Leadless Chip Carrier Packaging and CAD/CAM-Supported Wire Wrap Interconnect Technology for Subnanosecond ECL.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-11-01

Showing Wire . 99 Impregnanted Silicone Rubber Contacts, Chip Carrier, ard Lid 35. Technit Connector For 68-Pad JEDEC Type A Leadless . . 100 Chip Carrier...Points of Various . . . . 124 Solders 4. Composition of Alloys Employed in Dual-In-Line . . . . 128 Package Pins and Plating by Mass Spectrographic...swings, and subnanosecond gate delays and risetimes. Presently, emitter coupled logic (ECL) and current mode logic (CML), both fabricated with silicon tech

Evidence of negative leaders which precede fast rise ICC pulses of upward

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshida, S.; Akita, M.; Morimoto, T.; Ushio, T.; Kawasaki, Z.; Wang, D.; Takagi, N.

2008-12-01

During winter thunderstorm season in Japan, a lightning observation campaign was conducted with using a VHF broadband digital interferometer (DITF), a capacitive antenna, and Rogowski coils to study the charge transfer mechanism associated with ICC pulses of upward lightning. All the detection systems recorded one upward negative lightning stroke hitting a lightning protection tower. The upward lightning consists of only the Initial Stage (IS) with one upward positive leader and six ICC pulses. The six ICC pulses are sub-classified clearly into two types according to current pulse shapes. The type 1 ICC pulses have a higher geometric mean (GM) current peak of 17 kA and a shorter GM 10-90% risetime of 8.9 μs, while the type 2 ICC pulses have a lower GM current peak of 0.34 kA and longer GM 10-90% risetime of 55 μs. The type 1 ICC pulses have the preceding negative leaders connecting to the channel of the continuing current, while the type 2 ICC pulses have no clear preceding negative leader. These negative leaders prior to the type 1 ICC pulses probably caused the current increases of the ICC pulses, which means that the negative leaders created the channels for the ICC pulses. The height of the space charge transferred by one of the type 1 ICC pulses was estimated about 700 m above sea level at most. This observation result is the first evidence to show explicitly the existence of the negative leaders prior to the fast rise ICC pulse. Furthermore, the result shows that space charge could exist at a low attitude such as 700 m above sea level. This fact is one of the reasons why upward lightning occurs even from rather low structures during winter thunderstorm season in Japan.

High current, high bandwidth laser diode current driver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Copeland, David J.; Zimmerman, Robert K., Jr.

1991-01-01

A laser diode current driver has been developed for free space laser communications. The driver provides 300 mA peak modulation current and exhibits an optical risetime of less than 400 ps. The current and optical pulses are well behaved and show minimal ringing. The driver is well suited for QPPM modulation at data rates up to 440 Mbit/s. Much previous work has championed current steering circuits; in contrast, the present driver is a single-ended on/off switch. This results in twice the power efficiency as a current steering driver. The driver electrical efficiency for QPPM data is 34 percent. The high speed switch is realized with a Ku-band GaAsFET transistor, with a suitable pre-drive circuit, on a hybrid microcircuit adjacent to the laser diode.

Note: All solid-state high repetitive sub-nanosecond risetime pulse generator based on bulk gallium arsenide avalanche semiconductor switches.

PubMed

Hu, Long; Su, Jiancang; Ding, Zhenjie; Hao, Qingsong; Fan, Yajun; Liu, Chunliang

2016-08-01

An all solid-state high repetitive sub-nanosecond risetime pulse generator featuring low-energy-triggered bulk gallium arsenide (GaAs) avalanche semiconductor switches and a step-type transmission line is presented. The step-type transmission line with two stages is charged to a potential of 5.0 kV also biasing at the switches. The bulk GaAs avalanche semiconductor switch closes within sub-nanosecond range when illuminated with approximately 87 nJ of laser energy at 905 nm in a single pulse. An asymmetric dipolar pulse with peak-to-peak amplitude of 9.6 kV and risetime of 0.65 ns is produced on a resistive load of 50 Ω. A technique that allows for repetition-rate multiplication of pulse trains experimentally demonstrated that the parallel-connected bulk GaAs avalanche semiconductor switches are triggered in sequence. The highest repetition rate is decided by recovery time of the bulk GaAs avalanche semiconductor switch, and the operating result of 100 kHz of the generator is discussed.

Compact high voltage solid state switch

DOEpatents

Glidden, Steven C.

2003-09-23

A compact, solid state, high voltage switch capable of high conduction current with a high rate of current risetime (high di/dt) that can be used to replace thyratrons in existing and new applications. The switch has multiple thyristors packaged in a single enclosure. Each thyristor has its own gate drive circuit that circuit obtains its energy from the energy that is being switched in the main circuit. The gate drives are triggered with a low voltage, low current pulse isolated by a small inexpensive transformer. The gate circuits can also be triggered with an optical signal, eliminating the trigger transformer altogether. This approach makes it easier to connect many thyristors in series to obtain the hold off voltages of greater than 80 kV.

Importance of model parameterization in finite fault inversions: Application to the 1974 Mw 8.0 Peru Earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hartzell, Stephen; Langer, Charley

1993-01-01

The spatial and temporal slip distributions for the October 3, 1974 (Mw = 8.0), Peru subduction zone earthquake and its largest aftershock on November 9 (Ms = 7.1) are calculated and analyzed in terms of the inversion parameterization and tectonic significance. Teleseismic, long-period World-Wide Standard Seismograph Network, P and SH waveforms are inverted to obtain the rupture histories. We demonstrate that erroneous results are obtained if a parameterization is used that does not allow for a sufficiently complex source, involving spatial variation in slip amplitude, risetime, and rupture time. The inversion method utilizes a parameterization of the fault that allows for a discretized source risetime and rupture time. Well-located aftershocks recorded on a local network have the same general pattern as teleseismically determined hypocenters and help to constrain the geometry of the subduction zone. For the main shock a hinged fault is preferred having a shallow plane with a dip of 11° and a deeper, landward plane with a dip of 30°. The preferred nucleation depth lies between 11 and 15 km. A bilateral rupture is obtained with two major concentrations of slip, one 60 to 70 km to the northwest of the epicenter and a second 80 to 100 km to the south and southeast of the epicenter. For these source regions, risetimes vary from 6 to 18 s. Our estimates of risetimes are consistent with the time for the rupture to traverse the dominant local asperity. The slip distribution for the November 9 aftershock falls within a conspicuous hole in the main shock rupture pattern, near the hypocenter of the main shock. The November 9 event has a simple risetime function with a duration of 2 s. Aftershocks recorded by the local network are shown to cluster near the hypocenter of the impending November 9 event and downdip from the largest main shock source region. Slip during the main shock is concentrated at shallow depths above 15 km and extends updip from the hypocenter to near the plate boundary at the trench axis. The large amount of slip at shallow depths is attributed to the absence of any significant accretionary wedge of sediments, and the relatively young age and high convergence rate of the subducted plate, which results in good seismic coupling near the trench axis.

Azimuthal asymmetry in the risetime of the surface detector signals of the Pierre Auger Observatory

DOE PAGES

Aab, Alexander

2016-04-07

The azimuthal asymmetry in the risetime of signals in Auger surface detector stations is a source of information on shower development. The azimuthal asymmetry is due to a combination of the longitudinal evolution of the shower and geometrical effects related to the angles of incidence of the particles into the detectors. The magnitude of the effect depends upon the zenith angle and state of development of the shower and thus provides a novel observable, (secθ) max, sensitive to the mass composition of cosmic rays above 3 x 10 18 eV. By comparing measurements with predictions from shower simulations, we findmore » for both of our adopted models of hadronic physics (QGSJETII-04 and EPOS-LHC) an indication that the mean cosmic-ray mass increases slowly with energy, as has been inferred from other studies. However, the mass estimates are dependent on the shower model and on the range of distance from the shower core selected. Furthermore, the method has uncovered further deficiencies in our understanding of shower modelling that must be resolved before the mass composition can be inferred from (secθ) max.« less

Wide Bandgap Extrinsic Photoconductive Switches

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

Sullivan, James S.

2012-01-20

Photoconductive semiconductor switches (PCSS) have been investigated since the late 1970s. Some devices have been developed that withstand tens of kilovolts and others that switch hundreds of amperes. However, no single device has been developed that can reliably withstand both high voltage and switch high current. Yet, photoconductive switches still hold the promise of reliable high voltage and high current operation with subnanosecond risetimes. Particularly since good quality, bulk, single crystal, wide bandgap semiconductor materials have recently become available. In this chapter we will review the basic operation of PCSS devices, status of PCSS devices and properties of the widemore » bandgap semiconductors 4H-SiC, 6H-SiC and 2H-GaN.« less

Review of Article, A Case for Submicrosecond Rise-Time Lightning Current Pulses for Use in Aircraft Induced-Coupling Studies, by D. W. Clifford, E. P. Krider and M. A. Uman

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

Cabayan, H.S.; Zicker, J.D.

The amplitudes of currents due to lightning are considerably larger than NEMP induced currents both in the time and frequency domains. The more important quantity for aperture illumination is the rate of rise of the current. The analysis performed for this in this memorandum is unsatisfactory since the artificial double exponential model was used. Still, the lightning rate of rise is only twice as high as that due to NEMP even when the absolute worst (or presently known) lightning pulse is used. A much better way to do this comparison is to use an actual LEMP data and NEMP frommore » an actual weapon. Furthermore, because of lack of data, no electric field analysis was undertaken.« less

The search for a 100MA RancheroS magnetic flux compression generator

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

Watt, Robert Gregory

2016-09-01

The Eulerian AMR rad-hydro-MHD code Roxane was used to investigate modifications to existing designs of the new RancheroS class of Magnetic Flux Compression Generators (FCGs) which might allow some members of this FCG family to exceed 100 MA driving a 10 nH static load. This report details the results of that study and proposes a specific generator modification which seems to satisfy both the peak current and desired risetime for the current pulse into the load. The details of the study and necessary modifications are presented. For details of the LA43S RancheroS FCG design and predictions for the first usemore » of the generator refer to the relevant publications.« less

Initial Results from the Variable Intensity Sonic Boom Database

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haering, Edward A., Jr.; Cliatt, Larry J., II; Gabrielson, Thomas; Sparrow, Victor W.; Locey, Lance L.; Bunce, Thomas J.

2008-01-01

43 sonic booms generated (a few were evanescent waves) a) Overpressures of 0.08 to 2.20 lbf/sq ft; b) Rise-times of about 0.7 to 50 ms. Objectives: a) Structural response of a house of modern construction; b) Sonic boom propagation code validation. Approach: a) Measure shockwave directionality; b) Determine effect of height above ground on acoustic level; c) Generate atmospheric turbulence filter functions.

Skin-friction gauge for use in hypervelocity impulse facilities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kelly, G. M.; Simmons, J. M.; Paull, A.

1992-01-01

A transducer is presented which can measure as rise-time of about 20 microsec, and is thereby applicable to measurements in the high-enthalpy flows associated with hypervelocity impulse facilities. Results are presented which demonstrate the effectiveness of the concept in the case of skin-friction measurements conducted on a flat plate at Mach 3.2. The calibration used was against theoretical skin-friction values in a simple flow.

Lightning criteria relative to space shuttles: Currents and electric field intensity in Florida lightning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Uman, M. A.; Mclain, D. K.

1972-01-01

The measured electric field intensities of 161 lightning strokes in 39 flashes which occurred between 1 and 35 km from an observation point at Kennedy Space Center, Florida during June and July of 1971 have been analyzed to determine the lightning channel currents which produced the fields. In addition, typical channel currents are derived and from these typical electric fields at distances between 0.5 and 100 km are computed and presented. On the basis of the results recommendations are made for changes in the specification of lightning properties relative to space vehicle design as given in NASA TMX-64589 (Daniels, 1971). The small sample of lightning analyzed yielded several peak currents in the 100 kA range. Several current rise-times from zero to peak of 0.5 microsec or faster were found; and the fastest observed current rate-of-rise was near 200 kA/microsec. The various sources of error are discussed.

Observations of a bi-directional lightning leader producing an M-component

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kotovsky, D. A.; Uman, M. A.; Wilkes, R.; Carvalho, F. L.; Jordan, D. M.

2017-12-01

Lightning discharges to ground often exhibit millisecond-scale surges in the continuing currents following return strokes, called M-components. Relatively little is known regarding the source of M-component charge and the mechanisms by which that charge is transferred to ground. In this work, we seek to directly address these questions by presenting correlated high-speed video and Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) observations of a bi-directional leader that resulted in an M-component occurring in a rocket-and-wire triggered lightning flash. The observed leader initiated in the decayed remnants of a positive leader channel that had traversed virgin air approximately 90 msec prior. Three-dimensional locations and speeds of the photographed bi-directional leader and M-component processes are calculated by mapping video images to the observed LMA channel geometry. Both ends of the bi-directional leader exhibited speeds on the order of 2 x106 m sec-1 over 570 meters of the visible channel. Propagation of the luminosity wave from the in-cloud leader to ground ( 8.8 km channel length) exhibited appreciable dispersion, with rise-times (10-90%) increasing from 330 to 410 μsec and pulse-widths (half-maximum) increasing from 380 to 810 μsec - the M-component current pulse measured at ground-level exhibited a rise-time of 290 μsec and a pulse-width of 770 μsec. Group velocities of the luminosity wave have been calculated as a function of frequency, increasing from 2 x107 to 6 x107 m sec-1 over the dominant signal bandwidth (DC to 2 kHz). Additionally, multiple waves of luminosity are observed within the in-cloud channel, indicating nuanced wave phenomena possibly associated with reflection from the end of the leader channel and attachment with the main lightning channel carrying continuing current to ground.

Variability of electromagnetic signatures of lightning initiation observed in the West Mediterranean basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolmasova, I.; Santolik, O.; Defer, E.; Stéphane, P.; Lan, R.; Uhlir, L.; Coquillat, S.; Lambert, D.; Pinty, J. P.; Prieur, S.

2016-12-01

Lightning discharges to ground often exhibit millisecond-scale surges in the continuing currents following return strokes, called M-components. Relatively little is known regarding the source of M-component charge and the mechanisms by which that charge is transferred to ground. In this work, we seek to directly address these questions by presenting correlated high-speed video and Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) observations of a bi-directional leader that resulted in an M-component occurring in a rocket-and-wire triggered lightning flash. The observed leader initiated in the decayed remnants of a positive leader channel that had traversed virgin air approximately 90 msec prior. Three-dimensional locations and speeds of the photographed bi-directional leader and M-component processes are calculated by mapping video images to the observed LMA channel geometry. Both ends of the bi-directional leader exhibited speeds on the order of 2 x106 m sec-1 over 570 meters of the visible channel. Propagation of the luminosity wave from the in-cloud leader to ground ( 8.8 km channel length) exhibited appreciable dispersion, with rise-times (10-90%) increasing from 330 to 410 μsec and pulse-widths (half-maximum) increasing from 380 to 810 μsec - the M-component current pulse measured at ground-level exhibited a rise-time of 290 μsec and a pulse-width of 770 μsec. Group velocities of the luminosity wave have been calculated as a function of frequency, increasing from 2 x107 to 6 x107 m sec-1 over the dominant signal bandwidth (DC to 2 kHz). Additionally, multiple waves of luminosity are observed within the in-cloud channel, indicating nuanced wave phenomena possibly associated with reflection from the end of the leader channel and attachment with the main lightning channel carrying continuing current to ground.

Analysis and Modeling of Intense Oceanic Lightning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zoghzoghy, F. G.; Cohen, M.; Said, R.; Lehtinen, N. G.; Inan, U.

2014-12-01

Recent studies using lightning data from geo-location networks such as GLD360 suggest that lightning strokes are more intense over the ocean than over land, even though they are less common [Said et al. 2013]. We present an investigation of the physical differences between oceanic and land lightning. We have deployed a sensitive Low Frequency (1 MHz sampling rate) radio receiver system aboard the NOAA Ronald W. Brown research vessel and have collected thousands of lightning waveforms close to deep oceanic lightning. We analyze the captured waveforms, describe our modeling efforts, and summarize our findings. We model the ground wave (gw) portion of the lightning sferics using a numerical method built on top of the Stanford Full Wave Method (FWM) [Lehtinen and Inan 2008]. The gwFWM technique accounts for propagation over a curved Earth with finite conductivity, and is used to simulate an arbitrary current profile along the lightning channel. We conduct a sensitivity analysis and study the current profiles for land and for oceanic lightning. We find that the effect of ground conductivity is minimal, and that stronger oceanic radio intensity does not result from shorter current rise-time or from faster return stroke propagation speed.

The solid state detector technology for picosecond laser ranging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prochazka, Ivan

1993-01-01

We developed an all solid state laser ranging detector technology, which makes the goal of millimeter accuracy achievable. Our design and construction philosophy is to combine the techniques of single photon ranging, ultrashort laser pulses, and fast fixed threshold discrimination while avoiding any analog signal processing within the laser ranging chain. The all solid state laser ranging detector package consists of the START detector and the STOP solid state photon counting module. Both the detectors are working in an optically triggered avalanche switching regime. The optical signal is triggering an avalanche current buildup which results in the generation of a uniform, fast risetime output pulse.

Digital Rise-Time Discrimination of Pulses from the Tigress Integrated Plunger Silicon PIN Diode Wall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Voss, P.; Henderson, R.; Andreoiu, C.; Ashley, R.; Ball, G. C.; Bender, P. C.; Chester, A.; Cross, D. S.; Drake, T. E.; Garnsworthy, A. B.; Hackman, G.; Ketelhut, S.; Krücken, R.; Miller, D.; Rajabali, M. M.; Starosta, K.; Svensson, C. E.; Tardiff, E.; Unsworth, C.; Wang, Z.-M.

Electromagnetic transition rate measurements play an important role in characterizing the evolution of nuclear structure with increasing proton-neutron asymmetry. At TRIUMF, the TIGRESS Integrated Plunger device and its suite of ancillary detector systems have been implemented for charged-particle tagging and light-ion identification in coincidence with gamma-ray spectroscopy for Doppler-shift lifetime studies and low-energy Coulomb excitation measurements. Digital pulse-shape analysis of signals from these ancillary detectors for particle identification improves the signal-to-noise ratio of gamma-ray energy spectra. Here, we illustrate the reaction-channel selectivity achieved by utilizing digital rise-time discrimination of waveforms from alpha particles and carbon ions detected with silicon PIN diodes, thereby enhancing gamma-ray line-shape signatures for precision lifetime studies.

Ultrafast, Broad-Band, Passive Laser Shields Based on Novel Semiconductor/Conducting Polymer Interface Technology - SBIR 89.I (A89-083). Phase 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-02-14

of the present results to be in the tens of uJ/cm’. f) Comparatively high laser damage thresholds , due to the innate properties of the polymers used. g...number of interface systems switched in this mode as well. Intrinsic laser - induced polymer switching and nonlinear optical effects in these polymers...Effective Laser Shields Essential functional attributes of functional laser filters are ns or sub-ns risetimes, broad-band action (across the visible, near-IR

Aerospace technology development of three types of solid state remote power controllers for 120VDC with current ratings of five, and thirty amperes, one type having current limiting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, D. E.

1975-01-01

The first generation of remote power controllers (RPC) developed included: a 5-ampere design (Type 1), capable of limiting maximum overload current to 15 amperes for .1 sec; and 5-ampere noncurrent (Type 2) and 30-ampere noncurrent (Type 3) limiting designs, both with selectable instant trip levels for high-current overload. Each design provides overcurrent protection through an inverse I squared T trip-out function with an automatic reset option and demonstrates step-applied fault capability with a 4000-ampere surge, fast-risetime (low-inductance) power source. They also meet MIL - STD - 461A specification for electromagnetic interference. The second generation RPCs traded off specification compliance for reduction in cost and complexity for the Type 1 and 2 designs and give comparable or improved performance in most areas. The noncurrent limiting RPC proved to be a more economical and feasible method of overload protection for certain load types.

The Effect of Driver Rise-Time on Pinch Current and its Impact on Plasma Focus Performance and Neutron Yield

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sears, Jason; Schmidt, Andrea; Link, Anthony; Welch, Dale

2016-10-01

Experiments have suggested that dense plasma focus (DPF) neutron yield increases with faster drivers [Decker NIMP 1986]. Using the particle-in-cell code LSP [Schmidt PRL 2012], we reproduce this trend in a kJ DPF [Ellsworth 2014], and demonstrate how driver rise time is coupled to neutron output. We implement a 2-D model of the plasma focus including self-consistent circuit-driven boundary conditions. Driver capacitance and voltage are varied to modify the current rise time, and anode length is adjusted so that run-in coincides with the peak current. We observe during run down that magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities of the sheath shed blobs of plasma that remain in the inter-electrode gap during run in. This trailing plasma later acts as a low-inductance restrike path that shunts current from the pinch during maximum compression. While the MHD growth rate increases slightly with driver speed, the shorter anode of the fast driver allows fewer e-foldings and hence reduces the trailing mass between electrodes. As a result, the fast driver postpones parasitic restrikes and maintains peak current through the pinch during maximum compression. The fast driver pinch therefore achieves best simultaneity between its ion beam and peak target density, which maximizes neutron production. Prepared by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Microwave-triggered laser switch

DOEpatents

Piltch, M.S.

1982-05-19

A high-repetition rate switch is described for delivering short duration, high-powered electrical pulses from a pulsed-charged dc power supply. The present invention utilizes a microwave-generating device such as a magnetron that is capable of producing high-power pulses at high-pulse repetition rates and fast-pulse risetimes for long periods with high reliability. The rail-gap electrodes provide a large surface area that reduces induction effects and minimizes electrode erosion. Additionally, breakdown is initiated in a continuous geometric fashion that also increases operating lifetime of the device.

Microwave-triggered laser switch

DOEpatents

Piltch, Martin S.

1984-01-01

A high-repetition rate switch for delivering short duration, high-power electrical pulses from a pulsed-charged dc power supply. The present invention utilizes a microwave-generating device such as a magnetron that is capable of producing high-power pulses at high-pulse repetition rates and fast-pulse risetimes for long periods with high reliability. The rail-gap electrodes provide a large surface area that reduces induction effects and minimizes electrode erosion. Additionally, breakdown is initiated in a continuous geometric fashion that also increases operating lifetime of the device.

Rise Time of the Simulated VERITAS 12 m Davies-Cotton Reflector

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

White, Richard J.

The Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) will utilise Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) based on a Davies-Cotton design with f-number f/1.0 to detect cosmic gamma-rays. Unlike a parabolic reflector, light from the Davies-Cotton does not arrive isochronously at the camera. Here the effect of the telescope geometry on signal rise-time is examined. An almost square-pulse arrival time profile with a rise time of 1.7 ns is found analytically and confirmed through simulation.

Gas Breakdown in the Sub-Nanosecond Regime with Voltages Below 15 KV

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-01

needle -plane gap with outer coaxial conductor, and a 50-Ω load line. The needle consists of tungsten and has a radius of curvature below 0.5 µm. The...here gas breakdown during nanosecond pulses occurs mainly as corona discharges on wire antennas, and represents an unwanted effect - General...risetime between 400 ps to1 ns), 50-W transmission line, axial needle -plane gap with outer coaxial conductor, and a 50-W load line. The needle consists of

An Inexpensive Fast-Light Detector for Student Laboratories

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sanders, Steven G.; and others

1969-01-01

An optical dectector consisting of a high-speed PIN diode and a transistor was evaluated for use in student experiments with a pulsed-ruby laser. Pulses with 36-nsec risetimes were clearly resolved. (LC)

Rejection of randomly coinciding events in ZnMoO scintillating bolometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chernyak, D. M.; Danevich, F. A.; Giuliani, A.; Mancuso, M.; Nones, C.; Olivieri, E.; Tenconi, M.; Tretyak, V. I.

2014-06-01

Random coincidence of events (particularly from two neutrino double beta decay) could be one of the main sources of background in the search for neutrinoless double beta decay with cryogenic bolometers due to their poor time resolution. Pulse-shape discrimination by using front edge analysis, mean-time and methods were applied to discriminate randomly coinciding events in ZnMoO cryogenic scintillating bolometers. These events can be effectively rejected at the level of 99 % by the analysis of the heat signals with rise-time of about 14 ms and signal-to-noise ratio of 900, and at the level of 92 % by the analysis of the light signals with rise-time of about 3 ms and signal-to-noise ratio of 30, under the requirement to detect 95 % of single events. These rejection efficiencies are compatible with extremely low background levels in the region of interest of neutrinoless double beta decay of Mo for enriched ZnMoO detectors, of the order of counts/(y keV kg). Pulse-shape parameters have been chosen on the basis of the performance of a real massive ZnMoO scintillating bolometer. Importance of the signal-to-noise ratio, correct finding of the signal start and choice of an appropriate sampling frequency are discussed.

International Aerospace and Ground Conference on Lightning and Static Electricity, 10th, and Congres International Aeronautique, 17th, Paris, France, June 10-13, 1985, Proceedings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1985-12-01

The conference presents papers on statistical data and standards, coupling and indirect effects, meteorology and thunderstorm studies, lightning simulators, fuel ignition hazards, the phenomenology and characterization of lightning, susceptibility and protection of avionics, ground systems protection, lightning locators, aircraft systems protection, structures and materials, electrostatics, and spacecraft protection against static electricity. Particular attention is given to a comparison of published HEMP and natural lightning on the surface of an aircraft, electromagnetic interaction of external impulse fields with aircraft, of thunderstorm currents and lightning charges at the NASA Kennedy Space Center, the design of a fast risetime lightning generator, lightning simulation tests in FAA CV-580 lightning research aircraft, and the energy requirements of an aircraft triggered discharge. Papers are also presented on aircraft lightning attachment at low altitudes, a new form of transient suppressor, a proving ground for lightning research, and a spacecraft materials test in a continuous, broad energy-spectrum electron beam.

Temporal properties of compensation for positive and negative spectacle lenses in chicks.

PubMed

Zhu, Xiaoying; Wallman, Josh

2009-01-01

Chicks' eyes rapidly compensate for defocus imposed by spectacle lenses by changing their rate of elongation and their choroidal thickness. Compensation may involve internal emmetropization signals that rise and become saturated during episodes of lens wear and decline between episodes. The time constants of these signals were measured indirectly by measuring the magnitude of lens compensation in refractive error and ocular dimensions as a function of the duration of episodes and the intervals between the episodes. First, in a study of how quickly the signals rose, chicks were subjected to episodes of lens-wear of various durations (darkness otherwise), and the duration required to cause a half-maximum effect (rise-time) was estimated. Second, in a study of how quickly the signals declined, various dark intervals were imposed between episodes of lens-wear, and the interval required to reduce the maximum effect by half (fall-time) was estimated. The rise-times for the rate of ocular elongation and choroidal thickness were approximately 3 minutes for positive and negative lenses. The fall-times had a broad range of time courses: Positive lenses caused an enduring inhibition of ocular elongation with a fall-time of 24 hours. In contrast, negative lenses caused a transient stimulation of ocular elongation with a fall-time of 0.4 hour. The effects of episodes of defocus rise rapidly with episode duration to an asymptote and decline between episodes, with the time course depending strongly on the sign of defocus and the ocular component. The complex etiology of human myopia may reflect these temporal properties.

Time resolved EUV spectra from Zpinching capillary discharge plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jancarek, Alexandr; Nevrkla, Michal; Nawaz, Fahad

2015-09-01

We developed symmetrically charged driver to obtain high voltage, high current Z-pinching capillary discharge. Plasma is created by up to 70 kA, 29 ns risetime current pulse passing through a 5 mm inner diameter, 224 mm long capillary filled with gas to initial pressure in the range of 1 kPa. Due to the low inductance design of the driver, the pinch is observable directly from the measured current curve. Time-integrated and time-resolved spectra of discharge plasma radiation are recorded together with the capillary current and analyzed. The most encouraging spectra were captured in the wavelength range 8.3 ÷ 14 nm. This spectral region contains nitrogen Balmer series lines including potentially lasing NVII 2 - 3 transition. Spectral lines are identified in the NIST database using the FLY kinetic code. The line of 13.38 nm wavelength, transition NVII 2 - 3, was observed in gated, and also in time-integrated spectra for currents >60 kA. This work has been supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic grants LG13029.

Laser pumping of thyristors for fast high current rise-times

DOEpatents

Glidden, Steven C.; Sanders, Howard D.

2013-06-11

An optically triggered semiconductor switch includes an anode metallization layer; a cathode metallization layer; a semiconductor between the anode metallization layer and the cathode metallization layer and a photon source. The semiconductor includes at least four layers of alternating doping in the form P-N-P-N, in which an outer layer adjacent to the anode metallization layer forms an anode and an outer layer adjacent the cathode metallization layer forms a cathode and in which the anode metallization layer has a window pattern of optically transparent material exposing the anode layer to light. The photon source emits light having a wavelength, with the light from the photon source being configured to match the window pattern of the anode metallization layer.

Method and Apparatus for Reading Two Dimensional Identification Symbols Using Radar Techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schramm, Harry F., Jr. (Inventor); Roxby, Donald L. (Inventor)

2003-01-01

A method and apparatus are provided for sensing two-dimensional identification marks provided on a substrate or embedded within a substrate below a surface of the substrate. Micropower impulse radar is used to transmit a high risetime, short duration pulse to a focussed radar target area of the substrate having the two dimensional identification marks. The method further includes the steps of listening for radar echoes returned from the identification marks during a short listening period window occurring a predetermined time after transmission of the radar pulse. If radar echoes are detected, an image processing step is carried out. If no radar echoes are detected, the method further includes sequentially transmitting further high risetime, short duration pulses, and listening for radar echoes from each of said further pulses after different elapsed times for each of the further pulses until radar echoes are detected. When radar echoes are detected, data based on the detected echoes is processed to produce an image of the identification marks.

MAIZE: a 1 MA LTD-Driven Z-Pinch at The University of Michigan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gilgenbach, R. M.; Gomez, M. R.; Zier, J. C.; Tang, W. W.; French, D. M.; Lau, Y. Y.; Mazarakis, M. G.; Cuneo, M. E.; Johnston, M. D.; Oliver, B. V.; Mehlhorn, T. A.; Kim, A. A.; Sinebryukhov, V. A.

2009-01-01

Researchers at The University of Michigan have constructed and tested a 1-MA Linear Transformer Driver (LTD), the first of its type to reach the USA. The Michigan Accelerator for Inductive Z-pinch Experiments, (MAIZE), is based on the LTD developed at the Institute of High Current Electronics in collaboration with Sandia National Labs and UM. This LTD utilizes 80 capacitors and 40 spark gap switches, arranged in 40 "bricks," to deliver a 1 MA, 100 kV pulse with 100 ns risetime into a matched resistive load. Preliminary resistive-load test results are presented for the LTD facility. Planned experimental research programs at UM include: a) Studies of Magneto-Raleigh-Taylor instability of planar foils, and b) Vacuum convolute studies including cathode and anode plasma.

Timing discriminator using leading-edge extrapolation

DOEpatents

Gottschalk, Bernard

1983-01-01

A discriminator circuit to recover timing information from slow-rising pulses by means of an output trailing edge, a fixed time after the starting corner of the input pulse, which is nearly independent of risetime and threshold setting. This apparatus comprises means for comparing pulses with a threshold voltage; a capacitor to be charged at a certain rate when the input signal is one-third threshold voltage, and at a lower rate when the input signal is two-thirds threshold voltage; current-generating means for charging the capacitor; means for comparing voltage capacitor with a bias voltage; a flip-flop to be set when the input pulse reaches threshold voltage and reset when capacitor voltage reaches the bias voltage; and a clamping means for discharging the capacitor when the input signal returns below one-third threshold voltage.

Prosodic Perception Problems in Spanish Dyslexia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cuetos, Fernando; Martínez-García, Cristina; Suárez-Coalla, Paz

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the prosody abilities on top of phonological and visual abilities in children with dyslexia in Spanish that can be considered a syllable-timed language. The performances on prosodic tasks (prosodic perception, rise-time perception), phonological tasks (phonological awareness, rapid naming, verbal working…

Too Long, Too Short, or Too Variable? Sleep Intraindividual Variability and Its Associations With Perceived Sleep Quality and Mood in Adolescents During Naturalistically Unconstrained Sleep.

PubMed

Bei, Bei; Manber, Rachel; Allen, Nicholas B; Trinder, John; Wiley, Joshua F

2017-02-01

Research has extensively examined the relationship between adolescents' mental health and average sleep duration/quality. Using rigorous methodology, this study characterized adolescents' objective sleep intraindividual variability (IIV) and examined its role on mood beyond the effects of their respective individual mean (IIM) values. One hundred forty-six community-dwelling adolescents (47.3% male) aged 16.2 ± 1.0 (M ± SD) years wore an actigraph that assessed bedtime, risetime, time-in-bed (TIB), and sleep onset latency (SOL) throughout a 15-day vacation with relatively unconstrained sleep opportunity. Self-report sleep quality (SSQ), negative mood (MOOD), and other covariates were assessed using questionnaires. For each sleep variable, individuals' mean values (IIM) and IIV were used to simultaneously predict MOOD with SSQ as a mediator. Models were estimated in a Bayesian IIV framework; both linear and quadratic effects of the IIM and IIV were examined. Longer and more variable TIB, as well as more variable SOL (but not mean SOL), were associated with poorer SSQ (ps < .01), which in turn, was associated with more negative MOOD (ps < .05). The indirect effect of SOL IIV was curvilinear, such that as SOL became more variable, the deteriorating effect of high SOL IIV accelerated. Neither bedtime nor risetime IIV was significantly associated with SSQ or MOOD. During relatively unconstrained sleep opportunity, more variable TIB and SOL were associated with more negative mood, mediated by poorer perceived sleep quality. Significant effects of IIV were over and above that of mean values, suggesting that unique aspects of sleep IIV are relevant to how adolescents perceive sleep quality and their mood. © Sleep Research Society 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Sleep Research Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.

Reversing-counterpulse repetitive-pulse inductive storage circuit

DOEpatents

Honig, Emanuel M.

1987-01-01

A high-power reversing-counterpulse repetitive-pulse inductive storage and transfer circuit includes an opening switch, a main energy storage coil, a counterpulse capacitor and a small inductor. After counterpulsing the opening switch off, the counterpulse capacitor is recharged by the main energy storage coil before the load pulse is initiated. This gives the counterpulse capacitor sufficient energy for the next counterpulse operation, although the polarity of the capacitor's voltage must be reversed before that can occur. By using a current-zero switch as the counterpulse start switch, the capacitor is disconnected from the circuit (with a full charge) when the load pulse is initiated, preventing the capacitor from depleting its energy store by discharging through the load. After the load pulse is terminated by reclosing the main opening switch, the polarity of the counterpulse capacitor voltage is reversed by discharging the capacitor through a small inductor and interrupting the discharge current oscillation at zero current and peak reversed voltage. The circuit enables high-power, high-repetition-rate operation with reusable switches and features total control (pulse-to-pulse) over output pulse initiation, duration, repetition rate, and, to some extent, risetime.

Reversing-counterpulse repetitive-pulse inductive storage circuit

DOEpatents

Honig, E.M.

1984-06-05

A high power reversing-counterpulse repetitive-pulse inductive storage and transfer circuit includes an opening switch, a main energy storage coil, a counterpulse capacitor and a small inductor. After counterpulsing the opening switch off, the counterpulse capacitor is recharged by the main energy storage coil before the load pulse is initiated. This gives the counterpulse capacitor sufficient energy for the next counterpulse operation, although the polarity of the capacitor's voltage must be reversed before that can occur. By using a current-zero switch as the counterpulse start switch, the capacitor is disconnected from the circuit (with a full charge) when the load pulse is initiated, preventing the capacitor from depleting its energy store by discharging through the load. After the load pulse is terminated by reclosing the main opening switch, the polarity of the counterpulse capacitor voltage is reversed by discharging the capacitor through a small inductor and interrupting the discharge current oscillation at zero current and peak reversed voltage. The circuit enables high-power, high-repetition-rate operation with reusable switches and features total control (pulse-to-pulse) over output pulse initiation, duration, repetition rate, and, to some extent, risetime.

The 1.06 optical receiver. [avalanche photodiodes for laser range finders

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tomasetta, L. R.; Law, H. D.; Nakano, K.; Scholl, F. W.; Harris, J. S., Jr.

1978-01-01

High performance 1.06 micron m avalanche photodetectors (APDs), fabricated in the GaAlSb system, have high quantum efficiency (90 percent), high speed (risetime less than 60 ps) and low leakage currents (less than 50 na). The dark current represents more than an order of magnitude reduction compared to previously reported results. The high speed avalanche gain of these devices is between 20 and 50. The area uniformity is better than + or - 10 percent. GaAlAs APDs at 0.53 micron m have even faster speed, lower dark currents, and high speed gains of 100 to 200. Optical rangefinders based on measured APD performance parameters have far superior performance when compared to even ideal photomultiplier tubes in either a one color or two color rangefinder system. For a one color system, f factor of two lower time jitter can be achieved with identical transmitted power. The superiority of the APD based two color receiver is significant and exists in the entire range of desired time jitters (less than 100 ps) and received power levels.

A Fast Pulse, High Intensity Neutron Source Based Upon The Dense Plasma Focus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krishnan, M.; Bures, B.; Madden, R.; Blobner, F.; Elliott, K. Wilson

2009-12-01

Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation (AASC) has built a bench-top source of fast neutrons (˜10-30 ns, 2.45 MeV), that is portable and can be scaled to operate at ˜100 Hz. The source is a Dense Plasma Focus driven by three different capacitor banks: a 40 J/30 kA/100 Hz driver; a 500 J/130 kA/2 Hz driver and a 3 kJ/350 kA/0.5 Hz driver. At currents of ˜130 kA, this source produces ˜1×107 (DD) n/pulse. The neutron pulse widths are ˜10-30 ns and may be controlled by adjusting the DPF electrode geometry and operating parameters. This paper describes the scaling of the fast neutron output with current from such a Dense Plasma Focus source. For each current and driver, different DPF head designs are required to match to the current rise-time, as the operating pressure and anode radius/shape are varied. Doping of the pure D2 gas fill with Ar or Kr was shown earlier to increase the neutron output. Results are discussed in the light of scaling laws suggested by prior literature.

Method and apparatus for fast laser pulse detection using gaseous plasmas

DOEpatents

McLellan, Edward J.; Webb, John A.

1984-01-01

The method and device of the instant invention is a detector of pulsed laser radiation which utilizes the electromotive force generated by the plasma formed when such radiation is focused onto a surface (1). Measurements are made with a 10.6 .mu.m CO.sub.2 laser capable of producing peak intensities of 10.sup.13 W/cm.sup.2 when directed through a converging lens (2). Evacuated detector response to such laser intensity is 1 kV signal peak amplitude and subnanosecond risetimes into a 50.OMEGA. load (3). Detector performance is found to be greatly altered with the introduction of a background gas (4). For example, with one atmosphere of air, the detector produces prompt signals of the order of 1 V with subnanosecond response for pulse trains lasting 100 ns. With argon, krypton, or zenon at pressures of the order of 10 torr, the detector generates "trigger pulses" of about 250 V amplitude and 0.2 ns risetimes. Such detectors are quite robust when irradiated with high intensity laser radiation and are useful for qualitative laser beam monitoring.

Novel measurement method of heat and light detection for neutrinoless double beta decay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, G. B.; Choi, J. H.; Jo, H. S.; Kang, C. S.; Kim, H. L.; Kim, I.; Kim, S. R.; Kim, Y. H.; Lee, C.; Lee, H. J.; Lee, M. K.; Li, J.; Oh, S. Y.; So, J. H.

2017-05-01

We developed a cryogenic phonon-scintillation detector to search for 0νββ decay of 100Mo. The detector module, a proto-type setup of the AMoRE experiment, has a scintillating 40Ca100MoO4 absorber composed of 100Mo-enriched and 48Ca-depleted elements. This new detection method employs metallic magnetic calorimeters (MMCs) as the sensor technology for simultaneous detection of heat and light signals. It is designed to have high energy and timing resolutions to increase sensitivity to probe the rare event. The detector, which is composed of a 200 g 40Ca100MoO4 crystal and phonon/photon sensors, showed an energy resolution of 8.7 keV FWHM at 2.6 MeV, with a weak temperature dependence in the range of 10-40 mK. Using rise-time and mean-time parameters and light/heat ratios, the proposed method showed a strong capability of rejecting alpha-induced events from electron events with as good as 20σ separation. Moreover, we discussed how the signal rise-time improves the rejection efficiency for random coincidence signals.

Method and apparatus for fast laser-pulse detection using gaseous plasmas

DOEpatents

McLellan, E.J.; Webb, J.A.

1981-06-18

The method and device of the instant invention is a detector of pulsed laser radiation which utilizes the electromotive force generated by the plasma formed when such radiation is focused onto a surface. Measurements are made with a 10.6 ..mu..m CO/sub 2/ laser capable of producing peak intensities of 10/sup 13/ W/cm/sup 2/ when directed through a converging lens. Evacuated detector response to such laser intensity if 1 kV signal peak amplitude and subnanosecond risetimes into a 50 ..cap omega.. load. Detector performance is found to be greatly altered with the introduction of a background gas. For example, with one atmosphere of air, the detector produces prompt signals of the order of 1 V with subnanosecond response for pulse trains lasting 100 ns. With argon, krypton, or zenon at pressures of the order of 10 torr, the detector generates trigger pulses of about 250 V amplitude and 0.2 ns risetimes. Such detectors are quite robust when irradiated with high intensity laser radiation and are useful for qualitative laser beam monitoring.

Dynamics and noise emission of laser induced cavitation bubbles in a vortical flow field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oweis, Ghanem F.; Choi, Jaehyug; Ceccio, Steven L.

2004-03-01

The sound produced by the collapse of discrete cavitation bubbles was examined. Laser-generated cavitation bubbles were produced in both a quiescent and a vortical flow. The sound produced by the collapse of the cavitation bubbles was recorded, and its spectral content was determined. It was found that the risetime of the sound pulse produced by the collapse of single, spherical cavitation bubbles in quiescent fluid exceeded that of the slew rate of the hydrophone, which is consistent with previously published results. It was found that, as collapsing bubbles were deformed by the vortical flow, the acoustic impulse of the bubbles was reduced. Collapsing nonspherical bubbles often created a sound pulse with a risetime that exceeded that of the hydrophone slew rate, although the acoustic impulse created by the bubbles was influenced largely by the degree to which the bubbles became nonspherical before collapse. The noise produced by the slow growth of cavitation bubbles in the vortex core was not detectable. These results have implications for the interpretation of hydrodynamic cavitation noise produced by vortex cavitation.

The 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake: Investigation of rupture velocity, risetime, and high-frequency radiation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hartzell, S.; Liu, P.; Mendoza, C.

1996-01-01

A hybrid global search algorithm is used to solve the nonlinear problem of calculating slip amplitude, rake, risetime, and rupture time on a finite fault. Thirty-five strong motion velocity records are inverted by this method over the frequency band from 0.1 to 1.0 Hz for the Northridge earthquake. Four regions of larger-amplitude slip are identified: one near the hypocenter at a depth of 17 km, a second west of the hypocenter at about the same depth, a third updip from the hypocenter at a depth of 10 km, and a fourth updip from the hypocenter and to the northwest. The results further show an initial fast rupture with a velocity of 2.8 to 3.0 km/s followed by a slow termination of the rupture with velocities of 2.0 to 2.5 km/s. The initial energetic rupture phase lasts for 3 s, extending out 10 km from the hypocenter. Slip near the hypocenter has a short risetime of 0.5 s, which increases to 1.5 s for the major slip areas removed from the hypocentral region. The energetic rupture phase is also shown to be the primary source of high-frequency radiation (1-15 Hz) by an inversion of acceleration envelopes. The same global search algorithm is used in the envelope inversion to calculate high-frequency radiation intensity on the fault and rupture time. The rupture timing from the low- and high-frequency inversions is similar, indicating that the high frequencies are produced primarily at the mainshock rupture front. Two major sources of high-frequency radiation are identified within the energetic rupture phase, one at the hypocenter and another deep source to the west of the hypocenter. The source at the hypocenter is associated with the initiation of rupture and the breaking of a high-stress-drop asperity and the second is associated with stopping of the rupture in a westerly direction.

Investigation of the quantum efficiency of optical heterodyne detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Batchman, T. E.

1984-01-01

The frequency response and quantum efficiency of optical photodetectors for heterodyne receivers is investigated. The measurements utilized two spectral lines from the output of two lasers as input to the photodetectors. These lines are easily measurable in power and frequency and hence serve as known inputs. By measuring the output current of the photodetector the quantum efficiency is determined as a function of frequency separation between the two input signals. An investigation of the theoretical basis and accuracy of this type of measurement relative to similar measurements utilizing risetime is undertaken. A theoretical study of the heterodyne process in photodetectors based on semiconductor physics is included so that higher bandwidth detectors may be designed. All measurements are made on commercially available detectors and manufacturers' specifications for normal photodetector operation are compared to the measured heterodyne characteristics.

Capillary Discharge Soft X-ray Laser Experiments at Air Force Research Laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruden, E. L.; Gale, D. G.

1997-11-01

The Air Force Research Laboratory (previously Phillips Laboratory) is presently attempting to reproduce the high gain laser results of J.J. Rocca's capillary discharge z-pinch pumped 46.9 nm Ne-like Ar laser. This poster presents progress to date at measuring our laser's intensity and gain. The capillary circuit consists of a low inductance 3 nH water capacitor discharged by a coaxial spark gap into a 12 cm long, 4 mm ID plastic capillary. The capillary is supplied with 39 kA of current with a 20 ns risetime. The principle radiation diagnostic consists of a VUV monochrometer coupled to a custom high speed vacuum X-ray diode with an aluminum cathode. The signal is recorded on a fast transient digitizer (Tektronix SCD 5000). The total detector system's analog bandwidth is about 3 GHz.

Timing discriminator using leading-edge extrapolation

DOEpatents

Gottschalk, B.

1981-07-30

A discriminator circuit to recover timing information from slow-rising pulses by means of an output trailing edge, a fixed time after the starting corner of the input pulse, which is nearly independent of risetime and threshold setting is described. This apparatus comprises means for comparing pulses with a threshold voltage; a capacitor to be charged at a certain rate when the input signal is one-third threshold voltage, and at a lower rate when the input signal is two-thirds threshold voltage; current-generating means for charging the capacitor; means for comparing voltage capacitor with a bias voltage; a flip-flop to be set when the input pulse reaches threshold voltage and reset when capacitor voltage reaches the bias voltage; and a clamping means for discharging the capacitor when the input signal returns below one-third threshold voltage.

200 kj copper foil fuses. Final report

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

McClenahan, C.R.; Goforth, J.H.; Degnan, J.H.

1980-04-01

A 200-kJ, 50-kV capacitor bank has been discharged into 1-mil-thick copper foils immersed in fine glass beads. These foils ranged in length from 27 to 71 cm and in width from 15 to 40 cm. Voltage spikes of over 250 kV were produced by the resulting fuse behavior of the foil. Moreover, the current turned off at a rate that was over 6 times the initial bank dI/dt. Full widths at half maxima for the voltage and dI/dt spikes were about 0.5 microsec, with some as short as 300 nanosec. Electrical breakdown was prevented in all but one size fuzemore » with maximum applied fields of 7 kV/cm. Fuses that were split into two parallel sections have been tested, and the effects relative to one-piece fuses are much larger than would be expected on the basis of inductance differences alone. A resistivity model for copper foil fuses, which differs from previous work in that it includes a current density dependence, has been devised. Fuse behavior is predicted with reasonable accuracy over a wide range of foil sizes by a quasi-two-dimensional fuse code that incorporates this resistivity model. A variation of Maisonnier's method for predicting optimum fuze size has been derived. This method is valid if the risetime of the bank exceeds 3 microsec, in which case it can be expected to be applicable over a wide range of peak current densities.« less

Risetime distortion of Shuttle Ku-band payload 50 MBPS data due to coaxial cable skin effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schadelbauer, S.; Vang, H. A.

1980-01-01

This paper discusses distortion of digital signals generated in the Space Shuttle Ku-band communications systems. Specifically, the degradation considered is due to coaxial cables which interface data and clock from a source located in the payload bay to the KuSPA (Ku-Band Signal Processor Assembly) located in the avionics bay of the Shuttle. Due to the length (nearly 100 feet) and relatively narrow bandwidth of the cable, the clock and data waveforms are significantly affected by this transmission medium. This paper presents a closed form model that closely approximates the distortion of the waveforms measured in laboratory tests.

Numerical simulation of a battlefield Nd:YAG laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henriksson, Markus; Sjoqvist, Lars; Uhrwing, Thomas

2005-11-01

A numeric model has been developed to identify the critical components and parameters in improving the output beam quality of a flashlamp pumped Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with a folded Porro-prism resonator and polarization output coupling. The heating of the laser material and accompanying thermo-optical effects are calculated using the finite element partial differential equations package FEMLAB allowing arbitrary geometries and time distributions. The laser gain and the cavity are modeled with the physical optics simulation code GLAD including effects such as gain profile, thermal lensing and stress-induced birefringence, the Pockels cell rise-time and component aberrations. The model is intended to optimize the pumping process of an OPO providing radiation to be used for ranging, imaging or optical countermeasures.

High power radiators of ultra-short electromagnetic quasi-unipolar pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedorov, V. M.; Ostashev, V. E.; Tarakanov, V. P.; Ul'yanov, A. V.

2017-05-01

Results of creation, operation, and diagnostics of the high power radiators for ultra-short length electromagnetic pulses (USEMPs) with a quasi-unipolar profile, which have been developed in our laboratory, are presented. The radiating module contains: the ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna array, the exciting high voltage pulse semiconductor generator (a pulser), the power source and the control unit. The principles of antenna array with a high efficiency aperture about 0.9 were developed using joint four TEM-horns with shielding electrodes in every TEM-horn. Sizes of the antenna apertures were (16-60) cm. The pulsers produced by “FID Technology” company had the following parameters: 50 Ohm connector impedance, unipolar pulses voltages (10-100) kV, the rise-time (0.04-0.15) ns, and the width (0.2-1) ns. The modules radiate the USEMPs of (0.1-10) GHz spectrum, their repetition rate is (1-100) kHz, and the effective potential is E*R = (20-400) kV, producing the peak E-field into the far-zone of R-distance. Parameters of the USEMP waves were measured by a calibrated sensor with the following characteristics: the sensitivity 0.32V/(kV/m), the rise-time 0.03 ns, the duration up to 7 ns. The measurements were in agreement with the simulation results, which were obtained using the 3-D code “KARAT”. The USEMP waves with amplitudes (1-10) kV/m and the pulse repetition rate (0.5-100) kHz were successfully used to examine various electronic devices for an electromagnetic immunity.

Slip history and dynamic implications of the 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan, earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ji, C.; Helmberger, D.V.; Wald, D.J.; Ma, K.-F.

2003-01-01

We investigate the rupture process of the 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan, earthquake using extensive near-source observations, including three-component velocity waveforms at 36 strong motion stations and 119 GPS measurements. A three-plane fault geometry derived from our previous inversion using only static data [Ji et al., 2001] is applied. The slip amplitude, rake angle, rupture initiation time, and risetime function are inverted simultaneously with a recently developed finite fault inverse method that combines a wavelet transform approach with a simulated annealing algorithm [Ji et al., 2002b]. The inversion results are validated by the forward prediction of an independent data set, the teleseismic P and SH ground velocities, with notable agreement. The results show that the total seismic moment release of this earthquake is 2.7 ?? 1020 N m and that most of the slip occured in a triangular-shaped asperity involving two fault segments, which is consistent with our previous static inversion. The rupture front propagates with an average rupture velocity of ???2.0 km s-1, and the average slip duration (risetime) is 7.2 s. Several interesting observations related to the temporal evolution of the Chi-Chi earthquake are also investigated, including (1) the strong effect of the sinuous fault plane of the Chelungpu fault on spatial and temporal variations in slip history, (2) the intersection of fault 1 and fault 2 not being a strong impediment to the rupture propagation, and (3 the observation that the peak slip velocity near the surface is, in general, higher than on the deeper portion of the fault plane, as predicted by dynamic modeling.

Delayed avalanche breakdown of high-voltage silicon diodes: Various structures exhibit different picosecond-range switching behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brylevskiy, Viktor; Smirnova, Irina; Gutkin, Andrej; Brunkov, Pavel; Rodin, Pavel; Grekhov, Igor

2017-11-01

We present a comparative study of silicon high-voltage diodes exhibiting the effect of delayed superfast impact-ionization breakdown. The effect manifests itself in a sustainable picosecond-range transient from the blocking to the conducting state and occurs when a steep voltage ramp is applied to the p+-n-n+ diode in the reverse direction. Nine groups of diodes with graded and abrupt pn-junctions have been specially fabricated for this study by different techniques from different Si substrates. Additionally, in two groups of these structures, the lifetime of nonequilibrium carriers was intentionally reduced by electron irradiation. All diodes have identical geometrical parameters and similar stationary breakdown voltages. Our experimental setup allows measuring both device voltage and current during the kilovolt switching with time resolution better than 50 ps. Although all devices are capable of forming a front with kilovolt amplitude and 100 ps risetime in the in-series load, the structures with graded pn-junctions have anomalously large residual voltage. The Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy study of all diode structures has been performed in order to evaluate the effect of deep centers on device performance. It was found that the presence of deep-level electron traps negatively correlates with parameters of superfast switching, whereas a large concentration of recombination centers created by electron irradiation has virtually no influence on switching characteristics.

Reversing-counterpulse repetitive-pulse inductive storage circuit

DOEpatents

Honig, E.M.

1987-02-10

A high-power reversing-counterpulse repetitive-pulse inductive storage and transfer circuit includes an opening switch, a main energy storage coil, a counterpulse capacitor and a small inductor. After counterpulsing the opening switch off, the counterpulse capacitor is recharged by the main energy storage coil before the load pulse is initiated. This gives the counterpulse capacitor sufficient energy for the next counterpulse operation, although the polarity of the capacitor's voltage must be reversed before that can occur. By using a current-zero switch as the counterpulse start switch, the capacitor is disconnected from the circuit (with a full charge) when the load pulse is initiated, preventing the capacitor from depleting its energy store by discharging through the load. After the load pulse is terminated by reclosing the main opening switch, the polarity of the counterpulse capacitor voltage is reversed by discharging the capacitor through a small inductor and interrupting the discharge current oscillation at zero current and peak reversed voltage. The circuit enables high-power, high-repetition-rate operation with reusable switches and features total control (pulse-to-pulse) over output pulse initiation, duration, repetition rate, and, to some extent, risetime. 10 figs.

Electrothermal instability growth in magnetically driven pulsed power liners

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peterson, Kyle J.; Sinars, Daniel B.; Yu, Edmund P.; Herrmann, Mark C.; Cuneo, Michael E.; Slutz, Stephen A.; Smith, Ian C.; Atherton, Briggs W.; Knudson, Marcus D.; Nakhleh, Charles

2012-09-01

This paper explores the role of electro-thermal instabilities on the dynamics of magnetically accelerated implosion systems. Electro-thermal instabilities result from non-uniform heating due to temperature dependence in the conductivity of a material. Comparatively little is known about these types of instabilities compared to the well known Magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor (MRT) instability. We present simulations that show electrothermal instabilities form immediately after the surface material of a conductor melts and can act as a significant seed to subsequent MRT instability growth. We also present the results of several experiments performed on Sandia National Laboratories Z accelerator to investigate signatures of electrothermal instability growth on well characterized initially solid aluminum and copper rods driven with a 20 MA, 100 ns risetime current pulse. These experiments show excellent agreement with electrothermal instability simulations and exhibit larger instability growth than can be explained by MRT theory alone.

Low-frequency creep in CoNiFe films.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bartran, D. S.; Bourne, H. C., Jr.; Chow, L. G.

1972-01-01

Domain wall motion excited by slow rise-time, bipolar, hard-axis pulses in vacuum deposited CoNiFe films from 1500 to 2000 A thick is studied. The results are consistent with those of comparable NiFe films. Furthermore, the wall coercivity is found to be the most significant sample property correlated to the low-frequency creep properties of all the samples.

Fabrication and evaluation of large-area ultrasoft X-ray detectors suitable for spacecraft application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bowyer, S.

1971-01-01

The modifications to the Houston/MSC design of the gas proportional counter flight electronics system are discussed. The following modifications are described: charge amplifier bandwidth improvements, power converter redesign, serial data output buffer, second differentiator, and risetime discriminator. In addition, the redesign of the stellar aspect camera is discussed along with developments in thin film fabrication.

Downhole pulse radar

DOEpatents

Chang, Hsi-Tien

1989-01-01

A borehole logging tool generates a fast rise-time, short duration, high peak-power radar pulse having broad energy distribution between 30 MHz and 300 MHz through a directional transmitting and receiving antennas having barium titanate in the electromagnetically active region to reduce the wavelength to within an order of magnitude of the diameter of the antenna. Radar returns from geological discontinuities are sampled for transmission uphole.

An insight on correlations between kinematic rupture parameters from dynamic ruptures on rough faults

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thingbijam, Kiran Kumar; Galis, Martin; Vyas, Jagdish; Mai, P. Martin

2017-04-01

We examine the spatial interdependence between kinematic parameters of earthquake rupture, which include slip, rise-time (total duration of slip), acceleration time (time-to-peak slip velocity), peak slip velocity, and rupture velocity. These parameters were inferred from dynamic rupture models obtained by simulating spontaneous rupture on faults with varying degree of surface-roughness. We observe that the correlations between these parameters are better described by non-linear correlations (that is, on logarithm-logarithm scale) than by linear correlations. Slip and rise-time are positively correlated while these two parameters do not correlate with acceleration time, peak slip velocity, and rupture velocity. On the other hand, peak slip velocity correlates positively with rupture velocity but negatively with acceleration time. Acceleration time correlates negatively with rupture velocity. However, the observed correlations could be due to weak heterogeneity of the slip distributions given by the dynamic models. Therefore, the observed correlations may apply only to those parts of rupture plane with weak slip heterogeneity if earthquake-rupture associate highly heterogeneous slip distributions. Our findings will help to improve pseudo-dynamic rupture generators for efficient broadband ground-motion simulations for seismic hazard studies.

Downhole pulse radar

DOEpatents

Chang, Hsi-Tien

1987-09-28

A borehole logging tool generates a fast rise-time, short duration, high peak-power radar pulse having broad energy distribution between 30 MHz and 300 MHz through a directional transmitting and receiving antennas having barium titanate in the electromagnetically active region to reduce the wavelength to within an order of magnitude of the diameter of the antenna. Radar returns from geological discontinuities are sampled for transmission uphole. 7 figs.

Supershort avalanche electron beam in SF6 and krypton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Cheng; Tarasenko, Victor F.; Gu, Jianwei; Baksht, Evgeni Kh.; Beloplotov, Dmitry V.; Burachenko, Alexander G.; Yan, Ping; Lomaev, Mikhail I.; Shao, Tao

2016-03-01

Runaway electrons play an important role in the avalanche formation in nanosecond- and subnanosecond- pulse discharges. In this paper, characteristics of a supershort avalanche electron beam (SAEB) generated at the subnanosecond and nanosecond breakdown in sulfur hexafluoride (SF6 ) in an inhomogeneous electric field were studied. One pulser operated at negative polarity with voltage pulse amplitude of ˜130 kV and rise time of 0.3 ns. The other pulser operated at negative polarity with voltage pulse amplitude of 70 kV and rise time of ˜1.6 ns . SAEB parameters in SF6 are compared with those obtained in krypton (Kr), nitrogen (N2 ), air, and mixtures of SF6 with krypton or nitrogen. Experimental results showed that SAEB currents appeared during the rise-time of the voltage pulse for both pulsers. Moreover, amplitudes of the SAEB current in SF6 and Kr approximately ranged from several to tens of milliamps at atmospheric pressure, which were smaller than those in N2 and air (ranging from hundreds of milliamps to several amperes). Furthermore, the concentration of SF6 additive could significantly reduce the SAEB current in N2-SF6 mixture, but it slightly affected the SAEB current in Kr -SF6 mixture because of the atomic/molecular ionization cross section of the gas had a much greater impact on the SAEB current rather than the electronegativity.

Characterisation of the current switch mechanism in two-stage wire array Z-pinches

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

Burdiak, G. C.; Lebedev, S. V.; Harvey-Thompson, A. J.

2015-11-15

In this paper, we describe the operation of a two-stage wire array z-pinch driven by the 1.4 MA, 240 ns rise-time Magpie pulsed-power device at Imperial College London. In this setup, an inverse wire array acts as a fast current switch, delivering a current pre-pulse into a cylindrical load wire array, before rapidly switching the majority of the generator current into the load after a 100–150 ns dwell time. A detailed analysis of the evolution of the load array during the pre-pulse is presented. Measurements of the load resistivity and energy deposition suggest significant bulk heating of the array mass occurs. Themore » ∼5 kA pre-pulse delivers ∼0.8 J of energy to the load, leaving it in a mixed, predominantly liquid-vapour state. The main current switch occurs as the inverse array begins to explode and plasma expands into the load region. Electrical and imaging diagnostics indicate that the main current switch may evolve in part as a plasma flow switch, driven by the expansion of a magnetic cavity and plasma bubble along the length of the load array. Analysis of implosion trajectories suggests that approximately 1 MA switches into the load in 100 ns, corresponding to a doubling of the generator dI/dt. Potential scaling of the device to higher current machines is discussed.« less

Ionization of Xenon to the Nickel-Like Stage and Beyond in Micro-Capillary Plasma Columns Heated by Ultrafast Current Pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avaria, G.; Grisham, M.; Li, J.; Tomasel, F. G.; Shlyapstsev, V. N.; Busquet, M.; Woolston, M.; Rocca, J. J.

Homogeneous plasma columns with ionization levels typical of MA discharges were created by rapidly heating gas-filled 520 µm diameter channels with ns rise-time current pulses of unusually low amplitude, 40 kA. These conditions allow the generation of high aspect ratio (eg. > 300:1) plasma columns with very high degrees of ionization (e.g. Ni-like Xenon) of interest for soft x-ray lasers below λ = 10 nm. Spectra and simulations of plasmas generated in 520 µm diameter alumina capillaries driven by 35-40 kA current pulses with 4 ns rise time were obtained for discharges in Xenon and Neon discharges. The first shows the presence of lines corresponding to ionization stages up to Fe-like Xe. The latter show that Al impurities from the walls are ionized to the H-like and He-like stages. He-like Al spectra containing the resonance line significantly broaden by opacity, the intercombination line, and Li-like satellites are analyzed. For Xenon discharges, the spectral lines from the Ni-like transitions the 3d94d (3/2, 3/2)J = 0 to the 3d94p(5/2, 3/2)J = 1 and to 3d94p(3/2, 1/2)J = 1 are observed.

Analysis of Current Pulses in HeLa-Cell Permeabilization Due to High Voltage DC Corona Discharge.

PubMed

Chetty, Nevendra K; Chonco, Louis; Ijumba, Nelson M; Chetty, Leon; Govender, Thavendran; Parboosing, Raveen; Davidson, Innocent E

2016-09-01

Corona discharges are commonly utilized for numerous practical applications, including bio-technological ones. The corona induced transfer of normally impermeant molecules into the interior of biological cells has recently been successfully demonstrated. The exact nature of the interaction of the corona discharge with a cell membrane is still unknown, however, previous studies have suggested that it is either the electric fields produced by ions or the chemical interaction of the reactive species that result in the disruption of the cell membrane. This disruption of the cell membrane allows molecules to permeate into the cell. Corona discharge current constitutes a series of pulses, and it is during these pulses that the ions and reactive species are produced. It stands to reason, therefore, that the nature of these corona pulses would have an influence on the level of cell permeabilization and cell destruction. In this investigation, an analysis of the width, rise-time, characteristic frequencies, magnitude, and repetition rate of the nanosecond pulses was carried out in order to establish the relationship between these factors and the levels of cell membrane permeabilization and cell destruction. Results obtained are presented and discussed.

On the Validity of Certain Approximations Used in the Modeling of Nuclear EMP

DOE PAGES

Farmer, William A.; Cohen, Bruce I.; Eng, Chester D.

2016-04-01

The legacy codes developed for the modeling of EMP, multiple scattering of Compton electrons has typically been modeled by the obliquity factor. A recent publication has examined this approximation in the context of the generated Compton current [W. A. Farmer and A. Friedman, IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sc. 62, 1695 (2015)]. Here, this previous analysis is extended to include the generation of the electromagnetic fields. Obliquity factor predictions are compared with Monte-Carlo models. In using a Monte-Carlo description of scattering, two distributions of scattering angles are considered: Gaussian and a Gaussian with a single-scattering tail. Additionally, legacy codes also neglect themore » radial derivative of the backward-traveling wave for computational efficiency. The neglect of this derivative improperly treats the backward-traveling wave. Moreover, these approximations are examined in the context of a high-altitude burst, and it is shown that in comparison to more complete models, the discrepancy between field amplitudes is roughly two to three percent and between rise-times, 10%. Finally, it is concluded that the biggest factor in determining the rise time of the signal is not the dynamics of the Compton current, but is instead the conductivity.« less

Hall-MHD and PIC Modeling of the Conduction-to-Opening Transition in a Plasma Opening Switch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schumer, J. W.; SwanekampDdagger, S. B.; Ottinger, P. F.; Commisso, R. J.; Weber, B. V.

1998-11-01

Utilizing the fast opening characteristics of a plasma opening switch (POS), inductive energy storage devices can generate short-duration high-power pulses (<0.1 μ s, >1 TW) with current rise-times on the order of 10 ns. Plasma redistribution and thinning during the POS conduction phase can be modeled adequately with MHD methods. By including the Hall term in Ohm's Law, MHD methods can simulate plasmas with density gradient scale lengths between c/ω_pe < Ln < c/ω_pi. However, the neglect of electron inertia (c/ω_pe) and space-charge separation (λ_De) by single-fluid theory eventually becomes invalid in small gap regions that form during POS opening. PIC methods are well-suited for low-density plasmas, but are numerically taxed by high-density POS regions. An interface converts MHD (Mach2) output into PIC (Magic) input suitable for validating various transition criteria through comparison of current and density distributions from both methods. We will discuss recent progress in interfacing Hall-MHD and PIC simulations. Work supported by Defense Special Weapons Agency. ^ NRL-NRC Research Associate. hspace0.25in ^ JAYCOR, Vienna, VA 22102.

Staged Z-pinch Experiments on Cobra and Zebra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wessel, Frank J.; Anderson, A.; Banasek, J. T.; Byvank, T.; Conti, F.; Darling, T. W.; Dutra, E.; Glebov, V.; Greenly, J.; Hammer, D. A.; Potter, W. M.; Rocco, S. V.; Ross, M. P.; Ruskov, E.; Valenzuela, J.; Beg, F.; Covington, A.; Narkis, J.; Rahman, H. U.

2017-10-01

A Staged Z-pinch (SZP), configured as a pre-magnetized, high-Z (Ar, or Kr) annular liner imploding onto a low-Z (H, or D) target, was tested on the Cornell University, Cobra Facility and the University of Nevada, Reno, Zebra Facility; each characterized similarly by a nominal 1-MA current and 100-ns risetime while possessing different diagnostic packages. XUV-fast imaging reveals that the SZP implosion dynamics is similar on both machines and that it is more stable with an axial (Bz) magnetic field, a target, or both, than without. On Zebra, where neutron production is possible, reproducible thermonuclear (DD) yields were recorded at levels in excess of 109/shot. Flux compression in the SZP is also expected to produce magnetic field intensities of the order of kilo-Tesla. Thus, the DD reaction produced tritions should also yield secondary DT neutrons. Indeed, secondaries are measured above the noise threshold at levels approaching 106/shot. Funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy, under Grant Number DE-AR0000569.

