The mechanisms of thermal transport in defect-free silicon nanostructures are examined using a combination of lattice dynamics (LD) calculations and the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE). To begin, the thermal conductivity reduction in thin films is examined using a hierarchical method that first predicts phonon transport properties using LD calculations, and then solves the phonon BTE using the lattice Boltzmann method. This approach, which considers all of the phonons in the first Brillouin-zone, is used to assess the suitability of common assumptions used to reduce the computational effort. Specifically, we assess the validity of: (i) neglecting the contributions of optical modes, (ii) the isotropic approximation, (iii) assuming an averaged bulk mean-free path (i.e., the Gray approximation), and (iv) using the Matthiessen rule to combine the effect of different scattering mechanisms. Because the frequency-dependent contributions to thermal conductivity change as the film thickness is reduced, assumptions that are valid for bulk are not necessarily valid for thin films. Using knowledge gained from this study, an analytical model for the length-dependence of thin film thermal conductivity is presented and compared to the predictions of the LD-based calculations. The model contains no fitting parameters and only requires the bulk lattice constant, bulk thermal conductivity, and an acoustic phonon speed as inputs. By including the mode-dependence of the phonon lifetimes resulting from phonon-phonon and phonon-boundary scattering, the model predictions capture the approach to the bulk thermal conductivity better than predictions made using Gray models based on a single lifetime. Both the model and the LD-based method are used to assess a procedure commonly used to extract bulk thermal conductivities from length-dependent molecular dynamics simulation data. Because the mode-dependence of thermal conductivity is not included in the derivation of this extrapolation procedure, using it can result in significant error. Finally, phonon transport across a silicon/vacuum-gap/silicon structure is modelled using lattice dynamics and Landauer theory. The phonons transmit thermal energy across the vacuum gap via atomic interactions between the leads. Because the incident phonons do not encounter a classically impenetrable potential barrier, this mechanism is not a tunneling phenomenon. The heat flux due to phonon transport can be 4 orders of magnitude larger than that due to photon transport predicted from near-field radiation theory.

La simulation numérique des écoulements turbulents cavitants revêt de nombreuses difficultés tant dans la modélisation des phénomènes physiques que dans le développement de méthodes numériques robustes. En effet de tels écoulements sont caractérisés par un changement de phase associé à des gradients de la masse volumique, des variations du nombre de Mach causées par une chute de la vitesse du son, des zones de turbulence diphasique et la présence d'instationnarités.Les travaux de la présente thèse s'inscrivent dans la continuité des études expérimentales et numériques menées au sein du Laboratoire des Ecoulements Géophysiques et Industriels (LEGI),qui visent à améliorer la compréhension et la modélisation d'écoulements cavitants. Les simulations s'appuient sur un code compressible associé à une technique de pré-contionnement bas-Mach qui permet de traiter les zones incompressibles. Les écoulements diphasiques sont reproduits à l'aide d'un modèle de mélange homogène 1-fluide avec discrétisation implicite en pas de temps dual. Enfin la résolution adopte l'approche moyennée RANS qui couple le système des équations de conservation avec des modèles de turbulence du premier ordre basés sur la notion de viscosité turbulente.Dans les zones diphasiques, le calcul des variables thermodynamiques nécessite l'introduction d'équations d'état. La pression au sein du mélange est ainsi reliée aux grandeurs conservatives soit à partir d'une équation d'état de mélange des gaz raides, soit par une relation sinusoïdale incorporant la fraction volumique de vapeur (le taux de vide). La valeur ajoutée de ces travaux de thèse repose sur l'introduction d'une équation de transport pour le calcul du taux de vide. Celle-ci incorpore un terme source dont le transfert de masse entre les phases est fermé grâce à une hypothèse de proportionnalité à la divergence du champ de vitesse. Outre l'amélioration des phénomènes de convection, de dilatation et de collapse, cette équation supplémentaire permet de relaxer l'équilibre thermodynamique local et d'introduire un état métastable pour la phase vapeur.Les simulations 2D et 3D sont réalisées sur des géométries de type Venturi caractérisées par le