No description available.

Hydrogen, one of the cleanest energies, is very attractive in the near future. However, it could be hazardous to store, transport and use hydrogen gas because leakage can cause explosion if sparks appear. Therefore, it is essential to develop sensors to detect the hydrogen leakage in order to prevent potential accidents. In this research, Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor (MIS) Schottky-diode hydrogen sensors with different gate insulators (Ta2O5, La2O3, LaTiON, and HfTiO) or substrates (Si, SiC, and InGaN/GaN MQW) were prepared in order to study their hydrogen sensing performances. Firstly, two sensors based on Si and SiC with Ta2O5 as gate insulator were prepared and compared. Owing to high permittivity (~25), good thermal stability and low electrical defects, Ta2O5 was chosen as the insulator. The differences in sensitivity and response time between the two sensors were ascribed to the difference in the surface morphology of Ta2O5 between the SiC sensor (mean surface roughness was 0.39 nm) and its Si counterpart (mean surface roughness was 0.22 nm). Secondly, due to the high permittivity (~25) and good thermal stability of La2O3, the high permittivity (~20), low interface-state density, and low leakage current of LaTiON, Si sensors with these two dielectrics as gate insulator were developed. The sensitivity of the La2O3 sensor could exceed 7.0 at 150 oC, and the sensor exhibited good hydrogen sensing performance at up to 250 oC. On the other hand, the maximum sensitivity of the LaTiON sensor could reach 2.5 at 100 oC. For the LaTiON sensor, the Poole-Frenkel model controlled the carrier transport at high temperatures (150 ~ 200 oC) while the thermionic emission was the dominant conduction mechanism at lower temperatures (from room temperature to 150 oC). For the La2O3 sensor, the hydrogen reaction kinetics was confirmed, and an activation energy of 10.9 kcal/mol was obtained for this sensor. Thirdly, the La2O3 gate insulator used in the previous work was applied to make MIS sensor on SiC substrate for higher-temperature applications. Its maximum sensitivity and response time at high temperature (260 oC) are 4.6 and 20 s, respectively. The electrical conduction mechanisms were explained in terms of Fowler-Nordheim tunneling (below 120 oC) and the Poole-Frenkel effect (above 120 oC). Finally, in order to see whether the unique structure of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) can be utilized for the MIS Schottky-diode hydrogen sensor, three sensors were made on InGaN/GaN MQWs substrate, one without gate insulator, one Finally, in order to see whether the unique structure of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) can be utilized for the MIS Schottky-diode hydrogen sensor, three sensors were made on InGaN/GaN MQWs substrate, one without gate insulator, one In summary, the quality of the gate insulator plays an important part in the performance of the hydrogen sensors. SiC and InGaN/GaN MQW substrates are suitable for high-temperature (from ~200 to ~500 oC) applications while the low-cost sensors based on Si substrate can function well below about 200 oC. Hydrogen sensors with these high-k materials (Ta2O5, La2O3, LaTiON, and HfTiO) as gate insulator can produce good electrical characteristics, high sensitivity, and fast response. / published_or_final_version / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

No description available.

