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In this study we investigate the magnetic properties of Fe-based amorphous thin films. Fe1-x-y-zBxSiyCz, Fe80-xNixB20, Fe80-xMnxB20, and Fe73-xMnxB27 films were deposited on silicon and glass substrates in a DC and RF magnetron sputtering system. Inductive magnetic measurements were performed to investigate the magnetic properties, including induced anisotropy and magnetostriction, of the as-deposited and annealed films using an M-H Looper. The chemical composition of the films was characterized using secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). The physical thickness of the films was determined by use of a stylus profilometer. The M-H Looper studies indicated that the induced anisotropy (Hk) depends strongly on the nickel concentration as well as on the annealing conditions, specifically the time and temperature of the annealing process. For the same metalloid concentration, the induced anisotropy has a maximum as a function of Ni. For the same nickel concentration and annealing time, it was found that the value of Hk decreases with the increase in annealing temperature. For each composition studied, low temperature long time annealing showed a higher value of Hk compared to high temperature short time annealing. From the magnetostriction values of Fe80-xNixB20 alloys, it was found that the sputter deposited films show similar trend but differ in magnitude when compared with ribbon samples. The magnetostriction of annealed thin films is found to be representative of ribbon samples. A potential composition modification to improve the strength of the field induced anisotropy is the addition of low levels of Mn.

The main focus of this dissertation is to characterize and improve the performance of thin-film piezoelectric-on-substrate (TPoS) lateral-mode resonators and filters. TPoS is a class of piezoelectric MEMS devices which benefits from the high coupling coefficient of the piezoelectric transduction mechanism while taking advantage of superior acoustic properties of a substrate. The use of lateral-mode TPoS designs allows for fabrication of dispersed-frequency filters on a single substrate, thus significantly reducing the size and manufacturing cost of devices. TPoS filters also offer a lower temperature coefficient of frequency, and better power handling capability compared to rival technologies all in a very small footprint. Design and fabrication process of the TPoS devices is discussed. Both silicon and diamond substrates are utilized for fabrication of TPoS devices and results are compared. Specifically, the superior acoustic properties of nanocrystalline diamond in scaling the frequency and energy density of the resonators is highlighted in comparison with silicon. The performance of TPoS devices in a variety of applications is reported. These applications include lateral-mode TPoS filters with record low IL values (as low as 2dB) and fractional bandwidth up to 1%, impedance transformers, very low phase noise oscillators, and passive wireless temperature sensors.

Absorption plays a critical role in a variety of optical applications – sometimes it is desirable to minimize it as in optical fibers and waveguides, or to enhance it as in solar cells and photodetectors. We describe here a new optical scheme that controllably produces high optical absorption over a broad wavelength range (hundreds of nm) in systems that have low intrinsic absorption over the same range. This effect, 'coherent perfect absorption' or CPA, arises from a subtle interplay between interference and absorption of two beams incident on a weakly absorbing medium. In the first part of this study, we present an analytical model that captures the relevant physics of CPA in one-dimensional photonic structures. This model elucidates an absorption-mediated interference effect that underlies CPA – an effect that is normally forbidden in Hermitian systems, but is allowed when conservation of energy is violated due to the inclusion of loss. As a concrete example, we consider a Fabry-Pérot resonator containing a lossy dielectric and confirm this model through a computational study of a 1-micron-thick silicon layer in a cavity formed of dispersive mirrors with aperiodic multilayer design. We confirm that one may achieve 100% absorption in this thin silicon layer (whose intrinsic absorption is only ~ 3%) in the near-infrared. We then design two device models using few-micron-thick aperiodic planar dielectric mirrors and demonstrate (computationally, as well as experimentally) spectrally flat, coherently enhanced absorption at the theoretical limit in a 2-micron-thick film of polycrystalline silicon embedded in symmetric and asymmetric cavities. This coherent effect is observed over an octave-spanning wavelength range of ~800 – 1600 nm utilizing incoherent light in the near-infrared, exploiting mirrors that have wavelength-dependent reflectivity devised to counterbalance the decline in silicon's intrinsic absorption at long wavelengths. We anticipate that the design principles established here may be extended to other materials, broader spectral ranges, and large surface areas. Finally, we study the effect of the angle of incidence on CPA in planar structures. The results of this study point to a path for realizing CPA in such systems continuously over large bandwidths.

