A non-destructive inspection system using 50MHz ultrasound has been developed. The system has been designed to provide magnified visual images of the interior of solid materials. An ultrasonic transducer is scanned across the specimen to produce these images and consequently the system has become known as the Scanning Acoustic Microscope (SAM). The principles of operation of the SAM have been described in terms of wave theory and the electronic and computer sub-systems of which it is comprised. Images are presented on a computer monitor in eight colours. The colour of each picture point, or pixel, is determined by the amplitude of a reflection from the specimen. As the transducer scans in a raster pattern over the specimen a video cursor scans over the video memory in the computer and each pixel is coloured in turn. Thus the image is built up in real time as the transducer is scanned. The maximum range of scan is 300 x 300iran in the horizontal plane and 200mm vertically. The spatial resolution in all three axes is 7.5 microns. Applications in several areas of engineering and one medical area have been developed. The underlying principles of each inspection situation are described and results reported. These areas include inspection and evaluation of various forms of bond, volumetric inspection, particularly of engineering ceramic materials and the skin, and a measurement problem in the gas turbine industry. All the work reported has been undertaken on behalf of customers of Fulmer Research Institute Limited and it therefore represents a series of practical problems and solutions across a wide spectrum of industry.

Le but de cette thèse était tout d'abord de comprendre les théories physiques qui décrivent la dynamique des polymères à l'échelle macroscopique. Le modèle de Rouse et la théorie d'enchevêtrement de De Gennes décrivent la dynamique des polymères non enchevêtrés et enchevêtrés, respectivement. Nous avons étudiés les différentes transitions entre ces deux régimes en utilisant deux techniques expérimentales: Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS) et rhéologie. Les effets d'enchevêtrement sur les spectres diélectriques ont été discutés. Un test complet du modèle de Rouse à été effectué sur en comparant les prédictions de ce modèle pour la dépendance en fréquence de la permittivité diélectrique et du module de cisaillement aux données expérimentales. Ensuite nous avons développés des méthodes bas"s sur la microscopie à force électrostatique afin d'étudier les propriétés diélectriques locales. En utilisant la simulation numérique de la Méthode des Charges Equivalentes la constante diélectrique a été quantifiée à partir de la mesure du gradient de force crée par un potentiel statique entre une pointe et un diélectrique. Cette méthode permet d'imager la constante diélectrique avec une résolution spatial de 40 nm. Le retard de phase de la composante en 2ω de la force ou du gradient de force crée par un voltage alternatif est relié aux pertes diélectriques. En mesurant cette quantité nous avons montré que la dynamique était plus rapide proche d'une interface libre et nous avons développé un mode d'imagerie des pertes diélectriques. Cette méthode simple pourrait être appliqué en biologie ou matière molle en générale afin d'étudier des variations locales de constantes diélectriques. / The aim of this thesis was first to understand the physical theories that describe the dynamics of linear polymers at the macroscopic scale. Rouse and the reptational tube theory describe the large scale dynamics of unentangled and entangled polymers respectively. Using Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS) and rheology we have studied the different transition between these two regimes. Effects of entanglement on dielectric spectra will be discussed (Rheologica Acta. 49(5):507-512). Avoiding the segmental relaxation contribution and introducing a distribution in the molecular weight we have been able to perform a comparison of the Rouse model with experiment dielectric and rheological data (Macromolecules 42(21): 8492-8499) Then we have developed EFM-based methods in order to study the local dynamics. Using the numerical simulation of the Equivalent Charge Method, the value of the static dielectric permittivity has been quantified from the measurement of the force gradient created by a VDC potential between a tip and a grounded dielectric (Journal of Applied Physics 106(2):024315). This method allows a quantitative mapping of dielectric properties with a 40 nm spatial resolution and is therefore suitable for the study of nano-defined domains (Physical Review E 81(1): 010801). The electrical phase lags in the 2ω components of the force or force gradient created by VAC voltage, ΔΦ2ω, are related with dielectric losses. Measuring the frequency dependence of ΔΦ2ω Crieder et al (Applied Physics Letters 91(1):013102) have shown that the dynamics at the near free surface of polymer films is faster than the one in bulk. We have used this method in order to visualize the activation of the segmental relaxation with temperature and frequency (Applied Physics Letters 96(21): 213110). All this measurements can be achieved using standard Atomic Force Microscope (and a lock-in) for VAC measurements.

