Characterization and Simulation of Transient Vibrations Using Band Limited Temporal Moments

DOE PAGES

Smallwood, David O.

1994-01-01

A method is described to characterize shocks (transient time histories) in terms of the Fourier energy spectrum and the temporal moments of the shock passed through a contiguous set of band pass filters. The product model is then used to generate of a random process as simulations that in the mean will have the same energy and moments as the characterization of the transient event.

Hierarchical image coding with diamond-shaped sub-bands

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Xiaohui; Wang, Jie; Bauer, Peter; Sauer, Ken

1992-01-01

We present a sub-band image coding/decoding system using a diamond-shaped pyramid frequency decomposition to more closely match visual sensitivities than conventional rectangular bands. Filter banks are composed of simple, low order IIR components. The coder is especially designed to function in a multiple resolution reconstruction setting, in situations such as variable capacity channels or receivers, where images must be reconstructed without the entire pyramid of sub-bands. We use a nonlinear interpolation technique for lost subbands to compensate for loss of aliasing cancellation.

From Ba{sub 3}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 14}N to LaBa{sub 2}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 13}N{sub 2}: Decreasing the optical band gap of a photocatalyst

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Anke, B.; Bredow, T.; Pilarski, M.

Yellow LaBa{sub 2}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 13}N{sub 2} was successfully synthesized as phase-pure material crystallizing isostructurally to previously reported Ba{sub 3}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 14}N and mixed-valence Ba{sub 3}Ta{sup V}{sub 4}Ta{sup IV}O{sub 15}. The electronic structure of LaBa{sub 2}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 13}N{sub 2} was studied theoretically with the range-separated hybrid method HSE06. The most stable structure was obtained when lanthanum was placed on 2a and nitrogen on 4h sites confirming Pauling's second rule. By incorporating nitrogen, the measured band gap decreases from ∼3.8 eV for the oxide via 2.74 eV for Ba{sub 3}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 14}N to 2.63 eV for the new oxide nitride, giving risemore » to an absorption band well in the visible-light region. Calculated fundamental band gaps confirm the experimental trend. The atom-projected density of states has large contributions from N2p orbitals close to the valence band edge. These are responsible for the observed band gap reduction. Photocatalytic hydrogen formation was investigated and compared with that of Ba{sub 3}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 14}N revealing significantly higher activity for LaBa{sub 2}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 13}N{sub 2} under UV-light. - Graphical abstract: X-ray powder diffraction pattern of LaBa{sub 2}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 13}N{sub 2} with the results of the Rietveld refinements. Inset: Unit cell of LaBa{sub 2}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 13}N{sub 2} and polyhedral representation of the crystal structure. - Highlights: • Synthesis of a new oxide nitride LaBa{sub 2}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 13}N{sub 2}. • Refinement of the crystal structure. • Quantum chemical calculations provided band gap close to the measured value. • New phase shows a higher photocatalytic H{sub 2} evolution rate compared to prior tested Ba{sub 3}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 14}N.« less

Type I band alignment in GaAs{sub 81}Sb{sub 19}/GaAs core-shell nanowires

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xu, T.; Key Laboratory of Advanced Display and System Application, Shanghai University, 149 Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072; Wei, M. J.

2015-09-14

The composition and band gap of the shell that formed during the growth of axial GaAs/GaAs{sub 81}Sb{sub 19}/ GaAs heterostructure nanowires have been investigated by transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersion spectroscopy, scanning tunneling spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations. On the GaAs{sub 81}Sb{sub 19} intermediate segment, the shell is found to be free of Sb (pure GaAs shell) and transparent to the tunneling electrons, despite the (110) biaxial strain that affects its band gap. As a result, a direct measurement of the core band gap allows the quantitative determination of the band offset between the GaAs{sub 81}Sb{sub 19}more » core and the GaAs shell and identifies it as a type I band alignment.« less

The Deep Lens Survey : Real--time Optical Transient and Moving Object Detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becker, Andy; Wittman, David; Stubbs, Chris; Dell'Antonio, Ian; Loomba, Dinesh; Schommer, Robert; Tyson, J. Anthony; Margoniner, Vera; DLS Collaboration

2001-12-01

We report on the real-time optical transient program of the Deep Lens Survey (DLS). Meeting the DLS core science weak-lensing objective requires repeated visits to the same part of the sky, 20 visits for 63 sub-fields in 4 filters, on a 4-m telescope. These data are reduced in real-time, and differenced against each other on all available timescales. Our observing strategy is optimized to allow sensitivity to transients on several minute, one day, one month, and one year timescales. The depth of the survey allows us to detect and classify both moving and stationary transients down to ~ 25th magnitude, a relatively unconstrained region of astronomical variability space. All transients and moving objects, including asteroids, Kuiper belt (or trans-Neptunian) objects, variable stars, supernovae, 'unknown' bursts with no apparent host, orphan gamma-ray burst afterglows, as well as airplanes, are posted on the web in real-time for use by the community. We emphasize our sensitivity to detect and respond in real-time to orphan afterglows of gamma-ray bursts, and present one candidate orphan in the field of Abell 1836. See http://dls.bell-labs.com/transients.html.

Construction of a High Temporal-spectral Resolution Spectrometer for Detection of Fast Transients from Observations of the Sun at 1.4 GHz.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casillas-Perez, G. A.; Jeyakumar, S.; Perez-Enriquez, R.

2014-12-01

Transients explosive events with time durations from nanoseconds to several hours, are observed in the Sun at high energy bands such as gamma ray and xray. In the radio band, several types of radio bursts are commonly detected from the ground. A few observations of the Sun in the past have also detected a new class of fast transients which are known to have short-live electromagnetic emissions with durations less than 100 ms. The mechanisms that produce such fast transiets remain unclear. Observations of such fast transients over a wide bandwidth is necessary to uderstand the underlying physical process that produce such fast transients. Due to their very large flux densities, fast radio transients can be observed at high time resolution using small antennas in combination with digital signal processing techniques. In this work we report the progress of an spectrometer that is currently in construction at the Observatorio de la Luz of the Universidad de Guanajuato. The instrument which will have the purpose of detecting solar fast radio transients, involves the use of digital devices such as FPGA and ADC cards, in addition with a receiver with high temporal-spectral resolution centered at 1.4 GHz and a pair of 2.3 m satellite dish.

The VLSI design of the sub-band filterbank in MP3 decoding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jia-Xin; Luo, Li

2018-03-01

The sub-band filterbank is one of the most important modules which has the largest amount of calculation in MP3 decoding. In order to save CPU resources and integrate the sub-band filterbank part into MP3 IP core, the hardware circuit of the sub-band filterbank module is designed in this paper. A fast algorithm suit for hardware implementation is proposed and achieved on FPGA development board. The results show that the sub-band filterbank function is correct in the case of using very few registers and the amount of calculation and ROM resources are reduced greatly.

ASSIGNMENT OF 5069 A DIFFUSE INTERSTELLAR BAND TO HC{sub 4}H{sup +}: DISAGREEMENT WITH LABORATORY ABSORPTION BAND

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maier, J. P.; Chakrabarty, S.; Mazzotti, F. J.

2011-03-10

Krelowski et al. have reported a weak, diffuse interstellar band (DIB) at 5069 A which appears to match in both mid-wavelength and width the A {sup 2}{Pi}{sub u}-X {sup 2}{Pi}{sub g} gas-phase origin absorption band of HC{sub 4}H{sup +}. Here, we present laboratory rotational profiles at low temperatures which are then compared with the 5069 A DIB using {approx}0.1 and 0.3 A line widths based on a realistic line-of-sight interstellar velocity dispersion. Neither the band shape nor the wavelength of the maximum absorption match, which makes the association of the 5069 A DIB with HC{sub 4}H{sup +} unlikely. The magneticmore » dipole transition X {sup 2}{Pi}{sub g} {Omega} = 1/2{yields}X {sup 2}{Pi}{sub g} {Omega} = 3/2 within the ground electronic state which competes with collisional excitation is also considered. In addition, we present the laboratory gas-phase spectrum of the A {sup 2}{Pi}{sub u}-X {sup 2}{Pi}{sub g} transition of HC{sub 4}H{sup +} measured at 25 K in an ion trap and identify further absorption bands at shorter wavelengths for comparison with future DIB data.« less

Ballistic-electron-emission spectroscopy of Al{sub x}Ga{sub 1{minus}x}As/GaAs heterostructures: Conduction-band offsets, transport mechanisms, and band-structure effects

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

OShea, J.J.; Brazel, E.G.; Rubin, M.E.

1997-07-01

We report an extensive investigation of semiconductor band-structure effects in single-barrier Al{sub x}Ga{sub 1{minus}x}As/GaAs heterostructures using ballistic-electron-emission spectroscopy (BEES). The transport mechanisms in these single-barrier structures were studied systematically as a function of temperature and Al composition over the full compositional range (0{le}x{le}1). The initial ({Gamma}) BEES thresholds for Al{sub x}Ga{sub 1{minus}x}As single barriers with 0{le}x{le}0.42 were extracted using a model which includes the complete transmission probability of the metal-semiconductor interface and the semiconductor heterostructure. Band offsets measured by BEES are in good agreement with previous measurements by other techniques which demonstrates the accuracy of this technique. BEES measurements atmore » 77 K give the same band-offset values as at room temperature. When a reverse bias is applied to the heterostructures, the BEES thresholds shift to lower voltages in good agreement with the expected bias-induced band-bending. In the indirect band-gap regime ({ital x}{gt}0.45), spectra show a weak ballistic-electron-emission microscopy current contribution due to intervalley scattering through Al{sub x}Ga{sub 1{minus}x}As {ital X} valley states. Low-temperature spectra show a marked reduction in this intervalley current component, indicating that intervalley phonon scattering at the GaAs/Al{sub x}Ga{sub 1{minus}x}As interface produces a significant fraction of this{ital X} valley current. A comparison of the BEES thresholds with the expected composition dependence of the Al{sub x}Ga{sub 1{minus}x}As {Gamma}, {ital L}, and {ital X} points yields good agreement over the entire composition range. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}« less

Global thunderstorm activity estimation based on number of transients in ELF-band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ondraskova, Adriena; Sevcik, Sebastian

2017-04-01

Schumann resonances (SR) are resonant electromagnetic oscillations in extremely low frequency band (ELF, 3 Hz - 3 kHz), which arise in the Earth-ionosphere cavity due to lightning activity in planetary range. The time records in the ELF-band consist of background signals and ELF transients/Q-bursts superimposed on the background exceeding it by a factor of 5 - 10. The former are produced by the common worldwide thunderstorm activity (100 - 150 events per second), the latter origin from individual intense distant lightning discharges (100 - 120 powerful strokes per hour). A Q-burst is produced by a combination of direct and antipodal pulses and the decisive factor for its shape follows from the source-to-observer distance. Diurnal/seasonal variations of global thunderstorm activity can be deduced from spectral amplitudes of SR modes. Here we focus on diurnal/seasonal variations of the number of ELF-transients assuming that it is another way of lightning activity estimation. To search for transients, our own code was applied to the SR vertical electric component measured in October 2004 - October 2008 at the Astronomical and Geophysical Observatory of FMPI CU, Slovakia. Criteria for the identification of the burst are chosen on the basis of the transient amplitudes and their morphological features. Monthly mean daily variations in number of transients showed that African focus dominates at 14 - 16 h UT and it is more active in comparison with Asian source, which dominates at 5 - 8 h UT in dependence on winter or summer month. American source had surprisingly slight response. Meteorological observations in South America aiming to determine lightning hotspots on the Earth indicate that flash rate in this region is greatest during nocturnal 0 h - 3 h local standard time. This fact may be interpreted that Asian and South American sources contribute together in the same UT. Cumulative spectral amplitude of the first three SR modes compared with number of ELF-transients in

Non-invasive detection of language-related prefrontal high gamma band activity with beamforming MEG.

PubMed

Hashimoto, Hiroaki; Hasegawa, Yuka; Araki, Toshihiko; Sugata, Hisato; Yanagisawa, Takufumi; Yorifuji, Shiro; Hirata, Masayuki

2017-10-27

High gamma band (>50 Hz) activity is a key oscillatory phenomenon of brain activation. However, there has not been a non-invasive method established to detect language-related high gamma band activity. We used a 160-channel whole-head magnetoencephalography (MEG) system equipped with superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) gradiometers to non-invasively investigate neuromagnetic activities during silent reading and verb generation tasks in 15 healthy participants. Individual data were divided into alpha (8-13 Hz), beta (13-25 Hz), low gamma (25-50 Hz), and high gamma (50-100 Hz) bands and analysed with the beamformer method. The time window was consecutively moved. Group analysis was performed to delineate common areas of brain activation. In the verb generation task, transient power increases in the high gamma band appeared in the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) at the 550-750 ms post-stimulus window. We set a virtual sensor on the left MFG for time-frequency analysis, and high gamma event-related synchronization (ERS) induced by a verb generation task was demonstrated at 650 ms. In contrast, ERS in the high gamma band was not detected in the silent reading task. Thus, our study successfully non-invasively measured language-related prefrontal high gamma band activity.

Infrared studies of the evolution of the C{sub i}O{sub i}(Si{sub I}) defect in irradiated Si upon isothermal anneals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Angeletos, T.; Londos, C. A., E-mail: hlontos@phys.uoa.gr; Chroneos, A., E-mail: alexander.chroneos@imperial.ac.uk

2016-03-28

Carbon-oxygen-self-interstitial complexes were investigated in silicon by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Upon irradiation, the C{sub i}O{sub i} defect (C{sub 3}) forms which for high doses attract self-interstitials (Si{sub I}s) leading to the formation of the C{sub i}O{sub i}(Si{sub I}) defect (C{sub 4}) with two well-known related bands at 939.6 and 1024 cm{sup −1}. The bands are detectable in the spectra both in room temperature (RT) and liquid helium (LH) temperature. Upon annealing at 150 °C, these bands were transformed to three bands at 725, 952, and 973 cm{sup −1}, detectable only at LH temperatures. Upon annealing at 220 °C, these bands weremore » transformed to three bands at 951, 969.5, and 977 cm{sup −1}, detectable both at RT and LH temperatures. Annealing at 280 °C resulted in the transformation of these bands to two new bands at 973 and 1024 cm{sup −1}. The latter bands disappear from the spectra upon annealing at 315 °C without the emergence of other bands in the spectra. Considering reaction kinetics and defect metastability, we developed a model to describe the experimental results. Annealing at 150 °C triggers the capturing of Si{sub I}s by the C{sub 4} defect leading to the formation of the C{sub i}O{sub i}(Si{sub I}){sub 2} complex. The latter structure appears to be bistable: measuring at LH, the defect is in configuration C{sub i}O{sub i}(Si{sub I}){sub 2} giving rise to the bands at 725, 952, and 973 cm{sup −1}, whereas on measurements at RT, the defect converts to another configuration C{sub i}O{sub i}(Si{sub I}){sub 2}{sup *} without detectable bands in the spectra. Possible structures of the two C{sub i}O{sub i}(Si{sub I}){sub 2} configurations are considered and discussed. Upon annealing at 220 °C, additional Si{sub I}s are captured by the C{sub i}O{sub i}(Si{sub I}){sub 2} defect leading to the formation of the C{sub i}O{sub i}(Si{sub I}){sub 3} complex, which in turn on

Design and implementation of a hybrid sub-band acoustic echo canceller (AEC)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Mingsian R.; Yang, Cheng-Ken; Hur, Ker-Nan

2009-04-01

An efficient method is presented for implementing an acoustic echo canceller (AEC) that makes use of hybrid sub-band approach. The hybrid system is comprised of a fixed processor and an adaptive filter in each sub-band. The AEC aims at reducing the echo resulting from the acoustic feedback in loudspeaker-enclosure-microphone (LEM) systems such as teleconferencing and hands-free systems. In order to cancel the acoustical echo efficiently, various processing architectures including fixed filters, hybrid processors, and sub-band structure are investigated. A double-talk detector is incorporated into the proposed AEC to prevent the adaptive filter from diverging in double-talk situations. A de-correlation filter is also used alongside sub-band processing in order to enhance the performance and efficiency of AEC. All algorithms are implemented and verified on the platform of a fixed-point digital signal processor (DSP). The AECs are evaluated in terms of cancellation performance and computation complexity. In addition, listening tests are conducted to assess the subjective performance of the AECs. From the results, the proposed hybrid sub-band AEC was found to be the most effective among all methods in terms of echo reduction and timbral quality.

Tracking coherent population transfer and thermal population relaxation in condensed system by broad-band transient grating spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Wei; Liu, Xiaosong; Wu, Honglin; Song, Yunfei; Liu, Weilong; Yang, Yanqiang

2018-04-01

Broad-band transient grating (BB-TG) spectroscopy was proposed to track both coherent population transfer (CPT) and thermal population relaxation processes in a condensed system of solvated molecules in solution (Rhodamine101 in methanol). A broad band around 1500 cm‑1 and a relative narrow band near 2900 cm‑1 emerge in TG and transient absorption contour plots when pump and probe pulses overlap in the sample. The experimental results matched well with the vibrational modes of Rhodamine101 that were obtained by theoretical calculation. In addition, it was found that the population of CPT particles can be evaluated quantitatively through the intensity of the TG signal.

Band gap engineering of N-alloyed Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} thin films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Song, Dongyu; Li, Bingsheng, E-mail: libingsheng@hit.edu.cn, E-mail: ashen@ccny.cuny.edu; Sui, Yu

2016-06-15

The authors report the tuning of band gap of GaON ternary alloy in a wide range of 2.75 eV. The samples were prepared by a two-step nitridation method. First, the samples were deposited on 2-inch fused silica substrates by megnetron sputtering with NH{sub 3} and Ar gas for 60 minutes. Then they were annealed in NH{sub 3} ambience at different temperatures. The optical band gap energies are calculated from transmittance measurements. With the increase of nitridation temperature, the band gap gradually decreases from 4.8 eV to 2.05 eV. X-ray diffraction results indicate that as-deposited amorphous samples can crystallize into monoclinicmore » and hexagonal structures after they were annealed in oxygen or ammonia ambience, respectively. The narrowing of the band gap is attributed to the enhanced repulsion of N2p -Ga3d orbits and formation of hexagonal structure.« less

A class of monolayer metal halogenides MX{sub 2}: Electronic structures and band alignments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lu, Feng; Wang, Weichao; Luo, Xiaoguang

2016-03-28

With systematic first principles calculations, a class of monolayer metal halogenides MX{sub 2} (M = Mg, Ca, Zn, Cd, Ge, Pb; M = Cl, Br, I) has been proposed. Our study indicates that these monolayer materials are semiconductors with the band gaps ranging from 2.03 eV of ZnI{sub 2} to 6.08 eV of MgCl{sub 2}. Overall, the band gap increases with the increase of the electronegativity of the X atom or the atomic number of the metal M. Meanwhile, the band gaps of monolayer MgX{sub 2} (X = Cl, Br) are direct while those of other monolayers are indirect. Based on the band edge curvatures, the derived electronmore » (m{sub e}) and hole (m{sub h}) effective masses of MX{sub 2} monolayers are close to their corresponding bulk values except that the m{sub e} of CdI{sub 2} is three times larger and the m{sub h} for PbI{sub 2} is twice larger. Finally, the band alignments of all the studied MX{sub 2} monolayers are provided using the vacuum level as energy reference. These theoretical results may not only introduce the monolayer metal halogenides family MX{sub 2} into the emerging two-dimensional materials, but also provide insights into the applications of MX{sub 2} in future electronic, visible and ultraviolet optoelectronic devices.« less

OPTICAL CONSTANTS AND BAND STRENGTHS OF CH{sub 4}:C{sub 2}H{sub 6} ICES IN THE NEAR- AND MID-INFRARED

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Molpeceres, Germán; Ortigoso, Juan; Escribano, Rafael

2016-07-10

We present a spectroscopic study of methane–ethane ice mixtures. We have grown CH{sub 4}:C{sub 2}H{sub 6} mixtures with ratios 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3 at 18 and 30 K, plus pure methane and ethane ices, and have studied them in the near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) ranges. We have determined densities of all species mentioned above. For amorphous ethane grown at 18 and 30 K we have obtained a density of 0.41 and 0.54 g cm{sup −3}, respectively, lower than a previous measurement of the density of the crystalline species, 0.719 g cm{sup −3}. As far as we know this ismore » the first determination of the density of amorphous ethane ice. We have measured band shifts of the main NIR methane and ethane features in the mixtures with respect to the corresponding values in the pure ices. We have estimated band strengths of these bands in the NIR and MIR ranges. In general, intensity decay in methane modes was detected in the mixtures, whereas for ethane no clear tendency was observed. Optical constants of the mixtures at 30 and 18 K have also been evaluated. These values can be used to trace the presence of these species in the surface of trans-Neptunian objects. Furthermore, we have carried out a theoretical calculation of these ice mixtures. Simulation cells for the amorphous solids have been constructed using a Metropolis Monte Carlo procedure. Relaxation of the cells and prediction of infrared spectra have been carried out at density functional theory level.« less

Sub-band-gap absorption in Ga2O3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peelaers, Hartwin; Van de Walle, Chris G.

2017-10-01

β-Ga2O3 is a transparent conducting oxide that, due to its large bandgap of 4.8 eV, exhibits transparency into the UV. However, the free carriers that enable the conductivity can absorb light. We study the effect of free carriers on the properties of Ga2O3 using hybrid density functional theory. The presence of free carriers leads to sub-band-gap absorption and a Burstein-Moss shift in the onset of absorption. We find that for a concentration of 1020 carriers, the Fermi level is located 0.23 eV above the conduction-band minimum. This leads to an increase in the electron effective mass from 0.27-0.28 me to 0.35-0.37 me and a sub-band-gap absorption band with a peak value of 0.6 × 103 cm-1 at 3.37 eV for light polarized along the x or z direction. Both across-the-gap and free-carrier absorption depend strongly on the polarization of the incoming light. We also provide parametrizations of the conduction-band shape and the effective mass as a function of the Fermi level.

Determination of band offsets at GaN/single-layer MoS{sub 2} heterojunction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tangi, Malleswararao; Mishra, Pawan; Ng, Tien Khee

2016-07-18

We report the band alignment parameters of the GaN/single-layer (SL) MoS{sub 2} heterostructure where the GaN thin layer is grown by molecular beam epitaxy on CVD deposited SL-MoS{sub 2}/c-sapphire. We confirm that the MoS{sub 2} is an SL by measuring the separation and position of room temperature micro-Raman E{sup 1}{sub 2g} and A{sup 1}{sub g} modes, absorbance, and micro-photoluminescence bandgap studies. This is in good agreement with HRTEM cross-sectional analysis. The determination of band offset parameters at the GaN/SL-MoS{sub 2} heterojunction is carried out by high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy accompanying with electronic bandgap values of SL-MoS{sub 2} and GaN. Themore » valence band and conduction band offset values are, respectively, measured to be 1.86 ± 0.08 and 0.56 ± 0.1 eV with type II band alignment. The determination of these unprecedented band offset parameters opens up a way to integrate 3D group III nitride materials with 2D transition metal dichalcogenide layers for designing and modeling of their heterojunction based electronic and photonic devices.« less

Atomic scale origins of sub-band gap optical absorption in gold-hyperdoped silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferdous, Naheed; Ertekin, Elif

2018-05-01

Gold hyperdoped silicon exhibits room temperature sub band gap optical absorption, with potential applications as infrared absorbers/detectors and impurity band photovoltaics. We use first-principles density functional theory to establish the origins of the sub band gap response. Substitutional gold AuSi and substitutional dimers AuSi - AuSi are found to be the energetically preferred defect configurations, and AuSi gives rise to partially filled mid-gap defect bands well offset from the band edges. AuSi is predicted to offer substantial sub-band gap absorption, exceeding that measured in prior experiments by two orders of magnitude for similar Au concentration. This suggests that in experimentally realized systems, in addition to AuSi, the implanted gold is accommodated by the lattice in other ways, including other defect complexes and gold precipitates. We further identify that it is energetically favorable for isolated AuSi to form AuSi - AuSi, which by contrast do not exhibit mid-gap states. The formation of dimers and other complexes could serve as nuclei in the earliest stages of Au precipitation, which may be responsible for the observed rapid deactivation of sub-band gap response upon annealing.

Interpreting Methanol v(sub 2)-Band Emission in Comets Using Empirical Fluorescence g-Factors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DiSanti, Michael; Villanueva, G. L.; Bonev, B. P.; Mumma, M. J.; Paganini, L.; Gibb, E. L.; Magee-Sauer, K.

2011-01-01

For many years we have been developing the ability, through high-resolution spectroscopy targeting ro-vibrational emission in the approximately 3 - 5 micrometer region, to quantify a suite of (approximately 10) parent volatiles in comets using quantum mechanical fluorescence models. Our efforts are ongoing and our latest includes methanol (CH3OH). This is unique among traditionally targeted species in having lacked sufficiently robust models for its symmetric (v(sub 3) band) and asymmetric (v(sub 2) and v(sub 9) bands) C-H3 stretching modes, required to provide accurate predicted intensities for individual spectral lines and hence rotational temperatures and production rates. This has provided the driver for undertaking a detailed empirical study of line intensities, and has led to substantial progress regarding our ability to interpret CH3OH in comets. The present study concentrates on the spectral region from approximately 2970 - 3010 per centimeter (3.367 - 3.322 micrometer), which is dominated by emission in the (v(sub 7) band of C2H6 and the v(sub 2) band of CH3OH, with minor contributions from CH3OH (v(sub 9) band), CH4 (v(sub 3)), and OH prompt emissions (v(sub 1) and v(sub 2)- v(sub 1)). Based on laboratory jet-cooled spectra (at a rotational temperature near 20 K)[1], we incorporated approximately 100 lines of the CH3OH v(sub 2) band, having known frequencies and lower state rotational energies, into our model. Line intensities were determined through comparison with several comets we observed with NIRSPEC at Keck 2, after removal of continuum and additional molecular emissions and correcting for atmospheric extinction. In addition to the above spectral region, NIRSPEC allows simultaneous sampling of the CH3OH v(sub 3) band (centered at 2844 per centimeter, or 3.516 micrometers and several hot bands of H2O in the approximately 2.85 - 2.9 micrometer region, at a nominal spectral resolving power of approximately 25,000 [2]. Empirical g-factors for v(sub 2

Band alignments of different buffer layers (CdS, Zn(O,S), and In{sub 2}S{sub 3}) on Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yan, Chang; Liu, Fangyang; Song, Ning

2014-04-28

The heterojunctions of different n-type buffers, i.e., CdS, Zn(O,S), and In{sub 2}S{sub 3} on p-type Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} (CZTS) were investigated using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) Measurements. The band alignment of the heterojunctions formed between CZTS and the buffer materials was carefully measured. The XPS data were used to determine the Valence Band Offsets (VBO) of different buffer/CZTS heterojunctions. The Conduction Band Offset (CBO) was calculated indirectly by XPS data and directly measured by NEXAFS characterization. The CBO of the CdS/CZTS heterojunction was found to be cliff-like with CBO{sub XPS} = −0.24 ± 0.10 eV and CBO{submore » NEXAFS} = −0.18 ± 0.10 eV, whereas those of Zn(O,S) and In{sub 2}S{sub 3} were found to be spike-like with CBO{sub XPS} = 0.92 ± 0.10 eV and CBO{sub NEXAFS} = 0.87 ± 0.10 eV for Zn(O,S)/CZTS and CBO{sub XPS} = 0.41 ± 0.10 eV for In{sub 2}S{sub 3}/CZTS, respectively. The CZTS photovoltaic device using the spike-like In{sub 2}S{sub 3} buffer was found to yield a higher open circuit voltage (Voc) than that using the cliff-like CdS buffer. However, the CBO of In{sub 2}S{sub 3}/CZTS is slightly higher than the optimum level and thus acts to block the flow of light-generated electrons, significantly reducing the short circuit current (Jsc) and Fill Factor (FF) and thereby limiting the efficiency. Instead, the use of a hybrid buffer for optimization of band alignment is proposed.« less

Effect of thermal annealing on structure and optical band gap of amorphous Se{sub 72}Te{sub 25}Sb{sub 3} thin films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dwivedi, D. K., E-mail: dwivedidkphys@rediffmail.com; Pathak, H. P., E-mail: dwivedidkphys@rediffmail.com; Shukla, Nitesh

2014-04-24

Thin films of a−Se{sub 72}Te{sub 25}Sb{sub 3} were prepared by vacuum evaporation technique in a base pressure of 10{sup −6} Torr on to well cleaned glass substrate. a−Se{sub 72}Te{sub 25}Sb{sub 3} thin films were annealed at different temperatures below their crystallization temperatures for 2h. The structural analysis of the films has been investigated using X-ray diffraction technique. The optical band gap of as prepared and annealed films as a function of photon energy in the wavelength range 400–1100 nm has been studied. It has been found that the optical band gap decreases with increasing annealing temperatures in the present system.

First-principles energy band calculation of Ruddlesden–Popper compound Sr{sub 3}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7} using modified Becke–Johnson exchange potential

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kamimura, Sunao, E-mail: kamimura-sunao@che.kyutech.ac.jp; National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology; Department of Molecular and Material Sciences, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Science, Kyushu University, 6-1 Kasuga Kouen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580 Japan

The electronic structure of Sr{sub 3}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7} is evaluated by the scalar-relativistic full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FLAPW+lo) method using the modified Becke–Johnson potential (Tran–Blaha potential) combined with the local density approximation correlation (MBJ–LDA). The fundamental gap between the valence band (VB) and conduction band (CB) is estimated to be 3.96 eV, which is close to the experimental value. Sn 5s states and Sr 4d states are predominant in the lower and upper CB, respectively. On the other hand, the lower VB is mainly composed of Sn 5s, 5p, and O 2p states, while the upper VB mainlymore » consists of O 2p states. These features of the DOS are well reflected by the optical transition between the upper VB and lower CB, as seen in the energy dependence of the dielectric function. Furthermore, the absorption coefficient estimated from the MBJ–LDA is similar to the experimental result. - Graphical abstract: Calculated energy band structure along the symmetry lines of the first BZ of Sr{sub 3}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7} crystal obtained using the MBJ potential. - Highlights: • Electronic structure of Sr{sub 3}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7} is calculated on the basis of MBJ–LDA method for the first time. • Band gap of Sr{sub 3}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7} is determined accurately on the basis of MBJ–LDA method. • The experimental absorption spectrum of Sr{sub 3}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7} produced by MBJ–LDA is more accurate than that obtained by GGA method.« less

Achieving omnidirectional photonic band gap in sputter deposited TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} one dimensional photonic crystal

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jena, S., E-mail: shuvendujena9@gmail.com; Tokas, R. B.; Sarkar, P.

2015-06-24

The multilayer structure of TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} (11 layers) as one dimensional photonic crystal (1D PC) has been designed and then fabricated by using asymmetric bipolar pulse DC magnetron sputtering technique for omnidirectional photonic band gap. The experimentally measured photonic band gap (PBG) in the visible region is well matched with the theoretically calculated band structure (ω vs. k) diagram. The experimentally measured omnidirectional reflection band of 44 nm over the incident angle range of 0°-70° is found almost matching within the theoretically calculated band.

Synthesis and characterization of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Cu{sub 2}O composite catalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Peng, Biyu; Zhang, Shengsen; Yang, Siyuan

2014-08-15

The prepared g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Cu{sub 2}O composite exhibited the enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation due to the stronger ability in separation of electron–hole pairs, which was proven by the transient photocurrent measurement. - Highlights: • The coupled Cu{sub 2}O with g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} of narrow-band-gap semiconductor has been designed. • g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Cu{sub 2}O is prepared via an alcohol-aqueous based on chemical precipitation method. • g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Cu{sub 2}O exhibits the enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible-light. • The enhanced photocatalytic activity is proven by the transient photocurrent test. • A mechanism for the visible-light-driven photocatalysis of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Cu{submore » 2}O is revealed. - Abstract: To overcome the drawback of low photocatalytic efficiency brought by electron–hole pairs recombination and narrow photo-response range, a novel g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Cu{sub 2}O composite photocatalyst was designed and prepared successfully. Compared with bare Cu{sub 2}O and g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}, the g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Cu{sub 2}O composite exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for acid orange-II (AO-II) degradation under visible light irradiation. Based on energy band positions, the mechanism of enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity was proposed.« less

Energy band gap and spectroscopic studies in Mn{sub 1-x}Cu{sub x}WO{sub 4} (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.125)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mal, Priyanath; Rambabu, P.; Turpu, G. R.

2016-05-06

A study on the effect of nonmagnetic Cu{sup 2+} substitution at Mn{sup 2+} site on the structural and energy band gap of the MnWO{sub 4} is reported. Convenient solid state reaction route has been adopted for the synthesis of Mn{sub 1-x}Cu{sub x}WO{sub 4}. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern showed high crystalline quality of the prepared samples. Raman spectroscopic studies were carried out to understand the structural aspects of the doping. 15 Raman active modes were identified out of 18, predicted for wolframite type monoclinic structure of MnWO{sub 4}. UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra were recorded and analyzed to get energy band gapmore » of the studied system and are found in the range of 2.5 eV to 2.04 eV with a systematic decrease with the increase in Cu{sup 2+} concentration. Energy band gap values are verified by Density Functional Theory calculations based on projector augmented wave (PAW) method. The calculated values are in good agreement with the experimental data.« less

A detailed analysis of the energy levels configuration existing in the band gap of supersaturated silicon with titanium for photovoltaic applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pérez, E.; Dueñas, S.; Castán, H.

2015-12-28

The energy levels created in supersaturated n-type silicon substrates with titanium implantation in the attempt to create an intermediate band in their band-gap are studied in detail. Two titanium ion implantation doses (10{sup 13 }cm{sup -2} and 10{sup 14 }cm{sup -2}) are studied in this work by conductance transient technique and admittance spectroscopy. Conductance transients have been measured at temperatures of around 100 K. The particular shape of these transients is due to the formation of energy barriers in the conduction band, as a consequence of the band-gap narrowing induced by the high titanium concentration. Moreover, stationary admittance spectroscopy results suggest the existencemore » of different energy level configuration, depending on the local titanium concentration. A continuum energy level band is formed when titanium concentration is over the Mott limit. On the other hand, when titanium concentration is lower than the Mott limit, but much higher than the donor impurity density, a quasi-continuum energy level distribution appears. Finally, a single deep center appears for low titanium concentration. At the n-type substrate, the experimental results obtained by means of thermal admittance spectroscopy at high reverse bias reveal the presence of single levels located at around E{sub c}-425 and E{sub c}-275 meV for implantation doses of 10{sup 13 }cm{sup −2} and 10{sup 14 }cm{sup −2}, respectively. At low reverse bias voltage, quasi-continuously distributed energy levels between the minimum of the conduction bands, E{sub c} and E{sub c}-450 meV, are obtained for both doses. Conductance transients detected at low temperatures reveal that the high impurity concentration induces a band gap narrowing which leads to the formation of a barrier in the conduction band. Besides, the relationship between the activation energy and the capture cross section values of all the energy levels fits very well to the Meyer-Neldel rule. As it is

Transient reflectance of photoexcited Cd{sub 3}As{sub 2}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weber, C. P., E-mail: cweber@scu.edu; Berggren, Bryan S.; Arushanov, Ernest

2015-06-08

We report ultrafast transient-grating measurements of crystals of the three-dimensional Dirac semimetal cadmium arsenide, Cd{sub 3}As{sub 2}, at both room temperature and 80 K. After photoexcitation with 1.5-eV photons, charge-carriers relax by two processes, one of duration 500 fs and the other of duration 3.1 ps. By measuring the complex phase of the change in reflectance, we determine that the faster signal corresponds to a decrease in absorption, and the slower signal to a decrease in the light's phase velocity, at the probe energy. We attribute these signals to electrons' filling of phase space, first near the photon energy and latermore » at lower energy. We attribute their decay to cooling by rapid emission of optical phonons, then slower emission of acoustic phonons. We also present evidence that both the electrons and the lattice are strongly heated.« less

Thickness dependent band gap of Bi{sub 2-x}Sb{sub x}Te{sub 3} (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1) thin films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Patel, M. M.; Soni, P. H., E-mail: phsoni-msu@yahoo.com; Desai, C. F.

2016-05-23

Thin films of Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3}(Sb) were prepared on alkali halide crystal substrates. Sb content and the film thickness were varied. Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} is a narrow gap semiconductor. Bi-Sb is a continuous solid solution of substitutional type and Sb therefore was used to test its effect on the band gap. The film thickness variation was also taken up. The infra-red absorption spectra were used in the wave number range 400 cm{sup −1} to 4000 cm{sup −1}. The band gap obtained from the absorption data was found to increase with decreasing thickness since the thickness range used was from 30more » nm to 170 nm. This is a range corresponding to nanostructures and hence quantum size effect was observed as expected. The band gap also exhibited Sb content dependence. The detail results are have been reported and explained.« less

Accurate band-to-band registration of AOTF imaging spectrometer using motion detection technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Pengwei; Zhao, Huijie; Jin, Shangzhong; Li, Ningchuan

2016-05-01

This paper concerns the problem of platform vibration induced band-to-band misregistration with acousto-optic imaging spectrometer in spaceborne application. Registrating images of different bands formed at different time or different position is difficult, especially for hyperspectral images form acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) imaging spectrometer. In this study, a motion detection method is presented using the polychromatic undiffracted beam of AOTF. The factors affecting motion detect accuracy are analyzed theoretically, and calculations show that optical distortion is an easily overlooked factor to achieve accurate band-to-band registration. Hence, a reflective dual-path optical system has been proposed for the first time, with reduction of distortion and chromatic aberration, indicating the potential of higher registration accuracy. Consequently, a spectra restoration experiment using additional motion detect channel is presented for the first time, which shows the accurate spectral image registration capability of this technique.

Feasibility studies for the detection of O{sub 2} in an Earth-like exoplanet

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rodler, Florian; López-Morales, Mercedes

2014-01-20

We present the results of simulations on the detectability of O{sub 2} in the atmosphere of Earth twins around nearby low mass stars using high resolution transmission spectroscopy. We explore such detectability with each of the three upcoming Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs), i.e., GMT, TMT, and E-ELT, and high resolution spectrographs, assuming such instruments will be available in all ELTs. With these simulations we extend previous studies by taking into account atmospheric refraction in the transmission spectrum of the exo-Earth and observational white and red noise contributions. Our studies reveal that the number of transits necessary to detect O{sub 2}more » in the atmosphere of an Earth twin around an M dwarf is by far higher than the number of transits estimated by Snellen et al. In addition, our simulations show that, when accounting for typical noise levels associated with observations in the optical and near-infrared, the O{sub 2} A band at 760 nm is more favorable for detecting the exoplanetary signal than the O{sub 2} band at 1268 nm for all the spectral types, except M9V. We conclude that, unless unpredicted instrumental limitations arise, the implementation of pre-slit optics such as image slicers appears to be key to significantly improving the yield of this particular science case. However, even in the most optimistic cases, we conclude that the detection of O{sub 2} in the atmosphere of an Earth twin will only be feasible with the ELTs if the planet is orbiting a bright close by (d ≤ 8 pc) M dwarf with a spectral type later than M3.« less

Electronic structure study of wide band gap magnetic semiconductor (La{sub 0.6}Pr{sub 0.4}){sub 0.65}Ca{sub 0.35}MnO{sub 3} nanocrystals in paramagnetic and ferromagnetic phases

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dwivedi, G. D.; Chou, H.; Yang, K. S.

2016-04-25

X-ray circular magnetic dichroism (XMCD), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) techniques were used to study the electronic structure of nanocrystalline (La{sub 0.6}Pr{sub 0.4}){sub 0.65}Ca{sub 0.35}MnO{sub 3} near Fermi-level. XMCD results indicate that Mn{sup 3+} and Mn{sup 4+} spins are aligned parallel to each other at 20 K. The low M-H hysteresis curve measured at 5 K confirms ferromagnetic ordering in the (La{sub 0.6}Pr{sub 0.4}){sub 0.65}Ca{sub 0.35}MnO{sub 3} system. The low temperature valence band XPS indicates that coupling between Mn3d and O2p is enhanced and the electronic states near Fermi-level have been suppressed below T{sub C}. The valence bandmore » UPS also confirms the suppression of electronic states near Fermi-level below Curie temperature. UPS near Fermi-edge shows that the electronic states are almost absent below 0.5 eV (at 300 K) and 1 eV (at 115 K). This absence clearly demonstrates the existence of a wide band-gap in the system since, for hole-doped semiconductors, the Fermi-level resides just above the valence band maximum.« less

Automated transient detection in the STEREO Heliospheric Imagers.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barnard, Luke; Scott, Chris; Owens, Mat; Lockwood, Mike; Tucker-Hood, Kim; Davies, Jackie

2014-05-01

Since the launch of the twin STEREO satellites, the heliospheric imagers (HI) have been used, with good results, in tracking transients of solar origin, such as Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), out far into the heliosphere. A frequently used approach is to build a "J-map", in which multiple elongation profiles along a constant position angle are stacked in time, building an image in which radially propagating transients form curved tracks in the J-map. From this the time-elongation profile of a solar transient can be manually identified. This is a time consuming and laborious process, and the results are subjective, depending on the skill and expertise of the investigator. Therefore, it is desirable to develop an automated algorithm for the detection and tracking of the transient features observed in HI data. This is to some extent previously covered ground, as similar problems have been encountered in the analysis of coronagraph data and have led to the development of products such as CACtus etc. We present the results of our investigation into the automated detection of solar transients observed in J-maps formed from HI data. We use edge and line detection methods to identify transients in the J-maps, and then use kinematic models of the solar transient propagation (such as the fixed-phi and harmonic mean geometric models) to estimate the solar transients properties, such as transient speed and propagation direction, from the time-elongation profile. The effectiveness of this process is assessed by comparison of our results with a set of manually identified CMEs, extracted and analysed by the Solar Storm Watch Project. Solar Storm Watch is a citizen science project in which solar transients are identified in J-maps formed from HI data and tracked multiple times by different users. This allows the calculation of a consensus time-elongation profile for each event, and therefore does not suffer from the potential subjectivity of an individual researcher tracking an

Peculiar transient events in the Schumann resonance band and their possible explanation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ondrásková, Adriena; Bór, József; S[Breve]Evcík, Sebastián; Kostecký, Pavel; Rosenberg, Ladislav

2008-04-01

Superimposed on the continuous Schumann resonance (SR) background in the extremely low frequency (ELF) band, transient signals (e.g. bursts) can be observed, which originate from intense lightning discharges occurring at different locations on the globe. From the many transients that were observed at the Astronomical and Geophysical Observatory (AGO) of Comenius University near Modra, western Slovakia, in the vertical electric field component mainly during May and June of 2006, a peculiar group of events could be recognized. According to the waveform analysis, these peculiar events in most cases consist of two overlapping transients with a characteristic time difference of 0.13-0.15 s between the onsets. On the other hand, the spectrum of these peculiar transients showed discernible SR peaks for higher modes as well (n>7). The same events could be found in the records of the Széchenyi István Geophysical Observatory of the Geodetic and Geophysical Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences near Nagycenk, Hungary (NCK). The natural origin of the peculiar events was verified from the NCK data and the source location was determined from the second transient. The results suggest that the two consecutive transients originated in the same thunderstorm. Furthermore, the phase spectrum analysis indicates that the sources have coherently excited the Earth-ionosphere cavity. These findings seem to support the idea that electromagnetic waves orbiting the Earth might trigger lightning discharges. The possibility that electromagnetic waves may trigger discharges was first considered by Nikola Tesla.

Home-use cancer detecting band aid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zalevsky, Zeev; Rudnitsky, Arkady; Sheinman, Victor; Tzoy, Andrey; Toktosunov, Aitmamat; Adashov, Arkady

2016-03-01

In this paper we present a novel concept in which special band aid is developed for early detection of cancer. The band aid contains an array of micro needles with small detection array connected to each needle which inspects the color of the surface of the skin versus time after being pinched with the needles. We were able to show in pre-clinical trials that the color varies differently if the skin is close to tumor tissue.

Understanding of sub-band gap absorption of femtosecond-laser sulfur hyperdoped silicon using synchrotron-based techniques

PubMed Central

Limaye, Mukta V.; Chen, S. C.; Lee, C. Y.; Chen, L. Y.; Singh, Shashi B.; Shao, Y. C.; Wang, Y. F.; Hsieh, S. H.; Hsueh, H. C.; Chiou, J. W.; Chen, C. H.; Jang, L. Y.; Cheng, C. L.; Pong, W. F.; Hu, Y. F.

2015-01-01

The correlation between sub-band gap absorption and the chemical states and electronic and atomic structures of S-hyperdoped Si have been extensively studied, using synchrotron-based x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), x-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES), extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), valence-band photoemission spectroscopy (VB-PES) and first-principles calculation. S 2p XPS spectra reveal that the S-hyperdoped Si with the greatest (~87%) sub-band gap absorption contains the highest concentration of S2− (monosulfide) species. Annealing S-hyperdoped Si reduces the sub-band gap absorptance and the concentration of S2− species, but significantly increases the concentration of larger S clusters [polysulfides (Sn2−, n > 2)]. The Si K-edge XANES spectra show that S hyperdoping in Si increases (decreased) the occupied (unoccupied) electronic density of states at/above the conduction-band-minimum. VB-PES spectra evidently reveal that the S-dopants not only form an impurity band deep within the band gap, giving rise to the sub-band gap absorption, but also cause the insulator-to-metal transition in S-hyperdoped Si samples. Based on the experimental results and the calculations by density functional theory, the chemical state of the S species and the formation of the S-dopant states in the band gap of Si are critical in determining the sub-band gap absorptance of hyperdoped Si samples. PMID:26098075

Conduction band edge effective mass of La-doped BaSnO{sub 3}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

James Allen, S., E-mail: allen@itst.ucsb.edu; Law, Ka-Ming; Raghavan, Santosh

2016-06-20

BaSnO{sub 3} has attracted attention as a promising material for applications requiring wide band gap, high electron mobility semiconductors, and moreover possesses the same perovskite crystal structure as many functional oxides. A key parameter for these applications and for the interpretation of its properties is the conduction band effective mass. We measure the plasma frequency of La-doped BaSnO{sub 3} thin films by glancing incidence, parallel-polarized resonant reflectivity. Using the known optical dielectric constant and measured electron density, the resonant frequency determines the band edge electron mass to be 0.19 ± 0.01. The results allow for testing band structure calculations and transport models.

A SEARCH FOR NEAR INFRARED BANDS OF THE FULLERENE CATION C{sub 60}{sup +} IN THE PROTOPLANETARY NEBULA IRAS 01005+7910

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Iglesias-Groth, S.; Esposito, M., E-mail: sigroth@iac.es

IRAS 01005+7910 is a carbon-rich protoplanetary nebula with a recently reported detection of mid-IR vibrational transitions of the fullerene C{sub 60} by Zhang and Kwok. We present new high spectral resolution (R ∼ 57, 000) observations of this object obtained at the 3.6 m Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, showing the presence of two absorption bands at 9577 and 9632 Å which are consistent with laboratory measurements of the C{sub 60}{sup +} cation. If these two bands were produced by C{sub 60}{sup +} in the material surrounding the central post-asymptotic giant branch star, we estimate that ∼1% of carbon could be trappedmore » in this ionized form of fullerenes which would be more abundant than the neutral species in this protoplanetary nebulae. The central star with an effective temperature of T ≥ 20, 000 K can provide the ionizing photons required. These observations bring further evidence for the presence of fullerenes in protoplanetary nebulae and suggest that a significant production takes place in this late stage of stellar evolution. Mid-IR bands of C{sub 60}{sup +} could be present in the 7-20 μm spectrum of IRAS 01005+7910 and are also likely to be detected in the spectra of planetary nebulae. High-resolution spectroscopy will be required for a reliable determination of the excitation temperatures and the relative abundance of neutral and ionized fullerenes in these objects.« less

Thermal Conductivity Enhancement by Optical Phonon Sub-Band Engineering of Nanostructures Based on C and BN

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-09-01

Thermal Conductivity Enhancement by Optical Phonon Sub-Band Engineering of Nanostructures Based on C and BN DARPA CONTRACT MDA972-02-C-0044...AND SUBTITLE Thermal Conductivity Enhancement by Optical Phonon Sub-Band Engineering of Nanostructures Based on C and BN 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b...Conductivity. Enhancement by Optical Phonon Sub-Bands Engineering in 3-D Nanostructures Based on C and BN Nanotubes" 1.3.1a. Phonon dynamics

Electronic band structure and optical gain of GaN{sub x}Bi{sub y}As{sub 1−x−y}/GaAs pyramidal quantum dots

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Song, Zhi-Gang; State Key Laboratory of Superlattices and Microstructures, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 912, Beijing 100083; Bose, Sumanta

The electronic band structure and optical gain of GaN{sub x}Bi{sub y}As{sub 1−x−y}/GaAs pyramidal quantum dots (QDs) are investigated using the 16-band k ⋅ p model with constant strain. The optical gain is calculated taking both homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadenings into consideration. The effective band gap falls as we increase the composition of nitrogen (N) and bismuth (Bi) and with an appropriate choice of composition we can tune the emission wavelength to span within 1.3 μm–1.55 μm, for device application in fiber technology. The extent of this red shift is more profound in QDs compared with bulk material due to quantum confinement. Othermore » factors affecting the emission characteristics include virtual crystal, strain profile, band anticrossing (BAC), and valence band anticrossing (VBAC). The strain profile has a profound impact on the electronic structure, specially the valence band of QDs, which can be determined using the composition distribution of wave functions. All these factors eventually affect the optical gain spectrum. With an increase in QD size, we observe a red shift in the emission energy and emergence of secondary peaks owing to transitions or greater energy compared with the fundamental transition.« less

Detecting Thermal Cloaks via Transient Effects

PubMed Central

Sklan, Sophia R.; Bai, Xue; Li, Baowen; Zhang, Xiang

2016-01-01

Recent research on the development of a thermal cloak has concentrated on engineering an inhomogeneous thermal conductivity and an approximate, homogeneous volumetric heat capacity. While the perfect cloak of inhomogeneous κ and inhomogeneous ρcp is known to be exact (no signals scattering and only mean values penetrating to the cloak’s interior), the sensitivity of diffusive cloaks to defects and approximations has not been analyzed. We analytically demonstrate that these approximate cloaks are detectable. Although they work as perfect cloaks in the steady-state, their transient (time-dependent) response is imperfect and a small amount of heat is scattered. This is sufficient to determine the presence of a cloak and any heat source it contains, but the material composition hidden within the cloak is not detectable in practice. To demonstrate the feasibility of this technique, we constructed a cloak with similar approximation and directly detected its presence using these transient temperature deviations outside the cloak. Due to limitations in the range of experimentally accessible volumetric specific heats, our detection scheme should allow us to find any realizable cloak, assuming a sufficiently large temperature difference. PMID:27605153

Band alignment of ZnO/multilayer MoS{sub 2} interface determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Xinke, E-mail: xkliu@szu.edu.cn, E-mail: liuwj@szu.edu.cn; He, Jiazhu; Chen, Le

2016-08-15

The energy band alignment between ZnO and multilayer (ML)-MoS{sub 2} was characterized using high-resolution x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The ZnO film was deposited using an atomic layer deposition tool, and ML-MoS{sub 2} was grown by chemical vapor deposition. A valence band offset (VBO) of 3.32 eV and a conduction band offset (CBO) of 1.12 eV were obtained for the ZnO/ML-MoS{sub 2} interface without any treatment. With CHF{sub 3} plasma treatment, a VBO and a CBO across the ZnO/ML-MoS{sub 2} interface were found to be 3.54 eV and 1.34 eV, respectively. With the CHF{sub 3} plasma treatment, the band alignment of the ZnO/ML-MoS{sub 2} interface hasmore » been changed from type II or staggered band alignment to type III or misaligned one, which favors the electron-hole pair separation. The band alignment difference is believed to be dominated by the down-shift in the core level of Zn 2p or the interface dipoles, which is caused by the interfacial layer rich in F.« less

Number of transients/Q-bursts in ELF-band as possible criterion for global thunderstorm activity estimation.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ondraskova, Adriena; Sevcik, Sebastian

2015-04-01

Schumann resonances (SR) are resonant electromagnetic oscillations in extremely low frequency band (ELF, 3 Hz - 3 kHz), which arise in the Earth-ionosphere cavity due to lightning activity in planetary range. The time records in the ELF-band consist of background signals and ELF transients/Q-bursts superimposed on the background exceeding it by a factor of 5 - 10. The former are produced by the common worldwide thunderstorm activity (100 - 150 events per second), the latter origin from individual intense distant lightning discharges (100 - 120 powerful strokes per hour). A Q-burst is produced by a combination of direct and antipodal pulses and the decisive factor for its shape follows from the source-to-observer distance (SOD). Diurnal/seasonal variations of global thunderstorm activity can be deduced from spectral amplitudes of SR modes. Here we focus on diurnal/seasonal variations of the number of ELF-transients assuming that it is another way of lightning activity estimation. To search for transients, our own code was applied to the SR vertical electric component measured in October 2004 - December 2008 at the Astronomical and Geophysical Observatory of FMPI CU, Slovakia. Limits (min-max) for the width of primary spike, time difference between primary and secondary spike and the amplitude of the spike were chosen as criteria for the identification of the burst. Cumulative spectral amplitude of the first three SR modes compared with number of ELF-transients in monthly averaged diurnal variations quite successfully confirmed, that the number of transients can be a suitable criterion for the quantification of global lightning activity.

