate our proposed scheme’s efficacy compared to a conventional exhaustive search and fixed channel switching schemes.

A Novel SiC Device Model With Power Stage and Gate Driver Uncoupled

Silicon Carbide (SiC) power transistors have fast switching speed but are more inclined to be affected by parasitics. Miller capacitor ( <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">C_gd</i> ) and common source inductor ( <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">L_s_com</i> ) are two major cross coupled parameters across gate driver loop and power loop, which cause overshoots, crosstalk and decreased switching speed. To ensure a reliable and efficient switching, the impacts of <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">C_gd</i> and <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">L_s_com</i> need to be identified and fully compensated in the gate driver. However, state-of-arts failed to provide a straightforward compensation approach with the coupling effects extracted and un-coupled model accurately represented. In this paper, a novel SiC device model with decoupled equivalent miller capacitance and common-mode inductance extracted for both gate driver loop and power loop is presented following the Miller theorem in micro-electronics. The decoupled equivalent circuit is verified to have decent accuracy in predicting the actual SiC switching transients. Furthermore, this paper proposed an improved resonant gate driver (RGD) design using the proposed decoupling model under the effects of common-mode inductance. The pre-charging current and driving pulse width are adjusted to ensure a full resonance driving transient with <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">L_scom</i> . The experimental results show that impact of <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">L_scom</i> is fully compensated, where SiC's <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">di_ds/dt</i> is improved from 1.88A/ns to 2.102A/ns, which is close to the results without <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">L_scom</i> .

Development and Performance Evaluation of Integrated Hybrid Power Module for Three-Phase Servo Motor Applications.

This study aims to develop a 30 kHz/12 kW silicon carbide (SiC)/Si integrated hybrid power module (iHPM) for variable frequency drive applications, particularly industrial servo motor control, and, additionally, to theoretically and experimentally assess its dynamic characteristics and efficiency during operation. This iHPM integrates a brake circuit, a three-phase Si rectifier, and a three-phase SiC inverter within a single package to achieve a minimal current path. A space-vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) scheme is used to control the inverter power switches. In order to reduce parasitic inductance and power loss, an inductance cancellation design is implemented in the Si rectifier and SiC inverter. The switching transients and their parasitic effects during a three-phase operation are assessed through an electromagnetic-circuit co-simulation model, by which the power loss and efficiency of the iHPM are estimated. The modeled parasitic inductance of the inverter is validated through inductance measurement, and the effectiveness of the simulated results in terms of switching transients and efficiency is verified using the experimental results of the double pulse test and open-loop inverter operation, respectively. In addition, the power loss and efficiency of the SiC MOSFET inverter are experimentally compared against those of a commercial Si IGBT inverter.

Field-free switching and high spin–orbit torque efficiency in Co/Ir/CoFeB synthetic antiferromagnets deposited on miscut Al2O3 substrates

Ir-CoFeB-based synthetic antiferromagnets (SAFs) are potential candidates as the free layer of the next-generation magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) for high speed and density memories due to their perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and strong interlayer exchange coupling. However, the field-free spin–orbit torque (SOT) switching of Ir-CoFeB-based SAFs has rarely been reported, especially in the Co/Ir/CoFeB system with high anti-interference capability and being readily integrated with MTJs. In this paper, SOT-induced magnetization switching and SOT efficiency in Co/Ir/CoFeB SAFs with perpendicular anisotropy and tunable exchange coupling are systemically investigated. A full field-free switching of perpendicular Co/Ir/CoFeB SAFs is realized by depositing them onto crystal miscut Al2O3 substrates, which induce a tilted magnetic anisotropy. Furthermore, by introducing crystalline MgO or amorphous HfO2/SiO2 as the seed layers, the source of the tilted magnetic anisotropy was proved to be from the transverse asymmetry caused by the crystal miscut. Moreover, the crystal miscut enhances the SOT efficiency. The findings provide an approach to reliable field-free switching and high SOT efficiency of Ir-CoFeB-based SAFs for memories as well as logics with low power, fast speed, and high density.

