Sensitivity of Field-Effect Transistor-Based Terahertz Detectors

This paper presents an overview of the different methods used for sensitivity (i.e., responsivity and noise equivalent power) determination of state-of-the-art field-effect transistor-based THz detectors/sensors. We point out that the reported result may depend very much on the method used to determine the effective area of the sensor, often leading to discrepancies of up to orders of magnitude. The challenges that arise when selecting a proper method for characterisation are demonstrated using the example of a 2×7 detector array. This array utilises field-effect transistors and monolithically integrated patch antennas at 620 GHz. The directivities of the individual antennas were simulated and determined from the measured angle dependence of the rectified voltage, as a function of tilting in the E- and H-planes. Furthermore, this study shows that the experimentally determined directivity and simulations imply that the part of radiation might still propagate in the substrate, resulting in modification of the sensor effective area. Our work summarises the methods for determining sensitivity which are paving the way towards the unified scientific metrology of FET-based THz sensors, which is important for both researchers competing for records, potential users, and system designers.

Evaluation of Contralateral Oblique and Lateral Views for Mid-Thoracic Epidural Access: A Prospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND: The mid-thoracic region has been known to be the most difficult area when accessing epidural space despite using fluoroscopy. Contralateral oblique (CLO) view has been considered for use; however, it has not been evaluated in the mid-thoracic region. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the CLO view for mid-thoracic epidural access (TEA). STUDY DESIGN: A prospective observational study. SETTING: The study took place at a single pain clinic within a tertiary medical center in Seoul, Republic of Korea. METHODS: A total of 30 patients participated in this study. After securing the mid-thoracic (T4–8) epidural space, fluoroscopic images were obtained. The needle tip location relative to the ventral interlaminar line (VILL), and the needle tip and laminar visualization were measured and analyzed on the CLO views at 40, 50, 60 degrees, and measured angle, and the lateral view. RESULTS: The needle tip was clearly visualized in all CLO views, compared with the lateral view (100% vs. 36.7%, P < 0.001). The visualization of the laminar margin and the needle tip location on (or just anterior to) VILL using the CLO measured angle were significantly clearer compared with those in the CLO view at 40 and 50 degrees and the lateral view (laminar margin: 40˚, 56.7% vs. 3.3%, P < 0.001; 50˚, 56.7% vs. 26.7%, P = 0.012; 90˚, 56.7% vs. 26.7%, P = 0.035; needle tip location: 40˚, 96.7% vs. 26.7%, P < 0.001; 50˚, 96.7% vs. 63.3%, P = 0.002; 90˚, 96.7% vs. 66.7%, P = 0.012). There was no difference in these values between the CLO view at 60 degrees and CLO measured angle. LIMITATIONS: Subjective and ambiguous criteria of evaluation may induce bias despite final measured values based on the consensus of an independent investigator. CONCLUSION: A CLO view at 60 degrees and CLO measured angle view can provide clearer visualization and more consistent needle tip location than the lateral and other CLO angle views for mid-TEA. A CLO view at 60 degrees and CLO measured angle views could be used to identify the needle location and achieve success in mid-TEA. KEY WORD: Chronic pain, contralateral oblique view, fluoroscopy, lateral view, mid-thoracic, pain management, epidural analgesia, ventral interlaminar line

Eigenmode operation of piezoelectric resonant gyroscopes

The theory of eigenmode operation of Coriolis vibratory gyroscopes and its implementation on a thin-film piezoelectric gyroscope is presented. It is shown analytically that the modal alignment of resonant gyroscopes can be achieved by applying a rotation transformation to the actuation and sensing directions regardless of the transduction mechanism. This technique is especially suitable for mode matching of piezoelectric gyroscopes, obviating the need for narrow capacitive gaps or DC polarization voltages. It can also be applied for mode matching of devices that require sophisticated electrode arrangements for modal alignment, such as electrostatic pitch and roll gyroscopes with slanted electrodes utilized for out-of-plane quadrature cancellation. Gyroscopic operation of a 3.15 MHz AlN-on-Si annulus resonator that utilizes a pair of high-Q degenerate in-plane vibration modes is demonstrated. Modal alignment of the piezoelectric gyroscope is accomplished through virtual alignment of the excitation and readout electrodes to the natural direction of vibration mode shapes in the presence of fabrication nonidealities. Controlled displacement feedback of the gyroscope drive signal is implemented to achieve frequency matching of the two gyroscopic modes. The piezoelectric gyroscope shows a mode-matched operation bandwidth of ~250 Hz, which is one of the largest open-loop bandwidth values reported for a mode-matched MEMS gyroscope, a small motional resistance of ~1300 Ω owing to efficient piezoelectric transduction, and a scale factor of 1.57 nA/°/s for operation at atmospheric pressure, which greatly relaxes packaging requirements. Eigenmode operation results in an ~35 dB reduction in the quadrature error at the resonance frequency. The measured angle random walk of the device is 0.86°/√h with a bias instability of 125°/h limited by the excess noise of the discrete electronics.