Yang, Li. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-72). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Background and Motivation --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Objectives --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Contributions --- p.2 / Chapter 1.4 --- Organization of the Dissertation --- p.3 / Chapter 2 --- Carbon Nanotubes as Sensing Elements --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.4 / Chapter 2.2 --- Introduction to Carbon Nanotubes --- p.4 / Chapter 2.3 --- Chemical Sensor Applications --- p.6 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Semiconducting Sensors --- p.7 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Dielectric Sensors --- p.8 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Adsorption Based Sensors --- p.9 / Chapter 2.4 --- Dielectrophoresis of CNTs --- p.9 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Theory and Methodology --- p.10 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Basic CNTs Sensor Fabrication Process Using DEP Force --- p.13 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Electronic-Grade Carbon Nanotubes --- p.13 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Simulation --- p.14 / Chapter 2.5 --- Photodesorption Phenomenon --- p.16 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Chemical Desorption Process Induced by UV Illumination --- p.16 / Chapter 2.6 --- Summary --- p.19 / Chapter 3 --- Design of NaOCl Sensors Based on EG-CNTs in Microfluidic System --- p.20 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.20 / Chapter 3.2 --- Chemical --- p.20 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Introduction to Chemical Properties and Reactions --- p.21 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Reagents --- p.23 / Chapter 3.3 --- Methods for Chemical Detection --- p.23 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Hypochlorite Detection --- p.23 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Chlorine Gas Detection --- p.24 / Chapter 3.4 --- Design and Fabrication --- p.26 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Sodium Hypochlorite Sensor Using Microfluidic System --- p.26 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Modified Design For Indirect Detection to Chlorine Gas --- p.29 / Chapter 3.5 --- Equipments --- p.30 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Source Meter --- p.30 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Pneumatic Pump --- p.31 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- UV Illumination Devices --- p.31 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Experimental Setup --- p.32 / Chapter 3.6 --- Summary --- p.34 / Chapter 4 --- Results --- p.35 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.35 / Chapter 4.2 --- Processes of the Experiments --- p.35 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Response to Static Solution --- p.35 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Response to Fluid Flow --- p.36 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Response to Gas --- p.36 / Chapter 4.3 --- Noise and Accuracy --- p.37 / Chapter 4.4 --- I-V Characteristics --- p.38 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- EG-CNTs Sensor --- p.38 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Variation Under UV Illumination --- p.39 / Chapter 4.5 --- Responses to Sodium Hypochlorite Solution --- p.41 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Typical Responses --- p.41 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Selectivity --- p.44 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Sensitivity --- p.45 / Chapter 4.5.4 --- Effect of Injection Flow Rate on Sensor Performance --- p.50 / Chapter 4.5.5 --- Effect of Volume on Sensor Performance --- p.51 / Chapter 4.5.6 --- Continuous Detection --- p.54 / Chapter 4.5.7 --- Operating Power Limit --- p.57 / Chapter 4.6 --- Response to Chlorine Gas by Modified Design --- p.59 / Chapter 4.7 --- Desorption Induced by UV Illumination --- p.60 / Chapter 4.8 --- Summary --- p.63 / Chapter 5 --- Conclusion --- p.64 / Chapter 5.1 --- Future Work --- p.65 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Selectivity --- p.65 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Gaseous Chlorine Detection --- p.66 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- UV-LED Induced Desorption --- p.66 / Chapter 5.2 --- Concluding Remarks --- p.66 / Bibliography --- p.67

No description available.

The operating principles and design of an optical receiver for a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) remote sensing instrument are addressed. The performance and limitations of a biaxial monostatic LIDAR system utilizing this design are investigated. The complete optical and structural design of the receiver, including specifications of components are outlined. The thermal stabilization of the detector assembly and the integration of control electronics are described. A detailed discussion of alignment procedures and possible improvements are made. A sample observation is presented with suggestions for fully automating the system.