développement de poches de cavitation partielle instables. L'objectif consiste à reproduire les instationnarités inhérentes à chaque profil telles que la formation d'un jet rentrant liquide à proximité de la paroi ou la production de nuages de vapeur convectés par l'écoulement principal.Les résultats numériques mettent en avant une variation de la fréquence des instationnarités en fonction du calcul de la vitesse du son en zone de mélange. D'autre part, la prise en compte de déséquilibre de la phase vapeur amplifie les phénomènes de propagation d'ondes de pression générées par le collapse des structures cavitantes et participe à la déstabilisation de la poche. Enfin, l'influence de l'équation de transport de taux de vide est analysée en confrontant les résultats des simulations à ceux obtenus ultérieurement à partir d'un modèle à seulement trois équations de conservation. / The computation of turbulent cavitating flows involves many difficulties both in modeling the physical phenomena and in the development of robust numerical methods. Indeed such flows are characterized by phase transitions and large density gradients, Mach number variation due to speed of sound decrease, two-phase turbulent areas and unsteadiness.This thesis follows experimental and numerical studies led at the Laboratoire des Ecoulements Géophysiques et Industriels which aim to improve the understanding and modeling of cavitating flows. Simulations are based on a compressible code coupled with a pre-conditionning technique which handles low-Mach number areas. The two-phase flows are reproduced using a one-fluid homogeneous model and temporal discretisation is performed using an implicit dual-time stepping method . The resolution is based on the RANS approach that couples conservation equations with firts-order closure models to compute eddy viscosity.In two-phase flows areas, the computation of thermodynamic quantities requires to close the system with equations of state (EOS). Thus, two formulations are investigated to determine the pressure in the mixture. The stiffened gas EOS is written with conservative quantities while a sinusoidal law deduces the pressure from the volume fraction of vapor (the void fraction). The present study improves the homogeneous equilibrium models by including a transport equation for the void ratio. The mass transfer between phases is assumed to be proportional to the divergence of the velocity. In addition to a better modeling of convection, expansion and collapse phenomenon, this added transport equation allows to relax the local thermodynamic equilibrium and to introduce a mestastable state to the vapor phase.2D and 3D simulations are performed on Venturi type geometries characterized by the development of unstable partial cavitation pockets. The goal is to reproduce unsteadiness linked to each profile such as the formation of a re-entrant jet or the quasi-periodic vapor clouds shedding. Numerical results highlight frequency variations of unsteadiness depending on the speed of sound computation. Moreover, the simulation conducted with a relaxed vapor density increase the pressure wave propagation magnitude generated by the collapse of cavitating structures. It contributes to the destabilization of the pocket. Finally, the role of the void ratio equation is analyzed by comparing the simulation results to those obtained subsequently from a model involving only three conservation equations.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Nesta tese o método espectro-nodal linear (SGF-LN) é desenvolvido para a solução numérica de problemas de penetração profunda na formulação de ordenadas discretas (SN) e regime estacionário com fonte de espalhamento isotrópica a uma velocidade em geometria cartesiana bidimensional. Este método é baseado em análise espectral das equações SN integradas transversalmente onde os termos de fonte de espalhamento são tratados analiticamente e apenas os termos de fuga transversal são aproximados, por polinômios de primeira ordem. Resolvemos as equações SGF-LN usando o esquema de inversão nodal total, cf. blinking iterative scheme (BIS), onde as grandezas emergentes da célula espacial em todas as direções são estimadas em função de todas as grandezas incidentes e a fonte interior prescrita. Resultados numéricos são apresentados com o objetivo de ilustrar a precisão e a eficiência computacional do método desenvolvido. / In this dissertation we present the Spectral Greens Function - Linear Nodal method (SGF-LN) for numerically solving one-speed deep penetration problems in the static discrete ordinates (SN) formulation with isotropic scattering, in X, Y Cartesian geometry. This method is based on a spectral analysis of the transverse integrated SN nodal equations, wherein the scattering terms are analytically treated, and only the transverse leakage terms are approximated by first degree polynomials. We solve the SGF-LN equations using fully nodal block inversions, that we refer to as the blinking iterative scheme (BIS), where the node exiting quantities in all angular directions are estimated as a function of all the node ingoing quantities and interior source. