• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.47-52
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• 2017

This research scrutinizes the data retention characteristics of the MLC NAND Flash Memory instigated by the loss effect of trapped charge when the memory is in the state of program saturation. It is attributed to the threshold voltage saturation phenomenon which engenders an interruption to the linear increase of the voltage in the memory cell. This phenomenon is occasioned by the outflow of the trapped charge from the floating gate to the control gate, which has been programmed by the ISPP (Incremental Step Pulse Programming), via Inter-Poly Dielectric (IPD). This study stipulates the significant degradation of thermal retention characteristics of threshold voltage in the saturation region in contrast to the ones in the linear region. Thus the current study evaluates the data retention characteristics of voltage after the program with a repeated reading test in various measurement conditions. The loss effect of trapped charge is found in the IPD layer located between the floating gate and the control gate especially in the nitride layer of the IPD. After the thermal stress, the trapped charge is de-trapped and displays the impediment of the characteristic of reliability. To increase the threshold saturation voltage in the NAND Flash Memory, the storage ability of the charge in the floating gate must be enhanced with a well-thought-out designing of the module in the IPD layer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.379-385
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• 2017

This study identifies the optimal tube voltages depending on the changes in the patient's body type for limb tests using a digital radiography (DR) system. For the upper-limp test, the dose area product (DAP) was fixed at $5.06dGy{\ast} cm^2$, and for the lower-limb test, the DAP was fixed at $5.04dGy{\ast} cm^2$. Afterwards, the tube voltage was changed to four different stages and the images were taken three times at each stage. The thickness of the limbs was increased by 10 mm to 30 mm to change in the patient's body type. For a quantitative evaluation, Image J was used to calculate the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and signal to noise ratio (SNR) among the four groups, according to the tube voltage. For statistical testing, the statistically significant differences were analyzed through the Kruskal-Wallis test at a 95% confidence level. For the qualitative analysis of the images, the pre-determined items were evaluated based on a 5-point Likert scale. In both upper-limb and lower-limb tests, the more the tube voltage increased, the more the CNR and SNR of the images decreased. The test on the changes depending on the patient's body shape showed that the more the thickness increased, the more the CNR and SNR decreased. In the qualitative evaluation on the upper limbs, the more the tube voltage increased, the more score increased to 4.6 at the maximum of 55kV and 3.6 at 40kV, respectively. The mean score for the lower limbs was 4.4, regardless of the tube voltage. The more either the upper or lower limbs got thicker, the more the score generally decreased. The score of the upper limps sharply dropped at 40kV, whereas that of the lower limps sharply dropped at 50kV. For patients with a standard thickness, the optimized images can be obtained when taken at 45kV for the upper limbs, and at 50kV for the lower limbs. However, when the thickness of the patient's limbs increases, it is best to set the tube voltage at 50 kV for the upper limbs and at 55 kV for the lower limbs.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.436-443
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to develop a self-diagnostic linearity quality control techniques of computed tomography (CT) by using measured CT number values from the various concentrations of iodine contrast media (CM) is diluted with distilled water under each condition of the tube voltage. The equipment was used for four-channel MDCT, the iodine concentration were using 300 mgI/ml, 350 mgI/ml, 370 mgI/ml and 400mgI/ml. Dilution of CM in distilled water was increased by each 5% until the maximum CT number values were measured. We applied the tube voltages for 90 kVp, 120 kVp, 140 kVp. As a result, we was obtained to the nearest linearity as 0.993 of correlation coefficient between the iodinated CM from 5% to 25% in 400 mgI/ml and the CT number values by 90 kVp. In conclusion, the proposed self-diagnostic linearity quality assurance technique by using iodine CM can be utilized to replace the AAPM CT performance phantom.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.59-65
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• 2004

