Optical properties of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been extensively studied during the last decade, and much basic knowledge has been accumulated on how light emission, scattering, and absorption occur in the realm of linear optics. However, their nonlinear optical properties remain largely unexplored. Here, we have observed strong third harmonic generation from highly aligned SWCNTs with intense mid-infrared radiation. Through power dependent experiments, we have determined the absolute value of the third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility, ‡ (3) , of our SWCNT film to be 6.92 × 10 -12 esu, which is three orders of magnitude larger than that of the fused silica reference sample we used. Furthermore, through polarization-dependent third harmonic generation experiments, all the nonzero tensor elements of ‡ (3) have also been extracted. The contribution of the weaker tensor elements to the overall ‡ (3) signal has been calculated to be approximately 1/6 of that of the dominant [Special characters omitted.] component. These results open up new possibilities for application of carbon nanotubes in optoelectronics.

This thesis examines the advantages to nonlinear least-squares (NLS) fitting of diffusion-weighted MRI data over the commonly used linear least-squares (LLS) approach. A modified fitting algorithm is proposed which accounts for the positive bias experienced in magnitude images at low SNR. For b-values in the clinical range (~1000 s/mm2), the increase in precision of FA and fibre orientation estimates is almost negligible, except at very high anisotropy. The optimal b-value for estimating tensor parameters was slightly higher for NLS. The primary advantage to NLS was improved performance at high b-values, for which complex fibre architectures were more easily resolved. This was demonstrated using a model-selection classifier based on higher-order diffusion models. Using a b-value of 3000 s/mm2 and magnitude-corrected NLS fitting, at least 10% of voxels in the brain exhibited diffusion profiles which could not be represented by the tensor model.

This thesis examines the advantages to nonlinear least-squares (NLS) fitting of diffusion-weighted MRI data over the commonly used linear least-squares (LLS) approach. A modified fitting algorithm is proposed which accounts for the positive bias experienced in magnitude images at low SNR. For b-values in the clinical range (~1000 s/mm2), the increase in precision of FA and fibre orientation estimates is almost negligible, except at very high anisotropy. The optimal b-value for estimating tensor parameters was slightly higher for NLS. The primary advantage to NLS was improved performance at high b-values, for which complex fibre architectures were more easily resolved. This was demonstrated using a model-selection classifier based on higher-order diffusion models. Using a b-value of 3000 s/mm2 and magnitude-corrected NLS fitting, at least 10% of voxels in the brain exhibited diffusion profiles which could not be represented by the tensor model.

High-power voltage sourced converters(VSC’s) are becoming increasingly prevalent in modern transmission systems. These systems primarily use switching schemes generating kHz range harmonics, which may be magnified by one or more system resonances. Despite the high frequency harmonics, VSC systems widely use insulated equipment designed for operation at power frequencies; this includes critical substation components such as medium voltage polymeric cables and terminations. The stress grading systems of non-geometric (compact) cable terminations are susceptible to insulation degradation and eventual flashover failure, under high frequency harmonic stresses. As such, the present work studies high frequency voltage effects in cross-linked polyethylene cable terminations, and their relationship to stress grading (SG) design and material properties. Finite element modeling (FEM) has been used to analyze electric field and resistive heating in termination designs, in response to parametric variations in SG material properties. Experimental studies investigate thermal behaviour in a variety of commercial termination designs, using a high voltage, high frequency test setup developed to replicate conditions of high frequency harmonic resonance in a VSC system. The study results show that high frequency voltage application increases the electric field, resistive heating, and surface temperature rise, in non-geometric (compact) termination designs using field-dependant stress grading materials. Geometric (stress cone) designs are insensitive to high frequency harmonics; however, they have disadvantages compared to compact designs, making them a less practical long-term solution for high frequency applications. Among non-geometric designs, the field-dependent electrical conductivity σ (E), the permittivity ε, and the temperature dependencies of σ (E) and ε strongly influence the termination electrical and thermal behaviour under high frequency stress. Since thermal hotspots in cable termination SG areas may lead to material degradation and eventual failure, recommendations are made for an optimal non-geometric stress grading design, for terminations operating in environments where high frequency harmonics may be present.