Yes / A new low-cost dual-segmented dielectric resonator (DR) antenna design is proposed for wideband applications in the X-band region. Two DRs coupled to an S-shaped slot introduce interesting features. The antenna performance was characterized in terms of the reflection coefficient, gain, and radiation pattern, and detailed simulation studies indicate excellent antenna performance from 7.66 GHz to 11.2 GHz (37.5% fractional bandwidth) with a maximum gain of 6.0 dBi at 10.6 GHz while the fabricated prototype has a matched bandwidth from 7.8 GHz to 11.85 GHz (41% fractional bandwidth) and maximum gain of 6dBi. The antenna is compact, size 1 x 0.83 x 0.327 time the wavelength at 10 GHz. The two DR segments may be located on the same side or on opposite sides of the substrate, giving respectively improved gain or more uniform field patterns. Experimental testing of the prototype performance showed reasonable agreement with the predicted performance.

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<p>Wireless communications and interconnected devices have become ubiquitous in our everyday life. As the rollout of the 5th generation (5G), wireless communication technology is well underway, the number of interconnected devices is increasing exponentially. Estimations for 2021 predicted that 1.5 billion smart devices would sell globally, representing a $53.45 billion market size by 2022. With the increase of communication channels and transmitted data within these networks, the challenge of coexistence without interference will become prominent. Simultaneously, 5G networks are introducing more frequency bands while densifying the network of communication towers. Forecasts predict a 100X increase of the network at the edge by introducing small cell towers, with projections estimating 45 million installed by 2031. As a result, rapid exponential growth in hardware costs is expected. Also, these dense networks will require a higher degree of self-configuration to prevent adjacent band interference.</p> <p>Tunable filters and large-scale manufacturing technologies are two solutions to address these challenges. Reconfigurable high-quality evanescent-mode (EVA) filters have been extensively presented in the literature. Different mechanisms have been employed for tuning, such as piezoelectric actuators and motors, and magnetostatic and electrostatic actuators. Furthermore, these implementations have been realized with printed circuit board (PCB) technology, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, 3D printing, and silicon (Si) micro-machining. Specifically, PCB manufacturing of three-dimensional front-end tunable filters has been promising and can deliver excellent performance. In addition, they can be integrated into the existing manufacturing lines and circuitry for the RF front-end.</p> <p>Nonetheless, there are limitations in fabrication tolerances that PCB manufacturing could reach. Consequently, there are restrictions on the frequency bands that these devices can be manufactured as dimensions become smaller in higher bands. Moreover, EVA cavities have been proven to yield higher performance filters when compared to unloaded quality factors and power handling of currently used substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) based technologies. Specifically, EVA filters produced with silicon micro-manufacturing combined with MEMS actuators have been demonstrated with remarkable performance up to 100s of GHz. Also, cost limitations per unit built are significant compared to other technologies like injection molding.</p> <p>The research goal of this work is to investigate scalable, low-cost manufacturing processes and techniques while maintaining a high-performance device. Combining knowledge from silicon RF MEMS tuned EVA filters and the cost-effective mass manufacturing injection molding technology to deliver a high-Q, high power handling, low-cost tunable filter. Demonstrating these characteristics within the same manufactured prototype would be a unique solution within the existing literature on tunable filters.</p> <p>This thesis is organized into three parts. The first part is focused on design for manufacturing (DFM). Si micromachining has been used to produce tunable resonators and filters at lower bands, but higher bands have yet to be demonstrated. The low-cost batch fabrication of already established Si micromachining lines makes this an attractive technology to realize these devices. This section presents network densification’s challenges and the economics of scale-up manufacturing. Furthermore, using Si micromachining, the first high Q tunable W band RF resonator is demonstrated tuned with MEMS technology.</p> <p>In the second part, the focus is on design for performance (DFP). Si micromachining is optimized to demonstrate high-performance RF MEMS tunable filters up to 100s GHz. High Q, wide tuning range, and low actuation voltages for the MEMS tuners have been realized.</p> <p>In the third part, the focus is on design for cost (DFC), where injection molding manufacturing technology is proven to have significant advantages in low cost with respect to other large-scale manufacturing technologies. A high-performance tunable resonator and filter in the sub-6 GHz frequency band are manufactured. They prove that simultaneously high Q, widely tunable, high power capable filters can be produced with low-cost scalable manufacturing technology.</p>