Designs and Plans for MAIZE: a 1 MA LTD-Driven Z-Pinch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gilgenbach, R. M.; Gomez, M. R.; Zier, J.; Tang, W.; French, D. M.; Hoff, B. W.; Jordan, N.; Cruz, E.; Lau, Y. Y.; Fowler-Guzzardo, T.; Meisel, J.; Mazarakis, M. G.; Cuneo, M. E.; Johnston, M. D.; Mehlhorn, T. A.; Kim, A. A.; Sinebryukhov, V. A.

2007-11-01

We present designs and experimental plans of the first 1 MA z-pinch in the USA to be driven by a Linear Transformer Driver (LTD). The Michigan Accelerator for Inductive Z-pinch Experiments, (MAIZE), is based on the LTD developed at the Institute for High Current Electronics, utilizing 80 capacitors and 40 spark gap switches to deliver a 1 MA, 100 kV pulse with <100 ns risetime. Designs will be presented of a low-inductance MITL terminated in a wire-array z-pinch. Initial, planned experiments will evaluate the LTD driving time-changing inductance of imploding 4-16 wire-array z-pinches. Wire ablation dynamics, axial-correlations and instability development will be explored. *This work was supported by U. S. DoE through Sandia National Laboratories award number 240985 to the University of Michigan. Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under Contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Attachment process in rocket-triggered lightning strokes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, D.; Rakov, V. A.; Uman, M. A.; Takagi, N.; Watanabe, T.; Crawford, D. E.; Rambo, K. J.; Schnetzer, G. H.; Fisher, R. J.; Kawasaki, Z.-I.

1999-01-01

In order to study the lightning attachment process, we have obtained highly resolved (about 100 ns time resolution and about 3.6 m spatial resolution) optical images, electric field measurements, and channel-base current recordings for two dart leader/return-stroke sequences in two lightning flashes triggered using the rocket-and-wire technique at Camp Blanding, Florida. One of these two sequences exhibited an optically discernible upward-propagating discharge that occurred in response to the approaching downward-moving dart leader and connected to this descending leader. This observation provides the first direct evidence of the occurrence of upward connecting discharges in triggered lightning strokes, these strokes being similar to subsequent strokes in natural lightning. The observed upward connecting discharge had a light intensity one order of magnitude lower than its associated downward dart leader, a length of 7-11 m, and a duration of several hundred nanoseconds. The speed of the upward connecting discharge was estimated to be about 2 × 107 m/s, which is comparable to that of the downward dart leader. In both dart leader/return-stroke sequences studied, the return stroke was inferred to start at the point of junction between the downward dart leader and the upward connecting discharge and to propagate in both upward and downward directions. This latter inference provides indirect evidence of the occurrence of upward connecting discharges in both dart leader/return-stroke sequences even though one of these sequences did not have a discernible optical image of such a discharge. The length of the upward connecting discharges (observed in one case and inferred from the height of the return-stroke starting point in the other case) is greater for the event that is characterized by the larger leader electric field change and the higher return-stroke peak current. For the two dart leader/return-stroke sequences studied, the upward connecting discharge lengths are estimated to be 7-11 m and 4-7 m, with the corresponding return-stroke peak currents being 21 kA and 12 kA, and the corresponding leader electric field changes 30 m from the rocket launcher being 56 kV/m and 43 kV/m. Additionally, we note that the downward dart leader light pulse generally exhibits little variation in its 10-90% risetime and peak value over some tens of meters above the return-stroke starting point, while the following return-stroke light pulse shows an appreciable increase in risetime and a decrease in peak value while traversing the same section of the lightning channel. Our findings regarding (1) the initially bidirectional development of return-stroke process and (2) the relatively strong attenuation of the upward moving return-stroke light (and by inference current) pulse over the first some tens of meters of the channel may have important implications for return-stroke modeling.

Brainstem auditory evoked responses in man. 1: Effect of stimulus rise-fall time and duration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hecox, K.; Squires, N.; Galambos, R.

1975-01-01

Short latency (under 10 msec) evoked responses elicited by bursts of white noise were recorded from the scalp of human subjects. Response alterations produced by changes in the noise burst duration (on-time) inter-burst interval (off-time), and onset and offset shapes are reported and evaluated. The latency of the most prominent response component, wave V, was markedly delayed with increases in stimulus rise-time but was unaffected by changes in fall-time. The amplitude of wave V was insensitive to changes in signal rise-and-fall times, while increasing signal on-time produced smaller amplitude responses only for sufficiently short off-times. It is concluded that wave V of the human auditory brainstem evoked response is solely an onset response.

All solid-state high power microwave source with high repetition frequency.

PubMed

Bragg, J-W B; Sullivan, W W; Mauch, D; Neuber, A A; Dickens, J C

2013-05-01

An all solid-state, megawatt-class high power microwave system featuring a silicon carbide (SiC) photoconductive semiconductor switch (PCSS) and a ferrimagnetic-based, coaxial nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) is presented. A 1.62 cm(2), 50 kV 4H-SiC PCSS is hard-switched to produce electrical pulses with 7 ns full width-half max (FWHM) pulse widths at 2 ns risetimes in single shot and burst-mode operation. The PCSS resistance drops to sub-ohm when illuminated with approximately 3 mJ of laser energy at 355 nm (tripled Nd:YAG) in a single pulse. Utilizing a fiber optic based optical delivery system, a laser pulse train of four 7 ns (FWHM) signals was generated at 65 MHz repetition frequency. The resulting electrical pulse train from the PCSS closely follows the optical input and is utilized to feed the NLTL generating microwave pulses with a base microwave-frequency of about 2.1 GHz at 65 MHz pulse repetition frequency (prf). Under typical experimental conditions, the NLTL produces sharpened output risetimes of 120 ps and microwave oscillations at 2-4 GHz that are generated due to damped gyromagnetic precession of the ferrimagnetic material's axially pre-biased magnetic moments. The complete system is discussed in detail with its output matched into 50 Ω, and results covering MHz-prf in burst-mode operation as well as frequency agility in single shot operation are discussed.

Lightning energetics: Estimates of energy dissipation in channels, channel radii, and channel-heating risetimes

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

Borovsky, J.E.

1998-05-01

In this report, several lightning-channel parameters are calculated with the aid of an electrodynamic model of lightning. The electrodynamic model describes dart leaders and return strokes as electromagnetic waves that are guided along conducting lightning channels. According to the model, electrostatic energy is delivered to the channel by a leader, where it is stored around the outside of the channel; subsequently, the return stroke dissipates this locally stored energy. In this report this lightning-energy-flow scenario is developed further. Then the energy dissipated per unit length in lightning channels is calculated, where this quantity is now related to the linear chargemore » density on the channel, not to the cloud-to-ground electrostatic potential difference. Energy conservation is then used to calculate the radii of lightning channels: their initial radii at the onset of return strokes and their final radii after the channels have pressure expanded. Finally, the risetimes for channel heating during return strokes are calculated by defining an energy-storage radius around the channel and by estimating the radial velocity of energy flow toward the channel during a return stroke. In three appendices, values for the linear charge densities on lightning channels are calculated, estimates of the total length of branch channels are obtained, and values for the cloud-to-ground electrostatic potential difference are estimated. {copyright} 1998 American Geophysical Union« less

An Experimental Investigation of Acoustic Cavitation in Gaseous Liquids

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-11-08

a time-to-amplitude converter and an analog-to- digital data acquisition system based on a microcomputer. IL B. Acoustic Levitation Apparatus L...reading the RMS -ioltage from a Fluke 8600A digital multimeter to which the pill transducer was connected. This voltage was read via a GPIB interface by...micrometer microscope model M110A was used. The rise-time was measured with a digital timer which was activated by the same push-button switch used to turn

Method for generating a highly reactive plasma for exhaust gas aftertreatment and enhanced catalyst reactivity

DOEpatents

Whealton, John H.; Hanson, Gregory R.; Storey, John M.; Raridon, Richard J.; Armfield, Jeffrey S.; Bigelow, Timothy S.; Graves, Ronald L.

2001-01-01

A method for non-thermal plasma aftertreatment of exhaust gases the method comprising the steps of providing short risetime (about 40 ps), high frequency (about 5G hz), high power bursts of low-duty factor microwaves sufficient to generate a dielectric barrier discharge and passing a gas to treated through the discharge so as to cause dissociative reduction of the exhaust gases. The invention also includes a reactor for generating the non-thermal plasma.

Analog synthesized fast-variable linear load

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Niedra, Janis M.

1991-01-01

A several kilowatt power level, fast-variable linear resistor was synthesized by using analog components to control the conductance of power MOSFETs. Risetimes observed have been as short as 500 ns with respect to the control signal and 1 to 2 microseconds with respect to the power source voltage. A variant configuration of this load that dissipates a constant power set by a control signal is indicated. Replacement of the MOSFETs by static induction transistors (SITs) to increase power handling, speed and radiation hardness is discussed.

Time-resolved rhodopsin activation currents in a unicellular expression system.

PubMed Central

Sullivan, J M; Shukla, P

1999-01-01

The early receptor current (ERC) is the charge redistribution occurring in plasma membrane rhodopsin during light activation of photoreceptors. Both the molecular mechanism of the ERC and its relationship to rhodopsin conformational activation are unknown. To investigate whether the ERC could be a time-resolved assay of rhodopsin structure-function relationships, the distinct sensitivity of modern electrophysiological tools was employed to test for flash-activated ERC signals in cells stably expressing normal human rod opsin after regeneration with 11-cis-retinal. ERCs are similar in waveform and kinetics to those found in photoreceptors. The action spectrum of the major R(2) charge motion is consistent with a rhodopsin photopigment. The R(1) phase is not kinetically resolvable and the R(2) phase, which overlaps metarhodopsin-II formation, has a rapid risetime and complex multiexponential decay. These experiments demonstrate, for the first time, kinetically resolved electrical state transitions during activation of expressed visual pigment in a unicellular environment (single or fused giant cells) containing only 6 x 10(6)-8 x 10(7) molecules of rhodopsin. This method improves measurement sensitivity 7 to 8 orders of magnitude compared to other time-resolved techniques applied to rhodopsin to study the role particular amino acids play in conformational activation and the forces that govern those transitions. PMID:10465746

Generation of extreme state of water by spherical wire array underwater electrical explosion

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

Antonov, O.; Gilburd, L.; Efimov, S.

2012-10-15

The results of the first experiments on the underwater electrical explosion of a spherical wire array generating a converging strong shock wave are reported. Using a moderate pulse power generator with a stored energy of {<=}6 kJ and discharge current of {<=}500 kA with a rise-time of {approx}300 ns, explosions of Cu and Al wire arrays of different diameters and with a different number and diameter of wires were tested. Electrical, optical, and destruction diagnostics were used to determine the energy deposited into the array, the time-of-flight of the shock wave to the origin of the implosion, and the parametersmore » of water at that location. The experimental and numerical simulation results indicate that the convergence of the shock wave leads to the formation of an extreme state of water in the vicinity of the implosion origin that is characterized by pressure, temperature, and compression factors of (2 {+-} 0.2) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 12} Pa, 8 {+-} 0.5 eV, and 7 {+-} 0.5, respectively.« less

Switching Characteristics of a 4H-SiC Based Bipolar Junction Transistor to 200 C

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Niedra, Janis M.

2006-01-01

Static curves and resistive load switching characteristics of a 600 V, 4 A rated, SiC-based NPN bipolar power transistor (BJT) were observed at selected temperatures from room to 200 C. All testing was done in a pulse mode at low duty cycle (approx.0.1 percent). Turn-on was driven by an adjustable base current pulse and turn-off was accelerated by a negative base voltage pulse of 7 V. These base drive signals were implemented by 850 V, gated power pulsers, having rise-times of roughly 10 ns, or less. Base charge sweep-out with a 7 V negative pulse did not produce the large reverse base current pulse seen in a comparably rated Si-based BJT. This may be due to a very low charge storage time. The decay of the collector current was more linear than its exponential-like rise. Switching observations were done at base drive currents (I(sub B)) up to 400 mA and collector currents (I(sub C)) up to 4 A, using a 100 Omega non-inductive load. At I(sub B) = 400 mA and I(sub C) = 4 A, turn-on times typically varied from 80 to 94 ns, over temperatures from 23 to 200 C. As expected, lowering the base drive greatly extended the turn-on time. Similarly, decreasing the load current to I(sub C) = 1 A with I(sub B) = 400 mA produced turn-on times as short as 34 ns. Over the 23 to 200 C range, with I(sub B) = 400 mA and I(sub C) = 4 A, turn-off times were in the range of 72 to 84 ns with the 7 V sweep-out.

Multiloop Rapid-Rise/Rapid Fall High-Voltage Power Supply

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bearden, Douglas

2007-01-01

A proposed multiloop power supply would generate a potential as high as 1.25 kV with rise and fall times <100 s. This power supply would, moreover, be programmable to generate output potentials from 20 to 1,250 V and would be capable of supplying a current of at least 300 A at 1,250 V. This power supply is intended to be a means of electronic shuttering of a microchannel plate that would be used to intensify the output of a charge-coupled-device imager to obtain exposure times as short as 1 ms. The basic design of this power supply could also be adapted to other applications in which high voltages and high slew rates are needed. At the time of reporting the information for this article, there was no commercially available power supply capable of satisfying the stated combination of voltage, rise-time, and fall-time requirements. The power supply would include a preregulator that would be used to program a voltage 1/30 of the desired output voltage. By means of a circuit that would include a pulse-width modulator (PWM), two voltage doublers, and a transformer having two primary and two secondary windings, the preregulator output voltage would be amplified by a factor of 30. A resistor would limit the current by controlling a drive voltage applied to field-effect transistors (FETs) during turn-on of the PWM. Two feedback loops would be used to regulate the high output voltage. A pulse transformer would be used to turn on four FETs to short-circuit output capacitors when the outputs of the PWM were disabled. Application of a 0-to-5-V square to a PWM shut-down pin would cause a 20-to-1,250-V square wave to appear at the output.

Circuit models and three-dimensional electromagnetic simulations of a 1-MA linear transformer driver stage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rose, D. V.; Miller, C. L.; Welch, D. R.; Clark, R. E.; Madrid, E. A.; Mostrom, C. B.; Stygar, W. A.; Lechien, K. R.; Mazarakis, M. A.; Langston, W. L.; Porter, J. L.; Woodworth, J. R.

2010-09-01

A 3D fully electromagnetic (EM) model of the principal pulsed-power components of a high-current linear transformer driver (LTD) has been developed. LTD systems are a relatively new modular and compact pulsed-power technology based on high-energy density capacitors and low-inductance switches located within a linear-induction cavity. We model 1-MA, 100-kV, 100-ns rise-time LTD cavities [A. A. Kim , Phys. Rev. ST Accel. Beams 12, 050402 (2009)PRABFM1098-440210.1103/PhysRevSTAB.12.050402] which can be used to drive z-pinch and material dynamics experiments. The model simulates the generation and propagation of electromagnetic power from individual capacitors and triggered gas switches to a radially symmetric output line. Multiple cavities, combined to provide voltage addition, drive a water-filled coaxial transmission line. A 3D fully EM model of a single 1-MA 100-kV LTD cavity driving a simple resistive load is presented and compared to electrical measurements. A new model of the current loss through the ferromagnetic cores is developed for use both in circuit representations of an LTD cavity and in the 3D EM simulations. Good agreement between the measured core current, a simple circuit model, and the 3D simulation model is obtained. A 3D EM model of an idealized ten-cavity LTD accelerator is also developed. The model results demonstrate efficient voltage addition when driving a matched impedance load, in good agreement with an idealized circuit model.

Photo-induced refractive index and topographical surface gratings in functionalized nanocarbon solid film

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

McGee, David J.; Ferrie, John; Plachy, Aljoscha

2015-11-02

We demonstrate that a single-walled carbon nanotube network noncovalently coupled with a pyrene-modified azo-benzene chromophore functions as a host matrix for a broad range of photo-orientation and photomechanical effects. The chromophore could be efficiently reoriented through repeated trans-cis-trans isomerization under linearly polarized 480 nm light, with Δn of 0.012 at 650 nm and fast characteristic rise-times of 0.12 s. Erasable phase diffraction gratings could also be written, with permanent surface relief gratings forming at sufficiently long irradiation times. In addition to demonstrating a mechanism for photo-manipulation of single-walled carbon nanotubes, these results show photo-orientation of chromophores in azo-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotube networks asmore » a path towards the photosensitive tuning of the electrostatic environment of the nanotube.« less

Studies in High Current Density Ion Sources for Heavy Ion Fusion Applications

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

Chacon-Golcher, Edwin

This dissertation develops diverse research on small (diameter ~ few mm), high current density (J ~ several tens of mA/cm 2) heavy ion sources. The research has been developed in the context of a programmatic interest within the Heavy Ion Fusion (HIF) Program to explore alternative architectures in the beam injection systems that use the merging of small, bright beams. An ion gun was designed and built for these experiments. Results of average current density yield () at different operating conditions are presented for K + and Cs + contact ionization sources and potassium aluminum silicate sources. Maximum valuesmore » for a K + beam of ~90 mA/cm 2 were observed in 2.3 μs pulses. Measurements of beam intensity profiles and emittances are included. Measurements of neutral particle desorption are presented at different operating conditions which lead to a better understanding of the underlying atomic diffusion processes that determine the lifetime of the emitter. Estimates of diffusion times consistent with measurements are presented, as well as estimates of maximum repetition rates achievable. Diverse studies performed on the composition and preparation of alkali aluminosilicate ion sources are also presented. In addition, this work includes preliminary work carried out exploring the viability of an argon plasma ion source and a bismuth metal vapor vacuum arc (MEVVA) ion source. For the former ion source, fast rise-times (~ 1 μs), high current densities (~ 100 mA/cm +) and low operating pressures (< 2 mtorr) were verified. For the latter, high but acceptable levels of beam emittance were measured (ε n ≤ 0.006 π· mm · mrad) although measured currents differed from the desired ones (I ~ 5mA) by about a factor of 10.« less

Optical progression characteristics of an interesting natural downward bipolar lightning flash

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Luwen; Lu, Weitao; Zhang, Yijun; Wang, Daohong

2015-01-01

high-speed cameras, Lightning Attachment Process Observation Systems, and fast and slow electrical antennas, we documented a downward bipolar lightning flash that contained one first positive stroke with a peak current of 142 kA and five subsequent negative strokes hitting on a 90 m tall structure on 29 July 2010 in Guangzhou City, China. All the six strokes propagated along the same viewed channel established by the first positive return stroke. The leader which preceded the positive return stroke propagated downward without any branches at a two-dimensional (2-D) speed of 2.5 × 106 m/s. An upward connecting leader with a length of about 80 m was observed in response to the downward positive leader. The 10-90% risetimes of the return strokes' optical pulses ranged from 2.2 µs to 3.2 µs, while the widths from the 10% wavefront to the 50% wave tail ranged from 56.5 µs to 83.1 µs, and the half peak widths ranged from 53.4 µs to 81.6 µs. All the return strokes exhibited similar speeds, ranging from 1.0 × 108 m/s to 1.3 × 108 m/s. Each of the return strokes was followed by a continuing current stage (CC). The first positive stroke CC lasted more than 150 ms, much larger than all the subsequent negative stroke CC, ranging from 13 ms to 70 ms.

Enhanced ozone production in a pulsed dielectric barrier discharge plasma jet with addition of argon to a He-O2 flow gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sands, Brian; Ganguly, Biswa; Scofield, James

2013-09-01

Ozone production in a plasma jet DBD driven with a 20-ns risetime unipolar pulsed voltage can be significantly enhanced using helium as the primary flow gas with an O2 coflow. The overvolted discharge can be sustained with up to a 5% O2 coflow at <20 kHz pulse repetition frequency at 13 kV applied voltage. Ozone production scales with the pulse repetition frequency up to a ``turnover frequency'' that depends on the O2 concentration, total gas flow rate, and applied voltage. For example, peak ozone densities >1016 cm-3 were measured with 3% O2 admixture and <3 W input power at a 12 kHz turnover frequency. A further increase in the repetition frequency results in increased discharge current and 777 nm O(5 P) emission, but decreased ozone production and is followed by a transition to a filamentary discharge mode. The addition of argon at concentrations >=5% reduces the channel conductivity and shifts the turnover frequency to higher frequencies. This results in increased ozone production for a given applied voltage and gas flow rate. Time-resolved Ar(1s5) and He(23S1) metastable densities were acquired along with discharge current and ozone density measurements to gain insight into the mechanisms of optimum ozone production.

Comparison of fast electric field changes from subsequent return strokes of natural and triggered lightning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Le Vine, D. M.; Willett, J. C.; Bailey, J. C.

1989-01-01

Fast electric field changes from subsequent return strokes of natural and triggered lightning with propagation paths almost entirely over water are compared. Data were collected at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, during the summer of 1987. Comparisons have been made of the average shape, the risetime, and the spectrum of the electric field changes. To a first approximation, the waveforms are very similar; however, the electric field changes from the triggered flashes tend to rise to peak faster and decay faster than do their counterparts in natural cloud-to-ground flashes.

A compact 300 kV solid-state high-voltage nanosecond generator for dielectric wall accelerator

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

Shen, Yi; Wang, Wei; Liu, Yi

2015-05-15

Compact solid-state system is the main development trend in pulsed power technologies. A compact solid-state high-voltage nanosecond pulse generator with output voltage of 300 kV amplitude, 10 ns duration (FWHM), and 3 ns rise-time was designed for a dielectric wall accelerator. The generator is stacked by 15 planar-plate Blumlein pulse forming lines (PFL). Each Blumlein PFL consists of two solid-state planar transmission lines, a GaAs photoconductive semiconductor switch, and a laser diode trigger. The key components of the generator and the experimental results are reported in this paper.

Design and Performance of the Astro-E/XRS Signal Processing System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boyce, Kevin R.; Audley, M. D.; Baker, R. G.; Dumonthier, J. J.; Fujimoto, R.; Gendreau, K. C.; Ishisaki, Y.; Kelley, R. L.; Stahle, C. K.; Szymkowiak, A. E.

1999-01-01

We describe the signal processing system of the Astro-E XRS instrument. The Calorimeter Analog Processor (CAP) provides bias and power for the detectors and amplifies the detector signals by a factor of 20,000. The Calorimeter Digital Processor (CDP) performs the digital processing of the calorimeter signals, detecting X-ray pulses and analyzing them by optimal filtering. We describe the operation of pulse detection, Pulse height analysis. and risetime determination. We also discuss performance, including the three event grades (hi-res mid-res, and low-res). anticoincidence detection, counting rate dependence, and noise rejection.

Thermally managed fs Z-scan methods investigation of the size-dependent nonlinearity of Graphene Oxide in different solvents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burkins, Paul; Basaldua, Isaac; Kuis, Robinson; Johnson, Anthony; Swaminathan, Sivaram; Zhang, Daije; Trivedi, Sudhir; University of Maryland, Baltimore Maryland Team; Brimrose Corporation of America Collaboration

Acoustic and thermal diffusion effects are often ignored in Z-scan measurements resulting in misinterpretation of the nonlinear index of refraction and nonlinear absorption. Thermally managed Z-scan using a modified chopper was compared to utilizing a pulsepicker with the common calibration material CS2 and then extended to Graphene Oxide (GO) in different solvents. The chopper reveals properties of the material in time and is an inexpensive alternative to changing the repetition rate with a pulsepicker. The pulsepicker allows for much faster rise-times and therefore measurements can be taken before thermal effects have overwhelmed the nonlinear electronic response. GO in DI water using pulsepicked fs laser excitation yielded a value of (-1.79 +/-.6)x10-15 cm2/W for nanometer particles and (-1.09 +/-.6)x10-15 cm2/W for micrometer sized particles. Open aperture Z-scan of GO in THF using the modified chopper shows a flip from reverse saturable absorption to saturable absorption in time, previously shown to be intensity dependent, potentially resulting from thermal effects. Both measurements indicate smaller particles have larger negative nonlinearities originating from thermal effects or from defects in lattice structure at the edges.

Solid-State Thyratron Replacement. Final Report

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

Roth, Ian

2017-12-12

Under this SBIR, DTI developed a solid-state switch as an alternative to legacy thyratron equipment. Our Phase II objective was to make a solid-state thyratron replacement that would provide equivalent or better performance, much higher reliability (at least a 20 year lifetime, compared to a thyratron’s two-year lifetime) and would sell for ~3x the cost of a thyratron, or less than $40k. We were successful in building a solid-state switch which could reliably function as a thyratron replacement. The unit was designed to directly replace the thyratrons currently being used at SLAC’s Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), and was builtmore » in a tank that was small enough to fit into the existing thyratron cabinet, providing a true form-fit-function replacement path. We tested the switch at the full operating specifications: 48 kV, 6.3 kA, and 1 µs risetime. We also demonstrated a peak-to-peak pulse jitter of 1.5 ns, which is five times shorter than is typical for thyratrons. This lower jitter would improve the performance of the LCLS beam. The predicted reliability is more than 80 years, which is 40 times greater than a thyratron.« less

Construction and Initial Tests of MAIZE: 1 MA LTD-Driven Z-Pinch *

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gilgenbach, R. M.; Gomez, M. R.; Zier, J. C.; Tang, W.; French, D. M.; Lau, Y. Y.; Mazarakis, M. G.; Cuneo, M. E.; Johnston, M. D.; Oliver, B. V.; Mehlhorn, T. A.; Kim, A. A.; Sinebryukhov, V. A.

2008-11-01

We report construction and initial testing of a 1-MA Linear Transformer Driver (LTD), The Michigan Accelerator for Inductive Z-pinch Experiments, (MAIZE). This machine, the first of its type to reach the USA, is based on the joint HCEI, Sandia Laboratories, and UM development effort. The compact LTD uses 80 capacitors and 40 spark gap switches, in 40 ``bricks'', to deliver 1 MA, 100 kV pulses with 70 ns risetime into a matched resistive load. Test results will be presented for a single brick and the full LTD. Design and construction will be presented of a low-inductance MITL. Experimental research programs under design and construction at UM include: a) Studies of Magneto-Raleigh-Taylor Instability of planar foils, and b) Vacuum convolute studies including cathode and anode plasma. Theory and simulation results will be presented for these planned experiments. Initial experimental designs and moderate-current feasibility experiments will be discussed. *Research supported by U. S. DoE through Sandia National Laboratories award document numbers 240985, 768225, 790791 and 805234 to the UM. MRG supported by NNSA Fellowship and JCZ supported by NPSC Fellowship / Sandia National Labs.

Primary experimental results of wire-array Z-pinches on PTS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, X. B.; Zhou, S. T.; Ren, X. D.; Dan, J. K.; Wang, K. L.; Zhang, S. Q.; Li, J.; Xu, Q.; Cai, H. C.; Duan, S. C.; Ouyang, K.; Chen, G. H.; Ji, C.; Wang, M.; Feng, S. P.; Yang, L. B.; Xie, W. P.; Deng, J. J.

2014-12-01

The Primary Test Stand (PTS) developed at the China Academy of Engineering Physics is a multiterawatt pulsed power driver, which can deliver a ˜10 MA, 70 ns rise-time (10%-90%) current to a short circuit load and has important applications in Z-pinch driven inertial confinement fusion and high energy density physics. In this paper, primary results of tungsten wire-array Z-pinch experiments on PTS are presented. The load geometries investigated include 15-mm-tall cylindrical single and nested arrays with diameter ranging from 14.4-26.4 mm, and consisting of 132˜276 tungsten wires with 5˜10 μm in diameter. Multiple diagnostics were fielded to determine the characteristics of x-ray radiations and to obtain self-emitting images of imploding plasmas. X-ray power up to 80 TW with ˜3 ns FWMH is achieved by using nested wire arrays. The total x-ray energy exceeds 500 kJ and the peak radiation temperature is about 150 eV. Typical velocity of imploding plasmas goes around 3˜5×107 cm/s and the radial convergence ratio is between 10 and 20.

An approach to understanding sleep and depressed mood in adolescents: person-centred sleep classification.

PubMed

Shochat, Tamar; Barker, David H; Sharkey, Katherine M; Van Reen, Eliza; Roane, Brandy M; Carskadon, Mary A

2017-12-01

Depressive mood in youth has been associated with distinct sleep dimensions, such as timing, duration and quality. To identify discrete sleep phenotypes, we applied person-centred analysis (latent class mixture models) based on self-reported sleep patterns and quality, and examined associations between phenotypes and mood in high-school seniors. Students (n = 1451; mean age = 18.4 ± 0.3 years; 648 M) completed a survey near the end of high-school. Indicators used for classification included school night bed- and rise-times, differences between non-school night and school night bed- and rise-times, sleep-onset latency, number of awakenings, naps, and sleep quality and disturbance. Mood was measured using the total score on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale. One-way anova tested differences between phenotype for mood. Fit indexes were split between 3-, 4- and 5-phenotype solutions. For all solutions, between phenotype differences were shown for all indicators: bedtime showed the largest difference; thus, classes were labelled from earliest to latest bedtime as 'A' (n = 751), 'B' (n = 428) and 'C' (n = 272) in the 3-class solution. Class B showed the lowest sleep disturbances and remained stable, whereas classes C and A each split in the 4- and 5-class solutions, respectively. Associations with mood were consistent, albeit small, with class B showing the lowest scores. Person-centred analysis identified sleep phenotypes that differed in mood, such that those with the fewest depressive symptoms had moderate sleep timing, shorter sleep-onset latencies and fewer arousals. Sleep characteristics in these groups may add to our understanding of how sleep and depressed mood associate in teens. © 2017 European Sleep Research Society.

Wire array Z-pinch insights for enhanced x-ray production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanford, T. W. L.; Mock, R. C.; Spielman, R. B.; Haines, M. G.; Chittenden, J. P.; Whitney, K. G.; Apruzese, J. P.; Peterson, D. L.; Greenly, J. B.; Sinars, D. B.; Reisman, D. B.; Mosher, D.

1999-05-01

Comparisons of measured total radiated x-ray power from annular wire-array z-pinches with a variety of models as a function of wire number, array mass, and load radius are reviewed. The data, which are comprehensive, have provided important insights into the features of wire-array dynamics that are critical for high x-ray power generation. Collectively, the comparisons of the data with the model calculations suggest that a number of underlying dynamical mechanisms involving cylindrical asymmetries and plasma instabilities contribute to the measured characteristics. For example, under the general assumption that the measured risetime of the total-radiated-power pulse is related to the thickness of the plasma shell formed on axis, the Heuristic Model [IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 26, 1275 (1998)] agrees with the measured risetime under a number of specific assumptions about the way the breakdown of the wires, the wire-plasma expansion, and the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in the r-z plane, develop. Likewise, in the high wire-number regime (where the wires are calculated to form a plasma shell prior to significant radial motion of the shell) the comparisons show that the variation in the power of the radiation generated as a function of load mass and array radius can be simulated by the two-dimensional Eulerian-radiation- magnetohydrodynamics code (E-RMHC) [Phys. Plasmas 3, 368 (1996)], using a single random-density perturbation that seeds the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in the r-z plane. For a given pulse-power generator, the comparisons suggest that (1) the smallest interwire gaps compatible with practical load construction and (2) the minimum implosion time consistent with the optimum required energy coupling of the generator to the load should produce the highest total-radiated-power levels.

Characteristics of Currents and Electric Fields Associated with the Initial Stage of Upward Lightning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, N.; Nag, A.; Diendorfer, G.; Pichler, H.; Schulz, W.

2017-12-01

There is increasing interest in understanding processes associated with the initiation of upward lightning from tall structures. Characterization of such processes is essential for the development of appropriate models. We examine current and electric field waveforms for 15 negative upward flashes occurring in 2007-2009 initiated from the Gaisberg Tower located in Salzburg, Austria. Current was measured at the top of the tower using a 0.25 mΩ shunt. Electric field was measured simultaneously at close (170 m from the tower) and far (79 km from the tower in 2007 and 109 km in 2008-2009) distances. The initial stage (IS) of these flashes comprised of relatively slowly varying "background" current (having durations ranging from 132 to 692 ms), with faster, more impulsive current variations (pulses having durations ranging from 4.7 µs to 22.9 ms) overlaid on this background current. In five of the 15 (33%) flashes, this IS background current was negative while in the other ten (67%) flashes, the current was bipolar (changing between negative and positive values). 150 current pulses occurred during the IS of these 15 flashes, of which 28 (19%) were positive bipolar (positive initial polarity with a negative opposite polarity overshoot), 5 (3.3%) were positive unipolar (positive initial polarity with no opposite polarity overshoot), and 117 (78%) were negative unipolar. No negative bipolar pulses were found. The median peak current and risetime for the 28 bipolar pulses were 0.74 kA and 2.8 µs, respectively, and those for the 122 unipolar pulses were 0.87 kA and 70 µs, respectively. Generally speaking, majority of the pulses occurring at the beginning of the initial stage were lower-amplitude positive bipolar, while higher-amplitude unipolar pulses were more likely to occur at later times. These 150 IS current pulses produced 133 detectable electric field change signatures at the near station and 59 at the far station (all recorded at 79 km in 12 flashes occurring in 2007). We will examine in detail the characteristics of these electric field pulses in order to gain insights into the mechanisms of the underlying processes.

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

Stygar, W.A.; Spielman, R.B.; Allshouse, G.O.

The 36-module Z accelerator was designed to drive z-pinch loads for weapon-physics and inertial-confinement-fusion experiments, and to serve as a testing facility for pulsed-power research required to develop higher-current drivers. The authors have designed and tested a 10-nH 1.5-m-radius vacuum section for the Z accelerator. The vacuum section consists of four vacuum flares, four conical 1.3-m-radius magnetically-insulated transmission lines, a 7.6-cm-radius 12-post double-post-hole convolute which connects the four outer MITLs in parallel, and a 5-cm-long inner MITL which connects the output of the convolute to a z-pinch load. IVORY and ELECTRO calculations were performed to minimize the inductance of themore » vacuum flares with the constraint that there be no significant electron emission from the insulator-stack grading rings. Iterative TLCODE calculations were performed to minimize the inductance of the outer MITLs with the constraint that the MITL electron-flow-current fraction be {le} 7% at peak current. The TLCODE simulations assume a 2.5 cm/{micro}s MITL-cathode-plasma expansion velocity. The design limits the electron dose to the outer-MITL anodes to 50 J/g to prevent the formation of an anode plasma. The TLCODE results were confirmed by SCREAMER, TRIFL, TWOQUICK, IVORY, and LASNEX simulations. For the TLCODE, SCREAMER, and TRIFL calculations, the authors assume that after magnetic insulation is established, the electron-flow current launched in the outer MITLs is lost at the convolute. This assumption has been validated by 3-D QUICKSILVER simulations for load impedances {le} 0.36 ohms. LASNEX calculations suggest that ohmic resistance of the pinch and conduction-current-induced energy loss to the MITL electrodes can be neglected in Z power-flow modeling that is accurate to first order. To date, the Z vacuum section has been tested on 100 shots. They have demonstrated they can deliver a 100-ns rise-time 20-MA current pulse to the baseline z-pinch load.« less

Analysis of the effects of atomic mass, jet velocity, and radiative cooling on the dimensionless parameters of counter-propagating, weakly collisional plasma flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collins, Gilbert; Valenzuela, Julio; Beg, Farhat

2016-10-01

We have studied the collision of counter-propagating plasma flows using opposing conical wire arrays driven by the 200kA, 150ns rise-time `GenASIS' driver. These plasma flows produced weakly collisional, well-defined bow-shock structures. Varying initial parameters such as the opening angle of the array and the atomic mass of the wires allowed us to modify quantities such as the density contrast between jets, intra-jet mean free path (λmfp, scales with v, atomic mass A, and ionization state Zi-4) , Reynolds number (Re, scales with AZ), and the Peclet number (Pe, scales with Z). We calculate these dimensionless quantities using schlieren imagery, interferometry, and emission data, and determine whether they meet the scaling criteria necessary for the comparison to and subsequent study of astrophysical plasmas. This work was partially supported by the Department of Energy Grant Number DE-SC0014493.

Compact field programmable gate array-based pulse-sequencer and radio-frequency generator for experiments with trapped atoms.

PubMed

Pruttivarasin, Thaned; Katori, Hidetoshi

2015-11-01

We present a compact field-programmable gate array (FPGA) based pulse sequencer and radio-frequency (RF) generator suitable for experiments with cold trapped ions and atoms. The unit is capable of outputting a pulse sequence with at least 32 transistor-transistor logic (TTL) channels with a timing resolution of 40 ns and contains a built-in 100 MHz frequency counter for counting electrical pulses from a photo-multiplier tube. There are 16 independent direct-digital-synthesizers RF sources with fast (rise-time of ∼60 ns) amplitude switching and sub-mHz frequency tuning from 0 to 800 MHz.

Compact field programmable gate array-based pulse-sequencer and radio-frequency generator for experiments with trapped atoms

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

Pruttivarasin, Thaned, E-mail: thaned.pruttivarasin@riken.jp; Katori, Hidetoshi; Innovative Space-Time Project, ERATO, JST, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656

We present a compact field-programmable gate array (FPGA) based pulse sequencer and radio-frequency (RF) generator suitable for experiments with cold trapped ions and atoms. The unit is capable of outputting a pulse sequence with at least 32 transistor-transistor logic (TTL) channels with a timing resolution of 40 ns and contains a built-in 100 MHz frequency counter for counting electrical pulses from a photo-multiplier tube. There are 16 independent direct-digital-synthesizers RF sources with fast (rise-time of ∼60 ns) amplitude switching and sub-mHz frequency tuning from 0 to 800 MHz.

Size reduction techniques for vital compliant VHDL simulation models

DOEpatents

Rich, Marvin J.; Misra, Ashutosh

2006-08-01

A method and system select delay values from a VHDL standard delay file that correspond to an instance of a logic gate in a logic model. Then the system collects all the delay values of the selected instance and builds super generics for the rise-time and the fall-time of the selected instance. Then, the system repeats this process for every delay value in the standard delay file (310) that correspond to every instance of every logic gate in the logic model. The system then outputs a reduced size standard delay file (314) containing the super generics for every instance of every logic gate in the logic model.

Time dependent and temperature dependent properties of the forward voltage characteristic of InGaN high power LEDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fulmek, P. L.; Haumer, P.; Wenzl, F. P.; Nemitz, W.; Nicolics, J.

2017-03-01

Estimating the junction temperature and its dynamic behavior in dependence of various operating conditions is an important issue, since these properties influence the optical characteristics as well as the aging processes of a light-emitting diode (LED). Particularly for high-power LEDs and pulsed operation, the dynamic behavior and the resulting thermal cycles are of interest. The forward voltage method relies on the existence of a time-independent unique triple of forward-voltage, forward-current, and junction temperature. These three figures should as well uniquely define the optical output power and spectrum, as well as the loss power of the LED, which is responsible for an increase of the junction temperature. From transient FEM-simulations one may expect an increase of the temperature of the active semiconductor layer of some 1/10 K within the first 10 μs. Most of the well-established techniques for junction temperature measurement via forward voltage method evaluate the measurement data several dozens of microseconds after switching on or switching off and estimate the junction temperature by extrapolation towards the time of switching. In contrast, the authors developed a measurement procedure with the focus on the first microseconds after switching. Besides a fast data acquisition system, a precise control of the switching process is required, i.e. a precisely defined current pulse amplitude with fast rise-time and negligible transient by-effects. We start with a short description of the measurement setup and the newly developed control algorithm for the generation of short current pulses. The thermal characterization of the LED chip during the measurement procedures is accomplished by an IR thermography system and transient finite element simulations. The same experimental setup is used to investigate the optical properties of the LED in an Ulbricht-sphere. Our experiments are performed on InGaN LED chips mounted on an Al based insulated metal substrate (IMS), giving a comprehensive picture of the transient behavior of the forward voltage of this type of high power LED.

Using a Z-pinch precursor plasma to produce a cylindrical, hotspot ignition, ICF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chittenden, Jeremy

2005-10-01

We show that if the same precursor plasma that exists in metal wire arrays can be generated with a Deuterium-Tritium plasma then this precursor provides an ideal target for a cylindrical magneto-inertial ICF scheme. The precursor is generated from a fraction of the mass of the array which arrives on the axis early in time and remains confined at high density by the inertia of further material bombarding the axis. Later on, the main implosion of the DT Z-pinch produces a dense, low temperature shell which compressively heats the precursor target to high temperatures and tamps its expansion. The azimuthal magnetic field in the hotspot is sufficient to reduce the Larmor radius for the alpha particles to much less than the hotspot size, which dramatically reduces the ρR required for ignition. A computational analysis of this approach is presented, including a study of the thermonuclear burn wave propagation. The robustness of the scheme with respect to instabilities, confinement time and drive parameters is examined. The results indicate that a high energy gain can be achieved using Z-pinches with 50-100 MA currents and a few hundred nanosecond rise-times. This work was partially supported by the U.S. Department of Energy through cooperative agreement DE-FC03-02NA00057.

Preliminary experimental results of tungsten wire-array Z-pinches on primary test stand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Xian-Bin; Zhou, Shao-Tong; Dan, Jia-Kun; Ren, Xiao-Dong; Wang, Kun-Lun; Zhang, Si-Qun; Li, Jing; Xu, Qiang; Cai, Hong-Chun; Duan, Shu-Chao; Ouyang, Kai; Chen, Guang-Hua; Ji, Ce; Wei, Bing; Feng, Shu-Ping; Wang, Meng; Xie, Wei-Ping; Deng, Jian-Jun; Zhou, Xiu-Wen; Yang, Yi

2015-07-01

The Primary Test Stand (PTS) developed at the China Academy of Engineering Physics is a 20 TW pulsed power driver, which can deliver a ˜10 MA, 70 ns rise-time (10%-90%) current to a short-circuit load and has important applications in Z-pinch driven inertial confinement fusion and high energy density physics. Preliminary results of tungsten wire-array Z-pinch experiments on PTS are presented. The load geometries investigated include 15-mm-tall cylindrical single and nested arrays with diameter ranging from 13 mm to 30 mm, consisting of 132-300 tungsten wires with 5-10 μm in diameter. Multiple diagnostics were fielded to characterize the x-ray radiation from wire-array Z pinches. The x-ray peak power (˜50 TW) and total radiated energy (˜500 kJ) were obtained from a single 20-mm-diam array with 80-ns stagnation time. The highest x-ray peak power up to 80 TW with 2.4 ns FWHM was achieved by using a nested array with 20-mm outer diameter, and the total x-ray energy from the nested array is comparable to that of single array. Implosion velocity estimated from the time-resolved image measurement exceeds 30 cm/μs. The detailed experimental results and other findings are presented and discussed.

Measurement of ozone production scaling in a helium plasma jet with oxygen admixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sands, Brian; Ganguly, Biswa

2012-10-01

Capillary dielectric barrier plasma jet devices that generate confined streamer-like discharges along a rare gas flow can produce significant quantities of reactive oxygen species with average input powers ranging from 100 mW to >1 W. We have measured spatially-resolved ozone production in a He plasma jet with O2 admixture concentrations up to 5% using absorption spectroscopy of the O3 Hartley band system. A 20-ns risetime, 10-13 kV positive unipolar voltage pulse train was used to power the discharge, with pulse repetition rates varied from 1-20 kHz. The discharge was operated in a transient glow mode to scale the input power by adjusting the gap width between the anode and downstream cathodic plane. Peak ozone number densities in the range of 10^16 - 10^17 cm-3 were measured. At a given voltage, the density of ozone increased monotonically up to 3% O2 admixture (6 mm gap) as the peak discharge current decreased by an order of magnitude. Ozone production increased with distance from the capillary, consistent with observations by other groups. Atomic oxygen production inferred from O-atom 777 nm emission intensity did not scale with ozone as the input power was increased. The spatial distribution of ozone and scaling with input power will be presented.

A parametric study on the PD pulses activity within micro-cavities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganjovi, Alireza A.

2016-03-01

A two-dimensional kinetic model has been used to parametric investigation of the spark-type partial discharge pulses inside the micro-cavities. The model is based on particle-in-cell methods with Monte Carlo Collision techniques for modeling of collisions. Secondary processes like photo-emission and cathode-emission are considered. The micro-cavity may be sandwiched between two metallic conductors or two dielectrics. The discharge within the micro-cavity is studied in conjunction with the external circuit. The model is used to successfully simulate the evolution of the discharge and yield useful information about the build-up of space charge within the micro-cavity and the consequent modification of the applied electric field. The phase-space scatter plots for electrons, positive, and negative ions are obtained in order to understand the manner in which discharge progresses over time. The rise-time and the magnitude of the discharge current pulse are obtained and are seen to be affected by micro-cavity dimensions, gas pressure within the micro-cavity, and the permittivity of surrounding dielectrics. The results have been compared with existing experimental, theoretical, and computational results, wherever possible. An attempt has been made to understand the nature of the variations in terms of the physical processes involved.

Method for generating a highly reactive plasma for exhaust gas aftertreatment and enhanced catalyst reactivity

DOEpatents

Whealton, John H.; Hanson, Gregory R.; Storey, John M.; Raridon, Richard J.; Armfield, Jeffrey S.; Bigelow, Timothy S.; Graves, Ronald L.

2002-01-01

A method for non-thermal plasma aftertreatment of exhaust gases the method comprising the steps of providing short risetime, high frequency, high power bursts of low-duty factor microwaves sufficient to generate a plasma discharge and passing a gas to be treated through the discharge so as to cause dissociative reduction of the exhaust gases and enhanced catalyst reactivity through application of the pulsed microwave fields directly to the catalyst material sufficient to cause a polarizability catastrophe and enhanced heating of the metal crystallite particles of the catalyst, and in the presence or absence of the plasma. The invention also includes a reactor for aftertreatment of exhaust gases.

Ethanol exposure during the third trimester equivalent does not affect GABAA or AMPA receptor-mediated spontaneous synaptic transmission in rat CA3 pyramidal neurons.

PubMed

Baculis, Brian Charles; Valenzuela, Carlos Fernando

2015-12-02

Ethanol exposure during the rodent equivalent to the 3(rd) trimester of human pregnancy (i.e., first 1-2 weeks of neonatal life) has been shown to produce structural and functional alterations in the CA3 hippocampal sub-region, which is involved in associative memory. Synaptic plasticity mechanisms dependent on retrograde release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) driven by activation of L-type voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels (L-VGCCs) are thought to play a role in stabilization of both GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses in CA3 pyramidal neurons. We previously showed that ethanol exposure during the first week of life blocks BDNF/L-VGCC-dependent long-term potentiation of GABAA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in these neurons. Here, we tested whether this effect is associated with lasting alterations in GABAergic and glutamatergic transmission. Rats were exposed to air or ethanol for 3 h/day between postnatal days three and five in vapor inhalation chambers, a paradigm that produces peak serum ethanol levels near 0.3 g/dl. Whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings of spontaneous inhibitory and excitatory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs and sEPSCs, respectively) were obtained from CA3 pyramidal neurons in coronal brain slices prepared at postnatal days 13-17. Ethanol exposure did not significantly affect the frequency, amplitude, rise-time and half-width of either sIPSCs or sEPSCs. We show that an ethanol exposure paradigm known to inhibit synaptic plasticity mechanisms that may participate in the stabilization of GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses in CA3 pyramidal neurons does not produce lasting functional alterations in these synapses, suggesting that compensatory mechanisms restored the balance of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission.

Temporal development and chemical efficiency of positive streamers in a large scale wire-plate reactor as a function of voltage waveform parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winands, G. J. J.; Liu, Z.; Pemen, A. J. M.; van Heesch, E. J. M.; Yan, K.; van Veldhuizen, E. M.

2006-07-01

In this paper a large-scale pulsed corona system is described in which pulse parameters such as pulse rise-time, peak voltage, pulse width and energy per pulse can be varied. The chemical efficiency of the system is determined by measuring ozone production. The temporal and spatial development of the discharge streamers is recorded using an ICCD camera with a shortest exposure time of 5 ns. The camera can be triggered at any moment starting from the time the voltage pulse arrives on the reactor, with an accuracy of less than 1 ns. Measurements were performed on an industrial size wire-plate reactor. The influence of pulse parameters like pulse voltage, DC bias voltage, rise-time and pulse repetition rate on plasma generation was monitored. It was observed that for higher peak voltages, an increase could be seen in the primary streamer velocity, the growth of the primary streamer diameter, the light intensity and the number of streamers per unit length of corona wire. No significant separate influence of DC bias voltage level was observed as long as the total reactor voltage (pulse + DC bias) remained constant and the DC bias voltage remained below the DC corona onset. For those situations in which the plasma appearance changed (e.g. different streamer velocity, diameter, intensity), a change in ozone production was also observed. The best chemical yields were obtained for low voltage (55 kV), low energetic pulses (0.4 J/pulse): 60 g (kWh)-1. For high voltage (86 kV), high energetic pulses (2.3 J/pulse) the yield decreased to approximately 45 g (kWh)-1, still a high value for ozone production in ambient air (RH 42%). The pulse repetition rate has no influence on plasma generation and on chemical efficiency up to 400 pulses per second.

Optical digital techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

Optical interface losses between transmitter-to-fiber interface, connector-to-connector interface, and fiber-to-receiver interface were studied. System effects such as pulse dispersion, risetimes of the sources and detectors, type of fibers used, output power of the sources, and detector sensitivity were considered. Data bus systems such as TEE, Star, and Hybrid were analyzed. The matter of single fiber versus bundle technologies for future avionics systems was considered. The existing data bus system on Space Shuttle was examined and an optical analog was derived for a fiber bundle system, along with the associated power margin. System tests were performed on a feasibility model of a 9-port Star data bus system including BER, star losses, connector losses, etc. The same system was subjected to EMI between the range of 200 Hz to 10 GHz at 20V/m levels. A lightning test was also performed which simulated the conditions similar to those on Space Shuttle. The data bus system was found to be EMI and lightning hard. It is concluded that an optical data bus system is feasible for shuttle orbiter type vehicles.

Development of modular scalable pulsed power systems for high power magnetized plasma experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bean, I. A.; Weber, T. E.; Adams, C. S.; Henderson, B. R.; Klim, A. J.

2017-10-01

New pulsed power switches and trigger drivers are being developed in order to explore higher energy regimes in the Magnetic Shock Experiment (MSX) at Los Alamos National Laboratory. To achieve the required plasma velocities, high-power (approx. 100 kV, 100s of kA), high charge transfer (approx. 1 C), low-jitter (few ns) gas switches are needed. A study has been conducted on the effects of various electrode geometries and materials, dielectric media, and triggering strategies; resulting in the design of a low-inductance annular field-distortion switch, optimized for use with dry air at 90 psig, and triggered by a low-jitter, rapid rise-time solid-state Linear Transformer Driver. The switch geometry and electrical characteristics are designed to be compatible with Syllac style capacitors, and are intended to be deployed in modular configurations. The scalable nature of this approach will enable the rapid design and implementation of a wide variety of high-power magnetized plasma experiments. This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration. Approved for unlimited release, LA-UR-17-2578.

VLBI clock synchronization tests performed via the ATS-1 and ATS-3 satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramasastry, J.; Rosenbaum, B.; Michelini, R. D.; Kuegler, G.

1971-01-01

Clock synchronization experiments were carried out May 10 to June 10, 1971, by the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory via the ATS-1 and 3 geostationary satellites at the NASA tracking stations Rosman and Mojave, during a VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometer) experiment in order to determine the clock-offset between the two stations. Ten microsecond pulses at C-band with very sharp risetime were exchanged by the two stations through the dual transponders of the satellites. At each station, a time-interval counter was started by the transmitted pulse and stopped by the received pulse. The probable error of the difference in the mean values of the clock-offset is 10 nanoseconds.

Hotspot ignition using a Z-pinch precursor plasma in a magneto-inertial ICF scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chittenden, J. P.; Vincent, P.; Jennings, C. A.; Ciardi, A.

2006-01-01

Precursor plasma flow is a common feature of wire array Z-pinches. The precursor flow represents a fraction of the mass of the array which arrives on the axis early in time and remains confined at high density by the inertia of further material bombarding the axis. Later on, the main implosion of the Z-pinch then compresses this precursor to substantially higher density. We show that if the same system can be generated with a Deuterium-Tritium plasma then the precursor provides an ideal target for a cylindrical magneto-inertial ICF scheme. The implosion of the DT Z-pinch produces a dense, low temperature shell which compressively heats the precursor target to high temperatures and tamps its expansion. The azimuthal magnetic field in the hotspot is sufficient to reduce the Larmor radius for the alpha particles to much less than the hotspot size, which dramatically reduces the pR required for ignition. A computational analysis of this approach is presented, including a study of the thermonuclear burn wave propagation. The robustness of the scheme with respect to instabilities, confinement time and drive parameters is examined. The results indicate that a high energy gain can be achieved using Z-pinches with 50-100 MA currents and a few hundred nanosecond rise-times. This work was partially supported by the U.S. Department of Energy through cooperative agreement DE-FC03-02NA00057.

Intelligent Life-Extending Controls for Aircraft Engines Studied

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guo, Ten-Huei

2005-01-01

Current aircraft engine controllers are designed and operated to provide desired performance and stability margins. Except for the hard limits for extreme conditions, engine controllers do not usually take engine component life into consideration during the controller design and operation. The end result is that aircraft pilots regularly operate engines under unnecessarily harsh conditions to strive for optimum performance. The NASA Glenn Research Center and its industrial and academic partners have been working together toward an intelligent control concept that will include engine life as part of the controller design criteria. This research includes the study of the relationship between control action and engine component life as well as the design of an intelligent control algorithm to provide proper tradeoffs between performance and engine life. This approach is expected to maintain operating safety while minimizing overall operating costs. In this study, the thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) of a critical component was selected to demonstrate how an intelligent engine control algorithm can significantly extend engine life with only a very small sacrifice in performance. An intelligent engine control scheme based on modifying the high-pressure spool speed (NH) was proposed to reduce TMF damage from ground idle to takeoff. The NH acceleration schedule was optimized to minimize the TMF damage for a given rise-time constraint, which represents the performance requirement. The intelligent engine control scheme was used to simulate a commercial short-haul aircraft engine.

The MIT OSO-7 X-ray experiment. A five color survey of the positions and time variations of cosmic X-ray sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taylor, R. S.; Clark, G. W.

1971-01-01

The all-sky, X-ray measurements are made in five broad energy bands from 0.5 to 60 keV with X-ray collimators of one and three degree FWHM response. Working with the onboard star sensor source locations may be determined to a precision of plus or minus 0.1 deg. The experiment is located in wheel compartment number three of the spacecraft. A time division logic system divides each wheel rotation into 256 data bins in each of which X-ray counts are accumulated over a 190 second interval. Measurement chain circuits include provision for both geometric and risetime anticoincidence. A detailed description of the instrument is included as is pertinent operating information.

Health diagnosis of arch bridge suspender by acoustic emission technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Dongsheng; Ou, Jinping

2007-01-01

Conventional non-destructive methods can't be dynamically monitored the suspenders' damage levels and types, so acoustic emission (AE) technique is proposed to monitor its activity. The validity signals are determined by the relationship with risetime and duration. The ambient noise is eliminated using float threshold value and placing a guard sensor. The cement mortar and steel strand damage level is analyzed by AE parameter method and damage types are judged by waveform analyzing technique. Based on these methods, all the suspenders of Sichuan Ebian Dadu river arch bridge have been monitored using AE techniques. The monitoring results show that AE signal amplitude, energy, counts can visually display the suspenders' damage levels, the difference of waveform and frequency range express different damage type. The testing results are well coincide with the practical situation.

The response of an RC line MWPC to primary cosmic rays. [Multi-Wire Proportional Counter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gregory, J. C.; Selig, W. J.; Austin, R. W.; Derrickson, J. H.; Parnell, T. A.

1978-01-01

A simple 50 x 50 sq cm MWPC plane was arranged as an RC-line and flown on a balloon flight with the MSFC-UAH Cosmic Ray experiment. Positions of primary cosmic ray tracks in the RC-line were determined by the risetime method and compared with the expected position as indicated by a best line fitted through four planes of the conventional MWPC hodoscope. Mean errors were estimated for sea-level muons, and CNO group and iron group particles. It is believed that the delta-rays accompanying the primaries degraded the position resolution. Measured standard deviations allowing for uncertainty in the true track position are of the order of 1 cm or less in the primary charge region between 7 and 26.

Measured close lightning leader-step electric-field-derivative waveforms.

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

Jordan, Doug M.; Hill, Dustin; Biagi, Christopher J.

2010-12-01

We characterize the measured electric field-derivative (dE/dt) waveforms of lightning stepped-leader steps from three negative lightning flashes at distances of tens to hundreds of meters. Electromagnetic signatures of leader steps at such close distances have rarely been documented in previous literature. Individual leader-step three-dimensional locations are determined by a dE/dt TOA system. The leader-step field derivative is typically a bipolar pulse with a sharp initial half-cycle of the same polarity as that of the return stroke, followed by an opposite polarity overshoot that decays relatively slowly to background level. This overshoot increases in amplitude relative to the initial peak andmore » becomes dominant as range decreases. The initial peak is often preceded by a 'slow front,' similar to the slow front that precedes the fast transition to peak in first return stroke dE/dt and E waveforms. The overall step-field waveform duration is typically less than 1 {micro}s. The mean initial peak of dE/dt, range-normalized to 100 km, is 7.4 V m{sup -1} {micro}s{sup -1} (standard deviation (S.D.), 3.7 V m{sup -1} {micro}s{sup -1}, N = 103), the mean half-peak width is 33.5 ns (S.D., 11.9 ns, N = 69), and the mean 10-to-90% risetime is 43.6 ns (S.D., 24.2 ns, N = 69). From modeling, we determine the properties of the leader step currents which produced two typical measured field derivatives, and we use one of these currents to calculate predicted leader step E and dE/dt as a function of source range and height, the results being in good agreement with our observations. The two modeled current waveforms had maximum rates of current rise-to-peak near 100 kA {micro}s{sup -1}, peak currents in the 5-7 kA range, current half-peak widths of about 300 ns, and charge transfers of {approx}3 mC. As part of the modeling, those currents were propagated upward at 1.5 x 10{sup 8} m s{sup -1}, with their amplitudes decaying exponentially with a decay height constant of 25 m.« less

Mode-specific vibrational excitation and energy redistribution after ultrafast intramolecular electron transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hogiu, S.; Werncke, W.; Pfeiffer, M.; Dreyer, J.; Elsaesser, T.

2000-07-01

Vibrational relaxation in the electronic ground state initiated by intramolecular back-electron transfer (b-ET) of betaine-30 (B-30) is studied by picosecond time-resolved anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy. Measurements were carried out with B-30 dissolved in slowly as well as in rapidly relaxing solvents. We observed a risetime of the Raman band with the highest frequency near 1600 cm-1 which is close to the b-ET time τb-ET of B-30. For B-30 dissolved in propylene carbonate (τb-ET˜1 ps), the population of this mode exhibits a rise time of 1 ps whereas vibrational populations between 400 and 1400 cm-1 increase substantially slower. In contrast, in glycerol triacetin (τb-ET˜3.5 ps) and in ethanol (τb-ET˜6 ps) rise times of all modes are close to the respective b-ET times. Within the first few picoseconds, direct vibrational excitation through b-ET is favored for modes with the highest frequencies and high Franck-Condon factors. Later on, indirect channels of population due to vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) become effective. Thermal equilibrium populations of the Raman active modes are established within 10 to 15 ps after optical excitation.

Wallops waveform analysis of SEASAT-1 radar altimeter data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hayne, G. S.

1980-01-01

Fitting a six parameter model waveform to over ocean experimental data from the waveform samplers in the SEASAT-1 radar altimeter is described. The fitted parameters include a waveform risetime, skewness, and track point; from these can be obtained estimates of the ocean surface significant waveheight, the surface skewness, and a correction to the altimeter's on board altitude measurement, respectively. Among the difficulties encountered are waveform sampler gains differing from calibration mode data, and incorporating the actual SEASAT-1 sampled point target response in the fitted wave form. There are problems in using the spacecraft derived attitude angle estimates, and a different attitude estimator is developed. Points raised in this report have consequences for the SEASAT-1 radar altimeter's ocean surface measurements are for the design and calibration of radar altimeters in future oceanographic satellites.

Vacuum-surface flashover switch with cantilever conductors

DOEpatents

Caporaso, George J.; Sampayan, Stephen E.; Kirbie, Hugh C.

2001-01-01

A dielectric-wall linear accelerator is improved by a high-voltage, fast rise-time switch that includes a pair of electrodes between which are laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators. A high voltage is placed between the electrodes sufficient to stress the voltage breakdown of the insulator on command. A light trigger, such as a laser, is focused along at least one line along the edge surface of the laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators extending between the electrodes. The laser is energized to initiate a surface breakdown by a fluence of photons, thus causing the electrical switch to close very promptly. Such insulators and lasers are incorporated in a dielectric wall linear accelerator with Blumlein modules, and phasing is controlled by adjusting the length of fiber optic cables that carry the laser light to the insulator surface.

Low frequency creep in CoNiFe films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bartran, D. S.; Bourne, H. C., Jr.; Chow, L. G.

1972-01-01

The results of an investigation of domain wall motion excited by slow rise-time, bipolar, hard-axis pulses in vacuum deposited CoNiFe films 1500A to 2000A thick are presented. The results are consistent with those of comparable NiFe films in spite of large differences in film properties. The present low frequency creep data together with previously published results in this and other laboratories can be accounted for by a model which requires that the wall structure change usually associated with low frequency creep be predominately a gyromagnetic process. The correctness of this model is reinforced by the observation that the wall coercive force, the planar wall mobility, and the occurrence of an abrupt wall structure change are the only properties closely correlated to the creep displacement characteristics of a planar wall in low dispersion films.

Development of an accurate transmission line fault locator using the global positioning system satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Harry

1994-01-01

A highly accurate transmission line fault locator based on the traveling-wave principle was developed and successfully operated within B.C. Hydro. A transmission line fault produces a fast-risetime traveling wave at the fault point which propagates along the transmission line. This fault locator system consists of traveling wave detectors located at key substations which detect and time tag the leading edge of the fault-generated traveling wave as if passes through. A master station gathers the time-tagged information from the remote detectors and determines the location of the fault. Precise time is a key element to the success of this system. This fault locator system derives its timing from the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. System tests confirmed the accuracy of locating faults to within the design objective of +/-300 meters.

Effect of Electromagnetic Pulses (EMP) on associative learning in mice and a preliminary study of mechanism.

PubMed

Chen, Yong Bin; Li, Jing; Liu, Jun Ye; Zeng, Li Hua; Wan, Yi; Li, Yu Rong; Ren, Dongqing; Guo, G Z

2011-12-01

To investigate the effects of electromagnetic pulses (EMP) on associative learning in mice and test a preliminary mechanism for these effects. A tapered parallel plate gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell with a flared rectangular coaxial transmission line was used to expose male BALB/c mice to EMP (peak-intensity 400 kV/m, rise-time 10 ns, pulse-width 350 ns, 0.5 Hz and total 200 pulses). Concurrent sham-exposed mice were used as a control. Associative learning, oxidative stress in the brain, serum chemistry and the protective action of tocopherol monoglucoside (TMG) in mice were measured, respectively. (1) Twelve hour and 1 day post EMP exposure associative learning was reduced significantly compared with sham control (p<0.05) but recovered at 2 d post EMP exposure. (2) Compared with the sham control, lipid peroxidation of brain tissue and chemiluminescence (CL) intensity increased significantly (p<0.05), while the activity of the antioxidant enzymes Superoxide Dismutase [SOD], Glutathione [GSH], Glutathione Peroxidase [GSH-Px], Catalase [CAT]) decreased significantly (p<0.05) at 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 1 d post EMP exposure. All these parameters recovered at 2 d post EMP exposure. (3) No significant differences between the sham control group and EMP exposed group were observed in serum cholesterol and triglycerides. (4) Pretreatment of mice with TMG showed protective effects to EMP exposure. EMP exposure significantly decreased associative learning in mice and TMG acted as an effective protective agent from EMP exposure. This mechanism could involve an increase of oxidative stress in brain by EMP exposure.