FIRST INFRARED BAND STRENGTHS FOR AMORPHOUS CO{sub 2}, AN OVERLOOKED COMPONENT OF INTERSTELLAR ICES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gerakines, Perry A.; Hudson, Reggie L., E-mail: Reggie.Hudson@NASA.gov

2015-08-01

Solid carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) has long been recognized as a component of both interstellar and solar system ices, but a recent literature search has revealed significant qualitative and quantitative discrepancies in the laboratory spectra on which the abundances of extraterrestrial CO{sub 2} are based. Here we report new infrared (IR) spectra of amorphous CO{sub 2}-ice along with band intensities (band strengths) of four mid-IR absorptions, the first such results in the literature. A possible thickness dependence for amorphous-CO{sub 2} IR band shapes and positions also is investigated, and the three discordant reports of amorphous CO{sub 2} spectra in themore » literature are addressed. Applications of our results are discussed with an emphasis on laboratory investigations and results from astronomical observations. A careful comparison with earlier work shows that the IR spectra calculated from several databases for CO{sub 2} ices, all ices being made near 10 K, are not for amorphous CO{sub 2}, but rather for crystalline CO{sub 2} or crystalline-amorphous mixtures.« less

Effect of thermal annealing on structure and optical band gap of Se{sub 66}Te{sub 25}In{sub 9} thin films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dwivedi, D. K.; Pathak, H. P.; Shukla, Nitesh

2015-05-15

Thin films of a-Se{sub 66}Te{sub 25}In{sub 9} have been deposited onto a chemically cleaned glass substrate by thermal evaporation technique under vacuum. Glassy nature of the films has been ascertained by X-ray diffraction pattern. The analysis of absorption spectra, measured at normal incidence, in the spectral range 400-1100 nm has been used for the optical characterization of thin films under investigation. The effect of thermal annealing on structure and optical band gap (E{sub g}) of a-Se{sub 66}Te{sub 25}In{sub 9} have been studied.

Residual stress dependant anisotropic band gap of various (hkl) oriented BaI{sub 2} films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kumar, Pradeep; Gulia, Vikash; Vedeshwar, Agnikumar G., E-mail: agni@physics.du.ac.in, E-mail: agvedeshwar@gmail.com

2013-11-21

The thermally evaporated layer structured BaI{sub 2} grows in various completely preferred (hkl) film orientations with different growth parameters like film thickness, deposition rate, substrate temperature, etc. which were characterized by structural, morphological, and optical absorption measurements. Structural analysis reveals the strain in the films and the optical absorption shows a direct type band gap. The varying band gaps of these films were found to scale linearly with their strain. The elastic moduli and other constants were also calculated using Density Functional Theory (DFT) formalism implemented in WIEN2K code for converting the strain into residual stress. Films of different sixmore » (hkl) orientations show stress free anisotropic band gaps (2.48–3.43 eV) and both positive and negative pressure coefficients. The negative and positive pressure coefficients of band gap are attributed to the strain in I-I (or Ba-Ba or both) and Ba-I distances along [hkl], respectively. The calculated band gaps are also compared with those experimentally determined. The average pressure coefficient of band gap of all six orientations (−0.071 eV/GPa) found to be significantly higher than that calculated (−0.047 eV/GPa) by volumetric pressure dependence. Various these issues have been discussed with consistent arguments. The electron effective mass m{sub e}{sup *}=0.66m{sub 0} and the hole effective mass m{sub h}{sup *}=0.53m{sub 0} have been determined from the calculated band structure.« less

Structural phase transition, narrow band gap, and room-temperature ferromagnetism in [KNbO{sub 3}]{sub 1−x}[BaNi{sub 1/2}Nb{sub 1/2}O{sub 3−δ}]{sub x} ferroelectrics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhou, Wenliang; Yang, Pingxiong, E-mail: pxyang@ee.ecnu.edu.cn; Chu, Junhao

2014-09-15

Structural phase transition, narrow band gap (E{sub g}), and room-temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) have been observed in the [KNbO{sub 3}]{sub 1−x}[BaNi{sub 1/2}Nb{sub 1/2}O{sub 3−δ}]{sub x} (KBNNO) ceramics. All the samples have single phase perovskite structure, but exhibit a gradual transition behaviour from the orthorhombic to a cubic structure with the increase of x. Raman spectroscopy analysis not only corroborates this doping-induced change in normal structure but also shows the local crystal symmetry for x ≥ 0.1 compositions to deviate from the idealized cubic perovskite structure. A possible mechanism for the observed specific changes in lattice structure is discussed. Moreover, it ismore » noted that KBNNO with compositions x = 0.1–0.3 have quite narrow E{sub g} of below 1.5 eV, much smaller than the 3.2 eV band gap of parent KNbO{sub 3} (KNO), which is due to the increasing Ni 3d electronic states within the gap of KNO. Furthermore, the KBNNO materials present RTFM near a tetragonal to cubic phase boundary. With increasing x from 0 to 0.3, the magnetism of the samples develops from diamagnetism to ferromagnetism and paramagnetism, originating from the ferromagnetic–antiferromagnetic competition. These results are helpful in the deeper understanding of phase transitions, band gap tunability, and magnetism variations in perovskite oxides and show the potential role, such materials can play, in perovskite solar cells and multiferroic applications.« less

Infrared spectral marker bands characterizing a transient water wire inside a hydrophobic membrane protein.

PubMed

Wolf, Steffen; Freier, Erik; Cui, Qiang; Gerwert, Klaus

2014-12-14

Proton conduction along protein-bound "water wires" is an essential feature in membrane proteins. Here, we analyze in detail a transient water wire, which conducts protons via a hydrophobic barrier within a membrane protein to create a proton gradient. It is formed only for a millisecond out of three water molecules distributed at inactive positions in a polar environment in the ground state. The movement into a hydrophobic environment causes characteristic shifts of the water bands reflecting their different chemical properties. These band shifts are identified by time-resolved Fourier Transform Infrared difference spectroscopy and analyzed by biomolecular Quantum Mechanical/Molecular Mechanical simulations. A non-hydrogen bonded ("dangling") O-H stretching vibration band and a broad continuum absorbance caused by a combined vibration along the water wire are identified as characteristic marker bands of such water wires in a hydrophobic environment. The results provide a basic understanding of water wires in hydrophobic environments.

Swift-BAT: Transient Source Monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barbier, L. M.; Barthelmy, S.; Cummings, J.; Gehrels, N.; Krimm, H.; Markwardt, C.; Mushotzky, R.; Parsons, A.; Sakamoto, T.; Tueller, J.; Fenimore, E.; Palmer, D.; Skinner, G.; Swift-BAT Team

2005-12-01

The Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) on the Swift satellite is a large field of view instrument that continually monitors the sky to provide the gamma-ray burst trigger for Swift. An average of more than 70% of the sky is observed on a daily basis. The survey mode data is processed on two sets of time scales: from one minute to one day as part of the transient monitor program, and from one spacecraft pointing ( ˜20 minutes) to the full mission duration for the hard X-ray survey program. In the transient monitor program, sky images are processed to detect astrophysical sources in six energy bands covering 15-350 keV. The detected flux or upper limit in each energy band is calculated for >300 objects on time scales up to one day. In addition, the monitor is sensitive to an outburst from a new or unknown source. Sensitivity as a function of time scale for catalog and unknown sources will be presented. The daily exposure for a typical source is ˜1500 - 3000 seconds, with a 1-sigma sensitivity of ˜4mCrab. 90% of the sources are sampled at least every 16 days, but many sources are sampled daily. The BAT team will soon make the results of the transient monitor public to the astrophysical community through the Swift mission web page. It is expected that the Swift-BAT transient monitor will become an important resource for the high energy astrophysics community.

Sub-cycle light transients for attosecond, X-ray, four-dimensional imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fattahi, Hanieh

2016-10-01

This paper reviews the revolutionary development of ultra-short, multi-TW laser pulse generation made possible by current laser technology. The design of the unified laser architecture discussed in this paper, based on the synthesis of ultrabroadband optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifiers, promises to provide powerful light transients with electromagnetic forces engineerable on the electron time scale. By coherent combination of multiple amplifiers operating in different wavelength ranges, pulses with wavelength spectra extending from less than 1 ?m to more than 10 ?m, with sub-cycle duration at unprecedented peak and average power levels can be generated. It is shown theoretically that these light transients enable the efficient generation of attosecond X-ray pulses with photon flux sufficient to image, for the first time, picometre-attosecond trajectories of electrons, by means of X-ray diffraction and record the electron dynamics by attosecond spectroscopy. The proposed system leads to a tool with sub-atomic spatio-temporal resolution for studying different processes deep inside matter.

Improved target detection by IR dual-band image fusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adomeit, U.; Ebert, R.

2009-09-01

Dual-band thermal imagers acquire information simultaneously in both the 8-12 μm (long-wave infrared, LWIR) and the 3-5 μm (mid-wave infrared, MWIR) spectral range. Compared to single-band thermal imagers they are expected to have several advantages in military applications. These advantages include the opportunity to use the best band for given atmospheric conditions (e. g. cold climate: LWIR, hot and humid climate: MWIR), the potential to better detect camouflaged targets and an improved discrimination between targets and decoys. Most of these advantages have not yet been verified and/or quantified. It is expected that image fusion allows better exploitation of the information content available with dual-band imagers especially with respect to detection of targets. We have developed a method for dual-band image fusion based on the apparent temperature differences in the two bands. This method showed promising results in laboratory tests. In order to evaluate its performance under operational conditions we conducted a field trial in an area with high thermal clutter. In such areas, targets are hardly to detect in single-band images because they vanish in the clutter structure. The image data collected in this field trial was used for a perception experiment. This perception experiment showed an enhanced target detection range and reduced false alarm rate for the fused images compared to the single-band images.

Thermal Infrared Spectral Band Detection Limits for Unidentified Surface Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kirkland, Laurel E.; Herr, Kenneth C.; Salisbury, John W.

2001-01-01

Infrared emission spectra recorded by airborne or satellite spectrometers can be searched for spectral features to determine the composition of rocks on planetary surfaces. Surface materials are identified by detections of characteristic spectral bands. We show how to define whether to accept an observed spectral feature as a detection when the target material is unknown. We also use remotely sensed spectra measured by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) and the Spatially Enhanced Broadband Array Spectrograph System to illustrate the importance of instrument parameters and surface properties on band detection limits and how the variation in signal-to-noise ratio with wavelength affects the bands that are most detectable for a given instrument. The spectrometer's sampling interval, spectral resolution, signal-to-noise ratio as a function of wavelength, and the sample's surface properties influence whether the instrument can detect a spectral feature exhibited by a material. As an example, in the 6-13 micrometer wavelength region, massive carbonates exhibit two bands: a very strong, broad feature at approximately 6.5 micrometers and a less intense, sharper band at approximately 11.25 micrometers. Although the 6.5-micrometer band is stronger and broader in laboratory-measured spectra, the 11.25-micrometer band will cause a more detectable feature in TES spectra.

Broadband sum-frequency generation using d<sub>33sub> in periodically poled LiNbO<sub>3sub> thin film in the telecommunications band.

PubMed

Li, Guangzhen; Chen, Yuping; Jiang, Haowei; Chen, Xianfeng

2017-03-01

We demonstrate the first, to the best of our knowledge, type-0 broadband sum-frequency generation (SFG) based on single-crystal periodically poled LiNbO<sub>3sub> (PPLN) thin film. The broad bandwidth property was largely tuned from mid-infrared region to the telecommunications band by engineering the thickness of PPLN from bulk crystal to nanoscale. It provides SFG a solution with both broadband and high efficiency by using the highest nonlinear coefficient d<sub>33sub> instead of d<sub>31sub> in type-I broadband SFG or second-harmonic generation. The measured 3 dB upconversion bandwidth is about 15.5 nm for a 4 cm long single crystal at 1530 nm wavelength. It can find applications in chip-scale spectroscopy, quantum information processing, LiNbO<sub>3sub>-thin-film-based microresonator and optical nonreciprocity devices, etc.

Proper Image Subtraction—Optimal Transient Detection, Photometry, and Hypothesis Testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zackay, Barak; Ofek, Eran O.; Gal-Yam, Avishay

2016-10-01

Transient detection and flux measurement via image subtraction stand at the base of time domain astronomy. Due to the varying seeing conditions, the image subtraction process is non-trivial, and existing solutions suffer from a variety of problems. Starting from basic statistical principles, we develop the optimal statistic for transient detection, flux measurement, and any image-difference hypothesis testing. We derive a closed-form statistic that: (1) is mathematically proven to be the optimal transient detection statistic in the limit of background-dominated noise, (2) is numerically stable, (3) for accurately registered, adequately sampled images, does not leave subtraction or deconvolution artifacts, (4) allows automatic transient detection to the theoretical sensitivity limit by providing credible detection significance, (5) has uncorrelated white noise, (6) is a sufficient statistic for any further statistical test on the difference image, and, in particular, allows us to distinguish particle hits and other image artifacts from real transients, (7) is symmetric to the exchange of the new and reference images, (8) is at least an order of magnitude faster to compute than some popular methods, and (9) is straightforward to implement. Furthermore, we present extensions of this method that make it resilient to registration errors, color-refraction errors, and any noise source that can be modeled. In addition, we show that the optimal way to prepare a reference image is the proper image coaddition presented in Zackay & Ofek. We demonstrate this method on simulated data and real observations from the PTF data release 2. We provide an implementation of this algorithm in MATLAB and Python.

Electron and hole photoemission detection for band offset determination of tunnel field-effect transistor heterojunctions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Wei; Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices and Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871; Zhang, Qin

2014-11-24

We report experimental methods to ascertain a complete energy band alignment of a broken-gap tunnel field-effect transistor based on an InAs/GaSb hetero-junction. By using graphene as an optically transparent electrode, both the electron and hole barrier heights at the InAs/GaSb interface can be quantified. For a Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/InAs/GaSb layer structure, the barrier height from the top of the InAs and GaSb valence bands to the bottom of the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} conduction band is inferred from electron emission whereas hole emissions reveal the barrier height from the top of the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} valence band to the bottom ofmore » the InAs and GaSb conduction bands. Subsequently, the offset parameter at the broken gap InAs/GaSb interface is extracted and thus can be used to facilitate the development of predicted models of electron quantum tunneling efficiency and transistor performance.« less

Real-time detection of transients in OGLE-IV with application of machine learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klencki, Jakub; Wyrzykowski, Łukasz

2016-06-01

The current bottleneck of transient detection in most surveys is the problem of rejecting numerous artifacts from detected candidates. We present a triple-stage hierarchical machine learning system for automated artifact filtering in difference imaging, based on self-organizing maps. The classifier, when tested on the OGLE-IV Transient Detection System, accepts 97% of real transients while removing up to 97.5% of artifacts.

Classification of intelligence quotient via brainwave sub-band power ratio features and artificial neural network.

PubMed

Jahidin, A H; Megat Ali, M S A; Taib, M N; Tahir, N Md; Yassin, I M; Lias, S

2014-04-01

This paper elaborates on the novel intelligence assessment method using the brainwave sub-band power ratio features. The study focuses only on the left hemisphere brainwave in its relaxed state. Distinct intelligence quotient groups have been established earlier from the score of the Raven Progressive Matrices. Sub-band power ratios are calculated from energy spectral density of theta, alpha and beta frequency bands. Synthetic data have been generated to increase dataset from 50 to 120. The features are used as input to the artificial neural network. Subsequently, the brain behaviour model has been developed using an artificial neural network that is trained with optimized learning rate, momentum constant and hidden nodes. Findings indicate that the distinct intelligence quotient groups can be classified from the brainwave sub-band power ratios with 100% training and 88.89% testing accuracies. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Detecting aseismic strain transients from seismicity data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Llenos, A.L.; McGuire, J.J.

2011-01-01

Aseismic deformation transients such as fluid flow, magma migration, and slow slip can trigger changes in seismicity rate. We present a method that can detect these seismicity rate variations and utilize these anomalies to constrain the underlying variations in stressing rate. Because ordinary aftershock sequences often obscure changes in the background seismicity caused by aseismic processes, we combine the stochastic Epidemic Type Aftershock Sequence model that describes aftershock sequences well and the physically based rate- and state-dependent friction seismicity model into a single seismicity rate model that models both aftershock activity and changes in background seismicity rate. We implement this model into a data assimilation algorithm that inverts seismicity catalogs to estimate space-time variations in stressing rate. We evaluate the method using a synthetic catalog, and then apply it to a catalog of M???1.5 events that occurred in the Salton Trough from 1990 to 2009. We validate our stressing rate estimates by comparing them to estimates from a geodetically derived slip model for a large creep event on the Obsidian Buttes fault. The results demonstrate that our approach can identify large aseismic deformation transients in a multidecade long earthquake catalog and roughly constrain the absolute magnitude of the stressing rate transients. Our method can therefore provide a way to detect aseismic transients in regions where geodetic resolution in space or time is poor. Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.

Broadband transient absorption spectroscopy with 1- and 2-photon excitations: Relaxation paths and cross sections of a triphenylamine dye in solution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moreno, J.; Dobryakov, A. L.; Hecht, S., E-mail: sh@chemie.hu-berlin.de, E-mail: skovale@chemie.hu-berlin.de

2015-07-14

1-photon (382 nm) and 2-photon (752 nm) excitations to the S{sub 1} state are applied to record and compare transient absorption spectra of a push-pull triphenylamine (TrP) dye in solution. After 1-photon excitation, ultrafast vibrational and structural molecular relaxations are detected on a 0.1 ps time scale in nonpolar hexane, while in polar acetonitrile, the spectral evolution is dominated by dipolar solvation. Upon 2-photon excitation, transient spectra in hexane reveal an unexpected growth of stimulated emission (SE) and excited-state absorption (ESA) bands. The behavior is explained by strong population transfer S{sub 1} → S{sub n} due to resonant absorption ofmore » a third pump photon. Subsequent S{sub n} → S{sub 1} internal conversion (with τ{sub 1} = 1 ps) prepares a very hot S{sub 1} state which cools down with τ{sub 2} = 13 ps. The pump pulse energy dependence proves the 2-photon origin of the bleach signal. At the same time, SE and ESA are strongly affected by higher-order pump absorptions that should be taken into account in nonlinear fluorescence applications. The 2-photon excitation cross sections σ{sup (2)} = 32 ⋅ 10{sup −50} cm{sup 4} s at 752 nm are evaluated from the bleach signal.« less

EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF TRANSIENT EFFECTS IN FAST REACTOR FUELS. SERIES I. UO$sub 2$ IRRADIATIONS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Field, J.H.

1962-11-15

An experimental program to evaluate the performance of FCR and EFCR fuel during transient operation is outlined, and the initial series of tests are described in some detail. Test results from five experiments in the TREAT reactor, using 1-in. OD SS-clad UO/sub 2/ fuel specimens, are compared with regard to fuel temperatures, mechanical integrity, and post-irradiation appearance. Incipient fuel pin failure limits for transients are identified with maximum fuel temperatures in the range of 7000 deg F. Multiple transient damage to the cladding is likely for transients above the melting point of the fuel. (auth)

Real-time detection of optical transients with RAPTOR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Borozdin, K. N.; Brumby, Steven P.; Galassi, M. C.

2002-01-01

Fast variability of optical objects is an interesting though poorly explored subject in modern astronomy. Real-time data processing and identification of transient, celestial events in the images is very important, for such study as it allows rapid follow-up with more sensitive instruments, We discuss an approach which we have chosen for the RAPTOR project which is a pioneering close-loop system combining real-time transient detection with rapid follow-up. Our data processing pipeline is able to identify and localize an optical transient within seconds after the observation. We describe the challenges we met, solutions we found and some results obtained in ourmore » search for fast optical transients. The software pipeline we have developed for RAPTOR can easily be applied to the data from other experiments.« less

Identification of the HNO3 3 nu(sub 9) - nu(sub 9) band Q branch in stratospheric solar occultation spectra

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perrin, A.; Flaud, J.-M.; Camy-Peyret, C.; Goldman, A.; Rinsland, C. P.; Gunson, M. R.

1994-01-01

The spectroscopic identification for the HNO3 3 nu(sub 9) - nu(sub 9) band Q branch at 830.4/cm is reported based on 0.01/cm resolution solar occultation spectra of the lower stratosphere recorded by the Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) Fourier transform spectrometer and a recent analysis of this band. Least-squares fits to 0.0025/cm resolution laboratory spectra in the Q branch region indicate an integrated intensity of 0.529 x 10(exp -18)/cm/mol/sq cm at 296 K for this weak band. Stratospheric HNO3 retrievals derived from the ATMOS data are consistent with this value within its estimated uncertainty of about +/- 30%. A set of spectroscopic line parameters suitable for atmospheric studies has been generated.

Multiple-Beam Detection of Fast Transient Radio Sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, David R.; Wagstaff, Kiri L.; Majid, Walid A.

2011-01-01

A method has been designed for using multiple independent stations to discriminate fast transient radio sources from local anomalies, such as antenna noise or radio frequency interference (RFI). This can improve the sensitivity of incoherent detection for geographically separated stations such as the very long baseline array (VLBA), the future square kilometer array (SKA), or any other coincident observations by multiple separated receivers. The transients are short, broadband pulses of radio energy, often just a few milliseconds long, emitted by a variety of exotic astronomical phenomena. They generally represent rare, high-energy events making them of great scientific value. For RFI-robust adaptive detection of transients, using multiple stations, a family of algorithms has been developed. The technique exploits the fact that the separated stations constitute statistically independent samples of the target. This can be used to adaptively ignore RFI events for superior sensitivity. If the antenna signals are independent and identically distributed (IID), then RFI events are simply outlier data points that can be removed through robust estimation such as a trimmed or Winsorized estimator. The alternative "trimmed" estimator is considered, which excises the strongest n signals from the list of short-beamed intensities. Because local RFI is independent at each antenna, this interference is unlikely to occur at many antennas on the same step. Trimming the strongest signals provides robustness to RFI that can theoretically outperform even the detection performance of the same number of antennas at a single site. This algorithm requires sorting the signals at each time step and dispersion measure, an operation that is computationally tractable for existing array sizes. An alternative uses the various stations to form an ensemble estimate of the conditional density function (CDF) evaluated at each time step. Both methods outperform standard detection strategies on a test

Testing the E(sub peak)-E(sub iso) Relation for GRBs Detected by Swift and Suzaku-WAM

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krimm, H. A.; Yamaoka, K.; Sugita, S.; Ohno, M.; Sakamoto, T.; Barthelmy, S. D.; Gehrels, N.; Hara, R.; Onda, K.; Sato, G.;

Sub-10 fs Time-Resolved Vibronic Optical Microscopy

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

We introduce femtosecond wide-field transient absorption microscopy combining sub-10 fs pump and probe pulses covering the complete visible (500–650 nm) and near-infrared (650–950 nm) spectrum with diffraction-limited optical resolution. We demonstrate the capabilities of our system by reporting the spatially- and spectrally-resolved transient electronic response of MAPbI3–xClx perovskite films and reveal significant quenching of the transient bleach signal at grain boundaries. The unprecedented temporal resolution enables us to directly observe the formation of band-gap renormalization, completed in 25 fs after photoexcitation. In addition, we acquire hyperspectral Raman maps of TIPS pentacene films with sub-400 nm spatial and sub-15 cm–1 spectral resolution covering the 100–2000 cm–1 window. Our approach opens up the possibility of studying ultrafast dynamics on nanometer length and femtosecond time scales in a variety of two-dimensional and nanoscopic systems. PMID:27934055

A compact D-band monolithic APDP-based sub-harmonic mixer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Shengzhou; Sun, Lingling; Wang, Xiang; Wen, Jincai; Liu, Jun

2017-11-01

The paper presents a compact D-band monolithic sub-harmonic mixer (SHM) with 3 μm planar hyperabrupt schottky-varactor diodes offered by 70 nm GaAs mHEMT technology. According to empirical equivalent-circuit models, a wide-band large signal equivalent circuit model of the diode is proposed. Based on the extracted model, the mixer is implemented and optimized with a shunt-mounted anti-parallel diode pair (APDP) to fulfill the sub-harmonic mixing mechanism. Furthermore, a modified asymmetric three-transmission-line coupler is devised to achieve high-level coupling and minimize the chip size. The measured results show that the conversion gain varies between -13.9 dB and -17.5 dB from 110 GHz to 145 GHz, with a local oscillator (LO) power level of 14 dBm and an intermediate frequency (IF) of 1 GHz. The total chip size including probe GSG pads is 0.57 × 0.68mm2. In conclusion, the mixer exhibits outstanding figure-of-merits.

The Transient High Energy Sky and Early Universe Surveyor (THESEUS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amati, Lorenzo; O'Brien, Paul T.; Götz, Diego

2016-07-01

The Transient High Energy Sky and Early Universe Surveyor (THESEUS) is a mission concept under development by a large international collaboration aimed at exploiting gamma-ray bursts for investigating the early Universe. The main scientific objectives of THESEUS include: investigating the star formation rate and metallicity evolution of the ISM and IGM up to redshift 9-10, detecting the first generation (pop III) of stars, studying the sources and physics of re-ionization, detecting the faint end of galaxies luminosity function. These goals will be achieved through a unique combination of instruments allowing GRB detection and arcmin localization over a broad FOV (more than 1sr) and an energy band extending from several MeVs down to 0.3 keV with unprecedented sensitivity, as well as on-board prompt (few minutes) follow-up with a 0.6m class IR telescope with both imaging and spectroscopic capabilities. Such instrumentation will also allow THESEUS to unveil and study the population of soft and sub-energetic GRBs, and, more in general, to perform monitoring and survey of the X-ray sky with unprecedented sensitivity.

Fabrication of wide-band-gap Mg{sub x}Zn{sub 1-x}O quasi-ternary alloys by molecular-beam epitaxy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tanaka, Hiroshi; Fujita, Shigeo; Fujita, Shizuo

2005-05-09

A series of wurtzite MgZnO quasi-ternary alloys, which consist of wurtzite MgO/ZnO superlattices, were grown by molecular-beam epitaxy on sapphire substrates. By changing the thicknesses of ZnO layers and/or of MgO layers of the superlattice, the band-gap energy was artificially tuned from 3.30 to 4.65 eV. The highest band gap, consequently realized by the quasi-ternary alloy, was larger than that of the single MgZnO layer, we have ever reported, keeping the wurtzite structure. The band gap of quasi-ternary alloys was well analyzed by the Kronig-Penny model supposing the effective masses of wurtzite MgO as 0.30m{sub 0} and (1-2)m{sub 0} formore » electrons and holes, respectively.« less

Observations of transient events with Mini-MegaTORTORA wide-field monitoring system with sub-second temporal resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karpov, S.; Beskin, G.; Biryukov, A.; Bondar, S.; Ivanov, E.; Katkova, E.; Orekhova, N.; Perkov, A.; Sasyuk, V.

2017-07-01

Here we present the summary of first years of operation and the first results of a novel 9-channel wide-field optical monitoring system with sub-second temporal resolution, Mini-MegaTORTORA (MMT-9), which is in operation now at Special Astrophysical Observatory on Russian Caucasus. The system is able to observe the sky simultaneously in either wide (900 square degrees) or narrow (100 square degrees) fields of view, either in clear light or with any combination of color (Johnson-Cousins B, V or R) and polarimetric filters installed, with exposure times ranging from 0.1 s to hundreds of seconds.The real-time system data analysis pipeline performs automatic detection of rapid transient events, both near-Earth and extragalactic. The objects routinely detected by MMT also include faint meteors and artificial satellites.

Sub-visual Cirrus detection and characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schmidt, E.; Grams, G.; Patterson, E.

1990-01-01

Analysis of archived cold optics (COR) radiometer data is yielding useful information on the diurnal, geographic, seasonal and altitude variability of atmospheric background radiance levels in the 11 micron window region. This database is a compilation of Kuiper Infrared Technology Experiment (KITE) and Atmospheric Radiance Study (ARS) observations under a wide variety of conditions. Correlating the measurements from these two studies with the LOWTRAN model code has revealed several important results. First, the 11 micron window appears to be filled-in, i.e., the troughs on either side of the nitric acid peak are shallower than expected. Second, the amplitude of the background radiances measured exceeds the model predictions by a factor of 2 to 3 or more. This is thought to be due to the existence of thin, high altitude cirrus clouds (sub-visual cirrus) above the sensor platform. These high background levels are observed under quiescent conditions in the South Pacific (Marshall Islands), as well as over the continental United States (the West Coast). In the tropics, there appears to be little diurnal variability, a plausible seasonal variation and a linear dependence between 7.2 and 11.4 micron band data, indicating possible multi-spectral approaches to detection of sub-visual cirrus clouds. Theoretical analysis of the magnitude of the effects of a sub-visual cirrus cloud on atmospheric background radiances measured by a near-horizontal sensor is in progress.

Thermally induced effect on sub-band gap absorption in Ag doped CdSe thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaur, Jagdish; Sharma, Kriti; Bharti, Shivani; Tripathi, S. K.

2015-05-01

Thin films of Ag doped CdSe have been prepared by thermal evaporation using inert gas condensation (IGC) method taking Argon as inert gas. The prepared thin films are annealed at 363 K for one hour. The sub-band gap absorption spectra in the as deposited and annealed thin films have been studied using constant photocurrent method (CPM). The absorption coefficient in the sub-band gap region is described by an Urbach tail in both as deposited and annealed thin films. The value of Urbach energy and number density of trap states have been calculated from the absorption coefficient in the sub-band gap region which have been found to increase after annealing treatment indicating increase in disorderness in the lattice. The energy distribution of the occupied density of states below Fermi level has also been studied using derivative procedure of absorption coefficient.

Wavelength band selection method for multispectral target detection.

PubMed

Karlholm, Jörgen; Renhorn, Ingmar

2002-11-10

A framework is proposed for the selection of wavelength bands for multispectral sensors by use of hyperspectral reference data. Using the results from the detection theory we derive a cost function that is minimized by a set of spectral bands optimal in terms of detection performance for discrimination between a class of small rare targets and clutter with known spectral distribution. The method may be used, e.g., in the design of multispectral infrared search and track and electro-optical missile warning sensors, where a low false-alarm rate and a high-detection probability for detection of small targets against a clutter background are of critical importance, but the required high frame rate prevents the use of hyperspectral sensors.

Structure and optical band gaps of (Ba,Sr)SnO{sub 3} films grown by molecular beam epitaxy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schumann, Timo; Raghavan, Santosh; Ahadi, Kaveh

2016-09-15

Epitaxial growth of (Ba{sub x}Sr{sub 1−x})SnO{sub 3} films with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 using molecular beam epitaxy is reported. It is shown that SrSnO{sub 3} films can be grown coherently strained on closely lattice and symmetry matched PrScO{sub 3} substrates. The evolution of the optical band gap as a function of composition is determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry. The direct band gap monotonously decreases with x from to 4.46 eV (x = 0) to 3.36 eV (x = 1). A large Burnstein-Moss shift is observed with La-doping of BaSnO{sub 3} films. The shift corresponds approximately to the increase in Fermi level and is consistent with the low conduction band mass.

Abnormal variation of band gap in Zn doped Bi{sub 0.9}La{sub 0.1}FeO{sub 3} nanoparticles: Role of Fe-O-Fe bond angle and Fe-O bond anisotropy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xu, Xunling; Liu, Weifang, E-mail: wfliu@tju.edu.cn, E-mail: shouyu.wang@yahoo.com; Wu, Ping

2015-07-27

Bi{sub 0.9}La{sub 0.1}FeO{sub 3} (BLFO) and Bi{sub 0.9}La{sub 0.1}Fe{sub 0.99}Zn{sub 0.01}O{sub 3} (BLFZO) nanoparticles were prepared via a sol-gel method. The oxygen vacancies and holes increase with Zn doping analyzed through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which could contribute to the increase of leakage current density. However, with the increase of the defects (oxygen vacancies and holes), the band gap of BLFZO also is increased. To explain the abnormal phenomenon, the bandwidth of occupied and unoccupied bands was analyzed based on the structural symmetry driven by the Fe-O-Fe bond angle and Fe-O bond anisotropy.

Direct band gap measurement of Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S){sub 2} thin films using high-resolution reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Heo, Sung; College of Information and Communication Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Cheoncheon-dong 300, Jangan-gu, Suwon 440-746; Lee, Hyung-Ik

2015-06-29

To investigate the band gap profile of Cu(In{sub 1−x},Ga{sub x})(Se{sub 1−y}S{sub y}){sub 2} of various compositions, we measured the band gap profile directly as a function of in-depth using high-resolution reflection energy loss spectroscopy (HR-REELS), which was compared with the band gap profile calculated based on the auger depth profile. The band gap profile is a double-graded band gap as a function of in-depth. The calculated band gap obtained from the auger depth profile seems to be larger than that by HR-REELS. Calculated band gaps are to measure the average band gap of the spatially different varying compositions with respectmore » to considering its void fraction. But, the results obtained using HR-REELS are to be affected by the low band gap (i.e., out of void) rather than large one (i.e., near void). Our findings suggest an analytical method to directly determine the band gap profile as function of in-depth.« less

Sub-band gap photo-enhanced secondary electron emission from high-purity single-crystal chemical-vapor-deposited diamond

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yater, J. E., E-mail: joan.yater@nrl.navy.mil; Shaw, J. L.; Pate, B. B.

2016-02-07

Secondary-electron-emission (SEE) current measured from high-purity, single-crystal (100) chemical-vapor-deposited diamond is found to increase when sub-band gap (3.06 eV) photons are incident on the hydrogenated surface. Although the light does not produce photoemission directly, the SEE current increases by more than a factor of 2 before saturating with increasing laser power. In energy distribution curves (EDCs), the emission peak shows a corresponding increase in intensity with increasing laser power. However, the emission-onset energy in the EDCs remains constant, indicating that the bands are pinned at the surface. On the other hand, changes are observed on the high-energy side of the distributionmore » as the laser power increases, with a well-defined shoulder becoming more pronounced. From an analysis of this feature in the EDCs, it is deduced that upward band bending is present in the near-surface region during the SEE measurements and this band bending suppresses the SEE yield. However, sub-band gap photon illumination reduces the band bending and thereby increases the SEE current. Because the bands are pinned at the surface, we conclude that the changes in the band levels occur below the surface in the electron transport region. Sample heating produces similar effects as observed with sub-band gap photon illumination, namely, an increase in SEE current and a reduction in band bending. However, the upward band bending is not fully removed by either increasing laser power or temperature, and a minimum band bending of ∼0.8 eV is established in both cases. The sub-band gap photo-excitation mechanism is under further investigation, although it appears likely at present that defect or gap states play a role in the photo-enhanced SEE process. In the meantime, the study demonstrates the ability of visible light to modify the electronic properties of diamond and enhance the emission capabilities, which may have potential impact for diamond-based vacuum

The O{sub 2} A-Band in the Fluxes and Polarization of Starlight Reflected by Earth-Like Exoplanets

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fauchez, Thomas; Rossi, Loic; Stam, Daphne M.

Earth-like, potentially habitable exoplanets are prime targets in the search for extraterrestrial life. Information about their atmospheres and surfaces can be derived by analyzing the light of the parent star reflected by the planet. We investigate the influence of the surface albedo A {sub s}, the optical thickness b {sub cloud}, the altitude of water clouds, and the mixing ratio of biosignature O{sub 2} on the strength of the O{sub 2} A-band (around 760 nm) in the flux and polarization spectra of starlight reflected by Earth-like exoplanets. Our computations for horizontally homogeneous planets show that small mixing ratios ( ηmore » < 0.4) will yield moderately deep bands in flux and moderate-to-small band strengths in polarization, and that clouds will usually decrease the band depth in flux and the band strength in polarization. However, cloud influence will be strongly dependent on properties such as optical thickness, top altitude, particle phase, coverage fraction, and horizontal distribution. Depending on the surface albedo and cloud properties, different O{sub 2} mixing ratios η can give similar absorption-band depths in flux and band strengths in polarization, especially if the clouds have moderate-to-high optical thicknesses. Measuring both the flux and the polarization is essential to reduce the degeneracies, although it will not solve them, especially not for horizontally inhomogeneous planets. Observations at a wide range of phase angles and with a high temporal resolution could help to derive cloud properties and, once those are known, the mixing ratio of O{sub 2} or any other absorbing gas.« less

Layer specific optical band gap measurement at nanoscale in MoS{sub 2} and ReS{sub 2} van der Waals compounds by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dileep, K., E-mail: dileep@jncasr.ac.in, E-mail: ranjan@jncasr.ac.in; Sahu, R.; Datta, R., E-mail: dileep@jncasr.ac.in, E-mail: ranjan@jncasr.ac.in

2016-03-21

Layer specific direct measurement of optical band gaps of two important van der Waals compounds, MoS{sub 2} and ReS{sub 2}, is performed at nanoscale by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy. For monolayer MoS{sub 2}, the twin excitons (1.8 and 1.95 eV) originating at the K point of the Brillouin zone are observed. An indirect band gap of 1.27 eV is obtained from the multilayer regions. Indirect to direct band gap crossover is observed which is consistent with the previously reported strong photoluminescence from the monolayer MoS{sub 2}. For ReS{sub 2}, the band gap is direct, and a value of 1.52 andmore » 1.42 eV is obtained for the monolayer and multilayer, respectively. The energy loss function is dominated by features due to high density of states at both the valence and conduction band edges, and the difference in analyzing band gap with respect to ZnO is highlighted. Crystalline 1T ReS{sub 2} forms two dimensional chains like superstructure due to the clustering between four Re atoms. The results demonstrate the power of HREELS technique as a nanoscale optical absorption spectroscopy tool.« less

Mini-MegaTORTORA wide-field monitoring system with sub-second temporal resolution: observation of transient events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karpov, S.; Beskin, G.; Biryukov, A.; Bondar, S.; Ivanov, E.; Katkova, E.; Perkov, A.; Sasyuk, V.

2016-06-01

Here we present a summary of first years of operation and first results of a novel 9-channel wide-field optical monitoring system with sub-second temporal resolution, Mini-MegaTORTORA (MMT-9), which is in operation now at Special Astrophysical Observatory on Russian Caucasus. The system is able to observe the sky simultaneously in either wide (~900 square degrees) or narrow (~100 square degrees) fields of view, either in clear light or with any combination of color (Johnson-Cousins B, V or R) and polarimetric filters installed, with exposure times ranging from 0.1 s to hundreds of seconds. The real-time system data analysis pipeline performs automatic detection of rapid transient events, both near-Earth and extragalactic. The objects routinely detected by MMT include faint meteors and artificial satellites. The pipeline for a longer time scales variability analysis is still in development.

Toward broad-band x-ray detected ferromagnetic resonance in longitudinal geometry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ollefs, K.; European Synchrotron Radiation Facility; Meckenstock, R.

2015-06-14

An ultrahigh-vacuum-compatible setup for broad-band X-ray detected ferromagnetic resonance (XFMR) in longitudinal geometry is introduced which relies on a low-power, continuous-wave excitation of the ferromagnetic sample. A simultaneous detection of the conventional ferromagnetic resonance via measuring the reflected microwave power and the XFMR signal of the X-ray absorption is possible. First experiments on the Fe and Co L{sub 3}-edges of a permalloy film covered with Co nanostripes as well as the Fe and Ni K-edges of a permalloy film are presented and discussed. Two different XFMR signals are found, one of which is independent of the photon energy and thereforemore » does not provide element-selective information. The other much weaker signal is element-selective, and the dynamic magnetic properties could be detected for Fe and Co separately. The dependence of the latter XFMR signal on the photon helicity of the synchrotron light is found to be distinct from the usual x-ray magnetic circular dichroism effect.« less

Ammonium detection by formation of colored zebra-bands in a detecting tube.

PubMed

Hori, Tatsuaki; Niki, Keizou; Kiso, Yoshiaki; Oguchi, Tatsuo; Kamimoto, Yuki; Yamada, Toshiro; Nagai, Masahiro

2010-06-15

Ammonium ion was colorized by means of a diazo coupling reaction with 2-phenylphenol, where the color development reaction was conducted within 3min by using boric acid as a catalyst. The resulting colored solution (0.5ml) was supplied by suction to a detecting tube consisting of a nonwoven fabric test strip (2mm wide, 1mm thick, 150mm long) impregnated with benzylcetyldimethylammonium chloride in a stripe pattern and enclosed in a heat-shrinkable tube. When the colored solution was supplied to the detecting tube, blue zebra-bands formed, and the ammonium concentration was determined by counting the number of zebra-bands. The detection range was 1-20mg-Nl(-1). Ammonium ion in actual domestic wastewater samples was successfully detected by means of this method.

z'-BAND GROUND-BASED DETECTION OF THE SECONDARY ECLIPSE OF WASP-19b

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Burton, J. R.; Watson, C. A.; Pollacco, D.

2012-08-01

We present the ground-based detection of the secondary eclipse of the transiting exoplanet WASP-19b. The observations were made in the Sloan z' band using the ULTRACAM triple-beam CCD camera mounted on the New Technology Telescope. The measurement shows a 0.088% {+-} 0.019% eclipse depth, matching previous predictions based on H- and K-band measurements. We discuss in detail our approach to the removal of errors arising due to systematics in the data set, in addition to fitting a model transit to our data. This fit returns an eclipse center, T{sub 0}, of 2455578.7676 HJD, consistent with a circular orbit. Our measurementmore » of the secondary eclipse depth is also compared to model atmospheres of WASP-19b and is found to be consistent with previous measurements at longer wavelengths for the model atmospheres we investigated.« less

Workshop targets development of geodetic transient detection methods: 2009 SCEC Annual Meeting: Workshop on transient anomalous strain detection; Palm Springs, California, 12-13 September 2009

USGS Publications Warehouse

Murray-Moraleda, Jessica R.; Lohman, Rowena

2010-01-01

The Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) is a community of researchers at institutions worldwide working to improve understanding of earthquakes and mitigate earthquake risk. One of SCEC's priority objectives is to “develop a geodetic network processing system that will detect anomalous strain transients.” Given the growing number of continuously recording geodetic networks consisting of hundreds of stations, an automated means for systematically searching data for transient signals, especially in near real time, is critical for network operations, hazard monitoring, and event response. The SCEC Transient Detection Test Exercise began in 2008 to foster an active community of researchers working on this problem, explore promising methods, and combine effective approaches in novel ways. A workshop was held in California to assess what has been learned thus far and discuss areas of focus as the project moves forward.

Radio Non-Detection of the Currently Outbursting Transient Source in NGC 6440

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tetarenko, A. J.; Bahramian, A.; Sivakoff, G. R.; Heinke, C. O.; Shaw, A. W.; Wijnands, R.; Degenaar, N.; Miller-Jones, J. C. A.; Kuulkers, R. Plotkin E.; Chomiuk, L.; Strader, J.; Tremou, E.; Kennea, J. A.; Altamirano, D.; in't Zand, J. J. M.; Deller, A.; Maccarone, T. J.

2017-10-01

We report follow-up VLA radio observations of NGC 6440, which has recently shown evidence of transient X-ray activity (ATel #10821, #10826). Our VLA observations occurred on 2017 Oct 11, with scans on source between 01:07:09 - 02:48:18 UTC (MJD = 58037.0466 - 58037.1169), in X band (8 - 12 GHz).

Direct detection of sub-GeV dark matter with semiconductor targets

DOE PAGES

Essig, Rouven; Fernández-Serra, Marivi; Mardon, Jeremy; ...

2016-05-09

Dark matter in the sub-GeV mass range is a theoretically motivated but largely unexplored paradigm. Such light masses are out of reach for conventional nuclear recoil direct detection experiments, but may be detected through the small ionization signals caused by dark matter-electron scattering. Semiconductors are well-studied and are particularly promising target materials because their O(1 eV) band gaps allow for ionization signals from dark matter particles as light as a few hundred keV. Current direct detection technologies are being adapted for dark matter-electron scattering. In this paper, we provide the theoretical calculations for dark matter-electron scattering rate in semiconductors, overcomingmore » several complications that stem from the many-body nature of the problem. We use density functional theory to numerically calculate the rates for dark matter-electron scattering in silicon and germanium, and estimate the sensitivity for upcoming experiments such as DAMIC and SuperCDMS. We find that the reach for these upcoming experiments has the potential to be orders of magnitude beyond current direct detection constraints and that sub-GeV dark matter has a sizable modulation signal. We also give the first direct detection limits on sub-GeV dark matter from its scattering off electrons in a semiconductor target (silicon) based on published results from DAMIC. We make available publicly our code, QEdark, with which we calculate our results. Our results can be used by experimental collaborations to calculate their own sensitivities based on their specific setup. In conclusion, the searches we propose will probe vast new regions of unexplored dark matter model and parameter space.« less

Laser performance of in-band pumped Er : LiYF{sub 4} and Er : LiLuF{sub 4} crystals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gorbachenya, K N; Kisel, V E; Yasukevich, A S

2016-02-28

Spectroscopic properties of Er : LiLuF{sub 4} and Er : LiYF{sub 4} crystals in the spectral region near 1.5 μm and the lasing characteristics of these crystals under in-band pumping at a wavelength of 1522 nm are studied. With the Er : LiLuF{sub 4} crystal, the maximum slope efficiency with respect to the absorbed pump power was 44% at a wavelength of 1609 nm. Continuous-wave operation of an inband pumped Er : LiYF{sub 4} laser is obtained for the first time. The output power at a wavelength of 1606 nm was 58 mW with a slope efficiency of 21%. (lasers)

Meteorological interpretation of transient LOD changes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masaki, Y.

2008-04-01

The Earth’s spin rate is mainly changed by zonal winds. For example, seasonal changes in global atmospheric circulation and episodic changes accompanied with El Nĩ os are clearly detected n in the Length-of-day (LOD). Sub-global to regional meteorological phenomena can also change the wind field, however, their effects on the LOD are uncertain because such LOD signals are expected to be subtle and transient. In our previous study (Masaki, 2006), we introduced atmospheric pressure gradients in the upper atmosphere in order to obtain a rough picture of the meteorological features that can change the LOD. In this presentation, we compare one-year LOD data with meteorological elements (winds, temperature, pressure, etc.) and make an attempt to link transient LOD changes with sub-global meteorological phenomena.

Thermal Conductivity Enhancement by Optical Phonon Sub-Band Engineering of Nanostructures Based on C and BN

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-01-01

Thermal Conductivity Enhancement by Optical Phono n Sub-Band Engineering of Nanostructures Based on C and BN DARPA CONTRACT MDA972-02-C-0044... Engineering in 3-D Nanostructures Based on C an d BN Nanotubes " 1.3.1a. Phonon dynamics and thermal properties of zigzag carbon nanotubes Content I...Conductivity. Enhancement by Optical Phonon Sub-Bands Engineering in 3-D Nanostructure s Based on C and BN Nanotubes " . Here, the dynamics of the heat

The EDIBLES survey II. The detectability of C60+ bands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lallement, R.; Cox, N. L. J.; Cami, J.; Smoker, J.; Fahrang, A.; Elyajouri, M.; Cordiner, M. A.; Linnartz, H.; Smith, K. T.; Ehrenfreund, P.; Foing, B. H.

2018-06-01

Gas phase spectroscopic laboratory experiments for the buckminsterfullerene cation C60+ have resulted in accurate rest wavelengths for five C60+ transitions that have been compared with diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) in the near infra-red. Detecting these in astronomical spectra is difficult because of the strong contamination of ground-based spectra by atmospheric water vapor, to the presence of weak and shallow stellar lines and/or blending with other weak DIBs. The detection of the two strong bands has been claimed by several teams, and the three additional and weaker bands have been detected in a few sources. Certain recent papers have argued against the identification of C60+ based on spectral analyses claiming (i) a large variation in the ratio of the equivalent widths of the 9632 and 9577 Å bands, (ii) a large redshift of the 9632 Å band for the Orion star HD 37022, and (iii) the non-detection of the weaker 9428 Å DIB. Here we address these three points: (i) We show that the model stellar line correction for the 9632 Å DIB overestimates the difference between the strengths of the lines in giant and dwarf star spectra, casting doubts on the conclusions about the ratio variability. (ii) Using high quality stellar spectra from the ESO Diffuse Interstellar Bands Large Exploration Survey (EDIBLES), recorded with the ESO/Paranal Ultraviolet Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) in about the same atmospheric conditions, we find no wavelength shift in the 9632 Å band toward HD 37022. (iii) Using EDIBLES spectra and data from the Echelle SpectroPolarimetric Device for the Observation of Stars (ESPaDOnS) at CFHT we show that the presence of a weak 9428 Å band cannot be ruled out, even in the same observations that a previous study claimed it was not present.

