The continuous increase of the voltage levels in power transmission systems has lead to the occurrence of higher switching transients during their operation. The design of equipment and grid components able to sustain such a stressful operation, requires an intensive study of the electric field stress generated by these transients, and their distribution to the vicinity of each configuration. Sphere-plane gaps are the most theoretically and practically interesting electrode configurations. So far, the majority of the conducted work is referred to the study of the discharge characteristics of this structure. However, a study of the electrostatic electric field is required. An accurate calculation of the electric field can contribute significantly to an even better understanding of the discharge characteristics and the principles behind them. In this project, is presented a simulation approach for the calculation of the electro-static field of a sphere-plane configuration, varying the dimensions of the sphere and the gap distance. For this purpose, a Finite Element Method (FEM) solver was used, in which the configuration was designed and the numerical solution of the problem was implemented. After that, an attempt was performed to specify the breakdown voltage based on the electric field calculation and distribution. Useful results were recorded from both the simulation of the electrostatic model and the calculation of the breakdown voltage. One of the most important findings, was the specification of an approximate relation between the diameters of the sphere and the tube where this is mounted. As a consequence, the study of the electric field distribution became easier, while at the same time an accurate calculation of the breakdown voltage was achieved. A series of validations were performed, through the comparison with the already ex-isting, published and unpublished, experimental tests and a number of conclusions were listed. One of the most significant, was the specification of the correlation between the electrostatic model and test measurements and how these different approaches can be linked to each other in a practically efficient way. At the end, there is a proposal for further work on the subject, and possible improvements of the already conducted work. / Ökningen av spänningsnivåerna i kraftöverföringssystem har lett till högre kop-plingstransienter under drift. Konstruktionen av utrustning och nätverkskomponen-ter som kan motstå en sådan påkänning, kräver en noggrann förstudie av de elektriska fältet som genereras av dessa transienter. Ett gap av sfär-platta är den mest teoretiskt och praktiskt intressanta elektrodkon-figurationen att studera. Hittills har majoritetet av genomfört arbete avsett att studera urladdningsegenskaper för denna struktur. Dock krävs studie av elektrostatiska elek-triska fältet. En noggrann beräkning av elektriska fältet kan bidra till en ännu bättre förståelse för urladdningsegenskaper och principerna bakom dem. I detta projekt presenteras en simuleringsmetod för beräkning av elektrostatiska fäl-tet av en sfär-plan konfiguration, med varierande dimensioner av sfären och gapavstån-det. För detta ändamål har använts en Finite Element Method (FEM) lösning, där kon-figurationen utformades och problemets numeriska lösningen genomfördes. Därefter har gjorts ett försök för att ange genombrottsspänningen baserad på beräkning och distribution av elektriskta fältet. Resultat registrerades från både simulering av elektrostatiska modellen och beräkn-ing av genomslagsspänningen. Ett av de viktigaste resultaten var specifikationen av ett ungefärligt förhållande mellan diametrarna av sfären och röret där sfären är monterad. Som en konsekvens blev studiet av elektriska fältfördelningen lättare, medan en exakt beräkning av genomslagsspänningen uppnåddes. En valideringsserie har genomförts genom jämförelse med de redan existerande, publicerade och opublicerade, experimentella tester och ett antal slutsatser har noterats. En av de mest meningsfulla, var specifikation av sambandet mellan den elektrostatiska modellen och provmätningarna samt hur dessa olika tillvägagångssätt kan kopplas till varandra på ett praktiskt och effektivt sätt. Slutligen finns det ett förslag för fortsatta arbete samt eventuella förbättringar av redan genomfört arbete.

No description available.

