Machine learning classification of human joint tissue from diffuse reflectance spectroscopy data

Objective: To assess if incorporation of DRS sensing into real-time robotic surgery systems has merit. DRS as a technology is relatively simple, cost-effective and provides a non-contact approach to tissue differentiation. Methods: Supervised machine learning analysis of diffuse reflectance spectra was performed to classify human joint tissue that was collected from surgical procedures. Results: We have used supervised machine learning in the classification of a DRS human joint tissue data set and achieved classification accuracy in excess of 99%. Sensitivity for the various classes were; cartilage 99.7%, subchondral 99.2%, meniscus 100% and cancellous 100%. Full wavelength range is required for maximum classification accuracy. The wavelength resolution must be larger than 8nm. A SNR better than 10:1 was required to achieve a classification accuracy greater than 50%. The 800-900nm wavelength range gave the greatest accuracy amongst those investigated. Conclusion: DRS is a viable method for differentiating human joint tissue and has the potential to be incorporated into robotic orthopaedic surgery

Investigation of mid-infrared AlInSb LEDs with an n-i-p structure

We report on the investigation on mid-infrared AlInSb LEDs with an n-i-p structure. Compared to the conventional AlInSb LEDs with a p-i-n structure, a better current spreading corresponding to a uniform current distribution in the active region is expected in the n-i-p structure because of a high electron mobility in the n-type AlInSb material. The output optical power of laterally injected LEDs were investigated as a function of the device geometry by COMSOL simulations and confirmed by experimental results

Modeling of light-sensitive resonant-tunneling-diode devices

We present a method to include the effects of light excitation on two different models of resonant-tunneling-diode-based devices. Our approach takes into account both photoconductive and charge accumulation effects responsible for shifting the static I –V curve when the structure is under light excitation. Computational simulations led to good agreement between the model and experimental result

Hot probe measurements on neutron irradiated, isotope enriched ZnO nanorods

We report on neutron transmutation doping (NTD) of isotopically (64Zn) enriched ZnO nanorods to produce material with holes as the majority mobile carrier. Nanorods of ZnO enriched with 64Zn were synthesised and the abundance of 64Zn in these samples is ∼ 71%, compared to the natural abundance of ∼ 49 %. The enriched material was irradiated with thermal neutrons which converts some 64Zn to 65Zn. The 65Zn decays to 65Cu with a half-life of 244 days and the Cu can act as an acceptor dopant. After 690 days, a hot probe technique was used to determine the majority charge carriers in non-irradiated and neutron irradiated nanorod samples. Non-irradiated samples were measured to be to have electrons as the majority mobile carrier and the irradiated samples were measured to have holes as the majority mobile carrier

Giant suppression of shot noise as signature of coherent transport in double barrier resonant diodes

Shot noise suppression in double barrier resonant tunnelling diodes with a Fano factor well below the value of 0.5 is theoretically predicted. This giant suppression is found to be a signature of the coherent transport regime and can occur near zero temperature as a consequence of the Pauli principle or above about 77 K as a consequence of long range Coulomb interaction. These predictions are validated by experimental data

Coherent approach to transport and noise in double-barrier resonant diodes

We implement a quantum approach which includes long range Coulomb interaction and investigate current voltage characteristics and shot noise in double-barrier resonant diodes. The theory applies to the region of low applied voltages up to the region of the current peak and considers the wide temperature range from zero to room temperature. The shape of the current voltage characteristic is well reproduced and we confirm that even in the presence of Coulomb interaction the shot noise can be suppressed with a Fano factor well below the value of 0.5. This feature can be an indication of coherent tunneling since the standard sequential tunneling predicts in general a Fano factor equal to or greater than the value 0.5. This giant suppression is a consequence of Pauli principle as well as long range Coulomb interaction. The theory generalizes previous findings and is compared with experiments