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- Absil, Olivier, et al.
(author)
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An update on the VORTEX project
- 2015
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In: Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets VII. - : SPIE.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this talk, we will review the on-going activities within the VORTEX teamat the University of Liège and Uppsala University. The VORTEX project aimsto design, manufacture, test, and exploit vector vortex phase masks madeof sub-wavelength gratings (aka the Annular Groove Phase Mask, AGPM)for the direct detection and characterization of extrasolar planets. This talkwill specifically report on the commissioning of several AGPMs on infraredcameras equipping 10-m class telescopes, including the VLT, the LBT andthe Keck. We will describe the in-lab and on-sky performance of the AGPMs,and discuss first scientific observations. We will also report on the lessonslearned from the on-sky operation of our vortices, and discuss ways toimprove their performance. The potential of our coronagraphic devices inthe context of future extremely large telescopes and space missions will alsobe addressed.
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| 4. |
- Absil, Olivier, et al.
(author)
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The VORTEX project : first results and perspectives
- 2014
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In: Adaptive Optics Systems IV. - : SPIE. - 9780819496164
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Vortex coronagraphs are among the most promising solutions to perform high contrast imaging at small angular separations from bright stars. They feature a very small inner working angle (down to the diffraction limit of the telescope), a clear 360 degree discovery space, have demonstrated very high contrast capabilities, are easy to implement on high-contrast imaging instruments, and have already been extensively tested on the sky. Since 2005, we have been designing, developing and testing an implementation of the charge-2 vector vortex phase mask based on concentric sub-wavelength gratings, referred to as the Annular Groove Phase Mask (AGPM). Science-grade mid-infrared AGPMs were produced in 2012 for the first time, using plasma etching on synthetic diamond substrates. They have been validated on a coronagraphic test bench, showing broadband peak rejection up to 500: 1 in the L band, which translates into a raw contrast of about 6 x 10(-5) at 2 lambda/D. Three of them have now been installed on world-leading diffraction-limited infrared cameras, namely VLT/NACO, VLT/VISIR and LBT/LMIRCam. During the science verification observations with our L-band AGPM on NACO, we observed the beta Pictoris system and obtained unprecedented sensitivity limits to planetary companions down to the diffraction limit (0 : 1 0 0). More recently, we obtained new images of the HR 8799 system at L band during the AGPM first light on LMIRCam. After reviewing these first results obtained with mid-infrared AGPMs, we will discuss the short-and mid-term goals of the on-going VORTEX project, which aims to improve the performance of our vortex phase masks for future applications on second-generation high-contrast imager and on future extremely large telescopes (ELTs). In particular, we will briefly describe our current efforts to improve the manufacturing of mid-infrared AGPMs, to push their operation to shorter wavelengths, and to provide deeper starlight extinction by creating new designs for higher topological charge vortices. Within the VORTEX project, we also plan to develop new image processing techniques tailored to coronagraphic images, and to study some pre- and post-coronagraphic concepts adapted to the vortex coronagraph in order to reduce scattered starlight in the final images.
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| 5. |
- Absil, Oliver, et al.
(author)
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Three years of harvest with the vector vortex coronagraph in the thermal infrared
- 2016
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In: Ground-Based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VI. - : SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. - 9781510601963 ; , s. 1-14
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For several years, we have been developing vortex phase masks based on sub-wavelength gratings, known as Annular Groove Phase Masks. Etched onto diamond substrates, these AGPMs are currently designed to be used in the thermal infrared (ranging from 3 to 13 μm). Our AGPMs were first installed on VLT/NACO and VLT/VISIR in 2012, followed by LBT/LMIRCam in 2013 and Keck/NIRC2 in 2015. In this paper, we review the development, commissioning, on-sky performance, and early scientific results of these new coronagraphic modes and report on the lessons learned. We conclude with perspectives for future developments and applications.
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| 6. |
- Aïssa, B., et al.