Sensorless dual axis solar tracker using improved sun position algorithm

This paper presents development of a prototype sensorless dual axis solar tracker for maximum extraction of solar energy. To prove the concept and evaluate the proposed algorithm, a low cost widely availabe materials were used which was programmed based on Arduino microcontroller. The porposed algorithm works based on two search methods namely the global search that approximates the best point location in a region, and local search that further determines the actual sun’s position. Experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm gives better performance compared to the existing sun position algorithm (SPA) - based method as well as the fixed panel system. In terms of total output power, the proposed algorithm gives 17.96% more efficient than the fixed system and 6.38% better than the SPA-based system. Furthermore, the percentage error of the experimental measured angle to the actual sun azimuth angle was relatively minimal (less than 3%) during clear day operation. The system was proven to be effective in tracking the sun for improved energy production of solar PV panels and the proposed algorithm also can be used for designing the tracker with larger size of solar PV systems.

On using the rotor acceleration mode to increase the accuracy of a two-stage gyrocompass

The article considers a two-stage gyrocompass with a rigid torsion suspension of the moving part. The principle of its action is based on balancing the elastic moment of the torsion bars with the gyroscopic moment. When this condition is met, the azimuth of the steady-state position of the rotor axis is calculated from the known kinetic moment , latitude and angular rigidity of the torsion bars, and the measured angle of rotation of the moving part of the gyroscope relative to its initial position. The “aging of the material” of the torsion bars, the effect of temperature on them, etc., leads to an uncontrolled change in the angular stiffness of the torsion bars, which, in turn, leads to an error in determining the position of the meridian. A method is proposed for determining the position of the meridian under conditions when the angular stiffness of the torsion is unknown. The method involves observing the motion of the gyroscope in a mode where the kinetic momentum changes linearly (the rotor accelerates). This movement is associated with the movement of the mathematical model of a two-stage gyrocompass in the same mode in the form of a differential equation of motion or in the form of its solution. As a result of minimizing the discrepancy between the real movement of the gyrocompass and the movement of its mathematical model, the “best estimate” of the parameter characterizing the position of the meridian and the “best estimate” of the angular stiffness of the torsion bars in this dimension are found. The results of modeling the corresponding information processing algorithms are considered. The advantages of the proposed method compared with traditional methods are indicated .

Change in the angle of the anterior genu is associated with occlusion rate after Pipeline flow diversion

OBJECTIVEThe Pipeline embolization device (PED) is a self-expanding mesh stent that diverts blood flow away from an aneurysm; it has been successfully used to treat aneurysms of the proximal internal carotid artery (ICA). PEDs have a remarkable ability to alter regional blood flow along the tortuous segments of the ICA and were incidentally found to alter the angle of the anterior genu after treatment. The authors quantified these changes and explored their implications as they relate to treatment effect.METHODSThe authors retrospectively reviewed cases of aneurysms treated with a PED between the ophthalmic and posterior communicating arteries from 2012 through 2015. The angles of the anterior genu were measured on the lateral projections of cerebral angiograms obtained before and after treatment with a PED. The angles of the anterior genu of patients without aneurysms were used as normal controls.RESULTSThirty-eight patients were identified who had been treated with a PED; 34 (89.5%) had complete obliteration and 4 (10.5%) had persistence of their aneurysm at last follow-up (mean 11.3 months). After treatment, 32 patients had an increase, 3 had a decrease, and 3 had no change in the angle of the anterior genu. The average measured angle of the anterior genu was 36.7° before treatment and 44.3° after treatment (p < 0.0001). The average angle of the anterior genu of control patients was 43.32° (vs 36.7° for the preoperative angle in the patients with aneurysms, p < 0.057). The average change in the angle of patients with postoperative Raymond scores of 1 was 9.10°, as compared with 1.25° in patients with postoperative Raymond scores > 1 (p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSTreatment with a PED significantly changes the angle of the anterior genu. An average change of 9.1° was associated with complete obliteration of treated aneurysms. These findings have important implications for the treatment and management of cerebral aneurysm.

Innovative Fibre-Optic Rotational Seismograph

Construction, laboratory tests as well as the first field application of a new fibre-optic rotational seismograph is presented. The system based on fibre-optic gyroscope (FOG) with measured Angle Random Walk on range 10−8 rad/Sqrt(s) and a few rad/s maximum detectable amplitude of rotation in frequency range from DC to 328.12 Hz designed it for rotational seismology area of interest. This work presents also exemplary relevant measurements which were conducted using two seismographs in the geophysical observatory in Książ region, Poland.