Excellent Pulse Research Articles

Achieving high energy storage density and charge-discharge performance via high-energy ball milling combined with two-step sintering

In this study, the microstructure, ferroelectricity, energy storage density, and charge-discharge characteristics of 0.95(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3-0.05Ba(Zn1/3Nb2/3) (0.95KNN-0.05BZN) ceramic, fabricated by combining two-step sintering with high-energy ball milling, were investigated. The two-step sintering technique enabled a wide sintering temperature range of 1020–1120 °C for the ceramic. Accordingly, under optimal sintering conditions, the ceramic exhibited high relative density (98.1 %) and nanoscale grain size (<90 nm). The samples also displayed excellent pulse power performance at room temperature with a high recoverable energy storage density (Wrec) of 3.1 J/cm3, along with the following charge-discharge parameters: current density (CD), power density (PD), and discharge time (t0.9) reached 1821.7 cm−3, 227.7 MW/cm3, and 36.8 ns, respectively. The ceramic also obtained robust frequency stability (10–1000 Hz), good temperature stability (30–130 °C), and outstanding fatigue resistance (105 cycles), indicating its potential application in improved pulse capacitor materials.

Wide-bandgap semiconductor SiC-based memristors fabricated entirely by electron beam evaporation for artificial synapses

The combination of high-performance materials and simplified multilayer fabrication processes can promote the rapid and high-quality development of memristors. In this work, we proposed wide-bandgap semiconductor silicon carbide (SiC)-based memristors fabricated entirely by electron beam evaporation technology. The Cu/SiC/Pt structure was fabricated on a 2-inch intrinsic silicon substrate, which can achieve a transition from volatility to non-volatility. Devices had a low and symmetric switching voltage of ±0.5 V, an endurance of &amp;gt;200 cycles, a retention of &amp;gt;103 s, an ON/OFF ratio of ∼103, and can achieve at least 6 different stable resistance states. The combined effects of traps and Cu conductive filaments caused the current to change abruptly during switching, while also possessing excellent synaptic plasticity and pulse programming ability. Our work demonstrated that wide-bandgap semiconductor SiC is a promising candidate for advanced memristors.

A Novel FSS Loaded Circular Slot Monopole Antenna for Microwave Breast Imaging Application

Breast cancer continues to be a major contributor to women's global mortality rates, emphasizing the need to explore alternative and supplementary early-stage detection techniques. This study delves into a circular slot monopole ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna equipped with a frequency-selective surface (CSMA-FSS) for early detection microwave imaging applications. To expand the impedance bandwidth of the traditional circular monopole antenna, a circular slit is introduced on a monopole structure. Additionally, a 10 × 10 unit cell FSS structure is integrated into the antenna as a far-field reflecting plane to enhance gain characteristics. The antenna, crafted with dimensions of 50 × 50 × 1.6 mm³ and a 1.6 mm thick FR4 substrate, operates across the ultra-wideband frequency spectrum, spanning from 3.1 GHz to 12 GHz, while consistently maintaining a reflection coefficient (S 11) value of – 10 dB or lower. Notably, the antenna showcases a gain of over 5 dBi across the entire 3.1 GHz to 12 GHz frequency range. The suggested antenna is ideal for microwave imaging applications due to its broad impedance bandwidth, impressive gain, and excellent directivity. Furthermore, it maintains a relatively uniform group delay, with a deviation of ±0.5 ns throughout the UWB band. In the time domain characteristics, the antenna exhibits excellent pulse handling capabilities and strong signal correlation, featuring an S 21 value of less than – 25 dB. The characteristics, observed in both the time and frequency domains, suggest that the proposed antenna holds significant potential for substantially enhancing breast cancer imaging system.

Screening of Mung bean Germplasm for Resistance against Cercospora Leaf Spot under Natural Field Conditions

Mung bean is an excellent protein source pulse crop grown throughout the world. Punjab province accounts for 80% area and production of mung bean in Pakistan. Mung bean is cultivated on a large scale for its green manuring ability and grain consumption. Mung bean is prone to economically important fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases. Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) caused by Cercospora canescens is one of the most serious disease concerns in Pakistan. The pulses program at the National Agriculture Research Centre, Islamabad is trying hard to get the resistant germplasm against CLS. Sixty-eight advance lines/approved varieties were evaluated in the augmented design under natural field conditions. Forty-one advance lines/approved varieties were found resistant and twenty-five advance lines/approved varieties were found moderately resistant. Two advanced lines/approved varieties did not perform well and were susceptible to CLS infection. This data indicates that the germplasm at pulses program is excellent in resistance against CLS under natural field conditions in the Arid Zone and can serve as potential future varieties.