In this paper, we propose Pseudo-TN IPS mde(Pseudo-Twisted Nematic In-Plane Switching mode) based on IT(In-plane switching Twisted nematic) mode that increase contrast ratio from improving optical characteristics and analyze the characteristics of Pseudo-TN IPS uude. Optical transmittance is 25% higher for the PTN-IPS mode than for the IT mode. Because aperture ratio of the PIN-IPS is increased. And the control of Liquid Crystal for adjusting optical transmittance is more easier than IT mode, because optical transmittance variation is linear with applying voltage. Contrast ratio is 8% lower for the PTN-IPS mode than for the IT mode in the horizontal direction. But, Contrast ratio is 20% higher for the PTN-IPS mode than for the IT mode in the vertical direction. It has also cell gap margin and many benefits of IT mode, this may be used very well in the future LC Cell design.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.260-265
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• 2010

This paper proposes a transflective configuration of the dual operating mode liquid crystal display, which has transmissive dynamic and reflective memory parts in its pixel. By employing a wideband structure and optimizing the cell-gap of the liquid crystal layer, the reflective memory part shows a very low reflectance in the dark state, good dispersion properties for the entire visible range, as well as high reflectance in the bright state. The transmissive dynamic part is designed to have the same cell-gap and rubbing direction as those of the reflective part. The driving voltage of the dynamic part and transmittance of the bright state can also be controlled by using compensation film with a positive a-plate, which can compensate the reflective part. Experimental results in the memory part operation demonstrate that the contrast ratio is over 50:1 and the reflectance in the dark state is reduced to 56% on average of that of the conventional dual mode configuration for the entire visible range. The contrast ratio of the dynamic part is 300:1.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2005

We have developed a small bore x-ray CT for small animal imaging with a linear x-ray detector array and small-scale slip rings. The linear x-ray detector array consists of 1024 elements of 400□m×400□m with a gadolinium oxysulfide (GOS) scintillator on top of them. To avoid use of expensive large diameter slip rings for projection data transmission from the X­ray detector to the image reconstruction system, we used the wireless LAN technology. The projection data are temporally stored in the data acquisition system residing on the rotating gantry during the scan and they are transmitted to the image reconstruction system after the scan. With the wireless LAN technology, we only needed to use small-scale slip rings to deliver the AC electric power to the X-ray generator and the power supply on the rotating gantry. The performances of the small animal CT system, such as SNR, contrast, and spatial resolution, have been evaluated through experiments using various phantoms. It has been experimentally found that the SNR is almost linearly proportional to the tube current and tube voltage, and the minimum resolvable contrast is less than 30 CT numbers at 40kVp/3.0㎃. The spatial resolution of the small animal CT system has been found to be about 0.9Ip/㎜. Postmortem images of a piglet is also presented.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to insert a pedicle screw into a pig thoracic vertebrae, a general CT scan(Non MAR), and a thoracic axial image obtained with the Metallic Artifact Reduction for Orthopedic Implants (O-MAR) to reduce artifacts. The image obtained by reconstructing the algorithm (Standard, Soft, Bone, Detail) was used using the image J program. Signal to noise ratio(SNR) and contrast to noise ratio(CNR) were compared and analyzed by obtaining measured values based on the given equation. And this study was to investigate tube voltage and algorithm suitable for CT scan for thoracic pedicle screw insertion. As a result, when non-MAR was used, the soft algorithm showed the highest SNR and CNR at 80, 100, 120, and 140 kVp, On the other hand, when MAR was used, the standard algorithm showed the highest at 80 kVp, and the standard and soft algorithms showed similar values at 100 kVp. At 120 kVp, the Soft and Standard algorithms showed similar values, and at 140 kVp, the Soft algorithm showed the highest SNR and CNR. Therefore, when comparing Non-MAR and MAR, even if MAR was used, SNR and CNR did not increase in all algorithms according to the change in tube voltage. In conclusion, it is judged that it is advantageous to use the Soft algorithm at 80, 100, 120, and 140 kVp in Non MAR, the Standard algorithm at 80 and 100 kVp in MAR, and the Soft algorithm at 120 and 140 kVp. This study is expected to serve as an opportunity to further improve the quality of images by using selective tube voltage and algorithms as basic data to help evaluate images of pedicle screw CT scans in the future.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.9-14
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study has attempted to evaluate and compare the image evaluation and exposure dose by respectively applying Filtered Back Projection(FBP), the existing test method, and Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction(ASIR) with different values of tube voltage during the Low Dose Computed Tomography(LDCT). Materials and Methods: With the image reconstruction method as basis, Chest Phantom was utilized with the FBP and ASIR set at 10%, 20% respectively, and the change of Tube Voltage (100kVp, 120kVp). For image evaluation, Back ground noise, Signal to Noise ratio(SNR) and Contrast to Noise ratio(CNR) were measured, and, for dose evaluation, CTDIvol and DLP were measured respectively. The statistical analysis was tested with SPSS(ver. 22.0), followed by ANOVA Test conducted after normality test and homogeneity test. (p<0.05). Results: In terms of image evaluation, there was no outstanding difference in Ascending Aorta(AA) SNR and Infraspinatus Muscle(IM) SNR with the different values of ASIR application(p<0.05), but a significant difference with the different amount of tube voltage(p>0.05). Also, there wasn't noticeable change in CNR with ASIR and different amount of Tube Voltage (p<0.05). However, in terms of dose evaluation, CTDIvol and DLP showed contrasting results(p<0.05). In terms of CTDIvol, the measured values with the same tube voltage of 120kVp were 2.6mGy with No-ASIR and 2.17mGy with 20%-ASIR respectively, decreased by 0.43mGy, and the values with 100kVp were 1.61mGy with No-ASIR and 1.34mGy with 20%-ASIR, decreased by 0.27mGy. In terms of DLP, the measured values with 120kVp were $103.21mGy{\cdot}cm$ with No-ASIR and $85.94mGy{\cdot}cm$ with 20%-ASIR, decreased by $17.27mGy{\cdot}cm$(about 16.7%), and the values with 100kVp were $63.84mGy{\cdot}cm$ with No-ASIR and $53.25mGy{\cdot}cm$ with 20%-ASIR, a decrease by $10.62mGy{\cdot}cm$(about 16.7%). Conclusion: At lower tube voltage, the rate of dose significantly decreased, but the negative effects on image evaluation was shown due to the increase of noise. For the future, through the result of the experiment, it is considered that the method above would be recommended for follow-up patients or those who get health checkup as long as there is no interference on the process of diagnosis due to the characteristics of Low Dose examination.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.412-416
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• 2016

