This paper describes a debugging interface that has been developed for a parallel software engineering environment and that was developed on top of the PVM environment in the scope of the SEPP and HPCTI projects of the COPERNICUS Program. The main goal of this interface is to provide the basic debugging functionalities that are required by some components of that environment. We give special attention to the requirements posed by high-level tools of the environment, and to the need of providing a flexible debugging support layer that can be suitably adapted and extended. We present the system logical architecture and the interface specification of the debugging engine. We discuss its interfacing with other components of the environment, namely a graphical editor for the GRAPNEL visual parallel programming language, and a testing tool. We finally describe current work on the improvement of the debugging engine. Keywords: Debugging, monitoring, parallel processing, software tools.

n/a

n/a

n/a

We discuss issues in the design and implementation of a flexible debugging tool and its integration into a parallel software engineering environment.

The influence of different TCOs (SnO2 and ITO) on the photoelectrical properties of 1-D position sensitive detectors based on p-i-n structures was studied. A strong cross-contamination in the p-layer and contamination in the i-layer reduce the quality of the device. Numerical analysis of TCO/p-i-n structure also revealed a strong increase in defect states at the p-layer surface which can be attributed to the reduction of TCO. ITO seems to be less appropriate for a front TCO, although the spectral response of the p-i-n structure under reverse bias is not significantly affected by the conditions at the TCO/p heterojunction.

n/a

A Linear array Thin Film Position Sensitive Detector (LTFPSD) based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) is proposed for the first time, taking advantage of the optical properties presented by a-Si:H devices we have developed a LTFPSD with 128 integrated elements able to be used in 3D inspections/measurements. Each element consists on a 1D LTFPSD, based on a p.i.n. diode produced in a conventional PECVD system, where the doped layers are coated with thin resistive layers to establish the required device equipotentials. By proper incorporation of the LTFPSD into an optical inspection camera it will be possible to acquire information about an object/surface, through the optical cross- section method. The main advantages of this system, when compared with the conventional CCDs, are the low complexity of hardware and software used and that the information can be continuously processed (analogue detection).

This work presents the main static and dynamic performances showed by one dimensional thin film position sensitive detectors (1D TFPSD), based on a-Si:H technology, with a size of 80 mm × 5 mm. The results obtained show that the TFPSD is able to respond to light powers as low as 2μ W/cm2, presenting a detection accuracy, linearity and response frequency better than 10 μm, 2% and 2 KHz, respectively. These results are quite promising regarding the application of these sensors to a wide variety of optical inspection systems where continuous quality control is required.

In this paper we present a study on the electrical characteristics (conductivity, σ and relative dielectric constant, εr) of amorphous silicon nitride (a-SixN1-x) and carbide (a-SixC1-x) films deposited by PECVD, used as dielectric materials in TFT devices, aiming to select the most adequate alloy that lead to improve device performances. Besides that, double stack a-SixN1-x/a-SixC1-x structures were developed and applied as dielectric layers on TFTs, whose performances show to be superior to those ones using single silicon nitride or silicon carbide as dielectric.

n/a

n/a

n/a

The use of ITO thin films on glass/ITO/p-i-n/metal amorphous silicon solar cells is reviewed. It is suggested a new application for silicon monoxide thin films on the ITO-p interface, as an intermediate layer, to minimize the ITO thin film deterioration process, during the early stage of exposure to a silane plasma rich in hydrogen. The thickness of the silicon monoxide thin films is chosen not to worsen the optical and electrical properties of the ITO thin films. The ITO-p interface is optimized (due to impurities diffusion decrease), leading to an overall improvement of the device performance.

The use of ITO films on glass/ITO/p-i-n/metal amorphous silicon solar cells is reviewed. It is suggested a new application for silicon monoxide thin films on the ITO-p interface, as an intermediate layer, to minimize the ITO thin film deterioration process, during the early stage of exposure to a silane plasma rich in hydrogen. The thickness of the silicon monoxide thin films is chosen not to worsen the optical and electrical properties of the ITO thin films. The ITO-p interface is optimized (due to impurities diffusion decrease), leading to an overall improvement of the device performance.

n/a

n/a

In this work, we present a model to interpret the steady-state and the dynamic detection limits of 1-D Thin Film Position Sensitive Detectors (1-D TFPSD) based on p-i-n a-Si:H devices. From this, an equivalent electric circuit is derived and the predicted values are compared with the experimental results obtained in 1-D TFPSD devices, with different sizes. The model is also able to determine the device characteristics that influence the spatial limits and the response time of the device. © 1996 IEEE.

The objective of this work is to provide a basis for the interpretation of the a-Si:H photodiode behaviour under low illumination level conditions, where a lateral leakage current plays an important role on the devices' performances when the doped collecting layer can not be considered a true equipotential. To determine this effect, a-Si:H p.i.n devices with small metal dot contacts, matrix distributed, were produced and analysed before and after etching the surrounding doped region of the metal collecting contact. The experimental data fit a model that includes the contribution of a lateral leakage current influencing the J-V characteristics, responsivity and the apparent light degradation behaviour of the device.

A novel compact linear thin film position sensitive detector with 128 elements, based on p-i-n a-Si:H devices was developed. The proper incorporation of this sensor into an optical inspection camera makes possible the acquisition of three dimension information of an object, using laser triangulation methods. The main advantages of this system, when compared with the conventional charge-coupled devices, are the low complexity of hardware and software used and that the information can be continuously processed (analogue detection).

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Results are presented which are geared towards an understanding of the influence of powder formation during film growth. Plasma chemistry is correlated with the morphology, structure (inferred through infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction) electro-optical and density of states of intrinsic films deposited under continuous and power modulated operation. Results show that for modulation frequencies where no powder formation occurs and low substrate temperatures T (150°C), silane decomposition gives rise to the growth of inhomogeneous films while in the high modulation frequency regime, at the same temperature, the anions and powder are trapped resulting in films with high deposition rates and low defect density.