National Cheng Kung University

About: National Cheng Kung University is a education organization based out in Tainan City, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Thin film. The organization has 49723 authors who have published 69799 publications receiving 1437420 citations. The organization is also known as: NCKU.

Electro-optically Tunable Multifunctional Metasurfaces.

Abstract: Shaping the flow of light at the nanoscale has been a grand challenge for nanophotonics over decades. It is now widely recognized that metasurfaces represent a chip-scale nanophotonics array technology capable of comprehensively controlling the wavefront of light via appropriately configuring subwavelength antenna elements. Here, we demonstrate a reconfigurable metasurface that is multifunctional, i.e., notionally capable of providing diverse optical functions in the telecommunication wavelength regime, using a single compact, lightweight, electronically controlled array with no moving parts. By electro-optical control of the phase of the scattered light from each identical individual metasurface element in an array, we demonstrate a single prototype multifunctional programmable metasurface that is capable of both dynamic beam steering and reconfigurable light focusing. Reconfigurable multifunctional metasurfaces with arrays of tunable optical antennas thus can perform arbitrary optical functions by programmable array-level control of scattered light phase, amplitude, and polarization, similar to dynamic and programmable memories in electronics.

Identification of Calcineurin as a Key Signal in the Extinction of Fear Memory

Abstract: Memory extinction refers to a gradual decrease of the previously acquired response when exposed to conditional stimulus without pairing with unconditional stimulus. Here we show for the first time that fear training-induced phosphorylation of specific substrates in the rat amygdala is reduced after extinction trials and is accompanied by an increase in the protein level and enzymatic activity of calcineurin. In parallel, calcineurin inhibitors prevented extinction-induced protein dephosphorylation as well as extinction of fear memory. Thus, extinction training increased phosphatase activity likely via an expression of calcineurin. Calcineurin then created a negative-feedback loop and directly or indirectly dephosphorylated specific substrates, which, in their phosphorylated state, were required for memory consolidation. Accordingly, in our experimental condition, extinction could be ascribed at least in part to a weakening of the original signaling.

Size-dependent elastic properties of unidirectional nano-composites with interface stresses

Abstract: Surfaces and interfaces in solids may behave differently from their bulk counterparts, particularly when the geometry is on the nanoscale. Our objective in this work is to assess the overall behavior of composites containing cylindrical inclusions with surface effects prevailing along the interfaces. In the formulation, we first decompose the loadings into three different deformation modes: the axisymmetric loadings, the transverse shear and the antiplane shear. For each deformation mode, we derive the energy potential incorporating the surface effects. Using a variational approach, we construct the Euler-Lagrange equation together with the natural transition (jump) conditions. The surface effects are represented by an interface of a membrane type, with in-plane moduli different from those of either phase. The overall elastic behavior of the composite is characterized by five constants. Four of them, except the transverse shear modulus, are derived in simple closed forms using an approach of neutral inclusion. For the transverse shear, we derive the value based on the generalized self-consistent method.

Ultraviolet ZnO Nanorod Photosensors

Abstract: This study fabricates and characterizes ultraviolet (UV) photosensors with ZnO nanorods (NRs). The NR arrays were selectively grown in the gap between interdigitated (IDT) electrodes of devices using hydrothermal solution processes and a lithography-based technique. Compared with a conventional ZnO photosensor without NRs, the proposed UV NR photosensors have much higher photoresponse in the UV region. Additionally, the photoconductive gain of an NR photosensor increased as UV illumination time increased; it varied at 34.45−5.32 × 102 under illumination by 18.28 mW/cm2 optical power. Consequently, the substantial photoconductive gain can be attributed to high surface-to-volume ratio of ZnO NRs. The high density of hole-trap states on NR surfaces lead to a persistent photoconductivity (PPC) state, promoting the transport of carriers through devices.