The electrical properties of Au/n-type Ge Schottky contacts with different contact areas were investigated using current-voltage (I-V) measurements. Analyses of the reverse bias current characteristics showed that the Poole-Frenkel effect became strong with decreasing contact area. The contribution of the perimeter current density to the total current density was found to increase with increasing reverse bias voltage. Fitting of the forward bias I-V characteristics by considering various transport models revealed that the tunneling current is dominant in the low forward bias region. The contributions of both the thermionic emission (TE) and the generation-recombination (GR) currents to the total current were similar regardless of the contact area, indicating that these currents mainly flow through the bulk region. In contrast, the contribution of the tunneling current to the total current increased with decreasing contact area. The largest $E_{00}$ value (related to tunneling probability) for the smallest contact area was associated with higher tunneling effect.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.474-483
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• 2011

Solid-state fault current limiters (SSFCL) in power systems are alternative devices to limit prospective short circuit currents from reaching lower levels. Fault current limiters (FCL) can be classified into two categories: R-type (resistive) FCLs and L-type (inductive) FCLs. L-type FCL uses an inductor to limit fault level and is more efficient in suppressing voltage drop during a fault. In contrast, R-type FCL is constructed with a resistance and is more effective in consuming the acceleration energy of generators during a fault. Both functions enhance the transient stability of the power system. In the present paper, a novel SSFCL is proposed to enhance power system transient stability and power quality. The proposed SSFCL uses both functions of an L-type and R-type FCL. SSFCL consists of four diodes, one self-turn-off IGCT, a current-limiting by-pass inductor (L), and a variable resistance parallel with an inductor for improvement of power system stability and prevention of over-voltage across SSFCL. The main advantages of the proposed SSFCL are the simplicity of its structure and control, low steady-state impedance, fast response, and the existence of R-type and Ltype impedances during the fault, all of which improve power system stability and power quality. Simulations are accomplished in PSCAD/EMTDC.