(author)
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Functionalized single-walled carbon-nanotube-blended P3HT-based high performance memory behavior thin-film transistor devices
- 2020
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In: Nanotechnology. - : IOP Publishing. - 0957-4484 .- 1361-6528. ; 31:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on the fabrication and transport properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) blended with P3HT (poly 3-hexyl thiophene-2, 5-diyl). The composite is used as a hybrid organic active channel transistor. The performances of the fabricated devices were investigated as a function of the SWCNTs' loads in the composite, and their response evaluated under white light illumination. Our results show that for SWCNT loads ≤1.5 wt%, all the devices behave as p-type transistors, exhibiting excellent performance, with an I on /I off ratio of 104 and a maximum on-state current (I on) exceeding 80 μA. Moreover, compared with pristine transistors with a P3HT channel, the Hall mobility of these hybrid TFTs was found to increase by more than one order of magnitude, i.e. increasing from 0.062 to 1.54 cm2 V-1 s-1. Finally, under light illumination, the transfer characteristics (i.e. I DS as a function of V GS) were found to systematically undergo a typical shift together with a fully-reversible memory behavior. A fundamental understanding of this work can assist in providing new routes for the development of reliable efficient hybrid organic-based optoelectronic devices.
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| 7. |
- Aïssa, B., et al.
(author)
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Influence of single-walled carbon nanotubes induced exciton dissociation improvement on hybrid organic photovoltaic devices
- 2019
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In: Journal of Applied Physics. - : AIP Publishing. - 0021-8979 .- 1089-7550. ; 126:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Torch-plasma-grown single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are integrated with regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and a fullerene derivative 1-(3-methoxycarbonyl) propyl-1-phenyl[6,6]C61 (PCBM) as a hybrid photoactive layer for bulk heterojunction solar cell devices. We demonstrate that molecular information could be accurately obtained by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry throughout the hybrid organic photoactive solar cell layers when sputtering is performed using a Cs+ 2000 eV ion source. Furthermore, the photovoltaic (PV) performance of the fabricated devices show an increase in the short-circuit current density (Jsc) and the fill factor (FF) as compared to the pristine devices fabricated without SWCNTs. The best results are obtained with 0.5 wt. % SWCNT loads, where an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 660 mV is achieved, with a Jsc of 9.95 mA cm-2 and a FF of 54%, leading to a power conversion efficiency of 3.54% (measured at standard test conditions, AM1.5 g). At this optimum SWCNT concentration of 0.5 wt. %, and to further understand the charge-transfer mechanisms taking place at the interfaces of P3HT:PCBM:SWCNT, Jsc is measured with respect to the light intensity and shows a linear dependency (in the double logarithmic scale), which implies that losses in the charge carrier are rather governed by monomolecular recombination. Finally, our results show that our hybrid devices benefit from the fullerene electron accepting nature and from the SWCNT fast electron transportation feature that improve substantially the exciton dissociation efficiency. The influence of the SWCNTs on the Fermi level and the work function of the photoactive composite and its impact on the PV performance is also investigated.
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| 10. |
- Alibakhshikenari, Mohammad, et al.
(author)
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Broadband 3-D shared aperture high isolation nine-element antenna array for on-demand millimeter-wave 5G applications
- 2022
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In: Optik (Stuttgart). - : Elsevier BV. - 0030-4026 .- 1618-1336. ; 267
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The paper presents the results of a novel 3-D shared aperture 3 x 3 matrix antenna-array for 26 GHz band 5 G wireless networks. Radiation elements constituting the array are hexagonal-shaped patches that are elevated above the common dielectric substrate by 3.35 mm and excited through a metallic rod of 0.4 mm diameter. The rod protrudes through the substrate of 0.8 mm thickness. It is shown that by isolating each radiating element in the array with a wall suppresses unwanted electromagnetic (EM) wave interactions, resulting in improvement in the antenna's impedance matching and radiation characteristics. Moreover, the results show that by embedding hexagonalshaped slots in the patches improve the antenna's gain and radiation efficiency performance. The subwavelength length slots in the patches essentially transform the radiating elements to exhibit metasurface characteristics when the array is illuminated by EM-waves. The proposed array structure has an average gain and radiation efficiency of 20 dBi and 93%, respectively, across 24.0-28.4 GHz. The isolation between its radiation elements is greater than 22 dB. Compared to the unslotted array the improvement in isolation between radiating elements is greater than 11 dB, and the gain and efficiency are better than 10.5 dBi, and 25%, respectively. The compact array has a fractional bandwidth of 16% and a form factor of 20 x 20 x 3.35 mm(3).
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