We have presented a thorough experimental investigation of electroabsorption spectroscopy on quasi-one-dimensional organic molecular crystals such as PTCDA and MePTCDI vapor deposited thin films to clarify the involvement of the charge-transfer exciton in the lowest excited state. By a self-built experimental setup, two kinds of electroabsorption measurements, called "perpendicular" and "parallel" measurements, were conducted at room temperature in ambient air. The crystalline texture of PTCDA and MePTCDI thin film samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction measurements. Current-voltage, capacitance-frequency and capacitance-voltage measurements are performed to clarify the electric field distribution inside organic layers. The results from electrical measurements show that only under certain conditions (electroabsorption measurements with proDC bias), the perpendicular and parallel electroabsorption meaurements can be directly compared. The electroabsorption spectra of MePTCDI and PTCDA thin films can be interpreted by neither pure Frenkel exciton nor pure charge-transfer exciton model. Essential features of electroabsorption spectra of MePTCDI and PTCDA thin films can be understood by the the mixture of Frenkel and charge-transfer exciton model. However, there is still a discrepancy in the directional properties of electroabsorption signals between experimental results and modle calculations. This small discrepancy suggests that a full interpretation of electroabsorption spectra of quasi-one-dimensional organic molecular crystals needs further experimental and theoretical investigations.

<p>The recent advances in flexible piezoelectric technologies have sparked a great interest in developing multifunctional next-generation transducers and actuators that are increasingly becoming high demand for a range of challenging applications, including self-powered structural and personal health monitoring systems to flexible loudspeaker devices. </p><p>In this research, novel <i>quasi </i>1–3 piezoelectric nanocomposites are introduced with record-high piezoelectric voltage coefficients (g₃₃), reaching up to 0.709 Vm N⁻¹ (approximately 20 percent greater than the recently reported highest g₃₃ value in the literature). These materials are produced via dielectrophoretic process where both piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticles and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) are simultaneously aligned in a silicone-based polymer matrix (polydimethylsiloxane—PDMS) at a range of concentrations up to 13 vol%, leading to densely structured cone-shaped "nanocolumn forests" in the thickness direction. It is shown that the electric field induced alignment of particles not only improves the overall piezoelectric properties of the composite at relatively low filler concentrations, but also increases the transparency of the system by enabling the light to travel with little scattering or absorption in the “Z” direction through the particle depleted zones created between micro- and nano-sized columns. The details of these unique column morphologies are investigated by various off-line and on-line characterization techniques such as microcomputed tomography—microCT and real-time light transmission measurements to better understand the effect of both material (i.e., concentration) and process-based parameters (e.g., electric field, frequency) on pearl-chain formation. </p><p>To show its versatility and high-performance, the applications comprising both direct (e.g., force sensing, energy harvesting, structural and personal health monitoring) and inverse (e.g., loudspeaker) piezoelectric effect are also demonstrated and extensively characterized. </p><p>Additionally, to demonstrate the scalability of the process, large-area samples are also produced via the continuous dielectrophoretic process (utilizing a novel 44 ft long custom designed multifunctional roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing line), resulting in the largest single piece piezoelectric films ever reported in the literature. </p>

No description available.

No description available.

