arXiv subjects

M. Schubert

Publications and source records attributed to M. Schubert.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Free-charge carrier parameters of n-type, p-type and compensated InN:Mg determined by Infrared Spectroscopic Ellipsometry

Infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry is applied to investigate the free-charge carrier properties of Mg-doped InN films. Two representative sets of In-polar InN grown by molecular beam epitaxy with Mg concentrations ranging from $1.2\times10^{17}$ cm$^{-3}$ to $8\times10^{20}$ cm$^{-3}$ are compared. P-type conductivity is indicated for the Mg concentration range of $1\times10^{18}$ cm$^{-3}$ to $9\times10^{19}$ cm$^{-3}$ from a systematic investigation of the longitudinal optical phonon plasmon broadening and the mobility parameter in dependence of the Mg concentration. A parameterized model that accounts for the phonon-plasmon coupling is applied to determine the free-charge carrier concentration and mobility parameters in the doped bulk InN layer as well as the GaN template and undoped InN buffer layer for each sample. The free-charge carrier properties in the second sample set are consistent with the results determined in a comprehensive analysis of the first sample set reported earlier [Schöche et al., J. Appl. Phys. 113, 013502 (2013)]. In the second set, two samples with Mg concentration of $2.3\times10^{20}$ cm$^{-3}$ are identified as compensated n-type InN with very low electron concentrations which are suitable for further investigation of intrinsic material properties that are typically governed by high electron concentrations even in undoped InN. The compensated n-type InN samples can be clearly distinguished from the p-type conductive material of similar plasma frequencies by strongly reduced phonon plasmon broadening.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Electron effective mass in Al$_{0.72}$Ga$_{0.28}$N alloys determined by mid-infrared optical Hall effect

The effective electron mass parameter in Si-doped Al$_{0.72}$Ga$_{0.28}$N is determined to be $m^\ast=(0.336\pm0.020)\,m_0$ from mid-infrared optical Hall effect measurements. No significant anisotropy of the effective electron mass parameter is found supporting theoretical predictions. Assuming a linear change of the effective electron mass with the Al content in AlGaN alloys and $m^\ast=0.232\,m_0$ for GaN, an average effective electron mass of $m^\ast=0.376\,m_0$ can be extrapolated for AlN. The analysis of mid-infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements further confirms the two phonon mode behavior of the E$_1$(TO) and one phonon mode behavior of the A$_1$(LO) phonon mode in high-Al-content AlGaN alloys as seen in previous Raman scattering studies.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Improved Collective Thomson Scattering measurements of fast ions at ASDEX Upgrade

Understanding the behaviour of the confined fast ions is important in both current and future fusion experiments. These ions play a key role in heating the plasma and will be crucial for achieving conditions for burning plasma in next-step fusion devices. Microwave-based Collective Thomson Scattering (CTS) is well suited for reactor conditions and offers such an opportunity by providing measurements of the confined fast-ion distribution function resolved in space, time and 1D velocity space. We currently operate a CTS system at ASDEX Upgrade using a gyrotron which generates probing radiation at 105 GHz. A new setup using two independent receiver systems has enabled improved subtraction of the background signal, and hence the first accurate characterization of fast-ion properties. Here we review this new dual-receiver CTS setup and present results on fast-ion measurements based on the improved background characterization. These results have been obtained both with and without NBI heating, and with the measurement volume located close to the centre of the plasma. The measurements agree quantitatively with predictions of numerical simulations. Hence, CTS studies of fast-ion dynamics at ASDEX Upgrade are now feasible. The new background subtraction technique could be important for the design of CTS systems in other fusion experiments.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2013

Polarization selection rules for inter-Landau level transitions in epitaxial graphene revealed by infrared optical Hall effect