Inferences on mass composition and tests of hadronic interactions from 0.3 to 100 EeV using the water-Cherenkov detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aab, A.; Abreu, P.; Aglietta, M.; Al Samarai, I.; Albuquerque, I. F. M.; Allekotte, I.; Almela, A.; Alvarez Castillo, J.; Alvarez-Muñiz, J.; Anastasi, G. A.; Anchordoqui, L.; Andrada, B.; Andringa, S.; Aramo, C.; Arqueros, F.; Arsene, N.; Asorey, H.; Assis, P.; Aublin, J.; Avila, G.; Badescu, A. M.; Balaceanu, A.; Barbato, F.; Barreira Luz, R. J.; Beatty, J. J.; Becker, K. H.; Bellido, J. A.; Berat, C.; Bertaina, M. E.; Bertou, X.; Biermann, P. L.; Biteau, J.; Blaess, S. G.; Blanco, A.; Blazek, J.; Bleve, C.; Boháčová, M.; Boncioli, D.; Bonifazi, C.; Borodai, N.; Botti, A. M.; Brack, J.; Brancus, I.; Bretz, T.; Bridgeman, A.; Briechle, F. L.; Buchholz, P.; Bueno, A.; Buitink, S.; Buscemi, M.; Caballero-Mora, K. S.; Caccianiga, L.; Cancio, A.; Canfora, F.; Caramete, L.; Caruso, R.; Castellina, A.; Catalani, F.; Cataldi, G.; Cazon, L.; Chavez, A. G.; Chinellato, J. A.; Chudoba, J.; Clay, R. W.; Cobos, A.; Colalillo, R.; Coleman, A.; Collica, L.; Coluccia, M. R.; Conceição, R.; Consolati, G.; Contreras, F.; Cooper, M. J.; Coutu, S.; Covault, C. E.; Cronin, J.; D'Amico, S.; Daniel, B.; Dasso, S.; Daumiller, K.; Dawson, B. R.; de Almeida, R. M.; de Jong, S. J.; De Mauro, G.; de Mello Neto, J. R. T.; De Mitri, I.; de Oliveira, J.; de Souza, V.; Debatin, J.; Deligny, O.; Díaz Castro, M. L.; Diogo, F.; Dobrigkeit, C.; D'Olivo, J. C.; Dorosti, Q.; dos Anjos, R. C.; Dova, M. T.; Dundovic, A.; Ebr, J.; Engel, R.; Erdmann, M.; Erfani, M.; Escobar, C. O.; Espadanal, J.; Etchegoyen, A.; Falcke, H.; Farmer, J.; Farrar, G.; Fauth, A. C.; Fazzini, N.; Fenu, F.; Fick, B.; Figueira, J. M.; Filipčič, A.; Fratu, O.; Freire, M. M.; Fujii, T.; Fuster, A.; Gaior, R.; García, B.; Garcia-Pinto, D.; Gaté, F.; Gemmeke, H.; Gherghel-Lascu, A.; Ghia, P. L.; Giaccari, U.; Giammarchi, M.; Giller, M.; Głas, D.; Glaser, C.; Golup, G.; Gómez Berisso, M.; Gómez Vitale, P. F.; González, N.; Gorgi, A.; Gorham, P.; Grillo, A. F.; Grubb, T. D.; Guarino, F.; Guedes, G. P.; Halliday, R.; Hampel, M. R.; Hansen, P.; Harari, D.; Harrison, T. A.; Harton, J. L.; Haungs, A.; Hebbeker, T.; Heck, D.; Heimann, P.; Herve, A. E.; Hill, G. C.; Hojvat, C.; Holt, E.; Homola, P.; Hörandel, J. R.; Horvath, P.; Hrabovský, M.; Huege, T.; Hulsman, J.; Insolia, A.; Isar, P. G.; Jandt, I.; Johnsen, J. A.; Josebachuili, M.; Jurysek, J.; Kääpä, A.; Kambeitz, O.; Kampert, K. H.; Keilhauer, B.; Kemmerich, N.; Kemp, E.; Kemp, J.; Kieckhafer, R. M.; Klages, H. O.; Kleifges, M.; Kleinfeller, J.; Krause, R.; Krohm, N.; Kuempel, D.; Kukec Mezek, G.; Kunka, N.; Kuotb Awad, A.; Lago, B. L.; LaHurd, D.; Lang, R. G.; Lauscher, M.; Legumina, R.; Leigui de Oliveira, M. A.; Letessier-Selvon, A.; Lhenry-Yvon, I.; Link, K.; Lo Presti, D.; Lopes, L.; López, R.; López Casado, A.; Lorek, R.; Luce, Q.; Lucero, A.; Malacari, M.; Mallamaci, M.; Mandat, D.; Mantsch, P.; Mariazzi, A. G.; Mariş, I. C.; Marsella, G.; Martello, D.; Martinez, H.; Martínez Bravo, O.; Masías Meza, J. J.; Mathes, H. J.; Mathys, S.; Matthews, J.; Matthews, J. A. J.; Matthiae, G.; Mayotte, E.; Mazur, P. O.; Medina, C.; Medina-Tanco, G.; Melo, D.; Menshikov, A.; Merenda, K.-D.; Michal, S.; Micheletti, M. I.; Middendorf, L.; Miramonti, L.; Mitrica, B.; Mockler, D.; Mollerach, S.; Montanet, F.; Morello, C.; Mostafá, M.; Müller, A. L.; Müller, G.; Muller, M. A.; Müller, S.; Mussa, R.; Naranjo, I.; Nellen, L.; Nguyen, P. H.; Niculescu-Oglinzanu, M.; Niechciol, M.; Niemietz, L.; Niggemann, T.; Nitz, D.; Nosek, D.; Novotny, V.; Nožka, L.; Núñez, L. A.; Ochilo, L.; Oikonomou, F.; Olinto, A.; Palatka, M.; Pallotta, J.; Papenbreer, P.; Parente, G.; Parra, A.; Paul, T.; Pech, M.; Pedreira, F.; Pekala, J.; Pelayo, R.; Peña-Rodriguez, J.; Pereira, L. A. S.; Perlin, M.; Perrone, L.; Peters, C.; Petrera, S.; Phuntsok, J.; Piegaia, R.; Pierog, T.; Pimenta, M.; Pirronello, V.; Platino, M.; Plum, M.; Porowski, C.; Prado, R. R.; Privitera, P.; Prouza, M.; Quel, E. J.; Querchfeld, S.; Quinn, S.; Ramos-Pollan, R.; Rautenberg, J.; Ravignani, D.; Ridky, J.; Riehn, F.; Risse, M.; Ristori, P.; Rizi, V.; Rodrigues de Carvalho, W.; Rodriguez Fernandez, G.; Rodriguez Rojo, J.; Rogozin, D.; Roncoroni, M. J.; Roth, M.; Roulet, E.; Rovero, A. C.; Ruehl, P.; Saffi, S. J.; Saftoiu, A.; Salamida, F.; Salazar, H.; Saleh, A.; Salesa Greus, F.; Salina, G.; Sánchez, F.; Sanchez-Lucas, P.; Santos, E. M.; Santos, E.; Sarazin, F.; Sarmento, R.; Sarmiento-Cano, C.; Sato, R.; Schauer, M.; Scherini, V.; Schieler, H.; Schimp, M.; Schmidt, D.; Scholten, O.; Schovánek, P.; Schröder, F. G.; Schröder, S.; Schulz, A.; Schumacher, J.; Sciutto, S. J.; Segreto, A.; Shadkam, A.; Shellard, R. C.; Sigl, G.; Silli, G.; Sima, O.; Śmiałkowski, A.; Šmída, R.; Smith, B.; Snow, G. R.; Sommers, P.; Sonntag, S.; Squartini, R.; Stanca, D.; Stanič, S.; Stasielak, J.; Stassi, P.; Stolpovskiy, M.; Strafella, F.; Streich, A.; Suarez, F.; Suarez Durán, M.; Sudholz, T.; Suomijärvi, T.; Supanitsky, A. D.; Šupík, J.; Swain, J.; Szadkowski, Z.; Taboada, A.; Taborda, O. A.; Theodoro, V. M.; Timmermans, C.; Todero Peixoto, C. J.; Tomankova, L.; Tomé, B.; Torralba Elipe, G.; Travnicek, P.; Trini, M.; Ulrich, R.; Unger, M.; Urban, M.; Valdés Galicia, J. F.; Valiño, I.; Valore, L.; van Aar, G.; van Bodegom, P.; van den Berg, A. M.; van Vliet, A.; Varela, E.; Vargas Cárdenas, B.; Varner, G.; Vázquez, R. A.; Veberič, D.; Ventura, C.; Vergara Quispe, I. D.; Verzi, V.; Vicha, J.; Villaseñor, L.; Vorobiov, S.; Wahlberg, H.; Wainberg, O.; Walz, D.; Watson, A. A.; Weber, M.; Weindl, A.; Wiencke, L.; Wilczyński, H.; Wileman, C.; Wirtz, M.; Wittkowski, D.; Wundheiler, B.; Yang, L.; Yushkov, A.; Zas, E.; Zavrtanik, D.; Zavrtanik, M.; Zepeda, A.; Zimmermann, B.; Ziolkowski, M.; Zong, Z.; Zuccarello, F.; Pierre Auger Collaboration

2017-12-01

We present a new method for probing the hadronic interaction models at ultrahigh energy and extracting details about mass composition. This is done using the time profiles of the signals recorded with the water-Cherenkov detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The profiles arise from a mix of the muon and electromagnetic components of air showers. Using the risetimes of the recorded signals, we define a new parameter, which we use to compare our observations with predictions from simulations. We find, first, inconsistencies between our data and predictions over a greater energy range and with substantially more events than in previous studies. Second, by calibrating the new parameter with fluorescence measurements from observations made at the Auger Observatory, we can infer the depth of shower maximum Xmax for a sample of over 81,000 events extending from 0.3 to over 100 EeV. Above 30 EeV, the sample is nearly 14 times larger than what is currently available from fluorescence measurements and extending the covered energy range by half a decade. The energy dependence of ⟨Xmax⟩ is compared to simulations and interpreted in terms of the mean of the logarithmic mass. We find good agreement with previous work and extend the measurement of the mean depth of shower maximum to greater energies than before, reducing significantly the statistical uncertainty associated with the inferences about mass composition.

Pulsed x-ray generator for commercial gas lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bollanti, S.; Bonfigli, F.; Di Lazzaro, P.; Flora, F.; Giordano, G.; Letardi, T.; Murra, D.; Schina, G.; Zheng, C. E.

2001-10-01

We have designed and tested a 1-m-long x-ray diode based on innovative plasma cathodes, which exploit commercial spark plugs as electron emitters. Based on the results of a numerical study, we optimized both diode geometry (e.g., the angle between anode and cathode surfaces, the thickness of the Al window) and electrical circuitry (e.g., the capacitance in series to each spark plug, the peak voltage of the anode) of our x-ray generator. The overall result is a simple and efficient circuitry, giving a total diode current in excess of 2.1 kA with a breakdown voltage of 70 kV, which generates a 50 ns rise-time x-ray pulse with a spatially averaged dosage of up to 6×10-4 Gy when using a Pb-wrapped anode. The double-diode x-ray generator was operated for 1.5×106 shots at a repetition rate of up to 30 Hz, and the lifetime test was interrupted without any fault. During the lifetime test, it was not necessary to adjust any working parameter. At the end of the lifetime test, the x-ray emission uniformity was better than 80% along the longitudinal axis. This x-ray generator has a lifetime, reliability, and cost fitting the requirements of industrial users. Among the broad range of potential applications, this x-ray generator is particularly suitable to ionize discharge pumped gas lasers, like TEA CO2 and excimer lasers, including those operated by x-ray triggered discharges.

Simple algorithms for digital pulse-shape discrimination with liquid scintillation detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alharbi, T.

2015-01-01

The development of compact, battery-powered digital liquid scintillation neutron detection systems for field applications requires digital pulse processing (DPP) algorithms with minimum computational overhead. To meet this demand, two DPP algorithms for the discrimination of neutron and γ-rays with liquid scintillation detectors were developed and examined by using a NE213 liquid scintillation detector in a mixed radiation field. The first algorithm is based on the relation between the amplitude of a current pulse at the output of a photomultiplier tube and the amount of charge contained in the pulse. A figure-of-merit (FOM) value of 0.98 with 450 keVee (electron equivalent energy) energy threshold was achieved with this method when pulses were sampled at 250 MSample/s and with 8-bit resolution. Compared to the similar method of charge-comparison this method requires only a single integration window, thereby reducing the amount of computations by approximately 40%. The second approach is a digital version of the trailing-edge constant-fraction discrimination method. A FOM value of 0.84 with an energy threshold of 450 keVee was achieved with this method. In comparison with the similar method of rise-time discrimination this method requires a single time pick-off, thereby reducing the amount of computations by approximately 50%. The algorithms described in this work are useful for developing portable detection systems for applications such as homeland security, radiation dosimetry and environmental monitoring.

Limits on Spin-independent Couplings of Light Dark Matter WIMPs with a p-type Point-contact Germanium Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, S. T.; Wong, H. T.

New limits on spin-independent WIMP-nucleon coupling using 39.5 kg-days of data taken with a p-type point-contact germanium detector with fiducial mass of 840 g at the Kuo-Sheng Reactor Neutrino Laboratory (KSNL) is presented. Charactering and understanding the anomalous surface behaviour is of particular significance to this study. The slow rise-time of surface events is identified via software pulse shape analysis techniques. In addition, the signal-retaining and background-rejecting efficiencies are implied to clarify the actual bulk and surface events in the mixed regime at sub-keV range. Both efficiencies are evaluated with calibration sources and a novel n-type point-contact germanium detector. Efficiencies-corrected background spectra from the low-background facility at KSNL are derived. Part of the parameter space in cross-section versus WIMP-mass is probed and excluded.

Laser altimetry simulator. Version 3.0: User's guide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abshire, James B.; Mcgarry, Jan F.; Pacini, Linda K.; Blair, J. Bryan; Elman, Gregory C.

1994-01-01

A numerical simulator of a pulsed, direct detection laser altimeter has been developed to investigate the performance of space-based laser altimeters operating over surfaces with various height profiles. The simulator calculates the laser's optical intensity waveform as it propagates to and is reflected from the terrain surface and is collected by the receiver telescope. It also calculates the signal and noise waveforms output from the receiver's optical detector and waveform digitizer. Both avalanche photodiode and photomultiplier detectors may be selected. Parameters of the detected signal, including energy, the 50 percent rise-time point, the mean timing point, and the centroid, can be collected into histograms and statistics calculated after a number of laser firings. The laser altimeter can be selected to be fixed over the terrain at any altitude. Alternatively, it can move between laser shots to simulate the terrain profile measured with the laser altimeter.

Applications of ultrashort laser pulses in science and technology; Proceedings of the Meeting, The Hague, Netherlands, Mar. 12, 13, 1990

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Antonetti, Andre (Editor)

1990-01-01

Topics discussed are on the generation of high-intensity femtosecond lasers, the high-repetition and infrared femtosecond pulses, and physics of semiconductors and applications. Papers are presented on the femtosecond pulse generation at 193 nm; the generation of intense subpicosecond and femtosecond pulses; intense tunable subpicosecond and femtosecond pulses in the visible and infrared, generated by optical parametric oscillators; a high-efficiency high-energy optical amplifier for femtosecond pulses; and the generation of solitons, periodic pulsing, and nonlinearities in GaAs. Other papers are on ultrafast relaxation dynamics of photoexcited carriers in GaAs, high-order optical nonlinear susceptibilities of transparent glasses, subnanosecond risetime high-power pulse generation using photoconductive bulk GaAs devices, femtosecond studies of plasma formation in crystalline and amorphous silicon, and subpicosecond dynamics of hot carrier relaxation in InP and GaAs.

Clock synchronization experiments performed via the ATS-1 and ATS-3 satellites.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramasastry, J.; Rosenbaum, B.; Michelini, R. D.; Kuegler, G. K.

1973-01-01

Clock synchronization experiments were carried out May 10 to June 10, 1971, via the ATS-1 and ATS-3 geostationary satellites between the NASA tracking stations at Rosman, N.C., and Mojave, Calif., in order to determine the offset and the relative drift rate between the two station clocks. Pulses at C band with very sharp risetime and of 10 microsec duration were exchanged by the two stations through the dual transponders of the satellites. At each station, a time-interval counter was started by the transmitted pulse and stopped by the pulse received via satellite from the other station. The probable error of the clock offset as measured by the counter is 10 msec. A very long baseline interferometer experiment was also performed between the two stations at the same time and provided independent clock-offset data to check the accuracy of the time-synchronization experiment.

Fast Risetime Reverse Bias Pulse Failures in SiC PN Junction Diodes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neudeck, Philip G.; Fazi, Christian; Parsons, James D.

1996-01-01

SiC-based high temperature power devices are being developed for aerospace systems which will require high reliability. One behavior crucial to power device reliability. To date, it has necessarily been assumed to date is that the breakdown behavior of SiC pn junctions will be similar to highly reliable silicon-based pn junctions. Challenging this assumption, we report the observation of anomalous unreliable reverse breakdown behavior in moderately doped (2-3 x 10(exp 17) cm(exp -3)) small-area 4H- and 6H-SiC pn junction diodes at temperatures ranging from 298 K (25 C) to 873 K (600 C). We propose a mechanism in which carrier emission from un-ionized dopants and deep level defects leads to this unstable behavior. The fundamental instability mechanism is applicable to all wide bandgap semiconductors whose dopants are significantly un-ionized at typical device operating temperatures.

Fast CsI-phoswich detector

DOEpatents

Langenbrunner, James R.

1996-01-01

An improved phoswich radiation detector used pure CsI crystal and a fast plastic scintillator and a single photomultiplier tube. The plastic is arranged to receive incident radiation, and that which passed through then strikes the CsI crystal. Scintillation light from both the plastic and CsI crystal are applied to the photomultiplier tube, with the light from the plastic passing through the crystal without absorption therein. Electronics are provided for analyzing the output of the photomultiplier tube to discriminate responses due to the plastic and the CsI crystal, through short gate and long gate integration, to produce results which are indicative of the characteristics of the different types of incident radiation, even in the presence of large amounts of radiation. The phoswich detector has excellent timing resolution. The scintillators of the CsI- phoswich were chosen for their fast risetimes, of about 3 ns for NE102A, and 30 ns for the pure CsI.

Fast CsI-phoswich detector

DOEpatents

Langenbrunner, J.R.

1996-05-07

An improved phoswich radiation detector used pure CsI crystal and a fast plastic scintillator and a single photomultiplier tube. The plastic is arranged to receive incident radiation, and that which passed through then strikes the CsI crystal. Scintillation light from both the plastic and CsI crystal are applied to the photomultiplier tube, with the light from the plastic passing through the crystal without absorption therein. Electronics are provided for analyzing the output of the photomultiplier tube to discriminate responses due to the plastic and the CsI crystal, through short gate and long gate integration, to produce results which are indicative of the characteristics of the different types of incident radiation, even in the presence of large amounts of radiation. The phoswich detector has excellent timing resolution. The scintillators of the CsI- phoswich were chosen for their fast risetimes, of about 3 ns for NE102A, and 30 ns for the pure CsI. 5 figs.

Juno-UVS approach observations of Jupiter's auroras

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gladstone, G. R.; Versteeg, M. H.; Greathouse, T. K.; Hue, V.; Davis, M. W.; Gérard, J.-C.; Grodent, D. C.; Bonfond, B.; Nichols, J. D.; Wilson, R. J.; Hospodarsky, G. B.; Bolton, S. J.; Levin, S. M.; Connerney, J. E. P.; Adriani, A.; Kurth, W. S.; Mauk, B. H.; Valek, P.; McComas, D. J.; Orton, G. S.; Bagenal, F.

2017-08-01

Juno ultraviolet spectrograph (UVS) observations of Jupiter's aurora obtained during approach are presented. Prior to the bow shock crossing on 24 June 2016, the Juno approach provided a rare opportunity to correlate local solar wind conditions with Jovian auroral emissions. Some of Jupiter's auroral emissions are expected to be controlled or modified by local solar wind conditions. Here we compare synoptic Juno-UVS observations of Jupiter's auroral emissions, acquired during 3-29 June 2016, with in situ solar wind observations, and related Jupiter observations from Earth. Four large auroral brightening events are evident in the synoptic data, in which the total emitted auroral power increases by a factor of 3-4 for a few hours. Only one of these brightening events correlates well with large transient increases in solar wind ram pressure. The brightening events which are not associated with the solar wind generally have a risetime of 2 h and a decay time of 5 h.

Rise-Time of FRET-Acceptor Fluorescence Tracks Protein Folding

PubMed Central

Lindhoud, Simon; Westphal, Adrie H.; van Mierlo, Carlo P. M.; Visser, Antonie J. W. G.; Borst, Jan Willem

2014-01-01

Uniform labeling of proteins with fluorescent donor and acceptor dyes with an equimolar ratio is paramount for accurate determination of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiencies. In practice, however, the labeled protein population contains donor-labeled molecules that have no corresponding acceptor. These FRET-inactive donors contaminate the donor fluorescence signal, which leads to underestimation of FRET efficiencies in conventional fluorescence intensity and lifetime-based FRET experiments. Such contamination is avoided if FRET efficiencies are extracted from the rise time of acceptor fluorescence upon donor excitation. The reciprocal value of the rise time of acceptor fluorescence is equal to the decay rate of the FRET-active donor fluorescence. Here, we have determined rise times of sensitized acceptor fluorescence to study the folding of double-labeled apoflavodoxin molecules and show that this approach tracks the characteristics of apoflavodoxinʼs complex folding pathway. PMID:25535076

Shock waves in molecular solids: ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy of the first nanosecond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franken, J.; Hambir, S. A.; Hare, D. E.; Dlott, D. D.

A novel technique which uses a microfabricated shock target array assembly is described, where the passage of a shock front through a thin (0.5μm) polycrystalline layer and the subsequent unloading process is monitored in real time with ultrafast coherent Raman spectroscopy. Using a high repetition rate laser shock generation technique, high resolution, coherent Raman spectra are obtained in shocked anthracene and in a high explosive material, NTO, with time resolution of 50 ps. Spectroscopic measurements are presented which yield the shock pressure (up to 5 GPa), the shock velocity ( 4 km/s), the shock front risetime (tr < 25 ps), and the temperature ( 400°C). A brief discussion is presented, how this new technique can be used to determine the Hugoniot, the equation of state, the entropy increase across the shock front, and monitor shock induced chemical reactions in real time.

Juno-UVS approach observations of Jupiter's auroras.

PubMed

Gladstone, G R; Versteeg, M H; Greathouse, T K; Hue, V; Davis, M W; Gérard, J-C; Grodent, D C; Bonfond, B; Nichols, J D; Wilson, R J; Hospodarsky, G B; Bolton, S J; Levin, S M; Connerney, J E P; Adriani, A; Kurth, W S; Mauk, B H; Valek, P; McComas, D J; Orton, G S; Bagenal, F

2017-08-16

Juno ultraviolet spectrograph (UVS) observations of Jupiter's aurora obtained during approach are presented. Prior to the bow shock crossing on 24 June 2016, the Juno approach provided a rare opportunity to correlate local solar wind conditions with Jovian auroral emissions. Some of Jupiter's auroral emissions are expected to be controlled or modified by local solar wind conditions. Here we compare synoptic Juno-UVS observations of Jupiter's auroral emissions, acquired during 3-29 June 2016, with in situ solar wind observations, and related Jupiter observations from Earth. Four large auroral brightening events are evident in the synoptic data, in which the total emitted auroral power increases by a factor of 3-4 for a few hours. Only one of these brightening events correlates well with large transient increases in solar wind ram pressure. The brightening events which are not associated with the solar wind generally have a risetime of ~2 h and a decay time of ~5 h.

Initial design for an experimental investigation of strongly coupled plasma behavior in the Atlas facility

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

Munson, C.P.; Benage, J.F. Jr.; Taylor, A.J.

Atlas is a high current ({approximately} 30 MA peak, with a current risetime {approximately} 4.5 {micro}sec), high energy (E{sub stored} = 24 MJ, E{sub load} = 3--6 MJ), pulsed power facility which is being constructed at Los Alamos National Laboratory with a scheduled completion date in the year 2000. When operational, this facility will provide a platform for experiments in high pressure shocks (> 20 Mbar), adiabatic compression ({rho}/{rho}{sub 0} > 5, P > 10 Mbar), high magnetic fields ({approximately} 2,000 T), high strain and strain rates ({var_epsilon} > 200%, d{var_epsilon}/dt {approximately} 10{sup 4} to 10{sup 6} s{sup {minus}1}), hydrodynamicmore » instabilities of materials in turbulent regimes, magnetized target fusion, equation of state, and strongly coupled plasmas. For the strongly coupled plasma experiments, an auxiliary capacitor bank will be used to generate a moderate density (< 0.1 solid), relatively cold ({approximately} 1 eV) plasma by ohmic heating of a conducting material of interest such as titanium. This stargate plasma will be compressed against a central column containing diagnostic instrumentation by a cylindrical conducting liner that is driven radially inward by current from the main Atlas capacitor bank. The plasma is predicted to reach densities of {approximately} 1.1 times solid, achieve ion and electron temperatures of {approximately} 10 eV, and pressures of {approximately} 4--5 Mbar. This is a density/temperature regime which is expected to experience strong coupling, but only partial degeneracy. X-ray radiography is planned for measurements of the material density at discrete times during the experiments; diamond Raman measurements are anticipated for determination of the pressure. In addition, a neutron resonance spectroscopic technique is being evaluated for possible determination of the temperature (through low percentage doping of the titanium with a suitable resonant material). Initial target plasma formation experiments are being planned on an existing pulsed power facility at LANL and will be completed before the start of operation of Atlas.« less

Implementing an Accurate and Rapid Sparse Sampling Approach for Low-Dose Atomic Resolution STEM Imaging

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

Kovarik, Libor; Stevens, Andrew J.; Liyu, Andrey V.

Aberration correction for scanning transmission electron microscopes (STEM) has dramatically increased spatial image resolution for beam-stable materials, but it is the sample stability rather than the microscope that often limits the practical resolution of STEM images. To extract physical information from images of beam sensitive materials it is becoming clear that there is a critical dose/dose-rate below which the images can be interpreted as representative of the pristine material, while above it the observation is dominated by beam effects. Here we describe an experimental approach for sparse sampling in the STEM and in-painting image reconstruction in order to reduce themore » electron dose/dose-rate to the sample during imaging. By characterizing the induction limited rise-time and hysteresis in scan coils, we show that sparse line-hopping approach to scan randomization can be implemented that optimizes both the speed of the scan and the amount of the sample that needs to be illuminated by the beam. The dose and acquisition time for the sparse sampling is shown to be effectively decreased by factor of 5x relative to conventional acquisition, permitting imaging of beam sensitive materials to be obtained without changing the microscope operating parameters. As a result, the use of sparse line-hopping scan to acquire STEM images is demonstrated with atomic resolution aberration corrected Z-contrast images of CaCO 3, a material that is traditionally difficult to image by TEM/STEM because of dose issues.« less

Implementing an Accurate and Rapid Sparse Sampling Approach for Low-Dose Atomic Resolution STEM Imaging

DOE PAGES

Kovarik, Libor; Stevens, Andrew J.; Liyu, Andrey V.; ...

2016-10-17

Aberration correction for scanning transmission electron microscopes (STEM) has dramatically increased spatial image resolution for beam-stable materials, but it is the sample stability rather than the microscope that often limits the practical resolution of STEM images. To extract physical information from images of beam sensitive materials it is becoming clear that there is a critical dose/dose-rate below which the images can be interpreted as representative of the pristine material, while above it the observation is dominated by beam effects. Here we describe an experimental approach for sparse sampling in the STEM and in-painting image reconstruction in order to reduce themore » electron dose/dose-rate to the sample during imaging. By characterizing the induction limited rise-time and hysteresis in scan coils, we show that sparse line-hopping approach to scan randomization can be implemented that optimizes both the speed of the scan and the amount of the sample that needs to be illuminated by the beam. The dose and acquisition time for the sparse sampling is shown to be effectively decreased by factor of 5x relative to conventional acquisition, permitting imaging of beam sensitive materials to be obtained without changing the microscope operating parameters. The use of sparse line-hopping scan to acquire STEM images is demonstrated with atomic resolution aberration corrected Z-contrast images of CaCO3, a material that is traditionally difficult to image by TEM/STEM because of dose issues.« less

Investigation of metastable production in a closed-cell dielectric capillary variable pressure He plasma jet with Ar admixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sands, Brian; Ganguly, Biswa

2011-10-01

For plasma processing applications of streamer-like atmospheric pressure plasma jets generated in a dielectric capillary, we have demonstrated that an admixture of Ar to the He gas flow greatly increases the lifetime of energetic species in the core flow through enhanced afterglow production of Ar 1s5 metastable species. To study this effect in more detail, we have used a closed-cell plasma jet that allows control over the background gas pressure and composition. We used a 20 ns risetime positive unipolar voltage pulse for excitation. A He flow with a 0-30% Ar admixture was studied using time-resolved emission and tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy of the Ar 1s5 and He 23S metastable states. Nitrogen was used as the background gas. In pure He and pure Ar gases the He and Ar metastables respectively are produced in the first ~100 ns only in the active discharge. With Ar added to the He gas flow, He metastables produced in the active discharge are quickly quenched via Penning ionization of Ar while Ar 1s5 is enhanced over 1-2 μs in the afterglow, increasing the number density as high as 1013/cc and extending the effective lifetime up to 10 μs. This implies that He heavy particle kinetics are a key driver of enhanced afterglow plasma chemistry in plasma jets with rare gas mixtures.

Inferences on mass composition and tests of hadronic interactions from 0.3 to 100 EeV using the water-Cherenkov detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory

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

Aab, A.; Abreu, P.; Aglietta, M.

We present a new method for probing the hadronic interaction models at ultra-high energy and extracting details about mass composition. This is done using the time profiles of the signals recorded with the water-Cherenkov detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The profiles arise from a mix of the muon and electromagnetic components of air-showers. Using the risetimes of the recorded signals we define a new parameter, which we use to compare our observations with predictions from simulations. We find, firstly, inconsistencies between our data and predictions over a greater energy range and with substantially more events than in previous studies.more » Secondly, by calibrating the new parameter with fluorescence measurements from observations made at the Auger Observatory, we can infer the depth of shower maximum for a sample of over 81,000 events extending from 0.3 EeV to over 100 EeV. Above 30 EeV, the sample is nearly fourteen times larger than currently available from fluorescence measurements and extending the covered energy range by half a decade. The energy dependence of the average depth of shower maximum is compared to simulations and interpreted in terms of the mean of the logarithmic mass. Here, we find good agreement with previous work and extend the measurement of the mean depth of shower maximum to greater energies than before, reducing significantly the statistical uncertainty associated with the inferences about mass composition.« less

Inferences on mass composition and tests of hadronic interactions from 0.3 to 100 EeV using the water-Cherenkov detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory

DOE PAGES

Aab, A.; Abreu, P.; Aglietta, M.; ...

2017-12-08

We present a new method for probing the hadronic interaction models at ultra-high energy and extracting details about mass composition. This is done using the time profiles of the signals recorded with the water-Cherenkov detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The profiles arise from a mix of the muon and electromagnetic components of air-showers. Using the risetimes of the recorded signals we define a new parameter, which we use to compare our observations with predictions from simulations. We find, firstly, inconsistencies between our data and predictions over a greater energy range and with substantially more events than in previous studies.more » Secondly, by calibrating the new parameter with fluorescence measurements from observations made at the Auger Observatory, we can infer the depth of shower maximum for a sample of over 81,000 events extending from 0.3 EeV to over 100 EeV. Above 30 EeV, the sample is nearly fourteen times larger than currently available from fluorescence measurements and extending the covered energy range by half a decade. The energy dependence of the average depth of shower maximum is compared to simulations and interpreted in terms of the mean of the logarithmic mass. Here, we find good agreement with previous work and extend the measurement of the mean depth of shower maximum to greater energies than before, reducing significantly the statistical uncertainty associated with the inferences about mass composition.« less

A study of life prediction differences for a nickel-base Alloy 690 using a threshold and a non-threshold model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, B. A.; Gao, Xiaosheng; Srivatsan, T. S.

2009-10-01

In this paper we compare and contrast the crack growth rate of a nickel-base superalloy (Alloy 690) in the Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) environment. Over the last few years, a preponderance of test data has been gathered on both Alloy 690 thick plate and Alloy 690 tubing. The original model, essentially based on a small data set for thick plate, compensated for temperature, load ratio and stress-intensity range but did not compensate for the fatigue threshold of the material. As additional test data on both plate and tube product became available the model was gradually revised to account for threshold properties. Both the original and revised models generated acceptable results for data that were above 1 × 10 -11 m/s. However, the test data at the lower growth rates were over-predicted by the non-threshold model. Since the original model did not take the fatigue threshold into account, this model predicted no operating stress below which the material would effectively undergo fatigue crack growth. Because of an over-prediction of the growth rate below 1 × 10 -11 m/s, due to a combination of low stress, small crack size and long rise-time, the model in general leads to an under-prediction of the total available life of the components.

Average features of the muon component of EAS or = 10(17) eV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blake, P. R.; Luksys, M.; Nash, W. F.; Sephton, A. J.

1985-01-01

Three 10 sq m liquid scintillators were situated at approximately 0 m, 150 m and 250 m from the center of the Haverah Park array. The detectors were shielded by lead/barytes giving muon detection thresholds of 317 MeV, 431 MeV and 488 MeV respectively. During part of the operational period the 431 MeV threshold was lowered to 313 MeV for comparison purposes. For risetime measurement fast phototubes were used and the 10% to 70% amplitude time interval was parameterized by T sub 70. A muon lateral density distribution of the form rho mu (R theta) = krho(500)0.94 1/R(1 + R/490)-eta has been fitted to the data for 120 m R 600 m and 0.27 (500) 2.55. The shower size parameter (500) is the water Cerenkov response at 500 m from the core of the extensive air showers (EAS) and is relatable to the primary energy. The results show general consistency.

Extremum seeking-based optimization of high voltage converter modulator rise-time

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

Scheinker, Alexander; Bland, Michael; Krstic, Miroslav

2013-02-01

We digitally implement an extremum seeking (ES) algorithm, which optimizes the rise time of the output voltage of a high voltage converter modulator (HVCM) at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) HVCM test stand by iteratively, simultaneously tuning the first 8 switching edges of each of the three phase drive waveforms (24 variables total). We achieve a 50 μs rise time, which is reduction in half compared to the 100 μs achieved at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Considering that HVCMs typically operate with an output voltage of 100 kV, with a 60Hz repetitionmore » rate, the 50 μs rise time reduction will result in very significant energy savings. The ES algorithm will prove successful, despite the noisy measurements and cost calculations, confirming the theoretical results that the algorithm is not affected by noise whose frequency components are independent of the perturbing frequencies.« less

Juno‐UVS approach observations of Jupiter's auroras

PubMed Central

Versteeg, M. H.; Greathouse, T. K.; Hue, V.; Davis, M. W.; Gérard, J.‐C.; Grodent, D. C.; Bonfond, B.; Nichols, J. D.; Wilson, R. J.; Hospodarsky, G. B.; Bolton, S. J.; Levin, S. M.; Connerney, J. E. P.; Adriani, A.; Kurth, W. S.; Mauk, B. H.; Valek, P.; McComas, D. J.; Orton, G. S.; Bagenal, F.

2017-01-01

Abstract Juno ultraviolet spectrograph (UVS) observations of Jupiter's aurora obtained during approach are presented. Prior to the bow shock crossing on 24 June 2016, the Juno approach provided a rare opportunity to correlate local solar wind conditions with Jovian auroral emissions. Some of Jupiter's auroral emissions are expected to be controlled or modified by local solar wind conditions. Here we compare synoptic Juno‐UVS observations of Jupiter's auroral emissions, acquired during 3–29 June 2016, with in situ solar wind observations, and related Jupiter observations from Earth. Four large auroral brightening events are evident in the synoptic data, in which the total emitted auroral power increases by a factor of 3–4 for a few hours. Only one of these brightening events correlates well with large transient increases in solar wind ram pressure. The brightening events which are not associated with the solar wind generally have a risetime of ~2 h and a decay time of ~5 h. PMID:28989207

Dielectric-wall linear accelerator with a high voltage fast rise time switch that includes a pair of electrodes between which are laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators

DOEpatents

Caporaso, G.J.; Sampayan, S.E.; Kirbie, H.C.

1998-10-13

A dielectric-wall linear accelerator is improved by a high-voltage, fast rise-time switch that includes a pair of electrodes between which are laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators. A high voltage is placed between the electrodes sufficient to stress the voltage breakdown of the insulator on command. A light trigger, such as a laser, is focused along at least one line along the edge surface of the laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators extending between the electrodes. The laser is energized to initiate a surface breakdown by a fluence of photons, thus causing the electrical switch to close very promptly. Such insulators and lasers are incorporated in a dielectric wall linear accelerator with Blumlein modules, and phasing is controlled by adjusting the length of fiber optic cables that carry the laser light to the insulator surface. 12 figs.

Dielectric-wall linear accelerator with a high voltage fast rise time switch that includes a pair of electrodes between which are laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators

DOEpatents

Caporaso, George J.; Sampayan, Stephen E.; Kirbie, Hugh C.

1998-01-01

A dielectric-wall linear accelerator is improved by a high-voltage, fast rise-time switch that includes a pair of electrodes between which are laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators. A high voltage is placed between the electrodes sufficient to stress the voltage breakdown of the insulator on command. A light trigger, such as a laser, is focused along at least one line along the edge surface of the laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators extending between the electrodes. The laser is energized to initiate a surface breakdown by a fluence of photons, thus causing the electrical switch to close very promptly. Such insulators and lasers are incorporated in a dielectric wall linear accelerator with Blumlein modules, and phasing is controlled by adjusting the length of fiber optic cables that carry the laser light to the insulator surface.

Computational Modeling of Meteor-Generated Ground Pressure Signatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nemec, Marian; Aftosmis, Michael J.; Brown, Peter G.

2017-01-01

We present a thorough validation of a computational approach to predict infrasonic signatures of centimeter-sized meteoroids. We assume that the energy deposition along the meteor trail is dominated by atmospheric drag and simulate the steady, inviscid flow of air in thermochemical equilibrium to compute the meteoroid's near-body pressure signature. This signature is then propagated through a stratified and windy atmosphere to the ground using a methodology adapted from aircraft sonic-boom analysis. An assessment of the numerical accuracy of the near field and the far field solver is presented. The results show that when the source of the signature is the cylindrical Mach-cone, the simulations closely match the observations. The prediction of the shock rise-time, the zero-peak amplitude of the waveform, and the duration of the positive pressure phase are consistently within 10% of the measurements. Uncertainty in the shape of the meteoroid results in a poorer prediction of the trailing part of the waveform. Overall, our results independently verify energy deposition estimates deduced from optical observations.

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

Wang, C. L.; Funk, L. L.; Riedel, R. A.

3He gas based neutron linear-position-sensitive detectors (LPSDs) have been applied for many neutron scattering instruments. Traditional Pulse-Height Analysis (PHA) for Neutron-Gamma Discrimination (NGD) resulted in the neutron-gamma efficiency ratio on the orders of 10 5-10 6. The NGD ratios of 3He detectors need to be improved for even better scientific results from neutron scattering. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) analyses of waveforms were proposed for obtaining better NGD ratios, based on features extracted from rise-time, pulse amplitude, charge integration, a simplified Wiener filter, and the cross-correlation between individual and template waveforms of neutron and gamma events. Fisher linear discriminant analysis (FLDA)more » and three multivariate analyses (MVAs) of the features were performed. The NGD ratios are improved by about 10 2-10 3 times compared with the traditional PHA method. Finally, our results indicate the NGD capabilities of 3He tube detectors can be significantly improved with subspace-learning based methods, which may result in a reduced data-collection time and better data quality for further data reduction.« less

Rail-type gas switch with preionization by an additional corona discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belozerov, O. S.; Krastelev, E. G.

2017-05-01

Results of an experimental research of a rail-type gas switch with preionization by an additional negative corona discharge are presented. The most of measurements were performed for an air insulated two-electrode switch assembled of cylindrical electrodes of 22 mm diameter and 100 mm length, arranged parallel to each other, with a spark gap between them varying from 6 to 15 mm. A set of 1 to 5 needles connected to a negative cylindrical electrode and located aside of them were used for corona discharges. The needle positions, allowing an effecient stabilization of the pulsed breakdown voltage and preventing the a transition of the corona discharge in a spark form, were found. It was shown that the gas preionization by the UV-radiation of the parallel corona discharge provides a stable operation of the switch with low variations of the pulsed breakdown voltage, not exceeding 1% for a given voltage rise-time tested within the range from 40 ns to 5 µs.

Atomic oxygen production scaling in a nanosecond-pulsed externally grounded dielectric barrier plasma jet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sands, Brian; Schmidt, Jacob; Ganguly, Biswa; Scofield, James

2014-10-01

Atomic oxygen production is studied in a capillary dielectric barrier plasma jet that is externally grounded and driven with a 20-ns risetime positive unipolar pulsed voltage at pulse repetition rates up to 25 kHz. The power coupled to the discharge can be easily increased by increasing the pulse repetition rate. At a critical turnover frequency, determined by the net energy density coupled to the discharge, the plasma chemistry abruptly changes. This is indicated by increased plasma conductance and a transition in reactive oxygen species production from an ozone-dominated production regime below the turnover frequency to atomic-oxygen-dominated production at higher pulse rates. Here, we characterize atomic oxygen production scaling using spatially- and temporally-resolved two-photon absorption laser-induced-fluorescence (TALIF). Quantitative results are obtained via calibration with xenon using a similar laser excitation and collection system. These results are compared with quantitative ozone and discharge power measurements using a helium gas flow with oxygen admixtures up to 3%.

Multiple indices method for real-time tsunami inundation forecast using a dense offshore observation network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, N.; Aoi, S.; Hirata, K.; Suzuki, W.; Kunugi, T.; Nakamura, H.

2015-12-01

We started to develop a new methodology for real-time tsunami inundation forecast system (Aoi et al., 2015, this meeting) using densely offshore tsunami observations of the Seafloor Observation Network for Earthquakes and Tsunamis (S-net), which is under construction along the Japan Trench (Kanazawa et al., 2012, JpGU; Uehira et al., 2015, IUGG). In our method, the most important concept is involving any type and/or form uncertainties in the tsunami forecast, which cannot be dealt with any of standard linear/nonlinear least square approaches. We first prepare a Tsunami Scenario Bank (TSB), which contains offshore tsunami waveforms at the S-net stations and tsunami inundation information calculated from any possible tsunami source. We then quickly select several acceptable tsunami scenarios that can explain offshore observations by using multiple indices and appropriate thresholds, after a tsunami occurrence. At that time, possible tsunami inundations coupled with selected scenarios are forecasted (Yamamoto et al., 2014, AGU). Currently, we define three indices: correlation coefficient and two variance reductions, whose L2-norm part is normalized either by observations or calculations (Suzuki et al., 2015, JpGU; Yamamoto et al., 2015, IUGG). In this study, we construct the TSB, which contains various tsunami source models prepared for the probabilistic tsunami hazard assessment in the Japan Trench region (Hirata et al., 2014, AGU). To evaluate the propriety of our method, we adopt the fault model based on the 2011 Tohoku earthquake as a pseudo "observation". We also calculate three indices using coastal maximum tsunami height distributions between observation and calculation. We then obtain the correlation between coastal and offshore indices. We notice that the index value of coastal maximum tsunami heights is closer to 1 than the index value of offshore waveforms, i.e., the coastal maximum tsunami height may be predictable within appropriate thresholds defined for offshore indices. We also investigate the effect of rise-time. This work was partially supported by the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI) through the Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP), titled "Enhancement of societal resiliency against natural disasters" (Funding agency: JST).

Modeling, measuring, and mitigating instability growth in liner implosions on Z

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peterson, Kyle

2015-11-01

Electro-thermal instabilities result from non-uniform heating due to temperature dependence in the conductivity of a material. In this talk, we will discuss the role of electro-thermal instabilities on the dynamics of magnetically accelerated implosion systems. We present simulations that show electro-thermal instabilities form immediately after the surface material of a conductor melts and can act as a significant seed to subsequent magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor (MRT) instability growth. We discuss measurement results from experiments performed on Sandia National Laboratories Z accelerator to investigate signatures of electro-thermal instability growth on well-characterized initially solid aluminum or beryllium rods driven with a 20 MA, 100 ns risetime current pulse. These measurements show good agreement with electro-thermal instability simulations and exhibit larger instability growth than can be explained by MRT theory alone. Recent experiments have confirmed simulation predictions of dramatically reduced instability growth in solid metallic rods when thick dielectric coatings are used to mitigate density perturbations arising from the electro-thermal instability. These results provide further evidence that the inherent surface roughness of the target is not the dominant seed for the MRT instability, in contrast with most inertial confinement fusion approaches. These results suggest a new technique for substantially reducing the integral MRT growth in magnetically driven implosions. Indeed, recent results on the Z facility with 100 km/s Al and Be liner implosions show substantially reduced growth. These new results include axially magnetized, CH-coated beryllium liner radiographs in which the inner liner surface is observed to be remarkably straight and uniform at a radius of about 120 microns (convergence ratio ~20). Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of Energy under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

In-Situ Wire Damage Detection System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, Martha; Roberson, Luke; Tate, Lanetra; Smith, Trent; Gibson, Tracy; Medelius, Pedro; Jolley, Scott

2012-01-01

An In-Situ Wire Damage Detection System (ISWDDS) has been developed that is capable of detecting damage to a wire insulation, or a wire conductor, or to both. The system will allow for realtime, continuous monitoring of wiring health/integrity and reduce the number of false negatives and false positives while being smaller, lighter in weight, and more robust than current systems. The technology allows for improved safety and significant reduction in maintenance hours for aircraft, space vehicles, satellites, and other critical high-performance wiring systems for industries such as energy production and mining. The integrated ISWDDS is comprised of two main components: (1) a wire with an innermost core conductor, an inner insulation film, a conductive layer or inherently conductive polymer (ICP) covering the inner insulation film, an outermost insulation jacket; and (2) smart connectors and electronics capable of producing and detecting electronic signals, and a central processing unit (CPU) for data collection and analysis. The wire is constructed by applying the inner insulation films to the conductor, followed by the outer insulation jacket. The conductive layer or ICP is on the outer surface of the inner insulation film. One or more wires are connected to the CPU using the smart connectors, and up to 64 wires can be monitored in real-time. The ISWDDS uses time domain reflectometry for damage detection. A fast-risetime pulse is injected into either the core conductor or conductive layer and referenced against the other conductor, producing transmission line behavior. If either conductor is damaged, then the signal is reflected. By knowing the speed of propagation of the pulse, and the time it takes to reflect, one can calculate the distance to and location of the damage.

Ozone generation in a kHz-pulsed He-O2 capillary dielectric barrier discharge operated in ambient air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sands, Brian L.; Ganguly, Biswa N.

2013-12-01

The generation of reactive oxygen species using nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma jet devices has been a subject of recent interest due to their ability to generate localized concentrations from a compact source. To date, such studies with plasma jet devices have primarily utilized radio-frequency excitation. In this work, we characterize ozone generation in a kHz-pulsed capillary dielectric barrier discharge configuration comprised of an active discharge plasma jet operating in ambient air that is externally grounded. The plasma jet flow gas was composed of helium with an admixture of up to 5% oxygen. A unipolar voltage pulse train with a 20 ns pulse risetime was used to drive the discharge at repetition rates between 2-25 kHz. Using UVLED absorption spectroscopy centered at 255 nm near the Hartley-band absorption peak, ozone was detected over 1 cm from the capillary axis. We observed roughly linear scaling of ozone production with increasing pulse repetition rate up to a "turnover frequency," beyond which ozone production steadily dropped and discharge current and 777 nm O(5P→5S°) emission sharply increased. The turnover in ozone production occurred at higher pulse frequencies with increasing flow rate and decreasing applied voltage with a common energy density of 55 mJ/cm3 supplied to the discharge. The limiting energy density and peak ozone production both increased with increasing O2 admixture. The power dissipated in the discharge was obtained from circuit current and voltage measurements using a modified parallel plate dielectric barrier discharge circuit model and the volume-averaged ozone concentration was derived from a 2D ozone absorption measurement. From these measurements, the volume-averaged efficiency of ozone production was calculated to be 23 g/kWh at conditions for peak ozone production of 41 mg/h at 11 kV applied voltage, 3% O2, 2 l/min flow rate, and 13 kHz pulse repetition rate, with 1.79 W dissipated in the discharge.

An electrodynamic description of lightning return strokes and dart leaders: Guided wave propagation along conducting cylindrical channels

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

Borovsky, J.E.

1995-02-20

The return-stroke breakdown pulse and the dart leader are treated as electric waves guided by conducting lightning channels; such waves are launched when current is injected into a conducting channel (producing the dart leader) or when charge on a channel begins to drain to Earth (producing the return stroke). The guided waves are self-consistent solutions to the full set of Maxwell`s equations, obeying the physical boundary conditions for cylindrical channels. These waves are shown (1) to move with velocities substantially slower than c along the channel, (2) to push current inside the lightning channel, (3) to move charge and voltagemore » along the channel, and (4) to transport energy along and into the channel via Poynting flux. The velocity of a guided wave is a function of only three parameters: the channel radius r{sub ch}, the channel temperature T, and the risetime {triangle}t of the wave front. These velocities are found to fall in the range of velocities of return strokes and of dart leaders. The dart leader and the return stroke are caused by the same type of guided electromagnetic waves: the difference in velocity is owed mostly to the difference in channel temperature. In the case of the dart leader the waves deliver Poynting flux along the outside of the channel down from a thundercloud generator to the downward-propagating wave front. At the wave front of the dart leader the delivered energy goes into heating the channel and into storage in the form of E{sup 2}/8{pi} around the newly charged channel. In the case of the return stroke the Poynting flux is localized to the vicinity of the wave front where stored energy E{sup 2}/8{pi} is delivered radially inward onto the channel to heat the channel in the propagating front. The net result of a dart leader and return stroke is that charge is moved from the cloud to the ground and that energy is moved from the cloud onto the channel. 123 refs., 11 figs., 5 tabs.« less

Picosecond Vibrational Spectroscopy of Shocked Energetic Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franken, Jens; Hare, David; Hambir, Selezion; Tas, Guray; Dlott, Dana

1997-07-01

We present a new technique which allows the study of the properties of shock compressed energetic materials via vibrational spectroscopy with a time resolution on the order of 25 ps. Shock waves are generated using a near-IR laser at a repetition rate of 80 shocks per second. Shock pressures up to 5 GPa are obtained; shock risetimes are as short as 25 ps. This technique enables us to estimate shock pressures and temperatures as well as to monitor shock induced chemistry. The shock effects are probed by ps coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS). The sample consists of four layers, a glass plate, a thin polycrystalline layer of an energetic material, a buffer layer and the shock generating layer. The latter is composed of a polymer, a near-IR absorbing dye and a high explosive (RDX) as a pressure booster. The main purpose of the buffer layer, which consists of an inert polymer, is to delay the arrival of the shock wave at the sample by more than 1 ns until after the shock generating layer has ablated away. High quality, high resolution (1 cm-1) low-background vibrational spectra could be obtained. So far this technique has been applied to rather insensitive high explosives such as TATB and NTO. In the upcoming months we are hoping to actually observe chemistry in real time by shocking more sensitive materials. This work was supported by the NSF, the ARO and the AFOSR

Achieving subpixel resolution with time-correlated transient signals in pixelated CdZnTe gamma-ray sensors using a focused laser beam (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ocampo Giraldo, Luis A.; Bolotnikov, Aleksey E.; Camarda, Giuseppe S.; Cui, Yonggang; De Geronimo, Gianluigi; Gul, Rubi; Fried, Jack; Hossain, Anwar; Unlu, Kenan; Vernon, Emerson; Yang, Ge; James, Ralph B.

2017-05-01

High-resolution position-sensitive detectors have been proposed to correct response non-uniformities in Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) crystals by virtually subdividing the detectors area into small voxels and equalizing responses from each voxel. 3D pixelated detectors coupled with multichannel readout electronics are the most advanced type of CZT devices offering many options in signal processing and enhancing detector performance. One recent innovation proposed for pixelated detectors is to use the induced (transient) signals from neighboring pixels to achieve high sub-pixel position resolution while keeping large pixel sizes. The main hurdle in achieving this goal is the relatively low signal induced on the neighboring pixels because of the electrostatic shielding effect caused by the collecting pixel. In addition, to achieve high position sensitivity one should rely on time-correlated transient signals, which means that digitized output signals must be used. We present the results of our studies to measure the amplitude of the pixel signals so that these can be used to measure positions of the interaction points. This is done with the processing of digitized correlated time signals measured from several adjacent pixels taking into account rise-time and charge-sharing effects. In these measurements we used a focused pulsed laser to generate a 10-micron beam at one milliwatt (650-nm wavelength) over the detector surface while the collecting pixel was moved in cardinal directions. The results include measurements that present the benefits of combining conventional pixel geometry with digital pulse processing for the best approach in achieving sub-pixel position resolution with the pixel dimensions of approximately 2 mm. We also present the sub-pixel resolution measurements at comparable energies from various gamma emitting isotopes.

Improved neutron-gamma discrimination for a 3He neutron detector using subspace learning methods

DOE PAGES

Wang, C. L.; Funk, L. L.; Riedel, R. A.; ...

2017-02-10

3He gas based neutron linear-position-sensitive detectors (LPSDs) have been applied for many neutron scattering instruments. Traditional Pulse-Height Analysis (PHA) for Neutron-Gamma Discrimination (NGD) resulted in the neutron-gamma efficiency ratio on the orders of 10 5-10 6. The NGD ratios of 3He detectors need to be improved for even better scientific results from neutron scattering. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) analyses of waveforms were proposed for obtaining better NGD ratios, based on features extracted from rise-time, pulse amplitude, charge integration, a simplified Wiener filter, and the cross-correlation between individual and template waveforms of neutron and gamma events. Fisher linear discriminant analysis (FLDA)more » and three multivariate analyses (MVAs) of the features were performed. The NGD ratios are improved by about 10 2-10 3 times compared with the traditional PHA method. Finally, our results indicate the NGD capabilities of 3He tube detectors can be significantly improved with subspace-learning based methods, which may result in a reduced data-collection time and better data quality for further data reduction.« less

The Influence of Modulated Signal Risetime in Flight Electronics Radiated Immunity Testing with a Mode-Stirred Chamber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ely, Jay J.; Nguyen, Truong X.; Scearce, Stephen A.

2000-01-01

For electromagnetic immunity testing of an electronic system, it is desirable to demonstrate its functional integrity when exposed to the full range and intensity of environmental electromagnetic threats that may be encountered over its operational life. As part of this, it is necessary to show proper system operation when exposed to representative threat signal modulations. Modulated signal transition time is easily overlooked, but can be highly significant to system susceptibility. Radiated electromagnetic field immunity testing is increasingly being performed in Mode Stirred Chambers. Because the peak field vs. time relationship is affected by the operation of a reverberating room, it is important to understand how the room may influence any input signal modulation characteristics. This paper will provide insight into the field intensity vs. time relationship within the test environment of a mode stirred chamber. An understanding of this relationship is important to EMC engineers in determining what input signal modulation characteristics will be transferred to the equipment under test. References will be given for the development of this topic, and experimental data will be presented

Numerical prediction of meteoric infrasound signatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nemec, Marian; Aftosmis, Michael J.; Brown, Peter G.

2017-06-01

We present a thorough validation of a computational approach to predict infrasonic signatures of centimeter-sized meteoroids. This is the first direct comparison of computational results with well-calibrated observations that include trajectories, optical masses and ground pressure signatures. We assume that the energy deposition along the meteor trail is dominated by atmospheric drag and simulate a steady, inviscid flow of air in thermochemical equilibrium to compute a near-body pressure signature of the meteoroid. This signature is then propagated through a stratified and windy atmosphere to the ground using a methodology from aircraft sonic-boom analysis. The results show that when the source of the signature is the cylindrical Mach-cone, the simulations closely match the observations. The prediction of the shock rise-time, the zero-peak amplitude of the waveform and the duration of the positive pressure phase are consistently within 10% of the measurements. Uncertainty in primarily the shape of the meteoroid results in a poorer prediction of the trailing part of the waveform. Overall, our results independently verify energy deposition estimates deduced from optical observations.

On the Minimization of Fluctuations in the Response Times of Autoregulatory Gene Networks

PubMed Central

Murugan, Rajamanickam; Kreiman, Gabriel

2011-01-01

The temporal dynamics of the concentrations of several proteins are tightly regulated, particularly for critical nodes in biological networks such as transcription factors. An important mechanism to control transcription factor levels is through autoregulatory feedback loops where the protein can bind its own promoter. Here we use theoretical tools and computational simulations to further our understanding of transcription-factor autoregulatory loops. We show that the stochastic dynamics of feedback and mRNA synthesis can significantly influence the speed of response of autoregulatory genetic networks toward external stimuli. The fluctuations in the response-times associated with the accumulation of the transcription factor in the presence of negative or positive autoregulation can be minimized by confining the ratio of mRNA/protein lifetimes within 1:10. This predicted range of mRNA/protein lifetime agrees with ranges observed empirically in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The theory can quantitatively and systematically account for the influence of regulatory element binding and unbinding dynamics on the transcription-factor concentration rise-times. The simulation results are robust against changes in several system parameters of the gene expression machinery. PMID:21943410

Radial and Azimuthal Velocity Profiles in Gas-Puff Z-Pinches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rocco, Sophia; Engelbrecht, Joseph; Banasek, Jacob; de Grouchy, Philip; Qi, Niansheng; Hammer, David

2016-10-01

The dynamics of neon, argon, and krypton (either singly or in combination) gas puff z-pinch plasmas are studied on Cornell's 1MA, 100-200ns rise-time COBRA pulsed power generator. The triple-nozzle gas puff valve, consisting of two annular gas puffs and a central jet, allows radial tailoring of the gas puff mass-density profile and the use of 1, 2 or 3 different gases at different pressures. Interferometry supplies information on sheath thickness and electron density, variously filtered PCDs and silicon diodes measure hard and soft x-ray production, and multi frame visible and extreme UV imaging systems allow tracking of the morphology of the plasma. A 527nm, 10J Thomson scattering diagnostic system is used to determine radial and azimuthal velocities. Implosion velocities of 170km/s (Kr) and 300km/s (Ne/Ar) are observed. We are investigating the correlations between instability growth, plasma density profile, velocity partitioning as a function of radius, and radiation production. Research supported by the NNSA Stewardship Sciences Academic Programs under DOE Cooperative Agreement No. DE-NA0001836.

Shock characterization of TOAD pins

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

Weirick, L.J.; Navarro, N.J.

1995-08-01

The purpose of this program was to characterize Time Of Arrival Detectors (TOAD) pins response to shock loading with respect to risetime, amplitude, repeatability and consistency. TOAD pins were subjected to impacts of 35 to 420 kilobars amplitude and approximately 1 ms pulse width to investigate the timing spread of four pins and the voltage output profile of the individual pins. Sets of pins were also aged at 45{degrees}, 60{degrees}, and 80{degrees}C for approximately nine weeks before shock testing at 315 kilobars impact stress. Four sets of pins were heated to 50.2{degrees}C (125{degrees}F) for approximately two hours and then impactedmore » at either 50 or 315 kilobars. Also, four sets of pins were aged at 60{degrees}C for nine weeks and then heated to 50.2{degrees}C before shock testing at 50 and 315 kilobars impact stress, respectively. Particle velocity measurements at the contact point between the stainless steel targets and TOAD pins were made using a Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector (VISAR) to monitor both the amplitude and profile of the shock waves.« less

Compression wave studies in Blair dolomite

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

Grady, D.E.; Hollenbach, R.E.; Schuler, K.W.

Dynamic compression wave studies have been conducted on Blair dolomite in the stress range of 0-7.0 GPa. Impact techniques were used to generate stress impulse input functions, and diffuse surface laser interferometry provided the dynamic instrumentation. Experimental particle velocity profiles obtained by this method were coupled with the conservation laws of mass and momentum to determine the stress-strain and stress-modulus constitutive properties of the material. Comparison between dynamic and quasistatic uniaxial stress-strain curves uncovered significant differences. Energy dissipated in a complete load and unload cycle differed by almost an order of magnitude and the longitudinal moduli differed by as muchmore » as a factor of two. Blair dolomite was observed to yield under dynamic loading at 2.5 GPa. Below 2.5 GPa the loading waves had a finite risetime and exhibited steady propagation. A finite linear viscoelastic constitutive model satisfactorily predicted the observed wave propagation. We speculate that dynamic properties of preexisting cracks provides a physical mechanism for both the rate dependent steady wave behavior and the difference between dynamic and quasistatic response.« less

Calibration and Characterization of the UNCB and Nab Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeck, Bryan; UCNB Collaboration; Nab Collaboration

2017-09-01

The UCNB and Nab experiments are designed to produce precision measurements of the free neutron decay angular correlations B, a, and b. Measurements of B and a require a coincident detection of the proton and electron produced in neutron decay, while for b, which manifests as a subtle shift in the electron energy spectrum, energy resolution better than 3 keV is desired and excellent fidelity for energy reconstruction is required, including characterization of non-linearity to the 10-4 level. To this end, a thick segmented silicon detector with a 100 nm dead layer and a 100 cm active area has been extensively characterized at LANL. The thin dead layer allows protons accelerated to 30 keV to deposit energy above threshold in the active volume of the detector, and the paired amplifer chain, developed at LANL, has a risetime of approximately 40 ns. Comparison of simulation to experiment reveals a detector resolution better than σ = 2.5 keV. A complete characterization of the detector will be presented. This work has been supported by Grants from the US National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy.

Recognising Paleoseismic Events and Slip Styles in Vein Microstructures - is Incrementality Enough?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fagereng, A.; Sibson, R. H.

2008-12-01

'Subduction channels', containing highly sheared, fluid-saturated, trench-fill sediments, are commonly present along subduction thrust interfaces. These shear zones accommodate fast plate boundary slip rates (1~-~10~cm/yr) and exhibit high levels of seismicity, accomplishing slip in a broad range of styles including standard earthquakes, slow slip, non-volcanic tremor and aseismic creep. Exhumed subduction channel fault rocks provide a time-integrated record of these varied slip modes though the degree of overprinting may be considerable. The Chrystalls Beach accretionary mélange, within the Otago Schist accretion-collision assemblage, New Zealand, is analogous to an active subduction channel assemblage. It contains asymmetric lenses of sandstone, chert and minor basalt enclosed within a relatively incompetent, cleaved pelitic matrix. This assemblage has been intensely sheared in a mixed continuous/discontinuous style within a flat-lying, <~4~km thick, shear zone. Ductile structures such as folds, S/C-like structures, and asymmetric boudins and clasts formed by soft sediment deformation and pressure solution creep. An extensive anastomosing vein system can be divided into mutually cross-cutting extension fractures (V1) and slickenfibre shear veins (V2). V1 commonly cut competent lenses within the mélange, while V2 mostly follow lithological contacts. Both vein sets are predominantly elongate-blocky with 'crack-seal' extension and shear increments of 10~- ~100~μm. Little sign of wall rock alteration or heating is present adjacent to V1 veins, which likely formed by incremental hydrofracture with episodic fluid influx. Post-fracture drop in Pf promoted solute precipitation from advecting fluids. This process may reflect fracture and fluid flow in a distributed fault-fracture mesh, an often inferred mechanism of non-volcanic tremor. In contrast, wall rock alteration and pressure solution seams are common adjacent to V2 veins. Slickenfibres on these shear surfaces likely formed by relatively slow dissolution and precipitation of wall rock material, which may translate to a slip mode of rise-time intermediate between earthquakes (seconds - minutes) and aseismic creep (years - infinite). Fibres are typically ≤ 10 cm long, similar to slip observed in slow slip events (rise-time weeks - months). We propose that these veins are possible records of slow slip along weak, fluid-saturated and highly overpressured planes. No definite record of large, fast earthquakes is observed in the complex, either because the rocks never experienced such events, or because significant shear heating was inhibited by thermal pressurisation. The only record of fast events would be discrete planes of cataclasite, easily overprinted by slow interseismic material diffusion. The mélange is a record of episodic, distributed deformation over a range of time- and length-scales, which may reflect distributed seismic activity accommodated by a range of slip modes including episodic tremor and slow slip.

Method to produce American Thoracic Society flow-time waveforms using a mechanical pump.

PubMed

Hankinson, J L; Reynolds, J S; Das, M K; Viola, J O

1997-03-01

The American Thoracic Society (ATS) recently adopted a new set of 26 standard flow-time waveforms for use in testing both diagnostic and monitoring devices. Some of these waveforms have a higher frequency content than present in the ATS-24 standard volume-time waveforms, which, when produced by a mechanical pump, may result in a pump flow output that is less than the desired flow due to gas compression losses within the pump. To investigate the effects of gas compression, a mechanical pump was used to generate the necessary flows to test mini-Wright and Assess peak expiratory flow (PEF) meters. Flow output from the pump was measured by two different independent methods, a pneumotachometer and a method based on piston displacement and pressure measured within the pump. Measuring output flow based on piston displacement and pressure has been validated using a pneumotachometer and mini-Wright PEF meter, and found to accurately measure pump output. This method introduces less resistance (lower back-pressure) and dead space volume than using a pneumotachometer in series with the meter under test. Pump output flow was found to be lower than the desired flow both with the mini-Wright and Assess meters (for waveform No. 26, PEFs 7.1 and 10.9% lower, respectively). To compensate for losses due to gas compression, we have developed a method of deriving new input waveforms, which, when used to drive a commercially available mechanical pump, accurately and reliably produces the 26 ATS flow-time waveforms, even those with the fastest rise-times.

Multipactor Physics, Acceleration, and Breakdown in Dielectric-Loaded Accelerating Structures

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

Fischer, Richard P.; Gold, Steven H.

2016-07-01

The objective of this 3-year program is to study the physics issues associated with rf acceleration in dielectric-loaded accelerating (DLA) structures, with a focus on the key issue of multipactor loading, which has been found to cause very significant rf power loss in DLA structures whenever the rf pulsewidth exceeds the multipactor risetime (~10 ns). The experiments are carried out in the X-band magnicon laboratory at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and Euclid Techlabs LLC, who develop the test structures with support from the DoE SBIR program. There are two main elements inmore » the research program: (1) high-power tests of DLA structures using the magnicon output (20 MW @11.4 GHz), and (2) tests of electron acceleration in DLA structures using relativistic electrons from a compact X-band accelerator. The work during this period has focused on a study of the use of an axial magnetic field to suppress multipactor in DLA structures, with several new high power tests carried out at NRL, and on preparation of the accelerator for the electron acceleration experiments.« less

Delivery and application of precise timing for a traveling wave powerline fault locator system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Street, Michael A.

1990-01-01

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has successfully operated an in-house developed powerline fault locator system since 1986. The BPA fault locator system consists of remotes installed at cardinal power transmission line system nodes and a central master which polls the remotes for traveling wave time-of-arrival data. A power line fault produces a fast rise-time traveling wave which emanates from the fault point and propagates throughout the power grid. The remotes time-tag the traveling wave leading edge as it passes through the power system cardinal substation nodes. A synchronizing pulse transmitted via the BPA analog microwave system on a wideband channel sychronizes the time-tagging counters in the remote units to a different accuracy of better than one microsecond. The remote units correct the raw time tags for synchronizing pulse propagation delay and return these corrected values to the fault locator master. The master then calculates the power system disturbance source using the collected time tags. The system design objective is a fault location accuracy of 300 meters. BPA's fault locator system operation, error producing phenomena, and method of distributing precise timing are described.

Characterization of pulsed atmospheric-pressure plasma streams (PAPS) generated by a plasma gun

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robert, E.; Sarron, V.; Riès, D.; Dozias, S.; Vandamme, M.; Pouvesle, J.-M.

2012-06-01

An experimental study of atmospheric-pressure rare gas plasma propagation in a high-aspect-ratio capillary is reported. The plasma is generated with a plasma gun device based on a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor powered by either nanosecond or microsecond rise-time high-voltage pulses at single-shot to multi-kHz frequencies. The influence of the voltage waveform, pulse polarity, pulse repetition rate and capillary material have been studied using nanosecond intensified charge-coupled device imaging and plasma-front velocity measurements. The evolution of the plasma appearance during its propagation and the study of the role of the different experimental parameters lead us to suggest a new denomination of pulsed atmospheric-pressure plasma streams to describe all the plasma features, including the previously so-called plasma bullet. The unique properties of such non-thermal plasma launching in capillaries, far from the primary DBD plasma, are associated with a fast ionization wave travelling with velocity in the 107-108 cm s-1 range. Voltage pulse tailoring is shown to allow for a significant improvement of such plasma delivery. Thus, the plasma gun device affords unique opportunities in biomedical endoscopic applications.

Shock characterization of toad pins

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

Weirick, L.J.; Navarro, M.J.

1996-05-01

The purpose of this program was to characterize Time Of Arrival Detectors (TOAD) pins response to shock loading with respect to risetime, amplitude, repeatability and consistency. TOAD pins were subjected to impacts of 35 to 420 kilobars amplitude and approximately 1 ms pulse width to investigate the timing spread of four pins and the voltage output profile of the individual pins. Sets of pins were also aged at 45{degree}, 60{degree} and 80{degree}C for approximately nine weeks before shock testing at 315 kilobars impact stress. Four sets of pins were heated to 50.2{degree}C (125{degree}F) for approximately two hours and then impactedmore » at either 50 or 315 kilobars. Also, four sets of pins were aged at 60{degree}C for nine weeks and then heated to 50.2{degree}C before shock testing at 50 and 315 kilobars impact stress, respectively. Particle velocity measurements at the contact point between the stainless steel targets and TOAD pins were made using a Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector (VISAR) to monitor both the amplitude and profile of the shock waves. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Automatic EEG spike detection.

PubMed

Harner, Richard

2009-10-01

Since the 1970s advances in science and technology during each succeeding decade have renewed the expectation of efficient, reliable automatic epileptiform spike detection (AESD). But even when reinforced with better, faster tools, clinically reliable unsupervised spike detection remains beyond our reach. Expert-selected spike parameters were the first and still most widely used for AESD. Thresholds for amplitude, duration, sharpness, rise-time, fall-time, after-coming slow waves, background frequency, and more have been used. It is still unclear which of these wave parameters are essential, beyond peak-peak amplitude and duration. Wavelet parameters are very appropriate to AESD but need to be combined with other parameters to achieve desired levels of spike detection efficiency. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and expert-system methods may have reached peak efficiency. Support Vector Machine (SVM) technology focuses on outliers rather than centroids of spike and nonspike data clusters and should improve AESD efficiency. An exemplary spike/nonspike database is suggested as a tool for assessing parameters and methods for AESD and is available in CSV or Matlab formats from the author at brainvue@gmail.com. Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) is presented as a graphic method for finding better spike parameters and for the step-wise evaluation of the spike detection process.

Investigation of the excited state iodine lifetime in the photodissociation of perfluoroalkyl iodides

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cobb, Stephen H.