<p dir="ltr">In recent years, nanosecond repetitively pulsed (NRP) plasma discharges have garnered significant interest due to their rapid generation of reactive excited-state species, reactive radicals, and localized heat release within nanosecond (ns) timescale. To effectively harness these plasmas for altering system-level thermal and chemical behavior, a thorough understanding of their governing physics is crucial. This knowledge enables the development of predictive plasma kinetic models for tailoring NRP plasmas to specific applications. However, achieving this requires high-fidelity experimental data to validate models and deepen our understanding of fundamental plasma physics. Advancing experimental spectroscopy and laser diagnostics methods is essential for probing such temporally highly dynamic and optically complex nonequilibrium environments. This includes developing novel <i>test platforms</i>, conducting <i>fundamental research</i> to address existing knowledge gaps, and constructing custom <i>ultrafast laser architectures</i> for probing plasma properties. </p><p dir="ltr">The pioneering development of Streak-based <i>test platform</i> in the diagnostics field of nanosecond pulsed plasmas and its successful application towards inferring the underlying ultrafast spatio-temporal evolution of nanosecond pulsed plasma discharges with an unprecedented time-resolution as short as ~25 ps is presented for the first time. Spectrally filtered, 1D line-imaging of nanosecond pulsed plasma discharges in a single-shot, jitter-free, continuously sweeping manner is obtained, and differences in discharge dynamics of air and N2 plasma environments are studied. Successive <i>test platform</i> advancement includes spectrally resolved Streak-spectroscopy measurements of thermal regime-transition evolution from early-nonequilibrium to local-thermal-equilibrium (LTE) to attain time-resolved quantitative insights into N2(C) state rotational/vibrational nonequilibrium temperatures, electron temperature/density, and spectral lifetime dynamics. </p><p dir="ltr">Ultrafast laser-based progression includes detailed <i>fundamental</i> investigation of higher-order optical nonlinearity perturbations of fs-EFISH by considering of – self-phase modulation induced spectral characteristic of fs-EFISH signal, calibration mapping during-below-and-beyond optical breakdown regime, optical Kerr effect consequences, impact of femtosecond (fs) laser seeding on the noninvasiveness of fs-EFISH, and spectral emission characteristics of fs laser filaments. To infer N2(X) state nonequilibrium of NRP pulsed plasmas, two hybrid fs/ps ro-vibrational coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) <i>ultrafast laser architectures</i> are developed. First architecture, single-laser-solution, reduces system’s energy budget by ~3 mJ/pulse for generating narrowband (~21 ps), high-energy (~420 μJ/pulse), 532 nm probe pulses through incorporation of custom built visible fs optical parametric amplifier (OPA) coupled with an Nd:YAG power amplifier module. The second architecture, two-laser-solution, improves system’s robustness through the development of a 1 kHz, 532 nm, high-energy (~600 μJ/pulse), low-jitter (<1 ps), narrowband (~27 ps), master-oscillator-power-amplification (MOPA) based picosecond probe pulse laser time-synchronized with fs master-oscillator. Single-shot, hybrid fs/ps narrowband ro-vibrational CARS demonstration in a combusting flame up to temperatures of ~2400 K is demonstrated. Experimental ro-vibrational CARS investigation includes polarization based nonresonant background suppression and demonstration of preferential Raman coherence excitation shift, a temperature sensitivity enhancing strategy for vibrationally hot mediums like nanosecond pulsed plasmas. Lastly, an ultrafast pulse-friendly optically accessible vacuum cell is designed and fabricated for controlled experiments of NRP fs/ps CARS. Special care is taken to prevent self-focusing and spectral-temporal chirp of fs CARS beams while maintaining Gaussian focusing beam caustic.</p>

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Entwicklung und Optimierung von Terahertz-Quantenkaskadenlasern (THz-QCLs) für die Anwendung als Lokaloszillator in THz-Heterodyndetektoren, insbesondere für die Detektion der astronomisch wichtigen Sauerstoff (OI) Linie bei 4.75 THz. Hierfür wurden zunächst unterschiedliche QCL-Heterostrukturen untersucht. Basierend auf einer Heterostruktur, welche schnelle Intersubbandübergänge über Streuung an Phononen ausnutzt, konnten QCLs mit hoher Ausgangsleistung und niedriger Betriebsspannung bei 3 THz erzielt werden. Während diese Laser auf dem Materialsystem GaAs/Al_xGa_(1-x)As mit $x=0.15$ basieren, führt die Erhöhung des Al-Anteils auf x=0.25 für ähnliche Strukturen zu sehr niedrigen Schwellstromdichten. Durch schrittweise Optimierungen gelang es, QCLs zu realisieren, die bei 4.75 THz emittieren. Mit Hilfe von lateralen Gittern erster Ordnung für die verteilte Rückkopplung (DFB) konnten Einzelmoden-Dauerstrichbetrieb mit hoher Ausgangsleistung, sowie Einzelmoden-Betrieb innerhalb des spezifizierten Frequenzbereichs bei 4.75 THz erzielt werden. Eine allgemeine Methode zur Bestimmung der DFB-Kopplungskonstanten erlaubt eine gute Beschreibung der Laser innerhalb der etablierten Theorie der gekoppelten Moden für DFB-Laser mit reflektiven Endfacetten. Oft steht das Auftreten negativer differentieller Leitfähigkeit bei höheren Feldstärken und die damit verbundenen Bildung von elektrischer Felddomänen (EFDs) im Konflikt mit einem stabilen Betrieb der THz-QCLs. Es wird gezeigt, dass stationäre EFDs mit Diskontinuitäten in der statischen Licht-Strom-Spannungskennlinie verbunden sind, während Selbstoszillationen, verursacht durch nicht-stationäre EFDs, eine zeitliche Modulation der Ausgangsleistung bewirken. Mit Hilfe einer effektiven Driftgeschwindigkeit für QCLs lassen sich viele der beobachteten Phänomene durch die nichtlinearen Transportgleichungen für schwach gekoppelte Übergitter beschreiben. / This thesis presents the development and optimization of terahertz quantum-cascade lasers (THz QCLs) as sources for heterodyne receivers. A particular focus is on single-mode emitters for the heterodyne detection of the important astronomic oxygen (OI) line at 4.75 THz. Various active-region designs are investigated. High-output-power THz QCLs with low operating voltages and emission around 3 THz are obtained for an active region, which involves phonon-assisted intersubband transitions. While these QCLs are based on a GaAs/Al_xGa_(1-x)As heterostructure with x=0.15, similar heterostructures with x=0.25 allowed for very low threshold current densities. By successive modifications of the active-region design, THz QCLs have been optimized toward the desired frequency at 4.75 THz. To obtain single-mode operation, first-order lateral distributed-feedback (DFB) gratings are investigated. It shows that such gratings allow for single-mode operation in combination with high continuous-wave (cw) output powers. A general method is presented to calculate the coupling coefficients of lateral gratings. In conjunction with this method, the lasers are well described by the coupled-mode theory of DFB lasers with two reflective end facets. Single-mode operation within the specified frequency bands at 4.75 THz is demonstrated. Stable operation of THz QCLs is often in conflict with the occurrence of a negative differential resistance (NDR) regime at elevated field strengths and the formation of electric-field domains (EFDs). Stationary EFDs are shown to be related to discontinuities in the cw light-current-voltage characteristics, while non-stationary EFDs are related to current self-oscillations and cause a temporal modulation of the output power. To model such effects, the nonlinear transport equations of weakly coupled superlattices are adopted for QCLs by introducing an effective drift velocity-field relation.