High energy storage performance induced by the introduction of BiScO3 into (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3–BaTiO3 lead-free ferroelectric ceramics

In this work, ternary 0.25(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-(0.75-x)BaTiO3-xBiScO3(abbreviated as 0.25BNT-(0.75-x)BT-xBS, x = 0.19, 0.21, 0.23, 0.25, 0.27) lead-free ferroelectric ceramics were synthesized using the solid-state reaction method. The introduction of BiScO3 into (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3–BaTiO3 ceramics had a significant impact on changing the phase structures, and microstructures, as well as the dielectric and ferroelectric properties. All ceramics exhibited a coexistence of tetragonal(P4bm) and rhombohedral(R3c) perovskite phases, while the influence of the BiScO3(BS) content on the average grain size was not significant. Slim polarization-electric field hysteresis loops were recorded for the 0.25BNT-(0.75-x)BT-xBS ceramics, with low remnant polarization (Pr) and large maximum polarization(Pmax). 0.25BNT-0.50BT-0.25BS ceramic had the largest Pmax, which induced a high energy storage density of 2.93 J/cm3 and energy storage efficiency of 91 % under a low electric field of 230 kV/cm 0.25BNT-0.50BT-0.25BS ceramic not only yielded excellent fatigue resistance, but also maintained good energy storage performance at high temperature and high frequency, which are considered of great importance since they can be leveraged for the potential development of high temperature and frequency capacitors. In addition, an excellent pulse performance was measured, with a high discharge energy density of 3.42 J/cm3 and a fast discharging rate t0.9 of 130 ns. This good pulse performance was maintained at high temperatures, suggesting that the proposed material is also highly competitive for applications where high-temperature pulse devices are required.

(Sb0.5Li0.5)TiO3-Doping Effect and Sintering Condition Tailoring in BaTiO3-Based Ceramics.

(1-x)(Ba0.75Sr0.1Bi0.1)(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3-x(Sb0.5Li0.5)TiO3 (abbreviated as BSBiTZ-xSLT, x = 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1) ceramics were prepared via a conventional solid-state sintering method under different sintering temperatures. All BSBiTZ-xSLT ceramics have predominantly perovskite phase structures with the coexistence of tetragonal, rhombohedral and orthogonal phases, and present mainly spherical-like shaped grains relating to a liquid-phase sintering mechanism due to adding SLT and Bi2O3. By adjusting the sintering temperature, all compositions obtain the highest relative density and present densified micro-morphology, and doping SLT tends to promote the growth of grain size and the grain size distribution becomes nonuniform gradually. Due to the addition of heterovalent ions and SLT, typical relaxor ferroelectric characteristic is realized, dielectric performance stability is broadened to ~120 °C with variation less than 10%, and very long and slim hysteresis loops are obtained, which is especially beneficial for energy storage application. All samples show extremely fast discharge performance where the discharge time t0.9 (time for 90% discharge energy density) is less than 160 ns and the largest discharge current occurs at around 30 ns. The 1155 °C sintered BSBiTZ-0.025SLT ceramics exhibit rather large energy storage density, very high energy storage efficiency and excellent pulse charge-discharge performance, providing the possibility to develop novel BT-based dielectric ceramics for pulse energy storage applications.

Temporal contrast enhancement of a Ti:Sapphire laser by nonlinear Fourier filtering

Temporal cleaning of high-power infrared (IR) pulses generated by a Ti:Sapphire system is demonstrated by the use of the Nonlinear Fourier Filtering (NFF) method. In a proof-of-principle experiment suppression of up to 1000 is achieved for the temporal pedestal prior to the main pulse, with a moderate (20-25%) overall throughput. This includes the same suppression ratio for the picosecond coherent pedestal in the direct vicinity of the main pulse. Based on the instantaneous, intensity-dependent and high-order switching characteristics of NFF, excellent pulse cleaning performance is observed. The efficient, high-contrast removal of the coherent pedestal from the foot of the main pulse even if its duration is shorter than 100 fs is compared with the capability of the plasma mirror technique. Calculations are also performed, supporting the experimentally observed sharp intensity dependence of the switching process, pointing out the dominant role of the ionization-based refractive index change.