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This thesis describes the development of a new type of Magnetic Force Microscope (MFM) probe based on a unique electromagnetic design. In addition the design, construction and testing of a new MFM system, complete in both hardware and software, is also described. The MFM allowed initial tests on prototypes of the new probe, and is to provide a base for future new probe integration. The microscope uses standard MFM micro-cantilever probes in static modes of imaging. A new computer hosted DSP control system, software, and its various interfaces with the MFM have been integrated into the system. The system has been tested using standard probes with various specimens and satisfactory results have been produced. A novel probe has been designed to replace the standard MFM magnetic coated tip with a field generated about a sub-micron aperture in a conducting film. The field from the new probe is modelled and its imaging capability investigated, with iterative designs analysed in this way. The practical construction and potential problems therein, of the probe are also considered. Test apertures have been manufactured, and an image of the field produced when operating is provided as support to the theoretical designs. Future methods of using the new probe are also discussed, including the examination of the probe as a magnetic write mechanism. This probe, integrated into the MFM, can provide a new method of microscopic magnetic imaging, and in addition opens a new potential method of magnetic storage that will require further research.

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 1991. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (67-69).

Th.--Sci. phys.--Toulouse 3, 1978. N°: 812.

abstract: ABSTRACT Group III-nitride semiconductor materials have been commercially used in fabrication of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes (LDs) covering the spectral range from UV to visible and infrared, and exhibit unique properties suitable for modern optoelectronic applications. Great advances have recently happened in the research and development in high-power and high-efficiency blue-green-white LEDs, blue LDs and other optoelectronic applications. However, there are still many unsolved challenges with these materials. In this dissertation, several issues concerning structural, electronic and optical properties of III-nitrides have been investigated using a combination of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron holography (EH) and cathodoluminescence (CL) techniques. First, a trend of indium chemical inhomogeneity has been found as the indium composition increases for the InGaN epitaxial layers grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. Second, different mechanisms contributing to the strain relaxation have been studied for non-polar InGaN epitaxial layers grown on zinc oxide (ZnO) substrate. Third, various structural morphologies of non-polar InGaN epitaxial layers grown on free-standing GaN substrate have been investigated. Fourth, the effect of the growth temperature on the performance of GaN lattice-matched InAlN electron blocking layers has been studied. Finally, the electronic and optical properties of GaN nanowires containing a AlN/GaN superlattice structure have been investigated showing relatively small internal electric field and superlattice- and defect-related emissions along the nanowires. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Physics 2011

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How the neural representations of different sensory modalities transition from one to another is an unexplored issue of cortical organization. The present experiments addressed this problem by examining auditory projections to the lateral suprasylvian visual area (LSS) of the cat using neuroanatomical tract tracing methods. Injections of tracer (Biotinylated Dextran Amine, BDA) were made into defined areas of the cat auditory cortex. Following transport and tissue processing, a light microscope with a digitizing stage was used to visualize and plot labeled auditory projections to the LSS. The results showed that all auditory cortices tested demonstrated projections to a restricted portion of the LSS. While these projections were concentrated on the outer lip of the lateral bank of the LSS, some scattered auditory projections were found along the entire depth of the lateral bank. These data indicate that, at least in the LSS, projections from different sensory modalities do not form abrupt borders but exhibit areas of overlap. These overlapped projections may provide the anatomical basis for multisensory properties of neurons within transition areas between representations of different sensory modalities.