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Silicon photonics has been widely recognized as a key technology that enables guiding, modulating, detecting, and computing of light in silicon chips. Photonic chips can be fabricated in a similar fashion as microelectronic chips, leveraging the mature CMOS fabrication and metrology infrastructure. Extending this technology, this dissertation focuses on two different areas : silicon microresonator-based mid-infrared light sources, and efficient strain engineering of the bandgap of two-dimensional materials. First, we review the basic theory of waveguides and ring resonators, laying the groundwork for the rest of the dissertation. Second, nonlinear optics is introduced with an emphasis on third order nonlinear phenomena including four wave mixing, the basis for Kerr frequency comb generation. Third, starting with the basic theory of lasers, we present the basic principles of quantum well lasers, leading to the discussion of quantum and interband cascade lasers. Fourth, we demonstrate a simple approach to generate mid-infrared frequency comb using a passive high-Q microresonator as well as an over one million quality factor silicon microresonator at 4.5 ?m. The novel suspended inverse taper with sub-3dB coupling loss is reported. Fifth, we demonstrate a compact narrow-linewidth widely-tunable mid-infrared laser using a high-Q external on-chip cavity. Lastly, we demonstrate highly efficient modulation of transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers (TMD) monolayers as well as TMD monolayer integrated on a silicon nitride waveguide. Additionally, we present a heterogeneous integration platform based on a thin polymer, which allows bonding as well as in principle, evanescent coupling between the two substrates.

<p> Novel scalar and full-vectorial mode solvers based on quadratic spline collocation (QSC) method have been developed in MATLAB for optical dielectric waveguide with arbitrary two-dimensional cross-section and refractive index profile.</p> <p> Compared with the conventional finite difference mode solver in the literature and a commercial mode solver, the QSC mode solvers are simple and easy to implement in MATLAB without losing the accuracy of the mode solutions. The scalar mode solver is fast for solving weakly guiding waveguides. Three typical rib waveguides are calculated by the QSC scalar mode solver and compared with the numerical results of a finite difference scalar mode solver in the literature. The full-vectorial mode solver is capable of solving both weakly and strongly guiding waveguides. Typical numerical examples are calculated by the full-vectorial QSC mode solver and the solver is verified by comparing the results to a commercial mode solver.</p> <p> At the end of the thesis, methods of calculating leaky and radiation modes of general dielectric waveguides and possible methods of increasing the accuracy of the QSC mode solvers are proposed.</p> / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

This research aims to develop a tissue-mimicking material and produce a 3D gelatin that has density of approximately a human lung, which is in the ranges of (0.25 – 0.35) g/cm3. Tissue equivalent models are important in order to study the radiation dose planned for patients. To achieve the desired density of a human tissue, different types of gelatin were whisked for 300 seconds using a typical hand mixer. The mechanical properties of the gelatin mixtures, standard and foamed, were evaluated by applying different forces. The mechanical properties for the gels were measured using an indentation technique, which showed that the gels act as elastic materials. The mechanical properties of the foams were also evaluated. Mixtures that contained 300 bloom gelatin, glycerol, and sorbitol, were whisked for 60, 180, 300 seconds to achieve different densities evaluated by CT imaging. The density of the180 - and 300 - seconds gelatin foams were found to be 0.33 ± 0.16 and 0.33  0.052 g/cm3, respectively, which is similar to the human lung density. Finally, FXO gel sheets and the FXO foam sheets were irradiated and the radiosensitivity quantified by measuring transmission using a spectrometer. The change in the attenuation coefficient was linear with dose. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Natural streams typically have highly complex flow patterns. Velocity gradients, circulation zones, transverse flows, and other flow patterns are created in the presence of topographic features (e.g. exposed boulders, bars). How flow complexity influences a stream's ecological health and morphological stability, as well as how flow complexity responds to changes in hydrologic conditions, is poorly understood. One-dimensional (1-D) hydraulic models and two-dimensional (2-D) models that do not explicitly incorporate meso-scale topographic features are not capable of adequately reproducing the flow patterns found in channels having complex topography. Moreover, point measurements of depth and velocity, which are used to describe hydraulic conditions in habitat suitability studies, cannot be used to characterize spatially varying flow patterns of biological importance. A general methodology for incorporating meso-scale topography into 2-D hydraulic models is presented. The method provides a means of adequately reproducing spatial flows of interest to riverine researchers. The method is developed using 2-D model simulations of a reach of the North Fork of the Feather River in California. Specifically, the site is modeled with and without bathymetry data on exposed boulders found within the site. Results show that the incorporation of boulder topography and an adequately refined mesh are necessary for reproducing velocity gradients, transverse flows, and other spatial flows. These simulations are also used to develop and evaluate three spatial hydraulic metrics designed to distinguish between locations having uniform and non-uniform flow conditions. The first two metrics describe local variations in energy/velocity gradients, while the third metric provides a measure of the flow complexity occurring within an arbitrary area. The metrics based on principles of fluid mechanics (kinetic energy, vorticity, and circulation) can be computed in the field or with 2-D hydraulic model results. These three metrics, used in conjunction with detailed 2-D hydraulic model results, provide engineers, biologist, and water resource managers a set of tools with which to evaluate the importance of flow complexity within rivers. A conceptual model describing how such a tool can be used to help design channels being restored, better evaluate stream habitat, and evaluate how hydrologic changes in a watershed impact hydraulic conditions and concomitant habitat conditions is provided. / Ph. D.

