The IceCube Neutrino Telescope is designed to detect high energy neutrinos with a large array of photomultiplier tubes placed deep within the Antarctic ice. The way that light propagates through the ice needs to be modelled accurately to enable the paths of charged particles to be reconstructed from the distribution of their Cerenkov radiation. Light travelling through even the purest of ice will undergo scattering and absorption processes, however the ice in which IceCube is embedded has optical properties that vary significantly with depth which need to be accurately modelled. Currently, simulation of the muon background using the current ice model is unable to fully replicate experimental data. In this thesis we investigate a potential method of improving on the current generation of ice models. We introduce thin, highly absorbing layers into the current description of the detection medium and investigate the effect on the simulation of muon tracks in IceCube. We find that better agreement between simulation and data can be seen in the occupancy of optical modules, through the introduction of such absorptive layers into the existing ice layers.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:28:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:56:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertacao (Mestrado Profissionalizante em Lasers em Odontologia) / IPEN/D-MPLO / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP; Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:28:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:56:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP / FAPESP:08/01954-0

In this thesis we describe the development of a real-space implementation of the Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE) and use it in conjunction with a semi-empirical tight-binding model to investigate the optoelectronic properties of colloidal quantum- confined nanostructures. This novel implementation exploits the limited radial extent and small size of the atomic orbital basis to treat finite systems containing up to ∼4000 atoms in a fully many-body framework. In the first part of this thesis our tight-binding model is initially benchmarked on zincblende CdSe nanocrystals, before subsequently being used to investigate the electronic states of zincblende CdSe nanoplatelets as a function of thickness. The band-edge electronic states are found to show minimal variation for a range of thicknesses and the results of our tight-binding model show good agreement with those predicted using a 14-band k·p model for a nanoplatelet of 4 monolayers (ML) in thickness. Optical absorption spectra were also computed in the independent-particle approximation. While the results of the tight-binding model show good agreement with those of the 14-band k·p model in the low-energy region of the spectrum, agreement with experiment was poor. This reflects the need for a many-body treatment of optical absorption in nanoplatelet systems. In the second part of this thesis we apply our tight-binding plus BSE model to study the excitonic properties of CdSe nanocrystals and nanoplatelets. Simulations performed on CdSe nanocrystals examined an approximation of the BSE equivalent to configuration interaction singles (CIS), and found that both the optical gap and the low-energy spectral features were unaffected by the approximation. A comparison of exciton binding energies with those predicted by CIS demonstrates the sensitivity of results to the exact treatment of dielectric screening and the decision of whether or not to screen exchange. Our model predicts optical gaps that are in strong agreement with average experimental data for all but the smallest diameters, but was not able to reproduce low-energy spectral features that were fully consistent with experiment. This was attributed to the absence of the spin-orbit interaction in the model. Simulations performed on CdSe nanoplatelets investigate the optical gaps and exciton binding energies as a function of thickness. Exciton binding energies were found to reach ∼200 meV for the thinnest system, however, optical gaps were slightly overestimated in comparison to experiment. This is attributed to the reduced lateral dimensions used in our simulations and our bulk treatment of dielectric screening. A two-dimensional treatment of dielectric screening is expected to further increase binding energies. Calculations of the excitonic absorption spectrum reproduce the characteristic spectral features observed in experiment, and show strong agreement with the spectra of nanoplatelets, with thicknesses ranging from 3 ML to 5 ML.

