The main aim of this work was to develop a method of screening HgCdTe materials for carrier concentration and mobility using Faraday rotation θ and absorption α. Faraday rotation provides N/m*2, where N is the carrier concentration and m* is the effective mass. Since m* was not known in HgCdTe, a Faraday rotation spectrometer was developed to systematically measure it as a function of temperature and Cd mole fraction. Effective masses in n-InSb, and n-GaAs were measured and compared with known values in the literature to validate the method. Mobility is proportional to θ/α. The proportionalities were determined in HgCdTe, n-InSb, and n-GaAs at infrared wavelengths.

The use of High-Frequency (HF) radio-wave propagation in the ionosphere remains prevalent for applications such as long-range communication, target detection and commercial broadcasting. The ionosphere presents a challenging channel for radio-wave propagation as it is a varying medium dependent on a number of external factors. Of the many adverse effects of ionospheric propagation, signal fading is one of the most difficult to eliminate due to its unpredictable nature. Increase in the knowledge of how the ionospheric channel affects the propagating signals, in particular fading of the signals, will drive the continual improvements in the reliability and performance of modern wide-bandwidth HF systems. This is the underlying motivation for the study of signal fading of HF radio-waves propagating through the ionosphere, from both the theoretical and experimental perspectives, with the focus of application to modern wide bandwidth HF systems. Furthermore, it is the main objective of this investigation to address the lacking in the current literature of a simple analytical signal fading model for wideband HF systems that relates the physics of the ionospheric irregularities to the observable propagation effects due to the irregularities, and one that is verified by experimental observations. An original approach was taken in the theoretical investigation to develop an analytical model that combines the effects of signal fading and directly relating them to the ionospheric irregularities that are causing the fading. The polarisation fading model (PFM) is a combination of geometric optics, perturbation techniques and frequency offset techniques to derive expressions for the Faraday rotation of the radio-wave propagating in the ionosphere. Using the same notation as the PFM, the amplitude fading model (AFM) extends the Complex Amplitude concept using perturbation techniques and Green’s functions solution to arrive at a set of expressions that describes the focussing and defocussing effects of the wave. The PFM and AFM, together with expressions for combining the effects of multiple propagation paths, provide a simple analytic model that completely describes the fading of the signal propagating in the ionosphere. This theoretical model was implemented into an efficient ionospheric propagation simulator (IPS) from which simulations of wide bandwidth HF signals propagating through the ionosphere can be undertaken. As an example of the type of results produced by the IPS, for a typical 1200km path in the north-south direction with the ionospheric channel under the influence of a travelling ionospheric disturbance (TID), a 10 MHz radio-wave signal in one-hop path is shown to be affected by polarisation fading with fading periods in the order of minutes, and a fading bandwidth in the order of 100 kHz. Further results generated by the IPS have shown to be consistent with the results reported elsewhere in the literature. The experimental investigation involves the study of signal fading from observations of real signals propagating in the ionosphere, a major part of which is the development of a digital compact channel probe (CCP) capable of operating in dual-polarisation mode, and the characterisation of such systems to ensure that data collected are not compromised by the non-idealities of the individual devices contained within the system. The CCP was deployed in experiments to collect transmissions of HF frequency-modulated continuouswave (FMCW) radio signals from the Jindalee Over-the-Horizon radar (OTHR) in dualpolarisation. Analyses of the collected data showed the full anatomy of fading of signals propagating in the ionosphere for both horizontal and vertical polarisations, the results of which are consistent with that from the IPS and thus verifying the validity of the theoretical model of fading. Further experimental results showed that in majority of the observations polarisation fading is present but can be masked by multi-path fading, and confirming that periods of rapid signal fading are associated with rapid changes in the ionospheric channel. From the theoretical and experimental investigations, the major achievement is the successful development of an efficient propagation simulator IPS based on the simple analytical expressions derived in the PFM and AFM theoretical models of signal fading, which has produced sensible signal fading results that are verified by experimental observations. One of the many outcomes of this investigation is that polarisation diversity has the potential to bring improvements to the quality of wide-bandwidth HF signals in a fading susceptible propagation channel. The combination of an efficient propagation simulator IPS based on theoretical signal fading model and the experimental data collection by the dual-polarisation CCP is a major step in allowing one to fully understand the different aspects of fading of signals propagating in the ionosphere, which sets a solid foundation for further research into the design of wide bandwidth HF systems and the possible fading mitigation techniques. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 2008