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the accuracy and the computational efficiency of the SGF-LN method.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Nesta tese o método espectro-nodal linear (SGF-LN) é desenvolvido para a solução numérica de problemas de penetração profunda na formulação de ordenadas discretas (SN) e regime estacionário com fonte de espalhamento isotrópica a uma velocidade em geometria cartesiana bidimensional. Este método é baseado em análise espectral das equações SN integradas transversalmente onde os termos de fonte de espalhamento são tratados analiticamente e apenas os termos de fuga transversal são aproximados, por polinômios de primeira ordem. Resolvemos as equações SGF-LN usando o esquema de inversão nodal total, cf. blinking iterative scheme (BIS), onde as grandezas emergentes da célula espacial em todas as direções são estimadas em função de todas as grandezas incidentes e a fonte interior prescrita. Resultados numéricos são apresentados com o objetivo de ilustrar a precisão e a eficiência computacional do método desenvolvido. / In this dissertation we present the Spectral Greens Function - Linear Nodal method (SGF-LN) for numerically solving one-speed deep penetration problems in the static discrete ordinates (SN) formulation with isotropic scattering, in X, Y Cartesian geometry. This method is based on a spectral analysis of the transverse integrated SN nodal equations, wherein the scattering terms are analytically treated, and only the transverse leakage terms are approximated by first degree polynomials. We solve the SGF-LN equations using fully nodal block inversions, that we refer to as the blinking iterative scheme (BIS), where the node exiting quantities in all angular directions are estimated as a function of all the node ingoing quantities and interior source. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the accuracy and the computational efficiency of the SGF-LN method.

Nesta dissertação, são apresentados os seguintes modelos matemáticos de transporte de nêutrons: a equação linearizada de Boltzmann e a equação da difusão de nêutrons monoenergéticos em meios não-multiplicativos. Com o objetivo de determinar o período fluxo escalar de nêutrons, é descrito um método espectronodal que gera soluções numéricas para o problema de difusão em geometria planar de fonte fixa, que são livres de erros de truncamento espacial, e que conjugado com uma técnica de reconstrução espacial intranodal gera o perfil detalhado da solução. A fim de obter o valor aproximado do fluxo angular de nêutrons em um determinado ponto do domínio e em uma determinada direção de migração, descreve-se também um método de reconstrução angular baseado na solução analítica da equação unidimensional de transporte de nêutrons monoenergéticos com espalhamento linearmente anisotrópico com aproximação sintética de difusão nos termos de fonte por espalhamento. O código computacional desenvolvido nesta dissertação foi implementado na plataforma livre Scilab, e para ilustrar a eficiência do código criado,resultados numéricos obtidos para três problemas-modelos são apresentados / We describe a method to determine the neutron scalar flux in a slab using monoenergetic diffusion model. To achieve this goal we used three ingredients in the computational code that we developed on the Scilab platform: (i) a spectral nodal method that generates numerical solution for the one-speed slab-geometry fixed-source difusion problem with no spatial truncation errors; (ii) a spatial reconstruction scheme to yield detailed proile of the coarse-mesh solution; and (iii) an angular reconstruction scheme to yield approximately the neutron angular flux profile within the slab. The angular reconstruction scheme is based on the analytical solution of the neutron transport equation in slab geometry with linearly anisotropic scattering and diffusion approximation for the scattering source terms. Numerical results are given to illustrate the efficiency of the offered code