1991-01-01

An evaluation of prospective laser materials for a space-based solar pumped laser system over the past decade has resulted in the identification of the iodine photodissociation laser as that system best suited to solar-pumped high energy operation. The active medium for the solar-pumped iodine photodissociation laser is from the family of perfluoroalkyl iodides. These lasants have the general form C(n)F(2n + 1)I, often abbreviated as RI. These iodides are known to exhibit photodissociaiton of the C-I bond when irradiated by near UV photons. The focus was on the experimental determination of the lifetime of the excited iodine atom following photodissociation of C4F9I, and also to monitor fluorescence from the iodine molecule at 500 nm to determine if I2 is being produced in the process. Photodissociation is achieved using an XeCl excimer laser with an output wavelength of 308 nm. The XeCl beam is focused into the middle of a cylindrical quartz cell containing the lasant. The laser pulse is detected with a fast risetime photomultiplier tube as it exits the cell. Other aspects of the investigation are discussed.

Measurement of Effective Drift Velocities of Electrons and Holes in Shallow Multiple Quantum Well P-I Modulators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Ching-Mei

1995-01-01

P-i-n diodes containing multiple quantum wells (MQWs) in the i-region are the building blocks for photonic devices. When we apply electric field across these devices and illuminate it with light, photo-carriers are created in the i-region. These carriers escape from the wells and drift toward the electrodes; thus photo-voltage is created. The rise- and decay-times of photo-voltages are related to the transport of carriers. In this dissertation, we present theoretical and experimental studies on carrier transport mechanisms of three shallow MQW GaAs/Al _{x}Ga_{1-x}As p-i-n diodes (x = 0.02, 0.04, 0.08) at various bias voltages. We start with the description of the sample structures and their package. We then present the characteristics of these samples including their transmission spectra and responsivity. We will demonstrate that the over-all high quality of these samples, including a strong exciton resonant absorption, ~100% internal quantum efficiencies and completely depleted i-region at bias between +0.75 V to -5 V bias. In our theoretical studies, we first discuss the possible carrier sweep-out mechanisms and estimate the response times associated with these mechanisms. Based on our theoretical model, we conclude that only the drift times of carriers and enhanced diffusion times are important for shallow MQW p-i-n diodes: at high bias, the fast drift times of electrons and holes control the rise-times; at low bias, the slow drift times of holes and the enhanced diffusion times control the decay-times. We have performed picosecond time-resolved pump/probe electro-absorption measurements on these samples. We then obtained the drift times, effective drift velocities and effective mobilities of electrons and holes for these devices. We find that the carrier effective drift velocities (especially for holes) seemed insensitive to the Al concentration in the barriers (in the range of x = 2% to 8%), even though the x = 2% sample does show an overall faster response time. We think the slight difference of the rise- and decay-times of these devices may also be affected by random differences between the samples.

Effects of Low-Field Magnetic Stimulation on Brain Glucose Metabolism

PubMed Central

Volkow, Nora D.; Tomasi, Dardo; Wang, Gene-Jack; Fowler, Joanna S.; Telang, Frank; Wang, Ruiliang; Alexoff, Dave; Logan, Jean; Wong, Christopher; Pradhan, Kith; Caparelli, Elisabeth C.; Ma, Yeming; Jayne, Millard

2010-01-01

Echo Planar imaging (EPI), the gold standard technique for functional MRI (fMRI), is based on fast magnetic field gradient switching. These time-varying magnetic fields induce electric (E) fields in the brain that could influence neuronal activity; but this has not been tested. Here we assessed the effects of EPI on brain glucose metabolism (marker of brain function) using PET and 18F 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18FDG). Fifteen healthy subjects were in a 4 T magnet during the 18FDG uptake period twice: with (ON) and without (OFF) EPI gradients pulses along the z-axis (Gz: 23 mT/m; 250 microsecond rise-time; 920 Hz). The E-field from these EPI pulses is non-homogeneous, increasing linearly from the gradient’s isocenter (radial and z directions), which allowed us to assess the correlation between local strength of the E-field and the regional metabolic differences between ON and OFF sessions. Metabolic images were normalized to metabolic activity in the plane positioned at the gradient’s isocenter where E=0 for both ON and OFF conditions. Statistical parametric analyses used to identify regions that differed between ON versus OFF (p<0.05, corrected) showed that the relative metabolism was lower in areas at the poles of the brain (inferior occipital and frontal and superior parietal cortices) for ON than for OFF, which was also documented with individual region of interest analysis. Moreover the magnitude of the metabolic decrements was significantly correlated with the estimated strength of E (r=0.68, p<0.0001); the stronger the E-field the larger the decreases. However, we did not detect differences between ON versus OFF conditions on mood ratings nor on absolute whole brain metabolism. This data provides preliminary evidence that EPI sequences may affect neuronal activity and merits further investigation. PMID:20156571

Modeling time-dependent corrosion fatigue crack propagation in 7000 series aluminum alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mason, Mark E.; Gangloff, Richard P.

1994-01-01

Stress corrosion cracking and corrosion fatigue experiments were conducted with the susceptible S-L orientation of AA7075-T651, immersed in acidified and inhibited NaCl solution, to provide a basis for incorporating environmental effects into fatigue crack propagation life prediction codes such as NASA FLAGRO. This environment enhances da/dN by five to ten-fold compared to fatigue in moist air. Time-based crack growth rates from quasi-static load experiments are an order of magnitude too small for accurate linear superposition prediction of da/dN for loading frequencies above 0.001 Hz. Alternate methods of establishing da/dt, based on rising-load or ripple-load-enhanced crack tip strain rate, do not increase da/dt and do not improve linear superposition. Corrosion fatigue is characterized by two regimes of frequency dependence; da/dN is proportional to f(exp -1) below 0.001 Hz and to F(exp 0) to F(exp -0.1) for higher frequencies. Da/dN increases mildly both with increasing hold-time at K(sub max) and with increasing rise-time for a range of loading waveforms. The mild time-dependence is due to cycle-time-dependent corrosion fatigue growth. This behavior is identical for S-L nd L-T crack orientations. The frequency response of environmental fatigue in several 7000 series alloys is variable and depends on undefined compositional or microstructural variables. Speculative explanations are based on the effect of Mg on occluded crack chemistry and embritting hydrogen uptake, or on variable hydrogen diffusion in the crack tip process zone. Cracking in the 7075/NaCl system is adequately described for life prediction by linear superposition for prolonged load-cycle periods, and by a time-dependent upper bound relationship between da/dN and delta K for moderate loading times.

Effect of Young's modulus on bubble formation and pressure waves during pulsed holmium ablation of tissue phantoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jansen, E. Duco; Asshauer, Thomas; Frenz, Martin; Delacretaz, Guy P.; Motamedi, Massoud; Welch, Ashley J.

1995-05-01

Mechanical injury during pulsed laser ablation of tissue is caused by rapid bubble expansions and collapse or by laser-induced pressure waves. In this study the effect of material elasticity on the ablation process has been investigated. Polyacrylamide tissue phantoms with various water concentrations (75-95%) were made. The Young's moduli of the gels were determined by measuring the stress-strain relationship. An optical fiber (200 or 400 micrometers ) was translated into the clear gel and one pulse of holmium:YAG laser radiation was given. The laser was operated in either the Q-switched mode (tau) p equals 500 ns, Qp equals 14 +/- 1 mJ, 200 micrometers fiber, Ho equals 446 mJ/mm2) or the free-running mode ((tau) p equals 100 microsecond(s) , Qp equals 200 +/- 5 mJ, 400 micrometers fiber, Ho equals 1592 mJ/mm2). Bubble formation inside the gels was recorded using a fast flash photography setup while simultaneously recording pressures with a PVDP needle hydrophone (40 ns risetime) positioned in the gel, approximately 2 mm away from the fibertip. A thermo-elastic expansion wave was measured only during Q-switched pulse delivery. The amplitude of this wave (approximately equals 40 bar at 1 mm from the fiber) did not vary significantly in any of the phantoms investigated. Rapid bubble formation and collapse was observed inside the clear gels. Upon bubble collapse, a pressure transient was emitted; the amplitude of this transient depended strongly on bubble size and geometry. It was found that (1) the bubble was almost spherical for the Q-switched pulse and became more elongated for the free-running pulse, and (2) the maximum bubble size and thus the collapse amplitude decreased with an increase in Young's modulus (from 68 +/- 11 bar at 1 mm in 95% water gel to 25 +/- 10 bar at 1 mm in 75% water gel).

LINE IDENTIFICATIONS OF TYPE I SUPERNOVAE: ON THE DETECTION OF Si II FOR THESE HYDROGEN-POOR EVENTS

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

Parrent, J. T.; Milisavljevic, D.; Soderberg, A. M.

2016-03-20

Here we revisit line identifications of type I supernovae (SNe I) and highlight trace amounts of unburned hydrogen as an important free parameter for the composition of the progenitor. Most one-dimensional stripped-envelope models of supernovae indicate that observed features near 6000–6400 Å in type I spectra are due to more than Si ii λ6355. However, while an interpretation of conspicuous Si ii λ6355 can approximate 6150 Å absorption features for all SNe Ia during the first month of free expansion, similar identifications applied to 6250 Å features of SNe Ib and Ic have not been as successful. When the corresponding synthetic spectra aremore » compared with high-quality timeseries observations, the computed spectra are frequently too blue in wavelength. Some improvement can be achieved with Fe ii lines that contribute redward of 6150 Å; however, the computed spectra either remain too blue or the spectrum only reaches a fair agreement when the rise-time to peak brightness of the model conflicts with observations by a factor of two. This degree of disagreement brings into question the proposed explosion scenario. Similarly, a detection of strong Si ii λ6355 in the spectra of broadlined Ic and super-luminous events of type I/R is less convincing despite numerous model spectra used to show otherwise. Alternatively, we suggest 6000–6400 Å features are possibly influenced by either trace amounts of hydrogen or blueshifted absorption and emission in Hα, the latter being an effect which is frequently observed in the spectra of hydrogen-rich, SNe II.« less

Time-Resolved Photoluminescence Spectroscopy Of The Carrier Dynamics In GaAs/AlxGa1-xAs Quantum Wells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Polland, Hans J.; Kuhl, Jurgen; Gobel, Ernst O.

1988-08-01

Picosecond photoluminescence experiments at low temperature (6K) have been employed to study the trapping dynamics of photoexcited carriers in GaAs/AlGaAs single quantum wells for different shapes of the AlxGai_xAs confinement layers. We have obtained the following results by analyzing the spectral and temporal distribution of the photoluminescence after picosecond pulse excitation: Trapping efficiency is ==, 40% for a standard ungraded cladding layer (A10.3G1.7As with constant band gap and 5nm thick wells) but increases to ,-, 60% and 100% for samp es with a spatially parabolic or linear band gap profile of the confinement layers, respectively. Trapping times are appreciably shorter than the luminescence risetime which is between 60ps to 100ps. Thus carrier trapping does not impose severe limitations on the modulation speed of single quantum well devices up to frequencies in the order of 10GHz. Similar results are obtained for a well with a width of 1.2nm. Inhomogeneities in the carrier trapping mechanism due to well width fluctuations are not observed in our samples. In the second part we describe the photoluminescence properties of GaAs/A1,Gai_x As quantum wells (x=0.3) under the influence of electric fields perpendicular to the layers. We observe a drastic red shift and a concomitant strong increase of the electron-hole recombination lifetime for well widths > lOnm due to the quantum-confined Stark effect. At high fields (50-100kV/cm) field ionization due to tunneling leads to a decrease of both the photoluminescence yield and decay time, in accordance with a simple WKB theory

A global search inversion for earthquake kinematic rupture history: Application to the 2000 western Tottori, Japan earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Piatanesi, A.; Cirella, A.; Spudich, P.; Cocco, M.

2007-01-01

We present a two-stage nonlinear technique to invert strong motions records and geodetic data to retrieve the rupture history of an earthquake on a finite fault. To account for the actual rupture complexity, the fault parameters are spatially variable peak slip velocity, slip direction, rupture time and risetime. The unknown parameters are given at the nodes of the subfaults, whereas the parameters within a subfault are allowed to vary through a bilinear interpolation of the nodal values. The forward modeling is performed with a discrete wave number technique, whose Green's functions include the complete response of the vertically varying Earth structure. During the first stage, an algorithm based on the heat-bath simulated annealing generates an ensemble of models that efficiently sample the good data-fitting regions of parameter space. In the second stage (appraisal), the algorithm performs a statistical analysis of the model ensemble and computes a weighted mean model and its standard deviation. This technique, rather than simply looking at the best model, extracts the most stable features of the earthquake rupture that are consistent with the data and gives an estimate of the variability of each model parameter. We present some synthetic tests to show the effectiveness of the method and its robustness to uncertainty of the adopted crustal model. Finally, we apply this inverse technique to the well recorded 2000 western Tottori, Japan, earthquake (Mw 6.6); we confirm that the rupture process is characterized by large slip (3-4 m) at very shallow depths but, differently from previous studies, we imaged a new slip patch (2-2.5 m) located deeper, between 14 and 18 km depth. Copyright 2007 by the American Geophysical Union.

Sleep and Physiological Dysregulation: A Closer Look at Sleep Intraindividual Variability.

PubMed

Bei, Bei; Seeman, Teresa E; Carroll, Judith E; Wiley, Joshua F

2017-09-01

Variable daily sleep (ie, higher intraindividual variability; IIV) is associated with negative health consequences, but potential physiological mechanisms are poorly understood. This study examined how the IIV of sleep timing, duration, and quality is associated with physiological dysregulation, with diurnal cortisol trajectories as a proximal outcome and allostatic load (AL) as a multisystem distal outcome. Participants are 436 adults (Mage ± standard deviation = 54.1 ± 11.7, 60.3% women) from the Midlife in the United States study. Sleep was objectively assessed using 7-day actigraphy. Diurnal cortisol was measured via saliva samples (four/day for 4 consecutive days). AL was measured using 23 biomarkers from seven systems (inflammatory, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, metabolic glucose and lipid, cardiovascular, parasympathetic, sympathetic) using a validated bifactor model. Linear and quadratic effects of sleep IIV were estimated using a validated Bayesian model. Controlling for covariates, more variable sleep timing (p = .04 for risetime, p = .097 for bedtime) and total sleep time (TST; p = .02), but not mean sleep variables, were associated with flatter cortisol diurnal slope. More variable sleep onset latency and wake after sleep onset, later average bedtime, and shorter TST were associated with higher AL adjusting for age and sex (p-values < .05); after controlling for all covariates, however, only later mean bedtime remained significantly associated with higher AL (p = .04). In a community sample of adults, more variable sleep patterns were associated with blunted diurnal cortisol trajectories but not with higher multisystem physiological dysregulation. The associations between sleep IIV and overall health are likely complex, including multiple biopsychosocial determinants and require further investigation. © Sleep Research Society 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Sleep Research Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.

Short-Lived Electronically-Excited Diatomic Molecules Cooled via Supersonic Expansion from a Plasma Microjet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Houlahan, Thomas J., Jr.; Su, Rui; Eden, Gary

2014-06-01

Using a pulsed plasma microjet to generate short-lived, electronically-excited diatomic molecules, and subsequently ejecting them into vacuum to cool via supersonic expansion, we are able to monitor the cooling of molecules having radiative lifetimes as low as 16 ns. Specifically, we report on the rotational cooling of He_2 molecules in the d^3Σ_u^+, e^3Π_g, and f^3Σ_u^+ states, which have lifetimes of 25 ns, 67 ns, and 16 ns, respectively. The plasma microjet is driven with a 2.6 kV, 140 ns high-voltage pulse (risetime of 20 ns) which, when combined with a high-speed optical imaging system, allows the nonequilibrium rotational distribution for these molecular states to be monitored as they cool from 1200 K to below 250 K with spatial and temporal resolutions of below 10 μm and 10 ns, respectively. The spatial and temporal resolution afforded by this system also allows the observation of excitation transfer between the f^3Σ_u^+ state and the lower lying d^3Σ_u^+ and e^3Π_g states. The extension of this method to other electronically excited diatomics with excitation energies >5 eV will also be discussed.

Time-resolved fluorescence polarization spectroscopy of visible and near infrared dyes in picosecond dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pu, Yang; Alfano, Robert R.

2015-03-01

Near-infrared (NIR) dyes absorb and emit light within the range from 700 to 900 nm have several benefits in biological studies for one- and/or two-photon excitation for deeper penetration of tissues. These molecules undergo vibrational and rotational motion in the relaxation of the excited electronic states, Due to the less than ideal anisotropy behavior of NIR dyes stemming from the fluorophores elongated structures and short fluorescence lifetime in picosecond range, no significant efforts have been made to recognize the theory of these dyes in time-resolved polarization dynamics. In this study, the depolarization of the fluorescence due to emission from rotational deactivation in solution will be measured with the excitation of a linearly polarized femtosecond laser pulse and a streak camera. The theory, experiment and application of the ultrafast fluorescence polarization dynamics and anisotropy are illustrated with examples of two of the most important medical based dyes. One is NIR dye, namely Indocyanine Green (ICG) and is compared with Fluorescein which is in visible range with much longer lifetime. A set of first-order linear differential equations was developed to model fluorescence polarization dynamics of NIR dye in picosecond range. Using this model, the important parameters of ultrafast polarization spectroscopy were identified: risetime, initial time, fluorescence lifetime, and rotation times.

X-radiation /E greater than 10 keV/, H-alpha and microwave emission during the impulsive phase of solar flares.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vorpahl, J. A.

1972-01-01

A study has been made of the variation in hard (E greater than 10 keV) X-radiation, H-alpha and microwave emission during the impulsive phase of solar flares. Analysis shows that the rise-time in the 20-30-keV X-ray spike depends on the electron hardness. The impulsive phase is also marked by an abrupt, very intense increase in H-alpha emission in one or more knots of the flare. Properties of these H-alpha kernels include: (1) a luminosity several times greater than the surrounding flare, (2) an intensity rise starting about 20-30 sec before, peaking about 20-25 sec after, and lasting about twice as long as the hard spike, (3) a location lower in the chromosphere than the remaining flare, (4) essentially no expansion prior to the hard spike, and (5) a position within 6000 km of the boundary separating polarities, usually forming on both sides of the neutral line near both feet of the same tube of force. Correspondingly, impulsive microwave events are characterized by: (1) great similarity in burst structure with 20-32 keV X-rays but only above 5000 MHz, (2) typical low frequency burst cutoff between 1400-3800 MHz, and (3) maximum emission above 7500 MHz.

Unraveling shock-induced chemistry using ultrafast lasers

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

Moore, David Steven

The exquisite time synchronicity between shock and diagnostics needed to unravel chemical events occurring in picoseconds has been achieved using a shaped ultrafast laser pulse to both drive the shocks and interrogate the sample via a multiplicity of optical diagnostics. The shaped laser drive pulse can produce well-controlled shock states of sub-ns duration with sub-10 ps risetimes, sufficient for investigation offast reactions or phase transformations in a thin layer with picosecond time resolution. The shock state is characterized using ultrafast dynamic ellipsometry (UDE) in either planar or Gaussian spatial geometries, the latter allowing measurements of the equation of state ofmore » materials at a range of stresses in a single laser pulse. Time-resolved processes in materials are being interrogated using UDE, ultrafast infrared absorption, ultrafast UV/visible absorption, and femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy. Using these tools we showed that chemistry in an energetic thin film starts only after an induction time of a few tens of ps, an observation that allows differentiation between proposed shock-induced reaction mechanisms. These tools are presently being applied to a variety of energetic and reactive sample systems, from nitromethane and carbon disulfide, to microengineered interfaces in tunable energetic mixtures. Recent results will be presented, and future trends outlined.« less

Report on the Brookhaven Solar Neutrino Experiment

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Davis, R. Jr.; Evans, J. C. Jr.

1976-09-22

This report is intended as a brief statement of the recent developments and results of the Brookhaven Solar Neutrino Experiment communicated through Professor G. Kocharov to the Leningrad conference on active processes on the sun and the solar neutrino problem. The report summarizes the results of experiments performed over a period of 6 years, from April 1970 to January 1976. Neutrino detection depends upon the neutrino capture reaction /sup 37/Cl(..nu..,e/sup -/)/sup 37/Ar producing the isotope /sup 37/Ar (half life of 35 days). The detector contains 3.8 x 10/sup 5/ liters of C/sub 2/Cl/sub 4/ (2.2 x 10/sup 30/ atoms of /sup 37/Cl) and is located at a depth of 4400 meters of water equivalent (m.w.e.) in the Homestake Gold Mine at Lead, South Dakota, U.S.A. The procedures for extracting /sup 37/Ar and the counting techniques used were described in previous reports. The entire recovered argon sample was counted in a small gas proportional counter. Argon-37 decay events were characterized by the energy of the Auger electrons emitted following the electron capture decay and by the rise-time of the pulse. Counting measurements were continued for a period sufficiently long to observe the decay of /sup 37/Ar.

Development of Metallic Magnetic Calorimeters for High Precision Measurements of Calorimetric Re-187 and Ho-163 Spectra

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ranitzsch, P. C.-O.; Porst, J.-P.; Kempf, S.; Pies, C.; Schafer, S.; Hengstler, D.; Fleischmann, A.; Enss, C.; Gastaldo, L.

2012-01-01

The measurement of calorimetric spectra following atomic weak decays, beta (b) and electron capture (EC), of nuclides having a very low Q-value, can provide an impressively high sensitivity to a non-vanishing neutrino mass. The achievable sensitivity in this kind of experiments is directly connected to the performance of the used detectors. In particular an energy resolution of a few eV and a pulse formation time well below 1 microsecond are required. Low temperature Metallic Magnetic Calorimeters (MMCs) for soft X-rays have already shown an energy resolution of 2.0 eV FWHM and a pulse rise-time of about 90 ns for fully micro-fabricated detectors. We present the use of MMCs for high precision measurements of calorimetric spectra following the beta-decay of Re-187 and the EC of Ho-163. We show results obtained with detectors optimized for Re-187 and for Ho-163 experiments respectively. While the detectors equipped with superconducting Re absorbers have not yet reached the aimed performance, a first detector prototype with a Au absorber having implanted Ho-163 ions already shows excellent results. An energy resolution of 12 eV FWHM and a rise time of 90 ns were measured.

Effect of pulse duration on photomechanical response of soft tissue during Ho:YAG laser ablation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jansen, E. Duco; Motamedi, Massoud; Pfefer, T. Joshua; Asshauer, Thomas; Frenz, Martin; Delacretaz, Guy P.; Abela, George S.; Welch, Ashley J.

1995-05-01

Mechanical injury during pulsed holmium laser ablation of tissue is caused by rapid bubble expansion and collapse or by laser-induced pressure waves. In this study the effect of pulse duration on the photomechanical response of soft tissue during holmium:YAG laser ablation has been investigated. The dynamics of laser-induced bubble formation was documented in water and in transparent polyacrylamide tissue phantoms with a water concentration of 84%. Holmium:YAG laser radiation ((lambda) equals 2.12 micrometers ) was delivered in water or tissue phantoms via an optical fiber (200 or 400 micrometers ). The laser was operated in either the Q- switched mode ((tau) p equals 500 ns, Qp equals 14 +/- 1 mJ, 200 micrometers fiber, Ho equals 446 mJ/mm2) or the free-running mode ((tau) p equals 100 - 1100 microsecond(s) , Qp equals 200 +/- 5 mJ, 400 micrometers fiber, Ho equals 1592 mJ/mm2). Bubble formation was documented using a fast flash photography setup while simultaneously a PVDP needle hydrophone (40 ns risetime), recorded pressures. The effect of the pulse duration on the photomechanical response of soft biological tissue was evaluated by delivering 5 pulses of 800 mJ to the intimal side of porcine aorta in vitro, followed by histologic evaluation. It was observed that, as the pulse duration was increased the bubble shape changed from almost spherical for Q-switched pulses to a more elongated, cylindrical shape for the longer pulse durations. The bubble expansion velocity was larger for shorter pulse durations. A thermo- elastic expansion wave was measured only during Q-switched pulse delivery. All pulses that induced bubble formation generated pressure waves upon collapse of the bubble in water as well as in the gel. The amplitude of the pressure wave depended strongly on the size and geometry of the laser-induced bubble. The important findings of this study were (1) the magnitude of collapse pressure wave decreased as laser pulse duration increased, and (2) mechanical tissue damage is reduced significantly by using longer pulse durations (> 460 microsecond(s) , for the pulse energy used).

High precision moving magnet chopper for variable operation conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aicher, Winfried; Schmid, Manfred

1994-01-01

In the context of an ESTEC technology contract, a Chopping Mechanism was developed and built with the Far Infrared and Submillimeter Telescope (FIRST) astronomy mission as a reference. The task of the mechanism is to tilt the subreflector of the telescope with an assumed mass of 2.5 kg about one chopping axis at nominal frequencies of up to 5 Hz and chopping angles of up to +/- 11.25 mrad with high efficiency (minimum time for position change). The chopping axis is required to run through the subreflector vertex. After performing a concept trade-off also considering the low operational temperatures in the 130 K range, a design using moving magnet actuators was found to be the favorite one. In addition, a bearing concept using flexible pivots was chosen to meet the high chopping accuracy required. With this approach, a very reliable design could be realized, since the actuators work without any mechanical contact between its moving and fixed parts, and the only bearings used are two flexible pivots supporting the subreflector mounting interface. The mechanism was completely built in titanium in a lightweight and stiff design. The moving magnet actuators were designed to meet the stringent requirements for minimum risetime (time necessary to move from one angular position to a new one) in the 20 msec range. The angular position and the corresponding chopping frequency as well can be arbitrarily selected by the user.

Phase Transitions in Aluminum Under Shockless Compression at the Z Machine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Jean-Paul; Brown, Justin; Shulenburger, Luke; Knudson, Marcus

2017-06-01

Aluminum 6061 alloy has been used extensively as an electrode material in shockless ramp-wave experiments at the Z Machine. Previous theoretical work suggests that the principal quasi-isentrope in aluminum should pass through two phase transitions at multi-megabar pressures, first from the ambient fcc phase to hcp at around 200 GPa, then to bcc at around 320 GPa. Previous static measurements in a diamond-anvil cell have detected the hcp phase above 200 GPa along the room-temperature isentherm. Recent laser-based dynamic compression experiments have observed both the hcp and bcc phases using X-ray diffraction. Here we present high-accuracy velocity waveform data taken on pure and alloy aluminum materials at the Z Machine under shockless compression with 200-ns rise-time to 400 GPa using copper electrodes and lithium-fluoride windows. These are compared to recent EOS tables developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory, to our own results from diffusion quantum Monte-Carlo calculations, and to multi-phase EOS models with phase-transition kinetics. We find clear evidence of a fast transition around 200 GPa as expected, and a possible suggestion of a slower transition at higher pressure. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE AC04-94AL85000.

Multimodal imaging of temporal processing in typical and atypical language development.

PubMed

Kovelman, Ioulia; Wagley, Neelima; Hay, Jessica S F; Ugolini, Margaret; Bowyer, Susan M; Lajiness-O'Neill, Renee; Brennan, Jonathan

2015-03-01

New approaches to understanding language and reading acquisition propose that the human brain's ability to synchronize its neural firing rate to syllable-length linguistic units may be important to children's ability to acquire human language. Yet, little evidence from brain imaging studies has been available to support this proposal. Here, we summarize three recent brain imaging (functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and magnetoencephalography (MEG)) studies from our laboratories with young English-speaking children (aged 6-12 years). In the first study (fNIRS), we used an auditory beat perception task to show that, in children, the left superior temporal gyrus (STG) responds preferentially to rhythmic beats at 1.5 Hz. In the second study (fMRI), we found correlations between children's amplitude rise-time sensitivity, phonological awareness, and brain activation in the left STG. In the third study (MEG), typically developing children outperformed children with autism spectrum disorder in extracting words from rhythmically rich foreign speech and displayed different brain activation during the learning phase. The overall findings suggest that the efficiency with which left temporal regions process slow temporal (rhythmic) information may be important for gains in language and reading proficiency. These findings carry implications for better understanding of the brain's mechanisms that support language and reading acquisition during both typical and atypical development. © 2014 New York Academy of Sciences.

SU-E-T-87: The Effect of Bleaching Wavelengths on the Regeneration of the Optically Stimulated Luminescence Signal of NanoDot Dosimeters Pre-Exposed to High-Doses.

PubMed

Omotayo, A; Cygler, J; Sawakuchi, G

2012-06-01

To investigate the effect of bleaching wavelengths on the regeneration of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) signals in Al 2 O 3 :C nanoDot dosimeters pre-exposed to high doses. Regeneration is the increase in the OSL signal during storage of a bleached nanoDot that was previously pre-exposed to a high dose. This phenomenon affects the accuracy of a calibration protocol proposed by Jursinic 2010 (Med. Phys. 37:102) in which pre-exposure of nanoDots to a high-dose was used to minimize changes in the sensitivity of the detector as a function of accumulated dose. Al 2 O 3 :C OSLDs of the type nanoDot were used throughout this study. Readout was performed using the microStar reader. Bleaching of the OSLDs was performed with four 26 W fluorescent light bulbs in two modes: (i) directly under the lamps; and (ii) with the aid of a long-pass optical filter placed over the nanoDots, partially blocking wavelengths below 495 nm. Eighteen nanoDots were pre-exposed to 1 kGy dose. Then the pre-exposed nanoDots were bleached in two sets of 9 to very low residual OSL signals using bleaching modes (i) and (ii) for 12 h and 45 h, respectively. The nanoDots were then stored in dark and readout after various time intervals to monitor the regeneration of the OSL signal. We fitted the regeneration of the OSL signal using a saturation function and obtained rise-time values of 563 h and 630 h, for bleaching modes (i) and (ii), respectively. At the saturation level, the equivalent doses were about 1.18 Gy and 0.38 Gy for modes (i) and (ii), respectively. The regeneration rates of nanoDot OSLDs pre-exposed to high doses depend on the bleaching light wavelength used to reset the detectors. A bleaching source that has a low component of wavelengths below 495 nm can minimize the regeneration of the OSL signal. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. © 2012 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Spectroscopic characteristics of H α /OI atomic lines generated by nanosecond pulsed corona-like discharge in deionized water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pongrác, Branislav; Šimek, Milan; Člupek, Martin; Babický, Václav; Lukeš, Petr

2018-03-01

Basic emission fingerprints of nanosecond discharges produced in deionized water by fast rise-time positive high-voltage pulses (duration of 6 ns and amplitude of  +100 kV) in a point-to-plane electrode geometry were investigated by means of time-resolved intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) spectroscopy. Time-resolved emission spectra were measured via ICCD kinetic series during the discharge ignition and later phases over the 350-850 nm spectral range with fixed, either 3 ns or 30 ns, acquisition time and with 3 ns or 30 ns time resolution, respectively. The luminous phase of the initial discharge expansion and its subsequent collapse was characterized by a broadband vis-NIR continuum emission evolving during the first few nanoseconds which shifted more toward the UV with further increase of time. After ~30 ns from the discharge onset, the continuum gradually disappeared followed by the emission of H α and OI atomic lines. The electron densities calculated from the H α profile fit were estimated to be of the order of 1018-1019 cm-3. It is unknown if the H α and OI atomic lines are generated even in earlier times (before ~30 ns) because such signals were not detectable due to the superposition with the strong continuum. However, subsequent events caused by the reflected HV pulses were observed to have significant effects on the emission spectra profiles of the nanosecond discharge. By varying the time delay of the reflected pulse from 45 to 90 ns after the primary pulse, the intensities of the H α /OI atomic lines in the emission spectra of the secondary discharges were clearly visible and their intensities were greater with shorter time delay between primary and reflected pulses. These results indicate that the discharges generated due to the reflected pulses were very likely generated in the non-relaxed environment.

Ultrafast Radiation Detection by Modulation of an Optical Probe Beam

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

Vernon, S P; Lowry, M E

2006-02-22

We describe a new class of radiation sensor that utilizes optical interferometry to measure radiation-induced changes in the optical refractive index of a semiconductor sensor medium. Radiation absorption in the sensor material produces a transient, non-equilibrium, electron-hole pair distribution that locally modifies the complex, optical refractive index of the sensor medium. Changes in the real (imaginary) part of the local refractive index produce a differential phase shift (absorption) of an optical probe used to interrogate the sensor material. In contrast to conventional radiation detectors where signal levels are proportional to the incident energy, signal levels in these optical sensors aremore » proportional to the incident radiation energy flux. This allows for reduction of the sensor form factor with no degradation in detection sensitivity. Furthermore, since the radiation induced, non-equilibrium electron-hole pair distribution is effectively measured ''in place'' there is no requirement to spatially separate and collect the generated charges; consequently, the sensor risetime is of the order of the hot-electron thermalization time {le} 10 fs and the duration of the index perturbation is determined by the carrier recombination time which is of order {approx} 600 fs in, direct-bandgap semiconductors, with a high density of recombination defects; consequently, the optical sensors can be engineered with sub-ps temporal response. A series of detectors were designed, and incorporated into Mach Zehnder and Fabry-Perot interferometer-based detection systems: proof of concept, lower detection sensitivity, Mach-Zehnder detectors were characterized at beamline 6.3 at SSRL; three generations of high sensitivity single element and imaging Fabry-Perot detectors were measured at the LLNL Europa facility. Our results indicate that this technology can be used to provide x-ray detectors and x-ray imaging systems with single x-ray sensitivity and S/N {approx} 30 at x-ray energies {approx} 10 keV.« less

Microshell-tipped optical fibers as sensors of high-pressure pulses in adverse environments

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

Benjamin, R.F.; Mayer, F.J.; Maynard, R.L.

1984-01-01

We have developed and used an optical-fiber sensor for detecting the arrival of strong pressure pulses. The sensor consists of an optical fiber, tipped with a gas-filled microballoon. They have been used successfully in adverse environments including explosives, ballistics and electromagnetic pulses (EMP). The sensor produces a bright optical pulse caused by the rapid shock-heating of a gas, typically argon or xenon, which is confined in the spherical glass or plastic microballoon. The light pulse is transmitted via the optical fiber to a photo detector, usually a streak camera or photomultiplier tube. The microballoon optical sensor (called an optical pinmore » by analogy to standard electrical pins), was originally developed for diagnosing an explosive, pulsed-power generator. Optical pins are required due to the EMP. The optical pins are economical arrival-time indicators because many channels can be recorded by one streak camera. The generator tests and related experiments, involving projectile velocities and detonation velocities of several kilometers per/sec have demonstrated the usefulness of the sensors in explosives and ballistics applications. We have also measured the sensitivity of the optical pins to slowly-moving projectiles and found that a 200 m/sec projectile impacting the microballoon sensor produces a flash having a risetime less than 100 ns and a pulse duration (FWHM) of less than 300 ns. The technical and cost advantages of this optical pin make it potentially useful for many electromagnetic, explosive, and ballistics applications.« less

A 7.2 keV spherical crystal backlighter system for Sandia's Z Pulsed Power Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schollmeier, M.; Knapp, P. F.; Ampleford, D. J.; Loisel, G. P.; Robertson, G.; Shores, J. E.; Smith, I. C.; Speas, C. S.; Porter, J. L.; McBride, R. D.

2016-10-01

Many experiments on Sandia's Z facility, a 30 MA, 100 ns rise-time, pulsed-power driver, use a monochromatic Quartz crystal imaging backlighter system at 1.865 keV (Si Heα) or 6.151 keV (Mn Heα) x-ray energy to radiograph an imploding liner (cylindrical tube) or wire array. The x-ray source is generated by the Z-Beamlet Laser (ZBL), which provides up to 4.5 kJ at 527 nm during a 6 ns window. Radiographs of an imploding thick-walled Beryllium liner at a convergence ratio of about 20 [CR =Rin . (0) /Rin . (t) ] were too opaque to identify the inner surface of the liner with high confidence, demonstrating the need for a higher-energy x-ray backlighter between 6 and 10 keV. We present the design, test and first application of a Ge (335) spherical crystal x-ray backlighter system using the 7.242 keV Co Heα resonance line. The system operates at an almost identical Bragg angle as the existing 1.865 and 6.151 keV backlighters, enhancing our capabilities such as two-color, two-frame radiography, without changing detector shielding hardware. SAND No: SAND2016-6724 A. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corp., for the U.S. DoE NNSA under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

A 7.2 keV spherical x-ray crystal backlighter for two-frame, two-color backlighting at Sandia's Z Pulsed Power Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schollmeier, M. S.; Knapp, P. F.; Ampleford, D. J.; Harding, E. C.; Jennings, C. A.; Lamppa, D. C.; Loisel, G. P.; Martin, M. R.; Robertson, G. K.; Shores, J. E.; Smith, I. C.; Speas, C. S.; Weis, M. R.; Porter, J. L.; McBride, R. D.

2017-10-01

Many experiments on Sandia National Laboratories' Z Pulsed Power Facility—a 30 MA, 100 ns rise-time, pulsed-power driver—use a monochromatic quartz crystal backlighter system at 1.865 keV (Si He α ) or 6.151 keV (Mn He α ) x-ray energy to radiograph an imploding liner (cylindrical tube) or wire array z-pinch. The x-ray source is generated by the Z-Beamlet laser, which provides two 527-nm, 1 kJ, 1-ns laser pulses. Radiographs of imploding, thick-walled beryllium liners at convergence ratios CR above 15 [ C R = r i ( 0 ) / r i ( t ) ] using the 6.151-keV backlighter system were too opaque to identify the inner radius r i of the liner with high confidence, demonstrating the need for a higher-energy x-ray radiography system. Here, we present a 7.242 keV backlighter system using a Ge(335) spherical crystal with the Co He α resonance line. This system operates at a similar Bragg angle as the existing 1.865 keV and 6.151 keV backlighters, enhancing our capabilities for two-color, two-frame radiography without modifying the system integration at Z. The first data taken at Z include 6.2-keV and 7.2-keV two-color radiographs as well as radiographs of low-convergence (CR about 4-5), high-areal-density liner implosions.

A 7.2 keV spherical x-ray crystal backlighter for two-frame, two-color backlighting at Sandia’s Z Pulsed Power Facility

DOE PAGES

Schollmeier, M. S.; Knapp, P. F.; Ampleford, D. J.; ...

2017-10-10

Many experiments on Sandia National Laboratories’ Z Pulsed Power Facility—a 30 MA, 100 ns rise-time, pulsed-power driver—use a monochromatic quartz crystal backlighter system at 1.865 keV (Si He α) or 6.151 keV (Mn He α) x-ray energy to radiograph an imploding liner (cylindrical tube) or wire array z-pinch. The x-ray source is generated by the Z-Beamlet laser, which provides two 527-nm, 1 kJ, 1-ns laser pulses. Radiographs of imploding, thick-walled beryllium liners at convergence ratios C R above 15 [C R=r i(0)/r i(t)] using the 6.151-keV backlighter system were too opaque to identify the inner radius ri of the linermore » with high confidence, demonstrating the need for a higher-energy x-ray radiography system. Here, we present a 7.242 keV backlighter system using a Ge(335) spherical crystal with the Co He α resonance line. This system operates at a similar Bragg angle as the existing 1.865 keV and 6.151 keV backlighters, enhancing our capabilities for two-color, two-frame radiography without modifying the system integration at Z. The first data taken at Z include 6.2-keV and 7.2-keV two-color radiographs as well as radiographs of low-convergence (C R about 4-5), high-areal-density liner implosions.« less

A 7.2 keV spherical x-ray crystal backlighter for two-frame, two-color backlighting at Sandia’s Z Pulsed Power Facility

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

Schollmeier, M. S.; Knapp, P. F.; Ampleford, D. J.

Many experiments on Sandia National Laboratories’ Z Pulsed Power Facility—a 30 MA, 100 ns rise-time, pulsed-power driver—use a monochromatic quartz crystal backlighter system at 1.865 keV (Si He α) or 6.151 keV (Mn He α) x-ray energy to radiograph an imploding liner (cylindrical tube) or wire array z-pinch. The x-ray source is generated by the Z-Beamlet laser, which provides two 527-nm, 1 kJ, 1-ns laser pulses. Radiographs of imploding, thick-walled beryllium liners at convergence ratios C R above 15 [C R=r i(0)/r i(t)] using the 6.151-keV backlighter system were too opaque to identify the inner radius ri of the linermore » with high confidence, demonstrating the need for a higher-energy x-ray radiography system. Here, we present a 7.242 keV backlighter system using a Ge(335) spherical crystal with the Co He α resonance line. This system operates at a similar Bragg angle as the existing 1.865 keV and 6.151 keV backlighters, enhancing our capabilities for two-color, two-frame radiography without modifying the system integration at Z. The first data taken at Z include 6.2-keV and 7.2-keV two-color radiographs as well as radiographs of low-convergence (C R about 4-5), high-areal-density liner implosions.« less

A new moonquake catalog from Apollo 17 geophone data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dimech, Jesse-Lee; Knapmeyer-Endrun, Brigitte; Weber, Renee

2017-04-01

New lunar seismic events have been detected on geophone data from the Apollo 17 Lunar Seismic Profile Experiment (LSPE). This dataset is already known to contain an abundance of thermal seismic events, and potentially some meteorite impacts, but prior to this study only 26 days of LSPE "listening mode" data has been analysed. In this new analysis, additional listening mode data collected between August 1976 and April 1977 is incorporated. To the authors knowledge these 8-months of data have not yet been used to detect seismic moonquake events. The geophones in question are situated adjacent to the Apollo 17 site in the Taurus-Littrow valley, about 5.5 km east of Lee-Lincoln scarp, and between the North and South Massifs. Any of these features are potential seismic sources. We have used an event-detection and classification technique based on 'Hidden Markov Models' to automatically detect and categorize seismic signals, in order to objectively generate a seismic event catalog. Currently, 2.5 months of the 8-month listening mode dataset has been processed, totaling 14,338 detections. Of these, 672 detections (classification "n1") have a sharp onset with a steep risetime suggesting they occur close to the recording geophone. These events almost all occur in association with lunar sunrise over the span of 1-2 days. One possibility is that these events originate from the nearby Apollo 17 lunar lander due to rapid heating at sunrise. A further 10,004 detections (classification "d1") show strong diurnal periodicity, with detections increasing during the lunar day and reaching a peak at sunset, and therefore probably represent thermal events from the lunar regolith immediately surrounding the Apollo 17 landing site. The final 3662 detections (classification "d2") have emergent onsets and relatively long durations. These detections have peaks associated with lunar sunrise and sunset, but also sometimes have peaks at seemingly random times. Their source mechanism has not yet been investigated. It's possible that many of these are misclassified d1/n1 events, and further QC work needs to be undertaken. But it is also possible that many of these represent more distant thermal moonquakes e.g. from the North and South massif, or even the ridge adjacent to the Lee-Lincoln scarp. The unknown event spikes will be the subject of closer inspection once the HMM technique has been refined.

Assessing the Risk of Crew Injury Due to Dynamic Loads During Spaceflight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Somers, J. T.; Gernhardt, M.; Newby, N.

2014-01-01

Spaceflight requires tremendous amounts of energy to achieve Earth orbit and to attain escape velocity for interplanetary missions. Although the majority of the energy is managed in such a way as to limit the accelerations on the crew, several mission phases may result in crew exposure to dynamic loads. In the automotive industry, risk of serious injury can be tolerated because the probability of a crash is remote each time a person enters a vehicle, resulting in a low total risk of injury. For spaceflight, the level of acceptable injury risk must be lower to achieve a low total risk of injury because the dynamic loads are expected on each flight. To mitigate the risk of injury due to dynamic loads, the NASA Human Research Program has developed a research plan to inform the knowledge gaps and develop relevant tools for assessing injury risk. The risk of injury due to dynamic loads can be further subdivided into extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors. Extrinsic risk factors include the vehicle dynamic profile, seat and restraint design, and spacesuit design. Human tolerance to loads varies considerably depending on the direction, amplitude, and rise-time of acceleration therefore the orientation of the body to the dynamic vector is critical to determining crew risk of injury. Although a particular vehicle dynamic profile may be safe for a particular design, the seat, restraint, and suit designs can affect the risk of injury due to localized effects. In addition, characteristics intrinsic to the crewmember may also contribute to the risk of injury, such as crewmember sex, age, anthropometry, and deconditioning due to spaceflight, and each astronaut may have a different risk profile because of these factors. The purpose of the research plan is to address any knowledge gaps in the risk factors to mitigate injury risk. Methods for assessing injury risk have been well documented in other analogous industries and include human volunteer testing, human exposure to dynamic environments, post-mortem human subject (PMHS) testing, animal testing, anthropomorphic test devices (ATD), dynamic models of the human, numerical models of ATDs, and numerical models of the human. Each has inherent strengths and limitations. For example, human volunteer testing is advantageous because a population can be selected that is similar to the astronaut corps; however, because of the inherent ethical limitations, only sub-injurious conditions can be tested. PMHSs can be tested in a variety of conditions including injurious levels, but the responses are not completely analogous to living human subjects. In addition, it is exceedingly difficult to select a PMHS population that is similar to the astronaut corps. ATDs are currently widely used in the automotive industry and military because they are highly repeatable and durable. Unfortunately, because they are mechanical models of the human body, the biofidelity of the responses are limited to dynamic conditions used to validate the ATD. Numerical models of the ATD, in addition to the strengths and limitations for ATDs, are easy to use for a variety of designs before a design is fabricated, but also have additional limitations for ATDs, are easy to use for a variety of designs before a design is fabricated, but also have additional uncertainty. Dynamic models are simple and easy to use, but do not account for localized effects of the seat and suit. Finally, numerical models of the human have the potential to have the most advantages; however, the current models are not validated for the conditions expected during spaceflight. To properly assess spaceflight conditions with numerical human models, human data would be needed to optimize the model responses for those conditions. Using the appropriate assessment method with the knowledge gained for each risk factor, an appropriate approach for mitigating the risk of injury due to dynamic loads can be developed ensuring crew safety in future NASA vehicles.

Capacitively coupled pickup in MCP-based photodetectors using a conductive metallic anode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Angelico, E.; Seiss, T.; Adams, B.; Elagin, A.; Frisch, H.; Spieglan, E.

2017-02-01

We have designed and tested a robust 20×20 cm2 thin metal film internal anode capacitively coupled to an external array of signal pads or micro-strips for use in fast microchannel plate photodetectors. The internal anode, in this case a 10 nm-thick NiCr film deposited on a 96% pure Al2O3 3 mm-thick ceramic plate and connected to HV ground, provides the return path for the electron cascade charge. The multi-channel pickup array consists of a printed-circuit card or glass plate with metal signal pickups on one side and the signal ground plane on the other. The pickup can be put in close proximity to the bottom outer surface of the sealed photodetector, with no electrical connections through the photodetector hermetic vacuum package other than a single ground connection to the internal anode. Two pickup patterns were tested using a small commercial MCP-PMT as the signal source: 1) parallel 50 Ω 25-cm-long micro-strips with an analog bandwidth of 1.5 GHz, and 2) a 20×20 cm2 array of 2-dimensional square 'pads' with sides of 1.27 cm or 2.54 cm. The rise-time of the fast input pulse is maintained for both pickup patterns. For the pad pattern, we observe 80% of the directly coupled amplitude. For the strip pattern we measure 34% of the directly coupled amplitude on the central strip of a broadened signal. The physical decoupling of the photodetector from the pickup pattern allows easy customization for different applications while maintaining high analog bandwidth.

Dynamics of action potential backpropagation in basal dendrites of prefrontal cortical pyramidal neurons.

PubMed

Zhou, Wen-Liang; Yan, Ping; Wuskell, Joseph P; Loew, Leslie M; Antic, Srdjan D

2008-02-01

Basal dendrites of neocortical pyramidal neurons are relatively short and directly attached to the cell body. This allows electrical signals arising in basal dendrites to strongly influence the neuronal output. Likewise, somatic action potentials (APs) should readily propagate back into the basilar dendritic tree to influence synaptic plasticity. Two recent studies, however, determined that sodium APs are severely attenuated in basal dendrites of cortical pyramidal cells, so that they completely fail in distal dendritic segments. Here we used the latest improvements in the voltage-sensitive dye imaging technique (Zhou et al., 2007) to study AP backpropagation in basal dendrites of layer 5 pyramidal neurons of the rat prefrontal cortex. With a signal-to-noise ratio of > 15 and minimal temporal averaging (only four sweeps) we were able to sample AP waveforms from the very last segments of individual dendritic branches (dendritic tips). We found that in short- (< 150 microm) and medium (150-200 microm in length)-range basal dendrites APs backpropagated with modest changes in AP half-width or AP rise-time. The lack of substantial changes in AP shape and dynamics of rise is inconsistent with the AP-failure model. The lack of substantial amplitude boosting of the third AP in the high-frequency burst also suggests that in short- and medium-range basal dendrites backpropagating APs were not severely attenuated. Our results show that the AP-failure concept does not apply in all basal dendrites of the rat prefrontal cortex. The majority of synaptic contacts in the basilar dendritic tree actually received significant AP-associated electrical and calcium transients.

Exploring the daily activities associated with delayed bedtime of Japanese university students.

PubMed

Asaoka, Shoichi; Komada, Yoko; Fukuda, Kazuhiko; Sugiura, Tatsuki; Inoue, Yuichi; Yamazaki, Katuo

2010-07-01

University students show delayed sleep-wake patterns, i.e., later bed- and rise-times, and this pattern is known to be associated with various malfunctions. There may be a variety of daily activities associated with their delayed sleep patterns, such as watching TV. However, it is unclear to what extent each activity possesses an impact on their sleep patterns. The purpose of this study was to determine the daily activities associated with delayed bedtime in Japanese university students who live with or without their families. Three hundred and thirty-one participants were required to record the timing and duration of their sleep and daily activities, and the data from the 275 students (160 men and 115 women; 19.01 +/- 1.66 years) who completely filled forms were used for analysis. The results of multiple regression analyses suggested that interpersonal communication late at night is one of the major factors leading to the delayed bedtime of students living away from home. Among those living with their families, indoor activities such as watching TV and using the Internet were related to their delayed bedtimes. Attending classes and having a morning meal were related to the earlier bedtimes of the students living away from home, but there were no activities associated with those of the students living with their families. These results suggest that ensuring attendance at morning classes and having appropriate mealtimes, as well as restricting the use of visual media and socializing activities at night, are necessary for preventing late bedtimes in university students.

Grazing incidence extreme ultraviolet spectrometer fielded with time resolution in a hostile z-pinch environment.

PubMed

Williamson, K M; Kantsyrev, V L; Safronova, A S; Wilcox, P G; Cline, W; Batie, S; LeGalloudec, B; Nalajala, V; Astanovitsky, A

2011-09-01

This recently developed diagnostic was designed to allow for time-gated spectroscopic study of the EUV radiation (4 nm < λ < 15 nm) present during harsh wire array z-pinch implosions. The spectrometer utilizes a 25 μm slit, an array of 3 spherical blazed gratings at grazing incidence, and a microchannel plate (MCP) detector placed in an off-Rowland position. Each grating is positioned such that its diffracted radiation is cast over two of the six total independently timed frames of the MCP. The off-Rowland configuration allows for a much greater spectral density on the imaging plate but only focuses at one wavelength per grating. The focal wavelengths are chosen for their diagnostic significance. Testing was conducted at the Zebra pulsed-power generator (1 MA, 100 ns risetime) at the University of Nevada, Reno on a series of wire array z-pinch loads. Within this harsh z-pinch environment, radiation yields routinely exceed 20 kJ in the EUV and soft x-ray. There are also strong mechanical shocks, high velocity debris, sudden vacuum changes during operation, energic ion beams, and hard x-ray radiation in excess of 50 keV. The spectra obtained from the precursor plasma of an Al double planar wire array contained lines of Al IX and AlX ions indicating a temperature near 60 eV during precursor formation. Detailed results will be presented showing the fielding specifications and the techniques used to extract important plasma parameters using this spectrometer. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

Real-time detector for hypervelocity microparticles using piezoelectric material (II)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyachi, T.; Mdm Team

This report is concerned with results on response of a piezoelectric lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) element, by which a possible relation of output waveform to velocity at impact is studied. At first, we point out a meaning of output waveform, in particular, a behavior of the output signal within a few hundred nanoseconds immediately after impact (named as ``first one cycle''), which is free from interference with reflected waves and could contain impact hysteresis. Accordingly, we deal with the first one cycle, and analyze it with respect to its amplitude and frequency components. We obtain the following results: 1. Output amplitude is proportional to the momentum of particles below 6 km/s. 2. Its rise-time is related to the particle velocity above 10km/s. 3. There exists a transition region in between. 4. The sensitivity is confirmed to be independent of the element thickness, contrary to the results in [1,2], in which the amplitude was defined as the maximum peak-to-peak amplitude, which was outside the first one cycle. We propose that a single PZT element can be used as a velocity sensitive detector if the output signal is measured at a sampling rate of ˜ 50MHz. We discuss a PZT detector that is to be employed as a real-time dust monitor to onboard the BepiColombo mission, MDM. This could discriminate real and junk events by analyzing the waveform. [1] T.Miyachi et al., to be published in Adv. Space Rev. ( JASR 6550). [2] T.Miyachi et al., Jpn.J.Appl.Phys.42(2003)1496.

Extended focal-plane array development for the International X-ray Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Stephen J.; Bandler, Simon R.; Beyer, Joern; Chervenak, James A.; Drung, Dietmar; Eckart, Megan E.; Finkbeiner, Fred M.; Kelley, Richard L.; Kilbourne, Caroline A.; Scott Porter, F.; Sadleir, John E.

2009-12-01

We are developing arrays of transition-edge sensors (TES's) for the International X-ray observatory (IXO). The IXO microcalorimeter array will consist of a central 40×40 core of 300 μm pitch pixels with a resolution of 2.5 eV from 0.3-10 keV. To maximize the science return from the mission, an outer extended array is also required. This 52×52 array (2304 elements surrounding the core) of 600 μm pitch pixels increases the field-of-view from 2' to 5.4' with a resolution of 10 eV. However, significantly increasing the number of readout channels is unfavorable due to the increase in mass and power of the readout chain as well as adding complexity at the focal plane. Consequently, we are developing position-sensitive devices which maintain the same plate scale but at a reduced number of readout channels. One option is to use multiple absorber elements with different thermal conductances to a single TES. Position discrimination is achieved from differences in the pulse rise-time. Another new option is to inductively couple several TES's to a single SQUID. Position discrimination can be achieved by using different combinations of coupling polarity, inductive couplings and heat sink conductances. We present first results demonstrating <9 eV across four 500 μm pixels coupled to a single SQUID. A further possibility is to increase the number of channels to be time-division multiplexed in a single column at some expense in resolution. In this paper we discuss experimental results and trade-offs for these extended array options.

Rise Time Reduction of Thermal Actuators Operated in Air and Water through Optimized Pre-Shaped Open-Loop Driving.

PubMed

Larsen, T; Doll, J C; Loizeau, F; Hosseini, N; Peng, A W; Fantner, G; Ricci, A J; Pruitt, B L

2017-01-01

Electrothermal actuators have many advantages compared to other actuators used in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS). They are simple to design, easy to fabricate and provide large displacements at low voltages. Low voltages enable less stringent passivation requirements for operation in liquid. Despite these advantages, thermal actuation is typically limited to a few kHz bandwidth when using step inputs due to its intrinsic thermal time constant. However, the use of pre-shaped input signals offers a route for reducing the rise time of these actuators by orders of magnitude. We started with an electrothermally actuated cantilever having an initial 10-90% rise time of 85 μs in air and 234 μs in water for a standard open-loop step input. We experimentally characterized the linearity and frequency response of the cantilever when operated in air and water, allowing us to obtain transfer functions for the two cases. We used these transfer functions, along with functions describing desired reduced rise-time system responses, to numerically simulate the required input signals. Using these pre-shaped input signals, we improved the open-loop 10-90% rise time from 85 μs to 3 μs in air and from 234 μs to 5 μs in water, an improvement by a factor of 28 and 47, respectively. Using this simple control strategy for MEMS electrothermal actuators makes them an attractive alternative to other high speed micromechanical actuators such as piezoelectric stacks or electrostatic comb structures which are more complex to design, fabricate, or operate.

The study of hard x-ray emission and electron beam generation in wire array Z-pinch and X-pinch plasmas at university-scale generators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shrestha, Ishor Kumar

The studies of hard x-ray (HXR) emission and electron beam generation in Z-pinch plasmas are very important for Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) research and HXR emission application for sources of K-shell and L-shell radiation. Energetic electron beams from Z-pinch plasmas are potentially a problem in the development of ICF. The electron beams and the accompanying HXR emission can preheat the fuel of a thermonuclear target, thereby preventing the fuel compression from reaching densities required for the ignition of a fusion reaction. The photons above 3-4 keV radiated from a Z pinch can provide detailed information about the high energy density plasmas produced at stagnation. Hence, the investigation of characteristics of hard x-rays and electron beams produced during implosions of wire array loads on university scale-generators may provide important data for future ICF, sources of K-shell and L-shell radiations and basic plasma research. This dissertation presents the results of experimental studies of HXR and electron beam generation in wire-array and X-pinch on the 1.7 MA, 100-ns current rise time Zebra generator at University of Nevada, Reno and 1-MA 100-ns current rise-time Cornell Beam Research Accelerator (COBRA) at Cornell University. The experimental study of characteristics of HXR produced by multi-planar wire arrays, compact cylindrical wire array (CCWA) and nested cylindrical wire array (NCWA) made from Al, Cu, Mo, Ag, W and Au were analyzed. The dependence of the HXR yield and power on geometry of the load, the wire material, and load mass was observed. The presence of aluminum wires in the load with the main material such as stainless steel, Cu, Mo, Ag, W or Au in combined wire array decreases HXR yield. The comparison of emission characteristics of HXR and generation of electron beams in CCWA and NCWA on both the high impedance Zebra generator and low impedance COBRA generator were investigated. Some of the "cold" K- shell spectral lines (0.7-2.3Á) and cold L-shell spectral lines (1-1.54Á) in the HXR region were observed only during the interaction of electron beam with load material and anode surface. These observations suggest that the mechanism of HXR emission should be associated with non-thermal mechanisms such as the interaction of the electron beam with the load material. In order to estimate the characteristics of the high-energetic electron beam in Z-pinch plasmas, a hard x-ray polarimeter (HXP) has been developed and used in experiments on the Zebra generator. The electron beams (energy more than 30keV) have been investigated with measurements of the polarization state of the emitted bremsstrahlung radiation from plasma. We also analyzed characteristics of energetic electron beams produced by implosions of multi-planar wire arrays, compact cylindrical and nested wire arrays as well as X-pinches. Direct indications of electron beams (electron cutoff energy EB from 42-250 keV) were obtained by using the measured current of a Faraday cup placed above the anode or mechanical damage observed in the anode surface. A comparison of total electron beam energy and the spatial and spectral analysis of the parameters of plasmas were investigated for different wire materials. The dependences of the total electron beam energy (E b) on the wire material and the geometry of the wire array load were studied.

The correlation between pulsatile intracranial pressure and indices of intracranial pressure-volume reserve capacity: results from ventricular infusion testing.

PubMed

Eide, Per Kristian

2016-12-01

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to examine how pulsatile and static intracranial pressure (ICP) scores correlate with indices of intracranial pressure-volume reserve capacity, i.e., intracranial elastance (ICE) and intracranial compliance (ICC), as determined during ventricular infusion testing. METHODS All patients undergoing ventricular infusion testing and overnight ICP monitoring during the 6-year period from 2007 to 2012 were included in the study. Clinical data were retrieved from a quality registry, and the ventricular infusion pressure data and ICP scores were retrieved from a pressure database. The ICE and ICC (= 1/ICE) were computed during the infusion phase of the infusion test. RESULTS During the period from 2007 to 2012, 82 patients with possible treatment-dependent hydrocephalus underwent ventricular infusion testing within the department of neurosurgery. The infusion tests revealed a highly significant positive correlation between ICE and the pulsatile ICP scores mean wave amplitude (MWA) and rise-time coefficient (RTC), and the static ICP score mean ICP. The ICE was negatively associated with linear measures of ventricular size. The overnight ICP recordings revealed significantly increased MWA (> 4 mm Hg) and RTC (> 20 mm Hg/sec) values in patients with impaired ICC (< 0.5 ml/mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS In this study cohort, there was a significant positive correlation between pulsatile ICP and ICE measured during ventricular infusion testing. In patients with impaired ICC during infusion testing (ICC < 0.5 ml/mm Hg), overnight ICP recordings showed increased pulsatile ICP (MWA > 4 mm Hg, RTC > 20 mm Hg/sec), but not increased mean ICP (< 10-15 mm Hg). The present data support the assumption that pulsatile ICP (MWA and RTC) may serve as substitute markers of pressure-volume reserve capacity, i.e., ICE and ICC.

Mediators and treatment matching in behavior therapy, cognitive therapy and cognitive behavior therapy for chronic insomnia.

PubMed

Harvey, Allison G; Dong, Lu; Bélanger, Lynda; Morin, Charles M

2017-10-01

To examine the mediators and the potential of treatment matching to improve outcome for cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for insomnia. Participants were 188 adults (117 women; Mage = 47.4 years, SD = 12.6) meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; text rev.; DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000) diagnostic criteria for chronic insomnia (Mduration: 14.5 years, SD: 12.8). Participants were randomized to behavior therapy (BT; n = 63), cognitive therapy (CT; n = 65), or CBT (n = 60). The outcome measure was the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Hypothesized BT mediators were sleep-incompatible behaviors, bedtime variability (BTv), risetime variability (RTv) and time in bed (TIB). Hypothesized CT mediators were worry, unhelpful beliefs, and monitoring for sleep-related threat. The behavioral processes mediated outcome for BT but not CT. The cognitive processes mediated outcome in both BT and CT. The subgroup scoring high on both behavioral and cognitive processes had a marginally significant better outcome if they received CBT relative to BT or CT. The subgroup scoring relatively high on behavioral but low on cognitive processes and received BT or CBT did not differ from those who received CT. The subgroup scoring relatively high on cognitive but low on behavioral processes and received CT or CBT did not differ from those who received BT. The behavioral mediators were specific to BT relative to CT. The cognitive mediators were significant for both BT and CT outcomes. Patients exhibiting high levels of both behavioral and cognitive processes achieve better outcome if they receive CBT relative to BT or CT alone. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Sleep patterns and predictors of disturbed sleep in a large population of college students.

PubMed

Lund, Hannah G; Reider, Brian D; Whiting, Annie B; Prichard, J Roxanne

2010-02-01

To characterize sleep patterns and predictors of poor sleep quality in a large population of college students. This study extends the 2006 National Sleep Foundation examination of sleep in early adolescence by examining sleep in older adolescents. One thousand one hundred twenty-five students aged 17 to 24 years from an urban Midwestern university completed a cross-sectional online survey about sleep habits that included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Horne-Ostberg Morningness-Eveningness Scale, the Profile of Mood States, the Subjective Units of Distress Scale, and questions about academic performance, physical health, and psychoactive drug use. Students reported disturbed sleep; over 60% were categorized as poor-quality sleepers by the PSQI, bedtimes and risetimes were delayed during weekends, and students reported frequently taking prescription, over the counter, and recreational psychoactive drugs to alter sleep/wakefulness. Students classified as poor-quality sleepers reported significantly more problems with physical and psychological health than did good-quality sleepers. Students overwhelmingly stated that emotional and academic stress negatively impacted sleep. Multiple regression analyses revealed that tension and stress accounted for 24% of the variance in the PSQI score, whereas exercise, alcohol and caffeine consumption, and consistency of sleep schedule were not significant predictors of sleep quality. These results demonstrate that insufficient sleep and irregular sleep-wake patterns, which have been extensively documented in younger adolescents, are also present at alarming levels in the college student population. Given the close relationships between sleep quality and physical and mental health, intervention programs for sleep disturbance in this population should be considered. Copyright 2010 Society for Adolescent Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Bunch by bunch beam monitoring in 3rd and 4th generation light sources by means of single crystal diamond detectors and quantum well devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antonelli, M.; Di Fraia, M.; Tallaire, A.; Achard, J.; Carrato, S.; Menk, R. H.; Cautero, G.; Giuressi, D.; Jark, W. H.; Biasiol, G.; Ganbold, T.; Oliver, K.; Callegari, C.; Coreno, M.; De Sio, A.; Pace, E.

2012-10-01

New generation Synchrotron Radiation (SR) sources and Free Electron Lasers (FEL) require novel concepts of beam diagnostics to keep photon beams under surveillance, asking for simultaneous position and intensity monitoring. To deal with high power load and short time pulses provided by these sources, novel materials and methods are needed for the next generation BPMs. Diamond is a promising material for the production of semitransparent in situ X-ray BPMs withstanding the high dose rates of SR rings and high energy FELs. We report on the development of freestanding, single crystal CVD diamond detectors. Performances in both low and radio frequency SR beam monitoring are presented. For the former, sensitivity deviation was found to be approximately 2%; a 0.05% relative precision in the intensity measurements and a 0.1-μm precision in the position encoding have been estimated. For the latter, single-shot characterizations revealed sub-nanosecond rise-times and spatial precisions below 6 μm, which allowed bunch-by-bunch monitoring in multi-bunch operation. Preliminary measurements at the Fermi FEL have been performed with this detector, extracting quantitative intensity and position information for FEL pulses (~ 100 fs, energy 12 ÷ 60 eV), with a long-term spatial precision of about 85 μm results on FEL radiation damages are also reported. Due to their direct, low-energy band gap, InGaAs quantum well devices too may be used as fast detectors for photons ranging from visible to X-ray. Results are reported which show the capability of a novel InGaAs/InAlAs device to detect intensity and position of 100-fs-wide laser pulses.

Laser photolysis of DPNI-GABA, a tool for investigating the properties and distribution of GABA receptors and for silencing neurons in situ.

PubMed

Trigo, Federico F; Papageorgiou, George; Corrie, John E T; Ogden, David

2009-07-30

Laser photolysis to release GABA at precisely defined times and locations permits investigation of the distribution of functional GABA(A) receptors in neuronal compartments, the activation kinetics and pharmacology of GABA(A) receptors in situ, and the role of individual neurons in neural circuits by selective silencing with low GABA concentrations. We describe the experimental evaluation and applications of a new nitroindoline-caged GABA, DPNI-GABA, modified to minimize the pharmacological interference commonly found with caged GABA reagents, but retaining the advantages of nitroindoline cages. Unlike the 5-methoxycarbonylmethyl-7-nitroindolinyl-GABA tested previously, DPNI-GABA inhibited GABA(A) receptors with much lower affinity, reducing peak GABA-evoked responses with an IC(50) of approximately 0.5 mM. Most importantly, the kinetics of receptor activation, determined as 10-90% rise-times, were comparable to synaptic events and were little affected by DPNI-GABA present at 1mM concentration, permitting photolysis of DPNI-GABA to mimic synaptic activation of GABA(A) receptors. With a laser spot of 1 microm applied to cerebellar molecular layer interneurons, the spatial resolution of uncaging DPNI-GABA in dendrites was estimated as 2 microm laterally and 7.5 microm focally. Finally, at low DPNI-GABA concentration, photorelease restricted to the area of the soma suppressed spiking in single Purkinje neurons or molecular layer interneurons for periods controlled by the flash intensity and duration. DPNI-GABA has properties better adapted for fast kinetic studies with laser photolysis at GABA(A) receptors than previously reported caged GABA reagents, and can be used in experiments where spatial resolution is determined by the dimensions of the laser light spot.

