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Top 20 Most Read Articles
April 2011
The 20 articles with the most full-text downloads during the month, in descending order.
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WSXM: A software for scanning probe microscopy and a tool for nanotechnology Rev. Sci. Instrum. 78, 013705 (2007); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.2432410 (8 pages) Online Publication Date: 31 January 2007
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In this work we briefly describe the most relevant features of WSXM, a freeware scanning probe microscopy software based on MS-Windows. The article is structured in three different sections: The introduction is a perspective on the importance of software on scanning probe microscopy. The second section is devoted to describe the general structure of the application; in this section the capabilities of WSXM to read third party files are stressed. Finally, a detailed discussion of some relevant procedures of the software is carried out.
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Rev. Sci. Instrum. 82, 033109 (2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3563723 (8 pages) Online Publication Date: 24 March 2011
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A velocity map imaging/ion time-of-flight spectrometer designed specifically for pump–probe experiments combining synchrotron and laser radiations is described. The in-house built delay line detector can be used in two modes: the high spatial resolution mode and the coincidence mode. In the high spatial resolution mode a kinetic energy resolution of 6% has been achieved. The coincidence mode can be used to improve signal-to-noise ratio for the pump–probe experiments either by using a gate to count electrons only when the laser is present or by recording coincidences with the ion formed in the ionization process.
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Rev. Sci. Instrum. 81, 103106 (2010); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3488456 (9 pages) Online Publication Date: 20 October 2010
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An experimental setup is built for the measurement of monochromatic incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) of solar cells. With this setup, three kinds of IPCE measuring methods as well as the convenient switching between them are achieved. The setup can also measure the response time and waveform of the short-circuit current of solar cell. Using this setup, IPCE results of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are determined and compared under different illumination conditions with each method. It is found that the IPCE values measured by AC method involving the lock-in technique are sincerely influenced by modulation frequency and bias illumination. Measurements of the response time and waveform of short-circuit current have revealed that this effect can be explained by the slow response of DSCs. To get accurate IPCE values by this method, the measurement should be carried out with a low modulation frequency and under bias illumination. The IPCE values measured by DC method under the bias light illumination will be disturbed since the short-circuit current increased with time continuously due to the temperature rise of DSC. Therefore, temperature control of DSC is considered necessary for IPCE measurement especially in DC method with bias light illumination. Additionally, high bias light intensity (>2 sun) is found to decrease the IPCE values due to the ion transport limitation of the electrolyte.
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Invited Review Article: A 10 mK scanning probe microscopy facility Rev. Sci. Instrum. 81, 121101 (2010); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3520482 (33 pages) Online Publication Date: 29 December 2010
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We describe the design, development and performance of a scanning probe microscopy (SPM) facility operating at a base temperature of 10 mK in magnetic fields up to 15 T. The microscope is cooled by a custom designed, fully ultra-high vacuum (UHV) compatible dilution refrigerator (DR) and is capable of in situ tip and sample exchange. Subpicometer stability at the tip-sample junction is achieved through three independent vibration isolation stages and careful design of the dilution refrigerator. The system can be connected to, or disconnected from, a network of interconnected auxiliary UHV chambers, which include growth chambers for metal and semiconductor samples, a field-ion microscope for tip characterization, and a fully independent additional quick access low temperature scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) system. To characterize the system, we present the cooling performance of the DR, vibrational, tunneling current, and tip-sample displacement noise measurements. In addition, we show the spectral resolution capabilities with tunneling spectroscopy results obtained on an epitaxial graphene sample resolving the quantum Landau levels in a magnetic field, including the sublevels corresponding to the lifting of the electron spin and valley degeneracies.