Pour la conception des cœurs de réacteurs de 4ème génération, une précision accrue est requise pour les calculs des différents paramètres neutroniques. Les ressources mémoire et le temps de calcul étant limités, une solution consiste à utiliser des méthodes de raffinement de maillage afin de résoudre l'équation de transport des neutrons. Le flux neutronique, solution de cette équation, dépend de l'énergie, l'angle et l'espace. Les différentes variables sont discrétisées de manière successive. L'énergie avec une approche multigroupe, considérant les différentes grandeurs constantes sur chaque groupe, l'angle par une méthode de collocation, dite approximation Sn. Après discrétisation énergétique et angulaire, un système d'équations hyperboliques couplées ne dépendant plus que de la variable d'espace doit être résolu. Des éléments finis discontinus sont alors utilisés afin de permettre la mise en place de méthodes de raffinement dite hp. La précision de la solution peut alors être améliorée via un raffinement en espace (h-raffinement), consistant à subdiviser une cellule en sous-cellules, ou en ordre (p-raffinement) en augmentant l'ordre de la base de polynômes utilisée.Dans cette thèse, les propriétés de ces méthodes sont analysées et montrent l'importance de la régularité de la solution dans le choix du type de raffinement. Ainsi deux estimateurs d'erreurs permettant de mener le raffinement ont été utilisés. Le premier, suppose des hypothèses de régularité très fortes (solution analytique) alors que le second utilise seulement le fait que la solution est à variations bornées. La comparaison de ces deux estimateurs est faite sur des benchmarks dont on connaît la solution exacte grâce à des méthodes de solutions manufacturées. On peut ainsi analyser le comportement des estimateurs au regard de la régularité de la solution. Grâce à cette étude, une stratégie de raffinement hp utilisant ces deux estimateurs est proposée et comparée à d'autres méthodes rencontrées dans la littérature. L'ensemble des comparaisons est réalisé tant sur des cas simplifiés où l'on connaît la solution exacte que sur des cas réalistes issus de la physique des réacteurs.Ces méthodes adaptatives permettent de réduire considérablement l'empreinte mémoire et le temps de calcul. Afin d'essayer d'améliorer encore ces deux aspects, on propose d'utiliser des maillages différents par groupe d'énergie. En effet, l'allure spatiale du flux étant très dépendante du domaine énergétique, il n'y a a priori aucune raison d'utiliser la même décomposition spatiale. Une telle approche nous oblige à modifier les estimateurs initiaux afin de prendre en compte le couplage entre les différentes énergies. L'étude de ce couplage est réalisé de manière théorique et des solutions numériques sont proposées puis testées. / The different neutronic parameters have to be calculated with a higher accuracy in order to design the 4th generation reactor cores. As memory storage and computation time are limited, adaptive methods are a solution to solve the neutron transport equation. The neutronic flux, solution of this equation, depends on the energy, angle and space. The different variables are successively discretized. The energy with a multigroup approach, considering the different quantities to be constant on each group, the angle by a collocation method called Sn approximation. Once the energy and angle variable are discretized, a system of spatially-dependent hyperbolic equations has to be solved. Discontinuous finite elements are used to make possible the development of $hp-$refinement methods. Thus, the accuracy of the solution can be improved by spatial refinement (h-refinement), consisting into subdividing a cell into subcells, or by order refinement (p-refinement), by increasing the order of the polynomial basis.In this thesis, the properties of this methods are analyzed showing the importance of the regularity of the solution to choose the type of refinement. Thus, two error estimators are used to lead the refinement process. Whereas the first one requires high regularity hypothesis (analytical solution), the second one supposes only the minimal hypothesis required for the solution to exist. The comparison of both estimators is done on benchmarks where the analytic solution is known by the method of manufactured solutions. Thus, the behaviour of the solution as a regard of the regularity can be studied. It leads to a hp-refinement method using the two estimators. Then, a comparison is done with other existing methods on simplified but also realistic benchmarks coming from nuclear cores.These adaptive methods considerably reduces the computational cost and memory footprint. To further improve these two points, an approach with energy-dependent meshes is proposed. Actually, as the flux behaviour is very different depending on the energy, there is no reason to use the same spatial discretization. Such an approach implies to modify the initial estimators in order to take into account the coupling between groups. This study is done from a theoretical as well as from a numerical point of view.