Investigations on optimizing the energy transmission of ultrafast optical pulses in pure water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lukofsky, David

Many of today's communication and imaging technologies share the common challenge of signal deterioration due to water's large absorption coefficient. As an example, it is water molecules that contaminate the fused silica of optical fibers and account for most of the absorption they exhibit at communication wavelengths. It is also water (in the form of vapor) that makes it challenging to devise practical THz spectroscopic systems. As such, this thesis examines how the transmission of electromagnetic radiation through water could be improved as a stepping stone towards bettering a wide array of communication and imaging applications. Recent time-domain approaches have noted the connection between pulse rise-time and precursor waveform absorption. This thesis represents the first in-depth analysis of precursors using an intuitive frequency-domain approach. It was shown with well-known physical metrics that precursors are a linear effect resulting from the temporal representation of a Beer's law of absorption for broadband pulses. Experimental validation was achieved with a spatial light modulator used in conjunction with Frequency-Resolved-Optical-Gating (FROG) to obtain the first measurement of the amplitude and phase of an optical precursor. The semi-classical two-level atom model was used to infer the transitional dipole moments of the 1447 nm and 2:94 mum vibrational resonances of the medium. These values supported finite-difference-time-domain simulations suggesting how 52 fs sech2 pulses of 220 GW/cm2 peak intensity could propagate with negligible attenuation over 15 absorption lengths when tuned to the 2:94 mum transition of water. Extensive use of 1550 nm lasers in communication systems and the presence of the second vibrational overtone resonance of water at 1447 nm were the motivation for transmission experiments completed at the Naval Research Laboratory (Washington, DC) at this transition. As much as a 500% increase in absolute transmission was observed in a 5 mm sample of distilled water when compared to steady-state transmission. Different causes for this increase in transmission were examined, including coherent and incoherent bleaching effects. Overall, this study reveals that efficient propagation of optical pulses in water requires pulses of near single-cycle duration and large intensities and/or fluence. While these large intensities would make it difficult to apply this work to medical imaging applications, there remains a window of opportunity for efficient underwater communication. Indeed, assuming a channel of water with few physical obstructions, the advent of sufficiently intense, robust, and high repetition-rate laser technology might one day lead to the implementation of a practical underwater communication link at optical wavelengths.

Dynamic response of polyurea subjected to nanosecond rise-time stress waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Youssef, George; Gupta, Vijay

2012-08-01

Shaped charges and explosively formed projectiles used in modern warfare can attain speeds as high as 30,000 ft/s. Impacts from these threats are expected to load the armor materials in the 10 to 100 ns timeframe. During this time, the material strains are quite limited but the strain rates are extremely high. To develop armors against such threats it is imperative to understand the dynamic constitutive behavior of materials in the tens of nanoseconds timeframe. Material behavior in this parameter space cannot be obtained by even the most sophisticated plate-impact and split-Hopkinson bar setups that exist within the high energy materials field today. This paper introduces an apparatus and a test method that are based on laser-generated stress waves to obtain such material behaviors. Although applicable to any material system, the test procedures are demonstrated on polyurea which shows unusual dynamic properties. Thin polyurea layers were deformed using laser-generated stress waves with 1-2 ns rise times and 16 ns total duration. The total strain in the samples was less than 3%. Because of the transient nature of the stress wave, the strain rate varied throughout the deformation history of the sample. A peak value of 1.1×105 s-1 was calculated. It was found that the stress-strain characteristics, determined from experimentally recorded incident and transmitted wave profiles, matched satisfactorily with those computed from a 2D wave mechanics simulation in which the polyurea was modeled as a linearly viscoelastic solid with constants derived from the quasi-static experiments. Thus, the test data conformed to the Time-Temperature Superposition (TTS) principle even at extremely high strain rates of our test. This then extends the previous observations of Zhao et al. (Mech. Time-Depend. Mater. 11:289-308, 2007) who showed the applicability of the TTS principle for polyurea in the linearly viscoelastic regime up to peak strain rates of 1200 s-1.

Managing piezoelectric sensor jitter: kinematic position tracking applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khomo, Malome T.

2016-02-01

Piezo-acoustic distance tracking sensors have challenges of reporting true distance readings. Challenges include directional anisotropy signal loss in transmission power and in receiver sensitivity, distance-related attenuation of signal and the phase shifts that result in jittery values, some preceding, and others succeeding the expected distance readings. There also exist signal time losses arising from dead time associated with processor latency, with carrier signal pulse length and with voltage rise-time delays in pulse detection. Together these factors cause distance under-reporting, and more critically, makes each reported value uncertain, which is unacceptable in distance-critical applications. Piezo-inertial accelerometers have equivalent if not more severe challenges in tri-axial configurations, for instance where a rotational tilt may happen under linear accelerative force. In the absence of tensor component adaptation to change of orientation, signal is lost until the next axial sensor detects it. Study paper focusses on piezo-acoustic transducers UCD1007 and 400SR160 (40kHz), used in a face-to-face configuration over a 600mm range. Within that range 10 successive phase shift wave fronts were identified, but it took 15 reconstructed wave fronts to uniquely identify a continuous end-to-end jitter-free and slippage-free kinematic data stream from the jittery sensor data. The additional 5 degrees of freedom were consumed by the 5-stage filter applied. The technique has remarkable combinatorial and projective geometry implications for digital sensor design. It is possible for the procedure to be applicable in 3-axis accelerometers and adapted into firmware for truly kinematic device driver interfaces so long as the reporting rates are matched with the user interface refresh rates. It is shown that acoustic transducer sensors require phase loop locking for kinematic continuity whereas gravimetric accelerometers demand better measurement time consistence in sensor values for induced kinematic phase locking.

Modeling and Thrust Optimization of a Bio-Inspired Pulsatile Jet Thruster

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krieg, Michael W.

A new type of thruster technology offers promising low speed maneuvering capabilities for underwater vehicles. Similar to the natural locomotion of squid and jellyfish the thruster successively forces fluid jets in and out of a small internal cavity. We investigate several properties of squid and jellyfish locomotion to drive the thruster design including actuation of nozzle geometry and vortex ring thrust augmentation. The thrusters are compact with no extruding components to negatively impact the vehicle's drag. These devices have thrust rise-times orders of magnitude faster than those reported for typical propeller thrusters, making them an attractive option for high accuracy underwater vehicle maneuvering. The dynamics of starting jet circulation, impulse, and kinetic energy are derived in terms of kinematics at the entrance boundary of a semi-infinite domain, specifically identifying the effect of a non-parallel incoming flow. A model for pressure at the nozzle is derived without the typical reliance on a predetermined potential function, making it a powerful tool for modeling any jet flow. Jets are created from multiple nozzle configurations to validate these models, and velocity and vorticity fields are determined using DPIV techniques. A converging starting jet resulted in circulation 90--100%, impulse 70--75%, and energy 105--135% larger than a parallel starting jet with identical volume flux and piston velocity, depending on the stroke ratio. The new model is a much better predictor of the jet properties than the standard 1D slug model. A simplified thrust model, was derived to describe the high frequency thruster characteristics. This model accurately predicts the average thrust, measured directly, for stroke ratios up to a critical value where the leading vortex ring separates from the remainder of the shear flow. A new model predicting the vortex ring pinch-off process is developed based on characteristic centerline velocities. The vortex ring pinch-off is coincides with this velocity criterion, for all cases tested. Piston velocity program and nozzle radius are optimized with respect to average thrust, and a quantity similar to propulsive efficiency. The average thrust is maximized by a critical nozzle radius. An approximate linear time-invariant (LTI) model of the thruster vehicle system was derived which categorizes maneuvers into different characteristic regimes. Initial thruster testing showed that open and closed loop frequency response were sufficiently approximated by the LTI model, and that the thruster is ideally suited for small scale high accuracy maneuvers.

Low-frequency RF Coupling To Unconventional (Fat Unbalanced) Dipoles

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

Ong, M M; Brown, C G; Perkins, M P

2010-12-07

The report explains radio frequency (RF) coupling to unconventional dipole antennas. Normal dipoles have thin equal length arms that operate at maximum efficiency around resonance frequencies. In some applications like high-explosive (HE) safety analysis, structures similar to dipoles with ''fat'' unequal length arms must be evaluated for indirect-lightning effects. An example is shown where a metal drum-shaped container with HE forms one arm and the detonator cable acts as the other. Even if the HE is in a facility converted into a ''Faraday cage'', a lightning strike to the facility could still produce electric fields inside. The detonator cable concentratesmore » the electric field and carries the energy into the detonator, potentially creating a hazard. This electromagnetic (EM) field coupling of lightning energy is the indirect effect of a lightning strike. In practice, ''Faraday cages'' are formed by the rebar of the concrete facilities. The individual rebar rods in the roof, walls and floor are normally electrically connected because of the construction technique of using metal wire to tie the pieces together. There are two additional requirements for a good cage. (1) The roof-wall joint and the wall-floor joint must be electrically attached. (2) All metallic penetrations into the facility must also be electrically connected to the rebar. In this report, it is assumed that these conditions have been met, and there is no arcing in the facility structure. Many types of detonators have metal ''cups'' that contain the explosives and thin electrical initiating wires, called bridge wires mounted between two pins. The pins are connected to the detonator cable. The area of concern is between the pins supporting the bridge wire and the metal cup forming the outside of the detonator. Detonator cables usually have two wires, and in this example, both wires generated the same voltage at the detonator bridge wire. This is called the common-mode voltage. The explosive component inside a detonator is relatively sensitive, and any electrical arc is a concern. In a safety analysis, the pin-to-cup voltage, i.e., detonator voltage, must be calculated to decide if an arc will form. If the electric field is known, the voltage between any two points is simply the integral of the field along a line between the points. Eq. 1.1. For simplicity, it is assumed that the electric field and dipole elements are aligned. Calculating the induced detonator voltage is more complex because of the field concentration caused by metal components. If the detonator cup is not electrically connected to the metal HE container, the portion of the voltage generated by the dipole at the detonator will divide between the container-to-cup and cup-to-pin gaps. The gap voltages are determined by their capacitances. As a simplification, it will be assumed the cup is electrically attached, short circuited, to the HE container. The electrical field in the pin-to-cup area is determined by the field near the dipole, the length of the dipole, the shape of the arms, and the orientation of the arms. Given the characteristics of a lightning strike and the inductance of the facility, the electric fields in the ''Faraday cage'' can be calculated. The important parameters for determining the voltage in an empty facility are the inductance of the rebars and the rate of change of the current, Eq. 1.3. The internal electric fields are directly related to the facility voltages, however, the electric fields in the pin-to-cup space is much higher than the facility fields because the antenna will concentrate the fields covered by the arms. Because the lightning current rise-time is different for every strike, the maximum electric field and the induced detonator voltage should be described by probability distributions. For pedantic purposes, the peak field in the simulations will be simply set to 1 V/m. Lightning induced detonator voltages can be calculated by scaling up with the facility fields. Any metal object around the explosives, such as a work stand, will also distort the electric fields. A computer simulation of the electric fields in a facility with a work stand and HE container is shown. In this configuration, the work stand is grounded, and the intensity of field around the HE (denoted in dark blue) is reduced relative to the rest of the work bay (denoted lighter blue). The area above work stand posts has much higher fields indicated by red. The fields on top of the container are also affected. Without an understanding of how the electric fields are distributed near the detonator cable and container, it is not possible to calculate the induced detonator voltage. The average lightning current has rise- and fall-times of 3 us and 50 us respectively, and this translates to a wavelength that is long when compared with the length of the HE container or detonator cable.« less

Faster Hall-Effect Current-Measuring Circuit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sullender, Craig C.; Johnson, Daniel D.; Walker, Daniel D.

1993-01-01

Current-measuring circuit operates on Hall-effect-sensing and magnetic-field-nulling principles similar to those described in article, "Nulling Hall-Effect Current-Measuring Circuit" (LEW-15023), but simpler and responds faster. Designed without feedback loop, and analog pulse-width-modulated output indicates measured current. Circuit measures current at frequency higher than bandwidth of its Hall-effect sensor.

Effects of Pulse Parameters on Weld Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Extra Pulse Current Aided Laser Welded 2219 Aluminum Alloy Joints.

PubMed

Zhang, Xinge; Li, Liqun; Chen, Yanbin; Yang, Zhaojun; Chen, Yanli; Guo, Xinjian

2017-09-15

In order to expand the application range of laser welding and improve weld quality, an extra pulse current was used to aid laser-welded 2219 aluminum alloy, and the effects of pulse current parameters on the weld microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The effect mechanisms of the pulse current interactions with the weld pool were evaluated. The results indicated that the coarse dendritic structure in the weld zone changed to a fine equiaxed structure using an extra pulse current, and the pulse parameters, including medium peak current, relatively high pulse frequency, and low pulse duty ratio benefited to improving the weld structure. The effect mechanisms of the pulse current were mainly ascribed to the magnetic pinch effect, thermal effect, and electromigration effect caused by the pulse current. The effect of the pulse parameters on the mechanical properties of welded joints were consistent with that of the weld microstructure. The tensile strength and elongation of the optimal pulse current-aided laser-welded joint increased by 16.4% and 105%, respectively, compared with autogenous laser welding.

Effects of Pulse Parameters on Weld Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Extra Pulse Current Aided Laser Welded 2219 Aluminum Alloy Joints

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xinge; Li, Liqun; Chen, Yanbin; Yang, Zhaojun; Chen, Yanli; Guo, Xinjian

2017-01-01

In order to expand the application range of laser welding and improve weld quality, an extra pulse current was used to aid laser-welded 2219 aluminum alloy, and the effects of pulse current parameters on the weld microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The effect mechanisms of the pulse current interactions with the weld pool were evaluated. The results indicated that the coarse dendritic structure in the weld zone changed to a fine equiaxed structure using an extra pulse current, and the pulse parameters, including medium peak current, relatively high pulse frequency, and low pulse duty ratio benefited to improving the weld structure. The effect mechanisms of the pulse current were mainly ascribed to the magnetic pinch effect, thermal effect, and electromigration effect caused by the pulse current. The effect of the pulse parameters on the mechanical properties of welded joints were consistent with that of the weld microstructure. The tensile strength and elongation of the optimal pulse current-aided laser-welded joint increased by 16.4% and 105%, respectively, compared with autogenous laser welding. PMID:28914825

Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) low cost generator design using power MOSFET and Cockcroft-Walton multiplier circuit as high voltage DC source

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

Sulaeman, M. Y.; Widita, R.

2014-09-30

Purpose: Non-ionizing radiation therapy for cancer using pulsed electric field with high intensity field has become an interesting field new research topic. A new method using nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) offers a novel means to treat cancer. Not like the conventional electroporation, nsPEFs able to create nanopores in all membranes of the cell, including membrane in cell organelles, like mitochondria and nucleus. NsPEFs will promote cell death in several cell types, including cancer cell by apoptosis mechanism. NsPEFs will use pulse with intensity of electric field higher than conventional electroporation, between 20–100 kV/cm and with shorter duration of pulsemore » than conventional electroporation. NsPEFs requires a generator to produce high voltage pulse and to achieve high intensity electric field with proper pulse width. However, manufacturing cost for creating generator that generates a high voltage with short duration for nsPEFs purposes is highly expensive. Hence, the aim of this research is to obtain the low cost generator design that is able to produce a high voltage pulse with nanosecond width and will be used for nsPEFs purposes. Method: Cockcroft-Walton multiplier circuit will boost the input of 220 volt AC into high voltage DC around 1500 volt and it will be combined by a series of power MOSFET as a fast switch to obtain a high voltage with nanosecond pulse width. The motivation using Cockcroft-Walton multiplier is to acquire a low-cost high voltage DC generator; it will use capacitors and diodes arranged like a step. Power MOSFET connected in series is used as voltage divider to share the high voltage in order not to damage them. Results: This design is expected to acquire a low-cost generator that can achieve the high voltage pulse in amount of −1.5 kV with falltime 3 ns and risetime 15 ns into a 50Ω load that will be used for nsPEFs purposes. Further detailed on the circuit design will be explained at presentation.« less

High Efficiency Automatic-Power-Controlled and Gain-Clamped EDFA for Broadband Passive Optical Networking Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Jyi-Lai; Wei, Shui-Ken; Lin, Chin-Yuan; Iong Li, Ssu; Huang, Chih-Chuan

2010-04-01

The configuration of a simple improved high efficiency automatic-power-controlled and gain-clamped EDFA (APC-GC-EDFA) for broadband passive optical networking systems (BPON) is presented here. In order to compensate the phase and amplitude variation due to the different distance between the optical line terminal (OLT) and optical network units (ONU), the APC-GC-EDFA need to be employed. A single 980 nm laser module is employed as the primary pump. To extend the bandwidth, all C-band ASE is recycled as the secondary pump to enhance the gain efficiency. An electrical feedback circuit is used as a multi-wavelength channel transmitter monitor for the automatic power control to improve the gain-flattened flatness for stable amplification. The experimental results prove that the EDFA system can provide flatter clamped gain in both C-band and L-band configurations. The gain flatness wavelength ranging from 1530 to 1610 nm is within 32.83 ± 0.64 dB, i.e. below 1.95 %. The gains are clamped at 33.85 ± 0.65 dB for the input signal power of -40 dBm to -10 dBm. The range of noise figure is between 6.37 and 6.56, which is slightly lower compared to that of unclamped amplifiers. This will be very useful for measuring the gain flatness of APC-GC-EDFA. Finally, we have also demonstrated the records of the overall simultaneous dynamics measurements for the new system stabilization. The carrier to noise ratio (CNR) is 49.5 to 50.8 dBc which is above the National Television System Committee (NTSC) standard of 43 dBc, and both composite second order (CSO) 69.2 to 71.5 dBc and composite triple beat (CTB) of 69.8 to 72.2 dBc are above 53 dBc. The recorded corresponding rise-time of 1.087 ms indicates that the system does not exhibit any overshoot of gain or ASE variation due to the signal at the beginning of the pulse.

Bidirectional Photoinduced Electron Transfer in Ruthenium(II)-Tris-bipyridyl-Modified PpcA, a Multi-heme c -Type Cytochrome from Geobacter sulfurreducens

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

Kokhan, Oleksandr; Ponomarenko, Nina S.; Pokkuluri, P. Raj

PpcA, a tri-heme cytochrome c7 from Geobacter sulfurreducens was investigated as a model for photosensitizer-initiated electron transfer within a multi-heme "molecular wire" protein architecture. E. coli expression of PpcA was found to be tolerant of cysteine site-directed mutagenesis, demonstrated by the successful expression of natively folded proteins bearing cysteine mutations at a series of sites selected to vary characteristically with respect to the three -CXXCH- heme binding domains. A preliminary survey of 5 selected mutants found that the introduced cysteines can be readily covalently linked to a Ru(II)-(2,2'-bpy)2(4-bromomethyl-4’-methyl-2,2'-bpy) photosensitizer (where bpy = bipyridine), and that the linked constructs support bothmore » photo-oxidative and photo-reductive quenching of the photosensitizer excited-state, depending upon the initial heme redox state. For photo-oxidative electron transfer, apparent heme reduction risetimes were found to vary from 7 x 10-12 s to 5 x 10-8 s, depending upon the site of photosensitizer linking. The excited-state electron transfers are about 103-fold faster than any previously reported photosensitizer-redox protein covalently linked construct. Preliminary conformational analysis using molecular dynamics simulations shows that rates for electron transfer track both the distance and pathways for electron transfer. Two mutants with the fastest charge transfer rates, A23C and K29C, showed a significant role of specific paths for electron transfer. While K29C labeled mutant was expected to have approximately 0.8Å greater donor-acceptor distance, it showed 20-fold faster charge separation rate. Clear evidence for inter-heme electron transfer within the multi-heme protein is not detected within the lifetimes of the charge separated states. These results demonstrate an opportunity to develop multi-heme c-cytochromes for investigation of electron transfer in protein "molecular wires" and to serve as frameworks for metalloprotein designs that support multiple electron transfer redox chemistry.« less

Finite-fault inversion of the Mw 5.9 2012 Emilia-Romagna earthquake (Northern Italy) using aftershocks as near-field Green's function approximations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Causse, Mathieu; Cultrera, Giovanna; Herrero, André; Courboulex, Françoise; Schiappapietra, Erika; Moreau, Ludovic

2017-04-01

On May 29, 2012 occurred a Mw 5.9 earthquake in the Emilia-Romagna region (Po Plain) on a thrust fault system. This shock, as well as hundreds of aftershocks, were recorded by 10 strong motion stations located less than 10 km away from the rupture plane, with 4 stations located within the surface rupture projection. The Po Plain is a very large EW trending syntectonic alluvial basin, delimited by the Alps and Apennines chains to the North and South. The Plio-Quaternary sedimentary sequence filling the Po Plain is characterized by an uneven thickness, ranging from several thousands of meters to a few tens of meters. This particular context results especially in a resonance basin below 1 Hz and strong surface waves, which makes it particularly difficult to model wave propagation and hence to obtain robust images of the rupture propagation. This study proposes to take advantage of the large set of recorded aftershocks, considered as point sources, to model wave propagation. Due to the heterogeneous distribution of the aftershocks on the fault plane, an interpolation technique is proposed to compute an approximation of the Green's function between each fault point and each strong motion station in the frequency range [0.2-1Hz]. We then use a Bayesian inversion technique (Monte Carlo Markov Chain algorithm) to obtain images of the rupture propagation from the strong motion data. We propose to retrieve the slip distribution by inverting the final slip value at some control points, which are allowed to move on the fault plane, and by interpolating the slip value between these points. We show that the use of 5 control points to describe the slip, coupled with the hypothesis of spatially constant rupture velocity and rise-time (that is 18 free source parameters), results in a good level of fit with the data. This indicates that despite their complexity, the strong motion data can be properly modeled up to 1 Hz using a relatively simple rupture. The inversion results also reveal that the rupture propagated slowly, at a speed of about 45% of the shear wave velocity.

Inhibitory effect of aniracetam on N-type calcium current in acutely isolated rat neuronal cells.

PubMed

Koike, H; Saito, H; Matsuki, N

1993-04-01

Effects of aniracetam on whole-cell calcium currents were studied in acutely isolated neuronal cells from postnatal rat ventromedial hypothalamus. There were three types of inward calcium currents, one low-threshold transient current and two high-threshold sustained currents. The nicardipine sensitive L-type current was activated at -20 mV or more depolarized potentials, and the omega-conotoxin sensitive N-type current was recorded at more positive potentials than the L-type. Aniracetam inhibited the N-type current in a dose-dependent manner without affecting the other two types of calcium currents. The effect appeared soon after the addition and lasted for several minutes during washing. Since the N-type current is thought to regulate the release of transmitters, the inhibitory effect may contribute to the nootropic property of aniracetam by modifying the neurotransmission.

Effects of pine needle extract on pacemaker currents in interstitial cells of Cajal from the murine small intestine.

PubMed

Cheong, Hyeonsook; Paudyal, Dilli Parasad; Jun, Jae Yeoul; Yeum, Cheol Ho; Yoon, Pyung Jin; Park, Chan Guk; Kim, Man Yoo; So, Insuk; Kim, Ki Whan; Choi, Seok

2005-10-31

Extracts of pine needles (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) have diverse physiological and pharmacological actions. In this study we show that pine needle extract alters pacemaker currents in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) by modulating ATP-sensitive K+ channels and that this effect is mediated by prostaglandins. In whole cell patches at 30 degrees , ICC generated spontaneous pacemaker potentials in the current clamp mode (I = 0), and inward currents (pacemaker currents) in the voltage clamp mode at a holding potential of -70 mV. Pine needle extract hyperpolarized the membrane potential, and in voltage clamp mode decreased both the frequency and amplitude of the pacemaker currents, and increased the resting currents in the outward direction. It also inhibited the pacemaker currents in a dose-dependent manner. Because the effects of pine needle extract on pacemaker currents were the same as those of pinacidil (an ATP-sensitive K+ channel opener) we tested the effect of glibenclamide (an ATP-sensitive K+ channels blocker) on ICC exposed to pine needle extract. The effects of pine needle extract on pacemaker currents were blocked by glibenclamide. To see whether production of prostaglandins (PGs) is involved in the inhibitory effect of pine needle extract on pacemaker currents, we tested the effects of naproxen, a non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitor, and AH6809, a prostaglandin EP1 and EP2 receptor antagonist. Naproxen and AH6809 blocked the inhibitory effects of pine needle extract on ICC. These results indicate that pine needle extract inhibits the pacemaker currents of ICC by activating ATP-sensitive K+ channels via the production of PGs.

Reduced ion bootstrap current drive on NTM instability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qu, Hongpeng; Wang, Feng; Wang, Aike; Peng, Xiaodong; Li, Jiquan

2018-05-01

The loss of bootstrap current inside magnetic island plays a dominant role in driving the neoclassical tearing mode (NTM) instability in tokamak plasmas. In this work, we investigate the finite-banana-width (FBW) effect on the profile of ion bootstrap current in the island vicinity via an analytical approach. The results show that even if the pressure gradient vanishes inside the island, the ion bootstrap current can partly survive due to the FBW effect. The efficiency of the FBW effect is higher when the island width becomes smaller. Nevertheless, even when the island width is comparable to the ion FBW, the unperturbed ion bootstrap current inside the island cannot be largely recovered by the FBW effect, and thus the current loss still exists. This suggests that FBW effect alone cannot dramatically reduce the ion bootstrap current drive on NTMs.

Valley Hall effect and Nernst effect in strain engineered graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niu, Zhi Ping; Yao, Jian-ming

2018-04-01

We theoretically predict the existence of tunneling valley Hall effect and Nernst effect in the normal/strain/normal graphene junctions, where a strained graphene is sandwiched by two normal graphene electrodes. By applying an electric bias a pure transverse valley Hall current with longitudinal charge current is generated. If the system is driven by a temperature bias, a valley Nernst effect is observed, where a pure transverse valley current without charge current propagates. Furthermore, the transverse valley current can be modulated by the Fermi energy and crystallographic orientation. When the magnetic field is further considered, we obtain a fully valley-polarized current. It is expected these features may be helpful in the design of the controllable valleytronic devices.

Nulling Hall-Effect Current-Measuring Circuit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sullender, Craig C.; Vazquez, Juan M.; Berru, Robert I.

1993-01-01

Circuit measures electrical current via combination of Hall-effect-sensing and magnetic-field-nulling techniques. Known current generated by feedback circuit adjusted until it causes cancellation or near cancellation of magnetic field produced in toroidal ferrite core by current measured. Remaining magnetic field measured by Hall-effect sensor. Circuit puts out analog signal and digital signal proportional to current measured. Accuracy of measurement does not depend on linearity of sensing components.

Validation of Finite-Element Models of Persistent-Current Effects in Nb 3Sn Accelerator Magnets

DOE PAGES

Wang, X.; Ambrosio, G.; Chlachidze, G.; ...

2015-01-06

Persistent magnetization currents are induced in superconducting filaments during the current ramping in magnets. The resulting perturbation to the design magnetic field leads to field quality degradation, in particular at low field where the effect is stronger relative to the main field. The effects observed in NbTi accelerator magnets were reproduced well with the critical-state model. However, this approach becomes less accurate for the calculation of the persistent-current effects observed in Nb 3Sn accelerator magnets. Here a finite-element method based on the measured strand magnetization is validated against three state-of-art Nb3Sn accelerator magnets featuring different subelement diameters, critical currents, magnetmore » designs and measurement temperatures. The temperature dependence of the persistent-current effects is reproduced. Based on the validated model, the impact of conductor design on the persistent current effects is discussed. The performance, limitations and possible improvements of the approach are also discussed.« less

The effect of papaine on the time course of the end-plate current.

PubMed

Humar, M; Kordas, M; Melik, Z

1980-07-01

Papaine is known to detach cholinesterases from the synaptic cleft. It could be expected that this would result in an increase of the amplitude and half-time of the end-plate current. Thus, the effect of papaine on the end-plate current. Thus, the effect of papaine on the end-plate current should be similar to the effect of anticholinesterase methanesulfonylfluoride. The end-plate current was recorded in frog skeletal muscle at various levels of membrane potential, before and after papaine was added to the bath. The effect of papaine was an increase of the half-time of the end-plate current, similarly as after treatment of the muscle by methanesulfonylfluoride. It seems that both papaine and methanesulfonylfluoride have a similar mechanism of action. In either experimental condition hydrolysis of transmitter is decreased or abolished, which results in an increase of the half-time of the end-plate current.

Line-of-sight magnetic flux imbalances caused by electric currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gary, G. Allen; Rabin, Douglas

1995-01-01

Several physical and observational effects contribute to the significant imbalances of magnetic flux that are often observed in active regions. We consider an effect not previously treated: the influence of electric currents in the photosphere. Electric currents can cause a line-of-sight flux imbalance because of the directionality of the magnetic field they produce. Currents associated with magnetic flux tubes produce larger imbalances than do smoothly-varying distributions of flux and current. We estimate the magnitude of this effect for current densities, total currents, and magnetic geometry consistent with observations. The expected imbalances lie approximately in the range 0-15%, depending on the character of the current-carying fields and the angle from which they are viewed. Observationally, current-induced flux imbalances could be indicated by a statistical dependence of the imbalance on angular distance from disk center. A general study of magnetic flux balance in active regions is needed to determine the relative importance of other- probably larger- effects such as dilute flux (too weak to measure or rendered invisible by radiative transfer effects), merging with weak background fields, and long-range connections between active regions.

Linear calculations of edge current driven kink modes with BOUT++ code

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

Li, G. Q., E-mail: ligq@ipp.ac.cn; Xia, T. Y.; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550

This work extends previous BOUT++ work to systematically study the impact of edge current density on edge localized modes, and to benchmark with the GATO and ELITE codes. Using the CORSICA code, a set of equilibria was generated with different edge current densities by keeping total current and pressure profile fixed. Based on these equilibria, the effects of the edge current density on the MHD instabilities were studied with the 3-field BOUT++ code. For the linear calculations, with increasing edge current density, the dominant modes are changed from intermediate-n and high-n ballooning modes to low-n kink modes, and the linearmore » growth rate becomes smaller. The edge current provides stabilizing effects on ballooning modes due to the increase of local shear at the outer mid-plane with the edge current. For edge kink modes, however, the edge current does not always provide a destabilizing effect; with increasing edge current, the linear growth rate first increases, and then decreases. In benchmark calculations for BOUT++ against the linear results with the GATO and ELITE codes, the vacuum model has important effects on the edge kink mode calculations. By setting a realistic density profile and Spitzer resistivity profile in the vacuum region, the resistivity was found to have a destabilizing effect on both the kink mode and on the ballooning mode. With diamagnetic effects included, the intermediate-n and high-n ballooning modes can be totally stabilized for finite edge current density.« less

Space Weather Effects Produced by the Ring Current Particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganushkina, Natalia; Jaynes, Allison; Liemohn, Michael

2017-11-01

One of the definitions of space weather describes it as the time-varying space environment that may be hazardous to technological systems in space and/or on the ground and/or endanger human health or life. The ring current has its contributions to space weather effects, both in terms of particles, ions and electrons, which constitute it, and magnetic and electric fields produced and modified by it at the ground and in space. We address the main aspects of the space weather effects from the ring current starting with brief review of ring current discovery and physical processes and the Dst-index and predictions of the ring current and storm occurrence based on it. Special attention is paid to the effects on satellites produced by the ring current electrons. The ring current is responsible for several processes in the other inner magnetosphere populations, such as the plasmasphere and radiation belts which is also described. Finally, we discuss the ring current influence on the ionosphere and the generation of geomagnetically induced currents (GIC).

Spin caloric effects in antiferromagnets assisted by an external spin current

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomonay, O.; Yamamoto, Kei; Sinova, Jairo

2018-07-01

Searching for novel spin caloric effects in antiferromagnets, we study the properties of thermally activated magnons in the presence of an external spin current and temperature gradient. We predict the spin Peltier effect—generation of a heat flux by spin accumulation—in an antiferromagnetic insulator with cubic or uniaxial magnetic symmetry. This effect is related to the spin-current induced splitting of the relaxation times of the magnons with the opposite spin direction. We show that the Peltier effect can trigger antiferromagnetic domain wall motion with a force whose value grows with the temperature of a sample. At a temperature larger than the energy of the low-frequency magnons, this force is much larger than the force caused by direct spin transfer between the spin current and the domain wall. We also demonstrate that the external spin current can induce the magnon spin Seebeck effect. The corresponding Seebeck coefficient is controlled by the current density. These spin-current assisted caloric effects open new ways for the manipulation of the magnetic states in antiferromagnets.

On the dynamical mechanisms of influence of synaptic currents on the neuron model with response differentiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zakharov, D. G.; Kuznetsov, A. S.

2015-08-01

The combined effect of synaptic NMDA, AMPA, and GABA currents on the neuron model with response differentiation has been considered. It has been shown that the GABA and NMDA currents can compensate the effects of each other, whereas the AMPA current not only leads to the suppression of oscillations but also significantly amplifies the high-frequency activity of the neuron induced by the NMDA current. Two bifurcation scenarios underlying these effects have been revealed. It has been predicted which scenario takes place under the combined influence of all three currents.

Observational/Numerical Study of the Upper Ocean Response to Hurricanes.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-01

current variance within 30-60 km of the storm center. The effect of the stress divergence and Eknan terms on the ocean current response rapidly...observed current variance within 30-60 km of the storm center. The effect of the stress divergence and Ekman terms on the ocean current response rapidly...110 2. M ode Splitting ....................................... IIl 3. M ixing Effects ....................................... 112 4

Influence of the substorm current wedge on the Dst index

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Friedrich, Erena; Rostoker, Gordon; Connors, Martin G.; McPherron, R. L.

1999-03-01

One of the major questions confronting researchers studying the nature of the solar-terrestrial interaction centers around whether or not the substorm expansive phase has any causal effect on the growth of the storm time ring current. This question is often addressed by using the Dst index as a proxy for the storm time ring current and inspecting the main phase growth of Dst in the context of the substorm expansive phases which occur in the same time frame as the ring current growth. In the past it has been assumed that the magnetic effects of the substorm current wedge have little influence on the Dst index because the current wedge is an asymmetric current system, while Dst is supposed to reflect changes in the symmetric component of the ring current. In this paper we shall shown that the substorm current wedge can have a significant effect on the present Dst index, primarily as a consequence of the fact that only four stations are presently used to formulate the index. Calculations are made assuming the instantaneous magnitude of the wedge current is constant at 1 MA. Hourly values of Dst may be as much as 50° smaller than those presented here because of variation of the wedge current over the hour. We shall show how the effect of the current wedge depends on the UT of the expansive phase onset, the angular extent of the current wedge, and the locale of the closure current in the magnetosphere. The fact that the substorm current wedge is a conjugate phenomenon has an important influence on the magnitude of the expansive phase effect in the Dst index.

Theory of Direct Optical Measurement of Pure Spin Currents in Direct-gap Semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jing; Liu, Ren-Bao; Zhu, Bang-Fen

2010-01-01

We predict that a pure spin current in a semiconductor may lead to the optical circular birefingence effect without invoking magnetization. This effect may be exploited for a direct, non-destructive measurement of the pure spin current. We derive the effective coupling between a pure spin current and a polarized light beam, and point out that it originates from the inherent spin-orbit coupling in the valence bands, rather than the Rashba or Dresselhaus effects due to inversion asymmetries. The Faraday rotation angle in GaAs is estimated, which indicates that this spin current optical birefringence is experimentally observable.

Measuring bi-directional current through a field-effect transistor by virtue of drain-to-source voltage measurement

DOEpatents

Turner, Steven Richard

2006-12-26

A method and apparatus for measuring current, and particularly bi-directional current, in a field-effect transistor (FET) using drain-to-source voltage measurements. The drain-to-source voltage of the FET is measured and amplified. This signal is then compensated for variations in the temperature of the FET, which affects the impedance of the FET when it is switched on. The output is a signal representative of the direction of the flow of current through the field-effect transistor and the level of the current through the field-effect transistor. Preferably, the measurement only occurs when the FET is switched on.

Development of a head-phantom and measurement setup for lightning effects.

PubMed

Machts, Rene; Hunold, Alexander; Leu, Carsten; Haueisen, Jens; Rock, Michael

2016-08-01

Direct lightning strikes to human heads lead to various effects ranging from Lichtenberg figures, over loss of consciousness to death. The evolution of the induced current distribution in the head is of great interest to understand the effect mechanisms. This work describes a technique to model a simplified head-phantom to investigate effects during direct lightning strike. The head-phantom geometry, conductive and dielectric parameters were chosen similar to that of a human head. Three layers (brain, skull, and scalp) were created for the phantom using agarose hydrogel doped with sodium chloride and carbon. The head-phantom was tested on two different impulse generators, which reproduce approximate lightning impulses. The effective current and the current distribution in each layer were analyzed. The biggest part of the current flowed through the brain layer, approx. 70 % in cases without external flashover. Approx. 23 % of the current flowed through skull layer and 6 % through the scalp layer. However, the current decreased within the head-phantom to almost zero after a complete flashover on the phantom occurred. The flashover formed faster with a higher impulse current level. Exposition time of current through the head decreases with a higher current level of the lightning impulse. This mechanism might explain the fact that people can survive a lightning strike. The experiments help to understand lightning effects on humans.

Autonomous Method and System for Minimizing the Magnitude of Plasma Discharge Current Oscillations in a Hall Effect Plasma Device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hruby, Vladimir (Inventor); Demmons, Nathaniel (Inventor); Ehrbar, Eric (Inventor); Pote, Bruce (Inventor); Rosenblad, Nathan (Inventor)

2014-01-01

An autonomous method for minimizing the magnitude of plasma discharge current oscillations in a Hall effect plasma device includes iteratively measuring plasma discharge current oscillations of the plasma device and iteratively adjusting the magnet current delivered to the plasma device in response to measured plasma discharge current oscillations to reduce the magnitude of the plasma discharge current oscillations.

Eddy Currents: Levitation, Metal Detectors, and Induction Heating

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wouch, G.; Lord, A. E., Jr.

1978-01-01

A simple and accessible calculation is given of the effects of eddy currents for a sphere in the field of a single circular loop of alternating current. These calculations should help toward the inclusion of eddy current effects in upper undergraduate physics courses. (BB)

Effects of electron cyclotron current drive on the evolution of double tearing mode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Guanglan; Dong, Chunying; Duan, Longfang

2015-09-01

The effects of electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) on the double tearing mode (DTM) in slab geometry are investigated by using two-dimensional compressible magnetohydrodynamics equations. It is found that, mainly, the double tearing mode is suppressed by the emergence of the secondary island, due to the deposition of driven current on the X-point of magnetic island at one rational surface, which forms a new non-complete symmetric magnetic topology structure (defined as a non-complete symmetric structure, NSS). The effects of driven current with different parameters (magnitude, initial time of deposition, duration time, and location of deposition) on the evolution of DTM are analyzed elaborately. The optimal magnitude or optimal deposition duration of driven current is the one which makes the duration of NSS the longest, which depends on the mutual effect between ECCD and the background plasma. Moreover, driven current introduced at the early Sweet-Parker phase has the best suppression effect; and the optimal moment also exists, depending on the duration of the NSS. Finally, the effects varied by the driven current disposition location are studied. It is verified that the favorable location of driven current is the X-point which is completely different from the result of single tearing mode.

Intensive current transfer in membrane systems: modelling, mechanisms and application in electrodialysis.

PubMed

Nikonenko, Victor V; Pismenskaya, Natalia D; Belova, Elena I; Sistat, Philippe; Huguet, Patrice; Pourcelly, Gérald; Larchet, Christian

2010-10-15

Usually in electrochemical systems, the direct current densities not exceeding the limiting current density are applied. However, the recent practice of electrodialysis evidences the interest of other current modes where either the imposed direct current is over the limiting one or a non-constant asymmetrical (such as pulsed) current is used. The paper is devoted to make the mechanisms of mass transfer under these current regimes more clear. The theoretical background for mathematical modelling of mass transfer at overlimiting currents is described. Four effects providing overlimiting current conductance are examined. Two of them are related to water splitting: the appearance of additional charge carriers (H(+) and OH(-) ions) and exaltation effect. Two others are due to coupled convection partially destroying the diffusion boundary layer: gravitational convection and electroconvection. These effects result from formation of concentration gradients (known as concentration polarization) caused by the current flowing under conditions where ionic transport numbers are different in the membrane and solution. Similar effects take place not only in electrodialysis membrane systems, but in electrode ones, in electrophoresis and electrokinetic micro- and nanofluidic devices such as micropumps. The relation of these effects to the properties of the membrane surface (the chemical nature of the fixed groups, the degree of heterogeneity and hydrophobicity, and the geometrical shape of the surface) is analyzed. The interaction between the coupled effects is studied, and the conditions under which one or another effect becomes dominant are discussed. The application of intensive current modes in electrodialysis, the state-of-the-art and perspectives, are considered. It is shown that the intensive current modes are compatible with new trends in water treatment oriented towards Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technologies. The main idea of these hybrid schemes including pressure- and electro-driven processes as well as conventional methods is to provide the precipitation of hardness salts before the membrane modules and that of well dissolved salts after. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[The effect of niflumic acid on gamma aminobutyric acid activated current in DRG neurons].

PubMed

Li, Li; Li, Jing; Ma, Ke-Tao; Cheng, Hong-Ju; Zhao, Lei; Wang, Yang; Si, Jun-Qiang

2013-01-01

To explore the modulatory effect of niflumic acid (NFA) on gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)-activated currents of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in rat. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record the NFA- and GABA-activated currents in neurons freshly dissociated from rat DRG neurons. Application of NFA(0.1 - 100 micromol/L) could induce concentration-dependent outward currents in some cells (21/48,43.75%), and GABA (0.1 - 100 micromol/L) could induce concentration-dependent inward currents in some cells(150/159,94.32%). NFA-(100 micromol/L) and GABA-(100 micromol/L) activated currents were (0.27 +/- 0.06) nA (n = 12) and (1.29 +/- 0.72) nA (n = 53) respectively. However, pre-application of NFA (0.1 - 100 micromol/L) could inhibit the GABA-activated inward current which was identified to be GABAA receptor-mediated current. The inhibitory effects of NFA were concentration-dependent. NFA could not alter the EC50 (about 30 micromol/L) and inverse potential (about -10 mV) of GABA-activated current (P > 0.05). Pre-application of NFA exerts a more strong inhibitory effect on the peak value of GABA-activated current.

Suppression of TFT leakage current effect on active matrix displays by employing a new circular switch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Jae-Hoon; Park, Hyun-Sang; Jeon, Jae-Hong; Han, Min-Koo

2008-03-01

We have proposed a new poly-Si TFT pixel, which can suppress TFT leakage current effect on active matrix organic diode (AMOLED) displays, by employing a new circular switching TFT and additional signal line for compensating the leakage current. When the leakage current of switching TFT is increased, the VGS of the current driving TFT in the proposed pixel is not altered by the variable data voltages due to the circular switching TFT. Our simulation results show that OLED current variation of the proposed pixel can be suppressed less than 3%, while that of conventional pixel exceeds 30%. The proposed pixel may be suitable to suppress the leakage current effect on AMOLED display.

Insulin treatment augments KCNQ1/KCNE1 currents but not KCNQ1 currents, which is associated with an increase in KCNE1 expression.

PubMed

Wu, Minghua; Obara, Yutaro; Ohshima, Shingo; Nagasawa, Yoshinobu; Ishii, Kuniaki

2017-11-04

Diabetes mellitus affects ion channel physiology. We have previously reported that acute application of insulin suppresses the KCNQ1/KCNE1 currents that play an important role in terminating ventricular action potential. In this study, we investigated the effect of long-term insulin treatment on KCNQ1/KCNE1 currents using the Xenopus oocyte expression system. Insulin treatment with a duration longer than 6 h had an opposite effect to acute insulin application, that is, it augmented the KCNQ1/KCNE1 currents. Inhibitors of PI3K, wortmannin and LY294002, and a MEK inhibitor, U0126, abolished the potentiating effect of long-term insulin treatment. The long-term treatment with insulin had no effect on KCNQ1 currents indicating an essential role of KCNE1 in the insulin effect, which is similar to the acute insulin effect. Cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, and brefeldin A, an inhibitor of protein transport from endoplasmic reticulum, suppressed the long-term insulin effect. Western blotting analysis combined with these pharmacological data suggest that long-term insulin treatment augments KCNQ1/KCNE1 currents by increasing KCNE1 protein expression. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Analysis of the contributions of ring current and electric field effects to the chemical shifts of RNA bases.

PubMed

Sahakyan, Aleksandr B; Vendruscolo, Michele

2013-02-21

Ring current and electric field effects can considerably influence NMR chemical shifts in biomolecules. Understanding such effects is particularly important for the development of accurate mappings between chemical shifts and the structures of nucleic acids. In this work, we first analyzed the Pople and the Haigh-Mallion models in terms of their ability to describe nitrogen base conjugated ring effects. We then created a database (DiBaseRNA) of three-dimensional arrangements of RNA base pairs from X-ray structures, calculated the corresponding chemical shifts via a hybrid density functional theory approach and used the results to parametrize the ring current and electric field effects in RNA bases. Next, we studied the coupling of the electric field and ring current effects for different inter-ring arrangements found in RNA bases using linear model fitting, with joint electric field and ring current, as well as only electric field and only ring current approximations. Taken together, our results provide a characterization of the interdependence of ring current and electric field geometric factors, which is shown to be especially important for the chemical shifts of non-hydrogen atoms in RNA bases.

Gradient-Type Magnetoelectric Current Sensor with Strong Multisource Noise Suppression.

PubMed

Zhang, Mingji; Or, Siu Wing

2018-02-14

A novel gradient-type magnetoelectric (ME) current sensor operating in magnetic field gradient (MFG) detection and conversion mode is developed based on a pair of ME composites that have a back-to-back capacitor configuration under a baseline separation and a magnetic biasing in an electrically-shielded and mechanically-enclosed housing. The physics behind the current sensing process is the product effect of the current-induced MFG effect associated with vortex magnetic fields of current-carrying cables (i.e., MFG detection) and the MFG-induced ME effect in the ME composite pair (i.e., MFG conversion). The sensor output voltage is directly obtained from the gradient ME voltage of the ME composite pair and is calibrated against cable current to give the current sensitivity. The current sensing performance of the sensor is evaluated, both theoretically and experimentally, under multisource noises of electric fields, magnetic fields, vibrations, and thermals. The sensor combines the merits of small nonlinearity in the current-induced MFG effect with those of high sensitivity and high common-mode noise rejection rate in the MFG-induced ME effect to achieve a high current sensitivity of 0.65-12.55 mV/A in the frequency range of 10 Hz-170 kHz, a small input-output nonlinearity of <500 ppm, a small thermal drift of <0.2%/℃ in the current range of 0-20 A, and a high common-mode noise rejection rate of 17-28 dB from multisource noises.

Gradient-Type Magnetoelectric Current Sensor with Strong Multisource Noise Suppression

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

A novel gradient-type magnetoelectric (ME) current sensor operating in magnetic field gradient (MFG) detection and conversion mode is developed based on a pair of ME composites that have a back-to-back capacitor configuration under a baseline separation and a magnetic biasing in an electrically-shielded and mechanically-enclosed housing. The physics behind the current sensing process is the product effect of the current-induced MFG effect associated with vortex magnetic fields of current-carrying cables (i.e., MFG detection) and the MFG-induced ME effect in the ME composite pair (i.e., MFG conversion). The sensor output voltage is directly obtained from the gradient ME voltage of the ME composite pair and is calibrated against cable current to give the current sensitivity. The current sensing performance of the sensor is evaluated, both theoretically and experimentally, under multisource noises of electric fields, magnetic fields, vibrations, and thermals. The sensor combines the merits of small nonlinearity in the current-induced MFG effect with those of high sensitivity and high common-mode noise rejection rate in the MFG-induced ME effect to achieve a high current sensitivity of 0.65–12.55 mV/A in the frequency range of 10 Hz–170 kHz, a small input-output nonlinearity of <500 ppm, a small thermal drift of <0.2%/℃ in the current range of 0–20 A, and a high common-mode noise rejection rate of 17–28 dB from multisource noises. PMID:29443920

Magnetic Field Dependence of the Critical Current in S-N Bilayer Thin Films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sadleir, John E.; Lee, Sang-Jun; Smith, Stephen James; Bandler, Simon; Chervenak, James; Kilbourne, Caroline A.; Finkbeiner, Fred M.; Porter, Frederick S.; Kelley, Richard L.; Adams, Joseph S.;

Determination of the Peltier Coefficient of Germanium in a Vertical Bridgeman-Stockbarger Furnace

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weigel, Michaela E. K.; Matthiesen, David H.

1997-01-01

The Peltier effect is the fundamental mechanism that makes interface demarcation through current pulsing possible. If a method for calculating the necessary current density for effective demarcation is to be developed, it will be necessary to know the value of the Peltier coefficient. This study determined experimentally the value of the Peltier coefficient for gallium-doped germanium by comparing the change in average growth rates between current-on and current-off periods. Current-on and current-off layer thickness measurements were made using differential interference contrast microscopy and atomic force microscopy. It was found that the Joule and Thomson effects could not be neglected. Peltier coefficients calculated from the experimental data with an analysis that accounts for Joule, Thomson, and Peltier effects yielded an average value for the Peltier coefficient of 0.076 +/- 0.015 V.

17 CFR 232.13 - Date of filing; adjustment of filing date.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving Time, whichever is currently in effect, shall be deemed filed on.... Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving Time, whichever is currently in effect, shall be deemed... Daylight Savings Time, whichever is currently in effect, shall be deemed filed on the same business day. (4...

17 CFR 232.13 - Date of filing; adjustment of filing date.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving Time, whichever is currently in effect, shall be deemed filed on.... Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving Time, whichever is currently in effect, shall be deemed... Daylight Savings Time, whichever is currently in effect, shall be deemed filed on the same business day. (4...

17 CFR 232.13 - Date of filing; adjustment of filing date.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving Time, whichever is currently in effect, shall be deemed filed on.... Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving Time, whichever is currently in effect, shall be deemed... Daylight Savings Time, whichever is currently in effect, shall be deemed filed on the same business day. (4...

17 CFR 232.13 - Date of filing; adjustment of filing date.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving Time, whichever is currently in effect, shall be deemed filed on.... Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving Time, whichever is currently in effect, shall be deemed... Daylight Savings Time, whichever is currently in effect, shall be deemed filed on the same business day. (4...

The Rise and Fall of Type Ia Supernova Light Curves in the SDSS-II Supernova Survey

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

Hayden, Brian T.; /Notre Dame U.; Garnavich, Peter M.

2010-01-01

We analyze the rise and fall times of Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) light curves discovered by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey-II (SDSS-II) Supernova Survey. From a set of 391 light curves k-corrected to the rest-frame B and V bands, we find a smaller dispersion in the rising portion of the light curve compared to the decline. This is in qualitative agreement with computer models which predict that variations in radioactive nickel yield have less impact on the rise than on the spread of the decline rates. The differences we find in the rise and fall properties suggest that amore » single 'stretch' correction to the light curve phase does not properly model the range of SN Ia light curve shapes. We select a subset of 105 light curves well observed in both rise and fall portions of the light curves and develop a '2-stretch' fit algorithm which estimates the rise and fall times independently. We find the average time from explosion to B-band peak brightness is 17.38 {+-} 0.17 days, but with a spread of rise times which range from 13 days to 23 days. Our average rise time is shorter than the 19.5 days found in previous studies; this reflects both the different light curve template used and the application of the 2-stretch algorithm. The SDSS-II supernova set and the local SNe Ia with well-observed early light curves show no significant differences in their average rise-time properties. We find that slow-declining events tend to have fast rise times, but that the distribution of rise minus fall time is broad and single peaked. This distribution is in contrast to the bimodality in this parameter that was first suggested by Strovink (2007) from an analysis of a small set of local SNe Ia. We divide the SDSS-II sample in half based on the rise minus fall value, t{sub r} - t{sub f} {approx}< 2 days and t{sub r} - t{sub f} > 2 days, to search for differences in their host galaxy properties and Hubble residuals; we find no difference in host galaxy properties or Hubble residuals in our sample.« less

Waveform anomaly caused by strong attenuation in the crust and upper mantle in the Okinawa Trough region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Padhy, S.; Furumura, T.; Maeda, T.

2017-12-01

The Okinawa Trough is a young continental back-arc basin located behind the Ryukyu subduction zone in southwestern Japan, where the Philippine Sea Plate dives beneath the trough, resulting in localized mantle upwelling and crustal thinning of the overriding Eurasian Plate. The attenuation structure of the plates and surrounding mantle in this region associated with such complex tectonic environment are poorly documented. Here we present seismological evidence for these features based on the high-resolution waveform analyses and 3D finite difference method (FDM) simulation. We analyzed regional broadband waveforms recorded by F-net (NIED) of in-slab events (M>4, H>100 km). Using band-passed (0.5-8 Hz), mean-squared envelopes, we parameterized coda-decay in terms of rise-time (time from P-arrival to maximum amplitude in P-coda), decay-time (time from maximum amplitude to theoretical S-arrival), and energy-ratio defined as the ratio of energy in P-coda to that in direct P wave. The following key features are observed. First, there is a striking difference in S-excitation along paths traversing and not traversing the trough: events from SW Japan not crossing the trough show clear S waves, while those occurring in the trough show very weak S waves at a station close to the volcanic front. Second, some trough events exhibit spindle-shaped seismograms with strong P-coda excitation, obscuring the development of S waves, at back-arc stations; these waveforms are characterized by high decay-time (>10s) and high energy-ratio (>>1.0), suggesting strong forward scattering along ray paths. Third, some trough events show weak S-excitation characterized by low decay-time (<5s) and low energy-ratio (<1.0) at fore-arc stations, suggesting high intrinsic absorption. To investigate the mechanism of the observed anomalies, we will conduct FDM simulation for a suite of models comprising the key subduction features like localized mantle-upwelling and crustal thinning expected in the region. It is expected that simulation results help to resolve rift-induced crust and upper mantle anomalies in the trough showing maximum waveform distortion as we observed in broadband records, and will enhance understanding of tectonic processes related to back-arc rifting in the region.

Effects of Angular Variation on Split D Differential Eddy Current Probe Response (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-02-10

AFRL-RX-WP-JA-2016-0327 EFFECTS OF ANGULAR VARIATION ON SPLIT D DIFFERENTIAL EDDY CURRENT PROBE RESPONSE (POSTPRINT) Ryan D...March 2014 – 22 September 2015 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE EFFECTS OF ANGULAR VARIATION ON SPLIT D DIFFERENTIAL EDDY CURRENT PROBE RESPONSE (POSTPRINT...last few years have seen increased levels of complexity added to push the state-of-the-art modeling software used in eddy current NDE today. The added

Interface-driven spin-torque ferromagnetic resonance by Rashba coupling at the interface between nonmagnetic materials

DOE PAGES

Jungfleisch, M. B.; Zhang, W.; Sklenar, J.; ...

2016-06-20

The Rashba-Edelstein effect stems from the interaction between the electron's spin and its momentum induced by spin-orbit interaction at an interface or a surface. It was shown that the inverse Rashba-Edelstein effect can be used to convert a spin current into a charge current. Here, we demonstrate the reverse process of a charge-to spin-current conversion at a Bi/Ag Rashba interface. We show that this interface-driven spin current can drive an adjacent ferromagnet to resonance. We employ a spin-torque ferromagnetic resonance excitation/detection scheme which was developed originally for a bulk spin-orbital effect, the spin Hall effect. In our experiment, the directmore » Rashba-Edelstein effect generates an oscillating spin current from an alternating charge current driving the magnetization precession in a neighboring permalloy (Py, Ni 80Fe 20) layer. As a result, electrical detection of the magnetization dynamics is achieved by a rectificationmechanism of the time dependent multilayer resistance arising from the anisotropic magnetoresistance.« less

Return currents in solar flares - Collisionless effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rowland, H. L.; Vlahos, L.

1985-01-01

If the primary, precipitating electrons in a solar flare are unstable to beam plasma interactions, it is shown that strong Langmuir turbulence can seriously modify the way in which a return current is carried by the background plasma. In particular, the return (or reverse) current will not be carried by the bulk of the electrons, but by a small number of high velocity electrons. For beam/plasma densities greater than 0.01, this can reduce the effects of collisions on the return current. For higher density beams where the return current could be unstable to current driven instabilities, the effects of strong turbulence anomalous resistivity is shown to prevent the appearance of such instabilities. Again in this regime, how the return current is carried is determined by the beam generated strong turbulence.

Direct detection of spin Nernst effect in platinum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bose, A.; Bhuktare, S.; Singh, H.; Dutta, S.; Achanta, V. G.; Tulapurkar, A. A.

2018-04-01

Generation of spin current lies at the heart of spintronic research. The spin Hall effect and the spin Seebeck effect have drawn considerable attention in the last few years to create pure spin current by heavy metals and ferromagnets, respectively. In this work, we show the direct evidence of heat current to spin current conversion in non-magnetic Platinum by the spin Nernst effect (SNE) at room temperature. This is the thermal analogue of the spin Hall effect in non-magnets. We have shown that the 8 K/μm thermal gradient in Pt can lead to the generation of pure spin current density of the order of 108 A/m2 by virtue of SNE. This opens up an additional possibility to couple the relativistic spin-orbit interaction with the thermal gradient for spintronic applications.

Saturation current and collection efficiency for ionization chambers in pulsed beams.

PubMed

DeBlois, F; Zankowski, C; Podgorsak, E B

2000-05-01

Saturation currents and collection efficiencies in ionization chambers exposed to pulsed megavoltage photon and electron beams are determined assuming a linear relationship between 1/I and 1/V in the extreme near-saturation region, with I and V the chamber current and polarizing voltage, respectively. Careful measurements of chamber current against polarizing voltage in the extreme near-saturation region reveal a current rising faster than that predicted by the linear relationship. This excess current combined with conventional "two-voltage" technique for determination of collection efficiency may result in an up to 0.7% overestimate of the saturation current for standard radiation field sizes of 10X10 cm2. The measured excess current is attributed to charge multiplication in the chamber air volume and to radiation-induced conductivity in the stem of the chamber (stem effect). These effects may be accounted for by an exponential term used in conjunction with Boag's equation for collection efficiency in pulsed beams. The semiempirical model follows the experimental data well and accounts for both the charge recombination as well as for the charge multiplication effects and the chamber stem effect.

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

Erkaev, N. V.; Semenov, V. S.; Biernat, H. K.

Hall magnetohydrodynamic model is investigated for current sheet flapping oscillations, which implies a gradient of the normal magnetic field component. For the initial undisturbed current sheet structure, the normal magnetic field component is assumed to have a weak linear variation. The profile of the electric current velocity is described by hyperbolic functions with a maximum at the center of the current sheet. In the framework of this model, eigenfrequencies are calculated as functions of the wave number for the ''kink'' and ''sausage'' flapping wave modes. Because of the Hall effects, the flapping eigenfrequency is larger for the waves propagating alongmore » the electric current, and it is smaller for the opposite wave propagation with respect to the current. The asymmetry of the flapping wave propagation, caused by Hall effects, is pronounced stronger for thinner current sheets. This is due to the Doppler effect related to the electric current velocity.« less

Inhibition of Acid Sensing Ion Channel Currents by Lidocaine in Cultured Mouse Cortical Neurons

PubMed Central

Lin, Jun; Chu, Xiangping; Maysami, Samaneh; Li, Minghua; Si, Hongfang; Cottrell, James E.; Simon, Roger P.; Xiong, Zhigang

2012-01-01

BACKGROUND Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that has multiple pharmacological effects including antiarrhythmia, antinociception, and neuroprotection. Acid sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated cation channels that belong to the epithelial sodium channel/degenerin superfamily. Activation of ASICs by protons results in sodium and calcium influx. ASICs have been implicated in various physiological processes including learning/memory, nociception, and in acidosis-mediated neuron injury. In this study, we examined the effect of lidocaine on ASICs in cultured mouse cortical neurons. METHODS ASIC currents were activated and recorded using a whole-cell patch-clamp technique in cultured mouse cortical neurons. The effects of lidocaine at different concentrations were examined. To determine whether the inhibition of lidocaine on ASIC currents is subunit specific, we examined the effect of lidocaine on homomeric ASIC1a and ASIC2a currents expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. RESULTS Lidocaine significantly inhibits the ASIC currents in mouse cortical neurons. The inhibition was reversible and dose dependent. A detectable effect was noticed at a concentration of 0.3 mM lidocaine. At 30 mM, ASIC current was inhibited by approximately 90%. Analysis of the complete dose-response relationship yielded a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 11.79 ± 1.74 mM and a Hill coefficient of 2.7 ± 0.5 (n = 10). The effect is rapid and does not depend on pH. In Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing different ASIC subunits, lidocaine inhibits the ASIC1a current without affecting the ASIC2a current. CONCLUSION ASIC currents are significantly inhibited by lidocaine. Our finding reveals a new pharmacological effect of lidocaine in neurons. PMID:21385979

Factors associated with current and severe physical side-effects after prostate cancer treatment: What men report.

PubMed

Steentjes, L; Siesling, S; Drummond, F J; van Manen, J G; Sharp, L; Gavin, A

2018-01-01

We identified patient and disease characteristics associated with (1) "current" physical side-effects of any severity; and (2) "severe" physical side-effects "ever" experienced by 3,348 (54%) prostate cancer (PCa) survivors in Ireland diagnosed 2-18 years previously. Postal questionnaires collected symptoms at diagnosis, post-biopsy complications, comorbidities, primary treatments and physical side-effects post-treatment (urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, libido loss, bowel problems, breast changes, hot flushes, and fatigue, "ever" and "current" at time of questionnaire completion). Men were grouped by "early" (localised) and "late" (locally advanced/advanced) disease at diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified patient and disease-related factors associated with post-treatment side-effects. Complications post-biopsy were associated with higher risk of "current" libido loss and impotence. Radical prostatectomy was associated with higher risk of "current" and "severe" incontinence, libido loss and impotence in both early and late disease. In early disease, brachytherapy was associated with lower risk of "current" fatigue and "severe" impotence. Comorbidities were associated with higher risk of "current" experience of four side-effects (incontinence, libido loss, bowel problems, fatigue). Men on active surveillance/watchful-waiting reported lower risk of sexual dysfunction. These findings could inform development of tailored information on side-effects, which, in turn, could inform treatment decision-making and post-treatment monitoring. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A universal steady state I-V relationship for membrane current

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chernyak, Y. B.; Cohen, R. J. (Principal Investigator)

1995-01-01

A purely electrical mechanism for the gating of membrane ionic channel gives rise to a simple I-V relationship for membrane current. Our approach is based on the known presence of gating charge, which is an established property of the membrane channel gating. The gating charge is systematically treated as a polarization of the channel protein which varies with the external electric field and modifies the effective potential through which the ions migrate in the channel. Two polarization effects have been considered: 1) the up or down shift of the whole potential function, and 2) the change in the effective electric field inside the channel which is due to familiar effect of the effective reduction of the electric field inside a dielectric body because of the presence of surface charges on its surface. Both effects are linear in the channel polarization. The ionic current is described by a steady state solution of the Nernst-Planck equation with the potential directly controlled by the gating charge system. The solution describes reasonably well the steady state and peak-current I-V relationships for different channels, and when applied adiabatically, explains the time lag between the gating charge current and the rise of the ionic current. The approach developed can be useful as an effective way to model the ionic currents in axons, cardiac cells and other excitable tissues.

Alpha effect of Alfv{acute e}n waves and current drive in reversed-field pinches

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

Litwin, C.; Prager, S.C.

Circularly polarized Alfv{acute e}n waves give rise to an {alpha}-dynamo effect that can be exploited to drive parallel current. In a {open_quotes}laminar{close_quotes} magnetic the effect is weak and does not give rise to significant currents for realistic parameters (e.g., in tokamaks). However, in reversed-field pinches (RFPs) in which magnetic field in the plasma core is stochastic, a significant enhancement of the {alpha} effect occurs. Estimates of this effect show that it may be a realistic method of current generation in the present-day RFP experiments and possibly also in future RFP-based fusion reactors. {copyright} {ital 1998 American Institute of Physics.}

Effect of Repeated Vaccination With the Same Vaccine Component Against 2009 Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) Virus.

PubMed

Martínez-Baz, Iván; Casado, Itziar; Navascués, Ana; Díaz-González, Jorge; Aguinaga, Aitziber; Barrado, Laura; Delfrade, Josu; Ezpeleta, Carmen; Castilla, Jesús

2017-03-15

The 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) (A[H1N1]pdm09) vaccine component has remained unchanged from 2009. We estimate the effectiveness of current and prior inactivated influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccination from influenza seasons 2010-2011 to 2015-2016. Patients attended with influenza-like illness were tested for influenza. Four periods with continued A(H1N1)pdm09 circulation were included in a test-negative design. We enrolled 1278 cases and 2343 controls. As compared to individuals never vaccinated against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, the highest effectiveness (66%; 95% confidence interval, 49%-78%) was observed in those vaccinated in the current season who had received 1-2 prior doses. The effectiveness was not statistically lower in individuals vaccinated in the current season only (52%) or in those without current vaccination and >2 prior doses (47%). However, the protection was lower in individuals vaccinated in the current season after >2 prior doses (38%; P = .009) or those currently unvaccinated with 1-2 prior doses (10%; P < .001). Current-season vaccination improved the effect in individuals with 1-2 prior doses and did not modify significantly the risk of influenza in individuals with >2 prior doses. Current vaccination or several prior doses were needed for high protection. Despite the decreasing effect of repeated vaccination, current-season vaccination was not inferior to no current-season vaccination. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Influence of electrically induced refraction and absorption on the measurement of spin current by pockels effect in GaAs

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

Liu, Houquan; She, Weilong, E-mail: shewl@mail.sysu.edu.cn

2015-03-14

The pockels effect could be utilized to measure spin current in semiconductors for linear electro-optic coefficient can be induced by spin current. When dc electric field is applied, the carriers will shift in k space, which could lead to the change of refraction and absorption coefficients. In this paper, we investigate the influence of the induced change of the refraction and absorption coefficients on the measurement of spin current by pockels effect in GaAs.

14 CFR 65.92 - Inspection authorization: Duration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... (CONTINUED) AIRMEN CERTIFICATION: AIRMEN OTHER THAN FLIGHT CREWMEMBERS Mechanics § 65.92 Inspection... effective mechanic certificate with both a currently effective airframe rating and a currently effective...

14 CFR 65.92 - Inspection authorization: Duration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... (CONTINUED) AIRMEN CERTIFICATION: AIRMEN OTHER THAN FLIGHT CREWMEMBERS Mechanics § 65.92 Inspection... effective mechanic certificate with both a currently effective airframe rating and a currently effective...

14 CFR 65.92 - Inspection authorization: Duration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... (CONTINUED) AIRMEN CERTIFICATION: AIRMEN OTHER THAN FLIGHT CREWMEMBERS Mechanics § 65.92 Inspection... effective mechanic certificate with both a currently effective airframe rating and a currently effective...

14 CFR 65.92 - Inspection authorization: Duration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... (CONTINUED) AIRMEN CERTIFICATION: AIRMEN OTHER THAN FLIGHT CREWMEMBERS Mechanics § 65.92 Inspection... effective mechanic certificate with both a currently effective airframe rating and a currently effective...

14 CFR 65.92 - Inspection authorization: Duration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... (CONTINUED) AIRMEN CERTIFICATION: AIRMEN OTHER THAN FLIGHT CREWMEMBERS Mechanics § 65.92 Inspection... effective mechanic certificate with both a currently effective airframe rating and a currently effective...

THE EFFECTS OF CURRENT FLOW ON BIOELECTRIC POTENTIAL

PubMed Central

Blinks, L. R.

