Abstract-In this paper, for the first time, we report a study on the hot carrier reliability performance of single halo (SH) thin film silicon-on-insulator (SOI) nMOSFETs for analog and mixed-signal applications. The SH structure has a high pocket impurity concentration near the source end of the channel and low impurity concentration in the rest of the channel. Besides excellent dc output characteristics and experimental characterization results on these devices show better th -roll-off, low DIBL, higher breakdown voltages, and kink-free operation. Further SH SOI MOSFETs have been shown to exhibit reduced parasitic bipolar junction transistor effect in comparison to the homogeneously doped channel (conventional) SOI MOSFETs. Small-signal characterization on these devices shows higher ac transconductance, higher output resistance, and better dynamic intrinsic gain ( ) in comparison with the conventional homogeneously doped SOI MOSFETs. Also, the low drain junction capacitance as a result of low impurity concentration near the drain region is beneficial for improved circuit performance. The experimental results show that SH SOI MOSFETs exhibit a lower hot carrier degradation in small-signal transconductance and dynamic output resistance in comparison with conventional homogeneously doped SOI MOSFETs. From 2-D device simulations, the lower hot carrier degradation mechanism in SH SOI MOSFETs is analyzed and compared with the conventional SOI MOSFETs.Index Terms-Channel hot carrier, mixed-signal applications, silicon-on-insulator technology, single halo, thin film devices.

Summary The COVID-19-related misinformation and vaccine hesitancy is a widespread global concern and a recognized public health problem in Pakistan. The current research sought to explore the beliefs and experiences with regard to COVID-19, including vaccine hesitancy and acceptance, in a slum of Karachi, Pakistan. This study used an interpretivist epistemological approach for data collection and employed in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) to explore the themes of interest. IDIs and FDGs were conducted in the local language (Pashtu) and Urdu, using semi-structured interview guides. A hybrid thematic analysis approach (use of both inductive and deductive coding) was used to analyze the data. We identified two key themes: the first related to vaccine hesitancy and refusal and included the role of personal belief systems, vaccine mistrust and public perceptions in hesitancy; the second related to vaccine acceptance and included knowledge and awareness about the vaccine and trusted sources of information. Religious beliefs and cultural norms influenced attitudes toward COVID-19 and vaccination. This study also found that awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine in this sample was influenced by sex, educational status and socioeconomic status. Participants with good health literacy and those from healthcare backgrounds were more likely to share views that indicated vaccine acceptance. The findings of this study are being used to co-design a comprehensive intervention to dispel COVID-19 misinformation and vaccine hesitancy across a range of stakeholders such as youths, community leaders, family members, faith leaders, schools and community-based local organizations in Pakistan.

In this paper we report a study on

An optimized two-mode erbium-doped fiber amplifier (2M-EDFA) system is proposed and evaluated in this paper. The Giles model of a single-mode EDFA is extended to multiple modes. Detailed mathematical analysis of the model indicates that a proper combination of an LP 01 pump and LP 11 pump can equalize the gain of the two modes. The results from mathematical calculations are validated with simulations based on the Runge-Kutta method numerically integrating first-order differential rate equations and propagation equations in the optical domain. Results show that an appropriate LP 01 and LP 11 pump power combination equalizes the gain of the two signal modes to a high value of 27.256 dB. The evolution of the forward-amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) in the designed 2M-EDFA system is investigated. The ASE ratio between the two modes is observed to remain within a factor of 2. The tolerance of the differential modal gain (DMG) with respect to the intrinsic parameters and external operating conditions for the designed 2M-EDFA system is also investigated. In the range of 1530-1560 nm, a modal gain of about 27 dB and ripple of about 0.21 dB are obtained for both modes. This enables transmission of a total of 60 spatial and spectral channels in this range with appropriate spacing. Finally, the immunity of the 2M-EDFA design to the effects of high concentration are investigated.

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