Fung, Kar Man. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-114). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / 摘要 --- p.i / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.iii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.vi / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Background and Motivation --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Objective of the project --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Organization of the thesis --- p.5 / Chapter 2. --- Literature Review --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1 --- Control on Micro-Manipulation --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Visual Feedback Control --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Sensor-Based Feedback Control --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Bilateral Control --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2 --- Force Sensing System on Micro-Manipulation --- p.10 / Chapter 2.3 --- PVDF Sensor --- p.11 / Chapter 2.4 --- Summary of the Literature Review --- p.12 / Chapter 3. --- Micro-Manipulation --- p.14 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction of Micro-Manipulation --- p.14 / Chapter 3.2 --- Probe Station --- p.14 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Micromanipulators --- p.15 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Microscopes --- p.15 / Chapter 4. --- Piezoelectric Polyvinylidence Fluoride (PVDF) Sensor --- p.16 / Chapter 4.1 --- Charteristic of PVDF Sensor --- p.16 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Piezoelectric Properties --- p.16 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Dimensions of the PVDF Sensor --- p.18 / Chapter 4.2 --- Comparison of Piezoelectric Materials --- p.19 / Chapter 5. --- Theoretical Analysis of PVDF Sensor --- p.21 / Chapter 5.1 --- Sensitivity of PVDF Sensor --- p.21 / Chapter 5.2 --- Relationship between the Deflection and the Force of the PVDF --- p.22 / Chapter 5.3 --- Calculation of the Spring Constant K of the PVDF --- p.23 / Chapter 5.4 --- Simulation on the output from the PVDF Sensor --- p.23 / Chapter 6. --- Experimental Analysis of PVDF Sensor --- p.26 / Chapter 6.1 --- Force-Deflection Diagram --- p.26 / Chapter 6.2 --- Frequency Response of the PVDF Sensor --- p.27 / Chapter 7. --- 1-D PVDF-Based Sensing System --- p.30 / Chapter 7.1 --- Original Design of the Sensing System --- p.30 / Chapter 7.1.1 --- Plastic pipe and adapter --- p.31 / Chapter 7.1.2 --- PVDF Sensor --- p.32 / Chapter 7.1.3 --- Probe-tip holder --- p.32 / Chapter 7.2 --- Current Design of the Sensing System --- p.32 / Chapter 7.3 --- Analysis of the Sensing System --- p.34 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Frequency Response of the Sensing System --- p.34 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Sensitivity of the Sensing System --- p.41 / Chapter 8. --- Experiments on 1-D PVDF Sensing System --- p.49 / Chapter 8.1 --- Experimental Setup of the 1-D Sensing System --- p.49 / Chapter 8.1.1 --- Programmable Micromanipulator --- p.50 / Chapter 8.1.2 --- Charge Amplifier --- p.51 / Chapter 8.2 --- Calibration of the 1-D Sensing System --- p.53 / Chapter 8.2.1 --- Noise Signal from the system --- p.53 / Chapter 8.2.2 --- Signal from vibration --- p.55 / Chapter 8.3 --- Experimental Results on touching a substrate --- p.60 / Chapter 8.3.1 --- Description --- p.60 / Chapter 8.3.2 --- Results from touching a substrate --- p.62 / Chapter 8.3.3 --- Analysis of the deflection after touched a substrate --- p.67 / Chapter 8.4 --- Experimental Results on touching a micro mirror --- p.68 / Chapter 8.4.1 --- Description --- p.68 / Chapter 8.4.2 --- Results --- p.70 / Chapter 8.5 --- Experimental Results on lifting a mass platform --- p.74 / Chapter 8.5.1 --- Description --- p.74 / Chapter 8.5.2 --- Results --- p.76 / Chapter 9. --- Modification of 1-D Sensing System --- p.79 / Chapter 9.1 --- Design of the system --- p.79 / Chapter 9.2 --- Experimental Setup of the system --- p.80 / Chapter 9.3 --- Experimental Results on lifting a mass platform --- p.81 / Chapter 10. --- 2-D PVDF-Based Sensing System --- p.90 / Chapter 10.1 --- Design of the Sensing System --- p.90 / Chapter 10.2 --- Experimental Setup --- p.91 / Chapter 10.3 --- Calibration of the 2-D Sensing System --- p.92 / Chapter 10.3.1 --- Noise Signal from the system --- p.92 / Chapter 10.4 --- Experiments Results on touching a substrate --- p.94 / Chapter 11. --- Experimental Analysis --- p.97 / Chapter 11.1 --- Data Acquisition --- p.97 / Chapter 11.2 --- Spectrum Analysis of the Experimental Data --- p.101 / Chapter 12. --- Conclusion --- p.103 / Chapter 13. --- Future Work --- p.105 / Chapter 13.1 --- Control of the Sensing System --- p.105 / Chapter 13.2 --- Tele-operation System on force feedback sensing system --- p.107 / Chapter A. --- Appendix --- p.109 / Chapter A. 1 --- Procedures in using probe station --- p.109 / Bibliography --- p.110

