Krzysztof Domański

Silicon ultra fast cameras for electron and γ sources in medical applications

Abstract SUCIMA (Silicon Ultra fast Cameras for electron and γ sources In Medical Applications) is a project approved by the European Commission with the primary goal of developing a real time dosimeter based on direct detection in a Silicon substrate. The main applications, the detector characteristics and technologies and the data acquisition system are described.

Batch fabricated scanning near field optical microscope/atomic force microscopy microprobe integrated with piezoresistive cantilever beam with highly reproducible focused ion beam micromachined aperture

In scanning near field optical microscope (SNOM), an optical probe with aperture diameter well below the optical wavelength is moved over the sample. The sample-probe distance control is one of the key problems in SNOM. Our earlier approach allowed for fabrication of the piezo-SNOM/atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe, however, reproductivity of the process and optical quality of the device were not satisfactory. Now we report an innovative processing sequence, which offers highly reproductive batch processing, typical for semiconductor technology and renders it possible to produce cantilevers playing role of an AFM detector as well as a nanoaperture detector. Moreover, illumination of the aperture is easier because of a wide input opening and its big cone angle. The throughput is in the range of 10−5 and higher. Apertures in hollow pyramids have been formed by direct ion beam drilling with a focused beam of 30 keV Ga+ ions. Direct focused ion beam (FIB) drilling is a reproducible process for hole formatio...

Hybrid active pixel sensors and SOI inspired option

Abstract Two novel pixel sensor concepts for future linear collider applications are presented in this paper: a hybrid pixel sensor characterized by a layout improving the single point resolution and a monolithic detector inspired by silicon on insulator (SOI) technology. The results of charge collection studies for the first prototypes of hybrid pixel sensors with interleaved pixels are reported and the new detector test structures are introduced. The technology and the readout architecture design for SOI sensors are also discussed.

Innovative thermal energy harvesting for zero power electronics

Thermal gradients, commonly present in our environment (fluid lines, warm fronts, electronics) are sources of energy rarely used today. This paper aims to present innovative approaches of thin and/or flexible thermal energy harvesters for smart and autonomous sensor network applications. The harvester system will be based on the collaborative work of interrelated energy nodes/units, which will be either piezo-thermofluidic converters (use of rapid thermal cycles of a working fluid) or piezo-thermomechanic converters (use of the mechanical energy developed by rapid snapping of micro-switches). The two kinds of energy nodes convert a heat flux into storable electrical energy through a piezoelectric transducer. Miniaturization of the energy nodes will lead to increased thermal transfer rates and consequently increased harvested power. To effectively use thermal energy sources in varying environments, the nodes will be adaptive versus different thermal gradients (in a predefined temperature range) and will possibly influence each other. The concept is unique in the sense that it is based on a matrix structure of micro or mini energy nodes which will work together in a collective approach to optimize the harvested energy, and which do not require the use of radiators as classical Seebeck approach, thanks to the controlled thermal resistance. This opens the door to new properties and features of the object, with better performances. It could therefore be declined on flexible substrates, allowing conformability around the sources of potential heat for low power applications.

Solubility of tetracosane in aliphatic alcohols

Abstract Solubilities of tetracosane (C 24 ) in aliphatic alcohols (1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, 1-heptanol, 1-octanol, l-nonanol, 1-decanol, 1-undecanol, 1-dodecanol) have been determined at temperatures ranging from the melting point of the solute to 289 K. Five methods of correlation have been applied: Wilson, simple UNIQUAC, UNIQUAC associated-solution model as well as two modified NRTL equations. The root mean square deviations of the solubility temperatures for all measured data vary from 0.11 K to 2.43 K and depend on the particular equation used. The best solubility correlation has been obtained with the UNIQUAC associated-solution model. In the calculations, the existence of a solid-solid first-order phase transition in tetracosane has also been taken into consideration.

Correlation of the solubility of hexacosane in aliphatic alcohols

Abstract Domanska U. and Domanski K., 1991. Correlation of the solubility of hexacosane in aliphatic alcohols. Fluid Phase Equilibria , 68: 103–114. Five methods of correlation of solubilities of hexacosane (C 26 ) in aliphatic alcohols (1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, 1-heptanol, 1-octanol, 1-nonanol, 1-decanol, 1-undecanol, 1-dodecanol) were applied: Wilson, simple UNIQUAC, UNIQUAC associated-solution model (ASM) as well as two modified NRTL equations. The r.m.s. deviations of the solubility temperatures for all measured data vary from 0.06–1.09 K and depend on the particular equation used. The best solubility correlation was obtained with the UNIQUAC ASM equation with the association constant as an adjustable parameter. In the calculations, the existence of one solid-solid first-order phase transition in hexacosane has also been taken into consideration.

Microfabricated cantilever with metallic tip for electrostatic and capacitance microscopy and its application to investigation of semiconductor devices

The fabrication and perfomance of a microprobe with metal tip for versatile application in scanning probe microscopy is presented in this article. Atomic force microscopy, electrostatic force microscopy, and scanning capacitance microscopy investigations can be performed with this probe, which integrates the metal tip with a silicon spring cantilever. The cantilever beam with integrated metal tip and connecting line was microfabricated using an innovative double-side micromachining and micromolding technique, where of the microprobe has a metal tip with a radius of 40 nm, which can be supplied with voltage in order to measure electrostatic forces and capacitance between the microtip and the surface. The measurement properties of the microprobe are determined by the silicon beam on which the microtip is integrated. The developed microprobe was successfully applied in the investigation of electrostatic forces and in voltage measurements on a piezoresistive microelectromechanical system force detector. Exper...

Excess enthalpies of nonan-1-ol and undecan-1-ol with octane at high dilutions and at 298.15 K

Abstract Heats of mixing at high dilutions were determined for binary systems consisting of nonan-1-ol or undecan-1-ol and n -octane at 298.15 K. Partial molar heats of mixing at infinite dilution, giving approximate values of hydrogen bonding energies in alcohols, were determined by extrapolation of the experimental data to zero concentrations of the alcohols ( x 1 = 0). The results are correlated by means of polynomials, the UNIQUAC and the UNIQUAC associated-solution models. The ability of these equations to represent the thermodynamic functions of dilute mixtures of alkan-1-ols in n -alkanes at 298.15 K is discussed.

An innovative heat harvesting technology (HEATec) for above-Seebeck performance

An innovative approach to heat energy harvesting (HEATec) is proposed in this paper. It consists of a two-step conversion of heat into electricity. The first step is a thermo-mechanical conversion by a bimetal and the second is an electromechanical conversion by a piezoelectric. The first developed prototypes show natural thermal resistance matching between their body and the interface with ambient air, and therefore do not need a heat sink in order to work. The available mechanical power (2.7 mW/cm2 measured in practice for a single bimetal, and extendable to theoretical 27 mW/cm2 for 100 bimetals occupying the same surface) that can be converted into electricity may lead to a superior performance compared to the best commercial Seebeck devices. Analytical scaling laws for our technology have been established and show power density gain equal to the scaling factor, making it LSI integration favorable.

Fabrication and properties of piezoresistive cantilever beam with porous silicon element

We present a highly sensitive nanobalance based on a piezoresistive cantilever beam with a porous silicon element. Measurements of a shift of the cantilever resonance frequency allow estimation of adsorbed substance weight (e.g., gas, steam) with single nanogram resolution. Applications of such a device include humidity and gas detection. Moreover, a cantilever beam with a porous silicon element enables combined investigations of mechanical and adsorption properties of porous silicon. The fabrication process of the device has been described as well.