The π-conjugated organic and polymeric semiconducting materials have attracted much attention in the past years due to their significant potential in applications to electronic and optoelectronic devices including organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), organic photovoltaics (OPVs), and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), etc. Yet, organic and polymeric semiconductors still have challenges associated with their relatively low charge carrier (hole and electron) transport mobilities and ambient stability in OFET applications. This dissertation discusses the molecular engineering on backbones and side-chains of π-conjugated semiconducting polymers to enhance the hole and electron field-effect mobilities. Three donor-acceptor copolymers, the hole transport (p-type) poly(hexathiophene-co-benzo- thiazole) (PBT6), the hole transport poly(thiophenes-benzothiadiazole-thiophenes-diketopyrrolo- pyrrole) (pTBTD), and the electron transport (n-type) poly(dithieno-diketopyrrolopyrrole-bithiazole) (PDBTz) have been developed. Besides, the effect of polymer side chains on polymer solution-processability and charge carrier transport properties was systematically investigated: a side chain 5-decylheptadecyl having the branching position remote from the polymer backbone merges the advantages of the improved solubility from traditional branched side chains in which the branch chains are close to polymer backbone and the effective π-π intermolecular interactions commonly associated with linear side chains. This indicates the potential of side chain engineering to facilitate the charge carrier transport performance of organic and polymeric semiconductors. Additionally, PDBTz solution-processing to OFETs based on non-halogenated solvents (xylenes and tetralin) was studied. The resultant thin-film OFET devices based on non-halogenated solvents exhibited similar film morphology and field-effect electron mobilities as the counterparts based on halogenated solvents, indicative of the feasibility of developing high mobility OFET devices through more environmentally-benign processing.

We present axisymmetric hydrodynamical simulations of the long-term accretion of a rotating gamma-ray burst progenitor star, a "collapsar," onto the central compact object, which we take to be a black hole. The simulations were carried out with the adaptive mesh refinement code FLASH in two spatial dimensions and with an explicit shear viscosity. The evolution of the central accretion rate exhibits phases reminiscent of the long GRB [gamma]-ray and X-ray light curve, which lends support to the proposal by Kumar et al. (2008a,b) that the luminosity is modulated by the central accretion rate. In the first "prompt" phase, the black hole acquires most of its final mass through supersonic quasiradial accretion occurring at a steady rate of [scientific symbols]. After a few tens of seconds, an accretion shock sweeps outward through the star. The formation and outward expansion of the accretion shock is accompanied with a sudden and rapid power-law decline in the central accretion rate Ṁ [proportional to] t⁻²̇⁸, which resembles the L[subscript x] [proportional to] t⁻³ decline observed in the X-ray light curves. The collapsed, shock-heated stellar envelope settles into a thick, low-mass equatorial disk embedded within a massive, pressure-supported atmosphere. After a few hundred seconds, the inflow of low-angular-momentum material in the axial funnel reverses into an outflow from the thick disk. Meanwhile, the rapid decline of the accretion rate slows down, which is potentially suggestive of the "plateau" phase in the X-ray light curve. We complement our adiabatic simulations with an analytical model that takes into account the cooling by neutrino emission and estimate that the duration of the prompt phase can be ~ 20 s. The model suggests that the steep decline in GRB X-ray light curves is triggered by the circularization of the infalling stellar envelope at radii where the virial temperature is below 10¹⁰ K, such that neutrino cooling is inefficient and an outward expansion of the accretion shock becomes imminent; GRBs with longer prompt [gamma]-ray emission should have more slowly rotating envelopes. / text