A Reduced Switch Count High-Frequency Single-Phase 5-L MLI for IH Applications

Nowadays, multilevel inverter (MLI)-based induction heating (IH) technology is the best-suited option in many domestic, commercial and medicinal applications because of its higher efficiency, low cost, fast heating and lower electromagnetic interference (EMI). This paper presents reduced components count high-frequency (HF) single phase five-level (5-L) MLI for IH applications. The working methodology of the proposed system has been analyzed in the multicarrier phase disposition pulse width modulation (MC-PD-PWM) method in high switching frequency i.e., 10[Formula: see text]kHz. In addition, the proposed topology can produce output voltage twice of input voltage without any external source. Moreover, the detailed power loss and reliability analysis have been evaluated for the proposed system. In terms of switch count and efficiency, the single-phase 5-L inverter architecture is compared to some conventional and current topologies. Finally, to validate and justify the operation of the proposed system, the simulation and experimental results of five-level inverter are presented.

Individual differences in attention control and the processing of phonological contrasts in a second language.

This study investigated attention control in L2 phonological processing from a cognitive individual differences perspective, to determine its role in predicting phonological acquisition in adult L2 learning. Participants were 21 L1-Spanish learners of English, and 19 L1-English learners of Spanish. Attention control was measured through a novel speech-based attention-switching task. Phonological processing was assessed through a speeded ABX categorization task (perception) and a delayed sentence repetition task (production). Correlational analyses indicated that learners with more efficient attention switching skill and faster speed in correctly identifying the target phonetic features in the speech dimension under focus could perceptually discriminate L2 vowels at higher processing speed, but not at higher accuracy rates. Thus, attentional flexibility provided a processing advantage for difficult L2 contrasts but did not predict the extent to which precise representations for the target L2 vowels had been established. However, attention control was related to L2 learners' ability to distinguish the contrasting L2 vowels in production. In addition, L2 learners' accuracy in perceptually distinguishing between two contrasting vowels was significantly related to how much of a quality distinction between them they could make in production.

First 24-Membered Macrocyclic 1,10-Phenanthroline-2,9-Diamides-An Efficient Switch from Acidic to Alkaline Extraction of f-Elements.

A reaction of acyl chlorides derived from 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic acids with piperazine allows the preparation of the corresponding 24-membered macrocycles in good yield. The structural and spectral properties of these new macrocyclic ligands were thoroughly investigated, revealing promising coordination properties towards f-elements (Am, Eu). It was shown that the prepared ligands can be used for selective extraction of Am(III) from alkaline-carbonate media in presence of Eu(III) with an SFAm/Eu up to 40. Their extraction efficiency is higher than calixarene-type extraction of the Am(III) and Eu(III) pair. Composition of macrocycle-metal complex with Eu(III) was investigated by luminescence and UV-vis spectroscopy. The possibility of such ligands to form complexes of L:Eu = 1:2 stoichiometry is revealed.

Electric Field Control of Spin-Orbit Torque Magnetization Switching in a Spin-Orbit Ferromagnet Single Layer.

To achieve a desirable magnitude of spin-orbit torque (SOT) for magnetization switching and realize multifunctional spin logic and memory devices utilizing SOT, controlling the SOT manipulation is vitally important. In conventional SOT bilayer systems, researchers have tried to control the magnetization switching behavior via interfacial oxidization, modulation of spin-orbit effective field, and effective spin Hall angle; however, the switching efficiency is limited by the interface quality. A current-induced effective magnetic field in a single layer of a ferromagnet with strong spin-orbit interactions, the so-called spin-orbit ferromagnet, can be utilized to induce SOT. In spin-orbit ferromagnet systems, electric field application has the potential for manipulating the spin-orbit interactions via carrier concentration modulation. In this work, it is demonstrated that SOT magnetization switching can be successfully controlled via an external electric field using a (Ga, Mn)As single layer. By applying a gate voltage, the switching current density can be solidly and reversibly manipulated with a large ratio of 14.5%, which is ascribed to the successful modulation of the interfacial electric field. The findings of this work help further the understanding of the magnetization switching mechanism and advance the development of gate-controlled SOT devices.

