Abstract: A device for radiation detection includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and a macroscale structure disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The macroscale structure comprises a composite arrangement of nanocrystalline particles. The nanocrystalline particles comprise a lead chalcogenide material. The nanocrystalline particles establish conductive paths between the first electrode and the second electrode without an intervening conductive polymer agent.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a conductor includes preparing an aramid nanofiber solution in which a matrix of aramid nanofibers is dispersed, preparing a dispersion of copper nanoparticles, each copper nanoparticle of the dispersion of cooper nanoparticles having an organic capping ligand attached to the copper nanoparticle, and incorporating copper nanoparticles of the dispersion of copper nanoparticles into the matrix of aramid nanofibers such that each incorporated copper nanoparticle is bonded to a respective aramid nanofiber of the matrix of aramid nanofibers via the organic capping ligand to which the copper nanoparticle is attached. The organic capping ligand may include a mercaptocarboxyiic acid.

Abstract: A detector includes a substrate including a matrix of aramid nanofibers, a distribution of nanoparticles across the matrix of aramid nanofibers, and a plurality of organic capping ligands. Each organic capping ligand of the plurality of organic capping ligands bonds a respective nanoparticle of the plurality of nanoparticles to a respective aramid nanofiber of the matrix of aramid nanofibers. The detector further includes first and second electrodes disposed along opposite sides of the substrate to capture charges generated by photons or particles incident upon the detector. Each nanoparticle of the plurality of nanoparticles has a semiconductor composition.

Abstract: A method and device for reducing the thermal-mechanical motion of a defecting body is disclosed, in which the device includes a semiconductor injection laser used as both a light source and a dual-mirror optical cavity for precisely measuring the motion of the body. The thermally induced motion of the mechanical structure is quenched using a force-feedback technique, in which the information from the structural-motion detector is coupled to the forcing mechanism such that the motion of the deflecting structure is counteracted and thereby reduced.