This dissertation describes the preparation of a novel inorganic membrane for hydrogen permeation and its application in a membrane reactor for the study of the methane steam reforming reaction. The investigations include both experimental studies of the membrane permeation mechanism and theoretical modeling of mass transfer through the membrane and simulation of the membrane reactor with 1-D and 2-D models. A hydrothermally stable and hydrogen selective membrane composed of silica and alumina was successfully prepared on a macroporous alumina support by chemical vapor deposition in an inert atmosphere at high temperature. Before the deposition of the silica-alumina composite, multiple graded layers of alumina were coated on the alumina support with a mean pore size of 100 nm by the sequential application of three boehmite sols with gradually decreasing sol particle sizes of 630, 200 and 40 nm, respectively. The resulting supported composite alumina-silica membrane had high permeability for hydrogen in the order of 10-7 mol m-2 s-1 Pa-1 at 873 K with a H2 /CH4 selectivity of 940 and exhibited much higher stability to water vapor at the high temperature of 873 K. In addition, the same unusual permeance order of Heï¼ H2ï¼ Ne previously observed for the pure silica membrane was also observed for the alumina-silica membrane, indicating that the silica structure did not change much after introduction of the alumina. The permeation of hydrogen and helium through vitreous glass and silica membranes was modeled using ab initio density functional calculations. Comparison of the calculated activation energies to those reported for vitreous glass (20—40 kJ mol -1) indicated the presence of 5- and 6-membered siloxane rings, consistent with the accepted structure of glass as a disordered form of cristobalite. The experimental studies of the steam reforming of methane were examined at various temperatures (773-923 K) and pressures (1-20 atm) with a commercial Ni/MgAl2O4 catalyst in a hydrogen selective silica-alumina membrane reactor and compared with a packed bed reactor. One-dimensional and two-dimensional modeling of the membrane rector and the packed bed reactor were performed at the same conditions and their performances were compared with the values obtained in the experimental study. Improved methane conversions and hydrogen yields were obtained in the membrane reactor compared to the packed bed reactor at all temperatures and pressures. From the two modeling studies, it was also found out that the two-dimensional model performed better in the membrane reactor case especially at higher pressures. / Ph. D.

Properties of aggregates are affected by their morphological characteristics, including shape factors, angularity and texture. These morphological characteristics influence the aggregate's mutual interactions and strengths of bonds between the aggregates and the binder. The interactions between aggregates and bond strengths between the aggregate and the binder are vital to rheological properties, related to workability and friction resistance of mixtures. As a consequence, quantification of the aggregate's morphological characteristics is essential for better quality control and performance improvement of aggregates. With advancement of hardware and software, the computation capability has reached the stage to rapidly quantify morphological characteristics at multiple scales using digital imaging techniques. Various computational algorithms have been developed, including Hough transform, Fourier transform, and wavelet analysis, etc. Among the aforementioned computational algorithms, Fourier transform has been implemented in various areas by representing the original image/signal in the spatial domain as a summation of representing functions of varying magnitudes, frequencies and phases in the frequency domain. This dissertation is dedicated to developing the two-dimensional Fourier transform (FFT2) method using the Fourier Transform Interferometry (FTI) system that is capable to quantify aggregate morphological characteristics at different scales. In this dissertation, FFT2 method is adopted to quantify angularity and texture of aggregates based on surface coordinates acquired from digital images in the FTI system. This is followed by a comprehensive review on prevalent aggregate imaging techniques for the quantification of aggregate morphological characteristics, including the second generation of Aggregate Image Measurement System (AIMS II), University of Illinois Aggregate Image Analyzer (UIAIA), the FTI system, etc. Recommendations are made on the usage of aggregate imaging system in the measurements of morphological parameters that are interested. After that, the influence of parent rock, crushing, and abrasion/polishing on aggregate morphological characteristics are evaluated. Atomic-scale roughness is calculated for crystal structures of five representative minerals in four types of minerals (i.e., α-quartz for quartzite/granite/gravel/aplite, dolomite for dolomite, calcite for limestone, haematite and magnetite for iron ore); roughness ranking at atomic-scale is further compared with surface texture ranking at macroscale based on measurement results using the FTI system and AIMS II. Morphological characteristics of aggregates before and after crushing test and micro-deval test are measured to quantitatively evaluate the influences of the crushing process and the abrasion/polishing process on morphological characteristics of aggregates, respectively. / Ph. D.

Metallic flavors are of concern for many industries including food, health, and water. Metallic off-flavor, induced by ferrous sulfate solution (10mg/L), and its remediation using pre- and post-rinse treatments of water (control) or metal chelators, were studied. Metal chelators included lactoferrin (1 ?M), a natural metal-binding protein in milk and saliva, and EDTA (36 ?M), a synthetic chelator. Time-intensity (TI) evaluation (n=6, 4 female; age 40-70) of lingering metallic flavor indicated that metallic flavor decreased with a post-rinse adjuvant treatment of lactoferrin as indicated by a reduced maximum intensity and area under the curve compared to a pre-rinse treatment; EDTA and water post-rinses were equally effective for three of the TI parameters. Alterations in salivary components were studied in saliva collected (n=8; 5 female, age 40-70) after sipping a lactoferrin solution (1?M) followed with a ferrous sulfate sample (10 mg/ml) to stimulate metallic flavor, as compared to unstimulated whole saliva. Protein concentration, oral lipid oxidation as indicated by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay, and iron concentration were determined on individual saliva samples, with no significant differences found between treatments (p>0.05). Protein patterns were qualitatively characterized for each pre-rinse and metallic stimuli from four panelists by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A consistent pattern of regions containing major salivary components was observed. This research has shown that lactoferrin protein is a potential natural alternative to synthetic EDTA for reducing iron-induced metallic off-flavors. This study provides a foundation of method development to better understand salivary protein interaction with metals and flavor perception. / Master of Science in Life Sciences