Electrically detected magnetic resonance in a W-band microwave cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lang, V.; Lo, C. C.; George, R. E.; Lyon, S. A.; Bokor, J.; Schenkel, T.; Ardavan, A.; Morton, J. J. L.

2011-03-01

We describe a low-temperature sample probe for the electrical detection of magnetic resonance in a resonant W-band (94 GHz) microwave cavity. The advantages of this approach are demonstrated by experiments on silicon field-effect transistors. A comparison with conventional low-frequency measurements at X-band (9.7 GHz) on the same devices reveals an up to 100-fold enhancement of the signal intensity. In addition, resonance lines that are unresolved at X-band are clearly separated in the W-band measurements. Electrically detected magnetic resonance at high magnetic fields and high microwave frequencies is therefore a very sensitive technique for studying electron spins with an enhanced spectral resolution and sensitivity.

NEAR-INFRARED THERMAL EMISSION FROM TrES-3b: A Ks-BAND DETECTION AND AN H-BAND UPPER LIMIT ON THE DEPTH OF THE SECONDARY ECLIPSE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Croll, Bryce; Jayawardhana, Ray; Fortney, Jonathan J.

2010-08-01

We present H- and Ks-band photometry bracketing the secondary eclipse of the hot Jupiter TrES-3b using the Wide-field Infrared Camera on the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. We detect the secondary eclipse of TrES-3b with a depth of 0.133{sup +0.018}{sub -0.016}% in the Ks band (8{sigma})-a result that is in sharp contrast to the eclipse depth reported by de Mooij and Snellen. We do not detect its thermal emission in the H band, but place a 3{sigma} limit of 0.051% on the depth of the secondary eclipse in this band. A secondary eclipse of this depth in Ks requires very efficient day-to-nightside redistributionmore » of heat and nearly isotropic reradiation, a conclusion that is in agreement with longer wavelength, mid-infrared Spitzer observations. Our 3{sigma} upper limit on the depth of our H-band secondary eclipse also argues for very efficient redistribution of heat and suggests that the atmospheric layer probed by these observations may be well homogenized. However, our H-band upper limit is so constraining that it suggests the possibility of a temperature inversion at depth, or an absorbing molecule, such as methane, that further depresses the emitted flux at this wavelength. The combination of our near-infrared measurements and those obtained with Spitzer suggests that TrES-3b displays a near-isothermal dayside atmospheric temperature structure, whose spectrum is well approximated by a blackbody. We emphasize that our strict H-band limit is in stark disagreement with the best-fit atmospheric model that results from longer wavelength observations only, thus highlighting the importance of near-infrared observations at multiple wavelengths, in addition to those returned by Spitzer in the mid-infrared, to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the energy budgets of transiting exoplanets.« less

Edge effects on band gap energy in bilayer 2H-MoS{sub 2} under uniaxial strain

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dong, Liang; Wang, Jin; Dongare, Avinash M., E-mail: dongare@uconn.edu

2015-06-28

The potential of ultrathin MoS{sub 2} nanostructures for applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices requires a fundamental understanding in their electronic structure as a function of strain. Previous experimental and theoretical studies assume that an identical strain and/or stress state is always maintained in the top and bottom layers of a bilayer MoS{sub 2} film. In this study, a bilayer MoS{sub 2} supercell is constructed differently from the prototypical unit cell in order to investigate the layer-dependent electronic band gap energy in a bilayer MoS{sub 2} film under uniaxial mechanical deformations. The supercell contains an MoS{sub 2} bottom layer andmore » a relatively narrower top layer (nanoribbon with free edges) as a simplified model to simulate the as-grown bilayer MoS{sub 2} flakes with free edges observed experimentally. Our results show that the two layers have different band gap energies under a tensile uniaxial strain, although they remain mutually interacting by van der Waals interactions. The deviation in their band gap energies grows from 0 to 0.42 eV as the uniaxial strain increases from 0% to 6% under both uniaxial strain and stress conditions. The deviation, however, disappears if a compressive uniaxial strain is applied. These results demonstrate that tensile uniaxial strains applied to bilayer MoS{sub 2} films can result in distinct band gap energies in the bilayer structures. Such variations need to be accounted for when analyzing strain effects on electronic properties of bilayer or multilayered 2D materials using experimental methods or in continuum models.« less

Tailoring of optical band gap by varying Zn content in Cd{sub 1-x}Zn{sub x}S thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis method

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kumar, Vipin, E-mail: vipinkumar28@yahoo.co.in; Sharma, D. K.; Agrawal, Sonalika

Cd{sub 1-X}Zn{sub X}S thin films (X = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) have been grown on glass substrate by spray pyrolysis technique using equimolar concentration aqueous solution of cadmium chloride, zinc acetate and thiourea. Prepared thin films have been characterized by UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The optical band gap of the films has been studied by transmission spectra in wavelength range 325-600nm. It has been observed that optical band gap increases with increasing zinc concentration. The optical band gap of these thin films varies from 2.59 to 3.20eV with increasing Zn content.

A Small Fullerene (C{sub 24}) may be the Carrier of the 11.2 μ m Unidentified Infrared Band

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bernstein, L. S.; Shroll, R. M.; Lynch, D. K.

2017-02-20

We analyze the spectrum of the 11.2 μ m unidentified infrared band (UIR) from NGC 7027 and identify a small fullerene (C{sub 24}) as a plausible carrier. The blurring effects of lifetime and vibrational anharmonicity broadening obscure the narrower, intrinsic spectral profiles of the UIR band carriers. We use a spectral deconvolution algorithm to remove the blurring, in order to retrieve the intrinsic profile of the UIR band. The shape of the intrinsic profile—a sharp blue peak and an extended red tail—suggests that the UIR band originates from a molecular vibration–rotation band with a blue band head. The fractional areamore » of the band-head feature indicates a spheroidal molecule, implying a nonpolar molecule and precluding rotational emission. Its rotational temperature should be well approximated by that measured for nonpolar molecular hydrogen, ∼825 K for NGC 7027. Using this temperature, and the inferred spherical symmetry, we perform a spectral fit to the intrinsic profile, which results in a rotational constant implying C{sub 24} as the carrier. We show that the spectroscopic parameters derived for NGC 7027 are consistent with the 11.2 μ m UIR bands observed for other objects. We present density functional theory (DFT) calculations for the frequencies and infrared intensities of C{sub 24}. The DFT results are used to predict a spectral energy distribution (SED) originating from absorption of a 5 eV photon, and characterized by an effective vibrational temperature of 930 K. The C{sub 24} SED is consistent with the entire UIR spectrum and is the dominant contributor to the 11.2 and 12.7 μ m bands.« less

The 64 meter antenna operation at K sub A band

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Potter, P. D.

1980-01-01

The future potential of the 32 GHz K sub A band frequency region to planetary exploration, and the expected performance of the 64 m antenna network at 32 GHz is addressed. A modest level of noninterference upgrade work is assumed to achieve reasonable antenna aperture efficiency and alleviate antenna pointing difficulties. Electronic compensation of antenna aperture phasing errors is briefly considered as an alternative to the physical upgrade.

Two-band superlinear electroluminescence in GaSb based nanoheterostructures with AlSb/InAs{sub 1−x} Sb{sub x}/AlSb deep quantum well

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mikhailova, M. P.; Ivanov, E. V.; Danilov, L. V.

2014-06-14

We report on superlinear electroluminescent structures based on AlSb/InAs{sub 1−x}Sb{sub x}/AlSb deep quantum wells grown by MOVPE on n-GaSb:Te substrates. Dependence of the electroluminescence (EL) spectra and optical power on the drive current in nanoheterostructures with AlSb/InAs{sub 1−x}Sb{sub x}/AlSb quantum well at 77–300 K temperature range was studied. Intensive two-band superlinear EL in the 0.5–0.8 eV photon energy range was observed. Optical power enhancement with the increasing drive current at room temperature is caused by the contribution of the additional electron-hole pairs due to the impact ionization by the electrons heated at the high energy difference between AlSb and the first electronmore » level E{sub e1} in the InAsSb QW. Study of the EL temperature dependence at 90–300 K range enabled us to define the role of the first and second heavy hole levels in the radiative recombination process. It was shown that with the temperature decrease, the relation between the energies of the valence band offset and the second heavy hole energy level changes due to the temperature transformation of the energy band diagram. That is the reason why the EL spectrum revealed radiative transitions from the first electron level E{sub e1} to the first hole level E{sub h1} in the whole temperature range (90–300 K), while the emission band related with the transitions to the second hole level occurred only at T > 200 K. Comparative examination of the nanostructures with high band offsets and different interface types (AlAs-like and InSb-like) reveals more intense EL and optical power enhancement at room temperature in the case of AlAs-like interface that could be explained by the better quality of the heterointerface and more efficient hole localization.« less

Rapidly evolving and luminous transients from Pan-STARRS1

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Drout, M. R.; Chornock, R.; Soderberg, A. M.

2014-10-10

In the past decade, several rapidly evolving transients have been discovered whose timescales and luminosities are not easily explained by traditional supernovae (SNe) models. The sample size of these objects has remained small due, at least in part, to the challenges of detecting short timescale transients with traditional survey cadences. Here we present the results from a search within the Pan-STARRS1 Medium Deep Survey (PS1-MDS) for rapidly evolving and luminous transients. We identify 10 new transients with a time above half-maximum (t {sub 1/2}) of less than 12 days and –16.5 > M > –20 mag. This increases the numbermore » of known events in this region of SN phase space by roughly a factor of three. The median redshift of the PS1-MDS sample is z = 0.275 and they all exploded in star-forming galaxies. In general, the transients possess faster rise than decline timescale and blue colors at maximum light (g {sub P1} – r {sub P1} ≲ –0.2). Best-fit blackbodies reveal photospheric temperatures/radii that expand/cool with time and explosion spectra taken near maximum light are dominated by a blue continuum, consistent with a hot, optically thick, ejecta. We find it difficult to reconcile the short timescale, high peak luminosity (L > 10{sup 43} erg s{sup –1}), and lack of UV line blanketing observed in many of these transients with an explosion powered mainly by the radioactive decay of {sup 56}Ni. Rather, we find that many are consistent with either (1) cooling envelope emission from the explosion of a star with a low-mass extended envelope that ejected very little (<0.03 M {sub ☉}) radioactive material, or (2) a shock breakout within a dense, optically thick, wind surrounding the progenitor star. After calculating the detection efficiency for objects with rapid timescales in the PS1-MDS we find a volumetric rate of 4800-8000 events yr{sup –1} Gpc{sup –3} (4%-7% of the core-collapse SN rate at z = 0.2).« less

LOW-TEMPERATURE SPECTROSCOPY OF THE {sup 12}C{sub 2}H{sub 2} (υ{sub 1} + υ{sub 3}) BAND IN A HELIUM BUFFER GAS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Santamaria, L.; Sarno, V. Di; Ricciardi, I.

2015-03-01

Buffer gas cooling with a {sup 4}He gas is used to perform laser-absorption spectroscopy of the {sup 12}C{sub 2}H{sub 2} (υ{sub 1} + υ{sub 3}) band at cryogenic temperatures. Doppler thermometry is first carried out to extract translational temperatures from the recorded spectra. Then, rotational temperatures down to 20 K are retrieved by fitting the Boltzmann distribution to the relative intensities of several ro-vibrational lines. The potential of our setup to tune the thermal equilibrium between translational and rotational degrees of freedom is also demonstrated. This can be used to reproduce in a controlled way the regime of non-local thermal equilibriummore » typically encountered in the interstellar medium. The underlying helium-acetylene collisional physics, relevant for modeling planetary atmospheres, is also addressed. In particular, the diffusion time of {sup 12}C{sub 2}H{sub 2} in the buffer cell is measured against the {sup 4}He flux at two separate translational temperatures; the observed behavior is then compared with that predicted by a Monte Carlo simulation, thus providing an estimate for the respective total elastic cross sections: σ{sub el}(100 K) = (4 ± 1) × 10{sup –20} m{sup 2} and σ{sub el}(25 K) = (7 ± 2) × 10{sup –20} m{sup 2}.« less

Fast computation of the kurtogram for the detection of transient faults

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antoni, Jérôme

2007-01-01

The kurtogram is a fourth-order spectral analysis tool recently introduced for detecting and characterising non-stationarities in a signal. The paradigm relies on the assertion that each type of transient is associated with an optimal (frequency/frequency resolution) dyad { f,Δf} which maximises its kurtosis, and hence its detection. However, the complete exploration of the whole plane ( f,Δf) is a formidable task hardly amenable to on-line industrial applications. In this communication we describe a fast algorithm for computing the kurtogram over a grid that finely samples the ( f,Δf) plane. Its complexity is on the order of N log N, similarly to the FFT. The efficiency of the algorithm is then illustrated on several industrial cases concerned with the detection of incipient transient faults.

Research on photodiode detector-based spatial transient light detection and processing system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Meiying; Wang, Hu; Liu, Yang; Zhao, Hui; Nan, Meng

2016-10-01

In order to realize real-time signal identification and processing of spatial transient light, the features and the energy of the captured target light signal are first described and quantitatively calculated. Considering that the transient light signal has random occurrence, a short duration and an evident beginning and ending, a photodiode detector based spatial transient light detection and processing system is proposed and designed in this paper. This system has a large field of view and is used to realize non-imaging energy detection of random, transient and weak point target under complex background of spatial environment. Weak signal extraction under strong background is difficult. In this paper, considering that the background signal changes slowly and the target signal changes quickly, filter is adopted for signal's background subtraction. A variable speed sampling is realized by the way of sampling data points with a gradually increased interval. The two dilemmas that real-time processing of large amount of data and power consumption required by the large amount of data needed to be stored are solved. The test results with self-made simulative signal demonstrate the effectiveness of the design scheme. The practical system could be operated reliably. The detection and processing of the target signal under the strong sunlight background was realized. The results indicate that the system can realize real-time detection of target signal's characteristic waveform and monitor the system working parameters. The prototype design could be used in a variety of engineering applications.

Imaging of underground karst water channels using an improved multichannel transient Rayleigh wave detecting method

PubMed Central

Zheng, Xuhui; Liu, Lei; Li, Gao; Zhou, Fubiao; Xu, Jiemin

2018-01-01

Geological and hydrogeological conditions in karst areas are complicated from the viewpoint of engineering. The construction of underground structures in these areas is often disturbed by the gushing of karst water, which may delay the construction schedule, result in economic losses, and even cause heavy casualties. In this paper, an innovative method of multichannel transient Rayleigh wave detecting is proposed by introducing the concept of arrival time difference phase between channels (TDP). Overcoming the restriction of the space-sampling law, the proposed method can extract the phase velocities of different frequency components from only two channels of transient Rayleigh wave recorded on two adjacent detecting points. This feature greatly improves the work efficiency and lateral resolution of transient Rayleigh wave detecting. The improved multichannel transient Rayleigh wave detecting method is applied to the detection of karst caves and fractures in rock mass of the foundation pit of Yan’an Road Station of Guiyang Metro. The imaging of the detecting results clearly reveals the distribution of karst water inflow channels, which provided significant guidance for water plugging and enabled good control over karst water gushing in the foundation pit. PMID:29883492

Imaging of underground karst water channels using an improved multichannel transient Rayleigh wave detecting method.

PubMed

Zheng, Xuhui; Liu, Lei; Sun, Jinzhong; Li, Gao; Zhou, Fubiao; Xu, Jiemin

2018-01-01

Geological and hydrogeological conditions in karst areas are complicated from the viewpoint of engineering. The construction of underground structures in these areas is often disturbed by the gushing of karst water, which may delay the construction schedule, result in economic losses, and even cause heavy casualties. In this paper, an innovative method of multichannel transient Rayleigh wave detecting is proposed by introducing the concept of arrival time difference phase between channels (TDP). Overcoming the restriction of the space-sampling law, the proposed method can extract the phase velocities of different frequency components from only two channels of transient Rayleigh wave recorded on two adjacent detecting points. This feature greatly improves the work efficiency and lateral resolution of transient Rayleigh wave detecting. The improved multichannel transient Rayleigh wave detecting method is applied to the detection of karst caves and fractures in rock mass of the foundation pit of Yan'an Road Station of Guiyang Metro. The imaging of the detecting results clearly reveals the distribution of karst water inflow channels, which provided significant guidance for water plugging and enabled good control over karst water gushing in the foundation pit.

Band alignment of TiO{sub 2}/FTO interface determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy: Effect of annealing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fan, Haibo, E-mail: hbfan@nwu.edu.cn, E-mail: liusz@snnu.edu.cn; School of Physics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069; Yang, Zhou

2016-01-15

The energy band alignment between pulsed-laser-deposited TiO{sub 2} and FTO was firstly characterized using high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A valence band offset (VBO) of 0.61 eV and a conduction band offset (CBO) of 0.29 eV were obtained across the TiO{sub 2}/FTO heterointerface. With annealing process, the VBO and CBO across the heterointerface were found to be -0.16 eV and 1.06 eV, respectively, with the alignment transforming from type-I to type-II. The difference in the band alignment is believed to be dominated by the core level down-shift of the FTO substrate, which is a result of the oxidation of Sn. Current-voltagemore » test has verified that the band alignment has a significant effect on the current transport of the heterojunction.« less

Microwave Detection With Single-Band Metamaterials For High Power Microwave Weapons

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-12-01

DETECTION WITH SINGLE-BAND METAMATERIALS FOR HIGH POWER MICROWAVE WEAPONS by Edward V. Wulff December 2017 Thesis Advisor: Dragoslav Grbovic...3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED Master’s thesis 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE MICROWAVE DETECTION WITH SINGLE-BAND METAMATERIALS FOR HIGH POWER...IRB number ____N/A____. 12a. DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited. 12b. DISTRIBUTION

High power, diffraction limited picosecond oscillator based on Nd:GdVO<sub>4sub> bulk crystal with σ polarized in-band pumping.

PubMed

Lin, Hua; Guo, Jie; Gao, Peng; Yu, Hai; Liang, Xiaoyan

2016-06-27

We report on a high power passively mode-locked picosecond oscillator based on Nd:GdVO<sub>4sub> crystal with σ polarized in-band pumping. Thermal gradient and thermal aberration was greatly decreased with proposed configuration. Maximum output power of 37 W at 81 MHz repetition rate with 19.3 ps pulse duration was achieved directly from Nd:GdVO<sub>4sub> oscillator, corresponding to 51% optical efficiency. The oscillator maintained diffraction limited beam quality of M² < 1.05 at different output coupling with pulse duration between 11.2 ps to 19.3 ps.

Future directions for H sub x O sub y detection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crosley, David R. (Editor); Hoell, James M. (Editor)

1986-01-01

The activities and recommendations of the NASA workshop on the Future Directions for H sub x O sub y detection are given. The objective of this workshop was to access future directions for the measurement of the OH radical as well as other H sub x O sub y species. The workshop discussions were focused by two broad questions: (1) What are the capabilities of potential measurement methods? and (2) Will the results from the most promising method be useful in furthering understanding of tropospheric chemistry?

Production of photocurrent due to intermediate-to-conduction-band transitions: a demonstration of a key operating principle of the intermediate-band solar cell.

PubMed

Martí, A; Antolín, E; Stanley, C R; Farmer, C D; López, N; Díaz, P; Cánovas, E; Linares, P G; Luque, A

2006-12-15

We present intermediate-band solar cells manufactured using quantum dot technology that show for the first time the production of photocurrent when two sub-band-gap energy photons are absorbed simultaneously. One photon produces an optical transition from the intermediate-band to the conduction band while the second pumps an electron from the valence band to the intermediate-band. The detection of this two-photon absorption process is essential to verify the principles of operation of the intermediate-band solar cell. The phenomenon is the cornerstone physical principle that ultimately allows the production of photocurrent in a solar cell by below band gap photon absorption, without degradation of its output voltage.

Energy transition characterization of 1.18 and 1.3 {mu}m bands of bismuth fiber by spectroscopy of the transient oscillations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gumenyuk, Regina; Okhotnikov, Oleg G.; Golant, Konstantin

2011-05-09

The experimental evidence of laser transition type in bismuth-doped silica fibers operating at different spectral bands is presented. Spectrally resolved transient (relaxation) oscillations studied for a Bi-doped fiber laser at room and liquid-nitrogen temperatures allow to identify the three- and four-level energy bands. 1.18 {mu}m short-wavelength band is found to be a three-level system at room temperature with highly populated terminal energy level of laser transition. The depopulation of ground level by cooling the fiber down to liquid-nitrogen temperature changes the transition to four-level type. Four-level energy transition distinguished at 1.32 {mu}m exhibits the net gain at room temperature.

Intense transient electric field sensor based on the electro-optic effect of LiNbO{sub 3}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, Qing, E-mail: yangqing@cqu.edu.cn; Sun, Shangpeng; Han, Rui

2015-10-15

Intense transient electric field measurements are widely applied in various research areas. An optical intense E-field sensor for time-domain measurements, based on the electro-optic effect of lithium niobate, has been studied in detail. Principles and key issues in the design of the sensor are presented. The sensor is insulated, small in size (65 mm × 15 mm × 15 mm), and suitable for high-intensity (<801 kV/m) electric field measurements over a wide frequency band (10 Hz–10 MHz). The input/output characteristics of the sensor were obtained and the sensor calibrated. Finally, an application using this sensor in testing laboratory lightning impulsesmore » and in measuring transient electric fields during switch-on of a disconnector confirmed that the sensor is expected to find widespread use in transient intense electric field measurement applications.« less

Deduction of the chemical state and the electronic structure of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy core-level and valence-band spectra

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Jing; Liang, Le; Zhang, Lanting, E-mail: lantingzh@sjtu.edu.cn, E-mail: lmsun@sjtu.edu.cn

2014-10-28

Characterization of chemical state and electronic structure of the technologically important Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound is attractive for understanding the physical nature of its excellent magnetic properties. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study of such rare-earth compound is important and also challenging due to the easy oxidation of surface and small photoelectron cross-sections of rare-earth 4f electrons and B 2p electrons, etc. Here, we reported an investigation based on XPS spectra of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound as a function of Ar ion sputtering time. The chemical state of Fe and that of B in Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound can be clearlymore » determined to be 0 and −3, respectively. The Nd in Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound is found to have the chemical state of close to +3 instead of +3 as compared with the Nd in Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}. In addition, by comparing the valence-band spectrum of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound to that of the pure Fe, the contributions from Nd, Fe, and B to the valence-band structure of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound is made more clear. The B 2p states and B 2s states are identified to be at ∼11.2 eV and ∼24.6 eV, respectively, which is reported for the first time. The contribution from Nd 4f states can be identified both in XPS core-level spectrum and XPS valence-band spectrum. Although Nd 4f states partially hybridize with Fe 3d states, Nd 4f states are mainly localized in Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound.« less

Characterization of the Infrared/X-ray sub-second variability for the black-hole transient GX 339-4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vincentelli, F. M.; Casella, P.; Maccarone, T. J.; Uttley, P.; Gandhi, P.; Belloni, T.; De Marco, B.; Russell, D. M.; Stella, L.; O'Brien, K.

2018-03-01

We present a detailed analysis of the X-ray/IR fast variability of the Black-Hole Transient GX 339-4 during its low/hard state in August 2008. Thanks to simultaneous high time-resolution observations made with the VLT and RXTE, we performed the first characterisation of the sub-second variability in the near-infrared band - and of its correlation with the X-rays - for a low-mass X-ray binary, using both time- and frequency-domain techniques. We found a power-law correlation between the X-ray and infrared fluxes when measured on timescales of 16 seconds, with a marginally variable slope, steeper than the one found on timescales of days at similar flux levels. We suggest the variable slope - if confirmed - could be due to the infrared flux being a non-constant combination of both optically thin and optically thick synchrotron emission from the jet, as a result of a variable self-absorption break. From cross spectral analysis we found an approximately constant infrared time lag of ≈0.1s, and a very high coherence of ˜90 per cent on timescales of tens of seconds, slowly decreasing toward higher frequencies. Finally, we report on the first detection of a linear rms-flux relation in the emission from a low-mass X-ray binary jet, on timescales where little correlation is found between the X-rays and the jet emission itself. This suggests that either the inflow variations and jet IR emission are coupled by a non-linear or time-variable transform, or that the IR rms-flux relation is not transferred from the inflow to the jet, but is an intrinsic property of emission processes in the jet.

CW EC-QCL-based sensor for simultaneous detection of H<sub>2sub>O, HDO, N<sub>2sub>O and CH<sub>4sub> using multi-pass absorption spectroscopy.

PubMed

Yu, Yajun; Sanchez, Nancy P; Griffin, Robert J; Tittel, Frank K

2016-05-16

A sensor system based on a continuous wave, external-cavity quantum-cascade laser (CW EC-QCL) was demonstrated for simultaneous detection of atmospheric H<sub>2sub>O, HDO, N<sub>2sub>O and CH<sub>4sub> using a compact, dense pattern multi-pass gas cell with an effective path-length of 57.6 m. The EC-QCL with a mode-hop-free spectral range of 1225-1285 cm^-1 operating at ~7.8 µm was scanned covering four neighboring absorption lines, for H<sub>2sub>O at 1281.161 cm^-1, HDO at 1281.455 cm^-1, N<sub>2sub>O at 1281.53 cm^-1 and CH<sub>4sub> at 1281.61 cm^-1. A first-harmonic-normalized wavelength modulation spectroscopy with second-harmonic detection (WMS-2f/1f) strategy was employed for data processing. An Allan-Werle deviation analysis indicated that minimum detection limits of 1.77 ppmv for H<sub>2sub>O, 3.92 ppbv for HDO, 1.43 ppbv for N<sub>2sub>O, and 2.2 ppbv for CH<sub>4sub> were achieved with integration times of 50-s, 50-s, 100-s and 129-s, respectively. Experimental measurements of ambient air are also reported.

Luminescence of phosphorus containing oxide materials: Crystalline SiO{sub 2}‐P and 3P{sub 2}O{sub 5}⋅7SiO{sub 2}; CaO⋅P{sub 2}O{sub 5}; SrO⋅P{sub 2}O{sub 5} glasses

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Trukhin, A. N., E-mail: truhins@cfi.lu.lv; Smits, K., E-mail: truhins@cfi.lu.lv; Jansons, J., E-mail: truhins@cfi.lu.lv

2014-10-21

Luminescence of phosphate glasses such as CaO⋅P{sub 2}O{sub 5} and SrO⋅P{sub 2}O{sub 5} is compared with that of phosphorus doped crystalline α-quartz and phosphosilicate glass with content 3P{sub 2}O{sub 5}⋅7SiO{sub 2}. Water and OH groups are found by IR spectra in these materials. The spectrum of luminescence contains many bands in the range 1.5 - 5.5 eV. The luminescence bands in UV range at 4.5-5 eV are similar in those materials. Decay duration in exponential approximation manifests a time constant about 37 ns. Also a component in μs range was detected. PL band of μs component is shifted to lowmore » energy with respect to that of ∼37 ns component. This shift is about 0.6 eV. It is explained as singlet-triplet splitting of excited state. Below 14 K increase of luminescence kinetics duration in μs range was observed and it was ascribed to zero magnetic field splitting of triplet excited state of the center. Yellow-red luminescence was induced by irradiation in phosphorus doped crystalline α-quartz, phosphosilicate glasses. The yellowl uminescence contains two bands at 600 and 740 nm. Their decay is similar under 193 nm laser and may be fitted with the first order fractal kinetics or stretched exponent. Thermally stimulated luminescence contains only band at 600 nm. The 248 nm laser excites luminescence at 740 nm according to intra center process with decay time constant about 4 ms at 9 K. Both type of luminescence UV and yellow were ascribed to different defects containing phosphorus. P-doped α-quartz sample heated to 550 co become opalescent. Ir spectra related to water and OH groups are changed. Photoluminescence intensity of all three bands, UV (250 nm), yellow (600 nm) and red (740 nm) strongly diminished and disappeared after heating to 660 C°. Radiation induced red luminescence of non-bridging oxygen luminescence center (NBO) appeared in crystal after heat treatment. We had observed a crystalline version of this center (l. Skuja et al

NO.sub.x sensor and process for detecting NO.sub.x

DOEpatents

Dalla Betta, Ralph A.; Sheridan, David R.; Reed, Daniel L.

1994-01-01

This invention is a process for detecting low levels of nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x) in a flowing gas stream (typically an exhaust gas stream) and a catalytic NO.sub.x sensor which may be used in that process.

DETECTION OF FAST RADIO TRANSIENTS WITH MULTIPLE STATIONS: A CASE STUDY USING THE VERY LONG BASELINE ARRAY

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thompson, David R.; Wagstaff, Kiri L.; Majid, Walid A.

2011-07-10

Recent investigations reveal an important new class of transient radio phenomena that occur on submillisecond timescales. Often, transient surveys' data volumes are too large to archive exhaustively. Instead, an online automatic system must excise impulsive interference and detect candidate events in real time. This work presents a case study using data from multiple geographically distributed stations to perform simultaneous interference excision and transient detection. We present several algorithms that incorporate dedispersed data from multiple sites, and report experiments with a commensal real-time transient detection system on the Very Long Baseline Array. We test the system using observations of pulsar B0329+54.more » The multiple-station algorithms enhanced sensitivity for detection of individual pulses. These strategies could improve detection performance for a future generation of geographically distributed arrays such as the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder and the Square Kilometre Array.« less

Light polarization management via reflection from arrays of sub-wavelength metallic twisted bands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nawrot, M.; Haberko, J.; Zinkiewicz, Ł.; Wasylczyk, P.

2017-12-01

With constant progress of nano- and microfabrication technologies, photolithography in particular, a number of sub-wavelength metallic structures have been demonstrated that can be used to manipulate light polarization. Numerical simulations of light propagation hint that helical twisted bands can have interesting polarization properties. We use three-dimensional two-photon photolithography (direct laser writing) to fabricate a few-micrometer-thick arrays of twisted bands and coat them uniformly with metal. We demonstrate that circular polarization can be generated from linear polarization upon reflection from such structures over a broad range of frequencies in the mid infrared.

IDENTIFYING PLANETARY BIOSIGNATURE IMPOSTORS: SPECTRAL FEATURES OF CO AND O{sub 4} RESULTING FROM ABIOTIC O{sub 2}/O{sub 3} PRODUCTION

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schwieterman, Edward W.; Meadows, Victoria S.; Arney, Giada N.

O{sub 2} and O{sub 3} have been long considered the most robust individual biosignature gases in a planetary atmosphere, yet multiple mechanisms that may produce them in the absence of life have been described. However, these abiotic planetary mechanisms modify the environment in potentially identifiable ways. Here we briefly discuss two of the most detectable spectral discriminants for abiotic O{sub 2}/O{sub 3}: CO and O{sub 4}. We produce the first explicit self-consistent simulations of these spectral discriminants as they may be seen by James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). If JWST-NIRISS and/or NIRSpec observe CO (2.35, 4.6 μm) in conjunction withmore » CO{sub 2} (1.6, 2.0, 4.3 μm) in the transmission spectrum of a terrestrial planet it could indicate robust CO{sub 2} photolysis and suggest that a future detection of O{sub 2} or O{sub 3} might not be biogenic. Strong O{sub 4} bands seen in transmission at 1.06 and 1.27 μm could be diagnostic of a post-runaway O{sub 2}-dominated atmosphere from massive H-escape. We find that for these false positive scenarios, CO at 2.35 μm, CO{sub 2} at 2.0 and 4.3 μm, and O{sub 4} at 1.27 μm are all stronger features in transmission than O{sub 2}/O{sub 3} and could be detected with S/Ns ≳ 3 for an Earth-size planet orbiting a nearby M dwarf star with as few as 10 transits, assuming photon-limited noise. O{sub 4} bands could also be sought in UV/VIS/NIR reflected light (at 0.345, 0.36, 0.38, 0.445, 0.475, 0.53, 0.57, 0.63, 1.06, and 1.27 μm) by a next generation direct-imaging telescope such as LUVOIR/HDST or HabEx and would indicate an oxygen atmosphere too massive to be biologically produced.« less

Using Rising Limb Analysis to Estimate Uptake of Reactive Solutes in Advective and Transient Storage Sub-compartments of Stream Ecosystems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, S. A.; Valett, H.; Webster, J. R.; Mulholland, P. J.; Dahm, C. N.

2001-12-01

Identifying the locations and controls governing solute uptake is a recent area of focus in studies of stream biogeochemistry. We introduce a technique, rising limb analysis (RLA), to estimate areal nitrate uptake in the advective and transient storage (TS) zones of streams. RLA is an inverse approach that combines nutrient spiraling and transient storage modeling to calculate total uptake of reactive solutes and the fraction of uptake occurring within the advective sub-compartment of streams. The contribution of the transient storage zones to solute loss is determined by difference. Twelve-hour coinjections of conservative (Cl-) and reactive (15NO3) tracers were conducted seasonally in several headwater streams among which AS/A ranged from 0.01 - 2.0. TS characteristics were determined using an advection-dispersion model modified to include hydrologic exchange with a transient storage compartment. Whole-system uptake was determined by fitting the longitudinal pattern of NO3 to first-order, exponential decay model. Uptake in the advective sub-compartment was determined by collecting a temporal sequence of samples from a single location beginning with the arrival of the solute front and concluding with the onset of plateau conditions (i.e. the rising limb). Across the rising limb, 15NO3:Cl was regressed against the percentage of water that had resided in the transient storage zone (calculated from the TS modeling). The y-intercept thus provides an estimate of the plateau 15NO3:Cl ratio in the absence of NO3 uptake within the transient storage zone. Algebraic expressions were used to calculate the percentage of NO3 uptake occurring in the advective and transient storage sub-compartments. Application of RLA successfully estimated uptake coefficients for NO3 in the subsurface when the physical dimensions of that habitat were substantial (AS/A > 0.2) and when plateau conditions at the sampling location consisted of waters in which at least 25% had resided in the

Feature Transformation Detection Method with Best Spectral Band Selection Process for Hyper-spectral Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Hai-Wen; McGurr, Mike; Brickhouse, Mark

2015-11-01

We present a newly developed feature transformation (FT) detection method for hyper-spectral imagery (HSI) sensors. In essence, the FT method, by transforming the original features (spectral bands) to a different feature domain, may considerably increase the statistical separation between the target and background probability density functions, and thus may significantly improve the target detection and identification performance, as evidenced by the test results in this paper. We show that by differentiating the original spectral, one can completely separate targets from the background using a single spectral band, leading to perfect detection results. In addition, we have proposed an automated best spectral band selection process with a double-threshold scheme that can rank the available spectral bands from the best to the worst for target detection. Finally, we have also proposed an automated cross-spectrum fusion process to further improve the detection performance in lower spectral range (<1000 nm) by selecting the best spectral band pair with multivariate analysis. Promising detection performance has been achieved using a small background material signature library for concept-proving, and has then been further evaluated and verified using a real background HSI scene collected by a HYDICE sensor.

Small band gap superlattices as intrinsic long wavelength infrared detector materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Darryl L.; Mailhiot, C.

1990-01-01

Intrinsic long wavelength (lambda greater than or equal to 10 microns) infrared (IR) detectors are currently made from the alloy (Hg, Cd)Te. There is one parameter, the alloy composition, which can be varied to control the properties of this material. The parameter is chosen to set the band gap (cut-off wavelength). The (Hg, Cd)Te alloy has the zincblend crystal structure. Consequently, the electron and light-hole effective masses are essentially inversely proportional to the band gap. As a result, the electron and light-hole effective masses are very small (M sub(exp asterisk)/M sub o approx. M sub Ih/M sub o approx. less than 0.01) whereas the heavy-hole effective mass is ordinary size (M sub hh(exp asterisk)/M sub o approx. 0.4) for the alloy compositions required for intrinsic long wavelength IR detection. This combination of effective masses leads to rather easy tunneling and relatively large Auger transition rates. These are undesirable characteristics, which must be designed around, of an IR detector material. They follow directly from the fact that (Hg, Cd)Te has the zincblend crystal structure and a small band gap. In small band gap superlattices, such as HgTe/CdTe, In(As, Sb)/InSb and InAs/(Ga,In)Sb, the band gap is determined by the superlattice layer thicknesses as well as by the alloy composition (for superlattices containing an alloy). The effective masses are not directly related to the band gap and can be separately varied. In addition, both strain and quantum confinement can be used to split the light-hole band away from the valence band maximum. These band structure engineering options can be used to reduce tunneling probabilities and Auger transition rates compared with a small band gap zincblend structure material. Researchers discuss the different band structure engineering options for the various classes of small band gap superlattices.

Irradiation behaviour of the large grained UO{sub 2} fuel pellet in the transient conditions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kosaka, Yuji; Watanabe, Seiichi; Arakawa, Yasushi

2007-07-01

In order to achieve a high duty fuel rod design, it is the key issue to suppress the fission gas release from the view point of the fuel rod inner pressure design. The large grain UO{sub 2} pellet is one of the candidates to meet such a requirement by reducing the fission gas release especially at high power and/or high burnup. We have demonstrated the fuel performance of the large grain pellet in the PWR irradiation conditions, which was fabricated with no additive but with active UO{sub 2} powder through the conventional pelletizing process for the normal grain size pellet.more » According to the mechanism of the fission gas retention, there may be a concern about the larger gas bubble swelling of the large grain pellet at the power transient conditions which may increase the potential of the PCMI failure. In this paper, we focus on the differences of the dimensional change in comparison among the pellets with the different grain sizes at the power transient conditions. The power ramp tests were carried out on the high burnup fuel rods of normal and large grain pellet with no additive, which had been irradiated in the PWR conditions up to around 60 GWd/t at peak position. The detailed PIE results revealed that the volume increment due to the power ramp clearly showed the dependence on the grain size as well as the fission gas release and suggested that the larger grain with no additive may suppress the gas bubble swelling at the power transient conditions. According to the experimental results, it is concluded that the large grain pellet with no additive does not deteriorate the irradiation performance during the power transient conditions from the view point of the gas bubble swelling. (authors)« less

Urban land-cover change detection through sub-pixel imperviousness mapping using remotely sensed data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Yang, Limin; Xian, George Z.; Klaver, Jacqueline M.; Deal, Brian

2003-01-01

We developed a Sub-pixel Imperviousness Change Detection (SICD) approach to detect urban land-cover changes using Landsat and high-resolution imagery. The sub-pixel percent imperviousness was mapped for two dates (09 March 1993 and 11 March 2001) over western Georgia using a regression tree algorithm. The accuracy of the predicted imperviousness was reasonable based on a comparison using independent reference data. The average absolute error between predicted and reference data was 16.4 percent for 1993 and 15.3 percent for 2001. The correlation coefficient (r) was 0.73 for 1993 and 0.78 for 2001, respectively. Areas with a significant increase (greater than 20 percent) in impervious surface from 1993 to 2001 were mostly related to known land-cover/land-use changes that occurred in this area, suggesting that the spatial change of an impervious surface is a useful indicator for identifying spatial extent, intensity, and, potentially, type of urban land-cover/land-use changes. Compared to other pixel-based change-detection methods (band differencing, rationing, change vector, post-classification), information on changes in sub-pixel percent imperviousness allow users to quantify and interpret urban land-cover/land-use changes based on their own definition. Such information is considered complementary to products generated using other change-detection methods. In addition, the procedure for mapping imperviousness is objective and repeatable, hence, can be used for monitoring urban land-cover/land-use change over a large geographic area. Potential applications and limitations of the products developed through this study in urban environmental studies are also discussed.

Infrared absorption spectrum of the simplest deuterated Criegee intermediate CD{sub 2}OO

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Huang, Yu-Hsuan; Nishimura, Yoshifumi; Witek, Henryk A., E-mail: hwitek@mail.nctu.edu.tw, E-mail: yplee@mail.nctu.edu.tw

We report a transient infrared (IR) absorption spectrum of the simplest deuterated Criegee intermediate CD{sub 2}OO recorded using a step-scan Fourier-transform spectrometer coupled with a multipass absorption cell. CD{sub 2}OO was produced from photolysis of flowing mixtures of CD{sub 2}I{sub 2}, N{sub 2}, and O{sub 2} (13 or 87 Torr) with laser light at 308 nm. The recorded spectrum shows close structural similarity with the spectrum of CH{sub 2}OO reported previously [Y.-T. Su et al., Science 340, 174 (2013)]. The four bands observed at 852, 1017, 1054, and 1318 cm{sup −1} are assigned to the OO stretching mode, two distinctmore » in-plane OCD bending modes, and the CO stretching mode of CD{sub 2}OO, respectively, according to vibrational wavenumbers, IR intensities, rotational contours, and deuterium-isotopic shifts predicted with extensive quantum-chemical calculations. The CO-stretching mode of CD{sub 2}OO at 1318 cm{sup −1} is blue shifted from the corresponding band of CH{sub 2}OO at 1286 cm{sup −1}; this can be explained by a mechanism based on mode mixing and isotope substitution. A band near 936 cm{sup −1}, observed only at higher pressure (87 Torr), is tentatively assigned to the CD{sub 2} wagging mode of CD{sub 2}IOO.« less

The nu sub 2 band CHD3; ground state parameters for CHD3 from combination differences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jennings, D. E.; Blass, W. E.

1974-01-01

The nu sub 2 fundamental band of CHD3, centered near 2143/cm, was recorded at a resolution of 0.015-0.25/cm. Analysis of ground state combination differences yielded well-determined values for the ground state molecular parameters for CHD3. These parameters were used in the determination of the alpha and beta molecular parameters for nu sub 2.

Infrared resonance Raman, and excitation profile studies of Os/sub 2/(O/sub 2/CCH/sub 3/)/sub 4/Cl/sub 2/ and Os/sub 2/(O/sub 2/CCD/sub 3/)/sub 4/Cl/sub 2/. The assignment of the osmium-osmium stretching vibration for a complex involving an osmium-osmium multiple bond

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Clark, R.J.H.; Hempleman, A.J.; Tocher, D.A.

1988-08-31

Extensive Raman studies (1525-40 cm/sup /minus/1/) of Os/sub 2/(O/sub 2/CCH/sub 3/)/sub 4/Cl/sub 2/ have led to the identification of the three strong bands, /nu//sub 1/, /nu//sub 2/, and /nu//sub 3/, at 229, 393, and 292 cm/sup /minus/1/ to the key skeletal stretching modes, /nu/(OsOs), /nu/(OsO), and /nu/(OsCl), respectively. Raman spectra of the complex at resonance with the intense electronic band at /lambda//sub max/ = 383 nm lead to the development of a six-membered overtone progression in /nu//sub 1/ as well as combination band progressions in /nu//sub 1/ based upon one quantum of either /nu//sub 2/ or /nu//sub 3/. This indicatesmore » that the principal structural change attendant upon excitation to the resonant state is along the OsOs coordinate. Fourier transform infrared spectra (3500-40 cm/sup /minus/1/) have also been obtained. Acetate deuteriation provides conclusive evidence for many of the infrared and Raman band assignments. The study provides the first firm identification of /nu/(OsOs) for a multiply bonded species.« less

Surface damage and structure evolution of recrystallized tungsten exposed to ELM-like transient loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Y.; Du, J.; Wirtz, M.; Luo, G.-N.; Lu, G.-H.; Liu, W.

2016-03-01

Surface damage and structure evolution of the full tungsten ITER divertor under transient heat loads is a key concern for component lifetime and plasma operations. Recrystallization caused by transients and steady-state heat loads can lead to degradation of the material properties and is therefore one of the most serious issues for tungsten armor. In order to investigate the thermal response of the recrystallized tungsten under edge localized mode-like transient thermal loads, fully recrystallized tungsten samples with different average grain sizes are exposed to cyclic thermal shocks in the electron beam facility JUDITH 1. The results indicate that not only does the microstructure change due to recrystallization, but that the surface residual stress induced by mechanical polishing strongly influences the surface cracking behavior. The stress-free surface prepared by electro-polishing is shown to be more resistant to cracking than the mechanically polished one. The resulting surface roughness depends largely on the loading conditions instead of the recrystallized-grain size. As the base temperature increases from room temperature to 400 °C, surface roughening mainly due to the shear bands in each grain becomes more pronounced, and sub-grains (up to 3 μm) are simultaneously formed in the sub-surface. The directions of the shear bands exhibit strong grain-orientation dependence, and they are generally aligned with the traces of {1 1 2} twin habit planes. The results suggest that twinning deformation and dynamic recrystallization represent the predominant mechanism for surface roughening and related microstructure evolution.

Time-resolved analysis of the white photoluminescence from chemically synthesized SiC{sub x}O{sub y} thin films and nanowires

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tabassum, Natasha; Nikas, Vasileios; Ford, Brian

2016-07-25

The study reported herein presents results on the room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) dynamics of chemically synthesized SiC{sub x}O{sub y≤1.6} (0.19 < x < 0.6) thin films and corresponding nanowire (NW) arrays. The PL decay transients of the SiC{sub x}O{sub y} films/NWs are characterized by fast luminescence decay lifetimes that span in the range of 350–950 ps, as determined from their deconvoluted PL decay spectra and their stretched-exponential recombination behavior. Complementary steady-state PL emission peak position studies for SiC{sub x}O{sub y} thin films with varying C content showed similar characteristics pertaining to the variation of their emission peak position with respect to the excitation photon energy.more » A nearly monotonic increase in the PL energy emission peak, before reaching an energy plateau, was observed with increasing excitation energy. This behavior suggests that band-tail states, related to C-Si/Si-O-C bonding, play a prominent role in the recombination of photo-generated carriers in SiC{sub x}O{sub y}. Furthermore, the PL lifetime behavior of the SiC{sub x}O{sub y} thin films and their NWs was analyzed with respect to their luminescence emission energy. An emission-energy-dependent lifetime was observed, as a result of the modulation of their band-tail states statistics with varying C content and with the reduced dimensionality of the NWs.« less

Deep-HiTS: Rotation Invariant Convolutional Neural Network for Transient Detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cabrera-Vives, Guillermo; Reyes, Ignacio; Förster, Francisco; Estévez, Pablo A.; Maureira, Juan-Carlos

2017-02-01

We introduce Deep-HiTS, a rotation-invariant convolutional neural network (CNN) model for classifying images of transient candidates into artifacts or real sources for the High cadence Transient Survey (HiTS). CNNs have the advantage of learning the features automatically from the data while achieving high performance. We compare our CNN model against a feature engineering approach using random forests (RFs). We show that our CNN significantly outperforms the RF model, reducing the error by almost half. Furthermore, for a fixed number of approximately 2000 allowed false transient candidates per night, we are able to reduce the misclassified real transients by approximately one-fifth. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time CNNs have been used to detect astronomical transient events. Our approach will be very useful when processing images from next generation instruments such as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. We have made all our code and data available to the community for the sake of allowing further developments and comparisons at https://github.com/guille-c/Deep-HiTS. Deep-HiTS is licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License v3.0.

On the sub-band gap optical absorption in heat treated cadmium sulphide thin film deposited on glass by chemical bath deposition technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chattopadhyay, P.; Karim, B.; Guha Roy, S.

2013-12-01

The sub-band gap optical absorption in chemical bath deposited cadmium sulphide thin films annealed at different temperatures has been critically analyzed with special reference to Urbach relation. It has been found that the absorption co-efficient of the material in the sub-band gap region is nearly constant up to a certain critical value of the photon energy. However, as the photon energy exceeds the critical value, the absorption coefficient increases exponentially indicating the dominance of Urbach rule. The absorption coefficients in the constant absorption region and the Urbach region have been found to be sensitive to annealing temperature. A critical examination of the temperature dependence of the absorption coefficient indicates two different kinds of optical transitions to be operative in the sub-band gap region. After a careful analyses of SEM images, energy dispersive x-ray spectra, and the dc current-voltage characteristics, we conclude that the absorption spectra in the sub-band gap domain is possibly associated with optical transition processes involving deep levels and the grain boundary states of the material.

High resolution spectral analysis of oxygen. IV. Energy levels, partition sums, band constants, RKR potentials, Franck-Condon factors involving the X{sup 3}Σ{sub g}{sup −}, a{sup 1}Δ{sub g} and b{sup 1}Σ{sub g}{sup +} states

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yu, Shanshan, E-mail: shanshan.yu@jpl.nasa.gov; Drouin, Brian J.; Miller, Charles E.

We have updated the isotopically invariant Dunham fit of O{sub 2} with newly reported literature transitions to derive (1) the energy levels, partition sums, band-by-band molecular constants, and RKR potentials for the X{sup 3}Σ{sub g}{sup −}, a{sup 1}Δ{sub g}, and b{sup 1}Σ{sub g}{sup +} states of the six O{sub 2} isotopologues: {sup 16}O{sup 16}O, {sup 16}O{sup 17}O, {sup 16}O{sup 18}O, {sup 17}O{sup 17}O, {sup 17}O{sup 18}O, and {sup 18}O{sup 18}O; (2) Franck-Condon factors for their a{sup 1}Δ{sub g}−X{sup 3}Σ{sub g}{sup −}, b{sup 1}Σ{sub g}{sup +}−X{sup 3}Σ{sub g}{sup −}, and a{sup 1}Δ{sub g}−b{sup 1}Σ{sub g}{sup +} band systems. This new spectroscopicmore » parameterization characterizes all known transitions within and between the X{sup 3}Σ{sub g}{sup −}, a{sup 1}Δ{sub g}, and b{sup 1}Σ{sub g}{sup +} states within experimental uncertainty and can be used for accurate predictions of as yet unmeasured transitions. All of these results are necessary to provide a consistent linelist of all transitions which will be reported in a followup paper.« less

Wide field-of-view dual-band multispectral muzzle flash detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montoya, J.; Melchor, J.; Spiliotis, P.; Taplin, L.

2013-06-01

Sensor technologies are undergoing revolutionary advances, as seen in the rapid growth of multispectral methodologies. Increases in spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution, and in breadth of spectral coverage, render feasible sensors that function with unprecedented performance. A system was developed that addresses many of the key hardware requirements for a practical dual-band multispectral acquisition system, including wide field of view and spectral/temporal shift between dual bands. The system was designed using a novel dichroic beam splitter and dual band-pass filter configuration that creates two side-by-side images of a scene on a single sensor. A high-speed CMOS sensor was used to simultaneously capture data from the entire scene in both spectral bands using a short focal-length lens that provided a wide field-of-view. The beam-splitter components were arranged such that the two images were maintained in optical alignment and real-time intra-band processing could be carried out using only simple arithmetic on the image halves. An experiment related to limitations of the system to address multispectral detection requirements was performed. This characterized the system's low spectral variation across its wide field of view. This paper provides lessons learned on the general limitation of key hardware components required for multispectral muzzle flash detection, using the system as a hardware example combined with simulated multispectral muzzle flash and background signatures.

Archeological treasures protection based on early forest wildfire multi-band imaging detection system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gouverneur, B.; Verstockt, S.; Pauwels, E.; Han, J.; de Zeeuw, P. M.; Vermeiren, J.

