<p> A single electron in a quantum cyclotron provides the most precise measurement of the electron magnetic moment, given in units of the Bohr magneton by <i> g</i>/2 = 1.001 159 652 180 73 (28) [0.28 ppt]. The most precise determination of the fine structure constant comes from combining this measurement with Standard Model theory, yielding &alpha;^-1 = 137.035 999 173 (34) [0.25 ppb], limited by the experimental uncertainty of the electron <i> g</i>-value. The most stringent test of CPT symmetry in leptons comes from comparing the electron and positron magnetic moments, limited by the positron uncertainty at 4.2 ppt. A new high-stability apparatus has been built and commissioned for improved measurements of the electron and positron magnetic moments, a greatly improved test of lepton CPT symmetry, and an improved determination of the fine structure constant. These new measurements require robust positron loading from a retractable radioactive source that is small enough to avoid compromising the high-precision environment of our experiment. The design and implementation of such a scheme is a central focus of this work. Robust positron loading at a rate of 1-2 e⁺/min from a 6.5 &mu;Ci ²²Na source has been demonstrated.</p>

The metallic single electron transistor (SET) has been shown to provide charge sensitivity on the order of 10-6 e/(Hz)1/2, when operated as a charge amplifier. This makes it an ideal candidate for low-noise measurement schemes, such as monitoring nano-mechanical oscillations, or reading out the charge state of a quantum bit. The SET operates by exploiting quantum tunneling across an ‘island’ between two insulating tunnel junctions, and can be modulated by a capacitively coupled gate electrode. A metallic SET has been fabricated and characterized at low frequencies. The device was fabricated on a silicon substrate coated with a bi-layer resist, using electron beam lithography. The Al-AlOx¬-Al tunnel junctions were created using double angle evaporation. Samples were tested near 300 mK in a custom helium-3 cryostat system. Results which characterize the SET parameters and conductance behaviour were obtained, in both the superconducting and normal states. This thesis contains a discussion of the fabrication procedures and dc measurement techniques required to produce and test a single electron transistor. Relevant background theory relating to SET operation and cryogenic laboratory techniques is presented. A brief discussion of proposed future experiments using a dual gate radio frequency SET as a more sensitive amplifier is introduced. / Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2007-08-01 14:07:55.427

This research focuses on studying the microstructure of alloy 909, its susceptibility to oxidation at elevated temperatures (~700°C) and substrate coatings compatibility with high velocity oxy fuel (HVOF) sprayed oxidation resistance coatings. The characterization work involved in studying the microstructure of Incoloy 909 at three heat treated conditions namely solution treated condition (ST), commercially recommended solution heat treated and aged condition (STA), and solution treated and over aged condition (STOA) using optical microscopy, analytical scanning electron microscopy, and analytical transmission electron microscopy. The oxidation susceptibility were investigated at elevated temperatures of bare and coated alloy 909 substrates by subjecting test materials to isothermal and thermal cycle testing. The microstructure of alloy 909 in the ST condition showed only the presence of blocky Laves phase. The Laves phase in this alloy is a well known for its grain pinning effect that prevents excessive grain growth. In the STA condition, the microstructure revealed the presence of fine gamma prime, intergranular and intragranular Laves phase and occasionally gamma prime precipitates orienting in a platelet form ready to transition into the epsilon phase. In the STOA condition, the microstructure consisted of Laves phase in inter and intragranular locations, and a copious amount of Widmanstatten type epsilon phase. Incoloy 909 was observed to form oxide scales in both isothermal and cyclic thermal exposures, the oxide scale consisted of distinct outer and inner scales in the micrographs. The comparison base alloy (alloyl 718) used in this study surprisingly did not show any visible presence of oxide scale after 1000 hour exposure at ~700°C. Three coatings (CoNiCrAlY, 718 , and NiAl) were sprayed on alloy 909 and alloy 718 test coupons using the HVOF process to investigate the compatibility of the coatings with the substrate. The test results points out that all the coatings were compatible with 718 substrate and only one coating (NiAl) was found compatible with the Alloy 909 substrate, indicating that the coatings that are compatible with one substrate may not be compatible with another alloy within the same family of alloys.

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In wireless networks, it has always been a challenge to satisfy high traffic throughput demands, due to limited spectrum resources. In past decades, various techniques, including cooperative communications, have been developed to achieve higher communication rates. This thesis addresses the challenges imposed by cooperative wireless networks, in particular focusing on practical code constructions and designs for wireless relay networks. The thesis is divided into the following four topics: 1) constructing and designing low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes for half-duplex three-phase two-way relay channels, 2) extending LDPC code constructions to half-duplex three-way relay channels, 3) proposing maximum-rate relay selection algorithms and LDPC code constructions for the broadcast problem in wireless relay networks, and 4) proposing an iterative hard interference cancellation decoder for LDPC codes in 2-user multiple-access channels. Under the first topic, we construct codes for half-duplex three-phase two-way relay channels where two terminal nodes exchange information with the help of a relay node. Constructing codes for such channels is challenging, especially when messages are encoded into multiple streams and a destination node receives signals from multiple nodes. We first prove an achievable rate region by random coding. Next, a systematic LDPC code is constructed at the relay node where relay bits are generated from two source codewords. At the terminal nodes, messages are decoded from signals of the source node and the relay node. To analyze the performance of the codes, discretized density evolution is derived. Based on the discretized density evolution, degree distributions are optimized by iterative linear programming in three steps. The optimized codes obtained are 26% longer than the theoretic ones. For the second topic, we extend LDPC code constructions from half-duplex three-phase two-way relay channels to half-duplex three-way relay channels. An achievable rate region of half-duplex three-way relay channels is first proved. Next, LDPC codes for each sub-region of the achievable rate region are constructed, where relay bits can be generated only from a received codeword or from both the source codeword and received codewords. Under the third topic, we study relay selection and code constructions for the broadcast problem in wireless relay networks. We start with the system model, followed by a theorem stating that a node can decode a message by jointly decoding multiple blocks of received signals. Next, the maximum rate is given when a message is decoded hop-by-hop or decoded by a set of nodes in a transmission phase. Furthermore, optimal relay selection algorithms are proposed for the two relay schemes. Finally, LDPC codes are constructed for the broadcast problem in wireless relay networks. For the fourth topic, an iterative hard interference cancellation decoder for LDPC codes in 2-user multiple-access channels is proposed. The decoder is based on log-likelihood ratios (LLRs). Interference is estimated, quantized and subtracted from channel outputs. To analyze the codes, density evolution is derived. We show that the required signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the proposed low-complexity decoder is 0.2 dB higher than that for an existing sub-optimal belief propagation decoder at code rate 1/3.

Low-income women are less likely to initiate, continue and exclusively breastfeed. Limited Canadian research exists regarding the lived breastfeeding experience. A phenomenological study, utilizing a feminist approach and Fishbein’s Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction was conducted. Women recruited via purposeful, criterion sampling, who were eligible for the Manitoba Healthy Child Prenatal Benefit and had breastfed participated in 1:1 interviews (N=18). The essence of the experience was breastfeeding is “amazing and tough”. The themes of “life context”, “tough work”, and “persevering” emerged. Women who continued to breastfeed described breastfeeding becoming easier and ongoing breastfeeding variability in their experience. Those who discontinued breastfeeding noted it did not fit with their lifestyle, made the decision to breastfeed later, and interpreted breastfeeding problems differently. Researchers and practitioners need to explore the role of stress and consider this in providing individualized, coordinated breastfeeding and health care support to these women.