Capacitive sensors are frequently applied to curved target surfaces for precision displacement measurements. In most cases, these sensors have not been recalibrated to take the curvature of the target into consideration. This recalibration becomes more critical as the target surface becomes smaller in comparison to the sensor. Calibration data are presented for a variety of capacitance probe sizes with widely varying geometries. One target surface particularly difficult to characterize is the inner surface of small holes, less than one millimeter in diameter. Although contact probes can successfully measure the inner surface of a hole, these probes are often fragile and require additional sensors to determine when contact occurs. Probes may adhere to the wall of the hole, and only a small number of data points are collected. Direct capacitance measurement of small holes requires a completely new capacitance probe geometry and method of operation. A curved, elongated surface minimizes the gap between the sensor surface and the inner surface of the hole. Reduction in the size of the sensing area is weighed against electronics limitations. The performance of a particular probe geometry is studied using computer simulations to determine the optimal probe design. Multiple, overlapping passes are deconvolved to reveal finer features on the surface of the hole. A prototype sub-millimeter capacitance probe is machined from tungsten carbide, with four additional material layers added using ebeam deposition. Several techniques are studied to remove these layers and create a sensing area along one side of the probe. Both mechanical processes and photolithography are employed.

Current research is focussed on extending our knowledge of how gravity behaves on small scales and near black hole horizons, with various modifications which may probe the low energy limits of quantum gravity. This thesis is concerned with such modifications to gravity and their implications. In chapter two thermodynamical stability analyses are performed on higher dimensional Kerr anti de Sitter black holes. We find conditions for the black holes to be able to be in thermal equilibrium with their surroundings and for the background to be stable against classical tensor perturbations. In chapter three new spherically symmetric gravastar solutions, stable to radial perturbations, are found by utilising the construction of Visser and Wiltshire. The solutions possess an anti de Sitter or de Sitter interior and a Schwarzschild (anti) de Sitter or Reissner Nordstrom exterior. We find a wide range of parameters which allow stable gravastar solutions, and present the different qualitative behaviors of the equation of state for these parameters. In chapter four a six dimensional warped brane world compactification of the Salam-Sezgin supergravity model is constructed by generalizing an earlier hybrid Kaluza Klein / Randall Sundrum construction. We demonstrate that the model reproduces localized gravity on the brane in the expected form of a Newtonian potential with Yukawa type corrections. We show that allowed parameter ranges include values which potentially solve the hierarchy problem. The class of solutions given applies to Ricci flat geometries in four dimensions, and consequently includes brane world realisations of the Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes as particular examples. Arguments are given which suggest that the hybrid compactification of the Salam Sezgin model can be extended to reductions to arbitrary Einstein space geometries in four dimensions. This work furthers our understanding of higher dimensional general relativity, which is potentially interesting given the possibility that higher dimensions may become observable at the TeV scale, which will be probed in the Large Hadron Collider in the next few years.

General relativity has been tested by many experiments, which, however, almost exclusively probe weak spacetime curvatures. In this thesis, I create two frameworks for testing general relativity in the strong-field regime with observations of black holes in the electromagnetic spectrum using current or near-future instruments. In the first part, I design tests of the no-hair theorem, which uniquely characterizes the nature of black holes in terms of their masses and spins in general relativity and which states that these compact objects are described by the Kerr metric. I investigate a quasi-Kerr metric and construct a Kerr-like spacetime, both of which contain an independent parameter in addition to mass and spin. If the no-hair theorem is correct, then any deviation from the Kerr metric has to be zero. I show that already moderate changes of the deviation parameters in either metric lead to significant modifications of the observed signals. First, I apply this framework to the imaging of supermassive black holes using very-long baseline interferometry. I show that the shadow of a black hole as well as the shape of a bright and narrow ring surrounding the shadow depend uniquely on its mass, spin, inclination, and the deviation parameter. I argue that the no-hair theorem can be tested with observations of the supermassive black hole Sgr A*. Second, I investigate the potential of quasi-periodic variability observed in both galactic black holes and active galactic nuclei to test the no-hair theorem in two different scenarios. Third, I show that the profiles of relativistically broadened iron lines emitted from the accretion disks of black holes imprint the signatures of deviations from the Kerr metric. In the second part, I devise a method to test the predicted evaporation of black holes in the Randall-Sundrum model of string theory-inspired braneworld gravity through the orbital evolution of black-hole X-ray binaries and obtain constraints on the size of the extra dimension from A0620-00 and XTE J1118+480. I predict the first detection of orbital evolution in a black-hole binary.