Altered functional connectivity between cortical networks associated with inhibitory control in trauma-exposed females

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with impaired inhibitory control and alterations in large-scale brain network connectivity. However, few studies to date have examined the construct of inhibitory control as it relates to resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in a population with PTSD or trauma-exposure. The present study investigated the relationship between impaired inhibitory control and rsFC within the default mode network (DMN), central executive network (CEN), and salience network (SN) in a sample of females exposed to interpersonal trauma with and without PTSD (n = 67). Participants completed a classic Color-Word Stroop task as a measure of inhibitory control and two resting-state fMRI scans. We conducted voxelwise rsFC analyses with seed regions in the DMN, CEN, and SN and voxelwise linear regression analyses to examine the relationship between inhibitory control and rsFC of these networks across the sample. Better Stroop performance was negatively associated with total self-reported PTSD symptoms. An analysis of PTSD symptom clusters indicated that better Stroop performance was also associated with re-experiencing and hyperarousal symptoms, but not avoidance PTSD symptoms. Decreased coupling between the CEN and the DMN was associated with better inhibitory control in this sample of trauma-exposed females. These findings lend support to the hypothesis that efficient switching between these networks may contribute to better performance on cognitive and attentional tasks in trauma-exposed individuals.

An efficient soft switching synchronous buck converter for battery charging application in hybrid electric vehicle architecture

SummaryThis paper proposes a novel topology based on a zero voltage soft switching (ZVS) synchronous buck DC‐DC converter using an auxiliary unidirectional cell comprising a diode, a switch, and an inductor. This unidirectional cell aids in achieving the soft‐switching condition for the synchronous switches, thereby abating switching losses and enhancing the system efficiency. Furthermore, the presence of the unidirectional cell results in no additional current or voltage stress on the switches. This topology is well suited to hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) architecture. Detailed analysis and operation of the proposed topology are discussed. The results of the proposed topology are analyzed using MATLAB/Simulink software and validated experimentally.

Electrical Control of Spin Hall Efficiency and Field-Free Magnetization Switching in W/Pt/Co/Pt Heterostructures with Competing Spin Currents.

Reversal of magnetization via current-induced spin-orbit torque (SOT) is one of the core issues in spintronics. However, an in-plane assistant field is usually required for the deterministic switching of a perpendicularly magnetized system. Additionally, the efficiency of SOT is low, which is detrimental to device applications. This study achieved a reversible and non-volatile control of the critical current for magnetization switching and spin Hall efficiency in the TaN/W/Pt/Co/Pt/TaN heterostructures by ionic liquid (IL) gating-induced hydrogen ion adsorption and desorption in the upper Pt layer. Furthermore, the thinning of the Pt and TaN capping layers activated the oxygen ion migration toward the Co layer under IL gating, resulting in an exchange bias field and allowing field-free magnetization switching and Boolean logic operation. The results of this study offer an intriguing opportunity to promote the development of SOT-based spintronic devices from the perspective of iontronics with low energy dissipation.

Dynamics and Reversible Control of the Bloch-Point Vortex Domain Wall in Short Cylindrical Magnetic Nanowires

Fast and efficient switching of nanomagnets is one of the main challenges in the development of future magnetic memories. We numerically investigate the evolution of static and dynamic spin-wave (SW) magnetization in short (50--400 nm in length and 120 nm in diameter) cylindrical ferromagnetic nanowires, where competing magnetization configurations of a single vortex (SV) and a Bloch-point vortex domain wall (BP-DW) can be formed. For a limited nanowire length range (between 150 and 300 nm), we demonstrate reversible transitions induced by a microwave field (forwards) and by opposite spin currents (backwards) between topologically different SV and BP-DW states. By tuning the nanowire length, the excitation frequency, the microwave pulse duration, and the spin-current value, we show that the optimum (low-power) manipulation of the BP-DW can be achieved with a microwave excitation tuned to the main SW mode for nanowire lengths around 230--250 nm, where single-vortex domain-wall magnetization reversal via nucleation and propagation of a SV-DW transition takes place. An analytical model of the dynamics of the Bloch point provides an estimate of the gyrotropic mode frequency close to that obtained via micromagnetic simulations. A practical implementation of the method in a device is proposed, involving microwave excitation and the generation of opposite spin currents via the spin-orbit torque. Our findings open up an alternative pathway for the creation of topological magnetic memories.

Adaptive interacting multiple model for underwater maneuvering target tracking with one-step randomly delayed measurements

The existing interacting multiple model (IMM) suffers from two problems when tracking an underwater maneuvering target: 1) the conventional nonlinear filters in IMM cannot work on the condition of delayed measurement, 2) the inefficiency of model switching in IMM may degrade the tracking performance. In order to handle the delayed measurement, a novel Bayesian filter framework under two Gaussian assumptions is proposed. The new extended Kalman filter (EKF) and unscented Kalman filter (UKF) are developed as two variations of the proposed filter. In addition, to solve the problem of low switching efficiency between IMM models, a transfer probability corrected function is designed to adaptively update the transfer probability matrix (TPM) in IMM. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing IMM-EKF and IMM-UKF.