The work presented in this thesis encompasses the design, development, realization and testing of novel magnetoelectric thin film elements that do not rely on ferromagnets, but are based entirely on magnetoelectric antiferromagnets such as Cr2O3. Thin film spintronic elements, and in particular magnetoelectric transducers, are crucial building blocks of high efficiency data processing schemes that could complement conventional electronic data processing in the future. Recent developments in magnetoelectrics have revealed, that exchange biased systems are ill-suited to electric field induced switching of magnetization due to the strong coupling of their ferromagnetic layer to magnetic fields. Therefore, ferromagnet-free magnetoelectric elements are proposed here in an effort to mitigate the practical problems associated with existing exchange biased magnetoelectric elements. This goal is achieved by establishing an all-electric read-out method for the antiferromagnetic order parameter of thin films, which allows to omit the ferromagnet from conventional exchange biased magnetoelectric elements. The resulting ferromagnet-free magnetoelectric elements show greatly reduced writing thresholds, enabled operation at room temperature and do not require a pulsed magnetic field, all of which is in contrast to state-of-the-art exchange biased magnetoelectric systems. The novel all-electric read-out method of the magnetic field-invariant magnetization of antiferromagnets, so-called spinning-current anomalous Hall magnetometry, can be widely employed in other areas of thin film magnetism. Its high precision and its sensitivity to previously invisible phenomena make it a promising tool for various aspects of thin solid films. Based on this technique, a deep understanding could be generated as to what physical mechanisms drive the antiferromagnetic ordering in thin films of magnetoelectric antiferromagnets. As spinning-current anomalous Hall magnetometry is an integral probe of the magnetic properties in thin films, it offers no intrinsic scale sensitivity. In order to harness its great precision for scale related information, a statistical framework was developed, which links macroscopic measurements with microscopic properties such as the antiferromagnetic domain size.