A fully automated Temperature Dependent Hall (TDH) measurement setup has been assembled for the purposes of this study. This TDH setup is capable of measuring samples in the 20 K to 370 K temperature range. Sample sizes of up to 20 mm × 20 mm can be accommodated by the custom designed and manufactured sample holder. Samples with a resistance in the 1Ω to 250 MΩ range can be measured with this setup provided that the mobility of the sample is greater than 1 cm²/Vs. The computer program controlling the automated measurement processwas written in LabView™ version 6.1. Single crystal Zinc Oxide (ZnO) was the material under investigation in this study. Bulk ZnO samples grown by three different methods, namely pressurized melt growth, seeded chemical vapor transport (SCVT) growth and hydrothermal growth, were measured in the 20 K to 370 K range. The effect of annealing in argon atmosphere in the 550 ºC to 930 ºC range was investigated on all three ZnO types. In addition, hydrogen-implanted layers on semi-insulating hydrothermally grown ZnO were studied. These samples were annealed in the 200 ºC to 400 ºC range and Hall measurements in the 20 K to 330 K range were performed. Programs were written to fit, wherever possible, the obtained temperature dependent carrier concentration and mobility profiles to suitable theoretical models. The carrier concentration data was fitted to a multi-donor single acceptor charge balance equation for the purpose of extracting donor concentrations and activation energies. Before fitting, the data was corrected for the Hall scattering factor and, where necessary, for two-layer effects particularly a degenerate surface conduction channel that developed through annealing on the SCVT-grown and hydrothermally grown samples. The acceptor concentrations of the samples were obtained by fitting the mobility data to a model based on D.L. Rode’s method of solving the Boltzmann transport equation. Scattering mechanisms included in the model were piezoelectric and deformation potential acoustic modes, polar optic modes and ionized impurity scattering. It was found that the mobility data did not fit the model very well without assigning questionable values to other parameters, in this case the deformation potential. Plausible values for the acceptor concentration were however obtained. The carrier concentration data fitted the model well, but due to the large number of parameters to be extracted (up to six parameters in the case of three donors) there was often not much certainty in the extracted values This study shows that TDH analysis is a valuable tool to assess the quality of semiconductors. Bulk and degenerate surface (or interfacial) conduction are separated with relative ease, and shallow defect concentrations as well as compensation level concentrations could be extracted. The generally observed uncertainty in values obtained in the multi-parameter regression of carrier concentration data indicates that supplementary techniques such as photoluminescence are needed to support results obtained by the TDH technique. / Dissertation (MSc (Physics))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Physics / MSc / unrestricted

Dans cet article, nous proposons une nouvelle bibliothèque de techniques non linéaires pour accélérer l’équation de transport en ordonnées discrètes. Deux nouveaux types de méthodes d'accélération non linéaire appelées méthode de rééquilibrage spatialement variable (SVRM) et accélération de matrice de réponse (RMA), respectivement, sont proposées et étudiées. La première méthode, SVRM, est basée sur le calcul de la variation spatiale de premier ordre de l'équation de la balance des neutrons. RMA, est une méthode DP0 qui utilise la connaissance de l'opérateur de transport pour former une relation cohérente. Deux variantes distinctes de RMA, appelées respectivement Explicit-RMA (E-RMA) et Balance (B-RMA), sont dérivées. Les propriétés de convergence des deux méthodes d'accélération sont étudiées pour deux schémas d'itération différents de l'opérateur de transport de la méthode des caractéristiques (MOC) pour une dalle 1D, en utilisant une analyse spectrale et une analyse de Fourier. Sur la base des résultats de la comparaison 1D, seuls les outils RMA et CMFD ont été implémentés dans la bibliothèque. Les performances de RMA sont comparées à celles de CMFD en utilisant les tests 3D C5G7, ZPPR et UH12. Les schémas de résolution parallèles et séquentiels sont considérés. L'analyse des résultats indique que les deux variantes de RMA ont une efficacité et une stabilité améliorées par rapport au CMFD, pour les matériaux à diffusion optique. De plus, le RMA montre une amélioration importante de la stabilité et de l'efficacité lorsque la géométrie est décomposée