In the following thesis, I will conduct a thermodynamic analysis of the Taub-NUT spacetime in various dimensions, as well as show uses for Taub-NUT and other Hyper-Kahler spacetimes. <br /><br /> Thermodynamic analysis (by which I mean the calculation of the entropy and other thermodynamic quantities, and the analysis of these quantities) has in the past been done by use of background subtraction. The recent derivation of the (A)dS/CFT correspondences from String theory has allowed for easier and quicker analysis. I will use Taub-NUT space as a template to test these correspondences against the standard thermodynamic calculations (via the N&ouml;ether method), with (in the Taub-NUT-dS case especially) some very interesting results. <br /><br /> There is also interest in obtaining metrics in eleven dimensions that can be reduced down to ten dimensional string theory metrics. Taub-NUT and other Hyper-Kahler metrics already possess the form to easily facilitate the Kaluza-Klein reduction, and embedding such metrics into eleven dimensional metrics containing M2 or M5 branes produces metrics with interesting Dp-brane results.

The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) is a millimeter-wavelength, very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) experiment that is capable of observing black holes with horizon-scale resolution. Early observations have revealed variable horizon-scale emission in the Galactic Center black hole, Sagittarius. A* (Sgr A*). Comparing such observations to time-dependent general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations requires statistical tools that explicitly consider the variability in both the data and the models. We develop here a Bayesian method to compare time-resolved simulation images to variable VLBI data, in order to infer model parameters and perform model comparisons. We use mock EHT data based on GRMHD simulations to explore the robustness of this Bayesian method and contrast it to approaches that do not consider the effects of variability. We find that time-independent models lead to offset values of the inferred parameters with artificially reduced uncertainties. Moreover, neglecting the variability in the data and the models often leads to erroneous model selections. We finally apply our method to the early EHT data on Sgr A*.

This thesis utilizes several geophysical methods to study the Siljan Ring impact structure, focusing on the western part of the structure. This thesis, and the three papers upon which it is based, reports on attempts to delineate the Paleozoic rocks at depth within the annular ring graben and characterize their structure. In addition, the nature of the basement, which underlies these sedimentary rocks is investigated. Papers I and III focus on analysis of the down-hole logging and borehole core data. As well as the acquisition, processing and interpretation of 2D high-resolution reflection seismic data from the Mora area. The borehole log responses were compared with the core lithology from the Mora 001 borehole and information from two other cores (Mora VM 2 and Mora MV 3) in order to interpret the logs. The logs reveal significant changes in the lithology between boreholes, indicating a very high level of structural complexity, which is attributed to impact tectonics. In addition, the log data revealed a high sonic velocity contrast between the Silurian and Ordovician successions and a higher apparent temperature gradient than in the northern part of the structure. The interpretation of the high-resolution 2D seismic data suggest that the Mora area has been significantly affected by the impact. Several potential faults were identified in the area and interpreted to be post depositional and related to the impact. In paper II, a 2D seismic profile from the Orsa area (12 km) located in the northwestern part of the Siljan Ring was re-processed. To compliment this seismic line, first break traveltime tomography results, vintage seismic OPAB profiles, new and pre-existing gravity data, aeromagnetic data and the bedrock geological map were used to present a geological model along the Orsa profile. Reprocessing of the seismic data resulted in improved stacked and migrated sections and better imaging of the top of the crystalline basement than the original processing. Integrated interpretation of the seismic profiles suggests that the area has been significantly affected by faulting and that the depth to the basement varies greatly along the different profiles.

Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (ssDSSCs) and recently developed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted a great attention in the scientific field of photovoltaics due to their low cost, absence of solvent, simple fabrication and promising power conversion efficiency (PCE). In these types of solar cell, the dye molecule or the perovskite can harvest the light on the basis of electron excitation. Afterwards, the electron and hole are collected at the charge transport materials. Photoelectrochemical polymerization (PEP) is employed in this thesis to synthesize conducting polymer hole transport materials (HTMs) for ssDSSCs. We have for the first time developed aqueous PEP in comparison with the conventional organic PEP with acetonitrile as solvent. This water-based PEP could potentially provide a low-cost, environmental-friendly method for efficient deposition of polymer HTM for ssDSSCs. In addition, new and simple precursors have been tested with PEP method. The effects of dye molecules on the PEP were also systematically studied, and we found that (a) the bulky structure of dye is of key importance for blocking the interfacial charge recombination; and (b) the matching of the energy levels between the dye and the precursor plays a key role in determining the kinetics of the PEP process. In PSCs, the HTM layer is crucial for efficient charge collection and its long term stability. We have studied different series of new molecular HTMs in order to understand fundamentally the influence of alkyl chains, molecular energy levels, and molecular geometry of the HTM on the photovoltaic performance. We have identified several important factors of the HTMs for efficient PSCs, including high uniformity of the HTM capping layer, perovskite-HTM energy level matching, good HTM solubility, and high conductivity. These factors affect interfacial hole injection, hole transport, and charge recombination in PSCs. By systematical optimization, a promising PCE of 19.8% has been achieved by employing a new HTM H11. We believe that this work could provide important guidance for the future development of new and efficient HTMs for PSCs.

There is an increasing trend towards miniaturization of micro features as well as micro parts. In order to accurately produce these components and the miniaturized features on them, accurate measurement of the component dimensions is required. However, there are limitations in the dimensional measurement of miniature components: micro-probes and Micro coordinate machines (micro-CMMs) suitable for micro-feature measurement are expensive and fragile so it can be difficult to justify the cost for dimensional verification of batch-produced parts (in many cases miniature components are batch-produced). Therefore, a new cost-effective way for dimensional measurement of miniature components is needed. With this in mind, this thesis describes the development of a novel, three-dimensional measurement system using a rotating wire as a probe and acoustic emissions for contact sensing. This study presents a novel concept of three-dimensional measurements using a rotating wire as a probe and acoustic emission for contact sensing. Experimental results show that the probing system can measure a part with high repeatability. A controller algorithm has been developed for automated scanning within a machine tool. The performance is verified against calibration artifacts. The main contributions of this thesis are as follows: firstly, the traditional contact and non-contact micro coordinate measuring machines including sensing techniques and acoustic emission sensing are reviewed, and a clear set of knowledge gaps are identified in these fields. Secondly, a novel concept of three-dimensional measurements using a rotating wire as a probe tip and acoustic emission for contact sensing is introduced. The operation and measurements of the rotating micro probing based on acoustic emission (AE) sensing are validated experimentally. Initially, the ability of the rotating microprobe tip based on AE sensing to counteract the measured surfaces interaction rubbing is investigated. Other areas of validation are in the determination of the probing point repeatability, the straightness, and probe tip calibration. Thirdly, the acoustic emission signal and its characterizations of the probe tip touches are studied. The behavior of the rotating probe tip focusses on the threshold, touching time and as well as measured materials type that has an effect on probing accuracy. Finally, the estimated effective diameter and approximation threshold are modeled. This work is directly aimed at ensuring that the developed rotating probe tip based on AE sensing is capable of operating in an industrial metrology environment. It is concluded that the developed rotating probe tip based on AE sensing will be able to address the current needs of the micro-CMM community. On the other hand, it is possible that the rotating wire probe tip based on AE sensing can measure micro holes less than the achieved in this work, further increasing its usefulness. / Graduate / elfurjan@uvic.ca