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Femtosecond pulse shaping using spatial light modulators Rev. Sci. Instrum. 71, 1929 (2000); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1150614 (32 pages)
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We review the field of femtosecond pulse shaping, in which Fourier synthesis methods are used to generate nearly arbitrarily shaped ultrafast optical wave forms according to user specification. An emphasis is placed on programmable pulse shaping methods based on the use of spatial light modulators. After outlining the fundamental principles of pulse shaping, we then present a detailed discussion of pulse shaping using several different types of spatial light modulators. Finally, new research directions in pulse shaping, and applications of pulse shaping to optical communications, biomedical optical imaging, high power laser amplifiers, quantum control, and laser-electron beam interactions are reviewed. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. |
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Photoacoustic imaging in biomedicine Rev. Sci. Instrum. 77, 041101 (2006); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.2195024 (22 pages) Online Publication Date: 17 April 2006
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Photoacoustic imaging (also called optoacoustic or thermoacoustic imaging) has the potential to image animal or human organs, such as the breast and the brain, with simultaneous high contrast and high spatial resolution. This article provides an overview of the rapidly expanding field of photoacoustic imaging for biomedical applications. Imaging techniques, including depth profiling in layered media, scanning tomography with focused ultrasonic transducers, image forming with an acoustic lens, and computed tomography with unfocused transducers, are introduced. Special emphasis is placed on computed tomography, including reconstruction algorithms, spatial resolution, and related recent experiments. Promising biomedical applications are discussed throughout the text, including (1) tomographic imaging of the skin and other superficial organs by laser-induced photoacoustic microscopy, which offers the critical advantages, over current high-resolution optical imaging modalities, of deeper imaging depth and higher absorption contrasts, (2) breast cancer detection by near-infrared light or radio-frequency–wave-induced photoacoustic imaging, which has important potential for early detection, and (3) small animal imaging by laser-induced photoacoustic imaging, which measures unique optical absorption contrasts related to important biochemical information and provides better resolution in deep tissues than optical imaging.
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Application of a scattered-light radiometric power meter Rev. Sci. Instrum. 82, 043101 (2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3574218 (4 pages) Online Publication Date: 8 April 2011
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The power measurement of high-power continuous-wave laser beams typically calls for the use of water-cooled thermopile power meters. Large thermopile meters have slow response times that can prove insufficient to conduct certain tests, such as determining the influence of atmospheric turbulence on transmitted beam power. To achieve faster response times, we calibrated a digital camera to measure the power level as the optical beam is projected onto a white surface. This scattered-light radiometric power meter saves the expense of purchasing a large area power meter and the required water cooling. In addition, the system can report the power distribution, changes in the position, and the spot size of the beam. This paper presents the theory of the scattered-light radiometric power meter and demonstrates its use during a field test at a 2.2 km optical range.
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Rev. Sci. Instrum. 62, 810 (1991); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1142036 (4 pages)
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A novel design of a windowless resonant photoacoustic chamber with open acoustic filters and an electronic resonance locking circuitry is presented. The acoustic behavior of the cell and preliminary measurements on a certified gas mixture with a CO2 laser demonstrate the feasibility for trace gas monitoring. |
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Thermal conductivity measurement from 30 to 750 K: the 3ω method Rev. Sci. Instrum. 61, 802 (1990); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1141498 (7 pages)
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An ac technique for measuring the thermal conductivity of dielectric solids between 30 and 750 K is described. This technique, the 3ω method, can be applied to bulk amorphous solids and crystals as well as amorphous films tens of microns thick. Errors from black‐body radiation are calculated to be less than 2% even at 1000 K. Data for a‐SiO2, Pyrex 7740, and Pyroceram 9606 are compared to results obtained by conventional techniques. |
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Fiber optic probe hydrophone for the study of acoustic cavitation in water Rev. Sci. Instrum. 82, 034904 (2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3557420 (8 pages) Online Publication Date: 15 March 2011
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We use focused ultrasound bursts to submit a liquid to mechanical tension. When the pressure in the sound wave reaches a sufficiently low value, vapor bubbles are nucleated in the bulk liquid. According to nucleation theory, increasing the ultrasound frequency increases the cavitation threshold by a calculable amount. To check this, we have built a fiber optic probe hydrophone based on one originally proposed by Staudenraus and Eisenmenger [Ultrasonics 31, 267 (1993)]. We have adapted the pressure calibration and data analysis of this tool to make it appropriate for precise measurements of tension in liquids. We are able to resolve the fractional change in the pressure threshold for cavitation in water that results from a twofold increase in the frequency. This provides a test of nucleation theory in general.
