Resolving buried interfaces with Low Energy Ion Scattering

We investigate the use of Low Energy Ion Scattering (LEIS) to characterize buried interfaces of ultra-thin films. LEIS spectra contain depth-resolved information in the so-called sub-surface signal. However, the exact correlation between the sub-surface signal and the depth composition is still unknown. For this reason, LEIS spectra so far only provided qualitative information about buried interfaces. In this study, we investigate nm-thin films of Si-on-W and Si-on-Mo, where we compare simulated data to LEIS spectra. We present a method to extract depth-sensitive compositional changes -- resolving buried interfaces -- from LEIS spectra for the first few nanometers of a thin film sample. In the case of Si-on-Mo, the simulation of the LEIS sub-surface signal allows obtaining a quantitative measurement of the interface profile that matches the value determined using the LEIS layer growth profile method with an accuracy of 0.1 nm. These results pave the way to further extend the use of LEIS for the characterization of features buried inside the first few nanometers of a sample.Comment: 25 pages, 11 figure

Resolving the W-on-Si interface by non-destructive low energy ion scattering

We present the use of Low Energy Ion Scattering (LEIS) as a non-destructive technique for characterizing the W-on-Si interface. LEIS spectra inherently contain depth-resolved information in the subsurface signal. However, assisting the spectra analysis with simulations is necessary for extracting quantitative information about the sample's depth composition. In this study, we compare measured and simulated LEIS spectra of W thin films on Si. These results prove, for the first time, the applicability of the method to probe a complex interface formed by a thin film of heavier atoms deposited on a film of lighter atoms. W/Si thin-film structures are used in X-ray optics, where precise control over interface composition is essential. Our findings affirm LEIS as a valuable technique for characterizing these interfaces with sub-nanometer accuracy.</p

NLCMAP: A FRAMEWORK FOR THE EFFICIENT MAPPING OF NON-LINEAR CONVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORKS ON FPGA ACCELERATORS

This paper introduces NLCMap, a framework for the mapping space exploration targeting Non-Linear Convolutional Networks (NLCNs). NLCNs [1] are a novel neural network model that improves performances in certain computer vision applications by introducing a non-linearity in the weights computation. NLCNs are more challenging to efficiently map onto hardware accelerators if compared to traditional Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), due to data dependencies and additional computations. To this aim, we propose NLCMap, a framework that, given an NLC layer and a generic hardware accelerator with a certain on-chip memory budget, finds the optimal mapping that minimizes the accesses to the off-chip memory, which are often the critical aspect in CNNs acceleration

Meet Met Net - Awareness and design in hyper-technology era

The complex relationship between man and technology is the starting point of an interesting design process aiming to highlight the lack of awareness in most of the behavioral choices of man. The man is distinguished by its nature of finding short-term solutions, with the almost complete inability of prefiguring repercussions resulting from his unconscious decisions. The technology, on the other hand is growing and developing fast, becoming day by day more autonomous and uncontrollable. Specific attention is deserved by those technological innovations that can cause unpredicted impacts on human, his principles, values and behaviors: knowing history by its sociological and behavioral implications allows us to recognize some recursive patterns that can then be transformed into opportunities. The goal is not an attempt to predict future trends in technological innovation but to find the right formula in order to raise the level of responsibility in individuals' behavior. Not by imposing rules but giving people the right awareness in order to make conscious choices and to guarantee a responsible behavior. The role of the designer and the fields where he can intervene are identified and an area of interest is delimited specifically to the ambit of the 3D printing, enhancing its potential property of changing both technological and human systems. A first answer to the problems triggered by 3D printing can be found, indeed, in the positive phenomena that are activated within collaborating groups by sharing space and knowledge in communities with a bottom-up approach. The designer is actively involved within the entire system, directing behaviors toward the correct ethical and moral responsibility. Therefore, 3D printing does not turn into another behavioral, social, economic and environmental failure

A GIS for Managing Past Knowledge in Coastal Defence Planning

The chapter describes the work for a coastal defence monitoring program that has been promoted by Regional Authority in Northern Italy (Emilia Romagna). With the aim to organize knowledge on coastal defenses (i.e., presence, state and management) and make analyses comparable with coastal evolution of both emerged and submerged beach, a geodatabase has been implemented; this last has further been improved with the collaboration of technicians that are involved on coastal defense management. The final aim of the work was to supply administration with a powerful and innovative tool for assessing the efficacy of coastal defenses in time. The work also proposes a way to solicit attention on data effectiveness (by way of metadata) and on positional accuracy for coastline evolution assessment

Interaction Design and Data Visualization for Future Digital Cars

Driving a car is becoming more and more complex. This does not happen because the functions that are necessary to drive are more difficult to perform: on the contrary, for example, electric and hybrid vehicles do not have any manual transmission gear. However, complexity lies in the fact that cars shall provide information on their current status, projections on their future state, optional information related to infotainment, to points of interest for the driver or the passengers, to the mobility system, to the connection with other subjects and objects outside the car etc. In such a variegated scenario, it is necessary to design a new space and several types of visual and interactive languages able to show and guarantee both pieces of information that are necessary to drive a vehicle in a safe way, and the accessory ones. Space and information shall then be designed in order to be adaptable to the user. The paradigm of adaptability has often been confused with customization. In this case, it aims instead to provide an intelligent car-system able to understand both the attitudes and the needs of the driver and to provide real-time answers, as appropriate to the situation. Modern cars are characterized by the constant effort to prove their potential in terms of performance and new integrated accessories, such as the protection from external agents, impacts and noise; to this end, visual languages can conform to this trend or they can express new forms and representations of data through which they can describe an increased need for communication with the external environment, a new awareness in the use of the car or a desire to focus only on driving etc. Moreover data visualization is changing thanks to a new mode of interaction between man and commands, as signs and their directionality cannot be inconsistent with the new input mode based, for example, on the use of gestures. In addition, on one hand, the introduction of gestures and other interaction modes inside the car can be a way to find a solution to the growing presence of controls and buttons which can often distract, especially if they are operated through a touch screen; on the other hand, it could become part of the driving pleasure, something that today is more and more difficult to feel. In this way, data visualization and interaction design can cooperate to provide a new sensory experience to the user. The research lead by the HMI team of the Polytechnic of Turin in collaboration with CRF seeks precisely to give solutions to these challenges in a Human Centered Design approach