Orientador: Marcelo Ornaghi Orlandi / Banca: Walter Katsumi Sakamoto / Banca: Emerson Rodrigues de Camargo / Resumo: Nanocompósitos são materiais que combinam duas (ou mais) fases sólidas, uma das quais deve possuir dimensões nanométricas, que pode reunir em um único material várias propriedades melhoradas para uma dada aplicação e, portanto, podem permitir a coexistência de propriedades tradicionalmente antagônicas como, transparência e condutividade. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo a obtenção de um nanocompósito polimérico transparente e condutor de polimetilmetacrilato - PMMA com nanofitas do sistema Indium Tin Oxide - ITO. Para isto primeiramente estudou-se a influência da temperatura na síntese das nanoestruturas de ITO e depois de obtida a temperatura de síntese que proporcionou o crescimento de nanofitas de ITO com maior condutividade e maior transparência no espectro visível, estudou-se a influência da inserção destas nanofitas nas propriedades ópticas e elétricas de filmes nanocompósitos de PMMA. Como as nanofitas obtidas são emaranhadas, para a obtenção do nanocompósito foi realizada uma separação prévia das mesmas utilizando duas dispersões distintas: sendo a primeira em um ultrasom convencional e a segunda em uma ponta ultrasônica. Depois de dispersas, as nanofitas foram misturadas ao PMMA comercial dissolvido em concentrações mássicas de 1%, 2%, 5% e 10% de nanofitas. As soluções foram então depositadas sobre substrato de vidro e, depois de secos, os filmes foram destacados. As caracterizações ópticas mostraram que a transmitância no espectro visível dos filmes diminui em função do aumento da quantidade de nanofitas no compósito. Neste estudo, as caracterizações elétricas mostraram que ocorreu percolação das nanofitas no polímero após a inserção de 5% em massa de nanofitas. As imagens de MET para os filmes corroboraram os resultados previstos pelas caracterizações elétricas. Os filmes... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Nanocomposites are materials which have two or more solid phases, and one of these phases should be in nano-sized scale range. These materials can have several properties increased for special application and it is possible to obtain composites with traditionally antagonistic combinations of properties, such as transparence in the visible range of light and good conductivity. The main goal of this work is obtain a transparent and conductive polymer-based nanocomposite using polymethylmethacrylate - PMMA and ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) nanobelts. To reach this goal it was first studied the influence of temperature on the synthesis of nanostructured ITO. Once the temperature of synthesis was optimized to ensure the growth of ITO nanobelts with both good conductivity and good transparency in the visible spectrum, we studied the influence of ITO nanobelts on the electrical and optical properties of nanocomposites of PMMA. Because the synthesized nanobelts are entangled each other, to obtain the composite it was realized a separation of them using two different ways; first using a conventional ultrasound and after an ultrasonic tip. Then, nanobelts were mixed with commercial PMMA dissolved in THF 10% in mass concentrations of 1%, 2%, 5% and 10%. So, the solution was deposited over a glass substrate by casting. The results showed that films transmittance in visible range decreases by increasing the amount of nanobelts. The electrical characterization showed that percolation occurred after 5%wt of filler. TEM images of composites corroborate the results provided by the electrical measures. The films prepared using both dispersions had the same transmittance in the visible spectrum, despite of the films obtained by dispersing the nanobelts in ultrasonic tip had a lower electrical resistance. Thus it can be concluded that the dispersion by ultrasonic... (Summary complete electronic access click below) / Mestre

abstract: A relatively simple subset of nanotechnology - nanofluids - can be obtained by adding nanoparticles to conventional base fluids. The promise of these fluids stems from the fact that relatively low particle loadings (typically <1% volume fractions) can significantly change the properties of the base fluid. This research explores how low volume fraction nanofluids, composed of common base-fluids, interact with light energy. Comparative experimentation and modeling reveals that absorbing light volumetrically (i.e. in the depth of the fluid) is fundamentally different from surface-based absorption. Depending on the particle material, size, shape, and volume fraction, a fluid can be changed from being mostly transparent to sunlight (in the case of water, alcohols, oils, and glycols) to being a very efficient volumetric absorber of sunlight. This research also visualizes, under high levels of irradiation, how nanofluids undergo interesting, localized phase change phenomena. For this, images were taken of bubble formation and boiling in aqueous nanofluids heated by a hot wire and by a laser. Infrared thermography was also used to quantify this phenomenon. Overall, though, this research reveals the possibility for novel solar collectors in which the working fluid directly absorbs light energy and undergoes phase change in a single step. Modeling results indicate that these improvements can increase a solar thermal receiver's efficiency by up to 10%. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering 2011