O spin de um elétron confinado em uma ilha quântica (do inglês, quantum dot ou QD) oferece a oportunidade de armazenamento e manipulação de coerência de fase em escalas fe tempo muito mais longas do que aquelas encontradas em dispositivos convencionais. A natureza zero-dimensional dessas estruturas pode ser explorada em dispositivos optoeletrônicos baseados na manipulação de spin pela luz, tais como QD lasers,emissores de fóton-único e transistores de elétron-único. Desta maneira, o entendimento da física por trás do controle do magnetismo pela luz torna-se essencial no avanço do campo de manipulação de spin e no desenvolvimento de aparelhos tecnológicos. Em particular, o enfoque dessa tese, se refere à geração induzida de magnetização em um conjunto de ilhas quânticas, mediante a iluminação por um pulso de luz circularmente polarizado ressonante com a energia de transição dos QD\'s. Neste trabalho em questão, dois modelos quânticos para a magnetização induzida pela luz são apresentados. Para ambos os modelos, a fase de precessão da magnetização em função do campo magnético apresentou excelente concordância com os dados experimentais referentes a um conjunto de ilhas quânticas carregadas de (In, Ga)As. Demonstramos ainda, que a precessão do buraco participante do tríon desempenha um papel fundamental na determinação da amplitude e fase da precessão da magnetização. Ressaltamos também a aplicabilidade do modelo na descrição de ilhas carregadas positivamente. E por fim, sugerimos que a teoria desenvolvida pode ser utilizada como técnica de medição do tempo de vida ressonante do tríon em função da energia de emissão do QD. / The spin of an electron confined in a quantum dot (QD) offers the opportunity to store and manipulate phase coherence over much longer time scales than it is typically possible in charge based devices. The zero-dimensional nature of these nanostructures can be exploited in optoeletronic devices, such as quantum dot laser, single-photon emitters, single-electron transistor and spin-manipulation. Thus, understanding the physics behind light control of magnetism is essential to advance this field and device applications based on it. In particular, magnetization generation can be induced in an ensemble of quantum dots, each charged with a single electron, when illuminated with a short circularly polarized light pulse resonant with the fundamental gap of the QDs. In this work, two quantum-mechanical models for the light-induced magnetization are presented. For both models, the phase of magnetization precession as a function of the strength of the magnetic field in a Voigt geometry is in excellent agreement with experimental data measured on (In, Ga)As singly charged quantum dot ensemble. It is demonstrated that the precession of the hole in the trion plays a vital role because it determines the amplitude and phase of the magnetization precession. The model could also be easily extended to describe positively charged quantum dots. We also suggest that our theory, can be used as technique to measure the resonante trion lifetime as a function of QD emission energy.

Faraday rotation is a valuable tool for detecting magnetic fields. Here, the technique is considered in relation to wind-blown bubbles. In the context of spherical winds with azimuthal or split monopole stellar magnetic field geometries, we derive maps of the distribution of position angle (P.A.) rotation of linearly polarized radiation across projected bubbles. We show that the morphology of maps for split monopole fields are distinct from those produced by the toroidal field topology; however, the toroidal case is the one most likely to be detectable because of its slower decline in field strength with distance from the star. We also consider the important case of a bubble with a spherical sub-volume that is field-free to approximate crudely a “swept-up” wind interaction between a fast wind (or possibly a supernova ejecta shell) overtaking a slower magnetized wind from a prior state of stellar evolution. With an azimuthal field, the resultant P.A. map displays two arc-like features of opposite rotation measure, similar to observations of the supernova remnant G296.5+10.0. We illustrate how P.A. maps can be used to disentangle Faraday rotation contributions made by the interstellar medium versus the bubble. Although our models involve simplifying assumptions, their consideration leads to a number of general robust conclusions for use in the analysis of radio mapping data sets.