High-power voltage sourced converters(VSC’s) are becoming increasingly prevalent in modern transmission systems. These systems primarily use switching schemes generating kHz range harmonics, which may be magnified by one or more system resonances. Despite the high frequency harmonics, VSC systems widely use insulated equipment designed for operation at power frequencies; this includes critical substation components such as medium voltage polymeric cables and terminations. The stress grading systems of non-geometric (compact) cable terminations are susceptible to insulation degradation and eventual flashover failure, under high frequency harmonic stresses. As such, the present work studies high frequency voltage effects in cross-linked polyethylene cable terminations, and their relationship to stress grading (SG) design and material properties. Finite element modeling (FEM) has been used to analyze electric field and resistive heating in termination designs, in response to parametric variations in SG material properties. Experimental studies investigate thermal behaviour in a variety of commercial termination designs, using a high voltage, high frequency test setup developed to replicate conditions of high frequency harmonic resonance in a VSC system. The study results show that high frequency voltage application increases the electric field, resistive heating, and surface temperature rise, in non-geometric (compact) termination designs using field-dependant stress grading materials. Geometric (stress cone) designs are insensitive to high frequency harmonics; however, they have disadvantages compared to compact designs, making them a less practical long-term solution for high frequency applications. Among non-geometric designs, the field-dependent electrical conductivity σ (E), the permittivity ε, and the temperature dependencies of σ (E) and ε strongly influence the termination electrical and thermal behaviour under high frequency stress. Since thermal hotspots in cable termination SG areas may lead to material degradation and eventual failure, recommendations are made for an optimal non-geometric stress grading design, for terminations operating in environments where high frequency harmonics may be present.

With the continuous growth of non-linear power electronic components and the increasing penetration of the distributed generation (DG), the potential for degradation in the power quality of the existing grid exists. There are concerns that the total harmonic distortion (THD) could reach unacceptable levels of 5% or higher. Moreover, there is additional potential of the presence of amplified harmonic components in the power network grid when the harmonic frequencies align with the resonant frequencies that are being injected by power electronic components of the DG. The above conditions could increase the electrical stresses on the insulation system of the power system components, and in particular, cable terminations are a concern. Standard cable terminations are designed to operate under power frequency in the power system network and their service life is considered accordingly. The research work aims to provide an understanding of the performance of the stress grading (SG) system of a commercial cable termination when the voltage waveform is distorted due to the presence of harmonics and when the high frequency and high dV/dt voltage waveforms are present from a typical power electronic drive. An aging experiment was performed for over a 600 hour time period using the pulse width modulated (PWM) high-voltage generator to quantify the impact of high frequency stress on SG system of cable termination. Furthermore, the cable termination was tested under power frequency, distorted voltage waveforms composed of fundamental and low order harmonics using an experiment setup that generate distorted voltage waveforms. Diagnostic techniques such as surface potential distribution measurements and surface temperature monitoring are used to analyze the termination performance. The surface tangential field is calculated based on the gradient of the termination surface potential as measured with an electrostatic voltmeter. The study shows that distorted voltage waveforms with high frequency and high dV/dt components, increase the electric field, resistive heating, and surface temperature rise in the terminations that use the field-dependent SG materials. The rise of electric field by as high as 27.1% and surface temperature rise of as high as 17C demonstrates the severity on the cable terminations. Such electric field enhancements for a period of time have a potential to initiate partial discharge that could lead to degradation of the termination. Moreover, surface temperature rise of 17 deg C could reduce the allowable ampacity of the cable conductor, reduce the short circuit levels, and reduce the feeder loading limits. The field-dependent electrical conductivity (σ(E,T)), permittivity (ε), and the temperature dependencies of (σ(E,T) and ε) have strong impact to degrade the electrical and thermal properties of the termination due to stress from the non-sinusoidal distorted voltage waveform. In order to minimize the surface temperature rise from the hotspot and electrical stress enhancement that eventually lead to insulation degradation and failure, the following recommendations are made for a suitable SG design for a termination to handle the severe voltage stress: Apply the capacitively graded termination in the grid where the distortion levels are low. Under the increased total harmonic distortion levels and HF components, resistively grading with higher degree of nonlinearity (achieved through the use of ZnO filler) is beneficial. The utilities could take preventive maintenance on medium voltage power cable accessories to prevent the termination failure before it actually occurs. Researchers could focus to resolve and minimize the rising power quality issues when the distribution generations are operated, improve the power electronic converters, and provide cost-effective harmonic filter solutions for harmonic mitigation.