Orientador: José Roberto Ribeiro Bortoleto / Banca: Marystela Ferreira / Banca: Paulo Barbeitas Miranda / Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi o estudo da modificação das propriedades estrutural, química e óptica da superfície de certos polímeros comerciais através do emprego das técnicas de Imersão em Plasmas (IP) e Implantação Iônica por Imersão em Plasmas (IIIP). Os polímeros investigados foram o policloreto de vinila (PVC) e o politereftalato de etila (PET). Foram empregados plasmas de hexafluoreto de enxofre ('SF IND. 6') como fonte de flúor, uma vez que, a fluoração de uma superfície tende a aumentar o seu caráter hidrofóbico. Por outro lado, investigou-se o efeito da composição do plasma, através de tratamentos com plasmas de nitrogênio ('N IND. 2'). Além disso, plasmas da mistura 'SF IND. 6/Isopropanol e 'N IND. 2'/Isopropanol, foram empregados para formar um filme fino sobre a superfície dos substratos tratados. Por fim, este trabalho contemplou ainda a investigação da morfologia superficial em escala nanométrica e as características de transparência à luz visível. As medidas de ângulo de contato indicaram que a deposição a plasma convencional (IP) aumenta consideravelmente os valores de ângulos de contato das amostras de PET e PVC para potências de descarga de RF até 100 W mediante o emprego de plasmas de 'SF IND. 6'. Neste caso, o maior valor de ângulo de contato foi de 140º. Por outro lado, a técnica de IIIP ocasiona uma diminuição nos valores de ângulo de contato mesmo em plasmas contendo flúor. Nesse caso, o menor valor de ângulo de contato observado foi de 18º. Vale ressaltar que a alteração seletiva na molhabilidade dos polímeros ocorreu sem alteração significativa na transparência óptica dos mesmos. Através das medidas de microbalança, observou-se que uma taxa de crescimento linear de 2,96nm/min. / Abstract: The aim of this work was to study the modification of the structural, chemical and optical properties, on the surfaces of certain commercial polymers, produced by plasma immersion (PI) and plasma immersion ion implantation (IIIP). Polymers investigated include polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate. Plasmas of sulfur hexafluoride ('SF IND. 6') were employed as source of fluoride, since surface fluorination increases the hydrophobic behavior of polymers. However, the effects of plasma composition were investigated by treatments using nitrogen. Plasmas of 'SF IND. 6/Isopropyl alcohol and of 'N IND. 2'/Isopropyl alcohol were also employed to deposit a thin film onto the surface of treated samples. Finally, nanoscale surface morphology and the transmission of visible light were studied. Contact angle measurements showed that PI considerably increased the contact angle values of PET and PVC, for RF powers up to 100 W. In this case, the highest values of contact angle was 140º. On the other hand, PIII technique decreased the contact angles, even fluorine containing plasmas. In this case, the smallest value of contact angle was 18º. It is noteworthy that the selective alteration in the wettability of the polymers of the occured without significant change in the optical transparency of them. Microbalance measurements calculated resulted in a linear rate of growth. Finally, measurements by perfilometry resulted in a linear rate of growth of 2.96nm per minute. / Mestre

Magister Scientiae - MSc / With an increase in the amount of harmful carbon emissions in the atmosphere as well as a decrease in the availability of fossil fuels, there is a relatively high demand for alternate energy devices. Solar cells have become an alternative option in aid of leading the way for clean energy; however these devices are relatively expensive and have an efficiency that is relatively low in comparison to that of fossil fuelled energy. As a result the cost of the solar cell needs to be reduced by reducing the amount of silicon used in order to compete with fossil fuelled devices; however this decrease would lead to a decrease in efficiency. In recent years silver nanoparticles have been extensively researched as a result of its extraordinary optical, electrical, catalytic, magnetic and antibacterial properties. As a result of these properties, the nanoparticles may be applied to many research areas such as photovoltaics, catalysis and medical fields. The optical properties of silver nanoparticles may thus be exploited in order to increase absorption and in turn the efficiency of the solar cell devices. This study focuses on the optimization of the polyol synthesis to possibly obtain uniformly dispersed silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles would then be incorporated onto amorphous silicon thin films, deposited by hot wire chemical vapour deposition, by spraying a suspension of the silver nanoparticles onto the thin films. The silver nanoparticles were viii characterized by Ultra Violet Visible Spectroscopy (UV-VIS), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-ray Diffraction, and Thermogravimetric Analysis. The thin films with the incorporated silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-VIS, and High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy. It was shown that silver nanoparticles with various morphologies were produced by the polyol synthesis and may be used to enhance light trapping of thin film photovoltaic devices.