Faraday rotation is a process by which the position angle (PA) of background linearly polarized light is rotated when passing through an ionized and magnetized medium. The effect is sensitive to the line-of-sight magnetic field in conjunction with the electron density. This contribution highlights diagnostic possibilities of inferring the magnetic field (or absence thereof) in and around wind-blown bubbles from the Faraday effect. Three cases are described as illustrations: a stellar toroidal magnetic field, a shocked interstellar magnetic field, and an interstellar magnetic field within an ionized bubble.

No description available.

Time-resolved Faraday rotation (TRFR) is a pulsed laser pump/probe optical measurement used to characterize electron spin dynamics in semiconductor materials. A Mach-Zehnder type interferometer with orthogonally polarized arms is presented as a device for TRFR measurement that is superior to optical bridge detection, the traditional measuring technique, since Faraday rotation can be passively optically amplified via interference. Operation of the interferometer is analyzed under ideal conditions. Corrections to the ideal case stemming from imperfectly aligned optics, finite polarization extinction ratios, and an imperfect recombination optic are analyzed using a matrix transformation approach. The design of the interferometer is presented and chronicled. A description of the single-beam active control system utilized to stabilize the interferometer by continuous corrections to the optical path length of one arm with a piezoelectric actuator is given. Optical amplification by increasing the power in either arm of the interferometer is demonstrated and TRFR measurements taken with the interferometer at ambient temperatures are compared with measurements taken with the optical bridge. We find the interferometer to offer a detection limit on the order of 50 mrad at room temperature, which is five times more sensitive than the optical bridge. Isolation and stabilization of the interferometer were also successful in reducing signal noise to a level comparable with the optical bridge. Our results demonstrate that the interferometer is a better detection device for Faraday rotation under ambient conditions. In the immediate future, improvements to the control system should be made and experiments should be performed with high-quality samples at cryogenic temperatures to confirm that the interferometer performs as favorably under those conditions.

Time-resolved Faraday rotation (TRFR) is a pulsed laser pump/probe optical measurement used to characterize electron spin dynamics in semiconductor materials. A Mach-Zehnder type interferometer with orthogonally polarized arms is presented as a device for TRFR measurement that is superior to optical bridge detection, the traditional measuring technique, since Faraday rotation can be passively optically amplified via interference. Operation of the interferometer is analyzed under ideal conditions. Corrections to the ideal case stemming from imperfectly aligned optics, finite polarization extinction ratios, and an imperfect recombination optic are analyzed using a matrix transformation approach. The design of the interferometer is presented and chronicled. A description of the single-beam active control system utilized to stabilize the interferometer by continuous corrections to the optical path length of one arm with a piezoelectric actuator is given. Optical amplification by increasing the power in either arm of the interferometer is demonstrated and TRFR measurements taken with the interferometer at ambient temperatures are compared with measurements taken with the optical bridge. We find the interferometer to offer a detection limit on the order of 50 mrad at room temperature, which is five times more sensitive than the optical bridge. Isolation and stabilization of the interferometer were also successful in reducing signal noise to a level comparable with the optical bridge. Our results demonstrate that the interferometer is a better detection device for Faraday rotation under ambient conditions. In the immediate future, improvements to the control system should be made and experiments should be performed with high-quality samples at cryogenic temperatures to confirm that the interferometer performs as favorably under those conditions.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemistry / Viktor Chikan / The research work in this thesis aims at investigating the basic physic-chemical properties of magnetic and metal nanoparticles (NPs) for biomedical applications such as magnetic hyperthermia and controlled drug release. Magneto-plasmonic properties of magnetic NPs are important to evaluate potential applications of these materials. Magnetic property can be used to control, monitor and deliver the particles using a magnetic field while plasmonic property allows the tracking of the position of the particles, but aggregation of NPs could pose a problem. Here, the aggregation of NPs is investigated via the Faraday rotation of gold coated Fe[subscript]2O[subscript]3 NPs in alternating magnetic fields. In addition, the Faraday rotation of the particles is measured in pulsed magnetic fields, which can generate stronger magnetic fields than traditional inductive heaters used in the previous experiments. In the second project, the formation of protein-NPs complexes is investigated for hyperthermia treatment. The interactions between gold and iron-platinum NPs with octameric mycobacterial porin A from Mycobacterium smegmatis (MspA) and MspA[superscript])cys protein molecules are examined to assemble a stable, geometrically suitable and amphiphilic proteins-NPs complex. Magnetic NPs show promising heating effects in magnetic hyperthermia to eliminate cancer cells selectively in the presence of alternating magnetic field. As a part of investigation, the heating capacity of a variety of magnetic NPs and the effects of solvent viscosity are investigated to obtain insight into the heating mechanism of these particles. Finally, the controlled drug release of magnetic NPs loaded liposomes by pulsed magnetic field is investigated. The preliminary data indicate about 5-10% release of drug after the application of 2 Tesla magnetic pulses. The preliminary experiments will serve as the initial stage of investigation for more effective magnetic hyperthermia treatment with the help of short magnetic pulses.