1936-01-01

String galvanometer records show the effect of current flow upon the bioelectric potential of Nitella cells. Three classes of effects are distinguished. 1. Counter E.M.F'S, due either to static or polarization capacity, probably the latter. These account for the high effective resistance of the cells. They record as symmetrical charge and discharge curves, which are similar for currents passing inward or outward across the protoplasm, and increase in magnitude with increasing current density. The normal positive bioelectric potential may be increased by inward currents some 100 or 200 mv., or to a total of 300 to 400 mv. The regular decrease with outward current flow is much less (40 to 50 mv.) since larger outward currents produce the next characteristic effect. 2. Stimulation. This occurs with outward currents of a density which varies somewhat from cell to cell, but is often between 1 and 2 µa/cm.2 of cell surface. At this threshold a regular counter E.M.F. starts to develop but passes over with an inflection into a rapid decrease or even disappearance of positive P.D., in a sigmoid curve with a cusp near its apex. If the current is stopped early in the curve regular depolarization occurs, but if continued a little longer beyond the first inflection, stimulation goes on to completion even though the current is then stopped. This is the "action current" or negative variation which is self propagated down the cell. During the most profound depression of P.D. in stimulation, current flow produces little or no counter E.M.F., the resistance of the cell being purely ohmic and very low. Then as the P.D. begins to recover, after a second or two, counter E.M.F. also reappears, both becoming nearly normal in 10 or 15 seconds. The threshold for further stimulation remains enhanced for some time, successively larger current densities being needed to stimulate after each action current. The recovery process is also powerful enough to occur even though the original stimulating outward current continues to flow during the entire negative variation; recovery is slightly slower in this case however. Stimulation may be produced at the break of large inward currents, doubtless by discharge of the enhanced positive P.D. (polarization). 3. Restorative Effects.—The flow of inward current during a negative variation somewhat speeds up recovery. This effect is still more strikingly shown in cells exposed to KCl solutions, which may be regarded as causing "permanent stimulation" by inhibiting recovery from a negative variation. Small currents in either direction now produce no counter E.M.F., so that the effective resistance of the cells is very low. With inward currents at a threshold density of some 10 to 20 µa/cm.2, however, there is a counter E.M.F. produced, which builds up in a sigmoid curve to some 100 to 200 mv. positive P.D. This usually shows a marked cusp and then fluctuates irregularly during current flow, falling off abruptly when the current is stopped. Further increases of current density produce this P.D. more rapidly, while decreased densities again cease to be effective below a certain threshold. The effects in Nitella are compared with those in Valonia and Halicystis, which display many of the same phenomena under proper conditions. It is suggested that the regular counter E.M.F.'S (polarizations) are due to the presence of an intact surface film or other structure offering differential hindrance to ionic passage. Small currents do not affect this structure, but it is possibly altered or destroyed by large outward currents, restored by large inward currents. Mechanisms which might accomplish the destruction and restoration are discussed. These include changes of acidity by differential migration of H ion (membrane "electrolysis"); movement of inorganic ions such as potassium; movement of organic ions, (such as Osterhout's substance R), or the radicals (such as fatty acid) of the surface film itself. Although no decision can be yet made between these, much evidence indicates that inward currents increase acidity in some critical part of the protoplasm, while outward ones decrease acidity. PMID:19872991

Effects of magnetic islands on bootstrap current in toroidal plasmas

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

Dong, G.; Lin, Z.

The effects of magnetic islands on electron bootstrap current in toroidal plasmas are studied using gyrokinetic simulations. The magnetic islands cause little changes of the bootstrap current level in the banana regime because of trapped electron effects. In the plateau regime, the bootstrap current is completely suppressed at the island centers due to the destruction of trapped electron orbits by collisions and the flattening of pressure profiles by the islands. In the collisional regime, small but finite bootstrap current can exist inside the islands because of the pressure gradients created by large collisional transport across the islands. Lastly, simulation resultsmore » show that the bootstrap current level increases near the island separatrix due to steeper local density gradients.« less

Effects of magnetic islands on bootstrap current in toroidal plasmas

DOE PAGES

Dong, G.; Lin, Z.

2016-12-19

The effects of magnetic islands on electron bootstrap current in toroidal plasmas are studied using gyrokinetic simulations. The magnetic islands cause little changes of the bootstrap current level in the banana regime because of trapped electron effects. In the plateau regime, the bootstrap current is completely suppressed at the island centers due to the destruction of trapped electron orbits by collisions and the flattening of pressure profiles by the islands. In the collisional regime, small but finite bootstrap current can exist inside the islands because of the pressure gradients created by large collisional transport across the islands. Lastly, simulation resultsmore » show that the bootstrap current level increases near the island separatrix due to steeper local density gradients.« less

A High-Sensitivity Flexible Eddy Current Array Sensor for Crack Monitoring of Welded Structures under Varying Environment.

PubMed

Chen, Tao; He, Yuting; Du, Jinqiang

2018-06-01

This paper develops a high-sensitivity flexible eddy current array (HS-FECA) sensor for crack monitoring of welded structures under varying environment. Firstly, effects of stress, temperature and crack on output signals of the traditional flexible eddy current array (FECA) sensor were investigated by experiments that show both stress and temperature have great influences on the crack monitoring performance of the sensor. A 3-D finite element model was established using Comsol AC/DC module to analyze the perturbation effects of crack on eddy currents and output signals of the sensor, which showed perturbation effect of cracks on eddy currents is reduced by the current loop when crack propagates. Then, the HS-FECA sensor was proposed to boost the sensitivity to cracks. Simulation results show that perturbation effect of cracks on eddy currents excited by the HS-FECA sensor gradually grows stronger when the crack propagates, resulting in much higher sensitivity to cracks. Experimental result further shows that the sensitivity of the new sensor is at least 19 times that of the original one. In addition, both stress and temperature variations have little effect on signals of the new sensor.

Effect of notch depth of modified current collector on internal-short-circuit mitigation for lithium-ion battery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Meng; Noelle, Daniel J.; Shi, Yang; Le, Anh V.; Qiao, Yu

2018-01-01

Formation of internal short circuit (ISC) may result in catastrophic thermal runaway of lithium-ion battery (LIB). Among LIB cell components, direct contact between cathode and anode current collectors is most critical to the ISC behavior, yet is still relatively uninvestigated. In the current study, we analyze the effect of heterogeneity of current collector on the temperature increase of LIB cells subjected to mechanical abuse. The cathode current collector is modified by surface notches, so that it becomes effectively brittle and the ISC site can be isolated. Results from impact tests on LIB cells with modified current collectors suggest that their temperature increase can be negligible. The critical parameters include the failure strain and the failure work of modified current collector, both of which are related to the notch depth.

Space charge effects on the current-voltage characteristics of gated field emitter arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jensen, K. L.; Kodis, M. A.; Murphy, R. A.; Zaidman, E. G.

1997-07-01

Microfabricated field emitter arrays (FEAs) can provide the very high electron current densities required for rf amplifier applications, typically on the order of 100 A/cm2. Determining the dependence of emission current on gate voltage is important for the prediction of emitter performance for device applications. Field emitters use high applied fields to extract current, and therefore, unlike thermionic emitters, the current densities can exceed 103A/cm2 when averaged over an array. At such high current densities, space charge effects (i.e., the influence of charge between cathode and collector on emission) affect the emission process or initiate conditions which can lead to failure mechanisms for field emitters. A simple model of a field emitter will be used to calculate the one-dimensional space charge effects on the emission characteristics by examining two components: charge between the gate and anode, which leads to Child's law, and charge within the FEA unit cell, which gives rise to a field suppression effect which can exist for a single field emitter. The predictions of the analytical model are compared with recent experimental measurements designed to assess space charge effects and predict the onset of gate current. It is shown that negative convexity on a Fowler-Nordheim plot of Ianode(Vgate) data can be explained in terms of field depression at the emitter tip in addition to reflection of electrons by a virtual cathode created when the anode field is insufficient to extract all of the current; in particular, the effects present within the unit cell constitute a newly described effect.

Bradykinin induced a positive chronotropic effect via stimulation of T- and L-type calcium currents in heart cells.

PubMed

El-Bizri, Nesrine; Bkaily, Ghassan; Wang, Shimin; Jacques, Danielle; Regoli, Domenico; D'Orléans-Juste, Pedro; Sukarieh, Rami

2003-03-01

Using Fluo-3 calcium dye confocal microscopy and spontaneously contracting embryonic chick heart cells, bradykinin (10(-10) M) was found to induce positive chronotropic effects by increasing the frequency of the transient increase of cytosolic and nuclear free Ca2+. Pretreatment of the cells with either B1 or B2 receptor antagonists (R126 and R817, respectively) completely prevented bradykinin (BK) induced positive chronotropic effects on spontaneously contracting single heart cells. Using the whole-cell voltage clamp technique and ionic substitution to separate the different ionic current species, our results showed that BK (10(-6) M) had no effect on fast Na+ inward current and delayed outward potassium current. However, both L- and T-type Ca2+ currents were found to be increased by BK in a dose-dependent manner (10(-10)-10(-7) M). The effects of BK on T- and L-type Ca2+ currents were partially blocked by the B1 receptor antagonist [Leu8]des-Arg9-BK (R592) (10(-7) M) and completely reversed by the B2 receptor antagonist D-Arg[Hyp3,D-Phe7,Leu8]BK (R-588) (10(-7) M) or pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PTX). These results demonstrate that BK induced a positive chronotropic effect via stimulation of T- and L-type Ca2+ currents in heart cells mainly via stimulation of B2 receptor coupled to PTX-sensitive G-proteins. The increase of both types of Ca2+ current by BK in heart cells may explain the positive inotropic and chronotropic effects of this hormone.

Spin Hall effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinova, Jairo; Valenzuela, Sergio O.; Wunderlich, J.; Back, C. H.; Jungwirth, T.

2015-10-01

Spin Hall effects are a collection of relativistic spin-orbit coupling phenomena in which electrical currents can generate transverse spin currents and vice versa. Despite being observed only a decade ago, these effects are already ubiquitous within spintronics, as standard spin-current generators and detectors. Here the theoretical and experimental results that have established this subfield of spintronics are reviewed. The focus is on the results that have converged to give us the current understanding of the phenomena, which has evolved from a qualitative to a more quantitative measurement of spin currents and their associated spin accumulation. Within the experimental framework, optical-, transport-, and magnetization-dynamics-based measurements are reviewed and linked to both phenomenological and microscopic theories of the effect. Within the theoretical framework, the basic mechanisms in both the extrinsic and intrinsic regimes are reviewed, which are linked to the mechanisms present in their closely related phenomenon in ferromagnets, the anomalous Hall effect. Also reviewed is the connection to the phenomenological treatment based on spin-diffusion equations applicable to certain regimes, as well as the spin-pumping theory of spin generation used in many measurements of the spin Hall angle. A further connection to the spin-current-generating spin Hall effect to the inverse spin galvanic effect is given, in which an electrical current induces a nonequilibrium spin polarization. This effect often accompanies the spin Hall effect since they share common microscopic origins. Both can exhibit the same symmetries when present in structures comprising ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic layers through their induced current-driven spin torques or induced voltages. Although a short chronological overview of the evolution of the spin Hall effect field and the resolution of some early controversies is given, the main body of this review is structured from a pedagogical point of view, focusing on well-established and accepted physics. In such a young field, there remains much to be understood and explored, hence some of the future challenges and opportunities of this rapidly evolving area of spintronics are outlined.

Insulin stimulation of rat ventricular K+ currents depends on the integrity of the cytoskeleton.

PubMed

Shimoni, Y; Ewart, H S; Severson, D

1999-02-01

1. The effect of insulin on K+ currents was studied with enzymatically dispersed ventricular myocytes from insulin-deficient (type I) diabetic rats. Diabetic conditions were induced by a single intravenous injection of streptozotocin (100 mg kg-1) given 8-13 days before the experiments. Measurements of plasma glucose and insulin levels confirmed the diabetic status of the animals. 2. A Ca2+-independent transient outward K+ current, It, and a slowly inactivating, quasi-steady-state current, Iss, which are depressed in diabetic myocytes, could be restored by exposure to 1, 10 or 100 nM insulin. This was only observed after a delay of 5-6 h, although an insulin exposure of only 1 h was sufficient to initiate its stimulatory action on It and Iss. The stimulatory effect of insulin on these K+ currents was prevented by 2 microM cycloheximide, which in itself had no direct effect on these currents. 3. Disruption of the actin microfilament network with 1 microM cytochalasin D (CD) also prevented the stimulatory effect of 100 nM insulin on both It and Iss. Since CD was added 1 h after insulin, inhibitory effects on insulin signalling were ruled out. Adding CD (1 microM) 5-9 h after insulin, when currents were already augmented, had no effect (up to 50 min exposure). Incubating control cells for 6-10 h with 1 microM CD had no effect on any of the currents measured. 4. Stabilization of the actin network by pre-exposure to 2.5 microM phalloidin restored the stimulatory effect of insulin, in the continued presence of CD, ruling out any effects of CD on components other than the cytoskeleton. 5. The stimulatory effect of insulin was also prevented by incubating cells with insulin in the presence of the microtubule-disrupting agent colchicine (5 microM). 6. These results suggest that the insulin-mediated augmentation of K+ currents in diabetic myocytes requires protein synthesis, possibly of K+ channels, as well as an intact cytoskeleton. The possibility that newly formed channels translocate to the plasma membrane in a process dependent on different elements of the cytoskeleton is discussed.

Modeling the effect of shunt current on the charge transfer efficiency of an all-vanadium redox flow battery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yong-Song; Ho, Sze-Yuan; Chou, Han-Wen; Wei, Hwa-Jou

2018-06-01

In an all-vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB), a shunt current is inevitable owing to the electrically conductive electrolyte that fills the flow channels and manifolds connecting cells. The shunt current decreases the performance of a VRFB stack as well as the energy conversion efficiency of a VRFB system. To understand the shunt-current loss in a VRFB stack with various designs and operating conditions, a mathematical model is developed to investigate the effects of the shunt current on battery performance. The model is calibrated with experimental data under the same operating conditions. The effects of the battery design, including the number of cells, state of charge (SOC), operating current, and equivalent resistance of the electrolytes in the flow channels and manifolds, on the shunt current are analyzed and discussed. The charge-transfer efficiency is calculated to investigate the effects of the battery design parameters on the shunt current. When the cell number is increased from 5 to 40, the charge transfer efficiency is decreased from 0.99 to a range between 0.76 and 0.88, depending on operating current density. The charge transfer efficiency can be maintained at higher than 0.9 by limiting the cell number to less than 20.

The influence of eddy currents on magnetic actuator performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zmood, R. B.; Anand, D. K.; Kirk, J. A.

1987-01-01

The present investigation of the effects of eddy currents on EM actuators' transient performance notes that a transfer function representation encompassing a first-order model of the eddy current influence can be useful in control system analysis. The method can be extended to represent the higher-order effects of eddy currents for actuators that cannot be represented by semiinfinite planes.

Current-voltage characteristics influenced by the nanochannel diameter and surface charge density in a fluidic field-effect-transistor.

PubMed

Singh, Kunwar Pal; Guo, Chunlei

2017-06-21

The nanochannel diameter and surface charge density have a significant impact on current-voltage characteristics in a nanofluidic transistor. We have simulated the effect of the channel diameter and surface charge density on current-voltage characteristics of a fluidic nanochannel with positive surface charge on its walls and a gate electrode on its surface. Anion depletion/enrichment leads to a decrease/increase in ion current with gate potential. The ion current tends to increase linearly with gate potential for narrow channels at high surface charge densities and narrow channels are more effective to control the ion current at high surface charge densities. The current-voltage characteristics are highly nonlinear for wide channels at low surface charge densities and they show different regions of current change with gate potential. The ion current decreases with gate potential after attaining a peak value for wide channels at low values of surface charge densities. At low surface charge densities, the ion current can be controlled by a narrow range of gate potentials for wide channels. The current change with source drain voltage shows ohmic, limiting and overlimiting regions.

The Electrophysiological Effects of Qiliqiangxin on Cardiac Ventricular Myocytes of Rats

PubMed Central

Wei, Yidong; Liu, Xiaoyu; Wei, Haidong; Hou, Lei; Che, Wenliang; The, Erlinda; Li, Gang; Jhummon, Muktanand Vikash; Wei, Wanlin

2013-01-01

Qiliqiangxin, a Chinese herb, represents the affection in Ca channel function of cardiac myocytes. It is unknown whether Qiliqiangxin has an effect on Na current and K current because the pharmacological actions of this herb's compound are very complex. We investigated the rational usage of Qiliqiangxin on cardiac ventricular myocytes of rats. Ventricular myocytes were exposed acutely to 1, 10, and 50 mg/L Qiliqiangxin, and whole cell patch-clamp technique was used to study the acute effects of Qiliqiangxin on Sodium current (I Na), outward currents delayed rectifier outward K+ current (I K), slowly activating delayed rectifier outward K+ current (I Ks), transient outward K+ current (I to), and inward rectifier K+ current (I K1). Qiliqiangxin can decrease I Na by 28.53% ± 5.98%, and its IC50 was 9.2 mg/L. 10 and 50 mg/L Qiliqiangxin decreased by 37.2% ± 6.4% and 55.9% ± 5.5% summit current density of I to. 10 and 50 mg/L Qiliqiangxin decreased I Ks by 15.51% ± 4.03% and 21.6% ± 5.6%. Qiliqiangxin represented a multifaceted pharmacological profile. The effects of Qiliqiangxin on Na and K currents of ventricular myocytes were more profitable in antiarrhythmic therapy in the clinic. We concluded that the relative efficacy of Qiliqiangxin was another choice for the existing antiarrhythmic therapy. PMID:24250713

The Effects of the Activities of Current Textbook and 5 E Model on the Attitude of the Students: Sample of "The Global Effects of Natural Resources Unit"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Uzunoz, Abdulkadir

2011-01-01

This study aimed to determine the effects of the activities of current textbook and 5 E Model on the attitude of the students. This study is a research as an experimental model. For testing the effects of geography education supported by 5 E model and geography education based on activities of current textbook attitude of students, controlled…

Spin current and second harmonic generation in non-collinear magnetic systems: the hydrodynamic model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karashtin, E. A.; Fraerman, A. A.

2018-04-01

We report a theoretical study of the second harmonic generation in a noncollinearly magnetized conductive medium with equilibrium spin current. The hydrodynamic model is used to unravel the mechanism of a novel effect of the double frequency signal generation that is attributed to the spin current. According to our calculations, this second harmonic response appears due to the ‘non-adiabatic’ spin polarization of the conduction electrons induced by the oscillations in the non-uniform magnetization forced by the electric field of the electromagnetic wave. Together with the linear velocity response this leads to the generation of the double frequency spin current. This spin current is converted to the electric current via the inverse spin Hall effect, and the double-frequency electric current emits the second harmonic radiation. Possible experiment for detection of the new second harmonic effect is proposed.

Chemical potential of quasi-equilibrium magnon gas driven by pure spin current.

PubMed

Demidov, V E; Urazhdin, S; Divinskiy, B; Bessonov, V D; Rinkevich, A B; Ustinov, V V; Demokritov, S O

2017-11-17

Pure spin currents provide the possibility to control the magnetization state of conducting and insulating magnetic materials. They allow one to increase or reduce the density of magnons, and achieve coherent dynamic states of magnetization reminiscent of the Bose-Einstein condensation. However, until now there was no direct evidence that the state of the magnon gas subjected to spin current can be treated thermodynamically. Here, we show experimentally that the spin current generated by the spin-Hall effect drives the magnon gas into a quasi-equilibrium state that can be described by the Bose-Einstein statistics. The magnon population function is characterized either by an increased effective chemical potential or by a reduced effective temperature, depending on the spin current polarization. In the former case, the chemical potential can closely approach, at large driving currents, the lowest-energy magnon state, indicating the possibility of spin current-driven Bose-Einstein condensation.

The immediate effects of lidocaine iontophoresis using interferential current on pressure sense threshold and tactile sensation.

PubMed

Yoosefinejad, Amin Kordi; Motealleh, Alireza; Abbasnia, Keramatollah

2016-01-01

Iontophoresis is the noninvasive delivery of ions using direct current. The direct current has some disadvantages such as skin burning. Interferential current is a kind of alternating current without limitations of direct current; so the purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the effects of lidocaine, interferential current and lidocaine iontophoresis using interferential current. 30 healthy women aged 20-24 years participated in this randomized clinical trial study. Pressure, tactile and pain thresholds were evaluated before and after the application of treatment methods. Pressure, tactile and pain sensitivity increased significantly after the application of lidocaine alone (p < 0.005) and lidocaine iontophoresis using interferential current (p < 0.0001). Lidocaine iontophoresis using interferential current can increase perception threshold of pain, tactile stimulus and pressure sense more significantly than lidocaine and interferential current alone.

ION ACOUSTIC TURBULENCE, ANOMALOUS TRANSPORT, AND SYSTEM DYNAMICS IN HALL EFFECT THRUSTERS

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-30

17394 4 / 13 HALL EFFECT THRUSTERS Hall Effect Thrusters (HET): Traditionally Modeled in R-Z Named for Hall Current in θ Uses Quasi -1D Electron Fluid...HET): Traditionally Modeled in R-Z Named for Hall Current in θ Uses Quasi -1D Electron Fluid Solve Ohm’s Law→ No e−-momentum Zθ Unrolled to YZ...Current in θ Uses Quasi -1D Electron Fluid Solve Ohm’s Law→ No e−-momentum Zθ Unrolled to YZ Electron ExB Drift Unmagnetized Ions Results in Hall Current

Neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate inhibits persistent sodium currents in rat medial prefrontal cortex via activation of sigma-1 receptors.

PubMed

Cheng, Zheng-Xiang; Lan, Dan-Mei; Wu, Pei-Ying; Zhu, Yan-Hua; Dong, Yi; Ma, Lan; Zheng, Ping

2008-03-01

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate is one of the most important neurosteroids. In the present paper, we studied the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate on persistent sodium currents and its mechanism and functional consequence with whole-cell patch clamp recording method combined with a pharmacological approach in the rat medial prefrontal cortex slices. The results showed that dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate inhibited the amplitude of persistent sodium currents and the inhibitory effect was significant at 0.1 microM, reached maximum at 1 microM and decreased with the increase in the concentrations of above 1 microM. The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate on persistent sodium currents was canceled by the Gi protein inhibitor and the protein kinase C inhibitor, but not by the protein kinase A inhibitor. The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate on persistent sodium currents was also canceled by the sigma-1 receptor blockers and the sigma-1 receptor agonist could mimic the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate had no significant influence on neuronal excitability but could significantly inhibit chemical inhibition of mitochondria-evoked increase in persistent sodium currents. These results suggest that dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate inhibits persistent sodium currents via the activation of sigma-1 receptors-Gi protein-protein kinase C-coupled signaling pathway, and the main functional consequence of this effect of DHEAS is presumably to protect neurons under ischemia.

A review of the evidence for endocrine disrupting effects of current-use chemicals on wildlife populations.

PubMed

Matthiessen, Peter; Wheeler, James R; Weltje, Lennart

2018-03-01

This review critically examines the data on claimed endocrine-mediated adverse effects of chemicals on wildlife populations. It focuses on the effects of current-use chemicals, and compares their apparent scale and severity with those of legacy chemicals which have been withdrawn from sale or use, although they may still be present in the environment. The review concludes that the effects on wildlife of many legacy chemicals with endocrine activity are generally greater than those caused by current-use chemicals, with the exception of ethinylestradiol and other estrogens found in sewage effluents, which are causing widespread effects on fish populations. It is considered that current chemical testing regimes and risk assessment procedures, at least those to which pesticides and biocides are subjected, are in part responsible for this improvement. This is noteworthy as most ecotoxicological testing for regulatory purposes is currently focused on characterizing apical adverse effect endpoints rather than identifying the mechanism(s) responsible for any observed effects. Furthermore, a suite of internationally standardized ecotoxicity tests sensitive for potential endocrine-mediated effects is now in place, or under development, which should ensure further characterization of substances with these properties so that they can be adequately regulated.

[Effects of phoxim and fenvalerate on TTX-S and TTX-R sodium channels in the DRG neurons of adult rat].

PubMed

Wang, X; Xiao, H; Dai, X; Liu, X; Yu, X; Wu, J

2000-05-01

To study the joint neurotoxic effects of phoxim (Pho) and fenvalerate (Fen) on tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-S) and tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) Na(+) currents in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of adult rat. Whole cell patch clamp technique was used to test the effects of Pho and Fen on TTX-S and TTX-R sodium currents in DRG neurons. The inactivation of TTX-R sodium channel was obviously slowed down by Fen. The tau(Na) of peak currents at doses of 10, 50 and 100 micromol/L Fen and control groups were (8.10 +/- 2.41) ms, (11.78 +/- 2.76) ms, P < 0.01, (8.76 +/-1.94) ms, P < 0.05 and (6.41 +/- 1.32) ms respectively. The inactivation of TTX-R sodium channel tail currents was also significantly delayed by Fen. The tau(Na) of the tail currents at doses of 10, 50, 100 micromol/L Fen and control groups were 6.11 +/- 0.52 (P < 0.05), 7.82 +/- 0.82 (P < 0.05), 7.23 +/- 1.09 (P < 0.05) and (4.91 +/- 0.97) ms separately. As compared with TTX-R sodium channel, the TTX-S sodium channel was less responsive to Fen exposure, which only led to slowly decay TTX-S sodium tail currents. There was no any effect of Pho on the TTX-S and TTX-R sodium channels. The mixed treatment of a Pho and Fen did not show joint effect on the sodium currents. Both the peak and tail currents are changed by Fen, however, Fen has more remarkable effects on TTX-R than on TTX-S sodium channel. The combined exposure to Pho and Fen shows no joint effect on the sodium channel.

Crataegus extract blocks potassium currents in guinea pig ventricular cardiac myocytes.

PubMed

Müller, A; Linke, W; Klaus, W

1999-05-01

Crataegus extract is used in cardiology for the treatment of mild to moderate heart failure (NYHA II) in Germany. However, little is known about the electrophysiological actions of Crataegus extract in the heart. Recently, it was shown that Crataegus extract prolongs the refractory period in isolated perfused hearts and increases action potential duration in guinea pig papillary muscle. It was the aim of this study to find out the mechanism of the increase in action potential duration caused by Crataegus extract. Using the patch-clamp technique, we measured the effects of Crataegus extract (10 mg/l; flavonoid content: 2.25%, total procyanidin content: 11.3 +/- 0.4%) on the inward rectifier and the delayed rectifier potassium current in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes. To get some insight into the mechanism underlying the positive inotropic effect of Crataegus extract, we also looked for effects on the L-type calcium current. Crataegus extract slightly blocked both the delayed and the inward rectifier potassium current. The inhibition amounted to 25% and about 15%, respectively. This amount of inhibition of these repolarising currents is sufficient to explain the prolongation of action potential duration caused by Crataegus extract. To our surprise we could not detect any influence of Crataegus extract on the L-type calcium current. In summary, our results show that Crataegus extract blocks repolarising potassium currents in ventricular myocytes. This effect is similar to the action of class III antiarrhythmic drugs and might be the basis of the antiarrhythmic effects described for Crataegus extract. Our measurements of the L-type calcium current indicate that Crataegus extract's positive inotropic effect is not caused by phosphodiesterase inhibition or a beta-sympathomimetic effect.

To Legalize or not to Legalize? That is the Question

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-01

and international community to improve security and promote development in Afghanistan. The negative effect on the nations overall security, the...the problem/solution methodology. The research explores the current illicit opium cultivation in Afghanistan and its effect on the current...negative effect on the current development efforts. 15. SUBJECT TERMS 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT SAR 18. NUMBER OF

Electric field effects on ion currents in satellite wakes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parks, D. E.; Katz, I.

1985-01-01

Small currents associated with satellite spin, dielectric conduction, or trace concentrations of H+, can have a substantial effect on the potential of a satellite and the particle currents reaching its surface. The importance of such small currents at altitudes below about 300 km stems from the extremely small 0+ currents impinging on the wake-side of the spacecraft. The particle current on the downstream side of the AE-C satellite is considered. Theoretical estimates based on a newly described constant of the motion of a particle indicate that accounting for small concentrations of H+ remove a major discrepancy between calculated and measured currents.

[Protective effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla total alkaloids pretreatment on hippocampal neurons after acute hypoxia].

PubMed

Liu, Wei; Zhang, Zhao-qin; Zhao, Xiao-min; Gao, Yun-sheng

2006-05-01

To investigate the effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla total alkaloids (RTA) pretreatment on the voltage-gated sodium currents of the rat hippocampal neurons after acute hypoxia. Primary cultured hippocampal neurons were divided into RTA pre-treated and non-pretreated groups. Patch clamp whole-cell recording was used to compare the voltage-gated sodium current amplitude and threshold with those before hypoxia. After acute hypoxia, sodium current amplitude was significantly decreased and its threshold was upside. RTA pretreatment could inhibit the reduction of sodium current amplitude. RTA pretreatment alleviates the acute hypoxia-induced change of sodium currents, which may be one of the mechanisms for protective effect of RTA on cells.

Effects of imbalanced currents on large-format LiFePO4/graphite batteries systems connected in parallel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Wei; Hu, Xiaosong; Jin, Chao; Jiang, Jiuchun; Zhang, Yanru; Yip, Tony

2016-05-01

With the development and popularization of electric vehicles, it is urgent and necessary to develop effective management and diagnosis technology for battery systems. In this work, we design a parallel battery model, according to equivalent circuits of parallel voltage and branch current, to study effects of imbalanced currents on parallel large-format LiFePO4/graphite battery systems. Taking a 60 Ah LiFePO4/graphite battery system manufactured by ATL (Amperex Technology Limited, China) as an example, causes of imbalanced currents in the parallel connection are analyzed using our model, and the associated effect mechanisms on long-term stability of each single battery are examined. Theoretical and experimental results show that continuously increasing imbalanced currents during cycling are mainly responsible for the capacity fade of LiFePO4/graphite parallel batteries. It is thus a good way to avoid fast performance fade of parallel battery systems by suppressing variations of branch currents.

Giant current fluctuations in an overheated single-electron transistor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laakso, M. A.; Heikkilä, T. T.; Nazarov, Yuli V.

2010-11-01

Interplay of cotunneling and single-electron tunneling in a thermally isolated single-electron transistor leads to peculiar overheating effects. In particular, there is an interesting crossover interval where the competition between cotunneling and single-electron tunneling changes to the dominance of the latter. In this interval, the current exhibits anomalous sensitivity to the effective electron temperature of the transistor island and its fluctuations. We present a detailed study of the current and temperature fluctuations at this interesting point. The methods implemented allow for a complete characterization of the distribution of the fluctuating quantities, well beyond the Gaussian approximation. We reveal and explore the parameter range where, for sufficiently small transistor islands, the current fluctuations become gigantic. In this regime, the optimal value of the current, its expectation value, and its standard deviation differ from each other by parametrically large factors. This situation is unique for transport in nanostructures and for electron transport in general. The origin of this spectacular effect is the exponential sensitivity of the current to the fluctuating effective temperature.

Stabilizing effect of helical current drive on tearing modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Y.; Lu, X. Q.; Dong, J. Q.; Gong, X. Y.; Zhang, R. B.

2018-01-01

The effect of helical driven current on the m = 2/n = 1 tearing mode is studied numerically in a cylindrical geometry using the method of reduced magneto-hydro-dynamic simulation. The results show that the local persistent helical current drive from the beginning time can be applied to control the tearing modes, and will cause a rebound effect called flip instability when the driven current reaches a certain value. The current intensity threshold value for the occurrence of flip instability is about 0.00087I0. The method of controlling the development of tearing mode with comparative economy is given. If the local helical driven current is discontinuous, the magnetic island can be controlled within a certain range, and then, the tearing modes stop growing; thus, the flip instability can be avoided. We also find that the flip instability will become impatient with delay injection of the driven current because the high order harmonics have been developed in the original O-point. The tearing mode instability can be controlled by using the electron cyclotron current drive to reduce the gradient of the current intensity on the rational surfaces.

Investigation of the effects of external current systems on the MAGSAT data utilizing grid cell modeling techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klumpar, D. M. (Principal Investigator)

1982-01-01

Progress made in reducing MAGSAT data and displaying magnetic field perturbations caused primarily by external currents is reported. A periodic and repeatable perturbation pattern is described that arises from external current effects but appears as unique signatures associated with upper middle latitudes on the Earth's surface. Initial testing of the modeling procedure that was developed to compute the magnetic fields at satellite orbit due to current distributions in the ionosphere and magnetosphere is also discussed. The modeling technique utilizes a linear current element representation of the large scale space current system.

Prediction techniques for jet-induced effects in hover on STOVL aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wardwell, Douglas A.; Kuhn, Richard E.

1991-01-01

Prediction techniques for jet induced lift effects during hover are available, relatively easy to use, and produce adequate results for preliminary design work. Although deficiencies of the current method were found, it is still currently the best way to estimate jet induced lift effects short of using computational fluid dynamics. Its use is summarized. The new summarized method, represents the first step toward the use of surface pressure data in an empirical method, as opposed to just balance data in the current method, for calculating jet induced effects. Although the new method is currently limited to flat plate configurations having two circular jets of equal thrust, it has the potential of more accurately predicting jet induced effects including a means for estimating the pitching moment in hover. As this method was developed from a very limited amount of data, broader applications of the method require the inclusion of new data on additional configurations. However, within this small data base, the new method does a better job in predicting jet induced effects in hover than the current method.

Effects of itopride hydrochloride on the delayed rectifier K+ and L-type CA2+ currents in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes.

PubMed

Morisawa, T; Hasegawa, J; Hama, R; Kitano, M; Kishimoto, Y; Kawasaki, H

1999-01-01

The effects of itopride hydrochloride, a new drug used to regulate motility in the gastrointestinal tract, on the delayed rectifier K+ current (I(K)) and the L-type Ca2+ current (I(Ca)) were evaluated in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes at concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 microM to determine whether the drug has a proarrhythmic effect through blockade of I(K). Itopride did not affect I(K) at concentrations of 100 microM or less, and no significant effects of 1, 10 or 100 microM itopride were observed on the inward rectifier K+ current (I(K1)) responsible for the resting potential and final repolarization phase of the action potential. We next investigated the effects of itopride on L-type Ca2+ current (I(Ca)). Significant inhibition of I(Ca) was observed at itopride concentrations greater than 10 microM. These results suggested that itopride hydrochloride has an inhibitory effect on I(Ca) at concentrations much higher than those in clinical use.

Modified Johnson-Cook model incorporated with electroplasticity for uniaxial tension under a pulsed electric current

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Moon-Jo; Jeong, Hye-Jin; Park, Ju-Won; Hong, Sung-Tae; Han, Heung Nam

2018-01-01

An empirical expression describing the electroplastic deformation behavior is suggested based on the Johnson-Cook (JC) model by adding several functions to consider both thermal and athermal electric current effects. Tensile deformation behaviors are carried out for an AZ31 magnesium alloy and an Al-Mg-Si alloy under pulsed electric current at various current densities with a fixed duration of electric current. To describe the flow curves under electric current, a modified JC model is proposed to take the electric current effect into account. Phenomenological descriptions of the adopted parameters in the equation are made. The modified JC model suggested in the present study is capable of describing the tensile deformation behaviors under pulsed electric current reasonably well.

Optically controlled resonant tunneling in a double-barrier diode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kan, S. C.; Wu, S.; Sanders, S.; Griffel, G.; Yariv, A.

1991-03-01

The resonant tunneling effect is optically enhanced in a GaAs/GaAlAs double-barrier structure that has partial lateral current confinement. The peak current increases and the valley current decreases simultaneously when the device surface is illuminated, due to the increased conductivity of the top layer of the structure. The effect of the lateral current confinement on the current-voltage characteristic of a double-barrier resonant tunneling structure was also studied. With increased lateral current confinement, the peak and valley current decrease at a different rate such that the current peak-to-valley ratio increases up to three times. The experimental results are explained by solving the electrostatic potential distribution in the structure using a simple three-layer model.

Effect of ethanol at clinically relevant concentrations on atrial inward rectifier potassium current sensitive to acetylcholine.

PubMed

Bébarová, Markéta; Matejovič, Peter; Pásek, Michal; Hořáková, Zuzana; Hošek, Jan; Šimurdová, Milena; Šimurda, Jiří

2016-10-01

Alcohol intoxication tends to induce arrhythmias, most often the atrial fibrillation. To elucidate arrhythmogenic mechanisms related to alcohol consumption, the effect of ethanol on main components of the ionic membrane current is investigated step by step. Considering limited knowledge, we aimed to examine the effect of clinically relevant concentrations of ethanol (0.8-80 mM) on acetylcholine-sensitive inward rectifier potassium current I K(Ach). Experiments were performed by the whole-cell patch clamp technique at 23 ± 1 °C on isolated rat and guinea-pig atrial myocytes, and on expressed human Kir3.1/3.4 channels. Ethanol induced changes of I K(Ach) in the whole range of concentrations applied; the effect was not voltage dependent. The constitutively active component of I K(Ach) was significantly increased by ethanol with the maximum effect (an increase by ∼100 %) between 8 and 20 mM. The changes were comparable in rat and guinea-pig atrial myocytes and also in expressed human Kir3.1/3.4 channels (i.e., structural correlate of I K(Ach)). In the case of the acetylcholine-induced component of I K(Ach), a dual ethanol effect was apparent with a striking heterogeneity of changes in individual cells. The effect correlated with the current magnitude in control: the current was increased by eth-anol in the cells showing small current in control and vice versa. The average effect peaked at 20 mM ethanol (an increase of the current by ∼20 %). Observed changes of action potential duration agreed well with the voltage clamp data. Ethanol significantly affected both components of I K(Ach) even in concentrations corresponding to light alcohol consumption.

Absence of anomalous Nernst effect in spin Seebeck effect of Pt/YIG

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

Miao, B. F., E-mail: bfmiao@nju.edu.cn; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218; Huang, S. Y.

2016-01-15

The Pt/YIG structure has been widely used to study spin Seebeck effect (SSE), inverse spin Hall effect, and other pure spin current phenomena. However, the magnetic proximity effect in Pt when in contact with YIG, and the potential anomalous Nernst effect (ANE) may compromise the spin current phenomena in Pt/YIG. By inserting a Cu layer of various thicknesses between Pt and YIG, we have separated the signals from the SSE and that of the ANE. It is demonstrated that the thermal voltage in Pt/YIG mainly comes from spin current due to the longitudinal SSE with negligible contribution from the ANE.

Thermal imaging of spin Peltier effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daimon, Shunsuke; Iguchi, Ryo; Hioki, Tomosato; Saitoh, Eiji; Uchida, Ken-Ichi

2016-12-01

The Peltier effect modulates the temperature of a junction comprising two different conductors in response to charge currents across the junction, which is used in solid-state heat pumps and temperature controllers in electronics. Recently, in spintronics, a spin counterpart of the Peltier effect was observed. The `spin Peltier effect' modulates the temperature of a magnetic junction in response to spin currents. Here we report thermal imaging of the spin Peltier effect; using active thermography technique, we visualize the temperature modulation induced by spin currents injected into a magnetic insulator from an adjacent metal. The thermal images reveal characteristic distribution of spin-current-induced heat sources, resulting in the temperature change confined only in the vicinity of the metal/insulator interface. This finding allows us to estimate the actual magnitude of the temperature modulation induced by the spin Peltier effect, which is more than one order of magnitude greater than previously believed.

The theoretical current-voltage dependence of a non-degenerate disordered organic material obtained with conductive atomic force microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woellner, Cristiano F.; Freire, José A.; Guide, Michele; Nguyen, Thuc-Quyen

2011-08-01

We develop a simple continuum model for the current voltage characteristics of a material as measured by the conducting atomic force microscopy, including space charge effects. We address the effect of the point contact on the magnitude of the current and on the transition voltages between the different current regimes by comparing these with the corresponding expressions obtained with planar electrodes.

Effect of Lanthanum-Strontium Cathode Current-Collecting Layer on the Performance of Anode Supported Type Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Sun-Young; Ji, Ho-Il; Kim, Hae-Ryoung; Yoon, Kyung Joong; Son, Ji-Won; Lee, Hae-Weon; Lee, Jong-Ho

2013-07-01

We applied screen-printed (La,Sr)CoO3 as a current-collecting layer of planar type unit-cell for lower temperature operation of SOFCs. In this study the effects of the cathode current-collecting layer on the performance of unit cell and symmetric half cell were investigated via AC and DC polarization experiments. According to our investigation, appropriately controlled current collecting layer was very effective to enhance the unit cell performance by reducing not only the ohmic resistance but also the polarization losses of SOFC cathode.

Short-circuit current and ionic fluxes in the isolated colonic mucosa of Bufo arenarum.

PubMed

Lew, V L

1970-03-01

1. The unidirectional fluxes of (22)Na, (36)Cl and [(14)C]bicarbonate ions were measured in paired portions of the isolated and short-circuited colonic mucosa of Bufo arenarum, separated from its muscular layer. Pharmacological effects as well as effects of changes in the composition of the nutrient solutions on the electrical parameters of membrane activity (potential difference, short-circuit current and total membrane resistance) are described.2. The net fluxes of both Cl and bicarbonate ions were not significantly different from zero in the absence of electrochemical gradients across the membrane.3. The net Na flux from mucosa to serosa represented a variable proportion of the short-circuit current ranging from 62 to 100%.4. The proportion of membranes with high discrepancies between net Na flux and short-circuit current decreased with the duration of captivity of the toads.5. When Na was entirely replaced by choline in the mucosal bathing solution, the short-circuit current dropped by a variable amount within the range of 64 to 98% of its control values in different membranes. This effect was completely reversible. Similar changes in the serosal solution had no effect.6. The short-circuit current and potential difference were very sensitive to the serosal concentration of bicarbonate ions. In different membranes, 60-100% of the short-circuit current was reversibly abolished by bathing the serosal surface with a bicarbonate-free solution. The mucosal bicarbonate level had no effect on either the potential difference or the short-circuit current. 5 mM bicarbonate in the serosal solution restored at least 50% of the short-circuit control value and full recovery was attained by concentrations near 30 mM bicarbonate.7. Anoxia brought the potential difference and short-circuit current reversibly down to zero in about 50 min.8. Ouabain reduced the short-circuit current up to 80% in about 40 min when present in the serosal solution at a concentration of 10(-4)M. At this or lower concentrations the ouabain effect was reversible. Above this level ouabain produced 100% inhibition in 3-4 hr, but this was no longer reversible. Ouabain had no effect on the short-circuit current either when applied to the mucosal surface or in the absence of Na from the mucosal solution.9. Diamox produced a variable inhibition of the short-circuit current of up to 30% only at concentrations above 10 mM.10. Possible mechanisms are discussed for the appearance of the non-Na component of the short-circuit current. A theory concerning its nature is proposed.

Spin Current Noise of the Spin Seebeck Effect and Spin Pumping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsuo, M.; Ohnuma, Y.; Kato, T.; Maekawa, S.

2018-01-01

We theoretically investigate the fluctuation of a pure spin current induced by the spin Seebeck effect and spin pumping in a normal-metal-(NM-)ferromagnet(FM) bilayer system. Starting with a simple ferromagnet-insulator-(FI-)NM interface model with both spin-conserving and non-spin-conserving processes, we derive general expressions of the spin current and the spin-current noise at the interface within second-order perturbation of the FI-NM coupling strength, and estimate them for a yttrium-iron-garnet-platinum interface. We show that the spin-current noise can be used to determine the effective spin carried by a magnon modified by the non-spin-conserving process at the interface. In addition, we show that it provides information on the effective spin of a magnon, heating at the interface under spin pumping, and spin Hall angle of the NM.

Current matrix element in HAL QCD's wavefunction-equivalent potential method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Kai; Ishii, Noriyoshi

2018-04-01

We give a formula to calculate a matrix element of a conserved current in the effective quantum mechanics defined by the wavefunction-equivalent potentials proposed by the HAL QCD collaboration. As a first step, a non-relativistic field theory with two-channel coupling is considered as the original theory, with which a wavefunction-equivalent HAL QCD potential is obtained in a closed analytic form. The external field method is used to derive the formula by demanding that the result should agree with the original theory. With this formula, the matrix element is obtained by sandwiching the effective current operator between the left and right eigenfunctions of the effective Hamiltonian associated with the HAL QCD potential. In addition to the naive one-body current, the effective current operator contains an additional two-body term emerging from the degrees of freedom which has been integrated out.

Scale magnetic effect in quantum electrodynamics and the Wigner-Weyl formalism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chernodub, M. N.; Zubkov, M. A.

2017-09-01

The scale magnetic effect (SME) is the generation of electric current due to a conformal anomaly in an external magnetic field in curved spacetime. The effect appears in a vacuum with electrically charged massless particles. Similarly to the Hall effect, the direction of the induced anomalous current is perpendicular to the direction of the external magnetic field B and to the gradient of the conformal factor τ , while the strength of the current is proportional to the beta function of the theory. In massive electrodynamics the SME remains valid, but the value of the induced current differs from the current generated in the system of massless fermions. In the present paper we use the Wigner-Weyl formalism to demonstrate that in accordance with the decoupling property of heavy fermions the corresponding anomalous conductivity vanishes in the large-mass limit with m2≫|e B | and m ≫|∇τ | .

The Magnetic and Shielding Effects of Ring Current on Radiation Belt Dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fok, Mei-Ching

2012-01-01

The ring current plays many key roles in controlling magnetospheric dynamics. A well-known example is the magnetic depression produced by the ring current, which alters the drift paths of radiation belt electrons and may cause significant electron flux dropout. Little attention is paid to the ring current shielding effect on radiation belt dynamics. A recent simulation study that combines the Comprehensive Ring Current Model (CRCM) with the Radiation Belt Environment (RBE) model has revealed that the ring current-associated shielding field directly and/or indirectly weakens the relativistic electron flux increase during magnetic storms. In this talk, we will discuss how ring current magnetic field and electric shielding moderate the radiation belt enhancement.

Medicare long-term CPAP coverage policy: a cost-utility analysis.

PubMed

Billings, Martha E; Kapur, Vishesh K

2013-10-15

CPAP is an effective treatment for OSA that may reduce health care utilization and costs. Medicare currently reimburses the costs of long-term CPAP therapy only if the patient is adherent during a 90-day trial. If not, Medicare requires a repeat polysomnogram (PSG) and another trial which seems empirically not cost-effective. We modeled the cost-effectiveness of current Medicare policy compared to an alternative policy (clinic-only) without the adherence criterion and repeat PSG. Cost-utility and cost-effectiveness analysis. U.S. Medicare Population. N/A. N/A. We created a decision tree modeling (1) clinic only follow-up vs. (2) current Medicare policy. Costs were assigned based on Medicare reimbursement rates in 2012. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test our assumptions. We estimated cumulative costs, overall adherence, and QALY gained for a 5-year time horizon from the perspective of Medicare as the payer. Current Medicare policy is more costly than the clinic-only policy but has higher net adherence and improved utility. Current Medicare policy compared to clinic-only policy costs $30,544 more per QALY. Current CMS policy promotes early identification of those more likely to adhere to CPAP therapy by requiring strict adherence standards. The policy effect is to deny coverage to those unlikely to use CPAP long-term and prevent wasted resources. Future studies are needed to measure long-term adherence in an elderly population with and without current adherence requirements to verify the cost-effectiveness of a policy change.

A Sensorless Predictive Current Controlled Boost Converter by Using an EKF with Load Variation Effect Elimination Function

PubMed Central

Tong, Qiaoling; Chen, Chen; Zhang, Qiao; Zou, Xuecheng

2015-01-01

To realize accurate current control for a boost converter, a precise measurement of the inductor current is required to achieve high resolution current regulating. Current sensors are widely used to measure the inductor current. However, the current sensors and their processing circuits significantly contribute extra hardware cost, delay and noise to the system. They can also harm the system reliability. Therefore, current sensorless control techniques can bring cost effective and reliable solutions for various boost converter applications. According to the derived accurate model, which contains a number of parasitics, the boost converter is a nonlinear system. An Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is proposed for inductor current estimation and output voltage filtering. With this approach, the system can have the same advantages as sensored current control mode. To implement EKF, the load value is necessary. However, the load may vary from time to time. This can lead to errors of current estimation and filtered output voltage. To solve this issue, a load variation elimination effect elimination (LVEE) module is added. In addition, a predictive average current controller is used to regulate the current. Compared with conventional voltage controlled system, the transient response is greatly improved since it only takes two switching cycles for the current to reach its reference. Finally, experimental results are presented to verify the stable operation and output tracking capability for large-signal transients of the proposed algorithm. PMID:25928061

Effect of urinary trypsin inhibitor on potassium currents: fetus modulates membrane excitability by production of UTI.

PubMed

Takeuchi, Kinya; Fukuda, Atsuo; Kanayama, Naohiro

2004-01-01

Amniotic fluid contains a significant level of urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI). Previously, we reported that UTI inhibits calcium influx of myometrium and it is effective in preventing uterine contraction. This study examined the effects of UTI upon potassium channels, which is important for membrane excitability. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed in fibroblasts derived from human fetal skin. Potassium currents were recorded and the effects of exogenous UTI and/or cadmium determined. Tetraethylammonium sensitive potassium currents were elicited by step or ramp stimulations at depolarized membrane potentials (over +30 mV). Administration of 1 micro M UTI significantly increased these potassium currents by 16.9%. When calcium channels were blocked by the administration of cadmium, UTI increased the rest of the potassium currents by 4.8%. This indicates that UTI increased calcium-dependent potassium currents by 94.8% but only increased voltage-dependent potassium currents by 4.8%. Urinary trypsin inhibitor is a physiological substance of fetal origin that modulates calcium-dependent and voltage-dependent potassium channels. These data suggest that UTI is capable of regulating the membrane properties of the fetal and myometrial cells in contact with amniotic fluid.

Inhibition of Kv7/M Channel Currents by the Local Anesthetic Chloroprocaine.

PubMed

Zhang, Fan; Cheng, Yanxin; Li, Hong; Jia, Qingzhong; Zhang, Hailin; Zhao, Senming

2015-01-01

Chloroprocaine is a local ester anesthetic, producing excellent sensory block in clinical use. The Kv7/M potassium channel plays an important role in the control of neuronal excitability. In this study, we investigated the effects of the local anesthetic chloroprocaine on Kv7/M channels as well as the effect of retigabine on chloroprocaine-induced seizures. A perforated whole-cell patch technique was used to record Kv7 currents from HEK293 cells and M-type currents from rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Chloroprocaine produced a number of effects on Kv7.2/Kv7.3 currents, including a lowering of current amplitudes, a rightward shift in the voltage-dependent activation curves, and a slowing of channel activation. Chloroprocaine had a more selective inhibitory effect on the homomeric Kv7.3 and heteromeric Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels than on the homomeric Kv7.2 channel. Chloroprocaine also inhibited native M channel currents and induced a depolarization of the DRG neuron membrane potential. Taken together, the findings indicate that chloroprocaine concentration dependently inhibited Kv7/M channel currents. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Beta-phenylethylamine inhibits K+ currents in neocortical neurons of the rat: a possible mechanism of beta-phenylethylamine-induced seizures.

PubMed

Kitamura, Taro; Munakata, Mitsutoshi; Haginoya, Kazuhiro; Tsuchiya, Shigeru; Iinuma, Kazuie

2008-08-01

beta-Phenylethylamine (beta-PEA), an endogenous amine synthesized in the brain, serves as a neuromodulator and is involved in the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. beta-PEA fully exerts the physiological effects within the nanomolar concentration range via the trace amine receptors, but beta-PEA also causes convulsions at much higher concentrations via an as yet unknown mechanism. To investigate the electrophysiological mechanism by which beta-PEA induces convulsions, we examined the effect of beta-PEA on ionic currents passing through the cell membrane of dissociated rat cerebral cortical neurons, using a patch-clamp technique. The external application of beta-PEA suppressed ionic currents which continuously flowed when the membrane potential was held at -25 mV. The suppression was in a concentration-dependent manner and a half-maximal effective concentration was 540 muM. These currents suppressed by beta-PEA consisted of two K(+) currents: a time- and voltage-dependent K(+) current (M-current) and a leakage K(+) current. The suppression of the M-current reduces the efficacy of the current in limiting excessive neuronal firing, and the suppression of the leakage K(+) current can cause membrane depolarization and thus promote neuronal excitation. Reducing both of these currents in concert may produce neuronal seizing activity, which could conceivably underlie the convulsions induced by high-dose beta-PEA.

The effectiveness of using the calculated braking current for longitudinal differential protection of 110 - 750 kV shunt reactors

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

Vdovin, S. A.; Shalimov, A. S.

2013-05-15

The use of the function of effective current braking of the longitudinal differential protection of shunt reactors to offset current surges, which enables the sensitivity of differential protection to be increased when there are short circuits with low damage currents, is considered. It is shown that the use of the calculated braking characteristic enables the reliability of offset protection from transients to be increased when the reactor is connected, which is accompanied by the flow of asymmetric currents containing an aperiodic component.

Longitudinal Proximity Effects in Superconducting Transition-Edge Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sadleir, John E.; Smith, Stephen J.; Bandler, SImon R.; Chervenak, James A.; Clem, John R.

2009-01-01

We have found experimentally that the critical current of a square superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) depends exponentially upon the side length L and the square root of the temperature T. As a consequence, the effective transition temperature T(sub c) of the TES is current-dependent and at fixed current scales as 1/L(sup 2). We also have found that the critical current can show clear Fraunhofer-like oscillations in an applied magnetic field, similar to those found in Josephson junctions. The observed behavior has a natural theoretical explanation in terms of longitudinal proximity effects if the TES is regarded as a weak link between superconducting leads. We have observed the proximity effect in these devices over extraordinarily long lengths exceeding 100 microns.

Enhanced thermo-spin effects in iron-oxide/metal multilayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramos, R.; Lucas, I.; Algarabel, P. A.; Morellón, L.; Uchida, K.; Saitoh, E.; Ibarra, M. R.

2018-06-01

Since the discovery of the spin Seebeck effect (SSE), much attention has been devoted to the study of the interaction between heat, spin, and charge in magnetic systems. The SSE refers to the generation of a spin current upon the application of a thermal gradient and detected by means of the inverse spin Hall effect. Conversely, the spin Peltier effect (SPE) refers to the generation of a heat current as a result of a spin current induced by the spin Hall effect. Here we report a strong enhancement of both the SSE and SPE in Fe3O4/Pt multilayered thin films at room temperature as a result of an increased thermo-spin conversion efficiency in the multilayers. These results open the possibility to design thin film heterostructures that may boost the application of thermal spin currents in spintronics.

Layer thickness dependence of the current-induced effective field vector in Ta|CoFeB|MgO.

PubMed

Kim, Junyeon; Sinha, Jaivardhan; Hayashi, Masamitsu; Yamanouchi, Michihiko; Fukami, Shunsuke; Suzuki, Tetsuhiro; Mitani, Seiji; Ohno, Hideo

2013-03-01

Current-induced effective magnetic fields can provide efficient ways of electrically manipulating the magnetization of ultrathin magnetic heterostructures. Two effects, known as the Rashba spin orbit field and the spin Hall spin torque, have been reported to be responsible for the generation of the effective field. However, a quantitative understanding of the effective field, including its direction with respect to the current flow, is lacking. Here we describe vector measurements of the current-induced effective field in Ta|CoFeB|MgO heterostructrures. The effective field exhibits a significant dependence on the Ta and CoFeB layer thicknesses. In particular, a 1 nm thickness variation of the Ta layer can change the magnitude of the effective field by nearly two orders of magnitude. Moreover, its sign changes when the Ta layer thickness is reduced, indicating that there are two competing effects contributing to it. Our results illustrate that the presence of atomically thin metals can profoundly change the landscape for controlling magnetic moments in magnetic heterostructures electrically.

Effects of epitaxial structure and processing on electrical characteristics of InAs-based nBn infrared detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, X.; Savich, G. R.; Marozas, B. T.; Wicks, G. W.

2017-02-01

The conventional processing of the III-V nBn photodetectors defines mesa devices by etching the contact n-layer and stopping immediately above the barrier, i.e., a shallow etch. This processing enables great suppression of surface leakage currents without having to explore surface passivation techniques. However, devices that are made with this processing scheme are subject to lateral diffusion currents. To address the lateral diffusion current, we compare the effects of different processing approaches and epitaxial structures of nBn detectors. The conventional solution for eliminating lateral diffusion current, a deep etch through the barrier and the absorber, creates increased dark currents and an increased device failure rate. To avoid deep etch processing, a new device structure is proposed, the inverted-nBn structure. By comparing with the conventional nBn structure, the results show that the lateral diffusion current is effectively eliminated in the inverted-nBn structure without elevating the dark currents.

Valley current characterization of high current density resonant tunnelling diodes for terahertz-wave applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacobs, K. J. P.; Stevens, B. J.; Baba, R.; Wada, O.; Mukai, T.; Hogg, R. A.

2017-10-01

We report valley current characterisation of high current density InGaAs/AlAs/InP resonant tunnelling diodes (RTDs) grown by metal-organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE) for THz emission, with a view to investigate the origin of the valley current and optimize device performance. By applying a dual-pass fabrication technique, we are able to measure the RTD I-V characteristic for different perimeter/area ratios, which uniquely allows us to investigate the contribution of leakage current to the valley current and its effect on the PVCR from a single device. Temperature dependent (20 - 300 K) characteristics for a device are critically analysed and the effect of temperature on the maximum extractable power (PMAX) and the negative differential conductance (NDC) of the device is investigated. By performing theoretical modelling, we are able to explore the effect of typical variations in structural composition during the growth process on the tunnelling properties of the device, and hence the device performance.

Study of tunneling transport in Si-based tunnel field-effect transistors with ON current enhancement utilizing isoelectronic trap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mori, Takahiro; Morita, Yukinori; Miyata, Noriyuki; Migita, Shinji; Fukuda, Koichi; Mizubayashi, Wataru; Masahara, Meishoku; Yasuda, Tetsuji; Ota, Hiroyuki

2015-02-01

The temperature dependence of the tunneling transport characteristics of Si diodes with an isoelectronic impurity has been investigated in order to clarify the mechanism of the ON-current enhancement in Si-based tunnel field-effect transistors (TFETs) utilizing an isoelectronic trap (IET). The Al-N complex impurity was utilized for IET formation. We observed three types of tunneling current components in the diodes: indirect band-to-band tunneling (BTBT), trap-assisted tunneling (TAT), and thermally inactive tunneling. The indirect BTBT and TAT current components can be distinguished with the plot described in this paper. The thermally inactive tunneling current probably originated from tunneling consisting of two paths: tunneling between the valence band and the IET trap and tunneling between the IET trap and the conduction band. The probability of thermally inactive tunneling with the Al-N IET state is higher than the others. Utilization of the thermally inactive tunneling current has a significant effect in enhancing the driving current of Si-based TFETs.

Combined effects of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation and transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation on robot-assisted gait training in patients with chronic brain stroke: A pilot, single blind, randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Picelli, Alessandro; Chemello, Elena; Castellazzi, Paola; Filippetti, Mirko; Brugnera, Annalisa; Gandolfi, Marialuisa; Waldner, Andreas; Saltuari, Leopold; Smania, Nicola

2018-01-01

Preliminary evidence showed additional effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the damaged cerebral hemisphere combined with cathodal transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation during robot-assisted gait training in chronic stroke patients. This is consistent with the neural organization of locomotion involving cortical and spinal control. The cerebellum is crucial for locomotor control, in particular for avoidance of obstacles, and adaptation to novel conditions during walking. Despite its key role in gait control, to date the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation of the cerebellum have not been investigated on brain stroke patients treated with robot-assisted gait training. To evaluate the effects of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation combined with transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation on robot-assisted gait training in patients with chronic brain stroke. After balanced randomization, 20 chronic stroke patients received ten, 20-minute robot-assisted gait training sessions (five days a week, for two consecutive weeks) combined with central nervous system stimulation. Group 1 underwent on-line cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the contralesional cerebellar hemisphere + cathodal transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation. Group 2 received on-line anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the damaged cerebral hemisphere + cathodal transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation. The primary outcome was the 6-minute walk test performed before, after, and at follow-up at 2 and 4 weeks post-treatment. The significant differences in the 6-minute walk test noted between groups at the first post-treatment evaluation (p = 0.041) were not maintained at either the 2-week (P = 0.650) or the 4-week (P = 0.545) follow-up evaluations. Our preliminary findings support the hypothesis that cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the contralesional cerebellar hemisphere in combination with cathodal transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation might be useful to boost the effects of robot-assisted gait training in chronic brain stroke patients with walking impairment.

Effects of pioglitazone on cardiac ion currents and action potential morphology in canine ventricular myocytes.

PubMed

Kistamás, Kornél; Szentandrássy, Norbert; Hegyi, Bence; Ruzsnavszky, Ferenc; Váczi, Krisztina; Bárándi, László; Horváth, Balázs; Szebeni, Andrea; Magyar, János; Bányász, Tamás; Kecskeméti, Valéria; Nánási, Péter P

2013-06-15

Despite its widespread therapeutical use there is little information on the cellular cardiac effects of the antidiabetic drug pioglitazone in larger mammals. In the present study, therefore, the concentration-dependent effects of pioglitazone on ion currents and action potential configuration were studied in isolated canine ventricular myocytes using standard microelectrode, conventional whole cell patch clamp, and action potential voltage clamp techniques. Pioglitazone decreased the maximum velocity of depolarization and the amplitude of phase-1 repolarization at concentrations ≥3 μM. Action potentials were shortened by pioglitazone at concentrations ≥10 μM, which effect was accompanied with significant reduction of beat-to-beat variability of action potential duration. Several transmembrane ion currents, including the transient outward K(+) current (Ito), the L-type Ca(2+) current (ICa), the rapid and slow components of the delayed rectifier K(+) current (IKr and IKs, respectively), and the inward rectifier K(+) current (IK1) were inhibited by pioglitazone under conventional voltage clamp conditions. Ito was blocked significantly at concentrations ≥3 μM, ICa, IKr, IKs at concentrations ≥10 μM, while IK1 at concentrations ≥30 μM. Suppression of Ito, ICa, IKr, and IK1 has been confirmed also under action potential voltage clamp conditions. ATP-sensitive K(+) current, when activated by lemakalim, was effectively blocked by pioglitazone. Accordingly, action potentials were prolonged by 10 μM pioglitazone when the drug was applied in the presence of lemakalim. All these effects developed rapidly and were readily reversible upon washout. In conclusion, pioglitazone seems to be a harmless agent at usual therapeutic concentrations. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of electric current on individual graphene oxide sheets combining in situ transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martín, Gemma; Varea, Aïda; Cirera, Albert; Estradé, Sònia; Peiró, Francesca; Cornet, Albert

2018-07-01

Graphene oxide (GO) is currently the object of extensive research because of its potential use in mass production of graphene-based materials, but also due to its tunability which holds great promise for new nanoscale electronic devices and sensors. To obtain a better understanding of the role of GO in electronic nano-devices, the elucidation of the effects of electrical current on a single GO sheet is of great interest. In this work, in situ transmission electron microscopy is used to study the effects of the electrical current flow through single GO sheets using an scanning tunneling microscope holder. In order to correlate the applied current with the structural properties of GO, Raman spectroscopy is carried out and data analysis is used to obtain information regarding the reduction grade and the disorder degree of the GO sheets before and after the application of current.

Magnetoelectric Current Sensors

PubMed Central

Bichurin, Mirza; Petrov, Roman; Leontiev, Viktor; Semenov, Gennadiy; Sokolov, Oleg

2017-01-01

In this work a magnetoelectric (ME) current sensor design based on a magnetoelectric effect is presented and discussed. The resonant and non-resonant type of ME current sensors are considered. Theoretical calculations of the ME current sensors by the equivalent circuit method were conducted. The application of different sensors using the new effects, for example, the ME effect, is made possible with the development of new ME composites. A large number of studies conducted in the field of new composites, allowed us to obtain a high magnetostrictive-piezoelectric laminate sensitivity. An optimal ME structure composition was matched. The characterization of a non-resonant current sensor showed that in the operation range to 5 A, the sensor had a sensitivity of 0.34 V/A, non-linearity less than 1% and for a resonant current sensor in the same operation range, the sensitivity was of 0.53 V/A, non-linearity less than 0.5%. PMID:28574486

Effects of electric current on individual graphene oxide sheets combining in situ transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy.

PubMed

Martín, Gemma; Varea, Aïda; Cirera, Albert; Estradé, Sònia; Peiró, Francesca; Cornet, Albert

2018-04-17

Graphene oxide (GO) is currently the object of extensive research because of its potential use in mass production of graphene-based materials, but also due to its tunability which holds great promise for new nanoscale electronic devices and sensors. To obtain a better understanding of the role of GO in electronic nano-devices, the elucidation of the effects of electrical current on a single GO sheet is of great interest. In this work, in situ transmission electron microscopy is used to study the effects of the electrical current flow through single GO sheets using an scanning tunneling microscope holder. In order to correlate the applied current with the structural properties of GO, Raman spectroscopy is carried out and data analysis is used to obtain information regarding the reduction grade and the disorder degree of the GO sheets before and after the application of current.

Effects of Pulse Current on Endurance Exercise and Its Anti-Fatigue Properties in the Hepatic Tissue of Trained Rats

PubMed Central

Ju, Xiaowei; Zhu, Lvgang; Huang, Changlin; Huang, Tao; Zuo, Xincheng; Gao, Chunfang

2013-01-01

Fatigue is synonymous with a wide spectrum of familiar physiological conditions, from pathology and general health, to sport and physical exercise. Strenuous, prolonged exercise training causes fatigue. Although several studies have investigated the effects of electrical stimulation frequency on muscle fatigue, the effects of percutaneous pulse current stimulation on fatigue in the hepatic tissue of trained rats is still unclear. In order to find an effective strategy to prevent fatigue or enhance recovery, the effects of pulse current on endurance exercise and its anti-fatigue properties in exercised rats were studied. Rats were subjected to one, three or five weeks of swimming exercise training. After exercise training, rats in the treated group received daily applications of pulse current. All rats were sacrificed after one, three or five weeks of swimming exercise, and the major biochemical indexes were measured in serum and liver. The results demonstrate that pulse current could prolong the exhaustion swimming time, as well as decrease serum ALT, AST and LD levels and liver MDA content. It also elevated serum LDH activity, liver SOD activity and glycogen content. Furthermore, pulse current increased the expression of Bcl-2 and decreased the expression of Bax. Taken together, these results show that pulse current can elevate endurance capacity and facilitate recovery from fatigue. PMID:24116026

Investigation of defect-induced abnormal body current in fin field-effect-transistors

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

Liu, Kuan-Ju; Tsai, Jyun-Yu; Lu, Ying-Hsin

2015-08-24

This letter investigates the mechanism of abnormal body current at the linear region in n-channel high-k/metal gate stack fin field effect transistors. Unlike body current, which is generated by impact ionization at high drain voltages, abnormal body current was found to increase with decreasing drain voltages. Notably, the unusual body leakage only occurs in three-dimensional structure devices. Based on measurements under different operation conditions, the abnormal body current can be attributed to fin surface defect-induced leakage current, and the mechanism is electron tunneling to the fin via the defects, resulting in holes left at the body terminal.

Thermoelectric current in topological insulator nanowires with impurities.

PubMed

Erlingsson, Sigurdur I; Bardarson, Jens H; Manolescu, Andrei

2018-01-01

In this paper we consider charge current generated by maintaining a temperature difference over a nanowire at zero voltage bias. For topological insulator nanowires in a perpendicular magnetic field the current can change sign as the temperature of one end is increased. Here we study how this thermoelectric current sign reversal depends on the magnetic field and how impurities affect the size of the thermoelectric current. We consider both scalar and magnetic impurities and show that their influence on the current are quite similar, although the magnetic impurities seem to be more effective in reducing the effect. For moderate impurity concentration the sign reversal persists.

Feasibility of transcranial direct current stimulation use in children aged 5 to 12 years.