This dissertation of master s degree presents the results and discussions related to the synthesis, characterization, and stability of a new colloidal system containing gold nanoparticles (AuNP) dispersed in castor oil. In parallel, the stability of the system against agglomeration, after addition of other organic solvents in the medium was evaluated. In collaboration with the Laboratory of Optics and Materials of the Institute of Physics of the Federal University of Alagoas, the non linear optical properties of the new colloidal system were evaluated. The colloids were synthesized via wet chemistry, using a two-phase method, which consists of a mixture of an aqueous solution of HAuCl4, castor oil, ethanol, and an aqueous solution of KOH. Several colloid syntheses had been carried out, using ratios of Au/OH&#9135;/castor oil, in order to establish the convenient concentration ratio of the components to lead the formation of relative stable colloids. The AuNPs had been characterized by Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and the quantification of gold content in the colloid was done by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The new colloidal system of nanoparticles of gold dispersed in castor oil presented interesting non linear optical properties. These properties had been evaluated via z-scan technique / Neste trabalho de dissertação de mestrado são apresentados e discutidos os resultados obtidos com relação à síntese, caracterização e estabilidade de novos sistemas coloidais contendo nanopartículas de ouro (AuNP) dispersas em óleo de mamona. Em paralelo, foi avaliada a estabilidade desse novo sistema frente à aglomeração das nanopartículas presentes, quando adicionados outros solventes orgânicos no meio. Além disso, foram avaliadas algumas propriedades ópticas não lineares desse novo sistema, em colaboração com o Grupo de Óptica e Materiais do Instituto de Física da Universidade Federal de Alagoas. Os colóides foram preparados por via úmida, através de um processo bifásico, que consiste de mistura da solução aquosa de HAuCl4 , óleo de mamona, etanol e, por fim, uma solução aquosa de KOH. Foram realizadas diversas sínteses, com diferentes razões Au/OH&#9135;/óleo de mamona, para estabelecer a faixa de razões de concentração dos componentes capazes de conduzir a formação de coloides relativamente estáveis. As AuNP foram caracterizadas por Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão (TEM), Espectroscopia eletrônica no Ultravioleta-vísivel (UV-Vis) e a quantificação de ouro presente no colóide por Espectrometria de Emissão Atômica com Plasma Acoplado Indutivamente (ICP-AES). O novo sistema coloidal de nanopartículas de ouro dispersas em óleo de mamona apresentou propriedades ópticas não lineares interessantes. Essas propriedades foram avaliadas via técnicas de Z-Scan

SILVA, José Gláucio da. Estudo dos modos normais de vibração de cristais de DL-Leucina por meio de Espectroscopia Raman. 2011. 60 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Física) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Física, Departamento de Física, Centro de Ciências, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2011. / Submitted by francisco lima (admir@ufc.br) on 2014-06-27T18:47:56Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_dis_jgdasilva.pdf: 13773993 bytes, checksum: 6087d8c6d1d8b72e3c3e0fb23080c962 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Edvander Pires(edvanderpires@gmail.com) on 2014-08-06T17:58:17Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_dis_jgdasilva.pdf: 13773993 bytes, checksum: 6087d8c6d1d8b72e3c3e0fb23080c962 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-06T17:58:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_dis_jgdasilva.pdf: 13773993 bytes, checksum: 6087d8c6d1d8b72e3c3e0fb23080c962 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Measures of Raman scattering were made on DL-leucine crystals at room temperature aiming to classify the normal vibration modes, based on group theory studies, as well as the classification of normal modes of other amino acid crystals. A study on the behavior of the DL-leucine normal modes with the temperature between 16 and 296K shows that there aren’t considerable changes on the Raman specters. This means the crystal structure is stable at the considered temperature interval, similarly to what was observed on other amino acid crystals such as L-alanine, L-isoleucine and glycine; however this stability is different than what was observed on the L-leucine crystal, which shows structural change at low temperature. / Foram realizadas medidas de espalhamento Raman em cristais de de DL-leucina à temperatura ambiente com o objetivo de classificar os modos normais de vibração, baseado no estudo de teoria de grupo, bem como a classificação dos modos normais de outros cristais de aminoácidos. Um estudo do comportamento dos modos normais da DL-leucina com a temperatura, entre 16 e 296 K, mostra que não ocorrem grandes mudanças nos espectros Raman. Isto significa que a estrutura do cristal é estável no intervalo de temperatura considerado, em analogia com que foi observado em outros cristais de aminoácidos como a L-alanina, a L-isoleucina, e a glicina; entretanto esta estabilidade é diferente no que foi observado no cristal de L-leucina, que apresenta mudança estrutural a baixa temperatura.