Dispersion of optical constants of Si:PbGeO crystal in the terahertz range

Objectives. Advances in laser physics over the last decade have led to the creation of sources of single-period electromagnetic pulses having a duration of about 1 ps, corresponding to the terahertz (THz) frequency range and a field amplitude of several tens of MV/cm. This allows the electrode-free application of an electric field to a ferroelectric for observing not only the excitation of coherent phonons, but also ultrafast (at the sub-picosecond timescale) dynamic polarization switching. To detect polarization switching, a pump-probe technique is used in which a THz pulse is used with an optical probe. Since its intensity is proportional to the square of the polarization, the signal of the optical second harmonic is used to measure polarization switching under the action of a THz pulse. To evaluate switching efficiency, both linear (refractive index and absorption coefficient) and non-linear optical characteristics (quadratic and cubic susceptibilities) are required. For any application of ferroelectric crystals in the THz range, knowledge of the relevant linear optical characteristics is also necessary.Methods. The technique of THz spectroscopy in the time domain was used; here, a picosecond THz pulse transmitted through the crystal is recorded by strobing the detector with a femtosecond optical pulse. The THz-induced dynamics of the order parameter in a ferroelectric was studied by detecting the intensity of a nonlinear optical signal at the frequency of the second optical harmonic.Results. The transmission of a THz wave and the intensity of second harmonic generation on a lead germanate crystal doped with silicon in the time and spectral domains were measured. On this basis, the absorption coefficient dispersion and cubic nonlinear susceptibility were calculated in the range of 0.5-2.0 THz. The presence of a region of fundamental absorption near the phonon modes was confirmed along with a resonant enhancement of the cubic nonlinear susceptibility for two phonon modes Ω1 = 1.3 THz and Ω2 = 2.0 THz.Conclusions. The proposed technique is effective for analyzing the dispersion of the optical characteristics of ferroelectric crystals. The significantly improved spectral resolution (0.1 THz) increases the accuracy of determining nonlinear susceptibility due to the detailed analysis of the linear and nonlinear contributions to the second harmonic intensity.

Tailoring Polymerization Controllability and Dispersity through a Photoswitchable Catalyst Strategy.

Modulating on-demand polymerization is a challenge in synthetic macromolecules. Herein, tailoring polymerization controllability and dispersity during single-electron transfer mediated living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) of MMA was achieved. Hexaarylbiimidazole (HABI) was employed as a photoswitchable catalyst, allowing reversible control of catalytic activity between an active and inactive state. In the presence of HABI and with light on (active state), controlled SET-LRP of MMA followed first-order kinetics, resulting in polymers with narrow molecular weight distribution. In contrast, polymerization responded to light and reverted to their original uncontrolled state with light off (inactive state). Therefore, repeatable resetting polymerization could be easily performed. The key to photomodulating dispersity is to use an efficient molecular switch to tailor the breadths of dispersity. Besides, the mechanism of HABI-mediated SET-LRP with switchable ability is proposed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Light Triggered Pore Size Tuning in Photoswitching Covalent Triazine Frameworks for Low Energy CO2 Capture.

Recently, photo switching porous materials have been widely reported for low energy costed CO2 capture and release via simply remoted light controlling method. However, most reported photo responsive CO2 adsorbents relied on metal organic framework (MOFs) functionalisation with photochromic moieties, and MOF adsorbents still suffered from chemically and thermally unstable issues. Thus, further metal free and highly stable organic photoresponsive adsorbents are necessary to be developed. CTFs, because of their high porosity and stability, have attracted great attention for CO2 capture. Considering the high CO2 uptake capacity and structural tunability of CTFs, it suggests high potential to fabricate the photoswitching CTF materials by the same functionalisation method as MOFs. Herein, the first series of photo switching CTFs were developed for low energy CO2 capture and release. Apart from that, the CO2 switching efficiency could be doubled either through the azobenzene numbers adjusting method or through the previously reported structural alleviation strategy. Furthermore, the pore size distribution of azobenzene functionalised PCTFs also could be tuned under UV exposure, which may contribute to the UV light induced decrease of CO2 uptake capacity. These photoswitching CTFs represented a new kind of porous polymers for low energy costed CO2 capture.