Yes / In this paper, balanced dual segment cylindrical dielectric antennas (CDRA) with ultra wide-band operation are reported. First a T-shaped slot and L-shaped microstrip feeding line are suggested to furnish a balanced coupling mechanism for feeding two DRAs. Performance of the proposed antenna was analyzed and optimized against the target frequency band. The proposed antenna was then modified by adding a C-shaped strip to increase the gain. The performances of both balanced antennas were characterized and optimized in terms of antenna reflection coefficient, radiation pattern, and gain. The antennas cover the frequency range from 6.4 GHz to 11.736 GHz, which is 58.7% bandwidth. A maximum gain of 2.66 dB was achieved at a frequency of 7 GHz with the first antenna, with a further 2.25 dB increase in maximum gain attained by adding the C-shaped strip. For validation, prototypes of the two antennas were fabricated and tested. The predicted and measured results showed reasonable agreement and the results confirmed good impedance bandwidth characteristics for ultra-wideband operation from both proposed balanced antennas.

Yes / New multi-standard wide band filters with compact sizes are designed for wireless communication devices. The proposed structures realize dual-wideband and quad-wideband characteristics by using a new skew-symmetrical coupled pair of asymmetric stepped impedance resonators, combined with other structures. The first and second dual-wideband filters realize fractional bandwidths (FBW) of 43.2%/31.9% at the central frequencies (CF) of 1.875/1.63 GHz, and second bandwidths of 580 MHz/1.75 GHz at CF of 5.52/4.46 GHz, respectively. The proposed quad-band filter realizes its first/second/third/fourth pass bands at CF 2.13/5.25/7.685/9.31 GHz with FBW of 46.0%/11.4%/4.6%and 5.4%, respectively. The wide pass bands are attributed to the mutual coupling of the modified ASIR resonators and their bandwidths are controllable by tuning relative parameters while the wide stop band performance is optimized by the novel interdigital cross coupled line structure and parallel uncoupled microstrip line structure. Moreover, the quad band is generated by introducing the novel defected rectangle structure. These multi-standard filters are simulated, fabricated and measured, and measured results agree well with both simulated results and theory predictions. The good in-band and out-of-band performances, the miniaturized sizes and simple structures of the proposed filters make them very promising for applications in future multi-standard wireless communication. / Horizon 2020 Framework Programme(European Union), Grant/Award Number:H2020-MSCA-ITN-2016 SECRET-722 424

At the turn of the 20th century two contemporaries in their respective fields teamed up to develop a solution to an acoustic problem with the hard-surfaced vaulted ceilings being installed in many large spanning rooms being built at the time. In the spirit of their ingenuity, this research explores a 21st century solution to a similar problem in contemporary buildings; the desire for a durable, hard surface wall or ceiling material treatment that is more sound absorbent than other common surface treatments. To find a material answer to this desire an impedance tube was used to analyze the mid-frequency octave band absorption coefficients of various re-purposed existing materials and tiles created utilizing 3D print technology and Helmholtz resonators. Additionally, an empirical study of Helmholtz resonator geometry was performed by analyzing the sound absorption of resonant cavity shape changes. Finally, plots of the absorption coefficients for each material tested were created to provide a visual comparison against two common surface treatment materials, tectum and gypsum wall board. / Master of Architecture