We report on polarization selection rules of inter-Landau level transitions using reflection-type optical Hall effect measurements from 600 to 4000 cm-1 on epitaxial graphene grown by thermal decomposition of silicon carbide. We observe symmetric and anti-symmetric signatures in our data due to polarization preserving and polarization mixing inter-Landau level transitions, respectively. From field-dependent measurements we identify that transitions in decoupled graphene mono-layers are governed by polarization mixing selection rules, whereas transitions in coupled graphene mono-layers are governed by polarization preserving selection rules. The selection rules may find explanation by different coupling mechanisms of inter-Landau level transitions with free charge carrier magneto-optic plasma oscillations.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Automated Quantification of the Impact of the Wood-decay fungus Physisporinus vitreus on the Cell Wall Structure of Norway spruce by Tomographic Microscopy

Wood-decay fungi decompose their substrate by extracellular, degradative enzymes and play an important role in natural ecosystems by recycling carbon and minerals fixed in plants. Thereby, they cause significant damage to the wood structure and limit the use of wood as building material. Besides their role as biodeteriorators wood-decay fungi can be used for biotechnological purposes, e.g. the white-rot fungus Physisporinus vitreus for improving the uptake of preservatives and wood-modification substances of refractory wood. Therefore, the visualization and the quantification of microscopic decay patterns are important for the study of the impact of wood-decay fungi in general, as well as for wood-decay fungi and microorganisms with possible applications in biotechnology. In the present work, we developed a method for the automated localization and quantification of microscopic cell wall elements (CWE) of Norway spruce wood such as bordered pits, intrinsic defects, hyphae or alterations induced by P. vitreus using high resolution X-ray computed tomographic microscopy. In addition to classical destructive wood anatomical methods such as light or laser scanning microscopy, our method allows for the first time to compute the properties (e.g. area, orientation and size-distribution) of CWE of the tracheids in a sample. This is essential for modeling the influence of microscopic CWE to macroscopic properties such as wood strength and permeability.

q-bio.QM↗

arXiv2011

Study of the combined effect of temperature, pH and water activity on the radial growth rate of the white-rot basidiomycete Physisporinus vitreus by using a hyphal growth model

The present work investigates environmental effects on the growth of fungal colonies of P. vitreus by using a lattice-free discrete modelling approach called FGM (Fuhr et al. (2010), arXiv:1101.1747), in which hyphae and nutrients are considered as discrete structures. A discrete modelling approach allows studying the underlying mechanistic rule concerning the basic architecture and dynamic of fungal networks on the scale of a single colony. By comparing simulations of the FGM with laboratory experiments of growing fungal colonies on malt extract agar we show that combined effect of temperature, pH and water activity on the radial growth rate of a fungal colony on a macroscopic scale may be explained by a power law for the growth costs of hyphal expansion on a microscopic scale. The information about the response of the fungal mycelium on a microscopic scale to environmental conditions is essential to simulate its behavior in complex structure substrates such as wood, where the impact of the fungus to the wood (i.e. the degradation of bordered pits or the creation of bore holes and cavities) changes the local environmental condition, e.g. the permeability of the substrate and therefore the water activity level in a colonized wood cell lumen. A combination of diffusion and moisture processes into wood with the FGM may brighten the knowledge about the colonization strategy of P. vitreus and helps to optimize its growth behavior for biotechnological application such as bioincising.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2011

Modelling the Hyphal Growth of the Wood-decay Fungus Physisporinus vitreus

The white-rot fungus, Physisporinus vitreus, degrades the membranes of bordered pits in tracheids and consequently increases the permeability of wood, which is a process that can be used by the wood industry to improve the uptake of wood preservatives and environmentally benign wood modification substances to enhance the use and sustainability of native conifer wood species. To understand and apply this process requires an understanding of how a complex system (fungus-wood) interacts under defined conditions. We present a three-dimensional fungal growth model (FGM) of the hyphal growth of P. vitreus in the heartwood of Norway spruce. The model considers hyphae and nutrients as discrete structures and links the microscopic interactions between fungus and wood (e.g. degradation rate and degree of opening of pits) with macroscopic system properties, such penetration depth of the fungus, biomass and distribution of destroyed pits in early- and latewood. Simulations were compared with experimental data. The growth of P. vitreus is characterized by a stepwise capture of the substrate and the effect of this on wood according to different model parameters is discussed.

q-bio.PE↗