2012-10-01

Various visible and infrared cameras have been tested for the early detection of wildfires to protect archeological treasures. This analysis was possible thanks to the EU Firesense project (FP7-244088). Although visible cameras are low cost and give good results during daytime for smoke detection, they fall short under bad visibility conditions. In order to improve the fire detection probability and reduce the false alarms, several infrared bands are tested ranging from the NIR to the LWIR. The SWIR and the LWIR band are helpful to locate the fire through smoke if there is a direct Line Of Sight. The Emphasis is also put on the physical and the electro-optical system modeling for forest fire detection at short and longer ranges. The fusion in three bands (Visible, SWIR, LWIR) is discussed at the pixel level for image enhancement and for fire detection.

An enhanced narrow-band imaging method for the microvessel detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Feng; Song, Enmin; Liu, Hong; Wan, Youming; Zhu, Jun; Hung, Chih-Cheng

2018-02-01

A medical endoscope system combined with the narrow-band imaging (NBI), has been shown to be a superior diagnostic tool for early cancer detection. The NBI can reveal the morphologic changes of microvessels in the superficial cancer. In order to improve the conspicuousness of microvessel texture, we propose an enhanced NBI method to improve the conspicuousness of endoscopic images. To obtain the more conspicuous narrow-band images, we use the edge operator to extract the edge information of the narrow-band blue and green images, and give a weight to the extracted edges. Then, the weighted edges are fused with the narrow-band blue and green images. Finally, the displayed endoscopic images are reconstructed with the enhanced narrow-band images. In addition, we evaluate the performance of enhanced narrow-band images with different edge operators. Experimental results indicate that the Sobel and Canny operators achieve the best performance of all. Compared with traditional NBI method of Olympus company, our proposed method has more conspicuous texture of microvessel.

DISCOVERY OF A TRANSIENT GAMMA-RAY COUNTERPART TO FRB 131104

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

DeLaunay, J. J.; Murase, K.; Mészáros, P.

We report our discovery in Swift satellite data of a transient gamma-ray counterpart (3.2 σ confidence) to the fast radio burst (FRB) FRB 131104, the first such counterpart to any FRB. The transient has a duration T {sub 90} ≳ 100 s and a fluence S{sub γ} ≈ 4 × 10{sup −6} erg cm{sup −2}, increasing the energy budget for this event by more than a billion times; at the nominal z ≈ 0.55 redshift implied by its dispersion measure, the burst’s gamma-ray energy output is E{sub γ} ≈ 5 × 10{sup 51} erg. The observed radio to gamma-ray fluencemore » ratio for FRB 131104 is consistent with a lower limit we derive from Swift observations of another FRB, which is not detected in gamma-rays, and with an upper limit previously derived for the brightest gamma-ray flare from SGR 1806−20, which was not detected in the radio. X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical observations beginning two days after the FRB do not reveal any associated afterglow, supernova, or transient; Swift observations exclude association with the brightest 65% of Swift gamma-ray burst (GRB) X-ray afterglows, while leaving the possibility of an associated supernova at much more than 10% the FRB’s nominal distance, D ≳ 320 Mpc, largely unconstrained. Transient high-luminosity gamma-ray emission arises most naturally in a relativistic outflow or shock breakout, such as, for example, from magnetar flares, GRBs, relativistic supernovae, and some types of galactic nuclear activity. Our discovery thus bolsters the case for an extragalactic origin for some FRBs and suggests that future rapid-response observations might identify long-lived counterparts, resolving the nature of these mysterious phenomena and realizing their promise as probes of cosmology and fundamental physics.« less

SPECTRAL LINE SURVEY TOWARD THE YOUNG MASSIVE PROTOSTAR NGC 2264 CMM3 IN THE 4 mm, 3 mm, AND 0.8 mm BANDS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Watanabe, Yoshimasa; Sakai, Nami; López-Sepulcre, Ana

2015-08-20

Spectral line survey observations are conducted toward the high-mass protostar candidate NGC 2264 CMM3 in the 4, 3, and 0.8 mm bands with the Nobeyama 45 m telescope and the Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment (ASTE) 10 m telescope. In total, 265 emission lines are detected in the 4 and 3 mm bands, and 74 emission lines in the 0.8 mm band. As a result, 36 molecular species and 30 isotopologues are identified. In addition to the fundamental molecular species, many emission lines of carbon-chain molecules such as HC{sub 5}N, C{sub 4}H, CCS, and C{sub 3}S are detected in the 4more » and 3 mm bands. Deuterated molecular species are also detected with relatively strong intensities. On the other hand, emission lines of complex organic molecules such as HCOOCH{sub 3} and CH{sub 3}OCH{sub 3} are found to be weak. For the molecules for which multiple transitions are detected, rotation temperatures are derived to be 7–33 K except for CH{sub 3}OH. Emission lines with high upper-state energies (E{sub u} > 150 K) are detected for CH{sub 3}OH, indicating the existence of a hot core. In comparison with the chemical composition of the Orion KL, carbon-chain molecules and deuterated molecules are found to be abundant in NGC 2264 CMM3, while sulfur-bearing species and complex organic molecules are deficient. These characteristics indicate the chemical youth of NGC 2264 CMM3 in spite of its location at the center of the cluster forming core, NGC 2264 C.« less

Transient thermoelectric effect with tunable pulsed laser: Experiment and computer simulations for p-GaAs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sasaki, M.; Ueda, T.; Tanioka, M.

A photoinduced {open_quotes}transient thermoelectric effect{close_quotes} (TTE) has been measured for a p-GaAs crystal using a tunable pulsed laser, over the laser energy range 0.93{endash}1.80 eV, laser intensity 0.2{endash}130mJ/cm{sup 2}, time range 1 ns{endash}1 ms, and temperature range 4.2{endash}50 K, with special attention to native defects of EL2 centers, whose ground state (EL2{sup 0}) and excited state (EL2{sup ex}) are located, respectively, at 0.76 and 1.80 eV above the top of the valence band (their energy difference {sigma}{sup ex}=1.04eV). After laser irradiation at one end of the sample, a TTE voltage is induced within a rising time {tau}{sub r} (1.0{endash}1.5 {mu}s)more » due to hole diffusion, followed by exponential decay with multiple decay times {tau}{sub 1}{endash}{tau}{sub 5} that depend on the laser energy, its intensity, and the temperature. The decay time {tau}{sub 1} is assigned to relate to photoexcited electron diffusion in the conduction band and others {tau}{sub 2}{endash}{tau}{sub 5} with electron recombinations with photogenerated holes in the valence band via EL2 centers in p-GaAs, for which a rough evaluation of the capture cross section is made. Based on the experimental data, we have discussed the photoinduced carrier generation/recombination processes in three laser energy ranges with the two boundaries {sigma}{sup ex} and the band-gap energy E{sub g} (=1.50 eV); regions I (E{lt}{sigma}{sup ex}), II ({sigma}{sup ex}{le}E{lt}E{sub g}), and III (E{ge}E{sub g}). For these three energy regions, we have carried out computer simulations for the photoinduced TTE voltage profiles by solving one-dimensional transport equations for photogenerated electrons and holes, in qualitative agreement with the observations. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Calibration of VIIRS F1 Sensor Fire Detection Band Using lunar Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McIntire, Jeff; Efremova, Boryana; Xiong, Xiaoxiong

2012-01-01

Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Fight 1 (Fl) sensor includes a fire detection band at roughly 4 microns. This spectral band has two gain states; fire detection occurs in the low gain state above approximately 345 K. The thermal bands normally utilize an on-board blackbody to provide on-orbit calibration. However, as the maximum temperature of this blackbody is 315 K, the low gain state of the 4 micron band cannot be calibrated in the same manner as the rest of the thermal bands. Regular observations of the moon provide an alternative calibration source. The lunar surface temperature has been recently mapped by the DIVINER sensor on the LRO platform. The periodic on-board high gain calibration along with the DIVINER surface temperatures was used to determine the emissivity and solar reflectance of the lunar surface at 4 microns; these factors and the lunar data are then used to fit the low gain calibration coefficients of the 4 micron band. Furthermore, the emissivity of the lunar surface is well known near 8.5 microns due to the Christiansen feature (an emissivity maximum associated with Si-O stretching vibrations) and the solar reflectance is negligible. Thus, the 8.5 micron band is used for relative calibration with the 4 micron band to de-trend any temporal variations. In addition, the remaining thermal bands are analyzed in a similar fashion, with both calculated emissivities and solar reflectances produced.

A Steep-Slope Transistor Combining Phase-Change and Band-to-Band-Tunneling to Achieve a sub-Unity Body Factor.

PubMed

Vitale, Wolfgang A; Casu, Emanuele A; Biswas, Arnab; Rosca, Teodor; Alper, Cem; Krammer, Anna; Luong, Gia V; Zhao, Qing-T; Mantl, Siegfried; Schüler, Andreas; Ionescu, A M

2017-03-23

Steep-slope transistors allow to scale down the supply voltage and the energy per computed bit of information as compared to conventional field-effect transistors (FETs), due to their sub-60 mV/decade subthreshold swing at room temperature. Currently pursued approaches to achieve such a subthermionic subthreshold swing consist in alternative carrier injection mechanisms, like quantum mechanical band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) in Tunnel FETs or abrupt phase-change in metal-insulator transition (MIT) devices. The strengths of the BTBT and MIT have been combined in a hybrid device architecture called phase-change tunnel FET (PC-TFET), in which the abrupt MIT in vanadium dioxide (VO 2 ) lowers the subthreshold swing of strained-silicon nanowire TFETs. In this work, we demonstrate that the principle underlying the low swing in the PC-TFET relates to a sub-unity body factor achieved by an internal differential gate voltage amplification. We study the effect of temperature on the switching ratio and the swing of the PC-TFET, reporting values as low as 4.0 mV/decade at 25 °C, 7.8 mV/decade at 45 °C. We discuss how the unique characteristics of the PC-TFET open new perspectives, beyond FETs and other steep-slope transistors, for low power electronics, analog circuits and neuromorphic computing.

Detection of buried objects by fusing dual-band infrared images

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Clark, G.A.; Sengupta, S.K.; Sherwood, R.J.

1993-11-01

We have conducted experiments to demonstrate the enhanced detectability of buried land mines using sensor fusion techniques. Multiple sensors, including visible imagery, infrared imagery, and ground penetrating radar (GPR), have been used to acquire data on a number of buried mines and mine surrogates. Because the visible wavelength and GPR data are currently incomplete. This paper focuses on the fusion of two-band infrared images. We use feature-level fusion and supervised learning with the probabilistic neural network (PNN) to evaluate detection performance. The novelty of the work lies in the application of advanced target recognition algorithms, the fusion of dual-band infraredmore » images and evaluation of the techniques using two real data sets.« less

Electronic structure of (Ca{sub 0.85}La{sub 0.15})FeAs{sub 2}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Z.-H., E-mail: z.liu@ifw-dresden.de; Borisenko, S. V., E-mail: s.borysenko@ifw-dresden.de; Kim, T. K.

We report a comprehensive study of orbital character and tridimensional nature of the electronic structure of (Ca{sub 0.85}La{sub 0.15})FeAs{sub 2} from recently discovered “112” family of Iron-based superconductors (IBS), with angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. We observed that the band structure is similar to that of “122” family, namely, there are three hole-like bands at the Brillouin zone (BZ) center and two electron-like bands at the BZ corner. The bands near the Fermi level (E{sub F}) are mainly derived from the Fe t{sub 2g} orbitals. On the basis of our present and earlier studies, we classify IBS into the three types accordingmore » to their crystal structures. We show that although the bands near E{sub F} mainly originate from Fe 3d electrons, they are significantly modified by the interaction between the superconducting slabs and the intermediate atoms.« less

Development of narrow-band fluorescence index for the detection of aflatoxin contaminated corn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Haibo; Hruska, Zuzana; Kincaid, Russell; Ononye, Ambrose; Brown, Robert L.; Bhatnagar, Deepak; Cleveland, Thomas E.

2011-06-01

Aflatoxin is produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus when the fungus invades developing corn kernels. Because of its potent toxicity, the levels of aflatoxin are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US, allowing 20 ppb (parts per billion) limits in food, and feed intended for interstate commerce. Currently, aflatoxin detection and quantification methods are based on analytical tests. These tests require the destruction of samples, can be costly and time consuming, and often rely on less than desirable sampling techniques. Thus, the ability to detect aflatoxin in a rapid, non-invasive way is crucial to the corn industry in particular. This paper described how narrow-band fluorescence indices were developed for aflatoxin contamination detection based on single corn kernel samples. The indices were based on two bands extracted from full wavelength fluorescence hyperspectral imagery. The two band results were later applied to two large sample experiments with 25 g and 1 kg of corn per sample. The detection accuracies were 85% and 95% when 100 ppb threshold was used. Since the data acquisition period is significantly lower for several image bands than for full wavelength hyperspectral data, this study would be helpful in the development of real-time detection instrumentation for the corn industry.

Multitemporal spectroscopy for crop stress detection using band selection methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mewes, Thorsten; Franke, Jonas; Menz, Gunter

2008-08-01

A fast and precise sensor-based identification of pathogen infestations in wheat stands is essential for the implementation of site-specific fungicide applications. Several works have shown possibilities and limitations for the detection of plant stress using spectral sensor data. Hyperspectral data provide the opportunity to collect spectral reflectance in contiguous bands over a broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Individual phenomena like the light absorption of leaf pigments can be examined in detail. The precise knowledge of stress-dependent shifting in certain spectral wavelengths provides great advantages in detecting fungal infections. This study focuses on band selection techniques for hyperspectral data to identify relevant and redundant information in spectra regarding a detection of plant stress caused by pathogens. In a laboratory experiment, five 1 sqm boxes with wheat were multitemporarily measured by a ASD Fieldspec® 3 FR spectroradiometer. Two stands were inoculated with Blumeria graminis - the pathogen causing powdery mildew - and one stand was used to simulate the effect of water deficiency. Two stands were kept healthy as control stands. Daily measurements of the spectral reflectance were taken over a 14-day period. Three ASD Pro Lamps were used to illuminate the plots with constant light. By applying band selection techniques, the three types of different wheat vitality could be accurately differentiated at certain stages. Hyperspectral data can provide precise information about pathogen infestations. The reduction of the spectral dimension of sensor data by means of band selection procedures is an appropriate method to speed up the data supply for precision agriculture.

A Patch-Based Method for Repetitive and Transient Event Detection in Fluorescence Imaging

PubMed Central

Boulanger, Jérôme; Gidon, Alexandre; Kervran, Charles; Salamero, Jean

2010-01-01

Automatic detection and characterization of molecular behavior in large data sets obtained by fast imaging in advanced light microscopy become key issues to decipher the dynamic architectures and their coordination in the living cell. Automatic quantification of the number of sudden and transient events observed in fluorescence microscopy is discussed in this paper. We propose a calibrated method based on the comparison of image patches expected to distinguish sudden appearing/vanishing fluorescent spots from other motion behaviors such as lateral movements. We analyze the performances of two statistical control procedures and compare the proposed approach to a frame difference approach using the same controls on a benchmark of synthetic image sequences. We have then selected a molecular model related to membrane trafficking and considered real image sequences obtained in cells stably expressing an endocytic-recycling trans-membrane protein, the Langerin-YFP, for validation. With this model, we targeted the efficient detection of fast and transient local fluorescence concentration arising in image sequences from a data base provided by two different microscopy modalities, wide field (WF) video microscopy using maximum intensity projection along the axial direction and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. Finally, the proposed detection method is briefly used to statistically explore the effect of several perturbations on the rate of transient events detected on the pilot biological model. PMID:20976222

Alkali/TX[sub 2] catalysts for CO/H[sub 2] conversion to C[sub 1]-C[sub 4] alcohols

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klier, K.; Herman, R.G.; Richards-Babb, M.

1993-03-01

The objective of this research is to determine the patterns of variations of catalyst activity and selectivity for the synthesis of alcohols from H[sub 2]/CO synthesis gas. Since the source of carbon can be coal-derived synthesis gas, this research makes a contribution to the technology for high quality clean transportation fuels and for basic chemicals from coal. Catalysts prepared were principally based on MoS[sub 2], RuS[sub 2], TaS[sub 2], and NbS[sub 2]. Catalytic testing of these materials was carried out both before and after surface doping with Cs. In alcohol synthesis activation of hydrogen by the catalyst surface is essential.more » Knowledge of transition metal disulfide surface properties is important before the mechanism of hydrogen dissociation can be addressed. The electronic structures of MoS[sub 2], RuS[sub 2], and NbS[sub 2] were studied both theoretically and experimentally. Experimental valence bands were obtained by high resolution electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (HR-ESCA, also referred to as x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and theoretical valence bands were calculated using solid state extended Hueckel theory. Comparison of two-dimensional (2-D) MoS[sub 2] theoretical valence bands with the experimental HR-ESCA valence bands of polycrystalline MoS[sub 2] led to parametrization of the S 3s, S 3p, and Mo 4d atomic ionization potentials and Slater-type coefficients and exponents. The S 3s and S 3p parameters obtained for MoS[sub 2] were used to obtain the NbS[sub 2] and RuS[sub 2] theoretical valence bands.« less

Probability of detecting band-tailed pigeons during call-broadcast versus auditory surveys

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kirkpatrick, C.; Conway, C.J.; Hughes, K.M.; Devos, J.C.

2007-01-01

Estimates of population trend for the interior subspecies of band-tailed pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata fasciata) are not available because no standardized survey method exists for monitoring the interior subspecies. We evaluated 2 potential band-tailed pigeon survey methods (auditory and call-broadcast surveys) from 2002 to 2004 in 5 mountain ranges in southern Arizona, USA, and in mixed-conifer forest throughout the state. Both auditory and call-broadcast surveys produced low numbers of cooing pigeons detected per survey route (x?? ??? 0.67) and had relatively high temporal variance in average number of cooing pigeons detected during replicate surveys (CV ??? 161%). However, compared to auditory surveys, use of call-broadcast increased 1) the percentage of replicate surveys on which ???1 cooing pigeon was detected by an average of 16%, and 2) the number of cooing pigeons detected per survey route by an average of 29%, with this difference being greatest during the first 45 minutes of the morning survey period. Moreover, probability of detecting a cooing pigeon was 27% greater during call-broadcast (0.80) versus auditory (0.63) surveys. We found that cooing pigeons were most common in mixed-conifer forest in southern Arizona and density of male pigeons in mixed-conifer forest throughout the state averaged 0.004 (SE = 0.001) pigeons/ha. Our results are the first to show that call-broadcast increases the probability of detecting band-tailed pigeons (or any species of Columbidae) during surveys. Call-broadcast surveys may provide a useful method for monitoring populations of the interior subspecies of band-tailed pigeon in areas where other survey methods are inappropriate.

A Matched Filter Technique for Slow Radio Transient Detection and First Demonstration with the Murchison Widefield Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, L.; Vaulin, R.; Hewitt, J. N.; Remillard, R.; Kaplan, D. L.; Murphy, Tara; Kudryavtseva, N.; Hancock, P.; Bernardi, G.; Bowman, J. D.; Briggs, F.; Cappallo, R. J.; Deshpande, A. A.; Gaensler, B. M.; Greenhill, L. J.; Hazelton, B. J.; Johnston-Hollitt, M.; Lonsdale, C. J.; McWhirter, S. R.; Mitchell, D. A.; Morales, M. F.; Morgan, E.; Oberoi, D.; Ord, S. M.; Prabu, T.; Udaya Shankar, N.; Srivani, K. S.; Subrahmanyan, R.; Tingay, S. J.; Wayth, R. B.; Webster, R. L.; Williams, A.; Williams, C. L.

2017-03-01

Many astronomical sources produce transient phenomena at radio frequencies, but the transient sky at low frequencies (<300 MHz) remains relatively unexplored. Blind surveys with new wide-field radio instruments are setting increasingly stringent limits on the transient surface density on various timescales. Although many of these instruments are limited by classical confusion noise from an ensemble of faint, unresolved sources, one can in principle detect transients below the classical confusion limit to the extent that the classical confusion noise is independent of time. We develop a technique for detecting radio transients that is based on temporal matched filters applied directly to time series of images, rather than relying on source-finding algorithms applied to individual images. This technique has well-defined statistical properties and is applicable to variable and transient searches for both confusion-limited and non-confusion-limited instruments. Using the Murchison Widefield Array as an example, we demonstrate that the technique works well on real data despite the presence of classical confusion noise, sidelobe confusion noise, and other systematic errors. We searched for transients lasting between 2 minutes and 3 months. We found no transients and set improved upper limits on the transient surface density at 182 MHz for flux densities between ˜20 and 200 mJy, providing the best limits to date for hour- and month-long transients.

A search for the 13175 A infrared diffuse band in dense environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adamson, A. J.; Kerr, Tom H.; Whittet, D. C. B.; Duley, Walter W.

1994-01-01

Models of ionized interstellar C60 predict a strong transition in the 1.2 micrometer region, and two candidate bands have recently been detected in reddened stars. We have searched for the stronger of these bands (at 13175 A) in the Taurus dark cloud complex, to determine its response to the dark-cloud environment. None of the three lines of sight studied (two near the cloud surface, one reaching A(sub V) greater than 20(sup m)) give rise to a detectable band; in one case the equivalent width is a factor of order three below that predicted. Since such behaviour is also shown by the optical Diffuse Interstellar Bands, we suggest that the 13175 A band is a genuine DIB, but we caution against an automatic interpretation in terms of an ionic carrier.

Transient survey rates for orphan afterglows from compact merger jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamb, Gavin P.; Tanaka, Masaomi; Kobayashi, Shiho

2018-06-01

Orphan afterglows from short γ-ray bursts (GRBs) are potential candidates for electromagnetic (EM) counterpart searches to gravitational wave (GW) detected neutron star or neutron star black hole mergers. Various jet dynamical and structure models have been proposed that can be tested by the detection of a large sample of GW-EM counterparts. We make predictions for the expected rate of optical transients from these jet models for future survey telescopes, without a GW or GRB trigger. A sample of merger jets is generated in the redshift limits 0 ≤ z ≤ 3.0, and the expected peak r-band flux and time-scale above the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) or Zwicky Transient Factory (ZTF) detection threshold, mr = 24.5 and 20.4, respectively, is calculated. General all-sky rates are shown for mr ≤ 26.0 and mr ≤ 21.0. The detected orphan and GRB afterglow rate depends on jet model, typically 16≲ R≲ 76 yr-1 for the LSST, and 2≲ R ≲ 8 yr-1 for ZTF. An excess in the rate of orphan afterglows for a survey to a depth of mr ≤ 26 would indicate that merger jets have a dominant low-Lorentz factor population, or the jets exhibit intrinsic jet structure. Careful filtering of transients is required to successfully identify orphan afterglows from either short- or long-GRB progenitors.

Detection of Northern Hemisphere transient eddies at Gale Crater Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haberle, Robert M.; Juárez, Manuel de la Torre; Kahre, Melinda A.; Kass, David M.; Barnes, Jeffrey R.; Hollingsworth, Jeffery L.; Harri, Ari-Matti; Kahanpää, Henrik

2018-06-01

The Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) on the Curiosity Rover is operating in the Southern Hemisphere of Mars and is detecting synoptic period oscillations in the pressure data that we attribute to Northern Hemisphere transient eddies. We base this interpretation on the similarity in the periods of the eddies and their seasonal variations with those observed in northern midlatitudes by Viking Lander 2 (VL-2) 18 Mars years earlier. Further support for this interpretation comes from global circulation modeling which shows similar behavior in the transient eddies at the grid points closest to Curiosity and VL-2. These observations provide the first in situ evidence that the frontal systems often associated with "Flushing Dust Storms" do cross the equator and extend into the Southern Hemisphere.

Power System Transient Diagnostics Based on Novel Traveling Wave Detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamidi, Reza Jalilzadeh

Modern electrical power systems demand novel diagnostic approaches to enhancing the system resiliency by improving the state-of-the-art algorithms. The proliferation of high-voltage optical transducers and high time-resolution measurements provide opportunities to develop novel diagnostic methods of very fast transients in power systems. At the same time, emerging complex configuration, such as multi-terminal hybrid transmission systems, limits the applications of the traditional diagnostic methods, especially in fault location and health monitoring. The impedance-based fault-location methods are inefficient for cross-bounded cables, which are widely used for connection of offshore wind farms to the main grid. Thus, this dissertation first presents a novel traveling wave-based fault-location method for hybrid multi-terminal transmission systems. The proposed method utilizes time-synchronized high-sampling voltage measurements. The traveling wave arrival times (ATs) are detected by observation of the squares of wavelet transformation coefficients. Using the ATs, an over-determined set of linear equations are developed for noise reduction, and consequently, the faulty segment is determined based on the characteristics of the provided equation set. Then, the fault location is estimated. The accuracy and capabilities of the proposed fault location method are evaluated and also compared to the existing traveling-wave-based method for a wide range of fault parameters. In order to improve power systems stability, auto-reclosing (AR), single-phase auto-reclosing (SPAR), and adaptive single-phase auto-reclosing (ASPAR) methods have been developed with the final objectives of distinguishing between the transient and permanent faults to clear the transient faults without de-energization of the solid phases. However, the features of the electrical arcs (transient faults) are severely influenced by a number of random parameters, including the convection of the air and plasma

Contrast based band selection for optimized weathered oil detection in hyperspectral images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levaux, Florian; Bostater, Charles R., Jr.; Neyt, Xavier

2012-09-01

Hyperspectral imagery offers unique benefits for detection of land and water features due to the information contained in reflectance signatures such as the bi-directional reflectance distribution function or BRDF. The reflectance signature directly shows the relative absorption and backscattering features of targets. These features can be very useful in shoreline monitoring or surveillance applications, for example to detect weathered oil. In real-time detection applications, processing of hyperspectral data can be an important tool and Optimal band selection is thus important in real time applications in order to select the essential bands using the absorption and backscatter information. In the present paper, band selection is based upon the optimization of target detection using contrast algorithms. The common definition of the contrast (using only one band out of all possible combinations available within a hyperspectral image) is generalized in order to consider all the possible combinations of wavelength dependent contrasts using hyperspectral images. The inflection (defined here as an approximation of the second derivative) is also used in order to enhance the variations in the reflectance spectra as well as in the contrast spectrua in order to assist in optimal band selection. The results of the selection in term of target detection (false alarms and missed detection) are also compared with a previous method to perform feature detection, namely the matched filter. In this paper, imagery is acquired using a pushbroom hyperspectral sensor mounted at the bow of a small vessel. The sensor is mechanically rotated using an optical rotation stage. This opto-mechanical scanning system produces hyperspectral images with pixel sizes on the order of mm to cm scales, depending upon the distance between the sensor and the shoreline being monitored. The motion of the platform during the acquisition induces distortions in the collected HSI imagery. It is therefore

Bandgap modulation in photoexcited topological insulator Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} via atomic displacements

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hada, Masaki, E-mail: hadamasaki@okayama-u.ac.jp; Materials and Structures Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8503; PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi 332-0012

2016-07-14

The atomic and electronic dynamics in the topological insulator (TI) Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} under strong photoexcitation were characterized with time-resolved electron diffraction and time-resolved mid-infrared spectroscopy. Three-dimensional TIs characterized as bulk insulators with an electronic conduction surface band have shown a variety of exotic responses in terms of electronic transport when observed under conditions of applied pressure, magnetic field, or circularly polarized light. However, the atomic motions and their correlation between electronic systems in TIs under strong photoexcitation have not been explored. The artificial and transient modification of the electronic structures in TIs via photoinduced atomic motions represents a novelmore » mechanism for providing a comparable level of bandgap control. The results of time-domain crystallography indicate that photoexcitation induces two-step atomic motions: first bismuth and then tellurium center-symmetric displacements. These atomic motions in Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} trigger 10% bulk bandgap narrowing, which is consistent with the time-resolved mid-infrared spectroscopy results.« less

Fusion of thermal- and visible-band video for abandoned object detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beyan, Cigdem; Yigit, Ahmet; Temizel, Alptekin

2011-07-01

Timely detection of packages that are left unattended in public spaces is a security concern, and rapid detection is important for prevention of potential threats. Because constant surveillance of such places is challenging and labor intensive, automated abandoned-object-detection systems aiding operators have started to be widely used. In many studies, stationary objects, such as people sitting on a bench, are also detected as suspicious objects due to abandoned items being defined as items newly added to the scene and remained stationary for a predefined time. Therefore, any stationary object results in an alarm causing a high number of false alarms. These false alarms could be prevented by classifying suspicious items as living and nonliving objects. In this study, a system for abandoned object detection that aids operators surveilling indoor environments such as airports, railway or metro stations, is proposed. By analysis of information from a thermal- and visible-band camera, people and the objects left behind can be detected and discriminated as living and nonliving, reducing the false-alarm rate. Experiments demonstrate that using data obtained from a thermal camera in addition to a visible-band camera also increases the true detection rate of abandoned objects.

The strain induced band gap modulation from narrow gap semiconductor to half-metal on Ti{sub 2}CrGe: A first principles study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Jia, E-mail: jiali@hebut.edu.cn; Research Institute for Energy Equipment Materials, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401; Zhang, Zhidong

The Heusler alloy Ti{sub 2}CrGe is a stable L2{sub 1} phase with antiferromagnetic ordering. With band-gap energy (∼ 0.18 eV) obtained from a first-principles calculation, it belongs to the group of narrow band gap semiconductor. The band-gap energy decreases with increasing lattice compression and disappears until a strain of −5%; moreover, gap contraction only occurs in the spin-down states, leading to half-metallic character at the −5% strain. The Ti{sub 1}, Ti{sub 2}, and Cr moments all exhibit linear changes in behavior within strains of −5%– +5%. Nevertheless, the total zero moment is robust for these strains. The imaginary part ofmore » the dielectric function for both up and down spin states shows a clear onset energy, indicating a corresponding electronic gap for the two spin channels.« less

Two-Band Pyrometers Detect Hydrogen Fires

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Collins, J. David; Youngquist, Robert C.; Simmons, Stephen M.

1993-01-01

Two-band infrared pyrometers detect small hydrogen fires at greater distances in full daylight being developed. Detectors utilize part of infrared spectrum in which signals from hydrogen flames 10 to the 3rd power to 10 to the 4th power times as intense as ultraviolet region of current detectors. Utilize low-loss infrared lenses for focusing and for limiting fields of view to screen out spurious signals from nearby sources. Working distances of as much as 100 meters possible. Portable, battery-powered unit gives audible alarm, in form of increase in frequency of tone, when aimed at hydrogen fire.

Laser induced optical bleaching in Ge{sub 12}Sb{sub 25}S{sub 63} chalcogenide thin film

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Naik, Ramakanta, E-mail: ramakanta.naik@gmail.com; Jena, S.; Sahoo, N. K.

2015-06-24

Photo induced effects of Ge{sub 12}Sb{sub 25}S{sub 63} films illuminated with 532 nm laser light is investigated from transmission spectra measured by FTIR spectroscopy. The material exhibit photo bleaching (PB) when exposed to band gap laser for a prolonged time in vacuum. The PB is ascribed to structural changes inside the film as well as surface photo oxidation. The amorphous nature of thin films was detected by X-ray diffraction. The chemical composition of the deposited thin films was examined by Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX). The refractive indices of the films were obtained from the transmission spectra based on inverse synthesismore » method, and the optical band gaps were derived from optical absorption spectra using the Tauc plot. The dispersion of the refractive index is discussed in terms of the single-oscillator Wemple–DiDomenico model. It was found that, the mechanism of the optical absorption follows the rule of the allowed non-direct transition. Raman spectra analysis also supports the optical changes.« less

THE GALACTIC R CORONAE BOREALIS STARS: THE C{sub 2} SWAN BANDS, THE CARBON PROBLEM, AND THE {sup 12}C/{sup 13}C RATIO

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hema, B. P.; Pandey, Gajendra; Lambert, David L., E-mail: hema@iiap.res.in, E-mail: pandey@iiap.res.in, E-mail: dll@astro.as.utexas.edu

2012-03-10

Observed spectra of R Coronae Borealis (RCB) and hydrogen-deficient carbon (HdC) stars are analyzed by synthesizing the C{sub 2} Swan bands (1, 0), (0, 0), and (0, 1) using our detailed line list and the Uppsala model atmospheres. The (0, 1) and (0, 0) C{sub 2} bands are used to derive the {sup 12}C abundance, and the (1, 0) {sup 12}C{sup 13}C band to determine the {sup 12}C/{sup 13}C ratios. The carbon abundance derived from the C{sub 2} Swan bands is about the same for the adopted models constructed with different carbon abundances over the range 8.5 (C/He = 0.1%)more » to 10.5 (C/He = 10%). Carbon abundances derived from C I lines are about a factor of four lower than the carbon abundance of the adopted model atmosphere over the same C/He interval, as reported by Asplund et al., who dubbed the mismatch between adopted and derived C abundance as the 'carbon problem'. In principle, the carbon abundances obtained from C{sub 2} Swan bands and that assumed for the model atmosphere can be equated for a particular choice of C/He that varies from star to star. Then, the carbon problem for C{sub 2} bands is eliminated. However, such C/He ratios are in general less than those of the extreme helium stars, the seemingly natural relatives to the RCB and HdC stars. A more likely solution to the C{sub 2} carbon problem may lie in a modification of the model atmosphere's temperature structure. The derived carbon abundances and the {sup 12}C/{sup 13}C ratios are discussed in light of the double degenerate and the final flash scenarios.« less

Study of X-ray transients with Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM) onboard AstroSat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramadevi, M. C.; Ravishankar, B. T.; Sarwade, Abhilash R.; Vaishali, S.; Iyer, Nirmal Kumar; Nandi, Anuj; Girish, V.; Agarwal, Vivek Kumar; Baby, Blessy Elizabeth; Hasan, Mohammed; Seetha, S.; Bhattacharya, Dipankar

2018-02-01

Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM) onboard AstroSat is an X-ray sky monitor in the energy range 2.5-10 keV. SSM scans the sky for X-ray transient sources in this energy range of interest. If an X-ray transient source is detected in outburst by SSM, the information will be provided to the astronomical community for follow-up observations to do a detailed study of the source in various other bands. SSM instrument, since its power-ON in orbit, has observed a number of X-ray sources. This paper discusses observations of few X-ray transients by SSM. The flux reported by SSM for few sources during its Performance Verification phase (PV phase) is studied and the results are discussed.

Nondestructive detection of pork quality based on dual-band VIS/NIR spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Wenxiu; Peng, Yankun; Li, Yongyu; Tang, Xiuying; Liu, Yuanyuan

2015-05-01

With the continuous development of living standards and the relative change of dietary structure, consumers' rising and persistent demand for better quality of meat is emphasized. Colour, pH value, and cooking loss are important quality attributes when evaluating meat. To realize nondestructive detection of multi-parameter of meat quality simultaneously is popular in production and processing of meat and meat products. The objectives of this research were to compare the effectiveness of two bands for rapid nondestructive and simultaneous detection of pork quality attributes. Reflectance spectra of 60 chilled pork samples were collected from a dual-band visible/near-infrared spectroscopy system which covered 350-1100 nm and 1000-2600 nm. Then colour, pH value and cooking loss were determined by standard methods as reference values. Standard normal variables transform (SNVT) was employed to eliminate the spectral noise. A spectrum connection method was put forward for effective integration of the dual-band spectrum to make full use of the whole efficient information. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) and Principal component analysis (PCA) were applied to establish prediction models using based on single-band spectrum and dual-band spectrum, respectively. The experimental results showed that the PLSR model based on dual-band spectral information was superior to the models based on single band spectral information with lower root means quare error (RMSE) and higher accuracy. The PLSR model based on dual-band (use the overlapping part of first band) yielded the best prediction result with correlation coefficient of validation (Rv) of 0.9469, 0.9495, 0.9180, 0.9054 and 0.8789 for L*, a*, b*, pH value and cooking loss, respectively. This mainly because dual-band spectrum can provide sufficient and comprehensive information which reflected the quality attributes. Data fusion from dual-band spectrum could significantly improve pork quality parameters prediction

The electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of BiTl{sub 9}Te{sub 6} and SbTl{sub 9}Te{sub 6}: First-principles calculations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guo, Li Bin; Ye, Lingyun; Wang, Yuan Xu, E-mail: wangyx@henu.edu.cn

2015-12-21

The electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of MTl{sub 9}Te{sub 6} (M = Bi, Sb) were studied using density functional theory and the semiclassical Boltzmann theory. It is found that the band gaps of BiTl{sub 9}Te{sub 6} and SbTl{sub 9}Te{sub 6} are equal to 0.59 eV and 0.72 eV, respectively. The relative large band gap and strong coupling between Sb s and Te p are helpful to the thermoelectric properties of SbTl{sub 9}Te{sub 6}. Near the bottom of the conduction bands, the number of band valleys of SbTl{sub 9}Te{sub 6} is four and is larger than that of BiTl{sub 9}Te{sub 6} (two band valleys),more » which will increase its Seebeck coefficient. Although BiTl{sub 9}Te{sub 6} has a larger electrical conductivity relative to relaxation time (σ/τ) along the z-direction than that of SbTl{sub 9}Te{sub 6}, the results show that the transport properties of SbTl{sub 9}Te{sub 6} are better than those of BiTl{sub 9}Te{sub 6} possibly due to its large Seebeck coefficient. The maximum value of power factor relative to relaxation time (S{sup 2}σ/τ) for SbTl{sub 9}Te{sub 6} reaches 4.30 × 10{sup 11 }W/K{sup 2} m s at 900 K, that is, originated from its relatively large Seebeck coefficient, suggesting its promising thermoelectric performance at high temperature.« less

Longwave Band-by-band Cloud Radiative Effect and its Application in GCM Evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huang, Xianglei; Cole, Jason N. S.; He, Fei; Potter, Gerald L.; Oreopoulos, Lazaros; Lee, Dongmin; Suarez, Max; Loeb, Norman G.

2012-01-01

The cloud radiative effect (CRE) of each longwave (LW) absorption band of a GCM fs radiation code is uniquely valuable for GCM evaluation because (1) comparing band-by-band CRE avoids the compensating biases in the broadband CRE comparison and (2) the fractional contribution of each band to the LW broadband CRE (f(sub CRE)) is sensitive to cloud top height but largely insensitive to cloud fraction, presenting thus a diagnostic metric to separate the two macroscopic properties of clouds. Recent studies led by the first author have established methods to derive such band ]by ]band quantities from collocated AIRS and CERES observations. We present here a study that compares the observed band-by-band CRE over the tropical oceans with those simulated by three different atmospheric GCMs (GFDL AM2, NASA GEOS-5, and CCCma CanAM4) forced by observed SST. The models agree with observation on the annual ]mean LW broadband CRE over the tropical oceans within +/-1W/sq m. However, the differences among these three GCMs in some bands can be as large as or even larger than +/-1W/sq m. Observed seasonal cycles of f(sub CRE) in major bands are shown to be consistent with the seasonal cycle of cloud top pressure for both the amplitude and the phase. However, while the three simulated seasonal cycles of f(sub CRE) agree with observations on the phase, the amplitudes are underestimated. Simulated interannual anomalies from GFDL AM2 and CCCma CanAM4 are in phase with observed anomalies. The spatial distribution of f(sub CRE) highlights the discrepancies between models and observation over the low-cloud regions and the compensating biases from different bands.

The effect of narrow-band noise maskers on increment detection1

PubMed Central

Messersmith, Jessica J.; Patra, Harisadhan; Jesteadt, Walt

2010-01-01

It is often assumed that listeners detect an increment in the intensity of a pure tone by detecting an increase in the energy falling within the critical band centered on the signal frequency. A noise masker can be used to limit the use of signal energy falling outside of the critical band, but facets of the noise may impact increment detection beyond this intended purpose. The current study evaluated the impact of envelope fluctuation in a noise masker on thresholds for detection of an increment. Thresholds were obtained for detection of an increment in the intensity of a 0.25- or 4-kHz pedestal in quiet and in the presence of noise of varying bandwidth. Results indicate that thresholds for detection of an increment in the intensity of a pure tone increase with increasing bandwidth for an on-frequency noise masker, but are unchanged by an off-frequency noise masker. Neither a model that includes a modulation-filter-bank analysis of envelope modulation nor a model based on discrimination of spectral patterns can account for all aspects of the observed data. PMID:21110593

Simultaneous Multi-band Detection of Low Surface Brightness Galaxies with Markovian Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vollmer, B.; Perret, B.; Petremand, M.; Lavigne, F.; Collet, Ch.; van Driel, W.; Bonnarel, F.; Louys, M.; Sabatini, S.; MacArthur, L. A.

2013-02-01

We present to the astronomical community an algorithm for the detection of low surface brightness (LSB) galaxies in images, called MARSIAA (MARkovian Software for Image Analysis in Astronomy), which is based on multi-scale Markovian modeling. MARSIAA can be applied simultaneously to different bands. It segments an image into a user-defined number of classes, according to their surface brightness and surroundings—typically, one or two classes contain the LSB structures. We have developed an algorithm, called DetectLSB, which allows the efficient identification of LSB galaxies from among the candidate sources selected by MARSIAA. The application of the method to two and three bands simultaneously was tested on simulated images. Based on our tests, we are confident that we can detect LSB galaxies down to a central surface brightness level of only 1.5 times the standard deviation from the mean pixel value in the image background. To assess the robustness of our method, the method was applied to a set of 18 B- and I-band images (covering 1.3 deg2 in total) of the Virgo Cluster to which Sabatini et al. previously applied a matched-filter dwarf LSB galaxy search algorithm. We have detected all 20 objects from the Sabatini et al. catalog which we could classify by eye as bona fide LSB galaxies. Our method has also detected four additional Virgo Cluster LSB galaxy candidates undetected by Sabatini et al. To further assess the completeness of the results of our method, both MARSIAA, SExtractor, and DetectLSB were applied to search for (1) mock Virgo LSB galaxies inserted into a set of deep Next Generation Virgo Survey (NGVS) gri-band subimages and (2) Virgo LSB galaxies identified by eye in a full set of NGVS square degree gri images. MARSIAA/DetectLSB recovered ~20% more mock LSB galaxies and ~40% more LSB galaxies identified by eye than SExtractor/DetectLSB. With a 90% fraction of false positives from an entirely unsupervised pipeline, a completeness of 90% is reached

Tunnel optical radiation in In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alexandrov, Dimiter; Skerget, Shawn

2014-02-21

An investigation of tunnel optical radiation in epitaxial layers of n-type In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N grown on p-type GaN by novel plasma based migration enhanced epitaxy is presented. Experimental results of electro-luminescence spectra for In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N/p−GaN hetero-junctions were obtained and they show two well expressed optical bands - one in range 500-540 nm and other in range 550-610 nm. An interesting detail is that each band begins and ends by sharp drops of the radiation, which nearly approach zero. A theoretical investigation of the unusual behavior of these spectra was done using LCAO electron band structure calculations. The optical rangesmore » of these bands show that the radiation occurs in the In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N region. In fact, substitutions of In atoms in Ga sites creates defects in the structure of In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N and the corresponding LCAO matrix elements are found on this basis. The LCAO electron band structures are calculated considering the interactions between nearest-neighbor orbitals. Electron energy pockets are found in both the conduction and the valence bands at the Γ point of the electron band structures. Also it is found that these pockets are separated by distances, for which there is overlapping between the electron wave functions describing localized states belonging to the pockets, and as a result tunnel optical radiation can take place. This type of electron transition - between such a pocket in the conduction band and a pocket in the valence band - occurs in In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N, causing the above described optical bands. This conclusion concurs with the fact that the shapes of these bands change with change of the applied voltage.« less

Genes with a spike expression are clustered in chromosome (sub)bands and spike (sub)bands have a powerful prognostic value in patients with multiple myeloma

PubMed Central

Kassambara, Alboukadel; Hose, Dirk; Moreaux, Jérôme; Walker, Brian A.; Protopopov, Alexei; Reme, Thierry; Pellestor, Franck; Pantesco, Véronique; Jauch, Anna; Morgan, Gareth; Goldschmidt, Hartmut; Klein, Bernard

2012-01-01

Background Genetic abnormalities are common in patients with multiple myeloma, and may deregulate gene products involved in tumor survival, proliferation, metabolism and drug resistance. In particular, translocations may result in a high expression of targeted genes (termed spike expression) in tumor cells. We identified spike genes in multiple myeloma cells of patients with newly-diagnosed myeloma and investigated their prognostic value. Design and Methods Genes with a spike expression in multiple myeloma cells were picked up using box plot probe set signal distribution and two selection filters. Results In a cohort of 206 newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma, 2587 genes/expressed sequence tags with a spike expression were identified. Some spike genes were associated with some transcription factors such as MAF or MMSET and with known recurrent translocations as expected. Spike genes were not associated with increased DNA copy number and for a majority of them, involved unknown mechanisms. Of spiked genes, 36.7% clustered significantly in 149 out of 862 documented chromosome (sub)bands, of which 53 had prognostic value (35 bad, 18 good). Their prognostic value was summarized with a spike band score that delineated 23.8% of patients with a poor median overall survival (27.4 months versus not reached, P<0.001) using the training cohort of 206 patients. The spike band score was independent of other gene expression profiling-based risk scores, t(4;14), or del17p in an independent validation cohort of 345 patients. Conclusions We present a new approach to identify spike genes and their relationship to patients’ survival. PMID:22102711

Goaf water detection using the grounded electrical source airborne transient electromagnetic system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, D.; Ji, Y.; Guan, S.; Wu, Y.; Wang, A.

2017-12-01

To detect the geoelectric characteristic of goaf water, the grounded electrical source airborne transient electromagnetic (GREATEM) system (developed by Jilin University, China) is applied to the goaf water detection since its advantages of considerable prospecting depth, lateral resolution and detection efficiency. For the test of GREATEM system in goaf water detection, an experimental survey was conducted at Qinshui coal mine (Shanxi province, China). After data acquisition, noise reduction and inversion, the resistivity profiles of survey area is presented. The results highly agree the investigation information provided by Shanxi Coal Geology Geophysical Surveying Exploration Institute (China), conforming that the GREATEM system is an effective technique for resistivity detection of goaf water.

Semi-Supervised Novelty Detection with Adaptive Eigenbases, and Application to Radio Transients

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, David R.; Majid, Walid A.; Reed, Colorado J.; Wagstaff, Kiri L.

2011-01-01

We present a semi-supervised online method for novelty detection and evaluate its performance for radio astronomy time series data. Our approach uses adaptive eigenbases to combine 1) prior knowledge about uninteresting signals with 2) online estimation of the current data properties to enable highly sensitive and precise detection of novel signals. We apply the method to the problem of detecting fast transient radio anomalies and compare it to current alternative algorithms. Tests based on observations from the Parkes Multibeam Survey show both effective detection of interesting rare events and robustness to known false alarm anomalies.

The nature of the CO{sub 2}{sup −} radical anion in water

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Janik, Ireneusz; Tripathi, G. N. R.

2016-04-21

The reductive conversion of CO{sub 2} into industrial products (e.g., oxalic acid, formic acid, methanol) can occur via aqueous CO{sub 2}{sup −} as a transient intermediate. While the formation, structure, and reaction pathways of this radical anion have been modelled for decades using various spectroscopic and theoretical approaches, we present here, for the first time, a vibrational spectroscopic investigation in liquid water, using pulse radiolysis time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy for its preparation and observation. Excitation of the radical in resonance with its 235 nm absorption displays a transient Raman band at 1298 cm{sup −1}, attributed to the symmetric CO stretch,more » which is at ∼45 cm{sup −1} higher frequency than in inert matrices. Isotopic substitution at C ({sup 13}CO{sub 2}{sup −}) shifts the frequency downwards by 22 cm{sup −1}, which confirms its origin and the assignment. A Raman band of moderate intensity compared to the stronger 1298 cm{sup −1} band also appears at 742 cm{sup −1} and is assignable to the OCO bending mode. A reasonable resonance enhancement of this mode is possible only in a bent CO{sub 2}{sup −}(C{sub 2v}/C{sub s}) geometry. These resonance Raman features suggest a strong solute-solvent interaction, the water molecules acting as constituents of the radical structure, rather than exerting a minor solvent perturbation. However, there is no evidence of the non-equivalence (C{sub s}) of the two CO bonds. A surprising resonance Raman feature is the lack of overtones of the symmetric CO stretch, which we interpret due to the detachment of the electron from the CO{sub 2}{sup −} moiety towards the solvation shell. Electron detachment occurs at the energies of 0.28 ± 0.03 eV or higher with respect to the zero point energy of the ground electronic state. The issue of acid-base equilibrium of the radical, which has been in contention for decades, as reflected in a wide variation in the reported pK{sub a

Non-toxic novel route synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline ZnS{sub x}Se{sub 1−x} thin films with tunable band gap characteristics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Agawane, G.L., E-mail: agawaneganesh@gmail.com; Shin, Seung Wook; Vanalakar, S.A.

2014-07-01

Highlights: • A simple, inexpensive, and non-toxic CBD route is used to deposit ZnS thin films. • The ZnS{sub x}Se{sub 1−x} thin films formation takes place via annealing of ZnS thin films in Se atmosphere. • S/(S + Se) ratio found to be temperature dependent and easy tuning of band gap has been done by Se atom deposition. - Abstract: An environmentally benign chemical bath deposition (CBD) route was employed to deposit zinc sulfide (ZnS) thin films. The CBD-ZnS thin films were further selenized in a furnace at various temperatures viz. 200, 300, 400, and 500 °C and the S/(Smore » + Se) ratio was found to be dependent on the annealing temperature. The effects of S/(S + Se) ratio on the structural, compositional and optical properties of the ZnS{sub x}Se{sub 1−x} (ZnSSe) thin films were investigated. EDS analysis showed that the S/(S + Se) ratio decreased from 0.8 to 0.6 when the film annealing temperature increased from 200 to 500 °C. The field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy studies showed that all the films were uniform, pin hole free, smooth, and adhered well to the glass substrate. The X-ray diffraction study on the ZnSSe thin films showed the formation of the cubic phase, except for the unannealed ZnSSe thin film, which showed an amorphous phase. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed Zn-S, Zn-Se, and insignificant Zn-OH bonds formation from the Zn 2p{sub 3/2}, S 2p, Se 3d{sub 5/2}, and O 1s atomic states, respectively. The ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy study showed ∼80% transmittance in the visible region for all the ZnSSe thin films having various absorption edges. The tuning of the band gap energy of the ZnSSe thin films was carried out by selenizing CBD-ZnS thin films, and as the S/(S + Se) ratio decreased from 0.8 to 0.6, the band gap energy decreased from 3.20 to 3.12 eV.« less

Fast luminous blue transients from newborn black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kashiyama, Kazumi; Quataert, Eliot

2015-08-01

Newborn black holes in collapsing massive stars can be accompanied by a fallback disc. The accretion rate is typically super-Eddington and strong disc outflows are expected. Such outflows could be directly observed in some failed explosions of compact (blue supergiants or Wolf-Rayet stars) progenitors, and may be more common than long-duration gamma-ray bursts. Using an analytical model, we show that the fallback disc outflows produce blue UV-optical transients with a peak bolometric luminosity of ˜ 1042-43 erg s- 1 (peak R-band absolute AB magnitudes of -16 to -18) and an emission duration of ˜ a few to ˜10 d. The spectra are likely dominated intermediate mass elements, but will lack much radioactive nuclei and iron-group elements. The above properties are broadly consistent with some of the rapid blue transients detected by Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System and Palomar Transient Factory. This scenario can be distinguished from alternative models using radio observations within a few years after the optical peak.