spatialement. Pour obtenir des performances numériques optimales, une combinaison de RMA et de CMFD est suggérée. Une enquête plus approfondie sur l'utilisation et l'amélioration de la RMA est proposée. De plus, de nombreuses idées pour étendre les fonctionnalités de la bibliothèque sont présentées. / In this paper we propose a new library of non-linear techniques for accelerating the discrete-ordinates transport equation. Two new types of nonlinear acceleration methods called Spatially Variant Rebalancing Method (SVRM) and Response Matrix Acceleration (RMA), respectively, are proposed and investigated. The first method, SVRM, is based on the computation of the zeroth and first order spatial variation of the neutron balance equation. RMA, is a DP0 method that uses knowledge of the transport operator to form a consistent relationship. Two distinct variants of RMA, called Explicit-RMA (E-RMA) and Balance (B-RMA), respectively, are derived. The convergence properties of both acceleration methods are investigated for two different iteration schemes of the method of characteristics (MOC) transport operator for a 1D slab, using spectral and Fourier analysis. Based off the results of the 1D comparison, only RMA and CMFD were implemented in the library. The performance of RMA is compared to CMFD using the C5G7, ZPPR, and UH12 3D benchmarks. Both parallel and sequential solving schemes are considered. Analysis of the results indicates that both variants of RMA have improved effectiveness and stability relative to CMFD, for optically diffusive materials. Moreover, RMA shows great improvement in stability and effectiveness when the geometry is spatially decomposed. To achieve optimal numerical performance, a combination of RMA and CMFD is suggested. Further investigation into the use and improvement of RMA is proposed. As well, many ideas for extending the features of the library are presented.

L’objet de cette thèse est l’étude des propriétés de stabilité et contrôle pour des systèmes linéaires écrits à l’aide d’équations aux dérivées partielles (EDP) ou d’équations à retard. Nous souhaitons exploiter dans cette thèse les liens qui existent entre ces deux classes de systèmes de dimension infinie afin de développer une nouvelle approche permettant leur analyse. En effet dans plusieurs applications, il est possible de choisir l’un ou l’autre de ces deux types de systèmes pour modéliser la dynamique considérée. Par exemple, les phénomènes de congestion dans un réseau routier peuvent être modélisés à l’aide d’EDP de type transport [JKC], mais aussi par un modèle à retard distribué [MMN] ou encore à retard discret [SN]. On peut également renvoyer aux travaux de Krstic [K] sur la formulation d’un système à retard comme un système EDP. Ces deux classes de systèmes sont des cas particuliers de systèmes de dimension infinie, et contrairement aux cas de systèmes de dimension finie, on parle de fonctions d’état plutôt que vecteur d’état. Cela implique que l’analyse associée est plus délicate et fait appel à des outils dédiés. Dans le cadre de la thèse, l’étudiant se focalisera sur les approches basées sur une extension du théorème de Lyapunov pour les systèmes de dimension infinie utilisant des fonctionnelles spécifiques. Comme pour la modélisation, l’analyse de stabilité des systèmes à retard ou de type EDP peut être menée à l’aide de fonctionnelles de Lyapunov très similaires. Nous souhaitons que cette thèse tire parti des travaux existants dans les deux communautés sur les systèmes à retards et de type EDP pour développer une approche novatrice et unifiée pour l’analyse et le contrôle de systèmes de dimension infinie. Pour cela, le candidat s’appuiera sur ses acquis en automatique et en mathématiques ainsi que sur l’expertise des deux encadrants. Plusieurs contributions sont attendues durant la thèse. Dans un premier temps, il sera question d’étendre des résultats récents [SG1,2] développés pour l’analyse de stabilité des systèmes à retards au cas de systèmes régis par des EDP. Ces premiers résultats auront vocation à servir de base pour l’étude de la synthèse de commandes robustes dans le cadre d’applications telles que le contrôle de trafic routier [MMN], le contrôle de vibration [RBPA], etc… Cette thèse en automatique requiert plusieurs compétences parmi lesquelles des connaissances sur la théorie de Lyapunov pour les systèmes avec ou sans retard, sur les inégalités matricielles linéaires tout en s’appuyant sur les outils de mathématiques appliquées pour l’étude des équations aux dérivées partielles (algèbre linéaire, analyse fonctionnelle, espaces de Hilbert, de Sobolev). / The purpose of this thesis is the study of stability and control properties for linear systems described by partial differential