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Invited Article: Digital beam-forming imaging riometer systems Rev. Sci. Instrum. 82, 031301 (2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3567309 (15 pages) Online Publication Date: 22 March 2011
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The design and operation of a new generation of digital imaging riometer systems developed by Lancaster University are presented. In the heart of the digital imaging riometer is a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), which is used for the digital signal processing and digital beam forming, completely replacing the analog Butler matrices which have been used in previous designs. The reconfigurable nature of the FPGA has been exploited to produce tools for remote system testing and diagnosis which have proven extremely useful for operation in remote locations such as the Arctic and Antarctic. Different FPGA programs enable different instrument configurations, including a 4 × 4 antenna filled array (producing 4 × 4 beams), an 8 × 8 antenna filled array (producing 7 × 7 beams), and a Mills cross system utilizing 63 antennas producing 556 usable beams. The concept of using a Mills cross antenna array for riometry has been successfully demonstrated for the first time. The digital beam forming has been validated by comparing the received signal power from cosmic radio sources with results predicted from the theoretical beam radiation pattern. The performances of four digital imaging riometer systems are compared against each other and a traditional imaging riometer utilizing analog Butler matrices. The comparison shows that digital imaging riometer systems, with independent receivers for each antenna, can obtain much better measurement precision for filled arrays or much higher spatial resolution for the Mills cross configuration when compared to existing imaging riometer systems.
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Surface magneto-optic Kerr effect Rev. Sci. Instrum. 71, 1243 (2000); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1150496 (13 pages)
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The surface magneto-optic Kerr effect (SMOKE) has significantly impacted research on magnetic thin films. This is due to its sensitivity, local probing nature, and experimental simplicity. The polar and longitudinal Kerr effects are characterized by a complex rotation of the plane of polarization of linearly polarized incident light upon reflection from the surface of a ferromagnetic material. The rotation is directly related to the magnetization of the material within the probing region of the light. Light penetrates into metals >20 nm deep, but the SMOKE technique derives its surface sensitivity from the limited thickness of the deposited magnetic film, which can be as thin as one atomic layer. Basic principles, experimental arrangements, and applications of SMOKE are reviewed in order to acquaint the nonspecialist with the technique and place it into perspective. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. |
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Double-sensor method for detection of oscillating electric field Rev. Sci. Instrum. 82, 043501 (2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3571299 (6 pages) Online Publication Date: 4 April 2011
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An electric-field sensor consisting of thin copper plates is designed to measure an oscillating electric field produced by charge separations on a plasma column. The sensor installed in a vacuum region around plasma detects charges induced by the electric field on the copper plates. The value of the induced charges depends not only on the strength of the electric field, but also on the design of the sensor. To obtain the correct strength of the electric field, a correction factor arising from the design of the sensor must be known. The factor is calculated numerically using Laplace's equation and compared with a value measured using a uniform electric field in the frequency range of 10–500 kHz. When an external circuit is connected to the sensor to measure the induced charges, the electric field around the sensor is disturbed. Therefore, a double-sensor method for excluding a disturbed component in the measured electric field is proposed. The reliability of the double-sensor method is confirmed by measuring dipole-like and quadrupole-like electric fields. |
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Rev. Sci. Instrum. 75, 2787 (2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1785844 (23 pages) Online Publication Date: 2 September 2004
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Since their invention just over 20 years ago, optical traps have emerged as a powerful tool with broad-reaching applications in biology and physics. Capabilities have evolved from simple manipulation to the application of calibrated forces on—and the measurement of nanometer-level displacements of—optically trapped objects. We review progress in the development of optical trapping apparatus, including instrument design considerations, position detection schemes and calibration techniques, with an emphasis on recent advances. We conclude with a brief summary of innovative optical trapping configurations and applications. |
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A dual-deposition setup for fabricating nanoparticle-thin film hybrid structures Rev. Sci. Instrum. 79, 013902 (2008); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.2825458 (7 pages) Online Publication Date: 7 January 2008
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This report describes a dual-deposition setup for fabricating well-defined nanoparticles-thin film structures. The setup consists of a particle synthesis section for the gas phase generation of size-selected nanoparticles and a deposition section for the sequential growth of thin film and nanoparticle layers on substrates using vacuum evaporation and atmospheric pressure electrostatic precipitator techniques, respectively. The setup has been used to deposit Pd nanoparticles-Pr thin film structures. Average sizes and size distributions of Pd nanoparticles measured online during the particle synthesis by means of electrical mobility analysis have been compared with those of nanoparticle samples deposited on Pr thin film and other substrates and measured by high resolution scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The setup is useful for depositing a variety of nanoparticles-thin film structures.
