Research of FIB local milling processes for creation of nanosized field emission structures

The paper presents the results of experimental studies of the influence of the main parameters of a focused ion beam (FIB) during surface profiling on the accuracy of transfer of a pattern to a silicon substrate to create nanoscale field emission structures. In this work, the optimal FIB currents are determined, introducing a minimum amount of distortions during the formation of structures of various sizes. The possibilities of the method of local ion-beam etching of structures in a wide range from 0.1 to 2 μm are shown. The prospects of using this technology for the creation of field emission structures have been demonstrated. It is determived the current-voltage characteristic of the fabricated field-emission cells with a threshold voltage of the onset of emission of ∼ 2.5 V and a maximum current of 300 nA at 30 V.

Growth and some surface characterization of tin Sulphide (SnS) thin film by two-electrode cell arrangement for photo absorption

This study presented deposition of tin sulphide (SnS) thin film using a two-electrode electrochemical cell arrangement. The bath electrolyte comprised tin sulphate (SnSO4 ), hydrated sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3∙5H2O) and sulphuric acid (H2SO4 ). The acid was used to adjust the pH of the bath. The deposited film was characterised using Surface Profilometer, X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Uv-Visible Spectrophotometer and four point probe technique. Surface profiling revealed that the film is continuous with thickness of about 60 nm. The XRD result showed that the film has orthorhombic crystal structure. Film's crystallite size was estimated as 0.61 nm and interplanar spacing as 0.29 nm. The Uv-visible Spectrophotometer result reveals that, the film has good absorbance but poor reflectance and transmittance in the visible light region. The film has direct allowed transition with energy band gap of 1.69 eV. Values of surface resistivity and conductivity were deduced from data obtained from Four-point probe studies as 5.12 x 10-4Ω-cm and 1.96 x 103Ω-1cm-1 respectively. The I-V characteristics curve of ITO/SnS/Ag structure is linear indicating an Ohmic contact between the substrate electrode and the deposited layer. It can therefore be suggested that the film can allow pathway for photoabsorption and also aid charge transfer in photovoltaic process. Keywords: tin sulphide, orthorhombic, electrochemical deposition, characterization, photovoltaic and surface resistivity.

Flexible and Transparent Polymer-Based Optical Humidity Sensor

Thin spin-coated polymer films of amphiphilic copolymer obtained by partial acetalization of poly (vinyl alcohol) are used as humidity-sensitive media. They are deposited on polymer substrate (PET) in order to obtain a flexible humidity sensor. Pre-metallization of substrate is implemented for increasing the optical contrast of the sensor, thus improving the sensitivity. The morphology of the sensors is studied by surface profiling, while the transparency of the sensor is controlled by transmittance measurements. The sensing behavior is evaluated through monitoring of transmittance values at different levels of relative humidity gradually changing in the range 5–95% and the influence of up to 1000 bending deformations is estimated by determining the hysteresis and sensitivity of the flexible sensor after each set of deformations. The successful development of a flexible sensor for optical monitoring of humidity in a wide humidity range is demonstrated and discussed.

Computer-automated shadow moiré method and applications for 3D surface profiling

Among numerous methods for 3D surface profiling, classic shadow moiré method has been kept as the most popular one due to its full-field feature and low cost. This thesis focuses on a computer-vision shadow moiré method with a scope to improve the measurement resolution, accuracy and efficiency. The computer automation is basically realized through the introduction of a phase-shifting technique that is incorporated with a new multi-grid least-square unwrapping algorithm. The method is enhanced by implementing a few additional image processing techniques. These techniques, when implemented, result in improved measurement accuracy and enable easy applications to irregularly shaped surfaces. The study also proposes a new, automated system calibration approach that is based on a real-time image subtraction. A data normalization process is studied to resolve possible confusions in the presentation of the original data. The verification test results show that the modified shadow moiré technique has achieved the initial goal, in that the measurement resolution now reaches a few percentage of the fringe sensititivity.

Computer-automated shadow moiré method and applications for 3D surface profiling

Among numerous methods for 3D surface profiling, classic shadow moiré method has been kept as the most popular one due to its full-field feature and low cost. This thesis focuses on a computer-vision shadow moiré method with a scope to improve the measurement resolution, accuracy and efficiency. The computer automation is basically realized through the introduction of a phase-shifting technique that is incorporated with a new multi-grid least-square unwrapping algorithm. The method is enhanced by implementing a few additional image processing techniques. These techniques, when implemented, result in improved measurement accuracy and enable easy applications to irregularly shaped surfaces. The study also proposes a new, automated system calibration approach that is based on a real-time image subtraction. A data normalization process is studied to resolve possible confusions in the presentation of the original data. The verification test results show that the modified shadow moiré technique has achieved the initial goal, in that the measurement resolution now reaches a few percentage of the fringe sensititivity.