Photoselective Metal Deposition on Amorphous Silicon p-i-n Solar Cells\ud

A novel method is described for the patternwise metallization of amorphous silicon solar cells, based on photocathodic deposition. The electric field of the p-i-n structure is used for the separation of photogenerated charge carriers. The electrons are driven to the interface of the n+-layer with the solution where they reduce metal ions to metal. The large difference between the conductivity of dark and illuminated areas and the high sheet resistance of the n-type layer makes it possible to define a metal pattern by selective illumination. It is shown that both nickel and gold patterns can be deposited using this method. After annealing, an ohmic nickel contact is formed and the cell exhibits good photovoltaic characteristics

Microscopic nanomechanical dissipation in gallium arsenide resonators

We report on a systematic study of nanomechanical dissipation in high-frequency (approximatively 300 MHz) gallium arsenide optomechanical disk resonators, in conditions where clamping and fluidic losses are negligible. Phonon-phonon interactions are shown to contribute with a loss background fading away at cryogenic temperatures (3 K). Atomic layer deposition of alumina at the surface modifies the quality factor of resonators, pointing towards the importance of surface dissipation. The temperature evolution is accurately fitted by two-level systems models, showing that nanomechanical dissipation in gallium arsenide resonators directly connects to their microscopic properties. Two-level systems, notably at surfaces, appear to rule the damping and fluctuations of such high-quality crystalline nanomechanical devices, at all temperatures from 3 to 300K

Etude du régime alimentaire de la Chouette effraie Tyto alba (Strigiforme,Tytonidae) dans la région de Lalla Mimouna dans la plaine du Gharb, plaine du Maroc atlantique

Nous présentons dans ce travail les résultats de l’analyse du régime alimentaire d’un rapace nocturne (la Chouette effraie Tyto alba) dans les plaines du Maroc atlantique à partir de plusieurs lots de pelotes de réjection collectées en 2012. Il s’agit de deux régions de la plaine du Gharb, une située dans un milieu forestier anthropisé (Sidi Boubker El Haj) et l’autre en plein milieu irrigué et intensément cultivé (domaine des Drader à Moulay Bousselhame). L’étude des pelotes a fournie 1285 proies réparties sur plusieurs groupes zoologiques formants l’essentiel du régime de ce rapace. Les mammifères sont beaucoup plus représentés avec environ 64% de ce régime, les insectes sont représentés avec plus de 27% alors que les oiseaux et les amphibiens forment moins de 10%. Ce régime diffère fortement de celui des effraies des plaines semi-arides du Maroc atlantique (Rihane, 2003, 2004 et 2005) caractérisé par une nette abondance des oiseaux.Mots-clés: régime alimentaire, chouette effraie, Lalla Mimouna , plaine du Gharb, Maroc atlantique. Study of the diet of the Barn Owl Tyto alba (Strigiforme, Tytonidae) in Lalla Mimouna region in the Gharb plain (plain of Atlantic Morocco)We present in this work the results of the analysis of the diet of the Barn owl Tyto alba in the plains of Atlantic Morocco, from several batches of diet pellets collected in 2012. These study covers two regions of the Gharb plain, one located in ananthropized forest (Sidi Boubker El Haj) and the other in the middle irrigated and intensively cultivated (field Drader Moulay Bouselhame). The study of several lots of pellets has provided 1285 prey over several zoological groups making the most of the diet of this predator. Mammals are much more represented with approximately 64% of the diet,the insects are strongly represented with more than 27% while birds and amphibians make up less than 10%. The scheme of this diet differs greatly from that of semi-arid plains of Atlantic Morocco (Rihane, 2003, 2004 and 2005) characterized by a marked abundance of birds.Keywords: diet, barn Owl, Lalla Mimouna, gharb plain, Atlantic Morocco

Ferromanganese nodules and micro-hardgrounds associated with the Cadiz Contourite Channel (NE Atlantic): Palaeoenvironmental records of fluid venting and bottom currents

Ferromanganese nodule fields and hardgrounds have recently been discovered in the Cadiz Contourite Channel in the Gulf of Cadiz (850–1000 m). This channel is part of a large contourite depositional system generated by the Mediterranean Outflow Water. Ferromanganese deposits linked to contourites are interesting tools for palaeoenviromental studies and show an increasing economic interest as potential mineral resources for base and strategic metals. We present a complete characterisation of these deposits based on submarine photographs and geophysical, petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical data. The genesis and growth of ferromanganese deposits, strongly enriched in Fe vs. Mn (av. 39% vs. 6%) in this contourite depositional system result from the combination of hydrogenetic and diagenetic processes. The interaction of the Mediterranean Outflow Water with the continental margin has led to the formation of Late Pleistocene–Holocene ferromanganese mineral deposits, in parallel to the evolution of the contourite depositional system triggered by climatic and tectonic events. The diagenetic growth was fuelled by the anaerobic oxidation of thermogenic hydrocarbons (δ13CPDB=−20 to −37‰) and organic matter within the channel floor sediments, promoting the formation of Fe–Mn carbonate nodules. High 87Sr/86Sr isotopic values (up to 0.70993±0.00025) observed in the inner parts of nodules are related to the influence of radiogenic fluids fuelled by deep-seated fluid venting across the fault systems in the diapirs below the Cadiz Contourite Channel. Erosive action of the Mediterranean Outflow Water undercurrent could have exhumed the Fe–Mn carbonate nodules, especially in the glacial periods, when the lower core of the undercurrent was more active in the study area. The growth rate determined by 230Thexcess/232Th was 113±11 mm/Ma, supporting the hypothesis that the growth of the nodules records palaeoenvironmental changes during the last 70 ka. Ca-rich layers in the nodules could point to the interaction between the Mediterranean Outflow Water and the North Atlantic Deep Water during the Heinrich events. Siderite–rhodochrosite nodules exposed to the oxidising seabottom waters were replaced by Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides. Slow hydrogenetic growth of goethite from the seawaters is observed in the outermost parts of the exhumed nodules and hardgrounds, which show imprints of the Mediterranean Outflow Water with low 87Sr/86Sr isotopic values (down to 0.70693±0.00081). We propose a new genetic and evolutionary model for ferromanganese oxide nodules derived from ferromanganese carbonate nodules formed on continental margins above the carbonate compensation depth and dominated by hydrocarbon seepage structures and strong erosive action of bottom currents. We also compare and discuss the generation of ferromanganese deposits in the Cadiz Contourite Channel with that in other locations and suggest that our model can be applied to ferromanganiferous deposits in other contouritic systems affected by fluid venting