equations (PDE) or delay differential equations. We wish to use in this thesis the relationship between these two classes of infinite-dimensional systems in view of developing a new paradigm for their analysis. Indeed, in many applications, it is possible to choose one or the other of these two classes of systems to model the dynamics of the system under consideration. For example, traffic flow can be modeled using PDE type of transportation [JKC], but also by a distributed delay model [SMP] or discrete delay [SN]. We may also refer to the work of Krstic [K] on the formulation of a delay system as an PDE system. These two classes of systems are special cases of infinite dimensional systems, unlike the case of finite-dimensional systems, we better called state functions rather than the state vector. This implies that the analysis is more delicate and refers to the use of dedicated tools. As part of the thesis, the student will focus on approaches based on an extension of Lyapunov theorem for infinite dimensional systems using specific functional. As for the modeling process, the stability analysis of delayed or PDE type systems can be conducted using very similar Lyapunov functionals. We hope that this thesis builds on existing work in the two communities on delay systems and PDE to develop an innovative and unified approach to the analysis and control of infinite dimensional systems. To do so, the candidate will build on its skills in automatic and mathematics as well as the on from expertise of both supervisors. Several contributions are expected during the thesis . Initially, we aim at extedning recent results [SG13,14] developed in the context of the stability analysis of delay systems to the case of systems governed by PDE. These first results will provide the basis for the design of robust control laws for various applications including traffic control, vibration control, etc ... Cette thèse portera sur l’étude des propriétés de stabilité et de contrôle des systèmes linéaires de dimension infinie, plus particulièrement écrits à l’aide d’EDP ou d’équations à retard. L’intérêt naturel pour l’étude de cette classe de systèmes à la frontière entre mathématiques appliquées et automatique connaît un succès grandissant de part la large gamme d’applications en contrôle pouvant être décrites par ces modèles : en ingénierie, biologie, informatique… L’émulation scientifique entre systèmes à retard et systèmes de type EDP permettra en outre à cette thèse de tirer parti des méthodes et outils propres à chacun des ces domaines. This PhD proposal in automatic control requires several skills including knowledge on Lyapunov theory for systems with or without delay , on linear matrix inequalities while relying on mathematical tools applied in the study of partial differential equations ( linear algebra functional analysis , Hilbert spaces , Sobolev) .

<p dir="ltr">Interconnects pose severe performance bottlenecks in advanced technology nodes due to multiple scaling challenges. To understand such problems and explore potential solutions, it is important to develop advanced models. This is particularly relevant for modern interconnects (especially vias) with complex structures with non- trivial current paths. In this dissertation, we develop a comprehensive physics-based interconnect models to capture surface and grain boundary scattering. We further analyze the circuit implications of 2D transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD)-augmented interconnects, which show potential in mitigating some of the scalability concerns of state-of-the-art interconnects. First, we propose a 2D spatially resolved model for surface scattering in rectangular interconnects based on the Fuchs-Sondheimer (FS) theory. The proposed spatially resolved FS (SRFS) model offers both spatial dependence and explicit relation of conductivity to physical parameters. We also couple the SRFS model with grain boundary scattering based on the Mayadas−Shatzkes (MS) theory. The SRFS-MS model is exact for diffusive surface scattering and offers a good approximation for elastic surface scattering. Furthermore, we develop a circuit-compatible version of the SRFS-MS model and show a close match with the physical SRFS-MS model (error < 0.7%). Moreover, we integrate temperature dependency, confirming that surface scattering has a negligible temperature-dependence. Second, we analyze the circuit implications of 2D TMD augmented interconnects and show the effective clock frequency of an AES circuit is boosted by 2%-32%. We also establish that the vertical resistivity of the TMD material must be below 22 kΩ-nm to obtain performance benefits over state-of-the-art interconnects in the worst-case process-temperature corner.</p>