PubMed

Andrade, Agnes Carvalho; Magnavita, Guilherme Moreira; Allegro, Juleilda Valéria Brasil Nunes; Neto, Carlos Eduardo Borges Passos; Lucena, Rita de Cássia Saldanha; Fregni, Felipe

2014-10-01

Transcranial direct current stimulation is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that has been studied for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders in adults, with minimal side effects. The objective of this study is to report the feasibility, tolerability, and the short-term adverse effects of transcranial direct current stimulation in children from 5 to 12 years of age. It is a naturalistic study of 14 children who underwent 10 sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation as an alternative, off-label, and open-label treatment for various languages disorders. Frequency, intensity, adverse effects, and perception of improvement reported by parents were collected. The main side effects detected were tingling (28.6%) and itching (28.6%), acute mood changes (42.9%), and irritability (35.7%). Transcranial direct current stimulation is a feasible and tolerable technique in children, although studies regarding plastic and cognitive changes in children are needed to confirm its safety. In conclusion, this is a naturalistic report in which we considered transcranial direct current stimulation as feasible in children. © The Author(s) 2013.

Design and comparative study of vertical LEDs with graphene, ITO and Ni/Au as contact/current spreading layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Sumitra; Mahala, Pramila; Pal, Suchandan

2018-01-01

This work evaluates the effect of graphene, indium tin oxide (ITO) and Ni/Au as contact/current spreading layer/current spreading layer for GaN vertical light emitting diodes (V-LEDs). In this simulation study, the effect of these contact/current spreading layers on different performance parameters of GaN V-LEDs has been studied. By using these three different types of contact/current spreading layers, we have comparatively studied the effect on light extraction efficiency (LEE), optical output power, wall plug efficiency and radiant intensity of V-LEDs. As per the simulation results, it shows that using graphene contact/current spreading layers, it is possible to achieve better performance than using ITO and Ni/Au contact/current spreading layers. For graphene/(Ni/Au) contact/current spreading layers, the LEE is improved by 36.77% whereas for ITO/(Ni/Au) contact/current spreading layers it is improved by 13.74%. Also, by using graphene/(Ni/Au) contact/current spreading layers, the optical output power of LEDs improved by 11.11% whereas for ITO/(Ni/Au) contact/current spreading layers shown 4.16% improvement. The radiant intensity is enhanced by 37.65% for graphene/(Ni/Au) contact/current spreading layers and 13.5% for ITO/(Ni/Au) contact/current spreading layers. In this report, we have given a detailed analysis of the obtained simulation results. The simulation was carried out in SimuLED tool.

The effects of neuroleptics on the GABA-induced Cl- current in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons: differences between some neuroleptics.

PubMed

Yokota, Kenjiro; Tatebayashi, Hideharu; Matsuo, Tadashi; Shoge, Takashi; Motomura, Haruhiko; Matsuno, Toshiyuki; Fukuda, Akira; Tashiro, Nobutada

2002-03-01

1. Several neuroleptics inhibited the 3 microM gamma-aminobutyric acid induced-chloride current (GABA-current) on dissociated rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in whole-cell patch-clamp investigations. 2. The IC(50) for clozapine, zotepine, olanzapine, risperidone and chlorpromazine were 6.95, 18.26, 20.30, 106.01 and 114.56 microM, respectively. The values for the inhibitory effects of neuroleptics on the GABA (3 microM)-current, which were calculated by the fitting Hill's equations where the concentrations represent the mean therapeutic blood concentrations, were ranked clozapine>zotepine>chlorpromazine>olanzapine>risperidone. These inhibitory effects, weighted with the therapeutic concentrations of neuroleptics, were correlated with the clinical incidences of seizure during treatment with neuroleptics. 3. Clozapine reduced the picrotoxin-inhibiton, and may compete with a ligand of the t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) binding site. 4. Haloperidol and quetiapine did not affect the peak amplitude of the GABA (3 microM)-current. However, haloperidol reduced the clozapine-inhibition, and may antagonize ligand binding to TBPS binding site. 5. Neuroleptics including haloperidol and quetiapine enhanced the desensitization of the GABA (3 microM)-current. However, haloperidol and quetiapine at 100 microM inhibited the desensitization at the beginning of application. 6. Blonanserin (AD-5423) at 30 and 50 microM potentiated the GABA (3 microM)-current to 170.1+/-6.9 and 192.0+/-10.6% of the control current, respectively. Blonanserin shifted GABA concentration-response curve leftward. Blonanserin only partly negatively interacted with diazepam. The blonanserin-potentiation was not reversed by flumazenil. Blonanserin is not a benzodiazepine receptor agonist. 7. The various effects of neuroleptics on the GABA-current may be related to the clinical effects including modifying the seizure threshold.

The effects of neuroleptics on the GABA-induced Cl− current in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons: differences between some neuroleptics

PubMed Central

Yokota, Kenjiro; Tatebayashi, Hideharu; Matsuo, Tadashi; Shoge, Takashi; Motomura, Haruhiko; Matsuno, Toshiyuki; Fukuda, Akira; Tashiro, Nobutada

2002-01-01

Several neuroleptics inhibited the 3 μM γ-aminobutyric acid induced-chloride current (GABA-current) on dissociated rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in whole-cell patch-clamp investigations. The IC50 for clozapine, zotepine, olanzapine, risperidone and chlorpromazine were 6.95, 18.26, 20.30, 106.01 and 114.56 μM, respectively. The values for the inhibitory effects of neuroleptics on the GABA (3 μM)-current, which were calculated by the fitting Hill's equations where the concentrations represent the mean therapeutic blood concentrations, were ranked clozapine>zotepine>chlorpromazine>olanzapine>risperidone. These inhibitory effects, weighted with the therapeutic concentrations of neuroleptics, were correlated with the clinical incidences of seizure during treatment with neuroleptics. Clozapine reduced the picrotoxin-inhibiton, and may compete with a ligand of the t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) binding site. Haloperidol and quetiapine did not affect the peak amplitude of the GABA (3 μM)-current. However, haloperidol reduced the clozapine-inhibition, and may antagonize ligand binding to TBPS binding site. Neuroleptics including haloperidol and quetiapine enhanced the desensitization of the GABA (3 μM)-current. However, haloperidol and quetiapine at 100 μM inhibited the desensitization at the beginning of application. Blonanserin (AD-5423) at 30 and 50 μM potentiated the GABA (3 μM)-current to 170.1±6.9 and 192.0±10.6% of the control current, respectively. Blonanserin shifted GABA concentration-response curve leftward. Blonanserin only partly negatively interacted with diazepam. The blonanserin-potentiation was not reversed by flumazenil. Blonanserin is not a benzodiazepine receptor agonist. The various effects of neuroleptics on the GABA-current may be related to the clinical effects including modifying the seizure threshold. PMID:11906969

Low Dose MDCT with Tube Current Modulation: Role in Detection of Urolithiasis and Patient Effective Dose Reduction

PubMed Central

Kakkar, Chandan; Sripathi, Smiti; Parakh, Anushri; Shrivastav, Rajendra

2016-01-01

Introduction Urolithiasis is one of the major, recurring problem in young individuals and CT being the commonest diagnostic modality used. In order to reduce the radiation dose to the patient who are young and as stone formation is a recurring process; one of the simplest way would be, low dose CT along with tube current modulation. Aim Aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of low dose (70mAs) with standard dose (250mAs) protocol in detecting urolithiasis and to define the tube current and mean effective patient dose by these protocols. Materials and Methods A prospective study was conducted in 200 patients over a period of 2 years with acute flank pain presentation. CT was performed in 100 cases with standard dose and another 100 with low dose protocol using tube current modulation. Sensitivity and specificity for calculus detection, percentage reduction of dose and tube current with low dose protocol was calculated. Results Urolithiasis was detected in 138 patients, 67 were examined by high dose and 71 were by low dose protocol. Sensitivity and Specificity of low dose protocol was 97.1% and 96.4% with similar results found in high BMI patients. Tube current modulation resulted in reduction of effective tube current by 12.17%. The mean effective patient dose for standard dose was 10.33 mSv whereas 2.92 mSv for low dose with 51.13–53.8% reduction in low dose protocol. Conclusion The study has reinforced that low-dose CT with tube current modulation is appropriate for diagnosis of urolithiasis with significant reduction in tube current and patient effective dose. PMID:27437322

Low Dose MDCT with Tube Current Modulation: Role in Detection of Urolithiasis and Patient Effective Dose Reduction.

PubMed

Koteshwar, Prakashini; Kakkar, Chandan; Sripathi, Smiti; Parakh, Anushri; Shrivastav, Rajendra

2016-05-01

Urolithiasis is one of the major, recurring problem in young individuals and CT being the commonest diagnostic modality used. In order to reduce the radiation dose to the patient who are young and as stone formation is a recurring process; one of the simplest way would be, low dose CT along with tube current modulation. Aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of low dose (70mAs) with standard dose (250mAs) protocol in detecting urolithiasis and to define the tube current and mean effective patient dose by these protocols. A prospective study was conducted in 200 patients over a period of 2 years with acute flank pain presentation. CT was performed in 100 cases with standard dose and another 100 with low dose protocol using tube current modulation. Sensitivity and specificity for calculus detection, percentage reduction of dose and tube current with low dose protocol was calculated. Urolithiasis was detected in 138 patients, 67 were examined by high dose and 71 were by low dose protocol. Sensitivity and Specificity of low dose protocol was 97.1% and 96.4% with similar results found in high BMI patients. Tube current modulation resulted in reduction of effective tube current by 12.17%. The mean effective patient dose for standard dose was 10.33 mSv whereas 2.92 mSv for low dose with 51.13-53.8% reduction in low dose protocol. The study has reinforced that low-dose CT with tube current modulation is appropriate for diagnosis of urolithiasis with significant reduction in tube current and patient effective dose.

The comprehensive electrophysiological study of curcuminoids on delayed-rectifier K+ currents in insulin-secreting cells.

PubMed

Kuo, Ping-Chung; Yang, Chia-Jung; Lee, Yu-Chi; Chen, Pei-Chun; Liu, Yen-Chin; Wu, Sheng-Nan

2018-01-15

Curcumin (CUR) has been demonstrated to induce insulin release from pancreatic β-cells; however, how curcuminoids (including demethoxycurcumin (DMC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC)) exert any possible effects on membrane ion currents inherently in insulin-secreting cells remains largely unclear. The effects of CUR and other structurally similar curcuminoids on ion currents in rat insulin-secreting (INS-1) insulinoma cells were therefore investigated in this study. The effects of these compounds on ionic currents and membrane potential were studied by patch-clamp technique. CUR suppressed the amplitude of delayed-rectifier K + current (I K(DR) ) in a time-, state- and concentration-dependent manner in these cells and the inhibition was not reversed by diazoxide, nicorandil or chlorotoxin. The value of dissociation constant for CUR-induced suppression of I K(DR) in INS-1 cells was 1.26μM. Despite the inability of CUR to alter the activation rate of I K(DR) , it accelerated current inactivation elicited by membrane depolarization. Increasing CUR concentrations shifted the inactivation curve of I K(DR) to hyperpolarized potential and slowed the recovery of I K(DR) inactivation. CUR, DMC, and BDMC all exerted depressant actions on I K(DR) amplitude to a similar magnitude, although DMC and BDMC did not increase current inactivation clearly. CUR slightly suppressed the peak amplitude of voltage-gated Na + current. CUR, DMC and BDMC depolarized the resting potential and increased firing frequency of action potentials. The CUR-mediated decrease of I K(DR) and the increase of current inactivation also occurred in βTC-6 INS-1 cells. Taken these results together, these effects may be one of the possible mechanisms contributing their insulin-releasing effect. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Absence of anomalous Nernst effect in spin Seebeck effect of Pt/YIG

DOE PAGES

Miao, B. F.; Huang, S. Y.; Qu, D.; ...

2016-01-29

The Pt/YIG structure has been widely used to study spin Seebeck effect (SSE), inverse spin Hall effect, and other pure spin current phenomena. However, the magnetic proximity effect in Pt when in contact with YIG, and the potential anomalous Nernst effect (ANE) may compromise the spin current phenomena in Pt/YIG. By inserting a Cu layer of various thicknesses between Pt and YIG, we have separated the signals from the SSE and that of the ANE. Here, it is demonstrated that the thermal voltage in Pt/YIG mainly comes from spin current due to the longitudinal SSE with negligible contribution from themore » ANE.« less

Effects of phloretin and phloridzin on Ca2+ handling, the action potential, and ion currents in rat ventricular myocytes.

PubMed

Olson, Marnie L; Kargacin, Margaret E; Ward, Christopher A; Kargacin, Gary J

2007-06-01

The effects of the phytoestrogens phloretin and phloridzin on Ca(2+) handling, cell shortening, the action potential, and Ca(2+) and K(+) currents in freshly isolated cardiac myocytes from rat ventricle were examined. Phloretin increased the amplitude and area and decreased the rate of decline of electrically evoked Ca(2+) transients in the myocytes. These effects were accompanied by an increase in the Ca(2+) load of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, as determined by the area of caffeine-evoked Ca(2+) transients. An increase in the extent of shortening of the myocytes in response to electrically evoked action potentials was also observed in the presence of phloretin. To further examine possible mechanisms contributing to the observed changes in Ca(2+) handling and contractility, the effects of phloretin on the cardiac action potential and plasma membrane Ca(2+) and K(+) currents were examined. Phloretin markedly increased the action potential duration in the myocytes, and it inhibited the Ca(2+)-independent transient outward K(+) current (I(to)). The inwardly rectifying K(+) current, the sustained outward delayed rectifier K(+) current, and L-type Ca(2+) currents were not significantly different in the presence and absence of phloretin, nor was there any evidence that the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger was affected. The effects of phloretin on Ca(2+) handling in the myocytes are consistent with its effects on I(to). Phloridzin did not significantly alter the amplitude or area of electrically evoked Ca(2+) transients in the myocytes, nor did it have detectable effects on the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) load, cell shortening, or the action potential.

Chronic nicotine treatment differentially modifies acute nicotine and alcohol actions on GABA(A) and glutamate receptors in hippocampal brain slices.

PubMed

Proctor, William R; Dobelis, Peter; Moritz, Anna T; Wu, Peter H

2011-03-01

Tobacco and alcohol are often co-abused producing interactive effects in the brain. Although nicotine enhances memory while ethanol impairs it, variable cognitive changes have been reported from concomitant use. This study was designed to determine how nicotine and alcohol interact at synaptic sites to modulate neuronal processes. Acute effects of nicotine, ethanol, and both drugs on synaptic excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory GABAergic transmission were measured using whole-cell recording in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons from brain slices of mice on control or nicotine-containing diets. Acute nicotine (50 nM) enhanced both GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic transmission; potentiated GABA(A) receptor currents via activation of α7* and α4β2* nAChRs, and increased N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor currents through α7* receptors. While ethanol (80 mM) also increased GABA(A) currents, it inhibited NMDA currents. Although ethanol had no effect on AMPA currents, it blocked nicotine-induced increases in NMDA and AMPA currents. Following chronic nicotine treatment, acute nicotine or ethanol did not affect NMDA currents, while the effects of GABAergic responses were not altered. Acute ethanol ingestion selectively attenuated nicotine enhancement of excitatory glutamatergic NMDA and AMPA receptor function, suggesting an overall reduction in excitatory output from the hippocampus. It also indicated that ethanol could decrease the beneficial effects of nicotine on memory performance. In addition, chronic nicotine treatment produced tolerance to the effects of nicotine and cross-tolerance to the effects of ethanol on glutamatergic activity, leading to a potential increase in the use of these drugs. British Journal of Pharmacology © 2011 The British Pharmacological Society. No claim to original US government works.

Nicotine at clinically relevant concentrations affects atrial inward rectifier potassium current sensitive to acetylcholine.

PubMed

Bébarová, Markéta; Matejovič, Peter; Švecová, Olga; Kula, Roman; Šimurdová, Milena; Šimurda, Jiří

2017-05-01

Nicotine abuse is associated with variety of diseases including arrhythmias, most often atrial fibrillation (AF). Altered inward rectifier potassium currents including acetylcholine-sensitive current I K(Ach) are known to be related to AF pathogenesis. Since relevant data are missing, we aimed to investigate I K(Ach) changes at clinically relevant concentrations of nicotine. Experiments were performed by the whole cell patch clamp technique at 23 ± 1 °C on isolated rat atrial myocytes. Nicotine was applied at following concentrations: 4, 40 and 400 nM; ethanol at 20 mM (∼0.09%). Nicotine at 40 and 400 nM significantly activated constitutively active component of I K(Ach) with the maximum effect at 40 nM (an increase by ∼100%); similar effect was observed at -110 and -50 mV. Changes at 4 nM nicotine were negligible on average. Coapplication of 40 nM nicotine and 20 mM ethanol (which is also known to activate this current) did not show cumulative effect. In the case of acetylcholine-induced component of I K(Ach) , a dual effect of nicotine and its correlation with the current magnitude in control were apparent: the current was increased by nicotine in the cells showing small current in control and vice versa. The effect of 40 and 400 nM nicotine on acetylcholine-induced component of I K(Ach) was significantly different at -110 and -50 mV. We conclude that nicotine at clinically relevant concentrations significantly increased constitutively active component of I K(Ach) and showed a dual effect on its acetylcholine-induced component, similarly as ethanol. Synchronous application of nicotine and ethanol did not cause additive effect.

Effects of tetraethylammonium on potassium currents in a molluscan neurons

PubMed Central

1981-01-01

The effects of tetraethylammonium (TEA) on the delayed K+ current and on the Ca2+-activated K+ current of the Aplysia pacemaker neurons R-15 and L-6 were studied. The delayed outward K+ current was measured in Ca2+-free ASW containing tetrodotoxin (TTX), using brief depolarizing clamp pulses. External TEA blocks the delayed K+ current reversibly in a dose-dependent manner. The experimental results are well fitted with a Michaelis-Menten expression, assuming a one-to-one reaction between TEA and a receptor site, with an apparent dissociation constant of 6.0 mM. The block depends on membrane voltage and is reduced at positive membrane potentials. The Ca2+-activated K+ current was measured in Ca2+- free artificial seawater (ASW) containing TTX, using internal Ca2+ ion injection to directly activate the K+ conductance. External TEA and a number of other quaternary ammonium ions block the Ca2+-activated K+ current reversibly in a dose-dependent manner. TEA is the most effective blocker, with an apparent dissociation constant, for a one-to- one reaction with a receptor site, of 0.4 mM. The block decreases with depolarization. The Ca2+-activated K+ current was also measured after intracellular iontophoretic TEA injection. Internal TEA blocks the Ca2+- activated K+ current (but the block is only apparent at positive membrane potentials), is increased by depolarization, and is irreversible. The effects of external and internal TEA can be seen in measurements of the total outward K+ current at different membrane potentials in normal ASW. PMID:6265594

Method and apparatus for correcting eddy current signal voltage for temperature effects

DOEpatents

Kustra, Thomas A.; Caffarel, Alfred J.

1990-01-01

An apparatus and method for measuring physical characteristics of an electrically conductive material by the use of eddy-current techniques and compensating measurement errors caused by changes in temperature includes a switching arrangement connected between primary and reference coils of an eddy-current probe which allows the probe to be selectively connected between an eddy current output oscilloscope and a digital ohm-meter for measuring the resistances of the primary and reference coils substantially at the time of eddy current measurement. In this way, changes in resistance due to temperature effects can be completely taken into account in determining the true error in the eddy current measurement. The true error can consequently be converted into an equivalent eddy current measurement correction.

PERSISTENT CURRENT EFFECT IN 15-16 T NB3SN ACCELERATOR DIPOLES AND ITS CORRECTION

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

Kashikhin, V. V.; Zlobin, A. V.

2016-11-08

Nb3Sn magnets with operating fields of 15-16 T are considered for the LHC Energy Doubler and a future Very High Energy pp Collider. Due to large coil volume, high critical current density and large superconducting (SC) filament size the persistent current effect is very large in Nb3Sn dipoles al low fields. This paper presents the results of analysis of the persistent current effect in the 15 T Nb3Sn dipole demonstrator being developed at FNAL, and describes different possibilities of its correction including passive SC wires, iron shims and coil geometry.

Single-Event Effect Testing of the Linear Technology LTC6103HMS8#PBF Current Sense Amplifier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yau, Ka-Yen; Campola, Michael J.; Wilcox, Edward

2016-01-01

The LTC6103HMS8#PBF (henceforth abbreviated as LTC6103) current sense amplifier from Linear Technology was tested for both destructive and non-destructive single-event effects (SEE) using the heavy-ion cyclotron accelerator beam at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Berkeley Accelerator Effects (BASE) facility. During testing, the input voltages and output currents were monitored to detect single event latch-up (SEL) and single-event transients (SETs).

Experiments with planar inductive ion source meant for creation of H+ beams.

PubMed

Vainionpaa, J H; Kalvas, T; Hahto, S K; Reijonen, J

2007-06-01

In this article the effects of different engineering parameters of rf-driven ion sources with an external spiral antenna and a quartz rf window are studied. This article consists of three main topics: the effect of source geometry on the operation gas pressure, the effect of source materials and magnetic confinement on extracted current density and ion species, and the effect of different antenna geometries on the extracted current density. The effect of source geometry was studied using three cylindrical plasma chambers with different inner diameters. The chamber materials were studied using two materials, aluminum (Al) and alumina (Al(2)O(3)). The removable 14 magnet multicusp confinement arrangement enabled us to compare the effects of the two wall materials with and without the magnetic confinement. The highest measured proton fractions were measured using Al(2)O(3) plasma chamber and no multicusp confinement. For the compared ion sources the source with multicusp confinement and Al(2)O(3) plasma chamber yields the highest current densities. Multicusp confinement increased the maximum extracted current by up to a factor of 2. Plasma production with different antenna geometries were also studied. The highest current density was achieved using 4.5 loop solenoid antenna with 6.0 cm diameter. A slightly lower current density with lower pressure was achieved using a tightly wound 3 loop spiral antenna with 3.3 cm inner diameter and 6 cm outer diameter.

Current in nanojunctions: Effects of reservoir coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yadalam, Hari Kumar; Harbola, Upendra

2018-07-01

We study the effect of system reservoir coupling on currents flowing through quantum junctions. We consider two simple double-quantum dot configurations coupled to two external fermionic reservoirs and study the net current flowing between the two reservoirs. The net current is partitioned into currents carried by the eigenstates of the system and by the coherences between the eigenstates induced due to coupling with the reservoirs. We find that current carried by populations is always positive whereas current carried by coherences are negative for large couplings. This results in a non-monotonic dependence of the net current on the coupling strength. We find that in certain cases, the net current can vanish at large couplings due to cancellation between currents carried by the eigenstates and by the coherences. These results provide new insights into the non-trivial role of system-reservoir couplings on electron transport through quantum dot junctions. In the presence of weak coulomb interactions, net current as a function of system reservoir coupling strength shows similar trends as for the non-interacting case.

Effects of Hall current and electrical resistivity on the stability of gravitating anisotropic quantum plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhakta, S.; Prajapati, R. P.

2018-02-01

The effects of Hall current and finite electrical resistivity are studied on the stability of uniformly rotating and self-gravitating anisotropic quantum plasma. The generalized Ohm's law modified by Hall current and electrical resistivity is used along with the quantum magnetohydrodynamic fluid equations. The general dispersion relation is derived using normal mode analysis and discussed in the parallel and perpendicular propagations. In the parallel propagation, the Jeans instability criterion, expression of critical Jeans wavenumber, and Jeans length are found to be independent of non-ideal effects and uniform rotation but in perpendicular propagation only rotation affects the Jeans instability criterion. The unstable gravitating mode modified by Bohm potential and the stable Alfven mode modified by non-ideal effects are obtained separately. The criterion of firehose instability remains unaffected due to the presence of non-ideal effects. In the perpendicular propagation, finite electrical resistivity and quantum pressure anisotropy modify the dispersion relation, whereas no effect of Hall current was observed in the dispersion characteristics. The Hall current, finite electrical resistivity, rotation, and quantum corrections stabilize the growth rate. The stability of the dynamical system is analyzed using the Routh-Hurwitz criterion.

Quantification of the memory effect of steady-state currents from interaction-induced transport in quantum systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lai, Chen-Yen; Chien, Chih-Chun

2017-09-01

Dynamics of a system in general depends on its initial state and how the system is driven, but in many-body systems the memory is usually averaged out during evolution. Here, interacting quantum systems without external relaxations are shown to retain long-time memory effects in steady states. To identify memory effects, we first show quasi-steady-state currents form in finite, isolated Bose- and Fermi-Hubbard models driven by interaction imbalance and they become steady-state currents in the thermodynamic limit. By comparing the steady-state currents from different initial states or ramping rates of the imbalance, long-time memory effects can be quantified. While the memory effects of initial states are more ubiquitous, the memory effects of switching protocols are mostly visible in interaction-induced transport in lattices. Our simulations suggest that the systems enter a regime governed by a generalized Fick's law and memory effects lead to initial-state-dependent diffusion coefficients. We also identify conditions for enhancing memory effects and discuss possible experimental implications.

Onsite-effects of dual-hemisphere versus conventional single-hemisphere transcranial direct current stimulation: A functional MRI study.

PubMed

Kwon, Yong Hyun; Jang, Sung Ho

2012-08-25

We performed functional MRI examinations in six right-handed healthy subjects. During functional MRI scanning, transcranial direct current stimulation was delivered with the anode over the right primary sensorimotor cortex and the cathode over the left primary sensorimotor cortex using dual-hemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation. This was compared to a cathode over the left supraorbital area using conventional single-hemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation. Voxel counts and blood oxygenation level-dependent signal intensities in the right primary sensorimotor cortex regions were estimated and compared between the two transcranial direct current stimulation conditions. Our results showed that dual-hemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation induced greater cortical activities than single-hemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation. These findings suggest that dual-hemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation may provide more effective cortical stimulation than single-hemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation.

Onsite-effects of dual-hemisphere versus conventional single-hemisphere transcranial direct current stimulation

PubMed Central

Kwon, Yong Hyun; Jang, Sung Ho

2012-01-01

We performed functional MRI examinations in six right-handed healthy subjects. During functional MRI scanning, transcranial direct current stimulation was delivered with the anode over the right primary sensorimotor cortex and the cathode over the left primary sensorimotor cortex using dual-hemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation. This was compared to a cathode over the left supraorbital area using conventional single-hemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation. Voxel counts and blood oxygenation level-dependent signal intensities in the right primary sensorimotor cortex regions were estimated and compared between the two transcranial direct current stimulation conditions. Our results showed that dual-hemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation induced greater cortical activities than single-hemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation. These findings suggest that dual-hemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation may provide more effective cortical stimulation than single-hemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation. PMID:25624815

Investigation of the n  =  1 resistive wall modes in the ITER high-mode confinement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, L. J.; Kotschenreuther, M. T.; Valanju, P.

2017-06-01

The n  =  1 resistive wall mode (RWM) stability of ITER high-mode confinement is investigated with bootstrap current included for equilibrium, together with the rotation and diamagnetic drift effects for stability. Here, n is the toroidal mode number. We use the CORSICA code for computing the free boundary equilibrium and AEGIS code for stability. We find that the inclusion of bootstrap current for equilibrium is critical. It can reduce the local magnetic shear in the pedestal, so that the infernal mode branches can develop. Consequently, the n  =  1 modes become unstable without a stabilizing wall at a considerably lower beta limit, driven by the steep pressure gradient in the pedestal. Typical values of the wall position stabilize the ideal mode, but give rise to the ‘pedestal’ resistive wall modes. We find that the rotation can contribute a stabilizing effect on RWMs and the diamagnetic drift effects can further improve the stability in the co-current rotation case. But, generally speaking, the rotation stabilization effects are not as effective as the case without including the bootstrap current effects on equilibrium. We also find that the diamagnetic drift effects are actually destabilizing when there is a counter-current rotation.

Effects of Energy Relaxation via Quantum Coupling Among Three-Dimensional Motion on the Tunneling Current of Graphene Field-Effect Transistors.

PubMed

Mao, Ling-Feng; Ning, Huansheng; Li, Xijun

2015-12-01

We report theoretical study of the effects of energy relaxation on the tunneling current through the oxide layer of a two-dimensional graphene field-effect transistor. In the channel, when three-dimensional electron thermal motion is considered in the Schrödinger equation, the gate leakage current at a given oxide field largely increases with the channel electric field, electron mobility, and energy relaxation time of electrons. Such an increase can be especially significant when the channel electric field is larger than 1 kV/cm. Numerical calculations show that the relative increment of the tunneling current through the gate oxide will decrease with increasing the thickness of oxide layer when the oxide is a few nanometers thick. This highlights that energy relaxation effect needs to be considered in modeling graphene transistors.

Longitudinal Proximity Effects in Superconducting Transition-Edge Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sadlier, John E.; Smith, Stephen J.; Bandler, Simon R.; Chervenak, James A.; Clem, John R.

2009-01-01

We have found experimentally that the critical current of a square thin-film superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) depends exponentially upon the side length L and the square root of the temperature T, a behavior that has a natural theoretical explanation in terms of longitudinal proximity effects if the TES is regarded as a weak link between superconducting leads. As a consequence, the effective transition temperature T(sub c) of the TES is current-dependent and at fixed current scales as 1/L(sup 2). We also have found that the critical current can show clear Fraunhofer-like oscillations in an applied magnetic field, similar to those found in Josephson junctions. We have observed the longitudinal proximity effect in these devices over extraordinarily long lengths up to 290 micrometers, 1450 times the mean-free path.

Longitudinal Proximity Effects in Superconducting Transition-Edge Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sadleir, John E.; Smith, Stephen J.; Bandler, Simon R.; Chervenak, James A.; Clem, John R.

2010-01-01

We have found experimentally that the critical current of a square thin-film superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) depends exponentially upon the side length L and the square root of the temperature T, a behavior that has a natural theoretical explanation in terms of longitudinal proximity effects if the TES is regarded as a weak link between superconducting leads. As a consequence, the effective transition temperature T(sub c) of the TES is current-dependent and at fixed current scales as 1/L(sup 2). We also have found that the critical current can show clear Fraunhofer-like oscillations in an applied magnetic field, similar to those found in Josephson junctions. We have observed the longitudinal proximity effect in these devices over extraordinarily long lengths up to 290 micrometers, 1450 times the mean-free path.

In Vitro Assessment of Electric Currents Increasing the Effectiveness of Vancomycin Against Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilms.

PubMed

Haddad, Peter A; Mah, Thien-Fah; Mussivand, Tofy

2016-08-01

Biofilms are communities of bacteria that can cause infections which are resistant to the immune system and antimicrobial treatments, posing a significant threat for patients with implantable and indwelling medical devices. The purpose of our research was to determine if utilizing specific parameters for electric currents in conjunction with antibiotics could effectively treat a highly resistant biofilm. Our study evaluated the impact of 16 μg/mL of vancomycin with or without 22 or 333 μA of direct electric current (DC) generated by stainless steel electrodes against 24-, 48-, and 72-h-old Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms formed on titanium coupons. An increase in effectiveness of vancomycin was observed with the combination of 333 μA of electric current against 48-h-old biofilms (P value = 0.01) as well as in combination with 22 μA of electric current against 72-h-old biofilms (P value = 0.04); 333 μA of electric current showed the most significant impact on the effectiveness of vancomycin against S. epidermidis biofilms demonstrating a bioelectric effect previously not observed against this strain of bacteria. © 2015 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Calculation of current collected in a dilute plasma through a pinhole in the insulation covering a high-voltage surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fralick, G. C.

1975-01-01

A procedure is described for calculating the current collected by a pinhole defect in the insulation covering a high voltage surface. The results apply to a satellite at geosynchronous altitude where the effects of satellite motion and collective plasma effects on the collected current may be ignored.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SEMICONDUCTOR INJECTION LASERS SELCO-87: Surface effects in laser diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beister, G.; Maege, J.; Richter, G.

1988-11-01

Changes in the current-voltage characteristics below the threshold current were observed in gain-guided stripe laser diodes after preliminary lasing. This effect was not fully understood. Similar changes in the laser characteristics appeared as a result of etching in a gaseous medium. The observed changes were attributed tentatively to surface currents.

Instructors' Perceived Effectiveness of Current Professional Development Programs at Taif University English Language Center

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tawalbeh, Tha'er Issa

2015-01-01

The present paper aimed to explore the EFL instructors perceived effectiveness of current professional development programs run at Taif University English Language Center (TUELC) in Saudi Arabia, and to provide suggestions to improve the current situation of these programs. To achieve these purposes, the researcher tried to answer three questions.…

Assessment of Alternative Student and Delivery Systems: Assessment of the Current Delivery System. Supplement I to the Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Advanced Technology, Inc., Reston, VA.

The effects of the current student financial aid delivery system on five major participant groups are examined: federal government, states/guarantee agencies, postsecondary institutions, lenders and secondary markets, and applicants and families. Attention is directed to effects of the current system, including: administrative costs, fund…

Influence of driven current on resistive tearing mode in Tokamaks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Zhiwei; Wang, Sheng; Zhang, Wei

2016-10-01

Influence of driven current on the m / n = 2 / 1 resistive tearing mode is studied systematically using a three-dimensional toroidal MHD code (CLT). A uniform driven current with Gaussian distribution in the radial direction is imposed around the unperturbed rational surface. It is found that the driven current can locally modify the profiles of the current and safety factor, such that the tearing mode becomes linearly stable. The stabilizing effect increases with increase of the driven current Icd or decrease of its width δcd, unless an excessively large driven current reverses the magnetic shear near the rational surface and drives other instabilities such as double or triple tearing modes. The stabilizing effect can be negligible or becomes reversed if the maximum driven current density is not at the unperturbed rational surface. ITER-CN Program.

Short-circuit current and ionic fluxes in the isolated colonic mucosa of Bufo arenarum

PubMed Central

Lew, V. L.

1970-01-01

1. The unidirectional fluxes of 22Na, 36Cl and [14C]bicarbonate ions were measured in paired portions of the isolated and short-circuited colonic mucosa of Bufo arenarum, separated from its muscular layer. Pharmacological effects as well as effects of changes in the composition of the nutrient solutions on the electrical parameters of membrane activity (potential difference, short-circuit current and total membrane resistance) are described. 2. The net fluxes of both Cl and bicarbonate ions were not significantly different from zero in the absence of electrochemical gradients across the membrane. 3. The net Na flux from mucosa to serosa represented a variable proportion of the short-circuit current ranging from 62 to 100%. 4. The proportion of membranes with high discrepancies between net Na flux and short-circuit current decreased with the duration of captivity of the toads. 5. When Na was entirely replaced by choline in the mucosal bathing solution, the short-circuit current dropped by a variable amount within the range of 64 to 98% of its control values in different membranes. This effect was completely reversible. Similar changes in the serosal solution had no effect. 6. The short-circuit current and potential difference were very sensitive to the serosal concentration of bicarbonate ions. In different membranes, 60-100% of the short-circuit current was reversibly abolished by bathing the serosal surface with a bicarbonate-free solution. The mucosal bicarbonate level had no effect on either the potential difference or the short-circuit current. 5 mM bicarbonate in the serosal solution restored at least 50% of the short-circuit control value and full recovery was attained by concentrations near 30 mM bicarbonate. 7. Anoxia brought the potential difference and short-circuit current reversibly down to zero in about 50 min. 8. Ouabain reduced the short-circuit current up to 80% in about 40 min when present in the serosal solution at a concentration of 10-4 M. At this or lower concentrations the ouabain effect was reversible. Above this level ouabain produced 100% inhibition in 3-4 hr, but this was no longer reversible. Ouabain had no effect on the short-circuit current either when applied to the mucosal surface or in the absence of Na from the mucosal solution. 9. Diamox produced a variable inhibition of the short-circuit current of up to 30% only at concentrations above 10 mM. 10. Possible mechanisms are discussed for the appearance of the non-Na component of the short-circuit current. A theory concerning its nature is proposed. PMID:5498503

Electrical stimulation of the motor cortex enhances treatment outcome in post-stroke aphasia.

PubMed

Meinzer, Marcus; Darkow, Robert; Lindenberg, Robert; Flöel, Agnes

2016-04-01

Transcranial direct current stimulation has shown promise to improve recovery in patients with post-stroke aphasia, but previous studies have only assessed stimulation effects on impairment parameters, and evidence for long-term maintenance of transcranial direct current stimulation effects from randomized, controlled trials is lacking. Moreover, due to the variability of lesions and functional language network reorganization after stroke, recent studies have used advanced functional imaging or current modelling to determine optimal stimulation sites in individual patients. However, such approaches are expensive, time consuming and may not be feasible outside of specialized research centres, which complicates incorporation of transcranial direct current stimulation in day-to-day clinical practice. Stimulation of an ancillary system that is functionally connected to the residual language network, namely the primary motor system, would be more easily applicable, but effectiveness of such an approach has not been explored systematically. We conducted a randomized, parallel group, sham-controlled, double-blind clinical trial and 26 patients with chronic aphasia received a highly intensive naming therapy over 2 weeks (8 days, 2 × 1.5 h/day). Concurrently, anodal-transcranial direct current stimulation was administered to the left primary motor cortex twice daily at the beginning of each training session. Naming ability for trained items (n = 60 pictures that could not be named during repeated baseline assessments), transfer to untrained items (n = 284 pictures) and generalization to everyday communication were assessed immediately post-intervention and 6 months later. Naming ability for trained items was significantly improved immediately after the end of the intervention in both the anodal (Cohen's d = 3.67) and sham-transcranial direct current stimulation groups (d = 2.10), with a trend for larger gains in the anodal-transcranial direct current stimulation group (d = 0.71). Treatment effects for trained items were significantly better maintained in the anodal-transcranial direct current stimulation group 6 months later (d = 1.19). Transfer to untrained items was significantly larger in the anodal-transcranial direct current stimulation group after the training (d = 1.49) and during the 6 month follow-up assessment (d = 3.12). Transfer effects were only maintained in the anodal-transcranial direct current stimulation group. Functional communication was significantly more improved in the anodal-transcranial direct current stimulation group at both time points compared to patients treated with sham-transcranial direct current stimulation (d = 0.75-0.99). Our results provide the first evidence from a randomized, controlled trial that transcranial direct current stimulation can improve both function and activity-related outcomes in chronic aphasia, with medium to large effect sizes, and that these effects are maintained over extended periods of time. These effects were achieved with an easy-to-implement and thus clinically feasible motor-cortex montage that may represent a promising 'backdoor' approach to improve language recovery after stroke. © The Author (2016). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Pinch current limitation effect in plasma focus

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

Lee, S.; Saw, S. H.; INTI International University College, 71800 Nilai

The Lee model couples the electrical circuit with plasma focus dynamics, thermodynamics, and radiation. It is used to design and simulate experiments. A beam-target mechanism is incorporated, resulting in realistic neutron yield scaling with pinch current and increasing its versatility for investigating all Mather-type machines. Recent runs indicate a previously unsuspected 'pinch current limitation' effect. The pinch current does not increase beyond a certain value however low the static inductance is reduced to. The results indicate that decreasing the present static inductance of the PF1000 machine will neither increase the pinch current nor the neutron yield, contrary to expectations.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide reduces A-type K+ currents and caspase activity in cultured adult mouse olfactory neurons.

PubMed

Han, P; Lucero, M T

2005-01-01

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide has been shown to reduce apoptosis in neonatal cerebellar and olfactory receptor neurons, however the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. In addition, the neuroprotective effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide have not been examined in adult tissues. To study the effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide on neurons in apoptosis, we measured caspase activation in adult olfactory receptor neurons in vitro. Interestingly, we found that the protective effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide were related to the absence of a 4-aminopyridine (IC50=144 microM) sensitive rapidly inactivating potassium current often referred to as A-type current. In the presence of 40 nM pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide 38, both A-type current and activated caspases were significantly reduced. A-type current reduction by pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide was blocked by inhibiting the phospholipase C pathway, but not the adenylyl cyclase pathway. Our observation that 5 mM 4-aminopyridine mimicked the caspase inhibiting effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide indicates that A-type current is involved in apoptosis. This work contributes to our growing understanding that potassium currents are involved with the activation of caspases to affect the balance between cell life and death.

Evaluation of the damages caused by lightning current flowing through bearings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Celi, O.; Pigini, A.; Garbagnati, E.

1991-01-01

A laboratory for lightning current tests was set up allowing the generation of the lightning currents foreseen by the Standards. Lightning tests are carried out on different objects, aircraft materials and components, evaluating the direct and indirect effects of lightning. Recently a research was carried out to evaluate the effects of the lightning current flow through bearings with special reference to wind power generator applications. For this purpose, lightning currents of different amplitude were applied to bearings in different test conditions and the damages caused by the lightning current flow were analyzed. The influence of the load acting on the bearing, the presence of lubricant and the bearing rotation were studied.

Investigation of the effects of external current systems on the MAGSAT data utilizing grid cell modeling techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klumpar, D. M. (Principal Investigator)

1982-01-01

The feasibility of modeling magnetic fields due to certain electrical currents flowing in the Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere was investigated. A method was devised to carry out forward modeling of the magnetic perturbations that arise from space currents. The procedure utilizes a linear current element representation of the distributed electrical currents. The finite thickness elements are combined into loops which are in turn combined into cells having their base in the ionosphere. In addition to the extensive field modeling, additional software was developed for the reduction and analysis of the MAGSAT data in terms of the external current effects. Direct comparisons between the models and the MAGSAT data are possible.

Lateral carrier diffusion and current gain in terahertz InGaAs/InP double-heterojunction bipolar transistors

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

Chiang, Han-Wei; Rode, Johann C.; Choudhary, Prateek

2014-01-21

The DC current gain in In{sub 0.53}Ga{sub 0.47}As/InP double-heterojunction bipolar transistors is computed based on a drift-diffusion model, and is compared with experimental data. Even in the absence of other scaling effects, lateral diffusion of electrons to the base Ohmic contacts causes a rapid reduction in DC current gain as the emitter junction width and emitter-base contact spacing are reduced. The simulation and experimental data are compared in order to examine the effect of carrier lateral diffusion on current gain. The impact on current gain due to device scaling and approaches to increase current gain are discussed.

The inverse skin effect in the Z-pinch and plasma focus

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

Usenko, P. L., E-mail: otd4@expd.vniief.ru; Gaganov, V. V.

The inverse skin effect and its influence on the dynamics of high-current Z-pinch and plasma focus discharges in deuterium are analyzed. It is shown that the second compression responsible for the major fraction of the neutron yield can be interpreted as a result of the inverse skin effect resulting in the axial concentration of the longitudinal current density and the appearance of a reversed current in the outer layers of plasma pinches. Possible conditions leading to the enhancement of the inverse skin effect and accessible for experimental verification by modern diagnostics are formulated.

Reduced impedance and superconductivity of SnAgCu solder alloy at high frequency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Wei; Basaran, Cemal

2012-10-01

Skin effect of lead-free solder joints is investigated over a wide frequency band. Contrary to common believe that `effective impedance of solder alloys increases with frequency', resistance tends to saturate when frequency reaches a critical value, 10 MHz for SAC solder alloys. Negative surface impedance growth rate is observed when employs square waveform AC current loading at high current density. Further increased frequency causes a dramatic reduction of effective resistance. At 11 MHz with current density of 106 A/cm2, effective resistance of solder alloy drops to near zero value.

Generation of mechanical vibrations in metal samples by the use of the pinch effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Troitskiy, O. A.; Skvortsov, O. B.; Stashenko, V. I.

2017-07-01

The article presents the recent research in electrodynamic processes for metal samples exposed to current pulses. The pinch effect and the skin effect cause the vibration of the metal rods. The results of these studies show how current and magnetic field interact with material samples of gold, silver and copper. The analysis allowed establishing the dependences of peak acceleration on current density and conductor diameter. The dependencies can be used in metal workings and for nondestructive testing.

High Entropy Alloys: A Current Evaluation of Founding Ideas and Core Effects and Exploring Nonlinear Alloys (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-08-29

contain IM phases when using TEM diffraction.1,2 High -Entropy Alloys: A Current Evaluation of Founding Ideas and Core Effects and Exploring ‘‘Nonlinear...obvious outsider. Specifically, an alloy with a high Tm need not contain only elements with high Tm, and it can include one or two elements of moderate or...AFRL-RX-WP-JA-2017-0383 HIGH ENTROPY ALLOYS: A CURRENT EVALUATION OF FOUNDING IDEAS AND CORE EFFECTS AND EXPLORING "NONLINEAR ALLOYS

Radiation Effects In Satellite Cables

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-04-01

reverse current across the gap through the ionized air trapped in the gap . This reverse current opposes the effect of the photo-driven current and reduces ...using the measured gap of 30 pm) has the right sign (negative) for both cables and is very close in magnitude for one but is low by about a factor of 2.5...experiments of Reference 32. Therefore, the effect of a 100 volt field in reducing transport of photoelectrons across the gap in the experiment should

Charge Trapping in Interface Doped MNOS Structures.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-07-01

Current density 55 0 JN Current density in nitride at gate 55 k Boltzmann’s constant: 1.38 x 10-23 joule /0K 85 m Effective mass of carrier 89 xi MIS...Trap Barrier Lowering by Applied Field: Poole-Frenkel Effect 90 vi Figure 3- 2: Thermally Stimulated Current System 92 Figure 3- 3: TSC Curves from a...Tungsten Atomic Concentration vs Effective Thickness 175 ix List of Tables Table 1-1: Trap Energy Levels and Spatial Densities 31 Table 2-1: Device

Current sensor

DOEpatents

Yakymyshyn, Christopher Paul; Brubaker, Michael Allen; Yakymyshyn, Pamela Jane

2007-01-16

A current sensor is described that uses a plurality of magnetic field sensors positioned around a current carrying conductor. The sensor can be hinged to allow clamping to a conductor. The current sensor provides high measurement accuracy for both DC and AC currents, and is substantially immune to the effects of temperature, conductor position, nearby current carrying conductors and aging.

Two-dimensional relativistic space charge limited current flow in the drift space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Y. L.; Chen, S. H.; Koh, W. S.; Ang, L. K.

2014-04-01

Relativistic two-dimensional (2D) electrostatic (ES) formulations have been derived for studying the steady-state space charge limited (SCL) current flow of a finite width W in a drift space with a gap distance D. The theoretical analyses show that the 2D SCL current density in terms of the 1D SCL current density monotonically increases with D/W, and the theory recovers the 1D classical Child-Langmuir law in the drift space under the approximation of uniform charge density in the transverse direction. A 2D static model has also been constructed to study the dynamical behaviors of the current flow with current density exceeding the SCL current density, and the static theory for evaluating the transmitted current fraction and minimum potential position have been verified by using 2D ES particle-in-cell simulation. The results show the 2D SCL current density is mainly determined by the geometrical effects, but the dynamical behaviors of the current flow are mainly determined by the relativistic effect at the current density exceeding the SCL current density.

Transcranial direct current stimulation for depression in Alzheimer's disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Narita, Zui; Yokoi, Yuma

2017-06-19

Patients with Alzheimer's disease frequently elicit neuropsychiatric symptoms as well as cognitive deficits. Above all, depression is one of the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease but antidepressant drugs have not shown significant beneficial effects on it. Moreover, electroconvulsive therapy has not ensured its safety for potential severe adverse events although it does show beneficial clinical effect. Transcranial direct current stimulation can be the safe alternative of neuromodulation, which applies weak direct electrical current to the brain. Although transcranial direct current stimulation has plausible evidence for its effect on depression in young adult patients, no study has explored it in older subjects with depression in Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, we present a study protocol designed to evaluate the safety and clinical effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on depression in Alzheimer's disease in subjects aged over 65 years. This is a two-arm, parallel-design, randomized controlled trial, in which patients and assessors will be blinded. Subjects will be randomized to either an active or a sham transcranial direct current stimulation group. Participants in both groups will be evaluated at baseline, immediately, and 2 weeks after the intervention. This study investigates the safety and effect of transcranial direct current stimulation that may bring a significant impact on both depression and cognition in patients with Alzheimer's disease, and may be useful to enhance their quality of life. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02351388 . Registered on 27 January 2015. Last updated on 30 May 2016.

Quench dynamics of the Josephson current in a topological Josephson junction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Dihao; Liu, Jie

2018-01-01

The 4 π -periodic Josephson effect is a distinguishing feature of a topological Josephson junction. However, stringent conditions make it hard to observe in experiments. In this work, we study the transient transport properties in a topological Josephson junction numerically. We show that the 4 π Josephson current can be sustained under nonequilibrium conditions. The properties of the Josephson current are analyzed for different conditions and three main regimes are identified. First, when both the superconducting wires of the Josephson junction lie in the topologically nontrivial region, a 4 π Josephson current can appear upon suddenly applying a dc voltage. Second, when one superconducting wire lies in the trivial region, while the other wire lies in the nontrivial region, the Josephson current is 2 π periodic but the component of the higher-order Josephson current increases. Third, when both wires lie in the trivial region, a stable 2 π Josephson current is observed. Most importantly, the fractional Josephson effect is fragile in the presence of disorder. Hence experiments should be designed carefully to eliminate the effect of disorder. These results could be helpful to optimize fine-tuning of the experimental parameters to observe the 4 π -periodic Josephson current in a topological Josephson junction.

The effects of normal current density and the plasma spatial structuring in argon DBDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shkurenkov, I. A.; Mankelevich, Y. A.; Rakhimova, T. V.

2011-01-01

This paper presents the results of theoretical studies of high-pressure dielectric barrier discharges (DBD) in argon. Two different DBDs at the megahertz and the kilohertz power frequency range were simulated. The effect of normal current density was obtained in the numerical model for both types of the discharge. The discharge of megahertz range was uniform over the radius. The increase in the discharge current is accompanied by increase in the discharge area. The discharge of kilohertz range is not uniform over the radius. The concentric ring formation was observed during calculations. The increase in the discharge current occurs due to increase in the number of rings and as a result in the discharge area. The developed 2D model is able to describe only the first stage of the filament formation - the formation of concentric plasma rings. The filament formation starts at the edge of the current channel and spreads to its centre. Both the effect of normal current density and the filaments formation are caused by the nonstationarity at the current channel boundary.

Effects of Replacement of External Sodium Chloride with Sucrose on Membrane Currents of the Squid Giant Axon

PubMed Central

Adelman, William J.; Taylor, Robert E.

1964-01-01

It was observed that a reduction of the sodium chloride concentration in the external solution bathing a squid giant axon by replacement with sucrose resulted in marked decreases in the peak inward and steady-state outward currents through the axon membrane following a step decrease in membrane potential. These effects are quantitatively acounted for by the increase in series resistance resulting from the decreased conductivity of the sea water and the assumption that the sodium current obeys a relation of the form I = k1C1 - k2C2 where C1, C2 are internal and external ion activities and k1, k2 are independent of concentration. It is concluded that the potassium ion current is independent of the sodium concentration. That the inward current is carried by sodium ions has been confirmed. The electrical potential (or barrier height) profile in the membrane which drives sodium ions appears to be independent of sodium ion concentration or current. A specific effect of the sucrose on hyperpolarizing currents was observed and noted but not investigated in detail. PMID:14232131

Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields: A Review of Literature.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

White, George L.; And Others

1995-01-01

Current evidence suggests that the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) disturb cell homeostasis at very low intensities by influencing discrete intracellular magnetic fields. The article reviews current research about the health effects of EMF, examining historical implications, childhood studies, adult studies, and popular press reports, and…

Effect of current on the maximum possible reward.

PubMed

Gallistel, C R; Leon, M; Waraczynski, M; Hanau, M S

1991-12-01

Using a 2-lever choice paradigm with concurrent variable interval schedules of reward, it was found that when pulse frequency is increased, the preference-determining rewarding effect of 0.5-s trains of brief cathodal pulses delivered to the medial forebrain bundle of the rat saturates (stops increasing) at values ranging from 200 to 631 pulses/s (pps). Raising the current lowered the saturation frequency, which confirms earlier, more extensive findings showing that the rewarding effect of short trains saturates at pulse frequencies that vary from less than 100 pps to more than 800 pps, depending on the current. It was also found that the maximum possible reward--the magnitude of the reward at or beyond the saturation pulse frequency--increases with increasing current. Thus, increasing the current reduces the saturation frequency but increases the subjective magnitude of the maximum possible reward.

Meson exchange current (MEC) models in neutrino interaction generators

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

Katori, Teppei

2015-05-15

Understanding of the so-called 2 particle-2 hole (2p-2h) effect is an urgent program in neutrino interaction physics for current and future oscillation experiments. Such processes are believed to be responsible for the event excesses observed by recent neutrino experiments. The 2p-2h effect is dominated by the meson exchange current (MEC), and is accompanied by a 2-nucleon emission from the primary vertex, instead of a single nucleon emission from the charged-current quasi-elastic (CCQE) interaction. Current and future high resolution experiments can potentially nail down this effect. For this reason, there are world wide efforts to model and implement this process inmore » neutrino interaction simulations. In these proceedings, I would like to describe how this channel is modeled in neutrino interaction generators.« less

Inhibitory effects of hesperetin on Kv1.5 potassium channels stably expressed in HEK 293 cells and ultra-rapid delayed rectifier K(+) current in human atrial myocytes.

PubMed

Wang, Huan; Wang, Hong-Fei; Wang, Chen; Chen, Yu-Fang; Ma, Rong; Xiang, Ji-Zhou; Du, Xin-Ling; Tang, Qiang

2016-10-15

In the present study, the inhibitory effects of hesperetin (HSP) on human cardiac Kv1.5 channels expressed in HEK 293 cells and the ultra-rapid delayed rectifier K(+) current (Ikur) in human atrial myocytes were examined by using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp techniques. We found that hesperetin rapidly and reversibly suppressed human Kv1.5 current in a concentration dependent manner with a half-maximal inhibition (IC50) of 23.15 μΜ with a Hill coefficient of 0.89. The current was maximally diminished about 71.36% at a concentration of 300μM hesperetin. Hesperetin significantly positive shifted the steady-state activation curve of Kv1.5, while negative shifted the steady-state inactivation curve. Hesperetin also accelerated the inactivation and markedly slowed the recovery from the inactivation of Kv1.5 currents. Block of Kv1.5 currents by hesperetin was in a frequency dependent manner. However, inclusion of 30μM hesperetin in pipette solution produced no effect on Kv1.5 channel current, while the current were remarkable and reversibly inhibited by extracellular application of 30μM hesperetin. We also found that hesperetin potently and reversibly inhibited the ultra-repaid delayed K(+) current (Ikur) in human atrial myocytes, which is in consistent with the effects of hesperetin on Kv1.5 currents in HEK 293 cells. In conclusion, hesperetin is a potent inhibitor of Ikur (which is encoded by Kv1.5), with blockade probably due to blocking of both open state and inactivated state channels from outside of the cell. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

P-type calcium channels in rat neocortical neurones.

PubMed Central

Brown, A M; Sayer, R J; Schwindt, P C; Crill, W E

1994-01-01

1. The high threshold, voltage-activated (HVA) calcium current was recorded from acutely isolated rat neocortical pyramidal neurones using the whole-cell patch technique to examine the effect of agents that block P-type calcium channels and to compare their effects to those of omega-conotoxin GVIA (omega-CgTX) and nifedipine. 2. When applied at a saturating concentration (100 nM) the peptide toxins omega-Aga-IVA and synthetic omega-Aga-IVA blocked 31.5 and 33.0% of the HVA current respectively. 3. A saturating concentration of nifedipine (10 microM) inhibited 48.2% of the omega-Aga-IVA-sensitive current, whereas saturating concentrations of both omega-Aga-IVA (100 nM) and omega-CgTX (10 microM) blocked separate specific components of the HVA current. 4. Partially purified funnel web spider toxin (FTX) at a dilution of 1:1000 blocked 81.4% of the HVA current and occluded the inhibitory effect of omega-Aga-IVA. Synthetic FTX 3.3 arginine polyamine (sFTX) at a concentration of 1 mM blocked 61.2% of the HVA current rapidly and reversibly. The effects of sFTX were partially occluded by pre-application of omega-Aga-IVA. We conclude that neither FTX nor sFTX blocked a specific component of the HVA current in these cells. 5. In view of the specificity of omega-Aga-IVA for P-type calcium channels in other preparations and for a specific component of the HVA current in dissociated neocortical neurones we conclude that about 30% of the HVA current in these neurones flow through P-channels. PMID:7517449

P-type calcium channels in rat neocortical neurones.

PubMed

Brown, A M; Sayer, R J; Schwindt, P C; Crill, W E

1994-03-01

1. The high threshold, voltage-activated (HVA) calcium current was recorded from acutely isolated rat neocortical pyramidal neurones using the whole-cell patch technique to examine the effect of agents that block P-type calcium channels and to compare their effects to those of omega-conotoxin GVIA (omega-CgTX) and nifedipine. 2. When applied at a saturating concentration (100 nM) the peptide toxins omega-Aga-IVA and synthetic omega-Aga-IVA blocked 31.5 and 33.0% of the HVA current respectively. 3. A saturating concentration of nifedipine (10 microM) inhibited 48.2% of the omega-Aga-IVA-sensitive current, whereas saturating concentrations of both omega-Aga-IVA (100 nM) and omega-CgTX (10 microM) blocked separate specific components of the HVA current. 4. Partially purified funnel web spider toxin (FTX) at a dilution of 1:1000 blocked 81.4% of the HVA current and occluded the inhibitory effect of omega-Aga-IVA. Synthetic FTX 3.3 arginine polyamine (sFTX) at a concentration of 1 mM blocked 61.2% of the HVA current rapidly and reversibly. The effects of sFTX were partially occluded by pre-application of omega-Aga-IVA. We conclude that neither FTX nor sFTX blocked a specific component of the HVA current in these cells. 5. In view of the specificity of omega-Aga-IVA for P-type calcium channels in other preparations and for a specific component of the HVA current in dissociated neocortical neurones we conclude that about 30% of the HVA current in these neurones flow through P-channels.

The sea anemone toxin AdE-1 modifies both sodium and potassium currents of rat cardiomyocytes.

PubMed

Nesher, Nir; Zlotkin, Eliahu; Hochner, Binyamin

2014-07-01

AdE-1, a cardiotonic peptide recently isolated from the sea anemone Aiptasia diaphana, contains 44 amino acids and has a molecular mass of 4907 Da. It was previously found to resemble other sea anemone type 1 and 2 Na+ channel toxins, enhancing contractions of rat cardiomyocytes and slowing their twitch relaxation; however, it did not induce spontaneous twitches. AdE-1 increased the duration of the cardiomyocyte action potential and decreased its amplitude and its time-to-peak in a concentration-dependent manner, without affecting its threshold and cell resting potential. Nor did it generate the early and delayed after-depolarizations characteristic of sea anemone Na+ channel toxins. To further understand its mechanism of action we investigated the effect of AdE-1 on the major ion currents of rat cardiomyocytes. In the present study we show that AdE-1 markedly slowed inactivation of the Na+ current, enhancing and prolonging the current influx with no effect on current activation, possibly through direct interaction with the site 3 receptor of the Na+ channel. No significant effect of AdE-1 on the Ca2+ current was observed, but, unexpectedly, AdE-1 significantly increased the amplitude of the transient component of the K+ current, shifting the current threshold to more negative membrane potentials. This effect on the K+ current has not been found in any other sea anemone toxin and may explain the exclusive reduction in action potential amplitude and the absence of the action potential disorders found with other toxins, such as early and delayed after-depolarizations.

Molecular wires acting as quantum heat ratchets.

PubMed

Zhan, Fei; Li, Nianbei; Kohler, Sigmund; Hänggi, Peter

2009-12-01

We explore heat transfer in molecular junctions between two leads in the absence of a finite net thermal bias. The application of an unbiased time-periodic temperature modulation of the leads entails a dynamical breaking of reflection symmetry, such that a directed heat current may emerge (ratchet effect). In particular, we consider two cases of adiabatically slow driving, namely, (i) periodic temperature modulation of only one lead and (ii) temperature modulation of both leads with an ac driving that contains a second harmonic, thus, generating harmonic mixing. Both scenarios yield sizable directed heat currents, which should be detectable with present techniques. Adding a static thermal bias allows one to compute the heat current-thermal load characteristics, which includes the ratchet effect of negative thermal bias with positive-valued heat flow against the thermal bias, up to the thermal stop load. The ratchet heat flow in turn generates also an electric current. An applied electric stop voltage, yielding effective zero electric current flow, then mimics a solely heat-ratchet-induced thermopower ("ratchet Seebeck effect"), although no net thermal bias is acting. Moreover, we find that the relative phase between the two harmonics in scenario (ii) enables steering the net heat current into a direction of choice.

Inhibitory effects of antihistamines, diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine, on proton currents in BV2 microglial cells.

PubMed

Kim, Jiwon; Song, Jin-Ho

2017-03-05

Microglial NADPH oxidase is a major source of toxic reactive oxygen species produced during chronic neuroinflammation. Voltage-gated proton channel (H V 1) functions to maintain the intense activity of NADPH oxidase, and channel inhibition alleviates the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases such as ischemic stroke and multiple sclerosis associated with oxidative neuroinflammation. Antagonists of histamine H 1 receptors have beneficial effects against microglia-mediated oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. We examined the effects of the H 1 antihistamines, diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine, on proton currents in BV2 microglial cells recorded using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. Diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine reduced the proton currents with almost the same potency, yielding IC 50 values of 42 and 43μM, respectively. Histamine did not affect proton currents, excluding the involvement of histamine receptors in their action. Neither drug shifted the voltage-dependence of activation or the reversal potential of the proton currents, even though diphenhydramine slowed the activation and deactivation kinetics. The inhibitory effects of the two antihistamines on proton currents could be utilized to develop therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative diseases and other diseases associated with H V 1 proton channel abnormalities. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dephasing effects on ac-driven triple quantum dot systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maldonado, I.; Villavicencio, J.; Contreras-Pulido, L. D.; Cota, E.; Maytorena, J. A.

2018-05-01

We analyze the effect of environmental dephasing on the electrical current in an ac-driven triple quantum dot system in a symmetric Λ configuration. The current is explored by solving the time evolution equation of the density matrix as a function of the frequency and amplitude of the driving field. Two characteristic spectra are observed depending on the field amplitude. At the resonance condition, when the frequency matches the interdot energy difference, one spectrum shows a distinctive Fano-type peak, while the other, occurring at larger values of the field amplitude, exhibits a strong current suppression due to dynamic localization. In the former case we observe that the current maximum is reduced due to dephasing, while in the latter it is shown that dephasing partially alleviates the localization. In both cases, away from resonance, we observe current oscillations which are dephasing-enhanced for a wide range of frequencies. These effects are also discussed using Floquet theory, and analytical expressions for the electrical current are obtained within the rotating wave approximation.

Cyclotron resonance of the magnetic ratchet effect and second harmonic generation in bilayer graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kheirabadi, Narjes; McCann, Edward; Fal'ko, Vladimir I.

2018-02-01

We model the magnetic ratchet effect in bilayer graphene in which a dc electric current is produced by an ac electric field of frequency ω in the presence of a steady in-plane magnetic field and inversion-symmetry breaking. In bilayer graphene, the ratchet effect is tunable by an external metallic gate which breaks inversion symmetry. For zero in-plane magnetic field, we show that trigonal warping and inversion-symmetry breaking are able to produce a large dc valley current, but not a nonzero total dc charge current. For the magnetic ratchet in a tilted magnetic field, the perpendicular field component induces cyclotron motion with frequency ωc and we find that the dc current displays cyclotron resonance at ωc=ω , although this peak in the current is actually smaller than its value at ωc=0 . Second harmonic generation, however, is greatly enhanced by resonances at ωc=ω and ωc=2 ω for which the current is generally much larger than at ωc=0 .

Computational modeling of the effect of external electron injection into a direct-current microdischarge

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

Panneer Chelvam, Prem Kumar; Raja, Laxminarayan L.

2015-12-28

Electron emission from the electrode surface plays an important role in determining the structure of a direct-current microdischarge. Here we have developed a computational model of a direct-current microdischarge to study the effect of external electron injection from the cathode surface into the discharge to manipulate its properties. The model provides a self-consistent, multi-species, multi-temperature fluid representation of the plasma. A microdischarge with a metal-insulator-metal configuration is chosen for this study. The effect of external electron injection on the structure and properties of the microdischarge is described. The transient behavior of the microdischarge during the electron injection is examined. Themore » nonlinearities in the dynamics of the plasma result in a large increase of conduction current after active electron injection. For the conditions simulated a switching time of ∼100 ns from a low-current to high-current discharge state is realized.« less

Current sensing circuit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Franke, Ralph J. (Inventor)

1996-01-01

A current sensing circuit is described in which a pair of bipolar transistors are arranged with a pair of field effect transistors such that the field effect transistors absorb most of the supply voltage associated with a load.

Time-domain detection of current controlled magnetization damping in Pt/Ni{sub 81}Fe{sub 19} bilayer and determination of Pt spin Hall angle

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

Ganguly, A.; Haldar, A.; Sinha, J.

2014-09-15

The effect of spin torque from the spin Hall effect in Pt/Ni{sub 81}Fe{sub 19} rectangular bilayer film was investigated using time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr microscopy. Current flow through the stack resulted in a linear variation of effective damping up to ±7%, attributed to spin current injection from the Pt into the Ni{sub 81}Fe{sub 19}. The spin Hall angle of Pt was estimated as 0.11 ± 0.03. The modulation of the damping depended on the angle between the current and the bias magnetic field. These results demonstrate the importance of optical detection of precessional magnetization dynamics for studying spin transfer torque due to spinmore » Hall effect.« less

Evidence of Spin-Injection-Induced Cooper Pair Breaking in Perovskite Ferromagnet-Insulator-Superconductor Heterostructures via Pulsed Current Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yeh, N. C.; Samoilov, A. V.; Veasquez, R. P.; Li, Y.

1998-01-01

The effect of spin-polarized currents on the critical current densities of cuprate superconductors is investigated in perovskite ferromagnet-insulator-superconductor heterostructures with a pulsed current technique.

Adaptive PI control strategy for flat permanent magnet linear synchronous motor vibration suppression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Fanwei; Liu, Chengying; Li, Zhijun; Wang, Liping

2013-01-01

Due to low damping ratio, flat permanent magnet linear synchronous motor's vibration is difficult to be damped and the accuracy is limited. The vibration suppressing results are not good enough in the existing research because only the longitudinal direction vibration is considered while the normal direction vibration is neglected. The parameters of the direct-axis current controller are set to be the same as those of the quadrature-axis current controller commonly. This causes contradiction between signal noise and response. To suppress the vibration, the electromagnetic force model of the flat permanent magnet synchronous linear motor is formulated first. Through the analysis of the effect that direct-axis current noise and quadrature-axis current noise have on both direction vibration, it can be declared that the conclusion that longitudinal direction vibration is only related to the quadrature-axis current noise while the normal direction vibration is related to both the quadrature-axis current noise and direct-axis current noise. Then, the simulation test on current loop with a low-pass filter is conducted and the results show that the low-pass filter can not suppress the vibration but makes the vibration more severe. So a vibration suppressing strategy that the proportional gain of direct-axis current controller adapted according to quadrature-axis reference current is proposed. This control strategy can suppress motor vibration by suppressing direct-axis current noise. The experiments results about the effect of K p and T i on normal direction vibration, longitudinal vibration and the position step response show that this strategy suppresses vibration effectively while the motor's motion performance is not affected. The maximum reduction of vibration can be up to 40%. In addition, current test under rated load condition is also conducted and the results show that the control strategy can avoid the conflict between the direct-axis current and the quadrature-axis current under typical load. Adaptive PI control strategy can effectively suppress the flat permanent magnet linear synchronous motor's vibration without affecting the motor's performance.