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Cantilever transducers as a platform for chemical and biological sensors Rev. Sci. Instrum. 75, 2229 (2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1763252 (25 pages) Online Publication Date: 21 June 2004
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Since the late 1980s there have been spectacular developments in micromechanical or microelectro-mechanical (MEMS) systems which have enabled the exploration of transduction modes that involve mechanical energy and are based primarily on mechanical phenomena. As a result an innovative family of chemical and biological sensors has emerged. In this article, we discuss sensors with transducers in a form of cantilevers. While MEMS represents a diverse family of designs, devices with simple cantilever configurations are especially attractive as transducers for chemical and biological sensors. The review deals with four important aspects of cantilever transducers: (i) operation principles and models; (ii) microfabrication; (iii) figures of merit; and (iv) applications of cantilever sensors. We also provide a brief analysis of historical predecessors of the modern cantilever sensors. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. |
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Rev. Sci. Instrum. 82, 043102 (2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3574220 (10 pages) Online Publication Date: 8 April 2011
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In this paper we present our system design and methodology for making absolute quantum efficiency (QE) measurements through the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and verify the system with delta-doped silicon CCDs. Delta-doped detectors provide an excellent platform to validate measurements through the VUV due to their enhanced UV response. The requirements for measuring QE through the VUV are more strenuous than measurements in the near UV and necessitate, among other things, the use of a vacuum monochromator, good dewar chamber vacuum to prevent on-chip condensation, and more stringent handling requirements. |
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Piezoresistive cantilever force-clamp system Rev. Sci. Instrum. 82, 043703 (2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3574362 (10 pages) Online Publication Date: 11 April 2011
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We present a microelectromechanical device-based tool, namely, a force-clamp system that sets or “clamps” the scaled force and can apply designed loading profiles (e.g., constant, sinusoidal) of a desired magnitude. The system implements a piezoresistive cantilever as a force sensor and the built-in capacitive sensor of a piezoelectric actuator as a displacement sensor, such that sample indentation depth can be directly calculated from the force and displacement signals. A programmable real-time controller operating at 100 kHz feedback calculates the driving voltage of the actuator. The system has two distinct modes: a force-clamp mode that controls the force applied to a sample and a displacement-clamp mode that controls the moving distance of the actuator. We demonstrate that the system has a large dynamic range (sub-nN up to tens of μN force and nm up to tens of μm displacement) in both air and water, and excellent dynamic response (fast response time, <2 ms and large bandwidth, 1 Hz up to 1 kHz). In addition, the system has been specifically designed to be integrated with other instruments such as a microscope with patch-clamp electronics. We demonstrate the capabilities of the system by using it to calibrate the stiffness and sensitivity of an electrostatic actuator and to measure the mechanics of a living, freely moving Caenorhabditis elegans nematode.
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The NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Rev. Sci. Instrum. 78, 011302 (2007); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.2431313 (39 pages) Online Publication Date: 30 January 2007
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Spitzer Space Telescope (formerly the Space Infrared Telescope Facility) is the fourth and final facility in the Great Observatories Program, joining Hubble Space Telescope (1990), the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (1991–2000), and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory (1999). Spitzer, with a sensitivity that is almost three orders of magnitude greater than that of any previous ground-based and space-based infrared observatory, is expected to revolutionize our understanding of the creation of the universe, the formation and evolution of primitive galaxies, the origin of stars and planets, and the chemical evolution of the universe. This review presents a brief overview of the scientific objectives and history of infrared astronomy. We discuss Spitzer’s expected role in infrared astronomy for the new millennium. We describe pertinent details of the design, construction, launch, in-orbit checkout, and operations of the observatory and summarize some science highlights from the first two and a half years of Spitzer operations. More information about Spitzer can be found at http://spitzer.caltech.edu/.
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Rev. Sci. Instrum. 82, 034903 (2011); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3553207 (8 pages) Online Publication Date: 10 March 2011
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We demonstrate the fabrication of acoustically engineered diamond nanoparticles-based metamaterials and their internal microstructure characterization using x-ray microcomputed tomography (XμCT). The state-of-the-art technique based on the radiation force of ultrasound standing (or stationary) waves in a rectangular chamber is utilized to pattern clusters of 5-nm-diameter diamond nanoparticles in parallel planes within a three-dimensional (3D) matrix of epoxy before solidification. Gradually, the periodic pattern becomes permanent with full cure of the epoxy matrix so as to form a 3D metamaterial structure. We also show that the periodicity of the pattern can be changed by selecting a different ultrasound frequency. Furthermore, XμCT is used as a quality control tool to map the internal structure and characterize each metamaterial. The ultimate application is to use the results as a base for the development of finite-element models which take into account all the structural features to study the various metamaterial (optical, acoustical, thermal, etc.) functional properties.
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