arXiv subjects

Minghao Li

Publications and source records attributed to Minghao Li.

76 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Subfemtonewton force fields measured with ergodic Brownian ensembles

We demonstrate that radiation pressure force fields can be measured and reconstructed with a resolution of $0.3$ fN (at a $99.7\%$ confidence level) using an ergodic ensemble of overdamped colloidal particles. The outstanding force resolution level is provided by the large size of the statistical ensemble built by recording all displacements from all diffusing particles, regardless of trajectory and time. This is only possible because the noise driving the particles is thermal, white and stationary, so that the colloidal system is ergodic, as we carefully verify. Using an ergodic colloidal dispersion for performing ultra-sensitive measurements of external forces is not limited to non-conservative optical force fields. Our experiments therefore give way to interesting opportunities in the context of weak force measurements in fluids.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Fluid-structure interaction of a large ice sheet in waves

With global warming, the ice-covered areas in the Arctic are being transformed into open water. This provides increased impetus for extensive maritime activities and attracts research interests in sea ice modelling. In the polar region, ice sheets can be several kilometres long and subjected to the effects of ocean waves. As its thickness to length ratio is very small, the wave response of such a large ice sheet, known as its hydroelastic response, is dominated by an elastic deformation rather than rigid body motions. In the past 25 years, sea ice hydroelasticity has been widely studied by theoretical models; however, recent experiments indicate that the ideal assumptions used for these theoretical models can cause considerable inaccuracies. This work proposes a numerical approach based on OpenFOAM to simulate the hydroelastic wave-ice interaction, with the Navier-Stokes equations describing the fluid domain, the St. Venant Kirchhoff solid model governing the ice deformation and a coupling scheme to achieve the fluid-structure interaction. Following validation against experiments, the proposed model has been shown capable of capturing phenomena that have not been included in current theoretical models. In particular, the developed model shows the capability to predict overwash, which is a ubiquitous polar phenomenon reported to be a key gap. The present model has the potential to be used to study wave-ice behaviours and the coupled wave-ice effect on marine structures.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2011

Lattice relaxation of dimer islands on Ge(001) during homoepitaxy by pulsed laser deposition

In low-temperature pulsed growth two-dimensional islands form and coarsen into ~10 nm features. The islands produce well-defined displaced x-ray diffraction peaks due to relaxation of anisotropic surface stress of the (2x1) reconstruction with expansion and contraction present in orthogonal directions. The relaxation carries over into multilevel islands, suggesting that domains in subsequent layers form metastable stress domains. We infer that the island distribution differs from continuous deposition, enhancing the population of monodisperded islands exhibiting anisotropic relaxation.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2010

Pressure-dependent transition from atoms to nanoparticles in magnetron sputtering: Effect on WSi2 film roughness and stress

We report on the transition between two regimes from several-atom clusters to much larger nanoparticles in Ar magnetron sputter deposition of WSi2, and the effect of nanoparticles on the properties of amorphous thin films and multilayers. Sputter deposition of thin films is monitored by in situ x-ray scattering, including x-ray reflectivity and grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering. The results show an abrupt transition at an Ar background pressure Pc; the transition is associated with the threshold for energetic particle thermalization, which is known to scale as the product of the Ar pressure and the working distance between the magnetron source and the substrate surface. Below Pc smooth films are produced, while above Pc roughness increases abruptly, consistent with a model in which particles aggregate in the deposition flux before reaching the growth surface. The results from WSi2 films are correlated with in situ measurement of stress in WSi2/Si multilayers, which exhibits a corresponding transition from compressive to tensile stress at Pc. The tensile stress is attributed to coalescence of nanoparticles and the elimination of nano-voids.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