A multiple soliton state erbium-doped fiber laser based on a MoS2/C saturable absorber

A MoS2/C saturable absorber in erbium-doped fiber lasers is proved to show excellent pulse modulation capabilities.

High Energy Storage and Excellent Thermal Stability in Ternary (1−x)[0.94(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3‐0.06BaTiO3]‐xCa(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 Lead‐Free Ferroelectric Ceramics

AbstractIn this work, a new type of ternary lead‐free ferroelectric ceramics (1−x)[0.94(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3‐0.06BaTiO3]‐xCa(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 is synthesized by traditional solid‐state reaction method (x = 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.10, and 0.15). No phase transition is detected and all ceramics exhibited the perovskite structure consisting of the rhombohedral (R3c) and tetragonal (P4bm) phases. By increasing the Ca(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3(CMN) content, the average grain size shows a slight change. More specifically, the grain size is 1.00 µm when x &lt; 0.10 and then increases to 1.20 µm in x = 0.10 and 0.15. When x = 0.07, an optimum energy storage performance with recoverable energy density (Wrec) of 4.13 J cm−3 is achieved under an electric field of 340 kV cm−1. At the same time, it exhibits excellent pulse performance at 25 °C, with an effective discharging time (t0.9) of 3.2 ns and a discharge energy density (WD) of 0.61 J cm−3, suggesting a fast charging–discharging rate. In addition, the current density (CD) and power density (PD) are 92.31 A cm−2 and 6.46 MW cm−3, respectively. Overall, the 0.93[0.94(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3‐0.06BaTiO3]‐0.07Ca(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics is considered a competitive candidate for the development of high‐energy storage capacitors and pulse‐power devices.

Experimental study on the implementation method of short pulse laser in distance-selective imaging system

Conventional distance-selective imaging systems use lasers that are large in size, high in power consumption, and high in cost. In order to reduce the system size and reduce the system power consumption and cost, The principles and design methods of two drive circuits for generating narrow pulse lasers based on step recovery diodes SRD (combined with shorted transmission lines) and RF bipolar transistors are discussed, physically fabricated and tested, and the characteristics of the two pulse generators and the factors affecting the pulse width amplitude are analyzed. The experimental results show that the SRD-based method can generate a narrow pulse with a rise time of 456.8 ps, a fall time of 458.3 ps, a pulse width of 1.5 ns, and an amplitude of 2.38 V; the transistor-based method can generate a narrow pulse with a rise time of 903.5 ps, a fall time of 946.1 ps, a pulse width of 824 ps, and an amplitude of 2.46 V, both of which can reach a repetition frequency of 50 MHz. Both design methods can be combined with an external laser diode to achieve excellent short pulse laser output.

Proton-induced radiation damage in Cs2LiYCl6:Ce scintillator

Cs2LiYCl6:Ce crystal scintillator (CLYC:Ce) has garnered significant attention for its applications in both neutron detection and gamma-ray spectroscopy. This is due to its excellent pulse shape discrimination (PSD) capabilities, which allow for distinguishing between neutrons and gamma rays. Recently, there has been interest in utilizing CLYC:Ce in high-dose environments, making it crucial to understand the effects of radiation damage on its performance. In this work, we aim to examine the impact of radiation damage on the scintillation performance of CLYC:Ce under 100 MeV proton beam. To minimize systematic uncertainty, the change in light output of CLYC:Ce was measured at different accumulated doses using the same experimental setup. The pulse shape discrimination for thermal neutrons was assessed before and after irradiation. Additionally, the decay time of gamma-ray and thermal neutron-induced pulses was analyzed at various accumulated doses. The results of these analyses provide support for little degradation of pulse shape discrimination even with the high proton dose. Furthermore, the study considered and discussed the scintillation recovery of CLYC:Ce over a month. Despite the substantial damage induced by high-energy protons, the results demonstrate that CLYC:Ce remains a promising scintillator for thermal neutron detection.

Self-induced Q-switched fiber laser using tantalum aluminum carbide as a passive modulator

A self-induced Q-switched erbium-doped fiber laser operating at 1563 nm was achieved by integrating a passive modulator based on tantalum aluminum carbide (Ta2AlC) MAX phase film embedded into polyynyl alcohol. The modulator, serving as a saturable absorber (SA), established a modulation depth of 9% and a saturation intensity of 0.3 MW cm−2. Upon integration of the film SA, a stable Q-switched fiber laser was obtained, generating pulses with a minimum width of 7.6 µs at a repetition rate of 45.1 kHz, within a pump power range of 24.9–59.7 mW. The corresponding maximum average output power, maximum pulse energy, and highest peak power were determined at 1.6 mW, 36.2 nJ, and 4.7 mW, respectively. The RF fundamental spectrum exhibited a good signal-to-noise ratio of 61 dB, indicating excellent pulse signal quality. This demonstration of Ta2AlC MAX phase film Q-switched laser may open promising possibilities for scientific applications such as material processing.