Band Anticrossing in Highly Mismatched Compound Semiconductor Alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yu, Kin Man; Wu, J.; Walukiewicz, W.; Ager, J. W.; Haller, E. E.; Miotkowski, I.; Su, Ching-Hua; Curreri, Peter A. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Compound semiconductor alloys in which metallic anions are partially replaced with more electronegative isoelectronic atoms have recently attracted significant attention. Group IIIN(sub x)V(sub 1-x) alloys with a small amount of the electronegative N substituting more metallic column V elements has been the most extensively studied class of such Highly Mismatched Alloys (HMAs). We have shown that many of the unusual properties of the IIIN(sub x)V(sub 1-x) alloys can be well explained by the Band Anticrossing (BAC) model that describes the electronic structure in terms of an interaction between highly localized levels of substitutional N and the extended states of the host semiconductor matrix. Most recently the BAC model has been also used to explain similar modifications of the electronic band structure observed in Te-rich ZnS(sub x)Te(sub 1-x) and ZnSe(sub y)Te(sub 1-y) alloys. To date studies of HMAs have been limited to materials with relatively small concentrations of highly electronegative atoms. Here we report investigations of the electronic structure of ZnSe(sub y)Te(sub 1-y) alloys in the entire composition range, y between 0 and 1. The samples used in this study are bulk ZnSe(sub y)Te(sub 1-y) crystals grown by either a modified Bridgman method or by physical vapor transport. Photomodulated reflection (PR) spectroscopy was used to measure the composition dependence of optical transitions from the valence band edge and from the spin-orbit split off band to the conduction band. The pressure dependence of the band gap was measured using optical absorption in a diamond anvil cell. We find that the energy of the spin-orbit split off valence band edge does not depend on composition and is located at about 3 eV below the conduction band edge of ZnSe. On the Te-rich side the pressure and the composition dependence of the optical transitions are well explained by the BAC model which describes the downward shift of the conduction band edge in terms of the

VizieR Online Data Catalog: 14 unusual IR transients with Spitzer (SPRITEs) (Kasliwal+, 2017)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasliwal, M. M.; Bally, J.; Masci, F.; Cody, A. M.; Bond, H. E.; Jencson, J. E.; Tinyanont, S.; Cao, Yi; Contreras, C.; Dykhoff, D. A.; Amodeo, S.; Armus, L.; Boyer, M.; Cantiello, M.; Carlon, R. L.; Cass, A. C.; Cook, D.; Corgan, D. T.; Faella, J.; Fox, O. D.; Green, W.; Gehrz, R. D.; Helou, G.; Hsiao, E.; Johansson, J.; Khan, R. M.; Lau, R. M.; Langer, N.; Levesque, E.; Milne, P.; Mohamed, S.; Morrell, N.; Monson, A.; Moore, A.; Ofek, E. O.; O'Sullivan, D.; Parthasarathy, M.; Perez, A.; Perley, D. A.; Phillips, M.; Prince, T. A.; Shenoy, D.; Smith, N.; Surace, J.; van Dyk, S. D.; Whitelock, P. A.; Williams, R.

2017-11-01

The SPitzer InfraRed Intensive Transients Survey (SPIRITS) survey uses the IRAC instrument (FoV 5'x5') on board the warm Spitzer telescope to search for IR transients at 3.6um ([3.6]) and 4.5um ([4.5]). SPIRITS is a five-year survey from 2014 to 2018 (Kasliwal+ 2013sptz.prop10136K, 2016sptz.prop13053K). We are undertaking concomitant ground-based surveys to monitor the SPIRITS galaxy sample in the near-IR and the optical at roughly a monthly cadence. At the University of Minnesota's Mt. Lemmon Observing Facility (MLOF), we use the three-channel Two Micron All Sky Survey cameras mounted on the 1.52m IR telescope. At Las Campanas, we undertake near-IR monitoring with the Retrocam on Dupont 100 inch telescope and optical monitoring using the CCD on the Swope 40 inch telescope. At Palomar, we use the Samuel Oschin 48 inch (primarily gr-band) and Palomar 60 inch telescopes (gri-bands) for optical monitoring. Using the LCOGT network, we obtain additional optical monitoring in gri-bands. In addition, a follow-up of discovered transients was undertaken by a myriad of facilities including Keck, Magellan, Palomar 200 inch, SALT, and RATIR. Following non-detections from the ground, we were able to set even deeper magnitude limits for two transients based on a small HST Director's Discretionary program (GO/DD-13935, PI H. Bond). We imaged SPIRITS 14aje (in M101) and SPIRITS 14axa (in M81) with the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) in 2014 September. (5 data files).

VLITE-Fast: A Real-time, 350 MHz Commensal VLA Survey for Fast Transients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kerr, Matthew; Ray, Paul S.; Kassim, Namir E.; Clarke, Tracy; Deneva, Julia; Polisensky, Emil

2018-01-01

The VLITE (VLA Low Band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment; http://vlite.nrao.edu) program operates commensally during all Very Large Array observations, collecting data from 320 to 384 MHz. Recently expanded to include 16 antennas, the large field of view and huge time on sky offer good coverage of the transient, low-frequency sky. We describe the VLITE-Fast system, a GPU-based signal processor capable of detecting short (<1s) transients in real time and triggering recording of baseband voltage for offline imaging. In the case of Fast Radio Bursts, this offers the opportunity for discovering host galaxies of non-repeating FRBs, and in the case of single pulses, the identification of pulsar positions for dedicated follow-up. We describe the observing system, techniques for mitigating interference, and initial results from searches for FRBs.

Optical properties of La{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} and La{sub 2-x}Ca{sub x}CuO{sub 4} crystallites in UV-vis-NIR region synthesized by sol-gel process

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li Yifeng; Huang Jianfeng, E-mail: hjfnpu@163.com; Cao Liyun

2012-02-15

La{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} and La{sub 2-x}Ca{sub x}CuO{sub 4} crystallites were prepared via a simple sol-gel process. The as-prepared La{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} and La{sub 2} {sub -x}Ca{sub x}CuO{sub 4} crystallites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope and UV-vis-NIR spectra. Results show that the grain size of La{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} crystallites increases with the increase of heat treatment temperature from 600 Degree-Sign C to 800 Degree-Sign C. Optical properties show that La{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} crystallites have broad absorption both in the UV-vis region and in the NIR region. The band gap of the as-prepared crystallites decreases from 1.367 eV tomore » 1.284 eV with the increase of calcination temperature from 600 Degree-Sign C to 800 Degree-Sign C. In the series of La{sub 2-x}Ca{sub x}CuO{sub 4} compounds (x = 0.05, 0.08, 0.10, 0.12, 0.15 and 0.20), all of the samples exhibit an orthogonal crystal structure and the solubility limit of Ca{sup 2+} in La{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} is within the range of x = 0.12-0.15. In the whole UV-vis-NIR region, La{sub 2-x}Ca{sub x}CuO{sub 4} crystallites exhibit a broad absorption and the corresponding band gap first increases and then decreases with increasing of Ca{sup 2+} content. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The optical band gap can be tuned by adjusting the grain size and Ca{sup 2+} content. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer La{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} crystallites exhibit a broad absorption band both in the UV-vis region and in the NIR region. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The band gap increases from 1.284 eV to 1.319 eV with the decrease of heat treatment temperature. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer In the whole UV-vis-NIR region, the La{sub 2-x}Ca{sub x}CuO{sub 4} crystallites displayed a broad absorption. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The band gap of La{sub 2-x}Ca{sub x}CuO{sub 4} increases linearly with doping level when 0 {<=} x {<=} 0.12.« less

C{sub 60} AS A PROBE FOR ASTROPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brieva, A. C.; Jäger, C.; Huisken, F.

2016-08-01

The C{sub 60} molecule has been recently detected in a wide range of astrophysical environments through its four active intramolecular vibrational modes ( T {sub 1u}) near 18.9, 17.4, 8.5, and 7.0 μ m. The strengths of the mid-infrared emission bands have been used to infer astrophysical conditions in the fullerene-rich regions. Widely varying values of the relative intrinsic strengths (RIS) of these four bands are reported in laboratory and theoretical papers, which impedes the derivation of the excitation mechanism of C{sub 60} in the astrophysical sources. The spectroscopic analysis of the C{sub 60} samples produced with our method deliversmore » highly reproducible RIS values of 100, 25 ± 1, 26 ± 1 and 40 ± 4. A comparison of the inferred C{sub 60} emission band strengths with the astrophysical data shows that the observed strengths cannot be explained in terms of fluorescent or thermal emission alone. The large range in the observed 17.4 μ m/18.9 μ m emission ratios indicates that either the emission bands contain significant contributions from emitters other than C{sub 60}, or that the population distribution among the C{sub 60} vibrational modes is affected by physical processes other than thermal or UV excitation, such as chemo-luminescence from nascent C{sub 60} or possibly Poincaré fluorescence resulting from an inverse internal energy conversion. We have carefully analyzed the effect of the weakly active fundamental modes and second order modes in the mid-infrared spectrum of C{sub 60}, and propose that neutral C{sub 60} is the carrier of the unidentified emission band at 6.49 μ m which has been observed in fullerene-rich environments.« less

Transient Volcano Deformation Event Detection over Variable Spatial Scales in Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, J. D.; Rude, C. M.; Gowanlock, M.; Herring, T.; Pankratius, V.

2016-12-01

Transient deformation events driven by volcanic activity can be monitored using increasingly dense networks of continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) ground stations. The wide spatial extent of GPS networks, the large number of GPS stations, and the spatially and temporally varying scale of deformation events result in the mixing of signals from multiple sources. Typical analysis then necessitates manual identification of times and regions of volcanic activity for further study and the careful tuning of algorithmic parameters to extract possible transient events. Here we present a computer-aided discovery system that facilitates the discovery of potential transient deformation events at volcanoes by providing a framework for selecting varying spatial regions of interest and for tuning the analysis parameters. This site specification step in the framework reduces the spatial mixing of signals from different volcanic sources before applying filters to remove interfering signals originating from other geophysical processes. We analyze GPS data recorded by the Plate Boundary Observatory network and volcanic activity logs from the Alaska Volcano Observatory to search for and characterize transient inflation events in Alaska. We find 3 transient inflation events between 2008 and 2015 at the Akutan, Westdahl, and Shishaldin volcanoes in the Aleutian Islands. The inflation event detected in the first half of 2008 at Akutan is validated other studies, while the inflation events observed in early 2011 at Westdahl and in early 2013 at Shishaldin are previously unreported. Our analysis framework also incorporates modelling of the transient inflation events and enables a comparison of different magma chamber inversion models. Here, we also estimate the magma sources that best describe the deformation observed by the GPS stations at Akutan, Westdahl, and Shishaldin. We acknowledge support from NASA AIST-NNX15AG84G (PI: V. Pankratius).

Experimental and Coupled-channels Investigation of the Radiative Properties of the N2 c4 (sup 1)Sigma+(sub u) - X (sup 1)Sigma+(sub g) Band System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Xianming; Shemansky, Donald E.; Malone, Charles P.; Johnson, Paul V.; Ajello, Joseph M.; Kanik, Isik; Heays, Alan N.; Lewis, Brenton R.; Gibson, Stephen T.; Stark, Glenn

2008-01-01

The emission properties of the N2 c(sup prime)(sub 4) (sup 1)Sigma+(sub u) - Chi (sup 1)Sigma+(sub g) band system have been investigated in a joint experimental and coupled-channels theoretical study. Relative intensities of the c(sup prime)(sub 4) (sup 1)Sigma+(sub u)(0) - Chi (sup 1)Sigma+(sub g)(v(sub i)) transitions, measured via electron-impact-induced emission spectroscopy, are combined with a coupled-channel Schroedinger equation (CSE) model of the N2 molecule, enabling determination of the diabatic electronic transition moment for the c(sup prime)(sub 4) (sup 1)Sigma+(sub u) - Chi (sup 1)Sigma+(sub g) system as a function of internuclear distance. The CSE probabilities are further verified by comparison with a high-resolution experimental spectrum. Spontaneous transition probabilities of the c(sup prime)(sub 4) (sup 1)Sigma+(sub u) - Chi (sup 1)Sigma+(sub g) modeling atmospheric emission, can now be calculated reliably.

The Swift-BAT Hard X-ray Transient Monitor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krimm, Hans; Markwardt, C. B.; Sanwal, D.; Tueller, J.

2006-01-01

The Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) on the Swift satellite is a large field of view instrument that continually monitors the sky to provide the gamma-ray burst trigger for Swift. An average of more than 70% of the sky is observed on a daily basis. The survey mode data is processed on two sets on time scales: from one minute to one day as part of the transient monitor program, and from one spacecraft pointing (approx.20 minutes) to the full mission duration for the hard X-ray survey program. The transient monitor has recently become public through the web site http:// swift.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/swift/results/transients/. Sky images are processed to detect astrophysical sources in the 15-50 keV energy band and the detected flux or upper limit is calculated for >100 sources on time scales up to one day. Light curves are updated each time that new BAT data becomes available (approx.10 times daily). In addition, the monitor is sensitive to an outburst from a new or unknown source. Sensitivity as a function of time scale for catalog and unknown sources will be presented. The daily exposure for a typical source is approx.1500-3000 seconds, with a 1-sigma sensitivity of approx.4 mCrab. 90% of the sources are sampled at least every 16 days, but many sources are sampled daily. It is expected that the Swift-BAT transient monitor will become an important resource for the high energy astrophysics community.

Sub-GHz-resolution C-band Nyquist-filtering interleaver on a high-index-contrast photonic integrated circuit.

PubMed

Zhuang, Leimeng; Zhu, Chen; Corcoran, Bill; Burla, Maurizio; Roeloffzen, Chris G H; Leinse, Arne; Schröder, Jochen; Lowery, Arthur J

2016-03-21

Modern optical communications rely on high-resolution, high-bandwidth filtering to maximize the data-carrying capacity of fiber-optic networks. Such filtering typically requires high-speed, power-hungry digital processes in the electrical domain. Passive optical filters currently provide high bandwidths with low power consumption, but at the expense of resolution. Here, we present a passive filter chip that functions as an optical Nyquist-filtering interleaver featuring sub-GHz resolution and a near-rectangular passband with 8% roll-off. This performance is highly promising for high-spectral-efficiency Nyquist wavelength division multiplexed (N-WDM) optical super-channels. The chip provides a simple two-ring-resonator-assisted Mach-Zehnder interferometer, which has a sub-cm² footprint owing to the high-index-contrast Si<sub>3sub>N>4sub>/SiO>2sub> waveguide, while manifests low wavelength-dependency enabling C-band (> 4 THz) coverage with more than 160 effective free spectral ranges of 25 GHz. This device is anticipated to be a critical building block for spectrally-efficient, chip-scale transceivers and ROADMs for N-WDM super-channels in next-generation optical communication networks.

Millimeter transient point sources in the SPTpol 100 square degree survey

DOE PAGES

Whitehorn, N.; Natoli, T.; Ade, P. A. R.; ...

2016-10-18

The millimeter transient sky is largely unexplored, with measurements limited to follow-up of objects detected at other wavelengths. High-angular-resolution telescopes, designed for measurement of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), offer the possibility to discover new, unknown transient sources in this band—particularly the afterglows of unobserved gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Here, we use the 10 m millimeter-wave South Pole Telescope, designed for the primary purpose of observing the CMB at arcminute and larger angular scales, to conduct a search for such objects. During the 2012–2013 season, the telescope was used to continuously observe a 100 deg 2 patch of sky centered atmore » R.A. 23 h30 m and decl. –55° using the polarization-sensitive SPTpol camera in two bands centered at 95 and 150 GHz. These 6000 hr of observations provided continuous monitoring for day- to month-scale millimeter-wave transient sources at the 10 mJy level. As a result, one candidate object was observed with properties broadly consistent with a GRB afterglow, but at a statistical significance too low (p = 0.01) to confirm detection.« less

MILLIMETER TRANSIENT POINT SOURCES IN THE SPTpol 100 SQUARE DEGREE SURVEY

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Whitehorn, N.; Haan, T. de; George, E. M.

The millimeter transient sky is largely unexplored, with measurements limited to follow-up of objects detected at other wavelengths. High-angular-resolution telescopes, designed for measurement of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), offer the possibility to discover new, unknown transient sources in this band—particularly the afterglows of unobserved gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Here, we use the 10 m millimeter-wave South Pole Telescope, designed for the primary purpose of observing the CMB at arcminute and larger angular scales, to conduct a search for such objects. During the 2012–2013 season, the telescope was used to continuously observe a 100 deg{sup 2} patch of sky centered atmore » R.A. 23{sup h}30{sup m} and decl. −55° using the polarization-sensitive SPTpol camera in two bands centered at 95 and 150 GHz. These 6000 hr of observations provided continuous monitoring for day- to month-scale millimeter-wave transient sources at the 10 mJy level. One candidate object was observed with properties broadly consistent with a GRB afterglow, but at a statistical significance too low ( p = 0.01) to confirm detection.« less

Millimeter transient point sources in the SPTpol 100 square degree survey

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Whitehorn, N.; Natoli, T.; Ade, P. A. R.

The millimeter transient sky is largely unexplored, with measurements limited to follow-up of objects detected at other wavelengths. High-angular-resolution telescopes, designed for measurement of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), offer the possibility to discover new, unknown transient sources in this band—particularly the afterglows of unobserved gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Here, we use the 10 m millimeter-wave South Pole Telescope, designed for the primary purpose of observing the CMB at arcminute and larger angular scales, to conduct a search for such objects. During the 2012–2013 season, the telescope was used to continuously observe a 100 deg 2 patch of sky centered atmore » R.A. 23 h30 m and decl. –55° using the polarization-sensitive SPTpol camera in two bands centered at 95 and 150 GHz. These 6000 hr of observations provided continuous monitoring for day- to month-scale millimeter-wave transient sources at the 10 mJy level. As a result, one candidate object was observed with properties broadly consistent with a GRB afterglow, but at a statistical significance too low (p = 0.01) to confirm detection.« less

GW quasiparticle energy study of ternary tetradymite Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 2}Se and Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 2}S thin films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shuaibu, Alhassan; Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Nigerian Defence Academy, P.M., 2109. Kaduna Nigeria; Rahman, Md. Mahmudur

In this work, we have evaluated the quasiparticle energies of ternary tetradymite Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 2}Se and Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 2}S using first-principles calculation within the G{sub 0}W{sub 0} methods. We have also performed a broad convergence tests in order to investigate the quasiparticle corrections to the structural parameters and to the semi core d electrons in both of the compounds. For each case, we have calculated the many-body corrections within a one-shot GW method of the compounds. Our results have shown that for Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 2}Se the GW corrections increase the band gap to almost 10%, and for specific atomic positions,more » the band structure shows a close value to the experimental one. For Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 2}S, despite increase in the band gap due to the GW corrections, possibility of bulk resistivity that can be significant for photovoltaic applications was observed.« less

Diurnal variations of ELF transients and background noise in the Schumann resonance band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greenberg, Eran; Price, Colin

2007-02-01

Schumann resonances (SR) are resonant electromagnetic waves in the Earth-ionosphere cavity, induced primarily by lightning discharges, with a fundamental frequency of about 8 Hz and higher-order modes separated by approximately 6 Hz. The SR are made up of the background signal resulting from global lightning activity and extremely low frequency (ELF) transients resulting from particularly intense lightning discharges somewhere on the planet. Since transients within the Earth-ionosphere cavity due to lightning propagate globally in the ELF range, we can monitor and study global ELF transients from a single station. Data from our Negev Desert (Israel) ELF site are collected using two horizontal magnetic induction coils and a vertical electric field ball antenna, monitored in the 5-40 Hz range with a sampling frequency of 250 Hz. In this paper we present statistics related to the probability distribution of ELF transients and background noise in the time domain and its temporal variations during the day. Our results show that the ELF signal in the time domain follows the normal distribution very well. The σ parameter exhibits three peaks at 0800, 1400, and 2000 UT, which are related to the three main global lightning activity centers in Asia, Africa, and America, respectively. Furthermore, the occurrence of intense ELF events obeys the Poisson distribution, with such intense events occurring every ~10 s, depending on the time of the day. We found that the diurnal changes of the σ parameter are several percent of the mean, while for the number of intense events per minute, the diurnal changes are tens of percent about the mean. We also present the diurnal changes of the SR intensities in the frequency domain as observed at our station. To better understand the diurnal variability of the observations, we simulated the measured ELF background noise using space observations as input, as detected by the Optical Transient Detector (OTD). The most active center which is

Transient photocurrent responses in amorphous Zn-Sn-O thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Ju-Yeon; Oh, Sang-A.; Yu, Kyeong Min; Bae, Byung Seong; Yun, Eui-Jung

2015-04-01

In this study we characterized the transient photocurrent responses in solution-processed amorphous zinc-tin-oxide (a-ZTO) thin films measured under light illumination with a wavelength of 400 nm at different temperatures. By using the temperature-dependent photoconductivities of a-ZTO thin films, we extracted the activation energies (E ac ) of photo-excitation and dark relaxation through an extended stretched exponential analysis (SEA). The SEA was found to describe well the dark relaxation characteristics as well as the photo-excitation processes. The SEA also indicates that the dark relaxation process reveals a dispersive transient photoconductivity with a broader distribution of the E ac while the photo-excitation process shows non-dispersive characteristics. Samples exposed by light at temperatures less than 373 K possess the fast processes of photo-excitation and dark relaxation. This suggests that a fast process, for example, a generation/recombination of charged carriers related to a band-to-band transition and/or shallow/deep oxygen-vacancy (V o ) sub-gap donor states, is dominant in the case of light illumination at low temperatures of less than 373 K. The SEA indicates, however, that a much slower process due mainly to the delay of the onset of ionization/neutralization of the deep V o states by multiple-trapping is dominant for samples under light illumination at a high temperature of 373 K. Based on the experimental results, for the dark relaxation process, we conclude that the process transitions from a fast recombination of electrons through band-to-band transitions and/or shallow/deep V o donor states to a slow neutralization of the ionized V o states occurs due to enhanced carrier multiple-trapping by relatively deep V o trap states when the temperature becomes greater than 363 K. An energy band diagram of a-ZTO thin films was proposed in terms of the temperature and the E ac distribution to explain these observed results.

Data-Rate Performance and Coverage of the Sub-Band Vectoring for VDSL 35b Profile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giuliano, Romeo; Mazzenga, Franco; Vatalaro, Francesco

2017-05-01

Vectoring, used in VDSL2 to counteract FEXT, becomes less effective, or even ineffective, when users belong to different vectoring groups. This situation is common when the Regulator imposes sub-loop unbundling and users of uncoordinated service providers cause alien-FEXT. The sub-band vectoring (SBV) technique introduced here, avoids this situation and retains the vectoring benefits. We show SBV allows achieving up to 150 Mbit/s per user in downstream at 200 m from cabinet for VDSL2 profile-35b, with two concurrent service providers. We also introduce the concept of data-rate coverage representing the users' percentage served at a given data-rate in the area.

Properties of Supergiant Fast X-Ray Transients as Observed by Swift

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Romano, P.; Vercellone, S.; Krimm, H. A.; Esposito, P.; Cusumano, C.; LaParola, V.; Mangano, V.; Kennea, J. A.; Burrows, D. N.; Pagani, C.;

Analysis of Sr{sub 5{minus}x}Ba{sub x}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F:Yb{sup 3+} crystals for improved laser performance with diode-pumping

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schaffers, K.I.; Bayramian, A.J.; Marshall, C.D.

Crystals of Yb{sup 3+}:Sr{sub 1-x}Ba{sub x}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F (0 < x < 5) have been investigated as a means to obtain broader absorption bands than are currently available with Yb{sup 3+}:S-FAP [Yb{sup 3+}: Sr{sub 5}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F], thereby improving diode-pumping efficiency for high peak power applications. Large diode-arrays have a FWHM pump band of >5 nm while the FWHM of the 900 nm absorption band for Yb:S-FAP is 5.5 nm; therefore, a significant amount of pump power can be wasted due to the nonideal overlap. Spectroscopic analysis of Yb:Sr{sub 5-x}Ba{sub x}-FAP crystals indicates that adding barium to the lattice increasesmore » the pump band to 13-16 run which more than compensates for the diode-array pump source without a detrimental reduction in absorption cross section. However, the emission cross section decreases by approximately half with relatively no effect on the emission lifetime. The small signal gain has also been measured and compared to the parent material Yb:S-FAP and emission cross sections have been determined by the method of reciprocity, the Filchtbauer-Ladenburg method, and small signal gain. Overall, Yb{sup 3+}:Sr{sub 5-x}Ba{sub x}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F crystals appear to achieve the goal of nearly matching the favorable thermal and laser performance properties of Yb:S-FAP while having a broader absorption band to better accommodate diode pumping.« less

Suppression of transient enhanced diffusion in sub-micron patterned silicon template by dislocation loops formation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hu, Kuan-Kan; Woon, Wei Yen; Chang, Ruey-Dar

We investigate the evolution of two dimensional transient enhanced diffusion (TED) of phosphorus in sub-micron scale patterned silicon template. Samples doped with low dose phosphorus with and without high dose silicon self-implantation, were annealed for various durations. Dopant diffusion is probed with plane-view scanning capacitance microscopy. The measurement revealed two phases of TED. Significant suppression in the second phase TED is observed for samples with high dose self-implantation. Transmission electron microscopy suggests the suppressed TED is related to the evolution of end of range defect formed around ion implantation sidewalls.

Suppression of transient enhanced diffusion in sub-micron patterned silicon template by dislocation loops formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Kuan-Kan; Chang, Ruey-Dar; Woon, Wei Yen

2015-10-01

We investigate the evolution of two dimensional transient enhanced diffusion (TED) of phosphorus in sub-micron scale patterned silicon template. Samples doped with low dose phosphorus with and without high dose silicon self-implantation, were annealed for various durations. Dopant diffusion is probed with plane-view scanning capacitance microscopy. The measurement revealed two phases of TED. Significant suppression in the second phase TED is observed for samples with high dose self-implantation. Transmission electron microscopy suggests the suppressed TED is related to the evolution of end of range defect formed around ion implantation sidewalls.

Band gap tuning of epitaxial SrTiO{sub 3-δ}/Si(001) thin films through strain engineering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cottier, Ryan J.; Steinle, Nathan A.; Currie, Daniel A.

2015-11-30

We investigate the effect of strain and oxygen vacancies (V{sub O}) on the crystal and optical properties of oxygen deficient, ultra-thin (4–30 nm) films of SrTiO{sub 3-δ} (STO) grown heteroepitaxially on p-Si(001) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. We demonstrate that STO band gap tuning can be achieved through strain engineering and show that the energy shift of the direct energy gap transition of SrTiO{sub 3-δ}/Si films has a quantifiable dimensional and doping dependence that correlates well with the changes in crystal structure.

Distinct enhancement of sub-bandgap photoresponse through intermediate band in high dose implanted ZnTe:O alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jing; Ye, Jiandong; Ren, Fangfang; Tang, Dongming; Yang, Yi; Tang, Kun; Gu, Shulin; Zhang, Rong; Zheng, Youdou

2017-03-01

The demand for high efficiency intermediate band (IB) solar cells is driving efforts in producing high quality IB photovoltaic materials. Here, we demonstrate ZnTe:O highly mismatched alloys synthesized by high dose ion implantation and pulsed laser melting exhibiting optically active IB states and efficient sub-gap photoresponse, as well as investigate the effect of pulsed laser melting on the structural and optical recovery in detail. The structural evolution and vibrational dynamics indicates a significant structural recovery of ZnTe:O alloys by liquid phase epitaxy during pulsed laser melting process, but laser irradiation also aggravates the segregation of Te in ZnTe:O alloys. A distinct intermediate band located at 1.8 eV above valence band is optically activated as evidenced by photoluminescence, absorption and photoresponse characteristics. The carrier dynamics indicates that carriers in the IB electronic states have a relatively long lifetime, which is beneficial for the fast separation of carriers excited by photons with sub-gap energy and thus the improved overall conversion efficiency. The reproducible capability of implantation and laser annealing at selective area enable the realization of high efficient lateral junction solar cells, which can ensure extreme light trapping and efficient charge separation.

Electronic structure of Pr{sub 1{minus}x}Y{sub x}Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} (x=0, 0.5, and 1.0)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kakinuma, K.; Fueki, K.

1997-08-01

In order to elucidate the reason why PrBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y}is not a superconductor, we examined the Pr valence and measured the oxygen nonstoichiometry and the conductivity at temperatures up to 1200 K for three kinds of oxides, PrBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y}, (Pr{sub 0.5}Y{sub 0.5})Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y}, and YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y}. The valence of Pr was found to be +3. Any difference was not found in oxygen nonstoichiometry and conductivity among three kinds of oxides. We analyzed the data of oxygen nonstoichiometry on the basis of defect thermodynamics and calculated the numbers of Cu{sup +}, Cu{sup 2+}, andmore » Cu{sup 3+} ions in the unit cell as a function of y. The number of Cu{sup 3+} ions (the amount of holes) was found to be proportional to ({Delta}y){sup 1.6}({Delta}y=y{minus}6.0), whereas the conductivity was found to be proportional to ({Delta}y){sup 3.2} in these oxides. We interpreted the remarkable increase of {sigma} with {Delta}y as an evidence of the increase of both mobility and hole concentration with {Delta}y. At high temperatures, we detected the conductivity minimum {sigma}{sub min} which was found in the log{sub 10}{sigma}{minus}log{sub 10}P{sub O{sub 2}} plot at constant temperatures. From the slope of the Arrhenius plot for {sigma}{sub min}, the band gap was determined to be 1.21, 1.32, and 1.37 eV for PrBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y}, (Pr{sub 0.5}Y{sub 0.5})Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} and YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y}, respectively. We determined the conductivity of the same oxygen content as a function of temperature from 4.2 to 1200 K. The energy gap {Delta}E between the acceptor level and the top of the valence band was calculated from the slope of the Arrhenius plot for conductivity. {Delta}E for superconducting YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} and (Pr{sub 0.5}Y{sub 0.5})Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} were zero at 300 K but that for nonsuperconducting PrBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} was 20 meV at 100 K even for y=6.93. (Abstract

Improvement of band gap profile in Cu(InGa)Se{sub 2} solar cells through rapid thermal annealing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, D.S.; College of Mathematics and Physics, Shanghai University of Electric Power, Shanghai, 200090; Yang, J.

Highlights: • Proper RTA treatment can effectively optimize band gap profile to more expected level. • Inter-diffusion of atoms account for the improvement of the graded band gap profile. • The variation of the band gap profile created an absolute gain in the efficiency by 1.22%. - Abstract: In the paper, the effect of rapid thermal annealing on non-optimal double-graded band gap profiles was investigated by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and capacitance–voltage measurement techniques. Experimental results revealed that proper rapid thermal annealing treatment can effectively improve band gap profile to more optimal level. The annealing treatment could not only reducemore » the values of front band gap and minimum band gap, but also shift the position of the minimum band gap toward front electrode and enter into space charge region. In addition, the thickness of Cu(InGa)Se{sub 2} thin film decreased by 25 nm after rapid thermal annealing treatment. All of these modifications were attributed to the inter-diffusion of atoms during thermal treatment process. Simultaneously, the variation of the band gap profile created an absolute gain in the efficiency by 1.22%, short-circuit current density by 2.16 mA/cm{sup 2} and filled factor by 3.57%.« less

Dose-dependent suppression by ethanol of transient auditory 40-Hz response.

PubMed

Jääskeläinen, I P; Hirvonen, J; Saher, M; Pekkonen, E; Sillanaukee, P; Näätänen, R; Tiitinen, H

2000-02-01

Acute alcohol (ethanol) challenge is known to induce various cognitive disturbances, yet the neural basis of the effect is poorly known. The auditory transient evoked gamma-band (40-Hz) oscillatory responses have been suggested to be associated with various perceptual and cognitive functions in humans; however, alcohol effects on auditory 40-Hz responses have not been investigated to date. The objective of the study was to test the dose-related impact of alcohol on auditory transient evoked 40-Hz responses during a selective-attention task. Ten healthy social drinkers ingested, in four separate sessions, 0.00, 0. 25, 0.50, or 0.75 g/kg of 10% (v/v) alcohol solution. The order of the sessions was randomized and a double-blind procedure was employed. During a selective attention task, 300-Hz standard and 330-Hz deviant tones were presented to the left ear, and 1000-Hz standards and 1100-Hz deviants to the right ear of the subjects (P=0. 425 for each standard, P=0.075 for each deviant). The subjects attended to a designated ear, and were to detect the deviants therein while ignoring tones to the other ear. The auditory transient evoked 40-Hz responses elicited by both the attended and unattended standard tones were significantly suppressed by the 0.50 and 0.75 g/kg alcohol doses. Alcohol suppresses auditory transient evoked 40-Hz oscillations already with moderate blood alcohol concentrations. Given the putative role of gamma-band oscillations in cognition, this finding could be associated with certain alcohol-induced cognitive deficits.

Method for detecting moment connection fracture using high-frequency transients in recorded accelerations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rodgers, J.E.; Elebi, M.

2011-01-01

The 1994 Northridge earthquake caused brittle fractures in steel moment frame building connections, despite causing little visible building damage in most cases. Future strong earthquakes are likely to cause similar damage to the many un-retrofitted pre-Northridge buildings in the western US and elsewhere. Without obvious permanent building deformation, costly intrusive inspections are currently the only way to determine if major fracture damage that compromises building safety has occurred. Building instrumentation has the potential to provide engineers and owners with timely information on fracture occurrence. Structural dynamics theory predicts and scale model experiments have demonstrated that sudden, large changes in structure properties caused by moment connection fractures will cause transient dynamic response. A method is proposed for detecting the building-wide level of connection fracture damage, based on observing high-frequency, fracture-induced transient dynamic responses in strong motion accelerograms. High-frequency transients are short (<1 s), sudden-onset waveforms with frequency content above 25 Hz that are visually apparent in recorded accelerations. Strong motion data and damage information from intrusive inspections collected from 24 sparsely instrumented buildings following the 1994 Northridge earthquake are used to evaluate the proposed method. The method's overall success rate for this data set is 67%, but this rate varies significantly with damage level. The method performs reasonably well in detecting significant fracture damage and in identifying cases with no damage, but fails in cases with few fractures. Combining the method with other damage indicators and removing records with excessive noise improves the ability to detect the level of damage. ?? 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Systematic study of electronic and magnetic properties for Cu{sub 12–x}TM{sub x}Sb{sub 4}S{sub 13} (TM = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Zn) tetrahedrite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Suekuni, K., E-mail: ksuekuni@hiroshima-u.ac.jp; Tomizawa, Y.; Ozaki, T.

2014-04-14

Substitution effects of 3d transition metal (TM) impurities on electronic and magnetic properties for Cu{sub 12}Sb{sub 4}S{sub 13} tetrahedrite are investigated by the combination of low-temperature experiments and first-principles electronic-structure calculations. The electrical resistivity for the cubic phase of Cu{sub 12}Sb{sub 4}S{sub 13} exhibits metallic behavior due to an electron-deficient character of the compound. Whereas that for 0.5 ≤ x ≤ 2.0 of Cu{sub 12−x}Ni{sub x}Sb{sub 4}S{sub 13} exhibits semiconducting behavior. The substituted Ni for Cu is in the divalent ionic state with a spin magnetic moment and creates impurity bands just above the Fermi level at the top of the valence band. Therefore,more » the semiconducting behavior of the electrical resistivity is attributed to the thermal excitation of electrons from the valence band to the impurity band. The substitution effect of TM on the electronic structure and the valency of TM for Cu{sub 11.0}TM{sub 1.0}Sb{sub 4}S{sub 13} are systematically studied by the calculation. The substituted Mn, Fe, and Co for Cu are found to be in the ionic states with the spin magnetic moments due to the large exchange splitting of the 3d bands between the minority- and majority-spin states.« less

Growth and characterization of highly tensile strained Ge{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x} formed on relaxed In{sub y}Ga{sub 1−y}P buffer layers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Wei; D'Costa, Vijay Richard; Dong, Yuan

2016-03-28

Ge{sub 0.94}Sn{sub 0.06} films with high tensile strain were grown on strain-relaxed In{sub y}Ga{sub 1−y}P virtual substrates using solid-source molecular beam epitaxy. The in-plane tensile strain in the Ge{sub 0.94}Sn{sub 0.06} film was varied by changing the In mole fraction in In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}P buffer layer. The tensile strained Ge{sub 0.94}Sn{sub 0.06} films were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. An in-plane tensile strain of up to 1% in the Ge{sub 0.94}Sn{sub 0.06} was measured, which is much higher than that achieved using other buffer systems. Controlled thermal anneal experiment demonstrated that the strain was notmore » relaxed for temperatures up to 500 °C. The band alignment of the tensile strained Ge{sub 0.94}Sn{sub 0.06} on In{sub 0.77}Ga{sub 0.23}P was obtained by high resolution x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The Ge{sub 0.94}Sn{sub 0.06}/In{sub 0.77}Ga{sub 0.23}P interface was found to be of the type I band alignment, with a valence band offset of 0.31 ± 0.12 eV and a conduction band offset of 0.74 ± 0.12 eV.« less

Factors influencing the temporal growth rate of the high order TM{sub 0n} modes in the Ka-band overmoded Cherenkov oscillator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wu, Dapeng, E-mail: vipbenjamin@163.com; Shu, Ting; Ju, Jinchuan

2015-06-15

When the wavelength of overmoded Cherenkov oscillator goes into Ka-band, power handling capacity becomes an essential issue. Using the TM{sub 02} mode or higher order TM{sub 0n} modes as the operating mode is a potential solution. This paper is aimed to find some proper parameters to make the temporal growth rate of the TM{sub 02} mode higher in our previously studied Gigawatt (GW)-class Ka band oscillator. An accurate and fast calculation method of the “hot” dispersion equation is derived for rectangular corrugated SWSs, which are widely used in the high frequency Cherenkov devices. Then, factors that affect the temporal growthmore » rate of the high order TM{sub 0n} modes are analyzed, including the depth of corrugation, the radius of drift tube, and the diode voltage. Results show that, when parameters are chosen properly, the temporal growth rate of the TM{sub 02} mode can be as high as 0.3 ns{sup −1}.« less

The Palomar Transient Factory: Introduction and Data Release

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Surace, Jason Anthony

2015-08-01

The Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) is a synoptic sky survey in operation since 2009. PTF utilizes a 7.1 square degree camera on the Palomar 48-inch Schmidt telescope to survey the sky primarily at a single wavelength (R-band) at a rate of 1000-3000 square degrees a night, to a depth of roughly 20.5. The data are used to detect and study transient and moving objects such as gamma ray bursts, supernovae and asteroids, as well as variable phenomena such as quasars and Galactic stars. The data processing system handles realtime processing and detection of transients, solar system object processing, high photometric precision processing and light curve generation, and long-term archiving and curation. Although a significant scientific installation in of itself, PTF also serves as the prototype for our next generation project, the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF). Beginning operations in 2017, ZTF will feature a 50 square degree camera which will enable scanning of the entire northern visible sky every night. ZTF in turn will serve as a stepping stone to the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST).We announce the availability of the second PTF public data release, which includes epochal images and catalogs, as well as deep (coadded) reference images and associated catalogs, for the majority of the northern sky. The epochal data span the time period from 2009 through 2012, with various cadences and coverages, typically in the tens or hundreds for most points on the sky. The data are available through both a GUI and software API portal at the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center at Caltech. The PTF and current iPTF projects are multi-partner multi-national collaborations.

Study of barrier height and trap centers of Au/n-Hg{sub 3}In{sub 2}Te{sub 6} Schottky contacts by current-voltage (I-V) characteristics and deep level transient spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Yapeng; Fu, Li, E-mail: fuli@nwpu.edu.cn; Sun, Jie

2015-02-28

The temperature-dependent electrical characteristics of the Au/n-Hg{sub 3}In{sub 2}Te{sub 6} Schottky contact have been studied at the temperature range of 140 K–315 K. Based on the thermionic emission theory, the ideality factor and Schottky barrier height were calculated to decrease and increase from 3.18 to 1.88 and 0.39 eV to 0.5 eV, respectively, when the temperature rose from 140 K to 315 K. This behavior was interpreted by the lateral inhomogeneities of Schottky barrier height at the interface of Au/n-Hg{sub 3}In{sub 2}Te{sub 6} contact, which was shown by the plot of zero-bias barrier heights Φ{sub bo} versus q/2kT. Meanwhile, it was found that the Schottky barriermore » height with a Gaussian distribution was 0.67 eV and the standard deviation σ{sub 0} was about 0.092 eV, indicating that the uneven distribution of barrier height at the interface region. In addition, the mean value of Φ{sup ¯}{sub b0} and modified Richardson constant was determined to be 0.723 eV and 62.8 A/cm{sup 2}K{sup 2} from the slope and intercept of the ln(I{sub o}/T{sup 2}) – (qσ{sub 0}{sup 2}/2k{sup 2}T{sup 2}) versus q/kT plot, respectively. Finally, two electron trap centers were observed at the interface of Au/n-Hg{sub 3}In{sub 2}Te{sub 6} Schottky contact by means of deep level transient spectroscopy.« less

The Difference Imaging Pipeline for the Transient Search in the Dark Energy Survey

DOE PAGES

Kessler, R.

2015-09-09

We describe the operation and performance of the difference imaging pipeline (DiffImg) used to detect transients in deep images from the Dark Energy Survey Supernova program (DES-SN) in its first observing season from 2013 August through 2014 February. DES-SN is a search for transients in which ten 3 deg 2 fields are repeatedly observed in the g, r, i, zpassbands with a cadence of about 1 week. Our observing strategy has been optimized to measure high-quality light curves and redshifts for thousands of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) with the goal of measuring dark energy parameters. The essential DiffImg functionsmore » are to align each search image to a deep reference image, do a pixel-by-pixel subtraction, and then examine the subtracted image for significant positive detections of point-source objects. The vast majority of detections are subtraction artifacts, but after selection requirements and image filtering with an automated scanning program, there are ~130 detections per deg 2 per observation in each band, of which only ~25% are artifacts. Of the ~7500 transients discovered by DES-SN in its first observing season, each requiring a detection on at least two separate nights, Monte Carlo (MC) simulations predict that 27% are expected to be SNe Ia or core-collapse SNe. Another ~30% of the transients are artifacts in which a small number of observations satisfy the selection criteria for a single-epoch detection. Spectroscopic analysis shows that most of the remaining transients are AGNs and variable stars. Fake SNe Ia are overlaid onto the images to rigorously evaluate detection efficiencies and to understand the DiffImg performance. Furthermore, the DiffImg efficiency measured with fake SNe agrees well with expectations from a MC simulation that uses analytical calculations of the fluxes and their uncertainties. In our 8 "shallow" fields with single-epoch 50% completeness depth ~23.5, the SN Ia efficiency falls to 1/2 at redshift z ≈ 0.7; in our 2 "deep

The Difference Imaging Pipeline for the Transient Search in the Dark Energy Survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kessler, R.; Marriner, J.; Childress, M.; Covarrubias, R.; D'Andrea, C. B.; Finley, D. A.; Fischer, J.; Foley, R. J.; Goldstein, D.; Gupta, R. R.; Kuehn, K.; Marcha, M.; Nichol, R. C.; Papadopoulos, A.; Sako, M.; Scolnic, D.; Smith, M.; Sullivan, M.; Wester, W.; Yuan, F.; Abbott, T.; Abdalla, F. B.; Allam, S.; Benoit-Lévy, A.; Bernstein, G. M.; Bertin, E.; Brooks, D.; Carnero Rosell, A.; Carrasco Kind, M.; Castander, F. J.; Crocce, M.; da Costa, L. N.; Desai, S.; Diehl, H. T.; Eifler, T. F.; Fausti Neto, A.; Flaugher, B.; Frieman, J.; Gerdes, D. W.; Gruen, D.; Gruendl, R. A.; Honscheid, K.; James, D. J.; Kuropatkin, N.; Li, T. S.; Maia, M. A. G.; Marshall, J. L.; Martini, P.; Miller, C. J.; Miquel, R.; Nord, B.; Ogando, R.; Plazas, A. A.; Reil, K.; Romer, A. K.; Roodman, A.; Sanchez, E.; Sevilla-Noarbe, I.; Smith, R. C.; Soares-Santos, M.; Sobreira, F.; Tarle, G.; Thaler, J.; Thomas, R. C.; Tucker, D.; Walker, A. R.; DES Collaboration

2015-12-01

We describe the operation and performance of the difference imaging pipeline (DiffImg) used to detect transients in deep images from the Dark Energy Survey Supernova program (DES-SN) in its first observing season from 2013 August through 2014 February. DES-SN is a search for transients in which ten 3 deg2 fields are repeatedly observed in the g, r, i, z passbands with a cadence of about 1 week. The observing strategy has been optimized to measure high-quality light curves and redshifts for thousands of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) with the goal of measuring dark energy parameters. The essential DiffImg functions are to align each search image to a deep reference image, do a pixel-by-pixel subtraction, and then examine the subtracted image for significant positive detections of point-source objects. The vast majority of detections are subtraction artifacts, but after selection requirements and image filtering with an automated scanning program, there are ˜130 detections per deg2 per observation in each band, of which only ˜25% are artifacts. Of the ˜7500 transients discovered by DES-SN in its first observing season, each requiring a detection on at least two separate nights, Monte Carlo (MC) simulations predict that 27% are expected to be SNe Ia or core-collapse SNe. Another ˜30% of the transients are artifacts in which a small number of observations satisfy the selection criteria for a single-epoch detection. Spectroscopic analysis shows that most of the remaining transients are AGNs and variable stars. Fake SNe Ia are overlaid onto the images to rigorously evaluate detection efficiencies and to understand the DiffImg performance. The DiffImg efficiency measured with fake SNe agrees well with expectations from a MC simulation that uses analytical calculations of the fluxes and their uncertainties. In our 8 “shallow” fields with single-epoch 50% completeness depth ˜23.5, the SN Ia efficiency falls to 1/2 at redshift z ≈ 0.7; in our 2 “deep” fields with

Attosecond optical-field-enhanced carrier injection into the GaAs conduction band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlaepfer, F.; Lucchini, M.; Sato, S. A.; Volkov, M.; Kasmi, L.; Hartmann, N.; Rubio, A.; Gallmann, L.; Keller, U.

2018-06-01

Resolving the fundamental carrier dynamics induced in solids by strong electric fields is essential for future applications, ranging from nanoscale transistors1,2 to high-speed electro-optical switches3. How fast and at what rate can electrons be injected into the conduction band of a solid? Here, we investigate the sub-femtosecond response of GaAs induced by resonant intense near-infrared laser pulses using attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. In particular, we unravel the distinct role of intra- versus interband transitions. Surprisingly, we found that despite the resonant driving laser, the optical response during the light-matter interaction is dominated by intraband motion. Furthermore, we observed that the coupling between the two mechanisms results in a significant enhancement of the carrier injection from the valence into the conduction band. This is especially unexpected as the intraband mechanism itself can accelerate carriers only within the same band. This physical phenomenon could be used to control ultrafast carrier excitation and boost injection rates in electronic switches in the petahertz regime.

Crystal orientation dependence of band matching in all-B2-trilayer current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistance pseudo spin-valves using Co{sub 2}Fe(Ge{sub 0.5}Ga{sub 0.5}) Heusler alloy and NiAl spacer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Jiamin; Hono, K., E-mail: kazuhiro.hono@nims.go.jp; Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-2-1, Sengen, Tsukuba 305-0047

2015-05-07

We have experimentally investigated the crystal orientation dependence of band matching in current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistance (CPP-GMR) pseudo-spin-valves using Co{sub 2}Fe(Ge{sub 0.5}Ga{sub 0.5}) (CFGG) Heusler alloy ferromagnetic layer and NiAl spacer. The high quality epitaxial CFGG/NiAl/CFGG all-B2-trilayers structure devices were fabricated on both MgO(001) and sapphire (112{sup ¯}0) single crystal substrates to create (001) and (110) crystal orientations. Same magneto-transport properties were observed from these two differently orientated devices indicating that there is no or little orientation dependence of band matching on MR output. We also found that all-B2-trilayer structure was free of lattice matching influence depending on the crystal orientation,more » which made it a good candidate for CPP-GMR device.« less

First NuSTAR Limits on Quiet Sun Hard X-Ray Transient Events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marsh, Andrew J.; Smith, David M.; Glesener, Lindsay; Hannah, Iain G.; Grefenstette, Brian W.; Caspi, Amir; Krucker, Säm; Hudson, Hugh S.; Madsen, Kristin K.; White, Stephen M.; Kuhar, Matej; Wright, Paul J.; Boggs, Steven E.; Christensen, Finn E.; Craig, William W.; Hailey, Charles J.; Harrison, Fiona A.; Stern, Daniel; Zhang, William W.

2017-11-01

We present the first results of a search for transient hard X-ray (HXR) emission in the quiet solar corona with the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) satellite. While NuSTAR was designed as an astrophysics mission, it can observe the Sun above 2 keV with unprecedented sensitivity due to its pioneering use of focusing optics. NuSTAR first observed quiet-Sun regions on 2014 November 1, although out-of-view active regions contributed a notable amount of background in the form of single-bounce (unfocused) X-rays. We conducted a search for quiet-Sun transient brightenings on timescales of 100 s and set upper limits on emission in two energy bands. We set 2.5-4 keV limits on brightenings with timescales of 100 s, expressed as the temperature T and emission measure EM of a thermal plasma. We also set 10-20 keV limits on brightenings with timescales of 30, 60, and 100 s, expressed as model-independent photon fluxes. The limits in both bands are well below previous HXR microflare detections, though not low enough to detect events of equivalent T and EM as quiet-Sun brightenings seen in soft X-ray observations. We expect future observations during solar minimum to increase the NuSTAR sensitivity by over two orders of magnitude due to higher instrument livetime and reduced solar background.

Determination of target detection limits in hyperspectral data using band selection and dimensionality reduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gross, W.; Boehler, J.; Twizer, K.; Kedem, B.; Lenz, A.; Kneubuehler, M.; Wellig, P.; Oechslin, R.; Schilling, H.; Rotman, S.; Middelmann, W.