Educational Technology: Effective Leadership and Current Initiatives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Courville, Keith

2011-01-01

(Purpose) This article describes the basis for effective educational technology leadership and a few of the current initiatives and impacts that are a result of the aforementioned effective leadership. (Findings) Topics addressed in this paper include: (1) the role of the educational technology leader in an educational setting; (2) an examination…

Cheerleading and Cynicism of Effective Mentoring in Current Empirical Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crutcher, Paul A.; Naseem, Samina

2016-01-01

This article presents the results of a review of current empirical research of effective practices in teacher mentoring. Compiling literature published since 2000 in peer-reviewed journals, we examine arguments for mentoring practices to improve teacher candidate and novice teacher experiences and skills. The emergent "effective"…

Medicare Long-Term CPAP Coverage Policy: A Cost-Utility Analysis

PubMed Central

Billings, Martha E.; Kapur, Vishesh K.

2013-01-01

Study Objectives: CPAP is an effective treatment for OSA that may reduce health care utilization and costs. Medicare currently reimburses the costs of long-term CPAP therapy only if the patient is adherent during a 90-day trial. If not, Medicare requires a repeat polysomnogram (PSG) and another trial which seems empirically not cost-effective. We modeled the cost-effectiveness of current Medicare policy compared to an alternative policy (clinic-only) without the adherence criterion and repeat PSG. Design: Cost-utility and cost-effectiveness analysis. Setting: U.S. Medicare Population. Patients or Participants: N/A. Interventions: N/A. Measurements and Results: We created a decision tree modeling (1) clinic only follow-up vs. (2) current Medicare policy. Costs were assigned based on Medicare reimbursement rates in 2012. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test our assumptions. We estimated cumulative costs, overall adherence, and QALY gained for a 5-year time horizon from the perspective of Medicare as the payer. Current Medicare policy is more costly than the clinic-only policy but has higher net adherence and improved utility. Current Medicare policy compared to clinic-only policy costs $30,544 more per QALY. Conclusions: Current CMS policy promotes early identification of those more likely to adhere to CPAP therapy by requiring strict adherence standards. The policy effect is to deny coverage to those unlikely to use CPAP long-term and prevent wasted resources. Future studies are needed to measure long-term adherence in an elderly population with and without current adherence requirements to verify the cost-effectiveness of a policy change. Citation: Billings ME; Kapur VK. Medicare long-term CPAP coverage policy: a cost-utility analysis. J Clin Sleep Med 2013;9(10):1023-1029. PMID:24127146

Relativistically Induced Transparency Acceleration (RITA) - laser-plasma accelerated quasi-monoenergetic GeV ion-beams with existing lasers?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahai, Aakash A.

2013-10-01

Laser-plasma ion accelerators have the potential to produce beams with unprecedented characteristics of ultra-short bunch lengths (100s of fs) and high bunch-charge (1010 particles) over acceleration length of about 100 microns. However, creating and controlling mono-energetic bunches while accelerating to high-energies has been a challenge. If high-energy mono-energetic beams can be demonstrated with minimal post-processing, laser (ω0)-plasma (ωpe) ion accelerators may be used in a wide-range of applications such as cancer hadron-therapy, medical isotope production, neutron generation, radiography and high-energy density science. Here we demonstrate using analysis and simulations that using relativistic intensity laser-pulses and heavy-ion (Mi ×me) targets doped with a proton (or light-ion) species (mp ×me) of trace density (at least an order of magnitude below the cold critical density) we can scale up the energy of quasi-mono-energetically accelerated proton (or light-ion) beams while controlling their energy, charge and energy spectrum. This is achieved by controlling the laser propagation into an overdense (ω0 <ωpeγ = 1) increasing plasma density gradient by incrementally inducing relativistic electron quiver and thereby rendering them transparent to the laser while the heavy-ions are immobile. Ions do not directly interact with ultra-short laser that is much shorter in duration than their characteristic time-scale (τp <<√{mp} /ω0 <<√{Mi} /ω0). For a rising laser intensity envelope, increasing relativistic quiver controls laser propagation beyond the cold critical density. For increasing plasma density (ωpe2 (x)), laser penetrates into higher density and is shielded, stopped and reflected where ωpe2 (x) / γ (x , t) =ω02 . In addition to the laser quivering the electrons, it also ponderomotively drives (Fp 1/γ∇za2) them forward longitudinally, creating a constriction of snowplowed e-s. The resulting longitudinal e--displacement from laser's push is controlled by the electrostatic space-charge pull by the immobile background ions. In the rest-frame of the laser, the electrostatic-potential that the ions create to balance the ponderomotive force on e-s, scales as the effective vector potential, aplasma . This potential hill, due to snowplowed e-s, co-propagating with the rising laser can reflect protons and light-ions (Relativistically Induced Transparency Acceleration, RITA). Desired proton or light-ion energies can be achieved by controlling the velocity of the snowplow, which is shown to scale inversely with the rise-time of the laser (higher energies for shorter pulses) and directly with the scale-length of the plasma density gradient. Similar acceleration can be produced by controlling the increase of the laser frequency (Chirp Induced Transparency Acceleration, ChITA). Work supported by the National Science Foundation under NSF- PHY-0936278. Also, NSF-PHY-0936266 and NSF-PHY-0903039; the US Department of Energy under DEFC02-07ER41500, DE- FG02-92ER40727 and DE-FG52-09NA29552.

Current crowding and self-heating effects in AlGaN-based flip-chip deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hao, Guo-Dong; Taniguchi, Manabu; Tamari, Naoki; Inoue, Shin-ichiro

2018-01-01

We thoroughly explored the physical origin of the efficiency decrease with increasing injection current and current crowding effect in 280 nm AlGaN-based flip-chip deep-ultraviolet (DUV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The current spreading length was experimentally determined to be much smaller in DUV LEDs than that in conventional InGaN-based visible LEDs. The severe self-heating caused by the low power conversion efficiency of DUV LEDs should be mainly responsible for the considerable decrease of efficiency when current crowding is present. The wall-plug efficiency of the DUV LEDs was markedly enhanced by using a well-designed p-electrode pattern to improve the current distribution.

Photo-electronic current transport in back-gated graphene transistor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srivastava, Ashok; Chen, Xinlu; Pradhan, Aswini K.

2017-04-01

In this work, we have studied photo-electronic current transport in a back-gated graphene field-effect transistor. Under the light illumination, band bending at the metal/graphene interface develops a built-in potential which generates photonic current at varying back-gate biases. A typical MOSFET type back-gated transistor structure uses a monolayer graphene as the channel layer formed over the silicon dioxide/silicon substrate. It is shown that the photo-electronic current consists of current contributions from photovoltaic, photo-thermoelectric and photo-bolometric effects. A maximum external responsivity close to 0.0009A/W is achieved at 30μW laser power source and 633nm wavelength.

Revisiting the role of trap-assisted-tunneling process on current-voltage characteristics in tunnel field-effect transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Omura, Yasuhisa; Mori, Yoshiaki; Sato, Shingo; Mallik, Abhijit

2018-04-01

This paper discusses the role of trap-assisted-tunneling process in controlling the ON- and OFF-state current levels and its impacts on the current-voltage characteristics of a tunnel field-effect transistor. Significant impacts of high-density traps in the source region are observed that are discussed in detail. With regard to recent studies on isoelectronic traps, it has been discovered that deep level density must be minimized to suppress the OFF-state leakage current, as is well known, whereas shallow levels can be utilized to control the ON-state current level. A possible mechanism is discussed based on simulation results.

Magnetic storm effects in electric power systems and prediction needs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Albertson, V. D.; Kappenman, J. G.

1979-01-01

Geomagnetic field fluctuations produce spurious currents in electric power systems. These currents enter and exit through points remote from each other. The fundamental period of these currents is on the order of several minutes which is quasi-dc compared to the normal 60 Hz or 50 Hz power system frequency. Nearly all of the power systems problems caused by the geomagnetically induced currents result from the half-cycle saturation of power transformers due to simultaneous ac and dc excitation. The effects produced in power systems are presented, current research activity is discussed, and magnetic storm prediction needs of the power industry are listed.

Effects of pharmaceuticals and personal care products on marine organisms: from single-species studies to an ecosystem-based approach.

PubMed

Prichard, Emma; Granek, Elise F

2016-11-01

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are contaminants of emerging concern that are increasing in use and have demonstrated negative effects on aquatic organisms. There is a growing body of literature reporting the effects of PPCPs on freshwater organisms, but studies on the effects of PPCPs to marine and estuarine organisms are limited. Among effect studies, the vast majority examines subcellular or cellular effects, with far fewer studies examining organismal- and community-level effects. We reviewed the current published literature on marine and estuarine algae, invertebrates, fish, and mammals exposed to PPCPs, in order to expand upon current reviews. This paper builds on previous reviews of PPCP contamination in marine environments, filling prior literature gaps and adding consideration of ecosystem function and level of knowledge across marine habitat types. Finally, we reviewed and compiled data gaps suggested by current researchers and reviewers and propose a multi-level model to expand the focus of current PPCP research beyond laboratory studies. This model includes examination of direct ecological effects including food web and disease dynamics, biodiversity, community composition, and other ecosystem-level indicators of contaminant-driven change.

A Radio Frequency Electric Current Enhances Antibiotic Efficacy against Bacterial Biofilms

PubMed Central

Caubet, R.; Pedarros-Caubet, F.; Chu, M.; Freye, E.; de Belém Rodrigues, M.; Moreau, J. M.; Ellison, W. J.

2004-01-01

Bacterial biofilms are notably resistant to antibiotic prophylaxis. The concentration of antibiotic necessary to significantly reduce the number of bacteria in the biofilm matrix can be several hundred times the MIC for the same bacteria in a planktonic phase. It has been observed that the addition of a weak continuous direct electric current to the liquid surrounding the biofilm can dramatically increase the efficacy of the antibiotic. This phenomenon, known as the bioelectric effect, has only been partially elucidated, and it is not certain that the electrical parameters are optimal. We confirm here the bioelectric effect for Escherichia coli biofilms treated with gentamicin and with oxytetracycline, and we report a new bioelectric effect with a radio frequency alternating electric current (10 MHz) instead of the usual direct current. None of the proposed explanations (transport of ions within the biofilm, production of additional biocides by electrolysis, etc.) of the direct current bioelectric effect are applicable to the radio frequency bioelectric effect. We suggest that this new phenomenon may be due to a specific action of the radio frequency electromagnetic field upon the polar parts of the molecules forming the biofilm matrix. PMID:15561841

A review of the quantum current standard

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaneko, Nobu-Hisa; Nakamura, Shuji; Okazaki, Yuma

2016-03-01

The electric current, voltage, and resistance standards are the most important standards related to electricity and magnetism. Of these three standards, only the ampere, which is the unit of electric current, is an International System of Units (SI) base unit. However, even with modern technology, relatively large uncertainty exists regarding the generation and measurement of current. As a result of various innovative techniques based on nanotechnology and novel materials, new types of junctions for quantum current generation and single-electron current sources have recently been proposed. These newly developed methods are also being used to investigate the consistency of the three quantum electrical effects, i.e. the Josephson, quantum Hall, and single-electron tunneling effects, which are also known as ‘the quantum metrology triangle’. This article describes recent research and related developments regarding current standards and quantum-metrology-triangle experiments.

Effects of electrode gap and electric current on chlorine generation of electrolyzed deep ocean water.

PubMed

Hsu, Guoo-Shyng Wang; Hsu, Shun-Yao

2018-04-01

Electrolyzed water is a sustainable disinfectant, which can comply with food safety regulations and is environmental friendly. A two-factor central composite design was adopted for studying the effects of electrode gap and electric current on chlorine generation efficiency of electrolyzed deep ocean water. Deep ocean water was electrolyzed in a glass electrolyzing cell equipped with platinum-plated titanium anode and cathode in a constant-current operation mode. Results showed that current density, chlorine concentration, and electrolyte temperature increased with electric current, while electric efficiency decreased with electric current and electrode gap. An electrode gap of less than 11.7 mm, and a low electric current appeared to be a more energy efficient design and operation condition for the electrolysis system. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Emergence of currents as a transient quantum effect in nonequilibrium systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Granot, Er'El; Marchewka, Avi

2011-09-01

Most current calculations are based on equilibrium or semi-equilibrium models. However, except for very special scenarios (like ring configuration), the current cannot exist in equilibrium. Moreover, unlike with equilibrium scenarios, there is no generic approach to confront out-of-equilibrium currents. In this paper we used recent studies on transient quantum mechanics to solve the current, which appears in the presence of very high density gradients and fast transients. It shows that the emerging current appears instantaneously, and although the density beyond the discontinuity is initially negligible the currents there have a finite value, and remain constant for a finite period. It is shown that this nonequilibrium effect can be measured in real experiments (such as cooled rubidium atoms), where the discontinuity is replaced with a finite width (hundreds of nanometers) gradient.

Effect of Post-HALT Annealing on Leakage Currents in Solid Tantalum Capacitors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Teverovsky, Alexander

2010-01-01

Degradation of leakage currents is often observed during life testing of tantalum capacitors and is sometimes attributed to the field-induced crystallization in amorphous anodic tantalum pentoxide dielectrics. However, degradation of leakage currents and the possibility of annealing of degraded capacitors have not been investigated yet. In this work the effect of annealing after highly accelerated life testing (HALT) on leakage currents in various types of solid tantalum capacitors was analyzed. Variations of leakage currents with time during annealing at temperatures from 125 oC to 180 oC, thermally stimulated depolarization (TSD) currents, and I-V characteristics were measured to understand the conduction mechanism and the reason for current degradation. Annealing resulted in a gradual decrease of leakage currents and restored their initial values. Repeat HALT after annealing resulted in reproducible degradation of leakage currents. The observed results are explained based on ionic charge instability (drift/diffusion of oxygen vacancies) in the tantalum pentoxide dielectrics using a modified Schottky conduction mechanism.

Terahertz emission from ultrafast spin-charge current at a Rashba interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Qi; Jungfleisch, Matthias Benjamin; Zhang, Wei; Pearson, John E.; Wen, Haidan; Hoffmann, Axel

Ultrafast broadband terahertz (THz) radiation is highly desired in various fields from fundamental research in condensed matter physics to bio-chemical detection. Conventional ultrafast THz sources rely on either nonlinear optical effects or ultrafast charge currents in semiconductors. Recently, however, it was realized that ultrabroad-band THz radiation can be produced highly effectively by novel spintronics-based emitters that also make use of the electron's spin degree of freedom. Those THz-emitters convert a spin current flow into a terahertz electromagnetic pulse via the inverse spin-Hall effect. In contrast to this bulk conversion process, we demonstrate here that a femtosecond spin current pulse launched from a CoFeB layer can also generate terahertz transients efficiently at a two-dimensional Rashba interface between two non-magnetic materials, i.e., Ag/Bi. Those interfaces have been proven to be efficient means for spin- and charge current interconversion.

Technique for temperature compensation of eddy-current proximity probes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Masters, Robert M.

1989-01-01

Eddy-current proximity probes are used in turbomachinery evaluation testing and operation to measure distances, primarily vibration, deflection, or displacment of shafts, bearings and seals. Measurements of steady-state conditions made with standard eddy-current proximity probes are susceptible to error caused by temperature variations during normal operation of the component under investigation. Errors resulting from temperature effects for the specific probes used in this study were approximately 1.016 x 10 to the -3 mm/deg C over the temperature range of -252 to 100 C. This report examines temperature caused changes on the eddy-current proximity probe measurement system, establishes their origin, and discusses what may be done to minimize their effect on the output signal. In addition, recommendations are made for the installation and operation of the electronic components associated with an eddy-current proximity probe. Several techniques are described that provide active on-line error compensation for over 95 percent of the temperature effects.

High-frequency large-amplitude oscillations of a non-isothermal N/S boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bezuglyj, A. I.; Shklovskij, V. A.

2016-10-01

Within the framework of a phenomenological approach based on the heat balance equation and the current dependence of the critical temperature of the superconductor, the effect of high-frequency current of large amplitude and arbitrary waveform on the non-isothermal balance of an oscillating N/S interface in a long superconductor was studied. Self-consistent average temperature field of the rapidly oscillating non-isothermal N/S boundary (heat kink) was introduced, which allowed us to go beyond the well-known concept of mean-square heating and consider the effect of the current waveform. With regard to experiments on the effects of high-power microwave radiation on the current-voltage (IV) characteristics of superconducting films, their classification was performed and the families of IV curves of inhomogeneous superconductors carrying a current containing a high-frequency component of large amplitude. Several IV curves exhibited a hysteresis of thermal nature.

The effect of laser process parameters on microstructure and dilution rate of cladding coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bin, Liu; Heping, Liu; Xingbin, Jing; Yuxin, Li; Peikang, Bai

2018-02-01

In order to broaden the range of application of Q235 steel, it is necessary to repair the surface of steel. High performance 316L stainless steel coating was successfully obtained on Q235 steel by laser cladding technology. The effect of laser cladding parameters on the geometrical size and appearance of single cladding layer was investigated. The experimental results show that laser current has an important influence on the surface morphology of single channel cladding. When the current is from 155A to 165A, the cladding coating becomes smooth. The laser current has an effect on the geometric cross section size and dilution rate of single cladding. The results revealed that with the rising of laser current, the width, height and depth of layer increase gradually. With the rising of laser current, the dilution rate of cladding layer is gradually increasing.

Synthesis of thoria nano-particles at low temperature through base electrogeneration on steel 316L surface: Effect of current density

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yousefi, Taher; Torab-Mostaedi, Meisam; Mobtaker, Hossein Ghasemi; Keshtkar, Ali Reza

2016-10-01

The strategy developed in this study, offers significant advantages (simplicity and cleanness of method and also a product purity and new morphology of the product) over the conventional routes for the synthesis of ThO2 nanostructure. The effect of current density on morphology was studied. The synthesized powder was characterized by means of Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM, Phillips EM 2085) Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The results show that the current density has a great effect on the morphology of the samples. The average size of the particles decreases as the applied current density increases and the average size of the samples decreases from 50 to 15 nm when the current density increases from 2 to 5 mA cm-2.

Approximation of wave action flux velocity in strongly sheared mean flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banihashemi, Saeideh; Kirby, James T.; Dong, Zhifei

2017-08-01

Spectral wave models based on the wave action equation typically use a theoretical framework based on depth uniform current to account for current effects on waves. In the real world, however, currents often have variations over depth. Several recent studies have made use of a depth-weighted current U˜ due to [Skop, R. A., 1987. Approximate dispersion relation for wave-current interactions. J. Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Eng. 113, 187-195.] or [Kirby, J. T., Chen, T., 1989. Surface waves on vertically sheared flows: approximate dispersion relations. J. Geophys. Res. 94, 1013-1027.] in order to account for the effect of vertical current shear. Use of the depth-weighted velocity, which is a function of wavenumber (or frequency and direction) has been further simplified in recent applications by only utilizing a weighted current based on the spectral peak wavenumber. These applications do not typically take into account the dependence of U˜ on wave number k, as well as erroneously identifying U˜ as the proper choice for current velocity in the wave action equation. Here, we derive a corrected expression for the current component of the group velocity. We demonstrate its consistency using analytic results for a current with constant vorticity, and numerical results for a measured, strongly-sheared current profile obtained in the Columbia River. The effect of choosing a single value for current velocity based on the peak wave frequency is examined, and we suggest an alternate strategy, involving a Taylor series expansion about the peak frequency, which should significantly extend the range of accuracy of current estimates available to the wave model with minimal additional programming and data transfer.

EFFECTS OF ELECTRICAL CURRENTS ON THE ABSORPTION OF WATER BY EGGS OF NEREIS LIMBATA

PubMed Central

Osterhout, W. J. V.

1950-01-01

Unfertilized eggs of the marine worm Nereis limbata subjected to electrical currents (direct or alternating) undergo remarkable changes. Certain minute granules just inside the surface of the egg absorb water and swell to more than 300 times their original size and thereby produce a mass of jelly which surrounds the egg with a zone about as wide as the original diameter of the egg. The amount of direct current is too small to produce any change of color in eggs stained with neutral red. In direct current the jelly appears first on the side toward the anode and moves toward the anode. In alternating current it appears on opposite sides facing the electrodes. It might be thought that the current changes the chemical character of the granules so that they are able to absorb very large quantities of water but this seems unlikely. If the current is shut off after 1 minute the swelling continues. This might be explained on the ground that each jelly precursor granule is covered with a waterproof film which is removed by the current. It does not seem probable that the effect is due to heat produced by the current since the exposure is so short. It seems possible that the current may strip off micelles from the waterproof covering of the granules and allow water to penetrate. The fact that alternating current is more effective than direct current might be explained on the ground that the egg may be represented as a capacity in parallel with a resistance so constituted that relatively little direct current can enter. The non-aqueous film which covers the surface of the protoplasm appears to be liquid rather than solid. PMID:15406375

Electric control of emergent magnonic spin current and dynamic multiferroicity in magnetic insulators at finite temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xi-guang; Chotorlishvili, L.; Guo, Guang-hua; Berakdar, J.

2018-04-01

Conversion of thermal energy into magnonic spin currents and/or effective electric polarization promises new device functionalities. A versatile approach is presented here for generating and controlling open circuit magnonic spin currents and an effective multiferroicity at a uniform temperature with the aid of spatially inhomogeneous, external, static electric fields. This field applied to a ferromagnetic insulator with a Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya type coupling changes locally the magnon dispersion and modifies the density of thermally excited magnons in a region of the scale of the field inhomogeneity. The resulting gradient in the magnon density can be viewed as a gradient in the effective magnon temperature. This effective thermal gradient together with local magnon dispersion result in an open-circuit, electric field controlled magnonic spin current. In fact, for a moderate variation in the external electric field the predicted magnonic spin current is on the scale of the spin (Seebeck) current generated by a comparable external temperature gradient. Analytical methods supported by full-fledge numerics confirm that both, a finite temperature and an inhomogeneous electric field are necessary for this emergent non-equilibrium phenomena. The proposal can be integrated in magnonic and multiferroic circuits, for instance to convert heat into electrically controlled pure spin current using for example nanopatterning, without the need to generate large thermal gradients on the nanoscale.

Different policy outcomes of the new drugs and currently listed drugs under the positive list system in South Korea.

PubMed

Lee, Eui-Kyung; Kim, Bo-Yeon; Lim, Jae-Young; Park, Mi-Hai

2012-01-01

Four years have passed since the positive list system was implemented in South Korea. The system was received well because it has fulfilled its intended objective of enhancing the cost-effectiveness of new drugs. With regard to currently listed drugs, however, debate has lingered since the reevaluation of the cost-effectiveness by therapeutic group. This study intended to review the lessons learned and compromises reached in implementing an evidence-based national formulary. Currently listed drugs are very different from new drugs. In terms of effectiveness, the level of existing evidence tends to be lower for currently listed drugs. Also, the evaluation plan was quite delayed because of the vast amount of literature. In the political decision-making process, a coalition was formed by the pharmaceutical companies with physicians, and the government had difficulty responding because of the strong resistance against the reevaluation of currently listed drugs. Although idealistic, it was an attempt to apply the same standard of cost-effectiveness for currently listed drugs as that for new drugs. To successfully implement the system, however, some factors that need to be considered were limitation of available evidence on currently listed drugs and specific strategies employed against political resistance. Copyright © 2012 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of mesoscale eddies on the Taiwan Strait Current

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Y. L.; Miyazawa, Y.; Guo, X.

2016-02-01

This study shows that mesoscale eddies can alter the Taiwan Strait current. The 20-year data-assimilated Japan Coastal Ocean Predictability Experiment 2 (JCOPE2) reanalysis data are analyzed, and the results are confirmed with idealized experiments. The leading wind-forced seasonal cycle is excluded to focus on the effect of the eddy. The warm eddy southwest of Taiwan is shown to generate a northward flow, whereas the cold eddy produces a southward current. The effect of the eddy penetrates onto the shelf through the Joint Effect of Baroclinicity and Relief (JEBAR). The cross-isobath fluxes lead to shelfward convergence and divergence, setting up the modulation of the sea level slope. The resulting along-strait current anomaly eventually affects a wide area of the Taiwan Strait. The stronger eddy leads to larger modification of the cross-shelf flows and sea level slope, producing a greater transport anomaly. The composite Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) serves as an indicator to show the change in Chl-a concentration in the strait in response to the eddy-induced current. During the warm eddy period, the current carries the southern water of lower concentration northward, reducing Chl-a concentration in the strait. In contrast, Chl-a is enhanced because the cold eddy-induced southward current carries the northern water of higher concentration southward into the strait.

Spin-dependent transport and current modulation in a current-in-plane spin-valve field-effect transistor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanaki, Toshiki; Koyama, Tomohiro; Chiba, Daichi; Ohya, Shinobu; Tanaka, Masaaki

2016-10-01

We propose a current-in-plane spin-valve field-effect transistor (CIP-SV-FET), which is composed of a ferromagnet/nonferromagnet/ferromagnet trilayer structure and a gate electrode. This is a promising device alternative to spin metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors. Here, we fabricate a ferromagnetic-semiconductor GaMnAs-based CIP-SV-FET and demonstrate its basic operation of the resistance modulation both by the magnetization configuration and by the gate electric field. Furthermore, we present the electric-field-assisted magnetization reversal in this device.

Eddy current effect on the microwave permeability of Fe-based nanocrystalline flakes with different sizes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yanhui; Han, Mangui; Tang, Zhongkai; Deng, Longjiang

2014-04-01

The effective permeability values of composites containing Fe-Cu-Nb-Si-B nanocrystalline flakes have been studied within 0.5-10 GHz. Obvious differences in microwave permeability have been observed between large flakes (size range: 23-111 μm, average thickness: 4.5 μm) and small flakes (size range: 3-21 μm, average thickness: 1.3 μm). The initial real part of microwave permeability of large flakes is larger but it is decreasing faster. The larger flakes also show a larger magnetic loss. Taking into account the eddy current effect, the intrinsic microwave permeability values have been extracted based on the modified Maxwell-Garnet law, which have also been verified by the Acher's law. The dependences of skin depth on frequency have been calculated for both kinds of flakes. It is shown that the eddy current effect in the large flakes is significant. However, the eddy current effect can be ignored in the small flakes.

Design Guidelines for Shielding Effectiveness, Current Carrying Capability, and the Enhancement of Conductivity of Composite Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Evans, R. W.

1997-01-01

These guidelines address the electrical properties of composite materials which may have an effect on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). The main topics of the guidelines include the electrical shielding, fault current return, and lightning protection capabilities of graphite reinforced polymers, since they are somewhat conductive but may require enhancement to be adequate for EMC purposes. Shielding effectiveness depends heavily upon the conductivity of the material. Graphite epoxy can provide useful shielding against RF signals, but it is approximately 1,000 times more resistive than good conductive metals. The reduced shielding effectiveness is significant but is still useful in many cases. The primary concern is with gaps and seams in the material just as it is with metal. Current carrying capability of graphite epoxy is adequate for dissipation static charges, but fault currents through graphite epoxy may cause fire at the shorting contact and at joints. The effect of lightning on selected graphite epoxy material and mating surfaces is described, and protection methods are reviewed.

Inverse spin Hall effect in a closed loop circuit

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

Omori, Y.; Auvray, F.; Wakamura, T.

We present measurements of inverse spin Hall effects (ISHEs), in which the conversion of a spin current into a charge current via the ISHE is detected not as a voltage in a standard open circuit but directly as the charge current generated in a closed loop. The method is applied to the ISHEs of Bi-doped Cu and Pt. The derived expression of ISHE for the loop structure can relate the charge current flowing into the loop to the spin Hall angle of the SHE material and the resistance of the loop.

Scanning tunneling microscopy measurements of the spin Hall effect in tungsten films by using iron-coated tungsten tips

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Ting; Dreyer, Michael; Bowen, David; Hinkel, Dan; Butera, R. E.; Krafft, Charles; Mayergoyz, Isaak

2018-05-01

Scanning tunneling microscopy experiments using iron-coated tungsten tips and current-carrying tungsten films have been conducted. An asymmetry of the tunneling current with respect to the change of the direction of the bias current through a tungsten film has been observed. It is argued that this asymmetry is a manifestation of the spin Hall effect in the current-carrying tungsten film. Nanoscale variations of this asymmetry across the tungsten film have been studied by using the scanning tunneling microscopy technique.

Extreme energetic particle decreases near geostationary orbit - A manifestation of current diversion within the inner plasma sheet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, D. N.; Mcpherron, R. L.

1990-01-01

A qualitative model of cross-tail current flow is considered. It is suggested that when magnetic reconnection begins, the current effectively flows across the plasma sheet both earthward and tailward of the disruption region near the neutral line. It is shown that an enhanced cross-tail current earthward of this region would thin the plasma sheet substantially due to the magnetic pinch effect. The results explain the very taillike field and extreme particle dropouts often seen late in substorm growth phases.

Superconducting fluctuation current caused by gravitational drag

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuchida, Satoshi; Kuratsuji, Hiroshi

2017-12-01

We examine a possible effect of the Lense-Thirring field or gravitational drag by calculating the fluctuation current through a superconducting ring. The gravitational drag is induced by a rotating sphere, on top of which the superconducting ring is placed. The formulation is based on the Landau-Ginzburg free-energy functional of linear form. The resultant fluctuation current is shown to be greatly enhanced in the vicinity of the transition temperature, and the current also increases on increasing the winding number of the ring. These effects would provide a modest step towards magnification of tiny gravity.

Effect of Al-trace dimension on Joule heating and current crowding in flip-chip solder joints under accelerated electromigration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, S. W.; Chang, Y. W.; Chen, Chih

2006-04-01

Three-dimensional thermoelectrical simulation was conducted to investigate the influence of Al-trace dimension on Joule heating and current crowding in flip-chip solder joints. It is found that the dimension of the Al-trace effects significantly on the Joule heating, and thus directly determines the mean time to failure (MTTF). Simulated at a stressing current of 0.6A at 70°C, we estimate that the MTTF of the joints with Al traces in 100μm width was 6.1 times longer than that of joints with Al traces in 34μm width. Lower current crowding effect and reduced hot-spot temperature are responsible for the improved MTTF.

Spin wave amplification using the spin Hall effect in permalloy/platinum bilayers

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

Gladii, O.; Henry, Y.; Bailleul, M.

2016-05-16

We investigate the effect of an electrical current on the attenuation length of a 900 nm wavelength spin-wave in a permalloy/Pt bilayer using propagating spin-wave spectroscopy. The modification of the spin-wave relaxation rate is linear in current density, reaching up to 14% for a current density of 2.3 × 10{sup 11} A/m{sup 2} in Pt. This change is attributed to the spin transfer torque induced by the spin Hall effect and corresponds to an effective spin Hall angle of 0.13, which is among the highest values reported so far. The spin Hall effect thus appears as an efficient way of amplifying/attenuating propagating spin waves.

Modulated spin orbit torque in a Pt/Co/Pt/YIG multilayer by nonequilibrium proximity effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Q. B.; Meng, K. K.; Cai, Y. Z.; Qian, X. H.; Wu, Y. C.; Zheng, S. Q.; Jiang, Y.

2018-01-01

We have compared the spin orbit torque (SOT) induced magnetization switching in Pt/Co/Pt/Y3Fe5O12 (YIG) and Pt/Co/Pt/SiO2 multilayers. The critical switching current in Pt/Co/Pt/YIG is almost half of that in Pt/Co/Pt/SiO2. Through harmonic measurements, we demonstrated the enhancement of the effective spin Hall angle in Pt/Co/Pt/YIG. The increased efficiency of SOT is ascribed to the nonequilibrium proximity effect at the Pt/YIG interface, which suppresses the spin current reflection and enhances the effective spin accumulation at the Co/Pt interface. Our method can effectively reduce the switching current density and provide another way to modulate SOT.

Current Knowledge and Projection on Assessing the Effectiveness of Training.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Orlansky, Jesse

This discussion of methods used to assess the effectiveness of training for U.S. Army personnel identifies various types of training, describes methods currently used, and suggests ways of improving the assessment process. The methodology and results of assessments of effectiveness, including the costs associated with the level of performance, are…

Current Status of the Matson Evaluation of Drug Side Effects (MEDS)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Matson, Johnny L.; Cervantes, Paige E.

2013-01-01

The Matson Evaluation of Drug Side Effects (MEDS) is currently the best established and most researched measure of drug side effects in the intellectual disability (ID) literature. Initial research was conducted on its psychometric properties such as reliability and validity. More recent research studies have used the measure to determine the…

Electrode models for electric current computed tomography.

PubMed

Cheng, K S; Isaacson, D; Newell, J C; Gisser, D G

1989-09-01

This paper develops a mathematical model for the physical properties of electrodes suitable for use in electric current computed tomography (ECCT). The model includes the effects of discretization, shunt, and contact impedance. The complete model was validated by experiment. Bath resistivities of 284.0, 139.7, 62.3, 29.5 omega.cm were studied. Values of "effective" contact impedance zeta used in the numerical approximations were 58.0, 35.0, 15.0, and 7.5 omega.cm2, respectively. Agreement between the calculated and experimentally measured values was excellent throughout the range of bath conductivities studied. It is desirable in electrical impedance imaging systems to model the observed voltages to the same precision as they are measured in order to be able to make the highest resolution reconstructions of the internal conductivity that the measurement precision allows. The complete electrode model, which includes the effects of discretization of the current pattern, the shunt effect due to the highly conductive electrode material, and the effect of an "effective" contact impedance, allows calculation of the voltages due to any current pattern applied to a homogeneous resistivity field.

How to realize a spin-dependent Seebeck diode effect in metallic zigzag γ-graphyne nanoribbons?

PubMed

Wu, Dan-Dan; Liu, Qing-Bo; Fu, Hua-Hua; Wu, Ruqian

2017-11-30

The spin-dependent Seebeck effect (SDSE) is one of the core topics of spin caloritronics. In the traditional device designs of spin-dependent Seebeck rectifiers and diodes, finite spin-dependent band gaps of materials are required to realize the on-off characteristic in thermal spin currents, and nearly zero charge current should be achieved to reduce energy dissipation. Here, we propose that two ferromagnetic zigzag γ-graphyne nanoribbons (ZγGNRs) without any spin-dependent band gaps around the Fermi level can not only exhibit the SDSE, but also display rectifier and diode effects in thermal spin currents characterized by threshold temperatures, which originates from the compensation effect occurring in spin-dependent transmissions but not from the spin-splitting band gaps in materials. The metallic characteristics of ZγGNRs bring about an advantage that the gate voltage is an effective route to adjust the symmetry of spin-splitting bands to obtain pure thermal spin currents. The results provide a new mechanism to realize spin-Seebeck rectifier and diode effects in 2D materials and expand material candidates towards spin-Seebeck device applications.

Frequency behavior of the residual current devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erdei, Z.; Horgos, M.; Lung, C.; Pop-Vadean, A.; Muresan, R.

2017-01-01

This paper presents an experimental investigation into the operating characteristic of residual current devices when in presence of a residual current at a frequency of 60Hz. In order to protect persons and equipment effectively the residual current devices are made to be very sensitive to the ground fault current or the touch current. Because of their high sensitivity the residual current circuit breakers are prone to tripping under no-fault conditions.

Ionospheric convection driven by NBZ currents

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rasmussen, C. E.; Schunk, R. W.

1987-01-01

Computer simulations of Birkeland currents and electric fields in the polar ionosphere during periods of northward IMF were conducted. When the IMF z component is northward, an additional current system, called the NBZ current system, is present in the polar cap. These simulations show the effect of the addition of NBZ currents on ionospheric convection, particularly in the polar cap. When the total current in the NBZ system is roughly 25 to 50 percent of the net region 1 and 2 currents, convection in the central portion of the polar cap reverses direction and turns sunward. This creates a pattern of four-cell convection with two small cells located in the polar cap, rotating in an opposite direction from the larger cells. When the Birkeland currents are fixed (constant current source), the electric field is reduced in regions of relatively high conductivity, which affects the pattern of ionospheric convection. Day-night asymmetries in conductivity change convection in such a way that the two polar-cap cells are located within the large dusk cell. When ionospheric convection is fixed (constant voltage source), Birkeland currents are increased in regions of relatively high conductivity. Ionospheric currents, which flow horizontally to close the Birkeland currents, are changed appreciably by the NBZ current system. The principal effect is an increase in ionospheric current in the polar cap.

HBT-EP Program: MHD Dynamics and Active Control through 3D Fields and Currents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navratil, G. A.; Bialek, J.; Brooks, J. W.; Byrne, P. J.; Desanto, S.; Levesque, J. P.; Mauel, M. E.; Stewart, I. G.; Hansen, C. J.

2017-10-01

The HBT-EP active mode control research program aims to: (i) advance understanding of the effects of 3D shaping on advanced tokamak fusion performance, (ii) resolve important MHD issues associated with disruptions, and (iii) measure and mitigate the effects of 3D scrape-off layer (SOL) currents through active and passive control of the plasma edge and conducting boundary structures. Comparison of kink mode structure and RMP response in circular versus diverted plasmas shows good agreement with DCON modeling. SOL current measurements have been used to study SOL current dynamics and current-sharing with the vacuum vessel wall during kink-mode growth and disruptions. A multi-chord extreme UV/soft X-ray array is being installed to provide detailed internal mode structure information. Internal local electrodes were used to apply local bias voltage at two radial locations to study the effect of rotation profile on MHD mode rotation and stability and radial current flow through the SOL. A GPU-based low latency control system using 96 inputs and 64 outputs to apply magnetic perturbations for active control of kink modes is extended to directly control the SOL currents for kink-mode control. An extensive array of SOL current monitors and edge drive electrodes are being installed for pioneering studies of helical edge current control. Supported by U.S. DOE Grant DE-FG02-86ER53222.

Spin pumping and inverse Rashba-Edelstein effect in NiFe/Ag/Bi and NiFe/Ag/Sb

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

Zhang, Wei; Jungfleisch, Matthias B.; Jiang, Wanjun

2015-03-20

The Rashba effect is an interaction between the spin and the momentum of electrons induced by the spin-orbit coupling in surface or interface states. Here, we measured the inverse Rashba-Edelstein effect via spin pumping in Ag/Bi and Ag/Sb interfaces. The spin current is injected from the ferromagnetic resonance of a NiFe layer towards the Rashba interfaces, where it is further converted into a charge current. While using spin pumping theory, we quantify the conversion parameter of spin to charge current to be 0.11 ± 0.02 nm for Ag/Bi and a factor of ten smaller for Ag/Sb. Furthermore, the relative strengthmore » of the effect is in agreement with spectroscopic measurements and first principles calculations. The spin pumping experiment offers a straight-forward approach of using spin current as an efficient probe for detecting interface Rashba splitting.« less

Method and system for reducing device performance degradation of organic devices

DOEpatents

Teague, Lucile C.

2014-09-02

Methods and systems for reducing the deleterious effects of gate bias stress on the drain current of an organic device, such as an organic thin film transistor, are provided. In a particular aspect, the organic layer of an organic device is illuminated with light having characteristics selected to reduce the gate bias voltage effects on the drain current of the organic device. For instance, the wavelength and intensity of the light are selected to provide a desired recovery of drain current of the organic device. If the characteristics of the light are appropriately matched to the organic device, recovery of the deleterious effects caused by gate bias voltage stress effects on the drain current of the organic device can be achieved. In a particular aspect, the organic device is selectively illuminated with light to operate the organic device in multiple modes of operation.

Dynamic generation of spin-wave currents in hybrid structures

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

Lyapilin, I. I.; Okorokov, M. S., E-mail: Okorokovmike@gmail.com

2016-11-15

Spin transport through the interface in a semiconductor/ferromagnetic insulator hybrid structure is studied by the nonequilibrium statistical operator method under conditions of the spin Seebeck effect. The effective parameter approach in which each examined subsystem (conduction electrons, magnons, phonons) is characterized by its specific effective temperature is considered. The effect of the resonant (electric dipole) excitation of the spin electronic subsystem of conduction electrons on spin-wave current excitation in a ferromagnetic insulator is considered. The macroscopic equations describing the spin-wave current caused by both resonant excitation of the spin system of conduction electrons and the presence of a nonuniform temperaturemore » field in the ferromagnetic insulator are derived taking into account both the resonance-diffusion propagation of magnons and their relaxation processes. It is shown that spin-wave current excitation is also of resonant nature under the given conditions.« less

Mutagenic and genotoxic potential of direct electric current in Escherichia coli and Salmonella thyphimurium strains.

PubMed

Gomes, Marina das Neves; Cardoso, Janine Simas; Leitão, Alvaro Costa; Quaresma, Carla Holandino

2016-05-01

Direct electric current has several therapeutic uses such as antibacterial and antiprotozoal action, tissues scarring and regeneration, as well as tumor treatment. This method has shown promising results in vivo and in vitro, with significant efficacy and almost no side effects. Considering lack of studies regarding direct electric current mutagenic and/or genotoxic effects, the present work evaluated both aspects by using five different bacterial experimental assays: survival of repair-deficient mutants, Salmonella-histidine reversion mutagenesis (Ames test), forward mutations to rifampicin resistance, phage reactivation, and lysogenic induction. In these experimental conditions, cells were submitted to an approach that allows evaluation of anodic, cathodic, and electro-ionic effects generated by 2 mA of direct electric current, with doses ranging from 0.36 to 3.60 Coulombs. Our results showed these doses did not induce mutagenic or genotoxic effects. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Multi-turn transmit coil to increase b1 efficiency in current source amplification.

PubMed

Gudino, N; Griswold, M A

2013-04-01

A multi-turn transmit surface coil design was presented to improve B1 efficiency when used with current source amplification. Three different coil designs driven by an on-coil current-mode class-D amplifier with current envelope feedback were tested on the benchtop and through imaging in a 1.5 T scanner. Case temperature of the power field-effect transistor at the amplifier output stage was measured to evaluate heat dissipation for the different current levels and coil configurations. In addition, a lower power rated device was tested to exploit the potential gain in B1 obtained with the multi-turn coil. As shown both on the benchtop and in a 1.5 T scanner, B1 was increased by almost 3-fold without increasing heat dissipation on the power device at the amplifier's output using a multi-turn surface coil. Similar gain was obtained when connecting a lower power rated field-effect transistor to the multi-turn coil. In addition to reduce heat dissipation per B1 in the device, higher B1 per current efficiency allows the use of field-effect transistors with lower current ratings and lower port capacitances, which could improve the overall performance of the on-coil current source transmit system. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Scaling for quantum tunneling current in nano- and subnano-scale plasmonic junctions.

PubMed

Zhang, Peng

2015-05-19

When two conductors are separated by a sufficiently thin insulator, electrical current can flow between them by quantum tunneling. This paper presents a self-consistent model of tunneling current in a nano- and subnano-meter metal-insulator-metal plasmonic junction, by including the effects of space charge and exchange correlation potential. It is found that the J-V curve of the junction may be divided into three regimes: direct tunneling, field emission, and space-charge-limited regime. In general, the space charge inside the insulator reduces current transfer across the junction, whereas the exchange-correlation potential promotes current transfer. It is shown that these effects may modify the current density by orders of magnitude from the widely used Simmons' formula, which is only accurate for a limited parameter space (insulator thickness > 1 nm and barrier height > 3 eV) in the direct tunneling regime. The proposed self-consistent model may provide a more accurate evaluation of the tunneling current in the other regimes. The effects of anode emission and material properties (i.e. work function of the electrodes, electron affinity and permittivity of the insulator) are examined in detail in various regimes. Our simple model and the general scaling for tunneling current may provide insights to new regimes of quantum plasmonics.

Effects of Electrical Current and External Stress on the Electromigration of Intermetallic Compounds Between the Flip-Chip Solder and Copper Substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Wei-Jhen; Lee, Yue-Lin; Wu, Ti-Yuan; Chen, Tzu-Ching; Hsu, Chih-Hui; Lin, Ming-Tzer

2018-01-01

This study investigated the effects of electric current and external stress on electromigration of intermetallic compounds (IMC) between solder and copper substrate. Different samples were tested under three different sets of conditions: (1) thermal aging only, (2) thermal aging with electric current ,where resistivity changes were measured using four-point probe measurements, (3) thermal aging with electric current and external stress provided using a four-point bending apparatus. The micro-structural changes in the samples were observed. The results were closely examined; particularly the coupling effect of electric current and external stress to elucidate the electromigration mechanism, as well as the formation of IMC in the samples. For thermal-aging-only samples, the IMC growth mechanism was controlled by grain boundary diffusion. Meanwhile, for thermal aging and applied electric current samples, the IMC growth mechanism was dominated by volume diffusion and interface reaction. Lastly, the IMC growth mechanism in the electric current and external stress group was dominated by grain boundary diffusion with grain growth. The results reveal that the external stress/strain and electric current play a significant role in the electromigration of copper-tin IMC. The samples exposed to tensile stress have reduced electromigration, while those subjected under compressive stress have enhanced electromigration.

Effect of pulsed current GTA welding parameters on the fusion zone microstructure of AA 6061 aluminium alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, T. Senthil; Balasubramanian, V.; Babu, S.; Sanavullah, M. Y.

2007-08-01

AA6061 aluminium alloy (Al-Mg-Si alloy) has gathered wide acceptance in the fabrication of food processing equipment, chemical containers, passenger cars, road tankers, and railway transport systems. The preferred process for welding these aluminium alloys is frequently Gas Tungsten Arc (GTA) welding due to its comparatively easy applicability and lower cost. In the case of single pass GTA welding of thinner sections of this alloy, the pulsed current has been found beneficial due to its advantages over the conventional continuous current processes. The use of pulsed current parameters has been found to improve the mechanical properties of the welds compared to those of continuous current welds of this alloy due to grain refinement occurring in the fusion zone. In this investigation, an attempt has been made to develop a mathematical model to predict the fusion zone grain diameter incorporating pulsed current welding parameters. Statistical tools such as design of experiments, analysis of variance, and regression analysis are used to develop the mathematical model. The developed model can be effectively used to predict the fusion grain diameter at a 95% confidence level for the given pulsed current parameters. The effect of pulsed current GTA welding parameters on the fusion zone grain diameter of AA 6061 aluminium alloy welds is reported in this paper.

Scaling for quantum tunneling current in nano- and subnano-scale plasmonic junctions

PubMed Central

Zhang, Peng

2015-01-01

When two conductors are separated by a sufficiently thin insulator, electrical current can flow between them by quantum tunneling. This paper presents a self-consistent model of tunneling current in a nano- and subnano-meter metal-insulator-metal plasmonic junction, by including the effects of space charge and exchange correlation potential. It is found that the J-V curve of the junction may be divided into three regimes: direct tunneling, field emission, and space-charge-limited regime. In general, the space charge inside the insulator reduces current transfer across the junction, whereas the exchange-correlation potential promotes current transfer. It is shown that these effects may modify the current density by orders of magnitude from the widely used Simmons’ formula, which is only accurate for a limited parameter space (insulator thickness > 1 nm and barrier height > 3 eV) in the direct tunneling regime. The proposed self-consistent model may provide a more accurate evaluation of the tunneling current in the other regimes. The effects of anode emission and material properties (i.e. work function of the electrodes, electron affinity and permittivity of the insulator) are examined in detail in various regimes. Our simple model and the general scaling for tunneling current may provide insights to new regimes of quantum plasmonics. PMID:25988951

Electromagnetic backscattering from one-dimensional drifting fractal sea surface I: Wave-current coupled model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, Xie; Shang-Zhuo, Zhao; William, Perrie; He, Fang; Wen-Jin, Yu; Yi-Jun, He

2016-06-01

To study the electromagnetic backscattering from a one-dimensional drifting fractal sea surface, a fractal sea surface wave-current model is derived, based on the mechanism of wave-current interactions. The numerical results show the effect of the ocean current on the wave. Wave amplitude decreases, wavelength and kurtosis of wave height increase, spectrum intensity decreases and shifts towards lower frequencies when the current occurs parallel to the direction of the ocean wave. By comparison, wave amplitude increases, wavelength and kurtosis of wave height decrease, spectrum intensity increases and shifts towards higher frequencies if the current is in the opposite direction to the direction of ocean wave. The wave-current interaction effect of the ocean current is much stronger than that of the nonlinear wave-wave interaction. The kurtosis of the nonlinear fractal ocean surface is larger than that of linear fractal ocean surface. The effect of the current on skewness of the probability distribution function is negligible. Therefore, the ocean wave spectrum is notably changed by the surface current and the change should be detectable in the electromagnetic backscattering signal. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41276187), the Global Change Research Program of China (Grant No. 2015CB953901), the Priority Academic Development Program of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD), Program for the Innovation Research and Entrepreneurship Team in Jiangsu Province, China, the Canadian Program on Energy Research and Development, and the Canadian World Class Tanker Safety Service.

Current Status and Future Challenges in Risk-Based Radiation Engineering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pellish, Jonathan A.

2017-01-01

This presentation covers the basis and challenges for radiation effects in electronic systems. The three main types of radiation effects in electronics are: 1) total ionizing dose (TID), 2) total non-ionizing dose (TNID) / displacement damage dose (DDD), and 3) single-event effect (SEE). Some content on relevant examples of effects, current concerns, and possible environmental model-driven solutions are also included.

49 CFR 195.577 - What must I do to alleviate interference currents?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... each impressed current or galvanic anode system to minimize any adverse effects on existing adjacent... 49 Transportation 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false What must I do to alleviate interference currents... alleviate interference currents? (a) For pipelines exposed to stray currents, you must have a program to...

49 CFR 195.577 - What must I do to alleviate interference currents?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... each impressed current or galvanic anode system to minimize any adverse effects on existing adjacent... 49 Transportation 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false What must I do to alleviate interference currents... alleviate interference currents? (a) For pipelines exposed to stray currents, you must have a program to...

Flexible bottom-gate graphene transistors on Parylene C substrate and the effect of current annealing

PubMed Central

Kim, Hyungsoo; Bong, Jihye; Mikael, Solomon; Kim, Tong June; Williams, Justin C.; Ma, Zhenqiang

2016-01-01

Flexible graphene transistors built on a biocompatible Parylene C substrate would enable active circuitry to be integrated into flexible implantable biomedical devices. An annealing method to improve the performance of a flexible transistor without damaging the flexible substrate is also desirable. Here, we present a fabrication method of a flexible graphene transistor with a bottom-gate coplanar structure on a Parylene C substrate. Also, a current annealing method and its effect on the device performance have been studied. The localized heat generated by the current annealing method improves the drain current, which is attributed to the decreased contact resistance between graphene and S/D electrodes. A maximum current annealing power in the Parylene C-based graphene transistor has been extracted to provide a guideline for an appropriate current annealing. The fabricated flexible graphene transistor shows a field-effect mobility, maximum transconductance, and a Ion/Ioff ratio of 533.5 cm2/V s, 58.1 μS, and 1.76, respectively. The low temperature process and the current annealing method presented here would be useful to fabricate two-dimensional materials-based flexible electronics. PMID:27795570

A novel model for through-silicon via (TSV) filling process simulation considering three additives and current density effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fuliang; Zhao, Zhipeng; Wang, Feng; Wang, Yan; Nie, Nantian

2017-12-01

Through-silicon via (TSV) filling by electrochemical deposition is still a challenge for 3D IC packaging, and three-component additive systems (accelerator, suppressor, and leveler) were commonly used in the industry to achieve void-free filling. However, models considering three additive systems and the current density effect have not been fully studied. In this paper, a novel three-component model was developed to study the TSV filling mechanism and process, where the interaction behavior of the three additives (accelerator, suppressor, and leveler) were considered, and the adsorption, desorption, and consumption coefficient of the three additives were changed with the current density. Based on this new model, the three filling types (seam void, ‘V’ shape, and key hole) were simulated under different current density conditions, and the filling results were verified by experiments. The effect of the current density on the copper ion concentration, additives surface coverage, and local current density distribution during the TSV filling process were obtained. Based on the simulation and experimental results, the diffusion-adsorption-desorption-consumption competition behavior between the suppressor, the accelerator, and the leveler were discussed. The filling mechanisms under different current densities were also analyzed.

Correlation of current drop, filling gas pressure, and ion beam emission in a low energy Mather-type plasma focus device

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

Behbahani, R. A.; Aghamir, F. M.

The behavior of current drop and its correlation with ion beam emission during the radial phase of a high inductance low energy Mather type plasma focus device have been studied. The study includes two ranges of filling gas pressure, namely the low range of 0.2-0.8 mbar and the high range of 0.8-1.5 mbar. Two different current simulation processes were performed to aid the interpretation of the experimental results. Within the low range of operating pressure, an acceptable match between the computed and experimental current signals was achieved when the effects of anomalous resistances were contemplated. While in the high rangemore » of pressure, the computed and experimental current traces were in line even without considering the effects of anomalous resistances. The analysis shows that by decreasing the filling gas pressure the effects of instabilities are intensified. The computed and experimental current traces, along with ion beam signals gathered from a faraday cup, show that there is a strong correlation between the intensity of ion beam and its duration with the current drop during the radial phase.« less

Spin-dependent Seebeck Effect, Thermal Colossal Magnetoresistance and Negative Differential Thermoelectric Resistance in Zigzag Silicene Nanoribbon Heterojunciton.

PubMed

Fu, Hua-Hua; Wu, Dan-Dan; Zhang, Zu-Quan; Gu, Lei

2015-05-22

Spin-dependent Seebeck effect (SDSE) is one of hot topics in spin caloritronics, which examine the relationships between spin and heat transport in materials. Meanwhile, it is still a huge challenge to obtain thermally induced spin current nearly without thermal electron current. Here, we construct a hydrogen-terminated zigzag silicene nanoribbon heterojunction, and find that by applying a temperature difference between the source and the drain, spin-up and spin-down currents are generated and flow in opposite directions with nearly equal magnitudes, indicating that the thermal spin current dominates the carrier transport while the thermal electron current is much suppressed. By modulating the temperature, a pure thermal spin current can be achieved. Moreover, a thermoelectric rectifier and a negative differential thermoelectric resistance can be obtained in the thermal electron current. Through the analysis of the spin-dependent transport characteristics, a phase diagram containing various spin caloritronic phenomena is provided. In addition, a thermal magnetoresistance, which can reach infinity, is also obtained. Our results put forward an effective route to obtain a spin caloritronic material which can be applied in future low-power-consumption technology.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extracts on NMDA-activated currents in acutely isolated hippocampal neurons of the rat.

PubMed

Li, Shao; Luo, Jie; Wang, Xi; Guan, Bing-Cai; Sun, Chang-Kai

2011-01-01

Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBE) have long been used as a traditional herbal medicine for treating central nervous system diseases and peripheral vascular diseases, but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. Furthermore, traditional GBE is in the form of microsomes and only dissolves in organic solvents; its clinical applications have been greatly limited. Therefore, in the present study, nanometer GBE (nGBE) was prepared utilizing supercritical anti-solvent (SAS) upon CO(2) -supercritical fluid extraction (CO(2) -SPF). Using whole-cell patch clamp techniques, the effects of different preparations of GBE on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-activated currents (I(NMDA) ) from acutely isolated rat hippocampal neurons were investigated and the difference in protective potency between nGBE and mGBE evaluated. The results showed that the inward current activated by NMDA could be depressed by mGBE and nGBE. The inhibitory rates were 40% ± 17% and 64% ± 15%, and the half-inhibition concentrations (IC(50) ) were 0.0210 ± 0.0055 and 0.0262 ± 0.0038 mg/mL, respectively. In comparison, the modulatory effect of nGBE (dissolved in extracellular solution) on NMDA-activated current was significantly greater than that of mGBE (dissolved in DMSO) (p < 0.05). This indicated that the modulatory effects of GBE on NMDA-activated current may contribute to the neuroprotective effects of GBE and the modulatory effect of nGBE on NMDA-activated current was greater than that of mGBE. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dynamic adjustments of cognitive control: oscillatory correlates of the conflict adaptation effect.

PubMed

Pastötter, Bernhard; Dreisbach, Gesine; Bäuml, Karl-Heinz T

2013-12-01

It is a prominent idea that cognitive control mediates conflict adaptation, in that response conflict in a previous trial triggers control adjustments that reduce conflict in a current trial. In the present EEG study, we investigated the dynamics of cognitive control in a response-priming task by examining the effects of previous trial conflict on intertrial and current trial oscillatory brain activities, both on the electrode and the source level. Behavioral results showed conflict adaptation effects for RTs and response accuracy. Physiological results showed sustained intertrial effects in left parietal theta power, originating in the left inferior parietal cortex, and midcentral beta power, originating in the left and right (pre)motor cortex. Moreover, physiological analysis revealed a current trial conflict adaptation effect in midfrontal theta power, originating in the ACC. Correlational analyses showed that intertrial effects predicted conflict-induced midfrontal theta power in currently incongruent trials. In addition, conflict adaptation effects in midfrontal theta power and RTs were positively related. Together, these findings point to a dynamic cognitive control system that, as a function of previous trial type, up- and down-regulates attention and preparatory motor activities in anticipation of the next trial.

Effective action and electromagnetic response of topological superconductors and Majorana-mass Weyl fermions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stone, Michael; Lopes, Pedro L. e. S.

2016-05-01

Motivated by an apparent paradox in [X.-L. Qi, E. Witten, and S.-C. Zhang, Phys. Rev. B 87, 134519 (2013), 10.1103/PhysRevB.87.134519], we use the method of gauged Wess-Zumino-Witten functionals to construct an effective action for a Weyl fermion with a Majorana mass that arises from coupling to a charged condensate. We obtain expressions for the current induced by an external gauge field and observe that the topological part of the current is only one-third of that that might have been expected from the gauge anomaly. The anomaly is not changed by the induced mass gap, however. The topological current is supplemented by a conventional supercurrent that provides the remaining two-thirds of the anomaly once the equation of motion for the Goldstone mode is satisfied. We apply our formula for the current to resolve the apparent paradox and also to the chiral magnetic effect (CME), where it predicts a reduction of the CME current to one-third of its value for a free Weyl gas in thermal equilibrium. We attribute this reduction to a partial cancellation of the CME by a chiral vortical effect current arising from the persistent rotation of the fluid induced by the external magnetic field.

Activation of outward K+ currents: effect of VIP in oesophagus

PubMed Central

Jury, Jennifer; Daniel, Edwin E

1999-01-01

Electrical field stimulations (EFS) of the opossum and canine lower oesophageal sphincters (OLOS and CLOS respectively) and opossum oesophageal body circular muscle (OOBCM) induce non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxations of any active tension and NO-mediated hyperpolarization. VIP relaxes the OLOS and CLOS and any tone in OOBCM without major electrophysiological effects. These relaxations are not blocked by NOS inhibitors. Using isolated smooth muscle cells, we tested whether VIP acted through myogenic NO production.Outward currents were similar in OOBCM and OLOS and NO increased them regardless of pipette Ca2+i, from 50–8000 nM. L-NAME or L-NOARG did not block outward currents in OLOS at 200 nM pipette Ca2+.Outward currents in CLOS cells decreased at 200 nM pipette Ca2+ or less but NO donors still increased them. VIP had no effect on outward currents in cells from OOBCM, OLOS or CLOS under conditions of pipette Ca2+ at which NO donors increased outward K+ currents.We conclude, VIP does not mimic electrophysiological effects of NO donors on isolated cells of OOBCM, OLOS or CLOS. VIP relaxes the OLOS and CLOS and inhibits contraction of OOBCM by a mechanism unrelated to release of myogenic NO or an increase in outward current.Also, the different dependence of outward currents of OOBCM and OLOS on pipette Ca2+ from those of CLOS suggests that different K+ channels are involved and that myogenic NO production contributes to K+ channel activity in CLOS but not in OLOS or OOBCM. PMID:10385258

Genistein inhibits voltage-gated sodium currents in SCG neurons through protein tyrosine kinase-dependent and kinase-independent mechanisms.

PubMed

Jia, Zhanfeng; Jia, Yueqin; Liu, Boyi; Zhao, Zhiying; Jia, Qingzhong; Liang, Huiling; Zhang, Hailin

2008-08-01

Voltage-gated sodium channels play a crucial role in the initiation and propagation of neuronal action potentials. Genistein, an isoflavone phytoestrogen, has long been used as a broad-spectrum inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases (PTK). In addition, genistein-induced modulation of ion channels has been described previously in the literature. In this study, we investigated the effect of genistein on voltage-gated sodium channels in rat superior cervical ganglia (SCG) neurons. The results show that genistein inhibits Na(+) currents in a concentration-dependent manner, with a concentration of half-maximal effect (IC(50)) at 9.1 +/- 0.9 microM. Genistein positively shifted the voltage dependence of activation but did not affect inactivation of the Na(+) current. The inactive genistein analog daidzein also inhibited Na(+) currents, but was less effective than genistein. The IC(50) for daidzein-induced inhibition was 20.7 +/- 0.1 microM. Vanadate, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, partially but significantly reversed genistein-induced inhibition of Na(+) currents. Other protein tyrosine kinase antagonists such as tyrphostin 23, an erbstatin analog, and PP2 all had small but significant inhibitory effects on Na(+) currents. Among all active and inactive tyrosine kinase inhibitors tested, genistein was the most potent inhibitor of Na(+) currents. These results suggest that genistein inhibits Na(+) currents in rat SCG neurons through two distinct mechanisms: protein tyrosine kinase-independent, and protein tyrosine kinase-dependent mechanisms. Furthermore, the Src kinase family may be involved in the basal phosphorylation of the Na(+) channel.

Current source enhancements in Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to cancel unwanted capacitive effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zarafshani, Ali; Bach, Thomas; Chatwin, Chris; Xiang, Liangzhong; Zheng, Bin

2017-03-01

Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) has emerged as a non-invasive imaging modality to detect and quantify functional or electrical properties related to the suspicious tumors in cancer screening, diagnosis and prognosis assessment. A constraint on EIS systems is that the current excitation system suffers from the effects of stray capacitance having a major impact on the hardware subsystem as the EIS is an ill-posed inverse problem which depends on the noise level in EIS measured data and regularization parameter in the reconstruction algorithm. There is high complexity in the design of stable current sources, with stray capacitance reducing the output impedance and bandwidth of the system. To confront this, we have designed an EIS current source which eliminates the effect of stray capacitance and other impacts of the capacitance via a variable inductance. In this paper, we present a combination of operational CCII based on a generalized impedance converter (OCCII-GIC) with a current source. The aim of this study is to use the EIS system as a biomedical imaging technique, which is effective in the early detection of breast cancer. This article begins with the theoretical description of the EIS structure, current source topologies and proposes a current conveyor in application of a Gyrator to eliminate the current source limitations and its development followed by simulation and experimental results. We demonstrated that the new design could achieve a high output impedance over a 3MHz frequency bandwidth when compared to other types of GIC circuits combined with an improved Howland topology.

Effect of vacuum arc cathode spot distribution on breaking capacity of the arc-extinguishing chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Can; Yuan, Zhao; He, Junjia

2017-10-01

A DC circuit breaker performs a key function in breaking an intermediate-frequency (IF) current since breaking a pure IF current is equivalent to breaking a very small DC with a reverse IF current. In this study, it is found that cathode spots show a ring-shaped distribution at 2000 Hz. An arc with an uneven distribution of cathode spots has been simulated. The simulation results show that the distribution of cathode spots significantly affect the microparameter distribution of arc plasma. The current distribution on the anode side differs from that on the cathode side under the total radial electric field. Specifically, the anode current distribution is both uneven and concentrated. The applied axial magnetic field, which cannot reduce the concentrated anode current distribution effectively, might increase the concentration of the anode current. Finally, the uneven distribution of cathode spots reduces the breaking capacity of the arc-extinguishing chamber.

Ethanol and silver effects on ion transport across toad skin.

PubMed

Gerencser, G A; Loo, S Y; Cornette, K M

1985-01-01

Silver stimulated short-circuit current and transepithelial potential difference. Ethanol inhibited transpithelial potential difference. Ethanol had no effect on short-circuit current. Ethanol stimulated unidirectional movements of chloride from outside to inside and from inside to outside.

Inert gas clearance from tissue by co-currently and counter-currently arranged microvessels

PubMed Central

Lu, Y.; Michel, C. C.

2012-01-01

To elucidate the clearance of dissolved inert gas from tissues, we have developed numerical models of gas transport in a cylindrical block of tissue supplied by one or two capillaries. With two capillaries, attention is given to the effects of co-current and counter-current flow on tissue gas clearance. Clearance by counter-current flow is compared with clearance by a single capillary or by two co-currently arranged capillaries. Effects of the blood velocity, solubility, and diffusivity of the gas in the tissue are investigated using parameters with physiological values. It is found that under the conditions investigated, almost identical clearances are achieved by a single capillary as by a co-current pair when the total flow per tissue volume in each unit is the same (i.e., flow velocity in the single capillary is twice that in each co-current vessel). For both co-current and counter-current arrangements, approximate linear relations exist between the tissue gas clearance rate and tissue blood perfusion rate. However, the counter-current arrangement of capillaries results in less-efficient clearance of the inert gas from tissues. Furthermore, this difference in efficiency increases at higher blood flow rates. At a given blood flow, the simple conduction-capacitance model, which has been used to estimate tissue blood perfusion rate from inert gas clearance, underestimates gas clearance rates predicted by the numerical models for single vessel or for two vessels with co-current flow. This difference is accounted for in discussion, which also considers the choice of parameters and possible effects of microvascular architecture on the interpretation of tissue inert gas clearance. PMID:22604885

The inclusion of ocean-current effects in a tidal-current model as forcing in the convection term and its application to the mesoscale fate of CO2 seeping from the seafloor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakaizawa, Ryosuke; Kawai, Takaya; Sato, Toru; Oyama, Hiroyuki; Tsumune, Daisuke; Tsubono, Takaki; Goto, Koichi

2018-03-01

The target seas of tidal-current models are usually semi-closed bays, minimally affected by ocean currents. For these models, tidal currents are simulated in computational domains with a spatial scale of a couple hundred kilometers or less, by setting tidal elevations at their open boundaries. However, when ocean currents cannot be ignored in the sea areas of interest, such as in open seas near coastlines, it is necessary to include ocean-current effects in these tidal-current models. In this study, we developed a numerical method to analyze tidal currents near coasts by incorporating pre-calculated ocean-current velocities. First, a large regional-scale simulation with a spatial scale of several thousand kilometers was conducted and temporal changes in the ocean-current velocity at each grid point were stored. Next, the spatially and temporally interpolated ocean-current velocity was incorporated as forcing into the cross terms of the convection term of a tidal-current model having computational domains with spatial scales of hundreds of kilometers or less. Then, we applied this method to the diffusion of dissolved CO2 in a sea area off Tomakomai, Japan, and compared the numerical results and measurements to validate the proposed method.

Effect of double layers on magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lysak, Robert L.; Hudson, Mary K.

1987-01-01

The dynamic aspects of auroral current structures are reviewed with emphasis on consequences for models of microscopic turbulence (MT). A number of models of MT are introduced into a large-scale model of Alfven wave propagation to determine the effect of various models on the overall structure of auroral currents. The effect of a double layer (DL) electric field which scales with the plasma temperature and the Debye length is compared with the effect of anomalous resistivity due to electrostatic ion cyclotron turbulence in which the electric field scales with the magnetic field strength. It is shown that the DL model is less diffusive than the resistive model, indicating the possibility of narrow intense current structures.

Inverse spin Hall and spin rectification effects in NiFe/FeMn exchange-biased thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garcia, W. J. S.; Seeger, R. L.; da Silva, R. B.; Harres, A.

2017-11-01

Materials presenting high spin-orbit coupling are able to convert spin currents in charge currents. The phenomenon, known as inverse spin Hall effect, promises to revolutionize spintronic technology enabling the electrical detection of spin currents. It has been observed in a variety of systems, usually non-magnetic metals. We study the voltage emerging in exchange biased Ta/NiFe/FeMn/Ta thin films near the ferromagnetic resonance. Measured signals are related to both inverse spin Hall and spin rectification effects, and two distinct protocols were employed to separate their contributions.The curve shift due to the exchange bias effect may enable high frequency applications without an external applied magnetic field.