Dans le présent travail, nous abordons une problématique essentielle liée aux accessoires des lignes électriques et plus particulièrement au connecteur à perforation d’isolant (TTDC 45501 FA), commercialisé par la société Sicame située à Arnac-Pompadour (Corrèze). Ce produit permet d’effectuer des dérivations de courant en moyenne tension gainé HTA entre 15 et 25kV. Cependant, il devient nécessaire de concevoir une nouvelle génération de connecteurs capable de fonctionner à une tension de 52 kV en raison de la constante augmentation des besoins en électricité. En réalité, le principal souci concernant ces produits réside dans l’apparition de décharges partielles dans le volume constitué par la matière isolante (polyamide 6 chargée à 50% en poids de fibres de verre). Ces décharges engendrent un vieillissement prématuré du produit sous l’action conjuguée d’une atmosphère corrosive (brouillard salin) et d’un champ électrique. Ainsi, l’objectif de la présente thèse est de faire, dans un premier temps, un choix approprié de matériaux isolants parmi des polymères thermoplastiques, thermodurcissables époxydes ou élastomères en EPDM, capables de résister à plusieurs contraintes : thermique, électrique, mécanique, chimique et climatique. La partie expérimentale concerne, tout d’abord, la mesure de la tension de contournement, de l’activité des décharges partielles se propageant à la surface des matériaux isolants et de la tension de claquage, en tension alternative (A.C.). Pour cela, des échantillons polymères qui comportent des surfaces planes ou des surfaces pourvues de protubérances ont été moulés en vue de comparer leur comportement diélectrique en présence d’atmosphères polluées de type brouillard salin; ces mesures sont nécessaires pour effectuer un choix approprié du matériau à intégrer dans le connecteur. Par la suite, l’étude et la caractérisation optique et électrique de décharges glissantes, se propageant en surface de divers matériaux polymères, en tension impulsionnelle (L.I.) pour les deux polarités (positive et négative) et pour deux types de champ électrique (normal et tangentiel) sont présentées pour le cas d’une interface solide/air. La mesure de la longueur finale des décharges glissantes et la visualisation de l’onde de courant sont les deux paramètres principaux pour différencier les caractéristiques des matériaux utilisés. L’ensemble des résultats de mesures a permis de sélectionner les résines époxydes cyclo-aliphatiques (CEP) comme candidates potentielles pour la conception d’une nouvelle génération de connecteurs. De plus, la simulation du champ électrique, à l’aide du logiciel Flux 2D/3D, sur le connecteur électrique (TTDC 45501FA) a permis d’aboutir à la proposition d’un prototype de connecteur présentant une nouvelle géométrie et pouvant fonctionner à 52kV. / In the present study, we deal with an essential problem related to electrical lines accessories and more particularly to piercing connectors (TTDC 45501FA) commercialized by a private company named Sicame and which is located in Arnac-Pompadour (Corrèze, France). This product/accessory is designed to provide power diversions on medium voltage live lines HVA operating between 15 and 25kV. However, it becomes required to design a new generation of piercing connectors able to operate on 52kV live lines because of the electrical power demands that are steadily increasing. Actually, the main concerns about these products are the occurrence of partial discharges within the insulating material volume (polyamide 6 containing 50%wt of glass fibers). Most of the time, these discharges induce an early ageing process of the accessory under the combined effects of a corrosive environment (as salt fog) and an electric field threshold. Thus, the main objective of the present Ph.D. thesis is to carry out an appropriate choice of insulating materials among several tested polymers such as thermoplastics and thermosetting epoxy resins and EPDM elastomers that are capable of withstanding several constraints: thermal and electrical and mechanical and chemical conditions. The experimental section is focusing on the measurements of flashover voltage and partial discharges activity propagating on polymeric surfaces and breakdown voltage within material bulks under A.C voltage. That is why polymeric samples with plane surfaces and textured surfaces are molded to compare their resistance to partial discharges when being subjected to polluted environments such as salt fog; these measurements are necessary to choose the suitable materials for the required application to be integrated in the new generation of connectors. Then, the optical and electrical characterization results of creeping discharges propagating on several polymeric surfaces under lightning impulse (L.I.) voltage with its both polarities (positive and negative) and for two kinds of applied electric field (normal and tangential) are presented in the case of solid/air interfaces. Final length measurements of creepage discharges are the main parameter for distinguishing material properties. The whole obtained results (under AC and LI voltages) allow us to point out the cycloaliphatic epoxy resins as potential candidates to the conception of a new generation of piercing connectors. In addition, the electric field simulation and modelling of the TTDC 45501FA connector by using the Flux 2D/3D software seems to be helpful to design a connector prototype which exhibits a new geometry and is able to reach a voltage level that equals 52kV.