2016-10-01

Hyperspectral remote sensing data can be used for civil and military applications to robustly detect and classify target objects. High spectral resolution of hyperspectral data can compensate for the comparatively low spatial resolution, which allows for detection and classification of small targets, even below image resolution. Hyperspectral data sets are prone to considerable spectral redundancy, affecting and limiting data processing and algorithm performance. As a consequence, data reduction strategies become increasingly important, especially in view of near-real-time data analysis. The goal of this paper is to analyze different strategies for hyperspectral band selection algorithms and their effect on subpixel classification for different target and background materials. Airborne hyperspectral data is used in combination with linear target simulation procedures to create a representative amount of target-to-background ratios for evaluation of detection limits. Data from two different airborne hyperspectral sensors, AISA Eagle and Hawk, are used to evaluate transferability of band selection when using different sensors. The same target objects were recorded to compare the calculated detection limits. To determine subpixel classification results, pure pixels from the target materials are extracted and used to simulate mixed pixels with selected background materials. Target signatures are linearly combined with different background materials in varying ratios. The commonly used classification algorithms Adaptive Coherence Estimator (ACE) is used to compare the detection limit for the original data with several band selection and data reduction strategies. The evaluation of the classification results is done by assuming a fixed false alarm ratio and calculating the mean target-to-background ratio of correctly detected pixels. The results allow drawing conclusions about specific band combinations for certain target and background combinations. Additionally

Infrared spectral studies of pre- and post-irradiated Li{sub 0.5(1+x)}Ti{sub x}Al{sub 0.1}Fe{sub 2.4-1.5x}O{sub 4} system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chhantbar, M. C.; Joshi, H. H., E-mail: joshihh@gmail.com

2015-06-24

The consequences of 50 MeV Li{sup 3+} ions irradiation on the structural behaviour of polycrystalline samples of spinel ferrite system Li{sub 0.5(1+x)}Ti{sub x}Al{sub 0.1}Fe{sub 2.4-1.5x}O{sub 4} are investigated by using infrared absorption spectroscopy. The IR spectrum showed two main absorption bands ν{sub 1} and ν{sub 2} in the range 400-700 cm{sup −1} arising from tetrahedral and octahedral interstitial sites in the spinel lattice. The shifting and splitting observed in IR frequency bands ν{sub 1} and ν{sub 2} for tetrahedral and octahedral sites under irradiation effect are ascribed to redistribution of cations.

UTa{sub 2}O(S{sub 2}){sub 3}Cl{sub 6}: A ribbon structure containing a heterobimetallic 5d-5f M{sub 3} cluster

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wells, Daniel M.; Chan, George H.; Ellis, Donald E.

2010-02-15

A new solid-state compound containing a heterobimetallic cluster of U and Ta, UTa{sub 2}O(S{sub 2}){sub 3}Cl{sub 6}, has been synthesized and its structure has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. UTa{sub 2}O(S{sub 2}){sub 3}Cl{sub 6} was synthesized from UCl{sub 4} and Ta{sub 1.2}S{sub 2} at 883 K. The O is believed to have originated in the Ta{sub 1.2}S{sub 2} reactant. The compound crystallizes in the space group P1-bar of the triclinic system. The structure comprises a UTa{sub 2} unit bridged by mu{sub 2}-S{sub 2} and mu{sub 3}-O groups. Each Ta atom bonds to two mu{sub 2}-S{sub 2}, the mu{submore » 3}-O, and two terminal Cl atoms. Each U atom bonds to two mu{sub 2}-S{sub 2}, the mu{sub 3}-O, and four Cl atoms. The Cl atoms bridge in pairs to neighboring U atoms to form a ribbon structure. The bond distances are normal and are consistent with formal oxidation states of +IV/+V/-II/-I/-I for U/Ta/O/S/Cl, respectively. The optical absorbance spectrum displays characteristic transition peaks near the absorption edge. Density functional theory was used to assign these peaks to transitions between S{sup 1-} valence-band states and empty U 5f-6d hybrid bands. Density-of-states analysis shows overlap between Ta 5d and U bands, consistent with metal-metal interactions. - The UTa2O(S2)3Cl6 cluster with completed coordination sphere around uranium« less

Preliminary Analysis of X-Band and Ka-Band Radar for Use in the Detection of Icing Conditions Aloft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reehorst, Andrew L.; Koenig, George G.

2004-01-01

NASA and the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) have an on-going activity to develop remote sensing technologies for the detection and measurement of icing conditions aloft. Radar has been identified as a strong tool for this work. However, since the remote detection of icing conditions with the intent to identify areas of icing hazard is a new and evolving capability, there are no set requirements for radar sensitivity. This work is an initial attempt to quantify, through analysis, the sensitivity requirements for an icing remote sensing radar. The primary radar of interest for cloud measurements is Ka-band, however, since NASA is currently using an X-band unit, this frequency is also examined. Several aspects of radar signal analysis were examined. Cloud reflectivity was calculated for several forms of cloud using two different techniques. The Air Force Geophysical Laboratory (AFGL) cloud models, with different drop spectra represented by a modified gamma distribution, were utilized to examine several categories of cloud formation. Also a fundamental methods approach was used to allow manipulation of the cloud droplet size spectra. And an analytical icing radar simulator was developed to examine the complete radar system response to a configurable multi-layer cloud environment. Also discussed is the NASA vertical pointing X-band radar. The radar and its data system are described, and several summer weather events are reviewed.

Photoreflectance study of the near-band-edge transitions of chemical vapor deposition-grown mono- and few-layer MoS{sub 2} films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lin, Kuang-I, E-mail: kilin@mail.ncku.edu.tw; Chen, Yen-Jen; Wang, Bo-Yan

2016-03-21

Room-temperature photoreflectance (PR) and reflectance (R) spectroscopy are utilized to investigate the near-band-edge transitions of molybdenum disulfide (MoS{sub 2}) thin films grown on sapphire substrates by a hot-wall chemical vapor deposition system. The layer thickness and optical properties of the MoS{sub 2} thin films are confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscope, and photoluminescence (PL) analysis. The B exciton shows relatively weak PL intensity in comparing with the A exciton even for monolayer MoS{sub 2} films. In the R spectrum of few‐layer MoS{sub 2}, it is not possible to clearly observe exciton related features. The PR spectra have two sharp,more » derivative-like features on a featureless background. Throughout the PR lineshape fitting, the transition energies are designated as the A and B excitons at the K-point of the Brillouin zone, but at room temperature there seems to be no distinguishable feature corresponding to an H‐point transition for the mono- and few-layer MoS{sub 2} films unlike in bulk. These transition energies are slightly larger than those obtained by PL, which is attributed to the Stokes shifts related to doping level. The obtained values of valence-band spin-orbit splitting are in good agreement with those from other experimental methods. By comparing the PR lineshapes, the dominant modulation mechanism is attributed to variations of the exciton transition energies due to change in the built-in electric field. On the strength of this study, PR spectroscopy is demonstrated as a powerful technique for characterizing the near-band-edge transitions of MoS{sub 2} from monolayer to bulk.« less

Application of the modified transient plane source technique for early detection of liquid explosives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bateman, Robert; Harris, Adam; Lee, Linda; Howle, Christopher R.; Ackermann, Sarah L. G.

2016-05-01

The paper will review the feasibility of adapting the Modified Transient Plane Source (MTPS) method as a screening tool for early-detection of explosives and hazardous materials. Materials can be distinguished from others based on their inherent thermal properties (e.g. thermal effusivity) in testing through different types of barrier materials. A complimentary advantage to this technique relative to other traditional detection technologies is that it can penetrate reflective barrier materials, such as aluminum, easily. A strong proof-of-principle is presented on application of the MTPS transient thermal property measuring in the early-screening of liquid explosives. The work demonstrates a significant sensitivity to distinguishing a wide range of fluids based on their thermal properties through a barrier material. The work covers various complicating factors to the longer-term adoption of such a method including the impact of carbonization and viscosity. While some technical challenges remain, the technique offers significant advantages in complimenting existing detection methods in being able to penetrate reflective metal containers (e.g. aluminum soft drinkscans) with ease.

Enhancing visible light photocatalytic and photocharge separation of (BiO){sub 2}CO{sub 3} plate via dramatic I{sup −} ions doping effect

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liang, Lei; Cao, Jing; Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Functional Composite, Huaibei, 235000, Anhui

Highlights: • Novel I-(BiO){sub 2}CO{sub 3} was prepared by a facile chemical precipitation method. • I{sup −} ions impurity level located on the top of valence band of (BiO){sub 2}CO{sub 3}. • I{sup −} ions doping largely improved photocatalytic activity of I-(BiO){sub 2}CO{sub 3}. • I-(BiO){sub 2}CO{sub 3} displayed excellent photocharge separation efficiency. - Abstract: Novel I{sup −} ions doped (BiO){sub 2}CO{sub 3} (I-(BiO){sub 2}CO{sub 3}) photocatalysts were successfully synthesized via a facile chemical precipitation method. Under visible light (λ > 400 nm), I-(BiO){sub 2}CO{sub 3} displayed much higher activity for rhodamine B and dichlorophenol degradation than the undoped (BiO){submore » 2}CO{sub 3}. The pseudo-first-order rate constant k{sub app} of RhB degradation over 15.0% I-(BiO){sub 2}CO{sub 3} was 0.54 h{sup −1}, which is 11.3 times higher than that of (BiO){sub 2}CO{sub 3}. The doped I{sup −} ions formed an impurity level on the top of valence band of (BiO){sub 2}CO{sub 3} and induced much more visible light to be absorbed. The enhanced photocurrent and surface photovoltage properties were detected, which strongly ensures the efficient separation of electrons and holes in I-(BiO){sub 2}CO{sub 3} system under visible light. It provides a facile way to improve the photocatalytic activity of the wide-band-gap (BiO){sub 2}CO{sub 3} via intense doping effect of I{sup −} ions.« less

White light emission and effect of annealing on the Ho{sup 3+}–Yb{sup 3+} codoped BaCa{sub 2}Al{sub 8}O{sub 15} phosphor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kumari, Astha; Rai, Vineet Kumar, E-mail: vineetkrrai@yahoo.co.in

Graphical abstract: The upconversion emission spectra of the Ho{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+} doped/codoped BaCa{sub 2}Al{sub 8}O{sub 15} phosphors with different doping concentrations of Ho{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+} ions along with UC emission spectrum of the white light emitting phosphor annealed at 800 °C. - Highlights: • BaCa{sub 2}Al{sub 8}O{sub 15} phosphors codoped with Ho{sup 3+}–Yb{sup 3+} have been prepared by combustion method. • Phosphor annealed at 800 °C, illuminate an intense white light upon NIR excitation. • The sample annealed at higher temperatures emits in the pure green region. • The colour emitted persists in the white region even at high pumpmore » power density. • Developed phosphor is suitable for making upconverters and WLEDs. - Abstract: The BaCa{sub 2}Al{sub 8}O{sub 15} (BCAO) phosphors codoped with suitable Ho{sup 3+}–Yb{sup 3+} dopant concentration prepared by combustion method illuminate an intense white light upon near infrared diode laser excitation. The structural analysis of the phosphors and the detection of impurity contents have been performed by using the X-Ray Diffraction, FESEM and FTIR analysis. The purity of white light emitted from the sample has been confirmed by the CIE chromaticity diagram. Also, the white light emitted from the sample persists with the variation of pump power density. The phosphors emit upconversion (UC) emission bands in the blue, green and red region (three primary colours required for white light emission) along with one more band in the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. On annealing the white light emitting sample at higher temperatures, the sample starts to emit green colour and also the intensity of green and red UC emission bands get enhanced largely.« less

Alkali/TX{sub 2} catalysts for CO/H{sub 2} conversion to C{sub 1}-C{sub 4} alcohols. Final technical progress report, September 1, 1988--August 31, 1991

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klier, K.; Herman, R.G.; Richards-Babb, M.

1993-03-01

The objective of this research is to determine the patterns of variations of catalyst activity and selectivity for the synthesis of alcohols from H{sub 2}/CO synthesis gas. Since the source of carbon can be coal-derived synthesis gas, this research makes a contribution to the technology for high quality clean transportation fuels and for basic chemicals from coal. Catalysts prepared were principally based on MoS{sub 2}, RuS{sub 2}, TaS{sub 2}, and NbS{sub 2}. Catalytic testing of these materials was carried out both before and after surface doping with Cs. In alcohol synthesis activation of hydrogen by the catalyst surface is essential.more » Knowledge of transition metal disulfide surface properties is important before the mechanism of hydrogen dissociation can be addressed. The electronic structures of MoS{sub 2}, RuS{sub 2}, and NbS{sub 2} were studied both theoretically and experimentally. Experimental valence bands were obtained by high resolution electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (HR-ESCA, also referred to as x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and theoretical valence bands were calculated using solid state extended Hueckel theory. Comparison of two-dimensional (2-D) MoS{sub 2} theoretical valence bands with the experimental HR-ESCA valence bands of polycrystalline MoS{sub 2} led to parametrization of the S 3s, S 3p, and Mo 4d atomic ionization potentials and Slater-type coefficients and exponents. The S 3s and S 3p parameters obtained for MoS{sub 2} were used to obtain the NbS{sub 2} and RuS{sub 2} theoretical valence bands.« less

Significance of oligoclonal bands after stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma cases.

PubMed

Liu, Ai-Jun; Zong, Hong; Yang, Guang-Zhong; Zhai, Yu-Hua; Li, Li-Hong

2012-01-01

To determine the characteristics of oligoclonal bands that are frequently detected by serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) after stem cell transplantation. We retrospectively analyzed 56 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) undergoing transplantation, and standard immunofixation electrophoresis was used to identify and quantify paraproteins. The median follow-up was 35 months (range, 10-76 months) and 21 patients relapsed. Twelve (25.0%) demonstrated oligoclonal bands after a median time 1.4 months (range, 1-3 months), with a median duration of 5.8 months (range, 1-15 months). The majority patients with oligoclonal bands had normal quantities of immunoglobulins and the one year event free survival (EFS) was 92%, even higher than for patients without OBs (P=0.002). Oligoclonal bands frequent develop post-transplantation in MM cases. In the vast majority of patients, they may not represent relapsed disease, and more likely represent a transient phenomenon representing recovery of impaired immunoglobulin production.

Saccadic spike potentials in gamma-band EEG: characterization, detection and suppression.

PubMed

Keren, Alon S; Yuval-Greenberg, Shlomit; Deouell, Leon Y

2010-02-01

Analysis of high-frequency (gamma-band) neural activity by means of non-invasive EEG is gaining increasing interest. However, we have recently shown that a saccade-related spike potential (SP) seriously confounds the analysis of EEG induced gamma-band responses (iGBR), as the SP eludes traditional EEG artifact rejection methods. Here we provide a comprehensive profile of the SP and evaluate methods for its detection and suppression, aiming to unveil true cerebral gamma-band activity. The SP appears consistently as a sharp biphasic deflection of about 22 ms starting at the saccade onset, with a frequency band of approximately 20-90 Hz. On the average, larger saccades elicit higher SP amplitudes. The SP amplitude gradually changes from the extra-ocular channels towards posterior sites with the steepest gradients around the eyes, indicating its ocular source. Although the amplitude and the sign of the SP depend on the choice of reference channel, the potential gradients remain the same and non-zero for all references. The scalp topography is modulated almost exclusively by the direction of saccades, with steeper gradients ipsilateral to the saccade target. We discuss how the above characteristics impede attempts to remove these SPs from the EEG by common temporal filtering, choice of different references, or rejection of contaminated trials. We examine the extent to which SPs can be reliably detected without an eye tracker, assess the degree to which scalp current density derivation attenuates the effect of the SP, and propose a tailored ICA procedure for minimizing the effect of the SP. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Neutrino detection of transient sources with optical follow-up observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dornic, D.; Ageron, M.; Al Samarai, I.; Basa, S.; Bertin, V.; Brunner, J.; Busto, J.; Escoffier, S.; Schussler, F.; Vallage, B.; Vecchi, M.

2010-12-01

The ANTARES telescope has the opportunity to detect transient neutrino sources,such as gamma-ray bursts,core-collapse supernovae,flares of active galactic nuclei. To enhance the sensitivity to these sources, a new detection method based on coincident observations of neutrinos and optical signals has been developed. For this purpose the ANTARES Collaboration has implemented a fast on-line muon track reconstruction with a good angular resolution. These characteristics allow to trigger a network of optical telescopes in order to identify the nature of the neutrino sources. An optical follow-up of special events, such as neutrino doublets, coincident in time and direction, or single neutrinos with a very high energy, would not only give access to the nature of their sources but also improve the sensitivity for neutrino detection. The alert system is operational since early 2009, and as of September 2010, 22 alerts have been sent to the TAROT and ROTSE telescopes.

Ab-initio study of electronic structure and magnetic properties of half-metallic Fe{sub 2}Mn{sub 1−x}V{sub x}Si{sub 0.5}Al{sub 0.5} alloys

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Go, Anna, E-mail: annago@alpha.uwb.edu.pl

2014-11-15

Ab-initio electronic structure calculations are carried out for quinternary Fe{sub 2}Mn{sub 1−x}V{sub x}Si{sub 0.5}Al{sub 0.5} alloys. When x=0 the alloy is half-metallic ferromagnet, with magnetic moment following the Slater–Pauling rule. Replacement of Mn by V, changes its electronic and magnetic structure. V-doped alloys exhibit half-metallic behavior for x≤0.25. However, even for higher V concentrations, electronic spin polarization is still very high, what makes the alloys interesting for spintronic applications. - Graphical abstract: Densities of states of Fe{sub 2}MnSi{sub 0.5}Al{sub 0.5} and magnetic moments of Fe{sub 2}Mn{sub 1−x}V{sub x}Si{sub 0.5}Al{sub 0.5}. - Highlights: • Fe{sub 2}MnSi{sub 0.5}Al{sub 0.5} is a half-metallicmore » ferromagnet with a minority band gap of 0.49 eV. • Half-metallic band gap is very stable against the change of the lattice parameter. • Half-metallic band gap is obtained for Fe{sub 2}Mn{sub 1−x}V{sub x}Si{sub 0.5}Al{sub 0.5} for x≤0.25. • Electronic spin polarization is very high and equal to at least 95% for x≤0.625. • The main carrier of magnetism of the compound is manganese.« less

The Swift Burst and Transient Telescope (BAT)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mushotzky, Richard

2008-01-01

The Swift Burst and Transient telescope (BAT) has surveyed the entire sky for the last 3.5 years obtaining the first sensitive all sky survey of the 14-195 kev sky. At high galactic latitudes the vast majority of the detected sources are AGN. Since hard x-rays penetrate all but Compton thick obscuring material (Column densities of 1.6324 atms/sq cm) this survey is unbiased with respect to obscuration, host galaxy type, optical , radio or IR properties. We will present results on the broad band x-ray properties, the nature of the host galaxies, the luminosity function and will discuss a few of the optical, IR and x-ray results in detail.

Detectability of compact binary merger macronovae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosswog, S.; Feindt, U.; Korobkin, O.; Wu, M.-R.; Sollerman, J.; Goobar, A.; Martinez-Pinedo, G.

2017-05-01

We study the optical and near-infrared luminosities and detectability of radioactively powered electromagnetic transients (‘macronovae’) occuring in the aftermath of binary neutron star and neutron star black hole mergers. We explore the transients that result from the dynamic ejecta and those from different types of wind outflows. Based on full nuclear network simulations we calculate the resulting light curves in different wavelength bands. We scrutinize the robustness of the results by comparing (a) two different nuclear reaction networks and (b) two macronova models. We explore in particular how sensitive the results are to the production of α-decaying trans-lead nuclei. We compare two frequently used mass models: the finite-range Droplet model (FRDM) and the nuclear mass model of Duflo and Zuker (DZ31). We find that the abundance of α-decaying trans-lead nuclei has a significant impact on the observability of the resulting macronovae. For example, the DZ31 model yields considerably larger abundances resulting in larger heating rates and thermalization efficiencies and therefore predicts substantially brighter macronova transients. We find that the dynamic ejecta from NSNS models can reach peak K-band magnitudes in excess of  -15 while those from NSBH cases can reach beyond  -16. Similar values can be reached by some of our wind models. Several of our models (both wind and dynamic ejecta) yield properties that are similar to the transient that was observed in the aftermath of the short GRB 130603B. We further explore the expected macronova detection frequencies for current and future instruments such as VISTA, ZTF and LSST.

Repetitive transient extraction for machinery fault diagnosis using multiscale fractional order entropy infogram

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Xuefang; Qiao, Zijian; Lei, Yaguo

2018-03-01

The presence of repetitive transients in vibration signals is a typical symptom of local faults of rotating machinery. Infogram was developed to extract the repetitive transients from vibration signals based on Shannon entropy. Unfortunately, the Shannon entropy is maximized for random processes and unable to quantify the repetitive transients buried in heavy random noise. In addition, the vibration signals always contain multiple intrinsic oscillatory modes due to interaction and coupling effects between machine components. Under this circumstance, high values of Shannon entropy appear in several frequency bands or high value of Shannon entropy doesn't appear in the optimal frequency band, and the infogram becomes difficult to interpret. Thus, it also becomes difficult to select the optimal frequency band for extracting the repetitive transients from the whole frequency bands. To solve these problems, multiscale fractional order entropy (MSFE) infogram is proposed in this paper. With the help of MSFE infogram, the complexity and nonlinear signatures of the vibration signals can be evaluated by quantifying spectral entropy over a range of scales in fractional domain. Moreover, the similarity tolerance of MSFE infogram is helpful for assessing the regularity of signals. A simulation and two experiments concerning a locomotive bearing and a wind turbine gear are used to validate the MSFE infogram. The results demonstrate that the MSFE infogram is more robust to the heavy noise than infogram and the high value is able to only appear in the optimal frequency band for the repetitive transient extraction.

Interface energetics and atomic structure of epitaxial La{sub 1−x}Sr{sub x}CoO{sub 3} on Nb:SrTiO{sub 3}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Van Overmeere, Quentin, E-mail: quentin.vanovermeere@uclouvain.be, E-mail: john.d.baniecki@jp.fujitsu.com; Baniecki, John D., E-mail: quentin.vanovermeere@uclouvain.be, E-mail: john.d.baniecki@jp.fujitsu.com; Yamazaki, Takashi

2015-06-15

The energetics at oxide semiconductor/La{sub 1−x}Sr{sub x}CoO{sub 3} heterojunctions, including the respective alignment of the valence and conduction bands, govern charge transfer and have to be determined for the design of future La{sub 1−x}Sr{sub x}CoO{sub 3}-based devices. In this letter, the electronic and atomic structures of epitaxial La{sub 1−x}Sr{sub x}CoO{sub 3} on Nb-doped strontium titanate are revealed by scanning transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and in situ x-ray and ultra violet photoelectron spectroscopies. For LaCoO{sub 3}, a valence band (VB) offset of 2.8 ± 0.1 eV is deduced. The large offset is attributed to the orbital contributions of the Co 3dmore » states to the VB maximum of the LaCoO{sub 3} thin films, with no evidence of interface dipole contributions. The sensitivity of the valence band orbital character to spin state ordering and oxygen vacancies is assessed using density functional theory.« less

Full potential study of the elastic, electronic, and optical properties of spinels MgIn{sub 2}S{sub 4} and CdIn{sub 2}S{sub 4} under pressure effect

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Semari, F.; Khenata, R.; Depatment of Physics and Astronomy, King Saud University, PO Box 2455, Riyadh 11451

2010-12-15

The structural, elastic, electronic, and optical properties of cubic spinel MgIn{sub 2}S{sub 4} and CdIn{sub 2}S{sub 4} compounds have been calculated using a full relativistic version of the full-potential linearized-augmented plane wave with the mixed basis FP/APW+lo method. The exchange and correlation potential is treated by the generalized-gradient approximation (GGA). Moreover, the Engel-Vosko GGA formalism is also applied to optimize the corresponding potential for band structure calculations. The ground state properties, including the lattice constants, the internal parameter, the bulk modulus, and the pressure derivative of the bulk modulus are in reasonable agreement with the available data. Using the totalmore » energy-strain technique, we have determined the full set of first-order elastic constants C{sub ij} and their pressure dependence, which have not been calculated or measured yet. The shear modulus, Young's modulus, and Poisson's ratio are calculated for polycrystalline XIn{sub 2}S{sub 4} aggregates. The Debye temperature is estimated from the average sound velocity. Electronic band structures show a direct band gap ({Gamma}-{Gamma}) for MgIn{sub 2}S{sub 4} and an indirect band gap (K-{Gamma}) for CdIn{sub 2}S{sub 4}. The calculated band gaps with EVGGA show a significant improvement over the GGA. The optical constants, including the dielectric function {epsilon}({omega}), the refractive index n({omega}), the reflectivity R({omega}), and the energy loss function L({omega}) were calculated for radiation up to 30 eV. -- Graphical abstract: Calculated total and partial densities of states for MgIn{sub 2}S{sub 4} and CdIn{sub 2}S{sub 4}« less

A Ka-Band (26 GHz) Circularly Polarized 2x2 Microstrip Patch Sub-Array with Compact Feed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chrysler, Andrew; Furse, Cynthia; Simons, Rainee N.; Miranda, Felix A.

2017-01-01

A Ka-Band (26 gigahertz) 2 by 2 sub-array with square-shaped microstrip patch antenna elements having two truncated corners for circular polarization (CP) is presented. In addition, the layout for a new compact microstrip feed network for the sub-array is also presented. The compact feed network offers a footprint size reduction of near 60 percent over traditional sub-array at 26 gigahertz. Experimental data indicates that a truncation amount a equals 0.741 millimeters for an isolated patch element results in a return loss (S (sub II)) of minus 35 decibels at 26.3 gigahertz. Furthermore, the measured S (sub II) for the proof-of-concept sub-array with the above elements is better than minus 10.0 decibels at 27.7 gigahertz. However, the impedance match and the operating frequency can be fine-tuned to 26 gigahertz by adjusting the feed network dimensions. Lastly, good agreement is observed between the measured and simulated S (sub II) for the subarray for both right hand and left hand CP. The goal of this effort is utilize the above sub-array as a building block for a larger N by N element array, which would serve as a feed for a reflector antenna for satellite communications.

Band-gap tuning and magnetic properties of heterovalent ions (Ba, Sr and Ca) substituted BiFeO{sub 3} nanoparticles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chauhan, Sunil, E-mail: sunilchauhanjiit@gmail.com; Kumar, Manoj; Katyal, S. C.

2016-05-23

A Comparative study of heterovalent Ba, Sr and Ca ions substitution on the structural, vibrational, optical and magnetic properties of BiFeO{sub 3} nanoparticles was carried out. The distorted rhombohedral structure was confirmed from both X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy techniques in pure BiFeO{sub 3} and Bi{sub 0.85}A{sub 0.15}FeO{sub 3} (A= Ba, Sr and Ca) samples. UV-Visible spectroscopy results show that the band-gap of BiFeO{sub 3} nanoparticles can be tuned by heterovalent ions substitution from 2.12 eV for BiFeO{sub 3} to 2.10, 2.06 and 2.03 eV for Ca, Sr and Ba substituted BiFeO{sub 3} nanoparticles respectively. The magnetic measurements indicate enhancementmore » in magnetization for heterovalent A{sup 2+} substituted BiFeO{sub 3} samples and the magnetization increases with increase of ionic radius of the substituted ions.« less

Oxygen deficiency and Sn doping of amorphous Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Heinemann, M. D.; Unold, T.; Berry, J.

2016-01-11

The potential of effectively n-type doping Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} considering its large band gap has made it an attractive target for integration into transistors and solar cells. As a result amorphous GaO{sub x} is now attracting interest as an electron transport layer in solar cells despite little information on its opto-electrical properties. Here we present the opto-electronic properties, including optical band gap, electron affinity, and charge carrier density, for amorphous GaO{sub x} thin films deposited by pulsed laser deposition. These properties are strongly dependent on the deposition temperature during the deposition process. The deposition temperature has no significant influence onmore » the general structural properties but produces significant changes in the oxygen stoichiometry of the films. The density of the oxygen vacancies is found to be related to the optical band gap of the GaO{sub x} layer. It is proposed that the oxygen deficiency leads to defect band below the conduction band minimum that increases the electron affinity. These properties facilitate the use of amorphous GaO{sub x} as an electron transport layer in Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} and in Cu{sub 2}O solar cells. Further it is shown that at low deposition temperatures, extrinsic doping with Sn is effective at low Sn concentrations.« less

A FRAMEWORK FOR INTERPRETING FAST RADIO TRANSIENTS SEARCH EXPERIMENTS: APPLICATION TO THE V-FASTR EXPERIMENT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Trott, Cathryn M.; Tingay, Steven J.; Wayth, Randall B.

2013-04-10

We define a framework for determining constraints on the detection rate of fast transient events from a population of underlying sources, with a view to incorporate beam shape, frequency effects, scattering effects, and detection efficiency into the metric. We then demonstrate a method for combining independent data sets into a single event rate constraint diagram, using a probabilistic approach to the limits on parameter space. We apply this new framework to present the latest results from the V-FASTR experiment, a commensal fast transients search using the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). In the 20 cm band, V-FASTR now has themore » ability to probe the regions of parameter space of importance for the observed Lorimer and Keane fast radio transient candidates by combining the information from observations with differing bandwidths, and properly accounting for the source dispersion measure, VLBA antenna beam shape, experiment time sampling, and stochastic nature of events. We then apply the framework to combine the results of the V-FASTR and Allen Telescope Array Fly's Eye experiments, demonstrating their complementarity. Expectations for fast transients experiments for the SKA Phase I dish array are then computed, and the impact of large differential bandwidths is discussed.« less

Structural analysis, optical and dielectric function of [Ba{sub 0.9}Ca{sub 0.1}](Ti{sub 0.9}Zr{sub 0.1})O{sub 3} nanocrystals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Herrera-Pérez, G., E-mail: guillermo.herrera@cimav.edu.mx, E-mail: damasio.morales@cimav.edu.mx; Physics of Materials Department, Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados; Morales, D., E-mail: guillermo.herrera@cimav.edu.mx, E-mail: damasio.morales@cimav.edu.mx

2016-09-07

This work presents the identification of inter-band transitions in the imaginary part of the dielectric function (ε{sub 2}) derived from the Kramers–Kronig analysis for [Ba{sub 0.9}Ca{sub 0.1}](Ti{sub 0.9}Zr{sub 0.1})O{sub 3} (BCZT) nanocrystals synthesized by the modified Pechini method. The analysis started with the chemical identification of the atoms that conform BCZT in the valence loss energy region of a high energy-resolution of electron energy loss spectroscopy. The indirect band energy (E{sub g}) was determined in the dielectric response function. This result is in agreement with the UV-Vis technique, and it obtained an optical band gap of 3.16 eV. The surface andmore » volume plasmon peaks were observed at 13.1 eV and 26.2 eV, respectively. The X-ray diffraction pattern and the Rietveld refinement data of powders heat treated at 700 °C for 1 h suggest a tetragonal structure with a space group (P4 mm) with the average crystal size of 35 nm. The average particle size was determined by transmission electron microscopy.« less

Strong visible and near infrared photoluminescence from ZnO nanorods/nanowires grown on single layer graphene studied using sub-band gap excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biroju, Ravi K.; Giri, P. K.

2017-07-01

Fabrication and optoelectronic applications of graphene based hybrid 2D-1D semiconductor nanostructures have gained tremendous research interest in recent times. Herein, we present a systematic study on the origin and evolution of strong broad band visible and near infrared (NIR) photoluminescence (PL) from vertical ZnO nanorods (NRs) and nanowires (NWs) grown on single layer graphene using both above band gap and sub-band gap optical excitations. High resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies are carried out to reveal the morphology and crystalline quality of as-grown and annealed ZnO NRs/NWs on graphene. Room temperature PL studies reveal that besides the UV and visible PL bands, a new near-infrared (NIR) PL emission band appears in the range between 815 nm and 886 nm (1.40-1.52 eV). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies revealed excess oxygen content and unreacted metallic Zn in the as-grown ZnO nanostructures, owing to the low temperature growth by a physical vapor deposition method. Post-growth annealing at 700 °C in the Ar gas ambient results in the enhanced intensity of both visible and NIR PL bands. On the other hand, subsequent high vacuum annealing at 700 °C results in a drastic reduction in the visible PL band and complete suppression of the NIR PL band. PL decay dynamics of green emission in Ar annealed samples show tri-exponential decay on the nanosecond timescale including a very slow decay component (time constant ˜604.5 ns). Based on these results, the NIR PL band comprising two peaks centered at ˜820 nm and ˜860 nm is tentatively assigned to neutral and negatively charged oxygen interstitial (Oi) defects in ZnO, detected experimentally for the first time. The evidence for oxygen induced trap states on the ZnO NW surface is further substantiated by the slow photocurrent response of graphene-ZnO NRs/NWs. These results are important for tunable light emission, photodetection, and other cutting edge

Syntheses and structural characterization of vanado-tellurites and vanadyl-selenites: SrVTeO{sub 5}(OH), Cd{sub 2}V{sub 2}Te{sub 2}O{sub 11}, Ca{sub 3}VSe{sub 4}O{sub 13}·H{sub 2}O and Ba{sub 2}VSe{sub 3}O{sub 10}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Konatham, Satish; Vidyasagar, Kanamaluru, E-mail: kvsagar@iitm.ac.in

Four new quaternary vanado-tellurites and vanadyl-selenites, namely, SrVTeO{sub 5}(OH)(1), Cd{sub 2}V{sub 2}Te{sub 2}O{sub 11}(2), Ca{sub 3}VSe{sub 4}O{sub 13}·H{sub 2}O(3) and Ba{sub 2}VSe{sub 3}O{sub 10}(4) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The oxidation state of vanadium is +5 in tellurites 1 and 2 and +4 in selenites 3 and 4. The structures of SrVTeO{sub 5}(OH)(1) and Cd{sub 2}V{sub 2}Te{sub 2}O{sub 11}(2) compounds consist of (VTeO{sub 5}(OH)){sup 2-} and (V{sub 2}Te{sub 2}O{sub 11}){sup 4-}anionic chains respectively, which are built from tetrahedral VO{sub 4} and disphenoidal TeO{sub 4} moieties. Similarly the structures of Ca{sub 3}VSe{sub 4}O{sub 13}·H{sub 2}O(3)more » and Ba{sub 2}VSe{sub 3}O{sub 10}(4) respectively contain (VSe{sub 2}O{sub 7}){sup 2-} and (VSe{sub 3}O{sub 10}){sup 4-} anionic chains, which are made up of octahedral VO{sub 6} and pyramidal SeO{sub 3} units. Compounds 1 and 3 have been characterized by thermogravimetric and infrared spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1 and 2 are wide band gap semiconductors. - Graphical abstract: Ca{sub 3}VSe{sub 4}O{sub 13}·H{sub 2}O and Ba{sub 2}VSe{sub 3}O{sub 10} compounds contain (VSe{sub 2}O{sub 7}){sup 2-} and (VSe{sub 3}O{sub 10}){sup 4-} chains. - Highlights: • Four new vanado-tellurites and vanadyl-selenites are synthesized. • Their structural features are different. • The vanado-tellurites are wide band gap semiconductors.« less

Parallel Processing of Broad-Band PPM Signals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gray, Andrew; Kang, Edward; Lay, Norman; Vilnrotter, Victor; Srinivasan, Meera; Lee, Clement

2010-01-01

A parallel-processing algorithm and a hardware architecture to implement the algorithm have been devised for timeslot synchronization in the reception of pulse-position-modulated (PPM) optical or radio signals. As in the cases of some prior algorithms and architectures for parallel, discrete-time, digital processing of signals other than PPM, an incoming broadband signal is divided into multiple parallel narrower-band signals by means of sub-sampling and filtering. The number of parallel streams is chosen so that the frequency content of the narrower-band signals is low enough to enable processing by relatively-low speed complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) electronic circuitry. The algorithm and architecture are intended to satisfy requirements for time-varying time-slot synchronization and post-detection filtering, with correction of timing errors independent of estimation of timing errors. They are also intended to afford flexibility for dynamic reconfiguration and upgrading. The architecture is implemented in a reconfigurable CMOS processor in the form of a field-programmable gate array. The algorithm and its hardware implementation incorporate three separate time-varying filter banks for three distinct functions: correction of sub-sample timing errors, post-detection filtering, and post-detection estimation of timing errors. The design of the filter bank for correction of timing errors, the method of estimating timing errors, and the design of a feedback-loop filter are governed by a host of parameters, the most critical one, with regard to processing very broadband signals with CMOS hardware, being the number of parallel streams (equivalently, the rate-reduction parameter).

Anomalous structural disorder and distortion in metal-to-insulator-transition Ti{sub 2}O{sub 3}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hwang, In-Hui; Jin, Zhenlan; Park, Chang-In

2016-01-07

Mott proposed that impurity bands in corundum-symmetry Ti{sub 2}O{sub 3} at high temperatures caused a collapse in the bandgap. However, the origin of the impurity bands has not yet been clarified. We examine the local structural properties of metal-to-insulator-transition Ti{sub 2}O{sub 3} using in-situ x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements at the Ti K edge in the temperature range from 288 to 739 K. The Ti{sub 2}O{sub 3} powder is synthesized by using a chemical reaction method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements from Ti{sub 2}O{sub 3} with a Rietveld refinement demonstrate a single-phased R-3c symmetry without additional distortion. Extended-XAFS combined with XRDmore » reveals a zigzag patterned Ti position and an anomalous structural disorder in Ti-Ti pairs, accompanied by a bond length expansion of the Ti-Ti pairs along the c-axis for T > 450 K. The local structural distortion and disorder of the Ti atoms would induce impurity levels in the band gap between the Ti 3d a{sub 1g} and e{sub g}{sup π} bands, resulting in a collapse of the band gap for T > 450 K.« less

Growth and characterization of dilute nitride GaN{sub x}P{sub 1−x} nanowires and GaN{sub x}P{sub 1−x}/GaN{sub y}P{sub 1−y} core/shell nanowires on Si (111) by gas source molecular beam epitaxy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sukrittanon, S.; Kuang, Y. J.; Dobrovolsky, A.

2014-08-18

We have demonstrated self-catalyzed GaN{sub x}P{sub 1−x} and GaN{sub x}P{sub 1−x}/GaN{sub y}P{sub 1−y} core/shell nanowire growth by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy. The growth window for GaN{sub x}P{sub 1−x} nanowires was observed to be comparable to that of GaP nanowires (∼585 °C to ∼615 °C). Transmission electron microscopy showed a mixture of cubic zincblende phase and hexagonal wurtzite phase along the [111] growth direction in GaN{sub x}P{sub 1−x} nanowires. A temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) study performed on GaN{sub x}P{sub 1−x}/GaN{sub y}P{sub 1−y} core/shell nanowires exhibited an S-shape dependence of the PL peaks. This suggests that at low temperature, the emission stems from N-related localizedmore » states below the conduction band edge in the shell, while at high temperature, the emission stems from band-to-band transition in the shell as well as recombination in the GaN{sub x}P{sub 1−x} core.« less

IR photodissociation spectroscopy of (OCS){sub n}{sup +} and (OCS){sub n}{sup −} cluster ions: Similarity and dissimilarity in the structure of CO{sub 2}, OCS, and CS{sub 2} cluster ions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Inokuchi, Yoshiya, E-mail: y-inokuchi@hiroshima-u.ac.jp; Ebata, Takayuki

2015-06-07

Infrared photodissociation (IRPD) spectra of (OCS){sub n}{sup +} and (OCS){sub n}{sup −} (n = 2–6) cluster ions are measured in the 1000–2300 cm{sup −1} region; these clusters show strong CO stretching vibrations in this region. For (OCS){sub 2}{sup +} and (OCS){sub 2}{sup −}, we utilize the messenger technique by attaching an Ar atom to measure their IR spectra. The IRPD spectrum of (OCS){sub 2}{sup +}Ar shows two bands at 2095 and 2120 cm{sup −1}. On the basis of quantum chemical calculations, these bands are assigned to a C{sub 2} isomer of (OCS){sub 2}{sup +}, in which an intermolecular semi-covalent bondmore » is formed between the sulfur ends of the two OCS components by the charge resonance interaction, and the positive charge is delocalized over the dimer. The (OCS){sub n}{sup +} (n = 3–6) cluster ions show a few bands assignable to “solvent” OCS molecules in the 2000–2080 cm{sup −1} region, in addition to the bands due to the (OCS){sub 2}{sup +} ion core at ∼2090 and ∼2120 cm{sup −1}, suggesting that the dimer ion core is kept in (OCS){sub 3–6}{sup +}. For the (OCS){sub n}{sup −} cluster anions, the IRPD spectra indicate the coexistence of a few isomers with an OCS{sup −} or (OCS){sub 2}{sup −} anion core over the cluster range of n = 2–6. The (OCS){sub 2}{sup −}Ar anion displays two strong bands at 1674 and 1994 cm{sup −1}. These bands can be assigned to a C{sub s} isomer with an OCS{sup −} anion core. For the n = 2–4 anions, this OCS{sup −} anion core form is dominant. In addition to the bands of the OCS{sup −} core isomer, we found another band at ∼1740 cm{sup −1}, which can be assigned to isomers having an (OCS){sub 2}{sup −} ion core; this dimer core has C{sub 2} symmetry and {sup 2}A electronic state. The IRPD spectra of the n = 3–6 anions show two IR bands at ∼1660 and ∼2020 cm{sup −1}. The intensity of the latter component relative to that of the former one becomes stronger and

THE DIFFERENCE IMAGING PIPELINE FOR THE TRANSIENT SEARCH IN THE DARK ENERGY SURVEY

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kessler, R.; Scolnic, D.; Marriner, J.

2015-12-15

We describe the operation and performance of the difference imaging pipeline (DiffImg) used to detect transients in deep images from the Dark Energy Survey Supernova program (DES-SN) in its first observing season from 2013 August through 2014 February. DES-SN is a search for transients in which ten 3 deg{sup 2} fields are repeatedly observed in the g, r, i, z passbands with a cadence of about 1 week. The observing strategy has been optimized to measure high-quality light curves and redshifts for thousands of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) with the goal of measuring dark energy parameters. The essential DiffImgmore » functions are to align each search image to a deep reference image, do a pixel-by-pixel subtraction, and then examine the subtracted image for significant positive detections of point-source objects. The vast majority of detections are subtraction artifacts, but after selection requirements and image filtering with an automated scanning program, there are ∼130 detections per deg{sup 2} per observation in each band, of which only ∼25% are artifacts. Of the ∼7500 transients discovered by DES-SN in its first observing season, each requiring a detection on at least two separate nights, Monte Carlo (MC) simulations predict that 27% are expected to be SNe Ia or core-collapse SNe. Another ∼30% of the transients are artifacts in which a small number of observations satisfy the selection criteria for a single-epoch detection. Spectroscopic analysis shows that most of the remaining transients are AGNs and variable stars. Fake SNe Ia are overlaid onto the images to rigorously evaluate detection efficiencies and to understand the DiffImg performance. The DiffImg efficiency measured with fake SNe agrees well with expectations from a MC simulation that uses analytical calculations of the fluxes and their uncertainties. In our 8 “shallow” fields with single-epoch 50% completeness depth ∼23.5, the SN Ia efficiency falls to 1/2 at redshift z ≈ 0.7; in our

THE DIFFERENCE IMAGING PIPELINE FOR THE TRANSIENT SEARCH IN THE DARK ENERGY SURVEY

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kessler, R.; Marriner, J.; Childress, M.

2015-11-06

We describe the operation and performance of the difference imaging pipeline (DiffImg) used to detect transients in deep images from the Dark Energy Survey Supernova program (DES-SN) in its first observing season from 2013 August through 2014 February. DES-SN is a search for transients in which ten 3 deg(2) fields are repeatedly observed in the g, r, i, z passbands with a cadence of about 1 week. The observing strategy has been optimized to measure high-quality light curves and redshifts for thousands of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) with the goal of measuring dark energy parameters. The essential DiffImg functionsmore » are to align each search image to a deep reference image, do a pixel-by-pixel subtraction, and then examine the subtracted image for significant positive detections of point-source objects. The vast majority of detections are subtraction artifacts, but after selection requirements and image filtering with an automated scanning program, there are similar to 130 detections per deg(2) per observation in each band, of which only similar to 25% are artifacts. Of the similar to 7500 transients discovered by DES-SN in its first observing season, each requiring a detection on at least two separate nights, Monte Carlo (MC) simulations predict that 27% are expected to be SNe Ia or core-collapse SNe. Another similar to 30% of the transients are artifacts in which a small number of observations satisfy the selection criteria for a single-epoch detection. Spectroscopic analysis shows that most of the remaining transients are AGNs and variable stars. Fake SNe Ia are overlaid onto the images to rigorously evaluate detection efficiencies and to understand the DiffImg performance. The DiffImg efficiency measured with fake SNe agrees well with expectations from a MC simulation that uses analytical calculations of the fluxes and their uncertainties. In our 8 "shallow" fields with single-epoch 50% completeness depth similar to 23.5, the SN Ia efficiency falls to 1

Detection of sub-MeV dark matter with three-dimensional Dirac materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hochberg, Yonit; Kahn, Yonatan; Lisanti, Mariangela; Zurek, Kathryn M.; Grushin, Adolfo G.; Ilan, Roni; Griffin, Sinéad M.; Liu, Zhen-Fei; Weber, Sophie F.; Neaton, Jeffrey B.

2018-01-01

We propose the use of three-dimensional Dirac materials as targets for direct detection of sub-MeV dark matter. Dirac materials are characterized by a linear dispersion for low-energy electronic excitations, with a small band gap of O (meV ) if lattice symmetries are broken. Dark matter at the keV scale carrying kinetic energy as small as a few meV can scatter and excite an electron across the gap. Alternatively, bosonic dark matter as light as a few meV can be absorbed by the electrons in the target. We develop the formalism for dark matter scattering and absorption in Dirac materials and calculate the experimental reach of these target materials. We find that Dirac materials can play a crucial role in detecting dark matter in the keV to MeV mass range that scatters with electrons via a kinetically mixed dark photon, as the dark photon does not develop an in-medium effective mass. The same target materials provide excellent sensitivity to absorption of light bosonic dark matter in the meV to hundreds of meV mass range, superior to all other existing proposals when the dark matter is a kinetically mixed dark photon.

Detection of sub-MeV dark matter with three-dimensional Dirac materials

DOE PAGES

Hochberg, Yonit; Kahn, Yonatan; Lisanti, Mariangela; ...

2018-01-08

Here, we propose the use of three-dimensional Dirac materials as targets for direct detection of sub-MeV dark matter. Dirac materials are characterized by a linear dispersion for low-energy electronic excitations, with a small band gap of Ο(meV) if lattice symmetries are broken. Dark matter at the keV scale carrying kinetic energy as small as a few meV can scatter and excite an electron across the gap. Alternatively, bosonic dark matter as light as a few meV can be absorbed by the electrons in the target. We develop the formalism for dark matter scattering and absorption in Dirac materials and calculatemore » the experimental reach of these target materials. We find that Dirac materials can play a crucial role in detecting dark matter in the keV to MeV mass range that scatters with electrons via a kinetically mixed dark photon, as the dark photon does not develop an in-medium effective mass. The same target materials provide excellent sensitivity to absorption of light bosonic dark matter in the meV to hundreds of meV mass range, superior to all other existing proposals when the dark matter is a kinetically mixed dark photon.« less

Detection of sub-MeV dark matter with three-dimensional Dirac materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hochberg, Yonit; Kahn, Yonatan; Lisanti, Mariangela

Here, we propose the use of three-dimensional Dirac materials as targets for direct detection of sub-MeV dark matter. Dirac materials are characterized by a linear dispersion for low-energy electronic excitations, with a small band gap of Ο(meV) if lattice symmetries are broken. Dark matter at the keV scale carrying kinetic energy as small as a few meV can scatter and excite an electron across the gap. Alternatively, bosonic dark matter as light as a few meV can be absorbed by the electrons in the target. We develop the formalism for dark matter scattering and absorption in Dirac materials and calculatemore » the experimental reach of these target materials. We find that Dirac materials can play a crucial role in detecting dark matter in the keV to MeV mass range that scatters with electrons via a kinetically mixed dark photon, as the dark photon does not develop an in-medium effective mass. The same target materials provide excellent sensitivity to absorption of light bosonic dark matter in the meV to hundreds of meV mass range, superior to all other existing proposals when the dark matter is a kinetically mixed dark photon.« less

Note: Pulsed single longitudinal mode optical parametric oscillator for sub-Doppler spectroscopy of jet cooled transient species

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Qiang; Zhu, Boxing; Zhang, Deping; Gu, Jingwang; Zhao, Dongfeng; Chen, Yang

2017-12-01

We present a pulsed single longitudinal mode optical parametric oscillator that was recently constructed for sub-Doppler spectroscopic studies of transient species in a supersonic slit jet expansion environment. The system consists of a Littman-type grazing-incidence-grating resonator and a KTP crystal and is pumped at 532 nm. By spatially filtering the pump laser beam and employing an active cavity-length-stabilization scheme, a frequency down-conversion efficiency up to 18% and generation of Fourier-transform limited pulses with a typical pulse duration of ˜5.5 ns and a bandwidth less than 120 MHz have been achieved. In combination with a slit jet expansion, a sub-Doppler spectrum of SiC2 has been recorded at ˜498 nm, showing a spectral resolution of Δν/ν ≈ 6.2 × 10-7.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tiede, D.M.; Kellogg, E.C.; Kolaczkowski, S.

We have carried out a more stringent test for electron transfer along the M-pathway at low temperature. This has been done by directly detecting transient states generated from the trapped PH{sub L}{sup {minus}}H{sub M} state in Rps viridis reaction centers. Under these conditions the normal forward electron transfer to H{sub L} is blocked, and the yield of transient P{sup +}H{sub M}{sup {minus}} is determined with respect to the lifetime of P*. Others have measured this lifetime to be 20 ps at room temperature. This enhances the opportunity for detecting a reaction between P* and H{sub M} by 20-fold. These experimentsmore » find that transient bleaching of the P990 nm band occurs from the trapped PH{sub L}{sup {minus}}H{sub M} state on the ns time scale, with a quantum yield of 0.09 {plus minus} 0.06 compared to normal photochemistry. This measurement places an upper limit on the yield of a transient P{sup +}H{sub M}{sup {minus}} state. The measured yield and estimated lifetime of P* suggest that the maximum electron transfer rate P* {yields} H{sub M} is about 5 {times} 10{sup 9} sec{sup {minus}1} ({tau}{sub M} = 200 ps). This corresponds to a k{sub L}/k{sub M} ratio of at least 200. This large value of the branching ratio is remarkable in view of the structural symmetry of the reaction center. 13 refs., 2 figs.« less

Electronic transitions and band offsets in C60:SubPc and C60:MgPc on MoO3 studied by modulated surface photovoltage spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fengler, S.; Dittrich, Th.; Rusu, M.

2015-07-01

Electronic transitions at interfaces between MoO3 layers and organic layers of C60, SubPc, MgPc, and nano-composite layers of SubPc:C60 and MgPc:C60 have been studied by modulated surface photovoltage (SPV) spectroscopy. For all systems, time dependent and modulated SPV signals pointed to dissociation of excitons at the MoO3/organic layer interfaces with a separation of holes towards MoO3. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gaps (EHL) of C60, SubPc, and MgPc and the effective EHL of SubPc:C60 and MgPc:C60 were measured. The offsets between the LUMO (ΔEL) or HOMO (ΔEH) bands were obtained with high precision and amounted to 0.33 or 0.73 eV for SubPc:C60, respectively, and to -0.33 or 0.67 eV for MgPc:C60, respectively. Exponential tails below EHL and most pronounced sub-bandgap transitions were characterized and ascribed to disorder and transitions from HOMO bands to unoccupied defect states.