Dans les systèmes de télécommunications l'isolateur est le seul élément qui n'a pas encore été intégré, en raison du traitement thermique élevé (~ 700 °C) nécessaire à la cristallisation des matériaux magnétiques le constituant. Ce composant autorise le passage de la lumière dans une seule direction, en bloquant la propagation dans le sens retour et évite les risques des dommages ou d’instabilités. Il est basé sur l'effet non-réciproque de la rotation Faraday des matériaux magnéto-optiques. Pour surmonter ce problème de compatibilité tout en exaltant l'effet magnéto-optique, un matériau composite structuré en cristal photonique 3D a été élaboré par imprégnation d’un opale direct de polystyrène avec une solution de précurseurs métalliques dopés avec des nanoparticules magnétiques (CoFe2O4) à basse température en utilisant le procédé sol-gel. Premièrement, nous avons montré par le calcul, que l'utilisation d'un matériau magnétique diluée avec un indice de réfraction relativement faible dans un cristal photonique 1D, peut augmenter le facteur de mérite par rapport à une seule monocouche magnéto-optique. Pour obtenir une rotation Faraday suffisante, la fraction volumique de nanoparticules magnétiques dans la couche composite a tout d’abord été augmentée de quelques pour cent à une valeur aussi importante que 40%. Le résultat principal de cette thèse est enfin que la rotation de Faraday des cristaux magnéto-photoniques réalisés a montré une amélioration sur les bords de la bande interdite photonique en comparaison à la seule monocouche / For telecommunication systems the isolator is the only element, which has not been integrated yet, because of the high temperature (~700 °C) annealing process which is required for the crystallization of magnetic materials. Due to the non-reciprocal behavior of the magneto-optical effects, this device assures that the transmitted light passes in one direction, but it blocks the backward propagation into the laser and avoids damage risk or instabilities. To overcome this compatibility problem and increase the magneto-optical effect, a composite material arranged as 3D photonic crystal has been elaborated by impregnating polystyrene direct opals with magnetic nanoparticles(CoFe2O4) doped metallic precursor solution using low temperature sol-gel process. Firstly, we have shown by calculation, that the use of a dilute magnetic material with a relatively low refractive index in a 1D photonic crystal can increase the merit factor compared to a single magnetic monolayer. To obtain a sufficient Faraday rotation, the volume fiaction of magnetic nanoparticles had to be increased. We managed to reach 40%, whereas this rate was only a few percent at the beginning of this work. The main result of this thesis is that the Faraday rotation of the realized magneto-photonic crystals showed an enhancement at the edges of the photonic band gap comparing to the single monolayer