The trend toward ever-expanding variable speed induction motor applications results in the need for reliable condition monitoring and detection schemes for closed-loop motor-drive systems. This research focuses on the detection of air gap eccentricity in induction motors supplied by a vector-controlled drive. The majority of existing eccentricity detection techniques is based on monitoring fault harmonics in the stator current. This research analyzes the distribution of the eccentricity-related fault harmonics between the stator voltage and current, and points out that monitoring only the stator current is insufficient. When the motor is supplied by a vector-controlled drive, both voltage and current become modulated signals and contain fault harmonics. Either stator voltage or current can contain larger fault harmonics due to the influence of the drive controllers and the mechanical load. Therefore, a combination of monitoring both variables is necessary to ensure good detection reliability. Furthermore, with an AC drive, the motor speed and load will change widely, which changes fault harmonics too. A new detection scheme using an artificial neural network is proposed to incorporate the influence of changing operating conditions into the fault detection. This detection scheme is more reliable and cost efficient. In addition, a new off-line non-invasive eccentricity detection method is proposed by using the surge test. Simulation and experiments are conducted to validate the feasibilities of the proposed detection schemes.

In this research work, the performance of a C-type, 2nd harmonic power filter is optimized by the use of a thyristor switched damping resistor. In the design of conventional C-type, 2nd harmonic filters / the resistance of permanently connected damping resistor is to be optimized for minimization of voltage stresses on filter elements arising from switchings in transient state and for maximization of filtering effectiveness in the steady-state. Transformer inrush current during energization of power transformers and connection of filter bank to the supply are the major causes of voltage stresses arising on filter elements in transient state. These can be minimized by designing a highly damped C-type filter (low damping resistor) at the expense of inadequate filtering performance and high losses in the steady-state. On the other hand, higher damping resistance (high quality factor) is to be chosen in the design of C-type filter for satisfactory filtering of 2nd harmonic current component at the expense of higher voltage rating for capacitor bank and hence a more costly filter bank design. This drawback of conventional C-type 2nd harmonic filter circuit can be eliminated by subdividing damping resistor into two parallel parts / one is permanently connected while the other is connected to and disconnected from the circuit by back-to-back connected thyristor assemblies. The use of light triggered thyristors provides isolation between power stage and control circuit, and hence allows outdoor installation.

Processing of microwave signals in electrical domain introduces many difficulties especially when the frequency of the signal is increased beyond several GHz. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) and frequency depended losses can be given as examples to these difficulties. Photonic processing of microwave signals, however, is immune to these problems since optical components such as fiber cables, lasers, optical modulators and photodetectors are both immune to EMI and have wide bandwidths. This thesis deals with down conversion of a microwave signal using a Mach-Zender modulator and filtering unwanted harmonics using a photonic filter.

This research work deals with the analysis, design and implementation of thyristor switched plain capacitor banks and thyristor switched shunt filter banks. Performances of various thyristor switched capacitor (TSC) topologies are also investigated by simulations. The theoretical findings have been verified by carrying out experimental work on two prototypes implemented within the scope of this research work, one is a wye-connected laboratory prototype and the other is a delta-connected application prototype integrated to some of the SVCs existing in Turkish Coal Enterprise s Plants. The advantages of back-to-back connected thyristor switches over conventional electromechanical contactors are also made clear by conducting an intensive experimental work in the laboratory. A good correlation have been obtained between theoretical and experimental results.