Pulse energy-storage performance and temperature stability of Bi2O3-added BaTiO3 based ceramics

The temperature stability and temperature stability range of barium titanate-based pulse energy-storage ceramics were modified by Bi2O3 tailoring in (Ba0.98-xLi0.02Bix) (Mg0·04Ti0.96)O3 (x = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1) and (Ba1.03-1.5xLi0.02Bix) (Mg0·04Ti0.96)O3 (x = 0.125, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25) ceramics. Excellent pulse energy-storage performances of ceramic films are achieved via the new dual priority strategy of establishing cationic vacancies and forming a liquid phase. The dielectric constant plateau appears due to the cubic phase and space charges. Outstanding temperature stability, frequency stability and antifatigue performance are obtained in the ceramics, and their variations are all less than 15%. The comprehensive energy-storage properties with dual priority parameters of energy-storage density and efficiency of 3.13 J/cm3 and 91.71%, accompanied by an excellent pulse discharge energy density of 2.48 J/cm3, current density of 1313.23 A/cm2 and power density of 195.26 MW/cm3 are gained at x = 0.1. The perfect pulse energy-storage performances as well as ultrahigh stability are correlated with synergistic effects of multiphase coexistence, cubic phase, liquid-phase sintering, grain size, ceramic resistance, space charges and polar nanoregions. The comprehensive parameters indicate that the (Ba0·88Li0·02Bi0.1) (Mg0·04Ti0.96)O3 ceramics have potential application in high precision fields.

Improved dielectric energy storage performance of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-based lead-free relaxation ferroelectric ceramics achieved by domain structural regulation and enhanced densification

There is still a problem of low energy storage density in dielectric capacitors which is a core component of power systems. For the improvement of the energy storage density, the linear dielectric material CaTiO3 (CT) was introduced in Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NBT) ceramics in this paper. By modifying the A site, a new relaxor ferroelectric ceramic was successfully synthesized and attained a recoverable density (Wrec) of 2.34 J/cm3 at x = 0.18. Moreover, the preparation process was optimized in this paper. Through the viscous polymer process (VPP) route, the energy density (WA) of 82NBT-18CTVPP ceramic further reaches 6.45 J/cm3 at 340 kV/cm, with efficiency (η) up to 75% and a Wrec of 4.82 J/cm3. At the same time, the change of Wrec is small at temperature (30–150 °C) and frequency (1 Hz–300 Hz), which demonstrates its excellent stability. The discharge power density reaches about 180 MW/cm3 and the discharge time is 0.117 μs, which indicates its excellent pulse discharge performance. The results show that 82NBT-18CT lead-free relaxation ferroelectric material is expected to become ideal for high-energy storage applications.

SiPM signal processing via multiple linear regression

This paper presents a novel approach using multiple linear regression to process transient signals from silicon photomultipliers.The method provides excellent noise suppression and pulse detection in scenarios with a high pulse count rate and superimposed pulses.Insights into its implementation and benchmark results are presented.We also show how this approach can be used to automatically detect the pulse shape from a given transient signal, providing good detection for count rates up to 90 MHz.Experimental data are used to present an application where this algorithm improves charge spectrum resolution by an order of magnitude.

Pulse shape discrimination and spectral performance of an inverted coaxial point contact HPGe detector with sub-pF capacitance

The inverted coaxial point contact high purity germanium (ICPC HPGe) detector exhibits the advantages of large volume, low depletion voltage, small capacitance, and excellent pulse shape discrimination (PSD) capability. An ICPC detector prototype with 0.9 pF capacitance was successfully fabricated and tested in this study using two different front-end electronics. The detector weighted approximately 1.5 kg and the depletion voltage was only 1800 V. The optimized operating voltage was found to be 2500 V and the leakage current was 7 pA. The detector was first connected to a homemade JFET based front-end with a pulsed reset design to minimize parallel noise. An energy resolution of 1.72 keV (full width at half maximum) was achieved at 1332 keV, demonstrating the good charge collection efficiency of the detector. An RC feedback front-end circuit was employed to test the PSD properties using a 228Th source. The PSD capability is similar to that of typical broad energy or point contact HPGe detectors, but is notably improved when the charge trapping is corrected using the drift time.