Optical detection devices such as optical biosensors and optical spectrometers are widely used in many applications for the functions of measurements, inspections and analysis. Due to the large dimension of prisms and gratings, the traditional optical devices normally occupy a large space with complicated components. Since cheaper and smaller optical devices are always in demand, miniaturization has been kept going for years. Thanks to recent fabrication advances, nanophotonic devices such as semiconductor laser chips have been growing in number and diversity. However, the optical biosensor chips and the optical spectrometer chips are seldom reported in the literature. For the reason of improving system integration, the study of ultra-compact, low-cost, high-performance and easy-alignment optical biosensors and optical spectrometers are imperative. This thesis is an endeavor in these two subjects and will present our research work on studying the optical transmission properties of dielectric aperture arrays and developing new optical biosensors and optical spectrometers. / Subsequently, optical transmission properties through a self-mixing interferometer array are studied and a novel high-resolution cost-effective optical spectrometer is proposed. The miniature interferometer-based spectrometer is made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) with a CCD as the detector. The detected intensity of each CCD pixels contains the spectral information. Since each frequency component in the incoming beam corresponds to a unique phase difference of the two beam portions of each optical interferometer, the total intensity received by each CCD pixel, which is resulted from the addition of the interference signals from all the frequency components in the beam, should also be unique. Therefore, the spectrum calculation is a problem to solve an ill-posed linear system by using Tikhonov regularization method. Simulation results show that the resolution can reach picometer level. Apart from the choice of path difference between the interfering beams, the spectral resolution also depends on the signal-to-noise ratio and analogue-digital conversion resolution (dynamic range) of the CCD chip. In addition, the theory of uniform waveguide scattering is explored to expand the possibility of using such mini-interferometers for performing free-space spectral analysis of waveguide devices. At the same time, the method of least squares is used to correct the pixel non-uniformity of the CCD so as to improve the performance of the spectrometer. / The first half of the thesis demonstrates that the optical phase shift associated with the surface plasmon (SP) assisted extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) in nano-hole arrays fabricated in a metal film has a strong dependence on the material refractive index value in close proximity to the holes. A novel refractive index sensor based on detecting the EOT phase shift is proposed by building a model. This device readily provides a 2-D biosensor array platform for non-labeled real-time detection of a variety of organic and biological molecules in a sensor chip format, which leads to a high packing density, minimal analyte volumes, and a large number of parallel channels while facilitating high resolution imaging and supporting a large space-bandwidth product (SBP). Simulation (FDTD Solutions, Lumerical Solutions Inc) results indicate an achievable sensitivity limit of 4.37x10-9 refractive index units (RIU) and a dynamic range as large as 0.17 RIU. / The sensor chip and spectrometer chip introduced here are based on the interference of light transmitted through dielectric aperture arrays. Their compact feature renders these devices ideal for miniaturization and integration as the systems in microfluidics architectures and lab-on-chip designs. / Yang, Tao. / Adviser: H. P. Ho. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 150-163). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Ouyang, Mengxing. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-88). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Background and Motivation --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Objectives --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Contributions --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4 --- Organization of the Dissertation --- p.3 / Chapter 2. --- CNTs and Their Application as Sensors --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction to CNTs --- p.5 / Chapter 2.2 --- CNTs Based Sensors --- p.8 / Chapter 3. --- F-CNTs Based Ethanol Sensors --- p.10 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.10 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Carbon Nanotube Alcohol Sensors --- p.11 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- CNTs Sensor Configuration --- p.12 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Activation of CNTs Sensor --- p.13 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Functionalization of CNTs --- p.14 / Chapter 3.2 --- Fabrication of F-CNTs Based Ethanol Sensors --- p.16 / Chapter 3.2.1. --- Fabrication of f-CNTs --- p.16 / Chapter 3.2.2. --- Fabrication of Sensing Elements by DEP Manipulation --- p.17 / Chapter 3.2.3. --- Experimental Setup --- p.19 / Chapter 3.2.4. --- Mechanism of Ethanol Sensor --- p.20 / Chapter 3.3 --- Characterization of F-CNTs Based Ethanol Sensors --- p.21 / Chapter 3.3.1. --- I-V Characteristics --- p.21 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- Thermal Sensitivity --- p.22 / Chapter 3.3.3. --- Stability --- p.23 / Chapter 3.3.4. --- FFT and Spectral Analysis --- p.23 / Chapter 3.4 --- Performance of F-CNTs Based Ethanol Sensors --- p.26 / Chapter 3.4.1. --- Typical Response --- p.26 / Chapter 3.4.2. --- Selectivity --- p.27 / Chapter 3.4.3. --- Towards Low Concentration --- p.28 / Chapter 3.4.4. --- Towards Realistic application --- p.29 / Chapter 3.5 --- Constant Power Configuration --- p.32 / Chapter 3.5.1. --- Constant Power Circuit for Ethanol Detection --- p.32 / Chapter 3.5.2. --- Sensor Response versus Power --- p.35 / Chapter 3.5.3. --- Responsivity --- p.37 / Chapter 3.5.4. --- Noise --- p.38 / Chapter 3.5.5. --- Sensitivity --- p.39 / Chapter 3.5.6. --- Dynamic Response --- p.41 / Chapter 3.6 --- Comparison between F-MWNTs and MWNTs --- p.43 / Chapter 3.6.1. --- I-V Characteristics --- p.43 / Chapter 3.6.2. --- Cycling Response --- p.44 / Chapter 3.6.3. --- Dynamic Response --- p.46 / Chapter 3.6.4. --- Sensor Performance under Different Power --- p.48 / Chapter 3.7 --- Summary --- p.53 / Chapter 4. --- EG-CNTs Based Flow Sensors --- p.55 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction to CNTs Flow Sensors --- p.55 / Chapter 4.2 --- EG-CNTs and Their Applications --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Intro to EG-CNTs Sensor --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Fabrication of EG-CNTs Sensor --- p.57 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Experimental Characterization --- p.59 / Chapter 4.2.3.1. --- I-V Characteristics --- p.59 / Chapter 4.2.3.2. --- Thermal Sensitivity --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2.3.3. --- Humidity responsivity --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2.3.4. --- Stability --- p.65 / Chapter 4.2.3.5. --- Hysteresis --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Summary --- p.68 / Chapter 4.3 --- Fabrication of EG-CNTs Flow Sensor --- p.70 / Chapter 4.3.1. --- Fabrication Procedure --- p.70 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Experimental Setup --- p.73 / Chapter 4.4 --- Characterization of EG-CNTs Flow Sensor --- p.74 / Chapter 4.4.1. --- Typical Response --- p.74 / Chapter 4.4.2. --- Power Consumption --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4.3. --- Repeatability --- p.77 / Chapter 4.4.4. --- Flow Sensitivity --- p.78 / Chapter 4.5 --- Summary --- p.79 / Chapter 5. --- Conclusion --- p.80 / Chapter 6. --- Bibliography --- p.83