Novel Analysis Software for Detecting and Classifying Ca2+ Transient Abnormalities in Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes

PubMed Central

Penttinen, Kirsi; Siirtola, Harri; Àvalos-Salguero, Jorge; Vainio, Tiina; Juhola, Martti; Aalto-Setälä, Katriina

2015-01-01

Comprehensive functioning of Ca2+ cycling is crucial for excitation–contraction coupling of cardiomyocytes (CMs). Abnormal Ca2+ cycling is linked to arrhythmogenesis, which is associated with cardiac disorders and heart failure. Accordingly, we have generated spontaneously beating CMs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived from patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), which is an inherited and severe cardiac disease. Ca2+ cycling studies have revealed substantial abnormalities in these CMs. Ca2+ transient analysis performed manually lacks accepted analysis criteria, and has both low throughput and high variability. To overcome these issues, we have developed a software tool, AnomalyExplorer based on interactive visualization, to assist in the classification of Ca2+ transient patterns detected in CMs. Here, we demonstrate the usability and capability of the software, and we also compare the analysis efficiency to manual analysis. We show that AnomalyExplorer is suitable for detecting normal and abnormal Ca2+ transients; furthermore, this method provides more defined and consistent information regarding the Ca2+ abnormality patterns and cell line specific differences when compared to manual analysis. This tool will facilitate and speed up the analysis of CM Ca2+ transients, making it both more accurate and user-independent. AnomalyExplorer can be exploited in Ca2+ cycling analysis to study basic disease pathology and the effects of different drugs. PMID:26308621

Novel Analysis Software for Detecting and Classifying Ca2+ Transient Abnormalities in Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes.

PubMed

Penttinen, Kirsi; Siirtola, Harri; Àvalos-Salguero, Jorge; Vainio, Tiina; Juhola, Martti; Aalto-Setälä, Katriina

2015-01-01

Comprehensive functioning of Ca2+ cycling is crucial for excitation-contraction coupling of cardiomyocytes (CMs). Abnormal Ca2+ cycling is linked to arrhythmogenesis, which is associated with cardiac disorders and heart failure. Accordingly, we have generated spontaneously beating CMs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived from patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), which is an inherited and severe cardiac disease. Ca2+ cycling studies have revealed substantial abnormalities in these CMs. Ca2+ transient analysis performed manually lacks accepted analysis criteria, and has both low throughput and high variability. To overcome these issues, we have developed a software tool, AnomalyExplorer based on interactive visualization, to assist in the classification of Ca2+ transient patterns detected in CMs. Here, we demonstrate the usability and capability of the software, and we also compare the analysis efficiency to manual analysis. We show that AnomalyExplorer is suitable for detecting normal and abnormal Ca2+ transients; furthermore, this method provides more defined and consistent information regarding the Ca2+ abnormality patterns and cell line specific differences when compared to manual analysis. This tool will facilitate and speed up the analysis of CM Ca2+ transients, making it both more accurate and user-independent. AnomalyExplorer can be exploited in Ca2+ cycling analysis to study basic disease pathology and the effects of different drugs.

Multibeam Gpu Transient Pipeline for the Medicina BEST-2 Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magro, A.; Hickish, J.; Adami, K. Z.

2013-09-01

Radio transient discovery using next generation radio telescopes will pose several digital signal processing and data transfer challenges, requiring specialized high-performance backends. Several accelerator technologies are being considered as prototyping platforms, including Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). In this paper we present a real-time pipeline prototype capable of processing multiple beams concurrently, performing Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) rejection through thresholding, correcting for the delay in signal arrival times across the frequency band using brute-force dedispersion, event detection and clustering, and finally candidate filtering, with the capability of persisting data buffers containing interesting signals to disk. This setup was deployed at the BEST-2 SKA pathfinder in Medicina, Italy, where several benchmarks and test observations of astrophysical transients were conducted. These tests show that on the deployed hardware eight 20 MHz beams can be processed simultaneously for 640 Dispersion Measure (DM) values. Furthermore, the clustering and candidate filtering algorithms employed prove to be good candidates for online event detection techniques. The number of beams which can be processed increases proportionally to the number of servers deployed and number of GPUs, making it a viable architecture for current and future radio telescopes.

Direct detection of sub-GeV dark matter with scintillating targets

DOE PAGES

Derenzo, Stephen; Essig, Rouven; Massari, Andrea; ...

2017-07-28

We suggest a novel experimental concept for detecting MeV-to-GeV-mass dark matter, in which the dark matter scatters off electrons in a scintillating target and produces a signal of one or a few photons. New large-area photodetectors are needed to measure the photon signal with negligible dark counts, which could be constructed from transition edge sensor (TES) or microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKID) technology. Alternatively, detecting two photons in coincidence may allow the use of conventional photodetectors like photomultiplier tubes. Here we describe why scintillators may have distinct advantages over other experiments searching for a low ionization signal from sub-GeV darkmore » matter, as there are fewer potential sources of spurious backgrounds. We discuss various target choices, but focus on calculating the expected dark matter-electron scattering rates in three scintillating crystals: sodium iodide (NaI), cesium iodide (CsI), and gallium arsenide (GaAs). Among these, GaAs has the lowest band gap (1.52 eV) compared to NaI (5.9 eV) or CsI (6.4 eV), which in principle allows it to probe dark matter masses as low as ~0.5 MeV, compared to ~1.5 MeV with NaI or CsI. We compare these scattering rates with those expected in silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge). The proposed experimental concept presents an important complementary path to existing efforts, and its potential advantages may make it the most sensitive direct-detection probe of dark matter down to MeV masses.« less

Direct detection of sub-GeV dark matter with scintillating targets

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Derenzo, Stephen; Essig, Rouven; Massari, Andrea

We suggest a novel experimental concept for detecting MeV-to-GeV-mass dark matter, in which the dark matter scatters off electrons in a scintillating target and produces a signal of one or a few photons. New large-area photodetectors are needed to measure the photon signal with negligible dark counts, which could be constructed from transition edge sensor (TES) or microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKID) technology. Alternatively, detecting two photons in coincidence may allow the use of conventional photodetectors like photomultiplier tubes. Here we describe why scintillators may have distinct advantages over other experiments searching for a low ionization signal from sub-GeV darkmore » matter, as there are fewer potential sources of spurious backgrounds. We discuss various target choices, but focus on calculating the expected dark matter-electron scattering rates in three scintillating crystals: sodium iodide (NaI), cesium iodide (CsI), and gallium arsenide (GaAs). Among these, GaAs has the lowest band gap (1.52 eV) compared to NaI (5.9 eV) or CsI (6.4 eV), which in principle allows it to probe dark matter masses as low as ~0.5 MeV, compared to ~1.5 MeV with NaI or CsI. We compare these scattering rates with those expected in silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge). The proposed experimental concept presents an important complementary path to existing efforts, and its potential advantages may make it the most sensitive direct-detection probe of dark matter down to MeV masses.« less

Synthesis and characterization of the ((CO)/sub 4/MoS/sub 2/MS/sub 2/)/sup 2 -/ and ((CO)/sub 4/MoS/sub 2/MS/sub 2/Mo(CO)/sub 4/)/sup 2 -/ ions (M = Mo, W): species containing group VI (6) metals in widely separated formal oxidation states

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rosenhein, L.D.; McDonald, J.W.

1987-10-07

Dinuclear and trinuclear sulfide-bridged complexes of the types (Et/sub 4/N)/sub 2/(MS/sub 4/(Mo(CO)/sub 4/)) and (Et/sub 4/N)/sub 2/(MS/sub 4/(Mo(CO)/sub 4/)/sub 2/) were prepared by the reaction of one or two equivalents of Mo(CO)/sub 4/(C/sub 7/H/sub 8/) (C/sub 7/H/sub 8/ = norbornadiene) with (Et/sub 4/N)/sub 2/(MS/sub 4/) (M = Mo, W) in methyl alcohol. Elemental analyses were consistent with the proposed formulae. Infrared spectra of all four compounds contain strong bands in the carbonyl region and low-energy bands characteristic of terminal and bridging M-S vibrations in linear, polynuclear, and sulfido-bridged species. Electrochemical experimental results support the hypothesis that the di- and trinuclearmore » species contain both M(IV) (M = Mo, W) and Mo(0) oxidation states in the same complex. 33 references, 2 tables.« less

Constraining the CMB optical depth through the dispersion measure of cosmological radio transients

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fialkov, A.; Loeb, A., E-mail: anastasia.fialkov@cfa.harvard.edu, E-mail: aloeb@cfa.harvard.edu

2016-05-01

The dispersion measure of extragalactic radio transients can be used to measure the column density of free electrons in the intergalactic medium. The same electrons also scatter the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) photons, affecting precision measurements of cosmological parameters. We explore the connection between the dispersion measure of radio transients existing during the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) and the total optical depth for the CMB showing that the existence of such transients would provide a new sensitive probe of the CMB optical depth. As an example, we consider the population of FRBs. Assuming they exist during the EoR, we showmore » that: (i) such sources can probe the reionization history by measuring the optical depth to sub-percent accuracy, and (ii) they can be detected with high significance by an instrument such as the Square Kilometer Array.« less

Calculating transient rates from surveys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carbone, D.; van der Horst, A. J.; Wijers, R. A. M. J.; Rowlinson, A.

2017-03-01

We have developed a method to determine the transient surface density and transient rate for any given survey, using Monte Carlo simulations. This method allows us to determine the transient rate as a function of both the flux and the duration of the transients in the whole flux-duration plane rather than one or a few points as currently available methods do. It is applicable to every survey strategy that is monitoring the same part of the sky, regardless the instrument or wavelength of the survey, or the target sources. We have simulated both top-hat and Fast Rise Exponential Decay light curves, highlighting how the shape of the light curve might affect the detectability of transients. Another application for this method is to estimate the number of transients of a given kind that are expected to be detected by a survey, provided that their rate is known.

Band gap narrowing in BaTiO{sub 3} nanoparticles facilitated by multiple mechanisms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ramakanth, S.; James Raju, K. C., E-mail: kcjrsp@uohyd.ernet.in; School of Physics, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046

2014-05-07

In the present work, BaTiO{sub 3} nanoparticles of four different size ranges were prepared by sol-gel method. The optical band gap of these particles at some size ranges has come down to 2.53 eV from 3.2 eV, resulting in substantial increase in optical absorption by these ferroelectric nanoparticles making them potential candidates for light energy harvesting. XRD results show the presence of higher compressive strain in 23 nm and 54 nm size particles, they exhibit a higher band gap narrowing, whereas tensile strain is observed in 31 nm and 34 nm particles, and they do not show the marginal band gap narrowing. The 23 nm and 54 nmmore » particles also show a coupling of free carriers to phonons by increasing the intensity of LO phonon mode at 715 cm{sup −1}. The higher surface charge density is expected in case of enhanced surface optical Raman modes (638 cm{sup −1}) contained in 31 and 34 nm size particles. In addition to this, the red shift in an LO mode Raman spectral line at 305 cm{sup −1} with decrease in particle size depicts the presence of phonon confinement in it. The enhanced optical absorption in 23 nm and 54 nm size particles with a narrowed band gap of 3 eV and 2.53 eV is due to exchange correlation interactions between the carriers present in these particles. In 31 nm and 34 nm range particles, the absorption got bleached exhibiting increased band gaps of 3.08 eV and 3.2 eV, respectively. It is due to filling up of conduction band resulting from weakening of exchange correlation interactions between the charge carriers. Hence, it is concluded that the band gap narrowing in the nanoparticles of average size 23 nm/54 nm is a consequence of multiple effects like strain, electron-phonon interaction, and exchange correlation interactions between the carriers which is subdued in some other size ranges like 31 nm/34 nm.« less

The Palomar Transient Factory: High Quality Realtime Data Processing in a Cost-Constrained Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Surace, J.; Laher, R.; Masci, F.; Grillmair, C.; Helou, G.

2015-09-01

The Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) is a synoptic sky survey in operation since 2009. PTF utilizes a 7.1 square degree camera on the Palomar 48-inch Schmidt telescope to survey the sky primarily at a single wavelength (R-band) at a rate of 1000-3000 square degrees a night. The data are used to detect and study transient and moving objects such as gamma ray bursts, supernovae and asteroids, as well as variable phenomena such as quasars and Galactic stars. The data processing system at IPAC handles realtime processing and detection of transients, solar system object processing, high photometric precision processing and light curve generation, and long-term archiving and curation. This was developed under an extremely limited budget profile in an unusually agile development environment. Here we discuss the mechanics of this system and our overall development approach. Although a significant scientific installation in of itself, PTF also serves as the prototype for our next generation project, the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF). Beginning operations in 2017, ZTF will feature a 50 square degree camera which will enable scanning of the entire northern visible sky every night. ZTF in turn will serve as a stepping stone to the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), a major NSF facility scheduled to begin operations in the early 2020s.

Deep levels in as-grown and electron-irradiated n-type GaN studied by deep level transient spectroscopy and minority carrier transient spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Duc, Tran Thien; School of Engineering Physics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, 1 Dai Co Viet Road, Hanoi; Pozina, Galia

2016-03-07

Development of high performance GaN-based devices is strongly dependent on the possibility to control and understand defects in material. Important information about deep level defects is obtained by deep level transient spectroscopy and minority carrier transient spectroscopy on as-grown and electron irradiated n-type bulk GaN with low threading dislocation density produced by halide vapor phase epitaxy. One hole trap labelled H1 (E{sub V} + 0.34 eV) has been detected on as-grown GaN sample. After 2 MeV electron irradiation, the concentration of H1 increases and at fluences higher than 5 × 10{sup 14 }cm{sup −2}, a second hole trap labelled H2 is observed. Simultaneously, the concentration of twomore » electron traps, labelled T1 (E{sub C} – 0.12 eV) and T2 (E{sub C} – 0.23 eV), increases. By studying the increase of the defect concentration versus electron irradiation fluence, the introduction rate of T1 and T2 using 2 MeV- electrons was determined to be 7 × 10{sup −3 }cm{sup −1} and 0.9 cm{sup −1}, respectively. Due to the low introduction rate of T1, it is suggested that the defect is associated with a complex. The high introduction rate of trap H1 and T2 suggests that the defects are associated with primary intrinsic defects or complexes. Some deep levels previously observed in irradiated GaN layers with higher threading dislocation densities are not detected in present investigation. It is therefore suggested that the absent traps may be related to primary defects segregated around dislocations.« less

Weak wide-band signal detection method based on small-scale periodic state of Duffing oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Jian; Yan, Xiao-peng; Li, Ping; Hao, Xin-hong

2018-03-01

The conventional Duffing oscillator weak signal detection method, which is based on a strong reference signal, has inherent deficiencies. To address these issues, the characteristics of the Duffing oscillatorʼs phase trajectory in a small-scale periodic state are analyzed by introducing the theory of stopping oscillation system. Based on this approach, a novel Duffing oscillator weak wide-band signal detection method is proposed. In this novel method, the reference signal is discarded, and the to-be-detected signal is directly used as a driving force. By calculating the cosine function of a phase space angle, a single Duffing oscillator can be used for weak wide-band signal detection instead of an array of uncoupled Duffing oscillators. Simulation results indicate that, compared with the conventional Duffing oscillator detection method, this approach performs better in frequency detection intervals, and reduces the signal-to-noise ratio detection threshold, while improving the real-time performance of the system. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 61673066).

RFI flagging implications for short-duration transients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cendes, Y.; Prasad, P.; Rowlinson, A.; Wijers, R. A. M. J.; Swinbank, J. D.; Law, C. J.; van der Horst, A. J.; Carbone, D.; Broderick, J. W.; Staley, T. D.; Stewart, A. J.; Huizinga, F.; Molenaar, G.; Alexov, A.; Bell, M. E.; Coenen, T.; Corbel, S.; Eislöffel, J.; Fender, R.; Grießmeier, J.-M.; Jonker, P.; Kramer, M.; Kuniyoshi, M.; Pietka, M.; Stappers, B.; Wise, M.; Zarka, P.

2018-04-01

With their wide fields of view and often relatively long coverage of any position in the sky in imaging survey mode, modern radio telescopes provide a data stream that is naturally suited to searching for rare transients. However, Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) can show up in the data stream in similar ways to such transients, and thus the normal pre-treatment of filtering RFI (flagging) may also remove astrophysical transients from the data stream before imaging. In this paper we investigate how standard flagging affects the detectability of such transients by examining the case of transient detection in an observing mode used for Low Frequency Array (LOFAR; van Haarlem et al., 2013) surveys. We quantify the fluence range of transients that would be detected, and the reduction of their SNR due to partial flagging. We find that transients with a duration close to the integration sampling time, as well as bright transients with durations on the order of tens of seconds, are completely flagged. For longer transients on the order of several tens of seconds to minutes, the flagging effects are not as severe, although part of the signal is lost. For these transients, we present a modified flagging strategy which mitigates the effect of flagging on transient signals. We also present a script which uses the differences between the two strategies, and known differences between transient RFI and astrophysical transients, to notify the observer when a potential transient is in the data stream.

Structural, ferroelectric and magnetic study of lead free (Na{sub 0.5}Bi{sub 0.5}){sub 1-x}La{sub x}Ti{sub 0.988}Fe{sub 0.012}O{sub 3} (x=0,0.01,0.03,0.05) ceramic

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Parmar, Kusum, E-mail: prmrkusum@gmail.com; Sharma, Anshu; Sharma, Hakikat

2015-05-15

Lead free (Na{sub 0.5}Bi{sub 0.5}){sub 1-x}La{sub x}Ti{sub 0.988}Fe{sub 0.012}O{sub 3} ceramic having compositions (x=0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05) has been prepared by sol gel method using citric acid. Structural analysis has been done by X-ray diffraction and FTIR measurements. XRD patterns have been confirmed perovskite structure for all samples. FTIR absorption band at around ∼630 cm{sup −1} is observed for all samples which confirm perovskite phase formation in samples. With increasing La concentration, shifting in XRD peaks and FTIR absorption bands is observed which suggests incorporation of La on A-site in prepared (Na{sub 0.5}Bi{sub 0.5}){sub 1-x}La{sub x}Ti{sub 0.988}Fe{sub 0.012}O{sub 3} samples. Effectmore » of La substitution on Ferroelectric (Polarization vs. Electric field) and Magnetic (Magnetization vs. Magnetic field) properties have been studied at room temperature. All samples exhibit weak ferromagnetic order and also possess ferroelectric behavior which provides new insight to lead free single phase multiferroic materials.« less

Demonstration of efficient spin injection and detection in various systems using Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} based spin injectors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bhat, Shwetha G., E-mail: shwethabhat@physics.iisc.ernet.in; Anil Kumar, P. S.

2016-05-15

Half-metal based spin injector devices for spin injection and detection application have proven to be efficient owing to their enhanced injection and detection efficiency. In this study, we extend the all-electrical spin injection and detection studies into different systems like Si and GaAs using half-metal Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} as a spin injector in the presence and absence of tunnel barrier MgO. Injection into GaAs is verified using conventional Fe/MgO/GaAs devices. Room temperature spin injection into both p-type and n-type Si is achieved and the spin injection could be observed down to 100 K. Obtained spin relaxation time for these n-typemore » and p-type Si at different temperatures agree well with the existing reports. Further, the temperature dependent spin injection and detection is also successfully achieved in Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/GaAs (n-type) Schottky devices, and a comparison study of the results with control experiment using Fe/MgO/GaAs (n-type) devices confirm the relaxation to be similar in the GaAs substrate, as expected. Hence, even Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} material can be effectively used as an efficient spin injector as well as detector, making it an attractive candidate for the room temperature spintronics device applications.« less

Experimental demonstration of record high 19.125 Gb/s real-time end-to-end dual-band optical OFDM transmission over 25 km SMF in a simple EML-based IMDD system.

PubMed

Giddings, R P; Hugues-Salas, E; Tang, J M

2012-08-27

Record high 19.125 Gb/s real-time end-to-end dual-band optical OFDM (OOFDM) transmission is experimentally demonstrated, for the first time, in a simple electro-absorption modulated laser (EML)-based 25 km standard SMF system using intensity modulation and direct detection (IMDD). Adaptively modulated baseband (0-2GHz) and passband (6.125 ± 2GHz) OFDM RF sub-bands, supporting line rates of 10 Gb/s and 9.125 Gb/s respectively, are independently generated and detected with FPGA-based DSP clocked at only 100 MHz and DACs/ADCs operating at sampling speeds as low as 4GS/s. The two OFDM sub-bands are electrically frequency-division-multiplexed (FDM) for intensity modulation of a single optical carrier by an EML. To maximize and balance the signal transmission performance of each sub-band, on-line adaptive features and on-line performance monitoring is fully exploited to optimize key OOFDM transceiver and system parameters, which includes subcarrier characteristics within each individual OFDM sub-band, total and relative sub-band power as well as EML operating conditions. The achieved 19.125 Gb/s over 25 km SMF OOFDM transmission system has an optical power budget of 13.5 dB, and shows almost identical bit error rate (BER) performances for both the baseband and passband signals. In addition, experimental investigations also indicate that the maximum achievable transmission capacity of the present system is mainly determined by the EML frequency chirp-enhanced chromatic dispersion effect, and the passband BER performance is not affected by the two sub-band-induced intermixing effect, which, however, gives a 1.2dB optical power penalty to the baseband signal transmission.

OPTICAL THERMONUCLEAR TRANSIENTS FROM TIDAL COMPRESSION OF WHITE DWARFS AS TRACERS OF THE LOW END OF THE MASSIVE BLACK HOLE MASS FUNCTION

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

MacLeod, Morgan; Ramirez-Ruiz, Enrico; Guillochon, James

In this paper, we model the observable signatures of tidal disruptions of white dwarf (WD) stars using massive black holes (MBHs) of moderate mass, ≈10{sup 3}–10{sup 5} M{sub ⊙}. When the WD passes deep enough within the MBH’s tidal field, these signatures include thermonuclear transients from burning during maximum compression. We combine a hydrodynamic simulation that includes nuclear burning of the disruption of a 0.6 M{sub ⊙} C/O WD with a Monte Carlo radiative transfer calculation to synthesize the properties of a representative transient. The transient’s emission emerges in the optical, with light curves and spectra reminiscent of Type I supernovae. Themore » properties are strongly viewing angle dependent, and key spectral signatures are ≈10,000 km s{sup −1} doppler shifts, due to the orbital motion of the unbound ejecta. Disruptions of He WDs likely produce large quantities of intermediate-mass elements, offering a possible production mechanism for Ca-rich transients. Accompanying multi-wavelength transients are fueled by accretion and arise from the nascent accretion disk and relativistic jet. If MBHs of moderate mass exist with number densities similar to those of supermassive BHs, both high-energy wide-field monitors and upcoming optical surveys should detect tens to hundreds of WD tidal disruptions per year. The current best strategy for their detection may therefore be deep optical follow-up of high-energy transients of unusually long duration. The detection rate or the nondetection of these transients by current and upcoming surveys can thus be used to place meaningful constraints on the extrapolation of the MBH mass function to moderate masses.« less

Kinetics of O{sub 2}({sup 1{Sigma}}) formation in the reaction O{sub 2}({sup 1{Delta}}) + O{sub 2}({sup 1{Delta}}) {yields} O{sub 2}({sup 1{Sigma}}) + O{sub 2}({sup 3{Sigma}})

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zagidullin, M V; Khvatov, N A; Nyagashkin, A Yu

2011-02-28

The dependence of the ratio of specific powers of dimole radiation of singlet oxygen in the 634 nm band and in the b - X band of the O{sub 2}({sup 1{Sigma}}) molecule in the O{sub 2}(X) - O{sub 2}({sup 1{Delta}}) - O{sub 2}({sup 1{Sigma}}) - H{sub 2}O - CO{sub 2} mixture on the CO{sub 2} concentration is measured. As a result, the rate constant of the reaction O{sub 2}({sup 1{Delta}}) + O{sub 2}({sup 1{Delta}}) {yields} O{sub 2}({sup 1{Sigma}}) + O{sub 2}({sup 3{Sigma}}) at the temperature {approx}330 K is found to equal (4.5 {+-} 1.1) 10{sup -17} cm{sup 3} s{sup -1}.more » (active media)« less

The nu sub 9 fundamental of ethane - Integrated intensity and band absorption measurements with application to the atmospheres of the major planets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Varanasi, P.; Cess, R. D.; Bangaru, B. R. P.

1974-01-01

Measurements of the absolute intensity and integrated band absorption have been performed for the nu sub 9 fundamental band of ethane. The intensity is found to be about 34 per sq cm per atm at STP, and this is significantly higher than previous estimates. It is shown that a Gaussian profile provides an empirical representation of the apparent spectral absorption coefficient. Employing this empirical profile, a simple expression is derived for the integrated band absorption, which is in excellent agreement with experimental values. The band model is then employed to investigate the possible role of ethane as a source of thermal infrared opacity within the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn, and to interpret qualitatively observed brightness temperatures for Saturn.

System Performance of Absolute Quartz-Crystal Barometers with Sub-Microbar Precision

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

respectively. signals , which falls in the microbarom frequency band. This affirms the detection of ocean generated infrasound (microbaroms) using a single...scales down to seconds is demonstrated. The first observations of ocean- generated , atmospheric infrasound with periods of about 5 s and sub-microbar...demonstrated. The first observations of ocean- generated , atmospheric infrasound with periods of about 5 s and sub-microbar amplitudes, called microbaroms

Broad-bandwidth Metamaterial Antireflection Coatings for Sub-Millimeter Astronomy and CMB Foreground Removal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McMahon, Jeff

Sub-millimeter observations are crucial for answering questions about star and galaxy formation; understanding galactic dust foregrounds; and for removing these foregrounds to detect the faint signature of inflationary gravitational waves in the polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). Achieving these goals requires improved, broad-band antireflection coated lenses and half-wave plates (HWPs). These optical elements will significantly boost the sensitivity and capability of future sub-millimeter and CMB missions. We propose to develop wide-bandwidth metamaterial antireflection coatings for silicon lenses and sapphire HWPs with 3:1 ratio bandwidth that are scalable across the sub-millimeter band from 300 GHz to 3 THz. This is an extension of our successful work on saw cut metamaterial AR coatings for silicon optics at millimeter wave lengths. These, and the proposed coatings consist of arrays of sub-wavelength scale features cut into optical surfaces that behave like simple dielectrics. We have demonstrated saw cut 3:1 bandwidth coatings on silicon lenses, but these coatings are limited to the millimeter wave band by the limitations of dicing saw machining. The crucial advance needed to extend these broad band coatings throughout the sub-millimeter band is the development of laser cut graded index metamaterial coatings. The proposed work includes developing the capability to fabricate these coatings, optimizing the design of these metamaterials, fabricating and testing prototype lenses and HWPs, and working with the PIPER collaboration to achieve a sub-orbital demonstration of this technology. The proposed work will develop potentially revolutionary new high performance coatings for the sub-millimeter bands, and cary this technology to TRL 7 paving the way for its use in space. We anticipate that there will be a wide range of applications for these coatings on future NASA balloons and satellites.

The Corralitos Observatory program for the detection of lunar transient phenomena

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hynek, J. A.; Dunlap, J. R.; Hendry, E. M.

1976-01-01

This is a final report on the establishment, observing procedures, and observational results of a survey program for the detection of lunar transient phenomena (LTP's) by electro-optical image conversion means. For survey, a unique detection system with an image orthicon was used as the primary element in conjunction with a 24-in. f/20 Cassegrainian telescope. Observations in three spectral ranges, with 6,466 man-hours of observing, were actually performed during the period from October 27, 1965, to April 26, 1972. Within this entire period, no color or feature change within the detection capabilities of the instrumentation was observed, either independently or in follow up of amateur LTP reports, with the exception of one general bluing and several localized bluings (probably ascribable to the effects of the terrestrial atmosphere) that were observed solely by the Corralitos system. A table is presented indicating amateur and professional reports of LTP's and the results of efforts to confirm these reports through the Corralitos system.

Modulating the band structure and sub-bandgap absorption of Co-hyperdoped silicon by co-doping with shallow-level elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Xiao; Fang, Xiuxiu; Wang, Yongyong; Song, Xiaohui; Lu, Zhansheng

2018-06-01

Hyperdoped group-III elements can lower the Fermi energy in the band structures of Co-hyperdoped silicon. When the Co-to-X (X = B, Al, Ga) ratio is 2:1, the intermediate band (IB) in the bandgap includes the Fermi energy and is partially filled by electrons, which is in accordance with the requirement of an IB material. The hyperdoped X atoms can cause the blueshift of the sub-bandgap absorption of the compound compared with the material with no shallow-level elements, which is due to the enlargement of the electronic excitation energy of the Co,X-co-doped silicon.

Spitzer Characterization of Transients from the Palomar Transient Factory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasliwal, Mansi; Ofek, Eran; Corsi, Alessandra; Nugent, Peter; Kulkarni, Shri; Cao, Yi; Helou, George; Gal-Yam, Avishay; Arcavi, Iair; Ben-Ami, Sagi

2012-12-01

We propose to continue Spitzer/IRAC follow-up of optical transients discovered by the Palomar Transient Factory. Our goals are: (i) probe the mass loss history and characterize the circumstellar environment of supernovae. (ii) construct a late-time bolometric light curve; the mid-infrared observations complement our ground-based optical and near-infrared data and (iii) understand the physical origin of new classes of transients (specifically, intermediate luminosity red transients) where the mystery is literally enshrouded in dust. We select extremely nearby supernovae, both thermonuclear and core-collapse, where the thermal echo is easily detectable in the mid-infrared. We also select peculiar supernovae that show tell-tale signs of circumstellar interaction. We also select rare and red gap transients in the local universe for IRAC follow-up. Additionally, we request low-impact target of opportunity observations for new discoveries in 2013. Our total request is 24 hrs.

Spitzer Characterization of Transients from the Palomar Transient Factory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasliwal, Mansi; Goobar, Ariel; Johansson, Joel; Cenko, Brad; Ofek, Eran; Nugent, Peter; Kulkarni, Shri; Cao, Yi; Helou, George; Gal-Yam, Avishay; Arcavi, Iair; Ben-Ami, Sagi

2013-10-01

We propose to continue Spitzer/IRAC follow-up of optical transients discovered by the Palomar Transient Factory. Our goals are: (i) probe the mass loss history and characterize the circumstellar environment of supernovae. (ii) construct a late-time bolometric light curve; the mid-infrared observations complement our ground-based optical and near-infrared data and (iii) understand the physical origin of new classes of transients (specifically, intermediate luminosity red transients) where the mystery is literally enshrouded in dust. We select extremely nearby supernovae, both thermonuclear and core-collapse, where the thermal echo is easily detectable in the mid-infrared. We also select peculiar supernovae that show tell-tale signs of circumstellar interaction. We also select rare and red gap transients in the local universe. Additionally, we request low-impact target of opportunity observations for new discoveries in 2014. Our total request is 17 hrs.

Temperature dependence of the band gap of GaSb{sub 1−x}Bi{sub x} alloys with 0 < x ≤ 0.042 determined by photoreflectance

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kopaczek, J.; Misiewicz, J.; Kudrawiec, R., E-mail: robert.kudrawiec@pwr.wroc.pl

2013-12-23

GaSb{sub 1−x}Bi{sub x} layers with 0 < x ≤ 0.042 have been studied by photoreflectance in 15–290 K temperature range. We found that due to the incorporation of Bi atoms into the GaSb host, the E{sub 0} band gap-related transition redshifts (∼30 meV per 1% Bi) and significantly broadens. The shift of the E{sub 0} transition in the temperature range 10–270 K has been found to be ∼70 meV, very similar to the energy shift in GaSb over the same temperature range. We analyzed the energy and broadening of the E{sub 0} transition using the Varshni and Bose-Einstein formulas and found that the Varshni and Bose-Einstein parameters ofmore » GaSb{sub 1−x}Bi{sub x} are similar to those of GaSb. Moreover we concluded that the inhomogeneities in GaSb{sub 1−x}Bi{sub x} alloys is less important than in dilute bismide arsenides since Bi atoms are more similar to Sb atoms (in electronegativities and ionic sizes)« less

Small Near-Earth Asteroids in the Palomar Transient Factory Survey: A Real-Time Streak-detection System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waszczak, Adam; Prince, Thomas A.; Laher, Russ; Masci, Frank; Bue, Brian; Rebbapragada, Umaa; Barlow, Tom; Surace, Jason; Helou, George; Kulkarni, Shrinivas

2017-03-01

Near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) in the 1-100 meter size range are estimated to be ˜1,000 times more numerous than the ˜15,000 currently cataloged NEAs, most of which are in the 0.5-10 kilometer size range. Impacts from 10-100 meter size NEAs are not statistically life-threatening, but may cause significant regional damage, while 1-10 meter size NEAs with low velocities relative to Earth are compelling targets for space missions. We describe the implementation and initial results of a real-time NEA-discovery system specialized for the detection of small, high angular rate (visually streaked) NEAs in Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) images. PTF is a 1.2-m aperture, 7.3 deg2 field of view (FOV) optical survey designed primarily for the discovery of extragalactic transients (e.g., supernovae) in 60-second exposures reaching ˜20.5 visual magnitude. Our real-time NEA discovery pipeline uses a machine-learned classifier to filter a large number of false-positive streak detections, permitting a human scanner to efficiently and remotely identify real asteroid streaks during the night. Upon recognition of a streaked NEA detection (typically within an hour of the discovery exposure), the scanner triggers follow-up with the same telescope and posts the observations to the Minor Planet Center for worldwide confirmation. We describe our 11 initial confirmed discoveries, all small NEAs that passed 0.3-15 lunar distances from Earth. Lastly, we derive useful scaling laws for comparing streaked-NEA-detection capabilities of different surveys as a function of their hardware and survey-pattern characteristics. This work most directly informs estimates of the streak-detection capabilities of the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF, planned to succeed PTF in 2017), which will apply PTF’s current resolution and sensitivity over a 47-deg2 FOV.

OGLE-IV Real-Time Transient Search

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wyrzykowski, Ł.; Kostrzewa-Rutkowska, Z.; Kozłowski, S.; Udalski, A.; Poleski, R.; Skowron, J.; Blagorodnova, N.; Kubiak, M.; Szymański, M. K.; Pietrzyński, G.; Soszyński, I.; Ulaczyk, K.; Pietrukowicz, P.; Mróz, P.

2014-09-01

We present the design and first results of a real-time search for transients within the 650 sq. deg. area around the Magellanic Clouds, conducted as part of the OGLE-IV project and aimed at detecting supernovae, novae and other events. The average sampling of about four days from September to May, yielded a detection of 238 transients in 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 seasons. The superb photometric and astrometric quality of the OGLE data allows for numerous applications of the discovered transients. We use this sample to prepare and train a Machine Learning-based automated classifier for early light curves, which distinguishes major classes of transients with more than 80% of correct answers. Spectroscopically classified 49 supernovae Type Ia are used to construct a Hubble Diagram with statistical scatter of about 0.3 mag and fill the least populated region of the redshifts range in the Union sample. We investigate the influence of host galaxy environments on supernovae statistics and find the mean host extinction of AI=0.19±0.10 mag and AV=0.39±0.21 mag based on a subsample of supernovae Type Ia. We show that the positional accuracy of the survey is of the order of 0.5 pixels (0.13'') and that the OGLE-IV Transient Detection System is capable of detecting transients within the nuclei of galaxies. We present a few interesting cases of nuclear transients of unknown type. All data on the OGLE transients are made publicly available to the astronomical community via the OGLE website.

ENDOR with band-selective shaped inversion pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tait, Claudia E.; Stoll, Stefan

2017-04-01

Electron Nuclear DOuble Resonance (ENDOR) is based on the measurement of nuclear transition frequencies through detection of changes in the polarization of electron transitions. In Davies ENDOR, the initial polarization is generated by a selective microwave inversion pulse. The rectangular inversion pulses typically used are characterized by a relatively low selectivity, with full inversion achieved only for a limited number of spin packets with small resonance offsets. With the introduction of pulse shaping to EPR, the rectangular inversion pulses can be replaced with shaped pulses with increased selectivity. Band-selective inversion pulses are characterized by almost rectangular inversion profiles, leading to full inversion for spin packets with resonance offsets within the pulse excitation bandwidth and leaving spin packets outside the excitation bandwidth largely unaffected. Here, we explore the consequences of using different band-selective amplitude-modulated pulses designed for NMR as the inversion pulse in ENDOR. We find an increased sensitivity for small hyperfine couplings compared to rectangular pulses of the same bandwidth. In echo-detected Davies-type ENDOR, finite Fourier series inversion pulses combine the advantages of increased absolute ENDOR sensitivity of short rectangular inversion pulses and increased sensitivity for small hyperfine couplings of long rectangular inversion pulses. The use of pulses with an almost rectangular frequency-domain profile also allows for increased control of the hyperfine contrast selectivity. At X-band, acquisition of echo transients as a function of radiofrequency and appropriate selection of integration windows during data processing allows efficient separation of contributions from weakly and strongly coupled nuclei in overlapping ENDOR spectra within a single experiment.

Approximate transient and long time limit solutions for the band broadening induced by the thin sidewall-layer in liquid chromatography columns.

PubMed

Broeckhoven, Ken; Desmet, Gert

2007-11-16

Using a combination of both analytical and numerical techniques, approximate analytical expressions have been established for the transient and long time limit band broadening, originating from the presence of a thin disturbed sidewall layer in liquid chromatography columns, including packed, monolithic as well as microfabricated columns. The established expressions can be used to compare the importance of a thin disturbed sidewall layer with that of other radial heterogeneity effects (such as transcolumn packing density variations due to the relief of packing stresses). The expressions are independent of the actual velocity profile inside the layer as long as the disturbed sidewall layer occupies less than 2.5% of the column width.

High Power K Sub a -band Transmitter for Planetary Radar and Spacecraft Uplink

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhanji, A. M.; Hoppe, D. J.; Hartop, R. W.; Stone, E. W.; Imbriale, W. A.; Stone, D.; Caplan, M.

1984-01-01

A proposed conceptual design of a 400 kW continuous wave (CW)K sub a band transmitter and associated microwave components to be used for planetary radar and serve as a prototype for future spacecraft uplinks is discussed. System requirements for such a transmitter are presented. Performance of the proposed high-power millimeter wave tube, the gyroklystron is discussed. Parameters of the proposed power amplifier, beam supply, and monitor and control devices are also presented. Microwave transmission line components consisting of signal monitoring devices, signal filtering devices, and an overmoded corrugated feed are discussed. Finally, an assessment of the state of the art technology to meet the system requirements is given and possible areas of difficulty are summarized.

Thermodynamical and thermoelectric properties of boron doped YPd{sub 3} and YRh{sub 3}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dwivedi, Shalini; Sharma, Yamini, E-mail: sharma.yamini62@gmail.com; Sharma, Ramesh

2016-05-23

The structural, electronic, thermal, and optical properties of borides of cubic non-magnetic YX{sub 3} (X=Rh, Pd) compounds and their borides which crystallize in the AuCu{sub 3} structure have been studied using the density functional theory (DFT). The flat bands in the vicinity of E{sub F} which are associated with superconductivity appear in YPd{sub 3} and YRh{sub 3} band structures. However, the B s-states enhance the flat band only in YRh{sub 3}B. The optical properties clearly show that boron insertion modifies the absorption and transmittance. The YX{sub 3} alloys and their borides exhibit valuable changes in the thermopower and ZT. Itmore » is observed that the properties of the Y-X intermetallics change significantly for the Y-Rh and Y-Pd alloys and the presence of single boron atom modifies the properties to a great extent.« less

The Transient High Energy Sky and Early Universe Surveyor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Brien, P. T.

2016-04-01

The Transient High Energy Sky and Early Universe Surveyor is a mission which will be proposed for the ESA M5 call. THESEUS will address multiple components in the Early Universe ESA Cosmic Vision theme:4.1 Early Universe,4.2 The Universe taking shape, and4.3 The evolving violent Universe.THESEUS aims at vastly increasing the discovery space of the high energy transient phenomena over the entire cosmic history. This is achieved via a unique payload providing an unprecedented combination of: (i) wide and deep sky monitoring in a broad energy band(0.3 keV-20 MeV; (ii) focusing capabilities in the soft X-ray band granting large grasp and high angular resolution; and (iii) on board near-IR capabilities for immediate transient identification and first redshift estimate.The THESEUS payload consists of: (i) the Soft X--ray Imager (SXI), a set of Lobster Eye (0.3--6 keV) telescopes with CCD detectors covering a total FOV of 1 sr; (ii) the X--Gamma-rays spectrometer (XGS), a non-imaging spectrometer (XGS) based on SDD+CsI, covering the same FOV than the Lobster telescope extending the THESEUS energy band up to 20 MeV; and (iii) a 70cm class InfraRed Telescope (IRT) observing up to 2 microns with imaging and moderate spectral capabilities.The main scientific goals of THESEUS are to:(a) Explore the Early Universe (cosmic dawn and reionization era) by unveiling the Gamma--Ray Burst (GRBs) population in the first billion years}, determining when did the first stars form, and investigating the re-ionization epoch, the interstellar medium (ISM) and the intergalactic medium (IGM) at high redshifts.(b) Perform an unprecedented deep survey of the soft X-ray transient Universe in order to fill the present gap in the discovery space of new classes of transient; provide a fundamental step forward in the comprehension of the physics of various classes of Galactic and extra--Galactic transients, and provide real time trigger and accurate locations of transients for follow-up with next

[Study on the early detection of Sclerotinia of Brassica napus based on combinational-stimulated bands].

PubMed

Liu, Fei; Feng, Lei; Lou, Bing-gan; Sun, Guang-ming; Wang, Lian-ping; He, Yong

2010-07-01

The combinational-stimulated bands were used to develop linear and nonlinear calibrations for the early detection of sclerotinia of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). Eighty healthy and 100 Sclerotinia leaf samples were scanned, and different preprocessing methods combined with successive projections algorithm (SPA) were applied to develop partial least squares (PLS) discriminant models, multiple linear regression (MLR) and least squares-support vector machine (LS-SVM) models. The results indicated that the optimal full-spectrum PLS model was achieved by direct orthogonal signal correction (DOSC), then De-trending and Raw spectra with correct recognition ratio of 100%, 95.7% and 95.7%, respectively. When using combinational-stimulated bands, the optimal linear models were SPA-MLR (DOSC) and SPA-PLS (DOSC) with correct recognition ratio of 100%. All SPA-LSSVM models using DOSC, De-trending and Raw spectra achieved perfect results with recognition of 100%. The overall results demonstrated that it was feasible to use combinational-stimulated bands for the early detection of Sclerotinia of oilseed rape, and DOSC-SPA was a powerful way for informative wavelength selection. This method supplied a new approach to the early detection and portable monitoring instrument of sclerotinia.

The effects of low-intensity narrow-band blue-light treatment compared to bright white-light treatment in sub-syndromal seasonal affective disorder.

PubMed

Meesters, Ybe; Winthorst, Wim H; Duijzer, Wianne B; Hommes, Vanja

2016-02-18

The discovery of a novel photoreceptor in the retinal ganglion cells with a highest sensitivity of 470-490 nm blue light has led to research on the effects of short-wavelength light in humans. Several studies have explored the efficacy of monochromatic blue or blue-enriched light in the treatment of SAD. In this study, a comparison has been made between the effects of broad-wavelength light without ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths compared to narrow-band blue light in the treatment of sub-syndromal seasonal affective disorder (Sub-SAD). In a 15-day design, 48 participants suffering from Sub-SAD completed 20-minute sessions of light treatment on five consecutive days. 22 participants were given bright white-light treatment (BLT, broad-wavelength light without UV 10 000 lux, irradiance 31.7 Watt/m(2)) and 26 participants received narrow-band blue light (BLUE, 100 lux, irradiance 1.0 Watt/m(2)). All participants completed daily and weekly questionnaires concerning mood, activation, sleep quality, sleepiness and energy. Also, mood and energy levels were assessed by means of the SIGH-SAD, the primary outcome measure. On day 15, SIGH-SAD ratings were significantly lower than on day 1 (BLT 54.8 %, effect size 1.7 and BLUE 50.7 %, effect size 1.9). No statistically significant differences were found on the main outcome measures. Light treatment is an effective treatment for Sub-SAD. The use of narrow-band blue-light treatment is equally effective as bright white-light treatment. This study was registered in the Dutch Trial Register (Nederlands Trial Register TC =  4342 ) (20-12-2013).

Determination of the diffusion coefficient and phase-transfer rate parameter in LaNi{sub 5} and MmNi{sub 3.6}Co{sub 0.8}Mn{sub 0.4}Al{sub 0.3} using microelectrodes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lundqvist, A.; Lindbergh, G.

1998-11-01

A potential-step method for determining the diffusion coefficient and phase-transfer parameter in metal hydrides by using microelectrodes was investigated. It was shown that a large potential step is not enough to ensure a completely diffusion-limited mass transfer if a surface-phase transfer reaction takes place at a finite rate. It was shown, using a kinetic expression for the surface phase-transfer reaction, that the slope of the logarithm of the current vs. time curve will be constant both in the case of the mass-transfer limited by diffusion or by diffusion and a surface-phase transfer. The diffusion coefficient and phase-transfer rate parameter weremore » accurately determined for MmNi{sub 3.6}Co{sub 0.8}Mn{sub 0.4}Al{sub 0.3} using a fit to the whole transient. The diffusion coefficient was found to be (1.3 {+-} 0.3) {times} 10{sup {minus}13} m{sup 2}/s. The fit was good and showed that a pure diffusion model was not enough to explain the observed transient. The diffusion coefficient and phase-transfer rate parameter were also estimated for pure LaNi{sub 5}. A fit of the whole curve showed that neither a pure diffusion model nor a model including phase transfer could explain the whole transient.« less

Synthesis, structural, electronic and linear electro-optical features of new quaternary Ag{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}SiS{sub 6} compound

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Piasecki, M., E-mail: m.piasecki@ajd.czest.pl; Myronchuk, G.L.; Parasyuk, O.V.

For the first time phase equilibria and phase diagram of the AgGaS{sub 2}–SiS{sub 2} system were successfully explored by differential thermal and X-ray phase analysis methods. Crystal structure of low-temperature (LT) modification of Ag{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}SiS{sub 6} (LРў- Ag{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}SiS{sub 6}) was studied by X-ray powder method and it belongs to tetragonal space group I-42d, with unit cell parameters a=5.7164(4) Å, c=9.8023(7) Å, V=320.32(7) Å{sup 3}. Additional details regarding the crystal structure exploration are available at the web page Fachinformationszentrum Karlsruhe. X-ray photoelectron core-level and valence-band spectra were measured for pristine LРў- Ag{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}SiS{sub 6} crystal surface. Inmore » addition, the X-ray photoelectron valence-band spectrum of LРў-Ag{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}SiS{sub 6} was matched on a common energy scale with the X-ray emission S Kβ{sub 1,3} and Ga Kβ{sub 2} bands, which give information on the energy distribution of the S 3p and Ga 4p states, respectively. The presented X-ray spectroscopy results indicate that the valence S p and Ga p atomic states contribute mainly to the upper and central parts of the valence band of LРў-Ag{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}SiS{sub 6}, respectively, with a less significant contribution also to other valence-band regions. Band gap energy was estimated by measuring the quantum energy in the spectral range of the fundamental absorption. We have found that energy gap Eg is equal to 2.35 eV at 300 K. LT-Ag{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}SiS{sub 6} is a photosensitive material and reveals two spectral maxima on the curve of spectral photoconductivity spectra at λ{sub max1} =590 nm and λ{sub max2} =860 nm. Additionally, linear electro-optical effect of LT-Ag{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}SiS{sub 6} for the wavelengths of a cw He-Ne laser at 1150 nm was explored. - Graphical abstract: Manuscript present the technology of growth and investigation of properties a new quaternary compound Ag{sub 2}Ga{sub 2}SiS{sub

Coherent optical transients observed in rubidium atomic line filtered Doppler velocimetry experiments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fajardo, Mario E., E-mail: mario.fajardo@eglin.af.mil; Molek, Christopher D.; Vesely, Annamaria L.

2015-10-14

We report the first successful results from our novel Rubidium Atomic Line Filtered (RALF) Doppler velocimetry apparatus, along with unanticipated oscillatory signals due to coherent optical transients generated within pure Rb vapor cells. RALF is a high-velocity and high-acceleration extension of the well-known Doppler Global Velocimetry (DGV) technique for constructing multi-dimensional flow velocity vector maps in aerodynamics experiments [H. Komine, U.S. Patent No. 4,919,536 (24 April 1990)]. RALF exploits the frequency dependence of pressure-broadened Rb atom optical absorptions in a heated Rb/N{sub 2} gas cell to encode the Doppler shift of reflected near-resonant (λ{sub 0} ≈ 780.24 nm) laser light onto the intensitymore » transmitted by the cell. The present RALF apparatus combines fiber optic and free-space components and was built to determine suitable operating conditions and performance parameters for the Rb/N{sub 2} gas cells. It yields single-spot velocities of thin laser-driven-flyer test surfaces and incorporates a simultaneous Photonic Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) channel [Strand et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 77, 083108 (2006)] for validation of the RALF results, which we demonstrate here over the v = 0 to 1 km/s range. Both RALF and DGV presume the vapor cells to be simple Beer's Law optical absorbers, so we were quite surprised to observe oscillatory signals in experiments employing low pressure pure Rb vapor cells. We interpret these oscillations as interference between the Doppler shifted reflected light and the Free Induction Decay (FID) coherent optical transient produced within the pure Rb cells at the original laser frequency; this is confirmed by direct comparison of the PDV and FID signals. We attribute the different behaviors of the Rb/N{sub 2} vs. Rb gas cells to efficient dephasing of the atomic/optical coherences by Rb-N{sub 2} collisions. The minimum necessary N{sub 2} buffer gas density ≈0.3 amagat translates into a

Reduced interface recombination in Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} solar cells with atomic layer deposition Zn{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x}O{sub y} buffer layers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Platzer-Björkman, C.; Frisk, C.; Larsen, J. K.