In-Plane Ordering of Li-Intercalated Turbostratic Graphite for the Negative Electrode of High-Power Long-Life Li-Ion Batteries

Turbostratic carbon graphitized at ca. 2000 °C exhibits low discharge capacity but excellent pulse charge/discharge characteristics and long cycle performance. In this study, to clarify the charge/discharge mechanism, the intercalation process of Li into turbostratic graphite was investigated by operando synchrotron X-ray diffraction and 7Li-NMR spectroscopy. The dataset obtained from both methods was synchronously analyzed by treating it as a function of the LiC x composition estimated from the charge/discharge curves. It was found that both the synchrotron X-ray diffraction profile and 7Li-NMR spectrum dynamically changed in conjunction with the composition and the LiC9-type and LiC6-type in-plane structures formed in turbostratic graphite, as in the case of natural graphite when Li ions intercalate. The domain formed by these in-plane structures was a short-range ordered structure that changed depending on the misorientation angle between the two adjacent graphene sheets, and a stage structure with a periodic distance in the c-axis direction did not form, as in the case of natural graphite.

Simultaneous detection of fast and thermal neutrons with a stilbene-6Li glass composite scintillator

For simultaneous detection of fast and thermal neutrons, a composite scintillator consisting of stilbene crystal and 6Li glass was designed. Energy calibration was finished with a 152Eu γ source through Compton coincidence measurement. A 241Am-Be neutron source with polyethylene moderator was used to test it. The detection efficiency was examined through Monte Carlo simulation. The measured results show that the composite scintillator has excellent triple pulse shape discrimination performance. With the threshold of 100 keVee, figure of merits for γ-fast neutron and fast neutron-thermal neutron are 1.571 ± 0.009 and 2.376 ± 0.010 respectively. Two thermal neutron peaks emerge at 0.245 MeVee and 0.291 MeVee in the energy spectra. 79.24% of the incident thermal neutrons can be detected by 6Li glass. 39.56% of 1 MeV neutrons can be detected by stilbene.

Graphitic carbon nitride modulated short pulse generation in an Erbium-doped fiber laser

In the present study, a few layered graphitic carbon nitrides (g-C3N4) nano-sheets were successfully manufactured by the calcination method. It demonstrates nonlinear optical (NLO) property with modulation depths of ∼4.26% at 1.5 μ m. The index-matching gel adhesion effect was used to place the g-C3N4 nano-sheets on the fiber ferrule surface to produce short-pulsed lasers. The g-C3N4 saturable absorber (SA) based Q-switched erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) emits at 1560.5 nm wavelength with 1.2 nm of spectral bandwidth at 3 dB. The radio frequency's signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is 42 dB at first harmonic, demonstrating excellent pulse stability. As the pump power increases, the frequency increases from 27.2 to 108 kHz, and the pulse shortens from 14.6 to 4.2 μ s, correspondingly. The highest pulse energy, peak power, and average output power are measured to be 48.7 nJ, 11 mW, and 5.18 mW at the highest pump power of 479.1 mW. Besides, the morphology and structure of g-C3N4 were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-rays powder diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) spectra, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), and UV- diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) have been also presented. Additionally, the stability of g–C3N4–SA was also measured. These findings suggest that few layered g-C3N4 nano-sheets have a substantial role as a SA in optical modulation devices and nonlinear optical properties at the near and mid-infrared band.

Experimental Study on Electrical Properties of Power Lithium-ion Battery

The paper studies the surface temperature rise and pulse charge/discharge capacity of batteries with different charge/discharge rates under different temperature conditions. The discharge performance and charge rate characteristics of an automotive lithium-ion battery were investigated. The battery discharge performance tests were conducted under different ambient temperatures and different charge rate conditions to obtain the battery charge voltage curve, charge capacity, and the temperature change pattern of the external surface of the battery during the charging process. Also, internal resistances of the battery cell were measured using the hybrid pulse power characteristic (HPPC). Experimental results show that the battery’s 10% to 90% DOD range shows the excellent pulse charging and discharging ability of the battery, and the temperature change of the battery is much higher at the beginning of the charging process and the end of the discharging process due to the influence of internal resistance.