Energy-Efficient Harmonic Transponder Based on On-Off Keying Modulation for Both Identification and Sensing

This paper presents a novel passive Schottky-diode frequency doubler equipped with an on-off keying (OOK) modulation port to be used in harmonic transponders for both identification and sensing applications. The amplitude modulation of the second-harmonic output signal is achieved by driving a low-frequency MOSFET, which modifies the dc impedance termination of the doubler. Since the modulation signal is applied to the gate port of the transistor, no static current is drained. A proof-of-concept prototype was manufactured and tested, operating at 1.04 GHz. An on/off ratio of 23 dB was observed in the conversion loss of the doubler for an available input power of −10 dBm. The modulation port of the circuit was excited with a square wave (fm up to 15 MHz), and the measured sidebands in the spectrum featured a good agreement with the theory. Then, the doubler was connected to a harmonic antenna system and tested in a wireless experiment for fm up to 1 MHz, showing an excellent performance. Finally, an experiment was conducted where the output signal of the doubler was modulated by a reed switch used to measure the rotational speed of an electrical motor. This work opens the door to a new class of frequency doublers, suitable for ultra low-power harmonic transponders for identification and sensing applications.

A Laser-Based Multipass Absorption Sensor for Sub-ppm Detection of Methane, Acetylene and Ammonia

A compact, sensitive laser-based absorption sensor for multispecies monitoring of methane (CH4), acetylene (C2H2) and ammonia (NH3) was developed using a compact multipass gas cell. The gas cell is 8.8 cm long and has an effective optical path length of 3.0 m with a sampling volume of 75 mL. The sensor is composed of three fiber-coupled distributed feedback lasers operating near 1512 nm, 1532 nm and 1654 nm, an InGaAs photodetector and a custom-designed software for data acquisition, signal processing and display. The lasers were scanned over the target absorption features at 1 Hz. First-harmonic-normalized wavelength modulation spectroscopy (f = 3 kHz) with the second harmonic detection (WMS-2f/1f) is employed to eliminate the unwanted power fluctuations of the transmitted laser caused by aerosol/particles scattering, absorption and beam-steering. The multispecies sensor has excellent linear responses (R2 > 0.997) within the gas concentration range of 1–1000 ppm and shows a detection limit of 0.32 ppm for CH4, 0.16 ppm for C2H2 and 0.23 ppm for NH3 at 1 s response time. The Allan–Werle deviation analysis verifies the long-term stability of the sensor, indicating a minimal detection limit of 20–34 ppb were achieved after 60–148 s integration time. Flow test of the portable multispecies sensor is also demonstrated in this work.

Application of NLO and Antibacterial Activity of Tricine Doped Potassium Metal Ion Crystal

We have successfully produced Tricine Potassium Nitrate (TPN) single crystal synthesis using the solution growth method in this study. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) technique was used to identify the phases of TPN crystals. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis was performed to examine the functional groups contained in the produced crystals. To measure optical transparency, a UV-VIS-NIR investigation was conducted between 200 and 800nm. TPN crystal's photoluminescence (PL) spectrum was recorded. Vickers' hardness tester was used to investigate the mechanical characteristics of the formed crystal.Thermal gravimetric/differential thermal analysis was used to investigate the thermal behaviors of the produced crystals. The surface morphology of the formed crystal was determined using a field emission scanning electron microscope. Wet etching experiments were used to investigate the TPN crystal's growth feature. The shock damage threshold technique was used to determine the shock strength at which the crystal poses a risk. The Kurtz-Perry technique was used to investigate the effectiveness of the developed crystals' second harmonic generation (SHG). The antibacterial activity of TPN grown crystal against various standard bacterial strains.

Generation of 116-mW output power at 461 nm in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide

We demonstrate a second harmonic generation (SHG) of 116 mW at 461 nm in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide when the power of the 922-nm fundamental light is coupled into the waveguide was 350 mW. The waveguide is 12.5 μm wide, 12.0 μm thick, 22 mm long, and has a 1-mm-long slab window at the output facet of the waveguide. The temperature acceptance bandwidth of the phase-matching curve of the SHG is approximately 0.5 °C. The SHG system demonstrates good beam quality and is reliable for cold atom experiments, including research on optical lattice clocks.

Signatures of enhanced out-of-plane polarization in asymmetric BaTiO3 superlattices integrated on silicon

In order to bring the diverse functionalities of transition metal oxides into modern electronics, it is imperative to integrate oxide films with controllable properties onto the silicon platform. Here, we present asymmetric LaMnO3/BaTiO3/SrTiO3 superlattices fabricated on silicon with layer thickness control at the unit-cell level. By harnessing the coherent strain between the constituent layers, we overcome the biaxial thermal tension from silicon and stabilize c-axis oriented BaTiO3 layers with substantially enhanced tetragonality, as revealed by atomically resolved scanning transmission electron microscopy. Optical second harmonic generation measurements signify a predominant out-of-plane polarized state with strongly enhanced net polarization in the tricolor superlattices, as compared to the BaTiO3 single film and conventional BaTiO3/SrTiO3 superlattice grown on silicon. Meanwhile, this coherent strain in turn suppresses the magnetism of LaMnO3 as the thickness of BaTiO3 increases. Our study raises the prospect of designing artificial oxide superlattices on silicon with tailored functionalities.

The.main types of wind turbines-generators in the power supply system

THE PURPOSE. This paper considers the problem of relay protection functioning when the current transformer reaches the saturation mode which is provided by transient processes.METHODS. MATLAB Simulink software environment allows reproducing the method of statespace representation by using structural blocks. The model is verified by comparison the time to saturation, obtained by calculation and according to the graphical data of the model. The separation of variables method extracts and graphically displays the investigated components.RESULTS. This paper reveals that applying the requirements of IEC 61869-2:2012 standard, which determines the worst combination of series of unfavorable factors for current transformers in transient mode, can influence a serious impact on the correct operation of relay protection based on current, reactance or differential principle of action. Saturation of the current transformer can lead to both negative results: false operation of relay protection devices and their failure.CONCLUSION. According to the results of the study, it was determined that the presence of a DC component in the primary short-circuit current has the greatest effect on the protection operation. The delays in the restoration of the RMS value of the short-circuit current reached up to 0.3 seconds, which is comparable with the response time of the second protection zones for microprocessor-based relay protection devices. The DC component of the primary current and the presence of residual magnetic induction of the current transformer provides the largest content of the magnetization current, the largest angular error and also the largest content of the second harmonic component in the secondary short-circuit current.