2015-12-14

Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} (CZTS) solar cells typically include a CdS buffer layer in between the CZTS and ZnO front contact. For sulfide CZTS, with a bandgap around 1.5 eV, the band alignment between CZTS and CdS is not ideal (“cliff-like”), which enhances interface recombination. In this work, we show how a Zn{sub 1−x}Sn{sub x}O{sub y} (ZTO) buffer layer can replace CdS, resulting in improved open circuit voltages (V{sub oc}) for CZTS devices. The ZTO is deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD), with a process previously developed for Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} solar cells. By varying the ALD process temperature, the position of themore » conduction band minimum of the ZTO is varied in relation to that of CZTS. A ZTO process at 95 °C is found to give higher V{sub oc} and efficiency as compared with the CdS reference devices. For a ZTO process at 120 °C, where the conduction band alignment is expected to be the same as for CdS, the V{sub oc} and efficiency is similar to the CdS reference. Further increase in conduction band minimum by lowering the deposition temperature to 80 °C shows blocking of forward current and reduced fill factor, consistent with barrier formation at the junction. Temperature-dependent current voltage analysis gives an activation energy for recombination of 1.36 eV for the best ZTO device compared with 0.98 eV for CdS. We argue that the V{sub oc} of the best ZTO devices is limited by bulk recombination, in agreement with a room temperature photoluminescence peak at around 1.3 eV for both devices, while the CdS device is limited by interface recombination.« less

Narrow-band tunable terahertz emission from ferrimagnetic Mn{sub 3-x}Ga thin films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Awari, N.; University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen; Kovalev, S., E-mail: s.kovalev@hzdr.de, E-mail: c.fowley@hzdr.de, E-mail: rodek@tcd.ie

2016-07-18

Narrow-band terahertz emission from coherently excited spin precession in metallic ferrimagnetic Mn{sub 3-x}Ga Heusler alloy nanofilms has been observed. The efficiency of the emission, per nanometer film thickness, is comparable or higher than that of classical laser-driven terahertz sources based on optical rectification. The center frequency of the emission from the films can be tuned precisely via the film composition in the range of 0.20–0.35 THz, making this type of metallic film a candidate for efficient on-chip terahertz emitters. Terahertz emission spectroscopy is furthermore shown to be a sensitive probe of magnetic properties of ultra-thin films.

Detection of minority carrier traps in p-type 4H-SiC

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alfieri, G.; Kimoto, T.

2014-03-03

Contrarily to the case of n-type 4H-SiC, very little is known about the presence of minority carrier traps in p-type epilayers. In this study, we performed the electrical characterization of as-grown, electron irradiated, and thermally oxidized p-type 4H-SiC, by using minority carrier transient spectroscopy. Four minority carrier traps are reported in 1.6–2.3 eV energy range above the valence band edge (E{sub V}). Particular emphasis is given to the mid-gap minority carrier trap (EH{sub 6∕7}) and to its correlation to an energetically close mid-gap majority carrier trap (HK4)

Band gap tuning of amorphous Al oxides by Zr alloying

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Canulescu, S., E-mail: stec@fotonik.dtu.dk; Schou, J.; Jones, N. C.

2016-08-29

The optical band gap and electronic structure of amorphous Al-Zr mixed oxides with Zr content ranging from 4.8 to 21.9% were determined using vacuum ultraviolet and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The light scattering by the nano-porous structure of alumina at low wavelengths was estimated based on the Mie scattering theory. The dependence of the optical band gap of the Al-Zr mixed oxides on the Zr content deviates from linearity and decreases from 7.3 eV for pure anodized Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} to 6.45 eV for Al-Zr mixed oxides with a Zr content of 21.9%. With increasing Zr content, the conduction band minimum changes non-linearlymore » as well. Fitting of the energy band gap values resulted in a bowing parameter of ∼2 eV. The band gap bowing of the mixed oxides is assigned to the presence of the Zr d-electron states localized below the conduction band minimum of anodized Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}.« less

Conduction band offset at GeO{sub 2}/Ge interface determined by internal photoemission and charge-corrected x-ray photoelectron spectroscopies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, W. F.; Nishimula, T.; Nagashio, K.

2013-03-11

We report a consistent conduction band offset (CBO) at a GeO{sub 2}/Ge interface determined by internal photoemission spectroscopy (IPE) and charge-corrected X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). IPE results showed that the CBO value was larger than 1.5 eV irrespective of metal electrode and substrate type variance, while an accurate determination of valence band offset (VBO) by XPS requires a careful correction of differential charging phenomena. The VBO value was determined to be 3.60 {+-} 0.2 eV by XPS after charge correction, thus yielding a CBO (1.60 {+-} 0.2 eV) in excellent agreement with the IPE results. Such a large CBO (>1.5more » eV) confirmed here is promising in terms of using GeO{sub 2} as a potential passivation layer for future Ge-based scaled CMOS devices.« less

Cobalt (II) oxide and nickel (II) oxide alloys as potential intermediate-band semiconductors: A theoretical study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alidoust, Nima; Lessio, Martina; Carter, Emily A., E-mail: eac@princeton.edu

2016-01-14

Solar cells based on single pn junctions, employing single-gap semiconductors can ideally achieve efficiencies as high as 34%. Developing solar cells based on intermediate-band semiconductors (IBSCs), which can absorb light across multiple band gaps, is a possible way to defy this theoretical limit and achieve efficiencies as high as 60%. Here, we use first principles quantum mechanics methods and introduce CoO and Co{sub 0.25}Ni{sub 0.75}O as possible IBSCs. We show that the conduction band in both of these materials is divided into two distinct bands separated by a band gap. We further show that the lower conduction band (i.e., themore » intermediate band) is wider in Co{sub 0.25}Ni{sub 0.75}O compared with CoO. This should enhance light absorption from the valence band edge to the intermediate band, making Co{sub 0.25}Ni{sub 0.75}O more appropriate for use as an IBSC. Our findings provide the basis for future attempts to partially populate the intermediate band and to reduce the lower band gap in Co{sub 0.25}Ni{sub 0.75}O in order to enhance the potential of this material for use in IBSC solar cell technologies. Furthermore, with proper identification of heterojunctions and dopants, CoO and Co{sub 0.25}Ni{sub 0.75}O could be used in multi-color light emitting diode and laser technologies.« less

Optical and magneto-optical effects in Hg{sub 1-x}Cd{sub x}Cr{sub 2}Se{sub 4} (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1) single crystals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sukhorukov, Yu. P., E-mail: suhorukov@imp.uran.ru; Telegin, A. V.; Bebenin, N. G.

2015-09-15

The concentration, temperature, and magnetic-field dependences of the magnetoreflection and magnetotransmission of natural light in the infrared spectral range and the Kerr effect in single crystals of ferromagnetic Hg{sub 1-x}Cd{sub x}Cr{sub 2}Se{sub 4} (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1) spinels have been studied. A relationship of the magneto-optical properties to the electronic band structure of spinels has been established. The most significant changes in the spectra of magnetoreflection, magnetotransmission, and the Kerr effect are shown to be observed for 0.1 < x < 0.25 and are attributable to a rearrangement of the band structure as the composition changes.

Ultrafast Band Engineering and Transient Spin Currents in Antiferromagnetic Oxides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Mingqiang; Rondinelli, James M.

2016-04-01

We report a dynamic structure and band engineering strategy with experimental protocols to induce indirect-to-direct band gap transitions and coherently oscillating pure spin-currents in three-dimensional antiferromagnets (AFM) using selective phononic excitations. In the Mott insulator LaTiO3, we show that a photo-induced nonequilibrium phonon mode amplitude destroys the spin and orbitally degenerate ground state, reduces the band gap by 160 meV and renormalizes the carrier masses. The time scale of this process is a few hundreds of femtoseconds. Then in the hole-doped correlated metallic titanate, we show how pure spin-currents can be achieved to yield spin-polarizations exceeding those observed in classic semiconductors. Last, we demonstrate the generality of the approach by applying it to the non-orbitally degenerate AFM CaMnO3. These results advance our understanding of electron-lattice interactions in structures out-of-equilibrium and establish a rational framework for designing dynamic phases that may be exploited in ultrafast optoelectronic and optospintronic devices.

Ultrafast Band Engineering and Transient Spin Currents in Antiferromagnetic Oxides.

PubMed

Gu, Mingqiang; Rondinelli, James M

2016-04-29

We report a dynamic structure and band engineering strategy with experimental protocols to induce indirect-to-direct band gap transitions and coherently oscillating pure spin-currents in three-dimensional antiferromagnets (AFM) using selective phononic excitations. In the Mott insulator LaTiO3, we show that a photo-induced nonequilibrium phonon mode amplitude destroys the spin and orbitally degenerate ground state, reduces the band gap by 160 meV and renormalizes the carrier masses. The time scale of this process is a few hundreds of femtoseconds. Then in the hole-doped correlated metallic titanate, we show how pure spin-currents can be achieved to yield spin-polarizations exceeding those observed in classic semiconductors. Last, we demonstrate the generality of the approach by applying it to the non-orbitally degenerate AFM CaMnO3. These results advance our understanding of electron-lattice interactions in structures out-of-equilibrium and establish a rational framework for designing dynamic phases that may be exploited in ultrafast optoelectronic and optospintronic devices.

Ultrafast band engineering and transient spin currents in antiferromagnetic oxides

DOE PAGES

Gu, Mingqiang; Rondinelli, James M.

2016-04-29

Here, we report a dynamic structure and band engineering strategy with experimental protocols to induce indirect-to-direct band gap transitions and coherently oscillating pure spin-currents in three-dimensional antiferromagnets (AFM) using selective phononic excitations. In the Mott insulator LaTiO 3, we show that a photo-induced nonequilibrium phonon mode amplitude destroys the spin and orbitally degenerate ground state, reduces the band gap by 160 meV and renormalizes the carrier masses. The time scale of this process is a few hundreds of femtoseconds. Then in the hole-doped correlated metallic titanate, we show how pure spin-currents can be achieved to yield spin-polarizations exceeding those observedmore » in classic semiconductors. Last, we demonstrate the generality of the approach by applying it to the non-orbitally degenerate AFM CaMnO 3. These results advance our understanding of electron-lattice interactions in structures out-of-equilibrium and establish a rational framework for designing dynamic phases that may be exploited in ultrafast optoelectronic and optospintronic devices.« less

Ultrafast Band Engineering and Transient Spin Currents in Antiferromagnetic Oxides

PubMed Central

Gu, Mingqiang; Rondinelli, James M.

2016-01-01

We report a dynamic structure and band engineering strategy with experimental protocols to induce indirect-to-direct band gap transitions and coherently oscillating pure spin-currents in three-dimensional antiferromagnets (AFM) using selective phononic excitations. In the Mott insulator LaTiO3, we show that a photo-induced nonequilibrium phonon mode amplitude destroys the spin and orbitally degenerate ground state, reduces the band gap by 160 meV and renormalizes the carrier masses. The time scale of this process is a few hundreds of femtoseconds. Then in the hole-doped correlated metallic titanate, we show how pure spin-currents can be achieved to yield spin-polarizations exceeding those observed in classic semiconductors. Last, we demonstrate the generality of the approach by applying it to the non-orbitally degenerate AFM CaMnO3. These results advance our understanding of electron-lattice interactions in structures out-of-equilibrium and establish a rational framework for designing dynamic phases that may be exploited in ultrafast optoelectronic and optospintronic devices. PMID:27126354

Sub-Doppler rotationally resolved spectroscopy of lower vibronic bands of benzene with Zeeman effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doi, Atsushi; Kasahara, Shunji; Katô, Hajime; Baba, Masaaki

2004-04-01

Sub-Doppler high-resolution excitation spectra and the Zeeman effects of the 601, 101601, and 102601 bands of the S1 1B2u←S0 1A1g transition of benzene were measured by crossing laser beam perpendicular to a collimated molecular beam. 1593 rotational lines of the 101601 band and 928 lines of the 102601 band were assigned, and the molecular constants of the excited states were determined. Energy shifts were observed for the S1 1B2u(v1=1,v6=1,J,Kl=-11) levels, and those were identified as originating from a perpendicular Coriolis interaction. Many energy shifts were observed for the S1 1B2u(v1=2,v6=1,J,Kl) levels. The Zeeman splitting of a given J level was observed to increase with K and reach the maximum at K=J, which demonstrates that the magnetic moment lies perpendicular to the molecular plane. The Zeeman splittings of the K=J levels were observed to increase linearly with J. From the analysis, the magnetic moment is shown to be originating mostly from mixing of the S1 1B2u and S2 1B1u states by the J-L coupling (electronic Coriolis interaction). The number of perturbations was observed to increase as the excess energy increases, and all the perturbing levels were found to be a singlet state from the Zeeman spectra.

Development of a transient expression assay for detecting environmental oestrogens in zebrafish and medaka embryos

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Oestrogenic contaminants are widespread in the aquatic environment and have been shown to induce adverse effects in both wildlife (most notably in fish) and humans, raising international concern. Available detecting and testing systems are limited in their capacity to elucidate oestrogen signalling pathways and physiological impacts. Here we developed a transient expression assay to investigate the effects of oestrogenic chemicals in fish early life stages and to identify target organs for oestrogenic effects. To enhance the response sensitivity to oestrogen, we adopted the use of multiple tandem oestrogen responsive elements (EREc38) in a Tol2 transposon mediated Gal4ff-UAS system. The plasmid constructed (pTol2_ERE-TATA-Gal4ff), contains three copies of oestrogen response elements (3ERE) that on exposure to oestrogen induces expression of Gal4ff which this in turn binds Gal4-responsive Upstream Activated Sequence (UAS) elements, driving the expression of a second reporter gene, EGFP (Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein). Results The response of our construct to oestrogen exposure in zebrafish embryos was examined using a transient expression assay. The two plasmids were injected into 1–2 cell staged zebrafish embryos, and the embryos were exposed to various oestrogens including the natural steroid oestrogen 17ß-oestradiol (E2), the synthetic oestrogen 17α- ethinyloestradiol (EE2), and the relatively weak environmental oestrogen nonylphenol (NP), and GFP expression was examined in the subsequent embryos using fluorescent microscopy. There was no GFP expression detected in unexposed embryos, but specific and mosaic expression of GFP was detected in the liver, heart, somite muscle and some other tissue cells for exposures to steroid oestrogen treatments (EE2; 10 ng/L, E2; 100 ng/L, after 72 h exposures). For the NP exposures, GFP expression was observed at 10 μg NP/L after 72 h (100 μg NP/L was toxic to the fish). We also demonstrate that

Al{sub 4}SiC{sub 4} wurtzite crystal: Structural, optoelectronic, elastic, and piezoelectric properties

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pedesseau, L., E-mail: laurent.pedesseau@insa-rennes.fr, E-mail: jacky.even@insa-rennes.fr; Even, J., E-mail: laurent.pedesseau@insa-rennes.fr, E-mail: jacky.even@insa-rennes.fr; Durand, O.

New experimental results supported by theoretical analyses are proposed for aluminum silicon carbide (Al{sub 4}SiC{sub 4}). A state of the art implementation of the density functional theory is used to analyze the experimental crystal structure, the Born charges, the elastic properties, and the piezoelectric properties. The Born charge tensor is correlated to the local bonding environment for each atom. The electronic band structure is computed including self-consistent many-body corrections. Al{sub 4}SiC{sub 4} material properties are compared to other wide band gap wurtzite materials. From a comparison between an ellipsometry study of the optical properties and theoretical results, we conclude thatmore » the Al{sub 4}SiC{sub 4} material has indirect and direct band gap energies of about 2.5 eV and 3.2 eV, respectively.« less

Transient Faults in Computer Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Masson, Gerald M.

1993-01-01

A powerful technique particularly appropriate for the detection of errors caused by transient faults in computer systems was developed. The technique can be implemented in either software or hardware; the research conducted thus far primarily considered software implementations. The error detection technique developed has the distinct advantage of having provably complete coverage of all errors caused by transient faults that affect the output produced by the execution of a program. In other words, the technique does not have to be tuned to a particular error model to enhance error coverage. Also, the correctness of the technique can be formally verified. The technique uses time and software redundancy. The foundation for an effective, low-overhead, software-based certification trail approach to real-time error detection resulting from transient fault phenomena was developed.

Antecedent occipital alpha band activity predicts the impact of oculomotor events in perceptual switching

PubMed Central

Nakatani, Hironori; van Leeuwen, Cees

2013-01-01

Oculomotor events such as blinks and saccades transiently interrupt the visual input and, even though this mostly goes undetected, these brief interruptions could still influence the percept. In particular, both blinking and saccades facilitate switching in ambiguous figures such as the Necker cube. To investigate the neural state antecedent to these oculomotor events during the perception of an ambiguous figure, we measured the human scalp electroencephalogram (EEG). When blinking led to perceptual switching, antecedent occipital alpha band activity exhibited a transient increase in amplitude. When a saccade led to switching, a series of transient increases and decreases in amplitude was observed in the antecedent occipital alpha band activity. Our results suggest that the state of occipital alpha band activity predicts the impact of oculomotor events on the percept. PMID:23745106

Measurements of Band Intensities, Herman-Wallis Parameters, and Self-Broadening Line-Widths of the 30011 - 00001 and 30014 - 00001 Bands of CO2 at 6503 cm(exp -1) and 6076 cm(exp -1)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Giver, L. P.; Brown, L. R.; Wattson, R. B.; Spencer, M. N.; Chackerian, C., Jr.; Strawa, Anthony W. (Technical Monitor)

1995-01-01

Rotationless band intensities and Herman-Wallis parameters are listed in HITRAN tabulations for several hundred CO2 overtone-combination bands. These parameters are based on laboratory measurements when available, and on DND calculations for the unmeasured bands. The DND calculations for the Fermi interacting nv(sub 1) + v(sub 3) polyads show the a(sub 2) Herman-Wallis parameter varying smoothly from a negative value for the first member of the polyad to a positive value for the final member. Measurements of the v(sub 1) + v(sub 3) dyad are consistent with the DND calculations for the a(sub 2) parameter, as are our recent measurements of the 4v(sub 1) + v(sub 3) pentad. However, the measurement-based values in the HITRAN tables for the 2v(sub 1) + v(sub 3) triad and the 3v(sub 1) + v(sub 3) tetrad do not support the DND calculated values for the a(sub 2) parameters. We therefore decided to make new measurements to improve some of these intensity parameters. With the McMath FTS at Kitt Peak National Observatory/National Solar Observatory we recorded several spectra of the. 4000 to 8000 cm(exp -1) region of pure CO2 at 0.011 cm(exp -1) resolution using the 6 meter White absorption cell. The signal/noise and absorbance of the first and fourth bands of the 3v(sub 1) + v(sub 3) tetrad of C-12O-16 were ideal on these spectra for measuring line intensities and broadening widths. Our selfbroadening results agree with the HITRAN parameterization, while our measurements of the rotationless band intensities are about 15% less than the HITRAN values. We find a negative value of a(sub 2) for the 30011-00001 band and a positive value for the 30014-00001 band, whereas the HITRAN values of a(sub 2) are positive for all four tetrad bands. Our a(sub 1) and a(sub 2) Herman-Wallis parameters are closer to DND calculated values than the 1992 HITRAN values for both the 30011-00001 and the 30014-00001 band.

Global transients in ultraviolet and red-infrared ranges from data of Universitetsky-Tatiana-2 satellite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garipov, G. K.; Khrenov, B. A.; Klimov, P. A.; Klimenko, V. V.; Mareev, E. A.; Martines, O.; Mendoza, E.; Morozenko, V. S.; Panasyuk, M. I.; Park, I. H.; Ponce, E.; Rivera, L.; Salazar, H.; Tulupov, V. I.; Vedenkin, N. N.; Yashin, I. V.

2013-01-01

Light detectors sensitive to wavelength ranges 240-400 nm and beyond 610 nm (which we refer to, for simplicity, as the UV and Red bands) on board Universitetsky-Tatiana-2 satellite have detected transient flashes in the atmosphere of duration 1-128 ms. Measured ratio of the number of Red photons to the number of UV photons indicates that source of transient radiation is at high atmosphere altitude (>50 km). Distribution of events with various photon numbers Qa in the atmosphere found to be different for "luminous" events Qa = 1023 - 1026 (with exponent of differential distribution -2.2) and for "faint" events Qa = 1021 - 1023 (with exponent - 0.97). Luminous event parameters (atmosphere altitude, energy released to radiation, and temporal profiles) are similar to observed elsewhere parameters of transient luminous events (TLE) of elves, sprites, halo, and gigantic blue jets types. Global map of luminous events demonstrates concentration to equatorial zones (latitudes 30°N to 30°S) above continents. Faint events (with number of photons Qa = 1020 - 5ṡ 1021) are distributed more uniformly over latitudes and longitudes. Phenomenon of series of transients registered every minute along satellite orbit (from 3 to 16 transients in one series) was observed. Most TLE-type events belonged to series. Single transients are in average fainter than serial ones. Some transients belonging to series occurs far away of thunderstorm regions. Origin of faint single transients is not clear; several hypothetical models of their production are discussed.

An ultrasound transient elastography system with coded excitation.

PubMed

Diao, Xianfen; Zhu, Jing; He, Xiaonian; Chen, Xin; Zhang, Xinyu; Chen, Siping; Liu, Weixiang

2017-06-28

Ultrasound transient elastography technology has found its place in elastography because it is safe and easy to operate. However, it's application in deep tissue is limited. The aim of this study is to design an ultrasound transient elastography system with coded excitation to obtain greater detection depth. The ultrasound transient elastography system requires tissue vibration to be strictly synchronous with ultrasound detection. Therefore, an ultrasound transient elastography system with coded excitation was designed. A central component of this transient elastography system was an arbitrary waveform generator with multi-channel signals output function. This arbitrary waveform generator was used to produce the tissue vibration signal, the ultrasound detection signal and the synchronous triggering signal of the radio frequency data acquisition system. The arbitrary waveform generator can produce different forms of vibration waveform to induce different shear wave propagation in the tissue. Moreover, it can achieve either traditional pulse-echo detection or a phase-modulated or a frequency-modulated coded excitation. A 7-chip Barker code and traditional pulse-echo detection were programmed on the designed ultrasound transient elastography system to detect the shear wave in the phantom excited by the mechanical vibrator. Then an elasticity QA phantom and sixteen in vitro rat livers were used for performance evaluation of the two detection pulses. The elasticity QA phantom's results show that our system is effective, and the rat liver results show the detection depth can be increased more than 1 cm. In addition, the SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) is increased by 15 dB using the 7-chip Barker coded excitation. Applying 7-chip Barker coded excitation technique to the ultrasound transient elastography can increase the detection depth and SNR. Using coded excitation technology to assess the human liver, especially in obese patients, may be a good choice.

Use of the SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) P band for detection of the Moche and Lambayeque canal networks in the Apurlec region, Perù

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilaria Pannaccione Apa, Maria; Santovito, Maria Rosaria; Pica, Giulia; Catapano, Ilaria; Fornaro, Gianfranco; Lanari, Riccardo; Soldovieri, Francesco; Wester La Torre, Carlos; Fernandez Manayalle, Marco Antonio; Longo, Francesco; Facchinetti, Claudia; Formaro, Roberto

2016-04-01

, glaciers investigation, biomass monitoring, detection of buried targets. Its extension to non-civil application concerns sub-surface target detection and foliage penetration (FOPEN). In order to achieve the flexibility to face all the above mentioned fields of application, the CORISTA system has been designed as a multi-mode and multi-frequency radar. Multimode stands for the functionality of the system both as Sounder and Imager. In addition, P-band radar is a multi-frequency instrument, since it is designed to work in three different frequency bands, as mentioned above: lower frequency band is used in sounder operative mode, higher frequency in imager operative mode. In the Imager operative mode, low resolution and high resolution capabilities are implemented. The data collected by the radar system have been processed using a model-based microwave tomographic approach, recently developed by IREA-CNR, with the aim to enhance the interpretability of the raw-data radar images. Currently, the non-invasive SAR P band application is under evaluation for testing in the Northern Coast of Perù, in collaboration with the Museo Arqueológico Nacional Brüning. The project will aim to recognize the subsurface ancient Moche (100-700 d.C.) and Lambayeque (700-1375 d.C.) canal networks, whose water supply comes from the Canal Taymi, started to be dug by the Mochicas, still in use by local communities.

Band-Moment Compression of AVIRIS Hyperspectral Data and its Use in the Detection of Vegetation Stress

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Estep, L.; Davis, B.

2001-01-01

A remote sensing campaign was conducted over a U.S. Department of Agriculture test farm at Shelton, Nebraska. An experimental field was set off in plots that were differentially treated with anhydrous ammonia. Four replicates of 0-kg/ha to 200-kg/ha plots, in 50-kg/ha increments, were set out in a random block design. Low-altitude (GSD of 3 m) Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) hyperspectral data were collected over the site in 224 bands. Simultaneously, ground data were collected to support the airborne imagery. In an effort to reduce data load while maintaining or enhancing algorithm performance for vegetation stress detection, band-moment compression and analysis was applied to the AVIRIS image cube. The results indicated that band-moment techniques compress the AVIRIS dataset significantly while retaining the capability of detecting environmentally induced vegetation stress.

Luminescence properties of Ca{sub 14}Mg{sub 2}(SiO{sub 4}){sub 8}:Eu{sup 2+} from various Eu{sup 2+} sites for white-light-emitting diodes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Jia, E-mail: zhangjia@hytc.edu.cn; Jiang, Cheng

2014-12-15

Ca{sub 14}Mg{sub 2}(SiO{sub 4}){sub 8}:Eu{sup 2+} phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reaction method, and their luminescence properties were investigated. In the emission spectra, several overlapping emission bands originating from various Eu{sup 2+} sites were found. Eu{sup 2+} in Ca{sub 14}Mg{sub 2}(SiO{sub 4}){sub 8} exhibits green emission around 506 nm, and the sample doped with 0.1 mol% Eu{sup 2+} shows the strongest brightness under 365 nm excitation with the quantum efficiency of 63.6%. In the excitation spectra, strong and broad excitation bands from 250 to 450 nm were observed, which could well match with the emission wavelength of the light-emitting diodemore » chip. The fabrication test on the InGaN chip indicates the Ca{sub 14}Mg{sub 2}(SiO{sub 4}){sub 8}:Eu{sup 2+} phosphor could be promising candidate for white light-emitting diodes.« less

Study of infrared emission spectroscopy for the B{sup 1}Δ{sub g}–A{sup 1}Π{sub u} and B{sup ′1}Σ{sub g}{sup +}–A{sup 1}Π{sub u} systems of C{sub 2}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Wang, E-mail: sc19321@s.okayama-u.ac.jp, E-mail: okakent@okayama-u.ac.jp, E-mail: pbernath@odu.edu; Kawaguchi, Kentarou, E-mail: sc19321@s.okayama-u.ac.jp, E-mail: okakent@okayama-u.ac.jp, E-mail: pbernath@odu.edu; Tang, Jian, E-mail: jtang@okayama-u.ac.jp

Thirteen bands for the B{sup 1}Δ{sub g}–A{sup 1}Π{sub u} system and eleven bands for the B{sup ′1}Σ{sub g}{sup +}–A{sup 1}Π{sub u} system of C{sub 2} were identified in the Fourier transform infrared emission spectra of hydrocarbon discharges. The B{sup ′1}Σ{sub g}{sup +} v = 4 and the B{sup 1}Δ{sub g} v = 6, 7, and 8 vibrational levels involved in nine bands were studied for the first time. A direct global analysis with Dunham parameters was carried out satisfactorily for the B{sup 1}Δ{sub g}–A{sup 1}Π{sub u} system except for a small perturbation in the B{sup 1}Δ{sub g} v = 6more » level. The calculated rovibrational term energies up to B{sup 1}Δ{sub g} v = 12 showed that the level crossing between the B{sup 1}Δ{sub g} and d{sup 3}Π{sub g} states is responsible for many of the prominent perturbations in the Swan system observed previously. Nineteen forbidden transitions of the B{sup 1}Δ{sub g}–a{sup 3}Π{sub u} transition were identified and the off-diagonal spin-orbit interaction constant A{sub dB} between d{sup 3}Π{sub g} and B{sup 1}Δ{sub g} was derived as 8.3(1) cm{sup −1}. For the B{sup ′1}Σ{sub g}{sup +}–A{sup 1}Π{sub u} system, only individual band analyses for each vibrational level in the B′{sup 1}Σ{sub g}{sup +} state could be done satisfactorily and Dunham parameters obtained from these effective parameters showed that the anharmonic vibrational constant ω{sub e}x{sub e} is anomalously small (nearly zero). Inspection of the RKR (Rydberg-Klein-Rees) potential curves for the B{sup ′1}Σ{sub g}{sup +} and X{sup 1}Σ{sub g}{sup +} states revealed that an avoided crossing or nearly avoided crossing may occur around 30 000 cm{sup −1}, which is responsible for the anomalous molecular constants in these two states.« less

Transient Absorption of Attosecond Pulses by He Atoms in Presence of Near-Infrared Laser Fields: A TDDFT Analysis of Sub-Cycle Temporal Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heslar, John; Telnov, Dmitry; Chu, Shih-I.

2013-05-01

We study transient absorption of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) attosecond pulses in presence of near-infrared (NIR) laser fields by analyzing the population and photon emission of excited atomic energy levels. We consider He atoms and apply a self-interaction-free fully ab initio time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). Our method is based on the Krieger-Li-Iafrate (KLI) treatment of the optimized effective potential and incorporates explicitly the self-interaction correction. We focus on the sub-cycle (with respect to NIR field) temporal behavior of the population of the excited energy levels and related dynamics of photon emission. We observe and identify sub-cycle shifts in the photon emission spectrum as a function of the time delay between the XUV and NIR pulses. In the region where the two pulses overlap, the photon emission peaks have an oscillatory structure with a period of 1.3 fs, which is half of the NIR laser optical cycle. Such a structure was also observed in recent experiments on transient absorption. This work was partially supported by DOE and by MOE-NSC-NTU-Taiwan.

Structural and electronic properties of Sr{sub x}Ba{sub 1-x}SnO{sub 3} from first principles calculations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moreira, E.; Henriques, J.M.; Azevedo, D.L.

2012-03-15

Neutron diffraction data for Sr{sub x}Ba{sub 1-x}SnO{sub 3} (x=0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) solid solutions were used as inputs to obtain optimized geometries and electronic properties using the density functional theory (DFT) formalism considering both the local density and generalized gradient approximations, LDA and GGA, respectively. The crystal structures and SnO{sub 6} octahedra tilting angles found after total energy minimization agree well with experiment, specially for the GGA data. Elastic constants were also obtained and compared with theoretical and experimental results for cubic BaSnO{sub 3}. While the alloys with cubic unit cell have an indirect band gap, tetragonalmore » and orthorhombic alloys exhibit direct band gaps (exception made to x=1.0). The Kohn-Sham minimum electronic band gap oscillates from 1.52 eV (cubic x=0.0, LDA) to 2.61 eV (orthorhombic x=1.0, LDA), and from 0.74 eV (cubic BaSnO{sub 3}, GGA) to 1.97 eV (orthorhombic SrSnO{sub 3}, GGA). Parabolic interpolation of bands has allowed us to estimate the effective masses for charge carriers, which are shown to be anisotropic and larger for holes. - Graphical Abstract: Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer DFT calculations were performed on Sr{sub x}Ba{sub 1-x}SnO{sub 3} solid solutions. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Calculated crystal structures agree well with experiment. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Alloys have direct or indirect gaps depending on the Sr molar fraction. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The Kohn-Sham gap variation from x=0.0 to x=1.0 is close to the experimental value. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Carrier effective masses are very anisotropic, specially for holes.« less

The structure and optical properties of Sr{sub 1−x}Ca{sub x}MoO{sub 3}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hopper, H.A.; Macphee, D.E.; Mclaughlin, A.C., E-mail: a.c.mclaughlin@abdn.ac.uk

2016-10-15

The solid solution Sr{sub 1−x}Ca{sub x}MoO{sub 3} (x=0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.13, 0.15 and 0.17) has successfully been synthesised and X-ray Powder diffraction has revealed the occurrence of structural phase transitions, from cubic Pm−3m to tetragonal I4/mcm, and then to orthorhombic Imma as the value of x increased. Discontinuities were observed in the cell parameters and bond lengths and angles at the transition from tetragonal to orthorhombic symmetry as a result of the switching of the octahedral rotation axis at the tetragonal to orthorhombic transition. The increased octahedral tilting could also be linked to the decrease in the band gap frommore » 2.20 eV to 2.10 eV as x increased from 0 to 0.17. - Graphical abstract: Table of Contents Figure Caption: Ultraviolet-visible absorbance spectra for Sr{sub 1−x}Ca{sub x}MoO{sub 3} showing a reduction in band gap upon increasing x as a result of increased octahedral tilting. - Highlights: • The solid solution Sr{sub 1−x}Ca{sub x}MoO{sub 3} has been synthesised. • Structural phase transitions are observed. • Discontinuities were observed in the cell parameters and bond lengths and angles. • Upon increasing x from 0 to 0.17 the band gap reduces from 2.20 eV to 2.10 eV.« less

A novel approach for cognitive radio application in 2.4-GHz ISM band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Deepa; Das, Susmita

2017-05-01

This paper reveals the issues of incorporating the cognitive radio (CR) technology in the 2.4-GHz industrial, scientific and medical band. The objective of allowing the coexisting systems in this unlicensed band is to opportunistically share the underutilised spectrum so as to improve the spectral usages efficiency. Hence, proper evaluation of the spectrum occupancy is one of the important tasks. Therefore, we adopt a double threshold-based detection scheme to differentiate the sub-bands with respect to their occupancy statistics satisfying the target miss detection probability. Further, an adaptive power allocation to the CR user (CRU) is proposed for maximising the system throughput under the constraints of interference to the co-existing systems and maximum transmission power. We consider path loss in the channel modelling between the CRUs. Our proposed approach is investigated over the real measurement data collected in the Swearingen Engineering Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.

Application of a ring cavity surface emitting quantum cascade laser (RCSE-QCL) on the measurement of H<sub>2sub>S in a CH<sub>4sub> matrix for process analytics.

PubMed

Moser, Harald; Genner, Andreas; Ofner, Johannes; Schwarzer, C; Strasser, Gottfried; Lendl, Bernhard

2016-03-21

The present work reports on the first application of a ring-cavity-surface-emitting quantum-cascade laser (RCSE-QCL) for sensitive gas measurements. RCSE-QCLs are promising candidates for optical gas-sensing due to their single-mode, mode-hop-free and narrow-band emission characteristics along with their broad spectral coverage. The time resolved down-chirp of the RCSE-QCL in the 1227-1236 cm^-1 (8.15-8.09 µm) spectral range was investigated using a step-scan FT-IR spectrometer (Bruker Vertex 80v) with 2 ns time and 0.1 cm^-1 spectral resolution. The pulse repetition rate was set between 20 and 200 kHz and the laser device was cooled to 15-17°C. Employing 300 ns pulses a spectrum of ~1.5 cm^-1 could be recorded. Under these laser operation conditions and a gas pressure of 1000 mbar a limit of detection (3σ) of 1.5 ppmv for hydrogen sulfide (H<sub>2sub>S) in nitrogen was achieved using a 100 m Herriott cell and a thermoelectric cooled MCT detector for absorption measurements. Using 3 µs long pulses enabled to further extend the spectral bandwidth to 8.5 cm^-1. Based on this increased spectral coverage and employing reduced pressure conditions (50 mbar) multiple peaks of the target analyte H<sub>2sub>S as well as methane (CH<sub>4sub>) could be examined within one single pulse.

Shuttle orbiter KU-band radar/communications system design evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

An expanded introduction is presented which addresses the in-depth nature of the tasks and indicates continuity of the reported effort and results with previous work and related contracts, and the two major modes of operation which exist in the Ku-band system, namely, the radar mode and the communication mode, are described. The Ku-band radar system is designed to search for a target in a designated or undesignated mode, then track the detected target, which might be cooperative (active) or passive, providing accurate, estimates of the target range, range rate, angle and angle rate to enable the orbiter to rendezvous with this target. The radar mode is described along with a summary of its predicted performance. The principal sub-unit that implements the radar function is the electronics assembly 2(EA-2). The relationship of EA-2 to the remainder of the Ku-band system is shown. A block diagram of EA-2 is presented including the main command and status signals between EA-2 and the other Ku-band units.

Ternary arsenides ATt{sub 3}As{sub 3} (A=K, Rb; Tt=Ge, Sn) with layered structures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Khatun, Mansura; Stoyko, Stanislav S.; Mar, Arthur, E-mail: arthur.mar@ualberta.ca

2016-06-15

The four ternary arsenides ATt{sub 3}As{sub 3} (A=K, Rb; Tt=Ge, Sn) were obtained by reaction of the elements at 600–650 °C. They adopt an orthorhombic structure (space group Pnma, Z=4, with cell parameters ranging from a=9.9931(11) Å, b=3.7664(4) Å, c=18.607(2) Å for KGe{sub 3}As{sub 3} to a=10.3211(11) Å, b=4.0917(4) Å, c=19.570(2) Å for RbSn{sub 3}As{sub 3}) containing corrugated [Tt{sub 3}As{sub 3}] layers built from Tt-centred trigonal pyramids and tetrahedra forming five-membered rings decorated with As handles. They can be considered to be Zintl phases with Tt atoms in +4, +3, and +1 oxidation states. Band structure calculations predict that thesemore » compounds are semiconductors with narrow band gaps (0.71 eV in KGe{sub 3}As{sub 3}, 0.50 eV in KSn{sub 3}As{sub 3}). - Graphical abstract: Ternary arsenides ATt{sub 3}As{sub 3} (A=K, Rb; Tt=Ge, Sn) contain corrugated layers with Tt atoms in three different oxidation states and are narrow band gap semiconductors. Display Omitted - Highlights: • ATt{sub 3}As{sub 3} (A=K, Rb; Tt=Ge, Sn) contains Tt atoms in three oxidation states. • The structure differs from NaGe{sub 3}P{sub 3} in terms of layer stacking arrangement. • The compounds are predicted to be narrow band gap semiconductors.« less

Magnetic field role on the structure and optical response of photonic crystals based on ferrofluids containing Co{sub 0.25}Zn{sub 0.75}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

López, J., E-mail: javier.lopez@correounivalle.edu.co; González, Luz E.; Quiñonez, M. F.

2014-05-21

Ferrofluids based on magnetic Co{sub 0.25}Zn{sub 0.75}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} ferrite nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation method from aqueous salt solutions of Co (II), ZnSO{sub 4}, and Fe (III) in an alkaline medium. Ferrofluids placed in an external magnetic field show properties that make them interesting as magneto-controllable soft photonic crystals. Morphological and structural characterizations of the samples were obtained from Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy studies. Magnetic properties were investigated with the aid of a vibrating sample magnetometer at room temperature. Herein, the Co{sub 0.25}Zn{sub 0.75}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} samples showed superparamagnetic behavior, according to hysteresis loop results. Takingmore » in mind that the Co-Zn ferrite hysteresis loop is very small, our magnetic nanoparticles can be considered soft magnetic material with interesting technological applications. In addition, by using the plane-wave expansion method, we studied the photonic band structure of 2D photonic crystals made of ferrofluids with the same nanoparticles. Previous experimental results show that a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the ferrofluid plane agglomerates the magnetic nanoparticles in parallel rods to form a hexagonal 2D photonic crystal. We calculated the photonic band structure of photonic crystals by means of the effective refractive index of the magnetic fluid, basing the study on the Maxwell-Garnett theory, finding that the photonic band structure does not present any band gaps under the action of applied magnetic field strengths used in our experimental conditions.« less

Detecting Tooth Damage in Geared Drive Trains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nachtsheim, Philip R.

1997-01-01

This paper describes a method that was developed to detect gear tooth damage that does not require a priori knowledge of the frequency characteristic of the fault. The basic idea of the method is that a few damaged teeth will cause transient load fluctuations unlike the normal tooth load fluctuations. The method attempts to measure the energy in the lower side bands of the modulated signal caused by the transient load fluctuations. The method monitors the energy in the frequency interval which excludes the frequency of the lowest dominant normal tooth load fluctuation and all frequencies above it. The method reacted significantly to the tooth fracture damage results documented in the Lewis data sets which were obtained from tests of the OH-58A transmission and tests of high contact ratio spiral bevel gears. The method detected gear tooth fractures in all four of the high contact ratio spiral bevel gear runs. Published results indicate other detection methods were only able to detect faults for three out of four runs.

Laser-based ultrasonics by dual-probe interferometer detection and narrow-band ultrasound generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Jin

1993-01-01

Despite the advantages of laser-based ultrasonic (LBU) systems, the overall sensitivity of LBU systems needs to be improved for practical applications. Progress is reported to achieve better LBU detection accuracy and sensitivity for applications with surface waves and Lamb waves. A novel dual-probe laser interferometer has been developed to measure the same signal at two points. The dual-probe interferometer is a modification of a conventional single-probe interferometer in that the reference beam is guided to a second detecting point on the specimen surface to form a differential measurement mode, which measure the difference of the displacements at the two points. This dual-probe interferometer is particularly useful for accurate measurements of the speed and attenuation of surface waves and Lamb waves. The dual-probe interferometer has been applied to obtain accurate measurements of the surface wave speed and attenuation on surfaces of increasing surface roughness. It has also been demonstrated that with an appropriate signal processing method, namely, the power cepstrum method, the dual-probe interferometer is applicable to measure the local surface wave speed even when the probe separation is so small that the two waveforms in the interferometer output signal overlap in the time domain. Narrow-band signal generation and detection improve the sensitivity of LBU systems. It is proposed to use a diffraction grating to form an array of illuminating strips which form a source of narrowband surface and Lamb waves. The line-array of thermoelastic sources generates narrow-band signals whose frequency and bandwidth can be easily controlled. The optimum line-array parameters, such as width, spacing and the number of lines in the array have been derived theoretically and verified experimentally. Narrow-band signal generation with optimum parameters has been demonstrated. The enhanced LBU system with dual-probe detection and narrowband signal generation has been

Search for Hard X-Ray Emission from the Soft X-Ray Transient Aquila X-1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harmon, B. A.; Zhang, S. N.; Paciesas, W. S.; Tavani, M.; Kaaret, P.; Ford, E.

1994-12-01

We are investigating the possibility of hard x-ray emission from the recurrent soft x-ray transient and x-ray burst source Aquila X-1 (Aql X-1). Outbursts of this source are relatively frequent with a spacing of ~ 4-10 months (Kitamoto, S. et al. 1993, ApJ, 403, 315). The recent detections of hard tails (\\(>\\)20 keV) in low luminosity x-ray bursters (Barret, D. & Vedrenne, G. 1994, ApJ Supp. S. 92, 505) suggest that neutron star transient systems such as Aql X-1 can produce hard x-ray emission which is detectable by BATSE. We are correlating reported optical and soft x-ray observations since 1991 of Aql X-1 with BATSE observations in order to search for hard x-ray emission episodes, and to study their temporal and spectral evolution. We will present preliminary results of this search in the 20-1000 keV band using the Earth occultation technique applied to the large area detectors. If this work is successful, we hope to alert the astronomical community for the next Aql X-1 outburst expected in 1995. Simultaneous x-ray/hard x-ray and optical observations of Aql X-1 during outburst would be of great importance for the modeling of soft x-ray transients and related systems.

Gamma ray transients

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cline, Thomas L.

1987-01-01

The discovery of cosmic gamma ray bursts was made with systems designed at Los Alamos Laboratory for the detection of nuclear explosions beyond the atmosphere. HELIOS-2 was the first gamma ray burst instrument launched; its initial results in 1976, seemed to deepen the mystery around gamma ray transients. Interplanetary spacecraft data were reviewed in terms of explaining the behavior and source of the transients.

CH PLIF and PIV implementation using C-X (0,0) and intra-vibrational band filtered detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hammack, Stephen D.; Skiba, Aaron W.; Lee, Tonghun; Carter, Campbell D.

2018-02-01

This study demonstrates advancement in a low-pulse energy methylidyne (CH) planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) method that facilitates its application alongside flows seeded for particle image velocimetry (PIV) or other particle scattering based methods, as well as in high scattering environments. The C-X (0,0) R-branch excitation and filtered detection are carefully selected such that the laser line frequency is heavily attenuated by an edge filter while allowing transmission of most of the (0,0) band fluorescence. There are strong OH A-X (0,0) lines in the vicinity, but they can be avoided or utilized through dye laser tuning. As a demonstration of efficacy, PIV is performed simultaneously with the PLIF imaging. Using the edge filter, particle scattering signal is reduced to sub-fluorescence levels, allowing for flame-front analysis. This achievement enables flame-front tracking at high repetition rates (due to the low-pulse energy required) in combination with a scattering method such as PIV or use in high scattering environments such as enclosed combustors or near burner surfaces.

Electrical and optical characterization of green synthesized Gd{sub 2}S{sub 3}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Paul, Somnath, E-mail: somnathpaul459@gmail.com; Sarkar, A.

2016-05-06

Gadolinium sulphide (Gd{sub 2}S{sub 3}) is a magnetic semiconductor with large band gap. Gd{sub 2}S{sub 3} was synthesized following chemical and green techniques. Later process provides good stability of the nano clusters (NC) due to in-situ capping of Gd{sub 2}S{sub 3} NC. It has been found that the optical band gap in Gd{sub 2}S{sub 3} developed by green synthesis is lowered considerably over that in chemically synthesized Gd{sub 2}S{sub 3}. The green agencies used in this work are Jatropha Latex and dilute Garlic extract; both are enriched in sulphur and other organic polymer molecules. Simple observation shows that Gd{sub 2}S{submore » 3} NC retains residual magnetization. In this work optical and electrical characterization of the developed Gd{sub 2}S{sub 3} specimens are carried out. The overall results obtained are good.« less

Exploring methods of cGPS transient detections for the Chilean cGPS network in conjunction with displacement predictions from seismic catalogues: To what extent can we detect seismic and aseismic motion in the cGPS network?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bedford, J. R.; Moreno, M.; Oncken, O.; Li, S.; Schurr, B.; Metzger, S.; Baez, J. C.; Deng, Z.; Melnick, D.

2016-12-01

Various algorithms for the detection of transient deformation in cGPS networks are under currently being developed to relieve us of by-eye detection, which is an error prone and time-expensive activity. Such algorithms aim to separate the time series into secular, seasonal, and transient components. Additional white and coloured noise, as well as common-mode (network correlated) noise, may remain in the separated transient component of the signal, depending on the processing flow before the separation step. The a-priori knowledge of regional seismicity can assist in the recognition of steps in the data, which are generally corrected for if they are above the noise-floor. Sometimes, the cumulative displacement caused by small earthquakes can create a seemingly continuous transient signal in the cGPS leading to confusion as to whether to attribute this transient motion as seismic or aseismic. Here we demonstrate the efficacy of various transient detection algorithms for subsets of the Chilean cGPS network and present the optimal processing flow for teasing out the transients. We present a step-detection and removal algorithm and estimate the seismic efficiency of any detected transient signals by forward modelling the surface displacements of the earthquakes and comparing to the recovered transient signals. A major challenge in separating signals in the Chilean cGPS network is the overlapping of postseismic effects at adjacent segments: For example, a Mw 9 earthquake will produce a postseismic viscoelastic relaxation that is sustained over decades and several hundreds of kilometres. Additionally, it has been observed in Chile and Japan that following moderately large earthquakes (e.g. Mw > 8) the secular velocities of adjacent segments in the subduction margin suddenly change and remain changed: this effect may be related to a change in speed of slab subduction rather than viscoelastic relaxation, and therefore the signal separation algorithms that assume a time

Synthesis, structure, and electronic structure of CsAgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mei Dajiang; Yin Wenlong; Feng Kai

2012-02-15

The new metal chalcogenide CsAgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4} has been synthesized by means of the reactive flux method. It crystallizes in the space group P2{sub 1}/c of the monoclinic system with cell dimensions of a=11.225(2) A, b=7.9443(16) A, c=21.303(4) A, {beta}=103.10(3), V=1850.3(6), and Z=8. The structure contains two-dimensional {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[AgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4}]{sup -} layers separated by Cs{sup +} cations. The {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[AgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4}]{sup -} superlayer possesses a novel chain-sublayer-chain structure: a {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[Ag{sub 2}GaSe{sub 6}]{sup 7-} sublayer, composed of {sub {infinity}}{sup 1}[AgGaSe{sub 4}]{sup 4-} chains that are further connected by Ag{sup +} ions, is sandwiched by parallelmore » {sub {infinity}}{sup 1}[Ga{sub 3}Se{sub 8}]{sup 7-} chains to generate the {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[AgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4}]{sup -} superlayer. From a band structure calculation, the orbitals of all atoms have contributions to the bottoms of conduction bands, but the band gap is mainly determined by the 4s, 4p orbitals of Ga and Se. - Graphical Abstract: CsAgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4} contains two-dimensional {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[AgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4}]{sup -} layers with a novel chain-sublayer-chain structure. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer New chalcogenide CsAgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4} has been synthesized. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer It possesses a new structure type with {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[AgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4}]{sup -} layers separated by Cs{sup +} cations. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[AgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4}]{sup -} consists of a {sub {infinity}}{sup 2}[Ag{sub 2}GaSe{sub 6}]{sup 7-} sublayer sandwiched by {sub {infinity}}{sup 1}[Ga{sub 3}Se{sub 8}]{sup 7-} chains. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Band gap of CsAgGa{sub 2}Se{sub 4} is mainly determined by the 4s, 4p orbitals of Ga and Se.« less

Fair comparison of complexity between a multi-band CAP and DMT for data center interconnects.

PubMed

Wei, J L; Sanchez, C; Giacoumidis, E

2017-10-01

We present, to the best of our knowledge, the first known detailed analysis and fair comparison of complexity of a 56 Gb/s multi-band carrierless amplitude and phase (CAP) and discrete multi-tone (DMT) over 80 km dispersion compensation fiber-free single-mode fiber links based on intensity modulation and direct detection for data center interconnects. We show that the matched finite impulse response filters and inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT)/FFT take the majority of the complexity of the multi-band CAP and DMT, respectively. The choice of the multi-band CAP sub-band count and the DMT IFFT/FFT size makes significant impact on the system complexity or performance, and trade-off must be considered.

In vivo observation of transient photoreceptor movement correlated with oblique light stimulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Yiming; Liu, Changgeng; Yao, Xincheng

2018-02-01

Rod-dominated transient retinal phototropism (TRP) has been observed in freshly isolated retinas, promising a noninvasive biomarker for high resolution assessment of retinal physiology. However, in vivo mapping of TRP is challenging due to its fast time course and sub-cellular signal magnitude. By developing a line-scanning and virtually structured detection based super-resolution ophthalmoscope, we report here in vivo observation of TRP in frog retina. In vivo characterization of TRP time course and magnitude were implemented by using variable light stimulus intensities.

Ballistic-Electron-Emission-Microscopy of Strained Si(sub 1-x)Ge(sub x) Layers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bell, L. D.; Milliken, A. M.; Manion, S. J.; Kaiser, W. J.; Fathauer, R. W.; Pike, W. T.

1994-01-01

Ballistic-electron-emission microscopy (BEEM) has been used to investigate the effects of strain on Si(sub 1-x)Ge(sub x) alloys. Lifting of the degeneracy of the conduction-band minimum of Si(sub 1-x)Ge(sub x), due to lattice deformation has been directly measured by application of BEEM spectroscopy to Ag/Si structures. Experimental values for this conduction-band splitting agree well with calculations. In addition, an unexpected heterogeneity in the strain of the Si(sub 1-x)Ge(sub x) layer is introduced by deposition of Au. This effect, not observed with Ag, is attributed to species interdiffusion and has important implications for metal-semiconductor devices based oil pseudomorphic Si(sub 1-x)Ge(sub x)/Si material systems.

Real-time Recovery Efficiencies and Performance of the Palomar Transient Factory's Transient Discovery Pipeline